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<p>Sgt. Dakota Meyer / AP</p>
<p>BY: <a href="" type="internal">Alana Goodman</a> August 7, 2013 11:30 am</p>
<p>Four years ago, an Afghan translator known as "Hafez" charged into enemy fire to help U.S. Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyer rescue wounded American servicemembers during one of the most famous battles in the Afghanistan war.</p>
<p>Meyer received the Medal of Honor for his courage in the battle of Ganjgal—the first living Marine to receive the honor since the Vietnam war.</p>
<p>But Meyer says his friend Hafez is still waiting to receive a U.S. visa he applied for years ago. The former translator remains in Afghanistan under daily threat from the Taliban while his application is caught in the bureaucratic limbo of the State Department.</p>
<p>"He stood next to me, by my side pretty much the entire time [during the Battle of Ganjgal]," Meyer, 25, said in an interview with the Washington Free Beacon on Monday. "He helped me carry my guys out."</p>
<p>"If we can’t help get this guy back who sacrificed so much to bring these Americans home, I’m sure he’ll be killed," he said.</p>
<p>Hafez (a pseudonym to protect his identity) applied for a visa over three years ago, according to Bing West, the co-author of Meyer’s book Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordi­nary Battle in the Afghan War.</p>
<p>"The Taliban are looking for Hafez because he killed several of them in the Ganjigal fight," West told the Free Beacon.</p>
<p>Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, signed off on Hafez’s application. The visa was also green-lighted by U.S. Embassy officials in Kabul, said West. The application then went to the U.S. State Department’s visa department for "vetting," according to West, where it has remained ever since.</p>
<p>Letters of recommendation for Hafez have also been written by Lt. Col. Dan Yaroslaski, Lt. Col. Anthony J. Healy, Gy. Sgt. R. M. Garza, Maj. William Jelks, and Capt. Timothy Chrisman.</p>
<p>"Under the current broken system, a U.S. general in Afghanistan must certify each visa package for an interpreter. But the&#160;authority for approval rests in the States with up to six anonymous committees headed by State Department that conduct additional security checks," West said. "Their incentive is to never make a single mistake and allow in an Afghan who later commits any sort of crime. Thus while Congress has permitted 5,000 visas, State approves less than one hundred each year."</p>
<p>"Gen. Dunford, the head of our forces, has personally approved him. So have six commanders in the past four years," West added.</p>
<p>U.S. and Afghan troops were ambushed by Taliban fighters on the outskirts of the village of Ganjgal, in the Kunar Province on Sept. 8, 2009. Meyer, Hafez, and other U.S. and Afghan allies pushed through enemy fire, rescuing wounded comrades. Meyer fought his way to the front zone in an effort to save a four-man team that had been pinned down by the fight. The men had been killed. Meyer carried their bodies to a safe location. Six Americans and eight Afghan allies were killed in the battle.</p>
<p>Meyer received the Medal of Honor, and two others received the Navy Cross, for their actions that day.</p>
<p>Meyer recalled Hafez’s words before they rushed toward the fire.</p>
<p>"[Hafez] told me, ‘Dakota, it’s very bad out there.’" Meyer said. "I said, ‘But I gotta go back in and get my guys.’"</p>
<p>The Marine then asked for his translator’s help.</p>
<p>"[I said] ‘I really need you, will you go with me?’" said Meyer. "And he said, ‘If today is my day to die, then that’s it. I’ll go back with you.’"</p>
<p>Now Hafez, his wife, and two children are relying on Meyer for help. The two talk regularly. Meyer fears for his friend’s safety and livelihood.</p>
<p>Hafez emailed Meyer on Monday morning, saying the security situation in his region of Afghanistan is deteriorating.</p>
<p>"First of all I hop[e] you and your family are doing well, I know you and your friend [Bing West] are working hard on our visas," wrote Hafez. "[T]he reason I am bothering you the security situation where I am living geeing [sic] worse, and every night I am guarding to protect me self and my family. If you are getting upset&#160;it is OK, I will not bother you anymore. Wish you all the best have a nice time."</p>
<p>The 25-year-old Medal of Honor recipient told the Free Beacon that&#160;it is hard not to feel demoralized.</p>
<p>"It seems like—it seems we’ve tried everything," he said. "It seems like not anything’s going to happen, you know what I mean?"</p>
<p>However, he also said he, West, and others will continue to lobby for approval of Hafez's application.</p>
<p>"I’m not going to give up," Meyer said. "I’m trying to write a letter to the president right now."</p>
<p>The State Department has shown no sign of movement despite Meyer’s and West’s efforts, as well as several U.S. commanders who have sent letters supporting Hafez’s asylum application, according to West.</p>
<p>The State Department also rebuffed inquiries from the Free Beacon.</p>
<p>"I see that you called earlier regarding the visa case of an Afghan translator," spokesperson Katherine Pfaff emailed on Tuesday. "Section 222 (f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) prohibits us from disclosing details from individual visa cases."</p>
<p>Meyer said he will not stop working to help his friend, who he said never stopped working to help U.S. troops.</p>
<p>"It wasn’t just Ganjgal, it was everyday," said Meyer. "[Hafaz] showed up to be a team player, you know? He showed up because he cared. He showed up because he was passionate about his country. He showed up to help protect us, as Americans."</p>
<p>West said time is not on Hafaz’s side.</p>
<p>"Five men in a Humvee—one Medal of Honor; a second Medal in process, two Navy Crosses—and Hafez," said West.</p>
<p>"For four years, he has avoided assassination. But eventually his luck will run out. He risked everything to bring back four trapped Americans, and we have turned our back on him."</p>
<p>The withdrawal of most American forces from Afghanistan is slated to conclude by the end of 2014.</p> | true | 0 | sgt dakota meyer ap alana goodman august 7 2013 1130 four years ago afghan translator known hafez charged enemy fire help us marine cpl dakota meyer rescue wounded american servicemembers one famous battles afghanistan war meyer received medal honor courage battle ganjgalthe first living marine receive honor since vietnam war meyer says friend hafez still waiting receive us visa applied years ago former translator remains afghanistan daily threat taliban application caught bureaucratic limbo state department stood next side pretty much entire time battle ganjgal meyer 25 said interview washington free beacon monday helped carry guys cant help get guy back sacrificed much bring americans home im sure hell killed said hafez pseudonym protect identity applied visa three years ago according bing west coauthor meyers book fire firsthand account extraordinary battle afghan war taliban looking hafez killed several ganjigal fight west told free beacon gen joseph dunford commander us forces afghanistan signed hafezs application visa also greenlighted us embassy officials kabul said west application went us state departments visa department vetting according west remained ever since letters recommendation hafez also written lt col dan yaroslaski lt col anthony j healy gy sgt r garza maj william jelks capt timothy chrisman current broken system us general afghanistan must certify visa package interpreter the160authority approval rests states six anonymous committees headed state department conduct additional security checks west said incentive never make single mistake allow afghan later commits sort crime thus congress permitted 5000 visas state approves less one hundred year gen dunford head forces personally approved six commanders past four years west added us afghan troops ambushed taliban fighters outskirts village ganjgal kunar province sept 8 2009 meyer hafez us afghan allies pushed enemy fire rescuing wounded comrades meyer fought way front zone effort save fourman team pinned fight men killed meyer carried bodies safe location six americans eight afghan allies killed battle meyer received medal honor two others received navy cross actions day meyer recalled hafezs words rushed toward fire hafez told dakota bad meyer said said got ta go back get guys marine asked translators help said really need go said meyer said today day die thats ill go back hafez wife two children relying meyer help two talk regularly meyer fears friends safety livelihood hafez emailed meyer monday morning saying security situation region afghanistan deteriorating first hope family well know friend bing west working hard visas wrote hafez reason bothering security situation living geeing sic worse every night guarding protect self family getting upset160it ok bother anymore wish best nice time 25yearold medal honor recipient told free beacon that160it hard feel demoralized seems likeit seems weve tried everything said seems like anythings going happen know mean however also said west others continue lobby approval hafezs application im going give meyer said im trying write letter president right state department shown sign movement despite meyers wests efforts well several us commanders sent letters supporting hafezs asylum application according west state department also rebuffed inquiries free beacon see called earlier regarding visa case afghan translator spokesperson katherine pfaff emailed tuesday section 222 f immigration nationality act ina prohibits us disclosing details individual visa cases meyer said stop working help friend said never stopped working help us troops wasnt ganjgal everyday said meyer hafaz showed team player know showed cared showed passionate country showed help protect us americans west said time hafazs side five men humveeone medal honor second medal process two navy crossesand hafez said west four years avoided assassination eventually luck run risked everything bring back four trapped americans turned back withdrawal american forces afghanistan slated conclude end 2014 | 599 |
<p>Bank shares buoyant on budget news</p>
<p>U.S. stocks rose on Friday, with major indexes trading near records, after the Senate passed a budget blueprint for the next fiscal year, a move that is seen as paving the way for the tax reform many investors believe is vital to keeping the bull market alive.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>What are stock indexes doing?</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 150 points, or 0.7%, to 23,313. The S&amp;P 500 gained 13 points, or 0.5%, to 2,575. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 34 points, or 0.5%, to 6,639.</p>
<p>All three indexes hit intraday records in early trading, and are on track for weekly gains. The Dow is up 1.7% for the week while the S&amp;P is up 0.9% and the Nasdaq is up 0.5%.</p>
<p>The Dow and the S&amp;P 500 are set to close out their sixth straight weekly gain, while the Nasdaq is on track for its fourth straight positive week. This is the longest stretch of weekly gains for the Dow since a seven-week rally that ended in December, and the longest for the S&amp;P 500 since a six-week stretch that ended in March.</p>
<p>What's driving markets?</p>
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<p>Late Thursday, the Senate passed a budget blueprint for the next fiscal year (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/senate-republicans-approve-budget-proposal-clearing-path-to-tax-overhaul-2017-10-19), seen as clearing a hurdle to the Trump administration's goal of overhauling the tax code. The rally for stock markets since the surprise election of President Donald Trump has been driven in part by hopes that a Republican-led Congress will introduce lower taxes, seen as stimulating growth.</p>
<p>Read:What's next for a tax overhaul after the Senate passed its budget (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/whats-next-for-a-tax-overhaul-after-the-senate-passed-its-budget-2017-10-20)</p>
<p>Trump lauded the 51-49 vote on Twitter, saying it would be the "first step toward massive tax cuts for the American people."</p>
<p>(https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/921242760685998080)</p>
<p>Bank stocks were among the beneficiaries of the news, with the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) up 1.1%. J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co. (JPM) rose 1.8% while Citigroup (C) was up 0.5%.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Politico reported Thursday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-reportedly-leaning-toward-powell-for-fed-chairman-2017-10-19) that Trump is leaning toward Fed. Gov. Jerome Powell to replace Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen when her term ends in February.</p>
<p>Yellen is on the Fed speaker list Friday, scheduled to talk about monetary policy since the financial crisis at the National Economics Association at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.</p>
<p>In the latest economic data, existing home sales rose 0.7% in September (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/existing-home-sales-eke-out-small-gain-in-september-2017-10-20), breaking a three-month losing streak and topping the consensus analyst forecast.</p>
<p>What are strategists saying?</p>
<p>Douglas Coté and Karyn Cavanaugh, strategists at Voya Investment Management, referred to the market as the "Teflon market" that appears immune to bad news. Now with the budget taking shape and the country a step closer to the much-anticipated tax cuts, the "nonstick coating" is likely to get even thicker, they said.</p>
<p>"The move could allow Republicans to pass their proposed tax reform later this year or early next year, including a proposed $1.5 trillion tax cut. The next step is for the House of Representatives to take up the legislation, which could happen next week," said Marshall Gittler, chief strategist at ACLS Global.</p>
<p>"Action instead of gridlock and the possibility of tax cuts are likely to keep U.S. sentiment strong and U.S. stocks underpinned, which should allow the Fed to keep hiking rates," Gittler said in his note to clients Friday.</p>
<p>Which stocks are in focus?</p>
<p>Shares of General Electric Co.(GE) recovered from an earlier slump to rise fractionally after the industrial conglomerate reported earnings that widely missed forecasts and it cut its outlook (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge-earnings-miss-for-first-time-in-2-12-years-2017-10-20).</p>
<p>Procter &amp; Gamble Co.(PG) dropped 3.9% after the consumer products company reported quarterly profit (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/procter-gambles-stock-falls-after-results-2017-10-20) that rose above expectations but revenue that came up a bit shy.</p>
<p>Honeywell International Inc.(HON) rose 1.2% after revenue beat consensus views (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/honeywell-shares-rise-13-after-q3-profit-match-revenue-beat-2017-10-20).</p>
<p>Celgene Corp.(CELG) sank 10% after the biotech company abandoned three Crohn's disease drug trials.</p>
<p>PayPal Holdings Inc.(PYPL) jumped 4.7% after the online payment company late Thursday reported an earnings and revenue beat (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/paypal-shares-rise-on-third-quarter-revenue-beat-2017-10-19).</p>
<p>Skechers USA Inc.(SKX) soared 38% after the footwear retailer's earnings out late Thursday beat analyst forecasts (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/skechers-shares-rally-after-earnings-sales-beat-2017-10-19).</p>
<p>Boeing Co.(BA) rose 1.6% after China Southern Airlines Co. (ZNH) agreed to buy 38 aircraft from the U.S. plane maker. Singapore Airlines Ltd. (C6L.SG) is also expected to complete an order of 39 Boeing planes next week.</p>
<p>Shares of Atlassian Inc.(TEAM) jumped 24%. The Australian cloud-software company's results and outlook beat forecasts after the close.</p>
<p>Read:Atlassian heads toward $10 billion market cap with a story to tell (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/atlassian-heads-toward-10-billion-market-cap-with-a-story-to-tell-2017-10-19)</p>
<p>(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/atlassian-heads-toward-10-billion-market-cap-with-a-story-to-tell-2017-10-19)How are other assets trading?</p>
<p>In Asia markets closed mostly in the green (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/asia-pacific-stocks-start-lower-edge-back-into-positive-territory-2017-10-19), with the Hong Kong Hang Seng ending 1.2% higher. European stocks rose slightly (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-nudge-higher-as-volvo-rallies-2017-10-20), helped by a jump for Volvo AB (VOLV-B.SK).</p>
<p>Oil prices reversed earlier drop to gain while gold futures dropped to trade around $1,280 an ounce (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-drops-to-2-week-low-as-dollar-gains-strength-on-tax-reform-hopes-2017-10-20).</p>
<p>The ICE U.S. Dollar Index climbed 0.5% as the greenback rose (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-storms-higher-on-revived-hopes-for-tax-cuts-2017-10-20) on news of the budget proposal.</p>
<p>--Barbara Kollmeyer and Sara Sjolin contributed to this report.</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>October 20, 2017 14:49 ET (18:49 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | bank shares buoyant budget news us stocks rose friday major indexes trading near records senate passed budget blueprint next fiscal year move seen paving way tax reform many investors believe vital keeping bull market alive continue reading stock indexes dow jones industrial average rallied 150 points 07 23313 sampp 500 gained 13 points 05 2575 nasdaq composite index rose 34 points 05 6639 three indexes hit intraday records early trading track weekly gains dow 17 week sampp 09 nasdaq 05 dow sampp 500 set close sixth straight weekly gain nasdaq track fourth straight positive week longest stretch weekly gains dow since sevenweek rally ended december longest sampp 500 since sixweek stretch ended march whats driving markets advertisement late thursday senate passed budget blueprint next fiscal year httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysenaterepublicansapprovebudgetproposalclearingpathtotaxoverhaul20171019 seen clearing hurdle trump administrations goal overhauling tax code rally stock markets since surprise election president donald trump driven part hopes republicanled congress introduce lower taxes seen stimulating growth readwhats next tax overhaul senate passed budget httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywhatsnextforataxoverhaulafterthesenatepasseditsbudget20171020 trump lauded 5149 vote twitter saying would first step toward massive tax cuts american people httpstwittercomrealdonaldtrumpstatus921242760685998080 bank stocks among beneficiaries news financial select sector spdr xlf 11 jp morgan chase amp co jpm rose 18 citigroup c 05 meanwhile politico reported thursday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytrumpreportedlyleaningtowardpowellforfedchairman20171019 trump leaning toward fed gov jerome powell replace federal reserve chairwoman janet yellen term ends february yellen fed speaker list friday scheduled talk monetary policy since financial crisis national economics association 730 pm eastern time latest economic data existing home sales rose 07 september httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryexistinghomesalesekeoutsmallgaininseptember20171020 breaking threemonth losing streak topping consensus analyst forecast strategists saying douglas coté karyn cavanaugh strategists voya investment management referred market teflon market appears immune bad news budget taking shape country step closer muchanticipated tax cuts nonstick coating likely get even thicker said move could allow republicans pass proposed tax reform later year early next year including proposed 15 trillion tax cut next step house representatives take legislation could happen next week said marshall gittler chief strategist acls global action instead gridlock possibility tax cuts likely keep us sentiment strong us stocks underpinned allow fed keep hiking rates gittler said note clients friday stocks focus shares general electric coge recovered earlier slump rise fractionally industrial conglomerate reported earnings widely missed forecasts cut outlook httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorygeearningsmissforfirsttimein212years20171020 procter amp gamble copg dropped 39 consumer products company reported quarterly profit httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryproctergamblesstockfallsafterresults20171020 rose expectations revenue came bit shy honeywell international inchon rose 12 revenue beat consensus views httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryhoneywellsharesrise13afterq3profitmatchrevenuebeat20171020 celgene corpcelg sank 10 biotech company abandoned three crohns disease drug trials paypal holdings incpypl jumped 47 online payment company late thursday reported earnings revenue beat httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorypaypalsharesriseonthirdquarterrevenuebeat20171019 skechers usa incskx soared 38 footwear retailers earnings late thursday beat analyst forecasts httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryskecherssharesrallyafterearningssalesbeat20171019 boeing coba rose 16 china southern airlines co znh agreed buy 38 aircraft us plane maker singapore airlines ltd c6lsg also expected complete order 39 boeing planes next week shares atlassian incteam jumped 24 australian cloudsoftware companys results outlook beat forecasts close readatlassian heads toward 10 billion market cap story tell httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryatlassianheadstoward10billionmarketcapwithastorytotell20171019 httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryatlassianheadstoward10billionmarketcapwithastorytotell20171019how assets trading asia markets closed mostly green httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryasiapacificstocksstartloweredgebackintopositiveterritory20171019 hong kong hang seng ending 12 higher european stocks rose slightly httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryeuropeanstocksnudgehigherasvolvorallies20171020 helped jump volvo ab volvbsk oil prices reversed earlier drop gain gold futures dropped trade around 1280 ounce httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorygolddropsto2weeklowasdollargainsstrengthontaxreformhopes20171020 ice us dollar index climbed 05 greenback rose httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydollarstormshigheronrevivedhopesfortaxcuts20171020 news budget proposal barbara kollmeyer sara sjolin contributed report end dow jones newswires october 20 2017 1449 et 1849 gmt | 566 |
<p />
<p>International Business Machines is in an unusual fix in telling big U.S. banks they can use its Watson software of Jeopardy-winning fame as a cost-saving solution: bankers say they like it, but cannot afford it.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>IBM is in a good company. Banks are in the fifth year of their belt-tightening campaigns that began in 2011, chasing billions of dollars' worth of savings, and vendors that offer everything from technology to janitorial services are getting squeezed.</p>
<p>With persistently low interest rates hurting revenue and businesses like bond trading hemmed in by new regulations, few on Wall Street expect the austerity to end any time soon.</p>
<p>For IBM the irony lies in the fact that senior bank executives say they believe its artificial intelligence software could help them achieve cost-cutting goals in coming years, but are not ready to pay for Watson today.</p>
<p>Several technology executives from large banks told Reuters that while the software may have enormous potential, they would struggle to convince top managers, laser-focused on quarterly results, to sign off on investments that do not offer an immediate payoff.</p>
<p>"It requires a lot of trust that you'll get the right outcome in a few years," said a technology executive at a large Wall Street bank.</p>
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<p>People familiar with the matter say IBM has offered presentations of its software to banks including Bank of America, Barclays and Morgan Stanley. The software, known as Watson, got attention in 2011 for winning the game show Jeopardy. IBM says it can "learn" and process human language, and can analyze large amounts of unstructured data, like social media posts and digital photos.</p>
<p>ALL-ROUNDER</p>
<p>IBM's pitch to banks is that Watson can do everything from answering customers' questions in retail branches to detecting credit card fraud to helping wealth managers make better investment recommendations for their clients.</p>
<p>Bank technology executives said the minimum cost of using software like Watson, including due diligence and training, could reach a few million dollars. It is not uncommon for a full-scale implementation to cost in the tens of millions of dollars, said the executives, who were not authorized to talk to the media.</p>
<p>An IBM spokeswoman noted companies can develop their own applications using Watson's underlying code if they do not want to pay for a full-scale implementation. The company declined to give details of the software's costs.</p>
<p>IBM does not break out revenue for Watson, but Chief Executive Virginia Rometty said in June it is "still growing" and industries, such as healthcare, have adopted the software with some success. On its website, IBM said a large health insurance provider was saving more than $11 million per year by using Watson to improve its call center.</p>
<p>Yet convincing bankers to commit to the software today is a challenge, said Ed Harbour, vice president of implementations at IBM Watson.</p>
<p>"A lot of the U.S. banks acknowledge that the technology is real and it works, but they have so many things on their plate competing for investments," he told Reuters. "They want to get an immediate return and they see that coming more from ways to take costs out, rather than growing the top line."</p>
<p>Altogether, U.S. banks spent $62 billion on technology in 2015, up 5 percent from the prior year, according to consulting firm Accenture.</p>
<p>Most of the industry's tech spending goes toward basics like computers, servers and IT staff, with just a fifth dedicated to "innovation," or to projects that can grow revenue. Out of that fifth, the majority is dedicated to regulatory compliance, consultants say.</p>
<p>Grainne McNamara, a principal with auditing and consulting firm PwC who has worked with big banks for years, said the singular focus on short-term savings could backfire in the long run.</p>
<p>"Banks need alternative revenue sources and there are tons of new avenues for investment," McNamara said. "They need to be paying attention."</p>
<p>Because of the sheer size of their operating budgets, big U.S. banks once represented a huge opportunity for vendors. However, the industry has collectively cut those budgets by more than $8 billion since 2010 when they spent $176 billion, according to Boston Consulting Group. With profits under pressure, banks are putting vendor contracts into competitive bidding, demanding more products and services to renew them or canceling them outright.</p>
<p>JPMorgan Chase, for instance, has reduced the number of vendors it uses in its retail operation by a fifth.</p>
<p>Watson also has competition. Palantir Technologies and Digital Reasoning offer rival artificial intelligence software that some banks already use for compliance tasks, such as identifying rogue traders.</p>
<p>So far, Citigroup is the only major U.S. bank to announce publicly it has entered into an "exploratory agreement" to use Watson, which it announced in 2012. Citi spokesman Kamran Mumtaz declined to provide an update on its status.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, IBM executives are trying to woo banks outside the United States. IBM told Reuters Banco Bradesco in Brazil and Mexico's Banorte have both signed on to use the software.</p>
<p>(Reporting by Olivia Oran in New York; Editing by Lauren Tara LaCapra and Tomasz Janowski)</p> | true | 0 | international business machines unusual fix telling big us banks use watson software jeopardywinning fame costsaving solution bankers say like afford continue reading ibm good company banks fifth year belttightening campaigns began 2011 chasing billions dollars worth savings vendors offer everything technology janitorial services getting squeezed persistently low interest rates hurting revenue businesses like bond trading hemmed new regulations wall street expect austerity end time soon ibm irony lies fact senior bank executives say believe artificial intelligence software could help achieve costcutting goals coming years ready pay watson today several technology executives large banks told reuters software may enormous potential would struggle convince top managers laserfocused quarterly results sign investments offer immediate payoff requires lot trust youll get right outcome years said technology executive large wall street bank advertisement people familiar matter say ibm offered presentations software banks including bank america barclays morgan stanley software known watson got attention 2011 winning game show jeopardy ibm says learn process human language analyze large amounts unstructured data like social media posts digital photos allrounder ibms pitch banks watson everything answering customers questions retail branches detecting credit card fraud helping wealth managers make better investment recommendations clients bank technology executives said minimum cost using software like watson including due diligence training could reach million dollars uncommon fullscale implementation cost tens millions dollars said executives authorized talk media ibm spokeswoman noted companies develop applications using watsons underlying code want pay fullscale implementation company declined give details softwares costs ibm break revenue watson chief executive virginia rometty said june still growing industries healthcare adopted software success website ibm said large health insurance provider saving 11 million per year using watson improve call center yet convincing bankers commit software today challenge said ed harbour vice president implementations ibm watson lot us banks acknowledge technology real works many things plate competing investments told reuters want get immediate return see coming ways take costs rather growing top line altogether us banks spent 62 billion technology 2015 5 percent prior year according consulting firm accenture industrys tech spending goes toward basics like computers servers staff fifth dedicated innovation projects grow revenue fifth majority dedicated regulatory compliance consultants say grainne mcnamara principal auditing consulting firm pwc worked big banks years said singular focus shortterm savings could backfire long run banks need alternative revenue sources tons new avenues investment mcnamara said need paying attention sheer size operating budgets big us banks represented huge opportunity vendors however industry collectively cut budgets 8 billion since 2010 spent 176 billion according boston consulting group profits pressure banks putting vendor contracts competitive bidding demanding products services renew canceling outright jpmorgan chase instance reduced number vendors uses retail operation fifth watson also competition palantir technologies digital reasoning offer rival artificial intelligence software banks already use compliance tasks identifying rogue traders far citigroup major us bank announce publicly entered exploratory agreement use watson announced 2012 citi spokesman kamran mumtaz declined provide update status meanwhile ibm executives trying woo banks outside united states ibm told reuters banco bradesco brazil mexicos banorte signed use software reporting olivia oran new york editing lauren tara lacapra tomasz janowski | 516 |
<p>Ashland is a chemicals company that also happens to own Valvoline. It's dealing with two notable issues right now -- sluggish economic growth and its own efforts to rejigger its portfolio. Continued success with the latter could lead investors to rethink how they value the company. So here are three reasons Ashland stock could rise.</p>
<p>The Valvoline spinThe biggest thing going on at Ashland right now is the attempt to spin off Valvoline, the motor oil and oil change business that accounts for roughly 40% of revenues. The thing is, Valvoline really has its own brand identity and a vastly different business model than the rest of Ashland's chemical focused businesses. So a spinoff makes sense in many ways, even though some large shareholders would rather the transaction not take place.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Ashland is two brands in one. Source: Ashland.</p>
<p>This is really very different from, and lot simpler than, what's going on at Dow Chemical and DuPont . This pair is linking up while both are struggling with the goal of cutting costs and then breaking up into as many as three companies. Investors have rewarded this pair despite the fact that the total transformation is years away and incredibly complex. Ashland's break is child's play in comparison and should be over and done with by the end of the year.</p>
<p>Indeed, if Ashland does successfully spin off Valvoline, it will allow the two entities to focus on their core operations and give investors the opportunity to value each of the parts on its own merits. Valvoline, for it's part, has been doing quite well, with Ashland CEO Bill Wulfsohn explaining during the company's fiscal first-quarter conference call that "the Valvoline team delivered record Q1 earnings." So, unlike Dow and DuPont, Ashland is set to provide an asset with real value to shareholders in short order.</p>
<p>So it's reasonable to expect that Valvoline will be greeted warmly by the market and, on balance, provide investors with a net benefit. But what about the chemicals businesses? That's going to be a harder sell right now, but there's good things going on there, too.</p>
<p>Getting tough in a tough marketTo be honest, the chemicals business will benefit most if demand and pricing in the chemicals markets it serves pick up. For example, it sells into the oil and gas drilling market, which is feeling the sting of falling commodity prices. That's a big headwind, and there's not a whole lot the company can do about the broader trends in the chemicals business. However, it is working hard to control the aspects of its business that it can control.</p>
<p>Specifically, Ashland is working to get a handle on costs and improve its business mix. On that score, the CEO noted that "while overall revenues declined the Ashland team drove a 240 basis point improvement in EBITDA margins versus prior year." Despite a difficult sales environment, Ashland has been able to aggressively control costs and improve its efficiency. That's being hidden by the broad weakness in the chemicals markets.</p>
<p>And there are some key areas to watch, like pharmaceutical, personal care products, and coatings. These are three areas on which the company is focusing and that managed to put up solid results despite the overall weakness. At some point, the company's successful navigation of the current market will start to shine through. And it probably won't require a full-on industry upturn, just some industry stabilization.</p>
<p>To be fair, a global recession would hurt Ashland. But anything from a flat market to an uptick would likely lead investors to see the solid progress the company has made.</p>
<p>But maybe soonerThere's a wild card here, however. That's because part of Ashland shifting its business around has involved divestitures. Those asset sales helped to depress the top line at a bad time for the broader industry, making Ashland's performance look worse than it really has been of late. For example, when it sold its water technologies business it lost roughly $1.7 billion in annual revenues.</p>
<p>A lot of hard work has remade Ashland's business. Source: Ashland.</p>
<p>The timing of this is important. However, since the sale was completed in August, that means those revenues are still in the year-over-year sales comparisons. That's going to change later this year, and Ashland's top-line results will start to look a lot better relative to previous periods. Investors are likely to react well to stronger year-over-year comparisons even if the broader chemicals space is still struggling.</p>
<p>Down for a reasonAshland's shares have fallen more than 25% over the past year. There are some good reasons for that, but it doesn't mean that Ashland isn't performing well operationally. Yes, a broad industry upturn will do far more for the company's results and investor perception than any other factor. But there are at least three reasons to think Ashland's stock could rise before that.</p>
<p>The big ones are the company's efforts to create value for shareholders via a successful spinoff of Valvoline, the continuation of solid operational improvements despite the difficult market, and a new revenue baseline without the headwind of divestitures. So if you're watching Ashland, pay attention to this trio, they could lead to higher pricing. And that uptick could happen before the broader chemicals industry starts to strengthen since so much of what Ashland is doing is structural in nature.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/02/24/3-reasons-ashland-inc-stock-could-rise.aspx" type="external">3 Reasons Ashland Inc. Stock Could Rise Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/ReubenGBrewer/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Reuben Brewer Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p> | true | 0 | ashland chemicals company also happens valvoline dealing two notable issues right sluggish economic growth efforts rejigger portfolio continued success latter could lead investors rethink value company three reasons ashland stock could rise valvoline spinthe biggest thing going ashland right attempt spin valvoline motor oil oil change business accounts roughly 40 revenues thing valvoline really brand identity vastly different business model rest ashlands chemical focused businesses spinoff makes sense many ways even though large shareholders would rather transaction take place continue reading ashland two brands one source ashland really different lot simpler whats going dow chemical dupont pair linking struggling goal cutting costs breaking many three companies investors rewarded pair despite fact total transformation years away incredibly complex ashlands break childs play comparison done end year indeed ashland successfully spin valvoline allow two entities focus core operations give investors opportunity value parts merits valvoline part quite well ashland ceo bill wulfsohn explaining companys fiscal firstquarter conference call valvoline team delivered record q1 earnings unlike dow dupont ashland set provide asset real value shareholders short order reasonable expect valvoline greeted warmly market balance provide investors net benefit chemicals businesses thats going harder sell right theres good things going getting tough tough marketto honest chemicals business benefit demand pricing chemicals markets serves pick example sells oil gas drilling market feeling sting falling commodity prices thats big headwind theres whole lot company broader trends chemicals business however working hard control aspects business control specifically ashland working get handle costs improve business mix score ceo noted overall revenues declined ashland team drove 240 basis point improvement ebitda margins versus prior year despite difficult sales environment ashland able aggressively control costs improve efficiency thats hidden broad weakness chemicals markets key areas watch like pharmaceutical personal care products coatings three areas company focusing managed put solid results despite overall weakness point companys successful navigation current market start shine probably wont require fullon industry upturn industry stabilization fair global recession would hurt ashland anything flat market uptick would likely lead investors see solid progress company made maybe soonertheres wild card however thats part ashland shifting business around involved divestitures asset sales helped depress top line bad time broader industry making ashlands performance look worse really late example sold water technologies business lost roughly 17 billion annual revenues lot hard work remade ashlands business source ashland timing important however since sale completed august means revenues still yearoveryear sales comparisons thats going change later year ashlands topline results start look lot better relative previous periods investors likely react well stronger yearoveryear comparisons even broader chemicals space still struggling reasonashlands shares fallen 25 past year good reasons doesnt mean ashland isnt performing well operationally yes broad industry upturn far companys results investor perception factor least three reasons think ashlands stock could rise big ones companys efforts create value shareholders via successful spinoff valvoline continuation solid operational improvements despite difficult market new revenue baseline without headwind divestitures youre watching ashland pay attention trio could lead higher pricing uptick could happen broader chemicals industry starts strengthen since much ashland structural nature article 3 reasons ashland inc stock could rise opens new window originally appeared foolcom reuben brewer opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned try foolish newsletter services free 30 days opens new window fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights opens new window makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy opens new window copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy opens new window advertisement | 584 |
<p>You've Missed The Rapture Of The Church, Now What? Millions Missing, Here's What You Need To Do Next</p>
<p>"And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe." <a href="javascript;;" type="external">John 14: 29</a> Well, we told you it was coming. Perhaps you were a casual reader of this site, but never got really involved, "too many religious nuts" you said. Maybe you had a family member who would plead with you night after night to "get right" with Jesus before His return. "Nah, never happen", you said, "people been saying that for ever. Nonsense!". But, it wasn't nonsense, was it? Turns out the religious nuts were right after all. The Rapture of the Church actually happened. Now we are gone, and you remain. Left behind. I can only imagine the shock - terror - panic - and questions that must be running through your head right now. My heart breaks for you, and that's why I made this page, to get you through what the Bible calls the time of Jacob's Trouble, the Great Tribulation, and it's moments away from starting. Are YOU ready? Let's begin at the beginning... <a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Here's what just happened. It was the hope of every Jesus-follower, prior to the Rapture, that one day He would return and "catch away" those who loved and believed in Him. Why did we think this was going to occur? Because the Bible said so, listen - "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" <a href="javascript:;" type="external">1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18</a> And that's exactly what just happened, and where we have now gone. Oh, knowing the media as I do, I am sure that there are many attempts to explain it - UFO's, alien abductions, a harmonic convergence, a government program, FEMA camps, cosmic shift, worm holes, and the list goes on and on. But none of those explainations really satisfy you, do they? I mean, it's hundreds upon hundreds of millions of people, right? Could any one government, no matter how corrupt, really process that many people in the "blink of an eye". No, they could not. You know better than that.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /> In the Book of the Revelation, what happened to John in chapter 4, verses 1 &amp; 2, is what has now happened to all of us who are gone. "After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Rev 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Revelation 4</a> Wild, isn't it? We all heard the "sound of a trumpet", and were pulled up in to the clouds to be with the Lord Jesus, Yeshua Ha'Maschiac Himself. Look at the photo above, and reread 1 Thessalonians 4 again to yourself. That is what has happen, and that is where we are. With Jesus. Take a little moment and let that really, truly, actually, wonderfully sink into your mind. What God has declared will be so, will be so.</p>
<p>Why you and not me?? Now I know your next question, and you are wondering why, why...why that you got left behind and others did not. "It's not fair!", you exclaim. Maybe you were a church goer, maybe you are a "good, moral person" who likes to do good deeds. Maybe you were a Deacon in your church. All these things are good, but unfortunately, not nearly good enough. This is how God sees you, me, all of us humans here on this earth - "All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Isaiah 53: 6</a> The Bible says that man, of and by himself, can never be and will never be "good enough" to get into the Father's presence in Heaven. We have all sinned against a just and holy, sinless God. So why, you ask again, if it's true that all of us are in this condition, did we go up and you stay behind? We are gone now because we put our trust and faith in the the One, the only One who has the true power to forgive sin, and that is Yeshua Ha'Maschiach - Jesus the Messiah - who shed His blood once and for all for the forgiveness of sins. What can wash away your sin? Nothing, nothing , nothing but the blood of Jesus. <a href="" type="internal" /> The road to Heaven starts at the old, rugged, bloody cross..."And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: Jhn 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Romans 5: 8-10</a> And that's why we are gone and you remain. We were not better than you in any way. You and I had equal sin that needed cleansing and forgiving. But the difference is that we repented, turned from our sins, and turned to the living Lord whose death and resurrection from the dead paid the sin debt we owed. You were left behind because your debt is still unpaid, but there is good news yet for you. Right now, right in front of the computer screen you are reading this on, you can have the debt for all your sins paid in full. Ready?</p>
<p>You Can Be Saved--Right Now. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Romans 10: 9-10</a> Pray and ask the Lord, "Lord Jesus, be merciful to me a sinner, and save me. I now, with a repentant heart, receive you as my personal Saviour". "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Romans 10:13</a> If you meant it, if you were sincere, if you now know your desperate need for a Saviour and have called upon Him to pay your sin debt, according to the Scripture, then the Bible declares that your sin debt is now paid in full. Just remember that repentence is always the starting poiint. If you were doing things and living in a way that the Bible forbids, turn from those sins and be cleansed in His shed blood.</p>
<p>Word Of Warning: There is a verse that says because people rejected the truth of the gospel when it was offered them, that God would "send them a strong delusion" that they might "believe a lie."</p>
<p>"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.&#160;And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Th&amp;c=2&amp;t=KJV" type="external">2 Thessalonians 2:10-12</a></p>
<p>Since we are no longer here, we have no idea how to adivse you other than to say this. God is very merciful to all those who call upon Him. David in <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&amp;c=51&amp;t=KJV" type="external">Psalm 51 recieved forgiveness</a> when he did not deserve it because he threw himself on God's mercy.</p>
<p>We would advise you to do the same thing. <a href="../freeGIFT.htm" type="external">Click here to read more</a> on having your sins paid for in full by the shed blood of Jesus the Messiah Now you know what has happend to us, here is what you can expect to happen on earth during the next 7 years...and it's not going to be pretty, so be prepared. But if you just received payment for your sins, you can take comfort that no matter how bad things get, your eternal destiny is now secure.</p>
<p>The Judgements of God are about to be poured out on all the earth Now read this exerpt by Dr. David Reagan on what you can expect to happen during your time left on earth for the rest of the 7 year Tribulation. "Amid all the chaos from the Rapture, the Bible teaches that the world will turn to a dynamic leader to bring order and peace ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%206.1-2" type="external">Revelation 6:1-2</a>). He will succeed where no other person has been able in establishing a peace treaty for Israel ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Daniel%209.27" type="external">Daniel 9:27</a>). That treaty marks the official beginning of the 7 years that the Tribulation will last.</p>
<p>But, the world leader, known to believers in Jesus as the Antichrist, is anything but peaceful. He will plunge the planet into nuclear world war, resulting in terrible famines, pestilence and mass death. Violence, disease and starvation will be a way of life. A quarter of the world population - almost 2 billion people - will die from this war (Revelation 6).</p>
<p>In Jerusalem, two men will appear and preach there for 3 1/2 years that Jesus is the Messiah the Jews have been looking for ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%2011.3" type="external">Revelation 11:3</a>). 144,000 Jews will call Jesus their Messiah and also preach about Him throughout the whole world. Millions will accept Jesus as their Savior - hopefully you will be one of them. But, many of those millions of believers will be killed by the Antichrist for not pledging their loyalty to him by receiving his mark on either their right hand or forehead. The persecution of believers in Jesus will be awful in the Tribulation ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Daniel%207.22" type="external">Daniel 7:22</a>; Revelation 7). <a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>Next, the greatest earthquake the world has yet experienced will devastate the planet ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%206.12-14" type="external">Revelation 6:12-14</a>). Something falling from space will then burn up a third of all the world's vegetation. A second item from space, probably a meteor, will crash into the ocean and annihilate a third of the world's marine life and ships. A third object from space will taint the world's water supply, poisoning millions ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%208.7-11" type="external">Revelation 8:7-11</a>).</p>
<p>The devastation to the atmosphere will block out most of the sun and moonlight so that the days appear shorter ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%208.12" type="external">Revelation 8:12</a>).</p>
<p>Next, some supernatural "woes" will befall mankind. First, the holding place for a demonic hoard is opened and millions of locust-looking demons pour out and sting people like scorpions. The pain will last 5 whole months. Second, 200 million riders on horse-creatures will burn and impale, wiping out a remaining third of the people ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%209.1-19" type="external">Revelation 9:1-19</a>).</p>
<p>Three and a half years into the Tribulation will see the 2 men witnessing in Jerusalem killed, but 3 1/2 days later come back to life ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%2011.7-12" type="external">Revelation 11:7-12</a>). It will also see the Antichrist supposedly killed and appear to come back to life as well ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%2013.3" type="external">Revelation 13:3</a>).</p>
<p>And that's just the first half of the Tribulation. As bad as the first half of the seven years is, the next half is even worse (Revelation 16).</p>
<p>Those who take the Antichrist's loyalty mark on their hand or forehead will suffer from painful boils. Those who don't take the mark will be cut off from commerce and hunted down, but the Bible assures ( <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/kjv/Revelation%2020.4-6" type="external">Revelation 20:4-6</a>) that those who take the mark have made a decision that will last forever - eternal damnation - so don't take it!</p>
<p>The oceans and everything in them are totally destroyed, as well as all the fresh water. The heat from the sun will become scorching. The Antichrist's kingdom will fall into pitch darkness." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">source - Dr. David Reagan</a></p>
<p>What now? Study the Bible every day, many times per day. PRAY to God, who gives wisdom liberally. Share the Gospel with as many as you can. Make sure no one you know, saved or unsaved, takes the Mark of the Beast. They will be doomed forever to Hell if they do. We are watching you from the balcony now, and just know that we are praying for you always during the time of the Great Tribulation. This verse speaks of us, the redeemed in Heaven, cheering you on during this time. May the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you all the Home. We will be waiting for you to arrive. In Jesus precious Name, amen...and amen.</p>
<p>"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hbr 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." <a href="javascript:;" type="external">Hebrews 12: 1,2</a></p>
<p>Eternity</p>
<p>"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 It's a gift...it's free...take it and live! Come Home soon...we're waiting for you upstairs.</p> Well, we told you it was coming Here's what just happened. You Can Be Saved--Right Now. Pray and ask the Lord Living for the Lord, Dying for the Truth Do NOT take the Mark of the Beast The Judgements of God are about to be poured out on all the earth What now? | true | 0 | youve missed rapture church millions missing heres need next told come pass come pass ye might believe john 14 29 well told coming perhaps casual reader site never got really involved many religious nuts said maybe family member would plead night night get right jesus return nah never happen said people saying ever nonsense wasnt nonsense turns religious nuts right rapture church actually happened gone remain left behind imagine shock terror panic questions must running head right heart breaks thats made page get bible calls time jacobs trouble great tribulation moments away starting ready lets begin beginning heres happened hope every jesusfollower prior rapture one day would return catch away loved believed think going occur bible said listen lord shall descend heaven shout voice archangel trump god dead christ shall rise first alive remain shall caught together clouds meet lord air shall ever lord wherefore comfort one another words 1 thessalonians 4 1618 thats exactly happened gone oh knowing media sure many attempts explain ufos alien abductions harmonic convergence government program fema camps cosmic shift worm holes list goes none explainations really satisfy mean hundreds upon hundreds millions people right could one government matter corrupt really process many people blink eye could know better book revelation happened john chapter 4 verses 1 amp 2 happened us gone looked behold door opened heaven first voice heard trumpet talking said come hither shew thee things must hereafter rev 42 immediately spirit behold throne set heaven one sat throne revelation 4 wild isnt heard sound trumpet pulled clouds lord jesus yeshua hamaschiac look photo reread 1 thessalonians 4 happen jesus take little moment let really truly actually wonderfully sink mind god declared know next question wondering whywhy got left behind others fair exclaim maybe church goer maybe good moral person likes good deeds maybe deacon church things good unfortunately nearly good enough god sees us humans earth like sheep gone astray turned every one way lord laid iniquity us isaiah 53 6 bible says man never never good enough get fathers presence heaven sinned holy sinless god ask true us condition go stay behind gone put trust faith one one true power forgive sin yeshua hamaschiach jesus messiah shed blood forgiveness sins wash away sin nothing nothing nothing blood jesus road heaven starts old rugged bloody crossand moses lifted serpent wilderness even must son man lifted jhn 315 whosoever believeth perish eternal life god demonstrates love toward us still sinners christ died us much justified blood shall saved wrath enemies reconciled god death son much reconciled shall saved life romans 5 810 thats gone remain better way equal sin needed cleansing forgiving difference repented turned sins turned living lord whose death resurrection dead paid sin debt owed left behind debt still unpaid good news yet right right front computer screen reading debt sins paid full ready savedright thou shalt confess thy mouth lord jesus shalt believe thine heart god hath raised dead thou shalt saved heart man believeth unto righteousness mouth confession made unto salvation romans 10 910 pray ask lord lord jesus merciful sinner save repentant heart receive personal saviour whosoever shall call upon name lord shall saved romans 1013 meant sincere know desperate need saviour called upon pay sin debt according scripture bible declares sin debt paid full remember repentence always starting poiint things living way bible forbids turn sins cleansed shed blood word warning verse says people rejected truth gospel offered god would send strong delusion might believe lie deceivableness unrighteousness perish received love truth might saved160and cause god shall send strong delusion believe lie might damned believed truth pleasure unrighteousness 2 thessalonians 21012 since longer idea adivse say god merciful call upon david psalm 51 recieved forgiveness deserve threw gods mercy would advise thing click read sins paid full shed blood jesus messiah know happend us expect happen earth next 7 yearsand going pretty prepared received payment sins take comfort matter bad things get eternal destiny secure judgements god poured earth read exerpt dr david reagan expect happen time left earth rest 7 year tribulation amid chaos rapture bible teaches world turn dynamic leader bring order peace revelation 612 succeed person able establishing peace treaty israel daniel 927 treaty marks official beginning 7 years tribulation last world leader known believers jesus antichrist anything peaceful plunge planet nuclear world war resulting terrible famines pestilence mass death violence disease starvation way life quarter world population almost 2 billion people die war revelation 6 jerusalem two men appear preach 3 12 years jesus messiah jews looking revelation 113 144000 jews call jesus messiah also preach throughout whole world millions accept jesus savior hopefully one many millions believers killed antichrist pledging loyalty receiving mark either right hand forehead persecution believers jesus awful tribulation daniel 722 revelation 7 next greatest earthquake world yet experienced devastate planet revelation 61214 something falling space burn third worlds vegetation second item space probably meteor crash ocean annihilate third worlds marine life ships third object space taint worlds water supply poisoning millions revelation 8711 devastation atmosphere block sun moonlight days appear shorter revelation 812 next supernatural woes befall mankind first holding place demonic hoard opened millions locustlooking demons pour sting people like scorpions pain last 5 whole months second 200 million riders horsecreatures burn impale wiping remaining third people revelation 9119 three half years tribulation see 2 men witnessing jerusalem killed 3 12 days later come back life revelation 11712 also see antichrist supposedly killed appear come back life well revelation 133 thats first half tribulation bad first half seven years next half even worse revelation 16 take antichrists loyalty mark hand forehead suffer painful boils dont take mark cut commerce hunted bible assures revelation 2046 take mark made decision last forever eternal damnation dont take oceans everything totally destroyed well fresh water heat sun become scorching antichrists kingdom fall pitch darkness source dr david reagan study bible every day many times per day pray god gives wisdom liberally share gospel many make sure one know saved unsaved takes mark beast doomed forever hell watching balcony know praying always time great tribulation verse speaks us redeemed heaven cheering time may holy spirit lead guide home waiting arrive jesus precious name amenand amen wherefore seeing also compassed great cloud witnesses let us lay aside every weight sin doth easily beset us let us run patience race set us hbr 122 looking unto jesus author finisher faith joy set endured cross despising shame set right hand throne god hebrews 12 12 eternity god loved world gave begotten son whosoever believeth perish everlasting life john 316 giftits freetake live come home soonwere waiting upstairs well told coming heres happened savedright pray ask lord living lord dying truth take mark beast judgements god poured earth | 1,122 |
<p>Dollar flat as investors await Federal Reserve call</p>
<p>U.S. stock benchmarks switched between small gains and losses Wednesday morning as investors traded skittishly ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary-policy update.</p>
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<p>Although Wall Street isn't expecting any change to rates, investors will be looking for clarity on the Fed's projection for futures rates and what's expected to be the launch of its $4.5 trillion asset-portfolio unwind.</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average was little changed, up 19 points, or less than 0.1%, at 22,389, with shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL), weighing on the benchmark after it reportedly admitted (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-admits-issues-with-apple-watch-connectivity-stock-falls-2017-09-20) there are issues with connectivity of its new Apple Watch Series 3. Shares of Boeing Co. (BA) and McDonald's Corp. (MCD) were helping offset some of that decline to a fresh intraday record at 22,399.33.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P 500 index was up about a point at 2,508, after briefly touching its own fresh intraday day record at 2,508.85. Gains in financials, up 0.5% and telecommunication, 0.6% higher, helped lift the broad-market gauge, while technology, off 0.9% and consumer staples, down 0.2%, were the only sectors firmly trading in the red.</p>
<p>The Nasdaq Composite Index , meanwhile, was 9 points, or 0.%, lower at 6,453, pressured, in part, by Apple's slide.</p>
<p>The mostly subdued trading environment, marked by low trading volumes, comes after all three main benchmark posted small gains and ended at all-time highs on Tuesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stocks-aim-for-fresh-records-as-fed-meeting-steals-focus-2017-09-19). The Dow average climbed 0.2%, while the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Index both ended 0.1% higher.</p>
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<p>"Financial markets are consolidating this morning, with all eyes on the Fed as the [Federal Open Market Committee] conclude their two-day meeting with the announcement of monetary policy," said Richard Perry, market analyst at Hantec Markets, said in a note.</p>
<p>The wait for Fed news also comes as investors gear up for third-quarter results at the end of the month, which could provide further direction for markets.</p>
<p>"To me, the muted markets of the last few days are mainly a result of a lack of new market moving news. We're in between [third-quarter] earnings seasons so corporate news flow is light," said Colin Cieszynski, chief market strategist at CMC Markets.</p>
<p>Read:Why stock market investors shouldn't sweat a shrinking Fed balance sheet (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-stock-market-investors-shouldnt-sweat-a-shrinking-fed-balance-sheet-2017-09-19)</p>
<p>The announcement is due at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, followed by a news conference with Chairwoman Janet Yellen at 2:30 p.m. Eastern.</p>
<p>Any announcement about reducing the Fed's balance-sheet normalization should have only a relatively muted impact on markets, given that the market largely expects it, said analysts at Rabobank in a note.</p>
<p>Some industry participants, however, have been describing the asset reduction as the "great unwind (https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fed-a-decade-after-the-crisis-is-about-to-embark-on-the-great-unwinding-1505746843)" and worrying that it might roil markets. "It is the start of something unknown, it is going to start jitters. It is going to make us tremble," said John Manley, chief equity strategist at Wells Fargo Funds Management.</p>
<p>However, the Fed is aiming to offer as little disruption as possible, he noted.</p>
<p>"I expect Janet Yellen to have as little impact on sentiment as she can," " think what she's going to give us a sense of is that she's very much aware of the risks involved," Manley said.</p>
<p>Several central-bank officials already wanted to start winding down the Fed's portfolio of government securities in July, but the majority wanted to hold until a later date. Traders now expect the FOMC on Wednesday to reveal details on a balance-sheet reduction (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/feds-balance-sheet-unwind-will-be-moment-of-truth-for-financial-markets-2017-09-18) that could start as early as October.</p>
<p>The dollar traded slightly lower against most other currencies ahead of the announcement. The ICE Dollar Index was flat at 91.753, trying to snap a two-day skid.</p>
<p>In other economic news on Wednesday, a reading on existing-home sales for August showed that sales dropped for the fourth time in five months as real-estate agents continue to blame a lack of available homes to buy. The National Association of Realtors said existing home sales fell (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/existing-home-sales-fall-in-august-for-the-fourth-time-in-five-months-2017-09-20)1.7% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.35 million.</p>
<p>See:MarketWatch's economic calendar (http://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendars/economic).</p>
<p>Stock movers: Shares of General Mills Inc.(GIS) slid 5% after the food company, which brands include Cheerios, Haagen-Dazs and Betty Crocker, missed profit and sales expectations (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/general-mills-stock-tumbles-after-profit-and-sales-miss-2017-09-20).</p>
<p>Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALNY) soared 40% after positive results in a late-stage trial (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sanofi-alnylam-report-positive-results-from-late-stage-trial-of-hattr-amyloidosis-treatment-2017-09-20).</p>
<p>Shares of American Outdoor Brands Corp.(AOBC) declined 3.6%, despite reports late Tuesday that President Donald Trump will ease rules on gun exports.</p>
<p>Bed Bath &amp; Beyond Inc.(BBBY) slumped more than 14% ahead of the bell after the retailer late on Tuesday released earnings that widely missed forecasts (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bed-bath-beyond-earnings-miss-widely-stock-halted-2017-09-19).</p>
<p>FedEx Corp.(FDX) added 2.2% after the logistics company late Tuesday reported earnings below forecasts (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fedex-shares-down-after-earnings-company-pins-miss-on-cyberattack-hurricane-harvey-2017-09-19), saying the quarter offered "significantly operational challenges" due to a cyberattack and Hurricane Harvey.</p>
<p>Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) slipped less than 0.8%, even as the software major late Tuesday increased its dividend to 42 cents a share (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-hikes-quarterly-dividend-announces-changes-to-board-of-directors-2017-09-19).</p>
<p>Other markets: Stocks in Europe were mostly higher, although the U.K.'s FTSE 100 index (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ftse-100-edges-up-as-fed-decision-takes-center-stage-2017-09-20)underperformed due to a rise in the pound. Sterling strengthened after U.K. retail sales for August showed a bigger rise than expected (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/uk-retail-sales-rise-faster-than-expected-2017-09-20).</p>
<p>Asian stocks closed mixed (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/asian-markets-press-pause-ahead-of-fed-announcement-2017-09-19) as traders there remained cautious ahead of the Fed call.</p>
<p>Crude-oil prices rose firmly (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/crude-prices-rise-on-signs-of-drop-in-global-inventories-2017-09-20) to $50.81 a barrel, while metals gained across the board, with gold futures trading at around $1,316 an ounce, heading for the first gain in the past four session (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-prices-pause-losing-skid-as-fed-signals-awaited-2017-09-20)s.</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>September 20, 2017 12:30 ET (16:30 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | dollar flat investors await federal reserve call us stock benchmarks switched small gains losses wednesday morning investors traded skittishly ahead federal reserves monetarypolicy update continue reading although wall street isnt expecting change rates investors looking clarity feds projection futures rates whats expected launch 45 trillion assetportfolio unwind dow jones industrial average little changed 19 points less 01 22389 shares apple inc aapl weighing benchmark reportedly admitted httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryappleadmitsissueswithapplewatchconnectivitystockfalls20170920 issues connectivity new apple watch series 3 shares boeing co ba mcdonalds corp mcd helping offset decline fresh intraday record 2239933 sampp 500 index point 2508 briefly touching fresh intraday day record 250885 gains financials 05 telecommunication 06 higher helped lift broadmarket gauge technology 09 consumer staples 02 sectors firmly trading red nasdaq composite index meanwhile 9 points 0 lower 6453 pressured part apples slide mostly subdued trading environment marked low trading volumes comes three main benchmark posted small gains ended alltime highs tuesday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryusstocksaimforfreshrecordsasfedmeetingstealsfocus20170919 dow average climbed 02 sampp 500 nasdaq composite index ended 01 higher advertisement financial markets consolidating morning eyes fed federal open market committee conclude twoday meeting announcement monetary policy said richard perry market analyst hantec markets said note wait fed news also comes investors gear thirdquarter results end month could provide direction markets muted markets last days mainly result lack new market moving news thirdquarter earnings seasons corporate news flow light said colin cieszynski chief market strategist cmc markets readwhy stock market investors shouldnt sweat shrinking fed balance sheet httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywhystockmarketinvestorsshouldntsweatashrinkingfedbalancesheet20170919 announcement due 2 pm eastern time followed news conference chairwoman janet yellen 230 pm eastern announcement reducing feds balancesheet normalization relatively muted impact markets given market largely expects said analysts rabobank note industry participants however describing asset reduction great unwind httpswwwwsjcomarticlesthefedadecadeafterthecrisisisabouttoembarkonthegreatunwinding1505746843 worrying might roil markets start something unknown going start jitters going make us tremble said john manley chief equity strategist wells fargo funds management however fed aiming offer little disruption possible noted expect janet yellen little impact sentiment think shes going give us sense shes much aware risks involved manley said several centralbank officials already wanted start winding feds portfolio government securities july majority wanted hold later date traders expect fomc wednesday reveal details balancesheet reduction httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryfedsbalancesheetunwindwillbemomentoftruthforfinancialmarkets20170918 could start early october dollar traded slightly lower currencies ahead announcement ice dollar index flat 91753 trying snap twoday skid economic news wednesday reading existinghome sales august showed sales dropped fourth time five months realestate agents continue blame lack available homes buy national association realtors said existing home sales fell httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryexistinghomesalesfallinaugustforthefourthtimeinfivemonths2017092017 seasonally adjusted rate 535 million seemarketwatchs economic calendar httpwwwmarketwatchcomeconomypoliticscalendarseconomic stock movers shares general mills incgis slid 5 food company brands include cheerios haagendazs betty crocker missed profit sales expectations httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorygeneralmillsstocktumblesafterprofitandsalesmiss20170920 alnylam pharmaceuticals inc alny soared 40 positive results latestage trial httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysanofialnylamreportpositiveresultsfromlatestagetrialofhattramyloidosistreatment20170920 shares american outdoor brands corpaobc declined 36 despite reports late tuesday president donald trump ease rules gun exports bed bath amp beyond incbbby slumped 14 ahead bell retailer late tuesday released earnings widely missed forecasts httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybedbathbeyondearningsmisswidelystockhalted20170919 fedex corpfdx added 22 logistics company late tuesday reported earnings forecasts httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryfedexsharesdownafterearningscompanypinsmissoncyberattackhurricaneharvey20170919 saying quarter offered significantly operational challenges due cyberattack hurricane harvey microsoft corp msft slipped less 08 even software major late tuesday increased dividend 42 cents share httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorymicrosofthikesquarterlydividendannounceschangestoboardofdirectors20170919 markets stocks europe mostly higher although uks ftse 100 index httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryftse100edgesupasfeddecisiontakescenterstage20170920underperformed due rise pound sterling strengthened uk retail sales august showed bigger rise expected httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryukretailsalesrisefasterthanexpected20170920 asian stocks closed mixed httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryasianmarketspresspauseaheadoffedannouncement20170919 traders remained cautious ahead fed call crudeoil prices rose firmly httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorycrudepricesriseonsignsofdropinglobalinventories20170920 5081 barrel metals gained across board gold futures trading around 1316 ounce heading first gain past four session httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorygoldpricespauselosingskidasfedsignalsawaited20170920s end dow jones newswires september 20 2017 1230 et 1630 gmt | 598 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>It's that time of the quarter again, folks: the filing of 13Fs with the Securities and Exchange Commission by institutional money managers with more than $100 million under management.</p>
<p>The release of 13Fs is highly anticipated because it gives Wall Street and Joe and Jane Investor an inside look at what some of the most successful billionaire money managers have been up to over the past quarter -- albeit, it's important that investors understand the data released is backwards-looking by a minimum of 45 days. Nonetheless, analyzing what the greatest investment minds are up to can lead us to identify possible trends, or stocks worth keeping our eyes on. Let's see what they were up to in the healthcare sector.</p>
<p>One trend that really stood out during the third quarter was that most big drugmakers had their positions cut by billionaire money managers. There were a few exceptions, with Merck (NYSE: MRK), for example, finding some buyers.</p>
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<p>Merck makes cancer immunotherapy drug Keytruda, which looks the drug of choice in first-line advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after Bristol-Myers Squibb'scancer immunotherapy Opdivo failed in first-line NSCLC. The resulting market-share swing could lead to improved profitability for Merck, and billionaire investors have recognized it.</p>
<p>Three other big drugmakers weren't as lucky.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Among big drug stocks, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE: TEVA) was quite a popular sell candidate. Five major hedge funds -- Glenview Capital Management, Highfields Capital Management, Paulson &amp; Co., Pointstate Capital, and Viking Global Management -- all cut their stakes in Teva during the third quarter.</p>
<p>My suspicion is that two factors persuaded these billionaire money managers to head to the sidelines. First, most Americans fully expected Hillary Clinton to win the presidency. Clinton was expected to introduce considerably harsher legislation on drug pricing, which could have reduced their pricing power. While Teva is the largest generic-drug manufacturer, and it would presumably have benefited from a push to generic medicines, it also makes a considerable amount of money from its branded-drug businesses, which would have been hurt by Clinton's proposals.</p>
<p>There's also concern that Teva could struggle to integrate its $40.5 billion cash-and-stock deal that saw it acquire Actavis from Allergan (NYSE: AGN). The deal makes Teva the undisputed largest generic drugmaker, but it took longer than expected to close and required Teva to sell off assets to appease regulators.</p>
<p>More recently, generic-drug producers, as a whole, were hit with a criminal investigation into possible price collusion. Charges against Teva and other generic drugmakers could be coming before the end of the year, further clouding their near-term outlooks.</p>
<p>Despite this laundry list of concerns, Teva is actually a company I added to my personal portfolio recently. Fundamentally, there's a lot to like, with the company valued at less than seven times next year's EPS and sporting a 2.8% yield. But it's really the synergies with Actavis that could lead to Teva's future growth. Purchasing Actavis should give Teva greater pricing power, and the cost synergies may allow for higher margins from its generic-drug segment.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Copaxone sales haven't tailed off as many pundits expected. Teva was able to use the courts to keep generic participants on the sidelines long enough to bring a new and more convenient formulation of its multiple sclerosis drug to market. This new formulation allows it to shuffle existing customers over to its extended-release formulation without losing much in the way of sales.</p>
<p>In spite of billionaires being pessimistic, I expect good things for Teva over the long run.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Another large-cap drugmaker that found itself on the billionaire chopping block in the third quarter was Allergan. A whopping 10 of 38 hedge funds we considered either parted ways with Allergan (Maverick Capital, Poinstate Capital, and Viking Global Management) or reduced their position (Adage Capital, Bluemountain Capital, Icahn Associates, Omega Advisors, Passport Capital, Paulson &amp; Co., and Third Point).</p>
<p>As noted in the previous section of this article, part of this selling could be a result of the uncertainties surrounding the acquisition of Actavis by Teva. Allergan entered 2016 with more than $42 billion in debt, mostly as a result of its M&amp;A-based growth strategy from the past couple of years. However, this debt was highly constrictive to its financial flexibility, meaning Allergan's management team sort of had its hands tied until the Actavis sale was completed. Since it took longer than expected, some money managers could have taken it as a cue to reduce their ownership or head for the exit.</p>
<p>Additionally, as we saw with Teva, money managers expected Clinton, not Trump, to win the presidency, and they were likely pricing in the potential for prescription-drug reform.</p>
<p>Were these billionaires right to sell Allergan? Part of me wants to say yes, considering that its established-brands business is weighing on its top line, and Alzheimer's disease drug Namenda XR had sales fall by a third from the prior-year quarter after formulary changes. Weaker all-around growth has translated into Allergan missing Wall Street's consensus EPS in two of the past three quarters.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Allergan's eye-care products, medical aesthetics, and Botox therapeutics seem to be unstoppable beasts. Allergan possesses strong pricing power on these products, resulting in segment margin of 55.4% in Q3. Allergan is also expected to generate north of $21 in EPS by fiscal 2019. If investors can weather the expected turbulence, then Allergan could present as an intriguing value stock.</p>
<p>Image source: Johnson &amp; Johnson.</p>
<p>Not even healthcare conglomerate Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) was immune from the selling during the third quarter. Bridgewater Associates reduced its position in Johnson &amp; Johnson, whereas Perry Corp. eliminated its position entirely.</p>
<p>The likely downside catalyst for J&amp;J, as it was for Teva and Allergan, was the potential for prescription-drug reform with a Clinton presidency. Of the three companies mentioned here, Johnson &amp; Johnson would likely have been the most at risk, considering its focus on specialty therapeutics, such as oncology and hepatitis C, which can carry five- and six-digit annual price tags.</p>
<p>However, the election of Donald Trump pretty much threw money managers' concerns right out the window. This isn't to say, though, that Trump will overlook the high cost of prescription drugs. In fact, during his campaign, Trump agreed with Clinton that something needed to be done to make prescription drugs more affordable. Trump's proposal, which was part of his seven-point healthcare reform, involves allowing Americans to purchase prescription drugs from overseas markets, such as Canada. Of course, making this work would involve major reforms at the Food and Drug Administration, which seem unlikely.</p>
<p>Money managers also appear to be overlooking J&amp;J's well-diversified business model and strong pharmaceutical growth. Johnson &amp; Johnson's three operating segments -- consumer health, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals -- are primarily inelastic because people can't choose when they get sick or what ailment they develop. This means J&amp;J's business remains strong regardless of how well or poorly the U.S. economy is doing.</p>
<p>Johnson &amp; Johnson may not be a screaming buy for value investors, but it's the slow-and-steady healthcare giant that can win the race for patient investors.</p>
<p>Forget the 2016 Election: 10 stocks we like better than Johnson and Johnson Donald Trump was just elected president, and volatility is up. But here's why you should ignore the election:</p>
<p>Investing geniuses Tom and David Gardner have spent a long time beating the market no matter who's in the White House. In fact, 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%2Fecap-foolcom-bbn-election%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0000468%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6454%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=167dae55-7c7e-4577-9e9d-d30e96623c51&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 Johnson and Johnson 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%2Fecap-foolcom-bbn-election%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0000468%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6454%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=167dae55-7c7e-4577-9e9d-d30e96623c51&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/TMFUltraLong/info.aspx" type="external">Sean Williams Opens a New Window.</a>owns shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, but has no material interest in any other 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 recommends Johnson and Johnson and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. 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 time quarter folks filing 13fs securities exchange commission institutional money managers 100 million management release 13fs highly anticipated gives wall street joe jane investor inside look successful billionaire money managers past quarter albeit important investors understand data released backwardslooking minimum 45 days nonetheless analyzing greatest investment minds lead us identify possible trends stocks worth keeping eyes lets see healthcare sector one trend really stood third quarter big drugmakers positions cut billionaire money managers exceptions merck nyse mrk example finding buyers advertisement merck makes cancer immunotherapy drug keytruda looks drug choice firstline advanced nonsmallcell lung cancer nsclc bristolmyers squibbscancer immunotherapy opdivo failed firstline nsclc resulting marketshare swing could lead improved profitability merck billionaire investors recognized three big drugmakers werent lucky image source getty images among big drug stocks teva pharmaceutical industries nyse teva quite popular sell candidate five major hedge funds glenview capital management highfields capital management paulson amp co pointstate capital viking global management cut stakes teva third quarter suspicion two factors persuaded billionaire money managers head sidelines first americans fully expected hillary clinton win presidency clinton expected introduce considerably harsher legislation drug pricing could reduced pricing power teva largest genericdrug manufacturer would presumably benefited push generic medicines also makes considerable amount money brandeddrug businesses would hurt clintons proposals theres also concern teva could struggle integrate 405 billion cashandstock deal saw acquire actavis allergan nyse agn deal makes teva undisputed largest generic drugmaker took longer expected close required teva sell assets appease regulators recently genericdrug producers whole hit criminal investigation possible price collusion charges teva generic drugmakers could coming end year clouding nearterm outlooks despite laundry list concerns teva actually company added personal portfolio recently fundamentally theres lot like company valued less seven times next years eps sporting 28 yield really synergies actavis could lead tevas future growth purchasing actavis give teva greater pricing power cost synergies may allow higher margins genericdrug segment furthermore copaxone sales havent tailed many pundits expected teva able use courts keep generic participants sidelines long enough bring new convenient formulation multiple sclerosis drug market new formulation allows shuffle existing customers extendedrelease formulation without losing much way sales spite billionaires pessimistic expect good things teva long run image source getty images another largecap drugmaker found billionaire chopping block third quarter allergan whopping 10 38 hedge funds considered either parted ways allergan maverick capital poinstate capital viking global management reduced position adage capital bluemountain capital icahn associates omega advisors passport capital paulson amp co third point noted previous section article part selling could result uncertainties surrounding acquisition actavis teva allergan entered 2016 42 billion debt mostly result mampabased growth strategy past couple years however debt highly constrictive financial flexibility meaning allergans management team sort hands tied actavis sale completed since took longer expected money managers could taken cue reduce ownership head exit additionally saw teva money managers expected clinton trump win presidency likely pricing potential prescriptiondrug reform billionaires right sell allergan part wants say yes considering establishedbrands business weighing top line alzheimers disease drug namenda xr sales fall third prioryear quarter formulary changes weaker allaround growth translated allergan missing wall streets consensus eps two past three quarters hand allergans eyecare products medical aesthetics botox therapeutics seem unstoppable beasts allergan possesses strong pricing power products resulting segment margin 554 q3 allergan also expected generate north 21 eps fiscal 2019 investors weather expected turbulence allergan could present intriguing value stock image source johnson amp johnson even healthcare conglomerate johnson amp johnson nyse jnj immune selling third quarter bridgewater associates reduced position johnson amp johnson whereas perry corp eliminated position entirely likely downside catalyst jampj teva allergan potential prescriptiondrug reform clinton presidency three companies mentioned johnson amp johnson would likely risk considering focus specialty therapeutics oncology hepatitis c carry five sixdigit annual price tags however election donald trump pretty much threw money managers concerns right window isnt say though trump overlook high cost prescription drugs fact campaign trump agreed clinton something needed done make prescription drugs affordable trumps proposal part sevenpoint healthcare reform involves allowing americans purchase prescription drugs overseas markets canada course making work would involve major reforms food drug administration seem unlikely money managers also appear overlooking jampjs welldiversified business model strong pharmaceutical growth johnson amp johnsons three operating segments consumer health medical devices pharmaceuticals primarily inelastic people cant choose get sick ailment develop means jampjs business remains strong regardless well poorly us economy johnson amp johnson may screaming buy value investors slowandsteady healthcare giant win race patient investors forget 2016 election 10 stocks like better johnson johnson donald trump elected president volatility heres ignore election investing geniuses tom david gardner spent long time beating market matter whos white house fact newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe ten best stocks opens new window investors buy right johnson johnson wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 7 2016 sean williams opens new windowowns shares teva pharmaceutical industries material interest companies mentioned article follow caps screen name tmfultralong opens new window check twitter goes handle tmfultralong opens new window motley fool recommends johnson johnson teva pharmaceutical industries 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 | 896 |
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<p>The saying "cash is king" has made its way into our collective consciousness for a reason. Though businesses can survive, or even thrive, without accounting profits -- Amazon.com did for much of its 20 years as a public company, for example -- conditions can deteriorate quickly if the cash stops coming in the door at most businesses.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>At the end of the day, companies that generate and grow their cash flows are typically doing something right. Here's a quick snapshot of three such names, whose cash flow generation -- as approximated by <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ebitda.asp" type="external">EBITDA Opens a New Window.</a> -- is set to grow more than 50% this year.</p>
<p>EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, &amp; amortization. Ops = operations. LTM = last 12 months. Data Source: S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence</p>
<p>Clearly, something's going right at Facebook(NASDAQ: FB), Molson Coors Brewing(NYSE: TAP),and Palo Alto Networks(NYSE: PANW).Let's dig further into each cash cow listed here to get a more concrete sense of its overall investment outlook.</p>
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<p>Even as it grows, Facebook continues to prove itself immune to the law of large numbers. Just take the company's early February earnings report as the latest example. The company increased annual sales 54% to a whopping $26.8 billion. Better still, the operating leverage in its ad-based business model allowed the company's GAAP operating margin to rise from 37% in Q1 2016to an improbably impressive 52% in Q4 2016.</p>
<p>Image source: Facebook.</p>
<p>With this kind of momentum -- and arguable tailwinds coming as it monetizes its non-core messaging and virtual reality assets -- you'd be a (lowercase-f) fool to bet against the company's continued operational excellence and growth in the year to come. Facebook remains one of the most successful companies of our time, and 2017 should bring more success for the world's largest social network.</p>
<p>Unlike social media advertising, the global beer market is a fairly slow-growing space. So how is it that megabrewer Molson Coors Brewing is set to nearly double its EBITDA this year?</p>
<p>The explanation is actually fairly brief: MillerCoors. In order to gain regulatory approval for its $109 billion SAB Miller acquisition last year, beer kingpin Anheuser-Busch InBev agreed to divest some brewing assets. It sold the remaining portion of MillerCoors that Molson Coors did not already own to it for $12 billion, a deal that closed last October. The resulting integration will make the new Molson Coors the third-largest beer brewer in the world by enterprise value, and it will dramatically increase the company's financial footprint. The brewery industry, particularly outside of craft beer, is driven by economies of scale. So, while the coming uptick in cash flow at Molson Coors will not be driven by organic demand, it should leave the company on stronger strategic footing.</p>
<p>Hacking and technological malfeasance are the unfortunate byproducts of our digital age. For those looking to profit from the ongoing boom in cybersecurity spending, IT security software dynamo Palo Alto Networks takes a unique approach to network protection that leaves both its customers and its shareholders happy. Here's a quick snapshot of the data security upstart's impressive growth over the past several years.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/PANW" type="external">PANW</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>The thing to remember when looking at Palo Alto Networks' stock is that the company remains in the early innings of tapping into its growth opportunity; its CTO once said it is pursuing a $10 billion addressable market. More bullish analysts regularly claim cybersecurity will be a $1 trillion market eventually. Either way, Palo Alto's current $1.4 billion revenue run rateimplies the company enjoys plenty of room to grow.</p>
<p>As with many young companies, Palo Alto Networks' financial gains haven't been perfectly smooth. However, it's also important to remember that the company has made impressive progress in realizing its long-term vision. The company continues to win customers at a torrent pace; it has added more than 1,000 customers for 20 consecutive quarters. The future seems generally bright for Palo Alto Networks, which its expected 58% increase in EBITDA in the coming year only reiterates.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than FacebookWhen 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=9d139817-544c-4086-bf25-b90a9fa428c9&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 Facebook wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p>Industrial conglomerate United Technologies Corp. reached a deal to buy airplane-parts maker Rockwell Collins Inc. for $23 billion, in the biggest aerospace deal in history.</p>
<p>Both companies' boards have approved a deal in which United Technologies will pay $140 a share in cash and stock, according to people familiar with the matter. Rockwell investors will get $93.33 a share in cash and the remaining $46.67 in United Technologies stock, the people said.</p>
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<p>The price is an 18% premium to where Rockwell traded before word of a potential deal first surfaced early last month, and 30% above where the stock ended July.</p>
<p>The deal would be the biggest aerospace deal ever, followed by United Technologies' 2012 acquisition of Goodrich Corp. for about $16.5 billion, according to Dealogic.</p>
<p>It promises to reshape the market for aerospace parts and could be a harbinger of a breakup of United Technologies in the years following integration, according to people familiar with the company's plans.</p>
<p>--Robert Wall contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Industrial conglomerate United Technologies Corp. reached a deal to buy airplane-parts maker Rockwell Collins Inc. for $23 billion, in the biggest aerospace deal in history.</p>
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<p>Both companies' boards have approved a deal in which United Technologies will pay $140 a share in cash and stock, the companies said late Monday. Rockwell investors will get $93.33 a share in cash and the remaining $46.67 in United Technologies stock.</p>
<p>The price is an 18% premium to where Rockwell traded before word of a potential deal first surfaced early last month, and 30% above where the stock ended July.</p>
<p>The deal would be the biggest aerospace deal ever, followed by United Technologies' 2012 acquisition of Goodrich Corp. for about $16.5 billion, according to Dealogic.</p>
<p>It promises to reshape the market for aerospace parts and could be a harbinger of a breakup of United Technologies in the years following integration, according to people familiar with the company's plans.</p>
<p>Rockwell is expected to give United Technologies a larger presence, and more leverage, in its business supplying Boeing Co. and Airbus SE as the aerospace industry ramps up for a new generation of jets. Those new jet plans are likely to be worth decades of business for the component makers such as United Technologies and Rockwell.</p>
<p>Farmington, Conn.-based United Technologies already owns one of the world's biggest jet-engine makers, Pratt &amp; Whitney, and an aerospace division that also makes parts such as wheels and landing gear.</p>
<p>Rockwell specializes in cockpit displays and communications systems for passenger jets and the military. In April, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, company closed its roughly $6 billion acquisition of B/E Aerospace Inc., a maker of plane seats and interiors.</p>
<p>United Technologies Chief Executive Greg Hayes will remain as CEO of the combined company, and Rockwell chief Kelly Ortberg will run a new business known as Collins Aerospace that will combine the parts businesses, the companies said.</p>
<p>The increased focus on aerospace for United Technologies could trigger further portfolio changes, the people said. The company also makes Carrier air conditioners and Otis elevators and is open to reviewing whether to break up in the coming years after the company pares its debt levels and squeezes out some $500 million in expected cost savings, the people said. There isn't a decision on whether any split will happen, they cautioned.</p>
<p>The cost savings are expected to come from eliminating the expenses of being a public company for Rockwell and duplicative sales expenses, but aren't expected to mean significant workforce cuts, the people said.</p>
<p>Mr. Hayes has proven willing to make large changes in the past. He took over as CEO in November 2014 and by July 2015 had reached a deal to sell the company's Sikorsky helicopter division.</p>
<p>Several Wall Street analysts have said the deal makes more sense if it provides a path to splintering the conglomerate.</p>
<p>Last year, United Technologies' aerospace and jet-engine businesses had about $29.4 billion in revenue, while its other businesses brought in about $28.7 billion. Rockwell Collins had sales of about $5.3 billion in the fiscal year ended in September. B/E Aerospace added another $2.9 billion.</p>
<p>As reports of the merger talks became public, financial analysts have said they don't expect significant antitrust issues, given that United Technologies and Rockwell make different airplane parts.</p>
<p>Aside from regulators, the companies may have to sell the deal to their customers, where there has been tension already.</p>
<p>Pratt &amp; Whitney has struggled with production and the reliability of its new geared-turbofan jet engine that powers Airbus A320neo single-aisle planes. Airbus plane deliveries this year are running behind because of a dearth of engines.</p>
<p>Regarding a potential Rockwell deal, an Airbus spokesman recently said the airplane maker hoped "that any potential M&amp;A would not distract [United Technologies] from their top operational priority."</p>
<p>United Technologies officials have said they expect the problems to be resolved this year and were expecting to meet engine delivery commitments.</p>
<p>While United Technologies has long eyed Rockwell, talks first began between the CEOs in May, according to some of the people familiar with the matter. While the companies don't see major hurdles to closing the deal, they don't expect the airplane makers to be happy with the combination and plan to start making their case for why it would be beneficial starting Tuesday, the people said.</p>
<p>Boeing and Airbus have also been nudging their way into the aftermarket business to capture some of the profit from selling and servicing parts -- putting them on a collision course with suppliers such as United Technologies.</p>
<p>United Technologies' Mr. Hayes has warned that such intrusions could disrupt the business model for jet engines and lead to high prices for equipment if aftermarket services are no longer guaranteed.</p>
<p>After trying to buy United Technologies last year, Honeywell International Inc. is reviewing whether to break off its aerospace division, the rival industrial giant's largest. Activist Third Point LLC has made a public push for a spinoff.</p>
<p>In Europe, engine maker and Pratt &amp; Whitney rival Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC has activist ValueAct Capital Management LP on its board.</p>
<p>Tim Mahoney, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace, said last month that a combination of United Technologies and Rockwell Collins would"change the competitive landscape."</p>
<p>--Robert Wall contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to David Benoit at [email protected], Dana Mattioli at [email protected] and Thomas Gryta at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>September 04, 2017 20:07 ET (00:07 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | industrial conglomerate united technologies corp reached deal buy airplaneparts maker rockwell collins inc 23 billion biggest aerospace deal history companies boards approved deal united technologies pay 140 share cash stock according people familiar matter rockwell investors get 9333 share cash remaining 4667 united technologies stock people said continue reading price 18 premium rockwell traded word potential deal first surfaced early last month 30 stock ended july deal would biggest aerospace deal ever followed united technologies 2012 acquisition goodrich corp 165 billion according dealogic promises reshape market aerospace parts could harbinger breakup united technologies years following integration according people familiar companys plans robert wall contributed article industrial conglomerate united technologies corp reached deal buy airplaneparts maker rockwell collins inc 23 billion biggest aerospace deal history advertisement companies boards approved deal united technologies pay 140 share cash stock companies said late monday rockwell investors get 9333 share cash remaining 4667 united technologies stock price 18 premium rockwell traded word potential deal first surfaced early last month 30 stock ended july deal would biggest aerospace deal ever followed united technologies 2012 acquisition goodrich corp 165 billion according dealogic promises reshape market aerospace parts could harbinger breakup united technologies years following integration according people familiar companys plans rockwell expected give united technologies larger presence leverage business supplying boeing co airbus se aerospace industry ramps new generation jets new jet plans likely worth decades business component makers united technologies rockwell farmington connbased united technologies already owns one worlds biggest jetengine makers pratt amp whitney aerospace division also makes parts wheels landing gear rockwell specializes cockpit displays communications systems passenger jets military april cedar rapids iowa company closed roughly 6 billion acquisition aerospace inc maker plane seats interiors united technologies chief executive greg hayes remain ceo combined company rockwell chief kelly ortberg run new business known collins aerospace combine parts businesses companies said increased focus aerospace united technologies could trigger portfolio changes people said company also makes carrier air conditioners otis elevators open reviewing whether break coming years company pares debt levels squeezes 500 million expected cost savings people said isnt decision whether split happen cautioned cost savings expected come eliminating expenses public company rockwell duplicative sales expenses arent expected mean significant workforce cuts people said mr hayes proven willing make large changes past took ceo november 2014 july 2015 reached deal sell companys sikorsky helicopter division several wall street analysts said deal makes sense provides path splintering conglomerate last year united technologies aerospace jetengine businesses 294 billion revenue businesses brought 287 billion rockwell collins sales 53 billion fiscal year ended september aerospace added another 29 billion reports merger talks became public financial analysts said dont expect significant antitrust issues given united technologies rockwell make different airplane parts aside regulators companies may sell deal customers tension already pratt amp whitney struggled production reliability new gearedturbofan jet engine powers airbus a320neo singleaisle planes airbus plane deliveries year running behind dearth engines regarding potential rockwell deal airbus spokesman recently said airplane maker hoped potential mampa would distract united technologies top operational priority united technologies officials said expect problems resolved year expecting meet engine delivery commitments united technologies long eyed rockwell talks first began ceos may according people familiar matter companies dont see major hurdles closing deal dont expect airplane makers happy combination plan start making case would beneficial starting tuesday people said boeing airbus also nudging way aftermarket business capture profit selling servicing parts putting collision course suppliers united technologies united technologies mr hayes warned intrusions could disrupt business model jet engines lead high prices equipment aftermarket services longer guaranteed trying buy united technologies last year honeywell international inc reviewing whether break aerospace division rival industrial giants largest activist third point llc made public push spinoff europe engine maker pratt amp whitney rival rollsroyce holdings plc activist valueact capital management lp board tim mahoney president ceo honeywell aerospace said last month combination united technologies rockwell collins wouldchange competitive landscape robert wall contributed article write david benoit davidbenoitwsjcom dana mattioli danamattioliwsjcom thomas gryta thomasgrytawsjcom end dow jones newswires september 04 2017 2007 et 0007 gmt | 676 |
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<p>RUSH:&#160; Good.&#160; Now, okay we got the second day here.&#160; You’ve had a day — we’ve all had a day — to digest this.&#160; You had your piece at NRO yesterday that basically shredded the FBI director’s claim that he couldn’t find any intent here and, as such, no reasonable prosecutor would seek charges or would seek to prosecute the case.&#160; Where are you today after having an overnight to digest this, talk to people about it, and review your own thoughts?</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; Well, I guess, because I think highly of Jim Comey — he’s been a friend of mine and someone I have a lot of respect for personally for a long time — I try to find some silver linings in what otherwise is a pretty disappointing outcome.&#160; And the one that I keep coming back to, Rush, is that the normal way that this exchange between the FBI and the Justice Department goes is it happens, really, in secret, in private, and we never hear about it.&#160; And when a case basically gets tanked or not brought, you never know what the evidence in the case was.</p>
<p>And the only upside I can see to what’s happened here is he — in a very expansive, lavish way — laid out exactly what the FBI’s investigation found so that at least the American people will have that before them when they go to the polls in November.&#160; Now, I should underscore that I don’t think that’s the FBI’s job.&#160; I like the idea that the law enforcement people do law enforcement and leave the politics to the politicians.&#160; But I am grateful for the fact that at least we have a full accounting of what they found.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; You know Comey, so in that regard let me ask you: An analogy made here yesterday that others have made also is that this was strikingly similar to the Chief Justice John Roberts saying (summarized), “You know what?&#160; I don’t feel comfortable finding a major piece of legislation of the president’s that was voted in favor by the people’s representatives…&#160; I just don’t want… I’m not gonna rule this unconstitutional.”&#160; So he changes it from the bench essentially to make it pass muster.&#160; And some people are saying that Comey has, in his own way, done the same thing here, that he just couldn’t bring himself to have such a major impact on something as important as a presidential campaign by taking an action that might result in the nominee of one of the major parties being taken out.&#160; Any reaction to that theory?</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; Yeah.&#160; I like the comparison for a few reasons.&#160; I think, you know, one of the reasons that Chief Justice Roberts did in that opinion, very much like what Jim did yesterday, is with Tom Brady-like precision he moved down the field briskly and in a way that looked like he couldn’t be stopped. And then once he got to the Red Zone, he moved the goal post, he moved the end zone, he changed the rules that would have otherwise led him to a different conclusion.&#160; So it’s an interesting comparison.</p>
<p>The other thing is, there are a lot of people like myself who were very disappointed in Roberts, just like I was disappointed in Comey, whereas there were other people in the Roberts rah-rah section who said that the chief justice was a diabolical genius, because while he seems to have come up short of doing what he should have done in this particular case, he sowed the seeds for undermining the jurisprudence of the Commerce Clause and therefore all of this federal expansion is potentially vulnerable to attack.&#160; I hate that kind of stuff.&#160; I just think it’s too Machiavellian to me.&#160; I want the judges to judge cases —</p>
<p>RUSH: Exactly.</p>
<p>MCCARTHY — I want the prosecutors to prosecute their cases, and I want the FBI to find facts, apply the law, and do the right thing in a case.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; Right.&#160; It’s akin to the theory somewhat related, that people say, “Go ahead, let the Democrats win the election so people will find out how bad they are! Go ahead, make Obamacare constitutional so people will learn how bad government expansion and intrusion is.”&#160; It never works out.</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; No.&#160; And we’ve got it already, you know? (chuckling) How many more times do we need to do it?&#160; You know, message received!</p>
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<p>RUSH:&#160; Well, but look in these two cases.&#160; I find this interesting.&#160; I hope I’m gonna be able to find the right words here to phrase the question here, but you have praised Comey’s integrity — you know him personally — and everybody the same thing about John Roberts.&#160; So here we have two people that arguably if you had to peg them ideologically would be on the right side of center and both reputed to be of great integrity and highly reputed.&#160; And both of them exercised restraint.&#160; They did not go where they could go.</p>
<p>They could not go where the law fully permitted them to go in order to cause less havoc, wreak less havoc on the country — on the body politic — thinking they were doing the right thing for the stability of the country.&#160; Now, the left never does that, Andy.&#160; If they’ve got a chance to take us out legally or illegal, they do it.&#160; We don’t seem to be able to close the deal.&#160; When we’ve got ’em in the jaws of defeat, we don’t seem to be able to clamp done and send the ’em packing.&#160; We practice restraint.</p>
<p>We practice fairness. We show that we have maturity and an understanding of everything going on, and we hope people see us in that way.&#160; And it just never works out.&#160; So we’re in a fight for the life and death of the country, and they… I’m really nervous about this.&#160; Even though I knew this was gonna happen and I didn’t think she was gonna be indicted, I’m still devastated by this because of the implications for the country and what it means, particularly if she goes on to win.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/437479/fbi-rewrites-federal-law-let-hillary-hook" type="external" />MCCARTHY:&#160; Yeah, Rush, I think you should be for a couple of reasons.&#160; You know, number one, I’ve never understood this idea that, you know, we have to have the election calendar in mind when we’re doing these political corruption cases because we wouldn’t want to do anything that would make the FBI responsible for the outcome of the election.&#160; Well, you know, look, if you’re in these jobs — and I’ve been in these jobs — you have two choices.</p>
<p>You either indict someone who deserves to be indicted and affect the election that way or you don’t indict someone who deserves to be indicted, and you affect the election that way.&#160; One way or the other, you are in the situation where you’re affecting the election.&#160; So that ought to be liberating.&#160; We shouldn’t be worried at all about how our exercise of discretion affects the politics.&#160; What our job is, is to exercise discretion correctly and let the chips fall where they may.&#160; But, secondly, we are never going to impress the audience that they seem to want to impress.</p>
<p>I think you pointed out earlier that, you know, half of this country is going to vote for Hillary Clinton no matter what, and the reason they’re going to vote for Hillary Clinton is not that they’re under any illusions about who she is character-wise.&#160; It’s because they see her as the way to defeat Republicans and defeat conservatives and block us from being in power, and to them that’s more important than what her character shows.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; I don’t think there’s any question about it.&#160; There’s glee… I mean, they’ll sing her praises just short of… I mean, even if she’d been indicted, I think she would have circled the wagons around her.&#160; Well, okay, so there’s no legal future here.&#160; There’s no… She’s exonerated. Well, no!&#160; Actually, she’s not.&#160; She’s not been cleared.&#160; That’s another thing.&#160; She’s not been cleared; she’s not been exonerated.&#160; They just made the decision not to pursue this, so she is still susceptible — you alluded to this at the beginning here — to the court of public opinion.&#160; Are you confident — do you have any confidence at all — that a case can be made in the political campaign that would accomplish the same thing, barring legal penalties, of course —</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; Yeah.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; — that an indictment might have?</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; I think, Rush, that it’s gonna take more than, you know, just saying the system is rigged.&#160; And I — you know, I know that that’s been an effective argument for Trump, but I think most of the people who are buying that are already in his camp.&#160; It’s gonna require more in the way of carefully going through what the FBI has found, and showing in a way that that thing that you played before showed that Comey really didn’t show yesterday, which is how appalling the differences between what the FBI found and what she represented to the American people throughout this campaign.&#160; I hope they’re up to that, because I think there is a way that that can resonate with the public.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; Explain to me, if you would — and to the audience, too, before you go here — you made it very clear in your article yesterday that Comey essentially had to combine two statutes. One statute that did not require intent, he changed. He rewrote the law in order to make intent relevant and then to say she never showed any.&#160; Well, you know, you and I never intend to do any of this stuff that’s illegal that we do or any of the questionable things like your example to me.&#160; “You know, we text when we drive.&#160; That’s negligent.”&#160; We know we’re being negligent, but we don’t intend to have an accident because of it, yet we still engage in it.</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; Right.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; And it’s against the law.&#160; So she was given a pass.&#160; She was given a pass not only on intent; she was given a pass on negligence.&#160; She was given a pass on relentlessly, and she seeks the highest office in the land.&#160; It clearly it looks like there’s two sets of laws for two different classes of people here.</p>
<p>CALLER:&#160; You’re exactly right.&#160; If you apply the law that applied to her, she was reckless in the sense of being grossly negligent, which is what the statute talks about.&#160; Now, the reason this is confusing to people is that in most criminal cases there’s an intent requirement where you have to specifically intend the thing that causes the harm.&#160; In a case involving recklessness with gross negligence, you often intend to do the thing that is the negligent thing to do, like when we text and we know we shouldn’t.</p>
<p>We know in our minds that when we do that we cause injury to ourselves and anyone who’s in our car in the car.&#160; We don’t intend that those people be injured, but we certainly intended to do the texting, and that was grossly negligent.&#160; What she did here, she had every reason to know — as Comey pointed out to a fair-thee-well yesterday — that her behavior, setting up this systematic nonsecure system to have these highly classified communications, she perfectly well knew that that was creating a major vulnerability for our national security.</p>
<p>Now, did she want our national security to be hurt?&#160; No, but (chuckles), you know, obviously she engaged in behavior that ran that risk.&#160; And it’s absolutely clear. I wish he had gone more yesterday into the damage assessment that the intelligence community has had to do on the basis of what she leaked out by communicating on this non-secure system.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; I have one more question but I’ve gotta take a break.&#160; It’s on intent.&#160; Can you spare five more minutes?</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; Yeah, of course. Sure.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; Andy McCarthy is with us from National Review Online and PJ Media.&#160; We’ll be back here in just a second, folks.&#160; Don’t go away.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; And we are back with Andy McCarthy with a long and deep resume, including time in the US attorney’s office the Southern district of Manhattan when Rudy Giuliani was the US attorney, which means Rudy was Andy’s boss. &#160;Rudy’s been pretty pointed.&#160; Rudy thinks that she shouldn’t get a security clearance now, that had he been Comey, had he been the US attorney, he would have indicted her. And he says that if Trump wins, he could appoint an attorney general who could still indict Hillary.&#160; Is that true?</p>
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<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; It’s absolutely true, and it will never happen, but this Justice Department could indict her.&#160; The recommendation is just that; it’s a recommendation.&#160; It’s not the decision.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; On intent, this is a little bit of my ignorance on the law.&#160; For some reason I’ve been confused.&#160; I thought intent was a matter for the jury to decide in cases.&#160; I didn’t know that intent became such a big factor in the decision to charge.</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; Well, every case, Rush, when you make a decision whether to charge or not involves weighing every, what we call essential element of the crime. That is, every criminal offense has three or four or five elements that you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to bring the case.&#160; So if you’re gonna assess the strength of your evidence, one of the things you always have to evaluate is the intent requirement of the statute, which varies from statute to statute.&#160; Sometimes it’s intent, like intentional action.&#160; Sometimes it’s willfulness, and sometimes, very unusually in the criminal law, it’s gross negligence as it is with this particular statute involving national security.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; Well, gross negligence cannot possibly have intent because it cancels it out. If you’re grossly negligent, intent’s not a factor, you are or you aren’t, and she clearly was.</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; Yeah, I think what we’ve hit on is what your confusion is, and I’m not clearly enough explaining it.&#160; We use intent among prosecutors and agents as shorthand for what we should call mens rea or the mental element of a crime.&#160; Sometimes it’s intentionality, which means, you know, you intended when you pointed the gun to shoot that victim.&#160; Sometimes it’s willfulness, which means a kind of an evil mind-set, and sometimes it’s gross negligence, as it was in this case.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; Okay, 90 seconds.&#160; One other thing.&#160; I’ve seen that she tossed her State Department — her calendar, schedule, that she got rid of a number of things like this, burned ’em, threw them away, they’re gone.&#160; Was that part of this investigation that’s now concluding?&#160; That’s not part of something else, she gets away with that, too? She gets away with destroying all the evidence, her calendar, her schedule, who she met with, that’s all gone, too, right?</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; Yeah, according to what the FBI director said yesterday, what they were looking at here was the question about handling classified information.&#160; We had heard some reports that they were also looking at the Clinton Foundation and the shenanigans that went on there where I think those calendars would be more relevant.&#160; He didn’t mention a word about that yesterday.&#160; I don’t know if that means that that’s off their radar or he just didn’t want to discuss it yesterday.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; And do you think the meeting — 30 seconds — Loretta Lynch and Bill Clinton had any effect on Comey’s decision making and timing?</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; No.&#160; I don’t think that would have affected it, but you know, I do think that the fact that President Obama, in his assessment of it, talked about intentionality as opposed to, you know, carelessness and did kind of the same thing Jim did yesterday in terms of —</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; Right.</p>
<p>MCCARTHY:&#160; — laying this —</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; “She never did anything wrong. She never intended to do anything.”&#160; Yeah.&#160; Okay.&#160; Andy, I appreciate the time.&#160; I really do.&#160; Andy McCarthy, who you can find at National Review Online frequently and PJ Media and well worth your time to do so.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: When we had Andy McCarthy on a couple of hours ago on the program, I mentioned that his former boss, Rudy Giuliani, had said some powerful things about this whole situation with the FBI, James Comey, Hillary Clinton and the email server.&#160; We have a couple of bites here.&#160; First from Fox yesterday, The Real Story, Kimberly Guilfoyle was talking to Rudy, and she said, “Director Comey’s decided not to, in fact saying no reasonable prosecutor would recommend that this case go forward against Hillary Clinton.&#160; What are your thoughts, Mr. Giuliani?”</p>
<p>GIULIANI:&#160; My thoughts are that it would be unreasonable for a prosecutor not to go forward with it and almost an abdication of duty.&#160; It does not require intent.&#160; It just requires gross negligence.&#160; He said during his long statement that she was extremely careless.&#160; The first definition of gross negligence that comes up when you take out the legal dictionary is being extremely careless.&#160; The minute you say someone is extremely careless you are saying they’re grossly negligent.</p>
<p>RUSH: Right, and there’s no intent required.&#160; Grossly negligent obviates the whole notion of intent.&#160; And what is this notion of intent anyway?&#160; Well, she didn’t intend to put the US at risk.&#160; She didn’t intend to have her system set up in such a way that could be hacked.&#160; She didn’t intend for the top secret documents that she was sending and receiving to be seen by anybody else.</p>
<p>You try that.&#160; You know, the next time you’re guilty of anything, the next time you’re charged with anything, try saying, “Hey, hey, hey, I didn’t mean to run the stop sign.”&#160; Or, “I didn’t mean to leave the bar and get behind the wheel.&#160; I really didn’t.&#160; I didn’t mean to get behind the wheel after having some adult beverages.”&#160; See if that works for you.&#160; And if you’re saying it’s not the same thing, yes, it is.&#160; In fact, it’s even worse.&#160; Giuliani wasn’t finished.&#160; He continued with this.</p>
<p>GIULIANI:&#160; That’s what Jim Comey found.&#160; He then just didn’t come to the conclusion that it’s a violation of the statute.&#160; He came to the other conclusion.&#160; I think that’s why he walked out.&#160; There’s no way to square the two things.</p>
<p>GUILFOYLE:&#160; Isn’t that interesting, ’cause he was potentially going to take questions, and he left.</p>
<p>GIULIANI:&#160; That’s the first question that would have been asked.&#160; The second question would have been, would she pass an FBI background check for top security clearance?&#160; The answer is no.&#160; She couldn’t possibly.&#160; I’ve read a thousand FBI background checks, maybe 2,000.&#160; This would get thrown right in the ash can.&#160; I mean, she wouldn’t be, you know, the number 35 person at the State Department.&#160; If you took his report and an FBI background check, she couldn’t get any kind of sensitive job with the government of the United States.</p>
<p>RUSH:&#160; Well, now, wait a minute.&#160; Does that mean she can’t be president?&#160; This is serious.&#160; If you can’t pass a background check, can you be president? &#160;I know, I know nothing’s gonna come of it.&#160; That’s the whole point.&#160; It should!&#160; This is serious stuff.</p> | true | 0 | rush160 good160 okay got second day here160 youve day weve day digest this160 piece nro yesterday basically shredded fbi directors claim couldnt find intent reasonable prosecutor would seek charges would seek prosecute case160 today overnight digest talk people review thoughts mccarthy160 well guess think highly jim comey hes friend mine someone lot respect personally long time try find silver linings otherwise pretty disappointing outcome160 one keep coming back rush normal way exchange fbi justice department goes happens really secret private never hear it160 case basically gets tanked brought never know evidence case upside see whats happened expansive lavish way laid exactly fbis investigation found least american people go polls november160 underscore dont think thats fbis job160 like idea law enforcement people law enforcement leave politics politicians160 grateful fact least full accounting found rush160 know comey regard let ask analogy made yesterday others made also strikingly similar chief justice john roberts saying summarized know what160 dont feel comfortable finding major piece legislation presidents voted favor peoples representatives160 dont want im gon na rule unconstitutional160 changes bench essentially make pass muster160 people saying comey way done thing couldnt bring major impact something important presidential campaign taking action might result nominee one major parties taken out160 reaction theory mccarthy160 yeah160 like comparison reasons160 think know one reasons chief justice roberts opinion much like jim yesterday tom bradylike precision moved field briskly way looked like couldnt stopped got red zone moved goal post moved end zone changed rules would otherwise led different conclusion160 interesting comparison thing lot people like disappointed roberts like disappointed comey whereas people roberts rahrah section said chief justice diabolical genius seems come short done particular case sowed seeds undermining jurisprudence commerce clause therefore federal expansion potentially vulnerable attack160 hate kind stuff160 think machiavellian me160 want judges judge cases rush exactly mccarthy want prosecutors prosecute cases want fbi find facts apply law right thing case rush160 right160 akin theory somewhat related people say go ahead let democrats win election people find bad go ahead make obamacare constitutional people learn bad government expansion intrusion is160 never works mccarthy160 no160 weve got already know chuckling many times need it160 know message received rush160 well look two cases160 find interesting160 hope im gon na able find right words phrase question praised comeys integrity know personally everybody thing john roberts160 two people arguably peg ideologically would right side center reputed great integrity highly reputed160 exercised restraint160 go could go could go law fully permitted go order cause less havoc wreak less havoc country body politic thinking right thing stability country160 left never andy160 theyve got chance take us legally illegal it160 dont seem able close deal160 weve got em jaws defeat dont seem able clamp done send em packing160 practice restraint practice fairness show maturity understanding everything going hope people see us way160 never works out160 fight life death country im really nervous this160 even though knew gon na happen didnt think gon na indicted im still devastated implications country means particularly goes win mccarthy160 yeah rush think couple reasons160 know number one ive never understood idea know election calendar mind political corruption cases wouldnt want anything would make fbi responsible outcome election160 well know look youre jobs ive jobs two choices either indict someone deserves indicted affect election way dont indict someone deserves indicted affect election way160 one way situation youre affecting election160 ought liberating160 shouldnt worried exercise discretion affects politics160 job exercise discretion correctly let chips fall may160 secondly never going impress audience seem want impress think pointed earlier know half country going vote hillary clinton matter reason theyre going vote hillary clinton theyre illusions characterwise160 see way defeat republicans defeat conservatives block us power thats important character shows rush160 dont think theres question it160 theres glee mean theyll sing praises short mean even shed indicted think would circled wagons around her160 well okay theres legal future here160 theres shes exonerated well no160 actually shes not160 shes cleared160 thats another thing160 shes cleared shes exonerated160 made decision pursue still susceptible alluded beginning court public opinion160 confident confidence case made political campaign would accomplish thing barring legal penalties course mccarthy160 yeah rush160 indictment might mccarthy160 think rush gon na take know saying system rigged160 know know thats effective argument trump think people buying already camp160 gon na require way carefully going fbi found showing way thing played showed comey really didnt show yesterday appalling differences fbi found represented american people throughout campaign160 hope theyre think way resonate public rush160 explain would audience go made clear article yesterday comey essentially combine two statutes one statute require intent changed rewrote law order make intent relevant say never showed any160 well know never intend stuff thats illegal questionable things like example me160 know text drive160 thats negligent160 know negligent dont intend accident yet still engage mccarthy160 right rush160 law160 given pass160 given pass intent given pass negligence160 given pass relentlessly seeks highest office land160 clearly looks like theres two sets laws two different classes people caller160 youre exactly right160 apply law applied reckless sense grossly negligent statute talks about160 reason confusing people criminal cases theres intent requirement specifically intend thing causes harm160 case involving recklessness gross negligence often intend thing negligent thing like text know shouldnt know minds cause injury anyone whos car car160 dont intend people injured certainly intended texting grossly negligent160 every reason know comey pointed fairtheewell yesterday behavior setting systematic nonsecure system highly classified communications perfectly well knew creating major vulnerability national security want national security hurt160 chuckles know obviously engaged behavior ran risk160 absolutely clear wish gone yesterday damage assessment intelligence community basis leaked communicating nonsecure system rush160 one question ive got ta take break160 intent160 spare five minutes mccarthy160 yeah course sure rush160 andy mccarthy us national review online pj media160 well back second folks160 dont go away break transcript rush160 back andy mccarthy long deep resume including time us attorneys office southern district manhattan rudy giuliani us attorney means rudy andys boss 160rudys pretty pointed160 rudy thinks shouldnt get security clearance comey us attorney would indicted says trump wins could appoint attorney general could still indict hillary160 true mccarthy160 absolutely true never happen justice department could indict her160 recommendation recommendation160 decision rush160 intent little bit ignorance law160 reason ive confused160 thought intent matter jury decide cases160 didnt know intent became big factor decision charge mccarthy160 well every case rush make decision whether charge involves weighing every call essential element crime every criminal offense three four five elements prove beyond reasonable doubt bring case160 youre gon na assess strength evidence one things always evaluate intent requirement statute varies statute statute160 sometimes intent like intentional action160 sometimes willfulness sometimes unusually criminal law gross negligence particular statute involving national security rush160 well gross negligence possibly intent cancels youre grossly negligent intents factor arent clearly mccarthy160 yeah think weve hit confusion im clearly enough explaining it160 use intent among prosecutors agents shorthand call mens rea mental element crime160 sometimes intentionality means know intended pointed gun shoot victim160 sometimes willfulness means kind evil mindset sometimes gross negligence case rush160 okay 90 seconds160 one thing160 ive seen tossed state department calendar schedule got rid number things like burned em threw away theyre gone160 part investigation thats concluding160 thats part something else gets away gets away destroying evidence calendar schedule met thats gone right mccarthy160 yeah according fbi director said yesterday looking question handling classified information160 heard reports also looking clinton foundation shenanigans went think calendars would relevant160 didnt mention word yesterday160 dont know means thats radar didnt want discuss yesterday rush160 think meeting 30 seconds loretta lynch bill clinton effect comeys decision making timing mccarthy160 no160 dont think would affected know think fact president obama assessment talked intentionality opposed know carelessness kind thing jim yesterday terms rush160 right mccarthy160 laying rush160 never anything wrong never intended anything160 yeah160 okay160 andy appreciate time160 really do160 andy mccarthy find national review online frequently pj media well worth time break transcript rush andy mccarthy couple hours ago program mentioned former boss rudy giuliani said powerful things whole situation fbi james comey hillary clinton email server160 couple bites here160 first fox yesterday real story kimberly guilfoyle talking rudy said director comeys decided fact saying reasonable prosecutor would recommend case go forward hillary clinton160 thoughts mr giuliani giuliani160 thoughts would unreasonable prosecutor go forward almost abdication duty160 require intent160 requires gross negligence160 said long statement extremely careless160 first definition gross negligence comes take legal dictionary extremely careless160 minute say someone extremely careless saying theyre grossly negligent rush right theres intent required160 grossly negligent obviates whole notion intent160 notion intent anyway160 well didnt intend put us risk160 didnt intend system set way could hacked160 didnt intend top secret documents sending receiving seen anybody else try that160 know next time youre guilty anything next time youre charged anything try saying hey hey hey didnt mean run stop sign160 didnt mean leave bar get behind wheel160 really didnt160 didnt mean get behind wheel adult beverages160 see works you160 youre saying thing yes is160 fact even worse160 giuliani wasnt finished160 continued giuliani160 thats jim comey found160 didnt come conclusion violation statute160 came conclusion160 think thats walked out160 theres way square two things guilfoyle160 isnt interesting cause potentially going take questions left giuliani160 thats first question would asked160 second question would would pass fbi background check top security clearance160 answer no160 couldnt possibly160 ive read thousand fbi background checks maybe 2000160 would get thrown right ash can160 mean wouldnt know number 35 person state department160 took report fbi background check couldnt get kind sensitive job government united states rush160 well wait minute160 mean cant president160 serious160 cant pass background check president 160i know know nothings gon na come it160 thats whole point160 should160 serious stuff | 1,618 |
<p>This article is being republished as part of our daily reproduction of WSJ.com articles that also appeared in the U.S. print edition of The Wall Street Journal (August 3, 2017).</p>
<p>American International Group Inc. posted better-than-expected second-quarter operating results, as new Chief Executive Brian Duperreault took over midway into the period, while MetLife Inc. had a different turning point: the last quarter before the spinoff of its historic core life-insurance unit.</p>
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<p>MetLife, the largest U.S. life insurer by assets before the divestiture is set to occur on Friday, also reported higher and better-than-anticipated operating income. It posted improved results in the U.S. and at overseas locations, though the U.S. retail operations to be spun off, named Brighthouse Financial, had a 5% decline.</p>
<p>Prudential Financial Inc.'s operating income also rose, but it missed analyst expectations.</p>
<p>All three insurers' per-share results were aided by share-buyback programs.</p>
<p>AIG's net income dropped 41% to $1.13 billion from $1.91 billion in the year-earlier period, when the insurance conglomerate had net realized capital gains of about $1 billion, mostly from the sale of shares in a Chinese insurer. On an operating basis, AIG had income of $1.45 billion, up from $1.31 billion. Investors and analysts track operating results because they exclude realized capital gains and losses and other nonrecurring items.</p>
<p>The $1.53 a share in operating income was well ahead of the consensus expectation of analysts at $1.20 and was up from $1.15 a share in the year-earlier period.</p>
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<p>Mr. Duperreault was hired in mid-May, after the former chief executive, Peter Hancock, pushed back some profit-improvement deadlines set in January 2016 and lost support from the company's board. A longtime veteran of the property-casualty insurance industry, the 70-year-old Mr. Duperreault has said he wants AIG to begin growing again, after years of selling assets to repay a 2008 U.S. bailout and to finance share buybacks.</p>
<p>In the release Wednesday, he said, "We will build on AIG's strong franchise by maximizing the value of our international footprint," adding that the goal is "investing in profitable growth."</p>
<p>Much of Mr. Hancock's effort was focused on the company's core business of selling property-casualty insurance to midsize-to-large businesses globally, and the latest results showed the work in process that Mr. Duperreault has inherited.</p>
<p>The unit posted pretax operating income of $716 million, or 24% below the year-earlier period. Much of the deterioration came as AIG used higher loss estimates, which it unveiled earlier this year, for setting up claims reserves, after repeated reserve boosts.</p>
<p>The unit also continued to shrink, with a 15% reduction in net premiums written. Industrywide, rates are flat to declining for many product lines, and AIG has been shedding some business that isn't judged profitable enough.</p>
<p>The company's consumer insurance business had flat year-over-year revenue from premiums and fees, but operating profit surged 33%, to $1.26 billion. The business includes life insurance, annuities, group retirement and sales of car, home and other policies to wealthy people.</p>
<p>Another key piece of Mr. Hancock's turnaround plan was the two-year return of $25 billion capital to shareholders, ending Dec. 31. AIG said it had bought back $2.4 billion of shares during the second quarter, and its board authorized a quarterly dividend payable Sept. 29. Including that dividend, the company will reach about $20 billion of returned capital.</p>
<p>The company said it has a remaining share-buyback authorization of approximately $2.5 billion.</p>
<p>Analysts are expected to push for detail in Thursday's earnings call about whether the company will stick with Mr. Hancock's target.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, MetLife's spun-off insurance business -- Brighthouse Financial -- is set to begin trading Monday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Brighthouse, which will become home to about a quarter of MetLIfe's total assets, will be focused heavily on annuities for retirement income and other savings. The remaining MetLife will get about 40% of its income from international life insurance operations, and it will continue to be one of the nation's leading sellers of insurance for employee benefits programs. It also is keeping an asset-management unit and will sell pension products, among other operations.</p>
<p>MetLife's operating income increased 52% to $1.41 billion, or $1.30 a share, up from $924 million, or 83 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. Analysts had expected operating income of $1.28 a share. MetLife CEO Steven A. Kandarian said the company is on track to return about $4.5 billion to shareholders this year in dividends and share repurchases.</p>
<p>Its net income, which includes realized capital gains and losses and mark-to-market changes in derivatives used for risk-management hedging, totaled $838 million, up from $64 million. The company reported $284 million in derivative losses this quarter, which it said reflected changes in foreign currencies, equity markets and interest rates.</p>
<p>MetLife cited strong underwriting and volume growth for its U.S. operations, including a 30% year-to-date increase in sales for its group-benefits business. It also reported double-digit operating-earnings gains in operations in Asia, Latin America and other parts of the word.</p>
<p>Prudential's operating income rose to $919 million, or $2.09 a share, missing analyst expectations for $2.70 a share and compared with $829 million, or $1.84 a share, a year earlier. It reported $491 million in net income, down from $921 million the prior year, hurt by charges following its annual review of actuarial assumptions.</p>
