Top 5 Gold Companies To Own For 2014

The shutdown's ending and the US government will reopen, now that a deal with Congress has been reached to extend the debt ceiling until the beginning of February, writes MoneyShow's Howard R. Gold. He fills you in on the direction he feels stocks will head next on the news.

Now that Congress has finally come to its senses and reached a deal to reopen the federal government and extend the debt ceiling, markets are back to doing what they did before��allying.

In the wee hours of Thursday morning, President Obama signed a bill passed by the US Senate and House of Representatives that will fund the government through January 15, 2014 and extend the debt ceiling through February 7.

If you think we've seen this movie before, you're right��ack in August 2011, and again late last year, with the overhyped fiscal cliff.

And if you think stocks are now ready to move on to new highs, you're also probably right.

Markets rallied big time Wednesday, in anticipation of a deal. With default off the table (at least for a few months, and maybe for good, God willing), one more major obstacle to the market's advance has been removed.

Top 5 Gold Companies To Own For 2014: Claude Resources Inc.(CGR)

Claude Resources Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal properties, as well as production and marketing of minerals in Canada. It primarily explores for gold in northern Saskatchewan and northwestern Ontario. The company holds interests in the Seabee gold mine located at Laonil Lake, northern Saskatchewan; and the Madsen property that consists of 6 contiguous claim blocks totaling approximately 10,000 acres, located in the Red Lake Mining District of northwestern Ontario. It also holds interest in the Amisk Gold project, which covers an area of 13,800 hectares in the province of Saskatchewan. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Saskatoon, Canada.

Top 5 Gold Companies To Own For 2014: Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.(TC)

Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in mining, milling, processing, and marketing molybdenum products in the United States and Canada. The company?s principal properties include the Thompson Creek Mine and mill in Idaho; a metallurgical roasting facility in Langeloth, Pennsylvania; and a joint venture interest in the Endako Mine, mill, and roasting facility in British Columbia. It also holds interests in development projects comprising the Davidson molybdenum property and the Berg copper-molybdenum-silver property located in northern British Columbia; the Howard?s Pass property, a lead and zinc project situated in the Yukon territory-northwest territories border; and the Maze Lake property, a gold project located in the Kivalliq district of Nunavut. The company produces molybdenum products, primarily molybdic oxide and ferromolybdenum, as well as soluble technical oxide, pure molybdenum tri-oxide, and high purity molybdenum disulfide. As o f December 31, 2010, its consolidated recoverable proven and probable ore reserves totaled 462.2 million pounds of contained molybdenum in the Thompson Creek Mine and the Endako Mine. The company was formerly known as Blue Pearl Mining Ltd. and changed its name to Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. in May 2007. Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. is based in Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Beaten-down companies that you think are likely to recover strongly are also good candidates. Molybdenum miner Thompson Creek Metals (NYSE: TC  ) , for example, sports average annual losses of 35% over the past five years, and carries substantial debt, but molybdenum's long-term outlook is promising, with price increases likely, and the company has a promising gold and copper mine on track to start producing by the end of the year. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX  ) is another major molybdenum player, with considerable operations in other metals, as well -- along with new investments in oil and gas production.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Own For 2014: Goldman Sachs Group Inc.(The)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides investment banking, securities, and investment management services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals worldwide. Its Investment Banking segment offers financial advisory, including advisory assignments with respect to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense, risk management, restructurings, and spin-offs; and underwriting securities, loans and other financial instruments, and derivative transactions. The company?s Institutional Client Services segment provides client execution activities, such as fixed income, currency, and commodities client execution related to making markets in interest rate products, credit products, mortgages, currencies, and commodities; and equities related to making markets in equity products, as well as commissions and fees from executing and clearing institutional client transactions on stock, options, and fu tures exchanges. This segment also engages in the securities services business providing financing, securities lending, and other prime brokerage services to institutional clients, including hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds, and foundations. Its Investing and Lending segment invests in debt securities, loans, public and private equity securities, real estate, consolidated investment entities, and power generation facilities. This segment also involves in the origination of loans to provide financing to clients. The company?s Investment Management segment provides investment management services and investment products to institutional and individual clients. This segment also offers wealth advisory services, including portfolio management and financial counseling, and brokerage and other transaction services to high-net-worth individuals and families. In addition, it provides global investment research services. The company was founded in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Top 5 Gold Companies To Own For 2014: CME Group Inc.(CME)

