Breaking its customary corporate silence, Amazon has launched a defense against a rising chorus of criticism about its decision to limit the supply of books from publisher Hachette Book Group and warned that the tussle could be protracted. In a statement posted on its website Tuesday, Amazon acknowledged that its pricing negotiations have dragged on and lauded Hachette for operating in "good faith." But the Seattle-based retailer told customers that it's "not optimistic that this will be resolved soon." "Despite much work from both sides, we have been unable to reach mutually acceptable agreement on terms," Amazon said. Hachette's books have largely been removed from Amazon's shelves. Amazon is ordering new inventories from Hachette only after customers place orders, curtailing authors' incomes and the usually rapid delivery cycle that the site's fans enjoy. Amazon is no longer taking pre-orders on summer and fall titles, allowing customers to place an order only after books are released. Amazon said it's seeking "equitable terms" in pricing, and its tactics are no different than those of big-box retailers that keep only a few copies on hand and choose certain titles to display prominently at the front of their stores. "Suppliers get to decide the terms under which they are willing to sell to a retailer," it said. "It's reciprocally the right of a retailer to determine whether the terms on offer are acceptable and to stock items accordingly." Amazon is in a similar fight with a publisher in Germany, the Bonnier Media Group. Amazon and its CEO, Jeff Bezos, usually reluctant to talk to the press, remained silent after The New York Times first reported the retailer's cutback earlier this month. Its reluctance to respond contributed to the developing narrative of an intractable and inscrutable giant running roughshod over a supplier. The imbroglio affects only about 1% of Amazon's inventory. But that the popular titles from the fourth-largest U.S. book pu! blisher — home of James Patterson and four of the top 10 titles in the New York Times' current hardcover fiction bestseller list — could be removed so quickly seemed to confirm publishers' worst fears about Amazon's expansive sway over the book business. Michael Pietsch, CEO of Hachette urged authors and customers to be patient during this "difficult situation." "Please know that we are doing everything in our power to find a solution," he said in a letter to authors. "I know this is not a comfortable situation for most of you." As the stalemate persists, other retailers are seeking to take advantage. Books-a-Million, a chain with 258 stores nationwide, is offering 30% discounts on some upcoming Hachette titles. While Amazon has branched out to digital media and tablets to boost profit, it still relies heavily on books and electronics for revenue. Its profit margins have always been thin, which is both a result of and an explanation for Amazon's ceaseless drive to extract the best prices possible from manufacturers and middlemen. In the first quarter, Amazon's revenue grew 23% to $19.7 billion but its profit margin is less than 1%. Its quarterly net profit totaled $108 million, up from $82 million a year earlier. Hachette, whose holdings include Little, Brown and Company, is a subsidiary of Lagardère, a French media conglomerate that had about $9.8 billion in net sales last year.
Investment advisors are familiar with the idea that past performance is not indicative of future returns. And so it is in the realm of retirement income, according to financial economist Larry Kotlikoff, who argues that that a Social Security system that has by and large worked should not lead complacent Americans to assume its future viability. That is one of the takeaway points from an online debate last week hosted by the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), a Washington, DC –based nonpartisan institute conducting research related to income security. Both Kotlikoff and his opponent, Larry Thompson, a NASI founding board member, agree on the importance of social insurance (Kotlikoff is an academy member). Indeed, Kotlikoff, the maverick Boston University economist who in 2012 sought the presidency on the Internet-based third party Americans Elect platform attests that Social Security represents a majority (55%) of the annual income of households headed by those 65 and older. But Kotlikoff argues that Social Security is in “grave financial trouble,” worse than in 1983 when the Greenspan Commission reformed the system’s finances — indeed, “in worse shape than Detroit’s two pension systems, taken together,” Kotlikoff writes. That is because the system is 32% underfunded, despite its nearly $3 trillion trust fund. “In short, an immediate and permanent 32% hike in the Social Security payroll tax rate (from 12.4% to 16.4%, forever) is needed to pay the existing benefits. Alternatively, an immediate and permanent 23% cut in all OASDI benefits would provide long-term solvency,” Kotlikoff writes. And while he does not think such drastic hikes or cuts are politically feasible, he argues that Social Security’s finances are just part of the system’s problems: “Its Handbook has 2,728 complex rules, and its Program Operating Manual has thousands of even more complex rules to explain the Handbook's rules,” he writes. This complexity, together with rising federal income taxes on Social Security benefits (which he attributes to a lack of inflation indexation), contribute to Americans’ confusion about the benefits to which they are entitled and age at which they should take them, thus possibly overestimating their retirement income. And beyond solvency and complexity issues, Kotlikoff sees issues of inequity and inefficiency: “Thanks to the system's spousal and survivor benefits, millions of workers pay Social Security taxes year after year and end up with no extra benefits. Indeed, a working spouse can end up with lower benefits than a spouse who never worked,” he adds, referring readers to a more detailed policy proposal he drafted as part of his 2012 campaign. That proposal for replacing the U.S. pay-as-you-go Social Security system with individual contributions financed by mandatory contributions elicited skepticism from Larry Thompson, who argues that even Chile, which takes a similar approach, has recently modified its system away from exclusive reliance on private accounts. Thompson argues that the key distinction between the current system and the one that Kotlikoff proposes is the former’s reliance on labor markets versus the latter’s dependence on capital markets. “The major difference between the two approaches is that one sets pensions with reference to wage levels prevailing at retirement whereas the other establishes retirement incomes based on capital market returns over the course of the working life,” Thompson writes. Noting that U.S. workers do rely on capital markets, to some extent, in their private IRAs, 401(k)s and the like, Thompson argues against forcing “everybody to put all of their retirement income eggs into the capital market basket.” The NASI board member warns that the cost of transitioning Social Security to a private account system makes such a move impracticable. For that reason, he challenges Kotlikoff and other critics of Social Security to instead turn their attention to underlying problems in our current system: “that workers (and/or their employers) are not contributing enough to their defined contribution accounts and that investment returns in these accounts underperform broad market averages due to high administrative charges and poor individual investment decisions.” Reached by ThinkAdvisor, Kotlikoff demurred, arguing that all available evidence suggests Americans won’t voluntarily increase their savings to the extent needed to purchase income security in their retirement years. “My plan forces people to save in the global financial system, but at no cost,” he says noting that the mandated 8% of income he advocates would be managed in a type of index fund whose expenses the government would alone bear. “So I'm not leaving it up to workers to save on their own,” Kotlikoff says. Thompson could not be reached for comment. --- Related on ThinkAdvisor:
