Theres no foolproof way to know the future for Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen and before your stock craters as a result.

Finally, Greenbrier (NYSE: GBX ) fell more than 4% after beating earnings estimates, but falling well short on overall sales. The railroad-services company said that deliveries fell 27% during the quarter, leading to a decline in revenue of nearly 8%. Perhaps, more importantly, Greenbrier shareholders seemed dissatisfied with the way the company has moved forward after rejecting a merger bid with American Railcar Industries (NASDAQ: ARII ) that activist investor Carl Icahn had tried to broker. Even with expectations of better sales ahead and a cheap valuation, Greenbrier cant seem to inspire confidence among investors.

Another area that is intriguing to us is the North American energy sector which looks to have a number of interesting catalysts currently. While the energy sector is at present only a modest overweight in the portfolios, we have been encouraged by several trends taking place for a number of years. These positive developments are also having an impact that goes far beyond the energy sector itself. Many believe that the U.S. will become energy independent and possibly a net exporter of natural gas and oil (currently restricted by law) in the next decade. This opinion is based primarily on the development of new drilling techniques (i.e. horizontal drilling, and high pressure fracking) that have enabled companies to access oil and natural gas reserves in shale formations that were previously not economically viable. The ability to tap into this acreage is a game-changer in our view and is already having a tremendous impact on the economy. Employment rates in these mostly rura l areas surrounding the shale basins are very high and companies thus find hiring extremely competitive. Strong labor markets tend to create strong local economies. Oil States International (OIS) has been able to capitalize on this trend by providing housing and other services to oil service workers that are in demand in the area. CST Brands (CST) operates gas stations in Texas, but it is increasingly looking to broaden its product offering beyond fuel. Rail companies like Union Pacific (UNP), Canadian Pacific (CP), Kansas City Southern (KSU) and Genesee and Wyoming (GWR) have also benefited substantially. Given that shale areas are rural and often lacking infrastructure, substantial investment must be made to support drilling and production activities. Without pipelines in place, railroads have been the primary takeaway mechanism for moving production to the various clusters of refining capacity around the United States. In order to serve this demand, massive investment in railcars has been nee

Small cap stocks Muscle Warfare International (OTCMKTS: MWAR), Portlogic Systems Inc (OTCMKTS: PGSY) and Sterling Consolidated Corp (OTCBB: STCC) were all the subject of a few paid promotions as recently as last week but they sure did not start the new week out right because all were sinking on Monday. So are these small cap stocks that are either the subject of promotions or investor awareness campaigns hot or not? Here is a quick reality check:

Top Machinery Companies To Buy For 2015: Fidia SpA (FDA)

Fidia SpA is an Italy-based company primarily engaged in the production of numerical controls and machine tools. The Companys activities are divided into three main business lines. In the High-speed Milling Systems, it is involved in the production and sale of milling heads kits and cutting-edge equipment. Through the Numerical Controls, Dives and Software sector, it is active in the manufacture of numerical controls for milling systems, as well as in the development and distribution of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. The After-sales Service sector includes the provision of technical services, sale of spare parts and scheduled maintenance contracts. The Company operates in Germany, France, Brazil, China, Poland and India, among others. Advisors Opinion:

Despite recent anti-tobacco laws passed by the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S, the companys pricing power has helped maintain its margins. In 2012, for example, Phillip Morris hiked prices on its products in Russia, Germany, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece and Spain, among others. Although the necessary measure caused substantial volume declines in these countries, consumers rapidly became accustomed to the increased prices, and returned to their habitual product consumption. Given the success of this strategy, the firm is likely to rely on it in Japan for 2014, where taxes are expected to increase yet again by 8%, after the 40% spike in October 2010.

Its Apremilast is currently under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review for the anti-inflammatory condition, psoriatic arthritis, and has also shown promise in such indications as psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Top Machinery Companies To Buy For 2015: AGCO Corporation (AGCO )