<p>Write to Leslie Scism at [email protected] and Nicole Friedman at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>August 03, 2017 02:47 ET (06:47 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | article republished part daily reproduction wsjcom articles also appeared us print edition wall street journal august 3 2017 american international group inc posted betterthanexpected secondquarter operating results new chief executive brian duperreault took midway period metlife inc different turning point last quarter spinoff historic core lifeinsurance unit continue reading metlife largest us life insurer assets divestiture set occur friday also reported higher betterthananticipated operating income posted improved results us overseas locations though us retail operations spun named brighthouse financial 5 decline prudential financial incs operating income also rose missed analyst expectations three insurers pershare results aided sharebuyback programs aigs net income dropped 41 113 billion 191 billion yearearlier period insurance conglomerate net realized capital gains 1 billion mostly sale shares chinese insurer operating basis aig income 145 billion 131 billion investors analysts track operating results exclude realized capital gains losses nonrecurring items 153 share operating income well ahead consensus expectation analysts 120 115 share yearearlier period advertisement mr duperreault hired midmay former chief executive peter hancock pushed back profitimprovement deadlines set january 2016 lost support companys board longtime veteran propertycasualty insurance industry 70yearold mr duperreault said wants aig begin growing years selling assets repay 2008 us bailout finance share buybacks release wednesday said build aigs strong franchise maximizing value international footprint adding goal investing profitable growth much mr hancocks effort focused companys core business selling propertycasualty insurance midsizetolarge businesses globally latest results showed work process mr duperreault inherited unit posted pretax operating income 716 million 24 yearearlier period much deterioration came aig used higher loss estimates unveiled earlier year setting claims reserves repeated reserve boosts unit also continued shrink 15 reduction net premiums written industrywide rates flat declining many product lines aig shedding business isnt judged profitable enough companys consumer insurance business flat yearoveryear revenue premiums fees operating profit surged 33 126 billion business includes life insurance annuities group retirement sales car home policies wealthy people another key piece mr hancocks turnaround plan twoyear return 25 billion capital shareholders ending dec 31 aig said bought back 24 billion shares second quarter board authorized quarterly dividend payable sept 29 including dividend company reach 20 billion returned capital company said remaining sharebuyback authorization approximately 25 billion analysts expected push detail thursdays earnings call whether company stick mr hancocks target meanwhile metlifes spunoff insurance business brighthouse financial set begin trading monday nasdaq stock market brighthouse become home quarter metlifes total assets focused heavily annuities retirement income savings remaining metlife get 40 income international life insurance operations continue one nations leading sellers insurance employee benefits programs also keeping assetmanagement unit sell pension products among operations metlifes operating income increased 52 141 billion 130 share 924 million 83 cents share yearearlier period analysts expected operating income 128 share metlife ceo steven kandarian said company track return 45 billion shareholders year dividends share repurchases net income includes realized capital gains losses marktomarket changes derivatives used riskmanagement hedging totaled 838 million 64 million company reported 284 million derivative losses quarter said reflected changes foreign currencies equity markets interest rates metlife cited strong underwriting volume growth us operations including 30 yeartodate increase sales groupbenefits business also reported doubledigit operatingearnings gains operations asia latin america parts word prudentials operating income rose 919 million 209 share missing analyst expectations 270 share compared 829 million 184 share year earlier reported 491 million net income 921 million prior year hurt charges following annual review actuarial assumptions write leslie scism lesliescismwsjcom nicole friedman nicolefriedmanwsjcom end dow jones newswires august 03 2017 0247 et 0647 gmt | 582 |
<p>Music subscriptions, payment transactions and apps are now big revenue contributors</p>
<p>This article is being republished as part of our daily reproduction of WSJ.com articles that also appeared in the U.S. print edition of The Wall Street Journal (August 3, 2017).</p>
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<p>When Apple Inc. last year began breaking out revenue from app sales, music subscriptions and payment transactions, the accounting change seemed opportunistic. Sales of iPhones were declining and services provided a growing business to showcase.</p>
<p>The change now appears more than justified.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Apple said services -- the App Store, iTunes, Apple Pay, iCloud and more -- generated more than $27.8 billion in revenue for the 12 months ended July 1, making it the equivalent of a Fortune 100 company and larger than Facebook Inc.'s total revenue in 2016.</p>
<p>The company hit the Fortune 100 milestone a full quarter before predicted by Chief Executive Tim Cook, as rising subscriptions to Apple Music, Netflix Inc. and other services lifted services revenue 22% in the June quarter to $7.27 billion. The iPhone is still Apple's chief moneymaker, but services combined with better-than-expected iPad and Mac sales reduced Apple's total revenue from the iPhone to 55% in the quarter from 57% a year ago.</p>
<p>"The business is really impressive when you think about it in terms of scale compared to other publicly traded companies out there," said Jeff Dillon, chief executive of Jackson, Mich.-based Dillon &amp; Associates, which counts Apple among its largest holdings. "There's a long runway to go there."</p>
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<p>Apple's total revenue rose 7.2% in the quarter to $45.41 billion, while profit was up 12% to $8.72 billion. The company's stock rose 5% in late-morning trading.</p>
<p>Apple grew services revenue while facing a host of challenges, including shuttered movie sales in China, shrinking iTunes market share in the U.S., and a music-streaming service that's a distant No. 2 player in paid subscriptions to Spotify AB.</p>
<p>The company remains guarded about which sources are driving services revenue. Apple annually reports total payments to app developers and in June said Apple Music subscriptions hit 27 million. But it hasn't broken out revenue from AppleCare, Apple Pay, iTunes, iCloud storage or any of the other pieces that contribute to the business.</p>
<p>The growth in services is driven by the size and quality of Apple's user base. Apple now has more than 1 billion devices in use world-wide. Its pricier iPhones, iPads and Macs are typically bought by more affluent consumers who load them up with apps or pay extra to store photos in the cloud. The App Store generates nearly twice the revenue of Alphabet Inc.'s Google Play, according to App Annie, a tracking service.</p>
<p>Apple to some extent is drafting off broader consumer trends. An increasing number of customers are shifting from cable subscriptions to streaming-subscriptions services such as Netflix, HBO Now and Hulu, and many sign up through the App Store, giving Apple a 15% cut of the subscription.</p>
<p>Apple said its number of subscriptions rose 12% in the past 90 days to 185 million. In a call with analysts, Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri credited some of the growth to making App Store purchases easier by adding more payment options, such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s Alipay in China.</p>
<p>The services business hasn't been without headaches. In China, the government shut down Apple's movie and book sales because they violated local media guidelines. Apple also has faced criticism globally for removing apps in China such as the New York Times earlier this year, and others that allowed users to evade the country's censorship laws.</p>
<p>Apple's streaming-music service continues to lag behind Spotify, which in June reported more than twice as many paid subscribers at 60 million. Movie rentals and sales on its iTunes service in the U.S. have been pressured by Comcast Corp. and Amazon.com Inc., reducing its market share to about 20% from more than 50% in 2012.</p>
<p>The iPhone maker is trying to differentiate to gain Apple Music subscribers and video viewers by branching out into original content. It released the reality show "Planet of the Apps" in June and will add "Carpool Karaoke" next week. It recently hired two top Hollywood television executives to spearhead a push into original programming.</p>
<p>"We'll see how this area goes, but it's still an area of great interest, " Mr. Cook said on the call.</p>
<p>The services growth over the past decade is impressive considering late CEO Steve Jobs didn't want an app store. The iPhone launched without one, and Mr. Jobs primarily wanted to offer only Apple services, but employees and outsiders prevailed in getting him to change his mind, former employees said.</p>
<p>The bulk of services revenue now comes from apps. In January, the company said customers spent $28.5 billion in 2016, with Apple collecting about $8.5 billion based on its 30% share of app sales.</p>
<p>Write to Tripp Mickle at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>August 03, 2017 02:47 ET (06:47 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | music subscriptions payment transactions apps big revenue contributors article republished part daily reproduction wsjcom articles also appeared us print edition wall street journal august 3 2017 continue reading apple inc last year began breaking revenue app sales music subscriptions payment transactions accounting change seemed opportunistic sales iphones declining services provided growing business showcase change appears justified tuesday apple said services app store itunes apple pay icloud generated 278 billion revenue 12 months ended july 1 making equivalent fortune 100 company larger facebook incs total revenue 2016 company hit fortune 100 milestone full quarter predicted chief executive tim cook rising subscriptions apple music netflix inc services lifted services revenue 22 june quarter 727 billion iphone still apples chief moneymaker services combined betterthanexpected ipad mac sales reduced apples total revenue iphone 55 quarter 57 year ago business really impressive think terms scale compared publicly traded companies said jeff dillon chief executive jackson michbased dillon amp associates counts apple among largest holdings theres long runway go advertisement apples total revenue rose 72 quarter 4541 billion profit 12 872 billion companys stock rose 5 latemorning trading apple grew services revenue facing host challenges including shuttered movie sales china shrinking itunes market share us musicstreaming service thats distant 2 player paid subscriptions spotify ab company remains guarded sources driving services revenue apple annually reports total payments app developers june said apple music subscriptions hit 27 million hasnt broken revenue applecare apple pay itunes icloud storage pieces contribute business growth services driven size quality apples user base apple 1 billion devices use worldwide pricier iphones ipads macs typically bought affluent consumers load apps pay extra store photos cloud app store generates nearly twice revenue alphabet incs google play according app annie tracking service apple extent drafting broader consumer trends increasing number customers shifting cable subscriptions streamingsubscriptions services netflix hbo hulu many sign app store giving apple 15 cut subscription apple said number subscriptions rose 12 past 90 days 185 million call analysts chief financial officer luca maestri credited growth making app store purchases easier adding payment options alibaba group holding ltds alipay china services business hasnt without headaches china government shut apples movie book sales violated local media guidelines apple also faced criticism globally removing apps china new york times earlier year others allowed users evade countrys censorship laws apples streamingmusic service continues lag behind spotify june reported twice many paid subscribers 60 million movie rentals sales itunes service us pressured comcast corp amazoncom inc reducing market share 20 50 2012 iphone maker trying differentiate gain apple music subscribers video viewers branching original content released reality show planet apps june add carpool karaoke next week recently hired two top hollywood television executives spearhead push original programming well see area goes still area great interest mr cook said call services growth past decade impressive considering late ceo steve jobs didnt want app store iphone launched without one mr jobs primarily wanted offer apple services employees outsiders prevailed getting change mind former employees said bulk services revenue comes apps january company said customers spent 285 billion 2016 apple collecting 85 billion based 30 share app sales write tripp mickle trippmicklewsjcom end dow jones newswires august 03 2017 0247 et 0647 gmt | 533 |
<p>Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ: TECD)Q3 2018 Earnings Conference CallNov. 27, 2017, 5:00 p.m. ET</p>
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<p>Operator</p>
<p>Good afternoon. Welcome to Tech Data Corporation's fiscal year 2018 third quarter earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the presentation, we will conduct a question-and-answer session. To ask a question, please press *1. Today's conference is being recorded. If you have any objections, you may disconnect at this time. Now I'll turn the meeting over to Arleen Quiñones, Vice President of Investor Relations. Ma'am, you may begin.</p>
<p>Arlene Quiñones -- Vice President of Investor Relations</p>
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<p>Thank you, Matt. Good afternoon and welcome to Tech Data's earnings conference call and webcast to review our financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018. I am joined this afternoon by Bob Dutkowsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and Chuck Dannewitz, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.</p>
<p>For a detailed look at our third quarter results, please review our financial highlights summary slide presentation posted this afternoon on the IR portion of our website located at www.techdata.com/investor. Unless otherwise specified, all gross comparisons we make on this call today relate to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.</p>
<p>Before we begin, I would like to remind all listeners that today's press release and certain matters discussed in today's call may include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the company's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors identified in the press release and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those filings related to our acquisition of Avnet's Technology Solutions business, as well as our most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.</p>
<p>Please be advised that the statements made during today's call should be considered to represent the expectations of management as of the date of this call. The company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements to actual results or changes in expectations. Also, throughout this conference call, we will reference both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude certain items contained in our GAAP financial results. A detailed reconciliation between results reported in accordance with GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures can be found in the press release and on the Investor Relations portion of our company's website.</p>
<p>Please note that during today's call, we will refer to Technology Solutions business acquired from Avnet on February 27, 2017, as "Technology Solutions" or as "TS." We have provided certain estimates of pro forma sales growth rate and product performance based on combining the stand-alone operating results of Tech Data and Technology Solutions for the periods prior to the acquisition date. This pro forma information is provided for informational purposes only and does not represent what actual results would have been had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the prior fiscal year. And it is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may result in the future. In addition, this call is the property of Tech Data and may not be recorded or rebroadcast without specific written permission from the company. I will now turn the call over to Tech Data's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bob Dutkowsky.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Thank you, Arleen. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. We're pleased to report Q3 results that were in line with our expectations and that continue to highlight the enhanced earnings power and cashflow profile of the new Tech Data. For the first time in Tech Data's history, quarterly sales surpassed $9 billion. Through pricing discipline and strong cost controls, we delivered solid non-GAAP earnings per share. In addition, we generated $70 million of cash from operations, paid down $350 million of our debt, reflecting our strong commitment to deleverage the company, and we earned an adjusted return on invested capital for the trailing-12-month period well in excess of our weighted average cost of capital.</p>
<p>You will recall that our Q2 earnings missed our expectations due primarily to three factors that impacted gross margins: product and customer mix, underperformance in our global computing components business, and a competitive market environment in Europe. In Q3, our teams executed better and both optimizing our customer and product mix, as well as negotiating and obtaining vendor rebates. In the quarter, demand for endpoint devices exceeded our expectations, while demand for advanced solutions was less than we planned. However, by leveraging our end-to-end portfolio, our teams responded quickly and capitalized on the actual demand in the marketplace.</p>
<p>During the quarter, we also aligned the hedging policies within our global computing components business and sold through much of the inventory on hand at the end of Q2. Therefore, we do not anticipate issues related to hedging practices in our component business to significantly impact our results in Q4 and beyond. And finally, the market continues to be highly competitive throughout our regions. However, in Q3, our teams executed well, being selective in the opportunities we pursued, and walking away from unprofitable business. Overall, I feel very confident about the progress we've made to get our execution back on track, and that we have addressed the issues that we can control.</p>
<p>Now before I turn the call over to Chuck for more color on our regional performance and financial highlights, I'm pleased to report that since our last earnings call, we reached a number of integration milestones, including the integration of two of our larger European countries and further alignment of key policies and practices. We also introduced the new Tech Data and our new global brand to markets around the world. Our refreshed brand, which includes a new look, as well as a new purpose, mission, and vision, reflects a modern, global leader in technology distribution. The distributor of the future that connects the world with the power of technology. Tech Data's unmatched end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions, and services and highly specialized skills positions, positions us perfectly to meet our channel partners' evolving needs.</p>
<p>In addition to uniting Tech Data under one common brand, we've also changed the way we describe our end-to-end continuum of IT products and service offerings. We recognize that as workloads shift from the data center to the edge and beyond, the lines that historically defined technology are blurring. In addition, many of the new technologies are virtual and borderless. Consumers don't think in terms of broadline or value products. They think in terms of solutions that deliver business outcomes, making the old nomenclatures obsolete. Therefore, we've grouped our offerings into two primary solution portfolios -- endpoint solutions and advanced solutions.</p>
<p>Endpoint solutions, previously known as the broadline category, primarily includes PC systems, printers, peripherals, supplies, endpoint software, and consumer electronics, as well as mobile phones and accessories. Our advanced solutions portfolio includes primarily more complex data center technology, such as storage, networking, servers, data center software, and converged and hyper-converged infrastructure. Next generation technology such as cloud, security, analytics, IoT, as well as our specialty and service offerings, span across both endpoint and advanced solution portfolios. We believe this more intuitive and solution-oriented naming convention will help customers more easily interact with Tech Data's broad-coverage model, will facilitate cross-selling, and will better leverage the strength of our end-to-end portfolio to deliver specialized outcomes into the marketplace.</p>
<p>I will share some additional information on our company's strategy later in my prepared remarks. But now I'll turn the call over to Chuck, who will review our financial and operational results for the quarter, as well as our outlook for Q4. Chuck?</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Thank you, Bob. Good afternoon, everyone. As Bob indicated, our solid Q3 results continue to demonstrate the enhanced earnings power and cashflow profile of the new Tech Data and our ability to deliver strong returns for our shareholders. I'll now provide you with a more detailed view of our Q3 consolidated and regional results. On a reported basis, worldwide sales were $9.1 billion, up 41% year-over-year. The year-over-year increase in worldwide and regional sales is primarily due to the addition of Technology Solutions. On a pro forma basis, we estimate that worldwide sales were up low single digits in constant currency. On a regional basis, sales in the Americas increased 53% to $4 billion on a reported basis, and 52% in constant currency. On a pro forma basis, we estimate Americas' sales increased by mid-single digits in constant currency.</p>
<p>During the quarter, power and network outages caused by Hurricane Irma impacted our Florida and Georgia facilities. Thanks to the tireless efforts put forth by our IT, facilities, and sales teams, we quickly resumed operations. The Hurricane's impact on Q3 sales is estimated to be between $40 to $60 million. This experience reinforced the unwavering dedication of our employees, as well as the strong loyalty of our vendors and customers, whose support helped to mitigate our sales losses. At a product level in the Americas, PCs and software subscriptions, as well as next-generation technologies, including cloud and security, performed well during the quarter, while storage, networking, and traditional software products declined.</p>
<p>In the U.S., sales to resellers serving public sector end users showed strong growth and sales in our U.S. FMB sales division grew by double digits again in Q3. In Europe, Q3 sales increased 25% to $4.8 billion on a reported basis and 19% in constant currency. On a pro forma basis, we estimate Europe's sales were approximately flat year-over-year in constant currency. At a product level, smartphones, notebooks, software subscriptions, security networking, and storage performed well, while computing components, printer supplies, and traditional software products declined.</p>
<p>In the Asia-Pacific region, sales were $297 million. Our Asia-Pacific results are entirely due to the acquisition of TS, as Tech Data had no operations in the region prior to the acquisition. From a product perspective, networking and servers were up, while sales of storage and security declined. Worldwide gross profit was $526.1 million, an increase of $210.2 million, or 67%. Gross margin was 5.76%, an improvement of 89 basis points. The increase in gross profit dollars and gross margin are primarily due to the addition of the higher margin TS business.</p>
<p>Worldwide non-GAAP SG&amp;A expenses, which excludes $26.4 million of acquisition-related intangible amortization expense, increased $155.7 million, or 66%. As a percentage of sales, non-GAAP SG&amp;A expenses increased 65 basis points. The increase in non-GAAP SG&amp;A expenses was primarily due to the addition of TS. The higher non-GAAP SG&amp;A as a percentage of sales is primarily due to the higher cost to serve TS's more complex, advanced solutions business. Worldwide non-GAAP operating income was $135.7 million, up $54.6 million, or 67%. Worldwide non-GAAP operating margin improved 24 basis points to 1.49%. The increases in worldwide and regional non-GAAP operating income dollars and operating margin percentages are primarily due to the addition of the TS business. On a regional basis, the Americas' non-GAAP operating income group's $43.1 million to $85.5 million, an increase of 101%, and as a percentage of sales grew to 2.14%, an improvement of 52 basis points.</p>
<p>In Europe, non-GAAP operating income grew $11.2 million to $53.4 million, an increase of 26%. As a percentage of sales, Europe's non-GAAP operating income was 1.1%, compared to 1.09% in the prior year. In our Asia-Pacific region, non-GAAP operating income was $3.9 million, or 1.32% of net sales. Despite higher sequential sales, the region's profitability declined from the prior quarter, primarily due to product mix, competitive market pressures, and higher operating expenses.</p>
<p>Stock base compensation expense was $8.3 million in Q3, which includes $1.2 million of acquisition and integration-related expense. Interest expense in Q3 was $26 million, higher by $16 million, primarily due to higher debt balances used to fund the TS acquisition. Our Q3 non-GAAP effective tax rate was 30.9%. Non-GAAP net income was $76.7 million, an increase of $25.8, or 51%, and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $2.00, a 39% improvement.</p>
<p>Turning now to some of our balance sheet and cash flow metrics. Our cash conversion cycle in Q3 was 21 days, which was consistent with Q2, and favorable by one day compared to the prior-year quarter. During the quarter, we generated operating cash flow of $70 million, bringing our year-to-date cash flow from operations to $440 million, and we exited the quarter with a cash balance of $563 million. Reflecting our commitment to rapidly deleverage the company, during the quarter we paid off our $350 million senior note that matured in September. We will continue to use the combined company's strong cash flows to deleverage our balance sheet and to expect to achieve a total debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of approximately 2.5 times within the next 11 to 17 months.</p>
<p>Capital expenditures were $172 million in the quarter, which includes $156 million related to the purchase of facilities in the U.S. previously leased under a synthetic lease arrangement, which we terminated in October. For the trailing 12 months, we earned an adjusted return on invested capital of 12%. At the end of Q3, we had $2.7 billion of equity and a 41% debt-to-total-capital ratio. And in Q3, three of our vendor partners represented 10% or more of our sales. Apple represented 16%, while HP, Inc., and Cisco each represented 10% of sales. As Bob stated earlier, we're making excellent progress on our integration efforts. With the actions taken identified to date, we are confident we are on track to achieve $50 million in annual cost savings this fiscal year, and another $50 million by the end of fiscal year '19, for a combined annual cost savings of $100 million. Also, we continue to expect to incur a one-time cost to achieve these savings of approximately $150 million, exclusive of one-time transaction cost related to the acquisition.</p>
<p>Turning now to our guidance for the fourth quarter ending January 31, 2018, we anticipate sales to be in the range of $10.25 billion to $10.8 billion. We anticipate earnings per share to be in the range of $2.39 to $2.69, and non-GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $3.35 to $3.65. This guidance assumes $38.5 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, and an effective tax rate in the range of 29 to 31%. This guidance also assumes an average U.S. dollar to Euro exchange rate of $1.18 to 1 Euro. I will now turn the call over to Bob for additional comments.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Thanks, Chuck. We remain highly confident and excited about the future of our business and the promise that the new Tech Data brings to a rapidly transitioning IT market. We are building the IT distributor of the future, one with breadth, specialized skills and extensive capabilities to help our channel partners capitalize on growth opportunities across the total computing continuum. To accomplish this, the strategy we outlined in our investor day last month has focused on investing in next-generation technologies, strengthening our end-to-end portfolio, optimizing our global footprint, and visualizing transforming Tech Data.</p>
<p>It's clear that the IT market of the future will be built on next-generation technologies and delivery models such as cloud, hybrid cloud, hyper-converged infrastructure, edge devices, solid state storage, software-defined solutions, analytics, security, and the services that will support the entire end-to-end IT ecosystem. The new Tech Data, with its deep domain expertise, value-added skillsets, and enhanced earnings profile is positioned better than ever to invest in and accelerate our growth in these areas. These investments will complement what we believe is the most comprehensive end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions, and services in the industry.</p>
<p>As customers have moved beyond buying just products to purchasing business outcomes or solutions, IT distributors now and into the future must possess broad and deep end-to-end capabilities, from endpoints to legacy technologies, to next-generation IT, regardless of how the technology is delivered or where the workloads migrate. Therefore, we will continue to strengthen our portfolio of offerings from legacy and emerging vendors to help our customers create robust, tailored solutions that create better business outcomes for their customers.</p>
<p>We will continue to optimize our global footprint by investing selectively and strategically in our geographies in order to grow profitably. Today, we operate in 40+ countries, each of which can be optimized in one way or another. For example, there are countries where we are underinvested, with the opportunity to expand by adding new technologies or vendors. In other countries, we need simply to improve productivity and become even more efficient. Global scope and local expertise are a powerful combination, and we're focused on further strengthening our position in the regions where we operate.</p>
<p>Finally, over the last few years, we've invested in building out our digital footprint. Today, we execute over half of our sales and procure greater than 95% of our inventory through digital channels. In addition, we've delivered over 3 million software-as-a-service seats in the marketplace on behalf of our vendor partners. While we've already made good progress in our digital transformation, there's opportunity to digitize Tech Data even further. The pace of change is accelerating. To keep pace with this change, we are investing in automation, advanced analytics and digital marketplaces, all of which will lead to a superior customer experience while also reducing operating expenses and enhancing our efficient, variable low-cost route to market for our vendor partners.</p>
<p>To sum things up, our year-to-date results clearly demonstrate the significantly enhanced earnings profile and cash generating power of the new Tech Data. The new Tech Data is differentiated by our broad and rich portfolio of endpoint, advanced, and specialized solutions and services, that together with deep skills and domain knowledge enable our channel partners to bring to market the technology the world needs to connect, learn, and advance.</p>
<p>As we enter the final quarter of our fiscal year, our teams continue to be focused on operations and integration. Operationally, we are executing our strategy while maintaining disciplined cost controls and optimizing profitable market share in key geographies and segments. Our integration teams are progressing as planned. We are on track to deliver our synergy and debt-reduction targets. All of this we believe will continue to improve our financial profile and deliver strong results for our shareholders. I'd like to extend our thanks to our vendors and customers for their business and continued partnership, and to my Tech Data colleagues around the world for their hard work and dedication. With that, we'd like to open the call to your questions.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you. We'll now begin the question-and-answer session. If you'd like to ask a question, please press *1 on your telephone. You may press *2 if you'd like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the * keys. One moment, please, while we poll for questions.</p>
<p>Our first question is from Adam Tindle from Raymond James. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Adam Tindle -- Raymond James &amp; Associates, Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay. Thanks and good evening. I just wanted to start to better understand the challenges and opportunities in Europe, specifically from a margin perspective. The trend did improve a bit from last quarter, but operating margin was flat year-over-year, despite adding in the accretive TS business. Maybe you could start by helping us understand the drivers of this and what you see as a realistic, longer-term target for the region. And I have a follow-up, please.</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Adam, this is Chuck. In terms of the synergies that we expect to realize in the European region, it's slower than it is in the other regions due to us rolling our the IT systems country by country by country. As we noted on previous calls, those synergies will be realized over the 2-year period and will be more toward the back end versus the front end.</p>
<p>Adam Tindle -- Raymond James &amp; Associates, Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay. Maybe one for Bob then. One of your major competitors is still showing double-digit revenue growth and gross margin declines. This trend actually accelerated on a year-over-year basis in the third quarter. You alluded to pricing discipline and a competitive environment in your prepared remarks. I'm just hoping that you can provide us with some updated thoughts based on what you have seen. Has this trend expanded beyond Europe and do you see any timeline for this to settle down?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, Adam. The market clearly is competitive. The competitiveness that we saw in the European market in Q2 has extended across our whole footprint now. I think we did a really good job in the quarter of remaining disciplined, pursuing the pieces of business that delivered the proper profitability and use of capital, and also helping our customers with projects that were strategic to their customers. I think we did a good job. I think we landed in the sweet spot of the growth market. We projected that we would be in the low single-digit growth range and we delivered growth into that range, which I think validates the idea that our execution has continued to improve.</p>
<p>Adam Tindle -- Raymond James &amp; Associates, Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay. Just one quick clarification because you were talking about organic investments in the prepared remarks. Does the mid-single-digit growth in operating profit dollars X synergies for fiscal '19 that you talked about at the analyst day include any of these planned organic investments?</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Adam, this is Chuck. We, as we indicated at investor day, the organic investments were included in the operating income growth.</p>
<p>Adam Tindle -- Raymond James &amp; Associates, Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, thank you very much.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, and Adam, it's Bob again. As we continue to progress on the integration of the two companies together, what becomes really obvious to us is the depth of the skills that we have across the board, but also the places that where with targeted investments we can offer even better service to our customers and our vendors. And so as time progresses, our view of those very targeted organic investments are improving and we're executing against those.</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Adam, this is Chuck again. To be clear, we're not updating guidance that we gave on the analyst day. We'll thoroughly review our annual offering plan, as we usually do, and we'll give guidance when we release our earnings for the end of the year.</p>
<p>Adam Tindle -- Raymond James &amp; Associates, Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, thank you.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Our next question is from James Suva from Citi. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>James Suva -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thanks very much. It's Jim Suva here from Citi. My first question is, it now appears that last quarter, the challenges were one-off and this quarter you came back with strength across the board, which is great. As you were to look back now, say three or four months later, look back at the last quarter, can you maybe let us know the few either changes in behavior you did or lessons you learned or how exactly you circumvented it so it didn't reoccur this quarter, so we can be confident that it doesn't reemerge again?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, Jim, at Tech Data, we pride ourselves on excellence and execution. As I tried to describe in the prepared remarks, our teams executed at a high level in Q3 and delivered against the expectations that we had as a business. That excellence and execution are in the fabric of the company. It's in the DNA of the company. I think you saw in Q3 the power of that execution with the results that we posted.</p>
<p>James Suva -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay. And in doing so, did you change incentives across the entire company? Did you sit down and have management come to terms with what the strategy is? Or what changed from last quarter to this quarter for those of us on the outside who just can't see the actions that you did inside.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, we didn't change our management system one bit. We review every one of our operations twice a quarter. In the eleven years that I've been here, that process has existed every single quarter. Fundamentally, none of those underpinnings of the management system changed. We didn't change compensation systems. We didn't reorganize the business at all. We turned our attention toward execution. Jim, we're really good at looking at where the best practice exists in our company around the world.</p>
<p>Over the course of Q1, 2 and 3, what we've learned is there are best practices that had a Tech Data heritage and there are best practices that had an Avnet TS heritage. Those processes are becoming more mature in our execution every single day. We're beginning to see the benefit of that enhanced execution against a broader footprint with more vendors and more customers. So we're pleased with the way we executed in Q3, and we have plans in place to continue to execute into the future.</p>
<p>James Suva -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>Great. Thanks for the details and clarifications. Congratulations on the results.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Thanks, Jim.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Our next question is from Param Singh from Merrill Lynch. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Param Singh -- Merrill Lynch -- Analyst</p>
<p>Hi all. Thank you for taking my question. Guys, if I look at your guidance for next quarter, you typically see a decline in gross margin in the fourth quarter, especially as mobility and other endpoint solutions pick up. If I look at your guidance, it's implied that your op ex level would come down from the October quarter. Is there a reason why that dynamic would play out?</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Param, this is Chuck. We're actually not giving gross margin or op ex guidance. Purely the sales range and the EPS. The range we give takes into account the variety of margins that we can earn depending on the various product sets and customer sets that we're going to sell to. As you know, Q4 is a large data center practice for us. Historically both for us and the TS business that we acquired. It's also a very large mobility practice for us. We'll just have to see how those two business segments come in for Q4. That's built into our guidance.</p>
<p>Param Singh -- Merrill Lynch -- Analyst</p>
<p>Got it. Thank you. What was the reason for the decline in the APAC margin sequentially and what would be a normalized level for that?</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Again, APAC is a very small region. It represents less than 3% of sales, so a very small change in cost can impact the operating margin significantly. As we noted on the call we had, we sold a variety of lower margin, mixed-type products and we incurred a little bit more in operating expenses for the region. So that was the main reason for the decline.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>It's very much the law of small numbers in play there, Param. But the one thing that we're focused on is how to profitably continue to grow the Asia-Pacific business. As Chuck said, it's small today, but over time we'd like to see it get larger and mirror more of the overall performance of the company, particularly focused on the advanced solution side of the business.</p>
<p>Param Singh -- Merrill Lynch -- Analyst</p>
<p>Got it. One last one really quickly. What have you guys seem from a mobility demand so far in the quarter? I know it's better in your guide, but is it something you've seen with typical seasonality? Is that part of the business picking up a little stronger so far? Any clarity would be great.</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Param, we don't give guidance within the quarter on what we're seeing currently. We wouldn't comment on the mobility piece of the business.</p>
<p>Param Singh -- Merrill Lynch -- Analyst</p>
<p>Understood. Thanks a lot, guys. Appreciate it.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Our next question is from Matthew Sheerin from Stifel. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Matthew Sheerin -- Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Co., Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Yes, thanks. Good afternoon. A couple questions from me. First, Bob, in your commentary you talked about the strength of the endpoint client devices versus relative weakness on the solutions side. Is that a trend that you've seen continued here into Q4 or do you expect the typical budget flush on the enterprise side there? Because if you look at your revenue guidance, it looks like it's in line with seasonality. Although as you just pointed out, there's a lot of moving parts with the ramp of the smartphone products versus the data center stuff. So just trying to get a sense of what you expect there. Then just in line with that, it looks like, despite that weakness, your gross margins were more or less in line with expectations, which means that you managed your vendor rebate programs and just trying to figure out how that's going.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, you asked a few questions in there, Matt. Let me see if I can sort them out. First of all, not only Tech Data, but I think the whole industry has been surprised and pleased by the endpoint demand. Quite frankly, the demand in the quarter was stronger than what we planned. This is another example where our execution was very strong. We were able to acquire product from our vendor partners, acquire the correct products and the right SKUs, and then cover the market and take advantage of those sales opportunities in the endpoint space. When a market opportunity is greater than what we planned, it tests the execution and we did very, very well there. As Chuck said, we don't give forward guidance, so we're not going to talk about how those products are performing in Q4. I'm trying to think what were the other questions that you asked.</p>
<p>Matthew Sheerin -- Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Co., Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Just in terms of those cautious trends. Are you hearing from your retailers? You obviously gave some pretty good revenue guidance. So I'm not asking for specific guidance, but has that trend continued or not?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, when we build our plans, it's bottoms up. We start at the country level and we roll the countries up to the regions and then we aggregate all of that together on a worldwide basis. The guidance that we give is what we see in the marketplace. We're comfortable that the ranges that we gave are the proper ranges given all of the moving parts, as you said in your question, underneath that. The amount of products that are going to be available, the life cycle. There are some products that are new in the life cycle that we really don't know how much product we'll have access to.</p>
<p>Historically, the market realizes a budget flush in the data center in Q4. We really don't control that. We respond to the realities of that. Again, one of the reasons that we're really excited about the new Tech Data, it has the breadth to be able to be flexible and respond to the realities of those markets better than Tech Data stand-alone or better than Avnet TS stand-alone was able to do. We're comfortable and confident as we look at the bottoms-up view of the quarter that we're going to be able to deliver on what we see is a good opportunity.</p>
<p>Matthew Sheerin -- Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Co., Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, great. Just as a follow-up, just changing topics and looking at the cross-selling opportunities with Avnet TS. You've talked about that, not just geographically, but in terms of your product and vendor base. I know part of that success will come post-the ERP or IT integration. Are you expecting to see results before that integration or is that going to make a big difference and what's the timetable for that as well?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, we're already seeing cross-selling opportunities. But Matt, keep in mind that in many cases, Tech Data sold to a customer that Avnet TS also sold to the customer. Patrick Zammit, our European president I think said that about 40% of the European customers already buy from both the legacy Tech Data and the legacy TS. So the cross-selling opportunities are clearly already underway, but we haven't pursued it aggressively in all of our geographies as we build out or organization and understand our coverage model and our competence. So over time, there are more opportunities for cross-selling, but I don't want to leave you with the idea that it's not already taking place.</p>
<p>Matthew Sheerin -- Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Co., Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, great. Thank you.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Our next question is from Sean Hannan from Needham &amp; Company. Please go ahead. I'm sorry. Sean, your line is live. Perhaps it's muted on your end. We'll go with the next question from Louis Miscioscia from Pivotal Research Group. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Louis Miscioscia -- Pivotal Research Group -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, thanks. Hey, Bob, could you go into a little bit more detail about the competition in the sense of you mentioned that it was very tight or aggressive in Europe last quarter, but then you said that it's now gone global. It seems like your results are pretty decent here, so happy about that. But would you say that it's very aggressive in comparison to historic levels? Or just more of a bit of a wave?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Lou, I think the whole IT segment is a very competitive market to start with. And so competition ebbs and flows over time. We take a very long-term view of our position in the market. We try to build a value proposition that's attractive to our customers and attractive to our vendor partners and we roll that into the market and then we compete with that with vigor. Surveys have been done asking resellers what are the criteria that they're interested in, in terms of value from their distributors and quite frankly, price is way down the list. It's competence, it's skills, it's product availability, it's breadth of line card, it's coverage, it's relationship. Price is in there someplace, but in very few cases is price the No. 1 criteria. So competition is much broader than just price.</p>
<p>And so as we talk about the capabilities of the new Tech Data, the breadth, the end-to-end capabilities, the depth of skills, the scope of the footprint, we are very, very confident of our competitive position in the marketplace.</p>
<p>Louis Miscioscia -- Pivotal Research Group -- Analyst</p>
<p>Let me try to ask the same question in a little bit of a different way. Are we entering a new phase of higher competition or just more the typical waves that distribution has seen and we're not going to a whole new level?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Again, it's always been competitive. I've been here for 11 years, Lou, and it's always been competitive. It is a competitive market. If you don't like competition, don't get into IT distribution. It is a competitive game and we compete on the breadth and capabilities of our company and we're very, very confident we're well positioned to compete.</p>
<p>Louis Miscioscia -- Pivotal Research Group -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay. Now switching around to when -- thanks for explaining how you've been able to resolve the issues of last quarter. I think that they sort of caught you by surprise. I guess I'll ask you a difficult question. What is out there now as it looks like this quarter reported was good and guidance is good, that you're most worried about? Obviously, a lot of not just yourselves, but many distributors have run into issues when they're trying to combine or launch new IT. Would it be the integration of the IT that could cause a problem? Or what would be the top three things as you look out over the next three to six months that you would be worried about?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Lou, I'll give you two. But I'm going to caveat it with I'm not losing sleep over either of these. But the two things that we've been focused on since the day we announced the transaction with TS was a focus on operations and a focus on integration. As I said in my prepared comments, we have teams of people that are focused on each of those. I think in Q3 you can see where both the operational excellence, and as we talked about, the progress we made in the integration, both tracks of the company are progressing along very nicely.</p>
<p>So those are the two areas that we're focused on -- operating the company, serving the customers, making sure that we're delivering the value and coverage that our vendors expect from us, investing in the growth of that engine, and then achieving the targets that we've set out built around the integration of the two companies, and ensuring that as this new Tech Data enters into the marketplace, that the strengths of TS and the strengths of Tech Data come together to build a better company. Those are the two things we're focused on.</p>
<p>We've been focused on those since the first day we announced the deal. We still have a way to go. As Chuck described, some of those actions in Europe won't take place until later next year. So we said from the very beginning the process was a 2-year process, and we're 7 months into a 2-year process. But as we reported, we're very confident and comfortable with the progress we're making on both fronts.</p>
<p>Louis Miscioscia -- Pivotal Research Group -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, good. Thank you.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Our next question is from Shannon Cross from Cross Research. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Shannon Cross -- Cross Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thank you very much. I was wanting to go back to some of your commentary on the weakness you saw in your advanced solutions, the data center business. I'm curious what the customers were saying. Was this a response to perhaps some higher prices that some of the vendors have put in place because of those component cost increases? Or was there some weakness there just because people weren't able to actually access the component? I'm just looking for a little more color on what you say during those quoted quarters. Thank you.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, it's Bob, Shannon. I think that first of all, the data center performance in the ecosystem, not Tech Data's data center performance, but in general, the data center demand has been relatively soft. I think the best reflection you can get of that is to look at the primary data center vendors and their performance. You'll see some numbers that are up slightly. You'll see some numbers that are down. Our view of that is just overall demand in the data center was mixed. Then secondly, the data center is clearly in a period of transition, as both technologies move from legacy technologies to new modern, next-generation platforms like converged and hyper-converged, solid state storage, software-defined networking. Then the impact of the cloud and hybrid cloud has on all of that. So the data center is a bit of a dynamic marketplace.</p>
<p>And so when a company like Tech Data sits down and tries to call the demand in the data center, it's several different dynamics that we need to look at all at the same time. Our customers are telling us that there continues to be activities and interest for opportunities in the data center, but they are taking different shapes and forms. Traditional dialogue about server storage and networking now might be a dialogue about converged or hyper-converged. A replacement of a storage farm now might be a dialogue around solid-state storage. Just to give you a couple of examples. So, therefore, what's really important for a distributor is to have deep skills in those new, emerging technologies. The combination of TS and Tech Data has a very strong portfolio of skills and talents and services wrapped around those products.</p>
<p>Shannon Cross -- Cross Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, that's helpful. Then maybe just, again, trying to understand the trajectory, I guess, of the change of what you've seen. If you think about what you sold during the prior quarter in terms of the percent or, I don't know, weighting toward a solution sale or a hyper-converged sale with some of the newer technologies versus say a year or two ago, I'm curious as to -- it's obviously a lot more a part of the conversation, but I'm also curious just from a percentage standpoint of the deals you're signing, what you're seeing there. Then I had one follow-up. Thank you.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, we don't break it out by those types of platform dialogues, Shannon. But suffice it to say that every quarter that goes by, there's more and more activity in the advanced and third platform technologies. The one that gets all the visibility is the cloud, which we continue to have strong cloud performance in the quarter, but it's much broader than that. You hear us keep describing this shifting and migration of workloads. Workloads are moving out of the data center into the cloud, out to the desktop, into mobility. Those shifting workloads are really one of the primary strategic drivers for the new Tech Data as our end-to-end portfolio of products and services allows us to work with our customer as they work with their customer and let the customers decide what types of products and services and solutions they want to build out. Tech Data can deliver virtually all of that. We're not trying to steer the migration of workload. We respond to it. We've done a good job of building a team that's able to do that.</p>
<p>Shannon Cross -- Cross Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, great. That's helpful. Then just with regard to the integration, what are the key sort of initiatives that you think will happen in say the next 6 months? I understand a lot will happen in Europe next year. What are the milestones we should look for? If you could just talk about when you come back next quarter in terms of some of the integration steps? Thank you.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, Shannon, it's Bob again. We have, as I've said many times, we have a team of dedicated people that are focused on the integration process. There are workstreams and milestones that are managed every single day inside the integration team across all of our geographies and we'll continue to stay focused on the plan that's in place. Chuck and I both articulated we're on schedule in terms of where we're trying to be to accomplish those integration milestones. Several of those milestones are regulation oriented. We have to work with the workers' councils in some of the European countries to get approvals to be able to change job descriptions or compensation plans or all the things that we need to do.</p>
<p>We're driving the process of integration as aggressively as we can. And again, we feel like we're on schedule for where we thought we would be at this point in time.</p>
<p>Shannon Cross -- Cross Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>Thank you very much.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Our next question is from Keith Housum from Northcoast Research. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Keith Housum -- Northcoast Research -- CPA, Analyst</p>
<p>Good afternoon, gentlemen. Thanks for taking my question. Bob, earlier in your comments, you addressed the execution issues you had last quarter and those should be pretty much complete going into the fourth quarter. What kind of headwind did that present to you, I guess on gross margin level and perhaps the bottom line this quarter versus say the prior quarter if they weren't there?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess, Keith I would answer your question this way. In that those types of challenges in operations and execution exist all the time. That wasn't just a single quarter phenomenon, it just happened that in that quarter, a few of those phenomena worked to our disadvantage. As I said earlier, one of the things we're really good at is to do the diagnostics of what we did well and what we didn't do well and then turn our attention to improving the places we didn't do well, learn from the best practices from the breadth of our footprint because I can assure you somewhere in our footprint, one of our countries did well and another country didn't do well, and we can learn from that.</p>
<p>We use that learning capability as part of our management system. So in Q2 where a few of the big execution areas didn't work as well as we needed them to, I think we've tried to articulate to you that in Q3 we feel like we fixed much of that, that we have control of. There are pieces of that whole backend rebate process that we simply don't control. We don't control the real demand in the marketplace. We respond to the real demand in the marketplace. We've done a good job of learning and adjusting and moving forward.</p>
<p>Keith Housum -- Northcoast Research -- CPA, Analyst</p>
<p>Okay. A follow-up question for you. You noted the headwind that the hurricane had to you in the quarter of $40 to $50 million. Did you have any one-time cost that wasn't covered by insurance or anything that we should consider for the quarter?</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Keith, this is Chuck. We had minimal one-time costs that were not significant to the quarter and would not be, of course, incurred going forward. But nothing significant to really call out for you.</p>
<p>Keith Housum -- Northcoast Research -- CPA, Analyst</p>
<p>Gotcha. If I could sneak one more in here. Interest to expense for the next quarter, did you guys give any guidance on that as you're paying down that $350 million this quarter? Can you give any color to those expectations?</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>No. I mean, we really don't give additional guidance on interest expense for the quarter. You can look at our public filings and know what the interest rate was for that $350 million senior note that we paid off. You could model it from there.</p>
<p>Keith Housum -- Northcoast Research -- CPA, Analyst</p>
<p>Okay, fair enough. Thank you.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Our next question is from Ananda Baruah from Loop Capital. Please go ahead.</p>
<p>Ananda Baruah -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst</p>
<p>Hey, guys. Congrats on a solid quarter. Hey, just a couple for me, if I could. Bob, in the prepared remarks, you spoke to improved mix in both products and customers. What underpinned that if anything other than just strong execution? Then I have a couple follow-ups. Thanks.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, Ananda, I think we did a good job of responding to the reality of the demand in the marketplace. And that both are from customer segments. Did we cover the right customers with the right resources? We've talked about in the past how we've deployed more field sales. In particular in the Americas. If you're not engaged with the customer, you're not going to have the opportunity to respond to the demand.</p>
<p>And with our new Tech Data, in particular in the Americas, we have more field resource close to the customer and we think that has helped us respond to the customer demand. Then the product profile and the demand, as I said earlier, I think the whole industry is a bit surprised by the strength of the endpoint solution demand. We were able to respond to that with the right products and the right service levels and the right skillsets to be able to help customers take advantage of those products. So it's more of executing properly against the demand and the coverage and we did a good job with that in the quarter.</p>
<p>Ananda Baruah -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst</p>
<p>Got it. Is the continuation of that dynamic, is that staked into your long-term model that you provided at the analyst day? Is there any way that could happen in a pronounced enough manner that maybe you weren't able to account for in the long-term model?</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, I think as we gave the outlook at the analysts' day, that coverage model, that dynamic of the opportunity and the demand is all part of what we do to try to determine what we think is the outlook.</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Ananda, this is Chuck. The modeling we gave you at analyst day was a high-level estimate and was really for assistance for you in modeling going forward. It wasn't guidance, per se.</p>
<p>Ananda Baruah -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst</p>
<p>Got it.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>But I'll give you one more piece of color, Ananda. As we look out into the market, as an example, we see security as a growth area. We know we need to strengthen the depth of our practice in all of our geographies around security. So that's when Chuck was referring to organic investments. That's the kind of thing we're hiring people with deep security skills, and we're recruiting a broader line card in the securities space from vendor offerings to be able to be ready for that demand over the next period of time. Those are examples of organic investments based on the market research and the opportunity work that we do to try to determine where we want to be positioned in the long term.</p>
<p>Ananda Baruah -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst</p>
<p>Got it. Very good. Thanks for that context. Then just I think one of the remarks you made just after, the improved mix remark. Bob, with regard to rebates improving for the quarter, can you give us a context around that on some of those executions? Were any of the rebates altered? Like that, that would be great, thanks.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Yeah, we negotiate those quarterly plans with our primary vendors every single quarter. Again, it's not a unique thing for us to work through with our vendors to match up the rebates with the real opportunity in the marketplace. Then once those rebates are set, then we turn all of our attention to serving the demand in the market, serving our customers, delivering our vendor partners' products into the marketplace. That's not dissimilar to what we've done here at Tech Data forever. The IT space has worked with the back-end incentive program kind of go-to-market model and we've worked this since the beginning of time. So it's not any different than what we've done historically.</p>
<p>Ananda Baruah -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst</p>
<p>Got it, great. Thanks so much. Congratulations again. Solid quarter. Thanks, guys.</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Operator</p>
<p>Thank you. This concludes Tech Data Corporation's fiscal year 2018 third quarter earnings conference call. A replay of this call will be available in about one hour at techdata.com. Thank you for attending today's conference call and have a great day.</p>
<p>Duration: 57 minutes</p>
<p>Arleen Quiñones -- Vice President of Investor Relations&#160;</p>
<p>Robert Dutkowsky -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</p>
<p>Charles V. Dannewitz -- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
<p>Adam Tindle -- Raymond James &amp; Associates, Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>James Suva -- Citigroup -- Analyst</p>
<p>Param Singh -- Merrill Lynch -- Analyst</p>
<p>Matthew Sheerin -- Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Co., Inc. -- Analyst</p>
<p>Louis Miscioscia -- Pivotal Research Group -- Analyst</p>
<p>Shannon Cross -- Cross Research -- Analyst</p>
<p>Keith Housum -- Northcoast Research -- CPA, Analyst</p>
<p>Ananda Baruah -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst</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;referring_guid=97c256c0-d45d-11e7-9235-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | tech data corporation nasdaq tecdq3 2018 earnings conference callnov 27 2017 500 pm et continue reading operator good afternoon welcome tech data corporations fiscal year 2018 third quarter earnings conference call time participants listenonly mode presentation conduct questionandanswer session ask question please press 1 todays conference recorded objections may disconnect time ill turn meeting arleen quiñones vice president investor relations maam may begin arlene quiñones vice president investor relations advertisement thank matt good afternoon welcome tech datas earnings conference call webcast review financial results third quarter fiscal year 2018 joined afternoon bob dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer chuck dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer detailed look third quarter results please review financial highlights summary slide presentation posted afternoon ir portion website located wwwtechdatacominvestor unless otherwise specified gross comparisons make call today relate corresponding period previous fiscal year begin would like remind listeners todays press release certain matters discussed todays call may include forwardlooking statements defined private securities litigation reform act 1995 statements based companys current expectations subject risks uncertainties risks uncertainties include limited factors identified press release filings securities exchange commission including filings related acquisition avnets technology solutions business well recent annual report form 10k identifies important risk factors could cause actual results differ materially contained forwardlooking statements please advised statements made todays call considered represent expectations management date call company undertakes duty update forwardlooking statements actual results changes expectations also throughout conference call reference gaap nongaap financial measures exclude certain items contained gaap financial results detailed reconciliation results reported accordance gaap nongaap financial measures found press release investor relations portion companys website please note todays call refer technology solutions business acquired avnet february 27 2017 technology solutions ts provided certain estimates pro forma sales growth rate product performance based combining standalone operating results tech data technology solutions periods prior acquisition date pro forma information provided informational purposes represent actual results would acquisition completed beginning prior fiscal year necessarily indicative results operations may result future addition call property tech data may recorded rebroadcast without specific written permission company turn call tech datas chairman chief executive officer bob dutkowsky robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer thank arleen good afternoon everyone thank joining us today pleased report q3 results line expectations continue highlight enhanced earnings power cashflow profile new tech data first time tech datas history quarterly sales surpassed 9 billion pricing discipline strong cost controls delivered solid nongaap earnings per share addition generated 70 million cash operations paid 350 million debt reflecting strong commitment deleverage company earned adjusted return invested capital trailing12month period well excess weighted average cost capital recall q2 earnings missed expectations due primarily three factors impacted gross margins product customer mix underperformance global computing components business competitive market environment europe q3 teams executed better optimizing customer product mix well negotiating obtaining vendor rebates quarter demand endpoint devices exceeded expectations demand advanced solutions less planned however leveraging endtoend portfolio teams responded quickly capitalized actual demand marketplace quarter also aligned hedging policies within global computing components business sold much inventory hand end q2 therefore anticipate issues related hedging practices component business significantly impact results q4 beyond finally market continues highly competitive throughout regions however q3 teams executed well selective opportunities pursued walking away unprofitable business overall feel confident progress weve made get execution back track addressed issues control turn call chuck color regional performance financial highlights im pleased report since last earnings call reached number integration milestones including integration two larger european countries alignment key policies practices also introduced new tech data new global brand markets around world refreshed brand includes new look well new purpose mission vision reflects modern global leader technology distribution distributor future connects world power technology tech datas unmatched endtoend portfolio products solutions services highly specialized skills positions positions us perfectly meet channel partners evolving needs addition uniting tech data one common brand weve also changed way describe endtoend continuum products service offerings recognize workloads shift data center edge beyond lines historically defined technology blurring addition many new technologies virtual borderless consumers dont think terms broadline value products think terms solutions deliver business outcomes making old nomenclatures obsolete therefore weve grouped offerings two primary solution portfolios endpoint solutions advanced solutions endpoint solutions previously known broadline category primarily includes pc systems printers peripherals supplies endpoint software consumer electronics well mobile phones accessories advanced solutions portfolio includes primarily complex data center technology storage networking servers data center software converged hyperconverged infrastructure next generation technology cloud security analytics iot well specialty service offerings span across endpoint advanced solution portfolios believe intuitive solutionoriented naming convention help customers easily interact tech datas broadcoverage model facilitate crossselling better leverage strength endtoend portfolio deliver specialized outcomes marketplace share additional information companys strategy later prepared remarks ill turn call chuck review financial operational results quarter well outlook q4 chuck charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer thank bob good afternoon everyone bob indicated solid q3 results continue demonstrate enhanced earnings power cashflow profile new tech data ability deliver strong returns shareholders ill provide detailed view q3 consolidated regional results reported basis worldwide sales 91 billion 41 yearoveryear yearoveryear increase worldwide regional sales primarily due addition technology solutions pro forma basis estimate worldwide sales low single digits constant currency regional basis sales americas increased 53 4 billion reported basis 52 constant currency pro forma basis estimate americas sales increased midsingle digits constant currency quarter power network outages caused hurricane irma impacted florida georgia facilities thanks tireless efforts put forth facilities sales teams quickly resumed operations hurricanes impact q3 sales estimated 40 60 million experience reinforced unwavering dedication employees well strong loyalty vendors customers whose support helped mitigate sales losses product level americas pcs software subscriptions well nextgeneration technologies including cloud security performed well quarter storage networking traditional software products declined us sales resellers serving public sector end users showed strong growth sales us fmb sales division grew double digits q3 europe q3 sales increased 25 48 billion reported basis 19 constant currency pro forma basis estimate europes sales approximately flat yearoveryear constant currency product level smartphones notebooks software subscriptions security networking storage performed well computing components printer supplies traditional software products declined asiapacific region sales 297 million asiapacific results entirely due acquisition ts tech data operations region prior acquisition product perspective networking servers sales storage security declined worldwide gross profit 5261 million increase 2102 million 67 gross margin 576 improvement 89 basis points increase gross profit dollars gross margin primarily due addition higher margin ts business worldwide nongaap sgampa expenses excludes 264 million acquisitionrelated intangible amortization expense increased 1557 million 66 percentage sales nongaap sgampa expenses increased 65 basis points increase nongaap sgampa expenses primarily due addition ts higher nongaap sgampa percentage sales primarily due higher cost serve tss complex advanced solutions business worldwide nongaap operating income 1357 million 546 million 67 worldwide nongaap operating margin improved 24 basis points 149 increases worldwide regional nongaap operating income dollars operating margin percentages primarily due addition ts business regional basis americas nongaap operating income groups 431 million 855 million increase 101 percentage sales grew 214 improvement 52 basis points europe nongaap operating income grew 112 million 534 million increase 26 percentage sales europes nongaap operating income 11 compared 109 prior year asiapacific region nongaap operating income 39 million 132 net sales despite higher sequential sales regions profitability declined prior quarter primarily due product mix competitive market pressures higher operating expenses stock base compensation expense 83 million q3 includes 12 million acquisition integrationrelated expense interest expense q3 26 million higher 16 million primarily due higher debt balances used fund ts acquisition q3 nongaap effective tax rate 309 nongaap net income 767 million increase 258 51 nongaap earnings per diluted share 200 39 improvement turning balance sheet cash flow metrics cash conversion cycle q3 21 days consistent q2 favorable one day compared prioryear quarter quarter generated operating cash flow 70 million bringing yeartodate cash flow operations 440 million exited quarter cash balance 563 million reflecting commitment rapidly deleverage company quarter paid 350 million senior note matured september continue use combined companys strong cash flows deleverage balance sheet expect achieve total debttoadjusted ebitda ratio approximately 25 times within next 11 17 months capital expenditures 172 million quarter includes 156 million related purchase facilities us previously leased synthetic lease arrangement terminated october trailing 12 months earned adjusted return invested capital 12 end q3 27 billion equity 41 debttototalcapital ratio q3 three vendor partners represented 10 sales apple represented 16 hp inc cisco represented 10 sales bob stated earlier making excellent progress integration efforts actions taken identified date confident track achieve 50 million annual cost savings fiscal year another 50 million end fiscal year 19 combined annual cost savings 100 million also continue expect incur onetime cost achieve savings approximately 150 million exclusive onetime transaction cost related acquisition turning guidance fourth quarter ending january 31 2018 anticipate sales range 1025 billion 108 billion anticipate earnings per share range 239 269 nongaap earnings per share range 335 365 guidance assumes 385 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding effective tax rate range 29 31 guidance also assumes average us dollar euro exchange rate 118 1 euro turn call bob additional comments robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer thanks chuck remain highly confident excited future business promise new tech data brings rapidly transitioning market building distributor future one breadth specialized skills extensive capabilities help channel partners capitalize growth opportunities across total computing continuum accomplish strategy outlined investor day last month focused investing nextgeneration technologies strengthening endtoend portfolio optimizing global footprint visualizing transforming tech data clear market future built nextgeneration technologies delivery models cloud hybrid cloud hyperconverged infrastructure edge devices solid state storage softwaredefined solutions analytics security services support entire endtoend ecosystem new tech data deep domain expertise valueadded skillsets enhanced earnings profile positioned better ever invest accelerate growth areas investments complement believe comprehensive endtoend portfolio products solutions services industry customers moved beyond buying products purchasing business outcomes solutions distributors future must possess broad deep endtoend capabilities endpoints legacy technologies nextgeneration regardless technology delivered workloads migrate therefore continue strengthen portfolio offerings legacy emerging vendors help customers create robust tailored solutions create better business outcomes customers continue optimize global footprint investing selectively strategically geographies order grow profitably today operate 40 countries optimized one way another example countries underinvested opportunity expand adding new technologies vendors countries need simply improve productivity become even efficient global scope local expertise powerful combination focused strengthening position regions operate finally last years weve invested building digital footprint today execute half sales procure greater 95 inventory digital channels addition weve delivered 3 million softwareasaservice seats marketplace behalf vendor partners weve already made good progress digital transformation theres opportunity digitize tech data even pace change accelerating keep pace change investing automation advanced analytics digital marketplaces lead superior customer experience also reducing operating expenses enhancing efficient variable lowcost route market vendor partners sum things yeartodate results clearly demonstrate significantly enhanced earnings profile cash generating power new tech data new tech data differentiated broad rich portfolio endpoint advanced specialized solutions services together deep skills domain knowledge enable channel partners bring market technology world needs connect learn advance enter final quarter fiscal year teams continue focused operations integration operationally executing strategy maintaining disciplined cost controls optimizing profitable market share key geographies segments integration teams progressing planned track deliver synergy debtreduction targets believe continue improve financial profile deliver strong results shareholders id like extend thanks vendors customers business continued partnership tech data colleagues around world hard work dedication wed like open call questions operator thank well begin questionandanswer session youd like ask question please press 1 telephone may press 2 youd like remove question queue participants using speaker equipment may necessary pick handset pressing keys one moment please poll questions first question adam tindle raymond james please go ahead adam tindle raymond james amp associates inc analyst okay thanks good evening wanted start better understand challenges opportunities europe specifically margin perspective trend improve bit last quarter operating margin flat yearoveryear despite adding accretive ts business maybe could start helping us understand drivers see realistic longerterm target region followup please charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer adam chuck terms synergies expect realize european region slower regions due us rolling systems country country country noted previous calls synergies realized 2year period toward back end versus front end adam tindle raymond james amp associates inc analyst okay maybe one bob one major competitors still showing doubledigit revenue growth gross margin declines trend actually accelerated yearoveryear basis third quarter alluded pricing discipline competitive environment prepared remarks im hoping provide us updated thoughts based seen trend expanded beyond europe see timeline settle robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah adam market clearly competitive competitiveness saw european market q2 extended across whole footprint think really good job quarter remaining disciplined pursuing pieces business delivered proper profitability use capital also helping customers projects strategic customers think good job think landed sweet spot growth market projected would low singledigit growth range delivered growth range think validates idea execution continued improve adam tindle raymond james amp associates inc analyst okay one quick clarification talking organic investments prepared remarks midsingledigit growth operating profit dollars x synergies fiscal 19 talked analyst day include planned organic investments charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer adam chuck indicated investor day organic investments included operating income growth adam tindle raymond james amp associates inc analyst okay thank much robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah adam bob continue progress integration two companies together becomes really obvious us depth skills across board also places targeted investments offer even better service customers vendors time progresses view targeted organic investments improving executing charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer adam chuck clear updating guidance gave analyst day well thoroughly review annual offering plan usually well give guidance release earnings end year adam tindle raymond james amp associates inc analyst okay thank operator next question james suva citi please go ahead james suva citigroup analyst thanks much jim suva citi first question appears last quarter challenges oneoff quarter came back strength across board great look back say three four months later look back last quarter maybe let us know either changes behavior lessons learned exactly circumvented didnt reoccur quarter confident doesnt reemerge robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah jim tech data pride excellence execution tried describe prepared remarks teams executed high level q3 delivered expectations business excellence execution fabric company dna company think saw q3 power execution results posted james suva citigroup analyst okay change incentives across entire company sit management come terms strategy changed last quarter quarter us outside cant see actions inside robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah didnt change management system one bit review every one operations twice quarter eleven years ive process existed every single quarter fundamentally none underpinnings management system changed didnt change compensation systems didnt reorganize business turned attention toward execution jim really good looking best practice exists company around world course q1 2 3 weve learned best practices tech data heritage best practices avnet ts heritage processes becoming mature execution every single day beginning see benefit enhanced execution broader footprint vendors customers pleased way executed q3 plans place continue execute future james suva citigroup analyst great thanks details clarifications congratulations results robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer thanks jim operator next question param singh merrill lynch please go ahead param singh merrill lynch analyst hi thank taking question guys look guidance next quarter typically see decline gross margin fourth quarter especially mobility endpoint solutions pick look guidance implied op ex level would come october quarter reason dynamic would play charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer param chuck actually giving gross margin op ex guidance purely sales range eps range give takes account variety margins earn depending various product sets customer sets going sell know q4 large data center practice us historically us ts business acquired also large mobility practice us well see two business segments come q4 thats built guidance param singh merrill lynch analyst got thank reason decline apac margin sequentially would normalized level charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer apac small region represents less 3 sales small change cost impact operating margin significantly noted call sold variety lower margin mixedtype products incurred little bit operating expenses region main reason decline robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer much law small numbers play param one thing focused profitably continue grow asiapacific business chuck said small today time wed like see get larger mirror overall performance company particularly focused advanced solution side business param singh merrill lynch analyst got one last one really quickly guys seem mobility demand far quarter know better guide something youve seen typical seasonality part business picking little stronger far clarity would great charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer param dont give guidance within quarter seeing currently wouldnt comment mobility piece business param singh merrill lynch analyst understood thanks lot guys appreciate operator next question matthew sheerin stifel please go ahead matthew sheerin stifel nicolaus amp co inc analyst yes thanks good afternoon couple questions first bob commentary talked strength endpoint client devices versus relative weakness solutions side trend youve seen continued q4 expect typical budget flush enterprise side look revenue guidance looks like line seasonality although pointed theres lot moving parts ramp smartphone products versus data center stuff trying get sense expect line looks like despite weakness gross margins less line expectations means managed vendor rebate programs trying figure thats going robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah asked questions matt let see sort first tech data think whole industry surprised pleased endpoint demand quite frankly demand quarter stronger planned another example execution strong able acquire product vendor partners acquire correct products right skus cover market take advantage sales opportunities endpoint space market opportunity greater planned tests execution well chuck said dont give forward guidance going talk products performing q4 im trying think questions asked matthew sheerin stifel nicolaus amp co inc analyst terms cautious trends hearing retailers obviously gave pretty good revenue guidance im asking specific guidance trend continued robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah build plans bottoms start country level roll countries regions aggregate together worldwide basis guidance give see marketplace comfortable ranges gave proper ranges given moving parts said question underneath amount products going available life cycle products new life cycle really dont know much product well access historically market realizes budget flush data center q4 really dont control respond realities one reasons really excited new tech data breadth able flexible respond realities markets better tech data standalone better avnet ts standalone able comfortable confident look bottomsup view quarter going able deliver see good opportunity matthew sheerin stifel nicolaus amp co inc analyst okay great followup changing topics looking crossselling opportunities avnet ts youve talked geographically terms product vendor base know part success come postthe erp integration expecting see results integration going make big difference whats timetable well robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah already seeing crossselling opportunities matt keep mind many cases tech data sold customer avnet ts also sold customer patrick zammit european president think said 40 european customers already buy legacy tech data legacy ts crossselling opportunities clearly already underway havent pursued aggressively geographies build organization understand coverage model competence time opportunities crossselling dont want leave idea already taking place matthew sheerin stifel nicolaus amp co inc analyst okay great thank operator next question sean hannan needham amp company please go ahead im sorry sean line live perhaps muted end well go next question louis miscioscia pivotal research group please go ahead louis miscioscia pivotal research group analyst okay thanks hey bob could go little bit detail competition sense mentioned tight aggressive europe last quarter said gone global seems like results pretty decent happy would say aggressive comparison historic levels bit wave robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer lou think whole segment competitive market start competition ebbs flows time take longterm view position market try build value proposition thats attractive customers attractive vendor partners roll market compete vigor surveys done asking resellers criteria theyre interested terms value distributors quite frankly price way list competence skills product availability breadth line card coverage relationship price someplace cases price 1 criteria competition much broader price talk capabilities new tech data breadth endtoend capabilities depth skills scope footprint confident competitive position marketplace louis miscioscia pivotal research group analyst let try ask question little bit different way entering new phase higher competition typical waves distribution seen going whole new level robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer always competitive ive 11 years lou always competitive competitive market dont like competition dont get distribution competitive game compete breadth capabilities company confident well positioned compete louis miscioscia pivotal research group analyst okay switching around thanks explaining youve able resolve issues last quarter think sort caught surprise guess ill ask difficult question looks like quarter reported good guidance good youre worried obviously lot many distributors run issues theyre trying combine launch new would integration could cause problem would top three things look next three six months would worried robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer lou ill give two im going caveat im losing sleep either two things weve focused since day announced transaction ts focus operations focus integration said prepared comments teams people focused think q3 see operational excellence talked progress made integration tracks company progressing along nicely two areas focused operating company serving customers making sure delivering value coverage vendors expect us investing growth engine achieving targets weve set built around integration two companies ensuring new tech data enters marketplace strengths ts strengths tech data come together build better company two things focused weve focused since first day announced deal still way go chuck described actions europe wont take place later next year said beginning process 2year process 7 months 2year process reported confident comfortable progress making fronts louis miscioscia pivotal research group analyst okay good thank operator next question shannon cross cross research please go ahead shannon cross cross research analyst thank much wanting go back commentary weakness saw advanced solutions data center business im curious customers saying response perhaps higher prices vendors put place component cost increases weakness people werent able actually access component im looking little color say quoted quarters thank robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah bob shannon think first data center performance ecosystem tech datas data center performance general data center demand relatively soft think best reflection get look primary data center vendors performance youll see numbers slightly youll see numbers view overall demand data center mixed secondly data center clearly period transition technologies move legacy technologies new modern nextgeneration platforms like converged hyperconverged solid state storage softwaredefined networking impact cloud hybrid cloud data center bit dynamic marketplace company like tech data sits tries call demand data center several different dynamics need look time customers telling us continues activities interest opportunities data center taking different shapes forms traditional dialogue server storage networking might dialogue converged hyperconverged replacement storage farm might dialogue around solidstate storage give couple examples therefore whats really important distributor deep skills new emerging technologies combination ts tech data strong portfolio skills talents services wrapped around products shannon cross cross research analyst okay thats helpful maybe trying understand trajectory guess change youve seen think sold prior quarter terms percent dont know weighting toward solution sale hyperconverged sale newer technologies versus say year two ago im curious obviously lot part conversation im also curious percentage standpoint deals youre signing youre seeing one followup thank robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah dont break types platform dialogues shannon suffice say every quarter goes theres activity advanced third platform technologies one gets visibility cloud continue strong cloud performance quarter much broader hear us keep describing shifting migration workloads workloads moving data center cloud desktop mobility shifting workloads really one primary strategic drivers new tech data endtoend portfolio products services allows us work customer work customer let customers decide types products services solutions want build tech data deliver virtually trying steer migration workload respond weve done good job building team thats able shannon cross cross research analyst okay great thats helpful regard integration key sort initiatives think happen say next 6 months understand lot happen europe next year milestones look could talk come back next quarter terms integration steps thank robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah shannon bob ive said many times team dedicated people focused integration process workstreams milestones managed every single day inside integration team across geographies well continue stay focused plan thats place chuck articulated schedule terms trying accomplish integration milestones several milestones regulation oriented work workers councils european countries get approvals able change job descriptions compensation plans things need driving process integration aggressively feel like schedule thought would point time shannon cross cross research analyst thank much operator next question keith housum northcoast research please go ahead keith housum northcoast research cpa analyst good afternoon gentlemen thanks taking question bob earlier comments addressed execution issues last quarter pretty much complete going fourth quarter kind headwind present guess gross margin level perhaps bottom line quarter versus say prior quarter werent robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah guess keith would answer question way types challenges operations execution exist time wasnt single quarter phenomenon happened quarter phenomena worked disadvantage said earlier one things really good diagnostics well didnt well turn attention improving places didnt well learn best practices breadth footprint assure somewhere footprint one countries well another country didnt well learn use learning capability part management system q2 big execution areas didnt work well needed think weve tried articulate q3 feel like fixed much control pieces whole backend rebate process simply dont control dont control real demand marketplace respond real demand marketplace weve done good job learning adjusting moving forward keith housum northcoast research cpa analyst okay followup question noted headwind hurricane quarter 40 50 million onetime cost wasnt covered insurance anything consider quarter charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer keith chuck minimal onetime costs significant quarter would course incurred going forward nothing significant really call keith housum northcoast research cpa analyst gotcha could sneak one interest expense next quarter guys give guidance youre paying 350 million quarter give color expectations charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer mean really dont give additional guidance interest expense quarter look public filings know interest rate 350 million senior note paid could model keith housum northcoast research cpa analyst okay fair enough thank operator next question ananda baruah loop capital please go ahead ananda baruah loop capital markets analyst hey guys congrats solid quarter hey couple could bob prepared remarks spoke improved mix products customers underpinned anything strong execution couple followups thanks robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah ananda think good job responding reality demand marketplace customer segments cover right customers right resources weve talked past weve deployed field sales particular americas youre engaged customer youre going opportunity respond demand new tech data particular americas field resource close customer think helped us respond customer demand product profile demand said earlier think whole industry bit surprised strength endpoint solution demand able respond right products right service levels right skillsets able help customers take advantage products executing properly demand coverage good job quarter ananda baruah loop capital markets analyst got continuation dynamic staked longterm model provided analyst day way could happen pronounced enough manner maybe werent able account longterm model robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah think gave outlook analysts day coverage model dynamic opportunity demand part try determine think outlook charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer ananda chuck modeling gave analyst day highlevel estimate really assistance modeling going forward wasnt guidance per se ananda baruah loop capital markets analyst got robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer ill give one piece color ananda look market example see security growth area know need strengthen depth practice geographies around security thats chuck referring organic investments thats kind thing hiring people deep security skills recruiting broader line card securities space vendor offerings able ready demand next period time examples organic investments based market research opportunity work try determine want positioned long term ananda baruah loop capital markets analyst got good thanks context think one remarks made improved mix remark bob regard rebates improving quarter give us context around executions rebates altered like would great thanks robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer yeah negotiate quarterly plans primary vendors every single quarter unique thing us work vendors match rebates real opportunity marketplace rebates set turn attention serving demand market serving customers delivering vendor partners products marketplace thats dissimilar weve done tech data forever space worked backend incentive program kind gotomarket model weve worked since beginning time different weve done historically ananda baruah loop capital markets analyst got great thanks much congratulations solid quarter thanks guys robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer thank charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer thank operator thank concludes tech data corporations fiscal year 2018 third quarter earnings conference call replay call available one hour techdatacom thank attending todays conference call great day duration 57 minutes arleen quiñones vice president investor relations160 robert dutkowsky chairman chief executive officer charles v dannewitz executive vice president chief financial officer adam tindle raymond james amp associates inc analyst james suva citigroup analyst param singh merrill lynch analyst matthew sheerin stifel nicolaus amp co inc analyst louis miscioscia pivotal research group analyst shannon cross cross research analyst keith housum northcoast research cpa analyst ananda baruah loop capital markets analyst tecd analysis opens new window article transcript conference call produced motley fool strive foolish best may errors omissions inaccuracies transcript articles motley fool assume responsibility use content strongly encourage research including listening call reading companys sec filings please see terms conditions opens new window160for additional details including obligatory capitalized disclaimers liability 10 stocks like better tech datawhen 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 tech data wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 6 2017 motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 5,027 |
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<p>It might seem tough to find "cheap" stocks as the market hovers near historic highs. However, I recently screened for the lowest P/E consumer goods stocks on the market, and discovered that a few familiar names still trade at big discounts to the S&amp;P 500. Let's take a closer look at three stocks at the bottom of that clearance bin.</p>
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>American Outdoor Brands (NASDAQ: AOBC), the company formerly known as Smith &amp; Wesson, trades at just 8 times earnings -- less than half its industry average of 19. But unlike other companies with depressed valuations, American Outdoor Brands is generating impressive top and bottom line growth.</p>
<p>Last quarter, its revenue surged 63% annually to $233.5 million, and its earnings soared 172% to $0.68 per share. The company attributed that growth torobust orders of concealed carry handgunsand sporting rifles, market share gains, and diversification into adjacent markets like laser sights, accessories, and knives. Analysts expect American Outdoor's revenue to rise 28% this year, andfor its earnings to grow 35%.</p>
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<p>But for fiscal 2017, American Outdoor's sales are only expected to rise 2%, and its earnings are expected to slip 6%. That's because under a Republican president and Congress, the threat of tighter gun control -- which sparked panic buying during the Obama years -- completely fades away. American Outdoor's expansion into new markets might partly offset those losses, but it will face tough year-over-year comparisons later this year.</p>
<p>Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings (NASDAQ: SPWH) is an outdoor sporting goods retailer that primarily operates in the Western United States and Alaska. The company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2009, and has posted ten consecutive quarters of positive revenue growth. Its revenue rose 13% annually to $217.2 million last quarter, and its earnings improved by a penny to $0.25 per share. The company attributed that growth to higher demand forfirearms, robust sales of clothing and footwear, the success of its loyalty program, and new store openings.</p>
<p>Analysts expect Sportsman's Warehouse's revenue and earnings to respectively rise 8% and 18% this year. While a slowdown in firearm sales could hurt, analysts still expect its revenue and earnings to respectively improve 12% and18% next year. That makes its trailing P/E of 11 -- which is much lower than the industry average of 25 -- look very cheap.</p>
<p>However, the company's revenue growth consistently outpaces its same-store sales growth (2.1% last quarter), indicating that it's propping up its revenue growth with new store openings. Those investments are weighing down its margins and gobbling up its free cash flow, and big problems could arise if its new stores underperform.</p>
<p>Gunmaker Sturm, Ruger &amp; Co. (NYSE: RGR) suffers from the same problems as its rival American Outdoor Brands. Ruger's quarterly revenues have risen annually for five straight quarters, mainly due to gun control fears. Its revenue surged 34% annually to $161.4 million last quarter, and its earnings rose 66% to $1.03 per share. Analysts expect its revenue to rise 22% this year, and for its earnings to grow 39%.</p>
<p>Ruger attributed that growth to "stronger than normal seasonal industry demand," higher demand for new products, and thegreater availability of rimfire ammunition boosting demand for its 10/22 rifle and other rimfire firearms during the quarter. Based on those bullish comments, Ruger's trailing P/E of 12 looks pretty cheap.</p>
<p>The best-selling Ruger LCP. Image source: Sturm Ruger.</p>
<p>But looking ahead, analysts expect Ruger's revenue and earnings to respectively fall 9% and 15% in fiscal 2017, due to the same headwinds that American Outdoor faces. But Ruger's decline is expected to be steeper, since it lacks the non-core businesses which American Outdoor wisely invested in.</p>
<p>American Outdoor Brands, Sportsman's Warehouse, and Sturm Ruger all trade at very low multiples, but it's hard to recommend them as long-term investments.</p>
<p>American Outdoor and Ruger aren't likely to receive panic-buying boosts anytime soon, which makes them slow growth plays with weak top- and bottom-line growth. Sportsman's Warehouse looks like a decent retail play, but its dependence on store openings instead of same-store sales growth leaves it vulnerable to overexpansion -- which is tough to undo in the unforgiving retail industry.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than American Outdoor Brands Corporation When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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<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 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 | might seem tough find cheap stocks market hovers near historic highs however recently screened lowest pe consumer goods stocks market discovered familiar names still trade big discounts sampp 500 lets take closer look three stocks bottom clearance bin continue reading image source getty images american outdoor brands nasdaq aobc company formerly known smith amp wesson trades 8 times earnings less half industry average 19 unlike companies depressed valuations american outdoor brands generating impressive top bottom line growth last quarter revenue surged 63 annually 2335 million earnings soared 172 068 per share company attributed growth torobust orders concealed carry handgunsand sporting rifles market share gains diversification adjacent markets like laser sights accessories knives analysts expect american outdoors revenue rise 28 year andfor earnings grow 35 advertisement fiscal 2017 american outdoors sales expected rise 2 earnings expected slip 6 thats republican president congress threat tighter gun control sparked panic buying obama years completely fades away american outdoors expansion new markets might partly offset losses face tough yearoveryear comparisons later year sportsmans warehouse holdings nasdaq spwh outdoor sporting goods retailer primarily operates western united states alaska company emerged chapter 11 bankruptcy protection 2009 posted ten consecutive quarters positive revenue growth revenue rose 13 annually 2172 million last quarter earnings improved penny 025 per share company attributed growth higher demand forfirearms robust sales clothing footwear success loyalty program new store openings analysts expect sportsmans warehouses revenue earnings respectively rise 8 18 year slowdown firearm sales could hurt analysts still expect revenue earnings respectively improve 12 and18 next year makes trailing pe 11 much lower industry average 25 look cheap however companys revenue growth consistently outpaces samestore sales growth 21 last quarter indicating propping revenue growth new store openings investments weighing margins gobbling free cash flow big problems could arise new stores underperform gunmaker sturm ruger amp co nyse rgr suffers problems rival american outdoor brands rugers quarterly revenues risen annually five straight quarters mainly due gun control fears revenue surged 34 annually 1614 million last quarter earnings rose 66 103 per share analysts expect revenue rise 22 year earnings grow 39 ruger attributed growth stronger normal seasonal industry demand higher demand new products thegreater availability rimfire ammunition boosting demand 1022 rifle rimfire firearms quarter based bullish comments rugers trailing pe 12 looks pretty cheap bestselling ruger lcp image source sturm ruger looking ahead analysts expect rugers revenue earnings respectively fall 9 15 fiscal 2017 due headwinds american outdoor faces rugers decline expected steeper since lacks noncore businesses american outdoor wisely invested american outdoor brands sportsmans warehouse sturm ruger trade low multiples hard recommend longterm investments american outdoor ruger arent likely receive panicbuying boosts anytime soon makes slow growth plays weak top bottomline growth sportsmans warehouse looks like decent retail play dependence store openings instead samestore sales growth leaves vulnerable overexpansion tough undo unforgiving retail industry 10 stocks like better american outdoor brands 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 american outdoor brands corporation wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 leo sun opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 556 |
<p>In a rapidly changing retail world, J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) runs the risk of slipping into irrelevance. The chain has made some moves to adapt its business the current market, but its transformation efforts appear to be <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/09/30/why-i-bothh-love-and-hate-j-c-penney-company-inc.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=8acb34b2-d7b1-11e7-b3b3-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">falling short. Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>It's not that the chain is doing everything wrong. Its efforts to add appliances and to revamp its women's apparel offering have started to pay off. It has also smartly revamped its in-store salons and added more store-within-a-store Sephora locations to give customers more reasons to visit the retailer.</p>
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<p>This has partly paid off, with Q3 comparable-store sales climbing by 1.7%. Overall sales, however, dropped by 1.8%, and its year-over-year loss nearly doubled, climbing to $128 million, or $0.41 per share, compared with $67 million, or $0.22 a share, in Q3 2016.</p>
<p>The company has made some positive steps, but it's falling behind in other areas. Because of that, it needs to revamp its management team. That's not saying CEO Marvin Ellison has to go. Instead, the retail veteran needs to take a page out of Wal-Mart's (NYSE: WMT) playbook and add a top-tier digital executive with significant start-up experience. In addition, the chain would benefit from adding a retail leader focused on protecting and enhancing the in-store experience.</p>
<p>During his company's <a href="https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2017/11/13/jc-penney-jcp-q3-2017-earnings-conference-call-tra.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=8acb34b2-d7b1-11e7-b3b3-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Q3 earnings call Opens a New Window.</a>, Ellison used the word "omnichannel" a number of times. He clearly understands that the market is changing and that his company needs to change along with it, but his efforts lack the urgency of the changes being led at Wal-Mart by Jet.com founder Marc Lore, who heads that chain's digital business.</p>
<p>Under Lore, with clear support from CEO Doug McMillion, Wal-Mart has transformed its internal thinking from a store-first mentality to a customer-first mentality. He has helped the company accelerate its changes while also getting a management team rooted in brick-and-mortar to consider digital an equal player.</p>
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<p>J.C. Penney has made progress, and in his Q3 earnings call remarks, Ellison noted that the company has increased online-only SKUs by over 50% and items it ships by over 100%. He also pointed out that Digital Executive Vice President Michael Amend and his team have "transformed our mobile app from 1.5-star rated app with minimal reviews to over in 4.5 stars rated app, with 30,000 reviews and counting."</p>
<p>Those are achievements, and not the only ones, but the chain still lags in certain areas. Two-day delivery, for example, has become standard, and Wal-Mart offers it on qualifying orders over $35. J.C. Penney has fallen behind with its three- to five-day shipping offer on orders over $49.</p>
<p>In addition, Wal-Mart has been a leader in creating innovative ways to use its stores to facilitate in-store pickup and returns for online orders. This has involved using everything from dedicated pickup towers to curbside service, and arming its employees with tablets equipped with software aimed at creating a seamless customer experience. J.C. Penney does use its stores for in-store pickup and returns, but it hasn't optimized the process as well as its rival.</p>
<p>Amend, like Ellison, came from Home Depot. He works closely with Mike Robbins, who serves as senior vice president of supply chain, the same position he previously held at Target. Again, it's not that this team hasn't had its successes -- J.C. Penney now can ship online orders from all of its stores -- but neither of these two men has the digital-first start-up DNA an executive like Lore brings to Wal-Mart.</p>
<p>As changes come rapidly, it's easy to lose focus on core offerings. J.C. Penney has, based on my personal shopping experiences across multiple visits to three of its stores in recent months, lost some focus on its in-store experience.</p>
<p>In each case, inventory was lacking and store personnel were not easy to find. On top of that, sales and discounts remain confusing, sometimes with a regular price one week being not all that different from a 30%-40% discounted price the next.</p>
<p>In a broad sense, it's not that the chain offers an awful in-store experience, but it could be vastly improved. That's only going to become harder as more resources get devoted to fulfilling digital orders in stores.</p>
<p>Ellison clearly needs an executive to rally the troops to make sure the in-store experience doesn't suffer during these changes. On the pricing side, he also needs to find someone who can pick a strategy and stick with it. Consumers are increasingly savvy, and offering big discounts on list prices rarely, if ever, actually sells the items, as the strategy is likely to turn off a segment of shoppers.</p>
<p>J.C. Penney has done a lot of things right, and it's still losing money. To change things, Ellison can't just keep moving forward at the current pace. He needs to accelerate and innovate, and it appears his management team needs some help to get that done.</p>
<p>That's not an indictment of the CEO's leadership. Instead, it's a nod to how quickly Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, and other leaders are moving the bar. J.C. Penney has a chance to be one of those leaders, but it needs its own Lore, as well as someone -- perhaps an existing member of the leadership team -- to make sure stores continue to serve customers well as other priorities take focus.</p>
<p>It does appear the company can become not just a retail survivor, but a leader. To do that, J.C. Penney's current executives just need a bit of help to make sure it gets the rest of the way there.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than&#160;Wal-MartWhen investing geniuses David and Tom&#160;Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they&#160;have run for over a decade, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of November 6, 2017The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned.</p>
<p>John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDankline/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=8acb34b2-d7b1-11e7-b3b3-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Daniel B. Kline Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has the following options: short January 2018 $170 calls on Home Depot and long January 2020 $110 calls on Home Depot. 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;referring_guid=8acb34b2-d7b1-11e7-b3b3-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | rapidly changing retail world jc penney nyse jcp runs risk slipping irrelevance chain made moves adapt business current market transformation efforts appear falling short opens new window chain everything wrong efforts add appliances revamp womens apparel offering started pay also smartly revamped instore salons added storewithinastore sephora locations give customers reasons visit retailer continue reading partly paid q3 comparablestore sales climbing 17 overall sales however dropped 18 yearoveryear loss nearly doubled climbing 128 million 041 per share compared 67 million 022 share q3 2016 company made positive steps falling behind areas needs revamp management team thats saying ceo marvin ellison go instead retail veteran needs take page walmarts nyse wmt playbook add toptier digital executive significant startup experience addition chain would benefit adding retail leader focused protecting enhancing instore experience companys q3 earnings call opens new window ellison used word omnichannel number times clearly understands market changing company needs change along efforts lack urgency changes led walmart jetcom founder marc lore heads chains digital business lore clear support ceo doug mcmillion walmart transformed internal thinking storefirst mentality customerfirst mentality helped company accelerate changes also getting management team rooted brickandmortar consider digital equal player advertisement jc penney made progress q3 earnings call remarks ellison noted company increased onlineonly skus 50 items ships 100 also pointed digital executive vice president michael amend team transformed mobile app 15star rated app minimal reviews 45 stars rated app 30000 reviews counting achievements ones chain still lags certain areas twoday delivery example become standard walmart offers qualifying orders 35 jc penney fallen behind three fiveday shipping offer orders 49 addition walmart leader creating innovative ways use stores facilitate instore pickup returns online orders involved using everything dedicated pickup towers curbside service arming employees tablets equipped software aimed creating seamless customer experience jc penney use stores instore pickup returns hasnt optimized process well rival amend like ellison came home depot works closely mike robbins serves senior vice president supply chain position previously held target team hasnt successes jc penney ship online orders stores neither two men digitalfirst startup dna executive like lore brings walmart changes come rapidly easy lose focus core offerings jc penney based personal shopping experiences across multiple visits three stores recent months lost focus instore experience case inventory lacking store personnel easy find top sales discounts remain confusing sometimes regular price one week different 3040 discounted price next broad sense chain offers awful instore experience could vastly improved thats going become harder resources get devoted fulfilling digital orders stores ellison clearly needs executive rally troops make sure instore experience doesnt suffer changes pricing side also needs find someone pick strategy stick consumers increasingly savvy offering big discounts list prices rarely ever actually sells items strategy likely turn segment shoppers jc penney done lot things right still losing money change things ellison cant keep moving forward current pace needs accelerate innovate appears management team needs help get done thats indictment ceos leadership instead nod quickly walmart amazoncom leaders moving bar jc penney chance one leaders needs lore well someone perhaps existing member leadership team make sure stores continue serve customers well priorities take focus appear company become retail survivor leader jc penneys current executives need bit help make sure gets rest way 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 november 6 2017the authors may position stocks mentioned john mackey ceo whole foods market amazon subsidiary member motley fools board directors daniel b kline opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends amazon motley fool following options short january 2018 170 calls home depot long january 2020 110 calls home depot motley fool recommends home depot motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 660 |
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<p>It's been a tough year for biotech companies and their investors, and an especially difficult one for clinical-stage Galena Biopharma (NASDAQ: GALE). The cancer vaccine developer felt the acute sting of failure in June when data monitors put the kibosh on a pivotal study of its lead treatment candidate.</p>
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>The company's market capitalization has plummeted 90% since the beginning of 2016, but a one-for-20 <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/whats-a-reverse-stock-split-and-can-it-really-help.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">reverse split Opens a New Window.</a>has the stock looking healthier at a glance. With respect to its NeuVax study, the management contends the data might not be as bad as it looks.</p>
<p>Does Galena Biopharma have a chance to recover, or should shareholders brace themselves for more pain ahead? Let's look under the hood to find out.</p>
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<p>Galena's woes this year began over the summer when independent data monitors declared that continuing a pivotal trial of the company's former lead candidate, the NeuVax cancer vaccine, was futile. The vaccine was supposed to prevent breast cancer recurrence following standard treatment, but at the scheduled interim analysis, 9.6% of patients in the NeuVax group exhibited signs of disease recurrence versus just 6% in the placebo group.</p>
<p>Galena Biopharma has since defended the data by suggesting many of the observed tumors that showed up in the NeuVax group's X-rays weren't actually tumors, but residual swelling caused by NeuVax-stimulated immune attacks on malignant cells. While it might sound like a farfetched excuse, Galena isn't the first to document a similar phenomenon, termed pseudoprogression.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we may not get a chance to find out if pseudoprogression actually derailed the study, as opposed to a simple lack of efficacy. The observed lesions may not have developed into full-blown tumors, but to determine that would require a far longer observation period and would put the patients at higher risk if Galena is wrong. There are two investigator-sponsored studies with NeuVax in combination with Roche's Herceptin, and investors will want to watch for signs the investigators might be willing to consider pseudoprogression.</p>
<p>I wouldn't get your hopes up too high, though. The majority of patients spent 19.7 months in the halted trial, and it's hard to imagine patients continuing far longer with what appear to be growing tumors on the outside chance the observed lesions aren't as serious as they look.</p>
<p>In November, Galena stock shot up well above pre-futility analysis levels. Unlike potential pseudoprogression, the rebound definitely wasn't what it looked like on the surface. The company simply underwent a reverse stock split, and issued one new share for every 20 outstanding.</p>
<p>Stock prices below a dollar are depressing, but motivation for the reverse split is more than psychological. Nasdaq requires share prices to remain above a $1 threshold, or companies run the risk of being delisted from the exchange.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Losing its listing would make raising equity nearly impossible, and it looks like Galena Biopharma will need another trip to the equity tap before long. The $1.92 million in <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/what-is-working-capital.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">working capital Opens a New Window.</a> on the company's balance sheet as of the end of September doesn't put the company in a strong liquidity position, and it's years away from generating any meaningful revenue.</p>
<p>Adjusted for the split, Galena increased the number of outstanding shares by about 32.5% tapping investors to fund operations during the first nine months of the year. With a handful of clinical trials under way, investors can expect their slice of any potential profits to dwindle further. Although the stock has already been beaten badly this year, fresh share offerings typically lead to sinking stock prices as well.</p>
<p>Galena's new lead candidate, GALE-401, is an extended release version of a platelet reducer that has been FDA-approved for about 19 years. The company intends to develop its version for treatment of between 135,000 and 175,000 U.S. patients with essential thrombocythemia.</p>
<p>Galena intends to begin another trial designed to support an FDA submission in the second quarter, and investors will want look out for whether the Agency will allow its approval via a shortened pathway. Following a successful mid-stage study, GALE-401's odds of approval seem fairly solid. In fact, the company is hopeful it will be allowed to shorten the timeframe to commercialization, given that the immediate-release form of the candidate is a well-known entity, although I'd be surprised if the FDA is so accommodating.</p>
<p>Beyond GALE-401 and the troubled NeuVax program, the company has another candidate in clinical-stage development for ovarian and endometrial cancer. Given its currently minuscule market cap of around $22 million, success for any one of its candidates would lead to big gains.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, simply staying invested and watching to see if Galena can keep the lights on long enough to see any of its programs launch will be a nerve-wracking experience. Even the most courageous investors ought to tread lightly until there are clearer signs this stock isn't headed even lower.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Galena Biopharma 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=98741069-903c-4abd-937e-b3b7d6630a51&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 Galena Biopharma wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</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 | tough year biotech companies investors especially difficult one clinicalstage galena biopharma nasdaq gale cancer vaccine developer felt acute sting failure june data monitors put kibosh pivotal study lead treatment candidate continue reading image source getty images companys market capitalization plummeted 90 since beginning 2016 onefor20 reverse split opens new windowhas stock looking healthier glance respect neuvax study management contends data might bad looks galena biopharma chance recover shareholders brace pain ahead lets look hood find advertisement galenas woes year began summer independent data monitors declared continuing pivotal trial companys former lead candidate neuvax cancer vaccine futile vaccine supposed prevent breast cancer recurrence following standard treatment scheduled interim analysis 96 patients neuvax group exhibited signs disease recurrence versus 6 placebo group galena biopharma since defended data suggesting many observed tumors showed neuvax groups xrays werent actually tumors residual swelling caused neuvaxstimulated immune attacks malignant cells might sound like farfetched excuse galena isnt first document similar phenomenon termed pseudoprogression unfortunately may get chance find pseudoprogression actually derailed study opposed simple lack efficacy observed lesions may developed fullblown tumors determine would require far longer observation period would put patients higher risk galena wrong two investigatorsponsored studies neuvax combination roches herceptin investors want watch signs investigators might willing consider pseudoprogression wouldnt get hopes high though majority patients spent 197 months halted trial hard imagine patients continuing far longer appear growing tumors outside chance observed lesions arent serious look november galena stock shot well prefutility analysis levels unlike potential pseudoprogression rebound definitely wasnt looked like surface company simply underwent reverse stock split issued one new share every 20 outstanding stock prices dollar depressing motivation reverse split psychological nasdaq requires share prices remain 1 threshold companies run risk delisted exchange image source getty images losing listing would make raising equity nearly impossible looks like galena biopharma need another trip equity tap long 192 million working capital opens new window companys balance sheet end september doesnt put company strong liquidity position years away generating meaningful revenue adjusted split galena increased number outstanding shares 325 tapping investors fund operations first nine months year handful clinical trials way investors expect slice potential profits dwindle although stock already beaten badly year fresh share offerings typically lead sinking stock prices well galenas new lead candidate gale401 extended release version platelet reducer fdaapproved 19 years company intends develop version treatment 135000 175000 us patients essential thrombocythemia galena intends begin another trial designed support fda submission second quarter investors want look whether agency allow approval via shortened pathway following successful midstage study gale401s odds approval seem fairly solid fact company hopeful allowed shorten timeframe commercialization given immediaterelease form candidate wellknown entity although id surprised fda accommodating beyond gale401 troubled neuvax program company another candidate clinicalstage development ovarian endometrial cancer given currently minuscule market cap around 22 million success one candidates would lead big gains unfortunately simply staying invested watching see galena keep lights long enough see programs launch nervewracking experience even courageous investors ought tread lightly clearer signs stock isnt headed even lower 10 stocks like better galena biopharma 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 galena biopharma wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns nov 7 2016 cory renauer opens new window position stocks mentioned follow cory twitter coryrenauer opens new window linkedin opens new window investing insight 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 | 620 |
<p>Groups planning to protest President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next month monopolized the National Park Service permits to use public spaces around Washington during the event - until Bikers for Trump showed up.</p>
<p>Bikers for Trump founder Chris Cox said he had to negotiate with National Park Service officials to find space for the motorcyclists because anti-Trump groups had scooped up nearly every location for their "disruption" events surrounding the Jan. 20 inauguration.</p>
<p>Securing a designated area for the thousands of bikers expected to roll into Washington to watch Mr. Trump take the oath of office is crucial to avoiding clashes between the two sides, he said.</p>
<p>"We've already won. There's no reason for these guys to be going shoulder to shoulder against the Black Lives Matter and the rest of the [protesting] guys," Mr. Cox said. "This is a victory tour."</p>
<p>The bikers are accustomed to being outnumbered and face-to-face with protesters, having often set themselves up as buffers between demonstrators and supporters at Trump rallies.</p>
<p>Bikers for Trump became a political movement in its own right, as it held massive rallies and organized support for Mr. Trump across battleground states. It was one of just two pro-Trump groups and by far the largest pro-Trump organization to request permits, according to National Park Service records.</p>
<p>The other pro-Trump group, which identified itself as "Let America Hear Us, Roar for Trump!" on its permit application, requested use of a small park at Dupont Circle on Inauguration Day for 500 people to celebrate and call for a peaceful transition.</p>
<p>Mr. Cox, who requested a permit for 5,000 people but noted that as many as 10,000 bikers might attend, said he was discouraged from applying last week by the permit manager at the National Park Service Office in Washington.</p>
<p>"She was telling me that they had already given all the permits out to the anti-Trump movement - permits for maybe 100,000 or 200,000 people," Mr. Cox recalled. "I wasn't happy. I told her I had thousands and thousands of bikers coming into town, and if she didn't give me a spot, they were going to be just mingling around and would end up hanging out where all the Trump protesters are, and there's going to be big problems and then people are going to wonder why."</p>
<p>National Park Service spokesman Michael Litterst said the permitting decisions are made irrespective of a group's affiliation. However, he said the scarcity of available space is consistent with the agency's first-come, first-serve policy.</p>
<p>"I don't know the specifics of how the plans for the Bikers for Trump event have evolved or what their specific discussions have been with staff, but that scenario aligns with how our permitting process works in general," he said. "Permits are processed in the order in which they are received, and when there are conflicts for location and/or time, the first group to submit their application gets first use."</p>
<p>Mr. Cox said that he eventually was able to submit the request for use of John Marshal Park in the Judiciary Square neighborhood, not far from the U.S. Capitol and just off the inaugural parade route.</p>
<p>He said he also is negotiating with the Inaugural Committee for bikers to participate in the parade.</p>
<p>Bikers for Trump are expected to come from as far as California for the inauguration, including large contingents from Florida and Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>Still, their numbers are dwarfed by groups such as Progressive Independent Party, a liberal activist group that requested two permits for a total of 15,000 demonstrators to use of various parks around the city during for several days surrounding the inauguration.</p>
<p>The group's Facebook page displayed a banner with an image of the Capitol covered by a "occupy inauguration" logo.</p>
<p>The liberal protest-for-hire group DC Action Lab requested a permit for 10,000 people, Real Progressives requested space for 2,500 and People's Action requested space for another 2,000.</p>
<p>The largest organized event seeking permit is the Gathering for Justice's "Women's March on Washington" slated for Jan. 21, with an expected turnout of 200,000 demonstrators.</p>
<p>The permit application said the goal of the march was to "come together in solidarity to express to the new administration &amp; congress that women's rights are human rights and our power cannot be ignored."</p>
<p>Beyond those seeking permits, a host of anti-Trump groups are calling on followers to converge on the inauguration through the #DisruptJ20 campaign on social media.</p>
<p>The Facebook page "Protest at the Inauguration: Stand Against Trump, War, Racism and Inequality" had 33,000 people expressing interest in the page and 10,000 people pledging to attend the demonstrations.</p>
<p>Under a #DisruptJ20 banner, the website ItsGoingDown.Org called for a "bold mobilization" against the inauguration of Mr. Trump.</p>
<p>"Trump stands for tyranny, greed, and misogyny. He is the champion of neo-nazis and white Nationalists, of the police who kill the Black, Brown and poor on a daily basis, of racist border agents and sadistic prison guards, of the FBI and NSA who tap your phone and read your email," read the post. "The KKK, Vladimir Putin, Golden Dawn, and the Islamic State all cheered his victory. If we let his inauguration go unchallenged, we are opening the door to the future they envision."</p>
<p>Mr. Cox said he isn't fearful that the protests would turn violent, citing the experience with agitators during the campaign and at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where Bikers for Trump provided unofficial crowd control at outdoor rallies.</p>
<p>"I'm confident the police have learned from Arizona, Chicago and a lot of other places where things got out of hand," he said, referring to violence at Trump rallies in those cities. "I think it will be a lot like Cleveland and they will have beaucoup police presence."</p>
<p>Copyright - 2018 The Washington Times, LLC. <a href="http://license.icopyright.net/3.7280?icx_id=/news/2016/dec/5/bikers-for-trump-secure-space-for-inauguration-ami/" type="external">Click here for reprint permission</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 0 | groups planning protest presidentelect donald trumps inauguration next month monopolized national park service permits use public spaces around washington event bikers trump showed bikers trump founder chris cox said negotiate national park service officials find space motorcyclists antitrump groups scooped nearly every location disruption events surrounding jan 20 inauguration securing designated area thousands bikers expected roll washington watch mr trump take oath office crucial avoiding clashes two sides said weve already theres reason guys going shoulder shoulder black lives matter rest protesting guys mr cox said victory tour bikers accustomed outnumbered facetoface protesters often set buffers demonstrators supporters trump rallies bikers trump became political movement right held massive rallies organized support mr trump across battleground states one two protrump groups far largest protrump organization request permits according national park service records protrump group identified let america hear us roar trump permit application requested use small park dupont circle inauguration day 500 people celebrate call peaceful transition mr cox requested permit 5000 people noted many 10000 bikers might attend said discouraged applying last week permit manager national park service office washington telling already given permits antitrump movement permits maybe 100000 200000 people mr cox recalled wasnt happy told thousands thousands bikers coming town didnt give spot going mingling around would end hanging trump protesters theres going big problems people going wonder national park service spokesman michael litterst said permitting decisions made irrespective groups affiliation however said scarcity available space consistent agencys firstcome firstserve policy dont know specifics plans bikers trump event evolved specific discussions staff scenario aligns permitting process works general said permits processed order received conflicts location andor time first group submit application gets first use mr cox said eventually able submit request use john marshal park judiciary square neighborhood far us capitol inaugural parade route said also negotiating inaugural committee bikers participate parade bikers trump expected come far california inauguration including large contingents florida pennsylvania still numbers dwarfed groups progressive independent party liberal activist group requested two permits total 15000 demonstrators use various parks around city several days surrounding inauguration groups facebook page displayed banner image capitol covered occupy inauguration logo liberal protestforhire group dc action lab requested permit 10000 people real progressives requested space 2500 peoples action requested space another 2000 largest organized event seeking permit gathering justices womens march washington slated jan 21 expected turnout 200000 demonstrators permit application said goal march come together solidarity express new administration amp congress womens rights human rights power ignored beyond seeking permits host antitrump groups calling followers converge inauguration disruptj20 campaign social media facebook page protest inauguration stand trump war racism inequality 33000 people expressing interest page 10000 people pledging attend demonstrations disruptj20 banner website itsgoingdownorg called bold mobilization inauguration mr trump trump stands tyranny greed misogyny champion neonazis white nationalists police kill black brown poor daily basis racist border agents sadistic prison guards fbi nsa tap phone read email read post kkk vladimir putin golden dawn islamic state cheered victory let inauguration go unchallenged opening door future envision mr cox said isnt fearful protests would turn violent citing experience agitators campaign republican national convention cleveland bikers trump provided unofficial crowd control outdoor rallies im confident police learned arizona chicago lot places things got hand said referring violence trump rallies cities think lot like cleveland beaucoup police presence copyright 2018 washington times llc click reprint permission 160 | 557 |
<p>This article is being republished as part of our daily reproduction of WSJ.com articles that also appeared in the U.S. print edition of The Wall Street Journal (September 8, 2017).</p>
<p>The drug industry has eliminated tens of thousands of jobs over the past decade. In a sign that the bleeding is far from over, Eli Lilly &amp; Co. announced plans on Thursday to cut roughly 8% of its global workforce.</p>
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<p>Indianapolis-based Lilly cited a number of issues that are plaguing many drugmakers, including the need to lower costs and raise investment in new drugs ahead of patent expirations that are expected to erode sales of older products. The company said it would eliminate about 3,500 positions globally, including 2,000 in the U.S.</p>
<p>Lilly said it expects to achieve most of the U.S. reductions through voluntary early-retirement packages; others will come from site closures and layoffs. Lilly has about 41,241 workers globally, including more than 18,500 in the U.S.</p>
<p>The pharmaceutical sector still enjoys some of the biggest profit margins of any industry, and continues to charge high prices for many brands. At the same time, a conflux of issues presents challenges: health insurers and politicians have stepped up pressure on prices; R&amp;D is often expensive and unsuccessful; and competition from low-cost generics remains a threat. That has left companies leaning on cost cuts and efficiency improvements to drive profit growth. The result is a dramatically shrinking workforce.</p>
<p>Drug companies have cut more than 269,000 U.S. workers since the beginning of 2007, according to job-outplacement firm Challenger, Gray &amp; Christmas Inc., though the annual number of industry job losses has declined over the past five years. "When the pressure gets heavy, the scrutiny turns to the size of a company's payroll," Challenger, Gray CEO John Challenger said in an interview.</p>
<p>Last year, Novo Nordisk A/S said it would slash about 1,000 jobs to cut costs in response to tighter competition in the insulin business. In 2013, Merck &amp; Co. announced a plan to cuts its workforce, then at 81,000, by 20% over two years. The same year, Lilly laid off about 1,000 sales representatives.</p>
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<p>Lilly, which makes the diabetes treatment Humalog and erectile-dysfunction pill Cialis, expects the moves to generate savings of about $500 million a year. Last year, the drugmaker earned $2.7 billion in net income on $21.2 billion in revenue. About half the projected savings will go toward supporting new product launches and clinical development of new uses for its drugs, Lilly said.</p>
<p>"If you're in our business, if you look out in the world, it's uncertain, " said Lilly Chief Executive David Ricks in an interview. "It's probably wise to have more flexibility in our choices."</p>
<p>In the U.S., early cuts focused on whittling down pharmaceutical sales forces that pitched drugs to doctors, reflecting the increasing role of cost-conscious insurers and pharmacy-benefit managers -- and the declining role of physicians -- in determining which drugs get prescribed and dispensed. More recent cuts have also hit manufacturing and research teams, the latter suffering as pharmaceutical companies increasingly buy experimental drugs from smaller biotechnology firms or academic labs.</p>