The number of companies which offer a music subscription or internet radio service seems to be growing larger every day. There's Pandora (P), which has proven to be exceptionally popular with its free ad-supported model and an ad-free subscription service. Then there's Spotify, which has a much larger library than Pandora and also offers a free ad-supported version. Pandora has about three times as many active users as Spotify does, but the company has also been around a lot longer. There's also iHeartRadio, which allows you to stream live radio, and the smaller Slacker Radio. Here comes Google This already crowded space got a new competitor recently as Google launched the Google Play Music All Access service. This new service is similar to Spotify, where users pay $10 per month to be able to stream an unlimited number of songs. But Google introduces some unique features, like the ability to merge your personal music library with the streaming catalog. This allows you to listen to songs which you already own in addition to Google's catalog all in the same place. The service also has a radio feature similar to Pandora's, where playlists are automatically generated. The benefit that Google has is its already large and ubiquitous ecosystem of products and services. With Android being the dominant OS in the mobile space integrating the new music service into Google Play gives the service a big advantage over the competition. The problem with online music Any business model which involves paying royalties to content owners in order to serve that content is not a very attractive one. A huge portion of the revenue which these companies generate is spent on royalties, and that fact is unlikely to change anytime soon. This means that profits, if they exist at all, will necessarily be small. Pandora and Spotify pay royalties in different ways. While Spotify negotiates directly with the content owners Pandora pays a royalty rate which is determined by the federal government. So every time Pandora plays a song it must pay a fraction of a cent in royalties, and this is the reason that the company limits its free service to 40 hours per month. Pandora's struggles Most of Pandora's revenue comes from selling advertisements, but thus far costs have grown just as fast as revenue. In the most recent quarter revenue jumped by an impressive 54% year-over-year but operating income fell from $-8 million to $-14 million as costs rose. This is a fundamental problem with the business model which will not go away unless federal laws are reformed. Buying Pandora stock essentially boils down to a gamble on the actions of the federal government regarding royalty rates. You're paying $2.8 billion for a company that is not profitable and will likely never be profitable unless laws are changed. And even if royalty rates come down Pandora faces an onslaught of competition. Pandora only has about 900,000 songs in its library compared to Spotify's 20 million, putting it at a major disadvantage. What about Apple? Apple (AAPL) has been long rumored to be working on a music streaming service. Apple's iTunes remains popular, with the service passing the 25 billion songs mark in February. But with Google launching a service it's likely only a matter of time before Apple joins the fray. Recently rumors have emerged suggesting that Apple is close to an agreement with Universal Music Group, the largest of the major record companies, on a streaming deal. Apple's goal with the service will be similar to Google's - locking people into the companies' respective ecosystems. Apple's service will likely have some sort of iTunes integration, meaning that users of iTunes with considerable libraries will have a reason to choose Apple over the competition. Competing with both Google and Apple in an industry like this is not exactly a recipe for success. The bottom line Pandora is in a world of trouble. Not only is its current business model unable to turn a profit, competition from Google and likely Apple along with the current competition from companies like Spotify puts Pandora's future in jeopardy. Investing in Pandora is almost certainly a huge mistake. | Currently 4.00/512345 Rating: 4.0/5 (1 vote) | Voters: |
 Subscribe via Email  Subscribe RSS Comments Please leave your comment: More GuruFocus Links | Latest Guru Picks | Value Strategies | | Warren Buffett Portfolio | Ben Graham Net-Net | | Real Time Picks | Buffett-Munger Screener | | Aggregated Portfolio | Undervalued Predictable | | ETFs, Options | Low P/S Companies | | Insider Trends | 10-Year Financials | | 52-Week Lows | Interactive Charts | | Model Portfolios | DCF Calculator | RSS Feed  | Monthly Newsletters | | The All-In-One Screener | Portfolio Tracking Tool | MORE GURUFOCUS LINKS | Latest Guru Picks | Value Strategies | | Warren Buffett Portfolio | Ben Graham Net-Net | | Real Time Picks | Buffett-Munger Screener | | Aggregated Portfolio | Undervalued Predictable | | ETFs, Options | Low P/S Companies | | Insider Trends | 10-Year Financials | | 52-Week Lows | Interactive Charts | | Model Portfolios | DCF Calculator | | RSS Feed | Monthly Newsletters | | The All-In-One Screener | Portfolio Tracking Tool | P STOCK PRICE CHART  25.54 (1y: +51%) $(function(){var seriesOptions=[],yAxisOptions=[],name='P',display='';Highcharts.setOptions({global:{useUTC:true}});var d=new Date();$current_day=d.getDay();if($current_day==5||$current_day==0||$current_day==6){day=4;}else{day=7;} seriesOptions[0]={id:name,animation:false,color:'#4572A7',lineWidth:1,name:name.toUpperCase()+' stock price',threshold:null,data:[[1369717200000,16.91],[1369803600000,16.97],[1369890000000,17.44],[1369976400000,17.02],[1370235600000,15.22],[1370322000000,14.39],[1370408400000,14.2],[1370494800000,14.31],[1370581200000,15.12],[1370840400000,15.49],[1370926800000,15.35],[1371013200000,15.1],[1371099600000,15.23],[1371186000000,15.4],[1371445200000,15.08],[1371531600000,15.55],[1371618000000,15.66],[1371704400000,14.93],[1371790800000,14.99],[1372050000000,15.13],[1372136400000,16.41],[1372222800000,17.73],[1372309200000,18.16],[1372395600000,18.4],[1372654800000,18.95],[1372741200000,19.54],[1372827600000,19.43],[1373000400000,19.94],[1373259600000,20.52],[1373346000000,19.65],[1373432400000,17.97],[1373518800000,18.22],[1373605200000,18.83],[1373864400000,19.12],[1373950800000,18.73],[1374037200000,18.5],[1374123600000,18.11],[1374210000000,18.3],[1374469200000,18.33],[1374555600000,17.94],[1374642000000,17.89],[1374728400000,18.94],[1374814800000,18.59],[1375074000000,18.35],[1375160400000,18.38],[1375246800000,18.34],[1375333200000,18.76],[1375419600000,19.12],[1375678800000,19.44],[1375765200000,19.03],[1375851600000,18.64],[1375938000000,19.21],[1376024400000,19.7],[1376283600000,20.21],[1376370000000,20.85],[1376456400000,20.57],[1376542800000,19.85],[1376629200000,20.34],[1376888400000,21.17],[1376974800000,21.33],[1377061200000,21.49],[1377147600000,21.71],[1377234000000,18.91],[1377493200000,18.91],[1377579600000,18.16],[1377666000000,18.39],[1377752400000,18.62],[1377838800000,18.42],[1378184400000,18.82],[1378270800000,18.21],[1378357200000,18.98],[1378443600000,19.51],[1378702800000,20.14],[1378789200000,20.35],[1378875600000,21.38],[1378962000000,23.97],[1379048400000,23.99],[1379307600000,23.99],[1379394000000,25.19],[1379480400000,25.64],[1379566800000,27.35],[1379653200000,26.99],[1379912400000,24.26],[1379998800000,24.47],[1380085200000,25.45],[1380171600000,25.39],[1380258000000,25.52],[1! 380517200000,25.13],[1380603600000,25.53],[1380690000000,26.89],[1380776400000,26.44],[1380862800000,27.51],[1381122000000,26.3],[1381208400000,24.26],[1381294800000,23.78],[1381381200000,24.7],[1381467600000,24.9],[1381726800000,25],[1381813200000,25.18],[1381899600000,26.7],[1381986000000,27.1],[1382072400000,28.17],[1382331600000,27.25],[1382418000000,27.47],[1382504400000,26.59],[1382590800000,26.68],[1382677200000,26.96],[1382936400000,26.55],[1383022800000,26.67],[1383109200000,25.59],[1383195600000,25.13],[1383282000000,25.99],[1383544800000,25.67],[1383631200000,27.88],[1383717600000,27.37],[1383804000000,26.28],[1383890400000,26.74],[1384149600000,27.15],[1384236000000,28.24],[1384322400000,29.25],[1384408800000,29.47],[1384495200000,31.56],[1384754400000,29.71],[1384840800000,28.74],[1384927200000,28.44],[1385013600000,29.68],[1385100000000,29.23],[1
Thanksgiving is coming up at the end of November, which means that kids are soon to start filling their Christmas lists with all the latest toys. The holiday season is an important time for retail companies as consumers flock to stores and stock up on gifts for friends and family. It's a major benchmark for stores like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target, but it's just as important for the companies making the products. With that in mind, here's a look at the toys, games and gadgets that are expected to drive big business in the next couple of months.
