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<p>The U.S. Federal Reserve will probably reduce its massive bond-buying stimulus program later this year, and depending on the economic data could do so as early as next month, a top Fed official who is typically among the most dovish policymakers said on Tuesday.</p>
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<p>"We are quite likely to reduce the flow of purchases rate starting later this year - I couldn't tell you exactly which month that will be - and it's likely to wind down over time in a couple or few stages," Charles Evans, president of the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, told reporters at the regional Fed bank's headquarters.</p>
<p>Asked if he would rule out starting the cutbacks next month, Evans said he "clearly" would not, becoming the third Fed official in two days to suggest a September pullback is on the table.</p>
<p>Still, Evans, who is a voting member of the Fed's policy-setting committee this year, said the U.S. central bank would keep short-term interest rates near zero until unemployment falls below 6.5 percent, which he expects could happen in mid-2015. As a result, rates could stay low for a year, or more, after the bond-buying program ends, he said, though that timeframe could be shorter if economic growth goes "roaring along" at more than 3.5 percent.</p>
<p>He also said that if inflation continues to stay well below the Fed's 2 percent target, the U.S. central bank could keep rates low even after the jobless rate falls below the 6.5 percent threshold. And in what he called the unlikely event that inflation remains stuck at uncomfortably low levels, Evans said rates could stay low even after the jobless rate falls below 6 percent.</p>
<p>All told, Evans said, the Fed's third round of quantitative easing, or QE3, will likely total at least $1.2 trillion since January 2013, double the size of the Fed's prior round of purchases.</p>
<p>"That's quite substantial," he said. "Even if we were to start in September it seems to me it would be quite unusual if we didn't have a program of that size."</p>
<p>The other two Fed officials this week to signal the possibility of a September pullback on bond purchases are Richard Fisher, president of the Dallas Fed, and Dennis Lockhart, head of the Atlanta Fed. Fisher on Monday said he would prefer to start cutting back on bond-buying next month, while Lockhart said on Tuesday that the Fed could make reductions starting in September, or wait longer if economic growth fails to pick up.</p>
<p>When and by how much the Fed will reduce its bond-buying program, which is aimed at pushing down long-term borrowing costs and thus spurring hiring and investing, is a subject of intense market speculation. Economists at about half of Wall Street's most influential banks see the Fed starting to pull back on purchases next month, with most of the rest forecasting cuts by the end of the year.</p>
<p>NEW VIEW ON JOBS VS BOND-BUYING</p>
<p>Evans said he expects the economy to grow about 2.5 percent in the second half of this year, and more than 3 percent next year. That rate of growth should generate about 175,000 to 200,000 jobs a month and will probably bring the unemployment rate down to about 7.2-7.3 percent by the end of the year, he said.</p>
<p>The latest government report showed that unemployment fell to 7.4 percent last month.</p>
<p>Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said in June that the Fed could start to reduce bond purchases later this year, with an eye to ending them by the middle of next year, when the jobless rate is likely to be about 7 percent.</p>
<p>Evans said his outlook for the asset-purchase program is consistent with Bernanke's timeline, even though he has had to mark down his economic growth forecast for the year after sluggish first-half growth.</p>
<p>Evans also backed down from his earlier view that the economy would need to add at least 200,000 jobs each and every month for six months before he would support ending the bond-buying stimulus.</p>
<p>"I have to admit I have sort of rethought that a little bit," he told reporters, saying that more people were leaving the workforce than he had expected, resulting in a quicker drop in the jobless rate than he would have thought, given still modest growth.</p>
<p>But, he said, if headwinds from domestic fiscal contraction and the European economic slowdown abate, the "updraft" from an improving housing market should help fuel U.S. growth, despite a jump in mortgage rates after Bernanke in June signaled that a reduction in bond-buying could come over the next several months.</p>
<p>Evans acknowledged his surprise at the move in market rates, saying it appeared that some market participants must have thought the Fed would be even more accommodative than Evans himself, one of the Fed's most dovish policymakers, had ever envisioned.</p>
<p>But because so many homeowners have already refinanced their mortgages and more will be able to do so at still-low rates, Evans said the sharp rise in long-term rates since Bernanke's comments probably will not hold back the economy very hard.</p>
<p>Another regional Fed policymaker, Narayana Kocherlakota, president of the Minneapolis Fed, has called for the Fed to spur the economy further by lowering its threshold for considering a hike in rates to 5.5 percent unemployment, near the economy's long-term normal rate.</p>
<p>Evans said the Fed is already open to keeping rates low well beyond the current 6.5 percent threshold, but if Fed officials thought it would be useful to lower the threshold, he would not have a problem with doing do.</p>
<p>(Reporting by Ann Saphir; Editing by Leslie Adler)</p>
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us federal reserve probably reduce massive bondbuying stimulus program later year depending economic data could early next month top fed official typically among dovish policymakers said tuesday continue reading quite likely reduce flow purchases rate starting later year couldnt tell exactly month likely wind time couple stages charles evans president chicago federal reserve bank told reporters regional fed banks headquarters asked would rule starting cutbacks next month evans said clearly would becoming third fed official two days suggest september pullback table still evans voting member feds policysetting committee year said us central bank would keep shortterm interest rates near zero unemployment falls 65 percent expects could happen mid2015 result rates could stay low year bondbuying program ends said though timeframe could shorter economic growth goes roaring along 35 percent also said inflation continues stay well feds 2 percent target us central bank could keep rates low even jobless rate falls 65 percent threshold called unlikely event inflation remains stuck uncomfortably low levels evans said rates could stay low even jobless rate falls 6 percent told evans said feds third round quantitative easing qe3 likely total least 12 trillion since january 2013 double size feds prior round purchases thats quite substantial said even start september seems would quite unusual didnt program size two fed officials week signal possibility september pullback bond purchases richard fisher president dallas fed dennis lockhart head atlanta fed fisher monday said would prefer start cutting back bondbuying next month lockhart said tuesday fed could make reductions starting september wait longer economic growth fails pick much fed reduce bondbuying program aimed pushing longterm borrowing costs thus spurring hiring investing subject intense market speculation economists half wall streets influential banks see fed starting pull back purchases next month rest forecasting cuts end year new view jobs vs bondbuying evans said expects economy grow 25 percent second half year 3 percent next year rate growth generate 175000 200000 jobs month probably bring unemployment rate 7273 percent end year said latest government report showed unemployment fell 74 percent last month fed chairman ben bernanke said june fed could start reduce bond purchases later year eye ending middle next year jobless rate likely 7 percent evans said outlook assetpurchase program consistent bernankes timeline even though mark economic growth forecast year sluggish firsthalf growth evans also backed earlier view economy would need add least 200000 jobs every month six months would support ending bondbuying stimulus admit sort rethought little bit told reporters saying people leaving workforce expected resulting quicker drop jobless rate would thought given still modest growth said headwinds domestic fiscal contraction european economic slowdown abate updraft improving housing market help fuel us growth despite jump mortgage rates bernanke june signaled reduction bondbuying could come next several months evans acknowledged surprise move market rates saying appeared market participants must thought fed would even accommodative evans one feds dovish policymakers ever envisioned many homeowners already refinanced mortgages able stilllow rates evans said sharp rise longterm rates since bernankes comments probably hold back economy hard another regional fed policymaker narayana kocherlakota president minneapolis fed called fed spur economy lowering threshold considering hike rates 55 percent unemployment near economys longterm normal rate evans said fed already open keeping rates low well beyond current 65 percent threshold fed officials thought would useful lower threshold would problem reporting ann saphir editing leslie adler advertisement
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<p />
<p>PayPal Holdings (NASDAQ: PYPL) will report its first quarter earnings for 2017 on Wednesday, April 26. The mobile payment provider has been experiencing strong momentum over the last year. In 2016, total payment volume increased 28% to $354 billion, translating to strong growth in revenue and earnings.</p>
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<p>The lines between in-store and online shopping are starting to blur. The problem for merchants is that most people who begin shopping on an internet browser abandon their online shopping cart because of the hassle of entering payment information.</p>
<p>PayPal experienced strong growth in mobile payment volume in 2016. IMAGE SOURCE: PAYPAL HOLDINGS INC.</p>
<p>PayPal has answered this problem beautifully with its One Touch feature, which allows shoppers to complete checkout without entering their PayPal login information. PayPal users can use the stored payment information in their PayPal digital wallet to complete an order, making the online/mobile shopping experience painless.</p>
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<p>One Touch has been adopted by 50 million PayPal users and 5 million merchants. The most striking statistic is the 87% conversion rate on mobile devices, which means nearly every PayPal user who is opted-in to One Touch completes their online orders. PayPal's conversion rate with One Touch is about double the industry average for mobile shopping.</p>
<p>According to PayPal, between 65% and 74% of merchants experience cart abandonment. Basically, One Touch is flipping that number upside down, providing an extremely valuable service to merchants.</p>
<p>One Touch gives PayPal a competitive advantage since merchants don't have to do anything to increase conversion for their websites. Merchants only need to offer PayPal as a payment option for customers, and PayPal continues to focus on rolling out One Touch to its 200 million customer accounts.</p>
<p>PayPal processed 2 billion mobile payment transactions in 2016. Mobile payment volume increased 55% to more than $100 billion last year, so investors should expect the rollout of One Touch to continue driving PayPal's mobile payment momentum in 2017.</p>
<p>It's not all roses for PayPal, though. PayPal operates in more than 200 markets and nearly half of revenue is derived outside the U.S. This brings into play the negative impact of <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/02/03/whats-wrong-with-paypals-stock.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">currency translation Opens a New Window.</a> on PayPal's financial performance.</p>
<p>Overall, management expects currency translation to reduce revenue growth by about 200 basis points. For Foolish investors, it is best to evaluate PayPal's year-over-year growth numbers on a currency neutral basis. That way you have a better understanding of how PayPal is truly performing. Currency comes and goes over many decades, but investors should keep this negative factor in mind as we move through 2017.</p>
<p>Another item to watch is management's progress on <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/07/what-to-watch-at-paypal-in-2017.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">lessening the credit burden Opens a New Window.</a> PayPal carries on its balance sheet. If you have compared PayPal's debt burden to Visaor Mastercard, you have probably noticed that PayPal's peers typically carry less debt, due to the fact that <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/04/08/better-buy-paypal-holdings-vs-visa.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Visa Opens a New Window.</a> and <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/28/better-buy-paypal-holdings-vs-mastercard.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Mastercard Opens a New Window.</a> do not issue credit or loans, making these stocks more attractive to some more risk-averse investors.</p>
<p>PayPal, on the other hand, offers its customers credit products and carries that risk on its balance sheet. PayPal is looking to shift the burden of carrying loans to third-party loan originators, and thereby change its risk profile to reflect its network processing peers.</p>
<p>If management is successful in lightening PayPal's credit burden, it could serve as a catalyst to narrow the valuation gap between PayPal and its peers.</p>
<p>Analysts are expecting PayPal to report $2.94 billion in revenue and $0.41 per share in earnings. This would represent 15.5% growth year-over-year on the top line and 10.8% on the bottom line. These expectations are within the narrow ranges management guided on its fourth quarter conference call.</p>
<p>Looking further out to the end of the year, management has guided for 17% to 19% currency neutral revenue growth for the full year 2017. Management expects operating margin to be flat or slightly higher in 2017 compared to 2016, which means earnings per share should grow in line with revenue.</p>
<p>Three important metrics investors should focus on are growth in active customer accounts, payment transactions per account, and total payment volume. These metrics are the heart of PayPal's <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/03/paypal-is-powering-growth-by-focusing-on-the-small.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">business strategy Opens a New Window.</a> and give investors a good perspective on the health of PayPal's payment platforms.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than PayPal HoldingsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=f99ec94e-f957-428e-b3d7-33b233abd1dc&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and PayPal Holdings wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=f99ec94e-f957-428e-b3d7-33b233abd1dc&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of April 3, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFRazorback/info.aspx" type="external">John Ballard Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of PayPal Holdings. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Mastercard, PayPal Holdings, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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paypal holdings nasdaq pypl report first quarter earnings 2017 wednesday april 26 mobile payment provider experiencing strong momentum last year 2016 total payment volume increased 28 354 billion translating strong growth revenue earnings continue reading lines instore online shopping starting blur problem merchants people begin shopping internet browser abandon online shopping cart hassle entering payment information paypal experienced strong growth mobile payment volume 2016 image source paypal holdings inc paypal answered problem beautifully one touch feature allows shoppers complete checkout without entering paypal login information paypal users use stored payment information paypal digital wallet complete order making onlinemobile shopping experience painless advertisement one touch adopted 50 million paypal users 5 million merchants striking statistic 87 conversion rate mobile devices means nearly every paypal user optedin one touch completes online orders paypals conversion rate one touch double industry average mobile shopping according paypal 65 74 merchants experience cart abandonment basically one touch flipping number upside providing extremely valuable service merchants one touch gives paypal competitive advantage since merchants dont anything increase conversion websites merchants need offer paypal payment option customers paypal continues focus rolling one touch 200 million customer accounts paypal processed 2 billion mobile payment transactions 2016 mobile payment volume increased 55 100 billion last year investors expect rollout one touch continue driving paypals mobile payment momentum 2017 roses paypal though paypal operates 200 markets nearly half revenue derived outside us brings play negative impact currency translation opens new window paypals financial performance overall management expects currency translation reduce revenue growth 200 basis points foolish investors best evaluate paypals yearoveryear growth numbers currency neutral basis way better understanding paypal truly performing currency comes goes many decades investors keep negative factor mind move 2017 another item watch managements progress lessening credit burden opens new window paypal carries balance sheet compared paypals debt burden visaor mastercard probably noticed paypals peers typically carry less debt due fact visa opens new window mastercard opens new window issue credit loans making stocks attractive riskaverse investors paypal hand offers customers credit products carries risk balance sheet paypal looking shift burden carrying loans thirdparty loan originators thereby change risk profile reflect network processing peers management successful lightening paypals credit burden could serve catalyst narrow valuation gap paypal peers analysts expecting paypal report 294 billion revenue 041 per share earnings would represent 155 growth yearoveryear top line 108 bottom line expectations within narrow ranges management guided fourth quarter conference call looking end year management guided 17 19 currency neutral revenue growth full year 2017 management expects operating margin flat slightly higher 2017 compared 2016 means earnings per share grow line revenue three important metrics investors focus growth active customer accounts payment transactions per account total payment volume metrics heart paypals business strategy opens new window give investors good perspective health paypals payment platforms 10 stocks like better paypal holdingswhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right paypal holdings wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns april 3 2017 john ballard opens new window owns shares paypal holdings motley fool owns shares recommends mastercard paypal holdings visa motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Buying and holding individual stocks is a great way to build long-term wealth -- but not everyone has the time to research individual companies. Investors looking for a more passive way to stay invested should consider index funds that track certain sectors.</p>
<p>Today, three of our top investors at The Motley Fool will share their insights into three popular index funds and their ETF equivalents: the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (NYSEMKT: VEU), Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSEMKT: VIG), and the Vanguard Industrials ETF (NYSEMKT: VIS).</p>
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<p><a href="https://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US): Investors should always own some overseas stocks, since they can pick up the slack if the U.S. market stumbles. However, international stocks can be challenging to pick, since the brands may be unfamiliar and some stocks don't trade on U.S. exchanges.</p>
<p>An elegant solution to that problem is the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund, which can also be bought as an ETF. The fund includes about 2,220 holdings in nearly 50 developed and emerging countries -- excluding the United States.</p>
<p>European stocks account for 43% of the fund's holdings, and the U.K. and France are the top regions. Thirty percent comes from the Pacific region, led by Japan; 21% comes from various emerging markets, led by China; and 6% comes from North America, led by Canada. Less than 1% of its holdings come from the Middle East and other markets.</p>
<p>As of this writing, the fund's top five holdings are <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/02/13/tencent-owns-stakes-in-these-4-us-companies.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Chinese tech giant Opens a New Window.</a> Tencent, oil major Royal Dutch Shell, packaged foods giant Nestle, Korean tech giant Samsung, and British bank HSBC.</p>
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<p>The fund hasn't always outperformed the S&amp;P 500, but it's rallied 17% in the past 12 months against the S&amp;P 500's 15% gain. If the U.S. market underperforms its overseas counterparts, that gap could widen in the fund's favor.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a> (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation): Dividend stocks are a great way to invest in the stock market because they provide two things that every investor likes: the potential for dramatic share price appreciation over time and regular and reliable income payments. That combination has been especially attractive in recent years when there weren't many good options for generating portfolio income outside the stock market.</p>
<p>Some dividend investors simply pick the highest-yielding stocks, but <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/etf/2017/11/18/5-top-dividend-stock-etfs.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Vanguard Dividend Appreciation has a different philosophy Opens a New Window.</a>. The ETF doesn't hesitate to pass up some of the best yields in the dividend stock universe, instead favoring some lower-yielding companies that nevertheless have put together a track record of consistently growing their payouts over time. By concentrating on dividend growth rather than yield, the Vanguard ETF keeps its focus on the future, looking to maximize total long-term income rather than immediate dividend payments. That also gives the ETF's portfolio more exposure to stable, robust companies that can generate strong results in good times and bad.</p>
<p>If you want to stay invested, there's no substitute for good dividend stocks with a demonstrated ability to keep paying and growing their dividends year in and year out. That's what you'll get with Vanguard Dividend Appreciation, and the long-term returns that its holdings have produced speak for themselves.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/Nehams/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Neha Chamaria Opens a New Window.</a> (Vanguard Industrials ETF): Let's face it: Industrial stocks, in general, have zoomed up in recent quarters, and several look pricey at the moment. Nonetheless, <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/01/04/3-no-brainer-stocks-to-buy-in-the-industrials-sect.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">the industrial growth story Opens a New Window.</a> continues to gather steam, backed partly by stronger commodity prices and increased global spending in key industries such as construction. However, you still might be wary about investing in individual stocks, but want to play the upturn, which is why the Vanguard Industrials ETF can be a great choice.</p>
<p>Vanguard Industrials ETF tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index, which is an index of more than 300 stocks belonging to different industrial subsectors. A closer look at the ETF's portfolio as of January 31, 2018 reveals 23.7% exposure to aerospace and defense, 13.9% to industrial conglomerates, and 10.8% to industrial machinery. Overall, the ETF is invested in 23 industrial subsectors.</p>
<p>This diversification within the industrials space is the key to the ETF's returns. For example, consider that General Electric is among the top five stocks in the ETF's portfolio -- in fact, was its largest holding at the beginning of 2017. You probably know what a disaster GE stock has been since then. Yet, Vanguard Industrials ETF has returned solid double-digit growth over the period excluding dividend reinvestment (in which case, its returns bump up by a little over 2 percentage points).</p>
<p>With solid names like Boeing, 3M, and Honeywell International in its top five holdings, Vanguard Industrials ETF could be a great choice for long-term investors. An incredibly low expense ratio of 0.10% should further add to its appeal.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETFWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=8c87df40-ef9a-42e2-a364-a2f163068172&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=8c87df40-ef9a-42e2-a364-a2f163068172&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of March 5, 2018</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Tencent Holdings. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/Nehams/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Neha Chamaria Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Nestle and Tencent Holdings. The Motley Fool is short shares of General Electric. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=6777ecb0-376c-4302-9e98-1175e6c717d2&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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buying holding individual stocks great way build longterm wealth everyone time research individual companies investors looking passive way stay invested consider index funds track certain sectors today three top investors motley fool share insights three popular index funds etf equivalents vanguard ftse allworld exus etf nysemkt veu vanguard dividend appreciation etf nysemkt vig vanguard industrials etf nysemkt vis continue reading leo sun opens new window vanguard ftse allworld exus investors always overseas stocks since pick slack us market stumbles however international stocks challenging pick since brands may unfamiliar stocks dont trade us exchanges elegant solution problem vanguard ftse allworld exus index fund also bought etf fund includes 2220 holdings nearly 50 developed emerging countries excluding united states european stocks account 43 funds holdings uk france top regions thirty percent comes pacific region led japan 21 comes various emerging markets led china 6 comes north america led canada less 1 holdings come middle east markets writing funds top five holdings chinese tech giant opens new window tencent oil major royal dutch shell packaged foods giant nestle korean tech giant samsung british bank hsbc advertisement fund hasnt always outperformed sampp 500 rallied 17 past 12 months sampp 500s 15 gain us market underperforms overseas counterparts gap could widen funds favor dan caplinger opens new window vanguard dividend appreciation dividend stocks great way invest stock market provide two things every investor likes potential dramatic share price appreciation time regular reliable income payments combination especially attractive recent years werent many good options generating portfolio income outside stock market dividend investors simply pick highestyielding stocks vanguard dividend appreciation different philosophy opens new window etf doesnt hesitate pass best yields dividend stock universe instead favoring loweryielding companies nevertheless put together track record consistently growing payouts time concentrating dividend growth rather yield vanguard etf keeps focus future looking maximize total longterm income rather immediate dividend payments also gives etfs portfolio exposure stable robust companies generate strong results good times bad want stay invested theres substitute good dividend stocks demonstrated ability keep paying growing dividends year year thats youll get vanguard dividend appreciation longterm returns holdings produced speak neha chamaria opens new window vanguard industrials etf lets face industrial stocks general zoomed recent quarters several look pricey moment nonetheless industrial growth story opens new window continues gather steam backed partly stronger commodity prices increased global spending key industries construction however still might wary investing individual stocks want play upturn vanguard industrials etf great choice vanguard industrials etf tracks msci us investable market industrials 2550 index index 300 stocks belonging different industrial subsectors closer look etfs portfolio january 31 2018 reveals 237 exposure aerospace defense 139 industrial conglomerates 108 industrial machinery overall etf invested 23 industrial subsectors diversification within industrials space key etfs returns example consider general electric among top five stocks etfs portfolio fact largest holding beginning 2017 probably know disaster ge stock since yet vanguard industrials etf returned solid doubledigit growth period excluding dividend reinvestment case returns bump little 2 percentage points solid names like boeing 3m honeywell international top five holdings vanguard industrials etf could great choice longterm investors incredibly low expense ratio 010 add appeal 10 stocks like better vanguard dividend appreciation etfwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right vanguard dividend appreciation etf wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns march 5 2018 dan caplinger opens new window owns shares vanguard dividend appreciation etf leo sun opens new window owns shares tencent holdings neha chamaria opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends nestle tencent holdings motley fool short shares general electric motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Image source: Pixabay.</p>
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<p>It's summer, people. With all that nice weather and summer vacation plans, who wants to be worried about their investment portfolio on a day-to-day basis? Instead of chasing down those high risk/high reward stocks all summer long, why not add a few rock-solid dividend stocks to your portfolio that will let you enjoy your free time?</p>
<p>We asked three of our contributors to each highlight a worry-free stock that will let you sit back, sip a tall glass of sweet tea, and watch your dividend checks come in for this summer and many more to follow. Here's what they had to say.</p>
<p>: Seasonality impacts retailers significantly, and while shares in many retailers tend to head higher ahead of the holiday shopping season in the fall, July might be the right time to stock up on L Brands , the owner of the iconic Victoria's Secret brand.</p>
<p>L Brands shares have fallen this year because of shake-ups at Victoria's Secret, including the discontinuation of cataloging, the departure of the segment's longtime CEO, and cost-cutting layoffs. Those moves have created uncertainty regarding store foot traffic and comparable-store sales; however, uncertainty could be making L Brands a bargain.</p>
<p>In May, the company announced that former Spanx CEO Jan Singer is taking over the reins at Victoria's Secret. Her success at Spanx, as well as leadership experience in athletic apparel at Nike, is a plus. L Brands has also announced it's discontinuing non-core Victoria's Secret clothing to refocus on the segment's traditional lingerie and beauty product lines, a decision that could pay off over time.</p>
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<p>Obviously, there's no guarantee that L Brands will be able to replace all of the revenue that could be lost because of changes to its promotional strategy, but the brand boasts significant customer loyalty and that gives me hope that Singer can reenergize Victoria's Secret sales ahead of the holiday season. A reacceleration of Victoria's Secret and continuing success for L Brands'Bath &amp; Body Works business could reward investors who think ahead and buy shares now -- especially since a hike in the company's dividend means shares yield a market-beating 3.5%.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDirtyBird/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Tyler Crowe</a>:One company that is looking better and better by the day for dividend investors is General Electric . The company's 2.97% dividend yield certainly isn't going to turn any heads compared to many other companies out there, but the moves the company has made in recent years show that it is poised to do some great things down the road that should put a smile on investors' faces.</p>
<p>If we want to talk first about stabilit,. General Electric has more than $316 billion in project backlogs across its diverse operations in power, oil and gas, renewable energy, aviation, and healthcare. This wide array of sectors allows GE to see rather consistent earnings, as the ups and downs of each individual business segment can help offset one another. Plus, with a big push toward the Industrial Internet of Things -- a move to connect all of its industrial products to a common data monitoring and analysis platform -- it's generating a new continuing revenue stream that's already growing at a 29% annual rate.</p>
<p>What's also appealing about General Electric is the big catalyst coming up for its shareholders. Over the past couple of years, it has been shedding much of its financial assets in order to lose its Systemically Important Financial Institution designation. In doing so, it will free itself from the onerous balance sheet requirements that go with it. As part of losing that SIFI designation, management wants to return as much as <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/09/is-general-electric-on-track-to-return-35-billion.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">$90 billion to shareholders by 2018</a> in the form of dividends and stock repurchases.</p>
<p>With a rather stable business with lots of work in the wings, a major digital platform that could completely transform the products it sells, and a major stock catalyst over the next couple of years, General Electric ensuresyou can kick back and enjoy the rewards of its dividend for years.</p>
<p>:Sturm, Ruger has climbed around 9% since I <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/13/7-stocks-to-buy-in-january.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">pounded the table</a> for investors to buy shares in January. But on the heels of an <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/06/17/smith-wesson-holding-corp-just-shot-out-the-lights.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">impressive quarterly report</a> from competitor Smith &amp; Wesson last week, I think there's still plenty of room for Ruger to continue to rise from here.</p>
<p>For perspective, Smith &amp; Wesson jumped after it confirmed its revenue last quarter climbed a better-than-expected 22.2% year over year, driven by what management described as "robust volumes" within its firearms segment. And though Ruger isn't slated to release its own fiscal second-quarter 2016 results for another month or so, I won't be the least bit surprised if those results reflect the same robust volumes, and, consequentially, drive a similar post-earnings pop.</p>
<p>Unlike Smith &amp; Wesson, however, Ruger offers investors a healthy quarterly dividend that yields around 2.3% annually at today's prices. And that dividend is variable -- management typically aims to pay around 40% of net income to shareholders through dividends each quarter -- which helps reward shareholders while at the same time providing a buffer against the inevitable ebbs and flows of the firearms market.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/07/01/3-dividend-stocks-to-buy-in-july.aspx" type="external">3 Dividend Stocks to Buy in July</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSymington/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Steve Symington</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/EBCapitalMarkets/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Todd Campbell</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDirtyBird/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Tyler Crowe</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Nike. The Motley Fool owns shares of General Electric. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
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image source pixabay continue reading summer people nice weather summer vacation plans wants worried investment portfolio daytoday basis instead chasing high riskhigh reward stocks summer long add rocksolid dividend stocks portfolio let enjoy free time asked three contributors highlight worryfree stock let sit back sip tall glass sweet tea watch dividend checks come summer many follow heres say seasonality impacts retailers significantly shares many retailers tend head higher ahead holiday shopping season fall july might right time stock l brands owner iconic victorias secret brand l brands shares fallen year shakeups victorias secret including discontinuation cataloging departure segments longtime ceo costcutting layoffs moves created uncertainty regarding store foot traffic comparablestore sales however uncertainty could making l brands bargain may company announced former spanx ceo jan singer taking reins victorias secret success spanx well leadership experience athletic apparel nike plus l brands also announced discontinuing noncore victorias secret clothing refocus segments traditional lingerie beauty product lines decision could pay time advertisement obviously theres guarantee l brands able replace revenue could lost changes promotional strategy brand boasts significant customer loyalty gives hope singer reenergize victorias secret sales ahead holiday season reacceleration victorias secret continuing success l brandsbath amp body works business could reward investors think ahead buy shares especially since hike companys dividend means shares yield marketbeating 35 tyler croweone company looking better better day dividend investors general electric companys 297 dividend yield certainly isnt going turn heads compared many companies moves company made recent years show poised great things road put smile investors faces want talk first stabilit general electric 316 billion project backlogs across diverse operations power oil gas renewable energy aviation healthcare wide array sectors allows ge see rather consistent earnings ups downs individual business segment help offset one another plus big push toward industrial internet things move connect industrial products common data monitoring analysis platform generating new continuing revenue stream thats already growing 29 annual rate whats also appealing general electric big catalyst coming shareholders past couple years shedding much financial assets order lose systemically important financial institution designation free onerous balance sheet requirements go part losing sifi designation management wants return much 90 billion shareholders 2018 form dividends stock repurchases rather stable business lots work wings major digital platform could completely transform products sells major stock catalyst next couple years general electric ensuresyou kick back enjoy rewards dividend years sturm ruger climbed around 9 since pounded table investors buy shares january heels impressive quarterly report competitor smith amp wesson last week think theres still plenty room ruger continue rise perspective smith amp wesson jumped confirmed revenue last quarter climbed betterthanexpected 222 year year driven management described robust volumes within firearms segment though ruger isnt slated release fiscal secondquarter 2016 results another month wont least bit surprised results reflect robust volumes consequentially drive similar postearnings pop unlike smith amp wesson however ruger offers investors healthy quarterly dividend yields around 23 annually todays prices dividend variable management typically aims pay around 40 net income shareholders dividends quarter helps reward shareholders time providing buffer inevitable ebbs flows firearms market article 3 dividend stocks buy july originally appeared foolcom steve symington position stocks mentioned todd campbell position stocks mentioned tyler crowe position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends nike motley fool owns shares general electric try foolish newsletter services free 30 days fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy
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<p>Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (NYSE: FGP) had long been a reliable "dividend stock." Although this limited partnership's distribution was stuck at $2.00 a share for more than a decade, it didn't go down, either. So investors looking for a steady stream of distributions were well rewarded by owning it. Now, however, that could all change, leaving unitholders to ask whether Ferrellgas is going to sink or swim.</p>
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<p>Image source: Ferrelgas Partners</p>
<p>There's no way to put Ferrellgas' late September news releases in a good light. The first release was fairly brief, announcing that the partnership had fired its CEO and replaced him, at least temporarily, with James Ferrell, the company's founder and current board chairman.</p>
<p>The second new release, the company's full-year fiscal 2016 earnings, explained why. In recent years, Ferrellgas has shifted gears, adding oil and gas midstream assets to its core propane delivery business. It now appears that this move didn't live up to the growth promises held out when the previous CEO was inking deals.</p>
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<p>The partnership took a nearly $660 million impairment charge in its new midstream business, pushing fiscal 2016's bottom line deep into the red. The company's two biggest acquisitions on the midstream side were Sable Environmental, which was the foundation of its midstream business, and Bridger Logistics. Together the two cost roughly $960 million. In other words, Ferrellgas just wrote off around 70% of the value of these two deals.</p>
<p>If that weren't bad enough, the company also announced that it's "focused on the reduction of its debt and leverage ratio" and added, "One tactic under consideration is a reduction in our quarterly distribution." Management didn't mince words, either, suggesting that the distribution might go from $2.05 a share per year to just $1.00. In other words, if you're a unitholder, look for a distribution cut of more than 50%.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/FGP" type="external">FGP</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>It's no wonder the price plummeted from nearly $17 a share before the announcement to less than $10 afterward. Recently, the units have been trading hands at a little under $11.</p>
<p>So that's the bad news, and it's pretty bad. But the damage has been done, and the future is what's important. First off, the nearly 20% yield is highly unlikely to survive -- expect it to be half of that amount. But then what happens? There are a few options for Ferrellgas.</p>
<p>It could use its cash-cow propane business to pay down debt, which stands at roughly $1.9 billion -- up from $1.2 billion in January 2014, before it started buying midstream assets. The company pretty much has to focus on debt reduction at this point because it is at risk of violating some credit covenants. That said, it has entered into amendment agreements that give it roughly a year and half of extra breathing room.</p>
<p>Using the cash cow propane business to reduce debt was basically the idea behind the expansion into midstream anyway. Only midstream was supposed to add to the top and bottom line, too. So if Ferrellgas intends to stay the course, the partnership will use its core business to pay down debt and help fund its efforts to turn its new assets around. The distribution cut, of course, is the main way it plans to increase the cash it has around.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/FGP/long_term_debt_annual" type="external">FGP Non-Current Portion of Long Term Debt (Annual)</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts</a></p>
<p>The other option is for Ferrellgas to sell the midstream businesses it just acquired. Since the CEO who orchestrated those purchases is out, this could be a quick and easy way to help reduce debt. The only problem is that, based on the writedowns, the company wouldn't get nearly as much as it paid.</p>
<p>In fact, a key customer of Ferrellgas' midstream business is, well, no longer a customer. And that means the midstream business may be worth even less than what the write down implies if the company tries to sell it.In other words, unitholders would still be left footing a big portion of the debt-reduction bill through the distribution cut. The upside would be that a big management distraction would quickly go away.</p>
<p>Basically, there's no good answer for getting out of this mess. However, here's an important piece of the equation: Founder and current CEO James Ferrell owns nearly 5% of the partnership, and the company's employee stock ownership plan owns just over 23%. So there are a lot of reasons the company and its employees will want to get Ferrellgas moving in the right direction again.</p>
<p>So my guess is that Ferrellgas does, indeed, swim again. However, investors are going to have to be patient as it gets back on the right track. It won't be easy, and it's going to take a big bite out of the distribution. But once debt is reduced and the cash-cow nature of the propane business starts to shine through the haze, look for that disbursement to move back toward its historical level.</p>
<p>A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-apple-wearable?aid=6965&amp;source=irbeditxt0000017&amp;ftm_cam=rb-wearable-d&amp;ftm_pit=2692&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">just click here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/ReubenGBrewer/info.aspx" type="external">Reuben Brewer Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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ferrellgas partners lp nyse fgp long reliable dividend stock although limited partnerships distribution stuck 200 share decade didnt go either investors looking steady stream distributions well rewarded owning however could change leaving unitholders ask whether ferrellgas going sink swim continue reading image source ferrelgas partners theres way put ferrellgas late september news releases good light first release fairly brief announcing partnership fired ceo replaced least temporarily james ferrell companys founder current board chairman second new release companys fullyear fiscal 2016 earnings explained recent years ferrellgas shifted gears adding oil gas midstream assets core propane delivery business appears move didnt live growth promises held previous ceo inking deals advertisement partnership took nearly 660 million impairment charge new midstream business pushing fiscal 2016s bottom line deep red companys two biggest acquisitions midstream side sable environmental foundation midstream business bridger logistics together two cost roughly 960 million words ferrellgas wrote around 70 value two deals werent bad enough company also announced focused reduction debt leverage ratio added one tactic consideration reduction quarterly distribution management didnt mince words either suggesting distribution might go 205 share per year 100 words youre unitholder look distribution cut 50 fgp data ycharts opens new window wonder price plummeted nearly 17 share announcement less 10 afterward recently units trading hands little 11 thats bad news pretty bad damage done future whats important first nearly 20 yield highly unlikely survive expect half amount happens options ferrellgas could use cashcow propane business pay debt stands roughly 19 billion 12 billion january 2014 started buying midstream assets company pretty much focus debt reduction point risk violating credit covenants said entered amendment agreements give roughly year half extra breathing room using cash cow propane business reduce debt basically idea behind expansion midstream anyway midstream supposed add top bottom line ferrellgas intends stay course partnership use core business pay debt help fund efforts turn new assets around distribution cut course main way plans increase cash around fgp noncurrent portion long term debt annual data ycharts option ferrellgas sell midstream businesses acquired since ceo orchestrated purchases could quick easy way help reduce debt problem based writedowns company wouldnt get nearly much paid fact key customer ferrellgas midstream business well longer customer means midstream business may worth even less write implies company tries sell itin words unitholders would still left footing big portion debtreduction bill distribution cut upside would big management distraction would quickly go away basically theres good answer getting mess however heres important piece equation founder current ceo james ferrell owns nearly 5 partnership companys employee stock ownership plan owns 23 lot reasons company employees want get ferrellgas moving right direction guess ferrellgas indeed swim however investors going patient gets back right track wont easy going take big bite distribution debt reduced cashcow nature propane business starts shine haze look disbursement move back toward historical level secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window reuben brewer opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>U.S. companies increased their hiring in February, shoring up expectations that the labor market's recovery has moved into a higher gear.</p>
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<p>Separate data on Wednesday showed wages grew much more quickly at the end of last year than originally estimated, good news for consumers, but a potential inflation problem for the Federal Reserve.</p>
<p>The private sector added 216,000 jobs last month, according to the ADP National Employment Report, topping economists' expectations for a gain of 208,000.</p>
<p>The ADP figures come ahead of the government's more comprehensive monthly labor market report on Friday, which includes both public- and private-sector employment.</p>
<p>"After two years of expansion without much gain in employment, we're finally hitting the point where firms need to begin adding people in order to meet increased orders," said Steve Blitz, senior economist at ITG Investment Research in New York. "There are still risks ahead, but if you could just stop the clock right where we are now, you've got a recovery that is gathering some momentum; it appears to be self-reinforcing."</p>
<p>Economists polled by Reuters expect Friday's report to show a gain of 210,000 in nonfarm payrolls, with a gain in the private sector of 225,000 jobs offsetting a modest decline in government jobs.</p>
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<p>Economists often refer to the ADP report to fine-tune their expectations for the payrolls numbers, though it is not always accurate in predicting the outcome.</p>
<p>Daniel Silver, an economist at JPMorgan, noted that in the month of February in recent years, the difference between the two reports has been smaller and missed only by 2,000 in 2010 and 5,000 in 2011.</p>
<p>The ADP report showed small businesses driving the gains in February, with an increase of 108,000 jobs. Medium-sized companies added 88,000 jobs, and larger companies created 20,000 positions.</p>
<p>ADP's January figures were revised up to an increase of 173,000 jobs from 170,000. The report is jointly developed with Macroeconomic Advisers LLC.</p>
<p>The data helped drive a rebound on Wall Street on Wednesday, a day after its worst selloff in three months, with stocks closing higher, while prices of safe-haven U.S. Treasuries eased slightly. Signs that Greece's debt swap was advancing also cheered investors.</p>
<p>WAGES REVISED HIGHER</p>
<p>Unit labor costs, which the Federal Reserve watches closely for signs of inflation, rose at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the fourth quarter, the Labor Department said, revised sharply up from the 1.2 percent pace it reported last month. Third-quarter wage growth was raised to a 3.9 percent pace from the previously reported drop of 2.1 percent.</p>
<p>Hourly earnings, adjusted for inflation, rose at a 2.8 percent rate in the fourth quarter, revised from the previously reported increase of 1.0 percent. It was the largest gain since the second quarter of 2010..</p>
<p>"There is no room for policy complacency on the inflation side," said Alan Ruskin, head of G10 currency strategy at Deutsche Bank in New York. "The Fed is going to be confronted with a very difficult decision on how to proceed if the economy remains on its current path, and there is no evidence of core disinflation."</p>
<p>The U.S. central bank, which will hold its next policy meeting on Tuesday, has held interest rates near zero since late 2008 as part of its efforts to boost the economy. In January, it said it would likely keep rates low through at least late 2014.</p>
<p>The Labor Department revised up its reading on non-farm productivity growth to a 0.9 percent pace in the fourth quarter from 0.7 percent. Productivity has slowed after growing rapidly as the economy emerged from the 2007-09 recession, and analysts said the rise in unit labor costs, if sustained, could weigh on companies' results.</p>
<p>Higher labor costs can hurt "job growth as employers squeeze more out of the existing labor pool as they scramble to maintain profit margins in a growth environment that remains OK, but far from robust," said Eric Green, chief economist at TD Securities in New York.</p>
<p>Data later on Wednesday showed consumer credit expanded sharply in January for the fifth month in a row as Americans borrowed money to buy cars and go to school.</p>
<p>A report from the Federal Reserve showed total consumer credit grew by $17.776 billion in January, much more than the $10.0 billion increase analysts expected.</p>
<p>Once a pillar of the economy, consumers had shied away from taking on more credit-card obligations as they paid off debt that was accumulated ahead of the financial crisis.</p>
<p>But the recent growth in credit suggests Americans are becoming less uneasy.</p>
<p>Separate reports on the housing market, which along with the labor market is one of the biggest obstacles to a self-sustaining economic recovery, suggested the sector is continuing to scrape along the bottom.</p>
<p>Home prices fell 1.0 percent in January, the sixth straight month of declines as sales of cheaper distressed properties took a toll, data analysis firm CoreLogic said.</p>
<p>Compared with January of last year, prices were down 3.1 percent. But excluding distressed sales, prices rose 0.7 percent in January and were off just 0.9 percent on a yearly basis.</p>
<p>Applications for U.S. mortgages to buy homes rose last week though demand for refinancing sagged, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.</p>
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us companies increased hiring february shoring expectations labor markets recovery moved higher gear continue reading separate data wednesday showed wages grew much quickly end last year originally estimated good news consumers potential inflation problem federal reserve private sector added 216000 jobs last month according adp national employment report topping economists expectations gain 208000 adp figures come ahead governments comprehensive monthly labor market report friday includes public privatesector employment two years expansion without much gain employment finally hitting point firms need begin adding people order meet increased orders said steve blitz senior economist itg investment research new york still risks ahead could stop clock right youve got recovery gathering momentum appears selfreinforcing economists polled reuters expect fridays report show gain 210000 nonfarm payrolls gain private sector 225000 jobs offsetting modest decline government jobs advertisement economists often refer adp report finetune expectations payrolls numbers though always accurate predicting outcome daniel silver economist jpmorgan noted month february recent years difference two reports smaller missed 2000 2010 5000 2011 adp report showed small businesses driving gains february increase 108000 jobs mediumsized companies added 88000 jobs larger companies created 20000 positions adps january figures revised increase 173000 jobs 170000 report jointly developed macroeconomic advisers llc data helped drive rebound wall street wednesday day worst selloff three months stocks closing higher prices safehaven us treasuries eased slightly signs greeces debt swap advancing also cheered investors wages revised higher unit labor costs federal reserve watches closely signs inflation rose annual rate 28 percent fourth quarter labor department said revised sharply 12 percent pace reported last month thirdquarter wage growth raised 39 percent pace previously reported drop 21 percent hourly earnings adjusted inflation rose 28 percent rate fourth quarter revised previously reported increase 10 percent largest gain since second quarter 2010 room policy complacency inflation side said alan ruskin head g10 currency strategy deutsche bank new york fed going confronted difficult decision proceed economy remains current path evidence core disinflation us central bank hold next policy meeting tuesday held interest rates near zero since late 2008 part efforts boost economy january said would likely keep rates low least late 2014 labor department revised reading nonfarm productivity growth 09 percent pace fourth quarter 07 percent productivity slowed growing rapidly economy emerged 200709 recession analysts said rise unit labor costs sustained could weigh companies results higher labor costs hurt job growth employers squeeze existing labor pool scramble maintain profit margins growth environment remains ok far robust said eric green chief economist td securities new york data later wednesday showed consumer credit expanded sharply january fifth month row americans borrowed money buy cars go school report federal reserve showed total consumer credit grew 17776 billion january much 100 billion increase analysts expected pillar economy consumers shied away taking creditcard obligations paid debt accumulated ahead financial crisis recent growth credit suggests americans becoming less uneasy separate reports housing market along labor market one biggest obstacles selfsustaining economic recovery suggested sector continuing scrape along bottom home prices fell 10 percent january sixth straight month declines sales cheaper distressed properties took toll data analysis firm corelogic said compared january last year prices 31 percent excluding distressed sales prices rose 07 percent january 09 percent yearly basis applications us mortgages buy homes rose last week though demand refinancing sagged mortgage bankers association said
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<p>The silver market performed reasonably well in 2016, with the price of the precious metal picking up more than $2 to close the year at $15.88 per ounce. That in turn helped boost the prospects for silver-tracking investments like the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV). But as much as investors appreciated the gains, they were a far cry from the highs above $20 per ounce that silver posted earlier in the year. Looking forward to the coming year, investors want to see the price of silver in 2017 climb back toward the $20 mark, but those who follow the silver market aren't sure just how much progress the metal can make. Below, we'll look at what could move the price of silver in 2017.</p>
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>The main difficulty that many people have in assessing the silver market is that it acts like a hybrid, showing characteristics of both precious and industrial metals. On one hand, even at prices that are less than 2% of the price of gold, silver is still roughly 100 times as costly as copper, putting silver in a gray area in the middle of the price spectrum. Historically, traders have seen silver as a precious metal, and many mines produce both gold and silver, further associating them in the minds of investors.</p>
<p>Yet in large part, silver is much more subject to supply and demand considerations than gold. Silver gets used in a wide variety of industrial applications, and that subjects it to the normal demand fluctuations of the global economic business cycle. In addition, mined supply of new silver plays a role in setting its price, along with the willingness of those who have stockpiled silver for investment or personal use to bring it back into the market when prices rise.</p>
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<p>Even with those countervailing factors, silver traded largely in line with its precious metal counterparts during 2016. After a big gain linked to an early year stock market decline in 2016 and prospects for a potential collapse in the energy markets, silver climbed to its highest levels by mid-year. However, the final boost from the U.K. Brexit vote to leave the European Union didn't lead to the economic chaos that some had predicted. By the second half of the year, excitement about silver waned, and fears of higher interest rates sent silver prices down more than $4 per ounce from their highest levels of the year.</p>
<p>Source: Analyst projections via Kitco.</p>
<p>As you can see above, there are two distinct camps among those following the silver market. Some believe that better conditions in the market will lead to substantial gains, while others see the current malaise lasting throughout 2017.</p>
<p>Most of those who are bullish about silver prices in 2017 point to silver's capacity to decouple from the precious metals markets. In particular, excitement about silver's industrial demand could be the driver for higher prices in the minds of some.</p>
<p>Helping to support that view are the latest calls from President-elect Donald Trump for greater spending on infrastructure and construction. If the U.S. moves forward with initiatives that are successful in driving greater activity on those fronts, then the use of silver could increase. At the same time, many expect that silver mining activity will fall in 2017 from year-ago levels, continuing a longer-term trend. Even with prices having bounced from their lowest levels, they're still not high enough to make miners feel particularly enthusiastic about boosting production.</p>
<p>However, those who are negative on the prospects for silver prices in 2017 point out that the factors that traditionally hurt precious metals markets are poised to become stronger during the year. Late-year dollar strength in 2016 has typically pushed gold and silver prices lower. Moreover, with many expecting multiple interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve in 2017, the costs of holding positions in silver bullion are likely to rise from their rock-bottom levels of the past several years.</p>
<p>Also, the supply and demand factors that theoretically drive silver prices haven't always matched up in the short run. Supply deficits in production of mined silver have been regular occurrences for most of the past 15 years, but that hasn't prevented the silver market from having wild volatility swings over that time period.</p>
<p>Just about the only certainty with silver prices in 2017 is that they're likely to feature substantial moves in both directions, as investors try to figure out changes in geopolitical and macroeconomic factors affecting the market. That might stop the forward momentum that silver generated in 2016, but it could also create opportunities for those who have higher hopes for silver's prospects in the long run.</p>
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silver market performed reasonably well 2016 price precious metal picking 2 close year 1588 per ounce turn helped boost prospects silvertracking investments like ishares silver trust nysemkt slv much investors appreciated gains far cry highs 20 per ounce silver posted earlier year looking forward coming year investors want see price silver 2017 climb back toward 20 mark follow silver market arent sure much progress metal make well look could move price silver 2017 continue reading image source getty images main difficulty many people assessing silver market acts like hybrid showing characteristics precious industrial metals one hand even prices less 2 price gold silver still roughly 100 times costly copper putting silver gray area middle price spectrum historically traders seen silver precious metal many mines produce gold silver associating minds investors yet large part silver much subject supply demand considerations gold silver gets used wide variety industrial applications subjects normal demand fluctuations global economic business cycle addition mined supply new silver plays role setting price along willingness stockpiled silver investment personal use bring back market prices rise advertisement even countervailing factors silver traded largely line precious metal counterparts 2016 big gain linked early year stock market decline 2016 prospects potential collapse energy markets silver climbed highest levels midyear however final boost uk brexit vote leave european union didnt lead economic chaos predicted second half year excitement silver waned fears higher interest rates sent silver prices 4 per ounce highest levels year source analyst projections via kitco see two distinct camps among following silver market believe better conditions market lead substantial gains others see current malaise lasting throughout 2017 bullish silver prices 2017 point silvers capacity decouple precious metals markets particular excitement silvers industrial demand could driver higher prices minds helping support view latest calls presidentelect donald trump greater spending infrastructure construction us moves forward initiatives successful driving greater activity fronts use silver could increase time many expect silver mining activity fall 2017 yearago levels continuing longerterm trend even prices bounced lowest levels theyre still high enough make miners feel particularly enthusiastic boosting production however negative prospects silver prices 2017 point factors traditionally hurt precious metals markets poised become stronger year lateyear dollar strength 2016 typically pushed gold silver prices lower moreover many expecting multiple interest rate increases federal reserve 2017 costs holding positions silver bullion likely rise rockbottom levels past several years also supply demand factors theoretically drive silver prices havent always matched short run supply deficits production mined silver regular occurrences past 15 years hasnt prevented silver market wild volatility swings time period certainty silver prices 2017 theyre likely feature substantial moves directions investors try figure changes geopolitical macroeconomic factors affecting market might stop forward momentum silver generated 2016 could also create opportunities higher hopes silvers prospects long run 10 stocks like better ishares silver trust investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right ishares silver trust wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 dan caplinger opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>The FDA's approval of Sarepta Therapeutics' (NASDAQ: SRPT) Exondys 51 as a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy was far from an obvious decision. A raging debate within the agency regarding the drug's efficacy put the director of the team reviewing Exondys 51 at odds with the agency's head of drug evaluation.</p>
<p>In this clip from The Motley Fool's <a href="http://www.fool.com/podcasts/industry-focus?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Industry Focus: Healthcare Opens a New Window.</a> podcast, analyst Kristine Harjes is joined by contributor Todd Campbell to dive into the soap-opera-style backstory.</p>
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<p>A full transcript follows the video.</p>
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<p>This podcast was recorded on Sept. 21, 2016.</p>
<p>Kristine Harjes: Sarepta investors went through the best of times earlier this week. Listeners will remember this company name from our May 4 episode. This is the company that was developing a treatment for a rare but devastating disease known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or DMD. On Monday, we found out that they got approval from the FDA for their drug, which was known as eteplirsen, and will now go by the trade name Exondys 51.</p>
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<p>Todd Campbell: What an amazing and intriguing story for investors and for those who like soap-opera backstories. There was so much involved in the review of this drug leading up to the application. You almost have to look at it and say there's two stories here. There's the story of, "Wow, this is the first FDA-approved drug that actually targets the cause of DMD." And then, there's the second story, which is, "Did the FDA stretch the bar too far, lower the bar too low, in approving this drug?"</p>
<p>Harjes: Right. The story involves a pretty heated internal conflict in the FDA. You had some people in the agency really pushing for approval of this drug, saying, "Look at the stories that the patients who are taking this can tell. Look how amazing this is, this drug must be working." And then you had people on the other side, saying, "Wait a second, that's not what we're here to do. We're not here to be pulled by emotions. We're here to look at the clinical evidence," which was, admittedly, a little bit lacking.</p>
<p>Campbell: Right. How much do you weight the science at the FDA, versus the unmet need of DMD patients? I think that was a core debate within the agency. On the one hand, in support of this drug, you had the head of drug evaluation, Dr. Janet Woodcock. And on the other side, you had the head of the group within the FDA that was tasked with reviewing the data on this drug. The director of that group was a Dr. Unger. The two, Woodcock and Unger, had very different views on the subject of the science versus the unmet-need issue.</p>
<p>Harjes: Exactly. So what they were really disagreeing about was whether an increase in this protein known as dystrophin, which was a surrogate endpoint in the trial, whether that necessarily implied clinical benefit. Dr. Woodcock said, "Yes, it does. If we can show that they have increased levels of dystrophin, then there is a very good chance that the patients will have a clinical benefit." Whereas Dr. Unger worried about this, and aside from the worry over the data not being there, he also worried about whether approving this drug just based on this limited data set would be a bad signal, would send a message that the FDA can be pressured by things like politics and intimidation, as opposed to strict science.</p>
<p>Campbell: Yeah. Let's go back in time for a second. Maybe we should spend a little bit of time talking about DMD, and what dystrophin is. DMD is a muscle-wasting disease. What ends up happening is, in patients that can't produce adequate levels of functional dystrophin, which is a protein used to produce and maintain muscle fiber, over time, their muscles weaken, and they lose the ability to walk by the time the reach their teens, and sadly, they lose heart muscle function typically when they get into their 20s. Unfortunately, they tend to succumb to their disease some time between their 30s and 40s. So this is an extremely progressive, life-shortening disease. And up until now, there has been nothing other than corticosteroids that has been approved by the FDA to try and offer some hope to this patient population.</p>
<p>Because of that, and because of the history with muscular dystrophy fundraising and awareness, there was advocacy for the approval of this drug on a level that is unprecedented. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this. You had people within the FDA saying they were receiving communications from Congress, letters and communications from patient advocates, from patients, from other interested parties. And sometimes those letters weren't so nice.</p>
<p>Harjes: Right. There was an advisory-committee meeting ... how these approvals work with the FDA is that first, you have an advisory committee that convenes, and they review the evidence and make a recommendation for or against approval. When the team was considering the evidence, they heard testimonial from patients. I think was actually one of the longest-ever patient testimonial periods, where these young boys that are suffering from this disease, and their parents, and their caregivers, were essentially pleading with the people from the FDA: "Please, approve this drug, there's no other option for these boys." As rare as the disease is, when you're looking it in the face, that pulls at you. I can understand that.</p>
<p>Campbell: Yeah. So, investors and everybody who's interested to know, what ended up happening is that Woodcock had wanted to approve the drug all along. Unger and some of the other people on the review committee were not convinced that the drug provided enough of a boost in dystrophin production to determine that it would produce a clinical benefit. Eventually, they went to an appeals board.</p>
<p>One of the things that's interesting about this story is that in May, the FDA was supposed to issue its final determination: go or no go. The advisory committee meeting, after hearing all of that testimony, still concluded on a 7-to-6 vote not to recommend early approval. Yet walking out of that meeting, Woodcock, within days, was already saying, "I'm going to approve this drug." So Unger went to an appeals board. The appeals process went through and looked at the science, evaluated the stories from both ends, and eventually submitted a memo on this entire subject to the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. So this went all the way up to the top.</p>
<p>Throughout the entire process, Unger maintains, and Woodcock doesn't dispute the fact, that she was involved very heavily, right from the get-go. And that process included various meetings with patients and advocates during a period of time where the committee was reviewing the science. So all along, there was this push and pull between the science and the very big unmet need. And I think what Woodcock was arguing was, "Listen, we can't just operate only on the science, because there's nothing that can be done to help these patients and prolong their lives as it stands today. If we have something that even offers them minimal chance of a benefit, that's safe and in trials" -- that was the one thing that everyone agreed on, this drug was safe -- "then we should approve it." And I think others at the agency took a different view, worrying that if they approved a drug that wasn't scientifically proven to have the clinical benefit, what kind of recommendations would they have to give in the future?</p>
<p>Harjes: Exactly. It definitely did show that the FDA has more flexibility than maybe you would have thought. One thing that Woodcock had mentioned that I definitely can't get behind is, apparently she was talking about Sarepta's need for capitalization. She noted that their stock price has reacted to different FDA actions. That, this is my own opinion here, I would say definitively should not be considered when you look at something like this. I mean, she's right, if Sarepta didn't get approval, they probably would have run out of money and wouldn't be able to deliver this drug. But that can't be considered. And indeed, an FDA spokeswoman did say that the FDA did not consider those factors in their final decision. But I think that does highlight that Woodcock was willing to go to some unprecedented levels to push for this drug's approval.</p>
<p>Campbell: Yeah. Kristine, I believe those comments were actually made during the review-board hearings. I don't think those comments were made during the evaluation of the science behind this drug. I think the point that Woodcock was trying to make, in fairness, was that we have to recognize that Sarepta is working on all sorts of other medicines that can treat these diseases that could work better, and if they were to go out of business, what would that mean for that science? It could end that science, and basically prohibit the development of a second-generation drug that conceivably works better.</p>
<p>If we just look at it from what could have gone differently, obviously, the drug could have worked better. If it was a slam-dunk approval, none of this would have happened. But the reality is, you had a 12-person trial that had all sorts of gaps in it as far as the validity of the trial results.</p>
<p>Harjes: For example, there was no control group.</p>
<p>Campbell: Yeah. Both Woodcock and Unger basically looked at it and said, "We don't know what we can trust out of this data." That's why, this past summer, they requested additional information from Sarepta, intro analysis of another trial that's going on right now and took a look at another 12 boys, trying to determine just how much dystrophin is being produced by taking this drug. They determined, after doing their own analysis, that is was a 0.3% improvement in dystrophin production. By any measures, that's tiny. I think the argument from Woodcock was, "Yeah, but it's an improvement." And the argument from Unger was, "We don't know without a shadow of a doubt that that level of improvement would result in a clinical benefit."</p>
<p>Harjes: Exactly. So, technically, what happened to you was an accelerated approval. What that means is that Sarepta is not off the hook just yet. They did get their green light, but they'll still have to provide more proof of efficacy as it becomes available. I would say that's a pretty good middle ground. They're not getting a go-ahead with no strings attached. But yet, this drug will become available, which is really important.</p>
<p>Campbell: Yeah. This is a very small treatment population. We're talking about 1 in 3,500 male births. I did the math on that, DMD therefore is occurring about 580 times new patients diagnosed per year. And of that, this drug only works in about 13% of them. So, every year, we're talking about 60 or so kids that this drug might be able to benefit. It's great that they're going to continue their research and the study. But as we just talked about previously, once you open these studies up to more and more patients, that does not necessarily mean that you're going to get the outcome you want.</p>
<p>Harjes: Exactly. So it's definitely still a case to watch going forward. Interestingly, Sarepta's other drugs could potentially work on a much broader portion of the DMD population. We're talking about up to 80% of these patients. So hopefully, for the sake of the patients and their families, Sarepta can continue to prove that their drugs do work, and validate their entire platform.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFAnchor/info.aspx" type="external">Kristine Harjes Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/EBCapitalMarkets/info.aspx" type="external">Todd Campbell Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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fdas approval sarepta therapeutics nasdaq srpt exondys 51 treatment duchenne muscular dystrophy far obvious decision raging debate within agency regarding drugs efficacy put director team reviewing exondys 51 odds agencys head drug evaluation clip motley fools industry focus healthcare opens new window podcast analyst kristine harjes joined contributor todd campbell dive soapoperastyle backstory continue reading full transcript follows video secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window podcast recorded sept 21 2016 kristine harjes sarepta investors went best times earlier week listeners remember company name may 4 episode company developing treatment rare devastating disease known duchenne muscular dystrophy dmd monday found got approval fda drug known eteplirsen go trade name exondys 51 advertisement todd campbell amazing intriguing story investors like soapopera backstories much involved review drug leading application almost look say theres two stories theres story wow first fdaapproved drug actually targets cause dmd theres second story fda stretch bar far lower bar low approving drug harjes right story involves pretty heated internal conflict fda people agency really pushing approval drug saying look stories patients taking tell look amazing drug must working people side saying wait second thats pulled emotions look clinical evidence admittedly little bit lacking campbell right much weight science fda versus unmet need dmd patients think core debate within agency one hand support drug head drug evaluation dr janet woodcock side head group within fda tasked reviewing data drug director group dr unger two woodcock unger different views subject science versus unmetneed issue harjes exactly really disagreeing whether increase protein known dystrophin surrogate endpoint trial whether necessarily implied clinical benefit dr woodcock said yes show increased levels dystrophin good chance patients clinical benefit whereas dr unger worried aside worry data also worried whether approving drug based limited data set would bad signal would send message fda pressured things like politics intimidation opposed strict science campbell yeah lets go back time second maybe spend little bit time talking dmd dystrophin dmd musclewasting disease ends happening patients cant produce adequate levels functional dystrophin protein used produce maintain muscle fiber time muscles weaken lose ability walk time reach teens sadly lose heart muscle function typically get 20s unfortunately tend succumb disease time 30s 40s extremely progressive lifeshortening disease nothing corticosteroids approved fda try offer hope patient population history muscular dystrophy fundraising awareness advocacy approval drug level unprecedented dont think ive ever seen anything like people within fda saying receiving communications congress letters communications patient advocates patients interested parties sometimes letters werent nice harjes right advisorycommittee meeting approvals work fda first advisory committee convenes review evidence make recommendation approval team considering evidence heard testimonial patients think actually one longestever patient testimonial periods young boys suffering disease parents caregivers essentially pleading people fda please approve drug theres option boys rare disease youre looking face pulls understand campbell yeah investors everybody whos interested know ended happening woodcock wanted approve drug along unger people review committee convinced drug provided enough boost dystrophin production determine would produce clinical benefit eventually went appeals board one things thats interesting story may fda supposed issue final determination go go advisory committee meeting hearing testimony still concluded 7to6 vote recommend early approval yet walking meeting woodcock within days already saying im going approve drug unger went appeals board appeals process went looked science evaluated stories ends eventually submitted memo entire subject commissioner food drug administration went way top throughout entire process unger maintains woodcock doesnt dispute fact involved heavily right getgo process included various meetings patients advocates period time committee reviewing science along push pull science big unmet need think woodcock arguing listen cant operate science theres nothing done help patients prolong lives stands today something even offers minimal chance benefit thats safe trials one thing everyone agreed drug safe approve think others agency took different view worrying approved drug wasnt scientifically proven clinical benefit kind recommendations would give future harjes exactly definitely show fda flexibility maybe would thought one thing woodcock mentioned definitely cant get behind apparently talking sareptas need capitalization noted stock price reacted different fda actions opinion would say definitively considered look something like mean shes right sarepta didnt get approval probably would run money wouldnt able deliver drug cant considered indeed fda spokeswoman say fda consider factors final decision think highlight woodcock willing go unprecedented levels push drugs approval campbell yeah kristine believe comments actually made reviewboard hearings dont think comments made evaluation science behind drug think point woodcock trying make fairness recognize sarepta working sorts medicines treat diseases could work better go business would mean science could end science basically prohibit development secondgeneration drug conceivably works better look could gone differently obviously drug could worked better slamdunk approval none would happened reality 12person trial sorts gaps far validity trial results harjes example control group campbell yeah woodcock unger basically looked said dont know trust data thats past summer requested additional information sarepta intro analysis another trial thats going right took look another 12 boys trying determine much dystrophin produced taking drug determined analysis 03 improvement dystrophin production measures thats tiny think argument woodcock yeah improvement argument unger dont know without shadow doubt level improvement would result clinical benefit harjes exactly technically happened accelerated approval means sarepta hook yet get green light theyll still provide proof efficacy becomes available would say thats pretty good middle ground theyre getting goahead strings attached yet drug become available really important campbell yeah small treatment population talking 1 3500 male births math dmd therefore occurring 580 times new patients diagnosed per year drug works 13 every year talking 60 kids drug might able benefit great theyre going continue research study talked previously open studies patients necessarily mean youre going get outcome want harjes exactly definitely still case watch going forward interestingly sareptas drugs could potentially work much broader portion dmd population talking 80 patients hopefully sake patients families sarepta continue prove drugs work validate entire platform kristine harjes opens new window position stocks mentioned todd campbell opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dick Gregory, the comedian and activist and who broke racial barriers in the 1960s and used his humor to spread messages of social justice and nutritional health, has died. He was 84.</p>
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<p>Gregory died late Saturday in Washington, D.C. after being hospitalized for about a week, his son Christian Gregory told The Associated Press. He had suffered a severe bacterial infection.</p>
<p>As one of the first black standup comedians to find success with white audiences, in the early 1960s, Gregory rose from an impoverished childhood in St. Louis to win a college track scholarship and become a celebrated satirist who deftly commented upon racial divisions at the dawn of the civil rights movement.</p>
<p>"Where else in the world but America," he joked, "could I have lived in the worst neighborhoods, attended the worst schools, rode in the back of the bus, and get paid $5,000 a week just for talking about it?"</p>
<p>Gregory's sharp commentary soon led him into civil rights activism, where his ability to woo audiences through humor helped bring national attention to fledgling efforts at integration and social equality for blacks.</p>
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<p>Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey tweeted, "Dick Gregory's unflinching honesty &amp; courage, inspired us to fight, live, laugh &amp; love despite it all." A tweet by actress/comedian Whoopi Goldberg said, "About being black in America Dick Gregory has passed away, Condolences to his family and to us who won't have his insight 2 lean on R.I.P"</p>
<p>Gregory briefly sought political office, running unsuccessfully for mayor of Chicago in 1966 and U.S. president in 1968, when he got 200,000 votes as the Peace and Freedom party candidate. In the late '60s, he befriended John Lennon and was among the voices heard on Lennon's anti-war anthem "Give Peace a Chance," recorded in the Montreal hotel room where Lennon and Yoko Ono were staging a "bed-in" for peace.</p>
<p>An admirer of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., Gregory embraced nonviolence and became a vegetarian and marathon runner.</p>
<p>He preached about the transformative powers of prayer and good health. Once an overweight smoker and drinker, he became a trim, energetic proponent of liquid meals and raw food diets. In the late 1980s, he developed and distributed products for the popular Slim-Safe Bahamian Diet.</p>
<p>When diagnosed with lymphoma in 2000, he fought it with herbs, exercise and vitamins. It went in remission a few years later.</p>
<p>He took a break from performing in comedy clubs, saying the alcohol and smoke in the clubs were unhealthy and focused on lecturing and writing more than a dozen books, including an autobiography and a memoir.</p>
<p>Gregory went without solid food for weeks to draw attention to a wide range of causes, including Middle East peace, American hostages in Iran, animal rights, police brutality, the Equal Rights Amendment for women and to support pop singer Michael Jackson when he was charged with sexual molestation in 2004.</p>
<p>"We thought I was going to be a great athlete, and we were wrong, and I thought I was going to be a great entertainer, and that wasn't it either. I'm going to be an American Citizen. First class," he once said.</p>
<p>Richard Claxton Gregory was born in 1932, the second of six children. His father abandoned the family, leaving his mother poor and struggling. Though the family often went without food or electricity, Gregory's intellect and hard work quickly earned him honors, and he attended the mostly white Southern Illinois University.</p>
<p>"In high school I was fighting being broke and on relief," he wrote in his 1963 book. "But in college, I was fighting being Negro."</p>
<p>He started winning talent contests for his comedy, which he continued in the Army. After he was discharged, he struggled to break into the standup circuit in Chicago, working odd jobs as a postal clerk and car washer to survive. His breakthrough came in 1961, when he was asked to fill in for another comedian at Chicago's Playboy Club. His audience, mostly white Southern businessmen, heckled him with racist gibes, but he stuck it out for hours and left them howling.</p>
<p>That job was supposed to be a one-night gig, but lasted two months -- and landed him a profile in Time magazine and a spot on "The Tonight Show."</p>
<p>Vogue magazine, in February 1962, likened him to Will Rogers and Fred Allen: "bright and funny and topical ... (with) a way of making the editorials in The New York Times seem the cinch stuff from which smash night-club routines are rightfully made." ''I've got to go up there as an individual first, a Negro second," he said in Phil Berger's book, "The Last Laugh: The World of Stand-up Comics." ''I've got to be a colored funny man, not a funny colored man."</p>
<p>His political passions were never far from his mind -- and they hurt his comedy career. The nation was grappling with the civil rights movement, and it was not at all clear that racial integration could be achieved. At protest marches, he was repeatedly beaten and jailed.</p>
<p>He remained active on the comedy scene until recently, when he fell ill and canceled an Aug. 9 show in San Jose, California, followed by an Aug. 15 appearance in Atlanta. On social media, he wrote that he felt energized by the messages from his well-wishers, and said he was looking to get back on stage because he had a lot to say about the racial tension brought on by the gathering of hate groups in Virginia.</p>
<p>"We have so much work still to be done, the ugly reality on the news this weekend proves just that," he wrote.</p>
<p>He is survived by his wife, Lillian, and 10 children.</p>
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los angeles ap dick gregory comedian activist broke racial barriers 1960s used humor spread messages social justice nutritional health died 84 continue reading gregory died late saturday washington dc hospitalized week son christian gregory told associated press suffered severe bacterial infection one first black standup comedians find success white audiences early 1960s gregory rose impoverished childhood st louis win college track scholarship become celebrated satirist deftly commented upon racial divisions dawn civil rights movement else world america joked could lived worst neighborhoods attended worst schools rode back bus get paid 5000 week talking gregorys sharp commentary soon led civil rights activism ability woo audiences humor helped bring national attention fledgling efforts integration social equality blacks advertisement democratic sen cory booker new jersey tweeted dick gregorys unflinching honesty amp courage inspired us fight live laugh amp love despite tweet actresscomedian whoopi goldberg said black america dick gregory passed away condolences family us wont insight 2 lean rip gregory briefly sought political office running unsuccessfully mayor chicago 1966 us president 1968 got 200000 votes peace freedom party candidate late 60s befriended john lennon among voices heard lennons antiwar anthem give peace chance recorded montreal hotel room lennon yoko ono staging bedin peace admirer gandhi martin luther king jr gregory embraced nonviolence became vegetarian marathon runner preached transformative powers prayer good health overweight smoker drinker became trim energetic proponent liquid meals raw food diets late 1980s developed distributed products popular slimsafe bahamian diet diagnosed lymphoma 2000 fought herbs exercise vitamins went remission years later took break performing comedy clubs saying alcohol smoke clubs unhealthy focused lecturing writing dozen books including autobiography memoir gregory went without solid food weeks draw attention wide range causes including middle east peace american hostages iran animal rights police brutality equal rights amendment women support pop singer michael jackson charged sexual molestation 2004 thought going great athlete wrong thought going great entertainer wasnt either im going american citizen first class said richard claxton gregory born 1932 second six children father abandoned family leaving mother poor struggling though family often went without food electricity gregorys intellect hard work quickly earned honors attended mostly white southern illinois university high school fighting broke relief wrote 1963 book college fighting negro started winning talent contests comedy continued army discharged struggled break standup circuit chicago working odd jobs postal clerk car washer survive breakthrough came 1961 asked fill another comedian chicagos playboy club audience mostly white southern businessmen heckled racist gibes stuck hours left howling job supposed onenight gig lasted two months landed profile time magazine spot tonight show vogue magazine february 1962 likened rogers fred allen bright funny topical way making editorials new york times seem cinch stuff smash nightclub routines rightfully made ive got go individual first negro second said phil bergers book last laugh world standup comics ive got colored funny man funny colored man political passions never far mind hurt comedy career nation grappling civil rights movement clear racial integration could achieved protest marches repeatedly beaten jailed remained active comedy scene recently fell ill canceled aug 9 show san jose california followed aug 15 appearance atlanta social media wrote felt energized messages wellwishers said looking get back stage lot say racial tension brought gathering hate groups virginia much work still done ugly reality news weekend proves wrote survived wife lillian 10 children
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<p />
<p>It takes decades of hard work and discipline to ensure a financially secure retirement, and it can all be taken away in an instant.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Thanks to the internet, financial fraud is on the rise, and many scammers are setting their sights on the elderly.</p>
<p>According to the Federal Trade Commission, an estimated 25.6 million adults--10.8% of the adult population--were fraud victims in 2011.</p>
<p>Marion Somers, elder care expert and founder of LivingSafer.TV, recently launched a campaign to raise awareness about elderly scams and shared the following tips to keep boomers and senior citizens’ hard-earn nest eggs safe. Here’s what she had to say:</p>
<p>Boomer: Who are these scammers, and why do they target older individuals?</p>
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<p>Somers: Boomers/seniors are often more vulnerable to fraud because they're more trusting and aren't always as informed about potential scams. At their age and stage of life, they are also perceived to be sitting on more money than younger people. Many live alone, which makes them a perfect target. Seniors also are sometimes reluctant to report a scam, whether they're embarrassed or worried that their friends or family will doubt their ability to live independently - so perpetrators think they're more likely to get away with it.</p>
<p>In many cases, the abusers are total strangers cold calling or sending emails in the hopes of hooking someone. But sometimes the scammers are people the victims know: friends or family members taking advantage of lonely, trusting seniors. In other cases, a scammer will befriend a senior and over time gain access to their trusted information and documents (also known as a "sweetheart" scam).</p>
<p>To avoid losing money:</p>
<p>•Never give out any personal information. This is not just about keeping your bank account or Social Security number private. You should also protect your health insurance and Medicare accounts.</p>
<p>Always get contracts/deals in writing. Whether it's a phone call asking for a charitable donation or offering a free product, or a repairman knocking on your door, always ask them to send you the information in writing. Then, do your homework to make sure they're legitimate.•Keep a watchful eye on your finances. Check your bank account, your retirement fund statements, even your frequent flyer mile accounts frequently. Make sure things are as they should be. Report anything that looks amiss.</p>
<p>•Educate yourself. There are many scams out there, and the best thing you can do is be aware of as many as possible.</p>
<p>It's also important for boomers who are caring for an aging parent to work closely with their loved ones and to talk about finances. This can happen to you, or to someone you love. Take care to notice if they're suddenly withdrawing large sums of money, making large donations or changing any legal documents without a discussion. Place notes on their phone and computer reminding them to keep personal information private.</p>
<p>Boomer: With the busiest shopping season of the year upon us, what additional steps should be taken to protect against scammers?</p>
<p>Somers: One of the worst scams that occurs during the holidays are related to charitable giving. This is a time of year when we're feeling generous--and scammers zero in on that giving spirit. In particular, financial predators often use major diseases to try and tug at your heartstrings, as many seniors will have experienced a loss of a friend of family member due to cancer or another common illness.</p>
<p>Again, the key is not to react on the spot. Take down information about the charity or organization, research it and only act if it is indeed legitimate. The same goes for what seems like a shopping deal that's too good to be true, or "free" products that a senior might think would make a great gift. Be skeptical, and take the time to look into it first.</p>
<p>Boomer: Home repair scams and “robo calls” seem to be on the rise. How do we stay safe?</p>
<p>Somers: Knowing that these scams exist is an important first step. For home repairs, never let someone into your home who knocks on your door unsolicited because they "noticed you MIGHT need some repairs." Always get an estimate in writing, then ask around to see if anyone has used the company. If you don't know anyone in the area, check in with your local senior center, community center or religious institution for a recommendation. It's also important to get a second opinion from a trusted source like the Better Business Bureau when evaluating a company or contractor.</p>
<p>When it comes to robo calls, the first thing I tell everyone to do is get caller ID! Hang up immediately on any automated calls, or don't even answer unfamiliar numbers. If it's a live person on the other end, ask them to mail you information. Never give them any personal information or agree to anything on the phone.</p>
<p>Boomer: What is the banking industry doing to protect boomers/seniors against fraud?</p>
<p>Somers: Some financial institutions are very good about alerting their customers about unusual activity or even putting a hold on certain transactions if they seem suspicious. But they could be doing even more.</p>
<p>The banking industry needs to understand that this is more of an epidemic than ever before. Our population is older than it ever has been, and scammers are getting more sophisticated every day. In fact, there's already a new wave of scams around the Affordable Care Act, offering to help seniors by sending them a new "Obamacare" card if they share their Medicare info over the phone.</p>
<p>Seniors lose billions of dollars each year to scams, so getting the banks to step it up even more in terms of educating seniors and their families and being extra vigilant about identifying warning signs, like when a new co-signer is added to an account or withdrawals are becoming more frequent or erratic in any way. Many seniors also still do their banking the old-fashioned way - in person - which means that bank personnel should be trained to be aware of potential red flags, and know who to contact if they suspect anything suspicious. Bank managers can even put a hold on case withdrawals, encouraging the use of checks for withdrawals instead, which creates a paper trail that can be easily tracked - and more easily noticed by a bank teller if things look off.</p>
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takes decades hard work discipline ensure financially secure retirement taken away instant continue reading thanks internet financial fraud rise many scammers setting sights elderly according federal trade commission estimated 256 million adults108 adult populationwere fraud victims 2011 marion somers elder care expert founder livingsafertv recently launched campaign raise awareness elderly scams shared following tips keep boomers senior citizens hardearn nest eggs safe heres say boomer scammers target older individuals advertisement somers boomersseniors often vulnerable fraud theyre trusting arent always informed potential scams age stage life also perceived sitting money younger people many live alone makes perfect target seniors also sometimes reluctant report scam whether theyre embarrassed worried friends family doubt ability live independently perpetrators think theyre likely get away many cases abusers total strangers cold calling sending emails hopes hooking someone sometimes scammers people victims know friends family members taking advantage lonely trusting seniors cases scammer befriend senior time gain access trusted information documents also known sweetheart scam avoid losing money never give personal information keeping bank account social security number private also protect health insurance medicare accounts always get contractsdeals writing whether phone call asking charitable donation offering free product repairman knocking door always ask send information writing homework make sure theyre legitimatekeep watchful eye finances check bank account retirement fund statements even frequent flyer mile accounts frequently make sure things report anything looks amiss educate many scams best thing aware many possible also important boomers caring aging parent work closely loved ones talk finances happen someone love take care notice theyre suddenly withdrawing large sums money making large donations changing legal documents without discussion place notes phone computer reminding keep personal information private boomer busiest shopping season year upon us additional steps taken protect scammers somers one worst scams occurs holidays related charitable giving time year feeling generousand scammers zero giving spirit particular financial predators often use major diseases try tug heartstrings many seniors experienced loss friend family member due cancer another common illness key react spot take information charity organization research act indeed legitimate goes seems like shopping deal thats good true free products senior might think would make great gift skeptical take time look first boomer home repair scams robo calls seem rise stay safe somers knowing scams exist important first step home repairs never let someone home knocks door unsolicited noticed might need repairs always get estimate writing ask around see anyone used company dont know anyone area check local senior center community center religious institution recommendation also important get second opinion trusted source like better business bureau evaluating company contractor comes robo calls first thing tell everyone get caller id hang immediately automated calls dont even answer unfamiliar numbers live person end ask mail information never give personal information agree anything phone boomer banking industry protect boomersseniors fraud somers financial institutions good alerting customers unusual activity even putting hold certain transactions seem suspicious could even banking industry needs understand epidemic ever population older ever scammers getting sophisticated every day fact theres already new wave scams around affordable care act offering help seniors sending new obamacare card share medicare info phone seniors lose billions dollars year scams getting banks step even terms educating seniors families extra vigilant identifying warning signs like new cosigner added account withdrawals becoming frequent erratic way many seniors also still banking oldfashioned way person means bank personnel trained aware potential red flags know contact suspect anything suspicious bank managers even put hold case withdrawals encouraging use checks withdrawals instead creates paper trail easily tracked easily noticed bank teller things look
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<p>Ever since fast food chain Burger King announced its desire to purchase Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons,&#160; <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeffrey-meyer/2014/08/26/cbs-plays-backlash-against-burger-king-s-move-canada-some-washington-" type="external">CBS&#160;</a>has done its best to&#160; <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/ken-shepherd/2014/08/25/noting-burger-king-merger-plans-cbss-mason-notes-democratic-opposition" type="external">play up</a>&#160;the supposed backlash the company will face as it moves its headquarters overseas to lower its tax burden.&#160;</p>
<p>On Wednesday morning, following the news that billionaire investor Warren Buffett is helping finance the merger,&#160;CBS This Morning&#160;made sure to hit Buffett from the left with&#160;fill-in anchor Anthony Mason going so far as to proclaim that “somebody once said Warren Buffett is a capitalist before he’s a patriot.”&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>The segment on Buffett featured an interview with&#160;Fortune&#160;magazine editor Alan Murray who conceded that “we've got a problem with our corporate tax code in the country. I think that's pretty widely agreed. You’ve seen a lot of these deals now where American companies are moving offshore largely to reduce their tax bill. I'm not sure that's the case in the Burger King deal.” &#160;</p>
<p>As the interview continued, Mason made sure to play up how there’s a “potential backlash here for Burger King, though, isn't there? I mean, their Facebook page has been inundated with people complaining that they’re leaving the country.” Unsurprisingly,&#160;Fortune’s editor agreed that Burger King will likely face a backlash from consumers:&#160;</p>
<p>Walgreens was in a similar situation and they backed off because they were afraid it would hurt their brand, it would hurt their customers in the U.S. I do think Burger King faces some exposure on that. We'll see how serious customers are about boycotting Burger King because of this move.</p>
<p>As the segment continued, co-host Gayle King did her best to hype the supposed “contradiction” in Buffett’s actions:&#160;</p>
<p>Is it a contradiction though do you think? I hear people saying Warren Buffett is a hypocrite because he’s been so outspoken about listen my secretary pays more taxes than I do, wealthy people should pay 38 percent. And now some people perceive that he's doing this deal so he can save money on his taxes.&#160;</p>
<p>Nowhere in the segment did the CBS anchors or their guest mention that lowering the U.S. corporate tax rate would encourage U.S. companies like Burger King to remain in America. Instead, when asked by Anthony Mason at the end of the interview what Washington could do to “stop these kind of deals” Alan Murray did his best to dance around the need to lower the corporate tax rate:&#160;</p>
<p>I covered the last big corporate tax reform. I won’t even put the date on it but it was a couple of decades ago. These are very big complicated things to do. We don't have a government in Washington that's capable of passing that kind of big complicated legislation.&#160;</p>
<p>See relevant transcript below.&#160;</p>
<p>CBS This Morning&#160;</p>
<p>August 27, 2014&#160;</p>
<p>GAYLE KING: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is facing criticism this morning for his role in the Burger King takeover of Tim Hortons. The fast food giant confirmed yesterday it’s buying the Canadian coffee and doughnut chain for $11 billion. Now this deal is being financed with $3 billion from Buffett’s company that’s Berkshire Hathaway.&#160;</p>
<p>ANTHONY MASON: As we’ve reported, the merger would allow Burger King to move its base to Canada where it could pay less in taxes. Fortune magazine took a close look at these types of deals in its July issue. Fortune editor Alan Murray is here. Good morning Alan.&#160;</p>
<p>ALAN MURRAY: Good to be here.&#160;</p>
<p>MASON: Let's start with Warren Buffett. Why is he interested in this deal?&#160;</p>
<p>MURRAY: Oh, he's worked with 3G, the private equity company before. He thinks they're good businesspeople and he thinks that they could make some money on this. So he's providing some financing to make it happen. It's an investment deal for Warren Buffett.&#160;</p>
<p>MASON: And as somebody once said Warren Buffett is a capitalist before he’s a patriot.&#160;</p>
<p>MURRAY: He is a capitalist first. There's no question about that.&#160;</p>
<p>GAYLE KING: So why’s he being criticized? For many people this makes good business sense.</p>
<p>MURRAY: Well look, we've got a problem with our corporate tax code in the country. I think that's pretty widely agreed. You’ve seen a lot of these deals now where American companies are moving offshore largely to reduce their tax bill. I'm not sure that's the case in the Burger King deal. There are other reasons to go. But it will reduce their tax bill. In other cases you have companies buying very small companies in Ireland with a much lower corporate tax rate. So there's a serious problem that needs to be addressed in Washington and this is another symptom of it.&#160;</p>
<p>MASON: There is a potential backlash here for Burger King, though, isn't there? I mean, their Facebook page has been inundated with people complaining that they’re leaving the country.&#160;</p>
<p>MURRAY: Look, Walgreens was in a similar situation and they backed off because they were afraid it would hurt their brand, it would hurt their customers in the U.S. I do think Burger King faces some exposure on that. We'll see how serious customers are about boycotting Burger King because of this move.</p>
<p>KING: Is it a contradiction though do you think? I hear people saying Warren Buffett is a hypocrite because he’s been so outspoken about listen my secretary pays more taxes than I do, wealthy people should pay 38 percent. And now some people perceive that he's doing this deal so he can save money on his taxes.&#160;</p>
<p>MURRAY: I'm not sure it's right to call him hypocritical. He also said many times he’s not going to pay a penny more in taxes than the law requires him to do and that’s exactly what's going on. This is a perfectly legal deal so that, you know, he's not violating the law. He’s helping--</p>
<p>KING: It's also interesting too that Burger King says look we're not moving we're just growing. This is ways to serve you better. Will this serve us better?</p>
<p>MURRAY: Whoa, whoa. But they are moving. Okay, they are moving.</p>
<p>MASON: Is there anything Washington can do to stop these kind of deals?&#160;</p>
<p>MURRAY: Oh yeah, absolutely. But you know, I covered the last big corporate tax reform. I won’t even put the date on it but it was a couple of decades ago. These are very big complicated things to do. We don't have a government in Washington that's capable of passing that kind of big complicated legislation.&#160;</p>
<p>MASON: There’s no consensus for it.&#160;</p>
<p>MURRAY: They can't make it happen.&#160;</p>
<p>MASON: Alright, Alan Murray thanks so much.&#160;</p>
<p>MURRAY: Good to be here.&#160;</p>
<p>— Jeffrey Meyer is a News Analyst at the Media Research Center. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JeffreyPMeyer" type="external">Follow Jeffrey Meyer on Twitter.</a></p>
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ever since fast food chain burger king announced desire purchase canadian coffee doughnut chain tim hortons160 cbs160has done best to160 play up160the supposed backlash company face moves headquarters overseas lower tax burden160 wednesday morning following news billionaire investor warren buffett helping finance merger160cbs morning160made sure hit buffett left with160fillin anchor anthony mason going far proclaim somebody said warren buffett capitalist hes patriot160 segment buffett featured interview with160fortune160magazine editor alan murray conceded weve got problem corporate tax code country think thats pretty widely agreed youve seen lot deals american companies moving offshore largely reduce tax bill im sure thats case burger king deal 160 interview continued mason made sure play theres potential backlash burger king though isnt mean facebook page inundated people complaining theyre leaving country unsurprisingly160fortunes editor agreed burger king likely face backlash consumers160 walgreens similar situation backed afraid would hurt brand would hurt customers us think burger king faces exposure well see serious customers boycotting burger king move segment continued cohost gayle king best hype supposed contradiction buffetts actions160 contradiction though think hear people saying warren buffett hypocrite hes outspoken listen secretary pays taxes wealthy people pay 38 percent people perceive hes deal save money taxes160 nowhere segment cbs anchors guest mention lowering us corporate tax rate would encourage us companies like burger king remain america instead asked anthony mason end interview washington could stop kind deals alan murray best dance around need lower corporate tax rate160 covered last big corporate tax reform wont even put date couple decades ago big complicated things dont government washington thats capable passing kind big complicated legislation160 see relevant transcript below160 cbs morning160 august 27 2014160 gayle king billionaire investor warren buffett facing criticism morning role burger king takeover tim hortons fast food giant confirmed yesterday buying canadian coffee doughnut chain 11 billion deal financed 3 billion buffetts company thats berkshire hathaway160 anthony mason weve reported merger would allow burger king move base canada could pay less taxes fortune magazine took close look types deals july issue fortune editor alan murray good morning alan160 alan murray good here160 mason lets start warren buffett interested deal160 murray oh hes worked 3g private equity company thinks theyre good businesspeople thinks could make money hes providing financing make happen investment deal warren buffett160 mason somebody said warren buffett capitalist hes patriot160 murray capitalist first theres question that160 gayle king whys criticized many people makes good business sense murray well look weve got problem corporate tax code country think thats pretty widely agreed youve seen lot deals american companies moving offshore largely reduce tax bill im sure thats case burger king deal reasons go reduce tax bill cases companies buying small companies ireland much lower corporate tax rate theres serious problem needs addressed washington another symptom it160 mason potential backlash burger king though isnt mean facebook page inundated people complaining theyre leaving country160 murray look walgreens similar situation backed afraid would hurt brand would hurt customers us think burger king faces exposure well see serious customers boycotting burger king move king contradiction though think hear people saying warren buffett hypocrite hes outspoken listen secretary pays taxes wealthy people pay 38 percent people perceive hes deal save money taxes160 murray im sure right call hypocritical also said many times hes going pay penny taxes law requires thats exactly whats going perfectly legal deal know hes violating law hes helping king also interesting burger king says look moving growing ways serve better serve us better murray whoa whoa moving okay moving mason anything washington stop kind deals160 murray oh yeah absolutely know covered last big corporate tax reform wont even put date couple decades ago big complicated things dont government washington thats capable passing kind big complicated legislation160 mason theres consensus it160 murray cant make happen160 mason alright alan murray thanks much160 murray good here160 jeffrey meyer news analyst media research center follow jeffrey meyer twitter
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<p>It hasn't been a completely smooth ride for Silicon Valley unicorn Hampton Creek, which has been embroiled in several controversies concerning its plant-based, vegan mayonnaise brand, Just Mayo. But if you thought that over a full year of silence was a sign that the end was nigh, then you'll need to reconsider.</p>
<p>Earlier this month, the company announced that it has been quietly working on its next big product portfolio: animal-free meat. It's real meat, too, not some plant-based go-between that vegans often have to justify. For this announcement the development timeline may be more surprising than the technology itself: CEO Josh Tetrick says Hampton Creek expects to launch its first animal-free meat products in 2018.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>While <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/06/1-high-growth-move-solazyme-needs-to-make-in-food.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=71eb6394-6d68-11e7-82e9-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">food tech start-ups Opens a New Window.</a> have been raking in funding, Hampton Creek is the largest to throw its hat into the ring for this upstart technology. That may create big opportunities for larger companies that individual investors can gain exposure to -- some of which may be in your portfolio today.</p>
<p>What is animal-free meat, exactly? Sometimes it goes by the nails-on-chalkboard monikers of "test tube meat" or "synthetic meat," but the entrepreneurs actually developing the technology are (thankfully) steering the discussion toward names such as "cultured meat" and "clean meat." The latter two are more accurate and consumer-friendly.</p>
<p>Why? Well, clean meat is grown not by raising and slaughtering livestock in factory farms but through tissue culture techniques. The process begins with stem cells from the animal whose meat is in demand -- whether cow, turkey, fish, or other -- and ends with an animal-free product that is identical in every way to food from traditional meat and protein production in taste, texture, and nutrition.</p>
<p>Well, not every way. It should be possible to produce healthier clean meat products compared to traditional meat products. Additionally, cultured meat production will look more similar to beer brewing than factory farming. That has the potential to eliminate antibiotic consumption, animal suffering, and overfishing. One study estimates it could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 96%, energy consumption by up to 45%, land use by 99%, and water consumption by 96% -- making clean meat a potentially powerful way to respond to climate change.</p>
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<p>Delivering on the environmental benefits -- <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/08/10/why-vegan-cow-free-dairy-milk-presents-a-major-pro.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=71eb6394-6d68-11e7-82e9-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">a key factor in consumer decisions in the last decade Opens a New Window.</a> -- will be crucial to the early success of animal-free products.</p>
<p>Developing the best product in the world doesn't mean much if you can't get it out to consumers. This is a key advantage that Hampton Creek owns over other, much smaller cultured meat start-ups. The company can leverage existing customer relationships with the likes of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) to quickly gain market share and change the conversation.</p>
<p>The unicorn could even play its two largest distribution partners against each other. The stakes certainly seem to be raised now that rival Amazon has swooped into the grocery game by acquiring Whole Foods. Wal-Mart and Amazon are already duking it out for retail and online shopping, but the former's entrance into organic food sales has long been cited as eating away at pricing power for Whole Foods in recent years. Now it's a two-front war.</p>
<p>Cultured meat could play heavily into the battle for organic food sales dominance. While products will be created with biotechnologies, that's not to be confused with genetic engineering -- which is unfortunately excluded from the USDA Organic label. Consumers can definitely expect Hampton Creek to exploit the environmental benefits of clean meat during future marketing campaigns, similar to organic food brands today.</p>
<p>Don't think it's likely? Whole Foods has seen same-store sales at stores open at least one year fall for seven consecutive quarters. While no one really knows what Amazon has in mind for the grocery chain, it may be willing to take risks to boost sales and margins. Innovative products such as organic clean meat certainly fit the bill. Wal-Mart <a href="http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/amazon-vs-walmart-one-will-prevail/" type="external">may be forced to follow Opens a New Window.</a>, and Hampton Creek may be the first brand to sell the ammunition both sides need.</p>
<p>Hampton Creek has a major fundraising advantage over other clean meat start-ups, having raked in $220 million from venture capitalists to date. But it will need considerably more to develop and launch a new clean meat product. CEO Josh Tetrick doesn't think it'll be a problem. In fact, he sees a huge opportunity for future funding: traditional meat producers.</p>
<p>That may be difficult to believe, but Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN), the world's largest meat processor, appears to be gearing up for an animal-free meat future. CEO Tom Hayes, who only came on in June 2016, led the creation of a Tyson Foods-owned VC fund dedicated to investing in start-ups creating substitutes to traditional meat products. In October, the company purchased a 5% stake in plant-based meat manufacturer Beyond Meat.</p>
<p>An investment in or partnership with Hampton Creek could be next. Tetrick didn't go into specifics in an <a href="https://qz.com/1015757/vegan-mayo-startup-hampton-creek-is-producing-lab-made-meat-and-it-wants-to-sell-in-walmart-wmt-and-whole-foods-wfm/" type="external">article that appeared in Quartz Opens a New Window.</a>, but he did hint that funding announcements could be coming before the end of the year:</p>
<p>In other words, investors may need to prepare themselves for a future where Tyson Foods is not only a major funder of animal-free meat but perhaps a leading producer.</p>
<p>It's important to note that much of the talk surrounding cultured meat can be filed away as hype rather than reality. There are many manufacturing hurdles that need to be overcome to make clean meat a reality and sell it at price consumers would be willing to pay. It should take many more years before any product in the field hits all of these checkpoints. But you can't fault Hampton Creek for pushing the envelope. And if Tyson Foods continues throwing its weight around, then you may see animal-free meat products at your local grocery store a few years earlier than expected.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than AmazonWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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hasnt completely smooth ride silicon valley unicorn hampton creek embroiled several controversies concerning plantbased vegan mayonnaise brand mayo thought full year silence sign end nigh youll need reconsider earlier month company announced quietly working next big product portfolio animalfree meat real meat plantbased gobetween vegans often justify announcement development timeline may surprising technology ceo josh tetrick says hampton creek expects launch first animalfree meat products 2018 continue reading food tech startups opens new window raking funding hampton creek largest throw hat ring upstart technology may create big opportunities larger companies individual investors gain exposure may portfolio today animalfree meat exactly sometimes goes nailsonchalkboard monikers test tube meat synthetic meat entrepreneurs actually developing technology thankfully steering discussion toward names cultured meat clean meat latter two accurate consumerfriendly well clean meat grown raising slaughtering livestock factory farms tissue culture techniques process begins stem cells animal whose meat demand whether cow turkey fish ends animalfree product identical every way food traditional meat protein production taste texture nutrition well every way possible produce healthier clean meat products compared traditional meat products additionally cultured meat production look similar beer brewing factory farming potential eliminate antibiotic consumption animal suffering overfishing one study estimates could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions 96 energy consumption 45 land use 99 water consumption 96 making clean meat potentially powerful way respond climate change advertisement delivering environmental benefits key factor consumer decisions last decade opens new window crucial early success animalfree products developing best product world doesnt mean much cant get consumers key advantage hampton creek owns much smaller cultured meat startups company leverage existing customer relationships likes walmart nyse wmt whole foods market nasdaq wfm quickly gain market share change conversation unicorn could even play two largest distribution partners stakes certainly seem raised rival amazon swooped grocery game acquiring whole foods walmart amazon already duking retail online shopping formers entrance organic food sales long cited eating away pricing power whole foods recent years twofront war cultured meat could play heavily battle organic food sales dominance products created biotechnologies thats confused genetic engineering unfortunately excluded usda organic label consumers definitely expect hampton creek exploit environmental benefits clean meat future marketing campaigns similar organic food brands today dont think likely whole foods seen samestore sales stores open least one year fall seven consecutive quarters one really knows amazon mind grocery chain may willing take risks boost sales margins innovative products organic clean meat certainly fit bill walmart may forced follow opens new window hampton creek may first brand sell ammunition sides need hampton creek major fundraising advantage clean meat startups raked 220 million venture capitalists date need considerably develop launch new clean meat product ceo josh tetrick doesnt think itll problem fact sees huge opportunity future funding traditional meat producers may difficult believe tyson foods nyse tsn worlds largest meat processor appears gearing animalfree meat future ceo tom hayes came june 2016 led creation tyson foodsowned vc fund dedicated investing startups creating substitutes traditional meat products october company purchased 5 stake plantbased meat manufacturer beyond meat investment partnership hampton creek could next tetrick didnt go specifics article appeared quartz opens new window hint funding announcements could coming end year words investors may need prepare future tyson foods major funder animalfree meat perhaps leading producer important note much talk surrounding cultured meat filed away hype rather reality many manufacturing hurdles need overcome make clean meat reality sell price consumers would willing pay take many years product field hits checkpoints cant fault hampton creek pushing envelope tyson foods continues throwing weight around may see animalfree meat products local grocery store years earlier expected 10 stocks like better amazonwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right amazon wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns july 6 2017 john mackey ceo whole foods market member motley fools board directors maxx chatsko opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends amazon whole foods market motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Dr. Melina Abdullah — a California State University professor who is also a founding member of Black Lives Matter (BLM) — has called on all allies to move their money to black-owned banks.</p>
<p>“Wells Fargo and Citibank…they’re putting the dollars that you give them in the institutions that keep us oppressed,” Abdullah said on Saturday. “If you’re not going to bank black, you are funding white supremacy.”</p>
<p>Her comments came during a Facebook Live panel sponsored by OneUnited Bank — the largest African-American-owned bank in the United States — whose partnership with Black Lives Matter has thrived throughout 2017.</p>
<p>Joining Abdullah as a featured guest was Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin — the Florida teen whose 2012 <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article135413214.html" type="external">shooting death</a> gave rise to the Black Lives Matter brand. Fulton is sometimes referred to as “the mother of the movement” by BLM activists.</p>
<p />
<p>The broadcast was part of a Juneteenth celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.</p>
<p>“We have to think about what our institutions are doing for us,” explained Abdullah, who went on the emphasize the necessity for black-owned banks and businesses to coalesce with Black Lives Matter in working toward visions that benefit the African-American community.</p>
<p>“We’re going to put our dollars with OneUnited because we know OneUnited is going to help us develop a reparations fund for our people,” Abdullah cited as an example. “We know OneUnited is going to help fund the movements that are going to help us get free.”</p>
<p>Panelists promoted a #WeOut hashtag, signifying “a collective show of economic force” that black people might actuate if they transfer their accounts to black-owned banks like OneUnited, despite its history of questionable dealings.</p>
<p>Several years before Black Lives Matter came into existence, OneUnited had already garnered a <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38575419/ns/business-us_business/t/bank-maxine-waters-case-was-weakest-get-tarp-help/" type="external">reputation</a> for engaging “in unsafe or unsound banking practices and violations of law.”</p>
<p>The bank became the focus of a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/us/politics/13waters.html" type="external">House ethics probe</a> after receiving a $12 million bailout from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) — which was supposed to help “healthy institutions” recover from the 2008 economic crisis. As the New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/us/politics/13waters.html" type="external">reported</a>, “the aid surprised some bank analysts because OneUnited was then considered to be in precarious financial shape.” One <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38575419/ns/business-us_business/t/bank-maxine-waters-case-was-weakest-get-tarp-help/" type="external">study</a> published by NBC News concluded that the bank “was the weakest” of the <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-banks-that-arent-repaying-tarp" type="external">more than 700</a> financial institutions that received TARP money.</p>
<p>During the investigation, federal banking regulators <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/us/politics/13waters.html" type="external">discovered</a> Rep. Maxine Waters’s husband once sat on the bank’s board of directors, which raised concerns over her family’s financial ties to the institution. The board had approved footing the bill for a lavish lifestyle for Kevin L. Cohee, OneUnited’s CEO, which <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/kevin-cohee-sodomy-cocaine-drugs-corruption-oneunited-2010-8" type="external">included</a> financing a Porsche, a Jaguar, a luxury <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/11/AR2010081105561.html" type="external">condo</a> in South Florida, and a <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/12/business/la-fi-bank-waters-20100812" type="external">$26,500 monthly lease</a> for a beach house in Santa Monica, California.</p>
<p>As the Los Angeles Times <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/12/business/la-fi-bank-waters-20100812" type="external">reported</a>:</p>
<p>Cohee’s high-flying perks came despite having been charged in 2007 with felonies after his arrest by the Santa Monica Police Department on suspicion of possessing cocaine, crack cocaine and concentrated cannabis, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. The case was dismissed the next year after Cohee completed a drug diversion program.</p>
<p>More than eight years after OneUnited received its controversial TARP bailout, Cohee remains as the bank’s CEO. Last December, he met with organizers from Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles (BLM-LA). After the meeting, it was foreshadowed that “big things” were in the works.</p>
<p />
<p>(Organizers from Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles, including Funmilola Fagbamila and Melina Abdullah, met with OneUnited Bank CEO Kevin L. Cohee in December 2016)</p>
<p>By mid-February, OneUnited <a href="https://www.oneunited.com/introducing-the-amir-card/" type="external">announced</a> it had teamed up with Black Lives Matter to launch a debit card and “organize Black America’s spending power.” It was a Black History Month promotion in which approved applicants would be able to use the card to fund Black Lives Matter efforts.</p>
<p />
<p>The following month Black Lives Matter partnered with the bank again, establishing a $10,000 trust fund for the son of <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-woman-died-lapd-jail-20160405-story.html" type="external">Wakeisha Wilson</a> — a woman who died in police custody last March after she was found hanging from her cell in a Los Angeles jail. Since her death, Wilson’s family has been closely <a href="http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20160920/mother-claims-foul-play-in-lapd-jail-death-seeks-35-million" type="external">aligned</a> with BLM-LA. <a href="https://www.oneunited.com/oneunited-bank-joins-with-blacklivesmatter-to-establish-a-trust-for-the-child-of-wakiesha-wilson-with-a-10000-gift/" type="external">According</a> to a OneUnited statement, “the establishment of this gift, on the one year anniversary of Ms. Wilson’s passing, is another way in which the organizations are working together.”</p>
<p>Four days later, the Washington Post published an <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/move-your-money-move-society/2017/03/31/68cb95c8-036d-11e7-b9fa-ed727b644a0b_story.html" type="external">article</a> titled, “Move Your Money, Move Society?” The story featured a man named Greg Akili who had been encouraging the black community in Los Angeles to open bank accounts at OneUnited and apply for its debit card.</p>
<p>However, the article never mentioned that <a href="http://www.jasmyneacannick.com/black-lives-matter-activist-sues-after-arrest-during-l-a-police-commission/" type="external">Mr. Akili is an activist with BLM-LA</a>. In fact, Akili was a featured mentor at the chapter’s <a href="" type="internal">“Youth Activist Camp”</a> last week.</p>
<p>As the Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/move-your-money-move-society/2017/03/31/68cb95c8-036d-11e7-b9fa-ed727b644a0b_story.html" type="external">reported</a>:</p>
<p>After 30 years of banking with Wells Fargo, Akili made the switch to OneUnited in February, the same month the bank announced a partnership with Black Lives Matter and debuted its debit card depicting the youth in the hoodie.</p>
<p>OneUnited anticipates its collaboration with Black Lives Matter will benefit both entities mutually.</p>
<p>The president of OneUnited, Teri Williams, who is married to Cohee, said the bank wants help Black Lives Matter obtain financial assistance. As she <a href="http://www.theroot.com/oneunited-bank-black-lives-matter-team-up-to-organize-1792104750" type="external">told</a> The Root, “we’re going to ensure that we’re successful in getting them support.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, taxpayers <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/financial-stability/reports/Documents/2017.05%20May%20Monthly%20Report%20to%20Congress.pdf" type="external">remain</a> on the hook for the $12 million TARP bailout that OneUnited hasn’t repaid.</p>
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dr melina abdullah california state university professor also founding member black lives matter blm called allies move money blackowned banks wells fargo citibanktheyre putting dollars give institutions keep us oppressed abdullah said saturday youre going bank black funding white supremacy comments came facebook live panel sponsored oneunited bank largest africanamericanowned bank united states whose partnership black lives matter thrived throughout 2017 joining abdullah featured guest sybrina fulton mother trayvon martin florida teen whose 2012 shooting death gave rise black lives matter brand fulton sometimes referred mother movement blm activists broadcast part juneteenth celebration commemorating end slavery united states think institutions us explained abdullah went emphasize necessity blackowned banks businesses coalesce black lives matter working toward visions benefit africanamerican community going put dollars oneunited know oneunited going help us develop reparations fund people abdullah cited example know oneunited going help fund movements going help us get free panelists promoted weout hashtag signifying collective show economic force black people might actuate transfer accounts blackowned banks like oneunited despite history questionable dealings several years black lives matter came existence oneunited already garnered reputation engaging unsafe unsound banking practices violations law bank became focus house ethics probe receiving 12 million bailout troubled asset relief program tarp supposed help healthy institutions recover 2008 economic crisis new york times reported aid surprised bank analysts oneunited considered precarious financial shape one study published nbc news concluded bank weakest 700 financial institutions received tarp money investigation federal banking regulators discovered rep maxine waterss husband sat banks board directors raised concerns familys financial ties institution board approved footing bill lavish lifestyle kevin l cohee oneuniteds ceo included financing porsche jaguar luxury condo south florida 26500 monthly lease beach house santa monica california los angeles times reported cohees highflying perks came despite charged 2007 felonies arrest santa monica police department suspicion possessing cocaine crack cocaine concentrated cannabis according los angeles county district attorneys office case dismissed next year cohee completed drug diversion program eight years oneunited received controversial tarp bailout cohee remains banks ceo last december met organizers black lives matterlos angeles blmla meeting foreshadowed big things works organizers black lives matterlos angeles including funmilola fagbamila melina abdullah met oneunited bank ceo kevin l cohee december 2016 midfebruary oneunited announced teamed black lives matter launch debit card organize black americas spending power black history month promotion approved applicants would able use card fund black lives matter efforts following month black lives matter partnered bank establishing 10000 trust fund son wakeisha wilson woman died police custody last march found hanging cell los angeles jail since death wilsons family closely aligned blmla according oneunited statement establishment gift one year anniversary ms wilsons passing another way organizations working together four days later washington post published article titled move money move society story featured man named greg akili encouraging black community los angeles open bank accounts oneunited apply debit card however article never mentioned mr akili activist blmla fact akili featured mentor chapters youth activist camp last week washington post reported 30 years banking wells fargo akili made switch oneunited february month bank announced partnership black lives matter debuted debit card depicting youth hoodie oneunited anticipates collaboration black lives matter benefit entities mutually president oneunited teri williams married cohee said bank wants help black lives matter obtain financial assistance told root going ensure successful getting support meanwhile taxpayers remain hook 12 million tarp bailout oneunited hasnt repaid
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<p />
<p>Fast Forward is a video interview series where we have conversations about living in the future. Today my guest is SAP's <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveSSingh" type="external">Steve Singh Opens a New Window.</a>, who talks AI, automation, and the future of travel technology. I wanted Steve on the show because he is one of the most successful technology executives out there. He was at the very birth of the Internet. He founded <a href="https://www.concur.com/" type="external">Concur Opens a New Window.</a>in 1993 and sold it to SAP two years ago for $8.3 billion. Let's jump in.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Dan Costa: I want to get to your job titles, and I say titles because you have more than one. President of Business Networks and Applications for SAP, Executive Board Member of SAP SE, and the CEO and Chairman of Concur Technologies.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: That was part of my signing onto SAP, is I wanted a lot of titles.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: Hopefully you get three salaries as well.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: That part didn't work out.</p>
