5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014

People who have experienced difficulties are often the best positioned to help others facing those same problems.

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Fort Worth financial advisor Jason Hull, a popular blogger, gets personal about his bouts of credit card binging in a post that is all the more interesting because he also had a later experience as a credit card company executive.

Hull covers familiar ground in noting there are two general approaches to paying off credit card debt.

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There are those who take a behavioral approach, however, arguing that it’s of greater value to pay off a smaller debts first in order develop a feeling of accomplishment needed to make further progress.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: LaPorte Bancorp Inc.(LPSB)

LaPorte Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for the The LaPorte Savings Bank, which provides commercial banking services to individuals and small businesses. The company?s deposits include savings accounts, health savings accounts, NOW accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and IRAs, as well as commercial checking accounts for businesses. Its lending portfolio includes one to four family residential loans, mortgage warehouse loans, commercial real estate loans, construction and land loans, commercial loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and consumer and other loans. The company also offers trust services. It operates through eight branches in LaPorte and Porter Counties, Indiana. The company is based in LaPorte, Indiana. LaPorte Bancorp, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of LaPorte Savings Bank, MHC.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: VSE Corporation(VSEC)

VSE Corporation focuses on providing sustainment services for the legacy systems and equipment of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD); and professional services to the DoD and federal civilian agencies in the United States. The company?s Federal Group offers legacy equipment sustainment, engineering, technical, management, integrated logistics support, and information technology (IT) services to DoD and other government agencies. The Federal Group provides technical support services; field maintenance and logistics support services for military vehicles and equipment; systems and software engineering, logistics, and prototyping services; and life cycle engineering, and maintenance and refurbishment services. Its International Group offers engineering, industrial, logistics, and foreign military sales services to the U.S. military and other government agencies. The International Group provides program management and technical support services for ship reactivations and tr ansfers; management, maintenance, storage, and disposal support for the U.S. Department of Treasury?s seized and forfeited general property program; and field engineering, logistics, maintenance, and IT services to the U.S. Navy and Air Force. The company?s IT, Energy, and Management Consulting Group offers technical, policy, and management support in the areas of energy efficiency, energy supply, grid modernization, climate change mitigation, and infrastructure protection and resilience; IT services to government agencies; and IT health care solutions to the DoD?s health services and logistics sector. Its Infrastructure Group provides engineering and transportation infrastructure, and construction management services to Federal Civilian agencies. The company?s Supply Chain Management Group supplies vehicle parts through a managed inventory program to the United States Postal Service; and through direct sales to DoD. VSE Corporation was founded in 1959 and is headquarter ed in Alexandria, Virginia.

Best Stocks To Invest In: Critical (CCZ.TO)

CriticalControl Solutions Corp., a technology information control company, builds, implements, and manages business process solutions. The company�s Service Bureau Operations segment implements technology and provides outsourced solutions to enhance information intensive business functions of clients primarily in the government, health care, financial, and retail industries. This segment also provides data entry and imaging services to capture paper or microfilmed documents electronically; technology solutions and hosted repositories to manage captured electronic information; and outsourcing of business processes that comprise document reception, imaging services, content analysis and response, and outgoing mail management, as well as sells imaging and related equipment and supplies. The company�s Canadian Energy Services segment offers ProStream, a software with interrelated suite of modules, including field data capture, regulatory compliance and risk management, and p roduction and financial accounting to manage production data from the well head to the financial statement. This segment is involved in the sale and implementation of ProStream software in Canada. The company�s US Energy Services segment engages in the sale and implementation of ProStream solutions to the United States client base; provision of gas measurement field and laboratory services, including natural gas meter installation, calibration, and monitoring; and fabrication, assembly, and sale of gas measurement and related equipment. The company was formerly known as WNS Emergent Inc. and changed its name to CriticalControl Solutions Corp. in June 2004. CriticalControl Solutions Corp. is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Formation Capital Com Npv(FCO.TO)

Formation Metals Inc. engages in the exploration, development, and refining of mineral properties in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company owns 100% interest in the Idaho Cobalt project, which consists of 241 claims covering an area of approximately 4,080 acres located in Lemhi County, Idaho; and the Big Creek Hydrometallurgical refining complex located in Shoshone County, near the town of Kellogg, Idaho. It also explores for silver, gold, copper, uranium, lead, zinc, and rare earth elements, as well as base and precious metals. The company was formerly known as Formation Capital Corporation and changed its name to Formation Metals Inc. in November 2009. Formation Metals Inc. was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Advent Wireless Inc (AWI.V)

