Lululemon Athletica (LULU) is a Canada-based manufacturer and marketer of athletic and yoga apparel in North America, Japan, and Australia. The company trades on the Nasdaq and the TSX with a market capitalization of $9.81 billion and 144.16 million shares outstanding.

This high-growth apparel company that enjoys robust margins on its merchandise has proven that its formula for success works. Focused on brand recognition and customer loyalty, Lululemon managed to grow its annual revenues at an average rate of 42% over the past three years. In fact, 2012 revenues slightly surpassed the $1 billion mark for the very first time.

Annual Revenues (in Millions) and Growth Rates

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The company also enjoys strong margins on its operations. In 2012, the company posted a 56.9% gross margin, which in turn helped the company boost its operating margin to 29% -- a 4% improvement over 2011. The strong growth

The Ford Motor Company (F) is primarily a manufacturer of cars and trucks which are sold across the globe. The company operates in North and South America, Asia, Europe and Africa. In addition to its manufacturing business, the company also operates a financial services business (Ford Motor Credit) that provides customers with the means to finance the purchase, or lease of a Ford-made vehicle. The company trades on the NYSE with a market capitalization of $50.06B and has 3.81B shares outstanding.

The car manufacturer recently reported that the total vehicles it sold in 2012 amounted to 5.668M units, or 27K less than it sold in 2011, making some investors wary that the sales growth of the company is not only slowing, but is beginning to decline. At the same time revenues also declined somewhat in 2012, reaching $126.6B, $1.6B less than 2011 revenues, on the

New Gold (NGD) is a mid-tier Canadian based gold mining company with operations in North and South America. The company's shares trade on the NYSEAMEX with a market capitalization $4.62B and 462.87M shares outstanding.

According to a recent short report published by the TSX, New Gold short interest has grown over the past two weeks to about 56.15M shares, making it the third most shorted company on the exchange. To short a stock, an institution, or an individual must borrow the particular company's shares to sell in the open market in hopes of repurchasing those shares at a lower price.

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At this point, the short interest on New Gold's shares represents a significant amount of the total outstanding share number of 462.87M, or 12.13 percent. This means that it will take over 23 trading days to cover the total short position on the company's shares at

Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) is a North American railway company with links to major ports, providing Canadian and American companies with freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. The company's shares trade on the NYSE with a market capitalization of $20.05B and 172.97M shares outstanding.

CP's shares officially entered a euphoric zone that can no longer be justified by valuation. Ever since management and particular members of the board were forced out by a movement led by an activist hedge fund investor in 2012, the company's shares have been propelling higher and higher as investors try to discount the potential growth in earnings that could result from a more efficient operating ratio. However, at current price levels investors are simply paying too much for a company that has shown modest revenue growth and is relying almost completely on cost reduction to satisfy an earnings multiple in excess of

The response to the most recent article citing the flaws and weaknesses in Jaguar Mining (JAG) has been somewhat of a disagreement in nature, primarily because a merchant bank agreed to provide the company with a $30M loan facility, of which the company already withdrew $5M on January 25, 2013.

For some investors, the confidence illustrated by the merchant bank is a sign that better things are coming in the company's direction as the investment bank is more sophisticated in its due diligence and commitment of capital. Therefore, some investors have taken the loan as a sign of confidence, strength and a reason to commit new capital by purchasing additional Jaguar shares.

This notion might be true; however, the company's performance and margins speak for themselves as clearly outlined here. These particular investors failed to examine the other side of the story, conveniently the side that

Biogen Idec (BIIB) is a biotechnology company that develops, manufactures and markets therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hemophilia and autoimmune disorders. Biogen developed an array of products, among the most well known are Avonex, Tysabri and Rituxan. The company's shares trade on the NASDAQ with a market capitalization of $35.49B and 236.6M shares outstanding.

Biogen delivered its fourth quarter and 2012 full-year results on January 28 and those were strong. Fourth quarter revenues grew 7 percent to $1.4B over the same period last year, while earnings per share decreased somewhat in the quarter primarily due to a retroactive tax adjustment amounting to about $0.12 per share. More importantly, fiscal 2012 revenues continued to show strong rates of growth increasing 9.3 percent over 2011 revenues and amounting to over $5.5B. Management expects the strong growth to persist going into 2013, expecting revenues to grow by 10 percent as

Jaguar Mining (JAG) is a relatively small gold producer with three operating mines in Brazil, one of which was put on care and maintenance in May 2012 as part of an effort to reduce costs.

The company recently released its fourth quarter and 2012 annual production results on January 17 and production continues to decline. In addition to declining 35 percent on a quarter-over-quarter basis, fourth quarter production declined 5.9 percent from 23,026 ounces in Q3-2012 to 21,676 ounces in Q4-2012. On a full year basis production declines are as pronounced as annual gold production dropped 34 percent from 155,764 ounces in 2011 to 102,823 ounces in 2012.