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<p>Dan Costa: There's still time. I think you did okay. Let's talk about Concur. This is a company you founded in 1993. I did some research. In 1993, that was when I was on AOL. AOL had just opened up the Internet for mainstream users through the birth of the modern Internet, and you were starting a technology travel company.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: It's interesting, Dan. When we started Concur, the idea of the Internet, you're right, was just coming into being. To be fair, our first version of Concur wasn't even a client/server product. It was actually a shrink-wrapped piece of software that was really designed to solve a problem that I had. The previous company I was at ... I started a little company and we ended up getting acquired by Symantec, and I was on the road for nine months, and so as a part of that acquisition, the CFO of Symantec said, "Hey look, you've got til the end of the week to file your expenses."</p>
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<p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-with-dan-costa/id1194765401?mt=2" type="external">Subscribe to Fast Forward on iTunes Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>I was stressed because I had about $150,000 of expenses outstanding, and so I went to Egghead, looked for some software, and there was nothing. So I'm filling out these Avery forms, and after that I decided: "Okay, this is a great opportunity to go automate a business process." But we did it with shrink-wrapped software, and then there was a transformation into client/server and then another transformation into cloud .</p>
<p>Dan Costa: So that simple process of encountering a problem and then creating a technical solution for it, sort of what you've been doing for the last 20 years.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah, I kind of feel like I've stumbled through parts of my life. Look, you think about most innovation, it happens because there's a need to solve a problem, and then if you're passionate about solving that problem and if you're passionate about creating something that's sustainable then a lot of good things happen.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: So, expense reports. People still hate doing their expense reports. It's never a fun process but how has it changed? How has it changed from when you started to now?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Maybe I'll just give you my impression not only of that era but where I think it's going. Back when we started Concur, expense reports were all paper-based and they were totally disconnected from the travel process, right? So for me, I've never taken a business trip for which there wasn't an expense report, yet when you booked travel back in '93, it was a, you pick up the phone and call your travel agent. Today obviously that world has changed, and so what we think is going to happen is over time, the very concept of an expense report will go away. It'll all happen invisibly behind the scenes.</p>
<p>Think about payroll. We don't interact with our payroll system. Really happy that we get a check every couple of weeks, but the reality is, the check's automatically deposited in your bank, and I think the same process will happen to expense reporting. In fact, I would argue that two or three years from now, you'll not only see integrated travel and expense, I think you're going to see a digital version of credit. What will happen is that you'll see credit cards, corporate cards that are actually integrated into your budget. You'll be able to swipe on a card and say, "Hey, look, I want to file this transaction as related to my New York trip." And as you swipe the card it automatically goes into the expense report, automatically gets paid and process, so you literally do nothing but take your trip.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: The problem with expense reports, at least in our company, is that everything needs to be approved by a manager, and those sign-offs become almost inconsequential because you're doing so many of them all the time.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah, and so that's why it's just got to get integrated into how you work. In fact, I think that there's a fundamental shift in the world around this concept that we call beyond boundaries, or business beyond boundaries, that basically says, "Look, the technology should shift and morph into how you work, not the other way around." Too much of the technology being delivered today is a set of services that you have to go conform to, and the reality is that it's a stepping stone to where I think the world will move.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: A lot of these services, some of the best services, work really without your input.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Absolutely.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: You don't need to see how the back end is working, you just have a need and then the service fills it.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Maybe very broadly, you saw the shift from mainframe computing to client/server and then naturally to cloud. I think there's a next wave coming, and that's the shift to micro services. I realize that's a kind of well, for your audience it's perfect, but it's a very technical way of looking at the world.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: We should explain what a micro service is. How is that different?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: I think that the applications themselves are going to start to decompose. You started off ... SAP, it was the leader in enterprise software. They delivered this big, gigantic, monolithic application that ran every part of your company. The reality is, as you move to cloud, these applications start to decompose into their component parts, and the reason they decomposed is that the individual or the customer say, "Look, I want better experiences in every part of this ... My business application," and so the whole reason why Concur exists, is because as cloud computing started to decompose these apps, we had a chance to come in and say, "We can deliver such incredible value here that you'll pay to automate expense reporting because it's just 10 times better than what you could do before." Now you're starting to see those apps even decompose further.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806,2511440,00.asp" type="external">Opens a New Window.</a>For example, when you and I decided, hey, look, let's get together, there was an email that was sent from your office to mine, and in responding back to that, all I did is, in Microsoft Office. I literally responded back saying, "Hey, you know, love to see you, look forward to seeing you on Friday." Because of the work we're doing with Microsoft, that email picks up the fact that I'm traveling to New York, it automatically says, "You know what? I'm going to go ahead and book your travel," and it calls services within Concur to book that travel, so I don't actually as a user I don't go into Concur and use it, but the email itself understands that there's a travel piece that is needed here. It'll call the right service to book that travel, and that's what I mean by micro services.</p>
<p>All the applications will be broken into their component parts and those parts will be used whenever it's appropriate.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: And it relies on an open system.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: So, there used to be a model where you were a SAP business. You were big enough to bring in SAP and they would run your accounting, your payroll, your expenses, all these different things, and now it's, "You know what? We're just going to use this for expense reporting, we're going to use this for accounting, we're going to use this for payroll and it's all going to work together."</p>
<p>Steve Singh: And the reality is that customers, whether you're talking about individuals or companies, are demanding that, look, you want your systems to be open. You want to be able to innovate on top of those environments, and that demand is what will drive the shift to open systems. But part of this is also that, look, there's no way one company can solve all of these programs. As much as I love SAP and I think it's got a tremendous opportunity to dominate in the enterprise market, even with 84,000 people we can't innovate at the level that our customers want, and so what do you do? Well, you open up the platform and allow everybody in the world to say, "I can add value on top of that platform."</p>
<p>Dan Costa: So, 21 years after you founded Concur, you sold it to SAP for 8.3 billion. You stayed on with SAP. I'm sure you did pretty well in that transaction, but you stayed with SAP and it sounds like you're enjoying yourself.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: I am. At Concur, it was never about anything but I loved what I did, and I loved the people I worked with. I felt like I was solving a problem that was worthwhile solving, and SAP is a little bit of the same. The reality is, I took 5,000 people with me from Concur into SAP. They're my friends and in many ways like family to me, but I'm also learning a ton at SAP. Managing a 5,000 person company, while challenging and interesting, is very different than being a part of the management team of an 84,000 person company, and so I'm learning skills that are new, and as long as it's fun I'm going to enjoy it.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: And your portfolio's diversified a little bit too. You're getting involved in the healthcare space now.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah. I happen to run a group called Business Networks and Applications. It includes Concur, Ariba, Fieldglass, SuccessFactors, our SAP health platform, and also our business data network, so a lot of very diverse and interesting parts of it.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: You used the phrase earlier, business without borders, I just want to ... When people hear that they think, "Oh, he's talking about globalization," but it's different. It's more than that.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Globalization is a part of it but the reality is that what we mean by business beyond boundaries is that just the nature of how we work changes the way technology has to actually be delivered, and so I think that that example of the emails is an interesting one. I don't want to go into applications to do my work. I want the application to figure out what I want to do and go do that for me.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: It's funny. If you count up how many applications we used just to set up this interview, it was Microsoft Office, it was Google Docs, it was Calendar, Concur wrapped into it, and none of that was intentional.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: No, and so as technologists, if we do our jobs right, the reality is these applications start to act on data and they start to take actions on your behalf, so think about what's happening with IOT. Sensors are being built into everything in the world. Those sensors gather data and they ought to be able to take action, so really simple example. If you're Rio Tinto and you've got big, heavy equipment sitting in remote parts of the world, just imagine just replacing a tire on one of these big tractors. These tires are gargantuan tires. The replacement cost is not the issue. It's when you replace it, how do you get that replacement tire to that remote location?</p>
<p>So what's happening is these sensors are being built into tires, and they're sending information and saying, "Hey, you know what? I've got three months of life left in the tire," and so it's integrated into the Ariba supply chain. Ariba's saying, "Hey, you know what, Rio Tinto, I'm going to ship a tire to you because three months from now you're going to need it," so the applications are starting to use information and take actions on your behalf, and that's where the world has to go.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: Yeah, well, I think that's a nice logical turn to automation. I'm going to read you something that you've written. Hopefully you still stand by it. "As we move forward in today's digital economy, every single business process that can be automated will be automated. Every single process that can be connected will be connected, and when you connect those processes with intelligence, with an awareness of context, systems can start to work on your behalf in amazing ways." Is there where we are right now, where we've got the automation and now we're starting to add the intelligence?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah, I think that's exactly where we're going. Look, it's going to have massive benefit for business, but it's also going to have massive impact on our workforce. It'll have a huge social impact in the world. When you think about what happens with AI being integrated into technology, there are huge chunks of ... Let's just take finance and accounting. There are huge chunks of the finance and accounting function that can be done without the human being involved. So the role of each individual in finance and accounting is going to change massively over the next, I'd say, five to 10 years.</p>
<p>So when you think about the shifts in jobs that's happening in our economy, the jobs are not being lost to outsourcing to other parts of the world, they're being lost to automation, and unfortunately there's massive benefit to automation and business will always try to be more and more efficient, so the question is that as that shift continues, what do we do as a society to ensure that there's an incredible opportunity for people.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: I heard the example today that Ford was going to keep a plant in the United States that was a seven hundred million dollar investment. There are going to be 700 jobs there, and 10 years ago there would have been 7,000 jobs, and 30 years ago there would have been even more than that, and it's just something that's not factored into our conversation.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Naturally. You look at even self-driving cars, right? Even though we're not there today, look, in 10 years will we be there? Probably. Think about, just in our country, the number of people who make a living in taxis or in town cars or whatever it might be. That's going to change, so we have to as a society thinks about what's that impact and how do we help train every member of our community to do more and more valuable parts of work.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: We know that ... We've talked about drivers being replaced. We've talked about mid-level accounting people being replaced. When does this start to become real for the American people? When do they start to actually appreciate it and say, "Okay, we need to take action here."</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Now we're getting a little bit more into the philosophical part of life, but I think one of the things that we can do a lot better job at in our country is massive investment in education. The way to prosperity is through education. I say this because, look, I was born in literally a mud house in a tiny village in India. The reason why I'm sitting here is because my father knew that his only chance at life was to have a great education and go seek opportunities in parts of the world where they existed. As the core functions of society become automated, the only way for individuals to thrive is to drive an investment in education that gives them a chance to do more valuable things.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: So, are you bullish on the fact that if we did raise education levels and we went to school longer and we got more specific training ... We've talked about even programming itself. Everybody said programming used to be this thing that, as long as you could program you'd always have a job. Programming has been automated now.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah, but there will be higher and higher value functions within programming, right? We're not anywhere near done in that space. In fact, I think that we ought to be investing in STEM education all the way down to the kindergarten level. In fact, one of the things that came out of the SAP acquisition at Concur is that I had a chance to put together a small foundation. The foundation invests entirely in education, and for us, we're focusing more on girls' education but across the board in education, and so driving programming or coding classes into schools. In my view, is an excellent opportunity to give that next generation of our citizens an opportunity.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: Artificial intelligence also plays into it. We talked about automation, but AI and machine learning is also driving a lot of these forces. Have you seen anything that you've been particularly impressed by, like this is an amazing development and it's here today?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: I still think we're in the early stages of this, but you're starting to see examples of where machine learning and artificial intelligence are improving the quality of the application. I think Google does an amazing job in this area. I think that SAP, while we do amazing work here, it hasn't yet touched the customer, but in the next two or three years, you're going to see that happen. So literally, our finance applications Concur, will have a set of AI built into it that will wipe out even some of the entry of expensive ports, so they're starting to show up but I still think we're two to five years away.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: That's not that long, though.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: No.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: You should be planning for that. We should all be planning for that now.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah, and look at ... You and I, as we've grown up through this industry, we've seen sea changes in the industry, but look at a company like Netflix, right? It's gone through two transformations in its 20-year history. It started off really as a DVD rental company, but today it's producing its own content, so twice in its history, it's transformed itself, and I think that rate of change is just accelerating, and so two to five years, that's nothing. You're going to see massive, massive changes.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: Yeah. Netflix went from a disk company that would mail a product that relied on US mail to a streaming company, and then pivoted again to become a content company, and all the while charging seven to ten dollars a month.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: And by the way, a lot of the stuff that Netflix delivers is based on technology that someone else built, so it's sitting on top of AWS, but a lot of the micro-services that AWS delivers is driving Netflix. In fact, it's interesting. As much as AWS supports the success of Netflix, it's also using the same technology to deliver its own content, and so, in fact, Amazon Studios, right? It didn't exist 10 years ago, but at the last Golden Globes, it had 11, 12 entries.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: And it's amazing if you look at how much money they're pumping into content production, it's more than the studios are, and Netflix's pipeline ... They've got a billion dollars worth of content in the pipeline that hasn't even shown yet.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: This is the kind of transformational opportunity that exists by taking technology, driving down to its component parts and making these services available to anybody in the world. What you're going to see is how those services come together and the products are being delivered could be way beyond anything we imagined, and in my view, that's the fun part of the opportunity in the next 10 years, but it's also massive change. You look at just the music or movie industry, how much that's changed. It's just the beginning of change. The idea that talent can create its own content and distribute it and monetize it will forever change.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: You've said if you ever left Concur, and now part of SAP, you might take a stab at running an alternative energy company. What particular segment, and would you be doing that for profit or for altruistic reasons?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: As I've gotten older I've realized I don't have enough experience to do that. I think that alternative energy is an area that we have to invest in for lots of reasons, not the least of which is it's a requirement, given how much we consume, from an energy perspective, that we have to find ways to actually consume it in a ... Not just in a better for our environment, but frankly in a renewable model. Look, I still would love to do something of that nature, but I'm also happy to invest in companies that do that. I think what Tesla's doing with battery technology is amazing, and frankly that's the first part of the problem to solve.</p>
<p>Even if we could have a solar based set of power services, you still have to be able to store that energy, and so that problem is an important problem to solve.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: That's the thing that, when we talk about alternative energy sources, it's one thing to talk about moving to solar from oil, but you need all the infrastructure to support. Moving this energy around, storing it, it's the battery problem Tesla's made great cars , but they're also working on building the infrastructure so that you can recharge in various locations.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah. In fact, we run a small charity in India. It's a girls school and it's a remote village, and so power is not something you can always rely on, and so we actally bought the Tesla power wall. It's being installed right now in that school. One of the great things about that village is it gets plenty of sunshine, so we've got solar panels that are charging that battery. Our hope is that once that's done, you'll be able to run the school with constant stream of power all day long, where today, it's normal to see every five or six hours, the power just shut down for another five or six hours.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: I think that's an interesting perspective too because, in the US, we tend to think of ourselves and look at what's happened in the United States and the effect of technology on the economy. But when you step back and look at the standard living globally, a billion people have left poverty in the last ten years. That's incredible.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah. There are so many areas we could go with that, right? Most of the human population doesn't live at the levels that we live at. To be fair, there's another part of this. Half the human population really doesn't have the same opportunity that the other half does. If you think about the opportunity for women, it starts with an investment in education, and from there the chance to engage across the workforce. These are things that you and I have enjoyed for our entire lives.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: One of the things as we were talking, we talked a lot about Concur and how you founded that company. Before that, you were an employee at Apple Computer.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: What was that like?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: First of all, it was random luck that I got to be a part of Apple. I happened to be sitting in a bar and chatting with a guy that worked there, and he was working on a complex problem-</p>
<p>Dan Costa: It's a little harder to get a job at Apple now.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah, yeah, and I happened to be programming at the University of Michigan on a Visa, and he said, "Hey, look, why don't you come on out and meet the team," and it led to a job at Apple. This was back when Steve Jobs was running the company. Very different era.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: The first time.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: First time, yeah, but I was totally blown away by the innovation that they were driving and how forward thinking the company was even back then. So, look, a lot of life is happenstance and I happened to run into an incredible individual that gave me a chance at a great life.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: So, Concur has worked out pretty well for you, but have you ever thought about what would have happened if you stayed at Apple and you spent 23 years working at Apple?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah. I had an entrepreneurial bug that was there even in the Apple days, and for me, there's never going to be a time where I don't want to create new things, and so that's part of what gets me charged up. That's part of what I feel like I can add value to, so I love the path that I've been able to take, been fortunate enough to take.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: So, let's get to my closing questions. What are you most concerned about regarding technological development in the future? What keeps you up at night? What do you think is a big problem we should be addressing, and we're not?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: I think the bigger problem is the impact of technology on society. From a jobs perspective, certainly, and I think we as a society have to think about, as automation drives jobs out, what do we do to help our citizens continue to thrive? I believe that this is an area that public policy has been to focus on really. I think today perhaps we're not as focused on it as we should be, and I do not concern myself with democrats or republicans. I believe that the reality is this is an area that we as a country have to go spend time on, and there are basic services that we need to deliver. It's education, it's healthcare, and frankly just core opportunity for every member of our society.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: On the flip side, what are you most optimistic about, and this could be a broader technological trend, or it could be a new gadget that you just brought home and you're like, "This changed my life and I can't live without it."</p>
<p>Steve Singh: I'm an investor in a company called Center ID, and I love what they're doing. They're creating a digital credit card that has budgeting software that comes with it. It's an opportunity to change the corporate credit card market, and so on a more microscopic basis I'm excited about that, but look, broadly I think technologically, as much as it has potential negative impact on society also has a massive positive impact, right?</p>
<p>Think about what technology can drive into the healthcare arena. If you think about cancer treatments today, the vast majority of cancer treatment, in fact, all of it, is based on an average that every demographic is an average white man, age 55, right?</p>
<p>Dan Costa: Because all the studies were done on that demographic group of patients.</p>
<p>Steve Singh: Yeah, so if I'm unfortunate enough to have that problem, I've got some issues I have to deal with outside of cancer. I think as we bring technology to bear on what are fundamentally disparate data sets, I believe that we can drive a level of personalization in medicine that will radically improve the quality of health, and so there's tons and tons of benefit from technology that I'm actually very excited about.</p>
<p>Dan Costa: Now how can people find you online, follow what SAP's doing, get in touch with you?</p>
<p>Steve Singh: My Twitter address is @ <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveSSingh" type="external">stevessingh Opens a New Window.</a>, and obviously <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-singh-2ab84a52/" type="external">LinkedIn Opens a New Window.</a> as well, and look, any opportunity to engage with individuals around what we can do as partners or as a society, I'd love to.</p>
<p>For more Fast Forward with Dan Costa, subscribe to the podcast. On iOS, download <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/podcasts/id525463029?mt=8" type="external">Apple's Podcasts app Opens a New Window.</a>, search for "Fast Forward" and subscribe. On Android, download the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stitcher.app&amp;hl=en" type="external">Stitcher Radio for Podcasts app Opens a New Window.</a> via Google Play. For those without a mobile device, listen via the audio file below.</p>
<p>This article <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/351723/fast-forward-saps-steve-singh-on-automation-business-with" type="external">originally appeared Opens a New Window.</a> on <a href="http://www.pcmag.com" type="external">PCMag.com Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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fast forward video interview series conversations living future today guest saps steve singh opens new window talks ai automation future travel technology wanted steve show one successful technology executives birth internet founded concur opens new windowin 1993 sold sap two years ago 83 billion lets jump continue reading dan costa want get job titles say titles one president business networks applications sap executive board member sap se ceo chairman concur technologies steve singh part signing onto sap wanted lot titles dan costa hopefully get three salaries well steve singh part didnt work advertisement dan costa theres still time think okay lets talk concur company founded 1993 research 1993 aol aol opened internet mainstream users birth modern internet starting technology travel company steve singh interesting dan started concur idea internet youre right coming fair first version concur wasnt even clientserver product actually shrinkwrapped piece software really designed solve problem previous company started little company ended getting acquired symantec road nine months part acquisition cfo symantec said hey look youve got til end week file expenses galleryfingerlink background urlimgslideicon_lgpng norepeat scroll 5px 5px rgba0 0 0 0 font bold 24px helveticaarialsansserif padding 15px 0 15px 50px subscribe fast forward itunes opens new window stressed 150000 expenses outstanding went egghead looked software nothing im filling avery forms decided okay great opportunity go automate business process shrinkwrapped software transformation clientserver another transformation cloud dan costa simple process encountering problem creating technical solution sort youve last 20 years steve singh yeah kind feel like ive stumbled parts life look think innovation happens theres need solve problem youre passionate solving problem youre passionate creating something thats sustainable lot good things happen dan costa expense reports people still hate expense reports never fun process changed changed started steve singh maybe ill give impression era think going back started concur expense reports paperbased totally disconnected travel process right ive never taken business trip wasnt expense report yet booked travel back 93 pick phone call travel agent today obviously world changed think going happen time concept expense report go away itll happen invisibly behind scenes think payroll dont interact payroll system really happy get check every couple weeks reality checks automatically deposited bank think process happen expense reporting fact would argue two three years youll see integrated travel expense think youre going see digital version credit happen youll see credit cards corporate cards actually integrated budget youll able swipe card say hey look want file transaction related new york trip swipe card automatically goes expense report automatically gets paid process literally nothing take trip dan costa problem expense reports least company everything needs approved manager signoffs become almost inconsequential youre many time steve singh yeah thats got get integrated work fact think theres fundamental shift world around concept call beyond boundaries business beyond boundaries basically says look technology shift morph work way around much technology delivered today set services go conform reality stepping stone think world move dan costa lot services best services work really without input steve singh absolutely dan costa dont need see back end working need service fills steve singh maybe broadly saw shift mainframe computing clientserver naturally cloud think theres next wave coming thats shift micro services realize thats kind well audience perfect technical way looking world dan costa explain micro service different steve singh think applications going start decompose started sap leader enterprise software delivered big gigantic monolithic application ran every part company reality move cloud applications start decompose component parts reason decomposed individual customer say look want better experiences every part business application whole reason concur exists cloud computing started decompose apps chance come say deliver incredible value youll pay automate expense reporting 10 times better could youre starting see apps even decompose opens new windowfor example decided hey look lets get together email sent office mine responding back microsoft office literally responded back saying hey know love see look forward seeing friday work microsoft email picks fact im traveling new york automatically says know im going go ahead book travel calls services within concur book travel dont actually user dont go concur use email understands theres travel piece needed itll call right service book travel thats mean micro services applications broken component parts parts used whenever appropriate dan costa relies open system steve singh yeah dan costa used model sap business big enough bring sap would run accounting payroll expenses different things know going use expense reporting going use accounting going use payroll going work together steve singh reality customers whether youre talking individuals companies demanding look want systems open want able innovate top environments demand drive shift open systems part also look theres way one company solve programs much love sap think got tremendous opportunity dominate enterprise market even 84000 people cant innovate level customers want well open platform allow everybody world say add value top platform dan costa 21 years founded concur sold sap 83 billion stayed sap im sure pretty well transaction stayed sap sounds like youre enjoying steve singh concur never anything loved loved people worked felt like solving problem worthwhile solving sap little bit reality took 5000 people concur sap theyre friends many ways like family im also learning ton sap managing 5000 person company challenging interesting different part management team 84000 person company im learning skills new long fun im going enjoy dan costa portfolios diversified little bit youre getting involved healthcare space steve singh yeah happen run group called business networks applications includes concur ariba fieldglass successfactors sap health platform also business data network lot diverse interesting parts dan costa used phrase earlier business without borders want people hear think oh hes talking globalization different steve singh globalization part reality mean business beyond boundaries nature work changes way technology actually delivered think example emails interesting one dont want go applications work want application figure want go dan costa funny count many applications used set interview microsoft office google docs calendar concur wrapped none intentional steve singh technologists jobs right reality applications start act data start take actions behalf think whats happening iot sensors built everything world sensors gather data ought able take action really simple example youre rio tinto youve got big heavy equipment sitting remote parts world imagine replacing tire one big tractors tires gargantuan tires replacement cost issue replace get replacement tire remote location whats happening sensors built tires theyre sending information saying hey know ive got three months life left tire integrated ariba supply chain aribas saying hey know rio tinto im going ship tire three months youre going need applications starting use information take actions behalf thats world go dan costa yeah well think thats nice logical turn automation im going read something youve written hopefully still stand move forward todays digital economy every single business process automated automated every single process connected connected connect processes intelligence awareness context systems start work behalf amazing ways right weve got automation starting add intelligence steve singh yeah think thats exactly going look going massive benefit business also going massive impact workforce itll huge social impact world think happens ai integrated technology huge chunks lets take finance accounting huge chunks finance accounting function done without human involved role individual finance accounting going change massively next id say five 10 years think shifts jobs thats happening economy jobs lost outsourcing parts world theyre lost automation unfortunately theres massive benefit automation business always try efficient question shift continues society ensure theres incredible opportunity people dan costa heard example today ford going keep plant united states seven hundred million dollar investment going 700 jobs 10 years ago would 7000 jobs 30 years ago would even something thats factored conversation steve singh naturally look even selfdriving cars right even though today look 10 years probably think country number people make living taxis town cars whatever might thats going change society thinks whats impact help train every member community valuable parts work dan costa know weve talked drivers replaced weve talked midlevel accounting people replaced start become real american people start actually appreciate say okay need take action steve singh getting little bit philosophical part life think one things lot better job country massive investment education way prosperity education say look born literally mud house tiny village india reason im sitting father knew chance life great education go seek opportunities parts world existed core functions society become automated way individuals thrive drive investment education gives chance valuable things dan costa bullish fact raise education levels went school longer got specific training weve talked even programming everybody said programming used thing long could program youd always job programming automated steve singh yeah higher higher value functions within programming right anywhere near done space fact think ought investing stem education way kindergarten level fact one things came sap acquisition concur chance put together small foundation foundation invests entirely education us focusing girls education across board education driving programming coding classes schools view excellent opportunity give next generation citizens opportunity dan costa artificial intelligence also plays talked automation ai machine learning also driving lot forces seen anything youve particularly impressed like amazing development today steve singh still think early stages youre starting see examples machine learning artificial intelligence improving quality application think google amazing job area think sap amazing work hasnt yet touched customer next two three years youre going see happen literally finance applications concur set ai built wipe even entry expensive ports theyre starting show still think two five years away dan costa thats long though steve singh dan costa planning planning steve singh yeah look weve grown industry weve seen sea changes industry look company like netflix right gone two transformations 20year history started really dvd rental company today producing content twice history transformed think rate change accelerating two five years thats nothing youre going see massive massive changes dan costa yeah netflix went disk company would mail product relied us mail streaming company pivoted become content company charging seven ten dollars month steve singh way lot stuff netflix delivers based technology someone else built sitting top aws lot microservices aws delivers driving netflix fact interesting much aws supports success netflix also using technology deliver content fact amazon studios right didnt exist 10 years ago last golden globes 11 12 entries dan costa amazing look much money theyre pumping content production studios netflixs pipeline theyve got billion dollars worth content pipeline hasnt even shown yet steve singh kind transformational opportunity exists taking technology driving component parts making services available anybody world youre going see services come together products delivered could way beyond anything imagined view thats fun part opportunity next 10 years also massive change look music movie industry much thats changed beginning change idea talent create content distribute monetize forever change dan costa youve said ever left concur part sap might take stab running alternative energy company particular segment would profit altruistic reasons steve singh ive gotten older ive realized dont enough experience think alternative energy area invest lots reasons least requirement given much consume energy perspective find ways actually consume better environment frankly renewable model look still would love something nature im also happy invest companies think teslas battery technology amazing frankly thats first part problem solve even could solar based set power services still able store energy problem important problem solve dan costa thats thing talk alternative energy sources one thing talk moving solar oil need infrastructure support moving energy around storing battery problem teslas made great cars theyre also working building infrastructure recharge various locations steve singh yeah fact run small charity india girls school remote village power something always rely actally bought tesla power wall installed right school one great things village gets plenty sunshine weve got solar panels charging battery hope thats done youll able run school constant stream power day long today normal see every five six hours power shut another five six hours dan costa think thats interesting perspective us tend think look whats happened united states effect technology economy step back look standard living globally billion people left poverty last ten years thats incredible steve singh yeah many areas could go right human population doesnt live levels live fair theres another part half human population really doesnt opportunity half think opportunity women starts investment education chance engage across workforce things enjoyed entire lives dan costa one things talking talked lot concur founded company employee apple computer steve singh yeah dan costa like steve singh first random luck got part apple happened sitting bar chatting guy worked working complex problem dan costa little harder get job apple steve singh yeah yeah happened programming university michigan visa said hey look dont come meet team led job apple back steve jobs running company different era dan costa first time steve singh first time yeah totally blown away innovation driving forward thinking company even back look lot life happenstance happened run incredible individual gave chance great life dan costa concur worked pretty well ever thought would happened stayed apple spent 23 years working apple steve singh yeah entrepreneurial bug even apple days theres never going time dont want create new things thats part gets charged thats part feel like add value love path ive able take fortunate enough take dan costa lets get closing questions concerned regarding technological development future keeps night think big problem addressing steve singh think bigger problem impact technology society jobs perspective certainly think society think automation drives jobs help citizens continue thrive believe area public policy focus really think today perhaps focused concern democrats republicans believe reality area country go spend time basic services need deliver education healthcare frankly core opportunity every member society dan costa flip side optimistic could broader technological trend could new gadget brought home youre like changed life cant live without steve singh im investor company called center id love theyre theyre creating digital credit card budgeting software comes opportunity change corporate credit card market microscopic basis im excited look broadly think technologically much potential negative impact society also massive positive impact right think technology drive healthcare arena think cancer treatments today vast majority cancer treatment fact based average every demographic average white man age 55 right dan costa studies done demographic group patients steve singh yeah im unfortunate enough problem ive got issues deal outside cancer think bring technology bear fundamentally disparate data sets believe drive level personalization medicine radically improve quality health theres tons tons benefit technology im actually excited dan costa people find online follow saps get touch steve singh twitter address stevessingh opens new window obviously linkedin opens new window well look opportunity engage individuals around partners society id love fast forward dan costa subscribe podcast ios download apples podcasts app opens new window search fast forward subscribe android download stitcher radio podcasts app opens new window via google play without mobile device listen via audio file article originally appeared opens new window pcmagcom opens new window
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<p>Over 60% of Americans are proud to call themselves homeowners, and while owning property can be an expensive prospect, there are a number of tax breaks available to help offset the burden. Here are a few you should know about.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>The bad news about carrying a mortgage, especially in its early years, is that the majority of your payments go toward interest on your loan as opposed to its principal. The good news, though, is that you're allowed to deduct all of the interest you're paying provided your mortgage balance doesn't exceed $500,000 if you're a single filer, or $1 million if you're married and filing jointly.</p>
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<p>If you didn't make a 20% down payment on your home, there's a good chance you got hit with PMI, or private mortgage insurance. And while nobody wants to pay PMI, the silver lining is that you're allowed to deduct those PMI premiums on your taxes. There's a catch, though. The PMI deduction begins to phase out when you earn $50,000 a year as a single filer, or $100,000 as a joint filer. And if you earn more than $54,500 as a single filer or $109,000 as a couple filing jointly, you won't be allowed to claim this deduction at all.</p>
<p>Some people pay points on their mortgages, which are fees paid to a lender up front, often in exchange for a reduced interest rate. Each point you pay on your mortgage is the equivalent of 1% of your loan amount (one point on a $200,000 mortgage is $2,000). If you meet certain <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc504.html" type="external">criteria Opens a New Window.</a>, you're allowed to fully deduct those points the year you pay them. If not, you can still spread out that deduction over the life of your loan.</p>
<p>Property taxes are another huge expense of homeownership, and they have a tendency to rise over time, even during periods when home values decline. Thankfully, you can deduct your property taxes when you file your return. Just be sure to claim your deduction the same year you make your payments. So, for example, if you pay the first part of your 2017 property taxes at the end of 2016, you'd take that deduction when you file your 2016 return.</p>
<p>If you use a specific room or portion of your home exclusively for work purposes, you're allowed to claim a home office deduction on your taxes. However, most people don't, either because they don't know about the deduction, or they worry that doing so will trigger an <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/06/are-you-at-risk-of-an-irs-audit.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">audit Opens a New Window.</a>. In fact, of the reported 26 million Americans who have home offices, only about 3.4 million actually take this deduction. In reality, claiming a home office deduction won't get you into trouble with the IRS as long as you keep things legitimate.</p>
<p>So, what can you write off? First, direct expenses associated with running a home-based business, like office supplies or computer equipment, are deductible. Next, you can write off a portion of certain costs associated with living in your home, like your electricity bill, Internet service, or homeowners' insurance. All you need to do is figure out how much you spend each year on these expenses and then prorate them based on the size of your office relative to your home. So if your home is 2,000 square feet and your office is 200 square feet, you can claim 10% of your total expenses.</p>
<p>Making improvements to your home will not only create a more comfortable place for you to live, it will potentially save you money when the time comes to sell. When you make home improvements such as adding a deck or sunroom, those costs are added to the tax basis of your home, which is basically the amount you've invested in it. The higher your basis, the lower your profit will be if you sell your home for more than what you paid for it.</p>
<p>Now, remember that unless you really make a killing on the sale of your home, you may not have to pay capital gains taxes on your profit at all. As a single tax filer, you're allowed to exempt up to $250,000 in capital gains (joint filers are allowed to exempt up to $500,000) provided you've owned and lived in your home for at least two of the five years prior to the sale. But if you're right over the limit, those home improvements could make a difference tax-wise. Keep in mind, though, that this tax benefit applies to improvements only, not repairs. You can't add the cost of fixing a leaky roof to your home's tax basis (thought it would be nice if you could).</p>
<p>Your home might be the single largest expense you'll incur in your lifetime. And while you may have sacrificed a lot financially to purchase and maintain your property, if you take advantage of the deductions available to homeowners, there's a good chance you'll be a whole lot happier come tax season.</p>
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60 americans proud call homeowners owning property expensive prospect number tax breaks available help offset burden know continue reading image source getty images bad news carrying mortgage especially early years majority payments go toward interest loan opposed principal good news though youre allowed deduct interest youre paying provided mortgage balance doesnt exceed 500000 youre single filer 1 million youre married filing jointly advertisement didnt make 20 payment home theres good chance got hit pmi private mortgage insurance nobody wants pay pmi silver lining youre allowed deduct pmi premiums taxes theres catch though pmi deduction begins phase earn 50000 year single filer 100000 joint filer earn 54500 single filer 109000 couple filing jointly wont allowed claim deduction people pay points mortgages fees paid lender front often exchange reduced interest rate point pay mortgage equivalent 1 loan amount one point 200000 mortgage 2000 meet certain criteria opens new window youre allowed fully deduct points year pay still spread deduction life loan property taxes another huge expense homeownership tendency rise time even periods home values decline thankfully deduct property taxes file return sure claim deduction year make payments example pay first part 2017 property taxes end 2016 youd take deduction file 2016 return use specific room portion home exclusively work purposes youre allowed claim home office deduction taxes however people dont either dont know deduction worry trigger audit opens new window fact reported 26 million americans home offices 34 million actually take deduction reality claiming home office deduction wont get trouble irs long keep things legitimate write first direct expenses associated running homebased business like office supplies computer equipment deductible next write portion certain costs associated living home like electricity bill internet service homeowners insurance need figure much spend year expenses prorate based size office relative home home 2000 square feet office 200 square feet claim 10 total expenses making improvements home create comfortable place live potentially save money time comes sell make home improvements adding deck sunroom costs added tax basis home basically amount youve invested higher basis lower profit sell home paid remember unless really make killing sale home may pay capital gains taxes profit single tax filer youre allowed exempt 250000 capital gains joint filers allowed exempt 500000 provided youve owned lived home least two five years prior sale youre right limit home improvements could make difference taxwise keep mind though tax benefit applies improvements repairs cant add cost fixing leaky roof homes tax basis thought would nice could home might single largest expense youll incur lifetime may sacrificed lot financially purchase maintain property take advantage deductions available homeowners theres good chance youll whole lot happier come tax season 15834 social security bonus retirees completely overlook youre like americans youre years behind retirement savings handful littleknown social security secrets could help ensure boost retirement income example one easy trick could pay much 15834 moreeach year learn maximize social security benefits think could retire confidently peace mind simply click discover learn strategies opens new window try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>At this year's Advertising Week gathering in New York, attendees will get a heavy dose of discussion about the future of marketing and how new technologies such as artificial intelligence and voice assistants may transform marketing.</p>
<p>But beneath the promises of an exciting tomorrow, attendees at the schmoozefest will also be confronting the enormous pressures facing the agencies at the heart of the business of advertising.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The world's biggest advertising companies, such as WPP PLC and Interpublic Group of Cos., are dealing with the slowest revenue growth since the recession and tumbling stock prices. Lackluster growth has brought broader concerns about the health of the agency business into sharp relief, with pressures coming from the pullback in spending from belt-tightening industries such as consumer package goods, the dramatic evolution of technology, and the emergence of new competitors.</p>
<p>As Google and Facebook continue to dominate digital advertising, the technology behemoths aren't escaping criticism themselves, as marketers look for more assurances about the effectiveness and quality of online ads.</p>
<p>On top of that, the very idea of convincing someone to buy a product using advertising is also being called into question, as consumers increasingly block disruptive ads and turn to the plethora of new commercial-free entertainment options.</p>
<p>"As an advertiser, I must tell you ads are dead," read a recent tweet from Lou Paskalis, senior vice president of media and investment for Bank of America. "The future is about things people want, not things they have to endure."</p>
<p>Mr. Paskalis says that marketing now must be "engineered to be relevant in order to engage an audience."</p>
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<p>The festival is expected to tackle many of these thorny issues, as thousands of advertising, marketing, technology and media executives descend on Manhattan for the 14th annual Advertising Week conference, which will include 2 40 seminars, 52 workshops and countless parties.</p>
<p>One panel, entitled " Advertising Needs a Rebrand," is expected to discuss how agencies can shed the perception that they are "big, slow, expensive and only know television." Another will explore the hypothesis that agencies will cease to exist and try to explain what the future of the agency business looks like.</p>
<p>These are likely to be must-attend events for agency executives. Why? Collectively, WPP, Omnicom Group Inc., Interpublic, Publicis Groupe SA and Havas SA had organic global revenue growth of 0.7% in the second quarter, the worst performance since 2009, according to Brian Wieser, a senior research analyst at Pivotal Research Group.</p>
<p>Beside softening financial outlooks, marketers are continuing to push to reduce the fees they pay for agency services and some are pressing the firms for structural changes that can help foster better collaboration between sister agencies within the same sprawling ad empires.</p>
<p>Executives from Facebook and Google will also be in attendance, and the shadow of the "duopoly" will hang heavy over many discussions and strategy sessions. Last year, the two companies sucked up 77 cents of each new dollar spent on U.S. digital marketing thanks to the power of their ad targeting, and their dominance isn't slowing down. Last week, eMarketer raised its forecast for this year, estimating Facebook and Google will account for 63% of total U.S. digital ad spending.</p>
<p>On Monday, Facebook's vice president of global marketing solutions, Carolyn Everson, is expected to talk about how video is changing marketing, while Google's head of advertising and commerce, Sridhar Ramaswamy, will speak on Wednesday about the future of commerce.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, a panel dubbed " Minding the Machines" will discuss solving the tech industry's transparency issues from brand safety and the problems with measurement. The discussion is expected to include executives from ad buyer GroupM, Oath and Verizon Communications.</p>
<p>Although Facebook and Google have taken steps to improve their ad measuring processes and have put more safeguards in place to make sure ads don't appear near controversial content, marketers still have concerns.</p>
<p>A new study of marketing chiefs, expected to be released publicly on Tuesday, found that 72% of CMOs have concerns about safety and controls with their digital ad placements and are facing pressure internally to fix the issue. Roughly half of the 316 marketers who participated in the online survey said they are developing new guidelines to ensure ads are placed on appropriate sites, according to the study, which was commissioned by the CMO Council, a marketing trade group, and Dow Jones, parent of The Wall Street Journal. It was conducted late this summer.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Mastercard's CMO, Raja Rajamannar will tackle the broader topic of how brands can reach consumers when there are over 600 million devices running ad-blocking software during a panel entitled: "Storytelling Is Dead."</p>
<p>It may be much-needed advice for companies that are struggling to figure out their next move as anti-advertising sentiment spreads. For example, several advertising trade groups united earlier this month to protest Apple's move to block advertisers from collecting certain data that helps them target ads to Apple device users.</p>
<p>Despite the litany of issues facing Madison Avenue, Mr. Wieser says don't write off storied agencies just yet. He believes they will find ways to evolve and reinvent.</p>
<p>"They are more like cockroaches than dinosaurs," he said.</p>
<p>Write to Suzanne Vranica at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>September 25, 2017 05:14 ET (09:14 GMT)</p>
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years advertising week gathering new york attendees get heavy dose discussion future marketing new technologies artificial intelligence voice assistants may transform marketing beneath promises exciting tomorrow attendees schmoozefest also confronting enormous pressures facing agencies heart business advertising continue reading worlds biggest advertising companies wpp plc interpublic group cos dealing slowest revenue growth since recession tumbling stock prices lackluster growth brought broader concerns health agency business sharp relief pressures coming pullback spending belttightening industries consumer package goods dramatic evolution technology emergence new competitors google facebook continue dominate digital advertising technology behemoths arent escaping criticism marketers look assurances effectiveness quality online ads top idea convincing someone buy product using advertising also called question consumers increasingly block disruptive ads turn plethora new commercialfree entertainment options advertiser must tell ads dead read recent tweet lou paskalis senior vice president media investment bank america future things people want things endure mr paskalis says marketing must engineered relevant order engage audience advertisement festival expected tackle many thorny issues thousands advertising marketing technology media executives descend manhattan 14th annual advertising week conference include 2 40 seminars 52 workshops countless parties one panel entitled advertising needs rebrand expected discuss agencies shed perception big slow expensive know television another explore hypothesis agencies cease exist try explain future agency business looks like likely mustattend events agency executives collectively wpp omnicom group inc interpublic publicis groupe sa havas sa organic global revenue growth 07 second quarter worst performance since 2009 according brian wieser senior research analyst pivotal research group beside softening financial outlooks marketers continuing push reduce fees pay agency services pressing firms structural changes help foster better collaboration sister agencies within sprawling ad empires executives facebook google also attendance shadow duopoly hang heavy many discussions strategy sessions last year two companies sucked 77 cents new dollar spent us digital marketing thanks power ad targeting dominance isnt slowing last week emarketer raised forecast year estimating facebook google account 63 total us digital ad spending monday facebooks vice president global marketing solutions carolyn everson expected talk video changing marketing googles head advertising commerce sridhar ramaswamy speak wednesday future commerce wednesday panel dubbed minding machines discuss solving tech industrys transparency issues brand safety problems measurement discussion expected include executives ad buyer groupm oath verizon communications although facebook google taken steps improve ad measuring processes put safeguards place make sure ads dont appear near controversial content marketers still concerns new study marketing chiefs expected released publicly tuesday found 72 cmos concerns safety controls digital ad placements facing pressure internally fix issue roughly half 316 marketers participated online survey said developing new guidelines ensure ads placed appropriate sites according study commissioned cmo council marketing trade group dow jones parent wall street journal conducted late summer tuesday mastercards cmo raja rajamannar tackle broader topic brands reach consumers 600 million devices running adblocking software panel entitled storytelling dead may muchneeded advice companies struggling figure next move antiadvertising sentiment spreads example several advertising trade groups united earlier month protest apples move block advertisers collecting certain data helps target ads apple device users despite litany issues facing madison avenue mr wieser says dont write storied agencies yet believes find ways evolve reinvent like cockroaches dinosaurs said write suzanne vranica suzannevranicawsjcom end dow jones newswires september 25 2017 0514 et 0914 gmt
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<p />
<p>Senate Republicans on Thursday crushed a Democratic blockade of President Donald Trump's U.S. Supreme Court nominee in a fierce partisan brawl, approving a rule change dubbed the "nuclear option" to allow for conservative judge Neil Gorsuch's confirmation by Friday.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>With ideological control of the nation's highest court at stake, the Republican-led Senate voted 52-48 along party lines to change its long-standing rules in order to prohibit a procedural tactic called a filibuster against Supreme Court nominees. That came after Republicans failed by a 55-45 tally to muster the 60-vote super-majority needed to end the Democratic filibuster that had sought to deny Gorsuch confirmation to the lifetime post.</p>
<p>The Senate's action paved the way to confirm Gorsuch by simple majority, with a vote expected at roughly 7 p.m. (2399 GMT) on Friday. Republicans control the Senate 52-48. The rule change was called the "nuclear option" because it was considered an extreme break with Senate tradition.</p>
<p>Trump had encouraged Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to "go nuclear." Confirmation of Gorsuch would represent Trump's first major victory since taking office on Jan. 20, after setbacks on healthcare legislation and his blocked order to prevent people from several Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States.</p>
<p>"This will be the first and last partisan filibuster of the Supreme Court," McConnell said on the Senate floor, accusing Democrats of trying to inflict political damage on Trump and to keep more conservatives from joining the high court.</p>
<p>"In 20 or 30 or 40 years, we will sadly point to today as a turning point in the history of the Senate and the Supreme Court, a day when we irrevocably moved further away from the principles our founders intended for these institutions: principles of bipartisanship, moderation and consensus," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor.</p>
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<p>Schumer ridiculed McConnell's contention that the Democratic action was unprecedented, noting that the Republican-led Senate last year refused to consider Democratic former President Barack Obama's nomination of appellate judge Merrick Garland for the same high court seat that Trump selected Gorsuch to fill.</p>
<p>Senate confirmation of Gorsuch, 49, would restore the nine-seat court's 5-4 conservative majority, enable Trump to leave an indelible mark on America's highest judicial body and fulfill a top campaign promise by the Republican president. Gorsuch could be expected to serve for decades.</p>
<p>A conservative-majority court is more likely to support gun rights, an expansive view of religious liberty, abortion regulations and Republican-backed voting restrictions, while opposing curbs on political spending. The court also is likely to tackle transgender rights and union funding in coming years.</p>
<p>THREE DEMOCRATS</p>
<p>In the end, three Democratic senators up for re-election in 2018 in states won by Trump last year - Indiana's Joe Donnelly, West Virginia's Joe Manchin and North Dakota's Heidi Heitkamp - broke with their party and voted with Republicans to bring about a confirmation vote, though they opposed the rule change.</p>
<p>The nine-seat Supreme Court has had a vacancy since conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016.</p>
<p>Republicans have called Gorsuch superbly qualified and one of the nation's most distinguished appellate judges, and they blamed Democrats for politicizing the confirmation process.</p>
<p>Democrats accused Gorsuch of being so conservative as to be outside the judicial mainstream, favoring corporate interests over ordinary Americans in legal opinions, and displaying insufficient independence from Trump.</p>
<p>The 60-vote threshold that gives the minority party power to hold up the majority party has forced the Senate over the decades to try to achieve bipartisanship in legislation and presidential appointments.</p>
<p>What Republicans did to Obama's nominee Garland was worse than a filibuster, Schumer said. Schumer said Republicans denied "the constitutional prerogative of a president with 11 months left in his term."</p>
<p>"The nuclear option was used by Senator McConnell when he stopped Merrick Garland. What we face today is the fallout," Democratic Senator Richard Durbin added on the Senate floor.</p>
<p>McConnell blamed the escalation of fights over judicial nominees on the Democrats and their opposition starting three decades ago to nominees made by Republican former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.</p>
<p>McConnell called the Democratic effort against Gorsuch "another extreme escalation in the left's never-ending drive to politicize the court and the confirmation process." He accused Gorsuch's opponents of "a singular aim: securing raw power no matter the cost to the country or the institution."</p>
<p>Experts said eliminating the filibuster for Supreme Court appointments could make it more likely that presidents, with little incentive to choose centrist justices who could attract support from the other party, will pick ideologically extreme nominees in the future.</p>
<p>Ending the filibuster also would make it easier for future Supreme Court nominees to be confirmed when the president and Senate leadership belong to the same party.</p>
<p>The filibuster in one form or another dates back to the 19th century but assumed its current form in the 1970s.</p>
<p>While Democrats opposed the rule change and accused Republicans of a power grab, it was their party that first resorted to the nuclear option when they controlled the Senate in 2013. In the face of Republican filibusters of Obama appointments, they barred filibusters for executive branch nominees and federal judges aside from Supreme Court justices but still allowed it for Supreme Court nominees and legislation.</p>
<p>The Republican-backed rule change maintains the ability to filibuster legislation.</p>
<p>(Reporting by Richard Cowan, Lawrence Hurley and Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham)</p>
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senate republicans thursday crushed democratic blockade president donald trumps us supreme court nominee fierce partisan brawl approving rule change dubbed nuclear option allow conservative judge neil gorsuchs confirmation friday continue reading ideological control nations highest court stake republicanled senate voted 5248 along party lines change longstanding rules order prohibit procedural tactic called filibuster supreme court nominees came republicans failed 5545 tally muster 60vote supermajority needed end democratic filibuster sought deny gorsuch confirmation lifetime post senates action paved way confirm gorsuch simple majority vote expected roughly 7 pm 2399 gmt friday republicans control senate 5248 rule change called nuclear option considered extreme break senate tradition trump encouraged republican senate majority leader mitch mcconnell go nuclear confirmation gorsuch would represent trumps first major victory since taking office jan 20 setbacks healthcare legislation blocked order prevent people several muslimmajority nations entering united states first last partisan filibuster supreme court mcconnell said senate floor accusing democrats trying inflict political damage trump keep conservatives joining high court 20 30 40 years sadly point today turning point history senate supreme court day irrevocably moved away principles founders intended institutions principles bipartisanship moderation consensus senate democratic leader chuck schumer said senate floor advertisement schumer ridiculed mcconnells contention democratic action unprecedented noting republicanled senate last year refused consider democratic former president barack obamas nomination appellate judge merrick garland high court seat trump selected gorsuch fill senate confirmation gorsuch 49 would restore nineseat courts 54 conservative majority enable trump leave indelible mark americas highest judicial body fulfill top campaign promise republican president gorsuch could expected serve decades conservativemajority court likely support gun rights expansive view religious liberty abortion regulations republicanbacked voting restrictions opposing curbs political spending court also likely tackle transgender rights union funding coming years three democrats end three democratic senators reelection 2018 states trump last year indianas joe donnelly west virginias joe manchin north dakotas heidi heitkamp broke party voted republicans bring confirmation vote though opposed rule change nineseat supreme court vacancy since conservative justice antonin scalia died february 2016 republicans called gorsuch superbly qualified one nations distinguished appellate judges blamed democrats politicizing confirmation process democrats accused gorsuch conservative outside judicial mainstream favoring corporate interests ordinary americans legal opinions displaying insufficient independence trump 60vote threshold gives minority party power hold majority party forced senate decades try achieve bipartisanship legislation presidential appointments republicans obamas nominee garland worse filibuster schumer said schumer said republicans denied constitutional prerogative president 11 months left term nuclear option used senator mcconnell stopped merrick garland face today fallout democratic senator richard durbin added senate floor mcconnell blamed escalation fights judicial nominees democrats opposition starting three decades ago nominees made republican former presidents ronald reagan george w bush mcconnell called democratic effort gorsuch another extreme escalation lefts neverending drive politicize court confirmation process accused gorsuchs opponents singular aim securing raw power matter cost country institution experts said eliminating filibuster supreme court appointments could make likely presidents little incentive choose centrist justices could attract support party pick ideologically extreme nominees future ending filibuster also would make easier future supreme court nominees confirmed president senate leadership belong party filibuster one form another dates back 19th century assumed current form 1970s democrats opposed rule change accused republicans power grab party first resorted nuclear option controlled senate 2013 face republican filibusters obama appointments barred filibusters executive branch nominees federal judges aside supreme court justices still allowed supreme court nominees legislation republicanbacked rule change maintains ability filibuster legislation reporting richard cowan lawrence hurley andrew chung editing dunham
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<p />
<p>CES is mostly about companies showing off all manner of new consumer phones, TVs, cars, laptops, and smart devices. But there are always some business innovations to be found among all of the consumer gadgets and gizmos. This year, the enterprise side of CES is all about <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/38186/augmented-reality" type="external">augmented reality Opens a New Window.</a> (AR).</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p><a href="/consumer-electronics-show" type="external" />A number of hardware makers rolled out AR headsets at CES designed for business and industrial use during the annual tech extravaganza in Las Vegas this week. Vuzix added to its enterprise AR headset line with its new M3000 Smart Glasses, while Lenovo made a surprise entrance into the smart glasses ring with its <a href="http://blog.lenovo.com/en/blog/lenovo-new-glass-c200-adds-smart-glasses-to-portfolio/" type="external">Lenovo New Glass C200 Opens a New Window.</a>. Resembling the ghost of Google Glass, the headset combines AR and artificial intelligence (AI) for enterprise use cases and will be available in June.</p>
<p>Then there's Osterhout Design Group (ODG), which announced its <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/news/350762/these-ar-glasses-are-the-first-qualcomm-snapdragon-835-produ" type="external">consumer-focused R-8 and enterprise-focused R-9 glasses Opens a New Window.</a> running Qualcomm's new <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/news/350617/qualcomm-gives-full-snapdragon-835-processor-details" type="external">Snapdragon 835 processor Opens a New Window.</a>. More importantly, as part of ODG's ongoing partnership with Vuforia (a widely used AR platform for software developers), the R-8 and the R-9 glasses will also support creation of other AR applications.</p>
<p>Jay Wright, President and General Manager of <a href="https://www.vuforia.com/" type="external">Vuforia Opens a New Window.</a>, spoke to PCMag from Las Vegas about how the combined Vuforia software and R-9 glasses will work for enterprises. Wright has been in the AR space longer than most, originally developing and running the Vuforia platform for Qualcomm from 2008 to 2015 when it was acquired by software company PTC. He also talked about how the AR space is evolving, both from a hardware standpoint and regarding how businesses are using the technology.</p>
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<p>Enterprises are exploring a host of scenarios for augmented reality across both smartphone-based AR apps (think <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/345988/pokemon-go-for-iphone" type="external">Pokemon Go</a> <a type="external" href="" />) and head-mounted wearables such as <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/347119/microsoft-hololens-development-edition" type="external">Microsoft HoloLens Opens a New Window.</a>. Wright stressed the importance of the distinction between smartphone and tablet-based AR apps and head-mounted experiences.</p>
<p>Concerning the former, businesses can use AR for sales, <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2484670,00.asp" type="external">e-commerce Opens a New Window.</a>, and marketing apps. Startups such as <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/346973/augment-is-bringing-the-ar-revolution-to-business" type="external">Augment Opens a New Window.</a> (also built on Vuforia) are already doing that. These apps let salespeople carry around virtual inventory and superimpose a product in real space to show a client. When we get into the kind of AR headsets we're seeing at CES, Wright said they're designed more for hands-on industrial situations.</p>
<p>"For salespeople, AR is fundamentally a tablet story. What's more interesting is the industrial side of AR: getting rid of service manuals and work instructions and diagrams on pages in favor of self-guided 3D instructions in AR," explained Wright. "For this to be viable for industrial enterprise, you've got to have a device on your head. These workers are doing jobs with their hands and they need them free."</p>
<p>ODG has been working with Vuforia since 2014, using previous iterations of the AR glasses such as the R-7 for apps that give BMW drivers <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfvLpyHDAx4" type="external">augmented vision Opens a New Window.</a>, including the ability to see through the passenger side door when parking the car. Wright said the industry has been missing an all-in-one AR device for industrial enterprise that can actually be deployed, but he calls the R-9 glasses a huge step in the right direction—one that could ultimately help get rid of written manuals used by technicians, designers, engineers, and other technically-oriented workers.</p>
<p>"The R-9 is much lighter and gives you a greater field overview with the Snapdragon 835 and much higher processing loads. We can do a lot more on those glasses, with a better experience and richer content than in the past," said Wright. "Then the great thing about Vuforia is, it's very easy to take apps written for tablets or phones and adapt them for use on the ODG glasses. I imagine there are enterprise customers looking forward to trying on these glasses not just for service or instructions on how to repair a machine, but for things like assembly, construction, and various forms of diagnostics."</p>
<p><a href="javascript:OpenImageWindow('http://www.pcmag.com/image_popup/0,1740,iid=516523,00.asp',%20'810',%20'456')" type="external">Opens a New Window.</a>PCMag analyst Sascha Segan trying on the ODG R-9 glasses at CES.</p>
<p>Microsoft, ODG, Vuzix, and Lenovo are only some of the players that are building business-focused AR glasses. When looking at the larger hardware industry around enterprise AR, Wright said the space can be segmented into two types of glasses: binocular and monocular.</p>
<p>Binocular glasses with displays in both eyes allow you to see 3D content aligned with the physical world. HoloLens and Magic Leap are good examples, though Magic Leap's <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/news/350235/magic-leap-our-product-is-not-over-hyped" type="external">much-hyped technology</a> has avoided announcing a release date long enough that many use it an example of how difficult binocular AR experiences can be to create.</p>
<p>Monocular glasses, such as Google Glass and the Lenovo and Vuzix headsets mentioned earlier, give you a display just outside your field of view. The display gives you information about what you're looking at but the objects are not aligned with the underlying world. This coming year, Wright said we'll see more enterprise AR development on the monocular side because, for the most part, binocular devices simply aren't there yet. But he said, in the long run, it's all about <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/news/350184/microsoft-decides-minimum-spec-for-mixed-reality-on-windows" type="external">mixed reality Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>"Glasses like R-9 are a step in the right direction for all-in-one devices and a big sign of things to come," said Wright, "but we'll continue to see evolution on both of these trajectories, fueled by tremendous innovation from multiple manufacturers.</p>
<p>"A lot of it is being driven by a simple question: What comes after smartphones, what's the next device? That has spurred a lot of investment over the past two years now reflected in what's coming to market. I expect this to heat up even further as we explore more monocular and binocular uses but, over time, the experience that gets most people's hearts beating fast is the binocular experience of seeing content overlaid and aligned with the physical world."</p>
<p>This article <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/350798/ces-looking-through-augmented-reality-glasses-at-our-enterp" type="external">originally appeared Opens a New Window.</a> on <a href="http://www.pcmag.com" type="external">PCMag.com Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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ces mostly companies showing manner new consumer phones tvs cars laptops smart devices always business innovations found among consumer gadgets gizmos year enterprise side ces augmented reality opens new window ar continue reading number hardware makers rolled ar headsets ces designed business industrial use annual tech extravaganza las vegas week vuzix added enterprise ar headset line new m3000 smart glasses lenovo made surprise entrance smart glasses ring lenovo new glass c200 opens new window resembling ghost google glass headset combines ar artificial intelligence ai enterprise use cases available june theres osterhout design group odg announced consumerfocused r8 enterprisefocused r9 glasses opens new window running qualcomms new snapdragon 835 processor opens new window importantly part odgs ongoing partnership vuforia widely used ar platform software developers r8 r9 glasses also support creation ar applications jay wright president general manager vuforia opens new window spoke pcmag las vegas combined vuforia software r9 glasses work enterprises wright ar space longer originally developing running vuforia platform qualcomm 2008 2015 acquired software company ptc also talked ar space evolving hardware standpoint regarding businesses using technology advertisement enterprises exploring host scenarios augmented reality across smartphonebased ar apps think pokemon go headmounted wearables microsoft hololens opens new window wright stressed importance distinction smartphone tabletbased ar apps headmounted experiences concerning former businesses use ar sales ecommerce opens new window marketing apps startups augment opens new window also built vuforia already apps let salespeople carry around virtual inventory superimpose product real space show client get kind ar headsets seeing ces wright said theyre designed handson industrial situations salespeople ar fundamentally tablet story whats interesting industrial side ar getting rid service manuals work instructions diagrams pages favor selfguided 3d instructions ar explained wright viable industrial enterprise youve got device head workers jobs hands need free odg working vuforia since 2014 using previous iterations ar glasses r7 apps give bmw drivers augmented vision opens new window including ability see passenger side door parking car wright said industry missing allinone ar device industrial enterprise actually deployed calls r9 glasses huge step right directionone could ultimately help get rid written manuals used technicians designers engineers technicallyoriented workers r9 much lighter gives greater field overview snapdragon 835 much higher processing loads lot glasses better experience richer content past said wright great thing vuforia easy take apps written tablets phones adapt use odg glasses imagine enterprise customers looking forward trying glasses service instructions repair machine things like assembly construction various forms diagnostics opens new windowpcmag analyst sascha segan trying odg r9 glasses ces microsoft odg vuzix lenovo players building businessfocused ar glasses looking larger hardware industry around enterprise ar wright said space segmented two types glasses binocular monocular binocular glasses displays eyes allow see 3d content aligned physical world hololens magic leap good examples though magic leaps muchhyped technology avoided announcing release date long enough many use example difficult binocular ar experiences create monocular glasses google glass lenovo vuzix headsets mentioned earlier give display outside field view display gives information youre looking objects aligned underlying world coming year wright said well see enterprise ar development monocular side part binocular devices simply arent yet said long run mixed reality opens new window glasses like r9 step right direction allinone devices big sign things come said wright well continue see evolution trajectories fueled tremendous innovation multiple manufacturers lot driven simple question comes smartphones whats next device spurred lot investment past two years reflected whats coming market expect heat even explore monocular binocular uses time experience gets peoples hearts beating fast binocular experience seeing content overlaid aligned physical world article originally appeared opens new window pcmagcom opens new window
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<p>It's official. The U.S. Navy is <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/02/08/navys-new-mach-7-cannon-could-be-a-game-changer.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">building a railgun Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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<p>Almost READY TO AIM AND FIRE -- BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE NAVY'S NEW ELECTROMAGNETIC RAILGUN. IMAGE SOURCE: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJQfAcBs5vQ" type="external">U.S. NAVY Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Earlier this month, the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command, or NAVSEA, announced it has begun engineering studies preparatory to installing an electromagnetic railgun aboard a U.S. warship. Now, we've known this was in the works <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/04/21/us-navy-test-fires-a-new-mach-7-cannon.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">for more than a year already Opens a New Window.</a>. What's surprising in the Navy's announcement, though, is not the fact that they're building a railgun per se -- but where they plan to put it.</p>
<p>As of last year, the plan was for the Navy to build its railgun, test it out aboard the new <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/11/27/us-navy-adds-4-new-ship-classes-to-its-roster.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">expeditionary fast transport Opens a New Window.</a> USNSMillinocket(T-EPF-3), and if all goes well, later incorporate the railgun into its design for the upcoming third <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/20/will-the-us-navy-torpedo-its-most-lethal-warship.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Zumwalt Opens a New Window.</a> <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/20/will-the-us-navy-torpedo-its-most-lethal-warship.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">-class destroyer</a> Lyndon B. Johnson(DDG-1002). But here's the problem:</p>
<p>Defense contractor General Dynamics is due to deliver the Lyndon B. Johnson to the Navy by 2018. Testing the railgun aboard the Millinocket was supposed to begin in 2017, though, and continue for as long as a year. Any hiccup in the scheduling could delay installation aboard the Lyndon B. Johnson,and deprive America's most advanced warship of perhaps its most lethal weapon -- a Mach 7 cannon capable of hurtling projectiles out to strike targets 100 miles distant.</p>
<p>Smaller, better, cheaper... fasterRear Admiral Pete Fanta, director of surface warfare for the Navy, doesn't like that idea one bit. In an interview with DefenseNews.com last year, he mused: "If I go ahead with the demo it will slow my development. I would rather get an operational unit out there faster than do a demonstration that just does a demonstration."</p>
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<p>And so that's just what the Navy may do. Accelerate development, skip testing aboard the unarmed transport, and go direct-to-implementation instead. Under this plan, the Navy would install the railgun aboard Lyndon B. Johnson, and do its testing there.</p>
<p>What it means for the NavyAdmiral Fanta's suggestion that the Navy might prefer on-the-job training for its new railgun sounds ambitious. But it's also right in line with recent Navy practice for its newest weapons systems.</p>
<p>In 2014, testing of a new <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/01/04/the-navys-got-a-new-laser-gun-and-its-a-blast.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Laser Weapon System Opens a New Window.</a> aboard the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf segued immediately into the Navy declaring the weapon "operational," and approved for use while the vessel was on station in the Persian Gulf that same year.</p>
<p>U.S. Navy's new Laser Weapon System. Image source: <a href="http://www.navy.mil/view_image.asp?id=146463" type="external">U.S. NAVY Opens a New Window.</a>. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbjXXRfwrHg&amp;feature=youtube_gdata" type="external">YouTube Video Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Similarly, in 2009, testing of Northrop Grumman'sFire Scout drone in the eastern Pacific was proceeding smoothly. All of a sudden, U.S. Navy Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, declared that with Fire Scout performing "wonderfully," he saw no reason to wait for testing to be completed before putting the whirlybird to use. As the Admiral explained: "I tend not to want to put things off. I'd rather put a little pressure on the system and get things done."</p>
<p>Look, Ma! No hands! (Or pilots!) Northrop's new Fire Scout helicopter drone. Image source: <a href="http://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/Pages/Photo.aspx?pid%3DMQ-10027_026%26rel%3D%2F%26name%3DPhotos" type="external">Northrop Grumman Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>All of this points to a new philosophy emerging within the Navy, of compressing the time between development of a new weapons system and its deployment -- and accelerating the speed at which new weapons reach the field. Rather than think up a weapon, test it to death, and only deploy when it's years, <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/03/15/could-this-airplane-replace-the-a-10-warthog.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">or even decades Opens a New Window.</a>, out of date, the Navy is beginning to rush new weapons to the front. There, they can immediately begin functioning as force multipliers, even in the midst of testing.</p>
<p>What it means to investorsAll of this promises to significantly change the way companies do business with the Pentagon. A shift toward accelerated deployment of new technologies could shorten the time-to-market for new weapons. When you consider how much this <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/12/07/pentagon-to-defense-contractors-youre-doing-it-wro.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">lag adds to development costs Opens a New Window.</a>, and how many weapons programs have been <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/04/drones-are-the-future-of-war-so-why-is-the-pentago.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">abandoned mid-course Opens a New Window.</a> due to cost overruns in the course of their development, this could be a boon to the defense industry.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, it's even possible that immediate installation and testing of a railgun aboard the Lyndon B. Johnsoncould breathe new life into General Dynamics' Zumwalt destroyer program. Initially planned for a production run of 32 vessels, the Zumwalt program was cut short at just three ships due to -- you guessed it -- cost overruns. Initially expected to cost just $1.2 billion apiece, these three ships are now expected to cost as much as $7.5 billion each, inclusive of development costs.</p>
<p>Be that as it may, the Zumwalt is currently the only surface combatant in the U.S. fleet capable of generating the massive amount of electricity (as much as 78 megawatts) needed to operate a railgun. Assuming all goes well with testing the new weapon, and the Navy decides it wants more of them, there may simply be no other option than building more Zumwalts to carry the weapon -- an option that could mean many billions of dollars of new revenue for General Dynamics.</p>
<p>To coin a phrase: If you like your new railgun, Pentagon, you can keep it -- but you'll still need a Zumwalt to carry it.</p>
<p>This is the shootin' end of a railgun. But it's the "battery" that really matters. Image source: <a href="http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/140708-N-ZK869-003.JPG" type="external">U.S. NAVY Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/02/21/us-navys-mach-7-railgun-billions-general-dynamic.aspx" type="external">U.S. Navy's Mach 7 Railgun Could Mean Billions of Dollars for General Dynamics Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDitty/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Rich Smith Opens a New Window.</a>does not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him on <a href="http://caps.fool.com/?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Motley Fool CAPS Opens a New Window.</a>, publicly pontificating under the handle <a href="http://caps.fool.com/ViewPlayer.aspx?t=01002844399633209838&amp;source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">TMFDitty Opens a New Window.</a>, where he's currently ranked No. 256 out of more than 75,000 rated members.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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official us navy building railgun opens new window continue reading almost ready aim fire behind scenes navys new electromagnetic railgun image source us navy opens new window earlier month us naval sea systems command navsea announced begun engineering studies preparatory installing electromagnetic railgun aboard us warship weve known works year already opens new window whats surprising navys announcement though fact theyre building railgun per se plan put last year plan navy build railgun test aboard new expeditionary fast transport opens new window usnsmillinockettepf3 goes well later incorporate railgun design upcoming third zumwalt opens new window class destroyer lyndon b johnsonddg1002 heres problem defense contractor general dynamics due deliver lyndon b johnson navy 2018 testing railgun aboard millinocket supposed begin 2017 though continue long year hiccup scheduling could delay installation aboard lyndon b johnsonand deprive americas advanced warship perhaps lethal weapon mach 7 cannon capable hurtling projectiles strike targets 100 miles distant smaller better cheaper fasterrear admiral pete fanta director surface warfare navy doesnt like idea one bit interview defensenewscom last year mused go ahead demo slow development would rather get operational unit faster demonstration demonstration advertisement thats navy may accelerate development skip testing aboard unarmed transport go directtoimplementation instead plan navy would install railgun aboard lyndon b johnson testing means navyadmiral fantas suggestion navy might prefer onthejob training new railgun sounds ambitious also right line recent navy practice newest weapons systems 2014 testing new laser weapon system opens new window aboard uss ponce persian gulf segued immediately navy declaring weapon operational approved use vessel station persian gulf year us navys new laser weapon system image source us navy opens new window youtube video opens new window similarly 2009 testing northrop grummansfire scout drone eastern pacific proceeding smoothly sudden us navy admiral gary roughead chief naval operations declared fire scout performing wonderfully saw reason wait testing completed putting whirlybird use admiral explained tend want put things id rather put little pressure system get things done look hands pilots northrops new fire scout helicopter drone image source northrop grumman opens new window points new philosophy emerging within navy compressing time development new weapons system deployment accelerating speed new weapons reach field rather think weapon test death deploy years even decades opens new window date navy beginning rush new weapons front immediately begin functioning force multipliers even midst testing means investorsall promises significantly change way companies business pentagon shift toward accelerated deployment new technologies could shorten timetomarket new weapons consider much lag adds development costs opens new window many weapons programs abandoned midcourse opens new window due cost overruns course development could boon defense industry speaking even possible immediate installation testing railgun aboard lyndon b johnsoncould breathe new life general dynamics zumwalt destroyer program initially planned production run 32 vessels zumwalt program cut short three ships due guessed cost overruns initially expected cost 12 billion apiece three ships expected cost much 75 billion inclusive development costs may zumwalt currently surface combatant us fleet capable generating massive amount electricity much 78 megawatts needed operate railgun assuming goes well testing new weapon navy decides wants may simply option building zumwalts carry weapon option could mean many billions dollars new revenue general dynamics coin phrase like new railgun pentagon keep youll still need zumwalt carry shootin end railgun battery really matters image source us navy opens new window article us navys mach 7 railgun could mean billions dollars general dynamics opens new window originally appeared foolcom rich smith opens new windowdoes shares short company named find motley fool caps opens new window publicly pontificating handle tmfditty opens new window hes currently ranked 256 75000 rated membersthe motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>As we look back at 2016, pro-legalization enthusiasts, as well as hopeful investors, have every reason to smile at the progress that's been made with marijuana.</p>
<p>While still an illegal substance at the federal level, five new states approved cannabis for medicinal use in 2016 (two of which did so entirely through the legislative process), and residents in four states voted to legalize recreational pot. The year ends with medical marijuana legal in 28 states, and eight states having legalized adult-use recreational weed. Not bad at all considering that two decades ago just one state, California, had legalized medical cannabis, and the thought of recreational marijuana in 1996 was almost laughable, with three-quarters of all respondents in Gallup's national poll not favoring its legalization. Today, 60% of polled respondents favor legalizing pot nationally.</p>
<p>With the shifting trends in opinion there's also been a surge of green -- dollars, that is! Investment firm Cowen &amp; Co.'s recent forecast suggests that legal marijuana sales could grow from $6 billion in 2016 to $50 billion by 2026, which represents a decade-long compound annual growth rate of more than 23%. Furthermore, the number of legal pot jobs is <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/12/11/the-number-of-marijuana-jobs-could-triple-in-the-y.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">expected to double or triple Opens a New Window.</a> in the years to come, which is equivalent to as many as 300,000 new jobs being added.</p>
<p>Image source: Office of Public Affairs, Flickr.</p>
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<p>Yet, what may wind up being marijuana's most memorable moment in 2016 was the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's decision in August to deny two petitions requesting that marijuana be rescheduled or removed from the scheduling status entirely. The DEA, which sought and considered the opinion of the Department of Health and Human Services, offered <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/08/13/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-deas-decisio.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">three particular reasons Opens a New Window.</a> for declining to change marijuana's schedule 1 status.</p>
<p>First, the DEA and HHS evaluation both agreed that pot demonstrated a high potential for abuse. Secondly, the DEA and HHS found that medical cannabis has no acceptable medical use, at least as of now. Finally, there was a lack of safety evidence to suggest that marijuana could be used as a medical treatment, even if under medical supervision.</p>
<p>Considering that petitions to reschedule marijuana often take years to work their way up to the DEA, it could be a while before the regulatory agency even considers pot's medical fate once again. However, should that time come around sooner rather than later, three factors could sway the DEA's mind about marijuana.</p>
<p>The first thing the DEA would need to see is clear clinical evidence that marijuana provides medical benefits. Of course, this is probably the trickiest piece of evidence to provide, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn't exactly been forthcoming with requests for FDA-designed clinical trials involving pot. We've been witnessing a trend toward research leniency when it comes to cannabis, but you should also remember that clinical trials can take quite a bit of time to run and analyze.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Another component that the DEA would need, which goes hand-in-hand with the first point, is clear evidence that cannabis is safe for medical patients. For both of the first two points many pro-legalization advocates will point to the millions of long-term marijuana users, as well as published clinical studies in various journals, as more than enough evidence to suggest pot is safe and effective in treating certain ailments. But the DEA and HHS would only consider the well-crafted trials of the FDA, essentially negating all other previously published studies that the FDA didn't oversee.</p>
<p>Finally, the DEA would need evidence that the chemistry of marijuana is better understood by the FDA and researchers. In other words, the components of cannabis aren't considered reproducible at the moment, so researchers would need to further dissect the chemistry behind the plant to understand how it positively or negative impacts the body.</p>
<p>If all three factors were met, it's possible the DEA could change its tune.</p>
<p>But it's important that potential investors and marijuana enthusiasts also understand that even if the DEA reschedules cannabis, things won't necessarily get any easier for the industry.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>If the DEA determines that the aforementioned factors are met in a later rescheduling analysis of pot, and the agency chooses to reschedule cannabis, the drug would then fall under the tight regulatory authority of the FDA. The FDA would have the power to approve the marketing and packaging of medical marijuana companies, and it would likely oversee the growing and processing of cannabis used for medicinal purposes. More importantly, the FDA could require additional clinical trials be run for the specific ailments that marijuana is targeting. Long story short, FDA oversight would probably mean a huge increase in expenses for the medical marijuana industry up and down the supply chain.</p>
<p>It's this sort of Catch-22 (patients lose out if cannabis remains a schedule 1 drug, while pot businesses could be crushed if regulated by the FDA) that makes the future of marijuana very cloudy, and which should give prospective investors reason to pause.</p>
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<p>*StockAdvisor returns as of December 12, 2016The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFUltraLong/info.aspx" type="external">Sean Williams Opens a New Window.</a>has no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen name <a href="http://caps.fool.com/player/tmfultralong.aspx" type="external">TMFUltraLong Opens a New Window.</a>, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/TMFUltraLong" type="external">@TMFUltraLong Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a>makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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image source getty images continue reading look back 2016 prolegalization enthusiasts well hopeful investors every reason smile progress thats made marijuana still illegal substance federal level five new states approved cannabis medicinal use 2016 two entirely legislative process residents four states voted legalize recreational pot year ends medical marijuana legal 28 states eight states legalized adultuse recreational weed bad considering two decades ago one state california legalized medical cannabis thought recreational marijuana 1996 almost laughable threequarters respondents gallups national poll favoring legalization today 60 polled respondents favor legalizing pot nationally shifting trends opinion theres also surge green dollars investment firm cowen amp cos recent forecast suggests legal marijuana sales could grow 6 billion 2016 50 billion 2026 represents decadelong compound annual growth rate 23 furthermore number legal pot jobs expected double triple opens new window years come equivalent many 300000 new jobs added image source office public affairs flickr advertisement yet may wind marijuanas memorable moment 2016 us drug enforcement agencys decision august deny two petitions requesting marijuana rescheduled removed scheduling status entirely dea sought considered opinion department health human services offered three particular reasons opens new window declining change marijuanas schedule 1 status first dea hhs evaluation agreed pot demonstrated high potential abuse secondly dea hhs found medical cannabis acceptable medical use least finally lack safety evidence suggest marijuana could used medical treatment even medical supervision considering petitions reschedule marijuana often take years work way dea could regulatory agency even considers pots medical fate however time come around sooner rather later three factors could sway deas mind marijuana first thing dea would need see clear clinical evidence marijuana provides medical benefits course probably trickiest piece evidence provide us food drug administration hasnt exactly forthcoming requests fdadesigned clinical trials involving pot weve witnessing trend toward research leniency comes cannabis also remember clinical trials take quite bit time run analyze image source getty images another component dea would need goes handinhand first point clear evidence cannabis safe medical patients first two points many prolegalization advocates point millions longterm marijuana users well published clinical studies various journals enough evidence suggest pot safe effective treating certain ailments dea hhs would consider wellcrafted trials fda essentially negating previously published studies fda didnt oversee finally dea would need evidence chemistry marijuana better understood fda researchers words components cannabis arent considered reproducible moment researchers would need dissect chemistry behind plant understand positively negative impacts body three factors met possible dea could change tune important potential investors marijuana enthusiasts also understand even dea reschedules cannabis things wont necessarily get easier industry image source getty images dea determines aforementioned factors met later rescheduling analysis pot agency chooses reschedule cannabis drug would fall tight regulatory authority fda fda would power approve marketing packaging medical marijuana companies would likely oversee growing processing cannabis used medicinal purposes importantly fda could require additional clinical trials run specific ailments marijuana targeting long story short fda oversight would probably mean huge increase expenses medical marijuana industry supply chain sort catch22 patients lose cannabis remains schedule 1 drug pot businesses could crushed regulated fda makes future marijuana cloudy give prospective investors reason pause 10 stocks like better thanwalmartwhen investing geniuses david tomgardner stock tip pay listen newsletter theyhave run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tomjust revealed believe ten best stocks opens new windowfor investors buy right walmart wasnt one thats right theythink 10 stocks even better buys click opens new windowto learn picks stockadvisor returns december 12 2016the authors may position stocks mentioned sean williams opens new windowhas material interest companies mentioned article follow caps screen name tmfultralong opens new window check twitter goes handle tmfultralong opens new window motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new windowmakes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>So far the highest ranking Wall Street executive to stand trial for misconduct that might be construed as having contributed to the financial crisis of 2008 is a mid-level Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) bond salesman memorably named Fabrice "Fabulous Fab" Tourre.</p>
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<p>The Dick Fulds, Jimmy Caynes and Angelo Mozilos of the world resigned or got fired, excoriated in the media and in some cases fined (Mozilo) for their roles in the housing and credit crisis five years ago that brought the global economy to its knees. But none of these former chief executives (nor any of their immediate underlings) has been brought to trial either in criminal or civil court for their actions leading up to the crisis.</p>
<p>For that reason enforcement agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice have taken a lot of heat from angry critics who believe Wall Street, especially top executives, got off far too easy.</p>
<p>New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman seems determined to address that perception. <a href="" type="internal">A lawsuit filed by Schneiderman’s office</a> last week against mortgage giant Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) is the AG’s latest high-profile effort to cast an unflattering light on some of Wall Street’s biggest players and to highlight what Schneiderman clearly sees as their roles both leading up to and in the aftermath of the crisis.</p>
<p>“He’s just following the business model of that office,” said Columbia University law professor John Coffee.</p>
<p>Coffee noted that Schneiderman’s two immediate predecessors, Andrew Cuomo and Eliot Spitzer, burnished their reputations by aggressively policing Wall Street while serving as AG and both men wound up catapulting themselves to the governor’s office.</p>
<p>“It certainly worked for those two,” said Coffee.</p>
<p>Going After the Institutions</p>
<p>Schneiderman, wary perhaps of the difficulty of successfully prosecuting individual Wall Street CEOs for the misdeeds of their sprawling companies, has instead gone after the institutions. In addition to Wells Fargo, the AG has threatened or filed crisis-related suits against Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM).</p>
<p>Not exactly bit players.</p>
<p>Schneiderman says of his seemingly one-man crusade that it’s a matter of fairness and of maintaining integrity in U.S. securities markets. Most Americans, he likes to say, believe the markets are a “rigged casino.”</p>
<p>“When major players cheat it doesn’t just hurt their counterparties, it hurts the integrity of the entire system,” Schneiderman said in a recent speech to journalists in Manhattan.</p>
<p>The big banks should have seen this coming when five of them – Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup (NYSE:C) and AllyBank -- signed off early last year on the $25 billion national mortgage settlement.</p>
<p>Schneiderman, using the leverage afforded by his position as AG of New York, home to Wall Street and the nexus of the U.S. financial industry, refused to agree to a settlement that barred any future prosecutions of the banks for their roles in the housing crisis.</p>
<p>Instead, the settlement focused on allegations the banks mishandled possibly millions of mortgages that were falling into default and headed toward foreclosure, loans that might have been modified to help borrowers stay in their homes. The banks agreed to the combined $25 billion fine and promised to revamp their mortgage and foreclosure procedures.</p>
<p>Wells Fargo was sued by Schneiderman’s office last week for failing to comply with elements of the settlements, allegations the bank has denied. Bank of America, threatened with a similar lawsuit, agreed to beef up its compliance with the settlement.</p>
<p>Dubious Mortgage-Backed Securities</p>
<p>The suits filed earlier against JPMorgan and Credit Suisse are more reflective of Schneiderman’s efforts to hold accountable the big banks that trafficked heavily in what are known as mortgage-backed securities in the run-up to the financial crisis.</p>
<p>Many of these securities were packed with mortgages of dubious quality and then sold to investors under the premise they would increase in value as the loans were paid off. But when homeowners started defaulting on their mortgages in large numbers around 2007 countless mortgage-backed securities plunged in value and the losses wreaked havoc on the investors who bought them. The ripple-effect across the financial system was devastating.</p>
<p><a href="http://ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-sues-jpmorgan-fraudulent-residential-mortgage-backed-securities-issued" type="external">JPMorgan Opens a New Window.</a> and <a href="http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-sues-credit-suisse-fraudulent-residential-mortgage-backed-securities" type="external">Credit Suisse Opens a New Window.</a> were sued in October and November 2012, respectively, for allegedly misleading investors about the quality of the mortgage-backed securities they packaged and sold. Both banks have denied the allegations.</p>
<p>While Credit Suisse is fighting the suit, JPMorgan is in a different situation. The suit against the largest U.S. bank by assets was brought by the Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group, a state and federal task force created by President Barack Obama to investigate misconduct by banks that may have contributed to the financial crisis. Schneiderman is co-chair of the group.</p>
<p>JPMorgan is reportedly in talks to settle the charges, which stem from securities created and sold by the investment bank Bear Stearns, which JPMorgan bought at the request of the government in early 2008 as Bear Stearns teetered on the brink of collapse. JPMorgan has balked, however, not only at a reported $11 billion settlement figure but also at the government’s demand that the bank admit wrongdoing, a concession that could leave JPMorgan vulnerable to numerous costly civil suits.</p>
<p>Just Getting Started</p>
<p>Coffee, the Columbia University law professor, said a settlement with JPMorgan could trigger a spate of deals by other big banks facing similar lawsuits, a dynamic that would save the government a lot of time and money.</p>
<p>“I think everyone wants this behind them,” Coffee said.</p>
<p>But others take a far dimmer view of the suit. A Wall Street Journal editorial criticizing the action was headlined “Looting JPMorgan, Again.” And banking analyst Dick Bove of Rafferty Capital said in a note to clients, “If this company does not fight, it will be blackmailed by government forever.” <a href="" type="internal">In a recent interview on FOX Business</a>, Bove said any settlement by JPMorgan could embolden government regulators to file additional lawsuits against the deep-pocketed bank.</p>
<p>Schneiderman counters the criticism by saying the mortgage-backed securities market “blew up the American economy.” “This is not a secret,” he told a group of journalists last week. “It was all in plain view.”</p>
<p>Five years after the crisis peaked, it seems Schneiderman is just getting started.</p>
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<p>In a speech delivered a few dozen miles from a Milwaukee neighborhood recently devastated by race riots, Donald Trump reached out to the African-American community. His pitch: the Democratic Party has "failed and betrayed" African-Americans by turning a blind eye to crime and violence in black neighborhoods while peddling false racial narratives that end up only harming the black community in the end.</p>
<p>“I am running to offer you a much better future,” Trump said in his speech Tuesday in West Bend, Wisconsin. Calling crime and violence “an attack on the poor,” Trump painted the Democratic Party as the party of lawlessness and noted that the “main victims” of out of control crime were ultimately the African-Americans living in violence-torn neighborhoods. It is these communities, he said, that have been taken for granted and “abandoned” by the political class.</p>
<p>For proof, Trump pointed to the recent <a href="" type="internal">destruction in Milwaukee</a>, the result of riots after a black police officer fatally shot an armed black man who refused to drop his illegally possessed weapon. Fueling the violence, he said, is the false narrative “pushed aggressively for years” by the Obama administration, Democrats, and Hillary Clinton that it is "compassionate" to tolerate lawlessness and undermine the police.</p>
<p>"The violence, riots and destruction that have taken place in Milwaukee is an assault on the right of all citizens to live in security and peace," said Trump. "Law and order must be restored. It must be restored for the sake of all, but most especially the sake of those living in the affected communities. The main victims of these riots are law-abiding African-American citizens living in these neighborhoods. It is their jobs, their homes, their schools and communities which will suffer as a result.</p>
<p>"There is no compassion in tolerating lawless conduct. Crime and violence is an attack on the poor, and will never be accepted in a Trump Administration,” he continued. “The narrative that has been pushed aggressively for years now by our current Administration, and pushed by my opponent Hillary Clinton, is a false one. The problem in our poorest communities is not that there are too many police, the problem is that there are not enough police. More law enforcement, more community engagement, more effective policing is what our country needs.”</p>
<p>Trump blasted those “peddling” the idea that the police are “racist,” calling such rhetoric “dangerous": "Those peddling the narrative of cops as a racist force in our society – a narrative supported with a nod by my opponent – share directly in the responsibility for the unrest in Milwaukee, and many other places within our country,” he said. “They have fostered the dangerous anti-police atmosphere in America."</p>
<p>Assuming racist motives for police action, he said, was only hurting the black community in the end. “Every time we rush to judgment with false facts and narratives – whether in Ferguson or in Baltimore – and foment further unrest, we do a direct disservice to poor African-American residents who are hurt by the high crime in their communities,” he said.</p>
<p>Citing devastating statistics from Democratic-run Chicago, Trump highlighted the tragic deaths that occurred in just the last three days and the stunning number shot so far this year: “During the last 72 hours, while protestors have raged against the police here in Milwaukee, another 9 were killed in Chicago and another 46 were wounded. More than 2,600 people have been shot in Chicago since the beginning of the year, and almost 4,000 killed in President Obama’s hometown area since his presidency began. How are we serving these American victims by attacking law enforcement officers?”</p>
<p>Declaring that the war on police "must end now," Trump went on to tie Clinton to the escalation of violence and crime in the black community.</p>
<p>"The Hillary Clinton agenda hurts poor people the most,” he said. "There is no compassion in allowing drug dealers, gang members, and felons to prey on innocent people. It is the first duty of government to keep the innocent safe, and when I am President I will fight for the safety of every American – and especially those Americans who have not known safety for a very, very long time."</p>
<p>Trump then asked for the vote of "every African-American citizen struggling in our country today who wants a different future." His argument: the progressive Democratic leadership and policies have consistently harmed the black community, as Milwaukee has seen firsthand.</p>
<p>“The Democratic Party has failed and betrayed the African-American community. Democratic crime policies, education policies, and economic policies have produced only more crime, more broken homes, and more poverty,” he said. “Let us look at the situation right here in Milwaukee, a city run by Democrats for decade after decade. Last year, killings in this city increased by 69 percent, plus another 634 victims of non-fatal shootings. 18-29-year-olds accounted for nearly half of the homicide victims. The poverty rate here is nearly double the national average. Almost 4 in 10 African-American men in Milwaukee between the ages of 25-54 do not have a job. Nearly four in 10 single mother households are living in poverty. 55 public schools in this city have been rated as failing to meet expectations, despite ten thousand dollars in funding per-pupil. There is only a 60% graduation rate, and it’s one of the worst public school systems in the country. 1 in 5 manufacturing jobs has disappeared in Milwaukee since we fully opened our markets to China, and many African-American neighborhoods have borne the brunt of this hit.”</p>
<p>“To every voter in Milwaukee, to every voter living in every inner city, or every forgotten stretch of our society, I am running to offer you a better future,” he said.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/donald-j.-trump-remarks-in-milwaukee-wisconsin" type="external">Full transcript of the speech</a> below:</p>
<p>It’s so great to be here tonight. I am honored to also be joined this evening by Governor Scott Walker, Chairman Reince Priebus, and Mayor Rudy Giuliani.</p>
<p>We are at a decisive moment in this election.</p>
<p>Last week, I laid out my plan to bring jobs back to our country. Yesterday, I laid out my plan to defeat Radical Islamic Terrorism. Tonight, I am going to talk about how to make our communities safe again from crime and lawlessness.</p>
<p>Let me begin by thanking the law enforcement officers here in this city, and across this country, for their service and sacrifice in difficult times.</p>
<p>The violence, riots and destruction that have taken place in Milwaukee is an assault on the right of all citizens to live in security and peace.</p>
<p>Law and order must be restored. It must be restored for the sake of all, but most especially the sake of those living in the affected communities.</p>
<p>The main victims of these riots are law-abiding African-American citizens living in these neighborhoods. It is their jobs, their homes, their schools and communities which will suffer as a result.</p>
<p>There is no compassion in tolerating lawless conduct. Crime and violence is an attack on the poor, and will never be accepted in a Trump Administration.</p>
<p>The narrative that has been pushed aggressively for years now by our current Administration, and pushed by my opponent Hillary Clinton, is a false one. The problem in our poorest communities is not that there are too many police, the problem is that there are not enough police.</p>
<p>More law enforcement, more community engagement, more effective policing is what our country needs.</p>
<p>Just like Hillary Clinton is against the miners, she is against the police. You know it, and I know it.</p>
<p>Those peddling the narrative of cops as a racist force in our society – a narrative supported with a nod by my opponent – share directly in the responsibility for the unrest in Milwaukee, and many other places within our country.</p>
<p>They have fostered the dangerous anti-police atmosphere in America.</p>
<p>Everytime we rush to judgment with false facts and narratives – whether in Ferguson or in Baltimore – and foment further unrest, we do a direct disservice to poor African-American residents who are hurt by the high crime in their communities.</p>
<p>During the last 72 hours, while protestors have raged against the police here in Milwaukee, another 9 were killed in Chicago and another 46 were wounded. More than 2,600 people have been shot in Chicago since the beginning of the year, and almost 4,000 killed in President Obama’s hometown area since his presidency began.</p>
<p>How are we serving these American victims by attacking law enforcement officers?</p>
<p>The war on our police must end. It must end now.</p>
<p>The war on our police is a war on all peaceful citizens who want to be able to work and live and send their kids to school in safety.</p>
<p>Our job is not to make life more comfortable for the rioter, the looter, the violent disruptor. Our job is to make life more comfortable for the African-American parent who wants their kids to be able to safely walk the streets. Or the senior citizen waiting for a bus. Or the young child walking home from school.</p>
<p>For every one violent protestor, there are a hundred moms and dads and kids on that same city block who just want to be able to sleep safely at night. My opponent would rather protect the offender than the victim.</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton-backed policies are responsible for the problems in the inner cities today, and a vote for her is a vote for another generation of poverty, high crime, and lost opportunities.</p>
<p>I care too much about my country to let that happen.</p>
<p>We all care too much about our country to let that happen.</p>
<p>Good policing saves lives. My dear friend, Rudy Giuliani, knows a thing or two about this. The policies put into place by Rudy ultimately brought down crime by 76 percent and murder by 84 percent. Think of how many families were saved, how much heartache was prevented, when police were put into communities and criminals were removed.</p>
<p>Imagine how many lives could have been saved, all across this country, if Democratic politicians hadn’t blocked in their cities what Rudy did in New York City? I’ll make sure we deliver safe neighborhoods here in Milwaukee, and all across this country.</p>
<p>It’s easy for Hillary Clinton to turn a blind eye to crime when she has her own private security force. I believe all Americans, not just the powerful, are entitled to security.</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton has had her chance. She failed. Now it’s time for new leadership.</p>
<p>The Hillary Clinton agenda hurts poor people the most.</p>
<p>There is no compassion in allowing drug dealers, gang members, and felons to prey on innocent people. It is the first duty of government to keep the innocent safe, and when I am President I will fight for the safety of every American – and especially those Americans who have not known safety for a very, very long time.</p>
<p>I am asking for the vote of every African-American citizen struggling in our country today who wants a different future.</p>
<p>It is time for our society to address some honest and very difficult truths.</p>
<p>The Democratic Party has failed and betrayed the African-American community. Democratic crime policies, education policies, and economic policies have produced only more crime, more broken homes, and more poverty.</p>
<p>Let us look at the situation right here in Milwaukee, a city run by Democrats for decade after decade. Last year, killings in this city increased by 69 percent, plus another 634 victims of non-fatal shootings. 18-29-year-olds accounted for nearly half of the homicide victims. The poverty rate here is nearly double the national average. Almost 4 in 10 African-American men in Milwaukee between the ages of 25-54 do not have a job. Nearly four in 10 single mother households are living in poverty. 55 public schools in this city have been rated as failing to meet expectations, despite ten thousand dollars in funding per-pupil. There is only a 60% graduation rate, and it’s one of the worst public school systems in the country.</p>
<p>1 in 5 manufacturing jobs has disappeared in Milwaukee since we fully opened our markets to China, and many African-American neighborhoods have borne the brunt of this hit.</p>
<p>To every voter in Milwaukee, to every voter living in every inner city, or every forgotten stretch of our society, I am running to offer you a better future.</p>
<p>The Democratic Party has taken the votes of African-Americans for granted. They’ve just assumed they’ll get your support and done nothing in return for it. It’s time to give the Democrats some competition for these votes, and it’s time to rebuild the inner cities of America – and to reject the failed leadership of a rigged political system.</p>
<p>I’m not part of the corrupt system. In fact, the corrupt system is trying to stop me. I’ve been paying my own way. The voters in the Republican Party this year defied the donors, the consultants, the power brokers, and choose a nominee from outside our failed and corrupt and broken system.</p>
<p>The other party – the Democratic Party – nominated the personification of special interest corruption. The Democratic Party rigged the nomination to give it to Hillary Clinton, thus giving the soul of their party this year to the special interests.</p>
<p>I am running to listen to your voice, to hear your cries for help. The quiet voices in our society, not the loudest demonstrators, need to have their demands heard.</p>
<p>Jobs. Safety. Opportunity. Fair and equal representation.</p>
<p>We reject the bigotry of Hillary Clinton which panders to and talks down to communities of color and sees them only as votes, not as individual human beings worthy of a better future. She doesn’t care at all about the hurting people of this country, or the suffering she has caused them.</p>
<p>The African-American community has been taken for granted for decades by the Democratic Party. It’s time to break with the failures of the past – I want to offer Americans a new future.</p>
<p>It is time for rule by the people, not rule by special interests.</p>
<p>Every insider, getting rich off of our broken system, is throwing money at Hillary Clinton. The hedge fund managers, the Wall Street investors, the professional political class.</p>
<p>It’s the powerful protecting the powerful.</p>
<p>Insiders fighting for insiders.</p>
<p>I am fighting for you.</p>
<p>When we talk about the insider, who are we talking about? It’s the comfortable politicians looking out for their own interests. It’s the lobbyists who know how to insert that perfect loophole into every bill. It’s the financial industry that knows how to regulate their competition out of existence. The insiders also include the media executives, anchors and journalists in Washington, Los Angeles, and New York City, who are part of the same failed status quo and want nothing to change.</p>
<p>Every day you pick up a newspaper, or turn on the nightly news, and you hear about some self-interest banker or some discredited Washington insider says they oppose our campaign. Or some encrusted old politician says they oppose our campaign. Or some big time lobbyist says they oppose our campaign.</p>
<p>I wear their opposition as a badge of honor. Because it means I am fighting for REAL change, not just partisan change. I am fighting – all of us across the country are fighting – for peaceful regime change in our own country. The media-donor-political complex that’s bled this country dry has to be replaced with a new government of, by and for the people.</p>
<p>The leadership class in Washington D.C., of which Hillary Clinton has been a member for thirty years, has abandoned the people of this country.</p>
<p>I am going to give the people their voice back.</p>
<p>Think about it. The people opposing our campaign are the same people who have left our border open and let innocent people suffer as a result.</p>
<p>The people opposing our campaign are the same people who have led us into one disastrous foreign war after another.</p>
<p>The people opposing our campaign are the same people who lied to us about one trade deal after another.</p>
<p>Aren’t you tired of a system that gets rich at your expense?</p>
<p>Aren’t you tired of big media, big businesses, and big donors rigging the system to keep your voice from being heard?</p>
<p>Are you ready for change?</p>
<p>Are you ready for leadership that puts you, the American people, first? That puts your country first? That puts your family first?</p>
<p>Let’s talk about what this means for the inner cities of America. It’s time to break through the television noise, the entrenched interests. I understand that a lot of powerful people in our political system – a lot of people who’ve created our problems – will lose a lot of their contracts, and their special gigs, if African-American voters, and all minority voters, support my campaign.</p>
<p>It’s time to stop making the special interests rich. It’s time to make the American people rich.</p>
<p>I am going to Make America Wealthy Again.</p>
<p>The Democratic Party has run nearly every inner city in this country for 50 years, and run them into financial ruin.</p>
<p>They’ve ruined the schools.</p>
<p>They’ve driven out the jobs.</p>
<p>They’ve tolerated a level of crime no American should consider acceptable.</p>
<p>Violent crime has risen 17% in America’s 50 largest cities last year. Killings of police officers this year is up nearly 50 percent. Homicides are up more than 60% in Baltimore. They are up more than 50% in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>This is the future offered by Hillary Clinton. More poverty, more crime, and more of the same. The future she offers is the most pessimistic thing I can possibly imagine.</p>
<p>It is time for a different future.</p>
<p>Here is what I am proposing.</p>
<p>First, on immigration. No community in this country has been hurt worse by Hillary Clinton’s immigration policies than the African-American community. Now she is proposing to print instant work permits for millions of illegal immigrants, taking jobs directly from low-income Americans. I will secure our border, protect our workers, and improve jobs and wages in your community. We will only invite people to join our country who share our tolerant values, who support our Constitution, and who love all of our people.</p>
<p>On trade, I am going to renegotiate NAFTA, stand up to China, withdraw from the TPP, and protect every last American job.</p>
<p>On taxes, I am going to give a massive tax cut to every worker and small business in this country, bring thousands of new companies and millions of new jobs onto our shores – and make it very difficult for our businesses to leave.</p>
<p>I am going to reform our regulations so jobs stay in America, and new businesses come to America to hire workers right here in Milwaukee. Every policy my opponent has sends jobs overseas. I am going to bring trillions in new wealth back to the United States.</p>
<p>On education, it is time to have school choice, merit pay for teachers, and to end the tenure policies that hurt good teachers and reward bad teachers. We are going to put students and parents first.</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton would rather deny opportunities to millions of young African-American children, just so she can curry favor with the education bureaucracy.</p>
<p>I am going to allow charter schools to thrive, and help young kids get on the American ladder of success: a good education, and a good-paying job.</p>
<p>On crime, I am going to support more police in our communities, appoint the best prosecutors and judges in the country, pursue strong enforcement of federal laws, and I am going to break up the gangs, the cartels and criminal syndicates terrorizing our neighborhoods. To every lawbreaker hurting innocent people in this country, I say: your free reign will soon come crashing to an end.</p>
<p>On healthcare, we are going to get rid of Obamacare – which has caused soaring double-digit premium increases – and give choice to patients and consumers. Aetna, just today, announced they are dropping out – as are many of the major insurance companies.</p>
<p>On government corruption, I am going to restore honor to our government. We’ve seen the corruption of Hillary Clinton, the mass email deletions, the pay-for-play at the State Department, the profiteering, the favors given to foreign corporations and governments at your expense. We’ve seen a former Secretary of State lie to Congress about her illegal email scheme, risk innocent American lives, and bring dishonor onto our government.</p>
<p>In my Administration, I am going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one will be above the law.</p>
<p>I am going to forbid senior officials from trading favors for cash by preventing them from collecting lavish speaking fees through their spouses when they serve.</p>
<p>I am going to ask my senior officials to sign an agreement not to accept speaking fees from corporations with a registered lobbyist for five years after leaving office, or from any entity tied to a foreign government. This is all just the beginning.</p>
<p>We are going to make this a government of the people once again. This is our chance to take back power from all the people who’ve taken it from you. The reason you see the establishment media lining up behind my opponent is because they are scared that you, with your vote, can take away their power and return it to your family and community.</p>
<p>These are tough times. But I know we can make American Greater Than Ever Before.</p>
<p>To do this, we are going to need a fighter in the White House.</p>
<p>I will be your fighter.</p>
<p>To defeat crime and Radical Islamic Terrorism in our country, to win trade in our country, you need tremendous physical and mental strength and stamina. Hillary Clinton doesn’t have that strength and stamina. She cannot win for you.</p>
<p>Most importantly, she has bad judgment. Bad judgment on terrorism, bad judgement on foreign policy, bad judgment on trade.</p>
<p>The only individuals she’s ever delivered for is her donors – not the people.</p>
<p>I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. My opponent asks her supporters to repeat a three-word pledge. Her pledge reads: “I’m With Her”</p>
<p>I choose to recite a different pledge. My pledge reads: “I’m With You – the American people.”</p>
<p>I will fight to ensure that every American is treated equally, protected equally, and honored equally. We will reject bigotry and hatred and oppression in all of its forms, and seek a new future of security, prosperity and opportunity – a future built on our common culture and values as one American people.</p>
<p>I am asking for your vote so I can be your champion in the White House. We will once again be a country of law and order, and a country of great success.</p>
<p>To every parent who dreams for their children, and to every child who dreams for their future, I say these words to you tonight: I’m with you, I will fight for you, and I will win for you.</p>
<p>Together, We Will Make America Strong Again.</p>
<p>We Will Make American Safe Again.</p>
<p>And We Will Make America Great Again.</p>
<p>Thank you, and God Bless.</p>
