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<p>In this&#160; <a href="https://www.fool.com/podcasts/rule-breaker-investing?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=72e693b6-adde-11e7-a503-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Rule Breaker Investing Opens a New Window.</a> podcast, David Gardner is highly pleased to interview Dr. Anders Ericsson, one of the world's foremost experts on expertise. His work has been cited in multiple best sellers, including Moonwalking with Einstein, Outliers, and How Children Succeed. It also was the basis for an idea that Malcolm Gladwell popularized -- the "10,000 Hour Rule," which posits that it takes that much practice to reach mastery of a skill. Of course, as Ericsson has oft repeated since then, there's a lot more to mastery than that.</p>
<p>In this segment, they talk about the three types of practice, and why doing the right kind matters so much more than the amount of time spent.</p>
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<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. 4, 2017.</p>
<p>David Gardner: Now we have to talk some about practice. There's practice. There's purposeful practice. There's deliberate practice. These three terms, while a lot of us may not have association with them, are really technical terms and they're very important to Dr. Ericsson's work. Glibly, I asked, earlier, does practice make perfect? One of our podcast personalities here at The Motley Fool, Mac Greer, said that he had a junior high band director who used to say, "Practice perfect makes perfect." Let me ask you, Dr. Ericsson. Could you lay out these three types of practice?</p>
<p>Anders Ericsson: Just taking an example of a tennis player who's playing doubles tennis. You basically start up, and then maybe after six months or a year, you're able to play. You keep the ball so you can actually have a game with your friends. Now, just engaging in that kind of play, some people might refer to as practice. And some people, when they're just doing their job, they would think of that as being practice. Well, we refer to that as "naive practice." You're just reacting to the situations you're in and doing your best. You're really not trying to change what you're doing.</p>
<p>I would argue that what we call "purposeful practice" is that when you actually look at what you're doing, you're pinpointing out something that you want to change. This is now something that you would spend extra special time engaging in. So if you want to practice your serve, you could actually do that by yourself. Do one serve after the other. You could see where they're landing, and you would try to improve the power and control that you have over the serve.</p>
<p>We refer to that as purposeful practice, because you have identified, now, something that you can change, and you're now focusing in on training that would actually allow you to change and improve that particular aspect. One of the problems is that if you're just trying to improve something like your serve, it becomes even harder if you want to improve your backhand. When you're figuring out things that you can do by yourself to improve, this is purposeful practice.</p>
<p>Now, when you seek out a teacher and that teacher can take a look at your game and say, "Hmm, you would really be able to improve your game if you worked on your backhand volley," now the coach can help you get the fundamental strokes right when you're standing there by the net, and then you would be forced to run up to the net, perhaps, and finally integrate it into the game. The argument is that with a coach, you will actually be able to improve your backhand so much more than if you were just playing the game and occasionally running into an opportunity for a backhand volley that you may not be able to control.</p>
<p>Gardner: So from naive practice -- the phrase I should have led off with -- naive practice to purposeful practice to "deliberate practice." And you use a term called "homeostasis," which I think is one of the key concepts that I want my listeners to hear about. Could you define homeostasis and its role within better and better practice?</p>
<p>Ericsson: Right. Maybe running is a good example. If you just run the same route at the same speed day after day...</p>
<p>Gardner: Guilty as charged, although I wish I did do it day after day. I'd be a much better human being. But keep going.</p>
<p>Ericsson: Well, the thing is that after a while you will adapt to that, and if you see how fast you can run races, you're not going to see an improvement. The argument is that if you want to change something, you need to do something that will get your body out of this comfort state of doing an activity that you're used to be doing, so you actually have to push it. And one of the more effective ways to improve your speed for running, say, 10Ks, is "interval running," where you actually are running as fast as you can for maybe 10 or 15 seconds and then you walk until you recover, and then you push yourself again.</p>
<p>That kind of pushing will now push you outside this comfort zone, and the biochemicals that are generated will stimulate genes to start to be activated. That will lead to more capillaries and all sorts of physiological adaptations in your body, which, in turn, will actually allow you to run faster.</p>
<p>Gardner: So it is that process of getting outside of what I might call and you call, quotes, "good enough," and pushing ourselves outside of that if we want to get better at something. And I think it's worth putting in a quick note here, for those lazy bums among us -- and I include myself for most -- that homeostasis being good enough for a lot of areas of life is just fine.</p>
<p>Ericsson: Exactly, and if you tried to be world class in any of a hundred different activities, I would be very surprised if you were able to get even close.</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;uuid=72e693b6-adde-11e7-a503-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | this160 rule breaker investing opens new window podcast david gardner highly pleased interview dr anders ericsson one worlds foremost experts expertise work cited multiple best sellers including moonwalking einstein outliers children succeed also basis idea malcolm gladwell popularized 10000 hour rule posits takes much practice reach mastery skill course ericsson oft repeated since theres lot mastery segment talk three types practice right kind matters much amount time spent 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 4 2017 david gardner talk practice theres practice theres purposeful practice theres deliberate practice three terms lot us may association really technical terms theyre important dr ericssons work glibly asked earlier practice make perfect one podcast personalities motley fool mac greer said junior high band director used say practice perfect makes perfect let ask dr ericsson could lay three types practice anders ericsson taking example tennis player whos playing doubles tennis basically start maybe six months year youre able play keep ball actually game friends engaging kind play people might refer practice people theyre job would think practice well refer naive practice youre reacting situations youre best youre really trying change youre would argue call purposeful practice actually look youre youre pinpointing something want change something would spend extra special time engaging want practice serve could actually one serve could see theyre landing would try improve power control serve refer purposeful practice identified something change youre focusing training would actually allow change improve particular aspect one problems youre trying improve something like serve becomes even harder want improve backhand youre figuring things improve purposeful practice seek teacher teacher take look game say hmm would really able improve game worked backhand volley coach help get fundamental strokes right youre standing net would forced run net perhaps finally integrate game argument coach actually able improve backhand much playing game occasionally running opportunity backhand volley may able control gardner naive practice phrase led naive practice purposeful practice deliberate practice use term called homeostasis think one key concepts want listeners hear could define homeostasis role within better better practice ericsson right maybe running good example run route speed day day gardner guilty charged although wish day day id much better human keep going ericsson well thing adapt see fast run races youre going see improvement argument want change something need something get body comfort state activity youre used actually push one effective ways improve speed running say 10ks interval running actually running fast maybe 10 15 seconds walk recover push kind pushing push outside comfort zone biochemicals generated stimulate genes start activated lead capillaries sorts physiological adaptations body turn actually allow run faster gardner process getting outside might call call quotes good enough pushing outside want get better something think worth putting quick note lazy bums among us include homeostasis good enough lot areas life fine ericsson exactly tried world class hundred different activities would surprised able get even close motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 556 |
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<p>What sports fan in the 1980s and 1990s wasn’t inspired by Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player ever? His last-second jump shots, airborne dunks, and tenacious defensive coverage made him a crowd-pleasing favorite. Now Jordan has been recognized as the first professional athlete to become a billionaire. What can we learn from his success?</p>
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<p>When Michael Jordan began playing in the NBA, he epitomized excellence as an individual contributor. His superhuman feats during his first five seasons with the Chicago Bulls, however, were not enough to make them champions. Not until Phil Jackson became head coach and began to influence the young superstar did the Bulls finally make it to the big game.</p>
<p>Jackson helped Jordan see the need to go beyond being a star and become what Jackson called a player “who surrenders the me for the we.” In the context of the Bulls, this meant playing as a team within the triangle offense that Jackson taught, not as an individual.</p>
<p>Until that time Jordan felt he needed to win games on his own because he didn’t have confidence that his teammates would perform in the clutch. But a one-man show, even if it was a show put on by one of the game’s greatest players, was never going to be enough to get the Bulls to the top. Furthermore, Jordan spent little social time with his teammates and instead hung out with his entourage that followed him around on the road. Jordan’s self-reliance and social separation made his teammates feel like supporting actors on the Michael Jordan show.</p>
<p>Phil Jackson could see the problem. So he went to Jordan and told him that the team needed his leadership, which would require his presence and effort to get to know his teammates personally. Having Jordan present with the team would strengthen the Bulls’ culture. Jordan’s presence and the trust he would put in his teammates would show he valued them as basketball players and as people.</p>
<p>Convinced that Jackson was right, Jordan transformed himself into a force for connection. He began spending more time with his teammates on and off the court. Phil Jackson observed: “Jordan’s presence [affected] the psyche of the team . . . he challenged everyone to step up . . . before practice I often found him working one-on-one with young players.”</p>
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<p>Jordan no doubt learned from Jackson’s philosophy that everyone should feel like they have a seat at the table by keeping people informed and listening to their viewpoints.&#160; Jackson encouraged his players’ commitment to the team by quoting a passage from Rudyard Kipling’s The Second Jungle Book that describes the law of the jungle: “…the strength of the pack is the Wolf and the strength of the Wolf is the pack.”</p>
<p>Jordan and Jackson worked together to convince the other Bulls players that they were a team that deserved the world championship. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen pushed the team to reach a new level of physical conditioning and preparation, which reinforced the players’ beliefs that no team worked as hard or deserved a world championship more than they did.</p>
<p>Jackson’s Chicago Bulls team accepted his philosophy of teamwork as a path to basketball greatness. As the strength of relationships among the team improved, the Bulls’ success rose to a new level. Beginning in 1991 when the Bulls won their first world championship, Jordan’s teammates sometimes made dramatic contributions to the games. In the past, when the score was close at the end of a game, Jordan always wanted the ball. After Jordan’s transformation, he trusted his teammates to make the big play during several pivotal situations.</p>
<p>One such instance occurred in game six of the 1993 championship when the Bulls played the Phoenix Suns. Near the end of the game, down by a score of 98 to 96, the Bulls came down court and, instead of the expected pass to Jordan, the ball went to John Paxson who shot and scored a three-point jumper just before the buzzer went off to win the game. The press hailed it as “the shot heard around the world.” The following year in the final championship game against the Utah Jazz, Jordan passed the ball to his teammate Steve Kerr who hit a jump shot just before the buzzer to clinch another championship for the Bulls. Over the course of eight years, the Chicago Bulls won six championship titles.</p>
<p>Michael Jordan responded by humbly making a personal commitment to his team and teammates rather than pridefully continuing as a one-man show, to the detriment of his team’s performance. The resulting connection and unity among the team and the performance that it made possible was the catalyst that transformed Jordan from being a great player into becoming a basketball legend.</p>
<p>Michael Jordan is a leader who cares about people and cares about results. This is a powerful combination that is essential to successful leadership. These qualities contributed to Michael’s success as a businessman and basketball franchise owner. They helped him learn how to pull a team together to get through the inevitable tough times. They helped him become a leader who people want to follow.</p>
<p>I expect he will accomplish even greater things in the years and decades ahead. Just as Jackson mentored Jordan, you can bet Jordan is mentoring other future leaders who go on to achieve success of their own. Their accomplishment will further enhance the leadership legacy of one of the game’s greats.</p>
<p>Adapted from <a href="http://connectionculture.com/book/" type="external">Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy and Understanding at Work Opens a New Window.</a> and Fired Up or Burned Out: Reignite Your Team’s Passion, Creativity and Productivity.</p>
<p>More From <a href="http://connectionculture.com/" type="external">ConnectionCulture.com Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://connectionculture.com/culture-quiz/" type="external">Is Your Culture Life-Giving or Draining? Take the CULTURE QUIZ. Opens a New Window.</a> <a href="http://connectionculture.com/4-character-strengths-sustain-u2s-success/" type="external">4 Character Strengths that Sustain U2’s Success Opens a New Window.</a> <a href="http://connectionculture.com/coach-ks-secret-he-coaches-like-a-girl/" type="external">Coach K’s Secret (He Coaches Like a Girl) Opens a New Window.</a></p> | true | 0 | sports fan 1980s 1990s wasnt inspired michael jordan arguably greatest basketball player ever lastsecond jump shots airborne dunks tenacious defensive coverage made crowdpleasing favorite jordan recognized first professional athlete become billionaire learn success continue reading michael jordan began playing nba epitomized excellence individual contributor superhuman feats first five seasons chicago bulls however enough make champions phil jackson became head coach began influence young superstar bulls finally make big game jackson helped jordan see need go beyond star become jackson called player surrenders context bulls meant playing team within triangle offense jackson taught individual time jordan felt needed win games didnt confidence teammates would perform clutch oneman show even show put one games greatest players never going enough get bulls top furthermore jordan spent little social time teammates instead hung entourage followed around road jordans selfreliance social separation made teammates feel like supporting actors michael jordan show phil jackson could see problem went jordan told team needed leadership would require presence effort get know teammates personally jordan present team would strengthen bulls culture jordans presence trust would put teammates would show valued basketball players people convinced jackson right jordan transformed force connection began spending time teammates court phil jackson observed jordans presence affected psyche team challenged everyone step practice often found working oneonone young players advertisement jordan doubt learned jacksons philosophy everyone feel like seat table keeping people informed listening viewpoints160 jackson encouraged players commitment team quoting passage rudyard kiplings second jungle book describes law jungle strength pack wolf strength wolf pack jordan jackson worked together convince bulls players team deserved world championship michael jordan scottie pippen pushed team reach new level physical conditioning preparation reinforced players beliefs team worked hard deserved world championship jacksons chicago bulls team accepted philosophy teamwork path basketball greatness strength relationships among team improved bulls success rose new level beginning 1991 bulls first world championship jordans teammates sometimes made dramatic contributions games past score close end game jordan always wanted ball jordans transformation trusted teammates make big play several pivotal situations one instance occurred game six 1993 championship bulls played phoenix suns near end game score 98 96 bulls came court instead expected pass jordan ball went john paxson shot scored threepoint jumper buzzer went win game press hailed shot heard around world following year final championship game utah jazz jordan passed ball teammate steve kerr hit jump shot buzzer clinch another championship bulls course eight years chicago bulls six championship titles michael jordan responded humbly making personal commitment team teammates rather pridefully continuing oneman show detriment teams performance resulting connection unity among team performance made possible catalyst transformed jordan great player becoming basketball legend michael jordan leader cares people cares results powerful combination essential successful leadership qualities contributed michaels success businessman basketball franchise owner helped learn pull team together get inevitable tough times helped become leader people want follow expect accomplish even greater things years decades ahead jackson mentored jordan bet jordan mentoring future leaders go achieve success accomplishment enhance leadership legacy one games greats adapted connection culture competitive advantage shared identity empathy understanding work opens new window fired burned reignite teams passion creativity productivity connectionculturecom opens new window culture lifegiving draining take culture quiz opens new window 4 character strengths sustain u2s success opens new window coach ks secret coaches like girl opens new window | 551 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<p>According to reports, OPEC is slamming the breaks on its aim to control a greater share of the oil market. Instead, the cartel has agreed to cap its output at 32.5 million barrels a day, which is down from its current production of more than 33 million barrels a day. It is doing so to not only put a floor under oil prices but to remove the current overhang of crude in the market, which has been keeping prices down. If the deal comes to fruition, it would be great news for top shale producers because they just need oil to stabilize a bit higher than current levels to drive significant growth going forward. Three oil stocks, in particular, stand out as potential big winners.</p>
<p>EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG) spent the past two years holding back production growth not only due to the weak market conditions but so that it could improve its drilling returns. The net resultwas that the company built a significant inventory of premium wells, which it defines as delivering a 30% after-tax rate of return at $40 oil. In fact, it now has a 6,000-well inventory in place.</p>
<p>Because of that, the company recently announced that it was ready to go back to growth mode in 2017. The company said that it expected to deliver "significant production growth with balanced cash flow from 2017 through 2020, even in a moderate commodity price environment." Under its plan, the company could deliver 10% compound annual oil production growth through 2020 at flat $50 oil, with the growth rate accelerating to 20% at flat $60 oil. Even better, as a result of significant improvements and innovations over the past few years, the returns on those wells are projected to be 60% at $50 oil and over 100% at $60 oil.</p>
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<p>OPEC's intervention makes it much more likely that oil will stay above at least $50 a barrel over the next few years. We only need to look back into history for evidence of this. In late 2001, for example, OPEC agreed to cut its production by 1.5 million barrels per day in a bid to boost prices. Here's what happened to crude over the following three years:</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/indicators/crude_oil_spot_price" type="external">WTI Crude Oil Spot Price</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Thanks to its premium drilling inventory, EOG Resources does not need a repeat of that oil-price rebound to be successful.</p>
<p>Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) spent the past year repositioning its business to restart production growth once oil prices stabilized. The company sold more than $3 billion of noncore assets to pay for a multibillion-dollar acquisition and bolster its balance sheet. As a result of that shift, the company has a much-stronger balance sheet and sports a portfolio to drive robust growth going forward.</p>
<p>While Devon Energy has not put out its oil growth forecast just yet, it has an inventory of more than 10,000 wells that can deliver 30%-plus after-tax rates of return at $50 oil. In addition, as a result of its recent asset sales, the company has not only reduced its net debt by 45%, but it has more than $4.6 billion in cash to accelerate drilling when the time is right. That's a lot of cash for a company that needed to spend just $1.3 billion this year to keep its production flat.</p>
<p>Concho Resources (NYSE: CXO), like both Devon and EOG Resources, spent the past couple of years getting ready for the eventual oil-market rebound. It significantly reduced its costs so that it can also drill high-return wells at $50-plus oil. Also, Concho Resources opportunistically acquired additional drilling acreage, recently paying $1.625 billion for prime land in the Midland Basin. Overall, the company now controls more than 18,000 future drilling locations in the Permian Basin.</p>
<p>As a result of all this, Concho Resources plans to restart production growth next year. The company's initial plan is to grow its oil production by more than 20% while still living within cash flow. It could accelerate that growth rate if OPEC's intervention leads to higher oil prices.</p>
<p>While EOG Resources, Devon Energy, and Concho Resources did not need OPEC to intervene in the oil market, they will certainly take it. That is because the intervention should stabilize the market and drive prices higher, which could enable these producers to earn even better returns. As a result, these three energy stocks should thrive as the oil market begins to improve.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFmd19/info.aspx" type="external">Matt DiLallo Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Devon Energy and EOG Resources. 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> | true | 0 | image source getty images continue reading according reports opec slamming breaks aim control greater share oil market instead cartel agreed cap output 325 million barrels day current production 33 million barrels day put floor oil prices remove current overhang crude market keeping prices deal comes fruition would great news top shale producers need oil stabilize bit higher current levels drive significant growth going forward three oil stocks particular stand potential big winners eog resources nyse eog spent past two years holding back production growth due weak market conditions could improve drilling returns net resultwas company built significant inventory premium wells defines delivering 30 aftertax rate return 40 oil fact 6000well inventory place company recently announced ready go back growth mode 2017 company said expected deliver significant production growth balanced cash flow 2017 2020 even moderate commodity price environment plan company could deliver 10 compound annual oil production growth 2020 flat 50 oil growth rate accelerating 20 flat 60 oil even better result significant improvements innovations past years returns wells projected 60 50 oil 100 60 oil advertisement opecs intervention makes much likely oil stay least 50 barrel next years need look back history evidence late 2001 example opec agreed cut production 15 million barrels per day bid boost prices heres happened crude following three years wti crude oil spot price data ycharts opens new window thanks premium drilling inventory eog resources need repeat oilprice rebound successful devon energy nyse dvn spent past year repositioning business restart production growth oil prices stabilized company sold 3 billion noncore assets pay multibilliondollar acquisition bolster balance sheet result shift company muchstronger balance sheet sports portfolio drive robust growth going forward devon energy put oil growth forecast yet inventory 10000 wells deliver 30plus aftertax rates return 50 oil addition result recent asset sales company reduced net debt 45 46 billion cash accelerate drilling time right thats lot cash company needed spend 13 billion year keep production flat concho resources nyse cxo like devon eog resources spent past couple years getting ready eventual oilmarket rebound significantly reduced costs also drill highreturn wells 50plus oil also concho resources opportunistically acquired additional drilling acreage recently paying 1625 billion prime land midland basin overall company controls 18000 future drilling locations permian basin result concho resources plans restart production growth next year companys initial plan grow oil production 20 still living within cash flow could accelerate growth rate opecs intervention leads higher oil prices eog resources devon energy concho resources need opec intervene oil market certainly take intervention stabilize market drive prices higher could enable producers earn even better returns result three energy stocks thrive oil market begins improve 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 matt dilallo opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares devon energy eog resources 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 | 531 |
<p>Despite James Comey’s posture as the Atticus Finch of government lawyers, his public record leaves political observers with reasons to question his competence and integrity.</p>
<p>Below are five noteworthy acts of Comey that undermine the former FBI director's credibility.</p>
<p>1. HE LEAKED HIS OWN MEMO TO LEFT-WING PRO-DEMOCRAT NEWS MEDIA</p>
<p>In sworn testimony <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?427708-1/fbi-director-defends-decision-reveal-clinton-email-probe-election" type="external">on May 3rd</a>, Comey denied ever having been an anonymous source of information relating to FBI investigations related to either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Below is a partial transcript of that testimony:</p>
<p>GRASSLEY: It is frustrating when the FBI refuses to answer this committee’s questions. But leaks, relevant information information to the media - in other words, they don’t talk to us, but somebody talks to the media - Director Comey, have you ever been an anonymous source in news reports about matters relating to the Trump investigation or the Clinton investigation?</p>
<p>COMEY: Never.</p>
<p>Less than <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/notes-made-by-former-fbi-director-comey-say-trump-pressured-him-to-end-flynn-probe/2017/05/16/52351a38-3a80-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html" type="external">two weeks</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/us/politics/james-comey-trump-flynn-russia-investigation.html" type="external">later</a>, he released via intermediary what he claimed was a "contemporaneous memo" he composed shortly after a February 14th private dinner with President Trump.</p>
<p>In his memo, Comey suggested that Trump inappropriately sought to interfere with an ongoing FBI investigation of alleged Russian state interference in 2016's presidential election. He expressed no such concerns to any person or organization other than The New York Times or The Washington Post.</p>
<p>Left-wing and Democrat-aligned news media outlets hyped a “ <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/us/politics/james-comey-memos-fbi-culture.html" type="external">culture of note-keeping</a>” at the FBI; further alleging that Comey had a personal routine of note-taking. On Thursday, Comey claimed to have not composed any contemporaneous memos of meetings he had had with former president George Bush or Barack Obama.</p>
<p>2. HE COVERED FOR CLINTON</p>
<p>In July of last year, Comey <a href="" type="internal">publicly advised against</a> the laying of any charges against Hillary Clinton over the former first lady’s felonious evasion of governmental capture of her emails during her former capacity as secretary of state; Clinton has set up a private email system - complete with a server in her private Chappaqua home, through which she executed government business as the state’s chief foreign affairs officer.</p>
<p>Charges against Clinton, said, Comey, would be “inappropriate.” Clinton lacked the “intent” to willfully mishandle classified information, said Comey:</p>
<p>“Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case. No charges are appropriate in this case.”</p>
<p>Comey also refused to require the recording or transcription Clinton’s July interview with FBI agents, despite the aforementioned alleged “culture of note-keeping” at the FBI.</p>
<p>No charges were ever brought to bear against any of the Clintons related to their alleged selling of political influence and associated money laundering via their ostensibly philanthropic eponymous foundation.</p>
<p>3 HE FAILED IN FIGHTING ISLAMIC TERRORISM</p>
<p>During a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing in <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?401606-1/fbi-director-james-comey-oversight-hearing-testimony" type="external">December of 2015</a>, Comey <a href="" type="internal">accepted the premise</a> that “anti-Muslim” rhetoric - implicitly coming from then candidate Donald Trump - exacerbated Islamic terrorism.</p>
<p>Muslims in America, said Comey, would become less likely to cooperate in counterterrorism endeavors if political leaders “erode [the] trust” he claimed existed between the FBI and “Muslim communities.” In other words, otherwise patriotic Muslims would cease wishing to prevent mass murder jihad after hearing Trump's campaign rhetoric.</p>
<p>Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and others advanced the narrative of Islamic terrorism being at least partially a reaction towards “anti-Muslim” rhetoric across America; Comey accepted the narrative.</p>
<p>A myriad of Islamic terrorist mass murder attacks occurred during his tenure, with several perpetrators being “ <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2016/06/12/omar-mateen-fbi-radar-orlando-shooting/" type="external">on the radar</a>” of the FBI for years prior to their commission of terrorism.</p>
<p>Comey <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/apr/25/obamas-cleansing-of-islamic-terms-suppresses-commo/" type="external">oversaw the implementation</a> of “ <a href="http://freebeacon.com/national-security/orlando-attack-failure-obamas-politically-correct-policy-analysts-say/" type="external">politically correct</a>” counterterrorism policies at the FBI via the direction of the Obama administration; rejecting the existence of overlaps between Islamic terrorism, Islam and Muslims. Qualitative terms such as “Islamic” and “Islamist” were purged from the agency’s counterterrorism materials, with training programs framing Islamic terrorism as a function of wealth inequality or other neo-Marxist perceptions of broad social oppression.</p>
<p>4. HE WANTED SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR TRUMP, BUT NOT CLINTON OR OBAMA</p>
<p>Comey’s May release of the “contemporaneous memo” he alleges to have composed in February to The Washington Post and The New York Times, he said on Thursday, was done in order to prompt the appointment of “special counsel” at the Department of Justice:</p>
<p>“I needed to get that out into the public square, so I asked a friend of mine to share the content of the memo with a reporter. I didn’t do it myself for a variety of reasons, but I asked him to because I thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel.”</p>
<p>No information has been forthcoming of FBI investigations into Barack Obama's alleged surveillance of Donald Trump as both a candidate and president-elect, his political weaponization of the IRS to target dissident conservative, libertarian, and pro-Zionist groups, or his funneling of funds received via state-levied fines to left-wing groups.</p>
<p>While being questioned by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) on Thursday, Comey agreed that the Justice Department's special counsel Robert Mueller should be unaccountable to the Department of Justice or president.</p>
<p>Harris, a law graduate of the University of California, expressed her desire for Mueller to have full "authority" and "independence," receiving agreement from Comey:</p> | true | 0 | despite james comeys posture atticus finch government lawyers public record leaves political observers reasons question competence integrity five noteworthy acts comey undermine former fbi directors credibility 1 leaked memo leftwing prodemocrat news media sworn testimony may 3rd comey denied ever anonymous source information relating fbi investigations related either donald trump hillary clinton partial transcript testimony grassley frustrating fbi refuses answer committees questions leaks relevant information information media words dont talk us somebody talks media director comey ever anonymous source news reports matters relating trump investigation clinton investigation comey never less two weeks later released via intermediary claimed contemporaneous memo composed shortly february 14th private dinner president trump memo comey suggested trump inappropriately sought interfere ongoing fbi investigation alleged russian state interference 2016s presidential election expressed concerns person organization new york times washington post leftwing democrataligned news media outlets hyped culture notekeeping fbi alleging comey personal routine notetaking thursday comey claimed composed contemporaneous memos meetings former president george bush barack obama 2 covered clinton july last year comey publicly advised laying charges hillary clinton former first ladys felonious evasion governmental capture emails former capacity secretary state clinton set private email system complete server private chappaqua home executed government business states chief foreign affairs officer charges clinton said comey would inappropriate clinton lacked intent willfully mishandle classified information said comey although evidence potential violations statutes regarding handling classified information judgment reasonable prosecutor would bring case charges appropriate case comey also refused require recording transcription clintons july interview fbi agents despite aforementioned alleged culture notekeeping fbi charges ever brought bear clintons related alleged selling political influence associated money laundering via ostensibly philanthropic eponymous foundation 3 failed fighting islamic terrorism senate judiciary committee oversight hearing december 2015 comey accepted premise antimuslim rhetoric implicitly coming candidate donald trump exacerbated islamic terrorism muslims america said comey would become less likely cooperate counterterrorism endeavors political leaders erode trust claimed existed fbi muslim communities words otherwise patriotic muslims would cease wishing prevent mass murder jihad hearing trumps campaign rhetoric senators richard blumenthal dct lindsey graham rsc amy klobuchar dmn patrick leahy dvt others advanced narrative islamic terrorism least partially reaction towards antimuslim rhetoric across america comey accepted narrative myriad islamic terrorist mass murder attacks occurred tenure several perpetrators radar fbi years prior commission terrorism comey oversaw implementation politically correct counterterrorism policies fbi via direction obama administration rejecting existence overlaps islamic terrorism islam muslims qualitative terms islamic islamist purged agencys counterterrorism materials training programs framing islamic terrorism function wealth inequality neomarxist perceptions broad social oppression 4 wanted special counsel trump clinton obama comeys may release contemporaneous memo alleges composed february washington post new york times said thursday done order prompt appointment special counsel department justice needed get public square asked friend mine share content memo reporter didnt variety reasons asked thought might prompt appointment special counsel information forthcoming fbi investigations barack obamas alleged surveillance donald trump candidate presidentelect political weaponization irs target dissident conservative libertarian prozionist groups funneling funds received via statelevied fines leftwing groups questioned sen kamala harris dca thursday comey agreed justice departments special counsel robert mueller unaccountable department justice president harris law graduate university california expressed desire mueller full authority independence receiving agreement comey | 528 |
<p>On Monday, GOP frontrunner and real estate tycoon Donald Trump finally revealed his much-anticipated list of foreign policy advisors. At the same meeting with The Washington Post Editorial Board, Trump also disclosed one of the most moronic policy proposals ever devised by a US presidential candidate, suggesting the world’s only superpower draw resources out of NATO, the military alliance formed as a bulwark against Russian aggression.</p>
<p>Suffice to say, his opponents smelled stupidity and swooped like vultures on a decaying carcass.</p>
<p>. <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz" type="external">@TedCruz</a> on Trump's suggestion that the U.S. pull back from NATO: "Now there’s a technical term for that — it’s called nuts.”</p>
<p>Even Democrats joined in to attack the buffoonish idea.</p>
<p>Clinton says is Trump gets his way on NATO, "it will be like Christmas in the Kremlin.” <a href="https://t.co/NJTcJahkBA" type="external">https://t.co/NJTcJahkBA</a></p>
<p>Trump’s remarks about NATO not only made him look weak, but incompetent. Judging from the Manhattan socialite’s newly assembled foreign policy team, amateur-hour is just beginning.</p>
<p>Here are 5 things you need to know about Trump’s foreign policy team:</p>
<p>1. They’re mostly nobodies with little relevant experience.</p>
<p>After months of eager waiting, we got a list full of relative nobodies. The men Trump chose to spearhead his foreign policy team aren’t on the radar of any reputable national security expert or foreign policy think tank. “Several of those Trump cited during a visit to The Washington Post’s editorial board are complete unknowns,” <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/donald-trump-foreign-policy-advisers-221058" type="external">notes</a> Politico. The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/us/politics/donald-trump-foreign-policy-advisers.html?_r=1&amp;mtrref=undefined" type="external">adds</a>, “When <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/elections/donald-trump-on-the-issues.html?inline=nyt-per" type="external">Donald J. Trump</a> finally began to reveal the names of his foreign policy advisers during a swing through Washington this week, the Republican foreign policy establishment looked at them and had a pretty universal reaction: Who?”</p>
<p>Here’s a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/us/politics/donald-trump-foreign-policy-advisers.html?_r=1&amp;mtrref=undefined" type="external">list</a> of the five advisors who have hopped on the Trump Train so far:</p>
<p>If you haven’t heard of these guys, you’re not alone. Other than Walid Phares, most of the advisors listed have little relevant experience in matters of national security.</p>
<p>2. Walid Phares is the only recognizable face on the team.</p>
<p>Phares, a Lebanese Christian specializing in terrorism, can often be found on Fox News offering analysis on Islamic extremism. As former senior fellow at conservative foreign policy think tank Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Phares advised the Romney campaign in 2012.</p>
<p>However, Phares’ credentials have come under fire lately, especially since propagating some controversial conspiracy theories about Muslims. According to <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/donald-trump-foreign-policy-advisers-221058" type="external">Politico</a>, “In 2012, Phares <a href="https://marielenastuart2012.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/sharia-law-in-america-marielena-stuart-speaks-to-dr-walid-phares/" type="external">claimed</a> that ‘there are advisers and experts for this administration ... engaging with and partnering with the Muslim Brotherhood’ in order to influence American foreign policy."</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Phares has been frequently asked to provide expert analysis on global terrorist threats. In the past, he has <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walid_Phares" type="external">testified</a> before the US departments of Justice, Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the United States Congress, the European Parliament, and the United Nations Security Council.</p>
<p>3. Most of the advisors on the team are deliberately maintaining low profiles.</p>
<p>“But in many cases, even Google offered little but <a href="https://www.cubic.com/News/Press-Releases/ID/216/Joseph-K-Kellogg-Jr-Joins-Cubic-As-SVP-Ground-Combat-Programs" type="external">outdated biographies</a> of Mr. Trump’s new cast of experts, and on Tuesday, most of them proved elusive when sought for interviews,” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/us/politics/donald-trump-foreign-policy-advisers.html?_r=1&amp;mtrref=undefined" type="external">reports</a> The Times. Aside from Phares, the other men have yet to actively engage with the public, much less respond to press scrutiny.</p>
<p>The Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/us/politics/donald-trump-foreign-policy-advisers.html?_r=1&amp;mtrref=undefined" type="external">catalogues</a> the elusive advisors:</p>
<p>There was no record of employment for Mr. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who helped run the coalition provisional authority in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. He most recently worked for a defense contractor that had no information on his whereabouts.</p>
<p>Mr. Papadopoulos, a London-based energy analyst who lists <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gpapadopoulos7" type="external">his participation</a> in the 2012 Model United Nations on his résumé, was traveling, and his employer said he was unreachable.</p>
<p>And others could say little about how they were helping Mr. Trump. None have spoken to their new boss.</p>
<p>Mr. Page, a managing partner at Global Energy Capital, who will be advising Mr. Trump on energy policy and Russia, said that he had just been sending policy memos to the Trump campaign and that the details of his role remained unclear. Mr. Page did not comment when asked if he supported Mr. Trump’s views on torture or the moratorium on Muslim immigration.</p>
<p>4. Two of Trump’s advisors played active roles in the Iraq War effort. Trump’s opposition to the Iraq War has been the central talking point of his foreign policy platform thus far.</p>
<p>For months now, Donald Trump has vilified the Bush administration for going to war in Iraq. At one point, he even accused former President George W. Bush of lying to the American public. Now, 40% -- two of five -- of Trump’s foreign policy advisory board members are known to have played an active role in advancing the war effort in Iraq.</p>
<p>“Retired Army Lt. Gen. Joseph 'Keith' Kellogg served as chief operating officer of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, Iraq, from November 2003 through March 2004,” <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/donald-trump-foreign-policy-advisers-221058" type="external">notes</a> Politico. “The authority was the de facto government installed by the U.S. after its March 2003 invasion of Iraq, and its performance is often judged as a failure.”</p>
<p>Additionally, Joseph E. Schmitz served for three and three-and-a-half years as the Bush Defense Department’s inspector general under the Bush Administration. According to <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-joseph-e-schmitz-foreign-policy-pentagon-dod-germany-wrong-doing-439239" type="external">Newsweek</a>, he was “accused of blocking investigations of Bush administration officials tied to Iraq and Afghanistan war contracts" and subsequently <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-joseph-e-schmitz-foreign-policy-pentagon-dod-germany-wrong-doing-439239" type="external">forced out of the Pentagon</a>.</p>
<p>5. One of the advisors called Trump’s bluff on torture.</p>
<p>Throughout the campaign, Trump has repeatedly outlined his plans to reinstate torture. The real estate mogul has even implied that waterboarding is child’s play compared to what he’s willing to do to terrorist suspects. Time and time again, Trump has <a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/03/23/471543396/trump-taps-former-romney-campaign-foreign-policy-adviser-for-team?utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=politics&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_term=nprnews" type="external">touted</a> the fact that he supports forms of torture “a hell of a lot worse” than waterboarding.</p>
<p>But this is all meaningless rhetoric, according to newly appointed Trump advisor Walid Phares. Trump’s bluster is "a reaction to a very complex and difficult and challenging situation," Phares <a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/03/23/471543396/trump-taps-former-romney-campaign-foreign-policy-adviser-for-team?utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=politics&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_term=nprnews" type="external">told</a> NPR. Trump is calling for torture "because we are in a political season," but as president "he's going to be tasking experts to answer that question, and I'm not sure that the experts are going to recommend any form of torture."</p>
<p>Listen to Phares’ interview with NPR’s Morning Edition below:</p> | true | 0 | monday gop frontrunner real estate tycoon donald trump finally revealed muchanticipated list foreign policy advisors meeting washington post editorial board trump also disclosed one moronic policy proposals ever devised us presidential candidate suggesting worlds superpower draw resources nato military alliance formed bulwark russian aggression suffice say opponents smelled stupidity swooped like vultures decaying carcass tedcruz trumps suggestion us pull back nato theres technical term called nuts even democrats joined attack buffoonish idea clinton says trump gets way nato like christmas kremlin httpstconjtcjahkba trumps remarks nato made look weak incompetent judging manhattan socialites newly assembled foreign policy team amateurhour beginning 5 things need know trumps foreign policy team 1 theyre mostly nobodies little relevant experience months eager waiting got list full relative nobodies men trump chose spearhead foreign policy team arent radar reputable national security expert foreign policy think tank several trump cited visit washington posts editorial board complete unknowns notes politico new york times adds donald j trump finally began reveal names foreign policy advisers swing washington week republican foreign policy establishment looked pretty universal reaction heres list five advisors hopped trump train far havent heard guys youre alone walid phares advisors listed little relevant experience matters national security 2 walid phares recognizable face team phares lebanese christian specializing terrorism often found fox news offering analysis islamic extremism former senior fellow conservative foreign policy think tank foundation defense democracies phares advised romney campaign 2012 however phares credentials come fire lately especially since propagating controversial conspiracy theories muslims according politico 2012 phares claimed advisers experts administration engaging partnering muslim brotherhood order influence american foreign policy nevertheless phares frequently asked provide expert analysis global terrorist threats past testified us departments justice defense homeland security well united states congress european parliament united nations security council 3 advisors team deliberately maintaining low profiles many cases even google offered little outdated biographies mr trumps new cast experts tuesday proved elusive sought interviews reports times aside phares men yet actively engage public much less respond press scrutiny times catalogues elusive advisors record employment mr kellogg retired army lieutenant general helped run coalition provisional authority iraq 2003 2004 recently worked defense contractor information whereabouts mr papadopoulos londonbased energy analyst lists participation 2012 model united nations résumé traveling employer said unreachable others could say little helping mr trump none spoken new boss mr page managing partner global energy capital advising mr trump energy policy russia said sending policy memos trump campaign details role remained unclear mr page comment asked supported mr trumps views torture moratorium muslim immigration 4 two trumps advisors played active roles iraq war effort trumps opposition iraq war central talking point foreign policy platform thus far months donald trump vilified bush administration going war iraq one point even accused former president george w bush lying american public 40 two five trumps foreign policy advisory board members known played active role advancing war effort iraq retired army lt gen joseph keith kellogg served chief operating officer coalition provisional authority baghdad iraq november 2003 march 2004 notes politico authority de facto government installed us march 2003 invasion iraq performance often judged failure additionally joseph e schmitz served three threeandahalf years bush defense departments inspector general bush administration according newsweek accused blocking investigations bush administration officials tied iraq afghanistan war contracts subsequently forced pentagon 5 one advisors called trumps bluff torture throughout campaign trump repeatedly outlined plans reinstate torture real estate mogul even implied waterboarding childs play compared hes willing terrorist suspects time time trump touted fact supports forms torture hell lot worse waterboarding meaningless rhetoric according newly appointed trump advisor walid phares trumps bluster reaction complex difficult challenging situation phares told npr trump calling torture political season president hes going tasking experts answer question im sure experts going recommend form torture listen phares interview nprs morning edition | 630 |
<p />
<p>In just over four months in 2017, MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ: MNKD) stock has lost more than half of its value. It seems that nothing can go right for the long-suffering biotech.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Over the weekend, though, MannKind submitted a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that could provide a hint of something big on the way. Is MannKind getting ready to sell?</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>On Friday, April 7, MannKind submitted an 8-K current report filing to the SEC. This filing stated that the company had entered into change of control agreements on April 6 with its top management team. MannKind CEO and CFOMatthew J. Pfeffer; chief commercial officer Michael E. Castagna; corporate vice president and general counsel David Thomson, Ph.D., J.D.; chief medical officer Raymond Urbanski, M.D., Ph.D.; chief technology officer Joseph Kocinsky; senior vice president and principal accounting officer Rose Alinaya; and chief people officer Stuart A. Tross, Ph.D., were named as the executives entering into these agreements.</p>
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<p>Under the change of control agreements, each executive is guaranteed employment for two years following a change of control. In particular, the agreements stipulate that the executives will hold a position with responsibilities similar to what he or she had prior to the change of control, work at the same location as before the change, retain a salary at least equal to his or her previous salary, be eligible for annual performance bonuses, and receive other benefits.</p>
<p>There was also a "golden parachute" provision in the change of control agreements. If an executive is terminated (other than for good cause) or resigns for good reason within two years following a change of control (or prior to, but in anticipation of, the change of control), he or she would be entitled to several benefits, including an 18-month severance, a bonus 1.5 times the size of the average bonus over the previous three years, and health and dental insurance for up to 18 months.</p>
<p>What does all of this mean? For one thing, it means that MannKind's board of directors is thinking about the possibility that the company could be acquired. It also means that it values the current management team enough to make sure they would be protected in the event of a takeover. Both of these things make sense.</p>
<p>The board certainly needs to be actively considering the prospects of selling the company. MannKind has been trying to do everything on its own since Sanofi (NYSE: SNY) threw in the towel on inhaled insulin Afrezza. Even though Sanofi failed in its efforts in marketing Afrezza, another large company with more financial resources could have a better shot at achieving success for Afrezza than MannKind could by itself.</p>
<p>Selling the company could also be in the best interests of MannKind's shareholders. The stock hasn't just lost more than half of its value in 2017 so far. Over the past three years, MannKind's market cap has plunged by 96%. Investors who bought the stock when it first went public and held on have lost 98% of their initial investment. There's virtually no chance to recover these losses, but a sale of the company could help shareholders at least a little.</p>
<p>Someone who hasn't watched MannKind closely might think that a management team that has overseen a stock meltdown like this wouldn't deserve any special favors. However, several of MannKind's executives are relatively new to the company. And while CEO Matthew Pfeffer has been with MannKind since 2008, he didn't become CEO until last year.</p>
<p>More important, MannKind's current executive team seems to have done a pretty good job playing the hand they were dealt. When Sanofi pulled out, no one knew what would happen. Pfeffer not only made several good hires during a very uncertain time, he and his team negotiated a good settlement with Sanofi that brought in much-needed cash. They also kept the stock from being delisted.</p>
<p>In addition, management quickly hired a sales team and began what appears to be a smart marketing campaign for Afrezza. Along the way, MannKind made more progress than Sanofi ever did in securing reimbursement for the inhaled insulin drug from payers. As of February,70% of Americans with commercial health insurance had access to Afrezza with only minimal or no prior authorizations required.</p>
<p>Although the change of control agreements indicate that MannKind's board is thinking about the potential for a sale, it doesn't mean that an acquisition of the company is imminent -- or even likely. Even if MannKind wanted to sell out, there's no guarantee that a buyer could be found.</p>
<p>That being said, it's possible that a larger company could be willing to make a bet that Afrezza and MannKind's technology could be worth significantly more than what MannKind is trading for now. It would be a gamble, but MannKind's market cap has been battered down so much that the risk would be less now than it would have been earlier.</p>
<p>MannKind shareholders shouldn't get their hopes up of any big acquisition just around the corner. However, they should be at least a little reassured that the board is thinking about the possibility.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFFishBiz/info.aspx" type="external">Keith Speights 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;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | four months 2017 mannkind corporation nasdaq mnkd stock lost half value seems nothing go right longsuffering biotech continue reading weekend though mannkind submitted filing securities exchange commission sec could provide hint something big way mannkind getting ready sell image source getty images friday april 7 mannkind submitted 8k current report filing sec filing stated company entered change control agreements april 6 top management team mannkind ceo cfomatthew j pfeffer chief commercial officer michael e castagna corporate vice president general counsel david thomson phd jd chief medical officer raymond urbanski md phd chief technology officer joseph kocinsky senior vice president principal accounting officer rose alinaya chief people officer stuart tross phd named executives entering agreements advertisement change control agreements executive guaranteed employment two years following change control particular agreements stipulate executives hold position responsibilities similar prior change control work location change retain salary least equal previous salary eligible annual performance bonuses receive benefits also golden parachute provision change control agreements executive terminated good cause resigns good reason within two years following change control prior anticipation change control would entitled several benefits including 18month severance bonus 15 times size average bonus previous three years health dental insurance 18 months mean one thing means mannkinds board directors thinking possibility company could acquired also means values current management team enough make sure would protected event takeover things make sense board certainly needs actively considering prospects selling company mannkind trying everything since sanofi nyse sny threw towel inhaled insulin afrezza even though sanofi failed efforts marketing afrezza another large company financial resources could better shot achieving success afrezza mannkind could selling company could also best interests mannkinds shareholders stock hasnt lost half value 2017 far past three years mannkinds market cap plunged 96 investors bought stock first went public held lost 98 initial investment theres virtually chance recover losses sale company could help shareholders least little someone hasnt watched mannkind closely might think management team overseen stock meltdown like wouldnt deserve special favors however several mannkinds executives relatively new company ceo matthew pfeffer mannkind since 2008 didnt become ceo last year important mannkinds current executive team seems done pretty good job playing hand dealt sanofi pulled one knew would happen pfeffer made several good hires uncertain time team negotiated good settlement sanofi brought muchneeded cash also kept stock delisted addition management quickly hired sales team began appears smart marketing campaign afrezza along way mannkind made progress sanofi ever securing reimbursement inhaled insulin drug payers february70 americans commercial health insurance access afrezza minimal prior authorizations required although change control agreements indicate mannkinds board thinking potential sale doesnt mean acquisition company imminent even likely even mannkind wanted sell theres guarantee buyer could found said possible larger company could willing make bet afrezza mannkinds technology could worth significantly mannkind trading would gamble mannkinds market cap battered much risk would less would earlier mannkind shareholders shouldnt get hopes big acquisition around corner however least little reassured board thinking possibility 10 stocks like better mannkind 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 mannkind corporation 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 position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 571 |
<p>If <a href="/topics/hillary-clinton/" type="external">Hillary Clinton</a> has anything to say about it — and she likely will — equal pay for women will be front and center in the general election as Democrats try to widen the gender gap that has frustrated Republican presidential candidates for decades.</p>
<p>Of all the Republican hopefuls, front-runner <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Donald Trump</a> should be the least vulnerable on equal pay — he doesn’t have a record of opposing the Paycheck Fairness Act or other legislative remedies. He has voiced support for equal pay. He has claimed that more of his business’ top executives are women than men, with many making more than their male counterparts.</p>
<p>Yet <a href="/topics/hillary-clinton/" type="external">Mrs. Clinton</a>, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, can use the pay issue to tap into the popular narrative that <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> is sexist and mistreats women, analysts say.</p>
<p><a href="/news/2016/mar/29/corey-lewandowski-charged-battery/" type="external">SEE ALSO: Donald Trump’s campaign manager charged with battery</a></p>
<p>“It’s an economic extension of the many problems that <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> will have with women voters,” said Democratic campaign strategist Craig Varoga, who worked on President <a href="/topics/hillary-clinton/" type="external">Clinton</a>’s 1996 re-election team.</p>
<p>He called equal pay a legitimate issue that he would expect <a href="/topics/hillary-clinton/" type="external">Mrs. Clinton</a> to raise to underscore questions about <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a>’s attitude toward women in general.</p>
<p>“He clearly has problems treating women respectfully, and it is something that we should talk about and it will be interesting to see the way he handles it,” said Mr. Varoga.</p>
<p><a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a>’s standing with women took another blow Tuesday when his campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was charged with simple battery against a female reporter this month at a Florida press conference.</p>
<p>The misdemeanor charge stems from a March 8 incident at a press conference at a <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> golf course in Jupiter. Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields said Mr. Lewandoski grabbed her by the arm during a scrum and threw her toward the ground.</p>
<p>“He will enter a plea of not guilty and looks forward to his day in court. He is completely confident that he will be exonerated,” <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in a statement.</p>
<p><a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> has received high unfavorable ratings among women. A recent Fox News national poll showed 67 percent of women had negative views of <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> compared with 30 percent who had favorable views.</p>
<p>For rival Ted Cruz, 54 percent of women had negative views and 33 percent had positive views.</p>
<p><a href="/topics/hillary-clinton/" type="external">Mrs. Clinton</a> did not do that much better, with negative ratings among 51 percent of female voters and positive views from 46 percent.</p>
<p><a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> has used his record hiring, promoting and paying high wages to women to deflect sexism charges, which stem mostly from derogatory remarks aimed at his female foes, such as calling comic Rosie O’Donnell a “fat pig” and disparaging the face of Carly Fiorina, a former rival for the Republican nomination.</p>
<p>“Women are just going to have to see what I’ve done. I’ve hired tremendous numbers of women,” <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> said in an interview Monday with Charlie Sykes on WTMJ-AM radio in Wisconsin. “Women are in highest executive positions. I pay women in many cases more than I pay men, which is more than most people can say.”</p>
<p>The real estate tycoon also credited himself with being a leader in breaking the “glass ceiling” for women in the construction industry.</p>
<p><a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> said many of his nasty remarks about women were in the context of his role as an entertainer, schtick he did in interviews with such hosts as shock jock Howard Stern.</p>
<p>But he also said some of the women deserved it.</p>
<p>“I’m not a fan of Rosie O’Donnell. She isn’t a fan of mine. You go back and forth. I don’t think there should be a double standard if someone is a woman,” he said on the talk radio show. “But I can tell you this, Charlie, I have been better to women than any of these candidates.”</p>
<p><a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a>’s “woman problem” has been a chief argument from Republican leaders who are trying to block the front-runner from clinching the nomination.</p>
<p>But Jennifer L. Lawless, director emerita of the Women &amp; Politics Institute at American University’s School of Public Affairs, said she wouldn’t expect <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> to do better with female voters than Mr. Cruz, who has become the Republican Party’s last anti-establishment alternative to <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a>.</p>
<p>“My guess is that the gender gap will look pretty much the same regardless of whether the Republican nominee is <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> or Cruz,” said Ms. Lawless. “They are both going to lose female voters by a sizable margin. We can make guesses about who is going to do worse, but I think there is going to be a pretty substantial gender gap regardless of whether <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> or Cruz is the nominee.”</p>
<p>She noted that the gender gap has been a problem for Republican presidential candidates dating back to the 1980 election, with women reliably breaking in favor of Democratic candidates and men for Republicans.</p>
<p>Women have turned out at higher rates than men in every election since 1996, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.</p>
<p>Still, Ms. Lawless said, <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a>’s sexist and derogatory remarks about women have not helped his cause.</p>
<p>“ <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> is bringing this upon himself,” she said. “You go out there and you say things that are overtly sexist, what do you expect? There is going to be backlash, and there is going to be all this attention regarding whether he actually respects women and whether he will have a problem with that.”</p>
<p><a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Mr. Trump</a> again hit a nerve with women when he tweeted an unflattering photograph of Mr. Cruz’s wife, Heidi. He said it was in retaliation to a provocative photograph of his supermodel wife, Melania, used by an anti- <a href="/topics/donald-trump/" type="external">Trump</a> super PAC in an attack ad in Utah.</p>
<p>On the stump, <a href="/topics/hillary-clinton/" type="external">Mrs. Clinton</a> presents herself as the women’s candidate.</p>
<p>The U.S. Census Bureau reports that women earn 79 percent of what men make, and <a href="/topics/hillary-clinton/" type="external">Mrs. Clinton</a> regularly vows to fight for legislation to address the income gap. Her rallying cry is always an applause line at campaign events.</p>
<p>Despite debate about reasons for the pay gap — such as men choosing higher-paying career paths and women working fewer hours and years on average — the mention of the issue and the 79 percent figure are enough to give many women pause.</p>
<p>Stances taken by Mr. Cruz and fellow presidential hopeful John Kasich are not likely to reassure female voters that Republicans are on their side.</p>
<p>Mr. Cruz has a record opposing the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would punish employers that retaliate against workers who share wage information and make it easier to sue for wage discrimination.</p>
<p>Democrats have introduced the legislation regularly since 1997 but have not succeeded in passing it through both chambers of Congress.</p>
<p>Mr. Cruz has said wage discrimination has been the law for decades and that the Paycheck Fairness Act would be a “trial lawyers’ bonanza.”</p>
<p>Mr. Kasich has been criticized for the high wage gap in his state, where U.S. Census Bureau data show women earn 78 cents to every dollar that men make. In Mr. Kasich’s governor’s office, female workers earn nearly $9.82 an hour less than men, according to an Associated Press analysis in 2014.</p>
<p>Mr. Kasich has said that paid family leave, another Democratic priority, is one of the reasons women don’t make as much money as men over their career spans.</p>
<p>Copyright © 2018 The Washington Times, LLC. <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/xGjXcUKYsKxMeCUl1" type="external">Click here for reprint permission</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 0 | hillary clinton anything say likely equal pay women front center general election democrats try widen gender gap frustrated republican presidential candidates decades republican hopefuls frontrunner donald trump least vulnerable equal pay doesnt record opposing paycheck fairness act legislative remedies voiced support equal pay claimed business top executives women men many making male counterparts yet mrs clinton frontrunner democratic nomination use pay issue tap popular narrative mr trump sexist mistreats women analysts say see also donald trumps campaign manager charged battery economic extension many problems trump women voters said democratic campaign strategist craig varoga worked president clintons 1996 reelection team called equal pay legitimate issue would expect mrs clinton raise underscore questions mr trumps attitude toward women general clearly problems treating women respectfully something talk interesting see way handles said mr varoga mr trumps standing women took another blow tuesday campaign manager corey lewandowski charged simple battery female reporter month florida press conference misdemeanor charge stems march 8 incident press conference trump golf course jupiter breitbart reporter michelle fields said mr lewandoski grabbed arm scrum threw toward ground enter plea guilty looks forward day court completely confident exonerated trump campaign spokeswoman hope hicks said statement mr trump received high unfavorable ratings among women recent fox news national poll showed 67 percent women negative views mr trump compared 30 percent favorable views rival ted cruz 54 percent women negative views 33 percent positive views mrs clinton much better negative ratings among 51 percent female voters positive views 46 percent mr trump used record hiring promoting paying high wages women deflect sexism charges stem mostly derogatory remarks aimed female foes calling comic rosie odonnell fat pig disparaging face carly fiorina former rival republican nomination women going see ive done ive hired tremendous numbers women mr trump said interview monday charlie sykes wtmjam radio wisconsin women highest executive positions pay women many cases pay men people say real estate tycoon also credited leader breaking glass ceiling women construction industry mr trump said many nasty remarks women context role entertainer schtick interviews hosts shock jock howard stern also said women deserved im fan rosie odonnell isnt fan mine go back forth dont think double standard someone woman said talk radio show tell charlie better women candidates mr trumps woman problem chief argument republican leaders trying block frontrunner clinching nomination jennifer l lawless director emerita women amp politics institute american universitys school public affairs said wouldnt expect mr trump better female voters mr cruz become republican partys last antiestablishment alternative mr trump guess gender gap look pretty much regardless whether republican nominee trump cruz said ms lawless going lose female voters sizable margin make guesses going worse think going pretty substantial gender gap regardless whether trump cruz nominee noted gender gap problem republican presidential candidates dating back 1980 election women reliably breaking favor democratic candidates men republicans women turned higher rates men every election since 1996 according us census bureau still ms lawless said mr trumps sexist derogatory remarks women helped cause trump bringing upon said go say things overtly sexist expect going backlash going attention regarding whether actually respects women whether problem mr trump hit nerve women tweeted unflattering photograph mr cruzs wife heidi said retaliation provocative photograph supermodel wife melania used anti trump super pac attack ad utah stump mrs clinton presents womens candidate us census bureau reports women earn 79 percent men make mrs clinton regularly vows fight legislation address income gap rallying cry always applause line campaign events despite debate reasons pay gap men choosing higherpaying career paths women working fewer hours years average mention issue 79 percent figure enough give many women pause stances taken mr cruz fellow presidential hopeful john kasich likely reassure female voters republicans side mr cruz record opposing paycheck fairness act would punish employers retaliate workers share wage information make easier sue wage discrimination democrats introduced legislation regularly since 1997 succeeded passing chambers congress mr cruz said wage discrimination law decades paycheck fairness act would trial lawyers bonanza mr kasich criticized high wage gap state us census bureau data show women earn 78 cents every dollar men make mr kasichs governors office female workers earn nearly 982 hour less men according associated press analysis 2014 mr kasich said paid family leave another democratic priority one reasons women dont make much money men career spans copyright 2018 washington times llc click reprint permission 160 | 726 |
<p>If the audience at CPAC wanted fireworks, Donald Trump certainly delivered on Friday, giving a truly Trumpian speech in which he celebrated his electoral victory despite the pundits, pollsters and political class giving him no chance, announced that the CPAC faithful "finally" have a real president, and launched into a lengthy, fiery rant on the "fake news media," whom he declared again to be the "enemy of the people." The crowd loved every second of it.</p>
<p>Early in his remarks, Trump cited his "first major political speech," which occurred right there at CPAC a few years before. "I loved it. I loved the people. I loved the commotion," he said. "And then they did these polls where I went through the roof and I wasn't even running, right?"</p>
<p>It was that response, he said, that planted the idea for his presidential run in 2016.</p>
<p>"But it gave me an idea. And I got a little bit concerned when I saw what was happening in the country. And I said, 'Let's go to it,'" he said. "So, it was very exciting. I walked the stage on CPAC. I'll never forget it, really. I had very little notes and even less preparation. So when you have practically no notes and no preparation and then you leave and everybody was thrilled, I said, 'I think I like this business.'"</p>
<p>The newly inaugurated president then said that he would've come last year to CPAC, "but I was worried that I would be, at that time, too controversial." He continued, amid enthusiastic applause, "We wanted border security. We wanted very, very strong military. We wanted all of the things that we're going to get and people consider that controversial, but you didn't consider it controversial... All of these years we've been together. And now you finally have a president, finally. Took you a long time."</p>
<p>As much as Trump enjoyed rubbing his victory in the faces of the doubters, he was clearly really revved up about addressing his favorite topic: the "dishonest media," which he spent a significant amount of time whipping, hard.</p>
<p>"A few days ago I called the fake news the enemy of the people," he said. "And they are. They are the enemy of the people."</p>
<p>The fake news media is so dishonest, he suggested, that they even have falsely reported his comments about them being the enemy. The enemy, he stressed, is the "fake news media or press. Fake, fake."</p>
<p>They're very dishonest people. In fact, in covering my comments, the dishonest media did not explain that I called the fake news the enemy of the people. The fake news. They dropped off the word "fake." And all of a sudden the story became the media is the enemy. They take the word "fake" out. And now I'm saying, "Oh no, this is no good." But that's the way they are.</p>
<p>So I'm not against the media, I'm not against the press. I don't mind bad stories if I deserve them. And I tell ya, I love good stories, but we don't go ... [laughter] ... I don't get too many of them. But I am only against the fake news media or press. Fake, fake. They have to leave that word. I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources.</p>
<p>He went on to say that the press "shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out," adding later, "You will see stories dry up like you've never seen before."</p>
<p>One of the ways the press, particularly the "Clinton News Network," manipulates people, said the president, is their reliance on fake polls:</p>
<p>Take a look at polls over the last two years. Now you'd think they would fire the pollster, right? After years and years of getting battered, but I -- who knows, maybe they are just bad at polling or maybe they're not legit, but it's one or the other, look at how inaccurate -- look at CBS, look at ABC, also, look at NBC, take a look at some of these polls. They're so bad, so inaccurate and what that does is it creates a false narrative. It creates like this narrative that is just like we're not going to win, people say, I love Trump, but you know, I'm not feeling great today, he can't win, so I won't go and vote. I won't go and vote. It creates a whole false deal. And we have to fight it, folks, we have to fight it. They're very smart, they're very cunning and they're very dishonest.</p>
<p>Though the establishment media is trying to portray his war with them as a threat to the First Amendment, he said, he was simply exercising his First Amendment rights.</p>
<p>"[T]he First Amendment gives all of us -- it gives it to me, it gives it to you, it gives it to all Americans, the right to speak our minds freely," he said. "It gives you the right and me the right to criticize fake news and criticize it strongly."</p>
<p>After taking the establishment media to the woodshed, Trump finally got to the discussion of his policies, including his protectionist economic policies, hardline immigration stance, and plans to ramp up energy production.</p>
<p><a href="http://time.com/4682023/cpac-donald-trump-speech-transcript/" type="external">Read the full transcript of his CPAC speech here</a>.</p>
<p>Full transcript of Trump's media rant below (via Time):</p>
<p>TRUMP: And I want you all to know that we are fighting the fake news. It's fake, phony, fake.</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>A few days ago I called the fake news the enemy of the people. And they are. They are the enemy of the people.</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>Because they have no sources, they just make 'em up when there are none. I saw one story recently where they said, "Nine people have confirmed." There're no nine people. I don't believe there was one or two people. Nine people.</p>
<p>And I said, "Give me a break." Because I know the people, I know who they talk to. There were no nine people.</p>
<p>But they say "nine people." And somebody reads it and they think, "Oh, nine people. They have nine sources." They make up sources.</p>
<p>They're very dishonest people. In fact, in covering my comments, the dishonest media did not explain that I called the fake news the enemy of the people. The fake news. They dropped off the word "fake." And all of a sudden the story became the media is the enemy.</p>
<p>They take the word "fake" out. And now I'm saying, "Oh no, this is no good." But that's the way they are.</p>
<p>So I'm not against the media, I'm not against the press. I don't mind bad stories if I deserve them.</p>
<p>And I tell ya, I love good stories, but we don't go...</p>
<p>(LAUGHTER)</p>
<p>I don't get too many of them.</p>
<p>But I am only against the fake news, media or press. Fake, fake. They have to leave that word.</p>
<p>I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources.</p>
<p>They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out.</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>"A source says that Donald Trump is a horrible, horrible human being." Let 'em say it to my face.</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>Let there be no more sources.</p>
<p>And remember this -- and in not -- in all cases. I mean, I had a story written yesterday about me in Reuters by a very honorable man. It was a very fair story.</p>
<p>There are some great reporters around. They're talented, they're honest as the day is long. They're great.</p>
<p>But there are some terrible dishonest people and they do a tremendous disservice to our country and to our people. A tremendous disservice. They are very dishonest people.</p>
<p>And they shouldn't use sources. They should put the name of the person. You will see stories dry up like you've never seen before.</p>
<p>So you have no idea how bad it is, because if you are not part of the story -- and I put myself in your position sometimes. Because many of you, you're not part of the story. And if you're not part of the story, you know, then you, sort of, know -- if you are part of the story, you know what they're saying is true or not.</p>
<p>TRUMP: So when they make it up -- and they make up something else, and you saw that before the election: polls, polls. The polls. They come out with these polls and everybody was so surprised.</p>
<p>Actually, a couple polls got it right. I must say Los Angeles Times did a great job, shocking because, you know, they did a great job.</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>And we had a couple of others that were right, but generally speaking, I mean, can tell you the network, somebody said a poll came out. And I say, what network is it? And they'll say, a certain -- let's not even mention names, right? Shall we?</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>Well, you have a lot of them. Look, the Clinton News Network is one.</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>Totally. Take a look. Honestly. Take a look, honestly. Take a look at polls over the last two years. Now you'd think they would fire the pollster, right? After years and years of getting battered, but I -- who knows, maybe they are just bad at polling or maybe they're not legit, but it's one or the other, look at how inaccurate -- look at CBS, look at ABC, also, look at NBC, take a look at some of these polls. They're so bad, so inaccurate and what that does is it creates a false narrative.</p>
<p>It creates like this narrative that is just like we're not going to win, people say, I love Trump, but you know, I'm not feeling great today, he can't win, so I won't go and vote. I won't go and vote. It creates a whole false deal. And we have to fight it, folks, we have to fight it. They're very smart, they're very cunning and they're very dishonest.</p>
<p>So just to conclude, I mean, it's a very sensitive topic and they get upset when we expose their false stories. They say that we can't criticize their dishonest coverage because of the First Amendment, you know, they always bring up the First Amendment.</p>
<p>(LAUGHTER)</p>
<p>And I love the First Amendment; nobody loves it better than me. Nobody.</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>I mean, who use its more than I do? But the First Amendment gives all of us -- it gives it to me, it gives it to you, it gives it to all Americans, the right to speak our minds freely. It gives you the right and me the right to criticize fake news and criticize it strongly.</p>
<p>(APPLAUSE)</p>
<p>And many of these groups are part the large media corporations that have their own agenda and it's not your agenda and it's not the country's agenda, it's their own agenda. They have a professional obligation as members of the press to report honestly. But as you saw throughout the entire campaign, and even now, the fake news doesn't tell the truth. Doesn't tell the truth.</p>
<p>So just in finishing, I say it doesn't represent the people, it doesn't tell the never will represent the people, and we're going to do something about it because we have to go out and have to speak our minds and we have to be honest.</p> | true | 0 | audience cpac wanted fireworks donald trump certainly delivered friday giving truly trumpian speech celebrated electoral victory despite pundits pollsters political class giving chance announced cpac faithful finally real president launched lengthy fiery rant fake news media declared enemy people crowd loved every second early remarks trump cited first major political speech occurred right cpac years loved loved people loved commotion said polls went roof wasnt even running right response said planted idea presidential run 2016 gave idea got little bit concerned saw happening country said lets go said exciting walked stage cpac ill never forget really little notes even less preparation practically notes preparation leave everybody thrilled said think like business newly inaugurated president said wouldve come last year cpac worried would time controversial continued amid enthusiastic applause wanted border security wanted strong military wanted things going get people consider controversial didnt consider controversial years weve together finally president finally took long time much trump enjoyed rubbing victory faces doubters clearly really revved addressing favorite topic dishonest media spent significant amount time whipping hard days ago called fake news enemy people said enemy people fake news media dishonest suggested even falsely reported comments enemy enemy stressed fake news media press fake fake theyre dishonest people fact covering comments dishonest media explain called fake news enemy people fake news dropped word fake sudden story became media enemy take word fake im saying oh good thats way im media im press dont mind bad stories deserve tell ya love good stories dont go laughter dont get many fake news media press fake fake leave word im people make stories make sources went say press shouldnt allowed use sources unless use somebodys name let name put let name put adding later see stories dry like youve never seen one ways press particularly clinton news network manipulates people said president reliance fake polls take look polls last two years youd think would fire pollster right years years getting battered knows maybe bad polling maybe theyre legit one look inaccurate look cbs look abc also look nbc take look polls theyre bad inaccurate creates false narrative creates like narrative like going win people say love trump know im feeling great today cant win wont go vote wont go vote creates whole false deal fight folks fight theyre smart theyre cunning theyre dishonest though establishment media trying portray war threat first amendment said simply exercising first amendment rights first amendment gives us gives gives gives americans right speak minds freely said gives right right criticize fake news criticize strongly taking establishment media woodshed trump finally got discussion policies including protectionist economic policies hardline immigration stance plans ramp energy production read full transcript cpac speech full transcript trumps media rant via time trump want know fighting fake news fake phony fake applause days ago called fake news enemy people enemy people applause sources make em none saw one story recently said nine people confirmed therere nine people dont believe one two people nine people said give break know people know talk nine people say nine people somebody reads think oh nine people nine sources make sources theyre dishonest people fact covering comments dishonest media explain called fake news enemy people fake news dropped word fake sudden story became media enemy take word fake im saying oh good thats way im media im press dont mind bad stories deserve tell ya love good stories dont go laughter dont get many fake news media press fake fake leave word im people make stories make sources shouldnt allowed use sources unless use somebodys name let name put let name put applause source says donald trump horrible horrible human let em say face applause let sources remember cases mean story written yesterday reuters honorable man fair story great reporters around theyre talented theyre honest day long theyre great terrible dishonest people tremendous disservice country people tremendous disservice dishonest people shouldnt use sources put name person see stories dry like youve never seen idea bad part story put position sometimes many youre part story youre part story know sort know part story know theyre saying true trump make make something else saw election polls polls polls come polls everybody surprised actually couple polls got right must say los angeles times great job shocking know great job applause couple others right generally speaking mean tell network somebody said poll came say network theyll say certain lets even mention names right shall applause well lot look clinton news network one applause totally take look honestly take look honestly take look polls last two years youd think would fire pollster right years years getting battered knows maybe bad polling maybe theyre legit one look inaccurate look cbs look abc also look nbc take look polls theyre bad inaccurate creates false narrative creates like narrative like going win people say love trump know im feeling great today cant win wont go vote wont go vote creates whole false deal fight folks fight theyre smart theyre cunning theyre dishonest conclude mean sensitive topic get upset expose false stories say cant criticize dishonest coverage first amendment know always bring first amendment laughter love first amendment nobody loves better nobody applause mean use first amendment gives us gives gives gives americans right speak minds freely gives right right criticize fake news criticize strongly applause many groups part large media corporations agenda agenda countrys agenda agenda professional obligation members press report honestly saw throughout entire campaign even fake news doesnt tell truth doesnt tell truth finishing say doesnt represent people doesnt tell never represent people going something go speak minds honest | 931 |
<p />
<p>Image source: Nintendo.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Nintendo (NASDAQOTH: NTDOY) stock has exploded in 2016, more than doubling by July and up 80% as of Sept. 12, thanks to the performance of its breakoutPokemon Goand the recent announcement ofSuper Mario Runfor iOS. The push into mobile is exciting and has triggered a reappraisal of the value of the company's properties, but console and handheld hardware and software remain the core part of its business, accounting for more than half of revenue in the past fiscal year.</p>
<p>The company's mysterious upcoming platform, dubbed "NX" for the time being, represents a chance to recapture a larger segment of the gaming hardware market and create a healthy ecosystem for the company's non-mobile software. But Nintendo is facing an uphill battle in this endeavor, and counting on success in the company's traditional sphere is a risky proposition.How much faith should investors put in Nintendo's ability to compete with Sony(NYSE: SNE)andMicrosoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)and counteract the negative effects that mobile gaming has had on its handheld business?</p>
<p>The NX is expected to be unveiled in October and is on track for a 2017 release. Comments from Nintendo management indicate that its next hardware move is to create a unified platform that combines elements of the handheld and home console. Reports from TheWall Street Journal and Engadgetsuggest that the new hardware will double as both a portable device and a home console, and rumors that the device will support cartridges rather than optical discs seem to point in this direction.</p>
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<p>Creating a console-handheld hybrid would enable Nintendo to concentrate its development resources rather than having to support disparate hardware. Nintendo's description of NX as a platform rather than a console might also point to iterative hardware updates that fall under the same ecosystem, a shift that would be in line with recent moves from Sony and Microsoft to release upgraded versions of their respective consoles that run the same software.</p>
<p>The 3DS and, to a much greater extent, the Wii U were hurt by having long windows between major software releases, as both systems relied on Nintendo for their biggest games. The move to a unified platform should lessen the time between major Nintendo releases and mitigate software droughts because it will allow the company to focus its resources instead of needing to develop different games to support a home console and a handheld, but the NX will have limited prospects if it can't attract strong third-party support. Publishers including Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI)andElectronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA)canceled major support for the Wii U early in the system's lifecycle and saw diminishing returns from releasing software on the 3DS handheld, as mobile gaming ate into the popularity of dedicated handhelds.</p>
<p>Nintendo's software output has been stronger than Microsoft's and Sony's in recent years, and it's reasonable to expect that this will continue to be the case. But the company's games have tended to attract a different audience from those of its console competitors, and that audience has not been very receptive to non-Nintendo games. For example, early reporting of Activision's 2013 releaseCall of Duty: Ghostsshowed that the Wii U version accounted for just 0.33% of the game's sales, and EA stopped releasing games for the system less than a year after the system's release. Even with a massive installed base on the Wii, third parties often saw anemic sales on the console.</p>
<p>Some of the poor receptivity for third-party titles can be attributed to better versions being available on rival platforms. This often stemmed from Nintendo consoles having weaker hardware, and there's a danger that similar scenarios will play out with the NX. Both the Wii and the Wii U were relatively under-powered compared to their generational competition, which meant that games looked and performed better on other platforms and that developers were unable to easily transfer engines or assets to them.If Nintendo's upcoming NX platform really does double as a portable and home console, it's probable that the system will fall short of the graphical capabilities of Sony's and Microsoft's consoles, and that technical constraints will put off developers.</p>
<p>Nintendo will also need to more fully embrace online play if the NX is to be a hit in the current climate. Some progress on this front is to be expected, but the company's quiet track record in the online sphere makes it difficult to anticipate the type of huge jump that might be needed.</p>
<p>For well over a decade, Nintendo's consoles have had less robust online support than the competition, and they have more recently required a relatively cumbersome process to add players to online friends lists and lacked features including cross-game voice chat. With the Wii U, the company's decision not to emphasize online play as a major selling point and frequently bare-bones functionality in its own games contributed to an ecosystem that had relatively low online engagement, a condition which EA Chief Competition Officer Peter Moore pointed to as a contributing factor in his company's decision to abandon the system. Online play can be a big factor in driving revenue after the initial sale of a game, and unless Nintendo can establish the NX as a thriving platform for connected play, third parties are likely to be discouraged.</p>
<p>Hardware sales accounted for more than half of Nintendo's revenue in the past fiscal year, and controlling its own platform probably gives the company better margins on its software than mobile releases will, as well as licensing fees from third-party publishers. Initiatives including mobile development, the upcomingPokemonfilm produced through a partnership with Legendary Pictures, and the incorporation of Nintendo characters at Comcast's Universal parks have big potential, but the recent excitement reflected in the company's valuation boom won't hold up if Nintendo hardware continues on its current trajectory.</p>
<p>Sales of the company's Wii U console sit at roughly 13 million units -- down from over 101 million units for its predecessor, the Wii. The company's 3DS handheld has sold roughly 60 million units worldwide -- down from roughly 154 million units for the DS handheld that released in 2005.For now, there's good reason to be skeptical about Nintendo's ability to deliver a turnaround hit with the NX.</p>
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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> | true | 0 | image source nintendo continue reading nintendo nasdaqoth ntdoy stock exploded 2016 doubling july 80 sept 12 thanks performance breakoutpokemon goand recent announcement ofsuper mario runfor ios push mobile exciting triggered reappraisal value companys properties console handheld hardware software remain core part business accounting half revenue past fiscal year companys mysterious upcoming platform dubbed nx time represents chance recapture larger segment gaming hardware market create healthy ecosystem companys nonmobile software nintendo facing uphill battle endeavor counting success companys traditional sphere risky propositionhow much faith investors put nintendos ability compete sonynyse sneandmicrosoft nasdaq msftand counteract negative effects mobile gaming handheld business nx expected unveiled october track 2017 release comments nintendo management indicate next hardware move create unified platform combines elements handheld home console reports thewall street journal engadgetsuggest new hardware double portable device home console rumors device support cartridges rather optical discs seem point direction advertisement creating consolehandheld hybrid would enable nintendo concentrate development resources rather support disparate hardware nintendos description nx platform rather console might also point iterative hardware updates fall ecosystem shift would line recent moves sony microsoft release upgraded versions respective consoles run software 3ds much greater extent wii u hurt long windows major software releases systems relied nintendo biggest games move unified platform lessen time major nintendo releases mitigate software droughts allow company focus resources instead needing develop different games support home console handheld nx limited prospects cant attract strong thirdparty support publishers including activision blizzard nasdaq atviandelectronic arts nasdaq eacanceled major support wii u early systems lifecycle saw diminishing returns releasing software 3ds handheld mobile gaming ate popularity dedicated handhelds nintendos software output stronger microsofts sonys recent years reasonable expect continue case companys games tended attract different audience console competitors audience receptive nonnintendo games example early reporting activisions 2013 releasecall duty ghostsshowed wii u version accounted 033 games sales ea stopped releasing games system less year systems release even massive installed base wii third parties often saw anemic sales console poor receptivity thirdparty titles attributed better versions available rival platforms often stemmed nintendo consoles weaker hardware theres danger similar scenarios play nx wii wii u relatively underpowered compared generational competition meant games looked performed better platforms developers unable easily transfer engines assets themif nintendos upcoming nx platform really double portable home console probable system fall short graphical capabilities sonys microsofts consoles technical constraints put developers nintendo also need fully embrace online play nx hit current climate progress front expected companys quiet track record online sphere makes difficult anticipate type huge jump might needed well decade nintendos consoles less robust online support competition recently required relatively cumbersome process add players online friends lists lacked features including crossgame voice chat wii u companys decision emphasize online play major selling point frequently barebones functionality games contributed ecosystem relatively low online engagement condition ea chief competition officer peter moore pointed contributing factor companys decision abandon system online play big factor driving revenue initial sale game unless nintendo establish nx thriving platform connected play third parties likely discouraged hardware sales accounted half nintendos revenue past fiscal year controlling platform probably gives company better margins software mobile releases well licensing fees thirdparty publishers initiatives including mobile development upcomingpokemonfilm produced partnership legendary pictures incorporation nintendo characters comcasts universal parks big potential recent excitement reflected companys valuation boom wont hold nintendo hardware continues current trajectory sales companys wii u console sit roughly 13 million units 101 million units predecessor wii companys 3ds handheld sold roughly 60 million units worldwide roughly 154 million units ds handheld released 2005for theres good reason skeptical nintendos ability deliver turnaround hit nx secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat 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<p>Stay tuned for live updates of results from Super Tuesday as they pour in.</p>
<p>2:45 AM - MEDIA SHIELDING CLINTON - Asking Cruz and Rubio - fairly - if they were too slow to pull the trigger on their more strident criticisms of Trump, virtually the entire media refuses to inquire about Sanders's cowardly supplication before the Clinton Family Business and unwillingness to criticize his opponent. Sanders is refusing to pursue:</p>
<p>A. The Clintons' money-laundering operation known as the Clinton Foundation and the associated selling of American political influence;</p>
<p>B. The charging of hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees at publicly-funded universities and colleges;</p>
<p>C. The abandonment of Americans in peril on September 11, 2012 in order to avoid a risky operation during a presidential election season in which Obama had constructed a faux narrative of being tough on terrorism following the liquidation of Osama bin Laden;</p>
<p>D. Clinton's illegal use of a private email server through which to execute electronic correspondences in her former capacity as Secretary of State;</p>
<p>E. Clinton's securing of the role of Secretary of State as an extension of her failed presidential campaign of 2008;</p>
<p>F. The Clintons' corrupt ownership of the Democratic Party's apparatus: the DNC, superdelegates, and satellites such as Planned Parenthood, Emily's List, the NAACP, Media Matters For America, The New York Times, etc;</p>
<p>G. Allegations of Bill Clinton's commission of rape and sexual assault and Hillary Clinton's facilitation of the alleged crimes.</p>
<p>The usual suspects in the media won't press Sanders on his acquiescence to the Clinton Machine, pretending instead that his faux campaign amounts to something beyond kabuki theater.</p>
<p>2:20 AM - GOOD HUMOR ON TWITTER - Twitter isn't all <a href="" type="internal">anti-Semites</a>.</p>
<p>You wanna turn up the volume on this one. <a href="https://t.co/GholQYoxid" type="external">https://t.co/GholQYoxid</a></p>
<p><a href="https://t.co/5EvlCtVXlV" type="external">https://t.co/5EvlCtVXlV</a></p>
<p>Just wasted an hour making my first Vine video. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Christie?src=hash" type="external">#Christie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gobbluth?src=hash" type="external">#gobbluth</a> <a href="https://t.co/qXDwumd4Cj" type="external">pic.twitter.com/qXDwumd4Cj</a></p>
<p>2:10 AM - TIGHT RACE BETWEEN TRUMP AND CRUZ IN ALASKA - Results forthcoming, record-breaking turnout being reported by CNN.</p>
<p>2:00 AM - FOX USING 5-YEAR-OLD PHOTO OF KASICH - Kasich also hasn't won a state. He is, however, building name-recognition via exploitation of the presidential election process for his next gubernatorial run in Ohio.</p>
<p />
<p>.</p>
<p>1:50 AM - CLINTON OPPOSES DIVISION - Without any sense of irony, Clinton says Republicans are "trying to divide America between us and them." This is the same woman who is running a hate-driven, angry, covetous, anti-American campaign built on racial/ethnic/class agitation. This is the same woman pitting women against men, grouping together homosexuals and transgender persons as if they have anything in common, and threatening business with punishment if they don't comply with her demands.</p>
<p>She reads from a teleprompter and has racially and ethnically-selected supporters behind her stage-managed like a studio audience for daytime TV shows.</p>
<p>1:40 AM - TAPPER: GOP TURNOUT ECLIPSED DEMOCRATS - "If Democrats are not careful, they are going to lose the presidential election," notes Tapper after observing the far greater total Republican turnout. Bash sees the same phenomenon</p>
<p>1:32 AM - STATUS UPDATE - Trump won Georgia, Alabama, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, and Vermont. Cruz won Texas and Oklahoma. Rubio won Minnesota.</p>
<p>Clinton won Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Sanders won Vermont, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Minnesota.</p>
<p>1:05 AM - TAPPER SUMS UP CRUZ AND RUBIO SPIN - Tapper puts out a funny tweet encapsulating the spin of both Cruz and Rubio with respect to Trump's dominance.</p>
<p>They have him RIGHT WHERE THEY WANT HIM!</p>
<p>12:45 AM - INTERESTING EXIT POLL ON DEPORTATION OF ILLEGAL ALIENS - In addition to actually using the term "illegal immigrants," which has mostly been excised in favor of the left-wing term "undocumented immigrants," CNN shares some interesting data.</p>
<p>One wonders if respondents favoring deportation of illegal aliens over legalization of their continuing presence in the country adjusted their answers due to fears of being ostracized via "political correctness."</p>
<p>Of all the states within which CNN conducted exit polls on this question, only Alabama saw a majority of respondent openly expressing a preference for deportation of illegal aliens rather than a legalization of their continuing presence in the country.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p>12:20 AM - TRUMP TAKES VERMONT - The blue state with a socialist senator was closely contested by Trump (33%) and Kasich (31%), with Rubio (19%) and Cruz (10%) coming in third and fourth, respectively. The Green Mountain State's <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/VT-R" type="external">16 delegates</a> are distributed via a winner-take-most system.</p>
<p />
<p>12:15 AM - GOP DELEGATE COUNTS THUS FAR - Fox News gives a graphic depicting the positions, thus far.</p>
<p>TRUMP - 246 delegates</p>
<p>CRUZ - 102 delegates</p>
<p>RUBIO - 70 delegates</p>
<p>KASICH - 18 delegates</p>
<p>CARSON - 8 delegates</p>
<p />
<p>12:10 AM - FAILING UPWARD IN THE MEDIA - David Chalian, who was terminated by Yahoo News in 2012 after saying that Republican party officials were glad to party while blacks were drowning in Louisiana in Hurricane Isaac, is now CNN's Political Director.</p>
<p />
<p>12:00 AM - RESULTS FOR ALASKA FORTHCOMING</p>
<p>11:55 PM - CNN HYPES SANDERS - Portraying the Democratic contest as more than kabuki theater, CNN hypes Sanders's chances of securing his party's nomination as if the Vermont socialist's campaign isn't a black hole consuming the energies and monies of naive leftists.</p>
<p>11:40 PM - CRUZ NOT-SO-SUBTLY CALLING FOR RUBIO TO DROP OUT - Speaking with CNN, Cruz presents the evening as a victory for his campaign. Against framing himself as the only candidate who can defeat Trump, Cruz appeals to other candidates to put country before ambition... and offer their supporters to him.</p>
<p>Prophesying doom in the event of a GOP Trump nomination, Cruz warns that a Trump will lose to Clinton and cause long-term harm to America given what the former first lady would do as President.</p>
<p>11:30 PM - CNN CALLS MASSACHUSETTS FOR CLINTON - Massachusetts's <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/MA-D" type="external">116 Democrat delegates</a> will be distributed via proportional primaries, with Clinton securing 50% of votes to to Sanders's 48%.</p>
<p>11:27 PM - EPIC RUBIO WIN IN MINNESOTA - <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/MN-R" type="external">With 37 delegates</a> for Republicans distributed via a winner-take-most method, Rubio takes first place with 37% of votes. Cruz takes 28%, and Trump takes 21%.</p>
<p>The Somalis carried little Rubio to victory in MN!</p>
<p>Minnesota is technically a state like Obama is technically an American.</p>
<p>Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio" type="external">@marcorubio</a> because it looks like he will win Minnesota, only state not to vote for Reagan in 1984 <a href="https://t.co/w6WHy9Yf22" type="external">pic.twitter.com/w6WHy9Yf22</a></p>
<p>11:17 PM - CNN'S CRUZ SURROGATE HOLDS OUT HOPE - Unofficial Cruz surrogate Amanda Carpenter thinks the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NeverTrump&amp;src=tyah" type="external">#NeverTrump</a> Twitter campaign will somehow dislodge Trump's lead and benefit her preferred candidate.</p>
<p>Cooper mocks the idea, saying, "Putting a lot of faith into hashtag movements..."</p>
<p />
<p>Remember this?</p>
<p />
<p>11:14 PM - RUBIO'S NIGHT MIGHT GET A LOT WORSE - If Rubio doesn't secure 20% of votes in the below-mentioned states, he will get none of their delegates. In other words, the below-mentioned states have 20% thresholds for voter support in order to secure any of their assigned delegates.</p>
<p>Rubio viability watch in 20% threshold states: GA 22.9% (78% in) TN 19.92% (71% in) ! VT 19.5% (69% in) TX 18.2% (18% in) AL 17.6% (46% in)</p>
<p>11:12 PM - SANDERS PROJECTED TO TAKE MINNESOTA - The states 93 Democrat delegates are <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/MN-D" type="external">distributed via proportional caucus and convention</a>, with 59% of votes going to Sanders and 41% going to Clinton.</p>
<p>LIVE RESULTS: Sanders leads Clinton in Minnesota and Colorado <a href="https://t.co/oKklxHJ1Uy" type="external">https://t.co/oKklxHJ1Uy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperTuesday?src=hash" type="external">#SuperTuesday</a> <a href="https://t.co/bR9DhE3NNE" type="external">pic.twitter.com/bR9DhE3NNE</a></p>
<p>11:05 PM - RUBIO SAYS CRUZ IS THE LOSER - Speaking with CNN and Fox News, Rubio rejects questions premised on him as the loser of the evening, saying the GOP cannot be taken in by "con artist" Trump who "refuses to criticize the KKK."</p>
<p>Tapper displays his best quizzical look, asking Rubio why he thinks he's "the savior" for the GOP.</p>
<p />
<p>11:00 PM - MSNBC CALLS COLORADO FOR SANDERS - The Centennial State's 79 delegates will be distributed <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/CO-D" type="external">proportionally and via convention</a>. Sanders took 57% of votes, with Clinton taking 41%.</p>
<p>BREAKING: Sanders is projected winner in Colorado Dem caucus <a href="https://t.co/4wblK4t8Yw" type="external">https://t.co/4wblK4t8Yw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperTuesday?src=hash" type="external">#SuperTuesday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Decision2016?src=hash" type="external">#Decision2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/u4K90jgzeI" type="external">pic.twitter.com/u4K90jgzeI</a></p>
<p>10:54 PM - BRASS TACKS RESULTS SO FAR - Trump took Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Virginia.</p>
<p>Cruz took Oklahoma and Texas.</p>
<p>What does <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperTuesday?src=hash" type="external">#SuperTuesday</a> on the Republican side look like so far? <a href="https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv" type="external">https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv</a> <a href="https://t.co/XbU2Z4283M" type="external">pic.twitter.com/XbU2Z4283M</a></p>
<p>Clinton took Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas, and Virginia.</p>
<p>Sanders took Oklahoma and Vermont.</p>
<p>What does <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperTuesday?src=hash" type="external">#SuperTuesday</a> on the Democratic side look like so far? <a href="https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv" type="external">https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv</a> <a href="https://t.co/lpZiwUqWoE" type="external">pic.twitter.com/lpZiwUqWoE</a></p>
<p>10:49 PM - CLINTON TAKES MASSACHUSETTS - Fox News calls <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/MA-D" type="external">The Bay State</a> for Clinton, with a narrow victory. Clinton received 51%, Sanders received 48%. The state's 116 Democrat delegates are distributed proportionally.</p>
<p>10:40 PM - MARXIST VAN JONES VS. TRUMP SURROGATE JEFFREY LORD - Worth a watch, see Van Jones's hysteria in accusing Trump of fostering and benefiting from "dark tones" (racism). No similar comments were forthcoming about the anti-American campaigns of racial/ethnic/class/sex warfare cultivated and fed off of by both Clinton and Sanders.</p>
<p>10:32 PM - MORE RED FLAGS FOR DEMOCRAT TURNOUT - <a href="https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/daily-news-article/voter-turnout-varies-drastically-between-parties/" type="external">In South Carolina</a>, 367,000 Democrats turned out to vote. In 2008, 532,000 Democrats showed up to vote. That's a 31% decrease. Republicans, conversely, had a 22% increase, with 738,000 voters in 2016 compared with 603,000 in 2012.</p>
<p>Similar trends were seen in Nevada, New Hampshire, and Iowa.</p>
<p>10:25 PM - GOP TURNOUT TRIPLES DEMOCRAT TURNOUT IN SOUTH CAROLINA - Perhaps an example of the "enthusiasm gap" between Republicans and Democrats, GOP voter turnout tripled that of the Democrats in South Carolina.</p>
<p>10:18 PM - CRUZ POSITIONS HIMSELF - Noting that only he and Trump have won states, Cruz says that a Trump GOP nomination would be a "disaster" for the country and Republican Party. Repeating his refrain that only he can beat Trump, Cruz is essentially calling on Rubio with withdraw, or at least for Rubio's supporters to shift their support to his campaign.</p>
<p>"America should have a president whose words wouldn't make you embarrassed if your children repeated them," says Cruz, taking a jab at Trump.</p>
<p>Drawing a contrast between himself and Trump, Cruz highlights his record of conservatism as Texas's former attorney general and as a Senator while poking at Trump's presumably newfound conservatism.</p>
<p>"Release the tape!" says Cruz, telling Trump to give The New York Times permission to release audio from an off-the-record conversation in which the NYC billionaire is suspected of hedging on his commitments pertaining to illegal immigration (border security and deportations).</p>
<p>10:15 PM - CRUZ TAKES THE STAGE - Cruz is using teleprompters, something exceedingly rare for the Texas senator. He likely doesn't want to repeat his longwinded, unscripted, albeit emotional victory speech on the eve of his victory in Iowa.</p>
<p />
<p>10:13 PM - #CNNRepublicans: S.E. CUPP STILL WHINING - The same woman who praised Rubio's political fortunes based on his age and ethnicity now laments the ascendance of Trump on superficial grounds.</p>
<p />
<p>10:10 PM - TDB CONCERN TROLLS REPUBLICANS - The Daily Beast's Jon Avlon <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/01/why-we-re-segregated-on-super-tuesday-and-how-it-helps-explain-trump.html" type="external">concern trolls</a> the GOP, telling Republicans that they need a broader appeal to blacks in order to win presidential elections. Of course, no such editorial is forthcoming with respect to any other racial or ethnic group.</p>
<p>10:00 PM - TRUMP ON MESSAGE - Trump is on message, reiterating most of the refrains observers have already seen or heard: build a wall on the Mexico/America border and getting Mexico to pay for it, opposition to current "free trade" agreements and bringing back of jobs from China and Mexico, repudiation of David Duke and the KKK, Rubio as a "lightweight", etc.</p>
<p>9:55 PM - #FEELTHEBERN VICTORY PARTY</p>
<p>The site of Bernie Sanders's election night party, as of 8:30 p.m. <a href="https://t.co/Do4sQNMDEJ" type="external">pic.twitter.com/Do4sQNMDEJ</a></p>
<p>9:45 PM - OBJECTIVE JOURNALISTS BEING OBJECTIVE</p>
<p>Tonight's big theme -- Democrat's top priority: running the country. Republican's top priority: Venting rage about how country's being run.</p>
<p>9:39 PM - TRUMP AND CHRISTIE PRESS CONFERENCE - Introduced by Christie, Trump initiates a press conference at his headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida.</p>
<p />
<p>9:35 PM - #CNNRepublicans: S.E. CUPP LAMENTS RUBIO'S TROUBLES - Hyping Rubio as "the future of the Republican Party," Cupp points to Rubio's ethnicity and age. She's upset that he hasn't yet won a state.</p>
<p />
<p>9:28 PM - CRUZ TAKES OKLAHOMA - Cruz gets 34%, Trump gets 30%, and Rubio gets 24%. Oklahoma's 43 total delegates for Republicans are distributed in a winner-take-most manner.</p>
<p>9:22 PM - COMMUNIST TWITTER WATCH - Online communists act as if there are significant ideological differences between Sanders and Clinton.</p>
<p>If you want to really help the next few generations in a Yuge way, get out and Vote for <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders" type="external">@BernieSanders</a> today! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelTheBern?src=hash" type="external">#FeelTheBern</a></p>
<p>If we don't want a climate denier in the White House, <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders" type="external">@BernieSanders</a> is our best bet. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperTuesday?src=hash" type="external">#SuperTuesday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelTheBern?src=hash" type="external">#FeelTheBern</a> <a href="https://t.co/NJV4NYq63f" type="external">pic.twitter.com/NJV4NYq63f</a></p>
<p>This is huge! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelTheBern?src=hash" type="external">#FeelTheBern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VanJones68" type="external">@VanJones68</a> <a href="https://t.co/yWFagQOGmf" type="external">https://t.co/yWFagQOGmf</a> via Reuters</p>
<p>9:19 PM - #FEELTHEBERN IN OKLAHOMA - Sanders secures 51% to Clinton's 41% in The Sooner State. The state's 42 delegates for Democrat are apportioned proportionately.</p>
<p>9:10 PM - CRUZ SURVIVES, TAKES TEXAS - CNN calls Texas for Cruz, with a strong <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/TX-R" type="external">10-point lead</a> over Trump. Cruz has 39%, Trump has 28%, and Rubio has 19%. A large state, Texas has 155 delegates for Republicans, in a winner-take-most distribution.</p>
<p>Clinton defeats Sanders in The Lone Star State, with 66% to 32%. The state's 252 delegates for Democrats is distributed proportionately.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Breaking?src=hash" type="external">#Breaking</a>: CNN projects wins in Texas for <a href="https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton" type="external">@HillaryClinton</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz" type="external">@tedcruz</a> <a href="https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv" type="external">https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperTuesday?src=hash" type="external">#SuperTuesday</a> <a href="https://t.co/VsuIq14Zfu" type="external">pic.twitter.com/VsuIq14Zfu</a></p>
<p>9:05 PM - CLINTON CAMPAIGNING AGAINST AMERICA - Clinton goes full-tilt in her campaign of hatred and covetousness, promising "group rights" for various "communities", both real and imagined, including but not limited to LGBTQXYZABC123, African-Americans, Latinos, women, "workers," and the disabled. She describes a racially and ethnically fragmented America that she promises to keep Balkanizing.</p>
<p>9:00 PM - COULTER TROLLS RUBIO FANS AND FOX NEWS - Given her recent self-styled makeover as the Conservative Queen of Demographics, Coulter goes after Rubio on Twitter.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/AnnCoulter" type="external">@AnnCoulter</a> How true! I have no doubt about it!</p>
<p>So far, Marco Rubio has won precisely the same number of GOP primaries all year as Evander Holyfield.</p>
<p>Rubio's already lost 3 of the 4 states he expected to win tonight. Still waiting on MN. <a href="https://t.co/NvwLeI8DSg" type="external">https://t.co/NvwLeI8DSg</a></p>
<p>8:52 PM - CLINTON'S SHRIEKING SPEECH - With her classic cadence in which she splits the last syllable of the last word of her sentences into two with elevation, Clinton promises to "break down barriers" if elected President. Without irony, she says America needs "more love and kindness," adding, "instead of walls, we're going to break down barriers."</p>
<p>Clinton reads from teleprompters, as per usual.</p>
<p />
<p>8:45 PM - CARSON'S HUBRIS - He's still in it. Technically.</p>
<p>We are a country that is divided and America needs a leader that can bring people together and begin the process of healing our nation.</p>
<p>8:39 PM - CNN'S (VIRTUALLY) ALL DEMOCRAT PANEL - Just in case observers hadn't noticed. Two somewhat conservative Republicans and seven Democrats.</p>
<p />
<p>8:35 PM - FOX CALLS VIRGINIA FOR TRUMP - With 37% of the vote, so far, Virginia is called for Trump. Rubio is in second with 30%, and Cruz in third with 17%.The state's 49 delegates for Republicans will be proportionately distributed.</p>
<p>8:29 PM - AXELROD DISSES GEORGIANS - Explaining Trump's victory in Georgia, Obama's 2008 presidential campaign manager David Axelrod writes them off as poor as dumb. Obama crushed Clinton in 2008 in the Georgia Democratic primary, with 66% to 31%.</p>
<p>Just tonight, Clinton <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/GA-D" type="external">crushed</a> Sanders in Georgia, 77% to 22%.</p>
<p>. <a href="https://twitter.com/davidaxelrod" type="external">@davidaxelrod</a>: Georgia Voters Are Poor And Dumb, That’s Why <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump" type="external">@realDonaldTrump</a> Won [VIDEO] <a href="https://t.co/D3S98J5v6a" type="external">https://t.co/D3S98J5v6a</a> <a href="https://t.co/j3k76Jqg9W" type="external">pic.twitter.com/j3k76Jqg9W</a></p>
<p>8:24 PM - TENNESEE FOR TRUMP - Tennessee's 58 Republican delegates will be distributed in a winner-take-most manner, with Trump's dominant 47% to Cruz's 22% and Rubio's 18%.</p>
<p>8:19 PM - CNN CALLS TENNESSEE FOR CLINTON - In another example of Clinton's southern strategy "firewall" (black southern Democrats), Clinton has about 60% of votes, and Sanders about 35% of votes. The state's <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/TN-D" type="external">76 delegates</a> will be proportionately distributed.</p>
<p>8:12 PM - CLINTON TAKES VIRGINIA - The Commonwealth of Virginia's 53 delegates will be proportionately distributed, with Clinton winning about 63% to Sanders with 36.5%.</p>
<p>8:08 PM - ALABAMA GOES TO TRUMP AND CLINTON - Worth 50 delegates for the Republican side, the state is <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/AL-R" type="external">described</a> as "winner-take-most." For the Democrat side, 53 delegates are attached to the state in a proportional primary.</p>
<p>8:06 PM - MASSACHUSETTS GOES FOR TRUMP - Fox is calling The Bay State for Trump. The state apportions its 42 delegates proportionally.</p>
<p>8:03 PM - DANA LOESCH ON CRUZ'S TEXAS FORTUNES - "Texas may be the only state that Cruz walks away with," says Loesch. Asked by Megyn Kelly whether she could support Trump as the GOP nominee, Loesch expresses uncertainty.</p>
<p />
<p>8:00 PM - CLINTON WINS GEORGIA - In a <a href="http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/GA-D" type="external">proportional primary</a>, Clinton has about 72.5% of the state's popular vote. 102 delegates are attached to the state.</p>
<p>7:56 PM - HOW MANY DELEGATES ARE UP FOR GRABS TONIGHT, ANYWAY?</p>
<p>Of the 2,383 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination, 1,032 are on tonight's table.</p>
<p>Of the 1,237 delegates needed to win the Republican nomination, 595 are on tonight's table.</p>
<p>7:52 PM - SANDERS WINS VERMONT - Socialist Sanders <a href="http://ktla.com/2016/03/01/clinton-trump-expected-see-big-wins-this-super-tuesday/" type="external">wins</a> his adopted home state of Vermont.</p>
<p>7:48 PM - CBS REPORTS RECORD TEXAS TURNOUT - Election officials <a href="http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2016/03/01/texas-election-officials-predicting-record-voter-turnout/" type="external">say the turnout</a> could shatter records. As an example, Dallas County had 51,000 cast ballots in early primary voting. This year? 112,000.</p>
<p>7:44 PM - CNN CALL GEORGIA FOR TRUMP</p>
<p>CNN projects <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump" type="external">@realDonaldTrump</a> wins Georgia <a href="https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv" type="external">https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperTuesday?src=hash" type="external">#SuperTuesday</a> <a href="https://t.co/m7jOSkAhj1" type="external">https://t.co/m7jOSkAhj1</a></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Breaking?src=hash" type="external">#Breaking</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump" type="external">@realDonaldTrump</a> will win Georgia's Republican primary, CNN projects <a href="https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv" type="external">https://t.co/DkPyle0Wrv</a> <a href="https://t.co/YeEy7g75nD" type="external">pic.twitter.com/YeEy7g75nD</a></p> | true | 0 | stay tuned live updates results super tuesday pour 245 media shielding clinton asking cruz rubio fairly slow pull trigger strident criticisms trump virtually entire media refuses inquire sanderss cowardly supplication clinton family business unwillingness criticize opponent sanders refusing pursue clintons moneylaundering operation known clinton foundation associated selling american political influence b charging hundreds thousands dollars speaking fees publiclyfunded universities colleges c abandonment americans peril september 11 2012 order avoid risky operation presidential election season obama constructed faux narrative tough terrorism following liquidation osama bin laden clintons illegal use private email server execute electronic correspondences former capacity secretary state e clintons securing role secretary state extension failed presidential campaign 2008 f clintons corrupt ownership democratic partys apparatus dnc superdelegates satellites planned parenthood emilys list naacp media matters america new york times etc g allegations bill clintons commission rape sexual assault hillary clintons facilitation alleged crimes usual suspects media wont press sanders acquiescence clinton machine pretending instead faux campaign amounts something beyond kabuki theater 220 good humor twitter twitter isnt antisemites wan na turn volume one httpstcogholqyoxid httpstco5evlctvxlv wasted hour making first vine video christie gobbluth pictwittercomqxdwumd4cj 210 tight race trump cruz alaska results forthcoming recordbreaking turnout reported cnn 200 fox using 5yearold photo kasich kasich also hasnt state however building namerecognition via exploitation presidential election process next gubernatorial run ohio 150 clinton opposes division without sense irony clinton says republicans trying divide america us woman running hatedriven angry covetous antiamerican campaign built racialethnicclass agitation woman pitting women men grouping together homosexuals transgender persons anything common threatening business punishment dont comply demands reads teleprompter racially ethnicallyselected supporters behind stagemanaged like studio audience daytime tv shows 140 tapper gop turnout eclipsed democrats democrats careful going lose presidential election notes tapper observing far greater total republican turnout bash sees phenomenon 132 status update trump georgia alabama massachusetts tennessee virginia arkansas vermont cruz texas oklahoma rubio minnesota clinton alabama arkansas georgia massachusetts tennessee texas virginia sanders vermont oklahoma colorado minnesota 105 tapper sums cruz rubio spin tapper puts funny tweet encapsulating spin cruz rubio respect trumps dominance right want 1245 interesting exit poll deportation illegal aliens addition actually using term illegal immigrants mostly excised favor leftwing term undocumented immigrants cnn shares interesting data one wonders respondents favoring deportation illegal aliens legalization continuing presence country adjusted answers due fears ostracized via political correctness states within cnn conducted exit polls question alabama saw majority respondent openly expressing preference deportation illegal aliens rather legalization continuing presence country 1220 trump takes vermont blue state socialist senator closely contested trump 33 kasich 31 rubio 19 cruz 10 coming third fourth respectively green mountain states 16 delegates distributed via winnertakemost system 1215 gop delegate counts thus far fox news gives graphic depicting positions thus far trump 246 delegates cruz 102 delegates rubio 70 delegates kasich 18 delegates carson 8 delegates 1210 failing upward media david chalian terminated yahoo news 2012 saying republican party officials glad party blacks drowning louisiana hurricane isaac cnns political director 1200 results alaska forthcoming 1155 pm cnn hypes sanders portraying democratic contest kabuki theater cnn hypes sanderss chances securing partys nomination vermont socialists campaign isnt black hole consuming energies monies naive leftists 1140 pm cruz notsosubtly calling rubio drop speaking cnn cruz presents evening victory campaign framing candidate defeat trump cruz appeals candidates put country ambition offer supporters prophesying doom event gop trump nomination cruz warns trump lose clinton cause longterm harm america given former first lady would president 1130 pm cnn calls massachusetts clinton massachusettss 116 democrat delegates distributed via proportional primaries clinton securing 50 votes sanderss 48 1127 pm epic rubio win minnesota 37 delegates republicans distributed via winnertakemost method rubio takes first place 37 votes cruz takes 28 trump takes 21 somalis carried little rubio victory mn minnesota technically state like obama technically american congrats marcorubio looks like win minnesota state vote reagan 1984 pictwittercomw6why9yf22 1117 pm cnns cruz surrogate holds hope unofficial cruz surrogate amanda carpenter thinks nevertrump twitter campaign somehow dislodge trumps lead benefit preferred candidate cooper mocks idea saying putting lot faith hashtag movements remember 1114 pm rubios night might get lot worse rubio doesnt secure 20 votes belowmentioned states get none delegates words belowmentioned states 20 thresholds voter support order secure assigned delegates rubio viability watch 20 threshold states ga 229 78 tn 1992 71 vt 195 69 tx 182 18 al 176 46 1112 pm sanders projected take minnesota states 93 democrat delegates distributed via proportional caucus convention 59 votes going sanders 41 going clinton live results sanders leads clinton minnesota colorado httpstcookklxhj1uy supertuesday pictwittercombr9dhe3nne 1105 pm rubio says cruz loser speaking cnn fox news rubio rejects questions premised loser evening saying gop taken con artist trump refuses criticize kkk tapper displays best quizzical look asking rubio thinks hes savior gop 1100 pm msnbc calls colorado sanders centennial states 79 delegates distributed proportionally via convention sanders took 57 votes clinton taking 41 breaking sanders projected winner colorado dem caucus httpstco4wblk4t8yw supertuesday decision2016 pictwittercomu4k90jgzei 1054 pm brass tacks results far trump took alabama arkansas georgia massachusetts tennessee virginia cruz took oklahoma texas supertuesday republican side look like far httpstcodkpyle0wrv pictwittercomxbu2z4283m clinton took alabama arkansas georgia massachusetts texas virginia sanders took oklahoma vermont supertuesday democratic side look like far httpstcodkpyle0wrv pictwittercomlpziwuqwoe 1049 pm clinton takes massachusetts fox news calls bay state clinton narrow victory clinton received 51 sanders received 48 states 116 democrat delegates distributed proportionally 1040 pm marxist van jones vs trump surrogate jeffrey lord worth watch see van joness hysteria accusing trump fostering benefiting dark tones racism similar comments forthcoming antiamerican campaigns racialethnicclasssex warfare cultivated fed clinton sanders 1032 pm red flags democrat turnout south carolina 367000 democrats turned vote 2008 532000 democrats showed vote thats 31 decrease republicans conversely 22 increase 738000 voters 2016 compared 603000 2012 similar trends seen nevada new hampshire iowa 1025 pm gop turnout triples democrat turnout south carolina perhaps example enthusiasm gap republicans democrats gop voter turnout tripled democrats south carolina 1018 pm cruz positions noting trump states cruz says trump gop nomination would disaster country republican party repeating refrain beat trump cruz essentially calling rubio withdraw least rubios supporters shift support campaign america president whose words wouldnt make embarrassed children repeated says cruz taking jab trump drawing contrast trump cruz highlights record conservatism texass former attorney general senator poking trumps presumably newfound conservatism release tape says cruz telling trump give new york times permission release audio offtherecord conversation nyc billionaire suspected hedging commitments pertaining illegal immigration border security deportations 1015 pm cruz takes stage cruz using teleprompters something exceedingly rare texas senator likely doesnt want repeat longwinded unscripted albeit emotional victory speech eve victory iowa 1013 pm cnnrepublicans se cupp still whining woman praised rubios political fortunes based age ethnicity laments ascendance trump superficial grounds 1010 pm tdb concern trolls republicans daily beasts jon avlon concern trolls gop telling republicans need broader appeal blacks order win presidential elections course editorial forthcoming respect racial ethnic group 1000 pm trump message trump message reiterating refrains observers already seen heard build wall mexicoamerica border getting mexico pay opposition current free trade agreements bringing back jobs china mexico repudiation david duke kkk rubio lightweight etc 955 pm feelthebern victory party site bernie sanderss election night party 830 pm pictwittercomdo4sqnmdej 945 pm objective journalists objective tonights big theme democrats top priority running country republicans top priority venting rage countrys run 939 pm trump christie press conference introduced christie trump initiates press conference headquarters palm beach florida 935 pm cnnrepublicans se cupp laments rubios troubles hyping rubio future republican party cupp points rubios ethnicity age shes upset hasnt yet state 928 pm cruz takes oklahoma cruz gets 34 trump gets 30 rubio gets 24 oklahomas 43 total delegates republicans distributed winnertakemost manner 922 pm communist twitter watch online communists act significant ideological differences sanders clinton want really help next generations yuge way get vote berniesanders today feelthebern dont want climate denier white house berniesanders best bet supertuesday feelthebern pictwittercomnjv4nyq63f huge feelthebern vanjones68 httpstcoywfagqogmf via reuters 919 pm feelthebern oklahoma sanders secures 51 clintons 41 sooner state states 42 delegates democrat apportioned proportionately 910 pm cruz survives takes texas cnn calls texas cruz strong 10point lead trump cruz 39 trump 28 rubio 19 large state texas 155 delegates republicans winnertakemost distribution clinton defeats sanders lone star state 66 32 states 252 delegates democrats distributed proportionately breaking cnn projects wins texas hillaryclinton tedcruz httpstcodkpyle0wrv supertuesday pictwittercomvsuiq14zfu 905 pm clinton campaigning america clinton goes fulltilt campaign hatred covetousness promising group rights various communities real imagined including limited lgbtqxyzabc123 africanamericans latinos women workers disabled describes racially ethnically fragmented america promises keep balkanizing 900 pm coulter trolls rubio fans fox news given recent selfstyled makeover conservative queen demographics coulter goes rubio twitter anncoulter true doubt far marco rubio precisely number gop primaries year evander holyfield rubios already lost 3 4 states expected win tonight still waiting mn httpstconvwlei8dsg 852 pm clintons shrieking speech classic cadence splits last syllable last word sentences two elevation clinton promises break barriers elected president without irony says america needs love kindness adding instead walls going break barriers clinton reads teleprompters per usual 845 pm carsons hubris hes still technically country divided america needs leader bring people together begin process healing nation 839 pm cnns virtually democrat panel case observers hadnt noticed two somewhat conservative republicans seven democrats 835 pm fox calls virginia trump 37 vote far virginia called trump rubio second 30 cruz third 17the states 49 delegates republicans proportionately distributed 829 pm axelrod disses georgians explaining trumps victory georgia obamas 2008 presidential campaign manager david axelrod writes poor dumb obama crushed clinton 2008 georgia democratic primary 66 31 tonight clinton crushed sanders georgia 77 22 davidaxelrod georgia voters poor dumb thats realdonaldtrump video httpstcod3s98j5v6a pictwittercomj3k76jqg9w 824 pm tennesee trump tennessees 58 republican delegates distributed winnertakemost manner trumps dominant 47 cruzs 22 rubios 18 819 pm cnn calls tennessee clinton another example clintons southern strategy firewall black southern democrats clinton 60 votes sanders 35 votes states 76 delegates proportionately distributed 812 pm clinton takes virginia commonwealth virginias 53 delegates proportionately distributed clinton winning 63 sanders 365 808 pm alabama goes trump clinton worth 50 delegates republican side state described winnertakemost democrat side 53 delegates attached state proportional primary 806 pm massachusetts goes trump fox calling bay state trump state apportions 42 delegates proportionally 803 pm dana loesch cruzs texas fortunes texas may state cruz walks away says loesch asked megyn kelly whether could support trump gop nominee loesch expresses uncertainty 800 pm clinton wins georgia proportional primary clinton 725 states popular vote 102 delegates attached state 756 pm many delegates grabs tonight anyway 2383 delegates needed win democratic nomination 1032 tonights table 1237 delegates needed win republican nomination 595 tonights table 752 pm sanders wins vermont socialist sanders wins adopted home state vermont 748 pm cbs reports record texas turnout election officials say turnout could shatter records example dallas county 51000 cast ballots early primary voting year 112000 744 pm cnn call georgia trump cnn projects realdonaldtrump wins georgia httpstcodkpyle0wrv supertuesday httpstcom7joskahj1 breaking realdonaldtrump win georgias republican primary cnn projects httpstcodkpyle0wrv pictwittercomyeey7g75nd | 1,844 |
<p>The anti-gun morons of the country have come up with a new way to amuse themselves – swatting. What is “swatting”? Swatting is making a bogus 911 call claiming that someone has a gun and is threatening, or worse, someone else.</p>
<p>Public service agencies such as fire departments have protocols they have to follow when called. If you call the fire department to report a brown burn mark on an electrical wall plate, like my folks did one time when I was young, in a few minutes you are liable to see a hook and ladder truck, a pumper, a fire department car, and an ambulance show up at your front door.</p>
<p>Police departments have similar protocols to follow when called. So, if you call them and tell them that there is a man with a gun threatening others in some location, the police will show up in a state of maximum alert, and their SWAT team, with guns drawn, will assume the worst. If someone doesn’t get killed it will be a miracle.</p>
<p>False alarms of either kind cost a lot of money. They also jeopardize lives, not just because the SWAT team is ready to shoot, but because they will travel at high speeds to get to the scene of the alleged crime. Property damage may ensue as the house may be broken into to either put out the supposed fire or to stop the alleged gunman. Perhaps worst is that there could be a real fire or a real holdup taking place simultaneously to which the department cannot respond while it&#160; is wasting its time with the false alarm.</p>
<p>Swatting is becoming very popular in trendy Los Angeles. It has happened to Clint Eastwood (!), Ashton Kutcher, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Simon Cowell, Tom Cruise, the Kardashians, and Chris Brown.</p>
<p>It is spreading, and predictably has already claimed several victims. John Crawford III was gunned down in a Beavercreek, Ohio store after a 911 caller claimed he was loading and pointing an assault rifle at customers in Walmart. In reality, Crawford was merely holding a BB gun that the store sells.</p>
<p>Crawford was killed when officers fired on him, and another shopper suffered a heart attack and died when the police opened fire.</p>
<p>Several months ago 30 police officers surrounded a South Jersey house, forcing&#160; Rob Richards and his friends with whom he was playing video games, outside at gunpoint. The police had received a telephone call that said: “My mom and dad got into an argument and it got physical. I took the gun and I shot my dad. I want to kill her and kill myself. I don’t want to be alive anymore.”</p>
<p>In Nebraska, the state patrol launched a tactical response in Sarpy County based on a swatting false alarm at a home where family members were inside sleeping.</p>
<p>Fortunately the targeted family was able to talk to the deputies and defuse the situation, but as Lt. Kevin Griger said, “Somebody’s in his own home, he hears the front door crash in, he grabs his personal weapon, goes to the front door, the SWAT team’s coming in, he doesn’t know that because he doesn’t anticipate any problems, you know, and a firefight en[sues] in the home and somebody gets hurt because of that.”</p>
<p>So why is swatting suddenly all the rage? As you might imagine, this is a game of the anti-gunners, and kids who have been brainwashed by them. “Moms Demand Action”, a liberal group that intimidates merchants by threatening civil disobedience, boycotts, and so forth, may not openly advocate swatting, but some of the readers of their website certainly do. A sampling of their comments:</p>
<p>Referring to a photograph of a man open carrying in a checkout line a Joyce Ward asks, “Why weren’t the police called immediately? Why wasn’t he shot by the police for having a weapon”?</p>
<p>Another poster Lisa McLogan Shaheen asks, “Why hasn’t someone called 911 so the cops can gun him down?”</p>
<p>Others suggest taking a more active part. “Every time I see someone with a gun in a store I will call 911,” Jennifer Decker vows, “they’ll get tired of that right quick!!!”</p>
<p>“Just call the police every time you see someone with one,” she counsels, “the police will get sick of it eventually or have a run in with one of these clowns and then things will change,” advises Ann Marie.</p>
<p>This sort of criminal activity, and yes, it is a crime to “swat” somebody, is further dividing and polarizing our society. The liberals in Hollywood have manufactured a never-ending stream of sick violence on the one hand, and then shoot their mouths off about the problem with gun violence on the other.</p>
<p>Hypocrites like Daniel Craig, who is said to have received 31 million pounds for two new James Bond movies, which makes him the highest-paid British actor, as well as the best paid 007 superspy, is rabidly anti-gun, despite the fact that cinematic gun play pays his rent.</p>
<p>But worse than hypocrisy, the looney Left is increasingly dictating policy in America. Big name democrats like Al Gore make a fortune and cause the world to spend untold trillions of dollars on idiotic schemes to attempt to influence natural climate cycles. “Green” hucksters all the way up to the White House have crippled our economy and cause the waste of trillions of dollars in feel-good projects that often cause more harm than good.</p>
<p>Millions of simple minded individuals believe these con artists and sincerely think that those who enjoy driving cars and having their houses warm, and particularly those who believe that the right to keep and bear arms is absolutely essential to keep our nation free, are “bad” people who must be stopped.</p>
<p>The worst part is that the Left’s dream is for a utopian society, one that could never possibly exist. They are tired of waiting for their heaven on earth, so they have decided to move the timetable forward more quickly by using any means at their disposal. The famous book “Rules for Radicals” by Obama’s hero Saul</p>
<p>Alinsky contains their battle plan, and swatting is just part of it.</p>
<p>The police are caught in the middle. They are called by a false alarm to a situation that they believe to be life-and-death, and then if they do shoot someone, they are completely to blame. Heaven forbid it should be someone with darker skin than theirs, because for many Americans justice in 2014 should be determined by the race or ethnicity of the victim.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, jihad is coming to America, and with real unemployment being 2-3 times higher than the lies the government tells you, particularly among certain segments of the population, and with the decline of religion and the destruction of the family, crime is becoming more commonplace and more violent.</p>
<p>In the past, “Officer Friendly” would arrive at the scene of the reported crime to try to protect and serve the innocent victims of the bad guys. Nowadays, however, thanks to 9/11 and the ensuing emphasis on “homeland security”, much of which is arguably unconstitutional, the victims of a swatting are liable to discover that the armored, masked, helmeted, machine-gun toting men who smash down their doors aren’t trained anymore to rescue victims.</p>