AGCO Corporation manufactures and distributes agricultural equipment and related replacement parts worldwide. The company provides tractors, including compact tractors for small farms and specialty agricultural industries comprising dairies, landscaping, and residential areas; utility tractors, such as two-wheel and all-wheel drive versions for small and medium-sized farms, and specialty agricultural industries consist of dairy, livestock, orchards, and vineyards; and horsepower tractors for large farms and on cattle ranches for hay production. It also offers application equipment, which includes self-propelled, three and four-wheeled vehicles, and related equipment for use in the application of liquid and dry fertilizers, and crop protection chemicals; chemical sprayer equipment for planting crops; and related equipment that comprises vehicles for waste application, as well as provides combines. In addition, the company offers hay tools and forage equipment consisting rou nd and rectangular balers, self-propelled windrowers, disc mowers, spreaders and mower conditioners for harvesting and packaging vegetative feeds; and engines, such as diesel engines, gears, and generating sets. Further, it provides implements, including disc harrows for improving field performance; heavy tillage to break up soil and mix crop residue; and field cultivators for preparing smooth seed bed and destroy weeds, as well as offers tractor-pulled planters and loaders. Additionally, the company provides precision farming technologies to enhance productivity and profitability on the farm; and other advanced technology precision farming products to gather information, such as yield data, as well as offers wholesale financing and retail financing. It markets its products under the Challenger, Fendt, Massey Ferguson, and Valtra brand names through a network of independent dealers and distributors. AGCO Corporation was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Duluth, Georgi a .

Advisors Opinion:

Historically the stock prices of Deere (DE) and other agricultural equipment firms and retailers like Case-New Holland (CNH), Titan Machinery (TITN), AGCO (AGCO), Tractor Supply (TSCO), Valmont (VAL), and Lindsay (LNN) have tended to closely track the price of corn. When corn prices go up, farmers tend to make more money, and they spend that money on new equipment from Deere and other firms. This relationship is especially strong for Deere and Corn, but it holds true for all of the stocks above to some extent. (Correlation coefficients between all of the stock prices above and corn are statistically significant to at least the 5% level, see my blog here for more details.)

Top Machinery Companies To Buy For 2015: FreightCar America Inc (RAIL)

FreightCar America, Inc. (America) is engaged in manufacturing of aluminum-bodied railcars in North America. America is also a manufacturer of coal cars. During the year ended December 31, 2011(2011), the Company was specialized in the production of coal cars, which represented 93% of its deliveries of railcars. The Company also refurbishes and rebuilds railcars and sells forged, cast and fabricated parts for all of the railcars it produces, as well as those manufactured by others. During 2011, its primary customers were railroads, shippers and financial institutions, which represented 83%, 2% and 1%, respectively, of its total sales attributable to each type of customer. During 2011, it delivered 6,188 railcars, including 4,500 aluminum-bodied coal cars. It offers railcar leasing and refurbishment alternatives to its customers. Through its newly formed subsidiary FreightCar Rail Services, LLC (FCRS), it provides railcar repair and maintenance, inspections, and railcar fle et management services for all types of freight railcars. Its railcar manufacturing facilities are located in Danville, Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia.

The Company also leases freight cars through its JAIX Leasing Company subsidiary. In addition, the Company manufactures coal cars for export to Latin America and manufactures intermodal railcars for export to the Middle East. With operations in Colorado, Indiana and Nebraska, it services freight cars and unit coal trains utilizing rail corridors in the Midwest and Western regions of the United States. The Company designs and manufactures aluminum-bodied and steel-bodied railcars that transport a range of various products. It manufactures two primary types of coal cars, such as gondolas and open-top hoppers. The BethGon is the aluminum-bodied coal gondola railcar segment, which is used in North America. Its aluminum bodied open-top hopper railcar, the AutoFlood, is a five-pocket coal car equipped with a bottom dis charge gate mechanism. AutoFlood II and AutoFlood III design! incorporates the automatic rapid discharge system, the MegaFlo door system and a mechanism that uses an over-center locking design, enabling the cargo door to close with tension rather than by compression.

The Company also manufactures a range of other types of aluminum and steel-bodied coal cars, including triple hopper, hybrid aluminum/stainless steel hoppers and gondolas and flat bottom gondola railcars. The Companys portfolio of other railcar types include the AVC Aluminum Vehicle Carrier design, which is used to transport commercial and light vehicles (automobiles and trucks) from assembly plants and ports to rail distribution centers; the Articulated Bulk Container railcar designed to carry dense bulk products, such as waste products in 20 foot containers; Intermodal Double Stack railcars, including a stand-alone, 40 foot well car and the DynaStack articulated, 5-unit, 40 foot and 3-unit, 53 foot well cars for transportation of containers; a Small Cub e Covered Hopper railcar, which is used to transport products, such as roofing granules, fly ash, sand and cement; a Mill Gondola Railcar, which is used to transport steel products and scrap; Slab and Coil steel railcars, which is designed for transportation of steel slabs and coil steel products, respectively; Flat Railcars, Bulkhead Flat Railcars and Centerbeam Flat Railcars, which is designed to transport a range of products, including machinery and equipment, steel and structural steel components (including pipe), forest products and other bulky industrial products; a Woodchip Gondola Railcar, which is designed to haul woodchips and municipal waste, and a range of non-coal carrying open top hopper railcars designed to carry aggregates, iron ore, taconite pellets, petroleum coke and other bulk commodities.