After the success of its Monster High dolls, Mattel decided to expand into the realm of fairy tales with Ever After High. Featuring characters like Apple White, Hunter Huntsman and Madeline Hatter, the line features the children of popular fairy tale characters and casts them in a high school setting. The dolls are divided into Royals, who are destined to lived happily ever after, and Rebels, who want to change their destinies. Ever After High dolls can be pre-ordered for about $20. Top 5 Diversified Bank Companies To Invest In 2015: Chindex International Inc.(CHDX) Chindex International, Inc. engages in the provision of healthcare services; and sale of medical equipment, instrumentation, and products. The company operates in two segments, Healthcare Services and Medical Products. The Healthcare Services segment owns and operates the United Family Healthcare network of private hospitals and clinics in the Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou markets. This segment also operates a managed clinic in the city of Wuxi, south of Shanghai. It offers a range of family healthcare services, including 24/7 emergency rooms, intensive care units, and neonatal intensive care units, operating rooms, clinical laboratory, radiology, and blood banking services for men, women, and children. The Medical Products segment markets, distributes, and sells medical capital equipment, instrumentation, and other medical products for use in hospitals in China and Hong Kong. It offers diagnostic color ultrasound imaging devices, robotic surgical systems and instrument ation, mammography and breast biopsy devices, and lasers for cosmetic surgery. This segment sells its products through its direct sales force. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Bethesda, Maryland. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Tuesday morning, the healthcare sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Healthcare stocks surged 1% in today's trading. Leading the sector was strength from Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX) and Chindex International (NASDAQ: CHDX) on acquisition news. - [By Anna Prior]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are Citigroup Inc.(C), JA Solar Holdings(JASO) Co and Chindex International Inc.(CHDX)
Top 5 Diversified Bank Companies To Invest In 2015: Prumo Logistica SA (LLXL3) Prumo Logistica SA, formerly LLX Logistica SA (LLX), is a Brazil-based company primarily engaged in the sector of port logistic services. The Company builds and develops the Acu Port, located in Sao Joao da Barra, in the north of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The Industrial Complex Acu Port has two port terminals (T1 and T2) and the capacity to handle various types of cargo, such as petroleum, iron ore, coal, solid and liquid bulk and general cargo. The Company�� subsidiaries include LLX Minas-Rio Logistica Comercial Exportadora SA, LLX Acu Operacoes Portuarias SA and LLX Brasil Operacoes Portuarias SA. In October, 2013, EIG LLX Holdings SARL reached a 52.82% stake in the ordinary share capital of the Company. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Denyse Godoy]
A committee of exchange executives, banks and brokerages developed the changes to the benchmark index. BM&FBovespa said on its website that it hadn�� made changes to the gauge�� methodology since its inception in 1968. LLX Logistica SA (LLXL3), the shipping unit that Batista founded, is the second-lowest priced stock on the Ibovespa after dropping 36 percent this year to 1.53 reais.
5 Best Trucking Stocks To Watch Right Now: Brown(n) N Brown Group plc operates as an Internet and catalogue home shopping company in the United Kingdom. The company principally offers womenswear, menswear, footwear, household, and electrical products, as well as provides insurance services. It also operates in the Republic of Ireland, Germany, and the United States. The company was founded in 1859 and is based in Manchester, the United Kingdom. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Alex Planes]
Oracle's also partnered with NetSuite (NYSE: N ) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) . The NetSuite partnership will see Oracle combine its human capital management software -- which allows businesses to streamline human resources operations -- with NetSuite's enterprise resource planning software, which businesses use to coordinate the management of information between a company and its stakeholders. These combined applications should be available by the end of this year. Oracle's partnership with Microsoft, on the other hand, focuses primarily on its Java software suite, which it will license to Microsoft for use in its existing cloud-based services in conjunction with Oracle's other software tools.
Top 5 Diversified Bank Companies To Invest In 2015: Domtar Corp (UFS) Domtar Corporation, incorporated on August 16, 2006, designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a range of fiber-based products, including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers and adult incontinence products. The Company operates in three business segments: Pulp and Paper, Distribution and Personal Care. Its Pulp and Paper segment consists of the manufacturing, sale and distribution of communication, specialty and packaging papers, as well as softwood, fluff and hardwood market pulp. The Company�� Distribution segment includes the purchasing, warehousing, sale and distribution of its paper products and those of other manufacturers. These products include business and printing papers, certain industrial products and printing supplies. Its Personal Care segment consists of the manufacturing, sale and distribution of adult incontinence products.The Company is an integrated marketer and manufacturer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America for a variety of customers, including merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters and end-users. The Company produces incontinence care products marketed primarily under the Attends brand. The Company owns and operates Ariva. On May 10, 2012, the Company acquired EAM Corporation. In June 2013, the Company announced the completion of its acquisition of Xerox Corp paper and print media products business in the United States and Canada. In July 2013, Domtar Corp announced that completion of the acquisition of Associated Hygienic Products (AHP) from DSG International. In January 2014, the Company acquired Laboratorios Indas, SAU. Pulp and Paper The Company produces 4.2 million metric tons of hardwood, softwood and fluff pulp at 12 of its 13 mills. The majority of its pulp is consumed internally to manufacture paper and consumer products, with the balance being sold as market pulp. The Company also purchases papergrade pulp from third parties. The Company has 10 pulp and paper mills (eight in the! United States and two in Canada), with an annual paper production capacity of approximately 3.4 million tons of uncoated freesheet paper. Its paper manufacturing operations are supported by 15 converting and distribution operations, including a network of 12 plants located offsite of its paper making operations. In addition, it has forms manufacturing operations at three offsite converting and distribution operations. Approximately 81% of its paper production capacity is in the United States, and the remaining 19% is located in Canada. The Company produces market pulp in excess of its internal requirements at its three non-integrated pulp mills in Kamloops, Dryden, and Plymouth, as well as at its pulp and paper mills in Espanola, Ashdown, Hawesville, Windsor, Marlboro and Nekoosa. The Company sells approximately 1.6 million metric tons of pulp per year depending on market conditions. Approximately 50% of its trade pulp production capacity is in the United States, and the remaining 50% is located in Canada. The fiber used by its pulp and paper mills in the United States is hardwood and softwood, both being readily available in the market from multiple third-party sources. The fiber used at its Windsor pulp and paper mill is hardwood originating from a variety of sources, including purchases on the open market in Canada and the United States, contracts with Quebec wood producers��marketing boards, public land where it has wood supply allocations and from its private lands. The softwood and hardwood fiber for its Espanola pulp and paper mill and the softwood fiber for its Dryden pulp mill, is obtained from third parties, directly or indirectly from public lands, through designated wood supply allocations for the pulp mills. The fiber used at the Company�� Kamloops pulp mill is all softwood, originating from third-party sawmilling operations in the southern-interior part of British Columbia. The Company uses various chemical compounds in its pulp and paper manufacturing facili! ties that! it purchases, primarily on a central basis, through contracts. For pulp manufacturing, it uses numerous chemicals, including caustic soda, sodium chlorate, sulfuric acid, lime and peroxide. For paper manufacturing, it also uses several chemical products, including starch, precipitated calcium carbonate, optical brighteners, dyes and aluminum sulfate. It owns power generating assets, including steam turbines, at all of its integrated pulp and paper mills, as well as hydro assets at four locations: Espanola, Ottawa-Hull, Nekoosa and Rothschild. The Company�� business papers include copy and electronic imaging papers, which are used with ink jet and laser printers, photocopiers and plain-paper fax machines, as well as computer papers, preprinted forms and digital papers. These products are primarily for office and home use. The Company�� commercial printing and publishing papers include uncoated freesheet papers, such as offset papers and opaques. These uncoated freesheet grades are used in sheet and roll fed offset presses across the spectrum of commercial printing end-uses, including digital printing. Its publishing papers include tradebook and lightweight uncoated papers used primarily in book publishing applications, such as textbooks, dictionaries, catalogs, magazines, hard cover novels and financial documents. Design papers, a sub-group of commercial printing and publishing papers, have features of color, brightness and texture and are targeted towards graphic artists, design and advertising agencies, primarily for special brochures and annual reports. These products also include base papers that are converted into finished products, such as envelopes, tablets, business forms and data processing/computer forms. The Company also produces paper for several specialty and packaging markets. These products consist primarily of base stock for thermal printing, flexible packaging, food packaging, medical gowns and drapes, sandpapers backing, carbonless printing, labels and other coating a! nd lamina! ting applications. The Company also manufactures papers for industrial and specialty applications, including carrier papers, treated papers, security papers and specialized printing and converting applications. The Company sells business papers primarily to paper stationers, merchants, office equipment manufacturers and retail outlets. The Company distributes uncoated commercial printing and publishing papers to end-users and