<p>Lilly said it plans to close a research-and-development site in Bridgewater, N.J., and to move production of certain animal drugs from a plant in Larchwood, Iowa, to another plant in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The drugmaker also plans to close an R&amp;D site in Shanghai.</p>
<p>Lilly's new cuts come at a delicate time in the pharmaceutical industry's relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized drug companies for charging high prices and manufacturing drugs outside the U.S. He has urged the industry to move more manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., and has said he would take steps to bring down prices.</p>
<p>Mr. Ricks was among several CEOs who met with Mr. Trump at the White House in January, when he told Mr. Trump that Lilly still makes many of its products in its home state of Indiana and elsewhere in the U.S. "In fact, we're hiring manufacturing jobs as I speak," he said at the time.</p>
<p>The job cuts come despite a general improvement in Lilly's financial fortunes over the past few years. Earlier this decade, Lilly's sales and earnings were hurt by a wave of patent losses that exposed drugs such as the antidepressant Cymbalta to generic competition.</p>
<p>But revenue and earnings have risen since 2014 following rising sales of several newer products such as diabetes drug Trulicity and cancer treatment Cyramza. Lilly's share price has roughly doubled since 2012, closing Thursday at $81.54.</p>
<p>Still, Lilly continues to face patent expirations. In May, the U.S. patent expired for the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug Strattera, clearing the way for inexpensive generic copies. The U.S. patent for Cialis is due to expire in November, putting the drug's $1.5 billion in annual U.S. sales at risk of erosion from generics.</p>
<p>Mr. Ricks, who took over as Lilly CEO Jan. 1, said he expects the company's sales to increase despite the patent losses, but the expirations contributed to his decision to cut costs.</p>
<p>Also, he said Lilly's operating expenses as a percentage of revenue -- about 55% in 2016 -- have been higher than the drug industry's average, and the cost cuts will make the company more competitive with rivals. Lilly expects operating expenses to fall below 50% of revenue next year.</p>
<p>"Our job is to do the right thing for our company," Mr. Ricks said. Noting that many of the cuts would be through voluntary-retirement packages, he added: "We're not throwing people out on the street."</p>
<p>Lilly expects to book charges of about $1.2 billion, or 80 cents a share, in the third and fourth quarters of 2017 to cover the costs of the job cuts.</p>
<p>Corrections &amp; Amplifications Eli Lilly expects operating expenses to fall below 50% of revenue next year. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Lilly expected operating margins to fall below 50%. (Sept. 9, 2017)</p>
<p>Write to Peter Loftus at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>September 08, 2017 02:47 ET (06:47 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | article republished part daily reproduction wsjcom articles also appeared us print edition wall street journal september 8 2017 drug industry eliminated tens thousands jobs past decade sign bleeding far eli lilly amp co announced plans thursday cut roughly 8 global workforce continue reading indianapolisbased lilly cited number issues plaguing many drugmakers including need lower costs raise investment new drugs ahead patent expirations expected erode sales older products company said would eliminate 3500 positions globally including 2000 us lilly said expects achieve us reductions voluntary earlyretirement packages others come site closures layoffs lilly 41241 workers globally including 18500 us pharmaceutical sector still enjoys biggest profit margins industry continues charge high prices many brands time conflux issues presents challenges health insurers politicians stepped pressure prices rampd often expensive unsuccessful competition lowcost generics remains threat left companies leaning cost cuts efficiency improvements drive profit growth result dramatically shrinking workforce drug companies cut 269000 us workers since beginning 2007 according joboutplacement firm challenger gray amp christmas inc though annual number industry job losses declined past five years pressure gets heavy scrutiny turns size companys payroll challenger gray ceo john challenger said interview last year novo nordisk said would slash 1000 jobs cut costs response tighter competition insulin business 2013 merck amp co announced plan cuts workforce 81000 20 two years year lilly laid 1000 sales representatives advertisement lilly makes diabetes treatment humalog erectiledysfunction pill cialis expects moves generate savings 500 million year last year drugmaker earned 27 billion net income 212 billion revenue half projected savings go toward supporting new product launches clinical development new uses drugs lilly said youre business look world uncertain said lilly chief executive david ricks interview probably wise flexibility choices us early cuts focused whittling pharmaceutical sales forces pitched drugs doctors reflecting increasing role costconscious insurers pharmacybenefit managers declining role physicians determining drugs get prescribed dispensed recent cuts also hit manufacturing research teams latter suffering pharmaceutical companies increasingly buy experimental drugs smaller biotechnology firms academic labs lilly said plans close researchanddevelopment site bridgewater nj move production certain animal drugs plant larchwood iowa another plant fort dodge iowa drugmaker also plans close rampd site shanghai lillys new cuts come delicate time pharmaceutical industrys relationship us president donald trump criticized drug companies charging high prices manufacturing drugs outside us urged industry move manufacturing jobs back us said would take steps bring prices mr ricks among several ceos met mr trump white house january told mr trump lilly still makes many products home state indiana elsewhere us fact hiring manufacturing jobs speak said time job cuts come despite general improvement lillys financial fortunes past years earlier decade lillys sales earnings hurt wave patent losses exposed drugs antidepressant cymbalta generic competition revenue earnings risen since 2014 following rising sales several newer products diabetes drug trulicity cancer treatment cyramza lillys share price roughly doubled since 2012 closing thursday 8154 still lilly continues face patent expirations may us patent expired attentiondeficithyperactivity disorder drug strattera clearing way inexpensive generic copies us patent cialis due expire november putting drugs 15 billion annual us sales risk erosion generics mr ricks took lilly ceo jan 1 said expects companys sales increase despite patent losses expirations contributed decision cut costs also said lillys operating expenses percentage revenue 55 2016 higher drug industrys average cost cuts make company competitive rivals lilly expects operating expenses fall 50 revenue next year job right thing company mr ricks said noting many cuts would voluntaryretirement packages added throwing people street lilly expects book charges 12 billion 80 cents share third fourth quarters 2017 cover costs job cuts corrections amp amplifications eli lilly expects operating expenses fall 50 revenue next year earlier version article incorrectly said lilly expected operating margins fall 50 sept 9 2017 write peter loftus peterloftuswsjcom end dow jones newswires september 08 2017 0247 et 0647 gmt | 634 |
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<p>If you think you're done with taxes now and can enjoy not thinking about them until March or April of 2017, think again. To minimize your tax bill next year, there are some smart moves you can make now and in the months ahead. Savvy tax planning doesn't have to take a lot of time, but it's a year-round undertaking. Here are five money-saving tax tips to put to use this summer.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>One of the smartest ways to lower your tax bill is to put more money into your tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs and 401(k) accounts. Since pre-tax money is used to fund these accounts, adding more money now will lower your total taxable income and lead you to pay out less in income taxes next year.</p>
<p>There could be other benefits to increasing your retirement contributions, too. That's especially true if your employer offers a matching contribution to your 401(k) and you are not yet contributing enough to take full advantage of that.As an example, if your company provides a 50% match on the first 6% of your salary, and you are not yet contributing 6%, then you are saying no to free money. Bumping your contribution rate up to that 6% will not only provide you with an immediate 50% return from your employer, but it will also lower your tax bill. That's a huge win!</p>
<p>If you're worried that can't afford an increase, then I'd still advise you to go for it, but start out small. Simply add an extra 1% of your salary to a tax-deferred plan right now and judge for yourself how it goes. My hunch is that after a few paychecks, you'll hardly notice the difference. If so, then add another 1% a few months down the road, and repeat that process as many times as possible. Do that enough times, and you'll be at the maximum level, turning you into a retirement rock star.</p>
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<p>Image source: Flickr user <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/14331902531/" type="external">Mike Mozart</a>, Jeepers Media.</p>
<p>The phrase "spring cleaning" isn't exactly music to homeowners' ears. Yet this tiresome annual ritual can turn into a tax-saving venture.</p>
<p>For years, my wife and I have been trying to pare down our possessions. They clog up our living space and create mental clutter that stresses us out. There are usually many trips to Goodwill involved in this process. But whenever tax time rolled around, I was unable to claim a tax break for the things we donated because I didn't keep clean records.</p>
<p>That changed this year.TurboTax has a handy tool that has made the processmucheasier. Using the company's ItsDeductible tool, I take a brief survey of what we're donating each week. The tool has acceptable estimates for each item's value, and it keeps a log of everything that's been donated. In total, it takes just five minutes each week. And when the time comes to file my tax return, the deductions are seamlessly added to my tax return, because I also use TurboTax to file.</p>
<p>While we prefer ItsDeductible, know that it's not the only tool that can help you track your charitable donations. H&amp;R Block, for example, has a similar tool called DeductionPro. Do a bit of shopping and decide which offering makes sense for you. By the way: Most of these programs, including ItsDeductible and DeductionPro, are 100% free to use.</p>
<p>Image source: Flickr user <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/knowledge-test/9641948651/" type="external">Dan Markeye</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFUltraLong/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Sean Williams</a></p>
<p>If you're a parent and an entrepreneur, then there's a smart way you can not only reduce your taxable income, but alsogive your kids a way to earn money and learn the value of hard work: employ them. If you happen to own your own business, you can hire your children under the age of 18 and then deduct the wages you pay them from your own taxable income. Additionally, if you operate a sole proprietorship, you can even employ your children without having to pay Social Security taxes or Medicare taxes on their wages.</p>
<p>What's the catch to this great tax deduction? Namely, you'll want to ensure you're paying your kids under the age of 18 a reasonable wage based on the work they're performing. Otherwise you could raise a red flag that triggers a tax audit-- and no one wants that.</p>
<p>Additionally, give serious consideration to reviewing your withholding status on your W-4 at least once per quarter. With half the year having passed, summer is often a great time to assess how much you've paid in federal income taxes so far, compared to what you expect to earn for the full year. Since most taxpayers wind up netting a refund come tax time, chances are that you've overpaid what you'll likely owe. This means the government is keeping your money for the next few months to a year without giving you a red cent in interest. If you adjust your tax withholding on your W-4, then you may be able to put more money into your pocket with each paycheck for the remainder of the year and put that money to work immediately, not months from now.</p>
<p>Image source: Flickr user <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6949115457/" type="external">Elliott Brown</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFVelvetHammer/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Jason</a> <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFVelvetHammer/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Hall</a></p>
<p>You could save thousands of dollars off your utility bills over the next couple of decades by installing a solar energy system. And with the recently extended solar investment tax credit covering 30% of the cost of the system and installation, it's probably more affordablethan you think. There are also ways to reduce or even eliminate the up-front cost, too.</p>
<p>Between low- or even no-money-down loans, along with solar system lease and power purchase agreements (usually called PPAs), you can sign up for 20 years of low-cost solar and pass on the tax credit to the installer or lender you work with. Meanwhile, you get the benefit of a lower monthly bill for the next 20 years.</p>
<p>Going solar isn't the only way to save money on your utilities while also getting a tax break. The Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit can get you up to 10% back if you make certain energy-efficient home improvements. These include insulation, high-efficiency water heaters, heating and air-conditioning systems, and external windows. Not only will these improvements help you save money on your utility bills, but a tax credit for 10% of the cost can make it an easier decision.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that this tax credit has a lifetime cap of $500 and is set to expireat the end of 2016.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSelena/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Selena Maranjian</a></p>
<p>A final way you might shrink your tax bill this year is by opening a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if you're able. These plans are typically offered by employers, with contributions coming out of your paycheck on a pre-tax basis. (That means you're not taxed on them.) For 2016, the limit is $2,550. If you're in the 25% tax bracket and can shrink your taxable income by $2,550, you'll avoid paying nearly $640 in taxes.</p>
<p>There are several varieties of FSAs. A healthcare FSA (not to be confused with a Health Savings Account, or HSA) lets you sock money away for healthcare expenses, while others focus on dependent care expenses (such as day care) or adoption expenses or health insurance premiums. With a healthcare FSA, the money you contribute to the account can be usedtax-freeon qualifying healthcare expenses, such as: birth control pills, breast pumps, chiropractor services, dental work, drugs, eyeglasses, fertility treatment, hearing aids, optometrist services, psychiatric care, smoking cessation programs, some weight-loss programs, wheelchairs, wigs, X-rays, and more. Expenses that miss the mark include cosmetic surgery, diapers, gym memberships, electrolysis, many nonprescription drugs, nutritional supplements, teeth whitening, and veterinary services.</p>
<p>An FSA has a significant drawback, though: It's use-it-or-lose-it with the money you contribute each year. The rules were recently relaxed just a little so that now your employer may choose to extend the spending deadline by up to 2-1/2 months or permit you to carry over up to $500 to spend in the following year. It might not offer either option, though, so learn the rules for your particular account. Also, you generally have to set up an FSA during your employer's open enrollment period, so find out when that is.</p>
<p>Take some action now and you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars in taxes.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/06/17/5-money-saving-tax-tips-to-use-this-summer.aspx" type="external">5 Money-Saving Tax Tips to Use This Summer</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTypeoh/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Brian Feroldi</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCheesehead/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Brian Stoffel</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/elihpaudio/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Jason Hall</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFUltraLong/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Sean Williams</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFSelena/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Selena Maranjian</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Intuit. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights</a> makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/help/index.htm?display=about02" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p> | true | 0 | image source getty images continue reading think youre done taxes enjoy thinking march april 2017 think minimize tax bill next year smart moves make months ahead savvy tax planning doesnt take lot time yearround undertaking five moneysaving tax tips put use summer image source getty images one smartest ways lower tax bill put money taxdeferred retirement accounts traditional iras 401k accounts since pretax money used fund accounts adding money lower total taxable income lead pay less income taxes next year could benefits increasing retirement contributions thats especially true employer offers matching contribution 401k yet contributing enough take full advantage thatas example company provides 50 match first 6 salary yet contributing 6 saying free money bumping contribution rate 6 provide immediate 50 return employer also lower tax bill thats huge win youre worried cant afford increase id still advise go start small simply add extra 1 salary taxdeferred plan right judge goes hunch paychecks youll hardly notice difference add another 1 months road repeat process many times possible enough times youll maximum level turning retirement rock star advertisement image source flickr user mike mozart jeepers media phrase spring cleaning isnt exactly music homeowners ears yet tiresome annual ritual turn taxsaving venture years wife trying pare possessions clog living space create mental clutter stresses us usually many trips goodwill involved process whenever tax time rolled around unable claim tax break things donated didnt keep clean records changed yearturbotax handy tool made processmucheasier using companys itsdeductible tool take brief survey donating week tool acceptable estimates items value keeps log everything thats donated total takes five minutes week time comes file tax return deductions seamlessly added tax return also use turbotax file prefer itsdeductible know tool help track charitable donations hampr block example similar tool called deductionpro bit shopping decide offering makes sense way programs including itsdeductible deductionpro 100 free use image source flickr user dan markeye sean williams youre parent entrepreneur theres smart way reduce taxable income alsogive kids way earn money learn value hard work employ happen business hire children age 18 deduct wages pay taxable income additionally operate sole proprietorship even employ children without pay social security taxes medicare taxes wages whats catch great tax deduction namely youll want ensure youre paying kids age 18 reasonable wage based work theyre performing otherwise could raise red flag triggers tax audit one wants additionally give serious consideration reviewing withholding status w4 least per quarter half year passed summer often great time assess much youve paid federal income taxes far compared expect earn full year since taxpayers wind netting refund come tax time chances youve overpaid youll likely owe means government keeping money next months year without giving red cent interest adjust tax withholding w4 may able put money pocket paycheck remainder year put money work immediately months image source flickr user elliott brown jason hall could save thousands dollars utility bills next couple decades installing solar energy system recently extended solar investment tax credit covering 30 cost system installation probably affordablethan think also ways reduce even eliminate upfront cost low even nomoneydown loans along solar system lease power purchase agreements usually called ppas sign 20 years lowcost solar pass tax credit installer lender work meanwhile get benefit lower monthly bill next 20 years going solar isnt way save money utilities also getting tax break nonbusiness energy property credit get 10 back make certain energyefficient home improvements include insulation highefficiency water heaters heating airconditioning systems external windows improvements help save money utility bills tax credit 10 cost make easier decision keep mind tax credit lifetime cap 500 set expireat end 2016 image source getty images selena maranjian final way might shrink tax bill year opening flexible spending account fsa youre able plans typically offered employers contributions coming paycheck pretax basis means youre taxed 2016 limit 2550 youre 25 tax bracket shrink taxable income 2550 youll avoid paying nearly 640 taxes several varieties fsas healthcare fsa confused health savings account hsa lets sock money away healthcare expenses others focus dependent care expenses day care adoption expenses health insurance premiums healthcare fsa money contribute account usedtaxfreeon qualifying healthcare expenses birth control pills breast pumps chiropractor services dental work drugs eyeglasses fertility treatment hearing aids optometrist services psychiatric care smoking cessation programs weightloss programs wheelchairs wigs xrays expenses miss mark include cosmetic surgery diapers gym memberships electrolysis many nonprescription drugs nutritional supplements teeth whitening veterinary services fsa significant drawback though useitorloseit money contribute year rules recently relaxed little employer may choose extend spending deadline 212 months permit carry 500 spend following year might offer either option though learn rules particular account also generally set fsa employers open enrollment period find take action save hundreds thousands dollars taxes article 5 moneysaving tax tips use summer originally appeared foolcom brian feroldi position stocks mentioned brian stoffel position stocks mentioned jason hall position stocks mentioned sean williams position stocks mentioned selena maranjian position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends intuit try foolish newsletter services free 30 days fools may hold opinions believe considering diverse range insights makes us better investors motley fool disclosure policy copyright 1995 2016 motley fool llc rights reserved motley fool disclosure policy | 857 |
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<p>Opko Health's (NASDAQ: OPK) billionaire CEO, Phillip Frost, has been busy. The legendary healthcare entrepreneur -- best known for selling his IVAX Labs to Teva Pharmaceutical for $7.4 billion in 2006 -- ison a spending spree that he hopes will make Opko Health into a major player in biopharma and specialty diagnostics. Investorsshould start enjoying the benefits of his efforts next year, so let's take a closer look at this company.</p>
<p>Over the past five years, Frost has orchestrated a series of deals to acquire the rights to medicines that he thinks could be needle-movers.</p>
<p>The first of those drugs,Varubi, won approval last fall and in 2017, Opko Health may begin receiving its first meaningful royalties on Varubi's sales.</p>
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<p>Frost bought Varubi, a drug that treats chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), from Schering-Plough in 2009 and shortly thereafter, he licensed rights to Varubi toTesaro, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSRO), a fledgling biotech run by Lonnie Moulder, the person behind the CINV top-seller Aloxi.</p>
<p>As part of that deal, Moulder agreed that Tesaro would pay Opko Health up to$121 million in milestone payments, plus tiered double-digit royalties on any sales.</p>
<p>So far, Varubi sales aren't all that meaningful, butthere's reason to think Varubi could have nine-figure potential. Initially, Varubi's approval was for an oral dose, however, CINV drugs that work similarly to Varubi are dosed via IV most of the time. An IV formulation of Varubi could win a FDA green light next spring, so there's a chance that revenue from that formulation begins benefiting Opko Health's financials beginning next summer.</p>
<p>Opko Health thinks that theaddressable market for Varubi is worth $1 billion, and given that Emend -- a drug that competes head-to-head against Varubi -- hauled in $535 million last year, there's reason for optimism.</p>
<p>An even bigger opportunity for Opko Health next year may be the launch of its wholly owned vitamin D prohormone, Rayaldee. Rayaldee notched an FDA go-ahead for use in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients this past summer and Frost plans to begin selling it this quarter.</p>
<p>The market for vitamin D replacement in CKD patients is potentially massive. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 20 million Americans may have CKD and given that cases typically occur in patients over 60, aging baby boomers mean that many patients are going to require treatment that could result in vitamin D insufficiency.</p>
<p>Initially, Rayaldee can be used in patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD, but studies are ongoing evaluating its potential in stage 5 patients, too. Onlytime will tell if Rayaldee resonates with prescribers, but if it does, it could move Opko Health's needle. Zemplar, a vitamin D boosting drug used to treat CKD patients, saw peak sales of more than $1 billion before losing patent protection.</p>
<p>Rayaldee could similarly be a big success overseas. Opko Health licensed ex-U.S. rights toVifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma in May and as part of that arrangement, VFMCRP could pay Opko Health up to $282 million, plus tiered double-digit royalties, if Rayaldee is approved in Europe, and elsewhere.</p>
<p>The coming year should also give investors greater insight into the potential to leverage Frost's$1.4 billion acquisition of Bio-Reference Labs last year. In Q2, Bio-Reference Labs sales totaled $260 million and Frost hopes Bio-Reference Labs' relationships can drive demand for Opko Health's 4KScore prostate cancer test and its Claros 1 in-office diagnostic system.The 4KScore is the only blood test proven to accurately identify risk for aggressive prostate cancer, but demand for it has so far been unimpressive. Bio-Reference could also help boost demand for Opko Health'sClaros 1 in-office diagnostic system. A PSA and testosterone test for Claros 1 could launch by the end of 2017 and early in 2018, respectively.</p>
<p>Investors will also find out soon if Opko Health'shGH-CTP could be a big seller. The drug is a long-lasting version of human growth hormone that can be dosed weekly, rather than daily. The market for human growth hormone is worth $3 billion annually and growing, and results from a phase 3 trial evaluating hGH-CTP in adults are expected soon.</p>
<p>Opko Health has already licensed rights to hGH-CTP toPfizer(NYSE: PFE),and if the phase 3 results are positive, then an FDA filing for approval could be in the works next year. If eventually approved, Pfizer could pay Opko Health milestones, plus royalties. Importantly, a success in adults could indicate hGH-CTP could similarly benefit children. If studies already under way show it benefits younger patients, then Pfizer has agreed to splitprofits with Opko Health on both hGH-CTP and Genotropin, Pfizer's own best-selling human growth hormone.</p>
<p>Overall, there are a number of reasons why Opko Health's shares could move higher or lower next year, so investors will want to pay particularly close attention to this company over the coming quarters.</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=2518&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/EBCapitalMarkets/info.aspx" type="external">Todd Campbell Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned.Todd owns E.B. Capital Markets, LLC. E.B. Capital's clients may have positions in the companies mentioned.Like this article? Follow him onTwitter where he goes by the handle <a href="https://twitter.com/ebcapital" type="external">@ebcapital Opens a New Window.</a>to see more articles like this.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 | image source getty images continue reading opko healths nasdaq opk billionaire ceo phillip frost busy legendary healthcare entrepreneur best known selling ivax labs teva pharmaceutical 74 billion 2006 ison spending spree hopes make opko health major player biopharma specialty diagnostics investorsshould start enjoying benefits efforts next year lets take closer look company past five years frost orchestrated series deals acquire rights medicines thinks could needlemovers first drugsvarubi approval last fall 2017 opko health may begin receiving first meaningful royalties varubis sales advertisement frost bought varubi drug treats chemotherapyinduced nausea vomiting cinv scheringplough 2009 shortly thereafter licensed rights varubi totesaro inc nasdaq tsro fledgling biotech run lonnie moulder person behind cinv topseller aloxi part deal moulder agreed tesaro would pay opko health to121 million milestone payments plus tiered doubledigit royalties sales far varubi sales arent meaningful buttheres reason think varubi could ninefigure potential initially varubis approval oral dose however cinv drugs work similarly varubi dosed via iv time iv formulation varubi could win fda green light next spring theres chance revenue formulation begins benefiting opko healths financials beginning next summer opko health thinks theaddressable market varubi worth 1 billion given emend drug competes headtohead varubi hauled 535 million last year theres reason optimism even bigger opportunity opko health next year may launch wholly owned vitamin prohormone rayaldee rayaldee notched fda goahead use chronic kidney disease ckd patients past summer frost plans begin selling quarter market vitamin replacement ckd patients potentially massive centers disease control estimates 20 million americans may ckd given cases typically occur patients 60 aging baby boomers mean many patients going require treatment could result vitamin insufficiency initially rayaldee used patients stage 3 4 ckd studies ongoing evaluating potential stage 5 patients onlytime tell rayaldee resonates prescribers could move opko healths needle zemplar vitamin boosting drug used treat ckd patients saw peak sales 1 billion losing patent protection rayaldee could similarly big success overseas opko health licensed exus rights tovifor fresenius medical care renal pharma may part arrangement vfmcrp could pay opko health 282 million plus tiered doubledigit royalties rayaldee approved europe elsewhere coming year also give investors greater insight potential leverage frosts14 billion acquisition bioreference labs last year q2 bioreference labs sales totaled 260 million frost hopes bioreference labs relationships drive demand opko healths 4kscore prostate cancer test claros 1 inoffice diagnostic systemthe 4kscore blood test proven accurately identify risk aggressive prostate cancer demand far unimpressive bioreference could also help boost demand opko healthsclaros 1 inoffice diagnostic system psa testosterone test claros 1 could launch end 2017 early 2018 respectively investors also find soon opko healthshghctp could big seller drug longlasting version human growth hormone dosed weekly rather daily market human growth hormone worth 3 billion annually growing results phase 3 trial evaluating hghctp adults expected soon opko health already licensed rights hghctp topfizernyse pfeand phase 3 results positive fda filing approval could works next year eventually approved pfizer could pay opko health milestones plus royalties importantly success adults could indicate hghctp could similarly benefit children studies already way show benefits younger patients pfizer agreed splitprofits opko health hghctp genotropin pfizers bestselling human growth hormone overall number reasons opko healths shares could move higher lower next year investors want pay particularly close attention company coming quarters 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 todd campbell opens new window position stocks mentionedtodd owns eb capital markets llc eb capitals clients may positions companies mentionedlike article follow ontwitter goes handle ebcapital opens new windowto see articles like thisthe 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 | 652 |
<p>Six decades after Sputnik, a refined version of the rocket that put the first artificial satellite in orbit remains the mainstay of Russia's space program — a stunning tribute to the country's technological prowess, but also a sign it has failed to build upon its achievements.</p>
<p>And unlike the Cold War era, when space was a key area of the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, space research now appears to rank low on the Kremlin's priorities.</p>
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<p>The Soyuz booster, currently the only vehicle that launches crews to the International Space Station, is a modification of the R-7 rocket that put Sputnik in orbit on Oct. 4, 1957.</p>
<p>Another Soviet-designed workhorse, the heavy-lift Proton rocket that has been used to launch commercial satellites to high orbits, was developed in the 1960s.</p>
<p>Both rockets established a stellar reputation for their reliability, but their record was tarnished by a string of failed launches in recent years that have called into question the Russian space industry's ability to maintain the same high standards of manufacturing.</p>
<p>Glitches found in Proton and Soyuz in 2016 were traced to manufacturing flaws at the plant in Voronezh that builds engines for both rockets. The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, sent more than 70 rocket engines back to production lines to replace faulty components, a move that resulted in a yearlong break in Proton launches.</p>
<p>The suspension eroded the nation's niche in the global market for commercial satellite launches. Last year, Russia for the first time fell behind both the U.S. and China in the number of launches.</p>
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<p>Clients have increasingly opted for new, more efficient and affordable choices, such as the Falcon 9 built by SpaceX, which broke ground in reducing costs by making its rockets reusable.</p>
<p>Russian officials have recognized the challenge posed by SpaceX and others, but they have offered few specifics on how the nation hopes to retain its place in the global market. The only short-term answer appears to be a plan to manufacture a less-powerful version of the Proton booster to lower costs.</p>
<p>In an astonishing recognition of the depth of Russia's space woes, Roscosmos chief Igor Komarov declared earlier this week that the Voronezh factory used substandard alloys because of a logistical failure that occurred after a warehouse worker had become ill.</p>
<p>The Khrunichev company that assembles the Proton also has fallen on hard times amid criminal investigations into alleged mismanagement and a decision to sharply cut its assets. Much of the prized real estate it occupies in western Moscow has been designated for development.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the development of the Angara, a booster rocket intended to replace both the Soyuz and the Proton, has been repeatedly pushed back, and its future remains uncertain. More expensive and lacking the long-established track record of its predecessors, the Angara probably will find it hard to compete with SpaceX rockets and others in the international market.</p>
<p>The first tests of the Angara have been successful, but full-scale production is yet to be organized at a plant in the Siberian city of Omsk.</p>
<p>And while the Soyuz is now the only vehicle for ferrying crews to the International Space Station following the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle fleet, Russia stands to lose the monopoly soon as the SpaceX's Dragon v2 and Boeing's Starliner crew capsules are to fly test missions next year.</p>
<p>Work on a new spacecraft intended to replace the Soyuz crew capsule designed 50 years ago has crawled slowly. The ship, called Federation, is tentatively set for its first manned flight in 2023, but little is known about it.</p>
<p>Roscosmos also has talked about sending several unmanned missions to the moon in the next decade, but details are yet to be worked out. Attempts to send unmanned probes to Mars in 1996 and to the Martian moons Phobos in 2011 failed due to equipment problems.</p>
<p>Russia also has struggled for years to build its own scientific module for the International Space Station. Originally set for 2007, the launch of the Nauka, or Science, module has been pushed back repeatedly. A 2013 check revealed that its systems had become clogged with residue and required a costly cleaning. The launch is now tentatively set for next year, but some reports suggest it could be delayed further.</p>
<p>Amid funding shortages, Roscosmos has decided to cut the size of its ISS crews from three to two, a move criticized by many in Russia.</p>
<p>"It's very bad when we have to cut the number of cosmonaut seats," cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya said in parliament this year. "The situation in our space industry is quite alarming."</p>
<p>One Russian cosmonaut currently in orbit, Sergei Ryazanskiy, on Wednesday posted a picture of himself holding a tiny replica of Sputnik on Twitter to mark the 60th anniversary. Ryazanskiy's grandfather, the chief designer of radio guidance systems for space vehicles during Soviet times, was involved in Sputnik's launch.</p>
<p>While other space programs faced cutbacks, Russia spent billions to build the new Vostochny launch pad in the Far East as a possible alternative to the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan that Moscow has leased from its former Soviet neighbor.</p>
<p>Many have questioned the feasibility of the expensive new facility, given the fact that Russia intends to continue using Baikonur for most of its launches. Work at Vostochny has also been dogged by scandals involving protests by unpaid workers and the arrests of construction officials accused of embezzlement.</p>
<p>A launch pad for Soyuz finally opened in 2016, but another one for heavier Angara rockets is only set to be completed in late 2021.</p>
<p>Amid massive spending on Vostochny, whose future remains unclear, some have criticized Roscosmos for cutting corners on personnel. Cosmonaut Maxim Surayev, who now serves as a lawmaker, lamented the poor conditions for future space crews at the Star City training center outside Moscow.</p>
<p>"It's wrong when, instead of fulfilling their task to prepare for space flight, they have to find side jobs and a place to live," Surayev said in parliament.</p>
<p>Several veteran cosmonauts were forced to retire earlier this year amid vicious infighting at Star City. One of the retirees was Gennady Padalka, who holds the world record for the longest time in orbit — 879 days over five space missions.</p>
<p>In a letter to the media, Padalka urged authorities to fire the director of Star City to prevent the facility from falling into "complete ruin."</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>This version corrects spelling of Falcon rocket and length of Padalka record to 879 days.</p> | true | 0 | six decades sputnik refined version rocket put first artificial satellite orbit remains mainstay russias space program stunning tribute countrys technological prowess also sign failed build upon achievements unlike cold war era space key area rivalry united states soviet union space research appears rank low kremlins priorities continue reading soyuz booster currently vehicle launches crews international space station modification r7 rocket put sputnik orbit oct 4 1957 another sovietdesigned workhorse heavylift proton rocket used launch commercial satellites high orbits developed 1960s rockets established stellar reputation reliability record tarnished string failed launches recent years called question russian space industrys ability maintain high standards manufacturing glitches found proton soyuz 2016 traced manufacturing flaws plant voronezh builds engines rockets russian space agency roscosmos sent 70 rocket engines back production lines replace faulty components move resulted yearlong break proton launches suspension eroded nations niche global market commercial satellite launches last year russia first time fell behind us china number launches advertisement clients increasingly opted new efficient affordable choices falcon 9 built spacex broke ground reducing costs making rockets reusable russian officials recognized challenge posed spacex others offered specifics nation hopes retain place global market shortterm answer appears plan manufacture lesspowerful version proton booster lower costs astonishing recognition depth russias space woes roscosmos chief igor komarov declared earlier week voronezh factory used substandard alloys logistical failure occurred warehouse worker become ill khrunichev company assembles proton also fallen hard times amid criminal investigations alleged mismanagement decision sharply cut assets much prized real estate occupies western moscow designated development meanwhile development angara booster rocket intended replace soyuz proton repeatedly pushed back future remains uncertain expensive lacking longestablished track record predecessors angara probably find hard compete spacex rockets others international market first tests angara successful fullscale production yet organized plant siberian city omsk soyuz vehicle ferrying crews international space station following retirement us space shuttle fleet russia stands lose monopoly soon spacexs dragon v2 boeings starliner crew capsules fly test missions next year work new spacecraft intended replace soyuz crew capsule designed 50 years ago crawled slowly ship called federation tentatively set first manned flight 2023 little known roscosmos also talked sending several unmanned missions moon next decade details yet worked attempts send unmanned probes mars 1996 martian moons phobos 2011 failed due equipment problems russia also struggled years build scientific module international space station originally set 2007 launch nauka science module pushed back repeatedly 2013 check revealed systems become clogged residue required costly cleaning launch tentatively set next year reports suggest could delayed amid funding shortages roscosmos decided cut size iss crews three two move criticized many russia bad cut number cosmonaut seats cosmonaut svetlana savitskaya said parliament year situation space industry quite alarming one russian cosmonaut currently orbit sergei ryazanskiy wednesday posted picture holding tiny replica sputnik twitter mark 60th anniversary ryazanskiys grandfather chief designer radio guidance systems space vehicles soviet times involved sputniks launch space programs faced cutbacks russia spent billions build new vostochny launch pad far east possible alternative baikonur cosmodrome kazakhstan moscow leased former soviet neighbor many questioned feasibility expensive new facility given fact russia intends continue using baikonur launches work vostochny also dogged scandals involving protests unpaid workers arrests construction officials accused embezzlement launch pad soyuz finally opened 2016 another one heavier angara rockets set completed late 2021 amid massive spending vostochny whose future remains unclear criticized roscosmos cutting corners personnel cosmonaut maxim surayev serves lawmaker lamented poor conditions future space crews star city training center outside moscow wrong instead fulfilling task prepare space flight find side jobs place live surayev said parliament several veteran cosmonauts forced retire earlier year amid vicious infighting star city one retirees gennady padalka holds world record longest time orbit 879 days five space missions letter media padalka urged authorities fire director star city prevent facility falling complete ruin ___ version corrects spelling falcon rocket length padalka record 879 days | 642 |
<p />
<p>They say that data is so valuable, it is the new oil. With it, you can offer advertisers the most targeted ads possible. Without it, you are drowning in a sea of competition with absolutely no edge.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>This is the true advantage that investors in search engines like Alphabet's(NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL)Google and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) enjoy. Aside fromFacebook, no other companies have collected as much data, and managed to monetize it.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>But which is the better buy today? That's an impossible question to answer, especially because geo-politics can play an important role. Baidu operates almost entirely within the borders of China, and is at the behest of the Chinese government. But that alone shouldn't determine which is the better buy.</p>
<p>Instead, we can get an idea for what you are more comfortable with by approaching the question through three key lenses.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>Absolutely nothing is more important to the long-term success of an investment than the sustainable competitive advantage of the underlying company you are investing in. Often referred to as a "moat" in investing circles, this represents that special something that separates a company from its competitors.</p>
<p>Alphabet's moat began with Google's unique algorithm that spit out search results faster and more accurately than any other alternative. That algorithm was very popular; it's the reason we "Google" for information, instead of "Altavista" it.</p>
<p>But Google's moat is wider than that: The company has six services in addition to search that have logged over 1 billion users: Google Play, YouTube, Chrome, Android, Gmail, and Maps. Combined, this ecosystem conveys two huge moats. First, Google has more information on user habits than anyone else. This means it can continually offer up products that people are looking for. Other wannabe search engines don't have this data advantage, and can never know for sure where the Next Big Product should be.</p>
<p>Second, Google is slowly building out high switching costs. Because users can sign into a dizzying array of sites today just by being signed into their Google account, the switching costs to another search engine have slowly crept up. Who wants to go back and remember all those passwords if they decide against having a Google account?</p>
<p>Just about everything I just said about Google applies to Baidu. Google has decided that it isn't going to compete actively in China due to government intervention. Although Baidu has had to deal with a few pesky upstarts, that decision has largely left the Middle Kingdom to Baidu.</p>
<p>Baidu has two additional variables worth mentioning. As stated above, the ruling Communist Party in China can exert much more control over Baidu than any other government could on Google, and that's a risk worth considering. At the same time, because the Chinese populace is entering the Age of the Internet much later than Americans, Baidu is trying to capitalize on opportunities Google missed stateside -- namely through creating an Online-to-Offline (O2O) ecosystem, which you can read more about <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/04/04/how-baidu-inc-makes-most-of-its-money.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>In the end, both companies have very wide moats.</p>
<p>Winner: Tie</p>
<p>I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see both Alphabet and Baidu start paying dividends before I retire (note: I'm 35 years old now). For now, however, investors want to see cash being poured into profitable new growth opportunities.</p>
<p>But as exciting as those growth opportunities may be, the companies must keep a sizable cash stash on hand. That's because every company, at some point, will have to endure difficult financial times. Those that enter such times with cash have options: buy back stock on the cheap, make a strategic acquisition, or -- perhaps most important -- outspend rivals to gain market share.</p>
<p>Debt-heavy companies are in the opposite situation, forced to myopically focus on meeting their debt obligations. Keeping in mind that Alphabet is valued at almost ten times the size of Baidu, here's how the two stack up.</p>
<p>Data sources: Yahoo! Finance, SEC filings.</p>
<p>Both of these companies are in very safe positions. Relative to its size, Baidu has much more cash, but also carries much more debt. Net income and free cash flow are about even, and very strong for both companies.</p>
<p>Over a decades-long time horizon, I think both would benefit from a downturn, as it would drive smaller players out of markets where Alphabet and Baidu are working on offering ancillary services or products.</p>
<p>Winner: Tie</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 sources: Yahoo! Finance, E*Trade, Nasdaq.com. P/E uses figures from non-GAAP earnings.</p>
<p>Here again we have a very close battle. While Baidu appears to be much more expensive on an earnings basis, the companies are virtually identical in terms of free cash flow -- a metric I give more credence to.</p>
<p>In terms of growth -- measured via the PEG Ratio -- Alphabet trades at a 30% discount to Baidu. That's largely because investments in O2O will be holding down Baidu's earnings for the foreseeable future.</p>
<p>While it's not a huge difference, we need a tiebreaker here, and it will go to Alphabet.</p>
<p>Winner: Alphabet</p>
<p>So there you have it, by the thinnest of margins, Alphabet comes out ahead. It has a more developed business line and more favorable valuation. At the same time, Baidu's O2O aspirations could prove to be an enormous boon to investors -- but it's just too early to know for sure.</p>
<p>As for myself, I have an enormous sum of money tied up in both companies. Combined, they constitute 22% of my real-life holdings. I believe both are worthy of your consideration.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Alphabet (A shares)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-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=5b6df8b9-3776-45b7-8bb4-3efca1639be8&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 Alphabet (A shares) 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=5b6df8b9-3776-45b7-8bb4-3efca1639be8&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>Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFCheesehead/info.aspx" type="external">Brian Stoffel Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Baidu, and Facebook. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Baidu, and Facebook. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | say data valuable new oil offer advertisers targeted ads possible without drowning sea competition absolutely edge continue reading true advantage investors search engines like alphabetsnasdaq goognasdaq googlgoogle baidu nasdaq bidu enjoy aside fromfacebook companies collected much data managed monetize image source getty images better buy today thats impossible question answer especially geopolitics play important role baidu operates almost entirely within borders china behest chinese government alone shouldnt determine better buy instead get idea comfortable approaching question three key lenses advertisement absolutely nothing important longterm success investment sustainable competitive advantage underlying company investing often referred moat investing circles represents special something separates company competitors alphabets moat began googles unique algorithm spit search results faster accurately alternative algorithm popular reason google information instead altavista googles moat wider company six services addition search logged 1 billion users google play youtube chrome android gmail maps combined ecosystem conveys two huge moats first google information user habits anyone else means continually offer products people looking wannabe search engines dont data advantage never know sure next big product second google slowly building high switching costs users sign dizzying array sites today signed google account switching costs another search engine slowly crept wants go back remember passwords decide google account everything said google applies baidu google decided isnt going compete actively china due government intervention although baidu deal pesky upstarts decision largely left middle kingdom baidu baidu two additional variables worth mentioning stated ruling communist party china exert much control baidu government could google thats risk worth considering time chinese populace entering age internet much later americans baidu trying capitalize opportunities google missed stateside namely creating onlinetooffline o2o ecosystem read opens new window end companies wide moats winner tie wouldnt least bit surprised see alphabet baidu start paying dividends retire note im 35 years old however investors want see cash poured profitable new growth opportunities exciting growth opportunities may companies must keep sizable cash stash hand thats every company point endure difficult financial times enter times cash options buy back stock cheap make strategic acquisition perhaps important outspend rivals gain market share debtheavy companies opposite situation forced myopically focus meeting debt obligations keeping mind alphabet valued almost ten times size baidu heres two stack data sources yahoo finance sec filings companies safe positions relative size baidu much cash also carries much debt net income free cash flow even strong companies decadeslong time horizon think would benefit downturn would drive smaller players markets alphabet baidu working offering ancillary services products winner tie finally valuation isnt exact science straightforward metrics consult give us idea expensive stock data sources yahoo finance etrade nasdaqcom pe uses figures nongaap earnings close battle baidu appears much expensive earnings basis companies virtually identical terms free cash flow metric give credence terms growth measured via peg ratio alphabet trades 30 discount baidu thats largely investments o2o holding baidus earnings foreseeable future huge difference need tiebreaker go alphabet winner alphabet thinnest margins alphabet comes ahead developed business line favorable valuation time baidus o2o aspirations could prove enormous boon investors early know sure enormous sum money tied companies combined constitute 22 reallife holdings believe worthy consideration 10 stocks like better alphabet shareswhen 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 alphabet shares wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns april 3 2017 suzanne frey executive alphabet member motley fools board directors brian stoffel opens new window owns shares alphabet shares alphabet c shares baidu facebook motley fool owns shares recommends alphabet shares alphabet c shares baidu facebook motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 622 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Editor’s Note: Anyone who simply wants to <a href="" type="internal">anoint Ted Cruz as the next great conservative</a>, without first vetting him, is part of the problem we have in this country, at least in my humble opinion. Those of us who refuse to admit that we have been fooled before are simply in denial. For the record I like Ted Cruz. I do, however, have some questions about him including his <a href="" type="internal">eligibility</a>. A couple of weeks ago we ran a <a href="" type="internal">never before seen interview</a> with Cruz in which he clearly stated that Heidi’s involvement with the Council on Foreign Relations was a matter of her joining as a voice of dissent. After reading the below article you can decide whether or not you believe his words. -Dean Garrison, DC Clothesline Editor</p>
<p>by Dr. Eowyn</p>
<p><a href="https://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/ted-cruz-at-liberty-u-march-23-2015.jpg" type="external" />Ted Cruz, joined by wife Heidi and daughters, announces his presidential campaign at Liberty U., March 23, 2015</p>
<p>Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)&#160; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz#Personal_life" type="external">met his wife</a>, Heidi (née Nelson), while working on the George W. Bush presidential campaign of 2000. Heidi Cruz is currently head of the Southwest Region in the Investment Management Division of <a href="" type="internal">Goldman, Sachs</a> &amp; Co. and previously worked in the White House for Condoleezza Rice and in New York as an investment banker for J.P. Morgan.&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Members_of_the_Council_on_Foreign_Relations" type="external">Wikipedia</a>&#160;lists Heidi Nelson Cruz&#160;as an &#160;“investment banker” and a&#160;“historical member” of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).</p>
<p>Heidi Cruz was a member of&#160;the CFR-sponsored&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Task_Force_on_North_America" type="external">Independent Task Force on the Future of North America</a>, which was launched in October 2004. The Task Force advocates a greater economic and social integration between Canada, Mexico, and the United States as a North American region.</p>
<p>Comprised of a group of prominent business, political and academic leaders from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Task Force was organized and sponsored by the <a href="" type="internal">Council on Foreign Relations</a> (U.S.), the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, and the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations. It was co-chaired by former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, John Manley, former Finance Minister of Mexico, Pedro Aspe, and former Governor of Massachusetts and Assistant U.S. Attorney General William F. Weld.</p>
<p>Its main publication is the 70-page Task Force Report #53 entitled, <a href="http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/NorthAmerica_TF_final.pdf" type="external">Building a North American Community</a> (May 2005). Heidi Cruz is listed as a member of the Task Force (page 9 of the report in PDF) and described as “an energy investment&#160;banker with Merrill Lynch in Houston, Texas” who “served in the Bush White House under Dr. Condoleezza Rice as the Economic Director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council, as the Director of the Latin America Office at the U.S. Treasury Department, and as Special Assistant to Ambassador Robert B. Zoellick, U.S. Trade Representative.”</p>
<p><a href="https://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/task-force-on-north-america-union-members.jpg" type="external" /></p>
<p>The Report’s recommendations include&#160;(see pp. 7-32 of the Report; pp. 29-54 of the PDF):</p>
<p>“The governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States should articulate as their long-term goal a common security perimeter for North America. In particular, the three governments should strive toward a situation in which a terrorist trying to penetrate our borders will have an equally hard time doing so, no matter which country he elects to enter first.”</p>
<p>“The three countries should develop a secure North American Border Pass with biometric identifiers. This document would allow its bearers expedited passage through customs, immigration, and airport security throughout the region.”</p>
<p>Specific recommendations under this plan include:</p>
<p>“Security cooperation among the three countries should also extend to cooperation on counterterrorism and law enforcement, which would include the establishment of a trinational threat intelligence center, the development of trinational ballistics and explosives registration, and joint training for law enforcement officials.”</p>
<p>Note: Now I’m beginning to “get” why U.S. <a href="http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2015/03/23/police-departments-hire-non-us-citizens-as-officers/" type="external">police departments are hiring non-US citizens as&#160;officers</a>!</p>
<p>“NAFTA has transformed Mexico, but it has also deepened and made much more visible the divisions that exist in the country…. The gap in wages has led many Mexicans to travel north in search of higher incomes and better opportunities. For the past three decades, Mexico has been the largest source of legal immigrants to the United States, and Mexican-Americans make increasingly valued and growing contributions to the life of the United States and, through remittances, to their families at home. Mexico is also the leading source of unauthorized migration, with attendant economic and security problems in both countries and untold hardships for Mexican migrants. Over time, the best way to diminish these problems is by promoting better economic opportunities in Mexico.”</p>
<p>Note: In other words, more socialist “spread the wealth”!</p>
<p>“With tariff barriers virtually eliminated, and the outlines of a North American economy visible, the time has come to take a more comprehensive approach to strengthening the economic prospects for citizens in all three countries. The first step is to encourage convergence in the most-favored-nation tariff rates each partner charges on imports from outside North America. Next, the governments should reduce the remaining nontariff barriers to the flow of goods and services, and address problems arising from charges of price discrimination and subsidization by competitors in North America. Finally, they should coordinate their approach to unfair trade practices by foreign suppliers to the North American market. The ultimate goal should be to create a seamless market for suppliers and consumers throughout North America.”</p>
<p>“To make the most of the impressive pool of skill and talent within North America, the three countries should look beyond the NAFTA visa system. The large volume of undocumented migrants from Mexico within the United States is an urgent matter for those two countries to address. A long-term goal should be to create a ‘North American preference’—new rules thatwould make it much easier for employees to move and for employers to recruit across national boundaries within the continent…. Canada and the United States should consider eliminating restrictions on labor mobility altogether and work toward solutions that, in the long run, could enable the extension of full labor mobility to Mexico as well.”</p>
<p>Specifics on how to create a North American free flow of labor include:</p>
<p>The Task Force recommends the following North American regional political institutions be established:</p>
<p>In the last part of the Task Force’s report, “Additional and Dissenting Views,” Heidi S. Cruz wrote (pp. 33-34):</p>
<p>“I support the Task Force report and its recommendations aimed at building a safer and more prosperous North America. Economic prosperity and a world safe from terrorism and other security threats are no doubt inextricably linked. While governments play an invaluable role in both regards, we must emphasize the imperative that economic investment be led and perpetuated by the private sector. There is no force proven like the market for aligning incentives, sourcing capital, and producing results like financial markets and profit-making businesses. This is simply necessary to sustain a higher living standard for the poorest among us—truly the measure of our success. As such, investment funds and financing mechanisms should be deemed attractive instruments by those committing the capital and should only be developed in conjunction with market participants.”</p>
<p>Now you know why, despite his blustering against Obama’s executive amnesty for millions of illegal aliens in this country, on March 27, 2015, <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/ted-cruz-hasnt-ruled-out-legal-status-undocumented-imigrants" type="external">Ted Cruz&#160;indicated</a>&#160;he “remains open to a path to legal status for undocumented workers.”&#160;</p>
<p>Born in Canada of an American citizen mother and a Cuban father, Ted Cruz held dual Canadian-U.S. citizenship. But it was only when the Dallas Morning News&#160;in August 2013 pointed out his dual citizenship that Cruz finally applied to renounce his Canadian citizenship — which meant that in 2012 when Cruz had run for and was elected a U.S. senator, he was a Canadian citizen. On May 14, 2014, Cruz finally&#160;ceased being a citizen of Canada.&#160;See “ <a href="http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2015/03/23/republican-sen-ted-cruz-announces-presidential-campaign-but-is-he-eligible/" type="external">Republican Sen. Ted Cruz announces presidential campaign, but is he eligible?</a>”</p>
<p>~Éowyn</p>
<p>Dr. Eowyn’s article was first published at <a href="http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2015/04/04/is-ted-cruz-an-advocate-of-a-north-american-union/" type="external">Fellowship of the Minds</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
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<p /> | true | 0 | editors note anyone simply wants anoint ted cruz next great conservative without first vetting part problem country least humble opinion us refuse admit fooled simply denial record like ted cruz however questions including eligibility couple weeks ago ran never seen interview cruz clearly stated heidis involvement council foreign relations matter joining voice dissent reading article decide whether believe words dean garrison dc clothesline editor dr eowyn ted cruz joined wife heidi daughters announces presidential campaign liberty u march 23 2015 sen ted cruz rtexas160 met wife heidi née nelson working george w bush presidential campaign 2000 heidi cruz currently head southwest region investment management division goldman sachs amp co previously worked white house condoleezza rice new york investment banker jp morgan160 wikipedia160lists heidi nelson cruz160as 160investment banker a160historical member council foreign relations cfr heidi cruz member of160the cfrsponsored160 independent task force future north america launched october 2004 task force advocates greater economic social integration canada mexico united states north american region comprised group prominent business political academic leaders us canada mexico task force organized sponsored council foreign relations us canadian council chief executives mexican council foreign relations cochaired former canadian deputy prime minister minister finance john manley former finance minister mexico pedro aspe former governor massachusetts assistant us attorney general william f weld main publication 70page task force report 53 entitled building north american community may 2005 heidi cruz listed member task force page 9 report pdf described energy investment160banker merrill lynch houston texas served bush white house dr condoleezza rice economic director western hemisphere national security council director latin america office us treasury department special assistant ambassador robert b zoellick us trade representative reports recommendations include160see pp 732 report pp 2954 pdf governments canada mexico united states articulate longterm goal common security perimeter north america particular three governments strive toward situation terrorist trying penetrate borders equally hard time matter country elects enter first three countries develop secure north american border pass biometric identifiers document would allow bearers expedited passage customs immigration airport security throughout region specific recommendations plan include security cooperation among three countries also extend cooperation counterterrorism law enforcement would include establishment trinational threat intelligence center development trinational ballistics explosives registration joint training law enforcement officials note im beginning get us police departments hiring nonus citizens as160officers nafta transformed mexico also deepened made much visible divisions exist country gap wages led many mexicans travel north search higher incomes better opportunities past three decades mexico largest source legal immigrants united states mexicanamericans make increasingly valued growing contributions life united states remittances families home mexico also leading source unauthorized migration attendant economic security problems countries untold hardships mexican migrants time best way diminish problems promoting better economic opportunities mexico note words socialist spread wealth tariff barriers virtually eliminated outlines north american economy visible time come take comprehensive approach strengthening economic prospects citizens three countries first step encourage convergence mostfavorednation tariff rates partner charges imports outside north america next governments reduce remaining nontariff barriers flow goods services address problems arising charges price discrimination subsidization competitors north america finally coordinate approach unfair trade practices foreign suppliers north american market ultimate goal create seamless market suppliers consumers throughout north america make impressive pool skill talent within north america three countries look beyond nafta visa system large volume undocumented migrants mexico within united states urgent matter two countries address longterm goal create north american preferencenew rules thatwould make much easier employees move employers recruit across national boundaries within continent canada united states consider eliminating restrictions labor mobility altogether work toward solutions long run could enable extension full labor mobility mexico well specifics create north american free flow labor include task force recommends following north american regional political institutions established last part task forces report additional dissenting views heidi cruz wrote pp 3334 support task force report recommendations aimed building safer prosperous north america economic prosperity world safe terrorism security threats doubt inextricably linked governments play invaluable role regards must emphasize imperative economic investment led perpetuated private sector force proven like market aligning incentives sourcing capital producing results like financial markets profitmaking businesses simply necessary sustain higher living standard poorest among ustruly measure success investment funds financing mechanisms deemed attractive instruments committing capital developed conjunction market participants know despite blustering obamas executive amnesty millions illegal aliens country march 27 2015 ted cruz160indicated160he remains open path legal status undocumented workers160 born canada american citizen mother cuban father ted cruz held dual canadianus citizenship dallas morning news160in august 2013 pointed dual citizenship cruz finally applied renounce canadian citizenship meant 2012 cruz run elected us senator canadian citizen may 14 2014 cruz finally160ceased citizen canada160see republican sen ted cruz announces presidential campaign eligible Éowyn dr eowyns article first published fellowship minds 160 | 784 |
<p>Oil companies and their allies are getting closer to opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for the first time as congressional Republicans seek to use the tax overhaul to end the nearly 40-year debate.</p>
<p>A refuge that some consider the last slice of pristine U.S. Arctic wilderness is also a long-sought target for oil companies and Alaskan lawmakers who want oil development to raise money and boost their economy. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is spearheading the latest effort, which would open most of the refuge's coast to drilling in an effort to raise $1 billion in oil revenue to offset new federal tax cuts.</p>
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<p>Ms. Murkowski, whose no-vote was central to killing the Republican health-care bill earlier this year, is also considered a swing vote on taxes and spent the year pressing leaders of the newly Republican-controlled Congress to help expand Alaskan drilling lands. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources that she chairs passed a bill to do that earlier this month, and the Budget Committee approved the tax measure, including the ANWR provision, on Tuesday.</p>
<p>The bill now goes to the Senate floor, likely for a vote by the end of the week. But the House hasn't passed a similar provision, and leaders from both chambers will likely negotiate whether to include it in a final tax bill that would have to pass before it could be signed into law by the president.</p>
<p>The refuge covers nearly 20 million acres in the northeast corner of the state, a wilderness almost free of roads and people, and home to a coastal plain important to migrating birds, caribou, polar bears and other wildlife. It was originally protected by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1960 before Congress formally created the refuge in 1980. The prospect for big Alaskan oil finds had drawn interest in developing the land by then, and Congress responded both with further protection and parameters for early studies of how much oil might be there and how safely drillers could reach it.</p>
<p>Ms. Murkowski's measure would open 1.5 million acres, most of the refuge's coast, to drilling. It would require that the federal government lease out at least 800,000 of those acres in at least two separate lease sales over seven years.</p>
<p>The bill limits surface disturbance to just 2,000 acres for oil platforms and permanent development in support such as airstrips and piers. But critics point to other language approving "any rights of way or easements across the Coastal Plain," which could allow roads or facilities that lead to much greater impact.</p>
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<p>"It's not just a few acres. The consequence is you will have destroyed this unique area," Sen. Maria Cantwell (D., Wash.) said Tuesday. "This is an incredible place that should be preserved. It is a wild, natural environment that is an asset to the United States."</p>
<p>The $1 billion in revenue will help fund the tax package, but whether the plan could produce that much money is unclear. Advances in oil drilling in the last decade have led to a global glut that has cut prices by about half and drawn drillers away from Alaska in favor of the continental U.S.</p>
<p>A study commissioned by the Alaska Wilderness League -- which opposes refuge drilling -- concluded that leasing in neighboring regions of Alaska's North Slope produced an average of $194 an acre between 2010 and 2016. The bill would have the state and federal government split any money, so bid prices would have to increase by seven to 13 times for the federal government to pocket $1 billion from leasing.</p>
<p>The Congressional Budget Office forecast earlier this month that the leasing would produce $2.2 billion in total bid revenue for the state and federal governments to split between 2018 and 2027. Although the claim is highly disputed, supporters say the refuge is a much better drilling prospect than other recently leased land nearby, and they point to the $2.1 billion Royal Dutch Shell PLC spent for more acres of offshore Alaskan oil rights in 2008 as a better comparison.</p>
<p>Alaska is trying to lure new oil investment to ease an increasingly critical threat to its oil industry, which the state relies on both for taxes and economic development. Falling interest in the North Slope has caused the amount of oil flowing through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline to slow and cool, a trend that could eventually clog the major artery and shut down most of the state's oil industry.</p>
<p>Prices are up about 25% to two-year highs in just the past three months, and oil producers have announced two major finds in the North Slope in about the past year. That shows that oil companies may be willing and able to take a shot in the region, but they still face a high degree of difficulty from the challenging conditions there, the high environmental risks and what are certain to be lengthy legal challenges, said Alison Wolters, analyst at energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie in Houston.</p>
<p>"The lead time will be so long and the scrutiny will be so high," she said. "It's very highly prospective."</p>
<p>Write to Timothy Puko at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>November 28, 2017 16:36 ET (21:36 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | oil companies allies getting closer opening arctic national wildlife refuge drilling first time congressional republicans seek use tax overhaul end nearly 40year debate refuge consider last slice pristine us arctic wilderness also longsought target oil companies alaskan lawmakers want oil development raise money boost economy republican sen lisa murkowski alaska spearheading latest effort would open refuges coast drilling effort raise 1 billion oil revenue offset new federal tax cuts continue reading ms murkowski whose novote central killing republican healthcare bill earlier year also considered swing vote taxes spent year pressing leaders newly republicancontrolled congress help expand alaskan drilling lands senate committee energy natural resources chairs passed bill earlier month budget committee approved tax measure including anwr provision tuesday bill goes senate floor likely vote end week house hasnt passed similar provision leaders chambers likely negotiate whether include final tax bill would pass could signed law president refuge covers nearly 20 million acres northeast corner state wilderness almost free roads people home coastal plain important migrating birds caribou polar bears wildlife originally protected president dwight eisenhower 1960 congress formally created refuge 1980 prospect big alaskan oil finds drawn interest developing land congress responded protection parameters early studies much oil might safely drillers could reach ms murkowskis measure would open 15 million acres refuges coast drilling would require federal government lease least 800000 acres least two separate lease sales seven years bill limits surface disturbance 2000 acres oil platforms permanent development support airstrips piers critics point language approving rights way easements across coastal plain could allow roads facilities lead much greater impact advertisement acres consequence destroyed unique area sen maria cantwell wash said tuesday incredible place preserved wild natural environment asset united states 1 billion revenue help fund tax package whether plan could produce much money unclear advances oil drilling last decade led global glut cut prices half drawn drillers away alaska favor continental us study commissioned alaska wilderness league opposes refuge drilling concluded leasing neighboring regions alaskas north slope produced average 194 acre 2010 2016 bill would state federal government split money bid prices would increase seven 13 times federal government pocket 1 billion leasing congressional budget office forecast earlier month leasing would produce 22 billion total bid revenue state federal governments split 2018 2027 although claim highly disputed supporters say refuge much better drilling prospect recently leased land nearby point 21 billion royal dutch shell plc spent acres offshore alaskan oil rights 2008 better comparison alaska trying lure new oil investment ease increasingly critical threat oil industry state relies taxes economic development falling interest north slope caused amount oil flowing transalaska pipeline slow cool trend could eventually clog major artery shut states oil industry prices 25 twoyear highs past three months oil producers announced two major finds north slope past year shows oil companies may willing able take shot region still face high degree difficulty challenging conditions high environmental risks certain lengthy legal challenges said alison wolters analyst energy consultancy wood mackenzie houston lead time long scrutiny high said highly prospective write timothy puko timpukowsjcom end dow jones newswires november 28 2017 1636 et 2136 gmt | 516 |
<p />
<p>Image Source: Netflix.</p>
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<p>Netflix(NASDAQ: NFLX) is going on a shopping spree the likes of which Hollywood has never seen.</p>
<p>The leading streamer shocked the entertainment industry last year by promising to spend $6 billion on content to make 600 hours of original programming, and it's upping the ante in 2017, projecting 1,000 hours of original entertainment.</p>
<p>All that content doesn't come cheap. Netflix is going into the red on a cash basis, projecting free cash flow of negative $1.5 billion this year, and it just ordered up another $1 billion in debt to fund the expansion. Management argues that spending that money up front will be more cost-effective in the long run, as owning content that streams around the world is the best way to deliver value for its customers and drive a profit.</p>
<p>Analysts, however, have been skeptical about the level of spending, as some of the price tags are especially high.The Crown, a drama about Queen Elizabeth premiering next week, cost a reported $120 million.</p>
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<p>One of the more intriguing deals Netflix made recently was signing comedian Chris Rock to produce two stand-up specials for a reported $40 million. At $20 million/hour for an assumed two hours of material, that may be the highest price paid for at-home video content in entertainment history.</p>
<p>Netflix has built up a solid stable of stand-up comedy originals, focusing on the genre as it tends to be cheaper to produce and comedians are often eager for the exposure. Rock, who brings a pedigree to match arguably any comic working today, is different. Netflix reportedly outbidAmazon(NASDAQ: AMZN), Hulu, and HBO to sign the SNL alum and Oscar host.</p>
<p>Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said, "ChrisRockis a beloved actor and director, and his remarkable stand-up makes him comic royalty. There is no one like him, and Netflix offers the global platform and creative freedom that will serve as a perfect home for someone with his incredible talent."</p>
<p>WhileNielsen reports TV ratings for shows on the traditional tube, Netflix has played coy with such figures. It has long refused to release data on viewership totals, sparking ire among its peers who feel handcuffed by ratings and the need to deliver for advertisers. With its subscription model, Netflix can take more risks, as it doesn't need every show to be a hit, and it can produce content for a niche audience.</p>
<p>But without those numbers, it's difficult to say what the company's return on investment is for individual shows -- though there are other approaches to a formula.</p>
<p>Netflix customers stream an average of about 1.5 hours of the service a day.Assuming the average price per month is $10, they pay about $0.25 per hour of entertainment. On a strictly per-hour basis, Rock's two hours of stand-up would only be worth $0.50 to each subscriber, meaning Netflix would have to get nearly all of its 87 million subscriber base to watch the specials.</p>
<p>But premium content deserves a higher price tag. Another way to consider the value of Rock would be the lifetime value from the new customers he brings in. If the average Netflix subscriber stays with the service for five years, spending a total of $600, Rock would have to attract about 67,000 new members to the service, a goal that seems reasonable considering Netflix has added at least 160,000 domestic subscribers in every quarter since it launched its streaming service. Finally, based on the oldBlockbuster model in which a two-hour movie cost $5 to rent, 8 million Netflix subscribers would have to watch the Rock specials in order to justify the cost. That also seems like a reasonable goal, considering that's less than 10% of its global base and 20% of its domestic base.</p>
<p>Netflix doesn't always get what it wants. It lost the streaming rights forSeinfeldto Hulu, which paid $180 million for the show about nothing, and it's been outbid by Amazon a number of times, including for the award-winningTransparent series.</p>
<p>But sometimes overspending, if that's what Netflix is doing here, isn't such a bad idea. There are benefits beyond the immediate customer satisfaction in making a deal with Rock. He could work on future stand-up specials or other content for the network, and signing him keeps a big draw away from rival services.</p>
<p>What will ultimately determine the success of Rock's specials will be their own merit. If they are funny and well-received, they will likely justify the price tag.</p>
<p>Netflix has made it clear that it will aggressively pursue the content it sees as valuable for its service. It's got its checkbook out, and it isn't planning to put it back in its pocket anytime soon. What counts in the end for the company isn't whether it spends a few extra million dollars here and there. It's the success of the business, and producing excellent content for its subscribers is the best way to ensure that continues.</p>
<p>A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-apple-wearable?aid=6965&amp;source=irbeditxt0000017&amp;ftm_cam=rb-wearable-d&amp;ftm_pit=2667&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">just click here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFHobo/info.aspx" type="external">Jeremy Bowman Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Netflix. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon.com and Netflix. 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 netflix continue reading netflixnasdaq nflx going shopping spree likes hollywood never seen leading streamer shocked entertainment industry last year promising spend 6 billion content make 600 hours original programming upping ante 2017 projecting 1000 hours original entertainment content doesnt come cheap netflix going red cash basis projecting free cash flow negative 15 billion year ordered another 1 billion debt fund expansion management argues spending money front costeffective long run owning content streams around world best way deliver value customers drive profit analysts however skeptical level spending price tags especially highthe crown drama queen elizabeth premiering next week cost reported 120 million advertisement one intriguing deals netflix made recently signing comedian chris rock produce two standup specials reported 40 million 20 millionhour assumed two hours material may highest price paid athome video content entertainment history netflix built solid stable standup comedy originals focusing genre tends cheaper produce comedians often eager exposure rock brings pedigree match arguably comic working today different netflix reportedly outbidamazonnasdaq amzn hulu hbo sign snl alum oscar host netflix chief content officer ted sarandos said chrisrockis beloved actor director remarkable standup makes comic royalty one like netflix offers global platform creative freedom serve perfect home someone incredible talent whilenielsen reports tv ratings shows traditional tube netflix played coy figures long refused release data viewership totals sparking ire among peers feel handcuffed ratings need deliver advertisers subscription model netflix take risks doesnt need every show hit produce content niche audience without numbers difficult say companys return investment individual shows though approaches formula netflix customers stream average 15 hours service dayassuming average price per month 10 pay 025 per hour entertainment strictly perhour basis rocks two hours standup would worth 050 subscriber meaning netflix would get nearly 87 million subscriber base watch specials premium content deserves higher price tag another way consider value rock would lifetime value new customers brings average netflix subscriber stays service five years spending total 600 rock would attract 67000 new members service goal seems reasonable considering netflix added least 160000 domestic subscribers every quarter since launched streaming service finally based oldblockbuster model twohour movie cost 5 rent 8 million netflix subscribers would watch rock specials order justify cost also seems like reasonable goal considering thats less 10 global base 20 domestic base netflix doesnt always get wants lost streaming rights forseinfeldto hulu paid 180 million show nothing outbid amazon number times including awardwinningtransparent series sometimes overspending thats netflix isnt bad idea benefits beyond immediate customer satisfaction making deal rock could work future standup specials content network signing keeps big draw away rival services ultimately determine success rocks specials merit funny wellreceived likely justify price tag netflix made clear aggressively pursue content sees valuable service got checkbook isnt planning put back pocket anytime soon counts end company isnt whether spends extra million dollars success business producing excellent content subscribers best way ensure continues 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 jeremy bowman opens new window owns shares netflix motley fool owns shares recommends amazoncom netflix 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 | 570 |
<p>Crude prices were steady Thursday, with the market pressured by increased U.S. production despite signs of a drawdown in stocks.</p>
<p>Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was up 0.1% to $49.75 a barrel on London's ICE Futures exchange. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate futures were trading up 0.06% at $47.35 a barrel.</p>
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<p>Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Wednesday showed U.S. production rose by 32,000 barrels a day in the week ended July 14 to its highest level in two years.</p>
<p>Accelerating U.S. production continues to be a major threat to the ongoing effort from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to drain a years-old global oil glut.</p>
<p>That, combined with increased Libyan oil production, is serving as a cap for oil prices Thursday, said Carsten Fritsch, a Commerzbank analyst.</p>
<p>Investors are waiting for the oil cartel to meet next Monday in St. Petersburg to see whether Nigeria and Libya, two member countries exempt from OPEC's production curtailment plan, will possibly be included.</p>
<p>The effort led by OPEC to reduce global output by 2% has seen limited results this year as rising production from the U.S. has been helping offset the cuts.</p>
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<p>Still, oil prices are finding support as more evidence of a gradual supply draw are emerging. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed U.S. stockpiles fell for a 13th week out of the past 15. Weekly decreases in gasoline and distillate stocks also surpassed estimates.</p>
<p>The data also showed crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia fell to 524,000 barrels a day in the week ended July 14, the lowest level since June 2010. That helps prices, signaling to the market that the cuts from OPEC are surfacing, said Warren Patterson, commodity strategist at ING Bank.</p>
<p>"Overall the data from the EIA was very positive and bullish,"Mr. Patterson said.</p>
<p>Nymex reformulated gasoline blendstock--the benchmark gasoline contract--was down 0.2%, at $1.61 a gallon. ICE gasoil changed hands at $461.00 a metric ton, up 1.1% from the previous settlement.</p>
<p>Crude prices rose to a seven-week high Thursday, with another day of gains coming from a decline in U.S. stockpiles.</p>
<p>U.S. crude for August delivery recently traded up 10 cents, or 0.2%, to $47.22 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It peaked Thursday at $47.55 a barrel, an intraday high dating back to June 7.</p>
<p>The August contract expires at settlement, and the more actively traded September contract recently gained 12 cents, or 0.3%, to $47.44 a barrel. Brent, the global benchmark, gained 40 cents, or 0.2%, to $49.90 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.</p>
<p>U.S. oil stockpiles fell by 4.7 million barrels last week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration had said Wednesday. And big drawdowns on refined fuels including gasoline brought total stockpiles of oil and petroleum products down by 10.2 million barrels. That initially sent the market near its seven-week high, and then kept fueling a rally into a second session Thursday, brokers and analysts said.</p>
<p>U.S. oil inventories have now dropped in 13 of the last 15 weeks. That has helped bolster confidence that production cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major producers are having an impact on bloated U.S. stockpiles.</p>
<p>Analysts at Piper Jaffray Cos.' Simmons &amp; Co. International on Thursday called the most recent drawdowns "massive." And at this pace, an overhang in storage can "diminish quickly," said analysts at energy investment bank Tudor, Pickering, Holt &amp; Co.</p>
<p>"The overall trend remains favorable," Simmons analyst Guy Baber said in the firm's morning note. "We expect inventories to continue bending lower in coming weeks, perhaps lending some support to crude."</p>
<p>The International Energy Agency said last week it raised its expectations for global demand growth. Demand has picked up since around Memorial Day, significantly reducing a surplus in storage and likely boosted by a strengthening U.S. economy, analysts have said.</p>
<p>Gasoline stockpiles fell by 4.4 million barrels a day last week. The amount of gasoline being stored in the U.S. now stands about 10 million barrels lower than this time last year, even as refiners have been churning out the fuel at high rates.</p>
<p>"It's a bull market on products that's dragging crude along," said Scott Shelton, broker at ICAP PLC. "It kind of snuck up on everyone."</p>
<p>Investors are waiting for the oil cartel to meet next Monday in St. Petersburg to see whether Nigeria and Libya, two member countries exempt from OPEC's production curtailment plan, will possibly be included.</p>
<p>The effort led by OPEC to reduce global output by 2% has seen limited results this year as rising production from the U.S. has been helping offset the cuts. But Saudi Arabia has responded in recent weeks by pushing to reduce exports, especially into the U.S.</p>
<p>The EIA data showed crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia fell to 524,000 barrels a day in the week ended July 14, the lowest level since June 2010. That helps prices, signaling to the market that the cuts from OPEC are surfacing, said Warren Patterson, commodity strategist at ING Bank.</p>
<p>"Overall, the data from the EIA was very positive and bullish," Mr. Patterson said.</p>
<p>Gasoline futures recently gained 0.2% to $1.6194 a gallon. Diesel futures gained 1% to $1.5675 a gallon.</p>
<p>Write to Timothy Puko at [email protected] and Alison Sider at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>July 20, 2017 11:47 ET (15:47 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | crude prices steady thursday market pressured increased us production despite signs drawdown stocks brent crude global oil benchmark 01 4975 barrel londons ice futures exchange new york mercantile exchange west texas intermediate futures trading 006 4735 barrel continue reading data us energy information administration wednesday showed us production rose 32000 barrels day week ended july 14 highest level two years accelerating us production continues major threat ongoing effort organization petroleum exporting countries allies drain yearsold global oil glut combined increased libyan oil production serving cap oil prices thursday said carsten fritsch commerzbank analyst investors waiting oil cartel meet next monday st petersburg see whether nigeria libya two member countries exempt opecs production curtailment plan possibly included effort led opec reduce global output 2 seen limited results year rising production us helping offset cuts advertisement still oil prices finding support evidence gradual supply draw emerging data us energy information administration showed us stockpiles fell 13th week past 15 weekly decreases gasoline distillate stocks also surpassed estimates data also showed crude oil imports saudi arabia fell 524000 barrels day week ended july 14 lowest level since june 2010 helps prices signaling market cuts opec surfacing said warren patterson commodity strategist ing bank overall data eia positive bullishmr patterson said nymex reformulated gasoline blendstockthe benchmark gasoline contractwas 02 161 gallon ice gasoil changed hands 46100 metric ton 11 previous settlement crude prices rose sevenweek high thursday another day gains coming decline us stockpiles us crude august delivery recently traded 10 cents 02 4722 barrel new york mercantile exchange peaked thursday 4755 barrel intraday high dating back june 7 august contract expires settlement actively traded september contract recently gained 12 cents 03 4744 barrel brent global benchmark gained 40 cents 02 4990 barrel ice futures europe us oil stockpiles fell 47 million barrels last week us energy information administration said wednesday big drawdowns refined fuels including gasoline brought total stockpiles oil petroleum products 102 million barrels initially sent market near sevenweek high kept fueling rally second session thursday brokers analysts said us oil inventories dropped 13 last 15 weeks helped bolster confidence production cuts organization petroleum exporting countries major producers impact bloated us stockpiles analysts piper jaffray cos simmons amp co international thursday called recent drawdowns massive pace overhang storage diminish quickly said analysts energy investment bank tudor pickering holt amp co overall trend remains favorable simmons analyst guy baber said firms morning note expect inventories continue bending lower coming weeks perhaps lending support crude international energy agency said last week raised expectations global demand growth demand picked since around memorial day significantly reducing surplus storage likely boosted strengthening us economy analysts said gasoline stockpiles fell 44 million barrels day last week amount gasoline stored us stands 10 million barrels lower time last year even refiners churning fuel high rates bull market products thats dragging crude along said scott shelton broker icap plc kind snuck everyone investors waiting oil cartel meet next monday st petersburg see whether nigeria libya two member countries exempt opecs production curtailment plan possibly included effort led opec reduce global output 2 seen limited results year rising production us helping offset cuts saudi arabia responded recent weeks pushing reduce exports especially us eia data showed crude oil imports saudi arabia fell 524000 barrels day week ended july 14 lowest level since june 2010 helps prices signaling market cuts opec surfacing said warren patterson commodity strategist ing bank overall data eia positive bullish mr patterson said gasoline futures recently gained 02 16194 gallon diesel futures gained 1 15675 gallon write timothy puko timpukowsjcom alison sider alisonsiderwsjcom end dow jones newswires july 20 2017 1147 et 1547 gmt | 606 |
<p>When Tucows (NASDAQ: TCX) reported its <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/11/09/tucows-inc-balances-top-line-growth-with-infrastru.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=8e6daa0c-cfbc-11e7-b45d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">third-quarter results Opens a New Window.</a> recently, the company's domain registration business posted healthy growth numbers thanks to its acquisition of eNom earlier this year. On the conference call, management indicated that the integration of eNom is proceeding smoothly, and reiterated its full-year adjusted <a href="http://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/ebitda.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=8e6daa0c-cfbc-11e7-b45d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">EBITDA Opens a New Window.</a> guidance.</p>
<p>While its domains segment is a reliable cash-generator for Tucows, it's also a mature business with modest organic growth prospects.&#160;For investors, the more interesting parts of the call were updates on the Ting-branded businesses in Tucows' network access segment: Ting Mobile and Ting Internet. And although Ting Mobile is still growing at healthy rates, it's Ting Internet that continues to make Tucows look like a stock with real home-run potential.</p>
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<p>Ting offers its customers low-priced mobile service with an average monthly bill of just $23 per device.&#160;Ting finished Q3 with 171,500 accounts and 281,000 devices, up from 170,000 accounts and 278,000 devices last quarter. Growth in accounts was the result of 4,500 new subscribers and the loss of 3,000 existing customers. That high customer churn is a byproduct of Ting acquiring 22,000 customers in Q1 from another provider called RingPlus that ceased operations. CEO Elliott Noss said&#160;( <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/article/4123110-tucows-tcx-ceo-elliot-noss-q3-2017-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=single" type="external">transcribed by Seeking Alpha Opens a New Window.</a>): "We expected significant churn with any involuntary migration, and this base was significantly more churn-y than most. I had said back in Q1 that I'd hoped to hang on to 5,000 to 7,000 of them, and that is, in fact, exactly where we are now."</p>
<p>Let's take a look at Ting Mobile's numbers over the last several quarters.</p>
<p>There are two positive trends happening here. First, the year-over-year Q3 growth in accounts and devices were roughly 17% and 20%, respectively. Even if you exclude the RingPlus acquisition, organic account growth would have been about 13% year over year. Ting is continuing to put up healthy numbers in a mature industry where each additional customer comes at a competitor's expense. Additionally, the 4,500 new subscribers in Q3 represented one of Ting's best quarters for organic growth. Noss said, "Our strong ... adds through three quarters of 2017 continue to give us confidence that this is still very much a growth business, of course inside a flat industry."</p>
<p>Secondly, the company's churn rate -- the percentage of customers who leave Ting each month -- has been decreasing on a year-over-year basis since late 2016, when the company reduced data prices. Excluding the acquired RingPlus customers, Ting's monthly churn for Q3 was 2.49%, down from 2.8% last year. The company says that puts it in a great position to hit its churn goal of 2.5% or lower for full-year 2017.</p>
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<p>Tucows' long-term strategy is to use the cash generated from its domains and Ting Mobile businesses to fund the expansion of Ting Internet, which provides fiber internet access to a handful of smaller towns.</p>
<p>On the conference call, management said that in Ting Internet's first three markets -- Charlottesville, Virginia; Holly Springs, North Carolina; and Westminster, Maryland -- it has 13,100 "homes passed" (homes where fiber is now available), and roughly 3,900 customers. The company said customer sign-ups and pre-orders remain in line with expectations. That's crucial, because Tucows' model for Ting includes some fairly aggressive goals. The company expects 20% uptake in the first year of launching service in a new community, growing to 50% within five years.</p>
<p>Next year, Tucows will begin connecting customers in its other two announced markets: Sandpoint, Idaho, and Centennial, Colorado. In all, these first five Ting towns will provide Ting with 85,000 total serviceable addresses once its fiber buildout is complete. By 2023 or thereabouts, with each customer expected to contribute roughly $1,000 per year in gross margin, Tucows could realize $42.5 million in annual gross margin from Ting Internet alone. For perspective, Ting Internet contributed gross margin in 2016 of just $1.5 million.</p>
<p>Though no new Ting towns were announced this quarter, Noss said they are looking at opportunities with various communities all the time, including a recent request for proposal from the city of Madison, Wisconsin.</p>
<p>The company also remains an active <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/10/03/tucows-makes-a-bid-for-vermont-telecom.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=8e6daa0c-cfbc-11e7-b45d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">bidder for Burlington Telecom Opens a New Window.</a>, a publicly owned fiber network in Burlington, Vermont. The company recently increased its offer for BT to $32 million, and if successful, this acquisition would add another 16,000 serviceable addresses.</p>
<p>Ting Internet may be just getting off the ground, but it remains Tucows' longest runway for growth. And with demand continuing to meet expectations, next year should bring a significant increase in paying customers and homes passed as Ting ramps up activity in all five of its initial markets. Noss has stated that over the next five to 10 years, Tucows' business should become overwhelmingly dominated by Ting. The continued subscriber additions from Ting Mobile and the plans for rapid expansion of Ting Internet are certainly pointing in that direction.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than TucowsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of November 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/CMFGouldberg/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=8e6daa0c-cfbc-11e7-b45d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Andy Gould Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Tucows. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Tucows. 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=8e6daa0c-cfbc-11e7-b45d-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | tucows nasdaq tcx reported thirdquarter results opens new window recently companys domain registration business posted healthy growth numbers thanks acquisition enom earlier year conference call management indicated integration enom proceeding smoothly reiterated fullyear adjusted ebitda opens new window guidance domains segment reliable cashgenerator tucows also mature business modest organic growth prospects160for investors interesting parts call updates tingbranded businesses tucows network access segment ting mobile ting internet although ting mobile still growing healthy rates ting internet continues make tucows look like stock real homerun potential continue reading ting offers customers lowpriced mobile service average monthly bill 23 per device160ting finished q3 171500 accounts 281000 devices 170000 accounts 278000 devices last quarter growth accounts result 4500 new subscribers loss 3000 existing customers high customer churn byproduct ting acquiring 22000 customers q1 another provider called ringplus ceased operations ceo elliott noss said160 transcribed seeking alpha opens new window expected significant churn involuntary migration base significantly churny said back q1 id hoped hang 5000 7000 fact exactly lets take look ting mobiles numbers last several quarters two positive trends happening first yearoveryear q3 growth accounts devices roughly 17 20 respectively even exclude ringplus acquisition organic account growth would 13 year year ting continuing put healthy numbers mature industry additional customer comes competitors expense additionally 4500 new subscribers q3 represented one tings best quarters organic growth noss said strong adds three quarters 2017 continue give us confidence still much growth business course inside flat industry secondly companys churn rate percentage customers leave ting month decreasing yearoveryear basis since late 2016 company reduced data prices excluding acquired ringplus customers tings monthly churn q3 249 28 last year company says puts great position hit churn goal 25 lower fullyear 2017 advertisement tucows longterm strategy use cash generated domains ting mobile businesses fund expansion ting internet provides fiber internet access handful smaller towns conference call management said ting internets first three markets charlottesville virginia holly springs north carolina westminster maryland 13100 homes passed homes fiber available roughly 3900 customers company said customer signups preorders remain line expectations thats crucial tucows model ting includes fairly aggressive goals company expects 20 uptake first year launching service new community growing 50 within five years next year tucows begin connecting customers two announced markets sandpoint idaho centennial colorado first five ting towns provide ting 85000 total serviceable addresses fiber buildout complete 2023 thereabouts customer expected contribute roughly 1000 per year gross margin tucows could realize 425 million annual gross margin ting internet alone perspective ting internet contributed gross margin 2016 15 million though new ting towns announced quarter noss said looking opportunities various communities time including recent request proposal city madison wisconsin company also remains active bidder burlington telecom opens new window publicly owned fiber network burlington vermont company recently increased offer bt 32 million successful acquisition would add another 16000 serviceable addresses ting internet may getting ground remains tucows longest runway growth demand continuing meet expectations next year bring significant increase paying customers homes passed ting ramps activity five initial markets noss stated next five 10 years tucows business become overwhelmingly dominated ting continued subscriber additions ting mobile plans rapid expansion ting internet certainly pointing direction 10 stocks like better tucowswhen 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 tucows wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 6 2017 andy gould opens new window owns shares tucows motley fool owns shares recommends tucows motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 605 |
<p />
<p>Social Security plays a critical role in providing a financial foundation for millions of senior citizens each year. The majority of retired workers who receive Social Security count on their benefits to provide at least half of their monthly income.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>While this financial foundation has been strong for more than 75 years, it's beginning to show signs of weakness. And, if the latest report from the Social Security Board of Trustees is accurate, it could crumble completely in less than two decades.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>According to the 2016 report from the Trustees, Social Security's more than $2.8 billion in spare cash will be completely exhausted by 2034, mainly as a result of the declining worker-to-beneficiary ratio caused by baby boomers leaving the workforce. Increasing life expectancies have played a role, too. Though Social Security isn't going bankrupt -- as long as people keep working, payroll tax revenue continues to be collected -- a benefits cut of up to 21% may be needed to sustain the program through 2090. That would put the average retired worker right on the cusp of the federal poverty level (based on 2017 dollars).</p>
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<p>In other words, Social Security needs Congress to step up with a long-term solution.</p>
<p>With Republicans currently in control of the legislative branch of the government and time running out for changes to be made to Social Security, it would only seem logical for GOP lawmakers to reconsider what's been their go-to fix for years: increasing Social Security's retirement age.</p>
<p>Your full retirement age <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/retirechart.html" type="external">is determined by your birth year Opens a New Window.</a> and is the point at which the Social Security Administration deems you eligible to receive 100% of your monthly retirement benefits. In general, your eventual payout grows by 8% for each year you hold off on filing a claim for benefits, beginning at age 62, the earliest point you can receive Social Security benefits, and ending at age 70.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>If you claim benefits before hitting your full retirement age, which for those who are turning 62 in 2017 is now 66 years and 2 months, you'll receive a permanently reduced benefit from Social Security. Likewise, if you wait to claim benefits until after your full retirement age is hit, you can actually receive more than your 100% payout. According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, about 90% of seniors choose to claim benefits at or before reaching their full retirement age.</p>
<p>At the moment, Social Security's full retirement age is on the rise. The wheels were put in motion for this increase back in 1983, when a number of Social Security amendments were passed. By 2022, the full retirement age will have increased to 67 years for anyone born in 1960 or later.</p>
<p>The question at this point is whether or not Social Security's retirement age should be increased even more. After all, life expectancies have increased by more than four years since 1983, while the full retirement age will have grown by just two years over a four-decade period. This implies that seniors are able to draw on Social Security benefits for a longer period of time than ever before, which is a further strain on the program.</p>
<p>Some Republicans lawmakers have suggested that the retirement age be gradually increased to 68, 69, or even 70, as it would account for steadily increasing life expectancies, as well as reduce the length of time that seniors are drawing a Social Security benefit. Even if it somehow didn't encourage seniors to wait longer to file their benefits claim, it would permanently reduce their eventual payout and possibly save the program money over the long run.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>There certainly is merit to this idea. By raising the bar on the full retirement age, it would place even more urgency on working Americans to save for their future -- and they need all the encouragement they can get, given a personal savings rate of a measly 5.6% as of February 2017, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve.</p>
<p>The public also seems to somewhat support the idea of raising the full retirement age. An informal poll from The Washington Post found that increasing the retirement age was the second most popular solution behind increasing the payroll tax on the wealthy.</p>
<p>However, simply raising the full retirement age has its drawbacks, too. Namely, it would effectively reduce the payouts of all future generations of retirees. All future beneficiaries would either need to wait longer to reach their full retirement age, or they'd need to be willing to accept an even steeper permanent reduction in their monthly payout by claiming early. This would be especially hurtful to low-income retirees who may need to claim benefits early.</p>
<p>More than likely, the safest bet is that if the Social Security retirement age were raised, there would need to be other solutions passed along with it. I've often opined that a bipartisan approach is the only way to ensure Social Security's long-term survival. In order to counterbalance a possible cut in benefits, additional sources of revenue generation may need to be considered.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Taxing the wealthy by adjusting the maximum taxable earnings of Social Security's payroll tax is unquestionably the most popular fix.</p>
<p>Right now, the payroll tax applies to earned income between $0.01 and $127,200. Around 10% of workers earn more than $127,200 annually, and any income above and beyond this point is free and clear of Social Security's payroll tax. Some people and lawmakers see this untaxed income of the wealthy as a potentially lucrative channel of revenue generation for a program facing an $11.4 trillion shortfall over the long run. And, because only 10% of earners would be impacted by adjusting the maximum taxable earnings, it's garnered a lot of support.</p>
<p>The possible combination of a payroll tax increase geared at wealthier Americans combined with a full retirement age increase could meld the best ideas of both political parties and preserve the program for many future generations.</p>
<p>It's unclear at this point what Congress will do, if anything, but the clock is ticking and seniors have every right to be concerned.</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 | social security plays critical role providing financial foundation millions senior citizens year majority retired workers receive social security count benefits provide least half monthly income continue reading financial foundation strong 75 years beginning show signs weakness latest report social security board trustees accurate could crumble completely less two decades image source getty images according 2016 report trustees social securitys 28 billion spare cash completely exhausted 2034 mainly result declining workertobeneficiary ratio caused baby boomers leaving workforce increasing life expectancies played role though social security isnt going bankrupt long people keep working payroll tax revenue continues collected benefits cut 21 may needed sustain program 2090 would put average retired worker right cusp federal poverty level based 2017 dollars advertisement words social security needs congress step longterm solution republicans currently control legislative branch government time running changes made social security would seem logical gop lawmakers reconsider whats goto fix years increasing social securitys retirement age full retirement age determined birth year opens new window point social security administration deems eligible receive 100 monthly retirement benefits general eventual payout grows 8 year hold filing claim benefits beginning age 62 earliest point receive social security benefits ending age 70 image source getty images claim benefits hitting full retirement age turning 62 2017 66 years 2 months youll receive permanently reduced benefit social security likewise wait claim benefits full retirement age hit actually receive 100 payout according center retirement research boston college 90 seniors choose claim benefits reaching full retirement age moment social securitys full retirement age rise wheels put motion increase back 1983 number social security amendments passed 2022 full retirement age increased 67 years anyone born 1960 later question point whether social securitys retirement age increased even life expectancies increased four years since 1983 full retirement age grown two years fourdecade period implies seniors able draw social security benefits longer period time ever strain program republicans lawmakers suggested retirement age gradually increased 68 69 even 70 would account steadily increasing life expectancies well reduce length time seniors drawing social security benefit even somehow didnt encourage seniors wait longer file benefits claim would permanently reduce eventual payout possibly save program money long run image source getty images certainly merit idea raising bar full retirement age would place even urgency working americans save future need encouragement get given personal savings rate measly 56 february 2017 according st louis federal reserve public also seems somewhat support idea raising full retirement age informal poll washington post found increasing retirement age second popular solution behind increasing payroll tax wealthy however simply raising full retirement age drawbacks namely would effectively reduce payouts future generations retirees future beneficiaries would either need wait longer reach full retirement age theyd need willing accept even steeper permanent reduction monthly payout claiming early would especially hurtful lowincome retirees may need claim benefits early likely safest bet social security retirement age raised would need solutions passed along ive often opined bipartisan approach way ensure social securitys longterm survival order counterbalance possible cut benefits additional sources revenue generation may need considered image source getty images taxing wealthy adjusting maximum taxable earnings social securitys payroll tax unquestionably popular fix right payroll tax applies earned income 001 127200 around 10 workers earn 127200 annually income beyond point free clear social securitys payroll tax people lawmakers see untaxed income wealthy potentially lucrative channel revenue generation program facing 114 trillion shortfall long run 10 earners would impacted adjusting maximum taxable earnings garnered lot support possible combination payroll tax increase geared wealthier americans combined full retirement age increase could meld best ideas political parties preserve program many future generations unclear point congress anything clock ticking seniors every right concerned 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 | 669 |
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<p>Wells Fargo fined $1B for mortgage, auto lending abuses</p>
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<p>NEW YORK (AP) — Wells Fargo will pay $1 billion to federal regulators to settle charges tied to misconduct at its mortgage and auto lending business, the latest punishment levied against the banking giant for widespread customer abuses. The regulators penalized Wells for improperly charging fees to borrowers who wanted to lock in an interest rate on a pending mortgage loan and for sticking auto loan customers with insurance policies they didn't want or need.</p>
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<p>Big banks saved $3.6B in taxes last quarter under new law</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — The nation's six big Wall Street banks posted record or near record profits in the first quarter, thanks largely to the recently enacted Trump tax law. Combined, the six banks saved at least $3.59 billion in taxes last quarter, according to an Associated Press estimate, using the bank's tax rates going back to 2015.</p>
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<p>FAA orders more engine inspections after Southwest accident</p>
<p>DALLAS (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday ordered ultrasound inspections of hundreds of jet engines like the one that blew apart at 32,000 feet in a deadly accident aboard a Southwest Airlines plane. The agency said the order affects 352 engines in the U.S. on new-generation twin-engine Boeing 737s, a workhorse jet widely used by airlines around the world.</p>
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<p>Global leaders fear rising trade tensions</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Global finance ministers see rising trade tensions between the United States and China as a major threat facing the world economy. That's according to the treasury minister from Argentina, who is chairing the G-20 finance group this year. He says G-20 officials discussed the risks during a dinner Thursday night with all participants agreeing that trade has been a positive force for many nations.</p>
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<p>Kushner Cos. subpoenaed by feds after AP report</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — A real estate company once headed by presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner is confirming that last month it was subpoenaed by federal prosecutors. The Kushner Cos. says prosecutors were looking for information following an Associated Press report that the company routinely filed false documents on the number of rent-regulated tenants in its New York City buildings. The company says it has "nothing to hide" and is cooperating fully with authorities.</p>
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<p>Trump calls OPEC efforts to boost oil prices 'not good'</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says oil-producing cartel OPEC "is at it again," and that efforts to maintain high prices "will not be accepted!" Trump's Friday morning tweet comes as representatives from OPEC nations and allied oil ministers are meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to discuss their agreement to maintain cuts to production in order to keep prices up.</p>
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<p>Mattel CEO to step down after being at helm for 14 months</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — Mattel's CEO Margaret Georgiadis is stepping down from the company. The news comes after the former Google executive, who took the top spot in February 2017, hasn't been able to work any magic in reversing toy company's sales.</p>
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<p>Audit clears Facebook despite Cambridge Analytica leaks</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — An audit of Facebook's privacy practices for the Federal Trade Commission found no problems even though Facebook knew at the time that a data-mining firm improperly obtained private data from millions of users. The audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers is available on the FTC's website Friday, though it is heavily redacted.</p>
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<p>Fairfax bids $300 million for Toys R Us's Canada business</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — Canada's Fairfax Financial Holding has bid $300 million for Toys R Us's Canadian operations in bankruptcy. According to court papers filed late Thursday, the bidder is assuming the role of a "stalking horse" in a court-approved auction process set for Monday in New York. The Fairfax bid surpassed the $215 million offer that Isaac Larian, the CEO of toy company MGA Entertainment, made last week.</p>
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<p>Slumping tech companies weigh on US stocks</p>
<p>NEW YORK (AP) — A steep slide in technology stocks weighed on U.S. stocks Friday, pulling the market lower for the second day in a row. Losses among retailers, packaged food and beverage makers and other consumer goods companies also helped weigh down the market. Banks rose as bond yields continued to climb, reflecting increasing investor concerns of higher inflation in the wake of rising oil and other commodity prices.</p>
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<p>The S&amp;P 500 index fell 22.99 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,670.14. The Dow Jones industrial average slid 201.95 points, or 0.8 percent, to 24,462.94. The Nasdaq composite lost 91.93 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,146.13. The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks gave up 9.69 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,564.12.</p>
<p>Benchmark U.S. crude gained 9 cents to settle at $68.38 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, used to price international oils, added 28 cents to $74.06 per barrel in London. Heating oil rose a penny to $2.12 a gallon. Wholesale gasoline picked up 2 cents to $2.10 a gallon. Natural gas gained 8 cents to $2.74 per 1,000 cubic feet.</p> | true | 0 | ___ wells fargo fined 1b mortgage auto lending abuses continue reading new york ap wells fargo pay 1 billion federal regulators settle charges tied misconduct mortgage auto lending business latest punishment levied banking giant widespread customer abuses regulators penalized wells improperly charging fees borrowers wanted lock interest rate pending mortgage loan sticking auto loan customers insurance policies didnt want need ___ big banks saved 36b taxes last quarter new law new york ap nations six big wall street banks posted record near record profits first quarter thanks largely recently enacted trump tax law combined six banks saved least 359 billion taxes last quarter according associated press estimate using banks tax rates going back 2015 ___ advertisement faa orders engine inspections southwest accident dallas ap federal aviation administration friday ordered ultrasound inspections hundreds jet engines like one blew apart 32000 feet deadly accident aboard southwest airlines plane agency said order affects 352 engines us newgeneration twinengine boeing 737s workhorse jet widely used airlines around world ___ global leaders fear rising trade tensions washington ap global finance ministers see rising trade tensions united states china major threat facing world economy thats according treasury minister argentina chairing g20 finance group year says g20 officials discussed risks dinner thursday night participants agreeing trade positive force many nations ___ kushner cos subpoenaed feds ap report new york ap real estate company headed presidential soninlaw jared kushner confirming last month subpoenaed federal prosecutors kushner cos says prosecutors looking information following associated press report company routinely filed false documents number rentregulated tenants new york city buildings company says nothing hide cooperating fully authorities ___ trump calls opec efforts boost oil prices good washington ap president donald trump says oilproducing cartel opec efforts maintain high prices accepted trumps friday morning tweet comes representatives opec nations allied oil ministers meeting jeddah saudi arabia discuss agreement maintain cuts production order keep prices ___ mattel ceo step helm 14 months new york ap mattels ceo margaret georgiadis stepping company news comes former google executive took top spot february 2017 hasnt able work magic reversing toy companys sales ___ audit clears facebook despite cambridge analytica leaks new york ap audit facebooks privacy practices federal trade commission found problems even though facebook knew time datamining firm improperly obtained private data millions users audit pricewaterhousecoopers available ftcs website friday though heavily redacted ___ fairfax bids 300 million toys r uss canada business new york ap canadas fairfax financial holding bid 300 million toys r uss canadian operations bankruptcy according court papers filed late thursday bidder assuming role stalking horse courtapproved auction process set monday new york fairfax bid surpassed 215 million offer isaac larian ceo toy company mga entertainment made last week ___ slumping tech companies weigh us stocks new york ap steep slide technology stocks weighed us stocks friday pulling market lower second day row losses among retailers packaged food beverage makers consumer goods companies also helped weigh market banks rose bond yields continued climb reflecting increasing investor concerns higher inflation wake rising oil commodity prices ___ sampp 500 index fell 2299 points 09 percent 267014 dow jones industrial average slid 20195 points 08 percent 2446294 nasdaq composite lost 9193 points 13 percent 714613 russell 2000 index smallercompany stocks gave 969 points 06 percent 156412 benchmark us crude gained 9 cents settle 6838 per barrel new york mercantile exchange brent crude used price international oils added 28 cents 7406 per barrel london heating oil rose penny 212 gallon wholesale gasoline picked 2 cents 210 gallon natural gas gained 8 cents 274 per 1000 cubic feet | 592 |
<p>As sexual misconduct allegations continue to rock liberal Hollywood, the mainstream media establishment, and politicians of both political parties, at least the Democrats can count on CNN to eschew reporting about dozens of sexual allegations on members of their party.</p>
<p>To be fair, it is worth noting that CNN has reported on a couple of the big Democrat sex scandals currently receiving major media attention on other news networks, specifically the scandals involving Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI).</p>
<p>When CNN is not busy giving President Donald Trump 93% <a href="https://shorensteincenter.org/news-coverage-donald-trumps-first-100-days/" type="external">negative</a> coverage, covering for <a href="" type="internal">Islamic</a> <a href="" type="internal">terrorists</a>, botching <a href="" type="internal">gun</a> reports, or being <a href="" type="internal">sued</a> by over 200 African-Americans for racial discrimination, they are busy covering for Democrats across the United States by not reporting on scandals.</p>
<p>Below are 24 recent Democratic sex scandals that CNN has failed to report on their website (documentation showing CNN did not cover the scandals is provided at the bottom of this report).</p>
<p>1. Four new women accuse Bill Clinton of sexual assault. (11/20/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5090399/Bill-Clinton-accused-sexual-assault-four-women.html" type="external">The Daily Mail</a> reports:</p>
<p>Bill Clinton is facing explosive new charges of sexual assault from four women, according to highly placed Democratic Party sources and an official who served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations.</p>
<p>The current accusations against the 71-year-old former president — whose past is littered with charges of sexual misconduct — stem from the period after he left the White House in 2001, say the sources.</p>
<p>Attorneys representing the women, who are coordinating their efforts, have notified Clinton they are preparing to file four separate lawsuits against him.</p>
<p>2. Congresswoman accuses Democrat Bob Filner of sexually assaulting her. (11/21/2017)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/diana-degette-bob-filner_us_5a142676e4b0bfa88c1cef15" type="external">The Huffington Post</a> reports:</p>
<p>Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) on Monday accused a former congressman of assaulting her while they were both serving in the House.</p>
<p>In an appearance on MSNBC’s “Meet the Press Daily,” DeGette said that former Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) at one point tried to pin her in an elevator and forcibly kiss her.</p>
<p>“Some years ago, I was in an elevator and then-Congressman Bob Filner tried to pin me to the door of the elevator and kiss me. And I pushed him away,” DeGette said. “I mean, I was his colleague. He couldn’t take action against me. And believe you me, I never got in an elevator with him again.”</p>
<p>3. Democrat Raul Bocanegra resigns leadership position and won’t seek re-election over sexual allegations. (11/20/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://beta.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-assemblyman-raul-bocanegra-announces-he-1511198136-htmlstory.html" type="external">The Los Angeles Times</a> reports:</p>
<p>Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra announced he will not seek reelection Monday, citing “persistent rumors and speculation” regarding sexual harassment claims.</p>
<p>“I spent my life advocating for the Northeast Valley, fighting for a fair share for our communities and residents,” Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) said in a statement. “It is because of my deep commitment to you, residents of the 39th Assembly District, that I have made the decision to resign from the State Assembly, effective September 1, 2018, and immediately resign my leadership position. I am also suspending my campaign and will not run for re-election.”</p>
<p>The statement came as The Times was preparing a story reporting that six women had accused him of sexual harassment.</p>
<p>4. Democrat congressional candidate David Alcon is arrested for stalking in New Mexico. (11/13/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/democratic-congressional-candidate-arrested-stalking-new-mexico/" type="external">The Washington Free Beacon</a> reports:</p>
<p>A Democrat running for Congress in New Mexico's second district was found and arrested at an apartment complex in Albuquerque on Friday, nearly two weeks after an arrest warrant was issued for him.</p>
<p>David Alcon is now behind bars after a woman accused him of stalking her, according to local station KRQE News 13.</p>
<p>The woman, who attended a Halloween party at a hotel in Santa Fe on Oct. 28, said she started receiving persistent text messages from Alcon—one with a picture of his genitals, some suggesting that he was watching her, and others professing his love for her.</p>
<p>5. 10 women accuse Colorado Democratic lawmaker Steve Lebsock of sexual harassment. (11/10/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/11/10/steve-lebsock-sexual-harassment-2/" type="external">CBS Denver</a> reports:</p>
<p>A former Democratic legislative aide is now the tenth woman to accuse Rep. Steve Lebsock, a Democrat representing Thornton, of sexual harassment.</p>
<p>On Friday, public radio station KUNC published a blistering report in which nine women, including Rep. Faith Winter, a Democrat representing Westminter, accused Lebsock of sexual harassment.</p>
<p>Winter says Lebsock became aggressively lewd at a bar on the last day of the 2016 legislative session when he found out that Winter’s husband was out of town.</p>
<p>6. Colorado Democratic House Speaker Crisanta Duran accused of ‘covering up’ sexual allegations against Democrat Steve Lebsock. (11/14/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/2017/11/14/crisanta-duran-steve-lebsock-sexual-harassment/" type="external">The Denver Post</a> reports:</p>
<p>Colorado’s top Democratic lawmaker is under fire for how she handled a colleague’s sexual harassment complaint against a member of their party and now faces calls for an independent investigation.</p>
<p>House Speaker Crisanta Duran appointed Rep. Steve Lebsock, D-Thornton, as chairman of the Local Government Committee for the 2017-18 legislative session despite knowing that the fellow lawmaker made the allegation against him seven months earlier. The accusation became public Friday and was followed by harassment complaints from two other women.</p>
<p>Republican legislative leaders are demanding an investigation from the attorney general’s office to address what one GOP lawmaker called a “coverup.” Others are calling for the speaker’s resignation.</p>
<p>7. Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Dan Schoen resigns over sexual harassment allegations. (11/21/2017)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2017/11/amid-sexual-harassment-allegations-sen-dan-schoen-and-rep-tony-cornish-resig" type="external">The MINNPOST</a> reports:</p>
<p>DFL Sen. Dan Schoen's attorney, Paul Rogosheske, said the senator will resign in a Wednesday afternoon news conference. Schoen was facing mounting pressure to step down from top leaders in his own party, including Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk and DFL Gov. Mark Dayton.</p>
<p>On Nov. 8, MinnPost reported allegations from two women that Schoen, 42, had sexually harassed them. One of the women, Lindsey Port, a former DFL candidate for the House, said in 2015 Schoen came up from behind her at a campaign event and grabbed her buttocks, telling her she had a "good door-knocking ass." Schoen, a first-term senator, was serving his second term in the House at that time.</p>
<p>8. Third woman accuses California Democrat Sen. Tony Mendoza of sexual harassment. (11/16/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article185133028.html" type="external">The Sacramento Bee</a> reports:</p>
<p>A third woman is alleging that Sen. Tony Mendoza behaved inappropriately toward her when she worked in his Capitol office seven years ago.</p>
<p>Haley Myers said she told the Assembly in 2010 that Mendoza engaged in behavior that she considers sexual harassment when she worked as a legislative aide for him in Sacramento.</p>
<p>9. Sexual harassment controversy threatens to ensnare California Democratic Senate leader Kevin de León. (11/11/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/11/10/state-senate-staffers-fired-after-reporting-sexual-harassment-attorney-says/" type="external">The Mercury News</a> reports:</p>
<p>The controversy surrounding sexual harassment in the state Capitol deepened on Friday and threatened to ensnare one of the Legislature’s leading Democrats, Kevin de León, as questions swirled over when the Senate leader became aware of complaints against his weekday roommate.</p>
<p>The plot thickened after a lawyer for a fired Senate staffer told Capital Public Radio that her client and two other employees were handed termination letters in the same meeting in which they detailed inappropriate behavior by their boss, Sen. Tony Mendoza, toward a young female intern.</p>
<p>The attorney’s account contradicted the timeline provided Thursday by De León’s office, raising questions about what the Senate leader, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, knew about the harassment allegations.</p>
<p>10. Democrat Randor commissioners president Philip Ahr charged on multiple counts of child pornography. (10/11/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/crime/phil-ahr-resigns-as-radnor-township-board-president-amid-child-porn-allegations-20171023.html" type="external">The Inquirer</a> reports:</p>
<p>Philip Ahr has resigned as Radnor Township Board of Commissioners president for “personal reasons,” but will continue to serve as a commissioner, according to a resignation letter released Monday, nearly two weeks after he was charged with distributing and receiving child pornography.</p>
<p>Ahr, 66, of Bryn Mawr, was arrested and charged on Oct. 11 with numerous felony counts. Authorities said that since at least 2013, Ahr sent and received hundreds of images of child sexual abuse — some involving infants and toddlers, others depicting sadomasochistic abuse and abuse involving children and animals.</p>
<p>11. Woman claims New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo ignored her pleas to investigate one of his staffers who was allegedly sexually harassing her. (11/20/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://buffalonews.com/2017/11/20/lawsuit-now-ensnares-cuomo-in-political-arena/" type="external">The Buffalo News</a> reports:</p>
<p>What began as a “flirty” relationship between a state worker and a powerful official now threatens to ensnare the governor of New York.</p>
<p>Andrew M. Cuomo is named in a federal lawsuit that Lisa M. Cater, of Buffalo, filed after she heard some of Cuomo’s top lieutenants praising Sam Hoyt upon his resignation last month as a gubernatorial confidante, even as probes into the former economic development official’s alleged sexual harassment continued.</p>
<p>She alleges that Cuomo ignored her pleas to investigate her sexual harassment complaints against Hoyt, while Buffalo Republicans renewed their questions.</p>
<p>12. Democrat Rep. Calvin Smyre accused of sexual misconduct. (11/13/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article184351208.html" type="external">The Ledger-Enquirer</a> reports:</p>
<p>A Fox News contributor and national Democratic party activist has alleged via social media that Columbus legislator Calvin Smyre sexually assaulted her in 1996 in Chicago.</p>
<p>Smyre, in a statement released on Sunday, strongly denies the accusation.</p>
<p>In a nine Tweet string on Friday, Jehmu Greene, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic National Committee chairperson earlier this year, accused Smyre, the dean of the Georgia General Assembly, of the crime during the national convention 21 years ago.</p>
<p>13. Florida Democratic Party President Sally Boynton Brown resigns amidst sexual harassment controversy. (11/20/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/fdp-president-sally-boynton-brown-resigns" type="external">Sunshine State News</a> reports:</p>
<p>Florida Democratic Party president Sally Boynton Brown has resigned amidst a flurry of controversy when two former party staffers said she “enabled” FDP chairman Stephen Bittel’s “creepy” and “inappropriate” behavior towards female staffers.</p>
<p>Boynton Brown made the announcement late Monday afternoon.</p>
<p>“After much prayerful consideration I tendered my resignation to Chairman Bittel and Vice-Chair Mount this afternoon,” Boynton Brown wrote in an email to party leaders.</p>
<p>14. New Mexico Democratic legislator Sen. Michael Padilla accused of sexual harassment. (11/18/2017)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/1094707/padilla-urged-to-quit-lt-gov-race.html" type="external">The Albuquerque Journal</a> reports:</p>
<p>New Mexico state Sen. Michael Padilla says he is seeking advice from friends, family and advisers on whether to continue his campaign for lieutenant governor, amid calls for him to drop out due to decade-old sexual harassment allegations.</p>
<p>Padilla was accused in two federal lawsuits of harassing women while helping the city of Albuquerque overhaul a problem-plagued emergency call center in 2006. The city ended up settling “sexually hostile work environment” claims stemming from Padilla’s six-week tenure as a supervisor.</p>
<p>He has denied accusations that he asked women on dates despite repeated rejections and made inappropriate comments, including saying that, in his home, “Women stay home, make tortillas and have babies.”</p>
<p>15. Colorado Democratic Rep. Paul Rosenthal accused of sexual harassment and groping. (11/17/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/2017/11/17/paul-rosenthal-colorado-more-sexual-harassment-allegations/" type="external">The Denver Post</a> reports:</p>
<p>Eight months ago, toward the end of the legislative session, a Democratic policy aide reported concerns about harassment from Colorado state Rep. Paul Rosenthal to the House speaker’s office.</p>
<p>The issue never rose to a formal complaint, but the Denver Democratic lawmaker later apologized and received materials counseling him about the General Assembly’s workplace harassment policy.</p>
<p>The new details, described in interviews and confirmed by another Democratic lawmaker, raise more questions about Rosenthal’s behavior amid <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/2017/11/15/paul-rosenthal-sexual-harassment-complaint/" type="external">a legislative investigation</a> of a separate incident, one in which he allegedly groped and made unwanted advances toward another gay man at a 2012 political event when he was a candidate.</p>