The Company has established a licensing arrangement with a railcar manufacturer in Brazil pursuant to which its technology is used to produce various types of railcars in Brazil. In addition, it manufacture coal car! s for exp! ort to Latin America and have manufactured intermodal railcars for export to the Middle East. Railroads outside of North America have a range of track gauges that are sized differently than in North America, which requires it, in some cases, to alter manufacturing specifications for foreign sales. The Company has added 10 new or redesigned products to its portfolio in the last five years, including the AVC, slab and coil steel railcar, triple hopper and hybrid aluminum/stainless steel railcars, ore cars, ballast cars and aggregate cars. The Companys manufacturing process involves four basic steps: fabrication, assembly, finishing and inspection. In its fabrication processes, it employ standard metal working tools, many of which are computer controlled. Each assembly line typically involves 15 to 20 manufacturing positions, depending on the complexity of the particular railcar design. It uses mechanical fastening in the fitting and assembly of its aluminum-bodied railcar p arts, while it uses welding for the assembly of its steel-bodied railcars.

The Company competes with Trinity Industries, Inc. National Steel Car Limited, The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. and American Railcar Industries, Inc.

Advisors Opinion:

FreightCar America (NASDAQ: RAIL ) has found an executive to lead its finance team. The company announced that it appointed Charles Avery as its CFO, vice president of finance, and treasurer, replacing Joseph McNeely. Avery will take up his position on Aug. 1.

FreightCar America (NASDAQ: RAIL ) has found an internal candidate to be its new COO and president. The company named CFO Joseph McNeely to the position, effective immediately.

Stock Movers and Great Calls

Alpha-Rich long and short ideas regularly move stocks and identify stocks that are about to move. Some notable recent calls subscribers had early access to:

On July 24, Mike Williams explained why FreightCar Americas (RAIL) shares could double by 2015 as it returned to historic profitability. Shares are +16.3% to date after a strong earnings report this week. Read article Vince Martin said on June 17 that Crays (CRAY) sell-off after Q1 earnings was way overdone, offering investors a great deal. After a strong earnings report last week, shares now stand +45% from where they were before the article. Read article

To Come Today

Dont forget to check your SA Pro dashboard later today for the latest Alpha-Rich ideas. Any thoughts to share on the latest Alpha-Rich ideas? Leave a comment here.

SA Pro Editors

The SA Pro team is Eli Hoffmann (Editor in Chief), Rachael Granby (Editorial Product Manager), Daniel Shvartsman, Samir Patel, Michael McDonald, and Jeffrey Fischer (Senior Pro Editors). You can reach us at pro-editors@seekingalpha.com.

Top Machinery Companies To Buy For 2015: Cleantech Transit Inc (CLNO)

Cleantech Transit, Inc. incorporated on June 28, 2006, is a development-stage company. The Company focuses to explore opportunities in the development and production of hybrid, electric, alternative fuel and diesel heavy duty transit buses, luxury motor coaches and tour buses. On July 11, 2011, the Company formed Cleantech Energy, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary. In February 2013, the Company announced that acquired from Crown Equity Holdings Inc. Crown Buy Rite.

On July 25, 2011, the Company formed Cleantech Exploration Corp. as a wholly owned subsidiary. On October 31, 2011, the Company acquired a 40% interest in Ortigalita Power Systems, LLC a waste power generating project in California.

Advisors Opinion:

Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net ) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. Today, CLNO has surged (+6.19%) up +0.014 at $.240 with 201,039 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:47AM EDT July 23, 2013), but dont let this get you down.

CLNOs daily range is at ($.251 $.226) thus far and currently at $.240 would be considered a (+21718.18%) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011. The stock is up +0.24 ( +10809.09%) since the concerning dates of January 25, 2013 July 22, 2013. +10809.09% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net ) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. Today, CLNO has shed (-2.44%) down -0.005 at $.200 with 242,195 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:35PM EDT July 18, 2013), but dont let this get you down.

