5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now

Last week, the Cleantech Group and�Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C. co-released their 2013 Clean Energy Patent Growth Index, which tracks clean energy patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The index is meant to�depict a trajectory of innovative activity in the clean energy sector.�Among its highlights:�

Solar, with 965 patents, was the No. 1 technology, overtaking fuel cells. And each year, the technology commands a greater share of patent activity:

Image credit: Clean Energy Patent Growth Index.

The United States was, by far, the No. 1 awarded country, with 556 of those 965 patents (56%). The United States' proportion of solar patents (56%) outsized its proportion of non-solar clean energy patents (45% ex-solar). Japan, projected to be 2014's No. 2 solar market, came in second with 107 patents (17%) awarded.� China, 2014's No. 1 projected solar market, amassed just 18 patents in 5th place.� Germany, to which the solar industry owes much for its rate of advancement, placed 4th.

Potential home-court advantage aside, the numbers indicate the U.S. is and will continue to be the hub for solar innovation, which is why SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR  ) and First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR  ) warrant consideration for any solar investor. SunPower, which touts the highest-efficiency commercially available panels has long demonstrated its R&D prowess. In 2013, SunPower took home second solar prize with 28 patents awarded (compared to 10 for First Solar).�

Best Managed Healthcare Companies To Own For 2015: AMC Networks Inc (AMCX)

AMC Networks Inc. (AMC Networks), incorporated on March 9, 2011, is a holding company and conducts substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries. AMC Networks owns and operates several of cable television's brands delivering content to audiences. AMC Networks operates in two segments: National Networks, which includes AMC, WE tv, IFC and Sundance Channel, and International and Other, which includes AMC/Sundance Channel Global, its international programming business; IFC Films, its independent film distribution business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, its network technical services business. The Company's National Networks are distributed throughout the United States through cable and other multichannel video programming distribution platforms, including direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and platforms operated by telecommunications providers. In addition to the Company's the United States distribution, AMC, IFC and Sundance Channel are available in Canada and Sundance Channel and WE tv are available in other countries throughout Europe and Asia.

National Networks

AMC Networks owns four nationally distributed entertainment programming networks: AMC, WE tv, IFC and Sundance Channel, which are available to its distributors in high-definition (HD) and/or standard-definition formats. The Company's programming networks principally generate their revenues from the distribution of programming and the sale of advertising. Affiliation fees paid by multichannel video programming distributors represent the largest component of distribution revenue, which also includes the licensing of original programming for digital, foreign and home video distribution. As of December 31, 2012, AMC, WE tv and IFC had 98.9 million, 81.5 million and 69.6 million Nielsen subscribers, respectively, and Sundance Channel had 50.2 million viewing subscribers.

AMC is a television network dedicated to the storytelling, whether commemorating favorite films or creating origi! nal programming. In addition to presenting feature films from its movie library, AMC features original programming that includes dramatic series, such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Killing, Hell on Wheels and The Walking Dead. In addition, the network has introduced unscripted programming, including Talking Dead, Comic Book Men, The Pitch and Small Town Security. AMC's film library consists of films that are licensed from studios, such as Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros., Sony, MGM, NBC Universal, Paramount and Buena Vista under long-term contracts. AMC generally structures its contracts for the cable television rights to air the films during identified window periods. As of December 31, 2012, AMC had affiliation agreements with the United States multichannel video programming distributors and reached approximately 99 million Nielsen subscribers.

WE tv is a women's network that features original stories for and about modern women who are taking charge of their life, their family and their household. WE tv's original series include Braxton Family Values, Tamar & Vince, Mary, Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best? and My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, among others. In addition, WE tv's programming includes series, such as Charmed, Ghost Whisperer and Roseanne, as well as feature films, with license rights to certain films from studios, such as Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. As of December 31, 2012, WE tv had affiliation agreements with the United States multichannel video distributors and reached approximately 82 million Nielsen subscribers. IFC creates original comedies that are in keeping with the network's Always On. Slightly Off brand and which air alongside a collection of films and comedic cult television shows.

The network's original content includes the comedy series Portlandia, created by and starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, and executive produced by Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels. Other IFC originals include Comedy Bang! Bang!, R. Kelly's Trapped in ! the Close! t and Out There, an animated series created by the long time animation director of South Park. IFC's programming also includes series, such as Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks and Malcolm in the Middle, along with films from independent film distributors including Fox, Miramax, Sony, IFC Films, Lionsgate, Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. As of December 31, 2012, IFC had affiliation agreements with the United States multichannel video distributors and reached approximately 70 million Nielsen subscribers.