Advent Wireless Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as independent specialty retailer of personal wireless and wireline communication products and services. Its retail products include wireless voice and data, high speed Internet, digital cable television, and home phones. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated a network of 24 stores in Canada. Advent Wireless Inc. was incorporated in 1984 and is based in Richmond, Canada.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Trueclaim Exploration Inc (TRM.V)

Trueclaim Exploration Inc. engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of resource properties in Canada and the United States. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits, as well as precious and base metals. The company holds interest in the Scadding Gold Property located in the area of Scadding, Ontario; and the Tecumseh property located within Trueclaim�s East Wahnapitae area in Canada. It also holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Black Diamond Mining property comprising 127 claims covering an area of approximately 2,500 acres located in the Gila County, Arizona. In addition, the company holds 10% working interests in the Linear Mining property in Newfoundland; the Berry-Desboues Township Mining property and the Hebecourt Township Mining property in Quebec; and the Boston Township Mining property and the Cook/Guibord Townships Mining property in Ontario, Canada. Trueclaim Exploration Inc. is based in Vancouver, Canada.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Flexsteel Industries Inc.(FLXS)

Flexsteel Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture, import, and market of residential and commercial upholstered and wooden furniture products in the United States. Its upholstered and wooden furniture products include sofas, loveseats, chairs, reclining and rocker-reclining chairs, swivel rockers, sofa beds, convertible bedding units, occasional tables, desks, dining tables and chairs, and bedroom furniture. The company distributes its products for use in home, office, hotel, and other commercial applications through its sales force and various independent representatives, as well as to various national and regional chains. Flexsteel Industries, Inc. was founded in 1929 and is based in Dubuque, Iowa.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Flexsteel Industries (Nasdaq: FLXS  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of La-Z-Boy have gained 11% to $27.02 at 1:54 p.m. today. Its performance is also giving other furniture stocks a boost. Flexsteel (FLXS) has risen 1% to $27.60, Hooker Furniture (HOFT) has jumped 1.6% to $17.12 and Ethan Allen International (ETH) has advanced 1.2% to $29.20. Haverty Furniture (HVT) has dipped 0.3% to $27.87.

• [By Dividends4Life]

  Memberships and Peers: LEG is a member of the S&P 500, a Dividend Aristocrat, a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers��Index and a Dividend Champion. The company's peer group includes: Hooker Furniture Corp. (HOFT) with a 2.4% yield, Flexsteel Industries Inc. (FLXS) with a 2.7% yield and Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (ETH) with a 1.4% yield.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Darden Restaurants Inc (DDN)

Darden Restaurants, Inc., incorporated on March 30, 1995, is a company owned and operated full service restaurant company. As of May 26, 2013, the Company operated through subsidiaries 2,138 restaurants in the United States and Canada. In the United States, it operated 2,105 restaurants in all 50 states, including 822 Olive Garden, 678 Red Lobster, 430 LongHorn Steakhouse, 49 The Capital Grille, 44 Yard House, 33 Bahama Breeze, 31 Seasons 52, nine Eddie V's Prime Seafood, six test synergy restaurants (which house both a Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurant in the same building) and three Wildfish Seafood Grille restaurants. As of May 26, 2013, it operated 33 restaurants, including 27 Red Lobster and six Olive Garden restaurants in Canada.

Through subsidiaries, the Company owns and operates all of its restaurants in the United States and Canada, except for three restaurants located in Florida and three restaurants in California, which are owned jointly by the Company and third parties, and managed by the Company, and five franchised restaurants in Puerto Rico. As of May 26, 2013, it also had 37 restaurants operated by independent third parties pursuant to area development and franchise agreements, including 23 Red Lobster restaurants in Japan, five LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants in Puerto Rico, four Red Lobster restaurants and two Olive Garden restaurants in the Middle East region (a Red Lobster in Dubai, a Red Lobster in Qatar, a Red Lobster and an Olive Garden in Kuwait, a Red Lobster and an Olive Garden in Abu Dhabi), and two Olive Garden restaurants and one The Capital Grille restaurant in Mexico City.

Olive Garden

Olive Garden is a full service dining Italian restaurant operator in the United States. Olive Garden�� menu includes a variety of authentic Italian foods featuring fresh ingredients and a wine list that includes a selection of wines imported from Italy. The menu includes flatbreads and other appetizers; soups, salad and garlic breadsticks; bak! ed pastas; sauteed specialties with chicken, seafood and fresh vegetables; grilled meats, and a variety of desserts. Olive Garden also uses coffee imported from Italy for its espresso and cappuccino.