<p>16. Illinois Democratic Sen. Ira Silverstein accused of sexual harassment. (10/31/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/10/31/advocate-for-crime-victims-accuses-state-sen-ira-silverstein-of-sexual-harassment/" type="external">CBS Chicago</a> reports:</p>
<p>A political activist has accused Illinois State Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) of sexually harassing her while the two were working on legislation to help crime victims last year.</p>
<p>During a House committee hearing about sexual harassment by lawmakers, lobbyists, and staffers in Springfield, Mothers on a Mission to Stop Violence founder Denise Rotheimer detailed a pattern of harassment by Silverstein, accusing him of invading her privacy.</p>
<p>“He would Facebook me at midnight, call me at midnight,” she said. “You have no idea the torment.”</p>
<p>17. Missouri Democratic Rep. Josh Peters accused of sexual harassment. (01/25/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article128599699.html" type="external">The Kansas City Star</a> reports:</p>
<p>A Democratic state senator from University City is accusing a legislative colleague of touching her inappropriately shortly after the annual State of the Judiciary address Tuesday morning in the Missouri House.</p>
<p>Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal discussed the allegations during Senate debate of a right to work bill, saying Democratic state Rep. Josh Peters grabbed her by the arms, called her “boo,” and later called her a “bitch.” The Senate speech followed a <a href="https://twitter.com/MariaChappelleN/status/823945046365970432" type="external">tweet earlier in the day</a>in which she said, “Rep. Josh Peters, you do not have a right to touch me, nor call me ‘Boo.’ We don’t have a relationship where you get to put your hands on me.”</p>
<p>18. Nevada Democratic Sen. Mark Manendo resigns amid numerous sexual harassment allegations. (07/18/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ktnv.com/news/nevada-sen-mark-manendo-resigns-after-investigation-finds-he-violated-harassment-policy" type="external">KTNV</a> reports:</p>
<p>State Sen. Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, has resigned following an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations. Senate Majority Leader Aaron D. Ford ordered the investigation during the 2017 legislative session after complaints against Senator Manendo were brought to his attention on April 27. On May 1, the law firm of Van Dermyden Maddux began its investigation. The same week, Manendo denied the accusations.</p>
<p>The firm concluded its investigation on July 13 after completing interviews with 58 individuals, including Manendo.</p>
<p>19. Oklahoma Democratic lawmaker Will Fourkiller accused of sexual harassment. (01/10/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://newsok.com/article/5533797" type="external">NewsOK</a> reports:</p>
<p>A second state representative will be investigated by the special House committee that is looking into sexual harassment complaints made against current members, the committee's chairman revealed Tuesday.</p>
<p>The complaint against Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell, was made in April 2015 and involved a high school page, The Oklahoman has learned. Fourkiller, 44, confirmed Tuesday afternoon he had been told about it in 2015.</p>
<p>20. Oregon Democratic lawmaker David Gomberg accused of inappropriately touching women. (10/30/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/10/oregon_lawmaker_accused_of_ina.html" type="external">Oregon Lives</a> reports:</p>
<p>State Rep. David Gomberg said in a newsletter released Sunday that he is sorry for offending two women who years ago accused him of violating their personal boundaries and that he is humiliated the news went public.</p>
<p>Gomberg told The Oregonian/OregonLive the complaints against him involved "inappropriate humor or inappropriate touching," invasion of "personal space" and hugging.</p>
<p>21. Former Washington Democratic lawmaker Brendan Williams accused of sexual harassment. (11/01/2017)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/women-accuse-former-washington-state-lawmaker-of-harassment-assault/" type="external">The Seattle Times</a> reports:</p>
<p>Three women have accused a former Washington state lawmaker of sexual harassment and assault during his time in the Legislature.</p>
<p>Two allegations against former Democratic Rep. Brendan Williams came in Facebook posts written by women following a story Tuesday by the Northwest News Network and The News Tribune/Olympian about allegations of sexual harassment at the Capitol. A third woman said she was a House intern when Williams made an unwelcome sexual advance.</p>
<p>A fourth woman, Olympia City Councilmember Jessica Bateman, said Wednesday that Williams kissed her against her wishes after a political meeting in 2015, after he had left the Legislature.</p>
<p>22. Connecticut Democratic councilman Scott Chamberlain resigns after ‘furry’ profile revealed. (09/08/2017)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/conn-councilman-resigns-furry-profile-revealed-article-1.3481160" type="external">The New York Daily News</a> reports:</p>
<p>Democrat Scott Chamberlain has been on the New Milford town council since his election in 2015, though will leave the position by Monday after screenshots of his sofurry.com page circulated online.</p>
<p>The website hosts profiles for members of the furry fandom, a group of people who create anthropomorphic animal avatars for themselves and occasionally dress up as the characters to meet in person.</p>
<p>Many furries also have a sexual fetish involving the costumes, though Chamberlain insisted to the Danbury News Times his own participation in the fandom had “nothing to do with sex; it’s an interest in cartoon animals.”</p>
<p>23. Florida Democratic Sen. Jeff Clemens resigns over sexual misconduct. (10/27/2017)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/10/27/clemens-says-hes-resigning-after-admitting-to-affair-with-lobbyist-115319" type="external">Politico</a> reports:</p>
<p>The incoming Florida Senate Democratic leader abruptly resigned Friday and acknowledged he’s been in therapy after admitting to an extramarital affair with a lobbyist.</p>
<p>State Sen. Jeff Clemens’ decision to quit office came less than a day after <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/10/27/incoming-florida-senate-democratic-leader-apologizes-for-affair-with-lobbyist-115305" type="external">Politico Florida first reported</a> his tryst, prompting Republicans to accuse him of abusing his position of power while calls poured in from fellow Democrats who said it wasn’t an isolated incident.</p>
<p>As pressure mounted, Clemens took down his social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook and then called it quits at 5 p.m. Friday.</p>
<p>24. Ohio Democrat governor candidate Justice William O’Neill brags about his sexual history on Facebook. (11/18/2017)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/11/17/ohio-governor-candidate-boasts-of-sexual-history-with-approximately-50-very-attractive-females" type="external">The Washington Post</a> reports:</p>
<p>An Ohio Supreme Court justice who recently declared his intention to run for governor faced widespread condemnation — and even some calls to resign — after he boasted about his sexual history while defending “heterosexual males.”</p>
<p>Justice William O’Neill posted a statement Friday morning on Facebook about what he described as the “national feeding frenzy about sexual indiscretions,” and in doing so disclosed details about his sexual history.</p>
<p>“As a candidate for Governor let me save my opponents some research time,” O’Neill wrote. “In the last fifty years I was sexually intimate with approximately 50 very attractive females. It ranged from a gorgeous blonde who was my first true love and we made passionate love in the hayloft of her parents barn and ended with a drop dead gorgeous red head from Cleveland.</p>
<p>Below are the archived searches on cnn.com for the different Democrat sex scandals showing that the network did not cover the specific story.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/365318391/CNN-Archived-Search#from_embed" type="external">CNN Archived Search</a> by <a href="https://www.scribd.com/user/382886936/Ryan#from_embed" type="external">Ryan</a> on Scribd</p> | true | 0 | sexual misconduct allegations continue rock liberal hollywood mainstream media establishment politicians political parties least democrats count cnn eschew reporting dozens sexual allegations members party fair worth noting cnn reported couple big democrat sex scandals currently receiving major media attention news networks specifically scandals involving sen al franken dmn rep john conyers dmi cnn busy giving president donald trump 93 negative coverage covering islamic terrorists botching gun reports sued 200 africanamericans racial discrimination busy covering democrats across united states reporting scandals 24 recent democratic sex scandals cnn failed report website documentation showing cnn cover scandals provided bottom report 1 four new women accuse bill clinton sexual assault 11202017 daily mail reports bill clinton facing explosive new charges sexual assault four women according highly placed democratic party sources official served clinton obama administrations current accusations 71yearold former president whose past littered charges sexual misconduct stem period left white house 2001 say sources attorneys representing women coordinating efforts notified clinton preparing file four separate lawsuits 2 congresswoman accuses democrat bob filner sexually assaulting 11212017 huffington post reports rep diana degette dcolo monday accused former congressman assaulting serving house appearance msnbcs meet press daily degette said former rep bob filner dcalif one point tried pin elevator forcibly kiss years ago elevator thencongressman bob filner tried pin door elevator kiss pushed away degette said mean colleague couldnt take action believe never got elevator 3 democrat raul bocanegra resigns leadership position wont seek reelection sexual allegations 11202017 los angeles times reports assemblyman raul bocanegra announced seek reelection monday citing persistent rumors speculation regarding sexual harassment claims spent life advocating northeast valley fighting fair share communities residents bocanegra dpacoima said statement deep commitment residents 39th assembly district made decision resign state assembly effective september 1 2018 immediately resign leadership position also suspending campaign run reelection statement came times preparing story reporting six women accused sexual harassment 4 democrat congressional candidate david alcon arrested stalking new mexico 11132017 washington free beacon reports democrat running congress new mexicos second district found arrested apartment complex albuquerque friday nearly two weeks arrest warrant issued david alcon behind bars woman accused stalking according local station krqe news 13 woman attended halloween party hotel santa fe oct 28 said started receiving persistent text messages alconone picture genitals suggesting watching others professing love 5 10 women accuse colorado democratic lawmaker steve lebsock sexual harassment 11102017 cbs denver reports former democratic legislative aide tenth woman accuse rep steve lebsock democrat representing thornton sexual harassment friday public radio station kunc published blistering report nine women including rep faith winter democrat representing westminter accused lebsock sexual harassment winter says lebsock became aggressively lewd bar last day 2016 legislative session found winters husband town 6 colorado democratic house speaker crisanta duran accused covering sexual allegations democrat steve lebsock 11142017 denver post reports colorados top democratic lawmaker fire handled colleagues sexual harassment complaint member party faces calls independent investigation house speaker crisanta duran appointed rep steve lebsock dthornton chairman local government committee 201718 legislative session despite knowing fellow lawmaker made allegation seven months earlier accusation became public friday followed harassment complaints two women republican legislative leaders demanding investigation attorney generals office address one gop lawmaker called coverup others calling speakers resignation 7 minnesota democratic lawmaker dan schoen resigns sexual harassment allegations 11212017 minnpost reports dfl sen dan schoens attorney paul rogosheske said senator resign wednesday afternoon news conference schoen facing mounting pressure step top leaders party including senate minority leader tom bakk dfl gov mark dayton nov 8 minnpost reported allegations two women schoen 42 sexually harassed one women lindsey port former dfl candidate house said 2015 schoen came behind campaign event grabbed buttocks telling good doorknocking ass schoen firstterm senator serving second term house time 8 third woman accuses california democrat sen tony mendoza sexual harassment 11162017 sacramento bee reports third woman alleging sen tony mendoza behaved inappropriately toward worked capitol office seven years ago haley myers said told assembly 2010 mendoza engaged behavior considers sexual harassment worked legislative aide sacramento 9 sexual harassment controversy threatens ensnare california democratic senate leader kevin de león 11112017 mercury news reports controversy surrounding sexual harassment state capitol deepened friday threatened ensnare one legislatures leading democrats kevin de león questions swirled senate leader became aware complaints weekday roommate plot thickened lawyer fired senate staffer told capital public radio client two employees handed termination letters meeting detailed inappropriate behavior boss sen tony mendoza toward young female intern attorneys account contradicted timeline provided thursday de leóns office raising questions senate leader challenging us sen dianne feinstein knew harassment allegations 10 democrat randor commissioners president philip ahr charged multiple counts child pornography 10112017 inquirer reports philip ahr resigned radnor township board commissioners president personal reasons continue serve commissioner according resignation letter released monday nearly two weeks charged distributing receiving child pornography ahr 66 bryn mawr arrested charged oct 11 numerous felony counts authorities said since least 2013 ahr sent received hundreds images child sexual abuse involving infants toddlers others depicting sadomasochistic abuse abuse involving children animals 11 woman claims new york democratic governor andrew cuomo ignored pleas investigate one staffers allegedly sexually harassing 11202017 buffalo news reports began flirty relationship state worker powerful official threatens ensnare governor new york andrew cuomo named federal lawsuit lisa cater buffalo filed heard cuomos top lieutenants praising sam hoyt upon resignation last month gubernatorial confidante even probes former economic development officials alleged sexual harassment continued alleges cuomo ignored pleas investigate sexual harassment complaints hoyt buffalo republicans renewed questions 12 democrat rep calvin smyre accused sexual misconduct 11132017 ledgerenquirer reports fox news contributor national democratic party activist alleged via social media columbus legislator calvin smyre sexually assaulted 1996 chicago smyre statement released sunday strongly denies accusation nine tweet string friday jehmu greene ran unsuccessfully democratic national committee chairperson earlier year accused smyre dean georgia general assembly crime national convention 21 years ago 13 florida democratic party president sally boynton brown resigns amidst sexual harassment controversy 11202017 sunshine state news reports florida democratic party president sally boynton brown resigned amidst flurry controversy two former party staffers said enabled fdp chairman stephen bittels creepy inappropriate behavior towards female staffers boynton brown made announcement late monday afternoon much prayerful consideration tendered resignation chairman bittel vicechair mount afternoon boynton brown wrote email party leaders 14 new mexico democratic legislator sen michael padilla accused sexual harassment 11182017 albuquerque journal reports new mexico state sen michael padilla says seeking advice friends family advisers whether continue campaign lieutenant governor amid calls drop due decadeold sexual harassment allegations padilla accused two federal lawsuits harassing women helping city albuquerque overhaul problemplagued emergency call center 2006 city ended settling sexually hostile work environment claims stemming padillas sixweek tenure supervisor denied accusations asked women dates despite repeated rejections made inappropriate comments including saying home women stay home make tortillas babies 15 colorado democratic rep paul rosenthal accused sexual harassment groping 11172017 denver post reports eight months ago toward end legislative session democratic policy aide reported concerns harassment colorado state rep paul rosenthal house speakers office issue never rose formal complaint denver democratic lawmaker later apologized received materials counseling general assemblys workplace harassment policy new details described interviews confirmed another democratic lawmaker raise questions rosenthals behavior amid legislative investigation separate incident one allegedly groped made unwanted advances toward another gay man 2012 political event candidate 16 illinois democratic sen ira silverstein accused sexual harassment 10312017 cbs chicago reports political activist accused illinois state sen ira silverstein dchicago sexually harassing two working legislation help crime victims last year house committee hearing sexual harassment lawmakers lobbyists staffers springfield mothers mission stop violence founder denise rotheimer detailed pattern harassment silverstein accusing invading privacy would facebook midnight call midnight said idea torment 17 missouri democratic rep josh peters accused sexual harassment 01252017 kansas city star reports democratic state senator university city accusing legislative colleague touching inappropriately shortly annual state judiciary address tuesday morning missouri house sen maria chappellenadal discussed allegations senate debate right work bill saying democratic state rep josh peters grabbed arms called boo later called bitch senate speech followed tweet earlier dayin said rep josh peters right touch call boo dont relationship get put hands 18 nevada democratic sen mark manendo resigns amid numerous sexual harassment allegations 07182017 ktnv reports state sen mark manendo dlas vegas resigned following independent investigation sexual harassment allegations senate majority leader aaron ford ordered investigation 2017 legislative session complaints senator manendo brought attention april 27 may 1 law firm van dermyden maddux began investigation week manendo denied accusations firm concluded investigation july 13 completing interviews 58 individuals including manendo 19 oklahoma democratic lawmaker fourkiller accused sexual harassment 01102017 newsok reports second state representative investigated special house committee looking sexual harassment complaints made current members committees chairman revealed tuesday complaint fourkiller dstilwell made april 2015 involved high school page oklahoman learned fourkiller 44 confirmed tuesday afternoon told 2015 20 oregon democratic lawmaker david gomberg accused inappropriately touching women 10302017 oregon lives reports state rep david gomberg said newsletter released sunday sorry offending two women years ago accused violating personal boundaries humiliated news went public gomberg told oregonianoregonlive complaints involved inappropriate humor inappropriate touching invasion personal space hugging 21 former washington democratic lawmaker brendan williams accused sexual harassment 11012017 seattle times reports three women accused former washington state lawmaker sexual harassment assault time legislature two allegations former democratic rep brendan williams came facebook posts written women following story tuesday northwest news network news tribuneolympian allegations sexual harassment capitol third woman said house intern williams made unwelcome sexual advance fourth woman olympia city councilmember jessica bateman said wednesday williams kissed wishes political meeting 2015 left legislature 22 connecticut democratic councilman scott chamberlain resigns furry profile revealed 09082017 new york daily news reports democrat scott chamberlain new milford town council since election 2015 though leave position monday screenshots sofurrycom page circulated online website hosts profiles members furry fandom group people create anthropomorphic animal avatars occasionally dress characters meet person many furries also sexual fetish involving costumes though chamberlain insisted danbury news times participation fandom nothing sex interest cartoon animals 23 florida democratic sen jeff clemens resigns sexual misconduct 10272017 politico reports incoming florida senate democratic leader abruptly resigned friday acknowledged hes therapy admitting extramarital affair lobbyist state sen jeff clemens decision quit office came less day politico florida first reported tryst prompting republicans accuse abusing position power calls poured fellow democrats said wasnt isolated incident pressure mounted clemens took social media accounts twitter facebook called quits 5 pm friday 24 ohio democrat governor candidate justice william oneill brags sexual history facebook 11182017 washington post reports ohio supreme court justice recently declared intention run governor faced widespread condemnation even calls resign boasted sexual history defending heterosexual males justice william oneill posted statement friday morning facebook described national feeding frenzy sexual indiscretions disclosed details sexual history candidate governor let save opponents research time oneill wrote last fifty years sexually intimate approximately 50 attractive females ranged gorgeous blonde first true love made passionate love hayloft parents barn ended drop dead gorgeous red head cleveland archived searches cnncom different democrat sex scandals showing network cover specific story cnn archived search ryan scribd | 1,845 |
<p>Ten years ago this week, the much-hyped Y2K crisis -- which had come in with a long, sustained roar -- went out with a whimper.</p>
<p>In the years and months leading up to the new millennium, IT organizations spent billions patching systems and replacing hardware and software that had infamously been designed to support only a two-digit year -- a problem dubbed the Year 2000 bug, the Millennium bug, or simply Y2K.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>While the world pondered dire predictions of massive global infrastructure failures -- everything from elevators to air traffic control systems was rumored to be vulnerable -- the specter of a total paralysis of business operations resulting from cascading Y2K failures galvanized organizations into a frenzy of activity. For many CIOs, the unprecedented size and scope of addressing Y2K problems was the biggest project of their careers.</p>
<p>And then it was over. On Dec. 31, 1999, the world held its breath -- and nothing happened. Jan. 1, 2000 came in just like any other day. There were no major failures to report anywhere.</p>
<p>In the aftermath, or non-aftermath, some pundits said all the preparation had been overkill. Others maintained that only the hard work of IT pros, many of whom did not sleep that night, kept the information systems of the world on track.</p>
<p>Many of the IT professionals and CIOs who lived through that ordeal still carry those experiences, and painful lessons learned, with them to this day. On the eve of Y2K's 10-year anniversary, Computerworld asked a few veterans to recall the good and bad that came from the whole Year 2000 experience, and to share some of the crazy things that happened as the hype built up and the millennium closed in.</p>
<p>Today, we start with "Y2K: The good" -- read on for veterans' opinions on the ways Y2K changed IT for the better. Then check back tomorrow for "Y2K: The bad" (and there was lots of bad) and the day after for the thrilling conclusion, "Y2K: The crazy" (there was plenty of crazy, too). In the meantime, take a moment to <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.computerworld.com/comments/node/9142555" type="external">share stories Opens a New Window.</a> of how you spent Millennium Eve.</p>
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<p>But first, the good.</p>
<p>IT became a player</p>
<p>"Y2K put IT on the map," says Paul Ingevaldson, who, as senior vice president of technology, oversaw Y2K preparations for <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.acehardware.com/home/index.jsp" type="external">Ace Hardware Corp.'s Opens a New Window.</a> global operations. There was no way [management] could not understand how important IT was to the company.</p>
<p>For the first time, companies realized just how critical IT was to business operations. At retailers such as Ace Hardware, for example, the rise of e-commerce had forged a direct link between downtime and lost revenue. "There was no way they could not understand how important IT was to the company. That was the positive side," says Ingevaldson, who has since retired and now writes a <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.computerworld.com/s/columnist/9000300/Paul+M.+Ingevaldson" type="external">regular column for Computerworld Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Y2K was a wake-up call for executive management in particular, says Benny Lasiter, who was a senior data management analyst and lead database administrator for a real-time trading floor application at Texaco Natural Gas, a division of <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.texaco.com/about/" type="external">Texaco U.S. Opens a New Window.</a>, which is now part of <a href="" type="internal">Chevron</a> Products Co.</p>
<p>Starting in 1998, when remediation work for Y2K began in earnest, "the importance of IT across the organization was better understood at the highest levels of the company," says Lasiter, who is now an IT strategy consultant in Houston.</p>
<p>IT had top management's full attention, so much so that some CEOs were interested in the CIO's every step -- even on New Year's Eve. "One of my roles was to keep the president and board chairman apprised," recalls Ingevaldson. "It was the only time I've received that kind of concern, that I would [be asked to] call them on New Year's morning," Ingevaldson says.</p>
<p>When it came to IT spending, the sky was the limit</p>
<p>It's hard to say definitively how much Y2K cost the corporate world overall. In November of 1999, the U.S. Department of Commerce <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/11/18/MN3849.DTL" type="external">put the total cost of Y2K remediation Opens a New Window.</a> at $100 billion.</p>
<p>By 2006, the number had climbed. IDC published a report that year calculating that the preparation and New Year's Eve costs in the U.S. totaled $134 billion, with an additional $13 billion spent fixing minor problems in 2000 and 2001, according to analyst John Gantz. Worldwide, organizations were estimated to have spent $308 billion before the millennium on remediation efforts. That's a lot of cash.</p>
<p>For IT, the millennium bug represented an unprecedented opportunity to modernize. "I don't think we'll ever again get that opportunity to say, 'Hey, we need a blank check to get everything up to date.' We put a lot of fear into the CEOs back then," says Michael <a href="" type="internal">Israel</a>, who, as chief operating officer at IT services provider <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.chrisgraham.com/AMC/home2_main.htm" type="external">AMC Computer Corp. Opens a New Window.</a>oversaw the Y2K remediation work at <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.wehealny.org/" type="external">Continuum Health Partners Opens a New Window.</a> and its affiliated hospitals in and around New York City.</p>
<p>Before Y2K, an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality had kept outdated equipment, like the 285 original <a href="" type="internal">IBM</a> PC AT computers at Continuum, in service. Now they finally had to go. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to clean up and standardize," Israel says.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/47444/Global_Marine_gives_CIO_a_shove" type="external">Dick Hudson Opens a New Window.</a>, CIO at <a href="" type="internal">offshore drilling</a> company Global Marine Inc. in Houston in the late '90s, experienced a similar kind of windfall. "Systems were antiquated, but for cost reasons you could never get management to appropriate the money to clean them up," he recalls. "[Y2K] scared the bejabbers out of CFOs and CEOs, so IT was able to clean up a lot of the garbage. It was a cathartic time, one of the best things that ever happened to IT."</p>
<p>Continuum's CFO didn't hesitate to sign off on the $20 million tab for Y2K preparedness, says Israel, now senior vice president of information services at <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://investors.sixflags.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61629&amp;p=irol-irhome" type="external">Six Flags Theme Parks Inc. Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>The two-year project occupied 37 full-time staffers and required updates to 37,000 systems, including 7,000 PCs and between 500 and 600 servers. And even that was a drop in the bucket compared with efforts at large corporations like <a href="" type="internal">General Motors</a>, which spent hundreds of millions of dollars on remediation efforts.</p>
<p>Y2K put software and services markets on the map</p>
<p>Y2K wasn't just an opportunity to modernize; it also drove a huge payday for IT product and services vendors, says Dale Vecchio, an analyst at <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.gartner.com/technology/home.jsp" type="external">Gartner Inc. Opens a New Window.</a> who consulted with clients on Y2K issues and now works with its application strategy and governance team.</p>
<p>Y2K remediation, in tandem with the emerging dot-com boom, became "one of the single biggest drivers for packaged software," Vecchio says. Venture-capital-driven dot-coms were on a buying spree, telecom companies were building out their networks to meet the demand for bandwidth, and IT organizations, as part of their Y2K remediation, were modernizing much of their software and hardware infrastructure and migrating many mainframe applications onto client/server systems. In that climate, third-party software and services were "an easy sell," Vecchio says.</p>
<p>At AMC Computer, salespeople were suddenly making money hand over fist. The Y2K spending bubble made many people rich. "We made a lot of money on it. A lot of folks thought the gravy train would never end," Israel says.</p>
<p>Portfolio management became the new mantra</p>
<p>To solve the Y2K problem, CIOs needed to know what applications they actually had. IT finally came to grips with the need to get its portfolio in order.</p>
<p>"The very reason why Y2K was a problem was that most CIOs couldn't put their hands on the application portfolio in the first place," says Stuart McGill, then VP of Y2K business at <a href="http://www.idg.com/www/rd.nsf/rd?readform&amp;u=http://www.microfocus.com/" type="external">Micro Focus Opens a New Window.</a> in Rockville, Md., which sold development environments used for client/server and mainframe Y2K remediation work. "They didn't have any discipline around the application portfolio."</p>
<p>"This was a time for [IT] to do discovery and documentation," Israel agrees, and it was a lesson that he took to heart. "That became the foundation for how I manage an IT environment today." From Y2K came a clearer understanding of the need to standardize workers' roles and to thoroughly document systems, he says.</p>
<p>Going forward, Y2K also prompted IT to think more strategically. "It really raised awareness of how something as simple as a two-digit year can impact you down the road," Lasiter says. That led to better planning. "It opened up that thinking of what might happen in the future that we can avert now." After Y2K, he says, his staff was much more thorough in testing programs for every conceivable contingency before deploying them.</p>
<p>Y2K was a 'Kumbaya' moment</p>
<p>In tackling the millennium bug, many departments within distributed organizations worked together, sometimes for the first time, to face a common enemy. "Y2K was an interesting phenomenon, in that it knew no industry or global bounds," says Vecchio.</p>
<p>The scope of the problem touched every part of the organization, in every country worldwide, Lasiter points out. That meant that in the run-up to Y2K, IT had a golden opportunity to build relationships with every part of the business, as well as with other areas of distributed IT organizations. And those connections would pay off later, during future projects.</p>
<p>Texaco had a distributed IT organization at the time. Initially, Lasiter didn't know many people outside of his own group. "Y2K brought a lot of unity within the IT community. For this project, we were all one," he says. After that, he says, cross-functional, cross-departmental projects became much easier to coordinate.</p>
<p>IT saved the day -- and Millennium Eve</p>
<p>When the millennium came, IT was ready. Many IT managers and staff had to forgo New Year's parties, since they were either on call or standing by at work as the new year rolled in. But if the media, the public and even celebrities fretted over what might happen, most IT organizations were feeling good.</p>
<p>Y2K was an interesting phenomenon, in that it knew no industry or global bounds.</p>
<p>"We were confident that we wouldn't have any major outages," says Lasiter. And Texaco didn't. "The fact that we didn't have any major problems was a huge success." Still, it wasn't until later in the day on Jan. 1, after everything had been fully checked out, that IT began openly celebrating.</p>
<p>Tech support at Micro Focus stayed open but received no calls, remembers McGill, who is now chief technology officer for Micro Focus. In Stamford, Conn., Gartner analysts were on call. A few calls came in, says Vecchio, but most of the Y2K issues were minor inconveniences. "There was nobody who had a catastrophic failure," he says.</p>
<p>In New York, Israel sat with his team in one of Continuum Health Partners' facilities. "We sat in the data center eating lasagna and ziti and watched the clock," he recalls. "Y2K was a quiet and anticlimactic event."</p>
<p>More from IDG:</p> | true | 0 | ten years ago week muchhyped y2k crisis come long sustained roar went whimper years months leading new millennium organizations spent billions patching systems replacing hardware software infamously designed support twodigit year problem dubbed year 2000 bug millennium bug simply y2k continue reading world pondered dire predictions massive global infrastructure failures everything elevators air traffic control systems rumored vulnerable specter total paralysis business operations resulting cascading y2k failures galvanized organizations frenzy activity many cios unprecedented size scope addressing y2k problems biggest project careers dec 31 1999 world held breath nothing happened jan 1 2000 came like day major failures report anywhere aftermath nonaftermath pundits said preparation overkill others maintained hard work pros many sleep night kept information systems world track many professionals cios lived ordeal still carry experiences painful lessons learned day eve y2ks 10year anniversary computerworld asked veterans recall good bad came whole year 2000 experience share crazy things happened hype built millennium closed today start y2k good read veterans opinions ways y2k changed better check back tomorrow y2k bad lots bad day thrilling conclusion y2k crazy plenty crazy meantime take moment share stories opens new window spent millennium eve advertisement first good became player y2k put map says paul ingevaldson senior vice president technology oversaw y2k preparations ace hardware corps opens new window global operations way management could understand important company first time companies realized critical business operations retailers ace hardware example rise ecommerce forged direct link downtime lost revenue way could understand important company positive side says ingevaldson since retired writes regular column computerworld opens new window y2k wakeup call executive management particular says benny lasiter senior data management analyst lead database administrator realtime trading floor application texaco natural gas division texaco us opens new window part chevron products co starting 1998 remediation work y2k began earnest importance across organization better understood highest levels company says lasiter strategy consultant houston top managements full attention much ceos interested cios every step even new years eve one roles keep president board chairman apprised recalls ingevaldson time ive received kind concern would asked call new years morning ingevaldson says came spending sky limit hard say definitively much y2k cost corporate world overall november 1999 us department commerce put total cost y2k remediation opens new window 100 billion 2006 number climbed idc published report year calculating preparation new years eve costs us totaled 134 billion additional 13 billion spent fixing minor problems 2000 2001 according analyst john gantz worldwide organizations estimated spent 308 billion millennium remediation efforts thats lot cash millennium bug represented unprecedented opportunity modernize dont think well ever get opportunity say hey need blank check get everything date put lot fear ceos back says michael israel chief operating officer services provider amc computer corp opens new windowoversaw y2k remediation work continuum health partners opens new window affiliated hospitals around new york city y2k aint broke dont fix mentality kept outdated equipment like 285 original ibm pc computers continuum service finally go onceinalifetime opportunity clean standardize israel says dick hudson opens new window cio offshore drilling company global marine inc houston late 90s experienced similar kind windfall systems antiquated cost reasons could never get management appropriate money clean recalls y2k scared bejabbers cfos ceos able clean lot garbage cathartic time one best things ever happened continuums cfo didnt hesitate sign 20 million tab y2k preparedness says israel senior vice president information services six flags theme parks inc opens new window twoyear project occupied 37 fulltime staffers required updates 37000 systems including 7000 pcs 500 600 servers even drop bucket compared efforts large corporations like general motors spent hundreds millions dollars remediation efforts y2k put software services markets map y2k wasnt opportunity modernize also drove huge payday product services vendors says dale vecchio analyst gartner inc opens new window consulted clients y2k issues works application strategy governance team y2k remediation tandem emerging dotcom boom became one single biggest drivers packaged software vecchio says venturecapitaldriven dotcoms buying spree telecom companies building networks meet demand bandwidth organizations part y2k remediation modernizing much software hardware infrastructure migrating many mainframe applications onto clientserver systems climate thirdparty software services easy sell vecchio says amc computer salespeople suddenly making money hand fist y2k spending bubble made many people rich made lot money lot folks thought gravy train would never end israel says portfolio management became new mantra solve y2k problem cios needed know applications actually finally came grips need get portfolio order reason y2k problem cios couldnt put hands application portfolio first place says stuart mcgill vp y2k business micro focus opens new window rockville md sold development environments used clientserver mainframe y2k remediation work didnt discipline around application portfolio time discovery documentation israel agrees lesson took heart became foundation manage environment today y2k came clearer understanding need standardize workers roles thoroughly document systems says going forward y2k also prompted think strategically really raised awareness something simple twodigit year impact road lasiter says led better planning opened thinking might happen future avert y2k says staff much thorough testing programs every conceivable contingency deploying y2k kumbaya moment tackling millennium bug many departments within distributed organizations worked together sometimes first time face common enemy y2k interesting phenomenon knew industry global bounds says vecchio scope problem touched every part organization every country worldwide lasiter points meant runup y2k golden opportunity build relationships every part business well areas distributed organizations connections would pay later future projects texaco distributed organization time initially lasiter didnt know many people outside group y2k brought lot unity within community project one says says crossfunctional crossdepartmental projects became much easier coordinate saved day millennium eve millennium came ready many managers staff forgo new years parties since either call standing work new year rolled media public even celebrities fretted might happen organizations feeling good y2k interesting phenomenon knew industry global bounds confident wouldnt major outages says lasiter texaco didnt fact didnt major problems huge success still wasnt later day jan 1 everything fully checked began openly celebrating tech support micro focus stayed open received calls remembers mcgill chief technology officer micro focus stamford conn gartner analysts call calls came says vecchio y2k issues minor inconveniences nobody catastrophic failure says new york israel sat team one continuum health partners facilities sat data center eating lasagna ziti watched clock recalls y2k quiet anticlimactic event idg | 1,044 |
<p />
<p>In 1922, Napoleon Hill delivered a commencement speech at Salem College in West Virginia that touched one man so deeply he wrote this to Hill about 15 years later after becoming a United States Congressman:</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Millions of people are now facing the problem of staging a come-back, because of the depression, and I speak from personal experience when I say, I know these earnest people would welcome the opportunity to tell you their problems, and to receive your suggestions for the solution.</p>
<p>You know the problems of those who face the necessity of beginning all over again. There are thousands of people in America today who would like to know how they can convert ideas into money, people who must start at scratch, without finances, and recoup their losses. If anyone can help them, you can.</p>
<p>In that letter, Congressman Jennings Randolph urged Hill to turn that speech into a book. It did become a book in 1937 and all these many years later Think and Grow Rich is a classic that not only still has legs, it’s like it’s been given a brand new set of wheels to keep its momentum going. Recognizing we are in an economic time where the message would resonate as much as Randolph’s vision described pre-World War II, Joel Fotinos and August Gold have designed/authored a boxed set that takes the classic from a “read” to a life-changing course and – hopefully – way of being.</p>
<p>Released this month by Tarcher/Penguin, Think and Grow Rich, The Master Mind Volume comes with a workbook and success journal to augment the experience and increase the reader’s chances of implementing and embodying its principles. Each of the three volumes has an introduction by Fotinos and Gold explaining its ideal use.</p>
<p>“Napoleon Hill wrote this very deliberately as the country was going through hardship,” Fotinos told me in our recent interview.</p>
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<p>The vice president and publisher of Tarcher/Penguin as well as a staff minister at the Center for Spiritual Living in West Orange, N.J., Fotinos brings multi-faceted perspective to the teachings of Hill. In addition, he facilitates workshops on the text, but probably more importantly, has worked its principles and changed his own financial life in the process.</p>
<p>“It’s not about paying attention to the highs and lows of the economy,” Fotinos says. “But putting attention on what gives you joy. Not just tapping into money, but passion. Napoleon Hill helps people make better decisions. We move out of a place of feeling powerless.”</p>
<p>Powerful messaging so often comes from a place of due diligence and proven record. As is outlined in the introduction, that is unquestionably the case for Hill.</p>
<p>“Charged by the great steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to learn if there was a commonality in beliefs and actions among the wealthiest self-made millionaires in America, Napoleon Hill spent 20 years studying these men and women,” Fotinos and Gold write.</p>
<p>In the original author’s preface, Hill names some of the men whose lives he studied -- <a href="" type="internal">Henry Ford</a>, F.W. Woolworth, William Howard Taft, Charles M. Schwab, and Alexander Graham Bell, among others. From this research, he lays out 13 steps to riches. But here’s where it gets interesting – not one of those principles mentions money, wealth or finances.</p>
<p>“That’s where he was a genius,” Fotinos says. “He knew people would actually pick up the book with a promise of ‘rich.’ If he had called it Principles to Greater Consciousness, it would have been received differently.”</p>
<p>But that is, in fact, what it is. A call for a shift in mindset. Learning to ground oneself in desire, work ethic, persistence, imagination. An idea come to life. An unwavering belief. On its pages there are anecdotes, wisdom, calls for action. Principles that have produced -- oh, you know -- a steel magnate, some United States presidents, the telephone.</p>
<p>But what if your vision isn’t quite that grand? Maybe it’s about getting out of debt, feeding your family, starting a small business. There was a point where Fotinos was “heavily” in debt with 23 active credit cards and $60,000 owed on them.</p>
<p>“I was so fixated on money,” he says. “I would hear people say they were rich in other ways. I understood that intellectually, but I still needed money.”</p>
<p>He put Think and Grow Rich into practice and began using the principles to get out of debt, into the black and eventually into financial riches.</p>
<p>“I love reading self-help books,” Fotinos says. “Many people read them and put them down. What I needed to do is embody the Think and Grow Rich principles. I did it in a three-ring binder. That became my workbook. I got myself another notebook to record successes and things. It became more tangible for me.”</p>
<p>Hence, the three books in the new set. What comes from the training is the feeling of being active in one’s own success. For those raised in an environment that might be financially dysfunctional – as Fotinos describes his – learned concepts must be reconfigured into a new normal.</p>
<p>“For example,” Fotinos says. “People say, ‘I’ll give to charity when I have more money.’ It should be the other way around.”</p>
<p>Of the many exercises and tools in the book, one of the more intriguing ones calls for readers to create an Imaginary Council as part of the 13th step.</p>
<p>“Long before I had ever written a line for publication, or endeavored to deliver a speech in public, I followed the habit of reshaping my own character, by trying to imitate the nine men whose lives and life-works had been most impressive to me,” Hill writes. “Every night, over a long period of years, I held an imaginary Council meeting with this group whom I called my ‘Invisible Counselors.’”</p>
<p>When Fotinos works with people in his workshops, he finds this to be a popular exercise with names ranging from Oprah Winfrey to Mother Teresa making appearances on Imaginary Councils. He loves how it taps into the collective unconscious, an integral part of a message that’s been put into a 90-day program via the three-book package.</p>
<p>“The boxed set is not for the casual reader,” Fotinos says.</p>
<p>Only the serious need apply.</p>
<p>Nancy Colasurdo is a practicing life coach and freelance writer. Her Web site is <a href="http://www.nancola.com" type="external">www.nancola.com Opens a New Window.</a> and you can follow her on <a href="" type="internal">Twitter</a> @nancola. Please direct all questions/comments to <a href="http://mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected] Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | 1922 napoleon hill delivered commencement speech salem college west virginia touched one man deeply wrote hill 15 years later becoming united states congressman continue reading millions people facing problem staging comeback depression speak personal experience say know earnest people would welcome opportunity tell problems receive suggestions solution know problems face necessity beginning thousands people america today would like know convert ideas money people must start scratch without finances recoup losses anyone help letter congressman jennings randolph urged hill turn speech book become book 1937 many years later think grow rich classic still legs like given brand new set wheels keep momentum going recognizing economic time message would resonate much randolphs vision described preworld war ii joel fotinos august gold designedauthored boxed set takes classic read lifechanging course hopefully way released month tarcherpenguin think grow rich master mind volume comes workbook success journal augment experience increase readers chances implementing embodying principles three volumes introduction fotinos gold explaining ideal use napoleon hill wrote deliberately country going hardship fotinos told recent interview advertisement vice president publisher tarcherpenguin well staff minister center spiritual living west orange nj fotinos brings multifaceted perspective teachings hill addition facilitates workshops text probably importantly worked principles changed financial life process paying attention highs lows economy fotinos says putting attention gives joy tapping money passion napoleon hill helps people make better decisions move place feeling powerless powerful messaging often comes place due diligence proven record outlined introduction unquestionably case hill charged great steel magnate philanthropist andrew carnegie learn commonality beliefs actions among wealthiest selfmade millionaires america napoleon hill spent 20 years studying men women fotinos gold write original authors preface hill names men whose lives studied henry ford fw woolworth william howard taft charles schwab alexander graham bell among others research lays 13 steps riches heres gets interesting one principles mentions money wealth finances thats genius fotinos says knew people would actually pick book promise rich called principles greater consciousness would received differently fact call shift mindset learning ground oneself desire work ethic persistence imagination idea come life unwavering belief pages anecdotes wisdom calls action principles produced oh know steel magnate united states presidents telephone vision isnt quite grand maybe getting debt feeding family starting small business point fotinos heavily debt 23 active credit cards 60000 owed fixated money says would hear people say rich ways understood intellectually still needed money put think grow rich practice began using principles get debt black eventually financial riches love reading selfhelp books fotinos says many people read put needed embody think grow rich principles threering binder became workbook got another notebook record successes things became tangible hence three books new set comes training feeling active ones success raised environment might financially dysfunctional fotinos describes learned concepts must reconfigured new normal example fotinos says people say ill give charity money way around many exercises tools book one intriguing ones calls readers create imaginary council part 13th step long ever written line publication endeavored deliver speech public followed habit reshaping character trying imitate nine men whose lives lifeworks impressive hill writes every night long period years held imaginary council meeting group called invisible counselors fotinos works people workshops finds popular exercise names ranging oprah winfrey mother teresa making appearances imaginary councils loves taps collective unconscious integral part message thats put 90day program via threebook package boxed set casual reader fotinos says serious need apply nancy colasurdo practicing life coach freelance writer web site wwwnancolacom opens new window follow twitter nancola please direct questionscomments foxgameplangmailcom opens new window | 582 |
<p />
<p>Can You Use an Extra $2,000?</p>
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<p>Could you use an extra $2,000? Save up to that amount -- or even more -- by making some small financial changes this year.</p>
<p>When you make minor modifications, you barely notice them, but by the end of the year, you could have more cash on hand because of the savings, says Andrea Woroch, a consumer adviser based in Santa Barbara, Calif.</p>
<p>She advises consumers to take a look at small expenses that tend to drain the budget and then determine how to reduce or eliminate them. "It makes you a smarter shopper," Woroch says.</p>
<p>Here are seven ways money experts say you can save money, give yourself a $2,000 raise and boost your cash cushion.</p>
<p>Get Free Texting</p>
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<p>Let free text-messaging applications, such as textPlus (available on <a href="" type="internal">iPhone</a> and Android devices), take the place of the text-messaging plan on your smartphone, says Andrea Woroch, a consumer adviser based in Santa Barbara, Calif.</p>
<p>Other free alternatives include <a href="" type="internal">Google</a> Voice and Kik, which have apps that run on multiple smartphone platforms. Just make sure you read the terms carefully, she says. For example, you may need to change phone numbers to take advantage of free texting.</p>
<p>Making the switch can save about $15 per month, or $180 per year, on a messaging plan, she says. "It can help you downsize your phone bill," Woroch says.</p>
<p>Potential savings: $15 per month or $180 per year.</p>
<p>Sell Unused Gift Cards</p>
<p>If you received a lot of retailer gift cards over the holidays, there's a chance you've collected some you won't use, especially if they're for stores you don't normally visit.</p>
<p>Instead of letting them go to waste, visit a gift card exchange website, where you can sell the cards to other buyers, says Andrea Woroch, a consumer adviser based in Santa Barbara, Calif. You would have to sell them for slightly less than face value, but if you wouldn't use them anyway, the cash could be considered found money, she says.</p>
<p>If you sell five cards at $20 each over the course of a year, that's an extra $100, she says.</p>
<p>Potential savings: $100 per year, depending on the number of gift cards and the value received for them.</p>
<p>In addition to selling gift cards, you also could buy them at a discount on the website. This can come in handy if you're planning to make a large purchase, Woroch says. "Even if you're looking at a savings of only 4%, it could really save you a bundle for a big-ticket item," Woroch says.</p>
<p>Pay Attention to Grocery Sales</p>
<p>Another way to save money is to cut your grocery bill. This can be accomplished with good planning, and that begins with knowing when to purchase certain products, says Teri Gault, CEO and founder of TheGroceryGame.com.</p>
<p>"The No.&#160;1 thing to do is buy your groceries when they are on sale," she says.</p>
<p>Most major supermarket categories will have sales in roughly 12-week cycles, Gault says. If customers stock up on items when they're priced their lowest, they can drastically cut the amount of money spent on groceries throughout the year, she says.</p>
<p>Gault says TheGroceryGame.com shoppers save even more by using coupons from stores and manufacturers for additional discounts. "Usually the total savings is about 67%," she says.</p>
<p>However, you don't need to reach that percentage of savings to pocket extra cash. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average family of four can spend up to more than $1,000 per month on food.</p>
<p>So if you're able to shave just 10% off of your grocery bill by buying products when they're on sale, you could pocket an extra $100 per month or $1,200 annually, Gault says.</p>
<p>Potential savings: up to $1,200 per year or more.</p>
<p>Freeze Your Gym Membership</p>
<p>Many people will be joining gyms this year as they try to jump-start their New Year's resolutions to lose weight or exercise more, says Andrea Woroch, a consumer adviser based in Santa Barbara, Calif. When summer arrives and the weather warms up, many will abandon their gyms for the opportunity to exercise outside, but they'll still be paying for membership, she says.</p>
<p>Instead of throwing money away on a gym plan that you're not using, ask the fitness center to pause your status during the summer, Woroch says. "Many gyms let you pay a minimal $10 to $15 every month to freeze membership," she says.</p>
<p>Members would still be paying something to keep their account at the gym, but if they didn't have to pay the full cost, they could save up to a hundred dollars or more off of the full-service annual gym fees during that time, she says.</p>
<p>Potential savings: up to $100.</p>
<p>Increase Your Insurance Deductible</p>
<p>"Take a new look at your deductibles for car and homeowners insurance," says Julie Murphy Casserly, CFP and author of "The Emotion Behind Money."</p>
<p>"See if you've built up enough savings so that you don't need a $250 deductible but can go up to $1,500 deductible and decrease what you're paying to your insurance company every month in premiums," she says.</p>
<p>Increasing your deductible to $1,000 could reduce your premium by up to 25% and save money, she says. On a $500 premium, that could mean pocketing more than $100 in savings this year.</p>
<p>Potential savings: more than $100.</p>
<p>Switch to Internet Streaming for Movies</p>
<p>Get rid of costly premium cable TV channels that you're not watching, and view can't-miss movies on streaming Internet movie services offered by companies such as <a href="" type="internal">Netflix</a>, says Julie Murphy Casserly, CFP and author of "The Emotion Behind Money."</p>
<p>Cable TV subscribers who don't want to end their cable relationship can choose to use the on-demand movie option with their provider or pay for movies only as they watch them.</p>
<p>Many on-demand movies are offered for just a few dollars per viewing, so viewers who order movies only a few times per month could watch them without the need to sign up for a more expensive channel package, she says.</p>
<p>"I had one client who saved $110 per month because she cut off her premium movie channels. She now just views her movies on pay-per-view or on demand," Casserly says.</p>
<p>Potential savings: up to $1,320 per year.</p>
<p>Ask for Promotional Rates</p>
<p>Get into a regular routine of shopping around for cable TV, telephone and Internet service, and ask providers for discounted rates, says Julie Murphy Casserly, CFP and author of "The Emotion Behind Money." Some cable TV companies will offer new customers monthly packages that are $20 less per month than their standard rates, she says.</p>
<p>You also can save money with your existing company by letting someone there know that you're willing to shop around, she says.</p>
<p>"If you call your cable provider and ask about what certain promotions are going on right now for new customers, they may be able to switch you over to the promotional price instead of charging you the full rate," says Andrea Woroch, a consumer adviser based in Santa Barbara, Calif . "And sometimes threatening to cancel will secure that next promotion."</p>
<p>Potential savings: $20 per month, or $240 per year.</p> | true | 0 | use extra 2000 continue reading could use extra 2000 save amount even making small financial changes year make minor modifications barely notice end year could cash hand savings says andrea woroch consumer adviser based santa barbara calif advises consumers take look small expenses tend drain budget determine reduce eliminate makes smarter shopper woroch says seven ways money experts say save money give 2000 raise boost cash cushion get free texting advertisement let free textmessaging applications textplus available iphone android devices take place textmessaging plan smartphone says andrea woroch consumer adviser based santa barbara calif free alternatives include google voice kik apps run multiple smartphone platforms make sure read terms carefully says example may need change phone numbers take advantage free texting making switch save 15 per month 180 per year messaging plan says help downsize phone bill woroch says potential savings 15 per month 180 per year sell unused gift cards received lot retailer gift cards holidays theres chance youve collected wont use especially theyre stores dont normally visit instead letting go waste visit gift card exchange website sell cards buyers says andrea woroch consumer adviser based santa barbara calif would sell slightly less face value wouldnt use anyway cash could considered found money says sell five cards 20 course year thats extra 100 says potential savings 100 per year depending number gift cards value received addition selling gift cards also could buy discount website come handy youre planning make large purchase woroch says even youre looking savings 4 could really save bundle bigticket item woroch says pay attention grocery sales another way save money cut grocery bill accomplished good planning begins knowing purchase certain products says teri gault ceo founder thegrocerygamecom no1601 thing buy groceries sale says major supermarket categories sales roughly 12week cycles gault says customers stock items theyre priced lowest drastically cut amount money spent groceries throughout year says gault says thegrocerygamecom shoppers save even using coupons stores manufacturers additional discounts usually total savings 67 says however dont need reach percentage savings pocket extra cash according us department agriculture average family four spend 1000 per month food youre able shave 10 grocery bill buying products theyre sale could pocket extra 100 per month 1200 annually gault says potential savings 1200 per year freeze gym membership many people joining gyms year try jumpstart new years resolutions lose weight exercise says andrea woroch consumer adviser based santa barbara calif summer arrives weather warms many abandon gyms opportunity exercise outside theyll still paying membership says instead throwing money away gym plan youre using ask fitness center pause status summer woroch says many gyms let pay minimal 10 15 every month freeze membership says members would still paying something keep account gym didnt pay full cost could save hundred dollars fullservice annual gym fees time says potential savings 100 increase insurance deductible take new look deductibles car homeowners insurance says julie murphy casserly cfp author emotion behind money see youve built enough savings dont need 250 deductible go 1500 deductible decrease youre paying insurance company every month premiums says increasing deductible 1000 could reduce premium 25 save money says 500 premium could mean pocketing 100 savings year potential savings 100 switch internet streaming movies get rid costly premium cable tv channels youre watching view cantmiss movies streaming internet movie services offered companies netflix says julie murphy casserly cfp author emotion behind money cable tv subscribers dont want end cable relationship choose use ondemand movie option provider pay movies watch many ondemand movies offered dollars per viewing viewers order movies times per month could watch without need sign expensive channel package says one client saved 110 per month cut premium movie channels views movies payperview demand casserly says potential savings 1320 per year ask promotional rates get regular routine shopping around cable tv telephone internet service ask providers discounted rates says julie murphy casserly cfp author emotion behind money cable tv companies offer new customers monthly packages 20 less per month standard rates says also save money existing company letting someone know youre willing shop around says call cable provider ask certain promotions going right new customers may able switch promotional price instead charging full rate says andrea woroch consumer adviser based santa barbara calif sometimes threatening cancel secure next promotion potential savings 20 per month 240 per year | 717 |
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<p>“The Boomer” is a column written for adults nearing retirement age and those already in their “golden years.” It will also promote reader interaction by posting e-mail responses and answering reader questions. E-mail your questions or topic ideas to <a href="http://[email protected]" type="external">[email protected]. Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Health-care insurance has dominated headlines recently--between the Supreme Court’s ruling on the president’s health-care reform, unemployed workers struggling to cover medical costs and retirees facing rising costs, it’s hard to escape the debates.</p>
<p>For the last 25 years, I have been covered by my wife’s health-care coverage through her employer, and we have watched our premium increase nearly every year. It’s no secret that health-care costs have been steadily rising, but the questions is: just how far can they climb?</p>
<p>When it comes to retirement planning, experts say most boomers overlook the cost of health-care. In fact, a new study from the Society of Actuaries shows nearly half of Americans between the ages of 45 and 70 years have no financial plans in place to protect themselves against outliving their assets and the rising cost of health care.</p>
<p>There was some good news in the report; it showed 75% of Americans ages 45 to 70 years protect their tangible assets, such as housing, through home or renter's insurance, however, only 19% plan to insure the extra costs of disability and well-being by purchasing long-term care insurance.</p>
<p>I spoke with Anna Rappaport, consulting and chair of the Society of Actuaries Committee on Post-Retirement Needs and Risks( <a href="http://www.annarappaport.com" type="external">www.annarappaport.com Opens a New Window.</a>), to see how baby boomers could be better prepared for increased health-care costs in retirement. Here is what she had to say:</p>
<p>Boomer: What can baby boomers do to help combat the rising cost of health care?</p>
<p>Rappaport: Baby boomers should do their best to stay healthy, educate themselves about health issues and purchase health care wisely. If boomers have a choice in their coverage, they should evaluate each plan carefully to understand the differences and then choose based on the evaluation. In some geographic areas, premiums savings might be available in exchange for accepting a more restrictive provider network.</p>
<p>The most important long-run strategies to say healthy have not changed and include regular exercise, not smoking, eating healthy and getting enough sleep.</p>
<p>Techniques for saving on health care have also remained constant over the years. Generic drugs can often offer good savings. Conduct due diligence before choosing health care providers. If a procedure or treatment is optional, carefully weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Individuals should ask their doctors whether a test or procedure is needed and for other less-expensive or invasive alternatives. Patients should shop around for high-quality and low-cost providers.</p>
<p>Boomer: What are the major drivers of the increase in health-care spending?</p>
<p>Rappaport: I have been discussing this question throughout my actuarial career and have heard this question for more than 30 years. Some of the major factors are advancing technology, an aging population, rising health-care prices, increasing utilization of health care and longer lifespans. The marketplace involves negotiation between health plans and providers, and iIn areas where health-care providers have more negotiating power, prices can be higher. The health care liability system and the costs of defensive medicine are also cited as factors for pushing the costs up. Comparative international research has shown that as income rises, spending on health care also rises.</p>
<p>Something I have not heard being discussed is how the expectations of Americans have changed. I know many people who have had knees and hips replaced, and it seems to be becoming much more common. Technology has made this easier, but I believe that expectations have changed as well.</p>
<p>Boomer: What part should health care cost take in boomers retirement planning?</p>
<p>Rappaport: It is important that retirement planning be considered on a holistic basis, and that individuals consider a range of issues when planning. Actuaries are particularly concerned that people take into account how long they will live. While people age 65 will on average live into the 80s, some will live to 100 or beyond. People need to plan for what they will live on, how they will get and pay for long-term care and acute health care.</p>
<p>The Society of Actuaries has issued 11 decision briefs on important retirement decision issues including one on health care. They can be found <a href="http://www.soa.org/research/research-projects/pension/research-managing-retirement-decisions.aspx." type="external">here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Here is what individuals need to think about when it comes to health care and retirement planning:</p>
<p>Don’t forget about long-term care.</p>
<p>How are you going to get health care coverage and pay for it? The issues are different for early retirees and for those eligible for Medicare.</p>
<p>Budget for acute medical care costs and Medicare. The Society of Actuaries Decision Brief Securing Health Insurance for the Retirement Journey estimates a couple, both age 65, will need $230,000 to cover these costs, which doesn’t include the cost of long-term care insurance.</p>
<p>Annual costs for health-care insurance for retirees are often significantly higher prior to Medicare eligibility. For people with employer sponsored coverage, this depends on what the employer offers and how much the employer contributes to the cost.</p>
<p>Boomer: How will the Affordable Care Act affect health coverage in retirement?</p>
<p>Rappaport: The biggest impact is on people thinking about or in early retirement. The Affordable Care Act is a game changer for early retirees and it opens up very important new options. Prior to the ACA, early retirees who did not have access to employer coverage found individual health coverage to be expensive and extremely difficult to get if they had health problems. After the ACA, early retirees without employer coverage will be able to buy insurance through the exchanges at a premium not dependent on health status. Today, availability of health coverage is a barrier to retirement for many people. After the ACA, this will not be true.</p>
<p>It should be noted that the present level of Medicare taxes is not adequate to support the program in the future. The Affordable Care Act improves the situation somewhat but does not solve the problem. The American Academy of Actuaries has some <a href="http://www.actuary.org/category/site-section/public-policy/health/health-medicare-medicaid" type="external">helpful information on this topic here Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p> | true | 0 | boomer column written adults nearing retirement age already golden years also promote reader interaction posting email responses answering reader questions email questions topic ideas thefoxboomergmailcom opens new window continue reading healthcare insurance dominated headlines recentlybetween supreme courts ruling presidents healthcare reform unemployed workers struggling cover medical costs retirees facing rising costs hard escape debates last 25 years covered wifes healthcare coverage employer watched premium increase nearly every year secret healthcare costs steadily rising questions far climb comes retirement planning experts say boomers overlook cost healthcare fact new study society actuaries shows nearly half americans ages 45 70 years financial plans place protect outliving assets rising cost health care good news report showed 75 americans ages 45 70 years protect tangible assets housing home renters insurance however 19 plan insure extra costs disability wellbeing purchasing longterm care insurance spoke anna rappaport consulting chair society actuaries committee postretirement needs risks wwwannarappaportcom opens new window see baby boomers could better prepared increased healthcare costs retirement say boomer baby boomers help combat rising cost health care rappaport baby boomers best stay healthy educate health issues purchase health care wisely boomers choice coverage evaluate plan carefully understand differences choose based evaluation geographic areas premiums savings might available exchange accepting restrictive provider network important longrun strategies say healthy changed include regular exercise smoking eating healthy getting enough sleep techniques saving health care also remained constant years generic drugs often offer good savings conduct due diligence choosing health care providers procedure treatment optional carefully weigh pros cons making decision individuals ask doctors whether test procedure needed lessexpensive invasive alternatives patients shop around highquality lowcost providers boomer major drivers increase healthcare spending rappaport discussing question throughout actuarial career heard question 30 years major factors advancing technology aging population rising healthcare prices increasing utilization health care longer lifespans marketplace involves negotiation health plans providers iin areas healthcare providers negotiating power prices higher health care liability system costs defensive medicine also cited factors pushing costs comparative international research shown income rises spending health care also rises something heard discussed expectations americans changed know many people knees hips replaced seems becoming much common technology made easier believe expectations changed well boomer part health care cost take boomers retirement planning rappaport important retirement planning considered holistic basis individuals consider range issues planning actuaries particularly concerned people take account long live people age 65 average live 80s live 100 beyond people need plan live get pay longterm care acute health care society actuaries issued 11 decision briefs important retirement decision issues including one health care found opens new window individuals need think comes health care retirement planning dont forget longterm care going get health care coverage pay issues different early retirees eligible medicare budget acute medical care costs medicare society actuaries decision brief securing health insurance retirement journey estimates couple age 65 need 230000 cover costs doesnt include cost longterm care insurance annual costs healthcare insurance retirees often significantly higher prior medicare eligibility people employer sponsored coverage depends employer offers much employer contributes cost boomer affordable care act affect health coverage retirement rappaport biggest impact people thinking early retirement affordable care act game changer early retirees opens important new options prior aca early retirees access employer coverage found individual health coverage expensive extremely difficult get health problems aca early retirees without employer coverage able buy insurance exchanges premium dependent health status today availability health coverage barrier retirement many people aca true noted present level medicare taxes adequate support program future affordable care act improves situation somewhat solve problem american academy actuaries helpful information topic opens new window advertisement | 595 |
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<p>Before 2016 ends, General Motors (NYSE: GM) will bring to market the first affordable fully electric car with over 200 miles of range. The Chevrolet Bolt will boast an impressive 238 miles of range on a single charge, sell for $37,500, and be available at select dealerships in a matter of weeks or possibly even days. With this range, and at this price, the Bolt may serve as a compelling alternative to some buyers interested in electric-car maker Tesla Motors'(NASDAQ: TSLA) $35,000 Model 3, which Tesla plans to begin delivering late next year. Should Tesla investors be worried?</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Tesla vehicles. Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
<p>GM's Bolt is more than a new, compelling, long-range electric vehicle (EV). It's a preview of what's to come; GM, along with other automakers, are in the early stages of ramping up their EV programs. Indeed, most of the major automakers have announced plans to bring to market EVs with over 200 miles of range -- a segment that currently belongs entirely to Tesla -- during the next five years, starting with GM's Bolt.</p>
<p>With such a sudden, concerted effort from competition to begin building long-range EVs, it's easy to quickly conclude increased competition in the segment would be bad news for Tesla. After all, automakers' electric car and hybrid programs combined represent less than 1% of total global vehicles sales. Some investors might assume, therefore, that new competition in a niche market means less opportunity for Tesla to grow its sales.</p>
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<p>This reasoning, however, fails to observe the bigger picture. Not only may competition not hinder Tesla, but it might even serve as a catalyst for the company.</p>
<p>Here are three reasons why:</p>
<p>1. Tesla needs help educating buyers.</p>
<p>Educating potential buyers about electric vehicles requires significant effort. Tesla knows this firsthand and it could use some help from some bigger auto companies.</p>
<p>Indeed, one of the main reasons Tesla opts to sell its cars directly to consumers is because of the intensive education process involved in convincing some consumers to pull the trigger on a fully electric vehicle. In a 2012 blog post, Tesla explained how important education is in selling its vehicles.</p>
<p>Tesla store. Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
<p>At its stores, Tesla employees do much more than sell vehicles. They field questions about the motor, battery, charging at home, traveling, and more. In addition, the company doesn't pay store employees commission for sales -- an unconventional move that helps ensure its employees don't miss the opportunity to educate consumers.</p>
<p>Soon, thanks to major automakers' sudden appreciation of long-range electric vehicles, Tesla won't be the only company on the planet educating customers about why EVs with more than 200 miles of range represent a compelling alternative to comparably priced internal combustion engine vehicles. As major automakers bring long-range EVs to market, they'll not only put their massive networks of dealerships to work educating visitors about electric vehicles, but the automakers will almost certainly roll out major ad campaigns to promote these new vehicles, inevitably creating awareness for the feasibility of EVs in general.</p>
<p>Sure, the tactics used by competition to educate potential buyers will undoubtedly focus on selling their own EVs, but their efforts will also help raise consumer awareness for all electric vehicles.</p>
<p>2. Tesla needs a Detroit-based endorsement.</p>
<p>For now, Tesla is the oddball in autos. And this doesn't help when it comes to convincing the masses that fully electric vehicles make sense. Detroit is pumping out gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs, fuel-efficient vehicles, and hybrids while Tesla follows a completely different path. Sure, some other manufacturers are selling a few fully electric models, but Tesla is the lone wolf when it comes to selling long-range EVs aimed to replace the family's gas car entirely, at least until GM begins shipping its Bolt.</p>
<p>Tesla vehicle charging. Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
<p>But this is where major automakers' newfound approval of long-range EVs helps. With major automakers announcing a slew of plans for long-range EVs just as Tesla is readying its Model 3 for high-volume production, their new vehicle plans make it clear that Tesla's bet on EVs was spot on. This could help mitigate skepticism consumers might have toward Tesla's vehicles.</p>
<p>3. Soaring EV sales could fortify Tesla's lead.</p>
<p>Thanks to some big, focused bets today, if demand for long-range EVs does surge as automakers join the 200-plus mile EV race, Tesla will be positioned to benefit.</p>
<p>In particular, Tesla's <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/07/27/tesla-gigafactory-unveiled-an-inside-look.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Gigafactory Opens a New Window.</a>, where the company plans to build enough batteries to help support a 10-fold increase in annual vehicle production between 2015 and 2018, will likely only increase Tesla's lead over competition if EV sales take off.</p>
<p>While it's easy to assume major automakers can wield their much larger cash positions to quickly catch up to Tesla's production, this ignores the severe constraints the auto industry would face with batteries. For EVs to take off, battery production won't just need to improve, it will need to ramp up to levels that make today's global battery production look not just outdated but even archaic. Consider the scale of Tesla's Gigafactory: It aims to produce more battery capacity annually under a single roof by 2018 than was produced in the entire world during 2013.</p>
<p>Signaling the company's expectations for a massive shift in consumer interest to battery vehicles, Tesla CEO Elon Musk began referring to its Gigafactory as "Gigafactory 1" earlier this year in anticipation of more Gigafactories. Image source: Tesla Motors.</p>
<p>If Tesla's bet on long-range EVs proves to be well timed, its big, risky investments today could serve as major scale advantages for the manufacturer that could last a decade or more, enabling the company to distance itself from competition as battery suppliers scramble to catch up with Tesla's Gigafactory output as the company takes what it learned from its first Gigafactory and potentially builds more Gigafactories at an even faster pace. After all, Musk has said the Gigafactory has been <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/05/09/tesla-motors-incs-gigafactory-aspirations-are-giga.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">designed from the ground up to be easily replicated Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Of course, there are risks to adopting such an optimistic outlook for competition's impact on Tesla.</p>
<p>To start, investors can't be certain the young automaker will be able to execute on its growth ambitions as well as it plans to. If Tesla fails to ramp up vehicle production rapidly enough, the company might not successfully capitalize on the high levels of demand demonstrated by the 373,000 deposit-backed reservations customers made for the Model 3 within a month and a half of the vehicle's unveiling.</p>
<p>Further, it's possible that demand for long-range EVs won't be as substantial as Tesla hopes. If demand for long-range EVs doesn't increase significantly faster than the segment's overall production, a highly competitive environment could make sales growth challenging for Tesla.</p>
<p>Finally, if other automakers' future long-range EVs outshine Tesla vehicles in utility, style, performance, or features, Tesla may have trouble attracting new customers.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that even Tesla sincerely believes competition is in the company's best interest.</p>
<p>If this weren't the case, the company wouldn't have opened up all of its patents for competitors to use. From its battery and Supercharger technology to the user interface on the Model S touchscreen, all of Tesla's EV technology is available for competition to use freely. Going further, Tesla has even offered to share its Supercharger network with other automakers who agree to pay their vehicle fleet's share of operating costs and build vehicles that can handle the charge.</p>
<p>Indeed, Tesla remains disappointed with the pace of execution of other automakers' EV plans.</p>
<p>"I hope they move even faster than they announce," Musk said in an interview with Danish newspaper Borsen late last year. Announcements about long-range EVs like the Bolt make him "glad," he said during the interview.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Musk even recently said <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/11/25/elon-musk-thinks-gm-isnt-making-enough-all-electri.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">he doesn't think Opens a New Window.</a> General Motors is planning to make enough of its new Chevrolet Bolts.</p>
<p>Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
<p>So, will a Bolt-led surge in long-range EVs from other automakers really be a threat to Tesla? Or will a frenzied push of new, Tesla-like vehicles give a major boost to the nascent long-range EV segment and ultimately benefit Tesla?</p>
<p>Tesla is clearly betting competition is in its best interest -- and there's good reason to believe it is.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Tesla Motors When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of Nov. 7, 2016</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDanielSparks/info.aspx" type="external">Daniel Sparks Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Tesla Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Tesla Motors. The Motley Fool recommends General 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 | 2016 ends general motors nyse gm bring market first affordable fully electric car 200 miles range chevrolet bolt boast impressive 238 miles range single charge sell 37500 available select dealerships matter weeks possibly even days range price bolt may serve compelling alternative buyers interested electriccar maker tesla motorsnasdaq tsla 35000 model 3 tesla plans begin delivering late next year tesla investors worried continue reading tesla vehicles image source motley fool gms bolt new compelling longrange electric vehicle ev preview whats come gm along automakers early stages ramping ev programs indeed major automakers announced plans bring market evs 200 miles range segment currently belongs entirely tesla next five years starting gms bolt sudden concerted effort competition begin building longrange evs easy quickly conclude increased competition segment would bad news tesla automakers electric car hybrid programs combined represent less 1 total global vehicles sales investors might assume therefore new competition niche market means less opportunity tesla grow sales advertisement reasoning however fails observe bigger picture may competition hinder tesla might even serve catalyst company three reasons 1 tesla needs help educating buyers educating potential buyers electric vehicles requires significant effort tesla knows firsthand could use help bigger auto companies indeed one main reasons tesla opts sell cars directly consumers intensive education process involved convincing consumers pull trigger fully electric vehicle 2012 blog post tesla explained important education selling vehicles tesla store image source motley fool stores tesla employees much sell vehicles field questions motor battery charging home traveling addition company doesnt pay store employees commission sales unconventional move helps ensure employees dont miss opportunity educate consumers soon thanks major automakers sudden appreciation longrange electric vehicles tesla wont company planet educating customers evs 200 miles range represent compelling alternative comparably priced internal combustion engine vehicles major automakers bring longrange evs market theyll put massive networks dealerships work educating visitors electric vehicles automakers almost certainly roll major ad campaigns promote new vehicles inevitably creating awareness feasibility evs general sure tactics used competition educate potential buyers undoubtedly focus selling evs efforts also help raise consumer awareness electric vehicles 2 tesla needs detroitbased endorsement tesla oddball autos doesnt help comes convincing masses fully electric vehicles make sense detroit pumping gasguzzling trucks suvs fuelefficient vehicles hybrids tesla follows completely different path sure manufacturers selling fully electric models tesla lone wolf comes selling longrange evs aimed replace familys gas car entirely least gm begins shipping bolt tesla vehicle charging image source motley fool major automakers newfound approval longrange evs helps major automakers announcing slew plans longrange evs tesla readying model 3 highvolume production new vehicle plans make clear teslas bet evs spot could help mitigate skepticism consumers might toward teslas vehicles 3 soaring ev sales could fortify teslas lead thanks big focused bets today demand longrange evs surge automakers join 200plus mile ev race tesla positioned benefit particular teslas gigafactory opens new window company plans build enough batteries help support 10fold increase annual vehicle production 2015 2018 likely increase teslas lead competition ev sales take easy assume major automakers wield much larger cash positions quickly catch teslas production ignores severe constraints auto industry would face batteries evs take battery production wont need improve need ramp levels make todays global battery production look outdated even archaic consider scale teslas gigafactory aims produce battery capacity annually single roof 2018 produced entire world 2013 signaling companys expectations massive shift consumer interest battery vehicles tesla ceo elon musk began referring gigafactory gigafactory 1 earlier year anticipation gigafactories image source tesla motors teslas bet longrange evs proves well timed big risky investments today could serve major scale advantages manufacturer could last decade enabling company distance competition battery suppliers scramble catch teslas gigafactory output company takes learned first gigafactory potentially builds gigafactories even faster pace musk said gigafactory designed ground easily replicated opens new window course risks adopting optimistic outlook competitions impact tesla start investors cant certain young automaker able execute growth ambitions well plans tesla fails ramp vehicle production rapidly enough company might successfully capitalize high levels demand demonstrated 373000 depositbacked reservations customers made model 3 within month half vehicles unveiling possible demand longrange evs wont substantial tesla hopes demand longrange evs doesnt increase significantly faster segments overall production highly competitive environment could make sales growth challenging tesla finally automakers future longrange evs outshine tesla vehicles utility style performance features tesla may trouble attracting new customers worth noting even tesla sincerely believes competition companys best interest werent case company wouldnt opened patents competitors use battery supercharger technology user interface model touchscreen teslas ev technology available competition use freely going tesla even offered share supercharger network automakers agree pay vehicle fleets share operating costs build vehicles handle charge indeed tesla remains disappointed pace execution automakers ev plans hope move even faster announce musk said interview danish newspaper borsen late last year announcements longrange evs like bolt make glad said interview furthermore musk even recently said doesnt think opens new window general motors planning make enough new chevrolet bolts image source motley fool boltled surge longrange evs automakers really threat tesla frenzied push new teslalike vehicles give major boost nascent longrange ev segment ultimately benefit tesla tesla clearly betting competition best interest theres good reason believe 10 stocks like better tesla motors 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 motors wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns nov 7 2016 daniel sparks opens new window owns shares tesla motors motley fool owns shares recommends tesla motors motley fool recommends general 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 | 976 |
<p>The European Central Bank is likely to announce plans next month for phasing out the bond-buying program that has helped reinvigorate the eurozone economy, while the U.S. Federal Reserve is weighing how aggressively to retreat from its own easy money policies.</p>
<p>ECB President Margio Draghi signaled Thursday the bank could next month announce a plan to gradually end a program of asset purchases, known as quantitative easing or QE, in 2018. The Fed has already ended its bond purchases and is poised to announce plans in two weeks to begin reducing the $4.5-trillion portfolio of securities it accumulated during and after the 2007-2009 financial crisis. But U.S. officials are becoming hesitant about raising short-term interest rates for a third time this year, as they had anticipated doing a few months ago.</p>
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<p>A wild card for both central banks is inflation, which has remained stubbornly low despite steady hiring and a pickup in global economic growth. Officials on both continents aren't sure whether those trends are caused by short-term factors that will fade soon, or by deeper long-term changes in the fabric of the economy. If longer-term forces are holding down inflation, the central banks can afford to be patient about pulling away from low-interest-rate and bond-purchase policies.</p>
<p>The Fed is much farther along than the ECB in unwinding its stimulus programs. The Fed stopped purchasing bonds in 2014 and started raising short-term interest rates in late 2015. The ECB is only now considering an end to its bond purchases and is nowhere near considering reducing its holdings or raising its interest rates from zero and below. The ECB also faces an additional risk: Ending its bond program could further push up the euro, crimping exports, pressing down on inflation and cutting off the growth it has been trying to stimulate.</p>
<p>Investors are on edge, waiting for a clear plan from the major central banks on how quickly the era of easy money will draw to a close. The hypersensitivity of financial markets is making central bankers nervous and could delay their exit plans.</p>
<p>At a news conference on Thursday, Mr. Draghi said policy makers this week discussed options for reducing stimulus and would likely decide at their next meeting on Oct. 26 how to "calibrate" bond purchases next year. He pointed to strengthening growth across the 19-nation eurozone and early signs of an uptick in underlying inflation.</p>
<p>"We are studying what to do next year," Mr. Draghi said. "Judging by the way the work is going, we should be ready" by late October.</p>
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<p>But he also warned that the bank's next steps would depend partly on the strength of the euro, which has surged by more than 12% against the dollar over the past five months.</p>
<p>The euro seesawed during Mr. Draghi's remarks, jumping almost a cent to $1.2047 after the ECB chief unveiled higher economic growth forecasts, but later fell back to around $1.20. Yields on German government bonds slid lower.</p>
<p>"As long as the ECB is prepared to talk but not act on the exchange rate, there's little standing in the way of further euro appreciation," said Lena Komileva, an economist with G+ Economics in London.</p>
<p>Mr. Draghi gave few clues about the bank's exit plan, stressing that discussions had been "very, very preliminary" and that policy makers would await further analysis from ECB staff before deciding.</p>
<p>Pressure is building on the ECB to shift course. In Germany, Europe's largest economy, the bank's policies have been a hot topic in the campaign for national elections on Sept 24. Earlier this week German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble called for more "normal" monetary policy, pointing to the strong economic recovery.</p>
<p>Deutsche Bank chief executive John Cryan made a similar plea on Wednesday. The bank's stock was down more than 1% on Thursday after Mr. Draghi indicated that a key ECB interest rate would remain below zero for some time, regardless of the plans for QE. Negative rates tend to weigh on bank profits.</p>
<p>Like policy makers in Japan and the U.S., officials in Frankfurt are concerned that the economic recovery hasn't been accompanied by stronger inflation.</p>
<p>Several Fed officials have indicated in recent interviews and public comments they are poised to announce at their Sept. 19-20 meeting that they will start slowly shrinking the central bank's asset holdings while leaving rates unchanged.</p>
<p>The bigger question about the meeting is how many officials will again project one more interest rate increase this year, as a large majority did in June, and what Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen will publicly say on the matter in light of an inflation soft patch that has lasted longer than officials expected.</p>
<p>With the unemployment rate falling to the low range of officials' projections, most expect inflation should eventually rise to the Fed's 2% target. But because inflation has remained weak for several months and short-term interest rates have moved closer this year to their long-run level, some officials have said they want to see more evidence of a pickup in prices before moving rates up again.</p>
<p>In June, Ms. Yellen said inflation appeared to be soft due to transitory factors, including one-off price declines for a handful of items such as wireless phone plans and prescription drugs. In July, she said that was still her expectation but qualified her statement with a nod to the inherent uncertainty.</p>
<p>"It's premature to conclude that the underlying inflation trend is falling well short of 2%," Ms. Yellen told lawmakers. She added, "Policy is not something that's set in stone, and if our evaluation changes with respect to inflation, that will make a difference."</p>
<p>Several U.S. officials have said they believe tight labor markets are now forcing employers to compete for workers, a trend that should lead to rising wages and prices and justify another rate increase later this year.</p>
<p>Still, if inflation doesn't soon show signs of an upturn and the unemployment rate doesn't fall much further from its recent low of 4.3%, Fed officials could decide to forego another rate move this year.</p>
<p>ECB officials are puzzling over the same problem. Mr. Draghi argued recently that inflation is probably being held down by temporary factors, including recent declines in energy and commodity prices, a large pool of underemployed workers, and negative feedback from a long period of low inflation.</p>
<p>A central bank can typically look past such factors, Mr. Draghi said. Still, coupled with a stronger euro, they have made the ECB cautious about withdrawing its stimulus too soon.</p>
<p>Write to Tom Fairless at [email protected] and Nick Timiraos at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>September 07, 2017 18:09 ET (22:09 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | european central bank likely announce plans next month phasing bondbuying program helped reinvigorate eurozone economy us federal reserve weighing aggressively retreat easy money policies ecb president margio draghi signaled thursday bank could next month announce plan gradually end program asset purchases known quantitative easing qe 2018 fed already ended bond purchases poised announce plans two weeks begin reducing 45trillion portfolio securities accumulated 20072009 financial crisis us officials becoming hesitant raising shortterm interest rates third time year anticipated months ago continue reading wild card central banks inflation remained stubbornly low despite steady hiring pickup global economic growth officials continents arent sure whether trends caused shortterm factors fade soon deeper longterm changes fabric economy longerterm forces holding inflation central banks afford patient pulling away lowinterestrate bondpurchase policies fed much farther along ecb unwinding stimulus programs fed stopped purchasing bonds 2014 started raising shortterm interest rates late 2015 ecb considering end bond purchases nowhere near considering reducing holdings raising interest rates zero ecb also faces additional risk ending bond program could push euro crimping exports pressing inflation cutting growth trying stimulate investors edge waiting clear plan major central banks quickly era easy money draw close hypersensitivity financial markets making central bankers nervous could delay exit plans news conference thursday mr draghi said policy makers week discussed options reducing stimulus would likely decide next meeting oct 26 calibrate bond purchases next year pointed strengthening growth across 19nation eurozone early signs uptick underlying inflation studying next year mr draghi said judging way work going ready late october advertisement also warned banks next steps would depend partly strength euro surged 12 dollar past five months euro seesawed mr draghis remarks jumping almost cent 12047 ecb chief unveiled higher economic growth forecasts later fell back around 120 yields german government bonds slid lower long ecb prepared talk act exchange rate theres little standing way euro appreciation said lena komileva economist g economics london mr draghi gave clues banks exit plan stressing discussions preliminary policy makers would await analysis ecb staff deciding pressure building ecb shift course germany europes largest economy banks policies hot topic campaign national elections sept 24 earlier week german finance minister wolfgang schäuble called normal monetary policy pointing strong economic recovery deutsche bank chief executive john cryan made similar plea wednesday banks stock 1 thursday mr draghi indicated key ecb interest rate would remain zero time regardless plans qe negative rates tend weigh bank profits like policy makers japan us officials frankfurt concerned economic recovery hasnt accompanied stronger inflation several fed officials indicated recent interviews public comments poised announce sept 1920 meeting start slowly shrinking central banks asset holdings leaving rates unchanged bigger question meeting many officials project one interest rate increase year large majority june fed chairwoman janet yellen publicly say matter light inflation soft patch lasted longer officials expected unemployment rate falling low range officials projections expect inflation eventually rise feds 2 target inflation remained weak several months shortterm interest rates moved closer year longrun level officials said want see evidence pickup prices moving rates june ms yellen said inflation appeared soft due transitory factors including oneoff price declines handful items wireless phone plans prescription drugs july said still expectation qualified statement nod inherent uncertainty premature conclude underlying inflation trend falling well short 2 ms yellen told lawmakers added policy something thats set stone evaluation changes respect inflation make difference several us officials said believe tight labor markets forcing employers compete workers trend lead rising wages prices justify another rate increase later year still inflation doesnt soon show signs upturn unemployment rate doesnt fall much recent low 43 fed officials could decide forego another rate move year ecb officials puzzling problem mr draghi argued recently inflation probably held temporary factors including recent declines energy commodity prices large pool underemployed workers negative feedback long period low inflation central bank typically look past factors mr draghi said still coupled stronger euro made ecb cautious withdrawing stimulus soon write tom fairless tomfairlesswsjcom nick timiraos nicktimiraoswsjcom end dow jones newswires september 07 2017 1809 et 2209 gmt | 671 |
<p>Credit card holders that are serious about paying off high-interest credit card debt can take a number of steps to reduce their balances faster, including better budgeting and saving that goes beyond just dipping their toes in the water.</p>
<p>In the following video segment, Motley Fool analysts Michael Douglass and Nathan Hamilton talk about one credit card strategy that may make sense for cardholders who want to pay off their credit card debts faster.</p>
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<p>5 Simple Tips to Skyrocket Your Credit Score Over 800!Increasing your credit score above 800 will put you in rare company. So rare that only 1 in 9 Americans can claim they're members of this elite club. But contrary to popular belief, racking up a high credit score is a lot easier than you may have imagined following 5 simple, disciplined strategies. You'll find a full rundown of each inside our <a href="http://www.fool.com/ecap/the_motley_fool/mortgage-creditscore/?ftm_cam=the-motley-fool&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;source=ic3editxt0000001&amp;aid=8985&amp;ftm_pit=6983&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">FREE credit score guide Opens a New Window.</a>. It's time to put your financial future first and secure a lifetime of savings by increasing your credit score. Simply <a href="http://www.fool.com/ecap/the_motley_fool/mortgage-creditscore/?ftm_cam=the-motley-fool&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;source=ic3editxt0000001&amp;aid=8985&amp;ftm_pit=6983&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">click here Opens a New Window.</a>to claim a copy 5 Simple Tips to Skyrocket Your Credit Score over 800.</p>
<p>Michael Douglass: All right, so, Nathan, let's talk about paying down debt faster. One of the key ways that you would argue that we can do that effectively is by using a balance-transfer credit card. Of course, first off, what is a balance-transfer credit card?</p>
<p>Nathan Hamilton: Yeah, we'll get down to the Balance Transfer 101, essentially. A balance-transfer credit card is taking a balance from a card that's earning, say, a high interest rate to a new credit card offer that has what they'll call "0% introductory APR." And you're just transferring balances, and for anywhere from 12 to 21 months, you'll be able to go interest free. If you look at the actual financials or the economics of why it makes sense, if you think about it in investing terms, we're The Motley Fool, born and bred investors; we essentially aim for outperforming the market by a small percentage point, say, 8% per year. Over time, that compounds in our favor and turns into a meaningful sum.</p>
<p>Now, when you're paying that out in interest, and many times double that rate, sometimes it's as high as 29.99% for a credit card APR, you can see where it starts to make sense and say, "OK, I've got to do whatever I can in my power to pay down debt faster so I can start securing financial security, paying the kid's tuition, any of the regular, bigger life purchases or investing in your future."</p>
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<p>Douglass: Yeah, absolutely. It totally makes sense when you have a balance, and you don't want to pay interest on it to go ahead and do that balance transfer and then attempt to pay it off during that time. One of the nice things here is that, if you had, let's say, I'm making up the numbers here, but a $250 payment, $200 of which was principal and $50 of which was interest, well then, suddenly, that $250 can now be used 100% for principal, which can enable you to pay it down faster and not be incurring interest charges.</p>
<p>Hamilton: And the one thing to point out, just to kind of put it in dollars and cents, I've worked out a calculation here. An average balance transfer credit card APR is going to be around 18.49%. If you were to pay down a $10,000 balance over three years, you're incurring $3,103 in interest charges alone. Now, there aren't balance-transfer cards out there than span three years, but 21 months for some cards that we've seen on the market is a significant amount of time to give you some leeway and start chipping away at that debt faster. So it certainly makes sense.</p>
<p>I would say, one big thing to look at is, there are so many credit cards on the market that offer no annual fee. Definitely focus on those when you're looking at a balance-transfer credit card, because there really shouldn't be any annual-fee out-of-pocket cost, and there are some balance-transfer credit cards that will even waive the balance-transfer fee.</p>
<p>Douglass: Nice. Of course, many times you need good credit to do a balance-transfer card, but you don't always have to have really great credit. Sometimes you can just do it with fair credit. Of course, if you've got poor credit, that tends to be kind of a different situation, but something for us to keep in mind.</p>
<p>Hamilton: Yeah, if you look at sort of credit score requirements, fair credit and better will generally get you a balance-transfer credit card. And fair credit, where we put that on a FICO score range, is kind of low to mid-600s, and as you go up the spectrum, as you get excellent credit, you're going to qualify for those, say, 21-month offers. Even in some cases, you may qualify with good credit.</p>
<p>Douglass: Absolutely. Cool, well, as always, we've got a lot more information, including some free guides, at <a href="https://www.fool.com/credit-cards/?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">fool.com/creditcards Opens a New Window.</a>. We've got the picks for the best balance-transfer credit cards and a free guide, "5 Steps to Increase Your Credit Score Over 800." I am trying two of the tips from that, and so I'm very excited to see what my credit score will hopefully look like in a couple of months.</p>
<p>Hamilton: Yeah, let us know.</p>
<p>Douglass: Thanks, Nathan.</p>
<p>Hamilton: Thank you.</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 | credit card holders serious paying highinterest credit card debt take number steps reduce balances faster including better budgeting saving goes beyond dipping toes water following video segment motley fool analysts michael douglass nathan hamilton talk one credit card strategy may make sense cardholders want pay credit card debts faster continue reading 5 simple tips skyrocket credit score 800increasing credit score 800 put rare company rare 1 9 americans claim theyre members elite club contrary popular belief racking high credit score lot easier may imagined following 5 simple disciplined strategies youll find full rundown inside free credit score guide opens new window time put financial future first secure lifetime savings increasing credit score simply click opens new windowto claim copy 5 simple tips skyrocket credit score 800 michael douglass right nathan lets talk paying debt faster one key ways would argue effectively using balancetransfer credit card course first balancetransfer credit card nathan hamilton yeah well get balance transfer 101 essentially balancetransfer credit card taking balance card thats earning say high interest rate new credit card offer theyll call 0 introductory apr youre transferring balances anywhere 12 21 months youll able go interest free look actual financials economics makes sense think investing terms motley fool born bred investors essentially aim outperforming market small percentage point say 8 per year time compounds favor turns meaningful sum youre paying interest many times double rate sometimes high 2999 credit card apr see starts make sense say ok ive got whatever power pay debt faster start securing financial security paying kids tuition regular bigger life purchases investing future advertisement douglass yeah absolutely totally makes sense balance dont want pay interest go ahead balance transfer attempt pay time one nice things lets say im making numbers 250 payment 200 principal 50 interest well suddenly 250 used 100 principal enable pay faster incurring interest charges hamilton one thing point kind put dollars cents ive worked calculation average balance transfer credit card apr going around 1849 pay 10000 balance three years youre incurring 3103 interest charges alone arent balancetransfer cards span three years 21 months cards weve seen market significant amount time give leeway start chipping away debt faster certainly makes sense would say one big thing look many credit cards market offer annual fee definitely focus youre looking balancetransfer credit card really shouldnt annualfee outofpocket cost balancetransfer credit cards even waive balancetransfer fee douglass nice course many times need good credit balancetransfer card dont always really great credit sometimes fair credit course youve got poor credit tends kind different situation something us keep mind hamilton yeah look sort credit score requirements fair credit better generally get balancetransfer credit card fair credit put fico score range kind low mid600s go spectrum get excellent credit youre going qualify say 21month offers even cases may qualify good credit douglass absolutely cool well always weve got lot information including free guides foolcomcreditcards opens new window weve got picks best balancetransfer credit cards free guide 5 steps increase credit score 800 trying two tips im excited see credit score hopefully look like couple months hamilton yeah let us know douglass thanks nathan hamilton thank motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 528 |
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<p>Many income-focused investors look to the consumer-staples sector for ideas, since its products tend to be in demand regardless of economic factors. One of the most popular dividend-paying stocks from the sector isProcter &amp; Gamble , which has a storied history of showering its investors with dividends in both good times and bad. However, while Procter &amp; Gamble's dividend yield is a strong 3.3%, we Fools think there are several stocks worth buying right now that offer up a higher payout.</p>
<p>We asked our team of Motley Fool contributors to scour the investing landscape and highlight a stock that has a bigger dividend than Procter &amp; Gamble. Read on for their answers.</p>
<p>: AT&amp;T operates in a challenging industry. Most telecom operators are having a hard time trying to find new growth opportunities, and pricing competition among the leading industry players is putting downward pressure on profit margins. On the other hand, being a stable and mature company, the business produces huge sums of cash on a recurrent basis, a key advantage to consider when searching for the best dividend stocks.</p>
<p>AT&amp;T generated $35.9 billion in operating cash flow during 2015, and the company allocated nearly $20 billion to capital expenditures over the year, leaving $15.9 billion in free cash flow to reward investors with dividends, among other possible uses. Dividend payments over 2015 amounted to $10.2 billion, or 64% of free cash flow during the year, so AT&amp;T has the financial strength to sustain dividend payments going forward.</p>
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<p>Importantly, management believes the company is well on track to producing more than enough cash to cover financial needs, reinvestments, and dividends in the coming years. In the words of senior EVP and CFOJohn J. Stephens, during AT&amp;T's earnings conference call: "We're proud of our ability to generate cash. This gives us the financial strength to invest in our business, reduce debt, and return substantial value to our shareholders."</p>
<p>AT&amp;T has an impressive track record of dividend growth over the long term. The company has raised dividends every year since 1984, accumulating 32 consecutive years of consistent dividend growth under all kinds of economic scenarios. At current prices, AT&amp;T stock is paying a succulent dividend yield of nearly 5%.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/Nehams/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Neha Chamaria Opens a New Window.</a>: I love diversified companies when it comes to dividends. Diversity averages out fluctuations and risks across industries to a huge extent, saving a company's top and bottom lines from wild swings. Case in point: 3M.</p>
<p>You may recognize 3M for its Scotch tape and Post-it Notes, but its wide range of products serve nearly every key sector you can think of, be it healthcare, automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, manufacturing, or electronics. Not surprisingly, the conglomerate has grown its net income and free cash flow by 44% and 94%, respectively, during the past decade and has raised its dividend for 57 consecutive years.</p>
<p>If you're wondering whether 3M can continue its winning dividend streak, you needn't worry. The company is currently paying out only about half its profits and free cash flow in dividends. Comparatively, Procter &amp; Gamble is paying out nearly 88% of its profits and 62% of its free cash flow.</p>
<p>In other words, 3M has enough room to increase its dividends in the years to come without jeopardizing its interest payments or growth initiatives. In fact, debt and interest burden shouldn't be a concern at all for 3M in the near future, given its whopping interest coverage of 47, meaning the company's earnings can currently cover its interest payments 47 times over. As for profits, 3M projects its earnings per share to grow between 8% and 11% through 2020. Procter &amp; Gamble doesn't have a similar vision to offer, so you may safely expect fatter paychecks from 3M going forward.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDirtyBird/info.aspx" type="external">Tyler Crowe:</a>Nowadays, there are plenty of companies in the energy space that have dividend yields higher than Procter &amp; Gamble. The problem is finding one that has a higher yield and isn't at risk of having its dividend cut. In that case, it really narrows things down a bit. If you want both a higher yieldandsome reassurance that it isn't a high-yield trap, then you should look at Magellan Midstream Partners and its 4.78% yield.</p>
<p>The reason Magellan's payout looks sustainable is the company's business model. A vast majority of the company's pipeline and transportation infrastructure is dedicated to refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel, two products that have pretty inelastic demand. Also, most of its revenue is from fee-based contracts that largely insulate it from commodity prices. In fact, a large percentage of the company's pipelines are regulated much like a utility because of a lack of competition.</p>
<p>But the real differentiator for Magellan is the conservative manner in which management has manged its growth and payout to shareholders. Unlike other pipeline operators that binged on debt recently and paid out all cash inflows to shareholders, Magellan has kept a more modest debt profile to secure an investment-grade rating while retaining high levels of cash to pay for growth projects.</p>
<p>Magellan may not have as high of a yield as other companies in the energy space, but the chances of a cut are very low. That's what matters when it comes to dividend investing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fool.com/author/14471/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Brian Feroldi: Opens a New Window.</a>If big dividends are what you're after, I'd suggest taking a closer look at the energy sector, which is littered with companies that offer huge yields.</p>
<p>One interesting choice is Oneok , the general partner of Oneok Partners .Oneok holds a 41% ownership position in Oneok Partners, itself a master limited partnership primarily focused on gathering, treating, transporting, and processing natural gas.</p>
<p>The collapse in commodity prices has put Oneok Partners' business under a lot of pressure, which in turn has caused shares of both companies to plunge. As a result, the yields on both stocks have skyrocketed. Oneok's yield is currently north of 8%, while Oneok Partners tops 10%.</p>
<p>Of course, a high yield is tempting only if the company can afford to continue to pay it, which is why Oneok has taken a number of actions recently to ensure that will happen. Over the past year it has renegotiated many of its contracts so that it has much less commodity price exposure. In fact, in 2016, more than 85% of its profits are expected to come from fee-based activities, which don't fluctuate with energy prices. That's up sharply from 66% in 2014.</p>
<p>Moves like this helped Oneok Partners to stabilize its business, and its distribution coverage ratio stood at 1.03 in the fourth quarter, up from only 0.60 in the first quarter.</p>
<p>PHOTO CREDIT ROBZOR ON PIXABAY.</p>
<p>You might be tempted to invest in Oneok Partners because of its higher dividend yield, but I think Oneok is the better buy because of its incentive distribution rights. Those rights entitle Oneok to receive an increasing share of Oneok Partners' profits after certain distribution milestones are reached, which should allow it to grow its profits and dividends far more quickly that Oneok Partners does once commodity prices recover. That gives investors a chance to capture big capital gains growth in addition to a big yield.</p>
<p>To be clear, Oneok stock is far from a risk-free investment, given that the energy sector is rife with uncertainty. However, I think Oneok stock is trading at a compelling enough valuation and offers a high enough dividend yield that any investor brave enough buy shares is being well compensated for the risk.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/25/5-stocks-with-bigger-dividends-than-procter-gamble.aspx" type="external">4 Stocks With Bigger Dividends Than Procter &amp; Gamble 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> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTypeoh/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Brian Feroldi Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Oneok. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/Nehams/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Neha Chamaria</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDirtyBird/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Tyler Crowe Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Magellan Midstream Partners. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Oneok. The Motley Fool recommends Magellan Midstream Partners, Oneok Partners, and Procter &amp; Gamble. 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 | photo credit simon cunningham flickr continue reading many incomefocused investors look consumerstaples sector ideas since products tend demand regardless economic factors one popular dividendpaying stocks sector isprocter amp gamble storied history showering investors dividends good times bad however procter amp gambles dividend yield strong 33 fools think several stocks worth buying right offer higher payout asked team motley fool contributors scour investing landscape highlight stock bigger dividend procter amp gamble read answers atampt operates challenging industry telecom operators hard time trying find new growth opportunities pricing competition among leading industry players putting downward pressure profit margins hand stable mature company business produces huge sums cash recurrent basis key advantage consider searching best dividend stocks atampt generated 359 billion operating cash flow 2015 company allocated nearly 20 billion capital expenditures year leaving 159 billion free cash flow reward investors dividends among possible uses dividend payments 2015 amounted 102 billion 64 free cash flow year atampt financial strength sustain dividend payments going forward photo credit unsplash pixabay advertisement importantly management believes company well track producing enough cash cover financial needs reinvestments dividends coming years words senior evp cfojohn j stephens atampts earnings conference call proud ability generate cash gives us financial strength invest business reduce debt return substantial value shareholders atampt impressive track record dividend growth long term company raised dividends every year since 1984 accumulating 32 consecutive years consistent dividend growth kinds economic scenarios current prices atampt stock paying succulent dividend yield nearly 5 neha chamaria opens new window love diversified companies comes dividends diversity averages fluctuations risks across industries huge extent saving companys top bottom lines wild swings case point 3m may recognize 3m scotch tape postit notes wide range products serve nearly every key sector think healthcare automotive oil gas aerospace manufacturing electronics surprisingly conglomerate grown net income free cash flow 44 94 respectively past decade raised dividend 57 consecutive years youre wondering whether 3m continue winning dividend streak neednt worry company currently paying half profits free cash flow dividends comparatively procter amp gamble paying nearly 88 profits 62 free cash flow words 3m enough room increase dividends years come without jeopardizing interest payments growth initiatives fact debt interest burden shouldnt concern 3m near future given whopping interest coverage 47 meaning companys earnings currently cover interest payments 47 times profits 3m projects earnings per share grow 8 11 2020 procter amp gamble doesnt similar vision offer may safely expect fatter paychecks 3m going forward tyler crowenowadays plenty companies energy space dividend yields higher procter amp gamble problem finding one higher yield isnt risk dividend cut case really narrows things bit want higher yieldandsome reassurance isnt highyield trap look magellan midstream partners 478 yield reason magellans payout looks sustainable companys business model vast majority companys pipeline transportation infrastructure dedicated refined petroleum products gasoline diesel two products pretty inelastic demand also revenue feebased contracts largely insulate commodity prices fact large percentage companys pipelines regulated much like utility lack competition real differentiator magellan conservative manner management manged growth payout shareholders unlike pipeline operators binged debt recently paid cash inflows shareholders magellan kept modest debt profile secure investmentgrade rating retaining high levels cash pay growth projects magellan may high yield companies energy space chances cut low thats matters comes dividend investing brian feroldi opens new windowif big dividends youre id suggest taking closer look energy sector littered companies offer huge yields one interesting choice oneok general partner oneok partners oneok holds 41 ownership position oneok partners master limited partnership primarily focused gathering treating transporting processing natural gas collapse commodity prices put oneok partners business lot pressure turn caused shares companies plunge result yields stocks skyrocketed oneoks yield currently north 8 oneok partners tops 10 course high yield tempting company afford continue pay oneok taken number actions recently ensure happen past year renegotiated many contracts much less commodity price exposure fact 2016 85 profits expected come feebased activities dont fluctuate energy prices thats sharply 66 2014 moves like helped oneok partners stabilize business distribution coverage ratio stood 103 fourth quarter 060 first quarter photo credit robzor pixabay might tempted invest oneok partners higher dividend yield think oneok better buy incentive distribution rights rights entitle oneok receive increasing share oneok partners profits certain distribution milestones reached allow grow profits dividends far quickly oneok partners commodity prices recover gives investors chance capture big capital gains growth addition big yield clear oneok stock far riskfree investment given energy sector rife uncertainty however think oneok stock trading compelling enough valuation offers high enough dividend yield investor brave enough buy shares well compensated risk article 4 stocks bigger dividends procter amp gamble opens new window originally appeared foolcom andrs cardenal opens new window position stocks mentioned brian feroldi opens new window owns shares oneok neha chamaria position stocks mentioned tyler crowe opens new window owns shares magellan midstream partners motley fool owns shares recommends oneok motley fool recommends magellan midstream partners oneok partners procter amp gamble 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 | 865 |
<p>Snap (NYSE: SNAP) will report its second-quarter earnings after the closing bell on Thursday. It's just the Snapchat operator's second earnings report as a publicly traded company, but it will be under intense scrutiny after failing to impress in the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/05/21/snap-earnings-everything-you-need-to-know.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=1d278a8c-7d2f-11e7-841c-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">first quarter</a>.</p>
<p>Investors have called into question Snap's ability to grow users on its Snapchat platform in the presence of intense competition from Facebook (NASDAQ: FB). Meanwhile, despite improving engagement metrics, increasing average revenue per user (ARPU) still remains a challenge. Snap investors should also keep an eye on Snap's cost of revenue and some key operating expenses when it reports.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Here's a more detailed look at what to watch when Snap reports its second-quarter earnings.</p>
<p>Wall Street analysts expect Snap to continue growing its revenue year over year as well as posting a sequential increase from the first quarter. The sequential increase, however, isn't unique to Snap; it's a seasonal effect of the advertising market. Facebook, for example, posted a 16% sequential revenue increase last quarter.</p>
<p>Snap, by comparison, is expected to grow the top line about 25%, which isn't much faster than Facebook considering the growth expectations for Snap just a few months ago.</p>
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<p>Snap's user growth has slowed considerably over the past year. The slowdown coincides with the release of Instagram Stories, which co-opts one of the core functions of Snapchat. Instagram is owned by Facebook. Snap said the slowdown is related to its feature release schedule, and investors should expect user growth to come in spurts. Not many investors are buying that, though, and the numbers aren't helping.</p>
<p>Last quarter, Snap added just 8 million daily active users to Snapchat, bringing its total to 166 million. This quarter, analysts are expecting even fewer. RBC Capital Markets analysts are predicting just 7 million net new users.</p>
<p>While user growth expectations aren't extremely high, it's still the most important metric investors need to watch. Growth in users shows improved potential for Snap to generate revenue and make a profit. And considering Snap doesn't currently make a profit, that's all its stock trades on -- potential.</p>
<p>Fueling the low expectations is the growth of Instagram Stories, which recently announced 250 million daily users. What's more, Instagram just announced its younger users spend <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/05/people-spend-as-much-time-on-instagram-as-snapchat.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=1d278a8c-7d2f-11e7-841c-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">32 minutes per day</a> in the app on average. Facebook users spend an average of more than 50 minutes per day across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. As Instagram continues to capture users' attention, they have less reason to download and use Snapchat.</p>
<p>In order for Snap to reach lofty revenue expectations for the next three years, it needs to start growing ARPU. Last quarter, Snap saw a decline in ARPU from $1.05 in the fourth quarter to $0.90. That decline is in line with seasonal trends, but Snap is still early in the monetization stage for Snapchat, so it doesn't bode well for its continued growth.</p>
<p>Look for ARPU to bounce back above the $1.05 Snap posted in the fourth quarter. There are some factors that could prevent that from happening, though. For example, the company aggressively pursued new advertisers by <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/05/31/snap-is-so-desperate-for-ad-dollars-its-giving-out.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=1d278a8c-7d2f-11e7-841c-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">giving out coupons</a> for its advertising. That said, the new self-serve platform may have brought on enough new advertisers to increase the ad load on Snapchat Stories and improve ARPU.</p>
<p>While the main focus for most investors when Snap reports earnings will be its top-line and user growth, don't ignore its expenses.</p>
<p>Snap's cost of revenue should benefit from its <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/05/15/snaps-big-cloud-deals-are-already-paying-off.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=1d278a8c-7d2f-11e7-841c-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">long-term cloud deals</a>. Last quarter it reduced hosting costs by 13% over the fourth quarter despite adding more users and increasing engagement. Hosting costs are far and away the biggest portion of cost of revenue, so continued improvement should help improve gross margin.</p>
<p>On the other side, Snap's revenue-sharing expense may continue to grow as it looks to partner with more content producers to keep its audience engaged. If a significant portion of its revenue growth stems from its Discover platform, it'll be offset by the cost of its revenue-share agreements.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Snap also has room to improve its operating expenses. It's been ramping up its sales and marketing expenses as it grows its top line, but the introduction of the self-serve platform last quarter could help produce some operating leverage. While the self-serve platform was only live for a month or so last quarter, watch for management's comments on the operating margin impact.</p>
<p>Overall, Snap's second-quarter results should prove extremely interesting.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Snap 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>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of August 1, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/adamlevy/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=1d278a8c-7d2f-11e7-841c-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Adam Levy</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Facebook. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=1d278a8c-7d2f-11e7-841c-0050569d32b9&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p> | true | 0 | snap nyse snap report secondquarter earnings closing bell thursday snapchat operators second earnings report publicly traded company intense scrutiny failing impress first quarter investors called question snaps ability grow users snapchat platform presence intense competition facebook nasdaq fb meanwhile despite improving engagement metrics increasing average revenue per user arpu still remains challenge snap investors also keep eye snaps cost revenue key operating expenses reports continue reading heres detailed look watch snap reports secondquarter earnings wall street analysts expect snap continue growing revenue year year well posting sequential increase first quarter sequential increase however isnt unique snap seasonal effect advertising market facebook example posted 16 sequential revenue increase last quarter snap comparison expected grow top line 25 isnt much faster facebook considering growth expectations snap months ago advertisement snaps user growth slowed considerably past year slowdown coincides release instagram stories coopts one core functions snapchat instagram owned facebook snap said slowdown related feature release schedule investors expect user growth come spurts many investors buying though numbers arent helping last quarter snap added 8 million daily active users snapchat bringing total 166 million quarter analysts expecting even fewer rbc capital markets analysts predicting 7 million net new users user growth expectations arent extremely high still important metric investors need watch growth users shows improved potential snap generate revenue make profit considering snap doesnt currently make profit thats stock trades potential fueling low expectations growth instagram stories recently announced 250 million daily users whats instagram announced younger users spend 32 minutes per day app average facebook users spend average 50 minutes per day across instagram facebook messenger instagram continues capture users attention less reason download use snapchat order snap reach lofty revenue expectations next three years needs start growing arpu last quarter snap saw decline arpu 105 fourth quarter 090 decline line seasonal trends snap still early monetization stage snapchat doesnt bode well continued growth look arpu bounce back 105 snap posted fourth quarter factors could prevent happening though example company aggressively pursued new advertisers giving coupons advertising said new selfserve platform may brought enough new advertisers increase ad load snapchat stories improve arpu main focus investors snap reports earnings topline user growth dont ignore expenses snaps cost revenue benefit longterm cloud deals last quarter reduced hosting costs 13 fourth quarter despite adding users increasing engagement hosting costs far away biggest portion cost revenue continued improvement help improve gross margin side snaps revenuesharing expense may continue grow looks partner content producers keep audience engaged significant portion revenue growth stems discover platform itll offset cost revenueshare agreements meanwhile snap also room improve operating expenses ramping sales marketing expenses grows top line introduction selfserve platform last quarter could help produce operating leverage selfserve platform live month last quarter watch managements comments operating margin impact overall snaps secondquarter results prove extremely interesting 10 stocks like better snap 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 investors buy right snap inc wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click learn picks stock advisor returns august 1 2017 adam levy position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends facebook motley fool disclosure policy | 536 |
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<p>DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The global economy is in better shape than it's been in years. Stock markets are booming, oil prices are on the rise again and the risks of a rapid economic slowdown in China, a major source of concern a year ago, have eased.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>And yet, as political leaders, CEOs and top bankers make their annual trek up the Swiss Alps to the World Economic Forum in Davos, the mood is anything but celebratory.</p>
<p>Beneath the veneer of optimism over the economic outlook lurks acute anxiety about an increasingly toxic political climate and a deep sense of uncertainty surrounding the U.S. presidency of Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on the final day of the forum.</p>
<p>Last year, the consensus here was that Trump had no chance of being elected. His victory, less than half a year after Britain voted to leave the European Union, was a slap at the principles that elites in Davos have long held dear, from globalization and free trade to multilateralism.</p>
<p>Trump is the poster child for a new strain of populism that is spreading across the developed world and threatening the post-war liberal democratic order. With elections looming in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and possibly Italy, this year, the nervousness among Davos attendees is palpable.</p>
<p>"Regardless of how you view Trump and his positions, his election has led to a deep, deep sense of uncertainty and that will cast a long shadow over Davos," said Jean-Marie Guehenno, CEO of International Crisis Group, a conflict resolution think-tank.</p>
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<p>Moises Naim of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace was even more blunt: "There is a consensus that something huge is going on, global and in many respects unprecedented. But we don't know what the causes are, nor how to deal with it."</p>
<p>The titles of the discussion panels at the WEF, which runs from Jan. 17-20, evoke the unsettling new landscape. Among them are "Squeezed and Angry: How to Fix the Middle Class Crisis," "Politics of Fear or Rebellion of the Forgotten?", "Tolerance at the Tipping Point?" and "The Post-EU Era."</p>
<p>The list of leaders attending this year is also telling. The star attraction will be Xi Jinping, the first Chinese president ever to attend Davos. His presence is being seen as a sign of Beijing's growing weight in the world at a time when Trump is promising a more insular, "America first" approach and Europe is pre-occupied with its own troubles, from Brexit to terrorism.</p>
<p>British Prime Minister Theresa May, who has the thorny task of taking her country out of the EU, will also be there. But Germany's Angela Merkel, a Davos regular whose reputation for steady, principled leadership would have fit well with the WEF's main theme of "Responsive and Responsible Leadership," will not.</p>
<p>'REJOICING IN THE ELEVATORS'</p>
<p>Perhaps the central question in Davos, a four-day affair of panel discussions, lunches and cocktail parties that delve into subjects as diverse as terrorism, artificial intelligence and wellness, is whether leaders can agree on the root causes of public anger and begin to articulate a response.</p>
<p>A WEF report on global risks released before Davos highlighted "diminishing public trust in institutions" and noted that rebuilding faith in the political process and leaders would be a "difficult task."</p>
<p>Guy Standing, the author of several books on the new "precariat," a class of people who lack job security and reliable earnings, believes more people are coming around to the idea that free-market capitalism needs to be overhauled, including those that have benefited most from it.</p>
<p>"The mainstream corporate types don't want Trump and far-right authoritarians," said Standing, who has been invited to Davos for the first time. "They want a sustainable global economy in which they can do business. More and more of them are sensible enough to realize that they have overreached."</p>
<p>But Ian Bremmer, president of U.S.-based political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, is not so sure.</p>
<p>He recounted a recent trip to Goldman Sachs headquarters in New York where he saw bankers "rejoicing in the elevators" at the surge in stock markets and the prospect of tax cuts and deregulation under Trump. Both Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein and his JP Morgan counterpart Jamie Dimon will be in Davos.</p>
<p>"If you want to find people who are going to rally together and say capitalism is fundamentally broken, Davos is not the place to go," Bremmer said.</p>
<p>PACE OF CHANGE</p>
<p>Suma Chakrabarti, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), believes a "modern version of globalization" is possible but acknowledges it will take time to emerge.</p>
<p>"It is going to be a long haul in persuading a lot of people that there is a different approach. But you don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water," he told Reuters.</p>
<p>Still, some attendees worry that the pace of technological change and the integrated, complex nature of the global economy have made it more difficult for leaders to shape and control events, let alone reconfigure the global system.</p>
<p>The global financial crisis of 2008/9 and the migrant crisis of 2015/16 exposed the impotence of politicians, deepening public disillusion and pushing people towards populists who offered simple explanations and solutions.</p>
<p>The problem, says Ian Goldin, an expert on globalization and development at the University of Oxford, is that on many of the most important issues, from climate change to financial regulation, only multilateral cooperation can deliver results. And this is precisely what the populists reject.</p>