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ferguson baltimore foment unrest direct disservice poor africanamerican residents hurt high crime communities said citing devastating statistics democraticrun chicago trump highlighted tragic deaths occurred last three days stunning number shot far year last 72 hours protestors raged police milwaukee another 9 killed chicago another 46 wounded 2600 people shot chicago since beginning year almost 4000 killed president obamas hometown area since presidency began serving american victims attacking law enforcement officers declaring war police must end trump went tie clinton escalation violence crime black community hillary clinton agenda hurts poor people said compassion allowing drug dealers gang members felons prey innocent people first duty government keep innocent safe president fight safety every american especially americans known safety long time trump asked vote every africanamerican citizen struggling country today wants different future argument progressive democratic leadership policies consistently harmed black community milwaukee seen firsthand democratic party failed betrayed africanamerican community democratic crime policies education policies economic policies produced crime broken homes poverty said let us look situation right milwaukee city run democrats decade decade last year killings city increased 69 percent plus another 634 victims nonfatal shootings 1829yearolds accounted nearly half homicide victims poverty rate nearly double national average almost 4 10 africanamerican men milwaukee ages 2554 job nearly four 10 single mother households living poverty 55 public schools city rated failing meet expectations despite ten thousand dollars funding perpupil 60 graduation rate one worst public school systems country 1 5 manufacturing jobs disappeared milwaukee since fully opened markets china many africanamerican neighborhoods borne brunt hit every voter milwaukee every voter living every inner city every forgotten stretch society running offer better future said full transcript speech great tonight honored also joined evening governor scott walker chairman reince priebus mayor rudy giuliani decisive moment election last week laid plan bring jobs back country yesterday laid plan defeat radical islamic terrorism tonight going talk make communities safe crime lawlessness let begin thanking law enforcement officers city across country service sacrifice difficult times violence riots destruction taken place milwaukee assault right citizens live security peace law order must restored must restored sake especially sake living affected communities main victims riots lawabiding africanamerican citizens living neighborhoods jobs homes schools communities suffer result compassion tolerating lawless conduct crime violence attack poor never accepted trump administration narrative pushed aggressively years current administration pushed opponent hillary clinton false one problem poorest communities many police problem enough police law enforcement community engagement effective policing country needs like hillary clinton miners police know know peddling narrative cops racist force society narrative supported nod opponent share directly responsibility unrest milwaukee many places within country fostered dangerous antipolice atmosphere america everytime rush judgment false facts narratives whether ferguson baltimore foment unrest direct disservice poor africanamerican residents hurt high crime communities last 72 hours protestors raged police milwaukee another 9 killed chicago another 46 wounded 2600 people shot chicago since beginning year almost 4000 killed president obamas hometown area since presidency began serving american victims attacking law enforcement officers war police must end must end war police war peaceful citizens want able work live send kids school safety job make life comfortable rioter looter violent disruptor job make life comfortable africanamerican parent wants kids able safely walk streets senior citizen waiting bus young child walking home school every one violent protestor hundred moms dads kids city block want able sleep safely night opponent would rather protect offender victim hillary clintonbacked policies responsible problems inner cities today vote vote another generation poverty high crime lost opportunities care much country let happen care much country let happen good policing saves lives dear friend rudy giuliani knows thing two policies put place rudy ultimately brought crime 76 percent murder 84 percent think many families saved much heartache prevented police put communities criminals removed imagine many lives could saved across country democratic politicians hadnt blocked cities rudy new york city ill make sure deliver safe neighborhoods milwaukee across country easy hillary clinton turn blind eye crime private security force believe americans powerful entitled security hillary clinton chance failed time new leadership hillary clinton agenda hurts poor people compassion allowing drug dealers gang members felons prey innocent people first duty government keep innocent safe president fight safety every american especially americans known safety long time asking vote every africanamerican citizen struggling country today wants different future time society address honest difficult truths democratic party failed betrayed africanamerican community democratic crime policies education policies economic policies produced crime broken homes poverty let us look situation right milwaukee city run democrats decade decade last year killings city increased 69 percent plus another 634 victims nonfatal shootings 1829yearolds accounted nearly half homicide victims poverty rate nearly double national average almost 4 10 africanamerican men milwaukee ages 2554 job nearly four 10 single mother households living poverty 55 public schools city rated failing meet expectations despite ten thousand dollars funding perpupil 60 graduation rate one worst public school systems country 1 5 manufacturing jobs disappeared milwaukee since fully opened markets china many africanamerican neighborhoods borne brunt hit every voter milwaukee every voter living every inner city every forgotten stretch society running offer better future democratic party taken votes africanamericans granted theyve assumed theyll get support done nothing return time give democrats competition votes time rebuild inner cities america reject failed leadership rigged political system im part corrupt system fact corrupt system trying stop ive paying way voters republican party year defied donors consultants power brokers choose nominee outside failed corrupt broken system party democratic party nominated personification special interest corruption democratic party rigged nomination give hillary clinton thus giving soul party year special interests running listen voice hear cries help quiet voices society loudest demonstrators need demands heard jobs safety opportunity fair equal representation reject bigotry hillary clinton panders talks communities color sees votes individual human beings worthy better future doesnt care hurting people country suffering caused africanamerican community taken granted decades democratic party time break failures past want offer americans new future time rule people rule special interests every insider getting rich broken system throwing money hillary clinton hedge fund managers wall street investors professional political class powerful protecting powerful insiders fighting insiders fighting talk insider talking comfortable politicians looking interests lobbyists know insert perfect loophole every bill financial industry knows regulate competition existence insiders also include media executives anchors journalists washington los angeles new york city part failed status quo want nothing change every day pick newspaper turn nightly news hear selfinterest banker discredited washington insider says oppose campaign encrusted old politician says oppose campaign big time lobbyist says oppose campaign wear opposition badge honor means fighting real change partisan change fighting us across country fighting peaceful regime change country mediadonorpolitical complex thats bled country dry replaced new government people leadership class washington dc hillary clinton member thirty years abandoned people country going give people voice back think people opposing campaign people left border open let innocent people suffer result people opposing campaign people led us one disastrous foreign war another people opposing campaign people lied us one trade deal another arent tired system gets rich expense arent tired big media big businesses big donors rigging system keep voice heard ready change ready leadership puts american people first puts country first puts family first lets talk means inner cities america time break television noise entrenched interests understand lot powerful people political system lot people whove created problems lose lot contracts special gigs africanamerican voters minority voters support campaign time stop making special interests rich time make american people rich going make america wealthy democratic party run nearly every inner city country 50 years run financial ruin theyve ruined schools theyve driven jobs theyve tolerated level crime american consider acceptable violent crime risen 17 americas 50 largest cities last year killings police officers year nearly 50 percent homicides 60 baltimore 50 washington dc future offered hillary clinton poverty crime future offers pessimistic thing possibly imagine time different future proposing first immigration community country hurt worse hillary clintons immigration policies africanamerican community proposing print instant work permits millions illegal immigrants taking jobs directly lowincome americans secure border protect workers improve jobs wages community invite people join country share tolerant values support constitution love people trade going renegotiate nafta stand china withdraw tpp protect every last american job taxes going give massive tax cut every worker small business country bring thousands new companies millions new jobs onto shores make difficult businesses leave going reform regulations jobs stay america new businesses come america hire workers right milwaukee every policy opponent sends jobs overseas going bring trillions new wealth back united states education time school choice merit pay teachers end tenure policies hurt good teachers reward bad teachers going put students parents first hillary clinton would rather deny opportunities millions young africanamerican children curry favor education bureaucracy going allow charter schools thrive help young kids get american ladder success good education goodpaying job crime going support police communities appoint best prosecutors judges country pursue strong enforcement federal laws going break gangs cartels criminal syndicates terrorizing neighborhoods every lawbreaker hurting innocent people country say free reign soon come crashing end healthcare going get rid obamacare caused soaring doubledigit premium increases give choice patients consumers aetna today announced dropping many major insurance companies government corruption going restore honor government weve seen corruption hillary clinton mass email deletions payforplay state department profiteering favors given foreign corporations governments expense weve seen former secretary state lie congress illegal email scheme risk innocent american lives bring dishonor onto government administration going enforce laws concerning protection classified information one law going forbid senior officials trading favors cash preventing collecting lavish speaking fees spouses serve going ask senior officials sign agreement accept speaking fees corporations registered lobbyist five years leaving office entity tied foreign government beginning going make government people chance take back power people whove taken reason see establishment media lining behind opponent scared vote take away power return family community tough times know make american greater ever going need fighter white house fighter defeat crime radical islamic terrorism country win trade country need tremendous physical mental strength stamina hillary clinton doesnt strength stamina win importantly bad judgment bad judgment terrorism bad judgement foreign policy bad judgment trade individuals shes ever delivered donors people ive said ill say opponent asks supporters repeat threeword pledge pledge reads im choose recite different pledge pledge reads im american people fight ensure every american treated equally protected equally honored equally reject bigotry hatred oppression forms seek new future security prosperity opportunity future built common culture values one american people asking vote champion white house country law order country great success every parent dreams children every child dreams future say words tonight im fight win together make america strong make american safe make america great thank god bless
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<p>Columnist Ann Coulter, an ardent supporter of real estate mogul Donald Trump, wrote a nasty <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/anncoulter/2016/04/06/moonies-for-cruz-n2144676" type="external">column</a> smearing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and his supporters and perpetuates the myth that Cruz used to favor amnesty and was against building a border wall.</p>
<p>The column, titled "Moonies for Cruz," starts with Coulter resorting to low-blow ad hominems by referring to Cruz supporters as "Cruz-bots," "Cruz cultists" and "guttersnipe, lying political operators like the Clintons." Then Coulter makes this ludicrous claim:</p>
<p>Cruz has flipped to Trump's side on every important political issue of this campaign -- which only ARE issues because of Trump. These are:</p>
<p>-- Quadrupling the number of foreign guest workers to help ranchers and farmers get cheap labor: Cruz was for it, and now is against it.</p>
<p>-- Legalizing illegal aliens: Cruz was for it, and now is against it.</p>
<p>-- The Trans-Pacific Partnership deal: Cruz was for it, and now is against it.</p>
<p>-- Building a wall: Cruz was against it, and now is for it</p>
<p>The foreign guest workers part is true, although she's conveniently ignoring <a href="" type="internal">Trump's recent flip-flops</a> on the issue. The TPP point is also true, although Cruz has made clear he changed his support when he realized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/06/23/ted-cruz-flips-on-trade-bill-on-eve-of-key-senate-vote/" type="external">cut a deal</a> to re-authorize the Export-Import Bank. But the claims on amnesty and building a wall are completely bogus.</p>
<p>The legalization stems from when Cruz proposed an amendment in 2013 that would have stripped the citizenship provisions of the Gang of Eight bill, but left the legalization aspect intact. CNN contributor Amanda Carpenter, who used to work for Cruz, has <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/06/23/ted-cruz-flips-on-trade-bill-on-eve-of-key-senate-vote/" type="external">explained</a> that this was an amendment designed to kill the bill:</p>
<p>Ask yourself this: If Cruz had the same position on a path to citizenship why would he try to kill Rubio's Gang of 8 bill?!</p>
<p>Cruz took on an incredible amount of political risk working to stop amnesty. I was there. Everyone was against us</p>
<p>Cruz introduced amendments specifically designed to expose the fact all Gang of 8 cared about was path to citizenship.</p>
<p>During debate the Gang wanted everyone to think it was about fixing the system and border enforcement. No, it was about path to citizenship</p>
<p>So Cruz said ok, here are some amendments that do everything EXCEPT path to citizenship. And the Gang killed them exposing the big hoax</p>
<p>Cruz's work was essential in proving that the Gang bill was only about path to citizenship. He was successful!</p>
<p>And to say now that somehow his work killing the bill is somehow a sign of support for it is well...."slippery"</p>
<p>Lastly, if you question Cruz's dedication on stopping amnesty look at his work to defund Obama's executive amnesty</p>
<p>Cruz and Lee demanded a vote on it, throwing the Senate into a rare Sat session last December. Everyone in DC was FURIOUS</p>
<p>As Carpenter explains further in <a href="https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2015/12/who-to-believe-rubio-or-cruz" type="external">Conservative Review</a>, Cruz's silence on legalization in the amendment does not mean he supported it.</p>
<p>"Although it’s not apparent by reading that statement alone, cherry picked from any context, Cruz only proposed the amendment so the other senators could decline it," writes Carpenter. "He wanted to make it sound extremely favorable so those who declined it later would appear unreasonable. This is a gambit often used in Congress that seems slippery to those unfamiliar with it and easily twisted by those being willfully ignorant about the process."</p>
<p>Carpenter's account has been <a href="https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/02/if-rubio-is-telling-the-truth-these-people-are-lying" type="external">confirmed</a> by Rush Limbaugh, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), all of whom have bona fide credentials on the issue of immigration. Fox News anchor <a href="http://therightscoop.com/megyn-kelly-admits-to-ted-cruz-the-record-shows-he-did-not-support-legalization-in-2013-amnesty-showdown/" type="external">Megyn Kelly</a> has also confirmed that Cruz did not support legalization. When the Gang of Eight bill passed, <a href="http://therightscoop.com/jeff-sessions-rubio-isnt-telling-the-truth-about-his-part-in-the-gang-of-eight-immigration-bill/" type="external">Cruz lobbied for its defeat</a>in the House of Representatives and succeeded.</p>
<p>Where was Trump during the Gang of Eight fight? He <a href="http://www.redstate.com/aglanon/2016/02/11/donald-trump-financed-gang-8/" type="external">funded five of the eight members of the Gang of Eight</a> and had a <a href="http://therightscoop.com/so-heres-that-tweet-from-trump-where-he-endorsed-amnesty-in-2013/" type="external">tweet</a> favoring amnesty:</p>
<p>Congress must protect our borders first. Amnesty should be done only if the border is secure and illegal immigration has stopped.</p>
<p>When it comes to the border wall, Cruz has advocated for it long before Trump ever did. Here's what Cruz said in an interview with <a href="http://therightscoop.com/hey-realdonaldtrump-stop-lying-ted-cruz-has-always-talked-tough-on-immigration-and-heres-proof/" type="external">Patterico</a> in 2011 (emphasis bolded):</p>
<p>Now with respect to securing the borders, I approach this from the perspective of someone who’s spent much of his adult life in law enforcement. It makes utterly no sense that we don’t know who’s coming into this country. We don’t know the criminal backgrounds. Our borders are largely unsecured. And particularly in a post-9/11 world, that is lunacy. I support any and all possible efforts to secure the border. That includes fences, that includes walls, that includes technology, that includes helicopters, that includes drones, that includes manpower, that includes employment verification, that includes approaching it as a law enforcement priority. And right now, neither party is serious about doing that.</p>
<p>With respect to a path to citizenship or amnesty, I categorically oppose it. And the reason is, I’ve spent a lifetime working to defend the constitution and uphold the rule of law. It is fundamentally unfair and contrary to the rule of law to reward those who break the law. And you know, one of the people it’s most unfair to are those that are following the laws. There are immigrants who wait years and even decades to come here legally. And yet what amnesty programs say is that we’re going to take those that have chosen to break the law, and we’re going to reward them rather than insist that people follow the law. I don’t think that’s fair, I don’t think that’s right, and I don’t support it.</p>
<p>It's simply not true then that Cruz flip-flopped on legalization or the border. Coulter is merely projecting herself onto Cruz supporters by accusing them of being part of a "cult." But that's to be expected from Coulter since she has a tendency to contort herself into a pretzel as she worships Republicans who are antithetical to conservatism, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, McConnell and now Trump.</p>
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columnist ann coulter ardent supporter real estate mogul donald trump wrote nasty column smearing sen ted cruz rtx supporters perpetuates myth cruz used favor amnesty building border wall column titled moonies cruz starts coulter resorting lowblow ad hominems referring cruz supporters cruzbots cruz cultists guttersnipe lying political operators like clintons coulter makes ludicrous claim cruz flipped trumps side every important political issue campaign issues trump quadrupling number foreign guest workers help ranchers farmers get cheap labor cruz legalizing illegal aliens cruz transpacific partnership deal cruz building wall cruz foreign guest workers part true although shes conveniently ignoring trumps recent flipflops issue tpp point also true although cruz made clear changed support realized senate majority leader mitch mcconnell rky cut deal reauthorize exportimport bank claims amnesty building wall completely bogus legalization stems cruz proposed amendment 2013 would stripped citizenship provisions gang eight bill left legalization aspect intact cnn contributor amanda carpenter used work cruz explained amendment designed kill bill ask cruz position path citizenship would try kill rubios gang 8 bill cruz took incredible amount political risk working stop amnesty everyone us cruz introduced amendments specifically designed expose fact gang 8 cared path citizenship debate gang wanted everyone think fixing system border enforcement path citizenship cruz said ok amendments everything except path citizenship gang killed exposing big hoax cruzs work essential proving gang bill path citizenship successful say somehow work killing bill somehow sign support wellslippery lastly question cruzs dedication stopping amnesty look work defund obamas executive amnesty cruz lee demanded vote throwing senate rare sat session last december everyone dc furious carpenter explains conservative review cruzs silence legalization amendment mean supported although apparent reading statement alone cherry picked context cruz proposed amendment senators could decline writes carpenter wanted make sound extremely favorable declined later would appear unreasonable gambit often used congress seems slippery unfamiliar easily twisted willfully ignorant process carpenters account confirmed rush limbaugh sen mike lee rut sen jeff sessions ral bona fide credentials issue immigration fox news anchor megyn kelly also confirmed cruz support legalization gang eight bill passed cruz lobbied defeatin house representatives succeeded trump gang eight fight funded five eight members gang eight tweet favoring amnesty congress must protect borders first amnesty done border secure illegal immigration stopped comes border wall cruz advocated long trump ever heres cruz said interview patterico 2011 emphasis bolded respect securing borders approach perspective someone whos spent much adult life law enforcement makes utterly sense dont know whos coming country dont know criminal backgrounds borders largely unsecured particularly post911 world lunacy support possible efforts secure border includes fences includes walls includes technology includes helicopters includes drones includes manpower includes employment verification includes approaching law enforcement priority right neither party serious respect path citizenship amnesty categorically oppose reason ive spent lifetime working defend constitution uphold rule law fundamentally unfair contrary rule law reward break law know one people unfair following laws immigrants wait years even decades come legally yet amnesty programs say going take chosen break law going reward rather insist people follow law dont think thats fair dont think thats right dont support simply true cruz flipflopped legalization border coulter merely projecting onto cruz supporters accusing part cult thats expected coulter since tendency contort pretzel worships republicans antithetical conservatism including new jersey gov chris christie r 2012 gop presidential nominee mitt romney mcconnell trump
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<p>Ashland is a chemical maker. But that's a bit too simple of an explanation, because the company also owns motor oil company Valvoline -- at least it does for now. What's that mean? Well, here's the down-low on Ashland and how it's changing its business.</p>
<p>Two companies in one. Source: Ashland.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Get out of hereAshland is really two businesses in one. It has a large chemicals business, and it also owns motor oil and quick lube specialist Valvoline. At least it does for now, because it's planning to spin Valvoline off. There are clear similarities between the two businesses, but Valvoline really has its own brand image. And at 40% or so of revenues, it's a big chunk of what Ashland does.</p>
<p>The thing is, Valvoline is doing pretty well right now. But the rest of Ashland has been struggling through a weak chemicals market. Ashland shares, meanwhile, are down some 25% over the past 12 months. Clearly, Valvoline, which has grown adjusted EBITDA by an annualized 13% over the past five years, isn't attracting as much investor attention as the chemicals business.</p>
<p>So spinning Valvoline off, tax free to shareholders, could unlock value for stockholders. It also happens to be the single biggest thing going on at the company right now.</p>
<p>Not so pleasedThat said, some shareholders don't like the idea of spinning Valvoline off. Elmrox Investment Group LLC, which claims to own around $100 million worth of Ashland stock, thinks Valvoline is a better bet than the chemicals business. It's asking Ashland to turn the spin-off equation on its head and to consider selling the chemicals operation. Then Elmrox wants to see Valvoline structured as a master limited partnership.</p>
<p>So far, Ashland is sticking to its guns. But having a dissident shareholder on board can make things a lot more complicated -- as if spinning off 40% of a company wasn't complicated enough. On top of all this, Ashland has been doing a lot of buying and selling in recent years, so the Valvoline spin-off was kind of a culminating event -- but only if it actually happens as currently planned.</p>
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<p>Ashland has made huge changes in recent years. Source: Ashland.</p>
<p>ChemicalsSo the five-minute guide over the near term is all about what's going to happen with Valvoline. But what about the other 60% of the company? Well, the rest of Ashland makes chemicals for an incredibly broad array of industries, including construction, oil and gas exploration, automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and coatings, among others. It's got operations around the world.</p>
<p>As noted, it's been refocusing its business, trying to highlight higher growth and higher-margin markets while getting itself out of less desirable ones. For example, key growth areas right now are in the drug, personal care, and coatings spaces, all of which the company expects to grow more quickly than the global economy. This shift and the continued success of Valvoline is what has helped push the company's EBITDA margins from around 5% in 1995 to over 20% last year.</p>
<p>So in many ways, Ashland appears to be doing the right things on the chemicals side of the business. But you can't sidestep the broader dynamics of the industry. Chemicals are weak right now, which is ultimately why Elmrox is pushing for the sale of this business.</p>
<p>In fact, even industry giants such as Dow Chemical and DuPont are making huge changes -- a fact Elmrox points out. Because of the difficult chemicals market, this pair is merging, with the goal of cutting costs by as much as $3 billion. Once that process is complete, the plan is to break the resulting business into as many as three different companies. The takeaway here? Whether or not Elmrox gets its way at Ashland, there are clearly big changes taking place in the chemicals space, and Ashland is going to have to adjust along with it.</p>
<p>To give you an idea of what's going on under the covers, in the company's fiscal first quarter of 2016, Valvoline posted record results but Ashland's chemicals businesses were hampered by factors including divestitures and weakening demand in the U.S. energy market. The company's overall sales were down nearly 13% in the quarter. Ashland really is a tale of two companies. And the while the chemicals business isn't feeling the "worst of times," it certainly isn't doing as well as Valvoline.</p>
<p>The highlight reelIf you're looking at Ashland today, the overriding event is the Valvoline spin-off. It's simply a huge part of the business. That, however, has to include the prodding of Elmrox, an outside investor that thinks there are other options to consider. Indeed, in recent days, dissident shareholders appear to be having an outsized impact on companies of all types. So it's too early say that the spin-off story is done here.</p>
<p>But Valvoline shouldn't distract you from understanding the rest of Ashland, which is a widely diversified chemicals company. That's been a rough market of late, but Ashland has been adjusting its business to benefit from the areas that appear to have the best growth prospects. Still, chemicals are out of favor right now, and that's been driving Ashland's shares. If it gets things right, it should come out the other side of this weak market a much stronger company. Unless it gets sold, that is.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/06/the-5-minute-guide-to-ashland-incs-stock.aspx" type="external">The 5-Minute Guide to Ashland Inc.'s Stock Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/ReubenGBrewer/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Reuben Brewer Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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ashland chemical maker thats bit simple explanation company also owns motor oil company valvoline least whats mean well heres downlow ashland changing business two companies one source ashland continue reading get hereashland really two businesses one large chemicals business also owns motor oil quick lube specialist valvoline least planning spin valvoline clear similarities two businesses valvoline really brand image 40 revenues big chunk ashland thing valvoline pretty well right rest ashland struggling weak chemicals market ashland shares meanwhile 25 past 12 months clearly valvoline grown adjusted ebitda annualized 13 past five years isnt attracting much investor attention chemicals business spinning valvoline tax free shareholders could unlock value stockholders also happens single biggest thing going company right pleasedthat said shareholders dont like idea spinning valvoline elmrox investment group llc claims around 100 million worth ashland stock thinks valvoline better bet chemicals business asking ashland turn spinoff equation head consider selling chemicals operation elmrox wants see valvoline structured master limited partnership far ashland sticking guns dissident shareholder board make things lot complicated spinning 40 company wasnt complicated enough top ashland lot buying selling recent years valvoline spinoff kind culminating event actually happens currently planned advertisement ashland made huge changes recent years source ashland chemicalsso fiveminute guide near term whats going happen valvoline 60 company well rest ashland makes chemicals incredibly broad array industries including construction oil gas exploration automotive food beverage pharmaceuticals coatings among others got operations around world noted refocusing business trying highlight higher growth highermargin markets getting less desirable ones example key growth areas right drug personal care coatings spaces company expects grow quickly global economy shift continued success valvoline helped push companys ebitda margins around 5 1995 20 last year many ways ashland appears right things chemicals side business cant sidestep broader dynamics industry chemicals weak right ultimately elmrox pushing sale business fact even industry giants dow chemical dupont making huge changes fact elmrox points difficult chemicals market pair merging goal cutting costs much 3 billion process complete plan break resulting business many three different companies takeaway whether elmrox gets way ashland clearly big changes taking place chemicals space ashland going adjust along give idea whats going covers companys fiscal first quarter 2016 valvoline posted record results ashlands chemicals businesses hampered factors including divestitures weakening demand us energy market companys overall sales nearly 13 quarter ashland really tale two companies chemicals business isnt feeling worst times certainly isnt well valvoline highlight reelif youre looking ashland today overriding event valvoline spinoff simply huge part business however include prodding elmrox outside investor thinks options consider indeed recent days dissident shareholders appear outsized impact companies types early say spinoff story done valvoline shouldnt distract understanding rest ashland widely diversified chemicals company thats rough market late ashland adjusting business benefit areas appear best growth prospects still chemicals favor right thats driving ashlands shares gets things right come side weak market much stronger company unless gets sold article 5minute guide ashland incs stock opens new window originally appeared foolcom reuben brewer opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>In his weekly radio address President Obama accused the Republican leadership&#160; in the Senate of filibustering the recovery and obstructing the progress our the country.</p>
<p>From <a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/07/obama-gop-filibustering-recovery-.html" type="external">Political Punch</a></p>
<p>President Obama accuses the Republican leadership in the Senate is filibustering the nation’s recovery and using “stalling tactics” to try to obstruct the progress of the country.</p>
<p>“Too often, the Republican leadership in the United States Senate chooses to filibuster our recovery and obstruct our progress,” the president said in his weekly address.</p>
<p>“That has very real consequences,” he warned.</p>
<p>Specifically, President Obama highlighted two areas where Republicans are causing a delay:&#160;a filibuster of passing unemployment benefits, and&#160;a small business aid bill that has yet to be called for a vote in the Senate.</p>
<p>On the small business aid bill, Obama said the “partisan minority” is using procedural tactics to block an up-or-down vote.</p>
<p>“Consider what that obstruction means for our small businesses&#160;— the growth engines that create two of every three new jobs in this country,” Obama said. “A lot of small businesses still have trouble getting the loans and capital they need to keep their doors open and hire new workers.”</p>
<p>The bill, which passed the House last month, would create a $30 billion fund run by the Treasury Department to boost lending to small businesses. Under the program, community banks – the primary source of credit for small businesses – would receive incentives to use the capital provided by the fund to extend loans to these firms.</p>
<p>A GOP Senate aide says that the president’s description of the small business aid holdup is inaccurate. According to the aide, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, moved to that bill a couple weeks ago, but pulled it down to focus on financial regulation. Reid said that the small business bill will be on the floor Monday, but that’s a no-vote day and he already announced he’ll move off of that and back to unemployment insurance on Tuesday.</p>
<p>On the unemployment benefits extension, the president said that three times&#160;the Senate has tried&#160; to extend temporarily the emergency assistance, and three times, “the same crowd who said ‘no’ to small businesses said ‘no’ to folks looking for work and blocked a straight up-or-down vote.”</p>
<p>Addressing those who claim unemployment insurance discourages people from looking for work, President Obama said, “I haven’t met any Americans who would rather have an unemployment check than a meaningful job that lets you provide for your family.”</p>
<p>And to&#160;those who would argue&#160;the government should not provide unemployment insurance because it costs money, the president said, they “are wrong.”</p>
<p>“The fact is, most economists agree that extending unemployment insurance is one of the single most cost-effective ways to help jumpstart the economy,” he said. “It puts money into the pockets of folks who not only need it most, but who also are most likely to spend it quickly.&#160; That boosts local economies.&#160; And that means jobs.”</p>
<p>Every Republican except Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of&#160;Maine&#160;has opposed the restoration and extension of the jobless benefits through Nov. 30 on the grounds that it would add tens of billions of dollars to the nation’s deficit. One Democrat – Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska – also has opposed the measure.</p>
<p>Nevertheless,&#160;the long-term jobless are poised to get the help they’ve been waiting for since the benefits lapsed on June 2 when Carte Goodwin,&#160;a new interim senator from West Virginia, will be sworn in, <a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/07/instant-impact-new-west-virginia-senator-means-help-for-unemployed.html" type="external">ABC News’&#160;Matt Jaffe reported</a>.</p>
<p>In his weekly address, the president calls on Congress to increase loans to small business and renew unemployment&#160; insurance, “because when storms strike Main Street, we don’t play politics with emergency aid.&#160; We don’t desert our fellow Americans when they fall on hard times.”</p>
<p>The fact is the Republicans have been unwilling or unable to stop most of Obama’s agenda.</p>
<p>While he has been stymied on issues like climate change and card check, Obama and the Democrats have managed to push through a $787 billion stimulus program that the president himself would guarantee that unemployment wouldn’t rise above 8%, health care reform ( though that was mainly the House’s doing) and now financial reform.&#160; And yet he complains that the GOP has been obstructing his agenda?</p>
<p>The fact of the matter is that Obama’s economic plan isn’t working and he needs someone to blame.&#160; Unemployment is still stubbornly high, the deficit is at record levels (yes let’s just spend our way out of the recession) and now financial reform is supposed to save the day.</p>
<p>And what about his claim also echoed by Nancy Pelosi that unemployment benefits are one of the best ways to jumpstart the economy? Well if that were the case why do we need 99 weeks worth of benefits?&#160; As far as his claim of not having met anyone who would prefer an unemployment check to a job then the president should read the Wall Street Journal artcile from a couple of weeks ago on this subject.&#160; In that article the Journal mentioned the case of a recruiting firm in California who had five $60,000 year engineering jobs they needed to fill and were told by unemployed engineers that they contacted that it the job either didn’t pay enough money or that they wanted to be called back when their unemployment benefits ran out.</p>
<p>Sorry Mr. President but there are plenty of people out there who prefer the government dole over a paycheck .</p>
<p>The administration should be creating incentives for business to hire people but has chosen instead to increase regulations and taxes or spend taxpayer money on short term do nothing jobs that in the long run discourages job creation.</p>
<p>The President has said that he expects to be held accountable for the unemployment problem. Well now is the time and rather than blaming his policies he has reverted to the blame Bush or blame the GOP mantra.</p>
<p>If Obama thinks this strategy works then so be it, but his arrogance will surely cost his party dearly in November and then what does he do?</p>
<p>UPDATE:</p>
<p>Now comes Veep Joe Biden who said today that the stimulus was too small and that Americans don’t understand how successful the administration has been so far.</p>
<p>From the Politico</p>
<p>Seeming to echo a line of criticism usually voiced by Republicans, Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that most Americans and even many experts “don’t even know” what’s inside the White House’s signature legislative accomplishments.</p>
<p>Biden said that lack of understanding was “because of all the advertising done” by opponents of those bills.</p>
<p>Asked by ABC’s “This Week” host Jake Tapper in an interview aired Sunday if the administration “is getting enough credit” for the Wall St. bill, the health care bill, and the economic Recovery Act in light of polls showing the majority of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, Biden said: “The vast majority of the American people and a lot of people really involved don’t even know what’s inside the packages.”</p>
<p>“People don’t know a lot of what’s going on in The Recovery Act,” Biden said, ”understandably, because this has been so much stuff that has been flowing our way.”</p>
<p>Despite those polls, Biden said, the country is moving in the right direction, saying of Americans who disagree “nor could they or should they” understand that, given the 6.7 million jobs lost in the last six months of the Bush administration and the first six months of the Obama administration.</p>
<p>Pointing to jobs growth in recent months, he added that when the “country is in trouble, all [people] want to know is… that we’re moving in the right direction.”</p>
<p>“But they don’t think that we are, “ Tapper replied.</p>
<p>“No. No, they don’t think now because I don’t think they know the detail of what’s going on,” said Biden, who said “the health care numbers are going up” now “because they’re figuring out that small businesses are going to get a 30 percent tax cut. They didn’t know that because of all the advertising done.“</p>
<p>Detailing what he called “the summer of recovery,” Biden said, “We have two, three times as many highway projects going. We have significant investment in broadband for the first time now. It’s starting to really ramp up [with contracts] in high speed rail, in wind energy.</p>
<p>“This is a hard slog, man,” Biden said. “And it’s counter-intuitive. It’s counter-intuitive to say someone sitting at a kitchen table in Claymont, Del., who lost their jobs — by the way, we saved or created three million jobs and they pick up when we lost three million.”</p>
<p>Biden may need to explain to the president exactly what the administration has accomplished legislatively so he won’t complain about the GOP blocking his agenda.</p>
<p>As for the claim that they wanted a bigger stimulus the administration should be thankful that it wasn’t any larger based on the fact that it didn’t reduce unemployment or make a dent in the recession.</p>
<p>The more they talk the deeper the hole they dig.</p>
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weekly radio address president obama accused republican leadership160 senate filibustering recovery obstructing progress country political punch president obama accuses republican leadership senate filibustering nations recovery using stalling tactics try obstruct progress country often republican leadership united states senate chooses filibuster recovery obstruct progress president said weekly address real consequences warned specifically president obama highlighted two areas republicans causing delay160a filibuster passing unemployment benefits and160a small business aid bill yet called vote senate small business aid bill obama said partisan minority using procedural tactics block upordown vote consider obstruction means small businesses160 growth engines create two every three new jobs country obama said lot small businesses still trouble getting loans capital need keep doors open hire new workers bill passed house last month would create 30 billion fund run treasury department boost lending small businesses program community banks primary source credit small businesses would receive incentives use capital provided fund extend loans firms gop senate aide says presidents description small business aid holdup inaccurate according aide senate majority leader harry reid dnevada moved bill couple weeks ago pulled focus financial regulation reid said small business bill floor monday thats novote day already announced hell move back unemployment insurance tuesday unemployment benefits extension president said three times160the senate tried160 extend temporarily emergency assistance three times crowd said small businesses said folks looking work blocked straight upordown vote addressing claim unemployment insurance discourages people looking work president obama said havent met americans would rather unemployment check meaningful job lets provide family to160those would argue160the government provide unemployment insurance costs money president said wrong fact economists agree extending unemployment insurance one single costeffective ways help jumpstart economy said puts money pockets folks need also likely spend quickly160 boosts local economies160 means jobs every republican except sens olympia snowe susan collins of160maine160has opposed restoration extension jobless benefits nov 30 grounds would add tens billions dollars nations deficit one democrat sen ben nelson nebraska also opposed measure nevertheless160the longterm jobless poised get help theyve waiting since benefits lapsed june 2 carte goodwin160a new interim senator west virginia sworn abc news160matt jaffe reported weekly address president calls congress increase loans small business renew unemployment160 insurance storms strike main street dont play politics emergency aid160 dont desert fellow americans fall hard times fact republicans unwilling unable stop obamas agenda stymied issues like climate change card check obama democrats managed push 787 billion stimulus program president would guarantee unemployment wouldnt rise 8 health care reform though mainly houses financial reform160 yet complains gop obstructing agenda fact matter obamas economic plan isnt working needs someone blame160 unemployment still stubbornly high deficit record levels yes lets spend way recession financial reform supposed save day claim also echoed nancy pelosi unemployment benefits one best ways jumpstart economy well case need 99 weeks worth benefits160 far claim met anyone would prefer unemployment check job president read wall street journal artcile couple weeks ago subject160 article journal mentioned case recruiting firm california five 60000 year engineering jobs needed fill told unemployed engineers contacted job either didnt pay enough money wanted called back unemployment benefits ran sorry mr president plenty people prefer government dole paycheck administration creating incentives business hire people chosen instead increase regulations taxes spend taxpayer money short term nothing jobs long run discourages job creation president said expects held accountable unemployment problem well time rather blaming policies reverted blame bush blame gop mantra obama thinks strategy works arrogance surely cost party dearly november update comes veep joe biden said today stimulus small americans dont understand successful administration far politico seeming echo line criticism usually voiced republicans vice president joe biden said friday americans even many experts dont even know whats inside white houses signature legislative accomplishments biden said lack understanding advertising done opponents bills asked abcs week host jake tapper interview aired sunday administration getting enough credit wall st bill health care bill economic recovery act light polls showing majority americans believe country wrong track biden said vast majority american people lot people really involved dont even know whats inside packages people dont know lot whats going recovery act biden said understandably much stuff flowing way despite polls biden said country moving right direction saying americans disagree could understand given 67 million jobs lost last six months bush administration first six months obama administration pointing jobs growth recent months added country trouble people want know moving right direction dont think tapper replied dont think dont think know detail whats going said biden said health care numbers going theyre figuring small businesses going get 30 percent tax cut didnt know advertising done detailing called summer recovery biden said two three times many highway projects going significant investment broadband first time starting really ramp contracts high speed rail wind energy hard slog man biden said counterintuitive counterintuitive say someone sitting kitchen table claymont del lost jobs way saved created three million jobs pick lost three million biden may need explain president exactly administration accomplished legislatively wont complain gop blocking agenda claim wanted bigger stimulus administration thankful wasnt larger based fact didnt reduce unemployment make dent recession talk deeper hole dig
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<p>This summer, investors bet that developed-world central banks would move in tandem when exiting crisis-era stimulus.</p>
<p>On Thursday, the European Central Bank gave notice that its stimulus will loiter longer, widening a gap between monetary policy expectations in the eurozone and U.S. that is set to further influence their financial markets.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The ECB said it would halve its monthly bond-buying to EUR30 billion but keep buying until the end of September 2018, while reiterating that interest rates would remain at current levels well past the end of the asset-purchase program.</p>
<p>That sent the euro down 1.4% against the dollar, its biggest daily decline since the U.K.'s Brexit vote last year, while boosting eurozone bonds and equities. The ECB's move cemented investors' growing sense that it would continue the extraordinary monetary stimulus that has supported local markets. The realization that the central bank is in no hurry to unwind stimulus has already acted as a weight on the common currency and sent the gulf between U.S. and German government bonds to multiyear highs this month, trends that investors now expect to continue.</p>
<p>The euro continued its decline on Friday, falling 0.2% to $1.16.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, investors' expectations for U.S. interest-rate rises have climbed over the last month, the Bank of Canada has been raising rates, and most expect the Bank of England to raise borrowing costs for the first time in a decade in November. The Federal Reserve is expected to raise its benchmark rate for the third time this year in December, and this month it started reducing its bondholdings.</p>
<p>"There's this continued divergence between what the ECB is doing and what the [Fed is doing]," said Antoine Lesne, who runs SPDR strategy at State Street Global Advisors. "This tone of caution [from ECB President Mario Draghi] lets the market believe they're going to be in there for quite some time."</p>
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<p>The ECB's decision to extend its asset-purchase program until September was taken by many investors as a sign that an interest-rate rise remained a distant concern, given the central bank's continued guidance that this won't occur until well after the end of its purchases. Following Thursday's meeting, investors' expectations for a rate rise in the eurozone were pushed back to June 2019 from March 2019, according to derivatives markets.</p>
<p>"The longer the program goes on, the further into the future any prospect of a rate hike is," said James Athey, investment manager at Aberdeen Standard Investments.</p>
<p>The central banks of Europe, the U.S. and Japan knocked rates to ultralows and began to buy bonds in a bid to stimulate economies that had been bit hard by the financial crisis. But as economic growth has gathered steam, most central banks have begun to either tighten those monetary taps or hint that they will do so.</p>
<p>The divergent policy expectations between the U.S. and eurozone have pushed the yield gap between two-year Treasurys and two-year bunds to its widest since 1999, when the euro traded around $1.05. Germany's two-year bunds now offer yields 2.35 percentage points below two-year U.S. government bonds, according to Tradeweb.</p>
<p>Bastien Drut, fixed-income and currency strategist at Amundi, said he expects that gap to widen further in the coming months as the Fed continues reducing its balance sheet and raising short-term interest rates.</p>
<p>That also has helped stall the rapid move higher for the euro that pushed the currency up 13% against the dollar in the first eight months of the year. On Thursday, the euro fell to $1.1655, wiping out all its gains from the start of the quarter. The difference between government bond yields is often used as an indicator in currency markets, as investors tend to shift to areas where investments offer higher returns, weakening the currency in the region where yields are low.</p>
<p>The euro's ascent in the first few months of the year is over for now, said Philippe Waechter, chief economist at Natixis Asset Management. "The ECB doesn't want to take any risks on the current economic recovery" by changing policy too quickly, he said.</p>
<p>While Thursday's news was largely expected, many investors welcomed the ECB's announcement as confirmation the bank would take its time unwinding the policies that have propped up the region's financial markets for several years.</p>
<p>The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone companies rose 1.3% on Thursday, while Germany's DAX index ended at a record high and France's CAC-40 climbed to its best finish since the start of 2008. Eurozone stocks have added roughly 11% since the ECB first announced its asset-purchase program in January 2015. Stocks were up again on Friday.</p>
<p>Corporate bonds also rallied after Mr. Draghi said the ECB will continue to buy "sizable quantities" of the securities. The annual cost of insuring against a default on $10 million of European investment-grade debt using credit-default swaps declined $2,000 to $53,000, according to the Markit iTraxx Europe credit-default swap index.</p>
<p>Yields on 10-year German government fell to 0.404% Friday, from 0.464% ahead of the announcement. Assets from the weaker European economies that investors say have benefited most from the bond buying were doing well, with Italian 10-year government bond yields down to 1.932% on Friday, from 2.017% earlier. Yields move inversely to prices.</p>
<p>Jon Sindreu and Christopher Whittall contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Riva Gold at [email protected] and Mike Bird at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>October 27, 2017 06:32 ET (10:32 GMT)</p>
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summer investors bet developedworld central banks would move tandem exiting crisisera stimulus thursday european central bank gave notice stimulus loiter longer widening gap monetary policy expectations eurozone us set influence financial markets continue reading ecb said would halve monthly bondbuying eur30 billion keep buying end september 2018 reiterating interest rates would remain current levels well past end assetpurchase program sent euro 14 dollar biggest daily decline since uks brexit vote last year boosting eurozone bonds equities ecbs move cemented investors growing sense would continue extraordinary monetary stimulus supported local markets realization central bank hurry unwind stimulus already acted weight common currency sent gulf us german government bonds multiyear highs month trends investors expect continue euro continued decline friday falling 02 116 meanwhile investors expectations us interestrate rises climbed last month bank canada raising rates expect bank england raise borrowing costs first time decade november federal reserve expected raise benchmark rate third time year december month started reducing bondholdings theres continued divergence ecb fed said antoine lesne runs spdr strategy state street global advisors tone caution ecb president mario draghi lets market believe theyre going quite time advertisement ecbs decision extend assetpurchase program september taken many investors sign interestrate rise remained distant concern given central banks continued guidance wont occur well end purchases following thursdays meeting investors expectations rate rise eurozone pushed back june 2019 march 2019 according derivatives markets longer program goes future prospect rate hike said james athey investment manager aberdeen standard investments central banks europe us japan knocked rates ultralows began buy bonds bid stimulate economies bit hard financial crisis economic growth gathered steam central banks begun either tighten monetary taps hint divergent policy expectations us eurozone pushed yield gap twoyear treasurys twoyear bunds widest since 1999 euro traded around 105 germanys twoyear bunds offer yields 235 percentage points twoyear us government bonds according tradeweb bastien drut fixedincome currency strategist amundi said expects gap widen coming months fed continues reducing balance sheet raising shortterm interest rates also helped stall rapid move higher euro pushed currency 13 dollar first eight months year thursday euro fell 11655 wiping gains start quarter difference government bond yields often used indicator currency markets investors tend shift areas investments offer higher returns weakening currency region yields low euros ascent first months year said philippe waechter chief economist natixis asset management ecb doesnt want take risks current economic recovery changing policy quickly said thursdays news largely expected many investors welcomed ecbs announcement confirmation bank would take time unwinding policies propped regions financial markets several years euro stoxx 50 index eurozone companies rose 13 thursday germanys dax index ended record high frances cac40 climbed best finish since start 2008 eurozone stocks added roughly 11 since ecb first announced assetpurchase program january 2015 stocks friday corporate bonds also rallied mr draghi said ecb continue buy sizable quantities securities annual cost insuring default 10 million european investmentgrade debt using creditdefault swaps declined 2000 53000 according markit itraxx europe creditdefault swap index yields 10year german government fell 0404 friday 0464 ahead announcement assets weaker european economies investors say benefited bond buying well italian 10year government bond yields 1932 friday 2017 earlier yields move inversely prices jon sindreu christopher whittall contributed article write riva gold rivagoldwsjcom mike bird mikebirdwsjcom end dow jones newswires october 27 2017 0632 et 1032 gmt
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<p />
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/taxes.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">Taxes Opens a New Window.</a> <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/tax-filing.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">Tax Filing Opens a New Window.</a> Tax Documents Necessary To File</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Statements are on the way from employers, banks, stockbrokers and other institutions and agencies that were involved in taxpayers' financial lives last year.</p>
<p>Each of these groups has, by law, until Jan. 31 (or the next business day when that date falls on a holiday or a weekend) to get their annual tax statements in the mail to you. Since the last day of January is on a Saturday this year, the deadline slips to Monday, Feb. 2.</p>
<p>Many taxpayers now receive these documents electronically. So be sure to double-check your email, not just the curbside mailbox, for these statements.</p>
<p>Form 1095-A -- If you, your spouse or a dependent enrolled in health insurance through a state or federal exchange, also referred to as the marketplace, you should receive Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. The information on this new form is needed to complete Form 8962 and calculate your correct premium tax credit amount.</p>
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<p>Only individuals who bought medical insurance through the marketplace will receive this new form. If you do not get your Form 1095-A, contact the marketplace from which you purchased your coverage.</p>
<p>Common income, deduction statements</p>
<p>Most taxpayers depend on the same basic data to file returns. If you work for someone else, the IRS expects you, and the agency, to get a statement detailing that income. The data are slightly different, depending on whether you get paid a salary or do contract work, but there's a form for either case.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-w-2.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">W-2 Opens a New Window.</a> -- This is the key form, and you need one from each employer you worked for during the past year. Your W-2 shows how much money you made, how much income tax was withheld, Social Security and Medicare taxes paid, and any benefit contributions -- retirement plans, medical accounts and child care reimbursement plans.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1098.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1098 Opens a New Window.</a> -- For most homeowners, mortgage interest is tax-deductible, and this document will tell you how much you paid last year. Your lender is required to send you one of these forms if you paid at least $600 interest. Actually, your mortgage company probably won't send you an official IRS form, but a document of its own design that contains the same data. In addition to the mortgage interest, other information often found on this statement includes amounts paid toward points to get the loan and escrow disbursements for real estate taxes (also deductible) and property insurance (not deductible).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1098-e.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1098-E Opens a New Window.</a> -- Are you paying back a student loan? The interest on your educational debt is reported on this form; your lender must send you one if the interest tally is at least $600. You may be able to deduct your student loan interest and possibly other loan-related amounts, such as origination fees and capitalized interest. To figure the deductible portion of the interest amount found here, use the work sheet in your Form 1040 or Form 1040A instructions.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1099-int.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1099-INT Opens a New Window.</a> -- If you earned more than $10 in interest on a bank account or a certificate of deposit, you'll get one of these forms for each account. Don't dismiss this statement if you reinvested the interest. Tax law says you received the income even if you didn't actually have it in your hand, and reinvested earnings are still taxable income. 1099-INT statements also are issued to people who cashed in savings bonds.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1099-div.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1099-DIV Opens a New Window.</a> -- Earnings from individual stocks and mutual funds are reported on Form 1099-DIV. This will show dividends and capital gains distributed over $10. As with reinvested interest, if you used the dividends or distributions to buy additional shares of the stock or mutual fund, you still have to pay taxes. However, the distributions and certain, qualified dividends are taxed at the lower capital gains rates.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1099-b.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1099-B Opens a New Window.</a> -- If you sold stocks, bonds or mutual funds, you will receive a 1099-B from your broker or mutual fund company. This will tell you the number of shares sold, when they sold and the amount you got for the sale. You'll need this information, along with the date you bought the shares and the amount you paid for them, to figure your taxes. Since 2011, brokers have been providing information on the basis (the cost of an asset plus some adjustments) of sold stock.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1099-g.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1099-G Opens a New Window.</a> -- Taxpayers who got a refund of state or local taxes last year will get this form. If you used those taxes as a deduction on your previous year's federal income tax return, you'll need to report the 1099-G amount on this year's return. You don't have to worry about reporting this refund as income, however, if you took the standard federal deduction instead of itemizing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1099-k.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1099-K Opens a New Window.</a> -- If you received payments via credit or debit cards or from third-party payment processors, such as PayPal, Amazon and eBay, you might receive a 1099-K reporting those amounts. There are triggers for amounts ($20,000) and number of transactions (200), so not every person who receives such payments will get a 1099-K. This income, however, is taxable and should be reported even without issuance of a 1099-K. The new statement is an attempt to get more information on such payments to the IRS.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1099-r.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1099-R Opens a New Window.</a> -- If you received a pension or a distribution from an individual retirement account or retirement plan, the 1099-R provides the details of these transactions. The form is issued by your broker, pension plan manager or mutual fund company. You'll also get a 1099-R if you rolled over money in a retirement plan, usually a 401(k) to an IRA, or if you converted a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. A rollover usually is not a taxable event, but a pension payout may be.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1099-misc.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">1099-MISC Opens a New Window.</a> -- Self-employed individuals who earned $600 or more should get a 1099-MISC from each company with which they did business. You should get a separate 1099-MISC for each independent job you had during the previous tax year.</p>
<p>Late-arriving forms</p>
<p>There are a couple of statements you might need for your tax records, but because of the intricacies of the financial arrangements they cover, the documents do not always arrive before the April filing deadline. But if you get an extension to file, you shouldn't have any issues.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-5498.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">Form 5498 Opens a New Window.</a> -- Any contributions made during the calendar year to any individual retirement accounts are reported on this form. The 5498 shows traditional IRA contributions that might be deductible on your tax return, as well as any rollovers, including a direct rollover to a traditional IRA, made during the last tax year. It also reports amounts recharacterized from one type of IRA to another. It notes any amounts converted from a traditional IRA, simplified employee pension or savings incentive match plan for employees to a Roth IRA.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-5498-esa.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">Form 5498-ESA Opens a New Window.</a> -- Contributions to Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, formerly known as Education IRAs, previously were reported on Form 5498, but these plans now are tracked on this statement. The youngster named as account beneficiary should get a copy of this document by April 30.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-1041-schedule-k-1.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">Schedule K-1 Opens a New Window.</a> -- Finally, if you received money from an estate, trust, partnership or S corporation last year, you should get a Schedule K-1. However, because of the complexity of many of these arrangements, account managers tend to send out K-1s later in the tax season -- sometimes not until after the April filing deadline.</p>
<p>Because you do need to know this amount of K-1 income to file your return, taxpayers who get K-1s tend to file <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/forms/tax-form-4868.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">Form 4868 Opens a New Window.</a>, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File, to get six more months to get all their tax statements in hand.</p>
<p>Copyright 2015, Bankrate Inc.</p>
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taxes opens new window tax filing opens new window tax documents necessary file continue reading statements way employers banks stockbrokers institutions agencies involved taxpayers financial lives last year groups law jan 31 next business day date falls holiday weekend get annual tax statements mail since last day january saturday year deadline slips monday feb 2 many taxpayers receive documents electronically sure doublecheck email curbside mailbox statements form 1095a spouse dependent enrolled health insurance state federal exchange also referred marketplace receive form 1095a health insurance marketplace statement information new form needed complete form 8962 calculate correct premium tax credit amount advertisement individuals bought medical insurance marketplace receive new form get form 1095a contact marketplace purchased coverage common income deduction statements taxpayers depend basic data file returns work someone else irs expects agency get statement detailing income data slightly different depending whether get paid salary contract work theres form either case w2 opens new window key form need one employer worked past year w2 shows much money made much income tax withheld social security medicare taxes paid benefit contributions retirement plans medical accounts child care reimbursement plans 1098 opens new window homeowners mortgage interest taxdeductible document tell much paid last year lender required send one forms paid least 600 interest actually mortgage company probably wont send official irs form document design contains data addition mortgage interest information often found statement includes amounts paid toward points get loan escrow disbursements real estate taxes also deductible property insurance deductible 1098e opens new window paying back student loan interest educational debt reported form lender must send one interest tally least 600 may able deduct student loan interest possibly loanrelated amounts origination fees capitalized interest figure deductible portion interest amount found use work sheet form 1040 form 1040a instructions 1099int opens new window earned 10 interest bank account certificate deposit youll get one forms account dont dismiss statement reinvested interest tax law says received income even didnt actually hand reinvested earnings still taxable income 1099int statements also issued people cashed savings bonds 1099div opens new window earnings individual stocks mutual funds reported form 1099div show dividends capital gains distributed 10 reinvested interest used dividends distributions buy additional shares stock mutual fund still pay taxes however distributions certain qualified dividends taxed lower capital gains rates 1099b opens new window sold stocks bonds mutual funds receive 1099b broker mutual fund company tell number shares sold sold amount got sale youll need information along date bought shares amount paid figure taxes since 2011 brokers providing information basis cost asset plus adjustments sold stock 1099g opens new window taxpayers got refund state local taxes last year get form used taxes deduction previous years federal income tax return youll need report 1099g amount years return dont worry reporting refund income however took standard federal deduction instead itemizing 1099k opens new window received payments via credit debit cards thirdparty payment processors paypal amazon ebay might receive 1099k reporting amounts triggers amounts 20000 number transactions 200 every person receives payments get 1099k income however taxable reported even without issuance 1099k new statement attempt get information payments irs 1099r opens new window received pension distribution individual retirement account retirement plan 1099r provides details transactions form issued broker pension plan manager mutual fund company youll also get 1099r rolled money retirement plan usually 401k ira converted traditional ira roth ira rollover usually taxable event pension payout may 1099misc opens new window selfemployed individuals earned 600 get 1099misc company business get separate 1099misc independent job previous tax year latearriving forms couple statements might need tax records intricacies financial arrangements cover documents always arrive april filing deadline get extension file shouldnt issues form 5498 opens new window contributions made calendar year individual retirement accounts reported form 5498 shows traditional ira contributions might deductible tax return well rollovers including direct rollover traditional ira made last tax year also reports amounts recharacterized one type ira another notes amounts converted traditional ira simplified employee pension savings incentive match plan employees roth ira form 5498esa opens new window contributions coverdell education savings accounts formerly known education iras previously reported form 5498 plans tracked statement youngster named account beneficiary get copy document april 30 schedule k1 opens new window finally received money estate trust partnership corporation last year get schedule k1 however complexity many arrangements account managers tend send k1s later tax season sometimes april filing deadline need know amount k1 income file return taxpayers get k1s tend file form 4868 opens new window application automatic extension time file get six months get tax statements hand copyright 2015 bankrate inc
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<p>The boom in data traffic is creating the need for stronger cloud infrastructure, forcing cloud service providers (CSPs) to upgrade their data centers to process the increasing volume and complexity of data. Gartner estimates that public cloud infrastructure investments will grow almost 37% this year, to $34.6 billion, thanks to investments from Amazon, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Alphabet's (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) Google to bring their data centers up to speed.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>One way to tap this multibillion-dollar market is through NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), as its Tesla graphics processing units (GPUs) are helping the CSPs bring raw computing power to their data centers. As it turns out, the chipmaker's data center business has taken off remarkably in recent quarters, outpacing the growth in other key segments.</p>
<p>Data Source: NVIDIA. Chart by author.</p>
<p>In fact, the data center business is now NVIDIA's second-largest revenue source, and it is likely that it will continue to get bigger given the company's recent moves in this space.</p>
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<p>A huge amount of data is being generated thanks to connected cars and other Internet of Things devices. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich believes that a single autonomous car could generate 4,000 gigabytes of data daily if driven for just one hour, thanks to all the sensors and cameras installed. <a href="https://machinaresearch.com/news/press-release-global-internet-of-things-market-to-grow-to-27-billion-devices-generating-usd3-trillion-revenue-in-2025/" type="external">Machina Research Opens a New Window.</a>, on the other hand, forecasts that the number of connected devices will grow over fourfold, to 27 billion, by 2025.</p>
<p>This is going to create a big challenge for CSPs in transferring the data from the cloud to the data center, with Gartner forecasting that 25% of the data generated will go to waste even before it is analyzed. NVIDIA, however, has a solution for the CSPs with its Tesla GPUs that are specifically aimed at this market.</p>
<p>Image source: NVIDIA.</p>
<p>The Tesla GPUs accelerate a data center's computing power, enabling service providers to process huge data sets at a fraction of the cost required to build a new facility, which would previously have been required to analyze the same amount of data. NVIDIA does this by allowing service providers to replace central processing units with its high-performance GPUs that can deliver a fivefold boost in computational power and slash costs by 60%.</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, Alphabet has decided to use the chipmaker's Tesla K80 GPUs on the Google Cloud Platform to offer deep-learning capabilities to its users. Google Cloud users can now use up to eight GPUs to perform intensive tasks such as high-performance data analysis, seismic analysis, and video transcoding.</p>
<p>Google is going to charge $0.70 per hour for each K80 GPU in the U.S. and $0.77 per hour in Asia and Europe, allowing users to carry out deep-learning operations without any significant capital investment. What's more, Tencent has also decided to use NVIDIA's Tesla P100 and P40 GPU accelerators to give artificial intelligence (AI) computing capabilities to its enterprise customers, giving the chipmaker access to China's booming public cloud-infrastructure market.</p>
<p>AI cloud computing is fast gaining traction thanks to the advent of the Internet of Things and connected cars that require autonomous decision making based on data generated, and NVIDIA does not want to miss the gravy train. The chipmaker recently partnered with Microsoft to bring to market a hyperscale GPU accelerator aimed at AI cloud computing applications.</p>
<p>NVIDIA and Microsoft expect their framework -- the HGX-1 -- to be used in healthcare, self-driving cars, and voice recognition, among others, as it is positioned as the standard architecture for AI cloud computing. The HGX-1 is based on an open-source, modular design, indicating that it is scalable in nature since it comes with eight Tesla GPUs that can connect to the central processing unit depending on the workload.</p>
<p>NVIDIA has made a smart move by tying up with Microsoft to develop an AI cloud computing solution as the latter's Azure cloud service is growing at a faster pace than the market leader. Amazon Web Services -- the e-commerce giant's cloud computing services subsidiary -- is currently the market leader in this space, but Microsoft's Azure cloud could overtake it in a couple of years according to a Morgan Stanley survey.</p>
<p>In all, NVIDIA's data center business has a lot of room for growth as the company's GPUs will play a mission-critical role in cloud computing thanks to the chipmaker's deep-learning and AI capabilities. More important, the company is partnering with the key players to sustain its rapid growth in this space.</p>
<p>Find out why Nvidia is one of the 10 best stocks to buy now</p>
<p>Motley Fool co-founders Tom and David Gardner have spent more than a decade beating the market. (In fact, the newsletter they run, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market!*)</p>
<p>Tom and David just revealed their ten top stock picks for investors to buy right now. Nvidia <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0000450%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6313%26ftm_veh%3Darticle_pitch&amp;impression=38a0c9c5-1f32-49e4-b951-3ec6d2ae6fd6&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">is on the list Opens a New Window.</a> -- but there are nine others you may be overlooking.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0000450%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6313%26ftm_veh%3Darticle_pitch&amp;impression=38a0c9c5-1f32-49e4-b951-3ec6d2ae6fd6&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here to get access to the full list! Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017</p>
<p>Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Teresa Kersten is an employee of LinkedIn and is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TechJunk13/info.aspx" type="external">Harsh Chauhan Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Amazon, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Intel. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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boom data traffic creating need stronger cloud infrastructure forcing cloud service providers csps upgrade data centers process increasing volume complexity data gartner estimates public cloud infrastructure investments grow almost 37 year 346 billion thanks investments amazon microsoft nasdaq msft alphabets nasdaq goog nasdaq googl google bring data centers speed continue reading one way tap multibilliondollar market nvidia nasdaq nvda tesla graphics processing units gpus helping csps bring raw computing power data centers turns chipmakers data center business taken remarkably recent quarters outpacing growth key segments data source nvidia chart author fact data center business nvidias secondlargest revenue source likely continue get bigger given companys recent moves space advertisement huge amount data generated thanks connected cars internet things devices intel ceo brian krzanich believes single autonomous car could generate 4000 gigabytes data daily driven one hour thanks sensors cameras installed machina research opens new window hand forecasts number connected devices grow fourfold 27 billion 2025 going create big challenge csps transferring data cloud data center gartner forecasting 25 data generated go waste even analyzed nvidia however solution csps tesla gpus specifically aimed market image source nvidia tesla gpus accelerate data centers computing power enabling service providers process huge data sets fraction cost required build new facility would previously required analyze amount data nvidia allowing service providers replace central processing units highperformance gpus deliver fivefold boost computational power slash costs 60 surprisingly alphabet decided use chipmakers tesla k80 gpus google cloud platform offer deeplearning capabilities users google cloud users use eight gpus perform intensive tasks highperformance data analysis seismic analysis video transcoding google going charge 070 per hour k80 gpu us 077 per hour asia europe allowing users carry deeplearning operations without significant capital investment whats tencent also decided use nvidias tesla p100 p40 gpu accelerators give artificial intelligence ai computing capabilities enterprise customers giving chipmaker access chinas booming public cloudinfrastructure market ai cloud computing fast gaining traction thanks advent internet things connected cars require autonomous decision making based data generated nvidia want miss gravy train chipmaker recently partnered microsoft bring market hyperscale gpu accelerator aimed ai cloud computing applications nvidia microsoft expect framework hgx1 used healthcare selfdriving cars voice recognition among others positioned standard architecture ai cloud computing hgx1 based opensource modular design indicating scalable nature since comes eight tesla gpus connect central processing unit depending workload nvidia made smart move tying microsoft develop ai cloud computing solution latters azure cloud service growing faster pace market leader amazon web services ecommerce giants cloud computing services subsidiary currently market leader space microsofts azure cloud could overtake couple years according morgan stanley survey nvidias data center business lot room growth companys gpus play missioncritical role cloud computing thanks chipmakers deeplearning ai capabilities important company partnering key players sustain rapid growth space find nvidia one 10 best stocks buy motley fool cofounders tom david gardner spent decade beating market fact newsletter run motley fool stock advisor tripled market tom david revealed ten top stock picks investors buy right nvidia list opens new window nine others may overlooking click get access full list opens new window stock advisor returns february 6 2017 suzanne frey executive alphabet member motley fools board directors teresa kersten employee linkedin member motley fools board directors linkedin owned microsoft harsh chauhan opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends alphabet shares alphabet c shares amazon nvidia motley fool recommends intel motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>NVIDIA's (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock has risen 650% in the last five years as it has broadened its graphics technology to a number of areas beyond gaming. It's important for investors interested in the company to know what the graphics specialist is doing to stay ahead of the competition and continue delivering returns for shareholders.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>NVIDIA's business outside of selling graphics processing units (GPUs) to PC gamers is heavily dependent on winning a place inside other company's systems, so-called design wins. Gamers can buy NVIDIA's GPUs direct from the company on its website, but selling GPUs to other industries like auto, manufacturing, and cloud computing is a little more complicated.As a consequence, there's a lot of work besides engineering that goes into supplying GPUs to an auto company or manufacturer.</p>
<p>NVIDIA and Bosch recently partnered to build an AI self-driving car computer. Image source: NVIDIA.</p>
<p>Every year, NVIDIA has one or two chances to achieve design wins with potential customers or partners. Failure to offer a product competitive on functionality and price can lead to lower revenue and lower market share.</p>
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<p>Companies in various industries have particular needs, so it's extremely important for NVIDIA to work closely with companies to ensure it provides GPUs that fulfill a specific requirement. This places emphasis not just on great GPU design and engineering, but also on having great people who can form relationships with companies. A key part of NVIDIA's business success is anticipating what companies in different industries need and then supplying the right product at the right price.</p>
<p>This makes the growth of NVIDIA's business in the last few years all the more impressive.</p>
<p>NVIDIA partners include TomTom, which provides mapping technology for self-driving cars; FANUC, a robot manufacturer for automated factories; and auto manufacturers and suppliers including Tesla, Volkswagen AG'sAudi, PACCAR, Bosch, and Europe's top trucking supplier, ZF.</p>
<p>NVIDIA's advancements in GPU technology have left CPU giant Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) scrambling to catch up as the GPU is the only processor capable of handling the computing power needed to teach a car to drive by itself or to power robots in automated factories.</p>
<p>As NVIDIA gets more design wins and creates important partnerships in serving new growth markets, Intel has found itself in a defensive posture and is trying to buy its way to self-driving car dominance through acquisitions, such as its recent deal to buy Mobileye. Intel might be kicking itself for not attempting to acquire a much cheaper NVIDIA five years ago.</p>
<p>The GPU is the processor of the future, and NVIDIA's quickly increasing list of partnerships with major auto and manufacturing companies demonstrates it has the technology and people to succeed in important <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/04/nvidia-is-a-bet-on-the-global-economy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">future growth markets Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>NVIDIA's success with GPU development has translated to superior financials compared to its prime GPU competitor, Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD).</p>
<p>NVIDIA finished fiscal 2017 with $6.8 billion in cash and marketable securities and less than $2 billion in debt -- a very healthy net cash position of $4.8 billion. This is a much stronger financial position than AMD's $1.26 billion in cash and $1.4 billion in debt.</p>
<p>The financial picture looks even better for NVIDIA when we take into account its ongoing share repurchases and dividends. NVIDIA's cash generated from operations has increased from $906 million in fiscal 2015 to $1.6 billion in fiscal 2017. In the last three fiscal years, NVIDIA has generated a total of $3.7 billion in cash from operations and <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/12/29/nvidias-savvy-capital-return-efforts.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">distributed Opens a New Window.</a> a total of $2.8 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.</p>
<p>While NVIDIA is in a position to reward shareholders with excess cash flow, AMD is in the difficult position of managing its finances in order to pay down debt. This is a major Achilles' heel for AMD as it tries to win back <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/19/will-nvidias-new-graphics-card-hold-off-competitio.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">market share Opens a New Window.</a> in the discrete GPU market.</p>
<p>AMD burned $234 million in cash from operations over the last three fiscal years, causing the company to issue debt in order to pay down debt.</p>
<p>NVIDIA's superior financial situation is a result of better positioning in product design and pricing by its management team led by CEO Jen-Hsun Huang. Going forward, its strong balance sheet and its superior cash flow generation give NVIDIA more resources to investin GPU developmentcompared to AMD.</p>
<p>Find out why Nvidia is one of the 10 best stocks to buy now</p>
<p>Motley Fool co-founders Tom and David Gardner have spent more than a decade beating the market. (In fact, the newsletter they run, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market!*)</p>
<p>Tom and David just revealed their ten top stock picks for investors to buy right now. Nvidia <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0000450%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6313%26ftm_veh%3Darticle_pitch&amp;impression=33e4eba2-3589-454e-bd2e-b0ec25d5abb6&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">is on the list Opens a New Window.</a> -- but there are nine others you may be overlooking.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0000450%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6313%26ftm_veh%3Darticle_pitch&amp;impression=33e4eba2-3589-454e-bd2e-b0ec25d5abb6&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here to get access to the full list! Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFRazorback/info.aspx" type="external">John Ballard Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Nvidia. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Nvidia, Paccar, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends Intel. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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nvidias nasdaq nvda stock risen 650 last five years broadened graphics technology number areas beyond gaming important investors interested company know graphics specialist stay ahead competition continue delivering returns shareholders continue reading nvidias business outside selling graphics processing units gpus pc gamers heavily dependent winning place inside companys systems socalled design wins gamers buy nvidias gpus direct company website selling gpus industries like auto manufacturing cloud computing little complicatedas consequence theres lot work besides engineering goes supplying gpus auto company manufacturer nvidia bosch recently partnered build ai selfdriving car computer image source nvidia every year nvidia one two chances achieve design wins potential customers partners failure offer product competitive functionality price lead lower revenue lower market share advertisement companies various industries particular needs extremely important nvidia work closely companies ensure provides gpus fulfill specific requirement places emphasis great gpu design engineering also great people form relationships companies key part nvidias business success anticipating companies different industries need supplying right product right price makes growth nvidias business last years impressive nvidia partners include tomtom provides mapping technology selfdriving cars fanuc robot manufacturer automated factories auto manufacturers suppliers including tesla volkswagen agsaudi paccar bosch europes top trucking supplier zf nvidias advancements gpu technology left cpu giant intel nasdaq intc scrambling catch gpu processor capable handling computing power needed teach car drive power robots automated factories nvidia gets design wins creates important partnerships serving new growth markets intel found defensive posture trying buy way selfdriving car dominance acquisitions recent deal buy mobileye intel might kicking attempting acquire much cheaper nvidia five years ago gpu processor future nvidias quickly increasing list partnerships major auto manufacturing companies demonstrates technology people succeed important future growth markets opens new window nvidias success gpu development translated superior financials compared prime gpu competitor advanced micro devices nasdaq amd nvidia finished fiscal 2017 68 billion cash marketable securities less 2 billion debt healthy net cash position 48 billion much stronger financial position amds 126 billion cash 14 billion debt financial picture looks even better nvidia take account ongoing share repurchases dividends nvidias cash generated operations increased 906 million fiscal 2015 16 billion fiscal 2017 last three fiscal years nvidia generated total 37 billion cash operations distributed opens new window total 28 billion shareholders share repurchases dividends nvidia position reward shareholders excess cash flow amd difficult position managing finances order pay debt major achilles heel amd tries win back market share opens new window discrete gpu market amd burned 234 million cash operations last three fiscal years causing company issue debt order pay debt nvidias superior financial situation result better positioning product design pricing management team led ceo jenhsun huang going forward strong balance sheet superior cash flow generation give nvidia resources investin gpu developmentcompared amd find nvidia one 10 best stocks buy motley fool cofounders tom david gardner spent decade beating market fact newsletter run motley fool stock advisor tripled market tom david revealed ten top stock picks investors buy right nvidia list opens new window nine others may overlooking click get access full list opens new window stock advisor returns february 6 2017 john ballard opens new window owns shares nvidia motley fool owns shares recommends nvidia paccar tesla motley fool recommends intel motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Go Sarah! The comments made above by Obama ring out in stark contrast to those made by Sarah Palin a few weeks ago at Ground Zero. Sarah Palin plunged into the raging debate over a proposed Islamic community center and mosque two blocks from Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, saying in series of posts on Twitter that the project should not be built. "Peace-seeking Muslims, pls understand. Ground Zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts. Pls reject it in the interest of healing," the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate tweeted on Sunday. In another message, she wrote, "Peaceful New Yorkers, pls refute the Ground Zero mosque plan if you believe catastrophic pain caused @ Twin Towers site is too raw, too real." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - ABC News</a> Sarah Palin has more guts, more honesty, than any 10 politicians in Washington combined. I first saw this story on <a href="#" type="external">Atlas Shrugs.com</a>, and I was almost unable to process it as I read and then read the headline. Can this be...how can this be...? In my mind I began to have flashbacks of the two planes slamming into the towers, and huge fireballs of explosions arching skyward. A mosque at Ground Zero would be like putting a Nazi banner up at the National Holocaust Museum. Have we as a nation, just 8 short years removed from the greatest attack on American soil, in such politically-correct denial that we have lost our collective minds? Did I miss all the stories about Muslims showing an outpouring of regret for what happened on 9/11? Did it somehow miss my notice all the weeping and tears that were shed by leaders of Islamic nations, begging for forgiveness for what had happened? I guess I did, but I have no memory or recollection of that happening. However, I did see this in the aftermath of 9/11...</p>
<p>Palestinians dancing in the street, celebrating the attacks on 9/11 That's what I saw after we were attacked, the jubilant expressions on the faces of Muslims all over the world. The cowards that planned and carried out the attacks, Muslim terrorists, did what they did in the name of their "god", and in the name of Islam. And now the Jewish mayor of New York City is allowing this to happen? There can only be one logical, rational, acceptable answer for how on earth this could be - money. Mayor Bloomberg, you betray Americans and you especially betray Jews by allowing this sacrilege to take place at the spot where Muslims killed Americans in the name of Islam. The Muslims are gearing up for another attack, but this time it will be many times more deadly than 9/11, because we will have allowed them to build and establish strongholds deep within the very fabric of our society. Email Mayor Bloomberg and let him know how you feel about a mosque at Ground Zero! Send and email to Mayor Bloomberg by <a href="javascript:;" type="external">clicking here</a> and let him know how you feel about a Muslim shrine at the site of Ground Zero. The Mayor recently sent this response back: "Dear Friend: Thank you for writing to share your thoughts and concerns about the proposed mosque and Islamic cultural center to be built at Park Place and Broadway in Lower Manhattan, several blocks north of the World Trade Center site.Our Administration strongly supports the right of faith groups to open houses of worship, or community centers, in whatever location they choose, provided it complies with all applicable laws. It will be called the Cordoba House Mosque, built right next to Ground Zero, and will open on September 11, 2011 New York has long been America's most tolerant and diverse City, welcoming the best, brightest, and hardest-working individuals from around the world -- no matter their identity or beliefs. As a City, we win by choosing to uphold the principles of freedom and respect that lie at the foundation of this tradition -- and that the terrorists attacked on September 11, 2001. Winning the war on terrorism requires us not only to defeat our enemies, at home and abroad, but also to continue upholding the values that make America great. Last month, the local community board voted by an overwhelming margin (29-1) to endorse the project. Of course, the approval process has many steps yet before it is finalized, and many questions remain unanswered. I understand that this is a particularly sensitive issue, and I am hopeful that more dialogue about the center will increase the understanding and cooperation that is so integral to the vitality of New York City. Thank you again for writing to share your opinions on this matter. Sincerely, Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor" 9/11 was not the only Muslim terror attack But 9/11 is not the only Muslim terrorist attacked on American soil. It happened just last year at Fort Hood when Major Malik Nidal Hasan, under the direct orders of Anwar Al-Awlaki who ran the Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Falls Church, Virginia. <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - Washington Post</a></p>
<p>People, if you haven't figured it our by now, mosques are training camps for Islamic terror. There, I said it. And I will say it again - the whole purpose of a mosque is to provide a means to train Muslim terrorists to carry out attacks in the region that the mosque is built in. America has been attacked 3 times by Muslim terrorist since 9/11, and they are as follows: US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan - November 5, 2009 - 13 dead and 30 wounded. Despite his obvious hatred for the country he served, Hasan was allowed to continue in his command even after showing overt support for Al Qaeda. Major Hasan received his orders to kill from Imam Anwar al-Awlaki. "His presentations for school were often laced with extremist Muslim views, one source said. "Is your allegiance to Sharia [Islamic] law or the United States?" students once challenged Hasan, the source said. "Sharia law," the source says Hasan responded." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - CNN News.com</a> Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab - December 25, 2009 - bomb failed to detonate. Otherwise known as the "Christmas Day Ball Bomber", he was able to board a plane bound for Detroit with no luggage, no passport, armed with a bomb in his pants, and set it off in flight. The only thing which prevented the death of every person on board the Nortwest Airlines flight 253 was the fact that his bomb failed to detonate. Every security precaution in place failed to stop him. <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - TimesOnline.co.uk</a> Faisal Shahzad - May 2, 2010 - bomb failed to detonate. Now to be known as the "NYC Times Square" bomber, Shahzad attended a terror training camp in Pakistan but somehow managed to evade being put on the No-fly List. "Sources told CBS 2 on Tuesday morning that Shahzad should have been on the United States "No Fly" terror watch list, and that because he wasn't, he was able to board the plane. Deputy FBI director John Pistole later said, however, that he was in fact placed on the No Fly list Monday, except it was done hours before he was arrested. Still, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano declined to say how Shahzad was able to board the flight if he was on the No Fly list." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - CBS New.com</a> We have to stop this mosque from being built, by any means necessary Part of the Muslim Islamic plan is, when they have attacked, is to build a mosque as close to the site as possible. By this they mean to 'claim it' for Allah. America, you have been sold a bill of goods that Islam is a 'religion of peace'. Islam is not a religion, it is a terrorist ideology that hides behind the razor-thin veneer of religion, so that it can be promoted in every country around the globe under the banner of tolerance and diversity. If we did not learn our lesson from 9/11, then I have to ask WHEN will we learn? Time is slipping away, and the Muslims gain more of a foothold here in this country every day because we allow it. Mosque at Ground Zero? Only over the dead body of each and every American who calls themselves a Patriot.</p>
<p>Stop the Mosque at Ground Zero Rally</p> The so-called Ground Zero mosque recently applied for a $5 million federal grant from a fund designed to rebuild lower Manhattan after 9/11. On foreign soil. The ultimate insult. Daisy Khan spits in face of 9/11 victims families. Franklin Graham boldly speaks the truth. MAJOR PROTEST this Sunday morning at Ground Zero Mosque Site. WHO: WHERE: WHY: As-Salamu Alaykum. Obama backtracks over Ground Zero mosque after furious 9/11 families label him 'insensitive and uncaring' Go Sarah! Atlas Shrugs.com Palestinians dancing in the street, celebrating the attacks on 9/11 Email Mayor Bloomberg and let him know how you feel about a mosque at Ground Zero! clicking here 9/11 was not the only Muslim terror attack US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan - November 5, 2009 - 13 dead and 30 wounded. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab - December 25, 2009 - bomb failed to detonate. Faisal Shahzad - May 2, 2010 - bomb failed to detonate. We have to stop this mosque from being built, by any means necessary
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go sarah comments made obama ring stark contrast made sarah palin weeks ago ground zero sarah palin plunged raging debate proposed islamic community center mosque two blocks ground zero lower manhattan saying series posts twitter project built peaceseeking muslims pls understand ground zero mosque unnecessary provocation stabs hearts pls reject interest healing former alaska governor republican vice presidential candidate tweeted sunday another message wrote peaceful new yorkers pls refute ground zero mosque plan believe catastrophic pain caused twin towers site raw real source abc news sarah palin guts honesty 10 politicians washington combined first saw story atlas shrugscom almost unable process read read headline behow mind began flashbacks two planes slamming towers huge fireballs explosions arching skyward mosque ground zero would like putting nazi banner national holocaust museum nation 8 short years removed greatest attack american soil politicallycorrect denial lost collective minds miss stories muslims showing outpouring regret happened 911 somehow miss notice weeping tears shed leaders islamic nations begging forgiveness happened guess memory recollection happening however see aftermath 911 palestinians dancing street celebrating attacks 911 thats saw attacked jubilant expressions faces muslims world cowards planned carried attacks muslim terrorists name god name islam jewish mayor new york city allowing happen one logical rational acceptable answer earth could money mayor bloomberg betray americans especially betray jews allowing sacrilege take place spot muslims killed americans name islam muslims gearing another attack time many times deadly 911 allowed build establish strongholds deep within fabric society email mayor bloomberg let know feel mosque ground zero send email mayor bloomberg clicking let know feel muslim shrine site ground zero mayor recently sent response back dear friend thank writing share thoughts concerns proposed mosque islamic cultural center built park place broadway lower manhattan several blocks north world trade center siteour administration strongly supports right faith groups open houses worship community centers whatever location choose provided complies applicable laws called cordoba house mosque built right next ground zero open september 11 2011 new york long americas tolerant diverse city welcoming best brightest hardestworking individuals around world matter identity beliefs city win choosing uphold principles freedom respect lie foundation tradition terrorists attacked september 11 2001 winning war terrorism requires us defeat enemies home abroad also continue upholding values make america great last month local community board voted overwhelming margin 291 endorse project course approval process many steps yet finalized many questions remain unanswered understand particularly sensitive issue hopeful dialogue center increase understanding cooperation integral vitality new york city thank writing share opinions matter sincerely michael r bloomberg mayor 911 muslim terror attack 911 muslim terrorist attacked american soil happened last year fort hood major malik nidal hasan direct orders anwar alawlaki ran dar alhijrah mosque falls church virginia source washington post people havent figured mosques training camps islamic terror said say whole purpose mosque provide means train muslim terrorists carry attacks region mosque built america attacked 3 times muslim terrorist since 911 follows us army major nidal malik hasan november 5 2009 13 dead 30 wounded despite obvious hatred country served hasan allowed continue command even showing overt support al qaeda major hasan received orders kill imam anwar alawlaki presentations school often laced extremist muslim views one source said allegiance sharia islamic law united states students challenged hasan source said sharia law source says hasan responded source cnn newscom umar farouk abdulmutallab december 25 2009 bomb failed detonate otherwise known christmas day ball bomber able board plane bound detroit luggage passport armed bomb pants set flight thing prevented death every person board nortwest airlines flight 253 fact bomb failed detonate every security precaution place failed stop source timesonlinecouk faisal shahzad may 2 2010 bomb failed detonate known nyc times square bomber shahzad attended terror training camp pakistan somehow managed evade put nofly list sources told cbs 2 tuesday morning shahzad united states fly terror watch list wasnt able board plane deputy fbi director john pistole later said however fact placed fly list monday except done hours arrested still homeland security secretary janet napolitano declined say shahzad able board flight fly list source cbs newcom stop mosque built means necessary part muslim islamic plan attacked build mosque close site possible mean claim allah america sold bill goods islam religion peace islam religion terrorist ideology hides behind razorthin veneer religion promoted every country around globe banner tolerance diversity learn lesson 911 ask learn time slipping away muslims gain foothold country every day allow mosque ground zero dead body every american calls patriot stop mosque ground zero rally socalled ground zero mosque recently applied 5 million federal grant fund designed rebuild lower manhattan 911 foreign soil ultimate insult daisy khan spits face 911 victims families franklin graham boldly speaks truth major protest sunday morning ground zero mosque site assalamu alaykum obama backtracks ground zero mosque furious 911 families label insensitive uncaring go sarah atlas shrugscom palestinians dancing street celebrating attacks 911 email mayor bloomberg let know feel mosque ground zero clicking 911 muslim terror attack us army major nidal malik hasan november 5 2009 13 dead 30 wounded umar farouk abdulmutallab december 25 2009 bomb failed detonate faisal shahzad may 2 2010 bomb failed detonate stop mosque built means 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<p>"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" The Pretribulation Rapture. NTEB has started a series making the historical and biblical case for the existience of the Pretribulation Rapture of the Church. We believe it is stated time and time again in the bible, in no uncertain terms, and we are proud to take a stand to defend this exciting End Times Bible prophecy. Does the bible teach a Pretribulation Rapture? Yes, we believe it does, and present evidence for proof of a Pretribulation Rapture. It Is Written "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rev&amp;c=3" type="external">Revelation 3:10</a></p>
<p>Scriptural Evidence for the Pretribulation Rapture This section is used by permission from <a href="http://www.raptureready.com/rr-pretribulation-rapture.html" type="external">RaptureReady.com</a> The Unknown Hour When we search the Scriptures and read the passages describing the Lord Jesus' return, we find verses that tell us we won't know the day and hour of that event. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time, while Revelation 12:6 indicates that the Jews will have to wait on the Lord 1,260 days, starting when the Antichrist stands in the Temple of God and declares himself to be God (2 Thes 2:4). This event will take place at the mid-point of the seven-year tribulation (Dan 9:27).</p>
<p>Note that some people only see a three-and-a-half-year tribulation. In a way, they are correct because the first half of the tribulation will be relatively peaceful compared to the second half. Nonetheless, peaceful or not, there still remains a seven-year period called the tribulation. When the Jews flee into the wilderness, they know that all they have to do is wait out those 1,260 days (Mat 24:16). There is no way to apply the phrase "neither the day nor the hour" to this situation. The only way for these two viewpoints to be true is to separate the two distinct events transpiring here: 1) the rapture of the Church, which comes before the tribulation; and 2) the return of Jesus to the earth, which takes place roughly seven years later. The Pretribulation Rapture: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb In Luke 12:36, the Word states that when Christ returns, He will be returning from a wedding. In Revelation 19:7-8, we read about the marriage itself. The marriage supper takes place before the marriage. According to Jewish custom, the marriage contract, which often includes a dowry, is drawn up first. The contract parallels the act of faith we use when we trust Jesus to be our Savior. The dowry is His life, which was used to purchase us. When it's time for the wedding, the groom goes to the bride's house unannounced. She comes out to meet him, and then he takes her to his father's house. This precisely correlates with the events according to the pre-trib scenario. Jesus, the Groom, comes down from heaven and calls up the Church, His Bride. After meeting in the air, He and His Bride return to His Father's house, heaven. The marriage supper itself will take place there, while down here on earth the final events of the tribulation will be playing out. After the marriage supper of Jewish tradition, the bride and groom are presented to the world as man and wife. This corresponds to the time when Jesus returns to earth accompanied by an army "clothed in fine linen, white and clean" (Rev 19:14). The Pretribulation Rapture: What They Didn't Teach You in History Class Many groups try to discredit the pre-trib rapture by saying most of the end-time events in the Bible have already taken place. A group of people called preterists claims that the Book of Revelation was mostly fulfilled by 70 AD. If the events described in the Book of Revelation took place in the past, I'm at a loss to explain some of the current situations I see around us: the rebirth of Israel, the reunification of Europe, the number of global wars that have occurred, and the development of nuclear weapons. During history class, I must have slept through the part where the teacher talked about the time when a third of the trees were burned up, 100-pound hailstones fell from the sky, and the sea turned into blood (Rev 8:7-8, 16:21). I think several people would have to question their opposition to the pre-trib rapture doctrine if they knew that the evidence provided to them was based on the understanding that most tribulation prophecies have already occurred. The Pretribulation Rapture: The Time of Jacob's Trouble In several passages, the Bible refers to the tribulation as a time of trouble for the Jews. The phrase "Jacob's trouble" pertains to the descendants of Jacob. Jeremiah 30:7 says that this time of trouble will come just before the Lord returns to save His people. The final week of Daniel's 70th week is yet to take place. An angel told Daniel that, "70 weeks are determined unto thy people" (Dan 9:24). Scripture never mentions that the tribulation is meant to be a time of testing for Christians. However, some post-tribbers try to claim that they are the ones being tested during the tribulation. To make this so, they need to spiritualize the 144,000 Jewish believers in Revelation 7:2-8 who receive God's protective seal. Placing the Church dispensation into the same time frame as the seven-year Jewish dispensation, as the post-tribbers do, raises one good question: Can two dispensations transpire at the same time? In the past, God has only dealt with one at a time. Having both present during the tribulation would have to be an exception. The Pretribulation Rapture: God Hath Not Appointed Us to Wrath In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul assures us that God has not appointed His people to wrath. This wrath is plainly God's anger that will be poured out during the tribulation. Pre-trib believers interpret this as meaning that Christians will be removed from the earth. Post-trib believers tell a different story. They describe this as meaning that God will protect Christians during the tribulation and pour this wrath out on the unbelievers only. This idea runs against the statement made in Revelation 13:7, in which the Antichrist is given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them. A post-trib view would make God's promise of protection from wrath into a lie. In years past, it was possible to think of being protected from the guns and swords of that day. Today, when any major war would involve nuclear and chemical weapons, it's impossible to expect that same kind of protection. When Nagasaki, Japan was bombed during World War II, the bomb exploded over a Catholic church. Everyone who was in the center of the explosion died--both Christians and non-Christians. The only way to validly interpret God's promise of protection from wrath is by viewing 1 Thessalonians 5:9 as the bodily removal of the Church from this world. The Pretribulation Rapture: Noah and Lot as Examples The tribulation period is compared to the times of Noah and Lot by Jesus in Luke 17:28. Most people argue over whether the time frame Jesus was talking about in that passage was pre-trib or post-trib. In doing so, they miss an important point. The two circumstances that the Noah and Lot situations have in common are the removal of the righteous and the judgment of the unbelievers. From these two accounts, we see that God prefers to remove His own when danger is involved. <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - Rapture Ready</a></p>
<p>The Pretribulation Rapture: The Unknown Hour</p>
<p>When we search the Scriptures and read the passages describing the Lord Jesus' return, we find verses that tell us we won't know the day and hour of that event. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time, while Revelation 12:6 indicates that the Jews will have to wait on the Lord 1,260 days, starting when the Antichrist stands in the Temple of God and declares himself to be God (2 Thes 2:4). This event will take place at the mid-point of the seven-year tribulation (Dan 9:27). Note that some people only see a three-and-a-half-year tribulation.</p>
<p>In a way, they are correct because the first half of the tribulation will be relatively peaceful compared to the second half. Nonetheless, peaceful or not, there still remains a seven-year period called the tribulation. When the Jews flee into the wilderness, they know that all they have to do is wait out those 1,260 days (Mat 24:16). There is no way to apply the phrase "neither the day nor the hour" to this situation. The only way for these two viewpoints to be true is to separate the two distinct events transpiring here: 1) the rapture of the Church, which comes before the tribulation; and 2) the return of Jesus to the earth, which takes place roughly seven years later.</p> It Is Written click here
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things begin come pass look lift heads redemption draweth nigh pretribulation rapture nteb started series making historical biblical case existience pretribulation rapture church believe stated time time bible uncertain terms proud take stand defend exciting end times bible prophecy bible teach pretribulation rapture yes believe present evidence proof pretribulation rapture written thou hast kept word patience also keep thee hour temptation shall come upon world try dwell upon earth revelation 310 scriptural evidence pretribulation rapture section used permission rapturereadycom unknown hour search scriptures read passages describing lord jesus return find verses tell us wont know day hour event matthew 2513 says jesus return unknown time revelation 126 indicates jews wait lord 1260 days starting antichrist stands temple god declares god 2 thes 24 event take place midpoint sevenyear tribulation dan 927 note people see threeandahalfyear tribulation way correct first half tribulation relatively peaceful compared second half nonetheless peaceful still remains sevenyear period called tribulation jews flee wilderness know wait 1260 days mat 2416 way apply phrase neither day hour situation way two viewpoints true separate two distinct events transpiring 1 rapture church comes tribulation 2 return jesus earth takes place roughly seven years later pretribulation rapture marriage supper lamb luke 1236 word states christ returns returning wedding revelation 1978 read marriage marriage supper takes place marriage according jewish custom marriage contract often includes dowry drawn first contract parallels act faith use trust jesus savior dowry life used purchase us time wedding groom goes brides house unannounced comes meet takes fathers house precisely correlates events according pretrib scenario jesus groom comes heaven calls church bride meeting air bride return fathers house heaven marriage supper take place earth final events tribulation playing marriage supper jewish tradition bride groom presented world man wife corresponds time jesus returns earth accompanied army clothed fine linen white clean rev 1914 pretribulation rapture didnt teach history class many groups try discredit pretrib rapture saying endtime events bible already taken place group people called preterists claims book revelation mostly fulfilled 70 ad events described book revelation took place past im loss explain current situations see around us rebirth israel reunification europe number global wars occurred development nuclear weapons history class must slept part teacher talked time third trees burned 100pound hailstones fell sky sea turned blood rev 878 1621 think several people would question opposition pretrib rapture doctrine knew evidence provided based understanding tribulation prophecies already occurred pretribulation rapture time jacobs trouble several passages bible refers tribulation time trouble jews phrase jacobs trouble pertains descendants jacob jeremiah 307 says time trouble come lord returns save people final week daniels 70th week yet take place angel told daniel 70 weeks determined unto thy people dan 924 scripture never mentions tribulation meant time testing christians however posttribbers try claim ones tested tribulation make need spiritualize 144000 jewish believers revelation 728 receive gods protective seal placing church dispensation time frame sevenyear jewish dispensation posttribbers raises one good question two dispensations transpire time past god dealt one time present tribulation would exception pretribulation rapture god hath appointed us wrath 1 thessalonians 59 paul assures us god appointed people wrath wrath plainly gods anger poured tribulation pretrib believers interpret meaning christians removed earth posttrib believers tell different story describe meaning god protect christians tribulation pour wrath unbelievers idea runs statement made revelation 137 antichrist given power make war saints overcome posttrib view would make gods promise protection wrath lie years past possible think protected guns swords day today major war would involve nuclear chemical weapons impossible expect kind protection nagasaki japan bombed world war ii bomb exploded catholic church everyone center explosion diedboth christians nonchristians way validly interpret gods promise protection wrath viewing 1 thessalonians 59 bodily removal church world pretribulation rapture noah lot examples tribulation period compared times noah lot jesus luke 1728 people argue whether time frame jesus talking passage pretrib posttrib miss important point two circumstances noah lot situations common removal righteous judgment unbelievers two accounts see god prefers remove danger involved source rapture ready pretribulation rapture unknown hour search scriptures read passages describing lord jesus return find verses tell us wont know day hour event matthew 2513 says jesus return unknown time revelation 126 indicates jews wait lord 1260 days starting antichrist stands temple god declares god 2 thes 24 event take place midpoint sevenyear tribulation dan 927 note people see threeandahalfyear tribulation way correct first half tribulation relatively peaceful compared second half nonetheless peaceful still remains sevenyear period called tribulation jews flee wilderness know wait 1260 days mat 2416 way apply phrase neither day hour situation way two viewpoints true separate two distinct events transpiring 1 rapture church comes tribulation 2 return jesus earth takes place roughly seven years later written click
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<p>Boeing and Airbus are in the midst of ramping up production of their newest widebody offerings: the 787 Dreamliner for Boeing and the A350 for Airbus.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Both manufacturers accumulated huge order backlogs after launching sales of these new models, as airlines looked to lock in a supply of new, fuel-efficient planes. However, sales of both models have cooled off in recent years. To support their high planned production rates, Boeing and Airbus are counting on a rebound in order volumes within the next few years.</p>
<p>Boeing and Airbus have seen slowing orders for their state-of-the-art widebodies. Image source: Boeing.</p>
<p>This raises the stakes for upcoming widebody fleet replacement decisions at all three U.S. legacy carriers: American Airlines , Delta Air Lines , and United Continental .</p>
<p>Between 2004 and 2007, Boeing secured 817 net orders for its revolutionary 787 Dreamliner. In the next eight years combined, it accumulated just 325 net orders, with only one year of 100-plus orders and three years with more Dreamliner cancellations than orders.</p>
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<p>It's a similar story for the Airbus A350. Airbus recently boasted that it has nearly reached 800 firm orders for its A350 family. What Airbus failed to mention is that it had reached that milestone back in 2013, but has had more cancellations than orders since then.</p>
<p>Neither company is in dire straits right now. Boeing and Airbus have more than 750 unfilled orders for the 787 and A350, respectively: enough to support years of production. Nevertheless, if order rates don't pick up in the next few years, Boeing and Airbus won't be able to go ahead with planned production increases.</p>
<p>American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Continental are each in the early stages of major widebody fleet renewal projects. All three carriers have dozens of widebodies on order.</p>
<p>Despite these bulging order books, American, Delta, and United will likely need to order more widebodies within the next few years. That's largely a consequence of the aircraft order binge that swept the U.S. airline industry in the late 1990s. Planes ordered then will reach retirement age during the 2020s, driving a big replacement cycle.</p>
<p>United Continental is in the midst of receiving 51 787s from Boeing. (At one point, the order totaled 65 planes, but since early 2015 United has swapped 14 orders for the larger 777-300ER.) Five years ago, United planned to use most of these 787s to replace retiring 767s.</p>
<p>United Airlines is adding lots of Dreamliners to its fleet. Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
<p>Instead, United has taken advantage of the low fuel price environment to keep its 767s flying. By the end of 2016, United will have received 30 Dreamliners without retiring a single 767.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, United will need to retire these 767s in the next decade or so. The oldest are already 25 years old, while even the youngest are 14 years old. The Boeing 787 is by far the best 767 replacement available, so Boeing has a good chance of getting 30-40 more orders from United over the next few years.</p>
<p>United Continental also has 70 Boeing 777s that were delivered between 1995 and 2002. These planes will start to reach retirement age in five years. Some of United's 787-10 and A350 orders will replace its 777s. Nevertheless, United will probably need to order several dozen more medium-large widebodies to fill this need. The choice between the 787 and the A350 may ultimately come down to pricing.</p>
<p>In late 2014, Delta ordered 25 A330-900neos and 25 A350-900s to jump-start its widebody fleet renewal. It also has a long-standing order for Boeing 787s on the books, but it has the right to cancel this order -- and many analysts expect it to do so.</p>
<p>Of the planes it has on order, Delta has earmarked the A330-900neos to replace its aging 767-300ER fleet. Delta has 58 767-300ERs, which are 20 years old, on average. It also has another 21 767-400ERs that are 15 years old, on average.</p>
<p>Delta has been known to keep aircraft in its fleet longer than other U.S. airlines. It has also been opportunistic about buying cheap used airplanes at times to meet its fleet replacement needs.</p>
<p>However, if Delta decides to replace its remaining 767s with new aircraft, Boeing will have the inside track again. The A330-900neo and A350-900 will each hold about 300 seats in Delta's configuration: far more than a Boeing 767. The 787-8 or 787-9 would work better for routes with less demand. Airbus' offering in that segment of the market, the slow-selling A330-800neo, isn't nearly as capable.</p>
<p>Finally, American Airlines has aggressively replaced older aircraft in recent years, but it will still need to order more widebodies a few years down the road. At the end of Q1, American had 49 outstanding orders for Boeing 787s and A350s: enough to replace 23 767s and 9 A330s that will retire between now and 2018 while also supporting some growth and additional replacements in 2019 and 2020.</p>
<p>American Airlines has ordered both the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350. Image source: Airbus.</p>
<p>American currently plans to keep 17 Boeing 767s beyond 2018. Yet even the youngest of its 767s will be 15 years old by then. American will probably retire these planes by the early 2020s, based on its decision not to extend its new international premium economy class to the 767 fleet.</p>
<p>Additionally, most of American's 47 Boeing 777-200ERs were delivered between 1999 and 2001. These planes will probably be retired in the mid-2020s. The 787-10 and the A350-900 are both good replacement options in this size range. Given that American has outstanding orders for both 787s and A350s, it could go either way.</p>
<p>American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Continental are likely to wait a few years to see how their fleet needs evolve before placing major follow-on orders for the 787 or A350. This year's big contest between the 787 and the A350 is for a long-awaited order of 50-70 jets from Emirates Airline.</p>
<p>But ultimately, U.S. airlines are likely to need hundreds more planes in the 787 and A350 size classes within the next 10-15 years, assuming relatively modest growth. That will help Boeing and Airbus keep their production lines busy beyond 2020.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/18/a-boeing-787-dreamliner-vs-airbus-a350-showdown-is.aspx" type="external">A Boeing 787 Dreamliner vs. Airbus A350 Showdown Is Looming in the U.S. Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGemHunter/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Adam Levine-Weinberg Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of The Boeing Company and United Continental Holdings, Inc. and is long January 2017 $40 calls on Delta Air Lines, Inc. and long January 2017 $30 calls on American Airlines Group. The Motley Fool is long January 2017 $35 calls on American Airlines Group. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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boeing airbus midst ramping production newest widebody offerings 787 dreamliner boeing a350 airbus continue reading manufacturers accumulated huge order backlogs launching sales new models airlines looked lock supply new fuelefficient planes however sales models cooled recent years support high planned production rates boeing airbus counting rebound order volumes within next years boeing airbus seen slowing orders stateoftheart widebodies image source boeing raises stakes upcoming widebody fleet replacement decisions three us legacy carriers american airlines delta air lines united continental 2004 2007 boeing secured 817 net orders revolutionary 787 dreamliner next eight years combined accumulated 325 net orders one year 100plus orders three years dreamliner cancellations orders advertisement similar story airbus a350 airbus recently boasted nearly reached 800 firm orders a350 family airbus failed mention reached milestone back 2013 cancellations orders since neither company dire straits right boeing airbus 750 unfilled orders 787 a350 respectively enough support years production nevertheless order rates dont pick next years boeing airbus wont able go ahead planned production increases american airlines delta air lines united continental early stages major widebody fleet renewal projects three carriers dozens widebodies order despite bulging order books american delta united likely need order widebodies within next years thats largely consequence aircraft order binge swept us airline industry late 1990s planes ordered reach retirement age 2020s driving big replacement cycle united continental midst receiving 51 787s boeing one point order totaled 65 planes since early 2015 united swapped 14 orders larger 777300er five years ago united planned use 787s replace retiring 767s united airlines adding lots dreamliners fleet image source motley fool instead united taken advantage low fuel price environment keep 767s flying end 2016 united received 30 dreamliners without retiring single 767 nevertheless united need retire 767s next decade oldest already 25 years old even youngest 14 years old boeing 787 far best 767 replacement available boeing good chance getting 3040 orders united next years united continental also 70 boeing 777s delivered 1995 2002 planes start reach retirement age five years uniteds 78710 a350 orders replace 777s nevertheless united probably need order several dozen mediumlarge widebodies fill need choice 787 a350 may ultimately come pricing late 2014 delta ordered 25 a330900neos 25 a350900s jumpstart widebody fleet renewal also longstanding order boeing 787s books right cancel order many analysts expect planes order delta earmarked a330900neos replace aging 767300er fleet delta 58 767300ers 20 years old average also another 21 767400ers 15 years old average delta known keep aircraft fleet longer us airlines also opportunistic buying cheap used airplanes times meet fleet replacement needs however delta decides replace remaining 767s new aircraft boeing inside track a330900neo a350900 hold 300 seats deltas configuration far boeing 767 7878 7879 would work better routes less demand airbus offering segment market slowselling a330800neo isnt nearly capable finally american airlines aggressively replaced older aircraft recent years still need order widebodies years road end q1 american 49 outstanding orders boeing 787s a350s enough replace 23 767s 9 a330s retire 2018 also supporting growth additional replacements 2019 2020 american airlines ordered boeing 787 airbus a350 image source airbus american currently plans keep 17 boeing 767s beyond 2018 yet even youngest 767s 15 years old american probably retire planes early 2020s based decision extend new international premium economy class 767 fleet additionally americans 47 boeing 777200ers delivered 1999 2001 planes probably retired mid2020s 78710 a350900 good replacement options size range given american outstanding orders 787s a350s could go either way american airlines delta air lines united continental likely wait years see fleet needs evolve placing major followon orders 787 a350 years big contest 787 a350 longawaited order 5070 jets emirates airline ultimately us airlines likely need hundreds planes 787 a350 size classes within next 1015 years assuming relatively modest growth help boeing airbus keep production lines busy beyond 2020 article boeing 787 dreamliner vs airbus a350 showdown looming us opens new window originally appeared foolcom adam levineweinberg opens new window owns shares boeing company united continental holdings inc long january 2017 40 calls delta air lines inc long january 2017 30 calls american airlines group motley fool long january 2017 35 calls american airlines group try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>You've Missed The Rapture Of The Church, Now What? Millions Missing, Here's What You Need To Do Next</p>
<p>"And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe." <a href="javascript;;" type="external">John 14: 29</a> Well, we told you it was coming. Perhaps you were a casual reader of this site, but never got really involved, "too many religious nuts" you said. Maybe you had a family member who would plead with you night after night to "get right" with Jesus before His return. "Nah, never happen", you said, "people been saying that for ever. Nonsense!". But, it wasn't nonsense, was it? Turns out the religious nuts were right after all. The Rapture of the Church actually happened. Now we are gone, and you remain. Left behind. I can only imagine the shock - terror - panic - and questions that must be running through your head right now. My heart breaks for you, and that's why I made this page, to get you through what the Bible calls the time of Jacob's Trouble, the Great Tribulation, and it's moments away from starting. Are YOU ready? Let's begin at the beginning... <a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Here's what just happened. It was the hope of every Jesus-follower, prior to the Rapture, that one day He would return and "catch away" those who loved and believed in Him. Why did we think this was going to occur? Because the Bible said so, listen - "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" <a href="javascript:;" type="external">1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18</a> And that's exactly what just happened, and where we have now gone. Oh, knowing the media as I do, I am sure that there are many attempts to explain it - UFO's, alien abductions, a harmonic convergence, a government program, FEMA camps, cosmic shift, worm holes, and the list goes on and on. But none of those explainations really satisfy you, do they? I mean, it's hundreds upon hundreds of millions of people, right? Could any one government, no matter how corrupt, really process that many people in the "blink of an eye". No, they could not. You know better than that.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /> In the Book of the Revelation, what happened to John in chapter 4, verses 1 &amp; 2, is what has now happened to all of us who are gone. "After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Rev 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Revelation 4</a> Wild, isn't it? We all heard the "sound of a trumpet", and were pulled up in to the clouds to be with the Lord Jesus, Yeshua Ha'Maschiac Himself. Look at the photo above, and reread 1 Thessalonians 4 again to yourself. That is what has happen, and that is where we are. With Jesus. Take a little moment and let that really, truly, actually, wonderfully sink into your mind. What God has declared will be so, will be so.</p>
<p>Why you and not me?? Now I know your next question, and you are wondering why, why...why that you got left behind and others did not. "It's not fair!", you exclaim. Maybe you were a church goer, maybe you are a "good, moral person" who likes to do good deeds. Maybe you were a Deacon in your church. All these things are good, but unfortunately, not nearly good enough. This is how God sees you, me, all of us humans here on this earth - "All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Isaiah 53: 6</a> The Bible says that man, of and by himself, can never be and will never be "good enough" to get into the Father's presence in Heaven. We have all sinned against a just and holy, sinless God. So why, you ask again, if it's true that all of us are in this condition, did we go up and you stay behind? We are gone now because we put our trust and faith in the the One, the only One who has the true power to forgive sin, and that is Yeshua Ha'Maschiach - Jesus the Messiah - who shed His blood once and for all for the forgiveness of sins. What can wash away your sin? Nothing, nothing , nothing but the blood of Jesus. <a href="" type="internal" /> The road to Heaven starts at the old, rugged, bloody cross..."And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: Jhn 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Romans 5: 8-10</a> And that's why we are gone and you remain. We were not better than you in any way. You and I had equal sin that needed cleansing and forgiving. But the difference is that we repented, turned from our sins, and turned to the living Lord whose death and resurrection from the dead paid the sin debt we owed. You were left behind because your debt is still unpaid, but there is good news yet for you. Right now, right in front of the computer screen you are reading this on, you can have the debt for all your sins paid in full. Ready?</p>
<p>You Can Be Saved--Right Now. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Romans 10: 9-10</a> Pray and ask the Lord, "Lord Jesus, be merciful to me a sinner, and save me. I now, with a repentant heart, receive you as my personal Saviour". "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Romans 10:13</a> If you meant it, if you were sincere, if you now know your desperate need for a Saviour and have called upon Him to pay your sin debt, according to the Scripture, then the Bible declares that your sin debt is now paid in full. Just remember that repentence is always the starting poiint. If you were doing things and living in a way that the Bible forbids, turn from those sins and be cleansed in His shed blood.</p>
<p>Word Of Warning: There is a verse that says because people rejected the truth of the gospel when it was offered them, that God would "send them a strong delusion" that they might "believe a lie."</p>
<p>"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.&#160;And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Th&amp;c=2&amp;t=KJV" type="external">2 Thessalonians 2:10-12</a></p>
<p>Since we are no longer here, we have no idea how to adivse you other than to say this. God is very merciful to all those who call upon Him. David in <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&amp;c=51&amp;t=KJV" type="external">Psalm 51 recieved forgiveness</a> when he did not deserve it because he threw himself on God's mercy.</p>
<p>We would advise you to do the same thing. <a href="../freeGIFT.htm" type="external">Click here to read more</a> on having your sins paid for in full by the shed blood of Jesus the Messiah Now you know what has happend to us, here is what you can expect to happen on earth during the next 7 years...and it's not going to be pretty, so be prepared. But if you just received payment for your sins, you can take comfort that no matter how bad things get, your eternal destiny is now secure.</p>
<p>The Judgements of God are about to be poured out on all the earth Now read this exerpt by Dr. David Reagan on what you can expect to happen during your time left on earth for the rest of the 7 year Tribulation. "Amid all the chaos from the Rapture, the Bible teaches that the world will turn to a dynamic leader to bring order and peace ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%206.1-2" type="external">Revelation 6:1-2</a>). He will succeed where no other person has been able in establishing a peace treaty for Israel ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Daniel%209.27" type="external">Daniel 9:27</a>). That treaty marks the official beginning of the 7 years that the Tribulation will last.</p>
<p>But, the world leader, known to believers in Jesus as the Antichrist, is anything but peaceful. He will plunge the planet into nuclear world war, resulting in terrible famines, pestilence and mass death. Violence, disease and starvation will be a way of life. A quarter of the world population - almost 2 billion people - will die from this war (Revelation 6).</p>
<p>In Jerusalem, two men will appear and preach there for 3 1/2 years that Jesus is the Messiah the Jews have been looking for ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%2011.3" type="external">Revelation 11:3</a>). 144,000 Jews will call Jesus their Messiah and also preach about Him throughout the whole world. Millions will accept Jesus as their Savior - hopefully you will be one of them. But, many of those millions of believers will be killed by the Antichrist for not pledging their loyalty to him by receiving his mark on either their right hand or forehead. The persecution of believers in Jesus will be awful in the Tribulation ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Daniel%207.22" type="external">Daniel 7:22</a>; Revelation 7). <a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Next, the greatest earthquake the world has yet experienced will devastate the planet ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%206.12-14" type="external">Revelation 6:12-14</a>). Something falling from space will then burn up a third of all the world's vegetation. A second item from space, probably a meteor, will crash into the ocean and annihilate a third of the world's marine life and ships. A third object from space will taint the world's water supply, poisoning millions ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%208.7-11" type="external">Revelation 8:7-11</a>).</p>
<p>The devastation to the atmosphere will block out most of the sun and moonlight so that the days appear shorter ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%208.12" type="external">Revelation 8:12</a>).</p>
<p>Next, some supernatural "woes" will befall mankind. First, the holding place for a demonic hoard is opened and millions of locust-looking demons pour out and sting people like scorpions. The pain will last 5 whole months. Second, 200 million riders on horse-creatures will burn and impale, wiping out a remaining third of the people ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%209.1-19" type="external">Revelation 9:1-19</a>).</p>
<p>Three and a half years into the Tribulation will see the 2 men witnessing in Jerusalem killed, but 3 1/2 days later come back to life ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%2011.7-12" type="external">Revelation 11:7-12</a>). It will also see the Antichrist supposedly killed and appear to come back to life as well ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%2013.3" type="external">Revelation 13:3</a>).</p>
<p>And that's just the first half of the Tribulation. As bad as the first half of the seven years is, the next half is even worse (Revelation 16).</p>
<p>Those who take the Antichrist's loyalty mark on their hand or forehead will suffer from painful boils. Those who don't take the mark will be cut off from commerce and hunted down, but the Bible assures ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%2020.4-6" type="external">Revelation 20:4-6</a>) that those who take the mark have made a decision that will last forever - eternal damnation - so don't take it!</p>
<p>The oceans and everything in them are totally destroyed, as well as all the fresh water. The heat from the sun will become scorching. The Antichrist's kingdom will fall into pitch darkness." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - Dr. David Reagan</a></p>
<p>What now? Study the Bible every day, many times per day. PRAY to God, who gives wisdom liberally. Share the Gospel with as many as you can. Make sure no one you know, saved or unsaved, takes the Mark of the Beast. They will be doomed forever to Hell if they do. We are watching you from the balcony now, and just know that we are praying for you always during the time of the Great Tribulation. This verse speaks of us, the redeemed in Heaven, cheering you on during this time. May the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you all the Home. We will be waiting for you to arrive. In Jesus precious Name, amen...and amen.</p>
<p>"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hbr 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Hebrews 12: 1,2</a></p>
<p>Eternity</p>
<p>"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 It's a gift...it's free...take it and live! Come Home soon...we're waiting for you upstairs.</p> Well, we told you it was coming Here's what just happened. You Can Be Saved--Right Now. Pray and ask the Lord Living for the Lord, Dying for the Truth Do NOT take the Mark of the Beast The Judgements of God are about to be poured out on all the earth What now?