commercial printers, mainly through paper merchants, as well as selling directly to converters. The Company sells its specialty and packaging papers mainly to converters, who apply a further production process, such as coating, laminating, folding or waxing to its papers before selling them to a variety of specialized end-users. Distribution The Company's Distribution business involves the purchasing, warehousing, sale and distribution of the Company's various products and those of other manufacturers. These products include business, printing and publishing papers and certain packaging products. These products are sold to diverse customer base, which includes small, medium and large commercial printers, publishers, quick copy firms, catalog and retail companies and institutional entities. The Company's Distribution business operates in the United States and Canada under a single banner and umbrella name, Ariva. Ariva operates throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest areas from 16 locations in the United States, including 12 distribution centers serving customers across North America. Personal Care The Company's Personal Care business sells and manufactures adult incontinence products and distributes disposable washcloths marketed primarily under the Attends brand name. The Company is a supplier of adult incontinence products sold into North America and Northern Europe, selling to hospitals (acute cares) and nursing homes (long-term care) and the Company has a growing presence in the homecare and retail channels. The C! ompany op! erates two manufacturing facilities, with each having the ability to produce multiple product categories. The Company also has a research and development facility and production lines which manufacture high quality airlaid and ultrathin laminated absorbent cores. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Rich Duprey]
Specialty paper maker�Domtar� (NYSE: UFS ) �wrote it all down yesterday: it�will pay a�regular quarterly dividend�of $0.55 per share that's 22% higher than the $0.45 per share payout it made last quarter. Shareholders of record on June 14 will receive the new dividend rate at the close of business on July 15. - [By Rich Smith]
On Wednesday, Xerox announced that it has received a binding offer from French paper company Antalis to buy Xerox's European paper and�print media�products business. This follows Xerox's March announcement that it had agreed to sell its U.S. and Canadian paper operations to Canada's Domtar (NYSE: UFS ) . - [By Maxx Chatsko]
CAPS, a stock-tracking game developed by The Motley Fool, is a great way to keep track of long-term picks even when they fall off of your watchlist.�In the following video, Fool.com contributor and active CAPS community member, Maxx Chatsko, explains why he hasn't given up on his CAPS pick of�Domtar� (NYSE: UFS ) . He believes this company's progress has not been adequately rewarded by the market in the last six months, but feels as confident as ever that it presents a great opportunity for investors hunting for a great dividend or an undervalued and under-the-radar growth opportunity. You can follow all of his CAPS picks by clicking on the link in the disclosure below.� - [By Saibus Research]
Weyerhaeuser is the largest forest products real estate investment trust in the United States. Weyerhaeuser grows and harvests trees, builds homes and makes a range of forest products essential to everyday lives. The company has undergone a dramatic level of strategic and organizational level change over the past several years in the wake of its debt-funded hostile takeover of Willamette Industries in 2002. In 2006, Weyerhaeuser agreed to spin off its fine paper business under a split-off transaction with Domtar (UFS). Under the terms of the deal, Weyerhaeuser would spin-off the fine paper business and the business would merge with Domtar Inc to create Domtar Corporation. Weyerhaeuser has four business segments as follows:
Top 5 Diversified Bank Companies To Invest In 2015: Empresas Ica Soc Contrladora (ICA) Empresas ICA, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, engages in the construction and related activities in Mexico. The company?s Civil Construction segment focuses on infrastructure projects that include the construction of roads, highways, mass transit systems, bridges, dams, hydroelectric plants, tunnels, canals, and airports; and on the construction, development, and remodeling of multi-storied urban buildings, such as office buildings, hotels, multiple-dwelling housing developments, and shopping centers. This segment also engages in demolition, clearing, excavation, de-watering, drainage, embankment fill, structural concrete construction, concrete and asphalt paving, and tunneling activities. Its Industrial Construction segment focuses on the engineering, procurement, construction, design, and commissioning of manufacturing facilities comprising power plants, chemical plants, petrochemical plants, fertilizer plants, pharmaceutical plants, steel mills, paper mills, d rilling platforms, and automobile and cement factories. Empresas ICA?s Rodio Kronsa segment engages in sub-soil construction involving the construction of tunnels, underpasses, and retaining walls. The company?s Housing Development segment engages in the development, trading, ownership, sale, assistance, operation, and administration activities. Its Infrastructure segment involves in the operation and maintenance of concessioned airports, highways, bridges and tunnels, water supply systems, and waste treatment systems. The company also provides a range of services that include feasibility studies, conceptual design, engineering, procurement, project and construction management, construction, maintenance, technical site evaluation, and other consulting services. It serves public and private sector clients. Empresas ICA, S.A.B. de C.V. was founded in 1947 and is based in Mexico. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Roberto Pedone]
One under-$10 name that's starting to trend within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Empresas ICA SA (ICA), which is engaged in construction and related activities, including the construction of infrastructure facilities as well as industrial, urban and housing construction. This stock is off to a decent start in 2013, with shares up 11.8%. If you take a look at the chart for Empresas ICA SA, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways inside of a consolidation chart pattern for the last two months, with shares moving between $7.94 on the downside and $9.73 on the upside. Shares of ICA are now starting to push back above its 50-day moving average of $8.75 a share, and the stock is quickly moving within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if ICA manages to take out the upper-end of its recent sideways trading chart pattern. Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ICA if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $9.34 to $9.73 a share and then once it clears its 200-day moving average at $9.94 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 527,965 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then ICA will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $11.50 to $12 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels could then put its 52-week high at $13.73 into focus for shares of ICA. Traders can look to buy ICA off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $8 a share, or around $7.94 a share. One can also buy ICA off strength once it clears those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point. - [By Michael Lewis]
It's been said plenty of times that our neighbor to the south is home to a burgeoning, debt-light economy that offers emerging-market growth with an element of domestic risk and valuation. China is very much "last season" when it comes to manufacturing, and Mexico offers a fantastic answer, with geographical superiority and an eager work force. One company based in Mexico, Empresas ICA (NYSE: ICA ) , is a heavy-construction firm with a market cap of $1 billion that was as recently as April worth nearly $2 billion. The causes for the haircut includes a collapsed deal and lousy first-quarter earnings. But with a strong outlook for Mexican infrastructure spending, and an apparent case of market negligence, Empresas ICA might be an undervalued pick with substantial upside potential. - [By Roberto Pedone]
Empresas ICA (ICA) is engaged in a range of construction and related activities, including the construction of infrastructure facilities as well as industrial, urban and housing construction. This stock closed up 6.2% to $8.12 in Tuesday's trading session. Tuesday's Range: $7.66-$8.24
52-Week Range: $6.14-$13.73
Tuesday's Volume: 965,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 719,832 From a technical perspective, ICA ripped higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $7.48 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last month and change, with shares moving higher from its low of $6.14 to its intraday high of $8.24. During that move, shares of ICA have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of ICA into breakout territory, since the stock took out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $7.93 to $8.08. Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ICA as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $7.48 and then once it sustains a move or close above Tuesday's high of $8.24 with volume that hits near or above 719,832 shares. If we get that move soon, then ICA will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $9 to its 200-day moving average at $10.05. Any high-volume move above its 200-day will then put $11 to $11.77 into range for shares of ICA.
Wall Street has changed in the aftermath of the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009 and that has changed the role of the investment banking analyst. For would-be analysts -- the industry is expected to hire 21,500 by 2015 -- new legislation such as the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act and the Credit Card Reform Act of 2009 has made the job more demanding with greater responsibilities.
Banks, brokerages and other financial services firm will favor job candidates who bring the following "must-have" attributes to the negotiation table:
Deep insight into changing financial consumer demographics, including millennial investors who will inherit $40 trillion from their Baby Boomer parents and overseas investors climbing out of the middle class and into affluent investor status.
A pitch-perfect grasp of investment risk and securities analysis.
A clear, concise and compelling handle on the new banking business model, which emphasizes caution over aggressive risk taking.
Deep experience in statistics, quantitative analysis and information modeling.
While investment firms continue to hone their wish lists for analysts, the good news is that the need for candidates who possess the above skill sets are already in great demand.
A May, 2013 study from Accenture says that global investment firms will fill 21,500 analyst jobs by 2015, a 23% uptick from 2010. Accenture adds that the rate of investment banking analyst jobs will "far outpace" the rate of employment in the U.S., the U.K. and Japan.