<p>"The state of global politics is worse than it's been in a long time," said Goldin. "At a time when we need more coordination to tackle issues like climate change and other systemic risks, we are getting more and more insular." (Additional reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Pravin Char)</p> | true | 0 | davos switzerland jan 15 reuters global economy better shape years stock markets booming oil prices rise risks rapid economic slowdown china major source concern year ago eased continue reading yet political leaders ceos top bankers make annual trek swiss alps world economic forum davos mood anything celebratory beneath veneer optimism economic outlook lurks acute anxiety increasingly toxic political climate deep sense uncertainty surrounding us presidency donald trump inaugurated final day forum last year consensus trump chance elected victory less half year britain voted leave european union slap principles elites davos long held dear globalization free trade multilateralism trump poster child new strain populism spreading across developed world threatening postwar liberal democratic order elections looming netherlands france germany possibly italy year nervousness among davos attendees palpable regardless view trump positions election led deep deep sense uncertainty cast long shadow davos said jeanmarie guehenno ceo international crisis group conflict resolution thinktank advertisement moises naim carnegie endowment international peace even blunt consensus something huge going global many respects unprecedented dont know causes deal titles discussion panels wef runs jan 1720 evoke unsettling new landscape among squeezed angry fix middle class crisis politics fear rebellion forgotten tolerance tipping point posteu era list leaders attending year also telling star attraction xi jinping first chinese president ever attend davos presence seen sign beijings growing weight world time trump promising insular america first approach europe preoccupied troubles brexit terrorism british prime minister theresa may thorny task taking country eu also germanys angela merkel davos regular whose reputation steady principled leadership would fit well wefs main theme responsive responsible leadership rejoicing elevators perhaps central question davos fourday affair panel discussions lunches cocktail parties delve subjects diverse terrorism artificial intelligence wellness whether leaders agree root causes public anger begin articulate response wef report global risks released davos highlighted diminishing public trust institutions noted rebuilding faith political process leaders would difficult task guy standing author several books new precariat class people lack job security reliable earnings believes people coming around idea freemarket capitalism needs overhauled including benefited mainstream corporate types dont want trump farright authoritarians said standing invited davos first time want sustainable global economy business sensible enough realize overreached ian bremmer president usbased political risk consultancy eurasia group sure recounted recent trip goldman sachs headquarters new york saw bankers rejoicing elevators surge stock markets prospect tax cuts deregulation trump goldman ceo lloyd blankfein jp morgan counterpart jamie dimon davos want find people going rally together say capitalism fundamentally broken davos place go bremmer said pace change suma chakrabarti president european bank reconstruction development ebrd believes modern version globalization possible acknowledges take time emerge going long haul persuading lot people different approach dont throw baby bath water told reuters still attendees worry pace technological change integrated complex nature global economy made difficult leaders shape control events let alone reconfigure global system global financial crisis 20089 migrant crisis 201516 exposed impotence politicians deepening public disillusion pushing people towards populists offered simple explanations solutions problem says ian goldin expert globalization development university oxford many important issues climate change financial regulation multilateral cooperation deliver results precisely populists reject state global politics worse long time said goldin time need coordination tackle issues like climate change systemic risks getting insular additional reporting ben hirschler editing pravin char | 542 |
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<p>The Wisconsin state Assembly on Friday passed a Republican plan to curb public sector union power over the fierce objections of protesters, setting the stage for a showdown with Senate Democrats who fled the state last week to prevent a vote in that chamber.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>After two all-night debating sessions and an eleventh hour Democratic bid for a compromise, the Republican-dominated Assembly abruptly ended all debate early Friday morning and approved the bill by a vote of 51 to 17.</p>
<p>The outcome of the vote, which was taken so fast many Democratic lawmakers who were outside the chamber when it was called were unable to participate, was greeted by chants of "it's not over yet" and "we are here to stay" from more than a thousand protesters who stayed to watch in the capitol rotunda overnight.</p>
<p>Tens of thousands of demonstrators, from inside and outside the state, have converged on Madison in recent days to fight the proposal, which they fear could encourage similar measures in other states and cripple the American labor movement.</p>
<p>Passage of the measure was never in doubt. So as the news sunk in among the demonstrators, the initial confusion quickly gave way and they were singing a spirited version of "We Shall Overcome" within minutes.</p>
<p>Assembly Republicans took a private elevator to an exit sealed off from protesters and did not stop for reporters.</p>
<p>After the vote, the Democrats assembled on a balcony overlooking the rotunda that has been home to tens of thousands of demonstrators, waving at the protesters and telling them the measure's prospects in the state Senate are more uncertain.</p>
<p>The protesters shouted "thank you, thank you" and pumped their fists at the lawmakers, who returned the gestures.Representative Cory Mason, a Racine Democrat, told the demonstrators he believed the abrupt vote, which occurred while several Democrats waited to be heard on the measure, was "a violation of the rules, possibly a violation of the law."</p>
<p>"What happened tonight, for those of you who don't know, was unprecedented," Mason said. "They're so desperate to take away workers they will do anything to ram this through." He predicted the move would "backfire" on the GOP.</p>
<p>Representative Barbara Toles, a Milwaukee Democrat, urged protesters to remain peaceful and promised "the fight isn't over yet."</p>
<p>SENATE STANDOFF</p>
<p>More than 50,000 demonstrators poured into the state capital of Madison over the weekend to protest against the plan. Hundreds continued to protest inside the Capitol on Thursday, turning the building into an indoor campground.</p>
<p>Newly elected Republican Gov. Scott Walker has said the measure is critical to restoring Wisconsin's financial health.</p>
<p>"This is one of the toughest votes this body has taken in decades," Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald said in a statement posted on the website WisPolitics.com. "But we are, without question, in one of the toughest economic times our state has ever seen."</p>
<p>Passage of the measure in the Assembly will not ease the Senate standoff over a plan that has generated widespread protests among Wisconsin teachers and other union members.</p>
<p>Republicans hold a 19-14 Senate majority but need a quorum of 20 to vote on spending bills. All the Democrats left the state for Illinois last Thursday because they feared they could be compelled to attend the Senate if they remained.</p>
<p>Wisconsin Republicans sent police on Thursday on an unsuccessful search for the runaways. State patrol officers were dispatched to the Democrats' homes on suspicion that some have been sleeping in their own beds at night.</p>
<p>Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he had hoped the Democrats could be convinced to return, although he acknowledged the officers cannot arrest them.</p>
<p>"It's a gesture that shows we're still serious and a call of the house should be honored," he told WisPolitics.com.</p>
<p>Walker has set a deadline of Friday for approval of the measure to give the state time to refinance bonds and make a payment on state debt that is due by March 15. He says the bill is necessary to close a budget deficit of $137 million for this fiscal year and $3.6 billion in the next two years.</p>
<p>OTHER STATES CONSIDER UNION CURBS</p>
<p>Democratic lawmakers and unionized public employees said the Walker plan is an attempt to bust the unions and choke off funding to organized labor, the largest source of funding to the <a href="" type="internal">Democratic Party</a>.</p>
<p>If Republicans prevail in Wisconsin, other states could be inspired to take on powerful public unions. Wisconsin-inspired curbs on union rights have been debated in the legislatures of other states including Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Kansas.</p>
<p>In Indiana, Democrats boycotting the state legislature appeared to score a victory on Wednesday when a "right to work" law that would restrict unions was put aside until next year.</p>
<p>But Republicans proposed a rule change to extend a reading deadline on the bills from this Friday until next Friday, March 4, to keep the bills alive, said John Schorg, media relations director for the Indiana house Democrats.</p>
<p>U.S. state and local governments are struggling to balance budgets after the recession decimated their finances. Other states like Texas, Arizona and Ohio are relying mainly on cuts in spending, while Minnesota and Illinois are raising taxes.</p>
<p>The Wisconsin changes sought by Walker would make state workers contribute more to health insurance and pensions, end government collection of union dues, let workers opt out of unions and require unions to hold recertification votes every year.</p>
<p>Collective bargaining would be allowed only on wage increases up to the rate of inflation.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p> | true | 0 | wisconsin state assembly friday passed republican plan curb public sector union power fierce objections protesters setting stage showdown senate democrats fled state last week prevent vote chamber continue reading two allnight debating sessions eleventh hour democratic bid compromise republicandominated assembly abruptly ended debate early friday morning approved bill vote 51 17 outcome vote taken fast many democratic lawmakers outside chamber called unable participate greeted chants yet stay thousand protesters stayed watch capitol rotunda overnight tens thousands demonstrators inside outside state converged madison recent days fight proposal fear could encourage similar measures states cripple american labor movement passage measure never doubt news sunk among demonstrators initial confusion quickly gave way singing spirited version shall overcome within minutes assembly republicans took private elevator exit sealed protesters stop reporters vote democrats assembled balcony overlooking rotunda home tens thousands demonstrators waving protesters telling measures prospects state senate uncertain protesters shouted thank thank pumped fists lawmakers returned gesturesrepresentative cory mason racine democrat told demonstrators believed abrupt vote occurred several democrats waited heard measure violation rules possibly violation law happened tonight dont know unprecedented mason said theyre desperate take away workers anything ram predicted move would backfire gop representative barbara toles milwaukee democrat urged protesters remain peaceful promised fight isnt yet senate standoff 50000 demonstrators poured state capital madison weekend protest plan hundreds continued protest inside capitol thursday turning building indoor campground newly elected republican gov scott walker said measure critical restoring wisconsins financial health one toughest votes body taken decades assembly speaker jeff fitzgerald said statement posted website wispoliticscom without question one toughest economic times state ever seen passage measure assembly ease senate standoff plan generated widespread protests among wisconsin teachers union members republicans hold 1914 senate majority need quorum 20 vote spending bills democrats left state illinois last thursday feared could compelled attend senate remained wisconsin republicans sent police thursday unsuccessful search runaways state patrol officers dispatched democrats homes suspicion sleeping beds night republican senate majority leader scott fitzgerald said hoped democrats could convinced return although acknowledged officers arrest gesture shows still serious call house honored told wispoliticscom walker set deadline friday approval measure give state time refinance bonds make payment state debt due march 15 says bill necessary close budget deficit 137 million fiscal year 36 billion next two years states consider union curbs democratic lawmakers unionized public employees said walker plan attempt bust unions choke funding organized labor largest source funding democratic party republicans prevail wisconsin states could inspired take powerful public unions wisconsininspired curbs union rights debated legislatures states including indiana ohio tennessee kansas indiana democrats boycotting state legislature appeared score victory wednesday right work law would restrict unions put aside next year republicans proposed rule change extend reading deadline bills friday next friday march 4 keep bills alive said john schorg media relations director indiana house democrats us state local governments struggling balance budgets recession decimated finances states like texas arizona ohio relying mainly cuts spending minnesota illinois raising taxes wisconsin changes sought walker would make state workers contribute health insurance pensions end government collection union dues let workers opt unions require unions hold recertification votes every year collective bargaining would allowed wage increases rate inflation advertisement | 527 |
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<p>“One of the most comprehensive first-person accounts of slavery comes from the personal diary of a man called Thomas Thistlewood, who kept copious notes for 39 years....In 1756, he records that ‘A slave named Darby catched eating canes; had him well flogged and pickled, then made Hector, another slave, s-h-i-t in his mouth.’ This became known as ‘Darby’s Dose,’ a punishment invented by Thistlewood that spoke only of the slave owners savagery and inhumanity.... When Mrs. Palin invoked slavery, she doesn’t just prove her rank ignorance. She confirms that if anyone truly qualified for a dose of discipline from Thomas Thistlewood, then she would be the outstanding candidate.”— MSNBC host Martin Bashir on November 15, reacting to Palin’s comparison of excessive debt to slavery. The following Monday, Bashir began his eponymous program by apologizing to Palin: “My words were wholly unacceptable....And they have brought shame upon my friends and colleagues at this network.”</p>
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<p>Co-host Matt Lauer: “He [Obama] apologized for the fact that he made a promise during the rollout, during the campaign for health-”Sarah Palin, interrupting: “Many, many, many promises.”Lauer: “-made it over and over again. Said you get to keep your existing policy if you like it. Five percent of Americans can’t keep it because it doesn’t meet the standards of the new health care law. If it turns out, Governor, that they end up — those five percent of people — with a better health insurance policy, do you think they’ll forgive him for the broken promise?”— Exchange on NBC’s Today, November 11.</p>
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<p>“Leading off tonight: Who deserves the real apology here?...The facts are that many of the same people that feel betrayed now will be thanking the President later. These are people in so-called junk plans that could bankrupt them and their families if they ever got sick.”— Fill-in host Michael Smerconish on MSNBC’s Hardball, November 8.“The apology should be coming from the conservatives. The conservatives should be apologizing for having no plan and no option for any of the people you’ve just seen illustrated on this program, and they should be apologizing to the 50 million Americans who have been without insurance because, damn it, they’ve been sick!”— Host Ed Schultz on MSNBC’s The Ed Show, November 11.</p>
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<p>“The political right in this country has reached a new low, as I said. It has shown from the beginning that President Obama doesn’t deserve the decency accorded other American presidents. His enemies have called him an illegal immigrant, a street corner con artist, a fraud, a Manchurian candidate brought to this country to undermine all we stand for. Well, now Dick Cheney comes right out and calls him a liar. When a right-wing back-bencher did that four years ago, he was called out for rebuke even by his own party. Well, now what was condemned as historic bad behavior comes snarling out of Dick Cheney’s mouth and nobody says to shut up. Well, we can argue, as we do here, about the problems implementing the Affordable Care Act. But is this, calling the President a liar, the new language of American politics? Or is it a language specially treated for the country’s first African-American president?”— Chris Matthews on Hardball, November 15.</p>
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<p>“It’s probably the most quoted thing or re-quoted thing you have said in your presidency, ‘If you like your health care plan, you can keep it.’ You said it a lot during the run-up. At this point, though, it’s obviously something — a promise that has not been able to be kept....Do you feel like you owe these folks an apology for misleading them? Even if you didn’t intentionally do it, but at this point, they feel misled.”— NBC White House correspondent Chuck Todd to President Obama in an interview segment shown on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, November 7.</p>
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<p>“You know, the number one cause of bankruptcy in United States is medical bills. And a large part of that is because there are really bad plans out there. I mean, I think this is a little bit of a red herring and, if you look at the numbers, this is a relatively small percentage of the population that we’re talking about that fits into this idea that they have plans, they want to keep them because they are buying insurance already in the individual market. But we have regulations for cars that are unsafe. People say, ‘I want to keep my Pinto. I don’t want to be forced to buy a Ferrari.’”— Weekend host Sanjay Gupta, who the Obama administration contemplated as a candidate for Surgeon General, on CNN’s Piers Morgan Live, November 12.</p>
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<p>“How can we say it’s not working when it isn’t implemented yet? How can you say premiums are skyrocketing when they haven’t put the plans into effect yet? You’re being a little dangerous with how much political spin you put on something that’s so central to the well being of so many families?”— Anchor Chris Cuomo asking GOP Senator Ted Cruz about ObamaCare on CNN’s New Day, November 20.</p>
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<p>“Why is it that all of a sudden, we have this huge conflict and this pitbull mentality that we just won’t give up? The mainstream media, I believe, wants ObamaCare to fail. They look for every negative number they can find. They’re afraid to do a positive story, because they’re afraid that somebody might not watch. The media is just cherry picking the bad facts that are out there, repeating them over and over again, and in many cases, they’re making stuff up.”— Host Ed Schultz on MSNBC’s The Ed Show, November 12.</p>
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<p>“On health care, instead of playing frickin’ defense, how about you go after the Republicans, who have 40 million people they want to commit to the emergency room? They don’t want to lift a finger for them! And the so-called independent media out there never brings it up! They have discussion after discussion of ObamaCare. They’re scoring one half of the game. The other half of the game, when the Republicans come to bat, they don’t even swing!”— Chris Matthews offering his advice for Obama on MSNBC’s Hardball, November 11.</p>
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<p>Co-host Savannah Guthrie: “You really go after conservative media....You seem to be saying talk radio is part of the problem.”MSNBC host Joe Scarborough: “Well, I mean, it’s not a part of the problem for them. They make millions and millions of dollars. I don’t knock that. You know, let everybody make millions and millions of dollars. But when they start pushing their world view on Republicans across the country and start saying, ‘You either have to run up to the barricades and fight to the death every single time or you’re not sufficiently conservative,’ and you actually have politicians listening to that and not understanding that’s a profit motive. And again, let them make their millions of dollars, but we’ve got to stop feeding every single little resentment if we want to get back into the White House.”— NBC’s Today, November 12. In 2010, Scarborough’s own radio show was cancelled after less than 18 months.</p>
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<p>“From an international perspective, I can tell you that there is a massive and mass scratching of heads as people out there look at what’s going on in the United States....They look at the extreme wing of — what they call the extreme wing of the Republican Party, and they think that’s beginning to dominate. They were incredibly nonplussed, as you know, by the shutdown, really worried in case they took it over the brink of the debt ceiling on a potential default. And people are trying to figure out what really is happening and is this now solidified in the U.S.?”— CNN’s chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour on AC360 Later, November 5.</p>
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<p>“The dirty little secret of American politics today is that this battle between President Obama and his enemies is not a contest of achievement. No, it’s a battle between a president who wants to do great things — extend health care to the tens of millions of working people, many of them poor; ending two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and preventing a third war with Iran — and an almost totally negative force arrayed and barking against him, a campaign of verbal terror and negativity aimed at denying tens of millions decent health care, denying immigrants the chance to become citizens, denying people of other sexual orientations and identities an equal chance to provide for themselves, obviously, also denying marriage equality. It’s a strange, unbalanced battle between a man who wants to do great things, and an enemy aimed at ensuring he does not.”— Chris Matthews on Hardball, November 20.</p>
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<p>“I think what’s going on here is the right-wing of this country has been a big part of the Republican coalition, and not once has Boehner or McConnell ever stood up and said, ‘Those people are unacceptable,’ in the way that Bill Buckley in the 1950s said anti-Semitism is not allowed in the American conservative coalition. Nobody says it. Nobody stands up from the middle right and says, We ain’t part of your crowd, you’re not part of ours....I look at the free ride the media has been giving the Republican Party. They get — these birthers are treated as just Southern, usually out-of-it people, Gohmert — he’s just a joke. He doesn’t matter. And yet the right-wing of the party, a quarter of them, a third of them — haters of Obama because of his background, haters!”— Host Chris Matthews on MSNBC’s Hardball, November 11.</p>
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<p>Director Oliver Stone: “I don’t know why these Republican white people — frankly, the McConnells and the — they’re strange to me. It’s almost as if we’re an apartheid state and they’re still fighting for the rights of whites in South Africa. It’s like they’re scared. So they’ve figured out with, remember Tom DeLay is another one of those horrible white people that come along and they go back to, he was crooked....Their stand on guns, their stand on white rights, the concept of blocking the voting of blacks and Hispanics, it adds up. I would think that they’re very scared this country is going to become colored.”Host Tavis Smiley: “That’s what I was getting at. They’re threatened by something. It may not that he’s doing anything, but they are threatened by something.”Stone: “But he is threatened by the fact that he is black. You know, that’s enough.”— Exchange on PBS’s Tavis Smiley, November 13.</p>
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<p>“Go to dictionary,&amp; look up The ‘C’Word,....next 2 the definition...you’ll see a Pic of Sarah PALIN ! NO...WAIT ...SHES UNDER DUMB C WORD”— Singer/actress Cher in a November 15 posting to Twitter [grammar and punctation as in the original].</p>
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Baker, Rich Noyes, Tim GrahamDEPUTY RESEARCH DIRECTOR: Geoffrey DickensNEWS ANALYSTS: Scott Whitlock, Brad Wilmouth, Matthew Balan, Kyle Drennen and Matt HadroINTERNS: Paul Bremmer, Jeffrey MeyerMEDIA CONTACT: Jeremy Little (703) 683-5004</p> | true | 0 | 160 one comprehensive firstperson accounts slavery comes personal diary man called thomas thistlewood kept copious notes 39 yearsin 1756 records slave named darby catched eating canes well flogged pickled made hector another slave shit mouth became known darbys dose punishment invented thistlewood spoke slave owners savagery inhumanity mrs palin invoked slavery doesnt prove rank ignorance confirms anyone truly qualified dose discipline thomas thistlewood would outstanding candidate msnbc host martin bashir november 15 reacting palins comparison excessive debt slavery following monday bashir began eponymous program apologizing palin words wholly unacceptableand brought shame upon friends colleagues network 160 160 cohost matt lauer obama apologized fact made promise rollout campaign healthsarah palin interrupting many many many promiseslauer made said get keep existing policy like five percent americans cant keep doesnt meet standards new health care law turns governor end five percent people better health insurance policy think theyll forgive broken promise exchange nbcs today november 11 160 160 leading tonight deserves real apology herethe facts many people feel betrayed thanking president later people socalled junk plans could bankrupt families ever got sick fillin host michael smerconish msnbcs hardball november 8the apology coming conservatives conservatives apologizing plan option people youve seen illustrated program apologizing 50 million americans without insurance damn theyve sick host ed schultz msnbcs ed show november 11 160 160 political right country reached new low said shown beginning president obama doesnt deserve decency accorded american presidents enemies called illegal immigrant street corner con artist fraud manchurian candidate brought country undermine stand well dick cheney comes right calls liar rightwing backbencher four years ago called rebuke even party well condemned historic bad behavior comes snarling dick cheneys mouth nobody says shut well argue problems implementing affordable care act calling president liar new language american politics language specially treated countrys first africanamerican president chris matthews hardball november 15 160 160 probably quoted thing requoted thing said presidency like health care plan keep said lot runup point though obviously something promise able keptdo feel like owe folks apology misleading even didnt intentionally point feel misled nbc white house correspondent chuck todd president obama interview segment shown msnbcs politicsnation november 7 160 160 know number one cause bankruptcy united states medical bills large part really bad plans mean think little bit red herring look numbers relatively small percentage population talking fits idea plans want keep buying insurance already individual market regulations cars unsafe people say want keep pinto dont want forced buy ferrari weekend host sanjay gupta obama administration contemplated candidate surgeon general cnns piers morgan live november 12 160 160 say working isnt implemented yet say premiums skyrocketing havent put plans effect yet youre little dangerous much political spin put something thats central well many families anchor chris cuomo asking gop senator ted cruz obamacare cnns new day november 20 160 160 sudden huge conflict pitbull mentality wont give mainstream media believe wants obamacare fail look every negative number find theyre afraid positive story theyre afraid somebody might watch media cherry picking bad facts repeating many cases theyre making stuff host ed schultz msnbcs ed show november 12 160 160 health care instead playing frickin defense go republicans 40 million people want commit emergency room dont want lift finger socalled independent media never brings discussion discussion obamacare theyre scoring one half game half game republicans come bat dont even swing chris matthews offering advice obama msnbcs hardball november 11 160 160 cohost savannah guthrie really go conservative mediayou seem saying talk radio part problemmsnbc host joe scarborough well mean part problem make millions millions dollars dont knock know let everybody make millions millions dollars start pushing world view republicans across country start saying either run barricades fight death every single time youre sufficiently conservative actually politicians listening understanding thats profit motive let make millions dollars weve got stop feeding every single little resentment want get back white house nbcs today november 12 2010 scarboroughs radio show cancelled less 18 months 160 160 international perspective tell massive mass scratching heads people look whats going united statesthey look extreme wing call extreme wing republican party think thats beginning dominate incredibly nonplussed know shutdown really worried case took brink debt ceiling potential default people trying figure really happening solidified us cnns chief international correspondent christiane amanpour ac360 later november 5 160 160 dirty little secret american politics today battle president obama enemies contest achievement battle president wants great things extend health care tens millions working people many poor ending two wars afghanistan iraq preventing third war iran almost totally negative force arrayed barking campaign verbal terror negativity aimed denying tens millions decent health care denying immigrants chance become citizens denying people sexual orientations identities equal chance provide obviously also denying marriage equality strange unbalanced battle man wants great things enemy aimed ensuring chris matthews hardball november 20 160 160 think whats going rightwing country big part republican coalition boehner mcconnell ever stood said people unacceptable way bill buckley 1950s said antisemitism allowed american conservative coalition nobody says nobody stands middle right says aint part crowd youre part oursi look free ride media giving republican party get birthers treated southern usually outofit people gohmert hes joke doesnt matter yet rightwing party quarter third haters obama background haters host chris matthews msnbcs hardball november 11 160 160 director oliver stone dont know republican white people frankly mcconnells theyre strange almost apartheid state theyre still fighting rights whites south africa like theyre scared theyve figured remember tom delay another one horrible white people come along go back crookedtheir stand guns stand white rights concept blocking voting blacks hispanics adds would think theyre scared country going become coloredhost tavis smiley thats getting theyre threatened something may hes anything threatened somethingstone threatened fact black know thats enough exchange pbss tavis smiley november 13 160 go dictionaryamp look cwordnext 2 definitionyoull see pic sarah palin nowait shes dumb c word singeractress cher november 15 posting twitter grammar punctation original sign receive notable quotables via email publisher l brent bozell iiieditors brent h baker rich noyes tim grahamdeputy research director geoffrey dickensnews analysts scott whitlock brad wilmouth matthew balan kyle drennen matt hadrointerns paul bremmer jeffrey meyermedia contact jeremy little 703 6835004 | 1,028 |
<p>On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of misguided " <a href="" type="internal">pussyhat"-sporting feminists</a>, women and <a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTnxBvlDSoi3ytXLv3xIYOvud0BSCXBci5bBTIYKMbc1HXJ-6eU" type="external">Pajama Boys</a> alike, participated in the Women's March on Washington to demand taxpayer-funded birth control and on-demand abortion while "protesting" President Donald Trump and alleged female oppression in America.</p>
<p>(By the way, if you contend this was wasn't their message, I recommend you check out most of the signs at the protest.)</p>
<p>Now, it's good and well to protest and voice dissent for elected officials as you wish in America, especially when the protest is actually peaceful, as the Women's March Washington was. However, the protest in it of itself lacked any semblance of reality, gainful purpose or perspective. Protesting an hours-old president for seemingly no other reason than "I didn't vote for him (or at all)," particularly under the guise of female oppression in America, is beyond ridiculous and nothing more than an exercise in virtue signaling—not that such feminists should shun exercise in any fashion. I recommend a lot of exercise for feminists, actually.</p>
<p>But the point here is, it's not productive to throw a hissy-fit in the street after your candidate loses, nor does it make sense to protest oppression that doesn't exist. You do not have a right to force me to pay for your abortion or for your birth control. Moreover, it is not a human right to dehumanize another human to the point of slaughter <a href="" type="internal">(h/t Ben Shapiro</a>).</p>
<p>So, since I'm always looking out for feminists, here are just seven issues American women should have protested on Saturday.</p>
<p>1. Female genital mutilation.</p>
<p>Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a cultural practice often forced upon young girls and women in effort to void female sexual pleasure, intending to keep girls and women chaste and sexually pure, or to prevent adultery. It often leads to medical complications and is even linked to increased death in newborns. A stunning 29 countries currently permit FGM.</p>
<p>As noted by Newsweek, <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/fgm-rates-have-doubled-us-2004-304773" type="external">FGM</a> "involves cutting the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Depending on local customs, it could also include additional modifications ranging from cutting away part of the clitoris to removing the inner and outer vaginal lips before sewing the remaining skin together, leaving a small hole for urination and menstrual blood."</p>
<p>Although this practice is illegal in the United States, the number of girls and women at risk of the practice has doubled in the last 10 years, according to <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/fgm-rates-have-doubled-us-2004-304773" type="external">available 2015 data</a>.</p>
<p>2. The mandated hijab.</p>
<p>Instead of ignorantly wearing a hijab in "solidarity" with Muslim women, American women should stand up against the often mandated head-covering Muslim women are forced to wear in public. Here's Asra Q. Nomani and Hala Arafa , Muslim women, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/21/as-muslim-women-we-actually-ask-you-not-to-wear-the-hijab-in-the-name-of-interfaith-solidarity/?utm_term=.2ed210dd78e3" type="external">writing</a> in The Washington Post:</p>
<p>As Americans, we believe in freedom of religion. But we need to clarify to those in universities, the media and discussion forums that in exploring the “hijab,” they are not exploring Islam, but rather the ideology of political Islam as practiced by the mullahs, or clerics, of Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Taliban in Afghanistan and the Islamic State.</p>
<p>In the name of “interfaith,” these well-intentioned Americans are getting duped by the agenda of Muslims who argue that a woman’s honor lies in her “chastity” and unwittingly pushing a platform to put a hijab on every woman.</p>
<p>Please do this instead: Do not wear a headscarf in “solidarity” with the ideology that most silences us, equating our bodies with “honor.” Stand with us instead with moral courage against the ideology of Islamism that demands we cover our hair.</p>
<p>3. Honor Killings.</p>
<p>Women and girls are often murdered in so-called "honor killings" after allegedly insulting Islam or simply doing something or being the victim of something a male disapproves of. Countless females have tragically been put to death by family and community members, typically in Muslim-dominated countries.</p>
<p>But this horror is growing in the United States, too. According to FBI data, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/10/honor-killing-in-us-justice-department-mulls-guidelines-as-grim-toll-rises.html" type="external">27 females</a> were "honor killed" in America in 2015:</p>
<p>“Cases of honor killings and/or violence in the U.S. are often unreported because of the shame it can cause to the victim and the victim’s family,” Farhana Qazi, a former U.S. government analyst and senior fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies on Terrorism, told FoxNews.com. “Also, because victims are often young women, they may feel that reporting the crime to authorities will draw too much attention to the family committing the crime.”</p>
<p>4. Gender segregation.</p>
<p>In many Muslim countries, women are treated as second-class citizens, barred from American commonalities, such as driving a car while female or interacting with men who are not related to them. Women are often segregated, via shunning, from public spaces.</p>
<p>This isn't exclusive to the Middle East, either. It was recently <a href="" type="internal">reported</a> that suburbs in France are being segregated; women are barred from coffee shops and restaurants for simply being female. (Note: The segregation in Europe is being highlighted here because women in France were marching against Trump, the American president, as their suburbs are being segregated as I write this.)</p>
<p>Watch:</p>
<p>5. Sex slavery.</p>
<p>There are an <a href="http://www.endslaverynow.org/learn/slavery-today/sex-trafficking" type="external">estimated 20 million-plus</a> people, mostly women and girls, who are annually exploited via <a href="http://www.endslaverynow.org/learn/slavery-today/sex-trafficking" type="external">sex slavery</a> all over the world. Below is a screenshot from the <a href="http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_181961/lang--it/index.htm" type="external">International Labour Organization</a> of where sex-slave victims are globally:</p>
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<p>6. Rampant rape in foreign countries.</p>
<p>There is a real rape culture, and it's not the one on American college campuses where a woman simply regretting sex later in the week is counted as "rape." In places like India, there is a very real and rampant rape crisis exploding. The Daily Beast <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/25/what-s-really-behind-india-s-rape-crisis.html" type="external">reports</a>:</p>
<p>In India a women is reportedly raped every 15 minutes. Multiply that by 24x7, 365 days a year. And keep in mind the majority of rape cases still go unreported. The statistics on crime against women is even worse: Every 2 minutes, a women in India is a victim of a crime. This ongoing issue with violence against women raises the real and serious question of whether India is truly ready for a seat on the global table.</p>
<p>7. The anti-choice, lucrative abortion industry.</p>
<p>The abortion industry, namely abortion giant Planned Parenthood, is actively working to keep women uninformed about abortion. Through pushes to rid legislation which inform abortion-considering mothers about their unborn baby and the stage of their development, or implement short waiting periods, desperate women are encouraged to kill their unborn child via an uninformed decision. Further, abortion advocates and entities constantly use euphemisms to mask the reality of abortion and block safety regulations to advance their cause and, more importantly, their bottom line, without so much as a care for the women they "treat."</p>
<p>This is an issue that resides right here in America, but feminists are hell-bent on ignoring victims of the abortion industry. Those women simply don't count.</p>
<p>(Also note the obvious: Millions of voiceless, unborn female babies, at times because they are female, have been murdered via abortion.)</p>
<p>These are just seven of many pressing anti-women issues that often reside right here in America, in Europe and across the globe, but were purposefully ignored at yesterday's Women's March on Washington. So, fellow females, stop complaining about imagined victimhood and start standing for the voiceless who are being oppressed right under our affluent, entitled noses.</p> | true | 0 | saturday hundreds thousands misguided pussyhatsporting feminists women pajama boys alike participated womens march washington demand taxpayerfunded birth control ondemand abortion protesting president donald trump alleged female oppression america way contend wasnt message recommend check signs protest good well protest voice dissent elected officials wish america especially protest actually peaceful womens march washington however protest lacked semblance reality gainful purpose perspective protesting hoursold president seemingly reason didnt vote particularly guise female oppression america beyond ridiculous nothing exercise virtue signalingnot feminists shun exercise fashion recommend lot exercise feminists actually point productive throw hissyfit street candidate loses make sense protest oppression doesnt exist right force pay abortion birth control moreover human right dehumanize another human point slaughter ht ben shapiro since im always looking feminists seven issues american women protested saturday 1 female genital mutilation female genital mutilation fgm cultural practice often forced upon young girls women effort void female sexual pleasure intending keep girls women chaste sexually pure prevent adultery often leads medical complications even linked increased death newborns stunning 29 countries currently permit fgm noted newsweek fgm involves cutting external female genitalia nonmedical reasons depending local customs could also include additional modifications ranging cutting away part clitoris removing inner outer vaginal lips sewing remaining skin together leaving small hole urination menstrual blood although practice illegal united states number girls women risk practice doubled last 10 years according available 2015 data 2 mandated hijab instead ignorantly wearing hijab solidarity muslim women american women stand often mandated headcovering muslim women forced wear public heres asra q nomani hala arafa muslim women writing washington post americans believe freedom religion need clarify universities media discussion forums exploring hijab exploring islam rather ideology political islam practiced mullahs clerics iran saudi arabia taliban afghanistan islamic state name interfaith wellintentioned americans getting duped agenda muslims argue womans honor lies chastity unwittingly pushing platform put hijab every woman please instead wear headscarf solidarity ideology silences us equating bodies honor stand us instead moral courage ideology islamism demands cover hair 3 honor killings women girls often murdered socalled honor killings allegedly insulting islam simply something victim something male disapproves countless females tragically put death family community members typically muslimdominated countries horror growing united states according fbi data 27 females honor killed america 2015 cases honor killings andor violence us often unreported shame cause victim victims family farhana qazi former us government analyst senior fellow center advanced studies terrorism told foxnewscom also victims often young women may feel reporting crime authorities draw much attention family committing crime 4 gender segregation many muslim countries women treated secondclass citizens barred american commonalities driving car female interacting men related women often segregated via shunning public spaces isnt exclusive middle east either recently reported suburbs france segregated women barred coffee shops restaurants simply female note segregation europe highlighted women france marching trump american president suburbs segregated write watch 5 sex slavery estimated 20 millionplus people mostly women girls annually exploited via sex slavery world screenshot international labour organization sexslave victims globally 6 rampant rape foreign countries real rape culture one american college campuses woman simply regretting sex later week counted rape places like india real rampant rape crisis exploding daily beast reports india women reportedly raped every 15 minutes multiply 24x7 365 days year keep mind majority rape cases still go unreported statistics crime women even worse every 2 minutes women india victim crime ongoing issue violence women raises real serious question whether india truly ready seat global table 7 antichoice lucrative abortion industry abortion industry namely abortion giant planned parenthood actively working keep women uninformed abortion pushes rid legislation inform abortionconsidering mothers unborn baby stage development implement short waiting periods desperate women encouraged kill unborn child via uninformed decision abortion advocates entities constantly use euphemisms mask reality abortion block safety regulations advance cause importantly bottom line without much care women treat issue resides right america feminists hellbent ignoring victims abortion industry women simply dont count also note obvious millions voiceless unborn female babies times female murdered via abortion seven many pressing antiwomen issues often reside right america europe across globe purposefully ignored yesterdays womens march washington fellow females stop complaining imagined victimhood start standing voiceless oppressed right affluent entitled noses | 696 |
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<p>As a libertarian I take a very critical view of taxes and taxation in general. &#160;Especially income taxes. &#160;But understanding that things need to be paid for I appreciate the necessity for some taxes. &#160;With that being said I initially had a knee jerk reaction when hearing that the state of Oregon was going to be placing a $15 excise tax on bicycles costing more than $200. &#160;Basically I figured another left coast state just trying to squeeze its citizens in order to pump the general slush fund that fuels government mismanagement and largesse.</p>
<p>After looking into it for a minute though, I realized that this was more of a usage tax than anything else, a form of taxation that I, as a Pennsylvania gun owner who likes to shoot at state game ranges am experienced with. &#160;You see, in Pennsylvania, up until a few years ago gun owners could use the state game land ranges for free. &#160;The cleanup and maintenance funded by hunting and furtaking license. &#160;After completing costly renovations and repairs including lead remediation, safety barrier reconstruction, shooting range redesign etc, there were not enough hunters to make up the cost and with the uptick of recreational shooters a deficit was created. &#160;Someone came up with the idea then to institute a usage tax so that if you had a hunting license of any kind you could still use the ranges for free and if you didn’t then you could purchase a range permit good for a year for $30…or simply buy a hunting license, small game or otherwise.</p>
<p>To me, this makes perfect sense. &#160;If you use the range you pay for its upkeep. &#160;It also promotes hunting which is good for conservation. &#160;I only wish more usage taxes were in place because there are plenty of things that I don’t want to pay for in Pennsylvania but have no say because my income tax and sales tax goes into a general fund. &#160;But I digress, back to Oregon.</p>
<p>It is not like the $15 excise tax is disappearing into the government bureaucracy but rather it is going directly to help bicyclists.</p>
<p>You’d think a bunch of hipster left coast progressives who love taxes would appreciate the simplicity of it all.</p>
<p>BikePortland publisher Jonathan Maus called it “an unprecedented step in the wrong direction.”</p>
<p>“We are taxing the healthiest, most inexpensive, most environmentally friendly, most efficient and most economically sustainable form of transportation ever devised by the human species.”</p>
<p>Yes, Mr. Maus…a form of transportation that needs upkeep like any other. &#160;The bike tax is aimed at raising $1.2 million per year in order to improve and expand paths and trails for bicyclists and pedestrians.</p>
<p>Sounds like Maus is almost saying that bicyclists are better than other people and don’t have to pay “their fair share.” &#160;Smug much?</p>
<p>Currently, Oregon relies on its income tax to foot the bill. &#160;In other words people who have never even sat upon a bicycle and have no interest in riding the trails has to foot the bills. &#160;How exactly is THAT fair?</p>
<p>Romain Bonilla from the Portland pro bike group, The Street Trust had this to say on the transportation package as a whole:</p>
<p>“Let’s be frank: This bike tax is very disappointing. &#160;It’s also well worth the investments in bike safety and accessibility. There are more opportunities ahead for us to stand up for our shared priorities and mitigate the negative impact of the bike tax.”</p>
<p>Basically what Bonilla is saying is that while he loves the fact that the state is pumping MILLIONS of dollars into the bicycling infrastructure of the state, he and his group fight hard to make sure that bicyclists don’t have to pay for it.</p>
<p>State Rep. Earl Blumenauer brought up a resonating point in the argument for the tax stating “One of the arguments we hear repeatedly is that cyclists don’t have any skin in the game [to justify spending millions to for bike related infrastructure]… so there’s been blowback.”</p>
<p>Yet now that the cyclists of Oregon have to pony up a little coin in order to pay for things that they personally use, they are weeping like a snowflake in summer sun.</p>
<p>And to those left coasters who think about comparing what Oregon is doing to the $25 gun tax and 5cent bullet tax that Seattle enacted let me tell you how they are different. &#160;First, those taxes go into the general fund to be wasted by the city council as they wish. &#160;Had that money been earmarked to build gun ranges, start high school gun clubs and safety classes or anything of the like it probably would have gone over better. &#160;Secondly, there are constitutional concerns about punitively taxing a right. &#160;What Seattle is doing is akin to a poll tax and should a case be made to the Supreme Court the tax is very likely to be struck down. &#160;Thirdly, the gun tax was a shame to begin with; the hopes of progressive liberals in Seattle to hamper the exercise of the right to keep and&#160;drive out its citizens who believe in the 2nd Amendment.</p>
<p>Yet in Oregon, this tax on bicycles is designed to help cyclists. &#160;Yet for some reason, those who love taxes when other people are paying them are throwing hissy fits when the taxman comes to collect from them.</p>
<p>Like I said earlier, if this Oregon tax was like the Seattle gun tax and the money was going to go to a general slush fund the cyclists would have a point. &#160;But it’s not. &#160;The money will go TO MAKE CYCLING BETTER. &#160;If you don’t want to pay for that don’t buy a bourgeois high end bike. &#160;But don’t think I am going to foot the bill so you can have safe and pretty places to ride your bike free and clear.</p>
<p>Just another example of hypocritical progressive liberals who love taxes, so long as they don’t have to pay them.</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 | libertarian take critical view taxes taxation general 160especially income taxes 160but understanding things need paid appreciate necessity taxes 160with said initially knee jerk reaction hearing state oregon going placing 15 excise tax bicycles costing 200 160basically figured another left coast state trying squeeze citizens order pump general slush fund fuels government mismanagement largesse looking minute though realized usage tax anything else form taxation pennsylvania gun owner likes shoot state game ranges experienced 160you see pennsylvania years ago gun owners could use state game land ranges free 160the cleanup maintenance funded hunting furtaking license 160after completing costly renovations repairs including lead remediation safety barrier reconstruction shooting range redesign etc enough hunters make cost uptick recreational shooters deficit created 160someone came idea institute usage tax hunting license kind could still use ranges free didnt could purchase range permit good year 30or simply buy hunting license small game otherwise makes perfect sense 160if use range pay upkeep 160it also promotes hunting good conservation 160i wish usage taxes place plenty things dont want pay pennsylvania say income tax sales tax goes general fund 160but digress back oregon like 15 excise tax disappearing government bureaucracy rather going directly help bicyclists youd think bunch hipster left coast progressives love taxes would appreciate simplicity bikeportland publisher jonathan maus called unprecedented step wrong direction taxing healthiest inexpensive environmentally friendly efficient economically sustainable form transportation ever devised human species yes mr mausa form transportation needs upkeep like 160the bike tax aimed raising 12 million per year order improve expand paths trails bicyclists pedestrians sounds like maus almost saying bicyclists better people dont pay fair share 160smug much currently oregon relies income tax foot bill 160in words people never even sat upon bicycle interest riding trails foot bills 160how exactly fair romain bonilla portland pro bike group street trust say transportation package whole lets frank bike tax disappointing 160its also well worth investments bike safety accessibility opportunities ahead us stand shared priorities mitigate negative impact bike tax basically bonilla saying loves fact state pumping millions dollars bicycling infrastructure state group fight hard make sure bicyclists dont pay state rep earl blumenauer brought resonating point argument tax stating one arguments hear repeatedly cyclists dont skin game justify spending millions bike related infrastructure theres blowback yet cyclists oregon pony little coin order pay things personally use weeping like snowflake summer sun left coasters think comparing oregon 25 gun tax 5cent bullet tax seattle enacted let tell different 160first taxes go general fund wasted city council wish 160had money earmarked build gun ranges start high school gun clubs safety classes anything like probably would gone better 160secondly constitutional concerns punitively taxing right 160what seattle akin poll tax case made supreme court tax likely struck 160thirdly gun tax shame begin hopes progressive liberals seattle hamper exercise right keep and160drive citizens believe 2nd amendment yet oregon tax bicycles designed help cyclists 160yet reason love taxes people paying throwing hissy fits taxman comes collect like said earlier oregon tax like seattle gun tax money going go general slush fund cyclists would point 160but 160the money go make cycling better 160if dont want pay dont buy bourgeois high end bike 160but dont think going foot bill safe pretty places ride bike free clear another example hypocritical progressive liberals love taxes long dont pay 160 160 tolerance comments containing violence racism vulgarity profanity caps discourteous behavior thank partnering us maintain courteous useful public environment engage reasonable discourse | 569 |
<p />
<p>RUSH: You know, Georgia’s 6th district, there’s something weird going on in this district anyway before you even get to this election today. Now, remember, Georgia 6 is the district from which Newt Gingrich came. And Newt Gingrich… This district has been in Republican hands since 1979. I think that’s longer than any district in Georgia has been in Republican hands uninterrupted. And, of course, Newt owned it, major owned it. Now yet, despite that, Donald Trump only got 48% of the vote there. Hillary got 47%.</p>
<p>Now, that is probably why the Democrats think they can win this, that one stat alone. Now, how would you explain that? A reliably Republican district by massive numbers since 1979, Trump wins it by one point, less than 50% of the vote. If I had to hazard a wild guess, it would be that there are a lot of people in that district who are rock-ribbed ideological conservatives who don’t believe Trump is one. You might have had a lot of Never Trumpers in that district that voted for Trump anyway.</p>
<p>Because if I know rock-ribbed conservatives like I know them, they’re not gonna vote for a Democrat no matter what, but in this case that was close. That’s one point in a district the Republicans win in landslides. So that number is probably why the Democrats think they have a chance here. Now, here’s more weirdness in Georgia 6. Mitt Romney got 61% there to Obama’s 38%. McCain got 62% to Obama’s 37%. So something really fishy was going on there with Trump versus Hillary. (interruption) Why are you laughing in there? You’re obviously thinking I’m implying something when I’m…</p>
<p>I’m just looking at the numbers, and it’s weird. (interruption) The Romney and McCain support came from the rock-ribbed conservatives and Trump didn’t get ’em, and some of those people actually voted for Hillary? (interruption) You think rock-ribbed conservatives…? (interruption) Well, maybe sat it out. That could be. I don’t know what the total turnout in the district was last November. We could easily find out. But wait a minute. It could well be that the district has been gerrymandered. Let’s look at this. The first election using the new district boundaries was the 2012 congressional election.</p>
<p>The Democrats have gerrymandered it somewhat, so the district is not the same as it has been since 1979, but that still doesn’t explain Romney beating Obama by such a big margin and Trump just barely squeaking by Hillary. And again a reminder: Georgia’s 6th has been represented by a Republican consistently since 1979. That’s the longest in the state of Georgia. This is Carl Vinson’s old seat. Carl Vinson is the name of the aircraft carrier Trump sent to the coast of the Norks, the nearby coast of the North Koreans. So that one-point Trump win I’m sure is why.</p>
<p>Now, the thing to remember about this, <a href="" type="internal">the Democrats don’t care about this Ossoff guy</a>. They don’t care but what he is, they don’t care about what he’s gonna do, because they know he’s gonna be a Democrat leadership robot. They don’t care about him personally. It doesn’t matter a hill of beans. All this guy represents is a chance for the news headlines already written to be published tomorrow. That’s it. They don’t care personally about this guy. I mean, they’ll make it look like they do, but that’s not why they’re behind this guy. That’s not what Samuel L. Jackson and all these other people are.</p>
<p>This one race is about creating a soap opera script or news narrative that will allow the media to say that Donald Trump’s presidency is essentially over. In such a solid Republican district, that a Democrat could come in and win a special election means the country has soured on Trump, and what that will be said to mean is, “The country now realizes it’s made a mistake. The country realized it made a huge mistake, and what the voters in Georgia were saying for all of America is, ‘Stop Trump. Prevent any more of Trump’s agenda from being implemented.'” That’s what this election with the Democrat winning it today and in the count tonight, that’s what they are hoping to be able to write.</p>
<p>Now, I can hear you saying, “But, Rush, it’s a congressional district. How can they possibly?” Because they can. They run it. They write the script. They come up with the narratives each and every day — and they’re already been running the narrative, in a sense, by all this Trump resistance. When they focus on all the protests against Trump, when they focus on all the riots, when they focus on all the acrimony — when they focus on every agenda item like health care failing, tax reform being delayed — it all goes into the hopper, “Trump isn’t wanted anymore.</p>
<p>“Voters realize that made a mistake.” They wanted to do this with the special election in Kansas, and they didn’t have a chance there because the Republicans held the district by 8%. So now, they’ve moved on to this special election. This is Tom Price’s seat. He’s now the Health and Human Services secretary. And this election, if this Ossoff guy wins it, the Democrat winning it means the Democrats get to write all those stories, under the umbrella: “America has realized it made a mistake. America regrets electing Trump. America wants Trump and Trumpism stopped.</p>
<p>“America desperate for its country back.” All of that, more times than you can count. We have the audio of the Samuel L. Jackson commercial. I actually had this on the roster yesterday, and I didn’t have a chance to get to it. This is the version… I don’t know how many versions there are, but this is the one that was running on the radio Saturday. It’s a Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee ad. That’s the bunch in the House that is tasked with the job of getting Democrats elected to the House of Representatives. They sponsored this ad, radio ad. Samuel L. Jackson…</p>
<p>JACKSON: Hi. I’m Samuel L. Jackson. There’s a special congressional election on April 18th. What can you do? Go vote! Your vote goes a long way toward setting things right in this country. Vote for the Democratic Party. Stop Donald Trump, a man who encourages racial and religious discrimination and sexism. Remember what happened the last time people stayed home; we got stuck with Trump. We have to channel the “great vengeance and furious anger” we have for this administration into votes at the ballot box. Do your friends and family a favor — hell, do yourself a favor — and vote on April 18th and make sure to vote for the Democratic Party.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />RUSH: You hear Ossoff’s name in that ad? You didn’t hear Ossoff’s name. Now, it might have been in the graphic, but there’s more than Ossoff running. But it doesn’t help the Democrats to split the vote. I think there are four Democrats running. Ossoff is one of them. He’s polling at 40%. What they really mean here is vote Ossoff. I find it fascinating they didn’t say his name. It just tells you, he’s not what this is about. Ossoff, he’s just a vehicle. He’s just essentially gonna be a robot — and if he does win, the only thing that he’s going to be able to do is whatever the leadership of the House tells him to do. That’s it, pure and simple.</p>
<p>Yeah, there was a biblical reference here. He actually used a Bible verse from the character he portrayed in the movie Pulp Fiction when he talks about vengeance and furious anger. “We have to channel the ‘great vengeance and furious anger’ we have for this administration into votes at the ballot box”. We got stuck with Trump. We don’t want to get stuck with another chump. So vote for the Democrats! But they don’t identify one. Again, it’s just a graphic, but it’s a radio ad, so there wasn’t a gray. It’s a radio ad, so there was no graphic. Don’t mention Ossoff’s name here. I mean, they could have at least said, “Vote for the guy with the girlfriend in medical school at Emory!”</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: So Samuel L. Jackson’s commercial talks about furious anger and vengeance. Do you know what Ossoff’s campaign slogan is? “Make Trump Furious.” That is the campaign slogan of the Democrat in George 6, “Make Trump Furious.”</p>
<p>Here is John in Alpharetta, Georgia. Welcome. I’m glad you waited, sir. How you doing?</p>
<p>CALLER: Mega dittos, Rush. First-time caller.</p>
<p>RUSH: Great to have you.</p>
<p>CALLER: Thank you. I’ve been listening to all the discussion of the last few callers, and they’re absolutely right. One of the things that wasn’t mentioned however was the last time Price ran, he won by something like 63 to 30 some percent. You know, he just got, you know, that much support from the conservative base in the 6th district.</p>
<p>Ossoff is from a very small — there’s only a small segment of northwest DeKalb County from which Ossoff hails from. And the rest of it is basically north Fulton, Cherokee, and then the eastern part of Cobb County, and most of that is conservative. I know a couple precinct workers who said that very few in the general election, very few people in the precincts actually voted. You’re looking at maybe 10, 15% actually came out and voted.</p>
<p>RUSH: So that’s why Trump only won it by a point?</p>
<p>CALLER: That’s right. I don’t know why they didn’t come out.</p>
<p>RUSH: I can figure that out. They just didn’t think Trump’s a conservative. They were probably a part of the Never Trumper dyed-in-the-wool conservatives. So the question — look, they are probably all gonna come out tomorrow, but look at how many ways they’re dividing their vote. There’s 11 Republicans on that ballot.</p>
<p>CALLER: Right. I’m gonna support a guy named Judson Hill. He’s a former state senator, really fine individual. But you’re absolutely right, they’re going to split the vote among all the Republicans. But like you said earlier, they do have some other Democrats who probably pick up some votes rather than Ossoff getting them. But Ossoff, I see him as just a willing pawn. You know, what does he think he’s gonna do when he gets up there? Basically Pelosi’s gonna tell him shut up, sit down, and vote the way I tell you, and that’s it. He’s all for Obamacare. He’s even said that in his advertising.</p>
<p>RUSH: Well, that’s all true. You’re a very brilliant guy. I just brilliantly made that point myself. So I’m happy to welcome you to the brilliant club. But I don’t think that should take anything away from the guy. Look, he’s running for office. We all know he’s a pawn. We all know what’s invested in the guy. We all know what the Democrats are gonna use him for. And he does too. He had willingly accepted the assignment. I don’t think this guy’s being fooled. I don’t think that they’ve made him believe he’s gonna be the next House speaker in five or 10 years.</p>
<p>He knows exactly what he’s doing. Look at his slogan. They’re running ads for the guy, they never even mention his name. Samuel L. Jackson’s radio ad said vote for the Democrat Party, not even vote for this guy. This guy’s campaign slogan is “Make Trump Furious.” This guy’s just waiting for his wife to graduate med school and then they’re off and running. He’s pretty much admitted it. And to each his own. Do not mistake any of that for any criticism. I’m just engaging in observation and analysis here. You’re of course right. The guy is a pawn. He simply serves as a placeholder, if he can win.</p>
<p>Believe me, he isn’t gonna get any credit. I mean, he’ll go out there and he’ll take the stage and he’ll do the acceptance speech and he’ll thank all the people, but he’s not gonna be treated as a conquering hero. The Democrat Party will be presented as coming back. The Democrat Party will be represented as taking the reins of power again. So he’s I’m sure fully aware of how he is been recruited and what his purpose here is. And he knows full well that if he can come through as they have set forth at the Democrat leadership, that whatever they are, good things will happen to the guy. I appreciate the call, John, very much.</p> | true | 0 | rush know georgias 6th district theres something weird going district anyway even get election today remember georgia 6 district newt gingrich came newt gingrich district republican hands since 1979 think thats longer district georgia republican hands uninterrupted course newt owned major owned yet despite donald trump got 48 vote hillary got 47 probably democrats think win one stat alone would explain reliably republican district massive numbers since 1979 trump wins one point less 50 vote hazard wild guess would lot people district rockribbed ideological conservatives dont believe trump one might lot never trumpers district voted trump anyway know rockribbed conservatives like know theyre gon na vote democrat matter case close thats one point district republicans win landslides number probably democrats think chance heres weirdness georgia 6 mitt romney got 61 obamas 38 mccain got 62 obamas 37 something really fishy going trump versus hillary interruption laughing youre obviously thinking im implying something im im looking numbers weird interruption romney mccain support came rockribbed conservatives trump didnt get em people actually voted hillary interruption think rockribbed conservatives interruption well maybe sat could dont know total turnout district last november could easily find wait minute could well district gerrymandered lets look first election using new district boundaries 2012 congressional election democrats gerrymandered somewhat district since 1979 still doesnt explain romney beating obama big margin trump barely squeaking hillary reminder georgias 6th represented republican consistently since 1979 thats longest state georgia carl vinsons old seat carl vinson name aircraft carrier trump sent coast norks nearby coast north koreans onepoint trump win im sure thing remember democrats dont care ossoff guy dont care dont care hes gon na know hes gon na democrat leadership robot dont care personally doesnt matter hill beans guy represents chance news headlines already written published tomorrow thats dont care personally guy mean theyll make look like thats theyre behind guy thats samuel l jackson people one race creating soap opera script news narrative allow media say donald trumps presidency essentially solid republican district democrat could come win special election means country soured trump said mean country realizes made mistake country realized made huge mistake voters georgia saying america stop trump prevent trumps agenda implemented thats election democrat winning today count tonight thats hoping able write hear saying rush congressional district possibly run write script come narratives every day theyre already running narrative sense trump resistance focus protests trump focus riots focus acrimony focus every agenda item like health care failing tax reform delayed goes hopper trump isnt wanted anymore voters realize made mistake wanted special election kansas didnt chance republicans held district 8 theyve moved special election tom prices seat hes health human services secretary election ossoff guy wins democrat winning means democrats get write stories umbrella america realized made mistake america regrets electing trump america wants trump trumpism stopped america desperate country back times count audio samuel l jackson commercial actually roster yesterday didnt chance get version dont know many versions one running radio saturday democrat congressional campaign committee ad thats bunch house tasked job getting democrats elected house representatives sponsored ad radio ad samuel l jackson jackson hi im samuel l jackson theres special congressional election april 18th go vote vote goes long way toward setting things right country vote democratic party stop donald trump man encourages racial religious discrimination sexism remember happened last time people stayed home got stuck trump channel great vengeance furious anger administration votes ballot box friends family favor hell favor vote april 18th make sure vote democratic party rush hear ossoffs name ad didnt hear ossoffs name might graphic theres ossoff running doesnt help democrats split vote think four democrats running ossoff one hes polling 40 really mean vote ossoff find fascinating didnt say name tells hes ossoff hes vehicle hes essentially gon na robot win thing hes going able whatever leadership house tells thats pure simple yeah biblical reference actually used bible verse character portrayed movie pulp fiction talks vengeance furious anger channel great vengeance furious anger administration votes ballot box got stuck trump dont want get stuck another chump vote democrats dont identify one graphic radio ad wasnt gray radio ad graphic dont mention ossoffs name mean could least said vote guy girlfriend medical school emory break transcript rush samuel l jacksons commercial talks furious anger vengeance know ossoffs campaign slogan make trump furious campaign slogan democrat george 6 make trump furious john alpharetta georgia welcome im glad waited sir caller mega dittos rush firsttime caller rush great caller thank ive listening discussion last callers theyre absolutely right one things wasnt mentioned however last time price ran something like 63 30 percent know got know much support conservative base 6th district ossoff small theres small segment northwest dekalb county ossoff hails rest basically north fulton cherokee eastern part cobb county conservative know couple precinct workers said general election people precincts actually voted youre looking maybe 10 15 actually came voted rush thats trump point caller thats right dont know didnt come rush figure didnt think trumps conservative probably part never trumper dyedinthewool conservatives question look probably gon na come tomorrow look many ways theyre dividing vote theres 11 republicans ballot caller right im gon na support guy named judson hill hes former state senator really fine individual youre absolutely right theyre going split vote among republicans like said earlier democrats probably pick votes rather ossoff getting ossoff see willing pawn know think hes gon na gets basically pelosis gon na tell shut sit vote way tell thats hes obamacare hes even said advertising rush well thats true youre brilliant guy brilliantly made point im happy welcome brilliant club dont think take anything away guy look hes running office know hes pawn know whats invested guy know democrats gon na use willingly accepted assignment dont think guys fooled dont think theyve made believe hes gon na next house speaker five 10 years knows exactly hes look slogan theyre running ads guy never even mention name samuel l jacksons radio ad said vote democrat party even vote guy guys campaign slogan make trump furious guys waiting wife graduate med school theyre running hes pretty much admitted mistake criticism im engaging observation analysis youre course right guy pawn simply serves placeholder win believe isnt gon na get credit mean hell go hell take stage hell acceptance speech hell thank people hes gon na treated conquering hero democrat party presented coming back democrat party represented taking reins power hes im sure fully aware recruited purpose knows full well come set forth democrat leadership whatever good things happen guy appreciate call john much | 1,098 |
<p />
<p>Deciding between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans is a key thing to consider. Image: Medicare.gov.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Healthcare is an essential need for everyone, and it becomes even more important as you age and require more medical services. The Medicare program is a vital component of getting American seniors the healthcare they need, but it comes with some rules that many people find confusing or difficult to follow. Below, we've called out five key Medicare rules that should be foremost on your mind as you prepare for your golden years.</p>
<p>1. When to apply for Medicare Most people become eligible to receive Medicare when they reach age 65. As long as you or your spouse worked long enough to get Medicare coverage -- typically 10 years -- then it makes sense to apply for free hospital coverage under Medicare Part A at your earliest opportunity. You can file an application for Medicare as early as three months before you turn 65. Moreover, if you've applied for Social Security benefits earlier than that, then your Medicare Part A coverage will typically begin automatically on your 65th birthday.</p>
<p>Medicare Part B medical care coverage requires paying a monthly premium, so if you have other sources of coverage, you might not want to enroll automatically in the program. For instance, those who have group health coverage under an employer plan can wait beyond age 65 to sign up for Medicare Part B, and then sign up later when their other coverage ends. Again, though, applying three months prior to turning 65 is the best time to get Part B, and you can get automatic coverage if you so choose if you apply for early Social Security benefits.</p>
<p>2. Penalties for applying late for MedicareThe reason it's important to apply for Medicare at the right time is that you can owe penalties if you get coverage late. Those who qualify for premium-free Part A coverage won't face late penalties, but for Part B coverage, every 12 months that you go without enrolling when you should have will send your monthly premiums up by 10% for the rest of your life. Part D prescription drug coverage penalties for applying late can also apply if you chose not to get a policy when you were first able to do so.</p>
<p>As discussed above, some people have other sources of coverage through work or a spouse's health plan. Such people get a special enrollment period starting the month after the qualifying coverage ends and extending for eight months. As long as you sign up for Medicare during that period, you typically won't owe a penalty.</p>
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<p>3. What Medicare Advantage plans offer that original Medicare doesn'tMedicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, have features that traditional Medicare doesn't. Most Medicare Advantage plans are designed to have more complete coverage than traditional Medicare, offering out-of-pocket maximums and different copayment and coinsurance options that can change the amount you have to pay for medical services. By using managed care options, Medicare Advantage plans can cut costs and pass on savings to policyholders through better benefits or lower premiums. However, these plans can also have restrictions on which medical professionals you can use to take advantage of the best coverage options available. It pays to look closely at all your options to pick the one that best fits your needs.</p>
<p>4. When you can change your coverageAnnual enrollment periods allow you to switch between different Medicare offerings. From October 15 to December 7, you can change between original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage Plan, or you can switch between Medicare Advantage plans. You can also make changes to your prescription drug coverage during that period, whether it involves getting an integrated Medicare Advantage plan that offers such coverage or getting a separate policy under Medicare Part D.</p>
<p>A second period specifically allows you to go from a Medicare Advantage plan back to original Medicare, but no other changes are allowed. This period extends from January 1 to February 14.</p>
<p>5. How to deal with disputes over coverageYou're allowed to appeal a decision that Medicare or a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan provider makes concerning your coverage. If you're denied coverage, then you'll typically go through a five-step process. First, you can seek a redetermination by the company handling claims for Medicare. If that doesn't work, then a qualified independent contractor will reconsider the decision. Your next recourse is a hearing before an administrative law judge, and if that fails, then a Medicare Appeals Council can review the case. Finally, you have the right to take the case to federal court for a judicial review.</p>
<p>Medicare is an essential part of your financial planning, and understanding these rules will go a long way to making sure you have the coverage you deserve. Keep these rules in mind, and you'll be able to make better decisions about Medicare when the time comes.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/general/2016/05/01/5-medicare-rules-you-should-know-by-heart.aspx" type="external">5 Medicare Rules You Should Know By Heart Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p>Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">free for 30 days 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 | deciding original medicare medicare advantage plans key thing consider image medicaregov continue reading healthcare essential need everyone becomes even important age require medical services medicare program vital component getting american seniors healthcare need comes rules many people find confusing difficult follow weve called five key medicare rules foremost mind prepare golden years 1 apply medicare people become eligible receive medicare reach age 65 long spouse worked long enough get medicare coverage typically 10 years makes sense apply free hospital coverage medicare part earliest opportunity file application medicare early three months turn 65 moreover youve applied social security benefits earlier medicare part coverage typically begin automatically 65th birthday medicare part b medical care coverage requires paying monthly premium sources coverage might want enroll automatically program instance group health coverage employer plan wait beyond age 65 sign medicare part b sign later coverage ends though applying three months prior turning 65 best time get part b get automatic coverage choose apply early social security benefits 2 penalties applying late medicarethe reason important apply medicare right time owe penalties get coverage late qualify premiumfree part coverage wont face late penalties part b coverage every 12 months go without enrolling send monthly premiums 10 rest life part prescription drug coverage penalties applying late also apply chose get policy first able discussed people sources coverage work spouses health plan people get special enrollment period starting month qualifying coverage ends extending eight months long sign medicare period typically wont owe penalty advertisement 3 medicare advantage plans offer original medicare doesntmedicare advantage plans also known medicare part c features traditional medicare doesnt medicare advantage plans designed complete coverage traditional medicare offering outofpocket maximums different copayment coinsurance options change amount pay medical services using managed care options medicare advantage plans cut costs pass savings policyholders better benefits lower premiums however plans also restrictions medical professionals use take advantage best coverage options available pays look closely options pick one best fits needs 4 change coverageannual enrollment periods allow switch different medicare offerings october 15 december 7 change original medicare medicare advantage plan switch medicare advantage plans also make changes prescription drug coverage period whether involves getting integrated medicare advantage plan offers coverage getting separate policy medicare part second period specifically allows go medicare advantage plan back original medicare changes allowed period extends january 1 february 14 5 deal disputes coverageyoure allowed appeal decision medicare medicare advantage prescription drug plan provider makes concerning coverage youre denied coverage youll typically go fivestep process first seek redetermination company handling claims medicare doesnt work qualified independent contractor reconsider decision next recourse hearing administrative law judge fails medicare appeals council review case finally right take case federal court judicial review medicare essential part financial planning understanding rules go long way making sure coverage deserve keep rules mind youll able make better decisions medicare time comes article 5 medicare rules know heart opens new window originally appeared foolcom 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 | 531 |
<p>Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has been a fixture in headlines this week after she was blocked from smearing Attorney General Jeff Sessions by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). She has been rambling incoherently on Twitter:</p>
<p>Here are nine things you need to know about Warren.</p>
<p>1. Warren has an <a href="https://www.conservativereview.com/members/elizabeth-warren/liberty-card/" type="external">18 percent liberty score</a> on Conservative Review's scorecard. That, unsurprisingly, puts her at among some of the most left-wing senators in the Senate. She is <a href="http://www.trevorloudon.com/2013/04/elizabeth-warren-socialist-part-1-liz-warren-and-the-heather-booth-connection/" type="external">a far-left ideologue</a> after all.</p>
<p>2. During the general election campaign, Warren went after Donald Trump by <a href="" type="internal">making clucking noises</a>. Seriously. Warren mocked Trump by stating "the big brave Donald Trump, is too chicken to release his tax returns." Then she clucked, "Bawk bawk bawk..."</p>
<p>3. Warren was once an advocate of school choice. The Daily Wire's Amanda Prestigiacomo <a href="" type="internal">notes</a> that though Warren was virulently opposed to Betsy DeVos' nomination as the Education Department Secretary, an excerpt from her 2003 book The Two-Income Trap suggests that she once supported school choice.</p>
<p>"Any policy loosens the ironclad relationship between location-location-location and school-school-school would eliminate the need for parents to pay an inflated price for a home just because it happened to lie within the boundaries of a desirable school district," Warren wrote along with her co-author Amelia Warren Tyagi.</p>
<p>Of course, support for school choice wouldn't fly in a Democratic presidential primary.</p>
<p>4. Warren has failed to report "a $1.3 million line of credit." According to the <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/time-elizabeth-warren-used-loophole-avoid-disclosing-line-credit/" type="external">Washington Free Beacon</a>, Warren received the line of credit from Bank of America in 2007 against her home, but did not disclose it on her 2014 and 2015 filings. She took advantage of a loophole in the STOCK Act to avoid this disclosure.</p>
<p>This is significant because, as the Free Beacon points out, Warren wrote a Washington Post op-ed in January arguing that presidential cabinet nominees needed to provide complete financial disclosures. She also authored the All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan, where she advised not to borrow against a home. Apparently Warren doesn't practice what she preaches.</p>
<p>5. Warren's silenced tirade against Sessions coincided with the announcement of her new book. The Free Beacon <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/elizabeth-warren-promoted-new-book-before-rule-violation-solicits-donations-after/" type="external">reports</a> that on the same day she was going to read Coretta Scott King's letter, Warren and her publisher announced that her new book This Fight Is Our Fight would be available for purchase on April 18. When she was censored by the Senate, Warren sent fundraising emails to her supporters. It certainly is an odd "coincidence" that Warren would time her speech against Sessions on the same day as the announcement of her new book.</p>
<p>6. Bureaucrats at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)–the agency that was Warren's idea–earn more money than members of the presidential cabinet and congressional members. According to <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/07/exclusive-gravy-train-flows-wide-and-deep-at-elizabeth-warrens-consumer-agency/" type="external">The Daily Caller</a>:</p>
<p>The Senate majority and minority leaders are paid $193,000 annually. Two hundred and one CFPB employees outdo Sens. Mitch McConnell and Charles Schumer in pay.</p>
<p>Speaker of the House Paul Ryan of Wisconsin receives $223,000 per year, but that’s less than what 54 CFPB employees are paid.</p>
<p>Another 170 CFPB employees earn more than the secretaries of defense and state, the attorney general and the director of national intelligence. All cabinet salaries are capped at $199,700, but not at the bureau. Thirty-nine CFPB employees earn more than the $230,000 paid to Vice President Mike Pence.</p>
<p>A total of 198 CFPB employees also earn more than their ultimate boss, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellin, who is paid $201,700.</p>
<p>Overall, 449 CFPB employees get at least $100,000 per year and 228 CFPB are paid more than $200,000, according to publicly available 2016 data.</p>
<p>There has been debates in Congress about repealing the CFPB. Strange that a senator who claims to be for the working class would help create an unaccountable agency that receives higher salaries than members of Congress and the presidential cabinet...</p>
<p>7. Warren has been compared to women like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks by speaking out against Sessions. These comparisons are absurd. National Review's Alexandra DeSanctis <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/444764/elizabeth-warren-she-persisted-offensive-progressive-rallying-cry" type="external">writes</a>:</p>
<p>Harriet Tubman suffered a traumatic head wound at the hands of her slave owner, went on to escape slavery, rescued about 70 fellow slaves as a worker for the Underground Railroad, worked as a scout and spy for the U.S. army during the Civil War, and fought for women’s suffrage.</p>
<p>Sojourner Truth escaped slavery with her infant daughter, devoted her life to the abolition movement, recruited black troops for the U.S. army, and fought to secure government land grants for former slaves.</p>
<p>Susan B. Anthony played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement, went to jail for voting illegally in the 1872 election, and led the effort that resulted in the successful passage of the 19th Amendment. Elizabeth Cady Stanton worked as an abolitionist, led the women’s-rights movement alongside Anthony, and wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, which is often credited with being the basis of the women’s-suffrage movement in the U.S.</p>
<p>DeSanctis also notes that "Parks refused to surrender her bus seat to a white passenger, instigating a boycott in Montgomery, Ala., and helping to launch and lead a nationwide desegregation effort."</p>
<p>The aforementioned women actually fought for important issues and went through actual risks to do so. All Warren did was violate a Senate rule by smearing Sessions. She does not deserve to be mentioned in the same vein as the likes of Tubman, Truth, Anthony and Parks.</p>
<p>8. Warren's approval ratings are not strong. Boston Magazine <a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/09/14/elizabeth-warren-unpopular/" type="external">reported</a> in September that Warren was behind only Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in terms of being the most unpopular in New England. Politico <a href="http://www.politico.com/states/massachusetts/story/2017/01/polls-shows-warren-is-no-sure-bet-for-re-election-next-year-108924" type="external">reported</a> towards the end of January "that 46 percent of Massachusetts voters think it’s time for someone else to have a shot at the Senate," meaning that while she may be the favorite to win re-election, it's not a done deal by any means.</p>
<p>9. In sum, Warren is a far-left hypocrite. The Daily Wire has a primer on her going into even more detail <a href="" type="internal">here</a>.</p>
<p>Follow Aaron Bandler on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/bandlersbanter" type="external">@bandlersbanter</a>.</p> | true | 0 | sen elizabeth warren dma fixture headlines week blocked smearing attorney general jeff sessions senate majority leader mitch mcconnell rky rambling incoherently twitter nine things need know warren 1 warren 18 percent liberty score conservative reviews scorecard unsurprisingly puts among leftwing senators senate farleft ideologue 2 general election campaign warren went donald trump making clucking noises seriously warren mocked trump stating big brave donald trump chicken release tax returns clucked bawk bawk bawk 3 warren advocate school choice daily wires amanda prestigiacomo notes though warren virulently opposed betsy devos nomination education department secretary excerpt 2003 book twoincome trap suggests supported school choice policy loosens ironclad relationship locationlocationlocation schoolschoolschool would eliminate need parents pay inflated price home happened lie within boundaries desirable school district warren wrote along coauthor amelia warren tyagi course support school choice wouldnt fly democratic presidential primary 4 warren failed report 13 million line credit according washington free beacon warren received line credit bank america 2007 home disclose 2014 2015 filings took advantage loophole stock act avoid disclosure significant free beacon points warren wrote washington post oped january arguing presidential cabinet nominees needed provide complete financial disclosures also authored worth ultimate lifetime money plan advised borrow home apparently warren doesnt practice preaches 5 warrens silenced tirade sessions coincided announcement new book free beacon reports day going read coretta scott kings letter warren publisher announced new book fight fight would available purchase april 18 censored senate warren sent fundraising emails supporters certainly odd coincidence warren would time speech sessions day announcement new book 6 bureaucrats consumer financial protection bureau cfpbthe agency warrens ideaearn money members presidential cabinet congressional members according daily caller senate majority minority leaders paid 193000 annually two hundred one cfpb employees outdo sens mitch mcconnell charles schumer pay speaker house paul ryan wisconsin receives 223000 per year thats less 54 cfpb employees paid another 170 cfpb employees earn secretaries defense state attorney general director national intelligence cabinet salaries capped 199700 bureau thirtynine cfpb employees earn 230000 paid vice president mike pence total 198 cfpb employees also earn ultimate boss federal reserve chairwoman janet yellin paid 201700 overall 449 cfpb employees get least 100000 per year 228 cfpb paid 200000 according publicly available 2016 data debates congress repealing cfpb strange senator claims working class would help create unaccountable agency receives higher salaries members congress presidential cabinet 7 warren compared women like harriet tubman sojourner truth susan b anthony rosa parks speaking sessions comparisons absurd national reviews alexandra desanctis writes harriet tubman suffered traumatic head wound hands slave owner went escape slavery rescued 70 fellow slaves worker underground railroad worked scout spy us army civil war fought womens suffrage sojourner truth escaped slavery infant daughter devoted life abolition movement recruited black troops us army fought secure government land grants former slaves susan b anthony played pivotal role womens suffrage movement went jail voting illegally 1872 election led effort resulted successful passage 19th amendment elizabeth cady stanton worked abolitionist led womensrights movement alongside anthony wrote declaration sentiments often credited basis womenssuffrage movement us desanctis also notes parks refused surrender bus seat white passenger instigating boycott montgomery ala helping launch lead nationwide desegregation effort aforementioned women actually fought important issues went actual risks warren violate senate rule smearing sessions deserve mentioned vein likes tubman truth anthony parks 8 warrens approval ratings strong boston magazine reported september warren behind sen jeanne shaheen dnh terms unpopular new england politico reported towards end january 46 percent massachusetts voters think time someone else shot senate meaning may favorite win reelection done deal means 9 sum warren farleft hypocrite daily wire primer going even detail follow aaron bandler twitter bandlersbanter | 604 |
<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 />
<p>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM) scored a major win in 2014 when Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) began relying exclusively on the chip giant for the manufacture of its A8 and A8X applications processors. TSMC suffered a bit of a setback vis-a-vis Apple when it wound up splitting the A9 chip manufacturing contract with Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF), though the company is believed to have secured all the orders for the A10 chip that powers this year's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Image source: Apple.</p>
<p>Revenue from Apple represents a significant portion of TSMC's business, so the chipmaker is likely very motivated to develop and release compelling new manufacturing technologies at a rapid clip to keep Apple's business.</p>
<p>Apple's upcoming A11 is expected to be manufactured in TSMC's 10-nanometer chip manufacturing technology, and the company's statements <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/14/taiwan-semiconductor-mfg-co-ltd-may-have-just-conf.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">strongly suggest Opens a New Window.</a> that it will be using TSMC's follow-on 7-nanometer technology to build the A12.</p>
<p>TSMC recently detailed that 7-nanometer tech. Let's take a closer look at it to understand what kinds of performance and power enhancements Apple can potentially bring to the A12.</p>
<p>Advertisement</p>
<p>TSMC says that its 7-nanometer technology can provide more than 3.3 times the routed gate density of its prior-generation 16-nanometer technology (used to build Apple's A9, A9X, and A10 chips).This means that functionality that required a chip area of 100 square millimeters when manufactured in the 16-nanometer technology could be done in just a hair over 30 square millimeters using this new 7-nanometer technology.</p>
<p>What Apple has tended to do is keep its chip sizes roughly flat generation over generation, using the increased density to cram more functionality and features into a given area.</p>
<p>Data source: Wikipedia.</p>
<p>Apple was forced to use manufacturing technologies that offered roughly the same density for three generations (TSMC's 16-nanometer technology didn't offer a significant area reduction over its 20-nanometer technology; it was primarily a performance improvement), which led to some die size growth over the last three years.</p>
<p>Since the 7-nanometer technology gives a huge area reduction over the 16-nanometer technology, Apple can could conceivably pack in more than three times the "stuff" that the A9 chip had while still achieving a die size of approximately 100 square millimeters.</p>
<p>With the A8 chip, Apple used a quad-core graphics processor. The A9 and the A10 each used six core graphics processors. I suspect that the move to 10 nanometer for the A11 and then to 7 nanometer for the A12 will allow Apple to get much more aggressive about increasing the graphics core count (and thus graphics performance) of its next two iPhone models.</p>
<p>Apple would also have more real estate to bulk up the sizes of the other key functional blocks on the chip (i.e., image signal processor, CPU, memory controller) to improve performance.</p>
<p>TSMC says that its 7-nanometer process can deliver up to 40% better performance at the same power as its 16-nanometer technology or up to 65% lower power at the same performance level.</p>
<p>Image source: TSMC paper.</p>
<p>Apple's A10 has two "high-performance" processor cores and two "high-efficiency" cores and the chip can switch between them based on the workload that the chip is required to run.</p>
<p>I suspect that Apple will take full advantage of the two "extremes" outlined here. The high-performance cores could get a 40% boost in frequency relative to what was possible on the A10, while the high-efficiency cores could see a significant power reduction while keeping performance flat to slightly up.</p>
<p>Although Apple's A10 chip is blazing fast today, advancements in chip manufacturing technology coupled with architectural innovations should allow Apple to make the A10 look "slow" within a couple of years.</p>
<p>Of course, app developers and Apple itself will have to find ways to take full advantage of all that computing power (it's unlikely that the A10 is being used to its full potential in most apps today), but at least the hardware will be there.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Apple 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=5273dfc9-1e99-4f58-84ff-0f4709a4e479&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>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of Nov. 7, 2016</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/aeassa/info.aspx" type="external">Ashraf Eassa Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. 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 | taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company nyse tsm scored major win 2014 apple nasdaq aapl began relying exclusively chip giant manufacture a8 a8x applications processors tsmc suffered bit setback visavis apple wound splitting a9 chip manufacturing contract samsung nasdaqoth ssnlf though company believed secured orders a10 chip powers years iphone 7 iphone 7 plus continue reading image source apple revenue apple represents significant portion tsmcs business chipmaker likely motivated develop release compelling new manufacturing technologies rapid clip keep apples business apples upcoming a11 expected manufactured tsmcs 10nanometer chip manufacturing technology companys statements strongly suggest opens new window using tsmcs followon 7nanometer technology build a12 tsmc recently detailed 7nanometer tech lets take closer look understand kinds performance power enhancements apple potentially bring a12 advertisement tsmc says 7nanometer technology provide 33 times routed gate density priorgeneration 16nanometer technology used build apples a9 a9x a10 chipsthis means functionality required chip area 100 square millimeters manufactured 16nanometer technology could done hair 30 square millimeters using new 7nanometer technology apple tended keep chip sizes roughly flat generation generation using increased density cram functionality features given area data source wikipedia apple forced use manufacturing technologies offered roughly density three generations tsmcs 16nanometer technology didnt offer significant area reduction 20nanometer technology primarily performance improvement led die size growth last three years since 7nanometer technology gives huge area reduction 16nanometer technology apple could conceivably pack three times stuff a9 chip still achieving die size approximately 100 square millimeters a8 chip apple used quadcore graphics processor a9 a10 used six core graphics processors suspect move 10 nanometer a11 7 nanometer a12 allow apple get much aggressive increasing graphics core count thus graphics performance next two iphone models apple would also real estate bulk sizes key functional blocks chip ie image signal processor cpu memory controller improve performance tsmc says 7nanometer process deliver 40 better performance power 16nanometer technology 65 lower power performance level image source tsmc paper apples a10 two highperformance processor cores two highefficiency cores chip switch based workload chip required run suspect apple take full advantage two extremes outlined highperformance cores could get 40 boost frequency relative possible a10 highefficiency cores could see significant power reduction keeping performance flat slightly although apples a10 chip blazing fast today advancements chip manufacturing technology coupled architectural innovations allow apple make a10 look slow within couple years course app developers apple find ways take full advantage computing power unlikely a10 used full potential apps today least hardware 10 stocks like better apple 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 nov 7 2016 ashraf eassa opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends apple 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 | 526 |
<p />
<p>US Air Force Tech Sgt. Matt Pinkerton shot an intruder in his home on September 13th just before 2am.</p>
<p>That is not in question.</p>
<p>Yet somehow, in Maryland, where Castle Doctrine does not exist by statute but rather only by case law, Sgt. Pinkerton is being charged with 2nd degree murder.</p>
<p>The intruder, Kendall Green, had reportedly been harassing Matt’s wife, Jessica. &#160;Green had been a friend who helped Jessica when her brother was in a coma after being involved in a accident while Matt was overseas.</p>
<p>All evidence points to Jessica only maintaining a friendship with Green yet when he pushed for more she ended the friendship completely.</p>
<p>Jessica has stated:</p>
<p>Green had texted me sometime in July or August saying that he missed the kids, and Matt didn’t deserve us and that he deserved a chance. He wanted more.”</p>
<p>Which brings us to an early Sunday morning where Matt and Jessica were entertaining another couple one of whom was Matt’s brother Mike. &#160;Green showed up shortly before 2am demanding to see Jessica. &#160;Matt refused to let him in and closed the door on him then turned to return to his wife and guests. &#160;It was at that time that Green kicked in the front door and stormed into the house.</p>
<p>Matt, who had retrieved his Glock 17 when he first heard someone outside (not unreasonable when he wasn’t expecting anyone at 2 in the morning) still had it on him when Green busted in the front door and came at him. &#160;Matt fired once from 10 to 15 feet away and when Green continued toward him fired again.</p>
<p>GLOCK 17 semiauto pistol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Mike Pinkerton, one of the guests recalls the incident:</p>
<p>“He (Green) kept coming forward so&#160;Matt fired. He rocked backwards and took another step forward at which time Matt took his second shot. He stumbled backwards and fell out the door onto the porch.”</p>
<p>“When the shots were fired Jessica called 911. &#160;Matt spoke to the operator; he removed the clip from his gun and the bullet in the chamber. Police arrived within five minutes.”</p>
<p>So what did Matt do wrong when a crazed man broke in his front door at 2am and was after his wife? &#160;To me, nothing. &#160;Yet according to the state of Maryland, Matt should have called 911 first and waited for the police.</p>
<p>That isn’t some glib, pro gun caricature of the how when seconds count cops are minutes away. &#160;This is the reason he is being charged with murder. &#160;It doesn’t help that on top of the lack of a Castle Doctrine Statute the &#160;Assistant State’s Attorney, Glen Neubauer, is an rabid anti gunner himself.</p>
<p>Besides maintaining the ridiculous notion that calling 911 while a crazed intruder just smashed his way into your house is the only legal option, Neubauer also claims that&#160;&#160;even the act of grabbing the gun in the first place is “bizarre behavior in itself.”</p>
<p>Getting a means of protection when an unexpected person comes to you door in the middle of the night is bizarre behavior? &#160;I always took it for common sense.</p>
<p>But Neubauer’s stance just goes to show the institutional anti-gun sentiment that is running rampant in Maryland right now and unfortunately Sgt. Pinkerton has to bear the burden of their politics.</p>
<p>Because even if (hopefully when) Pinkerton is exonerated the legal costs alone will dramatically impact his and his family’s lives. &#160;They have all ready spent $25,000 on legal fees while taking a loan out for another $25,ooo to get Matt released on bond.</p>
<p>This is a case which shouldn’t even be going to trial since the courts have previously set up common law principles in this matter.</p>
<p>The Court of Appeals of Maryland ruled the following in the case of&#160;Baltimore Transit Co. v. Faulkner:</p>
<p>The law of self-defense justifies an act done in the reasonable belief of immediate danger. If an injury was done by a defendant in justifiable self-defense, he can neither be punished criminally nor held responsible for damages in a civil action. . . . One who seeks to justify an assault on the ground that he acted in self-defense must show that he used no more force than the exigency reasonably demanded. The belief of a defendant in an action for assault that the plaintiff intended to do him bodily harm cannot support a plea of self-defense unless it was such a belief as a person of average prudence would entertain under similar circumstances.&#160;</p>
<p>So, let us look take a look at the situation from Matt’s perspective.</p>
<p>At 2am a man who has an unhealthy fascination with his wife and has harassed her previously breaks in the front door and charges toward you and your wife.</p>
<p>I think it the UNREASONABLE thing would be to go for the phone and call 911. &#160;Matt shouldn’t have to wait to be shot at or stabbed before he is allowed to defend himself with his firearm.</p>
<p>The moment Green busted in the front door and came at the Pinkertons was the moment that he crossed a line and Matt was morally and legally justified in shooting him.</p>
<p>Of course, to someone like Neubauer who thinks it bizarre to grab a gun in the middle of the night to answer the door, I guess it’s no wonder that he cannot fathom a person defending them self at all. &#160;Hence the reason he will pursue this gross miscarriage of justice.</p>
<p>Just another reason why states like Maryland NEED a Castle Doctrine Statute rather than implied case law. &#160;With Castle Doctine in place the State Attorney would have a much more difficult time crucifying an innocent man who was simply defending his family and friends.</p>
<p>I hope for a quick resolution and exoneration for Sgt. Pinkerton and his family.</p>
<p>A fund has been set up to help pay for Matt’s legal fees, it can be found here:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/keep-an-innocent-man-out-of-jail" type="external">http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/keep-an-innocent-man-out-of-jail</a></p>
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<p>UPDATE:&#160;After having to deal with&#160;facing a murder trial for over a year simply for defending his home, and having to go through the expensive process of getting adequate representation to defend himself against such spurious&#160;charges, Circuit Court Judge William C. Mulford II dismissed all charges against Sgt. Pinkerton.</p>
<p>“Matthew Pinkerton is delighted with the court’s decision,’ defense attorney Peter O’Neill said.</p>
<p>‘We believe the court’s decision was well-reasoned and a correct reflection of what should have happened in this case as it pertains to the witness statements presented in this matter.”</p>
<p>It took a while but fortunately justice worked out this time.</p>
<p>Unfortunately while Pinkerton had all criminal charges dismissed against him he still may face a civil court trial as the family of Kendall Green filed a lawsuit against him for $6 million in October of 2014.</p>
<p>A world away in Oklahoma a 23 year old hears his glass doorway being busted in and finds 3 armed home intruders. &#160;They find him armed with an AR-15. &#160;The three would be home invaders find out that crime doesn’t pay but criminals do when they go up against an armed citizen.</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 | us air force tech sgt matt pinkerton shot intruder home september 13th 2am question yet somehow maryland castle doctrine exist statute rather case law sgt pinkerton charged 2nd degree murder intruder kendall green reportedly harassing matts wife jessica 160green friend helped jessica brother coma involved accident matt overseas evidence points jessica maintaining friendship green yet pushed ended friendship completely jessica stated green texted sometime july august saying missed kids matt didnt deserve us deserved chance wanted brings us early sunday morning matt jessica entertaining another couple one matts brother mike 160green showed shortly 2am demanding see jessica 160matt refused let closed door turned return wife guests 160it time green kicked front door stormed house matt retrieved glock 17 first heard someone outside unreasonable wasnt expecting anyone 2 morning still green busted front door came 160matt fired 10 15 feet away green continued toward fired glock 17 semiauto pistol photo credit wikipedia mike pinkerton one guests recalls incident green kept coming forward so160matt fired rocked backwards took another step forward time matt took second shot stumbled backwards fell door onto porch shots fired jessica called 911 160matt spoke operator removed clip gun bullet chamber police arrived within five minutes matt wrong crazed man broke front door 2am wife 160to nothing 160yet according state maryland matt called 911 first waited police isnt glib pro gun caricature seconds count cops minutes away 160this reason charged murder 160it doesnt help top lack castle doctrine statute 160assistant states attorney glen neubauer rabid anti gunner besides maintaining ridiculous notion calling 911 crazed intruder smashed way house legal option neubauer also claims that160160even act grabbing gun first place bizarre behavior getting means protection unexpected person comes door middle night bizarre behavior 160i always took common sense neubauers stance goes show institutional antigun sentiment running rampant maryland right unfortunately sgt pinkerton bear burden politics even hopefully pinkerton exonerated legal costs alone dramatically impact familys lives 160they ready spent 25000 legal fees taking loan another 25ooo get matt released bond case shouldnt even going trial since courts previously set common law principles matter court appeals maryland ruled following case of160baltimore transit co v faulkner law selfdefense justifies act done reasonable belief immediate danger injury done defendant justifiable selfdefense neither punished criminally held responsible damages civil action one seeks justify assault ground acted selfdefense must show used force exigency reasonably demanded belief defendant action assault plaintiff intended bodily harm support plea selfdefense unless belief person average prudence would entertain similar circumstances160 let us look take look situation matts perspective 2am man unhealthy fascination wife harassed previously breaks front door charges toward wife think unreasonable thing would go phone call 911 160matt shouldnt wait shot stabbed allowed defend firearm moment green busted front door came pinkertons moment crossed line matt morally legally justified shooting course someone like neubauer thinks bizarre grab gun middle night answer door guess wonder fathom person defending self 160hence reason pursue gross miscarriage justice another reason states like maryland need castle doctrine statute rather implied case law 160with castle doctine place state attorney would much difficult time crucifying innocent man simply defending family friends hope quick resolution exoneration sgt pinkerton family fund set help pay matts legal fees found httpwwwindiegogocomprojectskeepaninnocentmanoutofjail 160 update160after deal with160facing murder trial year simply defending home go expensive process getting adequate representation defend spurious160charges circuit court judge william c mulford ii dismissed charges sgt pinkerton matthew pinkerton delighted courts decision defense attorney peter oneill said believe courts decision wellreasoned correct reflection happened case pertains witness statements presented matter took fortunately justice worked time unfortunately pinkerton criminal charges dismissed still may face civil court trial family kendall green filed lawsuit 6 million october 2014 world away oklahoma 23 year old hears glass doorway busted finds 3 armed home intruders 160they find armed ar15 160the three would home invaders find crime doesnt pay criminals go armed citizen 160 tolerance comments containing violence racism vulgarity profanity caps discourteous behavior thank partnering us maintain courteous useful public environment engage reasonable discourse | 664 |
<p><a href="//videos/37/66701" type="external" /></p>
<p>RUSH: <a href="" type="internal">There wouldn’t be social issues</a> if there weren’t angst and misery and unhappiness. And make no mistake: That’s what’s driving all this, folks. You may think this is all political, but it’s angst and misery. It’s unhappiness. It’s people seeking a mysterious… You can read it in Kennedy Supreme Court ruling. You know that Supreme Court decision that Kennedy wrote is basically all about self-esteem and dignity.</p>
<p>That’s why Scalia openly wrote he would be embarrassed to sign his name to a majority opinion such as that written by Anthony Kennedy on the gay marriage business. Esteem and dignity and freedom-of-intimacy and all this stuff. Make no mistake, this… I mean, you can say it was political and is, but this is a quest for happiness that has eluded people. It’s a quest for normalcy that’s eluded people. It’s a quest… And this is not gonna provide that. See, that’s the thing.</p>
<p>This is not… In fact, there’s already… There was a story yesterday in the New York Times: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/scotus-same-sex-marriage-gay-culture.html" type="external">“Historic Day for Gays, but Twinge of Loss for an Outsider Culture.”</a> There are already gay activists who are saying (paraphrased), “Gee, I don’t like it, not being a member of the oppressed.” I’ll share with you the details. I got a couple audio sound bites. But the social issues are political footballs, not because of us.</p>
<p>And, by the way, I think you fiscal conservatives out there (I should say “you fiscal Republicans”) who say, “You know what? Social issues? To hell with them! They’re killing us. It’s all economics for me now. I don’t want to hear about social issues.” You are… If that’s your attitude, if you don’t want to hear about the social issues — if you don’t want social issues being debated/discussed — then you may as well just turn the culture over to the left, because that’s what the social issues are all about.</p>
<p>What do you think this is about? Where do you think this cultural depravity and rot, perversion, whatever you want to call it is coming from? It’s not because we stand for life. (laughs) It’s not because we’re anti-abortion. That’s not why this is happening! It’s not because people are for marriage as explained and defined in Genesis. That’s not why all this is happening. We’re minding our own business and all of a sudden it’s okay to kill babies in the womb, and people say, “No, we say it’s not!”</p>
<p>We stand up, and then all of a sudden we’re the ones who are the bad guys? Take any social issue you want that’s in the public realm, and it’s been converted to political issues by the left attempting to advance their agenda, not us. And for every Republican that in frustration says, “To heck with it! These social issues are killing us. We’ve gotta stop,” you can’t stop, because the left owns authorship of all this, and the left is not gonna stop.</p>
<p>You know what’s next, don’t you? It’s hard to predict which of these are going to happen next. One of them may already have. A church is going to be sued for refusing to perform a gay wedding. The church and the pastor, whoever, are gonna be sued both as an institution and individually, ’cause that’s the design. There’s an-all-out effort here to water down, dilute — and if they could, just eliminate — Christianity as a dominant cultural, religious, and dare I say political force. That’s the target.</p>
<p>And then you may have heard people speculating about polygamy and you may say, “Ah, come on! This is just panic talk.” It isn’t panic talk because the way Kennedy wrote his opinion, there’s no legal way now for anybody to oppose it. Gay marriage… You look at Kennedy’s ruling, and you listen to how people talk about it, and gay marriage… Marriage. Forget “gay.” Marriage itself was portrayed as a thing that some people get to do and others don’t, and that made it unfair, and that made it civil rights violation, and that made it unequal.</p>
<p>And then the Millennials said, “Oh, if it’s unequal, then it’s bad. We gotta be for it! Well, marriage is just the latest thing that some people get to do and some people don’t, and guess who doesn’t get to do it? The people these crazy Christians don’t like! Well, that makes it unacceptable.” But marriage isn’t a thing. It’s not just… It’s not something that some slave owner 200 years ago invented specifically to discriminate against people. The first references to marriage anybody knows of are in Genesis. So you can say God.</p>
<p>But that’s even offensive to some people, by design. Now, the other thing that marriage is portrayed as in addition to a thing was a benefit, and wasn’t fair that some people got the benefits of it and other people didn’t. Marriage has never been a thing as described there, never been a benefit as characterized here. But it is. As far as Justice Kennedy and those who agreed with his majority opinion in Supreme Court are concerned, there’s nothing special about it.</p>
<p>It’s just a thing over there that some people get to do, and a minority of people don’t get to do. Therefore it’s a civil rights discrimination. The actual undeniable, truthful characteristics and definition of marriage long ago vanished from any debate on this. So this is written that all is okay. Polygamy, as a following thing… I’m not trying to scare anybody here, and I’m not trying to jolt anybody. The natural progression. I’ll somehow… In fact, the left is already writing for it.</p>
<p>You’ve already got people demanding it on the left.</p>
<p>It was as predictably as the rain, except in California where there isn’t any. Let me take a brief time-out and get a little bit more detailed about all of this and explain why those of us who vigorously disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision Friday did so. And it’s not to deny some people a thing, and it’s not because we want to deny benefits to some people who don’t get them. It’s not because we are selfish and want marriage as an institution only to us. As is the usual case when discussing the leftist agenda, you cannot discuss the leftist agenda without also discussing the constitutional destruction that takes place as the leftist agenda marches forward.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Now, what must happen constitutionally for the Supreme Court to decide that gay marriage is — that marriage, period — is under the purview of the federal government? There has to be some constitutional connection. And, of course, there isn’t. Marriage already existed when the Constitution was written. Marriage existed thousands of years before America did. So the government has no role in it whatsoever.</p>
<p>It has taken it, it has assumed it, but what had to happen? This is where learned people are really concerned. What has to happen in order for Anthony Kennedy and his four cronies of the Supreme Court to claim that there is a constitutional right to marriage or gay marriage, it means that existing actual constitutional rights have to somehow vanish, or be changed or altered. Look at it this way. The right own guns, the right to bear arms, the right to free speech.</p>
<p>That’s amendments two and amendment one. The right to religious liberty is amendment one. They are explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, and they are explicitly protected. Government shall make no law abridging the right to keep and bear arms, free speech, religious liberty. Except it just did. And you see, that’s the rub. The erosion of real constitutional rights. Now, the effort to erode those rights… No, gun laws haven’t been affected here, but religious liberty has, and so has free speech.</p>
<p>Free speech and religious liberty, folks, are out the window, for something that’s not mentioned in the Constitution. There was no law. If there were law in Kennedy’s decision, this could not have happened. There was no law here. There was the creation of law at the expense of other things explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. This was about “dignity.” This was about self-esteem. This was about…</p>
<p>What did he call it? I can’t remember. It’s embarrassing, the route taken to justify this. But forget religious liberty, which is now gone. Just hang on a day or two if you want to see that. In fact, you’ve already seen it. Free speech gone. See how quickly those can erode. What else? What else can activist liberal judges erase from the Constitution? ‘Cause once that starts to happen — and it has, and it has been — that’s the troubling aspect, one of many.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Now, I want to continue on this for a couple minutes here and we’ll move on to other things, but I need to express this specifically. And, by the way, in terms of giving up when “it’s the law of the land,” the pro-life movement didn’t look at Roe v. Wade that way, and the left clearly doesn’t look at their political defeats that way. It’s, “Well, that’s not the law of the land! I guess we’ll have to move on.” The problem here is that — and I heard other analysts say this last week, that it could eventually backfired.</p>
<p>Although I don’t know what “backfiring” would ultimately mean other than public opinion shifting, but I think something’s gonna happen even before that does, which I will get to here in just a moment. But the fact is that the American people were in the process of having a democratic debate about this, state by state by state by state, and it was trending positive. It looked like in not too long a time, maybe five years or 10 (who knows, maybe less), that the people of this country would vote state by state by state to legalize homosexual marriage.</p>
<p>Now, that debate’s been shut down because Anthony Kennedy and his four renegades rode in, shut off the debate, and determined, “Right here it is! It’s right there in the 14th Amendment, see? See? It’s right there, that people in this country who are not happy ’cause they’re left out of things have a right to be included in those things, and it says it right there in the 14th Amendment.” It does? “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! It’s right there.” I don’t see it. “Well, you have to be a lawyer and be thinking like we do to see it. But it’s there.”</p>
<p>A-ha. The same thing that happened with abortion. See, there’s gonna… The culture has now, society has now been roiled and the debate is gonna rage on. It’s not over. It isn’t gonna be over, because never forget this. No matter what victories the left, the socialists, the liberals, the Democrats, whatever you want to call ’em — no matter how many victories they have — it is never enough. No matter how much money they get to spend, no matter how much money they get in benefit, no matter what it is that they demand, it is never enough.</p>
<p>Do you know why? Because when Justice Kennedy and the rest of these people talk about dignity and self-esteem. That’s exactly what’s on the table here. I don’t care if it goes gay marriage to Obamacare. I don’t care what the issue is. The Confederate flag? You’ve got people over there who are miserably unhappy about something, and they believe that getting something — taking something away — from other people will make them happy. And it never does. It’s never enough.</p>
<p>And it’s going to be the case with gay marriage. It is not going to make them feel the way they want to feel. It’s not going to erase whatever baggage they have. It never is. This is not specific to gay marriage. It’s specific to liberals, because their targets, their quests or what have you, are rooted in a void, if you will. I think they’re absent God in many cases in their lives. Not just gays. I’m talking about the global warming crowd. Everybody who denies the existence of God in favor of a different god somewhere over here, it’s not enough.</p>
<p>It never is enough, never will be enough, and so the quest is going to continue, and it almost can be reduced to a grass-is-greener kind of thing. “The majority has these things; we don’t have ’em. It’s not fair! We want those things, too.” Political pressure is mounted, and they get those things. But they keep coming back for more. It’s just never enough. There just isn’t any satisfaction. I can’t get no satisfaction no matter what happens.</p>
<p>In fact you could almost say, if you study leftists — the welfare state, the benefits state, whatever you want to call it — the more they get, the angrier they become. The more they get, the more unhappy they become. This is something that I have noticed, particularly these past six years. Black America’s angrier than it’s ever been. Various special interest groups on the left are angrier, more unhappy than they’ve ever been, while at the same time we are hearing it’s the greatest week for Obama in his presidency last week.</p>
<p>“It’s the greatest week ever! It’s a historic! It’s the greatest week the country’s ever had.” But it doesn’t translate to happiness somehow, for some reason. Because you know, the decision was not rooted in… I mean, these justices on the winning side last week did not look at the Constitution and say, “Can we find somewhere in here a right to homosexual marriage?” They didn’t even look. That’s the point: They didn’t even look. They didn’t even ask, “Does the Constitution allow states to define marriage?”</p>
<p>They just said, “Do you favor gay marriage or not?” and that became the whole legal proposition, in favor of it on or not. “It’s a thing some people have and some people don’t. It’s unfair, a civil rights violation. It’s a benefit some people have and some people don’t. We’ve gotta fix this! It’s a gross error, it’s unhuman, it is unfair, it’s bigotry,” all of that. Because marriage was cast as some sort of institution created by a bunch of bigots, elites, for themselves and denied to others. “And by God we’re gonna fix that!”</p>
<p>So as I was saying, to “fix” that, you have to take other parts of the Constitution that do exist and deemphasize them or ignore them. Freedom of speech and religious liberty. And I’m telling you, it’s a toss-up which is gonna come first. No, it’s not. Religious liberty. The attack on religion is next, on organized religion. There’s already… I got a couple stories in the Stack about leftists making an immediate concerted move to remove the tax exempt status from all churches if they will not perform homosexual marriages.</p>
<p>It’s not enough for you out there to say, “Okay, well, the court said gay marriage is legal, fine.” That’s not enough. You must actively embrace it. You must actively support it. You may not oppose it. You may not even dis it. In fact, folks, in Kennedy’s opinion… Get this. In Kennedy’s majority opinion, when talking about religious liberty (this is just so big of him), he grants that people of religious disagreement will continue to have the right of dissent.</p>
<p>But he didn’t say anything about the right to practice religious liberty. Not in this decision. They made all kinds of references — a couple/three — that if you are a deeply religious person, a priest or a pastor of a church, you’re free to dissent, meaning you’re free to tell people you disagree. But you are not free to act on it. In other words, “You can’t deny the constitutional right we just ordained. You can argue against it, you can say you don’t like it, and you’ll be okay. But you cannot practice that. You can not!”</p>
<p>That’s practically stated in the Supreme Court opinion. So my guess is it’s already happened. You know, a gay couple has walked into a church somewhere and tried to reserve it for a wedding and been told, “Sorry.” So now that gay couple is meeting with their lawyers and we’ll find out about it soon enough. And it’s not just one. It’s gonna be in a bunch of places, you watch. And then the next push is gonna be, “Hey, I want to marry two women.”</p>
<p>“No, no, you can’t.”</p>
<p>Well, if you go to Anthony Kennedy’s opinion, there’s nothing… The way marriage was defined — the way homosexual marriage, gay marriage was permitted and defined — it said nothing about two. The opinion doesn’t mention the word “two.” It talks about self-esteem and dignity and happiness and all that. So if your happiness… Say you’re a woman, and you want to marry two guys. I mean, the court cannot say “no” to it if it ever gets there. It can’t say “no” to it because of the way they said “yes” to homosexual marriage.</p>
<p>So there’s gonna be a push for that.</p>
<p>That’s not a prediction. That’s fait accompli. So religious liberty and freedom of speech have to be diluted, have to be watered down, have to be — might you even say — eliminated in order for there to be homosexual marriage. That’s the real reason so many people who really think about this, oppose it. It’s not because they want to deny anybody a thing, and it’s not because they want to deny anybody benefits, and it’s not because anybody wants to say, “Well, you can’t! You’re only 1.6% of the population.”</p>
<p>It’s not that at all. Believe it or not, there are people who care about things larger than themselves. I’m one of them. The Constitution is one of those things. The country’s one of those things that I care about more than I care about myself. I don’t look at the political system as a self-interested, say, way to get rich. A lot of people do; I don’t. A lot of people look at the political system as a thing to game and angle.</p>
<p>I have a deep reverence for the Constitution and how it happened. I think it’s a miracle. But it isn’t taught that way anymore, except in the Rush Revere books and a few obscure universities. Other than that, the Constitution is nothing spectacular. The Constitution is being taught as this giant document of bigotry and discrimination, and pretty soon those are gonna be the only people teaching it because the students in college today learning to become teachers, that’s all they’re learning about the Constitution.</p>
<p>They’re not being taught this reverence for it. They’re not being taught the miracle that happened for it to occur. When it was a miracle in Philadelphia, the writing of the Constitution. Now it’s just some racist screed now, so forth. That’s why so many people want to hold on to it. But look at two subjects: Abortion and marriage. You know, neither are even mentioned in the Constitution. They’re not once mentioned. Marriage, abortion, they’re not once talked about.</p>
<p>However, these lawyers in black robes, why, they certainly feel like they’ve got the power to regulate these things. Where do they get that power? From where do they derive it? Where do they see in the Constitution that they get to see things that are not there? And, you know, what falls by the wayside here is state sovereignty. States have always had purview over marriage. That’s one of the bases on which the states ratified the Constitution. So the ease with which things in the Constitution can be written out of it here or ignored in favor of something not even mentioned is kind of scary, folks, regardless what you think.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Ladies and gentlemen, I make a verbal dyslexic error. The Anthony Kennedy opinion on gay marriage does say “two.” I said, “It doesn’t say ‘two,'” and I conflated my own attempted meaning here. The point is this: There is no intellectually honest way to distinguish the reasoning on gay marriage from, say, reasoning used to support polygamy. The decision does say “two,” in terms of determining homosexual/gay marriage.</p>
<p>The point is, in getting there by relying on dignity and self-esteem, narrows no specific limit here in the pursuit of self-esteem and dignity that the court has now sanctioned. In fact, think of polygamy. Think of the arguments for polygamy. “Hey, three sets of parents. Why, you’d have another set of parents to take care of the babies in case one set of parents couldn’t.” I mean, I’m sure you can come up with equally advantageous examples or reasons for polygamy.</p>
<p>The point is it’s going to happen precisely because the Supreme Court’s decision on homosexuality cannot say it can’t.</p> | true | 0 | rush wouldnt social issues werent angst misery unhappiness make mistake thats whats driving folks may think political angst misery unhappiness people seeking mysterious read kennedy supreme court ruling know supreme court decision kennedy wrote basically selfesteem dignity thats scalia openly wrote would embarrassed sign name majority opinion written anthony kennedy gay marriage business esteem dignity freedomofintimacy stuff make mistake mean say political quest happiness eluded people quest normalcy thats eluded people quest gon na provide see thats thing fact theres already story yesterday new york times historic day gays twinge loss outsider culture already gay activists saying paraphrased gee dont like member oppressed ill share details got couple audio sound bites social issues political footballs us way think fiscal conservatives say fiscal republicans say know social issues hell theyre killing us economics dont want hear social issues thats attitude dont want hear social issues dont want social issues debateddiscussed may well turn culture left thats social issues think think cultural depravity rot perversion whatever want call coming stand life laughs antiabortion thats happening people marriage explained defined genesis thats happening minding business sudden okay kill babies womb people say say stand sudden ones bad guys take social issue want thats public realm converted political issues left attempting advance agenda us every republican frustration says heck social issues killing us weve got ta stop cant stop left owns authorship left gon na stop know whats next dont hard predict going happen next one may already church going sued refusing perform gay wedding church pastor whoever gon na sued institution individually cause thats design theres anallout effort water dilute could eliminate christianity dominant cultural religious dare say political force thats target may heard people speculating polygamy may say ah come panic talk isnt panic talk way kennedy wrote opinion theres legal way anybody oppose gay marriage look kennedys ruling listen people talk gay marriage marriage forget gay marriage portrayed thing people get others dont made unfair made civil rights violation made unequal millennials said oh unequal bad got ta well marriage latest thing people get people dont guess doesnt get people crazy christians dont like well makes unacceptable marriage isnt thing something slave owner 200 years ago invented specifically discriminate people first references marriage anybody knows genesis say god thats even offensive people design thing marriage portrayed addition thing benefit wasnt fair people got benefits people didnt marriage never thing described never benefit characterized far justice kennedy agreed majority opinion supreme court concerned theres nothing special thing people get minority people dont get therefore civil rights discrimination actual undeniable truthful characteristics definition marriage long ago vanished debate written okay polygamy following thing im trying scare anybody im trying jolt anybody natural progression ill somehow fact left already writing youve already got people demanding left predictably rain except california isnt let take brief timeout get little bit detailed explain us vigorously disagree supreme courts decision friday deny people thing want deny benefits people dont get selfish want marriage institution us usual case discussing leftist agenda discuss leftist agenda without also discussing constitutional destruction takes place leftist agenda marches forward break transcript rush must happen constitutionally supreme court decide gay marriage marriage period purview federal government constitutional connection course isnt marriage already existed constitution written marriage existed thousands years america government role whatsoever taken assumed happen learned people really concerned happen order anthony kennedy four cronies supreme court claim constitutional right marriage gay marriage means existing actual constitutional rights somehow vanish changed altered look way right guns right bear arms right free speech thats amendments two amendment one right religious liberty amendment one explicitly mentioned constitution explicitly protected government shall make law abridging right keep bear arms free speech religious liberty except see thats rub erosion real constitutional rights effort erode rights gun laws havent affected religious liberty free speech free speech religious liberty folks window something thats mentioned constitution law law kennedys decision could happened law creation law expense things explicitly mentioned constitution dignity selfesteem call cant remember embarrassing route taken justify forget religious liberty gone hang day two want see fact youve already seen free speech gone see quickly erode else else activist liberal judges erase constitution cause starts happen thats troubling aspect one many break transcript rush want continue couple minutes well move things need express specifically way terms giving law land prolife movement didnt look roe v wade way left clearly doesnt look political defeats way well thats law land guess well move problem heard analysts say last week could eventually backfired although dont know backfiring would ultimately mean public opinion shifting think somethings gon na happen even get moment fact american people process democratic debate state state state state trending positive looked like long time maybe five years 10 knows maybe less people country would vote state state state legalize homosexual marriage debates shut anthony kennedy four renegades rode shut debate determined right right 14th amendment see see right people country happy cause theyre left things right included things says right 14th amendment yeah yeah yeah right dont see well lawyer thinking like see aha thing happened abortion see theres gon na culture society roiled debate gon na rage isnt gon na never forget matter victories left socialists liberals democrats whatever want call em matter many victories never enough matter much money get spend matter much money get benefit matter demand never enough know justice kennedy rest people talk dignity selfesteem thats exactly whats table dont care goes gay marriage obamacare dont care issue confederate flag youve got people miserably unhappy something believe getting something taking something away people make happy never never enough going case gay marriage going make feel way want feel going erase whatever baggage never specific gay marriage specific liberals targets quests rooted void think theyre absent god many cases lives gays im talking global warming crowd everybody denies existence god favor different god somewhere enough never enough never enough quest going continue almost reduced grassisgreener kind thing majority things dont em fair want things political pressure mounted get things keep coming back never enough isnt satisfaction cant get satisfaction matter happens fact could almost say study leftists welfare state benefits state whatever want call get angrier become get unhappy become something noticed particularly past six years black americas angrier ever various special interest groups left angrier unhappy theyve ever time hearing greatest week obama presidency last week greatest week ever historic greatest week countrys ever doesnt translate happiness somehow reason know decision rooted mean justices winning side last week look constitution say find somewhere right homosexual marriage didnt even look thats point didnt even look didnt even ask constitution allow states define marriage said favor gay marriage became whole legal proposition favor thing people people dont unfair civil rights violation benefit people people dont weve got ta fix gross error unhuman unfair bigotry marriage cast sort institution created bunch bigots elites denied others god gon na fix saying fix take parts constitution exist deemphasize ignore freedom speech religious liberty im telling tossup gon na come first religious liberty attack religion next organized religion theres already got couple stories stack leftists making immediate concerted move remove tax exempt status churches perform homosexual marriages enough say okay well court said gay marriage legal fine thats enough must actively embrace must actively support may oppose may even dis fact folks kennedys opinion get kennedys majority opinion talking religious liberty big grants people religious disagreement continue right dissent didnt say anything right practice religious liberty decision made kinds references couplethree deeply religious person priest pastor church youre free dissent meaning youre free tell people disagree free act words cant deny constitutional right ordained argue say dont like youll okay practice thats practically stated supreme court opinion guess already happened know gay couple walked church somewhere tried reserve wedding told sorry gay couple meeting lawyers well find soon enough one gon na bunch places watch next push gon na hey want marry two women cant well go anthony kennedys opinion theres nothing way marriage defined way homosexual marriage gay marriage permitted defined said nothing two opinion doesnt mention word two talks selfesteem dignity happiness happiness say youre woman want marry two guys mean court say ever gets cant say way said yes homosexual marriage theres gon na push thats prediction thats fait accompli religious liberty freedom speech diluted watered might even say eliminated order homosexual marriage thats real reason many people really think oppose want deny anybody thing want deny anybody benefits anybody wants say well cant youre 16 population believe people care things larger im one constitution one things countrys one things care care dont look political system selfinterested say way get rich lot people dont lot people look political system thing game angle deep reverence constitution happened think miracle isnt taught way anymore except rush revere books obscure universities constitution nothing spectacular constitution taught giant document bigotry discrimination pretty soon gon na people teaching students college today learning become teachers thats theyre learning constitution theyre taught reverence theyre taught miracle happened occur miracle philadelphia writing constitution racist screed forth thats many people want hold look two subjects abortion marriage know neither even mentioned constitution theyre mentioned marriage abortion theyre talked however lawyers black robes certainly feel like theyve got power regulate things get power derive see constitution get see things know falls wayside state sovereignty states always purview marriage thats one bases states ratified constitution ease things constitution written ignored favor something even mentioned kind scary folks regardless think break transcript rush ladies gentlemen make verbal dyslexic error anthony kennedy opinion gay marriage say two said doesnt say two conflated attempted meaning point intellectually honest way distinguish reasoning gay marriage say reasoning used support polygamy decision say two terms determining homosexualgay marriage point getting relying dignity selfesteem narrows specific limit pursuit selfesteem dignity court sanctioned fact think polygamy think arguments polygamy hey three sets parents youd another set parents take care babies case one set parents couldnt mean im sure come equally advantageous examples reasons polygamy point going happen precisely supreme courts decision homosexuality say cant | 1,679 |