<p>They are trained to neutralize potential threats first, rescue second. With the recent hatchet attacks on police, as well as the Pennsylvania State troopers who were ambushed and one killed, and with liberal agitators like Sharpton, Holder, and the black muslims constantly stirring up racial hatred in places like Ferguson, do you think things will get any better?</p>
<p>I don’t know what to tell you about all this. Yes, states do have laws that allow for open carry, but this is really off-putting for a lot of people. We live in a time when few anymore have any connection with guns other than what they see in violent TV, movies, and video games. The sick violence of muslims is in the news on a daily basis. People simply don’t want to see a reminder of the problems in the world on someone’s hip.</p>
<p>If that person is wearing an appropriate uniform, they are more or less comfortable because they think that the wearer will protect them from the bad guys. The reality of course is that there are not nearly enough folks in uniform with guns to protect them, and that the fellow with the open carry gun next to you in line may much more likely be the one who keeps you alive than someone with a uniform who is not there.</p>
<p>That kind of logic, however, is never going to get through to people who haven’t got the common sense to see what liberals are doing to our nation. In other words, roughly half of the people in this country are voting for people who would like to take your guns, as well as your freedom to follow your religious beliefs and the rest of the rights you thought were protected by the Constitution.</p>
<p>They are not all stupid; most are just mis-informed (brainwashed if you will) by years of liberal lies about guns. Many would respond favorably if they were just told the truth once in a while. Don’t hold your breath for this to happen in the media, however.</p>
<p>The best thing you can do is to set a great example of what a responsible gun owner should be. Don’t push the envelope by flaunting your rights. Instead, get a CCW permit. Familiarize yourself with anti-gun lies and learn just a few talking points and a few statistics to refute the liberals’ arguments. Take friends and particularly young people to the range and let them shoot. A box of ammo for a vote is less than the liberals are paying the folks they bus in.</p>
<p>Above all, go to the polls Tuesday and VOTE to protect your gun rights.</p> | true | 0 | antigun morons country come new way amuse swatting swatting swatting making bogus 911 call claiming someone gun threatening worse someone else public service agencies fire departments protocols follow called call fire department report brown burn mark electrical wall plate like folks one time young minutes liable see hook ladder truck pumper fire department car ambulance show front door police departments similar protocols follow called call tell man gun threatening others location police show state maximum alert swat team guns drawn assume worst someone doesnt get killed miracle false alarms either kind cost lot money also jeopardize lives swat team ready shoot travel high speeds get scene alleged crime property damage may ensue house may broken either put supposed fire stop alleged gunman perhaps worst could real fire real holdup taking place simultaneously department respond it160 wasting time false alarm swatting becoming popular trendy los angeles happened clint eastwood ashton kutcher justin bieber miley cyrus simon cowell tom cruise kardashians chris brown spreading predictably already claimed several victims john crawford iii gunned beavercreek ohio store 911 caller claimed loading pointing assault rifle customers walmart reality crawford merely holding bb gun store sells crawford killed officers fired another shopper suffered heart attack died police opened fire several months ago 30 police officers surrounded south jersey house forcing160 rob richards friends playing video games outside gunpoint police received telephone call said mom dad got argument got physical took gun shot dad want kill kill dont want alive anymore nebraska state patrol launched tactical response sarpy county based swatting false alarm home family members inside sleeping fortunately targeted family able talk deputies defuse situation lt kevin griger said somebodys home hears front door crash grabs personal weapon goes front door swat teams coming doesnt know doesnt anticipate problems know firefight ensues home somebody gets hurt swatting suddenly rage might imagine game antigunners kids brainwashed moms demand action liberal group intimidates merchants threatening civil disobedience boycotts forth may openly advocate swatting readers website certainly sampling comments referring photograph man open carrying checkout line joyce ward asks werent police called immediately wasnt shot police weapon another poster lisa mclogan shaheen asks hasnt someone called 911 cops gun others suggest taking active part every time see someone gun store call 911 jennifer decker vows theyll get tired right quick call police every time see someone one counsels police get sick eventually run one clowns things change advises ann marie sort criminal activity yes crime swat somebody dividing polarizing society liberals hollywood manufactured neverending stream sick violence one hand shoot mouths problem gun violence hypocrites like daniel craig said received 31 million pounds two new james bond movies makes highestpaid british actor well best paid 007 superspy rabidly antigun despite fact cinematic gun play pays rent worse hypocrisy looney left increasingly dictating policy america big name democrats like al gore make fortune cause world spend untold trillions dollars idiotic schemes attempt influence natural climate cycles green hucksters way white house crippled economy cause waste trillions dollars feelgood projects often cause harm good millions simple minded individuals believe con artists sincerely think enjoy driving cars houses warm particularly believe right keep bear arms absolutely essential keep nation free bad people must stopped worst part lefts dream utopian society one could never possibly exist tired waiting heaven earth decided move timetable forward quickly using means disposal famous book rules radicals obamas hero saul alinsky contains battle plan swatting part police caught middle called false alarm situation believe lifeanddeath shoot someone completely blame heaven forbid someone darker skin many americans justice 2014 determined race ethnicity victim meanwhile jihad coming america real unemployment 23 times higher lies government tells particularly among certain segments population decline religion destruction family crime becoming commonplace violent past officer friendly would arrive scene reported crime try protect serve innocent victims bad guys nowadays however thanks 911 ensuing emphasis homeland security much arguably unconstitutional victims swatting liable discover armored masked helmeted machinegun toting men smash doors arent trained anymore rescue victims trained neutralize potential threats first rescue second recent hatchet attacks police well pennsylvania state troopers ambushed one killed liberal agitators like sharpton holder black muslims constantly stirring racial hatred places like ferguson think things get better dont know tell yes states laws allow open carry really offputting lot people live time anymore connection guns see violent tv movies video games sick violence muslims news daily basis people simply dont want see reminder problems world someones hip person wearing appropriate uniform less comfortable think wearer protect bad guys reality course nearly enough folks uniform guns protect fellow open carry gun next line may much likely one keeps alive someone uniform kind logic however never going get people havent got common sense see liberals nation words roughly half people country voting people would like take guns well freedom follow religious beliefs rest rights thought protected constitution stupid misinformed brainwashed years liberal lies guns many would respond favorably told truth dont hold breath happen media however best thing set great example responsible gun owner dont push envelope flaunting rights instead get ccw permit familiarize antigun lies learn talking points statistics refute liberals arguments take friends particularly young people range let shoot box ammo vote less liberals paying folks bus go polls tuesday vote protect gun rights | 876 |
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<p>Many investors generally see stocks tripling as a long-term goal. But some stocks can also triple within a single year. Let's examine three tech stocks which tripled investors' investments over the past year, and whether or not they still have room to run.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>If you had bought shares of AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) when the stock dipped below $2 per share in February, you would have more than tripled your initial investment in just nine months. That's because the chipmaker staged a remarkable turnaround over the past year on the strength of its EESC (Enterprise, Embedded, and Semi-Custom) business, which was bolstered by robust sales of its semi-custom SoC for PS4s and Xbox Ones. Those sales are expected to keep rising on console upgrades like the PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro, Xbox One S, and Xbox Scorpio.</p>
<p>In the second quarter this year, AMD posted its first quarter of annual revenue growth since 2014. It followed up that 9% growth with 23% growth in the third quarter, and anticipates 6% sales growth for the full year. AMD returned toquarterly GAAP profitability during the second quarter, and non-GAAP profitability during the third quarter.</p>
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<p>AMD is also pushing back against Nvidia in the low-end "VR ready" GPU market with the Polaris-based RX 480, and plans to target the high-end market with its next-gen Vega GPUs in the near future. Although AMD remains a distant underdog to Intel in the CPU market, it plans to counter the market leader with its upcoming Zen CPUs.</p>
<p>Oclaro (NASDAQ: OCLR) is a manufacturer of optical components, modules, and subsystems for the service provider, enterprise, and data center markets. If you had bought shares of Oclaro last October when it hovered around $2, you would have quadrupled your initial investment.</p>
<p>Oclaro directly benefits from the rising bandwidth needs of streaming video, cloud computing, application virtualization, and other data-intensive applications. That rising demand boosted its revenue by 55% annually last quarter, compared to 52% growth in the previous quarter and a 2% decline in the prior-year quarter. Most of that growth was fueled by growth in its "100G and beyond" portfolio of high-speed solutions, where sales rose roughly 20% annually for the fifth straight quarter.</p>
<p>On the bottom line, Oclaro's non-GAAP net income rose from a net loss of $1.6 million to net income of $20 million between the first quarters of 2015 and 2016. It also reported GAAP net income of $3.4 million during the quarter, versus a loss of $3.5 million a year ago. Analysts expect that growth to continue, with revenue and non-GAAP earnings expect to respectively rise 44% and206% this year.</p>
<p>Weibo (NASDAQ: WB), commonly referred to as "China's Twitter (NYSE: TWTR)," has more than tripled in value since last October. That explosive growth can beattributed to its rapid growth in monthly active users (MAUs), which grew 33% annually to 282 million last quarter, compared to 36% growth in the prior-year quarter.The company -- which is owned by online media giant Sina (NASDAQ: SINA) -- has posted triple and double-digit sales growth in every quarter since its IPO in April 2014, and analysts expect its sales to rise 33% this year, compared to 43% growth in 2015.</p>
<p>Those numbers are enormous when compared to <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/27/how-twitter-inc-was-eclipsed-by-its-chinese-clone.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Twitter's anemic Opens a New Window.</a> 3% year-over-year growth inMAUs and projected sales growth of15% this year. Weibo is also profitable by both non-GAAP and GAAP metrics, while Twitter is only profitable on a non-GAAP basis. Between the second quarters of 2015 and 2016, Weibo's GAAP net income rose from $4.2 million to $25.9 million, while its non-GAAP net income surged from $10.9 million to $35.5 million. Analysts expect its non-GAAP net income to more than double this year.</p>
<p>Weibo's advertising and marketing revenue rose 45% annually last quarter, fueled by ad buys from small and medium sized businesses nearly doubling. It offers display ads, interest-based ad campaigns, event-based ad campaigns, and promoted feeds. Weibo's new live streaming platform, which allows viewers to buy virtual gifts from the company for their favorite broadcasters, is also boosting its revenue growth.</p>
<p>Investors should always remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future returns. However, AMD is still in turnaround mode, while Oclaro and Weibo still seem to be firing on all cylinders. Therefore, I believe that these stocks could still have room to run, despite having more than tripled investors' cash over the past year.</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=2668&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/TMFSunLion/info.aspx" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Nvidia and Twitter. The Motley Fool recommends Intel, Sina, and Weibo. 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> | true | 0 | many investors generally see stocks tripling longterm goal stocks also triple within single year lets examine three tech stocks tripled investors investments past year whether still room run continue reading image source getty images bought shares amd nasdaq amd stock dipped 2 per share february would tripled initial investment nine months thats chipmaker staged remarkable turnaround past year strength eesc enterprise embedded semicustom business bolstered robust sales semicustom soc ps4s xbox ones sales expected keep rising console upgrades like ps4 slim ps4 pro xbox one xbox scorpio second quarter year amd posted first quarter annual revenue growth since 2014 followed 9 growth 23 growth third quarter anticipates 6 sales growth full year amd returned toquarterly gaap profitability second quarter nongaap profitability third quarter advertisement amd also pushing back nvidia lowend vr ready gpu market polarisbased rx 480 plans target highend market nextgen vega gpus near future although amd remains distant underdog intel cpu market plans counter market leader upcoming zen cpus oclaro nasdaq oclr manufacturer optical components modules subsystems service provider enterprise data center markets bought shares oclaro last october hovered around 2 would quadrupled initial investment oclaro directly benefits rising bandwidth needs streaming video cloud computing application virtualization dataintensive applications rising demand boosted revenue 55 annually last quarter compared 52 growth previous quarter 2 decline prioryear quarter growth fueled growth 100g beyond portfolio highspeed solutions sales rose roughly 20 annually fifth straight quarter bottom line oclaros nongaap net income rose net loss 16 million net income 20 million first quarters 2015 2016 also reported gaap net income 34 million quarter versus loss 35 million year ago analysts expect growth continue revenue nongaap earnings expect respectively rise 44 and206 year weibo nasdaq wb commonly referred chinas twitter nyse twtr tripled value since last october explosive growth beattributed rapid growth monthly active users maus grew 33 annually 282 million last quarter compared 36 growth prioryear quarterthe company owned online media giant sina nasdaq sina posted triple doubledigit sales growth every quarter since ipo april 2014 analysts expect sales rise 33 year compared 43 growth 2015 numbers enormous compared twitters anemic opens new window 3 yearoveryear growth inmaus projected sales growth of15 year weibo also profitable nongaap gaap metrics twitter profitable nongaap basis second quarters 2015 2016 weibos gaap net income rose 42 million 259 million nongaap net income surged 109 million 355 million analysts expect nongaap net income double year weibos advertising marketing revenue rose 45 annually last quarter fueled ad buys small medium sized businesses nearly doubling offers display ads interestbased ad campaigns eventbased ad campaigns promoted feeds weibos new live streaming platform allows viewers buy virtual gifts company favorite broadcasters also boosting revenue growth investors always remember past performance doesnt guarantee future returns however amd still turnaround mode oclaro weibo still seem firing cylinders therefore believe stocks could still room run despite tripled investors cash past year 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 position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends nvidia twitter motley fool recommends intel sina weibo 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 | 575 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<p>At first glance, NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) and NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) don't seem to have much in common. NVIDIA is a veteran of computer graphics processors with a more recent eye on supercomputing and mobile chips. NXP was always a leader in the embedded and mobile spaces, and a recent megamerger <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/12/the-biggest-reason-to-own-nxp-semiconductors-nv-to.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">only underscored the Dutch company's commitment Opens a New Window.</a> to that market.</p>
<p>But the two semiconductor specialists have one absolutely crucial thing in common: Both NXP and NVIDIA are betting big on the emerging market for self-driving cars, hoping to establish themselves as big names in that space before the market shoots off into the stratosphere.</p>
<p>So the companies are very direct rivals in <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/03/28/the-self-driving-car-and-the-future-of-mobility.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">one of today's most promising growth markets Opens a New Window.</a>. Which autonomous car chipmaker is the better fit for your investment portfolio?</p>
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<p>Right now, NVIDIA is on a roll. Share prices have soared 166% higher over the last year. In the same time span, trailing earnings per share jumped 49% higher on an adjusted basis and sales grew by 14%. The brand new Pascal platform for high-performance graphics and data crunching chips <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/24/nvidia-corporation-expects-to-sell-a-lot-of-pascal.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">was received with open arms Opens a New Window.</a>. One has to imagine that NVIDIA's headquarters must be a pretty positive place to hang out nowadays.</p>
<p>NXP investors are not quite as happy with their current returns. Despite closing the acquisition of sector peer Freescale nine months ago, stock prices have fallen 6%. The Freescale deal more than doubled NXP's trailing earnings while boosting sales by 28%.</p>
<p>If NVIDIA is a rocket stock that's headed for the stars, NXP's shares are more in a "wait and see" mode. Investors want to see evidence that the big, bold Freescale merger will pay dividends before lifting the stock any further.</p>
<p>Here's where the situation starts to get hairy.</p>
<p>NVIDIA's shares have skyrocketed recently. They are trading at 32 times trailing free cash flows and 39 times adjusted earnings. That's nosebleed territory. Owning this stock comes with a hefty side order of valuation-based risk. To rise any higher from here, NVIDIA must either keep increasing its bottom-line profits dramatically or inspire investors to widen the P/E and cash flow ratios even further.</p>
<p>NXP doesn't come with that kind of pressure. Trading at 23 times trailing cash flows and 21 times earnings, NXP investors have a far less bitter valuation pill to swallow. All else being equal, you'll sleep a lot easier with NXP stock under your pillow.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/NXPI/price_to_cash_flow_ttm" type="external">NXPI Price to Free Cash Flow (TTM) Opens a New Window.</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>And that brings us right back to the automotive sector, where this discussion started. Cars are quickly becoming supercomputers on wheels, with high-powered chips powering everything from the door locks and ignition to the navigation system and the engine itself. And that trend is heating up even more as the next generation of cars <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/06/30/ibm-watson-enters-self-driving-vehicle-space-via-t.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">might actually take the steering wheel out of our hands Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>NXP is already an established giant in this crucial industry, <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/08/22/is-renesas-electronics-corp-taking-back-the-automo.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">sporting a 14.4% market share Opens a New Window.</a> among all automotive chip sales. To give you a sense of NXP's market power, the second-largest supplier stands at at just 9.8%. The company reaches into every crevice of the modern car, from in-car communications and security to infotainment systems and self-driving platforms. Car-related chips accounted for 36% of NXP's recently reported second-quarter sales.</p>
<p>NVIDIA may have ambitions to challenge NXP's automotive domination, but it'll take a while. The company was the 37th-largest automotive semiconductor player in 2015, and automotive sales worked out to just 8.3% of NVIDIA's second-quarter revenue.</p>
<p>Long story short, NXP has a big head start over NVIDIA in the automotive sector, which both companies count as one of their most promising growth opportunities. Pair that situation with NVIDIA's far higher valuation ratios, and you'll quickly arrive in NXP's corner. This stock offers a much more attractive risk/reward balance than NVIDIA, and many investors would argue that NXP is downright spring-loaded for big gains in the next era of automotive computing.</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=2668&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/TMFZahrim/info.aspx" type="external">Anders Bylund Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends NVIDIA and NXP Semiconductors. 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>.</p>
<p>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> | true | 0 | image source getty images continue reading first glance nvidia nasdaq nvda nxp semiconductors nasdaq nxpi dont seem much common nvidia veteran computer graphics processors recent eye supercomputing mobile chips nxp always leader embedded mobile spaces recent megamerger underscored dutch companys commitment opens new window market two semiconductor specialists one absolutely crucial thing common nxp nvidia betting big emerging market selfdriving cars hoping establish big names space market shoots stratosphere companies direct rivals one todays promising growth markets opens new window autonomous car chipmaker better fit investment portfolio advertisement right nvidia roll share prices soared 166 higher last year time span trailing earnings per share jumped 49 higher adjusted basis sales grew 14 brand new pascal platform highperformance graphics data crunching chips received open arms opens new window one imagine nvidias headquarters must pretty positive place hang nowadays nxp investors quite happy current returns despite closing acquisition sector peer freescale nine months ago stock prices fallen 6 freescale deal doubled nxps trailing earnings boosting sales 28 nvidia rocket stock thats headed stars nxps shares wait see mode investors want see evidence big bold freescale merger pay dividends lifting stock heres situation starts get hairy nvidias shares skyrocketed recently trading 32 times trailing free cash flows 39 times adjusted earnings thats nosebleed territory owning stock comes hefty side order valuationbased risk rise higher nvidia must either keep increasing bottomline profits dramatically inspire investors widen pe cash flow ratios even nxp doesnt come kind pressure trading 23 times trailing cash flows 21 times earnings nxp investors far less bitter valuation pill swallow else equal youll sleep lot easier nxp stock pillow nxpi price free cash flow ttm opens new window data ycharts opens new window brings us right back automotive sector discussion started cars quickly becoming supercomputers wheels highpowered chips powering everything door locks ignition navigation system engine trend heating even next generation cars might actually take steering wheel hands opens new window nxp already established giant crucial industry sporting 144 market share opens new window among automotive chip sales give sense nxps market power secondlargest supplier stands 98 company reaches every crevice modern car incar communications security infotainment systems selfdriving platforms carrelated chips accounted 36 nxps recently reported secondquarter sales nvidia may ambitions challenge nxps automotive domination itll take company 37thlargest automotive semiconductor player 2015 automotive sales worked 83 nvidias secondquarter revenue long story short nxp big head start nvidia automotive sector companies count one promising growth opportunities pair situation nvidias far higher valuation ratios youll quickly arrive nxps corner stock offers much attractive riskreward balance nvidia many investors would argue nxp downright springloaded big gains next era automotive computing 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 anders bylund opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends nvidia nxp semiconductors 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 | 530 |
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<p>After suffering through a historically bad start to the year through the first half of February, patient equities investors have since been treated to a modest rebound. The S&amp;P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average have each climbed more than 10% since hitting their 2016 lows last month. But that doesn't mean there aren't still bargains to be found. So we asked seven Motley Fool contributors to pick one stock they believe investors should buy in March. Read on to see which companies they chose and why.</p>
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<p>Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a>: When high-growth stocks go on sale, it can give opportunistic investors a chance that they'll rarely get.Chipotle Mexican Grill recently gave investors that opportunity and even after its recent recovery, the Mexican fast-casual chain's stock is still at attractive levels.</p>
<p>Chipotle stock got slammed late last year when reports of food-borne illness at some of its restaurant locations raised concerns about whether loyal customers would abandon Chipotle in favor of other fast-casual rivals. Yet the Mexican-food chain has worked hard to reassure its customer base that it has taken steps to address those concerns. Investors have sent the stock down sharply because past incidents at other restaurant companies have often led to years of underperformance, and in some cases, it has caused a complete failure of a business model. Chipotle admits that it will suffer aftershocks in its financials through 2016, but its long-term growth strategy remains intact. Moreover, the growth opportunities for Chipotle remain numerous, with the potential to add new store concepts and expand more aggressively in the international market. In the long run, Chipotle should be able to get through this crisis and emerge stronger, rewarding those shareholders who took advantage of the stock's decline to buy shares.</p>
<p>: I've long harbored serious doubts about the small-cap biopharma Amarin Corporation plc , but after winning its First Amendment lawsuit against the FDA this month, the stock now looks ready to take flight. The core issue is that the FDA was attempting to block the company from discussing off-label uses of its highly refined fish-oil pill, Vascepa, with doctors based on the drug's late-stage trial in patients with moderately high triglyceride levels.</p>
<p>Previously, the FDA declined to approve an label expansion for Vascepa for this much larger patient population, essentially casting doubt on the drug's ability to reduce the occurrence of serious cardiovascular events. As the pill did lead to significantly lower triglyceride levels in this patient population, though, it's not exactly misleading to inform doctors of Vascepa's possible benefits for individuals with moderately high triglycerides -- which was the main issue under debate in this First Amendment lawsuit.</p>
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<p>Cutting to the chase, Amarin's potential target market size may have just grown by a significant margin if it can persuade doctors to prescribe the drug off-label. And Wall Street seems confident that Amarin does stand a good shot at doing just that -- forecasting a healthy 53% jump in Vascepa's sales this year, followed by another 43% rise next year, according to data from <a href="http://www.spcapitaliq.com" type="external">S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>:LinkedIn stock crashed by nearly 60% after the company reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2015, and it's still trading at a big discount of over 57% from its highs of the last year. I believe this huge short-term decline is providing a buying opportunity for investors in the company, so I recently <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/03/why-i-bought-more-linkedin-stock.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">capitalized on the chance Opens a New Window.</a>and added some LinkedIn stock to my portfolio at conveniently low prices.</p>
<p>Image source: Wikimedia Commons.</p>
<p>LinkedIn reported a big 35% revenue increase for 2015, but management is expecting sales to grow between 20% and 22% in 2016, and this anticipated slowdown is the biggest reason behind all the pessimism surrounding LinkedIn. Global currency headwinds and the economic slowdown in emerging markets are hurting performance, and LinkedIn is also being more selective when it comes to investments for growth.</p>
<p>On the other hand, even if growth slows down, LinkedIn is well on track to consolidating its undisputed leadership position in online human resources and professional networking. The company has 414 million registered users as of the end of 2015, a strong 19% year-over-year increase. Just as important, nearly 43,000 corporations use LinkedIn's platform for their human-resources needs, a vigorous growth rate of 29% last quarter.</p>
<p>Internet and related technologies are profoundly transforming all kinds of industries, and human resources is no exception. LinkedIn is clearly the biggest beneficiary from this trend, and management calculates its addressable market opportunity is worth nearly $115 billion, so the company is still offering spectacular room for expansion in the years ahead.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTwoCoins/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Daniel Miller Opens a New Window.</a>: Time Warner has been on my watch list for a while, but it's starting to intrigue me. For one, the company owns certain rights to popular sports, including the NBA, which is increasingly important for revenue, as live shows have proved valuable for advertisers. That should benefit the company, since the NBA playoffs are around the corner, as well as the start of Major League Baseball, as we head into the spring and summer months.</p>
<p>Image source: Time Warner/HBO.</p>
<p>Another critical component for the company's bottom line is its HBO content. While the reported 800,000 subscribers to its HBO Now subscription video-on-demand platform had some describing it as weak, it was only on the market for 10 months and it could receive a near-term surge in subscribers as the insanely popular Game of Thrones launches a new season next month. Further, the company plans to increase its original programming by 50%, which could continue to increases costs and perhaps diminish margins in the near term, but the long-term payoff for HBO should be worth it for investors.</p>
<p>Time Warner's recent fourth quarter fell short of analyst expectations, but the company did raise its earnings guidance for 2016 from $5.25 per share to between $5.25 and $5.40. And if you flip through the company's <a href="http://s1.q4cdn.com/730563363/files/2015/4Q15/Earnings-Summary-Presentation-4Q15-FINAL.pdf" type="external">fourth-quarter presentation Opens a New Window.</a>, there were quite a few positive developments amid the company's turnaround.</p>
<p>One of the positive developments was the progress in its operations. Time Warner completed the "all digital" conversions and Internet speeds up to 300 Mbps in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, Texas; Kansas City, Mo.; and Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., with other cities on the way. The company also posted a 13% decline in care calls per customer, with a 19% decline in repair-related truck rolls per customer. The company checked in with a 98% on-time percentage for customer appointments within its "industry-leading" one-hour appointment windows.</p>
<p>Time Warner is far from a sure thing, especially as the cord cutting trend exists, but its valuable sports programming, HBO content, and operational improvements point to a better 2016.</p>
<p>: March means getting serious about tax time, and getting serious about tax time means that millions of people, including me, will be relying heavily on Intuit's top-selling QuickBooks and TurboTax software this month.</p>
<p>Intuit is a Goliath in small-business accounting and tax-preparation software, and because the company's revenue is split about equally between these two product lines, Intuit is in a good position to benefit from improving small-business conditions. According to Sageworks, small business' net profit margin improved to 7.5% in 2015 from 6.4% in 2014, and according to payroll company Automatic Data Processing, small-business employment is higher than at any point in the past decade.</p>
<p>Assuming those small-business trends boost demand for Intuit products and services, then management's transitioning of clients to profit-friendly monthly cloud subscriptions from one-off purchases of desktop software could send earnings and the company's stock price higher. In the current fiscal year, Intuit expects to grow its top line between 8% and 10% and to deliver non-GAAP EPS of between $3.45 and $3.50, up from $2.59 in FY 2015. That's a pretty solid forecast, and it could make picking up shares ahead of tax time savvy.</p>
<p>:Trex Company is the market leader in wood-alternative decking, commanding nearly 40% of market share, and has grown its business far faster than the industry since the end of the recession. At the same time, the company has added new products, including railing and lighting accessories, giving it a fully designed series of branded "soup to nuts" products for outdoor living spaces.</p>
<p>The company has also expanded into recycled polyethylene pellets and is working on customized formulations, which it will sell to companies that use poly pellets to manufacture their goods, whether it's plastic bottles, car parts, or numerous other things made from the ubiquitous material.</p>
<p>Last year, the company grew sales 13% and earnings per share 19%, and today, Trex's share price is pretty much where it was at the beginning of 2015. Yes, it's recovered from being down as much as 25% as recently as a few weeks ago, but it remains a dominant market leader in its industry, and a great value.</p>
<p>Lastly, there's a lot to like about the long-term prospects, too. Housing remains relatively strong, as do the U.S. economy and jobs market. If that remains true, Trex should make for a market-beating investment for years to come.</p>
<p>Image source: PayPal Holdings.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSymington/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Steve Symington Opens a New Window.</a>: On the heels of its formal separation fromeBaytwo quarters ago -- and despite intensifying competition in its space -- digital payments platform leaderPayPal Holdings has never looked stronger. Most recently, PayPal saw revenue growth accelerate to 17% (to $2.6 billion) in the fourth quarter. That included one percentage point from its acquisition of Xoom, but it was primarily driven by a combination of growth in customer accounts (up 17 million year over year to 179 million), and a 25% increase in total transactions, to 1.4 billion.</p>
<p>And as fellow Fool Asit Sharma <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/02/29/5-key-observations-from-paypal-holdings-incs-manag.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">pointed out Opens a New Window.</a>recently, PayPal management even ironically credited increasing competition forhelpingto drive growth, as consumers are turned off by an ever-increasing number of confusing digital payment options and so tend to be drawn to its widely accepted "platform and technology-agnostic" approach.</p>
<p>A full 56% of PayPal's customer base is now outside the United States as well, demonstrating its ability to scale its success on a global basis. And PayPal would have achieved 21% top-line growth had it not been for the negative effects of foreign currency exchange. That brought currency-neutral revenue growth to 19% for the full year, above the high end of PayPal's guidance for 15% to 18%. At the same time, PayPal is proving its business can generate plenty of cash, with cash flow from operations of $728 million, and free cash flow of $564 million in the fourth quarter alone. So it should come as no surprise that the company is putting its money where its mouth is with a new $2 billion share repurchase authorization.</p>
<p>Finally, looking forward, PayPal anticipates currency-neutral revenue growth of 16% to 19% for the coming year. But given its outperformance so far -- and while a deceleration from its most recent quarterly performance is understandable, growing from a larger base, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if PayPal was once again underpromising with the intention of overdelivering. If PayPal can sustain its momentum and seize as much of its massive global opportunity as possible in these early stages of growth, I think long-term investors who buy the stock this month stand to be handsomely rewarded.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/15/7-top-stocks-to-buy-in-march.aspx" type="external">7 Top Stocks to Buy in March Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/acardenal/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Andrs Cardenal Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of LinkedIn. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Dan Caplinger</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTwoCoins/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Daniel Miller</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/gbudwell/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">George Budwell Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/elihpaudio/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Jason Hall Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, LinkedIn, and Trex. <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 Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill, Intuit, LinkedIn, PayPal Holdings, and Trex. The Motley Fool recommends Time Warner. 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>
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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> | true | 0 | suffering historically bad start year first half february patient equities investors since treated modest rebound sampp 500 nasdaq composite dow jones industrial average climbed 10 since hitting 2016 lows last month doesnt mean arent still bargains found asked seven motley fool contributors pick one stock believe investors buy march read see companies chose continue reading image source motley fool dan caplinger opens new window highgrowth stocks go sale give opportunistic investors chance theyll rarely getchipotle mexican grill recently gave investors opportunity even recent recovery mexican fastcasual chains stock still attractive levels chipotle stock got slammed late last year reports foodborne illness restaurant locations raised concerns whether loyal customers would abandon chipotle favor fastcasual rivals yet mexicanfood chain worked hard reassure customer base taken steps address concerns investors sent stock sharply past incidents restaurant companies often led years underperformance cases caused complete failure business model chipotle admits suffer aftershocks financials 2016 longterm growth strategy remains intact moreover growth opportunities chipotle remain numerous potential add new store concepts expand aggressively international market long run chipotle able get crisis emerge stronger rewarding shareholders took advantage stocks decline buy shares ive long harbored serious doubts smallcap biopharma amarin corporation plc winning first amendment lawsuit fda month stock looks ready take flight core issue fda attempting block company discussing offlabel uses highly refined fishoil pill vascepa doctors based drugs latestage trial patients moderately high triglyceride levels previously fda declined approve label expansion vascepa much larger patient population essentially casting doubt drugs ability reduce occurrence serious cardiovascular events pill lead significantly lower triglyceride levels patient population though exactly misleading inform doctors vascepas possible benefits individuals moderately high triglycerides main issue debate first amendment lawsuit advertisement cutting chase amarins potential target market size may grown significant margin persuade doctors prescribe drug offlabel wall street seems confident amarin stand good shot forecasting healthy 53 jump vascepas sales year followed another 43 rise next year according data sampp global market intelligence opens new window linkedin stock crashed nearly 60 company reported earnings fourth quarter 2015 still trading big discount 57 highs last year believe huge shortterm decline providing buying opportunity investors company recently capitalized chance opens new windowand added linkedin stock portfolio conveniently low prices image source wikimedia commons linkedin reported big 35 revenue increase 2015 management expecting sales grow 20 22 2016 anticipated slowdown biggest reason behind pessimism surrounding linkedin global currency headwinds economic slowdown emerging markets hurting performance linkedin also selective comes investments growth hand even growth slows linkedin well track consolidating undisputed leadership position online human resources professional networking company 414 million registered users end 2015 strong 19 yearoveryear increase important nearly 43000 corporations use linkedins platform humanresources needs vigorous growth rate 29 last quarter internet related technologies profoundly transforming kinds industries human resources exception linkedin clearly biggest beneficiary trend management calculates addressable market opportunity worth nearly 115 billion company still offering spectacular room expansion years ahead daniel miller opens new window time warner watch list starting intrigue one company owns certain rights popular sports including nba increasingly important revenue live shows proved valuable advertisers benefit company since nba playoffs around corner well start major league baseball head spring summer months image source time warnerhbo another critical component companys bottom line hbo content reported 800000 subscribers hbo subscription videoondemand platform describing weak market 10 months could receive nearterm surge subscribers insanely popular game thrones launches new season next month company plans increase original programming 50 could continue increases costs perhaps diminish margins near term longterm payoff hbo worth investors time warners recent fourth quarter fell short analyst expectations company raise earnings guidance 2016 525 per share 525 540 flip companys fourthquarter presentation opens new window quite positive developments amid companys turnaround one positive developments progress operations time warner completed digital conversions internet speeds 300 mbps austin dallas san antonio texas kansas city mo raleigh charlotte nc cities way company also posted 13 decline care calls per customer 19 decline repairrelated truck rolls per customer company checked 98 ontime percentage customer appointments within industryleading onehour appointment windows time warner far sure thing especially cord cutting trend exists valuable sports programming hbo content operational improvements point better 2016 march means getting serious tax time getting serious tax time means millions people including relying heavily intuits topselling quickbooks turbotax software month intuit goliath smallbusiness accounting taxpreparation software companys revenue split equally two product lines intuit good position benefit improving smallbusiness conditions according sageworks small business net profit margin improved 75 2015 64 2014 according payroll company automatic data processing smallbusiness employment higher point past decade assuming smallbusiness trends boost demand intuit products services managements transitioning clients profitfriendly monthly cloud subscriptions oneoff purchases desktop software could send earnings companys stock price higher current fiscal year intuit expects grow top line 8 10 deliver nongaap eps 345 350 259 fy 2015 thats pretty solid forecast could make picking shares ahead tax time savvy trex company market leader woodalternative decking commanding nearly 40 market share grown business far faster industry since end recession time company added new products including railing lighting accessories giving fully designed series branded soup nuts products outdoor living spaces company also expanded recycled polyethylene pellets working customized formulations sell companies use poly pellets manufacture goods whether plastic bottles car parts numerous things made ubiquitous material last year company grew sales 13 earnings per share 19 today trexs share price pretty much beginning 2015 yes recovered much 25 recently weeks ago remains dominant market leader industry great value lastly theres lot like longterm prospects housing remains relatively strong us economy jobs market remains true trex make marketbeating investment years come image source paypal holdings steve symington opens new window heels formal separation fromebaytwo quarters ago despite intensifying competition space digital payments platform leaderpaypal holdings never looked stronger recently paypal saw revenue growth accelerate 17 26 billion fourth quarter included one percentage point acquisition xoom primarily driven combination growth customer accounts 17 million year year 179 million 25 increase total transactions 14 billion fellow fool asit sharma pointed opens new windowrecently paypal management even ironically credited increasing competition forhelpingto drive growth consumers turned everincreasing number confusing digital payment options tend drawn widely accepted platform technologyagnostic approach full 56 paypals customer base outside united states well demonstrating ability scale success global basis paypal would achieved 21 topline growth negative effects foreign currency exchange brought currencyneutral revenue growth 19 full year high end paypals guidance 15 18 time paypal proving business generate plenty cash cash flow operations 728 million free cash flow 564 million fourth quarter alone come surprise company putting money mouth new 2 billion share repurchase authorization finally looking forward paypal anticipates currencyneutral revenue growth 16 19 coming year given outperformance far deceleration recent quarterly performance understandable growing larger base wouldnt least bit surprised paypal underpromising intention overdelivering paypal sustain momentum seize much massive global opportunity possible early stages growth think longterm investors buy stock month stand handsomely rewarded article 7 top stocks buy march opens new window originally appeared foolcom andrs cardenal opens new window owns shares linkedin dan caplinger position stocks mentioned daniel miller position stocks mentioned george budwell opens new window position stocks mentioned jason hall opens new window owns shares chipotle mexican grill linkedin trex steve symington position stocks mentioned todd campbell opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends chipotle mexican grill intuit linkedin paypal holdings trex motley fool recommends time warner 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 | 1,278 |
<p>Early optimism among business lobbyists and executives that Donald Trump's election heralded better days has slowly given way to uncertainty as the president-elect fires off mixed and sometimes confusing messages on healthcare, taxes and trade.</p>
<p>An initial euphoria in the business world fueled a powerful post-election stock rally. Some of that has frayed as questions arise over the nuts and bolts of Trump's campaign promises, although many in the business community said they remained optimistic.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Doubts deepened over the weekend as Trump declared he would replace President Barack Obama's signature healthcare plan known as Obamacare with "insurance for everybody" - a goal far beyond Republican designs - and criticized a key component of a plan in Congress to overhaul corporate taxes. In a later interview, he appeared to adjust both stances, possibly adding to the confusion.</p>
<p>"It is fair to say that since the election, there has been mounting uncertainty about exactly what the specific policies are likely to be with regard to tax reform and replacing Obamacare," a financial industry official said.</p>
<p>Expectations for faster growth, tax reform and a quick repeal of Obamacare, officially known as the Affordable Care Act, have "given way to 'We are not really sure what he means by that,'" the official said.</p>
<p>A veteran Republican financial lobbyist said she was under constant pressure from clients to predict what the new administration was planning but had no reliable answers.</p>
<p>WRENCH IN OBAMACARE REPEAL</p>
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<p>Trump appears to have thrown a wrench into Republican plans to repeal Obamacare with mixed signals on the details and timing of a replacement plan.</p>
<p>Congressional Republicans have focused on limiting government involvement in the healthcare system and eliminating the law's individual mandate that forces people to have insurance.</p>
<p>But Trump told the Washington Post he was almost done with a plan to replace Obamacare with "insurance for everybody," while forcing drug companies to negotiate directly with the government on prices for Medicare and Medicaid.</p>
<p>Trump's recent attack on the border adjustment tax was another sign of his unpredictability, the financial lobbyist said.</p>
<p>That measure would tax imports and exempt exports in an effort to encourage companies to keep jobs and production in the United States. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Friday, Trump called the proposal "too complicated."</p>
<p>"Anytime I hear border adjustment, I don't love it," Trump told the Journal. "Because usually it means we're going to get adjusted into a bad deal. That���s what happens."</p>
<p>Chris Krueger, an analyst at the investment firm Cowen and Co, said Trump's comments to the newspaper about the border adjustment proposal were "breathtaking."</p>
<p>"Trump is like a policy bull who seems to bring his own china shop with him to destroy it with every interview," Krueger wrote in a research note.</p>
<p>In an interview with the news outlet Axios on Tuesday, Trump appeared to adjust both positions. He said the border adjustment idea was still "on the plate." As for Obamacare, he said his comments were in response to proposals in which "people with no money aren't covered," which he said were unacceptable.</p>
<p>Lobbyists said the Trump transition team's lack of interest in their input was clear in the past two weeks as it summoned trade groups to daily "listening sessions" at the American Enterprise Institute think tank. The agriculture, financial, transportation and tech industries were among the sectors that got a one-hour session, according to participants.</p>
<p>'GOAT RODEO'</p>
<p>In the sessions, Wall Street lobbyists were encouraged to talk fast: a giant television screen overhead counted down two minutes of allotted time.</p>
<p>"It was a goat rodeo. We all got a couple minutes to speak. What can you really say in that time?" said another financial services lobbyist. "They wanted to check the box - 'We���re listening to Wall Street.' But who even knows where these transition people will be in a few days?"</p>
<p>Lobbyists also have been alarmed that the transition team has not included them in preparations for confirmation hearings for many nominated Cabinet officials, including potential Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.</p>
<p>"If you want someone to explain how Elizabeth Warren can hammer you 12 different ways, ask a lobbyist," said the financial services lobbyist, referring to the Democratic U.S. senator from Massachusetts and frequent critic of Wall Street.</p>
<p>Even Trump's website sowed confusion about his intentions. A promise to dismantle the Dodd-Frank regulatory reforms was removed at the end of last year and has not been replaced. A Trump representative blamed a redesign, but bank lobbyists are not so sure - other content made it through the redesign.</p>
<p>Some companies have been reassured by Trump���s Cabinet nominees, who are seen as more predictable and supportive of the business establishment than the impulsive president-elect.</p>
<p>Senator Jeff Sessions, Trump���s pick for attorney general, has deep differences on values with the technology sector but is seen as an important Trump counterweight because he is a ���deliberate decision-maker not prone to big dramatic mood swings,��� a source at one major Silicon Valley firm said.</p>
<p>Many lobbyists and business officials said they remained optimistic and cautioned against reading too deeply into tweets or comments that Trump makes on policy.</p>
<p>"If Obama or Bush opined on a policy ... most of Washington assumed that raising that question was a well-vetted intentional decision to send a signal,��� a senior U.S. Chamber of Commerce official said.</p>
<p>Trump, by contrast, may simply be raising policy issues because he has questions on them, the chamber official said.</p>
<p>The same financial industry official who acknowledged the uncertain climate also said he was still optimistic.</p>
<p>"There were a lot of candidates who were interviewed. There were names floated out there and ... it was kind of a chaotic process," the official said, referring to the process of picking candidates to fill Cabinet and other administration positions.</p>
<p>���But overall, I think one can make the observation that in making the final selections, Trump has shown ... a very surprising even-handedness."</p>
<p>(Additional reporting by Julia Edwards Ainsley, Dustin Volz and Emily Stephenson; Writing by John Whitesides; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Peter Cooney)</p> | true | 0 | early optimism among business lobbyists executives donald trumps election heralded better days slowly given way uncertainty presidentelect fires mixed sometimes confusing messages healthcare taxes trade initial euphoria business world fueled powerful postelection stock rally frayed questions arise nuts bolts trumps campaign promises although many business community said remained optimistic continue reading doubts deepened weekend trump declared would replace president barack obamas signature healthcare plan known obamacare insurance everybody goal far beyond republican designs criticized key component plan congress overhaul corporate taxes later interview appeared adjust stances possibly adding confusion fair say since election mounting uncertainty exactly specific policies likely regard tax reform replacing obamacare financial industry official said expectations faster growth tax reform quick repeal obamacare officially known affordable care act given way really sure means official said veteran republican financial lobbyist said constant pressure clients predict new administration planning reliable answers wrench obamacare repeal advertisement trump appears thrown wrench republican plans repeal obamacare mixed signals details timing replacement plan congressional republicans focused limiting government involvement healthcare system eliminating laws individual mandate forces people insurance trump told washington post almost done plan replace obamacare insurance everybody forcing drug companies negotiate directly government prices medicare medicaid trumps recent attack border adjustment tax another sign unpredictability financial lobbyist said measure would tax imports exempt exports effort encourage companies keep jobs production united states interview wall street journal friday trump called proposal complicated anytime hear border adjustment dont love trump told journal usually means going get adjusted bad deal thats happens chris krueger analyst investment firm cowen co said trumps comments newspaper border adjustment proposal breathtaking trump like policy bull seems bring china shop destroy every interview krueger wrote research note interview news outlet axios tuesday trump appeared adjust positions said border adjustment idea still plate obamacare said comments response proposals people money arent covered said unacceptable lobbyists said trump transition teams lack interest input clear past two weeks summoned trade groups daily listening sessions american enterprise institute think tank agriculture financial transportation tech industries among sectors got onehour session according participants goat rodeo sessions wall street lobbyists encouraged talk fast giant television screen overhead counted two minutes allotted time goat rodeo got couple minutes speak really say time said another financial services lobbyist wanted check box listening wall street even knows transition people days lobbyists also alarmed transition team included preparations confirmation hearings many nominated cabinet officials including potential treasury secretary steven mnuchin want someone explain elizabeth warren hammer 12 different ways ask lobbyist said financial services lobbyist referring democratic us senator massachusetts frequent critic wall street even trumps website sowed confusion intentions promise dismantle doddfrank regulatory reforms removed end last year replaced trump representative blamed redesign bank lobbyists sure content made redesign companies reassured trumps cabinet nominees seen predictable supportive business establishment impulsive presidentelect senator jeff sessions trumps pick attorney general deep differences values technology sector seen important trump counterweight deliberate decisionmaker prone big dramatic mood swings source one major silicon valley firm said many lobbyists business officials said remained optimistic cautioned reading deeply tweets comments trump makes policy obama bush opined policy washington assumed raising question wellvetted intentional decision send signal senior us chamber commerce official said trump contrast may simply raising policy issues questions chamber official said financial industry official acknowledged uncertain climate also said still optimistic lot candidates interviewed names floated kind chaotic process official said referring process picking candidates fill cabinet administration positions overall think one make observation making final selections trump shown surprising evenhandedness additional reporting julia edwards ainsley dustin volz emily stephenson writing john whitesides editing kevin drawbaugh peter cooney | 595 |
<p>FBN's Liz MacDonald breaks down Berkshire Hathaway's CEO Warren Buffett's proposal to the GOP.</p>
<p>Warren Buffett is picking yet another big political fight.</p>
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<p>The billionaire is now taking up the GOP’s challenge to pay more out of his own pocket to cut the deficit -- but he wants the GOP to match his donations.</p>
<p>Is this a hollow offer? And does it miss a bigger point about taxes and deficit spending?</p>
<p>The billionaire is now offering to donate $1 towards paying down the national debt for every dollar donated by a Republican in Congress, according to the latest issue of Time magazine. And Buffett says he would donate $3 for every $1 Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell gives.</p>
<p>The latest debate stems from a <a href="" type="internal">New York Times</a> opinion piece Buffett wrote last summer in which he said millionaires ought to pay more in taxes.</p>
<p>President <a href="" type="internal">Barack Obama</a> then used the Buffett anecdote to back his effort to rewrite the tax code, as he has championed the “Buffett Rule” to raise taxes on the rich, which could hit filers who make $200,000 a year.</p>
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<p>That means Buffett is inadvertently and perhaps unwittingly backing a tax hike on the decidedly nonrich.</p>
<p>But the broader point is, the <a href="" type="internal">White House</a> and Buffett are misleading Americans in this debate. They are in favor of increasing income taxes on the wealthy that Buffett himself does not pay because Buffett has structured his tax bill to pay at around the same lower rate as the $50,000-$75,000 crowd pays, an average 15%. Buffett has structured his federal tax bill to drop his effective tax rate down lower than his secretary’s rate.</p>
<p>In other words, the President’s "Buffett Rule" would not tax the vast majority of Buffett’s own sheltered income, including either his unrealized capital gains, which are currently taxed at 0%, or charitable contributions, which are tax deductible.</p>
<p>And the rich already pay a mountain of tax -- which is why even Europe’s Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development says the U.S. tax system is one of the most progressive in the world.</p>
<p>Senator McConnell tells FOX Business that if Buffett wants to pay more, he can do so by simply checking a box on his own tax return to make voluntary donations. And that deficit spending really is to blame.</p>
<p>The Senator is referring to the GOP’s own “Buffett Rule Act,” legislation introduced by Sen. <a href="" type="internal">John Thune</a> (R-SD) and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) last fall which would require the IRS to include a line option on tax forms to donate money to the U.S. Treasury to pay down the deficit.</p>
<p>Senator McConnell’s spokesman Don Stewart tells FOX Business: “Sen. McConnell says that Washington should be smaller, rather than taxes getting bigger. And since some, like President Obama and Mr. Buffett want to pay higher taxes, Congress made it possible for them to call their own bluff and send in a check. So I look forward to Mr. Buffett matching a healthy batch of checks from those who actually want to pay higher taxes, including Congressional Democrats, the President and the DNC.”</p>
<p>In this debate, Buffett had repeatedly referred to taxable income rather than adjusted gross income, which is sizable. Buffett says in his New York Times’ editorial that he paid $6,938,744 in total income and payroll taxes in 2010.</p>
<p>Last October, Buffett released more detail, saying his 2010 tax return included $62.9 million of adjusted gross income and $39.8 million of taxable income, upon which he paid taxes of $6.9 million, for an effective federal tax rate of 17.3%.</p>
<p>However, Buffett’s net worth is an estimated $47 billion, according to Forbes magazine. As head of the conglomerate <a href="" type="internal">Berkshire Hathaway</a>, Buffett reportedly pays himself a nominal salary of $100,000, lowering his payroll and income taxes.</p>
<p>He pays taxes at the lower effective 17% rate largely because of his capital gains, as he gets most of his income from selling things like shares in Berkshire Hathaway, whose stock rises from investing the floated money it gets from all of the insurance companies it owns.</p>
<p>Buffett also reportedly takes out loans taken out against his assets, and lowers his tax bill further by deducting that interest on his returns. And he makes generous charitable contributions, which he can also deduct on his tax returns.</p>
<p>Indeed, Buffett’s second of three contractual conditions for his ongoing pledge to the Gates Foundation reads: "The foundation must continue to satisfy the legal requirements qualifying Warren's gift as charitable, exempt from gift or other taxes."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/Pages/implementing-warren-buffetts-gift.aspx" type="external">http://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/Pages/implementing-warren-buffetts-gift.aspx Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>So here Buffett notes federal tax deductions are key, which lower his tax bills. Even Buffett himself said in a 2007 television interview that the foundations he and his children donate to “do a better job with lower administrative costs and better selection of beneficiaries than the government."</p>
<p>And IRS data show the rich already pay a mountain of tax. The top 1% of federal taxpayers footed the bill for 38% of all federal personal income taxes, according to IRS 2008 data. The top 5% paid more than half of federal income taxes, 58.7%. The top 10% paid 69.9%. The $50,000-$75,000 crowd will pay an average 15% of their income in federal taxes; the $40,000 to $50,000 crowd will pay an average 12.5%, says the Tax Policy Center.</p>
<p>So if Warren Buffett wants to reduce the deficit, he should encourage policies to create more millionaires, not lobby to tax them more. And he should encourage the government to spend less instead of taxing more.</p>
<p>Even taxing the top 1% at a 100% rate, you still wouldn’t close the budget deficit. According to IRS data for 2007, there were about 391,000 households with income greater than $1 million, and they had aggregate taxable income of about $1 trillion. That would not close the annual budget deficit. And if the government did tax them 100%, the following year there would be no income to tax.</p>
<p>The only way the White House can pay for ever higher levels of government spending is through permanently higher levels of tax revenue taken from the middle class, tax data show. The irony is, tax data also show that whenever Congress increases rates on the upper brackets, federal tax revenue from those brackets falls because the rich shelter their income.</p>
<p>Which is what Warren Buffett does.</p>
<p>Taxes paid by the richest 400 in 1994 were almost identical to the amount they paid in 1992, despite the intervening Clinton tax hike, notes economist Art Laffer. But federal taxes paid by this bracket rose dramatically after President Clinton soon after signed a capital gains tax cut into law.</p>
<p>Also, nowhere in Buffett’s editorial does he note that his desired tax increases would hit small businesses very hard. At least 75% of small businesses file taxes on business income at individual rates, says the National Federation of Independent Business. Two thirds, or 65%, of joint filers with income above $250,000 and 50% of single filers above $200,000 earn business income.</p>
<p>Of the roughly 391,000 taxpayers who reported income exceeding $1 million, more than 300,000 of those had business income and met the Treasury Department's definition of business owner, says the NFIB.</p>
<p>Small businesses create the lion's share of jobs in the U.S. economy, so Buffett in effect would raise taxes on the country’s main job creators.</p> | true | 0 | fbns liz macdonald breaks berkshire hathaways ceo warren buffetts proposal gop warren buffett picking yet another big political fight continue reading billionaire taking gops challenge pay pocket cut deficit wants gop match donations hollow offer miss bigger point taxes deficit spending billionaire offering donate 1 towards paying national debt every dollar donated republican congress according latest issue time magazine buffett says would donate 3 every 1 senate republican leader mitch mcconnell gives latest debate stems new york times opinion piece buffett wrote last summer said millionaires ought pay taxes president barack obama used buffett anecdote back effort rewrite tax code championed buffett rule raise taxes rich could hit filers make 200000 year advertisement means buffett inadvertently perhaps unwittingly backing tax hike decidedly nonrich broader point white house buffett misleading americans debate favor increasing income taxes wealthy buffett pay buffett structured tax bill pay around lower rate 5000075000 crowd pays average 15 buffett structured federal tax bill drop effective tax rate lower secretarys rate words presidents buffett rule would tax vast majority buffetts sheltered income including either unrealized capital gains currently taxed 0 charitable contributions tax deductible rich already pay mountain tax even europes organization economic cooperation development says us tax system one progressive world senator mcconnell tells fox business buffett wants pay simply checking box tax return make voluntary donations deficit spending really blame senator referring gops buffett rule act legislation introduced sen john thune rsd rep steve scalise rla last fall would require irs include line option tax forms donate money us treasury pay deficit senator mcconnells spokesman stewart tells fox business sen mcconnell says washington smaller rather taxes getting bigger since like president obama mr buffett want pay higher taxes congress made possible call bluff send check look forward mr buffett matching healthy batch checks actually want pay higher taxes including congressional democrats president dnc debate buffett repeatedly referred taxable income rather adjusted gross income sizable buffett says new york times editorial paid 6938744 total income payroll taxes 2010 last october buffett released detail saying 2010 tax return included 629 million adjusted gross income 398 million taxable income upon paid taxes 69 million effective federal tax rate 173 however buffetts net worth estimated 47 billion according forbes magazine head conglomerate berkshire hathaway buffett reportedly pays nominal salary 100000 lowering payroll income taxes pays taxes lower effective 17 rate largely capital gains gets income selling things like shares berkshire hathaway whose stock rises investing floated money gets insurance companies owns buffett also reportedly takes loans taken assets lowers tax bill deducting interest returns makes generous charitable contributions also deduct tax returns indeed buffetts second three contractual conditions ongoing pledge gates foundation reads foundation must continue satisfy legal requirements qualifying warrens gift charitable exempt gift taxes httpwwwgatesfoundationorgaboutpagesimplementingwarrenbuffettsgiftaspx opens new window buffett notes federal tax deductions key lower tax bills even buffett said 2007 television interview foundations children donate better job lower administrative costs better selection beneficiaries government irs data show rich already pay mountain tax top 1 federal taxpayers footed bill 38 federal personal income taxes according irs 2008 data top 5 paid half federal income taxes 587 top 10 paid 699 5000075000 crowd pay average 15 income federal taxes 40000 50000 crowd pay average 125 says tax policy center warren buffett wants reduce deficit encourage policies create millionaires lobby tax encourage government spend less instead taxing even taxing top 1 100 rate still wouldnt close budget deficit according irs data 2007 391000 households income greater 1 million aggregate taxable income 1 trillion would close annual budget deficit government tax 100 following year would income tax way white house pay ever higher levels government spending permanently higher levels tax revenue taken middle class tax data show irony tax data also show whenever congress increases rates upper brackets federal tax revenue brackets falls rich shelter income warren buffett taxes paid richest 400 1994 almost identical amount paid 1992 despite intervening clinton tax hike notes economist art laffer federal taxes paid bracket rose dramatically president clinton soon signed capital gains tax cut law also nowhere buffetts editorial note desired tax increases would hit small businesses hard least 75 small businesses file taxes business income individual rates says national federation independent business two thirds 65 joint filers income 250000 50 single filers 200000 earn business income roughly 391000 taxpayers reported income exceeding 1 million 300000 business income met treasury departments definition business owner says nfib small businesses create lions share jobs us economy buffett effect would raise taxes countrys main job creators | 749 |
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<p>From our mostly good news department: Fewer Americans are carrying onerous balances on their credit cards, most are paying less interest on those debts and many are working harder not to carry from month to month any credit card balances at all.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>A statistical report issued Thursday by the American Bankers Association strongly demonstrated that U.S. credit card holders learned a few valuable lessons from the Great Recession, though they still have some work to do.</p>
<p>"The fact that credit card debt has declined is a welcome development," said Melinda Opperman, senior vice president of <a href="http://credit.org/" type="external">Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management Opens a New Window.</a>, a nationwide credit counseling and financial education organization. "But there are some things we should consider before we celebrate too much."</p>
<p>Among them, she said, is the diminished availability of card-related credit, a consequence of higher credit score hurdles and other qualification standards now imposed by card issuers.</p>
<p>"This is troublesome, because access to credit is an important driver of mobility," Opperman said. "We try to teach people to use credit responsibly, but we don't want them to avoid using credit altogether.</p>
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<p>"Using credit well builds one's credit rating, which helps gain access to housing, loans, employment and more," she said. "If the recession has led to fewer people gaining access to credit, then some people won't have the opportunity to establish a credit history and work their way up through the middle class."</p>
<p>David Jones, president of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, cited the widely shared pain of the recession as a leading factor in our newfound discipline when it comes to credit cards.</p>
<p>"This conservative trend in credit card usage appears to be the result of a shift in consumer thinking primarily based on the drop in home values," Jones said.</p>
<p>"In the past, homes could be counted upon for value appreciation and, therefore, a source for ready loans," he said. "No more, at least for the foreseeable future. Without that backstop, consumers have quit the trend of reckless spending we have seen for decades."</p>
<p>Key findings So it would seem. The ABA's inaugural edition of its <a href="http://www.aba.com/Press/Documents/1ABA%20Credit%20Card%20Market%20Monitor%20Press%20Release%20(09%2025%2013).pdf" type="external">Credit Card Market Monitor Opens a New Window.</a> found:</p>
<p>Outstanding credit card debt has declined. That's true for credit card debt more than that of any other major form of credit during the past five years. Business loans and auto loans have rebounded since the depths of the recession, but mortgage debt is still down 16% and credit card debt remains down by an impressive 22%. As a percentage of the nation's disposable income, outstanding credit card debt has fallen from more than 8% in 2003 and nearly 8% during the depths of the recession to less than 6% in the second quarter of 2013. Further, as a share of the nation's Gross Domestic Product, an important measure, credit card debt stands at 4% -- a 10-year low.</p>
<p>Monthly balances have fallen. The average ending monthly balance for all three risk categories of credit card holders -- subprime customers, prime customers and super-prime customers -- has fallen at least slightly from the highs endured during the recession. At the same time, however, subprime and prime customers still are carrying average balances of $2,500 or more. Those who have the best credit use it least: Super-prime cardholders are carrying average balances of nearly $1,000.</p>
<p>That means that many credit card customers are still hurting. "Our agency still counsels thousands of people looking for relief from high balances and interest rates," said Christopher Viale, president and chief executive officer of Cambridge Credit Counseling in Massachusetts. "During the past two years, however, we've also noticed that the majority of people who only need budgeting help or other assistance outside a debt management plan have lower interest rates and credit card balances. I think this is a natural consequence of the recession."</p>
<p>Interest as a percent of outstanding credit card balances has declined. In 2010, interest accounted for more than 13% of the nation's credit card debt. By the beginning of 2013, that was down to 11.25%.</p>
<p>Experts attributed that to several factors, including tighter application requirements imposed by credit card companies. That reduces the credit card companies' risk, and finance rates can decline. "A change in consumer behavior, coupled with shifts in the risk profile of bank portfolios, mean that the effective cost of credit card credit for consumers is falling," Kenneth J. Clayton, executive director of the ABA's Card Policy Council, said in a statement that accompanied the report.</p>
<p>But the reality of lower interest rates also provides more evidence that some Americans are having more trouble qualifying for the credit that they legitimately need. "It indicates that there are fewer accounts with high interest rates," Opperman said. "While high interest rates aren't a great thing, they're usually associated with accounts held by new consumers and those working to rebuild their credit rating. These are the very people who need access to credit so they can prove they're ready for homeownership, auto loans, etc."</p>
<p>Average interest rates on debt fell.&#160;Between the beginning of 2010 and the beginning of 2013, the average interest rate on credit card debt fell from nearly 14% to about 11.8%. On the other hand, credit card interest rates remain relatively high when compared to other forms of credit, and the annual rates on these other forms of debt have fallen by much larger margins. For instance, over that same four-year period, auto loans were down by 32%, mortgages by 31% and business loans by 36%.</p>
<p>A virtuous cycle Together, the findings paint the picture of a virtuous cycle: People are paying off their credit card debts faster than in the past and more people are no longer carrying over credit card debt from month to month to month. Not carrying&#160;debt means they're not suffering finance charges or&#160;dings to their credit scores -- which lets them continue paying off their debts faster.</p>
<p>The percentage of credit card users who pay off their full balances every month -- a group called "transactors" -- has been inching up almost from the start of the recession. Together, transactors and credit card holders with dormant accounts now account for nearly 60% of all U.S. credit card customers. That is another strong indication that the recession has left a lasting mark on, and produced a valuable lesson for, American credit card holders. On the surface, this seems like wonderful news, but there could be a hidden cost.</p>
<p>"Lower balances could indicate fewer discretionary purchases, which means lower economic activity, and the recovery from the recession is slower," Opperman said. "It's great if people are eschewing credit for day-to-day spending, but if they're not spending at all, our whole economic slump will continue ..."</p>
<p>"Whatever its effect on the larger economy, these trends are good for individual credit card holders," she said. "If consumer spending rebounds fully without increased credit card borrowing, then this will be a great turning point for American consumers."</p>
<p>See related: <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/g19-federal_reserve-consumer_credit-debt-down-090913-1276.php?aid=52aae854" type="external">Fed: Card balances fell in July</a>,&#160; <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/federal_reserve-interest-rates-fomc-september-2013-no_taper-1282.php?aid=52aae854" type="external">Fed maintains support for low interest rates</a></p> | true | 0 | mostly good news department fewer americans carrying onerous balances credit cards paying less interest debts many working harder carry month month credit card balances continue reading statistical report issued thursday american bankers association strongly demonstrated us credit card holders learned valuable lessons great recession though still work fact credit card debt declined welcome development said melinda opperman senior vice president springboard nonprofit consumer credit management opens new window nationwide credit counseling financial education organization things consider celebrate much among said diminished availability cardrelated credit consequence higher credit score hurdles qualification standards imposed card issuers troublesome access credit important driver mobility opperman said try teach people use credit responsibly dont want avoid using credit altogether advertisement using credit well builds ones credit rating helps gain access housing loans employment said recession led fewer people gaining access credit people wont opportunity establish credit history work way middle class david jones president association independent consumer credit counseling agencies cited widely shared pain recession leading factor newfound discipline comes credit cards conservative trend credit card usage appears result shift consumer thinking primarily based drop home values jones said past homes could counted upon value appreciation therefore source ready loans said least foreseeable future without backstop consumers quit trend reckless spending seen decades key findings would seem abas inaugural edition credit card market monitor opens new window found outstanding credit card debt declined thats true credit card debt major form credit past five years business loans auto loans rebounded since depths recession mortgage debt still 16 credit card debt remains impressive 22 percentage nations disposable income outstanding credit card debt fallen 8 2003 nearly 8 depths recession less 6 second quarter 2013 share nations gross domestic product important measure credit card debt stands 4 10year low monthly balances fallen average ending monthly balance three risk categories credit card holders subprime customers prime customers superprime customers fallen least slightly highs endured recession time however subprime prime customers still carrying average balances 2500 best credit use least superprime cardholders carrying average balances nearly 1000 means many credit card customers still hurting agency still counsels thousands people looking relief high balances interest rates said christopher viale president chief executive officer cambridge credit counseling massachusetts past two years however weve also noticed majority people need budgeting help assistance outside debt management plan lower interest rates credit card balances think natural consequence recession interest percent outstanding credit card balances declined 2010 interest accounted 13 nations credit card debt beginning 2013 1125 experts attributed several factors including tighter application requirements imposed credit card companies reduces credit card companies risk finance rates decline change consumer behavior coupled shifts risk profile bank portfolios mean effective cost credit card credit consumers falling kenneth j clayton executive director abas card policy council said statement accompanied report reality lower interest rates also provides evidence americans trouble qualifying credit legitimately need indicates fewer accounts high interest rates opperman said high interest rates arent great thing theyre usually associated accounts held new consumers working rebuild credit rating people need access credit prove theyre ready homeownership auto loans etc average interest rates debt fell160between beginning 2010 beginning 2013 average interest rate credit card debt fell nearly 14 118 hand credit card interest rates remain relatively high compared forms credit annual rates forms debt fallen much larger margins instance fouryear period auto loans 32 mortgages 31 business loans 36 virtuous cycle together findings paint picture virtuous cycle people paying credit card debts faster past people longer carrying credit card debt month month month carrying160debt means theyre suffering finance charges or160dings credit scores lets continue paying debts faster percentage credit card users pay full balances every month group called transactors inching almost start recession together transactors credit card holders dormant accounts account nearly 60 us credit card customers another strong indication recession left lasting mark produced valuable lesson american credit card holders surface seems like wonderful news could hidden cost lower balances could indicate fewer discretionary purchases means lower economic activity recovery recession slower opperman said great people eschewing credit daytoday spending theyre spending whole economic slump continue whatever effect larger economy trends good individual credit card holders said consumer spending rebounds fully without increased credit card borrowing great turning point american consumers see related fed card balances fell july160 fed maintains support low interest rates | 715 |
<p>Global stocks down following Spain attacks</p>
<p>-- Haven assets advance</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average turned positive in early afternoon trading Friday, after the blue-chip posted its biggest decline in three months.</p>
<p>Indexes spent the morning hovering between slight gains and losses, as a lack of big economic data and corporate earnings reports contributed to quiet trading Friday morning.</p>
<p>U.S. stocks rose modestly following reports that chief strategist Steve Bannon was leaving his role at the White House. Mr. Bannon has been viewed as a controversial figure within the administration.</p>
<p>The Dow industrials were recently up 32 points, or 0.2%, at 21784. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.5%.</p>
<p>The gains run counter to Thursday, when disappointing earnings, a terror attack in Barcelona and unfounded speculation about the resignation of another key adviser in the White House, Gary Cohn, led to a steep stock selloff. Two White House aides told The Wall Street Journal that Mr. Cohn hasn't resigned and is not planning to do so.</p>
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<p>"There was a lot of noise yesterday," said Kenny Polcari, director at brokerage O'Neil Securities. "A lot of that drama isn't going to price stocks in the long term, but it does cause short-term movement."</p>
<p>In corporate news, shoe retailer Foot Locker Inc. tumbled 27% after its earnings early Friday failed to meet analyst expectations on profit and sales. Ross Stores' shares rose 9.5% after beating sales expectations in its earnings.</p>
<p>Retailers in the U.S. have been releasing mixed results on earnings throughout the week.</p>
<p>Agricultural company Deere &amp; Co. shares were down 5.4% after its sales figures fell short of expectations.</p>
<p>European markets were broadly lower after an assault in Barcelona and a subsequent attack in the Spanish coastal town of Cambrils left at least 14 people dead. The Stoxx Europe 600 slid 0.7% while Spain's benchmark IBEX 35 dropped 0.6%.</p>
<p>Shares of European travel companies suffered some of the largest losses of the day. International Consolidated Airlines Group SA -- one of the biggest decliners in the U. K. -- fell 2%. Airline shares in Europe tend to endure a short-lived selloff in the wake of terror attacks as investors assess the potential for a hit to tourism.</p>
<p>Simmering geopolitical tensions and the Trump administration's strained relationship with business leaders saw investors shift to haven assets, boosting gold by 0.9%. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield slid to 2.176% Friday from 2.197% Thursday, according to data from Tradeweb. Yields move inversely to prices. Utilities companies, viewed as bond proxies for stock investors, were the best performers in the S&amp;P 500 on Friday.</p>
<p>The WSJ Dollar Index, which tracks the dollar against a basket of currencies, was down 0.4%.</p>
<p>In Asia, markets were lower Friday with financial shares among the region's biggest decliners.</p>
<p>The Nikkei Stock Average was down 1.2%, and has suffered its largest weekly decline since mid-May. There was added pressure from the advance of the yen against the dollar, last up 0.5%.</p>
<p>Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 1.1%, while Australia's S&amp;P/ASX 200 narrowed its loss to 0.6%. Korea's Kospi was off 0.1%. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index was flat.</p>
<p>Ese Erheriene contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Corrie Driebusch at [email protected]</p>
<p>-- Global stocks down following Spain attacks</p>
<p>-- Haven assets advance</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average turned positive in early afternoon trading Friday, after the blue-chip posted its biggest decline in three months.</p>
<p>Indexes spent the morning hovering between slight gains and losses, as a lack of big economic data and corporate earnings reports contributed to quiet trading Friday morning.</p>
<p>U.S. stocks rose modestly following reports that chief strategist Steve Bannon was leaving his role at the White House. Mr. Bannon has been viewed as a controversial figure within the administration.</p>
<p>The Dow industrials were recently up 32 points, or 0.2%, at 21784. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.5%.</p>
<p>The gains run counter to Thursday, when disappointing earnings, a terror attack in Barcelona and unfounded speculation about the resignation of another key adviser in the White House, Gary Cohn, led to a steep stock selloff. Two White House aides told The Wall Street Journal that Mr. Cohn hasn't resigned and is not planning to do so.</p>
<p>"There was a lot of noise yesterday," said Kenny Polcari, director at brokerage O'Neil Securities. "A lot of that drama isn't going to price stocks in the long term, but it does cause short-term movement."</p>
<p>In corporate news, shoe retailer Foot Locker Inc. tumbled 27% after its earnings early Friday failed to meet analyst expectations on profit and sales. Ross Stores' shares rose 9.5% after beating sales expectations in its earnings.</p>
<p>Retailers in the U.S. have been releasing mixed results on earnings throughout the week.</p>
<p>Agricultural company Deere &amp; Co. shares were down 5.4% after its sales figures fell short of expectations.</p>
<p>European markets were broadly lower after an assault in Barcelona and a subsequent attack in the Spanish coastal town of Cambrils left at least 14 people dead. The Stoxx Europe 600 slid 0.7% while Spain's benchmark IBEX 35 dropped 0.6%.</p>
<p>Shares of European travel companies suffered some of the largest losses of the day. International Consolidated Airlines Group SA -- one of the biggest decliners in the U. K. -- fell 2%. Airline shares in Europe tend to endure a short-lived selloff in the wake of terror attacks as investors assess the potential for a hit to tourism.</p>
<p>Simmering geopolitical tensions and the Trump administration's strained relationship with business leaders saw investors shift to haven assets, boosting gold by 0.9%. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield slid to 2.176% Friday from 2.197% Thursday, according to data from Tradeweb. Yields move inversely to prices. Utilities companies, viewed as bond proxies for stock investors, were the best performers in the S&amp;P 500 on Friday.</p>
<p>The WSJ Dollar Index, which tracks the dollar against a basket of currencies, was down 0.4%.</p>
<p>In Asia, markets were lower Friday with financial shares among the region's biggest decliners.</p>
<p>The Nikkei Stock Average was down 1.2%, and has suffered its largest weekly decline since mid-May. There was added pressure from the advance of the yen against the dollar, last up 0.5%.</p>
<p>Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 1.1%, while Australia's S&amp;P/ASX 200 narrowed its loss to 0.6%. Korea's Kospi was off 0.1%. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index was flat.</p>
<p>Ese Erheriene contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Corrie Driebusch at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>August 18, 2017 13:54 ET (17:54 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | global stocks following spain attacks assets advance continue reading dow jones industrial average turned positive early afternoon trading friday bluechip posted biggest decline three months indexes spent morning hovering slight gains losses lack big economic data corporate earnings reports contributed quiet trading friday morning us stocks rose modestly following reports chief strategist steve bannon leaving role white house mr bannon viewed controversial figure within administration dow industrials recently 32 points 02 21784 sampp 500 rose 04 nasdaq composite climbed 05 gains run counter thursday disappointing earnings terror attack barcelona unfounded speculation resignation another key adviser white house gary cohn led steep stock selloff two white house aides told wall street journal mr cohn hasnt resigned planning advertisement lot noise yesterday said kenny polcari director brokerage oneil securities lot drama isnt going price stocks long term cause shortterm movement corporate news shoe retailer foot locker inc tumbled 27 earnings early friday failed meet analyst expectations profit sales ross stores shares rose 95 beating sales expectations earnings retailers us releasing mixed results earnings throughout week agricultural company deere amp co shares 54 sales figures fell short expectations european markets broadly lower assault barcelona subsequent attack spanish coastal town cambrils left least 14 people dead stoxx europe 600 slid 07 spains benchmark ibex 35 dropped 06 shares european travel companies suffered largest losses day international consolidated airlines group sa one biggest decliners u k fell 2 airline shares europe tend endure shortlived selloff wake terror attacks investors assess potential hit tourism simmering geopolitical tensions trump administrations strained relationship business leaders saw investors shift assets boosting gold 09 us 10year treasury yield slid 2176 friday 2197 thursday according data tradeweb yields move inversely prices utilities companies viewed bond proxies stock investors best performers sampp 500 friday wsj dollar index tracks dollar basket currencies 04 asia markets lower friday financial shares among regions biggest decliners nikkei stock average 12 suffered largest weekly decline since midmay added pressure advance yen dollar last 05 hong kongs hang seng index 11 australias samppasx 200 narrowed loss 06 koreas kospi 01 china shanghai composite index flat ese erheriene contributed article write corrie driebusch corriedriebuschwsjcom global stocks following spain attacks assets advance dow jones industrial average turned positive early afternoon trading friday bluechip posted biggest decline three months indexes spent morning hovering slight gains losses lack big economic data corporate earnings reports contributed quiet trading friday morning us stocks rose modestly following reports chief strategist steve bannon leaving role white house mr bannon viewed controversial figure within administration dow industrials recently 32 points 02 21784 sampp 500 rose 04 nasdaq composite climbed 05 gains run counter thursday disappointing earnings terror attack barcelona unfounded speculation resignation another key adviser white house gary cohn led steep stock selloff two white house aides told wall street journal mr cohn hasnt resigned planning lot noise yesterday said kenny polcari director brokerage oneil securities lot drama isnt going price stocks long term cause shortterm movement corporate news shoe retailer foot locker inc tumbled 27 earnings early friday failed meet analyst expectations profit sales ross stores shares rose 95 beating sales expectations earnings retailers us releasing mixed results earnings throughout week agricultural company deere amp co shares 54 sales figures fell short expectations european markets broadly lower assault barcelona subsequent attack spanish coastal town cambrils left least 14 people dead stoxx europe 600 slid 07 spains benchmark ibex 35 dropped 06 shares european travel companies suffered largest losses day international consolidated airlines group sa one biggest decliners u k fell 2 airline shares europe tend endure shortlived selloff wake terror attacks investors assess potential hit tourism simmering geopolitical tensions trump administrations strained relationship business leaders saw investors shift assets boosting gold 09 us 10year treasury yield slid 2176 friday 2197 thursday according data tradeweb yields move inversely prices utilities companies viewed bond proxies stock investors best performers sampp 500 friday wsj dollar index tracks dollar basket currencies 04 asia markets lower friday financial shares among regions biggest decliners nikkei stock average 12 suffered largest weekly decline since midmay added pressure advance yen dollar last 05 hong kongs hang seng index 11 australias samppasx 200 narrowed loss 06 koreas kospi 01 china shanghai composite index flat ese erheriene contributed article write corrie driebusch corriedriebuschwsjcom end dow jones newswires august 18 2017 1354 et 1754 gmt | 718 |
<p />
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Back in 2011, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) seemed like a fading player in the wireless subscription business. The duopoly of Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and AT&amp;T (NYSE: T) owned 65% of the market, while T-Mobile came in a distant fourth place, with just 11% of the market.</p>
<p>Times, however, have changed. Revitalized by CEO John Legere's "Uncarrier" plan that has expanded to include a wide number of initiatives, the company has grown to capture almost 17% of the market. While Verizon remains the top dog, with 35% of wireless subscriptions nationwide, such a drastic improvement leads to a simple question: Is T-Mobile's stock a better buy at today's prices?</p>
<p>There's no definitive way to answer that, but there are three different lenses through which we can answer the question.</p>
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<p>Cash in the bank is awfully boring. But it's incredibly important. That's because every business -- at some point in time -- will run into rough patches. Whether they be company-specific or macro in nature, those with lots of cash on hand will be rewarded with optionality.</p>
<p>What do I mean by this? Companies with cash will be able to continue their operations -- and have the option to outspend rivals with less cash, buy back stock, keep paying a dividend, or even make a splashy acquisition.</p>
<p>Those with lots of debt, on the other hand, won't be so lucky. They will have to narrow their focus to just making ends meet to stay out of bankruptcy.</p>
<p>The telecom industry requires heavy debt levels to maintain the enormous infrastructure required to meet our data demands, but we can still investigate where breathing room may exist. Here's how Verizon and T-Mobile stack up in terms of financial fortitude.</p>
<p>Data source: Yahoo! Finance. Cash includes long and short-term investments. Net income and free cash flow presented on trailing-12-month basis.</p>
<p>It's important to point out that Verizon is valued at roughly four-and-a-half times the size of T-Mobile. Given that, I can't help but give the nod here to T-Mobile. In terms of a cash-to-debt position, T-Mobile clearly has the upper hand -- with a somewhat comparable level of cash but only one-fifth the debt level.</p>
<p>Of course, much of the debt that Verizon has is because the company bought out the stake thatVodafone(NASDAQ: VOD) had in Verizon Wireless -- a critically important piece of Verizon's overall empire. But we'll get to the benefits that this bestows on shareholders in the next section.</p>
<p>Winner = T-Mobile</p>
<p>Often referred to as a "moat" in investing circles, a company's sustainable competitive advantages are perhaps the most important metric for any investor to consider. Evaluating a moat is part art, part science. In essence, the moat is the special sauce that makes a company what it is -- and differentiates it from all of the other players in the industry.</p>
<p>Both T-Mobile and Verizon are beneficiaries of high barriers to entrance. In short, we don't see a lot of start-ups popping up to vie for your mobile subscription dollars. That's because it's prohibitively expensive to build out data networks.</p>
<p>Verizon's moat is provided by the company's top spot within the industry. With 35% of all wireless subscriptions, and a fairly low churn rate, the company is able to rake in tons of free cash flow every month. It has also expanded beyond wireless service to become an Internet provider (FiOS), and it owns AOL's properties -- and will soon own Yahoo!'s operating business. It's yet to be seen exactly how these acquisitions will play out.</p>
<p>T-Mobile, on the other hand, has the advantage of being a first-mover in the no-contract plans among the country's biggest players. Legere, in effect, is doubling down on convenience and customer service, saying, "We're so much better than the others, we'll give our customers the choice to leave, and they still won't."</p>
<p>Of course, Legere has come up with other ways to keep customers around -- equipment installment plans or promotions tied to monthly bill credits -- but the bottom line is that the strategy has served as an important differentiator.</p>
<p>The strategy has paid off thus far, but it's worth stating that Verizon and AT&amp;T have already started offering much the same deal, and it may erode T-Mobile's advantage over time.</p>
<p>In addition, we are already seeing Verizon move beyond simply being a wireless carrier and into a fully fledged media and content company -- via the aforementioned Yahoo and AOL tie-ups. That's something that T-Mobile simply can't compete with at this point -- from a cash, cash flow, or acquisition standpoint.</p>
<p>Winner = Verizon</p>
<p>Finally, we have valuation. While this isn't an exact science, there are some straightforward metrics we can consult to give us an idea of how expensive each stock is.</p>
<p>Data source: Yahoo! Finance, E*Trade, Morningstar. P/E represents figures from non-GAAP earnings.</p>
<p>Here's where things get a little confusing. Verizon appears to be considerably cheaper on both an earnings and free-cash-flow basis. However, when we consult the PEG ratio -- which factors in the potential for future growth -- T-Mobile appears to be 80% cheaper!</p>
<p>Normally, that would make me give the nod to T-Mobile. However, there's one extra variable to consider: the dividend. Verizon has a healthy and sustainable 4.5% yield, while T-Mobile has none to speak of. Given that, I'm siding with Verizon, here.</p>
<p>Winner = Verizon</p>
<p>So, there you have it. If I had to boil this down to one sentence, it would be this: T-Mobile has better growth prospects, but Verizon is the safer bet and offers a dividend. Truth be told, both are probably worthy of your consideration, but for those seeking income via dividends, Verizon is the obvious choice.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Verizon Communications 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=d7ea770b-6da0-4935-be5e-f7b64c886448&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 Verizon Communications 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=d7ea770b-6da0-4935-be5e-f7b64c886448&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 November 7, 2016.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCheesehead/info.aspx" type="external">Brian Stoffel Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends T-Mobile US, Verizon Communications, and Yahoo. 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> | true | 0 | image source getty images continue reading back 2011 tmobile nasdaq tmus seemed like fading player wireless subscription business duopoly verizon nyse vz atampt nyse owned 65 market tmobile came distant fourth place 11 market times however changed revitalized ceo john legeres uncarrier plan expanded include wide number initiatives company grown capture almost 17 market verizon remains top dog 35 wireless subscriptions nationwide drastic improvement leads simple question tmobiles stock better buy todays prices theres definitive way answer three different lenses answer question advertisement cash bank awfully boring incredibly important thats every business point time run rough patches whether companyspecific macro nature lots cash hand rewarded optionality mean companies cash able continue operations option outspend rivals less cash buy back stock keep paying dividend even make splashy acquisition lots debt hand wont lucky narrow focus making ends meet stay bankruptcy telecom industry requires heavy debt levels maintain enormous infrastructure required meet data demands still investigate breathing room may exist heres verizon tmobile stack terms financial fortitude data source yahoo finance cash includes long shortterm investments net income free cash flow presented trailing12month basis important point verizon valued roughly fourandahalf times size tmobile given cant help give nod tmobile terms cashtodebt position tmobile clearly upper hand somewhat comparable level cash onefifth debt level course much debt verizon company bought stake thatvodafonenasdaq vod verizon wireless critically important piece verizons overall empire well get benefits bestows shareholders next section winner tmobile often referred moat investing circles companys sustainable competitive advantages perhaps important metric investor consider evaluating moat part art part science essence moat special sauce makes company differentiates players industry tmobile verizon beneficiaries high barriers entrance short dont see lot startups popping vie mobile subscription dollars thats prohibitively expensive build data networks verizons moat provided companys top spot within industry 35 wireless subscriptions fairly low churn rate company able rake tons free cash flow every month also expanded beyond wireless service become internet provider fios owns aols properties soon yahoos operating business yet seen exactly acquisitions play tmobile hand advantage firstmover nocontract plans among countrys biggest players legere effect doubling convenience customer service saying much better others well give customers choice leave still wont course legere come ways keep customers around equipment installment plans promotions tied monthly bill credits bottom line strategy served important differentiator strategy paid thus far worth stating verizon atampt already started offering much deal may erode tmobiles advantage time addition already seeing verizon move beyond simply wireless carrier fully fledged media content company via aforementioned yahoo aol tieups thats something tmobile simply cant compete point cash cash flow acquisition standpoint winner verizon finally valuation isnt exact science straightforward metrics consult give us idea expensive stock data source yahoo finance etrade morningstar pe represents figures nongaap earnings heres things get little confusing verizon appears considerably cheaper earnings freecashflow basis however consult peg ratio factors potential future growth tmobile appears 80 cheaper normally would make give nod tmobile however theres one extra variable consider dividend verizon healthy sustainable 45 yield tmobile none speak given im siding verizon winner verizon boil one sentence would tmobile better growth prospects verizon safer bet offers dividend truth told probably worthy consideration seeking income via dividends verizon obvious choice 10 stocks like better verizon communications 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 verizon communications wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 7 2016 brian stoffel opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool recommends tmobile us verizon communications yahoo 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 | 643 |
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<p>More than a year since the first E. coli outbreak made customers ill at a Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) restaurant, the chain continues to struggle to win back business.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The Mexican fast-casual chain reported that revenue decreased 14.8% in the third quarter of 2016 while comparable-restaurant sales dropped by 21.9%. Restaurant-level operating margin also fell to 14.1%, a decrease from 28.3%, and net income came in at $7.8 million, down from $144.9 million.</p>
<p>The third quarter covered the July 1 through Sept. 30 period, when three of the company's four E. coli outbreaks occurred in 2015 (a December incident in Boston turned out be norovirus). And while Chipotle has certainly not completed its recovery, co-CEO Steve Ells believes his company has made progress in its comeback and he seemed confident during the earnings call that it would eventually rebound from its food-safety scandal.</p>
<p>"We are beginning to emerge from the most difficult year in our history and are seeing many reasons to be optimistic that we are headed in the right direction to restore our business to a place our many shareholders will be proud of," he said, according to a <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/4014930-chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2016-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=single" type="external">transcript Opens a New Window.</a> of the call by Seeking Alpha (registration required). "2016 will be marked as a significant reinvestment year as we continue to work to make Chipotle a stronger company in the wake of last year's events."</p>
<p>Ells detailed a very specific plan for Chipotle's continued comeback. Those efforts include "delivering a safe and extraordinary guest experience in every restaurant, restoring trust and building sales, restoring our economic model and enhancing the guest experience through innovation." There's much more to it and the co-CEO, along with other company executives, shared their vision during the Oct. 25 call.</p>
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<p>Chipotle has been working on improving the customer experience. Image source: Chipotle.</p>
<p>Chipotle has a relatively small menu compared to many of its rivals and a new addition tends to be a big deal. For example, Ells noted that the recent nationwide rollout of chorizo now accounts for 7% of entree sales. He believes that carefully selected further additions should help bring customers back.</p>
<p>One possible menu item would be a first for Chipotle. Ells acknowledged during the call that the company may get into the dessert business."We're also currently testing two different desserts and we hope to select one to offer in the near future," he said. "We believe that there's an opportunity to excite current customers and to attract new customers through thoughtful menu development and we're exploring these options."</p>
<p>Chipotle plans to more heavily promote digital ordering as a way to get customers their food faster.</p>
<p>"Nearly all of our restaurants have a second make-line in the back of the restaurant where we fulfill digital, fax, and catering orders," said Ells. "By optimizing the use and design of these second make-lines, we envision a time when digital ordering could account for a much larger percentage of sales than the 6% it represents today."</p>
<p>To make that happen, the company has been working on improving the efficiency of its behind-the-scenes production lines.</p>
<p>"The new line is a much more ergonomic and efficient design, configured such that less labor will be required to produce higher sales volumes, and does so more quickly," the co-CEO said. "The new line incorporates an advanced queuing system that takes advantage of a heads-up digital display, which allows our crews to assemble orders without distraction."</p>
<p>Ells explained that the new lines, which are being rolled out first to higher-volume stores, let employees assemble orders faster and allow "reduced errors and more consistent portion sizes for our customers; all of which we believe will help us drive increased sales volumes."</p>
<p>Ells turned the conference call over to his co-CEO, Montgomery F. Moran, who made it clear that getting the chain back to where it was will not be easy. He repeatedly mentioned a focus on food safety, making it clear that Chipotle has not lost sight of why it got into trouble in the first place.</p>
<p>"As we move forward with our recovery plans, the guest experience remains our greatest area of focus," he said. "Providing an excellent guest experience starts with serving food that's always safe and delicious."</p>
<p>He also explained that it has established an independent Food Safety Advisory Council "made up of some of the country's foremost experts in food safety and food microbiology." The council will be charged with continuously reviewing the company's food safety efforts while looking for opportunities to improve them.</p>
<p>Moran acknowledged that safety alone would not bring customers back. He said that continued improvement would be needed to complete the comeback, including delivering on something that impacts many of the meals it serves."We continue to look for ways to improve the quality of the food we serve, including our quest for better tortillas made with no artificial additives or preservatives, a promise we made last year and are close to fulfilling," he said.</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 yet to try the chorizo, but wants to. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill. 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> | true | 0 | year since first e coli outbreak made customers ill chipotle nyse cmg restaurant chain continues struggle win back business continue reading mexican fastcasual chain reported revenue decreased 148 third quarter 2016 comparablerestaurant sales dropped 219 restaurantlevel operating margin also fell 141 decrease 283 net income came 78 million 1449 million third quarter covered july 1 sept 30 period three companys four e coli outbreaks occurred 2015 december incident boston turned norovirus chipotle certainly completed recovery coceo steve ells believes company made progress comeback seemed confident earnings call would eventually rebound foodsafety scandal beginning emerge difficult year history seeing many reasons optimistic headed right direction restore business place many shareholders proud said according transcript opens new window call seeking alpha registration required 2016 marked significant reinvestment year continue work make chipotle stronger company wake last years events ells detailed specific plan chipotles continued comeback efforts include delivering safe extraordinary guest experience every restaurant restoring trust building sales restoring economic model enhancing guest experience innovation theres much coceo along company executives shared vision oct 25 call advertisement chipotle working improving customer experience image source chipotle chipotle relatively small menu compared many rivals new addition tends big deal example ells noted recent nationwide rollout chorizo accounts 7 entree sales believes carefully selected additions help bring customers back one possible menu item would first chipotle ells acknowledged call company may get dessert businesswere also currently testing two different desserts hope select one offer near future said believe theres opportunity excite current customers attract new customers thoughtful menu development exploring options chipotle plans heavily promote digital ordering way get customers food faster nearly restaurants second makeline back restaurant fulfill digital fax catering orders said ells optimizing use design second makelines envision time digital ordering could account much larger percentage sales 6 represents today make happen company working improving efficiency behindthescenes production lines new line much ergonomic efficient design configured less labor required produce higher sales volumes quickly coceo said new line incorporates advanced queuing system takes advantage headsup digital display allows crews assemble orders without distraction ells explained new lines rolled first highervolume stores let employees assemble orders faster allow reduced errors consistent portion sizes customers believe help us drive increased sales volumes ells turned conference call coceo montgomery f moran made clear getting chain back easy repeatedly mentioned focus food safety making clear chipotle lost sight got trouble first place move forward recovery plans guest experience remains greatest area focus said providing excellent guest experience starts serving food thats always safe delicious also explained established independent food safety advisory council made countrys foremost experts food safety food microbiology council charged continuously reviewing companys food safety efforts looking opportunities improve moran acknowledged safety alone would bring customers back said continued improvement would needed complete comeback including delivering something impacts many meals serveswe continue look ways improve quality food serve including quest better tortillas made artificial additives preservatives promise made last year close fulfilling said 10 stocks like better chipotle mexican grill investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe ten best stocks opens new window investors buy right chipotle mexican grill wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns october 3 2016 daniel kline opens new window position stocks mentioned yet try chorizo wants motley fool owns shares recommends chipotle mexican grill 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 | 605 |
<p />
<p>It’s still more than a month away, but retailers are gearing up for their Black Friday sales, and the discount predictions are rolling in.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Black Friday marks the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season, and hitting the stores at the break of dawn still in a Turkey coma has become part of the festivities. Even with the struggling economic recovery, retailers are expecting a strong turnout and high sales numbers. Last year, 225 million shoppers spent $52.4 billion over Black Friday weekend both in stores and online.</p>
<p>The mega-shopping day originally got its name for being the day that retailers would become profitable for the year, but as the industry and shoppers habits have evolved, that’s no longer the case.</p>
<p>“Retailers can’t afford to break even until the fourth quarter,” explains Cynthia Cohen, president of &#160;Strategic Mindshare, a retail consulting firm. “Now the day is an indicator on how the entire season will play. The day is not a store’s best margin day because of the heavy discounting but it’s planned discounting and it’s the time to connect with and gain customers.”</p>
<p>If the sales numbers for Black Friday aren’t good, shoppers can expect even more discounts to roll out through December.</p>
<p>It seems that stores have been setting up their holiday decorations and unrolling their discounts earlier each year. “They’ve moved up on when they share their Black Friday promotions, we’ve already seen an ad leaked two weeks earlier this year compared to last year,” says Dan de Grandpre, co-founder and CEO of <a href="http://www.dealnews.com" type="external">dealnews.com Opens a New Window.</a>. “It will eventually get to the point that the day itself is anticlimactic with all the early sales, posts sales and month-long sales.”</p>
<p>When it comes to luring shoppers, it’s all about how early retailers can get bargain-hungry shopper through their door. Last year many retailers, including Target (NYSE:TGT) and Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) ruffled some turkey feathers by opening on Thanksgiving Day, but it’s those early shoppers that tend to spend the most.</p>
<p>“There’s a race with the doorbusters…those early shoppers spend the bulk of their money early in their first few stores and then they get tired out,” says Cohen. She adds that the stores that are able to lure those early-bird shoppers into their stores and then get them to also spend money on items that aren’t being heavily discounted will reap the most rewards.</p>
<p>Retailers are often beefing up their online sale offerings knowing that some people prefer to stay in the home and shop in the pajamas. “More stores are offering that attractive option of in-store pickup and we are going to see the line for the buy online and pick-up in store &#160;rival the one out the door,” says Michael Effle, <a href="http://www.dealio.com/" type="external">Dealio Opens a New Window.</a> CEO.</p>
<p>What’s Going to Be On Sale &#160;</p>
<p>Electronics have always dominated the Black Friday circulators and this year will be no different. “Electronics always get a lot of play because they are big-ticket items, offering 20% off a $1,500 item, &#160;&#160;&#160;that’s a good deal. That is better than 30% off a $49 sweater,” Cohen said.</p>
<p>In the last few years, HD TVs have been the hottest-ticketed sales items for the day, but this year consumers should expect focus to be on tablets.</p>
<p>“We are at the tail end of the TV upgrade cycle,” says Effle. “This year the deals are going to be centered on the secondary screen rather than the primary screen, that one has already been purchased and now consumers want to put the money on getting a secondary screen they can take with them.”</p>
<p>Experts expect significant discounts on tablets, especially as that marketplace heats up and technology giants Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) all fight to get the biggest share. Effle expects hefty discounts on seven to 10-inch screen tablets, but this shift to smaller, more portable screens isn’t great for all retailers.</p>
<p>“The shift to tablets drops the price point from $500-$1,500 per item to $100-$500,” says de Grandpre.</p>
<p>Effle also expects cameras to go on sale this season. “Both Nikon and Canon rolled out new cameras this fall and they are going to want to fight for their share in the future.”</p>
<p>Travelers can also expect to score a deal on Black Friday as many of the discount airliners put their fares on sale. “JetBlue and Virgin had interesting sales on Black Friday last year and so did hotels,” says de Grandpre. “Last year JetBlue offered the best fares of the year on their routes and we expect them to do the same this year.”</p>
<p>Apple lovers might also be able to score a deal. “A mini iPad is rumored to be coming out soon and the iPad 3 has been out for awhile and you can plan to see some significant discounts on that,” says de Grandpre.</p>
<p>While Apple is heavy handed with the pricing and marketing of its product, it does offer its once-a-year sale around Black Friday. “They’ve done a sale on Black Friday for six or seven years, but they are coy about it, they don’t advertise the sale until 10 or so days ahead of time. They are good at managing buzz, but you can expect that sale. But the best deals on its products aren’t through Apple, it’s actually at Best Buy, MacMall and MacConnection.”</p>
<p>Shoppers can also expect hefty discounts on kitchen electronics and apparel. &#160;“When it comes to apparel, there is going to be a lot of self-purchasing; things like boots, coats and Christmas dresses tend to get mark downed,” says Cohen.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, the experts say the “it” toy of the season has yet to be established and one is not likely to come to the spotlight. “There is no toy being promoted as ‘toy of the year’ and shoppers can often get better prices of 30-50% off two or three weeks into December,” says de Grandpre. He adds that the “magic toy” will be the Wii U since it’s the first major video game console to hit the market since 2006. “Nintendo will have very limited stock, it will be impossible to get and they will end up on eBay for hundreds or even thousands more than they cost.”</p>
<p>Effle says the trend for kids toys will be in those that are interactive, hand-held and learning toys. There might also be a blast from the past. “There is some movement that the Ferbie might be making a comeback with kids this year.”</p>
<p>No matter how heavily discounted a product is, Effle says at the end of the day, consumers are still looking for value. “In this economy it is less about volume and quantity. People want to buy things that are going to last.”</p>
<p>Advertisement</p> | true | 0 | still month away retailers gearing black friday sales discount predictions rolling continue reading black friday marks unofficial start holiday shopping season hitting stores break dawn still turkey coma become part festivities even struggling economic recovery retailers expecting strong turnout high sales numbers last year 225 million shoppers spent 524 billion black friday weekend stores online megashopping day originally got name day retailers would become profitable year industry shoppers habits evolved thats longer case retailers cant afford break even fourth quarter explains cynthia cohen president 160strategic mindshare retail consulting firm day indicator entire season play day stores best margin day heavy discounting planned discounting time connect gain customers sales numbers black friday arent good shoppers expect even discounts roll december seems stores setting holiday decorations unrolling discounts earlier year theyve moved share black friday promotions weve already seen ad leaked two weeks earlier year compared last year says dan de grandpre cofounder ceo dealnewscom opens new window eventually get point day anticlimactic early sales posts sales monthlong sales comes luring shoppers early retailers get bargainhungry shopper door last year many retailers including target nysetgt walmart nysewmt ruffled turkey feathers opening thanksgiving day early shoppers tend spend theres race doorbustersthose early shoppers spend bulk money early first stores get tired says cohen adds stores able lure earlybird shoppers stores get also spend money items arent heavily discounted reap rewards retailers often beefing online sale offerings knowing people prefer stay home shop pajamas stores offering attractive option instore pickup going see line buy online pickup store 160rival one door says michael effle dealio opens new window ceo whats going sale 160 electronics always dominated black friday circulators year different electronics always get lot play bigticket items offering 20 1500 item 160160160thats good deal better 30 49 sweater cohen said last years hd tvs hottestticketed sales items day year consumers expect focus tablets tail end tv upgrade cycle says effle year deals going centered secondary screen rather primary screen one already purchased consumers want put money getting secondary screen take experts expect significant discounts tablets especially marketplace heats technology giants apple nasdaqaapl amazon nasdaqamzn google nasdaqgoog fight get biggest share effle expects hefty discounts seven 10inch screen tablets shift smaller portable screens isnt great retailers shift tablets drops price point 5001500 per item 100500 says de grandpre effle also expects cameras go sale season nikon canon rolled new cameras fall going want fight share future travelers also expect score deal black friday many discount airliners put fares sale jetblue virgin interesting sales black friday last year hotels says de grandpre last year jetblue offered best fares year routes expect year apple lovers might also able score deal mini ipad rumored coming soon ipad 3 awhile plan see significant discounts says de grandpre apple heavy handed pricing marketing product offer onceayear sale around black friday theyve done sale black friday six seven years coy dont advertise sale 10 days ahead time good managing buzz expect sale best deals products arent apple actually best buy macmall macconnection shoppers also expect hefty discounts kitchen electronics apparel 160when comes apparel going lot selfpurchasing things like boots coats christmas dresses tend get mark downed says cohen surprisingly experts say toy season yet established one likely come spotlight toy promoted toy year shoppers often get better prices 3050 two three weeks december says de grandpre adds magic toy wii u since first major video game console hit market since 2006 nintendo limited stock impossible get end ebay hundreds even thousands cost effle says trend kids toys interactive handheld learning toys might also blast past movement ferbie might making comeback kids year matter heavily discounted product effle says end day consumers still looking value economy less volume quantity people want buy things going last advertisement | 624 |
<p><a href="//videos/37/61739" type="external" /></p>
<p>RUSH: Jim in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Great to have you, sir, on the program. Hello.</p>
<p>CALLER: Thank you, Rush. God bless ya. Stay healthy, and stay on the front lines.</p>
<p>RUSH: Well, thank you, sir, very much.</p>
<p>CALLER: Rush, I love America. I really believe we have the greatest system of government in the history of the world. But this issue about the media, I truly believe the media now is no longer just a curiosity or an irritation to us. They’re really posing a threat to our system of government, and I say that because information — accurate information — is one of the most important ingredients for self-rule.</p>
<p>That’s how people make decisions and choose leaders. That’s how we vote, and voting is very powerful. I believe that the lines that existed at one time between the media and Democrats or liberals, they’re not blurred anymore. They’re fused together. Rush, I don’t even say media and Democrat anymore. I said “mediacrats.” They’re all the same. You would never say, “The mouth of the dog bit me.” They’re organs of the same beast.</p>
<p>You just say, “The dog bit me,” and get right down to it. Rush, the tragedy of it all is truth is self-evident. This the rule is, it’s an American principle, it’s proven, but it’s not even in the mix. People are not even given truth. You know, I don’t want to control the media. I truly don’t. They can say whatever they want.</p>
<p>But I wish it was balanced — and if it were balanced, I believe we would be a healthier country. Look at how few, Rush, yourself and others, how outnumbered we are. Our view with the media, and it’s still almost a tie. And we still win sometimes. I think if we just had 10% of the truth being put out there, people could make decisions.</p>
<p>RUSH: Well, that’s true but there’s a couple other things in this. You’re absolutely right that the media has crossed over now and but they I don’t think it’s anything different. I think they’re just being honest about it. I think the media has always been Democrats, and they’ve always been part of and advancing the Democrat agenda. There just was a period where they got away with appearing otherwise. But what’s they are, you know, I’ve often said, “Words mean things,” and our language is being taken over by the left as well.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: I want to build on comments played by our last caller, who was another one, another person who realizes the degree to which the media has contributed to the lack of balance, and he’s right about something. Truth is self-evident. But that’s been a blur and obscured because they’ve done great damage to the language.</p>
<p>The media’s chosen sides now, and so there’s not an opportunity for the public, the body politic, to honestly be informed of things. Nothing new, actually, but still it’s a fact. But there’s more to it. I ran across, over the weekend, a pretty interesting piece. You know, I popularized way back in the early nineties a tiny little phrase: Words mean things. The left has succeeded in really bastardizing common, ordinary, everyday English words to where now they have entirely different meanings.</p>
<p>I ran across an interesting piece at <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/stevedeace/2014/08/23/the-american-exceptionalism-dictionary-n1881597" type="external">Town Hall.com by a guy named Steve Deace</a>. “The American Exceptionalism Dictionary — We are now reaping a bitter generational harvest in America, sown into the ground because we have permitted: Marxists almost unchecked dominance of the influential platforms of pop culture and the classroom.” This we all know, so stick with me here.</p>
<p>We have permitted, “Too many of our churches to retreat into some ‘comfortably numb’ seeker-friendly Xanadu, where they building suburban palaces instead of culture. The Republican Party to be taken over by a feckless political class either unwilling or incapable of defending and advancing our principles. One of the most rotten fruits of this bitter harvest is the loss of the language itself. Whole words that meant one thing for generations now have completely different meanings, and nothing unhinges a culture faster than the loss of shared language/terminology.”</p>
<p>So this guy, Steve Deace, says, “So to recover the language, and thus our lost legacy, I went back to the master linguist himself — Noah Webster,” of Webster’s dictionary, for those of you in Rio Linda. No, wait, dictionary, who am I kidding. They don’t know what that is. “Noah Webster was fluent in 27 languages.” Did you know that? He was.</p>
<p>“Webster was one of the most influential thinkers among the first-born generation of newly-minted Americans. Best known today as ‘the father of American education’ and for the dictionary which bears his name, Webster is as responsible as any single person in our history for preserving the American view of law and government passed down to us from the Founding Fathers. Yet as we have collectively drifted from our most cherished traditions,” because they’ve been under assault. Traditions and institutions which define the greatness of this country have been under assault for decades.</p>
<p>As a result of that, “Noah WebsterÂ’s influence has waned as well. As a result, even though our letters and spelling are the same as they were in WebsterÂ’s day, the definitions are decidedly different.” And he goes back to the original Webster’s dictionary to make his point.</p>
<p>“LetÂ’s consult WebsterÂ’s legendary 1828 edition of American Dictionary of the English Language. Take a look at terms vital to the preservation of American Exceptionalism, and see how Webster himself defined them compared to how theyÂ’re defined now.”</p>
<p>The word “rights.” How would you define the word “rights”? What is a right? Just think about it here for a second. Because this is an example of how this one word has been totally taken over by the left to mean something it comes nowhere close to actually meaning.</p>
<p>Here’s Webster’s 1828 definition of rights: “That which justly belongs to oneÂ… Just claim by sovereignty; prerogative. God, as the author of all things, has a right to govern and dispose of them at his pleasure.” Rights come from God. This was fundamental in our founding. It’s all over the Declaration of Independence, as you know. A right is a “Just claim; legal title; ownership; the legal power of exclusive possession and enjoymentÂ… Conformity to the will of God, or to his lawÂ… Conformity to human laws, or to other human standard of truth, propriety or justice. When laws are definite, right and wrong are easily ascertained and understood.</p>
<p>That’s from the original definition of the word “rights,” the original Webster’s dictionary. “When laws are definite, right and wrong are easily ascertained and understood.” And that’s precisely why they had to get rid of it, because in liberalism you don’t have the right to judge. Liberalism, right and wrong are determined by individual choice. Whatever you think is right is right. Whatever you think is wrong is wrong. Whatever you think is right is right, you don’t have to know the real meaning.</p>
<p>But more than anything, God’s got nothing to do with anything today, and there can’t be a universal right and wrong ’cause nobody’s got the right to determine what’s right and wrong for everybody else. But it used to be that all that was universal. Here’s today’s definition of “rights.” And see if this doesn’t comport with what you think most people, particularly young people, think rights are. “Access to what I want when I want itÂ… especially if I can rally a particular group (mobocracy) and the media to bully others into agreeing with meÂ… the full realization of my desires and preferences, which you must then pay for.”</p>
<p>That’s what rights have come to mean. Whatever somebody wants, and when they want it. And if they have to get a mob to get it, that’s perfectly fine. And is that not the case, when you listen to people throw around “My rights, I have a right.” They think it’s entitlement. A right is an entitlement today.</p>
<p>Here is Noah Webster’s 1828 definition of “morality.” This one, slam dunk. Morality: “The quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the divine law, or to the principles of rectitude. This conformity implies that the act must be performed by a free agent, and from a motive of obedience to the divine will. This is the strict theological and scriptural sense of morality. But we often apply the word to actions which accord with justice and human laws, without reference to the motives form which they proceed.</p>
<p>Today’s definition of morality: “An ancient word used only by those on the wrong side of history.” That’s today’s definition. Morality? Nobody’s got the right to define morality today. Who are you to tell me what’s moral and what’s not? You can’t judge me! The point is, there are two more words given as examples, “law” and “tolerance.” But the point is that, in addition to what the media has openly now decided do, choose sides, there are also a lot of other things at work which are debasing culture and changing relationships and actually obliterating the entire concept of American exceptionalism, what makes us different from everybody. And it’s profound. This guy is on to something here.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: You know what the Urban Dictionary definition of morality is? Are you ready for this? The Urban Dictionary definition of morality: “The logic used to justify character assassination.” Now, the Urban Dictionary is a youthful dictionary, street dictionary, very informal. It’s supposed to be relevant with the zeitgeist, the spirit of the times. So you see, in these people’s views, you don’t have the right to tell anybody they’re behaving in an immoral way. You have no right, who are you, you can’t judge, you don’t know what’s right and wrong. It’s even now gotten to the point where if you have committed any kind of a wrong at all, you are not permitted to comment on the whole subject.</p>
<p>I can’t tell you the number leftists who’ve told me that because I didn’t go to Vietnam, I have no right to talk about the defense budget. “What do you mean?”</p>
<p>“Well, you had a chance to go kill commies and you didn’t do it. You don’t have any right, you don’t have any credibility to talk about the defense budget, you didn’t go.” And this is the way the left attempts to eliminate and discredit. You don’t have to have done something to know whether it’s right or wrong. That’s the whole point in a truth is self-evidently world. But this definition of morality: “The logic used to justify character assassination.” Let me ask you this, folks. How many of you, if put on the spot, could explain the difference between ethics and morality. Think about that for a second.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: The difference between ethics and morality very simply explained. The ethical man knows he should not cheat on his wife. The moral man actually would not. That is the difference. You can be ethical and immoral, depending on your choices.</p> | true | 0 | rush jim rancho cucamonga california great sir program hello caller thank rush god bless ya stay healthy stay front lines rush well thank sir much caller rush love america really believe greatest system government history world issue media truly believe media longer curiosity irritation us theyre really posing threat system government say information accurate information one important ingredients selfrule thats people make decisions choose leaders thats vote voting powerful believe lines existed one time media democrats liberals theyre blurred anymore theyre fused together rush dont even say media democrat anymore said mediacrats theyre would never say mouth dog bit theyre organs beast say dog bit get right rush tragedy truth selfevident rule american principle proven even mix people even given truth know dont want control media truly dont say whatever want wish balanced balanced believe would healthier country look rush others outnumbered view media still almost tie still win sometimes think 10 truth put people could make decisions rush well thats true theres couple things youre absolutely right media crossed dont think anything different think theyre honest think media always democrats theyve always part advancing democrat agenda period got away appearing otherwise whats know ive often said words mean things language taken left well break transcript rush want build comments played last caller another one another person realizes degree media contributed lack balance hes right something truth selfevident thats blur obscured theyve done great damage language medias chosen sides theres opportunity public body politic honestly informed things nothing new actually still fact theres ran across weekend pretty interesting piece know popularized way back early nineties tiny little phrase words mean things left succeeded really bastardizing common ordinary everyday english words entirely different meanings ran across interesting piece town hallcom guy named steve deace american exceptionalism dictionary reaping bitter generational harvest america sown ground permitted marxists almost unchecked dominance influential platforms pop culture classroom know stick permitted many churches retreat comfortably numb seekerfriendly xanadu building suburban palaces instead culture republican party taken feckless political class either unwilling incapable defending advancing principles one rotten fruits bitter harvest loss language whole words meant one thing generations completely different meanings nothing unhinges culture faster loss shared languageterminology guy steve deace says recover language thus lost legacy went back master linguist noah webster websters dictionary rio linda wait dictionary kidding dont know noah webster fluent 27 languages know webster one influential thinkers among firstborn generation newlyminted americans best known today father american education dictionary bears name webster responsible single person history preserving american view law government passed us founding fathers yet collectively drifted cherished traditions theyve assault traditions institutions define greatness country assault decades result noah websterÂs influence waned well result even though letters spelling websterÂs day definitions decidedly different goes back original websters dictionary make point letÂs consult websterÂs legendary 1828 edition american dictionary english language take look terms vital preservation american exceptionalism see webster defined compared theyÂre defined word rights would define word rights right think second example one word totally taken left mean something comes nowhere close actually meaning heres websters 1828 definition rights justly belongs one claim sovereignty prerogative god author things right govern dispose pleasure rights come god fundamental founding declaration independence know right claim legal title ownership legal power exclusive possession enjoyment conformity god law conformity human laws human standard truth propriety justice laws definite right wrong easily ascertained understood thats original definition word rights original websters dictionary laws definite right wrong easily ascertained understood thats precisely get rid liberalism dont right judge liberalism right wrong determined individual choice whatever think right right whatever think wrong wrong whatever think right right dont know real meaning anything gods got nothing anything today cant universal right wrong cause nobodys got right determine whats right wrong everybody else used universal heres todays definition rights see doesnt comport think people particularly young people think rights access want want it especially rally particular group mobocracy media bully others agreeing me full realization desires preferences must pay thats rights come mean whatever somebody wants want get mob get thats perfectly fine case listen people throw around rights right think entitlement right entitlement today noah websters 1828 definition morality one slam dunk morality quality action renders good conformity act divine law principles rectitude conformity implies act must performed free agent motive obedience divine strict theological scriptural sense morality often apply word actions accord justice human laws without reference motives form proceed todays definition morality ancient word used wrong side history thats todays definition morality nobodys got right define morality today tell whats moral whats cant judge point two words given examples law tolerance point addition media openly decided choose sides also lot things work debasing culture changing relationships actually obliterating entire concept american exceptionalism makes us different everybody profound guy something break transcript rush know urban dictionary definition morality ready urban dictionary definition morality logic used justify character assassination urban dictionary youthful dictionary street dictionary informal supposed relevant zeitgeist spirit times see peoples views dont right tell anybody theyre behaving immoral way right cant judge dont know whats right wrong even gotten point committed kind wrong permitted comment whole subject cant tell number leftists whove told didnt go vietnam right talk defense budget mean well chance go kill commies didnt dont right dont credibility talk defense budget didnt go way left attempts eliminate discredit dont done something know whether right wrong thats whole point truth selfevidently world definition morality logic used justify character assassination let ask folks many put spot could explain difference ethics morality think second break transcript rush difference ethics morality simply explained ethical man knows cheat wife moral man actually would difference ethical immoral depending choices | 943 |
<p><a href="https://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/obama-signs-obamacare-bill.jpg" type="external" /></p>
<p>Whenever conservatives object to the POS using <a href="" type="internal">Executive Orders</a> to take unilateral action in disregard of Congress, his defenders inevitably trot out the fact that <a href="" type="internal">President George W. Bush had issued more Executive Orders than Obama</a>.&#160;Indeed, as of Nov. 21, 2014, Obama has issued 194 Executive Orders, whereas George W. had signed 291 Executive Orders in the 8 years he was in office. ( <a href="http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2015/02/17/obama-has-issued-more-executive-orders-than-any-u-s-president-in-history/%20%20There%20is%20no%20constitutional%20provision%20nor%20statute%20that%20explicitly%20permits%20executive%20orders." type="external">Wikipedia</a>)</p>