CME Group Inc. operates the CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX regulatory exchanges worldwide. The company provides a range of products available across various asset classes, including futures and options on interest rates, equity indexes, energy, agricultural commodities, metals, foreign exchange, weather, and real estate. It offers various products that provide a means of hedging, speculation, and asset allocation relating to the risks associated with interest rate sensitive instruments, equity ownership, changes in the value of foreign currency, credit risk, and changes in the prices of commodities. CME Group owns and operates clearing house, CME Clearing, which provides clearing and settlement services for exchange-traded contracts and counter derivatives transactions; and also engages in real estate operations. Its primary trade execution facilities consist of its CME Globex electronic trading platform and open outcry trading floors, as well as privately negotiated transact ions that are cleared and settled through its clearing house. In addition, the company offers market data services comprising live quotes, delayed quotes, market reports, and historical data services, as well as involves in index services business. CME Group?s customer base includes professional traders, financial institutions, institutional and individual investors, corporations, manufacturers, producers, and governments. It has strategic partnerships with BM&FBOVESPA S.A., Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, Singapore Exchange Limited, Green Exchange, Dubai Mercantile Exchange, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V., as well as joint venture agreement with Dow Jones & Company. The company was formerly known as Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and changed its name to CME Group Inc. in July 2007. CME Group was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  One financial market player that's starting to move within range of triggering a major breakout trade is CME Group (CME), which offers products across all major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural commodities, metals, weather and real estate. This stock has been in play with the bulls so far in 2013, with shares up sharply by 48%.

  If you take a look at the chart for CME Group, you'll notice that this stock recently formed a triple bottom chart pattern at $70.42, to $69.88 and $70.28 a share. Following that bottom, shares of CME have now started to trend back above its 50-day moving average of $72.70 a share. That move is quickly pushing CME within range of triggering a major breakout trade.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CME if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $75.50 to $77.65 a share and then once it clears its 52-week high at $79.45 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 1.84 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then CME will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory above $79.45, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $90 to $100 a share.

  Traders can look to buy CME off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below its 50-day at $72.70 a share or just below more support at $70 a share. One can also buy CME off strength once it takes out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By Mark Thompson]

  The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), which operates the world's biggest derivatives market, is asking investors to stump up more cash to trade in financial products that provide protection against rising interest rates.

• [By Jeff Reeves]

  Options traders and commodity junkies should recognize CME Group (CME) as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a financial entity that operates a host of futures exchanges as well as providing its own exchange-traded products and derivatives.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Among exchanges, the action is beyond the stock market. With the rise in trading of futures, options, and other derivative investments, NYSE Euronext's ownership of the NYSE Liffe exchange in London was a key element of ICE's interest. CME Group (NASDAQ: CME  ) and CBOE Holdings (NASDAQ: CBOE  ) have worked hard to preserve their respective strength in futures and options, and rising market turbulence has made many of their products look a lot more enticing. Given that derivatives can help hedge market risk and reduce overall exposure, all of the exchange companies have an opportunity to bolster their presence in the derivatives market with innovative products that meet the new needs investors have in a more turbulent financial environment.

Top 5 Gold Companies To Own For 2014: Golden Star Resources Ltd(GSS)

Golden Star Resources Ltd., a gold mining and exploration company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of gold properties. It owns and operates the Bogoso/Prestea gold mining and processing operation that covers approximately 40 kilometers of strike along the southwest-trending Ashanti gold district in western Ghana; and the Wassa open-pit gold mine located to the east of Bogoso/Prestea in southwest Ghana. The company also has an 81% interest in the Prestea underground gold mine located in Ghana. In addition, it holds interests in various gold exploration projects in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Cote d?Ivoire, as well as holds and manages exploration properties in Brazil in South America. The company was founded in 1984 and is based in Littleton, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Clash of the titans
  When bears are raging on the gold bullion market, it's not surprising to see gold stocks getting mauled as well. Golden Star Resources (NYSEMKT: GSS  ) was the biggest loser in the sector, losing a quarter of its market cap on no company-specific news, though a report last Friday indicated that a large number of hedge funds had recently dumped their positions in the mid-tier miner. Yet it wasn't all that much better among the majors, either, as Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX  ) fell almost 13% and Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC  ) was down 14%.

4 Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- At Stockpickr, we track daily portfolios of stocks that are the biggest percentage gainers and the biggest percentage losers.

>>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings

Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

>>5 Stocks Poised for Breakouts

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at a several stocks under $10 that are making large moves to the upside today.

Adecoagro

Adecoagro (AGRO) is an agricultural company in South America, with operations in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. It engages in growing corn, cotton, rice, soybeans, sugar, sunflowers, and wheat. This stock closed up 0.26% to $7.60 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $7.51-$7.65

52-Week Range: $6.01-$9.65

Tuesday's Volume: 370,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 216,908

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From a technical perspective, AGRO bounced modestly higher here right off its 200-day moving average of $7.54 with above-average volume. This stock has been trending sideways for the last month, with shares moving between $7.20 on the downside and $7.70 on the upside. Shares of AGRO are now starting to move within range of triggering a breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent range. That trade will hit if AGRO manages to take out some key overhead resistance levels at $7.70 to $7.97 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in AGRO as long as it's trending above near-term support at $7.29 or at $7.20 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 216,908 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then AGRO will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $8.60 to $9.