Red Lobster

Red Lobster is a full service dining seafood specialty restaurant operator in the United States. It offers a menu featuring fresh fish, shrimp, crab, lobster, scallops and other seafood in a casual atmosphere. The menu includes a variety of specialty seafood and non-seafood entrees, appetizers and desserts. Red Lobster maintains different lunch and dinner menus and different menus across its trade areas.

LongHorn Steakhouse

LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants are full-service establishments serving both lunch and dinner. With locations in 38 states, primarily in the Eastern half of the United States, LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants feature a range of menu items, including signature fresh steaks and chicken, as well as salmon, shrimp, ribs, pork chops, burgers and prime rib.

The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille has locations in metropolitan cities in the United States. The Capital Grille offers seafood flown in daily and culinary specials created by its chefs. The restaurants feature a wine list offering over 350 selections, personalized service, and private dining rooms.

Bahama Breeze

Bahama Breeze restaurants bring guests the feeling of a Caribbean escape, offering the food, drinks and atmosphere found in the islands. The menu features fresh seafood, chicken and steaks, as well as signature specialty drinks.

Seasons 52

Seasons 52 is a grill and wine bar with menus offering a dining experience that celebrates living well. It offers an international wine list of more than 90 wines, with approximately 60 available by the glass. Its private dining rooms create the ideal environment for many social and business events, the Chef's Table provides a setting for chef-hosted cust! omizable ! food and wine pairing events, while the piano bar, featuring live music every night.

Eddie V's

Eddie V's opened in 2000 with an emphasis on prime seafood creations, USDA prime beef and chops, and fresh oyster bar selections. The ambiance is sophisticated and contemporary, with live nightly music in the V-Lounge.

Synergy Restaurants

Synergy restaurant houses both a Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurant in the same building, but with separate front doors, dining rooms and brand-specific menus. It opened a second synergy test location during the fiscal year ended May 26, 2013.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: (MMFIN.BO)

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited, a non-banking finance company, primarily provides finance for utility vehicles, tractors, and cars. The company offers vehicle finance, such as tractor, utility vehicle, car, three-wheeler, commercial vehicle, and two-wheeler loans, as well as loans for construction equipment. It also provides home loans, including loans for construction, purchase, extension, and improvements; and personal loans for medical needs, educational needs, agricultural needs, and festival and marriage expenditures. In addition, the company offers direct life and non-life insurance broking for corporations and retail customers; mutual fund distribution services; and fixed deposits and auto refinance services. It primarily serves rural and semi-urban sectors in India. The company was formerly known as Maxi Motors Financial Services Limited and changed its name to Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited in November 1992. Mahindra & Mahindra Fina ncial Services Limited was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India. Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited is a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: VCA Antech Inc (WOOF.O)

VCA Antech, Inc., incorporated on May 4, 1987, is a national animal healthcare company operating in the United States and Canada. The Company provides veterinary services and diagnostic testing to support veterinary cares. The Company operates in two segments: animal hospital and laboratory. Its all other category includes Vetstreet and Medical Technology operating segments. The Company sells diagnostic imaging equipment and other medical technology products and related services to the veterinary markets. The Company's animal hospitals offer a range of general medical and surgical services for companion animals, as well as specialized treatments, including advanced diagnostic services, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, dermatology and cardiology. On January 31, 2012, it expanded its operations into Canada with an increased investment in Associate Veterinary Clinics (1984) Limited (AVC), which operates 44 hospitals in three Canadian provinces. On February 1, 20 12, it acquired ThinkPet's, Inc. (ThinkPets). In 2012, it acquired 79 animal hospitals, including 44 with the acquisition of AVC, one laboratory and ThinkPets.

The Company provides various communication, marketing solutions and other services to the veterinary community. The Company's network of animal hospitals is supported by more than 3,000 veterinarians and had approximately 7.4 million patient visits during the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company's network of veterinary diagnostic laboratories provides testing and consulting services used by veterinarians in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, treatment and prevention of diseases and other conditions affecting animals. The Company's network of veterinary diagnostic laboratories provides diagnostic testing for over 16,000 clients, which includes standard animal hospitals, large animal practices, universities and other government organizations. The Company's medical technology business sel ls digital radiography and ultrasound imaging equipment, p! ro! vides education and training on the use of that equipment, and provides consulting and mobile imaging services.