Sundance Channel also has a slate of original unscripted series. Sundance Channel original unscripted programming includes the docu -series Push Girls, and celebrity vehicles The Mortified Sessions and Iconoclasts. In addition, the network benefits from its relationship with Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, where each year the network gives festival attendees and viewers access to the festival on-site and through dedicated programming on-air and online. As of December 31, 2012, Sundance Channel had affiliation agreements with the United States multichannel video programming distributors and reached approximately 50 million viewing subscribers. As of December 31, 2012, Sundance Channel generated advertising revenue from sponsorship arrangements and promotional breaks, rather than traditional advertising spots.

International and Other

In addition to the Company's National Networks, AMC Networks also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, which is its international programming business; IFC Films, its independent film distribution business; and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, its network technical services business. The Company's International and Other segment also includes VOOM HD Holdings LLC (VOOM HD). AMC/Sundance Channel Global's business principally consists of seven channels in 13 languages spread across 24 countries, focusing primarily on AMC in Canada and globally on versions of the Sundance Channel and WE tv brands. Princ! ipally ge! nerating revenues from affiliation fees, AMC/Sundance Channel Global reached approximately 15.9 million viewing subscribers in Canada, Europe and Asia as of December 31, 2012.

Sundance Channel provides independent film and also features certain content from AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and IFC Films, as well as serves as a pipeline of international content, in an effort to provide distinctive programming to an upscale audience. AMC Networks provides programming to the Canadian market through its AMC and Sundance Channel brands. Providing programming in the Korean and Mandarin languages, WE tv Asia provides a selection of the domestic programming from the WE tv the United States network with programs like Bridezillas and My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, and some of the programming from networks in the United States, such as Tabatha's Salon Takeover and Tori & Dean. With the same broad satellite footprint as Sundance Channel-International, WE tv Asia is available in South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. IFC Films, the Company's independent film distribution business, makes independent films available to a worldwide audience. IFC Films operates three distribution labels: Sundance Selects, IFC Films and IFC Midnight. IFC Films has a film library consists of more than 500 titles.

IFC Films also operates IFC Center, DOC NYC and SundanceNow. IFC Center is a independent movie theater located in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village. DOC NYC is an annual festival also located in New York City celebrating documentary storytelling in film, photography, prose and other media. AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology is a full-service network programming feed origination and distribution company, which primarily services the programming networks of AMC Networks. AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology's operations are located in Bethpage, New York, where AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology consolidates origination and satellite communications functions in a 60,00! 0 square-! foot facility designed to keep AMC Networks at the forefront of network origination and distribution technology.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Beyers]

  As far as I'm concerned, both shows are well written and worth watching. Yet if HBO were spun off from Time Warner (NYSE: TWX  ) as an independent company, I'd still rather own shares of Mad Men distributor AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX  ) .

• [By Tim Beyers]

  DC's advantage is that already has a hit in Arrow, and introducing the Flash via spin-off reduces the risk that the new show will bomb. If successful, it would be the third -- or, if Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. also succeeds, the fourth -- current comic book TV adaptation to play well with audiences. AMC Networks' (NASDAQ: AMCX  ) The Walking Dead rated highest among scripted shows airing during the 2012-2013 TV season.

• [By Sam Mattera]

  The same is largely true for AMC's (NASDAQ: AMCX  ) Breaking Bad. The first episode of the second half of the fifth season brought in twice as many viewers as any episode prior to that, and in general, Breaking Bad has steadily expanded its base of viewers over time. But Breaking Bad's creator, Vince Gilligan, remarked that the show might've been cancelled in its second or third season.

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now: DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc (DVA)

DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., formerly DaVita Inc., incorporated on April 4, 1994, is a provider of dialysis services in the United States for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure, also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). As of December 31, 2011, the Company provided dialysis and administrative services through a network of 1,809 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States throughout 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving a total of approximately 142,000 patients. It also provides acute inpatient dialysis services in approximately 900 hospitals and related laboratory services throughout the United States. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, it provided dialysis and administrative services to a total of 11 outpatient dialysis centers located in three countries outside of the United States. On September 2, 2011, the Company acquired CDSI I Holding Company, Inc., the parent company of dialysis provider DSI Renal Inc. In November 2011, the Company announced that its wholly owned European subsidiary, DV Care GmbH, acquired ExtraCorp AG. In January 2012, the Company acquired controlling interest in NephroLife. In September 2012, the Company announced that its new guest services contact center located in Centennial, Colorado was opened. On November 1, 2012, the Company announced the consummation of the merger of HealthCare Partners Holdings, LLC (HCP), with Seismic Acquisition LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, with HCP as the surviving entity (the Merger). The Merger, HCP became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In January 2013, the Company acquired nine dialysis centers from Fresenius Medical Care (FMC), provider of dialysis services and manufacturer of dialysis products.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired a total of 178 dialysis centers, eight of which were located outside of the United States, opened 65 new dialysis centers, sold two centers, merged seven centers, and divested a total of 30 dialysis cent! ers in connection with the acquisition of DSI. It also added three dialysis centers under management and administrative service agreements that are located outside of the United States and added one center in which the Company owns a minority equity interest. The Company�� United States dialysis and related laboratory services business accounts for approximately 93% of its consolidated net operating revenues. Its other ancillary services accounted for approximately 7% of its consolidated net operating revenues during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Dialysis and Related Lab Services

As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated or provided administrative services through a network of 1,809 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States and 11 outpatient dialysis centers located outside the United States that are designed specifically for outpatient hemodialysis. Many of the Company�� outpatient dialysis centers offer certain support services for dialysis patients who prefer and are able to perform either home-based hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in their homes. Home-based hemodialysis support services consist of providing equipment and supplies, training, patient monitoring, on-call support services and follow-up assistance. Registered nurses train patients and their families or other caregivers to perform either home-based hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company provided hospital inpatient hemodialysis services, excluding physician services, to patients in approximately 900 hospitals throughout the United States. It renders these services for a contracted per-treatment fee that is individually negotiated with each hospital. When a hospital requests the Company�� services, the Company administers the dialysis treatment at the patient�� bedside or in a dedicated treatment room in the hospital, as needed. In 2011, hospital inpatient hemodialysis services accounted for approximately 4.5% of its total United S! tates dia! lysis treatments. The Company owns two licensed clinical laboratories, which specialize in ESRD patient testing. These laboratories provide routine laboratory tests for dialysis and other physician-prescribed laboratory tests for ESRD patients. Its laboratories provide these tests primarily for its network of ESRD patients throughout the United States. These tests are performed to monitor a patient�� ESRD condition, including the adequacy of dialysis, as well as other medical conditions. During 2011, it operated or provided management and administrative services to 33 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States and three outpatient dialysis centers located outside of the United States, in which it either owns a minority equity investment or are wholly owned by third parties. These services are provided pursuant to management and administrative services agreements.

Ancillary services and strategic initiatives

DaVita Rx is a pharmacy that provides oral medications to DaVita�� patients with ESRD. HomeChoice Partners provides personalized infusion therapy services to patients typically in their own. Intravenous and nutritional support therapies are typically managed by registered and/or board-certified professionals, including pharmacists, nurses and dieticians in collaboration with the patient�� physician in support of the patient�� ongoing health care needs. VillageHealth provides advanced care management services to health plans and Government agencies for employees/members diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or ESRD. Lifeline provides management and administrative services to physician-owned vascular access clinics that provide surgical and interventional radiology services for dialysis patients. Lifeline also is the owner of one vascular access clinic. DaVita Clinical Research conducts research trials principally with dialysis patients and provides administrative support for research conducted by DaVita-affiliated nephrology practices. DaVita Neph! rology Pa! rtners offers practice management and administrative services to physicians who specialize in nephrology. Practice management and administrative services include operations management, information technology support, billing and collections, credentialing and coding, and other support functions.

The Company competes with Fresenius Medical Care.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Steve Symington]

  If you're wondering which company Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B  ) (NYSE: BRK-A  ) might buy next, go ahead and cross DaVita Healthcare Partners (NYSE: DVA  ) off your list.

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.(DVA) and Fresenius Medical Care AG(FME.XE) & Co. traded higher after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it will reduce payments to kidney dialysis providers by less than 1% over the next two years in a reversal of the much-larger cuts it had proposed earlier this summer. The move handed at least a temporary victory to dialysis providers like DaVita and Fresenius. DaVita’s shares jumped 4.4% to $59 premarket, while Fresenius’ stock climbed 7.7% to $34.71.

• [By Neil Macneale]

  Steve Halpern: Well, you mentioned Buffet and, interestingly, the latest edition to your portfolio, DaVita HealthCare Partners (DVA) is a stock that is liked by Warren Buffet. He holds a long-term position in it, so you're in good company with this new holding. Could you tell us a little about the stock?