Vermillion

Vermillion (VRML) discovers, develops and commercializes diagnostic tests that help physicians diagnose, treat and improve outcomes for patients. This stock closed up 2.2% to $2.68 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $2.60-$2.70

52-Week Range: $1.03-$4.07

Tuesday's Volume: 102,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 51,183

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From a technical perspective, VRML trended modestly higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $2.57 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of VRML within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if VRML manages to take out Tuesday's high of $2.70 and then more near-term overhead resistance at $2.91 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in VRML as long as it's trending above some key near-term support at $2.42 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 51,183 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then VRML will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $3.24 to $3.40. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give VRML a chance to tag its 52-week high at $4.07.

Hudson Technologies

Hudson Technologies (HDSN) is a refrigerant services company providing innovative solutions to recurring problems within the refrigeration industry. This stock closed up 3% to $2.02 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $1.95-$2.05

52-Week Range: $1.76-$5.04

Tuesday's Volume: 66,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 185,923

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From a technical perspective, HDSN trended higher here and closed right on its 50-day moving average of $2.02 with lighter-than-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of HDSN within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if HDSN manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.12 to $2.18 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in HDSN as long as it's trending above Tuesday's low of $1.95 or above $1.80 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 185,923 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then HDSN will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance level at $2.92 to $3.30.

Imris

Imris (IMRS) develops, assembles and installs Visius Surgical Theatres that are used for a variety of medical applications, as well as provides ancillary products and services and extended maintenance services. This stock closed up 5.1% to $1.65 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $1.59-$1.75

52-Week Range: $1.45-$4.66

Tuesday's Volume: 190,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 101,472

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From a technical perspective, IMRS ripped higher here right above its recent low of $1.45 with above-average volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last two months, with shares moving lower from its high of $3.40 to its recent low of $1.45. During that downtrend, shares of IMRS have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of IMRS have now started to move above a key downtrend line and its downside volatility could be over in the short-term.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in IMRS as long as it's trending above Tuesday's low of $1.60 and then once it sustains a move or close above Tuesday's high of $1.75 with volume that hits near or above 101,472 shares. If we get that move soon, then IMRS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $2 to its 50-day at $2.15, or even $2.40.

5 Best Casino Stocks To Invest In Right Now

To see more stocks that are making notable moves higher today, check out the Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

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Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.

The Potash Endgame

Potash producers Mosaic (MOS) and Potash Corp. (POT) have been hammered this year as changes to the market leave their shares wracked with uncertainty.

Reuters

That might be about to change, says JPMorgan analyst Jeffrey Zekauskas and team, who believe the end of the uncertainty is nigh. They write:

The endgame in potash industry dynamics appears now to have begun. Belarus wants a return to a price over volume dynamic for the potash industry, and the change of ownership of Uralkali is the crucial step for obtaining it. Suleiman Kerimov and his partners own a controlling interest in Uralkali and are now selling their controlling interests…The motivation of the sale of the Kerimov interest has been the dissatisfaction of the Russian government with the disruptions in its relations with Belarus caused by the volume-over-price strategy set in motion by the Kerimov-led Uralkali on July 31, 2013…

The political disruption between Russia and Belarus was caused by Belarus receiving lower hard currency revenues from its state-owned potash company, Belaruskali, because of Uralkali's elevation of volume over price as a strategic priority. We believe the point of the change in ownership of Uralkali is the alteration of Uralkali's go-to-market strategy. We believe that an execution of a change in strategy by Uralkali would be a dynamic that would raise the value of Potash Corp and Mosaic, given their sensitivity to changes in product prices.

Zekauskas calls shares of Mosaic and Potash Corp. “undervalued.” He writes:

Both companies have replacement values that are almost twice their current share prices. Mosaic has a large share repurchase program it plans to execute beginning at the end of November 2013. Potash Corp has a 7.5%-8.0% sustainable free cash flow yield following the conclusion of its large potash capacity expansion effort.

Shares of Potash have ticked up 0.2% to $31.29, while Mosaic has gained 2.3% to $47.49.

5 Stocks Rising on Big Volume

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.

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Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."

Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.

>>5 Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar

With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume today.

Rockwell Medical

Rockwell Medical (RMTI) is a biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis. This stock closed up 5.8% at $11.40 in Monday's trading session.

Monday's Volume: 11.19 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 2.22 million

Volume % Change: 415%

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From a technical perspective, RMTI ripped higher here and entered new 52-week-high territory with heavy upside volume. Shares of RMTI flirted with some key overhead resistance on Monday at $11.80, before closing below that level at $11.40.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in RMTI as long as it's trending above $10.50 or $10 and then once it sustains a move or close above Monday's intraday high of $12.25 with volume that hits near or above 2.22 million shares. If we get that move soon, then RMTI will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are its next major overhead resistance levels at $13 to $15, or even $16.