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youve missed rapture church millions missing heres need next told come pass come pass ye might believe john 14 29 well told coming perhaps casual reader site never got really involved many religious nuts said maybe family member would plead night night get right jesus return nah never happen said people saying ever nonsense wasnt nonsense turns religious nuts right rapture church actually happened gone remain left behind imagine shock terror panic questions must running head right heart breaks thats made page get bible calls time jacobs trouble great tribulation moments away starting ready lets begin beginning heres happened hope every jesusfollower prior rapture one day would return catch away loved believed think going occur bible said listen lord shall descend heaven shout voice archangel trump god dead christ shall rise first alive remain shall caught together clouds meet lord air shall ever lord wherefore comfort one another words 1 thessalonians 4 1618 thats exactly happened gone oh knowing media sure many attempts explain ufos alien abductions harmonic convergence government program fema camps cosmic shift worm holes list goes none explainations really satisfy mean hundreds upon hundreds millions people right could one government matter corrupt really process many people blink eye could know better book revelation happened john chapter 4 verses 1 amp 2 happened us gone looked behold door opened heaven first voice heard trumpet talking said come hither shew thee things must hereafter rev 42 immediately spirit behold throne set heaven one sat throne revelation 4 wild isnt heard sound trumpet pulled clouds lord jesus yeshua hamaschiac look photo reread 1 thessalonians 4 happen jesus take little moment let really truly actually wonderfully sink mind god declared know next question wondering whywhy got left behind others fair exclaim maybe church goer maybe good moral person likes good deeds maybe deacon church things good unfortunately nearly good enough god sees us humans earth like sheep gone astray turned every one way lord laid iniquity us isaiah 53 6 bible says man never never good enough get fathers presence heaven sinned holy sinless god ask true us condition go stay behind gone put trust faith one one true power forgive sin yeshua hamaschiach jesus messiah shed blood forgiveness sins wash away sin nothing nothing nothing blood jesus road heaven starts old rugged bloody crossand moses lifted serpent wilderness even must son man lifted jhn 315 whosoever believeth perish eternal life god demonstrates love toward us still sinners christ died us much justified blood shall saved wrath enemies reconciled god death son much reconciled shall saved life romans 5 810 thats gone remain better way equal sin needed cleansing forgiving difference repented turned sins turned living lord whose death resurrection dead paid sin debt owed left behind debt still unpaid good news yet right right front computer screen reading debt sins paid full ready savedright thou shalt confess thy mouth lord jesus shalt believe thine heart god hath raised dead thou shalt saved heart man believeth unto righteousness mouth confession made unto salvation romans 10 910 pray ask lord lord jesus merciful sinner save repentant heart receive personal saviour whosoever shall call upon name lord shall saved romans 1013 meant sincere know desperate need saviour called upon pay sin debt according scripture bible declares sin debt paid full remember repentence always starting poiint things living way bible forbids turn sins cleansed shed blood word warning verse says people rejected truth gospel offered god would send strong delusion might believe lie deceivableness unrighteousness perish received love truth might saved160and cause god shall send strong delusion believe lie might damned believed truth pleasure unrighteousness 2 thessalonians 21012 since longer idea adivse say god merciful call upon david psalm 51 recieved forgiveness deserve threw gods mercy would advise thing click read sins paid full shed blood jesus messiah know happend us expect happen earth next 7 yearsand going pretty prepared received payment sins take comfort matter bad things get eternal destiny secure judgements god poured earth read exerpt dr david reagan expect happen time left earth rest 7 year tribulation amid chaos rapture bible teaches world turn dynamic leader bring order peace revelation 612 succeed person able establishing peace treaty israel daniel 927 treaty marks official beginning 7 years tribulation last world leader known believers jesus antichrist anything peaceful plunge planet nuclear world war resulting terrible famines pestilence mass death violence disease starvation way life quarter world population almost 2 billion people die war revelation 6 jerusalem two men appear preach 3 12 years jesus messiah jews looking revelation 113 144000 jews call jesus messiah also preach throughout whole world millions accept jesus savior hopefully one many millions believers killed antichrist pledging loyalty receiving mark either right hand forehead persecution believers jesus awful tribulation daniel 722 revelation 7 next greatest earthquake world yet experienced devastate planet revelation 61214 something falling space burn third worlds vegetation second item space probably meteor crash ocean annihilate third worlds marine life ships third object space taint worlds water supply poisoning millions revelation 8711 devastation atmosphere block sun moonlight days appear shorter revelation 812 next supernatural woes befall mankind first holding place demonic hoard opened millions locustlooking demons pour sting people like scorpions pain last 5 whole months second 200 million riders horsecreatures burn impale wiping remaining third people revelation 9119 three half years tribulation see 2 men witnessing jerusalem killed 3 12 days later come back life revelation 11712 also see antichrist supposedly killed appear come back life well revelation 133 thats first half tribulation bad first half seven years next half even worse revelation 16 take antichrists loyalty mark hand forehead suffer painful boils dont take mark cut commerce hunted bible assures revelation 2046 take mark made decision last forever eternal damnation dont take oceans everything totally destroyed well fresh water heat sun become scorching antichrists kingdom fall pitch darkness source dr david reagan study bible every day many times per day pray god gives wisdom liberally share gospel many make sure one know saved unsaved takes mark beast doomed forever hell watching balcony know praying always time great tribulation verse speaks us redeemed heaven cheering time may holy spirit lead guide home waiting arrive jesus precious name amenand amen wherefore seeing also compassed great cloud witnesses let us lay aside every weight sin doth easily beset us let us run patience race set us hbr 122 looking unto jesus author finisher faith joy set endured cross despising shame set right hand throne god hebrews 12 12 eternity god loved world gave begotten son whosoever believeth perish everlasting life john 316 giftits freetake live come home soonwere waiting upstairs well told coming heres happened savedright pray ask lord living lord dying truth take mark beast judgements god poured earth
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<p>The <a href="/themes/?Theme=Washington+Nationals" type="external">Washington Nationals</a> concluded their offseason-long search for a left-handed power hitter on Wednesday, signing former Diamondbacks and Reds slugger <a href="/themes/?Theme=Adam+Dunn" type="external">Adam Dunn</a> to a two-year, $20 million contract.</p>
<p>A club source confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the Nationals had signed Dunn, who has hit 40 home runs in each of the last four seasons. He had long been thought to be an option for the Nationals, who lost out to the Yankees in the race to sign first baseman Mark Teixeira and had openly pined for a lefty slugger since they ended the 2008 season with second fewest home runs (117) in the <a href="/themes/?Theme=National+League+(Baseball)" type="external">National League</a>.</p>
<p>A news conference is expected Thursday. General manager Jim Bowden declined to comment.</p>
<p>“It’s an addition to our team that makes us better,” third baseman <a href="/themes/?Theme=Ryan+Zimmerman" type="external">Ryan Zimmerman</a> said. “People get excited, fans get excited. Adam definitely makes it a lot easier [to win].”</p>
<p>Zimmerman had struck up a friendship with Dunn over the last two seasons, and the Nationals’ franchise player said he did everything he could to get another cornerstone in the clubhouse.</p>
<p>He said he talked to Dunn about once every two weeks during the offseason and that the 29-year-old, whom Bowden drafted in 1998 with the Reds, told Zimmerman from the beginning that he wanted to play with Washington.</p>
<p>Aside from the force Dunn should bring to the Nationals’ lineup - he had 26 more homers, 39 more RBI and 72 more walks than any Washington player last season - Zimmerman sounded relieved at the addition of a veteran presence to the clubhouse.</p>
<p>“Baseball’s one of those sports where you have to do small things right. Sometimes last year, we didn’t do those things,” Zimmerman said. “We had so many of those so-called leaders that weren’t there. Nobody said anything. We have to learn that you can’t make same mistakes twice. We’ve got to be able to communicate better as a team, not so much call each other out, but to say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to get that [runner] over.’ That’s a lot easier to do with veteran guys.”</p>
<p>Neither Dunn nor his agent, Greg Genske, returned a message seeking comment.</p>
<p>However Dunn’s impact is measured, it won’t come cheaply - his $10 million average annual salary ties Alfonso Soriano for the largest salary in Nationals history. It also means that whether Dunn plays in the outfield or at first base, one of Washington’s three other highest-paid players (outfielder Austin Kearns, <a href="/themes/?Theme=Nick+Johnson+(Baseball)" type="external">first baseman Nick Johnson</a> or first baseman Dmitri Young) will start the season on the bench.</p>
<p>The news likely has the most direct effect on Johnson, who is already in Viera, Fla., trying to strengthen his right wrist after a torn tendon sheath ended his season last May. Johnson said he heard the news while driving home from a batting cage session with new hitting coach Rick Eckstein.</p>
<p>“It’s great,” Johnson said. “He’s a great player. He can add a lot to a lineup.”</p>
<p>Johnson’s name has come up periodically in trade rumors throughout the offseason, most often with the Oakland Athletics, but he said he hasn’t heard from agent Rex Gary that he might be leaving Washington.</p>
<p>“I’m just more worried about playing,” Johnson said. “It’s been a couple years since I’ve been able to get on the field consistently. I’ll just get some at-bats and let things happen.”</p>
<p>The Nationals, who offered Teixeira at least $180 million in December, had hinted for much of the offseason that Dunn was out of their price range. The Dodgers and Angels, among other teams, were also believed to be in pursuit of the left-hander, with some interpreting his reluctance toward the Nationals’ offer as a sign he was looking for a better deal elsewhere.</p>
<p>But when Bobby Abreu got a one-year deal from the Angels on Wednesday, it both eliminated one of Dunn’s potential suitors and signaled the free agent market is still tepid two days before pitchers and catchers start reporting to spring training.</p>
<p>Dunn made $13 million last season, but was not offered arbitration by the Diamondbacks, meaning he will not cost Washington any draft picks.</p>
<p>He isn’t without his drawbacks, both at the plate and in the field; Dunn is a limited defender, has never hit above .266 in a full season and has struck out 886 times in the last five years.</p>
<p>He also got into a brief spat with Blue Jays GM J.P. Riccardi last season after Riccardi questioned Dunn’s passion for the game on his radio show. But Kearns, who was Dunn’s teammate for four years in Cincinnati, said Dunn’s character has never been an issue.</p>
<p>“Obviously the guy doesn’t know him,” Kearns said. “You fail a lot in the game. If you don’t care, I doubt you’d be doing something where you fail as much as you do in baseball.”</p>
<p>The combination of his power and his ability to draw walks (his career on-base percentage is .381), however, made him the best option to boost the Nationals’ lineup before spring training.</p>
<p>“Other team knows what he can do. That helps me out,” Zimmerman said. “What helps even more is he can walk a lot. If teams pitch around me, they have to pitch to him. Otherwise you’ve got two people on and [Josh] Willingham or someone like that up. It makes the middle of our lineup have more of a presence.”</p>
<p>Copyright © 2018 The Washington Times, LLC. <a href="http://license.icopyright.net/3.7280?icx_id=/news/2009/feb/12/dunn-deal/" type="external">Click here for reprint permission</a>.</p>
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washington nationals concluded offseasonlong search lefthanded power hitter wednesday signing former diamondbacks reds slugger adam dunn twoyear 20 million contract club source confirmed wednesday afternoon nationals signed dunn hit 40 home runs last four seasons long thought option nationals lost yankees race sign first baseman mark teixeira openly pined lefty slugger since ended 2008 season second fewest home runs 117 national league news conference expected thursday general manager jim bowden declined comment addition team makes us better third baseman ryan zimmerman said people get excited fans get excited adam definitely makes lot easier win zimmerman struck friendship dunn last two seasons nationals franchise player said everything could get another cornerstone clubhouse said talked dunn every two weeks offseason 29yearold bowden drafted 1998 reds told zimmerman beginning wanted play washington aside force dunn bring nationals lineup 26 homers 39 rbi 72 walks washington player last season zimmerman sounded relieved addition veteran presence clubhouse baseballs one sports small things right sometimes last year didnt things zimmerman said many socalled leaders werent nobody said anything learn cant make mistakes twice weve got able communicate better team much call say hey youve got get runner thats lot easier veteran guys neither dunn agent greg genske returned message seeking comment however dunns impact measured wont come cheaply 10 million average annual salary ties alfonso soriano largest salary nationals history also means whether dunn plays outfield first base one washingtons three highestpaid players outfielder austin kearns first baseman nick johnson first baseman dmitri young start season bench news likely direct effect johnson already viera fla trying strengthen right wrist torn tendon sheath ended season last may johnson said heard news driving home batting cage session new hitting coach rick eckstein great johnson said hes great player add lot lineup johnsons name come periodically trade rumors throughout offseason often oakland athletics said hasnt heard agent rex gary might leaving washington im worried playing johnson said couple years since ive able get field consistently ill get atbats let things happen nationals offered teixeira least 180 million december hinted much offseason dunn price range dodgers angels among teams also believed pursuit lefthander interpreting reluctance toward nationals offer sign looking better deal elsewhere bobby abreu got oneyear deal angels wednesday eliminated one dunns potential suitors signaled free agent market still tepid two days pitchers catchers start reporting spring training dunn made 13 million last season offered arbitration diamondbacks meaning cost washington draft picks isnt without drawbacks plate field dunn limited defender never hit 266 full season struck 886 times last five years also got brief spat blue jays gm jp riccardi last season riccardi questioned dunns passion game radio show kearns dunns teammate four years cincinnati said dunns character never issue obviously guy doesnt know kearns said fail lot game dont care doubt youd something fail much baseball combination power ability draw walks career onbase percentage 381 however made best option boost nationals lineup spring training team knows helps zimmerman said helps even walk lot teams pitch around pitch otherwise youve got two people josh willingham someone like makes middle lineup presence copyright 2018 washington times llc click reprint permission 160
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<p>Investors in ski-resort operator Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) wait longingly each year for the winter months to come around, because that's when the company makes most of its money. Even with a small operation in Australia, where winter comes during the Northern Hemisphere's summer months, Vail Resorts still relies on North America for the vast majority of its revenue and profit. Coming into Friday's fiscal second-quarter financial report, Vail Resorts investors had high expectations for growth, thanks to the recent purchase of the Whistler Blackcomb resort in British Columbia. Vail's results were even stronger than most had anticipated, and that helped lead the company to reward shareholders with a big dividend boost.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Let's take a closer look at Vail Resorts to see how it did and what's ahead for the resort operator.</p>
<p>Image source: Vail Resorts.</p>
<p>Vail Resorts' fiscal second-quarter results were extremely favorable. The company reported revenue of $725.2 million, which was up 21% from the year-ago period, topping investor expectations for 18% to 19% top-line growth. Vail's net income grew even faster, climbing 27.5% to $149.2 million, and that worked out to earnings of $3.63 per share. That exceeded the consensus forecast among those following the stock by $0.22 per share.</p>
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<p>Looking more closely at the numbers, Vail Resorts enjoyed success both from the Whistler acquisition and organically. Total lift revenue jumped nearly 25% to $358.2 million, and even without the impact of Whistler, lift revenue was up more than 7% from year-ago levels.</p>
<p>Yet in some areas, Whistler was the sole source of growth. Ski school revenue climbed 26%, but it would have gained only 1% without Whistler's influence. Dining revenue excluding Whistler actually dropped 2.5% because of delays in opening restaurants in certain areas where poor early ski-season conditions weighed on local results. Similarly, retail and equipment rental revenue fell 2% organically. Yet when you include Whistler, dining revenue jumped 22% and retail and rental sales were up by a fifth.</p>
<p>Off the mountain, Vail Resorts saw more measured success. Lodging-related revenue was up only 5%, and the company said that poor conditions early in the ski season hit that segment fairly hard. The real estate segment inched higher, with the company closing a sale of one condo unit at Vail Ritz-Carlton and the last two condo units at One Ski Hill Place in Breckenridge. The company said that it has also sold two more Vail Ritz-Carlton units since the fiscal second quarter ended on Jan. 31.</p>
<p>Overall, the season has been favorable compared to last year. Using Vail's metrics on a pro forma basis that assume that Whistler was part of Vail's network last year, lift revenue is up nearly 7%, while ancillary spending climbed across the board, including a 5% rise in ski school revenue, 2% in dining, and 3% in retail and rental income. Only total visits were sluggish, down 4% compared to year-to-date figures at this point last year.</p>
<p>CEO Rob Katz was quite pleased with the results, especially in light of below-average early season conditions. "We had strong results during the holidays and the month of January," Katz said, and Whistler in particular "has benefited from good conditions throughout the season, a low Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar, and the outstanding brand and guest experience delivered by the Whistler Blackcomb team."</p>
<p>Moreover, Vail is excited about its future. The company announced last month that it would acquire Stowe Mountain Resort in northern Vermont, which will extend the Vail footprint into New England for the first time. By doing so, Vail should once again increase its potential penetration of season ticket sales, giving luxury skiers the opportunity to ski across the nation through some of its higher-end pass options.</p>
<p>Moreover, Vail sees a favorable year coming to fruition. The resort operator narrowed its guidance toward the upper end of its previous prediction, now expecting total EBITDA of $579 million to $603 million and net income of $196 million to $222 million.</p>
<p>Finally, Vail Resorts shared its success with shareholders through a big dividend boost. Going forward, Vail will pay 30% more to its investors, with a new quarterly dividend of $1.053 per share. The move will serve to push Vail's dividend yield back above 2%, making up for the fact that the stock price has risen so sharply in recent years.</p>
<p>Vail Resorts investors were happy with the report, and the stock climbed 3% in pre-market trading following the announcement. With Whistler doing well and new growth on the horizon, Vail has plenty of opportunities for even stronger performance this year and beyond.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Vail ResortsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=4c8d4eb6-d929-4d3a-b7ce-d54daa70258d&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Vail Resorts wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Vail Resorts. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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investors skiresort operator vail resorts nyse mtn wait longingly year winter months come around thats company makes money even small operation australia winter comes northern hemispheres summer months vail resorts still relies north america vast majority revenue profit coming fridays fiscal secondquarter financial report vail resorts investors high expectations growth thanks recent purchase whistler blackcomb resort british columbia vails results even stronger anticipated helped lead company reward shareholders big dividend boost continue reading lets take closer look vail resorts see whats ahead resort operator image source vail resorts vail resorts fiscal secondquarter results extremely favorable company reported revenue 7252 million 21 yearago period topping investor expectations 18 19 topline growth vails net income grew even faster climbing 275 1492 million worked earnings 363 per share exceeded consensus forecast among following stock 022 per share advertisement looking closely numbers vail resorts enjoyed success whistler acquisition organically total lift revenue jumped nearly 25 3582 million even without impact whistler lift revenue 7 yearago levels yet areas whistler sole source growth ski school revenue climbed 26 would gained 1 without whistlers influence dining revenue excluding whistler actually dropped 25 delays opening restaurants certain areas poor early skiseason conditions weighed local results similarly retail equipment rental revenue fell 2 organically yet include whistler dining revenue jumped 22 retail rental sales fifth mountain vail resorts saw measured success lodgingrelated revenue 5 company said poor conditions early ski season hit segment fairly hard real estate segment inched higher company closing sale one condo unit vail ritzcarlton last two condo units one ski hill place breckenridge company said also sold two vail ritzcarlton units since fiscal second quarter ended jan 31 overall season favorable compared last year using vails metrics pro forma basis assume whistler part vails network last year lift revenue nearly 7 ancillary spending climbed across board including 5 rise ski school revenue 2 dining 3 retail rental income total visits sluggish 4 compared yeartodate figures point last year ceo rob katz quite pleased results especially light belowaverage early season conditions strong results holidays month january katz said whistler particular benefited good conditions throughout season low canadian dollar versus us dollar outstanding brand guest experience delivered whistler blackcomb team moreover vail excited future company announced last month would acquire stowe mountain resort northern vermont extend vail footprint new england first time vail increase potential penetration season ticket sales giving luxury skiers opportunity ski across nation higherend pass options moreover vail sees favorable year coming fruition resort operator narrowed guidance toward upper end previous prediction expecting total ebitda 579 million 603 million net income 196 million 222 million finally vail resorts shared success shareholders big dividend boost going forward vail pay 30 investors new quarterly dividend 1053 per share move serve push vails dividend yield back 2 making fact stock price risen sharply recent years vail resorts investors happy report stock climbed 3 premarket trading following announcement whistler well new growth horizon vail plenty opportunities even stronger performance year beyond 10 stocks like better vail resortswhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right vail resorts wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns february 6 2017 dan caplinger opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool recommends vail resorts motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>When Kratos Defense &amp; Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) reported its <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/28/why-kratos-stock-crashed-10-today.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">fiscal Q2 earnings</a> last week, investors rebelled. GAAP profits, <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/05/13/5-things-kratos-defense-wants-you-to-know-about-it.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">promised three months ago</a>, had failed to materialize. More promises of growth in profits were made -- but with no profits to begin with, investors were rightly skeptical of how Kratos intended to grow something that didn't exist.</p>
<p>Kratos stock crashed 10% in response to the bad news, and it hasn't recovered since.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Will the stock recover? That may depend on the story that's unfolding behind the numbers at Kratos. And to give investors some insight into that big picture, Kratos laid out its vision for what the future holds in a post-earnings conference call.</p>
<p>Let's listen in, as Kratos lays out five key things it thinks investors need to know to understand why its future may look brighter than its recent past.</p>
<p>Kratos does a lot of things for the military -- satellite communications, command and control, and RF signal interference identification. DeMarco calls Kratos' cybersecurity and training systems division "the operational star and the jewel of our company," responsible for generating 70% of the company's revenue and all of its operating profit.</p>
<p>In contrast, Kratos' unmanned-systems division, which produces drones for military target practice and is working to build a new generation of unmanned combat aerial vehicles, produced less than $76 million in sales over the past year -- just 11% of total revenue. But unmanned systems could be Kratos' biggest business in the future. Already, the division is working on <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/03/heres-everything-we-know-about-kratos-defenses-new.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">LCASD</a>, <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/05/why-kratos-defense-security-solutions-stock-jumped.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">UTAP-22 Mako</a>, and <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/05/13/5-things-kratos-defense-wants-you-to-know-about-it.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Gremlins</a> combat drone projects for the Pentagon, the last one as a subcontractor.</p>
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<p>Kratos also says it is pursuing "secret and restricted opportunities" in the drone space.</p>
<p>One such secret program -- about which Kratos is keeping pretty mum -- is this unidentified drone, to be ordered by an unidentified agency. (Its initials are probably "D.o.D.") At $25 million or more per annum, this secret program has the potential, all on its own, to grow Kratos' drone business by nearly 50%.</p>
<p>This program won't be on its own, however. In fact, reviewing Kratos' post-earnings-call transcript, I found mentions of multiple multimillion-dollar contracts that Kratos expects to receive -- $15 million to $20 million from one production run on "a new confidential program," followed by "25% to 30% greater" revenue on a second production run, "$100 million or more" from "a new program award," and "$100 million plus" from a "training opportunity in an unmanned aerial drone system ... for approximately 90 aircraft."</p>
<p>That's all on top of the initial $25 million to $35 million mentioned. And these are only the projects with numbers attached to them. Kratos says it's also targeting "three brand-new opportunities with three new potential customers for tactical applications of our unmanned drone aircraft," and "a number of additional opportunities we have also not publicly disclosed."</p>
<p>If a lot of what Kratos revealed in its conference call sounds like glowing generalities and wide ranges of numbers -- well, that's partly by design. Operating in the secretive world of defense contracting, Kratos is understandably hesitant to go into a lot of specifics on its most sensitive projects. Granted, this makes it harder for investors to get a handle on the company's prospects. But with Kratos stock up nearly 100% over the past year, this seems to be a risk that investors are happy to take. Still, they should at least be aware of the risk.</p>
<p>Not all of Kratos' work is tippity-top secret, of course. The Subsonic Aerial Target (SSAT) program, for example, is a bit better known.</p>
<p>This SSAT contract could begin generating revenue as soon as this very quarter, and certainly by Q4. Kratos CFO Deanna Hom Lund echoed the CEO's assurance that Kratos' "fourth quarter is expected to be particularly strong, which includes the expected ramp for SSAT and the confidential LRIP programs."</p>
<p>Further out, DeMarco's promise of "doubling" drone revenue by 2018 suggests that SSAT sales will push drone revenue above $150 million in sales next year. Factor in sales from the "secret" combat drone programs, and sales should swell even more. The big question is how much profit will result from these sales.</p>
<p>Kratos hasn't ever come close to $150 million in drone sales before. The closest it got, in 2013, was just over $121 million in revenue -- and $17 million in losses. DeMarco's comments suggest the company will do better than that this year, but only time will tell.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Kratos continues to burn cash as it seeks to grow the drone business -- of this it seems certain. The hope, of course, is that as Kratos' combat drone development evolves into combat drone sales, cash will begin flowing into the company. Combined with a trailing off of spending on development, this could turn the company free-cash-flow positive (i.e., Kratos will begin generating cash profits) as early as six months from now.</p>
<p>After four long years of burning cash in its quest to become the military's <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/03/heres-everything-we-know-about-kratos-defenses-new.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">preeminent supplier of combat drones</a>, this will be a welcome change.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Kratos Defense and Security SolutionsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=65c28c09-c3b6-4dc6-af90-c7dc11ac51e4&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks</a> for investors to buy right now... and Kratos Defense and Security Solutions wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of August 1, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDitty/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Rich Smith</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=33c4f2f6-7baf-11e7-9435-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
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kratos defense amp security solutions nasdaq ktos reported fiscal q2 earnings last week investors rebelled gaap profits promised three months ago failed materialize promises growth profits made profits begin investors rightly skeptical kratos intended grow something didnt exist kratos stock crashed 10 response bad news hasnt recovered since continue reading stock recover may depend story thats unfolding behind numbers kratos give investors insight big picture kratos laid vision future holds postearnings conference call lets listen kratos lays five key things thinks investors need know understand future may look brighter recent past kratos lot things military satellite communications command control rf signal interference identification demarco calls kratos cybersecurity training systems division operational star jewel company responsible generating 70 companys revenue operating profit contrast kratos unmannedsystems division produces drones military target practice working build new generation unmanned combat aerial vehicles produced less 76 million sales past year 11 total revenue unmanned systems could kratos biggest business future already division working lcasd utap22 mako gremlins combat drone projects pentagon last one subcontractor advertisement kratos also says pursuing secret restricted opportunities drone space one secret program kratos keeping pretty mum unidentified drone ordered unidentified agency initials probably dod 25 million per annum secret program potential grow kratos drone business nearly 50 program wont however fact reviewing kratos postearningscall transcript found mentions multiple multimilliondollar contracts kratos expects receive 15 million 20 million one production run new confidential program followed 25 30 greater revenue second production run 100 million new program award 100 million plus training opportunity unmanned aerial drone system approximately 90 aircraft thats top initial 25 million 35 million mentioned projects numbers attached kratos says also targeting three brandnew opportunities three new potential customers tactical applications unmanned drone aircraft number additional opportunities also publicly disclosed lot kratos revealed conference call sounds like glowing generalities wide ranges numbers well thats partly design operating secretive world defense contracting kratos understandably hesitant go lot specifics sensitive projects granted makes harder investors get handle companys prospects kratos stock nearly 100 past year seems risk investors happy take still least aware risk kratos work tippitytop secret course subsonic aerial target ssat program example bit better known ssat contract could begin generating revenue soon quarter certainly q4 kratos cfo deanna hom lund echoed ceos assurance kratos fourth quarter expected particularly strong includes expected ramp ssat confidential lrip programs demarcos promise doubling drone revenue 2018 suggests ssat sales push drone revenue 150 million sales next year factor sales secret combat drone programs sales swell even big question much profit result sales kratos hasnt ever come close 150 million drone sales closest got 2013 121 million revenue 17 million losses demarcos comments suggest company better year time tell meanwhile kratos continues burn cash seeks grow drone business seems certain hope course kratos combat drone development evolves combat drone sales cash begin flowing company combined trailing spending development could turn company freecashflow positive ie kratos begin generating cash profits early six months four long years burning cash quest become militarys preeminent supplier combat drones welcome change 10 stocks like better kratos defense security solutionswhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks investors buy right kratos defense security solutions wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click learn picks stock advisor returns august 1 2017 rich smith position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy
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<p>Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) recently introduced Oculus Dash, a new&#160;interface for the Oculus Rift which allows users to replace the Oculus Home launcher with “virtual” computer monitors and a futuristic dashboard with shortcuts to various apps. In the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvP_RI_S-bw" type="external">short launch video Opens a New Window.</a>, Dash looks like the dashboard from Minority Report and seems to mimic Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Hololens.</p>
<p>But unlike the Hololens, which projects digital objects onto real surfaces with depth-sensing cameras, the Dash runs in an enclosed virtual environment that can be used as a real workspace. Rift users can customize their virtual rooms with Touch controllers, then leave different windows -- like chat, music, games, and even coding apps -- in mid-air like multiple floating monitors.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Typing might seem tough in a VR environment, but Facebook has been testing out VR gloves, which <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/09/oculus-gloves/" type="external">Opens a New Window.</a>can be used to type and draw by tracking individual finger movements. This idea sounds interesting, but I seriously doubt that Oculus Dash will ever become the futuristic computing platform that Facebook is promoting.</p>
<p>The first major headwind is the soft demand for the Oculus Rift. Research firm SuperData <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/04/10/a-foolish-take-which-company-is-leading-in-the-vir.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=f1d2ca5c-b318-11e7-a56d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">claims that Opens a New Window.</a> Facebook only sold&#160;about 240,000 Rifts last year, compared to 6.3 million VR headsets shipped worldwide. Facebook is trying to boost mainstream interest in the Rift by lowering its price to $399 and introducing a $199 standalone variant called Go, but&#160;it’s unclear if those efforts will pay off.</p>
<p>However, Samsung’s (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF) Gear VR was notably the best-selling headset of 2016 with 4.5 million shipped units, thanks to its lower price ($129) and support from the company’s high-end headsets. The Gear VR also runs Oculus Home, so it should also get the Dash update, but it's unclear if Facebook will ever launch VR gloves for the Gear VR.</p>
<p>The Rift is also a cumbersome device to wear over prolonged periods. It blocks a user’s view of the outside world, needs to be tethered to a PC with cables, and requires ample space to set up its motion-tracking sensors. It’s highly unlikely that coders would do that just to write some code in VR, or casual users would do the same to use Chrome or Spotify in VR.</p>
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<p>The Oculus Go, which ditches the Rift’s wires and companion PC, might make Dash more appealing for mainstream users. However, it’s unlikely that Go owners will see Dash as a permanent replacement for multi-monitor PC setups anytime soon.</p>
<p>Lastly, many attempts to turn computer operating systems into user-friendly “rooms” flopped before. Microsoft Bob replaced the Windows Program Manager with rooms filled with real-world items in the 1990s, but it complicated simple tasks and was eventually named one of the worst tech products of all time by PC World.</p>
<p>That’s arguably the biggest problem with Oculus Dash -- it turns simple one-click tasks, like opening Chrome, into air-clicking ordeals in a virtual environment. It looks cool, but it feels just as showy and superfluous as the rooms in Microsoft Bob.</p>
<p>By comparison, Microsoft’s Hololens is built for tasks that can’t be accomplished in a single click -- like designing 3D models on your desk, requesting virtual support from a plumber or mechanic who can “see” through your eyes, playing Minecraft on a coffee table, and even “teleporting” another person into&#160;your room.</p>
<p>The HoloLens isn’t built with mundane tasks like launching a web browser or writing code in mind -- it focuses on next-gen applications that can’t be accomplished with a keyboard, mouse, or touchscreen.</p>
<p>Oculus Dash only looks like a cool parlor trick for now, but it still has plenty of growth potential. Oculus Home has a solid library of VR apps, videos, and experiences, and it’s arguably the most mature VR ecosystem on the market today.</p>
<p>As Facebook gradually integrates new native VR features, like Spaces (which lets people virtually visit their friends as avatars) and <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/20/facebook-incs-oculus-tests-out-social-vr-movies-an.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=f1d2ca5c-b318-11e7-a56d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">social games Opens a New Window.</a>, that ecosystem should expand and make Oculus headsets more appealing to mainstream users. But for now, Oculus Dash remains a few steps behind Microsoft’s Hololens in the ongoing race to develop a next-gen computing platform.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than MicrosoftWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=69c4b62f-ee51-496f-80db-7d568dbaa23a&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=f1d2ca5c-b318-11e7-a56d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now… and Microsoft wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of October 9, 2017</p>
<p>Teresa Kersten is an employee of LinkedIn and is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=f1d2ca5c-b318-11e7-a56d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Facebook. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=f1d2ca5c-b318-11e7-a56d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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facebook nasdaq fb recently introduced oculus dash new160interface oculus rift allows users replace oculus home launcher virtual computer monitors futuristic dashboard shortcuts various apps short launch video opens new window dash looks like dashboard minority report seems mimic microsofts nasdaq msft hololens unlike hololens projects digital objects onto real surfaces depthsensing cameras dash runs enclosed virtual environment used real workspace rift users customize virtual rooms touch controllers leave different windows like chat music games even coding apps midair like multiple floating monitors continue reading typing might seem tough vr environment facebook testing vr gloves opens new windowcan used type draw tracking individual finger movements idea sounds interesting seriously doubt oculus dash ever become futuristic computing platform facebook promoting first major headwind soft demand oculus rift research firm superdata claims opens new window facebook sold160about 240000 rifts last year compared 63 million vr headsets shipped worldwide facebook trying boost mainstream interest rift lowering price 399 introducing 199 standalone variant called go but160its unclear efforts pay however samsungs nasdaqoth ssnlf gear vr notably bestselling headset 2016 45 million shipped units thanks lower price 129 support companys highend headsets gear vr also runs oculus home also get dash update unclear facebook ever launch vr gloves gear vr rift also cumbersome device wear prolonged periods blocks users view outside world needs tethered pc cables requires ample space set motiontracking sensors highly unlikely coders would write code vr casual users would use chrome spotify vr advertisement oculus go ditches rifts wires companion pc might make dash appealing mainstream users however unlikely go owners see dash permanent replacement multimonitor pc setups anytime soon lastly many attempts turn computer operating systems userfriendly rooms flopped microsoft bob replaced windows program manager rooms filled realworld items 1990s complicated simple tasks eventually named one worst tech products time pc world thats arguably biggest problem oculus dash turns simple oneclick tasks like opening chrome airclicking ordeals virtual environment looks cool feels showy superfluous rooms microsoft bob comparison microsofts hololens built tasks cant accomplished single click like designing 3d models desk requesting virtual support plumber mechanic see eyes playing minecraft coffee table even teleporting another person into160your room hololens isnt built mundane tasks like launching web browser writing code mind focuses nextgen applications cant accomplished keyboard mouse touchscreen oculus dash looks like cool parlor trick still plenty growth potential oculus home solid library vr apps videos experiences arguably mature vr ecosystem market today facebook gradually integrates new native vr features like spaces lets people virtually visit friends avatars social games opens new window ecosystem expand make oculus headsets appealing mainstream users oculus dash remains steps behind microsofts hololens ongoing race develop nextgen computing platform 10 stocks like better microsoftwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right microsoft wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns october 9 2017 teresa kersten employee linkedin member motley fools board directors linkedin owned microsoft leo sun opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends facebook motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>(The Economic Collapse) – The Percentage Of Self-Employed Americans Is At A Record Low. The percentage of Americans that are working for themselves has never been lower in the history of the United States.&#160; Once upon a time, the United States was a paradise for entrepreneurs and small businesses, but now the control freak bureaucrats that dominate our society have created a system that absolutely eviscerates them.</p>
<p>This is very unfortunate, because by murdering small business, the bureaucrats are destroying the primary engine of job growth in this country.&#160; One of the big reasons why there are not enough jobs in America today is because small business creation is way down.&#160; As I mentioned yesterday, entrepreneurs and small businesses are being absolutely devastated by rules, regulations, red tape and by oppressive levels of taxation.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">SPECIAL: Join the Tea Party REVOLUTION! The Obama Regime must be dismantled!</a></p>
<p>If anyone doubts that small business in the United States is dying, just look at the charts below.&#160; Sadly, this is what the bureaucrats that run things want.&#160; They don’t want us to be independent of the system.&#160; Instead, they are much more comfortable when as many of us as possible are heavily dependent on the system in one way or another.&#160; If all of us have to go running to the government or to one of the big corporations for a job, then we are much easier to control.&#160; But as the control freaks continue to construct their bureaucratic utopia, they are also killing off what once made the U.S. economy so great.</p>
<p>The number of unincorporated self-employed Americans has dropped back to levels that we have not seen since the mid-1980s even though our population has increased by tens of millions of people since that time… &#160; From 1970 to the mid-1990s the number of unincorporated self-employed Americans rose steadily.&#160; But in the mid-1990s it began to level off and now it is falling rapidly.</p>
<p>The percentage of self-employed Americans as a share of non-farm employment has dropped.&#160; In other words, those that work on farms are excluded from this chart.&#160; The percentage of self-employed Americans was fairly stable between 1970 and 1990, but since 1990 it has been steadily eroding and it has now reached a level never seen before… &#160; At this point, only about 7 percent of non-farm workers are self-employed.&#160; That is depressingly low.&#160; That means that an overwhelming majority of those that are employed in America are working for the system in one capacity or another. &#160; But isn’t that what we pound into the heads of our children these days?</p>
<p>We teach them to work hard in school so that they can “get a good job” when they grow up.&#160; From a very early age we train our children to plug themselves into the system. &#160; Not that working for someone else is wrong.&#160; Of course not.&#160; It is just that we are not fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship in America today.&#160; In fact, we seem to be doing everything that we can to kill it off. &#160; In a previous article, I detailed how the number of new businesses (and the number of jobs those businesses create) has been steadily declining.&#160; In particular, this decline has accelerated dramatically under the Obama administration.</p>
<p>According to an analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data performed by economist Tim Kane, the following is how the decline in the number of startup jobs per 1000 Americans breaks down by presidential administration…</p>
<p>Bush Sr.: 11.3</p>
<p>Clinton: 11.2</p>
<p>Bush Jr.: 10.8</p>
<p>Obama: 7.8</p>
<p>Is that a good trend or a bad trend? It doesn’t take an advanced degree in economics to figure out where things are going. &#160; Kane speculated about why we are witnessing such a decline in his paper… &#160; There is anecdotal evidence that the U.S. policy environment has become inadvertently hostile to entrepreneurial employment. At the federal level, high taxes and higher uncertainty about taxes are undoubtedly inhibiting entrepreneurship, but to what degree is unknown. The dominant factor may be new regulations on labor.</p>
<p>The passage of the Affordable Care Act is creating a sweeping alteration of the regulatory environment that directly changes how employers engage their workforces, and it will be some time until those changes are understood by employers or scholars. Separately, there has been a federal crackdown since 2009 by the Internal Revenue Service on U.S. employers that hire U.S. workers as independent contractors rather than employees, raising the question of mandatory benefits.</p>
<p>New firms tend to use part-time and contract staffing rather than full-time employees during the startup stage. According to Labor Department data, the typical American today only takes home 70 percent of compensation as pay, while the rest is absorbed by the spiraling cost of benefits (e.g., health insurance). The dilemma for U.S. policy is that an American entrepreneur has zero tax or regulatory burden when hiring a consultant/contractor who resides abroad. But that same employer is subject to paperwork, taxation, and possible IRS harassment if employing U.S.-based contractors. Finally, there has been a steady barrier erected to entrepreneurs at the local policy level.</p>
<p>Brink Lindsey points out in his book Human Capitalism that the rise of occupational licensing is destroying startup opportunities for poor and middle class Americans. &#160; In my previous article, I also pointed out some of the other statistics that show that small business in America is dying…</p>
<p>-According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. economy lost more than 220,000 small businesses during the last recession.</p>
<p>-As a share of the population, the percentage of Americans that are self-employed fell by more than 20 percent between 1991 and 2010.</p>
<p>-As a share of the population, the percentage of “new entrepreneurs and business owners” dropped by a staggering 53 percent between 1977 and 2010.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this is a crisis that has taken decades to develop and that there are not any easy solutions for.&#160; But there are certain factors that should be addressed immediately.&#160; The following are some of the things that are contributing to the murder of self-employment and small business in America…</p>
<p>#1 Taxes: The IRS seems to especially enjoy tormenting entrepreneurs and small businesses.&#160; In fact, things have gotten so bad that even late night talk show hosts are joking about it.&#160; Recently, NBC Tonight Show host Jay Leno joked that if Barack Obama really wanted to close down Guantanamo Bay, he should “do what he always does: declare it a small business and tax it out of existence”</p>
<p>#2 Ridiculous Regulations: If you have ever tried to start a small business, you probably know how frustrating it can be dealing with government red tape.&#160; In particular, the federal government has burdened our small businesses with gigantic mountains of rules and regulations and it gets worse with each passing day.</p>
<p>#3 State Governments That Are Openly Hostile To Business: A perfect example of this is the state of California.&#160; In 2011, the state of California ranked 50th out of all 50 states in new business creation, and yet they just continue to pass more legislation that hurts small businesses.</p>
<p>#4 Obamacare: Our broken healthcare system is a tremendous burden on small businesses, and Obamacare is going to make things much worse.</p>
<p>#5 The One World Trade Agenda: In many industries, U.S. small businesses simply cannot compete against products made by workers that are being paid slave labor wages on the other side of the globe.</p>
<p>#6 Predator Corporations: Time after time we have seen corporate giants extract huge tax breaks and other enormous concessions from local officials which give them an overwhelming advantage.&#160; But once the corporate giant moves into town, many of the existing small businesses find that they cannot compete and are forced to shut down.</p>
<p>#7 Our Corrupt Political System: On the national level, elections are almost always won by the politician that raises the most money.&#160; Our politicians know that their careers depend on raising money, so they tend to be very good to those that they get big money from.</p>
<p>There is a reason why big corporations spend billions of dollars on campaign contributions and lobbying.&#160; They do it because it works.&#160; Over the decades, the big corporations have been able to shift the rules of the game massively in their favor, and this has been to the detriment of entrepreneurs and small businesses. http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/they-are-murdering-small-business-the-percentage-of-self-employed-americans-is-at-a-record-low</p>
<p>TeaParty.org sums it up this way: Small business is very difficlut for the government to control. Therefore, it must be captured or destroyed, unfortunatly the destroy point of view is working very well.</p>
<p>TeaParty.org contributed to this article.</p>
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economic collapse percentage selfemployed americans record low percentage americans working never lower history united states160 upon time united states paradise entrepreneurs small businesses control freak bureaucrats dominate society created system absolutely eviscerates unfortunate murdering small business bureaucrats destroying primary engine job growth country160 one big reasons enough jobs america today small business creation way down160 mentioned yesterday entrepreneurs small businesses absolutely devastated rules regulations red tape oppressive levels taxation special join tea party revolution obama regime must dismantled anyone doubts small business united states dying look charts below160 sadly bureaucrats run things want160 dont want us independent system160 instead much comfortable many us possible heavily dependent system one way another160 us go running government one big corporations job much easier control160 control freaks continue construct bureaucratic utopia also killing made us economy great number unincorporated selfemployed americans dropped back levels seen since mid1980s even though population increased tens millions people since time 160 1970 mid1990s number unincorporated selfemployed americans rose steadily160 mid1990s began level falling rapidly percentage selfemployed americans share nonfarm employment dropped160 words work farms excluded chart160 percentage selfemployed americans fairly stable 1970 1990 since 1990 steadily eroding reached level never seen 160 point 7 percent nonfarm workers selfemployed160 depressingly low160 means overwhelming majority employed america working system one capacity another 160 isnt pound heads children days teach work hard school get good job grow up160 early age train children plug system 160 working someone else wrong160 course not160 fostering spirit entrepreneurship america today160 fact seem everything kill 160 previous article detailed number new businesses number jobs businesses create steadily declining160 particular decline accelerated dramatically obama administration according analysis us department labor data performed economist tim kane following decline number startup jobs per 1000 americans breaks presidential administration bush sr 113 clinton 112 bush jr 108 obama 78 good trend bad trend doesnt take advanced degree economics figure things going 160 kane speculated witnessing decline paper 160 anecdotal evidence us policy environment become inadvertently hostile entrepreneurial employment federal level high taxes higher uncertainty taxes undoubtedly inhibiting entrepreneurship degree unknown dominant factor may new regulations labor passage affordable care act creating sweeping alteration regulatory environment directly changes employers engage workforces time changes understood employers scholars separately federal crackdown since 2009 internal revenue service us employers hire us workers independent contractors rather employees raising question mandatory benefits new firms tend use parttime contract staffing rather fulltime employees startup stage according labor department data typical american today takes home 70 percent compensation pay rest absorbed spiraling cost benefits eg health insurance dilemma us policy american entrepreneur zero tax regulatory burden hiring consultantcontractor resides abroad employer subject paperwork taxation possible irs harassment employing usbased contractors finally steady barrier erected entrepreneurs local policy level brink lindsey points book human capitalism rise occupational licensing destroying startup opportunities poor middle class americans 160 previous article also pointed statistics show small business america dying according us census bureau us economy lost 220000 small businesses last recession share population percentage americans selfemployed fell 20 percent 1991 2010 share population percentage new entrepreneurs business owners dropped staggering 53 percent 1977 2010 unfortunately crisis taken decades develop easy solutions for160 certain factors addressed immediately160 following things contributing murder selfemployment small business america 1 taxes irs seems especially enjoy tormenting entrepreneurs small businesses160 fact things gotten bad even late night talk show hosts joking it160 recently nbc tonight show host jay leno joked barack obama really wanted close guantanamo bay always declare small business tax existence 2 ridiculous regulations ever tried start small business probably know frustrating dealing government red tape160 particular federal government burdened small businesses gigantic mountains rules regulations gets worse passing day 3 state governments openly hostile business perfect example state california160 2011 state california ranked 50th 50 states new business creation yet continue pass legislation hurts small businesses 4 obamacare broken healthcare system tremendous burden small businesses obamacare going make things much worse 5 one world trade agenda many industries us small businesses simply compete products made workers paid slave labor wages side globe 6 predator corporations time time seen corporate giants extract huge tax breaks enormous concessions local officials give overwhelming advantage160 corporate giant moves town many existing small businesses find compete forced shut 7 corrupt political system national level elections almost always politician raises money160 politicians know careers depend raising money tend good get big money reason big corporations spend billions dollars campaign contributions lobbying160 works160 decades big corporations able shift rules game massively favor detriment entrepreneurs small businesses httptheeconomiccollapseblogcomarchivestheyaremurderingsmallbusinessthepercentageofselfemployedamericansisatarecordlow teapartyorg sums way small business difficlut government control therefore must captured destroyed unfortunatly destroy point view working well teapartyorg contributed article
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<p />
<p>Martin Midstream Partners (NASDAQ: MMLP) units are surging in Tuesday trading, up more than 3% at last report, on the back of a big upgrade from Stifel Nicolaus.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Why should you care? Well, for one thing, Stifel Nicolaus is one of the best stock pickers we track here at Motley Fool CAPS, ranking in the top 5% of all investors worldwide, and currently beating the market by an average of <a href="http://caps.fool.com/player/trackstifel.aspx" type="external">nearly 10 percentage points per stock pick it makes Opens a New Window.</a>. And here's something else you should know:</p>
<p>Stifel believes that Martin Midstream Partners units, which cost only $16 and change today, are worth closer to $19. When you add the 14% difference between those two prices to the 12.4% dividend yield that Martin Midstream is paying, you end up with the prospect of a 26% payday for new investors.</p>
<p>Here are three other things you should know.</p>
<p>Stifel Nicolaus sees a green future surrounding oil terminal operator Martin Midstream Partners. Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<p>Martin Midstream Partners L.P. describesitself as "a publicly traded master limited partnership with a diverse set of operations focused primarily in the United States Gulf Coast region." Specifically, financial data service <a href="https://www.capitaliq.com/" type="external">S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence Opens a New Window.</a> explains that Martin Midstream "transports, stores, and markets petroleum products and by-products in the United States Gulf Coast region," operating everything from natural gas storage facilities to a 200-mile-long gas pipeline to 45 separate terminal facilities and 74 barges and boats for transporting fuel and chemicals.</p>
<p>Technically a partnership, when you buy into Martin Midstream Partners you are actually buying <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/what-is-a-master-limited-partnership.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">units of the partnership Opens a New Window.</a>rather than shares of stock.</p>
<p>And why might you want to buy such units? Well, Martin Midstream employs all of these assets listed above to generate distributions -- akin to dividends -- for its partners, and those distributions can be rich indeed.</p>
<p>According to Yahoo! Financedata, Martin Midstream currently pays its owners "dividends" (actually distributions) on their units worth nearly 18% annually. S&amp;P Global data is a bit more conservative, estimating Martin Midstream's yield at closer to 12.4%. Investors considering a purchase in this stock should probably assume that is the correct rate, inasmuch as it's derived by extrapolating Martin Midstream's most recent quarterly distribution ($0.50 per unit) into the future -- rather than assuming that past quarters' distributions ($0.81 per unit)will return.</p>
<p>Even so, $0.50 a quarter, times four quarters, works out to $2 in distributions every year. And weighed against Martin Midstream's pre-upgrade price of $16.15 per unit, that's still a very respectable 12.4% dividend (er, distribution) yield.</p>
<p>The longer you wait to buy, though, the worse that dividend yield may become. As Stifel explains in a write-up covered by <a href="http://www.streetinsider.com/Analyst+Comments/UPDATE%3A+Stifel+Upgrades+Martin+Midstream+Partners+%28MMLP%29+to+Buy/12314318.html" type="external">StreetInsider.com Opens a New Window.</a> this morning, Martin Midstream's unit price has declined "approximately 19% since it released 3Q2106 earnings on October 27, 2016." But because Martin Midstream is a "turnaround story," Stifel thinks the stock's price will rise again shortly -- and the more expensive the stock becomes, the worse the distribution yield will become over time.</p>
<p>E.g., $2 in distributions paid on the $16.15 that Martin Midstream cost yesterday is a 12.4% yield, but $2 on the $16.66 that Martin Midstream costs today is already down to 12% -- and $2 paid on Stifel's projected price of $19 for Martin Midstream would equal a yield of only 10.5%. Simply put, if you want the richest yield, you need to buy when the stock is cheapest.</p>
<p>Three months ago, my Foolish colleague Matt DiLallo warned investors that Martin Midstream's then insanely rich 16.6% distribution yield was " <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/20/3-stocks-that-are-nothing-but-dividend-yield-traps.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">nothing but a trap Opens a New Window.</a>" and doomed to be cut, given that the company lacked sufficient distributable cash flow to fund it. He was right -- but the trap has now been sprung. Martin Midstream was paying out $0.81 a unit per quarter back then when Matt wrote those words. But it's paying only $0.50 now.</p>
<p>Thanks to this cut, the company's more modest distribution today consumes only $71 millionof the company's $113.6 millionin annual distributable cash flow. That's a payout rate that should be more sustainable than in quarters past. And as it is sustained, and investors grow more comfortable with the new payout rate over time, Stifel Nicolaus just might be proven right:Down 19% over the past few weeks, Martin Midstream Partners stock could begin flowing back upstream again.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Martin Midstream Partners When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=6d906911-8674-46b1-9d8e-2506453bda0e&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Martin Midstream Partners wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=6d906911-8674-46b1-9d8e-2506453bda0e&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of Nov. 7, 2016</p>
<p>Fool contributor <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDitty/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Smith Opens a New Window.</a>does not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him on <a href="http://caps.fool.com/" type="external">Motley Fool CAPS Opens a New Window.</a>, publicly pontificating under the handle <a href="http://caps.fool.com/ViewPlayer.aspx?t=01002844399633209838" type="external">TMFDitty Opens a New Window.</a>, where he currently ranks No. 340 out of more than 75,000 rated members.</p>
<p>The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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martin midstream partners nasdaq mmlp units surging tuesday trading 3 last report back big upgrade stifel nicolaus continue reading care well one thing stifel nicolaus one best stock pickers track motley fool caps ranking top 5 investors worldwide currently beating market average nearly 10 percentage points per stock pick makes opens new window heres something else know stifel believes martin midstream partners units cost 16 change today worth closer 19 add 14 difference two prices 124 dividend yield martin midstream paying end prospect 26 payday new investors three things know stifel nicolaus sees green future surrounding oil terminal operator martin midstream partners image source getty images advertisement martin midstream partners lp describesitself publicly traded master limited partnership diverse set operations focused primarily united states gulf coast region specifically financial data service sampp global market intelligence opens new window explains martin midstream transports stores markets petroleum products byproducts united states gulf coast region operating everything natural gas storage facilities 200milelong gas pipeline 45 separate terminal facilities 74 barges boats transporting fuel chemicals technically partnership buy martin midstream partners actually buying units partnership opens new windowrather shares stock might want buy units well martin midstream employs assets listed generate distributions akin dividends partners distributions rich indeed according yahoo financedata martin midstream currently pays owners dividends actually distributions units worth nearly 18 annually sampp global data bit conservative estimating martin midstreams yield closer 124 investors considering purchase stock probably assume correct rate inasmuch derived extrapolating martin midstreams recent quarterly distribution 050 per unit future rather assuming past quarters distributions 081 per unitwill return even 050 quarter times four quarters works 2 distributions every year weighed martin midstreams preupgrade price 1615 per unit thats still respectable 124 dividend er distribution yield longer wait buy though worse dividend yield may become stifel explains writeup covered streetinsidercom opens new window morning martin midstreams unit price declined approximately 19 since released 3q2106 earnings october 27 2016 martin midstream turnaround story stifel thinks stocks price rise shortly expensive stock becomes worse distribution yield become time eg 2 distributions paid 1615 martin midstream cost yesterday 124 yield 2 1666 martin midstream costs today already 12 2 paid stifels projected price 19 martin midstream would equal yield 105 simply put want richest yield need buy stock cheapest three months ago foolish colleague matt dilallo warned investors martin midstreams insanely rich 166 distribution yield nothing trap opens new window doomed cut given company lacked sufficient distributable cash flow fund right trap sprung martin midstream paying 081 unit per quarter back matt wrote words paying 050 thanks cut companys modest distribution today consumes 71 millionof companys 1136 millionin annual distributable cash flow thats payout rate sustainable quarters past sustained investors grow comfortable new payout rate time stifel nicolaus might proven rightdown 19 past weeks martin midstream partners stock could begin flowing back upstream 10 stocks like better martin midstream partners investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right martin midstream partners wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns nov 7 2016 fool contributor rich smith opens new windowdoes shares short company named find motley fool caps opens new window publicly pontificating handle tmfditty opens new window currently ranks 340 75000 rated members motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p />
<p>Article by Jim Rohn</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The most important benefit of setting goals isn't achieving those goals; it's what you do and the person you become in order to achieve your goals that's the real benefit.</p>
<p>Goal-setting is powerful because it provides focus. It shapes our dreams. It gives us the ability to hone in on the exact actions we need to perform to achieve everything we desire in life. Goals are great because they cause us to stretch and grow in ways that we never have before. In order to reach our goals, we must become better.</p>
<p>Life is designed in such a way that we look at the long term and live in the short term. We dream for the future and live in the present. Unfortunately, the present can produce many difficult obstacles. But setting goals provides long-term vision in our lives. We all need powerful, long-range goals to help us get past those short-term obstacles. Fortunately, the more powerful our goals are, the more we'll be able to act on and guarantee that they will actually come to pass.</p>
<p>What are the key aspects to learn and remember when studying and writing our goals?</p>
<p>Here's a closer look at goal-setting and how you can make it forceful and practical:</p>
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<p>1. Evaluate and Reflect</p>
<p>The only way we can reasonably decide what we want in the future and how we'll get there is to know where we are right now and what our current level of satisfaction is. So first, take some time to think through and write down your current situation. Then, ask this question about��each key point: Is that okay?</p>
<p>The purpose of evaluation is twofold. First, it gives you an objective way to look at your accomplishments and your pursuit of your vision. Secondly, it shows you where you are so you can determine where you need to go. Evaluation gives you a baseline to work from.</p>
<p>Take a couple of hours this week to evaluate and reflect. See where you are and write it down so that, as the months progress and you continue to regularly��evaluate and reflect, you will see just how much ground you're gaining.</p>
<p>2. Define Your Dreams and Goals</p>
<p>One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to build��better lives. Fortunately, we also have the��ability to set goals and live��out our��dreams.</p>
<p>We can look deep within our hearts and dream of better situations for ourselves and our families. We can dream of better financial, emotional, spiritual, or physical lives. We have also been given the ability to pursue those dreams ��� and not just pursue them, but actually lay out plans and strategies that help us achieve them.��Powerful!</p>
<p>What are your dreams and goals? Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want? Have you ever taken the time to truly reflect, to listen quietly to your heart, to see what dreams live within you? Your dreams are there. Everyone has them. They may live right on the surface, or they may be buried deep from years of others telling you they were foolish, but they are there.</p>
<p>Take time to be quiet. This is something that we don't do enough of in this busy world of ours. We rush, rush, rush, and we're constantly listening to noise all around us. The human heart was meant for times of quiet. It is when we peer deep within our hearts that we are free to take flight on the wings of our dreams. Schedule some quiet "dream time" this week. No other people. No cellphone. No computer. Just you, a pad, a pen, and your thoughts.</p>
<p>Think about what really thrills you. When you are quiet, think about those things that really get your blood moving. What would you love to do, either for fun or for a living? What would you love to accomplish? What would you try if you were guaranteed to succeed? What big thoughts move your heart into a state of excitement and joy? When you answer these questions, you will feel great. You will be in the "dream zone." It is only when we get to this point that we learn what our dreams really are.</p>
<p>Write down all of your dreams as you have them. Don't think of any as too outlandish or foolish. Remember: You're dreaming! Let the thoughts fly and carefully record them.</p>
<p>Now, prioritize those dreams. Which are most important? Which are most feasible? Which would you love to do the most? Put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain them. Remember, we are always moving toward action ��� not just dreaming.</p>
<p>3. Make Your Goals S.M.A.R.T.</p>
<p>The acronym "S.M.A.R.T." means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Sensitive.</p>
<p>- Specific:��Goals are no place to waffle. They are no place to be vague. Ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results. Incomplete goals produce incomplete futures.</p>
<p>- Measurable:��Always set goals that are measurable. I would say "specifically measurable" to take into account our principle of being specific.</p>
<p>- Attainable:��One of the detrimental things that many people do ��� with good intentions ��� is setting goals that are so high that they are unattainable.</p>
<p>- Realistic:��The root word of "realistic" is "real." A goal has to be something that we can reasonably make real in our lives. There are some goals that are simply not realistic. You have to be able to say ��� even if your goal is a tremendous stretch �����that yes, indeed, it is entirely realistic.��This is in no way to say it shouldn't be a big goal. It just has to be realistic.</p>
<p>- Time-Sensitive:��Every goal should have a timeframe attached to it. One of the powerful aspects of a great goal is that it has an end ��� a time by��which you are shooting to accomplish it. As time goes by, you work on it because you don't want to fall��behind. You may even have to break down a big goal into different aspects and assign timeframes to each. That is okay. Set smaller goals and work them out in their own time.</p>
<p>4. Have Accountability</p>
<p>When someone knows what your goals are, they can hold you accountable by asking you to give an account of where you are in the process of achieving that goal. Accountability gives��some to the process. If a goal is set and only one person knows it, does it really have any power? Many times, no, it does not. A goal isn't as powerful if you don't have one or more people who can hold you accountable to it.</p>
<p>���</p>
<p>A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.</p>
<p>Jim Rohn, the man many consider to be America's Foremost Business Philosopher, shared his success philosophies and principles for more than��46 years, with more than 6,000 audiences and 5 million people worldwide. Prior to his passing in 2009, Rohn partnered with SUCCESS magazine to bring his indelible wisdom to our audience, who have long cherished the writings and teachings of this personal development legend. Today, SUCCESS continues to share Mr. Rohn's timeless principles with long-time fans and newfound followers.</p>
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article jim rohn continue reading important benefit setting goals isnt achieving goals person become order achieve goals thats real benefit goalsetting powerful provides focus shapes dreams gives us ability hone exact actions need perform achieve everything desire life goals great cause us stretch grow ways never order reach goals must become better life designed way look long term live short term dream future live present unfortunately present produce many difficult obstacles setting goals provides longterm vision lives need powerful longrange goals help us get past shortterm obstacles fortunately powerful goals well able act guarantee actually come pass key aspects learn remember studying writing goals heres closer look goalsetting make forceful practical advertisement 1 evaluate reflect way reasonably decide want future well get know right current level satisfaction first take time think write current situation ask question abouteach key point okay purpose evaluation twofold first gives objective way look accomplishments pursuit vision secondly shows determine need go evaluation gives baseline work take couple hours week evaluate reflect see write months progress continue regularlyevaluate reflect see much ground youre gaining 2 define dreams goals one amazing things given humans unquenchable desire buildbetter lives fortunately also theability set goals liveout ourdreams look deep within hearts dream better situations families dream better financial emotional spiritual physical lives also given ability pursue dreams pursue actually lay plans strategies help us achieve thempowerful dreams goals ever really sat thought life values decided really want ever taken time truly reflect listen quietly heart see dreams live within dreams everyone may live right surface may buried deep years others telling foolish take time quiet something dont enough busy world rush rush rush constantly listening noise around us human heart meant times quiet peer deep within hearts free take flight wings dreams schedule quiet dream time week people cellphone computer pad pen thoughts think really thrills quiet think things really get blood moving would love either fun living would love accomplish would try guaranteed succeed big thoughts move heart state excitement joy answer questions feel great dream zone get point learn dreams really write dreams dont think outlandish foolish remember youre dreaming let thoughts fly carefully record prioritize dreams important feasible would love put order actually try attain remember always moving toward action dreaming 3 make goals smart acronym smart means specific measurable attainable realistic timesensitive specificgoals place waffle place vague ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results incomplete goals produce incomplete futures measurablealways set goals measurable would say specifically measurable take account principle specific attainableone detrimental things many people good intentions setting goals high unattainable realisticthe root word realistic real goal something reasonably make real lives goals simply realistic able say even goal tremendous stretch yes indeed entirely realisticthis way say shouldnt big goal realistic timesensitiveevery goal timeframe attached one powerful aspects great goal end time bywhich shooting accomplish time goes work dont want fallbehind may even break big goal different aspects assign timeframes okay set smaller goals work time 4 accountability someone knows goals hold accountable asking give account process achieving goal accountability givessome process goal set one person knows really power many times goal isnt powerful dont one people hold accountable version article originally appeared successcom jim rohn man many consider americas foremost business philosopher shared success philosophies principles than46 years 6000 audiences 5 million people worldwide prior passing 2009 rohn partnered success magazine bring indelible wisdom audience long cherished writings teachings personal development legend today success continues share mr rohns timeless principles longtime fans newfound followers
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<p>Even once you've retired, there's a place in your portfolio for stocks. This is especially true if you expect to have a long retirement, or if you wish to leave a legacy to your children or favorite charity.</p>
<p>Still, not every stock is appropriate for a retiree's portfolio. For instance, stocks that pay no dividends, have no clear underpinning of value from cash flows or balance sheet strength, or have no sustainable competitive advantage, are far too speculative to fit in most retirees' portfolios. That's true even if they'd be reasonable investments for those still working. Keep on reading to find out what makes the following three companies awful stocks for retirees to own.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Amazon.com, Inc.&#160;(NASDAQ: AMZN) is a titan among retailers, rapidly becoming one of the largest merchandise sellers around. The company's growth has been stellar, and the stock market has rewarded it with a market cap of nearly half a trillion dollars.</p>
<p>Yet the market's valuation for Amazon.com is well ahead of other retailers, trading at more than three times trailing revenue and around 180 times trailing earnings.&#160;Compare that with fellow retail titan Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.&#160;(NYSE: WMT), which trades at less than half its trailing revenue and around 17 times trailing earnings,&#160;and it becomes clear just how much further growth is priced into Amazon.com's shares.</p>
<p>Can Amazon.com grow into its market capitalization? Perhaps, but investors buying today need Amazon to not only grow into today's market price, but continue growing well past it in order to profit from the fundamental value behind their investment. For retirees who needs to live off of their portfolios, that's a bit too much hope for a rosy future embedded in today's price to justify buying its shares.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>StoneMor Partners (NYSE: STON) operates in the funeral industry, operating 316 cemeteries and 100 funeral homes throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.&#160;Death care is (fortunately) not known as a fast-growing industry, and as such, a decent dividend yield can reasonably be expected. With a yield of nearly 14%, however,&#160;StoneMor Partners' dividend has jumped past "decent" and well into the "downright dangerous" level.</p>
<p>When a company's cash distribution is well above normal for its industry, it's frequently a sign that it's at risk of being cut. StoneMor Partners <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/28/a-deep-distribution-cut-guts-stonemor-partners-lp.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=602513d2-62c6-11e7-b579-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">already slashed its distribution Opens a New Window.</a> last October, and it's well behind on publishing its annual and quarterly financial statements.&#160;Even with that payment cut, StoneMor Partners' distribution isn't covered by its operating cash flows, which is another sign that its distribution may still be at risk.</p>
<p>When a company cuts its dividend, its <a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/06/12/5-dividend-investing-tips-that-can-earn-you-thousa.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=602513d2-62c6-11e7-b579-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">share price frequently falls Opens a New Window.</a>. That's a double whammy, as shareholders lose both some of their current investment income and much of the capital they had invested in the company, making it much more difficult to make up the income elsewhere. With its 2016 cut, StoneMor Partners' shares sunk, and if it's forced to cut its distribution again, its shares may, once again, fall on the news.</p>
<p>That risk of yet another dividend cut -- and the stock-price risk that goes along with it -- is just too large for StoneMor Partners to deserve a place in a retiree's portfolio.</p>
<p>Ocwen Financial (NYSE: OCN) is a mortgage loan originator and servicer&#160;that's gotten into serious legal trouble for its servicing practices.&#160;In large part because of that legal trouble, it has been hemorrhaging money, reporting staggering losses over the past several years.</p>
<p>Yet despite that risk, there's a glimmer of potential value in its shares -- for investors who have a very high-risk tolerance and are incredibly patient. Ocwen Financial's stock trades at less than 0.6 times its book value&#160;and at about one times its trailing-four-quarters' cash from operations.&#160;If the company survives its legal troubles and manages to stave off bankruptcy while doing so, its shares could potentially spike upwards simply on the news of its survival.</p>
<p>Still, for retirees living off their portfolios, the very real risk of Ocwen Fiancial's potential bankruptcy overshadows the potential rewards if it survives. As retirees can't easily replace money lost in a speculative investment like this one should it go wrong, their money belongs in investments with a higher probability of survival.</p>
<p>Most <a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/2016/11/06/why-retirees-should-own-stocks.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=602513d2-62c6-11e7-b579-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">retirees should still own stocks Opens a New Window.</a> to help fight inflation over time and cover their longer-term future financial needs. The right companies for retirees to own are those that:</p>
<p>Retirees need their stock investments to provide reasonable potential rates of return in exchange for reasonable levels of risk. Knowing what to avoid in investments can go a long way toward helping retirees assure the stocks they do hold in their portfolios are appropriate fits for their particular stages in life.</p>
<p>The $16,122 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,122 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after.&#160; <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-social-security?aid=8727&amp;source=irreditxt0000002&amp;ftm_cam=ryr-ss-intro-report&amp;ftm_pit=3186&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=602513d2-62c6-11e7-b579-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFBigFrog/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=602513d2-62c6-11e7-b579-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Chuck Saletta Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool recommends Ocwen Financial. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=602513d2-62c6-11e7-b579-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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even youve retired theres place portfolio stocks especially true expect long retirement wish leave legacy children favorite charity still every stock appropriate retirees portfolio instance stocks pay dividends clear underpinning value cash flows balance sheet strength sustainable competitive advantage far speculative fit retirees portfolios thats true even theyd reasonable investments still working keep reading find makes following three companies awful stocks retirees continue reading amazoncom inc160nasdaq amzn titan among retailers rapidly becoming one largest merchandise sellers around companys growth stellar stock market rewarded market cap nearly half trillion dollars yet markets valuation amazoncom well ahead retailers trading three times trailing revenue around 180 times trailing earnings160compare fellow retail titan walmart stores inc160nyse wmt trades less half trailing revenue around 17 times trailing earnings160and becomes clear much growth priced amazoncoms shares amazoncom grow market capitalization perhaps investors buying today need amazon grow todays market price continue growing well past order profit fundamental value behind investment retirees needs live portfolios thats bit much hope rosy future embedded todays price justify buying shares advertisement stonemor partners nyse ston operates funeral industry operating 316 cemeteries 100 funeral homes throughout united states puerto rico160death care fortunately known fastgrowing industry decent dividend yield reasonably expected yield nearly 14 however160stonemor partners dividend jumped past decent well downright dangerous level companys cash distribution well normal industry frequently sign risk cut stonemor partners already slashed distribution opens new window last october well behind publishing annual quarterly financial statements160even payment cut stonemor partners distribution isnt covered operating cash flows another sign distribution may still risk company cuts dividend share price frequently falls opens new window thats double whammy shareholders lose current investment income much capital invested company making much difficult make income elsewhere 2016 cut stonemor partners shares sunk forced cut distribution shares may fall news risk yet another dividend cut stockprice risk goes along large stonemor partners deserve place retirees portfolio ocwen financial nyse ocn mortgage loan originator servicer160thats gotten serious legal trouble servicing practices160in large part legal trouble hemorrhaging money reporting staggering losses past several years yet despite risk theres glimmer potential value shares investors highrisk tolerance incredibly patient ocwen financials stock trades less 06 times book value160and one times trailingfourquarters cash operations160if company survives legal troubles manages stave bankruptcy shares could potentially spike upwards simply news survival still retirees living portfolios real risk ocwen fiancials potential bankruptcy overshadows potential rewards survives retirees cant easily replace money lost speculative investment like one go wrong money belongs investments higher probability survival retirees still stocks opens new window help fight inflation time cover longerterm future financial needs right companies retirees retirees need stock investments provide reasonable potential rates return exchange reasonable levels risk knowing avoid investments go long way toward helping retirees assure stocks hold portfolios appropriate fits particular stages life 16122 social security bonus retirees completely overlook youre like americans youre years behind retirement savings handful littleknown social security secrets could help ensure boost retirement income example one easy trick could pay much 16122 year learn maximize social security benefits think could retire confidently peace mind after160 simply click discover learn strategies opens new window chuck saletta opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends amazon motley fool recommends ocwen financial motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) sat down with CBS’s Charlie Rose for an exclusive interview on&#160;CBS This Morning&#160;to promote his memoir All Things Possible: Setbacks and Success in Politics and Life.</p>
<p>Throughout the interview, which aired on Tuesday morning,&#160;Rose gushed over the New York Democrat and lobbed numerous softball questions at Cuomo before hinting that “I think he would like to be&#160;president.&#160;I think it's in his blood.”</p>
<p />
<p>The promotional interview began with the CBS host declaring Cuomo’s father to be a “liberal icon.” Rose went on to help the New York Democrat promote his life story:</p>
<p>In his book, Andrew&#160;Cuomo documents his rise and&#160;fall in politics and in life,&#160;including his unsuccessful bid&#160;for governor in 2002.&#160;And a year later his separation&#160;from wife Kerry Kennedy.&#160;You didn't want a divorce?...&#160;And you believed that you could work? You knew you had&#160;problems as many marriages have&#160;problems?&#160;</p>
<p>The CBS host continued to promote Cuomo’s supposed transformation as a politician, especially when it comes to the time he spends with his family:</p>
<p>You knew what a politician was&#160;like from your father and his&#160;life because he was a&#160;politician.&#160;Away from home.&#160;Away from home at crucial times&#160;for you.&#160;Do you repeat that yourself if&#160;you're a politician, so you're&#160;not there and you're distracted&#160;and you're not devoting as much&#160;time to home as you probably do&#160;now?</p>
<p>--</p>
<p>Governor Cuomo also has a nine-year relationship with&#160;Sandra Lee of television's Food&#160;Network.&#160;To find another woman helps&#160;you come to grips with what&#160;happiness is as well?&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>The gooey interview didn’t stop with Rose swooning over Cuomo’s work habits: &#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Now running for a second term for&#160;governor, Andrew Cuomo is&#160;re-establishing a family dynasty&#160;in New York politics, though&#160;he's had to get used to criticism&#160;of his leadership style.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Well you micromanage.</p>
<p>ROSE: Yes, they say that too.</p>
<p>CUOMO: You&#160;should delegate more.&#160;Hands on, too hands on.</p>
<p>ROSE: Right.&#160;And you're not transparent, they&#160;say.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Yeah, I know.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: And they say, you don't&#160;suffer fools.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Yeah.&#160;And you push too hard.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Yeah.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: You micromanage.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Yes.&#160;All of that.&#160;Do you plead guilty or not&#160;guilty?&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: You can't have one without&#160;the other.&#160;I plead guilty.&#160;I work very hard.&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>After the pre-taped interview ended, Rose made sure to throw in&#160;one final advertisement for the New York Democrat:</p>
<p>I think he would like to be&#160;president.&#160;I think it's in his blood.&#160;We talked about his father who&#160;made a decision on the tarmac&#160;not to enter the New Hampshire&#160;primary.&#160;And many people thought he&#160;would.&#160;And he was a front-runner at&#160;that time.&#160;Clearly he thinks about it and it's in his blood.</p>
<p>Rather than play clips of any substantive questions from the interview, the segment conclude with Rose defending Cuomo over allegations that he shut down his own commission for investigating corruption within his administration:</p>
<p>He also talked about some of the&#160;political issues, the Moreland Commission&#160;that he had after creating, had&#160;canceled and he was embarrassed&#160;by that and the way it was&#160;perceived.&#160;So, he’s an interesting man.&#160;</p>
<p>See relevant transcript below.</p>
<p>CBS This Morning</p>
<p>October 14, 2014</p>
<p>CHARLIE ROSE: New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo&#160;leads his reelection race by 20 points according to one recent poll.&#160;So much of the talk in this campaign focuses on what he may do next. The Democrat learned about&#160;political power at an early age.&#160;</p>
<p>His father’s a liberal icon, three-term New York governor Mario Cuomo. But Andrew Cuomo's first run for&#160;office ended in a humbling collapse.&#160;It was followed by a very public&#160;divorce from the daughter of Robert Kennedy.&#160;He covers it all in his new memoir out today. It is called "All Things&#160;Possible: Setbacks and Success in Politics and Life.” I spoke with Governor Cuomo at his New York City office for his first national broadcast interview about the book.</p>
<p>ANDREW CUOMO: I had a blessed youth in many&#160;ways.&#160;And then my career was doing&#160;great.&#160;I was in Washington.&#160;I was one of the youngest&#160;cabinet secretaries.&#160;I was in the White House, I was&#160;flying around on Air Force One.&#160;Everything was great.&#160;And then it seemed–&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Married to a Kennedy.&#160;CUOMO: Yep, it seemed like one day I&#160;woke up and all of a sudden,&#160;everything was terrible.&#160;It was living my nightmare.&#160;I came back.&#160;Came to New York, after a great&#160;time in Washington.&#160;And I ran for office.&#160;The same office that my father&#160;held with distinction for 12 years.&#160;And it was a disaster.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: You had to withdraw.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Right.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: In his book, Andrew&#160;Cuomo documents his rise and&#160;fall in politics and in life,&#160;including his unsuccessful bid&#160;for governor in 2002.&#160;And a year later his separation&#160;from wife Kerry Kennedy.&#160;You didn't want a divorce?&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: No.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: And you believed that you could work? You knew you had&#160;problems as many marriages have&#160;problems?&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: You know, denial is a powerful force and I just literally blotted it out.&#160;I was sure that I could fix it.&#160;I was always, up until that point I had always&#160;been successful in fixing&#160;things and I was going to fix this.&#160;And my wife at the time kept&#160;saying I want a divorce.&#160;But I just couldn't hear it.&#160;And it became real when a&#160;reporter said, I'm reporting&#160;on it, it’s going to be in the&#160;newspaper.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: You knew what a politician was&#160;like from your father and his&#160;life because he was a&#160;politician.&#160;Away from home.&#160;Away from home at crucial times&#160;for you.&#160;Do you repeat that yourself if&#160;you're a politician, so you're&#160;not there and you're distracted&#160;and you're not devoting as much&#160;time to home as you probably do&#160;now?&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: I did repeat it early on.&#160;And that was a mistake.&#160;My girls were born while I was&#160;in Washington.&#160;I was in the Clinton cabinet,&#160;and we were working all the&#160;time.&#160;I took too much time from my&#160;family.&#160;I took too much time from my&#160;marriage.&#160;And I paid for it.&#160;I have not made that mistake the&#160;second time around.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: How do you know?&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Because I have spent so much&#160;time with my daughters that they&#160;say please, go to work.&#160;Please, don't you have something&#160;to do?&#160;You're a governor.&#160;Can't you please find something&#160;to do and leave us alone?&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Governor Cuomo also has a nine-year relationship with&#160;Sandra Lee of television's Food&#160;Network.&#160;To find another woman helps&#160;you come to grips with what&#160;happiness is as well?&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Yes.</p>
<p>ROSE: Now running for a second term for&#160;governor, Andrew Cuomo is&#160;re-establishing a family dynasty&#160;in New York politics, though&#160;he's had to get used to criticism&#160;of his leadership style.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Well you micromanage.</p>
<p>ROSE: Yes, they say that too.</p>
<p>CUOMO: You&#160;should delegate more.&#160;Hands on, too hands on.</p>
<p>ROSE: Right.&#160;And you're not transparent, they&#160;say.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Yeah, I know.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: And they say, you don't&#160;suffer fools.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Yeah.&#160;And you push too hard.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Yeah.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: You micromanage.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Yes.&#160;All of that.&#160;Do you plead guilty or not&#160;guilty?&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: You can't have one without&#160;the other.&#160;I plead guilty.&#160;I work very hard.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: You know, you say to people,&#160;if there's something about&#160;Andrew Cuomo you don't like,&#160;Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of&#160;New York says, it is only&#160;because I am the way I am that&#160;we've had the success we've had.&#160;That's what you said.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: Yes, I believe that.&#160;I believe that.&#160;I'm not sitting on a beach in the&#160;south of France saying, go&#160;ahead, guys, you run it.&#160;Good luck.&#160;I'm a delegator.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Yeah, but I mean that's where you come from.&#160;That's your tradition.&#160;</p>
<p>CUOMO: That's who I am.&#160;It’s what I told the people of&#160;this state.&#160;</p>
<p>NORAH O’DONNELL: Of course, he's up for&#160;re-election.&#160;Do you think he runs for&#160;president?&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: I think he would like to be&#160;president.&#160;I think it's in his blood.&#160;We talked about his father who&#160;made a decision on the tarmac&#160;not to enter the New Hampshire&#160;primary.&#160;And many people thought he&#160;would.&#160;And he was a front-runner at&#160;that time.&#160;Clearly he thinks about it and it's in his blood.&#160;He also talked about some of the&#160;political issues, the Moreland Commission&#160;that he had after creating, had&#160;canceled and he was embarrassed&#160;by that and the way it was&#160;perceived.&#160;So, he’s an interesting man.&#160;</p>
<p>JANE PAULEY: Charlie, had his father&#160;written a book?&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: He has, yes.&#160;</p>
<p>PAULEY: I mean, before -- what I'm&#160;getting at is, do you write a book&#160;because you're thinking about&#160;your future in the White House?&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: Frequently people do, it becomes the&#160;campaign narrative.&#160;Hillary Clinton just wrote a&#160;book about her previous four&#160;years.&#160;</p>
<p>O’DONNELL: Sure.&#160;</p>
<p>ROSE: What's interesting is the&#160;relationship between the two of&#160;them.&#160;They still talk all the time,&#160;yet, they are very different people.&#160;</p>
<p>O’DONNELL: Yeah, great interview.&#160;Great interview.&#160;</p>
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governor andrew cuomo dny sat cbss charlie rose exclusive interview on160cbs morning160to promote memoir things possible setbacks success politics life throughout interview aired tuesday morning160rose gushed new york democrat lobbed numerous softball questions cuomo hinting think would like be160president160i think blood promotional interview began cbs host declaring cuomos father liberal icon rose went help new york democrat promote life story book andrew160cuomo documents rise and160fall politics life160including unsuccessful bid160for governor 2002160and year later separation160from wife kerry kennedy160you didnt want divorce160and believed could work knew had160problems many marriages have160problems160 cbs host continued promote cuomos supposed transformation politician especially comes time spends family knew politician was160like father his160life a160politician160away home160away home crucial times160for you160do repeat if160youre politician youre160not youre distracted160and youre devoting much160time home probably do160now governor cuomo also nineyear relationship with160sandra lee televisions food160network160to find another woman helps160you come grips what160happiness well160160 gooey interview didnt stop rose swooning cuomos work habits 160 rose running second term for160governor andrew cuomo is160reestablishing family dynasty160in new york politics though160hes get used criticism160of leadership style160 cuomo well micromanage rose yes say cuomo you160should delegate more160hands hands rose right160and youre transparent they160say160 cuomo yeah know160 rose say dont160suffer fools160 cuomo yeah160and push hard160 rose yeah160 cuomo micromanage160 rose yes160all that160do plead guilty not160guilty160 cuomo cant one without160the other160i plead guilty160i work hard160160 pretaped interview ended rose made sure throw in160one final advertisement new york democrat think would like be160president160i think blood160we talked father who160made decision tarmac160not enter new hampshire160primary160and many people thought he160would160and frontrunner at160that time160clearly thinks blood rather play clips substantive questions interview segment conclude rose defending cuomo allegations shut commission investigating corruption within administration also talked the160political issues moreland commission160that creating had160canceled embarrassed160by way was160perceived160so hes interesting man160 see relevant transcript cbs morning october 14 2014 charlie rose new yorks governor andrew cuomo160leads reelection race 20 points according one recent poll160so much talk campaign focuses may next democrat learned about160political power early age160 fathers liberal icon threeterm new york governor mario cuomo andrew cuomos first run for160office ended humbling collapse160it followed public160divorce daughter robert kennedy160he covers new memoir today called things160possible setbacks success politics life spoke governor cuomo new york city office first national broadcast interview book andrew cuomo blessed youth many160ways160and career doing160great160i washington160i one youngest160cabinet secretaries160i white house was160flying around air force one160everything great160and seemed160 rose married kennedy160cuomo yep seemed like one day i160woke sudden160everything terrible160it living nightmare160i came back160came new york great160time washington160and ran office160the office father160held distinction 12 years160and disaster160 rose withdraw160 cuomo right160 rose book andrew160cuomo documents rise and160fall politics life160including unsuccessful bid160for governor 2002160and year later separation160from wife kerry kennedy160you didnt want divorce160 cuomo no160 rose believed could work knew had160problems many marriages have160problems160 cuomo know denial powerful force literally blotted out160i sure could fix it160i always point always160been successful fixing160things going fix this160and wife time kept160saying want divorce160but couldnt hear it160and became real a160reporter said im reporting160on going the160newspaper160 rose knew politician was160like father his160life a160politician160away home160away home crucial times160for you160do repeat if160youre politician youre160not youre distracted160and youre devoting much160time home probably do160now160 cuomo repeat early on160and mistake160my girls born was160in washington160i clinton cabinet160and working the160time160i took much time my160family160i took much time my160marriage160and paid it160i made mistake the160second time around160 rose know160 cuomo spent much160time daughters they160say please go work160please dont something160to do160youre governor160cant please find something160to leave us alone160 rose governor cuomo also nineyear relationship with160sandra lee televisions food160network160to find another woman helps160you come grips what160happiness well160 cuomo yes rose running second term for160governor andrew cuomo is160reestablishing family dynasty160in new york politics though160hes get used criticism160of leadership style160 cuomo well micromanage rose yes say cuomo you160should delegate more160hands hands rose right160and youre transparent they160say160 cuomo yeah know160 rose say dont160suffer fools160 cuomo yeah160and push hard160 rose yeah160 cuomo micromanage160 rose yes160all that160do plead guilty not160guilty160 cuomo cant one without160the other160i plead guilty160i work hard160 rose know say people160if theres something about160andrew cuomo dont like160andrew cuomo governor of160new york says only160because way that160weve success weve had160thats said160 cuomo yes believe that160i believe that160im sitting beach the160south france saying go160ahead guys run it160good luck160im delegator160 rose yeah mean thats come from160thats tradition160 cuomo thats am160its told people of160this state160 norah odonnell course hes for160reelection160do think runs for160president160 rose think would like be160president160i think blood160we talked father who160made decision tarmac160not enter new hampshire160primary160and many people thought he160would160and frontrunner at160that time160clearly thinks blood160he also talked the160political issues moreland commission160that creating had160canceled embarrassed160by way was160perceived160so hes interesting man160 jane pauley charlie father160written book160 rose yes160 pauley mean im160getting write book160because youre thinking about160your future white house160 rose frequently people becomes the160campaign narrative160hillary clinton wrote a160book previous four160years160 odonnell sure160 rose whats interesting the160relationship two of160them160they still talk time160yet different people160 odonnell yeah great interview160great interview160
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<p>It's been tough to be a short-seller in Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU). Shares of the streaming-media company have been on a tear, increasing more than 200% from its initial public offering price of $14 per share, on the back of a strong quarter and a deal with Philips that brings Roku's operating system to its line of televisions.</p>
<p>What has also increased is the number of short-sellers, those who sell the stock to buy it back when shares decline. The number of shares sold short continues to climb. Short interest is reported twice a month and has continued to grow for Roku, from 4.1 million shares in mid-October to 7.2 million in mid-November. To date, many of these contrarians have been painfully wrong, but can Roku continue to defy the shorts?</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The short thesis appears best personified by Andrew Left of Citron Research. In a CNBC segment, Left debated Needham &amp; Company analyst Laura Martin. A noted short seller, Left has had a few legendary short calls, most notably Valeant Pharmaceuticals, basing them on what he saw as flawed business models. Citron's short thesis on Roku here is nothing of the sort. In fact, the biggest concern about Citron's short thesis is his lack of issues.</p>
<p>Outside of valuation concerns, mostly backed by Wall Street analyst consensus of $28 per share, Left noted the company was still in its <a href="https://www.fool.com/personal-finance/2006/09/22/the-ipo-lockup-period.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=1f548318-d78a-11e7-9287-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">lockup period Opens a New Window.</a> and will have share dilution when insiders sell their shares. Martin countered by calling the company "the next Netflix"(NASDAQ: NFLX), and noting the company will command streaming advertising revenue because the former does not.</p>
<p>Since this is a valuation-based argument, it would behoove short-sellers to look at the stock's valuation on a relative basis. Unfortunately, this is confounded by two issues: The company has no direct competitors, and it has a bifurcated business model. As of the last earnings report, approximately half of Roku's revenue comes from selling player hardware, with the other half coming from its streaming TV platform.</p>
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<p>While not a perfect comparison, companies that have recently gone public and have similar business characteristics are Netflix and GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO).</p>
<p>Roku's current price-to-sales ratio is 10 (like many young companies, Roku is currently unprofitable, so price-to-earnings metrics are meaningless). As the chart above shows, the highest multiples for both Netflix and GoPro were 9 times sales. Netflix achieved that rich valuation after a track record of delivering top growth, and GoPro did so early on without such a track record. On a timing basis, Roku looks like GoPro; it will need to show strong growth to avoid the action-camera maker's poor performance.</p>
<p>Roku's doing an admirable job growing its top line; in the third quarter, it increased revenue 40% year on year. However, it's important to note that the company grew hardware revenue only 4%, <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/11/16/is-roku-too-hot-after-earnings.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=1f548318-d78a-11e7-9287-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">while content revenue grew 137%. Opens a New Window.</a> Operationally, the company is moving more toward becoming a Netflix-type company, making money off content versus hardware. While there are differences between the two companies -- mainly, Roku's content revenue is mostly ad-based, while Netflix's is subscriber-based -- having stickier content-based revenue growth is preferable to investors and generally affords higher price-to-sales multiples.</p>
<p>As noted above, I agree with Roku's short sellers that the company is richly valued. However, I'd be wary of following Citron into this short, as valuation-based shorting hasn't been as successful for the firm. Last year Citron shorted Facebook and warned on Nvidia; shares fell 1% and 7%, respectively, in response. But since then shares of Facebook have advanced 52% and Nvidia shares have risen 80%, as both companies continue to innovate and dominate their respective markets.</p>
<p>It's difficult to recommend shorting a stock on valuations when it's growing its top line by 40% year on year and gross profit by 92%. Investors often reward companies growing this quickly, even if they remain unprofitable. As an old investing saying goes, "The market can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent."</p>
<p>On the other hand, I also disagree with the sentiment that Roku will be the next Netflix. However, Roku's current valuation is $4 billion, and it doesn't have to become an $80 billion company to inflict significant pain on short sellers.</p>
<p>One thing is certain: With a small float and strong opposing views on the company's outlook, you can expect more volatility. Personally, I'm waiting until the lockup period to expire before committing capital...either long or short.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Roku, IncWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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tough shortseller roku nasdaq roku shares streamingmedia company tear increasing 200 initial public offering price 14 per share back strong quarter deal philips brings rokus operating system line televisions also increased number shortsellers sell stock buy back shares decline number shares sold short continues climb short interest reported twice month continued grow roku 41 million shares midoctober 72 million midnovember date many contrarians painfully wrong roku continue defy shorts continue reading short thesis appears best personified andrew left citron research cnbc segment left debated needham amp company analyst laura martin noted short seller left legendary short calls notably valeant pharmaceuticals basing saw flawed business models citrons short thesis roku nothing sort fact biggest concern citrons short thesis lack issues outside valuation concerns mostly backed wall street analyst consensus 28 per share left noted company still lockup period opens new window share dilution insiders sell shares martin countered calling company next netflixnasdaq nflx noting company command streaming advertising revenue former since valuationbased argument would behoove shortsellers look stocks valuation relative basis unfortunately confounded two issues company direct competitors bifurcated business model last earnings report approximately half rokus revenue comes selling player hardware half coming streaming tv platform advertisement perfect comparison companies recently gone public similar business characteristics netflix gopro nasdaq gpro rokus current pricetosales ratio 10 like many young companies roku currently unprofitable pricetoearnings metrics meaningless chart shows highest multiples netflix gopro 9 times sales netflix achieved rich valuation track record delivering top growth gopro early without track record timing basis roku looks like gopro need show strong growth avoid actioncamera makers poor performance rokus admirable job growing top line third quarter increased revenue 40 year year however important note company grew hardware revenue 4 content revenue grew 137 opens new window operationally company moving toward becoming netflixtype company making money content versus hardware differences two companies mainly rokus content revenue mostly adbased netflixs subscriberbased stickier contentbased revenue growth preferable investors generally affords higher pricetosales multiples noted agree rokus short sellers company richly valued however id wary following citron short valuationbased shorting hasnt successful firm last year citron shorted facebook warned nvidia shares fell 1 7 respectively response since shares facebook advanced 52 nvidia shares risen 80 companies continue innovate dominate respective markets difficult recommend shorting stock valuations growing top line 40 year year gross profit 92 investors often reward companies growing quickly even remain unprofitable old investing saying goes market remain irrational longer remain solvent hand also disagree sentiment roku next netflix however rokus current valuation 4 billion doesnt become 80 billion company inflict significant pain short sellers one thing certain small float strong opposing views companys outlook expect volatility personally im waiting lockup period expire committing capitaleither long short 10 stocks like better roku incwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right roku inc wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 6 2017 jamal carnette cfa opens new window owns shares and160the motley fool owns shares recommends fb motley fool owns shares recommends gopro netflix nvda vrx motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p />
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Few things are as inevitable and frustrating as generic competition in the pharma industry. After overcoming the high risks of failure in drug development and pouring money into sales and marketing, the owner of a successful drug can see its revenue plunge overnight when generic copycats come onto the scene. Mind you, this is how the system is supposed to work, and lower-priced generics can be incredibly beneficial to patients (which is the reason the industry is supposed to exist).</p>
<p>However, the encroachment of generic competition is often coupled with lawsuits and legal challenges, which can be scary and confusing for investors. The good news is that most lawsuits are the result of structural inefficiencies within the patent system -- hardly something to panic over. The bad news is that there are always winners and losers. That will lead to make-or-break outcomes for companies currently embroiled in high-profile patent lawsuits, such as United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries(NYSE: TEVA), and Momenta Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: MNTA).</p>
<p>United Therapeutics, which specializes in developing and providing treatments for chronic and life-threatening conditions -- specifically, the lung and heart condition pulmonary arterial hypertension -- is down 13% in the last year as investors begin to quiver in fear over a potential onslaught of generic competition in the coming years.</p>
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<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/UTHR" type="external">UTHR</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>The company is currently fighting off generic competition from Par Sterile Products for its leading drug, Remodulin; Watson Laboratories for its No. 2 drug, Tyvaso; and Actavis for its fastest-growing drug, Orenitram. There are also settled disputes with Sandoz and Teva Pharmaceutical, which will begin to market generic versions of Remodulin in June 2018 and December 2018, respectively.</p>
<p>It doesn't look pretty, but the lawsuits being thrown at United Therapeutics are par for the course. Consider that generic competitors can file notices saying they intend to offer generic medications before the patents expire on innovator drugs by contesting the validity of the patents. Whether the allegations are true or not, the owner of the innovator drug -- in this case United Therapeutics -- has 45 days to respond. A response prohibits the FDA from approving a generic drug for at least 30 months, or until a district court decides the patent infringement case. If the patents are upheld, then the innovator drug can enjoy exclusivity until they expire, which can be longer than 30 months. For instance, the company's last patent on Tyvaso, being challenged by Watson, expires in December 2028.</p>
<p>Another quirk of the regulatory system to consider: Generic-drug manufacturers are actually incentivized to challenge patents before they expire. That's because the first generic manufacturer to file for approval with the FDA gets to be the only generic marketer of the drug in question for six months. In other words, it gets to offer a generic drug at prices only slightly below that of the innovator drug. To achieve that, sometimes the challenger needs to throw a wrench in the monopoly provided by patents before they expire. It's a purely financial play that, while not guaranteed to work, can have big upside for a generic manufacturer.</p>
<p>Newcomers aren't the only ones that hire lawyers. Sometimes the owner of an innovator drug needs to file a lawsuit against a generic manufacturer that it believes is infringing on a patent. Momenta Pharmaceuticals was on the wrong side of the coin in 2011 when its best-selling and patented drug, enoxaparin sodium injections, faced generic competition from Amphastar and Actavis. It sued the competitors for infringing on its patents, but a slow and drawn-out legal dispute couldn't keep sales from sliding. After notching $260 million in product revenue in 2011, the company has managed just $58 million through the first nine months of 2016.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/MNTA/revenues_ttm" type="external">MNTA Revenue (TTM)</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts</a>.</p>
<p>That could soon change. In June 2015, Momenta and its partner Novartis launched a generic version of Teva Pharmaceutical's Copaxone, a drug that treats multiple sclerosis. Copaxone had two formulations: once daily and thrice weekly. The former lost patent protection in summer 2015, while the latter, which now makes up 78% of the market, is protected by three patents that expire in 2030 (if they're valid).</p>
<p>Teva Pharmaceutical sought to protect its turf and its $4 billion drug franchise by suing Momenta and Novartis, which had filed for FDA approval of a generic version of the new formula. But the move may have backfired. A court struck down two of the patents in August, while a decision on the third will be announced in the first quarter of 2017. If that is also found to be invalid, then Momenta and Novartis could find significant room to run by offering a generic version for both once-daily and thrice-weekly Copaxone.</p>
<p>Investors can never be certain that generic competition lawsuits will be decided in their biotech stock's favor, but they shouldn't panic when lawsuits are disclosed. While generic competition is a real threat for United Therapeutics, I think the risks are overblown. The company is currently expecting FDA approval for up to seven new products and/or indications by the end of 2019. Another three are expected by the end of 2020.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Momenta Pharmaceuticals is hoping that it can be on the winning side of a courtroom battle as the generic disruptor to Teva Pharmaceutical's Copaxone. History shows that it could go either way, but investors will need to await the court's decision early next year.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Teva Pharmaceutical Industries When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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image source getty images continue reading things inevitable frustrating generic competition pharma industry overcoming high risks failure drug development pouring money sales marketing owner successful drug see revenue plunge overnight generic copycats come onto scene mind system supposed work lowerpriced generics incredibly beneficial patients reason industry supposed exist however encroachment generic competition often coupled lawsuits legal challenges scary confusing investors good news lawsuits result structural inefficiencies within patent system hardly something panic bad news always winners losers lead makeorbreak outcomes companies currently embroiled highprofile patent lawsuits united therapeutics nasdaq uthr teva pharmaceutical industriesnyse teva momenta pharmaceuticals nasdaq mnta united therapeutics specializes developing providing treatments chronic lifethreatening conditions specifically lung heart condition pulmonary arterial hypertension 13 last year investors begin quiver fear potential onslaught generic competition coming years advertisement uthr data ycharts opens new window company currently fighting generic competition par sterile products leading drug remodulin watson laboratories 2 drug tyvaso actavis fastestgrowing drug orenitram also settled disputes sandoz teva pharmaceutical begin market generic versions remodulin june 2018 december 2018 respectively doesnt look pretty lawsuits thrown united therapeutics par course consider generic competitors file notices saying intend offer generic medications patents expire innovator drugs contesting validity patents whether allegations true owner innovator drug case united therapeutics 45 days respond response prohibits fda approving generic drug least 30 months district court decides patent infringement case patents upheld innovator drug enjoy exclusivity expire longer 30 months instance companys last patent tyvaso challenged watson expires december 2028 another quirk regulatory system consider genericdrug manufacturers actually incentivized challenge patents expire thats first generic manufacturer file approval fda gets generic marketer drug question six months words gets offer generic drug prices slightly innovator drug achieve sometimes challenger needs throw wrench monopoly provided patents expire purely financial play guaranteed work big upside generic manufacturer newcomers arent ones hire lawyers sometimes owner innovator drug needs file lawsuit generic manufacturer believes infringing patent momenta pharmaceuticals wrong side coin 2011 bestselling patented drug enoxaparin sodium injections faced generic competition amphastar actavis sued competitors infringing patents slow drawnout legal dispute couldnt keep sales sliding notching 260 million product revenue 2011 company managed 58 million first nine months 2016 mnta revenue ttm data ycharts could soon change june 2015 momenta partner novartis launched generic version teva pharmaceuticals copaxone drug treats multiple sclerosis copaxone two formulations daily thrice weekly former lost patent protection summer 2015 latter makes 78 market protected three patents expire 2030 theyre valid teva pharmaceutical sought protect turf 4 billion drug franchise suing momenta novartis filed fda approval generic version new formula move may backfired court struck two patents august decision third announced first quarter 2017 also found invalid momenta novartis could find significant room run offering generic version oncedaily thriceweekly copaxone investors never certain generic competition lawsuits decided biotech stocks favor shouldnt panic lawsuits disclosed generic competition real threat united therapeutics think risks overblown company currently expecting fda approval seven new products andor indications end 2019 another three expected end 2020 meanwhile momenta pharmaceuticals hoping winning side courtroom battle generic disruptor teva pharmaceuticals copaxone history shows could go either way investors need await courts decision early next year 10 stocks like better teva pharmaceutical industries investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right teva pharmaceutical industries wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 7 2016 maxx chatsko opens new windowhas position stocks mentioned follow twitter opens new windowto keep developments engineered biology materials science motley fool recommends momenta pharmaceuticals try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p><a href="//videos/37/61696" type="external" /></p>
<p>RUSH: Here’s Victoria in Riverton, Illinois. Head back to the phones. Great to have you, Victoria. Hi.</p>
<p>CALLER: Hi, Rush.</p>
<p>RUSH: Hi.</p>
<p>CALLER: Can you hear me?</p>
<p>RUSH: Yeah. Do you hear me?</p>
<p>CALLER: Yes, yes, yes. I’m a first-time caller, but I just got this question. I mean, I know Eric Holder was in Ferguson, Missouri, yesterday, and I know he met with Michael Brown’s family, the protesters, and the FBI law enforcement. What I want to know is, is Officer Wilson and is his family, were they given equal treatment with the visit also, of reassurance of, you know, innocent ’til proven guilty?</p>
<p>RUSH: I don’t believe so. I don’t think the attorney general, I just don’t think he could squeeze it in his busy schedule, but I don’t think he met with the family of officer Darren Wilson, no, don’t believe he did.</p>
<p>CALLER: I knew I hadn’t heard anything like that.</p>
<p>RUSH: If he did, they’re keeping it under wraps so as not to incite the mob.</p>
<p>CALLER: Right. Well, I didn’t know if the media was slighting, you know, Eric’s visit. Maybe he did meet with the officer and their families —</p>
<p>RUSH: Oh, no, no, no, no, no. In fact, one of the most popular video audio excerpts of Holder’s trip is he’s walking through the crowd and a woman almost faints, shouting at him how sexy he is. We have that. I might play that in the next hour. We still have an hour to go, so, yeah, he was a rock star in town, with the mob. The crowd, sorry.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2014/08/20/ferguson-nyt-buries-news-of-officer-wilsons-injury" type="external" />RUSH: Well, looks like Governor Nixon has ordered the National Guard to scram. National Guard to withdraw from Ferguson, Missouri. So I guess the militarized police presence is no longer necessary. … A story from St. Louis from Ferguson. Missouri Highway Patrol captain Ron Johnson, who was placed in charge of security in Ferguson by the governor last week when the governor decided that the county police just couldn’t do the job. So he kicked them out, he brought in Captain Johnson, the state police, the highway patrol, and he drew rave reviews on Thursday night.</p>
<p>And then the rave reviews gave way to questionable reviews on Friday because the looting began and Ron Johnson told the cops to back off and let the looting happen. It was judged the least provocative way to handle the situation. Let the looters get it out of their system, rather than confront them, which would be provocative. And some people said, “Wait a minute, now. That’s kind of giving up.” So he went from being the governor-elect to just getting his own reality show down the road.</p>
<p>But, anyway, he’s still in a leadership position, being sought out by the media. And he said the other day that journalists are being arrested due to safety concerns stemming from the abounding protests. Captain Johnson blamed unrest and chaos for the detainments of some journalists. He’s not yet explained if the arrests of media members will continue or cease. And he said (paraphrasing), “We can’t tell anymore who’s a journalist and who isn’t. We don’t know when we’re looking at the mob who is a journalist and who isn’t a journalist. All somebody’s gotta do is have a camera on their shoulder and walk around. If it’s a $50,000 camera, I’m pretty sure it’s a journalist, but there are some journalists walking around here using their cell phone cameras and we can’t tell if they’re journalists or not.”</p>
<p>And, of course, members of the public are getting into press conferences and passing themselves off as journalists. Get this. This is a this is a story from Selma. Oh, yeah. Teacher suspended after a lesson on the shooting in St. Louis. “A sixth grade Brantley Elementary teacher was put on paid administrative leave Wednesday after a Facebook post revealed the teacher allegedly instructed the students Tuesday to reenact a Ferguson, Mo. shooting known nationwide.</p>
<p>“Jessica Baughn, the mother of Brantley sixth grade student Jimmy Griffin, posted a complaint Tuesday on the Sound Off Selma Facebook page. In the post, Guaghn expressed her shock after learning a teacher had told the class to reenact the shooting in which an unarmed Mike Brown was shot by police Aug. 9 in Ferguson, Mo.”</p>
<p>Apparently Ms. Baughn is a racist. I mean, after all, this pivotal moment in American history will probably be reenacted down through the ages. This may be reenacted as much as the first Thanksgiving before they’re finished with it.</p>
<p>“Students were reportedly asked to research the shooting online, finding out such details as to how many times Brown was shot and where,” and then to reenact it. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Now I know the problem. Now I know the problem. If the students were asked to research this, then they would learn details that the gentle giant was shot from the front, which is contrary to what his defenders claimed. So maybe the real problem here is that the reenactment will cause the students to research it and find things out that the civil rights coalition doesn’t want people to know.</p>
<p>You know how many witnesses there are that have supposedly talked to the DA’s office about the version of events that support the cop’s version? There are competing eyewitness accounts. A new witness has come forward today, a brand-new witness, claimed to see the shooting, and of course his version is the gentle giant was running away and put his hands up. And of course the autopsy evidence doesn’t show how that can be because he wasn’t shot from the rear. But this guy’s all over CNN today as a brand-new eyewitness.</p>
<p>But Jessica Baughn, the mother in Selma, said, “I don’t think that it needs to be talked about at school at all, let alone reenacted. It scares me as a parent, because any one of those children could have picked up their aunt, uncle, grandma or whoever’s gun and pointed it at another child and it went off accidentally.” Wow, look at the tantamount admission of how many family members there have a gun. Could have picked up their aunt, their uncle, their grandma or whoever’s gun. (laughing) Oh, yeah, how many opportunities does this student have to get a gun for the reenactment? Anyway, that’s one little issue.</p>
<p>The New York Times, ladies and gentlemen, has buried news of Officer Wilson’s injury. Officer Wilson got hurt. It happened somehow in this conflict. It happened in this confrontation. The New York Times has big news on the biggest story in the country today, but they buried the news 26 paragraphs deep. Let me read it to you. Twenty-six paragraphs in, from the New York Times’ own police sources. “Law enforcement officials say witnesses and forensic analysis have shown that Officer Wilson did sustain an injury during the struggle in the car.”</p>
<p>What struggle in the car? Why was there a struggle in the car? If there was a struggle in the car, how the hell does that happen? The cop’s the only one in the car, how does a struggle in the car happen? Somebody explain this to me. And how does the cop end up with his eye socket blown out sitting in the car? If the gentle giant is running away, what, did the cop beat himself up with his hand-held microphone and the two-way radio? No, seriously, how did this happen? Here’s what the Times says.</p>
<p>“Law enforcement officials say witnesses and forensic analysis have shown that Officer Wilson did sustain an injury during the struggle in the car.” Twenty-six paragraphs in they say this. And then they [from a Breitbart story], “Obviously, the news that Wilson was injured during his struggle with 18-year-old Michael Brown is highly relevant to the ongoing investigation.” Well, it’s not to the mob. “If Wilson was indeed injured,” says Breitbart, “it doesn’t automatically make the fatal shooting of Brown appropriate, but it does help to fill a yawning fact-vacuum with a piece of relevant information.”</p>
<p>What yawning fact vacuum? There isn’t any yawning fact vacuum. What we have here is a myth versus facts. And the battle is between the myth and facts and which one is going to triumph. That’s all that’s going on here. The myth is white cops are shooting dead innocent black kids all the time, in St. Louis and the country. That’s the myth. That is what is propelling all of this. That is how this has to end up for those pushing the myth, because if it doesn’t, if the myth is totally obliterated and blown to smithereens, the results of that are just incomprehensible, from the standpoint of the myth makers.</p>
<p>They have got to triumph here. They have got to win this. But now there’s a problem, the cop has an orbital eye socket bloodied and broken to the point he almost lost consciousness, from what I hear. His vision was impaired. That’s why there are six shots. He’s sitting in the cop car. How does this happen when the gentle giant is surrendering and running away? The myth is up against some powerful facts that Breitbart calls a fact vacuum.</p>
<p>Now, I think the fact that the Times hid its own scoop and that no other media outlets are reporting this is also very informative, and it’s completely unsurprising. The Times masthead is not “All the news that’s fit to print” anymore. It’s “All the news that fits our agenda.”</p>
<p>And here is the story from Fox News: “Missouri Cop Was Badly Beaten Before Shooting Michael Brown, Says Source — Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Mo., police officer whose fatal shooting of Michael Brown touched off more than a week of demonstrations, suffered severe facial injuries, including an orbital (eye socket) fracture, and was nearly beaten unconscious by Brown moments before firing his gun, a source close to the department’s top brass told FoxNews.com. ‘The Assistant (Police) Chief took him to the hospital, his face all swollen on one side,’ said the insider. ‘He was beaten very severely.'”</p>
<p>Hey, if they took him to the hospital there are people there that know. If he was treated at the hospital, there are people there who know. All he’s gotta do is waive his medical privacy. If all of this happened — he was driven to the hospital, he was treated — people know. Easily discoverable here. So the question once again is: Why was this information withheld? Why was the video withheld?</p>
<p>We know the video was withheld ’cause the DOJ demanded it. Are they leaning on ’em on this? Are the mythmakers, the ones in power doing it? Are the mythmakers intimidating law enforcement there on the ground in Ferguson to keep this quiet, so that a myth can take root? You suppress all of this about the officer’s injuries while seated in the cop car.</p>
<p>You suppress that while the myth and its roots grow deep and deep and plant themselves and begin to blossom. And then when the myth finally takes hold and everybody in St. Louis believes the myth, then you release the information about the cop to immediately make it suspect, rather than affirmative. It’s the Trayvon Martin case all over again. You’ve gotta remember.</p>
<p>The extent of George Zimmerman’s injuries were never reported for weeks; 911 calls were doctored because the myth was in full form in the Trayvon Martin case. The facts only came to light after everybody’d already made up their minds, after the myth had taken root with the assistance of people like Spike Lee and Reverend Sharpton or Reverend Jackson and all the others who are planting and bigger and planting and digging the myth.</p>
<p>“According to the well-placed source, Wilson was coming off another case in the neighborhood on Aug. 9 when he ordered Michael Brown and his friend Dorain Johnson to stop walking in the middle of the road because they were obstructing traffic,” in the middle of the road. “However, the confrontation quickly escalated into physical violence, the source said.” The gentle giant and his buddy “ignored” the cop. “‘[T]he officer started to get out of the car to tell them to move,’ the source said.</p>
<p>“‘They shoved him right back in'” the car as he attempted to get out of the car, and “‘that’s when [the gentle giant] leans in and starts beating Officer Wilson in the head and the face.’ … At that point, the source told FoxNews.com, the 6-foot-4, 292-pound [gentle giant] charged Wilson, prompting the officer to fire at least six shots at him, including the fatal bullet that penetrated the top of Brown’s skull, according to an independent autopsy conducted at the request of Brown’s family.”</p>
<p>I have a sound bite. Is it a sound bite or a story? Somebody has really, really ticked ’em off there. I guess it’s a story. Yeah, it’s a story. Let me take a break and find this. I don’t want to get it summarized. There’s a… (muttering) Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s an online column. “[A] veteran police officer has catapulted himself into the national debate over the death of” the gentle giant.</p>
<p>He wrote an op-ed, I guess, on CNN. No, I don’t know where he wrote it. Let me find this in the in the in the break. Apparently it’s an ex-cop who wrote a column (paraphrased), “Look, when the cop tells you to do anything, you do it! Whatever it is, you do it. If there’s a problem, deal with it later,” and apparently everybody’s outraged over this.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: (interruption) Snerdley, what was that? There was a…? (interruption) Oh, I remember. The Washington Post had a story saying that marijuana was found in the gentle giant’s system in the autopsy. I reported this. The next day, TheHill.com had a piece accusing me of “character assassination,” and Drudge — me and Drudge — because we reported what was in the Washington Post.</p>
<p>So now I read what’s in the New York Times and on Fox News. I’ll be accused of character assassination again for deigning to repeat what I read in the New York Times and on Fox News. Now, the Washington Post is back at it. They have another column, and it’s written by a cop, and CNN is so mad about it, they have posted a piece on this column in the Washington Post! Get this.</p>
<p>“In a single column, a veteran police officer has catapulted himself into the national debate over the death of unarmed teen [gentle giant] in Ferguson, Missouri. ‘I’m a Cop. If You Don’t Want to Get Hurt, Don’t Challenge Me,’ the Washington Post headline blares. The piece was written by Sunil Dutta, a 17-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.</p>
<p>“‘Even though it might sound harsh and impolitic, here is the bottom line,'” writes this LAPD cop: “‘If you don’t want to get shot, tased, pepper-sprayed, struck with a baton or thrown to the ground, just do what I tell you,’ he wrote. Dutta cautions against arguing, insulting, or screaming at officers, ‘and don’t even think of aggressively walking towards me. Most field stops are complete in minutes. How difficult is it to cooperate for that long?’</p>
<p>“If you believe an officer is violating your rights or bullying you,’ Dutta says, ‘don’t challenge him then — save that for lodging a complaint later. ‘Do what the officer tells you to and it will end safely for both of you.’ It took no time for the anger over his message to explode,” and no wonder! Have you ever heard anything so outrageous? When a policeman tells you to do something…? Everybody up ’til now, I guess, thought it was a suggestion.</p>
<p>You’re under no obligation to obey the guy!</p>
<p>You don’t have to do a damn thing!</p>
<p>When an officer tells you to lay down, you don’t have to. You can rush the guy. What are people thinking? There literally there is outrage over what this LAPD cop wrote in the Washington Post, and it’s this line, right here: “Even though it might sound harsh and impolitic, here is the bottom line: If you don’t want to get shot, tased, pepper-sprayed, struck with a baton or thrown to the ground, just do what I tell you.”</p>
<p>Oh, no! No way, pal! No way! No way.</p>
<p>That doesn’t happen in America anymore. Nobody gets to tell anybody nothing. Nobody gets to tell anybody what to do. That’s what America 2014 is. Nobody gets to tell anybody anything! Nobody gets to order anybody around anymore. What about their feelings, Cop? What about their sensitivity? What about their race? Don’t you take any of that into account?</p>
<p>He doesn’t, no.</p>
<p>If you want to get out of this safe, you do what I tell you and shut up — and if you do, we’ll be finished here in a few minutes, and then you go on your way.</p>
<p>“The outrageous thing is not that he says it. The outrageous thing is that we accept it,’ writes Ken White…”</p>
<p>Really?</p>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>Outrageous.</p>
<p>See?</p>
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rush heres victoria riverton illinois head back phones great victoria hi caller hi rush rush hi caller hear rush yeah hear caller yes yes yes im firsttime caller got question mean know eric holder ferguson missouri yesterday know met michael browns family protesters fbi law enforcement want know officer wilson family given equal treatment visit also reassurance know innocent til proven guilty rush dont believe dont think attorney general dont think could squeeze busy schedule dont think met family officer darren wilson dont believe caller knew hadnt heard anything like rush theyre keeping wraps incite mob caller right well didnt know media slighting know erics visit maybe meet officer families rush oh fact one popular video audio excerpts holders trip hes walking crowd woman almost faints shouting sexy might play next hour still hour go yeah rock star town mob crowd sorry break transcript rush well looks like governor nixon ordered national guard scram national guard withdraw ferguson missouri guess militarized police presence longer necessary story st louis ferguson missouri highway patrol captain ron johnson placed charge security ferguson governor last week governor decided county police couldnt job kicked brought captain johnson state police highway patrol drew rave reviews thursday night rave reviews gave way questionable reviews friday looting began ron johnson told cops back let looting happen judged least provocative way handle situation let looters get system rather confront would provocative people said wait minute thats kind giving went governorelect getting reality show road anyway hes still leadership position sought media said day journalists arrested due safety concerns stemming abounding protests captain johnson blamed unrest chaos detainments journalists hes yet explained arrests media members continue cease said paraphrasing cant tell anymore whos journalist isnt dont know looking mob journalist isnt journalist somebodys got ta camera shoulder walk around 50000 camera im pretty sure journalist journalists walking around using cell phone cameras cant tell theyre journalists course members public getting press conferences passing journalists get story selma oh yeah teacher suspended lesson shooting st louis sixth grade brantley elementary teacher put paid administrative leave wednesday facebook post revealed teacher allegedly instructed students tuesday reenact ferguson mo shooting known nationwide jessica baughn mother brantley sixth grade student jimmy griffin posted complaint tuesday sound selma facebook page post guaghn expressed shock learning teacher told class reenact shooting unarmed mike brown shot police aug 9 ferguson mo apparently ms baughn racist mean pivotal moment american history probably reenacted ages may reenacted much first thanksgiving theyre finished students reportedly asked research shooting online finding details many times brown shot reenact wait wait wait wait wait know problem know problem students asked research would learn details gentle giant shot front contrary defenders claimed maybe real problem reenactment cause students research find things civil rights coalition doesnt want people know know many witnesses supposedly talked das office version events support cops version competing eyewitness accounts new witness come forward today brandnew witness claimed see shooting course version gentle giant running away put hands course autopsy evidence doesnt show wasnt shot rear guys cnn today brandnew eyewitness jessica baughn mother selma said dont think needs talked school let alone reenacted scares parent one children could picked aunt uncle grandma whoevers gun pointed another child went accidentally wow look tantamount admission many family members gun could picked aunt uncle grandma whoevers gun laughing oh yeah many opportunities student get gun reenactment anyway thats one little issue new york times ladies gentlemen buried news officer wilsons injury officer wilson got hurt happened somehow conflict happened confrontation new york times big news biggest story country today buried news 26 paragraphs deep let read twentysix paragraphs new york times police sources law enforcement officials say witnesses forensic analysis shown officer wilson sustain injury struggle car struggle car struggle car struggle car hell happen cops one car struggle car happen somebody explain cop end eye socket blown sitting car gentle giant running away cop beat handheld microphone twoway radio seriously happen heres times says law enforcement officials say witnesses forensic analysis shown officer wilson sustain injury struggle car twentysix paragraphs say breitbart story obviously news wilson injured struggle 18yearold michael brown highly relevant ongoing investigation well mob wilson indeed injured says breitbart doesnt automatically make fatal shooting brown appropriate help fill yawning factvacuum piece relevant information yawning fact vacuum isnt yawning fact vacuum myth versus facts battle myth facts one going triumph thats thats going myth white cops shooting dead innocent black kids time st louis country thats myth propelling end pushing myth doesnt myth totally obliterated blown smithereens results incomprehensible standpoint myth makers got triumph got win theres problem cop orbital eye socket bloodied broken point almost lost consciousness hear vision impaired thats six shots hes sitting cop car happen gentle giant surrendering running away myth powerful facts breitbart calls fact vacuum think fact times hid scoop media outlets reporting also informative completely unsurprising times masthead news thats fit print anymore news fits agenda story fox news missouri cop badly beaten shooting michael brown says source darren wilson ferguson mo police officer whose fatal shooting michael brown touched week demonstrations suffered severe facial injuries including orbital eye socket fracture nearly beaten unconscious brown moments firing gun source close departments top brass told foxnewscom assistant police chief took hospital face swollen one side said insider beaten severely hey took hospital people know treated hospital people know hes got ta waive medical privacy happened driven hospital treated people know easily discoverable question information withheld video withheld know video withheld cause doj demanded leaning em mythmakers ones power mythmakers intimidating law enforcement ground ferguson keep quiet myth take root suppress officers injuries seated cop car suppress myth roots grow deep deep plant begin blossom myth finally takes hold everybody st louis believes myth release information cop immediately make suspect rather affirmative trayvon martin case youve got ta remember extent george zimmermans injuries never reported weeks 911 calls doctored myth full form trayvon martin case facts came light everybodyd already made minds myth taken root assistance people like spike lee reverend sharpton reverend jackson others planting bigger planting digging myth according wellplaced source wilson coming another case neighborhood aug 9 ordered michael brown friend dorain johnson stop walking middle road obstructing traffic middle road however confrontation quickly escalated physical violence source said gentle giant buddy ignored cop officer started get car tell move source said shoved right back car attempted get car thats gentle giant leans starts beating officer wilson head face point source told foxnewscom 6foot4 292pound gentle giant charged wilson prompting officer fire least six shots including fatal bullet penetrated top browns skull according independent autopsy conducted request browns family sound bite sound bite story somebody really really ticked em guess story yeah story let take break find dont want get summarized theres muttering yeah yeah yeah online column veteran police officer catapulted national debate death gentle giant wrote oped guess cnn dont know wrote let find break apparently excop wrote column paraphrased look cop tells anything whatever theres problem deal later apparently everybodys outraged break transcript rush interruption snerdley interruption oh remember washington post story saying marijuana found gentle giants system autopsy reported next day thehillcom piece accusing character assassination drudge drudge reported washington post read whats new york times fox news ill accused character assassination deigning repeat read new york times fox news washington post back another column written cop cnn mad posted piece column washington post get single column veteran police officer catapulted national debate death unarmed teen gentle giant ferguson missouri im cop dont want get hurt dont challenge washington post headline blares piece written sunil dutta 17year veteran los angeles police department even though might sound harsh impolitic bottom line writes lapd cop dont want get shot tased peppersprayed struck baton thrown ground tell wrote dutta cautions arguing insulting screaming officers dont even think aggressively walking towards field stops complete minutes difficult cooperate long believe officer violating rights bullying dutta says dont challenge save lodging complaint later officer tells end safely took time anger message explode wonder ever heard anything outrageous policeman tells something everybody til guess thought suggestion youre obligation obey guy dont damn thing officer tells lay dont rush guy people thinking literally outrage lapd cop wrote washington post line right even though might sound harsh impolitic bottom line dont want get shot tased peppersprayed struck baton thrown ground tell oh way pal way way doesnt happen america anymore nobody gets tell anybody nothing nobody gets tell anybody thats america 2014 nobody gets tell anybody anything nobody gets order anybody around anymore feelings cop sensitivity race dont take account doesnt want get safe tell shut well finished minutes go way outrageous thing says outrageous thing accept writes ken white really yeah outrageous see
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<p>At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/strategic-cio/executive-insights-and-innovation/ces-2014-ciscos-internet-of-everything-vision/d/d-id/1113407" type="external">Cisco chief executive John Chambers Opens a New Window.</a> said the Internet of Things (IoT) will generate $19 trillion in revenue by 2020. He went on to say, “It will be bigger than anything that’s ever been done in high tech.”</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>This from a CEO and a company desperately struggling to stay relevant.</p>
<p>Not to be a buzz kill, but overhyping the next big thing isn’t exactly new to the tech industry or the media that covers it. Unless your 3-D virtual reality avatar is reading this on a superconducting computer in <a href="http://secondlife.com" type="external">Second Life Opens a New Window.</a>, you know exactly what I’m talking about.</p>