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<p>Finding winning stocks is tough. That's why we Fools tend to hold on tenaciously when we think we have bought a winner.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>So what stocks do we currently own that we plan on holding forever? We asked that very question to a team of Fools, and they picked Alphabet(NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL),Brookfield Property Partners(NYSE: BPY), andMarketAxess Holdings (NASDAQ: MKTX).</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFZahrim/featured.aspx" type="external">Anders Bylund Opens a New Window.</a>(Alphabet): " Never" is a very long time, but I certainly don't have any plans to sell my holdings in Alphabet for the foreseeable future.</p>
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<p>The company is best known for its Google-branded range of online tools and services today. Through Google, Alphabet dominates the lucrative fields of online search and advertising. YouTube is another market-defining property under the Google umbrella. The Android platform for smartphones and tablets also dominates its industry on a global level, again under Google's aegis. It's safe to say that you know what the company does, and you probably use its services every day. The Google segment provided 99% of Alphabet's total revenue in the recently reported <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/27/alphabet-delivers-another-exceptional-quarter.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">fourth quarter Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>In short, Alphabet is Google. And with Google's sales rising 22% year over year, driving operating income 17% higher, that's not a bad thing.</p>
<p>But Alphabet won't look like that forever.</p>
<p>The minuscule "other bets" segment is tiny and unprofitable today but represents Alphabet's long-term future. The internet as we know it may go away as quickly as it rose out of nowhere in the 1990s, replaced by whatever comes next. (No, I can't tell you what that might be. If I knew, I'd be getting rich developing that idea rather than talking about the current state of affairs. Sorry.)</p>
<p>So Alphabet is getting ready for the day when online search and marketing no longer supports a strong business foundation. Other bets include <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/12/21/industry-focus-tech-12-16-2016-segment-14.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">self-driving cars Opens a New Window.</a>, <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/12/20/meet-verily-alphabets-rebranded-google-life-scienc.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">advanced medical research Opens a New Window.</a>, the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/08/21/google-fiber-rethink-its-strategy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Google Fiber Opens a New Window.</a> high-speed internet service, and the <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/18/what-is-the-internet-of-things.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Nest Opens a New Window.</a> line of smart thermostats. Beyond these familiar names, Alphabet is working up many more not-so-obvious business ideas out of the public eye.</p>
<p>Any or all of these experiments may turn into profitable businesses one day, and the Alphabet company was designed to contain many long-term bets on the far future. Some of the so-called moonshots contain an online element, but others don't. In short, Alphabet is remaking itself as a whole new kind of industry-spanning conglomerate.</p>
<p>With or without the internet, Alphabet will be around for the very long haul. The company is just getting started, using Google to kindle the fires under a brand new bundle of growth engines.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFmd19/info.aspx" type="external">Matt DiLallo Opens a New Window.</a> (Brookfield Property Partners): I'm a firm believer that investors should hold some form of real estate for the long term. The numbers back up this view, as investors who added real estate or other alternatives to a portfolio of stocks and bonds have significantly outperformed those holding a more traditional portfolio over the long term. While there are plenty of good ways to get into real estate, the best, in my opinion, is by investing in Brookfield Property Partners.</p>
<p>The real estate partnership owns a core portfolio of office properties in gateway cities around the world and a significant stake in leading U.S. mall owner General Growth Properties (NYSE: GGP). In addition, it has investments in several opportunistic real estate funds that hold stakes in a variety of other property classes, including multi-family, industrial, and hospitality. That makes it a one-stop shop for real estate investing.</p>
<p>These real estate portfolios throw off very predictable cash flow, 80% of which Brookfield Property Partners distributes back to investors through a generous payout currently yielding 5.3%. Meanwhile, the company reinvests the other 20% into redevelopment projects to obtain higher rents. The upside from those redevelopment projects, when combined with rent escalations and development projects in the pipeline, provide Brookfield with the ability to increase its payout by 5% to 8% annually over the long term. That steadily growing payout, along with capital appreciation across its portfolio, should drive 12% to 15% annual returns for investors over the long term, which is why this is one stock I'd never consider selling.</p>
<p><a href="https://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTypeoh/info.aspx" type="external">Brian Feroldi Opens a New Window.</a>(MarketAxess Holdings): Did you know that the majority of fixed-income trading still takes place over the phone or by email? Given the ubiquity of electronic trading in the stock market, I was shocked to uncover this fact.</p>
<p>But now MarketAxess is attempting to bring the bond markets into the 21st century. The company operates the biggest online bond-trading platform in the world, making it easy for its users to buy, sell, or researchfixed-income securities. Not only does this platform make far more sense than holding one-on-one conversations to transact, but it also brings a whole new level of transparency to this market.</p>
<p>Being the top dog in this small but growing niche provides MarketAxess with a big advantage. Just like every other marketplace, bond buyers and sellers will naturally gravitate toward the largest platform since it maximizes their chance of getting a good price on either side of the transaction. This network effect will make it nearly impossible for a potential rival to catch up.</p>
<p>One big financial benefit of running an electronic trading platform is that it costs the company very little to add one more user. That means the company's margins can consistently expand over time, allowing profits to grow at a much faster rate than revenue.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/MKTX/revenues_ttm" type="external">MKTX Revenue (TTM)</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>Over time, I'm convinced that the benefits of trading electronically will persuade more and more market participants to sign on the company's platform. With <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/09/1-growth-stock-id-buy-right-now.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">plenty of market share Opens a New Window.</a> left for MarketAxess' to capture, I think the company's torrid revenue and profit growth rates should only continue from here. That why I plan on holding on to my MarketAxess shares indefinitely.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Alphabet (A shares)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-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=b6db48e5-dc28-4bea-936b-fc59a0674a09&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 Alphabet (A shares) 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=b6db48e5-dc28-4bea-936b-fc59a0674a09&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>Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFZahrim/info.aspx" type="external">Anders Bylund Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Alphabet (A shares). <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFTypeoh/info.aspx" type="external">Brian Feroldi Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and MarketAxess Holdings. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFmd19/info.aspx" type="external">Matt DiLallo</a> owns shares of Brookfield Property Partners. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and MarketAxess Holdings. 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 | finding winning stocks tough thats fools tend hold tenaciously think bought winner continue reading stocks currently plan holding forever asked question team fools picked alphabetnasdaq goog nasdaq googlbrookfield property partnersnyse bpy andmarketaxess holdings nasdaq mktx image source getty images anders bylund opens new windowalphabet never long time certainly dont plans sell holdings alphabet foreseeable future advertisement company best known googlebranded range online tools services today google alphabet dominates lucrative fields online search advertising youtube another marketdefining property google umbrella android platform smartphones tablets also dominates industry global level googles aegis safe say know company probably use services every day google segment provided 99 alphabets total revenue recently reported fourth quarter opens new window short alphabet google googles sales rising 22 year year driving operating income 17 higher thats bad thing alphabet wont look like forever minuscule bets segment tiny unprofitable today represents alphabets longterm future internet know may go away quickly rose nowhere 1990s replaced whatever comes next cant tell might knew id getting rich developing idea rather talking current state affairs sorry alphabet getting ready day online search marketing longer supports strong business foundation bets include selfdriving cars opens new window advanced medical research opens new window google fiber opens new window highspeed internet service nest opens new window line smart thermostats beyond familiar names alphabet working many notsoobvious business ideas public eye experiments may turn profitable businesses one day alphabet company designed contain many longterm bets far future socalled moonshots contain online element others dont short alphabet remaking whole new kind industryspanning conglomerate without internet alphabet around long haul company getting started using google kindle fires brand new bundle growth engines matt dilallo opens new window brookfield property partners im firm believer investors hold form real estate long term numbers back view investors added real estate alternatives portfolio stocks bonds significantly outperformed holding traditional portfolio long term plenty good ways get real estate best opinion investing brookfield property partners real estate partnership owns core portfolio office properties gateway cities around world significant stake leading us mall owner general growth properties nyse ggp addition investments several opportunistic real estate funds hold stakes variety property classes including multifamily industrial hospitality makes onestop shop real estate investing real estate portfolios throw predictable cash flow 80 brookfield property partners distributes back investors generous payout currently yielding 53 meanwhile company reinvests 20 redevelopment projects obtain higher rents upside redevelopment projects combined rent escalations development projects pipeline provide brookfield ability increase payout 5 8 annually long term steadily growing payout along capital appreciation across portfolio drive 12 15 annual returns investors long term one stock id never consider selling brian feroldi opens new windowmarketaxess holdings know majority fixedincome trading still takes place phone email given ubiquity electronic trading stock market shocked uncover fact marketaxess attempting bring bond markets 21st century company operates biggest online bondtrading platform world making easy users buy sell researchfixedincome securities platform make far sense holding oneonone conversations transact also brings whole new level transparency market top dog small growing niche provides marketaxess big advantage like every marketplace bond buyers sellers naturally gravitate toward largest platform since maximizes chance getting good price either side transaction network effect make nearly impossible potential rival catch one big financial benefit running electronic trading platform costs company little add one user means companys margins consistently expand time allowing profits grow much faster rate revenue mktx revenue ttm data ycharts opens new window time im convinced benefits trading electronically persuade market participants sign companys platform plenty market share opens new window left marketaxess capture think companys torrid revenue profit growth rates continue plan holding marketaxess shares indefinitely 10 stocks like better alphabet shareswhen 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 alphabet shares wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns april 3 2017 suzanne frey executive alphabet member motley fools board directors anders bylund opens new window owns shares alphabet shares brian feroldi opens new window owns shares alphabet shares alphabet c shares marketaxess holdings matt dilallo owns shares brookfield property partners motley fool owns shares recommends alphabet shares alphabet c shares marketaxess holdings motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 720 |
<p />
<p>Sometimes new technology happens as an evolution not a revolution.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Consider how many folks of a certain age that you know still have a landline even though their mobile phone would meet all their needs. It's not a question of not understanding the technology, or even not wanting it, it's more about sticking with what has always worked.</p>
<p>That could explain why cord-cutting has been a slow trickle of users leaving cable for streaming services. Even though nearly all of the content available through a traditional pay-television service can be had via cheaper alternate means (mostly by combining streaming service subscriptions and an HDTV antenna) people have been slow to give up cable.</p>
<p>Call it stubbornness or simply not fixing what isn't broken, the major pay-TV providers only lost 385,000 subscribers in 2015, according to <a href="http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/press/031016release.html" type="external">Leichtman Research Group Opens a New Window.</a> (LRG). That's up from <a href="http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/press/030315release.pdf" type="external">125,000 Opens a New Window.</a> in 2014, but in a 94 million-home or so universe, that's like Garth Brooks misplacing a single cowboy hat or Lebron James losing a pair of sneakers.</p>
<p>The loss of subscribers may be worth noting, but it's not a real danger to the industry. Cable is not going to die because current subscribers leave, but that does not mean Comcast , Charter Communications , and the rest should relax. A <a href="http://img03.en25.com/Web/LLNW/%7b98ebce45-c538-42d0-b025-7cdec7092634%7d_2016SOOV.pdf?ls=SOOV16PR%20" type="external">new study from Opens a New Window.</a> <a href="http://img03.en25.com/Web/LLNW/%7b98ebce45-c538-42d0-b025-7cdec7092634%7d_2016SOOV.pdf?ls=SOOV16PR%20" type="external">Limelight Networks called "The State of Online Video" Opens a New Window.</a> [opens in PDF] shows that it's not existing customers, but future ones that big cable should fear. Millennials -- people who became young adults around 2000 -- are increasingly embracing streaming services, according to the report, and they are willing to cut the cord (or never have one in the first place) as long as the content they want is available through other methods. The Census Bureau defines millennials as those born between 1982 and 2000 and says there are about 83 million in that generation, more than a quarter of the U.S. population.</p>
<p>It's possible to subscribe to Showtime and watch it on the Hulu platform. Image source: Hulu.</p>
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<p>The Limelight Networks research shows that nearly 80% of millennials subscribe to at least one over-the-top (OTT) streaming service (like Hulu, Netflix , or Amazon Prime). That's up from roughly 68% in May 2015 and it's well above the 61% of all other age groups that subscribe to an OTT service. In addition, millennials have shown significant growth in the number of people subscribing to more than one service like Hulu or Netflix, with the biggest growth being in the five or more category.</p>
<p>"With 80% of the U.S.'s largest generation subscribing to at least one OTT service, Millennials are clearly making an impact on streaming video," Nigel Burmeister, Limelight Networks' vice president of global marketing, told <a href="http://www.fool.com/?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">The Motley Fool Opens a New Window.</a> via email. "The percentage of thisdemographic watching 10 hours or more [per week] is also increasing -- from 15.7% the first time we issued this report in May 2015 to 22.8% now. This trend is gainingmomentum and will definitely impact traditional pay-TV, even more so as consumers demand content on any device at any time, forcing cable providers to adapt."</p>
<p>Image source: Limelight Networks</p>
<p>These numbers should concern Comcast, Charter, and the rest of the traditional pay-TV industry because in addition to embracing OTT technology, almost 90% of millennials say they would cut the cord and get rid of their cable company under the right circumstances. Those circumstances include "being able to subscribe directly to the channels I want online," which was a reason 16.59% of the age group would drop cable, and "because the price keeps going up," which led the way at just over 29%.</p>
<p>Since cable does not appear likely to stop raising prices and more content becomes available via streaming every year, it appears that the industry should be very concerned about millennials cutting the cord or never getting one in the first place.</p>
<p>Traditional cable's demise may not be inevitable. The industry has been slowly adapting to what millennials want. That means offering skinny bundles -- smaller packages of channels that cost less than traditional cable -- and making OTT services easier to access. That has been happening, but if the pace does not pick up, the younger generation has shown that it understands how to access the content it wants through means other than a traditional pay-TV subscription.</p>
<p>Cable has to change or as millennials set up households and make the decision whether to subscribe they simply won't. Cord-cutting has been slow, but this report suggests that at some point in the the not-too-distant future it will begin to snowball in favor of OTT services.</p>
<p>The article <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/06/22/for-kris-the-slow-end-of-cable-younger-users-flock.aspx" type="external">The Slow End of Cable? Younger Users Flock to Streaming Services Opens a New Window.</a> originally appeared on Fool.com.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/Dankline/info.aspx?source=eptfxblnk0000004" type="external">Daniel Kline Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. He has cords and pays for pretty much every major OTT service. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon.com and Netflix. 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 | sometimes new technology happens evolution revolution continue reading consider many folks certain age know still landline even though mobile phone would meet needs question understanding technology even wanting sticking always worked could explain cordcutting slow trickle users leaving cable streaming services even though nearly content available traditional paytelevision service via cheaper alternate means mostly combining streaming service subscriptions hdtv antenna people slow give cable call stubbornness simply fixing isnt broken major paytv providers lost 385000 subscribers 2015 according leichtman research group opens new window lrg thats 125000 opens new window 2014 94 millionhome universe thats like garth brooks misplacing single cowboy hat lebron james losing pair sneakers loss subscribers may worth noting real danger industry cable going die current subscribers leave mean comcast charter communications rest relax new study opens new window limelight networks called state online video opens new window opens pdf shows existing customers future ones big cable fear millennials people became young adults around 2000 increasingly embracing streaming services according report willing cut cord never one first place long content want available methods census bureau defines millennials born 1982 2000 says 83 million generation quarter us population possible subscribe showtime watch hulu platform image source hulu advertisement limelight networks research shows nearly 80 millennials subscribe least one overthetop ott streaming service like hulu netflix amazon prime thats roughly 68 may 2015 well 61 age groups subscribe ott service addition millennials shown significant growth number people subscribing one service like hulu netflix biggest growth five category 80 uss largest generation subscribing least one ott service millennials clearly making impact streaming video nigel burmeister limelight networks vice president global marketing told motley fool opens new window via email percentage thisdemographic watching 10 hours per week also increasing 157 first time issued report may 2015 228 trend gainingmomentum definitely impact traditional paytv even consumers demand content device time forcing cable providers adapt image source limelight networks numbers concern comcast charter rest traditional paytv industry addition embracing ott technology almost 90 millennials say would cut cord get rid cable company right circumstances circumstances include able subscribe directly channels want online reason 1659 age group would drop cable price keeps going led way 29 since cable appear likely stop raising prices content becomes available via streaming every year appears industry concerned millennials cutting cord never getting one first place traditional cables demise may inevitable industry slowly adapting millennials want means offering skinny bundles smaller packages channels cost less traditional cable making ott services easier access happening pace pick younger generation shown understands access content wants means traditional paytv subscription cable change millennials set households make decision whether subscribe simply wont cordcutting slow report suggests point nottoodistant future begin snowball favor ott services article slow end cable younger users flock streaming services opens new window originally appeared foolcom daniel kline opens new window position stocks mentioned cords pays pretty much every major ott service motley fool owns shares recommends amazoncom netflix 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 | 536 |
<p>U.S. stocks paused Friday following a rally that lifted the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its biggest one-day gain of the year.</p>
<p>The Dow industrials dropped 27 points, or 0.1%, to 24244. The S&amp;P 500 fell less than 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.3%.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Major indexes have risen to fresh highs this week, buoyed by a streak of solid U.S. economic data and signs of progress on a Republican tax overhaul effort.</p>
<p>Recent reports have shown consumer spending, home sales and business investment picking up, encouraging investors who have wondered whether an economy that has expanded for nine years could sustain its momentum.</p>
<p>Senate Republicans have also drawn closer to holding a vote on a tax bill that many analysts say could help boost corporate profits, sending government bond yields and shares of financial stocks higher much of the week.</p>
<p>The KBW Nasdaq Bank Index of large U.S. lenders fell 0.7% Friday but remained up nearly 5% for the week, heading toward its biggest one-week advance of the year. Banks are expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries of a corporate tax cut, analysts said, while bond investors say Treasurys could suffer if tax cuts spurs inflation that weakens demand for so-called haven assets.</p>
<p>"We've had one heck of a recovery, global trade being a lot more positive than we initially thought it would be and central banks still remaining pretty accommodative on the whole," said Tom Stringfellow, chief investment officer of Frost Investment Advisors.</p>
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<p>The prospect of a tax cut is providing additional fuel for U.S. stocks to chug higher, Mr. Stringfellow added, even as valuations have made many of the best performers in the stock market look pricey.</p>
<p>Shares of Facebook, Apple and Amazon.com each fell about 0.3%, deepening their declines for the week.</p>
<p>The S&amp;P 500 technology sector, which has doubled the broader index's gains for 2017, has swung in recent sessions -- something analysts have said isn't unusual following a rapid run that has taken many stocks to records this year.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, the Stoxx Europe 600 fell 0.3%, with Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 each dropping by 0.7%. The broad European index had declined by as much as 0.8% earlier in the session.</p>
<p>Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed up 0.4%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index remained under pressure, down 0.4% mostly due to weakness in Tencent.</p>
<p>It has been a tough week for tech stocks globally, particularly for Samsung Electronics, which lost 8.3%, its worst week in 5 1/2 years.</p>
<p>Write to Akane Otani at [email protected] and Mike Bird at [email protected]</p>
<p>U.S. stocks swung in a turbulent session, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average sliding as many as 350 points before it trimmed declines.</p>
<p>Major indexes were little changed shortly after the opening bell, then sold off sharply before midday, with the losses at one point putting the blue-chip index on pace for one of its biggest one-day declines of the year.</p>
<p>As the selling accelerated, investors piled into assets that many consider havens -- sending gold and government bond prices higher.</p>
<p>Several traders said the market's churn appeared to start after ABC News reported that former national security adviser Michael Flynn was expected to testify that President Donald Trump "directed him to make contact with the Russians."</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal hasn't independently confirmed the report.</p>
<p>As the report spread over social media, Mohit Bajaj, director of ETF trading solutions at brokerage WallachBeth Capital, noticed a pickup in trading volumes, particularly among S&amp;P 500 and Treasurys futures.</p>
<p>"People are just trying to protect themselves right now," Mr. Bajaj said as the stock selling accelerated. "I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a bounce later on," he added, noting that investors have often rushed in to scoop up stocks following sharp pullbacks this year.</p>
<p>The Dow industrials was recently down 66 points, or 0.3%, to 24205, off its session lows. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.6%.</p>
<p>Assets that many investors consider havens rallied Friday, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note falling to 2.369%, according to Tradeweb, compared with 2.417% Thursday. Bond yields fall as prices rise.</p>
<p>Gold for December delivery rose 0.4% to $1,278.80 an ounce, backing off its session high.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar retreated, with the WSJ Dollar Index -- a measure of the dollar against a basket of 16 currencies -- falling sharply before paring declines.</p>
<p>The rise in political uncertainty "will create volatility for sure," said Brad Bechtel, managing director at Jefferies. "This will add an extra later of tension over the next several weeks."</p>
<p>The day's moves interrupted a rally that had brought major U.S. stock indexes to fresh highs this week.</p>
<p>Recent reports have shown consumer spending, home sales and business investment picking up, encouraging investors who have wondered whether an economy that has expanded for nine years could sustain its momentum.</p>
<p>Senate Republicans have also drawn closer to holding a vote on a tax bill that many analysts say could help boost corporate profits and keep the U.S. stock rally going. Reports on Friday that lawmakers had enough votes to pass the tax measure helped spur a recovery in stocks and the dollar following steep losses earlier in the session, some traders said.</p>
<p>Prospects of a tax overhaul had also helped lift bank stocks through much of the week.</p>
<p>The KBW Nasdaq Bank Index of large U.S. lenders fell 0.2% Friday but remained up 5.5% for the week, on pace for its biggest one-week advance of the year. Banks are expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries of a corporate tax cut, analysts said, while bond investors say Treasurys could suffer if tax cuts spur inflation that weakens demand for so-called haven assets.</p>
<p>"We've had one heck of a recovery, global trade being a lot more positive than we initially thought it would be and central banks still remaining pretty accommodative on the whole," said Tom Stringfellow, chief investment officer of Frost Investment Advisors.</p>
<p>The possibility that Congress will cut the corporate tax rates has helped provide additional fuel for U.S. stocks to chug higher, Mr. Stringfellow added, even as valuations have made many of the best performers in the stock market look pricey.</p>
<p>Ira Iosebashvili contributed to this article</p>
<p>Write to Akane Otani at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>December 01, 2017 15:07 ET (20:07 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | us stocks paused friday following rally lifted dow jones industrial average biggest oneday gain year dow industrials dropped 27 points 01 24244 sampp 500 fell less 01 nasdaq composite lost 03 continue reading major indexes risen fresh highs week buoyed streak solid us economic data signs progress republican tax overhaul effort recent reports shown consumer spending home sales business investment picking encouraging investors wondered whether economy expanded nine years could sustain momentum senate republicans also drawn closer holding vote tax bill many analysts say could help boost corporate profits sending government bond yields shares financial stocks higher much week kbw nasdaq bank index large us lenders fell 07 friday remained nearly 5 week heading toward biggest oneweek advance year banks expected among biggest beneficiaries corporate tax cut analysts said bond investors say treasurys could suffer tax cuts spurs inflation weakens demand socalled assets weve one heck recovery global trade lot positive initially thought would central banks still remaining pretty accommodative whole said tom stringfellow chief investment officer frost investment advisors advertisement prospect tax cut providing additional fuel us stocks chug higher mr stringfellow added even valuations made many best performers stock market look pricey shares facebook apple amazoncom fell 03 deepening declines week sampp 500 technology sector doubled broader indexs gains 2017 swung recent sessions something analysts said isnt unusual following rapid run taken many stocks records year elsewhere stoxx europe 600 fell 03 germanys dax frances cac 40 dropping 07 broad european index declined much 08 earlier session japans nikkei stock average closed 04 hong kongs hang seng index remained pressure 04 mostly due weakness tencent tough week tech stocks globally particularly samsung electronics lost 83 worst week 5 12 years write akane otani akaneotaniwsjcom mike bird mikebirdwsjcom us stocks swung turbulent session sending dow jones industrial average sliding many 350 points trimmed declines major indexes little changed shortly opening bell sold sharply midday losses one point putting bluechip index pace one biggest oneday declines year selling accelerated investors piled assets many consider havens sending gold government bond prices higher several traders said markets churn appeared start abc news reported former national security adviser michael flynn expected testify president donald trump directed make contact russians wall street journal hasnt independently confirmed report report spread social media mohit bajaj director etf trading solutions brokerage wallachbeth capital noticed pickup trading volumes particularly among sampp 500 treasurys futures people trying protect right mr bajaj said stock selling accelerated wouldnt surprised saw bounce later added noting investors often rushed scoop stocks following sharp pullbacks year dow industrials recently 66 points 03 24205 session lows sampp 500 fell 03 nasdaq composite lost 06 assets many investors consider havens rallied friday yield benchmark 10year us treasury note falling 2369 according tradeweb compared 2417 thursday bond yields fall prices rise gold december delivery rose 04 127880 ounce backing session high meanwhile us dollar retreated wsj dollar index measure dollar basket 16 currencies falling sharply paring declines rise political uncertainty create volatility sure said brad bechtel managing director jefferies add extra later tension next several weeks days moves interrupted rally brought major us stock indexes fresh highs week recent reports shown consumer spending home sales business investment picking encouraging investors wondered whether economy expanded nine years could sustain momentum senate republicans also drawn closer holding vote tax bill many analysts say could help boost corporate profits keep us stock rally going reports friday lawmakers enough votes pass tax measure helped spur recovery stocks dollar following steep losses earlier session traders said prospects tax overhaul also helped lift bank stocks much week kbw nasdaq bank index large us lenders fell 02 friday remained 55 week pace biggest oneweek advance year banks expected among biggest beneficiaries corporate tax cut analysts said bond investors say treasurys could suffer tax cuts spur inflation weakens demand socalled assets weve one heck recovery global trade lot positive initially thought would central banks still remaining pretty accommodative whole said tom stringfellow chief investment officer frost investment advisors possibility congress cut corporate tax rates helped provide additional fuel us stocks chug higher mr stringfellow added even valuations made many best performers stock market look pricey ira iosebashvili contributed article write akane otani akaneotaniwsjcom end dow jones newswires december 01 2017 1507 et 2007 gmt | 709 |
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<p>President Barack Obama's administration is expected to push through long-delayed safety measures for the nation's sprawling network of oil pipelines in its final days, despite resistance from industry and concern that incoming president Donald Trump may scuttle them.</p>
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<p>The measures are aimed at preventing increasingly frequent accidents such as a 176,000-gallon spill that fouled a North Dakota creek earlier this month. Thousands more accidents over the past decade caused $2.5 billion in damages nationwide and dumped almost 38 million gallons of fuels.</p>
<p>Fights over pipelines have intensified in recent years, illustrated by the dispute over TransCanada's Keystone XL plan and efforts by American Indians to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline from crossing beneath the Missouri River near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.</p>
<p>The U.S. Department of Transportation proposal covers roughly 200,000 miles of lines that crisscross the country and carry crude, gasoline and other hazardous liquids.</p>
<p>Environmental and safety advocates have criticized the agency's commitment to tightening oversight of that network after a key safety feature — automatic valves that quickly shut down ruptured lines — was omitted from a draft rule published in 2015.</p>
<p>Further revisions sought by the petroleum industry could make the rule largely ineffective, said Carl Weimer with the Pipeline Safety Trust. But keeping the proposal intact would expose it to a legal challenge or reversal by a Republican-controlled Congress and Trump, an enthusiastic advocate for fossil fuels whose administration would enforce the new safety provisions, Weimer added.</p>
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<p>"We already viewed it as an incremental step. If they water it down at all or extend the timelines, it's going to be an even smaller step," he said.</p>
<p>Regulators began crafting the new rule after a 2010 Michigan pipeline break released almost 1 million gallons of crude into the Kalamazoo River. It's languished amid industry criticisms, interventions from Congress and the bureaucratic inertia of the federal regulatory process.</p>
<p>A recent boom in domestic drilling saw accident rates for pipelines increase by roughly a third. The number of hazardous liquid pipeline accidents in the U.S. increased from 350 in 2010 to 462 in 2015.</p>
<p>The Transportation Department proposal calls for tougher inspection and repair criteria, leak detection systems on more lines and other measures to cut risk. Companies also would be required to inspect lines after flooding or other extreme events, a provision adopted after a 2011 ExxonMobil pipeline break spilled 63,000 gallons of crude into Montana's Yellowstone River.</p>
<p>It's currently under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Final adoption is anticipated in late December, said Allie Aguilera, government affairs director of the Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.</p>
<p>Industry representatives argue it would cost companies $600 million a year and almost $5 billion over the next decade. That's almost 30 times the government's estimate of $22.5 million annually.</p>
<p>Association of Oil Pipe Lines Vice President John Stoody said the rule would force pipeline owners to immediately repair lines with microscopic cracks or traces of corrosion. Currently, the industry is allowed to monitor smaller defects and schedule repairs later.</p>
<p>"It has the potential to distract us away from higher-priority safety issues," Stoody said of the more stringent repair criteria.</p>
<p>Advocates say the rule is particularly important for rural areas. Current regulations apply primarily to lines in "high consequence areas" with large populations or environmentally sensitive features such as drinking water supplies.</p>
<p>Lines outside those areas are not required to be inspected with mechanical devices known as "pipeline pigs," which travel inside lines looking for flaws.</p>
<p>"This is the first time (the Department of Transportation) is saying you have to inspect them" using the devices, Weimer said.</p>
<p>The Bellingham, Washington-based safety trust was formed after three children were killed when a gasoline pipeline broke in 1999, leaking fuel for 1½ hours before it exploded.</p>
<p>The recent 176,000-gallon pipeline spill near Belfield, North Dakota occurred outside a high consequence area.</p>
<p>Federal investigators said Wednesday that a leak detection system on the Belle Fourche Pipeline Co. line had failed to detect any problems before a rancher discovered the spill on Dec. 5. The company was ordered by the Transportation Department to make improvements to that detection system before re-starting the line.</p>
<p>It's unclear how long it had been leaking. The oil travelled 4½ miles down a tributary of the Little Missouri River, investigators said. About 76,000 gallons had been recovered as of Tuesday, according to company spokeswoman Wendy Owen.</p>
<p>A third-party vendor had used a pipeline pig to inspect the line in April. The results were being reviewed to make sure the company repaired any flaws that were found, investigators said.</p>
<p>The 6-inch line can carry up to 1 million gallons of crude daily. Belle Fourche is a subsidiary of True Companies of Casper, Wyoming, which has a lengthy history of accidents including a January 2015 spill into the Yellowstone River.</p>
<p>Belle Fourche is a member of the American Petroleum Institute, which acknowledged it has been seeking revisions to the administration's safety proposal but declined to specify the changes it wants.</p>
<p>In a 65-page cost-benefit analysis, the petroleum institute chided federal officials for underestimating the costs and amount of work needed for companies to comply. The group described the rule as a "significant expansion of regulatory oversight."</p>
<p>Minimal federal oversight of pipelines in rural areas has left officials in some states overwhelmed with the task of policing the industry.</p>
<p>Pressured by landowners, farmers and environmentalists, North Dakota will put a state rule into effect Jan. 1 to increase inspections of smaller pipelines known as gathering lines. The federal proposal requires only that companies document spills from the lines.</p>
<p>Kevin Pranis, a spokesman for the Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota, which represents some workers building the four-state, $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline, said his group welcomes "sensible" regulation for the industry.</p>
<p>"The pipeline industry is under scrutiny like never before," Pranis said.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>MacPherson reported from Bismarck, North Dakota.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Follow Matthew Brown on Twitter at — https://twitter.com/matthewbrownap</p> | true | 0 | president barack obamas administration expected push longdelayed safety measures nations sprawling network oil pipelines final days despite resistance industry concern incoming president donald trump may scuttle continue reading measures aimed preventing increasingly frequent accidents 176000gallon spill fouled north dakota creek earlier month thousands accidents past decade caused 25 billion damages nationwide dumped almost 38 million gallons fuels fights pipelines intensified recent years illustrated dispute transcanadas keystone xl plan efforts american indians stop dakota access pipeline crossing beneath missouri river near standing rock sioux reservation us department transportation proposal covers roughly 200000 miles lines crisscross country carry crude gasoline hazardous liquids environmental safety advocates criticized agencys commitment tightening oversight network key safety feature automatic valves quickly shut ruptured lines omitted draft rule published 2015 revisions sought petroleum industry could make rule largely ineffective said carl weimer pipeline safety trust keeping proposal intact would expose legal challenge reversal republicancontrolled congress trump enthusiastic advocate fossil fuels whose administration would enforce new safety provisions weimer added advertisement already viewed incremental step water extend timelines going even smaller step said regulators began crafting new rule 2010 michigan pipeline break released almost 1 million gallons crude kalamazoo river languished amid industry criticisms interventions congress bureaucratic inertia federal regulatory process recent boom domestic drilling saw accident rates pipelines increase roughly third number hazardous liquid pipeline accidents us increased 350 2010 462 2015 transportation department proposal calls tougher inspection repair criteria leak detection systems lines measures cut risk companies also would required inspect lines flooding extreme events provision adopted 2011 exxonmobil pipeline break spilled 63000 gallons crude montanas yellowstone river currently review white house office management budget final adoption anticipated late december said allie aguilera government affairs director transportation departments pipeline hazardous materials safety administration industry representatives argue would cost companies 600 million year almost 5 billion next decade thats almost 30 times governments estimate 225 million annually association oil pipe lines vice president john stoody said rule would force pipeline owners immediately repair lines microscopic cracks traces corrosion currently industry allowed monitor smaller defects schedule repairs later potential distract us away higherpriority safety issues stoody said stringent repair criteria advocates say rule particularly important rural areas current regulations apply primarily lines high consequence areas large populations environmentally sensitive features drinking water supplies lines outside areas required inspected mechanical devices known pipeline pigs travel inside lines looking flaws first time department transportation saying inspect using devices weimer said bellingham washingtonbased safety trust formed three children killed gasoline pipeline broke 1999 leaking fuel 1½ hours exploded recent 176000gallon pipeline spill near belfield north dakota occurred outside high consequence area federal investigators said wednesday leak detection system belle fourche pipeline co line failed detect problems rancher discovered spill dec 5 company ordered transportation department make improvements detection system restarting line unclear long leaking oil travelled 4½ miles tributary little missouri river investigators said 76000 gallons recovered tuesday according company spokeswoman wendy owen thirdparty vendor used pipeline pig inspect line april results reviewed make sure company repaired flaws found investigators said 6inch line carry 1 million gallons crude daily belle fourche subsidiary true companies casper wyoming lengthy history accidents including january 2015 spill yellowstone river belle fourche member american petroleum institute acknowledged seeking revisions administrations safety proposal declined specify changes wants 65page costbenefit analysis petroleum institute chided federal officials underestimating costs amount work needed companies comply group described rule significant expansion regulatory oversight minimal federal oversight pipelines rural areas left officials states overwhelmed task policing industry pressured landowners farmers environmentalists north dakota put state rule effect jan 1 increase inspections smaller pipelines known gathering lines federal proposal requires companies document spills lines kevin pranis spokesman laborers district council minnesota north dakota represents workers building fourstate 38 billion dakota access pipeline said group welcomes sensible regulation industry pipeline industry scrutiny like never pranis said ___ macpherson reported bismarck north dakota ___ follow matthew brown twitter httpstwittercommatthewbrownap | 644 |
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<p>Microprocessor giant Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) won the modem spot inside last year's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus with its XMM 7360 cellular modem. Intel didn't get this spot exclusively -- it shares it with fellow chipmaker Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM)-- but it's believed to supply a substantial portion of Apple's cellular modem needs for the iPhone 7.</p>
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<p>The XMM 7360, unlike most of the chips that Intel builds, isn't manufactured by Intel. Instead, it is manufactured by a third party -- very likely Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM) -- on a (rather mature) 28-nanometer manufacturing technology.</p>
<p>Image source: Intel.</p>
<p>The follow-on, known as the XMM 7480 -- the chip that's likely to power a large portion of Apple's upcoming iPhone models -- is also expected to be manufactured by TSMC, likely again using a 28-nanometer technology.After the 7480, though, comes the XMM 7560, which Intel says is manufactured in the company's 14-nanometer technology. This modem should power some of the 2018 iPhone models.This chip, as well as its successors, has the potential to be a good way for Intel to keep its older-generation factories utilized.</p>
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<p>Chip manufacturing companies usually put into place some fixed amount of capacity for a given manufacturing technology, based on the company's demand forecasts. In Intel's case, it builds capacity for a new technology based on what it believes will be peak shipments on that technology (driven largely by the expected demand for its PC and data-center processors).</p>
<p>Intel's main PC and data center processors will be manufactured on a given technology for several years -- historically, it has been about two years, but that's lengthening to at least three years. Once an all-new manufacturing technology is introduced, though, Intel will begin transitioning its core processor products from an older technology to a newer one.</p>
<p>Now, just because Intel transitions its processors to a new manufacturing technology doesn't mean that there will be no use for the older manufacturing capacity. Some of the equipment inside those older factories is reused for future manufacturing technologies, but Intel has a lot of non-processor product lines that it usually keeps a step or two behind its main processor products in terms of manufacturing.</p>
<p>It's those products that can ultimately fill the void left by the processors.</p>
<p>Today, Intel's cellular modems don't serve the role as "factory filler" -- at least not for Intel, since those chips are manufactured elsewhere. However, with Intel's XMM 7560 and beyond, they will be able to do their part.</p>
<p>Over time, I expect Intel's annual modem shipments to roughly trend to one-half of Apple's annual iPhone shipments on a unit basis, or somewhere around 100 million units (obviously varies based on Apple's own iPhone shipments and the exact split between Intel modems and Qualcomm modems).</p>
<p>It's hard to know exactly how large these modem chips are, since die sizes are not readily available. However, I think we can make a somewhat educated guess as to how large the die size of a typical cellular baseband chip is.</p>
<p>According to Chipworks' teardown of the iPhone 6s, the package size of the Qualcomm MDM9635 cellular baseband is approximately 75 square millimeters. The package size of the Apple A9 applications processor (APL0898) is about 215 square millimeters.The die size of the APL0898 is 96 square millimeters, so the ratio of the die size to the package size is 96/215 or ~0.44. If we assume a similar ratio for the baseband's die size to the package size, then we get a die size of around 33 square millimeters.</p>
<p>So, for the purposes of our analysis, let's suppose that the XMM 7560, manufactured in Intel's 14-nanometer manufacturing technology, is roughly 30 square millimeters (greater functionality than the older Qualcomm modem offset by the smaller manufacturing technology.</p>
<p>From a volume perspective, working under these (admittedly very crude) estimates, 100 million cellular modem chips at 30 square millimeters a piece is equivalent in volume to 30 million chips measuring in at 100 square millimeters a piece -- the approximate size of a current dual-core Intel Core processor.Looked at another way, the potential volume here is roughly equivalent to between 10% and 15% of Intel's personal computer chip shipments.</p>
<p>Cellular baseband chips, then, wouldn't be enough to completely make up for the migration of Intel's main processors to a newer manufacturing technology, but it would dramatically boost the volumes of chips that Intel builds on its older-generation manufacturing technologies.</p>
<p>In other words, a nice way for Intel to wring out more revenue and profits from preexisting factory infrastructure.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/aeassa/info.aspx" type="external">Ashraf Eassa Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Intel and Qualcomm. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Qualcomm. The Motley Fool recommends Intel. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | microprocessor giant intel nasdaq intc modem spot inside last years iphone 7 iphone 7 plus xmm 7360 cellular modem intel didnt get spot exclusively shares fellow chipmaker qualcomm nasdaq qcom believed supply substantial portion apples cellular modem needs iphone 7 continue reading xmm 7360 unlike chips intel builds isnt manufactured intel instead manufactured third party likely taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company nyse tsm rather mature 28nanometer manufacturing technology image source intel followon known xmm 7480 chip thats likely power large portion apples upcoming iphone models also expected manufactured tsmc likely using 28nanometer technologyafter 7480 though comes xmm 7560 intel says manufactured companys 14nanometer technology modem power 2018 iphone modelsthis chip well successors potential good way intel keep oldergeneration factories utilized advertisement chip manufacturing companies usually put place fixed amount capacity given manufacturing technology based companys demand forecasts intels case builds capacity new technology based believes peak shipments technology driven largely expected demand pc datacenter processors intels main pc data center processors manufactured given technology several years historically two years thats lengthening least three years allnew manufacturing technology introduced though intel begin transitioning core processor products older technology newer one intel transitions processors new manufacturing technology doesnt mean use older manufacturing capacity equipment inside older factories reused future manufacturing technologies intel lot nonprocessor product lines usually keeps step two behind main processor products terms manufacturing products ultimately fill void left processors today intels cellular modems dont serve role factory filler least intel since chips manufactured elsewhere however intels xmm 7560 beyond able part time expect intels annual modem shipments roughly trend onehalf apples annual iphone shipments unit basis somewhere around 100 million units obviously varies based apples iphone shipments exact split intel modems qualcomm modems hard know exactly large modem chips since die sizes readily available however think make somewhat educated guess large die size typical cellular baseband chip according chipworks teardown iphone 6s package size qualcomm mdm9635 cellular baseband approximately 75 square millimeters package size apple a9 applications processor apl0898 215 square millimetersthe die size apl0898 96 square millimeters ratio die size package size 96215 044 assume similar ratio basebands die size package size get die size around 33 square millimeters purposes analysis lets suppose xmm 7560 manufactured intels 14nanometer manufacturing technology roughly 30 square millimeters greater functionality older qualcomm modem offset smaller manufacturing technology volume perspective working admittedly crude estimates 100 million cellular modem chips 30 square millimeters piece equivalent volume 30 million chips measuring 100 square millimeters piece approximate size current dualcore intel core processorlooked another way potential volume roughly equivalent 10 15 intels personal computer chip shipments cellular baseband chips wouldnt enough completely make migration intels main processors newer manufacturing technology would dramatically boost volumes chips intel builds oldergeneration manufacturing technologies words nice way intel wring revenue profits preexisting factory infrastructure 10 stocks like better intelwhen 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 april 3 2017 ashraf eassa opens new window owns shares intel qualcomm motley fool owns shares recommends qualcomm motley fool recommends intel motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 548 |
<p>The general silence of “conservative” columnists, commentators and publications during the gays in the military debate has been astounding. In an extraordinary column, “ <a href="http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=1030130" type="external">Conservative Media Fiddle While the Military Burns</a>,” veteran conservative journalist Robert Knight comments that “…homosexual activists and their allies are muscling through their agenda [through Congress], with nary a peep from the nation’s conservative talking heads,” and that “many conservative opinion leaders have run for the tall grass.”</p>
<p>Knight names names, saying that Erick Erickson’s Red State, which describes itself as the leading conservative news blog for right of center online activists, has been AWOL in the battle. I’ll name another—Hotair.com, which is owned by a Christian company, <a href="http://www.easyir.com/easyir/prssrel.do?easyirid=890EECB6E22CE688&amp;version=live&amp;prid=588256" type="external">Salem Communications</a>, is actually supporting repeal of the homosexual exclusion policy.</p>
<p>Into this void has stepped Senator John McCain, who has not been a favorite of conservatives on many occasions in the past and is facing a conservative challenger in the Republican Senate primary in Arizona. Perhaps for this reason—but also because he is a decorated war veteran who understands combat conditions—McCain has opposed repeal of the Pentagon’s homosexual exclusion policy, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” McCain points out that the troops were promised a comprehensive review before any legislative change was made and it is not due until December.</p>
<p>McCain noted that the vote in favor of repeal “short circuits the ongoing Pentagon review of the policy and thereby denies our men and women in uniform a chance to have their voices heard on an important issue that affects them and their service. That is why all four Service Chiefs opposed legislative action at this time.”</p>
<p>Despite clear evidence that the troops are being betrayed by Congress and that their promised input into this proposed change is being dismissed in advance, the so-called conservative media have been mostly silent.</p>
<p>It’s the conservative version of MoveOn.org. Liberals wanted to “move on” from the issue of President Clinton’s impeachment while many conservative talking heads act as if they want the debate over gays in the military to go away, so they, too, can “move on” to other matters.</p>
<p>My suspicion is that they are afraid of getting flak from the vocal and militant homosexuals in the media. The gays who run and staff such organizations as Media Matters viciously and savagely attack anybody who stands in the way of their agenda. Plus, most major media organizations, including Fox News, contribute financially to such groups as the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA). So there is internal pressure to stay away from the issue or even favorably report on the gay agenda.</p>
<p>On the other hand, issues like Obama’s Katrina in the Gulf and Joe Sestak’s job offer are being covered non-stop on Fox News. The oil spill is under the jurisdiction of BP and the feds while the Sestak matter is in the hands of the Justice Department. This isn’t satisfactory, but there’s not much that conservatives can do about any of this, except talk and shout.</p>
<p>The difference is that the issue of gays in the military is on the front burner in Congress, as historic votes are taking place that will forever change the composition, the character and integrity of the Armed Forces of the United States. What is at stake is the survival of the all-volunteer force because a significant number of morally straight and normal soldiers will not want to shower or room with or take blood from the gays.</p>
<p>While some votes have taken place in the Senate Armed Services Committee and in the House of Representatives, repeal of the homosexual exclusion policy is NOT a done deal. A filibuster in the Senate is still possible and the House bill that includes the repeal is facing other difficulties.</p>
<p>The problem of the “conservative” media is actually much worse than Knight depicts it. Consider the case of a “conservative” columnist who is so determined to force open and active homosexuals into the military that he is claiming in print that it is irrational to believe that soldiers in combat may be exposed to the HIV-infected blood of gays in the ranks.</p>
<p>Steve Chapman of the Chicago Tribune, whose column is distributed by Townhall.com, <a href="http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/steve_chapman/2010/05/the-latest-excuse-for-barring-gays-from-the-military.html" type="external">protests</a> my research about threats to the blood supply because “recruits are already tested for HIV before induction, and the infected are not admitted” into the military. I have mentioned this in my columns on the matter. But it is besides my main point that the male homosexuals that could be welcomed into the Armed Forces are currently prohibited from donating blood. This ban is in place because the HIV tests are not 100 percent reliable.</p>
<p>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which bans gay blood, understands that men who have sex with men (MSM) are 46 to 86 times more likely to be newly infected with HIV. What’s more, one can be HIV-free and still carry life-threatening diseases.</p>
<p>The FDA explains that “MSM have an increased incidence and prevalence of several currently recognized transfusion-transmitted diseases”—Hepatitis B virus, HIV, syphilis, and cytomegalovirus. The FDA also says, “There is a theoretical concern that MSM populations may also be at increased risk for other unrecognized transfusion-transmitted agents.”</p>
<p>That means another infectious agent could be lurking in the gay blood supply.</p>
<p>In her well-documented report, “ <a href="http://www.usasurvival.org/ck04.29.10.html" type="external">Asking for Trouble</a>,” on the dangers of admitting homosexuals into the military, Dale O’Leary notes that “Gay men are far more likely than other men to be infected with one or more sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although they constitute no more than 1.5% of the adult population, they account for half of the new cases of HIV infection and the rate of infections among young gay men is increasing.”</p>
<p>But Chapman and many others act ignorant and spread misinformation. His cavalier attitude about life and death is shocking, especially because we are talking about our soldiers who are fighting and dying on the battlefield and who come into contact with blood and bodily fluids in that context. These are the soldiers we are depending on to win the battle against Islamic fascism.</p>
<p>What’s more, some soldiers become infected after induction and (1) there is no guarantee that HIV tests will pick up the infection and (2) the tests are conducted only every two years after that.</p>
<p>If Chapman had done some elementary research, he would know that after exposure to the HIV virus, it can take several months for the virus to show up in a blood test. And then, as we know, it may still not be detected through an HIV test. Admitting open and active homosexuals can only increase the risks and dangers to our troops. These are the basic facts.</p>
<p>Some of the facts are difficult to unearth. I have previously reported that 19,000 veterans are HIV-positive and under the care of the Veterans Administration. In fact, I have now learned that a more <a href="http://www.iasociety.org/Default.aspx?pageId=5&amp;elementId=12690" type="external">recent estimate</a> puts the figure at 23,000.&#160; Ninety-seven percent of them are men.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Washington Post, under the sway of its homosexual editorial writer, Jonathan Capehart, a member of the NLGJA, is attacking Senator McCain for standing in the way of putting open and active homosexuals on the front lines of combat.</p>
<p>In a Saturday editorial, the paper <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/28/AR2010052804522.html" type="external">complains</a>, “Mr. McCain once said he’d accept the verdict of Pentagon brass on this matter. Now Mr. Gates and Adm. Mullen are on board, but Mr. McCain has vowed to ‘do everything in my power’ to fight the bill. It’s sad to watch.”</p>
<p>It’s sad to watch the Post publish an editorial that is slanted to the point of dishonesty. Gates and Mullen had promised the troops that any legislative change would wait until after the review was in. That promise has been broken by those in the House and on the Senate Armed Services Committee who just voted for repeal.</p>
<p>Gates and Mullen decided to go along with the betrayal of our troops and accept premature legislative action, but Gates has now told the soldiers in a Friday “ <a href="http://www.defense.gov/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1480" type="external">message</a>” that “the legislative process is long and complex,” that the soldiers and their families will be consulted, and that no final changes will be made until “the President, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and I all can certify that we are ready to make this change without hurting unit cohesion, military readiness, military effectiveness and recruiting and retention.”</p>
<p>All of the service chiefs, however, are <a href="http://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&amp;ContentRecord_id=d5d00574-ce46-10c4-0c80-d91697758331" type="external">standing firm</a> with McCain in demanding that legislative action wait until after that review is examined and evaluated. The top officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines are reported to be “furious” and feel “betrayed” that Gates and Mullen have gone along with the liberals in Congress and the Obama Administration.</p>
<p>McCain has said, “I am concerned that the men and women of our military will view this preemptive political action as a deep sign of disrespect and unwillingness to consider their views.”</p>
<p>He is correct. At a time when political leaders are already under fire across the country for failing to run our government in a responsible and accountable manner, what does it say that the White House and the Congress, under pressure from a special interest group, can so easily dismiss promises that were made to our service members and their families? Can there be anything more unpatriotic?</p>
<p>This policy change—and the manner in which it was hastily voted on—can only demoralize our troops, in addition to jeopardizing military readiness, order and discipline.</p>
<p>But as we celebrate Memorial Day, let us remember that the proposed change has not yet become law and that conservatives in the media still have a chance to redeem themselves and tell the truth.</p> | true | 0 | general silence conservative columnists commentators publications gays military debate astounding extraordinary column conservative media fiddle military burns veteran conservative journalist robert knight comments homosexual activists allies muscling agenda congress nary peep nations conservative talking heads many conservative opinion leaders run tall grass knight names names saying erick ericksons red state describes leading conservative news blog right center online activists awol battle ill name anotherhotaircom owned christian company salem communications actually supporting repeal homosexual exclusion policy void stepped senator john mccain favorite conservatives many occasions past facing conservative challenger republican senate primary arizona perhaps reasonbut also decorated war veteran understands combat conditionsmccain opposed repeal pentagons homosexual exclusion policy known dont ask dont tell mccain points troops promised comprehensive review legislative change made due december mccain noted vote favor repeal short circuits ongoing pentagon review policy thereby denies men women uniform chance voices heard important issue affects service four service chiefs opposed legislative action time despite clear evidence troops betrayed congress promised input proposed change dismissed advance socalled conservative media mostly silent conservative version moveonorg liberals wanted move issue president clintons impeachment many conservative talking heads act want debate gays military go away move matters suspicion afraid getting flak vocal militant homosexuals media gays run staff organizations media matters viciously savagely attack anybody stands way agenda plus major media organizations including fox news contribute financially groups national lesbian gay journalists association nlgja internal pressure stay away issue even favorably report gay agenda hand issues like obamas katrina gulf joe sestaks job offer covered nonstop fox news oil spill jurisdiction bp feds sestak matter hands justice department isnt satisfactory theres much conservatives except talk shout difference issue gays military front burner congress historic votes taking place forever change composition character integrity armed forces united states stake survival allvolunteer force significant number morally straight normal soldiers want shower room take blood gays votes taken place senate armed services committee house representatives repeal homosexual exclusion policy done deal filibuster senate still possible house bill includes repeal facing difficulties problem conservative media actually much worse knight depicts consider case conservative columnist determined force open active homosexuals military claiming print irrational believe soldiers combat may exposed hivinfected blood gays ranks steve chapman chicago tribune whose column distributed townhallcom protests research threats blood supply recruits already tested hiv induction infected admitted military mentioned columns matter besides main point male homosexuals could welcomed armed forces currently prohibited donating blood ban place hiv tests 100 percent reliable food drug administration fda bans gay blood understands men sex men msm 46 86 times likely newly infected hiv whats one hivfree still carry lifethreatening diseases fda explains msm increased incidence prevalence several currently recognized transfusiontransmitted diseaseshepatitis b virus hiv syphilis cytomegalovirus fda also says theoretical concern msm populations may also increased risk unrecognized transfusiontransmitted agents means another infectious agent could lurking gay blood supply welldocumented report asking trouble dangers admitting homosexuals military dale oleary notes gay men far likely men infected one sexually transmitted diseases stds although constitute 15 adult population account half new cases hiv infection rate infections among young gay men increasing chapman many others act ignorant spread misinformation cavalier attitude life death shocking especially talking soldiers fighting dying battlefield come contact blood bodily fluids context soldiers depending win battle islamic fascism whats soldiers become infected induction 1 guarantee hiv tests pick infection 2 tests conducted every two years chapman done elementary research would know exposure hiv virus take several months virus show blood test know may still detected hiv test admitting open active homosexuals increase risks dangers troops basic facts facts difficult unearth previously reported 19000 veterans hivpositive care veterans administration fact learned recent estimate puts figure 23000160 ninetyseven percent men meanwhile washington post sway homosexual editorial writer jonathan capehart member nlgja attacking senator mccain standing way putting open active homosexuals front lines combat saturday editorial paper complains mr mccain said hed accept verdict pentagon brass matter mr gates adm mullen board mr mccain vowed everything power fight bill sad watch sad watch post publish editorial slanted point dishonesty gates mullen promised troops legislative change would wait review promise broken house senate armed services committee voted repeal gates mullen decided go along betrayal troops accept premature legislative action gates told soldiers friday message legislative process long complex soldiers families consulted final changes made president chairman joint chiefs certify ready make change without hurting unit cohesion military readiness military effectiveness recruiting retention service chiefs however standing firm mccain demanding legislative action wait review examined evaluated top officers army navy air force marines reported furious feel betrayed gates mullen gone along liberals congress obama administration mccain said concerned men women military view preemptive political action deep sign disrespect unwillingness consider views correct time political leaders already fire across country failing run government responsible accountable manner say white house congress pressure special interest group easily dismiss promises made service members families anything unpatriotic policy changeand manner hastily voted oncan demoralize troops addition jeopardizing military readiness order discipline celebrate memorial day let us remember proposed change yet become law conservatives media still chance redeem tell truth | 843 |
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<p><a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/12/27/oil-prices-2016-what-to-expect.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Oil prices are in a funk Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>It's been more than a yearsince the price of a barrel of crude oil broke below the magic price of $50 a barrel -- and even longer since the halcyon days when a barrel of dinosaur juice cost $100 and up. Cheap oil has blown holes in the budgets of big Middle Eastern oil producers such as <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/12/29/oil-news-plunging-oil-prices-blow-386-billion-hole.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Saudi Arabia Opens a New Window.</a>, and wrecked the stock prices of many a <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/07/18/these-3-big-oil-stocks-are-ridiculously-cheap.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">publicly traded oil company Opens a New Window.</a>,to boot.</p>
<p>At the same time, however, a revival in oil prices earlier this year has helped to raise the share prices of certain stocks from the dead. Despite all the bad news in the markets in general, shares ofChevron(NYSE: CVX), for example, are up 18% over the past 52 weeks -- and one analyst believes they could go even higher.</p>
<p>Here's what you need to know.</p>
<p>Is a new day dawning for oil stocks like Chevron? Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<p>Despite how well Chevron stock has performed in recent months, the stock has clearly suffered from the long-running rout in oil prices. Two years ago, Chevron cost $127 a share. But priced at $101 and change today, Chevron stock remains down 20% from that price.</p>
<p>Looked at another way, a 20% decline is still a better performance than the near-50% decline at rivalConocoPhillips(NYSE: COP), or the 38% sell-off thatRoyal Dutch Shell(NYSE: RDS-A)(NYSE: RDS-B) shares have experienced. (ExxonMobil(NYSE: XOM), on the other hand, is down only 10% from a couple years ago.)</p>
<p>All of these declines can be tied back to the relatively low cost of oil today. Low oil prices, after all, beget low oil profits for the companies that sell the oil. But as explained today in a post on <a href="http://www.streetinsider.com/Analyst+Comments/Simmons+Upgrades+Chevron+%28CVX%29+to+Overweight/11916909.html" type="external">StreetInsider.com Opens a New Window.</a>, analysts at Piper Jaffray's Simmons investment banking subsidiary are forecasting a turn in the oil market that could do wonders for the stock prices of the oil majors -- and Chevron in particular.</p>
<p>According to Simmons, "CVX does not offer the deeply discounted valuation" of some of its rivals. But what it does offer is "impressive financial resilience and dividend sustainability alongside leading operational leverage." So while Simmons admits that Chevron stock may not be as cheap as Shell, for example, the analyst argues that Chevron's "premium valuation" is nonetheless "warranted."</p>
<p>Yes, Chevronisunprofitable today. In fact, <a href="https://www.capitaliq.com/" type="external">S&amp;P Global Market Intelligence Opens a New Window.</a>data show that Chevron has incurred losses of $746 million over the past 12 months. Then again, Shell and Conoco are unprofitable, too, reporting losses of $4.8 billion and $7.1 billion for the same period, respectively (and Exxon stock sells for a rich 35 times earnings, which tells us it's notveryprofitable, either).</p>
<p>Those numbers alone tell you that Chevron is in better financial shape than some of its rivals today. Meanwhile, Simmons insists that the key to investing profitably in the oil industry isn't to focus on a stock's profitability today, but on where the oil industry as a whole is in the oil cycle. This, argues the analyst, tells you more about the profits that a company will earn in future years.</p>
<p>As luck would have it, <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/oils-slope-of-hope-is-getting-less-slippery-1470586815" type="external">The Wall Street Journal Opens a New Window.</a>answered this very question in an article that ran over the weekend.</p>
<p>As theJournalexplained, "[C]rude prices had nearly doubled from early February to early June, with the U.S. benchmark approaching $52 a barrel before sinking by over $10 in less than two months. But there is reason to believe that the fourth time will be the charm." While oil prices touched $26 a barrel in February, theJournalthinks such low prices are "unlikely to be revisited soon," and indeed, argues that the oil market is now close to reaching "equilibrium."</p>
<p>According to the paper, oil majors such as Chevron, Conoco, Exxon, and their peers are planning to cut a combined $100 billion from their capital spending on oil infrastructure this year. Relative to expectations set two years ago, that's 40% less investment in bringing new oil to market than previously planned. This investment, when combined with a planned 10% decline in oil production this year, suggests that in both the short term and the long term as well, the oil industry plans to invest much less in bringing oil to market, tightening oil supply to match oil demand -- and stabilizing prices.</p>
<p>What's the result then, and what can investors expect? In theJournal'sestimation, and it seems in Simmons', too, oil prices of $50 to $70 look to mark the "equilibrium" point, and will be sustainable. If correct, that means we could see a run-up in oil prices of anywhere from 16% to 63%, and perhaps as soon as later this year.</p>
<p>That's where we are in the cycle. And if Simmons is right, that's how close we are to a big jump in Chevron stock as well.</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>Fool contributor <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDitty/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Smith Opens a New Window.</a>does not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him on <a href="http://caps.fool.com/" type="external">Motley Fool CAPS Opens a New Window.</a>, publicly pontificating under the handle <a href="http://caps.fool.com/ViewPlayer.aspx?t=01002844399633209838" type="external">TMFDitty Opens a New Window.</a>, where he currently ranks No. 308 out of more than 75,000 rated members.</p>
<p>The Motley Fool owns shares of ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron. 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 | oil prices funk opens new window continue reading yearsince price barrel crude oil broke magic price 50 barrel even longer since halcyon days barrel dinosaur juice cost 100 cheap oil blown holes budgets big middle eastern oil producers saudi arabia opens new window wrecked stock prices many publicly traded oil company opens new windowto boot time however revival oil prices earlier year helped raise share prices certain stocks dead despite bad news markets general shares ofchevronnyse cvx example 18 past 52 weeks one analyst believes could go even higher heres need know new day dawning oil stocks like chevron image source getty images advertisement despite well chevron stock performed recent months stock clearly suffered longrunning rout oil prices two years ago chevron cost 127 share priced 101 change today chevron stock remains 20 price looked another way 20 decline still better performance near50 decline rivalconocophillipsnyse cop 38 selloff thatroyal dutch shellnyse rdsanyse rdsb shares experienced exxonmobilnyse xom hand 10 couple years ago declines tied back relatively low cost oil today low oil prices beget low oil profits companies sell oil explained today post streetinsidercom opens new window analysts piper jaffrays simmons investment banking subsidiary forecasting turn oil market could wonders stock prices oil majors chevron particular according simmons cvx offer deeply discounted valuation rivals offer impressive financial resilience dividend sustainability alongside leading operational leverage simmons admits chevron stock may cheap shell example analyst argues chevrons premium valuation nonetheless warranted yes chevronisunprofitable today fact sampp global market intelligence opens new windowdata show chevron incurred losses 746 million past 12 months shell conoco unprofitable reporting losses 48 billion 71 billion period respectively exxon stock sells rich 35 times earnings tells us notveryprofitable either numbers alone tell chevron better financial shape rivals today meanwhile simmons insists key investing profitably oil industry isnt focus stocks profitability today oil industry whole oil cycle argues analyst tells profits company earn future years luck would wall street journal opens new windowanswered question article ran weekend thejournalexplained crude prices nearly doubled early february early june us benchmark approaching 52 barrel sinking 10 less two months reason believe fourth time charm oil prices touched 26 barrel february thejournalthinks low prices unlikely revisited soon indeed argues oil market close reaching equilibrium according paper oil majors chevron conoco exxon peers planning cut combined 100 billion capital spending oil infrastructure year relative expectations set two years ago thats 40 less investment bringing new oil market previously planned investment combined planned 10 decline oil production year suggests short term long term well oil industry plans invest much less bringing oil market tightening oil supply match oil demand stabilizing prices whats result investors expect thejournalsestimation seems simmons oil prices 50 70 look mark equilibrium point sustainable correct means could see runup oil prices anywhere 16 63 perhaps soon later year thats cycle simmons right thats close big jump chevron stock 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 currently ranks 308 75000 rated members motley fool owns shares exxonmobil motley fool recommends chevron 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 | 592 |
<p>One day, constellations of cheap, efficient, small satellites could provide blanket coverage for real-time imagery and global broadband internet. Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>It's been just three short months since we introduced you to <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/05/22/got-25000-then-you-can-build-a-satellite-and-a-spa.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Vector Space Systems Opens a New Window.</a>, the tiny space start-up that's shaking up the global market for satellite launches. And now, Vector is back in the news with a big new contract.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>As we discussed back in May, Vector Space Systems is the new rocket maker founded by space-industry veteran and SpaceX alum Jim Cantrell. But whereas SpaceX focuses on cutting the cost of launching large commercial and government satellites by 75% -- and <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/03/29/can-spacex-cut-cost-of-space-travel-75-percent.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">stealing that business Opens a New Window.</a> away from incumbents Boeing (NYSE: BA), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), and Airbus (NASDAQOTH: EADSY)-- Cantrell and Vector have a different plan in mind.</p>
<p>They're going to create an entirely new market for launching smaller "microsatellites" into space -- at about $2 million a pop.</p>
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<p>If you thought those promises sounded pie-in-the-sky three months ago, well, today they're already starting to bear fruit. Last month, Vector <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vector-space-systems-completes-acquisition-of-garvey-spacecraft-corporation-to-enhance-micro-satellite-launch-capabilities-300301053.html?tc=eml_cleartime" type="external">announced Opens a New Window.</a> it had acquired its partner, Garvey Spacecraft Corporation, bringing in-house the latter's proprietary small-satellite launch vehicle, which will henceforth be dubbed "Wolverine." At 36 feet tall, and weighing 1,500 pounds, Wolverine will be a rocket ship purpose-built to loft 100-pound microsatellites into orbit 120 miles above Earth (or to send 55-pounders up 240 miles, as the customer prefers).</p>
<p>With this rocket in hand, Vector is ready to begin taking orders for putting small microsatellites in orbit -- and in fact, Vector announced its first paying customer just a couple of weeks ago.</p>
<p>As explained in a press release, Finnish satellite-imagery company Iceye signed up to launch a constellation of 21 small synthetic aperture radar satellites into orbit aboard Vector Space rockets. Each sat will go up on its very own rocket, to be delivered to a custom-picked altitude and orbital trajectory. And because Iceye is buying in bulk, and in advance (deliveries will begin in 2018), it's getting the best rates Vector has to offer -- somewhere on the order of $20 million to $30 million for the entire project.</p>
<p>(To put that number in context, even $30 million will be less than half the cost of launching a single SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle -- and less than 20% of what Boeing and Lockheed charge for an Atlas V launch, or what Airbus subsidiary Arianespace charges for its Ariane 5.)</p>
<p>Granted, these larger rockets can carry multiple microsatellites per launch -- or even squeeze in a few microsats while delivering larger satellites for larger customers. But that's not what the large rockets are built for, and to fit their smaller satellites aboard, satellite makers must often make concessions on design.</p>
<p>For example, Iceye will actually send up its prototype satellite in 2017, hitching a ride aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying larger cargo. But to fit itself aboard the rocket, Iceye had to change the satellite's "configuration." In contrast, Vector is working with Iceye to enable the configuration it really wants. That flexibility helped to convince Iceye to give Vector the bulk of its business.</p>
<p>Iceye's 21 satellites are just the start of this story. Vector says, if all goes well with the initial launches, Iceye may order even more -- sending up as many as 30 operational satellites, plus a couple of spares.</p>
<p>And Iceye is just one customer. Already, Vector is in talks with four other potential customers, and moving rapidly toward a "full manifest" -- having as many paying customers as it can build rockets for. Cantrell tells me he expects to launch anywhere from seven to 10 of Iceye's satellites in Vector's first year of operations, 2018. Launches will ramp up to a dozen (from all customers) in 2019, 30 in 2020, and continue growing rapidly from there, toward a maximum of perhaps 150 launches per year.</p>
<p>For context, Cantrell predicts that between 2015 and 2020, theglobalmarket for small-satellite launches will expand from 18 to nearly 260 launches. Thus, Vector Space is targeting a 12% market share in a market growing at 70% -- and an 86% annual growth rate for itself.</p>
<p>At an average per-sat launch cost of $2 million, that works out to perhaps $14 million in revenue in Vector Space's first year of operations, $60 million two years later, and something on the order of $300 million annually once the company hits its projected peak rate of 150 launches per year. Total growth expected: better than 2,000% in launch volume, with sales growing even quicker than that, as the company adds new services and larger, more expensive launches.</p>
<p>Such blue-skies growth prospects <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/07/03/does-spacex-deserve-to-be-worth-more-than-orbital.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">would make even SpaceX envious Opens a New Window.</a>, to say nothing of staid ol' United Launch Alliance and Arianespace. Now all we need to figure out is a way to invest in Vector Space.</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=2691&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/TMFDitty/info.aspx" type="external">Rich Smith Opens a New Window.</a>does not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him on <a href="http://caps.fool.com/" type="external">Motley Fool CAPS Opens a New Window.</a>, publicly pontificating under the handle <a href="http://caps.fool.com/ViewPlayer.aspx?t=01002844399633209838" type="external">TMFDitty Opens a New Window.</a>, where he's currently ranked No. 301 out of more than 75,000 rated members.</p>
<p>The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services <a href="http://www.fool.com/shop/newsletters/index.aspx?source=isiedilnk018048&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">free for 30 days Opens a New Window.</a>. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that <a href="http://wiki.fool.com/Motley" type="external">considering a diverse range of insights Opens a New Window.</a> makes us better investors. 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<p>Enbridge (NYSE: ENB) and Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) are on the cusp of becoming an absolute behemoth in the oil and gas transportation and logistics business. Wall Street appears to be a big fan of the potential merger, as shares of Enbridge and Spectra are up 12% and 21.5%, respectively, and there are few signs that the deal won't happen. So it looks like it's full steam ahead for this North American logistics company.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>For investors in this combined company, there are lots of reasons to be optimistic for the future, such as management's projection for 10% to 12% dividend growth all the way out to 2024. As great as that sounds, there are some things the company needs to do this year to show that it can indeed meet these lofty goals. Let's take a look at three things investors should demand that Enbridge do in 2017 to prove that this megamerger was worth it.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images</p>
<p>The ink isn't yet dry on the merger between Enbridge and Spectra Energy, but there hasn't been much in the rumor mill about the deal not passing muster with regulators. Spectra's shareholders have already voted to approve the deal. Based on this, I think we can reasonably assume that the deal will get approved without significant assets sales or changes.</p>
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<p>According to management, this deal is an immense opportunity to save the company money in synergies. There's also thepotential for more favorable financing rates for new projects that will likely happen as a much larger company.</p>
<p>Image source: Enbridge investor presentation.</p>
<p>As with every merger and acquisition, though, the devil is in the details. The plan to save that much money may make sense on paper, but it does not necessarily mean it will be executed. Management says that these synergy estimates are conservative, but one thing they need to prove right out of the gate in 2017 is that these kinds of savings are achievable. More than anything in 2017, this is going to be the thing to watch in investor presentations and quarterly reports.</p>
<p>Here's one thing that isn't being discussed much with this Enbridge/Spectra Energy merger. Upon completion, the two businesses will be in charge of the capital allocation of seven separate publicly listed companies and subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada. In certain cases, some of those companies will have overlapping interests. For example, both Midcoast Energy (NYSE: MEP) and DCP Midstream(NYSE: DCP) are both natural gas gathering and processing companies with a lot of geographic overlap.</p>
<p>Image source: Enbridge investor presentation.</p>
<p>If these entities were to remain separate, it would pose a capital allocation challenge for the parent company. Even though one company could have the better returns for a particular investment, Enbridge also has to balance the fact that investors in each business are going to expect a certain amount of growth. This will apply to all seven of these publicly traded units.</p>
<p>Granted, the company does have $48 billion in projects in the wings on top of the $26 billion currently under construction. So there is plenty of growth potential to be passed around. The bigger question is, if the company does for some reason become capital constrained, how will it balance the need for focusing on its highest-return projects while providing adequate growth for all of these entities? Pending any significant consolidation of its subsidiaries, this will be a major concern for 2017 and beyond.</p>
<p>One of the largest benefits for the combined company is better access to credit. The consolidated business will have an anticipated total enterprise value of $165 billion, far and away the largest oil and gas infrastructure company in North America. That size combined with the company's cash flow should easily give it an opportunity to have a strong credit rating that will reduce the company's overall cost of new capital.</p>
<p>One thing to remember, though, is that size doesn't matter if its debt load is beyond its cash-generating abilities. That was one of the reasons that Kinder Morgan has run into so many headaches since its own consolidation and why it cut its dividend: It needed the cash to pay for its own projects and pay down debt.</p>
<p>Enbridge management estimates that the combined company will have a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 6.2. That is high, even for this industry that is known to be fueled by high levels of debt. Management's target range will be below 5.0 times EBITDA, and expects to get there by 2019. However, it does say that it will be achieved as projects are placed into service, and there is no mention of paying down any debt. With so much money going into its current construction, one has to wonder if it can take on that much more additional debt and reduce its leverage as those projects come online. It doesn't happen much in this business.</p>
<p>Investors should keep a very close eye on the company's debt metrics over the next couple of years. If management can't stick to its promises on lowering its leverage, then there may be cause for concern.</p>
<p>2017 is going to be a big year for the combined Enbridge and Spectra Energy (assuming the merger goes off without a hitch). With all the opportunities it presents, though, there are some big hurdles to clear that investors should pay attention to. Making the integration a smooth process that captures synergies, finding a balance for all seven corporate entities, all while bringing its debt metrics into target range are key things that investors should have an eye out for. If it can achieve those things, then management's projections of long-term double-digit dividend growth may be possible.</p>
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<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. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Kinder Morgan and Spectra Energy. The Motley Fool recommends DCP Midstream. 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 | enbridge nyse enb spectra energy nyse se cusp becoming absolute behemoth oil gas transportation logistics business wall street appears big fan potential merger shares enbridge spectra 12 215 respectively signs deal wont happen looks like full steam ahead north american logistics company continue reading investors combined company lots reasons optimistic future managements projection 10 12 dividend growth way 2024 great sounds things company needs year show indeed meet lofty goals lets take look three things investors demand enbridge 2017 prove megamerger worth image source getty images ink isnt yet dry merger enbridge spectra energy hasnt much rumor mill deal passing muster regulators spectras shareholders already voted approve deal based think reasonably assume deal get approved without significant assets sales changes advertisement according management deal immense opportunity save company money synergies theres also thepotential favorable financing rates new projects likely happen much larger company image source enbridge investor presentation every merger acquisition though devil details plan save much money may make sense paper necessarily mean executed management says synergy estimates conservative one thing need prove right gate 2017 kinds savings achievable anything 2017 going thing watch investor presentations quarterly reports heres one thing isnt discussed much enbridgespectra energy merger upon completion two businesses charge capital allocation seven separate publicly listed companies subsidiaries us canada certain cases companies overlapping interests example midcoast energy nyse mep dcp midstreamnyse dcp natural gas gathering processing companies lot geographic overlap image source enbridge investor presentation entities remain separate would pose capital allocation challenge parent company even though one company could better returns particular investment enbridge also balance fact investors business going expect certain amount growth apply seven publicly traded units granted company 48 billion projects wings top 26 billion currently construction plenty growth potential passed around bigger question company reason become capital constrained balance need focusing highestreturn projects providing adequate growth entities pending significant consolidation subsidiaries major concern 2017 beyond one largest benefits combined company better access credit consolidated business anticipated total enterprise value 165 billion far away largest oil gas infrastructure company north america size combined companys cash flow easily give opportunity strong credit rating reduce companys overall cost new capital one thing remember though size doesnt matter debt load beyond cashgenerating abilities one reasons kinder morgan run many headaches since consolidation cut dividend needed cash pay projects pay debt enbridge management estimates combined company debttoebitda ratio 62 high even industry known fueled high levels debt managements target range 50 times ebitda expects get 2019 however say achieved projects placed service mention paying debt much money going current construction one wonder take much additional debt reduce leverage projects come online doesnt happen much business investors keep close eye companys debt metrics next couple years management cant stick promises lowering leverage may cause concern 2017 going big year combined enbridge spectra energy assuming merger goes without hitch opportunities presents though big hurdles clear investors pay attention making integration smooth process captures synergies finding balance seven corporate entities bringing debt metrics target range key things investors eye achieve things managements projections longterm doubledigit dividend growth may possible 10 stocks like better enbridge 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 enbridge wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 tyler crowe opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends kinder morgan spectra energy motley fool recommends dcp midstream motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 598 |
<p><a href="http://fellowshipofminds.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/bankrupt.jpg" type="external" /></p>
<p>I’ve posted about this before, at least three times on FOTM, but the message bears repeating.</p>
<p>Since the POS became president, the number of Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments has increased 20% to the highest level ever in U.S. history. At the same time, for every year of the POS’s presidency, the SSDI “trust fund” has run an annual deficit. In fiscal year 2013, the deficit is $31.49 billion, leaving a balance of $100.49 billion.</p>
<p>That balance,&#160;according to a prediction by&#160;the&#160; <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/" type="external">Social Security Administration</a>, will be depleted by 2016. In other words, Social Security Disability will run out of money IN THREE YEARS.</p>
<p>Jennifer G. Hickey&#160;reports for&#160; <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/newswidget/social-security-disability-depleted/2013/12/17/id/542390?promo_code=14706-1&amp;amp;utm_source=14706WatchDog_Wire&amp;amp;utm_medium=nmwidget&amp;amp;utm_campaign=widgetphase1" type="external">NewsMax</a>, Dec. 17, 2013, that&#160;Tad DeHaven, a budget analyst at the libertarian think tank Cato Institute said,&#160;“At the time this program [Social Security Disability Insurance] began we were much more of a blue collar, manual labor society, so there was some real need for it. Today, we are a lot more white collar, we have better medicine and devices to assist the disabled, but those receiving benefits have nonetheless exploded.”</p>
<p>DeHaven noted that applications for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, tend to increase during recessionary periods, but he said&#160;the program’s expenditures were an estimated $144 billion this year, nearly double what they were a decade ago.</p>
<p>When Obama took office there were over 7.4 million workers on disability. By October 2013, the number has increased to more than 8.9 million, a 20% jump. Another 2 million spouses and children of disabled workers also receive SSDI benefits, bringing&#160;the total number of SSDI beneficiaries to some 10.9 million Americans.</p>
<p>The fund has run a deficit every year since Obama took office, after 15 straight years of surpluses. In the 57-year history of the program, there have been 19 years where the trust fund ran a deficit, five of them under the current president.</p>
<p>Since Obama took office, the annual deficits in the disability trust fund totaled $8.46 billion in fiscal 2009; $20.83 billion in 2010; $25.26 billion in 2011; and $29.70 billion in 2012. Adding in the fiscal 2013 deficit of $31.49 billion bringsthe program’s red ink under Obama to $115 billion, according to SSA.</p>
<p>Should the disability fund become depleted, DeHaven said, Congress will likely draw from the larger Social Security Trust Fund to cover the deficit rather than implement any substantial reform of the system, putting more pressure on the finances of the retirement program.&#160;”When politicians try to make reforms, they find people protesting in front of their offices in wheelchairs, so good luck finding 60 votes in the Senate. There simply is no political will at the moment to truly reform the system.”</p>
<p>Started in 1956, the SSDI program was designed to temporarily assist individuals with physical or mental disabilities that were severe enough to prevent them from maintaining employment.</p>
<p>Today,&#160;4.7% of the working-age population is collecting disability payments, an increase from 2.3% in 1980. “In other words, disability insurance caseloads&#160;increased about twice as quickly as the working-age population,” an analysis by the&#160; <a href="http://www.frbsf.org/economic-research/publications/economic-letter/2013/june/future-social-security-disability-insurance-ssdi/" type="external">San Francisco Federal Reserve</a>pointed out.</p>
<p>At the same time, SSDI eligibility rules were liberalized and the benefits are more generous than a decade ago.&#160;Adjusted for inflation, the average payment to SSDI beneficiaries has risen from approximately $560 per month in 1960 to $1,129 in March 2013, an increase of 98%.</p>
<p>The program is also fraught with fraud and abuse.&#160;In August, the Government Accountability Office reported that the&#160;Social Security Administration made an estimated $1.29 billion in benefit overpayments to about 36,000 individuals as of January 2013. The GAO noted it could not calculate an exact amount without launching “detailed case investigations.”</p>
<p>A report by the nonpartisan group Our Generation provided further evidence of abuse within the SSDI program, including:</p>
<p>MacMillin Slobodien, executive director of Our Generation, which promotes free-market solutions to public policy issues, says:&#160;”What the report aims to highlight is how the program, which is well-intentioned, remains susceptible to outright fraud and abuse.&#160;By highlighting these examples of abuse we hope to raise awareness among the public and legislators of the need to implement cost controls, and tighten eligibility requirements and oversight. It was meant to be a temporary assistance program, and if you provide people with the incentive to get back to work, then you might have fewer people trying to game the system.&#160;We would support any reforms that make sure the benefits go to people who actually have disabilities, but there must be continuing disability reviews to ensure those who are receiving payments still qualify.”</p>
<p>But oversight of the program has actually decreased as the size of the program increased.</p>
<p>SSA Inspector General Patrick P. O’Carroll Jr.&#160;testified at a House hearing in November that an increase in disability claims has created “workloads that strain resources, causing delays and backlogs, and leaving the agency vulnerable to fraud and abuse.”&#160;O’Carroll said the IG’s office estimates the SSA could have “avoided paying at least $556 million during calendar year 2011 if SSA had conducted the medical Continuing Disability Reviews when they were due.”</p>
<p>DeHaven sees fraud as a legitimate problem, but also believes abuse that is legally permissible under the program merits equal outrage:&#160;”SSDI has more of an abuse problem than a fraud problem. There are the obvious examples of abuse, such as the adult man who spent his days dressed up as a baby and was claiming benefits citing back problems. His claims may have been wrong, but within the broad definition of disability, his claims were legal because the definition of disabled has been so liberalized.&#160;If you have the right lawyers and are persistent, it is quite easy to game the system.“</p>
<p>See also:</p>
<p>~Eowyn</p>
<p>Dr. Eowyn is the Editor of <a href="http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2013/12/18/social-security-disability-will-be-bankrupt-in-3-years/" type="external">Fellowship of the Minds</a>.</p>
<p />
<p /> | true | 0 | ive posted least three times fotm message bears repeating since pos became president number americans receiving social security disability insurance ssdi payments increased 20 highest level ever us history time every year poss presidency ssdi trust fund run annual deficit fiscal year 2013 deficit 3149 billion leaving balance 10049 billion balance160according prediction by160the160 social security administration depleted 2016 words social security disability run money three years jennifer g hickey160reports for160 newsmax dec 17 2013 that160tad dehaven budget analyst libertarian think tank cato institute said160at time program social security disability insurance began much blue collar manual labor society real need today lot white collar better medicine devices assist disabled receiving benefits nonetheless exploded dehaven noted applications social security disability insurance ssdi tend increase recessionary periods said160the programs expenditures estimated 144 billion year nearly double decade ago obama took office 74 million workers disability october 2013 number increased 89 million 20 jump another 2 million spouses children disabled workers also receive ssdi benefits bringing160the total number ssdi beneficiaries 109 million americans fund run deficit every year since obama took office 15 straight years surpluses 57year history program 19 years trust fund ran deficit five current president since obama took office annual deficits disability trust fund totaled 846 billion fiscal 2009 2083 billion 2010 2526 billion 2011 2970 billion 2012 adding fiscal 2013 deficit 3149 billion bringsthe programs red ink obama 115 billion according ssa disability fund become depleted dehaven said congress likely draw larger social security trust fund cover deficit rather implement substantial reform system putting pressure finances retirement program160when politicians try make reforms find people protesting front offices wheelchairs good luck finding 60 votes senate simply political moment truly reform system started 1956 ssdi program designed temporarily assist individuals physical mental disabilities severe enough prevent maintaining employment today16047 workingage population collecting disability payments increase 23 1980 words disability insurance caseloads160increased twice quickly workingage population analysis the160 san francisco federal reservepointed time ssdi eligibility rules liberalized benefits generous decade ago160adjusted inflation average payment ssdi beneficiaries risen approximately 560 per month 1960 1129 march 2013 increase 98 program also fraught fraud abuse160in august government accountability office reported the160social security administration made estimated 129 billion benefit overpayments 36000 individuals january 2013 gao noted could calculate exact amount without launching detailed case investigations report nonpartisan group generation provided evidence abuse within ssdi program including macmillin slobodien executive director generation promotes freemarket solutions public policy issues says160what report aims highlight program wellintentioned remains susceptible outright fraud abuse160by highlighting examples abuse hope raise awareness among public legislators need implement cost controls tighten eligibility requirements oversight meant temporary assistance program provide people incentive get back work might fewer people trying game system160we would support reforms make sure benefits go people actually disabilities must continuing disability reviews ensure receiving payments still qualify oversight program actually decreased size program increased ssa inspector general patrick p ocarroll jr160testified house hearing november increase disability claims created workloads strain resources causing delays backlogs leaving agency vulnerable fraud abuse160ocarroll said igs office estimates ssa could avoided paying least 556 million calendar year 2011 ssa conducted medical continuing disability reviews due dehaven sees fraud legitimate problem also believes abuse legally permissible program merits equal outrage160ssdi abuse problem fraud problem obvious examples abuse adult man spent days dressed baby claiming benefits citing back problems claims may wrong within broad definition disability claims legal definition disabled liberalized160if right lawyers persistent quite easy game system see also eowyn dr eowyn editor fellowship minds | 575 |
<p>In the “better-late-than-never” department, The Washington Post has devoted <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/muslim-activist-in-minnesota-struggles-as-one-man-counter-against-lure-of-terrorism/2011/07/04/gIQAwNH53H_story.html" type="external">3,783 words</a> to Abdirizak Bihi, a Muslim activist trying to counter radical Islamic activities in Minnesota and the recruitment of Muslim youth in America by a “shadowy network of recruiters.” This is the same individual who got little attention from the Post when he testified on March 10 before Rep. Peter King’s Homeland Security Committee.</p>
<p>The Post is finally confirming in dramatic detail the nature of the internal terrorist threat in the United States.</p>
<p>But you may recall that the liberal media tried to demonize King for even holding the hearings.</p>
<p>This is how the Post <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/10/AR2011031006317.html?wprss=rss_print" type="external">then reported</a> on Bihi: “Abdirizak Bihi, a Somali American from Minnesota, described how a nephew turned radical and left to fight with an Islamic militia in Somalia. He said religious leaders had discouraged him from going to the authorities, warning that ‘you will have eternal fire and hell’ for betraying Islam.”</p>
<p>We <a href="" type="internal">noted at the time</a> that the media, including the Post, had focused on Rep. Keith Ellison’s testimony, during which he broke down in tears, but that Bihi, Director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center in Minneapolis, had been offering something more newsworthy—an indictment of Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress, himself.</p>
<p>As noted in advance by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, “Bihi has been publicly critical of Ellison’s handling of the disappearance of some 20 Somali youths recruited by a Jihadist group in their native country.” Bihi’s nephew Burhan Hassan was killed in Somalia after traveling there to join al-Shabab, a terrorist organization working to overthrow the Somali government.</p>
<p>Ellison is the co-chair of the <a href="http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=71&amp;sectiontree=2,71" type="external">Congressional Progressive Caucus</a> and <a href="" type="internal">a left-wing attorney</a> once associated with the communist-front National Lawyers Guild. Ellison had been a vocal supporter—and attended a fundraiser for—Sara Jane Olson, a member of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), an off-shoot of the Weather Underground that is probably best known for kidnapping Patricia Hearst. Ellison had called Olson a “freedom fighter.”</p>
<p>We noted, “This notorious record suggests that if Ellison had trouble recognizing the nature of terrorism when the radical left carried it out on American soil, he may have a similar blind spot when it comes to members of his own religious group.”</p>
<p>What the Post failed to report on, at the time of King’s hearings, was Bihi’s statement, “ <a href="http://homeland.house.gov/sites/homeland.house.gov/files/Testimony%20Bihi.pdf" type="external">The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community’s Response</a>.”</p>
<p>The Post now seems to be taking the problem seriously. It reports, “There have been 51 homegrown jihadist plots or attacks in the United States since Sept. 11, 2001, according to law enforcement reports, and their frequency is increasing. Nowhere else is the problem of radicalization so concentrated as in Bihi’s section of downtown Minneapolis, where about 10,000 Somali immigrants live in a collection of faded apartment towers bordering the freeway. At least 25 young men have disappeared from here to fight for al-Shabab in the past three years, and dozens more are being investigated on suspicion of recruiting or fundraising on behalf of the terrorist organization. None so far have tried to attack in the United States, but intelligence gathered by law enforcement suggests that they will.”</p>
<p>Notice how the number of missing youth has gone from 20 to 25.</p>
<p>Yet, in its Sunday follow-up article, there is no mention of the role of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) in discouraging a legitimate inquiry and solution to the problem in America’s Muslim communities.</p>
<p>Bihi had testified, “Just as we continued to make progress in laying out the realities to our community, powerful organizations such as CAIR stepped into our community and stifled whatever progress we had made by trying to tell our Somali American community not to cooperate with law enforcement. CAIR held meetings for some members of the community and told them not to talk to the FBI, which was a slap in the face of the Somali American Muslim mothers who were knocking on doors day and night with pictures of their missing children and asking for the community to talk to law enforcement about what they know of the missing kids. It was a slap in the face for community activists who had invested time and personal resources to educate the community about forging a good relationship with law enforcement in order to stop the radicalization and recruitment of our children. We held three different demonstrations against CAIR, in order to get them to leave us alone so we can solve our community’s problems, since we don’t know CAIR and they don’t speak for us. We wanted to stop them from dividing our community by stepping into issues that don’t belong to them.”</p>
<p>The Post’s omission of CAIR in its lengthy article about Bihi is significant because Josh Gerstein of Politico <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0411/Holder_DOJ_nixed_CAIR_leaders_prosecution.html" type="external">reported</a> that Attorney General Eric Holder has confirmed that the Department of Justice decided not to prosecute a key leader of CAIR. Rep. Peter King had said that he was informed that the decision not to prosecute came over “the vehement and stated objections of special agents and supervisors of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas, who had investigated and successfully prosecuted the Holy Land Foundation case.”</p>
<p>Judge Jorge Solis <a href="http://www.judicialwatch.org/files/documents/2011/usa-v-hlf-order-07012009.pdf" type="external">declined</a> an attempt by CAIR to remove the organization’s designation as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the Holy Land Foundation lawsuit, saying that the government “has produced ample evidence to establish the associations” of CAIR with Hamas, an officially designated foreign terrorist organization.</p>
<p>Judicial Watch has <a href="http://www.judicialwatch.org/news/2011/jun/judicial-watch-sues-department-justice-documents-detailing-decision-not-prosecute-isla" type="external">filed a lawsuit</a> against the Department of Justice (DOJ) for failing to respond to its request for public records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) relating to the decision by the DOJ not to prosecute CAIR and its co-founder Omar Ahmad.</p>
<p>Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has made headlines by saying, “I was convinced in my capacity [as CIA Director] and I’m convinced in this capacity that we’re within reach of strategically defeating Al Qaeda.” But the threat inside the United States, belatedly recognized by The Washington Post, continues to grow.</p>
<p>The Post reports that “Bihi guesses that as many as 25 more will fall prey to al-Shabab recruiters before school begins this fall.” He says, “Unless we figure out a way to stop this soon, we are headed for disaster.”</p> | true | 0 | betterlatethannever department washington post devoted 3783 words abdirizak bihi muslim activist trying counter radical islamic activities minnesota recruitment muslim youth america shadowy network recruiters individual got little attention post testified march 10 rep peter kings homeland security committee post finally confirming dramatic detail nature internal terrorist threat united states may recall liberal media tried demonize king even holding hearings post reported bihi abdirizak bihi somali american minnesota described nephew turned radical left fight islamic militia somalia said religious leaders discouraged going authorities warning eternal fire hell betraying islam noted time media including post focused rep keith ellisons testimony broke tears bihi director somali education social advocacy center minneapolis offering something newsworthyan indictment ellison first muslim member congress noted advance minneapolis startribune bihi publicly critical ellisons handling disappearance 20 somali youths recruited jihadist group native country bihis nephew burhan hassan killed somalia traveling join alshabab terrorist organization working overthrow somali government ellison cochair congressional progressive caucus leftwing attorney associated communistfront national lawyers guild ellison vocal supporterand attended fundraiser forsara jane olson member symbionese liberation army sla offshoot weather underground probably best known kidnapping patricia hearst ellison called olson freedom fighter noted notorious record suggests ellison trouble recognizing nature terrorism radical left carried american soil may similar blind spot comes members religious group post failed report time kings hearings bihis statement extent radicalization american muslim community communitys response post seems taking problem seriously reports 51 homegrown jihadist plots attacks united states since sept 11 2001 according law enforcement reports frequency increasing nowhere else problem radicalization concentrated bihis section downtown minneapolis 10000 somali immigrants live collection faded apartment towers bordering freeway least 25 young men disappeared fight alshabab past three years dozens investigated suspicion recruiting fundraising behalf terrorist organization none far tried attack united states intelligence gathered law enforcement suggests notice number missing youth gone 20 25 yet sunday followup article mention role council american islamic relations cair discouraging legitimate inquiry solution problem americas muslim communities bihi testified continued make progress laying realities community powerful organizations cair stepped community stifled whatever progress made trying tell somali american community cooperate law enforcement cair held meetings members community told talk fbi slap face somali american muslim mothers knocking doors day night pictures missing children asking community talk law enforcement know missing kids slap face community activists invested time personal resources educate community forging good relationship law enforcement order stop radicalization recruitment children held three different demonstrations cair order get leave us alone solve communitys problems since dont know cair dont speak us wanted stop dividing community stepping issues dont belong posts omission cair lengthy article bihi significant josh gerstein politico reported attorney general eric holder confirmed department justice decided prosecute key leader cair rep peter king said informed decision prosecute came vehement stated objections special agents supervisors federal bureau investigation well prosecutors us attorneys office dallas investigated successfully prosecuted holy land foundation case judge jorge solis declined attempt cair remove organizations designation unindicted coconspirator holy land foundation lawsuit saying government produced ample evidence establish associations cair hamas officially designated foreign terrorist organization judicial watch filed lawsuit department justice doj failing respond request public records freedom information act foia relating decision doj prosecute cair cofounder omar ahmad secretary defense leon panetta made headlines saying convinced capacity cia director im convinced capacity within reach strategically defeating al qaeda threat inside united states belatedly recognized washington post continues grow post reports bihi guesses many 25 fall prey alshabab recruiters school begins fall says unless figure way stop soon headed disaster | 582 |
<p>While The Motley Fool tends to shy away from discussing what's happening in D.C., there are instances where talking about broad political themes makes sense -- especially for your finances and the most important 12-letter word in Washington right now: deregulation.</p>
<p>With that in mind, Motley Fool analysts Gaby Lapera and Nathan Hamilton discuss how potential deregulation in the financial industry could lead to lower mortgage costs for homeowners and refinancers alike.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>A full transcript follows the video.</p>
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<p>This podcast was recorded on Feb. 27, 2017.</p>
<p>Gaby Lapera: It can get expensive for the government, and we know that Trump, like you said,has been pushing for smaller government,and one of his big things with that is deregulation. Deregulation can affect the mortgage industry.</p>
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<p>Nathan Hamilton:Yeah,it absolutely can. Deregulation,I would say, look at it in twodifferent forms. You have the impacts to the banks,and then Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government-sponsoredenterprises. The banks,if you look at pre-2008,before the financial crisis,they would essentially originate a loan,sell it off to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac,and they would mostly make money off the origination fees. They weren't too concerned about, is this a high-quality mortgage or a sub-prime mortgage. They'd justgive it to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac toguarantee the payments. But, withDodd-Frank coming inafter the 2008 crisis, itrequired the banks to burdensome of the costs of those bad loans thatthey sold off. What that does is it increases the cost for banks to bring in borrowers, and that's impacted by a higher mortgage rate. So, if you look at it, non-bank lenders like Quicken aren't regulatedunder the same infrastructure, and they've been able to come in and grab atremendous amount of market share. If we go back roughly five or six years ago, non-bank lenders were 10% of themarket, complete market share. A few years later,they were up to 50%, and that was on the back of regulation. So, you look at it as, OK, if there are some Dodd-Frank acts that are repealed, whichthe administration has mentioned could happen, they'relooking into it currently, maybe you see bigger bankscoming into the market again, maybe they do reduce the interest rates for borrowers. So,that could be a positive effect,if you look at it from a straight interest rate perspective. So,that is one thing to consider.</p>
<p>Lapera:Yeah. Thatwhole thing gets really interesting. WithDodd-Frank, you have the creation of theConsumer Financial Protection Bureau, the CFPB. One of the things that happened with big banks was they weregiving loans to people who couldn't necessarily repay them,and they were giving multiple loans topeople with very bad credit. And the government said, "This isreally shady of you, this is predatory lending," and they really cracked down on the big banks. The CFPBconducted a lot of investigations. So, the banks stopped lending to people who were ... marginal, I guess?</p>
<p>Hamilton:That's safe to say.</p>
<p>Lapera:Yeah. People whomaybe didn't have the best credit scores, who maybe didn't have the most secure jobs. And the CFPB andthe government said, "You'retaking advantage of these people, you know they can't repay you and you'recharging terrible amounts of interest." That means that that population became very underserved. Andthat's where you're seeing a lot of these fintechcompanies like Quicken Loans move into the area. That'swhy that market exists in the first place.</p>
<p>Hamilton:It'sinteresting to point out,keeping on with the CFPB,if I were to explain it in thesimplest terms, it's essentially, their whole goal is to take the small legal fontat the bottom of the application forcredit cards, mortgages, auto loans, andmake it more prominent, so you'remore educated and you understand what you're actually getting into. And there are some other things that the CFPB does thathave a financial cost, a financial burden on banks. The TrumpAdministration has said, "OK, maybewe're going to deregulate, there's a potential that the CFPBcould be closedentirely, the budget could be impacted," there area lot of different things at play, which for higher-riskconsumers that maybe aren't as educated, if it's you going into a mortgage, keep an eye on all the details,the rates, all the small fonts, all that information, closing costs, everything. It really issomething important to pay attention to that,without the CFPB,it would likely not have been there in the first place.</p>
<p>Lapera:Yeah,make sure you do your homework and do your math. It's actually really interesting,I know people who have gotten mortgages pre-CFPB and post-CFPB. The CFPB required that banks makevery prominent at the top of any paperwork that they give people what your interest rate is,and what that actually means for you long term, and they do that for credit cards and mortgages, I believe. It's a clarity in lending type thing,it has a name like that.</p>
<p>Hamilton:Yeah,with credit cards specifically,they made the minimum payment information more prominent on your bill, there'srequirements to include that. They also required that credit card issuers will let you waive one late payment fee per year. That's a requirement, soit's your right as a cardholder to be able to have that. That'sessentially what the CFPB does.</p>
<p>Lapera:Yeah. Actually, if listeners want a more substantial discussion on the CFPB,John Maxfield and Irecently did an episode on that. Ifyou want the link to that, justsend me an email at <a href="http://mailto:[email protected]" type="external">[email protected] Opens a New Window.</a>,I'm super happy to send it to you. Or,just search the last fewIndustry Focusepisodes, it should jump out at youwhich one it's going to be. So, we'll see what happens with the CFPB. Itmight be gone, it might be restructured --</p>
<p>Hamilton:Itmight be impacted.</p>
<p>Lapera:Yeah. It'sinteresting, too, because with the CFPB, we're not really 100% surewhether or not its constitutional. But it's such an interesting and new thing. We've never really had a regulatory body that's like, "We're going to look out for the consumers when it comes to banks." It's kind of like the FDA, except for banks. Is there anything else you want to talk to us about with mortgages?</p>
<p>Hamilton:We've talked a lot about different things where costs could be lowered, costs could be increased. I'll just look at a few takeaways from it, which, if you look at the overall mortgage rate interest rate scenario, where are rates likely to go in the future, 2017, during the Trump Presidency, the Fed has signaled that rates are going to increase. That's going to be the biggest driver or your mortgage rate. So, if you arelooking at refinancing, if you bought a homein the last few years,if you haven't done the refinancing yet, look at doing so,take some time to shop mortgage rates. We have them on our mortgage rates center. You canget in contact with various lenders and so forth. The time is likelyworth the dollar value to you,because you can save a tremendous amount byrefinancing. So, if you haven't done it,get your butt off the ground andstart doing it. The other thing to look at is,regulation might decrease. Theoverall net impact,we don't necessarily know,because there's so many factors at play. So, this one situation isgoing to reduce rates,this one is going to increase costs for banks. There's amyriad of different situations at play. So,ultimately, we'll have to see where that ends up. But it does harp on the fact that, with the CFPBpossibly being restructured, beingderegulated some, it'simportant to pay attention to the details and be educated onwhat you're actually signing.</p>
<p>Lapera:Definitely. One thinglisteners can do if you're in the process of buying a housefor the first time is, a lot of states and counties offer free first home-buying courses,and a lot of them contain really useful information on sources for loans andmortgages and how to knowwhether or not you're getting a good deal. Right now, there'sa lot of government programs bothat the state and federal level to help first-time home buyers buy a house. That, inconjunction with our awesome website <a href="https://www.fool.com/mortgages/index.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">fool.com/mortgages Opens a New Window.</a>, can be a reallywonderful resource for people.</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 | motley fool tends shy away discussing whats happening dc instances talking broad political themes makes sense especially finances important 12letter word washington right deregulation mind motley fool analysts gaby lapera nathan hamilton discuss potential deregulation financial industry could lead lower mortgage costs homeowners refinancers alike continue reading full transcript follows video 5 simple tips skyrocket credit score 800increasing credit score 800 put rare company rare 1 9 americans claim theyre members elite club contrary popular belief racking high credit score lot easier may imagined following 5 simple disciplined strategies youll find full rundown inside free credit score guide opens new window time put financial future first secure lifetime savings increasing credit score simply click opens new windowto claim copy 5 simple tips skyrocket credit score 800 podcast recorded feb 27 2017 gaby lapera get expensive government know trump like saidhas pushing smaller governmentand one big things deregulation deregulation affect mortgage industry advertisement nathan hamiltonyeahit absolutely deregulationi would say look twodifferent forms impacts banksand fannie mae freddie mac governmentsponsoredenterprises banksif look pre2008before financial crisisthey would essentially originate loansell fannie mae freddie macand would mostly make money origination fees werent concerned highquality mortgage subprime mortgage theyd justgive fannie mae freddie mac toguarantee payments withdoddfrank coming inafter 2008 crisis itrequired banks burdensome costs bad loans thatthey sold increases cost banks bring borrowers thats impacted higher mortgage rate look nonbank lenders like quicken arent regulatedunder infrastructure theyve able come grab atremendous amount market share go back roughly five six years ago nonbank lenders 10 themarket complete market share years laterthey 50 back regulation look ok doddfrank acts repealed whichthe administration mentioned could happen theyrelooking currently maybe see bigger bankscoming market maybe reduce interest rates borrowers sothat could positive effectif look straight interest rate perspective sothat one thing consider laperayeah thatwhole thing gets really interesting withdoddfrank creation theconsumer financial protection bureau cfpb one things happened big banks weregiving loans people couldnt necessarily repay themand giving multiple loans topeople bad credit government said isreally shady predatory lending really cracked big banks cfpbconducted lot investigations banks stopped lending people marginal guess hamiltonthats safe say laperayeah people whomaybe didnt best credit scores maybe didnt secure jobs cfpb andthe government said youretaking advantage people know cant repay yourecharging terrible amounts interest means population became underserved andthats youre seeing lot fintechcompanies like quicken loans move area thatswhy market exists first place hamiltonitsinteresting point outkeeping cfpbif explain thesimplest terms essentially whole goal take small legal fontat bottom application forcredit cards mortgages auto loans andmake prominent youremore educated understand youre actually getting things cfpb thathave financial cost financial burden banks trumpadministration said ok maybewere going deregulate theres potential cfpbcould closedentirely budget could impacted area lot different things play higherriskconsumers maybe arent educated going mortgage keep eye detailsthe rates small fonts information closing costs everything really issomething important pay attention thatwithout cfpbit would likely first place laperayeahmake sure homework math actually really interestingi know people gotten mortgages precfpb postcfpb cfpb required banks makevery prominent top paperwork give people interest rate isand actually means long term credit cards mortgages believe clarity lending type thingit name like hamiltonyeahwith credit cards specificallythey made minimum payment information prominent bill theresrequirements include also required credit card issuers let waive one late payment fee per year thats requirement soits right cardholder able thatsessentially cfpb laperayeah actually listeners want substantial discussion cfpbjohn maxfield irecently episode ifyou want link justsend email industryfocusfoolcom opens new windowim super happy send orjust search last fewindustry focusepisodes jump youwhich one going well see happens cfpb itmight gone might restructured hamiltonitmight impacted laperayeah itsinteresting cfpb really 100 surewhether constitutional interesting new thing weve never really regulatory body thats like going look consumers comes banks kind like fda except banks anything else want talk us mortgages hamiltonweve talked lot different things costs could lowered costs could increased ill look takeaways look overall mortgage rate interest rate scenario rates likely go future 2017 trump presidency fed signaled rates going increase thats going biggest driver mortgage rate arelooking refinancing bought homein last yearsif havent done refinancing yet look sotake time shop mortgage rates mortgage rates center canget contact various lenders forth time likelyworth dollar value youbecause save tremendous amount byrefinancing havent done itget butt ground andstart thing look isregulation might decrease theoverall net impactwe dont necessarily knowbecause theres many factors play one situation isgoing reduce ratesthis one going increase costs banks theres amyriad different situations play soultimately well see ends harp fact cfpbpossibly restructured beingderegulated itsimportant pay attention details educated onwhat youre actually signing laperadefinitely one thinglisteners youre process buying housefor first time lot states counties offer free first homebuying coursesand lot contain really useful information sources loans andmortgages knowwhether youre getting good deal right theresa lot government programs bothat state federal level help firsttime home buyers buy house inconjunction awesome website foolcommortgages opens new window reallywonderful resource people motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 807 |
<p />
<p>Mom's favorite phrases still hold truth</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Wisdom, thy name is "Mother."</p>
<p>Your mom's favorite phrases kept you safe ("Look both ways before you cross the street") and out of trouble ("If it looks too good to be true, it probably is").</p>
<p>Many of the phrases she repeated are pure gold for your financial life, too. So on Mother's Day, as you wash your hands before you eat your veggies, thank Mom for advice that -- if you listen -- can make you rich. And enjoy a new look at five of Mom's all-time favorites.</p>
<p>If it looks too good to be true, it probably is</p>
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<p>When it comes to money, Mom's admonition that "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is," is "absolutely true," says Karen Altfest, CFP, principal adviser for Altfest Personal Wealth Management.</p>
<p>This advice is the watchword of consumer organizations everywhere. It applies to everything from money-making investment opportunities to superlow-priced deals.</p>
<p>"Nobody is waiting to give you a thousand bucks or the best deal in town," says Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for Consumer Action. "The sniff test is a very important consumer skill."</p>
<p>When shopping price, keep it realistic, advises Sherry. "You have to ask yourself, 'Wait a minute, why would they be offering me this for X, when I've gone onto Google and everyone else is offering it for Y, or says this is a scam.'"</p>
<p>This outlook applies to investing. Bernie Madoff and the con artists who came before and after him have made fortunes by promising large returns, she says.</p>
<p>When someone promises low risk and high reward, the smart consumer "should be hearing bells," Altfest says. "It's a red flag if it's too good to be true."</p>
<p>Look both ways before you cross the street</p>
<p>"Look both ways before you cross the street." This little gem works as well for financial decisions as it does at crosswalks.</p>
<p>Before you do anything vital with your money, look for any potential dangers speeding your way.</p>
<p>"Every decision is a trade-off," says Jill Gianola, a CFP based in Columbus, Ohio, and author of "The Young Couple's Guide to Growing Rich Together." "And you should be aware of what you're trading off to make this decision. If you're deciding to buy this shiny new car, realize you're trading off making a contribution to your retirement plan or putting money away for college."</p>
<p>Ask yourself: "If I didn't do this, what could I do instead? What am I giving up to do this?" says Gianola. Write it down so you will have to think about your goals and what will best help you meet them.</p>
<p>If you're torn between paying off a debt and saving for retirement or education, "sometimes you can do half and half," Gianola says. "That's often what financial planning is about: making progress on multiple goals simultaneously."</p>
<p>Don't take candy from strangers</p>
<p>Every mother advises: "Don't take candy from strangers." Substitute "money advice" for "candy," and mom's warning will serve you well through life.</p>
<p>Before hiring a money pro, get to know him (or her) professionally. Find how, and by whom, the adviser is compensated.</p>
<p>"We all work for a living, we all get paid in different ways," Gianola says. "The nitty-gritty of it is to find out how the person's getting paid, and whether they're working for you or someone else." Financial planners usually charge fees to clients, receive commissions on financial products they sell, or a combination, Gianola says.</p>
<p>Here are other sources of information about financial advisers:</p>
<p>Professional organizations and licensing agencies. Does your pro claim membership in professional organizations? Verify that. (For instance, you can vet a CFP credential at CFP.net.) Check that any necessary licenses are current and in good standing. &#160;&#160;&#160;The Securities and Exchange Commission at SEC.gov. A searchable database of ADV forms on its website details investment advisers' professional backgrounds, how they're compensated and if they have been in trouble. &#160;&#160;&#160;The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. The group posts a "how-to guide" that includes questions to ask your pro on its site: NAPFA.org.</p>
<p>You've earned a timeout</p>
<p>When you were a kid, being told that "you've earned a timeout" was a bad thing. But as a grownup, you've more than earned the right to step back and take some quiet reflection before you act.</p>
<p>And it's a move that can save you big bucks.</p>
<p>"When it comes to your money, don't do anything on impulse," Sherry says. "It could come back to haunt you."</p>
<p>Always comparison shop -- even if you just do an Internet search, she says. "That one step takes you out of the emotional zone."</p>
<p>Beware of high-pressure tactics that use the clock or the calendar to force your hand. "If it's good for you today, it's good for you next week," Altfest says.</p>
<p>"If someone is handing you a pen, saying 'This offer expires today,' that's a good time to walk away," she says. "Nothing that good disappears that fast."</p>
<p>That move is "an arm-twisting tactic," Altfest says. Equally suspect: When a sales representative discourages you from doing your own research, asking questions, getting second (or third or fourth) opinions or talking about the situation with whomever you like.</p>
<p>If everyone else does it, doesn't mean you should</p>
<p>When Mom said, "Just because everyone else is doing it, it doesn't mean you should," she might have been talking about blue hair or that house party where the host's parents were out of town. But her words are spot on for investment advice, too.</p>
<p>"If you follow the crowd, you'll be locked into mediocre results," Altfest says. "You'll get into the market at the wrong time, and you'll get out at the wrong time.</p>
<p>"If everyone is buying gold, that's a good time to say, 'It's too high, I'll find something else,'" she adds. "If everyone else is gloom and doom, you should be looking at buying opportunities. Don't listen to your friends and neighbors except as the background hum for what you don't want to be doing."</p>
<p>The "everybody's doing it" argument is a favorite of scam artists, Sherry says. Be suspicious of pitches that target your emotions: greed, envy, excitement or just the fear of being left out, she says. "That's another way they try to get you."</p> | true | 0 | moms favorite phrases still hold truth continue reading wisdom thy name mother moms favorite phrases kept safe look ways cross street trouble looks good true probably many phrases repeated pure gold financial life mothers day wash hands eat veggies thank mom advice listen make rich enjoy new look five moms alltime favorites looks good true probably advertisement comes money moms admonition looks good true probably absolutely true says karen altfest cfp principal adviser altfest personal wealth management advice watchword consumer organizations everywhere applies everything moneymaking investment opportunities superlowpriced deals nobody waiting give thousand bucks best deal town says linda sherry director national priorities consumer action sniff test important consumer skill shopping price keep realistic advises sherry ask wait minute would offering x ive gone onto google everyone else offering says scam outlook applies investing bernie madoff con artists came made fortunes promising large returns says someone promises low risk high reward smart consumer hearing bells altfest says red flag good true look ways cross street look ways cross street little gem works well financial decisions crosswalks anything vital money look potential dangers speeding way every decision tradeoff says jill gianola cfp based columbus ohio author young couples guide growing rich together aware youre trading make decision youre deciding buy shiny new car realize youre trading making contribution retirement plan putting money away college ask didnt could instead giving says gianola write think goals best help meet youre torn paying debt saving retirement education sometimes half half gianola says thats often financial planning making progress multiple goals simultaneously dont take candy strangers every mother advises dont take candy strangers substitute money advice candy moms warning serve well life hiring money pro get know professionally find adviser compensated work living get paid different ways gianola says nittygritty find persons getting paid whether theyre working someone else financial planners usually charge fees clients receive commissions financial products sell combination gianola says sources information financial advisers professional organizations licensing agencies pro claim membership professional organizations verify instance vet cfp credential cfpnet check necessary licenses current good standing 160160160the securities exchange commission secgov searchable database adv forms website details investment advisers professional backgrounds theyre compensated trouble 160160160the national association personal financial advisors group posts howto guide includes questions ask pro site napfaorg youve earned timeout kid told youve earned timeout bad thing grownup youve earned right step back take quiet reflection act move save big bucks comes money dont anything impulse sherry says could come back haunt always comparison shop even internet search says one step takes emotional zone beware highpressure tactics use clock calendar force hand good today good next week altfest says someone handing pen saying offer expires today thats good time walk away says nothing good disappears fast move armtwisting tactic altfest says equally suspect sales representative discourages research asking questions getting second third fourth opinions talking situation whomever like everyone else doesnt mean mom said everyone else doesnt mean might talking blue hair house party hosts parents town words spot investment advice follow crowd youll locked mediocre results altfest says youll get market wrong time youll get wrong time everyone buying gold thats good time say high ill find something else adds everyone else gloom doom looking buying opportunities dont listen friends neighbors except background hum dont want everybodys argument favorite scam artists sherry says suspicious pitches target emotions greed envy excitement fear left says thats another way try get | 569 |