American Pacific

American Pacific (APFC) is a custom manufacturer of fine chemicals, specialty chemicals and propulsion products. This stock closed up 4.2% at $54.76 in Monday's trading session.

Monday's Volume: 197,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 80,320

Volume % Change: 189%

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From a technical perspective, APFC spiked higher here right above some near-term support at $51 and into new 52-week-high territory with above-average volume. This move pushed shares of APFC into breakout territory, since the stock took out its former 52-week high at $54.27.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in APFC as long as it's trending above Monday's low of $52 or above some more key support at $51 and then once it sustains a move or close above its new 52-week high at $54.79 with volume that hits near or above 80,320 shares. If we get that move soon, then APFC will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $60 to $62.

NewLink Genetics

NewLink Genetics (NLNK) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapeutic products to improve cancer treatment options for patients and physicians. This stock closed up 7.2% at $18.78 in Monday's trading session.

Monday's Volume: 337,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 159,588

Volume % Change: 145%

>>5 Big Trades to Take Right Now

From a technical perspective, NLNK skyrocketed higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $17.60 with above-average volume. This move pushed shares of NLNK into breakout territory, since the stock took out some near-term overhead resistance at $18.02. Shares of NLNK are now quickly moving within range of triggering another big breakout trade. That trade will hit if NLNK manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $20 to $21 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in NLNK as long as it's trending above that first breakout level at $18 or above its 50-day at $17.60 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 159,588 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then NLNK will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $23.67.

Blyth

Blyth (BTH) designs and markets home fragrance products and decorative accessories, as well as weight management products, nutritional supplements and energy drinks. This stock closed up 3.2% at $13.83 in Monday's trading session.

Monday's Volume: 673,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 326,648

Volume % Change: 135%

From a technical perspective, BTH jumped higher here right off some near-term support at $13 with heavy upside volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last month, with shares soaring higher from its low of $8.59 to its recent high of $14.49. During that uptrend, shares of BTH have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of BTH within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if BTH manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $14.08 to $14.49 and then once it takes out some past resistance levels at $15.27 to $15.57 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BTH as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $13 or at $12 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 326,648 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then BTH will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $17 to $20.

Anacor Pharmaceuticals

Anacor Pharmaceuticals (ANAC) is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small molecule therapeutics derived from its novel boron chemistry platform. This stock closed up 4.4% at $10.62 in Monday's trading session.

Monday's Volume: 583,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 336,216

Volume % Change: 125%

From a technical perspective, ANAC soared higher here right above some near-term support at $9.84 with strong upside volume. This stock has been trending sideways inside of a consolidation pattern for the last month and change, with shares moving between $9.72 on the downside and $10.99 on the upside. Shares of ANAC are now quickly moving within range of triggering a big breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading chart pattern. That breakout will hit if ANAC manages to take out Monday's high of $10.96 to more resistance at $10.99 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ANAC as long as it's trending above support at $9.84 or above its 50-day at $9.43 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 336,216 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then ANAC will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $11.76. Any high-volume move above $11.76 will then give ANAC a chance to tag $13.

To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

>>5 Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher

>>5 Toxic Stocks You Should Sell

>>How to Win With the Twitter IPO

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.

How to Handle Your Noisy Work Neighbors

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Although most of us would love to work in an isolated corner office or at a quiet desk free from distraction, the modern office environment leaves little room for privacy. While open office plans and thin cubicle walls may allow for more camaraderie and collaboration during the workday, it only takes one noisy employee to ruin everyone's focus.

When a loud co-worker is interfering with your capacity to meet deadlines or have a discreet talk with clients, it's time to speak up. Experts weigh in here on the best ways to approach the problem, and how to ensure your working relationship stays strong after things have quieted down.

Start by asking yourself how bad the problem really is, says Robyn Dizes, manager of Career Development Services at Peirce College in Philadelphia. It's important that your managers know you're a team player, and coexisting in the workplace with people who might occasionally be too loud is just part of the job.

"It's the workplace. Not everyone is going to talk and act the way you want them to," Dizes says. "We all have to live together in harmony, and more than likely you're going to have to find a way to compromise." It's important to try to solve the problem yourself before taking your concerns to management, she explains, and how you approach the initial conversation is crucial. It's best to start with a friendly but direct one-on-one chat, says Joe Utecht, crisis response manager with Ceridian LifeWorks. When you start the conversation, Utecht recommends favoring the word "I" over the word "you," so as not to seem accusatory. "Say to them, 'I just want to mention this concern that I have had. I was speaking to someone on the phone the other day, and they could hear some background noise when we were talking, and I think that's coming through in my conversations. I just wanted to let you know." Another way to approach the issue is to ask them if they've noticed your noise level as a problem. Also see: Why It Can Be Good to Take Blame in the Office>>

"You might want to start with something like, 'We're all sitting in this cube environment, and I know there are times when I might be loud and bothering you.' Depending on their response, you can follow that up by letting them know that you've experienced an issue," Utrecht says.