<p>The irony is that all the real innovations that changed our lives sort of crept up on us.</p>
<p>Pundits thought Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) was crazy to get into the dog-eat-dog cell phone business. In 2007, <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-should-pull-the-plug-on-the-iphone" type="external">John Dvorak Opens a New Window.</a> wrote, “Apple should pull the plug on the iPhone. There is no likelihood that Apple can be successful in a business this competitive.”</p>
<p>Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were told by dozens of VCs that a standalone Web-search company wouldn’t go anywhere. And nobody saw word processing, personal computers, the Internet, or social media coming. And I mean nobody.</p>
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<p>So forgive me if I dispense with all the wild fish tales of refrigerators that know they’re about to run out of milk and eggs and order their own food, sensor-laden ingestible nanobots that can diagnose and cure what ails you, and prescient cities that know when disaster is about to strike.</p>
<p>Yes, that is all plausible – eventually – but for once I thought I’d keep it real and tell you what goodies the IoT might bring before you’re too old for it to matter. First, it helps to know what the heck we’re talking about.</p>
<p>What is it and why do we need it?</p>
<p>The best way to understand the IoT is by comparing it to something we all know. The Internet is a web of interconnected networks (thus inter-net) that allows people to communicate information to others. And each node on the network has a smart router that sends and receives information.</p>
<p>Likewise, the IoT is a web of interconnected sensor networks that automatically communicate data to people and computers in the cloud. Each node on the network consists of a tiny smart device with built-in sensors and circuitry for monitoring, communicating, and controlling just about anything in the physical world.</p>
<p>Why do we need it? The world is now full of complex machines and systems. It’s too expensive and time consuming to manage them efficiently. Instead, we’ll have millions of smart sensor networks that allow us to virtually and automatically monitor and control systems, machines, resources, and assets.</p>
<p>This is actually nothing new. Japan has had smart highways with displays that warn drivers of congestion and offer alternative routes since the 1980s. Modern cars and engines are full of smart-sensor networks. We already have loads of smart factories, buildings, and homes. And our cities and energy grids are getting smarter all the time.</p>
<p>Going forward, there are three major categories that I think will hit closer to home and impact your lives in material ways that may prove to make you safer, healthier, and more effective at your jobs.</p>
<p>Automotive Safety</p>
<p>Add a few sensor networks and you can significantly reduce the number and severity of auto accidents by alerting drivers to potentially dangerous situations such as collisions, tire blowouts, and brake failures before they happen. We can’t entirely eliminate accidents but we can easily make cars much smarter and safer.</p>
<p>Sure, it will initially add cost, but that will come down in time. We went through the same learning curve with power steering and brakes, fuel injection, airbags, and anti-lock brakes. Today’s cars are already full of embedded microprocessors, sensors, and networks. They can handle a few more.</p>
<p>Personal Health Care</p>
<p>Considering how full of technology our home and work lives have become, modern health care is still in the dark ages. While there are thousands of third-party applications, electronic devices, and large-scale software systems, none of them talk to each other. It’s a fragmented mess that’s long overdue for integration and de facto standardization.</p>
<p>Enter Apple. The tech giant is readying the <a href="" type="internal">launch of HealthKit</a>, a personal health information system that will use sensors in <a href="" type="internal">Apple’s iWatch</a> and other devices to monitor blood pressure, pulse, weight and other data and upload it to the cloud. Apple is reportedly working with a host of health-care providers and software makers to integrate HealthKit with their systems and apps.</p>
<p>Whether that effort is successful or not, it is only a matter of time before the health-care industry joins the rest of us in the 21st century … if federal and state regulators don’t screw it up.</p>
<p>Enterprise Business</p>
<p>At the risk of overhyping Apple: While its recently announced <a href="" type="internal">enterprise pact with IBM</a> does face significant challenges, there is enormous potential to put big data analytics into the hands of workers and decision-makers across a wide range of markets and industries such as retail, insurance, banking, and airlines.</p>
<p>The two companies are already working to co-develop hundreds of apps for vertical markets and IBM (NYSE:IBM) has said it will deploy 100,000 consultants and salespeople to accelerate the penetration of iOS devices such as iPad and iPhone – which IBM will resell – into the enterprise.</p>
<p>Given the size of this joint effort by two technology giants, I think it’s safe to say that many of you will have a lot more data to make smart decisions at your fingertips in the not-too-distant future.</p>
<p>During his CES address, Cisco’s Chambers added a prophecy, "If you look back a decade from today at the impact of the Internet of Everything, I predict you will see it will be five to 10 times more impactful than the whole Internet has been today.”</p>
<p>Hyperbole if I’ve heard it, especially considering that much of the impact of the IoT will be transparent to you. Still, if it makes you safer, healthier, and better at your job, who am I to question it?</p>
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years consumer electronics show cisco chief executive john chambers opens new window said internet things iot generate 19 trillion revenue 2020 went say bigger anything thats ever done high tech continue reading ceo company desperately struggling stay relevant buzz kill overhyping next big thing isnt exactly new tech industry media covers unless 3d virtual reality avatar reading superconducting computer second life opens new window know exactly im talking irony real innovations changed lives sort crept us pundits thought apple nasdaqaapl crazy get dogeatdog cell phone business 2007 john dvorak opens new window wrote apple pull plug iphone likelihood apple successful business competitive google nasdaqgoog founders larry page sergey brin told dozens vcs standalone websearch company wouldnt go anywhere nobody saw word processing personal computers internet social media coming mean nobody advertisement forgive dispense wild fish tales refrigerators know theyre run milk eggs order food sensorladen ingestible nanobots diagnose cure ails prescient cities know disaster strike yes plausible eventually thought id keep real tell goodies iot might bring youre old matter first helps know heck talking need best way understand iot comparing something know internet web interconnected networks thus internet allows people communicate information others node network smart router sends receives information likewise iot web interconnected sensor networks automatically communicate data people computers cloud node network consists tiny smart device builtin sensors circuitry monitoring communicating controlling anything physical world need world full complex machines systems expensive time consuming manage efficiently instead well millions smart sensor networks allow us virtually automatically monitor control systems machines resources assets actually nothing new japan smart highways displays warn drivers congestion offer alternative routes since 1980s modern cars engines full smartsensor networks already loads smart factories buildings homes cities energy grids getting smarter time going forward three major categories think hit closer home impact lives material ways may prove make safer healthier effective jobs automotive safety add sensor networks significantly reduce number severity auto accidents alerting drivers potentially dangerous situations collisions tire blowouts brake failures happen cant entirely eliminate accidents easily make cars much smarter safer sure initially add cost come time went learning curve power steering brakes fuel injection airbags antilock brakes todays cars already full embedded microprocessors sensors networks handle personal health care considering full technology home work lives become modern health care still dark ages thousands thirdparty applications electronic devices largescale software systems none talk fragmented mess thats long overdue integration de facto standardization enter apple tech giant readying launch healthkit personal health information system use sensors apples iwatch devices monitor blood pressure pulse weight data upload cloud apple reportedly working host healthcare providers software makers integrate healthkit systems apps whether effort successful matter time healthcare industry joins rest us 21st century federal state regulators dont screw enterprise business risk overhyping apple recently announced enterprise pact ibm face significant challenges enormous potential put big data analytics hands workers decisionmakers across wide range markets industries retail insurance banking airlines two companies already working codevelop hundreds apps vertical markets ibm nyseibm said deploy 100000 consultants salespeople accelerate penetration ios devices ipad iphone ibm resell enterprise given size joint effort two technology giants think safe say many lot data make smart decisions fingertips nottoodistant future ces address ciscos chambers added prophecy look back decade today impact internet everything predict see five 10 times impactful whole internet today hyperbole ive heard especially considering much impact iot transparent still makes safer healthier better job question
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<p>RUSH: Did you hear what David Axelrod said about the Carryn Owens moment? Now, this obviously is a slip of the tongue. If this had been stated — something like this had been stated — by (sigh), I don’t know, Karl Rove, by somebody equivalent to Axelrod (who ran Obama’s campaign)… “In an unfortunate choice of words,” Axelrod said about that moment, “You’d have to be dead not to appreciate it.” Now… Now, we will acknowledge that that’s “an unfortunate choice of words,” but I doubt anybody else screwing up like that would be given much leeway.</p>
<p>They would have been referred to as mean-spirited and sour grapes and partisan and what have you. CNN during the break was back to their bait-and-switch on immigration, another segment on Trump’s immigration bait-and-switch, meaning… By the way, I knew last night that in the immediate aftermath when all they could do was praise it, it wasn’t gonna last. It can’t last. Their objective hasn’t changed. They are going to get rid of the guy. They are either get rid of the guy or they’re going to render him impotent and unable to accomplish anything.</p>
<p>That is the mission of the American media. Most of it. Exceptions of course. Nothing is gonna change their minds about it.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Now, Van Jones, the avowed communist at CNN, former member of the Obama Regime, was blown away by the moment last night where Carryn Owens was honored along with her husband, a Navy SEAL, by President Trump, and he is being tarred and feathered today by other liberals. They are ripping him a new one, and this is what he said last night on CNN’s special coverage.</p>
<p />
<p>JONES: There’s substance, and there’s tone. The substance of the speech I disagree with entirely. But I think at some point Democrats gotta be willing to take “yes” for an answer. We’ve been asking for him to be more presidential. We’ve been asking for him to be less divisive. We’ve been asking for him to pretend like maybe being the president matters to him, as much as it matters to us, and tonight he showed some glimmers of that. If we can’t as Democrats say, “You know what? Thank you for that part,” then I think that we are adding to the problem we’re trying to solve. We’re not gonna get there if everything he does we’ve gotta attack even when he’s right.</p>
<p>RUSH: Well, that’s not the bite that I wanted. He was effusive. That speaks for itself. I mean, that would get him in trouble as it is. But he went way beyond that when he was describing the Carryn Owens moment. And I’ll tell you what that is when we get that.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Here’s what Van Jones said, and he’s got Keith Olbermann jumping all over him. He’s got Bill Maher, everybody’s jumping all over him ’cause this woman was nothing but a prop, don’t you understand. Trump used her and exploited her as a prop and how can Van Jones not see that.</p>
<p>Here’s what he said: “There are a lot of people who have a lot of reason to be frustrated with Trump, to be fearful of him, but that was one of the most extraordinary moments you have ever seen in American politics, period. And he did something extraordinary. And for the people who’ve been hoping that he would become unifying, hoping that he might find some way to become presidential, they should be happy with that moment.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>“For people who have been hoping that maybe he would remain a divisive cartoon, which he often finds a way to do, they should begin to become a little bit worried tonight because that thing you just saw him do, if he finds a way to do that over and over again, he’s gonna be there for eight years. Now, there was a lot that he said in that speech that was counterfactual, that was not right, that I oppose and I will oppose. But he did something tonight that you cannot take away from him. He became president of the United States.”</p>
<p>He was effusive. And the left, you would not believe some of the vicious tweets that have been aimed at Carryn Owens for allowing herself to be used as a prop, allowing herself to be exploited by this evil Trump. And Van Jones being savaged for not seeing that that’s what was going on.</p>
<p>Now, you’ll note in this, here’s the party of feminism, right? Here’s the party of women. And this party cannot look at that woman and see that maybe she’s strong and maybe that she loved her husband and maybe she’s doing nothing in terms of being exploited. That she is thrilled and honored to have her husband honored. That it’s going to mean something forever to her and her children. That it is a high honor, that her husband died protecting this country he loves. And the Democrats see a helpless objectified waif, the party of women?</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: I want to go back before we go back to the phones to this Van Jones bite that I played, because I had not heard this. The only one I’d heard all day was him going overboard bonkers on the — well, now I don’t know what to call her, Karen or Carryn Owens. I thought I heard everybody calling her Karen Owens last night, and now one person’s telling me it’s Carryn, so. I hate mispronouncing people’s names. (interruption) Okay, thank you. Finally, somebody confirmed. It’s Carryn Owens. But this bite that we just played, the one I thought was Van Jones reacting to that, this is a different one, and I want to comment on this. So here it is again. This was last night on CNN.</p>
<p>JONES: There’s substance, and there’s tone. The substance of the speech I disagree with entirely. But I think at some point Democrats gotta be willing to take “yes” for an answer. We’ve been asking for him to be more presidential. We’ve been asking for him to be less divisive. We’ve been asking for him to pretend like maybe being the president matters to him, as much as it matters to us, and tonight he showed some glimmers of that. If we can’t as Democrats say, “You know what? Thank you for that part,” then I think that we are adding to the problem we’re trying to solve. We’re not gonna get there if everything he does we’ve gotta attack even when he’s right.</p>
<p>RUSH: Okay, now, this has got all kinds of things to unpack here, because, on balance I guess it’s a complimentary conclusion that you would draw, that Van Jones is being here. And his buddies on the left are mad at him for being this open and tolerant of Trump, who is to be universally despised and hated and ridiculed and never, ever have anything positive about him spoken.</p>
<p>But there is also, there’s something unsettling about this. “We’ve been asking him to be more presidential. We’ve been asking for him to be less divisive,” as though we still run the show here. And he better conform to what we want or else. And whatever Trump is doing, it’s not because he’s trying to conform to what these people think they’re demanding.</p>
<p>“Weeeee have been asking him to be more presidential.” And I don’t know if he means the Democrats or the media here. Probably is one and the same, what difference does it make. “Weeeee have been asking for him to be less divisive. Weeeee have been asking for him to pretend like maybe being the president matters to him as much as it matters to us.”</p>
<p>This is that arrogance that comes from people who think that power is their entitlement and this is just an interruption, and so since he somehow managed with the Russians to pull this off, could you at least behave the way we demand? If we didn’t win and you did, still could you at least behave so we’re not embarrassed, or some such thing. (interruption) To who? A warning?</p>
<p>Snerdley thinks that Van Jones is issuing a warning to the Democrats that they better wake up and understand what they’re dealing with here, that they’re dealing with a different animal. It could be. That would be a rather high degree of maturity. There may be an element of that, there could be.</p>
<p>Anyway, Mary, Bay City, Michigan, welcome. Great to have you. I’m glad you waited. How are you doing?</p>
<p>CALLER: I’m wonderful. We’re longtime listeners, Rush. We’ve listened to you since you were on television. And that’s a day or two ago.</p>
<p>RUSH: It seems just like yesterday to me.</p>
<p>CALLER: I’m sure it does, but a day wouldn’t go by unless we got to hear Rush Limbaugh so —</p>
<p>RUSH: Well, I appreciate it. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>CALLER: Mega dittos from Michigan. Also, I’m a reader, and the grandkids are gonna love your books. I’ve been reading them, and they are wonderful.</p>
<p>RUSH: Oh, thank you so much.</p>
<p>CALLER: So I’m gonna get to why I called. The president’s speech last night was awesome. I think it was well planned, thought out. He is a very shrewd man. And I don’t think they’ve figured it out yet. But I also believe that Donald Trump is God’s man for this time in history. And seeing him last night just brought that all together.</p>
<p>We sat and listened to it, watched it, and I happen to live in an area that the representative that I have in Washington, DC, is a Democrat, because they were elected. But I’ll tell you what; I don’t believe these people are gonna get reelected in ’18. Because, to watch them, the way they behaved or didn’t behave and just look at them —</p>
<p>RUSH: You know what? I addressed this in the first hour, and your call here, I can do it again. I do believe that a bunch of Democrats in that chamber were seeing Trump for the first time. That they only knew of Trump because of the media, the way the media reported him. I don’t think they watched his rallies. I don’t think they spent much time. They never took him seriously! They thought Hillary was gonna win from the get-go. On election night they thought Hillary was gonna win. They have a prejudiced, bigoted view of Trump as presented to them by the media. And so do their voters.</p>
<p>So last night Trump was who he was, who he’s always been to people that support him and know him and voted for him. And the Democrats, I think for the first time in many cases — and you may laugh at this. You may think this is not possible, but I’m asking you not to doubt me on this. The Democrats do not pay attention to anything outside their comfort level in their cocoon, folks. They listen to what the media tells them and what they read on their blogs and websites, and that’s what they know.</p>
<p>They never took Trump seriously. And Trump last night, they’re sitting there realizing what’s happening. Trump is destroying every effort they’ve made to misdefine him the last five weeks. He’s going right over the heads of the media and he’s doing it.</p>
<p>Now, here’s the point you mean about their behavior last night and how it was very immature and childish and not applauding even universally acceptable things like American economic growth and wage increases. They wouldn’t even applaud things that we’re all for. And people say, “Boy, these people really got bad manners.” Let me tell you why they did that. There’s two reasons.</p>
<p>The Democrats in that chamber last night are totally capable of that kind of rude, ill-mannered behavior. But there’s another aspect of this, and that is they were sitting on their hands, in addition to every other reason, because they think that’s what their voters demand that they do. And sitting on their hands, disrespecting Trump, not applauding, is how they continue to receive campaign donations.</p>
<p>Their base is rabidly insane. They can’t afford to have their base stop sending them money. So there were many reasons to explain the Democrats’ behavior. Ill-mannered rudeness, meanness, arrogance and so forth. But don’t discount the fact that they were also doing that because that’s what they think their voters expected them to do. Make no mistake about that.</p>
<p>So anybody thinking this was a wake-up call to Democrat voters, maybe a few, but, nah. They’re just gonna hate Trump even more after this. This is a different bunch of people here, folks. You can’t take things that we all believe in our hearts and assign them to them. We don’t have much in common with the people on the radical left today, and certainly not basic human values. I mean, they couldn’t even, as I say, applaud universally acceptable good things last night. They couldn’t even stand up, not applaud, just stand up.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Now, the Carryn Owens moment, everybody is raving about this, and justly so, don’t misunderstand. I just want to share with you my reaction to it when it happened. If I’ve seen anything in a State of the Union speech, it’s this. Reagan started this with a guy named Lenny Skutnik or some such thing. There was an Air Florida flight, Palm 90 was its call sign, and it was in the middle of January. It was a Boeing 737, I believe. It was snowing to beat the band, and this plane took off from Washington National, now known as Reagan National.</p>
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<p />
<p>It had been deiced but then sat waiting in line long past the time the deicing was effective, so it took off and immediately it was not able to maintain lift because the ice on the wings destroyed the aerodynamics. The plane didn’t have enough power to overcome that, and so it plunged into the river, not far from the bridge. And this guy, Lenny Skutnik, whatever his name was, he dove off the bridge into the icy waters and brought some people out alive.</p>
<p>Reagan honored him as an American hero and put him up in the gallery sitting next to Mrs. Reagan in the State of the Union. Ever since that it has happened with every State of the Union address. And I had read prior to this speech that Trump was gonna have some guests up there and I knew who they were. They had reported all of them, including Carryn Owens, the wife of the Navy SEAL who died in the raid in Yemen back in January.</p>
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<p />
<p>And, by the way, as an aside, that raid was a defense department plan in the Obama administration in the ending months. Obama had signed off on it, except the military commander, unit commander said, “No, I need this raid to happen on a new moon. I can’t have any moonlight. We need total darkness as cover.” Well, there wasn’t a new moon by the time Obama would leave office. So by the happenstance of chronology, the mission was going to occur after Trump had been inaugurated.</p>
<p>Trump had nothing to do with assembling the mission. And neither did Obama, actually. The unit commander puts the strategy, plans the mission. What presidents do is sign off on ’em after receiving input, advice, whatever, from the commander, the chief joints of staff, the president says, “Okay, go” or “no go.” But presidents generally do not get involved in the intricate details of the mission. They did in the Vietnam War which was one of the reasons it turned out the way it did.</p>
<p>Trump was not involved. But the military believed in the mission, they wanted it to go, so it went after Trump had been inaugurated, and Trump had signed off on it. They didn’t do it without his knowledge. But it was something that the military had planned long ago because it was target rich, a lot of potential intel. The Drive-Bys have used this as an example of Trump seeking glory, that Trump wanted the operation to happen so that he could take some glory right when he had been inaugurated. And that’s just total BS. All of this was driven by military planning, considerations, and strategy.</p>
<p>I just mention that as an aside because somehow they knew we were coming. The mission was blown almost from the time it launched because the targets knew we were coming. One of the ways they knew, apparently, was our drones were flying too low and the one thing militant Islamist extremists know now is the sound of drones. And when they hear drones, they go hide behind women and children. And they heard the drones that night. I’m told they even knew without the drones that it was coming. The mission was compromised, but it went ahead anyway.</p>
<p>The argument now is over whether or not anything intelligence-wise was gathered to make the mission a success. The media is trying to say it was a total flop and blame it on Trump because all he wanted was the glory, and the secretary of defense, General Mattis, has told Trump that it was successful, and that’s why he said that last night during the speech. Now, the SEAL who was killed, Owens’, wife was in the gallery last night. She was recognized; he was honored, along with others up there.</p>
<p>When it got to the point in the speech where Mrs. Owens, Carryn Owens, was going to be recognized, something I haven’t seen happen, happened. And that is, the president led the standing ovation and applause and said with the most heartfelt sincerity to her that his life would be etched in eternity forever. “And thank you.” And it was an obvious and sincere “thank you.” And the ovation that began lasted longer… It just didn’t stop. It just kept going. That’s what was new. It just kept going.</p>
<p>And while it was happening, Carryn Owens was obviously completely overcome with emotion. She was shaking; she was tearing; she looked heavenward and said, “I love you, Baby.” That entire room… I don’t know what the Democrats did. I’ve seen pictures that Debbie “Blabbermouth” Schultz and somebody else continued to sit on their hands. I don’t know if that’s true or not. I don’t know. I don’t know how many Democrats stood. Some didn’t. But for the most part, it was overwhelming. And she just… She was the reason.</p>
<p>The way this affected her, the way she reacted to it with this deep, deep appreciation, deep involvement. It was obviously something very necessary for her. Her husband just died weeks ago. And it was… His honor and service was commemorated by the highest elected officer in the land and done so in a sincere way. Ivanka was standings next to her and wisely didn’t embrace her, didn’t move in, didn’t try to get in on the scene, stood her ground. Everything about this was the epitome of genuine.</p>
<p>Most of these things end up… Because they’ve happened at every State of the Union since the eighties, they look contrived. This was the real deal, and it didn’t stop. It just kept going. The one time the president came off prompter was when the applause had stopped. He was leading the applause, by the way. When it ended, he looked up at her and told her that no doubt her husband was looking down and smiling and was very happy because he had just set a record, meaning for the length of gratuitous applause that had occurred just then.</p>
<p>This is the event that Van Jones is reacting to where he said if Trump keeps this kind of stuff up… They didn’t think Trump was capable of this. You ask yourself: Why would they think Trump’s not capable of this? Did you ask yourself that? Did you ask yourself, “Why were they so shocked that Trump could do something like this?” It’s ’cause they don’t think Trump’s got a heart, folks. They don’t think anybody has hearts but them. They own compassion; nobody else has any.</p>
<p>We just fake it, in their minds, and we don’t do it very well. This blew them away. Everything about that last night, I think, blew them away because of their bigoted, prejudicial impression of Trump. Everything hit them last night like a slap upside the head, and they’re still probably trying to process this. Anyway, I must take a brief time-out. It just didn’t end. You know how long it went? It was over two minutes, three minutes this kept going — and the intensity never died down until it ended.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Karen in Cleveland. Hey, great to have you on the EIB Network. How are you?</p>
<p>CALLER: Hi, Rush. I’m fine. How are you?</p>
<p>RUSH: Good, good, good. Thank you for calling.</p>
<p>CALLER: I wanted to make a comment. When I heard the Van Jones comment, I thought, “He really sounds sincere about this.”</p>
<p>RUSH: Yeah?</p>
<p>CALLER: I think Van Jones gets it. You’ve been saying all along the Democrats don’t get it. I think he got it. I think he realizes that all you need to do is care about what people think and care about the middle of the country, and you could actually win some elections here. I think we’re gonna see a new and improved Van Jones. If he can ditch this communist thing and start to move away from CNN, we might see the darling of the Dems in 2020.</p>
<p>RUSH: Now, that is an interesting comment. I’m gonna remember this day: March 1st, 2017. Karen in Cleveland predicting the possibility that Van Jones will take care of the communist thing, extricate himself from CNN, and become a viable Democrat candidate because he sees the light. That’s… I’m fascinated by how people think, folks.</p>
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rush hear david axelrod said carryn owens moment obviously slip tongue stated something like stated sigh dont know karl rove somebody equivalent axelrod ran obamas campaign unfortunate choice words axelrod said moment youd dead appreciate acknowledge thats unfortunate choice words doubt anybody else screwing like would given much leeway would referred meanspirited sour grapes partisan cnn break back baitandswitch immigration another segment trumps immigration baitandswitch meaning way knew last night immediate aftermath could praise wasnt gon na last cant last objective hasnt changed going get rid guy either get rid guy theyre going render impotent unable accomplish anything mission american media exceptions course nothing gon na change minds break transcript rush van jones avowed communist cnn former member obama regime blown away moment last night carryn owens honored along husband navy seal president trump tarred feathered today liberals ripping new one said last night cnns special coverage jones theres substance theres tone substance speech disagree entirely think point democrats got ta willing take yes answer weve asking presidential weve asking less divisive weve asking pretend like maybe president matters much matters us tonight showed glimmers cant democrats say know thank part think adding problem trying solve gon na get everything weve got ta attack even hes right rush well thats bite wanted effusive speaks mean would get trouble went way beyond describing carryn owens moment ill tell get break transcript rush heres van jones said hes got keith olbermann jumping hes got bill maher everybodys jumping cause woman nothing prop dont understand trump used exploited prop van jones see heres said lot people lot reason frustrated trump fearful one extraordinary moments ever seen american politics period something extraordinary people whove hoping would become unifying hoping might find way become presidential happy moment people hoping maybe would remain divisive cartoon often finds way begin become little bit worried tonight thing saw finds way hes gon na eight years lot said speech counterfactual right oppose oppose something tonight take away became president united states effusive left would believe vicious tweets aimed carryn owens allowing used prop allowing exploited evil trump van jones savaged seeing thats going youll note heres party feminism right heres party women party look woman see maybe shes strong maybe loved husband maybe shes nothing terms exploited thrilled honored husband honored going mean something forever children high honor husband died protecting country loves democrats see helpless objectified waif party women break transcript rush want go back go back phones van jones bite played heard one id heard day going overboard bonkers well dont know call karen carryn owens thought heard everybody calling karen owens last night one persons telling carryn hate mispronouncing peoples names interruption okay thank finally somebody confirmed carryn owens bite played one thought van jones reacting different one want comment last night cnn jones theres substance theres tone substance speech disagree entirely think point democrats got ta willing take yes answer weve asking presidential weve asking less divisive weve asking pretend like maybe president matters much matters us tonight showed glimmers cant democrats say know thank part think adding problem trying solve gon na get everything weve got ta attack even hes right rush okay got kinds things unpack balance guess complimentary conclusion would draw van jones buddies left mad open tolerant trump universally despised hated ridiculed never ever anything positive spoken also theres something unsettling weve asking presidential weve asking less divisive though still run show better conform want else whatever trump hes trying conform people think theyre demanding weeeee asking presidential dont know means democrats media probably one difference make weeeee asking less divisive weeeee asking pretend like maybe president matters much matters us arrogance comes people think power entitlement interruption since somehow managed russians pull could least behave way demand didnt win still could least behave embarrassed thing interruption warning snerdley thinks van jones issuing warning democrats better wake understand theyre dealing theyre dealing different animal could would rather high degree maturity may element could anyway mary bay city michigan welcome great im glad waited caller im wonderful longtime listeners rush weve listened since television thats day two ago rush seems like yesterday caller im sure day wouldnt go unless got hear rush limbaugh rush well appreciate thank much caller mega dittos michigan also im reader grandkids gon na love books ive reading wonderful rush oh thank much caller im gon na get called presidents speech last night awesome think well planned thought shrewd man dont think theyve figured yet also believe donald trump gods man time history seeing last night brought together sat listened watched happen live area representative washington dc democrat elected ill tell dont believe people gon na get reelected 18 watch way behaved didnt behave look rush know addressed first hour call believe bunch democrats chamber seeing trump first time knew trump media way media reported dont think watched rallies dont think spent much time never took seriously thought hillary gon na win getgo election night thought hillary gon na win prejudiced bigoted view trump presented media voters last night trump hes always people support know voted democrats think first time many cases may laugh may think possible im asking doubt democrats pay attention anything outside comfort level cocoon folks listen media tells read blogs websites thats know never took trump seriously trump last night theyre sitting realizing whats happening trump destroying every effort theyve made misdefine last five weeks hes going right heads media hes heres point mean behavior last night immature childish applauding even universally acceptable things like american economic growth wage increases wouldnt even applaud things people say boy people really got bad manners let tell theres two reasons democrats chamber last night totally capable kind rude illmannered behavior theres another aspect sitting hands addition every reason think thats voters demand sitting hands disrespecting trump applauding continue receive campaign donations base rabidly insane cant afford base stop sending money many reasons explain democrats behavior illmannered rudeness meanness arrogance forth dont discount fact also thats think voters expected make mistake anybody thinking wakeup call democrat voters maybe nah theyre gon na hate trump even different bunch people folks cant take things believe hearts assign dont much common people radical left today certainly basic human values mean couldnt even say applaud universally acceptable good things last night couldnt even stand applaud stand break transcript rush carryn owens moment everybody raving justly dont misunderstand want share reaction happened ive seen anything state union speech reagan started guy named lenny skutnik thing air florida flight palm 90 call sign middle january boeing 737 believe snowing beat band plane took washington national known reagan national deiced sat waiting line long past time deicing effective took immediately able maintain lift ice wings destroyed aerodynamics plane didnt enough power overcome plunged river far bridge guy lenny skutnik whatever name dove bridge icy waters brought people alive reagan honored american hero put gallery sitting next mrs reagan state union ever since happened every state union address read prior speech trump gon na guests knew reported including carryn owens wife navy seal died raid yemen back january way aside raid defense department plan obama administration ending months obama signed except military commander unit commander said need raid happen new moon cant moonlight need total darkness cover well wasnt new moon time obama would leave office happenstance chronology mission going occur trump inaugurated trump nothing assembling mission neither obama actually unit commander puts strategy plans mission presidents sign em receiving input advice whatever commander chief joints staff president says okay go go presidents generally get involved intricate details mission vietnam war one reasons turned way trump involved military believed mission wanted go went trump inaugurated trump signed didnt without knowledge something military planned long ago target rich lot potential intel drivebys used example trump seeking glory trump wanted operation happen could take glory right inaugurated thats total bs driven military planning considerations strategy mention aside somehow knew coming mission blown almost time launched targets knew coming one ways knew apparently drones flying low one thing militant islamist extremists know sound drones hear drones go hide behind women children heard drones night im told even knew without drones coming mission compromised went ahead anyway argument whether anything intelligencewise gathered make mission success media trying say total flop blame trump wanted glory secretary defense general mattis told trump successful thats said last night speech seal killed owens wife gallery last night recognized honored along others got point speech mrs owens carryn owens going recognized something havent seen happen happened president led standing ovation applause said heartfelt sincerity life would etched eternity forever thank obvious sincere thank ovation began lasted longer didnt stop kept going thats new kept going happening carryn owens obviously completely overcome emotion shaking tearing looked heavenward said love baby entire room dont know democrats ive seen pictures debbie blabbermouth schultz somebody else continued sit hands dont know thats true dont know dont know many democrats stood didnt part overwhelming reason way affected way reacted deep deep appreciation deep involvement obviously something necessary husband died weeks ago honor service commemorated highest elected officer land done sincere way ivanka standings next wisely didnt embrace didnt move didnt try get scene stood ground everything epitome genuine things end theyve happened every state union since eighties look contrived real deal didnt stop kept going one time president came prompter applause stopped leading applause way ended looked told doubt husband looking smiling happy set record meaning length gratuitous applause occurred event van jones reacting said trump keeps kind stuff didnt think trump capable ask would think trumps capable ask ask shocked trump could something like cause dont think trumps got heart folks dont think anybody hearts compassion nobody else fake minds dont well blew away everything last night think blew away bigoted prejudicial impression trump everything hit last night like slap upside head theyre still probably trying process anyway must take brief timeout didnt end know long went two minutes three minutes kept going intensity never died ended break transcript rush karen cleveland hey great eib network caller hi rush im fine rush good good good thank calling caller wanted make comment heard van jones comment thought really sounds sincere rush yeah caller think van jones gets youve saying along democrats dont get think got think realizes need care people think care middle country could actually win elections think gon na see new improved van jones ditch communist thing start move away cnn might see darling dems 2020 rush interesting comment im gon na remember day march 1st 2017 karen cleveland predicting possibility van jones take care communist thing extricate cnn become viable democrat candidate sees light thats im fascinated people think folks
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<p>TD Ameritrade clients can invest in foreign companies via ADRs, mutual funds, and ETFs, but it doesn't allow for clients to trade directly on foreign markets. In fairness, only a <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/ira/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">handful of brokerages</a> offer access to international markets.</p>
<p>Data source: company.</p>
<p>Many of the largest foreign companies have ADRs listed in the United States, making them available for trading on TD Ameritrade's platform. However, ADRs are less common for small and mid-cap stocks. If you prefer to get your foreign stock exposure from funds rather than individual stocks, you shouldn't have any difficulty finding a great foreign stock mutual fund or ETF on its platform.</p>
<p>TD Ameritrade allows you to make a trade with mobile phones or tablets. Here's how its users and customers rated its app, as of Jan. 18, 2017.</p>
<p>Data source: relevant app stores.</p>
<p>Occasionally, discount brokers charge an administration fee, maintenance fee, and/or inactivity fee for people who trade infrequently or maintain smaller account balances. TD Ameritrade isn't one of them, making it a good choice for all accounts, large or small, active or inactive.</p>
<p>Clients of TD Ameritrade will find a full library of research material at their disposal. The company provides access to third-party insights from S&amp;P Capital IQ, Morningstar, Moody's, and others. And when it comes to retirement planning, it has a long line-up of tools that focus on its clients' retirement needs. For example, TD Ameritrade's Portfolio Planner tool helps you score your current portfolio against your goals, to see whether you're ahead of the game or falling behind on your savings.</p>
<p>We've just touched on a few of the research and retirement tools that TD Ameritrade has to offer. Truly, depending on your needs, it's likely that you'll find plenty that is relevant to how you invest.</p>
<p>TD Ameritrade has a lot to offer investors in research, accessible account sizes, and no-fee IRAs (Roth or traditional). It also has one of the lengthiest lists of mutual funds and commission-free ETFs. That said, while fund investors might love its no-fee choices, investors who trade stocks or options frequently might find that its commissions are higher than other brokerages.</p>
<p>To be clear: The Motley Fool does not endorse any particular brokerage, but we can help you find one that is a good fit for you. Visit <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/ira/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Fool.com's IRA Center</a> to compare leading discount brokers and see if you qualify for a special offer just for opening an account.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better thanWal-MartWhen investing geniuses David and TomGardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter theyhave run for over a decade, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tomjust revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/e-sa-bbn-eg?aid=8867&amp;source=isaeditxt0000476&amp;ftm_cam=sa-bbn-evergreen&amp;ftm_pit=6627&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">ten best stocks</a>for investors to buy right now... and Wal-Mart wasn't one of them! That's right -- theythink these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/e-sa-bbn-eg?aid=8867&amp;source=isaeditxt0000476&amp;ftm_cam=sa-bbn-evergreen&amp;ftm_pit=6627&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here</a>to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*StockAdvisor returns as of December 12, 2016The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFValueMagnet/info.aspx" type="external">Jordan Wathen</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends TD Ameritrade. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
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iras offer tax advantages 401k flexibility invest want making one best ways save retirement get started investing everything stocks funds youll need open ira account brokerage start making trades continue reading lets review one largest discount brokerstd ameritrade stacks features especially important ira investors commission prices decline across industry differences trading costs becoming less important td ameritrades pricing within range online discount brokers commission prices start 10 transaction types data source company website advertisement like many brokers td ameritrade offers number ways reduce true trading cost thanks special offers opening account may qualify commissionfree trades cash bonuses act effective discount likewise many brokers long lists commissionfree funds buy sell without paying commission td ameritrade shines fund selection offering thousands funds choose many completely free trading costs commissions loads transaction fees heres fund selection stacks type fund data source company popular brokerages offer 1000 mutual funds total td ameritrades vast selection funds may advantage investors think td ameritrade doesnt require investors make minimum initial deposit opening ira account said many mutual funds minimum investment requirements stock etf investors get started less asyou simply need able afford single share pay commissions make investment td ameritrades nominimum account policy makes possible start small image source getty images td ameritrade clients invest foreign companies via adrs mutual funds etfs doesnt allow clients trade directly foreign markets fairness handful brokerages offer access international markets data source company many largest foreign companies adrs listed united states making available trading td ameritrades platform however adrs less common small midcap stocks prefer get foreign stock exposure funds rather individual stocks shouldnt difficulty finding great foreign stock mutual fund etf platform td ameritrade allows make trade mobile phones tablets heres users customers rated app jan 18 2017 data source relevant app stores occasionally discount brokers charge administration fee maintenance fee andor inactivity fee people trade infrequently maintain smaller account balances td ameritrade isnt one making good choice accounts large small active inactive clients td ameritrade find full library research material disposal company provides access thirdparty insights sampp capital iq morningstar moodys others comes retirement planning long lineup tools focus clients retirement needs example td ameritrades portfolio planner tool helps score current portfolio goals see whether youre ahead game falling behind savings weve touched research retirement tools td ameritrade offer truly depending needs likely youll find plenty relevant invest td ameritrade lot offer investors research accessible account sizes nofee iras roth traditional also one lengthiest lists mutual funds commissionfree etfs said fund investors might love nofee choices investors trade stocks options frequently might find commissions higher brokerages clear motley fool endorse particular brokerage help find one good fit visit foolcoms ira center compare leading discount brokers see qualify special offer opening account 10 stocks like better thanwalmartwhen investing geniuses david tomgardner stock tip pay listen newsletter theyhave run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tomjust revealed believe ten best stocksfor investors buy right walmart wasnt one thats right theythink 10 stocks even better buys click hereto learn picks stockadvisor returns december 12 2016the authors may position stocks mentioned jordan wathen position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends td ameritrade motley fool disclosure policy
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<p>Image source: Ford Motor.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The auto industry has done exceedingly well recently, with U.S. auto sales coming in at new records in 2015 and remaining strong so far this year as well. Yet the automaker stocks haven't performed nearly as well, and both Toyota Motor and Ford Motor have suffered extensive declines that stand in stark contrast to their sales figures. Now, the threat of a global economic crisis has many investors thinking that both Toyota and Ford could remain under pressure for some time. Yet some see the stocks as value plays and want to know which one they should pick. Let's take a look at how Toyota Motor and Ford Motor compare on some key metrics to see which deserves your attention right now.</p>
<p>Both Toyota Motor and Ford Motor have given their shareholders extensive losses over the past year. Toyota has seen the steeper drop with a nearly 25% loss in its stock, but Ford's 12% decline hasn't made its investors happy either.</p>
<p>In many situations, stocks that fall more become more attractive from a valuation standpoint than those of competitors that don't fall as much. However, the auto industry has investors extremely wary about its ability to sustain current earnings levels. As a result, valuations are extremely inexpensive. Toyota shares currently trade at a trailing earnings multiple of just seven, far less than the stock market's overall price-to-earnings ratio right now. Yet Ford is even less expensive, trading at just six times trailing earnings.</p>
<p>When you incorporate projections about future earnings into the mix, Ford keeps its edge. The U.S. automaker trades at less than six times forward earnings, compared to eight times forward earnings for Toyota. Neither stock is expensive, but Ford retains a slightly more attractive valuation.</p>
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<p>From a dividend standpoint, both Ford and Toyota treat shareholders fairly well. Toyota declares a dividend annually, breaking it into two unequal pieces. For the current year, Toyota expects to distribute a 210 yen per share dividend, and when you consider that each American depositary receipt for Toyota stock represents two shares, that amounts to roughly a $4 per share annual payout on ADRs with a share price of about $100. That works out to a yield of 4%. Meanwhile, Ford treats shareholders even better, with a regular dividend yield of 4.8% that doesn't even include the special dividend payout of $0.25 per share that it made earlier this year.</p>
<p>Both companies have raised their dividends extensively in the recent past. Ford just started paying its dividend again four years ago, but it has tripled its regular quarterly payout since then. Toyota's dividend has quadrupled in yen terms since 2012. Yet both companies have plenty of capacity to boost payouts further based on their current earnings levels. With its higher yield, Ford beats Toyota, but both are solid income stocks.</p>
<p>Given their valuations, what most people fear about Ford and Toyota is whether they can avoid seeing their earnings shrink. Toyota's forward earnings estimates already assume a decline in annual earnings for the 2017 fiscal year, and expectations for Ford are flat at best.</p>
<p>Yet Ford has remained optimistic about its prospects. Low gasoline prices have helped its key F-series pickup truck lineup, and that's where Ford makes a huge portion of its overall profit. The cyclical nature of the business leaves Ford vulnerable to potential downturns, and the possibility of long-term fallout from the Brexit vote in the U.K. could hurt the company's efforts to restore its European operations to a more successful track. However, the U.S. economy has remained strong, and expectations are that Ford should be able to have another stellar year in 2016 that produces at least as much profit as 2015 did.</p>
<p>Toyota Motor has somewhat larger concerns ahead of it. An explosion at a factory of its key brake-component supplier was just the latest in a series of problems that forced Toyota to idle its assembly lines temporarily, and that will increase labor expenses by forcing the automaker to pay overtime in order to catch up with production goals. At the same time, sales figures for May were especially weak, falling nearly 10% as luxury Lexus sales took a particularly large hit. Toyota's truck line isn't as strong as Ford's, and so the recent shift has had a bigger impact on Toyota's U.S. growth prospects. Moreover, a yen gaining strength against the euro and British pound could hurt Toyota's exports to Europe at a particularly critical time.</p>
<p>Between these two automakers, Ford looks like the better buy right now. With higher dividends, cheaper valuations, and more predictable growth prospects, Ford tops Toyota and offers a compelling value proposition to those willing to take on the risk of a cyclical stock under current conditions.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/06/29/better-buy-toyota-motor-corporation-vs-ford.aspx" type="external">Better Buy: Toyota Motor Corporation vs. Ford Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Ford. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Ford. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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image source ford motor continue reading auto industry done exceedingly well recently us auto sales coming new records 2015 remaining strong far year well yet automaker stocks havent performed nearly well toyota motor ford motor suffered extensive declines stand stark contrast sales figures threat global economic crisis many investors thinking toyota ford could remain pressure time yet see stocks value plays want know one pick lets take look toyota motor ford motor compare key metrics see deserves attention right toyota motor ford motor given shareholders extensive losses past year toyota seen steeper drop nearly 25 loss stock fords 12 decline hasnt made investors happy either many situations stocks fall become attractive valuation standpoint competitors dont fall much however auto industry investors extremely wary ability sustain current earnings levels result valuations extremely inexpensive toyota shares currently trade trailing earnings multiple seven far less stock markets overall pricetoearnings ratio right yet ford even less expensive trading six times trailing earnings incorporate projections future earnings mix ford keeps edge us automaker trades less six times forward earnings compared eight times forward earnings toyota neither stock expensive ford retains slightly attractive valuation advertisement dividend standpoint ford toyota treat shareholders fairly well toyota declares dividend annually breaking two unequal pieces current year toyota expects distribute 210 yen per share dividend consider american depositary receipt toyota stock represents two shares amounts roughly 4 per share annual payout adrs share price 100 works yield 4 meanwhile ford treats shareholders even better regular dividend yield 48 doesnt even include special dividend payout 025 per share made earlier year companies raised dividends extensively recent past ford started paying dividend four years ago tripled regular quarterly payout since toyotas dividend quadrupled yen terms since 2012 yet companies plenty capacity boost payouts based current earnings levels higher yield ford beats toyota solid income stocks given valuations people fear ford toyota whether avoid seeing earnings shrink toyotas forward earnings estimates already assume decline annual earnings 2017 fiscal year expectations ford flat best yet ford remained optimistic prospects low gasoline prices helped key fseries pickup truck lineup thats ford makes huge portion overall profit cyclical nature business leaves ford vulnerable potential downturns possibility longterm fallout brexit vote uk could hurt companys efforts restore european operations successful track however us economy remained strong expectations ford able another stellar year 2016 produces least much profit 2015 toyota motor somewhat larger concerns ahead explosion factory key brakecomponent supplier latest series problems forced toyota idle assembly lines temporarily increase labor expenses forcing automaker pay overtime order catch production goals time sales figures may especially weak falling nearly 10 luxury lexus sales took particularly large hit toyotas truck line isnt strong fords recent shift bigger impact toyotas us growth prospects moreover yen gaining strength euro british pound could hurt toyotas exports europe particularly critical time two automakers ford looks like better buy right higher dividends cheaper valuations predictable growth prospects ford tops toyota offers compelling value proposition willing take risk cyclical stock current conditions article better buy toyota motor corporation vs ford opens new window originally appeared foolcom dan caplinger opens new window owns shares ford motley fool owns shares recommends ford try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>You've diligently managed your budget, you've built up your savings, and now you're ready to invest. The next step is to <a href="http://www.fool.com/how-to-invest/broker/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">open a brokerage account Opens a New Window.</a> to buy stocks, funds, and other investments. Picking a broker is no small matter, as each broker fits a different type of investor. Here's how TD Ameritrade and OptionsHouse, two well-known discount brokers, compare for buy-and-hold investors.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Deciding which brokerage is best for you isn't just about commissions or trading costs, but it is an important consideration for people who trade more frequently. The following table shows commission schedules for TD Ameritrade and OptionsHouse.</p>
<p>Source: company websites.</p>
<p>Your actual commissions may be much lower than reflected in the table, as volume discounts may apply. In addition, commission-free trades on ETFs and mutual funds and <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/ira/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">special offers for individual retirement accounts Opens a New Window.</a> effectively reduce the price you pay for every trade.</p>
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<p>If you prefer funds to individual stocks, you'll be happy to find that some brokers offer commission-free trades on select ETFs and mutual funds. So-called no-transaction-fee (NTF) mutual funds can be purchased for free at TD Ameritrade.</p>
<p>Source: company websites.</p>
<p>The availability of fee-free ETFs and mutual fund transactions may be more or less important to you, depending on your preference. Do keep in mind that the standard trading commissions apply to ETFs and mutual funds that aren't available as no-transaction-fee funds; thus, the numberof free funds is less important than which funds are fee-free.</p>
<p>You don't need to be rich to open a TD Ameritrade or OptionsHouse account. In fact, both brokers have a no-minimum account policy, meaning that you can get started with as little as $1. However, you'll want to have enough money to purchase at least one share of a stock or ETF, or to meet the minimum investment of a mutual fund, to actually make an investment.</p>
<p>Buy-and-hold investors don't require much of a trading platform. Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>The Motley Fool focuses on making long-term investments in companies that we believe will make good investments over a horizon of years, if not forever. We certainly aren't day traders, and therefore we don't really care all that much about a trading platform's look or its charting capabilities. We just want to be able to buy and sell stocks infrequently, and virtually all brokers will allow you to do just that without any problem.</p>
<p>Investors who take the long view with their investments will find TD Ameritrade and OptionsHouse plenty suitable for their needs. After all, both platforms make it easy to buy and sell stocks with a few clicks, which is really all that most long-term investors need in a trading platform. Beyond that, it's really just a personal preference.</p>
<p>If you want to trade on international markets, you should know that TD Ameritrade and OptionsHouse are limited to <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/04/26/what-is-an-adr-you-need-to-know-before-buying-fore.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">American depositary receipts (ADRs) Opens a New Window.</a>, which allow you to invest in foreign companies through a ticker on a U.S. exchange. What that means is you can invest in foreign stocks so long as they have an ADR, as many foreign large-cap companies do. Neither broker offers direct access to foreign stock markets, however.</p>
<p>We generally believe that investors make better decisions when they have access to research tools and second opinions. TD Ameritrade offers access to third-party research from S&amp;P Capital IQ and Morningstar, in addition to proprietary tools to screen investments and discover consensus analyst expectations for stocks and funds alike. OptionsHouse offers streaming news, earnings track record analysis, and a consensus analyst outlook for individual stocks. Investors will find plenty to like with either choice.</p>
<p>Here's how each brokers' users and clients rated their mobile capabilities on iOS and Android, as of Dec. 2, 2016.</p>
<p>Source: Relevant app stores.</p>
<p>Long-term investors will find that TD Ameritrade and OptionsHouse have compelling commission costs, accessible no-minimum account sizes, and a wealth of research and tools to help their clients stay informed about their investment portfolios. To be clear, The Motley Fool does not endorse any particular broker. See <a href="http://www.fool.com/how-to-invest/broker/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Fool.com's Broker Center Opens a New Window.</a> to quickly compare many online brokers on one page. If you plan to open or transfer an IRA, see if you qualify for <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/ira/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">promotional IRA offers Opens a New Window.</a> that include commission-free trades, cash bonuses, and other perks.</p>
<p>A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-apple-wearable?aid=6965&amp;source=irbeditxt0000138&amp;ftm_cam=rb-wearable&amp;ftm_pit=6450&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">just click here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFValueMagnet/info.aspx" type="external">Jordan Wathen Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends TD Ameritrade. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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youve diligently managed budget youve built savings youre ready invest next step open brokerage account opens new window buy stocks funds investments picking broker small matter broker fits different type investor heres td ameritrade optionshouse two wellknown discount brokers compare buyandhold investors continue reading deciding brokerage best isnt commissions trading costs important consideration people trade frequently following table shows commission schedules td ameritrade optionshouse source company websites actual commissions may much lower reflected table volume discounts may apply addition commissionfree trades etfs mutual funds special offers individual retirement accounts opens new window effectively reduce price pay every trade advertisement prefer funds individual stocks youll happy find brokers offer commissionfree trades select etfs mutual funds socalled notransactionfee ntf mutual funds purchased free td ameritrade source company websites availability feefree etfs mutual fund transactions may less important depending preference keep mind standard trading commissions apply etfs mutual funds arent available notransactionfee funds thus numberof free funds less important funds feefree dont need rich open td ameritrade optionshouse account fact brokers nominimum account policy meaning get started little 1 however youll want enough money purchase least one share stock etf meet minimum investment mutual fund actually make investment buyandhold investors dont require much trading platform image source getty images motley fool focuses making longterm investments companies believe make good investments horizon years forever certainly arent day traders therefore dont really care much trading platforms look charting capabilities want able buy sell stocks infrequently virtually brokers allow without problem investors take long view investments find td ameritrade optionshouse plenty suitable needs platforms make easy buy sell stocks clicks really longterm investors need trading platform beyond really personal preference want trade international markets know td ameritrade optionshouse limited american depositary receipts adrs opens new window allow invest foreign companies ticker us exchange means invest foreign stocks long adr many foreign largecap companies neither broker offers direct access foreign stock markets however generally believe investors make better decisions access research tools second opinions td ameritrade offers access thirdparty research sampp capital iq morningstar addition proprietary tools screen investments discover consensus analyst expectations stocks funds alike optionshouse offers streaming news earnings track record analysis consensus analyst outlook individual stocks investors find plenty like either choice heres brokers users clients rated mobile capabilities ios android dec 2 2016 source relevant app stores longterm investors find td ameritrade optionshouse compelling commission costs accessible nominimum account sizes wealth research tools help clients stay informed investment portfolios clear motley fool endorse particular broker see foolcoms broker center opens new window quickly compare many online brokers one page plan open transfer ira see qualify promotional ira offers opens new window include commissionfree trades cash bonuses perks secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window jordan wathen opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends td ameritrade try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>“The bigger the lie, the bigger the truth it is concealing. The truth is what people are afraid to accept.” (The Underground, Jon Rappoport)</p>
<p>The censored film, <a href="" type="internal">Vaxxed</a> ( <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdCU2DfMBpU" type="external">trailer</a>), has escaped the claws of the “protectors of all truth.” It has been showing to packed houses all over the country. It relates the specific crime of <a href="" type="internal">scientific fraud at the CDC</a>. A whistleblower, <a href="" type="internal">William Thompson</a>, confesses that he and his CDC colleagues lied and cheated and omitted vital data, in order to give the MMR vaccine a free pass and claim it had no <a href="" type="internal">connection to autism</a>—when it did have a connection.</p>
<p>That’s the purpose and meaning and focus of this astonishing film.</p>
<p>But there is more. There are other whistleblowers shining a light on the MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) vaccine. Specifically, the mumps component of the vaccine and its ineffectiveness.</p>
<p>Their names are Stephen A. Krahling and Joan A. Wlochowski. They’re former virologists at Merck. They’re insiders. They’ve leveled devastating charges against the company, which manufactures the MMR vaccine and sells it to the federal government.</p>
<p>In 2010, the whistleblowers filed a suit against Merck. The suit drags on in court ( <a href="http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/mmpl79tu/pennsylvania-eastern-district-court/united-states-of-america-et-al-v-merck-and-co/" type="external">“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA et al. v. MERCK &amp; CO.,”</a> Case No. 2:10-cv-04374-CDJ).</p>
<p>The Huffington Post reports on the charges in the suit ( <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/lawrence-solomon/merck-whistleblowers_b_5881914.html" type="external">“Merck Has Some Explaining To Do Over Its MMR Vaccine Claims,”</a> 9/24/2014, updated: 11/27/2014):</p>
<p>“…former Merck scientists [claim] that Merck ‘fraudulently misled the government and omitted, concealed, and adulterated material information regarding the efficacy of its mumps vaccine in violation of the FCA [False Claims Act].’”</p>
<p>“According to the whistleblowers’ court documents, Merck’s misconduct was far-ranging: It ‘failed to disclose that its mumps vaccine was not as effective as Merck represented, (ii) used improper testing techniques, (iii) manipulated testing methodology, (iv) abandoned undesirable test results, (v) falsified test data, (vi) failed to adequately investigate and report the diminished efficacy of its mumps vaccine, (vii) falsely verified that each manufacturing lot of mumps vaccine would be as effective as identified in the labeling, (viii) falsely certified the accuracy of applications filed with the FDA, (ix) falsely certified compliance with the terms of the CDC purchase [of the MMR vaccine] contract, (x) engaged in the fraud and concealment described herein for the purpose of illegally monopolizing the U.S. market for mumps vaccine, (xi) mislabeled, misbranded, and falsely certified its mumps vaccine, and (xii) engaged in the other acts described herein to conceal the diminished efficacy of the vaccine the government was purchasing.’”</p>
<p>“These fraudulent activities, say the whistleblowers, were designed to produce test results that would meet the FDA’s requirement that the mumps vaccine was 95 per cent effective. To the whistleblowers’ delight, the judge dismissed Merck’s objections to the case proceeding, finding the whistleblowers had plausible grounds on all of the claims lodged against Merck.”</p>
<p>The whistleblowers’ charges include detailed specifics on how Merck cheated, in order to produce the false conclusion that the mumps component of the MMR vaccine was 95% effective. For example, Merck placed rabbit antibodies into blood samples—pretending these were human antibodies signaling a high level of immune response to the vaccine.</p>
<p>It should be noted that this far-reaching charge of fraud covers years during which Dr. Julie Gerberding was the president of Merck vaccines.</p>
<p>Why does this matter? Because Gerberding, before landing her high-paying job at Merck, was the head of the US Centers for Disease Control.</p>
<p>And while she was the head of the CDC, in 2004, William Thompson, the <a href="" type="internal">CDC whistleblower</a> revealed in Vaxxed, <a href="https://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/cdc-whistleblower-this-is-the-real-smoking-gun/" type="external">warned Gerberding that he had “sensitive” data about the MMR vaccine</a>, and these data constituted a problem for the CDC.</p>
<p>Thompson was obviously talking about <a href="" type="internal">the vaccine’s link to autism</a>. Gerberding ignored Thompson.</p>
<p>You could say she doubled down. After leaving the CDC, she became president of vaccines for Merck, the company that manufactures the <a href="" type="internal">MMR vacccine</a>, holds a monopoly on it, and sells it to the CDC.</p>
<p>—So when scientists, pundits, government officials, and other “experts” ponder how, at Harvard, <a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/4/26/mumps-concerns-HUHS-director/" type="external">a recent mumps outbreak could have affected previously vaccinated students</a>, they’re faking it.</p>
<p>Even within the (false) conventional view of how <a href="" type="internal">vaccines</a> work and what they do, the mumps component of the MMR is a dud. It’s been an open secret for a long time.</p>
<p>And now two Merck <a href="" type="internal">whistleblowers</a> are lowering the boom in court.</p>
<p>The US Justice Department wants nothing to do with this case. Neither does the US Congress. Inside the federal government, there are blind eyes everywhere.</p>
<p>If the government actively pursued the case, among other revelations, the public would witness Dr. Julie Gerberding, former head of the CDC, president of Merck vaccines, being raked over the coals on the witness stand.</p>
<p>That must never happen.</p>
<p>If you think, while the case drags on, there is any effort to curtail the use of the vaccine, or investigate it, think again. The judge in the case has set a timetable which places the start of courtroom proceedings in…</p>
<p>2018.</p>
<p>Jon Rappoport</p>
<p>(To read about Jon’s mega-collection, Power Outside The Matrix, <a href="http://marketplace.mybigcommerce.com/power-outside-the-matrix/" type="external">click here</a>.)</p>
<p>The author of three explosive collections, <a href="http://marketplace.mybigcommerce.com/the-matrix-revealed/" type="external">THE MATRIX REVEALED</a>, <a href="http://marketplace.mybigcommerce.com/exit-from-the-matrix/" type="external">EXIT FROM THE MATRIX</a>, and <a href="http://marketplace.mybigcommerce.com/power-outside-the-matrix/" type="external">POWER OUTSIDE THE MATRIX</a>, Jon was a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29th District of California. He maintains a consulting practice for private clients, the purpose of which is the expansion of personal creative power. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years, writing articles on politics, medicine, and health for CBS Healthwatch, LA Weekly, Spin Magazine, Stern, and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe. Jon has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics, health, logic, and creative power to audiences around the world. You can sign up for his free NoMoreFakeNews emails <a href="http://j.mp/1HvKCU1" type="external">here</a> or his free OutsideTheRealityMachine emails <a href="http://j.mp/1SfPuzL" type="external">here</a>.</p>
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bigger lie bigger truth concealing truth people afraid accept underground jon rappoport censored film vaxxed trailer escaped claws protectors truth showing packed houses country relates specific crime scientific fraud cdc whistleblower william thompson confesses cdc colleagues lied cheated omitted vital data order give mmr vaccine free pass claim connection autismwhen connection thats purpose meaning focus astonishing film whistleblowers shining light mmr mumps measles rubella vaccine specifically mumps component vaccine ineffectiveness names stephen krahling joan wlochowski theyre former virologists merck theyre insiders theyve leveled devastating charges company manufactures mmr vaccine sells federal government 2010 whistleblowers filed suit merck suit drags court united states america et al v merck amp co case 210cv04374cdj huffington post reports charges suit merck explaining mmr vaccine claims 9242014 updated 11272014 former merck scientists claim merck fraudulently misled government omitted concealed adulterated material information regarding efficacy mumps vaccine violation fca false claims act according whistleblowers court documents mercks misconduct farranging failed disclose mumps vaccine effective merck represented ii used improper testing techniques iii manipulated testing methodology iv abandoned undesirable test results v falsified test data vi failed adequately investigate report diminished efficacy mumps vaccine vii falsely verified manufacturing lot mumps vaccine would effective identified labeling viii falsely certified accuracy applications filed fda ix falsely certified compliance terms cdc purchase mmr vaccine contract x engaged fraud concealment described herein purpose illegally monopolizing us market mumps vaccine xi mislabeled misbranded falsely certified mumps vaccine xii engaged acts described herein conceal diminished efficacy vaccine government purchasing fraudulent activities say whistleblowers designed produce test results would meet fdas requirement mumps vaccine 95 per cent effective whistleblowers delight judge dismissed mercks objections case proceeding finding whistleblowers plausible grounds claims lodged merck whistleblowers charges include detailed specifics merck cheated order produce false conclusion mumps component mmr vaccine 95 effective example merck placed rabbit antibodies blood samplespretending human antibodies signaling high level immune response vaccine noted farreaching charge fraud covers years dr julie gerberding president merck vaccines matter gerberding landing highpaying job merck head us centers disease control head cdc 2004 william thompson cdc whistleblower revealed vaxxed warned gerberding sensitive data mmr vaccine data constituted problem cdc thompson obviously talking vaccines link autism gerberding ignored thompson could say doubled leaving cdc became president vaccines merck company manufactures mmr vacccine holds monopoly sells cdc scientists pundits government officials experts ponder harvard recent mumps outbreak could affected previously vaccinated students theyre faking even within false conventional view vaccines work mumps component mmr dud open secret long time two merck whistleblowers lowering boom court us justice department wants nothing case neither us congress inside federal government blind eyes everywhere government actively pursued case among revelations public would witness dr julie gerberding former head cdc president merck vaccines raked coals witness stand must never happen think case drags effort curtail use vaccine investigate think judge case set timetable places start courtroom proceedings 2018 jon rappoport read jons megacollection power outside matrix click author three explosive collections matrix revealed exit matrix power outside matrix jon candidate us congressional seat 29th district california maintains consulting practice private clients purpose expansion personal creative power nominated pulitzer prize worked investigative reporter 30 years writing articles politics medicine health cbs healthwatch la weekly spin magazine stern newspapers magazines us europe jon delivered lectures seminars global politics health logic creative power audiences around world sign free nomorefakenews emails free outsidetherealitymachine emails
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<p>When new iPhones hit the market, they usually fly off the shelves. But with the two models that began selling Friday, there are signs demand is tepid -- and some analysts say that could be a good thing for Apple Inc.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The paradox arises from Apple's unusual lineup this year. It includes the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus that arrived Friday, plus the far pricier, more advanced iPhone X scheduled to arrive six weeks later, which many Apple investors expect to be this year's blockbuster.</p>
<p>The upshot is that any sluggishness in iPhone 8 sales could signal more appetite for the iPhone X, said Katy Huberty, an analyst with Morgan Stanley. "From a financial standpoint, that's the best outcome," she said, because the more expensive, higher-margin model would boost revenue and profits.</p>
<p>The trio of phones has created confusion for some longtime customers. Jeremy Kirkland, a 32-year old marketer from Brooklyn, N.Y., woke at 2:45 a.m. on Sept. 15 -- when Apple started allowing preorders -- to buy an iPhone 8 Plus. But he canceled his order on Tuesday after reading a critical review of the device. He now plans to wait for the iPhone X.</p>
<p>"This will be the first year that a new phone will be out, and I won't have it, and I'll have to be OK with that," Mr. Kirkland said.</p>
<p>Lines were short at the Apple Store in Beijing's Sanlitun district, where the new iPhone 8s went on sale Friday morning. Several of those picking up the new handset said they didn't think the iPhone X would be worth the wait.</p>
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<p>"The new features of the iPhone X are fresh, but not attractive enough for me to hold the feeling that I have to own it whatsoever," said Yang Zheng, a 30-year-old working in the education industry who paid $1,200 for his iPhone 8 Plus (that phone starts at $799 in the U.S. but costs more in China because of a value-added tax).</p>
<p>Much of Apple's performance over the next year will be determined by iPhone demand in China. Sales there have slumped over the past six quarters as rising competition from local, low-price manufacturers eroded Apple's market share.</p>
<p>Still, Apple has its fans here. Some of the customers Friday took photos and videos of the new phones going on sale.</p>
<p>In France, Florian Burnat said he buys a new iPhone every year. The 33-year-old lawyer opted for the iPhone 8, picking it up at the Apple store next to the Louvre museum in Paris. "I didn't go for the iPhone X because it is just too expensive," Mr. Burnat said. "I'd rather just wait for the new features to appear in other models."</p>
<p>Strong sales of all three new models would be the best scenario for Apple. And there are risks in banking too much on the iPhone X. That model -- which boasts facial-recognition technology and a larger, edge-to-edge display -- was beset by production problems this summer, and it is unclear how many phones will be available when it ships Nov. 3.</p>
<p>Anticipation for the new iPhones recently sent Apple's stock to record highs. Analysts are projecting a record 245 million iPhones will be sold in fiscal 2018, a 13% increase from the 217 million expected for the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Morgan Stanley expects the iPhone X to account for 45% of sales by unit and the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus to make up 47% of sales, with the rest coming from older, cheaper models.</p>
<p>The iPhone 8 is an unusual product for Apple. It typically releases only one flagship phone annually, along with a larger Plus version, and it bills those as the best handsets it has ever made. Critics have said the 8 and 8 Plus have only minor improvements over the iPhone 7 launched last year, including wireless charging -- plus a higher U.S. starting price of $699 for the iPhone 8 and $799 for the 8 Plus.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Apple touted the iPhone X -- which sells for $999 to $1,149 in the U.S. -- as the smartphone of the future, leaving other models in limbo.</p>
<p>"The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are in a weird situation," said Neil Cybart, who runs Above Avalon, a site dedicated to Apple analysis. "It's not clear who the target market is for those two phones."</p>
<p>New iPhones often sell out early, but iPhone 8 preorders on Thursday in the U.S. offered delivery in one-to-three days, indicating either less demand for the iPhone 8 or more supply, said Mr. Cybart.</p>
<p>Apple declined to comment. The company in August estimated revenue of $49 billion to $52 billion for this September quarter, a projection that included the iPhone 8 but excluded the iPhone X. Apple rarely misses its estimates, though Robert Cihra, an analyst with Guggenheim Partners said: "If they missed because customers are waiting for a X, that would be a good miss."</p>
<p>Some analysts see the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus as a hedge by Apple to keep price-sensitive consumers who are unwilling to pay $1,000 for a phone or prefer unlocking devices with a fingerprint sensor over the facial-recognition system on the new iPhone X.</p>
<p>-- Podcast: Ready For Apple Watch Series 3? There's Just One (Big) Problem</p>
<p>Justin Pincus, a 30-year-old market researcher from San Francisco, joined about 80 people in line around 7 a.m. Friday at a San Francisco Apple store. He bought an iPhone 8 on an upgrade plan to replace an iPhone 6 that broke this month but said he might upgrade again in six months.</p>
<p>This way, he said, "I can upgrade to the X on my time frame if it's as cool as they say it is."</p>
<p>Venkat Kummerla, a 30-year-old software developer from San Francisco, showed up early to buy an Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular connectivity. He said he wasn't interested in the iPhone 8 but planned to order an iPhone X.</p>
<p>"The kind of features in the X interest me," said Mr. Kummerla, pointing to the true-depth camera and augmented reality capabilities offered on the iPhone X.</p>
<p>In Beijing, some visiting the Apple store agreed the iPhone 8 wasn't worth buying.</p>
<p>"It's normal. It's not all that different from the 7," said Duan Mengliang, a 25-year-old hotel worker.</p>
<p>He said he has no plans to buy any new phone in the near future, saying his iPhone 7 works just fine.</p>
<p>Yang Jie in Beijing contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Tripp Mickle at [email protected] and Yoko Kubota at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>September 22, 2017 13:30 ET (17:30 GMT)</p>
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new iphones hit market usually fly shelves two models began selling friday signs demand tepid analysts say could good thing apple inc continue reading paradox arises apples unusual lineup year includes iphone 8 8 plus arrived friday plus far pricier advanced iphone x scheduled arrive six weeks later many apple investors expect years blockbuster upshot sluggishness iphone 8 sales could signal appetite iphone x said katy huberty analyst morgan stanley financial standpoint thats best outcome said expensive highermargin model would boost revenue profits trio phones created confusion longtime customers jeremy kirkland 32year old marketer brooklyn ny woke 245 sept 15 apple started allowing preorders buy iphone 8 plus canceled order tuesday reading critical review device plans wait iphone x first year new phone wont ill ok mr kirkland said lines short apple store beijings sanlitun district new iphone 8s went sale friday morning several picking new handset said didnt think iphone x would worth wait advertisement new features iphone x fresh attractive enough hold feeling whatsoever said yang zheng 30yearold working education industry paid 1200 iphone 8 plus phone starts 799 us costs china valueadded tax much apples performance next year determined iphone demand china sales slumped past six quarters rising competition local lowprice manufacturers eroded apples market share still apple fans customers friday took photos videos new phones going sale france florian burnat said buys new iphone every year 33yearold lawyer opted iphone 8 picking apple store next louvre museum paris didnt go iphone x expensive mr burnat said id rather wait new features appear models strong sales three new models would best scenario apple risks banking much iphone x model boasts facialrecognition technology larger edgetoedge display beset production problems summer unclear many phones available ships nov 3 anticipation new iphones recently sent apples stock record highs analysts projecting record 245 million iphones sold fiscal 2018 13 increase 217 million expected current fiscal year ends sept 30 morgan stanley expects iphone x account 45 sales unit iphone 8 8 plus make 47 sales rest coming older cheaper models iphone 8 unusual product apple typically releases one flagship phone annually along larger plus version bills best handsets ever made critics said 8 8 plus minor improvements iphone 7 launched last year including wireless charging plus higher us starting price 699 iphone 8 799 8 plus meanwhile apple touted iphone x sells 999 1149 us smartphone future leaving models limbo iphone 8 8 plus weird situation said neil cybart runs avalon site dedicated apple analysis clear target market two phones new iphones often sell early iphone 8 preorders thursday us offered delivery onetothree days indicating either less demand iphone 8 supply said mr cybart apple declined comment company august estimated revenue 49 billion 52 billion september quarter projection included iphone 8 excluded iphone x apple rarely misses estimates though robert cihra analyst guggenheim partners said missed customers waiting x would good miss analysts see iphone 8 8 plus hedge apple keep pricesensitive consumers unwilling pay 1000 phone prefer unlocking devices fingerprint sensor facialrecognition system new iphone x podcast ready apple watch series 3 theres one big problem justin pincus 30yearold market researcher san francisco joined 80 people line around 7 friday san francisco apple store bought iphone 8 upgrade plan replace iphone 6 broke month said might upgrade six months way said upgrade x time frame cool say venkat kummerla 30yearold software developer san francisco showed early buy apple watch series 3 cellular connectivity said wasnt interested iphone 8 planned order iphone x kind features x interest said mr kummerla pointing truedepth camera augmented reality capabilities offered iphone x beijing visiting apple store agreed iphone 8 wasnt worth buying normal different 7 said duan mengliang 25yearold hotel worker said plans buy new phone near future saying iphone 7 works fine yang jie beijing contributed article write tripp mickle trippmicklewsjcom yoko kubota yokokubotawsjcom end dow jones newswires september 22 2017 1330 et 1730 gmt
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<p>Safety First</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>You spend time and money to create a nice home. How can you protect it from intruders without it costing a fortune? It's easier than you think.</p>
<p>Chris Hsiung, a lieutenant with the Mountain View Police Department in California, says that the best home security involves multiple deterrents to dissuade opportunists and thieves from making your home a target.</p>
<p>Contrary to what you see on TV, Hsiung says most homes are burglarized during the day when residents are out. "Burglars do not want to confront anybody. At the first sign of occupancy, they're gone," he says. "They just want to grab property and sell it. The criminals know that when someone is in the house, it changes the crime classification."</p>
<p>Because of this, thieves frequently pose as solicitors, he says. If no one answers the door, that's their cue to head around back and break in. Outsmart a thief with these home security tactics for less.</p>
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<p>The 'Duh' Factor</p>
<p>Using common sense is one of the best ways to prevent a home intrusion, Hsiung says. "You'd be surprised how many people leave doors and windows open when they leave."</p>
<p>Even an open garage door invites a quick theft of whatever you store in there. If a thief sees a bike in an open garage, it's an easy mobile crime to commit. "They come in by foot and take off on the bike," Hsiung says.</p>
<p>Because some burglars case an area for a target, be discreet before leaving town on a trip, which could alert thieves you'll be away. "If you're heading to the airport, you don't want to advertise it with your car trunk open, filled with suitcases," Hsiung says. Instead, gather your suitcases indoors, and put them in the car all at once, closing the trunk as soon as you've loaded it.</p>
<p>To keep prowlers away when you're out of town, make the home look like it's still occupied, says Hsiung. Make sure to cancel newspapers, and have the post office hold your mail, so it doesn't stack up in front of your home. Also, try plugging in timers to light your house while you're away. Hsiung says programmable timers are available that can be set to come on randomly or at different times. If burglars have the patience to stake out a house and analyze patterns, this can throw them off.</p>
<p>The Neighborhood</p>
<p>Your neighbors can be your best home security -- especially the nosy one next door. Cranford, N.J., homeowner Rachel Schwartz says one of her neighbors frequently looks out the window to see what's going on in the neighborhood. Last year, the woman saw two men outside a house looking suspicious. She called the police, and the men were caught cutting the window screen trying to break in. "If she's home, nothing gets by her," Schwartz says.</p>
<p>There's a certain feel for every neighborhood, and you can usually tell who doesn't belong. "Someone will usually stand out," Hsiung says. Don't be afraid to call the police to report someone suspicious there, even if it turns out to be wrong. Hsiung once called about a newspaper delivery person. "I did feel a little foolish, but I didn't want to go off to work and find out a house on my street was broken into because I didn't call," he says.</p>
<p>Be sure to tell neighbors when you're going out of town, so they can look out for your house. Hsiung also recommends using an online social network such as NextDoor.com, which connects neighbors virtually and promotes discussions.</p>
<p>Home Exterior</p>
<p>Lighting is really important in preventing home intrusions, says Hsiung, who recommends standing outside your home at night, looking for the dark, shadowy areas. "You want the light to illuminate your doorways and pathways to your house," he says, since burglars are opportunists. They're less likely to break into a house with good motion-sensor lights, which are inexpensive and available at hardware stores. "They're very easy to install if you already have porch lights," he says, and can be programmed to different sensitivity levels.</p>
<p>While looking for dark, shadowy areas, look in your yard for spots with heavy vegetation. You should cut these bushes and trees back, as they are a good place for people to hide. "You don't want to come home and have the boogeyman behind the bush," Hsiung says.</p>
<p>Think about using dense hedges or thorny bushes near windows to keep away predators, says Lewis Long, vice president of consumer marketing for ADT Security Services. Make sure to keep them tidy, so they don't become a place for intruders to hide. Also, trim back any trees that may provide access to a second-floor window.</p>
<p>Cameras and Animals</p>
<p>Another trend is installing security cameras outside. Long says internal and external home cameras are one of the most popular additions to alarm systems.</p>
<p>While 360-degree coverage is ideal, Hsiung says that a burglar could be deterred if he sees cameras recording at the front or back doors. Even a fake camera can be a deterrent, but it has to look legitimate. "A toy camera won't fool anybody," he says.</p>
<p>Hsiung says prices for simple surveillance cameras are reasonable, but technology can go so far as connecting to your cellphone, so you can watch when you're not home, or snapping a picture each time someone opens a certain door. Obviously these kinds of options drive the cost higher, but it's all a matter of your home security preference.</p>
<p>Being a dog lover can also have its security perks. A barking dog can be a great addition to security. Not only can dogs make a lot of noise, but, "What burglar wants to deal with a possible bite?" says Hsiung.</p>
<p>Long agrees that dogs can be a good deterrent, putting them in the same category as an alarm sign or video camera for protecting your home.</p>
<p>No dog? Try posting a "beware of dog" sign, or leave a large dog dish by the back door. "It should make them think twice,"&#160;Long says.</p>
<p>Alarm Systems</p>
<p>To alarm or not to alarm? There's no right answer. An average alarm system costs $400 to $500 to install, says Long, and monthly monitoring ranges from $43 to $58. "People will buy a system and have it installed as a result of a life-stage change; they're looking for some peace of mind" says Long. However, once they're settled, they may become lax and not use it.</p>
<p>That's what happened to Schwartz, who stopped setting her alarm regularly prior to her house being burglarized. It's those times when other methods can help deter intruders. Multiple layers of home security make your house a challenge for burglars, who are usually looking for a quick in and out. With a properly lit entryway and nowhere to hide, the final line of defense can be the alarm, scaring away those individuals who are afraid they'll be caught.</p>
<p>Long says, "The very presence of the system is a deterrent, and with any loud noise, in most cases, folks who like to do harm will not take that risk."</p>
<p>Protecting the Interior</p>
<p>Protecting your home's access points means making sure your doors, windows and locks are sturdy. "Deadbolts are definitely a good thing," says Hsiung. Also, make sure your door is a solid wood or metal construction with a good frame. "If the wood is deteriorated, it won't take much to force open," he says.</p>
<p>Use an inexpensive dowel in the windows or the sliding glass door, so they can't be pried open. "Any piece of wood that fits in the track works," he says.</p>
<p>Hsiung suggests using a safe for valuables, preferably one bolted to the floor, so the thieves can't carry it away. And while a jewelry box looks pretty, it's safer to store your baubles in a less obvious container, such as Tupperware.</p>
<p>Keeping physical property safe is concerning, but you should also worry about identity theft. "That would do way more damage than losing your physical valuables," he says.</p>
<p>Keep items such as your passport and Social Security card locked in a safe place, and don't put your master password on a sticky note near the computer. Consider storing your documents in the cloud instead of your hard drive, so if thieves do steal your computer, they won't have access to your bank account or other important information.</p>
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safety first continue reading spend time money create nice home protect intruders without costing fortune easier think chris hsiung lieutenant mountain view police department california says best home security involves multiple deterrents dissuade opportunists thieves making home target contrary see tv hsiung says homes burglarized day residents burglars want confront anybody first sign occupancy theyre gone says want grab property sell criminals know someone house changes crime classification thieves frequently pose solicitors says one answers door thats cue head around back break outsmart thief home security tactics less advertisement duh factor using common sense one best ways prevent home intrusion hsiung says youd surprised many people leave doors windows open leave even open garage door invites quick theft whatever store thief sees bike open garage easy mobile crime commit come foot take bike hsiung says burglars case area target discreet leaving town trip could alert thieves youll away youre heading airport dont want advertise car trunk open filled suitcases hsiung says instead gather suitcases indoors put car closing trunk soon youve loaded keep prowlers away youre town make home look like still occupied says hsiung make sure cancel newspapers post office hold mail doesnt stack front home also try plugging timers light house youre away hsiung says programmable timers available set come randomly different times burglars patience stake house analyze patterns throw neighborhood neighbors best home security especially nosy one next door cranford nj homeowner rachel schwartz says one neighbors frequently looks window see whats going neighborhood last year woman saw two men outside house looking suspicious called police men caught cutting window screen trying break shes home nothing gets schwartz says theres certain feel every neighborhood usually tell doesnt belong someone usually stand hsiung says dont afraid call police report someone suspicious even turns wrong hsiung called newspaper delivery person feel little foolish didnt want go work find house street broken didnt call says sure tell neighbors youre going town look house hsiung also recommends using online social network nextdoorcom connects neighbors virtually promotes discussions home exterior lighting really important preventing home intrusions says hsiung recommends standing outside home night looking dark shadowy areas want light illuminate doorways pathways house says since burglars opportunists theyre less likely break house good motionsensor lights inexpensive available hardware stores theyre easy install already porch lights says programmed different sensitivity levels looking dark shadowy areas look yard spots heavy vegetation cut bushes trees back good place people hide dont want come home boogeyman behind bush hsiung says think using dense hedges thorny bushes near windows keep away predators says lewis long vice president consumer marketing adt security services make sure keep tidy dont become place intruders hide also trim back trees may provide access secondfloor window cameras animals another trend installing security cameras outside long says internal external home cameras one popular additions alarm systems 360degree coverage ideal hsiung says burglar could deterred sees cameras recording front back doors even fake camera deterrent look legitimate toy camera wont fool anybody says hsiung says prices simple surveillance cameras reasonable technology go far connecting cellphone watch youre home snapping picture time someone opens certain door obviously kinds options drive cost higher matter home security preference dog lover also security perks barking dog great addition security dogs make lot noise burglar wants deal possible bite says hsiung long agrees dogs good deterrent putting category alarm sign video camera protecting home dog try posting beware dog sign leave large dog dish back door make think twice160long says alarm systems alarm alarm theres right answer average alarm system costs 400 500 install says long monthly monitoring ranges 43 58 people buy system installed result lifestage change theyre looking peace mind says long however theyre settled may become lax use thats happened schwartz stopped setting alarm regularly prior house burglarized times methods help deter intruders multiple layers home security make house challenge burglars usually looking quick properly lit entryway nowhere hide final line defense alarm scaring away individuals afraid theyll caught long says presence system deterrent loud noise cases folks like harm take risk protecting interior protecting homes access points means making sure doors windows locks sturdy deadbolts definitely good thing says hsiung also make sure door solid wood metal construction good frame wood deteriorated wont take much force open says use inexpensive dowel windows sliding glass door cant pried open piece wood fits track works says hsiung suggests using safe valuables preferably one bolted floor thieves cant carry away jewelry box looks pretty safer store baubles less obvious container tupperware keeping physical property safe concerning also worry identity theft would way damage losing physical valuables says keep items passport social security card locked safe place dont put master password sticky note near computer consider storing documents cloud instead hard drive thieves steal computer wont access bank account important information
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<p>In The Motley Fool's <a href="http://www.fool.com/podcasts/industry-focus?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Industry Focus: Consumer Goods Opens a New Window.</a> podcast 2016 year-end special, analyst Vincent Shen and contributor Asit Sharma discuss the rise of Wendy's Co. (NASDAQ: WEN), the perennial No. 3 burger chain. Wendy's has generated a year-to-date total stock return of nearly 30%, following a 30% total return in 2015. To find out why the company is outperforming both larger and smaller peers, simply click the video below.</p>
<p>A full transcript follows the video.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Wendy's When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=24d006bb-91db-4762-b0e2-c70cdbdd0f51&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Wendy's wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=24d006bb-91db-4762-b0e2-c70cdbdd0f51&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of Nov. 7, 2016</p>
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<p>This podcast was recorded on Dec. 19, 2016.</p>
<p>Vincent Shen: Asit, what was your pick for the consumer retail world for the company that really surprised you in 2016?</p>
<p>Asit Sharma: Vince, a stock that took me completely by surprise this year was none other than Wendy's. It's a perennial No. 3, world's third-largest burger chain, always trailing behind McDonald's(NYSE: MCD) and Burger King, which seem to be more in the conversation. Threw out some amazing numbers. Up 30% year-to-date on a total return basis. What's even more impressive is going back to Jan. 1 of 2015 -- the stock is up 57% on a year-to-date total return basis over these two years. Not something we usually correlate with the quick-service restaurant industry. Great margins since 2015, [with] the operating margins up over 50%.</p>
<p>Wendy's is doing this in three ways. It's impressing investors by its cost-cutting. It's also remodeling stores at a pretty good clip. You may remember that McDonald's went through a big store refresh a few years ago. Now, it's Wendy's turn. It's also refranchising, that is, selling corporate-owned franchises to individual owners and teams of owners. It's going to a model where it will look more like Burger King, which is 100% franchised. Wendy's, by the end of this year, will have 6,500 locations, and only 5% of those will be corporate-owned.</p>
<p>Shen: Yeah. You touched on a few things. I'll have to say, you mentioned the perennial third among the big fast food chains. Wendy's is definitely a company that I don't think we've touched on very recently on the consumer retail-focused segment of Industry Focus. That operating margin increase of 51% is really impressive in this space, especially some of the gains that the stock has been able to enjoy. It's definitely not something you typically see from what would generally be considered steadier, more stable names like a McDonald's, for example. You mentioned some things, like the new store remodeling, which, yeah, that's definitely a trend we saw with McDonald's as well. I think that has been very helpful in terms of helping to improve some of their foot traffic and store visits. What else has the company been working on, or have they been able to deliver to help boost the stock and see some of these strong results that they've been able to enjoy?</p>
<p>Sharma: They have a few strategies that they're employing. One is called "buy and flip". Back in the real estate boom, everyone was discussing how flipping homes might be a good investment. That was before it all crashed. Wendy's take on "buy and flip" is, instead of selling all the restaurants to new people or new franchisees, they're actually buying some of those back, but they're not holding on to them. So, Wendy's will buy a franchise unit, or several units, and then sell it to a different franchisee, which is perceived to be stronger, has better operating efficiency, and really knows how to manage the restaurants well. So, you can think of this as transferring its own restaurants from one franchisee to another. It's called buy and flip. I think it's a really good strategy.</p>
<p>Also, they are focusing on the basics. Many companies lose sight of the basics that pull in traffic from day to day. Wendy's is one which has quietly always adhered to quality service, speed, accuracy, the types of things that you now hear McDonald's talking about to regain customers. I think, this fall, Quick-Service Restaurant magazine, does an annual survey of all the major fast food restaurants in the U.S. This year, they ranked Wendy's No. 1. It has an average drive-thru service time of 169 seconds. It's the fastest drive-thru service in America. McDonald's comes in at about 208 seconds, and Burger King comes in at about 201 seconds. By focusing on the basics, and combining that with this larger strategy of getting its own units into the hands of franchisees, which reduces its own operating costs and brings in that great royalty and rental income. They put together this total picture that's boosted earnings and enabled the stock to take off. I want to cite one last statistic. For example, this last quarter, Wendy's had $49 million in net income. A year ago, they had $7.5 million in net income. So, they are really generating very impressive margin gains year to date.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFfinosus/info.aspx" type="external">Asit Sharma Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFJourneyMan/info.aspx" type="external">Vincent Shen Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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motley fools industry focus consumer goods opens new window podcast 2016 yearend special analyst vincent shen contributor asit sharma discuss rise wendys co nasdaq wen perennial 3 burger chain wendys generated yeartodate total stock return nearly 30 following 30 total return 2015 find company outperforming larger smaller peers simply click video full transcript follows video continue reading 10 stocks like better wendys investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right wendys wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns nov 7 2016 advertisement podcast recorded dec 19 2016 vincent shen asit pick consumer retail world company really surprised 2016 asit sharma vince stock took completely surprise year none wendys perennial 3 worlds thirdlargest burger chain always trailing behind mcdonaldsnyse mcd burger king seem conversation threw amazing numbers 30 yeartodate total return basis whats even impressive going back jan 1 2015 stock 57 yeartodate total return basis two years something usually correlate quickservice restaurant industry great margins since 2015 operating margins 50 wendys three ways impressing investors costcutting also remodeling stores pretty good clip may remember mcdonalds went big store refresh years ago wendys turn also refranchising selling corporateowned franchises individual owners teams owners going model look like burger king 100 franchised wendys end year 6500 locations 5 corporateowned shen yeah touched things ill say mentioned perennial third among big fast food chains wendys definitely company dont think weve touched recently consumer retailfocused segment industry focus operating margin increase 51 really impressive space especially gains stock able enjoy definitely something typically see would generally considered steadier stable names like mcdonalds example mentioned things like new store remodeling yeah thats definitely trend saw mcdonalds well think helpful terms helping improve foot traffic store visits else company working able deliver help boost stock see strong results theyve able enjoy sharma strategies theyre employing one called buy flip back real estate boom everyone discussing flipping homes might good investment crashed wendys take buy flip instead selling restaurants new people new franchisees theyre actually buying back theyre holding wendys buy franchise unit several units sell different franchisee perceived stronger better operating efficiency really knows manage restaurants well think transferring restaurants one franchisee another called buy flip think really good strategy also focusing basics many companies lose sight basics pull traffic day day wendys one quietly always adhered quality service speed accuracy types things hear mcdonalds talking regain customers think fall quickservice restaurant magazine annual survey major fast food restaurants us year ranked wendys 1 average drivethru service time 169 seconds fastest drivethru service america mcdonalds comes 208 seconds burger king comes 201 seconds focusing basics combining larger strategy getting units hands franchisees reduces operating costs brings great royalty rental income put together total picture thats boosted earnings enabled stock take want cite one last statistic example last quarter wendys 49 million net income year ago 75 million net income really generating impressive margin gains year date asit sharma opens new window position stocks mentioned vincent shen opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Snap Inc.'s stock falls about 16% after quarterly results</p>
<p>U.S. stocks struggled to gain traction in positive territory late Wednesday, as investors awaited updates on efforts to pass tax reform in Washington and as President Donald Trump toured Asia, highlighting lingering tensions with North Korea (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-warns-north-korea-do-not-try-us-2017-11-07) in a speech. Some strategists and traders say future gains, after a series of repeated records in 2017, may be capped until a catalyst emerges.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>What are the main benchmarks doing?</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average , which rung up a fresh all-time closing high on Tuesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stocks-regroup-for-another-bid-on-all-time-highs-2017-11-07), was up 15 points, or 0.1%, at 23,571, buoyed by shares of Johnson &amp; Johnson(JNJ), Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS), and Wal-Mart Stores(WMT).</p>
<p>The S&amp;P 500 index was up about 3 points, or 0.1%, at 2,593, supported by gains in consumer-staples stocks and technology shares. Meanwhile, the tech-oriented Nasdaq Composite Index was tipping 16 points, or 0.2%, higher at 6,783.</p>
<p>What was driving the market?</p>
<p>The three gauges are up between 16% and 26% for the year as of Tuesday's close, helped by factors such as an expanding U.S. economy, improving corporate profits and bets that the Trump administration, a year after he was elected into office, will deliver tax reform and other business-friendly measures.</p>
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<p>See:Dow's 1-year gain since Trump's win is its biggest post-Election Day rise since 1945 (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-dows-one-year-gain-since-trumps-election-is-its-biggest-since-1945-2017-11-08)</p>
<p>What are strategists saying?</p>
<p>"We are still in a situation where you're looking at every position for the likelihood of tax reform happening, and I think that will be sort of the dominant headline over the next few weeks," said Ian Winer, head of the equities division at Wedbush Securities.</p>
<p>"People will decide whether they think it is going to happen or not," he said of the passage of any tax-reform bill.</p>
<p>Still, Winer said the current environment makes it difficult for investors to sell stocks.</p>
<p>"There is no alternative to stocks, central banks are still largely accommodative and in lieu of any of that changing, it is hard to come up with a compelling bear case" he said.</p>
<p>Colin Cieszynski, vice president of the Canadian Society of Technical Analysts, said Wednesday's moves may reflect a cooling off a market that has risen almost relentlessly on the back of a number of upbeat factors.</p>
<p>"Looks to me that tech stocks are leveling off and the market overall is leveling of and that's not unusual in earnings season because there are fewer big cap companies reporting,"</p>
<p>"I don't really see how this bull market gets derailed," said Maris Ogg, president at Tower Bridge Advisors. She said part of the expected longer-term driver is the "obvious durable recovery in Europe and because Europe is the same size of the U.S. in terms of economic activity, I would guess that next year looks a lot like this year," Ogg said.</p>
<p>Read:Here are the winners and losers of the tax plan, by income bracket (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/here-are-the-winners-and-losers-of-the-tax-plan-by-income-bracket-2017-11-03)</p>
<p>Opinion:Cutting corporate taxes is the best part of the Republican plan (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cutting-corporate-taxes-is-the-best-part-of-the-republican-plan-2017-11-08)</p>
<p>Which stocks look like key movers?</p>
<p>Shares in Snapchat parent Snap Inc.(SNAP) fell 16% after the company posted disappointing quarterly results late Tuesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/snap-shares-fall-as-much-as-21-after-third-quarter-revenue-miss-2017-11-07) and discussed a redesign for its messaging app (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/snap-will-redesign-snapchat-to-make-it-easier-for-non-millennials-to-understand-2017-11-07). They had been down roughly 20%, but erased losses following reports that Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd.(0700.HK) has established a 10% stake in Snap.</p>
<p>Shares in peer-to-peer lending company (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lendingclub-shares-down-15-after-quarterly-revenue-miss-2017-11-07)LendingClub Corp.(LC) tumbled 19% after reporting a disappointing full-year earnings outlook late Tuesday.</p>
<p>iHeartMedia Inc. (IHRT), the biggest operator of radio stations in the U.S., reiterated doubts about its ability to remain a "going concern (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/iheartradio-parent-says-there-is-substantial-doubt-it-can-remain-a-going-concern-for-next-12-months-2017-11-08)" in its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Its shares were down 2.3%.</p>
<p>Fossil Group Inc.(FOSL) shares tumbled 15% after the accessories seller (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fossil-shares-fall-20-on-weak-outlook-2017-11-07)gave a disappointing outlook of its own late in the prior session</p>
<p>Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.(TTWO) climbed 13% after the producer of videogames boosted its outlook while reporting results late Tuesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/take-two-jumps-to-record-price-levels-despite-earnings-swinging-to-a-loss-2017-11-07).</p>
<p>Shares in health insurer (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/humana-stock-surges-3-on-q3-profit-beat-2017-11-08)Humana Inc.(HUM) disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that third-quarter revenue fell 3.0% to $13.282 billion from $13.69 billion, just below the FactSet consensus of $13.325 billion. Shares of health-care company were down 5.5%.</p>
<p>Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.(REGN) rose 2.5% after the biotechnology company reported third-quarter profit and revenue that rose above expectation (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/regenerons-stock-rallies-after-profit-and-sales-rise-above-expectations-2017-11-08)s.</p>
<p>Wendy's Co.(WEN) shares fell 4% after the fast-food chain reported third-quarter earnings and revenue that came in weaker than consensus (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wendys-shares-fall-after-earnings-and-revenue-miss-2017-11-08).</p>
<p>MGM Resorts International(MGM) added 3.1% even as the company reported third-quarter profit that was below Wall Street expectations (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shares-of-mgm-resorts-fall-after-company-reports-profit-below-expectations-2017-11-08).</p>
<p>What are other assets doing?</p>
<p>European stocks traded mostly lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-shares-face-2nd-straight-loss-as-banks-fall-2017-11-08), while Asian markets (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hong-kong-edges-ahead-as-asian-markets-largely-pull-back-2017-11-07) largely closed with losses. Gold futures gained (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-gets-a-small-lift-from-weaker-stocks-dollar-2017-11-08), oil futures (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-heads-lower-ahead-of-us-government-update-on-crude-supply-and-production-2017-11-08) traded lower, and the ICE U.S. Dollar Index edged down (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-tilts-lower-on-tax-cut-uncertainty-2017-11-08).</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>November 08, 2017 13:56 ET (18:56 GMT)</p>
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snap incs stock falls 16 quarterly results us stocks struggled gain traction positive territory late wednesday investors awaited updates efforts pass tax reform washington president donald trump toured asia highlighting lingering tensions north korea httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytrumpwarnsnorthkoreadonottryus20171107 speech strategists traders say future gains series repeated records 2017 may capped catalyst emerges continue reading main benchmarks dow jones industrial average rung fresh alltime closing high tuesday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryusstocksregroupforanotherbidonalltimehighs20171107 15 points 01 23571 buoyed shares johnson amp johnsonjnj goldman sachs group inc gs walmart storeswmt sampp 500 index 3 points 01 2593 supported gains consumerstaples stocks technology shares meanwhile techoriented nasdaq composite index tipping 16 points 02 higher 6783 driving market three gauges 16 26 year tuesdays close helped factors expanding us economy improving corporate profits bets trump administration year elected office deliver tax reform businessfriendly measures advertisement seedows 1year gain since trumps win biggest postelection day rise since 1945 httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorythedowsoneyeargainsincetrumpselectionisitsbiggestsince194520171108 strategists saying still situation youre looking every position likelihood tax reform happening think sort dominant headline next weeks said ian winer head equities division wedbush securities people decide whether think going happen said passage taxreform bill still winer said current environment makes difficult investors sell stocks alternative stocks central banks still largely accommodative lieu changing hard come compelling bear case said colin cieszynski vice president canadian society technical analysts said wednesdays moves may reflect cooling market risen almost relentlessly back number upbeat factors looks tech stocks leveling market overall leveling thats unusual earnings season fewer big cap companies reporting dont really see bull market gets derailed said maris ogg president tower bridge advisors said part expected longerterm driver obvious durable recovery europe europe size us terms economic activity would guess next year looks lot like year ogg said readhere winners losers tax plan income bracket httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryherearethewinnersandlosersofthetaxplanbyincomebracket20171103 opinioncutting corporate taxes best part republican plan httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorycuttingcorporatetaxesisthebestpartoftherepublicanplan20171108 stocks look like key movers shares snapchat parent snap incsnap fell 16 company posted disappointing quarterly results late tuesday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysnapsharesfallasmuchas21afterthirdquarterrevenuemiss20171107 discussed redesign messaging app httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysnapwillredesignsnapchattomakeiteasierfornonmillennialstounderstand20171107 roughly 20 erased losses following reports chinese internet giant tencent holdings ltd0700hk established 10 stake snap shares peertopeer lending company httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorylendingclubsharesdown15afterquarterlyrevenuemiss20171107lendingclub corplc tumbled 19 reporting disappointing fullyear earnings outlook late tuesday iheartmedia inc ihrt biggest operator radio stations us reiterated doubts ability remain going concern httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryiheartradioparentsaysthereissubstantialdoubtitcanremainagoingconcernfornext12months20171108 latest filing securities exchange commission shares 23 fossil group incfosl shares tumbled 15 accessories seller httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryfossilsharesfall20onweakoutlook20171107gave disappointing outlook late prior session taketwo interactive software incttwo climbed 13 producer videogames boosted outlook reporting results late tuesday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytaketwojumpstorecordpricelevelsdespiteearningsswingingtoaloss20171107 shares health insurer httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryhumanastocksurges3onq3profitbeat20171108humana inchum disclosed filing securities exchange commission thirdquarter revenue fell 30 13282 billion 1369 billion factset consensus 13325 billion shares healthcare company 55 regeneron pharmaceuticals incregn rose 25 biotechnology company reported thirdquarter profit revenue rose expectation httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryregeneronsstockralliesafterprofitandsalesriseaboveexpectations20171108s wendys cowen shares fell 4 fastfood chain reported thirdquarter earnings revenue came weaker consensus httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywendyssharesfallafterearningsandrevenuemiss20171108 mgm resorts internationalmgm added 31 even company reported thirdquarter profit wall street expectations httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysharesofmgmresortsfallaftercompanyreportsprofitbelowexpectations20171108 assets european stocks traded mostly lower httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryeuropeansharesface2ndstraightlossasbanksfall20171108 asian markets httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryhongkongedgesaheadasasianmarketslargelypullback20171107 largely closed losses gold futures gained httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorygoldgetsasmallliftfromweakerstocksdollar20171108 oil futures httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryoilheadsloweraheadofusgovernmentupdateoncrudesupplyandproduction20171108 traded lower ice us dollar index edged httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydollartiltslowerontaxcutuncertainty20171108 end dow jones newswires november 08 2017 1356 et 1856 gmt
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<p>Today, Democratic Sen. Al Franken's support within his party collapsed amid a growing list of sexual harassment allegations. As the number of Democrats <a href="" type="internal">calling for Franken to resign</a> today continues to tick up, it's worth noting that just three days ago, 136 women leaders released a statement of support for the embattled senator.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.politicususa.com/2017/12/03/136-women-leaders-sign-statement-support-sen-al-franken.html" type="external">PoliticsUSA</a> reported the statement of support on Sunday, describing the signees as "136 women leaders who are current and former elected officials, non-profit board members, community leaders and members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party."</p>
<p>Below is the full statement and the names of the 136 women who publicly backed Franken on Sunday despite a growing list of "groping" allegations against him, which yet again expanded today:</p>
<p>We are longtime supporters of Senator Franken, and our support is rooted in the core values that we share. During his time in the Senate, he has been a champion for these values and a steadfast supporter of women’s rights. While we are disappointed by these allegations, we appreciate that he has apologized and is committed to regaining the trust of Minnesotans. We believe a Senate investigation into these allegations is the appropriate course of action and will continue to support the Senator throughout this process.”</p>
<p>List of signers:</p>
<p>Beverly Anderson</p>
<p>(Continued Below)</p>
<p>Marcia Avner</p>
<p>Tammy Teske Ausen</p>
<p>Karen Bachman</p>
<p>Amelia Holstein Bailey</p>
<p>Ann Barkelew</p>
<p>Sara Barrow</p>
<p>Alana Bassin</p>
<p>Jackie Bateman</p>
<p>Lauren Beecham</p>
<p>Margit Berg</p>
<p>Pam Berkwitz</p>
<p>Connie Bernardy, Minnesota State Representative</p>
<p>Katherine Blauvelt</p>
<p>Patricia Bloodgood</p>
<p>Lynn Bolnick, Former President, DFL Feminist Caucus</p>
<p>Terri Bonoff, Minnesota State Senator (2005-2016)</p>
<p>Margee Bracken</p>
<p>Aviva Breen</p>
<p>Alondra Cano</p>
<p>Tarryl Clark</p>
<p>Barb Davis</p>
<p>Fran Davis</p>
<p>Rebecca Driscoll</p>
<p>Judi Dutcher, Minnesota State Auditor (1995-2002)</p>
<p>Chris Eaton, Minnesota State Senator</p>
<p>Jeannie Fox Entenza</p>
<p>Carol Flynn, Minnesota State Senator (1990-2001)</p>
<p>Arvonne Fraser</p>
<p>Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis City Council Member</p>
<p>Cathy Gorlin</p>
<p>Joan Growe, Minnesota Secretary of State (1975-1999)</p>
<p>Terry Gydesen</p>
<p>Jocelyn Hale</p>
<p>Carol Hayden</p>
<p>Diane Hayden</p>
<p>Judith Koll Healy</p>
<p>Jessi Held</p>
<p>Betsy Hodges, Mayor of Minneapolis</p>
<p>Linda L. Holstein</p>
<p>Melissa Hortman, Minnesota State House of Representatives DFL Leader</p>
<p>Corinne Horowitz</p>
<p>Ember Reichgott Junge, Minnesota State Senator (1981-2001)</p>
<p>Phyllis Kahn, Minnesota State Representative (1973-2016)</p>
<p>Sylvia Kaplan</p>
<p>Kiki Kelley</p>
<p>Julia Dayton Klein</p>
<p>Erin Koegel, Minnesota State Representative</p>
<p>Suzanne Koepplinger</p>
<p>Mary Kunesh-Podein, Minnesota State Representative</p>
<p>Natalie Volin Lehr</p>
<p>Susan Lenfestey</p>
<p>Tina Liebling, Minnesota State Representative</p>
<p>Florence Littman</p>
<p>Becky Lourey</p>
<p>Peggy Lucas</p>
<p>Ellen Goldberg Luger</p>
<p>Kristen McMullen</p>
<p>Rena Moran, Minnesota State Representative</p>
<p>Sue Moravec, Chair, CD 2 DFL</p>
<p>M. Kathleen Murphy</p>
<p>Kathleen O’Brien, Minneapolis City Council (1982-1989)</p>
<p>Darin Opperman</p>
<p>Diane Sims Page</p>
<p>Sandy Pappas, Minnesota State Senator</p>
<p>Cheryl Poling, Chair, CD3 DFL</p>
<p>Patricia Torres Ray, Minnesota State Senator</p>
<p>Randi Reitan</p>
<p>Ann Rest, Minnesota State Senator</p>
<p>Mary Cathryn Ricker</p>
<p>Sheila Riggs</p>
<p>Jennifer Schultz, Minnesota State Representative</p>
<p>Nancy Schumacher</p>
<p>Linda Slocum, Minnesota State Representative</p>
<p>Nancy Speer</p>
<p>Cheryl Thomas</p>
<p>Missy Staples Thompson</p>
<p>Susan Thompson</p>
<p>Ruth Usem</p>
<p>Mary Vogel</p>
<p>Maureen Kucera-Walsh</p>
<p>JoAnn Ward, Minnesota State Representative</p>
<p>Jean M. West</p>
<p>Penny Winton</p>
<p>As the Daily Wire's <a href="" type="internal">Joseph Curl</a> reported Wednesday, several female Democrats are now calling on Franken to resign. The total number of Democrats that have reversed their support and are now publicly urging him to step aside has reached ten, and more are expected to join the movement.</p>
<p>The reversal comes on the same day that a seventh accuser came forward alleging inappropriate sexual behavior against the senator, an accusation reported by <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/al-franken-accusation-sexual-harassment-2006-281049" type="external">Politico</a> on Wednesday:</p>
<p>A former Democratic congressional aide said Al Franken tried to forcibly kiss her after a taping of his radio show in 2006, three years before he became a U.S. senator.</p>
<p>The aide, whose name POLITICO is withholding to protect her identity, said Franken (D-Minn.) pursued her after her boss had left the studio. She said she was gathering her belongings to follow her boss out of the room. When she turned around, Franken was in her face.</p>
<p>The former staffer ducked to avoid Franken’s lips. As she hastily left the room, she said, Franken told her: “It’s my right as an entertainer.”</p>
<p>In a statement to Politico, Franken, unlike some of the other allegations, denied the account of his seventh accuser, saying, "This allegation is categorically not true and the idea that I would claim this as my right as an entertainer is preposterous. I look forward to fully cooperating with the ongoing ethics committee investigation."</p>
<p>But it appears that seven alleged victims was one too many for Democrats, who have clearly determined that Franken is too much of a political liability and thus are making a concerted effort to expunge him from their ranks.</p>
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today democratic sen al frankens support within party collapsed amid growing list sexual harassment allegations number democrats calling franken resign today continues tick worth noting three days ago 136 women leaders released statement support embattled senator politicsusa reported statement support sunday describing signees 136 women leaders current former elected officials nonprofit board members community leaders members minnesota democraticfarmerlabor dfl party full statement names 136 women publicly backed franken sunday despite growing list groping allegations yet expanded today longtime supporters senator franken support rooted core values share time senate champion values steadfast supporter womens rights disappointed allegations appreciate apologized committed regaining trust minnesotans believe senate investigation allegations appropriate course action continue support senator throughout process list signers beverly anderson continued marcia avner tammy teske ausen karen bachman amelia holstein bailey ann barkelew sara barrow alana bassin jackie bateman lauren beecham margit berg pam berkwitz connie bernardy minnesota state representative katherine blauvelt patricia bloodgood lynn bolnick former president dfl feminist caucus terri bonoff minnesota state senator 20052016 margee bracken aviva breen alondra cano tarryl clark barb davis fran davis rebecca driscoll judi dutcher minnesota state auditor 19952002 chris eaton minnesota state senator jeannie fox entenza carol flynn minnesota state senator 19902001 arvonne fraser lisa goodman minneapolis city council member cathy gorlin joan growe minnesota secretary state 19751999 terry gydesen jocelyn hale carol hayden diane hayden judith koll healy jessi held betsy hodges mayor minneapolis linda l holstein melissa hortman minnesota state house representatives dfl leader corinne horowitz ember reichgott junge minnesota state senator 19812001 phyllis kahn minnesota state representative 19732016 sylvia kaplan kiki kelley julia dayton klein erin koegel minnesota state representative suzanne koepplinger mary kuneshpodein minnesota state representative natalie volin lehr susan lenfestey tina liebling minnesota state representative florence littman becky lourey peggy lucas ellen goldberg luger kristen mcmullen rena moran minnesota state representative sue moravec chair cd 2 dfl kathleen murphy kathleen obrien minneapolis city council 19821989 darin opperman diane sims page sandy pappas minnesota state senator cheryl poling chair cd3 dfl patricia torres ray minnesota state senator randi reitan ann rest minnesota state senator mary cathryn ricker sheila riggs jennifer schultz minnesota state representative nancy schumacher linda slocum minnesota state representative nancy speer cheryl thomas missy staples thompson susan thompson ruth usem mary vogel maureen kucerawalsh joann ward minnesota state representative jean west penny winton daily wires joseph curl reported wednesday several female democrats calling franken resign total number democrats reversed support publicly urging step aside reached ten expected join movement reversal comes day seventh accuser came forward alleging inappropriate sexual behavior senator accusation reported politico wednesday former democratic congressional aide said al franken tried forcibly kiss taping radio show 2006 three years became us senator aide whose name politico withholding protect identity said franken dminn pursued boss left studio said gathering belongings follow boss room turned around franken face former staffer ducked avoid frankens lips hastily left room said franken told right entertainer statement politico franken unlike allegations denied account seventh accuser saying allegation categorically true idea would claim right entertainer preposterous look forward fully cooperating ongoing ethics committee investigation appears seven alleged victims one many democrats clearly determined franken much political liability thus making concerted effort expunge ranks
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<p>When it comes to investing, few, if any, industries have performed better over the trailing year than marijuana stocks. Over the trailing 12 months, the 13 marijuana stocks with a market cap in excess of $200 million have increased in value by an average --&#160;an average --&#160;of better than 300%!</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Why are investors so gung-ho on pot stocks? To begin with, the public's opinion on cannabis has shifted dramatically over the past two decades. Before California became the first state to legalize medical weed back in 1995, just a quarter of respondents in Gallup's national survey wanted to see cannabis legalized nationwide. As of its 2016 poll, some 60% of survey-takers, an all-time high, wanted to see pot legalized for recreational purposes.&#160;Support for medical cannabis is even higher, often near 90%. If the public supports legalizing marijuana, the idea is that it could put pressure of state or federal legislators to allow its expansion.</p>
<p>To some extent, certain states are also eager to legalize marijuana. California, for instance, pushed Proposition 64 through, with the help of voters, to generate upwards of $1 billion in additional tax revenue each year from the sale of recreational weed. California is known for its budget deficits, so this added tax and license revenue could help it fill some of its future budgetary needs.</p>
<p>And, of course, we can't overlook the growth of the legal weed industry. According to cannabis research firm ArcView, North American legal pot sales jumped 34% to $6.9 billion in 2016, and they could approach $22 billion by 2021.&#160;This is coming from a mixture of organic growth in already legal states, expansion from soon-to-be-approved states and countries, and black market consumers shifting to legal channels. As a reminder, <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/01/its-official-mexicos-president-signs-a-bill-legali.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8e302990-6ffc-11e7-9f08-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Mexico recently legalized medical cannabis Opens a New Window.</a> throughout the country, while Canada's parliament is debating a bill introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that would legalize recreational marijuana by July 1, 2018.</p>
<p>Add this together, and we have a pretty clear recipe for success for marijuana stocks.</p>
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<p>But I have a news flash for pot stock investors: There's actually very little correlation between rapidly growing legal weed sales and the publicly traded marijuana stocks you can buy right now.</p>
<p>There's no denying that legal weed sales are growing rapidly. However, a vast majority of recreational and medical cannabis sales throughout North America are coming from smaller, privately owned businesses. Another way of saying this is that the marijuana industry is currently very fragmented. There are multiple smaller businesses competing with one another, which means there isn't much in the way of larger businesses for investors to consider buying. Thus, as legal pot sales increase, the average marijuana stock investor isn't necessarily going to see any benefits.</p>
<p>Additionally, it's worth pointing out that most marijuana stocks have only been in existence for a few years. Sure, Canada approved medical marijuana all the way back in 2001, but companies like Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQOTH: TWMJF) and MedReleaf (NASDAQOTH: MEDFF), which are among the largest Canadian producers and retailers by market cap, were only founded in 2014 and 2013, respectively.&#160;Being so wet behind the ears implies that these companies could very well encounter growing pains. For Canopy Growth, these "growing pains" have manifested in the form of surprising quarterly losses due to capacity expansion and acquisition-related costs, despite strong revenue growth.</p>
<p>This brings us to the next point: most marijuana stocks are still losing money. Even with nearly $7 billion in legal North American sales last year, just two marijuana stocks were profitable in their most recently reported quarter. The deck is heavily stacked against their success.</p>
<p>On top of the industry being fragmented, marijuana stocks within the U.S. face <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/02/26/10-reasons-your-marijuana-stock-is-a-terrible-inve.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8e302990-6ffc-11e7-9f08-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">two inherent disadvantages Opens a New Window.</a>. First, businesses that sell a federally illicit substance, like marijuana, are disallowed from taking normal corporate income-tax deductions. This means paying far more in taxes than a "normal" business would. And second, marijuana businesses have little or no access to basic banking services since financial institutions report to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which is a federally created entity. Without access to a line of credit, loans, or even a checking account, pot stocks face an uphill climb.</p>
<p>As things stand now, marijuana stocks are wholly avoidable until the industry matures.</p>
<p>There is, however, one factor that could genuinely change the perception of some pot stocks for the better: a countrywide legalization effort.</p>
<p>Within the U.S., the idea of legalizing recreational pot is a pipe dream -- at least with President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions in office. Trump's now-former White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, had warned in February that the current administration would be more stringent with federal regulatory enforcement on cannabis, and Jeff Sessions is perhaps the most ardent opponent of marijuana's expansion in Washington. There's virtually no chance of major federal progress before 2020, in my opinion.</p>
<p>But for our neighbors to the north, there's a real possibility that recreational weed could be legal by next year. The Canadian government has estimated that opening the door for recreational marijuana could <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/04/24/3-marijuana-stocks-that-will-benefit-massively-if.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8e302990-6ffc-11e7-9f08-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">generate $5 billion to $7 billion a year Opens a New Window.</a>, which would be a boon for companies such as Canopy Growth and MedReleaf, both of which have been aggressively expanding their capacity.&#160;Canopy Growth has done so mostly through acquisitions, while MedReleaf's recent IPO provided much needed funding to organically expand its Bradford, Ontario facility.</p>
<p>If, and only if, Canada's parliament moves forward with a recreational legalization effort, Canadian pot stocks may finally be worth a serious look. However, the bulk of publicly traded marijuana stocks belong nowhere near investors' portfolios.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Canopy Growth CorporationWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=7ef63cfe-b187-47e3-bbe0-688e447a7074&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8e302990-6ffc-11e7-9f08-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Canopy Growth Corporation wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=7ef63cfe-b187-47e3-bbe0-688e447a7074&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8e302990-6ffc-11e7-9f08-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of July 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFUltraLong/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8e302990-6ffc-11e7-9f08-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Sean Williams Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8e302990-6ffc-11e7-9f08-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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comes investing industries performed better trailing year marijuana stocks trailing 12 months 13 marijuana stocks market cap excess 200 million increased value average 160an average 160of better 300 continue reading investors gungho pot stocks begin publics opinion cannabis shifted dramatically past two decades california became first state legalize medical weed back 1995 quarter respondents gallups national survey wanted see cannabis legalized nationwide 2016 poll 60 surveytakers alltime high wanted see pot legalized recreational purposes160support medical cannabis even higher often near 90 public supports legalizing marijuana idea could put pressure state federal legislators allow expansion extent certain states also eager legalize marijuana california instance pushed proposition 64 help voters generate upwards 1 billion additional tax revenue year sale recreational weed california known budget deficits added tax license revenue could help fill future budgetary needs course cant overlook growth legal weed industry according cannabis research firm arcview north american legal pot sales jumped 34 69 billion 2016 could approach 22 billion 2021160this coming mixture organic growth already legal states expansion soontobeapproved states countries black market consumers shifting legal channels reminder mexico recently legalized medical cannabis opens new window throughout country canadas parliament debating bill introduced prime minister justin trudeau would legalize recreational marijuana july 1 2018 add together pretty clear recipe success marijuana stocks advertisement news flash pot stock investors theres actually little correlation rapidly growing legal weed sales publicly traded marijuana stocks buy right theres denying legal weed sales growing rapidly however vast majority recreational medical cannabis sales throughout north america coming smaller privately owned businesses another way saying marijuana industry currently fragmented multiple smaller businesses competing one another means isnt much way larger businesses investors consider buying thus legal pot sales increase average marijuana stock investor isnt necessarily going see benefits additionally worth pointing marijuana stocks existence years sure canada approved medical marijuana way back 2001 companies like canopy growth corp nasdaqoth twmjf medreleaf nasdaqoth medff among largest canadian producers retailers market cap founded 2014 2013 respectively160being wet behind ears implies companies could well encounter growing pains canopy growth growing pains manifested form surprising quarterly losses due capacity expansion acquisitionrelated costs despite strong revenue growth brings us next point marijuana stocks still losing money even nearly 7 billion legal north american sales last year two marijuana stocks profitable recently reported quarter deck heavily stacked success top industry fragmented marijuana stocks within us face two inherent disadvantages opens new window first businesses sell federally illicit substance like marijuana disallowed taking normal corporate incometax deductions means paying far taxes normal business would second marijuana businesses little access basic banking services since financial institutions report federal deposit insurance corporation federally created entity without access line credit loans even checking account pot stocks face uphill climb things stand marijuana stocks wholly avoidable industry matures however one factor could genuinely change perception pot stocks better countrywide legalization effort within us idea legalizing recreational pot pipe dream least president trump attorney general jeff sessions office trumps nowformer white house press secretary sean spicer warned february current administration would stringent federal regulatory enforcement cannabis jeff sessions perhaps ardent opponent marijuanas expansion washington theres virtually chance major federal progress 2020 opinion neighbors north theres real possibility recreational weed could legal next year canadian government estimated opening door recreational marijuana could generate 5 billion 7 billion year opens new window would boon companies canopy growth medreleaf aggressively expanding capacity160canopy growth done mostly acquisitions medreleafs recent ipo provided much needed funding organically expand bradford ontario facility canadas parliament moves forward recreational legalization effort canadian pot stocks may finally worth serious look however bulk publicly traded marijuana stocks belong nowhere near investors portfolios 10 stocks like better canopy growth corporationwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right canopy growth corporation wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns july 6 2017 sean williams opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Anton Morozov, of Russian&#160; international affairs committee, and two other Russian lawmakers visited North Korea earlier this week.</p>
<p>Morozov reports that&#160;North Korean officials presented them with calculations that prove the North’s intercontinental ballistic missiles are capable of reaching US west coast targets. After returning from his five-day visit to Pyongtang, Morozov says the mood there is “rather belligerent.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-russia/north-korea-preparing-long-range-missile-test-ria-cites-russian-lawmaker-idUSKBN1CB21T?il=0" type="external">Reuteres</a> reports:</p>
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<p>“They are preparing for new tests of a long-range missile. They even gave us mathematical calculations that they believe prove that their missile can hit the west coast of the United States,” RIA quoted Morozov as saying.</p>
<p>“As far as we understand, they intend to launch one more long-range missile in the near future. And in general, their mood is rather belligerent.”</p>
<p>Morozov’s comments drove up the price of U.S. Treasury bonds, as investors, worried about the prospect of new North Korean missile tests, moved into assets the market views as a safe haven in times of uncertainty.</p>
<p>The CIA now asserts that North Korea could be preparing for a nuclear or missile test, expected to take place around October 10th,&#160;the anniversary of the ruling Korean Workers Party’s founding.</p>
<p>TRENDING:</p>
<p>The North often conducts testing or displays of military might to coincide with national holidays.</p>
<p>Japan’s lower house election campaigns and the upcoming Columbus Day holiday in the US would also give North Korea reason to choose the 10th for upcoming tests.</p>
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<p>The mood in North Korea has become increasingly hostile, as the hermit kingdom continues nuclear and ICBM testing despite U.N. sanctions and international pressure.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/north-korea-ready-test-new-11299869" type="external">The Mirror</a> reports:</p>
<p>Morozov, a member of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, has called for a prompt intervention in the situation on the Korean peninsula to avoid a new war.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, Yong Suk Lee, the deputy assistant director of the&#160; <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/central-intelligence-agency" type="external">CIA’s</a>&#160;Korea Mission Center, revealed that North Korea’s latest provocation could come on Tuesday when it celebrates the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea.</p>
<p>Many past nuclear or missile tests have coincided with mass public celebrations.</p>
<p>Anton Morozov revealed Pyongyang’s plans as he returned from a five-day visit to the hermit state – where the mood is “rather belligerent” – with a Russian delegation.</p>
<p>North Korea has threatened “total destruction” of the US numerous times in the past. Nicholas Kristof, a columnist for the New York Times, recently undertook a typical “tour” of Pyongyang, a carefully orchestrated and theatrical undergoing for tourists.</p>
<p>But the unrealistic expectation seems to be common in North Korea. At least it seems to be common. Several people Kristof spoke to believed North Korea was capable of defeating the U.S. in war.</p>
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<p>Kristof wrote that billboards in the North’s capital city show North Korean missiles destroying Washington DC. The impossible aim to “totally destroy” the US was made again during Kristof’s visit.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/opinion/sunday/nuclear-north-korea.html" type="external">The New York Times</a> reports:</p>
<p>RELATED:</p>
<p>“If we have to go to war, we won’t hesitate to totally destroy the United States,” explained Mun Hyok-myong, a 38-year-old teacher visiting an amusement park.</p>
<p>Ryang Song-chol, a 41-year-old factory worker, looked surprised when I asked if his country could survive a war with America. “We would certainly win,” he said.</p>
<p>These interviews were conducted in the presence of two Foreign Ministry officials, but even if they weren’t, there is no chance that ordinary people would speak freely to a foreign reporter. This is perhaps the most tightly controlled country in the world, so such quotes should be seen as reflecting a government script — in this case, a disturbingly jingoistic one.</p>
<p>North Korea’s National Peace Committee is calling for the US to pull troops from South Korea. Longtime allies, US forces have remained present in the South since the Korean War.</p>
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<p>There are some 35,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.</p>
<p>The North’s “peace committee” warns that there will be a nuclear war if the U.S. maintains presence in the South.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/north-korea-ready-test-new-11299869" type="external">The Mirror</a> reports:</p>
<p>A new report by the website&#160; <a href="https://www.38north.org/2017/10/mzagurek100417/" type="external">38 North,</a>&#160;which monitors Pyongyang’s activities, has suggested that a North Korean nuclear attack on Seoul and Tokyo could kill more than two million people and injure nearly eight million others.</p>
<p>North Korea’s state-run news agency, KCNA, reported on Friday that the country’s National Peace Committee (NPC) has called on the US to pull its troops out of South Korea.</p>
<p>US forces have been stationed in the South since the Korean War.</p>
<p>The committee said the 64-year-old South Korea-US Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was an “aggressive and traitorous war document” allowing the US to control the South’s army, South Korea’s state-run&#160; <a href="http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/10/06/7/0401000000AEN20171006003951320F.html" type="external">Yonhap News Agency</a>&#160;reported.</p>
<p>The NPC said the agreement is a symbol of “US military occupation” and it has “reduced South Korea into advanced base for a nuclear war”.</p>
<p>It added that South Koreans cannot evade a nuclear war as long as US troops are based in their country.</p>
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<p>As tensions increase, we wait to see what North Korea intends in the coming days.</p>
<p>What do you think? Scroll down to comment below.</p>