<p>Bob Menendez, Salomon Melgen / VOXXI</p>
<p>BY: <a href="" type="internal">Mary Lou Lang</a> February 11, 2013 9:00 am</p>
<p>A controversial Democratic donor now under federal investigation has affiliations with numerous Latino groups that have allowed him access to high-level Obama Administration officials.</p>
<p>United States Spain Council (USCC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, lists SFM Holdings, of which Melgen <a href="http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200711178.pdf" type="external">is</a> the president and general partner, as an organizational <a href="http://usspaincouncil.org/index.php/members" type="external">member</a> of the council.</p>
<p>Melgen’s connection to USSC links him to his long-time friend Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.). Menendez is the <a href="http://www.usspaincouncil.org/" type="external">honorary chairman of the council</a>.</p>
<p>Both Menendez and Melgen are <a href="" type="internal">under investigation</a>. Menendez is facing a Senate ethics probe for his relationship with Melgen while the FBI and Department of Health and Human Services is investigating Melgen for possible Medicare fraud.</p>
<p>Menendez and Melgen are also under suspicion for Menendez’s intervention on Melgen’s behalf regarding a <a href="" type="internal">port security contract</a>.</p>
<p>Melgen, Menendez’s top contributor and a heavy contributor to the Majority PAC run by former lieutenants of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D. Nev.), stood to make between $500 million and $1 billion over 20 years if that contract was enforced.</p>
<p>Menendez’s former aide, Pedro Pablo Permuy, is the president of USCC. Permuy could also have benefitted from the Dominican Republican port security contract, which Menendez advocated in talks with State Department officials and at a hearing over which he presided last July, according to a New York Times <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/nyregion/port-deal-pushed-by-menendez-could-also-benefit-ex-aide.html" type="external">report</a>.</p>
<p>Menendez claimed he did not know Permuy was involved in the port contract. Permuy denied being either a board member or an employee of the port security company.</p>
<p>"His answer was coy," said Ken Boehm, chairman and co-founder of the National Legal and Policy Center. Boehm noted that Permuy did not answer the question, but rather stated he was not currently affiliated with the company.</p>
<p>Boehm pointed out that Permuy has worked for Menendez for years during his tenure as a congressman and said the senator was being "more than disingenuous" to indicate he was shocked his former aide would be involved in the port security deal.</p>
<p>The USSC’s mission is bringing "U.S. and Spanish corporate leaders, top government officials, and leaders in education and culture promote stronger ties between the two countries," according to its <a href="http://usspaincouncil.org/index.php/about" type="external">website</a>.</p>
<p>The U.S. Spain Council did not respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>Another key member of the council is Univision, which has largely avoided stories on the Menendez scandal. Univision did not respond to request for comment.</p>
<p>Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, transportation secretary Ray LaHood, and other top officials from the Obama administration attended the council’s 2012 forum in New Jersey. Clinton <a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/06/193978.htm" type="external">thanked</a> Menendez and Permuy in her opening remarks:</p>
<p>I also want to thank my long-time friend and former colleague – I think it’s fair to say that Senator Bob Menendez is truly one of the most effective, determined, dedicated public servants in our country. … Thanks also to Juan and Pedro [Permuy] for their co-chairing and presidency of the U.S.-Spain Council.</p>
<p>Melgen is also a <a href="http://www.naaonline.org/article.html?aid=512" type="external">member</a> of the New America Alliance (NAA), a group co-founded by Henry Cisneros. VOXXI, the media company of which Melgen is the chairman of the board, is a media partner of the NAA, and Univision is also a <a href="http://www.naaonline.org/article.html?aid=560" type="external">sponsoring</a> organization of the NAA.</p>
<p>Menendez’s affiliation with the NAA includes his attendance at many of its summits. He also <a href="http://www.naaonline.org/article.html?aid=238" type="external">initiated</a> one of the NAA’s goals, issuing a press release asking Fortune 500 companies to identify the number of Hispanics on its corporate boards and serving in senior level positions. The NAA’s goal was to increase Hispanics serving in high-level jobs in major corporations and at financial institutions.</p>
<p>The NAA asked "what the story is regarding and what about NAA will be mentioned" before agreeing to comment on the connection. Questions sent by email to NAA’s Lisa Rodriguez regarding Melgen’s membership and its partnership with VOXXI went unanswered. Additionally, a question about whether the NAA does vetting of its members was not answered.</p>
<p>Univision president Cesar Conde gave the opening remarks at the NAA’s First American Latino National Summit held in Florida last September. The moderator at the summit was Maria Eleana Salinas, who is the co-host "Noticiero Univision" and "Aqui y Ahora." The summit’s <a href="http://www.naaonline.org/article.html?aid=562" type="external">sponsors</a> included Univision and VOXXI.</p>
<p>Other high-level Democrats have also attended other NAA events. The NAA’s 10th anniversary gala was attended by many in the Obama administration, including President Obama’s senior adviser Valerie Jarrett; outgoing secretary of the interior Ken Salazar; White House director of urban affairs policy Adolfo Carrion; deputy director of the National Economic Council Diana Farrell; White House director of intergovernmental affairs Cecilia Munoz; and director of administration Moises "Moe" Vela.</p>
<p>Sens. Menendez and Mark Warner (D., Va.) and Reps. Charles Gonzales (D., Texas), Jim Himes (D., Conn.), and Nydia Velazquez (D., N.Y.) also <a href="http://www.naaonline.org/article.html?aid=199" type="external">attended</a> the gala.</p>
<p>Another Latino group, the nonprofit National Hispanic Media Council (NHMC), issued a <a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/NHMC-Stands-By-Senator-Menendez-.html?soid=1101346166756&amp;aid=aw9Q9WBQsZY" type="external">statement</a> last week defending Menendez, saying it stood with the New Jersey senator "as some in the ‘news’ media use unsubstantiated allegations to smear him. The senator has devoted his life to serving the public and deserves to be judged based on facts, not hearsay."</p>
<p>The Free Beacon asked for clarification of the statement in an email exchange with Inez Gonzalez, the executive vice president of the NHMC.</p>
<p>"We don't think that all the stories referring to the senator are an attack on his character," Gonzalez said. "Late yesterday, after our statement went out, the Washington Post released an investigative piece on the senator. Our statement referred to conservative websites such as the Daily Caller and also Bill O'Reilly who rely on anonymous sources to spread allegations linking the senator with underage prostitution."</p>
<p>Daily Caller Spokeswoman Nicole Roeberg disputed the NHMC’s comments.</p>
<p>"Our sources were not anonymous. We didn’t release their names, but we posted their videos on our website, with their faces blocked out, to respect their privacy," she said. The women interviewed from the Dominican Republic told the Daily Caller they were "paid to have sex with the senator, and they do have names and faces," said Roeberg.</p>
<p>Fox News did not respond to requests for comment.</p>
<p>The NHMC did not have comment on the other "unrelated allegations," said Gonzalez.</p>
<p>"NHMC wasn't aware that Dr. Melgen had a media company, we don't know Dr. Melgen," Gonzalez said when asked about Melgen’s possible ties to the NHMC. "As far as I know, we have had no dealings with him or his company."</p>
<p>However, the NHMC’s claim that it had no dealings with Melgen’s company, VOXXI, is not the case. The Free Beacon found numerous stories in which VOXXI <a href="http://newsle.com/article/0/43130526/" type="external">interviewed</a> and quoted the NHMC president in articles and the NHMC president was a panelist <a href="http://www.naaonline.org/article.html?aid=598%20http://www.voxxi.com/racial-prejudice-blacks-latinos-risen/#ixzz2KJIYZpzw" type="external">alongside</a> VOXXI’s president at an NAA summit.</p> | true | 0 | bob menendez salomon melgen voxxi mary lou lang february 11 2013 900 controversial democratic donor federal investigation affiliations numerous latino groups allowed access highlevel obama administration officials united states spain council uscc 501c3 nonprofit organization lists sfm holdings melgen president general partner organizational member council melgens connection ussc links longtime friend sen bob menendez nj menendez honorary chairman council menendez melgen investigation menendez facing senate ethics probe relationship melgen fbi department health human services investigating melgen possible medicare fraud menendez melgen also suspicion menendezs intervention melgens behalf regarding port security contract melgen menendezs top contributor heavy contributor majority pac run former lieutenants senate majority leader harry reid nev stood make 500 million 1 billion 20 years contract enforced menendezs former aide pedro pablo permuy president uscc permuy could also benefitted dominican republican port security contract menendez advocated talks state department officials hearing presided last july according new york times report menendez claimed know permuy involved port contract permuy denied either board member employee port security company answer coy said ken boehm chairman cofounder national legal policy center boehm noted permuy answer question rather stated currently affiliated company boehm pointed permuy worked menendez years tenure congressman said senator disingenuous indicate shocked former aide would involved port security deal usscs mission bringing us spanish corporate leaders top government officials leaders education culture promote stronger ties two countries according website us spain council respond requests comment another key member council univision largely avoided stories menendez scandal univision respond request comment former secretary state hillary clinton transportation secretary ray lahood top officials obama administration attended councils 2012 forum new jersey clinton thanked menendez permuy opening remarks also want thank longtime friend former colleague think fair say senator bob menendez truly one effective determined dedicated public servants country thanks also juan pedro permuy cochairing presidency usspain council melgen also member new america alliance naa group cofounded henry cisneros voxxi media company melgen chairman board media partner naa univision also sponsoring organization naa menendezs affiliation naa includes attendance many summits also initiated one naas goals issuing press release asking fortune 500 companies identify number hispanics corporate boards serving senior level positions naas goal increase hispanics serving highlevel jobs major corporations financial institutions naa asked story regarding naa mentioned agreeing comment connection questions sent email naas lisa rodriguez regarding melgens membership partnership voxxi went unanswered additionally question whether naa vetting members answered univision president cesar conde gave opening remarks naas first american latino national summit held florida last september moderator summit maria eleana salinas cohost noticiero univision aqui ahora summits sponsors included univision voxxi highlevel democrats also attended naa events naas 10th anniversary gala attended many obama administration including president obamas senior adviser valerie jarrett outgoing secretary interior ken salazar white house director urban affairs policy adolfo carrion deputy director national economic council diana farrell white house director intergovernmental affairs cecilia munoz director administration moises moe vela sens menendez mark warner va reps charles gonzales texas jim himes conn nydia velazquez ny also attended gala another latino group nonprofit national hispanic media council nhmc issued statement last week defending menendez saying stood new jersey senator news media use unsubstantiated allegations smear senator devoted life serving public deserves judged based facts hearsay free beacon asked clarification statement email exchange inez gonzalez executive vice president nhmc dont think stories referring senator attack character gonzalez said late yesterday statement went washington post released investigative piece senator statement referred conservative websites daily caller also bill oreilly rely anonymous sources spread allegations linking senator underage prostitution daily caller spokeswoman nicole roeberg disputed nhmcs comments sources anonymous didnt release names posted videos website faces blocked respect privacy said women interviewed dominican republic told daily caller paid sex senator names faces said roeberg fox news respond requests comment nhmc comment unrelated allegations said gonzalez nhmc wasnt aware dr melgen media company dont know dr melgen gonzalez said asked melgens possible ties nhmc far know dealings company however nhmcs claim dealings melgens company voxxi case free beacon found numerous stories voxxi interviewed quoted nhmc president articles nhmc president panelist alongside voxxis president naa summit | 679 |
<p />
<p>There are three general approaches to work: having a job, <a href="https://www.recruiter.com/careeradvice/" type="external">having a career Opens a New Window.</a>, and having a passion. I presume that most of us are looking for&#160;passions that can also equate to&#160;well-paying careers/jobs.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Does finding your passion have to mean finding a&#160;million-dollar job? Not necessarily. Your nightmare job could be another person's passion, and vice versa. Finding your passion is&#160;a matter of what you value.</p>
<p>For instance, my mother-in-law is the world's most amazing nurse. She worked hard to become one, and she loves every day of her job. Despite the many downsides (constant re-certifications, the emotional toll it can take when patients don't make it, and the 12-15 hour shifts), nursing is her passion. But for me? Those things would be a nightmare.</p>
<p>So, how do you find your own passion? Start by taking these seven elements into consideration:</p>
<p>1. Self-Awareness</p>
<p>Get to know yourself. What are the best moments you've experienced at work that really made you love your job? What is it that you value enough to leave your job for? Are you among the <a href="http://govitru.com/blog/vitru-values-series-opportunity/" type="external">49 percent of employees Opens a New Window.</a> who feel the need to leave their employers when they're ready for a promotion?&#160;Are you part of the&#160; <a href="http://govitru.com/blog/creativity-and-the-workplace/" type="external">27 percent of employees Opens a New Window.</a> who would quit a job for a position offering creative freedom?</p>
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<p>Knowing what you value will&#160;prevent you from wasting time on&#160;jobs you shouldn't even bother with and point you in the direction of positions you should strive for. If you find it difficult to assess your values, take a career-matching assessment to closely define your personal and professional values. They say you can't manage what you don't measure, and that definitely applies to your career.</p>
<p>2. Challenging Work</p>
<p>If you're stuck performing the same tasks every day, your job will go stale – and fast. Giving yourself a challenge every once in a while, on the other hand, can add some much-needed space to your daily grind.</p>
<p>Set goals for yourself (or among&#160;your coworkers, if you're the competitive type);&#160;ask to take on&#160;tasks in a department you've never worked in (you might find passion in untouched territories!); ask your boss if you can start a special project that might give you the chance to use some of your untapped&#160;skills; or gather some reading materials on your current position to see if there's something you could be doing differently to be a more efficient worker.</p>
<p>Whatever it is you need to do to challenge yourself, you'll likely be surprised by the results it produces in terms of your passion. If you find yourself hating something you once loved, try conquering something you didn't think you could when you first started the position.</p>
<p>3. Environmental Variety</p>
<p>This element may require some creativity, depending on the&#160;restrictions you may face in your role. For example, if your job is pretty stationary, try working on an exercise ball, from the lunch room, or outdoors if the option is available to you.</p>
<p>You don't have to overexert yourself&#160;to bring some feng shui to the workplace. Simply cleaning off your desk and bringing order to&#160;your&#160;workspace could be enough to cleanse your mind.&#160;Just&#160;having a small plant on your desk can <a href="http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/innovative-companies-changing-workplace#sm.00015jcbn1r0rex5tf611eaeev66p" type="external">boost your productivity by 15 percent Opens a New Window.</a>.&#160;Anything you do to break out of your environmental norms can help freshen your perspective.</p>
<p>Maybe finding a new place&#160;to work in will spark innovative thoughts and inspire new ideas. At&#160; <a href="https://redbranchmedia.com/" type="external">Red Branch Media Opens a New Window.</a>, we change desks every month or so, and it always gets our creative juices flowing.</p>
<p>4. A Positive Attitude</p>
<p>It's hard to be optimistic if you allow every obstacle you come across to make you angry. And sure, I could just tell you to become an optimist, but that's hard to do when you're feeling depressed or frustrated at work.</p>
<p>Flipping the switch that allows you to reframe these daily hassles as learning experiences is difficult, but adopting a more positive perspective will&#160;have great results. Remember that life is never going to be perfect,&#160;and getting upset by setbacks won't change that.</p>
<p>Don't dwell on obstacles.&#160;Instead, work with them and learn from them. <a href="https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_06.htm" type="external">Think rationally Opens a New Window.</a>, act mindfully, and see&#160;challenging situations for what they are:&#160;challenges that give you the opportunity to stretch yourself.</p>
<p>5. Providing Yourself With Options</p>
<p>The "keeping your options open" mindset can keep you from&#160;giving into&#160;anxiety-driven "the grass is definitely greener on the other side" thinking. Instead of feeling stuck, keep your options open by doing&#160;the following:</p>
<p>Frequently update your resume.</p>
<p>Keep a list of accumulating accomplishments and achievements.</p>
<p>Sign up for&#160;a job board newsletter or app that will notify you of new jobs in fields that interest you.</p>
<p>Sometimes this emergency kit is all you need to combat the anxiety of feeling stuck at your job.</p>
<p>6. Maintaining Balance</p>
<p>Job commitment is attractive to employers, and now that our smartphones and mobile devices allow us to receive emails at all hours of the day, it's very easy for us to always be "on." Is this okay? Some days, you need to answer that emergency email at 7 PM, but it's dangerous and unhealthy to do this on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Set parameters for yourself. What circumstances call&#160;for that late-night email response, and which fires can wait for the morning? <a href="https://remote.co/10-stats-about-remote-work/" type="external">There are endless benefits of&#160;working from home Opens a New Window.</a>, including boosted productivity (reported by 86 percent of those who work from), higher efficiency (30 percent), and lower stress levels (82 percent). All of these factors give us rose-colored glasses that allow us to ignore the cons of working&#160;from home.</p>
<p>Keep your sanity. Clock your eight hours, take a 30, and respond only to absolute emergencies after hours. Set your parameters and stick to them to maintain that work-life balance everyone's all hyped about.</p>
<p>7. A Sense of Purpose</p>
<p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-friedman-phd/engage-employees-by-helpi_b_8647370.html" type="external">Twenty-eight percent of workers Opens a New Window.</a> derive their sense of purpose from work, so you'd best make it count. Think about your company's mission. Most of the time, it's to help others do something&#160;easier, faster, more efficiently, etc. What do you love about that mission? If you don't love your company's bottom line, you might need to start job hunting. In the past, we have had a lot of skilled, smart, talented people on staff at Red Branch Media who just weren't&#160;that into B2B marketing. That's okay!</p>
<p>–</p>
<p>Half of your workplace&#160;passion comes from the company and its values, and the other half comes from you finding your own values&#160;and leveraging your skills and passions for the company's goals. Find your passion, cater to it, and&#160;make sure you have a job that channels that passion.</p>
<p>Maren Hogan is the&#160;chief marketing brain at&#160; <a href="https://redbranchmedia.com/" type="external">Red Branch Media Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | three general approaches work job career opens new window passion presume us looking for160passions also equate to160wellpaying careersjobs continue reading finding passion mean finding a160milliondollar job necessarily nightmare job could another persons passion vice versa finding passion is160a matter value instance motherinlaw worlds amazing nurse worked hard become one loves every day job despite many downsides constant recertifications emotional toll take patients dont make 1215 hour shifts nursing passion things would nightmare find passion start taking seven elements consideration 1 selfawareness get know best moments youve experienced work really made love job value enough leave job among 49 percent employees opens new window feel need leave employers theyre ready promotion160are part the160 27 percent employees opens new window would quit job position offering creative freedom advertisement knowing value will160prevent wasting time on160jobs shouldnt even bother point direction positions strive find difficult assess values take careermatching assessment closely define personal professional values say cant manage dont measure definitely applies career 2 challenging work youre stuck performing tasks every day job go stale fast giving challenge every hand add muchneeded space daily grind set goals among160your coworkers youre competitive type160ask take on160tasks department youve never worked might find passion untouched territories ask boss start special project might give chance use untapped160skills gather reading materials current position see theres something could differently efficient worker whatever need challenge youll likely surprised results produces terms passion find hating something loved try conquering something didnt think could first started position 3 environmental variety element may require creativity depending the160restrictions may face role example job pretty stationary try working exercise ball lunch room outdoors option available dont overexert yourself160to bring feng shui workplace simply cleaning desk bringing order to160your160workspace could enough cleanse mind160just160having small plant desk boost productivity 15 percent opens new window160anything break environmental norms help freshen perspective maybe finding new place160to work spark innovative thoughts inspire new ideas at160 red branch media opens new window change desks every month always gets creative juices flowing 4 positive attitude hard optimistic allow every obstacle come across make angry sure could tell become optimist thats hard youre feeling depressed frustrated work flipping switch allows reframe daily hassles learning experiences difficult adopting positive perspective will160have great results remember life never going perfect160and getting upset setbacks wont change dont dwell obstacles160instead work learn think rationally opens new window act mindfully see160challenging situations are160challenges give opportunity stretch 5 providing options keeping options open mindset keep from160giving into160anxietydriven grass definitely greener side thinking instead feeling stuck keep options open doing160the following frequently update resume keep list accumulating accomplishments achievements sign for160a job board newsletter app notify new jobs fields interest sometimes emergency kit need combat anxiety feeling stuck job 6 maintaining balance job commitment attractive employers smartphones mobile devices allow us receive emails hours day easy us always okay days need answer emergency email 7 pm dangerous unhealthy regular basis set parameters circumstances call160for latenight email response fires wait morning endless benefits of160working home opens new window including boosted productivity reported 86 percent work higher efficiency 30 percent lower stress levels 82 percent factors give us rosecolored glasses allow us ignore cons working160from home keep sanity clock eight hours take 30 respond absolute emergencies hours set parameters stick maintain worklife balance everyones hyped 7 sense purpose twentyeight percent workers opens new window derive sense purpose work youd best make count think companys mission time help others something160easier faster efficiently etc love mission dont love companys bottom line might need start job hunting past lot skilled smart talented people staff red branch media werent160that b2b marketing thats okay half workplace160passion comes company values half comes finding values160and leveraging skills passions companys goals find passion cater and160make sure job channels passion maren hogan the160chief marketing brain at160 red branch media opens new window | 629 |
<p>Deutsche Bank AG's cost-cutting moves helped it beat analysts' expectations in the second quarter, but year-over-year revenue fell in all three business divisions as its chief executive faces pressure to revive results amid a continuing overhaul.</p>
<p>Deutsche Bank shares closed down 6.6% Thursday in trading in Germany, to EUR15.52. They're down about 20% from their highs earlier this year after the lender put behind it a major litigation threat and then embarked on a successful EUR8 billion capital raise.</p>
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<p>On Thursday, Deutsche Bank executives again faced questions from analysts about how much more investment-banking market share the bank might lose to rivals. Shares continued to fall after an early-afternoon conference call. On that call, Chief Executive Officer John Cryan said strategic changes are "starting to bear fruit" but warned that a lot of work remains.</p>
<p>The German lender said net income was EUR466 million ($546.8 million), compared with EUR20 million for the same period a year earlier. But investors focused more on Deutsche Bank's companywide revenues, which declined a worse-than-expected 10% from the year-ago period, to EUR6.6 billion.</p>
<p>Also on Thursday, Deutsche Bank said it reached an agreement with 11 mostly former senior executives who will voluntarily forfeit EUR38.4 million ($45 million) in frozen bonus payments. That amounts to more than half of the almost EUR70 million in bonuses the bank froze while it investigated whether the executives, including former co-CEOs Anshu Jain and Jürgen Fitschen and former CEO Josef Ackermann, could be held personally liable for legal and other costs tied to activities when they served as management-board members.</p>
<p>Deutsche Bank said its supervisory board found "insufficient factual and legal basis" to pursue such claims. The individuals voluntarily waived the unpaid bonuses and believe they upheld their duties as Deutsche Bank executives, the bank's statement said. The individuals declined to comment or couldn't be reached.</p>
<p>Investors want to see Deutsche Bank prove it can cut its workforce, expenses and overall risk-taking without further weakening its moneymaking engines.</p>
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<p>But its biggest division, investment banking, posted worse-than-expected revenue declines last quarter in most key areas, from securities trading to trade financing.</p>
<p>Expectations for the quarter were modest, with analysts projecting Deutsche Bank to manage a narrow profit of about EUR169 million, according to consensus estimates of 12 analysts compiled by the bank.</p>
<p>Dismal results in the bank's huge trading division show it remains hobbled in the business it has long depended on most for profits. Overall trading revenue across debt, interest-rate products, currencies and equities was down 18% last quarter.</p>
<p>The fixed-income piece of that business -- the most important for Deutsche Bank -- performed roughly in line with big U.S. rivals during what was broadly a rough quarter for debt trading. Deutsche Bank's fixed-income trading revenue was down 12%.</p>
<p>But unlike those U.S. banks, Deutsche Bank failed to get a bump from clients' stock-trading. The German bank's equities-trading revenue fell 28% from a year earlier. Not enough hedge funds and other clients have come back to the bank after a rocky 2016 to generate the volume of business it had a year ago, according to the bank. And the clients who have returned aren't paying enough fees to make up for the exodus.</p>
<p>Mr. Cryan said "muted client activity in many of the capital markets" hurt the lender. Net revenue was down 16% in investment banking, which includes deal-advising, securities issuance and trading. In the private and retail-banking unit, net revenue fell 7%. Asset-management revenue fell 4%, but that division earned higher performance fees and would have shown a 7% revenue rise excluding a one-time accounting charge last year, Deutsche Bank said.</p>
<p>The lender said clients continued to return to Deutsche Bank last quarter, bringing EUR9 billion in net inflows across the retail and private bank, wealth management and asset management. This time last year, clients were pulling money and business from the bank over concerns about big legal charges and its capital cushion.</p>
<p>The lender is going through its second major restructuring in less than two years, recombining its investment bank and trading divisions and folding in a German retail-banking business, Postbank, that it had intended to sell. It is now integrating Postbank and has closed hundreds of bank branches as part of broader cost-cutting moves.</p>
<p>Deutsche Bank brought on a new chief financial officer, former Citigroup Inc. Treasurer James von Moltke, who started this month. Ex-banker-turned-finance-chief Marcus Schenck is now overseeing the recombined investment bank along with trading-unit chief Garth Ritchie.</p>
<p>Mr. Cryan and his management team are under pressure to rejuvenate Deutsche Bank's lagging revenues after raising EUR8 billion in capital from shareholders earlier this year.</p>
<p>Citigroup Inc. analysts called Thursday's results "low-quality," because cost-cutting benefits can't keep making up for lagging performance, and Deutsche Bank hasn't proven it can revive revenue as much as investors expected.</p>
<p>The bank said it cut head count by almost 4,700 employees from a year ago, to 96,652 full-time workers, as of the end of June. Its noninterest expenses last year were down 15% from a year ago.</p>
<p>Write to Jenny Strasburg at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>July 27, 2017 13:08 ET (17:08 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | deutsche bank ags costcutting moves helped beat analysts expectations second quarter yearoveryear revenue fell three business divisions chief executive faces pressure revive results amid continuing overhaul deutsche bank shares closed 66 thursday trading germany eur1552 theyre 20 highs earlier year lender put behind major litigation threat embarked successful eur8 billion capital raise continue reading thursday deutsche bank executives faced questions analysts much investmentbanking market share bank might lose rivals shares continued fall earlyafternoon conference call call chief executive officer john cryan said strategic changes starting bear fruit warned lot work remains german lender said net income eur466 million 5468 million compared eur20 million period year earlier investors focused deutsche banks companywide revenues declined worsethanexpected 10 yearago period eur66 billion also thursday deutsche bank said reached agreement 11 mostly former senior executives voluntarily forfeit eur384 million 45 million frozen bonus payments amounts half almost eur70 million bonuses bank froze investigated whether executives including former coceos anshu jain jürgen fitschen former ceo josef ackermann could held personally liable legal costs tied activities served managementboard members deutsche bank said supervisory board found insufficient factual legal basis pursue claims individuals voluntarily waived unpaid bonuses believe upheld duties deutsche bank executives banks statement said individuals declined comment couldnt reached investors want see deutsche bank prove cut workforce expenses overall risktaking without weakening moneymaking engines advertisement biggest division investment banking posted worsethanexpected revenue declines last quarter key areas securities trading trade financing expectations quarter modest analysts projecting deutsche bank manage narrow profit eur169 million according consensus estimates 12 analysts compiled bank dismal results banks huge trading division show remains hobbled business long depended profits overall trading revenue across debt interestrate products currencies equities 18 last quarter fixedincome piece business important deutsche bank performed roughly line big us rivals broadly rough quarter debt trading deutsche banks fixedincome trading revenue 12 unlike us banks deutsche bank failed get bump clients stocktrading german banks equitiestrading revenue fell 28 year earlier enough hedge funds clients come back bank rocky 2016 generate volume business year ago according bank clients returned arent paying enough fees make exodus mr cryan said muted client activity many capital markets hurt lender net revenue 16 investment banking includes dealadvising securities issuance trading private retailbanking unit net revenue fell 7 assetmanagement revenue fell 4 division earned higher performance fees would shown 7 revenue rise excluding onetime accounting charge last year deutsche bank said lender said clients continued return deutsche bank last quarter bringing eur9 billion net inflows across retail private bank wealth management asset management time last year clients pulling money business bank concerns big legal charges capital cushion lender going second major restructuring less two years recombining investment bank trading divisions folding german retailbanking business postbank intended sell integrating postbank closed hundreds bank branches part broader costcutting moves deutsche bank brought new chief financial officer former citigroup inc treasurer james von moltke started month exbankerturnedfinancechief marcus schenck overseeing recombined investment bank along tradingunit chief garth ritchie mr cryan management team pressure rejuvenate deutsche banks lagging revenues raising eur8 billion capital shareholders earlier year citigroup inc analysts called thursdays results lowquality costcutting benefits cant keep making lagging performance deutsche bank hasnt proven revive revenue much investors expected bank said cut head count almost 4700 employees year ago 96652 fulltime workers end june noninterest expenses last year 15 year ago write jenny strasburg jennystrasburgwsjcom end dow jones newswires july 27 2017 1308 et 1708 gmt | 567 |
<p>Twitter shares log best daily gain since September 2016</p>
<p>U.S. stocks ended mostly higher on Thursday as a fusillade of better-than-expected corporate quarterly results helped to reinvigorate Wall Street buying appetite, a day after the S&amp;P 500 and the Dow posted their biggest drops in more than seven weeks.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The House of Representatives also passed a budget blueprint (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/house-narrowly-passes-budget-in-critical-step-for-republicans-tax-plan-2017-10-26), paving the way for the Senate to eventually pass a tax-reform package by a simple majority. Some analysts view passage of a tax-cut package as critical to extending the stock-market rally.</p>
<p>What are stock indexes doing?</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 71.40 points, or 0.3%, to 23,400.86. The S&amp;P 500 gained 3.25 points, or 0.1%, at 2,560.40, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 7.12 points, or 0.1%, at 6,556.77.</p>
<p>Nasdaq was buffeted by weakness in the biotechnology sector (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/biotech-etfs-tumble-with-celgenes-stock-headlining-weakness-2017-10-26), which also weighed on the overall health-care group. The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) slid 2.3% while the health-care sector lost 1%, marking the S&amp;P 500's worst performing sector on the day.</p>
<p>What's driving the market?</p>
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<p>The House of Representatives narrowly passed (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/house-narrowly-passes-budget-in-critical-step-for-republicans-tax-plan-2017-10-26) a budget bill on Thursday, which paves the way for the Senate to later pass a tax-reform package with a simple majority, instead of 60 votes.</p>
<p>Earlier in the session, the European Central Bank announced plans to extend the length of its quantitative-easing measures but reduce its monthly asset purchases. The move had been expected, but it represented a very gradual tapering of crisis-era measures by the central bank. The ECB, as expected, left interest rates unchanged and reiterated that it anticipated them to remain at present levels for an "extended period" and beyond the eventual end of its asset buying program.</p>
<p>Read:Draghi averts 'taper tantrum'--for now--as ECB takes baby step toward ending QE (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/draghi-averts-taper-tantrumfor-nowas-ecb-begins-slow-walk-to-normalization-2017-10-26)</p>
<p>The markets are also closely monitoring President Donald Trump's coming pick to head the Federal Reserve after Chairwoman Janet Yellen's term ends in February. Yellen is out of the race for the top spot, according to two reports on Thursday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/yellen-looks-to-be-out-of-the-race-for-fed-chief-2017-10-26), leaving Fed Gov. Jerome Powell and Stanford University economist John Taylor as front-runners.</p>
<p>See:What investors need to know about Fed candidate John Taylor's famous rule (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-investors-need-to-know-about-john-taylor-and-the-fed-candidates-famous-rule-2017-10-17)</p>
<p>(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-earnings-cloud-may-maintain-600-billion-market-cap-2017-10-25)What are analysts saying?</p>
<p>On the Fed leadership watch, Kevin Giddis, head of fixed income capital markets at Raymond James, said it is likely a three-way race between Jay Powell, John Taylor, and Yellen.</p>
<p>"If it is John Taylor (hawk), look for the 10--year to take out 2.50% without a problem," he said in a note.</p>
<p>What data are in focus?</p>
<p>Weekly jobless claims (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-jobless-claims-climb-10000-to-233000-a-week-after-hitting-44-year-low-2017-10-26) rose by 10,000 to 233,000 in the latest week, holding at a historically low level.</p>
<p>Pending home sales (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pending-home-sales-wobble-to-a-2-12-year-low-2017-10-26) showed a decline to a 2 1/2 year low in September, missing consensus estimates for a rise of 0.4%, as the housing market is buffeted by lean supply and strong demand. Meanwhile, the advanced U.S. trade deficit widened by 1.3% in September.</p>
<p>See:MarketWatch's economic calendar (http://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendars/economic)</p>
<p>Which stocks are in focus?</p>
<p>Shares of Twitter Inc. (TWTR) surged 18.5%, booked its best daily performance since September 2016, after the social-media group reported narrower losses (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/twitter-soars-pre-market-as-it-adds-users-but-admits-to-overestimating-users-for-years-2017-10-26). But Twitter also admitted to overstating users for years (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/twitter-admits-to-overstating-users-for-years-2017-10-26).</p>
<p>Celgene Corp. (CELG) plummeted 16.4% after the company reported a third-quarter profit beat and revenue miss and lowered its 2017 profit and revenue outlook (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/celgene-shares-drop-11-on-updated-2017-guidance-2017-10-26). The stock pressured the overall biotech and health-care sectors.</p>
<p>Tenet Healthcare Corp.(THC) shares tanked 9.2% following a Reuters report that the hospital operator has ended its plan to sell itself after its chief executive abruptly left (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tenet-announces-early-exit-of-ceo-as-it-continues-to-seek-permanent-successor-2017-10-23)ahead of schedule.</p>
<p>Nutrisystem Inc.(NTRI) continued to slide, falling 10.5%, despite turning in better-than-expected quarterly earnings (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shares-of-nutrisystem-skid-despite-robust-quarterly-earnings-new-buyback-plan-2017-10-25).</p>
<p>Ford Motor Co.(F) rose 1.9% after the auto maker beat profit and revenue estimates (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ford-shares-jump-15-premarket-as-earnings-blow-through-estimates-2017-10-26).</p>
<p>Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.(BWLD) shares soared 19.6% after a big profit boost (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/buffalo-wild-wings-stock-takes-flight-with-boneless-wings-2017-10-25)due to a switch to boneless wings for one of its signature promotions.</p>
<p>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(BMY) shares fell 4.8% after the company missed on profit and revenue (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bristol-myers-squibb-reports-q3-profit-miss-revenue-beat-updates-2017-consensus-2017-10-26) and changed its 2017 guidance</p>
<p>Shares of CVS Health Corp.(CVS), Rite Aid Corp.(RAD), Express Scripts Holding Co.(ESRX) and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.(WBA) all fell sharply after Amazon.com Inc.(AMZN) secured a wholesale pharmacy license (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/drug-stocks-drop-after-report-that-amazon-has-obtained-pharmacy-licenses-2017-10-26). Amazon rose 0.8%.</p>
<p>Shares of Pfizer Inc.(PFE) fell 1.2% after a Reuters report that the drugmaker will begin the auction process for its consumer health care (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pfizer-sets-date-for-auction-of-consumer-healthcare-unit-reuters-2017-10-26) unit in November.</p>
<p>U.S.-listed shares of Nokia Corp.(NOK) tumbled 21% after the Finnish telecommunications company said its loss widened in the third quarter (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nokia-loss-wider-than-seen-in-weak-networks-market-2017-10-26).</p>
<p>Shares of 3M Co. (MMM), which jumped after the maker of Post-it Notes reported better-than-expected quarterly results earlier in the week (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/3ms-stock-jumps-after-profit-and-revenue-rise-above-expectations-2017-10-24), closed down 2%.</p>
<p>CVS Health Corp. (CVS) was in talks to buy Aetna Inc. (AET) in a deal that could value the health insurer at more than $66 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. CVS's shares closed regular trade down 2.9%, while Aetna's shares jumped 11.5%.</p>
<p>U.S.-listed shares of Barclays PLC (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/barclays-profit-rises-no-word-on-dividend-hike-2017-10-26)(BCS) slid 9.5% and those ofDeutsche Bank AG (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/deutsche-bank-profit-more-than-doubles-2017-10-26-2485813)(DBK.XE) fell 2.3% after each bank reported earnings.</p>
<p>After the market closed, investors were set to focus on technology heavyweights, with Google-parent Alphabet Inc.(GOOGL), Amazon.com and Microsoft Corp.(MSFT) releasing quarterly results.</p>
<p>Read:Alphabet earnings: Google's mobile transition is a double-edged sword (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alphabet-earnings-googles-mobile-transition-is-a-double-edged-sword-2017-10-24)</p>
<p>(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alphabet-earnings-googles-mobile-transition-is-a-double-edged-sword-2017-10-24) (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alphabet-earnings-googles-mobile-transition-is-a-double-edged-sword-2017-10-24)Also read:Microsoft earnings: Cloud may maintain $600 billion market cap (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-earnings-cloud-may-maintain-600-billion-market-cap-2017-10-25)</p>
<p>What are other markets doing?</p>
<p>The euro fell to $1.166 as that ECB announcement was made (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/euro-higher-against-the-dollar-as-ecb-meeting-looms-2017-10-26), down from $1.181 late Wednesday in New York. The ICE Dollar Index jumped 0.1%.</p>
<p>Oil prices reversed earlier drop (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-prices-steady-following-pullback-driven-by-inventory-data-2017-10-26) to settle higher, while gold (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-prices-retreat-as-dollar-gains-against-euro-2017-10-26) finished lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-prices-retreat-as-dollar-gains-against-euro-2017-10-26).</p>
<p>Stocks in Asia closed mixed, while European stocks held steady at a higher level (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-cling-to-small-gains-as-investors-brace-for-ecb-move-2017-10-26)after the ECB announcement. Gains were led by Spanish stocks which soared almost 2% on reports that Catalan President Carles Puigdemont could call early elections (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spain-stocks-rally-on-reports-catalan-leader-will-dissolve-parliament-hold-early-elections-2017-10-26) and dissolve parliament. However, later reports indicated that the Catalan leader may not call a snap election.</p>
<p>Read:Why Italy faces worst shock in Europe as ECB prepares to taper bond buys (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-italy-faces-worst-shock-in-europe-as-ecb-prepares-to-taper-bond-buys-2017-10-24)</p>
<p>--Sara Sjolin and Mark DeCambre contributed to this article.</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>October 26, 2017 16:38 ET (20:38 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | twitter shares log best daily gain since september 2016 us stocks ended mostly higher thursday fusillade betterthanexpected corporate quarterly results helped reinvigorate wall street buying appetite day sampp 500 dow posted biggest drops seven weeks continue reading house representatives also passed budget blueprint httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryhousenarrowlypassesbudgetincriticalstepforrepublicanstaxplan20171026 paving way senate eventually pass taxreform package simple majority analysts view passage taxcut package critical extending stockmarket rally stock indexes dow jones industrial average rose 7140 points 03 2340086 sampp 500 gained 325 points 01 256040 nasdaq composite index edged 712 points 01 655677 nasdaq buffeted weakness biotechnology sector httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybiotechetfstumblewithcelgenesstockheadliningweakness20171026 also weighed overall healthcare group ishares nasdaq biotechnology etf ibb slid 23 healthcare sector lost 1 marking sampp 500s worst performing sector day whats driving market advertisement house representatives narrowly passed httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryhousenarrowlypassesbudgetincriticalstepforrepublicanstaxplan20171026 budget bill thursday paves way senate later pass taxreform package simple majority instead 60 votes earlier session european central bank announced plans extend length quantitativeeasing measures reduce monthly asset purchases move expected represented gradual tapering crisisera measures central bank ecb expected left interest rates unchanged reiterated anticipated remain present levels extended period beyond eventual end asset buying program readdraghi averts taper tantrumfor nowas ecb takes baby step toward ending qe httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydraghiavertstapertantrumfornowasecbbeginsslowwalktonormalization20171026 markets also closely monitoring president donald trumps coming pick head federal reserve chairwoman janet yellens term ends february yellen race top spot according two reports thursday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryyellenlookstobeoutoftheraceforfedchief20171026 leaving fed gov jerome powell stanford university economist john taylor frontrunners seewhat investors need know fed candidate john taylors famous rule httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywhatinvestorsneedtoknowaboutjohntaylorandthefedcandidatesfamousrule20171017 httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorymicrosoftearningscloudmaymaintain600billionmarketcap20171025what analysts saying fed leadership watch kevin giddis head fixed income capital markets raymond james said likely threeway race jay powell john taylor yellen john taylor hawk look 10year take 250 without problem said note data focus weekly jobless claims httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryusjoblessclaimsclimb10000to233000aweekafterhitting44yearlow20171026 rose 10000 233000 latest week holding historically low level pending home sales httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorypendinghomesaleswobbletoa212yearlow20171026 showed decline 2 12 year low september missing consensus estimates rise 04 housing market buffeted lean supply strong demand meanwhile advanced us trade deficit widened 13 september seemarketwatchs economic calendar httpwwwmarketwatchcomeconomypoliticscalendarseconomic stocks focus shares twitter inc twtr surged 185 booked best daily performance since september 2016 socialmedia group reported narrower losses httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytwittersoarspremarketasitaddsusersbutadmitstooverestimatingusersforyears20171026 twitter also admitted overstating users years httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytwitteradmitstooverstatingusersforyears20171026 celgene corp celg plummeted 164 company reported thirdquarter profit beat revenue miss lowered 2017 profit revenue outlook httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorycelgenesharesdrop11onupdated2017guidance20171026 stock pressured overall biotech healthcare sectors tenet healthcare corpthc shares tanked 92 following reuters report hospital operator ended plan sell chief executive abruptly left httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytenetannouncesearlyexitofceoasitcontinuestoseekpermanentsuccessor20171023ahead schedule nutrisystem incntri continued slide falling 105 despite turning betterthanexpected quarterly earnings httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysharesofnutrisystemskiddespiterobustquarterlyearningsnewbuybackplan20171025 ford motor cof rose 19 auto maker beat profit revenue estimates httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryfordsharesjump15premarketasearningsblowthroughestimates20171026 buffalo wild wings incbwld shares soared 196 big profit boost httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybuffalowildwingsstocktakesflightwithbonelesswings20171025due switch boneless wings one signature promotions bristolmyers squibb cobmy shares fell 48 company missed profit revenue httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybristolmyerssquibbreportsq3profitmissrevenuebeatupdates2017consensus20171026 changed 2017 guidance shares cvs health corpcvs rite aid corprad express scripts holding coesrx walgreens boots alliance incwba fell sharply amazoncom incamzn secured wholesale pharmacy license httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydrugstocksdropafterreportthatamazonhasobtainedpharmacylicenses20171026 amazon rose 08 shares pfizer incpfe fell 12 reuters report drugmaker begin auction process consumer health care httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorypfizersetsdateforauctionofconsumerhealthcareunitreuters20171026 unit november uslisted shares nokia corpnok tumbled 21 finnish telecommunications company said loss widened third quarter httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorynokialosswiderthanseeninweaknetworksmarket20171026 shares 3m co mmm jumped maker postit notes reported betterthanexpected quarterly results earlier week httpwwwmarketwatchcomstory3msstockjumpsafterprofitandrevenueriseaboveexpectations20171024 closed 2 cvs health corp cvs talks buy aetna inc aet deal could value health insurer 66 billion according wall street journal cvss shares closed regular trade 29 aetnas shares jumped 115 uslisted shares barclays plc httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybarclaysprofitrisesnowordondividendhike20171026bcs slid 95 ofdeutsche bank ag httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydeutschebankprofitmorethandoubles201710262485813dbkxe fell 23 bank reported earnings market closed investors set focus technology heavyweights googleparent alphabet incgoogl amazoncom microsoft corpmsft releasing quarterly results readalphabet earnings googles mobile transition doubleedged sword httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryalphabetearningsgooglesmobiletransitionisadoubleedgedsword20171024 httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryalphabetearningsgooglesmobiletransitionisadoubleedgedsword20171024 httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryalphabetearningsgooglesmobiletransitionisadoubleedgedsword20171024also readmicrosoft earnings cloud may maintain 600 billion market cap httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorymicrosoftearningscloudmaymaintain600billionmarketcap20171025 markets euro fell 1166 ecb announcement made httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryeurohigheragainstthedollarasecbmeetinglooms20171026 1181 late wednesday new york ice dollar index jumped 01 oil prices reversed earlier drop httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryoilpricessteadyfollowingpullbackdrivenbyinventorydata20171026 settle higher gold httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorygoldpricesretreatasdollargainsagainsteuro20171026 finished lower httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorygoldpricesretreatasdollargainsagainsteuro20171026 stocks asia closed mixed european stocks held steady higher level httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryeuropeanstocksclingtosmallgainsasinvestorsbraceforecbmove20171026after ecb announcement gains led spanish stocks soared almost 2 reports catalan president carles puigdemont could call early elections httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryspainstocksrallyonreportscatalanleaderwilldissolveparliamentholdearlyelections20171026 dissolve parliament however later reports indicated catalan leader may call snap election readwhy italy faces worst shock europe ecb prepares taper bond buys httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywhyitalyfacesworstshockineuropeasecbpreparestotaperbondbuys20171024 sara sjolin mark decambre contributed article end dow jones newswires october 26 2017 1638 et 2038 gmt | 718 |
<p>Healthcare is constantly coming under the fire of political and media attention, and biotech companies are going boom or bust on FDA approvals that are out of their control. But healthcare is also an incredibly diverse sector -- so much so that if you thoughtfully diversify your investments within the healthcare part of your portfolio, you can see a lot of the sector's gains without too much of the risks.</p>
<p>In this <a href="https://www.fool.com/podcasts/industry-focus?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=e2a089de-d465-11e7-a601-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Industry Focus: Healthcare Opens a New Window.</a>&#160;clip, healthcare analysts explain some ways that investors can get diversified in healthcare, why the sector isn't going away anytime soon, what you need to know about the old "buy what you know" adage, and more.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>A full transcript follows the video.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of November 6, 2017The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned.</p>
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<p>This video was recorded on Oct. 25, 2017.</p>
<p>Kristine Harjes: You mention that healthcare is a fairly diverse field to begin with. That gives me a little segue to be able to admit something to you, which is that I am personally grossly overweight in healthcare. And that's because I get really excited about it. I love the industry. But the way I can justify this is, healthcare itself is a fairly diverse sector. You have different types of healthcare stocks. For example, you have small caps, you have large caps, you have mid-caps. That's, of course, the market cap of the company. In general, if you have a big established Goliath like a Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), that in and of itself is a fairly diversified stock. They have all these different units within the company, they have an international business. As opposed to something like, I mentioned earlier, Ophthotech. I was a shareholder of Ophthotech. That was a very small-cap company that had a single point of failure. It obviously didn't go well.</p>
<p>So you have, within the industry itself, different market caps; you have different geographies. We talked on the show about Teva, for example. They're an Israeli company. They do a lot of business all over the world. But it's certainly possible to have shares of companies like, say, AstraZeneca&#160;or GlaxoSmithKline.</p>
<p>Todd Campbell: Roche.</p>
<p>Harjes: Yeah. Lots of drug makers are headquartered overseas. You also have non-drug maker healthcare stocks. Every once in a while, we'll get a listener write in in like, "Why don't you talk about any other areas of healthcare except for drug makers?" And the answer to that is just that it's the most exciting part of healthcare. At least, Todd, I think you'll agree with me there; there's always news about what drugs are getting approved and how trials are going. But there are other parts to healthcare. Hopefully we touch on them enough to keep you guys informed. You have your insurers and your retail pharmacies, your PBMs.</p>
<p>Campbell: Technology companies.</p>
<p>Harjes: Yeah, like Veeva. All this is to say, within a single sector, you can actually get pretty diversified. As important as it is to touch on different sectors, it's possible to be diversified within each one, and it's actually important to be diversified within each one, because you can fool yourself into thinking you're diversified because you have two financial stocks and two healthcare stocks and two consumer discretionary stocks. But if all of those are, say, micro-caps, then you're really not that diversified.</p>
<p>Campbell: You raised so many cool points there. One of the things that resonated with me, or jumped out to me, was Peter Lynch. Famous money manager for Fidelity for years. Wrote a wonderful book, Beating the Street. And he always advocated buying what you know. Invest in what you know. Well, the risk that you run when you invest in what you know, and we talk healthcare all the time, is that you get very heavily concentrated within that particular area that you know a lot about. If you work in retail, you end up owning a portfolio that's 80% in retail. If you work in healthcare, you own a portfolio that's 80% healthcare. There can be advantages to that, i.e., if you know the industry and they players really well, maybe that enhances your ability to pick the correct stock. Also, that concentration will allow you to outperform the S&amp;P 500 Index during periods where the stocks that you own work.</p>
<p>Harjes: Yeah, when you're right.</p>
<p>You also brought up the point of being diversified within each individual sector. You're talking about healthcare, you look at your healthcare holdings. Owning an insurer and owning a big-cap pharmaceutical company and owning, let's face it, I happen to take on some risk in my portfolio, so sometimes I tend to own some small cap clinical-stage companies. And these companies are make it or break it companies. And as we already outlined, if their trials go wrong or they receive a rejection letter from the FDA, you could lose 80% of the value in a particular stock. So I always spread it around a little bit.</p>
<p>Just to throw out numbers, let's say I have $3,000 that I can do something with and I have three clinical-stage companies that I've done my homework on, I feel pretty good about, and I'm going to lean the odds in favor of victory for these companies. Maybe leaning the odds is 60-40 or something like that. Again, there's no such thing as a sure thing. So you say to yourself, I'll take that $3,000 and divide it between those three companies. Now, one may fall 80%, like Axovant Sciences or something recently with its Alzheimer's disease failure. But the other, Zogenix, may have a success in their epilepsy trial and triple. If you look at them as a whole, you ended up making money.</p>
<p>So I think the big thing to remember there is, keep everything in perspective relative to the portfolio and the risk that you're willing to take, obviously. Maybe that $3,000 is in a portfolio of $100,000, or something like that. If you lose $1,000 on a particular stock, it's really not going to move the needle that much for you.</p>
<p>But yeah, there's a lot of different ways that you can help insulate yourself against risk, and that always brings me to the thought of, how much do I really want to have in healthcare? In my portfolio, maybe I'm not as overweight as potentially you are, I have about 25% of my portfolio in healthcare stocks, but that is overweight relative to the S&amp;P 500, which is, what?</p>
<p>Harjes: 14.5%.</p>
<p>Campbell: 14.5%. And overweighted as a percentage of GDP, because I think as a percent of GDP, healthcare spending is about 17.8%. So, there are different ways that you can look at, how much do I want to have exposure to. If I'm running a diversified portfolio of individual investments, how diversified do I want to be? Maybe you want to tie it to the GDP spending number. There are a lot of reasons that healthcare makes sense to have in your portfolio. We talk about them all the time on the show -- 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day. You have $8 trillion being spent globally on healthcare, and some estimates peg that number going to $18 trillion over the course of the next 15 to 20 years. This is a growth market, it's an interesting market, it's a fascinating market, it deserves a spot in portfolios. Don't be too afraid of going a little bit over what may seem prudent, in that 14%-15% S&amp;P range.</p>
<p>Harjes: Another thing to point out about the healthcare industry is that these are necessary expenses. People are going to be paying insurance premiums and buying prescription drugs. These are not consumer discretionary purchases. They are medications that are life-saving, that people are going to be buying year-in and year-out regardless of what the rest of the economy is doing.</p>
<p>Campbell: And with big pharma, we've talked about this on the show with Johnson &amp; Johnson, historically -- past performance doesn't guarantee future performance -- companies like Johnson &amp; Johnson tend to do better during periods of stock market pullbacks because of that. And, you get the dividends.</p>
<p>Harjes: Yeah. Johnson &amp; Johnson is a fantastic example of a company that has minimal downside risk when the rest of the market seems to be tanking. They've been able to weather the storm very well, and continue paying that dividend for over 50 years. It's really an incredible, I'm picturing a giant stable ship going through a bunch of storms. That's Johnson &amp; Johnson for you.</p>
<p>Campbell: Right. And having that as a core holding in your portfolio, and then being able to have some fun with some of these clinical-stages, that's probably a lot wiser of a choice than trying to go out and saying, "I'm going all in MediGene!" [laughs]</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFAnchor/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=e2a089de-d465-11e7-a601-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Kristine Harjes Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Johnson &amp; Johnson. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFEBCapital/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=e2a089de-d465-11e7-a601-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Todd Campbell Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Johnson &amp; Johnson and Veeva Systems. 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=e2a089de-d465-11e7-a601-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | healthcare constantly coming fire political media attention biotech companies going boom bust fda approvals control healthcare also incredibly diverse sector much thoughtfully diversify investments within healthcare part portfolio see lot sectors gains without much risks industry focus healthcare opens new window160clip healthcare analysts explain ways investors get diversified healthcare sector isnt going away anytime soon need know old buy know adage 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 november 6 2017the authors may position stocks mentioned advertisement video recorded oct 25 2017 kristine harjes mention healthcare fairly diverse field begin gives little segue able admit something personally grossly overweight healthcare thats get really excited love industry way justify healthcare fairly diverse sector different types healthcare stocks example small caps large caps midcaps thats course market cap company general big established goliath like johnson amp johnson nyse jnj fairly diversified stock different units within company international business opposed something like mentioned earlier ophthotech shareholder ophthotech smallcap company single point failure obviously didnt go well within industry different market caps different geographies talked show teva example theyre israeli company lot business world certainly possible shares companies like say astrazeneca160or glaxosmithkline todd campbell roche harjes yeah lots drug makers headquartered overseas also nondrug maker healthcare stocks every well get listener write like dont talk areas healthcare except drug makers answer exciting part healthcare least todd think youll agree theres always news drugs getting approved trials going parts healthcare hopefully touch enough keep guys informed insurers retail pharmacies pbms campbell technology companies harjes yeah like veeva say within single sector actually get pretty diversified important touch different sectors possible diversified within one actually important diversified within one fool thinking youre diversified two financial stocks two healthcare stocks two consumer discretionary stocks say microcaps youre really diversified campbell raised many cool points one things resonated jumped peter lynch famous money manager fidelity years wrote wonderful book beating street always advocated buying know invest know well risk run invest know talk healthcare time get heavily concentrated within particular area know lot work retail end owning portfolio thats 80 retail work healthcare portfolio thats 80 healthcare advantages ie know industry players really well maybe enhances ability pick correct stock also concentration allow outperform sampp 500 index periods stocks work harjes yeah youre right also brought point diversified within individual sector youre talking healthcare look healthcare holdings owning insurer owning bigcap pharmaceutical company owning lets face happen take risk portfolio sometimes tend small cap clinicalstage companies companies make break companies already outlined trials go wrong receive rejection letter fda could lose 80 value particular stock always spread around little bit throw numbers lets say 3000 something three clinicalstage companies ive done homework feel pretty good im going lean odds favor victory companies maybe leaning odds 6040 something like theres thing sure thing say ill take 3000 divide three companies one may fall 80 like axovant sciences something recently alzheimers disease failure zogenix may success epilepsy trial triple look whole ended making money think big thing remember keep everything perspective relative portfolio risk youre willing take obviously maybe 3000 portfolio 100000 something like lose 1000 particular stock really going move needle much yeah theres lot different ways help insulate risk always brings thought much really want healthcare portfolio maybe im overweight potentially 25 portfolio healthcare stocks overweight relative sampp 500 harjes 145 campbell 145 overweighted percentage gdp think percent gdp healthcare spending 178 different ways look much want exposure im running diversified portfolio individual investments diversified want maybe want tie gdp spending number lot reasons healthcare makes sense portfolio talk time show 10000 baby boomers turning 65 every day 8 trillion spent globally healthcare estimates peg number going 18 trillion course next 15 20 years growth market interesting market fascinating market deserves spot portfolios dont afraid going little bit may seem prudent 1415 sampp range harjes another thing point healthcare industry necessary expenses people going paying insurance premiums buying prescription drugs consumer discretionary purchases medications lifesaving people going buying yearin yearout regardless rest economy campbell big pharma weve talked show johnson amp johnson historically past performance doesnt guarantee future performance companies like johnson amp johnson tend better periods stock market pullbacks get dividends harjes yeah johnson amp johnson fantastic example company minimal downside risk rest market seems tanking theyve able weather storm well continue paying dividend 50 years really incredible im picturing giant stable ship going bunch storms thats johnson amp johnson campbell right core holding portfolio able fun clinicalstages thats probably lot wiser choice trying go saying im going medigene laughs kristine harjes opens new window owns shares johnson amp johnson todd campbell opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends johnson amp johnson veeva systems motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 844 |
<p>Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio seems well meaning enough. As second-generation conservative Americans, I know we both share a common passion for this great land of opportunity. But when it comes to comprehending the real agenda of the open-borders zealots he’s allied himself with, Rubio doesn’t have a clue.</p>
<p>And his abject ignorance threatens all of us who cherish American sovereignty and exceptionalism.</p>
<p>On Fox News’ “The Sean Hannity Show” Tuesday night, Rubio defended his Gang of Eight “immigration reform” bill and insisted that we could and should have a system in place that vets foreign tourists and short-term visa holders based on their “national security” profiles.</p>
<p />
<p>“In essence, we should be able to analyze (whether) these are individuals coming from a part of the world that keeps feeding into the terrorist network,” Rubio earnestly explained. “(W)e should be very careful about who we allow in and take into account every single measure or every single factor that we think could lead to somebody being more likely possibly a member of a terrorist organization or involved in terror.”</p>
<p>Great idea, Rubio! Newsflash: The concept of a national security entry-exit screening database is at least 10 years old. It’s an idea that was sabotaged by the progressive soft-on-security ideologues with whom Rubio has recklessly partnered.</p>
<p>In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration created NSEERS, the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. Administered and championed by Justice Department constitutional lawyer, immigration enforcement expert and now-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, NSEERS stopped at least 330 known foreign criminals and three known terrorists who had attempted to come into the country at certain official ports of entry.</p>
<p>NSEERS required higher scrutiny and common-sense registration requirements for individuals from jihad-friendly countries including Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria and Yemen, as well as other at-risk countries. The basic components included a more rigorous application process in light of the shoddy visa questionnaires and undetected overstays of the 9/11 hijackers; 30 extra minutes of interviewing at ports of entry; a digital fingerprint check and in-person registration after they arrived in the interior of the country; and verification of departure once they exited.</p>
<p>The targeted registration of certain foreign nationals already in the country (temporary visa holders including students, tourists and businesspeople) resulted in the apprehension of dozens of illegal alien felons. As I reported at the time, these scumbags included:</p>
<p>–a Tunisian convicted of multiple drug-trafficking offenses, in addition to previous violations of immigration law.</p>
<p>–an Iranian who had been convicted three times of assault with a deadly weapon and had been convicted twice of grand theft in addition to immigration violations.</p>
<p>–an Iranian twice convicted of child molestation.</p>
<p>–two suspected al-Qaida operatives who were caught trying to enter the U.S. after their fingerprints matched ones lifted by our military officials from papers found in Afghanistan caves.</p>
<p>But grievance-mongering identity groups and the American Civil Liberties Union could not stand the idea of an effective national security profiling database. For one thing, a successful program would have laid the groundwork for a broader nationwide entry-exit system affecting all foreign visitors. Congress mandated that system six times over the past 17 years. It has yet to be built.</p>
<p>Let me repeat that: We still have no way of tracking who has actually met their visa requirements, who has overstayed their visa, and who has left the country when their visa requires them to do so. Earth to Rubio: This malignant failure is by special-interest design, not by accident or lack of imagination.</p>
<p>Here’s a test: Why doesn’t Rubio form a Gang of One and dare Washington to pass the entry-exit system his new pals all say they support as a stand-alone first. Let’s see them prove they can keep even a single one of their national security/immigration enforcement promises before entertaining 900 more pages of them. Prove it.</p>
<p>I’ve read the bill — and I can see right through it. The Democrats’ history speaks for itself. The late Sen. Ted Kennedy, whose illegal alien amnesty spirit infuses the Gang of Eight’s bill, spearheaded legislative attempts to de-fund and destroy NSEERS. His left-wing pals (and a few open-borders Republicans such as heavyweight operative Grover Norquist, who stood literally and figuratively behind Rubio at the amnesty bill unveiling) decried NSEERS and its supporters for fostering “discrimination” and “profiling.”</p>
<p>Never mind that the pilot program was in line with alien registration systems around the world. And never mind that indiscriminate entry and immigration policies are what enabled so many jihadi plots in the first place.</p>
<p>When the Obama administration took over, as Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul pointed out this week, it indefinitely suspended the NSEERS pilot program and has no plans to revive it in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.</p>
<p>Now the Gang of Eight Republicans want conservatives to jump in bed with these security saboteurs for another Amnesty Now, Enforcement Never plan? Who’s Rubio kidding? Only himself.</p>
<p>Michelle Malkin is the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Corruption-Cheats-Crooks-Cronies/dp/1596986204" type="external">Culture of Corruption: Obama and his Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks and Cronies</a> (Regnery 2010).</p>
<p /> | true | 0 | florida gop sen marco rubio seems well meaning enough secondgeneration conservative americans know share common passion great land opportunity comes comprehending real agenda openborders zealots hes allied rubio doesnt clue abject ignorance threatens us cherish american sovereignty exceptionalism fox news sean hannity show tuesday night rubio defended gang eight immigration reform bill insisted could system place vets foreign tourists shortterm visa holders based national security profiles essence able analyze whether individuals coming part world keeps feeding terrorist network rubio earnestly explained careful allow take account every single measure every single factor think could lead somebody likely possibly member terrorist organization involved terror great idea rubio newsflash concept national security entryexit screening database least 10 years old idea sabotaged progressive softonsecurity ideologues rubio recklessly partnered immediate aftermath 911 terrorist attacks bush administration created nseers national security entryexit registration system administered championed justice department constitutional lawyer immigration enforcement expert nowkansas secretary state kris kobach nseers stopped least 330 known foreign criminals three known terrorists attempted come country certain official ports entry nseers required higher scrutiny commonsense registration requirements individuals jihadfriendly countries including afghanistan indonesia iran iraq jordan libya pakistan saudi arabia somalia syria yemen well atrisk countries basic components included rigorous application process light shoddy visa questionnaires undetected overstays 911 hijackers 30 extra minutes interviewing ports entry digital fingerprint check inperson registration arrived interior country verification departure exited targeted registration certain foreign nationals already country temporary visa holders including students tourists businesspeople resulted apprehension dozens illegal alien felons reported time scumbags included tunisian convicted multiple drugtrafficking offenses addition previous violations immigration law iranian convicted three times assault deadly weapon convicted twice grand theft addition immigration violations iranian twice convicted child molestation two suspected alqaida operatives caught trying enter us fingerprints matched ones lifted military officials papers found afghanistan caves grievancemongering identity groups american civil liberties union could stand idea effective national security profiling database one thing successful program would laid groundwork broader nationwide entryexit system affecting foreign visitors congress mandated system six times past 17 years yet built let repeat still way tracking actually met visa requirements overstayed visa left country visa requires earth rubio malignant failure specialinterest design accident lack imagination heres test doesnt rubio form gang one dare washington pass entryexit system new pals say support standalone first lets see prove keep even single one national securityimmigration enforcement promises entertaining 900 pages prove ive read bill see right democrats history speaks late sen ted kennedy whose illegal alien amnesty spirit infuses gang eights bill spearheaded legislative attempts defund destroy nseers leftwing pals openborders republicans heavyweight operative grover norquist stood literally figuratively behind rubio amnesty bill unveiling decried nseers supporters fostering discrimination profiling never mind pilot program line alien registration systems around world never mind indiscriminate entry immigration policies enabled many jihadi plots first place obama administration took kentucky gop sen rand paul pointed week indefinitely suspended nseers pilot program plans revive aftermath boston marathon bombings gang eight republicans want conservatives jump bed security saboteurs another amnesty enforcement never plan whos rubio kidding michelle malkin author culture corruption obama team tax cheats crooks cronies regnery 2010 | 515 |
<p>Late last year, buzz was building that&#160;Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN)&#160;would be diving headlong into a brick-and-mortar store network that would eventually add up to as many as 2,000 locations. And on <a href="https://www.fool.com/podcasts/industry-focus?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=a6898732-889a-11e7-8f60-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Industry Focus: Consumer Goods Opens a New Window.</a>, Vincent Shen and Motley Fool contributor Daniel Kline were among those who believed this major investment could be a logical next step for the retailer.</p>
<p>As we now know, that's not even close to what happened. In this video, the pair revisits this story to better understand the surprise strategy that Amazon ultimately opted for instead.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>A full transcript follows the video.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than AmazonWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of August 1, 2017</p>
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<p>This video was recorded on Aug. 22, 2017.</p>
<p>Vincent Shen: So looking&#160;back now at Nov. 2016,&#160;we talked about Amazon and its potentially massive brick-and-mortar expansion. There was buzz at the time&#160;about some of the pilot stores and the&#160;positive results that the company&#160;had seen, that it was ready to really hit the gas and aggressively expand,&#160;as Amazon is known to do. Austin, can you play back the clip for us?</p>
<p>(Shen): Just to&#160;give everyone a little bit of detail,&#160;you mentioned 2,000 locations. Based on the current planning, the company sees, if the tests are successful ...</p>
<p>(Kline): And&#160;this is wildly speculative&#160;in terms of where we are.</p>
<p>(Shen): Yeah. The&#160;company sees a potential rollout of 200 store openings per year.</p>
<p>So,&#160;we threw some caveats in this episode when we first discussed the idea of 2,000 Amazon stores being opened, with&#160;potentially 200 store openings per year. Obviously, in the year since, Bezos and his team&#160;have taken a pretty different approach. They would rather cut a $13 billion check&#160;for an established brand instead. The Whole Foods&#160;Market (NASDAQ: WFM) buyout --</p>
<p>Dan Kline: I got this spectacularly wrong! Yes, we had caveats, but my exception was,&#160;I thought they were going to buy something else. I really thought Amazon was going to go out there and buy&#160;Radio Shack&#160;and have thousands of stores and that&#160;great retail footprint, and the whole reason they were testing all this stuff was for that. And&#160;that, of course,&#160;proved to be horribly wrong,&#160;and I did not see Whole Foods coming at all.</p>
<p>Shen: The&#160;Whole Foods Market buyout, for you and for me&#160;and for most of the market, was a huge surprise. But&#160;what do you think about that strategy? They're buying about 500-plus stores&#160;outright that are ready to go vs. what we had talked about during the show, this idea of building out your&#160;store network more gradually,&#160;at least you're building it out exactly the way you want it. What do you think?</p>
<p>Kline: I think they could use a hub-and-spoke model. They have these stores, and you've been&#160;in a Whole Foods, they're not small. They&#160;also already cater to an Amazon-like&#160;customer base. So it's reasonable to think, if they're going to add what they call the Amazon Go store,&#160;which are these little convenience stores,&#160;that having these distribution centers, these larger locations, can help&#160;not only serve Amazon customers but also these smaller stores. So I think this is a smart step to jump-start their pipeline and buy a&#160;company that is making money that jives really well with their customer base and&#160;gives them a foothold and lets them experiment. They can try out new technology much faster,&#160;they can really be in the space, instead of having to reinvent the space.</p>
<p>Shen: Yeah. The&#160;deal is expected to close in&#160;the second half of this year.&#160;Whole Foods actually reported its latest quarterly results,&#160;and it might be its last quarter of results as a public company. This was about a month ago when it&#160;released its earnings. Signs of improvement in that report,&#160;but overall,&#160;comparable sales were still negative, profitability is still getting squeezed. That's been the story for quite a few years now, and&#160;why the stock was down about 50% from previous highs. The net&#160;margin, for example, for the last 12 months, is down to 2.4%,&#160;which is much closer to what is seen by the company's&#160;peer group, whereas in the past that net margin was at 4% or higher,&#160;kind of the premium that Whole Foods was able to command and enjoy. But in terms of changes we might see --&#160;let's say it's this time next year, and&#160;the Whole Foods acquisition is closed, they're well&#160;into the process of integrating the stores --&#160;what are some things that you think you might see, as a customer in stores?</p>
<p>Kline: Well,&#160;you're not going to see it, but Whole Foods is going to lower its costs just by&#160;having the added buying power of Amazon.&#160;I think you'll see a slight shift in merchandise. Amazon has an enormous database, they&#160;use this to staff their&#160;regional warehouses&#160;to know what you want in each market. So if they realize that the customers at a Whole Foods in Seattle are buying a lot of,&#160;I don't know, iPhone chargers, well, they're going to stock iPhone chargers&#160;in that store, even if they didn't previously. So they're going to be able to use data to refine what they sell,&#160;and that's going to be noticeable. I think you're also going to see&#160;integration with Amazon ordering and delivery. It might not be like Wal-Mart, it might not be full returns and pickups,&#160;but you'll see Amazon lockers or some other ability,&#160;especially in city locations where&#160;there's a lot of Whole Foods,&#160;where if you don't live in a&#160;doorman building&#160;it's hard to get an Amazon delivery. And&#160;I think you're going to see Whole Foods fill some of that gap.</p>
<p>Shen: Yeah,&#160;I can definitely imagine,&#160;as this integration happens,&#160;making use, as well, of all the information on customers that&#160;Whole Foods will be able to offer,&#160;and at the store locations themselves. And then, the brand power too, I think,&#160;despite some of the decline the company has seen&#160;in terms of its share price and the business overall.&#160;Whole Foods still has that&#160;strong reputation and following among its loyal customers.</p>
<p>Kline: Yeah,&#160;and I think Amazon can cut into some of the "whole paycheck"&#160;argument.&#160;If they start bringing in some of the Amazon Basics products,&#160;some more house lines, and really&#160;work to not have some of the really dumb overpriced things that get people mad at Whole Foods,&#160;I think they could smooth some of that out and loan&#160;some of the Amazon sheen to Whole Foods while&#160;taking some of the Whole Foods upscale and&#160;giving it to Amazon. So it really is a nice marriage.</p>
<p>Shen: Yeah. Last&#160;point I'll make on this is, with those 500 or so&#160;Whole Foods locations to work with,&#160;probably enough for Bezos and his team to experiment going forward. But there's still the potential&#160;with some of these other pilot stores that they have,&#160;in terms of the bookstores and convenience stores that you mentioned,&#160;the automated stores where there's no checkout lines,&#160;those are still things that could come up&#160;further down the line. I just think --</p>
<p>Kline: I think you're seeing the bookstores already. There's a handful of them out there. There's another group of malls that have&#160;Amazon kiosks, interestingly enough, where&#160;Microsoft&#160;kiosks&#160;used to be before full-on Microsoft stores went in those malls. So I don't think they're going to roll out in a thousand malls,&#160;because I don't think you know which malls are going to exist in a few years from now,&#160;but you are going to see a lot more Amazon bookstores,&#160;and I think you're going to see convenience stores&#160;located in markets where Whole Foods is&#160;maybe a once a month drive&#160;instead of a once a week stop, and they're&#160;going to use the two to support each other.</p>
<p>John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Teresa Kersten is an employee of LinkedIn and is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFDankline/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=a6898732-889a-11e7-8f60-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Daniel B. Kline Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Microsoft. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFJourneyMan/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=a6898732-889a-11e7-8f60-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Vincent Shen Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool owns shares of Whole Foods Market. 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=a6898732-889a-11e7-8f60-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | late last year buzz building that160amazon nasdaq amzn160would diving headlong brickandmortar store network would eventually add many 2000 locations industry focus consumer goods opens new window vincent shen motley fool contributor daniel kline among believed major investment could logical next step retailer know thats even close happened video pair revisits story better understand surprise strategy amazon ultimately opted instead continue reading full transcript follows video 10 stocks like better amazonwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right amazon wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns august 1 2017 advertisement video recorded aug 22 2017 vincent shen looking160back nov 2016160we talked amazon potentially massive brickandmortar expansion buzz time160about pilot stores the160positive results company160had seen ready really hit gas aggressively expand160as amazon known austin play back clip us shen to160give everyone little bit detail160you mentioned 2000 locations based current planning company sees tests successful kline and160this wildly speculative160in terms shen yeah the160company sees potential rollout 200 store openings per year so160we threw caveats episode first discussed idea 2000 amazon stores opened with160potentially 200 store openings per year obviously year since bezos team160have taken pretty different approach would rather cut 13 billion check160for established brand instead whole foods160market nasdaq wfm buyout dan kline got spectacularly wrong yes caveats exception was160i thought going buy something else really thought amazon going go buy160radio shack160and thousands stores that160great retail footprint whole reason testing stuff and160that course160proved horribly wrong160and see whole foods coming shen the160whole foods market buyout me160and market huge surprise but160what think strategy theyre buying 500plus stores160outright ready go vs talked show idea building your160store network gradually160at least youre building exactly way want think kline think could use hubandspoke model stores youve been160in whole foods theyre small they160also already cater amazonlike160customer base reasonable think theyre going add call amazon go store160which little convenience stores160that distribution centers larger locations help160not serve amazon customers also smaller stores think smart step jumpstart pipeline buy a160company making money jives really well customer base and160gives foothold lets experiment try new technology much faster160they really space instead reinvent space shen yeah the160deal expected close in160the second half year160whole foods actually reported latest quarterly results160and might last quarter results public company month ago it160released earnings signs improvement report160but overall160comparable sales still negative profitability still getting squeezed thats story quite years and160why stock 50 previous highs net160margin example last 12 months 24160which much closer seen companys160peer group whereas past net margin 4 higher160kind premium whole foods able command enjoy terms changes might see 160lets say time next year and160the whole foods acquisition closed theyre well160into process integrating stores 160what things think might see customer stores kline well160youre going see whole foods going lower costs by160having added buying power amazon160i think youll see slight shift merchandise amazon enormous database they160use staff their160regional warehouses160to know want market realize customers whole foods seattle buying lot of160i dont know iphone chargers well theyre going stock iphone chargers160in store even didnt previously theyre going able use data refine sell160and thats going noticeable think youre also going see160integration amazon ordering delivery might like walmart might full returns pickups160but youll see amazon lockers ability160especially city locations where160theres lot whole foods160where dont live a160doorman building160its hard get amazon delivery and160i think youre going see whole foods fill gap shen yeah160i definitely imagine160as integration happens160making use well information customers that160whole foods able offer160and store locations brand power think160despite decline company seen160in terms share price business overall160whole foods still that160strong reputation following among loyal customers kline yeah160and think amazon cut whole paycheck160argument160if start bringing amazon basics products160some house lines really160work really dumb overpriced things get people mad whole foods160i think could smooth loan160some amazon sheen whole foods while160taking whole foods upscale and160giving amazon really nice marriage shen yeah last160point ill make 500 so160whole foods locations work with160probably enough bezos team experiment going forward theres still potential160with pilot stores have160in terms bookstores convenience stores mentioned160the automated stores theres checkout lines160those still things could come up160further line think kline think youre seeing bookstores already theres handful theres another group malls have160amazon kiosks interestingly enough where160microsoft160kiosks160used fullon microsoft stores went malls dont think theyre going roll thousand malls160because dont think know malls going exist years now160but going see lot amazon bookstores160and think youre going see convenience stores160located markets whole foods is160maybe month drive160instead week stop theyre160going use two support john mackey ceo whole foods market member motley fools board directors teresa kersten employee linkedin member motley fools board directors linkedin owned microsoft daniel b kline opens new window owns shares microsoft vincent shen opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends amazon motley fool owns shares whole foods market motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 809 |
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<p>2016was an ugly year forUnder Armour(NYSE: UA) (NYSE: UAA)stock, with its A shares finishing down 26%. The primary culprit was the company's decision to pull back from an earlier forecast of $800 million in operating profit by 2018. CEO Kevin Plank said during the third quarter earnings call that due to investments to "get big, fast," the company was forecasting operating profit of just $600 million instead of the previous $800 million mark. It did stand by its goal of $7.5 billion in revenue by next year, however.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>For a pricey stock, it's unsurprising to see such guidance spike the share price, but the company did score a number of wins during the year. Many of its marquee athletes shined on the field: Cam Newton won MVP and made it to the Super Bowl. Steph Curry led the Warriors to the NBA's best regular season ever, despite losing in the Finals. And Andy Murray won Wimbledon.</p>
<p>Off the field, Under Armour scored a deal with Major League Baseball to outfit its players in Under Armour uniforms for ten years, a move that should give the company some prime promotion.</p>
<p>One move, however, stands out as an embarrassment for Under Armour in 2016, beyond the stock's troubles.</p>
<p>The company's all-white Curry 2 Low "Chef" basketball shoes, released during the NBA Finals, were possibly the most maligned product in the sports apparel world this year.</p>
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<p>The all-white Curry Two Lows. Image Source: <a href="http://www.footlocker.com/product/model:255475/sku:64001003/under-armour-curry-2-low-mens" type="external">Foot Locker</a>.</p>
<p>Sneakerheads and others took toTwitterto bash the footwear, calling them "Seinfeld" shoes, saying they were meant for retirees, and a meme even developed with characters like Mister Rogers and Forrest Gump wearing them.</p>
<p>The backlash was strong enough that both Curry, the NBA's two-time reigning MVP, and CEO Plank felt the need to respond. Curry called the shoes "fire," while Plank said he was just happy for the attention, saying, "people finally care."</p>
<p>One model of sneakers -- and they did come in multiple color schemes -- isn't going to make or break a company, but the one area where Under Armour desperately needs to catch up withNike(NYSE: NKE) and Adidasis style.</p>
<p>Whether or not the shoes were a commercial flop is unclear, as reports said they were sold out on Under Armour's website in July, but a recent check onFinish Line'swebsiteshowed the all-white version was $20 less than other colors and comes with free shipping, indicating they have been less popular than expected.</p>
<p>But more important than the shoes' commercial success is the buzz surrounding them, which in this case has been clearly negative.</p>
<p>Footwear is Under Armour's fastest-growing category, and represents a bigger opportunity than apparel as both Nike and Adidas derive more revenue from shoes than clothes. Under Armour has built up its reputation as a performance brand favored by athletes for training and competition, but in footwear the market for style is much larger than performance. As Neil Schwartz of SportsOneSource toldThe Wall Street Journal, "85% of sales come from sneakers that are intended to be worn for style instead of sport."</p>
<p>Under Armour is keenly aware of the need to break through as a fashion brand. That's why it launched its first Under Armour Sportswear line earlier this year, featuring products like a $1,500 coat, but it's also why a poorly received product like the white Curry 2 Lows can be so damaging -- it hurts the company's reputation.</p>
<p>The shoes drew comparisons to Nike's Air Monarch, a decidedly uncool sneaker that, at a price point of $65, is annually one of Nike's top sellers by volume, and was even the #1 seller in 2013.But there's an important distinction between the two models. Nike doesn't waste the endorsement of its Jordan brand or any of its other superstars like Lebron James or Kevin Durant on the mass-market Monarchs, saving those boldfaced names for high-end, stylish kicks. In assigning the Curry brand to such a dull shoe, Under Armour is giving up the opportunity to use Curry to sell cool, expensive, high-margin shoes. That should be the point of endorsing the NBA MVP.</p>
<p>Under Armour's footwear sales are up 54% through the first three quarters of 2016, and will top $1 billion in annual revenue for the first time ever, but making the transition from the playing field to streetwear is crucial if the company wants to rival Nike in footwear. With the launch of better-received Curry 3s, Under Armour may be putting that ugly chapter behind it.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Under Armour (A Shares) 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=b3b78a83-0baa-4ed0-a116-ecc29c5d7f3f&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks</a> for investors to buy right now... and Under Armour (A Shares) 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/TMFHobo/info.aspx" type="external">Jeremy Bowman</a> owns shares of Nike and Under Armour (C Shares). The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Nike, Twitter, Under Armour (A Shares), and Under Armour (C Shares). The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p> | true | 0 | 2016was ugly year forunder armournyse ua nyse uaastock shares finishing 26 primary culprit companys decision pull back earlier forecast 800 million operating profit 2018 ceo kevin plank said third quarter earnings call due investments get big fast company forecasting operating profit 600 million instead previous 800 million mark stand goal 75 billion revenue next year however continue reading pricey stock unsurprising see guidance spike share price company score number wins year many marquee athletes shined field cam newton mvp made super bowl steph curry led warriors nbas best regular season ever despite losing finals andy murray wimbledon field armour scored deal major league baseball outfit players armour uniforms ten years move give company prime promotion one move however stands embarrassment armour 2016 beyond stocks troubles companys allwhite curry 2 low chef basketball shoes released nba finals possibly maligned product sports apparel world year advertisement allwhite curry two lows image source foot locker sneakerheads others took totwitterto bash footwear calling seinfeld shoes saying meant retirees meme even developed characters like mister rogers forrest gump wearing backlash strong enough curry nbas twotime reigning mvp ceo plank felt need respond curry called shoes fire plank said happy attention saying people finally care one model sneakers come multiple color schemes isnt going make break company one area armour desperately needs catch withnikenyse nke adidasis style whether shoes commercial flop unclear reports said sold armours website july recent check onfinish lineswebsiteshowed allwhite version 20 less colors comes free shipping indicating less popular expected important shoes commercial success buzz surrounding case clearly negative footwear armours fastestgrowing category represents bigger opportunity apparel nike adidas derive revenue shoes clothes armour built reputation performance brand favored athletes training competition footwear market style much larger performance neil schwartz sportsonesource toldthe wall street journal 85 sales come sneakers intended worn style instead sport armour keenly aware need break fashion brand thats launched first armour sportswear line earlier year featuring products like 1500 coat also poorly received product like white curry 2 lows damaging hurts companys reputation shoes drew comparisons nikes air monarch decidedly uncool sneaker price point 65 annually one nikes top sellers volume even 1 seller 2013but theres important distinction two models nike doesnt waste endorsement jordan brand superstars like lebron james kevin durant massmarket monarchs saving boldfaced names highend stylish kicks assigning curry brand dull shoe armour giving opportunity use curry sell cool expensive highmargin shoes point endorsing nba mvp armours footwear sales 54 first three quarters 2016 top 1 billion annual revenue first time ever making transition playing field streetwear crucial company wants rival nike footwear launch betterreceived curry 3s armour may putting ugly chapter behind 10 stocks like better armour shares 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 armour shares wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click learn picks stock advisor returns nov 7 2016 jeremy bowman owns shares nike armour c shares motley fool owns shares recommends nike twitter armour shares armour c shares motley fool disclosure policy | 517 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Dividend stocks can be the foundation of a great retirement portfolio. Not only do the payments put money in your pocket, which can help hedge against any dips in the stock market, but they're usually a sign of a financially sound company. Dividends also give investors a painless opportunity to reinvest in a stock, thuscompounding gains over time.</p>
<p>However, not all income stocks live up to their full potential. Using the payout ratio -- i.e., the percentage of profits a company returns to its shareholders as dividends -- we can get a good read on whether or not a company has room to increase its dividend. Payout ratios between 50% and 75% are ideal.</p>
<p>Here are three income stocks with payout ratios currently below 50% that could potentially double their dividend payments.</p>
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<p>We'll begin the week by taking a closer look at a biotech behemoth that's potentially guilty of being too good: Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD).</p>
<p>Gilead Sciences' claim to fame is its hepatitis C product portfolio (Harvoni, Sovaldi, and Epclusa). Gilead was the first company to bring an effective once-daily cure to pharmacy shelves, and it's not really relinquished its market share since. Its issues of late stem from its need to provide larger gross-to-net discounts to insurers for Harvoni, the HCV drug designed to treat the most common type of hepatitis C, genotype 1, and its having already nabbed the low-hanging fruit in the HCV market within the U.S.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>However, don't think for a moment that declining EPS and revenue estimates are a reason to avoid Gilead. For starters, Gilead's HCV products still have a massive market opportunity to hit. Even with the low-hanging fruit in the U.S. out of the way, Gilead has ample opportunity to treat the estimated 180 million people worldwide infected with hepatitis C. Even though some of these people aren't in countries where Gilead would receive the best margins, it nonetheless represents a long runway of opportunity. Not to mention the fact that none of Gilead's peers have even come close to improving the treatment timeframe and supplanting Gilead's therapies.</p>
<p>Gilead Sciences is also a mammoth in the HIV treatment space. The company has around a half-dozen oral HIV innovations under its belt, with Stribild and Genvoya being among the most impressive and fastest growing treatments.</p>
<p>Combined, Gilead's HCV and HIV franchises, along with its smaller approved therapies, should allow it to generate $15 billion or more in annual free cash flow through the end of the decade. This gives Gilead more than enough capital to seek out acquisitions and boost its shareholder yield. Remember, the last time Gilead made a big acquisition it acquired Pharmasset's leading asset, which spawned its HCV line of drugs.</p>
<p>Currently paying out $1.88 annually (a 2.6% dividend yield), but slated to earn in excess of $10.50 per share each year through 2019, Gilead is a strong candidate to double its payout to shareholders.</p>
<p>Another attractive rebound candidate is railroad giant Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP), which just finished up a challenging 2016.</p>
<p>With commodity prices still challenged, Union Pacific found the sledding tough in most of its major freight categories. Coal freight revenue fell 6% in the fourth quarter, while chemicals were flat. The lone bright spot was agricultural products, where freight revenue rose 7%.</p>
<p>Image source: Union Pacific.</p>
<p>The good news is that a number of macroeconomic factors are looking up in 2017. For instance, consumer confidence is improving, which is great news for a cyclical logistics company like Union Pacific. Even more intriguing, energy prices are on the mend. Though higher energy prices boost its diesel fuel costs, they also have a positive impact on other commodity costs, as well as on Union Pacific's pricing power per carload.</p>
<p>Despite its 2016 weakness, Union Pacific also managed to improve its operating ratio by 120 basis points to 62%. The key reason Union Pacific was able to improve its margin in the face of a weak commodity market was its stringent cost-cutting. As <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/01/20/union-pacific-corporation-earnings-rise-as-cost-cu.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">noted by my Foolish colleague Joe Tenebruso Opens a New Window.</a>, Union Pacific reduced its locomotive count by 5%, while trimming its train, engine, and yard workforce by 7%. Having levers to pull is a nice thing for a cyclical logistics company when commodity prices can seemingly change at the flip of a switch.</p>
<p>Considering that locomotives are a more fuel-efficient mode of transport than trucks as a function of total freight transported, it's unlikely that we're going to see freight transport by rail decline for any extended period of time. With Union Pacific currently paying out $2.42 annually (a 2.3% dividend yield), but on track for more than $8 in full-year EPS by 2020, a doubling of its dividend could be possible over the next five-to-10 years.</p>
<p>Sticking with the theme of gigantic companies, the last attractive income stock this week is money center bank JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM).</p>
<p>JPMorgan Chase has been hindered by a confluence of factors in recent years. For example, dovish monetary policy from the Federal Reserve has constrained its net interest margins, all while tougher regulations imposed from the Fed increased its expenses and reduced existing paths to profitability. As icing on the cake, the banking sector has been a pin cushion for fines since the Great Recession, most of which stem from its mortgage practices.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>On the plus side, these issues appear to be in the rearview mirror now. Though the Fed has only raised its benchmark federal funds rate twice over the past decade, it's firmly switched from a dovish to hawkish monetary policy. This lends hope that interest rates are going to head higher in the months and years to come. Higher interest rates help boost the net interest income banks generate from their variable loans.</p>
<p>According to JPMorgan Chase's latest analysis, a 100-basis-point increase in short- and long-term lending rates would add $2.8 billion in additional net interest income, while a 200-basis-point increase in both would lead to $4.5 billion in additional interest income. For what it's worth, 200 basis points would be very close to the Fed's targeted rate of 3%.</p>
<p>Also, JPMorgan Chase stands to benefit from the possibility of relaxed regulations in the banking industry under the Trump administration. If Trump holds to his word and removes a number of banking regulations, it would become substantially easier for JPMorgan Chase and its peers to return money to shareholders.</p>
<p>Currently, JPMorgan Chase is paying out $1.92 annually (a 2.3% dividend yield), but Wall Street is looking for $7.47 in full-year EPS by 2018. This would appear to be a recipe for a higher payout ratio and a bigger dividend in JPMorgan's future.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than JPMorgan Chase 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=c2d613fd-15f4-45ec-a247-b4734c63f99d&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 JPMorgan Chase 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/TMFUltraLong/info.aspx" type="external">Sean Williams Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Gilead Sciences. 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 dividend stocks foundation great retirement portfolio payments put money pocket help hedge dips stock market theyre usually sign financially sound company dividends also give investors painless opportunity reinvest stock thuscompounding gains time however income stocks live full potential using payout ratio ie percentage profits company returns shareholders dividends get good read whether company room increase dividend payout ratios 50 75 ideal three income stocks payout ratios currently 50 could potentially double dividend payments advertisement well begin week taking closer look biotech behemoth thats potentially guilty good gilead sciences nasdaq gild gilead sciences claim fame hepatitis c product portfolio harvoni sovaldi epclusa gilead first company bring effective oncedaily cure pharmacy shelves really relinquished market share since issues late stem need provide larger grosstonet discounts insurers harvoni hcv drug designed treat common type hepatitis c genotype 1 already nabbed lowhanging fruit hcv market within us image source getty images however dont think moment declining eps revenue estimates reason avoid gilead starters gileads hcv products still massive market opportunity hit even lowhanging fruit us way gilead ample opportunity treat estimated 180 million people worldwide infected hepatitis c even though people arent countries gilead would receive best margins nonetheless represents long runway opportunity mention fact none gileads peers even come close improving treatment timeframe supplanting gileads therapies gilead sciences also mammoth hiv treatment space company around halfdozen oral hiv innovations belt stribild genvoya among impressive fastest growing treatments combined gileads hcv hiv franchises along smaller approved therapies allow generate 15 billion annual free cash flow end decade gives gilead enough capital seek acquisitions boost shareholder yield remember last time gilead made big acquisition acquired pharmassets leading asset spawned hcv line drugs currently paying 188 annually 26 dividend yield slated earn excess 1050 per share year 2019 gilead strong candidate double payout shareholders another attractive rebound candidate railroad giant union pacific nyse unp finished challenging 2016 commodity prices still challenged union pacific found sledding tough major freight categories coal freight revenue fell 6 fourth quarter chemicals flat lone bright spot agricultural products freight revenue rose 7 image source union pacific good news number macroeconomic factors looking 2017 instance consumer confidence improving great news cyclical logistics company like union pacific even intriguing energy prices mend though higher energy prices boost diesel fuel costs also positive impact commodity costs well union pacifics pricing power per carload despite 2016 weakness union pacific also managed improve operating ratio 120 basis points 62 key reason union pacific able improve margin face weak commodity market stringent costcutting noted foolish colleague joe tenebruso opens new window union pacific reduced locomotive count 5 trimming train engine yard workforce 7 levers pull nice thing cyclical logistics company commodity prices seemingly change flip switch considering locomotives fuelefficient mode transport trucks function total freight transported unlikely going see freight transport rail decline extended period time union pacific currently paying 242 annually 23 dividend yield track 8 fullyear eps 2020 doubling dividend could possible next fiveto10 years sticking theme gigantic companies last attractive income stock week money center bank jpmorgan chase nyse jpm jpmorgan chase hindered confluence factors recent years example dovish monetary policy federal reserve constrained net interest margins tougher regulations imposed fed increased expenses reduced existing paths profitability icing cake banking sector pin cushion fines since great recession stem mortgage practices image source getty images plus side issues appear rearview mirror though fed raised benchmark federal funds rate twice past decade firmly switched dovish hawkish monetary policy lends hope interest rates going head higher months years come higher interest rates help boost net interest income banks generate variable loans according jpmorgan chases latest analysis 100basispoint increase short longterm lending rates would add 28 billion additional net interest income 200basispoint increase would lead 45 billion additional interest income worth 200 basis points would close feds targeted rate 3 also jpmorgan chase stands benefit possibility relaxed regulations banking industry trump administration trump holds word removes number banking regulations would become substantially easier jpmorgan chase peers return money shareholders currently jpmorgan chase paying 192 annually 23 dividend yield wall street looking 747 fullyear eps 2018 would appear recipe higher payout ratio bigger dividend jpmorgans future 10 stocks like better jpmorgan chase 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 jpmorgan chase wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 sean williams opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends gilead sciences motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 776 |
<p>Since they first arrived in the U.S. in 1964, the Fab Four has sold billions of records, lent their voices for a video game, gotten about as many Facebook page likes as the President of the United States, and in the 2000’s, a compilation album of their biggest hits “1” became the best-selling album of the decade. Here is a look at the business of The Beatles by the numbers.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>73 million: The number of viewers who tuned into watch The Beatles’ live U.S. debut on The Ed Sullivan Show on Feb. 9, 1964. Of the 20 songs The Beatles played during these performances, seven of them became Number One hits.</p>
<p>$10,000: The amount the band received for their headlining performances on the show.</p>
<p>$50,000: The dollar amount Capitol Records was to invest in promoting the then-unknown Beatles in America prior to the Ed Sullivan shows, according to Rolling Stone magazine.</p>
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<p>250,000: Unable to stop DJs from playing a leaked version of “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” Capitol Records bumped up the release date to Dec. 26, 1963, and three days later the record had already sold 250,000 copies. By Jan. 10, 1964, it had sold over one million units.</p>
<p>April 1964: The month in which the Fab Four’s “Can’t Buy Me Love” became the first record to top both U.S. and U.K. charts at the same time, as well as have five singles hold the top five positions on the Billboard singles chart.</p>
<p>$1.3 million: How much their first movie “A Hard Day’s Night” grossed in the U.S. during opening week in August 1964, according to Rolling Stone magazine.</p>
<p>15 weeks: The band’s longest chart-topping album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” spent 15 weeks atop the charts in 1967, and has sold over eight million copies to date. Rolling Stone reports the album cost an estimated $75,000 to produce on a then-new four-track tape recorder.</p>
<p>9 million: The number of copies their best-selling album “Abbey Road” sold.</p>
<p>23: The number of gold singles the band holds, which is the most of any group.</p>
<p>20: The band holds the title for most Number One hits in Billboard Hot 100 history, followed by Mariah Carey with 18.</p>
<p>1988: The year in which The Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>$100 million: Cirque du Soleil’s show “ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_(Cirque_du_Soleil)" type="external">Love</a>” is a joint venture between Cirque du Soleil and The Beatles’ Apple Corps Ltd. The show features the band’s music and plays at The Mirage in Las Vegas in a specially built space that cost a reported $100 million to construct.</p>
<p>$250,000: How much Lionsgate reportedly paid to license The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows” from Sony/ATV (who holds the band’s song catalog) to feature in an episode of “Mad Men.”</p>
<p>$95 million: The reported amount Sony/ATV paid Michael Jackson to buy The Beatles song catalog from him in 2005. Jackson purchased the catalog for a $47.5 million in 1985 when he outbid The Beatles.</p>
<p>1: The name of The Beatles compilation album of their Number One hits released in 2000, which became the best-selling album of the decade.</p>
<p>$71 million: According to Forbes, The Beatles earned a combined $71 million in 2013 in the form of individual earnings, cash from ongoing album sales and other revenue streams. The report estimates that Paul McCartney earned $47 million from solo projects and music publishing – both his own songs and copyrights he owns of other artists, like Buddy Holly. Ringo Starr grossed about $6 million from touring with his band Ringo Starr &amp; His All-Starr Band. The late-George Harrison also earned $6 million, while John Lennon, who was a prolific writer, made about $12 million.</p>
<p>45: The number of Beatles songs featured in The Beatles Rock Band video game, which was released in September 2009, selling more than one million copies by the end of that year.</p>
<p>177 million: The Beatles top RIAA’s <a href="http://riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-selling-artists" type="external">“Top Selling Artists (By Album Sales)”</a> list with 177 million total album sales in the U.S., making them RIAA’s top certified band in Gold &amp; Platinum Program history.</p>
<p>65 million: According to data from Nielsen SoundScan, The Beatles have sold 65,224,000 albums (and 14.6 million digital tracks) in the U.S. since 1991 (and are the second biggest selling artist in SoundScan's history, behind Garth Brooks).</p>
<p>30,000: The Beatles saw about 30,000 Wikipedia page views a day, or roughly 2.7 million total, in the past three months, according to music analytics company <a href="https://www.nextbigsound.com/home" type="external">Next Big Sound</a>.</p>
<p>25 million: There were close to 25 million plays in the U.S. of YouTube videos containing their music in the past three months, Next Big Sound reports.</p>
<p>38 million: The Fab Four have more than 38 million Facebook page likes, comparable to Barack Obama, Next Big Sound’s research shows.</p>
<p>2 million: Next Big Sound also finds that the band’s official Twitter has more than 2 million followers, which is on par with super model and business mogul Heidi Klum and actress Anna Kendrick.</p> | true | 0 | since first arrived us 1964 fab four sold billions records lent voices video game gotten many facebook page likes president united states 2000s compilation album biggest hits 1 became bestselling album decade look business beatles numbers continue reading 73 million number viewers tuned watch beatles live us debut ed sullivan show feb 9 1964 20 songs beatles played performances seven became number one hits 10000 amount band received headlining performances show 50000 dollar amount capitol records invest promoting thenunknown beatles america prior ed sullivan shows according rolling stone magazine advertisement 250000 unable stop djs playing leaked version want hold hand capitol records bumped release date dec 26 1963 three days later record already sold 250000 copies jan 10 1964 sold one million units april 1964 month fab fours cant buy love became first record top us uk charts time well five singles hold top five positions billboard singles chart 13 million much first movie hard days night grossed us opening week august 1964 according rolling stone magazine 15 weeks bands longest charttopping album sgt peppers lonely hearts club band spent 15 weeks atop charts 1967 sold eight million copies date rolling stone reports album cost estimated 75000 produce thennew fourtrack tape recorder 9 million number copies bestselling album abbey road sold 23 number gold singles band holds group 20 band holds title number one hits billboard hot 100 history followed mariah carey 18 1988 year beatles inducted rock roll hall fame 100 million cirque du soleils show love joint venture cirque du soleil beatles apple corps ltd show features bands music plays mirage las vegas specially built space cost reported 100 million construct 250000 much lionsgate reportedly paid license beatles tomorrow never knows sonyatv holds bands song catalog feature episode mad men 95 million reported amount sonyatv paid michael jackson buy beatles song catalog 2005 jackson purchased catalog 475 million 1985 outbid beatles 1 name beatles compilation album number one hits released 2000 became bestselling album decade 71 million according forbes beatles earned combined 71 million 2013 form individual earnings cash ongoing album sales revenue streams report estimates paul mccartney earned 47 million solo projects music publishing songs copyrights owns artists like buddy holly ringo starr grossed 6 million touring band ringo starr amp allstarr band lategeorge harrison also earned 6 million john lennon prolific writer made 12 million 45 number beatles songs featured beatles rock band video game released september 2009 selling one million copies end year 177 million beatles top riaas top selling artists album sales list 177 million total album sales us making riaas top certified band gold amp platinum program history 65 million according data nielsen soundscan beatles sold 65224000 albums 146 million digital tracks us since 1991 second biggest selling artist soundscans history behind garth brooks 30000 beatles saw 30000 wikipedia page views day roughly 27 million total past three months according music analytics company next big sound 25 million close 25 million plays us youtube videos containing music past three months next big sound reports 38 million fab four 38 million facebook page likes comparable barack obama next big sounds research shows 2 million next big sound also finds bands official twitter 2 million followers par super model business mogul heidi klum actress anna kendrick | 541 |
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<p>Social Security has faced financial threats for years, with the latest projections suggesting that the demographic onslaught of Baby Boomers will completely exhaust the Social Security Trust Fund by the mid-2030s. For those in Generation X, who are currently in their mid-30s to early 50s, the prospect of Social Security's crisis sounds like a case of seriously bad timing -- and a potential recipe for retirement disaster. <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/2016/07/02/will-social-security-disappear-when-the-trust-fund.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Social Security won't disappear</a> even if the trust fund runs out of money, but members of Generation X nevertheless should watch their back to make sure that political moves don't take advantage of their smaller numbers to implement benefit-busting measures in the future.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Generation X fears that Social Security will crap out by the time they need it. Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>The immediate problem that Social Security faces is that demographic trends have a shrinking workforce supporting a growing base of retired benefit recipients. Historically, there were between three and four workers for every retiree on Social Security throughout most of the 1960s through the 2000s. Yet in 2010, that ratio broke below the 3 mark, and demographers now expect the ratio to fall to 2.1 within the next dozen years. 2029 will represent the end of the Baby Boom generation hitting age 65, and that will be when Generation X starts to reach that traditional retirement age in their mid-60s.</p>
<p>Fewer workers mean less payroll tax revenue to fund benefits, and that in turn will require Social Security to use its accumulated trust fund assets to meet the shortfalls. That's expected to happen in 2034, and when it does, <a href="http://www.fool.com/retirement/2016/07/04/2016-social-security-trustees-report-the-3-most-im.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Social Security benefits will be reduced</a> by between 20% and 25%.</p>
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<p>Politicians have sought fixes for the Social Security financial crisis for some time, but they haven't come up with any consensus for how to address the issue. Last year, many lawmakers believed that increasing Social Security benefits was the highest priority, with the idea of raising tax revenue through higher wage base limits and other measures. Now, though, the Republican victories in Washington have benefit-cutting measures back in the spotlight. Such measures are largely aimed at Generation X and younger Americans.</p>
<p>For instance, the <a href="https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/01/15/social-security-would-trump-veto-a-republican-reti.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Social Security Reform Act proposal</a> from Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Tex.) would raise the maximum Social Security full retirement age from 67 to 69. The 67-year-old provision hasn't even fully taken effect yet, with only those born in 1960 or later having that full retirement age currently. Under the proposal, full retirement age for those turning 62 would rise by three months per year starting in 2023, and after the eight-year phase-in, it would be Generation X members born in 1968 and later facing the immediate impact of the higher retirement age.</p>
<p>The impact of the rising age would be substantial. For those planning to claim Social Security at 62 and who've earned full-retirement-age benefits of $1,500 per month, a full retirement age of 67 means that you'd receive early benefits of $1,050 per month. The 30% discount is the price you pay for claiming five years early. Yet if the full retirement age rises to 69, the discount grows to 40%, leaving the same person with just $900 in monthly benefits.</p>
<p>For what it's worth, few Generation X members are truly surprised by the way Social Security's situation is playing out. Even nearly 20 years ago, only two-fifths of Generation X members believed that Social Security would be able to provide benefits by the time they retired. At the time, according to one poll from The Wall Street Journal,many believed that taking advantage of the booming stock market was a better way to save for retirement, and a majority believed that getting out of the Social Security system entirely was the best move.</p>
<p>Even as they've grown, Generation X has remained more pessimistic about Social Security than other demographics. Even millennials have slightly more faith in Social Security's survival than Gen X, according to the latest Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies survey, although more than 80% of both cohorts have concerns that Social Security won't really be there for them when they're ready to retire.</p>
<p>Given the volatile political climate in Washington, it's extremely difficult to predict what changes to Social Security could happen between now and the time that Generation X starts retiring in earnest in the late 2020s and early 2030s. It's too early for Generation X to kiss Social Security goodbye, but many members of the generation appear resigned to what seems like an imminent breakup at some point between now and retirement.</p>
<p>The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. <a href="http://www.fool.com/mms/mark/ecap-foolcom-social-security?aid=8727&amp;source=irreditxt0000002&amp;ftm_cam=ryr-ss-intro-report&amp;ftm_pit=3186&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies</a>.</p>
<p>The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy</a>.</p> | true | 0 | social security faced financial threats years latest projections suggesting demographic onslaught baby boomers completely exhaust social security trust fund mid2030s generation x currently mid30s early 50s prospect social securitys crisis sounds like case seriously bad timing potential recipe retirement disaster social security wont disappear even trust fund runs money members generation x nevertheless watch back make sure political moves dont take advantage smaller numbers implement benefitbusting measures future continue reading generation x fears social security crap time need image source getty images immediate problem social security faces demographic trends shrinking workforce supporting growing base retired benefit recipients historically three four workers every retiree social security throughout 1960s 2000s yet 2010 ratio broke 3 mark demographers expect ratio fall 21 within next dozen years 2029 represent end baby boom generation hitting age 65 generation x starts reach traditional retirement age mid60s fewer workers mean less payroll tax revenue fund benefits turn require social security use accumulated trust fund assets meet shortfalls thats expected happen 2034 social security benefits reduced 20 25 advertisement politicians sought fixes social security financial crisis time havent come consensus address issue last year many lawmakers believed increasing social security benefits highest priority idea raising tax revenue higher wage base limits measures though republican victories washington benefitcutting measures back spotlight measures largely aimed generation x younger americans instance social security reform act proposal rep sam johnson rtex would raise maximum social security full retirement age 67 69 67yearold provision hasnt even fully taken effect yet born 1960 later full retirement age currently proposal full retirement age turning 62 would rise three months per year starting 2023 eightyear phasein would generation x members born 1968 later facing immediate impact higher retirement age impact rising age would substantial planning claim social security 62 whove earned fullretirementage benefits 1500 per month full retirement age 67 means youd receive early benefits 1050 per month 30 discount price pay claiming five years early yet full retirement age rises 69 discount grows 40 leaving person 900 monthly benefits worth generation x members truly surprised way social securitys situation playing even nearly 20 years ago twofifths generation x members believed social security would able provide benefits time retired time according one poll wall street journalmany believed taking advantage booming stock market better way save retirement majority believed getting social security system entirely best move even theyve grown generation x remained pessimistic social security demographics even millennials slightly faith social securitys survival gen x according latest transamerica center retirement studies survey although 80 cohorts concerns social security wont really theyre ready retire given volatile political climate washington extremely difficult predict changes social security could happen time generation x starts retiring earnest late 2020s early 2030s early generation x kiss social security goodbye many members generation appear resigned seems like imminent breakup point retirement 15834 social security bonus retirees completely overlook youre like americans youre years behind retirement savings handful littleknown social security secrets could help ensure boost retirement income example one easy trick could pay much 15834 year learn maximize social security benefits think could retire confidently peace mind simply click discover learn strategies motley fool disclosure policy | 522 |
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<p>What can arguably called the craziest election on American soil is officially over. Unfortunately the smoke hasn't quite cleared after Donald Trump was named the president elect.</p>
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<p>Wall Street had been predicting victory for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton from the get-go, so to witness Trump win the presidency has left some investors with indigestion, as is evidenced by the triple-digit tumble in the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures. Uncertainty is bound to be high with Trump stepping into the Oval Office with no prior political or military experience. Yet, clear opportunities exist among certain sectors that stand to benefit from a Trump presidency.</p>
<p>While predicting the future is impossible, here are five such sectors that I believe could thrive with Trump at the reins.</p>
<p>There is, perhaps, no bigger beneficiary than the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, which have been clobbered as of late on the expectation that Hillary Clinton would become the next president. If you recall, Clinton had vowed to take a hardline approach with drugmakers. She had previously suggested creating a task force that would monitor for price-gouging. She also advocated for monthly out-of-pocket spending limits for consumers on select drugs, and had proposed shortening the period of patent protection on branded therapies.</p>
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>While Trump and Clinton both agreed to some extent that there's a problem with how drugmakers in this country price their products, Trump's only specific plan involved allowing Americans to seek out their medicines in overseas markets, such as Canada, where these same medicines could be priced cheaper. It remains to be seen Trump would be able to get such a measure passed in Congress, even with both houses staying Republican.</p>
<p>A specific beneficiary in this space worth monitoring is Irish-based Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:JAZZ). Jazz's lead drug, Xyrem, a treatment for narcolepsy, has seen its price rise by more than 840% between 2007 and 2014. Of course, those price increases have also fueled major growth for Jazz, which also benefits from Ireland's exceptionally low corporate income tax rates compared to U.S. corporate income tax rates. With Trump far less likely to pursue drug pricing reform policies than Clinton, companies like Jazz can probably breathe a lot easier.</p>
<p>Another sector primed to benefit is banking specifically large money center banks. In addition to Trump claiming victory, the fact that both houses of Congress remained in the hands of Republicans could prove to be a major catalyst for bank stocks.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>The reason being that Democrats, such as Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), had been proposing considerably tougher restrictions on banks. Warren was particularly vocal following the announcement that employees at Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) had opened more than 2 million fraudulent accounts over a five-year period and management did seemingly little to remedy the situation. If Warren and Clinton had their way on Election Day, it was possible that major changes were in the offing for the banking industry.</p>
<p>However, with Trump as president elect and Congress firmly in control of Republicans, it appears unlikely that banks will face the same amount of heat. To be clear, it still means that Wells Fargo is feeling the pain from its poor business decision to open unauthorized accounts, and it's likely to struggle to grow its deposits for many quarters to come. However, Wells Fargo and its shareholders can also breathe a sigh of relief that Warren's influence will probably take a backseat.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>The energy sector should, as a whole, be a substantive beneficiary of Trump winning the White House. While it remains to be seen if he'll be able to work with Congress to get his energy initiatives passed, Trump has proposed an "energy revolution" that includes lifting restrictions on shale production and opening up oil and gas production on federal lands and offshore. Moreover, Trump has vowed to end the "war on coal" and scrap the Obama-Clinton Climate Action Plan and Clean Power Plan. In easier-to-understand terms, Trump is angling for fewer regulations and greater energy independence for America.</p>
<p>A name in particular that could be worth closely monitoring here is Alliance Resource Partners (NASDAQ:ARLP), a master-limited partnership in the coal industry. Like most coal companies, Alliance Resource Partners has struggled with falling prices, which have in turn caused it to reduce its bountiful payout. However, Alliance Resource Partners has also traditionally maintained a healthier balance sheet with less debt than its peers, and it prides itself on contracting out production years in advance to reduce its exposure to volatile wholesale prices. In short, Trump's advocacy for coal could be a big boost for Alliance Resource Partners.</p>
<p>Image source: Pixabay.</p>
<p>Rebuilding America's aging infrastructure was one of the few things that both presidential candidates agreed upon, though the magnitude of how far each candidate was willing to go differed. Hillary Clinton had called for $275 billion in infrastructure spending over a five-year period to boost the American economy and fix roads, bridges, railroads, and dams. Trump, on the other hand, has proposed spending $1 trillion on a variety of infrastructure projects over the course of 10 years. While it remains to be seen if this pie-in-the-sky number can be reached, the enormity of Trump's spending proposal is bound to get infrastructure investors excited.</p>
<p>In particular, commodity-based stocks are likely to benefit. Infrastructure projects are probably going to require a lot of steel, which would be a perfect scenario for a company like Nucor (NYSE:NUE) which has struggled with stagnant steel pricing for years. Nucor has done what it can by pulling cost levers, but it really needs a notable uptick in steel demand over an extended period of time to increase its pricing power. If Trump were able to get a sizable infrastructure plan approved in Congress, it's possible Nucor's profits could head substantially higher.</p>
<p>Image source: Flickr user Andrew Magill.</p>
<p>Lastly, most defense sector companies are probably thrilled with the election outcome. To be clear, if Clinton had won it's not as if defense spending would have ceased. However, Clinton had taken a more critical view of how she would allocate funds for defense. Trump, on the other hand, has taken the traditional view of Republicans that spending on defense is both good for jobs and the economy, as well as our national safety. As such, defense companies could find themselves thriving under a Trump presidency.</p>
