Product differentiation between competitors has long been a strategy of most businesses. Setting itself apart through product functionality, price, or simply just the ‘look and feel’ is a trend that usually proves effective. Strategy differs when companies reach a certain size. Some companies are big enough to diversify their own products so as to ‘hedge their bets’, so to speak.

Take for example Microsoft (MSFT). This company seems to be waiting to see which operating system consumers will grab hold of by rolling out tablet devices with either the Windows 8 or Windows RT.

Alternatively, some companies show such confidence in their products as to bet the farm on a solid performer. This seems to be the case with Intel (INTC), which is looking squarely at its new Atom processor used in several cross-market devices.

The key to this processor is its universality. It can be used in both desktop devices and tablets without sacrificing performance. As many traditional PC users are slow in migrating from desktop to tablet, it would seem this bet could pay off.

Whenever anyone mentions the word “tablet” in conversation, that conversation will probably include praise for Apple’s (AAPL) iPad. Since its inception, the domination of the tablet market has been largely based on the hitherto unmatched combination of cost-effectiveness and high functionality.

It is mindboggling how the iPad can continue almost unrivaled, save a few attempts at imitation rather than improvement. To continue reading, click here.

China presents a wealth of opportunities for growth in online commerce. While it has censorship restrictions and more government monitoring of traffic than exist in the Western world, there is fertile ground for companies that provide search engines, online commerce, advertising, content and mobile applications. Baidu (BIDU) is the Google (GOOG) of China and has captured over 80% of the market share.

Baidu’s logical comparison is Google. Baidu is the predominant search engine in China. It has more than 50 communities and services online that include search, maps and mobile OS. It provides the platform for 740 million web pages, 80 million images and 10 million multimedia files. It is number four in the world for traffic and number one in China. Of 64 billion search requests in China, 53.5 billion of them are done through Baidu. It controls 83.6% of searches in China against Google’s 11.1%. Notably, Google scaled back its plans for expansion in China due to government restrictions. How much bigger can Baidu get?

The company had a great second quarter 2012 and is looking to expand its reach by providing services to and assessing all opportunities in the mobile internet and cloud sectors.

Baidu’s second quarter earnings of $858.8 million were 59.8% higher than the same period in 2011. Operating profit increased 51.5% from the same period in 2011 to $443.1 million. The company has $2.88 billion in cash and $447.5 million in debt. Its current ratio is 4.69 and book value per share is $9.03. The float is 78.9% owned by institutions. Baidu’s common stock trades around $109. To continue reading, click here.

One of the leading independent energy companies leading the way in the exploration and development of natural gas liquids (NGL) is Devon (DVN). While other energy companies are searching out alternative resources because of the downward pricing of natural gas, Devon is going for the liquid.

This is a smart move especially when analysts are expecting this company’s growth, due to NGL, to be close to 13% this year. Of course NGL is not Devon’s only energy resource to bring to market. The company is expecting growth of up to 24% from its oil plays. In the most recent quarter, the company reported record production of 694,000 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day in the most recent quarter, up 10% from the first quarter of 2011. Devon is a company that I believe investors should not just keep a keen eye on, but own the company while watching its phenomenal growth.

Two of Devon’s competitors, Apache (APA) and Anadarko (APC) are in for a surprise when Devon’s plans finally begin to take hold. Lesser competitors such as Cabot Oil & Gas (COG), Comstock Resources (CRK), and Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) will also need to be on their toes as Devon begins taking action on its lofty goals. The company has set a goal to spend $1 billion more than originally planned for oil exploration, or close to $6.5 billion, with expectations of increasing its oil and gas production by 6% to 8% on an annual basis over the next five years.To continue reading, click here.

Things are looking up for BP (BP), which was recently able to restart its Cherry Point oil refinery in Washington after about 3 months of it being shut down.

This is good news for more than one reason. Firstly it obviously means that production can resume and the refinery will be able to start making a profit for the company again. In addition the company will no longer have to face angry claims from Washington residents regarding the fact that the shutdown apparently caused gas prices in the region to rise to unacceptably high levels. Taking a look at spot gas prices in the area now, it is easy to see that it was the BP shutdown, despite the company’s claims to the contrary, that caused the process to spike in the first place. Following the restart of the refinery prices have dropped noticeably. This is because the refinery, although still engaged in the start up process, has already restarted the production of motor fuel. The initial shutdown was caused by a fire that necessitated a number of repairs. The refinery is back up and running and full production will most likely be resumed by the end of the month.

And, of course, the company is still dealing with the backlash from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The company is very close to closing a deal that will resolve most of the civil lawsuits currently leveled against it regarding the spill.To continue reading, click here.

Apple’s (AAPL) announcement that it will begin paying dividends and buying back stock was welcome news to many investors because of the amount of cash the company had seemingly just sitting around.

That cash pile largely stems from the innovative products the company offers, including the iPad, iPod, iMac, MacBook and iPhone. I believe the company’s upcoming release of its iTV will also be a hit, further bolstering its $550 billion worth.

Apple’s success is due largely to its loyal followers who will buy anything that has Apple’s name on it just for the sake of owning something that has Apple’s name on it. This loyal following, as well as newbies to the world of “i” gadgets, will likely be as enamored with the iTV as they have been with other Apple products. The company’s competitors, however, are not waiting idly on the sidelines for customers or market share in this emerging company.

One such company is Cisco (CSCO), which in early March announced that it is making a $5 billion acquisition of a company that specializes in providing video streaming. The move should allow Cisco to be able to offer comparable, if not better, service than what’s to come from Apple’s TV.

Cisco is purchasing NDS, a UK company that makes software that allows for streaming video to set-top boxes, PCs, mobile phones and DVRs. The software is already being taken advantage of in 125 million households worldwide. Also, NDS’ portfolio of products includes an interface for cable and satellite providers like DirecTV (DTV). To continue reading, click here.

Over the last few years major oil companies have become the target of environmentalists, politicians and consumer advocates. The biggest reason is from consistently high prices charged for crude oil and gasoline. For investors these stocks appear to be enticing because of the potential profit margins. However, several major players have recently announced challenges associated with the refining portion of the business. In this article, I analyze Anadarko Petroleum (APC), Conoco Phillips (COP), Chevron Corporation (CVX), Petro China (PTR) and BP PLC (BP) on a relative value and earnings basis. My analysis and ideas should be used as a starting point for all future research.

Anadarko Petroleum

Anadarko Petroleum trades at a forward price earnings ratio of 23.18. The balance sheet includes $12.98 billion in revenues, $3.29 billion in cash and $13.94 billion in debt. The earnings have been volatile over the last three quarters going from $.29 to $1.14. Then declining in the third quarter of 2011 to $.66 (see below).

Anadarko Petroleum Earnings per Share

Despite these numbers, the price of the stock is above the 200 day moving average of $75.81. The bullish move in shares follows a test of support at the 200 day moving average earlier in the month. The divergence in these numbers is from the company focusing on exploration. These activities are taking place off of the coast of West Africa with major discoveries in areas such as: Mozambique and Ghana. The momentum is showing how investors are bidding up the stock.