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anton morozov russian160 international affairs committee two russian lawmakers visited north korea earlier week morozov reports that160north korean officials presented calculations prove norths intercontinental ballistic missiles capable reaching us west coast targets returning fiveday visit pyongtang morozov says mood rather belligerent reuteres reports advertisement story continues preparing new tests longrange missile even gave us mathematical calculations believe prove missile hit west coast united states ria quoted morozov saying far understand intend launch one longrange missile near future general mood rather belligerent morozovs comments drove price us treasury bonds investors worried prospect new north korean missile tests moved assets market views safe times uncertainty cia asserts north korea could preparing nuclear missile test expected take place around october 10th160the anniversary ruling korean workers partys founding trending north often conducts testing displays military might coincide national holidays japans lower house election campaigns upcoming columbus day holiday us would also give north korea reason choose 10th upcoming tests advertisement story continues mood north korea become increasingly hostile hermit kingdom continues nuclear icbm testing despite un sanctions international pressure mirror reports morozov member russian state duma committee international affairs called prompt intervention situation korean peninsula avoid new war earlier week yong suk lee deputy assistant director the160 cias160korea mission center revealed north koreas latest provocation could come tuesday celebrates founding workers party korea many past nuclear missile tests coincided mass public celebrations anton morozov revealed pyongyangs plans returned fiveday visit hermit state mood rather belligerent russian delegation north korea threatened total destruction us numerous times past nicholas kristof columnist new york times recently undertook typical tour pyongyang carefully orchestrated theatrical undergoing tourists unrealistic expectation seems common north korea least seems common several people kristof spoke believed north korea capable defeating us war advertisement story continues kristof wrote billboards norths capital city show north korean missiles destroying washington dc impossible aim totally destroy us made kristofs visit new york times reports related go war wont hesitate totally destroy united states explained mun hyokmyong 38yearold teacher visiting amusement park ryang songchol 41yearold factory worker looked surprised asked country could survive war america would certainly win said interviews conducted presence two foreign ministry officials even werent chance ordinary people would speak freely foreign reporter perhaps tightly controlled country world quotes seen reflecting government script case disturbingly jingoistic one north koreas national peace committee calling us pull troops south korea longtime allies us forces remained present south since korean war advertisement story continues 35000 us troops stationed south korea norths peace committee warns nuclear war us maintains presence south mirror reports new report website160 38 north160which monitors pyongyangs activities suggested north korean nuclear attack seoul tokyo could kill two million people injure nearly eight million others north koreas staterun news agency kcna reported friday countrys national peace committee npc called us pull troops south korea us forces stationed south since korean war committee said 64yearold south koreaus status forces agreement sofa aggressive traitorous war document allowing us control souths army south koreas staterun160 yonhap news agency160reported npc said agreement symbol us military occupation reduced south korea advanced base nuclear war added south koreans evade nuclear war long us troops based country advertisement story continues tensions increase wait see north korea intends coming days think scroll comment
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<p><a href="http://Prisonplanet.com" type="external">Prisonplanet.com</a> Friday, Jun 18th, 2010</p>
<p>The mainstream media is running a 24 hour news cycle focusing purely on the BP oil spill, a disaster, <a href="http://infowars.net/articles/june2010/140610Green.htm" type="external">as we have shown</a>, that is being intentionally hyped in order to sell cap and trade legislation and moves to nationalize big business.</p>
<p>In the wake of this, big important news stories are being overlooked. Here are just some of the stories, in no particular order, that you should be hearing on the nightly news, but of course, are not.</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article7140282.ece" type="external">Israeli nuclear submarines positioned close to Iran</a>:</p>
<p>Three German-built Israeli submarines equipped with nuclear cruise missiles are to be deployed in the Gulf near the Iranian coastline.</p>
<p>The first has been sent in response to Israeli fears that ballistic missiles developed by Iran, Syria and Hezbollah, a political and military organisation in Lebanon, could hit sites in Israel, including air bases and missile launchers.</p>
<p>The submarines of Flotilla 7 — Dolphin, Tekuma and Leviathan — have visited the Gulf before. But the decision has now been taken to ensure a permanent presence of at least one of the vessels.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>2. <a href="https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jT7OgfuDjLU2jRXVXeBcQZmQQdqg" type="external">Iran war propaganda</a>:</p>
<p>US intelligence has shown Iran could launch an attack against Europe with “scores or hundreds” of missiles, prompting major changes to US missile defenses, Pentagon chief Robert Gates said on Thursday.</p>
<p>The anti-Iran rhetoric has amplified following the revelation that many Bilderberg members, including Zbigniew Brzezinski, are now in favor of U.S. air strikes on Iran and are “leaning towards war,”.</p>
<p>“Some of them in Europe are saying no we shouldn’t do it but most of them are in favor of American air strikes on Iran,” Bilderberg sluth Jim Tucker relayed from the recent meeting in Spain. “They’re tilting heavily towards green lighting a U.S. attack on Iran.”</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>3. The continuing economic slide:</p>
<p>The greatest bankster heist in history and the looming greatest depression rumbles on.</p>
<p><a href="http://infowars.net/articles/june2010/170610Gold.htm" type="external">Gold has hit record highs</a> as the dollar slumps and the Euro continues to face complete collapse. <a href="https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNiyJ905Ho0Ur96V2TQhsBX19lGwD9GDAVMO0" type="external">Unemployment figures</a> in the U.S. are through the roof and U.S. <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704289504575312950299049246.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond" type="external">consumer prices</a> posted their largest fall in nearly 1-1/2 years in May.</p>
<p>Rumours in Europe persist regarding an impending bailout for spain, while Russia says it is ready to found a “ <a href="http://www.prisonplanet.com/russia-will-lead-effort-to-found-new-world-economic-order-medvedev-says.html" type="external">new economic world order</a>“.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.prisonplanet.com/new-bill-gives-obama-kill-switch-to-shut-down-the-internet.html" type="external">FCC ready to restrict the Internet</a>:</p>
<p>The federal government would have “absolute power” to shut down the Internet under the terms of a new US Senate bill being pushed by Joe Lieberman, legislation which would hand President Obama a figurative “kill switch” to seize control of the world wide web in response to a Homeland Security directive.</p>
<p>Lieberman has been pushing for government regulation of the Internet for years under the guise of cybersecurity, but this new bill goes even further in handing emergency powers over to the feds which could be used to silence free speech under the pretext of a national emergency.</p>
<p>5. Obama/Blagojevich story</p>
<p>As the Blagojevich trial continues and <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/2401120,obama-linked-to-rezko-at-blago-trial-061610.article" type="external">important details emerge</a>, linking Obama to possible political corruption, Federal prosecutors are seeking a gag order to keep the ex-Governor and his lawyers from making public comments.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>6. <a href="http://scpatriotsclub.com/blog/?p=82" type="external">UN small arms treaty</a></p>
<p>Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently announced that the Obama Administration would be working hand in glove with the U.N. to pass a new “Small Arms Treaty.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nagr.org/UN_lp_survey2.aspx?pid=key05&amp;gclid=CLK1t6nQiqICFQO_sgodpDGmWQ" type="external">Congressman Paul Broun warns</a> that, “With willing one-world accomplices in Washington, D.C., gun-grabbers around the globe believe they have it made.” Broun characterizes the U.N.’s Small Arms Treaty as “nothing more than a massive, GLOBAL gun control scheme.”</p>
<p>The treaty would force national governments to acquiesce to a global gun registry, while strengthening licensing procedures so as to make it almost impossible for a citizen to legally purchase a gun. It would also ban the private sale of semi-automatic weapons and ultimately lead to the confiscation and destruction of all “unauthorized” firearms owned by citizens.</p>
<p>By encapsulating the gun grab within a treaty, the Obama administration could claim that no Senate approval is needed to authorize any such move against the right to bear arms – although whether a treaty trumps the Constitution is a very <a href="http://www.oklahomaconstitution.com/ns.php?nid=158" type="external">murky area of debate</a>.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>7. Mexicans riot in LA/Land given over to Mexico</p>
<p>Violent scenes following the LA Lakers’ championship-clinching win over the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals saw <a href="http://www.prisonplanet.com/mexican-flag-waving-lakers-fans-riot-in-l-a.html" type="external">angry mobs smashing their way through the streets</a> waving Mexican flags as they went.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a massive stretch of Arizona has become effectively <a href="http://www.prisonplanet.com/mexicans-take-over-parts-of-arizona.html" type="external">off limits to Americans</a>, Prompting questions over whether the Obama administration is giving a major strip of the south-west back to Mexico.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>8. <a href="http://www.prisonplanet.com/obama-plans-to-sneak-through-carbon-tax-by-stealth.html" type="external">Obama Plans To Sneak Through Carbon Tax By Stealth</a></p>
<p>President Obama is planning to sneak through his job-killing, economy wrecking carbon tax by stealth according to the Washington Post, by passing a weakened bill and then adding in cap and trade provisions after the heat is off following the November elections.</p>
<p>Described as the “lame duck climate strategy,” Obama is planning to secure enough votes in the Senate to pass a weakened energy bill and then drag out the conference long enough to ensure the stronger provisions contained in the original House version are added “after lawmakers have faced voters in November, thereby cushioning the vote’s political impact.”</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>9. <a href="http://infowars.net/articles/june2010/150610Afghanistan.htm" type="external">Afghanistan Mineral Riches Story Is War Propaganda</a></p>
<p>News that the U.S. has suddenly discovered $1 trillion-worth of mineral deposits in Afghanistan, and descriptions of the bounty as a “game changer” by the corporate media, represent nothing more than crude war propaganda designed to reinvigorate public support for a failing and ever more pointless occupation.</p>
<p>The “newly discovered” riches have been known about since the 1970s and <a href="http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0616/pentagon-report-april-1-trillion-afghan-wealth/" type="external">further revelations indicate</a> that the Pentagon report cited by the New York Times as their source for the story did not even mention the untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>10. <a href="" type="internal">Free Speech Gag Bill Moving in House</a></p>
<p>H.R. 5175, The so-called DISCLOSE Act would severely limit the ability of political groups to communicate to their members and the general public.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38500.html" type="external">Politico reports</a> that , the NRA bargained for an exemption for itself and other large, established groups while trampling the rights of private citizens, new political groups, like <a href="http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=36255" type="external">Ron Paul’s Campaign for Liberty</a>, and other small organizations.</p>
<p>As John Bresnahan reports, “The proposal would exempt organizations that have more than 1 million members, have been in existence for more than 10 years, have members in all 50 states and raise 15 percent or less of their funds from corporations… The NRA, with 4 million members, will not actively oppose the DISCLOSE Act, according to Democratic sources.”</p>
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prisonplanetcom friday jun 18th 2010 mainstream media running 24 hour news cycle focusing purely bp oil spill disaster shown intentionally hyped order sell cap trade legislation moves nationalize big business wake big important news stories overlooked stories particular order hearing nightly news course 1 israeli nuclear submarines positioned close iran three germanbuilt israeli submarines equipped nuclear cruise missiles deployed gulf near iranian coastline first sent response israeli fears ballistic missiles developed iran syria hezbollah political military organisation lebanon could hit sites israel including air bases missile launchers submarines flotilla 7 dolphin tekuma leviathan visited gulf decision taken ensure permanent presence least one vessels 2 iran war propaganda us intelligence shown iran could launch attack europe scores hundreds missiles prompting major changes us missile defenses pentagon chief robert gates said thursday antiiran rhetoric amplified following revelation many bilderberg members including zbigniew brzezinski favor us air strikes iran leaning towards war europe saying shouldnt favor american air strikes iran bilderberg sluth jim tucker relayed recent meeting spain theyre tilting heavily towards green lighting us attack iran 3 continuing economic slide greatest bankster heist history looming greatest depression rumbles gold hit record highs dollar slumps euro continues face complete collapse unemployment figures us roof us consumer prices posted largest fall nearly 112 years may rumours europe persist regarding impending bailout spain russia says ready found new economic world order 4 fcc ready restrict internet federal government would absolute power shut internet terms new us senate bill pushed joe lieberman legislation would hand president obama figurative kill switch seize control world wide web response homeland security directive lieberman pushing government regulation internet years guise cybersecurity new bill goes even handing emergency powers feds could used silence free speech pretext national emergency 5 obamablagojevich story blagojevich trial continues important details emerge linking obama possible political corruption federal prosecutors seeking gag order keep exgovernor lawyers making public comments 6 un small arms treaty secretary state hillary clinton recently announced obama administration would working hand glove un pass new small arms treaty congressman paul broun warns willing oneworld accomplices washington dc gungrabbers around globe believe made broun characterizes uns small arms treaty nothing massive global gun control scheme treaty would force national governments acquiesce global gun registry strengthening licensing procedures make almost impossible citizen legally purchase gun would also ban private sale semiautomatic weapons ultimately lead confiscation destruction unauthorized firearms owned citizens encapsulating gun grab within treaty obama administration could claim senate approval needed authorize move right bear arms although whether treaty trumps constitution murky area debate 7 mexicans riot laland given mexico violent scenes following la lakers championshipclinching win boston celtics nba finals saw angry mobs smashing way streets waving mexican flags went meanwhile massive stretch arizona become effectively limits americans prompting questions whether obama administration giving major strip southwest back mexico 8 obama plans sneak carbon tax stealth president obama planning sneak jobkilling economy wrecking carbon tax stealth according washington post passing weakened bill adding cap trade provisions heat following november elections described lame duck climate strategy obama planning secure enough votes senate pass weakened energy bill drag conference long enough ensure stronger provisions contained original house version added lawmakers faced voters november thereby cushioning votes political impact 9 afghanistan mineral riches story war propaganda news us suddenly discovered 1 trillionworth mineral deposits afghanistan descriptions bounty game changer corporate media represent nothing crude war propaganda designed reinvigorate public support failing ever pointless occupation newly discovered riches known since 1970s revelations indicate pentagon report cited new york times source story even mention untapped mineral deposits afghanistan 10 free speech gag bill moving house hr 5175 socalled disclose act would severely limit ability political groups communicate members general public politico reports nra bargained exemption large established groups trampling rights private citizens new political groups like ron pauls campaign liberty small organizations john bresnahan reports proposal would exempt organizations 1 million members existence 10 years members 50 states raise 15 percent less funds corporations nra 4 million members actively oppose disclose act according democratic sources
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<p>FOX Business: The Power to Prosper</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Wall Street</a> hugged the flatline at Tuesday's opening bell as the latest worries about the scary sovereign debt crisis in Europe were offset a bit by enthusiasm for a slew of upbeat indicators on the U.S. economy.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Today's Markets</p>
<p>As of 9:40 a.m. ET, the <a href="" type="internal">Dow Jones</a> Industrial Average lost 2.95 points, or 0.02%, to 12076.18, the Standard &amp; Poor's 500 added 0.29 points, or 0.02%, to 1251.98 and the <a href="" type="internal">Nasdaq</a> Composite gained 0.99 points, or 0.03%, to 2658.33.</p>
<p>Traders were digesting an onslaught of conflicting headlines, including the strongest jump in core retail sales since March, an earnings miss from <a href="" type="internal">Wal-Mart</a> (NYSE:WMT) and new signs that European policymakers are struggling to cement deals on a pair of bailout funds.</p>
<p>The early weakness puts Wall Street on track to suffer a second-straight day of losses. Hurt by concerns about the crisis in Europe, the blue chips slumped 75 points on Monday, leaving them up just over 4% on the year.</p>
<p>“It’s clear that European debt issues are paralyzing investing decisions, a rational response it seems as the unprecedented nature of what is ailing us can't be modeled,” Peter Boockvar, managing director at Miller Tabak, wrote in a note.</p>
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<p>For signs of the crisis of confidence in Europe, look no further than the rising yield needed to draw investors to Italy, the euro-zone’s third-largest economy. The yield on the Italian 10-year bond once again crept above the 7% mark, a psychologically-important level that previously shut Greece and Ireland out of the bond market. Traders have feared that Italy, which is too big to bail out, will ultimately be unable to tap the capital markets and be forced to default, triggering a significantly deeper crisis.</p>
<p>European policymakers have been scrambling to build a pair of rescue funds aimed at shoring up investor confidence and preventing troubled euro-zone nations from defaulting (bringing European banks with them).</p>
<p>However, talks to increase the lending capacity of the <a href="" type="internal">European Financial Stability Facility</a>, a $600 billion rescue fund, have yielded no real progress due to major disagreements, The <a href="" type="internal">Wall Street Journal</a> reported. Likewise, efforts to speed up the adoption of the European Stability Mechanism, a permanent bailout fund, to mid-2012 is also unlikely to happen, the paper reported.</p>
<p>While European policymakers race to create credible solutions, the euro-zone is brushing up against a double-dip recession. New data released on Tuesday show euro-zone gross domestic product inched up just 0.2%, down from 1.4% the year before. That growth matched expectations, but also underscores fears the euro-zone may already be in the midst of a double-dip recession.</p>
<p>With that backdrop in mind, the closely-watched euro dropped 0.55% to $1.3550. The yield on the 10-year bond of France also crept closer to 4%, hitting its highest level since May.</p>
<p>Domestic Earnings, Data Offset Euro Woes</p>
<p>Back on the other side of the Atlantic, U.S. traders received a flurry of mostly positive economic reports indicating the American economy is doing much better than Europe's.</p>
<p>With the holiday shopping season looming, the <a href="" type="internal">Commerce Department</a> said retail sales climbed 0.5% in October, beating forecasts for a rise of 0.3%. Excluding autos, retail sales jumped 0.6% -- the strongest performance in seven months. Electronics/appliance store sales registered their biggest rise in almost two years, soaring 3.7%.</p>
<p>Economic sentiment was also boosted by the New York Fed's Empire State manufacturing index, which rose to 0.61 in November, up from -8.48 in October. That marked the first positive print on this regional indicator since May.</p>
<p>The Commerce Department also said U.S. producer prices shrank by 0.3% last month, cooler than the 0.1% estimate from economists and well off September's 0.8% rise. Excluding food and energy, PPI was unchanged, compared with estimates for a rise of 0.1%.</p>
<p>On the earnings front, shares of Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) slumped more than 1% as the world’s largest retailer reported slightly weaker-than-expected third-quarter earnings of 97 cents a share. For the all-important holiday shopping season, Wal-Mart projected EPS of $1.42 to $1.48, compared with estimates for $1.45.</p>
<p>On the other hand, shares of <a href="" type="internal">Home Depot</a> (NYSE:HD) climbed more than 1% as it beat the Street with third-quarter earnings of 60 cents a share on revenue of $17.33 billion. The results led the home improvement retailer to boost its dividend by 16%.</p>
<p>After sinking earlier in the morning, the commodities complex inched higher. Crude oil rose 29 cents a barrel, or 0.30%, to $98.51. Gold added $4.20 a troy ounce, or 0.24%, to $1,782.60.</p>
<p>Global Markets</p>
<p>The U.K.’s FTSE 100 dropped 1.02% to 5462.65, Germany’s DAX slumped 1.96% to 5867.78 and France’s CAC 40 tumbled 2.08% to 3044.18.</p>
<p>In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.72% to 8541.93 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slid 0.82% to 19348.40.</p>
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fox business power prosper wall street hugged flatline tuesdays opening bell latest worries scary sovereign debt crisis europe offset bit enthusiasm slew upbeat indicators us economy continue reading todays markets 940 et dow jones industrial average lost 295 points 002 1207618 standard amp poors 500 added 029 points 002 125198 nasdaq composite gained 099 points 003 265833 traders digesting onslaught conflicting headlines including strongest jump core retail sales since march earnings miss walmart nysewmt new signs european policymakers struggling cement deals pair bailout funds early weakness puts wall street track suffer secondstraight day losses hurt concerns crisis europe blue chips slumped 75 points monday leaving 4 year clear european debt issues paralyzing investing decisions rational response seems unprecedented nature ailing us cant modeled peter boockvar managing director miller tabak wrote note advertisement signs crisis confidence europe look rising yield needed draw investors italy eurozones thirdlargest economy yield italian 10year bond crept 7 mark psychologicallyimportant level previously shut greece ireland bond market traders feared italy big bail ultimately unable tap capital markets forced default triggering significantly deeper crisis european policymakers scrambling build pair rescue funds aimed shoring investor confidence preventing troubled eurozone nations defaulting bringing european banks however talks increase lending capacity european financial stability facility 600 billion rescue fund yielded real progress due major disagreements wall street journal reported likewise efforts speed adoption european stability mechanism permanent bailout fund mid2012 also unlikely happen paper reported european policymakers race create credible solutions eurozone brushing doubledip recession new data released tuesday show eurozone gross domestic product inched 02 14 year growth matched expectations also underscores fears eurozone may already midst doubledip recession backdrop mind closelywatched euro dropped 055 13550 yield 10year bond france also crept closer 4 hitting highest level since may domestic earnings data offset euro woes back side atlantic us traders received flurry mostly positive economic reports indicating american economy much better europes holiday shopping season looming commerce department said retail sales climbed 05 october beating forecasts rise 03 excluding autos retail sales jumped 06 strongest performance seven months electronicsappliance store sales registered biggest rise almost two years soaring 37 economic sentiment also boosted new york feds empire state manufacturing index rose 061 november 848 october marked first positive print regional indicator since may commerce department also said us producer prices shrank 03 last month cooler 01 estimate economists well septembers 08 rise excluding food energy ppi unchanged compared estimates rise 01 earnings front shares walmart nysewmt slumped 1 worlds largest retailer reported slightly weakerthanexpected thirdquarter earnings 97 cents share allimportant holiday shopping season walmart projected eps 142 148 compared estimates 145 hand shares home depot nysehd climbed 1 beat street thirdquarter earnings 60 cents share revenue 1733 billion results led home improvement retailer boost dividend 16 sinking earlier morning commodities complex inched higher crude oil rose 29 cents barrel 030 9851 gold added 420 troy ounce 024 178260 global markets uks ftse 100 dropped 102 546265 germanys dax slumped 196 586778 frances cac 40 tumbled 208 304418 asia japans nikkei 225 lost 072 854193 hong kongs hang seng slid 082 1934840
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<p />
<p>On Monday morning, retail giant Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) announced plans to buy much-hyped e-commerce start-up Jet.com for $3.3 billion.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Jet.com has found a buyer. Image source: Jet.com.</p>
<p>It may seem odd for Wal-Mart to spend that much money for a company that only opened for business a year ago and is years away from profitability. But the combination of Jet.com's technology and business model with Wal-Mart's massive scale and logistics expertise could be critical in allowing the world's largest retailer to fend off the threat from Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN).</p>
<p>The key innovation behind Jet.com was a sophisticated pricing algorithm that encourages shoppers to help Jet reduce its costs. Most notably, the company dynamically adjusts prices based on what's already in a customer's shopping cart. Items that can be shipped from the same warehouse become cheaper.</p>
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<p>Jet also charges less for items that are in nearby warehouses (and can therefore be shipped at a lower cost). It has additional discounts for customers who use debit cards (which are cheaper to accept than credit cards) and those who agree to make a non-returnable purchase.</p>
<p>The ultimate goal was for Jet.com to undercut the likes of Amazon.com and Wal-Mart on pricing. Originally, the company aimed to beat rivals' prices by 15% while relying on a $49.99 annual membership fee as its sole source of profit. Later, Jet.com abandoned its plans to charge an annual fee and aimed for a more modest 5% price advantage.</p>
<p>Yet there was always a fatal flaw in Jet.com's strategy. It was trying to underprice retail titans like Amazon.com and Wal-Mart while starting from scratch. In an industry where scale is massively important -- particularly for bargaining with suppliers -- there's no way to do this without losing tons of money.</p>
<p>To his credit, Jet.com founder Marc Lore recognized this problem even before the company started operations last year. He emphasized the necessity of incurring big losses up front in order to quickly gain scale. Lore's goal was for Jet.com to reach annual gross merchandise volume of $20 billion by 2020, at which point he thought the business could turn profitable.</p>
<p>A little more than a year after the Jet.com site went live, gross merchandise volume has already reached $1 billion, with the sales run-rate <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/everyone-underestimating-walmarts-ability-crush-184000283.html" type="external">up 168% since last August Opens a New Window.</a>. That's a commendable start, but as a stand-alone company, Jet.com still faced years of massive losses -- with no certainty of long-term success.</p>
<p>E-commerce firms have three key tools for pursuing sales growth: (1) lowering their prices, (2) expanding their merchandise selection, and (3) advertising. Wal-Mart can probably help Jet.com on all those fronts.</p>
<p>Wal-Mart can help Jet.com lower its prices even more. Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
<p>First, as the largest retailer on the planet, Wal-Mart has huge economies of scale in purchasing and distributing merchandise. This will allow Jet.com to reduce its prices even further to win customers away from Amazon.com without incurring higher (and potentially unacceptable) losses.</p>
<p>Second, Wal-Mart has relationships with suppliers across the globe due to its massive scale. As a result, it can probably coax suppliers that have so far resisted Jet.com's overtures into making their products available.</p>
<p>Third, Wal-Mart could help Jet.com with advertising simply by providing a bigger budget. If it's willing to spend $3.3 billion to buy an unprofitable company, Wal-Mart should be also be willing to plow a lot more capital into Jet.com to keep it growing rapidly in the coming years.</p>
<p>There may also be opportunities to market Jet.com to existing Wal-Mart shoppers -- of which there are, of course, a huge number. However, that would come with an increased risk of cannibalizing more profitable sales at brick-and-mortar Wal-Mart locations.</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, the proposed Wal-Mart-Jet.com tie-up has plenty of detractors. For the most part, they argue that Amazon.com is simply too far ahead or point to the high acquisition price and Jet.com's tiny market share.</p>
<p>However, Wal-Mart's internal e-commerce efforts have been running out of steam lately. The company needs to do better in order to fend off the long-term threat from Amazon.com's growth. In this context, buying Jet.com is a risk Wal-Mart has to take. Combining its purchasing scale with Jet.com's technology and business model will make Wal-Mart much more competitive in the e-commerce market.</p>
<p>A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-apple-wearable?aid=6965&amp;source=irbeditxt0000017&amp;ftm_cam=rb-wearable-d&amp;ftm_pit=2667&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">just click here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGemHunter/info.aspx" type="external">Adam Levine-Weinberg Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon.com. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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monday morning retail giant walmart nyse wmt announced plans buy muchhyped ecommerce startup jetcom 33 billion continue reading jetcom found buyer image source jetcom may seem odd walmart spend much money company opened business year ago years away profitability combination jetcoms technology business model walmarts massive scale logistics expertise could critical allowing worlds largest retailer fend threat amazoncom nasdaq amzn key innovation behind jetcom sophisticated pricing algorithm encourages shoppers help jet reduce costs notably company dynamically adjusts prices based whats already customers shopping cart items shipped warehouse become cheaper advertisement jet also charges less items nearby warehouses therefore shipped lower cost additional discounts customers use debit cards cheaper accept credit cards agree make nonreturnable purchase ultimate goal jetcom undercut likes amazoncom walmart pricing originally company aimed beat rivals prices 15 relying 4999 annual membership fee sole source profit later jetcom abandoned plans charge annual fee aimed modest 5 price advantage yet always fatal flaw jetcoms strategy trying underprice retail titans like amazoncom walmart starting scratch industry scale massively important particularly bargaining suppliers theres way without losing tons money credit jetcom founder marc lore recognized problem even company started operations last year emphasized necessity incurring big losses front order quickly gain scale lores goal jetcom reach annual gross merchandise volume 20 billion 2020 point thought business could turn profitable little year jetcom site went live gross merchandise volume already reached 1 billion sales runrate 168 since last august opens new window thats commendable start standalone company jetcom still faced years massive losses certainty longterm success ecommerce firms three key tools pursuing sales growth 1 lowering prices 2 expanding merchandise selection 3 advertising walmart probably help jetcom fronts walmart help jetcom lower prices even image source motley fool first largest retailer planet walmart huge economies scale purchasing distributing merchandise allow jetcom reduce prices even win customers away amazoncom without incurring higher potentially unacceptable losses second walmart relationships suppliers across globe due massive scale result probably coax suppliers far resisted jetcoms overtures making products available third walmart could help jetcom advertising simply providing bigger budget willing spend 33 billion buy unprofitable company walmart also willing plow lot capital jetcom keep growing rapidly coming years may also opportunities market jetcom existing walmart shoppers course huge number however would come increased risk cannibalizing profitable sales brickandmortar walmart locations surprisingly proposed walmartjetcom tieup plenty detractors part argue amazoncom simply far ahead point high acquisition price jetcoms tiny market share however walmarts internal ecommerce efforts running steam lately company needs better order fend longterm threat amazoncoms growth context buying jetcom risk walmart take combining purchasing scale jetcoms technology business model make walmart much competitive ecommerce market secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window adam levineweinberg opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends amazoncom try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p />
<p>Studies frequently show that fewer than one in five Americans use an IRA to save for retirement. That may be a huge mistake, as IRAs offer investors the unrivaled combination of more choices and big tax advantages.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>To help you make a better decision on where to <a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/ira/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">open an IRA Opens a New Window.</a>, let's look at how retirement savers might compare two brokers like TradeKing and E*Tradeto see what best fits the needs of a long-term investor.</p>
<p>Commissions aren't what they used to be, and that's a very good thing, indeed. The internet has played an integral role in driving down trading costs, and many brokers rolled out new price cuts in 2017.</p>
<p>Here's how TradeKing and E*Trade compare on commissions by the type of investment.</p>
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<p>Data source: Company websites.</p>
<p>A broker's price list isn't always indicative of the price you'll pay to make a trade. E*Trade offers volume-based discounts whereby its particularly active customers see their commissions fall to $4.95 per trade from $6.95 when they make 30 or more trades in a quarter. In addition, some mutual funds and ETFs are completely free to buy or sell on its platform.</p>
<p>Don't forget about perks you receive for opening an account, either. Across the industry, <a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/ira/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">special offers for IRAs Opens a New Window.</a> can be extremely lucrative, with cash bonuses frequently topping $2,000 or more just for opening an account.</p>
<p>When it comes to funds, brokers matter a lot. As you can see in the table below, the number of funds each broker offers, and whether or not you'll have to pay to invest in them, varies significantly by brokerage.</p>
<p>Data sources:Barron's, company websites, and representatives.</p>
<p>E*Trade has the advantage of having more than 4,400 fee-free mutual funds and more than 100 commission-free ETFs. However, if a fund or ETF isn't on E*Trade's list of free funds, TradeKing clients will pay less in commissions to buy or sell it.</p>
<p>Some brokers require new clients to deposit as much as $5,500 to open an IRA. Luckily, TradeKing doesn't have a minimum requirement for any of its brokerage accounts, and E*Trade waives its usual $500 minimum for IRAs. Thus, you could start an account with just $1.00 at either broker if you wanted to.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Investors who want to invest internationally may find some brokers more limiting than others. E*Trade and TradeKing offer the ability to buy and sell <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/04/26/what-is-an-adr-you-need-to-know-before-buying-fore.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">American depositary receipts (ADRs) Opens a New Window.</a> listed in the United States, but neither offer direct access to trade on international markets.</p>
<p>Many of the world's largest companies, like Honda, have ADRs in the United States, but smaller companies are more likely to have a ticker only on their home exchanges. For this reason, investors who want to be able to explore more of the world's exchanges may want to shop from the <a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/ira/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">few brokers that offer international trading Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>You can check your account and make trades from your mobile phone or tablet from anywhere around the world. Here's how each broker's users and customers rated their mobile trading apps, as of Feb. 24, 2017.</p>
<p>Data source: Relevant app stores.</p>
<p>Make sure you fully understand a broker's fee schedule before opening an IRA account. Two fees that are relatively common are maintenance fees and inactivity charges. Luckily, if you know how they work, you can generally avoid them.</p>
<p>TradeKing has an annual inactivity fee of $50, but if you make at least one trade each year or keep $2,500 or more in your account, you won't have to pay it. E*Trade doesn't charge an inactivity or maintenance fee.</p>
<p>There isn't any hard-and-fast rule for what makes a broker better than any other. It's all dependent on how you plan to manage your account.</p>
<p>For example, stock and options investors will pay less in commissions for each trade with TradeKing, but higher-volume traders who qualify for E*Trade's lower pricing will pay less per options contract ($0.50 vs. $0.65). On the other hand,ETF and mutual fund investors may find that they can construct a portfolio with E*Trade's fee-free fund list, in which case E*Trade may be the better brokerage for their accounts. Depending on how and what you invest in, you can make the case for either broker.</p>
<p>To be clear, The Motley Fool does not endorse any particular brokerage, but we can help you find one that's a good fit for you. Visit <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/ira/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Fool.com's IRA Center Opens a New Window.</a>to compare several brokers all on one page, and see if you qualify for any special offers for opening a new account.</p>
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<p>In a Father’s Day <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/18/AR2010061804320.html" type="external">column</a> attacking Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin, Colbert King of the Washington Post presents President Obama as a good family man who has been married to one woman and whose mother raised him to believe in “hard work and education.” Since King has brought up the topic of Obama’s upbringing, it is important to set the record straight. Communist Party member Frank Marshall Davis was a sex pervert who mentored Obama during his growing-up years in Hawaii and became his substitute father.</p>
<p>Obama’s father abandoned the family and his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, raised him only with the help of his grandparents. His grandfather, Stanley Armour Dunham, had selected Davis to be a mentor to a young Obama before he went off to college.</p>
<p>Davis, described only as “Frank” in Obama’s memoir, Dreams from My Father, was a major influence over Obama for eight years of his life. He operated as a journalist, first in Chicago, where he came into contact with Obama associate Valerie Jarrett’s former father-in-law, and then Hawaii, where he wrote for a Communist Party-sponsored newspaper financed by a communist-controlled labor union.</p>
<p>It was Valerie Jarrett who openly boasted that “we,” apparently referring to White House officials, including presumably Obama, had recruited Van Jones for a job in the Obama Administration. He was forced out after his involvement in communist causes and the 9/11 truth movement came to light.</p>
<p>New Zealand blogger Trevor Loudon broke the story of “Frank” being Frank Marshall Davis and we followed up, not only <a href="" type="internal">confirming</a> the identity but disclosing the FBI’s <a href="http://www.usasurvival.org/marshall.fbi.files.html" type="external">600-page file</a> on Davis.&#160; All of this occurred during the 2008 presidential campaign but very few people wanted to talk about it. David Maraniss of the Washington Post wrote a 10,000-word article about Obama’s growing-up years in Hawaii without even mentioning Davis.</p>
<p>Former Post reporter David Remnick’s 2010 biography of Obama, The Bridge, takes a different tack. “When Obama was running for president, Remnick writes, “the right-wing blogosphere attacked Frank Marshall Davis. He was, by turns, a card-carrying Communist, a pornographer, a pernicious influence. The attacks were loud and unrelenting.”</p>
<p>The “attacks” were actually statements of fact and they came from those who took the time to document Obama’s relationship with Davis. This is a function that should have been performed by U.S. media.</p>
<p>Remnick implies that the “attacks” were unjustified and false. In fact, Davis was a card-carrying Communist (as proven in the FBI file and even admitted by a Davis biographer), a pornographer (Davis wrote a pornographic novel under a pseudonym, based on his own life) and a pernicious influence (he drank and smoked dope with Obama’s grandfather, Stanley Armour Dunham, whose FBI file has turned up missing).</p>
<p>Remnick goes on to assert that while critics of Obama insisted that the Davis relationship was one element of “an ominous picture of radical associations,” it was “neither constant nor lasting, certainly of no great ideological importance.” It is certainly the case that the Obama campaign tried to play down the Obama-Davis relationship.</p>
<p>Davis functioned as a surrogate father or father-figure. Indeed, this is why Davis, who was black, was picked by Dunham, who was white. Dunham thought Obama needed a black role model.</p>
<p>No ideological importance? Obama would go on to college, where, by his own admission, he would associate with Marxist professors and attend socialist conferences. Later came his relationships with communist terrorists Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, etc.</p>
<p>In terms of ideology, Professor Paul Kengor wrote a column shortly after the 2008 election which <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/10/dreams_from_frank_marshall_dav.html" type="external">analyzed</a> some of Davis’s writings for a Communist Party-sponsored newspaper in Hawaii and whether they were echoed in Barack Obama’s views on economic matters.</p>
<p>In a Davis piece, “Free Enterprise or Socialism?,” Kengor noted that “Davis hoped that America and its economy were at a turning point, as if a kind of perfect storm was brewing that could at last allow him and his comrades to realize their dreams of a socialist America. They would need to trash the current free-enterprise system and argue for a change to something else. Of course, they could not fully disclose themselves, their beliefs, and their intentions, although any thinking observer could easily read between the lines. The key was to gain the support of the people who didn’t know any difference.”</p>
<p>Bringing this topic up to date, businessman Pieter Samara has just written an <a href="" type="internal">article</a>, originally posted at Accuracy in Media, asserting that Obama’s response to the Gulf oil spill crisis is not bad management or incompetence but a deliberate policy of making the crisis and devastation worse in order to usher in more federal control of the U.S. economy. Samara contends that Obama’s agenda of socialism explains why he failed to work with BP to get the oil spill cleaned up, using proven technologies and offers of help from other countries.</p>
<p>Davis appears to hold the key to understanding Obama. In fact, Kengor’s forthcoming book, <a href="http://www.isi.org/books/bookdetail.aspx?id=6074365c-92da-4270-a977-aa6bfccb53eb" type="external">Dupes</a>, promises to go into more detail about the Obama-Davis relationship and its meaning for the future of the United States. The subtitle is “How America’s Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century.”</p>
<p>But is Obama a dupe? Or something more? The unanswered questions argue for a serious investigation into the communist networks in Chicago and Hawaii that spawned the current occupant of the oval office.</p>
<p>Trevor Loudon, who exposed Van Jones before Glenn Beck picked up the story, has been busy breaking all kinds of stories about the influence of Marxists over Obama. These are stories, of course, that are routinely ignored by the liberal media.</p>
<p>In addition to his <a href="http://newzeal.blogspot.com/" type="external">New Zeal blog</a>, Loudon recently unveiled a new project and website called <a href="http://keywiki.org/index.php/Main_Page" type="external">KeyWiki</a>, offering this critical information to those who are interested.</p>
<p>Here’s <a href="http://keywiki.org/index.php/Frank_Marshall_Davis" type="external">the link</a> to Frank Marshall Davis. It will give you everything you need to know about Davis and Obama that our major media have done their best to carefully conceal. It is a sad commentary on the state of the U.S. media that a blogger in New Zealand has to take the lead in breaking stories about the Marxist background and political agenda of a U.S. president.</p>
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fathers day column attacking rush limbaugh newt gingrich sarah palin colbert king washington post presents president obama good family man married one woman whose mother raised believe hard work education since king brought topic obamas upbringing important set record straight communist party member frank marshall davis sex pervert mentored obama growingup years hawaii became substitute father obamas father abandoned family mother stanley ann dunham raised help grandparents grandfather stanley armour dunham selected davis mentor young obama went college davis described frank obamas memoir dreams father major influence obama eight years life operated journalist first chicago came contact obama associate valerie jarretts former fatherinlaw hawaii wrote communist partysponsored newspaper financed communistcontrolled labor union valerie jarrett openly boasted apparently referring white house officials including presumably obama recruited van jones job obama administration forced involvement communist causes 911 truth movement came light new zealand blogger trevor loudon broke story frank frank marshall davis followed confirming identity disclosing fbis 600page file davis160 occurred 2008 presidential campaign people wanted talk david maraniss washington post wrote 10000word article obamas growingup years hawaii without even mentioning davis former post reporter david remnicks 2010 biography obama bridge takes different tack obama running president remnick writes rightwing blogosphere attacked frank marshall davis turns cardcarrying communist pornographer pernicious influence attacks loud unrelenting attacks actually statements fact came took time document obamas relationship davis function performed us media remnick implies attacks unjustified false fact davis cardcarrying communist proven fbi file even admitted davis biographer pornographer davis wrote pornographic novel pseudonym based life pernicious influence drank smoked dope obamas grandfather stanley armour dunham whose fbi file turned missing remnick goes assert critics obama insisted davis relationship one element ominous picture radical associations neither constant lasting certainly great ideological importance certainly case obama campaign tried play obamadavis relationship davis functioned surrogate father fatherfigure indeed davis black picked dunham white dunham thought obama needed black role model ideological importance obama would go college admission would associate marxist professors attend socialist conferences later came relationships communist terrorists bill ayers bernardine dohrn etc terms ideology professor paul kengor wrote column shortly 2008 election analyzed daviss writings communist partysponsored newspaper hawaii whether echoed barack obamas views economic matters davis piece free enterprise socialism kengor noted davis hoped america economy turning point kind perfect storm brewing could last allow comrades realize dreams socialist america would need trash current freeenterprise system argue change something else course could fully disclose beliefs intentions although thinking observer could easily read lines key gain support people didnt know difference bringing topic date businessman pieter samara written article originally posted accuracy media asserting obamas response gulf oil spill crisis bad management incompetence deliberate policy making crisis devastation worse order usher federal control us economy samara contends obamas agenda socialism explains failed work bp get oil spill cleaned using proven technologies offers help countries davis appears hold key understanding obama fact kengors forthcoming book dupes promises go detail obamadavis relationship meaning future united states subtitle americas adversaries manipulated progressives century obama dupe something unanswered questions argue serious investigation communist networks chicago hawaii spawned current occupant oval office trevor loudon exposed van jones glenn beck picked story busy breaking kinds stories influence marxists obama stories course routinely ignored liberal media addition new zeal blog loudon recently unveiled new project website called keywiki offering critical information interested heres link frank marshall davis give everything need know davis obama major media done best carefully conceal sad commentary state us media blogger new zealand take lead breaking stories marxist background political agenda us president
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<p>Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) made a whopping $52.8 billion last year. To put that amount into perspective, imagine a stack of $1 bills that reaches the height of Mount Everest. Then add another 651 stacks of the same height on top of that stack. That's how much money Pfizer made in 2016.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Where does all of that money come from? Pfizer generates revenue in quite a few ways, but here's how the company makes most of its money.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Pfizer is organized into two business segments. The innovative health segment develops and markets prescription drugs and vaccines for which Pfizer retains intellectual property rights. This segment also includes Pfizer's consumer healthcare products. The essential health segment is responsible for selling legacy products that have lost or will soon lose patent exclusivity, branded generics, generic sterile injectable products, and biosimilars. In addition, the segment includes a research and development unit and a contract manufacturing business.</p>
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<p>As you might expect, the innovative health segment generates more revenue than the essential health segment does. In 2016, Pfizer's innovative health business posted sales of nearly $29.2 billion. The essential health segment recorded sales of more than $23.6 billion.</p>
<p>What might be surprising, though, is that the essential health segment actually claims a higher profit margin than innovative health does. Last year, essential health produced income from continuing operations before taxes of $12.9 billion -- a profit margin of 54.6%. Innovative health generated income from continuing operations before taxes of $15.9 billion, which reflects a slightly lower profit margin of 54.3%.</p>
<p>Where is the most money made within the biggest moneymaking segment? Pfizer groups its innovative health products into six categories: internal medicine, vaccines, oncology, inflammation &amp; immunology (I&amp;I), rare disease, and consumer healthcare. The category that generates the highest revenue is the company's internal medicine drugs.</p>
<p>Sales for Pfizer's internal medicine drugs totaled nearly $8.9 billion in 2016. The company's vaccines came in second, with sales of more than $6 billion. Oncology drugs generated sales of nearly $4.6 billion last year. Rounding out the list were I&amp;I with sales of $3.9 billion, consumer healthcare with sales of $3.4 billion, and rare disease drugs with sales of almost $2.4 billion.</p>
<p>Pfizer's internal medicine category includes three of the company's nine blockbuster drugs. It also claims two of the drugmaker's products that are growing sales the fastest -- smoking cessation aid Chantix and blood thinner Eliquis, both of which posted sales increases of 26% in 2016.However, Pfizer is experiencing even greater sales growth with cancer drugs Ibrance and Xtandi, as well as rheumatoid arthritis drug Xeljanz.</p>
<p>The top-selling internal medicine drug is Lyrica. Pfizer's innovative health segment reported 2016 sales of nearly $4.2 billion for the drug, which treats epilepsy, post-herpetic neuralgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury. An older formulation of Lyrica is also marketed by the essential health segment. This version of the drug made $801 million last year.</p>
<p>However, Pfizer's biggest blockbuster isn't Lyrica. That honor goes to Prevnar 13.Sales for the pneumococcal vaccine totaled $5.7 billion in 2016.</p>
<p>Three other drugs could potentially come close to that level down the road. Ibrance made $2.1 billion last year, but analysts think the drug could reach peak annual sales of up to $5 billion. Prostate cancer drug Xtandi could also hit peak sales of nearly $5 billion.Bavencio, which recently won approval for treating metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma,might even surpass Prevnar's 2016 sales level if the drug is successful in additional indications. However, Pfizer will split the revenue for the drug with partnerMerck KGaA.</p>
<p>Investors should be as interested in where Pfizer's money goes as they are in where its money comes from. A significant amount was spent last year on acquisitions. Pfizer bought Medivation for $14.3 billion and Anacor for $4.9 billion. The company picked up Xtandi with the former deal and atopic dermatitis drug Eucrisa with the latter deal.</p>
<p>Pfizer used $7.3 billion to pay out dividends. With a current yield of 3.75%, most shareholders are probably happy about that expenditure. In addition, the company bought back $5 billion of its stock.</p>
<p>You could look at all of this spending in another way. Pfizer dedicated nearly 399 Mount Everest-sized stacks of $1 bills to reward investors and pave the way for higher earnings growth in the future.</p>
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<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=87d08b21-fa6b-4eeb-bd07-3c21692574d7&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now...and Pfizer wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of April 3, 2017.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFFishBiz/info.aspx" type="external">Keith Speights Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Pfizer. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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pfizer inc nyse pfe made whopping 528 billion last year put amount perspective imagine stack 1 bills reaches height mount everest add another 651 stacks height top stack thats much money pfizer made 2016 continue reading money come pfizer generates revenue quite ways heres company makes money image source getty images pfizer organized two business segments innovative health segment develops markets prescription drugs vaccines pfizer retains intellectual property rights segment also includes pfizers consumer healthcare products essential health segment responsible selling legacy products lost soon lose patent exclusivity branded generics generic sterile injectable products biosimilars addition segment includes research development unit contract manufacturing business advertisement might expect innovative health segment generates revenue essential health segment 2016 pfizers innovative health business posted sales nearly 292 billion essential health segment recorded sales 236 billion might surprising though essential health segment actually claims higher profit margin innovative health last year essential health produced income continuing operations taxes 129 billion profit margin 546 innovative health generated income continuing operations taxes 159 billion reflects slightly lower profit margin 543 money made within biggest moneymaking segment pfizer groups innovative health products six categories internal medicine vaccines oncology inflammation amp immunology iampi rare disease consumer healthcare category generates highest revenue companys internal medicine drugs sales pfizers internal medicine drugs totaled nearly 89 billion 2016 companys vaccines came second sales 6 billion oncology drugs generated sales nearly 46 billion last year rounding list iampi sales 39 billion consumer healthcare sales 34 billion rare disease drugs sales almost 24 billion pfizers internal medicine category includes three companys nine blockbuster drugs also claims two drugmakers products growing sales fastest smoking cessation aid chantix blood thinner eliquis posted sales increases 26 2016however pfizer experiencing even greater sales growth cancer drugs ibrance xtandi well rheumatoid arthritis drug xeljanz topselling internal medicine drug lyrica pfizers innovative health segment reported 2016 sales nearly 42 billion drug treats epilepsy postherpetic neuralgia diabetic peripheral neuropathy fibromyalgia neuropathic pain due spinal cord injury older formulation lyrica also marketed essential health segment version drug made 801 million last year however pfizers biggest blockbuster isnt lyrica honor goes prevnar 13sales pneumococcal vaccine totaled 57 billion 2016 three drugs could potentially come close level road ibrance made 21 billion last year analysts think drug could reach peak annual sales 5 billion prostate cancer drug xtandi could also hit peak sales nearly 5 billionbavencio recently approval treating metastatic merkel cell carcinomamight even surpass prevnars 2016 sales level drug successful additional indications however pfizer split revenue drug partnermerck kgaa investors interested pfizers money goes money comes significant amount spent last year acquisitions pfizer bought medivation 143 billion anacor 49 billion company picked xtandi former deal atopic dermatitis drug eucrisa latter deal pfizer used 73 billion pay dividends current yield 375 shareholders probably happy expenditure addition company bought back 5 billion stock could look spending another way pfizer dedicated nearly 399 mount everestsized stacks 1 bills reward investors pave way higher earnings growth future 10 stocks like better pfizerwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right nowand pfizer wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns april 3 2017 keith speights opens new window owns shares pfizer motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>For seven years — through political fights, Europe debt crises and market panic — investors could count on one thing: Short-term U.S. interest rates would stay locked near zero.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Such was the will of the Federal Reserve, which remained wary of the economy's durability long after the gravest recession since the 1930s had ended.</p>
<p>Now, with a vastly strengthened economy, the Fed is weighing whether to start phasing out the era of easy money on Thursday. It would be its first rate hike since 2006. Awaiting the decision, markets have been gripped by tension.</p>
<p>Ask some economists, and they'll tell you now is the time for a hike. Not so soon, others say.</p>
<p>Here's the case for a rate hike now — and the case for delaying it — as summarized by two AP reporters.</p>
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<p>— WHY THE FED SHOULD RAISE RATES NOW</p>
<p>By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER</p>
<p>What's the Fed waiting for?</p>
<p>The economy keeps expanding, and employers keep hiring: They've added . 12.6 million jobs since 2010 — far beyond the 8.7 million lost to the Great Recession. The unemployment rate is 5.1 percent. It hasn't been that low in seven years. Cars are flying off lots at the fastest pace since 2001.</p>
<p>Home purchases have regained their pre-recession levels. Americans are flocking to trendy new eateries, lifting restaurant and bar sales a healthy 9 percent in the past year.</p>
<p>"And here we are worrying about whether the economy could possibly withstand a quarter-point hike," says Paul Ashworth, an economist at Capital Economics, a forecasting firm.</p>
<p>Critics argue that by continuing to pin the rate it controls at a record low long after the economic crisis has faded, the Fed remains oddly in a state of emergency. In 2008, when it first slashed its rate to near zero, the financial system was teetering. The economy was hemorrhaging jobs. Unemployment would soon hit 10 percent. Big banks and car companies needed bailouts.</p>
<p>Since those dark days, individuals and companies have repaired their finances. They may no longer need ultra-low rates to borrow and spend.</p>
<p>It's true that pay raises are still meager. And a lot of Americans have given up even looking for work — a trend that has artificially helped shrink the unemployment rate. But otherwise, many analysts note, today's economy is just the kind that the Fed would presumably want: Steady, sustainable growth that doesn't seem to have inflated bubbles in stocks or housing.</p>
<p>So far. That might change if rates stay at zero much longer.</p>
<p>Joseph Carson, U.S. economist at AllianceBernstein, points out that higher stock and home prices have boosted Americans' wealth to a level equal to six times income. That's akin to levels reached at the peak of bubbles in stock prices (1999) and the housing market (2007).</p>
<p>The bursting of those two bubbles triggered recessions. Modest rate hikes starting now could help avert another such disaster and actually prolong growth, Carson says.</p>
<p>Some economists don't want the Fed to hike until paychecks start accelerating. Average hourly pay has risen just 2.2 percent in the past 12 months, below the 3.5 percent rate considered healthy.</p>
<p>But sluggish pay increases may partly reflect lousy growth in worker productivity in the past five years. And there's probably little the Fed could do about how efficient workers are anyway.</p>
<p>What about the stock market turbulence? Some analysts have pointed to that as a reason to delay a rate increase. Yet the market's woes may be due in part to uncertainty around the Fed's timetable for a hike. A rate increase would end the uncertainty. It might also reassure investors that the Fed is confident in the economy.</p>
<p>Inflation does remain below the Fed's 2 percent target, having risen just 0.3 percent in the past 12 months, according to the central bank's preferred gauge. But advocates for a rate hike say that mostly reflects the plunge in energy prices in the second half of last year. Jeffery Lacker, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, notes that since January, overall prices have risen at a 2.2 percent annual rate.</p>
<p>Some economists who want the Fed to postpone a rate increase think a delay would allow the economy and pay growth to strengthen further. But a scant hike in the Fed's short term rate wouldn't likely weigh on growth. The Fed wouldn't be trying to rein in an overheating economy. It just wants to slowly withdraw the emergency aid it's supplied for seven years.</p>
<p>"It's not like there will be no stimulus," Ashworth says. "There will be just slightly less stimulus than there was before."</p>
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<p>— WHY THE FED SHOULDN'T RATES NOW</p>
<p>By PAUL WISEMAN</p>
<p>Why put the economy at unnecessary risk?</p>
<p>That's the fundamental argument against a Fed rate hike now: In light of fear about China's weakening economy and anxiety in financial markets, some analysts argue, why not play it safe until the picture brightens?</p>
<p>The usual factors that compel a rate hike — signs of an overheated economy building inflation pressures, for example — are nowhere to be found. Not yet, anyway. Keeping the Fed's benchmark at record lows might further support borrowing, spending and growth.</p>
<p>That's why Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, has implored the Fed to wait.</p>
<p>"The economy would be better off with a rate hike in early 2016," Lagarde said in June.</p>
<p>Lagarde and like-minded Fed watchers worry about the risk that a rate hike would prove premature — and end up damaging the economy. They feel that that risk outweighs the possibility that the Fed might wait too long to raise rates and cause inflation to rise too fast.</p>
<p>Consider what happened when an impatient European Central Bank hiked rates in 2011, two years after a devastating downturn. The countries that share the euro currency tumbled back into recession. The ECB has since reversed course and begun pumping money into the European economy to try to revive growth.</p>
<p>Might the Fed risk the same mistake?</p>
<p>Nor is the inflation bogeyman in sight. The Fed's favored measure of price levels rose a barely visible 0.3 percent in July from a year earlier — or 1.2 percent, if you exclude volatile food and energy prices. That's well below the Fed's 2 percent target.</p>
<p>"We simply don't have inflation," says Sung Won Sohn, an economist at California State University Channel Islands. "There's little prospect it's going to approach 2 percent anytime soon."</p>
<p>A Fed rate is hike is supposed slow an overheating economy. Though the U.S. economy is fairly healthy, it's hardly booming.</p>
<p>American employers have added an average 212,000 jobs a month so far this year — solid but down from last year's average of nearly 260,000. The unemployment rate has reached a seven-year low of 5.1 percent, but that's partly because an unusually large proportion of Americans have stopped looking for work and are no longer counted among the jobless. Hourly pay growth remains meager.</p>
<p>Troubles abroad give the Fed even more reason for caution, say opponents of a rate hike.</p>
<p>The Chinese economy has been slowing at a worrisome rate. Even though China's official reports still show enviable growth — 7 percent from April through June from a year earlier — its economic statistics are widely regarded as inflated. Many China watchers fear that actual economic growth is far worse.</p>
<p>Skepticism intensified after Chinese authorities caught the world by surprise last month by devaluing their yuan currency. Beijing insisted the move was just meant to catch up to market signals that the yuan was overvalued. But the move also seemed to suggest desperation — a bid to give Chinese exporters a price edge and juice an economy that must be worse than anyone realizes.</p>
<p>China's diminished appetite for foreign commodities has hurt developing economies — from Brazil to Nigeria — that depend on Chinese demand for raw materials. The IMF has warned that China's slowdown appears to be causing damage beyond its borders.</p>
<p>Which doesn't exactly brighten the outlook for the U.S. economy. If our economy is really so healthy, why aren't wages rising significantly? And if the U.S. economy is still less than robust, is there any compelling reason for the Fed to hike now?</p>
<p>"Are we at full employment?" Harvard University economist Kenneth Rogoff says. "We don't know. We've gone through a storm, and we don't quite know where the ship is."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Paul Wiseman on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PaulWisemanAP</p>
<p>Follow Chris Rugaber at https://Twitter.com/ChrisRugaber</p>
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seven years political fights europe debt crises market panic investors could count one thing shortterm us interest rates would stay locked near zero continue reading federal reserve remained wary economys durability long gravest recession since 1930s ended vastly strengthened economy fed weighing whether start phasing era easy money thursday would first rate hike since 2006 awaiting decision markets gripped tension ask economists theyll tell time hike soon others say heres case rate hike case delaying summarized two ap reporters ___ advertisement fed raise rates christopher rugaber whats fed waiting economy keeps expanding employers keep hiring theyve added 126 million jobs since 2010 far beyond 87 million lost great recession unemployment rate 51 percent hasnt low seven years cars flying lots fastest pace since 2001 home purchases regained prerecession levels americans flocking trendy new eateries lifting restaurant bar sales healthy 9 percent past year worrying whether economy could possibly withstand quarterpoint hike says paul ashworth economist capital economics forecasting firm critics argue continuing pin rate controls record low long economic crisis faded fed remains oddly state emergency 2008 first slashed rate near zero financial system teetering economy hemorrhaging jobs unemployment would soon hit 10 percent big banks car companies needed bailouts since dark days individuals companies repaired finances may longer need ultralow rates borrow spend true pay raises still meager lot americans given even looking work trend artificially helped shrink unemployment rate otherwise many analysts note todays economy kind fed would presumably want steady sustainable growth doesnt seem inflated bubbles stocks housing far might change rates stay zero much longer joseph carson us economist alliancebernstein points higher stock home prices boosted americans wealth level equal six times income thats akin levels reached peak bubbles stock prices 1999 housing market 2007 bursting two bubbles triggered recessions modest rate hikes starting could help avert another disaster actually prolong growth carson says economists dont want fed hike paychecks start accelerating average hourly pay risen 22 percent past 12 months 35 percent rate considered healthy sluggish pay increases may partly reflect lousy growth worker productivity past five years theres probably little fed could efficient workers anyway stock market turbulence analysts pointed reason delay rate increase yet markets woes may due part uncertainty around feds timetable hike rate increase would end uncertainty might also reassure investors fed confident economy inflation remain feds 2 percent target risen 03 percent past 12 months according central banks preferred gauge advocates rate hike say mostly reflects plunge energy prices second half last year jeffery lacker president federal reserve bank richmond notes since january overall prices risen 22 percent annual rate economists want fed postpone rate increase think delay would allow economy pay growth strengthen scant hike feds short term rate wouldnt likely weigh growth fed wouldnt trying rein overheating economy wants slowly withdraw emergency aid supplied seven years like stimulus ashworth says slightly less stimulus ___ fed shouldnt rates paul wiseman put economy unnecessary risk thats fundamental argument fed rate hike light fear chinas weakening economy anxiety financial markets analysts argue play safe picture brightens usual factors compel rate hike signs overheated economy building inflation pressures example nowhere found yet anyway keeping feds benchmark record lows might support borrowing spending growth thats christine lagarde managing director international monetary fund implored fed wait economy would better rate hike early 2016 lagarde said june lagarde likeminded fed watchers worry risk rate hike would prove premature end damaging economy feel risk outweighs possibility fed might wait long raise rates cause inflation rise fast consider happened impatient european central bank hiked rates 2011 two years devastating downturn countries share euro currency tumbled back recession ecb since reversed course begun pumping money european economy try revive growth might fed risk mistake inflation bogeyman sight feds favored measure price levels rose barely visible 03 percent july year earlier 12 percent exclude volatile food energy prices thats well feds 2 percent target simply dont inflation says sung sohn economist california state university channel islands theres little prospect going approach 2 percent anytime soon fed rate hike supposed slow overheating economy though us economy fairly healthy hardly booming american employers added average 212000 jobs month far year solid last years average nearly 260000 unemployment rate reached sevenyear low 51 percent thats partly unusually large proportion americans stopped looking work longer counted among jobless hourly pay growth remains meager troubles abroad give fed even reason caution say opponents rate hike chinese economy slowing worrisome rate even though chinas official reports still show enviable growth 7 percent april june year earlier economic statistics widely regarded inflated many china watchers fear actual economic growth far worse skepticism intensified chinese authorities caught world surprise last month devaluing yuan currency beijing insisted move meant catch market signals yuan overvalued move also seemed suggest desperation bid give chinese exporters price edge juice economy must worse anyone realizes chinas diminished appetite foreign commodities hurt developing economies brazil nigeria depend chinese demand raw materials imf warned chinas slowdown appears causing damage beyond borders doesnt exactly brighten outlook us economy economy really healthy arent wages rising significantly us economy still less robust compelling reason fed hike full employment harvard university economist kenneth rogoff says dont know weve gone storm dont quite know ship ___ follow paul wiseman twitter httpstwittercompaulwisemanap follow chris rugaber httpstwittercomchrisrugaber
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<p>Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD) might want you to believe it hasn't lost a major vendor, but the statement it put out reportedly refuting the claim actually seems to confirm it. At the very least, it doesn't deny that toymaker JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ: JAKK) has stopped shipping toys to its Kmart stores, and considering all the other circumstantial evidence pointing to the veracity of the claim, Sears looks as if it's in deep trouble this Christmas.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>During the quarterly earnings conference call with analysts, JAKKS Pacific Chairman and CEO Stephen Berman said the toymaker had made the difficult decision to suspend shipments to a major U.S. customer, which it identified only as "one of the largest U.S. retailers." It was The Wall Street Journal that indicated it was Sears' Kmart chain that suffered the blow.</p>
<p>Sears rushed out a statement on the company's blog supposedly refuting the claim. In a post titled "Just the Facts -- Vendor Relationships," CFO Jason Hollar called the report "speculation and (a) rush to report the negative." He essentially outlined three things to assuage concern:</p>
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<p>What's notable in the post is what the CFO didn't say: At no time did he mention that JAKKS had not suspended shipments to the retailer. That seems to be a major omission.</p>
<p>Sears has been trying to calm the jitters of suppliers for a few years now. In the fall of 2014, Chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert had to use his ESL Investments hedge fund to <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/09/16/with-coffers-running-dry-is-sears-holding-corp-doo.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">stave off Opens a New Window.</a> the sort of bankruptcy talk that plagued rival J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) when it was rumored one of its lenders was <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/22/the-latest-falling-shoe-at-jc-penney.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">no longer financing Opens a New Window.</a> its deliveries. Lampert ended up lending Sears $400 million via a short-term loan secured by liens on 25 pieces of properties, a move that temporarily smoothed over any worries vendors might have had.</p>
<p>But last year, the retailer resorted to an <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/03/24/sears-holdings-risk-rises-as-vendors-get-nervous.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">accelerated payment schedule Opens a New Window.</a> with vendors, paying them in as few as 15 days, compared with the industry standard of 30 days or 60 days, as a means of compensating them for the additional risk associated with shipping to the troubled retailer.</p>
<p>And just this past August, it appeared Lampert was once again <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/01/eddie-lampert-has-to-step-in-and-save-sears-holdin.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">engineering a scheme Opens a New Window.</a> to forestall suppliers from bolting ahead of the holidays. ESL Investments once again extended credit to the company in the amount of $300 million that was to be secured by a junior lien against the retailer's inventory, receivables, and other working capital. Of course, this was in addition to other stopgap measures Sears has had to deploy to keep the doors open over the years, as sales fall quarter after quarter and losses widen.</p>
<p>No longer the top of the heap as it once was, if Kmart has really lost JAKKS Pacific as a supplier as it seems, Sears may see other vendors get nervous and also sever ties. Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Now it appears Lampert was unable to keep all the balls he was juggling up in the air and JAKKS Pacific has bailed, despite the retailer's supposed assurances to the contrary.</p>
<p>Although the Journal quotes Sears as saying it intends to keep working with toymaker through 2017 -- again, important qualifiers are used, as "intending" to do something and doing it are two different things -- it goes on to point out just how far Kmart's star has fallen. Once upon a time, Kmart was one of the top toy retailers in the U.S., but those glory days are gone as Wal-Mart, Target, and even Amazon.comhave far outstripped it.</p>
<p>And Kmart's footprint is dwindling, too. While many retailers are reducing the number of stores they have open, earlier this summer Kmart employees feared their jobs were at risk after the stores began pulling all of their inventory out of the backrooms and putting it on the shelves. While that was seen as something a retailer preparing for a liquidation would do, Kmart insisted it just meant it was ensuring that customers had a positive in-store experience: They could find the merchandise they were looking for, and employees would be on the sale floor helping customers, not in the storerooms with stock.</p>
<p>Still, shortly thereafter, Kmart announced it was closing dozens of stores because they weren't profitable, on top of dozens more it had previously announced were being targeted for closure.</p>
<p>Now, even though it has somewhat said otherwise, Kmart may well be losing a major store vendor. That can only make other suppliers nervous, and there could be an exodus of more of them in the near future. Coming as it does just before the Christmas season gets under way, Kmart and Sears may not have any good tidings to report.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCop/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Duprey Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon.com. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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sears holdings nasdaq shld might want believe hasnt lost major vendor statement put reportedly refuting claim actually seems confirm least doesnt deny toymaker jakks pacific nasdaq jakk stopped shipping toys kmart stores considering circumstantial evidence pointing veracity claim sears looks deep trouble christmas continue reading image source getty images quarterly earnings conference call analysts jakks pacific chairman ceo stephen berman said toymaker made difficult decision suspend shipments major us customer identified one largest us retailers wall street journal indicated sears kmart chain suffered blow sears rushed statement companys blog supposedly refuting claim post titled facts vendor relationships cfo jason hollar called report speculation rush report negative essentially outlined three things assuage concern advertisement whats notable post cfo didnt say time mention jakks suspended shipments retailer seems major omission sears trying calm jitters suppliers years fall 2014 chairman ceo eddie lampert use esl investments hedge fund stave opens new window sort bankruptcy talk plagued rival jc penney nyse jcp rumored one lenders longer financing opens new window deliveries lampert ended lending sears 400 million via shortterm loan secured liens 25 pieces properties move temporarily smoothed worries vendors might last year retailer resorted accelerated payment schedule opens new window vendors paying 15 days compared industry standard 30 days 60 days means compensating additional risk associated shipping troubled retailer past august appeared lampert engineering scheme opens new window forestall suppliers bolting ahead holidays esl investments extended credit company amount 300 million secured junior lien retailers inventory receivables working capital course addition stopgap measures sears deploy keep doors open years sales fall quarter quarter losses widen longer top heap kmart really lost jakks pacific supplier seems sears may see vendors get nervous also sever ties image source getty images appears lampert unable keep balls juggling air jakks pacific bailed despite retailers supposed assurances contrary although journal quotes sears saying intends keep working toymaker 2017 important qualifiers used intending something two different things goes point far kmarts star fallen upon time kmart one top toy retailers us glory days gone walmart target even amazoncomhave far outstripped kmarts footprint dwindling many retailers reducing number stores open earlier summer kmart employees feared jobs risk stores began pulling inventory backrooms putting shelves seen something retailer preparing liquidation would kmart insisted meant ensuring customers positive instore experience could find merchandise looking employees would sale floor helping customers storerooms stock still shortly thereafter kmart announced closing dozens stores werent profitable top dozens previously announced targeted closure even though somewhat said otherwise kmart may well losing major store vendor make suppliers nervous could exodus near future coming christmas season gets way kmart sears may good tidings report secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window rich duprey opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends amazoncom try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p><a href="https://www.recruiter.com/workplace-technology.html" type="external">Big data Opens a New Window.</a>, artificial intelligence, automation, video technology: These are just some of the topics that recruiting leaders are talking about today. Individually, they all stand to impact the recruitment sector in profound ways over the coming years. Collectively, they can also be used to improve one of the most important metrics in recruitment – quality of hire.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>At&#160;industry events and in recruitment publications, improving quality of hire is a goal that's gaining momentum. It's being talked about more, and we increasingly feel we're developing the technologies to address this challenge.</p>
<p>Improving quality of hire is a multifaceted issue. It is critical that we&#160;identify the character traits&#160;and skill sets that are essential to&#160;successful hires by looking at data collected on our&#160;greatest successes to date. Then, we need to identify the candidates who meet this criteria and nurture relationships with them. We need to perfect our screening processes to ensure we build the strongest possible short lists. To maximize employee happiness and retention, we must also ensure that the&#160;hires we make are good cultural fits. Finally, we need to build onboarding processes that integrate our hires as effectively as possible.</p>
<p>With all the above in mind, here are five tools you can use today to help your organization bolster its quality of hire and gain a competitive advantage over other employers in your industry:</p>
<p>1. To Improve Collaboration:&#160; <a href="http://talenytics.com/" type="external">Talenytics Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Without doubt, one of the biggest challenges in recruitment is getting&#160;hiring managers and recruiters to collaborate to produce successful outcomes. Within your company, hiring managers and their colleagues will know whom their most successful team members are, but they won't necessarily understand how this information relates back to their profiles as candidates.</p>
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<p>To improve your company's quality of hire, you need to bridge this gap between high-performing employees and candidate profiles in order to zero in on the indicators that a given applicant will be successful.</p>
<p>Talenytics tackles this problem head-on. Drawing on&#160;input from hiring stakeholders, it produces a graphical hiring brief that is transparent and clearly understood within the business. Applicants can then be assessed against this brief and decisions about where compromises need to be made can be arrived at scientifically rather than through the recruiter's instincts. Uniquely, Talenytics also&#160;monitors the performance of new hires&#160;against the brief for 12 months and relates this back to the candidate profiles.</p>
<p>Not only does this approach ensure that the short list of candidates is more likely to win over hiring managers, but it also means that, over time, your company can build up a set of candidate profiles that hiring stakeholders can use to identify the types of candidates they should hire.</p>
<p>2. To&#160;Nurture and Engage Your Talent Pipeline:&#160; <a href="http://www.candidate.id" type="external">Candidate.ID Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>A&#160;strong short list of candidates&#160;results from effective candidate sourcing and attraction, plus the conversion rates your recruitment team enjoys when approaching candidates and progressing them through the hiring process. In today's candidate-strapped market, it is vital to build relationships with candidates before attempting to engage them in a hiring conversation.</p>
<p>Candidate.ID's talent pipeline platform manages and optimizes every tactic used to find, attract, engage, and nurture candidates. Using a unique scoring algorithm, it identifies which candidates within your talent pipeline are ready for a hiring conversation. In the company's words, it "is the difference between net fishing and spearfishing." By getting more of the candidates who would make quality hires into your recruitment process, Candidate.ID can play a key role in increasing your organization's quality of hire.</p>
<p>3. To&#160;Ensure Cultural Fit:&#160; <a href="http://jobviddy.com/" type="external">JOBVIDDY Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>The more informed a candidate is about your company's values, culture, and work environment, the more likely they are to become a long-term hire for your business. One increasingly important element in achieving this kind of hire is the use of video to give candidates much richer insights into life at your company.</p>
<p>JOBVIDDY makes it possible for any recruitment team to add immersive and interactive video content to their job ads and hiring campaigns. In addition to helping you hire better cultural fits for your company, embracing video content is also likely to increase application rates and reduce drop-out rates during the interview process.</p>
<p>4. To Improve Candidate Screening:&#160; <a href="https://www.hirevue.com/solutions/digital-interviewing" type="external">HireVue Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Imagine that your recruitment team had the resources to interview every single candidate who applied to your company. You would undoubtedly find that many candidates with weak resumes turned out to impress you enough to warrant further consideration via their interviews. That's just the nature of recruitment: too many applicants and not enough time to review them all as thoroughly as you'd like.</p>
<p>Now consider all the time you invest in conducting interviews that proves to be fruitless – those interviews in which you realize during the first couple of minutes that the candidate is not right for your role (or the candidate realizes you are not right for them).</p>
<p>Through&#160;video interviewing technology, HireVue can help recruitment teams tackle these two issues. The platform offers better insights about your applicants before you decide to move forward with them, and it allows you to spend less time on full-blowin interviews with candidates who aren't going to succeed in the process. The result is a stronger set of candidates making it to final round of interviews – and recruiters having more of their time freed up to engage and nurture the strongest candidates in the pipeline.</p>
<p>5. To Ensure Onboarding Success:&#160; <a href="https://www.talmundo.com/" type="external">Talmundo Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>When it comes to improving quality of hire, making the right hire is only part of the problem. Your onboarding process can materially impact – positively or negatively – how a new hire&#160;feels about your company, which in turn impacts the length of time&#160;they stay at your organization.</p>
<p>This is where Talmundo fits in. Its&#160;mobile app focuses on three key elements of successful onboarding:</p>
<p>- Engaging and&#160;exciting new hires:&#160;Starting a new job is exciting. Make sure you build on this sense of excitement from the moment your new hire accepts the job offer. Keep excitement levels high by sharing relevant and engaging content about the job, the company, and the new hire's colleagues.</p>
<p>- Training and informing new hires:&#160;You want to make sure new hires&#160;are aware of your company's policies, procedures, and any other critical role-related information. You also want to get these administrative tasks out of the way as quickly as possible so that your new hire retains their enthusiasm and excitement for the challenges that lie ahead.</p>
<p>- Connecting and interacting with new hires:&#160;By inviting new hires to share quick intro videos with their future teammates, you ensure a smooth induction into the team. You also want to check in with them regularly to see how their first weeks and months are going.</p>
<p>–</p>
<p>It used to be said that quality of hire was impossible to measure. In reality, we simply didn't have the tools we needed to do so. With the data, insights, and capabilities of the tools listed above, you'll have all the resources you need to change your hiring practices in ways that promote quality of hire.</p>
<p>Tony Restell is the founder of social media agency <a href="http://www.social-hire.com/" type="external">Social-Hire.com Opens a New Window.</a>. You can find Tony on Twitter,&#160; <a href="https://twitter.com/tonyrestell" type="external">@tonyrestell Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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big data opens new window artificial intelligence automation video technology topics recruiting leaders talking today individually stand impact recruitment sector profound ways coming years collectively also used improve one important metrics recruitment quality hire continue reading at160industry events recruitment publications improving quality hire goal thats gaining momentum talked increasingly feel developing technologies address challenge improving quality hire multifaceted issue critical we160identify character traits160and skill sets essential to160successful hires looking data collected our160greatest successes date need identify candidates meet criteria nurture relationships need perfect screening processes ensure build strongest possible short lists maximize employee happiness retention must also ensure the160hires make good cultural fits finally need build onboarding processes integrate hires effectively possible mind five tools use today help organization bolster quality hire gain competitive advantage employers industry 1 improve collaboration160 talenytics opens new window without doubt one biggest challenges recruitment getting160hiring managers recruiters collaborate produce successful outcomes within company hiring managers colleagues know successful team members wont necessarily understand information relates back profiles candidates advertisement improve companys quality hire need bridge gap highperforming employees candidate profiles order zero indicators given applicant successful talenytics tackles problem headon drawing on160input hiring stakeholders produces graphical hiring brief transparent clearly understood within business applicants assessed brief decisions compromises need made arrived scientifically rather recruiters instincts uniquely talenytics also160monitors performance new hires160against brief 12 months relates back candidate profiles approach ensure short list candidates likely win hiring managers also means time company build set candidate profiles hiring stakeholders use identify types candidates hire 2 to160nurture engage talent pipeline160 candidateid opens new window a160strong short list candidates160results effective candidate sourcing attraction plus conversion rates recruitment team enjoys approaching candidates progressing hiring process todays candidatestrapped market vital build relationships candidates attempting engage hiring conversation candidateids talent pipeline platform manages optimizes every tactic used find attract engage nurture candidates using unique scoring algorithm identifies candidates within talent pipeline ready hiring conversation companys words difference net fishing spearfishing getting candidates would make quality hires recruitment process candidateid play key role increasing organizations quality hire 3 to160ensure cultural fit160 jobviddy opens new window informed candidate companys values culture work environment likely become longterm hire business one increasingly important element achieving kind hire use video give candidates much richer insights life company jobviddy makes possible recruitment team add immersive interactive video content job ads hiring campaigns addition helping hire better cultural fits company embracing video content also likely increase application rates reduce dropout rates interview process 4 improve candidate screening160 hirevue opens new window imagine recruitment team resources interview every single candidate applied company would undoubtedly find many candidates weak resumes turned impress enough warrant consideration via interviews thats nature recruitment many applicants enough time review thoroughly youd like consider time invest conducting interviews proves fruitless interviews realize first couple minutes candidate right role candidate realizes right through160video interviewing technology hirevue help recruitment teams tackle two issues platform offers better insights applicants decide move forward allows spend less time fullblowin interviews candidates arent going succeed process result stronger set candidates making final round interviews recruiters time freed engage nurture strongest candidates pipeline 5 ensure onboarding success160 talmundo opens new window comes improving quality hire making right hire part problem onboarding process materially impact positively negatively new hire160feels company turn impacts length time160they stay organization talmundo fits its160mobile app focuses three key elements successful onboarding engaging and160exciting new hires160starting new job exciting make sure build sense excitement moment new hire accepts job offer keep excitement levels high sharing relevant engaging content job company new hires colleagues training informing new hires160you want make sure new hires160are aware companys policies procedures critical rolerelated information also want get administrative tasks way quickly possible new hire retains enthusiasm excitement challenges lie ahead connecting interacting new hires160by inviting new hires share quick intro videos future teammates ensure smooth induction team also want check regularly see first weeks months going used said quality hire impossible measure reality simply didnt tools needed data insights capabilities tools listed youll resources need change hiring practices ways promote quality hire tony restell founder social media agency socialhirecom opens new window find tony twitter160 tonyrestell opens new window
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<p>While Airbnb has opened up new options for travelers, it has also made booking a place to stay a <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/05/24/what-you-need-to-know-about-airbnb-stock.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8d303c2a-62c7-11e7-af03-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">bit of a gamble Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Like <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/06/06/priceline-stock-at-1900share-is-it-worth-buying.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8d303c2a-62c7-11e7-af03-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">blind bidding on Priceline Opens a New Window.</a>, buying a room, house, or any sort of place to crash through the innovative service comes with some risk. Priceline Group's (NASDAQ: PCLN) website at least has its mostly accurate star system, but Airbnb has only what the person who owns the property shares, and whatever reviews have been left.</p>
<p>That puts consumers in what can sometimes be a challenging situation. What you think you're getting may not be what's waiting for you when you arrive. That could be a small problem, like the beds are uncomfortable, or it could be a major one, like finding out you're sharing space with a heavy metal drummer who likes to practice after midnight.</p>
<p>Travel problems aren't specific to Airbnb. I've stayed at "three-star" Priceline hotels that didn't merit a single star, but the unique nature of Aribnb's marketplace can lead to some spectacular disasters. Some can be avoided with a little extra care on the part of the consumer. Others require you to either grin and bear it or that you turn tail and run.</p>
<p>Here are four things that can go wrong when you book on Airbnb, followed by how you can usually avoid these problems.</p>
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<p>My wife, son, and I recently stayed in an Airbnb where the pictures in the ad showed a well-maintained, nearly pristine condo. The furniture looked new, the linens appeared crisp and fresh, and everything shown made the the apartment look like a place we wanted to stay.</p>
<p>In reality, while the pictures were of the condo, they had probably been taken years ago. Once we checked in, everything looked as if it had been, to put it kindly, through very heavy use. Everything from the towels to the beds and couches had seen better days, as had the paint on the walls and the water-stained ceilings.</p>
<p>As this piece is being written, I'm finishing up a beach vacation on which we used Airbnb to book a two-bedroom condo right on the ocean. In this case, the ad for our lodging said it had air conditioning, which anyplace on the beach in South Florida should have.</p>
<p>What it didn't say was that it had barely functioning portable AC units that make it sound as if planes are constantly landing in your bedroom. That left us with the unenviable choice of either being cool(ish) or being able to sleep. The ad also neglected to mention that the second bedroom was a windowless space where the portable ACs did not reach.</p>
<p>In addition to lacking proper air conditioning, that particular Airbnb rental was also not quite where we expected it to be. It was just steps from a beautiful beach with a busy boardwalk. But it was also located in a run-down, half-vacant retail building/hotel where either one of the three elevators worked or none of them did. Yes, it was steps from near paradise, but taking those steps involved walking around some questionable characters, avoiding merchants selling bootleg T-shirts, and going around the various vagrants who frequented the property.</p>
<p>A few months ago, my wife and I took our son for a few days at the Florida theme parks. When I booked through Airbnb, I focused on finding a two-bedroom place without digging in deeply to what exactly was in those bedrooms.</p>
<p>I assumed at worst a queen and a twin, or probably two twins. What we got was a twin and two singles, sort of a cross between military cots and college dorm beds, but less comfortable.</p>
<p>The most obvious thing any person can do when it comes to avoiding an Airbnb horror story is carefully reading the ad. The tiny-beds issue I described was disclosed in the text. The pictures were shot from misleading angles, and the bed sizes were not prominent, but they were listed.</p>
<p>Hosts, of course, have a good reason to put their best foot forward. That makes it critical that you read the comments other users leave. In the case of my no-air-conditioning, dump-of-a-hotel condo, there were comments that brought up those issues.</p>
<p>What's challenging is that many good places have some negative comments. Perhaps the guest was especially picky, or maybe there was a problem that has since been rectified.</p>
<p>Reading the comments, however, gives you a list of questions to ask the host. While there may be some dishonest people using Airbnb, most hosts are simply trying to cast their rental in the best light. They aren't deliberately trying to trick you into renting an inferior property, and most will answer questions honestly.</p>
<p>Airbnb isn't Priceline. You won't be getting a name-brand property with established customer-service standards. Using the service is a bit of a risk, but it's possible to mitigate any potential problems by planning carefully and doing your homework.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Priceline GroupWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=1a58fed2-5f9b-4af6-afaf-f477232a8867&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8d303c2a-62c7-11e7-af03-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now… and Priceline Group wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=1a58fed2-5f9b-4af6-afaf-f477232a8867&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8d303c2a-62c7-11e7-af03-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of July 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/Dankline/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8d303c2a-62c7-11e7-af03-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Daniel Kline Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Priceline Group. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=8d303c2a-62c7-11e7-af03-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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airbnb opened new options travelers also made booking place stay bit gamble opens new window continue reading like blind bidding priceline opens new window buying room house sort place crash innovative service comes risk priceline groups nasdaq pcln website least mostly accurate star system airbnb person owns property shares whatever reviews left puts consumers sometimes challenging situation think youre getting may whats waiting arrive could small problem like beds uncomfortable could major one like finding youre sharing space heavy metal drummer likes practice midnight travel problems arent specific airbnb ive stayed threestar priceline hotels didnt merit single star unique nature aribnbs marketplace lead spectacular disasters avoided little extra care part consumer others require either grin bear turn tail run four things go wrong book airbnb followed usually avoid problems advertisement wife son recently stayed airbnb pictures ad showed wellmaintained nearly pristine condo furniture looked new linens appeared crisp fresh everything shown made apartment look like place wanted stay reality pictures condo probably taken years ago checked everything looked put kindly heavy use everything towels beds couches seen better days paint walls waterstained ceilings piece written im finishing beach vacation used airbnb book twobedroom condo right ocean case ad lodging said air conditioning anyplace beach south florida didnt say barely functioning portable ac units make sound planes constantly landing bedroom left us unenviable choice either coolish able sleep ad also neglected mention second bedroom windowless space portable acs reach addition lacking proper air conditioning particular airbnb rental also quite expected steps beautiful beach busy boardwalk also located rundown halfvacant retail buildinghotel either one three elevators worked none yes steps near paradise taking steps involved walking around questionable characters avoiding merchants selling bootleg tshirts going around various vagrants frequented property months ago wife took son days florida theme parks booked airbnb focused finding twobedroom place without digging deeply exactly bedrooms assumed worst queen twin probably two twins got twin two singles sort cross military cots college dorm beds less comfortable obvious thing person comes avoiding airbnb horror story carefully reading ad tinybeds issue described disclosed text pictures shot misleading angles bed sizes prominent listed hosts course good reason put best foot forward makes critical read comments users leave case noairconditioning dumpofahotel condo comments brought issues whats challenging many good places negative comments perhaps guest especially picky maybe problem since rectified reading comments however gives list questions ask host may dishonest people using airbnb hosts simply trying cast rental best light arent deliberately trying trick renting inferior property answer questions honestly airbnb isnt priceline wont getting namebrand property established customerservice standards using service bit risk possible mitigate potential problems planning carefully homework 10 stocks like better priceline groupwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right priceline group wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns july 6 2017 daniel kline opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends priceline group motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>According to recent analysis by Fidelity, the average American's 401(k) balance has reached a record high, mainly thanks to the Trump rally, but also because of better savings rates and automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans. However, the average American's 401(k) savings still isn't good enough. Here's the current state of retirement saving in the U.S., and why you should aim to be better than average.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Image Source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>In Fidelity's latest <a href="https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/employer-services/2016-q4-retirement-update" type="external">retirement analysis</a>, which covers the fourth quarter of 2016, the numbers looked pretty good. The average American's 401(k) balance is now $92,500, an all-time high. This is up $4,300 from the same time last year, and is 33% higher than the average balance just five years ago.</p>
<p>There are a few reasons for this. Most obviously, the stock market has performed well. Since a large amount of 401(k) assets are invested in stock-based mutual funds, the "Trump rally" is a big reason why many people saw their 401(k)'s value skyrocket during the fourth quarter.</p>
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<p>Also, automatic enrollment has become more widely adopted. 70% of Fidelity's 401(k) plans auto-enroll workers. Automatically increasing contributions has also become more popular, as 16% of plans will automatically boost workers' contributions each year if they want.</p>
<p>Finally, people are saving more, which is perhaps the best news in the report. The average employee contribution rate is now 8.4%, the highest savings rate since before the financial crisis. When you include employer matching contributions and profit-sharing, the overall contribution rate is 12.4% of salary for the average 401(k) participant. Since many financial advisors suggest an overall retirement saving rate of 15%, we're not too far off.</p>
<p>It's not just 401(k) savings that is improving. Fidelity reports that nearly 500,000 IRA accounts were added on their platform alone, and that the average IRA balance of $93,700 is up $3,600 since last year.</p>
<p>Data Source: Fidelity.</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong. $92,500 in retirement savings is better than $69,400, so we're heading in the right direction. However, this isn't nearly enough.</p>
<p>Experts generally agree that to maintain your quality of life after retirement, you'll need about 80% of your pre-retirement salary. Social Security is designed to replace about 40% of the typical retiree's salary, so the other 40% will need to come from other sources, such as your 401(k). For example, if you and your spouse have a combined income of $75,000, this means you should aim to produce about $30,000 per year from sources other than Social Security.</p>
<p>Another rule of thumb is the "4% rule" of retirement savings, which says that you can only expect to withdraw 4% of your retirement savings per year if you don't want to worry about your nest egg running out. The average 401(k) balance of $92,500 translates to just $3,700 in sustainable annual income. A separate <a href="https://pressroom.vanguard.com/nonindexed/HAS2016_Final.pdf" type="external">report</a> from Vanguard found that 401(k) holders nearing retirement -- ages 55-64 -- had an average balance of $177,805, which would produce just $7,100 in income. While the rule is far from perfect, it is a good guideline. But ask yourself: Would $7,100 per year on top of Social Security be enough for you to live comfortably in retirement? Probably not.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most alarming piece of data on American retirement savings is the median 401(k) balance. The Vanguard report, which found a similar average as Fidelity's analysis, found a median 401(k) balance of just $26,405. The median represents the midpoint of a given set of data, so this means that half of all 401(k) balances are less than $26,405.</p>
<p>To be fair, there are some reasons for this that could contribute to the lower median. Auto-enrollment is relatively new, and younger 401(k) accounts will obviously have smaller balances than those that have been open for many years. Also, since it's becoming more common for workers to change jobs every few years, many workers have multiple 401(k) accounts, or IRAs that resulted from rolling over former employers' accounts.</p>
<p>However, it's fair to say that most Americans are not on track for a comfortable retirement, based on the current state of 401(k) savings.</p>
<p>The best advice I can give if you need to do a better job of saving for retirement is to simply save more, although I realize that's easier said than done. I mentioned that experts generally suggest an overall savings rate of 15%, but you don't need to get there overnight. Try increasing your contributions gradually, say, by 1% of your salary per year until you reach your target. Or, increase your contribution rate every time you get a raise, so you won't even feel the sting of your paycheck decreasing.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that while retirement saving in the United States is clearly improving, the average simply isn't good enough. Strive to be better than average, and your future self will be glad you did.</p>
<p>The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-social-security?aid=8727&amp;source=irreditxt0000002&amp;ftm_cam=ryr-ss-intro-report&amp;ftm_pit=3186&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies</a>.</p>
<p>The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
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according recent analysis fidelity average americans 401k balance reached record high mainly thanks trump rally also better savings rates automatic enrollment 401k plans however average americans 401k savings still isnt good enough heres current state retirement saving us aim better average continue reading image source getty images fidelitys latest retirement analysis covers fourth quarter 2016 numbers looked pretty good average americans 401k balance 92500 alltime high 4300 time last year 33 higher average balance five years ago reasons obviously stock market performed well since large amount 401k assets invested stockbased mutual funds trump rally big reason many people saw 401ks value skyrocket fourth quarter advertisement also automatic enrollment become widely adopted 70 fidelitys 401k plans autoenroll workers automatically increasing contributions also become popular 16 plans automatically boost workers contributions year want finally people saving perhaps best news report average employee contribution rate 84 highest savings rate since financial crisis include employer matching contributions profitsharing overall contribution rate 124 salary average 401k participant since many financial advisors suggest overall retirement saving rate 15 far 401k savings improving fidelity reports nearly 500000 ira accounts added platform alone average ira balance 93700 3600 since last year data source fidelity dont get wrong 92500 retirement savings better 69400 heading right direction however isnt nearly enough experts generally agree maintain quality life retirement youll need 80 preretirement salary social security designed replace 40 typical retirees salary 40 need come sources 401k example spouse combined income 75000 means aim produce 30000 per year sources social security another rule thumb 4 rule retirement savings says expect withdraw 4 retirement savings per year dont want worry nest egg running average 401k balance 92500 translates 3700 sustainable annual income separate report vanguard found 401k holders nearing retirement ages 5564 average balance 177805 would produce 7100 income rule far perfect good guideline ask would 7100 per year top social security enough live comfortably retirement probably perhaps alarming piece data american retirement savings median 401k balance vanguard report found similar average fidelitys analysis found median 401k balance 26405 median represents midpoint given set data means half 401k balances less 26405 fair reasons could contribute lower median autoenrollment relatively new younger 401k accounts obviously smaller balances open many years also since becoming common workers change jobs every years many workers multiple 401k accounts iras resulted rolling former employers accounts however fair say americans track comfortable retirement based current state 401k savings best advice give need better job saving retirement simply save although realize thats easier said done mentioned experts generally suggest overall savings rate 15 dont need get overnight try increasing contributions gradually say 1 salary per year reach target increase contribution rate every time get raise wont even feel sting paycheck decreasing bottom line retirement saving united states clearly improving average simply isnt good enough strive better average future self glad 15834 social security bonus retirees completely overlook youre like americans youre years behind retirement savings handful littleknown social security secrets could help ensure boost retirement income example one easy trick could pay much 15834 year learn maximize social security benefits think could retire confidently peace mind simply click discover learn strategies motley fool disclosure policy
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<p>The value of a brand name is that it conveys quality, strength, and durability a consumer can count on. You know what you're getting every time you open a bottle, walk through a door, or pour out its contents. The biggest brand names also have a resiliency that can carry the company through tough times that every business invariably goes through.</p>
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<p>We've asked three top Motley Fool contributors to search the universe of big brands and come up some names that offer the best opportunities for growth and returns that investors can put in their portfolios today. Here are the three biggest brandsthey believe are best positioned to reward investors in the coming years: Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD), CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), and Clorox (NYSE: CLX).</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/keithnoonan/info.aspx" type="external">Keith Noonan Opens a New Window.</a>(Anheuser-Busch InBev):The market is pulling back on Anheuser-Busch InBev, and that could mean November is a smart time to take a position in the world's largest beer distributor.Its stock price has fallen more than 5% following the release of its most recent quarterly results on Oct. 27 -- with disappointment stemming from revenue and earnings misses, a downward revenue forecast revision resulting from unit volume in Brazil, and expectations for ongoing pressures in China. The stock is also down more than 12% over the past month, but the completed acquisition of SABMiller points to benefits of scale that should have pronounced effects over the long term.</p>
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<p>The merger has created a global beer powerhouse, with brands including AB-InBev's Budweiser, Becks, Corona, Stella Artois, and SABMiller's Pilsner Urquel, Carlton, Foster's, and Cascade now under the same corporate roof. The combined business stands as the fifth largest consumer-goods company by revenue and is No. 1 in terms of EBITDA, while guiding for the merger to result in a combined $2.45 billion in annual expense reductions.</p>
<p>The beer market is poised to remain highly competitive, but the new company looks to give AB-InBev strong positioning in the world's most growth-rich markets. Before the merger, SAB generated roughly two-thirds of its sales from its Asia and Africa segments, and the marketing, materials sourcing, and distribution benefits created by the acquisition present substantial opportunities in these markets.</p>
<p>AB-InBev stock also has an attractive returned income component, with the recent sell-offs pushing the company's dividend yield to roughly 4%.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTypeoh/info.aspx" type="external">Brian Feroldi Opens a New Window.</a> (CVS Health): Baby boomers are starting to retire in huge numbers, which should be a great long-term tailwind for the pharmaceutical industry. However, instead of buying the drug manufacturers themselves, I think a smarter and lower-risk way to play the trend is by owning CVS Heath.</p>
<p>CVS is two businesses in one. You're probably more familiar with the company's nationwide chain of retail pharmacy stores, which continue to put up solid growth numbers. Customers flock to the company's stores to help them fill their prescriptions, and its ongoing buildout of in-store clinics, called MinuteClinics, should keep demand strong for decades to come.</p>
<p>CVS Health's <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/what-is-a-pharmacy-benefit-manager.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">pharmacy benefits management Opens a New Window.</a> division also looks poised for prosperity. Think of this business as a middleman between providers of health insurance coverage -- employers, governments, unions -- and drug manufacturers. CVS uses its market expertise and huge buying power to negotiate steep discounts on drugs, which it then passes along to to its customers. The company charges a small fee for this service, which creates a win-win relationship. Perhaps it's no surprise to see that this business boasts customer retention rate north of 97%.</p>
<p>CVS has multiple growth avenues ahead of it, which should help drive revenue and profit growth for years to come. With shares trading for 13 times forward earnings and offering up a dividend yield of 2%, this is a great big brand stock to buy.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fool.com/about/staff/RichDuprey/author.htm?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Rich Duprey Opens a New Window.</a> (Clorox): When you think of Clorox,invariably you think about bleach, but the consumer-products giant has amassed an impressive portfolio of brands over the years that includes Brita water filters, Pine-Sol and Tilex cleaners, Kingsford charcoal, and Burt's Bees lip balm.</p>
<p>Even so, shares of Clorox are down 5% over the past year and 15% from their 52-week high, primarily as its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings in August fell 13% from last year, which were hurt by investments it made in the portfolio and its global footprint that puts it in more than 100 countries where currency exchange rates fell short against a strong U.S. dollar.</p>
<p>The discount the market is providing, however, gives investors an entry into its stock. They can take advantage of the consumer-products company's willingness to invest in its brands to position them for future growth. More than 80% of Clorox's sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their respective categories.</p>
<p>Although it's facing competitive pressures from Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL), which has a similarly diversified, global brand portfolio, investors can find solace in the fact that it also comes up against the same headwinds as Clorox. In its just-reported third quarter earnings, Colgate said net sales fell 3.5% because of unfavorable foreign exchange rates, and net income was down less than 1% year over year.</p>
<p>There are risks to investing in Clorox, but its portfolio investments, cost-saving measures, and leading basket of brands should enable it to drive sales higher, maintain profit margins, and generate above-market returns.</p>
<p>A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-apple-wearable?aid=6965&amp;source=irbeditxt0000017&amp;ftm_cam=rb-wearable-d&amp;ftm_pit=2667&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">just click here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCop/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Duprey Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Anheuser-Busch InBev NV. The Motley Fool recommends CVS Health. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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value brand name conveys quality strength durability consumer count know youre getting every time open bottle walk door pour contents biggest brand names also resiliency carry company tough times every business invariably goes continue reading weve asked three top motley fool contributors search universe big brands come names offer best opportunities growth returns investors put portfolios today three biggest brandsthey believe best positioned reward investors coming years anheuserbusch inbev nyse bud cvs health nyse cvs clorox nyse clx image source getty images keith noonan opens new windowanheuserbusch inbevthe market pulling back anheuserbusch inbev could mean november smart time take position worlds largest beer distributorits stock price fallen 5 following release recent quarterly results oct 27 disappointment stemming revenue earnings misses downward revenue forecast revision resulting unit volume brazil expectations ongoing pressures china stock also 12 past month completed acquisition sabmiller points benefits scale pronounced effects long term advertisement merger created global beer powerhouse brands including abinbevs budweiser becks corona stella artois sabmillers pilsner urquel carlton fosters cascade corporate roof combined business stands fifth largest consumergoods company revenue 1 terms ebitda guiding merger result combined 245 billion annual expense reductions beer market poised remain highly competitive new company looks give abinbev strong positioning worlds growthrich markets merger sab generated roughly twothirds sales asia africa segments marketing materials sourcing distribution benefits created acquisition present substantial opportunities markets abinbev stock also attractive returned income component recent selloffs pushing companys dividend yield roughly 4 image source getty images brian feroldi opens new window cvs health baby boomers starting retire huge numbers great longterm tailwind pharmaceutical industry however instead buying drug manufacturers think smarter lowerrisk way play trend owning cvs heath cvs two businesses one youre probably familiar companys nationwide chain retail pharmacy stores continue put solid growth numbers customers flock companys stores help fill prescriptions ongoing buildout instore clinics called minuteclinics keep demand strong decades come cvs healths pharmacy benefits management opens new window division also looks poised prosperity think business middleman providers health insurance coverage employers governments unions drug manufacturers cvs uses market expertise huge buying power negotiate steep discounts drugs passes along customers company charges small fee service creates winwin relationship perhaps surprise see business boasts customer retention rate north 97 cvs multiple growth avenues ahead help drive revenue profit growth years come shares trading 13 times forward earnings offering dividend yield 2 great big brand stock buy image source getty images rich duprey opens new window clorox think cloroxinvariably think bleach consumerproducts giant amassed impressive portfolio brands years includes brita water filters pinesol tilex cleaners kingsford charcoal burts bees lip balm even shares clorox 5 past year 15 52week high primarily fiscal fourthquarter earnings august fell 13 last year hurt investments made portfolio global footprint puts 100 countries currency exchange rates fell short strong us dollar discount market providing however gives investors entry stock take advantage consumerproducts companys willingness invest brands position future growth 80 cloroxs sales generated brands hold 1 2 market share positions respective categories although facing competitive pressures colgatepalmolive nyse cl similarly diversified global brand portfolio investors find solace fact also comes headwinds clorox justreported third quarter earnings colgate said net sales fell 35 unfavorable foreign exchange rates net income less 1 year year risks investing clorox portfolio investments costsaving measures leading basket brands enable drive sales higher maintain profit margins generate abovemarket returns secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window rich duprey opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends anheuserbusch inbev nv motley fool recommends cvs health try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Markets are forward-looking, and generally pretty efficient, but that doesn't mean they're always right at any given time. Shares of Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN) have been on a tear this year, rising nearly 10% in a year in which a popular business development company (BDC) index fund is down roughly 2%.</p>
<p>Is Main Street Capital's rise indicative of good things to come, or is the market simply too comfortable paying a premium for one of the most beloved BDCs? I'll lay out the bull and bear case for Main Street Capital with the goal of hitting the topics that are most important for its shareholders.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Main Street Capital benefits from lower expenses, thanks to a lean <a href="https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/what-is-an-internally-managed-bdc.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">internally managed</a> structure that holds down costs as a percentage of assets under management. In the most recent six-month period, Main Street Capital's all-in expense burden tallied to just 1.6% of average assets, far less than the typical BDC.</p>
<p>BDCs are generally externally managed, which results in very few economies of scale. An externally managed BDC typically pays a base management fee of 1.5% to 2% of assets plus an incentive fee equal to 20% of returns. Comparatively, Main Street Capital's expenses are the equivalent to a management fee equal to 1.6% of assets with no incentive fee, making it easily one of the most efficient operators in the BDC industry.</p>
<p>Lean operating costs mean that Main Street Capital can make more underwriting errors than the average BDC and still eke out industry-leading returns, all else equal. Low operating costs also serve as a very good sign that management cares about shareholder returns in an industry that isn't known for being <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/05/17/bdc-boards-all-hat-no-cattle.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">shareholder-friendly</a>.</p>
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<p>Main Street Capital's low operating costs are well known, resulting in a valuation that vastly exceeds the industry average. Main Street Capital shares currently trade at a 78% premium to book in an industry where the median trades at close to a 10% discount to book.</p>
<p>Main Street Capital trades at a similarly outsize multiple of net investment income (NII). The company is on track to generate $2.30 of net investment income per share this year, thus meaning it trades at more than 17 times earnings before capital gains and losses. Shares offer a meager NII yield of just 5.7%, in line with the 5.7% yield of junk bonds (BofA Merrill Lynch US High Yield Effective Yield Index).</p>
<p>The high valuation results in a regular <a href="https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/dividend-yield.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">dividend yield</a> that doesn't adequately compensate investors for risk. It's difficult to explain why Main Street Capital (which is itself a portfolio of low-quality debt and equity investments with leverage on top) should trade at an NII yield equal to the effective yield on an unlevered index of junk-rated credits.</p>
<p>Main Street Capital's middle-market investment portfolio contains <a href="https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/what-is-a-floating-rate-note.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">floating-rate loans</a> that should generate more interest income as interest rates rise. This should help preserve and grow Main Street Capital's dividend over time.</p>
<p>Using end-of-period share counts, each 25 basis point increase in the base rate (LIBOR, typically) would lift net investment income by $0.032 per share on an annual basis. Over time, rising rates should buoy Main Street Capital's earnings, providing an easy "lever" for growth in operating income that can support dividend growth.</p>
<p>Main Street Capital's mostly fixed-cost operating structure ensures that the benefits of rising rates will flow to shareholders. In contrast, externally managed BDCs have variable expenses (incentive fees), which send 20% of the benefit of rising rates to their managers. For this reason, Main Street Capital shareholders can be certain that increased earnings from rising rates will flow into their pockets.</p>
<p>Main Street Capital's "secret sauce" is its lower middle market investments in tiny companies across the United States. These companies are more exposed to the ups and downs of the economy as a whole, given that they are small, and generally lack access to attractive financing sources, particularly in recessions.</p>
<p>Main Street Capital disclosed in its quarterly report that its average lower middle market investment generated <a href="https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/ebitda.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">EBITDA</a> of $4.8 million per year. To put that in perspective, consider that the average Costco store generated a similar amount of EBITDA in just eight months in 2016. Main Street Capital's lower middle market companies are very, very small, but its investments in these companies make up approximately 43% of Main Street Capital's total assets.</p>
<p>Should higher interest rates act as a drag on economic growth, it will be Main Street Capital's tiny lower middle market companies that feel the brunt of the impact. Given Main Street Capital's outsize exposure to these smaller companies, capital losses from this group could easily exceed the incremental earnings it stands to generate from rising rates on its true middle market loan portfolio.</p>
<p>Main Street Capital's balance sheet reflects its best-of-breed underwriting abilities. Since inception, the company has generated net realized and unrealized gains of roughly $161 million, reflecting its ability to earn more from its winning investments than it gives up from its losers. In contrast, the vast majority of BDCs produce net losses from their underwriting, as winners fail to paper over the losers.</p>
<p>Main Street Capital's gains are a function of its process. Because it invests in both the debt and equity of lower-middle-market companies, it can win in two ways: from capital gains as its portfolio companies' earnings grow, and from capital gains when its portfolio companies pay down their borrowings. When a company pays down debt, the equity value of the company increases. Main Street Capital historically aims to own about a third of its portfolio companies, thus it stands to directly benefit as its loans are paid down.</p>
<p>Main Street Capital should be able to grow <a href="https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/what-is-net-asset-value.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">net asset value</a> (book value) over time by producing gains in excess of losses, driving increased dividends on a per-share basis. Investors now have nearly a full decade of historical performance on which to judge the quality of the company's underwriting, justifying its premium valuation relative to peers.</p>
<p>When Main Street Capital went public in October 2007, its portfolio included many winning legacy investments that were already marked at substantial premiums to cost. These companies largely sailed through the financial crisis, given that many had deleveraged either through growth, debt reduction, or a combination of both in the years leading up to the downturn.</p>
<p>Although Main Street Capital has made a number of winning investments, the vast majority are concentrated in a cohort of its earliest investments. More than $94 million of unrealized gains on Main Street Capital's balance sheet come from just four portfolio companies it originally invested in before 2011.</p>
<p>Notably, Main Street Capital is slowly monetizing its early winners. It recently exited&#160;Compact Power Equipment and Indianapolis&#160;Aviation Partners at realized gains, companies that entered its portfolio in 2009. As time goes on, Main Street Capital won't be able to rely on its most timely investments to drive realized gains in its portfolio.</p>
<p>Bears can concede that Main Street Capital's earliest lower-middle-market investments have proved extraordinary. The question is whether those results can be duplicated. Main Street Capital is more than 20 times times larger by assets today than it was during the quarter immediately before its IPO, and true bargains are few and far between compared with the deals Main Street Capital saw in the years immediately following the financial crisis. For this reason, Main Street's future underwriting results are unlikely to look anything like the past.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Main Street CapitalWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=5be6174e-df58-40b8-a662-4ad48a61299c&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks</a> for investors to buy right now... and Main Street Capital wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of August 1, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFValueMagnet/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Jordan Wathen</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=09c0c0b8-81cf-11e7-be14-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
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markets forwardlooking generally pretty efficient doesnt mean theyre always right given time shares main street capital corporation nyse main tear year rising nearly 10 year popular business development company bdc index fund roughly 2 main street capitals rise indicative good things come market simply comfortable paying premium one beloved bdcs ill lay bull bear case main street capital goal hitting topics important shareholders continue reading main street capital benefits lower expenses thanks lean internally managed structure holds costs percentage assets management recent sixmonth period main street capitals allin expense burden tallied 16 average assets far less typical bdc bdcs generally externally managed results economies scale externally managed bdc typically pays base management fee 15 2 assets plus incentive fee equal 20 returns comparatively main street capitals expenses equivalent management fee equal 16 assets incentive fee making easily one efficient operators bdc industry lean operating costs mean main street capital make underwriting errors average bdc still eke industryleading returns else equal low operating costs also serve good sign management cares shareholder returns industry isnt known shareholderfriendly advertisement main street capitals low operating costs well known resulting valuation vastly exceeds industry average main street capital shares currently trade 78 premium book industry median trades close 10 discount book main street capital trades similarly outsize multiple net investment income nii company track generate 230 net investment income per share year thus meaning trades 17 times earnings capital gains losses shares offer meager nii yield 57 line 57 yield junk bonds bofa merrill lynch us high yield effective yield index high valuation results regular dividend yield doesnt adequately compensate investors risk difficult explain main street capital portfolio lowquality debt equity investments leverage top trade nii yield equal effective yield unlevered index junkrated credits main street capitals middlemarket investment portfolio contains floatingrate loans generate interest income interest rates rise help preserve grow main street capitals dividend time using endofperiod share counts 25 basis point increase base rate libor typically would lift net investment income 0032 per share annual basis time rising rates buoy main street capitals earnings providing easy lever growth operating income support dividend growth main street capitals mostly fixedcost operating structure ensures benefits rising rates flow shareholders contrast externally managed bdcs variable expenses incentive fees send 20 benefit rising rates managers reason main street capital shareholders certain increased earnings rising rates flow pockets main street capitals secret sauce lower middle market investments tiny companies across united states companies exposed ups downs economy whole given small generally lack access attractive financing sources particularly recessions main street capital disclosed quarterly report average lower middle market investment generated ebitda 48 million per year put perspective consider average costco store generated similar amount ebitda eight months 2016 main street capitals lower middle market companies small investments companies make approximately 43 main street capitals total assets higher interest rates act drag economic growth main street capitals tiny lower middle market companies feel brunt impact given main street capitals outsize exposure smaller companies capital losses group could easily exceed incremental earnings stands generate rising rates true middle market loan portfolio main street capitals balance sheet reflects bestofbreed underwriting abilities since inception company generated net realized unrealized gains roughly 161 million reflecting ability earn winning investments gives losers contrast vast majority bdcs produce net losses underwriting winners fail paper losers main street capitals gains function process invests debt equity lowermiddlemarket companies win two ways capital gains portfolio companies earnings grow capital gains portfolio companies pay borrowings company pays debt equity value company increases main street capital historically aims third portfolio companies thus stands directly benefit loans paid main street capital able grow net asset value book value time producing gains excess losses driving increased dividends pershare basis investors nearly full decade historical performance judge quality companys underwriting justifying premium valuation relative peers main street capital went public october 2007 portfolio included many winning legacy investments already marked substantial premiums cost companies largely sailed financial crisis given many deleveraged either growth debt reduction combination years leading downturn although main street capital made number winning investments vast majority concentrated cohort earliest investments 94 million unrealized gains main street capitals balance sheet come four portfolio companies originally invested 2011 notably main street capital slowly monetizing early winners recently exited160compact power equipment indianapolis160aviation partners realized gains companies entered portfolio 2009 time goes main street capital wont able rely timely investments drive realized gains portfolio bears concede main street capitals earliest lowermiddlemarket investments proved extraordinary question whether results duplicated main street capital 20 times times larger assets today quarter immediately ipo true bargains far compared deals main street capital saw years immediately following financial crisis reason main streets future underwriting results unlikely look anything like past 10 stocks like better main street capitalwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks investors buy right main street capital wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click learn picks stock advisor returns august 1 2017 jordan wathen position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends costco wholesale motley fool disclosure policy
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<p>Shares of Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) fell 4% on Sep. 1 after the cloud-based CRM (customer relationship management) solution provider postedits second quarter earnings. The headline numbers looked solid -- revenue rose 25% annually to $2.04 billion, exceeding estimates by $20 million, and non-GAAP earnings improved 26% to $0.24 per share, topping expectations by two cents.</p>
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>However, Salesforce's billings only rose 15%, down from 30% growth in the previous two quarters and missing expectations for 25% growth. The company blamed that miss on delays in closing several big deals in the U.S.Salesforce expects its third quarter sales to rise 23.4%-24% annually in the third quarter, but that also misses the consensus forecast for 24.6% growth. Due to that decline, its forecast for non-GAAP earnings of $0.20-$0.21 per share also missed expectations for $0.24 per share.</p>
<p>Those numbers were disappointing, but I think the sell-off was overdone. Therefore, I started a position in Salesforce on the dip for three simple reasons.</p>
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<p>Many investors were so focused on Salesforce's weak billings growth and third quarter guidance that they ignored the fact that the company actually raised its full-year sales growth guidance to 24%-25%, compared to its prior forecast for 22%-23% growth.</p>
<p>A key growth driver in the near future will be the launch ofSalesforce Einstein, its next-gen AI platform for CRM. The company plans to unveil the platform, along with other Einstein-powered services, at its annual Dreamforce event in early October.</p>
<p>Dreamforce 2015. Image source: Salesforce.</p>
<p>During the conference call, CEO Marc Benioff said that the platform would "democratize artificial intelligence" and "make every company and every employee smarter, faster, and more productive." He also called the platform "a huge differentiator and growth driver going forward, as it puts us well ahead of our CRM competition once again."</p>
<p>Salesforce is still the undisputed leader in the CRM market. Research firm Gartnerreports thatSalesforce controlled 19.7% of the global CRM market in 2015, compared to 10.2% for SAP, 7.8% for Oracle, 4.3% for Microsoft, and 3.6% for Adobe.</p>
<p>SAP and Oracle lost market share year-over-year, but Salesforce, Microsoft, and Adobe all gained market share. Salesforce posted the highest growth with a 1.5 percentage point gain.</p>
<p>In terms of pure revenue growth, Adobe's CRM sales rose 26.9% in 2015, Salesforce's grew 21.1%, and Microsoft's improved 20%. All three companies' businesses outpaced the global CRM market's 12.3% growth to $26.3 billion last year.</p>
<p>Salesforce's subscription and support revenues rose 24% annually to $1.89 billion last quarter, while professional services and other revenues grew 33% to $151 million. During the call, Benioff noted that "no other software enterprise company of our size is growing at this pace."</p>
<p>Sales Cloud revenue rose 13% annually in dollars, Service Cloud revenue rose 29%, and App Cloud and other revenue rose 43%. Marketing Cloud revenue, boosted by its $2.8 billion acquisition of Demandware, rose 28%.</p>
<p>Salesforce's revenue from the Americas, which accounted for 73% of its top line, rose 24% annually during the quarter. But its overseas markets are growing faster, with 32% growth across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region and 29% growth in the Asia-Pacific region.</p>
<p>Although currency headwinds remain challenging, CFO Mark Hawkins stated during the conference call that the foreign exchange rates mainly put pressure on its revenue growth instead of boosting operating expenses -- which allowed it to continue expanding its margins. That enabled its non-GAAP operating margin to improve 25 basis points year-over-year, representing its ninth consecutive quarter of margin expansion.</p>
<p>Salesforce is often called an "expensive" stock, but its current (TTM) price-sales ratio of 7 isn't that high compared to some of its other cloud peers. Veeva, which provides Salesforce services for the <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/08/10/3-cloud-stocks-that-could-make-you-rich.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">healthcare industry Opens a New Window.</a>, is expected to post 28% sales growth this year and trades at 12 times sales. Analysts expect Adobe, which trades at 10 times sales, topost 21% sales growth this year. Moreover, the application software industry currently hasan average P/S ratio of 9.</p>
<p>Salesforce is a volatile stock which isn't for investors with weak stomachs. But I believe that it's a solid "pure play" cloud stock with lots of room to grow as cloud-based CRM solutions displace on-premise ones. Therefore, I consider Salesforce's recent pullback a great opportunity to start a long-term position.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Salesforce.com. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Gartner, Salesforce.com, and Veeva Systems. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft and Oracle. The Motley Fool recommends Adobe Systems. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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shares salesforce nyse crm fell 4 sep 1 cloudbased crm customer relationship management solution provider postedits second quarter earnings headline numbers looked solid revenue rose 25 annually 204 billion exceeding estimates 20 million nongaap earnings improved 26 024 per share topping expectations two cents continue reading image source getty images however salesforces billings rose 15 30 growth previous two quarters missing expectations 25 growth company blamed miss delays closing several big deals ussalesforce expects third quarter sales rise 23424 annually third quarter also misses consensus forecast 246 growth due decline forecast nongaap earnings 020021 per share also missed expectations 024 per share numbers disappointing think selloff overdone therefore started position salesforce dip three simple reasons advertisement many investors focused salesforces weak billings growth third quarter guidance ignored fact company actually raised fullyear sales growth guidance 2425 compared prior forecast 2223 growth key growth driver near future launch ofsalesforce einstein nextgen ai platform crm company plans unveil platform along einsteinpowered services annual dreamforce event early october dreamforce 2015 image source salesforce conference call ceo marc benioff said platform would democratize artificial intelligence make every company every employee smarter faster productive also called platform huge differentiator growth driver going forward puts us well ahead crm competition salesforce still undisputed leader crm market research firm gartnerreports thatsalesforce controlled 197 global crm market 2015 compared 102 sap 78 oracle 43 microsoft 36 adobe sap oracle lost market share yearoveryear salesforce microsoft adobe gained market share salesforce posted highest growth 15 percentage point gain terms pure revenue growth adobes crm sales rose 269 2015 salesforces grew 211 microsofts improved 20 three companies businesses outpaced global crm markets 123 growth 263 billion last year salesforces subscription support revenues rose 24 annually 189 billion last quarter professional services revenues grew 33 151 million call benioff noted software enterprise company size growing pace sales cloud revenue rose 13 annually dollars service cloud revenue rose 29 app cloud revenue rose 43 marketing cloud revenue boosted 28 billion acquisition demandware rose 28 salesforces revenue americas accounted 73 top line rose 24 annually quarter overseas markets growing faster 32 growth across emea europe middle east africa region 29 growth asiapacific region although currency headwinds remain challenging cfo mark hawkins stated conference call foreign exchange rates mainly put pressure revenue growth instead boosting operating expenses allowed continue expanding margins enabled nongaap operating margin improve 25 basis points yearoveryear representing ninth consecutive quarter margin expansion salesforce often called expensive stock current ttm pricesales ratio 7 isnt high compared cloud peers veeva provides salesforce services healthcare industry opens new window expected post 28 sales growth year trades 12 times sales analysts expect adobe trades 10 times sales topost 21 sales growth year moreover application software industry currently hasan average ps ratio 9 salesforce volatile stock isnt investors weak stomachs believe solid pure play cloud stock lots room grow cloudbased crm solutions displace onpremise ones therefore consider salesforces recent pullback great opportunity start longterm position secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window leo sun opens new window owns shares salesforcecom motley fool owns shares recommends gartner salesforcecom veeva systems motley fool owns shares microsoft oracle motley fool recommends adobe systems try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>There's a reason why 401(k) and individual retirement accounts are called "tax deferred." You pay no taxes while you're accumulating savings, but Uncle Sam ultimately gets his bite when funds are withdrawn. And to make sure the meal gets started on time, you'll face though the dreaded required minimum distribution (RMD).</p>
<p>RMDs must be taken from IRAs starting in the year you turn 70.5 - and from 401(k)s at the same age, unless you're still working for the employer that sponsors the plan. They exist to make sure the tax benefits of these accounts don't extend indefinitely - and that you start using these assets, and start paying taxes, in retirement.</p>
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<p>"RMDs are a double straitjacket," says Christine Fahlund , senior financial planner and vice president of T. Rowe Price Investment Services. "First, the government requires you to pull money out of your accounts when you don't necessarily want to, and then you're required to pay taxes on the withdrawals."</p>
<p>Like it or not, this is the time of year to think about RMDs, since in most cases they must be taken by Dec. 31. And it's important to get this right: Failure to take the correct distribution results in an onerous 50 percent tax - plus interest - on any required withdrawals you fail to take.</p>
<p>RMDS can boost other expenses, too. Since distributions count as ordinary income, they can push you into a higher tax bracket. They also can trigger higher taxes on Social Security benefits and substantial high-income surcharges on Medicare premiums.</p>
<p>Here are year-end tips from the pros on effective RMD management.</p>
<p>DO THE MATH, CHECK THE CALENDAR</p>
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<p>RMDs must be calculated for each account you own by dividing the prior Dec. 31 balance with a life expectancy factor that you can find in IRS Publication 590 (). Often, your account provider will calculate RMDs for you - but the final responsibility is yours. FINRA, the financial services self-regulatory agency, offers a calculator (), and the IRS offers worksheets () to help calculate RMDs.</p>
<p>RMDs must be taken by year-end, with one exception. If you turn 70.5 this year, you have until next April 1 to take your 2013 RMD. However, doing that means you'll be taking two distributions in 2014 - which could have a significant impact on your income taxes.</p>
<p>DRAWDOWN STRATEGIES</p>
<p>Although RMDs are calculated for each IRA you own, you don't have to take a separate distribution from every account. You could total up your RMDs and take it all from one IRA - one that is a poor performer, perhaps, or one that will help you rebalance an account that might be overweight in equities against your overall allocation plan.</p>
<p>"It's a great idea to use RMDs to restore balance to your portfolio," says Christine Benz, director of personal finance at Morningstar. "We've seen a tremendous run in stocks, recent losses notwithstanding, so it's a good bet that many retirees' equity allocations are above their target ranges."</p>
<p>With 401(k)s or other workplace plans, the RMD must be taken from each individual account you own. If you've left a trail of 401(k)s at various jobs over the years, that can be a chore - and a good argument for consolidation, argues Fahlund. "If you're just getting into the world of RMDs, it's a good time to consolidate your 401(k)s and IRAs," she says. "Minimize the number of accounts you have, so you can keep track of them more easily."</p>
<p>AVOIDING TAX SHOCKS</p>
<p>It's bad enough that RMDs may force you to sell assets you might prefer to hold. But RMDs also can trigger an increase in income taxes if they push you into a higher bracket.</p>
<p>Another bummer: RMDs can mean a bigger tax on Social Security benefits, which are taxed using a complex "provisional income" formula that is determined by adding together your adjusted gross income, tax-exempt income and half your Social Security benefit.</p>
<p>If you're over age 70.5, options for minimizing RMDs are few. One that is available - at least this year - is the qualified charitable distribution (QCD), which lets you make cash donations up to $100,000 to IRS-approved public charities direct from an IRA. (QDCs from workplace plans aren't allowed.) The gifts can be counted toward an RMD and are excluded from your taxable income.</p>
<p>This tax shelter has been on the congressional chopping block for some time and isn't expected to be extended for 2014. "It's the most interesting option this year, if you're in a position where you don't need the money yourself and you're charitably minded," says Jeremy S. Elliott, managing director at National Financial Partners.</p>
<p>Another option is converting IRAs assets to an after-tax Roth IRA. You'll owe income tax on the money you switch into the account in the year of the conversion, but you won't need to take RMDs in future years (though any beneficiaries would need to take RMDs down the road).</p>