<p>In so doing, the Left are merely repeating what Obama himself had said&#160; <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/07/10/remarks-president-economy-austin-tx" type="external">in a speech in Austin last July</a>, “The truth is, even with all the actions I’ve taken this year, I’m issuing executive orders at <a href="" type="internal">the lowest rate in more than 100 years</a>. So it’s not clear how it is that Republicans didn’t seem to mind when President Bush took more executive actions than I did.”</p>
<p>However, what Obama and his defenders conveniently leave out is this:</p>
<p>Obama, cunningly, also deploys another form of executive action known as the presidential or executive memorandum, and he has issued those memoranda more often than any other president in history.</p>
<p>There is no constitutional provision or statute that explicitly permits either Executive Order or Executive Memorandum. Both are forms of executive orders (note the small e and o) or directives, and both have the full force of law.&#160;</p>
<p>As Gregory Korte points out in a thoughtful and informative article in <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/12/16/obama-presidential-memoranda-executive-orders/20191805/" type="external">USA Today</a>, &#160;Dec. 17, 2014:</p>
<p>President Obama has issued a form of executive action known as the presidential memorandum more often than any other president in history — using it to take unilateral action even as he has signed fewer executive orders.</p>
<p>When these two forms of directives [executive orders and executive memos] are taken together, Obama is on track to take more high-level executive actions than any president since Harry Truman&#160;….</p>
<p>Obama has issued executive orders to give federal employees the day after Christmas off, to impose economic sanctions and to determine how national secrets are classified. He’s used presidential memoranda to make policy on gun control, immigration and labor regulations. Tuesday, he used a memorandum to declare Bristol Bay, Alaska, off-limits to oil and gas exploration.</p>
<p>Like executive orders, presidential memoranda don’t require action by Congress. They have the same force of law as executive orders and often have consequences just as far-reaching. And some of the most significant actions of the Obama presidency have come not by executive order but by presidential memoranda.</p>
<p>Obama has made prolific use of memoranda despite his own claims that he’s used his executive power less than other presidents….&#160;Obama has issued 195 executive orders as of Tuesday. Published alongside them in the Federal Register are 198 presidential memoranda — all of which carry the same legal force as executive orders….</p>
<p>Obama is not the first president to use memoranda to accomplish policy aims. But at this point in his presidency, he’s the first to use them more often than executive orders…even as he’s quietly used memoranda to signal policy changes to federal agencies….</p>
<p>While executive orders have become a kind of Washington shorthand for unilateral presidential action, presidential memoranda have gone largely unexamined. And yet memoranda are often as significant to everyday Americans than executive orders.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Executive Orders</a> are numbered; Obama’s begin with #13489.&#160;Memoranda are not numbered, not indexed and, until recently, difficult to quantify.</p>
<p>Kenneth Lowande, a political science doctoral student at the University of Virginia, counted up memoranda published in the Code of Federal Regulations since 1945. In an article published <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/psq.12157/abstract" type="external">in the December issue of Presidential Studies Quarterly</a>, he found that memoranda appear to be replacing executive orders.</p>
<p>Indeed, many of Obama’s memoranda do the kinds of things previous presidents did by executive order.&#160;“If you look at some of the titles of memoranda recently, they do look like and mirror executive orders,” Lowande said. The difference may be one of political messaging in that an “executive order immediately evokes potentially damaging questions of ‘imperial overreach’” whereas memorandum sounds less threatening.</p>
<p>Another difference between Executive Orders and Executive Memoranda, ironically, is spelled out in an Executive Order. <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/11030.html" type="external">Executive Order 11030</a>, signed by President Kennedy in 1962, says that an Executive Order must contain a “citation of authority,” saying what law it’s based on, but Executive Memoranda have no such requirement.</p>
<p>Whatever they’re called — whether <a href="" type="internal">executive order</a> or executive memorandum or “presidential determination” or “presidential notice,” those executive actions are binding on future administrations unless explicitly revoked by a future president, according to legal opinion from the Justice Department.</p>
<p>The Office of Legal Counsel signs off on the legality of <a href="" type="internal">executive orders</a> and memoranda. During the first year of Obama’s presidency, the Office of Legal Counsel asked Congress for a 14.5% budget increase, <a href="http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/jmd/legacy/2014/06/15/olc-bud-summary.pdf" type="external">justifying its request</a> in part by noting “the large number of executive orders and presidential memoranda that has been issued.”</p>
<p>Below are some examples of Obama’s executive memoranda:</p>
<p>• In his State of the Union Address in January 2014, Obama proposed a new retirement savings account for low-income workers called a <a href="" type="internal">MyRA</a>. The next week, <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/02/04/2014-02423/retirement-savings-security" type="external">he issued a presidential memorandum to the Treasury Department</a>&#160;instructing it to develop a pilot program.</p>
<p>• In April, Obama <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/04/11/2014-08448/advancing-pay-equality-through-compensation-data-collection" type="external">directed the Department of Labor</a> to collect salary data from federal contractors and subcontractors to monitor whether they’re paying women and minorities fairly.</p>
<p>• In June, Obama <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/06/12/2014-13961/helping-struggling-federal-student-loan-borrowers-manage-their-debt" type="external">told the Department of Education</a> to allow certain borrowers to cap their student loan payments at 10% of income.</p>
<p>•&#160;Obama issued three presidential memoranda after the 2012 <a href="http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/sandy-hook-massacre/" type="external">Sandy Hook school-shooting false flag</a>:</p>
<p>The most controversial Obama executive memorandum is his amnesty-to-illegals memo, which both congressional Republicans and many states say exceeds his authority. Please see my next post (to come) on the rulings of two <a href="" type="internal">federal judges on Obama’s amnesty executive memo</a>.</p>
<p>~Éowyn</p>
<p>Dr. Eowyn’s post first appeared at <a href="http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2015/02/17/obama-has-issued-more-executive-orders-than-any-u-s-president-in-history/" type="external">Fellowship of the Minds</a>.</p>
<p />
<p /> | true | 0 | whenever conservatives object pos using executive orders take unilateral action disregard congress defenders inevitably trot fact president george w bush issued executive orders obama160indeed nov 21 2014 obama issued 194 executive orders whereas george w signed 291 executive orders 8 years office wikipedia left merely repeating obama said160 speech austin last july truth even actions ive taken year im issuing executive orders lowest rate 100 years clear republicans didnt seem mind president bush took executive actions however obama defenders conveniently leave obama cunningly also deploys another form executive action known presidential executive memorandum issued memoranda often president history constitutional provision statute explicitly permits either executive order executive memorandum forms executive orders note small e directives full force law160 gregory korte points thoughtful informative article usa today 160dec 17 2014 president obama issued form executive action known presidential memorandum often president history using take unilateral action even signed fewer executive orders two forms directives executive orders executive memos taken together obama track take highlevel executive actions president since harry truman160 obama issued executive orders give federal employees day christmas impose economic sanctions determine national secrets classified hes used presidential memoranda make policy gun control immigration labor regulations tuesday used memorandum declare bristol bay alaska offlimits oil gas exploration like executive orders presidential memoranda dont require action congress force law executive orders often consequences farreaching significant actions obama presidency come executive order presidential memoranda obama made prolific use memoranda despite claims hes used executive power less presidents160obama issued 195 executive orders tuesday published alongside federal register 198 presidential memoranda carry legal force executive orders obama first president use memoranda accomplish policy aims point presidency hes first use often executive orderseven hes quietly used memoranda signal policy changes federal agencies executive orders become kind washington shorthand unilateral presidential action presidential memoranda gone largely unexamined yet memoranda often significant everyday americans executive orders executive orders numbered obamas begin 13489160memoranda numbered indexed recently difficult quantify kenneth lowande political science doctoral student university virginia counted memoranda published code federal regulations since 1945 article published december issue presidential studies quarterly found memoranda appear replacing executive orders indeed many obamas memoranda kinds things previous presidents executive order160if look titles memoranda recently look like mirror executive orders lowande said difference may one political messaging executive order immediately evokes potentially damaging questions imperial overreach whereas memorandum sounds less threatening another difference executive orders executive memoranda ironically spelled executive order executive order 11030 signed president kennedy 1962 says executive order must contain citation authority saying law based executive memoranda requirement whatever theyre called whether executive order executive memorandum presidential determination presidential notice executive actions binding future administrations unless explicitly revoked future president according legal opinion justice department office legal counsel signs legality executive orders memoranda first year obamas presidency office legal counsel asked congress 145 budget increase justifying request part noting large number executive orders presidential memoranda issued examples obamas executive memoranda state union address january 2014 obama proposed new retirement savings account lowincome workers called myra next week issued presidential memorandum treasury department160instructing develop pilot program april obama directed department labor collect salary data federal contractors subcontractors monitor whether theyre paying women minorities fairly june obama told department education allow certain borrowers cap student loan payments 10 income 160obama issued three presidential memoranda 2012 sandy hook schoolshooting false flag controversial obama executive memorandum amnestytoillegals memo congressional republicans many states say exceeds authority please see next post come rulings two federal judges obamas amnesty executive memo Éowyn dr eowyns post first appeared fellowship minds | 583 |
<p>Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook's new go-to management team of mostly familiar faces failed to drum up much excitement on Wall Street, driving its shares to a three-month low on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The world's most valuable technology company, which had faced questions about a visionary-leadership vacuum following the death of Steve Jobs, on Monday stunned investors by announcing the ouster of chief mobile software architect Scott Forstall and retail chief John Browett -- the latter after six months on the job.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Cook gave most of Forstall's responsibilities to Macintosh software chief Craig Federighi, while some parts of the job went to Internet chief Eddy Cue and celebrated designer Jony Ive.</p>
<p>But the loss of the 15-year veteran and Jobs's confidant Forstall, and resurgent talk about internal conflicts, exacerbated uncertainty over whether Cook and his lieutenants have what it takes to devise and market the next ground-breaking, industry-disrupting product.</p>
<p>Apple shares ended the day down 1.4 percent at 595.32. They have shed a tenth of their value this month -- the biggest monthly loss since late 2008, and have headed south since touching an all-time high of $705 in September.</p>
<p>For investors, the management upheaval from a company that usually excels at delivering positive surprises represents the latest reason for unease about the future of a company now more valuable than almost any other company in the world.</p>
<p>Apple undershot analysts targets in its fiscal third quarter, the second straight disappointment. Its latest Maps software was met with widespread frustration and ridicule over glaring mistakes. Sources told Reuters that Forstall and Cook disagreed over the need to publicly apologize for its maps service embarrassment.</p>
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<p>And this month, Apple entered the small-tablet market with its iPad mini, lagging Amazon.com Inc and Google Inc despite pioneering the tablet market in 2010.</p>
<p>Investor concerns now center around the demand, availability and profitability of new products, including the iPad mini set to hit stores on Friday.</p>
<p>"The sudden departure of Scott Forstall doesn't help," said Shaw Wu, an analyst with Sterne Agee. "Now there's some uncertainty in the management."</p>
<p>"There appears to be some infighting, post-Steve Jobs, and looks like Cook is putting his foot down and unifying the troops."</p>
<p>Apple declined to comment beyond Monday's announcement.</p>
<p>Against that backdrop, Cook's inner circle has some convincing to do. In the wake of Forstall's exit, iTunes maestro Eddy Cue -- dubbed "Mr Fixit", the sources say -- gets his second promotion in a year, taking on an expanded portfolio of all online services, including Siri and Maps.</p>
<p>The affable executive with a tough negotiating streak who, according to documents revealed in court, lobbied Jobs aggressively and finally convinced the late visionary about the need for a smaller-sized tablet, has become a central figure: a versatile problem-solver for the company.</p>
<p>Ive, the British-born award-winning designer credited with pushing the boundaries of engineering with the iPod and iPhone, now extends his skills into the software realm with the lead on user interface.</p>
<p>Marketing guru Schiller continues in his role, while career engineer Mansfield canceled his retirement to stay on and lead wireless and semiconductor teams. Then there's Federighi, the self-effacing software engineer who a source told Reuters joined Apple over Forstall's initial objections, and has the nickname "Hair Force One" on Game Center.</p>
<p>"With a large base of approximately 60,400 full-time employees, it would be easy to conclude that the departures are not important," said Keith Bachman, analyst with BMO Capital Markets. "However, we do believe the departures are a negative, since we think Mr. Forstall in particular added value to Apple."</p>
<p>TEAM COOK</p>
<p>Few would argue with Forstall's success in leading mobile software iOS and that he deserves a lot of credit for the sale of millions of iPhones and iPads.</p>
<p>But despite the success, his style and direction on the software were not without critics, inside and outside.</p>
<p>Forstall often clashed with other executives, said a person familiar with him, adding he sometimes tended to over-promise and under-deliver on features. Now, Federighi, Ive and Cue have the opportunity to develop the look, feel and engineering of the all-important software that runs iPhones and iPads.</p>
<p>Cue, who rose to prominence by building and fostering iTunes and the app store, has the tough job of fixing and improving Maps, unveiled with much fanfare by Forstall in June, but it was found full of missing information and wrongly marked sites.</p>
<p>The Duke University alum and Blue Devils basketball fan -- he has been seen courtside with players -- is deemed the right person to accomplish this, given his track record on fixing services and products that initially don't do well.</p>
<p>The 23-year veteran turned around the short-lived MobileMe storage service after revamping and wrapping it into the reasonably well-received iCloud offering.</p>
<p>"Eddy is certainly a person who gets thrown a lot of stuff to ���go make it work' as he's very used to dealing with partners," said a person familiar with Cue. The person said Cue was suited to fixing Maps given the need to work with partners such as TomTom and business listings provider Yelp.</p>
<p>Cue's affable charm and years of dealing with entertainment companies may come in handy as he also tries to improve voice-enabled digital assistant Siri. He has climbed the ladder rapidly in the past five years and was promoted to senior vice president last September, shortly after Cook took over as CEO.</p>
<p>Both Cue and Cook will work more closely with Federighi, who spent a decade in enterprise software before rejoining Apple in 2009, taking over Mac software after the legendary Bertrand Serlet left the company in March last year</p>
<p>Federighi was instrumental in bringing popular mobile features such as notifications and Facebook integration onto the latest Mac operating system Mountain Lion, which was downloaded on 3 million machines in four days.</p>
<p>The former CTO of business software company Ariba, now part of SAP, worked with Jobs at NeXT Computer. Federighi is a visionary in software engineering and can be as good as Jobs in strategic decisions for the product he oversees, a person who has worked with him said.</p>
<p>His presentation skills have been called on of late, most recently at Apple annual developers' gathering in the summer.</p>
<p>Then there's Ive, deemed Apple's inspirational force. Among the iconic products he has worked on are multi-hued iMac computers, the iPod music player, the iPhone and the iPad.</p>
<p>Forstall's departure may free Ive of certain constraints, the sources said. His exit brought to the fore a fundamental design issue -- to do or not to do digital skeuomorphic designs. Skeuomorphic designs stay true to and mimic real-life objects, such as the bookshelf in the iBooks icon, green felt in its Game Center app icon, and an analog clock depicting the time.</p>
<p>Forstall, who will stay on as adviser to Cook for another year, strongly believed in these designs, but his philosophy was not shared by all. His chief dissenter was Ive, who is said to prefer a more open approach, which could mean a slightly different design direction on the icons.</p>
<p>"There is no one else who has that kind of (design) focus on the team," the person said of Ive. "He is critical for them."</p>
<p>(Additional reporting by Alistair Barr; Editing by Edwin Chan and Ken Wills)</p> | true | 0 | apple inc chief executive tim cooks new goto management team mostly familiar faces failed drum much excitement wall street driving shares threemonth low wednesday worlds valuable technology company faced questions visionaryleadership vacuum following death steve jobs monday stunned investors announcing ouster chief mobile software architect scott forstall retail chief john browett latter six months job continue reading cook gave forstalls responsibilities macintosh software chief craig federighi parts job went internet chief eddy cue celebrated designer jony ive loss 15year veteran jobss confidant forstall resurgent talk internal conflicts exacerbated uncertainty whether cook lieutenants takes devise market next groundbreaking industrydisrupting product apple shares ended day 14 percent 59532 shed tenth value month biggest monthly loss since late 2008 headed south since touching alltime high 705 september investors management upheaval company usually excels delivering positive surprises represents latest reason unease future company valuable almost company world apple undershot analysts targets fiscal third quarter second straight disappointment latest maps software met widespread frustration ridicule glaring mistakes sources told reuters forstall cook disagreed need publicly apologize maps service embarrassment advertisement month apple entered smalltablet market ipad mini lagging amazoncom inc google inc despite pioneering tablet market 2010 investor concerns center around demand availability profitability new products including ipad mini set hit stores friday sudden departure scott forstall doesnt help said shaw wu analyst sterne agee theres uncertainty management appears infighting poststeve jobs looks like cook putting foot unifying troops apple declined comment beyond mondays announcement backdrop cooks inner circle convincing wake forstalls exit itunes maestro eddy cue dubbed mr fixit sources say gets second promotion year taking expanded portfolio online services including siri maps affable executive tough negotiating streak according documents revealed court lobbied jobs aggressively finally convinced late visionary need smallersized tablet become central figure versatile problemsolver company ive britishborn awardwinning designer credited pushing boundaries engineering ipod iphone extends skills software realm lead user interface marketing guru schiller continues role career engineer mansfield canceled retirement stay lead wireless semiconductor teams theres federighi selfeffacing software engineer source told reuters joined apple forstalls initial objections nickname hair force one game center large base approximately 60400 fulltime employees would easy conclude departures important said keith bachman analyst bmo capital markets however believe departures negative since think mr forstall particular added value apple team cook would argue forstalls success leading mobile software ios deserves lot credit sale millions iphones ipads despite success style direction software without critics inside outside forstall often clashed executives said person familiar adding sometimes tended overpromise underdeliver features federighi ive cue opportunity develop look feel engineering allimportant software runs iphones ipads cue rose prominence building fostering itunes app store tough job fixing improving maps unveiled much fanfare forstall june found full missing information wrongly marked sites duke university alum blue devils basketball fan seen courtside players deemed right person accomplish given track record fixing services products initially dont well 23year veteran turned around shortlived mobileme storage service revamping wrapping reasonably wellreceived icloud offering eddy certainly person gets thrown lot stuff go make work hes used dealing partners said person familiar cue person said cue suited fixing maps given need work partners tomtom business listings provider yelp cues affable charm years dealing entertainment companies may come handy also tries improve voiceenabled digital assistant siri climbed ladder rapidly past five years promoted senior vice president last september shortly cook took ceo cue cook work closely federighi spent decade enterprise software rejoining apple 2009 taking mac software legendary bertrand serlet left company march last year federighi instrumental bringing popular mobile features notifications facebook integration onto latest mac operating system mountain lion downloaded 3 million machines four days former cto business software company ariba part sap worked jobs next computer federighi visionary software engineering good jobs strategic decisions product oversees person worked said presentation skills called late recently apple annual developers gathering summer theres ive deemed apples inspirational force among iconic products worked multihued imac computers ipod music player iphone ipad forstalls departure may free ive certain constraints sources said exit brought fore fundamental design issue digital skeuomorphic designs skeuomorphic designs stay true mimic reallife objects bookshelf ibooks icon green felt game center app icon analog clock depicting time forstall stay adviser cook another year strongly believed designs philosophy shared chief dissenter ive said prefer open approach could mean slightly different design direction icons one else kind design focus team person said ive critical additional reporting alistair barr editing edwin chan ken wills | 735 |
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<p>With earnings out of the way, what's next for Raytheon? Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>In a week of strong earnings reports from American defense contractors, Raytheon's (NYSE: RTN) report was <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/08/02/3-sales-growth-yields-3-price-growth-for-raytheon.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">stronger than most Opens a New Window.</a>. Quarterly earnings at the rocket maker surged 44% year over year. Free cash flow for the first half of the year was nearly triple what the company generated in H1 2015. And profit margins -- up nearly five full percentage points year over year -- were well above anything seen in recent memory, according to data from <a href="https://www.capitaliq.com/" type="external">S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Can Raytheon keep up this superb performance? To gather some clues, we listened in on Raytheon's <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/3993068-raytheon-co-rtn-ceo-tom-kennedy-q2-2016-results-earnings-call-transcript" type="external">post-earnings conference call Opens a New Window.</a>. Here are five things they told us that we thought you'd like to know.</p>
<p>As further explained by company CFO Toby O'Brian, Raytheon sees no real movement in its sale projections for this year, and continues to expect to see only low-single-digit sales growth, and full-year revenues of $24 billion to $24.5 billion.</p>
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<p>That said, the profitability of Raytheon's revenues is improving -- by about 20 basis points. Accordingly, management now expects to earn operating profit margins of between 13.2% and 13.4% this year, resulting in a $0.20 improvement in earnings, which are now estimated to be between $7.13 and $7.33. Cash flow is also improving, to the point where the company now expects to generate between $2.8 billion and $3.1 billion for the year.</p>
<p>With Raytheon tracking toward $500 million in annual capital spending, that should work out to free cash flow of between $2.3 billion and $2.6 billion -- as much as a 33% leap from 2015 FCF, and quite possibly the company's most cash-rich year ever.</p>
<p>But how?</p>
<p>Simply put, Raytheon is seeing strong demand from its customers around the world for the very products that it specializes in. This isn't simply a case of some "arms dealer" pushing its products on the world, but of world leaders seeking out Raytheon to fulfill a perceived need for national defense.</p>
<p>Strong global demand for defense products is driving Raytheon's sales growth. At the same time, the company is continuing to grow the profit margins on its products. How? Well, this comment from Mr. Kennedy gives one clue.</p>
<p>The buyers Raytheon is selling to are motivated buyers, driven to purchase missiles, and missile defense systems, out of a "sense of urgency." It almost goes without saying that panicked buyers aren't in the best position to comparison shop between competing systems, or to engage in long and drawn-out negotiations in price. All that adds up to improved profit margins for Raytheon.</p>
<p>Thus, Raytheon's international business is booming. But what about in the U.S.?</p>
<p>Here at the Fool, we've given a lot of thought to <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/15/bernie-sanders-vs-hillary-clinton-who-is-better-fo.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">the competing Presidential candidates Opens a New Window.</a>, and how their policies might affect <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/11/30/who-makes-the-us-military-budget.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">the U.S. defense budget Opens a New Window.</a>. In the short term, at least, Raytheon doesn't seem to be worrying about this.</p>
<p>Eventually, the election will end. Someone will win, and someone else will lose. In the meantime, Raytheon sees little risk to defense spending, even in the absence of a defense budget, as Congress will tide the contractors over with a continuing resolution to maintain spending. And after the budget is passed, and after that, when a new president moves into the Oval Office?</p>
<p>Call me a crazy optimist, but judging from experience, <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/17/why-the-pentagon-desperately-needs-defense-contrac.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">defense spending just isn't likely to decline Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Questioned by analysts on why Raytheon appeared to have reduced the rate at which it was buying back shares, CFO O'Brian responded with the above blunt assessment, and it's one that should resonate with investors.</p>
<p>Raytheon's stock is a good one, its market is growing, and its prospects look bright. Raytheon's stock certainly is worth buying at some certain price -- but not at any price. Accordingly, as the stock goes up -- and Raytheon's is up 30% over the past year -- Raytheon's spending on share buybacks will go down.</p>
<p>Even in light of all the good news that Raytheon announced last week, that's a lesson investors might want to learn from, as well.</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> | true | 0 | earnings way whats next raytheon image source getty images continue reading week strong earnings reports american defense contractors raytheons nyse rtn report stronger opens new window quarterly earnings rocket maker surged 44 year year free cash flow first half year nearly triple company generated h1 2015 profit margins nearly five full percentage points year year well anything seen recent memory according data sampp global market intelligence opens new window raytheon keep superb performance gather clues listened raytheons postearnings conference call opens new window five things told us thought youd like know explained company cfo toby obrian raytheon sees real movement sale projections year continues expect see lowsingledigit sales growth fullyear revenues 24 billion 245 billion advertisement said profitability raytheons revenues improving 20 basis points accordingly management expects earn operating profit margins 132 134 year resulting 020 improvement earnings estimated 713 733 cash flow also improving point company expects generate 28 billion 31 billion year raytheon tracking toward 500 million annual capital spending work free cash flow 23 billion 26 billion much 33 leap 2015 fcf quite possibly companys cashrich year ever simply put raytheon seeing strong demand customers around world products specializes isnt simply case arms dealer pushing products world world leaders seeking raytheon fulfill perceived need national defense strong global demand defense products driving raytheons sales growth time company continuing grow profit margins products well comment mr kennedy gives one clue buyers raytheon selling motivated buyers driven purchase missiles missile defense systems sense urgency almost goes without saying panicked buyers arent best position comparison shop competing systems engage long drawnout negotiations price adds improved profit margins raytheon thus raytheons international business booming us fool weve given lot thought competing presidential candidates opens new window policies might affect us defense budget opens new window short term least raytheon doesnt seem worrying eventually election end someone win someone else lose meantime raytheon sees little risk defense spending even absence defense budget congress tide contractors continuing resolution maintain spending budget passed new president moves oval office call crazy optimist judging experience defense spending isnt likely decline opens new window questioned analysts raytheon appeared reduced rate buying back shares cfo obrian responded blunt assessment one resonate investors raytheons stock good one market growing prospects look bright raytheons stock certainly worth buying certain price price accordingly stock goes raytheons 30 past year raytheons spending share buybacks go even light good news raytheon announced last week thats lesson investors might want learn well 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 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 hes currently ranked 308 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 | 521 |
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<p>The Great Recession should have been a case study in the value of saving. But a new survey from Bankrate shows that many Americans aren't preparing for the next downturn with a <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/financing/saving-money/3-steps-to-saving-for-a-rainy-day/?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">rainy-day fund Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
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<p>Bankrate's Financial Security Index for June found that about a quarter of consumers don't have an emergency cash reserve. Nearly a quarter don't have enough savings to cover three months' of expenses. These percentages have not budged much since 2011 when Bankrate began asking consumers about their emergency savings.</p>
<p>How much do you have in emergency savings (i.e., money that is readily available in either a checking account, savings account or money market)?</p>
<p>"Americans continue to show a stunning lack of progress in accumulating sufficient emergency savings," says Greg McBride, Bankrate's chief financial analyst.</p>
<p>Higher Earners have Bigger Emergency Funds</p>
<p>For some, an emergency savings simply doesn't pencil out -- after they've paid monthly utilities, rent and other expenses, there's no money left, says Rebecca Kennedy, founder of Kennedy Financial Planning in Denver.</p>
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<p>Unemployment in May was 6.3%, a decided improvement from recent years, but still indicative that many Americans are struggling. There are still 3.4 million people who have been unemployed 27 weeks or more.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/finance/video/life-money/americans-feelings-financial-security-0614.aspx?pid=p:foxbz" type="external">Watch Greg McBride's analysis of the poll results Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Bankrate's survey found that the likelihood of having enough money to cover six months' worth of expenses -- the general rule of thumb for emergency savings -- goes up with consumers' income. Still, even among consumers who make $75,000 a year or more, fewer than half (46%) have enough to cover six months' expenses or more.</p>
<p>"There are a lot of folks, surprisingly even in the higher income brackets, who don't have much to spare after the mortgage is paid, the car payments are made and the ancillary expenses are accounted for," Kennedy says.</p>
<p>Competing Financial Priorities</p>
<p>Many consumers have a propensity to put off saving for a hypothetical financial emergency in favor of dealing with more near-term or tangible financial priorities, says Saundra Davis, financial coach and founder of Sage Financial Solutions in San Francisco.</p>
<p>That's the case for Mary Horowitz, 33, an attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina, who says she and her husband have enough set aside to make three months' of mortgage payments.</p>
<p>It's not as much of an emergency cushion as she'd like, she says, but right now, the couple is trying to pay down "massive grad school debts" and also juggle expenses associated with having a young son.</p>
<p>"The other financial obligations weigh more heavily on us -- so if I were to stay up worrying, it would definitely be about the other things," Horowitz says.</p>
<p>Ken Hevert, vice president of retirement products for Fidelity Investments, says this is a common scenario. "It's difficult for people to make progress against multiple goals: saving for college, a house, retirement, paying off debt," he says. "It's a balance."</p>
<p>Recession Lessons Learned?</p>
<p>Tom McGuigan, a financial adviser with Exencial Wealth Advisors in Old Lyme, Connecticut, says he isn't sure why the economic situation of the past few years didn't provide more of an imperative to consumers to squirrel away money for emergencies.</p>
<p>"The recession should have been a learning experience for having some reserves," he says.</p>
<p>Kennedy says she thinks many people view the recession "as a wake-up call mostly in terms of their debt levels," rather than a lesson in saving.</p>
<p>Indeed, Americans actively paid down their debt and reduced new borrowing following the financial crisis. A November 2013 report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said that "holding aside defaults, from 2007 through 2011, consumers reduced their debt at a pace not seen over the last 10 years."</p>
<p>Consumers didn't make a parallel shift toward embracing rainy-day funds, Hevert says, though the recession did at least create recognition that they're needed.</p>
<p>"The financial crisis that we all went through, it woke people up," Hevert says. "They realized: 'There is stuff not in my control that I need to gain more control over again.' The recognition and intent to have an emergency fund has grown over the years."</p>
<p>Stressed About Savings</p>
<p>Certainly, Americans aren't poo-pooing the idea of emergency savings. Bankrate's survey shows that many wish they could boost their savings levels, with those who report feeling less comfortable about their savings today outnumbering those who are more comfortable by nearly 2-to-1.</p>
<p>Davis says everyone knows they need an emergency fund, but getting people to prioritize it can be difficult.</p>
<p>People "are often looking more at how they manage their day-to-day cash flow and how to live within limited means than preparing for some future events," Davis says. "The question is, how do we get them to look at both?"</p>
<p>Ways to Start</p>
<p>Hevert says saving three to six months' worth of expenses is "a lot of money." He says it's often good to start with a smaller goal and work up because if the goal out of the starting gate feels unattainable, people won't go after it.</p>
<p>McGuigan suggests getting people to think about how much cash they'd need to put aside to feel secure. He also suggests setting up an automatic deduction that goes straight into emergency savings, so consumers don't even see the money in their checking accounts.</p>
<p>Davis says another way to start saving is setting small goals. She says some people use the 52-week savings plan, where a consumer starts by saving $1 on the first week, $2 the second week, $3 the third week and so on.</p>
<p>She says she has another group who doesn't spend $5 bills, instead taking all those bills and putting them into emergency savings.</p>
<p>The main point, she says, is to feel good about your financial security. She says she asks new clients what their biggest concerns and goals are. Almost invariably, one of the top worries is what to do if something unexpected happens.</p>
<p>"When we prepare for emergencies, what does that do? It makes us feel secure, responsible," Davis says. "That's the point."</p>
<p>Copyright 2014, Bankrate Inc.</p> | true | 0 | great recession case study value saving new survey bankrate shows many americans arent preparing next downturn rainyday fund opens new window continue reading bankrates financial security index june found quarter consumers dont emergency cash reserve nearly quarter dont enough savings cover three months expenses percentages budged much since 2011 bankrate began asking consumers emergency savings much emergency savings ie money readily available either checking account savings account money market americans continue show stunning lack progress accumulating sufficient emergency savings says greg mcbride bankrates chief financial analyst higher earners bigger emergency funds emergency savings simply doesnt pencil theyve paid monthly utilities rent expenses theres money left says rebecca kennedy founder kennedy financial planning denver advertisement unemployment may 63 decided improvement recent years still indicative many americans struggling still 34 million people unemployed 27 weeks watch greg mcbrides analysis poll results opens new window bankrates survey found likelihood enough money cover six months worth expenses general rule thumb emergency savings goes consumers income still even among consumers make 75000 year fewer half 46 enough cover six months expenses lot folks surprisingly even higher income brackets dont much spare mortgage paid car payments made ancillary expenses accounted kennedy says competing financial priorities many consumers propensity put saving hypothetical financial emergency favor dealing nearterm tangible financial priorities says saundra davis financial coach founder sage financial solutions san francisco thats case mary horowitz 33 attorney raleigh north carolina says husband enough set aside make three months mortgage payments much emergency cushion shed like says right couple trying pay massive grad school debts also juggle expenses associated young son financial obligations weigh heavily us stay worrying would definitely things horowitz says ken hevert vice president retirement products fidelity investments says common scenario difficult people make progress multiple goals saving college house retirement paying debt says balance recession lessons learned tom mcguigan financial adviser exencial wealth advisors old lyme connecticut says isnt sure economic situation past years didnt provide imperative consumers squirrel away money emergencies recession learning experience reserves says kennedy says thinks many people view recession wakeup call mostly terms debt levels rather lesson saving indeed americans actively paid debt reduced new borrowing following financial crisis november 2013 report federal reserve bank new york said holding aside defaults 2007 2011 consumers reduced debt pace seen last 10 years consumers didnt make parallel shift toward embracing rainyday funds hevert says though recession least create recognition theyre needed financial crisis went woke people hevert says realized stuff control need gain control recognition intent emergency fund grown years stressed savings certainly americans arent poopooing idea emergency savings bankrates survey shows many wish could boost savings levels report feeling less comfortable savings today outnumbering comfortable nearly 2to1 davis says everyone knows need emergency fund getting people prioritize difficult people often looking manage daytoday cash flow live within limited means preparing future events davis says question get look ways start hevert says saving three six months worth expenses lot money says often good start smaller goal work goal starting gate feels unattainable people wont go mcguigan suggests getting people think much cash theyd need put aside feel secure also suggests setting automatic deduction goes straight emergency savings consumers dont even see money checking accounts davis says another way start saving setting small goals says people use 52week savings plan consumer starts saving 1 first week 2 second week 3 third week says another group doesnt spend 5 bills instead taking bills putting emergency savings main point says feel good financial security says asks new clients biggest concerns goals almost invariably one top worries something unexpected happens prepare emergencies makes us feel secure responsible davis says thats point copyright 2014 bankrate inc | 610 |
<p>Tesla&#160;(NASDAQ: TSLA) has <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/30/model-3-10-things-we-learned-from-teslas-launch-ev.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">told us a lot</a> about its all-new Model 3 sedan, enough to get Tesla shareholders and electric-car fans plenty excited.</p>
<p>So far, it looks like that excitement is warranted. The new Model 3 does indeed look like a winning product. But at the same time, I think there are some big reasons for caution. Or put another way, I see three very big questions that will need to be answered before we can judge the Model 3 to be the successful high-volume product Tesla needs.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Tesla's higher-end models, the Model S sedan and Model X SUV, both received plenty of accolades when they were launched, and most of the praise was well-deserved. Both are innovative vehicles with plenty of "wow factor."</p>
<p>But I don't think I'm being unfair to Tesla when I say that both have had their share of problems. Both also have what we might gently call design "quirks" that wouldn't pass muster at a bigger automaker. Those things haven't held back Tesla's well-heeled early adopter fans, of course.</p>
<p>But the Model 3 is aiming at a broader market, and while it might seem counterintuitive, that means it'll be held to a higher quality standard. Buyers of $120,000 vehicles, who might have other ways to get to work, are typically far more tolerant of those "quirks" than buyers of $35,000 models.</p>
<p>The good news is that it appears Tesla put a much bigger emphasis on quality this time around. Tesla's growing credibility as an automaker has given it <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/02/27/the-big-factor-that-will-help-teslas-model-3-launc.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">access to better suppliers</a>, who can deliver better-quality parts for the Model 3. Tesla's hiring of Audi veteran <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/16/tesla-motors-inc-makes-a-game-changing-hire.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Peter Hochholdinger</a>, a production expert, early in the Model 3's development process appears to have <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/02/27/how-tesla-is-ensuring-its-model-3-delivers-on-qual.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">made a big difference</a> as well.</p>
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<p>Signs are good, in other words. But the question won't be fully answered until Tesla's assembly line for the Model 3 is up to full speed -- and until those cars reach customers.</p>
<p>Tesla has around 450,000 reservations for the Model 3, so many that a buyer placing a new order today will have to wait "12 to 18 months" for delivery, according to Tesla's site.</p>
<p>And that's if all goes well with Tesla's production ramp-up, a huge endeavor beyond anything that the Silicon Valley automaker has yet attempted. Assembly line snags could add weeks or months to the wait for many buyers.</p>
<p>So, here's the question: What if a big automaker has quietly prepared to release a competitive electric vehicle in the near future, with an eye to stealing some or all of those folks from Tesla's waiting list?</p>
<p>Don't discount this possibility. There are at least a couple of automakers -- General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Nissan (NASDAQOTH: NSANY), for starters -- that have the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/09/is-this-a-sign-that-general-motors-is-planning-a-b.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">technology and production capacity</a> to bring a competitive Tesla-style electric car to market in the very near future -- if they choose.</p>
<p>Tesla announces its products years in advance (for good reason), but big automakers often don't (for different good reasons). GM in particular has become very secretive under CEO Mary Barra. (But Barra herself has dropped hints that GM has several new electric vehicles in development, without giving any details.)</p>
<p>Will GM or Nissan, or another big automaker, have an advanced Tesla-fighter ready to go on sale early next year, in an effort to steal Tesla's thunder? We'll find out.</p>
<p>Tesla has said all along that the Model 3 would be the first "affordable" Tesla, starting at $35,000 before government incentives. Sure enough, Tesla delivered on that promise: You can get a Model 3 for $35,000. But also sure enough, as I <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/01/why-tesla-motors-model-3-wont-really-sell-for-3500.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">predicted last year</a>, it appears that most buyers are paying quite a bit more.</p>
<p>That $35,000 buys you a Model 3 with <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/29/4-first-thoughts-on-teslas-game-changing-model-3.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">220 miles of range</a>, a fairly stark interior, and a simple black paint job. All of those things are upgradeable, of course, but it'll cost you. A fully loaded Model 3 has 310 miles of range, a nice interior, comes in several appealing colors -- and, crucially for some buyers, will get priority on the assembly line.</p>
<p>The thing is, that fully loaded Model 3 is close to $60,000. That's not out of line when compared to the pricing on similar-sized vehicles from brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. And it appears that Tesla is getting those prices: There's some anecdotal evidence suggesting that early Model 3 buyers are opting for very well-equipped examples, pushing average transaction prices well over $50,000.</p>
<p>If that pans out, it's great news for Tesla's bottom line. But it's a lot less great for those who joined Tesla's waiting list hoping for a truly affordable car that wasn't bare-bones. That leads to our last big question: Given the reality of Model 3 pricing, how many reservations will Tesla be able to convert into actual sales?</p>
<p>During Tesla's second-quarter earnings call, CEO Elon Musk said that the number of reservations had already dropped by about 63,000, to around 450,000. I suspect the number will shrink further -- but how much further? Again, we'll find out in time.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than TeslaWhen 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=0f8eeb5b-c04a-4a4a-ba87-fb5410c88731&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks</a> for investors to buy right now... and Tesla wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFMarlowe/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">John Rosevear</a> owns shares of General Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends BMW. 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=b706ce78-8109-11e7-9f06-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p> | true | 0 | tesla160nasdaq tsla told us lot allnew model 3 sedan enough get tesla shareholders electriccar fans plenty excited far looks like excitement warranted new model 3 indeed look like winning product time think big reasons caution put another way see three big questions need answered judge model 3 successful highvolume product tesla needs continue reading teslas higherend models model sedan model x suv received plenty accolades launched praise welldeserved innovative vehicles plenty wow factor dont think im unfair tesla say share problems also might gently call design quirks wouldnt pass muster bigger automaker things havent held back teslas wellheeled early adopter fans course model 3 aiming broader market might seem counterintuitive means itll held higher quality standard buyers 120000 vehicles might ways get work typically far tolerant quirks buyers 35000 models good news appears tesla put much bigger emphasis quality time around teslas growing credibility automaker given access better suppliers deliver betterquality parts model 3 teslas hiring audi veteran peter hochholdinger production expert early model 3s development process appears made big difference well advertisement signs good words question wont fully answered teslas assembly line model 3 full speed cars reach customers tesla around 450000 reservations model 3 many buyer placing new order today wait 12 18 months delivery according teslas site thats goes well teslas production rampup huge endeavor beyond anything silicon valley automaker yet attempted assembly line snags could add weeks months wait many buyers heres question big automaker quietly prepared release competitive electric vehicle near future eye stealing folks teslas waiting list dont discount possibility least couple automakers general motors nyse gm nissan nasdaqoth nsany starters technology production capacity bring competitive teslastyle electric car market near future choose tesla announces products years advance good reason big automakers often dont different good reasons gm particular become secretive ceo mary barra barra dropped hints gm several new electric vehicles development without giving details gm nissan another big automaker advanced teslafighter ready go sale early next year effort steal teslas thunder well find tesla said along model 3 would first affordable tesla starting 35000 government incentives sure enough tesla delivered promise get model 3 35000 also sure enough predicted last year appears buyers paying quite bit 35000 buys model 3 220 miles range fairly stark interior simple black paint job things upgradeable course itll cost fully loaded model 3 310 miles range nice interior comes several appealing colors crucially buyers get priority assembly line thing fully loaded model 3 close 60000 thats line compared pricing similarsized vehicles brands like bmw mercedesbenz appears tesla getting prices theres anecdotal evidence suggesting early model 3 buyers opting wellequipped examples pushing average transaction prices well 50000 pans great news teslas bottom line lot less great joined teslas waiting list hoping truly affordable car wasnt barebones leads last big question given reality model 3 pricing many reservations tesla able convert actual sales teslas secondquarter earnings call ceo elon musk said number reservations already dropped 63000 around 450000 suspect number shrink much well find time 10 stocks like better teslawhen 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 tesla wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click learn picks stock advisor returns august 1 2017 john rosevear owns shares general motors motley fool owns shares recommends tesla motley fool recommends bmw motley fool disclosure policy | 570 |
<p>The Federal Reserve is facing mixed signals on U.S. inflation as it weighs whether to raise short-term interest rates one more time in 2017.</p>
<p>The Fed's preferred price gauge, the personal-consumption expenditures price index, rose 0.2% in August from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Friday. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, the index rose a modest 0.1% on the month, less than economists had expected.</p>
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<p>Compared with a year earlier, headline prices rose 1.4% and so-called core prices were up just 1.3% -- well below the Fed's long-elusive 2% annual target and showing little evidence of an incipient pickup.</p>
<p>The Fed needs to see "some firming" in the coming months to stay on track for a rate increase in December, "but it doesn't need to be substantial" to clear the bar for action, said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.</p>
<p>Another broad gauge of U.S. inflation, the Labor Department's consumer-price index, showed stronger growth for headline and core prices in August. That was in part due to a jump in shelter costs; the Fed-favored PCE index gives significantly less weight to housing than does the CPI.</p>
<p>"That's just in the composition of the two different baskets," Mr. Daco said.</p>
<p>Price growth has been subdued in recent months even with the unemployment rate hovering below 4.5%, surprising central-bank officials who expect price and wage pressures to build in response to a tightening labor market. Some have blamed one-off factors, such as a sharp decline this spring in prices for cellphone plans, while other policy makers have worried that the slump may reflect more fundamental forces.</p>
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<p>"My colleagues and I currently think that this year's low inflation is probably temporary, so we continue to anticipate that inflation is likely to stabilize around 2% over the next few years," Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen said Tuesday during a speech in Cleveland.</p>
<p>"But," she added, "our understanding of the forces driving inflation is imperfect, and we recognize that something more persistent may be responsible for the current undershooting of our longer-run objective."</p>
<p>Fed officials raised short-term interest rates twice this year, in March and June, and in September announced they would begin to shrink the central bank's $4.5 trillion portfolio of bonds and other assets.</p>
<p>Policy makers penciled in one more quarter-percentage-point rate increase by the end of 2017, which analysts have predicted will come at the Fed's Dec. 12-13 policy meeting.</p>
<p>Much depends on the behavior of inflation. A broad pickup in price pressures would support the case for a rate increase, while a continued slump could make a rate move less likely.</p>
<p>Ms. Yellen this week said Fed officials "will monitor incoming data closely and stand ready to modify our views based on what we learn." The Commerce Department will release two more monthly readings on PCE inflation between now and the Fed's December meeting.</p>
<p>Friday's report also showed that consumer spending was soft in August. Personal-consumption expenditures, a broad measure of household outlays on everything from groceries to doctor visits, rose a seasonally adjusted 0.1% in August from a month earlier.</p>
<p>Personal income from sources like paychecks, investments and government benefits was up 0.2% in August.</p>
<p>Adjusted for inflation, consumer spending fell 0.1% in August from the prior month. That was the first decline in price-adjusted outlays since January, driven in part by weak auto sales.</p>
<p>Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics, said Hurricane Harvey, which hit Texas and Louisiana in late August, was at least partially responsible for weak spending in August, and "the September spending figures could remain depressed" due to Hurricane Irma. He also said unseasonably cool temperatures in the Northeast and power outages in storm-affected areas could have reduced utility spending during the month.</p>
<p>More broadly, Mr. Ashworth predicted in a note to clients that spending growth will remain healthy over the next 18 months, "with confidence strong, the growing possibility of tax cuts and labor market conditions still solid."</p>
<p>Consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of total U.S. economic output, and a pickup in outlays helped boost overall growth this spring. But economists think the powerful hurricanes that hit the U.S. in August and September will depress economic activity during the third quarter, which ends this weekend. Growth would likely rebound in subsequent quarters as rebuilding efforts take shape.</p>
<p>Forecasting firm Macroeconomic Advisers on Friday projected a 2.4% annual growth rate for gross domestic product in the third quarter, down from the second quarter's 3.1% GDP growth rate. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's GDPNow model predicted third-quarter growth at a 2.3% rate.</p>
<p>The Commerce Department also said the personal-savings rate in August was 3.6%, steady from the prior month at its lowest level since the end of last year. It was above 6% as recently as the fall of 2015 but has fallen sharply since then.</p>
<p>Mr. Daco, the Oxford Economics economist, predicted continued sluggish income growth will force consumers to moderate their spending, a process that may already be under way. "The current 'savings dip' isn't sustainable on a long-term basis," he said in a note to clients.</p>
<p>--Sharon Nunn contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Ben Leubsdorf at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>September 29, 2017 15:02 ET (19:02 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | federal reserve facing mixed signals us inflation weighs whether raise shortterm interest rates one time 2017 feds preferred price gauge personalconsumption expenditures price index rose 02 august year earlier commerce department said friday excluding volatile food energy prices index rose modest 01 month less economists expected continue reading compared year earlier headline prices rose 14 socalled core prices 13 well feds longelusive 2 annual target showing little evidence incipient pickup fed needs see firming coming months stay track rate increase december doesnt need substantial clear bar action said gregory daco chief us economist oxford economics another broad gauge us inflation labor departments consumerprice index showed stronger growth headline core prices august part due jump shelter costs fedfavored pce index gives significantly less weight housing cpi thats composition two different baskets mr daco said price growth subdued recent months even unemployment rate hovering 45 surprising centralbank officials expect price wage pressures build response tightening labor market blamed oneoff factors sharp decline spring prices cellphone plans policy makers worried slump may reflect fundamental forces advertisement colleagues currently think years low inflation probably temporary continue anticipate inflation likely stabilize around 2 next years fed chairwoman janet yellen said tuesday speech cleveland added understanding forces driving inflation imperfect recognize something persistent may responsible current undershooting longerrun objective fed officials raised shortterm interest rates twice year march june september announced would begin shrink central banks 45 trillion portfolio bonds assets policy makers penciled one quarterpercentagepoint rate increase end 2017 analysts predicted come feds dec 1213 policy meeting much depends behavior inflation broad pickup price pressures would support case rate increase continued slump could make rate move less likely ms yellen week said fed officials monitor incoming data closely stand ready modify views based learn commerce department release two monthly readings pce inflation feds december meeting fridays report also showed consumer spending soft august personalconsumption expenditures broad measure household outlays everything groceries doctor visits rose seasonally adjusted 01 august month earlier personal income sources like paychecks investments government benefits 02 august adjusted inflation consumer spending fell 01 august prior month first decline priceadjusted outlays since january driven part weak auto sales paul ashworth chief us economist capital economics said hurricane harvey hit texas louisiana late august least partially responsible weak spending august september spending figures could remain depressed due hurricane irma also said unseasonably cool temperatures northeast power outages stormaffected areas could reduced utility spending month broadly mr ashworth predicted note clients spending growth remain healthy next 18 months confidence strong growing possibility tax cuts labor market conditions still solid consumer spending accounts twothirds total us economic output pickup outlays helped boost overall growth spring economists think powerful hurricanes hit us august september depress economic activity third quarter ends weekend growth would likely rebound subsequent quarters rebuilding efforts take shape forecasting firm macroeconomic advisers friday projected 24 annual growth rate gross domestic product third quarter second quarters 31 gdp growth rate federal reserve bank atlantas gdpnow model predicted thirdquarter growth 23 rate commerce department also said personalsavings rate august 36 steady prior month lowest level since end last year 6 recently fall 2015 fallen sharply since mr daco oxford economics economist predicted continued sluggish income growth force consumers moderate spending process may already way current savings dip isnt sustainable longterm basis said note clients sharon nunn contributed article write ben leubsdorf benleubsdorfwsjcom end dow jones newswires september 29 2017 1502 et 1902 gmt | 567 |
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<p>Chrysler has enlisted the help of comedian Jim Gaffigan to convince dads across America that driving a minivan is, in fact, cool.</p>
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<p>Chrysler’s Detroit rivals, General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Ford (NYSE:F), both exited the minivan game years ago, as sleek crossovers and big SUVs hogged the spotlight. Minivan sales in the U.S. hit 1.4 million in 2000. By 2015, sales were down to about 512,000 even as auto sales soared.</p>
<p>Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE:FCAU) will soon add the Dodge Grand Caravan to the list of defunct minivans, saying sales would end in 2016. Instead, the Italian-American automaker has designed a brand new minivan for Chrysler. The 2017 Pacifica is making its way to dealers this spring, and Chrysler is looking to win over consumers who merely see minivans as “mom mobiles.”</p>
<p>Gaffigan, creator of TV Land’s “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” is the star of a new ad campaign that was released in full on Friday. The series of TV and online spots, featuring Gaffigan, his wife and five children, highlights the Pacifica’s distinctive features and why the minivan should score points with parents.</p>
<p>“You know who drives one of these all-new Chrysler Pacificas? A considerate, caring father,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGEm8Lct2rs" type="external">Gaffigan says in one of the ads</a>.</p>
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<p>Chrysler said the ads will be rolled out across television, print and digital platforms throughout the coming weeks and months. When the initial ad was revealed, Chrysler made its pitch to dads on social media: the new Pacifica is “great for your #DadBrand.”</p>
<p>“We try to challenge the paradigm of the minivan,” Olivier Francois, chief marketing officer of Fiat Chrysler, told FOXBusiness.com. “The idea was to challenge conventions. Obviously, it’s not a car for a man or a woman, it’s a car for families. We thought a dad should deliver the family pitch. It’s unconventional and unexpected.”</p>
<p>Initial feedback from Chrysler’s sales force and dealers has been very positive, Francois added.</p>
<p>The advertising flurry continued to grow with Comcast’s (NASDAQ:CMCSA) NBCUniversal, which struck an advertising deal with Fiat Chrysler that brings Pacifica commercials to NBC programming such as the “Today” show. The partnership also calls for new ads featuring “Late Night” host Seth Meyers and his dog. The ads include scenes from the upcoming film, “The Secret Life of Pets.”</p>
<p>Celebrate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NationalPetDay?src=hash" type="external">#NationalPetDay</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/Chrysler" type="external">@Chrysler</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PetsMovie" type="external">@PetsMovie</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/LateNightSeth" type="external">@LateNightSeth</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PacificaPetsSweepstakes?src=hash" type="external">#PacificaPetsSweepstakes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ad?src=hash" type="external">#ad</a> <a href="https://t.co/EtxjK7gZ4W" type="external">https://t.co/EtxjK7gZ4W</a></p>
<p>Chrysler has doubled down on the characteristics that have made minivans a popular choice for families. The Pacifica has plenty of storage and a roomy interior, including seats that can be folded flat or removed. It sports premium features like heated second-row seats, a panoramic sunroof and a hands-free liftgate and sliding doors. There’s also a built-in vacuum.</p>
<p>Technology is a focal point, too. One option adds 10-inch touch screens mounted on the back of each front-row seat. Chrysler also equipped the Pacifica with various driver assists like automatic parking and cameras that provide a 360-degree view.</p>
<p>The Pacifica, which seats seven or eight, will start at $28,595.</p>
<p>“When you look at it objectively, minivans are probably the best family vehicle out there. There are a lot of rational advantages,” said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst at Kelley Blue Book. He highlighted the low step-in height and large cargo capacity, among other features.</p>
<p>“There will always be a market for minivans. It’s one of most versatile vehicles out there,” Nerad added.</p>
<p>With luxurious touches inside the Pacifica, Chrysler is attempting to replicate the feel of a private jet.</p>
<p>“We want to deliver a private jet experience to the shopper who primarily shops for more than need. We want to overdeliver,” Francois said.</p>
<p>Fiat Chrysler hopes to reverse a slide in minivan sales over the last decade. With sales of 190,989 Chrysler and Dodge minivans in 2015, the company sold fewer than half the number of units delivered in 2005.</p>
<p>Still, the minivan is a historically important vehicle for Fiat Chrysler. The Chrysler brand created the minivan over three decades ago, and the company continues to outsell its competitors. Combined sales of the Town &amp; Country and Grand Caravan last year beat the Toyota Sienna, Fiat Chrysler’s nearest competitor, by 53,400 units.</p>
<p>“We invented the minivan 33 years ago, so it was time to reinvent it and own the category again,” Francois said.</p>
<p>The widespread marketing efforts signal that Fiat Chrysler sees the Pacifica—the company’s first built-from-scratch vehicle since the official merger—as a critical launch. Outside the Fiat Chrysler family, the only competing minivans in the U.S. are the Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, Mazda 5 and Nissan Quest. If Fiat Chrysler can convince moms and dads of the minivan’s merits, the Pacifica could be a big winner with a concentrated ad investment at its disposal.</p>
<p>“They’re dropping two well-known names that have a lot of cache,” Nerad said, referring to the Town &amp; Country and Grand Caravan. “To do that, you must think that you can move the needle, and I think they probably can.”</p> | true | 0 | chrysler enlisted help comedian jim gaffigan convince dads across america driving minivan fact cool continue reading chryslers detroit rivals general motors nysegm ford nysef exited minivan game years ago sleek crossovers big suvs hogged spotlight minivan sales us hit 14 million 2000 2015 sales 512000 even auto sales soared fiat chrysler automobiles nysefcau soon add dodge grand caravan list defunct minivans saying sales would end 2016 instead italianamerican automaker designed brand new minivan chrysler 2017 pacifica making way dealers spring chrysler looking win consumers merely see minivans mom mobiles gaffigan creator tv lands jim gaffigan show star new ad campaign released full friday series tv online spots featuring gaffigan wife five children highlights pacificas distinctive features minivan score points parents know drives one allnew chrysler pacificas considerate caring father gaffigan says one ads advertisement chrysler said ads rolled across television print digital platforms throughout coming weeks months initial ad revealed chrysler made pitch dads social media new pacifica great dadbrand try challenge paradigm minivan olivier francois chief marketing officer fiat chrysler told foxbusinesscom idea challenge conventions obviously car man woman car families thought dad deliver family pitch unconventional unexpected initial feedback chryslers sales force dealers positive francois added advertising flurry continued grow comcasts nasdaqcmcsa nbcuniversal struck advertising deal fiat chrysler brings pacifica commercials nbc programming today show partnership also calls new ads featuring late night host seth meyers dog ads include scenes upcoming film secret life pets celebrate nationalpetday chrysler petsmovie latenightseth pacificapetssweepstakes ad httpstcoetxjk7gz4w chrysler doubled characteristics made minivans popular choice families pacifica plenty storage roomy interior including seats folded flat removed sports premium features like heated secondrow seats panoramic sunroof handsfree liftgate sliding doors theres also builtin vacuum technology focal point one option adds 10inch touch screens mounted back frontrow seat chrysler also equipped pacifica various driver assists like automatic parking cameras provide 360degree view pacifica seats seven eight start 28595 look objectively minivans probably best family vehicle lot rational advantages said jack nerad executive editorial director market analyst kelley blue book highlighted low stepin height large cargo capacity among features always market minivans one versatile vehicles nerad added luxurious touches inside pacifica chrysler attempting replicate feel private jet want deliver private jet experience shopper primarily shops need want overdeliver francois said fiat chrysler hopes reverse slide minivan sales last decade sales 190989 chrysler dodge minivans 2015 company sold fewer half number units delivered 2005 still minivan historically important vehicle fiat chrysler chrysler brand created minivan three decades ago company continues outsell competitors combined sales town amp country grand caravan last year beat toyota sienna fiat chryslers nearest competitor 53400 units invented minivan 33 years ago time reinvent category francois said widespread marketing efforts signal fiat chrysler sees pacificathe companys first builtfromscratch vehicle since official mergeras critical launch outside fiat chrysler family competing minivans us sienna honda odyssey kia sedona mazda 5 nissan quest fiat chrysler convince moms dads minivans merits pacifica could big winner concentrated ad investment disposal theyre dropping two wellknown names lot cache nerad said referring town amp country grand caravan must think move needle think probably | 512 |
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<p>Image source: Motley Fool.</p>
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<p>It was a rough holiday season for department store chains, andJ.C. Penney(NYSE: JCP) was no exception. The company is still in a rebuilding phase following Ron Johnson's decimation of the brand in 2012.</p>
<p>After steadily bringing customers back in the door, current CEO Marvin Ellison had reassured investors that the company would post a profit in 2016 for the first time since 2011. However, after its performance during the holiday season, that prediction may be in doubt as comparable sales fell 0.8% in November and December. Ellison said the company struggled through the first three weeks of November, "consistent with trends in the broader retail industry." However, comparable sales improved from the Thanksgiving and were actually positive. Ellison also said the company's turnaround in profitability "remains on track."</p>
<p>Management had originally called for a comparable sales increase of 3-4%, but lowered that to 1-2% after the company's third-quarter report. However, through the first eleven months of the fiscal year, comparable sales are about flat. That's a problem, because J.C. Penney has introduced a number of initiatives that were supposed to boost sales -- part of the reason it had called for 3-4% comp sales growth to begin with. Back in August, Ellison even touted "the initiatives we have in place to drive incremental growth in the back half of the year." Here a few of those moves that have either failed to add incremental growth, or have not made up for sliding sales elsewhere.</p>
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<p>J.C. Penney's boldest move this year seemed to be getting back into the appliance business for the first time in 33 years. The decision came as rival Sears Holdings(NASDAQ: SHLD), a major appliance seller, has been bleeding sales and closing stores, and J.C. Penny's began to noticed that customers were searching for appliances on its website. Ellison came to J.C. Penney from Home Depot, and seems to be relying in part on home improvement products to drive its comeback. The company has also been testing selling flooring with Empire Today, and has made efforts to increase sales of blinds, curtains, and other home decor products.</p>
<p>Penney began the launch with a pilot program testing appliance sales in 22 stores, and over the summer said it would expand to about 500 stores, or about half of its total fleet. That seemed to be a sign that the program was delivering positive results. In spite of the expansion and management's saying it saw strength in appliances, however, comparable sales still fell in the second half of the year.</p>
<p>Possibly the best strategic decision J.C. Penney has made in the past decade was forming an exclusive partnership with Sephora, the popular cosmetics company that now operates shops in about half of Penney's stores. As a destination in and of itself, Sephora helps drive traffic to Penney's location, and some customers end up shopping in other parts of the department store. It also helps Penney attract a more upscale customer and spruce up the company's image.</p>
<p>Penney's planned to open nearly 100 new Sephora locations and also aimed to redesign departments near the Sephoras to make them more attractive to shoppers, as only 25% of Sephora shoppers were shopping in the rest of the store.Like appliances, the company said performance at Sephora was strong during the holiday season, but it did not have the overarching effect desired.</p>
<p>Another growth opportunity management has identified is fashionable plus-size clothing. Fashion labels often make clothes only up to size 12, leaving out a significant piece of the market. J.C. Penney teamed up with Project Runway winner Ashley Nell Tipton to launch Boutique+ in the spring at 500 stores, and in the fall Tipton launched her own collection as an extension of Boutique+.</p>
<p>Plus-size women's clothing is an estimated $20 billion market in the U.S., and it's outgrowing women's clothing in general.Women's clothing is Penney's biggest segment, but poor sales in women's apparel seemed to be the major reason why Penney's comparable sales fell during the holiday season as it was the only category it named as experiencing weakness -- the company said it "continued to impact our performance."</p>
<p>Despite J.C. Penney's weak second-half performance, the company is still trimming costs and working toward profitability, and seems to have outperformed some of its department store peers as the entire industry faces headwinds. Analysts are still expecting profit growth in 2017 as well.</p>
<p>The company also released a bit of a good news this month, saying that it formed an agreement with Nike to open 500 of Nike shops within its stores.</p>
<p>Though the recent decline in comparable sales is discouraging, I would give Ellison and company a few more quarters to see if the recent strategic moves pay off.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than J.C. Penney 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=b6b40bf2-4234-45be-add7-8960027f76fa&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 J.C. Penney 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/TMFHobo/info.aspx" type="external">Jeremy Bowman Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of J.C. Penney and Nike. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Nike. The Motley Fool recommends Home Depot. 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> | true | 0 | image source motley fool continue reading rough holiday season department store chains andjc penneynyse jcp exception company still rebuilding phase following ron johnsons decimation brand 2012 steadily bringing customers back door current ceo marvin ellison reassured investors company would post profit 2016 first time since 2011 however performance holiday season prediction may doubt comparable sales fell 08 november december ellison said company struggled first three weeks november consistent trends broader retail industry however comparable sales improved thanksgiving actually positive ellison also said companys turnaround profitability remains track management originally called comparable sales increase 34 lowered 12 companys thirdquarter report however first eleven months fiscal year comparable sales flat thats problem jc penney introduced number initiatives supposed boost sales part reason called 34 comp sales growth begin back august ellison even touted initiatives place drive incremental growth back half year moves either failed add incremental growth made sliding sales elsewhere advertisement jc penneys boldest move year seemed getting back appliance business first time 33 years decision came rival sears holdingsnasdaq shld major appliance seller bleeding sales closing stores jc pennys began noticed customers searching appliances website ellison came jc penney home depot seems relying part home improvement products drive comeback company also testing selling flooring empire today made efforts increase sales blinds curtains home decor products penney began launch pilot program testing appliance sales 22 stores summer said would expand 500 stores half total fleet seemed sign program delivering positive results spite expansion managements saying saw strength appliances however comparable sales still fell second half year possibly best strategic decision jc penney made past decade forming exclusive partnership sephora popular cosmetics company operates shops half penneys stores destination sephora helps drive traffic penneys location customers end shopping parts department store also helps penney attract upscale customer spruce companys image penneys planned open nearly 100 new sephora locations also aimed redesign departments near sephoras make attractive shoppers 25 sephora shoppers shopping rest storelike appliances company said performance sephora strong holiday season overarching effect desired another growth opportunity management identified fashionable plussize clothing fashion labels often make clothes size 12 leaving significant piece market jc penney teamed project runway winner ashley nell tipton launch boutique spring 500 stores fall tipton launched collection extension boutique plussize womens clothing estimated 20 billion market us outgrowing womens clothing generalwomens clothing penneys biggest segment poor sales womens apparel seemed major reason penneys comparable sales fell holiday season category named experiencing weakness company said continued impact performance despite jc penneys weak secondhalf performance company still trimming costs working toward profitability seems outperformed department store peers entire industry faces headwinds analysts still expecting profit growth 2017 well company also released bit good news month saying formed agreement nike open 500 nike shops within stores though recent decline comparable sales discouraging would give ellison company quarters see recent strategic moves pay 10 stocks like better jc penney 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 jc penney wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 jeremy bowman opens new window owns shares jc penney nike motley fool owns shares recommends nike motley fool recommends home depot motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 560 |
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<p>There are a few major factors that make a certain place a good choice for retirees. Affordability is a major factor for seniors on a fixed income, and access to top-quality healthcare is certainly important as retirees age. In addition, retirees want things to do -- many play golf, or go to the theater, for example. With these things in mind, here are the five worst states to retire to in 2017, according to a recent <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-to-retire/18592/#joelle-saad-lessler" type="external">analysis Opens a New Window.</a> by WalletHub.</p>
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<p>Despite having beautiful landmarks such as Castle Hill Lighthouse, Rhode Island ranks as the least retirement-friendly state for 2017. Image Source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>I won't keep you in suspense. Out of the 51 candidates (including D.C.), here are the least retirement-friendly states, according to WalletHub, ranked in descending order -- so the worst state is listed last.</p>
<p>47. Hawaii. To be fair, Hawaii did rank highly in several categories. For example, at 81.3 years, Hawaii has the highest life expectancy for seniors in the United States. And, more than 82% of Hawaii seniors are in "good or better" health. However, Hawaii ranks as the least affordable state in the country, with a cost of living that's twice as much as the lowest state, and some costs specifically related to retirement are especially high. For example, in-home health services are among the most expensive in the country. Also, Hawaii has the second-highest property crime rate in the country, a big turn-off to many retirees.</p>
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<p>48. Connecticut. Like much of the northeastern U.S., Connecticut isn't a particularly affordable place to live. The state's overall cost of living is among the highest in the U.S., and it ranks as the fourth worst state in terms of tax-friendliness to retirees. The weather in Connecticut isn't particularly appealing, and the state has below-average public healthcare facilities. On the positive side, however, Connecticut does have one of the lowest crime rates in the nation and ranks No. 1 for water quality.</p>
<p>49. District of Columbia. With the worst rates of property and violent crime in the country, D.C. ranks low in terms of retirement destinations. To make it worse, D.C. has the second highest cost of living in the U.S. and the highest percentage of seniors living in poverty. It's not all bad news for D.C. retirees, however. Retirees do enjoy the best access to public transportation in the U.S., as well as the highest number of physicians per capita.</p>
<p>50. Alaska. Despite ranking as the most tax-friendly state in the U.S., Alaska's high cost of living is a big reason it ranks second to last. In-home health and adult day healthcare are more expensive in Alaska than anywhere else in the country. Alaska also has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, some of the lowest-quality drinking water, and one of the lowest rates of healthcare professionals such as dentists and nurses. Finally, Alaska ranks dead last when it comes to "mildness of weather," although that fact is unlikely to surprise many people.</p>
<p>51. Rhode Island. Although Rhode Island didn't rank dead last in any of WalletHub's individual categories, it just got overall poor marks in virtually every aspect of retired life. If you notice, all of the other states on the list excelled in one or more categories. This isn't the case for Rhode Island.</p>
<p>Cost of living is well above average, and tax-friendliness to seniors is among the worst in the nation. Nearly 10% of retirees are below the poverty level, and there isn't a particularly senior-friendly job market that struggling retirees can take advantage of, if needed. Weather isn't very nice, and the state ranks toward the bottom of the list in terms of things to do, such as museums, theaters, and golf courses. Furthermore, elder-abuse protections are third worst in the U.S, as is the number of physicians per capita.</p>
<p>In case you were curious, the five best states to retire, according to WalletHub's methodology, are:</p>
<p>What makes these states so retirement-friendly? For starters, most of them are more affordable for retirees than other states. The top three have no state income taxes, and for the most part, the top states have strong job markets for seniors who want to work part-time, as well as affordable senior-specific services, such as in-home healthcare.</p>
<p>In addition, quality of life is a big factor. Florida has beautiful weather, Wyoming has the best air quality in the country, and Iowa is full of things for retirees to do, such as golf courses and museums. Many of the top states have low crime rates, lots of volunteer opportunities for seniors, and strong, populous senior citizen communities.</p>
<p>Finally, access to high-quality healthcare is a big priority for most retirees. South Dakota, for instance, has more nurses and healthcare facilities per capital than any other U.S. state. And almost four out of five Colorado seniors are physically active, giving Colorado seniors a longer life expectancy than seniors in most other states.</p>
<p>To be clear, these are the five worst states to retire in, but only in terms of things such as affordability and senior-friendly environments. There are other, more personal factors that should be taken into consideration as well. Most obviously is the proximity to your friends and family -- if your entire family is in Hawaii, it may not seem worth the cost savings to relocate to the mainland, for example.</p>
<p>On a similar note, these findings don't consider that the best option for many retirees is to simply stay put. According to Jim Mitchell, professor of sociology and director of the Center for Diversity and Inequality Research at East Carolina University, failure to consider the financial implications of selling their home is a common mistake. "For many, home equity is a significant asset and the risks and benefit of relinquishing that asset should be considered carefully in light of replacement costs," says Mitchell.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that while the five states here are the worst states for retirement in 2017, at least when considering general affordability, quality of life for seniors, and healthcare options, you need to take your personal situation into account as well.</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 Opens a New Window.</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 Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | major factors make certain place good choice retirees affordability major factor seniors fixed income access topquality healthcare certainly important retirees age addition retirees want things many play golf go theater example things mind five worst states retire 2017 according recent analysis opens new window wallethub continue reading despite beautiful landmarks castle hill lighthouse rhode island ranks least retirementfriendly state 2017 image source getty images wont keep suspense 51 candidates including dc least retirementfriendly states according wallethub ranked descending order worst state listed last 47 hawaii fair hawaii rank highly several categories example 813 years hawaii highest life expectancy seniors united states 82 hawaii seniors good better health however hawaii ranks least affordable state country cost living thats twice much lowest state costs specifically related retirement especially high example inhome health services among expensive country also hawaii secondhighest property crime rate country big turnoff many retirees advertisement 48 connecticut like much northeastern us connecticut isnt particularly affordable place live states overall cost living among highest us ranks fourth worst state terms taxfriendliness retirees weather connecticut isnt particularly appealing state belowaverage public healthcare facilities positive side however connecticut one lowest crime rates nation ranks 1 water quality 49 district columbia worst rates property violent crime country dc ranks low terms retirement destinations make worse dc second highest cost living us highest percentage seniors living poverty bad news dc retirees however retirees enjoy best access public transportation us well highest number physicians per capita 50 alaska despite ranking taxfriendly state us alaskas high cost living big reason ranks second last inhome health adult day healthcare expensive alaska anywhere else country alaska also one highest violent crime rates country lowestquality drinking water one lowest rates healthcare professionals dentists nurses finally alaska ranks dead last comes mildness weather although fact unlikely surprise many people 51 rhode island although rhode island didnt rank dead last wallethubs individual categories got overall poor marks virtually every aspect retired life notice states list excelled one categories isnt case rhode island cost living well average taxfriendliness seniors among worst nation nearly 10 retirees poverty level isnt particularly seniorfriendly job market struggling retirees take advantage needed weather isnt nice state ranks toward bottom list terms things museums theaters golf courses furthermore elderabuse protections third worst us number physicians per capita case curious five best states retire according wallethubs methodology makes states retirementfriendly starters affordable retirees states top three state income taxes part top states strong job markets seniors want work parttime well affordable seniorspecific services inhome healthcare addition quality life big factor florida beautiful weather wyoming best air quality country iowa full things retirees golf courses museums many top states low crime rates lots volunteer opportunities seniors strong populous senior citizen communities finally access highquality healthcare big priority retirees south dakota instance nurses healthcare facilities per capital us state almost four five colorado seniors physically active giving colorado seniors longer life expectancy seniors states clear five worst states retire terms things affordability seniorfriendly environments personal factors taken consideration well obviously proximity friends family entire family hawaii may seem worth cost savings relocate mainland example similar note findings dont consider best option many retirees simply stay put according jim mitchell professor sociology director center diversity inequality research east carolina university failure consider financial implications selling home common mistake many home equity significant asset risks benefit relinquishing asset considered carefully light replacement costs says mitchell bottom line five states worst states retirement 2017 least considering general affordability quality life seniors healthcare options need take personal situation account well 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 motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 646 |
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<p>Sears Holdings (NASDAQ: SHLD), MannKind (NASDAQ: MNKD), and Novavax (NASDAQ: NVAX) face stiff headwinds that cast their future survival in doubt. Here's what's going wrong, and why our Motley Fool contributors think these companies might not be able to overcome their obstacles.</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> (Sears Holdings): I've been predicting the demise of Sears Holdings for several years now, and one of these days I'm going to be right. Although the ability of CEO and chairman Eddie Lampert to keep the old-line retailer hanging surprised me, and ultimately proved wrong my (repeated) calls that it won't be around for Christmas, there's little argument Sears has been heading for the abyss. It's always been a matter of when, not if.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that day might be swiftly approaching. Heck, forget Sears not seeing 2020; it might not see 2018.</p>
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<p>The problem for the retailer is that customers are abandoning the store in droves. And while Lampert's hedge fund-style financial gymnastics have kept the lights burning longer than expected, the continuous need for short-term cash infusions -- whether from loans Lampert gives it through his ESL Investments hedge fund, asset sales or spinoffs, or selling real estate -- indicates the business of Sears is dying.</p>
<p>Although I haven't been a fan of Lampert's management of the retailer over the past few years, I have to admit his most recent moves have almost been <a type="external" href="">strokes of genius</a>. Not that I think they'll save Sears, as they amount to too little, too late, but they are innovative ideas that, had they been implemented earlier, could have perhaps staved off the inevitable.</p>
<p>Of course, I'm talking about the way the sale of the Craftsman brand was structured, as well as the licensing deal for the Kenmore name. Equally brilliant was launching a DieHard-brand auto services center. People so closely associate the DieHard battery brand with cars that they rated DieHard tires one of their favorites -- even though DieHard doesn't make tires! An auto center should prove popular, and though there's only one planned right now, it's easy to see this concept expanding -- assuming, of course, Sears survives.</p>
<p>And that's just the problem: It likely won't. Earlier this year ratings agency Moody's downgraded Sears to Caa2 as the likelihood of default rises due to comparable store sales during the holiday period plunging by as much as 13%. Of course, Sears' sales-comparison woes are related to the number of stores the retailer has closed or sold off, and since consumers generally don't view shopping at the retailer as a positive experience, comps will likely hemorrhage further.</p>
<p>While Lampert has made a big effort to expand Sears' digital capabilities, and there may be a future for the department store chain online, the possibility of it seeing 2020 is becoming increasingly unlikely.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFFishBiz/info.aspx?source=iapsitlnk0000002" type="external">Keith Speights Opens a New Window.</a>(MannKind):Few companies have encountered as much bad news as MannKind. The company failed to win regulatory approval for inhaled insulin Afrezza in its first two attempts. When it seemed things might be finally going its way after finally securing approval, MannKind's partner, Sanofi , threw in the towel on marketing Afrezza.</p>
<p>The question facing MannKind now is: Can it succeed where a larger company couldn't? MannKind regained marketing rights to Afrezza in April 2016. The company struggled in its first several months of selling the drug using a contract sales team. CEO Matthew Pfeffer later admitted that the company was "working somewhat on fumes financially." MannKind even had to engage in a reverse stock split to avoid its stock being delisted.</p>
<p>It appears, however, that MannKind's management team is doing the right things to turn the ship around. A settlement with Sanofi brought in much-needed cash. The company discontinued use of the contract sales team and hired its own internal staff. MannKind has also made significant progress in winning payer coverage for Afrezza.</p>
<p>Despite all of these positive steps, MannKind still faces a tough road ahead. It could be that Afrezza simply doesn't take off at all -- or doesn't grow sales quickly enough for MannKind to be successful. If either scenario occurs, this long-suffering biotech won't be around to see the next decade. For now, however, I'd say MannKind has a fighting chance of survival.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFEBCapital/info.aspx" type="external">Todd Campbell Opens a New Window.</a> (Novavax): A little good fortune could help Novavax sidestep risks associated with its high-risk financials, but absent a phase 3 win for its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, this company's future becomes pretty unclear.</p>
<p>A vaccine that protects people from this life-threatening virus could benefit millions of seniors and infants, and such a vaccine should be worth billions of dollars in sales. Unfortunately, Novavax reported last fall that a phase 3 study of its vaccine failed to beat out placebo in elderly patients, and since then, the company's shares have lost over 80% of their value.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/NVAX" type="external">NVAX</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Another phase 3 study seeking to determine if babies can be immunized via their mother, is ongoing, but that trial isn't expected to finish up for a couple more years, according to ClinicalTrials.gov.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that timeline is worrisome because the company is losing a lot of money, and its ability to raise money isn't what it used to be. In the past, the company's relied on stock and convertible debt offerings for funding, but management burned through $255.5 million in cash last year, and it entered 2016 with only $235.5 million in cash on the books. Given the infant study isn't wrapping up for a bit, Novavax may have to tap investors again for financing, but I have to wonder when that well will run dry. After all, management is already on the hook for $316 million in long-term debt, and current investors aren't going to like the idea of further dilution, especially at current prices.</p>
<p>Obviously, it's anyone's guess if Novavax makes it to 2020 and beyond, or if its vaccine is ultimately a success. Nevertheless, there are simply too many questions surrounding this company for me to want to risk owning its shares right now.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than NovavaxWhen 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=f95b36ae-27c7-46ed-8d2d-016cb7fcdb0c&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 Novavax 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=f95b36ae-27c7-46ed-8d2d-016cb7fcdb0c&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/TMFFishBiz/info.aspx" type="external">Keith Speights Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCop/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Duprey</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. His clients may have positions in the companies mentioned.The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Moody's. 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> | true | 0 | sears holdings nasdaq shld mannkind nasdaq mnkd novavax nasdaq nvax face stiff headwinds cast future survival doubt heres whats going wrong motley fool contributors think companies might able overcome obstacles continue reading rich duprey opens new window sears holdings ive predicting demise sears holdings several years one days im going right although ability ceo chairman eddie lampert keep oldline retailer hanging surprised ultimately proved wrong repeated calls wont around christmas theres little argument sears heading abyss always matter image source getty images unfortunately day might swiftly approaching heck forget sears seeing 2020 might see 2018 advertisement problem retailer customers abandoning store droves lamperts hedge fundstyle financial gymnastics kept lights burning longer expected continuous need shortterm cash infusions whether loans lampert gives esl investments hedge fund asset sales spinoffs selling real estate indicates business sears dying although havent fan lamperts management retailer past years admit recent moves almost strokes genius think theyll save sears amount little late innovative ideas implemented earlier could perhaps staved inevitable course im talking way sale craftsman brand structured well licensing deal kenmore name equally brilliant launching diehardbrand auto services center people closely associate diehard battery brand cars rated diehard tires one favorites even though diehard doesnt make tires auto center prove popular though theres one planned right easy see concept expanding assuming course sears survives thats problem likely wont earlier year ratings agency moodys downgraded sears caa2 likelihood default rises due comparable store sales holiday period plunging much 13 course sears salescomparison woes related number stores retailer closed sold since consumers generally dont view shopping retailer positive experience comps likely hemorrhage lampert made big effort expand sears digital capabilities may future department store chain online possibility seeing 2020 becoming increasingly unlikely keith speights opens new windowmannkindfew companies encountered much bad news mannkind company failed win regulatory approval inhaled insulin afrezza first two attempts seemed things might finally going way finally securing approval mannkinds partner sanofi threw towel marketing afrezza question facing mannkind succeed larger company couldnt mannkind regained marketing rights afrezza april 2016 company struggled first several months selling drug using contract sales team ceo matthew pfeffer later admitted company working somewhat fumes financially mannkind even engage reverse stock split avoid stock delisted appears however mannkinds management team right things turn ship around settlement sanofi brought muchneeded cash company discontinued use contract sales team hired internal staff mannkind also made significant progress winning payer coverage afrezza despite positive steps mannkind still faces tough road ahead could afrezza simply doesnt take doesnt grow sales quickly enough mannkind successful either scenario occurs longsuffering biotech wont around see next decade however id say mannkind fighting chance survival todd campbell opens new window novavax little good fortune could help novavax sidestep risks associated highrisk financials absent phase 3 win respiratory syncytial virus rsv vaccine companys future becomes pretty unclear vaccine protects people lifethreatening virus could benefit millions seniors infants vaccine worth billions dollars sales unfortunately novavax reported last fall phase 3 study vaccine failed beat placebo elderly patients since companys shares lost 80 value nvax data ycharts opens new window another phase 3 study seeking determine babies immunized via mother ongoing trial isnt expected finish couple years according clinicaltrialsgov unfortunately timeline worrisome company losing lot money ability raise money isnt used past companys relied stock convertible debt offerings funding management burned 2555 million cash last year entered 2016 2355 million cash books given infant study isnt wrapping bit novavax may tap investors financing wonder well run dry management already hook 316 million longterm debt current investors arent going like idea dilution especially current prices obviously anyones guess novavax makes 2020 beyond vaccine ultimately success nevertheless simply many questions surrounding company want risk owning shares right 10 stocks like better novavaxwhen 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 novavax wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns february 6 2017 keith speights opens new window position stocks mentioned rich duprey position stocks mentioned todd campbell opens new window position stocks mentioned clients may positions companies mentionedthe motley fool owns shares recommends moodys motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 713 |
<p><a href="https://heatst.com/culture-wars/exclusive-how-cal-state-canceled-on-ben-shapiro-after-liberal-students-compared-him-to-the-kkk/" type="external">According</a> to Heat Street, after administrators at Cal State LA canceled a speech by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro scheduled for late February, they were deluged with phone calls and emails from students, parents and alumni angry that the University was limiting free speech.</p>
<p>Two months before the scheduled speech, which was titled “When Diversity Becomes A Problem,” members of the administration acknowledged that Shapiro’s well-known criticisms of the tactics of the Left could engender an explosive reaction from furious leftists. Ironically, Shapiro’s speech was championing the value of diversity of thought and free speech.</p>
<p>On December 7, more than two months before Shapiro's February 25 speech, Scott Bowman, dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences, who had heard Shapiro’s speech the previous November 19 ( <a href="" type="internal">watched</a> by nearly a quarter of a million people) at the University of Missouri where he openly challenged leftists, including the Black Lives Matter movement, emailed the chief administrators at the college, including President William Covino, alerting them of a possible explosion. He wrote: "I think the students have the right to hear what he has to say. On the other hand, it could be explosive in the current environment. Nothing he says is hate speech in my view but his critiques of the Left’s obsession with micro-aggressions and various tactics of groups (e.g., Black Lives Matter) would be labeled racist by them, which is his point, by the way.” Bowman urged Cal State LA to “stipulate that he speak in a designated place where there are not unwitting passersby,” adding, “we don’t want to put him in a forum that will incite.”</p>
<p>Sure enough, some leftist students compared Shapiro’s upcoming event to an “undercover KKK meeting.” On February 20, five days before the speech, a student whose name is redacted in the email wrote to Covino, headlining his email, “I DO NOT FEEL SAFE!” The student continued, “The fact that so many right wing conservatives that own guns RSVPd to this event makes me feel extremely uncomfortable. We should be able to go to an event without worrying about our safety. And frankly this event sounds like an undercover KKK meeting. This event in general speaks volumes as to how little our lives matter…”</p>
<p>On February 22, Covino <a href="" type="internal">wrote</a> an email to the Young America’s Foundation chapter, which was sponsoring the event, to cancel the event. He asserted, “After careful consideration, I have decided that it will be best for our campus community if we reschedule Ben Shapiro’s appearance for a later date, so that we can arrange for him to appear as part of a group of speakers with differing viewpoints on diversity. Such an event will better represent our university’s dedication to the free exchange of ideas and the value of considering multiple viewpoints.”</p>
<p>That same day, Shapiro fired back, “The campus fascists have taken over. I pay taxes in the state of California; I’m paying for these whiny children to be indoctrinated by radical leftists. For CSULA to pretend that they’re trying to provide balance isn’t just stupid, it’s insultingly stupid. I am the balance, and they’re too afraid to let me speak. These aren’t diversity warriors. They’re jackbooted thugs. If they want to call the men with guns to shut down free speech, they’ll demonstrate clearly just who they are. I’ll be there on Thursday. See you there, snowflakes.”</p>
<p>Chancellor Tim White warned Covino on February 23, writing, “Unclear if your approval is normal protocol for someone else’s invitation… This one is on a slippery slope in the absence of fuller understanding."</p>
<p>Once the news surfaced that Covino was trying to cancel Shapiro's speech, the blowback began. Between the evening of Feb. 23 and Feb. 25, Covino’s staff received scores of phone calls and emails condemning the university’s censorship. Examples included:</p>
<p>02/24/16 at 11:15 a.m. [Redacted] Censoring Ben Shapiro is unconstitutional.</p>
<p>02/24/16 at 11:19 [Redacted] Disgusted at the fact that conservatives cannot adhere to a public meeting without sheltering people.</p>
<p>02/24/16 at 12:36 p.m. [Redacted] ‘Honor the 1st Amendment,’” lists one run-down of the incoming calls.</p>
<p>One student, whose name is redacted, said they were “very disturbed” about “a student group being bullied by a violent mob on campus.” The student informed Covino:</p>
<p>I think your decision to postpone the event in the first place seemed to send a message that other groups are allowed to invite speakers and this group is not … It was not the organizers of this group who made the situation unsafe, it was the violent vitriolic mob who showed up to oppose their right to peaceably assemble who made the situation unsafe. … Well sir, I personally, as a bystander (who also disagrees with YAF and Ben Shapiro) feel intimidated by this mob and by faculty members. … I feel as though if I say the wrong thing by accident, even in agreement, I will become the victim of violence…</p>
<p>One email that was signed “an actual student with a brain,” wrote that the administration was “complicit in the intimidation and violence of your hate-filled and misguided student ‘protestors.’ What you fail to realize is that you played exactly into Ben Shapiro’s hands. Yes, the title of the speech was provocative; the point of which was for Ben to demonstrate how intolerant far leftists are to ideas that are politically inconvenient.”</p>
<p>One gentleman who had been named the “Outstanding Male Student” when he graduated from the university 50 years before said he would terminate donating to the University unless it reissued the invitation to Shapiro. He wrote, “The University should honor free speech and never offers [to add] a conservative speaker to speak when a liberal is asked to speak.” That sentiment was echoed by several others.</p>
<p>A parent whose daughter attended a Cal State sister campus, where she was blocked from hearing Shapiro’s speech, threatened to contact his attorney.</p>
<p>A Washington state mother whose child was graduating high school said the CSULA was off the list after rescinding the invitation to Shapiro. A Cal State employee who took the phone call said, “She indicated that she is calling on behalf of a number of mothers with high school seniors graduating this year. She said after seeing this, she and the mothers are all saying ‘hell no’ to considering Cal State for their kids. She also said word of mouth travels…”</p>
<p>As late as May, someone working in the human-resources field wrote Covino, asking for a full list of students “who are still emotionally and physically hurt by the speech given by Ben Shapiro, which they didn’t even attend,” adding that “my HR department, as well as industry Head Hunters and colleagues would like to add their names to a ‘watch list’ of potential incoming resumes to ignore.”</p> | true | 0 | according heat street administrators cal state la canceled speech daily wire editorinchief ben shapiro scheduled late february deluged phone calls emails students parents alumni angry university limiting free speech two months scheduled speech titled diversity becomes problem members administration acknowledged shapiros wellknown criticisms tactics left could engender explosive reaction furious leftists ironically shapiros speech championing value diversity thought free speech december 7 two months shapiros february 25 speech scott bowman dean college natural social sciences heard shapiros speech previous november 19 watched nearly quarter million people university missouri openly challenged leftists including black lives matter movement emailed chief administrators college including president william covino alerting possible explosion wrote think students right hear say hand could explosive current environment nothing says hate speech view critiques lefts obsession microaggressions various tactics groups eg black lives matter would labeled racist point way bowman urged cal state la stipulate speak designated place unwitting passersby adding dont want put forum incite sure enough leftist students compared shapiros upcoming event undercover kkk meeting february 20 five days speech student whose name redacted email wrote covino headlining email feel safe student continued fact many right wing conservatives guns rsvpd event makes feel extremely uncomfortable able go event without worrying safety frankly event sounds like undercover kkk meeting event general speaks volumes little lives matter february 22 covino wrote email young americas foundation chapter sponsoring event cancel event asserted careful consideration decided best campus community reschedule ben shapiros appearance later date arrange appear part group speakers differing viewpoints diversity event better represent universitys dedication free exchange ideas value considering multiple viewpoints day shapiro fired back campus fascists taken pay taxes state california im paying whiny children indoctrinated radical leftists csula pretend theyre trying provide balance isnt stupid insultingly stupid balance theyre afraid let speak arent diversity warriors theyre jackbooted thugs want call men guns shut free speech theyll demonstrate clearly ill thursday see snowflakes chancellor tim white warned covino february 23 writing unclear approval normal protocol someone elses invitation one slippery slope absence fuller understanding news surfaced covino trying cancel shapiros speech blowback began evening feb 23 feb 25 covinos staff received scores phone calls emails condemning universitys censorship examples included 022416 1115 redacted censoring ben shapiro unconstitutional 022416 1119 redacted disgusted fact conservatives adhere public meeting without sheltering people 022416 1236 pm redacted honor 1st amendment lists one rundown incoming calls one student whose name redacted said disturbed student group bullied violent mob campus student informed covino think decision postpone event first place seemed send message groups allowed invite speakers group organizers group made situation unsafe violent vitriolic mob showed oppose right peaceably assemble made situation unsafe well sir personally bystander also disagrees yaf ben shapiro feel intimidated mob faculty members feel though say wrong thing accident even agreement become victim violence one email signed actual student brain wrote administration complicit intimidation violence hatefilled misguided student protestors fail realize played exactly ben shapiros hands yes title speech provocative point ben demonstrate intolerant far leftists ideas politically inconvenient one gentleman named outstanding male student graduated university 50 years said would terminate donating university unless reissued invitation shapiro wrote university honor free speech never offers add conservative speaker speak liberal asked speak sentiment echoed several others parent whose daughter attended cal state sister campus blocked hearing shapiros speech threatened contact attorney washington state mother whose child graduating high school said csula list rescinding invitation shapiro cal state employee took phone call said indicated calling behalf number mothers high school seniors graduating year said seeing mothers saying hell considering cal state kids also said word mouth travels late may someone working humanresources field wrote covino asking full list students still emotionally physically hurt speech given ben shapiro didnt even attend adding hr department well industry head hunters colleagues would like add names watch list potential incoming resumes ignore | 638 |
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<p>It seems that now when an oil company's earnings increase, financial pundits say it "rocketed" upwards or some other hyperbole like that. Sure, Royal Dutch Shell's (NYSE: RDS-A) (NYSE: RDS-B) third-quarter results were better than the past few quarters thanks to the BG Group deal, but the devil's in the details. Let's take a look at the company's results and why they improved, as well as peek into Shell's near-term future as 2017 comes into focus.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Data source: Royal Dutch Shell earnings release. Dollar figures in millions, except per-share data.</p>
<p>OK, Shell's quarterly earnings report looked good. Before everyone jumps for joy over that big jump in earnings year over year and the increase in cash flow compared to the prior quarter, though, we need to look back at those quarters to get the full picture. In the third quarter of 2015, the company took several billions of dollars in writedowns related to its Arctic drilling program in the Chuckchi Sea as well as suspending development of its Carmon Creek oil sands project. In total, Shell took $8.5 billion in non-cash charges that year. If we were to back out all non-cash charges for both third quarters, then 2016's $2.8 billion in earnings versus 2015's $2.4 billion doesn't look as huge as the GAAP numbers suggest.</p>
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<p>On the cash flow side of things, the reason that this quarter and the prior one look so radically different is that the company had a major reversal in working capital and deferred taxes that boosted operational cash. In the second quarter, working capital builds and payments of deferred taxes took $3.1 billion of cash, while Shell realized a working capital draw-down and a deferred tax gain of $1.1 billion. When you consider these all of these factors, Shell's results aren't that far off the prior quarters.</p>
<p>Since the company's earnings have been so fluky over the past several quarters, here's a look at the company's segment earnings before all of those writedowns and charges to the income statement to give a more apples-to-apples comparison of the business.</p>
<p>Data sources: Royal Dutch Shell earnings releases. Chart by author.</p>
<p>The integrated gas, oil products, and chemicals segments did exactly what you might expect. Integrated gas is a very stable business that generates revenue on fixed long-term contracts, so little change there. Weaker refining margins from higher crude oil costs ate into oil products, and chemicals got a bump from increased production.</p>
<p>The big turnaround for the company came from its upstream oil and gas production, which turned a profit for the first time since 2014. The largest two contributors of that were a return to profits in its South American segment and mitigating losses in North America.</p>
<p>At the end of the quarter, Shell's net-debt-to-capital ratio stood at 29.2%, a major uptick from 12.7% this time last year that is a reflection of the BG Group acquisition. As Shell executes its $30 billion asset sale plan -- the company announced it is working on 16 sales right now -- it will put a big chunk of that toward debt reduction.</p>
<p>Now that the end of the year is coming closer, Shell and many others are putting the finishing touches in this year's capital spending program as well as giving a little more clarity into 2017. In Shell's press release, CEO Ben Van Beurden highlighted less capital spending for this year and next on top of the cost savings it is realizing from the BG Group deal:</p>
<p>Also, CFO Simon Henry did note that the integration of BG is ahead of schedule and the $2.5 billion in cost savings from business synergies by 2018 has already been accomplished, and it has bumped its 2018 savings target to $4.5 billion.</p>
<p>When a company makes a transformative acquisition like the one Shell made, it can be hard to make a snap judgement as to whether the new company is a good investment or not. As we get to see a couple quarters of combined results, it's looking like this deal is actually paying off: Costs are coming down, production levels are on the rise, and there are a lot of efficiencies getting squeezed out. If Shell can keep this up and can put that asset-sale program to work on debt reduction, then the company should be in pretty good shape in a year or two.</p>
<p>That being said, the company is still lagging behind its peers in terms of generating returns on capital employed and returns on equity. So while there is promise that Shell can do better in the future, it hasn't yet shown it is a better investment than some of the other companies in the integrated oil and gas industry.</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/TMFDirtyBird/info.aspx" type="external">Tyler Crowe Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned.You can follow him at Fool.comor on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerCroweFool" type="external">@TylerCroweFool 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://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> | true | 0 | seems oil companys earnings increase financial pundits say rocketed upwards hyperbole like sure royal dutch shells nyse rdsa nyse rdsb thirdquarter results better past quarters thanks bg group deal devils details lets take look companys results improved well peek shells nearterm future 2017 comes focus continue reading image source getty images data source royal dutch shell earnings release dollar figures millions except pershare data ok shells quarterly earnings report looked good everyone jumps joy big jump earnings year year increase cash flow compared prior quarter though need look back quarters get full picture third quarter 2015 company took several billions dollars writedowns related arctic drilling program chuckchi sea well suspending development carmon creek oil sands project total shell took 85 billion noncash charges year back noncash charges third quarters 2016s 28 billion earnings versus 2015s 24 billion doesnt look huge gaap numbers suggest advertisement cash flow side things reason quarter prior one look radically different company major reversal working capital deferred taxes boosted operational cash second quarter working capital builds payments deferred taxes took 31 billion cash shell realized working capital drawdown deferred tax gain 11 billion consider factors shells results arent far prior quarters since companys earnings fluky past several quarters heres look companys segment earnings writedowns charges income statement give applestoapples comparison business data sources royal dutch shell earnings releases chart author integrated gas oil products chemicals segments exactly might expect integrated gas stable business generates revenue fixed longterm contracts little change weaker refining margins higher crude oil costs ate oil products chemicals got bump increased production big turnaround company came upstream oil gas production turned profit first time since 2014 largest two contributors return profits south american segment mitigating losses north america end quarter shells netdebttocapital ratio stood 292 major uptick 127 time last year reflection bg group acquisition shell executes 30 billion asset sale plan company announced working 16 sales right put big chunk toward debt reduction end year coming closer shell many others putting finishing touches years capital spending program well giving little clarity 2017 shells press release ceo ben van beurden highlighted less capital spending year next top cost savings realizing bg group deal also cfo simon henry note integration bg ahead schedule 25 billion cost savings business synergies 2018 already accomplished bumped 2018 savings target 45 billion company makes transformative acquisition like one shell made hard make snap judgement whether new company good investment get see couple quarters combined results looking like deal actually paying costs coming production levels rise lot efficiencies getting squeezed shell keep put assetsale program work debt reduction company pretty good shape year two said company still lagging behind peers terms generating returns capital employed returns equity promise shell better future hasnt yet shown better investment companies integrated oil gas industry 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 tyler crowe opens new window position stocks mentionedyou follow foolcomor twitter tylercrowefool 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 window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 558 |
<p>You have lots of options for investing for your retirement years. One of the best alternatives is the <a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/09/09/our-guide-to-roth-iras-for-beginners.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=7d1b092e-1b2a-47bf-aa37-56dbcd79935c&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Roth IRA Opens a New Window.</a> (individual retirement account). While you don't get to defer taxes on the amount you contribute to a Roth IRA, when you make qualified withdrawals later, you won't have to pay any taxes at all. That's tremendously attractive for many investors planning for retirement.</p>
<p>But what stocks should you buy for your Roth IRA? Some investors might be tempted to steer away from biotech stocks, since they can be volatile. However, I think there's at least one biotech stock that would make an excellent choice. That stock is Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG). Here's why this biotech is one stock you don't want to overlook for your Roth IRA.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Any stock with a solid potential for growth makes a good pick for a Roth IRA. Celgene's current product lineup definitely gives the big biotech nice growth prospects.</p>
<p>Revlimid ranks as Celgene's biggest moneymaker. The blood cancer drug generated revenue of nearly $8.2 billion in 2017, making it the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/12/18/the-5-best-selling-drugs-of-2017.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=7d1b092e-1b2a-47bf-aa37-56dbcd79935c&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">No. 2 top-selling drug in the world Opens a New Window.</a>. Celgene expects Revlimid to pull in close to $9.4 billion this year, a 15% year-over-year jump.</p>
<p>Like all drugs, though, Revlimid will eventually lose patent exclusivity and begin to see revenue fall off. Revlimid's key patents expire in the U.S. in 2027 and in Europe in 2024. Celgene signed an agreement with Natco, however, that allows the company to market a generic version of Revlimid in the U.S. at limited volumes beginning in March 2022. The biotech is working to reach similar settlements with other potential generic rivals. If Celgene is successful in these efforts, it means the company will continue to enjoy strong revenue from Revlimid for several more years.</p>
<p>In the meantime, the company claims other blockbuster products that continue to perform well. Sales for multiple myeloma drug Pomalyst increased 23% in 2017 over the prior year to $1.6 billion. Otezla, which is approved for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, generated revenue of nearly $1.3 billion last year, up almost 26% from 2016.</p>
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<p>Celgene believes that it will grow revenue by a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5% through 2020. The company projects that adjusted earnings per share will grow by around 19% compounded annually. Most of this top- and bottom-line growth will stem from the biotech's current products.</p>
<p>What about growth beyond 2020? That's where Celgene's pipeline comes into play. The biotech has quite a few promising candidates that could reach the market over the next few years. The following chart from Celgene's latest investor presentation shows just how significant its pipeline potential might be.</p>
<p>Celgene believes that it will launch 10 potential blockbusters by 2022. The combined peak annual sales for these drugs is $16 billion. That's more than Celgene made from all of its current drugs last year. And that $16 billion total could be too pessimistic.</p>
<p>For example, Celgene hopes to win Food and Drug Administration approval for ozanimod in treating multiple sclerosis later this year. The company is also evaluating the drug in late-stage clinical studies for treating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Although the chart shows ozanimod with potential peak sales of greater than $2 billion, Celgene actually thinks the drug could achieve peak sales between $4 billion and $6 billion if approved for all targeted indications.</p>
<p>Three of the pipeline candidates on Celgene's potential blockbuster chart came from acquisitions. Celgene picked up ozanimod with its 2015 buyout of Receptos. A couple of the potential blockbuster candidates were gained from more recent deals.</p>
<p>Celgene announced on Jan. 7, 2018, that it was buying Impact Biosciences for $1.1 billion up front and up to $1.25 billion in potential milestone payments. The purchased brought fedratinib into Celgene's fold. Celgene plans to file for FDA approval of fedratinib in treating myelofibrosis in mid-2018.</p>
<p>The company announced <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/01/22/celgenes-9-billion-buyout-of-juno-is-it-a-good-dea.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=7d1b092e-1b2a-47bf-aa37-56dbcd79935c&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">an even bigger deal Opens a New Window.</a> on Jan. 22 with the planned acquisition of Juno Therapeutics. Celgene is paying $9 billion on top of $1 billion spent in 2015 to buy a 9.9% stake in the small biotech.</p>
<p>I fully expect Celgene to make more acquisitions in the near and longer term. In fact, <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/02/16/celgene-at-leerink.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=7d1b092e-1b2a-47bf-aa37-56dbcd79935c&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">when asked recently Opens a New Window.</a> if the company might take a breather from mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity, Celgene CFO Peter Kellogg replied that "it's not in our DNA." My view is that the big biotech should get even more growth from future deal-making.</p>
<p>Peter Lynch popularized the idea of buying stocks that deliver "growth at a reasonable price." In Celgene's case, you can get growth at a ridiculously low price. The biotech's shares trade at a little over nine times expected earnings.</p>
<p>Some of this discount is due to some disappointments from Celgene in the fourth quarter of 2017. The company threw in the towel on a once-promising late-stage Crohn's disease drug, missed third-quarter revenue estimates, and lowered its full-year 2017 and longer-range 2020 outlook.</p>
<p>However, the fact remains that Celgene is a bargain considering its growth potential. You won't find many stocks offering the combination of tremendous growth and bargain price that Celgene does for your Roth IRA.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than CelgeneWhen 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=f741bc48-c807-4b5d-8588-78cfb1615a2e&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=7d1b092e-1b2a-47bf-aa37-56dbcd79935c&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Celgene 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 5, 2018</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFFishBiz/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=7d1b092e-1b2a-47bf-aa37-56dbcd79935c&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Keith Speights Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Celgene. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Celgene. 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=7d1b092e-1b2a-47bf-aa37-56dbcd79935c&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | lots options investing retirement years one best alternatives roth ira opens new window individual retirement account dont get defer taxes amount contribute roth ira make qualified withdrawals later wont pay taxes thats tremendously attractive many investors planning retirement stocks buy roth ira investors might tempted steer away biotech stocks since volatile however think theres least one biotech stock would make excellent choice stock celgene nasdaq celg heres biotech one stock dont want overlook roth ira continue reading stock solid potential growth makes good pick roth ira celgenes current product lineup definitely gives big biotech nice growth prospects revlimid ranks celgenes biggest moneymaker blood cancer drug generated revenue nearly 82 billion 2017 making 2 topselling drug world opens new window celgene expects revlimid pull close 94 billion year 15 yearoveryear jump like drugs though revlimid eventually lose patent exclusivity begin see revenue fall revlimids key patents expire us 2027 europe 2024 celgene signed agreement natco however allows company market generic version revlimid us limited volumes beginning march 2022 biotech working reach similar settlements potential generic rivals celgene successful efforts means company continue enjoy strong revenue revlimid several years meantime company claims blockbuster products continue perform well sales multiple myeloma drug pomalyst increased 23 2017 prior year 16 billion otezla approved treatment psoriasis psoriatic arthritis generated revenue nearly 13 billion last year almost 26 2016 advertisement celgene believes grow revenue compounded annual growth rate cagr 145 2020 company projects adjusted earnings per share grow around 19 compounded annually top bottomline growth stem biotechs current products growth beyond 2020 thats celgenes pipeline comes play biotech quite promising candidates could reach market next years following chart celgenes latest investor presentation shows significant pipeline potential might celgene believes launch 10 potential blockbusters 2022 combined peak annual sales drugs 16 billion thats celgene made current drugs last year 16 billion total could pessimistic example celgene hopes win food drug administration approval ozanimod treating multiple sclerosis later year company also evaluating drug latestage clinical studies treating crohns disease ulcerative colitis although chart shows ozanimod potential peak sales greater 2 billion celgene actually thinks drug could achieve peak sales 4 billion 6 billion approved targeted indications three pipeline candidates celgenes potential blockbuster chart came acquisitions celgene picked ozanimod 2015 buyout receptos couple potential blockbuster candidates gained recent deals celgene announced jan 7 2018 buying impact biosciences 11 billion front 125 billion potential milestone payments purchased brought fedratinib celgenes fold celgene plans file fda approval fedratinib treating myelofibrosis mid2018 company announced even bigger deal opens new window jan 22 planned acquisition juno therapeutics celgene paying 9 billion top 1 billion spent 2015 buy 99 stake small biotech fully expect celgene make acquisitions near longer term fact asked recently opens new window company might take breather mergers acquisitions mampa activity celgene cfo peter kellogg replied dna view big biotech get even growth future dealmaking peter lynch popularized idea buying stocks deliver growth reasonable price celgenes case get growth ridiculously low price biotechs shares trade little nine times expected earnings discount due disappointments celgene fourth quarter 2017 company threw towel oncepromising latestage crohns disease drug missed thirdquarter revenue estimates lowered fullyear 2017 longerrange 2020 outlook however fact remains celgene bargain considering growth potential wont find many stocks offering combination tremendous growth bargain price celgene roth ira 10 stocks like better celgenewhen 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 celgene wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns february 5 2018 keith speights opens new window owns shares celgene motley fool owns shares recommends celgene motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 625 |
<p>Canada's annual inflation rate picked up steam in July after slowing to a near two-year low in the previous month, as it cost more to purchase gasoline and maintain a residence.</p>
<p>Pricing pressure remains tepid in Canada, although July's report marks a possible turning point because it was the first time in six months annual inflation accelerated from the previous month.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The all-items consumer-price index in July rose 1.2% from a year earlier, Statistics Canada said Friday, following a 1% advance in the previous month. July's advance matched market expectations, according to economists at Royal Bank of Canada.</p>
<p>On a month-over-month basis, CPI was unchanged in July.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the average annual rate of core inflation, based on three gauges used by the Bank of Canada, rose 1.5% in July, versus a 1.4% gain in the previous month. The three measures of core inflation -- which aim to get a better read on underlying price pressures in the economy -- ranged from 1.3% to 1.7%. Two of those measures accelerated from the previous month.</p>
<p>The Bank of Canada sets rate policy to achieve and maintain 2% inflation.</p>
<p>Central banks in the developed world are grappling with relatively weak inflation, even though growth has improved. Sagging inflation in the U.S. has triggered concerns among some senior Federal Reserve officials about the timing of the next increase in interest rates. According to minutes from the Fed's July 25-26 meeting, some officials argued against another rate rise until data suggested inflation was on a clearer path toward 2%.</p>
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<p>Canada's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate last month by a quarter-percentage point, to 0.75%, on improving economic prospects, and signaled other increases could be in the offing. The economy is close to hitting full capacity, the central bank said, and that should lead to upward pricing pressure as more people find work and have more money to spend on goods and services.</p>
<p>Before the CPI release, economists noted July tends to be a soft month for inflation, with clothing and health and personal care falling on average over the past five years. The data agency said clothing and footwear prices fell 0.1% in July from a year ago, while health and personal-care products rose 2.2% during the same period.</p>
<p>The main elements pushing the annual inflation rate upward were the price of gasoline, up 4.6%, and the homeowners' replacement cost, up 4.1%. The latter represents the price a homeowner has to pay to maintain a residence at its current market value.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, food costs rose 0.6%, although mostly due to higher prices charged by restaurants. Offsetting the price rises was a 9.1% decline in the cost of electricity, mostly due to measures from the government of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, to reduce homeowners' utility bills.</p>
<p>Overall, the Canadian data agency said the cost of goods edged upward 0.1% in July from a year ago, while prices for services -- such as haircuts, accounting and legal advice -- rose 2.1%.</p>
<p>On a seasonally adjusted basis, Canada's CPI rose 0.2% in July from the previous month.</p>
<p>Write to Paul Vieira at [email protected]</p>
<p>OTTAWA -- Canada's annual inflation rate picked up steam in July after slowing to a near two-year low in the previous month, as it cost more to purchase gasoline and maintain a residence.</p>
<p>Pricing pressure remains tepid in Canada, although July's report marks a possible turning point because it was the first time in six months annual inflation accelerated from the previous month.</p>
<p>The all-items consumer-price index in July rose 1.2% from a year earlier, Statistics Canada said Friday, following a 1% advance in the previous month. July's advance matched market expectations, according to economists at Royal Bank of Canada.</p>
<p>On a month-over-month basis, CPI was unchanged in July.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the average annual rate of core inflation, based on three gauges used by the Bank of Canada, rose 1.5% in July, versus a 1.4% gain in the previous month. The three measures of core inflation -- which aim to get a better read on underlying price pressures in the economy -- ranged from 1.3% to 1.7%. Two of those measures accelerated from the previous month.</p>
<p>The Bank of Canada sets rate policy to achieve and maintain 2% inflation.</p>
<p>A pickup in inflation can have positive effects on an economy. It might prompt consumers to buy goods and services before prices head even higher. Further, it provides flexibility to firms to offer wage increases to employees, thereby giving consumers more income to spend.</p>
<p>Central banks in the developed world are grappling with relatively weak inflation, even though growth has improved. Sagging inflation in the U.S. has triggered concerns among some senior Federal Reserve officials about the timing of the next increase in interest rates. According to minutes from the Fed's July 25-26 meeting, some officials argued against another rate rise until data suggested inflation was on a clearer path toward 2%.</p>
<p>"Canadian inflation may still be modest, but is showing some signs of moving in the right direction vis-à-vis the Bank of Canada's inflation target," said Brian DePratto, economist at TD Bank. "One month is hardly a trend, but the modest increases in the Bank of Canada's core measures provides some hope that inflation may have turned a corner."</p>
<p>Canada's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate last month by a quarter-percentage point, to 0.75%, on improving economic prospects, and signaled other increases could be in the offing. The economy is close to hitting full capacity, the central bank said, and that should lead to upward pricing pressure as more people find work and have more money to spend on goods and services.</p>
<p>Before the CPI release, economists noted July tends to be a soft month for inflation, with clothing and health and personal care falling on average over the past five years. The data agency said clothing and footwear prices fell 0.1% in July from a year ago, while health and personal-care products rose 2.2% during the same period.</p>
<p>The main elements pushing the annual inflation rate upward were the price of gasoline, up 4.6%, and the homeowners' replacement cost, up 4.1%. The latter represents the price a homeowner has to pay to maintain a residence at its current market value.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, food costs rose 0.6%, although mostly due to higher prices charged by restaurants. Offsetting the price rises was a 9.1% decline in the cost of electricity, mostly due to measures from the government of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, to reduce homeowners' utility bills.</p>
<p>Overall, the Canadian data agency said the cost of goods edged upward 0.1% in July from a year ago, while prices for services -- such as haircuts, accounting and legal advice -- rose 2.1%.</p>
<p>On a seasonally adjusted basis, Canada's CPI rose 0.2% in July from the previous month.</p>
<p>Write to Paul Vieira at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>August 18, 2017 09:55 ET (13:55 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | canadas annual inflation rate picked steam july slowing near twoyear low previous month cost purchase gasoline maintain residence pricing pressure remains tepid canada although julys report marks possible turning point first time six months annual inflation accelerated previous month continue reading allitems consumerprice index july rose 12 year earlier statistics canada said friday following 1 advance previous month julys advance matched market expectations according economists royal bank canada monthovermonth basis cpi unchanged july meanwhile average annual rate core inflation based three gauges used bank canada rose 15 july versus 14 gain previous month three measures core inflation aim get better read underlying price pressures economy ranged 13 17 two measures accelerated previous month bank canada sets rate policy achieve maintain 2 inflation central banks developed world grappling relatively weak inflation even though growth improved sagging inflation us triggered concerns among senior federal reserve officials timing next increase interest rates according minutes feds july 2526 meeting officials argued another rate rise data suggested inflation clearer path toward 2 advertisement canadas central bank raised benchmark interest rate last month quarterpercentage point 075 improving economic prospects signaled increases could offing economy close hitting full capacity central bank said lead upward pricing pressure people find work money spend goods services cpi release economists noted july tends soft month inflation clothing health personal care falling average past five years data agency said clothing footwear prices fell 01 july year ago health personalcare products rose 22 period main elements pushing annual inflation rate upward price gasoline 46 homeowners replacement cost 41 latter represents price homeowner pay maintain residence current market value meanwhile food costs rose 06 although mostly due higher prices charged restaurants offsetting price rises 91 decline cost electricity mostly due measures government ontario canadas populous province reduce homeowners utility bills overall canadian data agency said cost goods edged upward 01 july year ago prices services haircuts accounting legal advice rose 21 seasonally adjusted basis canadas cpi rose 02 july previous month write paul vieira paulvieirawsjcom ottawa canadas annual inflation rate picked steam july slowing near twoyear low previous month cost purchase gasoline maintain residence pricing pressure remains tepid canada although julys report marks possible turning point first time six months annual inflation accelerated previous month allitems consumerprice index july rose 12 year earlier statistics canada said friday following 1 advance previous month julys advance matched market expectations according economists royal bank canada monthovermonth basis cpi unchanged july meanwhile average annual rate core inflation based three gauges used bank canada rose 15 july versus 14 gain previous month three measures core inflation aim get better read underlying price pressures economy ranged 13 17 two measures accelerated previous month bank canada sets rate policy achieve maintain 2 inflation pickup inflation positive effects economy might prompt consumers buy goods services prices head even higher provides flexibility firms offer wage increases employees thereby giving consumers income spend central banks developed world grappling relatively weak inflation even though growth improved sagging inflation us triggered concerns among senior federal reserve officials timing next increase interest rates according minutes feds july 2526 meeting officials argued another rate rise data suggested inflation clearer path toward 2 canadian inflation may still modest showing signs moving right direction visàvis bank canadas inflation target said brian depratto economist td bank one month hardly trend modest increases bank canadas core measures provides hope inflation may turned corner canadas central bank raised benchmark interest rate last month quarterpercentage point 075 improving economic prospects signaled increases could offing economy close hitting full capacity central bank said lead upward pricing pressure people find work money spend goods services cpi release economists noted july tends soft month inflation clothing health personal care falling average past five years data agency said clothing footwear prices fell 01 july year ago health personalcare products rose 22 period main elements pushing annual inflation rate upward price gasoline 46 homeowners replacement cost 41 latter represents price homeowner pay maintain residence current market value meanwhile food costs rose 06 although mostly due higher prices charged restaurants offsetting price rises 91 decline cost electricity mostly due measures government ontario canadas populous province reduce homeowners utility bills overall canadian data agency said cost goods edged upward 01 july year ago prices services haircuts accounting legal advice rose 21 seasonally adjusted basis canadas cpi rose 02 july previous month write paul vieira paulvieirawsjcom end dow jones newswires august 18 2017 0955 et 1355 gmt | 735 |