Viable candidates will have finance or business degrees, and preferably advanced Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degrees for plum investment banking analyst posts, although financial services firms do recruit finance and business undergraduates from high-end schools for entry-level analyst positions.
New analysts can expect long work weeks – 80 hours isn't out of the norm – and will work closely with firm managing directors to "fill in the blanks" on the investment strategies favored by those directors.
Expect to spend most of your hours on the following tasks: Examining industry research – Investment banking analysts are usually slotted in industry-specific categories such as finance, health care, manufacturing or emerging markets. They'll talk to company executives and investors, and try to build cases for or against investments in specific firms or industries.
Build financial valuation models – A sharp facility with online spreadsheets and investment models, is vital for an investment analyst. Tracking financial trends, isolating business and revenue cycles, and gauging performance in increasingly competitive global markets will all be on the menu for new analysts – and in heavy doses. Produce investment presentation materials … on- and off-line – New investment banking analysts are expected to be good communicators, for both retail and institutional investment banking audiences. Researching, writing and editing research reports, status reports, briefing books and pitching books for new initial public offerings (and often managing their journeys through the editorial and production pipeline) are key tasks for banking analysts. Sudden and seemingly unreasonable deadlines for delivering these materials are also par for the course in the day-to-day life of an investment banking analyst. The "Fast Path" to Becoming a Bank Analyst
The candidates who land the best analysts jobs at high-end Wall Street investment firms have a few in-common attributes, including:
A bachelor's degree at a high-end business school (for entry-level posts)
An MBA at a high-end business school (for advanced analyst posts)
A heavy undergraduate classwork load in subjects such as accounting, finance, statistics, economics and business administration
A heavy graduate school classwork load in bond valuations, options trading and pricing, tax laws and risk management
What to Look for in a Job Interview
Bank analyst candidates should be prepared to tout their experiences, either in their academic studies or in their careers. Be prepared to discuss your analytical and problem-solving skills. Interviewers will also likely ask you to define and elaborate on your interpersonal skills, your work ethic (those 80-hour weeks may or may not come up, but prepare like they will, and have a good response ready).
Investment firms will give an edge to candidates who can speak multiple languages (Chinese, Spanish and German are highly favored these days), and to candidates who have a firm grasp on technology and social media.
When you do get to the negotiating table, know that the average entry-level annual salary for investment analysts is $58,000, while financial analysts usually command $54,000 right out of the gate. Additional compensation, such as signing bonuses or yearly performance-based bonuses, is usually available, but these payouts will vary greatly depending on the employer.
A bonus tip: while you can launch your banking analyst job search on any date on the calendar, Wall Street firms usually deliver their yearly bonuses in December, after which some analysts may decide to jump ship. Thus, start your search in November, and intensify it in December and January, just as hiring managers are looking to make a move.
If you're a college graduate looking to break in, Wall Street firms often provide job fairs, "Super Saturdays" (recruiting events held on Saturday at the financial institution) and networking socials to break the ice – usually in the spring months. Check with your college jobs and careers office for details. The Bottom Line
Latching onto a financial analyst job can be a gateway into a lucrative career on Wall Street. Expect to work hard and be ready to listen. Do all of the above, and you'll vastly increase your chances of landing that Wall Street analyst dream job.
The broad U.S. stock market is again trading in record-high territory, but under the surface of the "stealth" correction this spring lurks some serious losses. In short, while none of the well-known U.S. stock indexes have suffered an official "correction," or a drop of 10% or more, a large percentage of individual names are down 10% or more. And many are down more than 20%-plus, which puts those names into bear market territory. On Friday, Strategas Research Partners profiled a chart that shows just how much pain the average U.S. stock has suffered in the mini-correction. The stock market has been going through a rocky period, caused in large part by nasty winter weather and chilly geopolitical winds blowing in from the Ukraine. While the Standard & Poor's 500 index closed Friday at an all-time high of 1,900.53, the average stock in the benchmark large-cap index is down more than 7%. Similarly, the average stock in the small-cap Russell 2000 index was down about 20%, despite the index being down about 7% from its March 4 peak. And the average stock decline in the technology-dominated Nasdaq composite was in excess of 22%, despite the fact the index itself is down less than 5% from its 2014 peak. The takeaway? While the S&P 500 is now trading at a record high, the damage to many stocks can't be ignored. Follow Adam Shell on Twitter @adamshell
The best thing about the stock market is that you can make money in�either direction. Historically, stock indexes have tended to trend up over the long term. But when you look at individual stocks, you'll find plenty that lose money over the long haul. According to hedge fund institution Blackstar Funds, even with dividends�included, between 1983 and 2006, 64% of stocks underperformed the Russell 3000, a broad-scope market index. A large influx of short-sellers shouldn't be a condemning factor for any company, but it could be a red flag from traders that something may not be as cut-and-dried as it appears. Let's look at three companies that have seen a rapid increase in the number of shares sold short and see whether traders are blowing smoke or if their worry has some merit. Company Short Increase June 28 to July 15 Short Shares as a % of Float VelocityShares Daily 2X VIX (NYSEMKT: TVIX ) Top Long Term Stocks To Buy For 2015: Karoon Gas Australia Ltd (KRNGF) Karoon Gas Australia Ltd (Karoon Gas) is an Australia-based exploration company. The Company is principally engaged in the hydrocarbon exploration and evaluation in Australia, Brazil and Peru. The Company operates in three segments: Australia, Brazil and Peru exploration. The Company�� Australia segment is involved in the exploration and evaluation of hydrocarbons in four offshore permit areas: WA-314-P, WA-315-P, WA-398-P and WA-482-P; The Company in its Brazil segment is involved in the exploration and evaluation of hydrocarbons in five offshore blocks including Block S-M-1037, Block S-M-1101, Block S-M-1102, Block S-M-1165 and Block S-M-1166. The Company under its Peru exploration segment is involved in the exploration and evaluation of hydrocarbons in two blocks in Peru, including Block 144 (onshore) and Block Z-38 (offshore). Advisors' Opinion: - [By MARKETWATCH]
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks gave ground in early Friday trading, with banks broadly lower after overnight losses in the U.S., where investors worried that better-than-expected data would prompt the Federal Reserve to roll back stimulus soon. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) lost 0.4% to 5,178.30, as National Australia Bank Ltd. (AU:NAB) (NAUBF) fell 1.8%, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) lost 0.8%, and Macquarie Group Ltd. (AU:MQG) (MCQEF) retreated 1.3%. Among the resource shares, losses for gold both in New York and in early Asian electronic trade helped send Evolution Mining Ltd. (AU:EVN) (CAHPF) down 1.9% and Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. (AU:KCN) (KSKGF) off 4.5%, though Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) held the drop to 0.4%. Oil prices managed a modest gain, however, resulting in a 0.2% rise for Oil Search Ltd. (AU:OSH) (OISHF) and Karoon Gas Australia Ltd. (AU:KAR) (KRNGF) , while Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (AU:WPL) - [By MARKETWATCH]
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks seesawed in early Monday trade, with gains for miners and energy names helping support the market, as the S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) sat 0.1% higher at 5,325.90 after changing direction several times. Official Chinese data showing manufacturing holding its growth rate in October appeared to help some miners, as did gains for some commodity prices. Shares of Rio Tinto Ltd. (AU:RIO) (RIO) rose 0.5%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (AU:FMG) (FSUMF) added 0.7%, Oz Minerals Ltd. (AU:OZL) (OZMLF) advanced 1%, and Whitehaven Coal Ltd. (AU:WHC) improved by 1.9%. Likewise, an advance for gold futures sent Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) rallying 3.4%, and Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. (AU:KCN) (KSKGF) up 2.9%. Energy shares also traded higher, with Oil Search Ltd. (AU:OSH) (OISHF) up 1.3%, and Karoon Gas Australia Ltd. (AU:KAR) (KRNGF) adding 1.7%. On the downside, retailers were mostly lower, with David Jones Ltd. (AU:DJS) (DVDJF)