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now: LRR Energy LP (LRE)

LRR Energy, L.P (LRR Energy) is a limited partnership formed by affiliates of Lime Rock Resources to operate, acquire, exploit and develop producing oil and natural gas properties in North America. The Company�� properties are located in the Permian Basin region in West Texas and southeast New Mexico, the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma and East Texas and the Gulf Coast region in Texas. As of March 31, 2011, the Company�� total estimated proved reserves were approximately 30.3 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe), of which approximately 84% were proved developed reserves. During the year ended December 31, 2010, approximately 55% of its pro forma revenues were from oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs) and approximately 37% of its total estimated proved reserves were oil and NGLs. As of March 31, 2011, the Company operated 93% of its proved reserves. Based on its pro forma average net production of 6,503 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) for December 31, 2010, the Company�� total estimated proved reserves as of March 31, 2011 had a reserve-to-production ratio of approximately 12.8 years. In January 2013, the Company acquired oil and natural gas properties in the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma from its sponsor, Lime Rock Resources. In April 2013, it announced that it closed its acquisition of oil and natural gas properties in the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma.

The Company�� general partner, LRE GP, LLC, is controlled by Lime Rock Management LP. The Company�� general partner has sole responsibility for conducting its business and for managing its operations. The Company�� properties consist of mature, low-risk onshore oil and natural gas reservoirs with long-lived, predictable production profiles located across three diverse producing regions: the permian basin region in west texas and southeast new mexico, the mid-continent region in oklahoma and east texas, and the gulf coast region in texas. As of March 31, 2011, the Company�� estimated proved developed non-! producing reserves included 192 gross (158 net) recompletion, refracture stimulation and workover projects. In addition, as of March 31, 2011, the Company�� proved undeveloped reserves included 213 gross (140 net) identified drilling locations.

As of March 31, 2011, approximately 55% of the Company�� estimated proved reserves and approximately 44% of its pro forma average daily net production for the three months ended December 31, 2010, were located in the Permian Basin region. Approximately 60% of the Company�� estimated net proved reserves in the Permian Basin region are oil and NGLs. The Permian Basin is one of the oil and natural gas producing basins in the United States, extending over 100,000 square miles in West Texas and southeast New Mexico, and has produced over 24 billion barrels of oil. The Company owns an 83% average working interest across 665 gross (552 net) wells and operates approximately 92% of its properties in the Permian Basin. The Company�� estimated proved reserves for its Permian Basin properties as of March 31, 2011 totaled 16.6 MMBoe and had a standardized measure of $237.7 million, which represented 69% of the total standardized measure for all of its estimated proved reserves.

The Company�� properties in the Red Lake area is an oil-weighted field located in Eddy County, New Mexico. The Red Lake properties have produced approximately 4.9 MMBoe. The primary producing formations are the San Andres and Yeso at a depth of approximately 2,000 to 5,000 feet. The Company operates approximately 99% of its proved reserves in the Red Lake area, including 157 gross (144 net) producing wells in the field with an average working interest of 92%, and own a non-operated working interest in 10 gross (3 net) additional wells in the area with an average working interest of 31%. The Company�� properties in the field contained 9.6 MMBoe of estimated net proved reserves as of March 31, 2011, approximately 86% of which are oil and NGLs, and generated average n! et produc! tion of 1,410 Boe/d for December 31, 2010. These properties represented 32% of its total estimated proved reserves as of March 31, 2011 and 22% of the Company�� pro forma average net production for December 31, 2010. In addition, these properties had a standardized measure of $163.3 million as of March 31, 2011, which represented 48% of the total standardized measure for all of the Company�� estimated proved reserves.

The Company�� properties in the Pecos Slope area is a gas-weighted field located in Eddy, Chaves, Lea and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico. The Company operates approximately 100% of its proved reserves in the Pecos Slope area, including 434 gross (382 net) producing wells in the field with an average working interest of 88%. The Company�� Willow Lake field is an oil-weighted field located in Eddy County, New Mexico. There are 41 gross (8 net) producing wells in this area with an average non-operated working interest of 19%. The Cowden Ranch area is an oil-weighted field located in Crane County, Texas. The Company operate s100% of its proved reserves in the Cowden Ranch area, including 8 gross (approximately 5 net) producing wells in the field with an average working interest of 71%. The Company�� properties in the Corbin and Vacuum have produced approximately 3.0 MMBoe. The Company operates 100% of its proved reserves in the Corbin and Vacuum areas, including 8 gross (8 net) producing wells with an average working interest of 100%.