Although a large portion of the declines can be attributed to the company's ongoing cost saving program, which put the Paciancia

Travelzoo (TZOO) is an internet based company that provides travel and entertainment companies a platform, or the means to reach a wider audience. The company informs its millions of subscribers around the globe on travel and entertainment deals, in addition to offers from local businesses. Travelzoo's primary method of revenue generation is through advertising fees. The company trades on the NASDAQ with a market capitalization of $362.62M and currently has about 15.8M shares outstanding.

On January 24 the company reported its full year and 2012 fourth quarter results, which were followed by an enthusiastic reaction in the company's share price. Closing at $19.21 a share the day before earnings were released, the company's shares propelled on the 24th to close the day at $23.88, a 24.3 percent increase over the prior closing price. This reaction in perplexing as this investor can find nothing in the company's earnings to justify the

Starbucks (SBUX) is a roaster and retailer of specialty coffee with operations in about 60 countries around the world. The company's shares have been on an incredible run since hitting a low of about $7.83 in late 2008, appreciating almost 600 percent since. The company's shares trade on the NASDAQ with a market capitalization of $40.58B and about 743.6M shares outstanding.

The U.S. based high flyer reported its Q1-2013 operating and financial results on January 24 and once again illustrated strong performance in the markets it operates in. The company managed to post record quarterly earnings of $0.57 per share, an increase of 14 percent over Q1-2012 earnings of $0.50 per share. The earnings increase came on the back of record quarterly revenues of $3.8B, a healthy increase of 11 percent over the same period last year. The solid growth in earnings demonstrates the company's ability to identify and shut

AT&T Inc. (T) is a holding company for AT&T, one of the United States' largest providers of communications related services, including the country's largest 4G network. The company also offers Wi-Fi, wireless and other Internet services in addition to TV services under the AT&T and DIRECTV brands. AT&T Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded companies on the NYSE with a market capitalization of $191.7B and about 5.68B shares outstanding.

Utilities and telecoms have been the great beneficiaries of low rates, primarily due to their predictable cash flows and reliable dividend yields. AT&T Inc. has participated in the so-called chase for yield investors have been on since the Federal Reserve cut its overnight rate to a mere 25 basis points, pushing the gigantic market capitalization of the company by about 50 percent in the past three years. The strong need for reliable cash flows and low volatility on the

General Dynamics Corporation (GD) is an aerospace and defense company selling products and services primarily to governments. The company provides a range of products from combat vehicles and weapons systems to munitions and communications gear. General Dynamics trades on the NYSE and currently has a market capitalization of $25B.

The company announced its fourth quarter and full year financial and operating results on January 23, which illustrate that the company is fairly valued at its current multiple and therefore, no value, or significant capital appreciation can be attained by investing in General Dynamics shares at this stage. Fourth quarter revenues declined 11.7 percent over the same period last year, while full year 2012 revenues declined 3.6 percent from 2011 revenues. Similarly, earnings per share for 2012 declined 5.7 percent when comparing 2012 adjusted earnings of $6.48 per share to 2011 earnings of $6.87 per share.

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Unadjusted,

Semafo (SEMFF.PK) is a Canadian based gold mining company with three operating mines in West Africa. The company has two relatively small operations in Niger and Guinea and a large operation in Burkina Faso's prolific Hounde gold belt. After reporting disappointing third quarter results on November 7, 2012, the company's shares began a week of decline that amounted to roughly 20 percent. Most recently, the company reported its fourth quarter and annual production results in addition to 2013 production estimates and those are nothing to get excited about.

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Starting with fourth quarter production that declined 3.7 percent from 64,800 in Q4-2011 to 62,400 in Q4-2012, investors can easily notice that the production growth Semafo has enjoyed in the past three years is quickly subsiding. This phenomenon is even more apparent when considering the company's guidance for 2013, which indicates that gold production

Woodward, Inc. (WWD) operates production and assembly facilities across the globe, and is primarily involved in the design and manufacturing of energy controls as well as optimization and maintenance services to the aerospace and energy markets. The company trades on the Nasdaq and currently has a market capitalization of $2.68 billion.

The company announced its Q1 2013 operating and financial results on Jan. 22 and reported that revenues generated in the quarter were $408.3 million, essentially flat over Q1 2012 revenues of $407.9 million. However, the company did miss consensus estimates of $435.27 million, a miss of $26.97 million. Similarly, earnings per share in the quarter came in at $0.39, flat over $0.40 in the same period last year and missing analyst estimates of $0.45 by $0.06.

According to the company's chief executive, results for the first quarter were subject to normal seasonal patterns and increased economic volatility.

Oceana (OCGPF.PK) is an Australian based gold miner with producing mines in New Zealand and a newly constructed mine in the Philippines, Didipio, which is in the commissioning stages. The company recently released its fourth quarter and annual production figures and results illustrate the importance of the Didipio project to the company.