The Company's Vetstreet business provides services to veterinary practices, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the pet owning community. The Company's services to veterinary practices include subscriptions to the Company's Pro Pet Portals. The Pro Pet Portal provides an online platform for the veterinarian to offer secure individualized portals for pet owners, as well as practice Websites that are branded to the individual veterinary clinic. The Company also sells appointment reminder notices that are sent to pet owners on behalf of their clinics. The Company's services to manufacturers involve targeted marketing programs to animal hospitals whom are subscribers to the Company's Pro Pet Portal.

Animal Hospital

As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated 609 animal hospitals serving 41 states and three Canadian provinces. The Company's Animal Hospital revenue accounted for 78% of total revenue in 2012. In addition to general medical and surgical services, the Company offers specialized treatments for companion animals, including advanced diagnostic services, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, dermatology and cardiology. The Company also provides pharmaceutical products for uses in the delivery of treatments by its veterinarians and pet owners. Many of the Company's animal hospitals offer additional services, including grooming, bathing and boarding. The Company also sells specialty pet products at its animal hospitals, including pet food, vitamins, therapeutic shampoos and conditioners, flea collars and sprays, and other accessory products.

Laboratory

The Company operates a veterinary diagnostic laboratory network serving all 50 states and certain areas in Canada. The Company's Laboratory revenue accounted for 16% of total revenue in 2012. The Company service a diverse customer base of over 16,000 clients, including! ani! mal! hospi! tals the Company operates, which accounted for 16% of total laboratory revenue in 2012. The Company's diagnostic spectrum includes over 300 different tests in the area of chemistry, pathology, endocrinology, serology, hematology and microbiology, as well as tests specific to particular diseases. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated 55 veterinary diagnostic laboratories. The Company's laboratory network includes primary hubs that are open 24 hours per day and offer a testing menu, secondary laboratories that are open 24 hours per day and offer a testing menu servicing large metropolitan areas, and short-term assessment and treatment (STAT) laboratories that service other locations with demand sufficient to warrant nearby laboratory facilities and are open primarily during daytime hours. In 2012, the Company derived approximately 85% of its laboratory revenue from metropolitan areas, where the Company offers twice-a-day pick-up service and same-day results. In additio n, in these areas the Company generally offers to report results within three hours of pick-up. Outside of these areas, the Company typically provides test results to veterinarians before 8:00 a.m. the day following pick-up.

The Company competes with IDEXX Laboratories, Demand Force, and ePet Health.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Shanda Games Ltd (GAME.O)

Shanda Games Limited (Shanda Games), incorporated on June 12, 2008, is engaged in the development and operation of online games and related businesses in the People�� Republic of China. Some of its online games are also Web games, which the Company categorizes as either massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) or advanced casual games, rather than as a separate category of online games. As of February 29, 2012, Shanda Games operated 35 online games. Its game player base, which consisted of 20.4 million average monthly active users and 4.5 million average monthly paying users for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011. In April 2011, the Company acquired a 51.85% interest in a game operating company, which provides services in East Asia.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned 149 software copyrights. As of December 31, 2011, it owned or licensed 53 trademarks. As of December 31, 2011, it owned or licensed 329 registered domain names, including its official Website and domain names registered in connection with each of the games the Company offers. As of December 31, 2011, it had 17 patent applications pending with the State Intellectual Property Office of China. The Company operates MMORPGs, advanced casual games and Web games in China. Its MMORPGs are action adventure-based and draw upon themes, such as martial arts adventure, fantasy, strategy and historical events. The Company develops and sources an array of game content through multiple channels, including in-house development, licensing, investment and acquisition, and joint operation. Through these channels, it has built a diversified game portfolio and a game pipeline.

The Company licenses games from international and domestic developers. As of February 29, 2012, 13 of its 35 online games were licensed from third-party developers, including Mir II. It invests in independent game development and operating studios identified by 18 Capital. The Company acquire intellectual property right! ! s to online games; equity rights in online game development and operating studios, or an option to acquire equity interests in online game development and operating studios in the future.

The Company operates its business in People's Republic of China, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, which consist of Shengqu Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Shengqu), Shengji Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Shengji), Lansha Information Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Lansha) and Kuyin Software (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (Kuyin); its variable interest entities and their subsidiaries (VIEs), which consist of Shanghai Hongli Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Hongli) and Shanghai Shulong Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Shulong) and their wholly owned subsidiaries, Shanghai Shulong Computer Technology Co., Ltd. (Shulong Computer), Nanjing Shulong Computer Technology Co., Ltd. (Nanjing Shulong), Chengdu Youji Technology Co., Ltd. (Chengdu Youj i), Tianjin Youji Technology Co., Ltd. (Tianjin Youji), Chengdu Aurora Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Chengdu Aurora), and Chengdu Simo Technology Co., Ltd. (Chengdu Simo).