It's important not to focus on the person, Dizes says, because it's the behavior that's really the issue. At no point do you want the conversation to seem like an attack.

"Try letting them know, 'I don't know if you're aware, but your voice really carries, and I have a deadline and I'm having a hard time concentrating.'" While Dizes admits this might hurt the person's feelings for a moment, they may not even be aware that they are being loud and they may be happy to have some constructive criticism. After your chat, if they tone down their noise level, Dizes says it's a good idea to thank them for their effort.

"On your way out of the office or in the next couple of days, just stop and say something like, 'Thank you for your receptiveness to our conversation, it really helped me out," she says. Unfortunately, if your colleague doesn't have that positive reinforcement, they may be more likely to start back up again the next day. If the problem persists or you feel that your co-worker is being intentionally disrespectful, it's time to raise the issue with a manager, Utecht says -- especially if it's not just a loud speaking voice that has you upset. There are lots of things employees can do to make unnecessary noise: grinding coffee, playing music or using an app on their phone that makes sounds. All of those are valid concerns to raise with a supervisor. If you do raise the issue with your supervisor, Dizes says it's a good idea to see if the three of you -- you, your manager, and your noisy colleague -- can meet at the same time to find a solution. "Request a meeting with everyone. It's not a confidential matter," she says. "The manager can mediate a little bit. If it happens behind closed doors people sometimes get upset because they start wondering what was said, but if it's all done together, with everyone on the same page, then it's easier to see that no one is trying to hurt your feelings -- they just have deadlines to meet." Also see: Not Every Office Lets Fans Fly Their Team Colors>>

All managers want to foster a positive and healthy work environment, Utecht says. Because they want their employees to be as productive and stress-free as possible, most will try to deal with the matter in a manner that will be satisfactory to all employees. This is assuming, of course, they have the resources and space to do so.

"It would be ideal if your manager could find your noisy colleague their own little private nook, but most offices don't have extra space for people," Dizes says. "You may find that old-fashioned earplugs might be your best friend, or if you're on deadline for a project that requires total concentration, you may be able to find a conference room and go in there and work."

Companies with deeper pockets may want to look into things such as sound machines -- machines that produce "white noise" that help louder noises blend into the background, Utecht says. Additionally, headsets that are noise canceling can be used when you're making important calls.

At the very least, your manager should be able to send out a generic email to the staff asking people to be mindful of their noise level, Utecht says. Sometimes a broad reminder is all they need, especially if others around them quiet down as a result. Because the vast majority of employees want to have good working relationships with their co-workers, most will make an effort to adjust their noise level when asked, he says. "If they are doing something that is bothering someone else, they will want to deal with that," he says. "When you have your conversation, remind them that your relationship is more valuable to them than your getting your way on this particular issue, and they'll most likely do what they can to keep that rapport at its best."

Chinese Skeptics Deepen Biggest A-Share Discount in 3 Years

China's largest package of economic reforms since the 1990s is getting a bigger vote of confidence from foreign investors than from the nation's own citizens.

The benchmark index for Chinese stocks traded in Hong Kong has jumped 6.2 percent, more than twice as much as the Shanghai gauge, since policy makers led by President Xi Jinping pledged to ease China's one-child policy and liberalize interest rates on Nov. 15. That left mainland shares valued at a 5.8 percent discount, the most in three years, according to the Hang Seng China AH Premium Index.

In a year when Asia's benchmark stock index is up 10 percent and U.S. shares are rising the most in a decade, China's market is getting little respect. The Shanghai Composite is down 3.4 percent, trailing its Hong Kong counterpart by the most since 2010. Investors saddled with $698 billion of lost market value since 2010 are proving difficult to win back even as valuations in industries such as cement and transportation offer some of the biggest discounts ever versus shares traded outside the mainland.

"I am not in a hurry to buy stocks," said Chen Yifeng, a 35-year-old accountant at a state-owned company in Shanghai whose personal investments in the domestic equity market are valued at about 40,000 yuan ($6,566). "I need to see exactly how and when these changes mentioned in the meeting will be implemented. The confidence in the local market takes time to recover."

Relative Value

Perceptions of China, which contributed most to the global economy's rebound from the 2008 financial crisis, influence investment decisions around the world. Laurence D. Fink, the chief executive officer at BlackRock Inc., the largest money manager, said he's "less worried" about the outlook for markets in part because of China's reforms.

The Shanghai Composite added 0.6 percent to 2,206.61 at the close today, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of mainland shares listed in Hong Kong rose 0.6 percent. The Hang Seng China AH Premium index dropped for a fifth day.

China's benchmark 10-year bond yield climbed to the highest level on record yesterday amid speculation borrowing costs will rise as the government loosens its grip on financial markets in the world's second-biggest economy. Volatility in the yuan touched a five-month high today.