Top Long Term Stocks To Buy For 2015: Citigroup Inc.(C) Citigroup, Inc., a global financial services company, provides consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions with a range of financial products and services. The company operates through two segments, Citicorp and Citi Holdings. The Citicorp segment operates as a global bank for businesses and consumers with two primary businesses, Regional Consumer Banking and Institutional Clients Group. The Regional Consumer Banking business provides traditional banking services, including retail banking, and branded cards in North America, Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Institutional Clients Group business provides securities and banking services comprising investment banking and advisory services, lending, debt and equity sales and trading, institutional brokerage, foreign exchange, structured products, cash instruments and related derivatives, and private banking; and transaction services consisting of treasury and trade solutions, and securiti es and fund services. The Citi Holdings segment operates Brokerage and Asset Management, Local Consumer Lending, and Special Asset Pool businesses. The Brokerage and Asset Management Business, through its 49% stake in Morgan Stanley Smith Barney joint venture and Nikko Cordial Securities, offers retail brokerage and asset management services. The Local Consumer Lending business provides residential mortgage loans, retail partner card loans, personal loans, commercial real estate, and other consumer loans, as well as western European cards and retail banking services. The Special Asset Pool business is a portfolio of securities, loans, and other assets. Citigroup Inc. has approximately 200 million customer accounts and operates in approximately 160 countries. The company was founded in 1812 and is based in New York, New York. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Chuck Saletta]
For instance, when I went bank-stock shopping for the real-money Inflation-Protected Income Growth portfolio, I used a 15% discount rate. After all, banking crises aren't exactly rare, and nearly all the banks were affected by the recent financial crisis. Indeed, even some large banks, like Bank of America (NYSE: BAC ) and Citigroup (NYSE: C ) haven't recovered well enough from that most recent crisis to begin restoring their dividends. Your money may be safe in a bank, but it's at risk in the bank's stock. - [By John Maxfield]
What started as a whimper with a single Midwestern state's decision to allow interstate banking, quickly transformed into the same roar that can be heard today. Multiple states rushed to follow Iowa's lead throughout the 1970s. Alaska, Maine, and Arizona were early adopters, and New York soon followed suit. The trend gained momentum during the 1980s with the introduction of regional banking compacts, which were fueled, in large part, by a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding their constitutionality. This gave way to the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Act of 1994, which removed all federal impediments to interstate banking and ignited a series of "mergers among equals" that gave us the banking behemoths we know today, including Bank of America (NYSE: BAC ) and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC ) . And the final piece of the puzzle, the crowning achievement if you will, was the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, which made it possible for the likes of JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM ) and Citigroup (NYSE: C ) to take on their present forms. - [By Jessica Alling]
Last week Citigroup (NYSE: C ) made headlines when it was revealed that a House bill that would weaken some of the derivative rules in the Dodd-Frank bill was largely composed of suggestions from the bank. As one of the largest derivatives traders in the U.S., it's no surprise that Citi wanted to get involved in the regulatory changes. But now we're seeing some other financial companies step up to the plate to take their shot at regulations through a new avenue. With AIG (NYSE: AIG ) and JPMorgan Chase� (NYSE: JPM ) leading the pack, is it a good thing for investors if Wall Street goes to Washington? - [By John Grgurich]
Fellow Fools, operating under the assumption you can't properly evaluate a company as an investment if you don't know what makes that company tick, for the last few weeks we've been examining superbank Citigroup (NYSE: C ) from top to bottom.
Top 5 Safest Stocks To Own Right Now: 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, Georgia . Advisors' Opinion: - [By Mike the PhD]
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.) - [By John Reese]
AGCO Corporation (AGCO) is a manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts globally. Its products are marketed under a range of brands, including Challenger, Fendt, Massey Ferguson, and Valtra.
Top Long Term Stocks To Buy For 2015: Dorman Products Inc.(DORM) Dorman Products, Inc. supplies automotive replacement parts, fasteners, and service line products primarily for the automotive aftermarket. The company offers approximately 128,000 products comprising original equipment dealer parts, which include intake manifolds, exhaust manifolds, oil cooler lines, window regulators, radiator fan assemblies, power steering pulleys, and harmonic balancers; and replacement parts, such as window handles and switches, door hardware, interior trim parts, headlamp aiming screws and retainer rings, radiator parts, battery hold-down bolts and repair kits, valve train parts, and power steering filler caps. It also provides application specific and general automotive hardware, such as body hardware, general automotive fasteners, oil drain plugs, and wheel hardware; a selection of electrical connectors, wires, tools, testers, and accessories; and a line of home hardware and home organization products designed for retail merchandisers. In addition, the company offers a brake and clutch program; remanufactured automotive replacement parts, such as transfer case modules and instrument clusters; and heavy duty aftermarket parts for class 4-8 heavy vehicles, including coolant tubes, door handles and other body parts, fluid reservoirs, headlights and lighting, hood components, window regulators, and wiper transmissions. It sells its products under the OE Solutions, HELP!, AutoGrade, FirstStop, Conduct-Tite!, Pik-A-Nut, and HD Solutions brand names through automotive aftermarket retailers; national, regional, and local warehouse distributors; specialty markets; and salvage yards in the United States, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Canada. The company, formerly known as R&B, Inc., was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Colmar, Pennsylvania. 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 Dorman Products (Nasdaq: DORM ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
Top Long Term Stocks To Buy For 2015: Performant Financial Corp (PFMT) Performant Financial Corporation (Performant), incorporated on October 8, 2003, provide technology-enabled recovery and related analytics services in the United States. The Company�� services help identify and recover delinquent or defaulted assets and improper payments for both government and private clients in a broad range of markets. The Company provides its services on an outsourced basis, where the Company handles many or all aspects of its clients��recovery processes. The Company derives its revenues from services for clients in a range of different markets. These markets include student lending and healthcare, as well as its other markets, which include delinquent state taxes and federal Treasury and other receivables. The Company�� clients include 12 of the 32 public sector participants in the student loan industry. In February 2012, it purchased a perpetual software license and computer equipment from HOPS, Inc. Student Lending The Company derives its revenues from the recovery of student loans. These revenues are contract-based and consist primarily of contingency fees based on a specified percentage of the amount the Company enables its clients to recover. The Company engages subcontractors to assist in the recovery of a portion of the client�� portfolio. It also receives success fees for the recovery of loans under Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and its revenues under MSA arrangements include fees earned by the activities of its subcontractors. The Company uses its technology to identify, track and communicate with defaulted borrowers on behalf of its clients to implement suitable recovery programs for the repayment of outstanding student loan balances. The Company�� client�� contract with it to provide recovery services for large pools of student loans generally representing a portion of the total outstanding defaulted balances they manage, which they provide to us as placements on a periodic basis. The Company also restructures and r! ecovers student loans issued directly by banks to students outside of federal lending programs. Healthcare The Company derives revenues from the healthcare market primarily from its Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC), contract, under, which it is a prime contractor responsible for detecting improperly paid Part A and Part B Medicare claims in 12 states in the Northeastern United States. Revenues earned under the RAC contract are driven by the identification of improperly paid Medicare claims through both automated and manual review of such claims. The Company outsourced certain aspects of its healthcare recovery process to three different subcontractors. Other The Company derives revenues from the recovery of delinquent state taxes, and federal Treasury and other receivables, default aversion services for certain clients, including financial institutions and the licensing of hosted technology solutions to certain clients. For its hosted technology services, the Company licenses its system and integrates its technology into its clients��operations, for which it is paid a licensing fee. The Company�� revenues for these services include contingency fees, fees based on dedicated headcount to its clients and hosted technology licensing fees. The federal agency market consists of government debt subrogated to the Department of the Treasury. For state and municipal tax authorities, the Company analyzes a portfolio of delinquent tax and other receivables placed with the Company, develop a recovery plan and execute a recovery process designed to maximize the recovery of funds. In some instances, it has also run state tax amnesty programs, which provide one-time relief for delinquent tax obligations, and other debtor management services for its clients. For the Department of the Treasury, it recovers government debt subrogated to it by numerous different federal agencies. The placements it has provided represent a mix of commercial and individual oblig! ations. Data Management Expertise The Company�� platform manages and stores large amounts of data throughout the workflow process. This includes both data it has compiled, as well as third-party data. Data Analytics Capabilities The Company�� data analytics capabilities screen and allocate massive volumes of recovery inventory. Upon receipt of each placement of student loans, the Company utilize its algorithms to assist its in determining the recovery process and the optimal allocation of recovery specialist resources for each loan. In the healthcare market, the Company analyze millions of Medicare claims to find potential correlations between claims data and improper payments. Workflow Processes The Company refers to the patented technology that supports its workflows as Smart Bins. The Company�� workflow processes integrate a range of functions that encompass each stage of a recovery process. The Company competes with Health Management Systems, Inc., Connolly Consulting, Inc. and CGI Group. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Roberto Pedone]