<p />
<p>After a string of political events that has some investors concerned, the Indian stock market has taken a tumble. After peaking in early fall, shares have tumbled as much as 15%, as measured by iShares India ETF (NYSEMKT: INDA).</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Infosys Technologies (NYSE: INFY) has been no exception. Since reaching multiyear highs over the summer, shares have fallen by over 30% at times. Is it time for investors to jump ship?</p>
<p>Data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts</a>.</p>
<p>Voters in the U.S. and the U.K. have turned back the clock on globalization. This political flux has caused some to grow skeptical over the India's ability to grow its skilled workforce, which in the past has relied on foreign companies outsourcing jobs -- a trend Infosys has made hay on.</p>
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<p>The trouble all started with Brexit back in June. The U.K.'s decision to leave the European Union is still being worked out, but one of the details that needs answering is how the decision will affect trade. Since the British decision to exit, other political factions in Europe have been voicing their desire to hold similar special votes. The isolationist policy shift could end up being a non-issue for India, but the risk nonetheless is there.</p>
<p>It also remains to be seen if the U.S. elections will have any impact on the Indian economy. Uncertainty over President-elect Donald Trump's immigration policy and how outsourcing of U.S. jobs to lower-labor-cost countries like India have contributed to the Indian market's struggles as of late.</p>
<p>And finally is India's self-inflicted "demonetization" scheme launched in November. The surprise policy announcement eliminated the country's two largest bills, the 500- and 1,000-rupee notes, and is an attempt to crack down on the black market.</p>
<p>The government is replacing the now-defunct notes, but the new cash has been slow off the printing presses. The government maneuver has caused disruption to businesses, but the hope is that it will help contribute to modernizing the emerging economy in due time.</p>
<p>Image source: Infosys.</p>
<p>That is the recent backdrop to Infosys' stock dropping in value. The tech firm known for helping foreign companies outsource and automate jobs and processes seemingly has much to lose from recent developments abroad.</p>
<p>However, the company's last report would indicate otherwise. Revenue and bottom-line profit increased 8.2% and 3.8% year over year, respectively. The company expects revenue growth to be between 8% and 9% through the end of their fiscal year ending in March 2017.</p>
<p>The revenue guidance did raise some concerns as the previous outlook from management was for 10.5% to 12% growth on the year. The company chose to temper expectations in light of the recent political developments.</p>
<p>While profit grew at a slower rate than revenue, much of that has to do with the fact that the company is in a period of transition. Recognizing problems and trends with outsourcing due to the changing global political landscape, CEO Dr. Vishal Sikka had this to say:"Longer-term, I believe it's increasingly clear that our industry's future lies in evolving from a cost-based, people-only model, to one in which people are amplified by software and AI, and are freed to innovate in areas that are strategic to our clients' future."</p>
<p>Infosys has been aware of challenges facing their services for some time now and has been working to mitigate those ahead of the curve. In line with those efforts to move from an "outsourcing of jobs" service to one of a technology-first organization, the company recently made an investment in California-based big data and software firm TidalScale.</p>
<p>Image source: Infosys.</p>
<p>Those efforts to evolve the Infosys business are an ongoing work in progress. It has been so far, so good, with the company's efforts to bring its technology solutions forward, leading to a high rate of contract renewals with existing clients and new client contract wins still contributing to revenue growth.</p>
<p>In spite of political headwinds around the world, investors need not worry about Infosys. Despite concerns at home and abroad, the Indian technology company continues to post growth and has been working to adapt its business model to future needs. In the end, demand for Infosys' services will be driven by its clients, not global politics.</p>
<p>However, investors will want to stay tuned for updates. The next reported quarter encompasses the U.S. election results and the front end of India's demonetization efforts. Of keen interest will be how Infosys fared during that time and what the revenue outlook looks like for the rest of the fiscal year.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Infosys Technologies 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=0769b2a1-cac2-4c6c-ab90-bc3f3290cd5c&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 Infosys Technologies 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=0769b2a1-cac2-4c6c-ab90-bc3f3290cd5c&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><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/nrossolillo/info.aspx" type="external">Nicholas Rossolillo Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of iShares India ETF. 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> | true | 0 | string political events investors concerned indian stock market taken tumble peaking early fall shares tumbled much 15 measured ishares india etf nysemkt inda continue reading infosys technologies nyse infy exception since reaching multiyear highs summer shares fallen 30 times time investors jump ship data ycharts voters us uk turned back clock globalization political flux caused grow skeptical indias ability grow skilled workforce past relied foreign companies outsourcing jobs trend infosys made hay advertisement trouble started brexit back june uks decision leave european union still worked one details needs answering decision affect trade since british decision exit political factions europe voicing desire hold similar special votes isolationist policy shift could end nonissue india risk nonetheless also remains seen us elections impact indian economy uncertainty presidentelect donald trumps immigration policy outsourcing us jobs lowerlaborcost countries like india contributed indian markets struggles late finally indias selfinflicted demonetization scheme launched november surprise policy announcement eliminated countrys two largest bills 500 1000rupee notes attempt crack black market government replacing nowdefunct notes new cash slow printing presses government maneuver caused disruption businesses hope help contribute modernizing emerging economy due time image source infosys recent backdrop infosys stock dropping value tech firm known helping foreign companies outsource automate jobs processes seemingly much lose recent developments abroad however companys last report would indicate otherwise revenue bottomline profit increased 82 38 year year respectively company expects revenue growth 8 9 end fiscal year ending march 2017 revenue guidance raise concerns previous outlook management 105 12 growth year company chose temper expectations light recent political developments profit grew slower rate revenue much fact company period transition recognizing problems trends outsourcing due changing global political landscape ceo dr vishal sikka saylongerterm believe increasingly clear industrys future lies evolving costbased peopleonly model one people amplified software ai freed innovate areas strategic clients future infosys aware challenges facing services time working mitigate ahead curve line efforts move outsourcing jobs service one technologyfirst organization company recently made investment californiabased big data software firm tidalscale image source infosys efforts evolve infosys business ongoing work progress far good companys efforts bring technology solutions forward leading high rate contract renewals existing clients new client contract wins still contributing revenue growth spite political headwinds around world investors need worry infosys despite concerns home abroad indian technology company continues post growth working adapt business model future needs end demand infosys services driven clients global politics however investors want stay tuned updates next reported quarter encompasses us election results front end indias demonetization efforts keen interest infosys fared time revenue outlook looks like rest fiscal year 10 stocks like better infosys technologies 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 infosys technologies wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns nov 7 2016 nicholas rossolillo opens new window owns shares ishares india etf 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 | 535 |
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<p>The Blessed Hope "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Tts&amp;c=2" type="external">Titus 2:13-15</a></p>
<p>The Tri-fold power of having the Blessed Hope within us</p>
<p>Titus chapter 2 is an amazing chapter because it tells us that the pretribulation rapture of the church is our 'blessed hope', in which we are to do the following while we wait on His return:</p>
<p>So you see that the Blessed Hope is a means by which God uses it to prepare us and purify us as we wait. It is not simply a "get out of jail free card", it is a refining tool of the Lord to make us ready on a daily basis. After all, death is a reality for over 250,000 people a day every day around the world, with lots of them being bible believing Christians.</p>
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<p>Don't you think that to be "ready at any moment" is a pretty good idea? Having the blessed hope in our lives pushes us towards readiness, and way from stagnation and slothfullness in our spiritual walk with the Lord Jesus.</p>
<p>Salvation is by grace through faith plus nothing strengthens the Blessed Hope</p>
<p>As bible believeing Christians in the age of Grace, we live in a period of time that people of no other dispensation were afforded. Salvation by grace through faith is a gift that we in this life will never understand the full measure of. We read about this in the second chapter of the book of Ephesians:</p>
<p>"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)</p>
<p>And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.</p>
<p>For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?t=KJV&amp;x=0&amp;y=0&amp;b=Eph&amp;c=2&amp;v=1" type="external">Ephesians 2: 4-10</a></p>
<p>We who are saved did nothing to save ourselves, and we do nothing to keep ourselves saved. It is all of the Lord Jesus, this is His great gift to us. We can't fall out, be pulled out, be pushed out, or be talked out of the eternal life He gives us at the moment we recieve this free gift. We can't even jump out! Paul addresses this in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans:</p>
<p>"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?t=KJV&amp;x=0&amp;y=0&amp;b=Rom&amp;c=8&amp;v=1" type="external">Romans 8:38,39</a></p>
<p>God knows that we are redeemed sinners who still have to live everyday in unredeemed bodies of flesh. He knows that we will still commit sin. So He gives us verses like Romans 8 to assure us and comfort us that we can never be separated from His love no matter where we wander. The Prodigal Son, while he lost his inheritance (a picture of loss of <a href="../doctrine/faith-works-and-the-judgment-seat-of-christ.htm" type="external">rewards at the Judgment Seat</a>), he never lost his sonship with the Father.</p>
<p>Of course, it is God's desire to see us not become like the Prodigal, and to strive to live our lives as He would have us to live them.</p>
<p>Beloved, the bible teaches us that Jesus will 'never leave us or forsake us' after we have been saved. That's a promise you can hang your eternal destiny on. His return for His church to take us our before the Tribulation is also another precious promise you may trust with all your heart.</p>
<p>He said He would come get us...and He will. Be ye always ready....this is our BLESSED HOPE.</p>
<p />
<p>"WATCH" By Warren M. Smith.</p>
<p>Oh, the glory fast approaching, of Ascension's happy morn,� When the watchful servants quickly to His bosom shall be borne; When the dear ones left behind us, shall for us oft seek in vain,� But our spirits shall have risen to the Lamb for sinners slain. Caught up in the air to meet Him, oh! the heights and depths of joy, Lengths and breadths of love surpassing, purest bliss wi ' thout alloy;� Now we see with darkened vision, then we'll see Him face to face,� And we will, through countless ages, sing the glories of His grace. Two shall at a mill be grinding, one be taken, one be left,� Two shall in a bed be sleeping, one of these shall be bereft;� Oh, what wonder and amazement, shall the ones on earth, possess,� They shall pass through tribulation, pain, and sorrow and distress. We shall live with Him forever, in the sunshine of His love,� We shall meet to part, no never, with th' angelic host above;� There we'll hear our Father's welcome, as He calls us, one by one, Saying to each one in person, "Faithful servant, 'tis well done." Let us, then, our lamps keep burning, and our wedding garments on,� Ready to go forth to meet Him, when we hear Him say, "I come;� There will be no time to slumber, lest He come whil'st we're asleep And the door be shut between us; let us then our vigil keep.</p>
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<p /> The Blessed Hope the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ The Tri-fold power of having the Blessed Hope within us Looking for Jesus: Denying ungodliness: Speak, exhort and rebuke: Click here | true | 0 | blessed hope looking blessed hope glorious appearing great god saviour jesus christ gave us might redeem us iniquity purify unto peculiar people zealous good works things speak exhort rebuke authority let man despise thee titus 21315 trifold power blessed hope within us titus chapter 2 amazing chapter tells us pretribulation rapture church blessed hope following wait return see blessed hope means god uses prepare us purify us wait simply get jail free card refining tool lord make us ready daily basis death reality 250000 people day every day around world lots bible believing christians dont think ready moment pretty good idea blessed hope lives pushes us towards readiness way stagnation slothfullness spiritual walk lord jesus salvation grace faith plus nothing strengthens blessed hope bible believeing christians age grace live period time people dispensation afforded salvation grace faith gift life never understand full measure read second chapter book ephesians god rich mercy great love wherewith loved us even dead sins hath quickened us together christ grace ye saved hath raised us together made us sit together heavenly places christ jesus ages come might shew exceeding riches grace kindness toward us christ jesus grace ye saved faith gift god works lest man boast workmanship created christ jesus unto good works god hath ordained walk ephesians 2 410 saved nothing save nothing keep saved lord jesus great gift us cant fall pulled pushed talked eternal life gives us moment recieve free gift cant even jump paul addresses eighth chapter book romans persuaded neither death life angels principalities powers things present things come height depth creature shall able separate us love god christ jesus lord romans 83839 god knows redeemed sinners still live everyday unredeemed bodies flesh knows still commit sin gives us verses like romans 8 assure us comfort us never separated love matter wander prodigal son lost inheritance picture loss rewards judgment seat never lost sonship father course gods desire see us become like prodigal strive live lives would us live beloved bible teaches us jesus never leave us forsake us saved thats promise hang eternal destiny return church take us tribulation also another precious promise may trust heart said would come get usand ye always readythis blessed hope watch warren smith oh glory fast approaching ascensions happy morn watchful servants quickly bosom shall borne dear ones left behind us shall us oft seek vain spirits shall risen lamb sinners slain caught air meet oh heights depths joy lengths breadths love surpassing purest bliss wi thout alloy see darkened vision well see face face countless ages sing glories grace two shall mill grinding one taken one left two shall bed sleeping one shall bereft oh wonder amazement shall ones earth possess shall pass tribulation pain sorrow distress shall live forever sunshine love shall meet part never th angelic host well hear fathers welcome calls us one one saying one person faithful servant tis well done let us lamps keep burning wedding garments ready go forth meet hear say come time slumber lest come whilst asleep door shut us let us vigil keep 160 160 blessed hope glorious appearing great god saviour jesus christ trifold power blessed hope within us looking jesus denying ungodliness speak exhort rebuke click | 535 |
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<p>Next time you write a check to your student's college for a cramped dorm room, you may wonder if there's a better -- and more cost-effective -- option to house your bookish son or daughter. Some parents bypass university housing or off-campus renting altogether: They buy a condominium for their student to live in, with the aim of recouping those room-and-board dollars after graduation.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The average cost for college housing for the 2012-2013 school year was $5,433, according to the most recent figures from the National Center for Education Statistics. That adds up to $21,732 after four years and $32,598 over six years for housing costs alone.</p>
<p>You gotta do it right</p>
<p>But buying a condo isn't an easy A. Just like any real estate investment, it comes with possible pitfalls, such as losing money, if you don't do your homework.</p>
<p>"You need to look at it from the perspective that you will be a seller a few years down the road. Be very aware of market conditions before you make a purchase," says Regina Santore, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Wallace and Wallace Realtors in Knoxville, Tennessee, home to the University of Tennessee. "It's not just about if you can get your kid's friends to pay rent and make a little money."</p>
<p>Does the math work?</p>
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<p>There are three factors to consider before buying a property for your college student, says Raylene Lewis, a real estate agent with Century 21 Beal in College Station, Texas, where Texas AandM University is located:</p>
<p>Most students don't finish in 4 years</p>
<p>While you may have high hopes for your honors student to finish college within four years, only 39 percent do, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In general, 59 percent of students graduate within six years. So, you need to think in a four- to six-year timeline and then consider the costs of selling.</p>
<p>"When you sell your house in the market here, it costs about 7 percent of the sales price plus $2,000," says Lewis. "Also, you need to consider how responsible your child is. I've seen condos that have a lot of damage done to the property, which affects the resale value."</p>
<p>You also need to weigh the rental rates -- on and off campus -- versus the financing costs of buying a condo. And you have to take into account the option of having other students defray the cost of the condo by renting rooms, or the possibility of appreciation or depreciation of the condo's value.</p>
<p>* 30-year mortgage of $168,880 at 4.5 percent "" Median dorm cost of $5,433 a year</p>
<p>Source: Bankrate.com</p>
<p>If you're buying for the short term, such as four years, you may want to contribute a smaller down payment in case the condo loses value by the time you sell, says Dan Barnabic, author of "The Condo Bible for Americans." But if you plan to hold the condo longer, a higher down payment will help to buffer against any spikes in interest rates and will keep the mortgage payment lower, he says.</p>
<p>Condo Buying 101</p>
<p>Once you decide to buy a condo, there is a lot of studying that goes into it, Barnabic says. He recommends asking residents how well the condo association is run, how responsive the property management company is, if they know of any complaints from unit owners or renters and if there are any working orders against the property.</p>
<p>"This is precious information. Don't take a real estate agent's word for it," Barnabic says. "Even though a condo can be financially a good investment, it could change for lack of governance or management."</p>
<p>Be upfront about renters</p>
<p>When using a real estate agent, make sure to mention if you plan to rent out the other rooms in the condo, says Lewis. Some municipalities may not allow renting to more than two or four unrelated parties, which would change your renting-versus-buying comparisons.</p>
<p>Other factors to consider</p>
<p>Another key factor is how saturated the market is with student housing, Santore says. If there are too many rentals, then maybe it's best to skip buying. Otherwise, look for communities with student-oriented amenities that will appeal to future parent buyers, such as shuttle buses to campus, common work areas with copy machines and Wi-Fi, pet-friendly units and facilities such as pools, tennis courts or movie theater rooms.</p>
<p>However, avoid being the first person to buy in a new condo development, Santore warns, because the sticker price offered by the developer will likely fall as time wears on.</p>
<p>"The first buyers will be the first ones to take a loss," she says. "That's who you should buy from."</p>
<p>Joshua Bradley, an attorney in Knoxville, Tennessee, and his wife, a doctor, own two condos in the city, both left over from their college years when they attended the University of Tennessee. They live in one but are trying to rent out the second, which was bought by Bradley's wife's parents about eight years ago.</p>
<p>The three-bedroom unit was a new, exclusively student complex located right across the river from the college. Bradley's wife lived in it for three years. It was empty for one year and then her brother lived there for three years. It's now vacant.</p>
<p>A tale of 2 condos</p>
<p>Bradley, 27, is stuck renting it because the condo has lost around 30 percent to 40 percent in value, Bradley estimates, after a glut of condos hit the market in 2006 and 2007 right as the housing bubble burst. The rental market has also fallen, but not as much. However, Bradley has taken on finding renters himself through Craigslist because the condo's management company is "in over their heads," he says.</p>
<p>By contrast, the condo they live in is located five minutes west of campus in an affluent neighborhood. Its resale and rental values have held up because of its location and because it's not student-focused. It attracts young professionals along with middle-aged couples and some students.</p>
<p>"It's really hard to come into a new city you don't know and buy a property that you need just for three or four years in the right market," he says. "Many out-of-town parents have taken a bad bath on these condos."</p>
<p>Copyright 2014, Bankrate Inc.</p> | true | 0 | next time write check students college cramped dorm room may wonder theres better costeffective option house bookish son daughter parents bypass university housing offcampus renting altogether buy condominium student live aim recouping roomandboard dollars graduation continue reading average cost college housing 20122013 school year 5433 according recent figures national center education statistics adds 21732 four years 32598 six years housing costs alone got ta right buying condo isnt easy like real estate investment comes possible pitfalls losing money dont homework need look perspective seller years road aware market conditions make purchase says regina santore real estate agent coldwell banker wallace wallace realtors knoxville tennessee home university tennessee get kids friends pay rent make little money math work advertisement three factors consider buying property college student says raylene lewis real estate agent century 21 beal college station texas texas aandm university located students dont finish 4 years may high hopes honors student finish college within four years 39 percent according national center education statistics general 59 percent students graduate within six years need think four sixyear timeline consider costs selling sell house market costs 7 percent sales price plus 2000 says lewis also need consider responsible child ive seen condos lot damage done property affects resale value also need weigh rental rates campus versus financing costs buying condo take account option students defray cost condo renting rooms possibility appreciation depreciation condos value 30year mortgage 168880 45 percent median dorm cost 5433 year source bankratecom youre buying short term four years may want contribute smaller payment case condo loses value time sell says dan barnabic author condo bible americans plan hold condo longer higher payment help buffer spikes interest rates keep mortgage payment lower says condo buying 101 decide buy condo lot studying goes barnabic says recommends asking residents well condo association run responsive property management company know complaints unit owners renters working orders property precious information dont take real estate agents word barnabic says even though condo financially good investment could change lack governance management upfront renters using real estate agent make sure mention plan rent rooms condo says lewis municipalities may allow renting two four unrelated parties would change rentingversusbuying comparisons factors consider another key factor saturated market student housing santore says many rentals maybe best skip buying otherwise look communities studentoriented amenities appeal future parent buyers shuttle buses campus common work areas copy machines wifi petfriendly units facilities pools tennis courts movie theater rooms however avoid first person buy new condo development santore warns sticker price offered developer likely fall time wears first buyers first ones take loss says thats buy joshua bradley attorney knoxville tennessee wife doctor two condos city left college years attended university tennessee live one trying rent second bought bradleys wifes parents eight years ago threebedroom unit new exclusively student complex located right across river college bradleys wife lived three years empty one year brother lived three years vacant tale 2 condos bradley 27 stuck renting condo lost around 30 percent 40 percent value bradley estimates glut condos hit market 2006 2007 right housing bubble burst rental market also fallen much however bradley taken finding renters craigslist condos management company heads says contrast condo live located five minutes west campus affluent neighborhood resale rental values held location studentfocused attracts young professionals along middleaged couples students really hard come new city dont know buy property need three four years right market says many outoftown parents taken bad bath condos copyright 2014 bankrate inc | 577 |
<p>The market is getting a barrage of earnings, economic data and Fed speeches</p>
<p>U.S. stock futures on Thursday signaled a rally at the open, putting the Dow industrials on course to recover somewhat from the prior session's 138-point drop, as Cisco and Wal-Mart's earnings-driven gains provided a boost.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Traders will be digesting a barrage of earnings reports, economic data and Federal Reserve speeches.</p>
<p>What are the main benchmarks doing?</p>
<p>Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 75 points, or 0.4%, to 23,337, while S&amp;P 500 futures tacked on 9.15 points, or 0.4%, to 2,574.25. Nasdaq-100 futures jumped by 27.50 points, or 0.4%, to 6,293.75.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, the Dow and the S&amp;P 500 both closed 0.6% lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dow-futures-tumble-more-than-100-points-as-mood-for-risk-sours-2017-11-15), and the Nasdaq Composite gave up 0.5%. The S&amp;P and Dow suffered their biggest percentage drops since Sept. 5, with analysts blaming the fall on worries about a U.S. tax overhaul. In addition, a slide in oil prices on Wednesday put pressure on energy stocks.</p>
<p>What are strategists saying?</p>
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<p>"Markets stand at an intriguing crossroads," said Richard Perry, a Hantec Markets analyst, in a note.</p>
<p>"Asian markets (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tencent-earnings-buoy-hong-kong-index-nikkei-looks-to-snap-loss-streak-2017-11-15) have bounced (helped by support coming in for oil), with the Nikkei 1.5% higher. European markets (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-rebound-after-longest-losing-streak-in-a-year-2017-11-16) have taken heart from the Asian session and have also found support in early moves. It will be interesting to see if this lasts," Perry said.</p>
<p>What are other assets doing?</p>
<p>Oil futures (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-prices-stabilize-after-prior-days-slump-showing-little-change-2017-11-16) were slightly lower, after earlier showing a small gain. Crude prices are trying to stabilize after a fall on Wednesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-tumbles-further-in-wake-of-api-reading-showing-jump-in-us-supply-2017-11-15) that was attributed to a surprise climb in U.S. supplies.</p>
<p>The ICE U.S. Dollar Index (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-drops-as-fears-build-that-tax-reform-plans-will-drag-2017-11-15) was inching up, while gold futures were roughly unchanged.</p>
<p>Which stocks look like key movers?</p>
<p>Shares in Cisco Systems Inc.(CSCO) jumped 7% in premarket action after the maker of networking equipment late Wednesday delivered better-than-expected quarterly results and an encouraging outlook (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cisco-shares-surge-as-earnings-outlook-top-street-views-2017-11-15). The tech stock was the Dow's biggest premarket gainer.</p>
<p>Don't miss:Cisco promises return to growth, but for how long? (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cisco-promises-return-to-growth-but-for-how-long-2017-11-15)</p>
<p>Wal-Mart Stores Inc.(WMT) climbed 4% premarket in the wake of the retailer posting better-than-expected earnings (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wal-marts-stock-jumps-toward-record-high-after-profit-and-sales-beat-raised-outlook-2017-11-16) early Thursday. It was the Dow's second-biggest winner.</p>
<p>Read more:Wal-Mart's in-store and digital sales put it a step ahead (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wal-mart-earnings-in-store-and-digital-sales-put-it-a-step-ahead-of-the-competition-2017-11-13)</p>
<p>NetApp Inc.(NTAP) soared 12% after the data-storage company's better-than-expected results (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/netapp-shares-jump-on-earnings-sales-beat-2017-11-15) late Wednesday.</p>
<p>L Brands Inc.(LB) fell 4% ahead of the bell after the Victoria's Secret parent posted earnings that matched forecasts and a drop in same-store sales (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/l-brands-shares-down-35-after-earnings-as-same-store-sales-fall-2017-11-15).</p>
<p>Retailer Best Buy Co.(BBY) , Folgers and Pillsbury parent J.M. Smucker Co.(SJM) and media giant Viacom Inc.(VIA) were also due for active trading as they are among the companies on the earnings docket before the open.</p>
<p>Away from earnings-related moves, Procter &amp; Gamble Co.'s stock (PG) rose 2% premarket following news that storied activist investor Nelson Peltz had narrowly won a seat (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/activist-nelson-peltz-narrowly-wins-seat-on-pg-board-2017-11-15) on the consumer-products giant's board.</p>
<p>Auto maker Tesla Inc.'s stock (TSLA) gained 1% premarket ahead of the unveiling of its electric semi truck (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/four-things-tesla-needs-to-reveal-when-it-launches-the-semi-truck-2017-11-15) that is on tap after the market's close.</p>
<p>See:Elon Musk opens up on love life, traumatic childhood, Tesla goals (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/elon-musk-opens-up-on-love-life-traumatic-childhood-tesla-goals-2017-11-15)</p>
<p>Goldman Sachs Group Inc.(GS) and Morgan Stanley(MS) might make moves following news of a lawsuit that alleges those two banks and other lenders secretly shared client information (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lawsuit-alleges-goldman-other-big-banks-shared-client-info-to-rig-us-treasurys-auctions-2017-11-16) in order to rig auctions for the U.S. Treasurys market.</p>
<p>What economic releases could help drive markets?</p>
<p>A report on weekly jobless claims is slated to hit at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with economists polled by MarketWatch expecting a reading of 235,000. Data on import prices in October and the Philadelphia Fed's business-outlook survey for November are due at the same time.</p>
<p>October figures for industrial production are scheduled to arrive at 9:15 a.m. Eastern, with 0.6% growth forecast for the headline number. Then a November reading on the housing market is on tap at 10 a.m. Eastern.</p>
<p>Check out:MarketWatch's Economic Calendar (http://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendars/economic)</p>
<p>On the Fed front, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester is due to give a speech at the libertarian Cato Institute in Washington, D.C., at 9:10 a.m. Eastern Time.</p>
<p>Dallas Fed President Rob Kaplan is taking part in a discussion at a CFA Society of Houston event at 1:10 p.m. Eastern, while Fed Gov. Lael Brainard is scheduled to talk at a University of Michigan Law School conference at 3:45 p.m. Eastern. San Francisco Fed President John Williams is addressing a forum on Asia in the City by the Bay at 4:45 p.m. Eastern.</p>
<p>Now read:CEO Bill McNabb reveals 'probably the thing we worry most about at Vanguard' (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ceo-bill-mcnabb-reveals-probably-the-thing-we-worry-most-about-at-vanguard-2017-11-16)</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>November 16, 2017 07:27 ET (12:27 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | market getting barrage earnings economic data fed speeches us stock futures thursday signaled rally open putting dow industrials course recover somewhat prior sessions 138point drop cisco walmarts earningsdriven gains provided boost continue reading traders digesting barrage earnings reports economic data federal reserve speeches main benchmarks dow jones industrial average futures gained 75 points 04 23337 sampp 500 futures tacked 915 points 04 257425 nasdaq100 futures jumped 2750 points 04 629375 wednesday dow sampp 500 closed 06 lower httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydowfuturestumblemorethan100pointsasmoodforrisksours20171115 nasdaq composite gave 05 sampp dow suffered biggest percentage drops since sept 5 analysts blaming fall worries us tax overhaul addition slide oil prices wednesday put pressure energy stocks strategists saying advertisement markets stand intriguing crossroads said richard perry hantec markets analyst note asian markets httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytencentearningsbuoyhongkongindexnikkeilookstosnaplossstreak20171115 bounced helped support coming oil nikkei 15 higher european markets httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryeuropeanstocksreboundafterlongestlosingstreakinayear20171116 taken heart asian session also found support early moves interesting see lasts perry said assets oil futures httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryoilpricesstabilizeafterpriordaysslumpshowinglittlechange20171116 slightly lower earlier showing small gain crude prices trying stabilize fall wednesday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryoiltumblesfurtherinwakeofapireadingshowingjumpinussupply20171115 attributed surprise climb us supplies ice us dollar index httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydollardropsasfearsbuildthattaxreformplanswilldrag20171115 inching gold futures roughly unchanged stocks look like key movers shares cisco systems inccsco jumped 7 premarket action maker networking equipment late wednesday delivered betterthanexpected quarterly results encouraging outlook httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryciscosharessurgeasearningsoutlooktopstreetviews20171115 tech stock dows biggest premarket gainer dont misscisco promises return growth long httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryciscopromisesreturntogrowthbutforhowlong20171115 walmart stores incwmt climbed 4 premarket wake retailer posting betterthanexpected earnings httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywalmartsstockjumpstowardrecordhighafterprofitandsalesbeatraisedoutlook20171116 early thursday dows secondbiggest winner read morewalmarts instore digital sales put step ahead httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywalmartearningsinstoreanddigitalsalesputitastepaheadofthecompetition20171113 netapp incntap soared 12 datastorage companys betterthanexpected results httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorynetappsharesjumponearningssalesbeat20171115 late wednesday l brands inclb fell 4 ahead bell victorias secret parent posted earnings matched forecasts drop samestore sales httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorylbrandssharesdown35afterearningsassamestoresalesfall20171115 retailer best buy cobby folgers pillsbury parent jm smucker cosjm media giant viacom incvia also due active trading among companies earnings docket open away earningsrelated moves procter amp gamble cos stock pg rose 2 premarket following news storied activist investor nelson peltz narrowly seat httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryactivistnelsonpeltznarrowlywinsseatonpgboard20171115 consumerproducts giants board auto maker tesla incs stock tsla gained 1 premarket ahead unveiling electric semi truck httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryfourthingsteslaneedstorevealwhenitlaunchesthesemitruck20171115 tap markets close seeelon musk opens love life traumatic childhood tesla goals httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryelonmuskopensuponlovelifetraumaticchildhoodteslagoals20171115 goldman sachs group incgs morgan stanleyms might make moves following news lawsuit alleges two banks lenders secretly shared client information httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorylawsuitallegesgoldmanotherbigbankssharedclientinfotorigustreasurysauctions20171116 order rig auctions us treasurys market economic releases could help drive markets report weekly jobless claims slated hit 830 eastern time economists polled marketwatch expecting reading 235000 data import prices october philadelphia feds businessoutlook survey november due time october figures industrial production scheduled arrive 915 eastern 06 growth forecast headline number november reading housing market tap 10 eastern check outmarketwatchs economic calendar httpwwwmarketwatchcomeconomypoliticscalendarseconomic fed front cleveland fed president loretta mester due give speech libertarian cato institute washington dc 910 eastern time dallas fed president rob kaplan taking part discussion cfa society houston event 110 pm eastern fed gov lael brainard scheduled talk university michigan law school conference 345 pm eastern san francisco fed president john williams addressing forum asia city bay 445 pm eastern readceo bill mcnabb reveals probably thing worry vanguard httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryceobillmcnabbrevealsprobablythethingweworrymostaboutatvanguard20171116 end dow jones newswires november 16 2017 0727 et 1227 gmt | 515 |
<p />
<p>Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) is one of my favorite companies of all time. The robotic surgery kingpin has forever changed the way that surgery is performed, and the company's razor and blade business model has minted long-term shareholders a fortune. What's more, the company continues to invest in new products and procedures that promise to widen its moat. All of these reasons are why Intuitive Surgical is one of my <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/10/my-3-biggest-stock-holdings.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">biggest personal holdings Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>However, I must admit that I'm scratching my head as to why the company just decided to spend $2 billion to on an accelerated buyback program. I'm fearful that this decision move may have actually destroyed shareholder value in the long-term. Here's why.</p>
<p>Image Source: Intuitive Surgical.</p>
<p>Share repurchases are one tool that companies can use to return capital to investors. Buying back stock on the open market reduces the total number of shares held by the public, thereby slightly increasing the ownership stake of each remaining shareholder.</p>
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<p>However, there's a dark side to buybacks. Here's a quote from Warren Buffet's 2012 letter to shareholders to that can describe what can go wrong:</p>
<p>This makes complete sense. Buying a dollar's worth of value for 80 cents or less is a great use of capital. Spending $1.20 to buy that same dollar of value is a quick way to destroy capital. That's why valuation matter so much when it comes to buybacks.</p>
<p>Thankfully, Intuitiveactually has a good track record of repurchasing its shares. In July of 2013, the company announced a $500 million accelerated buyback program after its stock took a tumble. Less than a year later, the company followed up with another $1 billion accelerated program after yet another big fall.</p>
<p>Here's a table that shows how much has been spent on repurchases over the last 5 full calendar years.</p>
<p>*Weighed average. Table source: SEC Filings. Author's calculation.</p>
<p>With shares currently trading above $800, that $2.5 billion in spending at a weighted average share price of $431 looks to be money well spent now. However, I'm not sure if Intuitive will be able to make the same claim for its most recent $2 billion accelerated repurchase program. The reason is that Intuitive's stock has been on a tear since bottoming out in 2014. That's stretched the company's valuation, which increases the possibility that the purchase was made above intrinsic value.</p>
<p>Here's a chart of the company's trailing PE ratio over the last five years and the timing of those three accelerated purchases programs.</p>
<p>Image source: Y-charts.</p>
<p>As you can see, the company previously has pulled the trigger when its PE ratio took a nosedive. That likely increases the chances that the purchases were made when the stock price was below its intrinsic value. However, I think it is harder to make that claim with this most recent $2 billion program.</p>
<p>Furthermore, that $2 billion represents a lot of money. In 2016, Intuitive's net income was $753 million, which was a record year. That means that the company spent nearly three years worth of record profits to make this buyback happen. Despite the huge spending, the share count will only be reduced by 2.4 million shares. With 39.8 shares outstanding at year end, that's only 6% of total shares.</p>
<p>Did Intuitive truly buy back its shares at a discount to intrinsic value? I have my doubts.</p>
<p>So what else could Intuitivehave done with that $2 billion? I personally would have loved to see the company spend that money on an acquisition or two. Possible buyouts candidates include beleagueredTransEnterix,which has thrown all of its weight behind itsSenhance Surgery system. TransEnterix claims that its Senhance system offers several advantages over the da Vinci system including better haptics, an eye-sensing camera, and lower long-term costs to customers.While I still think that TransEnterix faces <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/02/05/3-reasons-transenterix-inc-stock-could-fall.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">long odds of success Opens a New Window.</a>, Intuitive could have easily swallowed the company whole and then used its market muscle to put the device on its cost-sensitive customers or in international markets.</p>
<p>The Senhance Surgical Robotic System. Image Source: TransEnterix.</p>
<p>Another potential target isMazor Robotics (NASDAQ: MZOR).Mazormarkets the Renaissance guidance system which is used during spine and brain surgery to help surgeons place screws with far more accuracy than can be done by hand. This can lead to reduced risk complications and faster recovery times, which is why the company was able to sell a record 62 systems last year.</p>
<p>Perhaps of equal importance, buying either of these companies would have ensured that they wouldn't fall into the hands of Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)or Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), both of which arequite serious about entering the robotic surgery market in the near future. Medtronic is actually such a big believer in Mazor that it struck up a <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/28/does-mazor-robotics-deal-with-medtronic-make-it-2.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">partnership Opens a New Window.</a>with Mazor. Meanwhile, Johnson &amp; Johnson has teamed up with Alphabet's Verily division to create a next-generation <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/06/18/forget-transenterix-inc-this-is-the-company-that-i.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">system of its own Opens a New Window.</a>. I'm guessing that buying a smaller company has crossed their mind to assist with this endeavor.</p>
<p>Another option would have been to simply pay out a one-time special dividend. A $2 billion special dividend would have worked out to about $51.50 per share.</p>
<p>Finally, Intuitive could have also just let the cash continue to pile up in its bank account and wait for a better valuation. Given the volatility of the company's stock, I'm guessing they'll get a chance sooner or later.</p>
<p>Hopeful my concerns listed above prove to be completely misguided. After all, Intuitive just reported yet another <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/04/18/intuitive-surgical-inc-is-on-an-impressive-run.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">great quarter Opens a New Window.</a>, and its share price has jumped once again. With shares currently trading meaningfully higher than where that $2 billion was spent, it is possible that the company bought back its shares at a great time.</p>
<p>However, only time will tell if this huge repurchase was well timed or not. I'm crossing my fingers that everything works out, but given the other potential uses for the capital, count me as skeptical.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Intuitive SurgicalWhen 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=36ab6b94-d9c2-4673-8ccc-3c8db85ae714&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 Intuitive Surgical 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=36ab6b94-d9c2-4673-8ccc-3c8db85ae714&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/TMFTypeoh/info.aspx" type="external">Brian Feroldi Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Intuitive Surgical and Johnson &amp; Johnson. 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> | true | 0 | intuitive surgical nasdaq isrg one favorite companies time robotic surgery kingpin forever changed way surgery performed companys razor blade business model minted longterm shareholders fortune whats company continues invest new products procedures promise widen moat reasons intuitive surgical one biggest personal holdings opens new window continue reading however must admit im scratching head company decided spend 2 billion accelerated buyback program im fearful decision move may actually destroyed shareholder value longterm heres image source intuitive surgical share repurchases one tool companies use return capital investors buying back stock open market reduces total number shares held public thereby slightly increasing ownership stake remaining shareholder advertisement however theres dark side buybacks heres quote warren buffets 2012 letter shareholders describe go wrong makes complete sense buying dollars worth value 80 cents less great use capital spending 120 buy dollar value quick way destroy capital thats valuation matter much comes buybacks thankfully intuitiveactually good track record repurchasing shares july 2013 company announced 500 million accelerated buyback program stock took tumble less year later company followed another 1 billion accelerated program yet another big fall heres table shows much spent repurchases last 5 full calendar years weighed average table source sec filings authors calculation shares currently trading 800 25 billion spending weighted average share price 431 looks money well spent however im sure intuitive able make claim recent 2 billion accelerated repurchase program reason intuitives stock tear since bottoming 2014 thats stretched companys valuation increases possibility purchase made intrinsic value heres chart companys trailing pe ratio last five years timing three accelerated purchases programs image source ycharts see company previously pulled trigger pe ratio took nosedive likely increases chances purchases made stock price intrinsic value however think harder make claim recent 2 billion program furthermore 2 billion represents lot money 2016 intuitives net income 753 million record year means company spent nearly three years worth record profits make buyback happen despite huge spending share count reduced 24 million shares 398 shares outstanding year end thats 6 total shares intuitive truly buy back shares discount intrinsic value doubts else could intuitivehave done 2 billion personally would loved see company spend money acquisition two possible buyouts candidates include beleagueredtransenterixwhich thrown weight behind itssenhance surgery system transenterix claims senhance system offers several advantages da vinci system including better haptics eyesensing camera lower longterm costs customerswhile still think transenterix faces long odds success opens new window intuitive could easily swallowed company whole used market muscle put device costsensitive customers international markets senhance surgical robotic system image source transenterix another potential target ismazor robotics nasdaq mzormazormarkets renaissance guidance system used spine brain surgery help surgeons place screws far accuracy done hand lead reduced risk complications faster recovery times company able sell record 62 systems last year perhaps equal importance buying either companies would ensured wouldnt fall hands johnson amp johnson nyse jnjor medtronic nyse mdt arequite serious entering robotic surgery market near future medtronic actually big believer mazor struck partnership opens new windowwith mazor meanwhile johnson amp johnson teamed alphabets verily division create nextgeneration system opens new window im guessing buying smaller company crossed mind assist endeavor another option would simply pay onetime special dividend 2 billion special dividend would worked 5150 per share finally intuitive could also let cash continue pile bank account wait better valuation given volatility companys stock im guessing theyll get chance sooner later hopeful concerns listed prove completely misguided intuitive reported yet another great quarter opens new window share price jumped shares currently trading meaningfully higher 2 billion spent possible company bought back shares great time however time tell huge repurchase well timed im crossing fingers everything works given potential uses capital count skeptical 10 stocks like better intuitive surgicalwhen 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 intuitive surgical wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns april 3 2017 brian feroldi opens new window owns shares intuitive surgical motley fool owns shares recommends intuitive surgical johnson amp johnson motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 696 |
<p>Macy's shares rise after earnings beat; Kohl's tumbles</p>
<p>U.S. stocks were set for a downbeat day on Thursday, pulling back from all-time highs as traders fretted over possible delays to passing Republican tax reform in Washington.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Investors were also waiting for another batch of corporate results, including those from Macy's, Dish and Disney, for more evidence of a better-than-expected third-quarter earnings season.</p>
<p>What are stock futures doing?</p>
<p>Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 74 points, or 0.3%, to 23,417, while those for the S&amp;P 500 index lost 11.9 points, or 0.5%, to 2,579. Futures for the Nasdaq-100 Index gave up 44.25 points, or 0.7%, to 6,297.25.</p>
<p>The losses come after all three major gauges--the Dow average , the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite Index --pushed further into record territory on Wednesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dow-set-to-cool-its-heels-after-another-record-close-2017-11-08),</p>
<p>The three indexes finished at all-time highs on the same day for the 27th time in 2017. For the Dow, it was the 59th closing high of the year so far, while it was the 53rd for the S&amp;P 500 and the 64th for the Nasdaq.</p>
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<p>What's driving the market?</p>
<p>Hopes that President Donald Trump's administration will deliver major U.S. tax reforms--including business-friendly tax cut--have helped boost markets recently. But investors seem to be increasingly concerned the Republicans' tax reform bill will get delayed or not passed at all.</p>
<p>On Thursday, Senate Republicans are expected to unveil a tax plan that diverges from that of House Republicans by not fully repealing the estate tax (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-claims-hed-be-big-loser-from-tax-plan-how-the-senates-bill-may-differ-from-houses-2017-11-08).</p>
<p>See:How the Republican tax plan would affect homeowners and buyers (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-claims-hed-be-big-loser-from-tax-plan-how-the-senates-bill-may-differ-from-houses-2017-11-08)</p>
<p>The Federal Reserve isn't factoring the tax bill into its monetary policy forecasts because it is unclear still what will and won't be included, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said on CNBC Thursday morning. "I need to see more of the details," she said. Mester isn't a voting member of the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee this year.</p>
<p>The tax bill written by House Republicans would boost the U.S. deficit by $300 billion more (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cbo-says-tax-bill-would-increase-deficit-by-17-trillion-2017-11-08) than lawmakers estimated, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday. And over a decade, it would increase the deficit by $1.7 billion, beyond the $1.5 trillion required to meet Senate rules under the recently passed budget.</p>
<p>Read:1 in 5 would see tax hike in a decade under Republican bill, congressional analysis finds (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/one-in-five-would-see-tax-hike-in-a-decade-under-republican-bill-congressional-analysis-finds-2017-11-07).</p>
<p>What are strategists saying?</p>
<p>"With concerns rising over possible delays in the U.S. tax reforms, equity bears could make an unwelcome appearance, consequently exposing global stocks to downside risks," said Lukman Otunuga, research analyst at FXTM, in a note.</p>
<p>"Investors should also keep in mind that geopolitical tensions and political risk in the background, have the ability spark risk aversion--resulting in market players offloading riskier assets for safe-haven investments," Otunuga said.</p>
<p>Which stocks are in focus?</p>
<p>Roku Inc.(ROKU) shares soared 30% ahead of the open. The video-streaming company in its first earnings report as a public company late Wednesday, posting profit and revenue that both beat forecasts (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/here-are-the-numbers-that-sent-roku-stock-soaring-after-its-first-earnings-report-2017-11-08).</p>
<p>Kohl's Corp. (KSS) shares tumbled after lowering its 2018 earnings outlook and reporting quarterly profit that was slightly weaker than expected, though earnings exceeded estimates.</p>
<p>Office Depot Inc. (ODP) reported quarterly results that were better than expected, (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/office-depot-beats-estimates-despite-hurricane-impact-2017-11-09) but said it expects its full-year 2017 sales to fall below the previous year due to store closures, but reported earnings that were</p>
<p>Sage Therapeutics Inc. shares surged 44% in premarket trade Thursday after the company said its postpartum-depression therapy (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sage-therapeutics-stock-surges-50-on-positive-trial-results-in-postpartum-depression-2017-11-09) has positive results in two late-stage clinical trials.</p>
<p>Shares of Vista Outdoor Inc. (VSTO) fell in premarket trade Thursday, after the gun and outdoor-sports-products company beat fiscal second-quarter profit expectations (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/vista-outdoors-stock-tumbles-after-sales-miss-and-slashed-outlook-offsets-profit-beat-2017-11-09), but missed on sales and slashed its full-year outlook. For the quarter to Oct. 1, the company swung to a net loss of $114.7 million, or</p>
<p>Dish Network Corp.(DISH) shares were trending down in premarket trade on Thursday after the company reported third-quarter earnings below Wall Street expectations.</p>
<p>D.R. Horton Inc.(DHI) stock rose modestly after beating profit and sales forecasts.</p>
<p>Shares of Macy's Inc.(M) rose as the retailers missed revenue estimates, even though earnings came ahead of expectations.</p>
<p>After the market closes, results from Walt Disney Co.(DIS), Nordstrom Inc.(JWN) and Nvidia Corp.(NVDA) are slated to release earnings. News Corp.(NWS.AU)--the owner of MarketWatch--is also on the earnings docket after hours.</p>
<p>Disney earnings preview:It's a transition period for the media and entertainment company (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/disney-earnings-its-a-transition-period-for-the-media-and-entertainment-company-2017-11-01)</p>
<p>Shares of Snap Inc.(SNAP) fell 2% ahead of the bell, mildly rebounding from a 15% loss posted on Wednesday that came after the company posted disappointing quarterly results (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/snaps-stock-sinks-as-disappointing-results-outweigh-large-tencent-stake-2017-11-08).</p>
<p>Opinion:The outlook for Snap isn't as gloomy as the stock market suggests (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-death-of-snap-is-being-greatly-exaggerated-2017-11-08)</p>
<p>Perrigo Co. PLC(PRGO) jumped 13% premarket after the health-products maker reported better-than-expected earnings.</p>
<p>On a downbeat note, shares of Square Inc.(SQ) gave up 1.5% even after the financial services company late Wednesday released earnings that beat forecasts (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/square-beats-on-earnings-and-raises-outlook-but-shares-sink-2017-11-08).</p>
<p>Apple Inc.(AAPL) inched 0.2% lower in Thursday's premarket trade, a day after closing above the $900 billion milestone (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-is-one-milestone-closer-to-1-trillion-market-cap-2017-11-08) for the first time.</p>
<p>What's on the economic calendar?</p>
<p>Weekly jobless claims for the week ended Nov. 4 rose by 10,000 to 239,000, but the more stable monthly average of claims decreased by 1,250 to 231,250 to the lowest level since March 1973.</p>
<p>That release will be followed by a reading on wholesale inventories for September at 10 a.m. Eastern.</p>
<p>See:MarketWatch's economic calendar (http://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendars/economic)</p>
<p>What are other markets doing?</p>
<p>Asian markets closed mixed, with Japan's Nikkei 225 index turning a 2% gain at midday into a 0.2% loss by the close.</p>
<p>European markets swung lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-head-for-3rd-loss-as-burberry-plunges-2017-11-09), with the Stoxx Europe 600 index down 0.8% at the latest.</p>
<p>Crude-oil prices (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-prices-steady-near-2-year-high-as-geopolitics-stir-supply-concerns-2017-11-09) and gold were both marginally higher, while the ICE Dollar Index slipped 0.1% to 94.818.</p>
<p>--Mark DeCambre contributed to this article</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>November 09, 2017 08:54 ET (13:54 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | macys shares rise earnings beat kohls tumbles us stocks set downbeat day thursday pulling back alltime highs traders fretted possible delays passing republican tax reform washington continue reading investors also waiting another batch corporate results including macys dish disney evidence betterthanexpected thirdquarter earnings season stock futures futures dow jones industrial average dropped 74 points 03 23417 sampp 500 index lost 119 points 05 2579 futures nasdaq100 index gave 4425 points 07 629725 losses come three major gaugesthe dow average sampp 500 nasdaq composite index pushed record territory wednesday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydowsettocoolitsheelsafteranotherrecordclose20171108 three indexes finished alltime highs day 27th time 2017 dow 59th closing high year far 53rd sampp 500 64th nasdaq advertisement whats driving market hopes president donald trumps administration deliver major us tax reformsincluding businessfriendly tax cuthave helped boost markets recently investors seem increasingly concerned republicans tax reform bill get delayed passed thursday senate republicans expected unveil tax plan diverges house republicans fully repealing estate tax httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytrumpclaimshedbebigloserfromtaxplanhowthesenatesbillmaydifferfromhouses20171108 seehow republican tax plan would affect homeowners buyers httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytrumpclaimshedbebigloserfromtaxplanhowthesenatesbillmaydifferfromhouses20171108 federal reserve isnt factoring tax bill monetary policy forecasts unclear still wont included cleveland fed president loretta mester said cnbc thursday morning need see details said mester isnt voting member central banks federal open market committee year tax bill written house republicans would boost us deficit 300 billion httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorycbosaystaxbillwouldincreasedeficitby17trillion20171108 lawmakers estimated congressional budget office said wednesday decade would increase deficit 17 billion beyond 15 trillion required meet senate rules recently passed budget read1 5 would see tax hike decade republican bill congressional analysis finds httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryoneinfivewouldseetaxhikeinadecadeunderrepublicanbillcongressionalanalysisfinds20171107 strategists saying concerns rising possible delays us tax reforms equity bears could make unwelcome appearance consequently exposing global stocks downside risks said lukman otunuga research analyst fxtm note investors also keep mind geopolitical tensions political risk background ability spark risk aversionresulting market players offloading riskier assets safehaven investments otunuga said stocks focus roku incroku shares soared 30 ahead open videostreaming company first earnings report public company late wednesday posting profit revenue beat forecasts httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryherearethenumbersthatsentrokustocksoaringafteritsfirstearningsreport20171108 kohls corp kss shares tumbled lowering 2018 earnings outlook reporting quarterly profit slightly weaker expected though earnings exceeded estimates office depot inc odp reported quarterly results better expected httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryofficedepotbeatsestimatesdespitehurricaneimpact20171109 said expects fullyear 2017 sales fall previous year due store closures reported earnings sage therapeutics inc shares surged 44 premarket trade thursday company said postpartumdepression therapy httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysagetherapeuticsstocksurges50onpositivetrialresultsinpostpartumdepression20171109 positive results two latestage clinical trials shares vista outdoor inc vsto fell premarket trade thursday gun outdoorsportsproducts company beat fiscal secondquarter profit expectations httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryvistaoutdoorsstocktumblesaftersalesmissandslashedoutlookoffsetsprofitbeat20171109 missed sales slashed fullyear outlook quarter oct 1 company swung net loss 1147 million dish network corpdish shares trending premarket trade thursday company reported thirdquarter earnings wall street expectations dr horton incdhi stock rose modestly beating profit sales forecasts shares macys incm rose retailers missed revenue estimates even though earnings came ahead expectations market closes results walt disney codis nordstrom incjwn nvidia corpnvda slated release earnings news corpnwsauthe owner marketwatchis also earnings docket hours disney earnings previewits transition period media entertainment company httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydisneyearningsitsatransitionperiodforthemediaandentertainmentcompany20171101 shares snap incsnap fell 2 ahead bell mildly rebounding 15 loss posted wednesday came company posted disappointing quarterly results httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysnapsstocksinksasdisappointingresultsoutweighlargetencentstake20171108 opinionthe outlook snap isnt gloomy stock market suggests httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorythedeathofsnapisbeinggreatlyexaggerated20171108 perrigo co plcprgo jumped 13 premarket healthproducts maker reported betterthanexpected earnings downbeat note shares square incsq gave 15 even financial services company late wednesday released earnings beat forecasts httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysquarebeatsonearningsandraisesoutlookbutsharessink20171108 apple incaapl inched 02 lower thursdays premarket trade day closing 900 billion milestone httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryappleisonemilestonecloserto1trillionmarketcap20171108 first time whats economic calendar weekly jobless claims week ended nov 4 rose 10000 239000 stable monthly average claims decreased 1250 231250 lowest level since march 1973 release followed reading wholesale inventories september 10 eastern seemarketwatchs economic calendar httpwwwmarketwatchcomeconomypoliticscalendarseconomic markets asian markets closed mixed japans nikkei 225 index turning 2 gain midday 02 loss close european markets swung lower httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryeuropeanstocksheadfor3rdlossasburberryplunges20171109 stoxx europe 600 index 08 latest crudeoil prices httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryoilpricessteadynear2yearhighasgeopoliticsstirsupplyconcerns20171109 gold marginally higher ice dollar index slipped 01 94818 mark decambre contributed article end dow jones newswires november 09 2017 0854 et 1354 gmt | 652 |
<p />
<p>By now, if you have been paying attention you have heard about pampered professional athletes who get paid millions of dollars a year like Colin Kaepernick who hate the injustice in America that has “kept them down.”</p>
<p>But this article isn’t about the athletes this time. &#160;It’s about the NFL itself and its pussyfooting around to make sure they don’t offend anyone that hates America.</p>
<p>You see, when it comes to disrespecting the flag, the anthem, the military who died for the liberty they enjoy and the freedom to be MILLIONAIRES, the NFL is fine with players sitting on their asses or staying on&#160;their knees because “it’s a free country” and they have the right. &#160;This is true. &#160;They do have the right. Doesn’t MAKE it any less repulsive but this is a free-ish country&#160;(despite Obama’s best efforts) so they can be reprobates if they want.</p>
<p>What stokes my ire is what happened when someone wants to do something that falls outside of the progressive anti-American sentiment.</p>
<p>I speak mainly of Tennessee Titan lineback Avery Williamson.</p>
<p>Williamson had planned on wearing a pair of commemorative cleats honoring those lost 15 years ago on the Islamic terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th. &#160;Giant’s receivers Odell Beckham and Victor Cruz are expected to do the same.</p>
<p>One would think that honoring those lost on the anniversary would be a fitting and moving tribute. &#160;And seeing how the NFL is fine with having its players disrespect the sacrifices made for this country they would also welcome a counterpoint.</p>
<p>They don’t call the NFL the no fun league for nothing.</p>
<p>An NFL representative called Williamson when it heard about his plans and informed him that he would be fined for a uniform violation if he wore the cleats.</p>
<p>Here’s a picture of Williamson and the cleats</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>The star spangled cleats say on the heel says “9/1/01” and “Never Forget”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Williamson, by all accounts being a stand up kind, of guy felt that after the NFL contacted him that his message would get diluted if he wore the cleats and it would also take away from his teams efforts in their game. &#160;Personally I would wear the cleats and tell the NFL to pound sand but I can appreciate Williamson’s position as not wanting to take an act of commemoration and turn it into a circus.</p>
<p>Instead Williamson will be auctioning off the cleats and donating the money to Operation Warrior Wishes.</p>
<p>About the charity:</p>
<p>Operation Warrior Wishes is a national 501c3 with the mission to honor heroes, keep legacies alive and provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences to warriors from the battlefields to the ballfields. They have hosted and honored almost 2,000 heroes, wounded vets, fallen heroes, and first responders at over 600 events in past 4 years. They enter their 5th season of hosting and honoring heroes at all 32 NFL stadiums and will be in Baltimore on 9/11 this year.</p>
<p>Williamson’s class and actions have not gone unnoticed though. &#160;The Port Authority of NY and NJ Police Department reacted to this outrage perpetrated by the NFL and released this statement in support of Williamson:</p>
<p>“The PAPD is the police department that has always patrolled the World Trade Center complex. On September 11, 2001, the PAPD lost 37 police officers at the World Trade Center, the largest, single loss ever suffered by a police department in the history of American law enforcement. …</p>
<p>“We, along with the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association, are offering to pay any reasonable fine levied by the NFL if Avery chooses to wear his 9/11 cleats.”</p>
<p>Though I doubt Williamson will change his mind for the reasons I spoke of before, it is good to know that the people he sought to honor and remember know and appreciate his effort.</p>
<p>And furthermore know and repudiate the cowardly and ridiculous actions of the NFL.</p>
<p>One of the Union heads for the officers, Paul Nunziato, said that NFL Commisioner Roger Goddell would be&#160;“commit(ing) a personal foul against humanity” if he leveled a fine against Williamson.</p>
<p>I don’t disagree.</p>
<p>Goddell is a jackass for a number of reasons but this one takes the cake.</p>
<p>Sit on your ass and disparage this nation, the flag, the anthem and those who sacrifice for it and you get the NFL’s seal of approval.</p>
<p>Try and show some honor and class to the nation and those who lost their lives from Islamic terrorism 15 years ago? &#160;Well, the NFL is going to make you pay.</p>
<p>The outrage is sickening and so are Roger Goddell and his cronies.</p>
<p>As for Avery, I hope he keeps on being a positive force in the world. &#160;Looking over his webpage the young man has made sure to give back a lot to his community for the opportunities and blessings that he has earned.</p>
<p>Take a look for yourself at&#160; <a href="http://www.avery54.com/" type="external">http://www.avery54.com/</a></p>
<p>If you want to reach out and contact Avery via his website to thank him for his efforts I encourage you to do so. &#160;If you want to tell him you learned about his ordeal at Bullets First I’d appreciate that too ;o)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>UPDATE:&#160;Williamson did the ol rope a dope with the NFL and in doing so solidified my admiration for him. &#160;During pregame warmups he came out wearing simple white cleats but come gametime he switched to the patriotic ones pictured above.</p>
<p>Williamson said he wore the plain cleats to avoid&#160;NFL representatives approaching him before the game. He said Robinson and coach Mike Mularkey were supportive of his decision.</p>
<p>“I just didn’t want it to be a distraction, and they were fine with it,” Williamson said, “so I went ahead and did it.”</p>
<p>Williamson added that it was the outpouring of support that patriots around the country gave him including many first responders.</p>
<p>“I just felt like I got so much support across the country, and especially when the New York and New Jersey police unions said that they would pay my fine, that really meant a lot, so I felt like if I didn’t wear them, I just wouldn’t have felt good about it. I felt like I had to do that, just for myself and to represent the people that were lost and the people that do their jobs every day to protect us. I feel like it was just a duty.”</p>
<p>Avery Williamson is the kind of guy who stands up for what he believes in and is willing to pay the price for doing so. &#160;Unlike others who stay seated and risk nothing.</p>
<p>Your move NFL.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p>
<p>We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, vulgarity, profanity, all caps, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain a courteous and useful public environment where we can engage in reasonable discourse.</p> | true | 0 | paying attention heard pampered professional athletes get paid millions dollars year like colin kaepernick hate injustice america kept article isnt athletes time 160its nfl pussyfooting around make sure dont offend anyone hates america see comes disrespecting flag anthem military died liberty enjoy freedom millionaires nfl fine players sitting asses staying on160their knees free country right 160this true 160they right doesnt make less repulsive freeish country160despite obamas best efforts reprobates want stokes ire happened someone wants something falls outside progressive antiamerican sentiment speak mainly tennessee titan lineback avery williamson williamson planned wearing pair commemorative cleats honoring lost 15 years ago islamic terrorist attacks sept 11th 160giants receivers odell beckham victor cruz expected one would think honoring lost anniversary would fitting moving tribute 160and seeing nfl fine players disrespect sacrifices made country would also welcome counterpoint dont call nfl fun league nothing nfl representative called williamson heard plans informed would fined uniform violation wore cleats heres picture williamson cleats star spangled cleats say heel says 9101 never forget williamson accounts stand kind guy felt nfl contacted message would get diluted wore cleats would also take away teams efforts game 160personally would wear cleats tell nfl pound sand appreciate williamsons position wanting take act commemoration turn circus instead williamson auctioning cleats donating money operation warrior wishes charity operation warrior wishes national 501c3 mission honor heroes keep legacies alive provide onceinalifetime experiences warriors battlefields ballfields hosted honored almost 2000 heroes wounded vets fallen heroes first responders 600 events past 4 years enter 5th season hosting honoring heroes 32 nfl stadiums baltimore 911 year williamsons class actions gone unnoticed though 160the port authority ny nj police department reacted outrage perpetrated nfl released statement support williamson papd police department always patrolled world trade center complex september 11 2001 papd lost 37 police officers world trade center largest single loss ever suffered police department history american law enforcement along new jersey state police benevolent association offering pay reasonable fine levied nfl avery chooses wear 911 cleats though doubt williamson change mind reasons spoke good know people sought honor remember know appreciate effort furthermore know repudiate cowardly ridiculous actions nfl one union heads officers paul nunziato said nfl commisioner roger goddell would be160commiting personal foul humanity leveled fine williamson dont disagree goddell jackass number reasons one takes cake sit ass disparage nation flag anthem sacrifice get nfls seal approval try show honor class nation lost lives islamic terrorism 15 years ago 160well nfl going make pay outrage sickening roger goddell cronies avery hope keeps positive force world 160looking webpage young man made sure give back lot community opportunities blessings earned take look at160 httpwwwavery54com want reach contact avery via website thank efforts encourage 160if want tell learned ordeal bullets first id appreciate 160 update160williamson ol rope dope nfl solidified admiration 160during pregame warmups came wearing simple white cleats come gametime switched patriotic ones pictured williamson said wore plain cleats avoid160nfl representatives approaching game said robinson coach mike mularkey supportive decision didnt want distraction fine williamson said went ahead williamson added outpouring support patriots around country gave including many first responders felt like got much support across country especially new york new jersey police unions said would pay fine really meant lot felt like didnt wear wouldnt felt good felt like represent people lost people jobs every day protect us feel like duty avery williamson kind guy stands believes willing pay price 160unlike others stay seated risk nothing move nfl 160 tolerance comments containing violence racism vulgarity profanity caps discourteous behavior thank partnering us maintain courteous useful public environment engage reasonable discourse | 593 |
<p />
<p>If, 30 years ago, you had invested $1,000 in Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS)stock, your investment would now be worth $29,200, assuming you had reinvested your dividends. This is a magical haul, considering the broader market would have turned your $1,000 into $9,210.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>To provide more context, Disney's return trumps the returns of many other Dow Jones Average constituent stocks -- Disney joined this illustrious club in 1981 -- that were widely considered more promising "growth stocks" at the time, including McDonald's and IBM, which would have turned your $1,000 into $23,800 and$5,320, respectively.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/DIS" type="external">DIS</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>I could have gone for a more click-worthy headline touting a much bigger number than $29,200 by choosing another stock to feature (or a longer time frame, but I don't think manypeople can relate to more than 30 years). But it's hardly news that high-flying tech stocks such as Apple, Netflix, and Amazon.com would have turned your $1,000 into staggering sums in varying time periods. (Neither Netflix nor Amazon has been publicly traded for 30 years). Moreover, tech stocks in general, especially tech IPOs and stocks with stratospheric valuations, aren't all investors' cup of tea -- at least not for 100% of their stock portfolios.</p>
<p>I chose to feature Disneyto make the point that you can invest in solid, well-established companies -- and Disney was such even 30 years ago, as it was founded in 1923 and its stock began trading in 1946 -- and still post market-smashing returns over the long term.</p>
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<p>Now, let's dig into what happened in Disney's business to drive its revenue and earnings growth over the last 30 years, and turn that $1,000 stock investment into a substantial sum.</p>
<p>Image source: Disney.</p>
<p>Going 30 years back puts us in 1986 the era of big hair, shopping malls, and the popularization of preppy clothing, with Boston's "Amanda"topping the music charts, which were being dominated byWhitney Houston.</p>
<p>In 1986, Disney was already a well-established entertainment giant -- it made movies and TV shows, operated massive theme parks, and licensed its immense collection of intellectual property for use on a plethora of consumer products. So, the foundation was solid.</p>
<p>However, despite its roots as a legendary innovator in the movie-making realm, Disney was far from the hit-movie-making machine it is today. In 1986, Kelly McGillis was stealing the show from Tom Cruise in Paramount'sTop Gun, the top-grossingfilm worldwide and domestically that year. Nipping at Top Gun's heels at No. 2 was Crocodile Dundee, also a Paramount offering. In fact, Paramount made five of the 10 top-grossing movies domestically in 1986, including Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Disney, on the other hand, held just one spot in the top 10 -- and barely -- with its Ruthless People,at No. 9. <a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1986" type="external">yr=1986 Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>In 1995, under CEO Michael Eisner, Disney began what's turned into a humongous expansion and strengthening of its empire over the past two decades. In this year, the company moved into the media space by buying ABC. This acquisition has proved extremely shrewd, largely because it brought into the fold ESPN, the sports cable network king that's been a cash cow for Disney. (It remains a cash cow, despite all the brouhaha about cord-cutting.)</p>
<p>Current CEO Bob Iger took the acquisition ball from Eisner and ran with it. Under Iger's tenure, which began in 2005, The House of Mouse has strengthened its foundation -- movie-making -- by acquiring studios Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars creator Lucasfilm. This is important not only for the obvious reason that it's allowed the company's studio-entertainment business to generate fantastic profit growth in recent years -- a whopping 28% in fiscal 2016 -- but also because the company leverages its movie successes throughout its other businesses, most notably at its parks and in its consumer-products business.</p>
<p>This chart of 2016's top-grossing movies worldwide reflects the degree to which Disney's movies are utterly dominating the movie theaters around the globe:</p>
<p>Data source: <a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&amp;yr=2016&amp;p=.htm" type="external">Box Office Mojo Opens a New Window.</a>;data last updated on Nov. 20 at 9:22 a.m. PT.</p>
<p>Nobody can know if someone will be typing (or, most likely, "speaking") an article 30 years from now saying that if an investor had plunked down $1,000 in 2016 that he or she would now be sitting on some headline-worthy big sum of money.</p>
<p>However, there's every reason to believe that will prove to be the case. Disney reigns as top dog in a broad industry -- entertainment -- that will never go out of style. The company owns a treasure trove of intellectual property; its parks -- including Shanghai Disney Resort, which opened in June -- are performing well; and it's been taking aggressive steps to position itself to thrive in a changing consumer TV-viewing market, including getting ESPN and some of its other channels included in "skinny" over-the-top streaming services and buying a 33% stake in video streaming leader BAMTech.</p>
<p>Find out why Walt Disney 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. Walt Disney <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=27e0d673-06c0-47b1-aa67-104e42a66a5f&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=27e0d673-06c0-47b1-aa67-104e42a66a5f&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 November 7, 2016</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFMcKenna/info.aspx" type="external">Beth McKenna Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon.com, Apple, Netflix, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has the following options: long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $95 calls on Apple. 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> | true | 0 | 30 years ago invested 1000 walt disney nyse disstock investment would worth 29200 assuming reinvested dividends magical haul considering broader market would turned 1000 9210 continue reading provide context disneys return trumps returns many dow jones average constituent stocks disney joined illustrious club 1981 widely considered promising growth stocks time including mcdonalds ibm would turned 1000 23800 and5320 respectively dis data ycharts opens new window could gone clickworthy headline touting much bigger number 29200 choosing another stock feature longer time frame dont think manypeople relate 30 years hardly news highflying tech stocks apple netflix amazoncom would turned 1000 staggering sums varying time periods neither netflix amazon publicly traded 30 years moreover tech stocks general especially tech ipos stocks stratospheric valuations arent investors cup tea least 100 stock portfolios chose feature disneyto make point invest solid wellestablished companies disney even 30 years ago founded 1923 stock began trading 1946 still post marketsmashing returns long term advertisement lets dig happened disneys business drive revenue earnings growth last 30 years turn 1000 stock investment substantial sum image source disney going 30 years back puts us 1986 era big hair shopping malls popularization preppy clothing bostons amandatopping music charts dominated bywhitney houston 1986 disney already wellestablished entertainment giant made movies tv shows operated massive theme parks licensed immense collection intellectual property use plethora consumer products foundation solid however despite roots legendary innovator moviemaking realm disney far hitmoviemaking machine today 1986 kelly mcgillis stealing show tom cruise paramountstop gun topgrossingfilm worldwide domestically year nipping top guns heels 2 crocodile dundee also paramount offering fact paramount made five 10 topgrossing movies domestically 1986 including ferris buellers day disney hand held one spot top 10 barely ruthless peopleat 9 yr1986 opens new window 1995 ceo michael eisner disney began whats turned humongous expansion strengthening empire past two decades year company moved media space buying abc acquisition proved extremely shrewd largely brought fold espn sports cable network king thats cash cow disney remains cash cow despite brouhaha cordcutting current ceo bob iger took acquisition ball eisner ran igers tenure began 2005 house mouse strengthened foundation moviemaking acquiring studios pixar marvel star wars creator lucasfilm important obvious reason allowed companys studioentertainment business generate fantastic profit growth recent years whopping 28 fiscal 2016 also company leverages movie successes throughout businesses notably parks consumerproducts business chart 2016s topgrossing movies worldwide reflects degree disneys movies utterly dominating movie theaters around globe data source box office mojo opens new windowdata last updated nov 20 922 pt nobody know someone typing likely speaking article 30 years saying investor plunked 1000 2016 would sitting headlineworthy big sum money however theres every reason believe prove case disney reigns top dog broad industry entertainment never go style company owns treasure trove intellectual property parks including shanghai disney resort opened june performing well taking aggressive steps position thrive changing consumer tvviewing market including getting espn channels included skinny overthetop streaming services buying 33 stake video streaming leader bamtech find walt disney 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 walt disney list opens new windowbut nine others may overlooking click get access full list opens new window stock advisor returns november 7 2016 beth mckenna opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends amazoncom apple netflix walt disney motley fool following options long january 2018 90 calls apple short january 2018 95 calls apple 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 | 618 |
<p>Koda and Kelly Sanborn are the picture of <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/financial-literacy/" type="external">financial health Opens a New Window.</a>. They have zero debt, a well-honed <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/how-to-build-a-budget/" type="external">budget Opens a New Window.</a> and money stashed in nearly a dozen <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/best-savings-accounts" type="external">savings accounts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>But it wasn’t always that way.</p>
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<p>Just four years ago, the Twin Cities, Minnesota, couple had $32,000 in debt, no savings and no real financial plan.</p>
<p>“We thought we were doing pretty good. We’d just bought a house. I had some student loans, we had some car payments, credit cards,” says Koda Sanborn, 31. “I didn’t think we were living paycheck to paycheck.”</p>
<p>But when a payroll glitch delayed his paycheck by three days, he had to take out a line of credit to cover a bill.</p>
<p>Overwhelmed by managing the couple’s money largely on his own, Sanborn decided it was time&#160;that he and his wife, 32, got on the same page.</p>
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<p>The couple enrolled in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Journey course in October&#160;2013 and used the author’s “Baby Steps” process to transform their finances.</p>
<p>“I was just so inexperienced. I knew he wanted to work on it, but I didn’t know how to help,” Kelly Sanborn says. “When he said the financial class, I was on board with it.”</p>
<p>A group class, like the one the Sanborns took, costs $93 for an individual or couple, according to Ramsey’s website. An online version is available for $129. Paying for that outside guidance was more than worth it, the couple says.</p>
<p>“It took us through step by step on how to communicate about money,” Koda Sanborn says. And, more importantly, it was someone else teaching them how to do it.</p>
<p>“If I’m trying to teach Kelly something, I’m not the best delivery person because it came from my mindset of ‘How do you not know this?’ which is very sharp and not very supportive,” he says. “That class put the onus on the teacher. That’s what really helped us a lot.”</p>
<p>The Sanborns say they followed the program mostly to the letter. They <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/how-to-build-a-budget/" type="external">built a budget</a> and set a plan in motion to pay off all their debt, with the exception of their mortgage. They achieved that goal in 10 months.</p>
<p>Now, they pay cash or use a debit card for everything — vacations, new vehicles, home repairs — and factor in the extra deposits often required when they reserve a hotel room or rent a car with a&#160;debit card.</p>
<p>To get a handle on their debt, the Sanborns first needed to get a handle on their cash flow — together.</p>
<p>The couple adopted a zero-based budget, a tool they still use today. Each month, they write down their income and subtract any expenses: utilities, house payment, food, clothing, insurance, charitable donations and pet supplies, among other things. Every dollar is accounted for, including contributions to savings and investments, so there is no money left at the end of the month. Below is a sample of such a budget.</p>
<p>“I thought a budget was opposite,” Kelly Sanborn says. “I thought it was you spend the money and keep track of what you spend. But it doesn’t give you a plan. With a zero-based [budget] you say, ‘This is how much my paycheck is, and this is what I’m going to spend it on,’ and it has to come out to zero.”</p>
<p>Now their budget includes multiple “sinking funds” — savings accounts dedicated to specific goals. They have nearly a dozen of them, all through their Capital One 360 account, including a “baby reserve” fund. The Sanborns are expecting their first child in August.</p>
<p>» MORE: <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/investing/budgeting-saving-tools/" type="external">Best budgeting and savings tools Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>They also have an emergency fund with U.S. Bank, which has enough cash to cover them for four to six months, and are putting the maximum possible into a <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/what-is-an-hsa/" type="external">health savings account Opens a New Window.</a> to prepare for their baby’s arrival.</p>
<p>But when they started their financial journey, the Sanborns focused on debt, not savings, aside from a small emergency fund. They kept their budget lean. No restaurants, only free entertainment.</p>
<p>“The stuff we paid was bare bones,” Koda Sanborn says. “The less we put into bills, the more we could put toward our debt.”</p>
<p>Every dollar left at the end of the month went toward their debt, zeroing out their budget.</p>
<p>The Sanborns wrote down each debt owed, except their mortgage, and ordered the debts from smallest to largest.</p>
<p>“We made the minimum payments on all of them and paid extra just on the smallest one until we paid it off,” Kelly Sanborn says.</p>
<p>Once one debt was eliminated, any extra paid on that debt was added to the payment for the next one, so the payments got larger as they worked through each debt. This tactic is called a <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/what-is-a-debt-snowball/" type="external">debt snowball Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>» MORE: <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/pay-off-debt/" type="external">How to pay off debt Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>One drawback to the snowball approach: It doesn’t take interest rates into consideration, so you might pay more in the long run. But it does yield quick wins, and those wins are motivating.</p>
<p>“We made it fun,” Kelly Sanborn says. “We made a chart and filled in the little bar graphs with how much we paid off with every paycheck.”</p>
<p>Getting their financial life on track wasn’t easy. Koda Sanborn was laid off from his job just three months into the program. He had a new job within two months, but the hits kept coming.</p>
<p>“Our sump pump went out and nearly flooded our basement,” he says. Then, a few weeks later, one of their cars blew a head gasket. And a few weeks after that they were hit with a $5,000 tax bill.</p>
<p>“It was a really bumpy road for us,” he says. “We laid in bed almost crying. It seemed like life was really, really testing us during those six weeks.”</p>
<p>But they stuck to their plan. Koda Sanborn got a second job delivering pizzas. Kelly Sanborn started making coffee at home instead of buying one every day. They put a hold on their gym memberships, did their own dry cleaning and made their own weed killer — anything to cut expenses.</p>
<p>And, thanks to their class, they had more than just each other to lean on.&#160;“We got really close with everyone in our money management class,” Koda Sanborn says. “They were our support system.”</p>
<p>Getting out of debt was a priority for the Sanborns, but money wasn’t their only motivation.</p>
<p>“Kelly and I really believe you need a strong sense of ‘why’ when you are doing something like getting out of debt,” Koda Sanborn says. “We wanted to have the level of comfort on a day-to-day basis, we wanted to know we would be secure in retirement, and we wanted to give.”</p>
<p>So they started donating their time and money to causes important to them. They also started giving back to family members who’d helped them along the way.</p>
<p>“I have always had a strong sense of stewardship when it came to taking care of my grandma,” Koda Sanborn says, adding that when his adoptive parents divorced, his grandparents stepped up and raised him and his sister. “I have always wanted to do something really special for her.”</p>
<p>In January 2017, the Sanborns treated his grandmother, Pat Strelow, a lifelong Chicago Bulls fan, to a VIP Bulls experience for her 84th birthday.&#160;“We priced out the game tickets, the hotel, the parking, the food, flights to Chicago, money for taxis or Ubers while we were there, every single expense we could think,” he says. “We even bought her a personalized Bulls jersey that said ‘birthday gal’ on the back.”</p>
<p>The total came to around $4,000, and the couple set aside a little each month for a year to make it happen.</p>
<p>On game day, Kelly and Koda Sanborn and his grandmother&#160;(from right to left in the photo below, joined by Koda’s younger sister, January Sanborn) stood at center court at the United Center with Benny the Bull, then watched the Bulls battle the Heat from their eighth-row seats.</p>
<p>“We worked so hard to get out of debt to be able to do things like this,” Koda Sanborn says. “It was worth every second and every dollar.”</p>
<p>Kelsey Sheehy is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: <a href="http://mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected] Opens a New Window.</a>. Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/KelseyLSheehy" type="external">@KelseyLSheehy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>The article <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/this-couple-crushed-their-debt/" type="external">This Couple Crushed Their Debt Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com" type="external">NerdWallet Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | koda kelly sanborn picture financial health opens new window zero debt wellhoned budget opens new window money stashed nearly dozen savings accounts opens new window wasnt always way continue reading four years ago twin cities minnesota couple 32000 debt savings real financial plan thought pretty good wed bought house student loans car payments credit cards says koda sanborn 31 didnt think living paycheck paycheck payroll glitch delayed paycheck three days take line credit cover bill overwhelmed managing couples money largely sanborn decided time160that wife 32 got page advertisement couple enrolled dave ramseys financial peace journey course october1602013 used authors baby steps process transform finances inexperienced knew wanted work didnt know help kelly sanborn says said financial class board group class like one sanborns took costs 93 individual couple according ramseys website online version available 129 paying outside guidance worth couple says took us step step communicate money koda sanborn says importantly someone else teaching im trying teach kelly something im best delivery person came mindset know sharp supportive says class put onus teacher thats really helped us lot sanborns say followed program mostly letter built budget set plan motion pay debt exception mortgage achieved goal 10 months pay cash use debit card everything vacations new vehicles home repairs factor extra deposits often required reserve hotel room rent car a160debit card get handle debt sanborns first needed get handle cash flow together couple adopted zerobased budget tool still use today month write income subtract expenses utilities house payment food clothing insurance charitable donations pet supplies among things every dollar accounted including contributions savings investments money left end month sample budget thought budget opposite kelly sanborn says thought spend money keep track spend doesnt give plan zerobased budget say much paycheck im going spend come zero budget includes multiple sinking funds savings accounts dedicated specific goals nearly dozen capital one 360 account including baby reserve fund sanborns expecting first child august best budgeting savings tools opens new window also emergency fund us bank enough cash cover four six months putting maximum possible health savings account opens new window prepare babys arrival started financial journey sanborns focused debt savings aside small emergency fund kept budget lean restaurants free entertainment stuff paid bare bones koda sanborn says less put bills could put toward debt every dollar left end month went toward debt zeroing budget sanborns wrote debt owed except mortgage ordered debts smallest largest made minimum payments paid extra smallest one paid kelly sanborn says one debt eliminated extra paid debt added payment next one payments got larger worked debt tactic called debt snowball opens new window pay debt opens new window one drawback snowball approach doesnt take interest rates consideration might pay long run yield quick wins wins motivating made fun kelly sanborn says made chart filled little bar graphs much paid every paycheck getting financial life track wasnt easy koda sanborn laid job three months program new job within two months hits kept coming sump pump went nearly flooded basement says weeks later one cars blew head gasket weeks hit 5000 tax bill really bumpy road us says laid bed almost crying seemed like life really really testing us six weeks stuck plan koda sanborn got second job delivering pizzas kelly sanborn started making coffee home instead buying one every day put hold gym memberships dry cleaning made weed killer anything cut expenses thanks class lean on160we got really close everyone money management class koda sanborn says support system getting debt priority sanborns money wasnt motivation kelly really believe need strong sense something like getting debt koda sanborn says wanted level comfort daytoday basis wanted know would secure retirement wanted give started donating time money causes important also started giving back family members whod helped along way always strong sense stewardship came taking care grandma koda sanborn says adding adoptive parents divorced grandparents stepped raised sister always wanted something really special january 2017 sanborns treated grandmother pat strelow lifelong chicago bulls fan vip bulls experience 84th birthday160we priced game tickets hotel parking food flights chicago money taxis ubers every single expense could think says even bought personalized bulls jersey said birthday gal back total came around 4000 couple set aside little month year make happen game day kelly koda sanborn grandmother160from right left photo joined kodas younger sister january sanborn stood center court united center benny bull watched bulls battle heat eighthrow seats worked hard get debt able things like koda sanborn says worth every second every dollar kelsey sheehy staff writer nerdwallet personal finance website email ksheehynerdwalletcom opens new window twitter kelseylsheehy opens new window article couple crushed debt opens new window originally appeared nerdwallet opens new window | 777 |
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<p>When making investment decisions, having a long term horizon makes all the difference in the world. Warren Buffett is arguably the most successful investor ever, and a long-term approach to investing is one of the building blocks of his spectacularly profitable strategies. In Warren Buffett's own words: "When we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding managements, our favorite holding period is forever."</p>
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<p>Costco and Alphabet are very different companies operating in their own industries and with their own weaknesses and strengths. However, the two companies have one important characteristic in common, as they are both high-quality businesses to buy and hold for the long term, perhaps even forever.</p>
<p>Costco is an exceptional retailerDiscount retail has always been a particularly challenging and competitive industry, and things are getting even more complicated for brick-and-mortar operators nowadays, since they are facing a lot of pressure from online retailers. Nevertheless, Costco is a fairly unique player in the industry, and the company has the strengths to continue delivering rock-solid performance for investors under all kinds of scenarios.</p>
<p>Costco is the pioneer in the warehouse retail business model, meaning that the company makes most of its profits from membership fees, not margins on sales prices. This allows Costco to sell its merchandise for razor-thin profit margins, sometimes even taking a loss on a particular item.</p>
<p>Image source: Motley Fool</p>
<p>The company is remarkably disciplined when it comes to cost savings, particularly in areas such as marketing and advertising, where many competitors typically spend considerable resources. In addition, Costco relies on smart supply chain strategies, such as purchasing merchandise directly from manufacturers and storing inventory on sales floors as opposed to using a central warehouse to generate additional cost savings.</p>
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<p>Customers just love the big bargains that Costco offers, and this is a key source of competitive advantage in the industry. The company consistently ranks at the top of its industry in the American Customer Satisfaction Survey, and customer retention rates are remarkably high, typically above 85%. The global renewal rate was in fact 88% last quarter, with big markets such as the U.S. and Canada showing an even higher renewal rate of 91%.</p>
<p>Gasoline price deflation and foreign currency headwinds are hurting the company's performance when expressed in U.S. dollars, but Costco is still delivering rock-solid figures when leaving those external considerations aside. Total comparable sales excluding gasoline price deflation and foreign exchange fluctuations grew 6% during the 24 weeks period ended on February 14, 2016 -- this is substantially better than the kind of performance other discount retailers are generating in the current retail environment.</p>
<p>Alphabet rules the online worldOnline advertising is one of the most promising industries around. Consumers around the world are increasingly spending a growing share of their time and attention online, connected via multiple screens of different size, both desktop and mobile devices. According to a recent research report from eMarketer, digital ad spending in the U.S will reach $77.37 billion in 2017, accounting for a big 38.4% of total ad spending and surpassing TV ad spending for the first time in history.</p>
<p>Everything indicates that advertising spending will continue going in the same direction as consumers' eyeballs over the years ahead, and the business should offer exceptional room for growth. For investors looking to capitalize on this opportunity, no company is better positioned than Alphabet to profit from the online advertising boom over the long term.</p>
<p>Google is one of the most valuable and recognized brands in the world. The name is so popular that Google is even a synonym for online search to many consumers. And it's not just about the search business: the company owns seven different properties with over 1 billion monthly users each: Google Search, Android, Google Maps, Chrome, YouTube, Google Play, and Gmail.</p>
<p>Image source: Motley Fool.</p>
<p>Alphabet is also investing in several different technologies with huge disruptive potential. The company's "other bets" segment includes areas such as high-speed Internet, home connectivity, self-driving cars, and highly innovative health-care initiatives such as Calico and Verily. These projects have limited commercial viability in the short term, but they could offer explosive potential over a time horizon of several years.</p>
<p>Financial performance doesn't leave much to be desired. Alphabet's total revenue grew 18% in U.S. dollars and 24% in constant currency during the fourth quarter of 2015, reaching $21.3 billion over the period. This kind of growth is quite unusual among companies as big as Alphabet.</p>
<p>Even better, the business is widely profitable, Alphabet generates big operating margins in the neighborhood of 25% of revenue, so every dollar in sales growth is translated into a big increase in profits. As long as this trend remains in place, rapid revenue growth and sky-high profitability should drive strong returns for investors in Alphabet stock.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/15/2-stocks-you-can-buy-and-hold-forever.aspx" type="external">2 High-Quality Stocks You Can Buy and Hold Forever Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p>Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/acardenal/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Andrs Cardenal Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Alphabet (A shares) and Alphabet (C shares). The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Costco Wholesale. 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> | true | 0 | making investment decisions long term horizon makes difference world warren buffett arguably successful investor ever longterm approach investing one building blocks spectacularly profitable strategies warren buffetts words portions outstanding businesses outstanding managements favorite holding period forever continue reading costco alphabet different companies operating industries weaknesses strengths however two companies one important characteristic common highquality businesses buy hold long term perhaps even forever costco exceptional retailerdiscount retail always particularly challenging competitive industry things getting even complicated brickandmortar operators nowadays since facing lot pressure online retailers nevertheless costco fairly unique player industry company strengths continue delivering rocksolid performance investors kinds scenarios costco pioneer warehouse retail business model meaning company makes profits membership fees margins sales prices allows costco sell merchandise razorthin profit margins sometimes even taking loss particular item image source motley fool company remarkably disciplined comes cost savings particularly areas marketing advertising many competitors typically spend considerable resources addition costco relies smart supply chain strategies purchasing merchandise directly manufacturers storing inventory sales floors opposed using central warehouse generate additional cost savings advertisement customers love big bargains costco offers key source competitive advantage industry company consistently ranks top industry american customer satisfaction survey customer retention rates remarkably high typically 85 global renewal rate fact 88 last quarter big markets us canada showing even higher renewal rate 91 gasoline price deflation foreign currency headwinds hurting companys performance expressed us dollars costco still delivering rocksolid figures leaving external considerations aside total comparable sales excluding gasoline price deflation foreign exchange fluctuations grew 6 24 weeks period ended february 14 2016 substantially better kind performance discount retailers generating current retail environment alphabet rules online worldonline advertising one promising industries around consumers around world increasingly spending growing share time attention online connected via multiple screens different size desktop mobile devices according recent research report emarketer digital ad spending us reach 7737 billion 2017 accounting big 384 total ad spending surpassing tv ad spending first time history everything indicates advertising spending continue going direction consumers eyeballs years ahead business offer exceptional room growth investors looking capitalize opportunity company better positioned alphabet profit online advertising boom long term google one valuable recognized brands world name popular google even synonym online search many consumers search business company owns seven different properties 1 billion monthly users google search android google maps chrome youtube google play gmail image source motley fool alphabet also investing several different technologies huge disruptive potential companys bets segment includes areas highspeed internet home connectivity selfdriving cars highly innovative healthcare initiatives calico verily projects limited commercial viability short term could offer explosive potential time horizon several years financial performance doesnt leave much desired alphabets total revenue grew 18 us dollars 24 constant currency fourth quarter 2015 reaching 213 billion period kind growth quite unusual among companies big alphabet even better business widely profitable alphabet generates big operating margins neighborhood 25 revenue every dollar sales growth translated big increase profits long trend remains place rapid revenue growth skyhigh profitability drive strong returns investors alphabet stock article 2 highquality stocks buy hold forever opens new window originally appeared foolcom suzanne frey executive alphabet member motley fools board directors andrs cardenal opens new window owns shares alphabet shares alphabet c shares motley fool owns shares recommends alphabet shares alphabet c shares 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 copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 590 |
<p />
<p>Basic questions are good questions. They matter. We learn from them.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Yet people often apologize for -- or don't bother -- asking them. What's more, we malign basic questions as dumb or stupid. Inquiries so simple, it's a waste of time to contemplate them. That has prompted the popular defense of the basic question, which is the aphorism "There's no such thing as a stupid question."</p>
<p>But there are stupid questions -- or at least questions that don't matter. These are questions people ask when there's little chance they'll learn something from the answer. They include leading questions, preening questions, and statements disguised as questions. And while they can sound harmless, they prevent us from gaining a better understanding of the world around us.</p>
<p>Back when I was a junior equity analyst, I asked more than my fair share of questions that didn't matter. I would dial into a company's quarterly conference call and enter the Q&amp;A queue intent on asking the most detailed, nitpicky question I could -- something along the lines of: "I noticed your cash conversion cycle has slowed by a few days sequentially. Could you walk me through what that says about the current demand environment and whether you project any weakness going forward?"</p>
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<p>That looks and sounds like an intelligent question. But why did I ask it? The answer, to the extent there is one, would be immaterial to my analysis. A 10-year discounted cash flow model with a terminal growth rate -- or any other model, for that matter -- is not sensitive to such a short-term input.</p>
<p>Instead, I asked it to justify my presence on the call. I asked it to demonstrate publicly just how quickly and completely I had dissected the company's financial filings. And I asked it to prove how hard I was working. I did not ask it expecting to glean an insight that would lead to a better investing outcome.</p>
<p>I didn't set out to ask questions that didn't matter, so where did I pick up the habit? From peers. From listening to other analysts. Asking those kinds of questions is a best practice in the financial industry. Complex, detailed, and fundamentally meaningless questions show off analysts' apparent knowledge and enhance their job security by reinforcing the misconception that investing is inherently esoteric and high-cost.</p>
<p>What's amusing is that companies not only entertain these questions, but answer them. Here's an example from Bank of America's first quarter 2016 call:</p>
<p>The implication here -- that one extra day could have a meaningful impact on the long-term value of a bank with more than $2 trillion of assets -- is ludicrous. If your investing thesis hinges on some kind of leap-year effect, you are doing it wrong. But it was a sharp catch, and the question is asked and answered straight-faced on both sides.</p>
<p>Fortunately, there are a few CEOs who see through this malarkey. One is Steve Wynn, head of the eponymous hotel and casino company. On his company's third-quarter 2012 call, for example, an analyst asked Wynn to expound on how stable the economic situation in Macau would be over the next few months. Wynn's response was that he didn't know, because "that's not a question we ever deal with except during a call like this."</p>
<p>On the second-quarter 2013 call, that same analyst followed up with a question about go-forward 90-day market share. But Wynn exposed the farce of it all in his answer:</p>
<p>Like my question about the cash conversion cycle, the answer to a question about market share over the next 90 days is not material to any rational analysis of Wynn's long-term prospects. Wynn at that time was a company with an enterprise value of more than $20 billion, revenues of more than $5 billion, and plans to open a massive new resort in Macau in just a few years' time.</p>
<p>But the analyst sounded on top of things -- smart and observant, with a keen eye for detail.</p>
<p>Back in college, I had a professor who cut off any question that began with the phrase "Don't you think," explaining that no real question could begin with that phrase.Rather, he said, lazy students -- all of us, really -- use this construct to disguise preconceived notions as questions. What's more, these notions were usually ill-informed and a waste of time since we were barely more than teenagers.</p>
<p>He was right.</p>
<p>I tracked the number and merit of "Don't you think" questions in my classes with less vigilant professors. Their occurrence was frequent and their quality poor. The repeat offenders were government classes where partisans pushed their own views as "Don't you think" questions. But "Don't you think" questions are dangerous everywhere because they are fueled by bias. Since bias is what you think before you consider evidence, bias is also a good way to lose money investing in stocks.</p>
<p>This line of thinking crystallized for me when I read a prominent headline in TheWall Street Journalabout a <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-latest-activist-investor-at-bank-of-america-a-ninth-grader-1461866806" type="external">15-year-old Bank of America shareholder Opens a New Window.</a>(registration required to read). This girl is a remarkable investor. What sets her apart from most of the rest of us is that she attends the bank's annual meetings and votes her proxies. What's more, she asks questions of management. Good questions. Tough questions. Short questions.</p>
<p>For example, at the last go-round, The WSJreported that when given the mic, she asked simply, "What is the bank doing to raise the share price?"</p>
<p>Is that a naive question? Is it a stupid question? Let's be honest: Most professionals would not ask that question. On one hand, that may be because it's curt and confrontational, and we might be looking to curry some kind of favor or investment banking relationship with the company. On the other hand, perhaps we consider ourselves too enlightened to think that a stock price can accurately reflect the underlying value of a business. But whether you believe in the efficient market or not, the fact is, stock prices reflect business values some 99% of the time. So, it's a good question. If a management team is creating value, then the stock -- setting aside times of dislocation and overreaction -- should mostly rise.</p>
<p>Bank of America's calls with professional analysts, however, are full of far less material questions. In addition to the leap year inquiry referenced above, here are some more gems from B of A's first-quarter 2016 call.</p>
<p>This question doesn't matter for a few reasons. First, since this analyst opens by forfeiting his right to a follow-up, bank management can pretty much say whatever they want and go unchallenged. Second, he invites them to celebrate their own branded cost-savings programs. Third, he tells them the answer he wants to hear: that more savings are on the way.</p>
<p>This question doesn't matter because the analyst is basically asking the bank why it was so awesome over a one-month time period. Management may answer, but the answer is unlikely to be accurate unless they explain that it was due to chance.</p>
<p>The analyst here is self-aware and admits this is a meaningless question before asking it, but plows ahead anyway. There is nothing significant about a $100 million expense, given the bank's $2 trillion balance sheet.</p>
<p>Questions, like most things, are subject to the Pareto principle: 10% of what you ask will get you 90% or more of what you need to know. The rest is self-indulgence.</p>
<p>If the purpose of a question is to learn something you didn't know or extract information -- sometimes reluctantly -- from an interlocutor, then the more details you include in your question, the more substance you're inviting your counterparty to simply repeat back to you. For example, I used to go on the road quite a bit in my investment analysis work to meet companies' management teams. At the beginning, I used to ask questions like, "As value-oriented, business-focused investors, we put a lot of importance on sustainable free cash flows and rapid inventory turns that keep cash unencumbered. Can you talk about what you all do or don't do to operate your business with these metrics in mind?"</p>
<p>As you can imagine, every time I asked a question like this, I learned that the company managed to sustain free cash flow, that aggressive inventory management was a focus at all levels, and that the current stock price probably didn't reflect the underlying long-term value of the business. They told me what I wanted to hear because I had told them what I wanted to hear.</p>
<p>Now here are the questions I began to ask as I gained experience:</p>
<p>It was through a simple line of questioning like this that I learned a lot. For example, I learned that a certain Singaporean fast-food chain was propping up its profit margins amid rising food costs by secretly shrinking portions -- and that they thought this was a brilliant solution to their problem.</p>
<p>But as a long-termbusiness-focused investor, I was horrified. Not only were they risking their brand if customers caught on to the deception, but it wasn't a sustainable approach. Should food costs continue to rise, the company couldn't keep shrinking portions. What they needed was what they didn't have: pricing power.</p>
<p>It was an insight that changed how I analyzed and valued the company. But had I asked "Don't you think portion-shrinking is devious and unsustainable?" they would have agreed with me. Not only would I not have learned anything, but I would have left with a distorted view of reality.</p>
<p>We learn more when we ask basic questions. Those are the questions that matter. They're short, simple, and meant to extract information. But because they're often perceived as stupid or discourteous, basic questions can be difficult to ask. Just take a look at the preamble an analyst recently put in front of the basic question of "What's your business model?" to Solar City CEO Lyndon Rive:</p>
<p>It's a basic, important question. Why didn't he ask it without all of those qualifiers? First, asking such direct questions is hard and uncomfortable. Second, analysts who ask tough questions aren't allowed to participate in future conference calls. Third, contributing to the theater of the stock market pays better than being a reality check.</p>
<p>So it's left to a 15-year-old girl from North Carolina to ask the questions that matter -- she wants to learn something -- while the rest of us, for one reason or another, ask the questions that don't.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFMmbop/info.aspx" type="external">Tim Hanson Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends SolarCity. The Motley Fool recommends Bank of America. 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> | true | 0 | basic questions good questions matter learn continue reading yet people often apologize dont bother asking whats malign basic questions dumb stupid inquiries simple waste time contemplate prompted popular defense basic question aphorism theres thing stupid question stupid questions least questions dont matter questions people ask theres little chance theyll learn something answer include leading questions preening questions statements disguised questions sound harmless prevent us gaining better understanding world around us back junior equity analyst asked fair share questions didnt matter would dial companys quarterly conference call enter qampa queue intent asking detailed nitpicky question could something along lines noticed cash conversion cycle slowed days sequentially could walk says current demand environment whether project weakness going forward advertisement looks sounds like intelligent question ask answer extent one would immaterial analysis 10year discounted cash flow model terminal growth rate model matter sensitive shortterm input instead asked justify presence call asked demonstrate publicly quickly completely dissected companys financial filings asked prove hard working ask expecting glean insight would lead better investing outcome didnt set ask questions didnt matter pick habit peers listening analysts asking kinds questions best practice financial industry complex detailed fundamentally meaningless questions show analysts apparent knowledge enhance job security reinforcing misconception investing inherently esoteric highcost whats amusing companies entertain questions answer heres example bank americas first quarter 2016 call implication one extra day could meaningful impact longterm value bank 2 trillion assets ludicrous investing thesis hinges kind leapyear effect wrong sharp catch question asked answered straightfaced sides fortunately ceos see malarkey one steve wynn head eponymous hotel casino company companys thirdquarter 2012 call example analyst asked wynn expound stable economic situation macau would next months wynns response didnt know thats question ever deal except call like secondquarter 2013 call analyst followed question goforward 90day market share wynn exposed farce answer like question cash conversion cycle answer question market share next 90 days material rational analysis wynns longterm prospects wynn time company enterprise value 20 billion revenues 5 billion plans open massive new resort macau years time analyst sounded top things smart observant keen eye detail back college professor cut question began phrase dont think explaining real question could begin phraserather said lazy students us really use construct disguise preconceived notions questions whats notions usually illinformed waste time since barely teenagers right tracked number merit dont think questions classes less vigilant professors occurrence frequent quality poor repeat offenders government classes partisans pushed views dont think questions dont think questions dangerous everywhere fueled bias since bias think consider evidence bias also good way lose money investing stocks line thinking crystallized read prominent headline thewall street journalabout 15yearold bank america shareholder opens new windowregistration required read girl remarkable investor sets apart rest us attends banks annual meetings votes proxies whats asks questions management good questions tough questions short questions example last goround wsjreported given mic asked simply bank raise share price naive question stupid question lets honest professionals would ask question one hand may curt confrontational might looking curry kind favor investment banking relationship company hand perhaps consider enlightened think stock price accurately reflect underlying value business whether believe efficient market fact stock prices reflect business values 99 time good question management team creating value stock setting aside times dislocation overreaction mostly rise bank americas calls professional analysts however full far less material questions addition leap year inquiry referenced gems b firstquarter 2016 call question doesnt matter reasons first since analyst opens forfeiting right followup bank management pretty much say whatever want go unchallenged second invites celebrate branded costsavings programs third tells answer wants hear savings way question doesnt matter analyst basically asking bank awesome onemonth time period management may answer answer unlikely accurate unless explain due chance analyst selfaware admits meaningless question asking plows ahead anyway nothing significant 100 million expense given banks 2 trillion balance sheet questions like things subject pareto principle 10 ask get 90 need know rest selfindulgence purpose question learn something didnt know extract information sometimes reluctantly interlocutor details include question substance youre inviting counterparty simply repeat back example used go road quite bit investment analysis work meet companies management teams beginning used ask questions like valueoriented businessfocused investors put lot importance sustainable free cash flows rapid inventory turns keep cash unencumbered talk dont operate business metrics mind imagine every time asked question like learned company managed sustain free cash flow aggressive inventory management focus levels current stock price probably didnt reflect underlying longterm value business told wanted hear told wanted hear questions began ask gained experience simple line questioning like learned lot example learned certain singaporean fastfood chain propping profit margins amid rising food costs secretly shrinking portions thought brilliant solution problem longtermbusinessfocused investor horrified risking brand customers caught deception wasnt sustainable approach food costs continue rise company couldnt keep shrinking portions needed didnt pricing power insight changed analyzed valued company asked dont think portionshrinking devious unsustainable would agreed would learned anything would left distorted view reality learn ask basic questions questions matter theyre short simple meant extract information theyre often perceived stupid discourteous basic questions difficult ask take look preamble analyst recently put front basic question whats business model solar city ceo lyndon rive basic important question didnt ask without qualifiers first asking direct questions hard uncomfortable second analysts ask tough questions arent allowed participate future conference calls third contributing theater stock market pays better reality check left 15yearold girl north carolina ask questions matter wants learn something rest us one reason another ask questions dont 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 tim hanson opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends solarcity motley fool recommends bank america 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 | 1,017 |
<p>Shares of Fossil (NASDAQ: FOSL) tumbled about 70% this year due to ongoing concerns about the company's plunging revenues and widening losses. The maker of watches, leather goods, and jewelry hasn't posted a quarter of positive annual sales growth in three years, and that decline won't end anytime soon -- analysts see its revenue falling 9% this year and another 1% next year.</p>
<p>Fossil's stock plunged 25% on Aug. 9 after it reported a top-line miss and a wider-than-expected loss for its second quarter. Sales dropped 13% annually to $596.8 million, missing estimates by $21.1 million and marking its steepest decline in seven quarters. It reported an adjusted loss of $0.61 per share, which was $0.15 below expectations. CFO Dennis Secor also&#160;abruptly quit for personal reasons.</p>
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<p>All those <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/06/15/near-a-15-year-low-is-fossil-group-a-buy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=193293e2-861f-11e7-99e7-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">dismal numbers Opens a New Window.</a> made Fossil an easy target for the bears, even as the stock hovers near a 16-year low. Of its total float, 33% was&#160;being shorted as of Aug. 9, and insiders sold 2.2 million shares over the past three months -- compared to about 127,000 shares purchased. Let's take a look at Fossil's biggest problems, and why they indicate that the bears could be right about this beaten-down stock.</p>
<p>Watch sales generated 79% of Fossil's revenue last quarter. In addition to its namesake mid-range watches, Fossil sells licensed watches for a wide range of other brands like Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Armani. Here's the problem: the market is saturated with mid-range watches, but people are buying fewer watches than ever.</p>
<p>According to Piper Jaffray analyst Erinn Murphy, annual sales of watches worldwide fell from&#160;750 million to 440 million between 1991 and 2014. A major reason was that younger shoppers simply replaced watches with phones. That's why Fossil's watch revenues fell 9% annually last quarter.</p>
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<p>Fossil is trying to revive its watch business with its "Q" lineup of fitness trackers and smartwatches. Unfortunately, the fitness tracker market is already saturated by low-cost competitors like Xiaomi, and the smartwatch market remains dominated by Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).</p>
<p>Other companies which were caught in the crossfire -- like Fitbit (NYSE: FIT) and Garmin (NASDAQ: GRMN) -- have found it tough to keep growing. Fitbit's revenue plunged 40% annually last&#160;quarter due to <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/16/can-fitbit-inc-regain-its-mojo.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=193293e2-861f-11e7-99e7-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">peaking demand Opens a New Window.</a> for its fitness trackers.</p>
<p>Garmin's Fitness device revenues fell 15% annually last quarter as&#160;similar headwinds throttled demand for its Vivo fitness trackers. If even market leaders like Fitbit and Garmin are struggling, it's doubtful that Fossil's fitness trackers can fare much better.</p>
<p>As for smartwatches, Fossil faces tough competition from the Apple Watch and other Android Wear devices. Fossil has two advantages -- it's an established brand in the wrist-wear market, and it's selling branded smartwatches from Kors, Diesel, and Emporio Armani.</p>
<p>Fossil claims that its smartwatch sales are&#160;offsetting some of its declines in traditional watches, but Strategy Analytics estimates that the overall market remains comparatively small with&#160;just 21 million devices shipped worldwide in 2016. Apple controlled 55% of the market during the year.</p>
<p>Fossil's leather and jewelry revenues respectively fell 25% and 22% annually last quarter. Those ongoing declines can likely be attributed to increased competition from bigger brands in both categories, like Coach (NYSE: COH) and Tiffany (NYSE: TIF).</p>
<p>Coach sells plenty of leather goods at comparable prices, and Tiffany has been selling more&#160;low-end jewelry to win back customers. Wall Street expects Coach's revenue to surge 31% (thanks to its acquisition of Kate Spade) this year, and for Tiffany's revenue to rise 2%. Those numbers look much healthier than Fossil's seemingly endless streak of top line declines.</p>
<p>Fossil trades at just 0.1 times sales, indicating that the stock is deeply undervalued relative to its revenue growth. But that valuation is meaningless if Fossil's revenue continues sliding and its losses keep widening. Therefore, investors should stay away from this beaten-down stock until those numbers start moving in the right direction.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Fossil Group, Inc.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=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=995115d6-8475-4d5e-851b-842e3934516b&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=193293e2-861f-11e7-99e7-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Fossil Group, Inc. 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=995115d6-8475-4d5e-851b-842e3934516b&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=193293e2-861f-11e7-99e7-0050569d4be0&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 August 1, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=193293e2-861f-11e7-99e7-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple, Coach, and Fitbit. The Motley Fool owns shares of Michael Kors Holdings. The Motley Fool recommends Fossil Group, Inc. 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=193293e2-861f-11e7-99e7-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | shares fossil nasdaq fosl tumbled 70 year due ongoing concerns companys plunging revenues widening losses maker watches leather goods jewelry hasnt posted quarter positive annual sales growth three years decline wont end anytime soon analysts see revenue falling 9 year another 1 next year fossils stock plunged 25 aug 9 reported topline miss widerthanexpected loss second quarter sales dropped 13 annually 5968 million missing estimates 211 million marking steepest decline seven quarters reported adjusted loss 061 per share 015 expectations cfo dennis secor also160abruptly quit personal reasons continue reading dismal numbers opens new window made fossil easy target bears even stock hovers near 16year low total float 33 was160being shorted aug 9 insiders sold 22 million shares past three months compared 127000 shares purchased lets take look fossils biggest problems indicate bears could right beatendown stock watch sales generated 79 fossils revenue last quarter addition namesake midrange watches fossil sells licensed watches wide range brands like michael kors kate spade armani heres problem market saturated midrange watches people buying fewer watches ever according piper jaffray analyst erinn murphy annual sales watches worldwide fell from160750 million 440 million 1991 2014 major reason younger shoppers simply replaced watches phones thats fossils watch revenues fell 9 annually last quarter advertisement fossil trying revive watch business q lineup fitness trackers smartwatches unfortunately fitness tracker market already saturated lowcost competitors like xiaomi smartwatch market remains dominated apple nasdaq aapl companies caught crossfire like fitbit nyse fit garmin nasdaq grmn found tough keep growing fitbits revenue plunged 40 annually last160quarter due peaking demand opens new window fitness trackers garmins fitness device revenues fell 15 annually last quarter as160similar headwinds throttled demand vivo fitness trackers even market leaders like fitbit garmin struggling doubtful fossils fitness trackers fare much better smartwatches fossil faces tough competition apple watch android wear devices fossil two advantages established brand wristwear market selling branded smartwatches kors diesel emporio armani fossil claims smartwatch sales are160offsetting declines traditional watches strategy analytics estimates overall market remains comparatively small with160just 21 million devices shipped worldwide 2016 apple controlled 55 market year fossils leather jewelry revenues respectively fell 25 22 annually last quarter ongoing declines likely attributed increased competition bigger brands categories like coach nyse coh tiffany nyse tif coach sells plenty leather goods comparable prices tiffany selling more160lowend jewelry win back customers wall street expects coachs revenue surge 31 thanks acquisition kate spade year tiffanys revenue rise 2 numbers look much healthier fossils seemingly endless streak top line declines fossil trades 01 times sales indicating stock deeply undervalued relative revenue growth valuation meaningless fossils revenue continues sliding losses keep widening therefore investors stay away beatendown stock numbers start moving right direction 10 stocks like better fossil group 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 fossil group inc wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns august 1 2017 leo sun opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends apple coach fitbit motley fool owns shares michael kors holdings motley fool recommends fossil group inc motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 543 |
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<p>Alabama Would love to say Alabama but I’m thinking Michigan or Texas would beat us in a heartbeat. Hey, worst case I just go live in the woods and wait for it all to pass over.</p>
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<p>Alaska It’s so cold and far away no one would bother attacking them. – Um, Hawaii is in the middle of an Ocean. We’d just sell you back to Russia.</p>
<p>Arizona Texans may have more swagger. But, Arizonans have more crazy.</p>
<p>Breaking news updates and daily headlines from a news source you can trust.</p>
<p>ArkansasRunner-up. They own Walmart.</p>
<p>California It would be California vs Texas. Kind of like north vs south. Texas would dredge up a good militia. Then, suddenly, come the redneck-annihilating iPad drones from silicone valley. Apple logos shooting death rays and IT guys making lazer beams out of the combined power of Linux for business servers.</p>
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<p>Colorado Colorado would just be like, “peace, you guys.”</p>
<p>Connecticut Connecticut, because we have the element of surprise. Nobody would ever expect a thing.</p>
<p>Delaware The biggest underdog: Delaware. They could just idly stand by while the other 49 states forget Delaware exists and destroy each other.</p>
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<p>Florida Does no one remember the flesh eating Florida zombie? Unleash that on Texas. Also, half of NY has relatives in Florida, so I guess we’d all be nagged by our grandparents to come and help defend the place.</p>
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<p>GeorgiaGeorgia would win for one simple reason. We have the CDC so bio engineered attacks while they inoculate the locals.</p>
<p>IdahoCreate an impenetrable fortress of potatoes.</p>
<p>Illinois We have the murder capitol. Good luck on your trip through the South Side of Chicago.</p>
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<p>Indiana We have lots of corn and medical research facilities. If anyone had the technology to make corn monster soldiers, it would be Indiana.</p>
<p>Iowa We have so much corn… Yeah that’s about it. twiddles thumbs hastily googles good Iowa things Crap.</p>
<p>KansasWheat isn’t much of a fighting force.</p>
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<p>Kentucky Kentucky and Colorado have our chemical weapons reserves. There’s enough serin in there to kill half the country. I think we would have a pretty good chance. We have rednecks with guns and hunting bows, too.</p>
<p>Louisiana We wouldn’t have the funds to even join the war.</p>
<p>MaineThey have the smallest border to defend, and are an unattractive target because of the need to invade several states just to reach its border. They would just have to wait for the other states to blow each other up, and then quickly march through the relatively small states near it’s border, then take everyone by surprise. At the beginning stages, they could take New Hampshire early and store their troops there, giving them an advantageous defensive position while leaving open the option of attacking Vermont or Massachusetts should either of them get complacent and leave too few troops at home.</p>
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<p>As a Marylander, I would have to say that Maryland would be the underdog in the war that comes out victorious.We surround DC on 3 sides, so since they aren’t in this war we could easily take it over, along with all the weaponry and anti-aircraft systems that come with it that protect our government.</p>
<p>MassachusettsThey’ve been leading the fight since before we were a country.</p>
<p>Michigan We’re surrounded by water on three times and have lakers to defend the lakes. Gun ownership is 245 percent. We could also hide in the U.P. and wage guerrilla warfare.</p>
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<p>Minnesota Many say Alaska is cold, but oftentimes Minnesota is colder. Plus Minnesota is as gun crazy as any southern state. The ony real competition is michigan. I believe Minnesota also has missile silos.</p>
<p>MississippiIs surrender an option?</p>
<p>MissouriThe only state with both a nuclear weapons plant and nuclear weapons site, also has whiteman airforce base where the stealth bombers are stored.</p>
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<p>Montana Montana would kick ass, take names and still be home for dinner. My reasoning behind this would be:1) We may only number at 1.2 million, but 1.1 million have guns.2) Nukes for days here.3) We have one of the largest cattle populations in the country.4) We are also one of the healthier states (by that i mean we have one of the lowest obesity rate)5) The states that were main threats would probably enter through the East and bout half way to anything important, probably kill yourselves from boredom.</p>
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<p>NebraskaThey would bore everyone to death.</p>
<p>NevadaArea 51 and nellis air force base. Enough said.</p>
<p>New Hampshire I’m thinking New Hampshire has the biggest commitment (Live Free or Die).</p>
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<p>New Jersey Don’t know who would win, but I’m pretty sure that New Jersey started it.</p>
<p>New Mexico Just because no one is mentioning us yet, and we have nukes.</p>
<p>New YorkNew York would have a tremendous amount of International support due to its impact on the global economy. maybe they wouldn’t “win” , but you couldn’t take over New York.</p>