<p>Finally, consider accelerating drawdowns from tax-deferred accounts before you enter the world of RMDs. Savings can be withdrawn without penalty from tax-qualified accounts after you turn 59. That will leave you with smaller tax-deferred accounts down the road - hence smaller RMDs.</p>
<p>Bill Meyer, co-founder of SocialSecuritySolutions.com, suggests taking distributions as large as possible so long as they don't push income into a higher tax bracket. "The idea is simple, he says. "If you reduce your RMDs down the road, you will have more money to spend in retirement."</p>
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theres reason 401k individual retirement accounts called tax deferred pay taxes youre accumulating savings uncle sam ultimately gets bite funds withdrawn make sure meal gets started time youll face though dreaded required minimum distribution rmd rmds must taken iras starting year turn 705 401ks age unless youre still working employer sponsors plan exist make sure tax benefits accounts dont extend indefinitely start using assets start paying taxes retirement continue reading rmds double straitjacket says christine fahlund senior financial planner vice president rowe price investment services first government requires pull money accounts dont necessarily want youre required pay taxes withdrawals like time year think rmds since cases must taken dec 31 important get right failure take correct distribution results onerous 50 percent tax plus interest required withdrawals fail take rmds boost expenses since distributions count ordinary income push higher tax bracket also trigger higher taxes social security benefits substantial highincome surcharges medicare premiums yearend tips pros effective rmd management math check calendar advertisement rmds must calculated account dividing prior dec 31 balance life expectancy factor find irs publication 590 often account provider calculate rmds final responsibility finra financial services selfregulatory agency offers calculator irs offers worksheets help calculate rmds rmds must taken yearend one exception turn 705 year next april 1 take 2013 rmd however means youll taking two distributions 2014 could significant impact income taxes drawdown strategies although rmds calculated ira dont take separate distribution every account could total rmds take one ira one poor performer perhaps one help rebalance account might overweight equities overall allocation plan great idea use rmds restore balance portfolio says christine benz director personal finance morningstar weve seen tremendous run stocks recent losses notwithstanding good bet many retirees equity allocations target ranges 401ks workplace plans rmd must taken individual account youve left trail 401ks various jobs years chore good argument consolidation argues fahlund youre getting world rmds good time consolidate 401ks iras says minimize number accounts keep track easily avoiding tax shocks bad enough rmds may force sell assets might prefer hold rmds also trigger increase income taxes push higher bracket another bummer rmds mean bigger tax social security benefits taxed using complex provisional income formula determined adding together adjusted gross income taxexempt income half social security benefit youre age 705 options minimizing rmds one available least year qualified charitable distribution qcd lets make cash donations 100000 irsapproved public charities direct ira qdcs workplace plans arent allowed gifts counted toward rmd excluded taxable income tax shelter congressional chopping block time isnt expected extended 2014 interesting option year youre position dont need money youre charitably minded says jeremy elliott managing director national financial partners another option converting iras assets aftertax roth ira youll owe income tax money switch account year conversion wont need take rmds future years though beneficiaries would need take rmds road finally consider accelerating drawdowns taxdeferred accounts enter world rmds savings withdrawn without penalty taxqualified accounts turn 59 leave smaller taxdeferred accounts road hence smaller rmds bill meyer cofounder socialsecuritysolutionscom suggests taking distributions large possible long dont push income higher tax bracket idea simple says reduce rmds road money spend retirement
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<p>When Ally-Jane Grossan was in college, she loved paying for things with her Hello Kitty-branded card from Bank of America®. “It was amazing and so cute,” she recalls, about 10 years later. She says it was a “genius way” for the issuer to get young women familiar with paying with plastic.</p>
<p>Then, when the card expired after a few years, she received an unwelcome surprise in the mail: Her <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/how-to-pick-the-best-credit-card-for-you-4-easy-steps/?utm_campaign=ct_prod&amp;utm_source=syndication&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_term=fox-business&amp;utm_content=446780" type="external">new card Opens a New Window.</a> was missing Hello Kitty. “That led me down the path of being frustrated with the bank. They were not listening to their customers,” says Grossan, founder of the podcast “Moneysplained.” (Disclosure: This reporter was a recent guest on the podcast.)</p>
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<p>When Grossan called the bank to ask why a replacement Hello Kitty card had not been sent, she says she did not get a satisfactory answer — the call took a long time, she recalls, but she doesn’t remember the reason she was given. (A Bank of America® spokesperson says that sometimes branded affinity cards like the Hello Kitty one are discontinued based on demand when they come up for renewal.)</p>
<p>Grossan is hardly the only one dissatisfied with a credit or debit card issuer. The 2017 J.D. Power Credit Card Satisfaction Study found that while overall satisfaction scores for cardholders are high, scores for cardholders under the age of 40 are declining. So what should you do if your card issuer’s behavior has you seeing red? Consider these six tips from customer service experts on getting what you want out of your credit card issuer:</p>
<p>It may be tempting to call customer service in the heat of the moment, or while you’re driving or waiting in line. But wait to place the call until you have all of your paperwork handy, suggests Nessa Feddis, senior vice president for consumer protection and payments at the American Bankers Association, an industry group. “Have the account number, transaction number and statement as well as a clear explanation of the question or issue,” she says.</p>
<p>Many experts say having the information in front of you will help make your call go more quickly. Taking notes on your call, including the customer service representative’s name and location, can also be helpful for the next time you call.</p>
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<p>Customer service representatives are often closely monitoring social media, which can lead to a quick reply. While consumers should <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/credit-cards-and-social-media/?utm_campaign=ct_prod&amp;utm_source=syndication&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_term=fox-business&amp;utm_content=446780" type="external">never share personal information Opens a New Window.</a> like bank account numbers on public social media channels, customer service reps are trained to quickly take personal interactions into a private message if necessary.</p>
<p>“All these new media options, including Twitter and apps, are great ways to get instant attention,” says Danielle Fagre Arlowe, a senior vice president at the American Financial Services Association, a trade association for the consumer credit industry.</p>
<p>You can also switch channels, moving the conversation from the phone to email, for example, if the conversation isn’t going how you’d like it to.</p>
<p>Arlowe prefers interacting with customer service representatives through online live chats. “I don’t love email because it can take longer, but the benefit is that you have a written record of what you’ve discussed,” she says, so for more complicated issues, that can be a reason to use email. If you are using the telephone, Arlowe recommends asking the representative to make a note on your account of the conversation, so you don’t have to repeat the problem next time you call.</p>
<p>Inside, you may be fuming about an unexpected charge or change in card policy. But Emily Yellin, a journalist and author of “Your Call Is (Not That) Important to Us,” says that instead of actually getting mad, it’s more effective to tell the customer service rep how mad you are going to get.</p>
<p>“I say, ‘Listen, this is really upsetting to me, and if we keep going down this road, I might yell at you, and I don’t want that to happen,’” she says. She also keeps in mind that the rep is likely not the person deciding the company’s policies and procedures. “Even though it’s your personal finances, it’s a business call, so you have to treat it that way,” she says.</p>
<p>Feddis seconds the recommendation for remaining calm, warning that phone calls can drag on when emotions run high. “I wouldn’t encourage drama. It could take longer,” she says.</p>
<p>Yellin occasionally calculates her value as a customer to help make her case. “I like to say, ‘I’ve been a customer for 10 years and spent $12,000 with your company,’” she says.</p>
<p>Reminding yourself of your value can also help give you confidence in asking for what you feel you deserve from a company that may have treated you poorly.</p>
<p>“Every company has executive customer service, where the executive offices are,” Yellin says. “Call the CEO’s office, tell them you’re a customer, and they have people who will talk to you.”</p>
<p>You can usually find the phone number for a company’s corporate headquarters on its website.</p>
<p>If you have exhausted all customer service options and you still feel your complaint has not been adequately resolved, you can turn to third parties, such as the Better Business Bureau or the <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance-your-wallet-will-suffer-if-this-agency-is-gutted/?utm_campaign=ct_prod&amp;utm_source=syndication&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_term=fox-business&amp;utm_content=446780" type="external">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>The former is a nonprofit that accepts consumer complaints and asks businesses to respond to them within 14 days. The latter is a government agency that collects complaints about financial products and services and seeks to get responses on behalf of consumers within 15 days. The process can be time-consuming, but you may also be benefiting other consumers by helping the CFPB collect information about problematic practices.</p>
<p>In the case of former Hello Kitty cardholder Grossan, she eventually parted ways with her bank, and not just because of the kitty. “Now, being older and wiser, I’m more interested in low APRs and travel rewards, and no Hello Kitty card could make up for that,” she says.</p>
<p>This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimberlypalmer/2017/10/04/credit-card-issuer-got-you-seeing-red-try-these-tips/#6d079b154735" type="external">Forbes Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>More credit card tips from NerdWallet:</p>
<p>The article Credit Card Issuer Got You Seeing Red? Try These Tips originally appeared on NerdWallet.</p>
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allyjane grossan college loved paying things hello kittybranded card bank america amazing cute recalls 10 years later says genius way issuer get young women familiar paying plastic card expired years received unwelcome surprise mail new card opens new window missing hello kitty led path frustrated bank listening customers says grossan founder podcast moneysplained disclosure reporter recent guest podcast continue reading grossan called bank ask replacement hello kitty card sent says get satisfactory answer call took long time recalls doesnt remember reason given bank america spokesperson says sometimes branded affinity cards like hello kitty one discontinued based demand come renewal grossan hardly one dissatisfied credit debit card issuer 2017 jd power credit card satisfaction study found overall satisfaction scores cardholders high scores cardholders age 40 declining card issuers behavior seeing red consider six tips customer service experts getting want credit card issuer may tempting call customer service heat moment youre driving waiting line wait place call paperwork handy suggests nessa feddis senior vice president consumer protection payments american bankers association industry group account number transaction number statement well clear explanation question issue says many experts say information front help make call go quickly taking notes call including customer service representatives name location also helpful next time call advertisement customer service representatives often closely monitoring social media lead quick reply consumers never share personal information opens new window like bank account numbers public social media channels customer service reps trained quickly take personal interactions private message necessary new media options including twitter apps great ways get instant attention says danielle fagre arlowe senior vice president american financial services association trade association consumer credit industry also switch channels moving conversation phone email example conversation isnt going youd like arlowe prefers interacting customer service representatives online live chats dont love email take longer benefit written record youve discussed says complicated issues reason use email using telephone arlowe recommends asking representative make note account conversation dont repeat problem next time call inside may fuming unexpected charge change card policy emily yellin journalist author call important us says instead actually getting mad effective tell customer service rep mad going get say listen really upsetting keep going road might yell dont want happen says also keeps mind rep likely person deciding companys policies procedures even though personal finances business call treat way says feddis seconds recommendation remaining calm warning phone calls drag emotions run high wouldnt encourage drama could take longer says yellin occasionally calculates value customer help make case like say ive customer 10 years spent 12000 company says reminding value also help give confidence asking feel deserve company may treated poorly every company executive customer service executive offices yellin says call ceos office tell youre customer people talk usually find phone number companys corporate headquarters website exhausted customer service options still feel complaint adequately resolved turn third parties better business bureau consumer financial protection bureau opens new window former nonprofit accepts consumer complaints asks businesses respond within 14 days latter government agency collects complaints financial products services seeks get responses behalf consumers within 15 days process timeconsuming may also benefiting consumers helping cfpb collect information problematic practices case former hello kitty cardholder grossan eventually parted ways bank kitty older wiser im interested low aprs travel rewards hello kitty card could make says article written nerdwallet originally published forbes opens new window credit card tips nerdwallet article credit card issuer got seeing red try tips originally appeared nerdwallet
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<p>Former Obama-era acting Attorney General <a href="/topics/sally-yates/" type="external">Sally Yates</a> will testify before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. She is expected to address the departure of the Trump Administration’s first national security adviser, <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Michael Flynn</a>, who resigned after less than a month on the job.</p>
<p><a href="/topics/sally-yates/" type="external">Ms. Yates</a> was from the Obama administration and this will be her first public appearance in Washington since President <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> fired her in January.</p>
<p>In late January, according to numerous reports, <a href="/topics/sally-yates/" type="external">Ms. Yates</a> warned the Trump <a href="/topics/white-house/" type="external">White House</a> that <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> was lying about his communications with Russian officials, particularly Russian Ambassador <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Sergey Kislyak</a>. She also said that she believed the then national security advisor had discussed sensitive issues related to U.S. economic sanctions against <a href="/topics/russia/" type="external">Russia</a> and could be blackmailed by Russian intelligence.</p>
<p>On February 13, the former Lt. General stepped down following widespread reports that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Mr. Kislyak</a>.</p>
<p>A source familiar with the situation has said Monday’s testimony by <a href="/topics/sally-yates/" type="external">Ms. Yates</a> could be curtailed by the nature of the case’s classified details. Observers from all sides of the political spectrum are watching anyway to see what she does reveal.</p>
<p>The following are recent pivotal moments in the careers of <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> and <a href="/topics/sally-yates/" type="external">Ms. Yates</a> which could come up:</p>
<p>Apr. 30, 2014: <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> announces his retirement, roughly a year earlier than scheduled, from the Defense Intelligence Agency. Reports differ as to why he was essentially pushed out of DIA by the Obama administration. According to pro-Obama staffers, he regularly clashed with superiors and was a chaotic manager. According to <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a>, the administration was underplaying the threat of Islamic terrorism overplaying a public narrative that “Al Qaeda was close to defeat.”</p>
<p>Dec. 10, 2015: <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> engages in a trip to Moscow to participate in a gala anniversary celebration of <a href="/topics/russia/" type="external">Russia</a> Today — commonly referred to as a Kremlin propaganda mouthpiece. He receives $33,750 for a 60-minute presentation at the gala from his Washington-DC based talent agency.</p>
<p>Feb. 2016: Reports emerge that <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> is serving as an advisor to <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a>’s presidential campaign. At the time <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> is emerging as the front-runner in his battle for the Republican presidential nomination with Ben Carson, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Macro Rubio, former Governor John Kasich and others.</p>
<p>Jul. 18, 2016: <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> delivers what observers call a “fiery” <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> endorsement speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. He says that the world has no respect for America’s word, “nor does it fear our might.” He then leads the crowd in a “Lock her up!” chant — referring to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>Jul. 22 and Oct. 7: WikiLeaks releases emails hacked from Democratic National Committee, reportedly by Russian cyber terrorists, then publishes emails from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.</p>
<p>Sometime before Nov. 8: <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> contacts Russian Ambassador <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Sergey Kislyak</a></p>
<p>Nov. 8: America elects <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> as its 45th president.</p>
<p>Nov. 17: President-elect <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> names <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> as national security adviser.</p>
<p>Dec. 25: <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> texts <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Mr. Kislyak</a> merry Christmas wishes and condolences over a plane crash, Mr. Pence later says in an interview.</p>
<p>Dec. 29: <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> calls <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Mr. Kislyak</a> several times from un-secure phone lines and is monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies.</p>
<p>Jan. 13, 2017: Answering reporters in a conference call, transition spokesman Sean Spicer says <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> and <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Mr. Kislyak</a> spoke by phone to discuss setting up a post-inauguration call between <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> and Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>
<p>Jan. 15: Mr. Pence appears on CBS and says <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a>, “did not discuss anything having to do with the United States’ decision to expel diplomats or impose censure against <a href="/topics/russia/" type="external">Russia</a>.”</p>
<p>Jan. 20: <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> is inaugurated and <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> becomes National Security Adviser.</p>
<p>Jan. 24: The FBI interviews <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> about his conversations with <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Mr. Kislyak</a>. <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> reportedly denies discussing sanctions.</p>
<p>Jan. 26: <a href="/topics/sally-yates/" type="external">Ms. Yates</a> talks to <a href="/topics/white-house/" type="external">White House</a> counsel Don McGahn about <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a>. She says that the national security advisor has lied about the details of his calls with <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Kislyak</a> and that he could be vulnerable to Russian blackmail.</p>
<p>Jan. 31: <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> fires <a href="/topics/sally-yates/" type="external">Ms. Yates</a> for announcing that she is against his immigration executive order and will not enforce it.</p>
<p>Feb. 8: <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> tells a Washington Post reporter he never spoke about sanctions with <a href="/topics/syarhey-kislyak/" type="external">Mr. Kislyak</a>.</p>
<p>Feb. 11 and 12: <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> travels to his Florida retreat, Mar-a-Lago, to meet with the Japanese prime minister. Photos show <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> nearby <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> when news breaks of a North Korean missile launch.</p>
<p>Feb. 13: <a href="/topics/white-house/" type="external">White House</a> adviser Kellyanne Conway says <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> has full confidence in <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Flynn</a>. Later in the day the Washington Post reports on <a href="/topics/sally-yates/" type="external">Ms. Yates</a>‘ warning about <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> to the <a href="/topics/white-house/" type="external">White House</a>. By the end of the day, <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a> resigns. The next day Ms. Conway says it was <a href="/topics/michael-flynn/" type="external">Mr. Flynn</a>’s decision, while Mr. Spicer says <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> asked for the resignation.</p>
<p>Copyright © 2018 The Washington Times, LLC. <a href="http://license.icopyright.net/3.7280?icx_id=/news/2017/may/8/sally-yates-michael-flynn-and-how-russian-election/" type="external">Click here for reprint permission</a>.</p>
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former obamaera acting attorney general sally yates testify senate judiciary subcommittee investigating russian meddling 2016 presidential election expected address departure trump administrations first national security adviser michael flynn resigned less month job ms yates obama administration first public appearance washington since president trump fired january late january according numerous reports ms yates warned trump white house mr flynn lying communications russian officials particularly russian ambassador sergey kislyak also said believed national security advisor discussed sensitive issues related us economic sanctions russia could blackmailed russian intelligence february 13 former lt general stepped following widespread reports misled vice president mike pence conversations mr kislyak source familiar situation said mondays testimony ms yates could curtailed nature cases classified details observers sides political spectrum watching anyway see reveal following recent pivotal moments careers mr flynn ms yates could come apr 30 2014 mr flynn announces retirement roughly year earlier scheduled defense intelligence agency reports differ essentially pushed dia obama administration according proobama staffers regularly clashed superiors chaotic manager according mr flynn administration underplaying threat islamic terrorism overplaying public narrative al qaeda close defeat dec 10 2015 mr flynn engages trip moscow participate gala anniversary celebration russia today commonly referred kremlin propaganda mouthpiece receives 33750 60minute presentation gala washingtondc based talent agency feb 2016 reports emerge mr flynn serving advisor mr trumps presidential campaign time mr trump emerging frontrunner battle republican presidential nomination ben carson sen ted cruz sen macro rubio former governor john kasich others jul 18 2016 mr flynn delivers observers call fiery trump endorsement speech republican national convention cleveland says world respect americas word fear might leads crowd lock chant referring democratic nominee hillary clinton jul 22 oct 7 wikileaks releases emails hacked democratic national committee reportedly russian cyber terrorists publishes emails clinton campaign chairman john podesta sometime nov 8 mr flynn contacts russian ambassador sergey kislyak nov 8 america elects mr trump 45th president nov 17 presidentelect trump names mr flynn national security adviser dec 25 mr flynn texts mr kislyak merry christmas wishes condolences plane crash mr pence later says interview dec 29 mr flynn calls mr kislyak several times unsecure phone lines monitored us intelligence agencies jan 13 2017 answering reporters conference call transition spokesman sean spicer says mr flynn mr kislyak spoke phone discuss setting postinauguration call mr trump russian president vladimir putin jan 15 mr pence appears cbs says mr flynn discuss anything united states decision expel diplomats impose censure russia jan 20 mr trump inaugurated mr flynn becomes national security adviser jan 24 fbi interviews mr flynn conversations mr kislyak mr flynn reportedly denies discussing sanctions jan 26 ms yates talks white house counsel mcgahn mr flynn says national security advisor lied details calls kislyak could vulnerable russian blackmail jan 31 mr trump fires ms yates announcing immigration executive order enforce feb 8 mr flynn tells washington post reporter never spoke sanctions mr kislyak feb 11 12 mr trump travels florida retreat maralago meet japanese prime minister photos show mr flynn nearby mr trump news breaks north korean missile launch feb 13 white house adviser kellyanne conway says mr trump full confidence flynn later day washington post reports ms yates warning mr flynn white house end day mr flynn resigns next day ms conway says mr flynns decision mr spicer says mr trump asked resignation copyright 2018 washington times llc click reprint permission 160
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<p />
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Statistically speaking, most people don't like preparing, or even thinking about, their income tax returns.</p>
<p>A survey from Pew Research Center in 2013 showed that 56% of Americans either "hate" or "dislike" doing their taxes each year, compared to 34% who either "love" or "like" it. Despite the general contempt toward tax preparation, about 80% of taxpayers receive refunds, making Tax Day something of a payday for most tax-paying individuals and families.</p>
<p>Yet, in spite of taxes being part of the American culture, there are quite a few myths floating around regarding income taxes. Today, we're going to put three of the most common income tax myths to bed -- hopefully for good!</p>
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<p>One of the longest-standing myths is that the rich aren't paying their fair share come tax time.</p>
<p>On one hand, the rich do get an extraordinary number of benefits that allow them to keep more of their wealth and take advantage of tax breaks at a particularly high level compared to lower quintiles of income earners. For instance, Social Security caps its payroll tax at $118,500 in 2016, meaning anyone with earned income above this amount won't be paying the 12.4% payroll tax into the program (typically this tax is split down the middle between you and your employer). Most Americans make less than this amount, meaning they're paying into the Social Security program with every cent they earn.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Additionally, the rich tend to generate a good chunk of their wealth from investments. Long-term capital gains taxes of 20% are a far cry from the top-tier ordinary income tax bracket of 39.6%, which means the well-to-do are able to keep most of their gains and reinvest them.</p>
<p>Let's also not forget that charitable deductions are taken as a percentage of your ordinary income tax bracket, meaning those in the highest bracket (39.6%) can receive a $0.396 deduction for every $1 donated. Donations made by lower-income quintiles will net smaller deductions.</p>
<p>Despite the Congressional Budget Office estimating that the highest quintile of taxpayers net 51% ($445 billion) of all major tax deductions compared to just 8% for the lowest-earning 20% of the population, the top 1% of income earners still pay an average effective tax rate of 33.4%. This compares to the average effective tax rate of 3.6% for the bottom 20% of the population. The wealthy typically owe more when it comes to estate taxes, corporate taxes, and individual income taxes than the lower quintiles according to Tax Policy Center data from 2015.</p>
<p>When all is said and done, the top 1% are responsible for more than 25% of all federal income tax revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Service.</p>
<p>Another common income tax myth is the exact opposite of the above: that the lowest quintile of the population isn't paying any tax.</p>
<p>Just as we saw with the first myth, there's a small shred of evidence to back this up: the bottom 40% of income earners don't pay any individual income taxes. Lower-income individuals and families often qualify for a bevy of deductions that can potentially lower their taxable income to $0.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>However, just because low-income taxpayers manage to avoid paying individual income taxes, it doesn't mean they escape without paying taxes at all. As mentioned above, if you work you're paying into the Social Security and Medicare programs via payroll taxes. If you're employed by someone, this means paying 6.2% of your earned income into the Social Security program, and 1.45% of your income toward Medicare. In fact, it's not uncommon for payroll tax rates to be higher than individual income tax rates for all but the top 10% of income earners.</p>
<p>In addition to payroll taxes, lower-earning quintiles are more susceptible to excise taxes, which are indirect taxes paid for gasoline, alcohol, gambling, cigarettes, and other goods and activities. The bottom two quintiles may only pay an effective tax rate of 3.6% and 7.8%, respectively, but they're definitely contributing to the pot.</p>
<p>Lastly, most taxpayers do everything in their power to ensure they get a fat refund come tax time. According to IRS data from late February 2016, the average refund issued to the roughly 80% of Americans owed refunds was a healthy $3,053.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>In one respect, a big refund can make a lot of sense. For those taxpayers who have a really hard time sticking to a budget and resisting the impulse to spend, paying tax is a way of forcing themselves to save, with the refund being their reward.</p>
<p>However, getting a refund is an admission that you've poorly managed your own money. You see, the IRS can possess your money for months, or perhaps even more than a year, without giving you a single red cent in interest. Of course, if you owe money and don't pay, you can expect to owe fees and interest.</p>
<p>Instead of allowing the IRS to send you a refund, you could have adjusted your W-4 tax withholdings to reduce or eliminate what you pay the federal government in taxes, allowing your paychecks to be immediately bumped higher. Getting your money now rather in a few months can allow you to more effectively invest for your future and/or reduce existing debt.</p>
<p>In reality, getting a tax refund from the IRS probably isn't an optimal or effective use of your money. The goal should be to get your refund/tax owed to as close to $0 as possible.</p>
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<p>The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a>makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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image source getty images continue reading statistically speaking people dont like preparing even thinking income tax returns survey pew research center 2013 showed 56 americans either hate dislike taxes year compared 34 either love like despite general contempt toward tax preparation 80 taxpayers receive refunds making tax day something payday taxpaying individuals families yet spite taxes part american culture quite myths floating around regarding income taxes today going put three common income tax myths bed hopefully good advertisement one longeststanding myths rich arent paying fair share come tax time one hand rich get extraordinary number benefits allow keep wealth take advantage tax breaks particularly high level compared lower quintiles income earners instance social security caps payroll tax 118500 2016 meaning anyone earned income amount wont paying 124 payroll tax program typically tax split middle employer americans make less amount meaning theyre paying social security program every cent earn image source getty images additionally rich tend generate good chunk wealth investments longterm capital gains taxes 20 far cry toptier ordinary income tax bracket 396 means welltodo able keep gains reinvest lets also forget charitable deductions taken percentage ordinary income tax bracket meaning highest bracket 396 receive 0396 deduction every 1 donated donations made lowerincome quintiles net smaller deductions despite congressional budget office estimating highest quintile taxpayers net 51 445 billion major tax deductions compared 8 lowestearning 20 population top 1 income earners still pay average effective tax rate 334 compares average effective tax rate 36 bottom 20 population wealthy typically owe comes estate taxes corporate taxes individual income taxes lower quintiles according tax policy center data 2015 said done top 1 responsible 25 federal income tax revenue collected internal revenue service another common income tax myth exact opposite lowest quintile population isnt paying tax saw first myth theres small shred evidence back bottom 40 income earners dont pay individual income taxes lowerincome individuals families often qualify bevy deductions potentially lower taxable income 0 image source getty images however lowincome taxpayers manage avoid paying individual income taxes doesnt mean escape without paying taxes mentioned work youre paying social security medicare programs via payroll taxes youre employed someone means paying 62 earned income social security program 145 income toward medicare fact uncommon payroll tax rates higher individual income tax rates top 10 income earners addition payroll taxes lowerearning quintiles susceptible excise taxes indirect taxes paid gasoline alcohol gambling cigarettes goods activities bottom two quintiles may pay effective tax rate 36 78 respectively theyre definitely contributing pot lastly taxpayers everything power ensure get fat refund come tax time according irs data late february 2016 average refund issued roughly 80 americans owed refunds healthy 3053 image source getty images one respect big refund make lot sense taxpayers really hard time sticking budget resisting impulse spend paying tax way forcing save refund reward however getting refund admission youve poorly managed money see irs possess money months perhaps even year without giving single red cent interest course owe money dont pay expect owe fees interest instead allowing irs send refund could adjusted w4 tax withholdings reduce eliminate pay federal government taxes allowing paychecks immediately bumped higher getting money rather months allow effectively invest future andor reduce existing debt reality getting tax refund irs probably isnt optimal effective use money goal get refundtax owed close 0 possible 15834 social security bonus retirees completely overlook youre like americans youre years behind retirement savings handful littleknown social security secrets could help ensure boost retirement income example one easy trick could pay much 15834 year learn maximize social security benefits think could retire confidently peace mind simply click discover learn strategies opens new window sean williams opens new windowhas material interest companies mentioned article follow caps screen name tmfultralong opens new window check twitter goes handle tmfultralong opens new window motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new windowmakes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Phil Knight's Shoe Dog memoir. Image from the publisher, Simon and Schuster.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>"The cowards never started, and the weak died along the way -- that leaves us."</p>
<p>That fitting quote comes fromthe recently released memoir Shoe Dog by Nike founder Phil Knight, as he presents the anguish and accomplishments, highs and lows, and surprising twists that led to the behemoth empire Nike has become. From this tale of Knight's and Nike's early days, here are five takeaways that give surprising insight into Nike's current position and future prospects.</p>
<p>1. Nike spent nearly two decades on the brink of bankruptcyKnight started his shoe company, originally called Blue Ribbon Sports, in 1964 by selling shoes from the trunk of his car at various sporting events. His first year, the company grossed around $8,000, which quickly grew to $300,000 by 1969, $8 million by the time it went public in 1980, and eventually $30 billion by 2015.</p>
<p>What's surprising from the memoir is that Knight and his team kept all possible cash pouring into growth and ran the operation incredibly debt heavy, and because of the constant lack of equity, everything was always just one bad turn of fate away from going under. And that state of affairs lasted for about 16 years.</p>
<p>Many times, Knight questioned whether the company would pull through. It wasn't until Nike went public in 1980, 16 years after it was created, that it was finally on solid enough financial footing to not have to worry about going under at the hands of any single crisis.</p>
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<p>2. Quality and innovation were always the end goalWhen Knight and the team were looking at factories to build their shoes, they continually fought to improve quality, to make sure their shoes were worth the praise they were getting. Of course, this didn't always work, and Knight writes about the disappointment of receiving lower-quality supply from factories in various countries, and knowing he'd have to sell the the merchandise anyway to raise funds for the next batch of orders. Still, his team constantly strove to beat the competition on quality.</p>
<p>Using a waffle iron and different trials of rubber molds, co-founder Bill Bowerman created the waffle-sole design that nearly all running shoes now have. Back then, the "Waffle Trainer" quickly became the top-selling running shoe in the United States.</p>
<p>When Knight and Bowerman, his former coach, started creating their own innovations and styles, the company started to really take off. Of Bowerman's commitment to new, innovative styles even when he was still a college coach, Knight writes of their early attempts at shoes, "he'd spend days tearing them apart, stitching them back up, then hand them back with some minor modification, which made us either run like deer or bleed."</p>
<p>A page from Nike's first annual shareholder report in 1981 showing tennis star John McEnroe. Report/image from Zonebourse.com.</p>
<p>Then when a young entrepreneur came to Knight with a crazy idea of putting air pockets in the soles of shoes and said that no other shoe company was interested in changing its shoe design so drastically, Knight jumped at the idea. The result was Nike's Air Technology line, which became a major innovative feat.</p>
<p>3. Knight didn't care for advertisingKnight writes that for most of Blue Ribbon Sports and Nike's early years, he didn't see much value in advertising and wanted little to do with it. Luckily for him and the brand, some of his employees did see the value in it and were instrumental in creating the base for what would eventually be large-scale campaigns. Still, Knight didn't fully endorse the idea because he couldn't see the return on investment for expensive print pieces. It's amazing to think that a company with such extraordinary brand power and marketing muscle started out with such a contempt for traditional advertising.</p>
<p>Of course, that doesn't mean he didn't understand the value of publicity. In fact, he fought hard to sign the athletes that helped launch Nike's image in the media and consumer market. Nike's first major athlete was runner StevePrefontaine, who first showed the world the power of Nike's shoes for serious athletes. Then Nike signed tennis player John McEnroe, and many more high-level athletes from there helped the company to accelerate sales and market share quickly.</p>
<p>4. "An unhealthy contempt for Adidas"Knight sought inspiration early on by looking to the then-global powerhouse Adidas. Since Nike is now the behemoth world leader in athletic apparel by sales, market share, and brand presence, it's hard to remember it as having once been underdog.</p>
<p>"I was developing an unhealthy contempt for Adidas," Knight writes. "Or maybe it was healthy. That one German company had dominated the shoe market for a couple of decades, and they possessed all the arrogance of unchallenged dominance. I despised them."</p>
<p>5. Knight's views on developing world laborThis was one of the topics I was most interested to hear about in the memoir, and I was disappointed when it was only briefly mentioned in about two pages. The memoir focuses mostly on the early years through 1980 and then spends just the last chapter with an update of everything since, including the demonstrations outside the stores in Portland, Ore., and the calls for Nike to be held responsible for developing labor practices in foreign countries.</p>
<p>Nike founder Phil Knight. Image: Nike.com.</p>
<p>But what views Knight does offer are straightforward and strong. He says you wouldn't imagine what those developing world factory conditions would be like without Nike, that the programs and conditions they put in place were an improvement over what other companies were doing. He recounted one story of wanting to pay laborers more when the local government told him he wasn't allowed. He quotes one official: "It's simply not right, he insisted, or feasible, that a shoe worker makes more than a medical doctor."</p>
<p>He also pointed out that once Nike fans did call for better factory conditions abroad, Nike would become the gold-star standard for foreign labor. Knight writes, for example, that Nike developed a water-based bonding agent for shoes, instead of the dangerous chemical one used before that caused respiratory issues for factory workers. Nike gave the recipe for the bonding agent away, and now nearly every competitor uses it. Ultimately, in 2014, <a href="http://www.macleans.ca/work/bestcompanies/top-50-socially-responsible-corporations-2014/" type="external">Maclean's Opens a New Window.</a> named Nike one of the most socially responsible companies in the world.</p>
<p>Nike without KnightEven though Knight himself is no longer the CEO of Nike and will step down as chairman of the board of trustees this year, shareholders continue to be rewarded by the incredibly well-performing company he started. Nike nearly doubled its net income in the past five years, even 35 years after going public. While it's always a concern when a founder leaves the company he or she created, one last important takeaway from the memoir is that even from the beginning, Knight was able to find incredibly talented people to operate the company with him. The past few years have been no exception, so Nike should be just fine even as Knight moves on.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/10/5-takeaways-from-nike-founder-phil-knights-shoe-do.aspx" type="external">5 Takeaways From Nike Founder Phil Knight's "Shoe Dog" Memoir Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/sethmcnew/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Bradley Seth McNew Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Nike. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Nike. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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phil knights shoe dog memoir image publisher simon schuster continue reading cowards never started weak died along way leaves us fitting quote comes fromthe recently released memoir shoe dog nike founder phil knight presents anguish accomplishments highs lows surprising twists led behemoth empire nike become tale knights nikes early days five takeaways give surprising insight nikes current position future prospects 1 nike spent nearly two decades brink bankruptcyknight started shoe company originally called blue ribbon sports 1964 selling shoes trunk car various sporting events first year company grossed around 8000 quickly grew 300000 1969 8 million time went public 1980 eventually 30 billion 2015 whats surprising memoir knight team kept possible cash pouring growth ran operation incredibly debt heavy constant lack equity everything always one bad turn fate away going state affairs lasted 16 years many times knight questioned whether company would pull wasnt nike went public 1980 16 years created finally solid enough financial footing worry going hands single crisis advertisement 2 quality innovation always end goalwhen knight team looking factories build shoes continually fought improve quality make sure shoes worth praise getting course didnt always work knight writes disappointment receiving lowerquality supply factories various countries knowing hed sell merchandise anyway raise funds next batch orders still team constantly strove beat competition quality using waffle iron different trials rubber molds cofounder bill bowerman created wafflesole design nearly running shoes back waffle trainer quickly became topselling running shoe united states knight bowerman former coach started creating innovations styles company started really take bowermans commitment new innovative styles even still college coach knight writes early attempts shoes hed spend days tearing apart stitching back hand back minor modification made us either run like deer bleed page nikes first annual shareholder report 1981 showing tennis star john mcenroe reportimage zoneboursecom young entrepreneur came knight crazy idea putting air pockets soles shoes said shoe company interested changing shoe design drastically knight jumped idea result nikes air technology line became major innovative feat 3 knight didnt care advertisingknight writes blue ribbon sports nikes early years didnt see much value advertising wanted little luckily brand employees see value instrumental creating base would eventually largescale campaigns still knight didnt fully endorse idea couldnt see return investment expensive print pieces amazing think company extraordinary brand power marketing muscle started contempt traditional advertising course doesnt mean didnt understand value publicity fact fought hard sign athletes helped launch nikes image media consumer market nikes first major athlete runner steveprefontaine first showed world power nikes shoes serious athletes nike signed tennis player john mcenroe many highlevel athletes helped company accelerate sales market share quickly 4 unhealthy contempt adidasknight sought inspiration early looking thenglobal powerhouse adidas since nike behemoth world leader athletic apparel sales market share brand presence hard remember underdog developing unhealthy contempt adidas knight writes maybe healthy one german company dominated shoe market couple decades possessed arrogance unchallenged dominance despised 5 knights views developing world laborthis one topics interested hear memoir disappointed briefly mentioned two pages memoir focuses mostly early years 1980 spends last chapter update everything since including demonstrations outside stores portland ore calls nike held responsible developing labor practices foreign countries nike founder phil knight image nikecom views knight offer straightforward strong says wouldnt imagine developing world factory conditions would like without nike programs conditions put place improvement companies recounted one story wanting pay laborers local government told wasnt allowed quotes one official simply right insisted feasible shoe worker makes medical doctor also pointed nike fans call better factory conditions abroad nike would become goldstar standard foreign labor knight writes example nike developed waterbased bonding agent shoes instead dangerous chemical one used caused respiratory issues factory workers nike gave recipe bonding agent away nearly every competitor uses ultimately 2014 macleans opens new window named nike one socially responsible companies world nike without knighteven though knight longer ceo nike step chairman board trustees year shareholders continue rewarded incredibly wellperforming company started nike nearly doubled net income past five years even 35 years going public always concern founder leaves company created one last important takeaway memoir even beginning knight able find incredibly talented people operate company past years exception nike fine even knight moves article 5 takeaways nike founder phil knights shoe dog memoir opens new window originally appeared foolcom bradley seth mcnew opens new window owns shares nike motley fool owns shares recommends nike try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Investors have long relied on bonds for low-risk income and as a way to diversify away from stocks and real estate. Increasingly, different types of bonds have become available on the market, but many investors remain in the dark as to the mechanics of how bonds work.</p>
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<p>Basically, a bond is a debt instrument that enables investors to lend money to businesses or the government in exchange for a fixed income based on the interest rate. The issuer usually pays interest, also known as the coupon, on a semiannual or annual basis. At the bond's maturity date, the principal is paid back in full to the investor.</p>
<p>Bond price</p>
<p>Bonds have four main components for investors to consider: price, duration, callability and coupon rate.</p>
<p>All bonds are priced in units of $100, even though most bonds sell in $1,000 denominations or higher. If a bond sells for "par value," it's selling for face value. Since bonds are traded on an open market, the price that they fetch can go up or down, similar to the price of a stock. When prices go below $100, the bond is priced at a discount; above $100, it is priced at a premium.</p>
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<p>Bond prices tend to be tied to changes in interest rates. When rates rise, bond prices go down. That's because older bonds with lower rates are competing with newly issued bonds sporting higher rates. Investors don't want to pay as much for a lower-yielding bond if they can get one that pays more.</p>
<p>Conversely, when interest rates fall, bond prices go up.</p>
<p>None of this matters if you hold a bond to maturity because you'll get back the face value of the bond -- unless the issuer defaults. However, investors in bond funds can get hammered when fellow investors stampede out of the fund, forcing fund managers to sell bonds at an inopportune time to meet redemptions.</p>
<p>The price of an individual bond is not the most important consideration when buying a bond, says Tarren Schaar, a Certified Financial Planner professional with JLFranklin Wealth Planning. "Price is just one piece of the puzzle -- and I'd say duration is much more important," he says.</p>
<p>Duration and callability</p>
<p>Duration measures how long it takes for a bond to be paid back by its cash flows. Expressed in terms of years, duration also gives investors an idea of how sensitive a bond is to changes in interest rates. The higher the duration, the more sensitive it is.</p>
<p>"Duration shows the sensitivity to changes in interest rates," says Schaar. "A 1% rise in interest rates results in the loss of about 8% of the value of a bond (with a duration of) eight years," while short-term bonds generally don't fluctuate as much in value, he adds.</p>
<p>The duration computation is affected by a number of variables, including yield and call features.</p>
<p>Some bonds are "callable," meaning that you will receive your principal and interest only until the issuer decides to redeem its bonds early and pay you back in full. Many bonds are callable as soon as you buy them or after a grace period of a few years. In most cases, callability does not favor the investor, partly because it gives the bond issuer more options and the investor less control.</p>
<p>"Callability really favors the company or organization that's issuing it," says Schaar, who doesn't recommend buying bonds with call provisions.</p>
<p>Getting income from a bond</p>
<p>So how much interest does a bond pay? When bonds are first issued, they have a coupon rate. For new bonds and bonds selling at par, the coupon rate is identical to the interest rate investors get as a yield on their investment -- that is, how much return the investor gets on the investment.</p>
<p>"You need to understand what's going on in the market to know why something is offering a higher yield," says Patrick Luby, managing director of fixed income at Charles Schwab. "To start, you need to look at the bond's coupon rate and its current price."</p>
<p>The coupon rate of a bond never changes, but the yield does. This is because a bond's yield is a ratio between the coupon rate and the bond's current price. When a bond goes down in price, its coupon rate stays the same, but its yield rises.</p>
<p>If you buy a bond and hold it to maturity, you don't have to worry too much about changes in the price and yield because you still will get paid the same rate. "Investors can calculate the yield they will get by comparing how much they paid for the bond and the coupon rate," says Schaar. "However, they should also consider whether the bond income will be taxable for them or not, which is an added complexity to the system."</p>
<p>Tax-free bonds can offer a much better yield than they appear to, if you consider the tax savings. "If I can get 5% on a municipal bond, the taxed equivalent is closer to 8%. That's a greater return than the 1% you get on most CDs," says Terry O'Grady, head municipal bond trader of FMS Bonds.</p>
<p>But some tax-exempt municipal bonds can be taxable to investors in certain circumstances. Investors should speak to a financial planner or tax professional to determine if they will have to pay tax on income from a bond, says Schaar.</p>
<p>What's important about bonds</p>
<p>Judith Burns of the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission encourages all investors to examine the risks associated with bonds. She suggests that investors do their homework independently before making a purchase, and then consult with a certified financial professional.</p>
<p>Schaar agrees, adding that many investors tend to focus on the wrong things. "I think investors tend to focus too much on how much income a bond will generate, but that really depends on what type of income the bond will be generating and the investor's individual situation," says Schaar. "People tend to focus too much on cash flow, but looking at how much your bond is at risk of default and declining value amongst rising interest rates is much, much more important."</p>
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investors long relied bonds lowrisk income way diversify away stocks real estate increasingly different types bonds become available market many investors remain dark mechanics bonds work continue reading basically bond debt instrument enables investors lend money businesses government exchange fixed income based interest rate issuer usually pays interest also known coupon semiannual annual basis bonds maturity date principal paid back full investor bond price bonds four main components investors consider price duration callability coupon rate bonds priced units 100 even though bonds sell 1000 denominations higher bond sells par value selling face value since bonds traded open market price fetch go similar price stock prices go 100 bond priced discount 100 priced premium advertisement bond prices tend tied changes interest rates rates rise bond prices go thats older bonds lower rates competing newly issued bonds sporting higher rates investors dont want pay much loweryielding bond get one pays conversely interest rates fall bond prices go none matters hold bond maturity youll get back face value bond unless issuer defaults however investors bond funds get hammered fellow investors stampede fund forcing fund managers sell bonds inopportune time meet redemptions price individual bond important consideration buying bond says tarren schaar certified financial planner professional jlfranklin wealth planning price one piece puzzle id say duration much important says duration callability duration measures long takes bond paid back cash flows expressed terms years duration also gives investors idea sensitive bond changes interest rates higher duration sensitive duration shows sensitivity changes interest rates says schaar 1 rise interest rates results loss 8 value bond duration eight years shortterm bonds generally dont fluctuate much value adds duration computation affected number variables including yield call features bonds callable meaning receive principal interest issuer decides redeem bonds early pay back full many bonds callable soon buy grace period years cases callability favor investor partly gives bond issuer options investor less control callability really favors company organization thats issuing says schaar doesnt recommend buying bonds call provisions getting income bond much interest bond pay bonds first issued coupon rate new bonds bonds selling par coupon rate identical interest rate investors get yield investment much return investor gets investment need understand whats going market know something offering higher yield says patrick luby managing director fixed income charles schwab start need look bonds coupon rate current price coupon rate bond never changes yield bonds yield ratio coupon rate bonds current price bond goes price coupon rate stays yield rises buy bond hold maturity dont worry much changes price yield still get paid rate investors calculate yield get comparing much paid bond coupon rate says schaar however also consider whether bond income taxable added complexity system taxfree bonds offer much better yield appear consider tax savings get 5 municipal bond taxed equivalent closer 8 thats greater return 1 get cds says terry ogrady head municipal bond trader fms bonds taxexempt municipal bonds taxable investors certain circumstances investors speak financial planner tax professional determine pay tax income bond says schaar whats important bonds judith burns office investor education advocacy us securities exchange commission encourages investors examine risks associated bonds suggests investors homework independently making purchase consult certified financial professional schaar agrees adding many investors tend focus wrong things think investors tend focus much much income bond generate really depends type income bond generating investors individual situation says schaar people tend focus much cash flow looking much bond risk default declining value amongst rising interest rates much much important
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<p>Airline fare wars are making a comeback.</p>
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<p>Don't expect widespread sales or cheap flights home for Thanksgiving. But a number of cities are seeing ridiculously low prices at off-peak hours — prices the industry has spent the years trying to eliminate.</p>
<p>Fliers have been able to fly Chicago to Boston for $80 roundtrip, San Francisco to Las Vegas for $67 roundtrip and New York to Los Angeles, with a connection, for $150 roundtrip.</p>
<p>"This is the big break consumers have been waiting for in response to lower fuel prices," says Seth Kaplan, managing partner of industry newsletter Airline Weekly.</p>
<p>The price of oil is at the lowest level in six and a half years and the industry is saving billions of dollars on fuel, giving airlines leeway to cut fares but still post healthy profits. Airlines have also added larger, more efficient planes to their fleets while packing more seats into existing jets. So, while the number of domestic flights is down slightly over the past 12 months, there are now 3.4 percent more seats for sale — too many to meet the demand in all cities. To fill those extra seats, airlines have had to offer discounts.</p>
<p>Still, airlines are being very selective. Forget finding a deal for busy holidays or on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays when business travelers fly. The best prices are for flights on traditionally slow days like Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. And it helps if Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines or Frontier Airlines flies the route.</p>
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<p>For instance, Frontier recently had a sale for members of its club who pay an annual $50 fee. Tickets were being offered for $15 one-way including taxes.</p>
<p>American Airlines and — to a lesser extent — Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are matching some of the discount fares. By doing so, they actually undercut the ultra-low-cost carries because Spirit and Frontier charge customers extra to use overhead baggage bins or to have a drink of water.</p>
<p>"They're trying to force them out of the market and they have the power to do this because they are making record profits," says George Hobica, founder of travel deal site AirfareWatchdog.com.</p>
<p>Spirit and Frontier each carries less than 2 percent of all domestic passengers. American, United and Delta made $6.6 billion in combined profits during the first half of this year, so they afford to fight back on routes such as Chicago to Atlanta.</p>
<p>American spokesman Casey Norton says the airline "constantly looks at how we compete against a wide variety of airlines — from low cost carriers to premium global brands."</p>
<p>Delta and United declined to comment. However, Delta has expanded its "Basic Economy" fare to more than 450 markets. Fliers booking these tickets typically save $15 each way, but are not given advanced seat assignments, can't cancel or change the flight and are last to board.</p>
<p>Fare wars were destructive to the industry in the 1980s. Airlines were focused on being the largest carrier on a route, even though it often meant losing money.</p>
<p>Today's airline industry is more disciplined, so the fare wars cause much less damage. The airlines still collect substantial fares on highly-profitable business routes and for holiday travel. Additionally, they take in billions in dollars fees for checked baggage fees and other things that were included in the ticket price back in the 1980s.</p>
<p>Even passengers unable to take advantage of today's bargain-basement deals are getting a tiny bit of relief.</p>
<p>The average cost of a roundtrip domestic ticket, including taxes, purchased during the first seven months of this year was $494.12. That's down $5.41, or 1.1 percent, from the same period last year, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp., which processes ticket transactions for airlines and travel agencies.</p>
<p>Prices are still higher than they were in 2011, 2012 and 2013, even when adjusted for inflation. And the small drop in ticket prices is nothing compared to the 31-percent savings airlines have seen on their fuel bills since the start of this year.</p>
<p>One city having an outsized impact on fares is Dallas, where a federal law that banned most long flights from Dallas Love Field was lifted in October.</p>
<p>Led by Southwest Airlines, the Dallas market has seen an 8.6 percent increase in seats for the 12 months ending in August, more than double the growth for the entire country.</p>
<p>Wolfe Research analyst Hunter Keay says that two out of every five domestic flights — local market ones or connecting trips — can be affected by what happens in Dallas.</p>
<p>For instance, if Southwest offers a cheap fare from New York to Los Angeles, connecting in Dallas, American tries to match that. That forces United to match the fare for its flights, even if they connect in Chicago.</p>
<p>"If passengers are willing to connect in Dallas, they are willing to connect in Chicago," says Keay.</p>
<p>The Associated Press purchased a $40.10 one-way ticket on American Airlines from New York's JFK Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth, departing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Government taxes and fees were $15.91, leaving American with $24.19 for the 1,391-mile trip.</p>
<p>All but five seats on the 160-passenger jet were occupied. Many passengers were coming off highly-profitable international flights that arrived earlier in New York. Others were just connecting in Dallas, heading on to places like Oklahoma.</p>
<p>Brandon Perdue, a college student, booked the cheapest one-way ticket he could find from New York to his home in Los Angeles four days before traveling. Even with a connection in Dallas, it cost $650.</p>
<p>"I feel ripped off," Perdue says. It didn't help that he paid $25 to check a suitcase and an extra $100 fee because it weighed more than 50 pounds.</p>
<p>The AP bought its ticket 22 days in advance, at a time that American's booking algorithm predicted low demand for the flight.</p>
<p>"If you hadn't booked the ticket, the seat would have likely gone empty. They're better off taking your low fare than nothing at all," says Kaplan of Airline Weekly. "But American would lose a lot of money if everybody on the plane was paying what you paid."</p>
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<p>Scott Mayerowitz can be reached at http://twitter.com/GlobeTrotScott.</p>
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airline fare wars making comeback continue reading dont expect widespread sales cheap flights home thanksgiving number cities seeing ridiculously low prices offpeak hours prices industry spent years trying eliminate fliers able fly chicago boston 80 roundtrip san francisco las vegas 67 roundtrip new york los angeles connection 150 roundtrip big break consumers waiting response lower fuel prices says seth kaplan managing partner industry newsletter airline weekly price oil lowest level six half years industry saving billions dollars fuel giving airlines leeway cut fares still post healthy profits airlines also added larger efficient planes fleets packing seats existing jets number domestic flights slightly past 12 months 34 percent seats sale many meet demand cities fill extra seats airlines offer discounts still airlines selective forget finding deal busy holidays mondays thursdays fridays business travelers fly best prices flights traditionally slow days like tuesday wednesday saturday helps southwest airlines spirit airlines frontier airlines flies route advertisement instance frontier recently sale members club pay annual 50 fee tickets offered 15 oneway including taxes american airlines lesser extent delta air lines united airlines matching discount fares actually undercut ultralowcost carries spirit frontier charge customers extra use overhead baggage bins drink water theyre trying force market power making record profits says george hobica founder travel deal site airfarewatchdogcom spirit frontier carries less 2 percent domestic passengers american united delta made 66 billion combined profits first half year afford fight back routes chicago atlanta american spokesman casey norton says airline constantly looks compete wide variety airlines low cost carriers premium global brands delta united declined comment however delta expanded basic economy fare 450 markets fliers booking tickets typically save 15 way given advanced seat assignments cant cancel change flight last board fare wars destructive industry 1980s airlines focused largest carrier route even though often meant losing money todays airline industry disciplined fare wars cause much less damage airlines still collect substantial fares highlyprofitable business routes holiday travel additionally take billions dollars fees checked baggage fees things included ticket price back 1980s even passengers unable take advantage todays bargainbasement deals getting tiny bit relief average cost roundtrip domestic ticket including taxes purchased first seven months year 49412 thats 541 11 percent period last year according airlines reporting corp processes ticket transactions airlines travel agencies prices still higher 2011 2012 2013 even adjusted inflation small drop ticket prices nothing compared 31percent savings airlines seen fuel bills since start year one city outsized impact fares dallas federal law banned long flights dallas love field lifted october led southwest airlines dallas market seen 86 percent increase seats 12 months ending august double growth entire country wolfe research analyst hunter keay says two every five domestic flights local market ones connecting trips affected happens dallas instance southwest offers cheap fare new york los angeles connecting dallas american tries match forces united match fare flights even connect chicago passengers willing connect dallas willing connect chicago says keay associated press purchased 4010 oneway ticket american airlines new yorks jfk airport dallasfort worth departing 3 pm tuesday government taxes fees 1591 leaving american 2419 1391mile trip five seats 160passenger jet occupied many passengers coming highlyprofitable international flights arrived earlier new york others connecting dallas heading places like oklahoma brandon perdue college student booked cheapest oneway ticket could find new york home los angeles four days traveling even connection dallas cost 650 feel ripped perdue says didnt help paid 25 check suitcase extra 100 fee weighed 50 pounds ap bought ticket 22 days advance time americans booking algorithm predicted low demand flight hadnt booked ticket seat would likely gone empty theyre better taking low fare nothing says kaplan airline weekly american would lose lot money everybody plane paying paid __ scott mayerowitz reached httptwittercomglobetrotscott
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<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's victory for "Dunkirk" and "Girls Trip" at the box office this weekend. Both original and well-reviewed films smashed expectations and enticed diverse audiences to the theaters, even though cumulatively summer remains down from last year.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Christopher Nolan's World War II epic brought in an estimated $50.5 million to easily top the charts, according to Warner Bros., while the raucous comedy "Girls Trip" broke the R-rated comedy slump of 2017 with $30.4 million to take second place.</p>
<p>"Dunkirk" was far from an inevitable summer success. But stellar reviews, awards buzz and hype around the film's large-scale production helped drive people to the theater and large-format screens.</p>
<p>"We're beyond thrilled with this exceptional achievement for 'Dunkirk,' " said Jeff Goldstein, who heads distribution for Warner Bros. "The critical reception worldwide has been consistently effusive. It really propelled this movie that wasn't an obvious win."</p>
<p>Audiences were 60 percent male and 76 percent over the age of 25 for the PG-13 rated film, while IMAX audiences represented 23 percent of the market share (or $11.7 million of the total grosses from only 402 screens).</p>
<p>"It became a must-see event," said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for comScore.</p>
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<p>Drawing quite a different audience was the buddy comedy "Girls Trip," starring Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah as a group of girlfriends who head to New Orleans for a weekend of fun. The Universal film drew in an audience that was 79 percent female and 50 percent under the age of 30. Fifty-nine percent of attendees were estimated to be African-American.</p>
<p>Notably, audiences gave the film a stellar A+ CinemaScore, suggesting the film will have long-term playability.</p>
<p>" 'Girls Trip' was a perfectly counter-programmed box office surprise," Dergarabedian said. "It broke the R-rated comedy curse that has afflicted this summer with 'Baywatch,' 'Snatched,' 'Rough Night' and 'The House.' "</p>
<p>For Universal, the formula is more simple: "Girls Trip," unlike the aforementioned comedies, is resonating with audiences.</p>
<p>"When the taste for entertainment and comedy has been somewhat underserved, it is not because people aren't interested in laughing, it's that they're waiting for something funny to come along," said Nick Carpou, Universal's president of domestic distribution. "One of the great things about this comedy is that it's really funny."</p>
<p>Not so successful was Luc Besson's nearly $180 million sci-fi epic "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets," which earned $17 million from North American theaters over the weekend for a fifth-place start. It came in behind "Spider-Man: Homecoming," in third in its third weekend with $22 million and "War for the Planet of the Apes" in fourth place in its second weekend with $20.4 million.</p>
<p>Besson's film, starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne and based on the French comic "Valerian and Laureline," was produced by EuropaCorp. STX Entertainment distributed it in North America.</p>
<p>The film's financial exposure was limited, however. EuropaCorp says 90 percent of the budget was already covered by foreign pre-sales, equity financing and tax subsidies.</p>
<p>Dergarabedian said it's more about the international returns for "Valerian," but it's hard not to see Besson's return to sci-fi as a disappointment. Not adjusted for inflation, "Valerian" earned basically the same as "The Fifth Element," which came out 20 years ago. For comparison, his film "Lucy," starring Scarlett Johansson, opened to $43.8 million in 2014.</p>
<p>Overall, the year remains around flat from last year, and the summer season looks unlikely to make up for its deficit through the end of July and August.</p>
<p>Still, Dergarabedian thinks there is a silver lining in the quality of the films that have come out this summer.</p>
<p>"Despite the weekend being down close to 10 percent, the currency that was most valuable is the currency of goodwill," Dergarabedian said. "Nobody can say that Hollywood threw the same old stuff at the wall this weekend."</p>
<p>Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.</p>
<p>1. "Dunkirk," $50.5 million ($55.4 million international).</p>
<p>2. "Girls Trip," $30.4 million.</p>
<p>3. "Spider-Man: Homecoming," $22 million ($33.2 million international).</p>
<p>4. "War for the Planet of the Apes," $20.4 million ($17.3 million international).</p>
<p>5. "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets," $17 million ($3.9 million international).</p>
<p>6. "Despicable Me 3," $12.7 million ($47.5 million international).</p>
<p>7. "Baby Driver," $6 million ($8.3 million international).</p>
<p>8. "The Big Sick," $5 million.</p>
<p>9. "Wonder Woman," $4.6 million ($1.8 million international).</p>
<p>10. "Wish Upon," $2.5 million ($1.1 million international).</p>
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<p>Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to comScore:</p>
<p>1."Dunkirk," $55.4 million.</p>
<p>2."Despicable Me 3," $47.5 million.</p>
<p>3."Spider-Man: Homecoming," $33.2 million.</p>
<p>4."Transformers: The Last Knight," $24.9 million.</p>
<p>5."War for the Planet of the Apes," $17.3 million.</p>
<p>6."Brotherhood of the Blades II: The Infernal," $16 million.</p>
<p>7."Wukong," $12.3 million.</p>
<p>8."Cars 3," $11.4 million.</p>
<p>9."Farther And Son," $11.1 million.</p>
<p>10."Baby Driver," $8.3 million.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Universal and Focus are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of Comcast Corp.; Sony, Columbia, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount is owned by Viacom Inc.; Disney, Pixar and Marvel are owned by The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is owned by Filmyard Holdings LLC; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight are owned by 21st Century Fox; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a group of former creditors including Highland Capital, Anchorage Advisors and Carl Icahn; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC is owned by AMC Networks Inc.; Rogue is owned by Relativity Media LLC.</p>
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los angeles ap victory dunkirk girls trip box office weekend original wellreviewed films smashed expectations enticed diverse audiences theaters even though cumulatively summer remains last year continue reading christopher nolans world war ii epic brought estimated 505 million easily top charts according warner bros raucous comedy girls trip broke rrated comedy slump 2017 304 million take second place dunkirk far inevitable summer success stellar reviews awards buzz hype around films largescale production helped drive people theater largeformat screens beyond thrilled exceptional achievement dunkirk said jeff goldstein heads distribution warner bros critical reception worldwide consistently effusive really propelled movie wasnt obvious win audiences 60 percent male 76 percent age 25 pg13 rated film imax audiences represented 23 percent market share 117 million total grosses 402 screens became mustsee event said paul dergarabedian senior media analyst comscore advertisement drawing quite different audience buddy comedy girls trip starring regina hall tiffany haddish jada pinkett smith queen latifah group girlfriends head new orleans weekend fun universal film drew audience 79 percent female 50 percent age 30 fiftynine percent attendees estimated africanamerican notably audiences gave film stellar cinemascore suggesting film longterm playability girls trip perfectly counterprogrammed box office surprise dergarabedian said broke rrated comedy curse afflicted summer baywatch snatched rough night house universal formula simple girls trip unlike aforementioned comedies resonating audiences taste entertainment comedy somewhat underserved people arent interested laughing theyre waiting something funny come along said nick carpou universals president domestic distribution one great things comedy really funny successful luc bessons nearly 180 million scifi epic valerian city thousand planets earned 17 million north american theaters weekend fifthplace start came behind spiderman homecoming third third weekend 22 million war planet apes fourth place second weekend 204 million bessons film starring dane dehaan cara delevingne based french comic valerian laureline produced europacorp stx entertainment distributed north america films financial exposure limited however europacorp says 90 percent budget already covered foreign presales equity financing tax subsidies dergarabedian said international returns valerian hard see bessons return scifi disappointment adjusted inflation valerian earned basically fifth element came 20 years ago comparison film lucy starring scarlett johansson opened 438 million 2014 overall year remains around flat last year summer season looks unlikely make deficit end july august still dergarabedian thinks silver lining quality films come summer despite weekend close 10 percent currency valuable currency goodwill dergarabedian said nobody say hollywood threw old stuff wall weekend estimated ticket sales friday sunday us canadian theaters according comscore available latest international numbers friday sunday also included final domestic figures released monday 1 dunkirk 505 million 554 million international 2 girls trip 304 million 3 spiderman homecoming 22 million 332 million international 4 war planet apes 204 million 173 million international 5 valerian city thousand planets 17 million 39 million international 6 despicable 3 127 million 475 million international 7 baby driver 6 million 83 million international 8 big sick 5 million 9 wonder woman 46 million 18 million international 10 wish upon 25 million 11 million international ___ estimated ticket sales friday sunday international theaters excluding us canada according comscore 1dunkirk 554 million 2despicable 3 475 million 3spiderman homecoming 332 million 4transformers last knight 249 million 5war planet apes 173 million 6brotherhood blades ii infernal 16 million 7wukong 123 million 8cars 3 114 million 9farther son 111 million 10baby driver 83 million ___ universal focus owned nbc universal unit comcast corp sony columbia sony screen gems sony pictures classics units sony corp paramount owned viacom inc disney pixar marvel owned walt disney co miramax owned filmyard holdings llc 20th century fox fox searchlight owned 21st century fox warner bros new line units time warner inc mgm owned group former creditors including highland capital anchorage advisors carl icahn lionsgate owned lions gate entertainment corp ifc owned amc networks inc rogue owned relativity media llc
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<p>Last week, we started our discussion of <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/345532/how-to-research-prospects-and-leads-on-linkedin" type="external">LinkedIn as a marketing tool Opens a New Window.</a>, with a focus on profiles and company pages. This week we shift our focus to data mining, customer research, and prospecting through LinkedIn.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>As I mentioned last week, it is important to think of LinkedIn not as one tool but rather as two; it's both a research tool and a communications vehicle. As a research tool, LinkedIn can be invaluable. As a communications vehicle, it can either be useful or a huge waste of time and money. Check back next week for our discussion on how to use LinkedIn as an effective communications vehicle. This week, though, we will dive into the LinkedIn database.</p>
<p>Find Your Client's SiblingsIn this case, I'm using the term "client" to refer to an individual to which you currently provide products or services. First, make a list of your clients. Next, visit each of their profile pages and look at the "People Also Viewed" list in the right-hand column. Chances are, many of the people listed have similar roles to your current clients. Many may be at the same company as your client and that's okay because it gives you an opportunity to expand your footprint within the company.</p>
<p>You may also find individuals at other companies who have similar roles, and hence, might have similar needs. Visit their profiles pages and also look at their list of "People Also Viewed." Each time I view a new profile, I like to right-click and select "Open in New Tab" so that I can keep the profile of my original client open in a tab (instead of having to click back, back, back).</p>
<p>Find Your Customer's SiblingsEarlier I used the term "client" to refer to an individual. Now I'm using "customer" to refer to a company. Undoubtedly, the companies with which you currently work have characteristics and needs that led them to choose your products or services. There are countless other companies out there that share those same needs, and hence, could benefit from your solutions.</p>
<p>Research your current customers on LinkedIn. Look at their company pages. Review the profile pages of employees in roles or functional areas such as operations, <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2492792,00.asp" type="external">human resources Opens a New Window.</a> (HR), finance, and so forth. Jot down keywords. Expand your research to your customers' websites, Facebook pages, YouTube channels, and the like. Then, return to LinkedIn and use the Advanced Search to search, using keywords for companies and individuals that relate to those keywords. You should be able to identify other companies and employees in those companies who have similar businesses (and needs) to your current customers. Those companies and contacts become target prospects for your marketing efforts.</p>
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<p>Find Your SiblingsOkay, that's enough finding other people's brothers and sisters (figuratively speaking). Now let's find your brother from another mother. When logged in, go to "My Network" and select "People You May Know." Based on your work experience and your current network, LinkedIn is going to apply some automated search algorithms to see if it can help you find other people you might know.</p>
<p>This is beneficial in highlighting people you really do know (perhaps past coworkers with whom you haven't yet connected on LinkedIn). But, more importantly, some of the people LinkedIn thinks you should know will be good prospects for you. In essence, LinkedIn has created a complex search algorithm on your behalf and automatically executes it every time you visit that page.</p>
<p>Find Some CousinsThe "Find Alumni" search under "My Network" is a little less advanced yet still might yield some interesting leads. I say it's less advanced because, essentially, all it's doing is listing people who went to your alma mater (though it does also apply some sorting logic to prioritize the list you see).</p>
<p>Still, it could yield some good prospects. And, of course, since you have something in common with the people you find, you have a ready-made icebreaker.</p>
<p>Be the Boolean MasterAs with <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/38836/boolean-logic" type="external">Boolean logic Opens a New Window.</a> in <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/roundup/342728/the-best-social-listening-and-influencer-identification-tool" type="external">social listening Opens a New Window.</a> platforms, our own advanced searches can also yield great results. Some searches are self-evident. My intent here is not to list every kind of search you could do and why. Instead, I want to focus on a few that you might not have thought of.</p>
<p>Former Employees: Advanced search enables you to search based on a person's employers, current and past. Obviously, searching for current employees at your customers (or prospects) is a great idea but consider searching for former employees. This could yield two things. First, if a person used to work for one of your customers, chances are his or her new role is similar and possibly his or her new company may be similar, too. This approach may enable you to identify even more prospects—individuals and companies you ever knew existed. Second, former employees still know former coworkers at your current customers or prospects. You may be able to get them to introduce you to some of their former coworkers. (If you take that approach, I would consider offering the person an incentive if a referral leads to a sale.)</p>
<p>Groups: First, join groups that relate to your product or service. Then, use the advanced search to find people who are in those groups (note that you can check a box for "Groups" in the advanced search window). Chances are, if individuals are in a group that relates to your product or service, they will have at least warm interest in what you have to offer.</p>
<p>Industry or Function: Note that LinkedIn provides an extensive list of industries. Use this list to identify contacts in industries that can benefit from your products or services. You can do the same thing for job functions if you have a paid subscription.</p>
<p>Proceed With CautionThis next tactic can be abused easily so proceed with caution. Under "Jobs," search job postings for roles that relate to your products or services. If your products or services are relevant for certain roles, then companies that are looking to hire those roles likely have need of what you offer. And, since the hiring managers for open roles usually have similar responsibilities, those hiring managers may be interested in your products and services. But be careful. Obviously those hiring managers are looking for great recruits, not a sales pitch. The more aggressive you are, the greater the likelihood that you will get flagged by LinkedIn, so be conservative in your approach.</p>
<p>Together, these search tactics can help you mine the LinkedIn database. Of course, now that you've found some potential clients and customers, how do you engage them? Check back next week for some InMail dos and don'ts.</p>
<p>This article <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/345755/how-to-tap-into-linkedins-marketing-database-gold-mine" type="external">originally appeared Opens a New Window.</a> on <a href="http://www.pcmag.com" type="external">PCMag.com Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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last week started discussion linkedin marketing tool opens new window focus profiles company pages week shift focus data mining customer research prospecting linkedin continue reading mentioned last week important think linkedin one tool rather two research tool communications vehicle research tool linkedin invaluable communications vehicle either useful huge waste time money check back next week discussion use linkedin effective communications vehicle week though dive linkedin database find clients siblingsin case im using term client refer individual currently provide products services first make list clients next visit profile pages look people also viewed list righthand column chances many people listed similar roles current clients many may company client thats okay gives opportunity expand footprint within company may also find individuals companies similar roles hence might similar needs visit profiles pages also look list people also viewed time view new profile like rightclick select open new tab keep profile original client open tab instead click back back back find customers siblingsearlier used term client refer individual im using customer refer company undoubtedly companies currently work characteristics needs led choose products services countless companies share needs hence could benefit solutions research current customers linkedin look company pages review profile pages employees roles functional areas operations human resources opens new window hr finance forth jot keywords expand research customers websites facebook pages youtube channels like return linkedin use advanced search search using keywords companies individuals relate keywords able identify companies employees companies similar businesses needs current customers companies contacts become target prospects marketing efforts advertisement find siblingsokay thats enough finding peoples brothers sisters figuratively speaking lets find brother another mother logged go network select people may know based work experience current network linkedin going apply automated search algorithms see help find people might know beneficial highlighting people really know perhaps past coworkers havent yet connected linkedin importantly people linkedin thinks know good prospects essence linkedin created complex search algorithm behalf automatically executes every time visit page find cousinsthe find alumni search network little less advanced yet still might yield interesting leads say less advanced essentially listing people went alma mater though also apply sorting logic prioritize list see still could yield good prospects course since something common people find readymade icebreaker boolean masteras boolean logic opens new window social listening opens new window platforms advanced searches also yield great results searches selfevident intent list every kind search could instead want focus might thought former employees advanced search enables search based persons employers current past obviously searching current employees customers prospects great idea consider searching former employees could yield two things first person used work one customers chances new role similar possibly new company may similar approach may enable identify even prospectsindividuals companies ever knew existed second former employees still know former coworkers current customers prospects may able get introduce former coworkers take approach would consider offering person incentive referral leads sale groups first join groups relate product service use advanced search find people groups note check box groups advanced search window chances individuals group relates product service least warm interest offer industry function note linkedin provides extensive list industries use list identify contacts industries benefit products services thing job functions paid subscription proceed cautionthis next tactic abused easily proceed caution jobs search job postings roles relate products services products services relevant certain roles companies looking hire roles likely need offer since hiring managers open roles usually similar responsibilities hiring managers may interested products services careful obviously hiring managers looking great recruits sales pitch aggressive greater likelihood get flagged linkedin conservative approach together search tactics help mine linkedin database course youve found potential clients customers engage check back next week inmail dos donts article originally appeared opens new window pcmagcom opens new window
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<p>Shares of Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) recently plunged to a multi-month low after the chipmaker was hit by an FTC <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/20/qualcomm-faces-a-nasty-new-lawsuit-regarding-apple.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">antitrust lawsuit Opens a New Window.</a> in the U.S. and <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/26/should-you-sell-qualcomm-after-apples-1-billion-la.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">additional lawsuits Opens a New Window.</a> from its longtime customer Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL). Apple, which exclusively used Qualcomm's baseband modems in its iPhones between 2011 and 2016, claims that Qualcomm withheld $1 billion in rebate payments (compensation for that deal) after it cooperated with Korean FTC regulators, which were probing Qualcomm.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Image source: Qualcomm.</p>
<p>This strained relationship between the two tech giants sounds like great news for Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), which started supplying Apple with modems for the iPhone 7 after its exclusive deal with Qualcomm ended. The reason is simple -- Apple could potentially buy all of its modems from Intel if it severs its relationship with Qualcomm.</p>
<p>But Intel shares barely budged after Apple sued Qualcomm, and only recently rallied following its fourth quarter earnings beat. Let's take a closer look at why investors don't seem convinced that Qualcomm's pain can generate significant gains for Intel.</p>
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<p>Intel doesn't report its modem sales separately. They're included in its massive Client Computing Group, which includes PC and mobile chips. The group was created in 2015 to divert attention from the ongoing losses at its mobile division, which previously reported its results separately. Those losses were caused by its generous subsidization of OEMs, with co-marketing agreements, steep discounts, and financial aid for using its mobile Atom chipsets.</p>
<p>By the time <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/06/why-intel-corporation-quit-smartphones-to-focus-on.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Intel killed off Opens a New Window.</a>most of its mobile Atom chips last year, the unit had spent billions of dollars to capture just 1% of the market. Intel's fatal mistakes are easy to see in retrospect -- it sold off its ARM-based Xscale unit in 2006 to focus on x86 chips in 2006, then rejected Apple's offer to produce application processors for the first iPhone.</p>
<p>Since much of the Android market uses Qualcomm SoCs, which bundle baseband modems together with ARM-based processors, Intel realized that the Atom couldn't gain much ground in the mobile market. Instead, it had to develop modems for OEMs like Apple, which developed their own ARM-based processors without integrated modems.</p>
<p>Image source: Apple.</p>
<p>The problem with Intel is that it was likely negotiating terms with Apple from a position of weakness, due to its need to stay relevant in the mobile market. Since Intel has a long record of taking losses to gain market share in the mobile market, it's reasonable to assume that Intel sold its modems to Apple at very favorable prices for the hardwaremaker.</p>
<p>Last year, Cowen &amp; Co. analysts estimated that the deal couldgenerate $1.5 billion in revenues for Intel -- which would only equal 2.5% of its projected revenues this year. Even if Apple dropped Qualcomm and doubled its orders from Intel, that growth wouldn't significantly offset Intel's sluggish growth in PC and data center chips. Moreover, those modems would likely only generate low-margin revenues, which wouldn't significantly boost its bottom line growth.</p>
<p>To make matters worse,Apple throttled the speed ofQualcomm modems in the iPhone 7 to match the slower speed of the Intel modems. This indicates that Apple didn't choose Intel chips because they could match Qualcomm's -- it likely only did so to reduce Qualcomm's negotiating power. This means that other OEMs that use stand-alone Qualcomm modems won't likely switch over to Intel modems anytime soon. This misstep mirrors Intel's failure in mobile application processors -- several OEMs initially gave the Atom a chance, but it was doomed by its inability to match the power efficiency of ARM-based designs.</p>
<p>Intel investors shouldn't assume that Apple's battle with Qualcomm indicates that the two longtime partners will part ways anytime soon. Apple and Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF) have been suing each other for years, yet the Korean tech giant is still one of its top suppliers. Therefore, Apple is likely trying to get Qualcomm to lower its chip prices and licensing fees instead of completely parting ways with the chipmaker.</p>
<p>Even if Apple abandoned Qualcomm, investors shouldn't assume that Intel will inherit the entire modem business. Apple often splits component orders from multiple manufacturers, and it has enough resources to develop its own modems -- which would cut both Intel and Qualcomm out of the loop.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Qualcomm When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=00fc991e-3dd3-4395-8f9e-a1fdf1b3fdde&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Qualcomm wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of January 4, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Qualcomm. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple and Qualcomm. The Motley Fool has the following options: long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $95 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Intel. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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shares qualcomm nasdaq qcom recently plunged multimonth low chipmaker hit ftc antitrust lawsuit opens new window us additional lawsuits opens new window longtime customer apple nasdaq aapl apple exclusively used qualcomms baseband modems iphones 2011 2016 claims qualcomm withheld 1 billion rebate payments compensation deal cooperated korean ftc regulators probing qualcomm continue reading image source qualcomm strained relationship two tech giants sounds like great news intel nasdaq intc started supplying apple modems iphone 7 exclusive deal qualcomm ended reason simple apple could potentially buy modems intel severs relationship qualcomm intel shares barely budged apple sued qualcomm recently rallied following fourth quarter earnings beat lets take closer look investors dont seem convinced qualcomms pain generate significant gains intel advertisement intel doesnt report modem sales separately theyre included massive client computing group includes pc mobile chips group created 2015 divert attention ongoing losses mobile division previously reported results separately losses caused generous subsidization oems comarketing agreements steep discounts financial aid using mobile atom chipsets time intel killed opens new windowmost mobile atom chips last year unit spent billions dollars capture 1 market intels fatal mistakes easy see retrospect sold armbased xscale unit 2006 focus x86 chips 2006 rejected apples offer produce application processors first iphone since much android market uses qualcomm socs bundle baseband modems together armbased processors intel realized atom couldnt gain much ground mobile market instead develop modems oems like apple developed armbased processors without integrated modems image source apple problem intel likely negotiating terms apple position weakness due need stay relevant mobile market since intel long record taking losses gain market share mobile market reasonable assume intel sold modems apple favorable prices hardwaremaker last year cowen amp co analysts estimated deal couldgenerate 15 billion revenues intel would equal 25 projected revenues year even apple dropped qualcomm doubled orders intel growth wouldnt significantly offset intels sluggish growth pc data center chips moreover modems would likely generate lowmargin revenues wouldnt significantly boost bottom line growth make matters worseapple throttled speed ofqualcomm modems iphone 7 match slower speed intel modems indicates apple didnt choose intel chips could match qualcomms likely reduce qualcomms negotiating power means oems use standalone qualcomm modems wont likely switch intel modems anytime soon misstep mirrors intels failure mobile application processors several oems initially gave atom chance doomed inability match power efficiency armbased designs intel investors shouldnt assume apples battle qualcomm indicates two longtime partners part ways anytime soon apple samsung nasdaqoth ssnlf suing years yet korean tech giant still one top suppliers therefore apple likely trying get qualcomm lower chip prices licensing fees instead completely parting ways chipmaker even apple abandoned qualcomm investors shouldnt assume intel inherit entire modem business apple often splits component orders multiple manufacturers enough resources develop modems would cut intel qualcomm loop 10 stocks like better qualcomm investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right qualcomm wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 leo sun opens new window owns shares qualcomm motley fool owns shares recommends apple qualcomm motley fool following options long january 2018 90 calls apple short january 2018 95 calls apple motley fool recommends intel motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Article V Convention is a gun grabbers dream! (By David Risselada)</p>
<p />
<p>For years the idea of an Article V convention of the states has been pushed by many conservatives as a way to reign in federal spending and an out of control federal government.</p>
<p />
<p>An Article V convention is a way to propose new amendments to the constitution, a provision added by our founders as a way to ensure the people have the ability to take control of their governing process.</p>
<p>Any new amendments, once proposed, must then be ratified by three-fourths of the states legislatures in order to become the law of the land. Conservatives argue, that because Republicans control the majority of the state legislatures, precious liberties protected by the constitution, such as the right to keep and bear arms, would be in no danger.</p>
<p>This has proven to be false as&#160; <a href="https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/27117-article-v-con-con-proponents-want-to-clarify-the-second-amendment" type="external">The New American Magazine</a>&#160;is reporting that a "clarification" of the Second Amendments meaning is on the agenda should an Article V convention take place.</p>
<p>What does it mean to clarify the Second Amendments meaning?</p>
<p>Well, many gun control proponents point out, as The New American highlights, that the Second Amendment was written at a time when only muskets and other arms of less lethal ability existed.</p>
<p>Their arguments would, of course, suggest that the founders had no idea what direction technology would go and what type of arms would then be available to the public.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if a pro-Second Amendment majority is present at the convention, clarifying the right to keep and bear arms could indeed do just that.</p>
<p>They could re-affirm that an armed public is the best way to ensure the security of a free state.</p>
<p>This, however, in our politically charged climate of fear and hysteria against guns, is not likely.</p>
<p>Setting these idle arguments aside there are more serious threats that an Article V convention poses to the Second Amendment.</p>
<p>One of these threats is the fact that gun control, and the disarming of America, has been written into public law since 1961.</p>
<p>Signed by President Kennedy,&#160; <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-75/pdf/STATUTE-75-Pg631.pdf" type="external">PL87-297 Arms Control and Disarmament Act</a>&#160;sets in motion the process in which America's military will be systematically reduced, disarmed and subverted to the authority of a world army headed by The United Nations.</p>
<p>According to Bernadine Smith of&#160; <a href="http://libertygunrights.com/" type="external">libertygunrights.com</a>,&#160;the final stages of this plan would be the elimination of national control of our armed services, which in turn would subvert our national sovereignty, and the total and complete disarming of the American people.</p>
<p>The American public seems blissfully unaware that the past several decades have brought us a massive, systematic reduction in the size of our military and the closure of many bases nationwide.</p>
<p>Also, the process for turning over command of the U.S. military to the United Nations started nearly two decades before with the passing of the&#160; <a href="https://federalexpression.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/united-nations-participation-act-of-1945.pdf" type="external">United Nations Participation Act</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>This act put the power of committing U.S. forces to conflicts overseas in the hands of the U.N. Security Council as opposed to the U.S. Congress, who incidentally constitutionally speaking, has the sole authority to declare war.</p>
<p>Since the Korean war, all conflicts involving U.S. forces have been directed by the United Nations Security Council.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sweetliberty.org/issues/guns/dos7277.htm" type="external">State Department Publication 7277</a>&#160; states as one of its goals the total and complete disarmament of military forces except for that which is necessary to maintain internal order and for contributions to a United Nations peacekeeping force.</p>
<p>This essentially means that only a small body of armed forces operating under the jurisdiction of the United Nations would exist for the purpose of enforcing principles set forth by a world governing body.</p>
<p><a href="" type="external">DISARMAMENT GOAL AND OBJECTIVES&#160;</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="external">The establishment and effective operation of an International Disarmament Organization within the framework of the United Nations to insure compliance at all times with all disarmament obligations.</a></p>
<p>What agreements are this publication referencing and what disarmament obligations are the United States expected to be held to?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.un.org/events/smallarms2006/pdf/PoA.pdf" type="external">The United Nations Program of Action on Small Arms</a>&#160;is one such agreement.</p>
<p>Many may argue that as of now this agreement has no bearing on U.S. law. Considering the harsh political climate and the constant efforts to pass gun control laws it is important that the American public at least understand what this agreement entails.</p>
<p>For example, section II explicitly states that where they do not yet exist, laws should be passed criminalizing the illicit manufacture, transfer and possession of small arms.</p>
<p>What does illicit mean?</p>
<p>Does that mean the three-pound drop trigger in your semi-automatic rifle? It can mean anything that gives them the necessary wording to criminalize gun ownership in America.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.un.org/events/smallarms2006/pdf/PoA.pdf" type="external">II.&#160; Preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.un.org/events/smallarms2006/pdf/PoA.pdf" type="external">&#160;</a></p>
<p />
<p>Another agreement is the&#160; <a href="https://unoda-web.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/English7.pdf" type="external">U.N Arms Trade Treaty</a>, which was signed illegally by Former Secretary of State John Kerry.</p>
<p>While this treaty has not been ratified it is hard to argue that our government is not working to accomplish the objectives set forth within its text.</p>
<p>One particular aspect of this treaty that readers should take note of is Article 16 titled simply, International Assistance.</p>
<p>To put it bluntly, this section establishes a trust fund of sorts, and other means of assistance, which can be used to assist nations that have signed into forcing others into compliance.</p>
<p>While this treaty begins with words that suggest the U.N. will respect the sovereignty of nation states, other material provided in this article shows that the ultimate objective is, in fact, completes disarmament of the public.</p>
<p>Proof of this being the final objective is demonstrated every time the push for gun control returns in response to a national tragedy.</p>
<p>Bernadine Smith, at&#160; <a href="http://sweetliberty.org/" type="external">sweetliberty.org</a>,&#160;claims that the government will use the Article V Convention process to introduce a new constitution which will be communistic in structure and more in line with the principles of the U.N. Charter than the U.S. Constitution. This constitution exists and it explicitly denies the right of individuals to keep and bear arms of any type except for those serving in the capacity of a U.N. peacekeeping force Clarifying the used for keeping internal order. This constitution can be read&#160; <a href="http://www.revcom.us/socialistconstitution/SocialistConstitution-en.pdf" type="external">here</a>.</p>
<p>With all of this being said it is imperative, should an Article V convention take place, that the people, along with pro-Second Amendment advocates pay close attention to its proceedings?</p>
<p>There is a reason that America is constantly being discredited and referred to as a racist, oppressive nation.</p>
<p>They want the general public confused and spiritually defeated to the point they will accept this new socialist constitution as an alternative to a system of governance they have been taught has failed.</p>
<p>Be weary America.</p>
<p>Allow me to leave with one more quote.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><a href="" type="external">By psychopolitics our chief goals are effectively carried forward. To produce a maximum of chaos in the culture of the enemy is our first most important step. Our fruits are grown in chaos, distrust, economic depression and scientific turmoil. At last a weary populace can seek peace only in our offered Communist State, at last only Communism can resolve the problems of the masses.</a></p>
<p>David Risselada</p>
<p>http://indefenseofournation.blogspot.com/2017/10/clarifying-objectives-of-gun-grabbers.html</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p />
<p><a href="" type="internal">The Six Things Americans Should Know About the Second Amendment.</a>February 22, 2016In "2nd Amendment"</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Did America Have a Christian Founding?</a>November 19, 2017In "Action Alerts"</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">National Liberty Federation</a>September 27, 2016In "Conservative Blogs"</p>
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article v convention gun grabbers dream david risselada years idea article v convention states pushed many conservatives way reign federal spending control federal government article v convention way propose new amendments constitution provision added founders way ensure people ability take control governing process new amendments proposed must ratified threefourths states legislatures order become law land conservatives argue republicans control majority state legislatures precious liberties protected constitution right keep bear arms would danger proven false as160 new american magazine160is reporting clarification second amendments meaning agenda article v convention take place mean clarify second amendments meaning well many gun control proponents point new american highlights second amendment written time muskets arms less lethal ability existed arguments would course suggest founders idea direction technology would go type arms would available public hand prosecond amendment majority present convention clarifying right keep bear arms could indeed could reaffirm armed public best way ensure security free state however politically charged climate fear hysteria guns likely setting idle arguments aside serious threats article v convention poses second amendment one threats fact gun control disarming america written public law since 1961 signed president kennedy160 pl87297 arms control disarmament act160sets motion process americas military systematically reduced disarmed subverted authority world army headed united nations according bernadine smith of160 libertygunrightscom160the final stages plan would elimination national control armed services turn would subvert national sovereignty total complete disarming american people american public seems blissfully unaware past several decades brought us massive systematic reduction size military closure many bases nationwide also process turning command us military united nations started nearly two decades passing the160 united nations participation act 160 act put power committing us forces conflicts overseas hands un security council opposed us congress incidentally constitutionally speaking sole authority declare war since korean war conflicts involving us forces directed united nations security council state department publication 7277160 states one goals total complete disarmament military forces except necessary maintain internal order contributions united nations peacekeeping force essentially means small body armed forces operating jurisdiction united nations would exist purpose enforcing principles set forth world governing body disarmament goal objectives160 establishment effective operation international disarmament organization within framework united nations insure compliance times disarmament obligations agreements publication referencing disarmament obligations united states expected held united nations program action small arms160is one agreement many may argue agreement bearing us law considering harsh political climate constant efforts pass gun control laws important american public least understand agreement entails example section ii explicitly states yet exist laws passed criminalizing illicit manufacture transfer possession small arms illicit mean mean threepound drop trigger semiautomatic rifle mean anything gives necessary wording criminalize gun ownership america ii160 preventing combating eradicating illicit trade small arms light weapons aspects 160 another agreement the160 un arms trade treaty signed illegally former secretary state john kerry treaty ratified hard argue government working accomplish objectives set forth within text one particular aspect treaty readers take note article 16 titled simply international assistance put bluntly section establishes trust fund sorts means assistance used assist nations signed forcing others compliance treaty begins words suggest un respect sovereignty nation states material provided article shows ultimate objective fact completes disarmament public proof final objective demonstrated every time push gun control returns response national tragedy bernadine smith at160 sweetlibertyorg160claims government use article v convention process introduce new constitution communistic structure line principles un charter us constitution constitution exists explicitly denies right individuals keep bear arms type except serving capacity un peacekeeping force clarifying used keeping internal order constitution read160 said imperative article v convention take place people along prosecond amendment advocates pay close attention proceedings reason america constantly discredited referred racist oppressive nation want general public confused spiritually defeated point accept new socialist constitution alternative system governance taught failed weary america allow leave one quote 160 psychopolitics chief goals effectively carried forward produce maximum chaos culture enemy first important step fruits grown chaos distrust economic depression scientific turmoil last weary populace seek peace offered communist state last communism resolve problems masses david risselada httpindefenseofournationblogspotcom201710clarifyingobjectivesofgungrabbershtml 160 six things americans know second amendmentfebruary 22 2016in 2nd amendment america christian foundingnovember 19 2017in action alerts national liberty federationseptember 27 2016in conservative blogs
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<p />
<p>Despite banks' nudging toward online tools, many U.S. customers are not ready to give up regular visits to their nearest branch, complicating the industry's efforts to slim down.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>U.S. banks have trimmed the number of branches by 6 percent since it peaked in 2009, according to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp data. The 93,283 branches open at the end of last year was the lowest level in a decade.</p>
<p>Yet analysts who have examined the data say banks should have done more to offset the pressure on revenue from low interest rates and regulatory demands.</p>
<p>The number of FDIC-insured banks has fallen by more than 25 percent over that time even as industry assets have grown, indicating room for greater branch consolidation.</p>
<p>Bank executives argue, however, that branches remain crucial for acquiring new customers and doing more business with existing ones. Closures, they say, would hurt revenue more than help reduce costs.</p>
<p>"Our customers still want to visit us," Jonathan Velline, Wells Fargo's head of ATM and store strategy, told Reuters in an interview. "They're still coming to our stores and our ATMs at pretty consistent rates."</p>
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<p>Bankers across the industry share that view. They say online banking complements traditional services for U.S. customers, but few have gone fully digital.</p>
<p>The United States falls somewhere in the middle among developed nations in terms of how aggressively its banks have been slimming down, according to the International Monetary Fund's population-adjusted data. They have cut relatively more branches than banks in Germany, France or Canada, but not nearly as many as those in Greece, Ireland, Spain or Italy.</p>
<p>While other factors are at play, one difference is that U.S. customers still routinely use checks and need branches to process them, said Rick Spitler, managing director at consulting firm Novantas.</p>
<p>FDIC Chief Economist Richard Brown said he often fields questions why the industry still has so many branches.</p>
<p>"This thesis…that we have mobile banking and high-tech banking, therefore the branch offices are dinosaurs and going away appears to be substantially overstated," he said.</p>
<p>ON EVERY CORNER</p>
<p>The case for reining in sprawling branch networks as a way to cut costs looks compelling.</p>
<p>The traditional branch costs roughly $2-4 million to set up and $200,000-400,000 per year to operate, according to Ed O'Brien, an analyst at Mercator Advisory Group. For big banks with thousands of branches – many of them clustered in pricey urban centers – it can get expensive.</p>
<p>For instance, an eight block stretch near Manhattan's Penn Station houses 14 bank branches - Astoria Bank, Apple Bank, Capital One, Citibank, HSBC, PNC, TD Bank, Sterling National Bank, Wells Fargo, two Bank of America branches, and three Chase branches.</p>
<p>Yet bank executives argue that, in a competitive market, they need to be footsteps away from the best customers.</p>
<p>Executives at JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co, the country's largest bank, say each branch earns about $1 million in annual profit, but takes a decade to reach its full potential.</p>
<p>Chase bankers regularly scrutinize data on branch foot traffic and what customers do while inside to determine whether a location should remain open, shut down or shrink.</p>
<p>The bank has shut 265 locations since 2013, roughly 5 percent of its network, but executives insist that branches remain essential for JPMorgan's relationships with customers. They are the best way to sell clients many products and services ranging from mortgages to investment advice, according to Gordon Smith, JPMorgan's head of consumer and community banking.</p>
<p>"Often I will be asked why don't we just accelerate closings. Why don't we close 400 or 500 branches?" Smith said at the 2016 investor day. "The answer is that customers won't go there."</p>
<p>John Elmore, vice chairman of community banking and branch delivery at U.S. Bancorp, says branches are especially important for small businesses that need to deposit cash frequently, prefer to negotiate loans in person, or want strategic advice.</p>
<p>"Proximity to their business is a very, very important factor to their bank selection and their continuing relationship with a bank," Elmore told Reuters.</p>
<p>COST QUESTIONS</p>
<p>Banks do keep trying to steer customers to digital tools.</p>
<p>They have reduced the number of tellers and moved them to the back. Their ATMs can perform more sophisticated tasks and banks have developed nifty mobile apps for routine banking needs. They are even experimenting with digital loan underwriting.</p>
<p>Yet customers still expect contact with bank staff and JPMorgan recently had to hire more tellers after customer complaints.</p>
<p>JPMorgan and Wells Fargo data show most customers visit branches several times every quarter, though younger clients tend to visit less often.</p>
<p>It may be too early to tell what happens in the long run when a big bank shutters many branches.</p>
<p>Bank of America Corp, which has closed a quarter of its branches since 2009, could eventually serve as a test case. The bank says it is done with cuts, but Keefe Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Fred Cannon calls for more. He also points to Citizens Financial Group Inc, KeyCorp, Comerica Inc and Zions Bancorp as banks that have not slimmed down enough.</p>
<p>James Abbott, investor relations chief for Zions, said the group had eliminated roughly 20 percent of its branches since 2009 and continued to evaluate further cuts. The other banks did not provide a comment for this story.</p>
<p>Cannon argues their costs are too high, and that they could eliminate locations without giving up much revenue.</p>
<p>"I think there's going to be a real question about the cost of that branch infrastructure," he said.</p>
<p>(Reporting by Dan Freed in New York; Editing by Lauren Tara LaCapra and Tomasz Janowski)</p>
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despite banks nudging toward online tools many us customers ready give regular visits nearest branch complicating industrys efforts slim continue reading us banks trimmed number branches 6 percent since peaked 2009 according federal deposit insurance corp data 93283 branches open end last year lowest level decade yet analysts examined data say banks done offset pressure revenue low interest rates regulatory demands number fdicinsured banks fallen 25 percent time even industry assets grown indicating room greater branch consolidation bank executives argue however branches remain crucial acquiring new customers business existing ones closures say would hurt revenue help reduce costs customers still want visit us jonathan velline wells fargos head atm store strategy told reuters interview theyre still coming stores atms pretty consistent rates advertisement bankers across industry share view say online banking complements traditional services us customers gone fully digital united states falls somewhere middle among developed nations terms aggressively banks slimming according international monetary funds populationadjusted data cut relatively branches banks germany france canada nearly many greece ireland spain italy factors play one difference us customers still routinely use checks need branches process said rick spitler managing director consulting firm novantas fdic chief economist richard brown said often fields questions industry still many branches thesisthat mobile banking hightech banking therefore branch offices dinosaurs going away appears substantially overstated said every corner case reining sprawling branch networks way cut costs looks compelling traditional branch costs roughly 24 million set 200000400000 per year operate according ed obrien analyst mercator advisory group big banks thousands branches many clustered pricey urban centers get expensive instance eight block stretch near manhattans penn station houses 14 bank branches astoria bank apple bank capital one citibank hsbc pnc td bank sterling national bank wells fargo two bank america branches three chase branches yet bank executives argue competitive market need footsteps away best customers executives jpmorgan chase amp co countrys largest bank say branch earns 1 million annual profit takes decade reach full potential chase bankers regularly scrutinize data branch foot traffic customers inside determine whether location remain open shut shrink bank shut 265 locations since 2013 roughly 5 percent network executives insist branches remain essential jpmorgans relationships customers best way sell clients many products services ranging mortgages investment advice according gordon smith jpmorgans head consumer community banking often asked dont accelerate closings dont close 400 500 branches smith said 2016 investor day answer customers wont go john elmore vice chairman community banking branch delivery us bancorp says branches especially important small businesses need deposit cash frequently prefer negotiate loans person want strategic advice proximity business important factor bank selection continuing relationship bank elmore told reuters cost questions banks keep trying steer customers digital tools reduced number tellers moved back atms perform sophisticated tasks banks developed nifty mobile apps routine banking needs even experimenting digital loan underwriting yet customers still expect contact bank staff jpmorgan recently hire tellers customer complaints jpmorgan wells fargo data show customers visit branches several times every quarter though younger clients tend visit less often may early tell happens long run big bank shutters many branches bank america corp closed quarter branches since 2009 could eventually serve test case bank says done cuts keefe bruyette amp woods analyst fred cannon calls also points citizens financial group inc keycorp comerica inc zions bancorp banks slimmed enough james abbott investor relations chief zions said group eliminated roughly 20 percent branches since 2009 continued evaluate cuts banks provide comment story cannon argues costs high could eliminate locations without giving much revenue think theres going real question cost branch infrastructure said reporting dan freed new york editing lauren tara lacapra tomasz janowski
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<p>October may not be the cruelest month for investors -- based on the averages, that's September. But when Wall Street stumbles at this point of the year, it stumbles extra hard. And that's why Alison Southwick and Robert Brokamp picked October for a four-part series on the history of market crashes in the United States.</p>
<p>In this podcast, guest and Former Fool Morgan Housel leads the discussion as they reflect on two major economic tumbles: the long downturn of the 1970s and 1987's Black Monday. Coming into the 1980s, Fed Chairman Paul Volcker jacked up interest rates to unheard-of levels in an effort to break the back of inflation. Eventually, that succeeded, leading the economy into a powerful boom. But all good things come to an end -- in this case, on Oct. 19, 1987. (Then again, did it really end then?)</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>A full transcript follows the video.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of&#160;October 9, 2017The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned.</p>
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<p>This video was recorded on Oct. 10, 2017.</p>
<p>Alison Southwick: It's the '80s! We're going on our next stop in this tour.</p>
<p>Morgan Housel: Miles per gallon is up to 8 miles a gallon now. We've improved a little bit.</p>
<p>Robert Brokamp: Progress.</p>
<p>Southwick: We're not even talking cars. We're taking our yachts everywhere. The '70s were a bummer, so we're going to go someplace a heck of a lot more fun, and that's the '80s. Everyone is doing cocaine, like I mentioned. They're yachting to their jobs on Wall Street. Greed is good. Shoulder pads are huge.</p>
<p>Housel: Did you say everyone was doing cocaine in the '80s?</p>
<p>Southwick: Yeah, that's what I know about the '80s.</p>
<p>Housel: Let's just move on.</p>
<p>Brokamp: You were alive in the '80s. Were you doing cocaine? Maybe we shouldn't talk about this on the internet.</p>
<p>Southwick: No!</p>
<p>Brokamp: OK.</p>
<p>Southwick: I was a toddler. But no, if you watch the old movies and the old TV shows, everything is all big and glitzy. And anyway, it was this huge party that was never going to end, probably because of the cocaine, so here we go. We're coming up into October 1987.</p>
<p>Housel: Stocks have done incredibly well for the past five years at this point. Four or five years. Stock prices had about tripled at this point. The unemployment rate had come way down. Reagan is very popular as a president because of, I think, the economic performance at the time. Again, back to what Bro was saying about "animal spirits." I like tracking what is the average mood is at the time. And in the '50s and '60s, it was great. The '70s was really bad.</p>
<p>The '80s went to great again. People were really optimistic about the economy. What was happening in the United States and the stock market? This was during the peak when Japan was really looking like it was going to lead the world. I think there was some anxiety about that, but the U.S. in terms of innovation and growth was distinctly No. 2 at this point, even though it was a much larger economy. But overall there was quite a bit of optimism. The stock market had done really well right up to October 1987.</p>
<p>Southwick: All right. Are we ready? Are we ready for October 1987? Which, of course, is exactly 30 years ago ...</p>
<p>Brokamp: That's right ...</p>
<p>Southwick: ... when this podcast is airing.</p>
<p>Housel: Yeah, that's right.</p>
<p>Southwick: So it's sweater weather in New York City, and what happens?</p>
<p>Housel: I think one of the really interesting parts about this is it was Alan Greenspan's third day on the job.</p>
<p>Southwick: Wow!</p>
<p>Housel: Alan Greenspan is in charge of the U.S. economy and everything that ties into it at this point. And his background before he joined the Fed was, he was basically an academic. He was an economic consultant, but not that much experience in high levels of politics, where you have to deal with all the different dynamics of politics. So I imagine being thrust into the Fed chairman job, at that point, when you don't have a heavy background in politics, and then 72 hours into the job the stock market fell more than 20% in one day.</p>
<p>Southwick: Why? Why did it do that?</p>
<p>Housel: Do you know what's interesting about the crash of 1987? This is true for the crash of 1929, too. Thirty years later, people are still debating why it happened, and there's not a lot of consensus about why it happened. Maybe this, too, gets back to the "animal spirits" of sometimes the stories that we tell ourselves change really quickly.</p>
<p>If there was one technical aspect that happened in '87, there was a thing in the 1980s that was really popular called portfolio insurance, which was a product that's not around anymore. It was a terrible idea. But it was effectively an insurance policy that if you owned stocks you had an insurance policy against it, and if the stocks fell by a certain amount, you had an insurance policy that would sell a basket of stocks and repay. It was a really complicated arrangement that tried to de-risk investing as a lot of investment products do.</p>
<p>But the practical reality of it was that if stocks started falling a little bit, these stock insurance policies would sell stocks to make up for those losses, and then it just snowballed on itself. Losses triggered selling, which triggered more losses, which triggered more selling. It happened really quick. And this is at the very early bleeding edge of when people were using computers to invest, both to execute trades and to see what was going on in the world.</p>
<p>I mean, computers in 1987 were absolutely archaic compared to today, but before that and for all of history, the stock market was entirely face-to-face. You had traders on the floor that would literally yell at each other to trade orders, and this was the first time that it was computers that were starting to make some of the decisions.</p>
<p>And from what I understand -- and again, there's not a lot of consensus about this, but because it was so early, the computers that were set up doing this had no idea what they were doing and just weren't -- they didn't communicate with each other very well, were prone to all kinds of glitches. The architecture of it wasn't really thought out very well, and it just kind of fed on itself in one day, to where selling begat more selling, and the next thing you know it feeds on itself. And that just creates fear among human investors, not the computers that were selling, that causes them to sell. And it just spreads from there.</p>
<p>And the pervasive view after this happened, the day of the crash of '87, go back and read the newspapers. Everything had the same headline, was, "This is the crash of 1929, and we're going back into the Great Depression." That was the view that everyone had back then. And it makes a lot of sense, because that was effectively how the crash of 1929 started. You had a big run-up in the '20s, and also overnight, everything then comes to an end.</p>
<p>Southwick: But that didn't happen, right?</p>
<p>Housel: The really amazing thing about the crash of 1987 is that I think eight months later, the market was back at an all-time high. Like if you look at a long-term chart of the stock market, you can barely see '87.</p>
<p>Brokamp: Right.</p>
<p>Housel: It's like a dot that barely happened.</p>
<p>Brokamp: The stock market actually made money for the whole year.</p>
<p>Housel: In that year and in 1988, as well.</p>
<p>Southwick: Is it maybe just a matter of great branding? Like being able to say "Black Monday!" Like if hadn't been named Black Monday, would we have forgotten about it?</p>
<p>Housel: It gave journalists something to talk about. But that's really the amazing thing, is that in hindsight it was nothing. It didn't really do anything to the economy. It didn't really do much to the stock market within eight months. Like when we talk about the Great Depression, we talk about the human suffering. The unemployment. When people talk about the crash of '87, it's mostly just for entertainment, honestly, because not much came from it. But if anything, it's just a show of the disconnect that often happens between what companies and businesses are doing and what stock prices do as they react to the architecture of the stock market that is independent from the businesses that people are investing in.</p>
<p>Southwick: In the summer of 1988, I was a sophomore in college and I worked for my high school English teacher's husband, who was a broker for Merrill Lynch. I was just doing errands, and cold-calling for seminars and stuff like that. But I remember the event of 1987, and it stuck with me, No. 1, that stocks were too risky. And I remember saying to him, "Isn't this just all a bunch of gambling?" And I got a good lecture about why investing isn't gambling.</p>
<p>But when I look back on that day, most people did not have computers to check stock prices. There was no CNBC. You didn't know the price of your stock unless you called up your broker or you waited until the newspaper the next day. I think people back then felt a little bit more out of control, because they didn't know what was going on. They might have seen on the news that the Dow dropped, but they didn't necessarily know what their individual stocks did, and they couldn't just get on their computer and sell if they wanted to. They had to wait until they could get their broker on the phone to make the transaction.</p>
<p>So I think when you think of investing back then, people felt a little bit more like they didn't have as much control over what was going on and felt like a little bit more of a victim of these big drops in their portfolios.</p>
<p>Housel: I often wonder, though. I agree with that, but I think there is a devil's advocate to make. People have so much information today that maybe they have too much.</p>
<p>Brokamp: I think that's possible, yes.</p>
<p>Southwick: And it's so much easier to buy and sell.</p>
<p>Housel: The fact that you can just be at the gym and then get a push alert on your phone that says the Dow is down 100 points. That's not healthy...</p>
<p>Southwick: Then pick a different app and say, "Sell, sell, sell."</p>
<p>Housel: When you buy an iPhone, there aren't that many apps that come preinstalled, but one of them, that's right on the home screen for everyone, is a stock app.</p>
<p>Brokamp: Is a stock app, yes.</p>
<p>Housel: Which is cool. I like that. But I think that mentality or just what that brings to a lot of people, is unhealthy. It's something people didn't have 30 years ago, constantly being tied into it, especially because so much of what is, quote-unquote, "news" today is just commentary, and that's even charitable. It's just opinion. And especially around crashes -- the crash of 2009 and whatnot -- there's a big thing in the pundit world where people wanted to be, particularly around 2009, everyone wanted to be the guy to go on CNBC and say that the world's coming to an end. This hasn't even begun yet. We're going to go back to the Great Depression. That person got famous. So I think the amount of commentary we have today is probably unhealthy compared to what it was back then.</p>
<p>Brokamp: I think I spent half my days back then answering calls from clients giving stock quotes. And you'd get some people who'd call back every day and you knew the 10 stocks that they owned, so you'd just run them down.</p>
<p>Southwick: But how would you do it? Did you have a computer?</p>
<p>Housel: He just made it up.</p>
<p>Brokamp: They had what they called a Quotron.</p>
<p>Southwick: He's just like, "I don't know..."</p>
<p>Brokamp: Of course, I had some dice. I'd roll them. I had my 20-sided D&amp;D dice.</p>
<p>Southwick: So you caused Black Monday.</p>
<p>Brokamp: Exactly. I had something called the Quotron.</p>
<p>Southwick: The Quotron. I love it. It didn't have a number after that? The Quotron 3000?</p>
<p>Housel: The Quotron 4000.</p>
<p>Brokamp: Maybe it did. And you just put it in and then you got a number again.</p>
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october may cruelest month investors based averages thats september wall street stumbles point year stumbles extra hard thats alison southwick robert brokamp picked october fourpart series history market crashes united states podcast guest former fool morgan housel leads discussion reflect two major economic tumbles long downturn 1970s 1987s black monday coming 1980s fed chairman paul volcker jacked interest rates unheardof levels effort break back inflation eventually succeeded leading economy powerful boom good things come end case oct 19 1987 really end continue reading full transcript follows video 10 stocks like better than160walmartwhen investing geniuses david tom160gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter they160have run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom160just revealed believe the160 ten best stocks opens new window160for investors buy right walmart wasnt one thats right they160think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window160to learn picks stock advisor returns of160october 9 2017the authors may position stocks mentioned advertisement video recorded oct 10 2017 alison southwick 80s going next stop tour morgan housel miles per gallon 8 miles gallon weve improved little bit robert brokamp progress southwick even talking cars taking yachts everywhere 70s bummer going go someplace heck lot fun thats 80s everyone cocaine like mentioned theyre yachting jobs wall street greed good shoulder pads huge housel say everyone cocaine 80s southwick yeah thats know 80s housel lets move brokamp alive 80s cocaine maybe shouldnt talk internet southwick brokamp ok southwick toddler watch old movies old tv shows everything big glitzy anyway huge party never going end probably cocaine go coming october 1987 housel stocks done incredibly well past five years point four five years stock prices tripled point unemployment rate come way reagan popular president think economic performance time back bro saying animal spirits like tracking average mood time 50s 60s great 70s really bad 80s went great people really optimistic economy happening united states stock market peak japan really looking like going lead world think anxiety us terms innovation growth distinctly 2 point even though much larger economy overall quite bit optimism stock market done really well right october 1987 southwick right ready ready october 1987 course exactly 30 years ago brokamp thats right southwick podcast airing housel yeah thats right southwick sweater weather new york city happens housel think one really interesting parts alan greenspans third day job southwick wow housel alan greenspan charge us economy everything ties point background joined fed basically academic economic consultant much experience high levels politics deal different dynamics politics imagine thrust fed chairman job point dont heavy background politics 72 hours job stock market fell 20 one day southwick housel know whats interesting crash 1987 true crash 1929 thirty years later people still debating happened theres lot consensus happened maybe gets back animal spirits sometimes stories tell change really quickly one technical aspect happened 87 thing 1980s really popular called portfolio insurance product thats around anymore terrible idea effectively insurance policy owned stocks insurance policy stocks fell certain amount insurance policy would sell basket stocks repay really complicated arrangement tried derisk investing lot investment products practical reality stocks started falling little bit stock insurance policies would sell stocks make losses snowballed losses triggered selling triggered losses triggered selling happened really quick early bleeding edge people using computers invest execute trades see going world mean computers 1987 absolutely archaic compared today history stock market entirely facetoface traders floor would literally yell trade orders first time computers starting make decisions understand theres lot consensus early computers set idea werent didnt communicate well prone kinds glitches architecture wasnt really thought well kind fed one day selling begat selling next thing know feeds creates fear among human investors computers selling causes sell spreads pervasive view happened day crash 87 go back read newspapers everything headline crash 1929 going back great depression view everyone back makes lot sense effectively crash 1929 started big runup 20s also overnight everything comes end southwick didnt happen right housel really amazing thing crash 1987 think eight months later market back alltime high like look longterm chart stock market barely see 87 brokamp right housel like dot barely happened brokamp stock market actually made money whole year housel year 1988 well southwick maybe matter great branding like able say black monday like hadnt named black monday would forgotten housel gave journalists something talk thats really amazing thing hindsight nothing didnt really anything economy didnt really much stock market within eight months like talk great depression talk human suffering unemployment people talk crash 87 mostly entertainment honestly much came anything show disconnect often happens companies businesses stock prices react architecture stock market independent businesses people investing southwick summer 1988 sophomore college worked high school english teachers husband broker merrill lynch errands coldcalling seminars stuff like remember event 1987 stuck 1 stocks risky remember saying isnt bunch gambling got good lecture investing isnt gambling look back day people computers check stock prices cnbc didnt know price stock unless called broker waited newspaper next day think people back felt little bit control didnt know going might seen news dow dropped didnt necessarily know individual stocks couldnt get computer sell wanted wait could get broker phone make transaction think think investing back people felt little bit like didnt much control going felt like little bit victim big drops portfolios housel often wonder though agree think devils advocate make people much information today maybe much brokamp think thats possible yes southwick much easier buy sell housel fact gym get push alert phone says dow 100 points thats healthy southwick pick different app say sell sell sell housel buy iphone arent many apps come preinstalled one thats right home screen everyone stock app brokamp stock app yes housel cool like think mentality brings lot people unhealthy something people didnt 30 years ago constantly tied especially much quoteunquote news today commentary thats even charitable opinion especially around crashes crash 2009 whatnot theres big thing pundit world people wanted particularly around 2009 everyone wanted guy go cnbc say worlds coming end hasnt even begun yet going go back great depression person got famous think amount commentary today probably unhealthy compared back brokamp think spent half days back answering calls clients giving stock quotes youd get people whod call back every day knew 10 stocks owned youd run southwick would computer housel made brokamp called quotron southwick hes like dont know brokamp course dice id roll 20sided dampd dice southwick caused black monday brokamp exactly something called quotron southwick quotron love didnt number quotron 3000 housel quotron 4000 brokamp maybe put got number motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Costco (NASDAQ: COST) sales have been essentially flat year to date.</p>
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<p>For the 52-week fiscal year which closed Aug. 28, the warehouse club reported net sales of $116.1 billion, a 2% increase from the $113.7 billion reported last year. Those numbers aren't awful, but they hint at weakness.</p>
<p>When it comes to comparable sales, the numbers weren't great either, though they look better after adjusting for falling gas prices and foreign currency exchange. After the adjustment, the increase in the United States jumps from 2% to 3% and the Canada numbers go from a 3% decline to an 8% gain. International numbers were similar, moving from a 3% dip before adjustment to a 4% positive move after. Still, overall, before the adjustment, 52-week growth was 0%, and after it was only a 4% gain.</p>
<p>Those are mediocre results, which point to three things that could hurt Costco's stock price going forward.</p>
<p>Costco's business model has been to drive people to its stores. Image source: author.</p>
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<p>As a warehouse club, the Costco model is built on offering great prices but limited selection. In the past, that made other warehouse clubs such as Wal-Mart's (NYSE: WMT) Sam's Club its only real competition. Now, however, the chain increasingly has to deal with traditional stores offering aggressive pricing.</p>
<p>Wal-Mart specifically has committed to spending billions to lower prices. That's a big problem for Costco, because the traditional retailer's deals don't require buying food in specific large quantities.</p>
<p>If a regular grocery store will sell a box of cereal at a price close to what Costco charges, but the warehouse club requires buying two extra-large boxes, it's easy to see why consumers may shy away from bulk purchases. That's not a big problem if it simply costs Costco some sales, but it becomes a much bigger issue if consumers stop believing Costco consistently has the best deal.</p>
<p>If that happens, people will drop their memberships -- and fees from people paying their annual dues accounts for 75% of the chain's profits. Essentially it's OK if consumers go to the warehouse club less, as long as they still see the value of remaining members. It's possible that more aggressive traditional stores will tip the balance in favor of people who drop their membership.</p>
<p>Costco has mostly ignored the Internet because it's built its business around driving people to its stores. That makes sense because once people hit a warehouse, they can be enticed into buying things they'd not planned on. In addition, part of the Costco mystique revolves around bargain hunting in its stores.</p>
<p>That's generally been a strong formula. People join Costco partly because it's fun to shop in the stores even when you don't buy anything. Add that to the fact that prices are generally below other options (albeit with the hassle of having to buy in bulk), and you can see why the chain has thrived.</p>
<p>Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) has already taken away one of those advantages. It has comparable, and in some cases lower, prices than the warehouse club chain. It also has improved delivery to the point that it can get pretty much anything to consumers in two days or less.</p>
<p>What Amazon hasn't equaled is the experience of exploring a Costco store. It's still fun to walk into one of the chain's locations and discover that you really need a kayak or a palette of K-Cups. Online retail has struggled to equal that experience, but Amazon has gotten better at it with its flash sales and Prime Day, which had a bit of the unknown that Costco does so well turning into sales.</p>
<p>The big concern is that these two problems have been evident for a long time and management hasn't done much to address them. Price competition has been a reality since Amazon became a major player, and it's doing a better job getting consumers to buy more than they intended to or purchase items just because the price is right.</p>
<p>Costco has a long runway. It's not a retailer being obliterated by discounters or the internet, but there are signs of weakness. These are two areas to watch -- and concerns management needs to do more to address. Neither presents a reason to panic, but growth has slowed, and this might explain why.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/Dankline/info.aspx" type="external">Daniel Kline Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. He has to buy a coffee table, even though he does not agree with purchasing furniture merely to collect clutter. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon.com and Costco Wholesale. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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costco nasdaq cost sales essentially flat year date continue reading 52week fiscal year closed aug 28 warehouse club reported net sales 1161 billion 2 increase 1137 billion reported last year numbers arent awful hint weakness comes comparable sales numbers werent great either though look better adjusting falling gas prices foreign currency exchange adjustment increase united states jumps 2 3 canada numbers go 3 decline 8 gain international numbers similar moving 3 dip adjustment 4 positive move still overall adjustment 52week growth 0 4 gain mediocre results point three things could hurt costcos stock price going forward costcos business model drive people stores image source author advertisement warehouse club costco model built offering great prices limited selection past made warehouse clubs walmarts nyse wmt sams club real competition however chain increasingly deal traditional stores offering aggressive pricing walmart specifically committed spending billions lower prices thats big problem costco traditional retailers deals dont require buying food specific large quantities regular grocery store sell box cereal price close costco charges warehouse club requires buying two extralarge boxes easy see consumers may shy away bulk purchases thats big problem simply costs costco sales becomes much bigger issue consumers stop believing costco consistently best deal happens people drop memberships fees people paying annual dues accounts 75 chains profits essentially ok consumers go warehouse club less long still see value remaining members possible aggressive traditional stores tip balance favor people drop membership costco mostly ignored internet built business around driving people stores makes sense people hit warehouse enticed buying things theyd planned addition part costco mystique revolves around bargain hunting stores thats generally strong formula people join costco partly fun shop stores even dont buy anything add fact prices generally options albeit hassle buy bulk see chain thrived amazoncom nasdaq amzn already taken away one advantages comparable cases lower prices warehouse club chain also improved delivery point get pretty much anything consumers two days less amazon hasnt equaled experience exploring costco store still fun walk one chains locations discover really need kayak palette kcups online retail struggled equal experience amazon gotten better flash sales prime day bit unknown costco well turning sales big concern two problems evident long time management hasnt done much address price competition reality since amazon became major player better job getting consumers buy intended purchase items price right costco long runway retailer obliterated discounters internet signs weakness two areas watch concerns management needs address neither presents reason panic growth slowed might explain secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window daniel kline opens new window position stocks mentioned buy coffee table even though agree purchasing furniture merely collect clutter motley fool owns shares recommends amazoncom costco wholesale try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>For decades, the conventional wisdom has been that buying a house makes much better financial sense than renting one. After all, you'll have to spend a large chunk of your income on housing either way, so doesn't it make more sense to invest that money in something you'll eventually own, rather than simply forking cash over to someone else?</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>And conventional wisdom may be right about that -- in some situations. However, a number of factors can make renting a much wiser financial decision than buying. Here are four good reasons why it may be smarter for you to rent instead of buy.</p>
<p>The sooner you intend to move, the less sense it makes to buy.</p>
<p>If you plan to stay put for less than two years, then buying a house would be a poor investment. In such a sort amount of time, the home likely wouldn't gain enough value to make up for the costs of buying and selling it, like realtor commissions, closing fees, moving expenses, and so on. And don't forget that buying or selling a house is a huge hassle compared to switching from one rental to another, so doingboth within a couple of years will add a lot of work and stress to your life.</p>