Performant Financial (PFMT) provides technology-enabled recovery and related analytics services in the U.S. This stock closed up 6.9% at $11.84 in Friday's trading session. Friday's Volume: 310,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 261,916
Volume % Change: 60% From a technical perspective, PFMT soared higher here right off both its 200-day moving average of $11.02 and its 50-day moving average at $11.06 with decent upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of PFMT within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if PFMT manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $12.47 to $13.26 with high volume. Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PFMT as long as it's trending above its 200-day at $11.02 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 261,916 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then PFMT will set up to re-test or possibly take out its all-time high at $14.09. Any high-volume move above $14.09 will then give PFMT a chance to trend north of $15. - [By Magic Diligence]
Much of United Online's appeal was due to its over 4% dividend yield, but the company announced in late January that it would be discontinuing its dividend to focus on growth initiatives. This follows itsNovember spin-off of FTD, which leaves United with 3 cash producing but declining businesses: Classmates.com, NetZero, and Juno. NetZero Mobile Broadband is an interesting product but one with a lot of competition from the carriers. Frankly, the dividend has been the main attraction for some time, and without it this is a declining company with a fair bit of debt. That does not make for the most attractive option. PASS. Performant Financial (PFMT) - down 28.1% Performant earns fees for collecting delinquent student loans (about 60% of the business) and providing recovery services for improper Medicare payments (close to 30%). The recent sell-off in the stock seems due to comments from Sallie Mae regarding lower rehabilitation fees paid to Guarantee Agencies, which investors expect to "trickle down" to service providers like PFMT. The stock has been sold off dramatically on these assumptions. We should know more when the company reports earnings in the coming weeks, but this is one worth looking at more closely - the firm has been growing revenue at 30%+ rates. WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION.
Top Long Term Stocks To Buy For 2015: Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation(SMI) Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, an investment holding company, engages in the computer-aided design, manufacture, packaging, testing, and trade of integrated circuits. It offers a range of technologies from 0.35μm to 65nm with capabilities that include logic, mixed signal/RF CMOS, high voltage, embedded, flash, EEPROM, and CIS technology. The company also provides portfolio of semiconductor intellectual property (IP) blocks from 0.35um to 65nm to support the design needs of customers; ASIC design services; reference flows; mixed-signal/RF PDKs; and multi-project wafer services. In addition, it involves in the design and manufacture of semiconductor masks; and provides assembly and testing, wafer bumping, and wafer probing/testing services. Further, the company offers marketing related activities; operates convenience stores; and manufactures and trades in solar cell related semiconductor products. Its products are used primarily in mobile, network ing, and wireless local area network applications, as well as in consumer and communications products, including digital television, set-top box, mobile, portable media player, and personal digital assistant applications. The company serves integrated device manufacturers, fables semiconductor companies, and system companies principally in the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People?s Republic of China. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Corinne Gretler]
Nestle decreased 2.6 percent to 63 francs, contributing the most to the SMI (SMI)�� drop. Revenue in the first half increased 4.1 percent, excluding acquisitions, divestments and currency shifts. That missed the median estimate of 4.5 percent growth. - [By Pato Kehoe]
In an attempt to trim costs and increase its operational efficiencies, Estee Lauder�� business strategy last year focused on centralizing its core operating functions, as well as reducing non-profitable stock keeping units. The cost reduction program, Strategic Modernization Initiative (SMI), proved highly efficient, saving the company $781 million in 2013. Furthermore, while the program will continue throughout 2014, management announced that it would be reinvesting a large amount of the cost savings in marketing for its core brands, along with product innovation. In this regard, decentralizing innovation to better adjust to its global customer preferences, is and will continue to be a key strategy in further propelling the beauty giant�� growth. - [By Inyoung Hwang]
National benchmark indexes advanced in 13 of the 18 western European markets this week. France�� CAC 40 Index climbed 1.2 percent and Germany�� DAX Index increased 0.6 percent. The U.K.�� FTSE 100 Index sank 1.3 percent, while the Swiss Market Index (SMI) retreated 0.2 percent. - [By Namitha Jagadeesh]
The SMI (SMI) declined 0.1 percent to 8,161.14 at 10:05 a.m. in Zurich. The gauge fell 1.4 percent last week, its first retreat in five weeks. The broader Swiss Performance Index also decreased 0.1 percent today.
Top Long Term Stocks To Buy For 2015: Brady Corp (BRC) Brady Corporation (Brady), incorporated in 1914, is an international manufacturer of identification solutions and specialty materials that identify and protect premises, products and people. Brady provides customers with a range of customized and diverse products for use in various applications. The Company is organized and managed on a geographic basis within three regions: Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific, which are the segments. Across these regions, the Company operates three primary business platforms: Identification Solutions (ID Solutions), Direct Marketing and Die-Cut. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company�� revenue included Americas 45%, EMEA 29% and Asia-Pacific 26% respectively. During fiscal 2012, the Company�� ID Solutions generated 56%, Direct Marketing 27% and Die-Cut 17% of revenue. In December 2012, Water Street Healthcare Partners sold Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC) to the Company. ID Solutions Within the ID Solutions platform, Brady�� product categories include workplace safety and compliance, which includes facility identification, labeling systems, spill control, lockout/tagout, and software services; product identification, which includes materials and printing systems for product identification, brand protection labeling, work in process labeling, finished product identification, and bar coding that performs under a range of harsh or demanding conditions; wire identification, which includes handheld printers, wire markers, sleeves and tags, and people identification, which includes self-expiring name tags, badges, lanyards, and access control software and products. Approximately 75% of ID Solutions products are sold under the Brady brand. Safety and facility identification products are also marketed under the Safety Signs Service brand, with some lockout/tagout products offered under the Scafftag brands. In the United States, identification products for the u! tility industry are marketed under the Electromark brand, and spill-control products are marketed under the Sorbent Products Company brand; security and identification badges and systems are included in the Temtec, B.I.G., Identicard/Identicam, STOPware, J.A.M. Plastics, PromoVision, and Brady People ID brands; wire identification products are marketed under the Modernotecnica brand in Italy and the Carroll brand in Australia; hand-held regulatory documentation systems are available under the Tiscor brand, and custom labels and nameplates are available under the Stickolor brand in Brazil. The Company�� ID Solutions platform offers products with rapid response and superior service to provide solutions to customers. The business markets and sells products through multiple channels, including distributors, direct sales, mail-order-catalog marketing, and electronic access through e-commerce. The ID Solutions platform serves customers in many markets, which include industrial manufacturing, electronic manufacturing, chemical, oil, gas, food and beverage, aerospace, defense, mass transit, electrical contractors, and telecommunications, among others. The ID Solutions platform provides differentiated, products, many which have been internally developed and manufactured. These internally developed products include materials, printing systems, and software. Direct Marketing Within the Direct Marketing business platform, Brady�� product categories include workplace safety and compliance products, which include informational signs, tags, security and traffic related products, first aid supplies, material handling, asset identification, safety and facility