The Company competes with Tencent Holdings Limited, NetEase.com, Changyou.com Limited, Perfect World Co., Ltd., Giant Interactive, Kingsoft Corporation Limited, KongZhong Corporation, NetDragon Websoft Inc., Nineyou International Limited, The9 Limited, Activision Blizzard, Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., Zynga Inc., NCSoft Corporation, and Nexon Corporation.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Patterson-UTI Energy Inc.(PTEN)

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides onshore contract drilling services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States and Canada. The company offers pressure pumping services that consist of well stimulation and cementing for completion of new wells and remedial work on existing wells, as well as hydraulic fracturing, nitrogen, cementing, and acid pumping services in Texas and the Appalachian Basin; and contract drilling services primarily in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and western Canada. It also owns and invests in oil and natural gas assets located primarily in Texas and New Mexico. As of December 31, 2011, it had a drilling fleet of 330 marketable land-based drilling rigs. Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEN) is another name in which the Deutsche Bank team sees tremendous upside. With strong cash flow generation and continued share repurchases to help as activity levels accelerate, the stock has solid potential for investors at this level. Deutsche Bank has a $30 price target and the consensus figure is at $23.50.�Patterson closed Monday at $25.47. Investors are paid a 0.8% dividend.

• [By Elliott Gue]

  Our investment thesis: Patterson-UTI Energy (PTEN) continues to upgrade its fleet of drilling rigs, replacing older units with advanced APEX Walking rigs.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEN) was reinstated as Buy with a $27 price target at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

  Pharmacyclics Inc. (NASDAQ: PCYC) was started as Overweight with a $142 price target at J.P. Morgan. Deutsche Bank also started it with a Buy rating and a $170 price target.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Ashburton Minerals Ltd(ATN.AX)

Ashburton Minerals Limited engages in the exploration and evaluation of gold, copper, and base metal projects in Australia and Indonesia. The company primarily focuses on the Obi Gold project, which is located on the island of Obi, south of Halmahera in eastern Indonesia. It also holds interests in the Mt Webb copper project in Western Australia; the Yea gold project in Victoria; and the Spring Valley zinc-copper-lead project in New South Wales. The company is based in West Leederville, Australia.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks For 2014: Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA)

Mine Safety Appliances Company develops, manufactures, and supplies health and safety products used by workers in the fire service, homeland security, construction, and other industries, as well as the military. It offers respiratory protection products, including self contained breathing apparatus, air-purifying respirators, gas masks, and escape hoods; and portable and permanent gas detection instruments, such as single-and multi-gas hand-held detectors, multi-point permanently installed gas detection systems, flame detectors, and open-path infrared gas detectors. The company also provides thermal imaging cameras; head, eye, face, and hearing protection products, such as industrial hard hats, fire helmets, and military helmets and communication systems; and body protection products comprising fall protection equipment and ballistic body armor. In addition, it offers consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. The company?s products are used by first responders; general industry workers; military personnel; oil, gas, petrochemical, and chemical workers; hazmat and confined space workers; and construction workers and contractors. Mine Safety Appliances Company sells its products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company was founded in 1914 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chuck Saletta]

  Take Mine Safety Appliances (NYSE: MSA  ) , for instance. The safety equipment provider missed expectations in its most recent quarter. But its very solid balance sheet helps protect it from the cyclicality in its industry, and its overall strength enabled it to increase its dividend last week, in spite of that short-term weakness. That solid balance sheet was one of the key factors that led to its selection for the iPIG portfolio and the reason the portfolio still has room for the company even though it slipped.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Occupational safety specialist�MSA� (NYSE: MSA  ) �has increased its�second-quarter dividend�to $0.30 per share, a 7% increase over the $0.28-per-share payout it made back in February.

• [By Chuck Saletta]

  The third biggest gainer for the IPIG portfolio last week was safety-equipment purveyor Mine Safety Appliances (NYSE: MSA  ) , which also rose on its earnings news. Mine Safety Appliances' numbers were pretty strong, once you backed out the impact of currency fluctuations and a divestiture, and the market rewarded the company for those results. Solid results like that are also a decent reason for a company's stock to rise, but of course, what the company delivers in the future will drive where its stock goes next.