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<p>North Carolina I think North Carolina would have a chance. The Outer Banks would be good for hiding the Navy, and would be easy to defend because there are limited access points. We have guns and wack jobs. We have Cheerwine, and Pepsi. We have more pigs for food than we do people. We have a several major military bases. We have a decommissioned Battleship, which if the movie “Battleship” had any accuracy haha, we could turn into a functioning ship. We have a dense road network. Three top notch universities to continue research and log records. I see NC as having a very good chance.</p>
<p>Together North and South Dakota would merge into the Ultra Dakota. Once we collaborate there will be no stopping the redneck rampage of pick ups, shotguns and booze.</p>
<p>Ohio Not Ohio, that’s for sure. The weather would slow down invaders long enough for me to go hide in the woods… so there’s that…</p>
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<p>Oklahoma We’re done for unless we join with Texas. But that will never happen. So we’re done for.</p>
<p>Oregon Oregon wouldn’t fight, we would go snowboarding and pick berries.</p>
<p>PennsylvaniaWe have the Amish Mafia.</p>
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<p>Rhode Island It’d be a standoff between Rhode Island and Delaware. No one would bother fighting them so they would obviously be the only two left after everyone else annihilated each other.</p>
<p>South Carolina We started the last one. We’ll stay out of it this time…</p>
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<p>“Texas.”-Texas</p>
<p>Utah They’d outbreed everyone else.</p>
<p>Vermont Spread out population in towns. Half owning at least one gun. And Ben and Jerry’s.</p>
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<p>Virginia Surprised no one has said Virginia. We have 16 military bases just in one area of the state. We have navy seals, submarines, aircraft carriers, f-22 raptors, army coast guard etc etc etc.</p>
<p>WashingtonWe would ally with Oregon.</p>
<p>West Virginia West Virginia might not win but we would guerilla warfare the hell out of everyone that tried to occupy us.</p>
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<p>WisconsinCanada will just mistake us for one of them and come to our aid.</p>
<p>WyomingNo one ever suspects Wyoming.</p>
<p>H/T <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1tgte5/which_us_state_would_win_in_a_war_between_all_50/" type="external">Reddit</a>.</p>
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<p>What do you think? Scroll down to comment below.</p> | true | 0 | alabama would love say alabama im thinking michigan texas would beat us heartbeat hey worst case go live woods wait pass advertisement story continues alaska cold far away one would bother attacking um hawaii middle ocean wed sell back russia arizona texans may swagger arizonans crazy breaking news updates daily headlines news source trust arkansasrunnerup walmart california would california vs texas kind like north vs south texas would dredge good militia suddenly come redneckannihilating ipad drones silicone valley apple logos shooting death rays guys making lazer beams combined power linux business servers advertisement story continues colorado colorado would like peace guys connecticut connecticut element surprise nobody would ever expect thing delaware biggest underdog delaware could idly stand 49 states forget delaware exists destroy advertisement story continues florida one remember flesh eating florida zombie unleash texas also half ny relatives florida guess wed nagged grandparents come help defend place otw_shortcode_sidebars sidebar_idotwsidebar1otw_shortcode_sidebarsgt advertisement story continues georgiageorgia would win one simple reason cdc bio engineered attacks inoculate locals idahocreate impenetrable fortress potatoes illinois murder capitol good luck trip south side chicago advertisement story continues indiana lots corn medical research facilities anyone technology make corn monster soldiers would indiana iowa much corn yeah thats twiddles thumbs hastily googles good iowa things crap kansaswheat isnt much fighting force advertisement story continues kentucky kentucky colorado chemical weapons reserves theres enough serin kill half country think would pretty good chance rednecks guns hunting bows louisiana wouldnt funds even join war mainethey smallest border defend unattractive target need invade several states reach border would wait states blow quickly march relatively small states near border take everyone surprise beginning stages could take new hampshire early store troops giving advantageous defensive position leaving open option attacking vermont massachusetts either get complacent leave troops home advertisement story continues otw_shortcode_sidebars sidebar_idotwsidebar3otw_shortcode_sidebarsgt advertisement story continues marylander would say maryland would underdog war comes victoriouswe surround dc 3 sides since arent war could easily take along weaponry antiaircraft systems come protect government massachusettstheyve leading fight since country michigan surrounded water three times lakers defend lakes gun ownership 245 percent could also hide wage guerrilla warfare advertisement story continues minnesota many say alaska cold oftentimes minnesota colder plus minnesota gun crazy southern state ony real competition michigan believe minnesota also missile silos mississippiis surrender option missourithe state nuclear weapons plant nuclear weapons site also whiteman airforce base stealth bombers stored advertisement story continues montana montana would kick ass take names still home dinner reasoning behind would be1 may number 12 million 11 million guns2 nukes days here3 one largest cattle populations country4 also one healthier states mean one lowest obesity rate5 states main threats would probably enter east bout half way anything important probably kill boredom otw_shortcode_sidebars sidebar_idotwsidebar3otw_shortcode_sidebarsgt advertisement story continues nebraskathey would bore everyone death nevadaarea 51 nellis air force base enough said new hampshire im thinking new hampshire biggest commitment live free die advertisement story continues new jersey dont know would win im pretty sure new jersey started new mexico one mentioning us yet nukes new yorknew york would tremendous amount international support due impact global economy maybe wouldnt win couldnt take new york advertisement story continues north carolina think north carolina would chance outer banks would good hiding navy would easy defend limited access points guns wack jobs cheerwine pepsi pigs food people several major military bases decommissioned battleship movie battleship accuracy haha could turn functioning ship dense road network three top notch universities continue research log records see nc good chance together north south dakota would merge ultra dakota collaborate stopping redneck rampage pick ups shotguns booze ohio ohio thats sure weather would slow invaders long enough go hide woods theres advertisement story continues oklahoma done unless join texas never happen done oregon oregon wouldnt fight would go snowboarding pick berries pennsylvaniawe amish mafia advertisement story continues rhode island itd standoff rhode island delaware one would bother fighting would obviously two left everyone else annihilated south carolina started last one well stay time advertisement story continues otw_shortcode_sidebars sidebar_idotwsidebar3otw_shortcode_sidebarsgt advertisement story continues texastexas utah theyd outbreed everyone else vermont spread population towns half owning least one gun ben jerrys advertisement story continues virginia surprised one said virginia 16 military bases one area state navy seals submarines aircraft carriers f22 raptors army coast guard etc etc etc washingtonwe would ally oregon west virginia west virginia might win would guerilla warfare hell everyone tried occupy us advertisement story continues wisconsincanada mistake us one come aid wyomingno one ever suspects wyoming ht reddit otw_shortcode_sidebars sidebar_idotwsidebar5otw_shortcode_sidebarseasyshare buttonsfacebooktwittergooglepinterestmail counters0 nativenootw_shortcode_sidebars sidebar_idotwsidebar2otw_shortcode_sidebars think scroll comment | 757 |
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<p>If most teens are anxious to grow up, then getting their own credit card, or at least some version of payment plastic, may be the brass ring of adulthood. And like a lot of other things these days, from makeup to cellphones, teens are getting their hands on prepaid cards and debit cards earlier and earlier -- sometimes before they even hit middle school.&#160; We know they want plastic, but are they ready for it?</p>
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<p>Maybe not. According to <a href="http://www.aboutschwab.com/images/press/teensmoneyfactsheet.pdf" type="external">a 2011 Charles Schwab survey Opens a New Window.</a>, while 42 percent of teens already have their own debit or ATM card, only 35 percent of teens feel like they know how to manage a credit card. Even fewer understand how credit card interest and fees work. One in four U.S. teens thought a debit card was for borrowing money from the bank, not spending their own.</p>
<p>Reality check: Sooner or later, a credit card is in your kid's future. (The <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/glossary/term-credit-card-act-of-2009.php?aid=52aae854" type="external">Credit CARD Act of 2009</a> puts age 21 as the minimum, although teens with their own income can get approved at age 18.) That's why some parents have opted for a trial run with the training wheels version: a prepaid card, debit card, or co-signed credit card for teens as young as 12 or 13.</p>
<p>But when and how to do it? There's no hard and fast rule. Michelle Dosher, a spokeswoman for the Credit Union National Association, signed her eighth-grade son up for a debit card "We saw this as an age that our son would be starting to do more things with friends and that we wouldn't always be with him to pay for things," she says.</p>
<p>Bill Hernandez, the president of SpendSmart Payments, which markets a prepaid MasterCard to teens, agrees that "around 13 is a good age to teach them to use plastic," although he adds that "a lot of kids have it earlier."</p>
<p>But to Laura Levine, president and CEO of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, some teens aren't capable of handling plastic until they're older. Some parents aren't either. "Sometimes I say that the question isn't whether the student is ready for this, but whether the parent is," Levine says, pointing out that parents who sign their kid up for a debit, prepaid, or <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/glossary/term-joint-account.php?aid=52aae854" type="external">joint credit card account</a> should expect to provide hands-on monitoring of their child's spending. "We don't turn the car keys over to our kids and say, 'Let's see if you can learn how to drive this thing.' With a credit card it's the same thing."</p>
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<p>Why teens don't understand plastic Part of the problem for teens is that spending with plastic makes money "invisible." "From the time our children are preschool age and they come with us to the store, they never see money change hands," says Levine. "They might see us swipe a card, but they think, 'Oh, this is a magic card, you swipe it and you get whatever you want.'"</p>
<p>To be fair, "invisible money syndrome" affects grown-ups too, who tend to spend more money when they pay with a credit card than when they pay with cash. One of the reasons I got into trouble in my 20s was there was such a disconnect for me between that piece of plastic and money," says Beverly Harzog, author of "Confessions of a Credit Junkie: Everything You Need to Know to Avoid the Mistakes I Made." "It felt like everything was free and I would just worry about it later."</p>
<p>To counteract the effect, financial literacy experts counsel parents to start younger kids out with cash allowances, so they learn that money is tangible, has value and can be exchanged for things they want. And try narrating at least some of your plastic transactions when you know your kid is watching -- by saying something like, "I put my paycheck in my bank account, and when I use my debit card it automatically takes out the money," or, "Every time I swipe my credit card the bank keeps track, and at the end of the month I get a bill that I have to pay."</p>
<p>Picking the best starter card No matter how old your kids are when they get their first card, picking the right one boosts their chances of handling it successfully and avoiding major disasters. Consider these options:</p>
<p>Debit cards. They're Harzog's pick for teens starting out, partly because debit cards are connected to a teen's own checking account, which makes the process of depositing and withdrawing money more concrete. "I think there's real value in taking your kid when they're a teenager to the local bank, introducing them to the manager, and letting them see how banks operate," says Harzog. "If they want to make a deposit, go with them and show them how to do it." Being physically there helps them mentally connect the money they put in the bank with the money they're spending. "They realize, 'I can use this debit card to buy pizza but it'll come out of my account.'"</p>
<p>Teen-proof it: Get <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/glossary/term-overdraft-protection.php?aid=52aae854" type="external">overdraft protection</a> on the debit card. Your teen will get charged a fee if he tries to write a check or make a debit purchase without enough in checking to cover it, but otherwise "your son or daughter could get hit with a huge nonsufficient funds fee for literally purchasing a bottle of soda," says Dosher. "It then can snowball -- every little purchase from then on can trigger another NSF fee until the teen figures out that there isn't enough money in his or her account." Ask if your bank or credit union offers a free student checking account with no minimum balance requirement; just make sure it offers access to online or mobile banking, which will help you keep tabs on how much your kid is spending.</p>
<p>Prepaid cards. Although they function like debit cards -- you deposit money, then spend only what you have -- prepaid cards don't require a bank account and tend to have more features than a regular debit card, including instant emergency money loading (handy when the car breaks down). Among the one in 10 adults who regularly use prepaid cards, 73 percent feel it's safer than cash, and 72 percent say they like that it makes it impossible to spend money you don't have. Hernandez suggests that for young teens, prepaid cards are even better than cash because parents can track spending, and "because they can't get in real trouble with it. It's a very safe way for them to learn about how to use plastic versus cash."</p>
<p>Teen-proof it: Opt for a card with parent-friendly features. For instance, the SpendSmart Prepaid MasterCard sends parents real-time texts about spending and lets them lock the card instantly. Just watch out for hefty fees for everything from ATM withdrawals to inactivity.</p>
<p>Co-signed credit cards. For your teen to get a real credit card, you'll have to co-sign for it, which can get dicey: If he blows off paying the bill, it'll ding your credit score too. But unlike simply adding your child as an <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/glossary/term-authorized-user.php?aid=52aae854" type="external">authorized user</a> to your card, getting him his own helps him build a credit history, manage credit and learn to responsibly pay end-of-the-month bills. Some card issuers, however, including Capital One and Citi, don't allow co-signed cards for teens; most others won't consider it for a child under age 18.</p>
<p>Teen-proof it: Make sure you opt for a card with no monthly fees and a low credit limit, such as $500. Help your kid create a plan for paying the bill on time, but check the online account yourself and be prepared to do a little nagging if necessary.</p>
<p>4 ways to know your teen is ready for a card Age may not be a perfect indicator of when your teen's ready for his own card, so look for a few other signs he can handle it:</p>
<p>1. He's a saver. Seventy-seven percent of teens think of themselves as big savers as opposed to big spenders. As long as your teen's one of them, he probably won't go crazy with a credit card.</p>
<p>2. She got a job. "When they get older, particularly when they have a first part-time job, open a checking account for them and get them a debit card," suggests Harzog. &#160;</p>
<p>3. He understands basic financial concepts, like budgeting. Most schools don't offer a financial literacy curriculum, so enduring a few DIY lessons might be the price your kid pays to get his own card. Check out <a href="http://moneyasyougrow.org/" type="external">MoneyAsYouGrow.org Opens a New Window.</a> for ideas on what your teen should know now.&#160;</p>
<p>4. She makes her own spending decisions. If you want your kid to learn to make smart financial choices, you can't micromanage every expenditure. According to Levine, a kid who's used to buying stuff on her own, even if it's just during a trip to the mall with friends, is probably more ready. "Are they out making some of these decisions on their own? That's a good point to introduce cards as a tool."</p>
<p>See related: <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/financial_literacy-schools-1282.php?aid=52aae854" type="external">Why Johnny can't save money -- and what schools should do about it</a>, <a href="http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/4-signs-teen-isnt-ready-for-credit-cards-1267.php?aid=52aae854" type="external">4 signs your teen isn't ready for credit cards</a>, <a href="http://video.creditcards.com/F7dTa/teaching-teens-about-money/" type="external">Video: "Teaching teens about money" Opens a New Window.</a></p> | true | 0 | teens anxious grow getting credit card least version payment plastic may brass ring adulthood like lot things days makeup cellphones teens getting hands prepaid cards debit cards earlier earlier sometimes even hit middle school160 know want plastic ready continue reading maybe according 2011 charles schwab survey opens new window 42 percent teens already debit atm card 35 percent teens feel like know manage credit card even fewer understand credit card interest fees work one four us teens thought debit card borrowing money bank spending reality check sooner later credit card kids future credit card act 2009 puts age 21 minimum although teens income get approved age 18 thats parents opted trial run training wheels version prepaid card debit card cosigned credit card teens young 12 13 theres hard fast rule michelle dosher spokeswoman credit union national association signed eighthgrade son debit card saw age son would starting things friends wouldnt always pay things says bill hernandez president spendsmart payments markets prepaid mastercard teens agrees around 13 good age teach use plastic although adds lot kids earlier laura levine president ceo jumptart coalition personal financial literacy teens arent capable handling plastic theyre older parents arent either sometimes say question isnt whether student ready whether parent levine says pointing parents sign kid debit prepaid joint credit card account expect provide handson monitoring childs spending dont turn car keys kids say lets see learn drive thing credit card thing advertisement teens dont understand plastic part problem teens spending plastic makes money invisible time children preschool age come us store never see money change hands says levine might see us swipe card think oh magic card swipe get whatever want fair invisible money syndrome affects grownups tend spend money pay credit card pay cash one reasons got trouble 20s disconnect piece plastic money says beverly harzog author confessions credit junkie everything need know avoid mistakes made felt like everything free would worry later counteract effect financial literacy experts counsel parents start younger kids cash allowances learn money tangible value exchanged things want try narrating least plastic transactions know kid watching saying something like put paycheck bank account use debit card automatically takes money every time swipe credit card bank keeps track end month get bill pay picking best starter card matter old kids get first card picking right one boosts chances handling successfully avoiding major disasters consider options debit cards theyre harzogs pick teens starting partly debit cards connected teens checking account makes process depositing withdrawing money concrete think theres real value taking kid theyre teenager local bank introducing manager letting see banks operate says harzog want make deposit go show physically helps mentally connect money put bank money theyre spending realize use debit card buy pizza itll come account teenproof get overdraft protection debit card teen get charged fee tries write check make debit purchase without enough checking cover otherwise son daughter could get hit huge nonsufficient funds fee literally purchasing bottle soda says dosher snowball every little purchase trigger another nsf fee teen figures isnt enough money account ask bank credit union offers free student checking account minimum balance requirement make sure offers access online mobile banking help keep tabs much kid spending prepaid cards although function like debit cards deposit money spend prepaid cards dont require bank account tend features regular debit card including instant emergency money loading handy car breaks among one 10 adults regularly use prepaid cards 73 percent feel safer cash 72 percent say like makes impossible spend money dont hernandez suggests young teens prepaid cards even better cash parents track spending cant get real trouble safe way learn use plastic versus cash teenproof opt card parentfriendly features instance spendsmart prepaid mastercard sends parents realtime texts spending lets lock card instantly watch hefty fees everything atm withdrawals inactivity cosigned credit cards teen get real credit card youll cosign get dicey blows paying bill itll ding credit score unlike simply adding child authorized user card getting helps build credit history manage credit learn responsibly pay endofthemonth bills card issuers however including capital one citi dont allow cosigned cards teens others wont consider child age 18 teenproof make sure opt card monthly fees low credit limit 500 help kid create plan paying bill time check online account prepared little nagging necessary 4 ways know teen ready card age may perfect indicator teens ready card look signs handle 1 hes saver seventyseven percent teens think big savers opposed big spenders long teens one probably wont go crazy credit card 2 got job get older particularly first parttime job open checking account get debit card suggests harzog 160 3 understands basic financial concepts like budgeting schools dont offer financial literacy curriculum enduring diy lessons might price kid pays get card check moneyasyougroworg opens new window ideas teen know now160 4 makes spending decisions want kid learn make smart financial choices cant micromanage every expenditure according levine kid whos used buying stuff even trip mall friends probably ready making decisions thats good point introduce cards tool see related johnny cant save money schools 4 signs teen isnt ready credit cards video teaching teens money opens new window | 854 |
<p>Figuring out which stocks to buy is hard, but perhaps harder still is figuring out when it's a smart time to buy them. Fortunately, our Motley Fool investors are here to help. We asked three of them for a savvy stock pick that they wouldn't wait on, and they came back with National Beverage (NASDAQ: FIZZ), Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN), and Travelers Companies (NYSE: TRV). There are compelling reasons why you might want to add each of them to your portfolio; read on to find out if they're right for you.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSigma/activity.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Demitri Kalogeropoulos Opens a New Window.</a> (National Beverage): It might seem crazy that investors have pushed National Beverage stock up more 100% so far this year after the carbonated beverage specialist <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/12/01/the-best-soda-stocks-of-2016.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">trounced the market</a> in 2016. But its gains are grounded in some impressive operating wins.</p>
<p>For one thing, sales are up 18% over the past twelve months, and surging demand for its La Croix sparkling water has given the company room to boost prices in an otherwise slow-growing industry. The combination of those two powerful trends sent National Beverage's net income up nearly 60% this year, and its operating margin has now passed that of slumping giant Coca-Cola.</p>
<p>National Beverage is determined to send a big chunk of its earnings growth back to shareholders, and toward that end, it just issued a $1.50 per share special dividend. But smart investors are more excited about its long-term potential to use its brand portfolio -- which is focused on non-cola drinks -- to soak up market share. In the fiscal year ahead, National Beverage expects to ramp up its distribution of its Shasta brand; success there would give it an even stronger position in the booming market for canned carbonated beverages.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a> (Vail Resorts): Winter is coming, and that's great news for the ski resort industry. Vail Resorts has been one of the fastest-growing companies in the business, with a long-held and extensive network of resorts to which it has recently made additions that give it a worldwide footprint. As its name suggests, the company has an extensive presence in Colorado, but it has also focused on the Lake Tahoe area.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/07/why-vail-resorts-inc-stock-climbed-27-in-2016.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Big acquisitions have expanded Vail Resorts Opens a New Window.</a> dramatically, starting with the purchases of resorts in Park City, Utah, in 2014 and Australia in 2015, before inking a deal for Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia -- arguably North America's largest ski resort -- last year. The move has made Vail's season passes more valuable, especially those that allow winter sports enthusiasts to visit any resort under the company's&#160; umbrella. Vail Resorts has also looked east, with its acquisition of Stowe in Vermont setting up the company for a wider presence in the U.S. as well.</p>
<p>Investors have already recognized the value of these moves, and Vail Resorts stock has posted big gains. Nevertheless, many observers believe that the ski resort specialist will keep capitalizing on the demand for high-value experiences, and the beneficial network effect from its strategic acquisitions should make Vail Resorts the premier name in the industry.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFEBCapital/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Todd Campbell Opens a New Window.</a> (Travelers Companies): Property and casualty insurers will pay out more in claims than they collect in premiums this year because of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, but savvy investors are looking beyond that short-term pain to the long-term reward that's likely to come from rising premiums and greater post-storm demand for coverage.</p>
<p>I previously <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/09/15/should-i-buy-travelers-stock-despite-hurricanes-ha.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">outlined in greater detail Opens a New Window.</a> why I think investors should consider buying Travelers, the second-largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S., but to paraphrase: The negative impact of past storms, including Hurricane Katrina, has been short lived while the positive impact of pricing strength and demand growth has been long lived. As a result, Travelers shareholders have been handsomely rewarded.</p>
<p>This season's hurricanes will likely cause the company's combined ratio (the percentage of premium revenues spent on claims) to exceed 100%, but Travelers' has deep pockets. On Sept. 11, management estimated its after-tax exposure to Hurricane Harvey will be between $245 million to $490 million, and while that's a lot of money, investors should bear in mind that Travelers spent over $300 million on buybacks alone this quarter before halting them because of these storms.</p>
<p>Overall, thinking short term when it comes to property and casualty insurers might not be the smartest bet; that's why I think investors should be looking at this stock as a long-term buy now.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than The Travelers CompaniesWhen 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=8bfd8fde-195d-4d32-a292-8cc6b0ab6551&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and The Travelers Companies 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=8bfd8fde-195d-4d32-a292-8cc6b0ab6551&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&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 September 5, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSigma/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Demitrios Kalogeropoulos Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFEBCapital/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Todd Campbell Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. His clients may have positions in the companies 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;uuid=b8ad474c-a2c5-11e7-a680-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | figuring stocks buy hard perhaps harder still figuring smart time buy fortunately motley fool investors help asked three savvy stock pick wouldnt wait came back national beverage nasdaq fizz vail resorts nyse mtn travelers companies nyse trv compelling reasons might want add portfolio read find theyre right continue reading demitri kalogeropoulos opens new window national beverage might seem crazy investors pushed national beverage stock 100 far year carbonated beverage specialist trounced market 2016 gains grounded impressive operating wins one thing sales 18 past twelve months surging demand la croix sparkling water given company room boost prices otherwise slowgrowing industry combination two powerful trends sent national beverages net income nearly 60 year operating margin passed slumping giant cocacola national beverage determined send big chunk earnings growth back shareholders toward end issued 150 per share special dividend smart investors excited longterm potential use brand portfolio focused noncola drinks soak market share fiscal year ahead national beverage expects ramp distribution shasta brand success would give even stronger position booming market canned carbonated beverages dan caplinger opens new window vail resorts winter coming thats great news ski resort industry vail resorts one fastestgrowing companies business longheld extensive network resorts recently made additions give worldwide footprint name suggests company extensive presence colorado also focused lake tahoe area advertisement big acquisitions expanded vail resorts opens new window dramatically starting purchases resorts park city utah 2014 australia 2015 inking deal whistler blackcomb british columbia arguably north americas largest ski resort last year move made vails season passes valuable especially allow winter sports enthusiasts visit resort companys160 umbrella vail resorts also looked east acquisition stowe vermont setting company wider presence us well investors already recognized value moves vail resorts stock posted big gains nevertheless many observers believe ski resort specialist keep capitalizing demand highvalue experiences beneficial network effect strategic acquisitions make vail resorts premier name industry todd campbell opens new window travelers companies property casualty insurers pay claims collect premiums year hurricanes harvey irma maria savvy investors looking beyond shortterm pain longterm reward thats likely come rising premiums greater poststorm demand coverage previously outlined greater detail opens new window think investors consider buying travelers secondlargest property casualty insurer us paraphrase negative impact past storms including hurricane katrina short lived positive impact pricing strength demand growth long lived result travelers shareholders handsomely rewarded seasons hurricanes likely cause companys combined ratio percentage premium revenues spent claims exceed 100 travelers deep pockets sept 11 management estimated aftertax exposure hurricane harvey 245 million 490 million thats lot money investors bear mind travelers spent 300 million buybacks alone quarter halting storms overall thinking short term comes property casualty insurers might smartest bet thats think investors looking stock longterm buy 10 stocks like better travelers companieswhen 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 travelers companies wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns september 5 2017 dan caplinger opens new window position stocks mentioned demitrios kalogeropoulos opens new window position stocks mentioned todd campbell opens new window position stocks mentioned clients may positions companies mentioned motley fool recommends vail resorts motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 548 |
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<p>According to iCIMS Chief Economist Josh Wright, the story of the U.S. economy in Q1 of 2016 was "underemployment" – and it's a story that may not end&#160;with a new deluge of full-time jobs for all.</p>
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<p>Underemployment has been a problem in the U.S. since the Great Recession, and&#160;while full-time jobs are being created, they aren't being created fast enough to&#160;change the overall composition of the <a href="https://www.recruiter.com/job-market.html" type="external">job market Opens a New Window.</a>. The proportion of available full-time jobs to part-time jobs and contingent roles hasn't changed much.</p>
<p>According to&#160;iCIMS's recent <a href="https://www.icims.com/sites/www.icims.com/files/public/hei_assets/Q1-2016_US-HiringTrends-final.pdf" type="external">Q1 Hiring Trends Report Opens a New Window.</a>, it looks like&#160;the only way forward&#160;for today's job seekers is to get creative.</p>
<p>The Skills Gap Drives More People Toward Internships</p>
<p>One such way that entry-level job seekers are getting creative is by focusing even more on internships than they did in the past. The number of internships being created is on the rise, but the demand for these internships is rising even faster.</p>
<p>"Over the last couple of years, in the first quarter, there has been a rise in the number of people applying to&#160;internships," Wright says. "This seems to indicate that people realize they need to find alternative toeholds to get into the labor market."</p>
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<p>This fact becomes even more striking when one considers that the increasing number of internship applicants is complemented by a decreasing number of applicants for full-time positions.</p>
<p>Pointing to the <a href="http://www.bls.gov/jlt/" type="external">Bureau of Labor Statistics' Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) Opens a New Window.</a> data, Wright notes that, normally, the number of new job openings and the number of new hires track pretty closely together, as one might expect. Right now, however, they're crossed over one another, and there are more job openings than hires.</p>
<p>"People are asking&#160;why&#160;we have all these surplus vacancies," Wright says. "There's a debate about this, but a lot of people think this is a sign of a skills gap, and that would be consistent with the talent supply/demand ratio declining for full-time positions."</p>
<p>If today's entry-level workers aren't gaining the skills and experience they need to snag full-time jobs upon graduation&#160;in the education system, then it makes sense that more of them would try to gain those skills and that experience by taking internships.</p>
<p>But is&#160;the skills gap the only thing driving more workers to apply for internships? It likely plays a role, but Wright says there are also other factors at work.</p>
<p>'The Twin Forces of Globalization and Technology'</p>
<p>Job seekers aren't more interested in internships only&#160;because they need more preparation before entering&#160;the full-time workforce. They're also interested in internships because outside of the internship system, full-time jobs are harder to come by. Many of these jobs have been replaced by part-time and contract positions, thanks to a globalized economy and rapid advances in technology.</p>
<p>"Certainly there's the twin forces of globalization and technology, so a lot of employers recognize that with their business models and the technology at their disposal, they don't need full-time workers," Wright says. "They can get people on-demand."</p>
<p>Wright believes this trend toward nontraditional forms of employment will only continue to grow as more and more businesses realize that they can use the Internet and mobile technology to more easily tap into on-demand labor. As a result, more people will&#160;create&#160;business models centered on this form of labor.</p>
<p>"It doesn't look like we're heading back to the 20th century manufacturing model that supplied so many people with full-time jobs," Wright says.</p>
<p>Which, in part, is why the iCIMS report poses the somewhat saddening suggestion that "today's&#160;entry-level workers might be forced to compromise their dream of landing that perfect job."</p>
<p>"So many jobs are being created that are not what we considered 'jobs' in the 20th century," Wright says. "They don't have the standard package we all grew to expect – all the benefits and the long-term employment with the same employer. So I think the model where&#160;you make a decision in your teenage years or your twenties, and then you go and pursue that interest and it carries you forward in a stable way — that's rarer and rarer."</p>
<p>The Gig Economy: 'The Dark Matter of the Labor Economy'</p>
<p>Today, workers need to have more flexibility about how they approach their careers, both in terms of the types of positions they accept and the fields in which they work. They may have to turn to the gig economy to earn a living.</p>
<p>This isn't necessarily a bad thing. While some people are forced to become flexible because they can't get the full-time jobs they want, others are embracing the gig economy and similar forms of nontraditional labor with open arms.</p>
<p>But does the gig economy have the capacity to be a meaningful replacement for traditional employment? Will people still be able to live and afford comfortable lifestyles? That's hard to say, because the data is sorely lacking.</p>
<p>"There's no question that we're going to have winners and losers as we move to the gig economy, but judging the total number of winners vs. losers is going to be hard if we don't even know what the size of the economy is overall," Wright says.</p>
<p>Wright has seen estimates of the size of the gig economy that range from 5 to 30 percent of the U.S. labor force. For that reason, he calls the gig economy "the dark matter of the U.S. labor economy": It's all around us, but we can't really pin it down just yet.</p>
<p>"It speaks to the pressing need to have better data in order to make better decisions, whether you are an individual job seeker, or an employer, or a policymaker," Wright says.</p>
<p>In the end, then,&#160;even the creativity of job seekers isn't enough. What we need is better data. Wright recently sent out a call for such data in <a href="http://fortune.com/2016/05/06/bls-jobs-report-problem/" type="external">an op-ed for Fortune, Opens a New Window.</a>&#160;arguing that the U.S. government must play a major role in the push for&#160;a better understanding of the modern&#160;economy because of its unparalleled "ability to collect objective data and aggregate it into useful material for policymakers."</p>
<p>One hopes our political leaders are listening.</p> | true | 0 | according icims chief economist josh wright story us economy q1 2016 underemployment story may end160with new deluge fulltime jobs continue reading underemployment problem us since great recession and160while fulltime jobs created arent created fast enough to160change overall composition job market opens new window proportion available fulltime jobs parttime jobs contingent roles hasnt changed much according to160icimss recent q1 hiring trends report opens new window looks like160the way forward160for todays job seekers get creative skills gap drives people toward internships one way entrylevel job seekers getting creative focusing even internships past number internships created rise demand internships rising even faster last couple years first quarter rise number people applying to160internships wright says seems indicate people realize need find alternative toeholds get labor market advertisement fact becomes even striking one considers increasing number internship applicants complemented decreasing number applicants fulltime positions pointing bureau labor statistics job openings labor turnover survey jolts opens new window data wright notes normally number new job openings number new hires track pretty closely together one might expect right however theyre crossed one another job openings hires people asking160why160we surplus vacancies wright says theres debate lot people think sign skills gap would consistent talent supplydemand ratio declining fulltime positions todays entrylevel workers arent gaining skills experience need snag fulltime jobs upon graduation160in education system makes sense would try gain skills experience taking internships is160the skills gap thing driving workers apply internships likely plays role wright says also factors work twin forces globalization technology job seekers arent interested internships only160because need preparation entering160the fulltime workforce theyre also interested internships outside internship system fulltime jobs harder come many jobs replaced parttime contract positions thanks globalized economy rapid advances technology certainly theres twin forces globalization technology lot employers recognize business models technology disposal dont need fulltime workers wright says get people ondemand wright believes trend toward nontraditional forms employment continue grow businesses realize use internet mobile technology easily tap ondemand labor result people will160create160business models centered form labor doesnt look like heading back 20th century manufacturing model supplied many people fulltime jobs wright says part icims report poses somewhat saddening suggestion todays160entrylevel workers might forced compromise dream landing perfect job many jobs created considered jobs 20th century wright says dont standard package grew expect benefits longterm employment employer think model where160you make decision teenage years twenties go pursue interest carries forward stable way thats rarer rarer gig economy dark matter labor economy today workers need flexibility approach careers terms types positions accept fields work may turn gig economy earn living isnt necessarily bad thing people forced become flexible cant get fulltime jobs want others embracing gig economy similar forms nontraditional labor open arms gig economy capacity meaningful replacement traditional employment people still able live afford comfortable lifestyles thats hard say data sorely lacking theres question going winners losers move gig economy judging total number winners vs losers going hard dont even know size economy overall wright says wright seen estimates size gig economy range 5 30 percent us labor force reason calls gig economy dark matter us labor economy around us cant really pin yet speaks pressing need better data order make better decisions whether individual job seeker employer policymaker wright says end then160even creativity job seekers isnt enough need better data wright recently sent call data oped fortune opens new window160arguing us government must play major role push for160a better understanding modern160economy unparalleled ability collect objective data aggregate useful material policymakers one hopes political leaders listening | 576 |
<p>More than 150,000 smoke alarms that can fail to alert consumers when a fire occurs are among this week's recalled consumer products. Others include potentially faulty space heaters.</p>
<p>Here's a more detailed view:</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>SMOKE ALARMS</p>
<p>DETAILS: ESL and Interlogix brand 400/500 series smoke detectors which are hard-wired into a security system. The smoke detectors were made for professional installation and used primarily in commercial buildings, schools, hotels, motels, apartments, dormitories and homes as part of the fire alarm system. Recalled units have date codes 13084 through 14059. The initials ESL, the date code and the model numbers are printed on a label on the back of the detector's cover and on the product's packaging. The 400 series model numbers include 429AT, 429C, 429CAD, 429CRT, 429CST, 429CT, 429CTAD, 449AT, 449C, 449CRT, 449CSRH, 449CSRT, 449CST, 449CSTE, 449CT and 449CTE. The 500 Series model numbers include 511C, 518C, 521B, 521BXT, 521B-10PKDMP, 521B-10PKG, 521BXT-10PKG, 521BXT-DMP-10PKG, 528B, 528CRXT, 541C, 541C-10PKG, 541CXT, 541CXT-10PK and 548C.</p>
<p>WHY: Radio frequency interference can cause the smoke detectors to fail to alert consumers of a fire.</p>
<p>INCIDENTS: None reported.</p>
<p>HOW MANY: About 141,000 in U.S. and 13,000 in Canada.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>FOR MORE: Call Edwards at 800-655-4497 and select option 5, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m EST. Monday through Friday or visit www.edwardsfiresafety.com and click on Contact Us. Interlogix contacted at 855-286-8889 and selecting option 2, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday or online at www.interlogix.com and click on Customer Service for more information.</p>
<p>CANDLES</p>
<p>DETAILS: 4-ounce DD branded candles sold in a round metal tin with a metal lid. A "DD" logo is embossed atop the metal lid. The candle fragrance is printed on a label affixed to the outside of the tin. A label on the underside of the tin is marked "$5.99" and has the SKU and batch number. Details on the candles included in the recall can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/CoScentrix-Recalls-Candles-in-Metal-Tins/ They were sold at Hobby Lobby stores nationwide and online at HobbyLobby.com from June 2014 through July 2014.</p>
<p>WHY: The candle's high flame can ignite the surface of the wax and the polymer coating on the tin-plated container, posing a fire hazard.</p>
<p>INCIDENTS: Two reports of the candle's surface igniting and one report of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.</p>
<p>HOW MANY: About 126,000.</p>
<p>FOR MORE: CoScentrix toll-free at (888) 298-2722 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.coscentrix.com and click on "Product Recall Info" at the bottom of the page.</p>
<p>STIRRUP LEATHERS</p>
<p>DETAILS: This recall involves five models of pre-stretched stirrup leathers. The stirrup leathers are branded with the HDR logo and name "HENRI DE RIVEL". The item number and UPC code are located on the hang tag. Details on the models can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/JPC-Equestrian-Recalls-Stirrup-Leathers/ They were sold at Choice Brands/Horse Loverz, Dover Saddlery, The Equestrian Corner and other equestrian supply retailers nationwide from October 2013 to May 2014.</p>
<p>WHY: The stirrup leather can crack and break, posing a risk of a fall for the rider.</p>
<p>INCIDENTS: Three reports of broken stirrup leathers. No injuries have been reported.</p>
<p>HOW MANY: About 1,200.</p>
<p>FOR MORE: Call JPC Equestrian at 866-273-3243 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday or visit www.breeches.com and click on the "Recall Notification" link for more information.</p>
<p>ELECTRIC SPACE HEATERS</p>
<p>DETAILS: Vornado VH110 Vortex electric space heaters sold in two colors, black and white. Recalled heaters have the numbers 1 and 3 as the fourth and fifth digits of the serial number. The model and serial numbers appear on a silver decal located on the bottom of the unit. They were sold at Bed Bath &amp; Beyond, Home Depot, Menards, Orchard Supply, Target and other retailers nationwide and online at Vornado.com and Amazon.com from June 2013 through May 2014.</p>
<p>WHY: The heater can overheat and cause the units to melt, catch fire and ignite nearby items, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.</p>
<p>INCIDENTS: 29 reports of units overheating and melting, including seven reports of heaters catching fire, resulting in one report of smoke inhalation and one report of property damage caused by soot and smoke.</p>
<p>HOW MANY: About 79,000.</p>
<p>FOR MORE: Call Vornado at 844-205-7978 or visit www.vornado.com and click on the recall graphic in the lower right corner of the home page for more information.</p>
<p>SNOWMOBILES</p>
<p>DETAILS: Model year 2014 Arctic Cat XF 7000 and ZR 7000 and model year 2015 XF 7000 and ZR 7000 snowmobiles. All XF and ZR 2014 models are included in this recall. Recalled 2015 model vehicles have the last six digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN) in the following ranges: 100920 through 100993 for the XF 7000 models and 100792 through 100919 for the ZR 7000. The fourth and fifth digit of the VIN, "14" or "15," correspond to the model year. The VIN appears on a sticker attached to the chassis near the rider's right foot rest. The model name appears on the front sides of the snowmobile. They were sold at Arctic Cat dealers nationwide from June 2013 to August 2014.</p>
<p>WHY: Fuel can leak from the fuel line assembly, posing a fire hazard.</p>
<p>INCIDENTS: None reported.</p>
<p>HOW MANY: About 3,260.</p>
<p>FOR MORE: Call Arctic Cat at 800-279-6851 or visit www.arcticcat.com and click on Customer Care, then Product Recall and then List of Safety Bulletins for more information.</p> | true | 0 | 150000 smoke alarms fail alert consumers fire occurs among weeks recalled consumer products others include potentially faulty space heaters heres detailed view continue reading smoke alarms details esl interlogix brand 400500 series smoke detectors hardwired security system smoke detectors made professional installation used primarily commercial buildings schools hotels motels apartments dormitories homes part fire alarm system recalled units date codes 13084 14059 initials esl date code model numbers printed label back detectors cover products packaging 400 series model numbers include 429at 429c 429cad 429crt 429cst 429ct 429ctad 449at 449c 449crt 449csrh 449csrt 449cst 449cste 449ct 449cte 500 series model numbers include 511c 518c 521b 521bxt 521b10pkdmp 521b10pkg 521bxt10pkg 521bxtdmp10pkg 528b 528crxt 541c 541c10pkg 541cxt 541cxt10pk 548c radio frequency interference cause smoke detectors fail alert consumers fire incidents none reported many 141000 us 13000 canada advertisement call edwards 8006554497 select option 5 8 530 pm est monday friday visit wwwedwardsfiresafetycom click contact us interlogix contacted 8552868889 selecting option 2 5 5 pm pst monday friday online wwwinterlogixcom click customer service information candles details 4ounce dd branded candles sold round metal tin metal lid dd logo embossed atop metal lid candle fragrance printed label affixed outside tin label underside tin marked 599 sku batch number details candles included recall found httpwwwcpscgovenrecalls2014coscentrixrecallscandlesinmetaltins sold hobby lobby stores nationwide online hobbylobbycom june 2014 july 2014 candles high flame ignite surface wax polymer coating tinplated container posing fire hazard incidents two reports candles surface igniting one report minor property damage injuries reported many 126000 coscentrix tollfree 888 2982722 8 5 pm pt monday friday online wwwcoscentrixcom click product recall info bottom page stirrup leathers details recall involves five models prestretched stirrup leathers stirrup leathers branded hdr logo name henri de rivel item number upc code located hang tag details models found httpwwwcpscgovenrecalls2014jpcequestrianrecallsstirrupleathers sold choice brandshorse loverz dover saddlery equestrian corner equestrian supply retailers nationwide october 2013 may 2014 stirrup leather crack break posing risk fall rider incidents three reports broken stirrup leathers injuries reported many 1200 call jpc equestrian 8662733243 9 530 pm est monday friday visit wwwbreechescom click recall notification link information electric space heaters details vornado vh110 vortex electric space heaters sold two colors black white recalled heaters numbers 1 3 fourth fifth digits serial number model serial numbers appear silver decal located bottom unit sold bed bath amp beyond home depot menards orchard supply target retailers nationwide online vornadocom amazoncom june 2013 may 2014 heater overheat cause units melt catch fire ignite nearby items posing fire burn hazard consumers incidents 29 reports units overheating melting including seven reports heaters catching fire resulting one report smoke inhalation one report property damage caused soot smoke many 79000 call vornado 8442057978 visit wwwvornadocom click recall graphic lower right corner home page information snowmobiles details model year 2014 arctic cat xf 7000 zr 7000 model year 2015 xf 7000 zr 7000 snowmobiles xf zr 2014 models included recall recalled 2015 model vehicles last six digits vehicle identification number vin following ranges 100920 100993 xf 7000 models 100792 100919 zr 7000 fourth fifth digit vin 14 15 correspond model year vin appears sticker attached chassis near riders right foot rest model name appears front sides snowmobile sold arctic cat dealers nationwide june 2013 august 2014 fuel leak fuel line assembly posing fire hazard incidents none reported many 3260 call arctic cat 8002796851 visit wwwarcticcatcom click customer care product recall list safety bulletins information | 565 |
<p />
<p>This year is turning out quite differently for two of the biggest pharmaceutical companies. Pfizer's (NYSE: PFE) stock is barely above where it started at the beginning of 2016. Merck's (NYSE: MRK) shares, though, are up nearly 20% for the year. But which of these two drug stocks is the better pick for investors now? Here's how Pfizer and Merck compare.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>There's good news and bad for Pfizer's current product lineup. A few of its products are performing very well, particularly Ibrance, Lyrica, and Xeljanz. However, Pfizer hasn't seen significant sales growth for its vaccines or rare-disease drugs. Even worse, sales are fallingfor legacy drugs, including Lipitor and Premarin.</p>
<p>How will Pfizer grow earnings in the years ahead? One key way is from new products and new indications for drugs already on the market.Pfizer's pipeline includes 94 clinical programs. Eight of those are waiting for regulatory approval. Another 33 are late-stage programs.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>A few of the upcoming regulatory decisions are for additional indications for existing products. Ibrance, for example, is awaiting European approval as a first-line treatment for advanced breast cancer. The others, though, are for new products such as avelumabin treating metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).Both of these drugs are also being evaluated in multiple late-stage studies.</p>
<p>Another important way that Pfizer is laying a foundation for future growth is through acquisitions. Pfizer bought Anacor Pharmaceuticals in June for $5.2 billion. Through this deal, the company gained access to crisaberole. Adecision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the potential dermatitis atopic treatment is expected within the next few weeks.</p>
<p>Pfizer made an even bigger acquisition in September. The drugmaker paid $14 billion to scoop up Medivation, landing the latter's crown jewel Xtandi in the process. Xtandi is currently approved to treat advanced prostate cancer thatno longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone and that has spread to other parts of the body. The drug is also being evaluated in late-stage studies for treating other prostate cancer indications and triple-negative breast cancer.</p>
<p>Wall Street expects Pfizer's new products and acquisitions to drive average annual earnings growth of close to 7% over the next few years. While that's not exactly mouth-watering growth, it's much better than what the company has achieved during the past five years -- a period in which Pfizer's stock price increased roughly 60%.</p>
<p>Pfizer's dividend should also be attractive to investors. The yield currently stands at 3.79%. Although Pfizer is <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/11/16/the-scariest-thing-about-pfizers-dividend.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">paying out more in dividends than it's making in net income Opens a New Window.</a> right now, its cash flow should allow continued dividend payments in the future.</p>
<p>Merck is like Pfizer in several respects. Where Pfizer has fast-growing cancer drug Ibrance, Merck lays claim to fast-growing cancer drug Keytruda. Pfizer's vaccine sales have been flat; Merck's vaccine sales are declining somewhat.</p>
<p>Pfizer is already experiencing falling sales for its legacy drugs that have lost patent protection. Merck is getting ready to deal with loss of patent exclusivity for cardiovascular drugs Zetia and Vytorin.</p>
<p>Also like Pfizer, Merck is counting on its pipeline to deliver growth. Clostridium difficileinfection(CDI) drug Zinplaza recently won FDA approval. Merck's pipeline includes 24 late-stage clinical programs, 10 of which are evaluating additional indications for Keytruda.</p>
<p>Merck and Pfizer are partnering on experimental diabetes drug ertugliflozin, which is being evaluated in three late-stage studies as a stand-alone treatment and in combination with other therapies. A potential wild card isBACE inhibitorverubecestat, which is in a late-stage study targeting treatment of Alzheimer's disease.</p>
<p>Merck has also been in acquisition mode this year. The drugmaker boughtIOmet Pharma in January. Merckstruck three deals in July, buyingAfferent Pharmaceuticals and controlling interest in animal health companyValleeand health engagement solutions providerThe StayWell Company.</p>
<p>How much can Merck grow earnings? Analysts project average earnings growth of nearly 6.5% over the next five years, with high expectations for Keytruda overcoming concerns about sales losses from Zetia and Vytorin.</p>
<p>Merck claims a solid dividend yield of 3.07%. That's not at Pfizer's level, but Merck isn't using quite as much of its earnings to fund its dividend program as Pfizer is.</p>
<p>It's a pretty close call between Pfizer and Merck. If we were just matching up their star cancer drugs, I'd definitely pick Merck and Keytruda over Pfizer and Ibrance. However, looking at the entire picture for both companies, my nod goes to Pfizer.</p>
<p>I like the chances for several programs in Pfizer's pipeline, especially avelumab andcrisaberole. While the Medivation acquisition was pricey, Xtandi is definitely a hot commodity. I really like Pfizer's dividend and don't think there's a serious risk of cuts. 2016 might have been Merck's year, but I think Pfizer shareholders might be the bigger winners in the new year.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Pfizer 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=730b54c1-b97a-482d-bc86-ca6987bfa75f&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>
<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=730b54c1-b97a-482d-bc86-ca6987bfa75f&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><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFFishBiz/info.aspx" type="external">Keith Speights 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> | true | 0 | year turning quite differently two biggest pharmaceutical companies pfizers nyse pfe stock barely started beginning 2016 mercks nyse mrk shares though nearly 20 year two drug stocks better pick investors heres pfizer merck compare continue reading image source getty images theres good news bad pfizers current product lineup products performing well particularly ibrance lyrica xeljanz however pfizer hasnt seen significant sales growth vaccines raredisease drugs even worse sales fallingfor legacy drugs including lipitor premarin pfizer grow earnings years ahead one key way new products new indications drugs already marketpfizers pipeline includes 94 clinical programs eight waiting regulatory approval another 33 latestage programs advertisement upcoming regulatory decisions additional indications existing products ibrance example awaiting european approval firstline treatment advanced breast cancer others though new products avelumabin treating metastatic merkel cell carcinoma mccboth drugs also evaluated multiple latestage studies another important way pfizer laying foundation future growth acquisitions pfizer bought anacor pharmaceuticals june 52 billion deal company gained access crisaberole adecision us food drug administration fda potential dermatitis atopic treatment expected within next weeks pfizer made even bigger acquisition september drugmaker paid 14 billion scoop medivation landing latters crown jewel xtandi process xtandi currently approved treat advanced prostate cancer thatno longer responds medical surgical treatment lowers testosterone spread parts body drug also evaluated latestage studies treating prostate cancer indications triplenegative breast cancer wall street expects pfizers new products acquisitions drive average annual earnings growth close 7 next years thats exactly mouthwatering growth much better company achieved past five years period pfizers stock price increased roughly 60 pfizers dividend also attractive investors yield currently stands 379 although pfizer paying dividends making net income opens new window right cash flow allow continued dividend payments future merck like pfizer several respects pfizer fastgrowing cancer drug ibrance merck lays claim fastgrowing cancer drug keytruda pfizers vaccine sales flat mercks vaccine sales declining somewhat pfizer already experiencing falling sales legacy drugs lost patent protection merck getting ready deal loss patent exclusivity cardiovascular drugs zetia vytorin also like pfizer merck counting pipeline deliver growth clostridium difficileinfectioncdi drug zinplaza recently fda approval mercks pipeline includes 24 latestage clinical programs 10 evaluating additional indications keytruda merck pfizer partnering experimental diabetes drug ertugliflozin evaluated three latestage studies standalone treatment combination therapies potential wild card isbace inhibitorverubecestat latestage study targeting treatment alzheimers disease merck also acquisition mode year drugmaker boughtiomet pharma january merckstruck three deals july buyingafferent pharmaceuticals controlling interest animal health companyvalleeand health engagement solutions providerthe staywell company much merck grow earnings analysts project average earnings growth nearly 65 next five years high expectations keytruda overcoming concerns sales losses zetia vytorin merck claims solid dividend yield 307 thats pfizers level merck isnt using quite much earnings fund dividend program pfizer pretty close call pfizer merck matching star cancer drugs id definitely pick merck keytruda pfizer ibrance however looking entire picture companies nod goes pfizer like chances several programs pfizers pipeline especially avelumab andcrisaberole medivation acquisition pricey xtandi definitely hot commodity really like pfizers dividend dont think theres serious risk cuts 2016 might mercks year think pfizer shareholders might bigger winners new year 10 stocks like better pfizer 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 pfizer wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns nov 7 2016 keith speights 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 | 616 |
<p />
<p>Democrats spent the first century of this country’s existence refusing to treat black people like human beings, and the second refusing to treat them like adults.</p>
<p>After fighting the Civil War to continue enslaving black people and then subjecting newly freed black Americans to vicious, humiliating Jim Crow laws and Ku Klux Klan violence, Democrats set about frantically rewriting their own ugly history.</p>
<p>Step 1: Switch “Democrat” to “Southerner”;</p>
<p>Step 2: Switch “Southerner” to “conservative Democrat”;</p>
<p>Step 3: Switch “conservative Democrat” to “conservative.”</p>
<p>Contrary to liberal folklore, the Democratic segregationists were not all Southern — and they were certainly not conservative. They were dyed-in-the-wool liberal Democrats on all the litmus-test issues of their day.</p>
<p>All but one remained liberal Democrats until the day they died. That’s the only one you’ve ever heard of: Strom Thurmond.</p>
<p>As soon as abortion is relegated to the same trash heap of history as slavery has been, liberals will be rewriting history to make Democrats the pro-lifers and Republicans the pro-choicers. That’s precisely what they’ve done with the history of race in America.</p>
<p>In addition to lying in the history books, liberals lied on their personal resumes. Suddenly, every liberal remembered being beaten up by a 300-pound Southern sheriff during the civil rights movement.</p>
<p>Among the ones who have been caught falsely gassing about their civil rights heroism are Bob Beckel, Carl Bernstein and Joseph Ellis. (Some days, it seems as if there are more liberals pretending to have been Freedom Riders than pretending to be Cherokees!)</p>
<p>In the 1950s and ’60s, Democrats were running segregationists for vice president, slapping Orval Faubus on the back and praising George Wallace voters for their “integrity.” (That was Arthur Schlesinger Jr. in The New York Times.)</p>
<p>But the moment the real civil rights struggle was over, liberals decided to become black America’s most self-important defenders.</p>
<p>Of course, once we got the Democrats to stop discriminating against blacks, there was no one else doing it. So liberals developed a rich fantasy life in which they played Atticus Finch and some poor white cop from Brooklyn would be designated Lester Maddox (racist Democrat, endorsed by Jimmy Carter).</p>
<p>White journalists who didn’t know any actual black people (other than Grady the maid) became junior G-men searching for racists under every bed, requiring a steady stream of deeply pompous editorials.</p>
<p>You will never see anything so brave as a liberal fighting nonexistent enemies.</p>
<p>John Hawkins's book 101 Things All Young Adults Should Know is filled with lessons that newly minted adults need in order to get the most out of life. Gleaned from a lifetime of trial, error, and writing it down, Hawkins provides advice everyone can benefit from in short, digestible chapters.</p>
<p>Liberals drove the entire country crazy with their endless battles against imaginary racists, to make up for their having been AWOL during the real fight over civil rights.</p>
<p>Throughout this period, every black-on-white crime became a re-enactment of “To Kill a Mockingbird”; every cop who shot a black perp was Bull Connor; and every alleged racist incident was instantly presumed true, no matter how preposterous.</p>
<p>When it turned out the hate crime was a hoax, the cop was being mugged and the black kid was guilty, the whole story would just quietly disappear from the news, as if the media were reading a bedtime story to a child, whispering the ending and tiptoeing out of the room.</p>
<p>Then came the O.J. verdict.</p>
<p>Millions of Americans watched as a mostly black jury acquitted an obviously guilty black celebrity and saw black America cheer the verdict. The sight of black law students whooping and applauding O.J.’s acquittal had the same emotional impact as watching Palestinians celebrate the 9/11 attack.</p>
<p>Overnight, the white guilt bank — once thought “too big to fail” — was shut down. Henceforth, instead of producing stuttering embarrassment, liberal moral intimidation on race produced only eye-rolling. With that, America became a much healthier country, especially for black people.</p>
<p>Without nonsense claims of racist “code words” to stop them, Republicans were finally able to implement long-sought reforms on crime and welfare. The unqualified success of Rudy Giuliani’s crime policies in New York saved tens of thousands of black lives. Welfare reform was such a stunning success that Bill Clinton claimed credit for it.</p>
<p>Blacks had won the final civil rights battle: The right to be treated like adults. Even liberals ceased their oohing and ahhing over every little thing any black person did.</p>
<p>But the post-O.J. paradise came to a crashing halt with the appearance of Barack Obama.</p>
<p>Obama allowed liberals to return to accusing Americans of being racists and get the most liberal president America has ever seen at the same time.</p>
<p>The only firm evidence that there are any actual racists left in America is the fact that so many whites voted for Obama as some sort of racial penance.</p>
<p>More white people voted for Obama in 2008 than had voted for any Democratic presidential candidate in nearly 40 years.</p>
<p>They must have felt guilty about something. Not harboring any racist impulses, I was free to vote Republican.</p>
<p>Now that Obama is up for re-election, liberals are back to their old tricks. A nation with more child pornographers than racists — a nation that’s already elected a (half) black president once — is suddenly said to be bristling with racists again!</p>
<p>My new book, out this week, “Mugged: Racial Demagoguery From the Seventies to Obama,” reminds us that nothing good has ever come of Americans capitulating to liberals’ racial bullying, especially not for black people. Never. Don’t make the same mistake again, America.</p> | true | 0 | democrats spent first century countrys existence refusing treat black people like human beings second refusing treat like adults fighting civil war continue enslaving black people subjecting newly freed black americans vicious humiliating jim crow laws ku klux klan violence democrats set frantically rewriting ugly history step 1 switch democrat southerner step 2 switch southerner conservative democrat step 3 switch conservative democrat conservative contrary liberal folklore democratic segregationists southern certainly conservative dyedinthewool liberal democrats litmustest issues day one remained liberal democrats day died thats one youve ever heard strom thurmond soon abortion relegated trash heap history slavery liberals rewriting history make democrats prolifers republicans prochoicers thats precisely theyve done history race america addition lying history books liberals lied personal resumes suddenly every liberal remembered beaten 300pound southern sheriff civil rights movement among ones caught falsely gassing civil rights heroism bob beckel carl bernstein joseph ellis days seems liberals pretending freedom riders pretending cherokees 1950s 60s democrats running segregationists vice president slapping orval faubus back praising george wallace voters integrity arthur schlesinger jr new york times moment real civil rights struggle liberals decided become black americas selfimportant defenders course got democrats stop discriminating blacks one else liberals developed rich fantasy life played atticus finch poor white cop brooklyn would designated lester maddox racist democrat endorsed jimmy carter white journalists didnt know actual black people grady maid became junior gmen searching racists every bed requiring steady stream deeply pompous editorials never see anything brave liberal fighting nonexistent enemies john hawkinss book 101 things young adults know filled lessons newly minted adults need order get life gleaned lifetime trial error writing hawkins provides advice everyone benefit short digestible chapters liberals drove entire country crazy endless battles imaginary racists make awol real fight civil rights throughout period every blackonwhite crime became reenactment kill mockingbird every cop shot black perp bull connor every alleged racist incident instantly presumed true matter preposterous turned hate crime hoax cop mugged black kid guilty whole story would quietly disappear news media reading bedtime story child whispering ending tiptoeing room came oj verdict millions americans watched mostly black jury acquitted obviously guilty black celebrity saw black america cheer verdict sight black law students whooping applauding ojs acquittal emotional impact watching palestinians celebrate 911 attack overnight white guilt bank thought big fail shut henceforth instead producing stuttering embarrassment liberal moral intimidation race produced eyerolling america became much healthier country especially black people without nonsense claims racist code words stop republicans finally able implement longsought reforms crime welfare unqualified success rudy giulianis crime policies new york saved tens thousands black lives welfare reform stunning success bill clinton claimed credit blacks final civil rights battle right treated like adults even liberals ceased oohing ahhing every little thing black person postoj paradise came crashing halt appearance barack obama obama allowed liberals return accusing americans racists get liberal president america ever seen time firm evidence actual racists left america fact many whites voted obama sort racial penance white people voted obama 2008 voted democratic presidential candidate nearly 40 years must felt guilty something harboring racist impulses free vote republican obama reelection liberals back old tricks nation child pornographers racists nation thats already elected half black president suddenly said bristling racists new book week mugged racial demagoguery seventies obama reminds us nothing good ever come americans capitulating liberals racial bullying especially black people never dont make mistake america | 561 |
<p />
<p>The U.S. trade deficit hit a four-year peak in 2016 and is posing a tough challenge to President Donald Trump's drive to shrink the deficit, accelerate the economy and create many more jobs.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Trump's combative stance toward America's trading partners may not help. The president has threatened to slap punitive tariffs on imports from China, Mexico and other nations deemed to be trading unfairly. If those frictions were to fuel a trade war, it could actually worsen the U.S. trade gap.</p>
<p>Here's what's at stake.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: What is America's trade deficit?</p>
<p>A: The deficit measures how much the value of the goods and services the nation imports exceeds the value of its exports. For 2016, the deficit totaled $502.3 billion — the gap between $2.711 trillion in imports and $2.209 trillion in exports.</p>
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<p>Q: Was the 2016 deficit unusually large?</p>
<p>A: Not by the standards of recent history. But higher and higher U.S. trade gaps have become a long-running trend. (The last time the United States enjoyed a trade surplus was 1975.) The deficits shrank somewhat after the Great Recession of 2007-2009, which cut Americans' appetite for both domestic and foreign-made products. But as the U.S. economy has regained momentum, the deficit has widened again. A key reason: More financially secure American consumers have grown confident enough to spend more on imports. Yet the same time, weak economies abroad have kept a lid on U.S. exports. So has a more highly valued dollar, which makes U.S. products more expensive overseas.</p>
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<p>Q: Why can't the world's biggest economy run trade surpluses — or at least smaller deficits?</p>
<p>A: That's a question Trump posed repeatedly during the campaign. He heaped blame on misconceived trade deals, which he said have exploited the United States while rewarding other nations. Private economists say the answer is hardly so simple. A nation's trade surplus or deficit, they note, reflects diverse factors, including how strong consumer spending is at home and abroad and the value of, say, the U.S. dollar against other currencies — something the United States can't easily control. What's more, the United States, as a highly advanced economy, pays higher wages than many developing nations do — a potential disadvantage on trade.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: How does Trump plan to address the trade deficit?</p>
<p>A: One complaint he lodged during the campaign was that other nations, notably China, were cheating the United States by manipulating their own currency to keep it undervalued. By doing so, these nations could make their goods less expensive abroad than similar American products. Trump also attacked the North American Free Trade Agreement, which two decades ago created a free trade area covering the United States, Canada and Mexico, as a catastrophe which he would renegotiate to better protect American workers and goods.</p>
<p>Trump has also proposed imposing punitive tariffs — as high as 45 percent — against such countries as China and Mexico if they don't stop what he calls unfair trading practices that he says have cost millions of American manufacturing jobs. Doing so, however, would likely make countless goods that the United States imports from those countries — think avocados and tomatoes — far more expensive for Americans.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: Do economists generally think Trump's policies would succeed in shrinking the trade deficit and restoring many American factory jobs?</p>
<p>A: Many economists are worried. They say they fear that Trump's threats would not only fail to produce more favorable trade terms for U.S. companies and workers but also trigger tit-for-tat trade wars with other nations. Other nations could retaliate by raising the tariffs they impose on U.S. goods.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: Has this ever happened before?</p>
<p>A: Yes. Congress approved the Tariff Act of 1930, known as the Smoot-Hawley Act, to fight the effects of a deepening downturn. The law raised tariffs on imports in an effort to protect American jobs. Instead, it led other countries to retaliate, and global trade shrank. Eventually, a severe recession turned into a global Great Depression.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Q: Could that happen again?</p>
<p>A; Most economists don't think Trump's efforts will trigger anything like what happened in the 1930s. But there's concern that the president could incite a trade war that would harm the U.S. economy. A more optimistic view is that Trump will use tough talk to gain trade concessions from other nations and give the United States a more advantageous playing field.</p>
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<p>Q: Could this approach significantly shrink the chronic trade deficits?</p>
<p>A: Few think so. But if Trump could manage to forge better trade agreements, and if those deals helped increase U.S. exports while holding down imports, the U.S. trade gap would narrow as a result. The economy would accelerate, too. Trade is again expected to be a drag on the economy in 2017, but economists have forecast that other factors, including solid consumer spending, will lift the economy to growth of around 2.5 percent. Even stronger expansion is expected next year if Trump succeeds in winning Congress' approval of his stimulus program of tax cuts, deregulation and increased infrastructure spending. Most forecasters think those initiatives would deliver a bigger economic boost than Trump's efforts to shrink the trade deficit.</p> | true | 0 | us trade deficit hit fouryear peak 2016 posing tough challenge president donald trumps drive shrink deficit accelerate economy create many jobs continue reading trumps combative stance toward americas trading partners may help president threatened slap punitive tariffs imports china mexico nations deemed trading unfairly frictions fuel trade war could actually worsen us trade gap heres whats stake ___ q americas trade deficit deficit measures much value goods services nation imports exceeds value exports 2016 deficit totaled 5023 billion gap 2711 trillion imports 2209 trillion exports advertisement ___ q 2016 deficit unusually large standards recent history higher higher us trade gaps become longrunning trend last time united states enjoyed trade surplus 1975 deficits shrank somewhat great recession 20072009 cut americans appetite domestic foreignmade products us economy regained momentum deficit widened key reason financially secure american consumers grown confident enough spend imports yet time weak economies abroad kept lid us exports highly valued dollar makes us products expensive overseas ___ q cant worlds biggest economy run trade surpluses least smaller deficits thats question trump posed repeatedly campaign heaped blame misconceived trade deals said exploited united states rewarding nations private economists say answer hardly simple nations trade surplus deficit note reflects diverse factors including strong consumer spending home abroad value say us dollar currencies something united states cant easily control whats united states highly advanced economy pays higher wages many developing nations potential disadvantage trade ___ q trump plan address trade deficit one complaint lodged campaign nations notably china cheating united states manipulating currency keep undervalued nations could make goods less expensive abroad similar american products trump also attacked north american free trade agreement two decades ago created free trade area covering united states canada mexico catastrophe would renegotiate better protect american workers goods trump also proposed imposing punitive tariffs high 45 percent countries china mexico dont stop calls unfair trading practices says cost millions american manufacturing jobs however would likely make countless goods united states imports countries think avocados tomatoes far expensive americans ___ q economists generally think trumps policies would succeed shrinking trade deficit restoring many american factory jobs many economists worried say fear trumps threats would fail produce favorable trade terms us companies workers also trigger titfortat trade wars nations nations could retaliate raising tariffs impose us goods ___ q ever happened yes congress approved tariff act 1930 known smoothawley act fight effects deepening downturn law raised tariffs imports effort protect american jobs instead led countries retaliate global trade shrank eventually severe recession turned global great depression ___ q could happen economists dont think trumps efforts trigger anything like happened 1930s theres concern president could incite trade war would harm us economy optimistic view trump use tough talk gain trade concessions nations give united states advantageous playing field ___ q could approach significantly shrink chronic trade deficits think trump could manage forge better trade agreements deals helped increase us exports holding imports us trade gap would narrow result economy would accelerate trade expected drag economy 2017 economists forecast factors including solid consumer spending lift economy growth around 25 percent even stronger expansion expected next year trump succeeds winning congress approval stimulus program tax cuts deregulation increased infrastructure spending forecasters think initiatives would deliver bigger economic boost trumps efforts shrink trade deficit | 541 |
<p>Republicans straining to find about $1 trillion to finance sweeping tax cuts are homing in on two popular deductions that are woven into the nation's fiscal fabric — the mortgage interest deduction that millions of homeowners prize and the deduction for state and local taxes popular in Democratic strongholds.</p>
<p>About 30 million Americans, or about 20 percent of taxpayers, deduct mortgage interest from their income taxes, a deduction Realtors and homebuilders argue is a catalyst to home ownership in the United States. According to the most recent IRS tally, nearly 44 million people claim the deduction for state and local taxes in 2014, especially in the high-tax, high-income states of California, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.</p>
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<p>Republicans are determined to overhaul the nation's tax code after more than three decades, delivering on a top legislative priority for President Donald Trump. Highlighting items that have been modernized since 1986, the last year the tax code was overhauled. Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., made a pitch for reform, saying on Monday, "Just like the rotary phone of the 80s, the American tax code is seriously outdated."</p>
<p>The two deductions are in the cross-hairs as Republicans look to slash the corporate and individual tax rates, according to congressional aides and strong hints from some lawmakers. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly. The deductions point up how what's seen by some as a special-deal loophole is embraced by others as a revered middle-class touchstone. That's a major reason why an overhaul of the tax system — a political imperative for the GOP — is so difficult.</p>
<p>House Republicans, who have been working behind closed doors, are promising to reveal details of their plan next week.</p>
<p>The Trump administration has thrown its weight behind a revamp of the tax system, but Republicans are split on some core issues.</p>
<p>They are divided over whether to add to the nation's soaring debt with tax cuts. In the Senate, Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who heads the tax-writing Finance Committee, says his panel won't be "a rubber stamp" for the House Republicans' plan. The GOP is at odds over eliminating the deduction for state and local taxes.</p>
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<p>There are plenty of GOP lawmakers in Democratic-controlled New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and California, and they're pushing back. A coalition of 70 lawmakers from blue states — including 20 Republicans — lodged their objection formally to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.</p>
<p>Repealing the state-local deduction for federal income taxes would subject people to being taxed twice, they say.</p>
<p>Some prominent Republicans come from those four blue states — like House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, who heads the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia, a second-term lawmaker in a competitive district outside Washington.</p>
<p>Rep. Leonard Lance, a New Jersey Republican, is a leader of the coalition. His suburban district has a median household income around $106,000. "If we're going to discuss subsidies, we should discuss subsidies across the board," he said in a telephone interview.</p>
<p>The administration wants the state and local deduction to be eliminated or reduced because, officials say, the federal government shouldn't be subsidizing states and wealthy households.</p>
<p>The federal deduction for state and local taxes along with the mortgage interest deduction cost the government dearly in lost potential revenue. The state and local benefit, one of the biggest, deprives federal coffers of an estimated $1.3 trillion to $2 trillion over 10 years.</p>
<p>Governors and mayors, as well as big companies that pay state and local property taxes, could coalesce into a potent lobbying force defending the deduction.</p>
<p>The same knock is made by critics against the mortgage interest deduction: that it favors wealthy taxpayers at the expense of people of modest means. The benefit allows homeowners to deduct interest on up to $1 million in mortgage debt. Only about 20 percent of taxpayers deduct mortgage interest from their income taxes. It's open only to those who itemize deductions, and those taxpayers tend to have higher incomes.</p>
<p>The mortgage interest deduction, costing about $700 billion over a decade, is held up as a booster of homeownership and economic advancement.</p>
<p>The administration and House Republicans diverge on some core issues. Although the administration hasn't provided specifics on its plan, the Republicans have embraced an approach that would lower the top individual tax rate from 39.6 percent to 33 percent, which would strongly benefit the wealthiest Americans. Trump, meanwhile, insists that taxes on the wealthy would not go down under the plan and might even go up.</p>
<p>Trump has said publicly that he hoped to lower the top tax rate for corporations from 35 percent to 15 percent — a level that Ryan has ruled out as impractically low. There are signs, though, that Trump may be backing down from that position, according to people with knowledge of his recent private conversations with senators.</p>
<p>Some lawmakers are pointing toward economic growth and job expansion, to be achieved with lower tax rates and a doubled standard deduction, as a more efficient way to stimulate homebuying than an individual deduction.</p>
<p>"I think everything should be on the table. ... The more we can diminish the individual deductions and loopholes, the more we can have a positive impact on economic growth," said Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., a member of the Finance Committee.</p>
<p>Ryan, noting the $1 million cap on the mortgage interest deduction, has said, "We could change that limit — I suppose."</p>
<p>By contrast, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., appearing with Treasury's Mnuchin at an event in Kentucky last month, said "I think there are only two things the American people think are actually in the Constitution: the charitable contribution and home mortgage interest. So if you're worried about those two, you can breathe easy."</p>
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<p>Associated Press writer Adam Beam in Frankfort, Kentucky contributed to this report.</p> | true | 0 | republicans straining find 1 trillion finance sweeping tax cuts homing two popular deductions woven nations fiscal fabric mortgage interest deduction millions homeowners prize deduction state local taxes popular democratic strongholds 30 million americans 20 percent taxpayers deduct mortgage interest income taxes deduction realtors homebuilders argue catalyst home ownership united states according recent irs tally nearly 44 million people claim deduction state local taxes 2014 especially hightax highincome states california new york new jersey connecticut continue reading republicans determined overhaul nations tax code three decades delivering top legislative priority president donald trump highlighting items modernized since 1986 last year tax code overhauled speaker paul ryan rwis made pitch reform saying monday like rotary phone 80s american tax code seriously outdated two deductions crosshairs republicans look slash corporate individual tax rates according congressional aides strong hints lawmakers aides spoke condition anonymity werent authorized speak publicly deductions point whats seen specialdeal loophole embraced others revered middleclass touchstone thats major reason overhaul tax system political imperative gop difficult house republicans working behind closed doors promising reveal details plan next week trump administration thrown weight behind revamp tax system republicans split core issues divided whether add nations soaring debt tax cuts senate orrin hatch rutah heads taxwriting finance committee says panel wont rubber stamp house republicans plan gop odds eliminating deduction state local taxes advertisement plenty gop lawmakers democraticcontrolled new york connecticut new jersey california theyre pushing back coalition 70 lawmakers blue states including 20 republicans lodged objection formally treasury secretary steven mnuchin repealing statelocal deduction federal income taxes would subject people taxed twice say prominent republicans come four blue states like house majority leader kevin mccarthy california rep rodney frelinghuysen new jersey heads powerful house appropriations committee rep barbara comstock virginia secondterm lawmaker competitive district outside washington rep leonard lance new jersey republican leader coalition suburban district median household income around 106000 going discuss subsidies discuss subsidies across board said telephone interview administration wants state local deduction eliminated reduced officials say federal government shouldnt subsidizing states wealthy households federal deduction state local taxes along mortgage interest deduction cost government dearly lost potential revenue state local benefit one biggest deprives federal coffers estimated 13 trillion 2 trillion 10 years governors mayors well big companies pay state local property taxes could coalesce potent lobbying force defending deduction knock made critics mortgage interest deduction favors wealthy taxpayers expense people modest means benefit allows homeowners deduct interest 1 million mortgage debt 20 percent taxpayers deduct mortgage interest income taxes open itemize deductions taxpayers tend higher incomes mortgage interest deduction costing 700 billion decade held booster homeownership economic advancement administration house republicans diverge core issues although administration hasnt provided specifics plan republicans embraced approach would lower top individual tax rate 396 percent 33 percent would strongly benefit wealthiest americans trump meanwhile insists taxes wealthy would go plan might even go trump said publicly hoped lower top tax rate corporations 35 percent 15 percent level ryan ruled impractically low signs though trump may backing position according people knowledge recent private conversations senators lawmakers pointing toward economic growth job expansion achieved lower tax rates doubled standard deduction efficient way stimulate homebuying individual deduction think everything table diminish individual deductions loopholes positive impact economic growth said sen pat toomey rpa member finance committee ryan noting 1 million cap mortgage interest deduction said could change limit suppose contrast senate majority leader mitch mcconnell rky appearing treasurys mnuchin event kentucky last month said think two things american people think actually constitution charitable contribution home mortgage interest youre worried two breathe easy __ associated press writer adam beam frankfort kentucky contributed report | 597 |
<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> | true | 0 | 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 | 671 |
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<p>Image source: Workday Inc.</p>
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<p>Workday Inc. (NYSE: WDAY) is set to announce fiscal second-quarter 2017 results this Wednesday, August 24, 2016, after the market close. With shares of the HR and finance enterprise-application company trading roughly flat so far this calendar year despite handily beating expectations for each of its past <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/27/why-workday-inc-shares-popped-today.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">two Opens a New Window.</a> <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/06/01/workday-inc-logs-an-impressive-quarterly-beat.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">quarters Opens a New Window.</a>,now is a great time for investors to start thinking about what we should expect to hear when Workday's latest release hits the wires.</p>
<p>For perspective, three months ago, Workday told investors fiscal Q2 revenue should arrive in the range of $371 million to $373 million, good for year-over-year growth of roughly 31% to 32%. This range assumes 35% to 36% growth in subscription revenue, to a range of $303 million to $304 million, and "just" 15% to 17% growth from Workday's professional services segment. Workday CFO Robynne Sisco reminded investors last quarter that the latter, more modest range was the "result of our pushing more services to our ecosystem."</p>
<p>Workday will also break down its total derived billings -- or the sum of revenue and the sequential change in unearned revenue -- which are expected to grow 34% year over year, to around $420 million.</p>
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<p>In addition, listen for color from management on both competitive dynamics in the industry and Workday's typically high win rates as related to its primary competitors. Last quarter, Workday CEO Aneel Bhusri insisted the company's pipeline remains healthy -- and especially so when looking at the second half of this fiscal year -- with little to no change in competitive dynamics.</p>
<p>That said, Bhusri did note Workday plans to shift those dynamics in its favor by placing more emphasis going forward on selling and servicing medium-sized businesses. For that, Workday will look to its new lower-cost deployment technologies built specifically to serve this segment of the market. So assuming those plans are now in motion, I'll be interested to hear more on Workday's progress capitalizing on this key incremental growth opportunity.</p>
<p>We should also hear comments on whether demand remains strong for Workday's core financial management and human capital management (HCM) products, the latter of which acts as a gateway through which Workday can upsell customers to complementary products. To that end, we'll also want to see if Workday remains on track to deliver several innovative new products later this year, including Workday Planning, Workday Learning, and Workday Student, the successful adoption of which should accelerate Workday's momentum going forward.</p>
<p>Relatedly, subsequent to the end of fiscal Q2, Workday announced a new multiyear strategic partnership with IBM, under which Workday has adopted IBM cloud as the foundation for its development and testing environments. According to Bhusri, this partnership will serve to "continue accelerating Workday's internal development and testing efforts to support our ongoing global expansion."</p>
<p>Moreover, Workday hinted in its press release of plans to "expand the use of IBM Cloud over time beyond development and testing," namely by building on the companies' partnership, which already includes IBM's global Workday Consulting Services, IBM's acquisition of Workday services partner Meteorix last year, and IBM's existing use of Workday HCM for its global workforce.Listen for any added clarity this week, then, on the impending expansion of Workday's collaboration with Big Blue.</p>
<p>Finally, depending on the gravity of any out- or under-performance this quarter, look for any changes to Workday's existing full fiscal-year 2017 guidance. As it stands, that guidance calls for fiscal 2017 revenue to increase 31% to 32% year over year, or to a range of $1.87 billion to $1.885 billion, and for subscription revenue to increase 37% to 38%, or to a range of $1.275 billion to $1.285 billion. Workday also most recently expected operating and free cash flow growth (excluding owned real estate investments) to be approximately in line with growth in billings for fiscal 2017.</p>
<p>Given this impressive growth, it might be surprising to see shares of Workday trading even with the start of 2016 as of Tuesday's close. To be fair, shares have also rebounded nearly 70% from their 52-week low, which was set after a painful start to the year as many high-flying, fast-growing tech companies pulled back. But if Workday manages to continue its recent habit of under-promising and over-delivering, I think investors should be more than pleased with where it stands.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSymington/info.aspx" type="external">Steve Symington Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Workday. 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> | true | 0 | image source workday inc continue reading workday inc nyse wday set announce fiscal secondquarter 2017 results wednesday august 24 2016 market close shares hr finance enterpriseapplication company trading roughly flat far calendar year despite handily beating expectations past two opens new window quarters opens new windownow great time investors start thinking expect hear workdays latest release hits wires perspective three months ago workday told investors fiscal q2 revenue arrive range 371 million 373 million good yearoveryear growth roughly 31 32 range assumes 35 36 growth subscription revenue range 303 million 304 million 15 17 growth workdays professional services segment workday cfo robynne sisco reminded investors last quarter latter modest range result pushing services ecosystem workday also break total derived billings sum revenue sequential change unearned revenue expected grow 34 year year around 420 million advertisement addition listen color management competitive dynamics industry workdays typically high win rates related primary competitors last quarter workday ceo aneel bhusri insisted companys pipeline remains healthy especially looking second half fiscal year little change competitive dynamics said bhusri note workday plans shift dynamics favor placing emphasis going forward selling servicing mediumsized businesses workday look new lowercost deployment technologies built specifically serve segment market assuming plans motion ill interested hear workdays progress capitalizing key incremental growth opportunity also hear comments whether demand remains strong workdays core financial management human capital management hcm products latter acts gateway workday upsell customers complementary products end well also want see workday remains track deliver several innovative new products later year including workday planning workday learning workday student successful adoption accelerate workdays momentum going forward relatedly subsequent end fiscal q2 workday announced new multiyear strategic partnership ibm workday adopted ibm cloud foundation development testing environments according bhusri partnership serve continue accelerating workdays internal development testing efforts support ongoing global expansion moreover workday hinted press release plans expand use ibm cloud time beyond development testing namely building companies partnership already includes ibms global workday consulting services ibms acquisition workday services partner meteorix last year ibms existing use workday hcm global workforcelisten added clarity week impending expansion workdays collaboration big blue finally depending gravity underperformance quarter look changes workdays existing full fiscalyear 2017 guidance stands guidance calls fiscal 2017 revenue increase 31 32 year year range 187 billion 1885 billion subscription revenue increase 37 38 range 1275 billion 1285 billion workday also recently expected operating free cash flow growth excluding owned real estate investments approximately line growth billings fiscal 2017 given impressive growth might surprising see shares workday trading even start 2016 tuesdays close fair shares also rebounded nearly 70 52week low set painful start year many highflying fastgrowing tech companies pulled back workday manages continue recent habit underpromising overdelivering think investors pleased stands 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 steve symington opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends workday 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 | 541 |
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<p>Vehicle manufacturerOshkosh Corporation(NYSE: OSK) reported Q1 2017 results on Jan. 27. The company, which turns 100 years old this year, makes all kinds of specialty trucks and equipment, from telehandlers (think forklifts on steroids) to fire trucks to cement mixers to military vehicles. And although business wasn't booming in the first quarter (which ran from October 2016 through December 2016), the company is still doing well.</p>
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<p>Here are three things investors should know about the quarter's results, and where they suggest the company will go from here.</p>
<p>The Oshkosh Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (MATV) is one of the company's most popular military vehicles. Image Source: Oshkosh Corporation.</p>
<p>The company's $0.26 in quarterly earnings per share handily beat the consensus estimate of $0.11. Those results also beat the year-ago quarter's $0.19 in EPS, as well as topping the company's internal estimates.Revenue was also up, at $199.7 million, compared with $182.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Despite this growth, sales were down about 3.2% year over year.</p>
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<p>Sales were noticeably off in the company's largest segment, access equipment, falling 7.7% year over year.The company blamed declining sales in North America and Europe, which is nothing new. The access equipment unit's fortunes are largely tied to the construction industry, which has been in a slump for years, and the access equipment unit has been a drag on the company's sales during that time.Impressively, despite the sales slump, revenue from the unit grew this quarter as timing of new project development spending and a favorable product mix offset the lower sales.</p>
<p>The company, however, has a plan to deal with the underperformance of the access equipment segment. By cutting some European telehandler product lines and closing some facilities in Europe and North America, Oshkosh expects to realize $15 million to $20 million of benefit in 2018, and $20 million to $25 million per year in pre-tax savings thereafter.So while this won't affect the company's 2017 performance, it's good to know that management is addressing the weakness that has been plaguing the company's largest segment. However, there will be some costs associated with these changes in 2017 that will offset earnings, so investors should be prepared for those as well.</p>
<p>Growth has always been lumpy for Oshkosh, and wild swings in sales from one quarter to the next are nothing new. There are a number of reasons for this situation, including seasonal sales and the presence -- or absence -- of large contracts. For example, specialty-vehicle sales are generally low in Q1's late autumn and early winter but rebound in the spring.</p>
<p>This quarter wasn't immune from these swings. <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/11/14/oshkosh-corporation-crushes-q4-earnings-expectatio.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">In the fourth quarter Opens a New Window.</a> of 2016, strong international M-ATV (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle)sales were responsible for most of the company's revenue beat. In the first quarter of 2017, on the other hand, the company had zero international M-ATV sales, which was the primary reason for the overall year-over-year sales decrease in Oshkosh's defense segment.</p>
<p>Large contracts, too, can yield surprises for the company -- if it can land them. The inherent uncertainty around the status of upcoming contract bids means that it's tricky to project how the company will fare. This quarter saw examples of that situation as well, as a competitor's protest to a tactical vehicle contract was withdrawn, resulting in the expectation of at least two more years of revenue from that source.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Oshkosh is one of six companies currently working on a prototype vehicle for the U.S. Postal Service, which could lead to a contract for 180,000 vehicles. That would bring in a massive amount of revenue, but there's no way to know at this time if that contract will go to Oshkosh or one of the other competitors.Oshkosh investors need to be prepared for short-term surprises in either direction when it comes to sales and revenue numbers.</p>
<p>Oshkosh is anticipating 2017 per-share earnings of $3.00-$3.40 on an adjusted basis. But there are some caveats to that range. The company plans to report earnings on a non-GAAP basis, excluding any costs that will be incurred by the restructuring in the access equipment segment. So the GAAP EPS number for 2017 will probably be substantially lower.</p>
<p>I say "probably" because the company isn't factoring a proposed major U.S. infrastructure spending package into its 2017 predictions. CEO Wilson Jones explained why:</p>
<p>Jones believes, however, that the company's access equipment and commercial segments would benefit from an infrastructure package, if it comes to fruition.</p>
<p>Any company that can post higher revenue and earnings on lower sales is clearly doing something right.Oshkosh's management is also doing the right thing for its shareholders by addressing the ongoing weakness in the company's access equipment segment and by not counting their chickens before they hatch when it comes to possible increases in government spending.</p>
<p>Overall, this was another solid quarter from a solid company. Despite the possibility of a bad quarter here or there because of the natural uncertainty in this business, investors should feel safe sticking with Oshkosh for the long term.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/Truth2Power/info.aspx" type="external">John Bromels 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;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | vehicle manufactureroshkosh corporationnyse osk reported q1 2017 results jan 27 company turns 100 years old year makes kinds specialty trucks equipment telehandlers think forklifts steroids fire trucks cement mixers military vehicles although business wasnt booming first quarter ran october 2016 december 2016 company still well continue reading three things investors know quarters results suggest company go oshkosh mine resistant ambush protected allterrain vehicle matv one companys popular military vehicles image source oshkosh corporation companys 026 quarterly earnings per share handily beat consensus estimate 011 results also beat yearago quarters 019 eps well topping companys internal estimatesrevenue also 1997 million compared 1828 million yearago quarter despite growth sales 32 year year advertisement sales noticeably companys largest segment access equipment falling 77 year yearthe company blamed declining sales north america europe nothing new access equipment units fortunes largely tied construction industry slump years access equipment unit drag companys sales timeimpressively despite sales slump revenue unit grew quarter timing new project development spending favorable product mix offset lower sales company however plan deal underperformance access equipment segment cutting european telehandler product lines closing facilities europe north america oshkosh expects realize 15 million 20 million benefit 2018 20 million 25 million per year pretax savings thereafterso wont affect companys 2017 performance good know management addressing weakness plaguing companys largest segment however costs associated changes 2017 offset earnings investors prepared well growth always lumpy oshkosh wild swings sales one quarter next nothing new number reasons situation including seasonal sales presence absence large contracts example specialtyvehicle sales generally low q1s late autumn early winter rebound spring quarter wasnt immune swings fourth quarter opens new window 2016 strong international matv mine resistant ambush protected allterrain vehiclesales responsible companys revenue beat first quarter 2017 hand company zero international matv sales primary reason overall yearoveryear sales decrease oshkoshs defense segment large contracts yield surprises company land inherent uncertainty around status upcoming contract bids means tricky project company fare quarter saw examples situation well competitors protest tactical vehicle contract withdrawn resulting expectation least two years revenue source hand oshkosh one six companies currently working prototype vehicle us postal service could lead contract 180000 vehicles would bring massive amount revenue theres way know time contract go oshkosh one competitorsoshkosh investors need prepared shortterm surprises either direction comes sales revenue numbers oshkosh anticipating 2017 pershare earnings 300340 adjusted basis caveats range company plans report earnings nongaap basis excluding costs incurred restructuring access equipment segment gaap eps number 2017 probably substantially lower say probably company isnt factoring proposed major us infrastructure spending package 2017 predictions ceo wilson jones explained jones believes however companys access equipment commercial segments would benefit infrastructure package comes fruition company post higher revenue earnings lower sales clearly something rightoshkoshs management also right thing shareholders addressing ongoing weakness companys access equipment segment counting chickens hatch comes possible increases government spending overall another solid quarter solid company despite possibility bad quarter natural uncertainty business investors feel safe sticking oshkosh long term 10 stocks like better oshkosh corporation 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 oshkosh corporation wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 john bromels opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 571 |
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<p>After a long and painful downturn in the housing market, home prices are finally beginning to head north. According to Zillow, a real estate listing website, home values rose 5.1% across the United States between February 2012 and February 2013.</p>
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<p>Many local housing markets are performing considerably better than the country as a whole. Home values rose more than 13% in 10 of the 30 largest housing markets for which Zillow has data, and rose more than 20% in five of them. The biggest growth of all took place in Phoenix, where home values rose 24%.</p>
<p><a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/04/29/the-hottest-housing-markets-of-2013/" type="external">This content was originally published on 24/7 Wall St. Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Six of the 10 housing markets on the list are in California, which was hit harder by the housing downturn than most states. Three of the four metropolitan areas not in California — Detroit, Las Vegas and Phoenix — were also disproportionately hurt by the housing crisis. For example, in Las Vegas, home prices dropped 59% between the peak in the first quarter of 2006 and the third quarter of 2012.</p>
<p>Home values do not necessarily rebound quickly after a major downturn, said Svenja Gudell, a senior economist with Zillow. However, many of the areas with the most growth in the past year, notably those around Silicon Valley, have remained desirable places to live. This has helped these areas recover at a faster clip compared to the rest of the country. Residents have taken advantage of the record-low mortgage rates and relatively low prices, despite the fact that average home values in places like San Jose and San Francisco are higher than most of the country.</p>
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<p>Buyers in many of these areas are investors looking to rent out the homes, leading to low inventory and higher prices. “Listings are very tight because you have a whole lot of demand,” Gudell said. “This has led to bidding wars on homes, which have in turn led to much higher home valuations in certain areas.” Even in places such as Detroit, where an emergency city manager was just appointed to address the city’s debt crisis, many of the homes that are on the market are being snapped up by investors, she said.</p>
<p><a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/04/26/americas-most-polluted-cities/" type="external">Read: America’s Most Polluted Cities Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Along with the growth of the housing market, unemployment has gone down in these areas. In many cases, the local unemployment rate dropped by nearly two percentage points between February 2012 and February 2013, compared to the national rate, which fell less than 1%. Notably, construction employment has risen considerably in the past year in many of the metro areas on the list. For example, construction headcount rose more than 12% in San Jose during the past year.</p>
<p>Based on a review of the median home value of the 30 largest housing markets measured by Zillow, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 10 housing markets that have risen the most from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013. Zillow also provided data regarding expected growth from the first quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014, the number of homes sold in February, as well as the change in the number of homes sold from a year earlier. Unemployment rates as of February 2013 were taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data on when home prices peaked and the percentage decline since that time was based on median home value from Fiserv.</p>
<p>These are the hottest housing markets of 2013.</p>
<p>10. Denver, Colo. -Change in home value: 13.1% -Current home value: $234,200 -Bottom in home value: Q2 2011 -Forecast change in home value: 3.1%</p>
<p>The city experienced robust growth in 2012, and this is likely to continue, according to Zillow. However, between 2013 and 2014, home values are expected to rise only an additional 3.1%, by far the smallest growth of any housing market on this list. The Denver market did not fall as hard as other areas during the housing collapse. Between the peak in the first quarter of 2006 and the third quarter of 2012, Denver home prices only fell 5.4%. This February, more than 5,000 homes sold — an increase of 27% from the same month last year.</p>
<p><a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/04/25/universities-getting-the-most-government-money/" type="external">Read: Universities Getting the Most Government Money Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>9. Detroit, Mich. -Change in home value: 13.1% -Current home value: $84,700 -Bottom in home value: Q3 2011 -Forecast change in home value: 4.4%</p>
<p>In recent years, Detroit has been hit by a steep decline in home prices, as well as continued contraction in the automobile industry. As of the first quarter of 2013, the average home value in the Detroit area was just $84,700, by far the lowest of all the large metro areas in the country measured by Zillow. Investor purchases helped push home values higher, although not as much as they did in many cities in California, Gudell said. Detroit continues to suffer from high unemployment. The area’s unemployment rate was 11.3% in February, down just slightly from 11.5% a year ago.</p>
<p>8. Los Angeles, Calif. -Change in home value: 14.9% -Current home value: $439,400 -Bottom in home value: Q1 2012 -Forecast change in home value: 11.1%</p>
<p>In addition to the nearly 15% growth already experienced in the past year, home values are expected to rise an additional 11% next year. The growth in the housing market in California has led to growth in employment as well. The unemployment rate in the Los Angeles metropolitan area was 10.3%, a significant improvement from the 11.6% rate a year ago. Between February 2012 and February 2013, the number of people employed in construction rose 7.1%, an indicator of an improving housing market.</p>
<p><a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/04/29/the-hottest-housing-markets-of-2013/" type="external">Click here to read the rest of the list on 24/7 Wall St.</a></p> | true | 0 | long painful downturn housing market home prices finally beginning head north according zillow real estate listing website home values rose 51 across united states february 2012 february 2013 continue reading many local housing markets performing considerably better country whole home values rose 13 10 30 largest housing markets zillow data rose 20 five biggest growth took place phoenix home values rose 24 content originally published 247 wall st opens new window six 10 housing markets list california hit harder housing downturn states three four metropolitan areas california detroit las vegas phoenix also disproportionately hurt housing crisis example las vegas home prices dropped 59 peak first quarter 2006 third quarter 2012 home values necessarily rebound quickly major downturn said svenja gudell senior economist zillow however many areas growth past year notably around silicon valley remained desirable places live helped areas recover faster clip compared rest country residents taken advantage recordlow mortgage rates relatively low prices despite fact average home values places like san jose san francisco higher country advertisement buyers many areas investors looking rent homes leading low inventory higher prices listings tight whole lot demand gudell said led bidding wars homes turn led much higher home valuations certain areas even places detroit emergency city manager appointed address citys debt crisis many homes market snapped investors said read americas polluted cities opens new window along growth housing market unemployment gone areas many cases local unemployment rate dropped nearly two percentage points february 2012 february 2013 compared national rate fell less 1 notably construction employment risen considerably past year many metro areas list example construction headcount rose 12 san jose past year based review median home value 30 largest housing markets measured zillow 247 wall st identified 10 housing markets risen first quarter 2012 first quarter 2013 zillow also provided data regarding expected growth first quarter 2013 first quarter 2014 number homes sold february well change number homes sold year earlier unemployment rates february 2013 taken bureau labor statistics data home prices peaked percentage decline since time based median home value fiserv hottest housing markets 2013 10 denver colo change home value 131 current home value 234200 bottom home value q2 2011 forecast change home value 31 city experienced robust growth 2012 likely continue according zillow however 2013 2014 home values expected rise additional 31 far smallest growth housing market list denver market fall hard areas housing collapse peak first quarter 2006 third quarter 2012 denver home prices fell 54 february 5000 homes sold increase 27 month last year read universities getting government money opens new window 9 detroit mich change home value 131 current home value 84700 bottom home value q3 2011 forecast change home value 44 recent years detroit hit steep decline home prices well continued contraction automobile industry first quarter 2013 average home value detroit area 84700 far lowest large metro areas country measured zillow investor purchases helped push home values higher although much many cities california gudell said detroit continues suffer high unemployment areas unemployment rate 113 february slightly 115 year ago 8 los angeles calif change home value 149 current home value 439400 bottom home value q1 2012 forecast change home value 111 addition nearly 15 growth already experienced past year home values expected rise additional 11 next year growth housing market california led growth employment well unemployment rate los angeles metropolitan area 103 significant improvement 116 rate year ago february 2012 february 2013 number people employed construction rose 71 indicator improving housing market click read rest list 247 wall st | 584 |
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<p>Telecom stocks often present a mix of stable dividends and growth potential that's downright tempting for many investors. It's also a dynamic industry in a constant state of change. It's easy to miss some of the best investment opportunities in this sector -- or to get sucked in by some of the worst.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Here, I'll show you three very different investment theses for Telefonica (NYSE: TEF), Telephone &amp; Data Systems (NYSE: TDS), and soon-to-be telecom DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH). And then you'll see why it's better to just stay away from the seemingly attractive Frontier Communications (NASDAQ: FTR) until further notice.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>At first glance, Spanish telecom giant Telefonica might not look too good. Both top-line revenues and bottom-line earnings have been falling in recent years. The stock has been dead money over the last five years and a negative three-year investment, even if you reinvested Telefonica's generous dividends along the way.But the company is setting itself up for a big bounce.</p>
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<p>Telefonica may be based in Spain, but collects 75% of its annual revenues from 20 other markets. The company focuses on high-growth opportunities in Latin America under its O2 and Moviestar brands. Only 25% of Telefonica's 276 million wireless subscribers have signed up for high-speed 4G services so far, but that's up from 12% last year and just 4% in 2015.</p>
<p>The weak profits Telefonica reported in the last couple of years were the result of large infrastructure investments, setting the stage for exciting growth of 4G sales in Latin American markets.</p>
<p>Investors have focused on the reported weakness, so Telefonica shares are trading at just 10.7 times trailing earnings with an effective dividend yield of 3.8% today. <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/04/12/the-3-best-international-telecom-stocks-to-buy-in.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Those low prices won't stick around Opens a New Window.</a> when Telefonica's international growth plans start paying dividends.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>TDS, the parent company of wireless service provider US Cellular, flies under the radar of many investors and analysts. It's a relatively small fish in the big American pond of wireless services, serving about 5 million subscribers in 23 states at a time when the largest providers have passed the 100-million subscriber mark. You can count the number of analyst firms that follow this stock on one hand, and still have a few fingers left over.</p>
<p>That's a shame. We're missing out on a solid all-American growth story.</p>
<p>The company can boast a highly targeted service and marketing strategy, focused on mostly rural areas to which the Big Four don't pay much attention. Wireless sales and profits are holding steady, while wireline broadband services provide solid sales growth. Looking ahead, management's guidance points to roughly 6% sales growth and 8% higher operating cash flows in fiscal year 2017.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the stock is priced for absolute disaster. TDS shares are trading below book value, and enterprise value is less than five times trailing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) profits. That's hardly reasonable for a company posting solid cash flows and positive growth.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>You know Dish as the last stand-alone satellite TV broadcaster in America. The company has been preparing to enter the wireless communications market for several years, and just invested $6.2 billion to finalize those plans.</p>
<p>The Federal Communications Commission just reported the results of a long-awaited wireless spectrum auction, where the government collected a total of $19.8 billion in license payments. The high-quality airwaves were formerly assigned to over-the-air TV signals, made redundant by the smaller bandwidth needs for the digital TV signals broadcasters use today.Dish wasn't expected to walk away with any part of this spectrum auction, but ended up the second-highest total bidder with a 31% share of the final dollar tally.</p>
<p>Analysts don't know what to make of Dish chairman Charlie Ergen's wireless strategy. Some argue that he's simply setting the company up to be acquired by one of the larger telecoms, and others speculate that Dish could launch a ground-based video-broadcasting service built around 4G and 5G wireless network signals.This $6 billion investment fits both of those theories -- but there's more.</p>
<p>Ergen has been very serious about joining the wireless service market. <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/06/04/the-changing-wireless-game-why-dish-network-corp-w.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Dish considered a merger Opens a New Window.</a> with T-Mobile USA (NASDAQ: TMUS) four years ago and <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/02/07/who-won-americas-biggest-wireless-auction.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">spent $13 billion on spectrum licenses Opens a New Window.</a> in the FCC's last major airwaves auction. Last week's spending spree just added more fuel to that old fire.</p>
<p>Dish may indeed have a cell-style wireless video service in mind, and would probably pair it with a plain old data service, as well. The future of broadcasting, communications, entertainment and more will be a commodity market -- so why not own the invisible pipes that all these businesses must depend on?</p>
<p>It's a risky move, and Dish is not guaranteed to score big wins in a brand new business territory. Nearly 11% of the stock's public float is currently sold short, analysts predict shrinking sales and earnings over the next couple of years, and the wireless auction bids will consume about two year's worth of operating cash flows. So Dish's fascinating surprises might be worth a small stake, or just some window shopping -- but don't bet the farm on this stock today.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Finally, there's Frontier Communications. The regional telecom has invested in several ambitious local-market buyouts in recent years, taking over many FiOS and U-Verse installations from the two largest telecoms in America. If the idea was to benefit from economies of scale, that tactic is failing in a big way.</p>
<p>Frontier has more than doubled its long-term debt load and annual interest payments over the last three years. Revenues surged 90% higher on these instant infusions of fresh subscriber markets, but EBITDA profits only increased by 44%. Economies of scale are supposed to boost profit margins, but Frontier's margins are moving in the opposite direction. Investors have punished this disappointing performance with 66% lower share prices.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/FTR" type="external">FTR Opens a New Window.</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>The buyout of FiOS services in California, Texas, and Florida instantly boosted Frontier's customer count by 68%. Amid technical issues with these operations, about 10% of the newly added subscribers canceled their Frontier services over the next two quarters.</p>
<p>Don't be fooled by Frontier's massive 21% dividend yield. Frontier's management is keeping a stiff upper lip, but won't commit to any promises about the payout."There has been no change in our policy," said CFO Dan McCarthy in February's fourth-quarter earnings call, "and [the board of directors] will just continue to evaluate that going forward."</p>
<p>Oversized yields are usually not reliable paychecks, but red flags that are warning investors to stay away from deeply troubled business operations. This one's no different.</p>
<p>Leave Frontier alone until it can stop losing broadband subscribers -- if that ever happens.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than DISH NetworkWhen 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=d63bf735-0441-46d1-906f-7ebd75a0e02f&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 DISH Network 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=d63bf735-0441-46d1-906f-7ebd75a0e02f&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/TMFZahrim/info.aspx" type="external">Anders Bylund Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of T-Mobile US. The Motley Fool recommends T-Mobile US. 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> | true | 0 | telecom stocks often present mix stable dividends growth potential thats downright tempting many investors also dynamic industry constant state change easy miss best investment opportunities sector get sucked worst continue reading ill show three different investment theses telefonica nyse tef telephone amp data systems nyse tds soontobe telecom dish network nasdaq dish youll see better stay away seemingly attractive frontier communications nasdaq ftr notice image source getty images first glance spanish telecom giant telefonica might look good topline revenues bottomline earnings falling recent years stock dead money last five years negative threeyear investment even reinvested telefonicas generous dividends along waybut company setting big bounce advertisement telefonica may based spain collects 75 annual revenues 20 markets company focuses highgrowth opportunities latin america o2 moviestar brands 25 telefonicas 276 million wireless subscribers signed highspeed 4g services far thats 12 last year 4 2015 weak profits telefonica reported last couple years result large infrastructure investments setting stage exciting growth 4g sales latin american markets investors focused reported weakness telefonica shares trading 107 times trailing earnings effective dividend yield 38 today low prices wont stick around opens new window telefonicas international growth plans start paying dividends image source getty images tds parent company wireless service provider us cellular flies radar many investors analysts relatively small fish big american pond wireless services serving 5 million subscribers 23 states time largest providers passed 100million subscriber mark count number analyst firms follow stock one hand still fingers left thats shame missing solid allamerican growth story company boast highly targeted service marketing strategy focused mostly rural areas big four dont pay much attention wireless sales profits holding steady wireline broadband services provide solid sales growth looking ahead managements guidance points roughly 6 sales growth 8 higher operating cash flows fiscal year 2017 meanwhile stock priced absolute disaster tds shares trading book value enterprise value less five times trailing earnings interest taxes depreciation amortization ebitda profits thats hardly reasonable company posting solid cash flows positive growth image source getty images know dish last standalone satellite tv broadcaster america company preparing enter wireless communications market several years invested 62 billion finalize plans federal communications commission reported results longawaited wireless spectrum auction government collected total 198 billion license payments highquality airwaves formerly assigned overtheair tv signals made redundant smaller bandwidth needs digital tv signals broadcasters use todaydish wasnt expected walk away part spectrum auction ended secondhighest total bidder 31 share final dollar tally analysts dont know make dish chairman charlie ergens wireless strategy argue hes simply setting company acquired one larger telecoms others speculate dish could launch groundbased videobroadcasting service built around 4g 5g wireless network signalsthis 6 billion investment fits theories theres ergen serious joining wireless service market dish considered merger opens new window tmobile usa nasdaq tmus four years ago spent 13 billion spectrum licenses opens new window fccs last major airwaves auction last weeks spending spree added fuel old fire dish may indeed cellstyle wireless video service mind would probably pair plain old data service well future broadcasting communications entertainment commodity market invisible pipes businesses must depend risky move dish guaranteed score big wins brand new business territory nearly 11 stocks public float currently sold short analysts predict shrinking sales earnings next couple years wireless auction bids consume two years worth operating cash flows dishs fascinating surprises might worth small stake window shopping dont bet farm stock today image source getty images finally theres frontier communications regional telecom invested several ambitious localmarket buyouts recent years taking many fios uverse installations two largest telecoms america idea benefit economies scale tactic failing big way frontier doubled longterm debt load annual interest payments last three years revenues surged 90 higher instant infusions fresh subscriber markets ebitda profits increased 44 economies scale supposed boost profit margins frontiers margins moving opposite direction investors punished disappointing performance 66 lower share prices ftr opens new window data ycharts opens new window buyout fios services california texas florida instantly boosted frontiers customer count 68 amid technical issues operations 10 newly added subscribers canceled frontier services next two quarters dont fooled frontiers massive 21 dividend yield frontiers management keeping stiff upper lip wont commit promises payoutthere change policy said cfo dan mccarthy februarys fourthquarter earnings call board directors continue evaluate going forward oversized yields usually reliable paychecks red flags warning investors stay away deeply troubled business operations ones different leave frontier alone stop losing broadband subscribers ever happens 10 stocks like better dish networkwhen 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 dish network wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns april 3 2017 anders bylund opens new window owns shares tmobile us motley fool recommends tmobile us motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 813 |
<p>Dirty Jobs and The Way I Heard It podcast host Mike Rowe does not take kindly to Facebook commenters who suggest he might have sympathy for "white supremacists," one unfortunate fellow discovered Wednesday morning.</p>
<p>In what can only be described as a "total floor-wiping" posted to the social media network, Rowe absolutely destroyed a man named Chuck Adkins who suggested that Rowe favored a sort-of anti-intellectualism, and was too afraid to confront a difficult political issue because Rowe feared alienating his fan base.</p>
<p>Chuck wrote:</p>
<p>One of the tenants of white nationalism is that college educated people are academic elitests. Comment? No? I’m not surprised. You never take a political stand because you don’t want to alienate anybody. Its bad for business. I get it. But there is a current of anti intellectualism in this country – promoted by Republicans. Those people love you, and they think your initiative is their initiative. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is kickin our ass academically.</p>
<p>And that's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe/photos/a.151342491542569.29994.116999698310182/1639268949416575/?type=3" type="external">when Rowe brought the pain</a>, though he started off with a concession — that his critic was, well, kind of right.</p>
<p>Since we’re being candid, allow me to say how much I dislike your post. Everything about it annoys me – your smug and snarky tone, your appalling grammar, your complete lack of evidence to support your claims, and of course, the overarching logical fallacy that informs your entire position. What really bugs me though, is the fact that you’re not entirely wrong. It’s true; I haven’t shared any political opinions this week, in part anyway, because doing so might very well be "bad for business."</p>
<p>Celebrities, Rowe says, do face consequences for taking sometimes extreme political stances, and as far as Rowe is concerned, that's perfectly acceptable; the First Amendment guarantees you can speak, but not that you'll be protected from other peoples' speech.</p>
<p>What can I say? I work for half-a-dozen different companies, none of whom pay me to share my political opinions. I run a non-partisan foundation, I’m about to launch a new show on Facebook, and I’m very aware that celebrities pay a price for opening their big fat gobs. Gilbert Gottfried, Kathy Griffin, Colin Kaepernick, Milo Yiannopoulos … even that guy from Google who just got himself fired for mouthing off. There’s no getting around it – the first amendment does not guarantee the freedom to speak without consequences. And really, that’s fine by me.</p>
<p>So no – I’m not going to share my personal feelings about Charlottesville, President Trump, or the current effort to remove thousands of statues of long dead soldiers from the public square. Not just because it’s "bad for business," but because it’s annoying. I can’t think of a single celebrity whose political opinion I value, and I’m not going to assume the country feels any differently about mine."</p>
<p>But that's where Rowe drew the line — and also, where Rowe began to truly land his blows, saying that "comments like Chuck's" are one of the main reasons the country is in such dire straits, and suffering from such deep divisions (emphasis mine).</p>
<p>So, rather than blow myself up, or chime in with all the obvious observations about the cowardly scum in the pointy hats, I’m going to talk instead about my belief that comments like yours pose a far greater threat to the future of our country than the existence of a memorial to Thomas Jefferson, or a monument to George Washington. Ready?</p>
<p>Why? Well, for starters, because Chuck's insinuations allow people to draw logical lines between deplorable extremists, and people who are frequently labeled as "deplorable" for no reason.</p>
<p>You say that White Nationalists believe that everyone who goes to college is an "academic elite." You then say that Republicans promote "anti-intellectualism." You offer no proof to support either claim, but it really doesn’t matter – your statements successfully connect two radically different organizations by alleging a shared belief. ...</p>
<p>Thus, White Nationalists and The Republican Party suddenly have something in common – a contempt for higher education. Then, you make it personal. You say that Republicans “love” me because they believe that my initiative and "their" initiative are one and the same. But of course, "their" initiative is now the same initiative as White Nationalists.</p>
<p>That means, of course, that by extension, Chuck is calling anyone who self-identifies as a Republican, but also supports Mike's charities, a "white nationalist," and suddenly, Mike Rowe himself is implicated in behavior he not only finds abhorrent, but has no connection to the good work he and others are doing.</p>
<p>Very clever. Without offering a shred of evidence, you’ve implied that Republicans who support mikeroweWORKS do so because they believe I share their disdain for all things "intellectual." And poof – just like that, Republicans, White Nationalists, and mikeroweWORKS are suddenly conflated, and the next thing you know, I’m off on a press tour to disavow rumors of my troubling association with the Nazis!</p>
<p>And that's when Rowe began to paint the larger picture: that even one man making these connections paves the way for more logical fallacy, and that's where things go off the rails, and well-meaning people are tarred-and-feathered for even mainstream political beliefs.</p>
<p>Far-fetched? Far from it. ... That’s how logical fallacies work. A flaw in reasoning or a mistaken belief undermines the logic of a conclusion, often leading to real-world consequences. And right now, logical fallacies are not limited to the warped beliefs of morons with tiki torches, and other morons calling for "more dead cops." Logical fallacies are everywhere.</p>
<p>As I type this, a Democrat on CNN is making an argument that says, "because Thomas Jefferson owned slaves, those Republicans now opposed to tearing down his memorial are ‘pro-slavery,’ and therefore aligned with the modern day KKK." That’s a logical fallacy.</p>
<p>Over on Fox, a Republican is arguing that "any Democrat who has not yet condemned the Senator from Missouri for publicly wishing that Donald Trump be assassinated, is guilty of wishing for the exact same thing." That’s a logical fallacy.</p>
<p>Yesterday, on The Science Channel, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, a noted astronomer, tweeted that the ability of scientists to accurately predict the solar eclipse, was proof that predictions of global warming were also accurate. That’s a logical fallacy.</p>
<p>He even used his "friend" Chuck as an example.</p>
<p>Want to hear another one? Imagine something like this, unfolding over on MSNBC.</p>
<p>“‘Good Evening, America, our top story tonight … Chuck Atkins is a racist! Why? Because he can’t spell. Just look at his grammar! In a recent post on Mike Rowe’s Facebook page, Mr. Atkins, while bemoaning America’s global academic standing, not only misspelled ‘elitist,’ he used ‘tenants’ when he meant ‘tenets.’ He neglected to use a hyphen in ‘anti-intellectual,’ and he misplaced several commas and apostrophes! But why is he a racist, you ask? Simple. Because everyone knows racists are ignorant. Chuck Atkins is clearly a poor speller. Poor spelling and grammar are signs of ignorance. Ergo – Chuck Atkins is a racist! Boom! The matter is settled!”</p>
<p>After that, Rowe brought the argument full circle, explaining to Chuck that this build up of logical fallacies eventually contributes to the anti-intellectualism that Chuck is so deeply concerned about.</p>
<p>There’s not much we can do about the news, but here on Facebook, I think we can do better. This isn’t Twitter. We’re not limited to a few inflammatory sentences and a flurry of emojis. Take a moment, Chuck. Think. Make a rational argument. Otherwise, just link us to a cat video. People love those, and they’re almost never "bad for business." (Unless of course, the cat gets hurt. People hate that.) Just don’t assume that people will care about your beliefs, if you’re not willing to back them up with some relevant facts and a rational conclusion. Here, for instance, are a few facts that matter to me, with respect to my foundation and the recurring charge of "fostering anti-intellectualism."</p>
<p>As for Chuck's charge of whether Rowe is fostering a hatred of the "academic elite" by promoting alternatives to college, well, Mike has an answer for that one, too: his work is not only important, its bipartisan.</p>
<p>mikeroweWORKS is a PR campaign for the skilled trades. For the last nine years, we’ve partnered with numerous trade schools, raised millions of dollars for work-ethic scholarships, and called attention to millions of jobs that don’t require a four-year degree. But that doesn’t mean we’re "anti-intellectual." We’re not even "anti-college." We simply reject the popular notion that a four-year degree is the best path for the most people. And we’re hardly alone.</p>
<p>Millions of reasonable people – Republicans and Democrats alike – are worried that our universities are doing a poor job of preparing students for the real world. They’re worried about activist professors, safe spaces, the rising cost of tuition, a growing contempt for history, and a simmering disregard of the first amendment. These people are concerned that our universities – once beacons of free speech – now pander to a relatively small percentage of students who can’t tolerate any political opinion that challenges their own. And they’re concerned – deeply concerned – that millions of good jobs are currently vacant that don’t require a four-year degree, or any of the catastrophic debt that comes with it.</p>
<p>And those Republicans and Democrats — and laborers and public relations directors and volunteers and, yes, even those celebrities — are deeply concerned not about the influence of academic elites on higher education, but on the quality of education, and the quality of their constituents' lives.</p>
<p>Again – these are not the concerns of "anti-intellectuals." They are the concerns of people who care about the future of the country. I don’t know how many of these people are Republicans, but I can assure you that no one who actually supports my initiative is remotely confused about my feelings on education, because I’ve been crystal clear on that topic from the very beginning. To quote Thomas Jefferson, (while I still can,) "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free and live in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." On this point, my foundation does not equivocate.</p>
<p>Finally, Rowe drives it home.</p>
<p>In other words, Chuck, I have no idea what The White Nationalists think about my efforts, or the Republicans, the Democrats, the elitists, the Italians, the Presbyterians, the unions, or the self-proclaimed anti-intellectuals. And really, I couldn’t care less. My question is, why do you? Mike</p>
<p>Once the post gained popularity on Facebook, Mike returned with a couple of post-scripts, one apologizing for calling Chuck a lousy speller (but only because upon re-reading his post, Mike himself found a few spelling and grammar errors that he later corrected), and the other musing about how his own accusations might have also contributed to societal breakdown (he concluded that, even by his own standards, that was a stretch).</p>