identification, and regulatory products. Products within the Direct Marketing platform are sold under a range of brands, including safety and facility identification products offered under the Seton, Emedco, Signals, Safetyshop, Clement and Personnel Concepts brands; spill-control products under the D.A.W.G. brand, and ! first aid! supplies under the Accidental Health and Safety, Trafalgar, and Securimed brands. The Direct Marketing platform markets and sells products through multiple channels, which include catalog, telemarketing and e-commerce. The business serves customers in many markets, which include process industries, manufacturers, government, education, construction, and utilities. The Direct Marketing platform manufactures a range of stock and custom identification products, and also sells a range of related resale products. Die-Cut Within the Die-Cut business platform, the Company's products include customized precision die-cut products used to seal, dissipate heat, insulate, protect, shield, or provide other mechanical performance properties. Products within the Die-Cut platform are sold primarily under the Brady brand, with some European business marketed as Balkhausen products. The business sells through a technical direct sales force, and is supported by global strategic account management. The Die-Cut platform serves customers in many markets, which include mobile handset, hard disk drive, consumer electronics, other computing devices, as well as products for the automotive and medical equipment markets. The Die-Cut platform consists of engineered customized products, manufactured to specific customer requirements. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Michael Flannelly]
Before the opening bell on Thursday, identification solutions provider Brady Corp (BRC) posted a loss in the fourth quarter, despite a rise in revenues, as it was negatively impacted by a number of charges. However, excluding these charges, the company was able to top Wall Street analysts’ earnings and sales estimates. Nonetheless, BRC shares are plummeting in Thursday’s trading. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based company posted a loss from continuing operations of $176.2 million, or $3.41 per share, in the fourth quarter, versus last year’s fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations of $20.9 million, or 40 cents per share. Furthermore, Brady posted a net loss of $177.2 million, or $3.43 per share, compared to net earnings of $11.6 million, or 22 cents per share, in the same period a year ago. The fourth quarter loss includes non-cash impairment charges of $204.4 million, $15.6 million in restructuring charges, and $4 million in acquisition-related charges. Excluding these charges, Brady Corp said earnings would have been 53 cents per share in the quarter. According to analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, the company was expected to earn an adjusted 51 cents per share in the fourth quarter. The company’s fourth quarter sales came in at $309.1 million, up 15% from $269.1 million in sales posted last year. On average, analysts were expecting the company to see $307.13 million in revenues for the quarter. Looking ahead, Brady Corp. sees fiscal 2014 earnings coming in between $1.80 and $2.00 per share, below the analysts’ view of $2.30 per share. Brady Corp shares were down $1.71, or 5.25%, during early morning trading on Thursday. The stock is up 7.93% year-to-date. - [By Mike Deane]
For the 28th year in a row, Brady Corp (BRC) has increased its dividend payout to investors. The Milwaukee, WI-based company increased its quarterly dividend to 19.5 cents from 19 cents, an increase of 2.6%. The annual dividend now stands at 78 cents. The quarterly dividend will be paid on October 31st, 2013 to all shareholders of record on October 10, 2013. BRC shares were down 40 cents, or �1.23%, by market close on Wednesday. YTD, the company’s stock is down over 4%. - [By Seth Jayson]
Basic guidelines
In this series, I examine inventory using a simple rule of thumb: Inventory increases ought to roughly parallel revenue increases. If inventory bloats more quickly than sales grow, this might be a sign that expected sales haven't materialized. Is the current inventory situation at Brady (NYSE: BRC ) out of line? To figure that out, start by comparing the company's inventory growth to sales growth. How is Brady doing by this quick checkup? At first glance, OK, it seems. Trailing-12-month revenue increased 1.7%, and inventory decreased 6.1%. Comparing the latest quarter to the prior-year quarter, the story looks decent. Revenue shrank 7.8%, and inventory shrank 6.1%. Over the sequential quarterly period, the trend looks healthy. Revenue dropped 5.7%, and inventory dropped 20.2%.
Top Long Term Stocks To Buy For 2015: Enertopia Corp (ENRT) Enertopia Corp (Enertopia), incorporated on November 24, 2004, is engaged in medicinal marijuana business. The Company is diverse in its pursuit of business opportunities in several sectors, including: Medicinal Marijuana, Oil and Gas, Solar PV (Photovoltaic), Solar Thermal (Hot Water), Energy Retrofits and Recovery, and Solar powered Filtered Drinking Water. The Company no longer has any material oil and gas resources. The Company operates in two segments: renewable energy, and mining exploration and developments, which are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations nature. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Peter Graham]
What�� the Catch With Lexaria Corp? According to various disclosures, a transaction or transactions of $1k has or will occur to mention Lexaria Corp in various investment newsletters. Last Friday, Lexaria Corp announced it had closed its Private Placement financing announced on March 5 for gross proceeds of $1,272,000 ��higher than the originally announced $960,000 figure due to ��verwhelming demand.��Lexaria Corp will issue 10,600,000 common shares at US$0.12 and 10,600,000 full warrants that expire on September 21, 2016 with an exercise price of US$0.25. However, the company may also accelerate the expiry date of the warrants if the stock price trades above CAD$0.40 cents for 20 consecutive days at any time after 6 months and one day has elapsed. Otherwise and in early March, Lexaria Corp reported that its board of directors had decided to make a strategic entry into the medical marijuana business by way of an ��mportant Joint Venture��with Enertopia Corp (OTCQB: ENRT). Under the terms of the Agreement, Lexaria Corp had agreed to pay Enertopia 1 million restricted common shares in return for Enertopia's participation plus 500,000 restricted common shares ENRT�� Chairman in return for his participation on the Lexaria Advisory Board. Following the issuance of these shares, Lexaria Corp will have a total of 18,431,452 shares issued and outstanding and 21,256,452 shares fully diluted. A quick look at Lexaria Corp�� financials reveals revenues of $160k (most recent reported quarter), $241k, $251k and $253k for the past four quarters along with net losses of $102k (most recent reported quarter), $126k, $58k and $48k. At the end of last January, Lexaria Corp had $66k in cash to cover $1,415k in current liabilities and $59k in other liabilities. So aside from the income statement, investors might want to look more closely at Lexaria Corp�� financing terms.
Top Long Term Stocks To Buy For 2015: Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ENZN) Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company, engages in the research and development of therapeutics for cancer patients with unmet medical needs. The company?s drug-development programs utilize two platforms-Customized PEGylation Linker Technology and third-generation mRNA-targeting agents utilizing the Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) technology. It currently holds four compounds in clinical development and multiple novel LNA targets in preclinical research. The company?s development product pipeline consists of PEG-SN38 compound that utilizes Customized Linker Technology, which is in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of metastatic colorectal and breast cancer, as well as a Phase I trial for pediatric patients with cancer; and the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 alpha antagonist in Phase I studies for the treatment of solid tumors and lymphoma. Its product line also comprises Survivin antagonist in Phase I study in pediatric patients with recurrent acute lymphoblas tic leukemia; Androgen Receptor antagonist, a validated target for the treatment of prostate cancer that is in a Phase I study in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer; and rights to five compounds, including AR, HER3, beta-catenin, PI3KCA, and Gli2. Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey. Advisors' Opinion: - [By Lisa Levin]
Enzon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ENZN) shares fell 2.57% to touch a new 52-week low of $1.11. Enzon Pharmaceuticals shares have dropped 75.85% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 24.92% in the same period. - [By Bryan Murphy]
With just a quick glance at the company's recent news (or lack thereof), Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ENZN) doesn't look like anything all that special... or even trade-worthy. It only takes a brief look at the chart of ENZN, however, to conclude this stock - lack of new or not - has just become something trade-worthy, because the rest of the market has clearly started to fall back in love with it; there's no telling at what price the love affair could end. - [By Equities Lab]
The stocks that currently pass the stock screen in order of market cap are Frontier Communications Corp , Crown Media Holdings (CRWN), Vonage Holding (VG), MCG Capital Corp (MCGC), 1-800-FLOWERS.COM (FLWS), MTR Gaming Corporation (MNTG), Alaska Communications (ALSK), and Enzon Pharmaceuticals (ENZN).
Also check out: Mariko Gordon Undervalued Stocks Mariko Gordon Top Growth Companies Mariko Gordon High Yield stocks, and Stocks that Mariko Gordon keeps buying | Currently 1.00/512345 Rating: 1.0/5 (1 vote) | Voters: |
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) has announced a new Group President for Global Business Services.
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