Best Growth Companies To Invest In 2014

The following video excerpt was taken from an interview with Steve Swad, CEO of Rosetta Stone (NYSE: RST  ) , in which he talks about his business philosophy, and how it is driving success both for language learners and for the company itself. In this segment, he discusses his top three strategies for future growth.�

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Matt Argersinger: So you have three strategic priorities. Brand, platform, distribution.

Steve Swad: Right.

Matt: Can you tell us kind of what's driving each of those and what are the goals behind those platforms?

Best Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: The First Bancshares Inc.(FBMS)

The First Bancshares, Inc. operates as the banking holding company for The First, A National Banking Association that provides commercial and retail banking services to small to medium-sized businesses, professional concerns, and individuals in Mississippi. It accepts various deposit products, such as checking accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, savings accounts, and other time deposits, ranging from daily money market accounts to longer-term certificates of deposit, as well as retirement account services, such as individual retirement accounts. The company provides commercial loans, such as secured and unsecured loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery; consumer loans, which include equity lines of credit and secured and unsecured loans for financing automobiles, home improvements, education, and personal investments; and real estate construction and acquisition loans. It also originates loans to purchase existi ng or construct new homes, and to refinance existing mortgages. In addition, the company offers Internet banking services, voice response telephone inquiry services, commercial sweep accounts, cash management services, safe deposit boxes, travelers? checks, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks, automatic drafts for various accounts, network of automated teller machines, and VISA and MasterCard credit card services. It operates 10 branch offices in Mississippi. The company was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Best Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Hot Topic Inc.(HOTT)

Hot Topic, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mall- and Web-based specialty retailer in the United States. The company operates Hot Topic and Torrid store concepts, as well as an e-space music discovery concept, ShockHound. Its Hot Topic stores sell music/pop culture-licensed merchandise, including tee shirts, hats, posters, stickers, patches, postcards, books, novelty accessories, CDs, and DVDs; and music/pop culture-influenced merchandise comprising women?s and men?s apparel and accessories, such as woven and knit tops, skirts, pants, shorts, jackets, shoes, costume jewelry, body jewelry, sunglasses, cosmetics, leather accessories, and gift items for young men and women primarily between the ages of 12 and 22. The company?s Torrid stores sells casual and dressy jeans and pants, fashion and novelty tops, sweaters, skirts, jackets, dresses, hosiery, shoes, intimate apparel, and fashion accessories for various lifestyles for plus-size females primarily betw een the ages of 15 and 29. As of July 30, 2011, it operated 636 Hot Topic stores in 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada; 145 Torrid stores; and Internet stores, hottopic.com and torrid.com. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in City of Industry, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Wyatt Research]

  The teen retailer reported its same-store sales rose 0.4 percent, with same-store sales at its Torrid chain for overweight teens rising 7 percent. Analysts were expecting a decline.

Top Stocks To Watch Right Now: Louisiana Bancorp Inc.(LABC)

Louisiana Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Bank of New Orleans that provides commercial banking services to individuals and businesses primarily in southern Louisiana. It offers deposit accounts consisting of interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking, money market, savings, and certificate of deposit accounts. The company also originates one-to four-family, multi-family residential and commercial real estate mortgage, commercial, land mortgage, and construction loans, as well as consumer loans, including student loans, loans secured by deposit accounts, automobile loans, home improvement loans, unsecured personal loans, and home equity loans and lines of credit. As of December 31, 2010, it operated through its main office located in Metairie; and 2 full-service banking offices located in Metairie and New Orleans. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Metairie, Louisiana.