<p>As for Chuck, well, he never showed up again.</p> | true | 0 | dirty jobs way heard podcast host mike rowe take kindly facebook commenters suggest might sympathy white supremacists one unfortunate fellow discovered wednesday morning described total floorwiping posted social media network rowe absolutely destroyed man named chuck adkins suggested rowe favored sortof antiintellectualism afraid confront difficult political issue rowe feared alienating fan base chuck wrote one tenants white nationalism college educated people academic elitests comment im surprised never take political stand dont want alienate anybody bad business get current anti intellectualism country promoted republicans people love think initiative initiative meanwhile rest world kickin ass academically thats rowe brought pain though started concession critic well kind right since candid allow say much dislike post everything annoys smug snarky tone appalling grammar complete lack evidence support claims course overarching logical fallacy informs entire position really bugs though fact youre entirely wrong true havent shared political opinions week part anyway might well bad business celebrities rowe says face consequences taking sometimes extreme political stances far rowe concerned thats perfectly acceptable first amendment guarantees speak youll protected peoples speech say work halfadozen different companies none pay share political opinions run nonpartisan foundation im launch new show facebook im aware celebrities pay price opening big fat gobs gilbert gottfried kathy griffin colin kaepernick milo yiannopoulos even guy google got fired mouthing theres getting around first amendment guarantee freedom speak without consequences really thats fine im going share personal feelings charlottesville president trump current effort remove thousands statues long dead soldiers public square bad business annoying cant think single celebrity whose political opinion value im going assume country feels differently mine thats rowe drew line also rowe began truly land blows saying comments like chucks one main reasons country dire straits suffering deep divisions emphasis mine rather blow chime obvious observations cowardly scum pointy hats im going talk instead belief comments like pose far greater threat future country existence memorial thomas jefferson monument george washington ready well starters chucks insinuations allow people draw logical lines deplorable extremists people frequently labeled deplorable reason say white nationalists believe everyone goes college academic elite say republicans promote antiintellectualism offer proof support either claim really doesnt matter statements successfully connect two radically different organizations alleging shared belief thus white nationalists republican party suddenly something common contempt higher education make personal say republicans love believe initiative initiative one course initiative initiative white nationalists means course extension chuck calling anyone selfidentifies republican also supports mikes charities white nationalist suddenly mike rowe implicated behavior finds abhorrent connection good work others clever without offering shred evidence youve implied republicans support mikeroweworks believe share disdain things intellectual poof like republicans white nationalists mikeroweworks suddenly conflated next thing know im press tour disavow rumors troubling association nazis thats rowe began paint larger picture even one man making connections paves way logical fallacy thats things go rails wellmeaning people tarredandfeathered even mainstream political beliefs farfetched far thats logical fallacies work flaw reasoning mistaken belief undermines logic conclusion often leading realworld consequences right logical fallacies limited warped beliefs morons tiki torches morons calling dead cops logical fallacies everywhere type democrat cnn making argument says thomas jefferson owned slaves republicans opposed tearing memorial proslavery therefore aligned modern day kkk thats logical fallacy fox republican arguing democrat yet condemned senator missouri publicly wishing donald trump assassinated guilty wishing exact thing thats logical fallacy yesterday science channel neil degrasse tyson noted astronomer tweeted ability scientists accurately predict solar eclipse proof predictions global warming also accurate thats logical fallacy even used friend chuck example want hear another one imagine something like unfolding msnbc good evening america top story tonight chuck atkins racist cant spell look grammar recent post mike rowes facebook page mr atkins bemoaning americas global academic standing misspelled elitist used tenants meant tenets neglected use hyphen antiintellectual misplaced several commas apostrophes racist ask simple everyone knows racists ignorant chuck atkins clearly poor speller poor spelling grammar signs ignorance ergo chuck atkins racist boom matter settled rowe brought argument full circle explaining chuck build logical fallacies eventually contributes antiintellectualism chuck deeply concerned theres much news facebook think better isnt twitter limited inflammatory sentences flurry emojis take moment chuck think make rational argument otherwise link us cat video people love theyre almost never bad business unless course cat gets hurt people hate dont assume people care beliefs youre willing back relevant facts rational conclusion instance facts matter respect foundation recurring charge fostering antiintellectualism chucks charge whether rowe fostering hatred academic elite promoting alternatives college well mike answer one work important bipartisan mikeroweworks pr campaign skilled trades last nine years weve partnered numerous trade schools raised millions dollars workethic scholarships called attention millions jobs dont require fouryear degree doesnt mean antiintellectual even anticollege simply reject popular notion fouryear degree best path people hardly alone millions reasonable people republicans democrats alike worried universities poor job preparing students real world theyre worried activist professors safe spaces rising cost tuition growing contempt history simmering disregard first amendment people concerned universities beacons free speech pander relatively small percentage students cant tolerate political opinion challenges theyre concerned deeply concerned millions good jobs currently vacant dont require fouryear degree catastrophic debt comes republicans democrats laborers public relations directors volunteers yes even celebrities deeply concerned influence academic elites higher education quality education quality constituents lives concerns antiintellectuals concerns people care future country dont know many people republicans assure one actually supports initiative remotely confused feelings education ive crystal clear topic beginning quote thomas jefferson still nation expects ignorant free live state civilization expects never never point foundation equivocate finally rowe drives home words chuck idea white nationalists think efforts republicans democrats elitists italians presbyterians unions selfproclaimed antiintellectuals really couldnt care less question mike post gained popularity facebook mike returned couple postscripts one apologizing calling chuck lousy speller upon rereading post mike found spelling grammar errors later corrected musing accusations might also contributed societal breakdown concluded even standards stretch chuck well never showed | 981 |
<p>Over the years, we have chronicled MSNBC’s lack of journalistic standards. The worst offender, Keith Olbermann, is now gone, not because of his crazed leftism or frequently embarrassing errors, but because he was an insubordinate employee. Of those who remain at MSNBC, Chris Matthews is among the worst. In another era, his reckless disregard for truth and unprofessional conduct would have brought his career as a journalist to a speedy end. At MSNBC, these qualities are apparently valued, as Matthews has been rewarded with a <a href="http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/chris-matthews-net-worth/" type="external">multimillion dollar contract</a>.</p>
<p>On October 30, Matthews and his guest, Democratic Congressman Ed Markey, were in the midst of fantasizing about the relationship between Hurricane Sandy and global warming when they <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2012/10/30/chris-matthews-calls-koch-brothers-pigs" type="external">went off on a rant against Charles and David Koch</a>. Here it is, with my comments interspersed:</p>
<p>CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: OK. We don’t have any high ground to go to in this where we have 6 billion people living on this planet. There’s no other planet to go to if the atmosphere begins to be destructive of our living here. But politics is about every two years, every four years.</p>
<p>How do you run a political argument that has to be paid off within the next couple years? You have to win the argument. Who is willing to vote for somebody who is willing to do something about climate change?</p>
<p>In recent years hurricanes have been infrequent by historical standards. There is zero evidence that human activity has anything to do with the frequency or severity of hurricanes, and even scientists who believe in anthropogenic global warming ridicule those like Markey and Matthews who try to draw such a connection.</p>
<p>CONGRESSMAN ED MARKEY (D-MASSACHUSETTS): Well, this frames the election for next Tuesday very well. It’s Mother Nature versus the Koch brothers.</p>
<p>MATTHEWS: Yes. Who are the Koch brothers? Explain.</p>
<p>MARKEY: The Koch brothers are the single largest funders of this — of Republican —</p>
<p>MATTHEWS: Oil and gas.</p>
<p>MARKEY: The oil and gas industry, the coal industry.</p>
<p>Koch Industries doesn’t produce either crude oil or coal. It refines oil, but has only a minimal connection with the coal industry.</p>
<p>They are funding Mitt Romney and the Republicans across this country. They want Romney in because here’s what Romney is promising: one, he’s going to do away with the tax breaks for wind energy but keep it for oil.</p>
<p>The Koch brothers have consistently opposed all subsidies and all forms of corporate welfare. The brothers’ views are no secret and should be well-known to Matthews, as they have expressed their opposition to all forms of corporate favoritism in the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere. I have first-hand knowledge of their sincerity in this regard. I was invited to speak on the subject of corporate cronyism at the Koch brothers’ seminar in January. I didn’t talk about good cronyism vs. bad cronyism, or our cronies vs. their cronies; I attacked corporate cronyism across the board. You can see a summary of my presentation, with the slides I used, <a href="http://powerline.wpengine.com/archives/2012/02/cronyism-101.php" type="external">here</a>.</p>
<p>He is going to do away with the fuel economy standards that increase the efficiency of the vehicles we drive up to 55 miles —</p>
<p>MATTHEWS: Yes.</p>
<p>MARKEY: — per gallon backing out 6 billion metric tons of CO2. That’s what Obama wants to do, back out 3 million barrels of oil per day from the Persian Gulf, all the oil we import.</p>
<p>MATTHEWS: Yes.</p>
<p>MARKEY: The Koch brothers want Romney, and Romney has promised, to roll back those fuel economy incentives. It endangers the planet. And it’s going to endanger young men and women who have to go to the Middle East to import the oil from there rather than backing it (ph)</p>
<p>This is hopelessly confused. The Koch brothers, like many of millions of Americans, agree with President Obama’s position–when he is campaigning, not governing–that we should develop American energy resources so we don’t have to rely on oil from the Middle East and elsewhere. To my knowledge they have taken no position on fuel economy standards. For what it is worth, Romney’s view that the recent Obama administration regulations calling for average fleet fuel economy of 55 mpg is extreme, is correct.</p>
<p>MATTHEWS: Well, Professor Oppenheimer, back in the ‘60s, we called such people pigs. Pigs. No, really, they don’t care about the planet, they don’t care about the destruction of war. All they want is what they got, their stuff. And they want more of it.</p>
<p>Is that what we’re facing here, just greed? I’m not talking about the guy working in the coalmine. That’s hard work. I’m talking about people who won’t listen to you, won’t listen to science because they want more stuff.</p>
<p>This kind of lunacy is a staple of MSNBC. There is no such thing as legitimate policy disagreement; those who don’t toe the far-left line are “pigs.” At MSNBC, smear and invective have replaced argument, not to mention straight news reporting.</p>
<p>MICHAEL OPPENHEIMER, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: Listen, Chris, I’m not into name-calling here.</p>
<p>MATTHEWS: Well, I am.</p>
<p>OPPENHEIMER: Fine, that’s your job, not mine.</p>
<p>MATTHEWS: Alright.</p>
<p>And here, if you find that exchange hard to believe, is the video:</p>
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<p>This is where the story gets interesting. Koch Industries’ general counsel, Mark Holden, complained to Phil Griffin, MSNBC’s president. He pointed out that Matthews’ smears were inaccurate as well crude and vulgar. Griffin agreed that Matthews had “crossed a line” and apologized for his behavior, saying that it wouldn’t happen again. He admitted that the network has had problems with Matthews before. However, when Griffin followed up with Matthews, Matthews agreed that what he did was inappropriate, but he flatly refused to apologize for his unprofessional conduct. The network has now declined to retract or correct Matthews’ false statements, terming them a matter of opinion.</p>
<p>So we have the spectacle of MSNBC apologizing in private for its reporter’s smears and falsehoods, while refusing to acknowledge his misconduct publicly. Instead, Griffin invited one or both of the Koch brothers to come on the air and respond to Matthews’ attack–to explain, I suppose, that they aren’t really “pigs.” That would be a ratings coup for MSNBC, but it obviously isn’t going to happen. So it’s just another day in the life of one of America’s most dishonest news outlets.</p> | true | 0 | years chronicled msnbcs lack journalistic standards worst offender keith olbermann gone crazed leftism frequently embarrassing errors insubordinate employee remain msnbc chris matthews among worst another era reckless disregard truth unprofessional conduct would brought career journalist speedy end msnbc qualities apparently valued matthews rewarded multimillion dollar contract october 30 matthews guest democratic congressman ed markey midst fantasizing relationship hurricane sandy global warming went rant charles david koch comments interspersed chris matthews host ok dont high ground go 6 billion people living planet theres planet go atmosphere begins destructive living politics every two years every four years run political argument paid within next couple years win argument willing vote somebody willing something climate change recent years hurricanes infrequent historical standards zero evidence human activity anything frequency severity hurricanes even scientists believe anthropogenic global warming ridicule like markey matthews try draw connection congressman ed markey dmassachusetts well frames election next tuesday well mother nature versus koch brothers matthews yes koch brothers explain markey koch brothers single largest funders republican matthews oil gas markey oil gas industry coal industry koch industries doesnt produce either crude oil coal refines oil minimal connection coal industry funding mitt romney republicans across country want romney heres romney promising one hes going away tax breaks wind energy keep oil koch brothers consistently opposed subsidies forms corporate welfare brothers views secret wellknown matthews expressed opposition forms corporate favoritism wall street journal elsewhere firsthand knowledge sincerity regard invited speak subject corporate cronyism koch brothers seminar january didnt talk good cronyism vs bad cronyism cronies vs cronies attacked corporate cronyism across board see summary presentation slides used going away fuel economy standards increase efficiency vehicles drive 55 miles matthews yes markey per gallon backing 6 billion metric tons co2 thats obama wants back 3 million barrels oil per day persian gulf oil import matthews yes markey koch brothers want romney romney promised roll back fuel economy incentives endangers planet going endanger young men women go middle east import oil rather backing ph hopelessly confused koch brothers like many millions americans agree president obamas positionwhen campaigning governingthat develop american energy resources dont rely oil middle east elsewhere knowledge taken position fuel economy standards worth romneys view recent obama administration regulations calling average fleet fuel economy 55 mpg extreme correct matthews well professor oppenheimer back 60s called people pigs pigs really dont care planet dont care destruction war want got stuff want facing greed im talking guy working coalmine thats hard work im talking people wont listen wont listen science want stuff kind lunacy staple msnbc thing legitimate policy disagreement dont toe farleft line pigs msnbc smear invective replaced argument mention straight news reporting michael oppenheimer princeton university listen chris im namecalling matthews well oppenheimer fine thats job mine matthews alright find exchange hard believe video story gets interesting koch industries general counsel mark holden complained phil griffin msnbcs president pointed matthews smears inaccurate well crude vulgar griffin agreed matthews crossed line apologized behavior saying wouldnt happen admitted network problems matthews however griffin followed matthews matthews agreed inappropriate flatly refused apologize unprofessional conduct network declined retract correct matthews false statements terming matter opinion spectacle msnbc apologizing private reporters smears falsehoods refusing acknowledge misconduct publicly instead griffin invited one koch brothers come air respond matthews attackto explain suppose arent really pigs would ratings coup msnbc obviously isnt going happen another day life one americas dishonest news outlets | 562 |
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<p>Well, we finally made it to November, one of the happiest months for budget-conscious shopping. Not surprisingly, many items hit their lowest price points this month around <a href="http://dealnews.com/black-friday/" type="external">Black Friday Opens a New Window.</a>. Ultimately though, November isn't the best time to buy everything, so make sure you peruse our guide to ensure that you steer clear of the duds this month.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Cookware Items See Strong Deals</p>
<p>Rarely do "need" and "best time to buy" so perfectly coalesce. As you prepare to knock the socks off the in-laws this Thanksgiving with an impressive feast, you may discover that there are some holes in your arsenal of cookware. Luckily we saw double the number of Editors' Choice <a href="http://dealnews.com/c201/Home-Garden/Kitchen/" type="external">cookware deals Opens a New Window.</a> in November last year, when compared to most other months. This trend for "best of the year" prices on cookware held steady through December. However November specifically sees the greatest number of cookware deals period: in 2012, there were 41% more deals in November than October. Get your mitts on cookware and cutlery sets, bakeware, small appliances, and more.</p>
<p>Look for Editors' Choice Tool and Hardware Deals</p>
<p>Winter in general is a good time to buy tools, but the Black Friday season sports particularly excellent prices. In fact, 30% of the <a href="http://dealnews.com/c197/Home-Garden/Tools-And-Hardware/" type="external">tool deals Opens a New Window.</a> during Black Friday were marked Editors' Choice last year, which is more than double the number from September and October. Keep an eye out for significant discounts on drills, wrenches, socket sets, tool storage, and more, from stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, Harbor Freight Tools, and Sears. However, be aware that many of these items may only be available for in-store pickup.</p>
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<p>Just Say No to the iPad 2 (and Maybe the iPad Mini with Retina)</p>
<p>When <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/when-to-get-the-best-ipad-prices/" type="external">Apple announced its new iPad lineup Opens a New Window.</a> last month, many people were shocked to not only learn that the iPad 2 will live to see another day, but that it will continue to be priced at $399. That's also what it will cost to get the new iPad mini, which comes revved up with improved specs and a Retina screen. As it turns out though, resellers have been slashing the price on the newly-discontinued iPad 4 to $399 as well recently, and we expect that to continue. Given the fact that the iPad 4 is only a year old and features a Retina screen, the iPad 4 may offer a better value than both the iPad 2 and the iPad mini because it provides both the larger screen size and the high-end resolution.</p>
<p>But Say Yes to iPad 4 Deals and Apple Reseller Discounts</p>
<p>Given the above, we're recommending that Apple fans look for iPad 4 deals this month that hit around $399. This is a decent month for Apple products across the board though too, if you shop in the right place. Year after year, Apple takes 5% to 10% off iPads, iPods, MacBooks, and iMacs during the <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/apple/" type="external">Apple Black Friday Opens a New Window.</a> sale, however third-party merchants usually undercut Apple's small discounts with greater promotions. Expect resellers like Amazon, MacMall, and MacConnection to take up to 20% off or more a number of Apple products. Moreover, keep an eye out for <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/apple/" type="external">potential iPhone deals this Black Friday</a>.</p>
<p>Google Nexus 7 and Windows Tablets Are Primed for Promotions</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there haven't typically been a great wealth <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/tablets-ebook-readers/" type="external">Black Friday tablet deals Opens a New Window.</a> during the month of November because many of the other popular models are already so cheap; the Amazon Kindle Fire line, for example, can hardly get much cheaper, especially since the HD model now costs a mere $139. That said, there's a chance that the current-generation 16GB Google Nexus 7 will drop to $200, since it debuted at a higher price point this year. Additionally, we're predicting that <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/tablets-ebook-readers/" type="external">Microsoft's Surface tablets might be primed for Black Friday promotions</a>, since the first generation has already seen several price cuts this year. To date, the Microsoft Surface 32GB Windows RT Tablet has fallen to as low as $314, while the Pro has been as low as $699.</p>
<p>Current Season Apparel, the Good and the Bad</p>
<p>Last month we noted that <a href="http://dealnews.com/c202/Clothing-Accessories/" type="external">winter season apparel Opens a New Window.</a> items will likely see their greatest sales beginning in January. However, last year, a number of apparel stores offered their best online coupons of the year in the weeks leading up to (and around) Black Friday, and most stacked with existing sales and markdowns. So if you can't wait until the clearance sales in January, then the "best of the year" coupons during <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/apparel/" type="external">Black Friday Opens a New Window.</a> will at least slash 30% to 50% off, with some reaching even higher discounts.</p>
<p>Time to Bargain for a Wedding Dress</p>
<p>According to the author of "Bridal Bargains," <a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/family-money/the-best-time-to-buy-everything-20025/" type="external">November and December are excellent months to shop for a wedding dress Opens a New Window.</a>, because there's a decrease in demand during the holidays; women just aren't interested in shopping for a dress during this typically busy season, which means you have ample opportunity to bargain with the boutique — if you're willing to haggle, that is.</p>
<p>Candy That's Guilt-Free (Pricewise)</p>
<p>A sugary stock of candy will help keep many a shoppers' blood sugar up during the coming weeks of intense shopping, and luckily the best time to buy <a href="http://dealnews.com/halloween-sales/" type="external">Halloween items Opens a New Window.</a>, including candy, starts November 1. While it may be hard to get excited about a discounted costume you can't (acceptably) wear again until next year, you can easily stock up on Halloween candy for immediate consumption. Is a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in the shape of a pumpkin any less delicious? We think not!</p>
<p>Tis Not Yet the Season for Toys</p>
<p>With all the holiday shopping you'll likely be doing at the end of this month, you may start to get overly confident and think, "I can <a href="http://dealnews.com/c186/Gaming-Toys/" type="external">save on toys Opens a New Window.</a> for the kids, too!" However, <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/Last-Years-Toys-R-Us-Fab-15-List-Demonstrates-the-Best-Time-to-Buy-Toys/623114.html" type="external">the best time to get the greatest discounts on toys Opens a New Window.</a> for the holidays is during the middle of the month, or the second week of December. That said, you'll still see <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/gaming-toys/" type="external">Black Friday discounts Opens a New Window.</a> of up to 50% for toys and up to 75% off video games, making the shopping holiday not too shabby if you'd rather get the kids' gifts settled early. Just keep in mind that the most significant price cuts on video games this year will be for older-generation consoles; at best we might see mild "buy one get one" offers for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One video game titles.</p>
<p>It's Time for Turkey!</p>
<p>This month, many grocery stores will offer a <a href="http://dealnews.com/c214/Home-Garden/Food-Drink/Groceries/" type="external">free turkey Opens a New Window.</a> to shoppers who meet a minimum purchase, ranging from $200 to $400. While you certainly shouldn't increase your spending just to get one, many families can easily hit that minimum throughout the month, as several stores will allow shoppers to combine totals from several trips. Ask your local super markets what promotions they offer, and remember to save your receipts.</p>
<p>Now's the Time to Buy that 46" HDTV</p>
<p>Buyer beware: this month you'll be bombarded with HDTV deals. The majority of the deals will indeed be all-time lows, but stay vigilant as not every deal you come across will be worth your time. For instance, if you have your eyes set on a premium, name-brand HDTV, then November isn't your month. You're better off waiting until December, January, and early February when deals on these TVs are traditionally lower. This is due to the fact that 2014 TVs will be announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in early January, which causes retailers to clear inventory of 2013 TVs at the start of the new year.</p>
<p>So what should you look for in November? Off-brand TVs in the 42" to 55" categories will hit new lows. You'll most likely see the best value in the 46" to 55" range as 42" TVs can't possibly get any cheaper than they have in previous years, and 32" sets are usually cheaper in September. (For a rundown of prices, check out our <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/hdtvs/" type="external">Black Friday TV predictions here Opens a New Window.</a>.)</p>
<p>So expect to see off-brand 46" and 47" sets in the $269 range and off-brand 55" sets in the $425 range. But keep in mind that off-brand 55" TVs will <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/Soon-3-D-TVs-Will-Cost-the-Same-as-Regular-55-HDTVs/857751.html" type="external">soon cost the same Opens a New Window.</a> as name-brand 55" 3D HDTVs. Basically that means if you play your cards right, you could snag a 55" 3D name-brand TV will all the bells and whistles of a modern TV for almost the same price as an off-brand 55" TV, which typically has no added features.</p>
<p>Forget Haswell, Ivy Bridge Will Be on Fire</p>
<p>If there's one type of laptop you need to buy this month, it's an <a href="http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/laptops/" type="external">Ivy Bridge-based laptop Opens a New Window.</a>. Now that Intel's Haswell processor has been out for quite some time, Ivy Bridge is ripe for the bargain bin. But unlike most bargain laptops, which choke at the mere mention of HD video, the majority of Ivy Bridge laptops still run smooth with enough power for anything you throw its way.</p>
<p>Price-wise, we predict that basic 15" Core i5 Ivy Bridge systems (with the standard 4GB of RAM and at least a 500GB hard drive) will drop to as low as $285 this month. By comparison, a Core i5 Haswell laptop will most likely cost at least $399.</p>
<p>If you just want a laptop with enough power for barebones tasks like basic web browsing, then look for AMD-based systems as they could drop even lower. A 15" quad-core AMD system, for example, could drop to $250 as it has already in both September and October of this year. Dual-core AMD systems have even hit $205 so far, and we expect these notebooks (along with Intel Celeron and Pentium systems) to drop to $170 this Black Friday.</p>
<p>Set up an <a href="https://dealnews.com/mydealnews/alerts.html" type="external">email alert Opens a New Window.</a> now to keep abreast of any and all of these best buys in November. Also be sure to check out all of the latest information on <a href="http://dealnews.com/black-friday/" type="external">Black Friday deals</a> throughout the month.</p>
<p>Read More from DealNews:</p> | true | 0 | well finally made november one happiest months budgetconscious shopping surprisingly many items hit lowest price points month around black friday opens new window ultimately though november isnt best time buy everything make sure peruse guide ensure steer clear duds month continue reading cookware items see strong deals rarely need best time buy perfectly coalesce prepare knock socks inlaws thanksgiving impressive feast may discover holes arsenal cookware luckily saw double number editors choice cookware deals opens new window november last year compared months trend best year prices cookware held steady december however november specifically sees greatest number cookware deals period 2012 41 deals november october get mitts cookware cutlery sets bakeware small appliances look editors choice tool hardware deals winter general good time buy tools black friday season sports particularly excellent prices fact 30 tool deals opens new window black friday marked editors choice last year double number september october keep eye significant discounts drills wrenches socket sets tool storage stores like home depot lowes harbor freight tools sears however aware many items may available instore pickup advertisement say ipad 2 maybe ipad mini retina apple announced new ipad lineup opens new window last month many people shocked learn ipad 2 live see another day continue priced 399 thats also cost get new ipad mini comes revved improved specs retina screen turns though resellers slashing price newlydiscontinued ipad 4 399 well recently expect continue given fact ipad 4 year old features retina screen ipad 4 may offer better value ipad 2 ipad mini provides larger screen size highend resolution say yes ipad 4 deals apple reseller discounts given recommending apple fans look ipad 4 deals month hit around 399 decent month apple products across board though shop right place year year apple takes 5 10 ipads ipods macbooks imacs apple black friday opens new window sale however thirdparty merchants usually undercut apples small discounts greater promotions expect resellers like amazon macmall macconnection take 20 number apple products moreover keep eye potential iphone deals black friday google nexus 7 windows tablets primed promotions unfortunately havent typically great wealth black friday tablet deals opens new window month november many popular models already cheap amazon kindle fire line example hardly get much cheaper especially since hd model costs mere 139 said theres chance currentgeneration 16gb google nexus 7 drop 200 since debuted higher price point year additionally predicting microsofts surface tablets might primed black friday promotions since first generation already seen several price cuts year date microsoft surface 32gb windows rt tablet fallen low 314 pro low 699 current season apparel good bad last month noted winter season apparel opens new window items likely see greatest sales beginning january however last year number apparel stores offered best online coupons year weeks leading around black friday stacked existing sales markdowns cant wait clearance sales january best year coupons black friday opens new window least slash 30 50 reaching even higher discounts time bargain wedding dress according author bridal bargains november december excellent months shop wedding dress opens new window theres decrease demand holidays women arent interested shopping dress typically busy season means ample opportunity bargain boutique youre willing haggle candy thats guiltfree pricewise sugary stock candy help keep many shoppers blood sugar coming weeks intense shopping luckily best time buy halloween items opens new window including candy starts november 1 may hard get excited discounted costume cant acceptably wear next year easily stock halloween candy immediate consumption reeses peanut butter cup shape pumpkin less delicious think tis yet season toys holiday shopping youll likely end month may start get overly confident think save toys opens new window kids however best time get greatest discounts toys opens new window holidays middle month second week december said youll still see black friday discounts opens new window 50 toys 75 video games making shopping holiday shabby youd rather get kids gifts settled early keep mind significant price cuts video games year oldergeneration consoles best might see mild buy one get one offers playstation 4 xbox one video game titles time turkey month many grocery stores offer free turkey opens new window shoppers meet minimum purchase ranging 200 400 certainly shouldnt increase spending get one many families easily hit minimum throughout month several stores allow shoppers combine totals several trips ask local super markets promotions offer remember save receipts nows time buy 46 hdtv buyer beware month youll bombarded hdtv deals majority deals indeed alltime lows stay vigilant every deal come across worth time instance eyes set premium namebrand hdtv november isnt month youre better waiting december january early february deals tvs traditionally lower due fact 2014 tvs announced consumer electronics show early january causes retailers clear inventory 2013 tvs start new year look november offbrand tvs 42 55 categories hit new lows youll likely see best value 46 55 range 42 tvs cant possibly get cheaper previous years 32 sets usually cheaper september rundown prices check black friday tv predictions opens new window expect see offbrand 46 47 sets 269 range offbrand 55 sets 425 range keep mind offbrand 55 tvs soon cost opens new window namebrand 55 3d hdtvs basically means play cards right could snag 55 3d namebrand tv bells whistles modern tv almost price offbrand 55 tv typically added features forget haswell ivy bridge fire theres one type laptop need buy month ivy bridgebased laptop opens new window intels haswell processor quite time ivy bridge ripe bargain bin unlike bargain laptops choke mere mention hd video majority ivy bridge laptops still run smooth enough power anything throw way pricewise predict basic 15 core i5 ivy bridge systems standard 4gb ram least 500gb hard drive drop low 285 month comparison core i5 haswell laptop likely cost least 399 want laptop enough power barebones tasks like basic web browsing look amdbased systems could drop even lower 15 quadcore amd system example could drop 250 already september october year dualcore amd systems even hit 205 far expect notebooks along intel celeron pentium systems drop 170 black friday set email alert opens new window keep abreast best buys november also sure check latest information black friday deals throughout month read dealnews | 1,022 |
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<p>Twenty years ago, if you had told business leaders that the companies of the future would thrive on a virtual workforce, they would have thought you were crazy. (They would of had the same response if you told them that, one day, people would buy their cars via the Internet. Or their groceries. Or even their shoes.)</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>As our parents and grandparents can attest, businesses used to make the majority of their employees work from one centralized location. Companies recruited local talent, and those with deep pockets relocated star employees from further locales. Above all, workers bound themselves to a single employer for as long as possible.</p>
<p>This model is no longer the only--nor the most successful--game in town. The remote, distributed workforce has gained traction as the accepted standard for the most innovative and forward-thinking businesses. By hiring remote workers, today’s businesses are harnessing the speed and flexibility they need to gain a competitive edge and prosper. In turn, online workers are making more money and building their own businesses, according to <a href="http://www.odesk.com/blog/2011/06/survey-from-free-agent-nation-to-on-demand-workforce/" type="external">our recent survey Opens a New Window.</a> of more than 16,000 businesses and workers worldwide[1].</p>
<p>Results Matter More Than Location</p>
<p>This new workforce reality was identified 10 years ago by author Daniel Pink in his book Free Agent Nation.Pink saw independent “free agents,” many of them entrepreneurs, replacing yesterday’s big-company employees[2]. True to his prediction, these workers have become a foundational feature of modern business.</p>
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<p>Many free agents are hired out of necessity as remote workers fill a crucial need for talent not available locally. When companies hire within commuting distance of their physical locations, as is the traditional preference[3], the practice becomes limiting when the right talent, at the right price, isn’t available nearby. In fact, according to the ManpowerGroup’s 2011 Talent Shortage Survey[4], up to 34% of national employers are having trouble filling vacancies with local candidates. Additionally, for 28% of employers surveyed, the primary reason they are turning to remote workers is to fill a talent gap.</p>
<p>Keeping everyone under the same roof isn’t a requirement for workplace success. Fifty-eight percent of employers oDesk surveyed don’t have a preference where their workers are based, and 71% of contractors will accept work from anywhere.</p>
<p>Employers and workers report using e-mail and Skype to communicate several times a week, building engaged teams without phones or face time. And this type of remote work works: More than half of employers surveyed use remote workers to perform “core” or critical tasks. Eighty-seven percent of workers feel that they are an integral part of their employers’ staffs.</p>
<p>Twenty years ago, that level of performance would have been unimaginable without a central location. Today, distributed teams are core to business success.</p>
<p>The Perks of the Distributed Workforce</p>
<p>Both employers and workers reap considerable benefits from remote work. Distributed work enables employers to scale quickly and respond at the real-time pace necessary for success in today’s economy.</p>
<p>Remote workers don’t limit a company to one time zone or work schedule--work can be done seven days per week, 24 hours a day. Moreover, remote workers--without a commute or office distractions to factor in--can spend more time per day focusing on work alone. No wonder one-half of the employers oDesk surveyed have grown their businesses’ revenue, size, or service offerings by using remote workers -- some by as much as 50%.</p>
<p>And employers are not the only ones to benefit from this model. Two-thirds of contractors surveyed are expecting a higher income this year than in 2010, and 57% are already reporting a higher hourly rate. Increased income provides an opportunity for contractors to expand their own businesses, and 77% of contractors consider online work as their own business. They turn to other contractors to pick up their extra work: More than one-third of contractors reported mainly finding work through from other contractors.</p>
<p>A Structural Change</p>
<p>With both companies and workers reaping benefits from the free-agent model, the distributed workforce is more than a trend. Like online shopping, a virtual workforce is an accepted business model. Rather than earning you that trip to the asylum, today’s online workers will provide mission-critical work, drive business growth, and be fundamental to the overall success of your business.</p>
<p>[1] <a href="http://www.odesk.com/blog/2011/06/survey-from-free-agent-nation-to-on-demand-workforce/" type="external">oDesk Online Work Survey, Opens a New Window.</a>June 2011</p>
<p>[2] Pink, Daniel H. “Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself,” Business Plus, May 2002</p>
<p>[3] <a href="" type="internal">Microsoft</a>’s 2010 <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2010/mar10/03-11telework.mspx" type="external">Remote U.S. Working Research Survey Opens a New Window.</a>, March 2010</p>
<p>[4] ManpowerGroup’s 2011 <a href="http://manpowergroup.com/research/research.cfm" type="external">Talent Shortage Survey Opens a New Window.</a>, May 2011</p>
<p>Gary Swart is CEO of <a href="http://www.odesk.com" type="external">oDesk Opens a New Window.</a>, the largest and fastest-growing global employment platform. He has a passion for helping businesses thrive in a borderless economy, and speaks regularly on best practices for remote team management, the impact of the on-demand workforce and the future of work. Gary has more than 17 years of leadership experience in the enterprise software market built during his tenure at Intellibank,&#160; <a href="" type="internal">IBM</a> and Pure Software. Gary holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.</p> | true | 0 | twenty years ago told business leaders companies future would thrive virtual workforce would thought crazy would response told one day people would buy cars via internet groceries even shoes continue reading parents grandparents attest businesses used make majority employees work one centralized location companies recruited local talent deep pockets relocated star employees locales workers bound single employer long possible model longer onlynor successfulgame town remote distributed workforce gained traction accepted standard innovative forwardthinking businesses hiring remote workers todays businesses harnessing speed flexibility need gain competitive edge prosper turn online workers making money building businesses according recent survey opens new window 16000 businesses workers worldwide1 results matter location new workforce reality identified 10 years ago author daniel pink book free agent nationpink saw independent free agents many entrepreneurs replacing yesterdays bigcompany employees2 true prediction workers become foundational feature modern business advertisement many free agents hired necessity remote workers fill crucial need talent available locally companies hire within commuting distance physical locations traditional preference3 practice becomes limiting right talent right price isnt available nearby fact according manpowergroups 2011 talent shortage survey4 34 national employers trouble filling vacancies local candidates additionally 28 employers surveyed primary reason turning remote workers fill talent gap keeping everyone roof isnt requirement workplace success fiftyeight percent employers odesk surveyed dont preference workers based 71 contractors accept work anywhere employers workers report using email skype communicate several times week building engaged teams without phones face time type remote work works half employers surveyed use remote workers perform core critical tasks eightyseven percent workers feel integral part employers staffs twenty years ago level performance would unimaginable without central location today distributed teams core business success perks distributed workforce employers workers reap considerable benefits remote work distributed work enables employers scale quickly respond realtime pace necessary success todays economy remote workers dont limit company one time zone work schedulework done seven days per week 24 hours day moreover remote workerswithout commute office distractions factor incan spend time per day focusing work alone wonder onehalf employers odesk surveyed grown businesses revenue size service offerings using remote workers much 50 employers ones benefit model twothirds contractors surveyed expecting higher income year 2010 57 already reporting higher hourly rate increased income provides opportunity contractors expand businesses 77 contractors consider online work business turn contractors pick extra work onethird contractors reported mainly finding work contractors structural change companies workers reaping benefits freeagent model distributed workforce trend like online shopping virtual workforce accepted business model rather earning trip asylum todays online workers provide missioncritical work drive business growth fundamental overall success business 1 odesk online work survey opens new windowjune 2011 2 pink daniel h free agent nation future working business plus may 2002 3 microsofts 2010 remote us working research survey opens new window march 2010 4 manpowergroups 2011 talent shortage survey opens new window may 2011 gary swart ceo odesk opens new window largest fastestgrowing global employment platform passion helping businesses thrive borderless economy speaks regularly best practices remote team management impact ondemand workforce future work gary 17 years leadership experience enterprise software market built tenure intellibank160 ibm pure software gary holds bachelors degree business administration university maryland | 524 |
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<p>When we talk about when to first start taking Social Security, we're usually looking at a specific eight-year range. The earliest age you're allowed to claim benefits is 62, and as such, it's the most popular age to file for Social Security. Age 70, meanwhile, is the latest age you can claim Social Security and still get credit for delaying your benefits -- so while you technically don't have to file for benefits when you reach 70, there's zero incentive to wait any longer.</p>
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<p>If you don't choose to file for Social Security as early as possible (62) or as late as possible (70), you can claim your benefits somewhere in between. Many recipients, in fact, opt to wait until they reach their <a href="https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/social-security-full-retirement-age.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">full retirement age Opens a New Window.</a>because that's when they can collect their base benefit amount in full. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67, which means claiming benefits before 67 will result in a reduction, and postponing past 67 will result in an increase. And while there are plenty of good reasons to take Social Security at 67, here are a few scenarios where it just plain doesn't make sense.</p>
<p>IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.</p>
<p>If you're struggling financially in your early to mid-60s but haven't yet reached your full retirement age of 67, you may be inclined to hold off on Social Security. After all, claiming early will result in a permanent benefits reduction. But while slashing those payments isn't ideal, racking up debt so late in life to cover your living costs is a far more dangerous prospect.</p>
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<p>Imagine your Social Security checks spell the difference between covering your living costs as a senior or charging a chunk of your basic expenses on a high-interest credit card. While you'll take a hit on your monthly benefits by filing early, you'll come out ahead in the long run by avoiding a perpetual spiral of compounding credit card interest.</p>
<p>Remember, for every year you take Social Security early, you'll lose 6.67% of your benefits for up to three years, and then 5% a year thereafter. On the other hand, if you end up charging the same amount you'd get in benefits on a credit card each month, your interest rate will be probably be somewhere in the 12% to 20% or more range -- which means you're better off taking a hit on benefits and having access to that cash.</p>
<p>The tricky thing about filing for Social Security early is that any reduction you get in benefits will remain in effect for life. But if you're not expecting to live very long, you'll actually come out ahead by filing early.</p>
<p>Imagine you're eligible for $1,500 a month in benefits if you were to wait until age 67 to first start collecting. Filing at age 62 will reduce those benefits by 30%, so you'll be left with just $1,050 a month. Now if you live until age 78.7, you'll pretty much break even regardless of whether you start getting paid $1,500 a month at age 67 or $1,050 a month at age 62. But if you pass away sooner, you'll actually lose out by having waited until 67. In fact, if you only live until 70, you'll come out almost $47,000 ahead by filing at 62 and taking the hit.</p>
<p>When you think about claiming Social Security, you need to be realistic about the state of your health and associated life expectancy. Though it may be unsettling to predict your own mortality, claiming early can work out in your favor if you don't end up living all that long.</p>
<p>Even if you don't need the money from your Social Security payments at age 67 (say, you're still working, or have ample savings to pay your living costs), you may be inclined to file for benefits because you've reached full retirement age and want to collect your cash before the program runs out of money. But that's actually not a good reason to claim benefits at 67 at all. While Social Security is facing a deficit, the program is by no means going broke. Even if Congress doesn't come up with a fix, come 2034, once the program's trust funds run dry, incoming tax revenue will still be enough to pay 79% of scheduled benefits.</p>
<p>In other words, Social Security has the means to keep up with benefits in full for another 17 years, and Congress has close to two decades to come up with a game plan to address the program's projected shortfall. So rather than rush to claim your benefits the moment you reach full retirement age, hold off a few years and snag that 8% boost. This way, once you do start collecting your payments, you'll have more money to enjoy.</p>
<p>Though taking Social Security at 67 makes sense for some people, these are three scenarios where it just isn't a smart move. Before you file for benefits, think about the advantages and drawbacks of claiming them at various ages. This way, you're more likely to arrive at the decision that's right for you.</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. <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 Opens a New Window.</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 Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | talk first start taking social security usually looking specific eightyear range earliest age youre allowed claim benefits 62 popular age file social security age 70 meanwhile latest age claim social security still get credit delaying benefits technically dont file benefits reach 70 theres zero incentive wait longer continue reading dont choose file social security early possible 62 late possible 70 claim benefits somewhere many recipients fact opt wait reach full retirement age opens new windowbecause thats collect base benefit amount full born 1960 later full retirement age 67 means claiming benefits 67 result reduction postponing past 67 result increase plenty good reasons take social security 67 scenarios plain doesnt make sense image source getty images youre struggling financially early mid60s havent yet reached full retirement age 67 may inclined hold social security claiming early result permanent benefits reduction slashing payments isnt ideal racking debt late life cover living costs far dangerous prospect advertisement imagine social security checks spell difference covering living costs senior charging chunk basic expenses highinterest credit card youll take hit monthly benefits filing early youll come ahead long run avoiding perpetual spiral compounding credit card interest remember every year take social security early youll lose 667 benefits three years 5 year thereafter hand end charging amount youd get benefits credit card month interest rate probably somewhere 12 20 range means youre better taking hit benefits access cash tricky thing filing social security early reduction get benefits remain effect life youre expecting live long youll actually come ahead filing early imagine youre eligible 1500 month benefits wait age 67 first start collecting filing age 62 reduce benefits 30 youll left 1050 month live age 787 youll pretty much break even regardless whether start getting paid 1500 month age 67 1050 month age 62 pass away sooner youll actually lose waited 67 fact live 70 youll come almost 47000 ahead filing 62 taking hit think claiming social security need realistic state health associated life expectancy though may unsettling predict mortality claiming early work favor dont end living long even dont need money social security payments age 67 say youre still working ample savings pay living costs may inclined file benefits youve reached full retirement age want collect cash program runs money thats actually good reason claim benefits 67 social security facing deficit program means going broke even congress doesnt come fix come 2034 programs trust funds run dry incoming tax revenue still enough pay 79 scheduled benefits words social security means keep benefits full another 17 years congress close two decades come game plan address programs projected shortfall rather rush claim benefits moment reach full retirement age hold years snag 8 boost way start collecting payments youll money enjoy though taking social security 67 makes sense people three scenarios isnt smart move file benefits think advantages drawbacks claiming various ages way youre likely arrive decision thats right 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 simply click discover learn strategies opens new window motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 539 |
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<p>China announced on Friday its gross domestic product slowed to a pace just north of 8% in the first quarter, but like most economic readings that come out of the Asian giant, investors are taking it in with a grain of salt.</p>
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<p>While no smoking gun has emerged, there is a general sense in the financial community that China, like some other frontier economies have in the past, may artificially inflate the numbers in its official statistics.</p>
<p>“I think there is a sense that the data we get out of China is somewhat suspect in that it is to some degree subservient to political objectives,” said Peter Kenny, managing director at Knight Capital.</p>
<p>The cynicism, which is only fueled by China’s closed society, poses serious obstacles for investors attempting to ascertain what’s truly going on under the hood of this crucial economic engine.</p>
<p>Asked about China’s 8.1% GDP growth, Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China, told FOX Business, “I don’t know how they got to 8.1%. They just made that number up from thin air,.”</p>
<p>None of this is to say that the broader investment community believes China is completely cooking the books and its economy is actually shrinking.</p>
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<p>Transparency Questions Persist</p>
<p>Through a slew of metrics, especially its voracious appetite for raw materials like aluminum and copper, it’s clear that China has some serious economic muscle.</p>
<p>“The world knows that China is the fastest growing economy. The trends are impossible to argue with. It’s around the edges,” said Kenny. “Are some sectors of the economy weaker than we’re being told? Is real estate more of an issue than we’re being led to believe?”</p>
<p>Given China’s enormous influence on the global economic stage, it’s hard to downplay how important these “around the edges” statistics are.</p>
<p>Reliable data on vacancy rates and home prices could help investors determine whether or not China is in the midst of a serious housing bubble that could cause its economic expansion to grind to a halt and sap global demand for commodities.</p>
<p>“Transparency is always one of the foundational underpinnings of making intelligent asset allocation decisions,” said Kenny. “If you don’t know enough about the real-estate sector in China to make a thoroughly informed decision, how much of your capital do you put in place?”</p>
<p>More of an Art</p>
<p>Some investors were able to use various metrics to make what turned out to be very valuable bets against the U.S. housing market in 2006 and 2007 before it imploded. Those same investors might feel less comfortable making bullish or bearish bets in China’s housing market today due to doubts about the accuracy of the data.</p>
<p>Skepticism in some corners runs so deep that some investors use proxies for economic growth like electricity consumption as a more reliable gauge.</p>
<p>In some ways, it would make sense for China to be less than forthcoming about stats that provide evidence its previously red-hot economy is slowing down.</p>
<p>“Wherever there are expectations for growth, there is pressure on authorities to deliver to attract capital,” said Kenny. “When there is a hiccup, it’s only human nature to not want to showcase that.”</p>
<p>Still, even with a healthy dose of cynicism, economists are able to get a general feel for which direction China’s economy is going, even if the precise numbers are off.</p>
<p>“To me, whether it’s 8.1% or 8.3%, it is negligible,” said Win Thin, global head of emerging market currency strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman. “It’s not reliable at all times…but you can at least glean something on the qualitative aspects of growth.”</p>
<p>Et tu, Greece?</p>
<p>Of course, China is hardly the only country that investors have had doubts about the economic data streaming out of. In fact, many frontier economies have issued questionable statistics at some point.</p>
<p>“It’s more of an art than a science in terms of digesting emerging-market data,” said Thin.</p>
<p>Even some so-called modern economies have been caught red handed on this issue.</p>
<p>Greece infamously lied to the world about its public debt as it attempted to gain entry to the now-reeling eurozone. This disastrous downplaying of economic reality helped spark Greece’s debt debacle that could yet still bankrupt the country.</p>
<p>Kenny said, “If it can happen in Greece, in the EU -- the most regulated economy outside of a planned economy -- who is to say it can’t happen in a planned economy” like China’s?</p>
<p>And Greece’s 2011 nominal GDP of $305 billion is just a fraction of China’s $7.3 trillion economy, which is second only to the U.S.</p>
<p>Each time a new government takes control in Spain and Portugal they seem to “uncover” new evidence showing a deeper deficit than the prior government had acknowledged, said Thin.</p>
<p>Another example of data fudging is Argentina, which publishes inflation data that should make its economists’ pants light on fire. INDEC, the country’s official statistics arm, has been criticized for attempting to placate a population that knows a little something about hyperinflation.</p>
<p>“Misreported prices have cheated holders of inflation-linked bonds out of billions of dollars,” reads a February note in The Economist explaining why the magazine has decided to stop publishing INDEC’s figures entirely. “We are tired of being an unwilling party to what appears to be a deliberate attempt to deceive voters and swindle investors.”</p>
<p>While there may be little hope in the near future for Argentina’s official stats, the situation does seem to be getting better in China.</p>
<p>Thanks to pressure from some financiers and prodding from the International Monetary Fund, China has improved its reporting and transparency.</p>
<p>“The sense is it’s getting more transparent because it’s being demanded by investors,” said Kenny.</p> | true | 0 | china announced friday gross domestic product slowed pace north 8 first quarter like economic readings come asian giant investors taking grain salt continue reading smoking gun emerged general sense financial community china like frontier economies past may artificially inflate numbers official statistics think sense data get china somewhat suspect degree subservient political objectives said peter kenny managing director knight capital cynicism fueled chinas closed society poses serious obstacles investors attempting ascertain whats truly going hood crucial economic engine asked chinas 81 gdp growth gordon chang author coming collapse china told fox business dont know got 81 made number thin air none say broader investment community believes china completely cooking books economy actually shrinking advertisement transparency questions persist slew metrics especially voracious appetite raw materials like aluminum copper clear china serious economic muscle world knows china fastest growing economy trends impossible argue around edges said kenny sectors economy weaker told real estate issue led believe given chinas enormous influence global economic stage hard downplay important around edges statistics reliable data vacancy rates home prices could help investors determine whether china midst serious housing bubble could cause economic expansion grind halt sap global demand commodities transparency always one foundational underpinnings making intelligent asset allocation decisions said kenny dont know enough realestate sector china make thoroughly informed decision much capital put place art investors able use various metrics make turned valuable bets us housing market 2006 2007 imploded investors might feel less comfortable making bullish bearish bets chinas housing market today due doubts accuracy data skepticism corners runs deep investors use proxies economic growth like electricity consumption reliable gauge ways would make sense china less forthcoming stats provide evidence previously redhot economy slowing wherever expectations growth pressure authorities deliver attract capital said kenny hiccup human nature want showcase still even healthy dose cynicism economists able get general feel direction chinas economy going even precise numbers whether 81 83 negligible said win thin global head emerging market currency strategy brown brothers harriman reliable timesbut least glean something qualitative aspects growth et tu greece course china hardly country investors doubts economic data streaming fact many frontier economies issued questionable statistics point art science terms digesting emergingmarket data said thin even socalled modern economies caught red handed issue greece infamously lied world public debt attempted gain entry nowreeling eurozone disastrous downplaying economic reality helped spark greeces debt debacle could yet still bankrupt country kenny said happen greece eu regulated economy outside planned economy say cant happen planned economy like chinas greeces 2011 nominal gdp 305 billion fraction chinas 73 trillion economy second us time new government takes control spain portugal seem uncover new evidence showing deeper deficit prior government acknowledged said thin another example data fudging argentina publishes inflation data make economists pants light fire indec countrys official statistics arm criticized attempting placate population knows little something hyperinflation misreported prices cheated holders inflationlinked bonds billions dollars reads february note economist explaining magazine decided stop publishing indecs figures entirely tired unwilling party appears deliberate attempt deceive voters swindle investors may little hope near future argentinas official stats situation seem getting better china thanks pressure financiers prodding international monetary fund china improved reporting transparency sense getting transparent demanded investors said kenny | 533 |
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<p>Shares of NXP Semiconductors have climbed nearly 150% over the past five years on robust demand for its multi-purpose semiconductors, chips for connected cars, and NFC chips for mobile devices. Last December, NXP closed its $12 billion acquisition of rival Freescale, which is expected to boost annual sales 57% to $9.6 billion this year.</p>
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<p>Source: NXP.</p>
<p>Analysts expect NXP's earnings to grow 25% annually over the next five years, which gives it a very low 5-year PEG ratio of 0.5. Increased demand for <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/06/connected-cars-in-the-next-decade-4-numbers-everyo.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">connected cars Opens a New Window.</a> should also benefit NXP, since buying Freescale should boost the weight of automotive sales on its top line from 26% in thefourth quarter to 36% in the first quarter.</p>
<p>However, the deal has several drawbacks. To satisfy antitrust regulators, NXP sold its RF unit to a Chinese company for$1.8 billion last year. Numerous redundancies between NXP and Freescale also must be addressed and eliminated. As a result, NXP's forecast for the first quarter is actually 17% lower than the combined sales of both companies a year earlier. NXP doesn't pay a dividend, but it spent $474 million on buybacks in 2015. However, it hasn't revealed how its increased debt load from the Freescale deal will impact those buybacks.</p>
<p>Therefore, NXP looks like a decent investment, but I think investors looking for other solid semiconductor plays can also consider two other chipmakers -- Texas Instruments and Broadcom Limited .</p>
<p>Texas InstrumentsAt first glance, Texas Instruments' numbers look weaker than NXP's. Annual sales are expected to fall 1.6% this year to $12.8 billion. Earnings are only expected to improve 10% annually over the next five years, giving the stock a fairly high PEG ratio of 1.9. 11% of TI's 2015 sales came from Apple , which exposes it to peaking iPhone sales. Another 13% came from communications equipment, which fell 20% last year due to telcos delaying infrastructure upgrades in favor of ecosystem growth.</p>
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<p>However, TI's free cash flow has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 7% since 2004, thanks to its shift toward higher-margin <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/02/24/texas-instruments-incorporated-stock-in-4-charts.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">analog and embedded chips Opens a New Window.</a>. Its recent transition from 200mm to 300mm wafers also reduced the production cost of its chips by 40%, boosting its gross margin to a record high of 58.5% last quarter. Like NXP, TI expects chips for connected cars, which generated 15% of its 2015 sales, to drive sales over the next few years.</p>
<p>Source: Texas Instruments.</p>
<p>TI, which previously pledged to return 100% of its FCF to shareholders as buybacks and dividends, is a more shareholder friendly company than NXP. The company has reduced its share count by41% since 2004, hiked its dividend 12 years in a row, and currently pays a forward annual yield of 2.8%. Therefore, investors interested in a conservative income stock should take a closer look at TI.</p>
<p>Broadcom LimitedLast year, chipmaker Avago agreed to acquire Broadcom for $37 billion in one of the tech industry's biggest deals. That deal closed in February, and the new company was renamed Broadcom Limited. Broadcom expects the deal to generate $750 million in annual cost synergies over the next 18 months, and become "immediately accretive" to itsnon-GAAP EPS and free cash flow.</p>
<p>Analysts expect the merger to boost the Broadcom's revenues 91% this year and another 23% in 2017. Earnings are expected to rise 18% annually over the next five years, which gives the stock a fairly cheap PEG ratio of 0.8. The combined company expects to report non-GAAP gross margin of 59% forfiscal 2016 -- down slightly from 61% in 2015.</p>
<p>Source: Broadcom.</p>
<p>Like TI, Broadcom is a major Apple supplier. Prior to the merger, Apple orders accounted for "more than 10%" of Avago's quarterly sales and 14% of Broadcom's 2014 revenue. Last quarter (which only includes Avago's stand-alone sales), wireless communications revenue fell 13% annually dueto sluggish iPhone sales. However, Broadcom posted double-digit growth in both enterprise storage and wireless infrastructure, where demand for its optical components has bucked the telco slowdown and remained strong.</p>
<p>On the surface, Broadcom and NXP's mergers have several similarities -- they both strengthen their economies of scale, broaden their portfolio, and widen their moats. However, Broadcom currently pays a forward dividend yield of 1.2%, and previously hiked that payout for six consecutive years. As an income investor, that makes the "new" Broadcom a slightly more appealing choice than NXP.</p>
<p>But don't underestimate NXPI personally prefer stability and dividends, so TI and Broadcom are more appealing to me. But for investors seeking out cheaper valuations and don't mind the higher volatility and lack of dividends, NXP is still a solid choice. As always, investors should do their homework to see which of these three chip stocks is best suited for their investing goals.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/11/forget-nxp-semiconductors-nv-these-2-stocks-are-be.aspx" type="external">Forget NXP Semiconductors NV: These 2 Stocks Are Better Buys Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple and NXP Semiconductors. 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> | true | 0 | shares nxp semiconductors climbed nearly 150 past five years robust demand multipurpose semiconductors chips connected cars nfc chips mobile devices last december nxp closed 12 billion acquisition rival freescale expected boost annual sales 57 96 billion year continue reading source nxp analysts expect nxps earnings grow 25 annually next five years gives low 5year peg ratio 05 increased demand connected cars opens new window also benefit nxp since buying freescale boost weight automotive sales top line 26 thefourth quarter 36 first quarter however deal several drawbacks satisfy antitrust regulators nxp sold rf unit chinese company for18 billion last year numerous redundancies nxp freescale also must addressed eliminated result nxps forecast first quarter actually 17 lower combined sales companies year earlier nxp doesnt pay dividend spent 474 million buybacks 2015 however hasnt revealed increased debt load freescale deal impact buybacks therefore nxp looks like decent investment think investors looking solid semiconductor plays also consider two chipmakers texas instruments broadcom limited texas instrumentsat first glance texas instruments numbers look weaker nxps annual sales expected fall 16 year 128 billion earnings expected improve 10 annually next five years giving stock fairly high peg ratio 19 11 tis 2015 sales came apple exposes peaking iphone sales another 13 came communications equipment fell 20 last year due telcos delaying infrastructure upgrades favor ecosystem growth advertisement however tis free cash flow grown compound annual growth rate 7 since 2004 thanks shift toward highermargin analog embedded chips opens new window recent transition 200mm 300mm wafers also reduced production cost chips 40 boosting gross margin record high 585 last quarter like nxp ti expects chips connected cars generated 15 2015 sales drive sales next years source texas instruments ti previously pledged return 100 fcf shareholders buybacks dividends shareholder friendly company nxp company reduced share count by41 since 2004 hiked dividend 12 years row currently pays forward annual yield 28 therefore investors interested conservative income stock take closer look ti broadcom limitedlast year chipmaker avago agreed acquire broadcom 37 billion one tech industrys biggest deals deal closed february new company renamed broadcom limited broadcom expects deal generate 750 million annual cost synergies next 18 months become immediately accretive itsnongaap eps free cash flow analysts expect merger boost broadcoms revenues 91 year another 23 2017 earnings expected rise 18 annually next five years gives stock fairly cheap peg ratio 08 combined company expects report nongaap gross margin 59 forfiscal 2016 slightly 61 2015 source broadcom like ti broadcom major apple supplier prior merger apple orders accounted 10 avagos quarterly sales 14 broadcoms 2014 revenue last quarter includes avagos standalone sales wireless communications revenue fell 13 annually dueto sluggish iphone sales however broadcom posted doubledigit growth enterprise storage wireless infrastructure demand optical components bucked telco slowdown remained strong surface broadcom nxps mergers several similarities strengthen economies scale broaden portfolio widen moats however broadcom currently pays forward dividend yield 12 previously hiked payout six consecutive years income investor makes new broadcom slightly appealing choice nxp dont underestimate nxpi personally prefer stability dividends ti broadcom appealing investors seeking cheaper valuations dont mind higher volatility lack dividends nxp still solid choice always investors homework see three chip stocks best suited investing goals article forget nxp semiconductors nv 2 stocks better buys opens new window originally appeared foolcom leo sun opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends apple nxp semiconductors 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 | 607 |
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<p>Image source: Tesla Motors.</p>
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<p>Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) is holding a product demonstration event with SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY)this evening to "unveil an integrated solar roof with next-generation energy storage and EV [electric vehicle] charging," and it could shape the future of both companies. In the midst of their merger, Tesla needs to convince investors it would be better with SolarCity as a subsidiary -- and this product will be part of that argument. But there are a lot of questions for Elon Musk to answer in the presentation.</p>
<p>On the second-quarter conference call, the solar roof was unveiled as a concept to investors, but there wasn't much detail on what it was. That needs to change tonight.</p>
<p>Solar manufacturers have tried to make solar roofing products from shingles to flexible solar panels, and the history isn't good. Greentech Media put together <a href="https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/A-Note-to-Elon-Musk-And-The-Brothers-Rive-on-The-Integrated-Solar-Roof" type="external">a list of 12 companies Opens a New Window.</a> that have gone out of business or abandoned building integrated photovoltaics in the past decade, and noted another 11 that are still in the business with very little success. In other words, Tesla and SolarCity have an uphill battle convincing people that integrating solar into a roof is a good idea. There are even simpler questions that don't have easy answers in the solar roofing market.</p>
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<p>Those following the solar industry closely know solar roofs have been a huge failure until now. Tesla and SolarCity will have to prove they have a product that'll buck the trend.</p>
<p>The more consequential product to be announced will likely be a next-generation Powerwall that seamlessly works with a standard solar power system. If Tesla can design the inverter into the Powerwall, so homeowners have fewer electrical boxes around the house, it would be a win for everyone. But there's a big outstanding question: How will customers justify the cost?</p>
<p>In theory, a homeowner could save solar energy during the day for use at night, but justifying that economically is a tough task. Today, the only state where there's a big gap between what a customer pays for electricity and the price they're paid to export electricity to the grid (known as arbitrage) is Hawaii. And Hawaii's electricity cost is about three times that of the continental U.S. In the other 49 states there's no clear way to justify the energy-storage price tag today.</p>
<p>Image source: SolarCity.</p>
<p>This isn't to say that there's no value in energy storage in the home, which will be unlocked eventually. But right now, it's not clear how a customer will accept spending thousands of dollars on energy storage.</p>
<p>Tesla's 6.4 kWh Powerwall currently sells for $3,000, which is before an inverter or installation costs that would run into the thousands of dollars. And since the average U.S. home consumes 29.6 kWh of energy per day, it would take five Powerwalls to store a single day's worth of energy, costing $15,000 for the batteries alone and well over $20,000 when you include installation and inverters. The cost of a next-generation Powerwall may be lower, but it's still a big outlay for consumers.</p>
<p>Let's say Tesla wants to sell the $20,000 Powerwall system (which would come down to $14,000 after the investment tax credit) to a homeowner, and to offer a 12-year payback that's financed either through Tesla or by the homeowner. Somewhere in the system, there would have to be $97 per month of cost savings or revenue opportunity from the energy-storage system for customers to justify the purchase. And Musk has to answer where those cost savings or revenue opportunities will come from. With solar alone already offsetting most of the utility bill, how will solar and storage be justified?</p>
<p>The cost-savings side is really key for energy storage, as it was for solar. Selling energy storage, however, won't be as easy as selling an electric vehicle, which can get oohs and ahhs from the neighbors. The sales process will come down to dollars and cents for customers, and if Tesla can't prove the integrated Powerwall will save money today, the product will be doomed before it even gets off the ground.</p>
<p>The third thing Musk needs to address is SolarCity's solar panel manufacturing plans. Two years ago, the Silevo plant in Buffalo, New York, was key to SolarCity differentiating itself in residential solar, and if Tesla and SolarCity are going to be one company, a big value driver will be integrating the design of panels, inverters, and storage.Tesla has to be a leader in technology innovation in each component to be successful.</p>
<p>On a related note, Tesla recently blindsided investors with news that it had an agreement with Panasonic to come in and help SolarCity with solar panel manufacturing in Buffalo. It's not clear exactly what that means, but if Musk doesn't talk about a SolarCity high-efficiency solar panel that will be available to customers soon, it should be a red flag to investors, suggesting that there already are big problems with SolarCity's manufacturing.</p>
<p>For Tesla and SolarCity to succeed long term, they need to have both better technology and better integration than competitors for solar and storage. Without a proprietary solar panel that outperforms commodity panels, that thesis starts to fall apart.</p>
<p>There's a lot for Musk and team to cover tonight as they try to build the renewable-energy company of the future. Check back to Fool.com for more coverage on the product release over the next week. There will surely be a lot for investors to digest.</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/TMFFlushDraw/info.aspx" type="external">Travis Hoium Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends SolarCity and Tesla Motors. 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> | true | 0 | image source tesla motors continue reading tesla motors nasdaq tsla holding product demonstration event solarcity nasdaq sctythis evening unveil integrated solar roof nextgeneration energy storage ev electric vehicle charging could shape future companies midst merger tesla needs convince investors would better solarcity subsidiary product part argument lot questions elon musk answer presentation secondquarter conference call solar roof unveiled concept investors wasnt much detail needs change tonight solar manufacturers tried make solar roofing products shingles flexible solar panels history isnt good greentech media put together list 12 companies opens new window gone business abandoned building integrated photovoltaics past decade noted another 11 still business little success words tesla solarcity uphill battle convincing people integrating solar roof good idea even simpler questions dont easy answers solar roofing market advertisement following solar industry closely know solar roofs huge failure tesla solarcity prove product thatll buck trend consequential product announced likely nextgeneration powerwall seamlessly works standard solar power system tesla design inverter powerwall homeowners fewer electrical boxes around house would win everyone theres big outstanding question customers justify cost theory homeowner could save solar energy day use night justifying economically tough task today state theres big gap customer pays electricity price theyre paid export electricity grid known arbitrage hawaii hawaiis electricity cost three times continental us 49 states theres clear way justify energystorage price tag today image source solarcity isnt say theres value energy storage home unlocked eventually right clear customer accept spending thousands dollars energy storage teslas 64 kwh powerwall currently sells 3000 inverter installation costs would run thousands dollars since average us home consumes 296 kwh energy per day would take five powerwalls store single days worth energy costing 15000 batteries alone well 20000 include installation inverters cost nextgeneration powerwall may lower still big outlay consumers lets say tesla wants sell 20000 powerwall system would come 14000 investment tax credit homeowner offer 12year payback thats financed either tesla homeowner somewhere system would 97 per month cost savings revenue opportunity energystorage system customers justify purchase musk answer cost savings revenue opportunities come solar alone already offsetting utility bill solar storage justified costsavings side really key energy storage solar selling energy storage however wont easy selling electric vehicle get oohs ahhs neighbors sales process come dollars cents customers tesla cant prove integrated powerwall save money today product doomed even gets ground third thing musk needs address solarcitys solar panel manufacturing plans two years ago silevo plant buffalo new york key solarcity differentiating residential solar tesla solarcity going one company big value driver integrating design panels inverters storagetesla leader technology innovation component successful related note tesla recently blindsided investors news agreement panasonic come help solarcity solar panel manufacturing buffalo clear exactly means musk doesnt talk solarcity highefficiency solar panel available customers soon red flag investors suggesting already big problems solarcitys manufacturing tesla solarcity succeed long term need better technology better integration competitors solar storage without proprietary solar panel outperforms commodity panels thesis starts fall apart theres lot musk team cover tonight try build renewableenergy company future check back foolcom coverage product release next week surely lot investors digest 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 travis hoium opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends solarcity tesla motors 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 | 605 |
<p>A unit of Caterpillar Inc. admitted that it cheated customers by performing unnecessary repairs to their railcars and agreed to plead guilty to dumping brake shoes and other parts into the ocean to hide evidence, according to court documents.</p>
<p>United Industries LLC, part of Caterpillar's Progress Rail Services unit, agreed to pay a criminal fine of $5 million fine as well as a total of $20 million in restitution to three railcar-owning companies: TTX Co., Greenbrier Co. and the Pacer International unit of XPO Logistics Inc.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The fine and restitution are modest for a large company like Caterpillar, but the case represents a blow against its reputation for quality service.</p>
<p>The Illinois-based manufacturing giant was due in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Thursday afternoon to enter its guilty plea, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles. Caterpillar didn't have an immediate comment.</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal reported three years ago that some workers at the Caterpillar unit had resorted to smashing brake parts with hammers, gouging wheels with chisels or using chains to yank handles loose, according to current and former employees.</p>
<p>The dumping described in the plea agreement occurred in 2008 and 2009. Mark A. Williams, an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, said the case dragged on for years because of the complexity of the investigation and calculations regarding restitution to the railcar owners.</p>
<p>Mr. Williams added that the case was particularly serious because the improper repair practices had the potential to cause railroad accidents.</p>
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<p>The plea agreement specifies that United Industries violated federal law by dumping refuse in navigable waters.</p>
<p>United at the time operated a repair facility at the Port of Long Beach, a business from which it has since withdrawn. The company's duties included inspecting railcars passing through the port to see whether any parts needed to be repaired or replaced under industry guidelines, according to an exhibit attached to the plea agreement, filed in federal court last month.</p>
<p>Employees of United Industries sometimes replaced parts on railcars even when those parts didn't show signs of damage sufficient to require replacement under industry standards, according to the court documents.</p>
<p>"Employees would also knowingly pick random repairs to make on the railcars without conducting an inspection" meeting those standards, the documents said. Employees told federal investigators that they were encouraged by certain supervisors to increase revenue by making unneeded repairs.</p>
<p>Inspectors from the Federal Railroad Administration and the Association of American Railroads make periodic visits to rail-repair yards to check whether proper procedures are being followed and to inspect parts removed from cars to determine whether they were broken or worn. To conceal evidence from those inspectors, the documents said, employees threw such parts as roof liners, roller bearing adapters and brake shoes into the harbor.</p>
<p>After getting a tip from an unidentified whistleblower, divers working for the port police found those parts on the ocean floor near the repair facilities.</p>
<p>Caterpillar disclosed in November 2013 that it was subject to a criminal investigation of charges that it made "improper or unnecessary" inspections and repairs of railroad cars but provided few details. The Wall Street Journal described the main thrusts of the investigation in July 2014.</p>
<p>Greenbrier and XPO Logistics had no immediate comment on the railcar case. TTX declined to comment. TTX, which is owned by the major freight railroads, replaced Progress as the railcar service provider at Long Beach and at other West Coast rail hubs.</p>
<p>Caterpillar's guilty plea in the railcar case comes as the manufacturer faces other legal woes.</p>
<p>In a separate criminal probe, federal agents raided its former headquarters in Peoria, Ill., and two other nearby facilities in March in connection with a tax-reduction plan involving a Switzerland-based subsidiary. The raids were conducted by agents with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Internal Revenue Service and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s inspector general's office.</p>
<p>Agents were focused in large part on materials related to Caterpillar's export filings, and people familiar with the matter have said investigators were examining the tax implications of what appeared to be missing Caterpillar filings. Caterpillar has said it "believes its tax position is right" and is cooperating with the government.</p>
<p>--Andrew Tangel contributed to this article.</p>
<p>A unit of Caterpillar Inc. admitted that it cheated customers by performing unnecessary repairs to their railcars and pleaded guilty to dumping brake shoes and other parts into the ocean to hide evidence, according to court documents.</p>
<p>United Industries LLC, part of Caterpillar's Progress Rail Services unit, agreed to pay a criminal fine of $5 million as well as a total of $20 million in restitution to three railcar-owning companies: TTX Co., Greenbrier Cos. and the Pacer International unit of XPO Logistics Inc.</p>
<p>The fine and restitution are modest for a large company like Caterpillar, but the case represents a blow to its reputation for quality service.</p>
<p>The Illinois-based manufacturing giant entered its guilty plea in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Thursday afternoon.</p>
<p>Caterpillar said it had "taken corrective action against employees involved in this matter" and "enhanced its compliance program." The company said it hadn't found any "safety issues related to this matter."</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal reported three years ago that some workers at the Caterpillar unit had resorted to smashing brake parts with hammers, gouging wheels with chisels or using chains to yank handles loose, according to current and former employees.</p>
<p>United Industries employees told federal investigators that they were encouraged by certain supervisors to increase revenue by making unneeded repairs.</p>
<p>United at the time operated a repair facility at the Port of Long Beach, a business from which it has since withdrawn. The company's duties included inspecting railcars passing through the Southern California port to see whether any parts needed to be repaired or replaced under industry guidelines, according to an exhibit attached to the plea agreement, filed in federal court last month.</p>
<p>Employees sometimes replaced parts on railcars even when those parts didn't show signs of damage sufficient to require replacement under industry standards, according to court documents. They "would also knowingly pick random repairs to make on the railcars without conducting an inspection" meeting those standards, the documents said.</p>
<p>Inspectors from the Federal Railroad Administration and the Association of American Railroads make periodic visits to rail-repair yards to check whether proper procedures are being followed and to inspect parts removed from cars to determine whether they were broken or worn. To conceal evidence from those inspectors, the documents said, employees threw such parts as roof liners, roller bearing adapters and brake shoes into the harbor.</p>
<p>After getting a tip from an unidentified whistleblower, divers working for the port police found those parts on the ocean floor near the repair facilities.</p>
<p>The dumping described in the plea agreement occurred in 2008 and 2009. Mark A. Williams, an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, said the case dragged on for years because of the complexity of the investigation and calculations regarding restitution to the railcar owners.</p>
<p>Mr. Williams added that the case was particularly serious because the improper repair practices had the potential to cause railroad accidents.</p>
<p>The plea agreement specifies that United Industries violated federal law by dumping refuse in navigable waters.</p>
<p>Caterpillar disclosed in November 2013 that it was subject to a criminal investigation of charges that it made "improper or unnecessary" inspections and repairs of railroad cars but provided few details.</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal described the main thrusts of the investigation in July 2014.</p>
<p>Greenbrier and XPO Logistics had no immediate comment on the railcar case. TTX declined to comment. TTX, which is owned by the major freight railroads, replaced Progress as the railcar service provider at Long Beach and at other West Coast rail hubs.</p>
<p>Caterpillar's guilty plea in the railcar case comes as the manufacturer faces other legal woes.</p>
<p>In a separate criminal probe, federal agents raided its former headquarters in Peoria, Ill., and two other nearby facilities in March in connection with a tax-reduction plan involving a Switzerland-based subsidiary. The raids were conducted by agents with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Internal Revenue Service and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s inspector general's office.</p>
<p>Agents were focused in large part on materials related to Caterpillar's export filings, and people familiar with the matter have said investigators were examining the tax implications of what appeared to be missing Caterpillar filings. Caterpillar has said it "believes its tax position is right" and is cooperating with the government.</p>
<p>--Andrew Tangel contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to James R. Hagerty at [email protected] and Bob Tita at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>December 07, 2017 20:54 ET (01:54 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | unit caterpillar inc admitted cheated customers performing unnecessary repairs railcars agreed plead guilty dumping brake shoes parts ocean hide evidence according court documents united industries llc part caterpillars progress rail services unit agreed pay criminal fine 5 million fine well total 20 million restitution three railcarowning companies ttx co greenbrier co pacer international unit xpo logistics inc continue reading fine restitution modest large company like caterpillar case represents blow reputation quality service illinoisbased manufacturing giant due us district court central district california thursday afternoon enter guilty plea according us attorneys office los angeles caterpillar didnt immediate comment wall street journal reported three years ago workers caterpillar unit resorted smashing brake parts hammers gouging wheels chisels using chains yank handles loose according current former employees dumping described plea agreement occurred 2008 2009 mark williams assistant us attorney los angeles said case dragged years complexity investigation calculations regarding restitution railcar owners mr williams added case particularly serious improper repair practices potential cause railroad accidents advertisement plea agreement specifies united industries violated federal law dumping refuse navigable waters united time operated repair facility port long beach business since withdrawn companys duties included inspecting railcars passing port see whether parts needed repaired replaced industry guidelines according exhibit attached plea agreement filed federal court last month employees united industries sometimes replaced parts railcars even parts didnt show signs damage sufficient require replacement industry standards according court documents employees would also knowingly pick random repairs make railcars without conducting inspection meeting standards documents said employees told federal investigators encouraged certain supervisors increase revenue making unneeded repairs inspectors federal railroad administration association american railroads make periodic visits railrepair yards check whether proper procedures followed inspect parts removed cars determine whether broken worn conceal evidence inspectors documents said employees threw parts roof liners roller bearing adapters brake shoes harbor getting tip unidentified whistleblower divers working port police found parts ocean floor near repair facilities caterpillar disclosed november 2013 subject criminal investigation charges made improper unnecessary inspections repairs railroad cars provided details wall street journal described main thrusts investigation july 2014 greenbrier xpo logistics immediate comment railcar case ttx declined comment ttx owned major freight railroads replaced progress railcar service provider long beach west coast rail hubs caterpillars guilty plea railcar case comes manufacturer faces legal woes separate criminal probe federal agents raided former headquarters peoria ill two nearby facilities march connection taxreduction plan involving switzerlandbased subsidiary raids conducted agents us department commerce internal revenue service federal deposit insurance corps inspector generals office agents focused large part materials related caterpillars export filings people familiar matter said investigators examining tax implications appeared missing caterpillar filings caterpillar said believes tax position right cooperating government andrew tangel contributed article unit caterpillar inc admitted cheated customers performing unnecessary repairs railcars pleaded guilty dumping brake shoes parts ocean hide evidence according court documents united industries llc part caterpillars progress rail services unit agreed pay criminal fine 5 million well total 20 million restitution three railcarowning companies ttx co greenbrier cos pacer international unit xpo logistics inc fine restitution modest large company like caterpillar case represents blow reputation quality service illinoisbased manufacturing giant entered guilty plea us district court central district california thursday afternoon caterpillar said taken corrective action employees involved matter enhanced compliance program company said hadnt found safety issues related matter wall street journal reported three years ago workers caterpillar unit resorted smashing brake parts hammers gouging wheels chisels using chains yank handles loose according current former employees united industries employees told federal investigators encouraged certain supervisors increase revenue making unneeded repairs united time operated repair facility port long beach business since withdrawn companys duties included inspecting railcars passing southern california port see whether parts needed repaired replaced industry guidelines according exhibit attached plea agreement filed federal court last month employees sometimes replaced parts railcars even parts didnt show signs damage sufficient require replacement industry standards according court documents would also knowingly pick random repairs make railcars without conducting inspection meeting standards documents said inspectors federal railroad administration association american railroads make periodic visits railrepair yards check whether proper procedures followed inspect parts removed cars determine whether broken worn conceal evidence inspectors documents said employees threw parts roof liners roller bearing adapters brake shoes harbor getting tip unidentified whistleblower divers working port police found parts ocean floor near repair facilities dumping described plea agreement occurred 2008 2009 mark williams assistant us attorney los angeles said case dragged years complexity investigation calculations regarding restitution railcar owners mr williams added case particularly serious improper repair practices potential cause railroad accidents plea agreement specifies united industries violated federal law dumping refuse navigable waters caterpillar disclosed november 2013 subject criminal investigation charges made improper unnecessary inspections repairs railroad cars provided details wall street journal described main thrusts investigation july 2014 greenbrier xpo logistics immediate comment railcar case ttx declined comment ttx owned major freight railroads replaced progress railcar service provider long beach west coast rail hubs caterpillars guilty plea railcar case comes manufacturer faces legal woes separate criminal probe federal agents raided former headquarters peoria ill two nearby facilities march connection taxreduction plan involving switzerlandbased subsidiary raids conducted agents us department commerce internal revenue service federal deposit insurance corps inspector generals office agents focused large part materials related caterpillars export filings people familiar matter said investigators examining tax implications appeared missing caterpillar filings caterpillar said believes tax position right cooperating government andrew tangel contributed article write james r hagerty bobhagertywsjcom bob tita roberttitawsjcom end dow jones newswires december 07 2017 2054 et 0154 gmt | 917 |
<p />
<p>Apple recently disappointed investors with a 13% year-over-year sales decline during its second quarter. iPhone sales, which accounted for nearly two-thirds of its top line, fell 18% -- representing its first year-over-year decline since the device was introduced in 2007. iPad sales also fell 19%, marking its ninth consecutive quarter of declines, and Mac sales dipped 9%. Apple also expects revenue for the quarter to fall 13% to 17% annually, well below the consensus estimate for a 5% decline.</p>
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<p>Image source: Apple.</p>
<p>That's all terrible news for Apple, but it's arguably worse news for top-heavy suppliers that rely too heavily on the iDevice maker's orders. Let's examine two such companies which are highly dependent on Apple's growth -- Cirrus Logic and Invensense -- to see how badly they could be affected by Apple's slowdown.</p>
<p>Cirrus LogicCirrus Logic makes audio chips for Apple devices. 67% of its revenue came from Apple duringthe first nine months of fiscal 2016 (which ended on March 28) according to its latest 10-Q filing. We won't know how much revenue Apple contributed for the full year until Cirrus files its 10-K, but we know that Apple accounted for 72% of its total sales in fiscal 2015.</p>
<p>Due to that exposure, Cirrus' sales growth has fallen sharply over the past few quarters. After six consecutive quarters of double-digit growth, Cirrus' revenue fell 9% annually to $232 million last quarter. Cirrus also expects its revenue for the current quarter to fall 12% to 22%, well below Street expectations for a 9% decline.</p>
<p>But despite that sales decline, shares of Cirrus have risen nearly 20% since the beginning of the year. This is mainly due to the belief that Cirrus will supply a smart codec IC for noise-cancelling earbuds in the iPhone 7, which will likely swap its 3.5mm headphone jack for a Lightning port. If that happens, Cirrus can generate more revenue per iPhone, even if overall shipments stall or decline. Cirrus' full-year sales forecast for 15% growthin 2017, which is higher than the consensus estimate for 14% growth, strongly suggests that could happen.</p>
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<p>Image source: Cirrus Logic.</p>
<p>InvensenseInvensense makes motion sensors for Apple devices. 40% of Invensense's revenue came from Apple during the first nine months of fiscal 2016 (which ended on March 29), up from 30% in fiscal 2015. Like Cirrus, Invensense posted six consecutive quarters of double-digit sales growth before slowing down to 4% growth last quarter. Analysts currently expect Invensense's revenue to fall 20% when it reports its fourth quarter earnings on May 9, but potentially revenue could rise 13% for the full year on sales of chips for the iPhone 7 and other devices.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Invensense doesn't have as much hope of growing content share within iPhones and iPads as Cirrus. Instead, Apple notably stepped away from Invensense by letting its rival STMicroelectronics supply the motion sensors for the Apple Watch. This means that Apple might ask STMicro, which suppliedmotion sensors for previous iPhones before Invensense, to supply its upcoming iDevices instead. STMicro has also been supplying more components to Samsung, which accounted for 18% of Invensense's revenue in the first nine months of 2016. That competitive pressure caused Invensense stock to slide 20% since the beginning of the year.</p>
<p>Invensense believes that it can diversify into new sensors for drones, security systems, connected cars, and other Internet of Things gadgets to reduce its dependence on Apple. However, STMicro and other chipmakers are already expanding <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/edited-transcript-stm-mi-earnings-140749179.html" type="external">Opens a New Window.</a>into the same markets.</p>
<p>Invensense also hopes that its new "ultrasonic" fingerprint scanners, which can read fingerprints through glass, will convince companies to integrate fingerprint scanners directly intomobile displays.</p>
<p>Beware of investing in suppliersInvesting in supply chain players might seem like a good "backdoor" approach to profiting from successful and closely watched companies like Apple. However, investors should note that Apple has lots of clout in negotiating favorable prices, which forces suppliers to sell their components at lower margins. Apple also likes to rotate or split component production between suppliers, which means that orders from Apple shouldn't be considered a stable stream of long-term revenue.</p>
<p>Cirrus and Invensense aren't the only suppliers with double-digit exposure to Apple, but it's interesting to compare the two companies. Cirrus, which has supplied audio chips for multiple generations of iPhones, will likely remain reliable as it gains content share in future iPhones. Invensense, which only started supplying motion sensors to Apple with the iPhone 6, could lose that coveted spot to STMicro. That contrast reveals how quickly an Apple supplier's fortunes can turn, and why investors should exercise caution when investing in these companies.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/29/2-suppliers-that-are-too-exposed-to-apple-inc.aspx" type="external">2 Suppliers That Are Too Exposed to Apple Inc. Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple and InvenSense. The Motley Fool recommends Cirrus Logic. 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> | true | 0 | apple recently disappointed investors 13 yearoveryear sales decline second quarter iphone sales accounted nearly twothirds top line fell 18 representing first yearoveryear decline since device introduced 2007 ipad sales also fell 19 marking ninth consecutive quarter declines mac sales dipped 9 apple also expects revenue quarter fall 13 17 annually well consensus estimate 5 decline continue reading image source apple thats terrible news apple arguably worse news topheavy suppliers rely heavily idevice makers orders lets examine two companies highly dependent apples growth cirrus logic invensense see badly could affected apples slowdown cirrus logiccirrus logic makes audio chips apple devices 67 revenue came apple duringthe first nine months fiscal 2016 ended march 28 according latest 10q filing wont know much revenue apple contributed full year cirrus files 10k know apple accounted 72 total sales fiscal 2015 due exposure cirrus sales growth fallen sharply past quarters six consecutive quarters doubledigit growth cirrus revenue fell 9 annually 232 million last quarter cirrus also expects revenue current quarter fall 12 22 well street expectations 9 decline despite sales decline shares cirrus risen nearly 20 since beginning year mainly due belief cirrus supply smart codec ic noisecancelling earbuds iphone 7 likely swap 35mm headphone jack lightning port happens cirrus generate revenue per iphone even overall shipments stall decline cirrus fullyear sales forecast 15 growthin 2017 higher consensus estimate 14 growth strongly suggests could happen advertisement image source cirrus logic invensenseinvensense makes motion sensors apple devices 40 invensenses revenue came apple first nine months fiscal 2016 ended march 29 30 fiscal 2015 like cirrus invensense posted six consecutive quarters doubledigit sales growth slowing 4 growth last quarter analysts currently expect invensenses revenue fall 20 reports fourth quarter earnings may 9 potentially revenue could rise 13 full year sales chips iphone 7 devices unfortunately invensense doesnt much hope growing content share within iphones ipads cirrus instead apple notably stepped away invensense letting rival stmicroelectronics supply motion sensors apple watch means apple might ask stmicro suppliedmotion sensors previous iphones invensense supply upcoming idevices instead stmicro also supplying components samsung accounted 18 invensenses revenue first nine months 2016 competitive pressure caused invensense stock slide 20 since beginning year invensense believes diversify new sensors drones security systems connected cars internet things gadgets reduce dependence apple however stmicro chipmakers already expanding opens new windowinto markets invensense also hopes new ultrasonic fingerprint scanners read fingerprints glass convince companies integrate fingerprint scanners directly intomobile displays beware investing suppliersinvesting supply chain players might seem like good backdoor approach profiting successful closely watched companies like apple however investors note apple lots clout negotiating favorable prices forces suppliers sell components lower margins apple also likes rotate split component production suppliers means orders apple shouldnt considered stable stream longterm revenue cirrus invensense arent suppliers doubledigit exposure apple interesting compare two companies cirrus supplied audio chips multiple generations iphones likely remain reliable gains content share future iphones invensense started supplying motion sensors apple iphone 6 could lose coveted spot stmicro contrast reveals quickly apple suppliers fortunes turn investors exercise caution investing companies article 2 suppliers exposed apple inc opens new window originally appeared foolcom leo sun opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends apple invensense motley fool recommends cirrus logic 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 | 584 |
<p>What abortion providers do with "fetal remains" after an abortion is an issue that has come under increased scrutiny in the last month after two facilities were found to have been disposing of them illegally. A recently released video features one abortion provider giving a particularly disturbing suggestion for handling the problem, which she said she gave in "all seriousness": give the fetal remains to patients in "a gift bag" and let them "figure out what to do with it."</p>
<p>As pro-life group <a href="http://studentsforlife.org/abortionistproblems-what-to-do-with-fetal-remains/" type="external">Students for Life</a> highlights, in the last month abortion providers in Ohio and South Carolina were found to have illegally disposed of fetal remains in landfills. When an Ohio Planned Parenthood facility was caught in the illegal practice, they responded with the organization's default tactic, portraying themselves as victims and <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/12/14/planned-parenthood-sues-ohio-in-dispute-over-fetal-tissue.html" type="external">suing the state</a> for allegedly not informing them of the law. Meanwhile, a South Carolina clinic was <a href="http://www.heraldonline.com/latest-news/article49882750.html" type="external">fined $8,000</a>along with Waste Management for a similar violation.</p>
<p>"We thought we’ll give it [the fetal remains] to everybody in a gift bag, they can take it home, figure out what to do with it. It’s their pregnancy – why is this our problem?"</p>
<p>Michigan abortion provider</p>
<p>Students for Life recently posted the transcript of an undercover video taken at a National Abortion Federation conference which features Renee Chelian, a Michigan abortion provider, openly discussing the problem of how to dispose of the remains of aborted babies. In the video (created by the Center for Medical Progress and originally posted by GotNews.com), Chelian talks candidly about the problems her clinic faced with disposal and gives several options they considered for handling the issue.</p>
<p>"Nobody wants to talk about dead bodies, nobody but me," said Chelian, who was part of a panel discussion at the conference. "There was a point when Stericycle fired us that I had 5 months worth of fetal tissue in my freezers and we were renting freezers to put them in. So, all I thought about, I was so consumed with fetal tissue, I was ready to drive to upper Michigan and have a bonfire. And, I was just trying to figure out, you know, how I wouldn’t get stopped or how far in the woods would I have to go to have this fire that nobody was going to see me."</p>
<p>“And the garbage disposal was an option, I mean, there was a point that I actually hired someone from another clinic to come in and take 20 bottles and put it into my garbage disposal," she added.</p>
<p>Chelian goes on at length about various means of disposal, including using incinerators and a "dishwasher"-like machine that uses a "green chemical" on the remains and then flushes them into the sewer system.</p>
<p>At one point she suggests the "gift bag" idea:</p>
<p>"We thought we’ll give it [the fetal remains] to everybody in a gift bag, they can take it home, figure out what to do with it. It’s their pregnancy – why is this our problem? And I’m saying that in all seriousness," she said.</p>
<p>Here's the transcript via <a href="http://studentsforlife.org/abortionistproblems-what-to-do-with-fetal-remains/" type="external">Students for Life</a>:</p>
<p>[Renee Chelian, Michigan abortion provider] “We thought we’ll give it [the fetal remains] to everybody in a gift bag, they can take it home, figure out what to do with it. It’s their pregnancy – why is this our problem? And I’m saying that in all seriousness.”</p>
<p>[...]</p>
<p>[Renee Chelian, Michigan abortion provider] “Nobody wants to talk about dead bodies, nobody but me.</p>
<p>“There was a point when Stericycle fired us that I had 5 months worth of fetal tissue in my freezers and we were renting freezers to put them in. So, all I thought about, I was so consumed with fetal tissue, I was ready to drive to upper Michigan and have a bonfire. And, I was just trying to figure out, you know, how I wouldn’t get stopped or how far in the woods would I have to go to have this fire that nobody was going to see me.”</p>
<p>“And the garbage disposal was an option, I mean, there was a point that I actually hired someone from another clinic to come in and take 20 bottles and put it into my garbage disposal.”</p>
<p>State laws have changed &amp; Stericycle, the leading company for taking fetal remains, no longer takes pregnancy tissue in some states. This means abortionists need a “Plan B” for disposing of fetal remains.</p>
<p>Plan B: The Co-Op Incinerator</p>
<p>[Renee Chelian, Michigan abortion provider] “When you look at incinerators for cremation, the website descriptions are small cat, small dog, larger dog. So we were looking trying to compare our jars to various animals you might incinerate. We knew we wouldn’t need one big enough for a horse.”</p>
<p>“Were we going to have to go into inner city Detroit and get a lot and put an incinerator there and then how do we transfer the waste? I mean fortunately we have those really lax laws in Michigan so I was going to get a license as a transporter, yet another fun thing, yup, and there are a bunch of clinics buying an incinerator and then we can just go pick up for each other if we all got a license. I mean talk about moving on the competition.”</p>
<p>“I mean really this is my back up plan. It’s going to have a name this is really, you know, nothing to do with anything in the Universe, and it’ll be really hard to find because it’s going to be in somebody else’s name, not mine. So I don’t know, that’s how awful this is, I feel like the mafia.”</p>
<p>Plan B: Go Green</p>
<p>[Renee Chelian, Michigan abortion provider] “We actually found some green technology that is like a dishwasher. And you plug it in like a dishwasher, like a portable dishwasher, and you add some kind of chemical. I mean, I’m using the word chemical really loose, it’s green. That’s all I know. And [EUROPE IS] (not you’re just) using it because they don’t have enough cemetery, they don’t have any space. And you run this cycle and then it goes in the sewer system which sounds like a really great idea! Although I have to say I can’t remember if that was approved.”</p>
<p>“Even in our hospital in Canada, we contract out, ultimately to Stericycle and it’s going out to Portland and Portland is a waste to energy facility. It’s a PR nightmare for us. It would end up being the front page of the paper… Fetuses Are Being Used For Energy. I mean, I think it’s a great idea.”</p>
<p>Plan B: Do It In Secret</p>
<p>[Renee Chelian, Michigan abortion provider] “When we sent to another state, it became the whole issue of, do we tell FedEx what they’re picking up? How long will it take for the antis to figure it out? And, if we don’t tell them, what if there’s a bad snow storm, like there was this winter, and UPS got delayed, or FedEx gets delayed and their truck starts stinking… I mean, every state law is different. I know when I wanted to actually put the fetal tissue in my car and drive to the crematorium, in Illinois, I was advised by my attorneys that I was breaking several state laws and that, that really wasn’t a good idea. Although, I have a good friend in another state who is currently driving across two states, once a month, with fetal tissue to go to a funeral home and they have an arrangement to send out for cremation. But everything is secret so it’s really scary.”</p>
<p>[...]</p>
<p>[Renee Chelian, Michigan abortion provider] “Because we are all one incinerator away or one incineration company away from being closed. Whatever your laws are in your state, if the antis know, this could shut us down.”</p>
<p>H/t <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/12/30/abortion-provider-fetal-remains-put-gift-bag/" type="external">Dr. Susan Berry</a>.</p> | true | 0 | abortion providers fetal remains abortion issue come increased scrutiny last month two facilities found disposing illegally recently released video features one abortion provider giving particularly disturbing suggestion handling problem said gave seriousness give fetal remains patients gift bag let figure prolife group students life highlights last month abortion providers ohio south carolina found illegally disposed fetal remains landfills ohio planned parenthood facility caught illegal practice responded organizations default tactic portraying victims suing state allegedly informing law meanwhile south carolina clinic fined 8000along waste management similar violation thought well give fetal remains everybody gift bag take home figure pregnancy problem michigan abortion provider students life recently posted transcript undercover video taken national abortion federation conference features renee chelian michigan abortion provider openly discussing problem dispose remains aborted babies video created center medical progress originally posted gotnewscom chelian talks candidly problems clinic faced disposal gives several options considered handling issue nobody wants talk dead bodies nobody said chelian part panel discussion conference point stericycle fired us 5 months worth fetal tissue freezers renting freezers put thought consumed fetal tissue ready drive upper michigan bonfire trying figure know wouldnt get stopped far woods would go fire nobody going see garbage disposal option mean point actually hired someone another clinic come take 20 bottles put garbage disposal added chelian goes length various means disposal including using incinerators dishwasherlike machine uses green chemical remains flushes sewer system one point suggests gift bag idea thought well give fetal remains everybody gift bag take home figure pregnancy problem im saying seriousness said heres transcript via students life renee chelian michigan abortion provider thought well give fetal remains everybody gift bag take home figure pregnancy problem im saying seriousness renee chelian michigan abortion provider nobody wants talk dead bodies nobody point stericycle fired us 5 months worth fetal tissue freezers renting freezers put thought consumed fetal tissue ready drive upper michigan bonfire trying figure know wouldnt get stopped far woods would go fire nobody going see garbage disposal option mean point actually hired someone another clinic come take 20 bottles put garbage disposal state laws changed amp stericycle leading company taking fetal remains longer takes pregnancy tissue states means abortionists need plan b disposing fetal remains plan b coop incinerator renee chelian michigan abortion provider look incinerators cremation website descriptions small cat small dog larger dog looking trying compare jars various animals might incinerate knew wouldnt need one big enough horse going go inner city detroit get lot put incinerator transfer waste mean fortunately really lax laws michigan going get license transporter yet another fun thing yup bunch clinics buying incinerator go pick got license mean talk moving competition mean really back plan going name really know nothing anything universe itll really hard find going somebody elses name mine dont know thats awful feel like mafia plan b go green renee chelian michigan abortion provider actually found green technology like dishwasher plug like dishwasher like portable dishwasher add kind chemical mean im using word chemical really loose green thats know europe youre using dont enough cemetery dont space run cycle goes sewer system sounds like really great idea although say cant remember approved even hospital canada contract ultimately stericycle going portland portland waste energy facility pr nightmare us would end front page paper fetuses used energy mean think great idea plan b secret renee chelian michigan abortion provider sent another state became whole issue tell fedex theyre picking long take antis figure dont tell theres bad snow storm like winter ups got delayed fedex gets delayed truck starts stinking mean every state law different know wanted actually put fetal tissue car drive crematorium illinois advised attorneys breaking several state laws really wasnt good idea although good friend another state currently driving across two states month fetal tissue go funeral home arrangement send cremation everything secret really scary renee chelian michigan abortion provider one incinerator away one incineration company away closed whatever laws state antis know could shut us ht dr susan berry | 664 |
<p>Share dilution is rarely met with anything but contempt from shareholders, though there are some cases where it can be used for the good of the company and shareholders alike.</p>
<p>In this week's crossover episode of <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>, Kristine Harjes talks with guest host Gaby Lapera from the Financials show about why companies might dilute their shares, for better or worse. Then, the hosts dive into a business where the dilution rules get a little strange -- business development companies, or BDCs. Find out what a BDC does, how dilution is different for this class of businesses, and how investors probably want to approach BDCs.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>A full transcript follows the video.</p>
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<p>This podcast was recorded on Nov. 16, 2016.</p>
<p>Kristine Harjes: Welcome to Industry Focus, the podcast that dives into a different sector of the stock market everyday. It's Nov. 16. I'm your host, Kristine Harjes, and I am pleased to welcome Financials host Gaby Lapera in the studio for crossover week. Hi, Gaby!</p>
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<p>Gaby Lapera: Hello, everyone! I'm super excited.</p>
<p>Harjes: It's alwaysawesometo be able to do the show with somebody in the studio.I love you to death, Todd Campbell, but it'sso nice to have somebody who you can look andgesticulate to and have right here. You can feel the energy, feel the love.</p>
<p>Lapera: Dude,I totally feel you. I think you and I are the only hosts thatconsistently have our analysts in the cloud somewhere. Sothis is super cool. I'm going to look at you the entire show; don't get freaked out.</p>
<p>Harjes: I will probably avoid eye contact.</p>
<p>Lapera: OK.</p>
<p>Harjes: Anyway,today we're going to be talking aboutshareholder dilution. Of course, since it is crossover week, we want to put an emphasis on our tworespective sectors. We'll try to focus it with a lens on both healthcare and financials.I figure we'll start off with some basics. Gaby,do you want to kick it off and tell us about what dilution is and why it matters?</p>
<p>Lapera: Yes, I would love to. Dilution,much like the chemistry term,means that you are becoming less concentrated. Shareholder dilation in particular means tworeally important things: one, that theeconomic power of the share that you hold is less, and two, your voting rights are lessbecause the share makes up less of the company. Let's back up a little bit, because I realized I just jumped straight into theconclusions of dilution anddidn't actually explain what it was. When companies decide to issue more stock, they don't magically have more assets, so the stock becomes less in price because there are more of them. It's a very simple equation.</p>
<p>Harjes: I think of it like a pie. You have the same size pie -- you can chop it up into however many pieces, but you still have the same pie at the end of the day.I think that's why there's such a negative perception of shareholder dilution, because if you areholding on to this piece of pie that you paid good money for,you don't want to see it suddenly get smaller. But there are good reasons why companies will dilute. Some of the really common ones are, for example, to pay for an acquisition. Sometimes it's to raise money. Maybe you need that to service your debt, or something like that. Another really common reason why shares become diluted is the conversion of stock options granted to employees or board members. A bunch of companies will give their executives, or theiremployees in general, the option to convertthese securities into common shares. Andwhen they actually do exercise that option, it dilutes thecurrent shareholder base.</p>
<p>So this can be a good thing or a bad thing. It'slargely a bad thing. Most people are not pleasedwhen they hear that they're being diluted. Butit actually could be a good thing,which is kind of an interesting case. Say, for example, yourcompany is overvalued and you know it. Which,hopefully, you bought it when they were undervalued, and now you're sitting on an overvalued company. Regardless -- say a company is overvalued, and the company goes to pay for anacquisition using stock. That'ssmarter thandoing that using cash, because the shares are worth more than the cash value. At that point, you could be very happy to see that,because this slice of pie that you have accumulatedis suddenly a bigger pie. It's cut up more ways, but the pie is bigger, so that's a good thing. But in general, it's not the best. Many times, you canperceive it as a transfer of wealth from the retail investor to the insiders, when you have the exercise of stock options.</p>
<p>Youalso have the option of it being pretty neutral,which is kind of the same as the case when it's good,except that that would be if you're using it in an acquisition where you're paying a fair price,and the company that you own is also fairly valued. That's net-net -- your slice of the pie is smaller,but the pie is proportionately bigger, so it's pretty neutral.</p>
<p>Lapera: I would love a real-life example, if you have one.</p>
<p>Harjes: I can do that, and I'm probably going to pick a healthcare stock, if that's alright with you.</p>
<p>Lapera: That's totally fine.</p>
<p>Harjes: Onerecent secondary offering that wasannounced in the healthcare world was that ofPuma Biotechnology(NYSE: PBYI). OnOct. 18 after the closing bell, theyannounced that they wanted to raise $150 million, and potentially another $22.5 million on top of that because of some technicalities with the people who underwrote the shares. They could technically have the option to buy them within 30 days, if they want. So this was aninteresting situation because Puma,right now, has this one drugcalled Neratinib. It's a breast cancer drug. If you were listening to this show yesterday, by the way, it's an HER2-positive breast cancer drug, which is a target thatI was just talking about with Vince on the Consumer Goods show yesterday. Anyway, you have this drug, and it's under FDA review right now, the decision should come out in about mid-2017.</p>
<p>Lapera: That means they're still testing the drug?</p>
<p>Harjes: That means the trails haveeither largely wrapped up orthat they have enough that they could submit it to the FDAwith what they have right now. The FDA is sitting on theinformation, they have the application,and they have a certain amount of time to actually accept or deny the drugthe right to be marketed. So, anapproval, as you likely know, would send shares of this company higher. If youthink about how the mechanicsof shareholder dilution and secondary offerings work, youwant to wait until you have that higher share price before you go out and send more shares,because you make more money. But they don't really haveenough time leftwith the cash that they have to wait for an actual approval. So they had to do this now. And I think it's probably a smart move. They canhit the ground running; they can get ready for the launch. But shares did sink 18%,even before the price of this secondary offering was announced. Since this announcement came out, shares have been slipping and slipping even more. Ultimately, shareholders were diluted about 15%, and thecompany got the money that they needed. So I think that's a fairly typical way you'll see secondary offerings and shareholder dilution in the biotech world. You have these companies that aren't making with the money with the drugs yet, because they're not approved yet, so they need to make money somehow.</p>
<p>Turning to the financials world, I feel like it gets a lot hairier.</p>
<p>Lapera: It can, definitely. You have a ton of regular type companies in the financials world, like banks and insurance companies and stuff like that, that do this what I like to call "the normal way," the way that Kristine just described. But then there's other companies. We'vediscussed these companies before. A great example of them is a BDC, which is a business development company. When you think about a BDC, think of them as a venture capitalist that you can buy shares of. Instead of youpersonally going out and saying, "Iwould like to investin your pizza delivery company," you would invest in the BDC, who would then give money to the pizza delivery company. Obviously, you can't buy shares of private equity firms, because they'reprivate equity firms.BDCs are really interesting because they're closed-end funds, which means they can't accept new investments all the time.</p>
<p>Harjes: What do you mean by that?</p>
<p>Lapera: Imagine you have a mutual fund, and you give the mutual fund $1,000 of your money. You can go to the mutual fund any time and say, "I want my $1,000 back," or, "I want to give you an extra $1,000," and the mutual fund says, "Great, totally fine, here's your $1,000 back." You can't do that with BDCs. The only way to get your money in and out of the BDC is just to buy or sell the shares that are on the exchange. That's because BDCs typically invest in the debt or equity of really small private companies -- back to this single pizza store in Washington, D.C., or ajewelry store in Idaho, or a mattress company. I don't know why, but BDCs lovemattress companies.</p>
<p>Theproblem with that is that if you have the debtof a very small company,it's really difficult to buy or sell those companiesor the debt on thosecompanies, because not a lot of people want it. So if an investor were able to just come up to the BDC and say, "Hey,I want my $1,000 back," or, in this case, maybe "I want my $100,000 back," the BDC might not have the cash on hand to give it back to them, which is why they issue shares instead. That's why BDCs have shares to begin with,as opposed to a mutual fund.</p>
<p>Harjes: So then,what sorts of issues do you run intoif they decide they want to issueeven more shares?</p>
<p>Lapera: This isreally interesting, and this gets into how the value of BDCs are calculated. If you've invested in a mutual fund, or have heard of mutual funds, you might have heard the term "net asset value," which issuper easy to calculate with mutual funds, because it's just the value of all the assets minus the liabilities that are on the balance sheets. Now, the problem with BDCs is, they get to decidehow valuable their assets are.</p>
<p>Harjes: And that's because they're these tiny pizza/mattress/etc. companies, right? You can't just go look online to say, "How much is this mattress shop worth?"</p>
<p>Lapera: Exactly. They don't issue 10-Qs, they don't have any of that. Unless you happen to be wherever that mattress company is, and you canwalk in and look at it and maybe talk to somebody there,it's really hard for investors to do their due diligence on what the BDCsactually own, so you have to just trust them. There areaccounting principles that they follow for this,but I like to call it emotional accounting,because it's really just how the BDC feelsabout this business.There is math involved, but it's a little bit more ...I wish listeners could see me,my hands are making vague motions in the air.</p>
<p>Harjes: Her face lookshighly skeptical.</p>
<p>Lapera: I'm so skeptical.</p>
<p>Harjes: The point is,it's a little bit shady, how you determine that asset value. But that's a really important metric for BDCs.</p>
<p>Lapera: Absolutely. Theeasiest way to explain BDCs is in contrast to mutual funds,which is why I keep bringing them up. If you want to buy into a mutual fund, you knowexactly how much each bit of the mutual fund is, because the net asset value iscalculated once a dayat the end of the day,which is why you only come in and out of mutual funds once a day. But BDCs, theirshare price is not 100% dependent on their net asset value. You can buy BDCs at a discount, or a premium. Typically,people want to buy at a discount.</p>
<p>Harjes: In that way, it's kind of like a stock.</p>
<p>Lapera: Exactly, it's exactly like a stock. And people do takenet asset value into account when buying shares. But it's an interesting thing,because where is the point where you're saying, "You'retrading it too much of a discount to youractual net asset value,and it makes me really nervous"?</p>
<p>Harjes: Right. At that point,is the market missing something, or is the company misleading you? I can see how that's a shaky gray area. Bringing that back around to this whole shareholder dilution thing, where exactly does that come into play here? What are the steps involved, the considerations?</p>
<p>Lapera: OK,let's throw in one more complicated thing. This requires a lot of definitionsto even get to the point here, so bear with us -- thank you, listeners! BDCs aretechnically not allowed to issue shares below their net asset value. So if their net asset value is $10,they can't issue shares for $8.</p>
<p>Harjes: Which iskind of fascinating. If you think about it,go back to the example of Puma Biotechnology,I'm pretty sure they were trading at $52 the day that it wasannounced that they were going to offer more shares. They're not going to offer more shares at a higher price than that,because who's going to buy them? You can buy them on the market for $52. So you naturally have this ceiling for stocks, whereif you're going to issue more shares,it has to be below know that current share price.</p>
<p>Lapera: Right. Companies can justdecide to do that. BDCs cannot. If they would like to do that, they need to ask their shareholders to let them dilute their stock. So they have proxies every year. It's interesting, because if BDCs are struggling, they can't just automatically lean on share issuance to prop themselves up. But there's this caveat -- BDCsfrequently ask their shareholders, every yearpretty routinely, "Hey, can we issue stocks below net asset value?"</p>
<p>Harjes: "Like,hypothetically, in the future, if we want to, will you let us?"</p>
<p>Lapera: Yes.</p>
<p>Harjes: That's a pretty long leash.</p>
<p>Lapera: Exactly. AndInvestors will frequently say yes, which I hate.</p>
<p>Harjes: Why is that?</p>
<p>Lapera: Why say yes?</p>
<p>Harjes: Can you see the rationale there at all?</p>
<p>Lapera: No.I really can't. I can't justify it. If you're one of these people who vote yes,please write in to me at <a href="http://mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected] Opens a New Window.</a> and let me know why you say yes.I really want to know. Because I would never say yes in a million years.</p>
<p>Harjes: Even if you totally trusted this BDC, it had been great to you in the past, you thought the net asset value was verytrustworthy, all that?</p>
<p>Lapera: Yeah,I would never say yes. Partially because BDCs are a really complicated beast,which is really something that I say every time we talk about BDCs, and there's a lot of room for mismanagement to occur in BDCs, not just with share dilution but with the way thatmanagement occurs, external vs. internal management, fee structures, theaccounting processes we talked about earlier,there's just a lot of ways for people to mess up in BDCs,so it's one of those things -- why give you thetemptation when it's not necessary?</p>
<p>Harjes: Right,I can see that. That leads me to the last thing I wanted to talk about with you today. I know BDCs have a pretty heavypresence of activist investors,and I have to assume that's because ofall these things they were just saying, where there's thisopportunity for mismanagement.</p>
<p>Lapera: Yeah,absolutely. But interestingly,activist investors are actually more attracted to BDCs that cannot issue more shares,because it's a lot easier for them to take control of them --</p>
<p>Harjes: You mean, people voted no?</p>
<p>Lapera: Yeah, people voted no. Typically, if people vote no, that means there's something wrong with the BDC, because it takes a lot for shareholders to vote no, forwhatever reason. So if they're voting no,it's because there's already something bad going on.</p>
<p>Harjes: So that's anindication of a lack of trust?</p>
<p>Lapera: Yeah,on the shareholders' part. And there'splenty of companies that never actually use this --that the shareholders vote yes andthe company's never do it, they just ask every yearjust because,because they're fine raising capital in other ways. But if you think about it, if a BDC has been told, "No,you can't issue any more shares,"it suddenly becomes a lot more easy --and they're already in trouble,so no one really wants to buy more shares of them, so they can't finance themselves, they can't issue themselves more shares below net asset value --it becomes a lot easier for an activist investor to start buying up shares and be able to take a stake in thatcompany that allows them to force that company to do what they want.</p>
<p>Harjes: So what is it that they want them to do at that point? How do youtake this and turn it around?</p>
<p>Lapera: Ittotally depends on the activist investor. I think some havebetter intentions than others.</p>
<p>Harjes: Do you think the primary goal there is to get that yes vote the next time it comes around?</p>
<p>Lapera: No. For most activistinvestors, they want to retain control of the company.</p>
<p>Harjes: Andthat's why they go for the ones that already voted no, that makes sense.</p>
<p>Lapera: Mostfrequently, activist investors want to change management structures or fee structures, in order,generally, to make it more profitable for shareholders. Butevery once in a while, they want to devalue the companyto make it easier for someone else to buy.</p>
<p>Harjes: Interesting. Have they been successful, on the whole?</p>
<p>Lapera: Yeah. BDCs are prime targets for activist investors. Especially because they're so complicated, and not a lot of people really 100% understand what's going on with them. But they are really high-yielding investment vehicles because they, much like real estate investment trusts, are required to pay out 90% of their taxable income as dividends. Because they're investing in high-risk, tiny businesses, the margin on their loans, or the debt they have, is a lot higher. So, they have the potential to yield super high returns.</p>
<p>Harjes: Given everything that you've told us today about BDCs, is there a single one that you would consider investing in?</p>
<p>Lapera: I hate BDCs.</p>
<p>Harjes: OK, that's a no.</p>
<p>Lapera: As a personal investor, I think they're fascinating as something to study. But no, I would never buy a BDC. I know that makes me biased. I'macknowledging my bias.</p>
<p>Harjes: I think that's OK. Look, for example, at Warren Buffett. He says he doesn't want to invest in stocks he doesn't understand. That eliminates a lot. For example, he's not going to invest in a biotech. I like to think you can understand biotech even without a science background. That's what we're here for atIndustry Focus: Healthcare. But, he's ruling out an entire chunk of companies, just because he doesn't think it's worthwhile to even bother trying to pick out the gold in a pile of dirt. That's not a real phrase, but I'm making it one. I feel like that's the same way with BDCs. Maybe there is a gem out there, but in general, it's a category that we're not too big fans of.</p>
<p>Lapera: Yeah. Do you like them?</p>
<p>Harjes: Not from what I've heard, no. With the shadiness, I would be intimidated to even try to pick apart the real net asset value.</p>
<p>Lapera: Yeah. I'm just waiting for a BDC PR specialist to reach out to me today and be like, "Let us change your mind about BDCs. We'd really love to give you an interview." And I'll probably ignore it or crotchetily -- which is not a word, by the way --cantankerously say, "No!" But nicer, because it's never polite to be mean.</p>
<p>Harjes: With that nice lesson of the day,I think I'm going to close out the show. Thank you, Gaby,so much for being hereand explaining to us this very complex topic of BDCs, andoffering some thoughts about shareholder dilution. Before wetotally sign off, I want to tell everybody thatthere's a race going on this Sundayin Alexandria, Va. If you live somewhere in the neighborhood of Fool HQ,you should absolutely consider signing up. It's called the Run for Shelter. Itbenefits The Carpenter's Shelter,which is a great local organization thatThe Motley Fool works with to fight homelessness. Chris Hill and Alison Southwick, some names thatyou'll recognize if you listen to our whole suite of podcasts, will be there. I'll be there. Many, many other Fools will be there. Andwe hope to see some of you there. Don't hesitate to come up and say hi. If you do run the race, there's a 5K, 10K, and 1 mile.</p>
<p>Lapera: I won't be there.</p>
<p>Harjes: Gaby,unfortunately missed the sign-ups because of her lovely trip to Asia thatI'm sure you guys have heard plenty about. But, she'll be there in spirit. Anywho, you can check out all of our past episodes ofIndustry Focus, and all of The Motley Fool's podcasts at our Podcast Center, which is at <a href="http://www.fool.com/podcasts/?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">podcasts.fool.com Opens a New Window.</a>. While you're there, you can also check out our flagship newsletter service, which is called Motley Fool Stock Advisor. This Friday, the new issue of Stock Advisor comes out, and they're going to have two newstock recommendations from David and Tom Gardner,who are the co-founders of our company, and some reallyphenomenal stock pickers. You cancheck out the recommendations by going to the Podcast Center, scrollall the way to the bottom. Again, that is podcast.fool.com.</p>