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>And then there's the tax issue. The <a href="http://www.fool.com/taxes/2017/03/03/understanding-the-home-sale-tax-exclusion.aspx?source=isesitlnk0000001&amp;mrr=1.00&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">home sale tax exclusion Opens a New Window.</a>makes up to $500,000 of the gain on the sale of your house exempt from taxation. But one of the requirements for this exclusion is that you must have lived in the house for at least two out of the last five years, and if you're moving within two years of buying, you obviously won't meet that requirement. So if you're lucky enough to sell your house for a profit, you'd be stuck paying taxes on that gain -- potentially costing you thousands of dollars.</p>
<p>Some parts of the country are prohibitively expensive to live in. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City are notorious for high housing costs for renters and homeowners alike, but they're hardly the only expensive cities in the U.S. Coming up with a down payment for a $500,000 house is considerably harder than coming up with a down payment for a $150,000 house. But what makes certain highly desirable urban areas really problematic is that home prices in these areas can be driven steeply upward by the high demand (i.e., a housing bubble). Not only would you have to pay an inflated price for the house, which makes it harder for you to turn around and sell it for a gain in a few years, but you'd also have to pay far more each month as a homeowner than you would as a renter for the same amount of house.</p>
<p>For example, <a href="https://smartasset.com/mortgage/price-to-rent-ratio-in-us-cities" type="external">SmartAsset Opens a New Window.</a> calculates that in San Francisco, it costs on average over $550,000 to buy a house that would cost $1,000 a month to rent. Even if you forked over a 20% down payment on such a house, your monthly payments on a 30-year, 4.5% interest mortgage would be over $2,200 -- more than double the cost of renting. If you live and work in such an area and are determined to buy a house, you might consider looking just outside the area for more affordable options -- for example, shopping for a home in San Francisco's surrounding communities instead of trying to buy a house in the city itself.</p>
<p>If you're not confident in your job security, then now is not the time to make a huge purchase like a new house.</p>
<p>If you suddenly lose a major source of income, then you may need to cut your housing costs in order to get by. That's a relatively quick and painless process if you're renting; you might pay a fee to end your lease early, but you could move to a cheaper home in a matter of days. If you own your home, then a career crisis could force you to sell your house at a bad time; it may take months to find a buyer, or you might end up selling the house for less than you paid for it.</p>
<p>If an emergency savings account is important for a renter, it's absolutely crucial for a homeowner. As a renter, if something goes wrong with the house, you can simply call the landlord, who will have to pay to fix the problem. As a homeowner, all the expense lands squarely on your shoulders. Even if nothing expensive breaks down on you, homeowners have ongoing additional costs such as homeowner's insurance (depending on your state, average annual premiums range from $534 to $1991) and property taxes (the average annual property tax in the U.S. is $2,127 but it <a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/01/27/heres-what-the-average-american-pays-in-property-t.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">can be much more Opens a New Window.</a> depending on your state and county).</p>
<p>If you don't budget for such expenses or run short one month, you may end up having to tap into savings to pay for them. And if you don't have a well-funded savings account,you may be forced to turn to credit cards -- and that repair bill will be made even more expensive by interest and possibly fees. Before you even start looking for a house, make sure you set aside at least enough money to cover three to six months' worth of expenses.</p>
<p>Also don't forget that ponying up a down payment will take a big bite out of your savings. You'll need to make sure you still have a solid emergency fund after you've paid out the down payment and the cost of moving. After all, what's the point of buying home if you'll be too busy fretting about expenses to enjoy it?</p>
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decades conventional wisdom buying house makes much better financial sense renting one youll spend large chunk income housing either way doesnt make sense invest money something youll eventually rather simply forking cash someone else continue reading conventional wisdom may right situations however number factors make renting much wiser financial decision buying four good reasons may smarter rent instead buy sooner intend move less sense makes buy plan stay put less two years buying house would poor investment sort amount time home likely wouldnt gain enough value make costs buying selling like realtor commissions closing fees moving expenses dont forget buying selling house huge hassle compared switching one rental another doingboth within couple years add lot work stress life advertisement image source getty images theres tax issue home sale tax exclusion opens new windowmakes 500000 gain sale house exempt taxation one requirements exclusion must lived house least two last five years youre moving within two years buying obviously wont meet requirement youre lucky enough sell house profit youd stuck paying taxes gain potentially costing thousands dollars parts country prohibitively expensive live los angeles san francisco new york city notorious high housing costs renters homeowners alike theyre hardly expensive cities us coming payment 500000 house considerably harder coming payment 150000 house makes certain highly desirable urban areas really problematic home prices areas driven steeply upward high demand ie housing bubble would pay inflated price house makes harder turn around sell gain years youd also pay far month homeowner would renter amount house example smartasset opens new window calculates san francisco costs average 550000 buy house would cost 1000 month rent even forked 20 payment house monthly payments 30year 45 interest mortgage would 2200 double cost renting live work area determined buy house might consider looking outside area affordable options example shopping home san franciscos surrounding communities instead trying buy house city youre confident job security time make huge purchase like new house suddenly lose major source income may need cut housing costs order get thats relatively quick painless process youre renting might pay fee end lease early could move cheaper home matter days home career crisis could force sell house bad time may take months find buyer might end selling house less paid emergency savings account important renter absolutely crucial homeowner renter something goes wrong house simply call landlord pay fix problem homeowner expense lands squarely shoulders even nothing expensive breaks homeowners ongoing additional costs homeowners insurance depending state average annual premiums range 534 1991 property taxes average annual property tax us 2127 much opens new window depending state county dont budget expenses run short one month may end tap savings pay dont wellfunded savings accountyou may forced turn credit cards repair bill made even expensive interest possibly fees even start looking house make sure set aside least enough money cover three six months worth expenses also dont forget ponying payment take big bite savings youll need make sure still solid emergency fund youve paid payment cost moving whats point buying home youll busy fretting expenses enjoy 5 simple tips skyrocket credit score 800increasing credit score 800 put rare company rare 1 9 americans claim theyre members elite club contrary popular belief racking high credit score lot easier may imagined following 5 simple disciplined strategies youll find full rundown inside free credit score guide opens new window time put financial future first secure lifetime savings increasing credit score simply click opens new windowto claim copy 5 simple tips skyrocket credit score 800 motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Shares ofgrocersKroger Co(NYSE: KR),SUPERVALU Inc(NYSE: SVU), andSprouts Farmers Market Inc(NASDAQ: SFM)fell 17.5%, 31.1%, and 28.8%, respectively in 2016, according to data provided by <a href="http://www.spcapitaliq.com/" type="external">S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>You may not have noticed much difference in the price of your grocery cart items throughout 2016, but the management teams of each of these companies certainly did. All three corporations cited deflation as a significant factor crimping both revenue and profits in 2016.</p>
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<p>Indeed, the subset of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index known as the All Urban Consumers U.S. Cities Average, which covers major "food at home" grocery categories, declined by 2.2% in the 12-month period between December 2015 and November 2016. Upcoming data will certainly show a full-year 2016 decline in this index.</p>
<p>Essentially, the cost to grocers of vegetables and fruits, meats, dairy, milk, eggs, cereals, and other agricultural staples fell last year, for the first time since 2009. A stronger U.S. dollar is one of the most significant factors pushing food costs lower, as it curbs demand for exports, increasing domestic supply. Higher agricultural production is also pressuring commodity prices. The following chart from Trading Economics, which is based on 2016 BLS data, clearly illustrates the recent monthly trend:</p>
<p>Image source: <a href="http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/food-inflation/forecast" type="external">tradingeconomics.com Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>The lower costs present a problem for grocers because deflation on the cost side can spill over to the sales ledger. During Sprouts Farmers Market's third-quarter 2016 earnings conference call, CEO Amin Maredia provided a succinct explanation of how this occurs.</p>
<p>"When deflation expands across multiple categories and extends for several quarters, it's not uncommon to see higher promotional activity in our industry, which leads to retail deflation higher than cost deflation, and this is what we saw during the quarter," Maredia said.</p>
<p>This quote explains the effect of deflation on grocers and demonstrates why the phenomenon is so dangerous. It's typical for a grocery chain to pass on cost savings to customers in the form of discounts and promotions, providing an edge, at least initially, over competition. The "retail deflation higher than cost deflation" occurs when multiple grocers engage in competitive underpricing, which exceeds their initial wholesale cost savings.</p>
<p>This activity is known as a "deflation price war," and it's no friend to the income statements of the parties involved.</p>
<p>Some relief may be in the offing in 2017. The United States Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service predicts that grocery prices may turn around this year, potentially rising between 0.5% to 1.5%. The increase will be driven by projected higher prices for poultry, dairy, fish, and seafood. The service identifies the drought in California as one of the more significant factors underpinning this expectation of food inflation, as the state is the largest agricultural producer in the U.S.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, the U.S. dollar has only strengthened as of late, closing out 2016 with a gain of 4% against a basket of other major currencies, as measured by the AMEX U.S. Dollar Index.The dollar index has soared 28% over the last three years, and this alone is reason to place a bit of skepticism over the prospect of quick commodity price reversal in the coming months.</p>
<p>Of the three organizations, SUPERVALU may be best prepared to weather any continuing effects of deflation. The company sold its retail Save-A-Lot chain, which booked revenue of $4.6 billion in fiscal year 2016, to a private equity investor in December for $1.4 billion. This leaves SUPERVALU as a company that derives roughly 62% of revenue from wholesale sales to grocery channels. While deflation affects all aspects of SUPERVALU's business, it has the least impact on the company's wholesale operations.</p>
<p>Kroger also enjoys some insulation against deflationary pressures, in the form of a robust line of private label brands that it has expanded over the last several years. As of the company's most recently reported quarter, "corporate" label items were responsible for 26% of grocery revenue, excluding fuel and pharmacy sales. These higher margin products provide management with greater flexibility in pricing and promotion decisions.</p>
<p>Sprouts Farmers Market is potentially the most exposed within the group, given its produce-heavy focus. During the first 10 months of 2016, the company reported that 60% of category sales were negatively impacted by deflation.Yet Sprouts is by far the smallest and fastest growing of the three grocers. Management's response to pricing pressures is simply to maintain a vigorous investment in new stores. For long-term shareholders, this makes sense. After all, a deflationary rate of a couple of percentage points can eventually be absorbed if a company can grow revenue and its store base by 13% and 16%, respectively, as Sprouts did in the first nine months of 2016.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Kroger When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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continue reading shares ofgrocerskroger conyse krsupervalu incnyse svu andsprouts farmers market incnasdaq sfmfell 175 311 288 respectively 2016 according data provided sampp global market intelligence opens new window image source getty images may noticed much difference price grocery cart items throughout 2016 management teams companies certainly three corporations cited deflation significant factor crimping revenue profits 2016 advertisement indeed subset bureau labor statistics bls consumer price index known urban consumers us cities average covers major food home grocery categories declined 22 12month period december 2015 november 2016 upcoming data certainly show fullyear 2016 decline index essentially cost grocers vegetables fruits meats dairy milk eggs cereals agricultural staples fell last year first time since 2009 stronger us dollar one significant factors pushing food costs lower curbs demand exports increasing domestic supply higher agricultural production also pressuring commodity prices following chart trading economics based 2016 bls data clearly illustrates recent monthly trend image source tradingeconomicscom opens new window lower costs present problem grocers deflation cost side spill sales ledger sprouts farmers markets thirdquarter 2016 earnings conference call ceo amin maredia provided succinct explanation occurs deflation expands across multiple categories extends several quarters uncommon see higher promotional activity industry leads retail deflation higher cost deflation saw quarter maredia said quote explains effect deflation grocers demonstrates phenomenon dangerous typical grocery chain pass cost savings customers form discounts promotions providing edge least initially competition retail deflation higher cost deflation occurs multiple grocers engage competitive underpricing exceeds initial wholesale cost savings activity known deflation price war friend income statements parties involved relief may offing 2017 united states department agricultures economic research service predicts grocery prices may turn around year potentially rising 05 15 increase driven projected higher prices poultry dairy fish seafood service identifies drought california one significant factors underpinning expectation food inflation state largest agricultural producer us nonetheless us dollar strengthened late closing 2016 gain 4 basket major currencies measured amex us dollar indexthe dollar index soared 28 last three years alone reason place bit skepticism prospect quick commodity price reversal coming months three organizations supervalu may best prepared weather continuing effects deflation company sold retail savealot chain booked revenue 46 billion fiscal year 2016 private equity investor december 14 billion leaves supervalu company derives roughly 62 revenue wholesale sales grocery channels deflation affects aspects supervalus business least impact companys wholesale operations kroger also enjoys insulation deflationary pressures form robust line private label brands expanded last several years companys recently reported quarter corporate label items responsible 26 grocery revenue excluding fuel pharmacy sales higher margin products provide management greater flexibility pricing promotion decisions sprouts farmers market potentially exposed within group given produceheavy focus first 10 months 2016 company reported 60 category sales negatively impacted deflationyet sprouts far smallest fastest growing three grocers managements response pricing pressures simply maintain vigorous investment new stores longterm shareholders makes sense deflationary rate couple percentage points eventually absorbed company grow revenue store base 13 16 respectively sprouts first nine months 2016 10 stocks like better kroger investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right kroger wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 asit sharma opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Boeing Co. on Tuesday raised concerns about United Technologies Corp.'s proposed takeover of Rockwell Collins Inc., threatening to cancel some contracts with the suppliers if the combination undermines competition in the aerospace supply chain.</p>
<p>A day after the $23 billion deal was made public, Boeing said it was "skeptical" the transaction would benefit its airline customers or the broader industry. "We would intend to exercise our contractual rights and pursue the appropriate regulatory options to protect our interests," the aircraft maker said in a statement.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>In buying Rockwell, United Technologies is betting it can foster the industry's creation of the fully digital airplane. Aerospace companies are investing heavily to connect everything from engines and brakes, and even coffee pots, using sensors to guide them on when to schedule maintenance or replacements.</p>
<p>Such repairs have long been the most profitable part of the aircraft industry, prompting efforts by Boeing, Airbus SE and others to secure a larger slice of the business, moves potentially threatened by United Technologies' move on Rockwell Collins.</p>
<p>"It gives us the opportunity to do things that we wouldn't be able to do on our own," said United Technologies Chief Executive Greg Hayes on a Tuesday conference call. The combination with Rockwell Collins, he said, will make it easier to meet demand for digital offerings and integrate aircraft systems, with benefits like reducing overall weight.</p>
<p>United Technologies is already the world's largest aerospace supplier, with almost $30 billion in sales this year split evenly between engine maker Pratt &amp; Whitney and UTC Aerospace Systems, which makes everything from landing gear to the motors that control wing flaps.</p>
<p>Rockwell Collins would add another $9 billion in annual sales derived from its business of cockpit controls and communication equipment and this year's purchase of B/E Aerospace, the biggest provider of aircraft seats. Rockwell also makes the sensors and communication systems that allows for real-time tracking of those products' performance and the need for maintenance.</p>
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<p>Shares of Rockwell Collins rose slightly on Tuesday to $131, well below United Technologies' $140 offer and Rockwell's recent highs. Customer opposition and the potential of antitrust action given the sheer scale of the proposed deal -- rather than product overlap -- still leaves some question marks, analysts said. The deal is expected to close by the third quarter of 2018, after regulatory and competitive concerns are reviewed. Shares of United Technologies fell 5.7% to $111.21.</p>
<p>Mr. Hayes said the companies will have to work with customers that have change-in-control clauses in their contracts, but played down the risks. "We don't see anything that will stop this transaction from happening," he said.</p>
<p>Credit Suisse analysts gave the deal an 80% chance of closing, mostly because of the lack of major overlaps, even with Boeing pushing against the takeover.</p>
<p>Both Airbus and Boeing privately lobbied last year against plans by Honeywell International Inc. to acquire United Technologies, according to people familiar with the situation. However, Honeywell's $15 billion aerospace unit had far more product overlap with United Technologies.</p>
<p>Rockwell Collins CEO Kelly Ortberg would become head of a new United Technologies unit, Collins Aerospace systems, with annual sales of $23 billion, heft that some believe will unsettle Airbus and Boeing.</p>
<p>"This may greatly concern aircraft [makers] such as Airbus and Boeing as they confront an ever increasing proportion of their supply chain controlled by a single supplier," said Stephen Perry, managing director at Janes Capital Partners, a boutique aerospace investment bank.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Mr. Hayes was already working to ease such worries. He noted the lack of overlapping products in the combination and said it would help cut costs for customers.</p>
<p>The projected cost savings from the takeover is net of any concessions made to customers, Mr. Hayes said. "We have factored in the fact that the customers will be looking for cost reduction."</p>
<p>There wasn't any discussion of the potential deal with customers before its announcement, according to a person close to the deal, but Airbus had publicly expressed concerns that United Technologies might take its eye off the ball as a key Airbus supplier.</p>
<p>An Airbus spokesman said the aircraft maker hopes "this M&amp;A will not distract UTC from their top operational priority," which is delivering a new generation of Pratt &amp; Whitney engines.</p>
<p>United Technologies' Pratt &amp; Whitney division has struggled with production and reliability of its new geared turbofan jet engine that powers Airbus A320neo single-aisle planes. Efforts to fix the shortcomings have encountered repeated delays, and some analysts warned that the demands of integrating Rockwell Collins could aggravate the problem. Airbus plane deliveries this year are running behind because of a dearth of engines, but United Technologies officials have said they expect the problems to be resolved this year and commitments to be met for engine deliveries.</p>
<p>--Robert Wall contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Doug Cameron at [email protected] and Thomas Gryta at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>September 05, 2017 19:47 ET (23:47 GMT)</p>
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boeing co tuesday raised concerns united technologies corps proposed takeover rockwell collins inc threatening cancel contracts suppliers combination undermines competition aerospace supply chain day 23 billion deal made public boeing said skeptical transaction would benefit airline customers broader industry would intend exercise contractual rights pursue appropriate regulatory options protect interests aircraft maker said statement continue reading buying rockwell united technologies betting foster industrys creation fully digital airplane aerospace companies investing heavily connect everything engines brakes even coffee pots using sensors guide schedule maintenance replacements repairs long profitable part aircraft industry prompting efforts boeing airbus se others secure larger slice business moves potentially threatened united technologies move rockwell collins gives us opportunity things wouldnt able said united technologies chief executive greg hayes tuesday conference call combination rockwell collins said make easier meet demand digital offerings integrate aircraft systems benefits like reducing overall weight united technologies already worlds largest aerospace supplier almost 30 billion sales year split evenly engine maker pratt amp whitney utc aerospace systems makes everything landing gear motors control wing flaps rockwell collins would add another 9 billion annual sales derived business cockpit controls communication equipment years purchase aerospace biggest provider aircraft seats rockwell also makes sensors communication systems allows realtime tracking products performance need maintenance advertisement shares rockwell collins rose slightly tuesday 131 well united technologies 140 offer rockwells recent highs customer opposition potential antitrust action given sheer scale proposed deal rather product overlap still leaves question marks analysts said deal expected close third quarter 2018 regulatory competitive concerns reviewed shares united technologies fell 57 11121 mr hayes said companies work customers changeincontrol clauses contracts played risks dont see anything stop transaction happening said credit suisse analysts gave deal 80 chance closing mostly lack major overlaps even boeing pushing takeover airbus boeing privately lobbied last year plans honeywell international inc acquire united technologies according people familiar situation however honeywells 15 billion aerospace unit far product overlap united technologies rockwell collins ceo kelly ortberg would become head new united technologies unit collins aerospace systems annual sales 23 billion heft believe unsettle airbus boeing may greatly concern aircraft makers airbus boeing confront ever increasing proportion supply chain controlled single supplier said stephen perry managing director janes capital partners boutique aerospace investment bank tuesday mr hayes already working ease worries noted lack overlapping products combination said would help cut costs customers projected cost savings takeover net concessions made customers mr hayes said factored fact customers looking cost reduction wasnt discussion potential deal customers announcement according person close deal airbus publicly expressed concerns united technologies might take eye ball key airbus supplier airbus spokesman said aircraft maker hopes mampa distract utc top operational priority delivering new generation pratt amp whitney engines united technologies pratt amp whitney division struggled production reliability new geared turbofan jet engine powers airbus a320neo singleaisle planes efforts fix shortcomings encountered repeated delays analysts warned demands integrating rockwell collins could aggravate problem airbus plane deliveries year running behind dearth engines united technologies officials said expect problems resolved year commitments met engine deliveries robert wall contributed article write doug cameron dougcameronwsjcom thomas gryta thomasgrytawsjcom end dow jones newswires september 05 2017 1947 et 2347 gmt
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<p>Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) is "all in on video games," as it writes on its Amazon Jobs website.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Amazon has been on a hiring spree, bringing in video game industry veterans from the likes of Sony and Electronic Arts to develop games for Amazon Game Studios, which currently has over 100 job openings listed on the Amazon Jobs site.</p>
<p>Amazon's Breakaway game showcases what developers can accomplish with Amazon's development tools. Image source: Amazon.com.</p>
<p>For the online titan, making video games is not only about grabbing a piece of the $100 billion video game industry; Amazon is also trying to win over game developers who require cloud storage to connect players of online multiplayer games. In this effort, the 2014 acquisition of game-streaming site Twitch may be a significant competitive advantage for Amazon.</p>
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<p>As it explains on Amazon Jobs, Amazon Game Studios sees "gaming becoming the largest entertainment form on Earth."</p>
<p>This is apparent when looking at time spent on video games. More Americans spent time on a mobile game in 2016 than on streaming-video services like Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Hulu.Players spent about 43 billion hours on Activision Blizzard's (NASDAQ: ATVI) games in 2016, which is on par with Netflix users' more than 45 billion hours of engagement.</p>
<p>To dive into the opportunity, Amazon created its own game engine, called Amazon Lumberyard. Lumberyard allows professional game designers to make games with built-in integration for live game broadcasts on Twitch, along with integration for cloud hosting with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Amazon Game Studios has also been developing games using Lumberyard as a way to showcase the powerful tool set Amazon offers game developers, who are increasingly designing games for mass audiences in e-sports.</p>
<p>Lumberyard combined with AWS is attractive to game designers because it provides a new game the ability to capture a big audience right out of the gate, and it saves developers time and money so they can invest more resources in making great content, as opposed to spending valuable time on infrastructure.</p>
<p>Amazon's push into video games is consistent with its overall customer-centric approach. Amazon has invested heavily in content to offer its Prime members free streaming movies and TV shows. It makes sense that Amazon would invest just as heavily in video games, since the company sees the gaming industry becoming the largest form of entertainment.</p>
<p>Amazon has already started to integrate Twitch features as an additional perk for Amazon Prime members. In September 2016, Amazon launched Twitch Prime, a premium service for Twitch users, but it's also available as a free feature for Amazon Prime members. Prime members can now watch ad-free streaming on Twitch and download free game content, including content for one of the more popular mobile games -- Activision Blizzard's Hearthstone.</p>
<p>It's becoming apparent that the $970 million purchase of Twitch in 2014 was more than just buying a popular game-streaming site to monetize with advertising. Twitch is an important competitive advantage for AWS, as cloud-storage demand increases with the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/21/this-11-billion-industry-spells-opportunity-for-vi.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">growth of e-sports Opens a New Window.</a> and mobile gaming.</p>
<p>Twitch is in the sweet spot of the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/06/4-signs-e-sports-is-already-huge.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">growing popularity Opens a New Window.</a> of e-sports, which will reach an estimated global audience of 385 million in 2017, and that figure is growing. By 2020, nearly 500 million people will be involved in e-sports as either participants or spectators, according to market researcher Newzoo. Twitch has more than 100 million users, almost 10 million of them daily active users. The game-streaming site also broadcasts live e-sports tournaments.</p>
<p>The popularity of online multiplayer games like Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty and Riot Games' League of Legends has fueled the growth of e-sports in recent years. As more gamers participate in online competitive gaming, they create more demand for cloud storage services, which game developers rely on for connecting players online.</p>
<p>Twitch is proving to be a valuable asset for Amazon as the e-sports market continues to grow. According toAmazon Game Studios:</p>
<p>Together, Twitch, Lumberyard, AWS, and Amazon Game Studios are a strong start for Amazon as it builds a gaming ecosystem it calls "a sandbox for innovation."</p>
<p>The video game industry is a large market, and it's expected to grow from about $100 billion in revenue to $132 billion by 2021. A key driver of this growth is <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/24/the-best-way-to-invest-in-mobile-gaming.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">mobile gaming Opens a New Window.</a>, a $40 billion market which grew 18% in 2016.</p>
<p>Gaming is competing with every major form of entertainment, which is why Activision Blizzard likes to compare the time spent in its games each quarter with time spent by users of streaming services and social media.</p>
<p>Mobile gaming, e-sports, virtual reality, and cloud gaming will be key drivers of growth for the industry in the future. Amazon stands to serve this thriving industry with Twitch and Amazon Web Services.</p>
<p>With a solid video game ecosystem coming together, Amazon has a opportunity to be the destination of choice for game developers around the world.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than AmazonWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=60f03156-6861-431c-bf10-dd3c75413a01&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Amazon wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=60f03156-6861-431c-bf10-dd3c75413a01&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFRazorback/info.aspx" type="external">John Ballard Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Activision Blizzard. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Activision Blizzard, Amazon, and Netflix. The Motley Fool recommends Electronic Arts. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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amazoncom nasdaq amzn video games writes amazon jobs website continue reading amazon hiring spree bringing video game industry veterans likes sony electronic arts develop games amazon game studios currently 100 job openings listed amazon jobs site amazons breakaway game showcases developers accomplish amazons development tools image source amazoncom online titan making video games grabbing piece 100 billion video game industry amazon also trying win game developers require cloud storage connect players online multiplayer games effort 2014 acquisition gamestreaming site twitch may significant competitive advantage amazon advertisement explains amazon jobs amazon game studios sees gaming becoming largest entertainment form earth apparent looking time spent video games americans spent time mobile game 2016 streamingvideo services like netflix nasdaq nflx huluplayers spent 43 billion hours activision blizzards nasdaq atvi games 2016 par netflix users 45 billion hours engagement dive opportunity amazon created game engine called amazon lumberyard lumberyard allows professional game designers make games builtin integration live game broadcasts twitch along integration cloud hosting amazon web services aws amazon game studios also developing games using lumberyard way showcase powerful tool set amazon offers game developers increasingly designing games mass audiences esports lumberyard combined aws attractive game designers provides new game ability capture big audience right gate saves developers time money invest resources making great content opposed spending valuable time infrastructure amazons push video games consistent overall customercentric approach amazon invested heavily content offer prime members free streaming movies tv shows makes sense amazon would invest heavily video games since company sees gaming industry becoming largest form entertainment amazon already started integrate twitch features additional perk amazon prime members september 2016 amazon launched twitch prime premium service twitch users also available free feature amazon prime members prime members watch adfree streaming twitch download free game content including content one popular mobile games activision blizzards hearthstone becoming apparent 970 million purchase twitch 2014 buying popular gamestreaming site monetize advertising twitch important competitive advantage aws cloudstorage demand increases growth esports opens new window mobile gaming twitch sweet spot growing popularity opens new window esports reach estimated global audience 385 million 2017 figure growing 2020 nearly 500 million people involved esports either participants spectators according market researcher newzoo twitch 100 million users almost 10 million daily active users gamestreaming site also broadcasts live esports tournaments popularity online multiplayer games like activision blizzards call duty riot games league legends fueled growth esports recent years gamers participate online competitive gaming create demand cloud storage services game developers rely connecting players online twitch proving valuable asset amazon esports market continues grow according toamazon game studios together twitch lumberyard aws amazon game studios strong start amazon builds gaming ecosystem calls sandbox innovation video game industry large market expected grow 100 billion revenue 132 billion 2021 key driver growth mobile gaming opens new window 40 billion market grew 18 2016 gaming competing every major form entertainment activision blizzard likes compare time spent games quarter time spent users streaming services social media mobile gaming esports virtual reality cloud gaming key drivers growth industry future amazon stands serve thriving industry twitch amazon web services solid video game ecosystem coming together amazon opportunity destination choice game developers around world 10 stocks like better amazonwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right amazon wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns february 6 2017 john ballard opens new window owns shares activision blizzard motley fool owns shares recommends activision blizzard amazon netflix motley fool recommends electronic arts motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>"It is very much like 1964. In 1960, Republicans lost narrowly with an establishment candidate, Richard Nixon. They got to 1964, they threw out all the establishment candidates, they threw out their party leaders and they nominated Barry Goldwater who - fine man - but he was far to the right of most of the people in his party, and they lost in a landslide. And that's why you have establishment Republicans worried about what's going to happen now in November."- CBS's Bob Schieffer on the September 15 Evening News.</p>
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<p>"You are going to have to answer some questions. We saw that the Republican Party chairman in Jon Karl's piece there, he went on to say that you're 'not a viable candidate,' that you 'cannot be elected dog catcher in Delaware.' He went on to say that you're either a liar or mentally unhinged."- ABC's George Stephanopoulos to Senate primary winner Christine O'Donnell on Good Morning America, Sept. 15.</p>
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<p>"Tea Party nutbag/Senate nominee from Del. was on CNN w/me in '96. Forget her ignorant nonsense until I saw this."- Former CNN anchor Miles O'Brien in a September 15 Twitter posting, referring readers to an anti-O'Donnell article posted on the left-wing Talking Points Memo blog site.Correspondent Nancy Cordes: "Polls show O'Donnell's ultraconservative social views-"Old clip of Christine O'Donnell: "Lust in your heart is committing adultery."Cordes: "-make her a decided underdog in this blue-leaning state."- CBS Evening News, September 15."She needs to watch some porn and get some tips, is what she needs."- Host Joy Behar on CNN's Headline News Joy Behar Show, September 15.</p>
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<p>"You've got Delaware, you've got Kentucky, you've got Alaska, you've got Utah, one after another after another. Are all of these Tea Party victories good for the Republican Party?...Even Karl Rove came out and said last night this is - that's not going to help us get the seat in the long run....I wonder if you're making a miscalculation at your own peril at, you know, this perceived enthusiasm gap, these people are literally changing the face of a party."- CBS Early Show co-host Harry Smith to GOP consultant Dan Bartlett, Sept. 15.</p>
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<p>"The party crashers. Big primary victories by fringe candidates open a rift in the GOP....Does this mean moderate Republicans are becoming an endangered species?"- Anchor Katie Couric on the CBS Evening News, September 16.Flashback:"[Senator Arlen] Specter's a Republican who favors abortion rights, is against a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, and is a vocal supporter of embryonic stem cell research. [to Specter] Do you feel like an endangered species these days?"- Couric to then-Republican Senator Arlen Specter on NBC's Today, May 13, 2005.</p>
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<p>"One of the key issues also heading into the midterm elections, is this expiration of the tax cuts, Bush's tax cuts....These tax cuts have been in existence for quite a while, these Bush tax cuts. If they were designed to stimulate the economy and to create jobs, they didn't succeed. So what's so good about them?"- Co-host Meredith Vieira to GOP Representatives Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy on NBC's Today, September 14. In the five years after the full tax cut package was passed in 2003, the economy added more than 8.3 million new jobs. [Audio/video (1:50): <a href="http://media.eyeblast.org/rawfiles/72554.wmv" type="external">Windows Media</a> | <a href="http://media.eyeblast.org/newsbusters/static/2010/09/2010-09-14-NBC-TODAY-VIEIRA.mp3" type="external">MP3 audio</a>]</p>
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<p>"Good evening. It will be the big battle to the finish line in November, and this is the question: How big a tax cut will you get next year?"- ABC's Diane Sawyer opening World News, September 8, talking about the debate over whether to maintain current tax rates or let them rise to Clinton-era levels.</p>
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<p>"Gretchen Morgenson, I want to go back to the stimulus....People complain about the size of government, they're complaining about the deficit, they're complaining about TARP and who knows what all else. As we're standing here looking at it right now, just if you can step away, was the stimulus big enough?""There are plenty of economists out there, Mark Zandi, who say what's really needed is a second stimulus.""Laura Tyson, what about a more significant stimulus, beyond the things, these, you know, a block here, a block here, a block here, but another say couple hundred billion dollars, what about, say, something like a new WPA?"- Fill-in host Harry Smith interviewing a panel of economists on CBS's Face the Nation, September 5. [Audio/video (0:27): <a href="http://media.eyeblast.org/rawfiles/72325.wmv" type="external">Windows Media</a> | <a href="http://media.eyeblast.org/newsbusters/static/2010/09/2010-09-05-CBS-FTN-Smith.mp3" type="external">MP3 audio</a>]</p>
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<p>Correspondent Rita Braver: "Ignoring political pressure is Holder's constant message as he talks to Justice Department lawyers in places like Mobile, Alabama....When he took office last February, [cheering crowd] he got a hero's welcome. It was in part, he believes, a reaction to cronyism and questionable policies advocated in the Bush-era Justice Department....[to Holder] Because you're the first African American Attorney General, do you put any extra pressure on yourself?"Attorney General Eric Holder: "Yeah, I certainly feel that. I feel there's a certain responsibility I have...."- CBS's Sunday Morning, September 12.</p>
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<p>"Now, in his first post-summer interview, President Obama takes on George Stephanopoulos and the tough questions."- ABC promo aired during the September 8 Nightline, touting Stephanopoulos' interview with Obama.</p>
<p>"I wonder what this must feel like from behind your desk. You're President of the United States. You have to deal with the fallout. And he's a pastor who's got 30 followers in his church. Does it make you feel helpless or angry?"- ABC's George Stephanopoulos asking President Obama about the Florida pastor who threatened to burn Korans, in an interview segment shown on Good Morning America, September 9.</p>
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<p>"Tonight, we start with the party of hate. The Republican Party in this country has been running on hate and division for the last 50 years....What black person, gay guy or girl, immigrant or Muslim American in their right mind would vote for the Republican Party? They might as well hang a sign around their neck saying, 'I hate myself.'"- Fill-in host Cenk Uygur on MSNBC's The Ed Show, August 26.</p>
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<p>"The plans to build an Islamic center close to Ground Zero have whipped up anti-Muslim sentiment....Not since 9/11 has the country seen such anti-Muslim fervor....[to Feisal Abdul Rauf] In the latest poll that ABC's conducted, only 37 percent of those who were asked expressed a positive feeling about Islam. Do you think that Muslims, people such as yourself, others here, can actually have a place to practice their religion freely, to live freely as Americans, given that figure?"- Host Christiane Amanpour interviewing the imam organizing the Ground Zero mosque on ABC's This Week, September 12.</p>
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<p>"According to polls, Americans are in a mood to hold their breath until they turn blue. Voters appear to be so fed up with the Democrats that they're ready to toss them out in favor of the Republicans - for whom, according to those same polls, the nation has even greater contempt. This isn't an 'electoral wave,' it's a temper tantrum....The American people are acting like a bunch of spoiled brats."- Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson, September 3.Flashback:"Imagine a nation full of uncontrolled two-year-old rage. The voters had a temper tantrum last week....Parenting and governing don't have to be dirty words: the nation can't be run by an angry two-year-old."- ABC's Peter Jennings in a November 14, 1994 radio commentary after the GOP congressional victories that year.</p>
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<p>"He's an activist, may be very well-meaning, but he's now put himself in a situation where he, the police officers and his hostages' lives are endangered....He's a bit of an activist, a guy who truly believes, seemingly, in his heart that he needs to do all he can to save the planet. Most watching this would argue he may have taken it way too far on this day...."- CNN's Rick Sanchez during live coverage of the Sept. 1 stand-off at the Discovery Channel. The hostage-taker claimed human beings were "parasites" and demanded the network show programs talking about "ways to disassemble civilization." [Audio/video (0:36): <a href="http://media.eyeblast.org/rawfiles/72134.wmv" type="external">Windows Media</a> | <a href="http://media.eyeblast.org/newsbusters/static/2010/09/2010-09-01-CNN-RL-Sanchez.mp3" type="external">MP3 audio</a>]</p>
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<p>"I'd love to do President Obama. I like what he's done for the reputation of America abroad, which I'm not sure many Americans fully understand."- British journalist Piers Morgan, who has been hired to replace Larry King as host of CNN's 9pm ET hour starting in January, on the September 9 CBS Early Show talking about people he would like to interview.</p>
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<p>Clip of Barack Obama from 2008: "My family gave me love. They give me an education. And most of all, they gave me hope. Hope, hope that in America, no dream is beyond our grasp if we reach for it, and fight for it, and work for it."MSNBC's Chris Matthews: "I get the same thrill up my leg, all over me, every time I hear those words. I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, that's me. He's talking about my country and nobody does it better. Can President Obama stir us again and help his party keep power this November?"- Setting up a segment on MSNBC's Hardball, September 7. [Audio/video (2:01): <a href="http://www.newsbusters.org/sites/default/files/2010-09-07-MSNBC-Matthews.wmv" type="external">Windows Media</a> | <a href="http://media.eyeblast.org/newsbusters/static/2010/09/2010-09-07-MSNBC-HARDBALL-MATTHEWS.mp3" type="external">MP3 audio</a>]</p>
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<p>PUBLISHER: L. Brent Bozell IIIEDITORS: Brent H. Baker, Rich Noyes, Tim GrahamNEWS ANALYSTS: Geoff Dickens, Brad Wilmouth, Scott Whitlock, Matthew Balan, and Kyle DrennenRESEARCH ASSOCIATE: Michelle HumphreyINTERNS: Alex Fitzsimmons and Matthew HadroMEDIA CONTACT: Colleen O'Boyle (703) 683-5004</p>
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160 much like 1964 1960 republicans lost narrowly establishment candidate richard nixon got 1964 threw establishment candidates threw party leaders nominated barry goldwater fine man far right people party lost landslide thats establishment republicans worried whats going happen november cbss bob schieffer september 15 evening news 160 going answer questions saw republican party chairman jon karls piece went say youre viable candidate elected dog catcher delaware went say youre either liar mentally unhinged abcs george stephanopoulos senate primary winner christine odonnell good morning america sept 15 160 tea party nutbagsenate nominee del cnn wme 96 forget ignorant nonsense saw former cnn anchor miles obrien september 15 twitter posting referring readers antiodonnell article posted leftwing talking points memo blog sitecorrespondent nancy cordes polls show odonnells ultraconservative social viewsold clip christine odonnell lust heart committing adulterycordes make decided underdog blueleaning state cbs evening news september 15she needs watch porn get tips needs host joy behar cnns headline news joy behar show september 15 160 youve got delaware youve got kentucky youve got alaska youve got utah one another another tea party victories good republican partyeven karl rove came said last night thats going help us get seat long runi wonder youre making miscalculation peril know perceived enthusiasm gap people literally changing face party cbs early show cohost harry smith gop consultant dan bartlett sept 15 160 party crashers big primary victories fringe candidates open rift gopdoes mean moderate republicans becoming endangered species anchor katie couric cbs evening news september 16flashbacksenator arlen specters republican favors abortion rights constitutional amendment banning gay marriage vocal supporter embryonic stem cell research specter feel like endangered species days couric thenrepublican senator arlen specter nbcs today may 13 2005 160 one key issues also heading midterm elections expiration tax cuts bushs tax cutsthese tax cuts existence quite bush tax cuts designed stimulate economy create jobs didnt succeed whats good cohost meredith vieira gop representatives eric cantor paul ryan kevin mccarthy nbcs today september 14 five years full tax cut package passed 2003 economy added 83 million new jobs audiovideo 150 windows media mp3 audio 160 good evening big battle finish line november question big tax cut get next year abcs diane sawyer opening world news september 8 talking debate whether maintain current tax rates let rise clintonera levels 160 gretchen morgenson want go back stimuluspeople complain size government theyre complaining deficit theyre complaining tarp knows else standing looking right step away stimulus big enoughthere plenty economists mark zandi say whats really needed second stimuluslaura tyson significant stimulus beyond things know block block block another say couple hundred billion dollars say something like new wpa fillin host harry smith interviewing panel economists cbss face nation september 5 audiovideo 027 windows media mp3 audio 160 correspondent rita braver ignoring political pressure holders constant message talks justice department lawyers places like mobile alabamawhen took office last february cheering crowd got heros welcome part believes reaction cronyism questionable policies advocated bushera justice departmentto holder youre first african american attorney general put extra pressure yourselfattorney general eric holder yeah certainly feel feel theres certain responsibility cbss sunday morning september 12 160 first postsummer interview president obama takes george stephanopoulos tough questions abc promo aired september 8 nightline touting stephanopoulos interview obama wonder must feel like behind desk youre president united states deal fallout hes pastor whos got 30 followers church make feel helpless angry abcs george stephanopoulos asking president obama florida pastor threatened burn korans interview segment shown good morning america september 9 160 tonight start party hate republican party country running hate division last 50 yearswhat black person gay guy girl immigrant muslim american right mind would vote republican party might well hang sign around neck saying hate fillin host cenk uygur msnbcs ed show august 26 160 plans build islamic center close ground zero whipped antimuslim sentimentnot since 911 country seen antimuslim fervorto feisal abdul rauf latest poll abcs conducted 37 percent asked expressed positive feeling islam think muslims people others actually place practice religion freely live freely americans given figure host christiane amanpour interviewing imam organizing ground zero mosque abcs week september 12 160 according polls americans mood hold breath turn blue voters appear fed democrats theyre ready toss favor republicans according polls nation even greater contempt isnt electoral wave temper tantrumthe american people acting like bunch spoiled brats washington post columnist eugene robinson september 3flashbackimagine nation full uncontrolled twoyearold rage voters temper tantrum last weekparenting governing dont dirty words nation cant run angry twoyearold abcs peter jennings november 14 1994 radio commentary gop congressional victories year 160 hes activist may wellmeaning hes put situation police officers hostages lives endangeredhes bit activist guy truly believes seemingly heart needs save planet watching would argue may taken way far day cnns rick sanchez live coverage sept 1 standoff discovery channel hostagetaker claimed human beings parasites demanded network show programs talking ways disassemble civilization audiovideo 036 windows media mp3 audio 160 id love president obama like hes done reputation america abroad im sure many americans fully understand british journalist piers morgan hired replace larry king host cnns 9pm et hour starting january september 9 cbs early show talking people would like interview 160 clip barack obama 2008 family gave love give education gave hope hope hope america dream beyond grasp reach fight work itmsnbcs chris matthews get thrill leg every time hear words im sorry ladies gentlemen thats hes talking country nobody better president obama stir us help party keep power november setting segment msnbcs hardball september 7 audiovideo 201 windows media mp3 audio 160 publisher l brent bozell iiieditors brent h baker rich noyes tim grahamnews analysts geoff dickens brad wilmouth scott whitlock matthew balan kyle drennenresearch associate michelle humphreyinterns alex fitzsimmons matthew hadromedia contact colleen oboyle 703 6835004
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<p>General Motors (NYSE: GM) said on Feb. 7 that its net income for the fourth quarter was $1.8 billion, down 71% from a year-ago result that included a <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/02/03/general-motors-fourth-quarter-2015-profit-q4.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">$4 billion one-time gain Opens a New Window.</a> from a tax accounting change.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>GM's fourth-quarter revenue of $43.9 billion was up 10.8% from the year-ago period.For the full year, GM earned $9.4 billion in net income on record revenue of $166.4 billion.</p>
<p>Data source: General Motors. GM's non-GAAP expression of "EBIT-adjusted" is essentially its operating income minus the effects of special items. "Automotive free cash flow" excludes effects related to GM's financial services unit.</p>
<p>Data source: General Motors.</p>
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<p>Cadillac's global sales rose 22% in the fourth quarter, on strong demand for the XT5 crossover SUV. Image source: General Motors.</p>
<p>GM has vast worldwide operations, but it still generates the bulk of its profit in North America. GM North America earned $2.6 billion in EBIT-adjusted income in the fourth quarter, down 5.5% from a year ago. The unit's EBIT-adjusted profit margin of 8.4% was down from 10% a year ago.</p>
<p>New-product launch costs and a sales mix that included more of GM's recently launched sedan models (which carry lower profit margins than trucks and SUVs) were the principal reasons for the decline, mitigated somewhat by increased sales volumes and somewhat stronger pricing than a year ago.</p>
<p>For the full year, GM's EBIT-adjusted in North America was $12 billion, up 9.2% from a year ago, with a margin of 10.1%.</p>
<p>GM Europe lost $246 million before taxes in the fourth quarter, an improvement of $52 billion from a year ago. Sales and market share were roughly flat year over year, but revenue was down on exchange-rate effects related to the U.K.'s decision to exit the European Union.For the full year, GM Europe lost $257 billion on an EBIT-adjusted basis. CFO Chuck Stevens said that the unit would have broken even if not for the roughly $300 million impact of Brexit.</p>
<p>GM's international operations unit includes its vast operation in China. The unit generated $316 million in EBIT-adjusted income in the fourth quarter, down 22.5% from a year ago.</p>
<p>GM created the Baojun brand to compete with low-cost Chinese domestic automakers. Sales were up 26% in the fourth quarter. Image source: General Motors.</p>
<p>Equity income from GM's joint ventures with Chinese automakers totaled $525 million, down from $572 million a year ago. Strong retail sales in China were offset by pricing pressure at the lower end of the market. A sales slump in the Middle East, where GM typically sells a strong mix of trucks and SUVs, also hurt results.For the full year, GM international operations earned $1.1 billion in EBIT-adjusted income, down 19% from a year ago.</p>
<p>Like most automakers, GM is facing tough conditions in South America as major markets like Brazil and Argentina continue to deal with severe economic recessions. GM South America lost $65 million in the fourth quarter on an EBIT-adjusted basis, down $18 million from a year ago. Improvements in pricing were more than offset by unfavorable exchange-rate moves related to the Argentine peso.For the full year, GM South America lost $374 million on an EBIT-adjusted basis, an improvement of $248 million from a year ago.</p>
<p>GM Financial, the company's in-house financing arm, generated EBIT-adjusted of $193 million in the fourth quarter, up 16% from a year ago. The unit's charge-off rate, a measure of credit losses, was stable year over year at 2.2%.For the full year, GM Financial earned $913 million on an EBIT-adjusted basis, up 9.1% from a year ago.</p>
<p>GM generated $1.7 billion in adjusted automotive free cash flow in the quarter, up $2 billion from a year ago. Full-year adjusted automotive free cash flow of $6.9 billion was up $4.7 billion from a year ago, on higher profits, lower recall-related costs, and a lower proportion of sales to rental-car fleets. That was partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures related to future-product development, which totaled $9.4 billion in 2016 versus $7.8 billion in 2015.</p>
<p>As of Dec. 31, GM had cash of $21.6 billion and additional available credit lines of $14 billion, for $35.6 billion in total liquidity available to its automotive business. GM targets a cash balance of about $20 billion on an ongoing basis.</p>
<p>Against that, GM had $10.8 billion in well-structured long-term debt as of Dec. 31, up from $8.8 billion a year ago.</p>
<p>GM first presented its <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/12/general-motors-ceo-2016-was-great-and-2017-will-be.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">full-year guidance for 2017 Opens a New Window.</a> in January, and it remains unchanged. The company expects full-year earnings per share to be between $6.00 and $6.50, with revenue, EBIT-adjusted, and EBIT-adjusted margin all equal to or better than its full-year 2016 results. It expects adjusted automotive free cash flow of about $6 billion.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than General MotorsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=b9d95566-3dfb-474e-89dd-4aa52696728b&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and General Motors wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=b9d95566-3dfb-474e-89dd-4aa52696728b&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFMarlowe/info.aspx" type="external">John Rosevear Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of General Motors. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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general motors nyse gm said feb 7 net income fourth quarter 18 billion 71 yearago result included 4 billion onetime gain opens new window tax accounting change continue reading gms fourthquarter revenue 439 billion 108 yearago periodfor full year gm earned 94 billion net income record revenue 1664 billion data source general motors gms nongaap expression ebitadjusted essentially operating income minus effects special items automotive free cash flow excludes effects related gms financial services unit data source general motors advertisement cadillacs global sales rose 22 fourth quarter strong demand xt5 crossover suv image source general motors gm vast worldwide operations still generates bulk profit north america gm north america earned 26 billion ebitadjusted income fourth quarter 55 year ago units ebitadjusted profit margin 84 10 year ago newproduct launch costs sales mix included gms recently launched sedan models carry lower profit margins trucks suvs principal reasons decline mitigated somewhat increased sales volumes somewhat stronger pricing year ago full year gms ebitadjusted north america 12 billion 92 year ago margin 101 gm europe lost 246 million taxes fourth quarter improvement 52 billion year ago sales market share roughly flat year year revenue exchangerate effects related uks decision exit european unionfor full year gm europe lost 257 billion ebitadjusted basis cfo chuck stevens said unit would broken even roughly 300 million impact brexit gms international operations unit includes vast operation china unit generated 316 million ebitadjusted income fourth quarter 225 year ago gm created baojun brand compete lowcost chinese domestic automakers sales 26 fourth quarter image source general motors equity income gms joint ventures chinese automakers totaled 525 million 572 million year ago strong retail sales china offset pricing pressure lower end market sales slump middle east gm typically sells strong mix trucks suvs also hurt resultsfor full year gm international operations earned 11 billion ebitadjusted income 19 year ago like automakers gm facing tough conditions south america major markets like brazil argentina continue deal severe economic recessions gm south america lost 65 million fourth quarter ebitadjusted basis 18 million year ago improvements pricing offset unfavorable exchangerate moves related argentine pesofor full year gm south america lost 374 million ebitadjusted basis improvement 248 million year ago gm financial companys inhouse financing arm generated ebitadjusted 193 million fourth quarter 16 year ago units chargeoff rate measure credit losses stable year year 22for full year gm financial earned 913 million ebitadjusted basis 91 year ago gm generated 17 billion adjusted automotive free cash flow quarter 2 billion year ago fullyear adjusted automotive free cash flow 69 billion 47 billion year ago higher profits lower recallrelated costs lower proportion sales rentalcar fleets partially offset increase capital expenditures related futureproduct development totaled 94 billion 2016 versus 78 billion 2015 dec 31 gm cash 216 billion additional available credit lines 14 billion 356 billion total liquidity available automotive business gm targets cash balance 20 billion ongoing basis gm 108 billion wellstructured longterm debt dec 31 88 billion year ago gm first presented fullyear guidance 2017 opens new window january remains unchanged company expects fullyear earnings per share 600 650 revenue ebitadjusted ebitadjusted margin equal better fullyear 2016 results expects adjusted automotive free cash flow 6 billion 10 stocks like better general motorswhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right general motors wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns february 6 2017 john rosevear opens new window owns shares general motors motley fool recommends general motors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>How can you get rich? There are plenty of paths to wealth.</p>
<p>You could win the lottery. A long-lost uncle could pass away and leave you his stash of bitcoins. Of course, there are plenty of other methods to getting rich as well. One way to seriously consider is to buy stocks that are poised to benefit from trends that will create enormous wealth.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>But which trends and which stocks? Artificial intelligence (AI), China's growing economic power, and gene editing are three trends that I think hold the potential to generate a lot of money in the coming years. Here's why Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU), Alibaba (NYSE: BABA), and Editas Medicine (NASDAQ: EDIT) could be great picks to profit from these trends -- and make you rich in the process.</p>
<p>If you don't know much about AI, understand three things. First, successful application of AI involves a huge amount of data. Second, that data has to be processed by high-powered computers. Third, this processing requires a lot of memory. Now that you've got those three things down, you can better appreciate the value that Micron Technology brings to organizations focusing on AI.</p>
<p>Micron is one of the world's biggest providers of memory chips used in AI systems. A rapidly growing application of AI is in autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles. Micron is making a big play in this market. In September, the company launched new memory chips that are designed to serve as the foundation for next-generation autonomous vehicles. It also announced partnerships with some of the top automakers to develop high-bandwidth memory technology intended to power fully autonomous vehicles.</p>
<p>There are plenty of stocks you could buy <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/12/17/3-artificial-intelligence-stocks-you-probably-over.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3f7c2936-e683-11e7-a3ec-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">to profit from the growth of AI Opens a New Window.</a>. Many of them, however, are priced for perfection. Micron, on the other hand, is incredibly cheap despite the stock doubling in 2017. The chipmaker's shares trade at a little over five times expected earnings. With the kind of growth that Micron should enjoy, the stock looks even more attractive.</p>
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<p>China ranks as the most populous country in the world. Its gross domestic product (GDP) has grown by 6.9% in 2017, more than twice as much as the U.S. China's middle class is growing significantly -- and that creates lots of opportunities. Alibaba has already begun capitalizing on those opportunities.</p>
<p>When it comes to e-commerce in China, Alibaba reigns as king. The company provides the internet platform that connects merchants with customers for both retailers and wholesalers. It's also China's largest provider of public cloud services. But as big as its market potential is in China, Alibaba isn't limiting itself to just one country. The company's mission is "to make it easy to do business anywhere." That's exactly what Alibaba is attempting to do.</p>
<p>The company owns the top mobile browser used in India and Indonesia, two other fast-growing nations. It owns the largest largest mobile payment platform in India. Founder Jack Ma's goal is to serve more than 2 billion consumers and 10 million small businesses 20 years from now. If it achieves that goal, Alibaba would have a business platform that was, by itself, one of the largest economies in the world. This could very well be one of those stocks that you can <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/28/8-reasons-to-buy-alibaba-group-and-never-sell.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3f7c2936-e683-11e7-a3ec-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">buy and never sell Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Gene editing, which involves inserting, deleting, or replacing DNA, has been around since 1991. But for years, actually editing genes was difficult, slow, and expensive. That changed in 2012 with the introduction of CRISPR (which stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats). CRISPR used a bacterial enzyme (known as Cas9) to alter DNA and ushered in a whole new ballgame for gene editing. Some of the early pioneers of CRISPR founded Editas Medicine in 2013.</p>
<p>There are other early-stage biotechs developing therapies using CRISPR. What sets Editas apart from the pack? Patents. In 2014, the company licensed patents for CRISPR-Cas9 held by the Broad Institute and Harvard University. These patents cover any use of the gene-editing technology in humans. Unless the patents are somehow invalidated (and they've been upheld once in court already), any company that develops a gene therapy using CRISPR-Cas9 will have to pay royalties to Editas.</p>
<p>Editas could one day have its own gene therapies. The biotech is exploring use of CRISPR in developing treatments for eye diseases as well as genetic diseases including cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and sickle cell disease. It's also working with Juno Therapeutics on using gene editing for fighting cancer. I think it's entirely possible that Editas and others developing gene therapies using its patented technology <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/13/this-technology-could-make-you-rich-and-change-the.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3f7c2936-e683-11e7-a3ec-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">revolutionize healthcare in the coming years Opens a New Window.</a> -- and make some investors wealthy in the process.</p>
<p>The process for getting rich with these three stocks is pretty simple. It involves only two steps. First, buy the stocks. Second, hold on to them for a long time. The first step is easy, but the second step could be really tough to do.</p>
<p>All three of these stocks could be pretty volatile. That's especially true for Editas Medicine, since it isn't profitable yet and could have to raise cash through dilution-causing stock offerings. That volatility could make it difficult to stay calm at times.</p>
<p>Each of these stocks could also shoot up a lot in a relatively short amount of time. I already mentioned that Micron stock has doubled this year. Alibaba is pretty close to doubling as well, and Editas is up more than 65%. With those kinds of quick gains, you could be tempted to sell, take the money, and run. Don't.</p>
<p>I believe all three of these stocks are long-term plays. It will take years for AI, growth in China, and gene editing to reach their maximum impact. Buy Alibaba, Editas, and Micron now and hold on to them for a really long time. Maybe you won't get rich, but I think the chances are pretty good that you will.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Micron TechnologyWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=198b3c4e-4410-4b5f-b775-bbeb312d51ba&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3f7c2936-e683-11e7-a3ec-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Micron Technology wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=198b3c4e-4410-4b5f-b775-bbeb312d51ba&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3f7c2936-e683-11e7-a3ec-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Click here Opens a New Window.</a> to learn about these picks!</p>
<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of December 4, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFFishBiz/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3f7c2936-e683-11e7-a3ec-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Keith Speights Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Editas Medicine and Juno Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=3f7c2936-e683-11e7-a3ec-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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get rich plenty paths wealth could win lottery longlost uncle could pass away leave stash bitcoins course plenty methods getting rich well one way seriously consider buy stocks poised benefit trends create enormous wealth continue reading trends stocks artificial intelligence ai chinas growing economic power gene editing three trends think hold potential generate lot money coming years heres micron technology nasdaq mu alibaba nyse baba editas medicine nasdaq edit could great picks profit trends make rich process dont know much ai understand three things first successful application ai involves huge amount data second data processed highpowered computers third processing requires lot memory youve got three things better appreciate value micron technology brings organizations focusing ai micron one worlds biggest providers memory chips used ai systems rapidly growing application ai autonomous selfdriving vehicles micron making big play market september company launched new memory chips designed serve foundation nextgeneration autonomous vehicles also announced partnerships top automakers develop highbandwidth memory technology intended power fully autonomous vehicles plenty stocks could buy profit growth ai opens new window many however priced perfection micron hand incredibly cheap despite stock doubling 2017 chipmakers shares trade little five times expected earnings kind growth micron enjoy stock looks even attractive advertisement china ranks populous country world gross domestic product gdp grown 69 2017 twice much us chinas middle class growing significantly creates lots opportunities alibaba already begun capitalizing opportunities comes ecommerce china alibaba reigns king company provides internet platform connects merchants customers retailers wholesalers also chinas largest provider public cloud services big market potential china alibaba isnt limiting one country companys mission make easy business anywhere thats exactly alibaba attempting company owns top mobile browser used india indonesia two fastgrowing nations owns largest largest mobile payment platform india founder jack mas goal serve 2 billion consumers 10 million small businesses 20 years achieves goal alibaba would business platform one largest economies world could well one stocks buy never sell opens new window gene editing involves inserting deleting replacing dna around since 1991 years actually editing genes difficult slow expensive changed 2012 introduction crispr stands clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats crispr used bacterial enzyme known cas9 alter dna ushered whole new ballgame gene editing early pioneers crispr founded editas medicine 2013 earlystage biotechs developing therapies using crispr sets editas apart pack patents 2014 company licensed patents crisprcas9 held broad institute harvard university patents cover use geneediting technology humans unless patents somehow invalidated theyve upheld court already company develops gene therapy using crisprcas9 pay royalties editas editas could one day gene therapies biotech exploring use crispr developing treatments eye diseases well genetic diseases including cystic fibrosis duchenne muscular dystrophy sickle cell disease also working juno therapeutics using gene editing fighting cancer think entirely possible editas others developing gene therapies using patented technology revolutionize healthcare coming years opens new window make investors wealthy process process getting rich three stocks pretty simple involves two steps first buy stocks second hold long time first step easy second step could really tough three stocks could pretty volatile thats especially true editas medicine since isnt profitable yet could raise cash dilutioncausing stock offerings volatility could make difficult stay calm times stocks could also shoot lot relatively short amount time already mentioned micron stock doubled year alibaba pretty close doubling well editas 65 kinds quick gains could tempted sell take money run dont believe three stocks longterm plays take years ai growth china gene editing reach maximum impact buy alibaba editas micron hold really long time maybe wont get rich think chances pretty good 10 stocks like better micron technologywhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right micron technology wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns december 4 2017 keith speights opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool recommends editas medicine juno therapeutics motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Image source: Medicare.gov.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>If you're getting close to age 65, or have even reached or surpassed it, you may be assuming that you know all you need to know about Medicare. If you mainly just know that it will provide health insurance for you in your golden years, you need to learn a little more. For example, there are different kinds of Medicare coverage to sign up for, some services and products are surprisingly not covered, and there is a bit of means-testing involved.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSelena/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Selena Maranjian</a>: One things that many Americans don't realize about Medicare is that if they want Medicare coverage, they don't have to sign up for the U.S. government-provided original Medicare coverage. Private insurance companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) now offer Medicare Advantage plans.</p>
<p>Medicare Advantage plans, which debuted in 1995, are administered by private insurers but are regulated by the U.S. government. Each must offer at least as much coverage as what is now called "original Medicare" (i.e., the benefits you'll find in Part A and Part B that respectively cover hospital and medical services). In order to attract customers, many offer broader coverage, such as vision and/or dental care. Most include prescription drug coverage, too. While original Medicare doesn't cover healthcare provided outside the U.S., some Medicare Advantage plans do. While original Medicare will often have you footing 20% of many bills, a Medicare Advantage plan might charge you a low copay per doctor visit or service. Medicare Advantage plans also have out-of-pocket limits, beyond which the plan will pick up all your healthcare costs for the year.</p>
<p>Original Medicare lets you see any healthcare provider who accepts Medicare, but Medicare Advantage plans will typically limit you to a network of doctors -- though these networks can be very big sometimes.</p>
<p>If you think you might be interested in a Medicare Advantage plan, see which ones are offered in your area. Know, too, that choosing between original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan isn't a permanent decision. At least once a year, you will be able to switch between them.</p>
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<p>Eye exams are generally not covered by original Medicare. Image source: Pixabay.</p>
<p>: One surprising fact about Medicare is that it doesn't cover a lot of services that millions of elderly patients typically need. For example, Medicare generally won't cover trips to the dentist, ophthalmologist, or audiologist, leaving recipients who want basic care for their mouth, eyes, or ears to foot the entire bill.</p>
<p>Let's look at each in a bit more detail so you can know what to expect.</p>
<p>Medicare won't pay for trips to the dentist for basic services such as cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, or dentures. However, if have an extreme dental emergency and you wind up in the hospital, then Medicare will payfor certain dental services as part of your Part A benefit.</p>
<p>Just as with dental care, Medicare doesn't pay for many eye care services, either. Need a routine eye exam, eyeglasses, or contact lenses? You will likely be on your own. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though, as Medicare will pay for an annual eye exam to check for diabetic retinopathy (if you have diabetes) and for a yearly glaucoma test (if you are deemed to be a high-risk candidate). It will also cover some tests and treatments if you have been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration by an eye doctor. But that's about it.</p>
<p>As for the ears, Medicare will cover some diagnostic tests to check your hearing and balance if your healthcare provider deems them necessary, but it won't pay for routine hearing exams or even a hearing aid. That's surprising, as the National Institute of Health estimates that almost half of people age 75 years or older have a hearing impairment.</p>
<p>If you're worried about any of these routine coverage gaps, then you might want to look at buying a Medicare Advantage Plan that covers these services. Not all of them do so, make sure you ask about each of these before you sign up.</p>
<p>Image source: MyMedicare.gov.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Dan Caplinger</a>: Many people see the means-testing of benefits to bethe solution to the financial woes faced by major government programs such as Social Security. But what a lot of Americans don't realize is that Medicare already has a form of means-testing that charges higher premiums to high-income participants.</p>
<p>Specifically, for premium payments in 2016, individuals with incomes of less than $85,000 or joint filers with earnings of less than $170,000 pay the standard Part B premium of $121.80. However, those with higher incomes also have to pay an additional surcharge. For singles making up to $107,000, the add-on surcharge is $48.70 per month. From $107,000 to $160,000, singles pay double what low- and middle-income retirees pay. For incomes between $160,000 and $214,000, the extra payment is $194.90 per month, and those above that income level top out at $268 extra per month. The income ranges for joint filers are all exactly double the single-filer ranges.</p>
<p>Similar surcharges add costs for Part D prescription drug coverage. Supplemental costs follow the same ranges as Part B premium surcharges, and add $12.70, $32.80, $52.80, or $72.90 to your monthly costs depending on where you fall. These extra payments go part of the way toward helping to finance Medicare for the bulk of its lower-income participants.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/general/2016/03/28/3-things-you-never-knew-about-medicare.aspx" type="external">3 Things You Never Knew About Medicare</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p>Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
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image source medicaregov continue reading youre getting close age 65 even reached surpassed may assuming know need know medicare mainly know provide health insurance golden years need learn little example different kinds medicare coverage sign services products surprisingly covered bit meanstesting involved selena maranjian one things many americans dont realize medicare want medicare coverage dont sign us governmentprovided original medicare coverage private insurance companies blue cross blue shield unitedhealth group nyse unh offer medicare advantage plans medicare advantage plans debuted 1995 administered private insurers regulated us government must offer least much coverage called original medicare ie benefits youll find part part b respectively cover hospital medical services order attract customers many offer broader coverage vision andor dental care include prescription drug coverage original medicare doesnt cover healthcare provided outside us medicare advantage plans original medicare often footing 20 many bills medicare advantage plan might charge low copay per doctor visit service medicare advantage plans also outofpocket limits beyond plan pick healthcare costs year original medicare lets see healthcare provider accepts medicare medicare advantage plans typically limit network doctors though networks big sometimes think might interested medicare advantage plan see ones offered area know choosing original medicare medicare advantage plan isnt permanent decision least year able switch advertisement eye exams generally covered original medicare image source pixabay one surprising fact medicare doesnt cover lot services millions elderly patients typically need example medicare generally wont cover trips dentist ophthalmologist audiologist leaving recipients want basic care mouth eyes ears foot entire bill lets look bit detail know expect medicare wont pay trips dentist basic services cleanings fillings tooth extractions dentures however extreme dental emergency wind hospital medicare payfor certain dental services part part benefit dental care medicare doesnt pay many eye care services either need routine eye exam eyeglasses contact lenses likely exceptions rule though medicare pay annual eye exam check diabetic retinopathy diabetes yearly glaucoma test deemed highrisk candidate also cover tests treatments diagnosed agerelated macular degeneration eye doctor thats ears medicare cover diagnostic tests check hearing balance healthcare provider deems necessary wont pay routine hearing exams even hearing aid thats surprising national institute health estimates almost half people age 75 years older hearing impairment youre worried routine coverage gaps might want look buying medicare advantage plan covers services make sure ask sign image source mymedicaregov dan caplinger many people see meanstesting benefits bethe solution financial woes faced major government programs social security lot americans dont realize medicare already form meanstesting charges higher premiums highincome participants specifically premium payments 2016 individuals incomes less 85000 joint filers earnings less 170000 pay standard part b premium 12180 however higher incomes also pay additional surcharge singles making 107000 addon surcharge 4870 per month 107000 160000 singles pay double low middleincome retirees pay incomes 160000 214000 extra payment 19490 per month income level top 268 extra per month income ranges joint filers exactly double singlefiler ranges similar surcharges add costs part prescription drug coverage supplemental costs follow ranges part b premium surcharges add 1270 3280 5280 7290 monthly costs depending fall extra payments go part way toward helping finance medicare bulk lowerincome participants article 3 things never knew medicare originally appeared foolcom try foolish newsletter services free 30 days fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy
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<p>The fast-fashion leader may have just shot itself in the foot. Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Fast-fashion leader H&amp;M (NASDAQOTH: HNNMY) hasn't made many mistakes over the years as it transformed the industry and became a retail icon. But it's about to make the same fashion faux pas Abercrombie &amp; Fitch (NYSE: ANF)did, and by shooting itself in the foot, it could stumble badly from the backlash.</p>
<p>H&amp;M became a fashion powerhouse by taking fashion runway designs and stripping them down to their essentials before quickly putting them onto store shelves. Rather than the months it takes traditional retailers to get designs into stores, H&amp;M pioneered streamlining the process to do it in weeks.</p>
<p>It isn't alone in doing so, with rivals like Forever 21, Uniqlo, and Zara also blazing paths in the trend toward disposable clothing. These aren't designs made to last through the ages, but rather just until the next new thing comes out.</p>
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<p>Their success has led to a host of imitators among traditional retailers including Abercrombie &amp; Fitch, which essentially turned its California surf brand Hollister into a fashion-forward concept, and Gap (NYSE: GPS), which did the same with its Old Navy brand (a similar attempt at the more upscale Banana Republic, though, failed miserably). Even department store chains <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/17/is-jc-penney-about-to-make-a-fashion-faux-pas.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">jumped on the bandwagon Opens a New Window.</a> with J.C. Penney launching the fast-fashion Belle + Sky line and Sears Holdings debuting Now + Here.</p>
<p>However, the excess of wannabes and a dicey economy has led to a slowdown in fast fashion's rise. Aside from sales faltering at Abercrombie and Gap, even H&amp;M has experienced a tougher environment that makes its business model of opening ever-more stores a more difficult and sprawling operation to manage. It now has some 4,000 stores in 62 markets.</p>
<p>Sales in the second quarter rose only 2% from the year-ago period, and profits tumbled 17%, below even analysts' lowered expectations.The weakened market for its fashions has led it to branch out into <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/10/09/did-hm-just-throw-jc-penneys-turnaround-into-doubt.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">new directions Opens a New Window.</a>, including introducing lines of sportswear, makeup, and even home furnishings.</p>
<p>There is concern that those diversions are a mistake, that by moving away from its core competency, it risks "deworsifying," in the words of investing legend Peter Lynch. But even in its main fashion business, it might be compounding its errors.</p>
<p>Back when Abercrombie &amp; Fitch was at the top of the teen retail industry, it boorishly held itself to an <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/11/10/abercrombie-changes-tune-on-ugly-people.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">elitist standard Opens a New Window.</a>refusing to carry clothes bigger than a size 10. Its then-CEO Michael Jeffries was quoted as saying, "That's why we hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don't market to anyone other than that." Uglies, fatties, and dweebs could just walk on by its stores.</p>
<p>That sort of attitude was fine when you're riding high and kids are clamoring for your clothes, but teen tastes are fickle, and fast fashion's rise caused Abercrombie's sales to crumble. It was left desperately pleading a mea culpa (and getting rid of its CEO) to those once unwanted shoppers. Abercrombie quickly began carrying plus-sized clothes in its stores.</p>
<p>It wasn't the only teen retailer snubbing that market, though. Retailers like Urban Outfitters, Express, and J. Crew all snubbed the plus-sized market, at least in their stores, as they often failed to carry clothes above a size 12, although they may have had them in their online outlets.</p>
<p>Now H&amp;M is making the same mistake. According to Revelist, a site focused on millennial women, the fast-fashion leader quietly pulled all plus-sized clothes from a number of stores in New York City. When it asked the retailer why, it basically said if customers want those sized clothes they could shop its online store, but it needed the space for all the cool new things it was trying out, like beauty supplies and home furnishings.</p>
<p>"This means not all stores have room for all our fashion concepts," H&amp;M said in a statement. "We refer customers to our online store hm.com, which includes all our fashion concepts, and a broader assortment."</p>
<p>Industry site Style Mic noted it was an odd policy stance to take considering its willingness to feature plus-size models in its ad campaigns, and the site asked, "Where is the outrage?"</p>
<p>With the story starting to gain traction, it could initiate a backlash against the retailer for acting almost as obnoxiously as Abercrombie &amp; Fitch. With sales slowing, competition intense, and consumer sentiment weak, that's a posture it can't afford to take.</p>
<p>A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early, in-the-know investors! To be one of them, <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-apple-wearable?aid=6965&amp;source=irbeditxt0000017&amp;ftm_cam=rb-wearable-d&amp;ftm_pit=2667&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">just click here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCop/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Duprey Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Urban Outfitters. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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fastfashion leader may shot foot image source motley fool continue reading fastfashion leader hampm nasdaqoth hnnmy hasnt made many mistakes years transformed industry became retail icon make fashion faux pas abercrombie amp fitch nyse anfdid shooting foot could stumble badly backlash hampm became fashion powerhouse taking fashion runway designs stripping essentials quickly putting onto store shelves rather months takes traditional retailers get designs stores hampm pioneered streamlining process weeks isnt alone rivals like forever 21 uniqlo zara also blazing paths trend toward disposable clothing arent designs made last ages rather next new thing comes advertisement success led host imitators among traditional retailers including abercrombie amp fitch essentially turned california surf brand hollister fashionforward concept gap nyse gps old navy brand similar attempt upscale banana republic though failed miserably even department store chains jumped bandwagon opens new window jc penney launching fastfashion belle sky line sears holdings debuting however excess wannabes dicey economy led slowdown fast fashions rise aside sales faltering abercrombie gap even hampm experienced tougher environment makes business model opening evermore stores difficult sprawling operation manage 4000 stores 62 markets sales second quarter rose 2 yearago period profits tumbled 17 even analysts lowered expectationsthe weakened market fashions led branch new directions opens new window including introducing lines sportswear makeup even home furnishings concern diversions mistake moving away core competency risks deworsifying words investing legend peter lynch even main fashion business might compounding errors back abercrombie amp fitch top teen retail industry boorishly held elitist standard opens new windowrefusing carry clothes bigger size 10 thenceo michael jeffries quoted saying thats hire goodlooking people stores goodlooking people attract goodlooking people want market cool goodlooking people dont market anyone uglies fatties dweebs could walk stores sort attitude fine youre riding high kids clamoring clothes teen tastes fickle fast fashions rise caused abercrombies sales crumble left desperately pleading mea culpa getting rid ceo unwanted shoppers abercrombie quickly began carrying plussized clothes stores wasnt teen retailer snubbing market though retailers like urban outfitters express j crew snubbed plussized market least stores often failed carry clothes size 12 although may online outlets hampm making mistake according revelist site focused millennial women fastfashion leader quietly pulled plussized clothes number stores new york city asked retailer basically said customers want sized clothes could shop online store needed space cool new things trying like beauty supplies home furnishings means stores room fashion concepts hampm said statement refer customers online store hmcom includes fashion concepts broader assortment industry site style mic noted odd policy stance take considering willingness feature plussize models ad campaigns site asked outrage story starting gain traction could initiate backlash retailer acting almost obnoxiously abercrombie amp fitch sales slowing competition intense consumer sentiment weak thats posture cant afford take secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window rich duprey opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool recommends urban outfitters try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Amidst the buzz of the 2016 presidential race is the gigantic elephant in the room for the Democrats: the FBI investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her private email server, and her potential indictment for the illegal handling of classified information.</p>
<p>Here is everything that you need to about it.</p>
<p>1. The very fact that Clinton used a private server for her work as Secretary of State and kept it on her property is a crime.</p>
<p>Radio host and constitutional scholar Mark Levin <a href="http://www.cnsnews.com/blog/margaret-knapp/levin-sect-793-penal-code-what-hillary-clinton-has-worry-about" type="external">pointed out</a> that Clinton's private server violates Section 793, subsection f of the federal penal code, which <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/793" type="external">reads:</a> (emphasis added)</p>
<p>(f) Whoever, being entrusted with or having lawful possession or control of any document, writing, code book, signal book, sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, instrument, appliance, note, or information, relating to the national defense, (1) through gross negligence permits the same to be removed from its proper place of custody or delivered to anyone in violation of his trust, or to be lost, stolen, abstracted, or destroyed, or (2) having knowledge that the same has been illegally removed from its proper place of custody or delivered to anyone in violation of its trust, or lost, or stolen, abstracted, or destroyed, and fails to make prompt report of such loss, theft, abstraction, or destruction to his superior officer—</p>
<p>Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.</p>
<p>Back in August, Levin said on his show, "When you set up an unsecured server in your barn adjacent to your home in Chappaqua, New York, you have intentionally – forget about negligence – you have intentionally bypassed the security process for that server."</p>
<p>Levin continued that even if this was unintentional, it's still a crime: (emphasis added)</p>
<p>"Let’s say you didn’t think or didn’t know that you were intentionally bypassing the process that is used to secure that server and that information, which seems absurd to me, but let’s play along.</p>
<p>“Okay, if you do it through gross negligence, you permit the same to be removed from its proper place. So I would argue to you, when that server was removed and information was flowing through it, including classified and especially top-secret information, boom. You did it.</p>
<p>“And every time that happened, ladies and gentlemen, that’s considered a count. You don’t aggregate at all. Every time that happened, that’s considered a violation of the statute.</p>
<p>Levin suggested that the fine for every count would be "substantial," a "ten or 20 grand a violation."</p>
<p>2. Clinton had thousands of emails that contained classified information on her <a href="http://fortune.com/2015/03/11/hillary-clinton-email-unsecure/" type="external">unsecured server.</a></p>
<p>Clinton and her allies try to shrug off the classified information that was on her unsecured server by claiming it wasn't labeled as classified at the time. This is flat-out false on its face, as many emails she received or sent were <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/423362/clinton-emails-were-born-classified-andrew-c-mccarthy" type="external">born classified</a> by the nature of their content. As it turns out, there have been over 1,340 classified emails that Clinton received or sent, and intelligence sources told <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article53685825.html" type="external">McClatchy DC</a> that "some material was clearly classified at the time."</p>
<p>The New York Post's Paul Sperry <a href="https://nypost.com/2016/01/24/hillarys-team-copied-intel-off-top-secret-server-to-email/" type="external">reported</a> on Sunday that the FBI is investigating whether Clinton aides "cut and pasted" classified information to be sent to her private server:</p>
<p>Clinton and her top aides had access to a Pentagon-run classified network that goes up to the Secret level, as well as a separate system used for Top Secret communications.</p>
<p>The two systems — the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) — are not connected to the unclassified system, known as the Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet). You cannot email from one system to the other, though you can use NIPRNet to send ­emails outside the government.</p>
<p>Somehow, highly classified information from SIPRNet, as well as even the super-secure JWICS, jumped from those closed systems to the open system and turned up in at least 1,340 of Clinton’s home emails — including several the CIA earlier this month flagged as containing ultra-secret Sensitive Compartmented Information and Special Access Programs, a subset of SCI.</p>
<p>Raymond Fournier, "a veteran Diplomatic Security Service special agent," told the Post, "It takes a very conscious effort to move a classified email or cable from the classified systems over to the unsecured open system and then send it to Hillary Clinton’s personal email account." Fournier also said that while the information may not have been marked as classified, the information was "so sensitive in nature" that it would have been "obvious to Clinton."</p>
<p>Sperry also reports that Clinton ordered her deputy chief Jake Sullivan to send the classified information to her:</p>
<p>In one email, Clinton pressured Sullivan to declassify cabled remarks by a foreign leader.</p>
<p>“Just email it,” Clinton snapped, to which Sullivan replied: “Trust me, I share your exasperation. But until ops converts it to the unclassified email system, there is no physical way for me to email it.”</p>
<p>In another recently released email, Clinton instructed Sullivan to convert a classified document into an unclassified email attachment by scanning it into an unsecured computer and sending it to her without any classified markings. “Turn into nonpaper w no identifying heading and send nonsecure,” she ordered.</p>
<p>Sullivan is one of Clinton's aides that the FBI is targeting, as well as deputy chief Huma Abedin and chief of staff Cheryl Mills, as they are believed to have sent the classified information to Clinton's private server.</p>
<p>The classified information included "sensitive information on spies," among other information:</p>
<p>Top Secret/SCI emails received by Clinton include a 2012 staff ­email sent to the then-secretary containing investigative data about Benghazi terrorist suspects wanted by the FBI and sourcing a regional security officer. They also include a 2011 message from Clinton’s top aides that contains military intelligence from United States Africa Command gleaned from satellite images of troop movements in Libya, along with the travel and protection plans for Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who was later killed in a terrorist attack in Benghazi.</p>
<p>A top inspector general also <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/19/inspector-general-clinton-emails-had-intel-from-most-secretive-classified-programs.html" type="external">determined</a> that Clinton's server "contained intelligence from the U.S. government's most secretive and highly classified programs." Hot Air's Ed Morrisey <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2016/01/25/fbi-probing-how-classified-info-got-onto-hillarys-secret-server/" type="external">points out</a> that this would violate Section 793, Subsection G of the federal penal code, which reads: "If two or more persons conspire to violate any of the foregoing provisions of this section, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each of the parties to such conspiracy shall be subject to the punishment provided for the offense which is the object of such conspiracy."</p>
<p>"Setting up the server and requiring her aides to use only that system for e-mail communications would be an act to effect the object of the conspiracy to transmit classified information illegally, as well as hiding communications from Congress," Morrisey writes.</p>
<p>Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates <a href="https://nypost.com/2016/01/23/china-and-russia-likely-hacked-hillarys-emails-robert-gates/" type="external">told</a> radio host Hugh Hewitt that it's likely that "several countries were able to hack into the server." Congressional investigators <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/hillary-clinton-email-server-hacked-china-south-korea-germany-214546" type="external">determined</a> that Clinton's server was the target of hackers from China, South Korea and Germany, and that five emails were sent to Clinton from Russian hackers.</p>
<p>3. The Clinton cronies claim that Clinton is not the target of the FBI probe. This is incredibly misleading.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/430211/hillary-clinton-email-fbi-department-justice-obama?target=author&amp;tid=900151&amp;utm_source=jolt&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Jolt01252015&amp;utm_term=Jolt" type="external">National Review</a>'s Andy McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor, explains how FBI investigations work: (emphasis added)</p>
<p>The FBI routinely conducts major investigations in collaboration with Justice Department prosecutors — usually from the U.S. attorney’s office in the district where potential crimes occurred. That is because the FBI needs the assistance of a grand jury. The FBI does not have authority even to issue subpoenas, let alone to charge someone with a crime. Only federal prosecutors may issue subpoenas, on the lawful authority of the grand jury. Only prosecutors are empowered to present evidence or propose charges to the grand jury. And the Constitution vests only the grand jury with authority to indict — the formal accusation of a crime. In our system, the FBI can do none of these things. No Justice Department, no grand jury. No grand jury, no case — period. As a technical matter, no matter how extensively the FBI pokes around on its own, no one can be a subject of a real investigation — i.e., one that can lead to criminal charges — unless and until there is a grand jury. That does not happen until the Justice Department hops on board.</p>
<p>In other words, the FBI cannot name Clinton as a subject under investigation due to the technical rules, but they are still investigating her private server that she is responsible for, so it's absurd for Clinton and her apologists to act like she's not being investigated at all.</p>
<p>4. The investigation has expanded into Clinton's role with The Clinton Foundation.</p>
<p>Fox News <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/11/fbis-clinton-probe-expands-to-public-corruption-track.html" type="external">reports:</a></p>
<p>The FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of private email as secretary of state has expanded to look at whether the possible “intersection” of Clinton Foundation work and State Department business may have violated public corruption laws, three intelligence sources not authorized to speak on the record told Fox News.</p>
<p>This new investigative track is in addition to the focus on classified material found on Clinton’s personal server.</p>
<p>"The agents are investigating the possible intersection of Clinton Foundation donations, the dispensation of State Department contracts and whether regular processes were followed," one source said.</p>
<p>Clinton denied that this was happening, but according to the report, subjects of investigations are not required to be informed of these kinds of developments.</p>
<p>Breitbart has a list of <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/06/03/21-new-clinton-cash-revelations-that-have-imperiled-hillary-clintons-campaign/" type="external">21 revelations</a> from Peter Schweizer's Clinton Cash that makes it obvious that The Clinton Foundation was used as a money-laundering front to essentially put Clinton's position as Secretary of State up for sale.</p>
<p>5. Clinton is incredibly thin-skinned when confronted on her emails.</p>
<p>Examples of Clinton's answers when asked about her emails include:</p>
<p>The fact that she's reacting so strongly to being asked about the investigation suggests she's nervous about it.</p>
<p>6. The FBI is ready to recommend an indictment against Clinton, and will go public with it if the Department of Justice chooses not to act.</p>
<p>This is what former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who has "friends that are in the FBI," told <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/tom-delay-hillary-clinton-indict-fbi/2016/01/25/id/710813/" type="external">Newsmax</a> on Monday.</p>
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amidst buzz 2016 presidential race gigantic elephant room democrats fbi investigation former secretary state hillary clinton private email server potential indictment illegal handling classified information everything need 1 fact clinton used private server work secretary state kept property crime radio host constitutional scholar mark levin pointed clintons private server violates section 793 subsection f federal penal code reads emphasis added f whoever entrusted lawful possession control document writing code book signal book sketch photograph photographic negative blueprint plan map model instrument appliance note information relating national defense 1 gross negligence permits removed proper place custody delivered anyone violation trust lost stolen abstracted destroyed 2 knowledge illegally removed proper place custody delivered anyone violation trust lost stolen abstracted destroyed fails make prompt report loss theft abstraction destruction superior officer shall fined title imprisoned ten years back august levin said show set unsecured server barn adjacent home chappaqua new york intentionally forget negligence intentionally bypassed security process server levin continued even unintentional still crime emphasis added lets say didnt think didnt know intentionally bypassing process used secure server information seems absurd lets play along okay gross negligence permit removed proper place would argue server removed information flowing including classified especially topsecret information boom every time happened ladies gentlemen thats considered count dont aggregate every time happened thats considered violation statute levin suggested fine every count would substantial ten 20 grand violation 2 clinton thousands emails contained classified information unsecured server clinton allies try shrug classified information unsecured server claiming wasnt labeled classified time flatout false face many emails received sent born classified nature content turns 1340 classified emails clinton received sent intelligence sources told mcclatchy dc material clearly classified time new york posts paul sperry reported sunday fbi investigating whether clinton aides cut pasted classified information sent private server clinton top aides access pentagonrun classified network goes secret level well separate system used top secret communications two systems secret internet protocol router network siprnet joint worldwide intelligence communications system jwics connected unclassified system known nonclassified internet protocol router network niprnet email one system though use niprnet send emails outside government somehow highly classified information siprnet well even supersecure jwics jumped closed systems open system turned least 1340 clintons home emails including several cia earlier month flagged containing ultrasecret sensitive compartmented information special access programs subset sci raymond fournier veteran diplomatic security service special agent told post takes conscious effort move classified email cable classified systems unsecured open system send hillary clintons personal email account fournier also said information may marked classified information sensitive nature would obvious clinton sperry also reports clinton ordered deputy chief jake sullivan send classified information one email clinton pressured sullivan declassify cabled remarks foreign leader email clinton snapped sullivan replied trust share exasperation ops converts unclassified email system physical way email another recently released email clinton instructed sullivan convert classified document unclassified email attachment scanning unsecured computer sending without classified markings turn nonpaper w identifying heading send nonsecure ordered sullivan one clintons aides fbi targeting well deputy chief huma abedin chief staff cheryl mills believed sent classified information clintons private server classified information included sensitive information spies among information top secretsci emails received clinton include 2012 staff email sent thensecretary containing investigative data benghazi terrorist suspects wanted fbi sourcing regional security officer also include 2011 message clintons top aides contains military intelligence united states africa command gleaned satellite images troop movements libya along travel protection plans ambassador christopher stevens later killed terrorist attack benghazi top inspector general also determined clintons server contained intelligence us governments secretive highly classified programs hot airs ed morrisey points would violate section 793 subsection g federal penal code reads two persons conspire violate foregoing provisions section one persons act effect object conspiracy parties conspiracy shall subject punishment provided offense object conspiracy setting server requiring aides use system email communications would act effect object conspiracy transmit classified information illegally well hiding communications congress morrisey writes former secretary defense robert gates told radio host hugh hewitt likely several countries able hack server congressional investigators determined clintons server target hackers china south korea germany five emails sent clinton russian hackers 3 clinton cronies claim clinton target fbi probe incredibly misleading national reviews andy mccarthy former federal prosecutor explains fbi investigations work emphasis added fbi routinely conducts major investigations collaboration justice department prosecutors usually us attorneys office district potential crimes occurred fbi needs assistance grand jury fbi authority even issue subpoenas let alone charge someone crime federal prosecutors may issue subpoenas lawful authority grand jury prosecutors empowered present evidence propose charges grand jury constitution vests grand jury authority indict formal accusation crime system fbi none things justice department grand jury grand jury case period technical matter matter extensively fbi pokes around one subject real investigation ie one lead criminal charges unless grand jury happen justice department hops board words fbi name clinton subject investigation due technical rules still investigating private server responsible absurd clinton apologists act like shes investigated 4 investigation expanded clintons role clinton foundation fox news reports fbi investigation hillary clintons use private email secretary state expanded look whether possible intersection clinton foundation work state department business may violated public corruption laws three intelligence sources authorized speak record told fox news new investigative track addition focus classified material found clintons personal server agents investigating possible intersection clinton foundation donations dispensation state department contracts whether regular processes followed one source said clinton denied happening according report subjects investigations required informed kinds developments breitbart list 21 revelations peter schweizers clinton cash makes obvious clinton foundation used moneylaundering front essentially put clintons position secretary state sale 5 clinton incredibly thinskinned confronted emails examples clintons answers asked emails include fact shes reacting strongly asked investigation suggests shes nervous 6 fbi ready recommend indictment clinton go public department justice chooses act former house majority leader tom delay friends fbi told newsmax monday
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<p>Every week, America implodes over yet another seemingly stupid cultural battle. The latest blow-up over NFL players kneeling for the National Anthem, however, takes the cake. That’s because over the last week, the debate has moved from a relatively clear consensus — protesting the National Anthem is idiotic, but people shouldn’t be fired for doing it — to outright warfare.</p>
<p>Here’s what you need to know.</p>
<p>1. It’s Idiotic To Protest The National Anthem. Protesting the National Anthem is foolish politics. It’s foolish because that’s one of the symbols that unites us. It’s the equivalent of burning the American flag; no successful American political movement has built itself on flag-burning or Anthem-protesting. There have been historic figures who say they have a hard time with the National Anthem, most prominently veteran and American hero Jackie Robinson — but that was back in 1972, not in 2017, when America has largely moved beyond the shadow of legally enshrined racism. Protesting the National Anthem on the basis of police brutality is particularly stupid, given the lack of statistical evidence of national law enforcement discrimination against innocent black Americans. National Anthem protest-initiator Colin Kaepernick is largely and correctly seen as a dolt who divides the country.</p>
<p>2. It’s Idiotic For President Trump To Call For Firing Those Who Protest The National Anthem. As Jamie Weinstein suggested, it’s worthwhile doing a little thought experiment: imagine that Tim Tebow had taken a knee during the Anthem to protest against legal abortion. Now imagine that President Obama had suggested that Tebow should have been pulled from the game and fired. Would that have been proper behavior from the White House? Of course not. It’s one thing for the president to speak about his strenuous disagreement with public positions taken by public figures outside the government; it’s another for the president, with the force of the White House behind him, to seemingly pressure businesses to run the way he wants them to run. That’s inappropriate, and we on the Right wouldn’t stand for it if the situation were reversed.</p>
<p>3. Trump Will Make Bank Off This Issue. President Trump can always count on the media and the Left to lose their minds over everything he does, to the point that their tactics backfire in spectacular fashion on them. This issue is no different. Trump overstepped by suggesting from the White House bully pulpit that NFL owners should fire players who protest the Anthem — that’s a particularly egregious position to take when the Trump administration is actively and rightly fighting for the rights of religious business owners to run their own businesses as they see fit. But that doesn’t matter. By turning the Anthem protests from a settled issue into a referendum on him, Trump pushed the Left’s buttons — and the Left responded in the stupidest possible fashion, by suggesting that everyone kneel for the Anthem. The Left thinks they’re protesting Trump’s overreach. The image that will hit the newspapers, however, is Leftists supporting protesting the Anthem itself, which is deeply and properly unpopular. If the Left believes they’re going to win hearts and minds by kneeling for the National Anthem, they’re insane. Even the New England Patriots were booed for protesting the Anthem on Sunday. The biggest winner of the day was Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle and former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva, who bucked his team’s boycott of the Anthem to appear and stand for the Anthem (his jersey sales skyrocketed). The biggest loser was Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy, who stretched during the Anthem. Trump may have stepped in crap, but he’s the one who will come out smelling like a rose politically.</p>
<p>4. Democrats Will Make Bank Off This Issue. It’s not just Trump who will do well with this issue. Democrats will do well with their base, even if they suffer with the middle of the country. They may not win back the Rust Belt based on this issue — they’ll almost certainly push a lot of those people into Trump’s camp — but they’ll raise enormous sums of cash from celebrity backers, and increase their cultural dominance and cache. Trump may win Ohio, but Democrats will still be the cool kids hanging out with Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Stevie Wonder. That seems to matter to them.</p>
<p>5. Our Cultural Fabric Is Eroding. Quickly. In February 2017, I wrote a column titled, “ <a href="" type="internal">Can The Super Bowl Save America?</a>” The basis for the column was simple: America needs to take a breath from politics every so often. Football is one of those breaths. As I wrote:</p>
<p>Hollywood and pop culture would do well to remind themselves that if they don't want to alienate half their audience and exacerbate our differences, they can allow us room to breathe. The Super Bowl did that this year. For that, we should be just a little grateful, even if it didn't solve any true underlying problems. Those will require a bit more time and a bit more space.</p>
<p>So much for that rosy notion. The NFL has become ground zero for the culture wars. Which means that we can’t see movies anymore, watch TV shows anymore, or even watch sports anymore without feeling that we’re being judged. That means our common spaces are disappearing. And we have so little political common space already that cultural common space was our last relic of togetherness.</p>
<p>6. The NFL Will Lose Most From This Nonsense. They Deserve To. The NFL will be destroyed by this. Thousands of Americans were already tuning out due to concussion coverage and domestic abuse issues. Now that will accelerate. That’s due in large measure to the NFL’s utterly inconsistent stance with regard to political posturing. When St. Louis Rams players engaged in “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” protests in 2014, the league did nothing; when Dallas Cowboys players wanted to wear Dallas police decals to honor the department after a massacre of officers by a black radical, the NFL turned them down flat. When Kaepernick knelt for the Anthem, and other players followed, the NFL did nothing; when some players wanted to wear cleats on September 11, 2016 honoring the fallen, the NFL threatened fines. Is it any wonder that fans feel like the NFL took a side here?</p>
<p>Here’s the bottom line: this conflict isn’t good for the country. We need our shared symbols, and we need our shared spaces. Both of those elements are being destroyed for political and ratings gain. If that doesn’t stop, we’re not going to have anything at all in common anymore.</p>
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every week america implodes yet another seemingly stupid cultural battle latest blowup nfl players kneeling national anthem however takes cake thats last week debate moved relatively clear consensus protesting national anthem idiotic people shouldnt fired outright warfare heres need know 1 idiotic protest national anthem protesting national anthem foolish politics foolish thats one symbols unites us equivalent burning american flag successful american political movement built flagburning anthemprotesting historic figures say hard time national anthem prominently veteran american hero jackie robinson back 1972 2017 america largely moved beyond shadow legally enshrined racism protesting national anthem basis police brutality particularly stupid given lack statistical evidence national law enforcement discrimination innocent black americans national anthem protestinitiator colin kaepernick largely correctly seen dolt divides country 2 idiotic president trump call firing protest national anthem jamie weinstein suggested worthwhile little thought experiment imagine tim tebow taken knee anthem protest legal abortion imagine president obama suggested tebow pulled game fired would proper behavior white house course one thing president speak strenuous disagreement public positions taken public figures outside government another president force white house behind seemingly pressure businesses run way wants run thats inappropriate right wouldnt stand situation reversed 3 trump make bank issue president trump always count media left lose minds everything point tactics backfire spectacular fashion issue different trump overstepped suggesting white house bully pulpit nfl owners fire players protest anthem thats particularly egregious position take trump administration actively rightly fighting rights religious business owners run businesses see fit doesnt matter turning anthem protests settled issue referendum trump pushed lefts buttons left responded stupidest possible fashion suggesting everyone kneel anthem left thinks theyre protesting trumps overreach image hit newspapers however leftists supporting protesting anthem deeply properly unpopular left believes theyre going win hearts minds kneeling national anthem theyre insane even new england patriots booed protesting anthem sunday biggest winner day pittsburgh steelers offensive tackle former army ranger alejandro villanueva bucked teams boycott anthem appear stand anthem jersey sales skyrocketed biggest loser buffalo bills running back lesean mccoy stretched anthem trump may stepped crap hes one come smelling like rose politically 4 democrats make bank issue trump well issue democrats well base even suffer middle country may win back rust belt based issue theyll almost certainly push lot people trumps camp theyll raise enormous sums cash celebrity backers increase cultural dominance cache trump may win ohio democrats still cool kids hanging steph curry lebron james stevie wonder seems matter 5 cultural fabric eroding quickly february 2017 wrote column titled super bowl save america basis column simple america needs take breath politics every often football one breaths wrote hollywood pop culture would well remind dont want alienate half audience exacerbate differences allow us room breathe super bowl year little grateful even didnt solve true underlying problems require bit time bit space much rosy notion nfl become ground zero culture wars means cant see movies anymore watch tv shows anymore even watch sports anymore without feeling judged means common spaces disappearing little political common space already cultural common space last relic togetherness 6 nfl lose nonsense deserve nfl destroyed thousands americans already tuning due concussion coverage domestic abuse issues accelerate thats due large measure nfls utterly inconsistent stance regard political posturing st louis rams players engaged hands dont shoot protests 2014 league nothing dallas cowboys players wanted wear dallas police decals honor department massacre officers black radical nfl turned flat kaepernick knelt anthem players followed nfl nothing players wanted wear cleats september 11 2016 honoring fallen nfl threatened fines wonder fans feel like nfl took side heres bottom line conflict isnt good country need shared symbols need shared spaces elements destroyed political ratings gain doesnt stop going anything common anymore
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<p>The stock market has been on a tear since hitting a trough in March 2009, but in recent years it's marijuana stocks that have headed to the front of the class, so to speak. Back in June, we looked at the dozen largest marijuana stocks and found that the average gain (I repeat, average gain) was <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/24/the-average-marijuana-stock-is-up-332-over-the-tra.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=81039142-96aa-11e7-a632-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">332% over the trailing 12-month period</a>.</p>
<p>It's not hard to understand why marijuana stocks have rallied as much as they have, either. According to surveys from both Gallup and CBS News, we've witnessed a dramatic shift in the way the American public views cannabis. Back in the mid-1990s, Gallup's polls showed that just a quarter of the public wanted pot legalized across the country. As of Oct. 2016, 60% of Gallup respondents were now in favor of national legalization. Similarly, 61% of respondents in CBS News' poll in April 2017 favored legalizing the drug.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Legal sales of marijuana have also been exceptionally strong. Marijuana Business Daily's latest report entitled "Marijuana Business Factbook 2017" estimates that legal U.S. sales could grow 30% in 2016, and an aggregate of 300% between 2016 and 2021 to about $17 billion. If legal sales can keep growing by 25% to 30% annually, there's no reason to believe marijuana stocks won't benefit to some degree.</p>
<p>As a result of these catalysts, marijuana stocks are almost up across the board. Almost. Of the 14 largest pot stocks (those with a market cap of at least $200 million), just two haven't participated in the move higher: Insys Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INSY) and Zynerba Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ZYNE).</p>
<p>Arguably the most disappointing marijuana stock, shares of Insys Therapeutics have plunged by 38% over the trailing year. Two catalysts can be blamed for its poor performance, albeit one has been a much bigger issue than the other.</p>
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<p>First and foremost, point the finger at allegations and lawsuits surrounding Subsys, a sublingual treatment for breakthrough cancer pain. Allegedly, Insys wasn't marketing Subsys solely at breakthrough cancer patients and was, instead, targeting physicians that prescribe opioid medications. Subsys is, after all, a synthetic opioid. The investigation into wrongdoing, coupled with a watchful eye on Subsys' marketing and use moving forward, has halved sales of the drug and pushed Insys from a company that was generating regular quarterly profits to a company that now loses money each quarter. It's simply unclear when sales of Subsys will stabilize and what, if any, penalties or fines Insys Therapeutics could incur as a result.</p>
<p>The second issue was the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/14/this-struggling-marijuana-stock-finally-launched-i.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=81039142-96aa-11e7-a632-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">expected delay in the launch of Syndros</a>, the company's oral dronabinol solution to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), as well as anorexia associated with AIDS. Because dronabinol is essentially a pharmaceutical version of tetrahydrocannabinol, which you probably know better as THC, it had to go through the scheduling process with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. It took more than a year from the drug's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to get its scheduling and obtain final labeling approval from the FDA to reach its August launch date. That more than one year delay proved costly given Subsys' woes.</p>
<p>If there is a bright spot here, it's that Syndros may have the capacity to completely replace the lost Subsys sales, and then some, in the next couple of years. That would make Insys healthfully profitable again, and would probably make it a bargain at its current level. Then again, the CINV market is very crowded, meaning Insys is going to need to price its product appropriately in order to succeed. While there are no givens here, I'd be cautiously optimistic about Insys moving forward.</p>
<p>Whereas Insys' woes mostly relate to a drug that has nothing to do with cannabis or cannabinoids, Zynerba Pharmaceuticals' woes are solely the result of its lead drug ZYN002 <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/16/up-in-smoke-this-marijuana-stock-lost-more-than-ha.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=81039142-96aa-11e7-a632-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">failing to live up to the hype</a> in two phase 2 studies. Shares of Zynerba have fallen 39% over the trailing year.</p>
<p>The Star 1 study involving Zynerba's cannabidiol (CBD)-based gel for patients with epilepsy failed to produce a statistically significant reduction in focal seizures in both of its tested doses compared to the placebo.&#160;In fact, the lower dose led to a greater focal seizure percentage reduction than the higher dose, which makes any further studies in this indication likely a dead-end. It was also the first true efficacy data investors had received from Zynerba.</p>
<p>However, just one week after releasing data from Star 1, Zynerba would disappoint investors yet again with data from its midstage Stop study in patients with knee pain due to osteoarthritis. The study failed to meet its primary endpoint of a reduction in the weekly mean of the 24-hour average worst pain score at week 12 relative to the baseline.&#160;However, the Stop study did meet a handful of secondary endpoints that Zynerba's management team believes warrants continued development of ZYN002.</p>
<p>Both of Zynerba's studies were a wake-up call to investors that while cannabis may be medicine, it and its cannabinoids aren't guaranteed to be a functional cure for all ailments. Zynerba has yet to really demonstrate to investors that it has the tools in its pipeline to deliver game-changing therapies, and until we see that, it'd probably be best for investors to stick to the sidelines.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Insys TherapeuticsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=86e35214-1a53-41ea-a1a6-6bdb34f4dd1a&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=81039142-96aa-11e7-a632-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks</a> for investors to buy right now... and Insys Therapeutics wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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stock market tear since hitting trough march 2009 recent years marijuana stocks headed front class speak back june looked dozen largest marijuana stocks found average gain repeat average gain 332 trailing 12month period hard understand marijuana stocks rallied much either according surveys gallup cbs news weve witnessed dramatic shift way american public views cannabis back mid1990s gallups polls showed quarter public wanted pot legalized across country oct 2016 60 gallup respondents favor national legalization similarly 61 respondents cbs news poll april 2017 favored legalizing drug continue reading legal sales marijuana also exceptionally strong marijuana business dailys latest report entitled marijuana business factbook 2017 estimates legal us sales could grow 30 2016 aggregate 300 2016 2021 17 billion legal sales keep growing 25 30 annually theres reason believe marijuana stocks wont benefit degree result catalysts marijuana stocks almost across board almost 14 largest pot stocks market cap least 200 million two havent participated move higher insys therapeutics nasdaq insy zynerba pharmaceuticals nasdaq zyne arguably disappointing marijuana stock shares insys therapeutics plunged 38 trailing year two catalysts blamed poor performance albeit one much bigger issue advertisement first foremost point finger allegations lawsuits surrounding subsys sublingual treatment breakthrough cancer pain allegedly insys wasnt marketing subsys solely breakthrough cancer patients instead targeting physicians prescribe opioid medications subsys synthetic opioid investigation wrongdoing coupled watchful eye subsys marketing use moving forward halved sales drug pushed insys company generating regular quarterly profits company loses money quarter simply unclear sales subsys stabilize penalties fines insys therapeutics could incur result second issue expected delay launch syndros companys oral dronabinol solution treat chemotherapyinduced nausea vomiting cinv well anorexia associated aids dronabinol essentially pharmaceutical version tetrahydrocannabinol probably know better thc go scheduling process us drug enforcement agency took year drugs food drug administration fda approval get scheduling obtain final labeling approval fda reach august launch date one year delay proved costly given subsys woes bright spot syndros may capacity completely replace lost subsys sales next couple years would make insys healthfully profitable would probably make bargain current level cinv market crowded meaning insys going need price product appropriately order succeed givens id cautiously optimistic insys moving forward whereas insys woes mostly relate drug nothing cannabis cannabinoids zynerba pharmaceuticals woes solely result lead drug zyn002 failing live hype two phase 2 studies shares zynerba fallen 39 trailing year star 1 study involving zynerbas cannabidiol cbdbased gel patients epilepsy failed produce statistically significant reduction focal seizures tested doses compared placebo160in fact lower dose led greater focal seizure percentage reduction higher dose makes studies indication likely deadend also first true efficacy data investors received zynerba however one week releasing data star 1 zynerba would disappoint investors yet data midstage stop study patients knee pain due osteoarthritis study failed meet primary endpoint reduction weekly mean 24hour average worst pain score week 12 relative baseline160however stop study meet handful secondary endpoints zynerbas management team believes warrants continued development zyn002 zynerbas studies wakeup call investors cannabis may medicine cannabinoids arent guaranteed functional cure ailments zynerba yet really demonstrate investors tools pipeline deliver gamechanging therapies see itd probably best investors stick sidelines 10 stocks like better insys therapeuticswhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks investors buy right insys therapeutics wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click learn picks stock advisor returns september 5 2017 sean williams position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy
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<p />
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<p>This is no time to be standing athwart history yelling "Stop!", although that's exactly what Wall Street is doing when it insists gun buying demand is slowing.</p>
<p>There have been only two years out of the past 17 for which the FBI has been keeping track that criminal background checks for people interested in buying guns have not grown from one year to the next. The last time it happened was in 2002, and the current year is on track to break all records.</p>
<p>Through September, the FBI has already logged almost 20 million criminal investigations of gun buyers, up 27% from the same period in 2015, and with three months to go, it's possible 2016 could exceed last year by 20% or more.</p>
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<p>However, just last week, one analyst downgraded the stock ofSmith &amp; Wesson Holding (NASDAQ: SWHC) because he said the rate of growth in the number of background checks conducted had " <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/12/this-analyst-just-gave-smith-wesson-holding-corp-i.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">meaningfully decelerated Opens a New Window.</a>," and there were difficult comparable figures coming in December.</p>
<p>While it's true FBI data did seem to show a decline in August and only mildly rebounded in September, it wasn't because of a lack of demand, but rather an FBI <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/17/smith-wesson-holding-corp-is-ridiculously-cheap-he.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">computer upgrade Opens a New Window.</a>that resulted in states reporting anomalies with their numbers. For example, Kentucky didn't report its full complement of background checks in August, leading to a massive underreporting of data, and it didn't go back online until the second week of September, so at least a full week's worth of background checks were missing from that state alone.</p>
<p>Data source: Federal Bureau of Investigation. Chart by author.</p>
<p>The National Shooting Sports Foundation, which compiles adjusted data based on the FBI records to track trends in gun sales, reported irregularities in other states that caused them to lose confidence in the law enforcement agency's numbers.</p>
<p>Yet even with the anomalies, the past two months were still the largest number of criminal investigations conducted during their respective months going all the way back to 1998, when the FBI first began keeping such records, and it's been that wayevery month for the past 17 months. October is likely going to have a blowout number as well.</p>
<p>Here's where analysts would do well to pay attention to history. The month of October typically exhibits a huge surge in the number of investigations done compared to the month before, or even the year-ago period.Just like the full-year numbers, October rarely sees a decline year over year, and without fail it has alwaysseen higher reported numbers than September. That means when the FBI reports the next batch of data, we're likely to see a huge increase in the number of background checks performed.</p>
<p>Data source: Federal Bureau of Investigation. Chart by author.</p>
<p>Adjusting for the past two months' anomalies, there could be as many as 2.4 million checks performed this month if the averages hold up, so that on a reported basis, it would look like a dramatic 20% increase from both September and last year. Only twice before has October jumped so high, and once it was right before President Obama was elected to his first term in office.</p>
<p>That, of course, explains October's bullish nature. Every year, there are congressional seats up for grabs with talk of greater gun control measures making the rounds, and every four years, a presidential election is held that really amps up the rhetoric. This year's presidential election, with the winner appointing a Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy created by the death of staunch Second Amendment advocate Antonin Scalia,carries even greater import.</p>
<p>Sturm, Ruger (NYSE: RGR)certainly thinks so.CEO Mike Fifer says Ruger is pledging to donate to the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action $2 from every gun sale it makes between now and election day on Nov. 8, as well as making a matching contribution to the gun rights group of up to a total of $5 million.</p>
<p>It's just not the month of October that sees a surge: November and December also invariably notch higher background check numbers, too. There's just no other way to see the next three months than as continuing the huge influx of individuals wanting to buy guns. In fact, there are few months that post as high of a rate of background checks performed as do October, November, and December.</p>
<p>That's just history, and Wall Street analysts who take a bird's-eye view of the situation are missing it. That doesn't mean you have to ignore what's gone before, though. Instead, it might be a prime opportunityto lookat those gun manufacturers that the market is giving the biggest discount to and decide which one (or perhaps all of them) might be best for your portfolio.</p>
<p>You can fight history, or roll with it. The choice is yours.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCop/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Duprey Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/motley.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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image source getty images continue reading time standing athwart history yelling stop although thats exactly wall street insists gun buying demand slowing two years past 17 fbi keeping track criminal background checks people interested buying guns grown one year next last time happened 2002 current year track break records september fbi already logged almost 20 million criminal investigations gun buyers 27 period 2015 three months go possible 2016 could exceed last year 20 advertisement however last week one analyst downgraded stock ofsmith amp wesson holding nasdaq swhc said rate growth number background checks conducted meaningfully decelerated opens new window difficult comparable figures coming december true fbi data seem show decline august mildly rebounded september wasnt lack demand rather fbi computer upgrade opens new windowthat resulted states reporting anomalies numbers example kentucky didnt report full complement background checks august leading massive underreporting data didnt go back online second week september least full weeks worth background checks missing state alone data source federal bureau investigation chart author national shooting sports foundation compiles adjusted data based fbi records track trends gun sales reported irregularities states caused lose confidence law enforcement agencys numbers yet even anomalies past two months still largest number criminal investigations conducted respective months going way back 1998 fbi first began keeping records wayevery month past 17 months october likely going blowout number well heres analysts would well pay attention history month october typically exhibits huge surge number investigations done compared month even yearago periodjust like fullyear numbers october rarely sees decline year year without fail alwaysseen higher reported numbers september means fbi reports next batch data likely see huge increase number background checks performed data source federal bureau investigation chart author adjusting past two months anomalies could many 24 million checks performed month averages hold reported basis would look like dramatic 20 increase september last year twice october jumped high right president obama elected first term office course explains octobers bullish nature every year congressional seats grabs talk greater gun control measures making rounds every four years presidential election held really amps rhetoric years presidential election winner appointing supreme court justice fill vacancy created death staunch second amendment advocate antonin scaliacarries even greater import sturm ruger nyse rgrcertainly thinks soceo mike fifer says ruger pledging donate national rifle associations institute legislative action 2 every gun sale makes election day nov 8 well making matching contribution gun rights group total 5 million month october sees surge november december also invariably notch higher background check numbers theres way see next three months continuing huge influx individuals wanting buy guns fact months post high rate background checks performed october november december thats history wall street analysts take birdseye view situation missing doesnt mean ignore whats gone though instead might prime opportunityto lookat gun manufacturers market giving biggest discount decide one perhaps might best portfolio fight history roll choice secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window rich duprey opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window
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<p>Rallying energy shares pushed U.S. stock indexes toward fresh highs Monday.</p>
<p>A recovery in commodity prices, pickup in growth across economies around the world and a weaker dollar have helped major indexes climb this year, investors and analysts say.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite posted records together Friday and were on track to repeat the feat Monday.</p>
<p>"The question is whether valuations are already reflecting all of the good news -- whether it's economic growth or tax reform -- and then trying to determine where that leaves us with stocks," said Dan Miller, director of equities at GW&amp;K Investment Management.</p>
<p>The Dow industrials rose 8 points, or less than 0.1%, to 23548. The S&amp;P 500 added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.2%.</p>
<p>Energy shares in the S&amp;P 500 jumped, on track for their biggest one-day gain since July, as oil prices rallied.</p>
<p>Chesapeake Energy climbed 8.8%, while Apache rose 5.8%. U.S. crude added 2.6% to $57.07 a barrel, with several analysts attributing the move to a wave of arrests in Saudi Arabia that raised concerns of a possible disruption to oil flows.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, corporate news drove swings in other sectors.</p>
<p>Qualcomm shares rose 0.9% after Broadcom launched a takeover bid for the chip maker in a deal valued at $100 billion. Broadcom shares edged down 0.3%.</p>
<p>Sprint shed 10% and T-Mobile fell 5.6% after the two companies officially called off their merger Saturday, putting an end to a deal that would have combined the No. 3 and No. 4 wireless carriers in the U.S.</p>
<p>Government bonds ticked up Monday, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note recently at 2.322%, according to Tradeweb, compared with 2.334% on Friday. Yields fall as bond prices rise.</p>
<p>Policy changes in Washington could help push stocks and bond yields higher, some analysts said. The Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to turn its attention to tax overhaul this week, with the aim of passing a proposed bill before Christmas.</p>
<p>"In terms of the impact on equity markets, we think it might put something like another 5% on earnings, but you'd expect interest rates to rise maybe a little bit faster," said Mike Bell, global market strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, the Stoxx Europe 600 index edged up 0.1%, buoyed by gains in shares of basic resources companies.</p>
<p>In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell by as much as 1.6% earlier in the session, before reversing losses to close down less than 0.1%.</p>
<p>Japan's Nikkei Stock Average reversed early gains as traders returned after a three-day weekend. The index closed up less than 0.1%.</p>
<p>The yen pared early sharp declines against the U.S. dollar, when Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda said the central bank would be patient about easing. The yen was last up 0.2% against the dollar.</p>
<p>Ese Erheriene contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Akane Otani at [email protected] and Mike Bird at [email protected]</p>
<p>Rallying energy shares pushed U.S. stock indexes to another set of records.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite posted fresh highs together Monday for the 26th time this year.</p>
<p>A recovery in commodity prices, a pickup in growth across economies around the world and a weaker dollar have helped major indexes climb double-digit percentages this year, investors and analysts say. Some also said they would be watching for signs of progress on a Republican tax bill, which was unveiled last week.</p>
<p>"The question is whether valuations are already reflecting all of the good news -- whether it's economic growth or tax reform -- and then trying to determine where that leaves us with stocks," said Dan Miller, director of equities at GW&amp;K Investment Management.</p>
<p>The Dow industrials rose 9.23 points, or less than 0.1%, to 23548.42. The S&amp;P 500 added 3.29 points, or 0.1%, to 2591.13 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 22 points, or 0.3%, to 6786.44.</p>
<p>Energy shares in the S&amp;P 500 jumped 2.2%, posting their second-biggest one-day percentage gain of the year. Chesapeake Energy climbed 44 cents, or 12%, to $4.18, leading gains in the sector.</p>
<p>U.S. crude for December delivery added 3.1% to $57.35 a barrel Monday -- its highest settlement since June 2015 -- with several analysts attributing the move to a wave of arrests in Saudi Arabia that raised concerns of a possible disruption to oil flows.</p>
<p>Despite the recent rebound in oil prices, energy shares in the S&amp;P 500 are still lagging behind. The sector is down 6.3% so far this year, making it the second-biggest decliner in the S&amp;P 500 after telecom.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, corporate news drove swings in other areas of the stock market.</p>
<p>Qualcomm shares rose 71 cents, or 1.1%, to 62.52 after Broadcom launched a $105 billion takeover bid for the chip maker. Broadcom shares jumped 3.89, or 1.4%, to 277.52.</p>
<p>Intel rose 63 cents, or 1.4%, to 46.70 and Advanced Micro Devices jumped 81 cents, or 7.3%, to 11.93 after The Wall Street Journal reported the two companies were teaming up to battle a common competitor, Nvidia.</p>
<p>Sprint shed 77 cents, or 12%, to 5.90 and T-Mobile US fell 3.37, or 5.7%, to 55.54 after the two companies officially called off their merger Saturday, putting an end to a deal that would have combined the No. 3 and No. 4 wireless carriers in the U.S.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, the Stoxx Europe 600 index edged up 0.1%, buoyed by gains in shares of basic resources and technology companies.</p>
<p>Japan's Nikkei Stock Average moved off early gains as traders returned after a three-day weekend. The index closed up less than 0.1%.</p>
<p>Write to Akane Otani at [email protected] and Mike Bird at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>November 06, 2017 17:46 ET (22:46 GMT)</p>
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rallying energy shares pushed us stock indexes toward fresh highs monday recovery commodity prices pickup growth across economies around world weaker dollar helped major indexes climb year investors analysts say continue reading sampp 500 dow jones industrial average nasdaq composite posted records together friday track repeat feat monday question whether valuations already reflecting good news whether economic growth tax reform trying determine leaves us stocks said dan miller director equities gwampk investment management dow industrials rose 8 points less 01 23548 sampp 500 added 01 nasdaq composite 02 energy shares sampp 500 jumped track biggest oneday gain since july oil prices rallied chesapeake energy climbed 88 apache rose 58 us crude added 26 5707 barrel several analysts attributing move wave arrests saudi arabia raised concerns possible disruption oil flows advertisement meanwhile corporate news drove swings sectors qualcomm shares rose 09 broadcom launched takeover bid chip maker deal valued 100 billion broadcom shares edged 03 sprint shed 10 tmobile fell 56 two companies officially called merger saturday putting end deal would combined 3 4 wireless carriers us government bonds ticked monday yield benchmark 10year us treasury note recently 2322 according tradeweb compared 2334 friday yields fall bond prices rise policy changes washington could help push stocks bond yields higher analysts said ways means committee us house representatives expected turn attention tax overhaul week aim passing proposed bill christmas terms impact equity markets think might put something like another 5 earnings youd expect interest rates rise maybe little bit faster said mike bell global market strategist jp morgan asset management elsewhere stoxx europe 600 index edged 01 buoyed gains shares basic resources companies asia hong kongs hang seng index fell much 16 earlier session reversing losses close less 01 japans nikkei stock average reversed early gains traders returned threeday weekend index closed less 01 yen pared early sharp declines us dollar bank japan gov haruhiko kuroda said central bank would patient easing yen last 02 dollar ese erheriene contributed article write akane otani akaneotaniwsjcom mike bird mikebirdwsjcom rallying energy shares pushed us stock indexes another set records sampp 500 dow jones industrial average nasdaq composite posted fresh highs together monday 26th time year recovery commodity prices pickup growth across economies around world weaker dollar helped major indexes climb doubledigit percentages year investors analysts say also said would watching signs progress republican tax bill unveiled last week question whether valuations already reflecting good news whether economic growth tax reform trying determine leaves us stocks said dan miller director equities gwampk investment management dow industrials rose 923 points less 01 2354842 sampp 500 added 329 points 01 259113 nasdaq composite gained 22 points 03 678644 energy shares sampp 500 jumped 22 posting secondbiggest oneday percentage gain year chesapeake energy climbed 44 cents 12 418 leading gains sector us crude december delivery added 31 5735 barrel monday highest settlement since june 2015 several analysts attributing move wave arrests saudi arabia raised concerns possible disruption oil flows despite recent rebound oil prices energy shares sampp 500 still lagging behind sector 63 far year making secondbiggest decliner sampp 500 telecom meanwhile corporate news drove swings areas stock market qualcomm shares rose 71 cents 11 6252 broadcom launched 105 billion takeover bid chip maker broadcom shares jumped 389 14 27752 intel rose 63 cents 14 4670 advanced micro devices jumped 81 cents 73 1193 wall street journal reported two companies teaming battle common competitor nvidia sprint shed 77 cents 12 590 tmobile us fell 337 57 5554 two companies officially called merger saturday putting end deal would combined 3 4 wireless carriers us elsewhere stoxx europe 600 index edged 01 buoyed gains shares basic resources technology companies japans nikkei stock average moved early gains traders returned threeday weekend index closed less 01 write akane otani akaneotaniwsjcom mike bird mikebirdwsjcom end dow jones newswires november 06 2017 1746 et 2246 gmt
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