Performance Gap

Policies detailed by the Communist Party on Nov. 15 include steps to expand farmers' land rights, let qualified private investors set up small-to-medium sized banks, accelerate the convertibility of the yuan and free-up interest rates. The document covers 60 measures designed to help elevate the role of markets while keeping the state in a "dominant" position.

The Hang Seng China index surged the most since December 2011 on Nov. 18, and narrowed its loss this year to 0.6 percent as of yesterday. The Shanghai Composite pared its 2013 decline to 3.4 percent, versus a 10 percent gain for the MSCI Asia Pacific Index.

The different performance is also evident in the specific stocks. Shanghai-traded shares of Anhui Conch Cement Co. closed yesterday at a 25 percent discount versus the company's Hong Kong-traded shares, compared with an average difference of 12 percent during the past five years. Toll-road operator Jiangsu Expressway Co. (177)'s mainland-listed equities trade at a 26 percent discount, within 1 percent of the biggest gap on record, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Investment Caps

The spread between the two markets has existed historically because of investment limitations in China. The nation restricts access to its local equity markets through its qualified foreign institutional investor, or QFII, program. The government approved $48.5 billion of QFII quotas as of Oct. 30, up from $47.5 billion a month earlier, according to a statement posted on website of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. That accounts for about 1.5 percent of China's $3.3 trillion market capitalization.

Foreign investors are less bearish because China's new policies will make long-term economic growth more sustainable, said Chen Li, a strategist at UBS AG in Shanghai. The rally will probably continue for the next two to three months as the government unveils further policy details while low valuations versus the rest of the world lure investors, said Chen, who favors insurers and makers of discretionary consumer goods.

'Quite Cheap'

The Shanghai Composite trades for 11 times reported earnings, a 21 percent discount versus the MSCI Asia Pacific Index, which is valued at 14 times profit, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Hang Seng China gauge has a multiple of 8.5, the data show.

"We still believe it's a good time to buy China in the long term," said Michael Chiu, an investment director for equities at HSBC Global Asset Management, which oversees about $419 billion. Chinese shares in Hong Kong and the mainland "are still quite cheap in valuation," he said.

Tang Jianhua, a 35-year-old engineer in Shanghai, says he's waiting to see how the government executes its reform plans before adding to his personal stock holdings.

The new policies "are all good but no one knows for sure about the implementation," said Tang. "It's not necessary to invest in a market where there's uncertainty and the general environment isn't that good."

Economy Risk

The Shanghai Composite climbed 21 percent in the six months after former President Hu helmed the Communist Party's policy meeting in October 2003, then erased all of its gains to trade about 4 percent lower by October 2004, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

While China's leaders were focused on "rebalancing" the economy in 2003, many of the imbalances identified in that year's policy document worsened over the next 10 years, Stephen Green, head of Greater China research at Standard Chartered Plc in Hong Kong, wrote in a Sept. 2 research report.

Companies with the word Shanghai in their names added about $45 billion of market value in a month, more than Vietnam's entire stock market, after China's commerce ministry said on Aug. 22 that the government approved a free-trade zone in Shanghai.

Shanghai International Port Group Co., which led the rally in stocks linked to the free-trade zone, has tumbled 21 percent during the past two months as detailed plans for the area disappointed investors.

Short-Term Drag

"The prospects of Chinese equities are positive for the long-term, but near-term there are some execution risks with regard to implementing reforms," said Teresa Chow, a Hong Kong-based money manager who helps oversee about $1.5 billion at RBC Investment (Asia) Ltd. "Mainland investors seem to have more reasonable expectations."

China's plans to loosen the state's grip on credit and raw-materials costs, reduce lavish spending by government officials and improve environmental protection may turn into a short-term drag on economic growth, said Grace Tam, a Hong Kong-based global market strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management, which oversees about $1.5 trillion.

Local companies have postponed or scrapped 73.5 billion yuan of bond sales in November, up from 29.8 billion yuan last month, according to filings on the websites of Chinamoney, Chinabond and Shanghai Clearing House.

The nation's economy will probably expand 7.6 percent this year, according to the median of 53 estimates compiled by Bloomberg. That would be down from 7.7 percent in 2012 and the same pace as 1999, which was the weakest expansion since 1990.

"Foreign investors focus more on the long-term gain," said Tam. "The domestic players are more concerned about the short-term pain."

Americans losing faith in economic recovery: Poll

Americans are losing faith in the nation's economic recovery even as forecasters expect growth to accelerate, according to a Bloomberg National Poll.

Fewer people anticipate improvement in the economy's strength over the next year than in the last survey in June, with 27 percent saying the expansion will be more robust, down from 39 percent who expected improvement three months earlier.

Forty-four percent of poll respondents say they expect the economy, which has expanded for nine consecutive quarters, to remain about the same, while 28 percent see it weakening.