<p>As always, people on the program may have interests in the stocks that they talk about, and The Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell anything based solely on what you hear. For Gaby Lapera --thank you very much for being here -- I'm Kristine Harjes. Thanks for listening, guys, and Fool on!</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCaffeine/info.aspx" type="external">Gaby Lapera Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <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. 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> | true | 0 | share dilution rarely met anything contempt shareholders though cases used good company shareholders alike weeks crossover episode industry focus healthcare opens new window kristine harjes talks guest host gaby lapera financials show companies might dilute shares better worse hosts dive business dilution rules get little strange business development companies bdcs find bdc dilution different class businesses investors probably want approach bdcs 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 earlyintheknow investors one click opens new window podcast recorded nov 16 2016 kristine harjes welcome industry focus podcast dives different sector stock market everyday nov 16 im host kristine harjes pleased welcome financials host gaby lapera studio crossover week hi gaby advertisement gaby lapera hello everyone im super excited harjes alwaysawesometo able show somebody studioi love death todd campbell itsso nice somebody look andgesticulate right feel energy feel love lapera dudei totally feel think hosts thatconsistently analysts cloud somewhere sothis super cool im going look entire show dont get freaked harjes probably avoid eye contact lapera ok harjes anywaytoday going talking aboutshareholder dilution course since crossover week want put emphasis tworespective sectors well try focus lens healthcare financialsi figure well start basics gabydo want kick tell us dilution matters lapera yes would love dilutionmuch like chemistry termmeans becoming less concentrated shareholder dilation particular means tworeally important things one theeconomic power share hold less two voting rights lessbecause share makes less company lets back little bit realized jumped straight theconclusions dilution anddidnt actually explain companies decide issue stock dont magically assets stock becomes less price simple equation harjes think like pie size pie chop however many pieces still pie end dayi think thats theres negative perception shareholder dilution areholding piece pie paid good money foryou dont want see suddenly get smaller good reasons companies dilute really common ones example pay acquisition sometimes raise money maybe need service debt something like another really common reason shares become diluted conversion stock options granted employees board members bunch companies give executives theiremployees general option convertthese securities common shares andwhen actually exercise option dilutes thecurrent shareholder base good thing bad thing itslargely bad thing people pleasedwhen hear theyre diluted butit actually could good thingwhich kind interesting case say example yourcompany overvalued know whichhopefully bought undervalued youre sitting overvalued company regardless say company overvalued company goes pay anacquisition using stock thatssmarter thandoing using cash shares worth cash value point could happy see thatbecause slice pie accumulatedis suddenly bigger pie cut ways pie bigger thats good thing general best many times canperceive transfer wealth retail investor insiders exercise stock options youalso option pretty neutralwhich kind case goodexcept would youre using acquisition youre paying fair priceand company also fairly valued thats netnet slice pie smallerbut pie proportionately bigger pretty neutral lapera would love reallife example one harjes im probably going pick healthcare stock thats alright lapera thats totally fine harjes onerecent secondary offering wasannounced healthcare world ofpuma biotechnologynyse pbyi onoct 18 closing bell theyannounced wanted raise 150 million potentially another 225 million top technicalities people underwrote shares could technically option buy within 30 days want aninteresting situation pumaright one drugcalled neratinib breast cancer drug listening show yesterday way her2positive breast cancer drug target thati talking vince consumer goods show yesterday anyway drug fda review right decision come mid2017 lapera means theyre still testing drug harjes means trails haveeither largely wrapped orthat enough could submit fdawith right fda sitting theinformation applicationand certain amount time actually accept deny drugthe right marketed anapproval likely know would send shares company higher youthink mechanicsof shareholder dilution secondary offerings work youwant wait higher share price go send sharesbecause make money dont really haveenough time leftwith cash wait actual approval think probably smart move canhit ground running get ready launch shares sink 18even price secondary offering announced since announcement came shares slipping slipping even ultimately shareholders diluted 15 thecompany got money needed think thats fairly typical way youll see secondary offerings shareholder dilution biotech world companies arent making money drugs yet theyre approved yet need make money somehow turning financials world feel like gets lot hairier lapera definitely ton regular type companies financials world like banks insurance companies stuff like like call normal way way kristine described theres companies wevediscussed companies great example bdc business development company think bdc think venture capitalist buy shares instead youpersonally going saying iwould like investin pizza delivery company would invest bdc would give money pizza delivery company obviously cant buy shares private equity firms theyreprivate equity firmsbdcs really interesting theyre closedend funds means cant accept new investments time harjes mean lapera imagine mutual fund give mutual fund 1000 money go mutual fund time say want 1000 back want give extra 1000 mutual fund says great totally fine heres 1000 back cant bdcs way get money bdc buy sell shares exchange thats bdcs typically invest debt equity really small private companies back single pizza store washington dc ajewelry store idaho mattress company dont know bdcs lovemattress companies theproblem debtof small companyits really difficult buy sell companiesor debt thosecompanies lot people want investor able come bdc say heyi want 1000 back case maybe want 100000 back bdc might cash hand give back issue shares instead thats bdcs shares begin withas opposed mutual fund harjes thenwhat sorts issues run intoif decide want issueeven shares lapera isreally interesting gets value bdcs calculated youve invested mutual fund heard mutual funds might heard term net asset value issuper easy calculate mutual funds value assets minus liabilities balance sheets problem bdcs get decidehow valuable assets harjes thats theyre tiny pizzamattressetc companies right cant go look online say much mattress shop worth lapera exactly dont issue 10qs dont unless happen wherever mattress company canwalk look maybe talk somebody thereits really hard investors due diligence bdcsactually trust areaccounting principles follow thisbut like call emotional accountingbecause really bdc feelsabout businessthere math involved little bit wish listeners could see memy hands making vague motions air harjes face lookshighly skeptical lapera im skeptical harjes point isits little bit shady determine asset value thats really important metric bdcs lapera absolutely theeasiest way explain bdcs contrast mutual fundswhich keep bringing want buy mutual fund knowexactly much bit mutual fund net asset value iscalculated dayat end daywhich come mutual funds day bdcs theirshare price 100 dependent net asset value buy bdcs discount premium typicallypeople want buy discount harjes way kind like stock lapera exactly exactly like stock people takenet asset value account buying shares interesting thingbecause point youre saying youretrading much discount youractual net asset valueand makes really nervous harjes right pointis market missing something company misleading see thats shaky gray area bringing back around whole shareholder dilution thing exactly come play steps involved considerations lapera oklets throw one complicated thing requires lot definitionsto even get point bear us thank listeners bdcs aretechnically allowed issue shares net asset value net asset value 10they cant issue shares 8 harjes iskind fascinating think itgo back example puma biotechnologyim pretty sure trading 52 day wasannounced going offer shares theyre going offer shares higher price thatbecause whos going buy buy market 52 naturally ceiling stocks whereif youre going issue sharesit know current share price lapera right companies justdecide bdcs would like need ask shareholders let dilute stock proxies every year interesting bdcs struggling cant automatically lean share issuance prop theres caveat bdcsfrequently ask shareholders every yearpretty routinely hey issue stocks net asset value harjes likehypothetically future want let us lapera yes harjes thats pretty long leash lapera exactly andinvestors frequently say yes hate harjes lapera say yes harjes see rationale lapera noi really cant cant justify youre one people vote yesplease write industryfocusfoolcom opens new window let know say yesi really want know would never say yes million years harjes even totally trusted bdc great past thought net asset value verytrustworthy lapera yeahi would never say yes partially bdcs really complicated beastwhich really something say every time talk bdcs theres lot room mismanagement occur bdcs share dilution way thatmanagement occurs external vs internal management fee structures theaccounting processes talked earliertheres lot ways people mess bdcsso one things give thetemptation necessary harjes righti see leads last thing wanted talk today know bdcs pretty heavypresence activist investorsand assume thats ofall things saying theres thisopportunity mismanagement lapera yeahabsolutely interestinglyactivist investors actually attracted bdcs issue sharesbecause lot easier take control harjes mean people voted lapera yeah people voted typically people vote means theres something wrong bdc takes lot shareholders vote forwhatever reason theyre voting noits theres already something bad going harjes thats anindication lack trust lapera yeahon shareholders part theresplenty companies never actually use shareholders vote yes andthe companys never ask every yearjust becausebecause theyre fine raising capital ways think bdc told noyou cant issue sharesit suddenly becomes lot easy theyre already troubleso one really wants buy shares cant finance cant issue shares net asset value becomes lot easier activist investor start buying shares able take stake thatcompany allows force company want harjes want point youtake turn around lapera ittotally depends activist investor think havebetter intentions others harjes think primary goal get yes vote next time comes around lapera activistinvestors want retain control company harjes andthats go ones already voted makes sense lapera mostfrequently activist investors want change management structures fee structures ordergenerally make profitable shareholders butevery want devalue companyto make easier someone else buy harjes interesting successful whole lapera yeah bdcs prime targets activist investors especially theyre complicated lot people really 100 understand whats going really highyielding investment vehicles much like real estate investment trusts required pay 90 taxable income dividends theyre investing highrisk tiny businesses margin loans debt lot higher potential yield super high returns harjes given everything youve told us today bdcs single one would consider investing lapera hate bdcs harjes ok thats lapera personal investor think theyre fascinating something study would never buy bdc know makes biased imacknowledging bias harjes think thats ok look example warren buffett says doesnt want invest stocks doesnt understand eliminates lot example hes going invest biotech like think understand biotech even without science background thats atindustry focus healthcare hes ruling entire chunk companies doesnt think worthwhile even bother trying pick gold pile dirt thats real phrase im making one feel like thats way bdcs maybe gem general category big fans lapera yeah like harjes ive heard shadiness would intimidated even try pick apart real net asset value lapera yeah im waiting bdc pr specialist reach today like let us change mind bdcs wed really love give interview ill probably ignore crotchetily word way cantankerously say nicer never polite mean harjes nice lesson dayi think im going close show thank gabyso much hereand explaining us complex topic bdcs andoffering thoughts shareholder dilution wetotally sign want tell everybody thattheres race going sundayin alexandria va live somewhere neighborhood fool hqyou absolutely consider signing called run shelter itbenefits carpenters shelterwhich great local organization thatthe motley fool works fight homelessness chris hill alison southwick names thatyoull recognize listen whole suite podcasts ill many many fools andwe hope see dont hesitate come say hi run race theres 5k 10k 1 mile lapera wont harjes gabyunfortunately missed signups lovely trip asia thatim sure guys heard plenty shell spirit anywho check past episodes ofindustry focus motley fools podcasts podcast center podcastsfoolcom opens new window youre also check flagship newsletter service called motley fool stock advisor friday new issue stock advisor comes theyre going two newstock recommendations david tom gardnerwho cofounders company reallyphenomenal stock pickers cancheck recommendations going podcast center scrollall way bottom podcastfoolcom always people program may interests stocks talk motley fool may formal recommendations dont buy sell anything based solely hear gaby lapera thank much im kristine harjes thanks listening guys fool gaby lapera opens new window position stocks mentioned kristine harjes 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 | 2,008 |
<p>Intel has long attempted to become a relevant name in the world of wireless chips, but thus far its efforts have been, to put it mildly, less than successful. After billions of investment, the company's share of the smartphone applications processor market is virtually negligible, and although it has invested -- and continues to invest -- heavily in stand-alone cellular modems, it has found little traction with such products as well.</p>
<p>These failings are ultimately due to the fact that the company has been unable to bring to market competitive products in a timely fashion; the mobile market moves very quickly and is extremely competitive, meaning that late and/or underdressed products tend to be very painful commercial flops.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Although I would caution investors not to get too excited about Intel's future in the mobile market, here are three products that would be nice to see at Mobile World Congress 2016 from the chip giant.</p>
<p>No. 1: XMM 7460If Intel is to have any hope of scoring Apple as a major client for its stand-alone cellular modems, it has some serious catching up to do. Based on what Intel and current Apple modem supplier Qualcomm are expected to ship in the marketplace this year, Qualcomm is a full two generations ahead in stand-alone modems.</p>
<p>Apple makes premium phones and Intel is going to have to do better if it wants into the iPhone.</p>
<p>At Mobile World Congress, I would like to see Intel formally announce its next-generation XMM 7460 stand-alone modem. This, unlike the XMM 7360, should be built on Intel's leading-edge 14-nanometer chip manufacturing technology, affording it significant power/efficiency benefits over its current offerings.</p>
<p>More importantly, though, Intel may have an opportunity to reach feature parity with the X16 modem. I don't expect the 7460 to make it into commercial devices this year, but if Intel is able to get it into volume production in early 2017 and it ticks all the right checkboxes and performs well, I could see Apple using the 7460 in some of its 2017 iPhones.</p>
<p>There are a lot of "ifs" here and Qualcomm is the best in the world at cellular modems. Apple surely wants a second source, but Intel will need to execute extremely well in order to be that second source. I hope that at Mobile World Congress 2016 we'll see if Intel even has a shot of delivering the goods.</p>
<p>No. 2: SoFIA LTE 2In late 2013, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich made quite a big deal about the company's first integrated applications processor and modem product family, known as SoFIA.</p>
<p>The initial SoFIA products (SoFIA 3G and SoFIA LTE) were intended to be built on 28-nanometer foundry processes and supposed to be 2015 products. SoFIA 3G indeed made it out to market in 2015 (although this is hardly the stuff of wonders -- a 3G modem integrated with a low-end applications processor has been done to death), but the LTE version was pushed out until the first half of 2016.</p>
<p>According to Krzanich, the second-generation SoFIA LTE, known as SoFIA LTE 2, is expected to launch late in 2016. I would like to see Intel disclose the technical specifications for this part and to offer insight into the kind of design win traction that it is seeing for the part.</p>
<p>No. 3: SoFIA MID Like SoFIA LTE 2, SoFIA MID is an integrated applications processor and baseband solution in a single chip. However, rather than being aimed at the low end of the phone/tablet market, it's focused squarely on the mid-range.</p>
<p>Crucial to improving Intel's profitability in mobile will be driving its gross profit margins up, and I'd imagine that selling parts into the mid-range of the market is more profitable than the very bottom of the market. At the very least, even if gross margin percentage isn't higher, raw gross margin dollars per unit should be better here.</p>
<p>As with SoFIA LTE 2, I would like to see specifications for this part revealed at Mobile World Congress as well as perhaps some endorsements from key partners that plan to use the part in future smartphone/tablet designs.</p>
<p>The bottom lineAs an investor in Intel, I no longer expect much in the way of financial upside in mobile; I have little faith in its ability to deliver competitive products in this space, or to even just deliver products (competitive or otherwise) on schedule.</p>
<p>However, if Intel is able to turn around its mobile efforts, then not only could the losses attributable to its mobile efforts be gone sooner rather than later, but investors could even hold out hope that the business might one day even generate a profit for the company.</p>
<p>At any rate, this is exactly the stuff Intel should have spent time talking about at its most recent investor meeting. Instead, investors are left hoping that management will choose to disclose this information at an industry trade show.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/02/22/3-products-intel-corp-should-show-off-at-mwc-2016.aspx" type="external">3 Products Intel Corp. Should Show Off at MWC 2016 Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/aeassa/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Ashraf Eassa Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Intel and Qualcomm. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple and Qualcomm. The Motley Fool recommends Intel. 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>
<p>Advertisement</p> | true | 0 | intel long attempted become relevant name world wireless chips thus far efforts put mildly less successful billions investment companys share smartphone applications processor market virtually negligible although invested continues invest heavily standalone cellular modems found little traction products well failings ultimately due fact company unable bring market competitive products timely fashion mobile market moves quickly extremely competitive meaning late andor underdressed products tend painful commercial flops continue reading although would caution investors get excited intels future mobile market three products would nice see mobile world congress 2016 chip giant 1 xmm 7460if intel hope scoring apple major client standalone cellular modems serious catching based intel current apple modem supplier qualcomm expected ship marketplace year qualcomm full two generations ahead standalone modems apple makes premium phones intel going better wants iphone mobile world congress would like see intel formally announce nextgeneration xmm 7460 standalone modem unlike xmm 7360 built intels leadingedge 14nanometer chip manufacturing technology affording significant powerefficiency benefits current offerings importantly though intel may opportunity reach feature parity x16 modem dont expect 7460 make commercial devices year intel able get volume production early 2017 ticks right checkboxes performs well could see apple using 7460 2017 iphones lot ifs qualcomm best world cellular modems apple surely wants second source intel need execute extremely well order second source hope mobile world congress 2016 well see intel even shot delivering goods 2 sofia lte 2in late 2013 intel ceo brian krzanich made quite big deal companys first integrated applications processor modem product family known sofia initial sofia products sofia 3g sofia lte intended built 28nanometer foundry processes supposed 2015 products sofia 3g indeed made market 2015 although hardly stuff wonders 3g modem integrated lowend applications processor done death lte version pushed first half 2016 according krzanich secondgeneration sofia lte known sofia lte 2 expected launch late 2016 would like see intel disclose technical specifications part offer insight kind design win traction seeing part 3 sofia mid like sofia lte 2 sofia mid integrated applications processor baseband solution single chip however rather aimed low end phonetablet market focused squarely midrange crucial improving intels profitability mobile driving gross profit margins id imagine selling parts midrange market profitable bottom market least even gross margin percentage isnt higher raw gross margin dollars per unit better sofia lte 2 would like see specifications part revealed mobile world congress well perhaps endorsements key partners plan use part future smartphonetablet designs bottom lineas investor intel longer expect much way financial upside mobile little faith ability deliver competitive products space even deliver products competitive otherwise schedule however intel able turn around mobile efforts could losses attributable mobile efforts gone sooner rather later investors could even hold hope business might one day even generate profit company rate exactly stuff intel spent time talking recent investor meeting instead investors left hoping management choose disclose information industry trade show article 3 products intel corp show mwc 2016 opens new window originally appeared foolcom ashraf eassa opens new window owns shares intel qualcomm motley fool owns shares recommends apple qualcomm motley fool recommends intel 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 advertisement | 558 |
<p />
<p>Lead is a toxin and dangerous to humans. &#160;It’s one of the reasons we don’t have lead paint anymore.</p>
<p>But unlike the liberal gun grabbers who use the notion of lead poisoning to hijack the legislative process in order to require “environmental studies” that force pro-gun bills to mire in bureaucratic BS, I’m talking about something real and of real impact. &#160;Tragically, the danger springs from amongst our own and threatens the health of shooters.</p>
<p>Shooting ranges are dangerous places if one is not careful. &#160;Yet beyond the danger of a negligent discharge getting someone shot, cases are springing up around the country of shady business owners who are not taking the proper steps to ensure that the lead vapor and dust produced in their ranges is properly contained and eliminated.</p>
<p>There are over 6000 shooting ranges in America yet the vast majority have never been inspected. &#160;I’m not condoning government involvement but of the 201 that have been inspected, 86% of them have failed at least one lead related standard. &#160;And it’s not like these were all in one area of the country, the most serious violations came from a myriad of regions in the US. &#160;Places like Manchester Firing Line Range in New Hampshire, Target World in Ohio, Top Brass Sports in Tennessee and the Sharp Shooter in Texas each had more than 20 lead-related violations.</p>
<p>Every time someone pulls the trigger a chemical and physical reaction occurs within the chamber of the gun. &#160;The amount of energy and heat release forces the chemicals that make up the power and that of the bullet to react and expel lead vapor as well as subsequent dust particles laden with lead.</p>
<p>On an outdoor range , nature minimizes the risk by carrying away and scattering the lead particles. &#160;Despite what gun grabbing zealots like to have people believe, lead is a natural element in nature and so long as the concentration of lead bullets aren’t collected and dumped directly into the drinking water or slathered in honey to entice animals to eat it, the risk to nature is non-existent.</p>
<p>In an INDOOR range though, especially one run poorly, the danger is multiplied greatly. &#160;If surfaces aren’t cleaned regularly, if ventilation isn’t properly working in order to remove lead particles from the air, the chance of lead poisoning is exponentially greater.</p>
<p>Lead poisoning effects every aspect of the human body. &#160;Both soft tissue and bone can be compromised. &#160;Organs fail, brain function decreases, muscles weaken, immune system is compromised, hearing loss, tooth decay, learning deficiancies, sterilization etc.</p>
<p>Suffice it to say that lead poisoning is bad. &#160;And outside of work in a lead based setting, shooting ranges are the most likely place for the public to acquire lead poisoning, according to national statistics.</p>
<p>Those most at risk are range workers who inhale airborne lead as they instruct customers and clean up spent ammunition. They also then bring home the accumlated lead particles on their clothing and body and therefore pose a risk of contaminating&#160;their family as well. &#160;With children being more susceptible to damage from less lead this is an especially important danger.</p>
<p>Here’s one story of a gun range manager (from grandviewoutdoors.com) whose life was dramatically changed because of a reckless owner who didn’t do what was right, either from greed or sloth:</p>
<p>For about a year starting in 2006, Maddox and his wife worked at Bluegrass Indoor Range in Louisville. Like many shooting-range workers, Maddox knew little about lead and its damaging capabilities. Daily, he inhaled airborne lead while managing the range and gun shop, earning $9 an hour. Nightly, he swept up casings from spent ammunition in the 12 firing lanes, pushing a broom and kicking up more lead dust.</p>
<p>He complained to owner Winfield Underwood that catch bins at the end of shooting lanes were overflowing with spent lead bullets, the ventilation system didn’t work and workers needed protective gear. Inspectors later discovered the air vents didn’t even have filters.</p>
<p>After working at the Louisville range about six months, Maddox, a hefty 38-year-old man, dropped 180 pounds. He also lost sensation in his fingers and toes, his thinking slowed, and he couldn’t remember birthdays. He had no sex drive.</p>
<p>“It just feels like someone unplugged me from the wall and I just lost all my power,” he said.</p>
<p>His doctor’s diagnosis: lead poisoning from the gun range. A February 2007 blood test showed he had a dangerous level of lead with 68 micrograms per deciliter — more than 56 times the average adult level.</p>
<p>Even after the Maddox’s diagnosis (and his wife also getting sick) the range’s owner, Winfield Underwood, did NOTHING to improve the safety conditions within his range.</p>
<p>Kentucky Labor Cabinet, the state’s workplace-safety agency, inspected Underwood’s range several times and determined he had overexposed his employees to lead. The agency cited the range with dozens of violations and fined it $461,400. &#160;Yet in a Kentucky two step, the amount was later settled down to a paltry $7200 because of “financial difficulty.”</p>
<p>Financial difficulty?!?!?</p>
<p>Underwood was basically running an execution gas chamber that put not only his employees but every customer who walked in at risk. &#160;And it was not out of ignorance, for a pair of his employees fell sick to lead poisoning, but out of greed. &#160;Financial difficulty? &#160;I would hope so. &#160;I would hope it was so difficult that he would be driven out of business so that people aren’t enticed to enter his lair of lead poison.</p>
<p>Speaking of Gas Chambers:</p>
<p>From the moment the doors opened in October 2005 at the new Champion Arms indoor shooting range in suburban Seattle, co-owner Steve Wangsness knew airborne lead was going to be a problem, Washington state records show.</p>
<p>The ventilation system specifically designed for the custom-built, 10-lane range was supposed to push air containing lead dust and bullet fragments away from shooters as they fired at targets.</p>
<p>But the exhaust system instead blew toxic dust clouds back on unwitting shooters as well as into retail areas of the business, where workers spent most of their day.</p>
<p>Wangsness and co-owner Maria Geiss sparred with the building’s landlord over the faulty system, eventually filing a lawsuit. Still, they kept Champion Arms open for business, exposing their employees, customers and an on-site resident to the dirty gun range.</p>
<p>We, as gun owners, need to be better than this. &#160;We need to hold gun ranges to hire standards. &#160;Gun range owners need to hold themselves to higher standards.</p>
<p>We need to look out for each other because if we don’t, then the government is going to come goosestepping in and “look out for us” by closing down all the gun ranges…you know…for the children.</p>
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<p>We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, vulgarity, profanity, all caps, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain a courteous and useful public environment where we can engage in reasonable discourse.</p> | true | 0 | lead toxin dangerous humans 160its one reasons dont lead paint anymore unlike liberal gun grabbers use notion lead poisoning hijack legislative process order require environmental studies force progun bills mire bureaucratic bs im talking something real real impact 160tragically danger springs amongst threatens health shooters shooting ranges dangerous places one careful 160yet beyond danger negligent discharge getting someone shot cases springing around country shady business owners taking proper steps ensure lead vapor dust produced ranges properly contained eliminated 6000 shooting ranges america yet vast majority never inspected 160im condoning government involvement 201 inspected 86 failed least one lead related standard 160and like one area country serious violations came myriad regions us 160places like manchester firing line range new hampshire target world ohio top brass sports tennessee sharp shooter texas 20 leadrelated violations every time someone pulls trigger chemical physical reaction occurs within chamber gun 160the amount energy heat release forces chemicals make power bullet react expel lead vapor well subsequent dust particles laden lead outdoor range nature minimizes risk carrying away scattering lead particles 160despite gun grabbing zealots like people believe lead natural element nature long concentration lead bullets arent collected dumped directly drinking water slathered honey entice animals eat risk nature nonexistent indoor range though especially one run poorly danger multiplied greatly 160if surfaces arent cleaned regularly ventilation isnt properly working order remove lead particles air chance lead poisoning exponentially greater lead poisoning effects every aspect human body 160both soft tissue bone compromised 160organs fail brain function decreases muscles weaken immune system compromised hearing loss tooth decay learning deficiancies sterilization etc suffice say lead poisoning bad 160and outside work lead based setting shooting ranges likely place public acquire lead poisoning according national statistics risk range workers inhale airborne lead instruct customers clean spent ammunition also bring home accumlated lead particles clothing body therefore pose risk contaminating160their family well 160with children susceptible damage less lead especially important danger heres one story gun range manager grandviewoutdoorscom whose life dramatically changed reckless owner didnt right either greed sloth year starting 2006 maddox wife worked bluegrass indoor range louisville like many shootingrange workers maddox knew little lead damaging capabilities daily inhaled airborne lead managing range gun shop earning 9 hour nightly swept casings spent ammunition 12 firing lanes pushing broom kicking lead dust complained owner winfield underwood catch bins end shooting lanes overflowing spent lead bullets ventilation system didnt work workers needed protective gear inspectors later discovered air vents didnt even filters working louisville range six months maddox hefty 38yearold man dropped 180 pounds also lost sensation fingers toes thinking slowed couldnt remember birthdays sex drive feels like someone unplugged wall lost power said doctors diagnosis lead poisoning gun range february 2007 blood test showed dangerous level lead 68 micrograms per deciliter 56 times average adult level even maddoxs diagnosis wife also getting sick ranges owner winfield underwood nothing improve safety conditions within range kentucky labor cabinet states workplacesafety agency inspected underwoods range several times determined overexposed employees lead agency cited range dozens violations fined 461400 160yet kentucky two step amount later settled paltry 7200 financial difficulty financial difficulty underwood basically running execution gas chamber put employees every customer walked risk 160and ignorance pair employees fell sick lead poisoning greed 160financial difficulty 160i would hope 160i would hope difficult would driven business people arent enticed enter lair lead poison speaking gas chambers moment doors opened october 2005 new champion arms indoor shooting range suburban seattle coowner steve wangsness knew airborne lead going problem washington state records show ventilation system specifically designed custombuilt 10lane range supposed push air containing lead dust bullet fragments away shooters fired targets exhaust system instead blew toxic dust clouds back unwitting shooters well retail areas business workers spent day wangsness coowner maria geiss sparred buildings landlord faulty system eventually filing lawsuit still kept champion arms open business exposing employees customers onsite resident dirty gun range gun owners need better 160we need hold gun ranges hire standards 160gun range owners need hold higher standards need look dont government going come goosestepping look us closing gun rangesyou knowfor children 160 160 tolerance comments containing violence racism vulgarity profanity caps discourteous behavior thank partnering us maintain courteous useful public environment engage reasonable discourse | 701 |
<p />
<p>Wall Street has come a long way from the dark first 10 days of 2016. The two-week period added up to the worst start to a new year ever…and housed volatile action that spooked investors around the world.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>On paper, markets at the end of the first quarter looked to be where many analysts would have expected, according to Casey Clark, a member of Glenmede’s investment strategy research team. But peeling back the layers show the messy trail that’s led to April 1.</p>
<p>“The big swings intra-month are really eye-catching,” Clark said. “Just think about where we were to start the year: There were fears about how the dollar’s strength would affect earnings, missteps in Chinese government regulation which really started this whole fear of disrupting markets, and leading economic indicators were coming in slower than expected.”</p>
<p>Indeed, the initial selloff in 2016 was, in a sense, a carryover of the same fears that had plagued markets in the back half of 2015: Fears about China’s slowing growth and how it could impact the U.S., uncertainty over the Federal Reserve after it hiked rates for the first time in nearly a decade in December, and oil prices that plunged to fresh 12-year lows.</p>
<p>The fear pushed all the major averages into correction territory, defined as a 10% drop from a recent high.</p>
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<p>Since then, however, Wall Street has staged a significant comeback as equities have jumped more than 12% from February depths. March was the first month to end on a positive note for both the S&amp;P and the Nasdaq, and the major averages booked hefty gains of at least 6.5% for the period. On a year-to-date basis, the broader averages managed to cross back into positive territory. The Dow is up 1.5% while the S&amp;P 500 has gained 0.7%.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, trading volume was the highest quarterly average since the third quarter of 2011, according to data from Dow Jones.</p>
<p>Telecom and utilities were by far the top performing sectors in the first quarter, rising more than 14.5% each, while health care and financials rounded out the bottom, each losing more than 5%. Meanwhile, oil prices snapped a two-month losing streak in March, settling up 13.6% to $38.34 a barrel.</p>
<p>A Recovery to Believe In?</p>
<p>As investors have piled back into risky assets like equities and high-yield corporate bonds, there hasn’t been a significant corresponding selloff of safe-haven assets like gold and U.S. treasury bonds. Since January, gold prices have spiked from around $1,070 to the $1230 range. The yield on the benchmark US 10-year Treasury bond, which moves in the opposite direction of price, slid 42.4 basis points to 1.8% as the Fed’s rate-hike plans were pushed back. That move is the largest decline in yield since the second quarter of 2012, according to Bloomberg data.</p>
<p>Scott Wren, Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) Investment Institute managing director and senior global equity strategist, said the market is chock full of professional money rather than so-called mom and pop retail investors.</p>
<p>“I think that retail investors still have doubts. They’re still fearful. And the volatility [early this year] only made it worse. When you see a 10% plus fall that quick, most retail investors are like, ‘I’m not touching this,’” he said.</p>
<p>"Retail money is not waiting for a pullback. They’re just frozen."</p>
<p>If they didn’t get in when the market started moving higher again, traditionally, these kinds of investors would wait for another, but smaller, pullback to put money back to work. But Wren said this time, it’s different.</p>
<p>“Retail money is not waiting for a pullback. They’re just frozen,” he said.</p>
<p>Taking a step back to look at the broader market picture shows that while the bull market, which turned seven just last month, is growing long in the tooth. But Clark said there’s still room for expansion.</p>
<p>“We see moderate risk and we don’t envision an imminent recession,” he said. “We see a greater probability of slow but continued growth.”</p>
<p>He pointed to markets getting back to a “normal” pace as credit spreads continue to tighten, and as fear indicators like the VIX, a gauge of expected volatility, signal less fear in the marketplace relative to January and February levels.</p>
<p>Putting a Wrench in Growth Expectations</p>
<p>Global central banks have played a key role in market movement since the financial crisis. First, helping to stabilize financial markets and institutions, and now telegraphing expectations as the U.S. moves away from accommodative policy measures.</p>
<p>But it’s a double-edged sword for the Federal Reserve. Markets have become accustomed to the easy-money policies which have spurred appetites for risky assets like equities and commodities, and given strength to the U.S. dollar against other world currencies. &#160;To move rates in either direction too quickly would be to risk unraveling the market’s trajectory.</p>
<p>Wren said Friday’s March jobs report would be another key for the Federal Reserve as it continues to watch for stabilization in the labor market.</p>
<p>“The Fed feels good the labor market is moving in the right direction, but they’re concerned that wages aren’t going up because they’d like to see more inflation. Wages make up about 70% of the cost to produce any good or service in the U.S…if you want to figure out what inflation is going to do, look at wages,” he said.</p>
<p>The central bank has said economic data is paramount to its decision-making process on rates, in addition to monitoring developments in the global economy.</p>
<p>Clark added that key pieces of manufacturing data, also due out on Friday, could help reinforce the idea that the U.S. is continuing on the path to recovery. Recent regional factory surveys, including those from Philadelphia and New York, have shown improvement over the last month as they jumped out of contraction territory.</p> | true | 0 | wall street come long way dark first 10 days 2016 twoweek period added worst start new year everand housed volatile action spooked investors around world continue reading paper markets end first quarter looked many analysts would expected according casey clark member glenmedes investment strategy research team peeling back layers show messy trail thats led april 1 big swings intramonth really eyecatching clark said think start year fears dollars strength would affect earnings missteps chinese government regulation really started whole fear disrupting markets leading economic indicators coming slower expected indeed initial selloff 2016 sense carryover fears plagued markets back half 2015 fears chinas slowing growth could impact us uncertainty federal reserve hiked rates first time nearly decade december oil prices plunged fresh 12year lows fear pushed major averages correction territory defined 10 drop recent high advertisement since however wall street staged significant comeback equities jumped 12 february depths march first month end positive note sampp nasdaq major averages booked hefty gains least 65 period yeartodate basis broader averages managed cross back positive territory dow 15 sampp 500 gained 07 meanwhile trading volume highest quarterly average since third quarter 2011 according data dow jones telecom utilities far top performing sectors first quarter rising 145 health care financials rounded bottom losing 5 meanwhile oil prices snapped twomonth losing streak march settling 136 3834 barrel recovery believe investors piled back risky assets like equities highyield corporate bonds hasnt significant corresponding selloff safehaven assets like gold us treasury bonds since january gold prices spiked around 1070 1230 range yield benchmark us 10year treasury bond moves opposite direction price slid 424 basis points 18 feds ratehike plans pushed back move largest decline yield since second quarter 2012 according bloomberg data scott wren wells fargo nysewfc investment institute managing director senior global equity strategist said market chock full professional money rather socalled mom pop retail investors think retail investors still doubts theyre still fearful volatility early year made worse see 10 plus fall quick retail investors like im touching said retail money waiting pullback theyre frozen didnt get market started moving higher traditionally kinds investors would wait another smaller pullback put money back work wren said time different retail money waiting pullback theyre frozen said taking step back look broader market picture shows bull market turned seven last month growing long tooth clark said theres still room expansion see moderate risk dont envision imminent recession said see greater probability slow continued growth pointed markets getting back normal pace credit spreads continue tighten fear indicators like vix gauge expected volatility signal less fear marketplace relative january february levels putting wrench growth expectations global central banks played key role market movement since financial crisis first helping stabilize financial markets institutions telegraphing expectations us moves away accommodative policy measures doubleedged sword federal reserve markets become accustomed easymoney policies spurred appetites risky assets like equities commodities given strength us dollar world currencies 160to move rates either direction quickly would risk unraveling markets trajectory wren said fridays march jobs report would another key federal reserve continues watch stabilization labor market fed feels good labor market moving right direction theyre concerned wages arent going theyd like see inflation wages make 70 cost produce good service usif want figure inflation going look wages said central bank said economic data paramount decisionmaking process rates addition monitoring developments global economy clark added key pieces manufacturing data also due friday could help reinforce idea us continuing path recovery recent regional factory surveys including philadelphia new york shown improvement last month jumped contraction territory | 586 |
<p>Washington, D.C. – Blatantly <a href="http://thefreethoughtproject.com/secret-cia-assessment-story-about-russia-helping-trump-is-the-fake-news-youve-been-warned-about/" type="external">operating as a propaganda outlet for U.S. intelligence/deep state interests</a>, working in collusion with Democratic party elements, The Washington Post reported that anonymous sources claimed, “the CIA concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency, rather than just to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral system.”</p>
<p>What the Post, in their shameful piece of yellow journalism, failed to mention is that the FBI did not in any way agree with the assessment by the CIA. In fact, the FBI said the information was “fuzzy and ambiguous” and DID NOT provide clear evidence that Russia had meddled in the U.S. election.</p>
<p>The FBI’s unwillingness to play along in this soft-coup has infuriated Democrats. According to a report for the <a href="http://www.bizpacreview.com/2016/12/12/fbi-disagrees-cia-russian-influence-presidential-election-422763" type="external">BizPac Review</a>:</p>
<p>The FBI did not corroborate the CIA’s claim that Russia had a hand in the election of President-elect Donald Trump in a meeting with lawmakers last week.</p>
<p>A senior FBI counterintelligence official met with Republican and Democrat members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in order to give the bureau’s view of a recent CIA report. The official did not concur with the CIA, frustrating Democrats.</p>
<p>The CIA believes Russia “quite” clearly intended to send Trump to the White House. The claim is a bold one and concerned Democrats and some Republicans who are worried about Trump’s desire to mend relations with an increasingly aggressive Russia. The CIA report was “direct, bold and unqualified,” one of the officials at the meeting told The Washington Post Saturday.</p>
<p>The FBI official was much less convinced of the claims, providing “fuzzy” and “ambiguous” remarks.</p>
<p>Make no mistake that the Washington Post article is the ‘Fake News’ the mainstream media has been warning you about. The Post create a propaganda piece for the deep state that was parroted across the 24-7 media echo chamber crowing about anonymous CIA officials, while nothing is said about FBI counterintelligence official completely refuting the CIA assessment’s validity.</p>
<p>Highly respected investigative journalist <a href="https://theintercept.com/2016/12/10/anonymous-leaks-to-the-washpost-about-the-cias-russia-beliefs-are-no-substitute-for-evidence/" type="external">Glenn Greenwald</a> labeled the Washington Post’s CIA story, in an article for the Intercept, “classic American journalism of the worst sort,” highlighting that, “the key claims are based exclusively on the unverified assertions of anonymous officials, who in turn are disseminating their own claims about what the CIA purportedly believes, all based on evidence that remains completely secret.”</p>
<p>At best, the impetus behind these moves is to constrain Trump’s anticipated rapprochement with Russia by further tainting public perception of a U.S.-Russia reconciliation by intimating that Trump in some way won the U.S. presidency with the assistance of Russia — a continuation of a common theme of the Clinton campaign.</p>
<p>At worst, they are signs that the CIA and U.S. intelligence community are essentially trying to interfere in the US presidential election as they have done in foreign countries on over 70 occasions since WWII — in an effort to install their preferred candidate.</p>
<p>For more information on some of those incidents Google:</p>
<p>Italy Christian Democrats 1948 … Iran Mossadegh 1953 … Philippines Magsaysay 1953 … Guatemala Arbenz 1954 … Indonesia Masjumi 1955 … Lebanon Chamoun 1957 … Congo Lumumba 1961 … Chile Allende 1973 … Nicaragua Sandanista 1990 … Haiti Aristide 2004 … El Salvador, Poland, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Honduras, Egypt, Thailand, Ukraine…</p>
<p>That is just a short summary, as the list goes on and on.</p>
<p>In assessing the different interpretations by the CIA and FBI, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fbi-and-cia-give-differing-accounts-to-lawmakers-on-russias-motives-in-2016-hacks/2016/12/10/c6dfadfa-bef0-11e6-94ac-3d324840106c_story.html?utm_term=.37b3c9b5835d" type="external">the Post noted</a> that the disagreement between the agencies comes down to “cultural” differences. The CIA is an agency that is “more comfortable draws inferences” from behavior, while the FBI “wants facts and tangible evidence to prove something.”</p>
<p>The competing messages, according to officials in attendance, also reflect cultural differences between the FBI and the CIA. The bureau, true to its law enforcement roots, wants facts and tangible evidence to prove something beyond all reasonable doubt. The CIA is more comfortable drawing inferences from behavior.</p>
<p>“The FBI briefers think in terms of criminal standards — can we prove this in court,” one of the officials said. “The CIA briefers weigh the preponderance of intelligence and then make judgment calls to help policymakers make informed decisions. High confidence for them means ‘we’re pretty damn sure.’ It doesn’t mean they can prove it in court.”</p>
<p>The FBI is not sold on the idea that Russia had a particular aim in its meddling. “There’s no question that [the Russians’] efforts went one way, but it’s not clear that they have a specific goal or mix of related goals,” said one U.S. official.</p>
<p>In summation, the Post and the rest of the corporate media have decided that “facts and tangible evidence” are unnecessary, when the CIA can just “draw inferences” without providing any evidence.</p>
<p>The intelligence community/deep state propaganda war, operating in concert with the Clinton campaign and other Democratic operatives, was an ingenious strategy really. They planted these seeds of possible Russian interference in the public psyche during the Clinton campaign, and have now nurtured them to fruition after the Trump presidential victory.</p>
<p><a href="https://i1.wp.com/thefreethoughtproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/hilldog.jpeg" type="external" /></p>
<p>Essentially, these interests now you have a built-in audience of angry Clinton voters who are upset they lost, with a strong confirmation bias to accept unsubstantiated propaganda without evidence. We can see how that worked out in Iraq (WMD’s) – when the media, who colluded with the aforementioned, runs with the story as fact. The ‘Russians did it’ story, perpetuated by intelligence interests that loathe to see Trump take office, is then easily accepted by these angry partisan voters as truth.</p>
<p>What a dangerous proposition to accept without any evidence, and yet so many people already have — but then again, that is <a href="http://thefreethoughtproject.com/chomsky-exposes-propaganda-control/" type="external">what propaganda is all about</a>. If the intelligence community tries to steal this election, be warned that violent revolution is a likely outcome, as many Americans won’t stand for a soft-coup, which is exactly what is likely transpiring.</p>
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<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://thefreethoughtproject.com/fbi-rejects-cia-claim-that-russia-assisted-trump-in-presidential-election-as-fuzzy-and-ambiguous/" type="external">The Free Thought Project</a></p>
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<p /> | true | 0 | washington dc blatantly operating propaganda outlet us intelligencedeep state interests working collusion democratic party elements washington post reported anonymous sources claimed cia concluded secret assessment russia intervened 2016 election help donald trump win presidency rather undermine confidence us electoral system post shameful piece yellow journalism failed mention fbi way agree assessment cia fact fbi said information fuzzy ambiguous provide clear evidence russia meddled us election fbis unwillingness play along softcoup infuriated democrats according report bizpac review fbi corroborate cias claim russia hand election presidentelect donald trump meeting lawmakers last week senior fbi counterintelligence official met republican democrat members house permanent select committee intelligence order give bureaus view recent cia report official concur cia frustrating democrats cia believes russia quite clearly intended send trump white house claim bold one concerned democrats republicans worried trumps desire mend relations increasingly aggressive russia cia report direct bold unqualified one officials meeting told washington post saturday fbi official much less convinced claims providing fuzzy ambiguous remarks make mistake washington post article fake news mainstream media warning post create propaganda piece deep state parroted across 247 media echo chamber crowing anonymous cia officials nothing said fbi counterintelligence official completely refuting cia assessments validity highly respected investigative journalist glenn greenwald labeled washington posts cia story article intercept classic american journalism worst sort highlighting key claims based exclusively unverified assertions anonymous officials turn disseminating claims cia purportedly believes based evidence remains completely secret best impetus behind moves constrain trumps anticipated rapprochement russia tainting public perception usrussia reconciliation intimating trump way us presidency assistance russia continuation common theme clinton campaign worst signs cia us intelligence community essentially trying interfere us presidential election done foreign countries 70 occasions since wwii effort install preferred candidate information incidents google italy christian democrats 1948 iran mossadegh 1953 philippines magsaysay 1953 guatemala arbenz 1954 indonesia masjumi 1955 lebanon chamoun 1957 congo lumumba 1961 chile allende 1973 nicaragua sandanista 1990 haiti aristide 2004 el salvador poland syria afghanistan libya honduras egypt thailand ukraine short summary list goes assessing different interpretations cia fbi post noted disagreement agencies comes cultural differences cia agency comfortable draws inferences behavior fbi wants facts tangible evidence prove something competing messages according officials attendance also reflect cultural differences fbi cia bureau true law enforcement roots wants facts tangible evidence prove something beyond reasonable doubt cia comfortable drawing inferences behavior fbi briefers think terms criminal standards prove court one officials said cia briefers weigh preponderance intelligence make judgment calls help policymakers make informed decisions high confidence means pretty damn sure doesnt mean prove court fbi sold idea russia particular aim meddling theres question russians efforts went one way clear specific goal mix related goals said one us official summation post rest corporate media decided facts tangible evidence unnecessary cia draw inferences without providing evidence intelligence communitydeep state propaganda war operating concert clinton campaign democratic operatives ingenious strategy really planted seeds possible russian interference public psyche clinton campaign nurtured fruition trump presidential victory essentially interests builtin audience angry clinton voters upset lost strong confirmation bias accept unsubstantiated propaganda without evidence see worked iraq wmds media colluded aforementioned runs story fact russians story perpetuated intelligence interests loathe see trump take office easily accepted angry partisan voters truth dangerous proposition accept without evidence yet many people already propaganda intelligence community tries steal election warned violent revolution likely outcome many americans wont stand softcoup exactly likely transpiring courtesy free thought project 160 160 | 566 |
<p>Buying and holding great stocks is the best way to consistently generate wealth over the long term. But finding the market's best stocks is easier said than done.</p>
<p>So to help get you started to that end, we asked three top Motley Fool investors to each pick a stock that they believe is poised to double investors' money. Read on to see why they chose Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM), YY (NASDAQ: YY), and Magellan Midstream Partners&#160;(NYSE: MMP).</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSymington/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Steve Symington Opens a New Window.</a> (Boston Beer): Thanks to the strong execution of its fall seasonal program and encouraging business trends in its <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/10/27/boston-beer-sees-favorable-trends-in-a-mixed.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">latest quarter</a>, shares of Boston Beer are trading near a 52-week high right now. But the stock is also more than 40% below its all-time high set in early 2015, when growth in the burgeoning craft beer market began to slow amid increasing competition from both small and large brewers alike. Even now, Boston Beer's recent rebound has come despite the fact that its volumes still fell 4% on a year-over-year basis last quarter, as strength from its Twisted Tea and Truly Spiked &amp; Sparkling varieties were more than offset by the relative underperformance of its flagship Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard brands.</p>
<p>That said, I think Boston Beer's latest trends for depletions -- a key industry metric that measures how fast its products travel from warehouses to consumer outlets -- show the company is learning how to more effectively navigate its crowded core market. Depletions fell 3.5% year over year last quarter, but are expected to turn a corner and climb in the low-single-digit range in the coming year. All the while, Boston Beer has been focusing on cost savings and operational efficiency initiatives that should help it emerge a leaner, stronger company when it's able to return Sam Adams and Angry Orchard to growth.</p>
<p>When that happens -- and unless Boston Beer is <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/09/29/is-boston-beer-about-to-be-acquired.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">acquired by an opportunistic competitor Opens a New Window.</a> before then -- I think the stock could easily be a double for investors who buy today.</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=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> (YY): YY is a Chinese provider of live video streaming services. It was one of the first movers in this growing industry, which Jefferies estimates could become a $6.4 billion industry by 2020. YY's platform consists of YY Live, which features music, entertainment, sports, and e-learning videos; and Huya, which features video gameplay streams.</p>
<p>YY monetizes those videos with virtual gifts, which users purchase for their favorite broadcasters. About 93% of YY's revenue came from its live video streaming business last quarter, with the remainder coming from its older online games, membership fees, and online advertising businesses.</p>
<p>Revenue rose 48% annually to $465 million last quarter, marking its highest growth rate in seven quarters. Its non-GAAP net income rose 47% to $96.1 million, and its GAAP net income jumped 59% to $95.6 million. Its live-streaming revenue grew 60% annually, mobile live-streaming monthly active users (MAUs) rose 37% annually to 73 million, and its paid users climbed 47% to 6.3 million.Analysts expect YY's revenue and non-GAAP earnings to rise 38% and 41%,&#160;respectively, this year. However, investors should be aware of some potential headwinds -- which include competition from <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/11/06/5-common-misconceptions-about-momo-inc.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">other platforms Opens a New Window.</a> like Momo (NASDAQ: MOMO) and tighter <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/06/27/china-cracks-down-on-weibo-time-to-sell.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">government regulation Opens a New Window.</a> of live-streaming apps.</p>
<p>YY trades at just 18 times trailing earnings and 15 times forward earnings -- making it an undervalued growth play in the arguably frothy Chinese tech market. If YY continues growing its revenue, earnings, and MAUs at its current pace, it could certainly double in the near future.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTruth2Power/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">John Bromels Opens a New Window.</a> (Magellan Midstream Partners):&#160;The boring world of energy infrastructure isn't exactly a place you'd expect to find a company that could double your money in two years, but&#160;Magellan Midstream Partners&#160;did just that for its investors between 2010 and 2012 and again between 2012 and 2014. And all the while, it also paid a dividend. Shares peaked in 2014 as the energy price slump hit the industry, but they look like they're starting to recover.</p>
<p>Magellan is a pipeline operator, which means it charges oil and gas producers to move their products through its 9,700 miles of pipelines. This "toll booth" model helps Magellan keep making money regardless of how expensive or cheap oil and gas are.</p>
<p>In the past, Magellan has been able to grow by purchasing assets from other companies. But if domestic oil and gas production takes off -- which it will if energy prices continue to rise -- Magellan can start commanding a higher price thanks to increased demand. It also has <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/09/15/magellan-midstream-partners-lp-teams-up-to-deliver.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">more than $1 billion Opens a New Window.</a> of high-return expansion projects in the works, all of which should come on line within two years.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Magellan has more than doubled its dividend since 2012, and now yields about 5.4%, which will help investors recoup their money faster. It's not the most conventional pick to double your money, but if oil prices and domestic production keeps going up, Magellan investors shouldn't be surprised to see handsome returns.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Boston BeerWhen 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=4f391222-a5c2-464e-a5ca-4dfc6c0e8e08&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Boston Beer 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=4f391222-a5c2-464e-a5ca-4dfc6c0e8e08&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&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 November 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTruth2Power/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">John Bromels Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Boston Beer. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSunLion/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Leo Sun Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSymington/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Steve Symington Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Boston Beer. The Motley Fool recommends Magellan Midstream Partners and Momo. 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=0e00fec8-cf4e-11e7-a0c4-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | buying holding great stocks best way consistently generate wealth long term finding markets best stocks easier said done help get started end asked three top motley fool investors pick stock believe poised double investors money read see chose boston beer nyse sam yy nasdaq yy magellan midstream partners160nyse mmp continue reading steve symington opens new window boston beer thanks strong execution fall seasonal program encouraging business trends latest quarter shares boston beer trading near 52week high right stock also 40 alltime high set early 2015 growth burgeoning craft beer market began slow amid increasing competition small large brewers alike even boston beers recent rebound come despite fact volumes still fell 4 yearoveryear basis last quarter strength twisted tea truly spiked amp sparkling varieties offset relative underperformance flagship samuel adams angry orchard brands said think boston beers latest trends depletions key industry metric measures fast products travel warehouses consumer outlets show company learning effectively navigate crowded core market depletions fell 35 year year last quarter expected turn corner climb lowsingledigit range coming year boston beer focusing cost savings operational efficiency initiatives help emerge leaner stronger company able return sam adams angry orchard growth happens unless boston beer acquired opportunistic competitor opens new window think stock could easily double investors buy today advertisement leo sun opens new window yy yy chinese provider live video streaming services one first movers growing industry jefferies estimates could become 64 billion industry 2020 yys platform consists yy live features music entertainment sports elearning videos huya features video gameplay streams yy monetizes videos virtual gifts users purchase favorite broadcasters 93 yys revenue came live video streaming business last quarter remainder coming older online games membership fees online advertising businesses revenue rose 48 annually 465 million last quarter marking highest growth rate seven quarters nongaap net income rose 47 961 million gaap net income jumped 59 956 million livestreaming revenue grew 60 annually mobile livestreaming monthly active users maus rose 37 annually 73 million paid users climbed 47 63 millionanalysts expect yys revenue nongaap earnings rise 38 41160respectively year however investors aware potential headwinds include competition platforms opens new window like momo nasdaq momo tighter government regulation opens new window livestreaming apps yy trades 18 times trailing earnings 15 times forward earnings making undervalued growth play arguably frothy chinese tech market yy continues growing revenue earnings maus current pace could certainly double near future john bromels opens new window magellan midstream partners160the boring world energy infrastructure isnt exactly place youd expect find company could double money two years but160magellan midstream partners160did investors 2010 2012 2012 2014 also paid dividend shares peaked 2014 energy price slump hit industry look like theyre starting recover magellan pipeline operator means charges oil gas producers move products 9700 miles pipelines toll booth model helps magellan keep making money regardless expensive cheap oil gas past magellan able grow purchasing assets companies domestic oil gas production takes energy prices continue rise magellan start commanding higher price thanks increased demand also 1 billion opens new window highreturn expansion projects works come line within two years meanwhile magellan doubled dividend since 2012 yields 54 help investors recoup money faster conventional pick double money oil prices domestic production keeps going magellan investors shouldnt surprised see handsome returns 10 stocks like better boston beerwhen 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 boston beer wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 6 2017 john bromels opens new window owns shares boston beer leo sun opens new window position stocks mentioned steve symington opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends boston beer motley fool recommends magellan midstream partners momo motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 646 |
<p>Investors turn to Yellen, Draghi</p>
<p>-- Oil prices climb as Hurricane nears Texas</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>-- Chinese stocks jump</p>
<p>Stocks mostly nudged higher Friday, putting bourses around the world on track for weekly gains.</p>
<p>The Stoxx Europe 600 inched up 0.2% in the early minutes of trading, following an upbeat session in Asia. Futures pointed to small opening gains on Wall Street.</p>
<p>The moves came ahead of speeches later in the day from the heads of the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank at the annual Jackson Hole gathering of central bankers. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen will deliver a speech on financial stability at 10 a.m. EDT, while European Central Bank President Mario Draghi will deliver a luncheon address around 3 p.m. EDT.</p>
<p>"The expectation is that both will seek to be as boring as possible," said Rob Carnell, chief economist and head of research for the Asia-Pacific region at ING. Still, most investors will be watching the conference closely amid expectations that global central banks will slowly withdraw massive stimulus efforts in the coming months.</p>
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<p>The euro was down 0.1% against the dollar at $1.1784 in morning trading after climbing 12% so far this year.</p>
<p>"Given the euro has strengthened so significantly this year, my interpretation is the ECB will want to be a little bit cautious and not get too far ahead of the Fed," said Holly MacDonald, chief investment strategist at Bessemer Trust.</p>
<p>The dollar, meanwhile, has weakened around 7% against a basket of 16 currencies, in part due to expectations that interest rates will rise only gradually in the U.S.</p>
<p>Investors currently price just a 44% chance of a rate rise in the U.S. by the end of the year, according to Fed-fund futures tracked by CME Group, and nearly 35% expect rates to be unchanged in August 2018.</p>
<p>"It has been a long time since the market view and the Fed's own projections last differed like this," strategists at Commerzbank wrote in a note to clients.</p>
<p>Asian stocks picked up momentum after a muted start to Friday's trading.</p>
<p>Chinese equities led the way as shares rebounded on gains in the banking sector ahead of first-half reports. The Shanghai Composite was up 1.8%, with Industrial &amp; Commercial Bank of China hitting a nine-year high ahead of its earnings release on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 1%, helped by better-than-expected results from oil company Cnooc.</p>
<p>Japan's Nikkei rose 0.5% as the dollar strengthened against the yen, with Yamaha Motor Co., Toyota Motor Co. and Sony Corp. all rising close to 1%.</p>
<p>In commodities, Brent crude oil rose 0.8% to $52.08 a barrel, partially reversing Thursday's declines as the market watched the progress of Hurricane Harvey toward Texas. Crude fell Thursday on worries that refiners' near-term usage of oil in the region will fall faster than offshore production, said investment bank OCBC.</p>
<p>Write to Riva Gold at [email protected] and Lucy Craymer at [email protected]</p>
<p>-- Yellen, Draghi in the spotlight</p>
<p>-- Best day for Shanghai stocks in a year</p>
<p>-- Oil prices climb as hurricane nears Texas</p>
<p>Stocks moved higher Friday ahead of an update from central bankers, keeping most bourses around the world on track for weekly gains.</p>
<p>The Stoxx Europe 600 was up 0.4% midday as a climb in the banking, auto and mining sectors offset losses in shares of retailers. Shanghai stocks closed out their best day in a year as lenders jumped, while futures pointed to 0.2% opening gain for the S&amp;P 500.</p>
<p>The moves came ahead of speeches later in the day from the heads of the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank at the annual Jackson Hole gathering of central bankers. Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen will deliver a speech on financial stability at 10 a.m. EDT, and ECB President Mario Draghi will hold a luncheon address around 3 p.m. EDT.</p>
<p>While no major policy announcements are anticipated by investors and implied volatility in markets is fairly low, most will be watching their comments closely.</p>
<p>"We expect that the ECB will remain accommodative, and [Mr. Draghi] has to say that to limit the upside on the euro and limit the risk on economic growth," said Philippe Waechter, chief economist at Natixis Asset Management. Should Mr. Draghi not say anything to that effect, the market could take that as a cue to keep buying the euro, he said.</p>
<p>The euro was flat against the dollar at $1.1804 after climbing 12% so far this year as political risks have cleared just as the eurozone economy has strengthened.</p>
<p>The dollar, meanwhile, has weakened around 7% against a basket of 16 currencies, in part due to fading hopes for fiscal stimulus and expectations that interest rates will rise only gradually in the U.S.</p>
<p>Investors currently price just a 40% chance of a rate rise in the U.S. by the end of the year, according to Fed-fund futures tracked by CME Group, and nearly 38% expect rates to be unchanged in August 2018, well below the Fed's official projections.</p>
<p>Holly MacDonald, chief investment strategist at Bessemer Trust, said she thinks there might be room for more of a hawkish surprise from the Fed this weekend, in light of current market pricing.</p>
<p>"Given that inflation has been so low, it is reasonable to expect the Fed will be very measured," she said. But most readings suggest the economy is in good shape, and there is a chance Ms. Yellen could discuss current financial conditions, implying higher rates, she said.</p>
<p>Yields on 10-year German government bonds rose to 0.401% from 0.378% Thursday, but Treasurys were steady at 2.195% from 2.194%. Yields move inversely to prices.</p>
<p>Earlier, Asian stocks picked up momentum after a muted start to Friday's trading.</p>
<p>Chinese equities led the way as shares rebounded on gains in the banking sector ahead of first-half reports. The Shanghai Composite was up 1.8% in its best day of the year, with Industrial &amp; Commercial Bank of China hitting a nine-year high ahead of its earnings release on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 1.2%, helped by better-than-expected results from oil company Cnooc.</p>
<p>Japan's Nikkei rose 0.5% as the dollar strengthened against the yen, with Yamaha Motor Co., Toyota Motor Co. and Sony Corp. all rising close to 1%. Still, the Nikkei logged a sixth straight weekly drop despite gains overseas, its longest losing streak since the start of 2014.</p>
<p>Gains in South Korea's Kospi index were muted with the overall index up just 0.1% as shares of Samsung Electronics Co. fell 1.1%. Samsung 's de facto leader, Lee Jae-yong, was found guilty of bribing South Korea's president and sentenced to five years in prison on Friday. Portions of the decision came just as trading ended for the week.</p>
<p>In commodities, Brent crude oil rose 0.7% to $52.04 a barrel, partially reversing Thursday's declines as the market watched the progress of Hurricane Harvey toward Texas. Crude fell Thursday on worries that refiners' near-term usage of oil in the region will fall faster than offshore production, said investment bank OCBC.</p>
<p>Kevin Kingsbury</p>
<p>contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Riva Gold at [email protected] and Lucy Craymer at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>August 25, 2017 07:16 ET (11:16 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | investors turn yellen draghi oil prices climb hurricane nears texas continue reading chinese stocks jump stocks mostly nudged higher friday putting bourses around world track weekly gains stoxx europe 600 inched 02 early minutes trading following upbeat session asia futures pointed small opening gains wall street moves came ahead speeches later day heads federal reserve european central bank annual jackson hole gathering central bankers federal reserve chairwoman janet yellen deliver speech financial stability 10 edt european central bank president mario draghi deliver luncheon address around 3 pm edt expectation seek boring possible said rob carnell chief economist head research asiapacific region ing still investors watching conference closely amid expectations global central banks slowly withdraw massive stimulus efforts coming months advertisement euro 01 dollar 11784 morning trading climbing 12 far year given euro strengthened significantly year interpretation ecb want little bit cautious get far ahead fed said holly macdonald chief investment strategist bessemer trust dollar meanwhile weakened around 7 basket 16 currencies part due expectations interest rates rise gradually us investors currently price 44 chance rate rise us end year according fedfund futures tracked cme group nearly 35 expect rates unchanged august 2018 long time since market view feds projections last differed like strategists commerzbank wrote note clients asian stocks picked momentum muted start fridays trading chinese equities led way shares rebounded gains banking sector ahead firsthalf reports shanghai composite 18 industrial amp commercial bank china hitting nineyear high ahead earnings release wednesday hong kongs hang seng index climbed 1 helped betterthanexpected results oil company cnooc japans nikkei rose 05 dollar strengthened yen yamaha motor co toyota motor co sony corp rising close 1 commodities brent crude oil rose 08 5208 barrel partially reversing thursdays declines market watched progress hurricane harvey toward texas crude fell thursday worries refiners nearterm usage oil region fall faster offshore production said investment bank ocbc write riva gold rivagoldwsjcom lucy craymer lucycraymerwsjcom yellen draghi spotlight best day shanghai stocks year oil prices climb hurricane nears texas stocks moved higher friday ahead update central bankers keeping bourses around world track weekly gains stoxx europe 600 04 midday climb banking auto mining sectors offset losses shares retailers shanghai stocks closed best day year lenders jumped futures pointed 02 opening gain sampp 500 moves came ahead speeches later day heads federal reserve european central bank annual jackson hole gathering central bankers fed chairwoman janet yellen deliver speech financial stability 10 edt ecb president mario draghi hold luncheon address around 3 pm edt major policy announcements anticipated investors implied volatility markets fairly low watching comments closely expect ecb remain accommodative mr draghi say limit upside euro limit risk economic growth said philippe waechter chief economist natixis asset management mr draghi say anything effect market could take cue keep buying euro said euro flat dollar 11804 climbing 12 far year political risks cleared eurozone economy strengthened dollar meanwhile weakened around 7 basket 16 currencies part due fading hopes fiscal stimulus expectations interest rates rise gradually us investors currently price 40 chance rate rise us end year according fedfund futures tracked cme group nearly 38 expect rates unchanged august 2018 well feds official projections holly macdonald chief investment strategist bessemer trust said thinks might room hawkish surprise fed weekend light current market pricing given inflation low reasonable expect fed measured said readings suggest economy good shape chance ms yellen could discuss current financial conditions implying higher rates said yields 10year german government bonds rose 0401 0378 thursday treasurys steady 2195 2194 yields move inversely prices earlier asian stocks picked momentum muted start fridays trading chinese equities led way shares rebounded gains banking sector ahead firsthalf reports shanghai composite 18 best day year industrial amp commercial bank china hitting nineyear high ahead earnings release wednesday hong kongs hang seng index climbed 12 helped betterthanexpected results oil company cnooc japans nikkei rose 05 dollar strengthened yen yamaha motor co toyota motor co sony corp rising close 1 still nikkei logged sixth straight weekly drop despite gains overseas longest losing streak since start 2014 gains south koreas kospi index muted overall index 01 shares samsung electronics co fell 11 samsung de facto leader lee jaeyong found guilty bribing south koreas president sentenced five years prison friday portions decision came trading ended week commodities brent crude oil rose 07 5204 barrel partially reversing thursdays declines market watched progress hurricane harvey toward texas crude fell thursday worries refiners nearterm usage oil region fall faster offshore production said investment bank ocbc kevin kingsbury contributed article write riva gold rivagoldwsjcom lucy craymer lucycraymerwsjcom end dow jones newswires august 25 2017 0716 et 1116 gmt | 765 |
<p>TOP STORIES</p>
<p>Value Meals Drive McDonald's Sales - 2nd Update</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>McDonald's Corp. gained sales again by luring core customers to its cheapest meals and drinks.</p>
<p>The burger giant attributed U.S. sales growth in the fourth quarter to a "McPick 2" meal deal and low-price beverages, as well as to higher-priced Buttermilk Crispy Tenders. The chain introduced a new nationwide value menu this month with items priced at $1, $2 and $3, hoping consumers drawn in for cheap sodas and burgers will also order more expensive items.</p>
<p>STORIES OF INTEREST</p>
<p>Food Union Hails USDA Move on Chicken Plants -- Market Talk</p>
<p>12:06 ET -- United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents meat plant employees, claims victory after the U.S. Department of Agriculture rejected a U.S. chicken industry petition to eliminate poultry processing line speed caps in meat plants. The organization and other consumer groups opposed the request, saying it could make food less safe and pose risks to meat plant workers, who already deal with higher rates of injury than other industries. The union says it remains "concerned" that the USDA plans to let some chicken plants apply to run processing lines at speeds up to 175 birds a minute, with most currently capped at 140. ([email protected]; @jacobbunge)</p>
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<p>USDA Pumps Brakes on Faster Chicken Processing -- Market Talk</p>
<p>12:01 ET -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture denies a request by the National Chicken Council to lift all limits on how fast poultry plants can process birds--but the agency says it does plan to let some plants speed up. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service says the chicken industry group's Sept. 1 petition to eliminate speed limits in chicken plants didn't demonstrate that inspectors could effectively check each carcass for safety at speeds beyond 175 birds a minute--nearly three chickens a second. But FSIS said that the agency plans to lay out criteria for poultry plants, most of which are limited to processing 140 chickens each minute, to run at speeds up to 175, as long as they demonstrate how they will assess food safety and meet other criteria. ([email protected]; @jacobbunge)</p>
<p>Wheat Futures Pop on Plains Drought</p>
<p>A drought in the Great Plains sparked a rally in wheat prices on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture said that the condition of the hard red winter wheat crop, primarily grown in southern Plains states like Kansas, dropped sharply as farmers in the region struggle through dry conditions.</p>
<p>FUTURES MARKETS</p>
<p>Live Cattle Futures Ease</p>
<p>Cattle futures were mixed on Tuesday, easing off multimonth highs.</p>
<p>The futures market started the week by hitting a two-month high, after cash prices for physical cattle rose more than expected. But analysts say futures bumped up against selling pressure after falling from those highs, with chart signals suggesting to traders that prices were headed lower.</p>
<p>CASH MARKETS</p>
<p>Zumbrota, Minn Hog Steady At $44.00 - Jan 30</p>
<p>Barrow and gilt prices at the Zumbrota, Minn., livestock market today are steady at $44.00 a hundredweight. Sow prices are steady. Sows weighing 400-450 pounds are at $43.00, 450-500 pounds are $43.00 and those over 500 pounds are $45.00-$47.00.</p>
<p>The day's total run is estimated at 180 head.</p>
<p>Prices are provided by the Central Livestock Association.</p>
<p>Estimated U.S. Pork Packer Margin Index - Jan 30</p>
<p>This report reflects U.S. pork packer processing margins. The margin indices</p>
<p>are calculated using current cash hog or carcass values and wholesale pork</p>
<p>cutout values and may not reflect actual margins at the plants. These</p>
<p>estimates reflect the general health of the industry and are not meant to</p>
<p>be indicative of any particular company or plant.</p>
<p>Source: USDA, based on Wall Street Journal calculations</p>
<p>All figures are on a per-head basis.</p>
<p>Date Standard Margin Estimated margin</p>
<p>Operating Index at vertically -</p>
<p>integrated operations</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>Jan 30 +$20.58 +$ 45.01</p>
<p>Jan 29 +$20.88 +$ 45.57</p>
<p>Jan 26 +$22.51 +$ 45.96</p>
<p>* Based on Iowa State University's latest estimated cost of production.</p>
<p>A positive number indicates a processing margin above the cost of</p>
<p>production of the animals.</p>
<p>Beef-O-Meter</p>
<p>This report compares the USDA's latest beef carcass composite</p>
<p>values as a percentage of their respective year-ago prices.</p>
<p>Beef</p>
<p>For Today Choice 108.5</p>
<p>(Percent of Year-Ago) Select 108.2</p>
<p>USDA Boxed Beef, Pork Reports</p>
<p>Wholesale choice-grade beef prices Tuesday rose 58 cents per hundred pounds, to $209.69, according to the USDA. Select-grade prices rose 24 cents per hundred pounds, to $204.37. The total load count was 109. Wholesale pork prices fell 26 cents, to $81.34 a hundred pounds, based on Omaha, Neb., price quotes.</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>January 30, 2018 17:31 ET (22:31 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | top stories value meals drive mcdonalds sales 2nd update continue reading mcdonalds corp gained sales luring core customers cheapest meals drinks burger giant attributed us sales growth fourth quarter mcpick 2 meal deal lowprice beverages well higherpriced buttermilk crispy tenders chain introduced new nationwide value menu month items priced 1 2 3 hoping consumers drawn cheap sodas burgers also order expensive items stories interest food union hails usda move chicken plants market talk 1206 et united food commercial workers international union represents meat plant employees claims victory us department agriculture rejected us chicken industry petition eliminate poultry processing line speed caps meat plants organization consumer groups opposed request saying could make food less safe pose risks meat plant workers already deal higher rates injury industries union says remains concerned usda plans let chicken plants apply run processing lines speeds 175 birds minute currently capped 140 jacobbungewsjcom jacobbunge advertisement usda pumps brakes faster chicken processing market talk 1201 et us department agriculture denies request national chicken council lift limits fast poultry plants process birdsbut agency says plan let plants speed usdas food safety inspection service says chicken industry groups sept 1 petition eliminate speed limits chicken plants didnt demonstrate inspectors could effectively check carcass safety speeds beyond 175 birds minutenearly three chickens second fsis said agency plans lay criteria poultry plants limited processing 140 chickens minute run speeds 175 long demonstrate assess food safety meet criteria jacobbungewsjcom jacobbunge wheat futures pop plains drought drought great plains sparked rally wheat prices tuesday us department agriculture said condition hard red winter wheat crop primarily grown southern plains states like kansas dropped sharply farmers region struggle dry conditions futures markets live cattle futures ease cattle futures mixed tuesday easing multimonth highs futures market started week hitting twomonth high cash prices physical cattle rose expected analysts say futures bumped selling pressure falling highs chart signals suggesting traders prices headed lower cash markets zumbrota minn hog steady 4400 jan 30 barrow gilt prices zumbrota minn livestock market today steady 4400 hundredweight sow prices steady sows weighing 400450 pounds 4300 450500 pounds 4300 500 pounds 45004700 days total run estimated 180 head prices provided central livestock association estimated us pork packer margin index jan 30 report reflects us pork packer processing margins margin indices calculated using current cash hog carcass values wholesale pork cutout values may reflect actual margins plants estimates reflect general health industry meant indicative particular company plant source usda based wall street journal calculations figures perhead basis date standard margin estimated margin operating index vertically integrated operations jan 30 2058 4501 jan 29 2088 4557 jan 26 2251 4596 based iowa state universitys latest estimated cost production positive number indicates processing margin cost production animals beefometer report compares usdas latest beef carcass composite values percentage respective yearago prices beef today choice 1085 percent yearago select 1082 usda boxed beef pork reports wholesale choicegrade beef prices tuesday rose 58 cents per hundred pounds 20969 according usda selectgrade prices rose 24 cents per hundred pounds 20437 total load count 109 wholesale pork prices fell 26 cents 8134 hundred pounds based omaha neb price quotes end dow jones newswires january 30 2018 1731 et 2231 gmt | 529 |
<p>When people are dependent on the government they are much easier to control.&#160; We are often told that we are not “compassionate” when we object to the endless expansion of government social programs, but that is not how the debate should be framed.&#160;</p>
<p>In America today, well over 100 million people receive money from the federal government each month, and the number of Americans that are truly financially independent is continually shrinking.&#160; In fact, <a href="http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/the-middle-class-is-being-destroyed-now-only-25-percent-of-all-americans-have-10000-or-more-in-savings" type="external">only 25 percent</a> of all Americans have more than $10,000 in savings right now according to one survey.&#160; If we eventually get to the point where virtually all of us are dependent on the government for our continued existence, that would give the globalists a very powerful tool of control.&#160; In the end, they want as many of us dependent on the government as possible, because those that are dependent on the government are a lot less likely to fight against their agenda.</p>
<p>Back in 1992, the bottom 90 percent of American income earners brought in <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/27/news/economy/inequality-record-top-1-percent-wealth/index.html" type="external">more than 60 percent</a> of the country’s income.&#160; But last year that figure slipped to just 49.7 percent.&#160; The wealth of our society is increasingly being concentrated at the very top, and the middle class is steadily being eroded.&#160; Surveys have found that somewhere around <a href="http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/the-tens-of-millions-of-forgotten-americans-that-the-u-s-economy-has-left-behind" type="external">two-thirds of the country</a> is living paycheck to paycheck at least part of the time, and so living on the edge has become a way of life for most Americans.</p>
<p>Earlier today, I came across a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/there-is-no-plan-for-americas-economy-2017-9" type="external">Business Insider article</a> that was bemoaning the fact that the U.S. economy seems to be rather directionless at this point…</p>
<p>Ultimately, the truth is that we don’t actually need some sort of “central plan” for our economy.&#160; We are supposed to be a free market system that is not guided and directed by central planners, but many Americans don’t even understand the benefits of free market capitalism anymore.</p>
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<p>However, that Business Insider article did make a great point about globalization.&#160;&#160; Most people don’t realize that our economy is slowly but surely being integrated into a global economic system.&#160;&#160; This is really bad for American workers, because now they are being merged into a global labor pool in which they must compete directly for jobs with workers in other countries where it is legal to pay slave labor wages.</p>
<p>Even down in Mexico, many autoworkers are only making <a href="https://wolfstreet.com/2017/09/29/repression-of-wages-in-auto-manufacturing-in-mexico/" type="external">$2.25 an hour</a>…</p>
<p>Most of the workers at the new Audi factory in the state of Puebla, inaugurated in 2016 and assembling the Audi Q4 SUV, which carries a sticker price in the US of over $40,000 for base versions, make $2.25 an hour, according to the Union.</p>
<p>Volkswagen, which owns Audi, started building Beetles in Puebla in 1967 and has since created a vast manufacturing empire in Mexico, with vehicles built for consumers in Mexico, the US, Canada, and Latin American markets.</p>
<p>Volkswagen, Ford, GM, or any of the global automakers, which can manufacture just about anywhere in the world, always search for cheap labor to maximize the bottom line.</p>
<p>Would you want to work for $2.25 an hour?</p>
<p>Over time, millions of good paying jobs have been leaving high wage countries and have been going to low wage countries.&#160; The United States has lost more than 70,000 manufacturing facilities since China joined the WTO, and this is one of the biggest factors that has <a href="http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/the-middle-class-is-being-destroyed-now-only-25-percent-of-all-americans-have-10000-or-more-in-savings" type="external">eroded the middle class</a>.</p>
<p>In a desperate attempt to maintain our standard of living, we have gone into increasing amounts of debt.&#160; Of course our federal government is now <a href="http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/debt-nightmare-does-anyone-actually-care-about-our-exploding-national-debt-these-days" type="external">20 trillion dollars in debt</a>, but on an individual level we are doing the same thing.&#160; Today, American consumers are <a href="http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/the-tens-of-millions-of-forgotten-americans-that-the-u-s-economy-has-left-behind" type="external">over 12 trillion dollars in debt</a>, and it gets worse with each passing day.</p>
<p>The borrower is the servant of the lender, and most Americans have become debt slaves at this point.&#160; This is something that Paul Craig Roberts <a href="http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2017/09/29/us-economy-failing-paul-craig-roberts/" type="external">commented on recently</a>…</p>
<p>Americans carry on by accumulating debt and becoming debt slaves. Many can only make the minimum payment on their credit card and thus accumulate debt. The Federal Reserve’s policy has exploded the prices of financial assets. The result is that the bulk of the population lacks discretionary income, and those with financial assets are wealthy until values adjust to reality.</p>
<p>As an economist I cannot identify in history any economy whose affairs have been so badly managed and prospects so severely damaged as the economy of the United States of America. In the short/intermediate run policies that damage the prospects for the American work force benefit what is called the One Percent as jobs offshoring reduces corporate costs and financialization transfers remaining discretionary income in interest and fees to the financial sector. But as consumer discretionary incomes disappear and debt burdens rise, aggregate demand falters, and there is nothing left to drive the economy.</p>
<p>This debt-based system continuously funnels wealth toward the very top of the pyramid, because it is the people at the very top that hold all of the debts.</p>
<p>Each year it gets worse, and most Americans would be absolutely stunned to hear that the top one percent now control <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/27/news/economy/inequality-record-top-1-percent-wealth/index.html" type="external">38.6 percent</a> of all wealth in the United States…</p>
<p>The richest 1% of families controlled a record-high 38.6% of the country’s wealth in 2016, according to a Federal Reserve report published on Wednesday.</p>
<p>That’s nearly twice as much as the bottom 90%, which has seen its slice of the pie continue to shrink.</p>
<p>The bottom 90% of families now hold just 22.8% of the wealth, down from about one-third in 1989 when the Fed started tracking this measure.</p>
<p>So how do we fix this?</p>
<p>Well, the truth is that we need to go back to a non-debt based system that does not funnel all of the wealth to the very top of the pyramid.&#160; Unfortunately, most Americans don’t even realize that our current debt-based system is fundamentally flawed, and it will probably take an unprecedented crisis in order to wake people up enough to take action.</p> | true | 0 | people dependent government much easier control160 often told compassionate object endless expansion government social programs debate framed160 america today well 100 million people receive money federal government month number americans truly financially independent continually shrinking160 fact 25 percent americans 10000 savings right according one survey160 eventually get point virtually us dependent government continued existence would give globalists powerful tool control160 end want many us dependent government possible dependent government lot less likely fight agenda back 1992 bottom 90 percent american income earners brought 60 percent countrys income160 last year figure slipped 497 percent160 wealth society increasingly concentrated top middle class steadily eroded160 surveys found somewhere around twothirds country living paycheck paycheck least part time living edge become way life americans earlier today came across business insider article bemoaning fact us economy seems rather directionless point ultimately truth dont actually need sort central plan economy160 supposed free market system guided directed central planners many americans dont even understand benefits free market capitalism anymore however business insider article make great point globalization160160 people dont realize economy slowly surely integrated global economic system160160 really bad american workers merged global labor pool must compete directly jobs workers countries legal pay slave labor wages even mexico many autoworkers making 225 hour workers new audi factory state puebla inaugurated 2016 assembling audi q4 suv carries sticker price us 40000 base versions make 225 hour according union volkswagen owns audi started building beetles puebla 1967 since created vast manufacturing empire mexico vehicles built consumers mexico us canada latin american markets volkswagen ford gm global automakers manufacture anywhere world always search cheap labor maximize bottom line would want work 225 hour time millions good paying jobs leaving high wage countries going low wage countries160 united states lost 70000 manufacturing facilities since china joined wto one biggest factors eroded middle class desperate attempt maintain standard living gone increasing amounts debt160 course federal government 20 trillion dollars debt individual level thing160 today american consumers 12 trillion dollars debt gets worse passing day borrower servant lender americans become debt slaves point160 something paul craig roberts commented recently americans carry accumulating debt becoming debt slaves many make minimum payment credit card thus accumulate debt federal reserves policy exploded prices financial assets result bulk population lacks discretionary income financial assets wealthy values adjust reality economist identify history economy whose affairs badly managed prospects severely damaged economy united states america shortintermediate run policies damage prospects american work force benefit called one percent jobs offshoring reduces corporate costs financialization transfers remaining discretionary income interest fees financial sector consumer discretionary incomes disappear debt burdens rise aggregate demand falters nothing left drive economy debtbased system continuously funnels wealth toward top pyramid people top hold debts year gets worse americans would absolutely stunned hear top one percent control 386 percent wealth united states richest 1 families controlled recordhigh 386 countrys wealth 2016 according federal reserve report published wednesday thats nearly twice much bottom 90 seen slice pie continue shrink bottom 90 families hold 228 wealth onethird 1989 fed started tracking measure fix well truth need go back nondebt based system funnel wealth top pyramid160 unfortunately americans dont even realize current debtbased system fundamentally flawed probably take unprecedented crisis order wake people enough take action | 536 |
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<p>The slowdown of economic growth in China has had a major impact on commodity prices, as well as the stock prices of commodity producers. As the following chart shows, both copper kingpin Freeport-McMoRan and iron ore leader Vale have been hard hit over the past year:</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/VALE" type="external">VALE</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>While both stocks are down sharply over the past year, they've also rebounded resoundingly off their bottom earlier this year. That rally might not be over if commodity prices continue to rebound.</p>
<p>Here's a look at the bull and bear case for the primary commodities these companies produce as well as why that outlook gives one of these stocks the edge as the better buy.</p>
<p>The bull case for Freeport-McMoRanThe case for buying Freeport-McMoRan is very simple: If copper rises, this stock should rebound sharply. That's because it's highly levered to the price of copper, with just a small rebound in its price driving significant cash flow growth:</p>
<p>Image source: Freeport-McMoRan investor presentation.</p>
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<p>Most recently, the price of copper was right about $2.09 per pound, or about $4,640 per tonne, which is above Freeport-McMoRan's base case for 2016 at $2.00 per pound. That higher price is due in part to some improvement in the economic data coming out of China, which is the commodity's top consumer. Because of this improvement, some analysts see copper's price improving to as much as $5,000 per tonne by the end of the year based on potentially tightening market conditions given that producers like Freeport-McMoRan have curbed some of their production and China's economy could regain its footing.</p>
<p>The bear case for Freeport-McMoRanHaving said all that, not all analysts are convinced copper is going higher. Analysts at J.P. Morgan, for example, see copper falling to as low as $4,000 per tonne due to the lack of additional production cuts. Meanwhile, the bank only sees the upside in copper being $4,800 per tonne over the next two years because of its view that the "production adjustment is expected to be a slow and long process lasting two years."</p>
<p>Worse yet are <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/07/heres-why-teck-resources-ltds-stock-is-spiraling-l.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">recent reports Opens a New Window.</a> that China is contemplating increasing its copper exports because it has a glut of inventory. If it started dumping copper onto the market, that would weigh on its price.</p>
<p>This downside has the potential to hit Freeport-McMoRan very hard because its balance sheet is weighed down by more than $20 billion in debt. It's debt the company is trying to address by not only generating free cash flow from higher copper prices but by selling assets, which would be harder to do if copper's price started to slip.</p>
<p>The bull case for ValeMuch like the copper market, there's a lot of disagreement on the direction of iron ore prices over the short and long term. Iron ore has been on fire this year, surging 23% last quarter to as high as $63.74 a tonnene, though it has given back some of those gains and was recently at $55.60 a tonnene. Vale thinks that the best is still yet to come, with CEO Murilo Ferreira saying that the long-term price should hold between $65 and $80 per tonnene. That's because Vale believes in the Chinese market and expects its sales there to rise by 40% to 250 million tonnene in the future as it aims to become the largest supplier of iron ore to the country.</p>
<p>Image Source: Vale.</p>
<p>The bear case for Vale Analysts, however, aren't quite as bullish on iron ore. McKinsey, for example, is expecting it to trade between $45 and $50 a tonnene this year because it sees no real improvement in steel consumption in China. Worse yet is Goldman Sachs' view, which is pegging its price at just $30 to $40 for the rest of this year. Meanwhile, Citi sees it averaging $38 this year and just $35 for the following two years. In fact, there weren't any big banks that painted a bullish picture of iron ore in the short term.</p>
<p>While analysts aren't always right and tend to be more pessimistic when times are tough, they do seem to have a more realistic view than Vale. That's not a surprise because commodity producers tend to be much more bullish on the commodities they produce, which can get them into trouble when they take on a lot of debt to act on that view.</p>
<p>Investor takeawayPurely based on the outlooks, there's a bit more optimism in the copper market right now among analysts. That gives Freeport-McMoRan a leg up over Vale, because it has the potential to rally if that positive outlook comes to fruition. Not only would those higher prices significantly improve its cash flow, but it would remove some of the weight from its balance sheet, which has been pulling down this stock.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/12/better-buy-freeport-mcmoran-inc-vs-vale.aspx" type="external">Better Buy: Freeport-McMoRan Inc. vs. Vale Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFmd19/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Matt DiLallo Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Companhia Vale Ads and Freeport-McMoRan Copper &amp; Gold. 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> | true | 0 | slowdown economic growth china major impact commodity prices well stock prices commodity producers following chart shows copper kingpin freeportmcmoran iron ore leader vale hard hit past year continue reading vale data ycharts opens new window stocks sharply past year theyve also rebounded resoundingly bottom earlier year rally might commodity prices continue rebound heres look bull bear case primary commodities companies produce well outlook gives one stocks edge better buy bull case freeportmcmoranthe case buying freeportmcmoran simple copper rises stock rebound sharply thats highly levered price copper small rebound price driving significant cash flow growth image source freeportmcmoran investor presentation advertisement recently price copper right 209 per pound 4640 per tonne freeportmcmorans base case 2016 200 per pound higher price due part improvement economic data coming china commoditys top consumer improvement analysts see coppers price improving much 5000 per tonne end year based potentially tightening market conditions given producers like freeportmcmoran curbed production chinas economy could regain footing bear case freeportmcmoranhaving said analysts convinced copper going higher analysts jp morgan example see copper falling low 4000 per tonne due lack additional production cuts meanwhile bank sees upside copper 4800 per tonne next two years view production adjustment expected slow long process lasting two years worse yet recent reports opens new window china contemplating increasing copper exports glut inventory started dumping copper onto market would weigh price downside potential hit freeportmcmoran hard balance sheet weighed 20 billion debt debt company trying address generating free cash flow higher copper prices selling assets would harder coppers price started slip bull case valemuch like copper market theres lot disagreement direction iron ore prices short long term iron ore fire year surging 23 last quarter high 6374 tonnene though given back gains recently 5560 tonnene vale thinks best still yet come ceo murilo ferreira saying longterm price hold 65 80 per tonnene thats vale believes chinese market expects sales rise 40 250 million tonnene future aims become largest supplier iron ore country image source vale bear case vale analysts however arent quite bullish iron ore mckinsey example expecting trade 45 50 tonnene year sees real improvement steel consumption china worse yet goldman sachs view pegging price 30 40 rest year meanwhile citi sees averaging 38 year 35 following two years fact werent big banks painted bullish picture iron ore short term analysts arent always right tend pessimistic times tough seem realistic view vale thats surprise commodity producers tend much bullish commodities produce get trouble take lot debt act view investor takeawaypurely based outlooks theres bit optimism copper market right among analysts gives freeportmcmoran leg vale potential rally positive outlook comes fruition would higher prices significantly improve cash flow would remove weight balance sheet pulling stock article better buy freeportmcmoran inc vs vale opens new window originally appeared foolcom matt dilallo opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares companhia vale ads freeportmcmoran copper amp gold 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 | 529 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<p>Despite its many criticisms, the Affordable Care Act has arguably been the closest thing to universal healthcare that Americans have ever seen. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the uninsured rate in the U.S. fell from 16% in the quarter immediately preceding the implementation of the ACA, which is more affably known as Obamacare, to just 8.9% by mid-2016. Obamacare is the first health law to push the combined uninsured rate, inclusive of Medicare, into a single-digit percentage.</p>
<p>A number of factors have been responsible for Obamacare's success in enrolling more than 20 million previously uninsured people. To begin with, the Obamacare mandate for insurers that denied them the right to exclude persons with pre-existing conditions from purchasing health coverage was important. Prior to Obamacare, one of the key ways insurers were able to manage their costs was by denying coverage to those with costly pre-existing conditions, such as cancer or heart disease. Under Obamacare, anyone who wants insurance and can pay for it is eligible to enroll. Insurers can charge a bit more if you're older or smoke, for example, but they can't deny you coverage, regardless of your medical history.</p>
<p>The Medicaid expansion was another critical cog that allowed millions of individuals and families to enroll. Under the expansion, every state was given the option of taking federal funds to allow individuals and families earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level to enroll in Medicaid. The catch was that beginning in 2017 some of the responsibility of paying for these new Medicaid enrollees would fall to the states. In total, 31 states chose to expand their Medicaid programs.</p>
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>The Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) also made healthcare far more affordable for lower- and middle-income Americans. The APTC reduces the cost of monthly premiums for individuals and families earning less than 400% of the federal poverty level, while the CSRs make receiving care more affordable by cutting copays, deductible, and/or coinsurance costs. CSRs are available to Obamacare marketplace enrollees earning less than 250% of the federal poverty level who also bought a silver-tier plan. In 2017, based on data from the Department of Health and Human Services, 72% of consumers will be able to find a marketplace plan that costs them less than $75 per month.</p>
<p>Finally, the threat of having to pay the Shared Responsibility Payment (SRP) probably coerced some younger, healthier adults to enroll. The individual mandate that accompanied Obamacare's passage into law essentially stated that if consumers didn't purchase health insurance, they would be subject to a penalty -- the SRP. In 2016, the SRP was the greater of $695 or 2.5% of your modified adjusted gross income. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimated that the SRP penalty could average nearly $1,000 per household in 2016.</p>
<p>However, Obamacare has also had its shortcomings, especially when it comes to ebbing what employees pay for health insurance as a percentage of their annual income.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.commonwealthfund.org/interactives-and-data/infographics/2016/incomes-arent-keeping-up-with-employees-health-plan-costs" type="external">recently released data Opens a New Window.</a> from The Commonwealth Fund, the overall cost of premiums and deductibles as a percentage of U.S. median income has grown from 6.5% in 2006 to 10.1% as of 2015. As you can see below, in every single year since 2006 (excluding 2007, where data wasn't available) health plan costs for employees have grown more expensive.</p>
<p>Data source: The Commonwealth Fund. Insurance cost data was unavailable in 2007 due to changes in the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey. Chart by author.</p>
<p>The culprit behind rising health plan costs as a percentage of wages could be employers' growing use of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). The idea behind an HDHP is to push the onus of costs away from the employer and toward the employee in order to keep an employers' healthcare expenditures reasonable. Between 2006 and 2016, according to a <a href="http://kff.org/report-section/ehbs-2016-section-one-cost-of-health-insurance/" type="external">Kaiser Family Foundation report Opens a New Window.</a>, employee enrollment in HDHPs jumped from just 4% to 29%. That's nearly one-in-three employees who could be stuck paying a huge deductible before their insurer steps in and offers coverage.</p>
<p>For some employees, an HDHP isn't all bad news. HDHPs have low premiums because they have high deductibles should you need to seek medical care. As such, HDHPs can be a relatively good choice for younger, healthier adults that won't visit the doctor much. Unfortunately, HDHPs are bad news for individuals with a chronic medical condition, or families with children that require regular medical care.</p>
<p>The good news is a majority of workers enrolled in an HDHP probably qualify to open and contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA). In order to qualify, you simply need to be enrolled in an HDHP with a minimum annual deductible of $1,300 for an individual or $2,600 for family coverage. More than 80% of all working Americans meet this qualification according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Further, you can't be enrolled in Medicare or be claimed by someone else as a dependent on their tax return. If you meet these qualifications, the annual contribution limit in 2017 is $3,400 for individuals and $6,750 for family coverage.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>What's particularly intriguing about an HSA is that the account-holder, regardless of how old you are, can use HSA funds to pay for qualifying medical care costs on a penalty-free, tax-free basis. In other words, if you have to seek medical care and are expected to be hit with a high deductible from your insurer, you can lean on your HSA to cover part, or all, of your deductible, regardless of your age, on a tax-free and penalty-free basis.</p>
<p>But, let's say you don't use the money in your HSA for many years. That's fine, too, because an HSA acts like a retirement plan in that you can invest what's in your account and continue to roll it over until you reach age 65, at which point withdrawals are treated as tax-deferred income.</p>
<p>One final benefit is that contributing to an HSA can probably reduce your tax liability. Money placed into an HSA is pre-tax, meaning you could wind up with a lower tax bill.</p>
<p>With drug-pricing power remaining strong and the checks and balances on insurer premium pricing remaining weak, an HSA could be your best weapon to defend against rising healthcare costs.</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 Opens a New Window.</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 Opens a New Window.</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/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> | true | 0 | image source getty images continue reading despite many criticisms affordable care act arguably closest thing universal healthcare americans ever seen according data centers disease control prevention uninsured rate us fell 16 quarter immediately preceding implementation aca affably known obamacare 89 mid2016 obamacare first health law push combined uninsured rate inclusive medicare singledigit percentage number factors responsible obamacares success enrolling 20 million previously uninsured people begin obamacare mandate insurers denied right exclude persons preexisting conditions purchasing health coverage important prior obamacare one key ways insurers able manage costs denying coverage costly preexisting conditions cancer heart disease obamacare anyone wants insurance pay eligible enroll insurers charge bit youre older smoke example cant deny coverage regardless medical history medicaid expansion another critical cog allowed millions individuals families enroll expansion every state given option taking federal funds allow individuals families earning 138 federal poverty level enroll medicaid catch beginning 2017 responsibility paying new medicaid enrollees would fall states total 31 states chose expand medicaid programs advertisement image source getty images advanced premium tax credit aptc costsharing reductions csrs also made healthcare far affordable lower middleincome americans aptc reduces cost monthly premiums individuals families earning less 400 federal poverty level csrs make receiving care affordable cutting copays deductible andor coinsurance costs csrs available obamacare marketplace enrollees earning less 250 federal poverty level also bought silvertier plan 2017 based data department health human services 72 consumers able find marketplace plan costs less 75 per month finally threat pay shared responsibility payment srp probably coerced younger healthier adults enroll individual mandate accompanied obamacares passage law essentially stated consumers didnt purchase health insurance would subject penalty srp 2016 srp greater 695 25 modified adjusted gross income kaiser family foundation estimated srp penalty could average nearly 1000 per household 2016 however obamacare also shortcomings especially comes ebbing employees pay health insurance percentage annual income according recently released data opens new window commonwealth fund overall cost premiums deductibles percentage us median income grown 65 2006 101 2015 see every single year since 2006 excluding 2007 data wasnt available health plan costs employees grown expensive data source commonwealth fund insurance cost data unavailable 2007 due changes medical expenditures panel survey chart author culprit behind rising health plan costs percentage wages could employers growing use highdeductible health plans hdhps idea behind hdhp push onus costs away employer toward employee order keep employers healthcare expenditures reasonable 2006 2016 according kaiser family foundation report opens new window employee enrollment hdhps jumped 4 29 thats nearly oneinthree employees could stuck paying huge deductible insurer steps offers coverage employees hdhp isnt bad news hdhps low premiums high deductibles need seek medical care hdhps relatively good choice younger healthier adults wont visit doctor much unfortunately hdhps bad news individuals chronic medical condition families children require regular medical care good news majority workers enrolled hdhp probably qualify open contribute health savings account hsa order qualify simply need enrolled hdhp minimum annual deductible 1300 individual 2600 family coverage 80 working americans meet qualification according kaiser family foundation cant enrolled medicare claimed someone else dependent tax return meet qualifications annual contribution limit 2017 3400 individuals 6750 family coverage image source getty images whats particularly intriguing hsa accountholder regardless old use hsa funds pay qualifying medical care costs penaltyfree taxfree basis words seek medical care expected hit high deductible insurer lean hsa cover part deductible regardless age taxfree penaltyfree basis lets say dont use money hsa many years thats fine hsa acts like retirement plan invest whats account continue roll reach age 65 point withdrawals treated taxdeferred income one final benefit contributing hsa probably reduce tax liability money placed hsa pretax meaning could wind lower tax bill drugpricing power remaining strong checks balances insurer premium pricing remaining weak hsa could best weapon defend rising healthcare costs 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 | 751 |
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<p>Five years ago today, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) announced plans to start paying a dividend for the first time since 1995. Since then, Apple has raised its dividend at a steady but relatively modest pace. Meanwhile, Apple's original $10 billion share repurchase plan (announced at the same time) has morphed into a massive $175 billion share buyback program over the past few years.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Apple will announce the latest update to its capital return program next month in conjunction with its Q2 earnings report. This time around, the iPhone maker may finally start to raise its dividend at a faster pace.</p>
<p>Apple paid the first dividend under its current capital return program in August 2012. At that time, the quarterly payout was $2.65 per share. Adjusting for Apple's 2014 stock split, this translates to a dividend of about $0.38 per share.</p>
<p>Each April since then, Apple has raised its dividend. The biggest increase came in 2013, when Apple raised its dividend by 15%. The smallest increase (8%) came the following year. The average annual increase has been about 11%.</p>
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<p>Apple restarted its dividend in 2012. It has been growing ever since. Image source: Apple.</p>
<p>In total, Apple's payout has grown by about 50% during this period. For the past year, its quarterly dividend has been $0.57 per share.</p>
<p>Common metrics of dividend safety indicate that Apple could afford to pay a lot more to its shareholders. It currently has a payout ratio of just 27% based on its earnings over the past year. A payout ratio twice as high would still be considered safe by most experts.</p>
<p>Many investors prefer to measure dividend safety by looking at free cash flow. After all, if a company is not generating enough free cash flow to cover its dividend, then it has to issue debt or stock to plug the gap.</p>
<p>Apple is in good shape from this perspective as well. The company generated more than $52 billion of free cash flow last year, while its current quarterly dividend of $0.57 per share works out to about $12.5 billion per year for dividend payments.</p>
<p>There are two main reasons why Apple should consider a bigger dividend increase than has been its recent custom.</p>
<p>First, Apple's dividend yield has fallen significantly since the April 2016 update to its capital return program. When Apple raised its dividend last April, the new $0.57 per share quarterly payment worked out to a 2.2% annual yield. Now, thanks to Apple's surging share price, the dividend yield has fallen to just 1.6%.</p>
<p>Second, with Apple stock recently reaching a record high of $140, share buybacks seem less attractive than they have been for most of the past five years. Apple's earnings multiple is near the high end of its recent historical range, which suggests that the stock is not a huge bargain right now.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/AAPL/pe_ratio" type="external">Apple P/E Ratio (TTM) Opens a New Window.</a>data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Dividends and share repurchases are just two alternative ways to return cash to shareholders. As a result, if buybacks are generating diminishing returns due to Apple's rising stock price, it might make sense to shift the capital return program's emphasis toward dividends.</p>
<p>Since Apple restarted its dividend in late 2012, its dividend yield has averaged about 2%. Just to get back to a 2% yield, the quarterly payout would have to rise 23% to $0.70 per share, based on Apple's recent stock price. There's a good chance that Apple will announce a dividend increase of roughly this magnitude next month.</p>
<p>In the past year or so, Apple's management has placed an increasing amount of emphasis on the company's services segment. One of the big strengths of the services business is that it generates reliable recurring revenue, whereas device sales fluctuate due to product cycles.</p>
<p>If Apple's cash flow is set to become more predictable in the future, then the company should start to behave more like other cash-cow businesses. That starts with offering a significantly bigger dividend.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than AppleWhen 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=ae8d8f17-ff2b-4e92-843f-50ded4d2b7ed&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 Apple 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=ae8d8f17-ff2b-4e92-843f-50ded4d2b7ed&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/TMFGemHunter/info.aspx" type="external">Adam Levine-Weinberg Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Apple and is long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $140 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool is long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $95 calls on Apple. 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> | true | 0 | five years ago today apple nasdaq aapl announced plans start paying dividend first time since 1995 since apple raised dividend steady relatively modest pace meanwhile apples original 10 billion share repurchase plan announced time morphed massive 175 billion share buyback program past years continue reading apple announce latest update capital return program next month conjunction q2 earnings report time around iphone maker may finally start raise dividend faster pace apple paid first dividend current capital return program august 2012 time quarterly payout 265 per share adjusting apples 2014 stock split translates dividend 038 per share april since apple raised dividend biggest increase came 2013 apple raised dividend 15 smallest increase 8 came following year average annual increase 11 advertisement apple restarted dividend 2012 growing ever since image source apple total apples payout grown 50 period past year quarterly dividend 057 per share common metrics dividend safety indicate apple could afford pay lot shareholders currently payout ratio 27 based earnings past year payout ratio twice high would still considered safe experts many investors prefer measure dividend safety looking free cash flow company generating enough free cash flow cover dividend issue debt stock plug gap apple good shape perspective well company generated 52 billion free cash flow last year current quarterly dividend 057 per share works 125 billion per year dividend payments two main reasons apple consider bigger dividend increase recent custom first apples dividend yield fallen significantly since april 2016 update capital return program apple raised dividend last april new 057 per share quarterly payment worked 22 annual yield thanks apples surging share price dividend yield fallen 16 second apple stock recently reaching record high 140 share buybacks seem less attractive past five years apples earnings multiple near high end recent historical range suggests stock huge bargain right apple pe ratio ttm opens new windowdata ycharts opens new window dividends share repurchases two alternative ways return cash shareholders result buybacks generating diminishing returns due apples rising stock price might make sense shift capital return programs emphasis toward dividends since apple restarted dividend late 2012 dividend yield averaged 2 get back 2 yield quarterly payout would rise 23 070 per share based apples recent stock price theres good chance apple announce dividend increase roughly magnitude next month past year apples management placed increasing amount emphasis companys services segment one big strengths services business generates reliable recurring revenue whereas device sales fluctuate due product cycles apples cash flow set become predictable future company start behave like cashcow businesses starts offering significantly bigger dividend 10 stocks like better applewhen 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 apple wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns february 6 2017 adam levineweinberg opens new window owns shares apple long january 2018 90 calls apple short january 2018 140 calls apple motley fool owns shares recommends apple motley fool long january 2018 90 calls apple short january 2018 95 calls apple motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 526 |
<p>&lt;img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31973" src="http://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RebuttalTrumpsAmerica.jpg" alt="RebuttalTrumpsAmerica" width="1200" height="627" srcset="https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RebuttalTrumpsAmerica.jpg 1200w, https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RebuttalTrumpsAmerica-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RebuttalTrumpsAmerica-768x401.jpg 768w, https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RebuttalTrumpsAmerica-1024x535.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /&gt;</p>
<p>With just&#160;days left, there’s still time to get in the dumbest “think” peace of 2016. I give <a href="http://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a41563/raising-a-boy-in-trumps-america/" type="external">Elle credit for the attempt</a> with I’m Terrified of Raising a Boy in Trump’s America. Pro-feminist? Check. Anti-Trump? Check. Thoroughly inane from start to finish? Double-triple check.</p>
<p>Ladies, gentlemen and non-binary gender things, we have a new contender for year’s stupidest essay. Let’s jump right into the cray cray…</p>
<p>I’d been sure I’d be raising a small woman during a new age of feminism, one where we didn’t even need to call it feminism anymore, one where it was normal for a woman to be the leader of the free world. But that was no longer the case.</p>
<p>Right off, <a href="http://www.elle.com/author/2604/jo-piazza/" type="external">this woman Jo Piazza</a>, is upset she doesn’t have a daughter. You know how most mothers just want their children to be born healthy? This glowing jewel wanted her child to be born female. Isn’t that a bit sexist? Also exclusionary to the non-binary gender queers? Both resounding yeses.&#160;But hey, if you have your heart set on a daughter instead of one of those filthy, icky, patriarch-favored dudelets, who am I to judge?</p>
<p>Oh, spoiler warning: lots of judgement.</p>
<p>And I was no longer even certain we were having a girl. What if we had a boy? Was there a little penis inside me? It was a 50-50 chance. So many of the other things I thought were true had turned out wrong this year. Why should I trust my hunches? The thought of having a boy terrified me, paralyzed me even.</p>
<p>For the record, if you’re a pregnant woman and you’re “terrified” of having, or disappointed in having, any gender of baby, I harbor nothing but judgemental hostility toward you. And you know what… I’m changing tacks here. I think I need to address this “mother” directly. I’m feeling super triggered right now. I think it’s when she typed, without satire, “a penis inside me” as if carrying a boy rather than a girl is equatable to rape.</p>
<p>Jo Piazza, you’re an abysmal excuse for a mother. Poor you, you’re not having the gender baby of your choice. You shallow, selfish, hedonistic phlegm receptacle. And here the great travesty of your life is having a boy in Trump’s America. I’ll get to how your son, who didn’t get to chose his mother anymore than you got to chose his gender, is the real victim here.</p>
<p>Just last week, after handing over what felt like a gallon of blood and waiting an excruciating nine days to hear the results of genetics and gender tests, my husband and I learned we will be the parents of a boy.</p>
<p>A gallon of blood. Hyperbole thy name is you, lady. Excruciating NINE DAYS to learn your healthy child has a penis instead of a va-jay-jay. My God, woman, how DO you go on? Nine days. Thats like… a week plus two days. Depending on when those nine days start, there may even be TWO weekends in there. Where you, like, have to occupy your time not working. All that time to just THINK and WORRY about having a boy instead of a girl. I’m sure soldiers who stormed Normandy had similar thoughts in their nine minutes before being blown up.</p>
<p>It’s not the stereotypical boy things that worry me. I can throw a football and a punch. I’m happy to teach him that there is an acceptable time to pee outside and a time when doing this will get him arrested…</p>
<p>I had to break up the paragraph, can’t let this statement go by. He’s a human child, not a Golden Retriever. You teach children to use a toilet. They’re generally white and made of porcelain, most frequently spotted in “bathrooms.” In the UK, these rooms are often referred to as just “the toilets” sometimes “the loos.” What you should be teaching your son, who is not a leg-lifting canine, is to raise and lower the toilet lid. Not when and when not to scratch at the door to wee on the bushes.</p>
<p>…What terrifies me is the idea of raising a boy with good values when a man who represents the male stereotypes we’ve been fighting for generations is in the White House. A man who bullies both men and women in person and on Twitter. This man could dominate our news cycle for the next eight years. I can’t hide his bad behavior from our son.</p>
<p>You just said you were concerned about teaching your boy when to pee OUTSIDE like he’s a rescue shelter dog that&#160;was never house broken. And you’re worried that TRUMP is going to teach him bad behavior? You just said not five paragraphs up, you would’ve preferred a daughter. And you’re worried TRUMP is going to negatively influence him?</p>
<p>Imma need you to look up some phrases, Jo. “Self-awareness,” to start. Then maybe “Insane asylum.” Maybe Google to see if you can find an infographic which illustrates the differences between human boys and puppies.</p>
<p>That the president thinks Time magazine changed its annual accolade to “Person of the Year” instead of “Man of the Year” just because it’s more <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/12/12/donald_trump_is_sad_that_he_won_person_of_the_year_instead_of_man_of_the.html" type="external">politically correct</a>" How do I explain that grabbing a woman by her genitals is not an acceptable salutation when the man in charge of the country normalized it"</p>
<p>Okay. I’m not sure how Time Magazine matters at all in your little mental breakdown. That’s what we call “going off on a tangent,” or “into the weeds.” <a href="" type="internal">Regardless, we actually already addressed the Time Magazine issue</a>. Is what Trump said disgusting? Yes. Do I condone it? No. But Trump didn’t normalize “grab her by the pussy,” anymore than <a href="" type="internal">Bill Clinton normalized raping women</a>. Or <a href="" type="internal">Hillary Clinton normalized setting up illegal email servers</a> in bathrooms. Or leaving four men (what we call boys who reach adulthood) <a href="" type="internal">to die in Benghazi</a>, then later blaming it on a video.</p>
<p>Look, sweet cheeks, the election is over. We <a href="" type="internal">covered all the ways your gal pal Hillary</a> is our modern day equivalent of the Chupacabra who feeds on roadkill. I’m not going to rehash here just because you’re a sexist idiot who’s going to make a terrible mother. Hopefully I’m wrong there, but so far… terrible mother.</p>
<p>Told you they’d be judgement.</p>
<p>Whoever is president shouldn’t influence how you raise YOUR SON. See, most mothers and fathers talk about how they want to rear their children. Many of them decide to teach them some kind of value system. Basing that value system on Jesus’s teaching, or Buddhist teaching… Tom Cruise used Scientology on his first two kids. Are you noticing a theme here, sweetie? Parents raise their children. Parents teach their children what is right and what is wrong. See, I was coming of age during Bill Clinton’s time in office. When Bill Clinton was raping the ladies, and his lovely wife Hillary was covering up the rapes. Thereby excusing actual rape culture in the White House. Ironically it was Democrat parents who taught their children “Every president has affairs! Sex is no big deal!” to their sons and daughters.</p>
<p>Noticing a theme here?</p>
<p>So my advice, other than not procreating (since we’re passed&#160;that) is to raise your son to be a good man. Because guess what, honey buns? Even if Trump is elected to two terms, your bouncing baby boy? He’s not even going to know what a pussy is for several years. Unless, of course, you teach him what a pussy is while he’s but a young lad. And based on the words you’ve typed in all seriousness, maybe you will. My confidence in your parenting skills are as low as Hillary stoops to excuse rape and murder.</p>
<p>Ironically your seem to understand that it’s YOUR job to raise YOUR son. But your way of going about it…?</p>
<p>We need to raise a little boy who knows he can talk to us about those things, who wants to ask questions about the things that confuse him. We can read our son Judy Blume, and Laura Ingalls Wilder, and all the Nancy Drew mysteries. We can talk to him about the man who was in office when he was conceived, a self-declared feminist who made the world a better place for men and women of all colors and stripes. The burden of raising a good man in the age of Trump is a burden, but it’s on my husband and me to make sure that we do this right.</p>
<p>I’ll pray for your son. Who it sounds like will need all the help he can get. What with you trying to make a wimp out of him while raising up Hillary to angelic standards. See my notes above about how putting Hillary on a pedestal enters you into Moron of 2016 category. You have multiple awards coming your way, baby cakes. Hope you’ve cleared a space.</p>
<p>For more on how you, a feminist, is wrong in all areas of life, watch this video.</p>
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<p /> | true | 0 | ltimg classaligncenter sizefull wpimage31973 srchttpwwwlouderwithcrowdercomwpcontentuploads201612rebuttaltrumpsamericajpg altrebuttaltrumpsamerica width1200 height627 srcsethttpswwwlouderwithcrowdercomwpcontentuploads201612rebuttaltrumpsamericajpg 1200w httpswwwlouderwithcrowdercomwpcontentuploads201612rebuttaltrumpsamerica300x157jpg 300w httpswwwlouderwithcrowdercomwpcontentuploads201612rebuttaltrumpsamerica768x401jpg 768w httpswwwlouderwithcrowdercomwpcontentuploads201612rebuttaltrumpsamerica1024x535jpg 1024w sizesmaxwidth 1200px 100vw 1200px gt just160days left theres still time get dumbest think peace 2016 give elle credit attempt im terrified raising boy trumps america profeminist check antitrump check thoroughly inane start finish doubletriple check ladies gentlemen nonbinary gender things new contender years stupidest essay lets jump right cray cray id sure id raising small woman new age feminism one didnt even need call feminism anymore one normal woman leader free world longer case right woman jo piazza upset doesnt daughter know mothers want children born healthy glowing jewel wanted child born female isnt bit sexist also exclusionary nonbinary gender queers resounding yeses160but hey heart set daughter instead one filthy icky patriarchfavored dudelets judge oh spoiler warning lots judgement longer even certain girl boy little penis inside 5050 chance many things thought true turned wrong year trust hunches thought boy terrified paralyzed even record youre pregnant woman youre terrified disappointed gender baby harbor nothing judgemental hostility toward know im changing tacks think need address mother directly im feeling super triggered right think typed without satire penis inside carrying boy rather girl equatable rape jo piazza youre abysmal excuse mother poor youre gender baby choice shallow selfish hedonistic phlegm receptacle great travesty life boy trumps america ill get son didnt get chose mother anymore got chose gender real victim last week handing felt like gallon blood waiting excruciating nine days hear results genetics gender tests husband learned parents boy gallon blood hyperbole thy name lady excruciating nine days learn healthy child penis instead vajayjay god woman go nine days thats like week plus two days depending nine days start may even two weekends like occupy time working time think worry boy instead girl im sure soldiers stormed normandy similar thoughts nine minutes blown stereotypical boy things worry throw football punch im happy teach acceptable time pee outside time get arrested break paragraph cant let statement go hes human child golden retriever teach children use toilet theyre generally white made porcelain frequently spotted bathrooms uk rooms often referred toilets sometimes loos teaching son leglifting canine raise lower toilet lid scratch door wee bushes terrifies idea raising boy good values man represents male stereotypes weve fighting generations white house man bullies men women person twitter man could dominate news cycle next eight years cant hide bad behavior son said concerned teaching boy pee outside like hes rescue shelter dog that160was never house broken youre worried trump going teach bad behavior said five paragraphs wouldve preferred daughter youre worried trump going negatively influence imma need look phrases jo selfawareness start maybe insane asylum maybe google see find infographic illustrates differences human boys puppies president thinks time magazine changed annual accolade person year instead man year politically correct explain grabbing woman genitals acceptable salutation man charge country normalized okay im sure time magazine matters little mental breakdown thats call going tangent weeds regardless actually already addressed time magazine issue trump said disgusting yes condone trump didnt normalize grab pussy anymore bill clinton normalized raping women hillary clinton normalized setting illegal email servers bathrooms leaving four men call boys reach adulthood die benghazi later blaming video look sweet cheeks election covered ways gal pal hillary modern day equivalent chupacabra feeds roadkill im going rehash youre sexist idiot whos going make terrible mother hopefully im wrong far terrible mother told theyd judgement whoever president shouldnt influence raise son see mothers fathers talk want rear children many decide teach kind value system basing value system jesuss teaching buddhist teaching tom cruise used scientology first two kids noticing theme sweetie parents raise children parents teach children right wrong see coming age bill clintons time office bill clinton raping ladies lovely wife hillary covering rapes thereby excusing actual rape culture white house ironically democrat parents taught children every president affairs sex big deal sons daughters noticing theme advice procreating since passed160that raise son good man guess honey buns even trump elected two terms bouncing baby boy hes even going know pussy several years unless course teach pussy hes young lad based words youve typed seriousness maybe confidence parenting skills low hillary stoops excuse rape murder ironically seem understand job raise son way going need raise little boy knows talk us things wants ask questions things confuse read son judy blume laura ingalls wilder nancy drew mysteries talk man office conceived selfdeclared feminist made world better place men women colors stripes burden raising good man age trump burden husband make sure right ill pray son sounds like need help get trying make wimp raising hillary angelic standards see notes putting hillary pedestal enters moron 2016 category multiple awards coming way baby cakes hope youve cleared space feminist wrong areas life watch video | 797 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Looking at Micron Technology's (NASDAQ: MU) chart this year, it's hard to imagine anything could be wrong with the memory-chip specialist. Micron's stock has risen more than 40% so far in 2016, easily outpacing the Nasdaq's 8% return. However, since the end of the dot-com bubble sell-off around the start of 2003, a far more important long-term pattern has emerged that anyone considering investing in Micron ought to consider:</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/MU" type="external">MU</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>While more diversified semiconductor producers like Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) have also underperformed the tech-heavy Nasdaq, Micron shares have performed slightly worse than Intel while also proving far more volatile in the process. This boom-and-bust tendency in Micron stock makes it highly unappealing from a long-term investor's perspective. So here are two other semiconductor names investors could do well to consider in lieu of Micron.</p>
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<p>Though they share a common industry, Intel's and Micron's respective places within the semiconductor market give them little else in common. Intel dominates the market for PC and server microprocessors, the chips that serve as the "brains" for PCs and servers. In these markets, speed matters, and Intel's ability to consistently produce the fastest chips has allowed it to command premium prices for its chips. Over time, Intel's cushy margin structure allowed it to reinvest heavily in research-and-development and manufacturing innovations, thus extending its chips' competitive position. This self-reinforcing cycle has lead Intel to enjoy what many view as a moderate competitive advantage over rivals like Advanced Micro Devices.</p>
<p>The difference in quality between Intel's and Micron's segments of the semiconductor market truly shines through when you compare their respective margin structures.</p>
<p>For example, Intel's two core operating segments are each larger, more profitable, and more stable than Micron's entire revenue base, which relies almost exclusively on commodity-like memory chips. Moreover, Micron, which recently released its full-year fiscal 2016 earnings, generated $12.4 billion in sales this fiscal year. And though Intel will not release its FY 2016 report until early next year, Intel's 2015 operating profits topped $14 billion, more than Micron's entire sales this fiscal year. For this article's purposes, Intel's chief virtue is its lack of exposure to the low-margin memory-chip business.</p>
<p>Unlike Intel, Korean conglomerate Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF) competes head-to-head against Micron in the memory-chip market to a meaningful degree. However, Samsung holds an advantage over Micron in that its memory business serves as a single piece of its many business segments, one that nicely complements its consumer-electronics businesses. Samsung's phones, tablets, wearables, and other devices require memory chips in order to store the code on which their software runs. Manufacturing its own memory, via its Samsung Foundry business, allows Samsung to reduce its reliance on third-party memory suppliers like Micron, while also lowering its component costs. Samsung's memory business is not just a profit center for the company, but also serves its overall strategy by allowing it to more effectively produce its electronics.</p>
<p>Equally important, Samsung likely remains the market's largest memory-chip maker; Samsung not only builds its own chips, but also makes chips for third-party tech companies like. Especially in industries where the market sets prices, being the largest provider can provide some benefits over the competition. In that vein, Samsung's $29 billion in memory-chip sales in fiscal year 2015 more than doubled Micron's total sales this year. What's more, Samsung's massive Foundry business gives it the ability to more effectively compete for market share against stand-alone operators like Micron. However, I prefer Samsung (like Intel) over Micron for its diversification away from the memory-chip market, not its strong competitive stance within it.</p>
<p>Each of the companies presented here was selected because it faces less exposure to the memory-chip business than Micron. As evidenced by Micron's performance this year, investors can profit immensely by investing in Micron under the right conditions. As in any commodity-esque business, though, times of weak pricing can cause wrenching losses for companies like Micron, which relies on memory-chip sales as its sole source of revenue.</p>
<p>To be sure, Micron has done a nice job consolidating market share, which could help give it the ability to compete throughout the memory-chip price cycle. However, for long-term investors, plenty of other stocks in the semiconductor market offer less risk and more growth than Micron does today.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Intel 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=2a788c6a-c3b7-4738-94f1-80c09cba8ef4&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 Intel 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 Nov. 7, 2016</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTheDude/info.aspx" type="external">Andrew Tonner Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Intel. 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> | true | 0 | image source getty images continue reading looking micron technologys nasdaq mu chart year hard imagine anything could wrong memorychip specialist microns stock risen 40 far 2016 easily outpacing nasdaqs 8 return however since end dotcom bubble selloff around start 2003 far important longterm pattern emerged anyone considering investing micron ought consider mu data ycharts opens new window diversified semiconductor producers like intel nasdaq intc also underperformed techheavy nasdaq micron shares performed slightly worse intel also proving far volatile process boomandbust tendency micron stock makes highly unappealing longterm investors perspective two semiconductor names investors could well consider lieu micron advertisement though share common industry intels microns respective places within semiconductor market give little else common intel dominates market pc server microprocessors chips serve brains pcs servers markets speed matters intels ability consistently produce fastest chips allowed command premium prices chips time intels cushy margin structure allowed reinvest heavily researchanddevelopment manufacturing innovations thus extending chips competitive position selfreinforcing cycle lead intel enjoy many view moderate competitive advantage rivals like advanced micro devices difference quality intels microns segments semiconductor market truly shines compare respective margin structures example intels two core operating segments larger profitable stable microns entire revenue base relies almost exclusively commoditylike memory chips moreover micron recently released fullyear fiscal 2016 earnings generated 124 billion sales fiscal year though intel release fy 2016 report early next year intels 2015 operating profits topped 14 billion microns entire sales fiscal year articles purposes intels chief virtue lack exposure lowmargin memorychip business unlike intel korean conglomerate samsung nasdaqoth ssnlf competes headtohead micron memorychip market meaningful degree however samsung holds advantage micron memory business serves single piece many business segments one nicely complements consumerelectronics businesses samsungs phones tablets wearables devices require memory chips order store code software runs manufacturing memory via samsung foundry business allows samsung reduce reliance thirdparty memory suppliers like micron also lowering component costs samsungs memory business profit center company also serves overall strategy allowing effectively produce electronics equally important samsung likely remains markets largest memorychip maker samsung builds chips also makes chips thirdparty tech companies like especially industries market sets prices largest provider provide benefits competition vein samsungs 29 billion memorychip sales fiscal year 2015 doubled microns total sales year whats samsungs massive foundry business gives ability effectively compete market share standalone operators like micron however prefer samsung like intel micron diversification away memorychip market strong competitive stance within companies presented selected faces less exposure memorychip business micron evidenced microns performance year investors profit immensely investing micron right conditions commodityesque business though times weak pricing cause wrenching losses companies like micron relies memorychip sales sole source revenue sure micron done nice job consolidating market share could help give ability compete throughout memorychip price cycle however longterm investors plenty stocks semiconductor market offer less risk growth micron today 10 stocks like better intel 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 intel wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns nov 7 2016 andrew tonner opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool recommends intel 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 | 569 |