On a quarter-over-quarter basis total production increased by 16.8 percent from 65,750 in Q4-2011 to 76,844 ounces in Q4-2012, however, full year production decreased by 7.7 percent from 252,499 ounces in 2011 to 232,909 in 2012. The annual declines in production are primarily due to the company's aging mines and therefore, the declining rates of production. This phenomenon illustrates the importance of Didipio as an essential component in the company's growth profile going forward.

Thus far progress with Didipio is encouraging. The company completed the construction of the project in the Philippines and is now in the

Majesco Entertainment Company (COOL) trades on the NASDAQ and is a developer and publisher of video games for console and portable systems. One of the company's most notable competitors is Electronic Arts (EA) with a market capitalization of over $4.4B.

Majesco reported its fourth quarter and fiscal 2012 results on January 14, 2012 and although fourth quarter results were not exactly horrible, it is management's guidance that is particularly worrisome going forward.

On a quarter over quarter basis the company reported that Q4-2012 revenues increased 6 percent to $26.6M, while net loss for the quarter improved from $3.9M in 2011 to $2.7M in 2012. On a full year basis the company generated $132.3M in revenues, up 6 percent from 2011, as well as meeting management's expectations. Net income for 2012 dropped to $4.4M from $6.8M in 2011 on the back of weaker sales.

The company expects that fiscal 2013

IAMGOLD (IAG) is a Canadian based gold and niobium producer with its current gold production derived from West Africa and Suriname, while its niobium production comes from Quebec, Canada.

Third Quarter Gold Production by Country:

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The company reported third quarter results on November 13 and gold production in the quarter declined 7.7 percent to 205,000 ounces from 222,000 ounces in the third quarter of 2011. The company cited the poor performance by its joint venture partner as a primary cause for the lower production as the company's chief executive noted "the performance of the mines not operated by us was disappointing and places us at the lower end of our production guidance." The statement is a bit perplexing as the decline in the third quarter was primarily the result of lower grade ore at the Essakane mine, which is operated by the company in addition

Jaguar Mining (JAG) is a relatively small gold producer with three operating mines in Brazil, one of which was put on care and maintenance in May 2012 as part of an effort to reduce costs.

The company reported its third quarter results on November 12 and although it seems that the company's efforts to reduce costs have been successful on a quarter-over-quarter basis, the company failed to do the same on a longer-term basis.

Operating Cash Costs per Ounce:

As the table above indicates, average cash operating costs in the third quarter increased 9 percent to $963 from $886 per ounce in the same period last year. The increase in costs was prevalent in both of the company's operating mines as the Paciência operation was put on care and maintenance. The increase in operating costs stems primarily from two factors: grade and production.

At the Trumalina operation, head grades

Semafo (SEMFF.PK) is a Canadian based gold mining company with three operating mines in West Africa. The company's shares broke through key resistance on September 7; however, that progress has been reversed since.

The company reported its third quarter results on November 7 and those can be summarized in one word--disappointing.

The company reported that revenue declined to $79.4M, a 22 percent drop from the same period last year. The decrease can be attributed to a 20 percent decline in gold ounces sold and a 3 percent decline in the gold price on a year-over-year basis.

In addition, cash costs per ounce increased by a whopping 31 percent from $637 per ounce in Q3-2011 to $836 per ounce in Q3-2012. The increase pressured margins which resulted in a year-over-year cash margin decline of 26 percent.

The increase in cash costs can be largely attributed to lower grade material

It is difficult to get excited about Great Canadian Gaming's (GCGMF.PK) prospects these days. With tepid revenue growth and lackluster earnings results, investors can seek better opportunities elsewhere. The company is a gaming and hospitality operator in three Canadian provinces and Washington State. It operates 10 casinos, three community gaming centers, four horse tracks and one hotel resort.

Canadian Gaming's primary sources of revenues are derived from its gaming and hospitality operations, which were 68.8 and 20.1 percent of third quarter gross revenues, respectively. The remainder of revenues were generated through facility development commissions and its racetrack operations.

The company recently reported that its third quarter revenues have increased a meager 1 percent on a year-over-year basis -- hardly a growth rate to get excited about. The trend of growth the company enjoyed in 2000-2006 has flattened dramatically in subsequent years. In fact, the company has experienced little to

The precipitous decline in uranium prices and the plant closures resulting from the Fukushima nuclear disaster is trickling down to uranium producers.

One of the world largest producers, Cameco Corporation (CCJ), came into terms with the declining price of yellow cake and the changing attitude toward nuclear power generation. In its third quarter report, the company adjusted its expectations and is now estimating that 80 new nuclear plants will be built, down from the previous expectation of 95. This led the company to cut its forecasted demand for the material by 50M pounds to 2.1B over its 10-year forecast.

As a result of the reduced expected demand, the company responded by cutting its targeted growth plans to become a 40M pounds uranium producer by 2018 by 10 percent to 36M pounds. The company also responded by deferring development of what it calls its Greenfield projects until market conditions improve.