“We're still in a recession; I don't know why they say it's over,” says Chris Sams, 28, a disabled Navy veteran from Daingerfield, Texas. “It may be over in Washington, D.C., where the per capita income is higher than anywhere else, but down here the minimum wage is the highest wage.”

The results of the Sept. 20-23 poll reflect public impatience with an economy that has grown at an average rate of 2.1 percent since the recession's June 2009 end, a full percentage point below the 50-year average, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Growth will slip to 1.60 percent this year, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists, before rebounding to 2.65 percent growth next year.Political conflicts

Public dissatisfaction with the economy is also linked to growing distress over the nation's political conflicts. Only 25 percent of those surveyed said the U.S. is on the right track -- the lowest mark since September 2011, a month after Standard & Poor's downgraded U.S. government debt. Sixty-eight percent say the country is headed down the wrong track.

“You have a bunch of politicians in both parties arguing the finer points and doing nothing about the long run,” says Sams. “Both sides are wrong. Going forward, it's only going to get worse.”

Disputes between Democrats and Republicans over the federal budget, the nation's borrowing limit and President Barack Obama's new health-care law are threatening to trigger a government shutdown or a debt default.

Amid the political turmoil, those polled give little indication they anticipate major financial moves.

More than eight of 10 say they don't plan to take on more debt or borrow money to make ends meet. And pluralities of 40 percent or more say they see no change in either their overall financial security, job security for members of their households, retirement savings, investments, or their ability to spend on vacations or entertainment.Job market

Poll respondents are less optimistic about the job market over the next year than they were in June. The percentage of those foreseeing stronger employment fell to 36 percent from 42 percent in the previous poll. That finding comes as the average number of jobs created each month declined to about 148,000 over the past three months from 172,000 in the three months preceding the last Bloomberg poll.

Fewer Americans also forecast improvement in the housing market with 42 percent saying the situation will get better, down from 51 percent three months ago.

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To Thomas Metych, a 63-year-old retiree in Bradenton, Florida, the economy is “terrible,” and he says he expects “more of the same” over the next six months.

While economists in the Bloomberg forecasting survey say the expansion will reach a 3 percent rate by the third quarter of next year, that would come as a surprise to Wendel Smith, 39, of Alpine, Utah. A serial entrepreneur, Smith says he's focusing on online businesses that are less U.

Stocks to Watch: JinkoSolar, Tyson Foods, AbbVie

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are JinkoSolar Holding Co.(JKS), Tyson Foods Inc.(TSN) and AbbVie Inc.

JinkoSolar’s third-quarter shipments rose even more than August’s forecast, surging 55%, allowing the Chinese solar company to again boost the year’s guidance. American depositary shares rose 11% to $32.69 premarket.

Tyson’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose as the company upped international food production in China and focused on growing its prepared foods business. Shares of the chicken-producer rose 3.9% to $29.88 premarket as results topped expectations and the company issued a fiscal year revenue forecast slightly above expectations.

AbbVie Inc.(ABBV) said that its oral treatment regimen for hepatitis C showed positive results in 96% of patients in the first of six phase III studies, putting the company on track to make regulatory submissions in the second quarter of next year.

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Fund management group DIF agreed to acquire four new solar power plants from a Canadian Solar Inc.(CSIQ) (CSIQ) subsidiary for an undisclosed sum.

General Electric Co.(GE) agreed to sell the so-called Vital Signs segment of its health-care operation to CareFusion Corp.(CFN) (CFN) for $500 million.

J.P. Morgan Chase(JPM) & Co. agreed to pay $4.5 billion to investors seeking to recover losses from mortgage-backed securities sold before the financial crisis, the latest attempt by the largest U.S. bank to put its legal woes behind it.

Towers Watson(TW) & Co.’s board authorized a roughly 22% increase to the consulting firm’s dividend. The company said Friday it will now pay a quarterly cash dividend of 14 cents per share, up from 11.5 cents a share previously.

Can the Fed and consumers keep rally going?

  Dow 16,000? Who cares! NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Stocks gained more than 1% last week and continue to march to record highs. Some key psychological levels are in sight. But will the market keep climbing? That may depend on more news from the Federal Reserve and how much consumers are spending.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is closing in on 16,000, while the S&P 500 is inching toward 1,800. The tech-heavy Nasdaq is nearing 4,000, a level not seen since September 2000, just months after the tech market collapsed.

Ongoing stimulus measures from the Federal Reserve have fueled the bull market for the past several years, and investors were encouraged last week by comments from Janet Yellen, President Obama's nominee to be the next Fed chair. Yellen, who may be confirmed by the Senate as soon as this week, told the Senate Banking Committee the Fed will continue to support the economic recovery.

Top Dividend Stocks To Watch Right Now

She added that the Fed's $85-billion-per-month bond-buying program still has the power to help reduce unemployment.

The Fed will remain in the spotlight this week, as investors parse through minutes from the central bank's last meeting in late October.