<p>Four additions to Taco Bell's $1 breakfast menu items. Image source: Yum! Brands.</p>
<p>Last week, Yum! Brands' Taco Bell division unleashed its latest attempt to grab market share during the lucrative breakfast hours. The Mexican-themed brand is expanding its previous breakfast value menu to feature no less than 10 value items priced at $1 each. For those fond of citing Stanley Kubrick's Doctor Strangelove as the epitome of brinksmanship gone mad, the quick-service restaurant industry may be offering up a new standard.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Taco Bell commissioned research market firm Edelman Berland to conduct a survey of 1,000 U.S. adult consumers on their value menu preferences last month. In rather tongue-in-cheek fashion, respondents were asked to state their preference to spend $1, versus more than $1, on value items. I was blown away, and you will be as well, to learn that 84% of respondents would rather spend $1, instead of forking over more than $1, when ordering an item from a value menu. As the company's press release wryly noted, these findings just happened to coincide with the nationwide launch of the $1 breakfast menu.</p>
<p>Making sense of this maneuverThe menu makeover demonstrates that two years after entering the breakfast space, Taco Bell is still fiercely intent on building a sustainable morning offering. It's undoubtedly also influenced by McDonald's Corporation's success with the introduction of all-day breakfast, which is turning out to have wide implications for the entire industry. McDonald's system is so large that an expansion in its breakfast business increases the overall market for quick-service breakfast. Taco Bell wants it what it believes to be its fair share of this market.</p>
<p>From a marketing perspective, the company's eye-catching proposition seems designed to lure value-conscious millennials and bargain seekers in general. Taco Bell would love to tear away a portion of customers who are frequenting McDonald's more often because of all-day breakfast, and their own greater disposable incomes, courtesy of lower gas prices.</p>
<p>This menu shift is all the more striking as most of the quick-service industry is graduating away from the $1 price point. McDonald's has moved its "McPick 2" promotion -- essentially a dollar offer -- to a new slate, the higher-margin "McPick 2 for $5." Similarly, Restaurant Brands International's Burger King brand is actively promoting its own profitable 2 for $5 "Get Fresh" sandwich offer.</p>
<p>As fellow giants gradually shift profits back to franchisees by raising value price points, Taco Bell has sensed an opening to differentiate itself from nearly every significant competitor. In a subtle manner, the company is also calling out the ridiculous escalation of value menu price competition, while fully participating in it. Whether this is poker, or true economic warfare over the lucrative a.m. peak hours, is difficult for the observer to discern.</p>
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<p>If it's warfare, and the point is to take share from McDonald's by sustaining this campaign for a long while, then my Foolish colleague Rick Munarriz is correct to observe that setting 10 breakfast prices at a single greenback is <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2016/03/10/taco-bell-bucks-breakfast-is-mcdonalds-worried.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">"a logical shot in this price war." Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>If it's poker, and Taco Bell means to put this idea to test without a firm long-term commitment, it's the equivalent of upping the ante after most of the players have folded and left the table. That is, most competitors are trying to charge more, not less, as a value tactic. This could reward Taco Bell in the form of higher traffic, but Yum! shareholders may also now be worried over breakfast margins.</p>
<p>About those breakfast marginsA few years ago, the idea to set 10 items on a breakfast menu at $1 might have languished for a few hours on an executive's whiteboard, until an administrative assistant mercifully wiped the brainstorming session clean at the end of the day.</p>
<p>But the velocity of change in a typical promotion or value menu launch has increased noticeably. McDonald's completed its "McPick 2" transition in a matter of weeks. Taco Bell, which is smaller and more nimble, has the ability to move just as quickly if it needs to revamp its bargain menu.</p>
<p>Realistically, with new protein-based items introduced last week such as the "Mini Skillet Bowl," "Breakfast Soft Taco," and "Sausage Flatbread Quesadilla," which I'll wager are barely profitable when traded for a single greenback, this menu configuration is unlikely to remain permanent. Taco Bell boasts the highest restaurant margins within the Yum! Brands portfolio, at 22.3%, so it conceivably could "take pricing" for some time to pinch customers from its peers.</p>
<p>But the division is also 86% franchised,and if the traffic boost from this bold call to consumers fades, franchisees watching their counterparts under competing brands are likely to push with haste for a higher value configuration. Taco Bell's archly commissioned survey may have caught the mood of the consumer dead on, but in this industry, surveys of franchisees' satisfaction are often just as vital in predicting future business direction.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/03/15/taco-bells-breakfast-dollarization-brilliance-or-f.aspx" type="external">Taco Bell's Breakfast Dollarization: Brilliance, or Folly? Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFfinosus/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Asit Sharma 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> | true | 0 | four additions taco bells 1 breakfast menu items image source yum brands last week yum brands taco bell division unleashed latest attempt grab market share lucrative breakfast hours mexicanthemed brand expanding previous breakfast value menu feature less 10 value items priced 1 fond citing stanley kubricks doctor strangelove epitome brinksmanship gone mad quickservice restaurant industry may offering new standard continue reading taco bell commissioned research market firm edelman berland conduct survey 1000 us adult consumers value menu preferences last month rather tongueincheek fashion respondents asked state preference spend 1 versus 1 value items blown away well learn 84 respondents would rather spend 1 instead forking 1 ordering item value menu companys press release wryly noted findings happened coincide nationwide launch 1 breakfast menu making sense maneuverthe menu makeover demonstrates two years entering breakfast space taco bell still fiercely intent building sustainable morning offering undoubtedly also influenced mcdonalds corporations success introduction allday breakfast turning wide implications entire industry mcdonalds system large expansion breakfast business increases overall market quickservice breakfast taco bell wants believes fair share market marketing perspective companys eyecatching proposition seems designed lure valueconscious millennials bargain seekers general taco bell would love tear away portion customers frequenting mcdonalds often allday breakfast greater disposable incomes courtesy lower gas prices menu shift striking quickservice industry graduating away 1 price point mcdonalds moved mcpick 2 promotion essentially dollar offer new slate highermargin mcpick 2 5 similarly restaurant brands internationals burger king brand actively promoting profitable 2 5 get fresh sandwich offer fellow giants gradually shift profits back franchisees raising value price points taco bell sensed opening differentiate nearly every significant competitor subtle manner company also calling ridiculous escalation value menu price competition fully participating whether poker true economic warfare lucrative peak hours difficult observer discern advertisement warfare point take share mcdonalds sustaining campaign long foolish colleague rick munarriz correct observe setting 10 breakfast prices single greenback logical shot price war opens new window poker taco bell means put idea test without firm longterm commitment equivalent upping ante players folded left table competitors trying charge less value tactic could reward taco bell form higher traffic yum shareholders may also worried breakfast margins breakfast marginsa years ago idea set 10 items breakfast menu 1 might languished hours executives whiteboard administrative assistant mercifully wiped brainstorming session clean end day velocity change typical promotion value menu launch increased noticeably mcdonalds completed mcpick 2 transition matter weeks taco bell smaller nimble ability move quickly needs revamp bargain menu realistically new proteinbased items introduced last week mini skillet bowl breakfast soft taco sausage flatbread quesadilla ill wager barely profitable traded single greenback menu configuration unlikely remain permanent taco bell boasts highest restaurant margins within yum brands portfolio 223 conceivably could take pricing time pinch customers peers division also 86 franchisedand traffic boost bold call consumers fades franchisees watching counterparts competing brands likely push haste higher value configuration taco bells archly commissioned survey may caught mood consumer dead industry surveys franchisees satisfaction often vital predicting future business direction article taco bells breakfast dollarization brilliance folly opens new window originally appeared foolcom asit sharma 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 | 572 |
<p>On the day when Janet Yellen will hold her final news conference as Federal Reserve chair, the Fed has left little doubt what it plans to do Wednesday: Raise its benchmark interest rate for the third time this year.</p>
<p>The increase would be in line with the series of incremental rate hikes the Fed has been making to keep up with a steadily rising U.S. economy. Over time, the rate increases could mean somewhat more expensive business and consumer loans, including mortgages.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>But investors have barely blinked at the prospect of higher rates. The financial markets appear confident that the economy remains vigorous enough to withstand slightly higher borrowing costs.</p>
<p>It's a testament to how far the economy has come: In the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, the Fed slashed its key rate to a record low near zero — and then kept it there for seven years to support a fragile economy that had endured the Great Recession. The central bank finally raised rates modestly in December 2015 and then again in December 2016 and in March and June this year. Even so, the benchmark rate remains in a still-low range of 1 percent to 1.25 percent.</p>
<p>Investors seeking clues about what the Fed may do in the coming months will scrutinize its updated economic outlook Wednesday and assess Yellen's remarks in her last meeting with reporters before Jerome Powell succeeds her in February.</p>
<p>Here are three things to watch for after the Fed's meeting ends:</p>
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<p>STATE OF THE ECONOMY</p>
<p>The Fed will update its economic outlook, which it does four times a year. The outlook includes its projections for inflation, unemployment, economic growth and the path of rate increases. Since the Fed's last update in September, Congress has moved to the edge of passing a tax bill that could have far-reaching consequences. Some analysts say the tax cuts could slightly raise economic growth but also swell federal deficits, which might eventually compel government spending cuts.</p>
<p>Analysts will be watching to see whether the prospect of an economic stimulus, in the form of $1.5 trillion in tax reductions over a decade, leads the Fed to cast a brighter outlook for the economy. If so, that, in turn, could make it likelier that the Fed would decide at some point to accelerate its rate increases.</p>
<p>In September, the Fed projected economic growth, as measured by the gross domestic product, at 2.4 percent this year but then slowing over the next three years until reaching 1.8 percent growth in 2020. That's far below the expectations of Trump, who has boasted that his economic program would double the lackluster 2 percent average growth during the Obama years to 4 percent annual GDP growth or better.</p>
<p>The Fed's forecast in September had estimated that unemployment would be 4.3 percent at year's end. The rate has already reached a 17-year low of 4.1 percent. The Fed also put its long-term unemployment rate — the level it sees as achieving its goal of maximum employment — at 4.6 percent. If the Fed lowers that figure, it could suggest that the policymakers are willing to accept lower unemployment without worrying about inflation.</p>
<p>Likewise, the Fed target for average annual inflation is 2 percent. Yet inflation has remained below that level for more than five years. Fed officials have blamed temporary factors for the slowdown. But analysts will watch to see whether the Fed reduces its inflation forecast or still projects that it can achieve its 2 percent target.</p>
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<p>DOT PLOTS</p>
<p>The Fed will issue a diagram showing where each official expects to see the path of interest rates in coming years. These forecasts appear as dots representing the anonymous projections of each Fed policymaker. Analysts study any shifts in the so-called dot plot for signals about the Fed's likely rate plans.</p>
<p>Powell stressed during his confirmation hearing that he planned to continue Yellen's gradual approach to raising rates. Many economists expect the Powell Fed to raise rates three more times in 2018. But some predict four hikes next year on the belief that the Fed will feel compelled to accelerate its rate increases to prevent the economy, fueled by Republican tax cuts, from triggering high inflation.</p>
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<p>YELLEN'S GOODBYE</p>
<p>The Fed will hold one more policy meeting before Yellen's four-year term ends Feb. 3, but Wednesday will mark her final quarterly news conference as chair. Yellen has also said that she will give up her board seat once Powell is confirmed by the Senate as the next chairman.</p>
<p>Still, she will likely face a flurry of questions from reporters trying to determine how the Fed might respond to chronically slow inflation in 2018. Fed officials have spent much of 2017 debating what the puzzling slowdown in inflation might be signifying about the economy. Yellen is certain to be asked about that debate.</p>
<p>Yellen, the first woman to lead the nation's central bank, will likely face questions about Trump's decision to break with a long tradition of offering a sitting Fed chairman a second four-year term. Trump chose Powell rather than renominate Yellen — as a way, he acknowledged, to put his own stamp on the Fed.</p>
<p>At her final news conference, many Fed watchers say it's unlikely that Yellen will deviate from her typically cautious demeanor, in part out of concern that in speaking her mind, she might jeopardize what she is hoping will be a smooth handover to Powell.</p> | true | 0 | day janet yellen hold final news conference federal reserve chair fed left little doubt plans wednesday raise benchmark interest rate third time year increase would line series incremental rate hikes fed making keep steadily rising us economy time rate increases could mean somewhat expensive business consumer loans including mortgages continue reading investors barely blinked prospect higher rates financial markets appear confident economy remains vigorous enough withstand slightly higher borrowing costs testament far economy come midst 2008 financial crisis fed slashed key rate record low near zero kept seven years support fragile economy endured great recession central bank finally raised rates modestly december 2015 december 2016 march june year even benchmark rate remains stilllow range 1 percent 125 percent investors seeking clues fed may coming months scrutinize updated economic outlook wednesday assess yellens remarks last meeting reporters jerome powell succeeds february three things watch feds meeting ends ___ advertisement state economy fed update economic outlook four times year outlook includes projections inflation unemployment economic growth path rate increases since feds last update september congress moved edge passing tax bill could farreaching consequences analysts say tax cuts could slightly raise economic growth also swell federal deficits might eventually compel government spending cuts analysts watching see whether prospect economic stimulus form 15 trillion tax reductions decade leads fed cast brighter outlook economy turn could make likelier fed would decide point accelerate rate increases september fed projected economic growth measured gross domestic product 24 percent year slowing next three years reaching 18 percent growth 2020 thats far expectations trump boasted economic program would double lackluster 2 percent average growth obama years 4 percent annual gdp growth better feds forecast september estimated unemployment would 43 percent years end rate already reached 17year low 41 percent fed also put longterm unemployment rate level sees achieving goal maximum employment 46 percent fed lowers figure could suggest policymakers willing accept lower unemployment without worrying inflation likewise fed target average annual inflation 2 percent yet inflation remained level five years fed officials blamed temporary factors slowdown analysts watch see whether fed reduces inflation forecast still projects achieve 2 percent target ___ dot plots fed issue diagram showing official expects see path interest rates coming years forecasts appear dots representing anonymous projections fed policymaker analysts study shifts socalled dot plot signals feds likely rate plans powell stressed confirmation hearing planned continue yellens gradual approach raising rates many economists expect powell fed raise rates three times 2018 predict four hikes next year belief fed feel compelled accelerate rate increases prevent economy fueled republican tax cuts triggering high inflation ___ yellens goodbye fed hold one policy meeting yellens fouryear term ends feb 3 wednesday mark final quarterly news conference chair yellen also said give board seat powell confirmed senate next chairman still likely face flurry questions reporters trying determine fed might respond chronically slow inflation 2018 fed officials spent much 2017 debating puzzling slowdown inflation might signifying economy yellen certain asked debate yellen first woman lead nations central bank likely face questions trumps decision break long tradition offering sitting fed chairman second fouryear term trump chose powell rather renominate yellen way acknowledged put stamp fed final news conference many fed watchers say unlikely yellen deviate typically cautious demeanor part concern speaking mind might jeopardize hoping smooth handover powell | 546 |
<p>The Middle East Media Research Institute posted and translated a video in which Abu Sheika invited journalists to his home in the Rafah refugee camp to showcase his newborn baby wrapped in a Palestinian flag.</p>
<p>"Allah has given me a new baby, and I've named him 'Knife of Jerusalem' after the Intifada of the Knives, because we are now witnessing a new kind of revolution," Sheika said. "Allah willing the third Intifada will not stop. After this Intifada and in support of the blood of the martyrs, I've named him 'Knife of Jerusalem' because the least we can do is to show our solidarity with our people in the West Bank and Jerusalem."</p>
<p>Sheika also he didn't care if people don't like it.</p>
<p>The mother of 'Knife of Jerusalem,' who was not identified in the people, echoed Sheika's sentiments, referring to the Intifada as "the Intifada of Al-Aqsa."</p>
<p>A friend of the father's said on the video that he had suggested the name because it "would gain lots of attention on the social media," calling it a "sweet name."</p>
<p>"We were watching the music video 'Lovers of Stabbing' on TV, and I said, 'What about Knife of Jerusalem?'" the friend said. "He said: 'How can I call him Knife?!' I said, 'After the martyrs and the Intifada of the Knives. Today, it is the knife that has the say on the ground.'"</p>
<p>A friend of the father's said on the video that he had suggested the name because it "would gain lots of attention on the social media," calling it a "sweet name."</p>
<p>A birth certificate with the baby's bloody name was <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/10/26/knife-of-jerusalem-that-really-is-the-name-these-palestinian-parents-gave-their-son/" type="external">posted</a> on Facebook. Someone with an account named Seth Ryan Levy commented on the photo: "He is being setup for failure by his evil parents. What a shame."</p>
<p>The full video can be seen here:</p>
<p />
<p>Evil is the only term that could describe parents naming a child to glorify the murders being committed against Israelis. It is also the only word to describe the Palestinian municipality that named a street after a Palestinian terrorist.</p>
<p>On Oct. 3, Muhanned Halabi stabbed two Israelis to death and injured two others, including a two year-old boy, and was then shot to death by Israeli police. The day before Halabi committed the murder, he <a href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-third-intifada-is-here-jerusalem-terrorist-wrote-day-before-attack/" type="external">said</a> on Facebook that the "Third Intifada has erupted," justifying his actions by claiming self-defense for events at the al-Aqsa mosque, even though the Israelis he murdered had nothing to do with the mosque. And yet, Surbu-Abu Qash, where Halabi lived, wanted to honor him by naming a street after him.</p>
<p>"This is in order to honor Halabi, who carried out a stabbing and shooting operation (i.e., terror attack) against settlers in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem," Mayor Muhammed Hussein <a href="http://www.palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&amp;doc_id=16013" type="external">told</a> Donia Al-Waton, a Palestinian news agency.</p>
<p>Here is what some Palestinian civilians had to say about the street name:</p>
<p>"Rifa' Ramadan, 50: 'This is a positive initiative and an excellent step toward honoring the name of the Martyr and keep it in memory.' Yaqub Bayatneh, 52, added that this is the least that can be done for an Al-Aqsa Martyr, Muhannad Halabi, and emphasized that all the places and roads, and even commercial areas, should be named after Martyrs, as they are more precious than all of us together."</p>
<p>Palestinian Media Watch <a href="http://www.palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&amp;doc_id=16013" type="external">pointed out</a> that an advisor Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas honored Halabi; the Fatah movement brought soil from the al-Aqsa mosque to Halabi's grave. Another Palestinian baby was <a href="http://www.palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&amp;doc_id=15805" type="external">named</a> after Halabi.</p>
<p>The Palestinians and the anti-Israel crowd have been accusing Israel of trying to change the status quo on Temple Mount, where the al-Aqsa mosque is located, and have even accused Israel of trying to destroy the mosque. But according to Israel's U.S. Ambassador Ron Dermer, <a href="http://www.aish.com/jw/me/Ten-Deadly-Lies-about-Israel.html?mobile=yes" type="external">neither of these things is true:</a></p>
<p>1. Israel is trying to change the status quo on the Temple Mount.</p>
<p>False. Israel stringently maintains the status quo on the Temple Mount. Last year some 3.5 million Muslims visited the Temple Mount alongside some 200,000 Christians and 12,000 Jews. Only Muslims are allowed to pray on the Mount, and non-Muslims may visit only at specified times, which have not changed. Though the Temple Mount is Judaism’s holiest site—where Solomon built his Temple some 3,000 years ago—Israel will not allow a change in the status quo. The ones trying to change the status quo are Palestinians, who are violently trying to prevent Jews and Christians from even visiting a site holy to all three faiths.</p>
<p>2. Israel seeks to destroy al-Aqsa mosque.</p>
<p>False: Since reuniting Jerusalem in 1967, Israel has vigorously protected the holy sites of all faiths, including al-Aqsa. In the Middle East, where militant Islamists desecrate and destroy churches, synagogues, world heritage sites, as well as each other's mosques, Israel is the only guarantor of Jerusalem's holy places. Palestinians have been propagating the “al-Aqsa is in danger” myth since at least 1929, when the Palestinian icon, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini, used it to inspire the massacre of Jews in Hebron and elsewhere. Nearly a century later, the mosque remains unharmed, but the lie persists.</p>
<p>These lies, promoted by Abbas, have <a href="" type="internal">incited</a> a wave of terrorism against Israelis, as The Daily Wire has previously reported. A Palestinian-Jordanian father has even <a href="" type="internal">recorded</a> his four-year-old daughter expressing her desire to stab a Jew.</p>
<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/palestinian-wounds-israeli-west-bank-stabbing-army-091614837.html" type="external">endorsed</a> an idea to install video cameras on Temple Mount to prove that no changes are being implemented, but the Palestinians are not interested. They don't want peace.</p> | true | 0 | middle east media research institute posted translated video abu sheika invited journalists home rafah refugee camp showcase newborn baby wrapped palestinian flag allah given new baby ive named knife jerusalem intifada knives witnessing new kind revolution sheika said allah willing third intifada stop intifada support blood martyrs ive named knife jerusalem least show solidarity people west bank jerusalem sheika also didnt care people dont like mother knife jerusalem identified people echoed sheikas sentiments referring intifada intifada alaqsa friend fathers said video suggested name would gain lots attention social media calling sweet name watching music video lovers stabbing tv said knife jerusalem friend said said call knife said martyrs intifada knives today knife say ground friend fathers said video suggested name would gain lots attention social media calling sweet name birth certificate babys bloody name posted facebook someone account named seth ryan levy commented photo setup failure evil parents shame full video seen evil term could describe parents naming child glorify murders committed israelis also word describe palestinian municipality named street palestinian terrorist oct 3 muhanned halabi stabbed two israelis death injured two others including two yearold boy shot death israeli police day halabi committed murder said facebook third intifada erupted justifying actions claiming selfdefense events alaqsa mosque even though israelis murdered nothing mosque yet surbuabu qash halabi lived wanted honor naming street order honor halabi carried stabbing shooting operation ie terror attack settlers old city occupied jerusalem mayor muhammed hussein told donia alwaton palestinian news agency palestinian civilians say street name rifa ramadan 50 positive initiative excellent step toward honoring name martyr keep memory yaqub bayatneh 52 added least done alaqsa martyr muhannad halabi emphasized places roads even commercial areas named martyrs precious us together palestinian media watch pointed advisor palestinian authority president mahmoud abbas honored halabi fatah movement brought soil alaqsa mosque halabis grave another palestinian baby named halabi palestinians antiisrael crowd accusing israel trying change status quo temple mount alaqsa mosque located even accused israel trying destroy mosque according israels us ambassador ron dermer neither things true 1 israel trying change status quo temple mount false israel stringently maintains status quo temple mount last year 35 million muslims visited temple mount alongside 200000 christians 12000 jews muslims allowed pray mount nonmuslims may visit specified times changed though temple mount judaisms holiest sitewhere solomon built temple 3000 years agoisrael allow change status quo ones trying change status quo palestinians violently trying prevent jews christians even visiting site holy three faiths 2 israel seeks destroy alaqsa mosque false since reuniting jerusalem 1967 israel vigorously protected holy sites faiths including alaqsa middle east militant islamists desecrate destroy churches synagogues world heritage sites well others mosques israel guarantor jerusalems holy places palestinians propagating alaqsa danger myth since least 1929 palestinian icon grand mufti jerusalem haj amin alhusseini used inspire massacre jews hebron elsewhere nearly century later mosque remains unharmed lie persists lies promoted abbas incited wave terrorism israelis daily wire previously reported palestinianjordanian father even recorded fouryearold daughter expressing desire stab jew israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu endorsed idea install video cameras temple mount prove changes implemented palestinians interested dont want peace | 520 |
<p>TIDMTSCO</p>
<p>FORM 8.3</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY</p>
<p>A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE</p>
<p>Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code")</p>
<p>1. KEY INFORMATION</p>
<p>(a) Full name of discloser: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. ("Dimensional"), in</p>
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<p>its capacity as investment manager and on behalf its</p>
<p>affiliates who are also investment managers. Dimensional</p>
<p>and its affiliates expressly disclaim beneficial ownership</p>
<p>of the shares described in this form 8.3</p>
<p>(b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions</p>
<p>disclosed, if different from 1(a):</p>
<p>The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient.</p>
<p>For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries</p>
<p>must be named.</p>
<p>(c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant Tesco Plc</p>
<p>securities this form relates: (GB0008847096)</p>
<p>Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree</p>
<p>(d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree,</p>
<p>state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:</p>
<p>(e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: 30 January 2018</p>
<p>For an opening position disclosure, state the latest</p>
<p>practicable date prior to the disclosure</p>
<p>(f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the YES</p>
<p>discloser making disclosures in respect of any other If YES, specify which:</p>
<p>party to the offer? Booker Group Plc</p>
<p>If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state (GB00B01TND91)</p>
<p>"N/A"</p>
<p>2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE</p>
<p>If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than</p>
<p>one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c),</p>
<p>copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of</p>
<p>relevant security.</p>
<p>(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of</p>
<p>the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the</p>
<p>dealing (if any)</p>
<p>Class of relevant security: 5p Ordinary Shares</p>
<p>Short</p>
<p>Interests positions</p>
<p>Number % Number %</p>
<p>(1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 45,536,399* 0.56</p>
<p>(2) Cash-settled derivatives:</p>
<p>(3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options)</p>
<p>and agreements to purchase/sell:</p>
<p>TOTAL: 45,536,399 0.56</p>
<p>*Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and / or its affiliates do not control</p>
<p>voting discretion for 308,537 shares.</p>
<p>All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.</p>
<p>Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded</p>
<p>options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should</p>
<p>be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).</p>
<p>(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors'</p>
<p>and other employee options)</p>
<p>Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription</p>
<p>right exists:</p>
<p>Details, including nature of the rights concerned</p>
<p>and relevant percentages:</p>
<p>3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE</p>
<p>Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant</p>
<p>securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b),</p>
<p>(c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant</p>
<p>security dealt in.</p>
<p>The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.</p>
<p>(a) Purchases and sales</p>
<p>Class of relevant Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit</p>
<p>security</p>
<p>Ordinary shares Purchase 9,192 GBP 2.1052</p>
<p>(b) Cash-settled derivative transactions</p>
<p>Class of Product description Nature of dealing Number of Price</p>
<p>relevant e.g. CFD e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing reference per</p>
<p>security a long/short position securities unit</p>
<p>(c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)</p>
<p>(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying</p>
<p>Class of Product Writing, Number of Exercise Type Expiry Option</p>
<p>relevant description purchasing, securities price e.g. American, European etc. date money</p>
<p>security e.g. call selling, to which per paid/</p>
<p>option varying option unit received</p>
<p>etc. relates per</p>
<p>unit</p>
<p>(ii) Exercise</p>
<p>Class of Product description Exercising/ Number of Exercise</p>
<p>relevant e.g. call option exercised securities price per</p>
<p>security against unit</p>
<p>(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)</p>
<p>Class of Nature of dealing Details Price per unit</p>
<p>relevant e.g. subscription, conversion (if</p>
<p>security applicable)</p>
<p>4. OTHER INFORMATION</p>
<p>(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements</p>
<p>Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or</p>
<p>any agreement or understanding, formal or informal,</p>
<p>relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement</p>
<p>to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the</p>
<p>person making the disclosure and any party to the</p>
<p>offer or any person acting in concert with a party</p>
<p>to the offer:</p>
<p>Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should</p>
<p>not be included. If there are no such agreements,</p>
<p>arrangements or understandings, state "none"</p>
<p>(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to</p>
<p>options or derivatives</p>
<p>Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding,</p>
<p>formal or informal, between the person making the</p>
<p>disclosure and any other person relating to:</p>
<p>(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under</p>
<p>any option; or</p>
<p>(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal</p>
<p>of any relevant securities to which any derivative</p>
<p>is referenced:</p>
<p>If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings,</p>
<p>state "none"</p>
<p>(c) Attachments</p>
<p>Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO</p>
<p>Date of disclosure: 31 January 2018</p>
<p>Contact name: Joann Kong</p>
<p>Telephone number: 020 3033 4876</p>
<p>Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory</p>
<p>Information Service and must also be emailed to the Takeover Panel at</p>
<p>[email protected]. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is</p>
<p>available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure</p>
<p>requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.</p>
<p>The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at</p>
<p>www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.</p>
<p>This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf</p>
<p>of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.</p>
<p>The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely</p>
<p>responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information</p>
<p>contained therein.</p>
<p>Source: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. via Globenewswire</p>
<p>https://www.dimensional.com/</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>January 31, 2018 05:36 ET (10:36 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | tidmtsco form 83 continue reading public opening position disclosuredealing disclosure person interests relevant securities representing 1 rule 83 takeover code code 1 key information full name discloser dimensional fund advisors ltd dimensional advertisement capacity investment manager behalf affiliates also investment managers dimensional affiliates expressly disclaim beneficial ownership shares described form 83 b owner controller interests short positions disclosed different 1a naming nominee vehicle companies insufficient trust trustees settlor beneficiaries must named c name offerorofferee relation whose relevant tesco plc securities form relates gb0008847096 use separate form offerorofferee exempt fund manager connected offerorofferee state specify identity offerorofferee e date position helddealing undertaken 30 january 2018 opening position disclosure state latest practicable date prior disclosure f addition company 1c yes discloser making disclosures respect yes specify party offer booker group plc cash offer possible cash offer state gb00b01tnd91 na 2 positions person making disclosure positions rights subscribe disclose one class relevant securities offeror offeree named 1c copy table 2a b appropriate additional class relevant security interests short positions relevant securities offeror offeree disclosure relates following dealing class relevant security 5p ordinary shares short interests positions number number 1 relevant securities owned andor controlled 45536399 056 2 cashsettled derivatives 3 stocksettled derivatives including options agreements purchasesell total 45536399 056 dimensional fund advisors ltd affiliates control voting discretion 308537 shares interests short positions disclosed details open stocksettled derivative positions including traded options agreements purchase sell relevant securities given supplemental form 8 open positions b rights subscribe new securities including directors employee options class relevant security relation subscription right exists details including nature rights concerned relevant percentages 3 dealings person making disclosure dealings one class relevant securities offeror offeree named 1c copy table 3a b c appropriate additional class relevant security dealt currency prices monetary amounts stated purchases sales class relevant purchasesale number securities price per unit security ordinary shares purchase 9192 gbp 21052 b cashsettled derivative transactions class product description nature dealing number price relevant eg cfd eg openingclosing longshort position increasingreducing reference per security longshort position securities unit c stocksettled derivative transactions including options writing selling purchasing varying class product writing number exercise type expiry option relevant description purchasing securities price eg american european etc date money security eg call selling per paid option varying option unit received etc relates per unit ii exercise class product description exercising number exercise relevant eg call option exercised securities price per security unit dealings including subscribing new securities class nature dealing details price per unit relevant eg subscription conversion security applicable 4 information indemnity dealing arrangements details indemnity option arrangement agreement understanding formal informal relating relevant securities may inducement deal refrain dealing entered person making disclosure party offer person acting concert party offer irrevocable commitments letters intent included agreements arrangements understandings state none b agreements arrangements understandings relating options derivatives details agreement arrangement understanding formal informal person making disclosure person relating voting rights relevant securities option ii voting rights future acquisition disposal relevant securities derivative referenced agreements arrangements understandings state none c attachments supplemental form 8 open positions attached date disclosure 31 january 2018 contact name joann kong telephone number 020 3033 4876 public disclosures rule 8 code must made regulatory information service must also emailed takeover panel monitoringdisclosureorguk panels market surveillance unit available consultation relation codes disclosure requirements 44 020 7638 0129 code viewed panels website wwwthetakeoverpanelorguk announcement distributed nasdaq corporate solutions behalf nasdaq corporate solutions clients issuer announcement warrants solely responsible content accuracy originality information contained therein source dimensional fund advisors ltd via globenewswire httpswwwdimensionalcom end dow jones newswires january 31 2018 0536 et 1036 gmt | 592 |
<p />
<p>He's called the spiraling federal debt a disaster, leads a party of avowed fiscal hawks and has promised to balance the budget.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>But if you expect Donald Trump to act as a model of fiscal rectitude as president, the bond market has a message for you, and a very Trumpian one at that:</p>
<p>"Wrong!"</p>
<p>Investors have been yanking money out of bonds around the world since Trump's victory became apparent early Wednesday, sending prices tumbling and wiping out several months of gains. They expect higher debt, higher inflation and higher interest rates — all negatives for bonds.</p>
<p>Bond investors can get things horribly wrong, and it's only been a few days. But for a normally calm market, a sort of sleepy cousin of the stock market that has been mostly rising, it's been a stunning turn of events.</p>
<p>"The bond market is supposed to be a dull, boring, stable place," said Colin Lundgren, head of U.S. fixed income at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. "Instead, it's been at the center of the storm."</p>
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<p>After years of too little inflation, investors are worried that Trump will inadvertently kick off too much and send the national debt up sharply. If that happens, he could do something long forecast, and much feared: kill off the three-decade-long bond bull market that has lifted prices so high, and pushed borrowing rates so low, many experts think it's a bubble ready to pop.</p>
<p>Investors are demanding more interest to lend to the U.S. government now because they fear higher inflation is coming as Trump opens the spending spigots to get the economy to grow faster.</p>
<p>He's promised to deliver 3.5 percent growth a year. That is much faster than the average 2 percent or so recently, and higher than many economists think possible on a sustained basis.</p>
<p>To get there, Trump says he'll slash regulations and taxes, and use federal tax credits to generate $1 trillion from private sources to fix and expand the nation's roads, bridges, airports and transit systems. That has helped send stocks higher in anticipation of bigger corporate profits.</p>
<p>But the country will likely need to borrow more under Trump's plans — a lot more, according to estimates from the non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. It says the combination of higher spending and lower taxes will add $5.3 trillion to the nation's debt over the next decade. That is on top of the nearly $20 trillion in debt that ballooned under President Barack Obama and his predecessor George W. Bush.</p>
<p>The Trump campaign says his spending won't be a problem because faster growth will increase tax revenue even at lower rates.</p>
<p>Michael Lewitt, a bond fund manager who says he voted for Trump, isn't buying it.</p>
<p>"Cutting taxes and spending more money and not reforming entitlements, that's going to send debt through the roof," said Lewitt of the Credit Strategist Group. "The market is saying he is not going to worry about this, and that's going to be bad for bonds — really bad for bonds."</p>
<p>Another possible problem for bond holders is Trump's protectionist leanings.</p>
<p>On the campaign trail, he threatened to slap tariffs on Chinese and Mexican goods and rip up trade pacts. If he follows through, that could stoke inflation by sending prices of imported goods sharply higher.</p>
<p>Bond investors loathe inflation because it erodes the purchasing power of their fixed payments.</p>
<p>A little more inflation might be a good thing, of course. If anything, the world has been suffering from too little of it. Consumer prices have risen 1.5 percent in the past year, about a half point lower than what is considered the ideal level.</p>
<p>Higher inflation is usually a sign of faster economic growth, and it has a way of building on itself. It causes people to spend right away on things out of fear they might have to pay more for them later, and that can stimulate even more growth.</p>
<p>But it's hard to contain inflation once it starts revving up. A Trump presidency, some investors think, makes it more likely the Federal Reserve will raise short-term borrowing rates next month to keep prices from rising too fast.</p>
<p>What makes this all unnerving is that the bond market is such a fragile place now.</p>
<p>The interest that investors are getting on some government bonds is lower than it has been in hundreds of years. Even a little more inflation could wipe out gains from collecting that interest over the life of their bonds, and so many investors are jittery and have moved fast to dump their holdings.</p>
<p>That is what happened in trading in the U.S. government bonds in recent days. Investors dumped Treasury notes due in 10 years, sending their yields soaring from 1.75 percent to 2.15 percent in just 36 hours. It typically takes many months for yields to move that much.</p>
<p>All this would be bad enough if there wasn't so much debt at risk now. In the eight years since the peak in borrowing before 2008 financial crisis, governments, households and companies around the globe have taken on another $69 trillion in debt, a jump of 53 percent, according to McKinsey Global Institute.</p>
<p>Given the complicated global web of bond trading, the danger is that a sudden drop in the price of bonds could trigger selling across markets and for many different kinds of assets. In the 2008 financial crisis, a drop in the value of mortgage bonds sent the prices of stocks and other bonds plunging as investors scrambled to raise cash by selling even things they thought were fairly priced.</p>
<p>Of course, bond investors could be getting the Trump presidency all wrong, and quickly start buying bonds they were just selling.</p>
<p>A Republican Congress might reject or at least limit any Trump stimulus that would entail gobs of additional spending and borrowing. And just how much Trump wants to spend is unclear because he was so vague on the campaign trail about his plans, and he has no political record.</p>
<p>James Abate, chief investment officer of Centre Asset Management, says bond investors have plenty of reason to worry, though. It's not just Trump's campaign promises. He spent his business career, after all, as a developer putting up buildings, and borrowing a lot to do it.</p>
<p>"Project what he's done his entire lifetime, and think of that on government level," said Abate. "He's going to issue debt, and that is what the bond market is spooked about."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Bernard Condon can be reached at http://twitter.com/BernardFCondon.</p> | true | 0 | hes called spiraling federal debt disaster leads party avowed fiscal hawks promised balance budget continue reading expect donald trump act model fiscal rectitude president bond market message trumpian one wrong investors yanking money bonds around world since trumps victory became apparent early wednesday sending prices tumbling wiping several months gains expect higher debt higher inflation higher interest rates negatives bonds bond investors get things horribly wrong days normally calm market sort sleepy cousin stock market mostly rising stunning turn events bond market supposed dull boring stable place said colin lundgren head us fixed income columbia threadneedle investments instead center storm advertisement years little inflation investors worried trump inadvertently kick much send national debt sharply happens could something long forecast much feared kill threedecadelong bond bull market lifted prices high pushed borrowing rates low many experts think bubble ready pop investors demanding interest lend us government fear higher inflation coming trump opens spending spigots get economy grow faster hes promised deliver 35 percent growth year much faster average 2 percent recently higher many economists think possible sustained basis get trump says hell slash regulations taxes use federal tax credits generate 1 trillion private sources fix expand nations roads bridges airports transit systems helped send stocks higher anticipation bigger corporate profits country likely need borrow trumps plans lot according estimates nonpartisan committee responsible federal budget says combination higher spending lower taxes add 53 trillion nations debt next decade top nearly 20 trillion debt ballooned president barack obama predecessor george w bush trump campaign says spending wont problem faster growth increase tax revenue even lower rates michael lewitt bond fund manager says voted trump isnt buying cutting taxes spending money reforming entitlements thats going send debt roof said lewitt credit strategist group market saying going worry thats going bad bonds really bad bonds another possible problem bond holders trumps protectionist leanings campaign trail threatened slap tariffs chinese mexican goods rip trade pacts follows could stoke inflation sending prices imported goods sharply higher bond investors loathe inflation erodes purchasing power fixed payments little inflation might good thing course anything world suffering little consumer prices risen 15 percent past year half point lower considered ideal level higher inflation usually sign faster economic growth way building causes people spend right away things fear might pay later stimulate even growth hard contain inflation starts revving trump presidency investors think makes likely federal reserve raise shortterm borrowing rates next month keep prices rising fast makes unnerving bond market fragile place interest investors getting government bonds lower hundreds years even little inflation could wipe gains collecting interest life bonds many investors jittery moved fast dump holdings happened trading us government bonds recent days investors dumped treasury notes due 10 years sending yields soaring 175 percent 215 percent 36 hours typically takes many months yields move much would bad enough wasnt much debt risk eight years since peak borrowing 2008 financial crisis governments households companies around globe taken another 69 trillion debt jump 53 percent according mckinsey global institute given complicated global web bond trading danger sudden drop price bonds could trigger selling across markets many different kinds assets 2008 financial crisis drop value mortgage bonds sent prices stocks bonds plunging investors scrambled raise cash selling even things thought fairly priced course bond investors could getting trump presidency wrong quickly start buying bonds selling republican congress might reject least limit trump stimulus would entail gobs additional spending borrowing much trump wants spend unclear vague campaign trail plans political record james abate chief investment officer centre asset management says bond investors plenty reason worry though trumps campaign promises spent business career developer putting buildings borrowing lot project hes done entire lifetime think government level said abate hes going issue debt bond market spooked ___ bernard condon reached httptwittercombernardfcondon | 627 |
<p />
<p>Imagine: You've been saving for your retirement since you entered the workforce, and you've built up a solid nest egg by the time you reach your 50s.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Then you lose your job. Would that job loss derail your retirement goals? Losing a job late in life is not a rare experience, and the older unemployed may find more challenges than their younger counterparts in trying to rejoin the workforce. "I have seen an alarming number of my friends' parents being laid off," says Kelley Long, a spokeswoman for the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission, certified financial planner and director of communications and marketing for Chicago-based accounting firm Shepard Schwartz &amp; Harris. "For younger people who are laid off, it's not as traumatic. They have more time to save. When you are in your 50s, your skills are more specialized. You are cruising on the retirement path. Then you have to walk into a job interview and you feel that your gray hair is going to be held against you." The good news? Losing a job after you turn 50 doesn't have to ruin your retirement plans. It might force you to alter them, but you do have options. The key is to treat raiding your <a href="http://www.money-rates.com/savings.htm?WT.qs_osrc=fxb-183290810" type="external">savings accounts Opens a New Window.</a> as an absolute last resort.</p>
<p>Accepting the challenge</p>
<p>The unemployment rate for individuals 55 and older is actually fairly low. AARP reports that this rate stood at 4.5% in January, down from 5.1% in% and 5.9% in January 2013. Still, this meant that about 1.5 million people 55 and older were unemployed in January. And it often takes people at that age a long time to find a new job. The average length of unemployment for people in this age range is 44.1 weeks, according to AARP. For those older than 50 and out of work, protecting retirement savings may seem like an impossible goal. But it helps to start with a plan. Bill Demaree, owner of Demaree Retirement Services in Indianapolis, said that the first step is to determine exactly how much money you are spending each month. This means that you'll need a detailed budget of household expenses and revenues. "You need to know what's going out because nothing might be coming in," Demaree says. Once you have a budget, it's time to cut everything to the bone, Demaree says. This means ending memberships in community organizations, dropping cable TV, reading newspapers for free online and ending those gym memberships. "Anything you can cut, you need to cut," Demaree says. The reason? You don't want to have to dip into your retirement savings plans if you can avoid it. The best first step to doing this is eliminating any discretionary expenses.</p>
<p>Assessing your situation</p>
<p>Some people are in better financial shape after a job loss than others. Many, for instance, may have saved a significant amount of money for retirement already. These savers might even have enough to fund a solid retirement as long as they don't dip into their 401(k) plans or IRAs too soon. Others might have set up an emergency fund. If so, they might have six months' to a year's worth of income to cover their bills and expenses while they search for a new job. And if you're reading this and you don't have an emergency fund? It's time to start saving. "If you are in your mid-40s, you need to start thinking about what you would do if you lost your job," says Kimberly Bernatz, senior vice president and director of wealth advisory services at Santa Ana, Calif.-based First American Trust. "What is your plan?" Part of that plan should be to have an emergency fund at the ready, one that holds at least six months' and preferably a full year's worth of your current salary. "We want to calculate how long you can survive on accumulated savings before reaching into a retirement account that would trigger a taxable event," says David Lopez, a member of the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission and owner of David A. Lopez and Company, a certified public accounting firm in Philadelphia. "In a perfect situation, we want to save the withdrawal of retirement funds as a last resort. This is due to the fact that, depending on age, you will pay income tax and a penalty on the withdrawal of the deferred wages."</p>
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<p>Considering part-time work</p>
<p>Once you know how much money you need to live on each month without having to dip into your retirement savings, you'll know if and when you'll need to seek a part-time job. As Long says, taking a job as the cliched Walmart greeter might not be ideal. But if that part-time job allows you to survive without raiding your retirement savings, than taking it is a smart financial move. "Sometimes it's about financial triage," Long says. "You have to do whatever you can to maintain a high-enough cash flow to protect your retirement savings." Part-time work might not allow you to add to your retirement savings, and you might even have to scale back your earlier retirement plans. If you planned to travel the globe after leaving the workforce, a late-in-life job loss might force you to instead plan on spending your retirement closer to home.</p>
<p>Again, this might not be ideal. But the first goal after you lose a job late in life is to protect what you've already earned, Long says. Bernatz says it's also time to look for savings in other areas. Maybe you have children attending college and you are helping to cover their tuition costs. Your children might now qualify for additional financial assistance because of your drop in income. If you have life-insurance policies with cash value, it might be time to cash those out to provide a boost in income until you find a new higher-paying job, Bernatz says.</p>
<p>You might also consider rolling your 401(k) plan into a traditional or Roth IRA. These vehicles often have lower service costs than 401(k) plans and might offer you a greater number of investment choices.</p>
<p>A new beginning?</p>
<p>Finally, Demaree says that a late-in-life job loss might actually be a chance to reinvent yourself and find a new career. Demaree says that some people who lose jobs late in life might take on new roles as consultants. Others might enter the classroom to become teachers.</p>
<p>"You can either look at this as a tragedy or an opportunity," Demaree says. "I tend to be an optimist. And having the right attitude when you do lose a job late in life is so important."</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.money-rates.com/advancedstrategies/checking/best-banks-2013.htm?WT.qs_osrc=fxb-183290810" type="external">Best banks in America: Is it time to switch? Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.money-rates.com/advancedstrategies/cd/unconventional-cds.htm?WT.qs_osrc=fxb-183290810" type="external">Unconventional CDs: Are they right for you? Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>The original article can be found at Money-Rates.com: <a href="http://www.money-rates.com/personal-finance/lost-job-save-retirement.htm?WT.qs_osrc=fxb-183290810" type="external">Lost your job? Here's how to save your retirement Opens a New Window.</a></p> | true | 0 | imagine youve saving retirement since entered workforce youve built solid nest egg time reach 50s continue reading lose job would job loss derail retirement goals losing job late life rare experience older unemployed may find challenges younger counterparts trying rejoin workforce seen alarming number friends parents laid says kelley long spokeswoman national cpa financial literacy commission certified financial planner director communications marketing chicagobased accounting firm shepard schwartz amp harris younger people laid traumatic time save 50s skills specialized cruising retirement path walk job interview feel gray hair going held good news losing job turn 50 doesnt ruin retirement plans might force alter options key treat raiding savings accounts opens new window absolute last resort accepting challenge unemployment rate individuals 55 older actually fairly low aarp reports rate stood 45 january 51 59 january 2013 still meant 15 million people 55 older unemployed january often takes people age long time find new job average length unemployment people age range 441 weeks according aarp older 50 work protecting retirement savings may seem like impossible goal helps start plan bill demaree owner demaree retirement services indianapolis said first step determine exactly much money spending month means youll need detailed budget household expenses revenues need know whats going nothing might coming demaree says budget time cut everything bone demaree says means ending memberships community organizations dropping cable tv reading newspapers free online ending gym memberships anything cut need cut demaree says reason dont want dip retirement savings plans avoid best first step eliminating discretionary expenses assessing situation people better financial shape job loss others many instance may saved significant amount money retirement already savers might even enough fund solid retirement long dont dip 401k plans iras soon others might set emergency fund might six months years worth income cover bills expenses search new job youre reading dont emergency fund time start saving mid40s need start thinking would lost job says kimberly bernatz senior vice president director wealth advisory services santa ana califbased first american trust plan part plan emergency fund ready one holds least six months preferably full years worth current salary want calculate long survive accumulated savings reaching retirement account would trigger taxable event says david lopez member national cpa financial literacy commission owner david lopez company certified public accounting firm philadelphia perfect situation want save withdrawal retirement funds last resort due fact depending age pay income tax penalty withdrawal deferred wages advertisement considering parttime work know much money need live month without dip retirement savings youll know youll need seek parttime job long says taking job cliched walmart greeter might ideal parttime job allows survive without raiding retirement savings taking smart financial move sometimes financial triage long says whatever maintain highenough cash flow protect retirement savings parttime work might allow add retirement savings might even scale back earlier retirement plans planned travel globe leaving workforce lateinlife job loss might force instead plan spending retirement closer home might ideal first goal lose job late life protect youve already earned long says bernatz says also time look savings areas maybe children attending college helping cover tuition costs children might qualify additional financial assistance drop income lifeinsurance policies cash value might time cash provide boost income find new higherpaying job bernatz says might also consider rolling 401k plan traditional roth ira vehicles often lower service costs 401k plans might offer greater number investment choices new beginning finally demaree says lateinlife job loss might actually chance reinvent find new career demaree says people lose jobs late life might take new roles consultants others might enter classroom become teachers either look tragedy opportunity demaree says tend optimist right attitude lose job late life important moneyratescom need best money market account heed tips opens new window best banks america time switch opens new window unconventional cds right opens new window original article found moneyratescom lost job heres save retirement opens new window | 644 |
<p>In Grays Harbor County, a rural community on the coast of Washington state, the rate at which people die from despair — from drugs, alcohol and suicide — is nearly twice the national average. The county embraced Donald Trump's call to America's forgotten corners, and flipped Republican in a presidential election for the first time in 90 years.</p>
<p>Many of those caught in the cycle of addiction did not vote; they are either felons or too consumed by the turmoil of trying to claw their way out to be engaged in society. But they, too, hope for a better tomorrow.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Here are their stories.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AFTER LOSING A LOVE, AN ADDICT HOPES TO START OVER</p>
<p>Misty Micheau Bushnell stoops to light a candle at the foot of a cross standing 8-feet-tall in memorial to the boyfriend she'd been with so long she called him her husband. She found him dead here two days earlier, near the tent they shared on a riverbank in Grays Harbor County.</p>
<p>She looks out over the calm water. It gets rough sometimes but not today, and she takes that as a sign from her lost love: Peace. Hope.</p>
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<p>"I believe in that stuff," she says. She thinks he sent another message, too: It's drizzling outside. "I think he made the mist for me: Misty."</p>
<p>Shawn Vann Schreck, 42 and an immense man of more than 300 pounds, was so beloved on the streets many called him "Mayor." He died slowly from heart and lung ailments made worse by infrequent medical care and longtime addiction — problems plaguing far too many in a county that voted for Trump in hopes of turning things around.</p>
<p>Bushnell's father was a logger in Grays Harbor, and she and Schreck met in the sixth grade. With the timber industry in ruins, they both struggled to figure out a future. Schreck couldn't find steady work, and so he did odd jobs and tried to make do. Eventually, both wound up addicted to methamphetamine and found themselves living by the river in a tent camp, with dozens of others like them.</p>
<p>Bushnell thinks Schreck knew he was dying. He took her daughter aside the day before he passed on and told her he loved her, but that he wouldn't be around much longer to look after her. He said to be safe, and to live better. Bushnell wants to move now and hopes the drugs won't follow.</p>
<p>"That's what he would want. He would want me clean again."</p>
<p>She keeps some of Schreck's ashes inside a locket that she wears next to her heart. The rest, she sprinkled in the river.</p>
<p>"We will meet each other on the other side," she says, wagging a finger. "But not too soon."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>FIGHTING TO STAY CLEAN, EX-ADDICTS FEAR LOSING COVERAGE</p>
<p>Tarryn Vick and her best friend, Anjelic Baker, line up every morning before dawn outside a methadone clinic in the Grays Harbor town of Hoquiam. On this day, the talk among those in line is whether they all might lose their health coverage if Republican lawmakers repeal the Affordable Care Act. Without insurance, Vick and Baker would likely be unable to get their daily cup of pink liquid that prevents the sickness of withdrawal that strangles so many addicts' attempts to get clean.</p>
<p>"Recovery is like chasing a freight train; it's the hardest thing you'll ever do," Vick says. "I enjoy being clean. But I can't say I could stay clean if I lost insurance. We would all be too sick."</p>
<p>Baker rolls up the sleeves of her sweatshirt to show the toll drugs take: she shot up bad heroin once, and the skin on both arms peeled away, like "someone skinning a banana," she remembers. The wounds are still open and a half-inch deep, from her elbows to her wrists. She's been clean now for two years, but she lives in constant agony.</p>
<p>Today she cries at the prospect of going back to that life.</p>
<p>"Are we going to lose our coverage?" she asks Vick. "Are we going to die?"</p>
<p>Vick shrugs, shakes her head and says she doesn't know.</p>
<p>"Every day," she says, "I wonder more."</p>
<p>Vick was once a nurse, and then, eight years ago, she snapped her Achilles tendon and her doctor prescribed opiate painkillers — the chemical cousin of heroin. Before she knew it, heroin consumed her so quickly and completely she found herself stealing from her own sick mother. Vick promised her mom as she lay dying that she'd beat the addiction.</p>
<p>"I whispered that in her ear: 'I will never go back out and use. You have nothing to worry about. It's OK to go up to heaven.'"</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>"I DON'T WANT THIS LIFE"</p>
<p>Scott Stevens ambles up to an old camper parked in a gravel lot under a tangle of overpasses, carrying a bag of dirty needles to trade for clean ones. The weekly exchange is an initiative of the county health department to keep dirty syringes off the streets and stem the tide of drug-related diseases, like hepatitis C.</p>
<p>Stevens carries his Chihuahua, Edgar, and says he plans to never put the little dog down again. Someone recently stole Edgar from him, and they were apart for seven days. He posted signs and online ads. "I was beside myself," Stevens says. "He's my little buddy, my best pal."</p>
<p>Stevens is 60 years old. He's been addicted to heroin for four decades, and lives with Edgar in a tent on the riverbank, down in the brush filled with spiders and snakes. He's buried more friends than he can count.</p>
<p>"I don't want this life," he says. "I want to get my life cleaned up again. I'd like to have a job, a house, a way to pay my bills."</p>
<p>He watches all around him as other addicts end up on the riverbank. It's seems like they're getting into drugs younger now, he says, and he tries to "let them know what they're heading into."</p>
<p>He guesses he got started to "escape life's complications," then the addiction dug in. He has children and grandchildren who aren't like him, and he's proud of that. But he doesn't see them or call them, because he doesn't want to lie and he's too ashamed to tell the truth.</p>
<p>So Edgar, this little black dog under his arm, is all he has left.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>A MAN BATTLES HIS DEMONS, DREAMS OF A FUTURE</p>
<p>Forrest Wood threw out his spoons and his needles, and braced himself for the sickness and sadness of withdrawal, because he wanted his life to be better than this.</p>
<p>A week later, he told his mom he needed money for the bus. She gave him $7. He pooled the cash with a friend to buy a $20 bag of heroin.</p>
<p>Now, he shoots the brown liquid into his vein — and the shame and remorse set in almost immediately. The heroin doesn't make him happy, he says, just numb.</p>
<p>"You know how sometimes when you do something and you know you didn't do your best on it and you regret a little bit?" he says. "That's how I feel, just in general. I feel like I've breezed through a lot of things, a lot of important things."</p>
<p>He knows his mom waits by the phone, terrified it will ring and the caller will bring bad news. She already lost her brother to an overdose. He died in his truck, a few blocks from the graffiti-covered bridge where Woods just shot up. His mother has battled addiction, too, and stays clean now on a methadone regimen. She recently had a heart attack and requires an oxygen tank.</p>
<p>Woods is 24 years old, and he knows he's wasting time getting high. He's been in trouble with the law again and again; he's not allowed to drive, and his court fines have ballooned to $20,000 — a number so insurmountable he wonders how he'll ever get out from under it.</p>
<p>He dreams that someday he might get himself clean, go to college and get a job as a park ranger. He loves animals, and would like to help save engendered species.</p>
<p>"I just want to be happy, that's all," Wood says. "I'm trying to get myself to feel like I have some sort of purpose, instead of just aimlessly walking around all the time, just wanting to get high."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>"IT'S CRAZY HOW THINGS CAN SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL"</p>
<p>Just a year ago, Staci Hadley and Deric Hensler had jobs, credit cards, a nice little rental house and a brand-new, king-size bed. Now they live in a beat-up Honda Accord, and they're searching for a safe place to park and sleep. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Hadley says with a self-conscious laugh.</p>
<p>The couple had struggled with drugs for years before getting clean on a methadone program. They started building a better life. Then Hensler lost his job at a concrete plant, and with it his health insurance. They couldn't get methadone anymore.</p>
<p>"It all just dominoed after that," Hadley says. "It's crazy how things can spiral out of control."</p>
<p>They relapsed, got evicted, starting pawning their possessions. Now they're back at the county needle exchange, and repacking the trunk of the Honda they live in, cramming in hampers full of clothes, books — all that's left of everything they ever owned. The gas tank is almost empty. Their wallets are too, and they don't know where to go. Hensler can't go home because his family thinks he's stolen from them, and he says he has before but not this time. Hadley has two adult daughters and a disabled son in a nursing home, and she knows she's not the mom they need her to be.</p>
<p>"They're not asking questions because they don't want to know the answers," she says. "I feel like I'm letting them down."</p>
<p>A woman staggers by, scabs on her face and her bones protruding through her clothes, and Hadley gasps. It frightens her to think that this cycle might not end and that woman passing by could be a reflection of her future.</p>
<p>"They'd rather have drugs than anything else in the world. They have nothing to look forward to," she says.</p>
<p>"I know we're kind of messed up right now, but this is not my life."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Read more in the Trump Country series: https://apnews.com/tag/TrumpCountry</p> | true | 0 | grays harbor county rural community coast washington state rate people die despair drugs alcohol suicide nearly twice national average county embraced donald trumps call americas forgotten corners flipped republican presidential election first time 90 years many caught cycle addiction vote either felons consumed turmoil trying claw way engaged society hope better tomorrow continue reading stories ___ losing love addict hopes start misty micheau bushnell stoops light candle foot cross standing 8feettall memorial boyfriend shed long called husband found dead two days earlier near tent shared riverbank grays harbor county looks calm water gets rough sometimes today takes sign lost love peace hope advertisement believe stuff says thinks sent another message drizzling outside think made mist misty shawn vann schreck 42 immense man 300 pounds beloved streets many called mayor died slowly heart lung ailments made worse infrequent medical care longtime addiction problems plaguing far many county voted trump hopes turning things around bushnells father logger grays harbor schreck met sixth grade timber industry ruins struggled figure future schreck couldnt find steady work odd jobs tried make eventually wound addicted methamphetamine found living river tent camp dozens others like bushnell thinks schreck knew dying took daughter aside day passed told loved wouldnt around much longer look said safe live better bushnell wants move hopes drugs wont follow thats would want would want clean keeps schrecks ashes inside locket wears next heart rest sprinkled river meet side says wagging finger soon ___ fighting stay clean exaddicts fear losing coverage tarryn vick best friend anjelic baker line every morning dawn outside methadone clinic grays harbor town hoquiam day talk among line whether might lose health coverage republican lawmakers repeal affordable care act without insurance vick baker would likely unable get daily cup pink liquid prevents sickness withdrawal strangles many addicts attempts get clean recovery like chasing freight train hardest thing youll ever vick says enjoy clean cant say could stay clean lost insurance would sick baker rolls sleeves sweatshirt show toll drugs take shot bad heroin skin arms peeled away like someone skinning banana remembers wounds still open halfinch deep elbows wrists shes clean two years lives constant agony today cries prospect going back life going lose coverage asks vick going die vick shrugs shakes head says doesnt know every day says wonder vick nurse eight years ago snapped achilles tendon doctor prescribed opiate painkillers chemical cousin heroin knew heroin consumed quickly completely found stealing sick mother vick promised mom lay dying shed beat addiction whispered ear never go back use nothing worry ok go heaven ___ dont want life scott stevens ambles old camper parked gravel lot tangle overpasses carrying bag dirty needles trade clean ones weekly exchange initiative county health department keep dirty syringes streets stem tide drugrelated diseases like hepatitis c stevens carries chihuahua edgar says plans never put little dog someone recently stole edgar apart seven days posted signs online ads beside stevens says hes little buddy best pal stevens 60 years old hes addicted heroin four decades lives edgar tent riverbank brush filled spiders snakes hes buried friends count dont want life says want get life cleaned id like job house way pay bills watches around addicts end riverbank seems like theyre getting drugs younger says tries let know theyre heading guesses got started escape lifes complications addiction dug children grandchildren arent like hes proud doesnt see call doesnt want lie hes ashamed tell truth edgar little black dog arm left ___ man battles demons dreams future forrest wood threw spoons needles braced sickness sadness withdrawal wanted life better week later told mom needed money bus gave 7 pooled cash friend buy 20 bag heroin shoots brown liquid vein shame remorse set almost immediately heroin doesnt make happy says numb know sometimes something know didnt best regret little bit says thats feel general feel like ive breezed lot things lot important things knows mom waits phone terrified ring caller bring bad news already lost brother overdose died truck blocks graffiticovered bridge woods shot mother battled addiction stays clean methadone regimen recently heart attack requires oxygen tank woods 24 years old knows hes wasting time getting high hes trouble law hes allowed drive court fines ballooned 20000 number insurmountable wonders hell ever get dreams someday might get clean go college get job park ranger loves animals would like help save engendered species want happy thats wood says im trying get feel like sort purpose instead aimlessly walking around time wanting get high ___ crazy things spiral control year ago staci hadley deric hensler jobs credit cards nice little rental house brandnew kingsize bed live beatup honda accord theyre searching safe place park sleep oh mighty fallen hadley says selfconscious laugh couple struggled drugs years getting clean methadone program started building better life hensler lost job concrete plant health insurance couldnt get methadone anymore dominoed hadley says crazy things spiral control relapsed got evicted starting pawning possessions theyre back county needle exchange repacking trunk honda live cramming hampers full clothes books thats left everything ever owned gas tank almost empty wallets dont know go hensler cant go home family thinks hes stolen says time hadley two adult daughters disabled son nursing home knows shes mom need theyre asking questions dont want know answers says feel like im letting woman staggers scabs face bones protruding clothes hadley gasps frightens think cycle might end woman passing could reflection future theyd rather drugs anything else world nothing look forward says know kind messed right life ___ read trump country series httpsapnewscomtagtrumpcountry | 918 |
<p>Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) just opened the doors to its brand-new Steve Jobs Theater for the first time to host its annual iPhone event. This was an important milestone for Apple, as it has been a decade since the original iPhone launched in 2007.</p>
<p>Here are the three most important products that Apple unveiled today.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The Apple Watch Series 3 is here, and the biggest new addition is built-in cellular connectivity. Series 3 is getting a handful of spec bumps, including a faster dual-core processor and a new W2 chip that handles wireless connections. Apple says the W2 chip delivers 85% faster Wi-Fi while being 50% more power efficient. The faster processor allows Siri on Apple Watch to now speak to users; Siri's interface was primarily text-based in previous generations of Apple Watch.</p>
<p>The case size is the same as Series 2, despite having to pack in all the necessary cellular components like a baseband modem, power amplifiers, and an electronic SIM card. The bulge on the rear is imperceptibly thicker (equivalent to two sheets of paper). The only other aesthetic change is that the Digital Crown is now bright red on the side (Apple didn't explain why).</p>
<p>With cellular connectivity, Apple Watch can make phone calls independently of the iPhone (the phone number is the same as your iPhone). That also means users can stream Apple Music directly to the Apple Watch independently of the iPhone. Oddly, Apple will offer a version of Series 3 without cellular connectivity (essentially just getting the internal spec bumps) starting at the $329 price point. Adding cellular bumps the starting price up to $399.</p>
<p>Apple Watch Series 3 will be available for pre-order on Sept. 15 and ship on Sept. 22.</p>
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<p>The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are the phone models that received modest spec bumps. The display sizes are unchanged at 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch, respectively. They sport a very similar overall design that Apple has used for the past three years in the iPhone 6, 6s, and 7, with the primary change being a glass back framed by reinforced steel.</p>
<p>That glass back enables wireless charging, and Apple is adopting the dominant Qi standard. There have been reports&#160;that Apple will be using an older version of Qi that charges at a slower rate, but the company did not provide additional details.</p>
<p>Apple has designed a new chip that it calls the A11 Bionic chip, a six-core powerhouse that includes two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. The company is also now using an Apple-designed GPU for the first time ever, just months after notifying Imagination Technologies that it would be <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/04/03/why-you-shouldnt-be-surprised-that-apple-is-ditchi.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=d933aa90-97f0-11e7-9bae-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">transitioning to its own in-house GPU designs Opens a New Window.</a>, a potentially fatal blow to the British GPU designer.</p>
<p>Apple is also bumping up pricing, with iPhone 8 starting at $699 (compared to the prior starting price point of $649) and iPhone 8 Plus at $799 (compared to the prior starting price point of $729). The price bumps make CEO Tim Cook's recent <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/09/11/1-bizarre-excerpt-from-fortunes-interview-with-app.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=d933aa90-97f0-11e7-9bae-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">defensiveness over pricing Opens a New Window.</a> even more bizarre.</p>
<p>iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will be available for pre-order on Sept. 15 and ship on Sept. 22.</p>
<p>Invoking the iconic "One more thing" line, Cook introduced the iPhone X (pronounced "iPhone 10" but stylized with the Roman numeral X) as the feature presentation. In line with expectations, iPhone X includes an edge-to-edge 5.8-inch OLED display with rounded corners and a notch at the top of the display that houses the new TrueDepth camera system. That includes a flood illuminator, infrared camera, and dot projector, which are used for 3D sensing. It's essentially a miniaturized structured light 3D scanner.</p>
<p>This paves the way for Face ID, the biometric security system that will supplant Touch ID. Apple has indeed killed off the home button in the iPhone X, focusing instead on a series of gestures to replicate familiar functionalities. Unlike competing facial recognition systems, Face ID cannot be easily fooled by a photograph, since it is using a 3D-mapping system instead of analyzing 2D images. Face ID will work with Apple Pay, so you will indeed be able to <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/10/forget-fingerprints-the-iphone-8-might-let-you-pay.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=d933aa90-97f0-11e7-9bae-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">pay for things using your face Opens a New Window.</a>. All facial data is stored and processed locally, similar to fingerprint data with Touch ID.</p>
<p>The way that it works is that the dot projector, which appears to be a <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/09/more-clues-that-apples-iphone-8-will-have-3d-sensi.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=d933aa90-97f0-11e7-9bae-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">VCSEL sensor Opens a New Window.</a>, projects 30,000 infrared (IR) dots onto the user's face. The dot pattern is then scanned by the IR camera, and it determines depth and 3D shapes by analyzing deformations in the pattern. This is all done in IR, making it invisible to the human eye. Apple was granted&#160;a patent for a structured-light projector in July 2016, which illustrates the process:</p>
<p>Apple is extending ARKit to integrate with the TrueDepth camera system, which promises to facilitate dramatically better augmented reality (AR) experiences. The iPhone X will also support wireless charging through its glass back, and Apple introduced a new AirPower wireless charging pad that will launch next year. iPhone X starts at $999 for a 64 GB model, and bumping storage up to 256 GB boosts the cost to a whopping $1,149.</p>
<p>Perhaps the biggest unknown coming into the event was whether or not all those rumors of manufacturing delays were true. It appears that they were, as iPhone X won't be available for pre-order until Oct. 27, then shipping on Nov. 3. That's hard to reconcile with Apple's <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/02/apple-earnings-playing-the-guidance-game-and-winni.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=d933aa90-97f0-11e7-9bae-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">surprisingly strong guidance Opens a New Window.</a> that it provided in August for its fiscal fourth quarter, which suggested that the flagship device would launch on time. iPhone X won't ship until the following quarter, so Apple must be awfully confident in the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. That confidence might be misplaced: The iPhone X is the iPhone to buy this year.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of September 5, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFNewCow/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=d933aa90-97f0-11e7-9bae-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Evan Niu, CFA Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. 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=d933aa90-97f0-11e7-9bae-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | apple nasdaq aapl opened doors brandnew steve jobs theater first time host annual iphone event important milestone apple decade since original iphone launched 2007 three important products apple unveiled today continue reading apple watch series 3 biggest new addition builtin cellular connectivity series 3 getting handful spec bumps including faster dualcore processor new w2 chip handles wireless connections apple says w2 chip delivers 85 faster wifi 50 power efficient faster processor allows siri apple watch speak users siris interface primarily textbased previous generations apple watch case size series 2 despite pack necessary cellular components like baseband modem power amplifiers electronic sim card bulge rear imperceptibly thicker equivalent two sheets paper aesthetic change digital crown bright red side apple didnt explain cellular connectivity apple watch make phone calls independently iphone phone number iphone also means users stream apple music directly apple watch independently iphone oddly apple offer version series 3 without cellular connectivity essentially getting internal spec bumps starting 329 price point adding cellular bumps starting price 399 apple watch series 3 available preorder sept 15 ship sept 22 advertisement iphone 8 8 plus phone models received modest spec bumps display sizes unchanged 47inch 55inch respectively sport similar overall design apple used past three years iphone 6 6s 7 primary change glass back framed reinforced steel glass back enables wireless charging apple adopting dominant qi standard reports160that apple using older version qi charges slower rate company provide additional details apple designed new chip calls a11 bionic chip sixcore powerhouse includes two highperformance cores four highefficiency cores company also using appledesigned gpu first time ever months notifying imagination technologies would transitioning inhouse gpu designs opens new window potentially fatal blow british gpu designer apple also bumping pricing iphone 8 starting 699 compared prior starting price point 649 iphone 8 plus 799 compared prior starting price point 729 price bumps make ceo tim cooks recent defensiveness pricing opens new window even bizarre iphone 8 8 plus available preorder sept 15 ship sept 22 invoking iconic one thing line cook introduced iphone x pronounced iphone 10 stylized roman numeral x feature presentation line expectations iphone x includes edgetoedge 58inch oled display rounded corners notch top display houses new truedepth camera system includes flood illuminator infrared camera dot projector used 3d sensing essentially miniaturized structured light 3d scanner paves way face id biometric security system supplant touch id apple indeed killed home button iphone x focusing instead series gestures replicate familiar functionalities unlike competing facial recognition systems face id easily fooled photograph since using 3dmapping system instead analyzing 2d images face id work apple pay indeed able pay things using face opens new window facial data stored processed locally similar fingerprint data touch id way works dot projector appears vcsel sensor opens new window projects 30000 infrared ir dots onto users face dot pattern scanned ir camera determines depth 3d shapes analyzing deformations pattern done ir making invisible human eye apple granted160a patent structuredlight projector july 2016 illustrates process apple extending arkit integrate truedepth camera system promises facilitate dramatically better augmented reality ar experiences iphone x also support wireless charging glass back apple introduced new airpower wireless charging pad launch next year iphone x starts 999 64 gb model bumping storage 256 gb boosts cost whopping 1149 perhaps biggest unknown coming event whether rumors manufacturing delays true appears iphone x wont available preorder oct 27 shipping nov 3 thats hard reconcile apples surprisingly strong guidance opens new window provided august fiscal fourth quarter suggested flagship device would launch time iphone x wont ship following quarter apple must awfully confident iphone 8 8 plus confidence might misplaced iphone x iphone buy year 10 stocks like better applewhen 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 apple wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns september 5 2017 evan niu cfa opens new window owns shares apple motley fool owns shares recommends apple motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 687 |
<p />
<p>December is a month when you almost can't avoid shopping. You may have skipped Black Friday — overwhelmed by the offers, hype, and crowds — but the holiday season is a different beast all together, with gifts from loved ones, friends, and people you barely know coming at you from all angles. Maintain lots of holiday cheer by shopping wisely with our December buying guide.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>We've pored over the extensive DealNews archives of sales, coupons, and daily deals from years past to guide you in your quest for the most savvy purchases in December.</p>
<p>Here's what we found:</p>
<p>Get Good Deals on Toys ... By Still Waiting</p>
<p>Finally, it's the best time to buy holiday toys! Almost. In 2012, many of the year's top toys hit their lowest prices of the season during the middle of the month. In fact, last year that timeframe also saw an influx of Editors' Choice toy deals. Keep in mind, however, that shopping mere days before Christmas is probably not wise; retailers realize last-minute shoppers are desperate and less able to effectively comparison shop, and prices often reflect that.</p>
<p><a href="http://dealnews.com/features/A-Ballsy-Bellsy-Christmas-Tune-Kmarts-Show-Your-Joe-Commercial/909618.html" type="external">A Ballsy &amp; Bellsy Christmas Tune: Kmart's "Show Your Joe" Commercial Opens a New Window.</a></p>
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<p>Keep an Eye Out for Gift Card Freebies</p>
<p>A popular promotion throughout the month of December — especially amongst restaurants — is to offer a free gift card to shoppers who purchase one as a gift. For example, last year California Pizza Kitchen offered a $20 gift card to anyone who purchased $100 or more in gift cards. Retailers, on the other hand, are more likely to offer a gift card with purchases that reach a certain order threshold: L.L.Bean currently offers a free $10 gift card to any customer that spends $50 or more.</p>
<p>Tools &amp; Hardware Deals for Dad</p>
<p>Does Dad want a new drill for Christmas this year? Perfect! Like last month, December is an excellent time for tool and hardware deals. While the sheer volume of Editors' Choice deals dips after November, there's still an above-average number of significant discounts on wrench and screwdriver sets, drills, lawn-care tools, and more.</p>
<p><a href="http://dealnews.com/features/Last-Years-Toys-R-Us-Fab-15-List-Demonstrates-the-Best-Time-to-Buy-Toys/623114.html" type="external">Despite Early Holiday Hype, December Is The Best Time to Buy Toys Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>It's a Jolly Time to Buy Christmas Decorations ... After Christmas</p>
<p>At this point, it's common knowledge that holiday decorations see their greatest discounts after the holiday in question has passed, and this is no different for Christmas. If you wait until December 26, you'll see discounts of 50% to 70% off seasonal goods. However, if you absolutely must buy a fake Christmas tree before the 25th, look to Walmart, Kmart, and JCPenney for inexpensive options. Stock Up on Kitchen Items for More Holiday Cooking</p>
<p>Although we noted that November sees the greatest number of cookware and kitchen deals, many sales and discounts last year carried over into December and resulted in an uptick in the number of Editors' Choice prices. Look for cutlery sets, bakeware, small appliances, and more from Macy's, Kohl's, Amazon, Williams Sonoma, and Sears.</p>
<p>Skip Buying Jewelry for the Holidays</p>
<p>Sorry, guys. As our Media Editor, Jeff Somogyi, put it last year, "Big Jewelry" has you in a corner this month. Jewelry just doesn't see its best discounts of the year before Christmas. Sure savings exist, but you likely won't be getting the best deal. However, you can still try to get a discount through broad department store coupons that apply to jewelry. However many stores, such as Macy's, frequently exclude jewelry from these offers.</p>
<p>For Electronics Deals, Wait Until 2014 Models Debut</p>
<p>If you didn't jump on the electronics deals during Black Friday weekend, then at this point, you might as well wait until January and February to buy a digital camera, TV, or other device. The Consumer Electronics Show in January is the official launch for many 2014 models, which means that all the goods from 2013 will begin to see a round of discounts. Put Off Buying a 2014 Wall Calendar</p>
<p>You'll see modest discounts throughout the month and into 2014 that may entice you to purchase a calendar, but the first significant sales we'll see on these items come at the end of January and beginning of February. (You can of course see even bigger discounts the longer you put it off, but you actually want to use the calendar, right?) Mainstream Haswell Laptops Undercutting Ivy Bridge</p>
<p>Opting for previous generation tech is one of the best ways to save money on computer purchases, which is why we've generally recommended opting for Intel's Ivy Bridge processor instead of Haswell. But for the past three months, 15" Core i5 Haswell laptop deals have averaged $408; 15" Core i5 Ivy Bridge machines have averaged $409. Though we still think Ivy Bridge laptops will likely drop further, we'd naturally recommend going for the Haswell laptop if the difference in price is minor. So if you're in the market for a new laptop, make sure to look for both options as the higher-end system might not be priced at the usual premium.</p>
<p>Brand Name TV Discounts on the Horizon, Panasonic's Plasma Farewell</p>
<p>If the deluge of TV deals we saw last month didn't tempt you, the deals we see in the next few months might. While there are typically some noteworthy brand-name deals in November, the month is mostly devoted to third-tier manufacturers like Insignia, Dynex, and Westinghouse. December marks the start of deals on high-end, brand-name TVs from the likes of Samsung, Panasonic, and LG. For instance, last year 55" 3D HDTVs dropped an extra 6% during the month of February (versus their low in November). While that may not sound like a lot, it could mean keeping an extra $50+ in your pocket. Expect these deals to begin in December and taper off in February.</p>
<p>On a different note, Panasonic recently announced it will be ending production of its highly-rated plasmas this month. While the news itself doesn't guarantee a fire sale on Pannie plasmas, it could encourage some retailers to discount the remaining stock they have, especially with new HDTVs being announced at CES in January. So if you want the most bang for your buck, it's worth looking at Panasonic plasma deals in the coming months. Popular models to look at include the VT60, ST60, and S60 to name a few, the latter of which is the company's budget plasma.</p>
<p>Read More from DealNews</p> | true | 0 | december month almost cant avoid shopping may skipped black friday overwhelmed offers hype crowds holiday season different beast together gifts loved ones friends people barely know coming angles maintain lots holiday cheer shopping wisely december buying guide continue reading weve pored extensive dealnews archives sales coupons daily deals years past guide quest savvy purchases december heres found get good deals toys still waiting finally best time buy holiday toys almost 2012 many years top toys hit lowest prices season middle month fact last year timeframe also saw influx editors choice toy deals keep mind however shopping mere days christmas probably wise retailers realize lastminute shoppers desperate less able effectively comparison shop prices often reflect ballsy amp bellsy christmas tune kmarts show joe commercial opens new window advertisement keep eye gift card freebies popular promotion throughout month december especially amongst restaurants offer free gift card shoppers purchase one gift example last year california pizza kitchen offered 20 gift card anyone purchased 100 gift cards retailers hand likely offer gift card purchases reach certain order threshold llbean currently offers free 10 gift card customer spends 50 tools amp hardware deals dad dad want new drill christmas year perfect like last month december excellent time tool hardware deals sheer volume editors choice deals dips november theres still aboveaverage number significant discounts wrench screwdriver sets drills lawncare tools despite early holiday hype december best time buy toys opens new window jolly time buy christmas decorations christmas point common knowledge holiday decorations see greatest discounts holiday question passed different christmas wait december 26 youll see discounts 50 70 seasonal goods however absolutely must buy fake christmas tree 25th look walmart kmart jcpenney inexpensive options stock kitchen items holiday cooking although noted november sees greatest number cookware kitchen deals many sales discounts last year carried december resulted uptick number editors choice prices look cutlery sets bakeware small appliances macys kohls amazon williams sonoma sears skip buying jewelry holidays sorry guys media editor jeff somogyi put last year big jewelry corner month jewelry doesnt see best discounts year christmas sure savings exist likely wont getting best deal however still try get discount broad department store coupons apply jewelry however many stores macys frequently exclude jewelry offers electronics deals wait 2014 models debut didnt jump electronics deals black friday weekend point might well wait january february buy digital camera tv device consumer electronics show january official launch many 2014 models means goods 2013 begin see round discounts put buying 2014 wall calendar youll see modest discounts throughout month 2014 may entice purchase calendar first significant sales well see items come end january beginning february course see even bigger discounts longer put actually want use calendar right mainstream haswell laptops undercutting ivy bridge opting previous generation tech one best ways save money computer purchases weve generally recommended opting intels ivy bridge processor instead haswell past three months 15 core i5 haswell laptop deals averaged 408 15 core i5 ivy bridge machines averaged 409 though still think ivy bridge laptops likely drop wed naturally recommend going haswell laptop difference price minor youre market new laptop make sure look options higherend system might priced usual premium brand name tv discounts horizon panasonics plasma farewell deluge tv deals saw last month didnt tempt deals see next months might typically noteworthy brandname deals november month mostly devoted thirdtier manufacturers like insignia dynex westinghouse december marks start deals highend brandname tvs likes samsung panasonic lg instance last year 55 3d hdtvs dropped extra 6 month february versus low november may sound like lot could mean keeping extra 50 pocket expect deals begin december taper february different note panasonic recently announced ending production highlyrated plasmas month news doesnt guarantee fire sale pannie plasmas could encourage retailers discount remaining stock especially new hdtvs announced ces january want bang buck worth looking panasonic plasma deals coming months popular models look include vt60 st60 s60 name latter companys budget plasma read dealnews | 654 |
<p>AP</p>
<p>BY: <a href="" type="internal">Bill Gertz</a> September 25, 2014 1:00 pm</p>
<p>Chinese officials held closed-door talks in Washington last week with U.S. cyber security counterparts despite Beijing’s formal cutoff of talks on the subject following the federal indictment of Chinese military hackers.</p>
<p>"We exchanged views with Chinese counterparts on cyber issues in Washington last week," a State Department official confirmed, adding, "We do not read out the contents of our private diplomatic exchanges."</p>
<p>The cyber talks were held as the Senate Armed Services Committee revealed in a declassified report last week that Chinese military hackers conducted cyber attacks against at least 20 U.S. Transportation Command contractors as part of plans for cyber attacks aimed at disrupting U.S. military operations in a future conflict. "Cyber intrusions into operationally critical contractors pose a threat to defense operations," the report concluded.</p>
<p>The committee report, once labeled "Secret/Noforn," said between June 2012 and May 2013, foreign hackers conducted 50 attacks on Transcom contractor networks, including 20 traced to China.</p>
<p>Chinese military hackers obtained emails, documents, user accounts, passwords, and computer source code from the contractors. A commercial ship used for military transport also was hacked by the Chinese military.</p>
<p>A third case involved a Chinese military "spear-phishing" email campaign against a Transcom contractor airline.</p>
<p>Some 90 percent of U.S. military transport, both air and sea, travels through Transcom contractors.</p>
<p>The Senate report quoted an earlier Defense Science Board warning of the impact of cyber attacks against logistics networks: "U.S. guns, missiles, and bombs may not fire, or may be directed against our own troops," and "resupply, including food, water, ammunition, and fuel may not arrive when or where needed."</p>
<p>The State Department official said the cyber talks were held despite China’s suspension of formal talks under a joint U.S.-China Cyber Working Group. "We regularly take opportunities to discuss our concerns and exchange views with Chinese officials about cyber issues in a variety of channels," the official said.</p>
<p>"We remain committed to expanding our cooperation with the Chinese government on cyber matters where we have common ground and to candidly and constructively address differences," the officials said.</p>
<p>The official did not disclose the participants in the talks, but they included officials of the State Department and National Security Council staff. No Pentagon cyber officials took part, a defense official said.</p>
<p>The cyber talks also took place amid preparations for President Obama’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting scheduled for Nov. 10 and 11.</p>
<p>White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice traveled to Beijing earlier this month as part of the preparations for the talks. Chinese leaders demanded that the U.S. military halt all surveillance flights of Chinese coasts.</p>
<p>Relations between Washington and Beijing remain strained over the recent aerial intercept of a U.S. Navy P-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft by a Chinese Su-27 jet the Pentagon described as "dangerous" and "unprofessional."</p>
<p>The Chinese jet flew within 20 feet of the P-8 and conducted several aggressive maneuvers in front and over the aircraft in an apparent effort to drive the jet out of the South China Sea region.</p>
<p>China denied its pilot acted unprofessionally. The Pentagon, however, said if dangerous aerial intercepts in international airspace continue, it will prompt a re-evaluation of military exchanges with China.</p>
<p>The cyber talks included discussion of the federal grand jury indictment issued May 1 against five People’s Liberation Army (PLA) hackers who were charged with cyber attacks against U.S. companies and a labor union.</p>
<p>The hackers are part of a secret PLA military hacking group called Unit 61398 that engaged in economic espionage against the American entities. Those hit by the military cyber attacks included Westinghouse Electric Co., SolarWorld AG, United States Steel Corp., Allegheny Technologies Inc., Alcoa, and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial, and Service Workers International Union.</p>
<p>China, as it has since charges of military cyber attacks surfaced more than a decade ago, denied its military personnel conducted any cyber attacks and demanded the United States rescind the indictment.</p>
<p>Former State Department official John Tkacik questioned the utility of the recent cyber talks.</p>
<p>"There is literally nothing useful that the United States can get out of cyber ‘exchanges’ with China that will enhance our cyber security," said Tkacik, China affairs specialist.</p>
<p>"The only thing the Chinese want to know is how the U.S. managed to identify five individual PLA warrior-hackers last spring so they can make sure it doesn't happen again – to them," Tkacik added.</p>
<p>Additionally, Chinese authorities last week cracked down on Google business activities in China as part of a campaign of tightened Internet controls. Microsoft also was targeted in the campaign, the New York Times reported.</p>
<p>"China's eagerness for cyber exchanges is driven exclusively by Beijing's strategic goal of information hegemony, and the sad thing is few American companies understand it – with the notable exception of Google itself," Tkacik said.</p>
<p>In August, John Carlin, a senior Justice Department national security prosecutor, said the Chinese has asked the U.S. government to provide evidence of the PLA hacking.</p>
<p>"We heard directly from the Chinese who said, ‘If you have evidence, hard evidence that we’re committing this type of activity that you can prove in court, show us.’ So we did," Carlin said during remarks to a security conference in Aspen, Colo.</p>
<p>The indictment against the PLA hackers is part of a new approach to dealing with cyber attacks. "From our perspective we have to apply the same type of approach that we did to terrorism to the national security cyber threat," he said.</p>
<p>Carlin said the case of the five PLA hackers revealed that Unit 61398 activity was "cutting across the span of different American businesses—nuclear to solar, to steel to labor."</p>
<p>"We will continue to increase the cost of committing this type of activity on American soil where it is occurring, where they are taking the information, until it stops," Carlin said.</p>
<p>Asked if Adm. Samuel Locklear, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, will limit military exchanges with China in light of the Senate report on PLA hacking defense transportation contractors, spokesman Capt. Chris Sims suggested it would not.</p>
<p>"In the cyber world there are a lot of bad actors," Locklear said, in comments related by Sims. "It's not just China, but specifically, since we look at this, we've known for some time that there has been state-sponsored activity to try to look at and to try to get into defense contractors and then to work that backwards to try to either develop an advantage or to better understand any vulnerabilities that we may have."</p>
<p>Locklear said the U.S. military has "a considerable advantage, compared to the rest of the main actors in the world and that our advantage is only going to increase as we put these capabilities in place."</p>
<p>Disclosure of the cyber talks also comes as new military intelligence reports revealed that a Chinese telecommunications firm linked to the PLA sold U.S.-origin telecommunications equipment to Cuba in apparent violation of U.S. sanctions.</p>
<p>The company, Huawei Technologies, sold U.S. modems, routers, and switches for Cuba’s networks.</p>
<p>A House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence report in 2012 identified Huawei as a cyber espionage risk and warned U.S. companies not to purchase its equipment over concerns the gear includes "back doors" that allow remote access.</p>
<p>China, for its part, has used disclosures of National Security Agency documents made public through renegade contractor Edward Snowden, to accuse the United States of cyber espionage against Huawei.</p>
<p>NSA documents revealed that the agency penetrated Huawei networks and equipment as a means of spying on governments that use Huawei equipment.</p>
<p>Top-secret briefing slides revealed by Britain’s Guardian show that NSA uses its access to Huawei telecom gear to spy on hard-target countries, such as China, Pakistan, Iran, and others, through cyber penetrations of Huawei equipment used in those countries.</p>
<p>"Many of our targets communicate over Huawei produced products. We want to make sure that we know how to exploit these products—we also want to ensure that we retain access to these communication lines, etc.," one top-secret NSA slide states.</p>
<p>"There is also concern that Huawei’s widespread infrastructure will provide the PRC with [signals intelligence] capabilities and enable them to perform denial of service type attacks."</p>
<p>Chinese Embassy spokesman Geng Shuang did not return emails seeking comment.</p> | true | 0 | ap bill gertz september 25 2014 100 pm chinese officials held closeddoor talks washington last week us cyber security counterparts despite beijings formal cutoff talks subject following federal indictment chinese military hackers exchanged views chinese counterparts cyber issues washington last week state department official confirmed adding read contents private diplomatic exchanges cyber talks held senate armed services committee revealed declassified report last week chinese military hackers conducted cyber attacks least 20 us transportation command contractors part plans cyber attacks aimed disrupting us military operations future conflict cyber intrusions operationally critical contractors pose threat defense operations report concluded committee report labeled secretnoforn said june 2012 may 2013 foreign hackers conducted 50 attacks transcom contractor networks including 20 traced china chinese military hackers obtained emails documents user accounts passwords computer source code contractors commercial ship used military transport also hacked chinese military third case involved chinese military spearphishing email campaign transcom contractor airline 90 percent us military transport air sea travels transcom contractors senate report quoted earlier defense science board warning impact cyber attacks logistics networks us guns missiles bombs may fire may directed troops resupply including food water ammunition fuel may arrive needed state department official said cyber talks held despite chinas suspension formal talks joint uschina cyber working group regularly take opportunities discuss concerns exchange views chinese officials cyber issues variety channels official said remain committed expanding cooperation chinese government cyber matters common ground candidly constructively address differences officials said official disclose participants talks included officials state department national security council staff pentagon cyber officials took part defense official said cyber talks also took place amid preparations president obamas scheduled meeting chinese president xi jinping beijing asia pacific economic cooperation meeting scheduled nov 10 11 white house national security adviser susan rice traveled beijing earlier month part preparations talks chinese leaders demanded us military halt surveillance flights chinese coasts relations washington beijing remain strained recent aerial intercept us navy p8 antisubmarine warfare aircraft chinese su27 jet pentagon described dangerous unprofessional chinese jet flew within 20 feet p8 conducted several aggressive maneuvers front aircraft apparent effort drive jet south china sea region china denied pilot acted unprofessionally pentagon however said dangerous aerial intercepts international airspace continue prompt reevaluation military exchanges china cyber talks included discussion federal grand jury indictment issued may 1 five peoples liberation army pla hackers charged cyber attacks us companies labor union hackers part secret pla military hacking group called unit 61398 engaged economic espionage american entities hit military cyber attacks included westinghouse electric co solarworld ag united states steel corp allegheny technologies inc alcoa united steel paper forestry rubber manufacturing energy allied industrial service workers international union china since charges military cyber attacks surfaced decade ago denied military personnel conducted cyber attacks demanded united states rescind indictment former state department official john tkacik questioned utility recent cyber talks literally nothing useful united states get cyber exchanges china enhance cyber security said tkacik china affairs specialist thing chinese want know us managed identify five individual pla warriorhackers last spring make sure doesnt happen tkacik added additionally chinese authorities last week cracked google business activities china part campaign tightened internet controls microsoft also targeted campaign new york times reported chinas eagerness cyber exchanges driven exclusively beijings strategic goal information hegemony sad thing american companies understand notable exception google tkacik said august john carlin senior justice department national security prosecutor said chinese asked us government provide evidence pla hacking heard directly chinese said evidence hard evidence committing type activity prove court show us carlin said remarks security conference aspen colo indictment pla hackers part new approach dealing cyber attacks perspective apply type approach terrorism national security cyber threat said carlin said case five pla hackers revealed unit 61398 activity cutting across span different american businessesnuclear solar steel labor continue increase cost committing type activity american soil occurring taking information stops carlin said asked adm samuel locklear commander us pacific command limit military exchanges china light senate report pla hacking defense transportation contractors spokesman capt chris sims suggested would cyber world lot bad actors locklear said comments related sims china specifically since look weve known time statesponsored activity try look try get defense contractors work backwards try either develop advantage better understand vulnerabilities may locklear said us military considerable advantage compared rest main actors world advantage going increase put capabilities place disclosure cyber talks also comes new military intelligence reports revealed chinese telecommunications firm linked pla sold usorigin telecommunications equipment cuba apparent violation us sanctions company huawei technologies sold us modems routers switches cubas networks house permanent select committee intelligence report 2012 identified huawei cyber espionage risk warned us companies purchase equipment concerns gear includes back doors allow remote access china part used disclosures national security agency documents made public renegade contractor edward snowden accuse united states cyber espionage huawei nsa documents revealed agency penetrated huawei networks equipment means spying governments use huawei equipment topsecret briefing slides revealed britains guardian show nsa uses access huawei telecom gear spy hardtarget countries china pakistan iran others cyber penetrations huawei equipment used countries many targets communicate huawei produced products want make sure know exploit productswe also want ensure retain access communication lines etc one topsecret nsa slide states also concern huaweis widespread infrastructure provide prc signals intelligence capabilities enable perform denial service type attacks chinese embassy spokesman geng shuang return emails seeking comment | 889 |
<p>How's this for awkward? The United States has a delegation at international climate talks in Bonn that will be telling other nations what they should do on an agreement that the president wants no part of.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump has promised to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Paris climate pact where nations set their own goals to reduce the emissions of heat-trapping gases, but because of legal technicalities America can't get out until November of 2020.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>"It's like having a guest at a dinner party who complains about the food but stays anyway," said Nigel Purvis, who worked climate issues in the State Department for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush — and dealt with a similar situation.</p>
<p>In 2001 Purvis was a climate negotiator for the U.S. State Department when the new president, George W. Bush, had pulled out of a landmark global warming agreement the previous administration had championed.</p>
<p>The U.S. position is not just awkward, it's potentially bad for the environment, scientists say.</p>
<p>Most of the Bonn meeting will be coming up with rules on how countries report emissions of heat-trapping gases and how transparent they are. The United States used to be the leading force in pushing for tougher rules and more openness, Purvis and other experts said. The rules probably won't be as strong now, Purvis said.</p>
<p>"If it's left to Chinese leadership, which is what's left, you will have less transparency," said Massachusetts Institute of Technology management professor Henry Jacoby, who co-founded the Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change.</p>
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<p>The United States government is becoming increasingly isolated on climate change. On Tuesday, the Syrian government, mired in war and the last United Nations country not to sign the Paris accord, announced it would sign the pact. That means the United States will be alone when it pulls out.</p>
<p>State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert responded to the Syrian decision by attacking its government. "If the government of Syria cared so much about what was put in the air, then it wouldn't be gassing its own people," she said.</p>
<p>In a not-so subtle jab at Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron plans a separate "One Planet Summit" in Paris to push his "Make Our Planet Great Again" agenda on Dec. 12, the anniversary date of the climate accord. He invited more than 100 world leaders to his event, but not Trump. Instead, he invited lower level U.S. diplomats.</p>
<p>"The rest of the world needs to get on and negotiate ... and treat the U.S. as more of an observer in the process and the U.S. should act that way," said Greenpeace International Director Jennifer Morgan, who has been at these negotiations for more than 20 years.</p>
<p>That's not what the U.S. plans.</p>
<p>As meetings started on Monday, U.S. negotiator Trigg Talley said, "The president has made clear that we will engage countries on energy and climate change related issues and we look forward to working with colleagues and partners to advance the work here over these two weeks and beyond."</p>
<p>The administration is hosting a panel on "the clean and efficient use of fossil fuels and nuclear power," White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said Tuesday. "It is undeniable that fossil fuels will be used for the foreseeable future, and it is in everyone's interest that they be efficient and clean."</p>
<p>Of the major fossil fuels, coal is by far the biggest climate change culprit. In 2014, coal accounted for 46 percent of the globe's carbon dioxide emissions, but was only 29 percent of its energy supply, according to the International Energy Agency.</p>
<p>Three U.S. governors, some mayors, corporate leaders and students will also be attending the Bonn talks.</p>
<p>"We have one major major player who is on the sidelines," California Gov. Jerry Brown told The Associated Press. "The rest of us will do everything we can to keep advancing efforts and keep doing what is needed to reduce carbon emissions. There is no time to wait."</p>
<p>Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday he will spend $50 million to help non-United States countries move away from coal. Bloomberg, Brown and others on Saturday will unveil a report called "America's Pledge" on how much the United States can do without the federal government.</p>
<p>At a "We're Still In" event Thursday at the climate talks, James Brainard, mayor Carmel, Indiana, joined in criticizing the Trump climate policy, saying the U.S. will cut emissions regardless of the president.</p>
<p>"He talks about greatness a lot," Brainard said. "Great countries keep their word when they sign agreements. Great countries care about the condition of the planet they are going to hand off to their children and grandchildren."</p>
<p>If the U.S. remains out of the Paris accord and tries to dismantle President Obama's initiatives to curb emissions, the Earth will warm by an additional one or two tenths of a degree, said Glen Peters, a Norwegian scientist who is part of the Global Carbon Project.</p>
<p>Scientists say that even a few tenths of a degree of warming can have dramatic impacts on ecosystems and even day-to-day life for people.</p>
<p>Purivs said "countries will be frustrated and resentful" toward the Trump administration at the negotiations. But he added: "Many nations will understand the rules of the Paris agreement are going to be more important and more durable than any U.S. administration and there will be a strong desire to get it right."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Frank Jordans in Berlin, Maria Murru in Rome and Matt Lee and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this story.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears . His work can be found here .</p> | true | 0 | hows awkward united states delegation international climate talks bonn telling nations agreement president wants part president donald trump promised withdraw us 2015 paris climate pact nations set goals reduce emissions heattrapping gases legal technicalities america cant get november 2020 continue reading like guest dinner party complains food stays anyway said nigel purvis worked climate issues state department presidents bill clinton george w bush dealt similar situation 2001 purvis climate negotiator us state department new president george w bush pulled landmark global warming agreement previous administration championed us position awkward potentially bad environment scientists say bonn meeting coming rules countries report emissions heattrapping gases transparent united states used leading force pushing tougher rules openness purvis experts said rules probably wont strong purvis said left chinese leadership whats left less transparency said massachusetts institute technology management professor henry jacoby cofounded joint program science policy global change advertisement united states government becoming increasingly isolated climate change tuesday syrian government mired war last united nations country sign paris accord announced would sign pact means united states alone pulls state department spokeswoman heather nauert responded syrian decision attacking government government syria cared much put air wouldnt gassing people said notso subtle jab trump french president emmanuel macron plans separate one planet summit paris push make planet great agenda dec 12 anniversary date climate accord invited 100 world leaders event trump instead invited lower level us diplomats rest world needs get negotiate treat us observer process us act way said greenpeace international director jennifer morgan negotiations 20 years thats us plans meetings started monday us negotiator trigg talley said president made clear engage countries energy climate change related issues look forward working colleagues partners advance work two weeks beyond administration hosting panel clean efficient use fossil fuels nuclear power white house deputy press secretary raj shah said tuesday undeniable fossil fuels used foreseeable future everyones interest efficient clean major fossil fuels coal far biggest climate change culprit 2014 coal accounted 46 percent globes carbon dioxide emissions 29 percent energy supply according international energy agency three us governors mayors corporate leaders students also attending bonn talks one major major player sidelines california gov jerry brown told associated press rest us everything keep advancing efforts keep needed reduce carbon emissions time wait former new york city mayor michael bloomberg announced thursday spend 50 million help nonunited states countries move away coal bloomberg brown others saturday unveil report called americas pledge much united states without federal government still event thursday climate talks james brainard mayor carmel indiana joined criticizing trump climate policy saying us cut emissions regardless president talks greatness lot brainard said great countries keep word sign agreements great countries care condition planet going hand children grandchildren us remains paris accord tries dismantle president obamas initiatives curb emissions earth warm additional one two tenths degree said glen peters norwegian scientist part global carbon project scientists say even tenths degree warming dramatic impacts ecosystems even daytoday life people purivs said countries frustrated resentful toward trump administration negotiations added many nations understand rules paris agreement going important durable us administration strong desire get right ___ frank jordans berlin maria murru rome matt lee zeke miller washington contributed story ___ follow seth borenstein twitter borenbears work found | 536 |
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<p>Exchange traded funds are touted as cheap and efficient investment vehicles that help investors achieve their goals. However, people should carefully consider the various factors of trading and holding an ETF lest they get blindsided by unforeseen costs.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>For starters, ETF investors will most likely look to an expense ratio to get a sense of how much they will be paying for using the investment vehicle. There are currently 1,948 U.S.-listed exchange traded products, which include both ETFs and exchange traded notes, with an average expense ratio of 0.58% - for every $1,000 invested in a fund with a 0.58% expense ratio, an investor is paying $5.8 dollars in fees that are taken out of the fund's overall performance.</p>
<p>Most investors have no idea what they are paying when investing, even if they are given fees in a percentage term. Investors would typically just spend a couple of minutes glancing over account statement and checking balances without diving into the details, especially since expense ratios are typically deducted form the investment's overall performance, so investors rarely notice the cost in dollar terms.</p>
<p>To help lower fees, long-term investors should consider ETFs with low expense ratios. For instance, some broad stock ETF options now come with a dirt cheap 0.03% expense ratio, including the iShares Core S&amp;P Total US Stock Market ETF (NYSE:ITOT), Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:SCHX) and Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (NYSE:SCHB).</p>
<p>Additionally, many do not factor in commission fees or the cost of trading ETFs on a brokerage when calculating their investment portfolio's overall performance.</p>
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<p>"Factoring in the impact of commissions can be particularly relevant for active investors who trade somewhat frequently - especially if you are making relatively smaller trade sizes - as well as long-term investors executing a dollar cost averaging strategy," according to Fidelity Investments. "When it comes to the impact of commission costs, trade size matters."</p>
<p>For example, assuming a $7.95 commission fee per trade on a brokerage account, executing a trade of $1,000 in funds to buy and sell an ETF would equate to $15.90 in trading fees, or committing 1.6% of the investment toward commissions.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if one were to buy or sell an ETF with $30,000 in funds, the same $15.90 in commissions would make up just 0.05% of the total trade.</p>
<p>As a way to better manage ETF trading costs, traders should find out if their brokerage offers commission-free ETF trades. Commission free ETFs may help investors manage costs of rebalancing and rotating in and out of various ETF trades.</p>
<p>"If you are an investor making relatively small trades, or an active investor who is frequently buying and selling ETFs, these savings can really add up," Fidelity said.</p>
<p>A number of trading platforms now offer a range of commission-free ETFs. For example, along with free trades on its own line of ETFs, Fidelity Investments has expanded its partnership with BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) to include free coverage of the iShares "Core" series. However, potential traders should note that if a sale is executed within 30 days of purchase, investors will incur a short-term trading transaction of the regular commission fee of $7.95.</p>
<p>Charles Schwab's OneSource ETF platform includes a large selection of over 200 commission-free ETFs over a range of asset categories from 16 fund sponsors, including States Street (NYSE:STT), PowerShares, Guggenheim, ETF Securities and U.S. Commodity Funds, among others. Since there are no short-term trading restrictions placed on the ETFs, active traders may find the platform appealing as a cost-free way to move in and out of broad market segments.</p>
<p>The TD Ameritrade (NASDAQ:AMTD) platform offers a broad 101 commission-free ETFs from eight different sponsors, including iShares, Vanguard, State Street, PowerShares, WisdomTree, Market Vectors, PIMCO and iPath exchange traded notes. However, if sales are executed within 30 days of purchase, investors will incur a short-term trading transactions of $19.99 - the regular commission on trades is $9.99.</p>
<p>E*Trade does not include products from the four largest ETF providers but offers commission-free trades on 117 products from WisdomTree (NASDAQ:WETF), Global X and Deutsche X-trackers. If sales are executed within 30 days of purchase, investors will incur a short-term trading transactions of $19.99 - the regular commission on trades is $9.99.</p>
<p>The Vanguard platform includes access to its proprietary ETFs. It only offers commission-free trades on its own ETFs. The firm also allows traders to buy and sell the same ETF 25 times over a 12-month period without restrictions. If a trader goes over its allotted quota, Vanguard will restrict trading on the ETF for 60 days. Regular commissions varies but starts at $7 on accounts with less than $500,000.</p>
<p>Bank of America's (NYSE:BAC) Merrill Edge self-directed investing account provides investors, whom maintain at least $25,000 in cash on the Merrill Lynch brokerage account or in a BofA account, with 30 commission-free trades per month on all available equities and ETFs.</p>
<p>This article was provided by our partners at <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.etftrends.com_&amp;d=DQMFAg&amp;c=cnx1hdOQtepEQkpermZGwQ&amp;r=GRqff5l5MHpejHoKHot8Gp2SY_ZPxrunht950uhDnYCPYyIIU0YyzTG5vMXJEgC6&amp;m=ZgFb0ZIFJ6qStou8WaWwCT1Sfol2HvdTV2Twrd03cUQ&amp;s=PX2HcXhwjVHwz9JEyReDhU_pYc3layeDTgd87nvDtf4&amp;e=" type="external">etftrends.com Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | exchange traded funds touted cheap efficient investment vehicles help investors achieve goals however people carefully consider various factors trading holding etf lest get blindsided unforeseen costs continue reading starters etf investors likely look expense ratio get sense much paying using investment vehicle currently 1948 uslisted exchange traded products include etfs exchange traded notes average expense ratio 058 every 1000 invested fund 058 expense ratio investor paying 58 dollars fees taken funds overall performance investors idea paying investing even given fees percentage term investors would typically spend couple minutes glancing account statement checking balances without diving details especially since expense ratios typically deducted form investments overall performance investors rarely notice cost dollar terms help lower fees longterm investors consider etfs low expense ratios instance broad stock etf options come dirt cheap 003 expense ratio including ishares core sampp total us stock market etf nyseitot schwab us largecap etf nyseschx schwab us broad market etf nyseschb additionally many factor commission fees cost trading etfs brokerage calculating investment portfolios overall performance advertisement factoring impact commissions particularly relevant active investors trade somewhat frequently especially making relatively smaller trade sizes well longterm investors executing dollar cost averaging strategy according fidelity investments comes impact commission costs trade size matters example assuming 795 commission fee per trade brokerage account executing trade 1000 funds buy sell etf would equate 1590 trading fees committing 16 investment toward commissions hand one buy sell etf 30000 funds 1590 commissions would make 005 total trade way better manage etf trading costs traders find brokerage offers commissionfree etf trades commission free etfs may help investors manage costs rebalancing rotating various etf trades investor making relatively small trades active investor frequently buying selling etfs savings really add fidelity said number trading platforms offer range commissionfree etfs example along free trades line etfs fidelity investments expanded partnership blackrock nyseblk include free coverage ishares core series however potential traders note sale executed within 30 days purchase investors incur shortterm trading transaction regular commission fee 795 charles schwabs onesource etf platform includes large selection 200 commissionfree etfs range asset categories 16 fund sponsors including states street nysestt powershares guggenheim etf securities us commodity funds among others since shortterm trading restrictions placed etfs active traders may find platform appealing costfree way move broad market segments td ameritrade nasdaqamtd platform offers broad 101 commissionfree etfs eight different sponsors including ishares vanguard state street powershares wisdomtree market vectors pimco ipath exchange traded notes however sales executed within 30 days purchase investors incur shortterm trading transactions 1999 regular commission trades 999 etrade include products four largest etf providers offers commissionfree trades 117 products wisdomtree nasdaqwetf global x deutsche xtrackers sales executed within 30 days purchase investors incur shortterm trading transactions 1999 regular commission trades 999 vanguard platform includes access proprietary etfs offers commissionfree trades etfs firm also allows traders buy sell etf 25 times 12month period without restrictions trader goes allotted quota vanguard restrict trading etf 60 days regular commissions varies starts 7 accounts less 500000 bank americas nysebac merrill edge selfdirected investing account provides investors maintain least 25000 cash merrill lynch brokerage account bofa account 30 commissionfree trades per month available equities etfs article provided partners etftrendscom opens new window | 530 |
<p>Lithium stocks continue to party like it's 1999. Shares of Albemarle (NYSE: ALB), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile, or SQM (NYSE: SQM), and FMC Corp. (NYSE: FMC)&#160;-- the three largest lithium producers listed on a major U.S. stock exchange -- have returned&#160; 62%, 117%, and 67%, respectively, in 2017, through Oct. 18.</p>
<p>Lithium stocks have been soaring due to the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/07/08/electric-cars-the-long-term-trend-that-makes-lithi.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=5058b44e-b583-11e7-8021-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">electric car revolution Opens a New Window.</a>, led by Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), which is driving demand for the metal to produce rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles. The burgeoning energy-storage product market is also poised to become an increasingly stronger demand driver.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Investors who are interested in lithium stocks but don't want to bet on just one or two players have another option: the Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Tech ETF (NYSEMKT: LIT),&#160;the only&#160;lithium exchange-traded fund.</p>
<p>Before we dig in, you probably want to know how this ETF has been performing, right? It's performed on par with shares of Albemarle and almost as well as those of FMC Corp. so far this year. SQM stock has pulled significantly ahead of the pack in recent months due to&#160; <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/10/03/why-lithium-stock-sqm-soared-nearly-20-in-septembe.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=5058b44e-b583-11e7-8021-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">market chatter Opens a New Window.</a> that a Chinese entity is interested in buying a considerable stake in the Chilean company.</p>
<p>The ETF invests in the full lithium cycle, from mining and refining the metal through lithium-ion battery production.&#160;The underlying index that the fund tracks had 27 constituents, 22 of which are foreign companies, as of Dec. 30, 2016. The fund had a 63% developed markets and 37% emerging markets mix by dollar amount, as of June 30.&#160;The emerging markets' percentage, however, has likely since increased due to shares of Chile-based SQM rocketing higher over the last few months, as previously mentioned.</p>
<p>The fund's current expense ratio is 0.76%, which is moderately reasonable.</p>
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<p>This ETF is&#160;not&#160;a pure play on lithium since most of its holdings have non-lithium operations. For instance, FMC, SQM, and Albemarle are all diversified specialty chemical companies. In the first half of 2017, lithium revenue as a percentage of total revenue for these companies was 11%, 29%, and 32%, respectively.</p>
<p>Albemarle and SQM are the two global biggies in lithium mining, with FMC likely still in the top five, along with two Chinese companies, Jiangxi Ganfeng and Sichuan Tianqi. Albemarle obtains lithium from brine at sources in Chile and Nevada, and has a hard-rock mining joint venture in Australia. SQM gets its lithium from brine at a Chilean source, while FMC's lithium comes from a brine source that it owns in Argentina.</p>
<p>Samsung SDI, No. 3, produces lithium-ion batteries for a variety of uses and makes advanced materials. Tesla, No. 4, generates most of its revenue from producing electric cars. The company also has an energy business that sells solar panels and roof tiles for homes, and energy-storage products for residential, commercial, and electric utility grid use. Together with its partner Panasonic, the ETF's eighth-largest holding, Tesla built the Gigafactory 1 in Nevada to produce lithium-ion battery cells for its cars and energy-storage products.</p>
<p>Warren Buffett-backed BYD, No. 6, is a leading Chinese maker of electric cars and has other businesses, including making lithium-ion batteries.&#160;LG Chem, No. 7, has several businesses, including producing lithium-ion batteries.&#160;Panasonic, No. 8, primarily makes electronic and electric products. GS Yuasa, No. 9, produces lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries for a wide range of uses, and has other operations. Lastly, Galaxy&#160;Resources owns lithium brine assets and hard-rock mines in Australia, Canada, and Argentina.</p>
<p>An ideal lithium ETF, in my opinion, would take into consideration when possible the size of a company's lithium business relative to its overall business. For instance, I think Albemarle (No. 5) should be weighed higher than FMC (No. 1) since it's closer to a pure play on lithium.</p>
<p>That said, the Global X Lithium &amp; Battery Technology ETF does a pretty good job of representing the global lithium realm from mining to production of lithium-ion batteries. It seems a solid option for investors who want broad exposure to the fast-growing lithium space. As previously mentioned, the ETF's expense ratio is a moderately reasonable 0.76%.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of October 9, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFMcKenna/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=5058b44e-b583-11e7-8021-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Beth McKenna Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Tesla. 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=5058b44e-b583-11e7-8021-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | lithium stocks continue party like 1999 shares albemarle nyse alb sociedad quimica minera de chile sqm nyse sqm fmc corp nyse fmc160 three largest lithium producers listed major us stock exchange returned160 62 117 67 respectively 2017 oct 18 lithium stocks soaring due electric car revolution opens new window led tesla nasdaq tsla driving demand metal produce rechargeable lithiumion batteries power electric vehicles burgeoning energystorage product market also poised become increasingly stronger demand driver continue reading investors interested lithium stocks dont want bet one two players another option global x lithium amp battery tech etf nysemkt lit160the only160lithium exchangetraded fund dig probably want know etf performing right performed par shares albemarle almost well fmc corp far year sqm stock pulled significantly ahead pack recent months due to160 market chatter opens new window chinese entity interested buying considerable stake chilean company etf invests full lithium cycle mining refining metal lithiumion battery production160the underlying index fund tracks 27 constituents 22 foreign companies dec 30 2016 fund 63 developed markets 37 emerging markets mix dollar amount june 30160the emerging markets percentage however likely since increased due shares chilebased sqm rocketing higher last months previously mentioned funds current expense ratio 076 moderately reasonable advertisement etf is160not160a pure play lithium since holdings nonlithium operations instance fmc sqm albemarle diversified specialty chemical companies first half 2017 lithium revenue percentage total revenue companies 11 29 32 respectively albemarle sqm two global biggies lithium mining fmc likely still top five along two chinese companies jiangxi ganfeng sichuan tianqi albemarle obtains lithium brine sources chile nevada hardrock mining joint venture australia sqm gets lithium brine chilean source fmcs lithium comes brine source owns argentina samsung sdi 3 produces lithiumion batteries variety uses makes advanced materials tesla 4 generates revenue producing electric cars company also energy business sells solar panels roof tiles homes energystorage products residential commercial electric utility grid use together partner panasonic etfs eighthlargest holding tesla built gigafactory 1 nevada produce lithiumion battery cells cars energystorage products warren buffettbacked byd 6 leading chinese maker electric cars businesses including making lithiumion batteries160lg chem 7 several businesses including producing lithiumion batteries160panasonic 8 primarily makes electronic electric products gs yuasa 9 produces lithiumion leadacid batteries wide range uses operations lastly galaxy160resources owns lithium brine assets hardrock mines australia canada argentina ideal lithium etf opinion would take consideration possible size companys lithium business relative overall business instance think albemarle 5 weighed higher fmc 1 since closer pure play lithium said global x lithium amp battery technology etf pretty good job representing global lithium realm mining production lithiumion batteries seems solid option investors want broad exposure fastgrowing lithium space previously mentioned etfs expense ratio moderately reasonable 076 10 stocks like better teslawhen 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 tesla wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns october 9 2017 beth mckenna opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends tesla motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 524 |
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