CLNOs daily range is at ($.204 $.173) thus far and currently at $.200 would be considered a (+18081.81%) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011. The stock is up +0.19 ( +8581.82%) since the concerning dates of January 22, 2013 July 18, 2013. +8581.82% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. CLNO currently has surged (+6.43%) up +0.011 at $.182 with 2,079,078 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 1:38PM June 26, 2013).Earlier thismorning (June 26, 2013), this company hit as low as $.152 and as high as $.191. The fact that their isover a million shares in play thus far only ignites the excitement that CLNO brings to the table.

Today(June 26) CLNOs daily range was at ($.191 $.152) currently at $.182 would be considered a (+16445.45%) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011. Eventhough CLNO has surged (+6.43%) up +0.011 at $.182 with 2,079,078 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 1:38PM June 26, 2013), the stock is up +12033.33% since the concerning dates of December 27, 2013 June 26, 2013. +12033.33% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

Earlier this month (June 3), CLNO acquired control of Discovery Carbon Environmental Securities Corporation (Discovery). The acquisition advances the strategy of developing significant market share in the alternative clean energy sector. Discoverys proprietary GreenTrees for renewable energy, and EvoCert environmental credits for offsetting business and individual carbon foot prints are some of the exciting products Discovery provides to clients throughout the world.

CLNO reported last Friday (June 21), that it has acquired 81% of the issued and outstanding shares of Discovery Carbon Environmental Securities Corporation (Discovery), a Nevada corporation. The acquisition advances the strategy of developing significant market share in the alternative clean energy sector. Discoverys proprietary GreenTrees for renewable energy, and EvoCert environmental credits for offsetting business and individual carbon foot prints are some of th

Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net ) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. Today, CLNO has shed (-50.83%) down -0.0915 at $.0885 with572,956 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:39PM EDT July 12, 2013), but dont let this get you down. CLNOs daily range is at ($.18 $.0885) thus far and currently at $.0885 would be considered a (+7945.45% ) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011. The stock is up +3747.83% since the concerning dates of January 14, 2013 July 12, 2013. +3747.83% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

Top Machinery Companies To Buy For 2015: Sun Hydraulics Corp (SNHY)

Sun Hydraulics Corporation (Sun) designs, manufactures, and sells screw-in cartridge valves and manifolds used in hydraulic systems. The Company has facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, France, and China. Sun Hydraulik Holdings Limited (Sun Holdings), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun was formed to provide a holding company for the European market operations; its wholly owned subsidiaries are Sun Hydraulics Limited (Sun Ltd.) and Sun Hydraulik GmbH (Sun GmbH). Sun Ltd. operates a manufacturing and distribution facility located in Coventry, England, and Sun GmbH operates a manufacturing and distribution facility located in Erkelenz, Germany. Sun Hydraulics Korea Corporation (Sun Korea), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun, operates a manufacturing and distribution facility. Sun Hydraulics, SARL (Sun France), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun was dissolved in November 2011. Sun Hydraulics (India) a liaison office in Bangalore, India is used to deve lop new business opportunities in the Indian market. WhiteOak Controls, Inc. (WhiteOak), a 40% equity method investment, located in Mediapolis, Iowa, designs and produces complementary electronic control products. On September 27, 2011, Sun acquired High Country Tek, Inc. (HCT), which designs and manufactures a range of standard and customizable electronic control modules used to interpret electronic signals.

Screw-in Hydraulic Cartridge Valves

The Companys screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves are offered in five size ranges and include both electrically actuated and non-electrically actuated products. The floating construction introduced by the Company results in a self alignment characteristic.

Standard Manifolds

A manifold is a solid block of metal, usually aluminum or ductile iron, which is machined to create threaded cavities and channels into which screw-in cartridge valves can be installed and through which the h ydraulic fluid flows. The Companys range of standard mani! folds enables the customers to integrate its screw-in cartridge valves into their machinery and equipment.

Integrated Packages

An integrated package consists of multiple cartridges assembled into a custom designed manifold for a specific customer to provide the specific operating characteristics of a customers circuit. The Companys screw-in cartridge valves translate to integrated packages designed by the Company and result in products that are smaller in size. Due to the self-alignment characteristic, the Companys integrated packages do not require testing once assembled.

Electronic Controllers

HCT designs and manufactures electronic controllers, which manage the function of electrically actuated valves. HCTs products range from one valve, manually adjusted controllers to fully integrated hydraulic control systems managing multiple hydraulic valves, as well as other input and output products, such as joysticks and displays.

Advisors Opinion:

Up 25% over 12 months, Sun Hydraulics Corp. has a market cap of $787.4 million; its shares were traded at around $30.00 with a P/E ratio of 21.20.