The Dow is up more than 20% this year while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have gained more than 25% and 30% respectively. That has raised questions about whether stocks are overvalued. But Yellen assured lawmakers that she's not seeing any major bubbles forming.

Data seems to support that. The S&P 500 is trading at 17 times earnings from last year, just slightly above the historical average of 16, according to Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) Merrill Lynch.

In the bubble days of 2000, the index was trading at nearly 30 times trailing earnings. And analysts expect earnings will continue to grow next year, which should justify further increases in the broader stock market.

Consumers in focus: Investors will be paying particularly close attention to a slew of earnings reports from some of the nation's largest retailers to get a fresh pulse on how consumers are feeling with the holiday shopping season just around the corner.

Last week, investors received a mixed bag of results from three top retailers. Macy's (M, Fortune 500) blew away forecasts but Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500) and Kohl's (KSS, Fortune 500) both issued disappointing guidance.

Best Buy (BBY, For! tune 500) and J.C. Penney (JCP, Fortune 500), both of which are in the middle of turnaround plans, are among the first to report next week.

Investors are encouraged by the signs of life from Best Buy. They've sent shares of the once ailing electronics retailer up nearly 270% so far this year, making it the second best-performing stock in the S&P 500, just after Netflix (NFLX). It is scheduled to report earnings on Tuesday.

And even though J.C. Penney is expected on Wednesday to report a wider loss than a year ago and another drop in sales, the stock has rallied lately on hopes the worst is over. Several hedge funds have also bought stakes in J.C. Penney lately, another sign that the stock may have bottomed.

Struggling teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), which is among the worst-performing stocks of the year, is also on tap to report earnings. The company already warned of a big sales decline.

Target (TGT, Fortune 500), Gap (GPS, Fortune 500) and Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works parent L Brands (LTD, Fortune 500) are reporting their latest results this week as well.

  Retail's good, bad, and ugly

Earnings from off-price leaders Ross (ROST, Fortune 500) and TJX (TJX, Fortune 500), owner of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, as well as discount chain Dollar Tree (DLTR, Fortune 500), could show that consumers are continuing to gravitate to retailers that offer the biggest bargains.

Home Depot (HD, Fortune 500) and Lowe's (LOW, Fortune 500) are also scheduled to report earnings. Results from these two home improvement retailers are a key gauge of the housing recovery, which has helped boost the economy this year.

The Census Bureau will release October figures for ! retail sa! les on Wednesday.

The Deal: Vivendi's Activision Sale Stalled

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- A Delaware court has slapped an injunction on Vivendi's plan to sell an $8.2 billion stake in Activision Blizzard (ATVI) back to the video game maker and its management.

The ruling follows a challenge to the deal, filed last week, by a minority shareholder who successfully argued that the transaction should be subject to approval by a majority of Activision's minority shareholders.

Vivendi in July agreed to sell a 49.1% stake in Activision, leaving the Paris-based group with an about 3.9% holding. The deal involved the sale of 429 million shares in Activision to the Santa Monica, Calif.-based company, and 172 million shares to ASAC II LP, an investment consortium led by Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and co-chairman Brian Kelly.

"The Delaware Chancery Court, in Hayes v. Activision Blizzard, Inc., preliminarily enjoined the previously announced concurrent transactions between the Company [Activision] and ASAC II LP, on the one hand, and Vivendi SA, on the other hand, halting the closing of the transaction unless the injunction is modified on appeal or the transaction is approved by a stockholder vote of the non-Vivendi stockholders," Activision said after the market closed on Thursday, Sept. 18. The maker of World of Warcraft and Call of Duty video games said it remained committed to the deal and "is exploring the steps it will take to complete the transaction as expeditiously as possible." The injunction raises the prospect that the deal will not close by an Oct. 15 deadline, after which any of Vivendi, Activision or ASAC II have the option to terminate their agreement. Unless Activision wins an appeal against the injunction it will have to call an extraordinary general meeting, a process that usually requires 60 days' notice. A vote amongst non-Vivendi shareholders is likely to approve a deal that was struck at $13.60 per share, about 5% below Activision's Wednesday closing share price of $17.15. "We see a modest risk that Vivendi sees it left money on the table from the original transaction and seeks to modify the purchase agreement," Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts Justin Post and Ryan Gee wrote Thursday. "However, we still think Vivendi has few other options without a willing buyer."

Vivendi's agreement to sell its Activision stake is part of a disposal program that is repositioning the French conglomerate as a pure-play media group. Vivendi has also sold a majority stake in Maroc Telecom SA and last week announced that it will split its supervisory board in preparation for a spinoff of French telecommunications unit Soci�t� Francaise du Radiotelephone SA, or SFR.

Shares in Vivendi traded Thursday morning in Paris at �17.59 ($23.83), up �0.14, or less than 1% on their Wednesday close.

--Written by Paul Whitfield In Paris