As of December 31, 2010, approximately 33% of the Company�� estimated proved reserves and approximately 38% of its pro forma average daily net production for December 31, 2010 were located in the Mid-Continent region. The Company�� Potato Hills Area is an Arkoma Basin natural gas property located in Latimer and Pushmataha Counties in Southeast Oklahoma. The Company�� Reklaw properties have produced approximately 5.6 MMBoe. The Company operates 100% of its proved reserves in the Reklaw area, including 63 gross (61 net) pro! ducing we! lls in the field with an average working interest of 97%. Its properties in the Black Bayou-Doyle Creek area is a natural gas-weighted field located in Angelina, Cherokee and Nacogdoches Counties, Texas, in close proximity to the Reklaw area. The Company�� non-operated interest in 43 gross (approximately 12 net) producing wells in the field with an average non-operated working interest of 26%.

As of March 31, 2011, approximately 12% of the Company�� estimated proved reserves and approximately 18% of its pro forma average daily net production for December 31, 2010 were located in the Gulf Coast region. Approximately 31% of the Company�� estimated net proved reserves in the Gulf Coast region are oil and NGLs. The Company owns an 82% average working interest across 42 gross (35 net) wells and operates 100% of its properties in the Gulf Coast region. The Company�� property New Years Ridge area is a natural gas-weighted field located in DeWitt County, Texas. The Company�� George West-Stratton areas consist of natural gas-weighted fields located in Live Oak and Hidalgo Counties, Texas. The Company�� operates 100% of its proved reserves in the George West-Stratton areas, including 23 gross (17 net) producing wells in the George West-Stratton areas with an average working interest of 73%.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  LRR Energy, L.P. (NYSE:LRE) reported that its management will present at the National Association of Publicly Traded Partnerships��2012 Master Limited Partnership Investor Conference in Greenwich, CT on Thursday, May 24, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time.

• [By Robert Rapier]

  LRR Energy (NYSE: LRE) was another name I covered in the article Upstream Turbulence Yields Bargains. LRE is an upstream MLP focused on acquiring and developing oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin, the Mid-Continent region, and the Gulf Coast region in Texas. Total proved reserves at the end of 2012 were 31.7 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), of which 50 percent were liquids. The partnership is ~85 percent hedged through 2017 at average prices of $92.73/barrel for oil, $37.04/bbl for NGLs, and $5.06 per MMBtu for natural gas.

• [By Robert Rapier]

  LRR Energy (NYSE: LRE) is an upstream MLP focused on acquiring and developing oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin, the Mid-Continent region, and the Gulf Coast region in Texas. Total proved reserves at the end of 2012 were 31.7 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), of which 50 percent were liquids. The partnership is ~85 percent hedged through 2017 at average prices of $92.73/barrel for oil, $37.04/bbl for NGLs, and $5.06 per MMBtu for natural gas.

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now: Westfield Financial Inc.(WFD)

Westfield Financial, Inc. operates as a bank holding company for the Westfield Bank that provides various community banking products and services to businesses and individuals in Massachusetts. The company offers various deposit products, including regular savings deposits comprising passbook and statement savings accounts; NOW accounts; noninterest-bearing demand accounts; money market accounts; certificates of deposit; and time deposits. Its loan portfolio primarily consists of commercial and industrial loans, such as business installment loans, vehicle and equipment financing, lines of credit, and other commercial loans; commercial real estate loans to finance the purchase of real property, and construction loans to developers of commercial and residential properties; residential real estate loans; home equity loans; and consumer loans that consist of automobile loans, secured passbook loans, credit lines tied to deposit accounts to provide overdraft protection, and uns ecured personal loans. The company also offers commercial products and services, which include commercial deposit accounts, cash management services, Internet banking, sweep accounts, ATM network, remote deposit, and night deposit services. It operates 11 banking offices in Agawam, East Longmeadow, Holyoke, Southwick, Springfield, West Springfield, and Westfield, Massachusetts; and 12 free-standing ATM locations in Feeding Hills, Holyoke, Springfield, West Springfield, and Westfield, Massachusetts. The company was founded in 1853 and is based in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dividends4Life]

  Memberships and Peers: PBCT is a member of the S&P 500 and a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers��Index. The company's peer group includes: Bank of America Corporation (BAC) with a 0.3% yield, Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (BRKL) with a 3.7% yield and Westfield Financial Inc. (WFD) with a 3.5% yield.