<p>In particular, I'd suggest keeping a watchful eye on Smith &amp; Wesson (NASDAQ:SWHC), a manufacturer of handguns and rifles for the military and public. Trump has come out an advocate for the Second Amendment during his campaign, and having a Republican in the White House, as well as a Republican-dominated Congress, bodes well for firearm manufacturers. This isn't to say there's zero chance of gun restrictions on the public at the state level; however, things are looking much brighter for Smith &amp; Wesson in the near-term following this election.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Wells Fargo 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=2b41ca21-a6e8-483b-889e-f3570a98b8f4&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 Wells Fargo 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=2b41ca21-a6e8-483b-889e-f3570a98b8f4&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/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 owns shares of Wells Fargo. It also recommends Alliance Resource Partners and Nucor. 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 | arguably called craziest election american soil officially unfortunately smoke hasnt quite cleared donald trump named president elect continue reading wall street predicting victory democratic candidate hillary clinton getgo witness trump win presidency left investors indigestion evidenced tripledigit tumble dow jones industrial average futures uncertainty bound high trump stepping oval office prior political military experience yet clear opportunities exist among certain sectors stand benefit trump presidency predicting future impossible five sectors believe could thrive trump reins perhaps bigger beneficiary pharmaceutical biotech industries clobbered late expectation hillary clinton would become next president recall clinton vowed take hardline approach drugmakers previously suggested creating task force would monitor pricegouging also advocated monthly outofpocket spending limits consumers select drugs proposed shortening period patent protection branded therapies advertisement image source getty images trump clinton agreed extent theres problem drugmakers country price products trumps specific plan involved allowing americans seek medicines overseas markets canada medicines could priced cheaper remains seen trump would able get measure passed congress even houses staying republican specific beneficiary space worth monitoring irishbased jazz pharmaceuticals nasdaqjazz jazzs lead drug xyrem treatment narcolepsy seen price rise 840 2007 2014 course price increases also fueled major growth jazz also benefits irelands exceptionally low corporate income tax rates compared us corporate income tax rates trump far less likely pursue drug pricing reform policies clinton companies like jazz probably breathe lot easier another sector primed benefit banking specifically large money center banks addition trump claiming victory fact houses congress remained hands republicans could prove major catalyst bank stocks image source getty images reason democrats senator elizabeth warren dma proposing considerably tougher restrictions banks warren particularly vocal following announcement employees wells fargo nysewfc opened 2 million fraudulent accounts fiveyear period management seemingly little remedy situation warren clinton way election day possible major changes offing banking industry however trump president elect congress firmly control republicans appears unlikely banks face amount heat clear still means wells fargo feeling pain poor business decision open unauthorized accounts likely struggle grow deposits many quarters come however wells fargo shareholders also breathe sigh relief warrens influence probably take backseat image source getty images energy sector whole substantive beneficiary trump winning white house remains seen hell able work congress get energy initiatives passed trump proposed energy revolution includes lifting restrictions shale production opening oil gas production federal lands offshore moreover trump vowed end war coal scrap obamaclinton climate action plan clean power plan easiertounderstand terms trump angling fewer regulations greater energy independence america name particular could worth closely monitoring alliance resource partners nasdaqarlp masterlimited partnership coal industry like coal companies alliance resource partners struggled falling prices turn caused reduce bountiful payout however alliance resource partners also traditionally maintained healthier balance sheet less debt peers prides contracting production years advance reduce exposure volatile wholesale prices short trumps advocacy coal could big boost alliance resource partners image source pixabay rebuilding americas aging infrastructure one things presidential candidates agreed upon though magnitude far candidate willing go differed hillary clinton called 275 billion infrastructure spending fiveyear period boost american economy fix roads bridges railroads dams trump hand proposed spending 1 trillion variety infrastructure projects course 10 years remains seen pieinthesky number reached enormity trumps spending proposal bound get infrastructure investors excited particular commoditybased stocks likely benefit infrastructure projects probably going require lot steel would perfect scenario company like nucor nysenue struggled stagnant steel pricing years nucor done pulling cost levers really needs notable uptick steel demand extended period time increase pricing power trump able get sizable infrastructure plan approved congress possible nucors profits could head substantially higher image source flickr user andrew magill lastly defense sector companies probably thrilled election outcome clear clinton defense spending would ceased however clinton taken critical view would allocate funds defense trump hand taken traditional view republicans spending defense good jobs economy well national safety defense companies could find thriving trump presidency particular id suggest keeping watchful eye smith amp wesson nasdaqswhc manufacturer handguns rifles military public trump come advocate second amendment campaign republican white house well republicandominated congress bodes well firearm manufacturers isnt say theres zero chance gun restrictions public state level however things looking much brighter smith amp wesson nearterm following election 10 stocks like better wells fargo 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 wells fargo wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 7 2016 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 owns shares wells fargo also recommends alliance resource partners nucor 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 | 822 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images</p>
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<p>Americans' love affair with credit cards isn't fading. Credit card debt now sits near an all-time high of $5,700 per household and $16,048 for the average balance-carrying household.</p>
<p>On one hand, card issuers are offering up more and more perks, including <a href="https://www.fool.com/credit-cards/best-credit-card-sign-up-bonuses/?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">large sign-up bonuses Opens a New Window.</a>, and cardholders paying off their bills each month will continue to covet these lucrative rewards. On the other hand, many people don't manage their credit budgets well and stand to go deeper into debt.</p>
<p>Both above facts suggest Americans will be married to credit cards for the foreseeable future. With this in mind, here are 11 credit card insights that might surprise you.</p>
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<p>Credit cards' annual fees can be jaw-dropping, but that's actually not where card issuers haul in the most money. In fact, card issuers brought in a whopping $63 billion in interest income in 2016.</p>
<p>The most common fees are for annual dues, late payments, cash advances, balance transfers, and foreign transactions. Be sure to read up on the different fees associated with any credit card you're considering.</p>
<p>Credit scores are the most important three-digit number that many Americans don't know about. Research suggests 3 in 5 Americans don't know their credit scores, according to <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lendingtree-survey-finds-nearly-60-of-americans-dont-know-their-credit-scores-300095483.html" type="external">LendingTree Opens a New Window.</a>. Improving your credit score is an investment in your financial well-being that opens doors to the lowest mortgage rates and the <a href="https://www.fool.com/credit-cards/best-credit-cards-of-2017/?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">best credit cards Opens a New Window.</a>, which are typically closed off to people with poor credit.</p>
<p>You may want to read the fine print before tapping your credit card as an ATM for a cash advance. Cash advance limits tend to be a fraction of your total credit limit for borrowing. Keep an eye on the fees as well. Cash advances are not only typically charged a 3% transaction fee, but also incur sky-high interest charges.</p>
<p>Credit cards offer cardholders temporary interest-free loans that span a 20- to 25-day grace period. Interest isn't charged when you pay off your balance by the due date, which is why people smartly take advantage of cash back and travel rewards and pay off their balances like clockwork. You won't come out ahead if you're earning rewards at a 2% rate and paying interest of 20%.</p>
<p>Some people shy away from claiming a credit card sign-up bonus, fearing the potential negative impacts to their FICO scores. This thinking may be wrong.</p>
<p>Here's why: 10% of your FICO score is indeed driven by new hard credit inquiries. All else being the same, your FICO score will see some downward pressure in the short term when applying for a new card.</p>
<p>But two other larger drivers are at play over the longer term. 35% of your FICO score is based upon payment history. Adding another credit card to your wallet -- and most importantly paying the bill on time -- can help improve your credit score by establishing a deeper history of on-time payments.</p>
<p>What's more, 30% of your credit score is driven by credit utilization, or your current debt divided by credit limits. The new credit card will add to your total credit available, and reduce your utilization ratio, to put upward pressure on your FICO score, assuming you're not borrowing more. Tally it all up, and 65% of your FICO score can be positively influenced by managing a new credit card wisely.</p>
<p>FICO, less commonly known as the Fair Isaac Corporation, sells more than 10 billion credit scores each year, which is four times the number of burgers McDonald's sells.</p>
<p>It takes 28.5 years to pay off a $10,000 credit card balance at an 18% APR when payments are 1% of the balance. Many card issuers require larger payments each month, including some stipulating a 4% minimum payment, which still means the debt will take a surprisingly long 13.5 years to pay off.</p>
<p>The devil is in the details. Cardholders struggling to make payments may only be able to make partial payments, which can still result in late-payment fees.</p>
<p>Card issuers won't tell you this upfront, but every cardholder has the right to waive one late payment fee each year. The 2008 financial crisis led to sweeping credit card reform that included protections for consumers, such as late payment forgiveness. Cardholders just need to call their issuer to request this one-time payment forgiveness each year. But if you're unable to make a payment, it's worth considering the impact to your FICO score as well, since missing a payment can tank your credit score.</p>
<p>Many credit card issuers now allow cardholders to request a credit limit increase online by answering a few questions. Many decisions are delivered instantly. Your credit score stands to improve shortly thereafter, assuming the additional available credit isn't utilized and your total credit utilization ratio across credit accounts decreases. This is a smart move for cardholders spending wisely on credit, but fans the flames for those prone to building debt.</p>
<p>5 Simple Tips to Skyrocket Your Credit Score Over 800!Increasing your credit score above 800 will put you in rare company. So rare that only 1 in 9 Americans can claim they're members of this elite club. But contrary to popular belief, racking up a high credit score is a lot easier than you may have imagined following 5 simple, disciplined strategies. You'll find a full rundown of each inside our <a href="http://www.fool.com/ecap/the_motley_fool/mortgage-creditscore/?ftm_cam=the-motley-fool&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;source=ic3editxt0000001&amp;aid=8985&amp;ftm_pit=6983&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">FREE credit score guide Opens a New Window.</a>. It's time to put your financial future first and secure a lifetime of savings by increasing your credit score. Simply <a href="http://www.fool.com/ecap/the_motley_fool/mortgage-creditscore/?ftm_cam=the-motley-fool&amp;ftm_veh=article_pitch&amp;source=ic3editxt0000001&amp;aid=8985&amp;ftm_pit=6983&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">click here Opens a New Window.</a>to claim a copy 5 Simple Tips to Skyrocket Your Credit Score over 800.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFHamFoolery/info.aspx" type="external">Nathan Hamilton 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 | image source getty images continue reading americans love affair credit cards isnt fading credit card debt sits near alltime high 5700 per household 16048 average balancecarrying household one hand card issuers offering perks including large signup bonuses opens new window cardholders paying bills month continue covet lucrative rewards hand many people dont manage credit budgets well stand go deeper debt facts suggest americans married credit cards foreseeable future mind 11 credit card insights might surprise advertisement credit cards annual fees jawdropping thats actually card issuers haul money fact card issuers brought whopping 63 billion interest income 2016 common fees annual dues late payments cash advances balance transfers foreign transactions sure read different fees associated credit card youre considering credit scores important threedigit number many americans dont know research suggests 3 5 americans dont know credit scores according lendingtree opens new window improving credit score investment financial wellbeing opens doors lowest mortgage rates best credit cards opens new window typically closed people poor credit may want read fine print tapping credit card atm cash advance cash advance limits tend fraction total credit limit borrowing keep eye fees well cash advances typically charged 3 transaction fee also incur skyhigh interest charges credit cards offer cardholders temporary interestfree loans span 20 25day grace period interest isnt charged pay balance due date people smartly take advantage cash back travel rewards pay balances like clockwork wont come ahead youre earning rewards 2 rate paying interest 20 people shy away claiming credit card signup bonus fearing potential negative impacts fico scores thinking may wrong heres 10 fico score indeed driven new hard credit inquiries else fico score see downward pressure short term applying new card two larger drivers play longer term 35 fico score based upon payment history adding another credit card wallet importantly paying bill time help improve credit score establishing deeper history ontime payments whats 30 credit score driven credit utilization current debt divided credit limits new credit card add total credit available reduce utilization ratio put upward pressure fico score assuming youre borrowing tally 65 fico score positively influenced managing new credit card wisely fico less commonly known fair isaac corporation sells 10 billion credit scores year four times number burgers mcdonalds sells takes 285 years pay 10000 credit card balance 18 apr payments 1 balance many card issuers require larger payments month including stipulating 4 minimum payment still means debt take surprisingly long 135 years pay devil details cardholders struggling make payments may able make partial payments still result latepayment fees card issuers wont tell upfront every cardholder right waive one late payment fee year 2008 financial crisis led sweeping credit card reform included protections consumers late payment forgiveness cardholders need call issuer request onetime payment forgiveness year youre unable make payment worth considering impact fico score well since missing payment tank credit score many credit card issuers allow cardholders request credit limit increase online answering questions many decisions delivered instantly credit score stands improve shortly thereafter assuming additional available credit isnt utilized total credit utilization ratio across credit accounts decreases smart move cardholders spending wisely credit fans flames prone building debt 5 simple tips skyrocket credit score 800increasing credit score 800 put rare company rare 1 9 americans claim theyre members elite club contrary popular belief racking high credit score lot easier may imagined following 5 simple disciplined strategies youll find full rundown inside free credit score guide opens new window time put financial future first secure lifetime savings increasing credit score simply click opens new windowto claim copy 5 simple tips skyrocket credit score 800 nathan hamilton opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 615 |
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<p>U.S. thermal coal markets started the year off on a sour note, but industry prices started to bounce off their lows around June or so. And all of the major coal basins were were following suit by October, which helps explain the impressive 2016 price gains for coal miners like Cloud Peak Energy (NYSE: CLD), Westmoreland Coal (NASDAQ: WLB), and Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP).</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>But after coal miner stocks rocketed by as much as 200%, can this coal rally keep going? The answer appears to be shaky at best -- here's why.</p>
<p>Image source: Cloud Peak Energy.</p>
<p>Thermal coal is used as a fuel in power plants. The headlines have been filled for years with the growth of solar and wind power, but the real issue for coal has been low natural gas prices. Utilities have increasingly opted to build cleaner burning gas plants as they retire older, less efficient coal facilities, and that's led to a long-term decline in demand for thermal coal. To put some numbers on that, Cloud Peak Energy's coal shipments have fallen from 95.6 million tons in 2011 to an expected 57 to 60 million tons in 2016.</p>
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<p>Along with that hit, prices have dropped. Alliance Resource Partners, for example, saw its coal sales price fall nearly 9% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2016, and around 3% sequentially from the third quarter. (The price rebound for the Illinois Coal Basin coal it mines didn't start to pick up until October.) Although Alliance saw a volume boost in the fourth quarter, overall lower volumes and lower sales prices throughout the industry were so damaging during the downturn that the industry saw a slew of bankruptcies, including global coal giant Peabody Energy. But the first half of 2016 was really just a continuation of a years-long trend.</p>
<p><a href="http://ycharts.com/companies/ARLP" type="external">ARLP</a> data by <a href="http://ycharts.com" type="external">YCharts Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>After so much pain, then, it isn't shocking that coal miner stocks rallied when coal prices started to stabilize. And the election of Donald Trump also helped, since he's been a vocal supporter of the coal industry. In fact, Westmoreland Coal's stock wildly outdistanced the others here following the elections.</p>
<p>In contrast, Cloud Peak Energy's shares ended the year on a weak note.The fact of the matter is that these four coal miners offer vastly different ways to invest in the industry. Cloud Peak, for example, is focused exclusively on the Powder River basin, an area that's expected to see relatively weak demand going forward. The rally in that stock was based on improving export demand, as Chinese production cuts lifted seaborne coal prices.</p>
<p>A big part of Cloud Peak's story has been the opportunity to export coal. Only that market hasn't been nearly as robust as expected just a few years ago. It's no surprise that investors got excited when it looked like exports might pick up, and then flipped back to a negative view when seaborne coal prices started to decline again early in 2017. The shares have recovered from that early year pullback and are now up again, but of these four, Cloud Peak likely has the riskiest investment profile.</p>
<p>Alliance Resource Partners and its general partner,Alliance Holdings GP (NASDAQ: AHGP), sit on the other side of this equation. This miner is focused on the Illinois Basin coal region, where demand is expected to pick up over time as it gains market share from other domestic regions because of the nature of its coal. Fourth quarter shipments were actually near record levels in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>EIA coal projections out to 2040. The Illinois Coal Basin is in the interior region. Image Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.</p>
<p>These two limited partnerships have actually held up relatively well compared to peers. Alliance's bottom line, for example, has remained in the black throughout the coal industry's downturn. Moreover, it covered its distribution, which it trimmed in early 2016, by around two times last year. That's a huge amount of coverage in the LP space, and backs up the company's earlier comments that the distribution cut was really meant to appease worried lenders, and not a business necessity.</p>
<p>Then there's Westmoreland, which focuses on owning coal mines that are next to the power plants they serve. It benefits from long-term contracts with dedicated customers. The biggest driver of the company's stock has been from the expectation that, under the new president, coal power plants will face less stringent regulation.</p>
<p>In other words, the plants Westmoreland supplies are expected to remain running longer now that Trump is president than they might have had someone else been elected. It's little wonder that this stock's gain led the pack here, with most of the price advance taking place in the final months of 2016. The big unknown here is if Trump will live up to his political promises.</p>
<p>The thermal coal miners that didn't go bankrupt because of low coal prices staged an impressive rally last year. The big push was an improvement in the price of the fuel during the second half of 2016. However, there's a lot of moving parts to this picture that suggest some miners are better positioned than others for the years ahead. On that score, Alliance Resource Partners and its general partner, Alliance Holdings GP, are the best positioned to do well in 2017 and beyond.</p>
<p>Westmoreland Coal, meanwhile, has a solid business, but there's notable political risk. And Cloud Peak Energy operates in a weakening coal region, and foreign demand -- which is often volatile -- is a notable factor in its future. It's got the worst outlook of these four coal miners at this point.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Alliance Resource Partners When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=afad538b-6f0b-499e-b5de-62dad017e053&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 Alliance Resource Partners wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-dyn%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=afad538b-6f0b-499e-b5de-62dad017e053&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 January 4, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/ReubenGBrewer/info.aspx" type="external">Reuben Brewer Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Alliance Resource Partners. 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 | us thermal coal markets started year sour note industry prices started bounce lows around june major coal basins following suit october helps explain impressive 2016 price gains coal miners like cloud peak energy nyse cld westmoreland coal nasdaq wlb alliance resource partners lp nasdaq arlp continue reading coal miner stocks rocketed much 200 coal rally keep going answer appears shaky best heres image source cloud peak energy thermal coal used fuel power plants headlines filled years growth solar wind power real issue coal low natural gas prices utilities increasingly opted build cleaner burning gas plants retire older less efficient coal facilities thats led longterm decline demand thermal coal put numbers cloud peak energys coal shipments fallen 956 million tons 2011 expected 57 60 million tons 2016 advertisement along hit prices dropped alliance resource partners example saw coal sales price fall nearly 9 year year fourth quarter 2016 around 3 sequentially third quarter price rebound illinois coal basin coal mines didnt start pick october although alliance saw volume boost fourth quarter overall lower volumes lower sales prices throughout industry damaging downturn industry saw slew bankruptcies including global coal giant peabody energy first half 2016 really continuation yearslong trend arlp data ycharts opens new window much pain isnt shocking coal miner stocks rallied coal prices started stabilize election donald trump also helped since hes vocal supporter coal industry fact westmoreland coals stock wildly outdistanced others following elections contrast cloud peak energys shares ended year weak notethe fact matter four coal miners offer vastly different ways invest industry cloud peak example focused exclusively powder river basin area thats expected see relatively weak demand going forward rally stock based improving export demand chinese production cuts lifted seaborne coal prices big part cloud peaks story opportunity export coal market hasnt nearly robust expected years ago surprise investors got excited looked like exports might pick flipped back negative view seaborne coal prices started decline early 2017 shares recovered early year pullback four cloud peak likely riskiest investment profile alliance resource partners general partneralliance holdings gp nasdaq ahgp sit side equation miner focused illinois basin coal region demand expected pick time gains market share domestic regions nature coal fourth quarter shipments actually near record levels fourth quarter eia coal projections 2040 illinois coal basin interior region image source us energy information administration two limited partnerships actually held relatively well compared peers alliances bottom line example remained black throughout coal industrys downturn moreover covered distribution trimmed early 2016 around two times last year thats huge amount coverage lp space backs companys earlier comments distribution cut really meant appease worried lenders business necessity theres westmoreland focuses owning coal mines next power plants serve benefits longterm contracts dedicated customers biggest driver companys stock expectation new president coal power plants face less stringent regulation words plants westmoreland supplies expected remain running longer trump president might someone else elected little wonder stocks gain led pack price advance taking place final months 2016 big unknown trump live political promises thermal coal miners didnt go bankrupt low coal prices staged impressive rally last year big push improvement price fuel second half 2016 however theres lot moving parts picture suggest miners better positioned others years ahead score alliance resource partners general partner alliance holdings gp best positioned well 2017 beyond westmoreland coal meanwhile solid business theres notable political risk cloud peak energy operates weakening coal region foreign demand often volatile notable factor future got worst outlook four coal miners point 10 stocks like better alliance resource partners investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right alliance resource partners wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns january 4 2017 reuben brewer opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool recommends alliance resource partners motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 659 |
<p />
<p>There's little denying the importance that Social Security plays for our nation's retired workers. According to statistics from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that were released last year, a little more than three in five retired workers relies on their Social Security benefits to make up at least half of their monthly income. Without the monthly income Social Security provides, many seniors would probably be living at or below the poverty rate.</p>
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<p>However, you ultimately hold the golden ticket that determines how much Social Security will pay you once you file your claim for benefits. There are a number of factors that go into determining how large your monthly check will be.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>For instance, your work history matters. The SSA averages in your 35 top-earning years when determining your benefit. If you've worked fewer than 35 years in your life, a zero ($0) is averaged in for each year less of 35.</p>
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<p>Your earnings history is obviously important, too. Though there are monthly caps on what the SSA will pay a beneficiary during retirement (in 2017 the cap is $2,687 a month), the more you earn each year, the more likely you are to increase your retirement benefit from the SSA.</p>
<p>Arguably, though, the biggest decision you'll make in your life is deciding when to claim Social Security benefits. Qualifying retired workers have the option of claiming Social Security as early as age 62, or at any age thereafter. But the key figure that's of the utmost importance in the claiming process is your full retirement age.</p>
<p>Your full retirement age is the age at which the SSA deems you eligible to receive 100% of your monthly benefits, and it's determined by your birth year (the SSA has a <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/agereduction.html" type="external">handy table Opens a New Window.</a> to help you find your full retirement age). If you claim Social Security benefits before hitting your full retirement age, you'll accept a permanent reduction to your monthly Social Security check. If you wait until after your full retirement age to claim benefits, you get an even larger monthly check. Each year that you hold off on claiming benefits, beginning at age 62, your eventual benefit grows by approximately 8%. This annual accrual ends at age 70. While you aren't forced to claim Social Security by age 70, there's no longer any added incentive to wait.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Essentially this is the conundrum that every senior will eventually face: Should you claim Social Security benefits early to start receiving extra cash each month, or should you hold off and wait for a bigger payout in your late 60s or perhaps even until age 70?</p>
<p>Today, we'll take a closer look at a chart that'll illustrate these differences.</p>
<p>To do that, we'll need the current monthly payout for a retired worker as of February 2017, which was $1,363.66, according to the SSA's monthly snapshot. We'll be using this average monthly payout as our baseline full retirement age payout, and then examining what a 62-year-old today, born in 1955, would earn in lifetime benefits if he or she decided to claim at any age between 62 and 70. We'll run this fictitious simulation through age 85, since most retirees are living two decades, if not longer, these days. Finally, we'll factor in a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2% each year, which is fairly reflective of what COLAs have been over the past two decades.</p>
<p>Here's what this looks like as a chart:</p>
<p>Data source: Social Security Administration, authors calculations based on a 2% COLA per year. Full retirement age of 66 years and 2 months used for persons born in 1955. Chart by author.</p>
<p>As you can see, there's some pretty significant crossover that begins around 2034 through 2037. What this implies is that persons who claim early are, somewhere around their 78th to 81st year of age, being passed in lifetime benefits by those who've chosen to wait longer to claim benefits. For instance, an individual who claims Social Security at age 62 has, by age 85, earned approximately $28,200 less than an individual born in 1955 who waited until his or her full retirement age at 66 years and two months.</p>
<p>This illustration serves an important purpose for seniors, pre-retirees, and working Americans. It demonstrates the magnitude of your claiming decision.</p>
<p>On one hand, waiting longer will obviously lead to a larger monthly payment. However, that assumes you live to see your 85th birthday, which for all of us is more of a guessing game. When deciding whether you should claim earlier or later, you'll need to take some critical and personal factors into account, including your health, your savings, and whether or not you're taking care of anyone else financially.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, people in poor health, those who are buried under debt, spouses with substantially lower income than their partner, and people who can't get a job or generate income are best off filing for Social Security benefits earlier rather than later. Plus, a "mulligan" of sorts exists (Form SSA-521) that allows seniors to undo their claiming decision within the first 12 months of filing for benefits should they suddenly land a job or regret their early claiming decision.</p>
<p>Conversely, higher-earning spouses, people with little to nothing saved for retirement, and healthier individuals are often best off waiting until their full retirement age or later to claim Social Security.</p>
<p>It's a personal decision for everyone, but this should help make it that much easier.</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 | theres little denying importance social security plays nations retired workers according statistics social security administration ssa released last year little three five retired workers relies social security benefits make least half monthly income without monthly income social security provides many seniors would probably living poverty rate continue reading however ultimately hold golden ticket determines much social security pay file claim benefits number factors go determining large monthly check image source getty images instance work history matters ssa averages 35 topearning years determining benefit youve worked fewer 35 years life zero 0 averaged year less 35 advertisement earnings history obviously important though monthly caps ssa pay beneficiary retirement 2017 cap 2687 month earn year likely increase retirement benefit ssa arguably though biggest decision youll make life deciding claim social security benefits qualifying retired workers option claiming social security early age 62 age thereafter key figure thats utmost importance claiming process full retirement age full retirement age age ssa deems eligible receive 100 monthly benefits determined birth year ssa handy table opens new window help find full retirement age claim social security benefits hitting full retirement age youll accept permanent reduction monthly social security check wait full retirement age claim benefits get even larger monthly check year hold claiming benefits beginning age 62 eventual benefit grows approximately 8 annual accrual ends age 70 arent forced claim social security age 70 theres longer added incentive wait image source getty images essentially conundrum every senior eventually face claim social security benefits early start receiving extra cash month hold wait bigger payout late 60s perhaps even age 70 today well take closer look chart thatll illustrate differences well need current monthly payout retired worker february 2017 136366 according ssas monthly snapshot well using average monthly payout baseline full retirement age payout examining 62yearold today born 1955 would earn lifetime benefits decided claim age 62 70 well run fictitious simulation age 85 since retirees living two decades longer days finally well factor costofliving adjustment cola 2 year fairly reflective colas past two decades heres looks like chart data source social security administration authors calculations based 2 cola per year full retirement age 66 years 2 months used persons born 1955 chart author see theres pretty significant crossover begins around 2034 2037 implies persons claim early somewhere around 78th 81st year age passed lifetime benefits whove chosen wait longer claim benefits instance individual claims social security age 62 age 85 earned approximately 28200 less individual born 1955 waited full retirement age 66 years two months illustration serves important purpose seniors preretirees working americans demonstrates magnitude claiming decision one hand waiting longer obviously lead larger monthly payment however assumes live see 85th birthday us guessing game deciding whether claim earlier later youll need take critical personal factors account including health savings whether youre taking care anyone else financially image source getty images generally speaking people poor health buried debt spouses substantially lower income partner people cant get job generate income best filing social security benefits earlier rather later plus mulligan sorts exists form ssa521 allows seniors undo claiming decision within first 12 months filing benefits suddenly land job regret early claiming decision conversely higherearning spouses people little nothing saved retirement healthier individuals often best waiting full retirement age later claim social security personal decision everyone help make much easier 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 | 612 |
<p><a href="http://thetruthwins.com/archives/20-obama-quotes-about-islam-contrasted-with-20-obama-quotes-about-christianity/obama-messiah" type="external" /></p>
<p>You are about to read some of the most shocking quotes that Barack Obama has ever uttered in public.&#160; A few of these have been widely circulated, but most of them are very obscure.&#160; Even though he claims to be a Christian, throughout his political career Obama has repeatedly attacked traditional Biblical Christianity and he has a&#160; <a href="http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=106938" type="external">very long history</a>&#160;of anti-Christian actions.&#160; In public speeches he has repeatedly cast doubt on the Bible, he has repeatedly stated that he does not believe that Jesus is necessary for salvation, and he has consistently said that he believes that all “people of faith” believe in the same God.&#160; At the same time, Obama has always referred to Muhammed as “the Prophet”, he has always expressed great love and respect for Islam, and he has even&#160; <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2011/10/21/obama-administration-pulls-references-to-islam-from-terror-training-materials-official-says/" type="external">removed all references to Islam</a>&#160;from terror training materials used by federal government agencies.&#160; So what in the world does “the leader of the free world” actually believe?&#160; Read the quotes below and decide for yourself…</p>
<p>20 Quotes By Barack Obama About Islam</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/obama-the-future-must-not-belong-to-those-who-slander-the-prophet-of-islam/2012/09/26/acb9ab92-0810-11e2-a10c-fa5a255a9258_blog.html" type="external">#1</a>&#160;“The future must not belong to those who slander the Prophet of Islam”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.raptureready.com/featured/duck/dd74.html" type="external">#2</a>&#160;“The sweetest sound I know is the Muslim call to prayer”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-obama-turkish-parliament" type="external">#3</a>&#160;“We will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over the centuries to shape the world — including in my own country.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09" type="external">#4</a>&#160;“As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09" type="external">#5</a>&#160;“Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance.”</p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/114115-obama-to-host-ramadan-meal" type="external">#6</a>&#160;“Islam has always been part of America”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09/" type="external">#7</a>&#160;“we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities”</p>
<p><a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/08/68497520/1#.UkYaZhAQOnM" type="external">#8</a>&#160;“These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/barackobam410719.html" type="external">#9</a>&#160;“America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09" type="external">#10</a>&#160;“I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09" type="external">#11</a>&#160;“Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09" type="external">#12</a>&#160;“So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09" type="external">#13</a>&#160;“In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2010/07/obamas-nasa-muslim-outreach-echoes-his-nutty-cairo-speech/" type="external">#14</a>&#160;“throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.”</p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/114115-obama-to-host-ramadan-meal" type="external">#15</a>&#160;“Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity and racial equality”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09" type="external">#16</a>&#160;“The Holy Koran tells us, ‘O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.’”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/11/statement-president-occasion-ramadan" type="external">#17</a>&#160;“I look forward to hosting an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan here at the White House later this week, and wish you a blessed month.”</p>
<p><a href="http://freepatriot.org/2013/09/12/obama-america-founded-muslims-unlocked-secrets-universe/" type="external">#18</a>&#160;“We’ve seen those results in generations of Muslim immigrants – farmers and factory workers, helping to lay the railroads and build our cities, the Muslim innovators who helped build some of our highest skyscrapers and who helped unlock the secrets of our universe.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09/" type="external">#19</a>&#160;“That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09/" type="external">#20</a>&#160;“I also know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story.”</p>
<p>20&#160;Quotes By Barack Obama About Christianity</p>
<p><a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/04/obamas_christian_nation_1.html" type="external">#1</a>&#160;“Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIVd7YT0oWA" type="external">#2</a>&#160;“We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wnd.com/2012/07/watch-obama-mock-bible-in-2006/" type="external">#3</a>&#160;“Which passages of scripture should guide our public policy?&#160; Should we go with Leviticus, which suggests slavery is OK and that eating shellfish is an abomination?&#160; Or we could go with Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith?”</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.christianpost.com/christianlife/nero-and-criminalising-of-christianity-7746/" type="external">#4</a>&#160;“Even those who claim the Bible’s inerrancy make distinctions between Scriptural edicts, sensing that some passages – the Ten Commandments, say, or a belief in Christ’s divinity – are central to Christian faith, while others are more culturally specific and may be modified to accommodate modern life.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/28/us/politics/2006obamaspeech.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_r=0" type="external">#5</a>&#160;“The American people intuitively understand this, which is why the majority of Catholics practice birth control and some of those opposed to gay marriage nevertheless are opposed to a Constitutional amendment to ban it. Religious leadership need not accept such wisdom in counseling their flocks, but they should recognize this wisdom in their politics.”</p>
<p><a href="http://christianity.about.com/od/religionpolitics/p/obamafaithss.htm" type="external">#6</a>&#160;From Obama’s book,&#160;The Audacity of Hope: “I am not willing to have the state deny American citizens a civil union that confers equivalent rights on such basic matters as hospital visitation or health insurance coverage simply because the people they love are of the same sex—nor am I willing to accept a reading of the Bible that considers an obscure line in Romans to be more defining of Christianity than the Sermon on the Mount.”</p>
<p><a href="http://cathleenfalsani.com/obama-on-faith-the-exclusive-interview/" type="external">#7</a>&#160;Obama’s response when asked what his definition of sin is: “Being out of alignment with my values.”</p>
<p><a href="http://cathleenfalsani.com/obama-on-faith-the-exclusive-interview/" type="external">#8</a>&#160;“If all it took was someone proclaiming I believe Jesus Christ and that he died for my sins, and that was all there was to it, people wouldn’t have to keep coming to church, would they.”</p>
<p><a href="http://cathleenfalsani.com/obama-on-faith-the-exclusive-interview/" type="external">#9</a>&#160;“This is something that I’m sure I’d have serious debates with my fellow Christians about. I think that the difficult thing about any religion, including Christianity, is that at some level there is a call to evangelize and prostelytize. There’s the belief, certainly in some quarters, that people haven’t embraced Jesus Christ as their personal savior that they’re going to hell.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=3729" type="external">#10</a>&#160;“I find it hard to believe that my God would consign four-fifths of the world to hell.&#160; I can’t imagine that my God would allow some little Hindu kid in India who never interacts with the Christian faith to somehow burn for all eternity.&#160; That’s just not part of my religious makeup.”</p>
<p><a href="http://cathleenfalsani.com/obama-on-faith-the-exclusive-interview/" type="external">#11</a>&#160;“I don’t presume to have knowledge of what happens after I die. But I feel very strongly that whether the reward is in the here and now or in the hereafter, the aligning myself to my faith and my values is a good thing.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/07/11/finding-his-faith.html" type="external">#12</a>&#160;“I’ve said this before, and I know this raises questions in the minds of some evangelicals. I do not believe that my mother, who never formally embraced Christianity as far as I know … I do not believe she went to hell.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Barack_Obama_Principles_+_Values.htm" type="external">#13</a>&#160;“Those opposed to abortion cannot simply invoke God’s will–they have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/aprilweb-only/116-51.0.html" type="external">#14</a>&#160;On his support for civil unions for gay couples: “If people find that controversial then&#160;I would just&#160;refer them to the Sermon on the Mount.”</p>
<p><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=4652934&amp;page=1" type="external">#15</a>&#160;“You got into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”</p>
<p><a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/21/to-some-obama-is-the-wrong-kind-of-christian/" type="external">#16</a>&#160;“In our household, the Bible, the Koran and the Bhagavad Gita sat on the shelf alongside books of Greek and Norse and African mythology”</p>
<p><a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/21/to-some-obama-is-the-wrong-kind-of-christian/" type="external">#17</a>&#160;“On Easter or Christmas Day, my mother might drag me to church, just as she dragged me to the Buddhist temple, the Chinese New Year celebration, the Shinto shrine, and ancient Hawaiian burial sites.”</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2010/09/28/president-obama-says-we-achieve-salvation-through-the-grace-of.aspx" type="external">#18</a>&#160;“we have Jews, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, agnostics, Buddhists, and their own path to grace is one that we have to revere and respect as much as our own”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09/" type="external">#19</a>&#160;“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra — (applause) — as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer.&#160; (Applause.)”</p>
<p><a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/22/obamas-2004-interview-about-his-faith/" type="external">#20</a>&#160;“I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people.”</p>
<p>About the author:&#160; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CNKRHRE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00CNKRHRE&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theeconomiccollapse-20" type="external">Michael T. Snyder</a>&#160;is a former Washington D.C. attorney who now publishes&#160; <a href="http://thetruthwins.com/archives/20-obama-quotes-about-islam-contrasted-with-20-obama-quotes-about-christianity" type="external">The Truth</a>. His new thriller entitled “ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CNKRHRE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00CNKRHRE&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theeconomiccollapse-20" type="external">The Beginning Of The End</a>” is now available on&#160; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CNKRHRE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00CNKRHRE&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=theeconomiccollapse-20" type="external">Amazon.com</a>.</p>
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<p /> | true | 0 | read shocking quotes barack obama ever uttered public160 widely circulated obscure160 even though claims christian throughout political career obama repeatedly attacked traditional biblical christianity a160 long history160of antichristian actions160 public speeches repeatedly cast doubt bible repeatedly stated believe jesus necessary salvation consistently said believes people faith believe god160 time obama always referred muhammed prophet always expressed great love respect islam even160 removed references islam160from terror training materials used federal government agencies160 world leader free world actually believe160 read quotes decide 20 quotes barack obama islam 1160the future must belong slander prophet islam 2160the sweetest sound know muslim call prayer 3160we convey deep appreciation islamic faith done much centuries shape world including country 4160as student history also know civilizations debt islam 5160islam proud tradition tolerance 6160islam always part america 7160we encourage americans study muslim communities 8160these rituals remind us principles hold common islams role advancing justice progress tolerance dignity human beings 9160america islam exclusive need competition instead overlap share common principles justice progress tolerance dignity human beings 10160i made clear america never war islam 11160islam part problem combating violent extremism important part promoting peace 12160so known islam three continents coming region first revealed 13160in ancient times times muslim communities forefront innovation education 14160throughout history islam demonstrated words deeds possibilities religious tolerance racial equality 15160ramadan celebration faith known great diversity racial equality 16160the holy koran tells us mankind created male female made nations tribes may know one another 17160i look forward hosting iftar dinner celebrating ramadan white house later week wish blessed month 18160weve seen results generations muslim immigrants farmers factory workers helping lay railroads build cities muslim innovators helped build highest skyscrapers helped unlock secrets universe 19160that experience guides conviction partnership america islam must based islam isnt consider part responsibility president united states fight negative stereotypes islam wherever appear 20160i also know islam always part americas story 20160quotes barack obama christianity 1160whatever longer christian nation 2160we consider christian nation 3160which passages scripture guide public policy160 go leviticus suggests slavery ok eating shellfish abomination160 could go deuteronomy suggests stoning child strays faith 4160even claim bibles inerrancy make distinctions scriptural edicts sensing passages ten commandments say belief christs divinity central christian faith others culturally specific may modified accommodate modern life 5160the american people intuitively understand majority catholics practice birth control opposed gay marriage nevertheless opposed constitutional amendment ban religious leadership need accept wisdom counseling flocks recognize wisdom politics 6160from obamas book160the audacity hope willing state deny american citizens civil union confers equivalent rights basic matters hospital visitation health insurance coverage simply people love sexnor willing accept reading bible considers obscure line romans defining christianity sermon mount 7160obamas response asked definition sin alignment values 8160if took someone proclaiming believe jesus christ died sins people wouldnt keep coming church would 9160this something im sure id serious debates fellow christians think difficult thing religion including christianity level call evangelize prostelytize theres belief certainly quarters people havent embraced jesus christ personal savior theyre going hell 10160i find hard believe god would consign fourfifths world hell160 cant imagine god would allow little hindu kid india never interacts christian faith somehow burn eternity160 thats part religious makeup 11160i dont presume knowledge happens die feel strongly whether reward hereafter aligning faith values good thing 12160ive said know raises questions minds evangelicals believe mother never formally embraced christianity far know believe went hell 13160those opposed abortion simply invoke gods willthey explain abortion violates principle accessible people faiths 14160on support civil unions gay couples people find controversial then160i would just160refer sermon mount 15160you got small towns pennsylvania like lot small towns midwest jobs gone 25 years nothings replaced fell clinton administration bush administration successive administration said somehow communities gon na regenerate surprising get bitter cling guns religion antipathy people arent like antiimmigrant sentiment antitrade sentiment way explain frustrations 16160in household bible koran bhagavad gita sat shelf alongside books greek norse african mythology 17160on easter christmas day mother might drag church dragged buddhist temple chinese new year celebration shinto shrine ancient hawaiian burial sites 18160we jews muslims hindus atheists agnostics buddhists path grace one revere respect much 19160all us responsibility work day mothers israelis palestinians see children grow without fear holy land three great faiths place peace god intended jerusalem secure lasting home jews christians muslims place children abraham mingle peacefully together story isra applause story isra moses jesus mohammed peace upon joined prayer160 applause 20160i believe many paths place belief higher power belief connected people author160 michael snyder160is former washington dc attorney publishes160 truth new thriller entitled beginning end available on160 amazoncom | 750 |
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<p>High dividend yields provide income investors with the cash they need, and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEMKT: VYM) has given those investors the income and total returns they've wanted to see. Given the exchange-traded fund's success, it was only natural for The Vanguard Group to use the same idea with international investing, and thus, the Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEMKT: VYMI) was born.</p>
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<p>Investors who are putting their money into dividend stocks have to be curious whether the tried-and-true U.S. ETF will get supplanted by its upstart rival, or whether international stocks won't be able to keep up with the U.S. rally. Given that the philosophy is a valid one for investors, both ETFs have similar strengths and weaknesses that will play out slightly differently in their respective market environments.</p>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Both Vanguard's U.S.-focused high dividend ETF and its international counterpart include some of the largest companies in the world among their top holdings. For the U.S. version, giants like Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), and Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) pay ample dividend income that the ETF collects and distributes to investors on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the international ETF has companies that U.S. investors know well and love, including chocolate and food giant Nestle (NASDAQOTH: NSRGY), pharma specialist Novartis (NYSE: NVS), and banking behemoth HSBC Holdings (NYSE: HSBC).</p>
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<p>Interestingly, though, the sector allocations the two ETFs have differ substantially. In the international realm, financial services stocks play the biggest role, making up more than a third of the Vanguard international dividend ETF's total portfolio. By contrast, defensive stocks like consumer staples, healthcare, and utilities make up a relatively small portion of the portfolio, and technology is almost nonexistent within the ranks of the stocks the ETF owns.</p>
<p>By contrast, the domestic dividend ETF's portfolio is heavily concentrated in technology stocks and consumer company names. Financials do a play a key role, but at just 15% of the portfolio, they are much better balanced as part of a diversified set of holdings in the domestic ETF than in its international counterpart.</p>
<p>So far, both dividend ETFs have been good about making lucrative distributions to shareholders. Currently, the domestic ETF has a yield of 3.1%, which is well above the average for the U.S. stock market.</p>
<p>The international ETF has only been in existence for about a year, so its distributions don't yet give a full picture of what investors can expect. International companies tend to make one or two dividend payments each year of varying size, and that has a big impact on eventual yield. Based on three quarters' worth of dividend distributions from when the fund was in operation throughout the period, the annualized distribution yield of 2.9% is certainly in line with what the U.S. version of the ETF has paid.</p>
<p>Vanguard is good about keeping costs low, but it's at the mercy of economies of scale in pricing its products. Vanguard High Dividend Yield has almost $18 billion in assets at the ETF level, and that allows it to offer an expense ratio of just 0.08%. That figure has come down dramatically over the ETF's history, as rising asset levels made operating the fund less expensive.</p>
<p>By contrast, the Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF has a relatively high expense ratio of 0.32%. Part of that stems from the fact that the fund has only about $225 million in assets under management, following the typical ramp-up period for a new exchange-traded fund. Yet the other side is that international investing is usually more expensive than investing in U.S. stocks, and those higher costs get passed through to investors in the form of higher expense ratios. Even the biggest Vanguard international funds have higher expense ratios than their most popular U.S. counterparts.</p>
<p>In the end, either Vanguard dividend ETF is likely to serve income investors well by providing the combination of growth and income that they need. If you think the U.S. market has further to run in its leadership role, then the domestic ETF will look more promising. Yet if you think international markets can catch up, then putting some of your money into the new international ETF could prove to be the better bet.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETFWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=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=5907eada-d21a-4685-80d7-7f1f52473107&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 Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
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<p>*Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017.</p>
<p>Teresa Kersten is an employee of LinkedIn and is a member of The Motley Fool's Board of Directors. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Johnson and Johnson. The Motley Fool owns shares of ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool recommends Nestle. 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 | high dividend yields provide income investors cash need vanguard high dividend yield etf nysemkt vym given investors income total returns theyve wanted see given exchangetraded funds success natural vanguard group use idea international investing thus vanguard international high dividend yield etf nysemkt vymi born continue reading investors putting money dividend stocks curious whether triedandtrue us etf get supplanted upstart rival whether international stocks wont able keep us rally given philosophy valid one investors etfs similar strengths weaknesses play slightly differently respective market environments image source getty images vanguards usfocused high dividend etf international counterpart include largest companies world among top holdings us version giants like microsoft nasdaq msft exxonmobil nyse xom johnson amp johnson nyse jnj pay ample dividend income etf collects distributes investors regular basis meanwhile international etf companies us investors know well love including chocolate food giant nestle nasdaqoth nsrgy pharma specialist novartis nyse nvs banking behemoth hsbc holdings nyse hsbc advertisement interestingly though sector allocations two etfs differ substantially international realm financial services stocks play biggest role making third vanguard international dividend etfs total portfolio contrast defensive stocks like consumer staples healthcare utilities make relatively small portion portfolio technology almost nonexistent within ranks stocks etf owns contrast domestic dividend etfs portfolio heavily concentrated technology stocks consumer company names financials play key role 15 portfolio much better balanced part diversified set holdings domestic etf international counterpart far dividend etfs good making lucrative distributions shareholders currently domestic etf yield 31 well average us stock market international etf existence year distributions dont yet give full picture investors expect international companies tend make one two dividend payments year varying size big impact eventual yield based three quarters worth dividend distributions fund operation throughout period annualized distribution yield 29 certainly line us version etf paid vanguard good keeping costs low mercy economies scale pricing products vanguard high dividend yield almost 18 billion assets etf level allows offer expense ratio 008 figure come dramatically etfs history rising asset levels made operating fund less expensive contrast vanguard international high dividend yield etf relatively high expense ratio 032 part stems fact fund 225 million assets management following typical rampup period new exchangetraded fund yet side international investing usually expensive investing us stocks higher costs get passed investors form higher expense ratios even biggest vanguard international funds higher expense ratios popular us counterparts end either vanguard dividend etf likely serve income investors well providing combination growth income need think us market run leadership role domestic etf look promising yet think international markets catch putting money new international etf could prove better bet 10 stocks like better vanguard high dividend yield etfwhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right nowand vanguard high dividend yield etf wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns february 6 2017 teresa kersten employee linkedin member motley fools board directors linkedin owned microsoft dan caplinger opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool owns shares recommends johnson johnson motley fool owns shares exxonmobil motley fool recommends nestle motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 537 |
<p>As California State University - Los Angeles administrators decide what to do about the students' recent <a href="" type="internal">vote to fire the university's president</a> for allowing Daily Wire editor-in-chief Ben Shapiro to speak on campus, it seemed like a good moment to note that conservative firebrand Shapiro and dyed-in-the-wool progressive Barack Obama actually do agree on one thing: College students shouldn't be "coddled."</p>
<p>At a <a href="http://www.vox.com/2015/9/14/9326965/obama-political-correctness" type="external">town hall</a> in Des Moines, Iowa back in September, President Obama broke with the social justice "safe space" movement and chided college students for trying to silence their opponents, making the obvious point that it was important to actually engage with other points of view.</p>
<p>"...I’ve heard some college campuses where they don’t want to have a guest speaker who, you know, is too conservative. Or, they don’t want to read a book if it has language that is offensive to African Americans, or somehow sends a demeaning signal towards women. And, you know, I gotta tell you that I don’t agree with that either. I don’t agree that you, when you become students at colleges, have to be coddled and protected from different points of view," he said.</p>
<p>"Anybody who comes to speak to you and you disagree with, you should have an argument with them. But you shouldn’t silence them by saying, 'You can’t come because, you know, my—I’m too sensitive to hear what you have to say.' That’s not the way we learn either," he added.</p>
<p>He also countered the social justice warrior's idea of a "safe space" with something far more in line with the conservative perspective: "a space where a lot of ideas a are presented and collide and people are having arguments and people are testing each other's theories."</p>
<p>"Look, the purpose of college is not just, as I said before, to transmit skills. It’s also to widen your horizons; to make you a better citizen; to help you to evaluate information, to help you make your way through the world; to help you be more creative," he said. "The way to do that is to create a space where a lot of ideas are presented and collide and people are having arguments and people are testing each other’s theories, and over time people learn from each other because they’re getting out of their own narrow point of view and having a broader point of view."</p>
<p>Here's the full transcript from the Des Moines town hall via <a href="https://www.thefire.org/transcript-president-obama-echoes-fire-college-students-shouldnt-be-coddled-and-protected-from-different-points-of-view/" type="external">FIRE</a>:</p>
<p>QUESTION: Hi, my name’s Ava. I’m currently a junior at Lincoln High School here on the southside of Des Moines. My question is to you is: I know you don’t want to get involved with the presidential race at the moment, but… A candidate has said that they want to cut government spending to politically biased colleges. And I was wondering if, say, that would hurt the education system for those who depend on that, or would it better the education as a whole?</p>
<p>OBAMA: First of all, I didn’t hear this candidate say that. I have no idea what that means. [Laughter.]</p>
<p>I suspect he doesn’t either. [Laughter; applause.]</p>
<p>Look, the purpose of college is not just, as I said before, to transmit skills. It’s also to widen your horizons; to make you a better citizen; to help you to evaluate information, to help you make your way through the world; to help you be more creative. The way to do that is to create a space where a lot of ideas are presented and collide and people are having arguments and people are testing each other’s theories, and over time people learn from each other because they’re getting out of their own narrow point of view and having a broader point of view.</p>
<p>So, Arne I’m sure has the same experience that I did, which is, when I went to college, suddenly there were some folks who didn’t think at all like me. And, if I had an opinion about something, they’d look at me and say, “Well, that’s stupid.” And then they’d describe how they saw the world, and they might’ve had a different sense of politics, or they might have a different view about poverty, or they might have a different perspective on race, and sometimes their views would be infuriating to me. But it was because there was this space where you could interact with people who didn’t agree with you, and had different backgrounds than you, that I then started testing my own assumptions, and sometimes I changed my mind. Sometimes I realized, “You know what, maybe I’ve been too narrow minded. Maybe I didn’t take this into account. Maybe I should see this person’s perspective.” So, that’s what college, in part, is all about.</p>
<p>The idea that you’d have somebody in government making a decision about what you should think ahead of time or what you should be taught, and if it’s not the right thought, or idea, or perspective, or philosophy—that that person would be—that they wouldn’t get funding, runs contrary to everything we believe about education. [Applause.] I mean, I guess that might work in the Soviet Union, but it doesn’t work here. That’s not who we are; that’s not what we’re about.</p>
<p>Now, one thing I do want to point out is: It’s not just sometimes folks who are mad that colleges are too liberal, that have a problem; sometimes, you know, there are folks on college campuses who are liberal, and maybe even agree with me on a bunch of issues, who sometimes aren’t listening to the other side. And that’s a problem too. I was just talking to a friend of mine about this, you know, I’ve heard some college campuses where they don’t want to have a guest speaker who, you know, is too conservative. Or, they don’t want to read a book if it has language that is offensive to African Americans, or somehow sends a demeaning signal towards women. And, you know, I gotta tell you that I don’t agree with that either. I don’t agree that you, when you become students at colleges, have to be coddled and protected from different points of view. [Applause.] You know, I think that you should be able to—[stammers].</p>
<p>Anybody who comes to speak to you and you disagree with, you should have an argument with them. But you shouldn’t silence them by saying, “You can’t come because, you know, my—I’m too sensitive to hear what you have to say.” That’s not the way we learn either.</p>
<p>So, what do you think, Arne?</p>
<p>ARNE DUNCAN: [He responds off-mic.]</p>
<p>OBAMA: He said “Amen.” Alright. Okay.</p> | true | 0 | california state university los angeles administrators decide students recent vote fire universitys president allowing daily wire editorinchief ben shapiro speak campus seemed like good moment note conservative firebrand shapiro dyedinthewool progressive barack obama actually agree one thing college students shouldnt coddled town hall des moines iowa back september president obama broke social justice safe space movement chided college students trying silence opponents making obvious point important actually engage points view ive heard college campuses dont want guest speaker know conservative dont want read book language offensive african americans somehow sends demeaning signal towards women know got ta tell dont agree either dont agree become students colleges coddled protected different points view said anybody comes speak disagree argument shouldnt silence saying cant come know myim sensitive hear say thats way learn either added also countered social justice warriors idea safe space something far line conservative perspective space lot ideas presented collide people arguments people testing others theories look purpose college said transmit skills also widen horizons make better citizen help evaluate information help make way world help creative said way create space lot ideas presented collide people arguments people testing others theories time people learn theyre getting narrow point view broader point view heres full transcript des moines town hall via fire question hi names ava im currently junior lincoln high school southside des moines question know dont want get involved presidential race moment candidate said want cut government spending politically biased colleges wondering say would hurt education system depend would better education whole obama first didnt hear candidate say idea means laughter suspect doesnt either laughter applause look purpose college said transmit skills also widen horizons make better citizen help evaluate information help make way world help creative way create space lot ideas presented collide people arguments people testing others theories time people learn theyre getting narrow point view broader point view arne im sure experience went college suddenly folks didnt think like opinion something theyd look say well thats stupid theyd describe saw world mightve different sense politics might different view poverty might different perspective race sometimes views would infuriating space could interact people didnt agree different backgrounds started testing assumptions sometimes changed mind sometimes realized know maybe ive narrow minded maybe didnt take account maybe see persons perspective thats college part idea youd somebody government making decision think ahead time taught right thought idea perspective philosophythat person would bethat wouldnt get funding runs contrary everything believe education applause mean guess might work soviet union doesnt work thats thats one thing want point sometimes folks mad colleges liberal problem sometimes know folks college campuses liberal maybe even agree bunch issues sometimes arent listening side thats problem talking friend mine know ive heard college campuses dont want guest speaker know conservative dont want read book language offensive african americans somehow sends demeaning signal towards women know got ta tell dont agree either dont agree become students colleges coddled protected different points view applause know think able tostammers anybody comes speak disagree argument shouldnt silence saying cant come know myim sensitive hear say thats way learn either think arne arne duncan responds offmic obama said amen alright okay | 527 |
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<p>In general, companies that make airplanes have done extremely well lately, with high demand for new aircraft helping to drive strong financial results for the industry's biggest players. Yet regional jet specialist Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) hasn't enjoyed the same success as some of its larger peers, and its stock has mirrored the company's shortcomings by posting subpar performance. Coming into its second-quarter financial report, Embraer investors wanted to see more signs of a potential turnaround. What they got instead was a surprising loss, a provision for costs of settling charges of corruption, and subsequent news of layoffs to try to cut expenses. Let's look more closely at what Embraer said and why investors are worried about the company going forward.</p>
<p>Embraer's second-quarter results reversed the positive momentum that the company had built up earlier this year. Revenue of $1.37 billion was down nearly 10% from year-ago levels, falling far short of the $1.44 billion consensus forecast among those following the aircraft-maker's stock. Embraer reported a GAAP net loss of $99.4 million, and even taking into account some extraordinary items, adjusted earnings of $0.24 per share was down by almost two-thirds from year-ago levels and was about $0.20 per share less than investors had wanted to see.</p>
<p>Looking more closely at Embraer's results, you can see the contributing factors that led to its overall weakness. The volatile executive jet segment was the big loser during the period, seeing revenue fall by more than a quarter from year-ago levels. Declines for the commercial aviation segment were more modest at 3%, but the fact that the company couldn't make sales rise in such a favorable environment speaks to Embraer's execution challenges. Similarly, a 3% drop in defense and security sales didn't offer any relief for Embraer's top line. The only good news was that the figures for commercial and defense were generally better than the company did in the first quarter of 2016.</p>
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<p>From a delivery standpoint, Embraer's business picked up slightly from the first quarter's slow pace. The company delivered 26 commercial aircraft, including 21 of its Embraer 175 regional jets. Yet the totals were one less than it posted in the second quarter of 2015, again confirming a failure to take full advantage of the industry's boom. Executive jet sales included 23 light jets and three large jets were down from year-ago figures and mixed compared to the first quarter, during which a smaller number of jets were sold but which included more large-jet deliveries. Backlogs stayed steady at $21.9 billion, flat over the past three months but down $1 billion since this time last year.</p>
<p>The difficulty for Embraer stemmed from two main pieces of bad news. First, the company said that it had established a $200 million loss contingency connected with an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice related to alleged violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Embraer said that it has sought to improve its compliance practices, but the allegations of corruption with respect to aircraft sales could produce some reputational damage for the aircraft maker going forward.</p>
<p>Also, Embraer cut its guidance for the full 2016 year, due mostly to underperformance on the executive jet front. The company expects five fewer light jet deliveries and five fewer large jet deliveries, reducing its guidance ranges to between 70 and 80 light jets and between 35 and 45 large jets. Embraer also reduced its earnings guidance by $0.20 to between $5.80 and $6.20 per share, with a hit to executive-jet profitability being the primary contributor.</p>
<p>Since the release, Embraer has taken further steps to boost profits. In particular, the company said earlier this month that it would introduce a voluntary plan to cut its workforce in Brazil, in the hope that it can produce savings of about $200 million in combination with other cost-cutting efforts.</p>
<p>Embraer stock plunged in response to the earnings announcement, falling 14% on that day and failing to recover any considerable ground since then. If the company can't benefit from the favorable environment for aerospace sales, then Embraer investors will have to prepare for continued weakness in the share price in the months to come.</p>
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<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFGalagan/info.aspx" type="external">Dan Caplinger Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Embraer-Empresa Brasileira. 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 general companies make airplanes done extremely well lately high demand new aircraft helping drive strong financial results industrys biggest players yet regional jet specialist embraer nyse erj hasnt enjoyed success larger peers stock mirrored companys shortcomings posting subpar performance coming secondquarter financial report embraer investors wanted see signs potential turnaround got instead surprising loss provision costs settling charges corruption subsequent news layoffs try cut expenses lets look closely embraer said investors worried company going forward embraers secondquarter results reversed positive momentum company built earlier year revenue 137 billion nearly 10 yearago levels falling far short 144 billion consensus forecast among following aircraftmakers stock embraer reported gaap net loss 994 million even taking account extraordinary items adjusted earnings 024 per share almost twothirds yearago levels 020 per share less investors wanted see looking closely embraers results see contributing factors led overall weakness volatile executive jet segment big loser period seeing revenue fall quarter yearago levels declines commercial aviation segment modest 3 fact company couldnt make sales rise favorable environment speaks embraers execution challenges similarly 3 drop defense security sales didnt offer relief embraers top line good news figures commercial defense generally better company first quarter 2016 advertisement delivery standpoint embraers business picked slightly first quarters slow pace company delivered 26 commercial aircraft including 21 embraer 175 regional jets yet totals one less posted second quarter 2015 confirming failure take full advantage industrys boom executive jet sales included 23 light jets three large jets yearago figures mixed compared first quarter smaller number jets sold included largejet deliveries backlogs stayed steady 219 billion flat past three months 1 billion since time last year difficulty embraer stemmed two main pieces bad news first company said established 200 million loss contingency connected investigation securities exchange commission us department justice related alleged violations us foreign corrupt practices act embraer said sought improve compliance practices allegations corruption respect aircraft sales could produce reputational damage aircraft maker going forward also embraer cut guidance full 2016 year due mostly underperformance executive jet front company expects five fewer light jet deliveries five fewer large jet deliveries reducing guidance ranges 70 80 light jets 35 45 large jets embraer also reduced earnings guidance 020 580 620 per share hit executivejet profitability primary contributor since release embraer taken steps boost profits particular company said earlier month would introduce voluntary plan cut workforce brazil hope produce savings 200 million combination costcutting efforts embraer stock plunged response earnings announcement falling 14 day failing recover considerable ground since company cant benefit favorable environment aerospace sales embraer investors prepare continued weakness share price months come 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 dan caplinger opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool recommends embraerempresa brasileira 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 | 524 |
<p>In his initial 2008 run for office presidential candidate Barack Obama said this to the Armenian community: "Two years ago, I criticized the secretary of state for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. … As president I will recognize the Armenian Genocide."</p>
<p>In a transcript posted on his own website (it’s <a href="https://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_obama_on_the_importance.php/" type="external">now deleted</a> and only viewable on the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080228005208/https:/www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_obama_on_the_importance.php" type="external">internet archives</a>) Obama states:</p>
<p>Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915 … America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.</p>
<p>This was Obama’s great paean to morality and human rights back in 2008 - Prior to him officially taking office.</p>
<p>Before I break down why this is one of the biggest letdowns of the Obama legacy (yes, bigger than Obamacare), here's a quick history lesson.</p>
<p>As of 301 A.D., Armenia became the first Christian nation in history. For centuries, the country flourished and grew. Things took a turn for the worse roughly around the 15th century, when Armenia was absorbed by the Islamic Ottoman Empire.</p>
<p>As the Ottoman empire crumbled through the 1800’s, Armenians grew weary living as second-class citizens under the Islamic regime. As they pushed for independence, the Ottoman Turks objected violently. In the mid-1890’s, the Sultan unleashed an armada, massacring some 300,000 Armenians in what would be called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamidian_massacres" type="external">Hamidian massacres</a>.</p>
<p>Years later, during the early 20th century, Ottoman reformers known as the Young Turks ousted the Sultan. Eventually, a trio of Islamists from the Young Turks, known as the Pashas, seized power. Perceiving the resilient Christian Armenian population as a threat, they set out to exterminate them. On April 24, 1915, 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders were rounded up and shipped off to be executed. Through the First World War, the Ottoman Turks carried out what became the first genocide of the 20th century, wiping out 75 percent of the Armenian population – a million and a half human beings.</p>
<p>Being masked by the scope and scale of the First World War, the unspeakable Ottoman atrocity was not instantly known to the rest of the world.</p>
<p>The phrase “Armenian genocide” did not even appear in the New York Times until 2004. (The New York Times taking 89 years to accurately report something is actually better than their usual record.)</p>
<p>With the history lesson out of the way, let us get back to our nominal leader of the free world.</p>
<p>Obama’s first major opportunity to actually fulfill his promise to the Armenians came on March 5, 2010. The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 23-22 on a resolution that officially recognized the genocidal mass extermination of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turks.</p>
<p>Generally, this sort of action would suggest the wheels are in motion. Alas, news reports indicated that the Obama administration buried the resolution.</p>
<p><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/05/nation/la-na-armenian-genocide5-2010mar05" type="external">Reported by the Los Angeles Times</a>: “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressing concern it could 'impede progress on normalization of relations' between Turkey and Armenia, according to an administration spokesman.”</p>
<p>Through the next four years, Barack Obama would go on to issue annual meaningless, milquetoast statements – <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/23/statement-president-armenian-remembrance-day" type="external">2011</a>, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/24/statement-president-armenian-remembrance-day" type="external">2012</a>, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/24/statement-president-armenian-remembrance-day" type="external">2013</a>, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/24/statement-president-armenian-remembrance-day" type="external">2014</a> – all of which omitted the word “genocide”.</p>
<p>April 2015, was the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Barrack Obama not only decidedly doubled down on his continued denial of the Ottoman atrocities, but somehow mustered the temerity to spend the week opening a Turkish-American Culture and Civilization Center with Turkey’s fundamentalist Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan.</p>
<p>Last December in fact, <a href="http://www.atimes.com/article/turkey-takes-chinas-mantle-top-jailer-journalists/" type="external">Asia Times reported</a> that under Erdogan, Turkey surpassed China to become the world’s top jailer of journalists. As I’ll detail below, Obama’s pathetic appeasement of Turkey’s pitiless Prime Minister, notorious for jailing journalists, satirists and really anyone he dislikes on a lark, is no one-off. Kowtowing to despots is practically his policy platform.</p>
<p>Let us briefly recap the Obama foreign policy.</p>
<p>Barack Obama <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000001860451/obama-to-romney-cold-war-is-over.html" type="external">laughed, sneering at Republicans</a> for even suggesting that Russia was a geopolitical foe in 2012. He then effectively did nothing when Vladimir Putin had <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/08/15/obama-not-trump-has-built-up-russian-strongman-putin.html" type="external">Russian forces invade Ukraine</a>, annexing Crimea in 2014. Finally, Obama cried and blamed the Russians when his legacy and policies were rejected wholesale by the American people in the 2016 election.</p>
<p>Obama drew a red line in Syria and promised there would be consequences should Bashar Al Assad militarily engage dissidents with weapons of mass destruction. Al Assad responded, “I’ll call your red line, and raise you a blood-red ocean!” As he butchered civilians, unleashing chemical weapons on the masses, killing hundreds of thousands. Obama <a href="" type="internal">did nothing</a>.</p>
<p>In December of 2014, Obama <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/17/statement-president-cuba-policy-changes" type="external">promise</a>d to “only visit Cuba if liberty and freedom had increased on the island." He proceeded to completely ignore that and pay Communist dictator Raul Castro a visit as he literally rounded up political dissidents and jailed them, humiliating America on the world stage.</p>
<p>On the theocratic Iranian regime – the world’s leading state sponsors of terrorism – Obama signed over a hundred-fifty-billion-dollars a year in sanctions relief, lifted arms and missile embargoes, all while <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/04/06/obama-claims-tying-iran-deal-to-recognition-israel-would-be-fundamental.html" type="external">admitting</a> that the deal would only delay’s Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon, not block it. Topping off this diplomatic debauchery, the <a href="" type="internal">Obama administration recently approved</a> shipment of nearly 130 tons of natural uranium to Tehran.</p>
<p>This is Barack Obama’s legacy: empowering brutal autocrats and their oppressive regimes around the world while abandoning allies and moral principles. Despite his preening of hope, change and whatever else the focus groups came up with, Obama brazenly broke his promise to recognize the Armenian Genocide – which, unlike Obama’s legacy, isn’t going to be forgotten.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/Harry1T6/" type="external">Follow Harry Khachatrian on Twitter</a></p> | true | 0 | initial 2008 run office presidential candidate barack obama said armenian community two years ago criticized secretary state firing us ambassador armenia john evans properly used term genocide describe turkeys slaughter thousands armenians starting 1915 president recognize armenian genocide transcript posted website deleted viewable internet archives obama states genocide sadly persists day threatens common security common humanity tragically witnessing sudan many brutal tactics displacement starvation mass slaughter used ottoman authorities defenseless armenians back 1915 america deserves leader speaks truthfully armenian genocide responds forcefully genocides intend president obamas great paean morality human rights back 2008 prior officially taking office break one biggest letdowns obama legacy yes bigger obamacare heres quick history lesson 301 ad armenia became first christian nation history centuries country flourished grew things took turn worse roughly around 15th century armenia absorbed islamic ottoman empire ottoman empire crumbled 1800s armenians grew weary living secondclass citizens islamic regime pushed independence ottoman turks objected violently mid1890s sultan unleashed armada massacring 300000 armenians would called hamidian massacres years later early 20th century ottoman reformers known young turks ousted sultan eventually trio islamists young turks known pashas seized power perceiving resilient christian armenian population threat set exterminate april 24 1915 250 armenian intellectuals community leaders rounded shipped executed first world war ottoman turks carried became first genocide 20th century wiping 75 percent armenian population million half human beings masked scope scale first world war unspeakable ottoman atrocity instantly known rest world phrase armenian genocide even appear new york times 2004 new york times taking 89 years accurately report something actually better usual record history lesson way let us get back nominal leader free world obamas first major opportunity actually fulfill promise armenians came march 5 2010 house foreign affairs committee voted 2322 resolution officially recognized genocidal mass extermination 15 million armenians hands ottoman turks generally sort action would suggest wheels motion alas news reports indicated obama administration buried resolution reported los angeles times secretary state hillary rodham clinton expressing concern could impede progress normalization relations turkey armenia according administration spokesman next four years barack obama would go issue annual meaningless milquetoast statements 2011 2012 2013 2014 omitted word genocide april 2015 100th anniversary armenian genocide barrack obama decidedly doubled continued denial ottoman atrocities somehow mustered temerity spend week opening turkishamerican culture civilization center turkeys fundamentalist prime minister tayyip erdogan last december fact asia times reported erdogan turkey surpassed china become worlds top jailer journalists ill detail obamas pathetic appeasement turkeys pitiless prime minister notorious jailing journalists satirists really anyone dislikes lark oneoff kowtowing despots practically policy platform let us briefly recap obama foreign policy barack obama laughed sneering republicans even suggesting russia geopolitical foe 2012 effectively nothing vladimir putin russian forces invade ukraine annexing crimea 2014 finally obama cried blamed russians legacy policies rejected wholesale american people 2016 election obama drew red line syria promised would consequences bashar al assad militarily engage dissidents weapons mass destruction al assad responded ill call red line raise bloodred ocean butchered civilians unleashing chemical weapons masses killing hundreds thousands obama nothing december 2014 obama promised visit cuba liberty freedom increased island proceeded completely ignore pay communist dictator raul castro visit literally rounded political dissidents jailed humiliating america world stage theocratic iranian regime worlds leading state sponsors terrorism obama signed hundredfiftybilliondollars year sanctions relief lifted arms missile embargoes admitting deal would delays irans path nuclear weapon block topping diplomatic debauchery obama administration recently approved shipment nearly 130 tons natural uranium tehran barack obamas legacy empowering brutal autocrats oppressive regimes around world abandoning allies moral principles despite preening hope change whatever else focus groups came obama brazenly broke promise recognize armenian genocide unlike obamas legacy isnt going forgotten follow harry khachatrian twitter | 612 |
<p>A prominent attorney said Saturday she is no longer representing movie mogul Harvey Weinstein as he confronts sexual harassment allegations dating back years, while a TV news anchor lodged another claim of misconduct against the movie mogul and a third board member resigned from Weinstein's company.</p>
<p>The developments, along with the departure of yet another lawyer for Weinstein, are the latest fallout from allegations against the Oscar-winning producer that The New York Times detailed in an expose Thursday.</p>
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<p>"My understanding is that Mr. Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement," attorney Lisa Bloom said in announcing her resignation on Twitter.</p>
<p>Bloom didn't respond to an email request for further comment. She previously has represented victims of sexual harassment and assault. Her work with the co-chair of The Weinstein Co. drew fierce criticism online. Bloom is the daughter of well-known Los Angeles women's rights attorney Gloria Allred.</p>
<p>Charles Harder, another attorney representing Weinstein, didn't immediately reply to a request for comment on the developments. A Weinstein Co. spokeswoman, Nicole Quenqua, declined to comment.</p>
<p>Lanny Davis, a lawyer who also was working with Weinstein, is no longer advising the producer, said a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly.</p>
<p>Davis declined comment, his office said.</p>
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<p>President Donald Trump, preparing to board a helicopter to travel from the White House to a North Carolina fundraiser on Saturday, was asked by reporters to weigh in on the embattled Hollywood figure. "I've known Harvey Weinstein a long time," Trump replied. When asked if he was surprised by the accusations, the president replied: "I'm not at all surprised to see it."</p>
<p>Trump brushed off a query about his 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape comments, in which he bragged about women letting him kiss them and grab their genitals because he is famous.</p>
<p>"That's locker room," he said, echoing his characterization of the remarks after the audio was revealed during last year's presidential campaign.</p>
<p>The allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein were detailed in a report this week by The New York Times. Weinstein is on indefinite leave from the company he co-founded while it conducts an investigation into the claims made by women including actors Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan and stretching back years.</p>
<p>TV anchor Lauren Sivan added to them, detailing an alleged 2007 encounter with Weinstein in a HuffPost report Friday. Sivan, then working at a New York cable channel, Long Island 12, alleged that Weinstein cornered her in the hallway of a Manhattan restaurant closed to the public and masturbated in front of her.</p>
<p>Sivan said she had rejected an attempt by Weinstein to kiss her. "Well, can you just stand there and shut up," she claims he responded.</p>
<p>Sivan, who is now a reporter and host for Fox broadcast TV's Los Angeles station, Fox 11, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But she reaffirmed the HuffPost report on Twitter.</p>
<p>"Yeah. This happened. luckily I didn't need a job or favor from him + didn't have to be polite. Others did. Keep that in mind," she tweeted, then followed up with a second post: "For those asking why I waited? YOU try telling that story 10 yrs ago. Only possible now because of women with bigger names far braver than me."</p>
<p>The scandal's fallout included the resignation of Weinstein Co. board member Marc Lasry, charirman and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, which was confirmed Saturday by a Lasry spokesman, Todd Fogarty. Lasry joined an exodus from the nine-member board, with billionaire Dirk Ziff and, according to reports, Technicolor executive Tim Sarnoff also leaving.</p>
<p>On another front, "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski tweeted that "unless Harvey resigns" she will withdraw from a three-book deal she struck last summer with Weinstein Books.</p>
<p>"Authors, actors, and moviemakers should not work for any Weinstein company until he resigns. Not a close call," she tweeted, along with this: "Harvey Weinstein needs to resign from his companies, face his sickness, and go into a long, self-imposed exile."</p>
<p>Weinstein has exerted power in Hollywood for three decades, producing films including "Pulp Fiction" and "Shakespeare in Love," for which he won an Oscar. But his stature has diminished in recent years and his company has suffered from a string of executive exits, layoffs mounting lawsuits and delayed releases.</p>
<p>The New York Times article chronicled allegations against Weinstein from Judd and former employees at both The Weinstein Co. and Weinstein's former company, Miramax, over the course of several decades. The report made an enormous impact felt throughout the movie industry and elsewhere.</p>
<p>"This abuse of power must be called out, however powerful the abuser, and we must publicly stand with those brave enough to come forward," wrote actress America Ferrera on Twitter. Many others, including Lena Dunham and Brie Larson also added their voices to the uproar.</p>
<p>The board of directors has pressured Weinstein to step down from the company he helped create, said a person familiar with the board's deliberations who was not authorized to speak publicly. Weinstein has resisted, hoping to weather the storm. Discussions between Weinstein and the board have been heated and contentious, the person said.</p>
<p>Leadership of the Weinstein Co. will be assumed by Bob Weinstein, who is Harvey Weinstein's brother, and David Glasser, the company's chief operating officer.</p>
<p>Harvey Weinstein on Thursday issued a lengthy statement that acknowledged causing "a lot of pain." He also asked for "a second chance." But Weinstein and his lawyers, including Harder, have criticized the New York Times' report in statements and interviews, though neither has referenced anything specific.</p>
<p>"We are confident in the accuracy of our reporting," said a New York Times spokesperson in a statement. "Mr. Weinstein was aware and able to respond to specific allegations in our story before publication. In fact, we published his response in full."</p>
<p>In an interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Weinstein attorney Lisa Bloom had both defended Weinstein and acknowledged he'd been "stupid." She saluted the women who have come forward to allege wrongdoing but said many allegations were overblown and consisted of Weinstein telling a woman she "looked cute without my glasses."</p>
<p>Congressional Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, on Friday began giving charities thousands of dollars in donations they had received from Weinstein.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in New York and Associated Press writer Tarek Hamada in Phoenix contributed to this report.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Lynn Elber can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lynnelber .</p> | true | 0 | prominent attorney said saturday longer representing movie mogul harvey weinstein confronts sexual harassment allegations dating back years tv news anchor lodged another claim misconduct movie mogul third board member resigned weinsteins company developments along departure yet another lawyer weinstein latest fallout allegations oscarwinning producer new york times detailed expose thursday continue reading understanding mr weinstein board moving toward agreement attorney lisa bloom said announcing resignation twitter bloom didnt respond email request comment previously represented victims sexual harassment assault work cochair weinstein co drew fierce criticism online bloom daughter wellknown los angeles womens rights attorney gloria allred charles harder another attorney representing weinstein didnt immediately reply request comment developments weinstein co spokeswoman nicole quenqua declined comment lanny davis lawyer also working weinstein longer advising producer said person familiar situation authorized speak publicly davis declined comment office said advertisement president donald trump preparing board helicopter travel white house north carolina fundraiser saturday asked reporters weigh embattled hollywood figure ive known harvey weinstein long time trump replied asked surprised accusations president replied im surprised see trump brushed query 2005 access hollywood tape comments bragged women letting kiss grab genitals famous thats locker room said echoing characterization remarks audio revealed last years presidential campaign allegations sexual misconduct weinstein detailed report week new york times weinstein indefinite leave company cofounded conducts investigation claims made women including actors ashley judd rose mcgowan stretching back years tv anchor lauren sivan added detailing alleged 2007 encounter weinstein huffpost report friday sivan working new york cable channel long island 12 alleged weinstein cornered hallway manhattan restaurant closed public masturbated front sivan said rejected attempt weinstein kiss well stand shut claims responded sivan reporter host fox broadcast tvs los angeles station fox 11 didnt immediately respond request comment reaffirmed huffpost report twitter yeah happened luckily didnt need job favor didnt polite others keep mind tweeted followed second post asking waited try telling story 10 yrs ago possible women bigger names far braver scandals fallout included resignation weinstein co board member marc lasry charirman ceo avenue capital group confirmed saturday lasry spokesman todd fogarty lasry joined exodus ninemember board billionaire dirk ziff according reports technicolor executive tim sarnoff also leaving another front morning joe cohost mika brzezinski tweeted unless harvey resigns withdraw threebook deal struck last summer weinstein books authors actors moviemakers work weinstein company resigns close call tweeted along harvey weinstein needs resign companies face sickness go long selfimposed exile weinstein exerted power hollywood three decades producing films including pulp fiction shakespeare love oscar stature diminished recent years company suffered string executive exits layoffs mounting lawsuits delayed releases new york times article chronicled allegations weinstein judd former employees weinstein co weinsteins former company miramax course several decades report made enormous impact felt throughout movie industry elsewhere abuse power must called however powerful abuser must publicly stand brave enough come forward wrote actress america ferrera twitter many others including lena dunham brie larson also added voices uproar board directors pressured weinstein step company helped create said person familiar boards deliberations authorized speak publicly weinstein resisted hoping weather storm discussions weinstein board heated contentious person said leadership weinstein co assumed bob weinstein harvey weinsteins brother david glasser companys chief operating officer harvey weinstein thursday issued lengthy statement acknowledged causing lot pain also asked second chance weinstein lawyers including harder criticized new york times report statements interviews though neither referenced anything specific confident accuracy reporting said new york times spokesperson statement mr weinstein aware able respond specific allegations story publication fact published response full interview associated press friday weinstein attorney lisa bloom defended weinstein acknowledged hed stupid saluted women come forward allege wrongdoing said many allegations overblown consisted weinstein telling woman looked cute without glasses congressional democrats including senate minority leader chuck schumer massachusetts senator elizabeth warren friday began giving charities thousands dollars donations received weinstein ___ ap film writer jake coyle new york associated press writer tarek hamada phoenix contributed report ___ lynn elber reached lelberaporg twitter httptwittercomlynnelber | 656 |
<p />
<p>The marijuana industry, and marijuana stocks for that matter, have been worth marveling at recently. A majority of marijuana stocks have doubled or tripled in value over the past year as legal weed sales in North America jumped by 34% last year to $6.9 billion, according to cannabis research firm ArcView.</p>
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<p>But this could be just the tip of the iceberg. ArcView is also predicting North American legal sales growth of 26% per year through 2021, yielding a market worth nearly $22 billion. The possible legalization of adult-use weed in Canada, along with the recent legalization of medical cannabis in Mexico and the expectation that more U.S. states will choose to green-light recreational pot, has the industry and investors extremely excited.</p>
<p>Of course, investing in pot stocks <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/02/26/10-reasons-your-marijuana-stock-is-a-terrible-inve.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=c09367ee-c759-11e7-9416-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">isn't without its fair share of risks Opens a New Window.</a>. After all, marijuana is still illegal for recreational use in every country except Uruguay. Within the U.S., all it would take is for the federal government to decide to reinforce its superseding law and the 29 states that've legalized medical cannabis, and eight that voted to legalize recreational weed, could see their industries go up in smoke. In other words, buying individual marijuana stocks comes with a ton of inherent risks.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for U.S. investors, diversified investment options, like an exchange-traded fund (ETF), haven't really been an option. Earlier this year, the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences ETF (TSX: HMMJ) <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/04/07/the-very-first-marijuana-stock-etf-just-debuted-sh.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=c09367ee-c759-11e7-9416-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">made its debut on the Toronto Stock Exchange Opens a New Window.</a>, and has risen about 19% since inception. It seeks to replicate the performance of the North America Marijuana Index, net of expenses, and for a reasonably low management fee of 0.75%, plus applicable taxes, this ETF gives investors access to 21 different marijuana stocks.</p>
<p>It's worth pointing out that the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences ETF largest holdings are in Canadian medical cannabis growers Canopy Growth Corp., Aurora Cannabis, Aphria, and MedReleaf, which make up just shy of 46% of its invested assets. Since Canada's parliament is currently reviewing a bill that'd legalize recreational pot in our neighbor to the north, this is a big reason why this ETF has done so well.</p>
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<p>On the flipside, U.S. investors have been wondering when they might get their opportunity to invest in a marijuana-themed ETF. Well, folks, that wait is coming to an end.</p>
<p>As reported by CNBC, on Oct. 27, ETF Managers Group filed for a new ETF, the Alternative Agroscience ETF. This ETF will mimic an index as closely as possible that tracks cannabis cultivators, producers and distributors, cannabinoid drugmakers, fertilizer producers, and tobacco companies.</p>
<p>But there's an interesting catch behind its "inception." The Alternative Agroscience ETF won't really be a new ETF at all. ETF Managers Group is switching the focus and tracking index of an existing ETF, the Tierra XP Latin America Real Estate ETF (NYSEMKT: LARE), which tracks the Solactive benchmark of real estate in Mexico and Brazil, to an ETF that predominantly follows cannabis companies.</p>
<p>Why make the switch? One possible theory is that the Latin American Real Estate ETF, while the only one of its kind, never quite caught on with investors. The ETF had only $6 million in assets and an average daily volume of roughly $90,000. That's not exactly going to cut it when there are countless ETFs for investors to choose from. Plus, switching to a new focus from an existing ETF, rather than bringing a new issue to market, is cheaper for ETF Managers Group.</p>
<p>Building on the previous point, another reason for the switch could be the first-mover advantage. Since there aren't any marijuana ETFs for U.S. investors to buy, refocusing a fund that's struggling to grow its assets would make sense. There's clearly a lot of money flowing into the weed industry, and ETF Managers Group is hoping it can capitalize on that trend by catering to this demand.</p>
<p>According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the switch to a cannabis-based index will occur on Dec. 26, so there's still a few weeks to go before investors will have an ETF that truly tracks marijuana stocks.</p>
<p>But the big question is: Should you jump on this opportunity to diversify across a broader swath of marijuana stocks on or after Dec. 26? My suggestion would be that you wait.</p>
<p>There are a lot of unknowns here, and it could adversely affect your hard-earned money if thrown into the Alternative Agroscience ETF. Namely, we don't what's going to happen with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who's been an <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/09/17/jeff-sessions-may-soon-have-a-green-light-to-wage.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=c09367ee-c759-11e7-9416-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">ardent opponent of pot's expansion Opens a New Window.</a> for a long time. Sessions hasn't minced words about cannabis, and in May tried to coerce a few of his fellow lawmakers on Capitol Hill to repeal the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, which protects medical marijuana businesses in legal states from federal prosecution. With rumblings ongoing for months that a change or tightening in federal policy could be coming, investing in pot stocks could be downright dangerous.</p>
<p>This and the ongoing losses that most pot stocks are producing aside, it's also a bit unnerving, per CNBC, that neither the current ETF or Tierra Funds' website mentions this impending change in focus. It's only mentioned through a <a href="http://secfilings.nasdaq.com/filingFrameset.asp?FilingID=12344863&amp;RcvdDate=10/27/2017&amp;CoName=ETF%20MANAGERS%20TRUST&amp;FormType=485APOS&amp;View=html" type="external">Securities and Exchange Commission filing Opens a New Window.</a>.</p>
<p>In other words, we don't know what sort of reaction the market will have to this sudden shift in focus, or if investors will even be aware of it at this point. We also don't know what or how many stocks will be purchased, what their weighting will be, and how high the annual expense ratio will be. About the only certainty is that stocks trading for less than $1 a share, below $50 million in market cap, and with poor liquidity, will be excluded. But that's not saying much.</p>
<p>For the time being, the safest place for investors is on the sidelines.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Tierra XP Latin America Real Estate ETF 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=8b81c6b1-3556-4bf3-a673-f46f5c31faf2&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=c09367ee-c759-11e7-9416-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Tierra XP Latin America Real Estate ETF wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.</p>
<p><a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=8b81c6b1-3556-4bf3-a673-f46f5c31faf2&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=c09367ee-c759-11e7-9416-0050569d4be0&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 November 6, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFUltraLong/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;referring_guid=c09367ee-c759-11e7-9416-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Sean Williams Opens a New Window.</a> has no position in any of the 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;referring_guid=c09367ee-c759-11e7-9416-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | marijuana industry marijuana stocks matter worth marveling recently majority marijuana stocks doubled tripled value past year legal weed sales north america jumped 34 last year 69 billion according cannabis research firm arcview continue reading could tip iceberg arcview also predicting north american legal sales growth 26 per year 2021 yielding market worth nearly 22 billion possible legalization adultuse weed canada along recent legalization medical cannabis mexico expectation us states choose greenlight recreational pot industry investors extremely excited course investing pot stocks isnt without fair share risks opens new window marijuana still illegal recreational use every country except uruguay within us would take federal government decide reinforce superseding law 29 states thatve legalized medical cannabis eight voted legalize recreational weed could see industries go smoke words buying individual marijuana stocks comes ton inherent risks unfortunately us investors diversified investment options like exchangetraded fund etf havent really option earlier year horizons marijuana life sciences etf tsx hmmj made debut toronto stock exchange opens new window risen 19 since inception seeks replicate performance north america marijuana index net expenses reasonably low management fee 075 plus applicable taxes etf gives investors access 21 different marijuana stocks worth pointing horizons marijuana life sciences etf largest holdings canadian medical cannabis growers canopy growth corp aurora cannabis aphria medreleaf make shy 46 invested assets since canadas parliament currently reviewing bill thatd legalize recreational pot neighbor north big reason etf done well advertisement flipside us investors wondering might get opportunity invest marijuanathemed etf well folks wait coming end reported cnbc oct 27 etf managers group filed new etf alternative agroscience etf etf mimic index closely possible tracks cannabis cultivators producers distributors cannabinoid drugmakers fertilizer producers tobacco companies theres interesting catch behind inception alternative agroscience etf wont really new etf etf managers group switching focus tracking index existing etf tierra xp latin america real estate etf nysemkt lare tracks solactive benchmark real estate mexico brazil etf predominantly follows cannabis companies make switch one possible theory latin american real estate etf one kind never quite caught investors etf 6 million assets average daily volume roughly 90000 thats exactly going cut countless etfs investors choose plus switching new focus existing etf rather bringing new issue market cheaper etf managers group building previous point another reason switch could firstmover advantage since arent marijuana etfs us investors buy refocusing fund thats struggling grow assets would make sense theres clearly lot money flowing weed industry etf managers group hoping capitalize trend catering demand according securities exchange commission filing switch cannabisbased index occur dec 26 theres still weeks go investors etf truly tracks marijuana stocks big question jump opportunity diversify across broader swath marijuana stocks dec 26 suggestion would wait lot unknowns could adversely affect hardearned money thrown alternative agroscience etf namely dont whats going happen attorney general jeff sessions whos ardent opponent pots expansion opens new window long time sessions hasnt minced words cannabis may tried coerce fellow lawmakers capitol hill repeal rohrabacherfarr amendment protects medical marijuana businesses legal states federal prosecution rumblings ongoing months change tightening federal policy could coming investing pot stocks could downright dangerous ongoing losses pot stocks producing aside also bit unnerving per cnbc neither current etf tierra funds website mentions impending change focus mentioned securities exchange commission filing opens new window words dont know sort reaction market sudden shift focus investors even aware point also dont know many stocks purchased weighting high annual expense ratio certainty stocks trading less 1 share 50 million market cap poor liquidity excluded thats saying much time safest place investors sidelines 10 stocks like better tierra xp latin america real estate etf 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 tierra xp latin america real estate etf wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns november 6 2017 sean williams opens new window position stocks mentioned motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 678 |
<p><a href="//videos/37/65464" type="external" /></p>
<p>RUSH: <a href="" type="internal">I cited Norman Podhoretz</a>. I feel really fortunate to have gotten to know Norman Podhoretz. Norman Podhoretz I put, in the area of foreign policy and general overall intellect, I put him in the same classroom that you would find William Buckley and Milton Friedman and some of the Founders. Yeah, and I’ve been fortunate to meet Mr. Podhoretz. One of the last times I was with Bill Buckley was out at the Buckley home in Stamford, Connecticut, and Podhoretz and his wife, Midge Decter were there, and Buckley had just gotten out of the hospital. It was emphysema and he was just getting back into form, wasn’t quite there, but it was just a great Saturday afternoon talking about things.</p>
<p>We’ve interviewed him for the Limbaugh Letter. <a href="https://www.commentarymagazine.com/2015/04/07/obamas-right/" type="external">He’s got a piece in Commentary</a>, which I think is a website that he started, and it’s entitled: “Obama’s Right.” He said, “Whenever Barack Obama says, as he often does, that another war in the Middle East is the only alternative to the deal he is making with Iran, his critics immediately accuse him of setting up a straw man, which indeed he also often does. Even <a href="" type="internal">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>, the sternest and most effective critic of ObamaÂ’s deal, declares that the true alternative to it is not war but ‘a better deal.’ So, too, leading domestic opponents like Senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton.</p>
<p>“Now I consider the agreement Obama has negotiated a dishonorable and dangerous product of appeasement, and so it pains me to side with him against political figures I admire and generally support. Nevertheless, I have to confess that I think he is right in arguing that the only alternative to a deal is war.”</p>
<p>Now, where he’s going with this — I often and long-expressed what I think is common sense, the Middle East peace process, which is now its own entity, it’s something that you can aspire to as a career to be and to work at the Middle East peace process, meaning you get a lifetime career there, it never ends. The Middle East peace process, the only thing that changes there are the people, as they die off and are replaced by younger graduates at Ivy League schools who are trained in sustaining the Middle East peace process.</p>
<p>The one noteworthy thing about the Middle East peace process is A, there’s never any peace, and, B, it never ends. It’s an ideal existence for an egg-headed bureaucrat whose primary objective in life is to make sure his bureaucracy never closes. Ergo, the Middle East peace process itself will never deliver Middle East peace.</p>
<p>And to that end, I have — I think with just some common sense — have offered up an opinion that, in conflicts like these, they never end with negotiations, never end with agreed-to words. Well, they do, but they’re not solved with words. They’re not solved with speeches. They’re not solved with agreements. They’re not solved with negotiations or any of that. They’re solved militarily. Germany surrendered, Japan surrendered after suffering a humiliating military defeats, which were so complete, they were unable to even continue to defend themselves.</p>
<p>And that’s when the words and the negotiations really started to matter. Those are the terms of surrender, that’s when the signatures take place. But in any conflict like this, it’s never gonna end until one side defeats the other, and you don’t defeat anybody with words and doctors and nurses and clean water and the Red Cross and the United Nations and the blue helmeted peacekeepers and whatever the hell else that’s part of your process.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Now, Podhoretz is not per se saying that. What he says is, “I do not mean that war is the only alternative to ObamaÂ’s deal alone. What I mean is that war is the only alternative to any deal the Iranians would be willing to sign–if, that is, the purpose is really to prevent them from getting the bomb. Obama keeps insisting that this is what his deal will accomplish. But it seems increasingly clear that he no longer thinks, if he ever did, that an Iran armed with nuclear weapons would be so dangerous that it must be prevented at all costs from getting them.”</p>
<p>He used to say that he believed that, and as recently as June 2013, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, but he doesn’t believe that anymore. He doesn’t believe that an Iran armed with nuclear weapons would be so dangerous that they should be prevented from getting them. Ergo, the only real solution here, war. And he’s right. Nobody wants to hear it, nobody wants to contemplate it, nobody wants to consider it.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Anyway, folks, Norman Podhoretz is right. Economic sanctions did not stop Iran from pursuing the bomb. Economic sanctions didn’t stop ’em because, well, the Russians didn’t obey them or participate in them. The Iranians, they are hurt. I mean, there’s no question the sanctions harmed Iran’s economy, but since Iran doesn’t really care about its people the way an American president cares about his people or any Western democracy’s leader cares about his people, that wasn’t a big deal.</p>
<p>The bottom line is sanctions did not stop them, and that’s a form of coercion. Mild warfare, economic warfare didn’t stop ’em. The only thing that will stop them is having their stocks taken out, and that’s the only reason they’re pretending to go along with this deal, because the deal will protect them from being bombed or attacked for the next ten years while they continue to build up their stocks.</p>
<p>Here’s Greg in Louisville as we head to the phones, and I’m glad you called, sir. Great to have you here.</p>
<p>CALLER: Hi, Rush. How are you today?</p>
<p>RUSH: Very well. Thank you.</p>
<p>CALLER: Always enjoy talking to you.</p>
<p>RUSH: Thank you.</p>
<p>CALLER: Well, I have to disagree with you. I think the problem that the neocons and the people like Podhoretz who speak for the neocons, is basically what they want… You know, we don’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon. But how far are you willing to go to stop it? Are you willing to start a war with Iran, which apparently is what Lindsey Graham and Norman Podhoretz and people like that want to do? I think that’s an unwise and undesirable thing to do. So that’s where we are.</p>
<p>RUSH: Well, then, where we are is the Iranians get their desired nukes and their desired program.</p>
<p>CALLER: The Soviet Union fell without a war. The Soviet Union collapsed without the military confrontations ’cause we outcompeted them economically, we outproduced them, and the government collapsed.</p>
<p>RUSH: Well, but that’s —</p>
<p>CALLER: There doesn’t have to be a war. There doesn’t have to have a war.</p>
<p>RUSH: That’s not really the sole reason. It wasn’t simply that we beat them economically. That happened every year.</p>
<p>CALLER: Right.</p>
<p>RUSH: They were defeated militarily. A shot wasn’t fired, but they were defeated militarily.</p>
<p>CALLER: Well, let’s defeat Iran the same way.</p>
<p>RUSH: But the Soviet Union was never led by religious fanatics who thought the apocalypse was their salvation. The Soviet Union was led by a bunch of Marxists who didn’t believe in religion. They were gods. It’s a dangerous comparison, I think. Now, Podhoretz. I don’t know anybody’s advocating war. I don’t read that in his piece. He’s just saying if you really serious about stopping ’em, this is what it’s gonna take, and you could threaten it. You can do all kinds of things, none of which we are doing. The point is: We’re bending over. That’s the bottom line. Anyway, I appreciate the call, Greg.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: I think what Obama is relying on here is that his belief that nobody cares. The low-information crowd doesn’t care whether Iran gets a nuke. Nobody thinks Iran would ever use one. Nobody thinks anybody’s gonna ever use one. So it’s no big deal. That’s my perception.</p>
<p>I really think, just expanding a bit on my salient closing comments that were brief because of the constraints of time, when it comes to the Iranians and a nuclear bomb and the people of this country, I don’t know how many people actually care. It’s a given the low-information crowd doesn’t care about it. It isn’t a big deal. I think most people that are on the fringes — it’s amazing how the young generations change and differ.</p>
<p>As I mentioned earlier this week, back in the seventies and eighties, young people then, particularly the children of Hollywood, were obsessed with nuclear weapons. Let’s focus on the eighties. It coincided with Reagan being president. I mean, it didn’t matter. I’ve used the example of Laura Dern on Donahue, but she was by no means the only one. They were running around in a daily panic, I mean daily. They were scared to death the world was gonna go up in flames ’cause we had the Soviets, we had the United States, and we were the bad guys. Gorbachev was the savior, in their minds, and they lived with this daily fear of nuclear annihilation, and they had all kinds of peace marches, they had die-ins. I mean, they did it all.</p>
<p>And today, every generation is apocalyptic, every generation fears the end. Today they think global warming is gonna be why the world goes up in flames. In the eighties it was nuclear bombs. Today it’s racism, bigotry, homophobia, and global warming that are gonna cause the world to collapse. And the Iranians with a nuke? “Come on. Come on, Mr. Limbaugh, get serious. Besides, there’s no stopping them. Nobody’s willing to go to war. Not even the Mossad, not even the Israelis, not even Netanyahu, all the huffing and puffing, there’s nobody willing to militarily take Iran and the nuclear program out, so it’s a fait accompli.”</p>
<p>I think this is probably most people’s attitude, and I think it happens to be the attitude of a lot of adults. Nothing anybody’s gonna do about it, so why get so exercised? It’s just another day, we have to get up and roll the dice. And then everybody prays, let’s just hope that the mullahs use it for extortion and blackmail and don’t really get caught up in the 12th imam, ’cause if they get caught up in the 12th imam, that could be bad. But if they just extort us and if they just blackmail us, fine, we can deal with that.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />But seriously, I shouldn’t be flippant about this. I’m just — (interruption) What’s real? Nuclear bombs in Iran? Or my… (interruption) Who’s real? The people I’m talking about or the fact — (interruption) Oh. Yeah, it is real. They’re not concerned about it. Well, in some cases you can understand why. There’s nothing they think they can do about it, and they clearly see a president who’s not doing anything about it. So if he’s not, why should they?</p>
<p>President after president, candidate after candidate has promised, has sworn that Iran will not go nuke on their watch. But nothing is ever really done about it. We try sanctions, we try words, speeches, the Red Cross, you name it. But I think it’s still noteworthy to chronicle the difference. It’s just the neocans, yeah. (laughing) The Rumsfelds and the Cheneys, the neocons, they just want to go to war everywhere. We gotta stop the neocons. So we’ll see. Same kind of apathy as there was about the Norks getting nuclear weapons.</p>
<p>Isn’t it amazing to chronicle today, young people probably don’t even consider it likely to happen. They’ve lived in a nuclear world now for so many years and nobody’s launched one at us. Nobody’s tried to take us out, so it’s probably something they don’t think about very much. When they listen to people get all exercised over Iran getting nuke, they probably just aren’t able to marshal the emotion about it. But nevertheless, I wanted to tell you where we are on the deal and what’s what.</p>
<p>And I want to remind you, I interviewed <a href="//pages/static/limbaugh-letter" type="external">Dr. Thomas Sowell for the Limbaugh Letter, the most widely read political newsletter in America</a>, two issues ago. I forget how the subject came up, but he told me that one of his great fears was that Iran would succeed in getting a nuclear weapon and would decide to take out a couple of American cities and that at that point his fear was that Obama would surrender.</p>
<p>I was flat-footed. I was totally taken aback. I had never heard anybody posit that the United States would surrender instead of fighting back, but Dr. Sowell was convinced that there wouldn’t be any fighting back, that that’s who Obama is. So that kind of was a wake-up call for me.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Chris in Oklahoma City. It’s great to have you on the EIB Network. Welcome, and hello.</p>
<p>CALLER: Hello, Rush. Okay, two questions. First, is Iran’s gonna get the bomb, either way, and they’re gonna get this bomb without this deal. So I think that they set up the deal so that they’ll be protected from being attacked by Israel and other countries in that area that don’t want them to get the bomb either because that will be a threat to the entire region.</p>
<p>RUSH: Right. They do not by agreeing to the 10-year portion of the deal. During the ten years Iran has supposedly has agreed to slow down and pull up short of weaponizing their uranium in exchange for being able to go to town 10, 12, 13 years from now. The purpose of that ten years is there would be no reason to bomb them. They’ve agreed not to do it for ten years, so everybody backs off. So you’re right with that. What’s your second question?</p>
<p>CALLER: Okay, that ties up into the first one. Now, the administration can’t have war break out. Iran oddly is threatening war, conflict. Now, it being election year, if anything happens, any conflict, it will reflect bad upon the United States and especially the liberals. So they have a 15-year window, if this agreement goes through, that they won’t get the blame for anything. They will seem like they’re doing a positive because no one wants war, even though Iran can’t really do anything to us. Just the threat of war, politically, would make them look horrible.</p>
<p>RUSH: Okay. So let me see. You’re not asking questions. You’re actually making point. Let me see if I understand this one. Your point is that one thing that would hurt the Democrats is a war. They don’t want a war. So they get this 10-, 15-year deal where the Iranians promise not to develop a nuke but they keep working on it, and they get closer and closer and closer. There’s no reason to bomb them, no reason to stop them, ’cause they promised they’re not gonna do it. But in the end, they’re gonna get for me, no matter what we do ’cause there isn’t gonna be a war. And because there’s not a war the Democrats are gonna end up looking great because they have made sure that the world remains secure for the next ten years. Is that basically your theory?</p>
<p>CALLER: Yeah. Would you agree that they would save everything diplomatically, but they get —</p>
<p>RUSH: Ah, we’re gonna run out of time here. Finally we got to a question after three minutes and I don’t know what it is.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Mr. Snerdley, you know what the last caller’s question was? Do you have any idea what he was gonna get to? (interruption) All right. Well, so basically his point is that the overarching umbrella is nobody’s gonna bomb Iran. It isn’t gonna happen. We’re not gonna do it. The French aren’t gonna do it. The British aren’t gonna do it. The Russkies aren’t gonna do it. NorComs aren’t gonna do it. The ChiComs aren’t gonna do it. The Israelis are not gonna do it. So it doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Everything else doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>We’re never gonna know the terms of the deal, anyway.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Nobody’s gonna know if Iran’s cheating.</p>
<p>We aren’t going to know what the terms of the deal are so we won’t even know if they are cheating. But his point is that the last thing Obama wants is any kind of military activity going into an election year. Now, that requires us to believe that Obama cares about the Democrat Party going forward. And I would think that he does, because he’s gonna be hell-bent on making sure whatever he’s done and accomplished when he finishes is not rolled back.</p>
<p>So they don’t want a war.</p>
<p>I mean, the popular conception is Israel isn’t gonna do it, and the Mossad’s not gonna do it because they’re not gonna risk losing every dollar of aid that we give them. (interruption) You don’t think Obama would cut ’em off? Sure he would. They’re not gonna risk it. That’s… (interruption) I don’t know. I have no clue. I’m telling you what the popular consensus, the conventional wisdom is, is that Israel is not going to do it. Hasn’t there been news…? (sigh)</p>
<p>Haven’t we seen stories that Obama threatened the Israelis that if they try this, we will not offer them permission to go over various airspace, for refueling. There’s some question whether Israeli bombers can get to Tehran and back without being refueled. That may be moot, anyway. So the point is, Obama and the Democrats don’t want a war over anything, much less this, at any time, but going into an election. The Iranians know it. So the Iranians agree to this deal that says they won’t do anything for ten years.</p>
<p>They sign it; we sign it.</p>
<p>Well, there may not be a signature. There may not even be a piece of paper. We may get anything more than what we’ve got. But the point is everybody will stand down. Okay, Iran said they’re not gonna do anything on weaponizing anything for ten years, 12 years, so everybody’s cool. In ten years, 12 years, the current crop of leaders aren’t even gonna be here. They wash their hands of it. It’s somebody else’s problem ten years, 12 years from now. So nobody does anything.</p>
<p>The Iranians in the meantime, take this 10 years where they’re promising to do nothing and they just keep building and building and building. And the reason that’s gonna happen is because at the top of everything, nobody is going to launch a military assault on them. Back to Norman Podhoretz’s point: The only way of stopping them is that. Now, you may not want to hear that, but there’s no… I don’t know of any other alternative. They’re not gonna agree to stop.</p>
<p>We have withdrawn every other measure designed to harm them economically, politically. We’ve withdrawn all of those measures, so there is no harm. The Iranians are running around fat, dumb, and happy. They’re smiling ear to ear over all of this. So people don’t want to hear it, but it’s been the case in humanity since the beginning of time. Every major conflict between nations or people is solved — one way or the other — by who kills the most of the enemy and who tears up most of the enemy’s stuff, forcing the enemy to say, “I quit.”</p>
<p>That’s how it happens. Nobody volunteers to lose on a piece of paper. Nobody negotiates defeat. And that’s why this never works. And you don’t negotiate victory, either, until you actually have achieved it. And you don’t achieve victory on paper. It’s just… That’s common sense. People don’t want to hear it. They think it’s radical and it’s extreme to say it. It happens to be the truth.</p>
<p>BREAK TRANSCRIPT</p>
<p>RUSH: Here’s Bruce in Muskegon, Michigan. Bruce, I’m glad you waited. Great to have you on the program. Hello.</p>
<p>CALLER: Thank you, Rush, I’ll get right to my comment.</p>
<p>RUSH: Thank you. Thank you.</p>
<p>CALLER: Referring to the Obama interview that you talked about earlier on your show, I’d like you to comment on what I think was a subtle, but very revealing statement, that he made which I think really shows his colors. He went on and on about how great this deal was and this was our only chance and there are all sorts of guarantees, and then he made this statement. And before I repeat his statement, let me state what he did not say. He did not say: “I guarantee you that this will prevent Iran from getting a bomb.” What he did say, and I quote: “I guarantee you that this agreement will prevent Iran from getting a bomb on my watch.”</p>
<p>RUSH: That’s a good catch. That’s a good catch, because that’s exactly right. Everybody, for the most part, is gonna be gone in ten years, all the central figures. Kerry is certainly gonna be back in Sun Valley skiing or snow surfing, whatever he does. They’re all gonna be gone, and none of what is scheduled to happen in ten years is probably gonna be attributed to them. That’s another reason for the ten years, which then becomes 13. “It won’t happen on my watch.” Pretty safe bet to be able to factually say that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon in a year and a half by the time Obama’s term expires. Good catch, Bruce. I appreciate that.</p> | true | 0 | rush cited norman podhoretz feel really fortunate gotten know norman podhoretz norman podhoretz put area foreign policy general overall intellect put classroom would find william buckley milton friedman founders yeah ive fortunate meet mr podhoretz one last times bill buckley buckley home stamford connecticut podhoretz wife midge decter buckley gotten hospital emphysema getting back form wasnt quite great saturday afternoon talking things weve interviewed limbaugh letter hes got piece commentary think website started entitled obamas right said whenever barack obama says often another war middle east alternative deal making iran critics immediately accuse setting straw man indeed also often even israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu sternest effective critic obamaÂs deal declares true alternative war better deal leading domestic opponents like senators lindsey graham tom cotton consider agreement obama negotiated dishonorable dangerous product appeasement pains side political figures admire generally support nevertheless confess think right arguing alternative deal war hes going often longexpressed think common sense middle east peace process entity something aspire career work middle east peace process meaning get lifetime career never ends middle east peace process thing changes people die replaced younger graduates ivy league schools trained sustaining middle east peace process one noteworthy thing middle east peace process theres never peace b never ends ideal existence eggheaded bureaucrat whose primary objective life make sure bureaucracy never closes ergo middle east peace process never deliver middle east peace end think common sense offered opinion conflicts like never end negotiations never end agreedto words well theyre solved words theyre solved speeches theyre solved agreements theyre solved negotiations theyre solved militarily germany surrendered japan surrendered suffering humiliating military defeats complete unable even continue defend thats words negotiations really started matter terms surrender thats signatures take place conflict like never gon na end one side defeats dont defeat anybody words doctors nurses clean water red cross united nations blue helmeted peacekeepers whatever hell else thats part process podhoretz per se saying says mean war alternative obamaÂs deal alone mean war alternative deal iranians would willing signÂif purpose really prevent getting bomb obama keeps insisting deal accomplish seems increasingly clear longer thinks ever iran armed nuclear weapons would dangerous must prevented costs getting used say believed recently june 2013 brandenburg gate berlin doesnt believe anymore doesnt believe iran armed nuclear weapons would dangerous prevented getting ergo real solution war hes right nobody wants hear nobody wants contemplate nobody wants consider break transcript rush anyway folks norman podhoretz right economic sanctions stop iran pursuing bomb economic sanctions didnt stop em well russians didnt obey participate iranians hurt mean theres question sanctions harmed irans economy since iran doesnt really care people way american president cares people western democracys leader cares people wasnt big deal bottom line sanctions stop thats form coercion mild warfare economic warfare didnt stop em thing stop stocks taken thats reason theyre pretending go along deal deal protect bombed attacked next ten years continue build stocks heres greg louisville head phones im glad called sir great caller hi rush today rush well thank caller always enjoy talking rush thank caller well disagree think problem neocons people like podhoretz speak neocons basically want know dont want iran nuclear weapon far willing go stop willing start war iran apparently lindsey graham norman podhoretz people like want think thats unwise undesirable thing thats rush well iranians get desired nukes desired program caller soviet union fell without war soviet union collapsed without military confrontations cause outcompeted economically outproduced government collapsed rush well thats caller doesnt war doesnt war rush thats really sole reason wasnt simply beat economically happened every year caller right rush defeated militarily shot wasnt fired defeated militarily caller well lets defeat iran way rush soviet union never led religious fanatics thought apocalypse salvation soviet union led bunch marxists didnt believe religion gods dangerous comparison think podhoretz dont know anybodys advocating war dont read piece hes saying really serious stopping em gon na take could threaten kinds things none point bending thats bottom line anyway appreciate call greg break transcript rush think obama relying belief nobody cares lowinformation crowd doesnt care whether iran gets nuke nobody thinks iran would ever use one nobody thinks anybodys gon na ever use one big deal thats perception really think expanding bit salient closing comments brief constraints time comes iranians nuclear bomb people country dont know many people actually care given lowinformation crowd doesnt care isnt big deal think people fringes amazing young generations change differ mentioned earlier week back seventies eighties young people particularly children hollywood obsessed nuclear weapons lets focus eighties coincided reagan president mean didnt matter ive used example laura dern donahue means one running around daily panic mean daily scared death world gon na go flames cause soviets united states bad guys gorbachev savior minds lived daily fear nuclear annihilation kinds peace marches dieins mean today every generation apocalyptic every generation fears end today think global warming gon na world goes flames eighties nuclear bombs today racism bigotry homophobia global warming gon na cause world collapse iranians nuke come come mr limbaugh get serious besides theres stopping nobodys willing go war even mossad even israelis even netanyahu huffing puffing theres nobody willing militarily take iran nuclear program fait accompli think probably peoples attitude think happens attitude lot adults nothing anybodys gon na get exercised another day get roll dice everybody prays lets hope mullahs use extortion blackmail dont really get caught 12th imam cause get caught 12th imam could bad extort us blackmail us fine deal seriously shouldnt flippant im interruption whats real nuclear bombs iran interruption whos real people im talking fact interruption oh yeah real theyre concerned well cases understand theres nothing think clearly see president whos anything hes president president candidate candidate promised sworn iran go nuke watch nothing ever really done try sanctions try words speeches red cross name think still noteworthy chronicle difference neocans yeah laughing rumsfelds cheneys neocons want go war everywhere got ta stop neocons well see kind apathy norks getting nuclear weapons isnt amazing chronicle today young people probably dont even consider likely happen theyve lived nuclear world many years nobodys launched one us nobodys tried take us probably something dont think much listen people get exercised iran getting nuke probably arent able marshal emotion nevertheless wanted tell deal whats want remind interviewed dr thomas sowell limbaugh letter widely read political newsletter america two issues ago forget subject came told one great fears iran would succeed getting nuclear weapon would decide take couple american cities point fear obama would surrender flatfooted totally taken aback never heard anybody posit united states would surrender instead fighting back dr sowell convinced wouldnt fighting back thats obama kind wakeup call break transcript rush chris oklahoma city great eib network welcome hello caller hello rush okay two questions first irans gon na get bomb either way theyre gon na get bomb without deal think set deal theyll protected attacked israel countries area dont want get bomb either threat entire region rush right agreeing 10year portion deal ten years iran supposedly agreed slow pull short weaponizing uranium exchange able go town 10 12 13 years purpose ten years would reason bomb theyve agreed ten years everybody backs youre right whats second question caller okay ties first one administration cant war break iran oddly threatening war conflict election year anything happens conflict reflect bad upon united states especially liberals 15year window agreement goes wont get blame anything seem like theyre positive one wants war even though iran cant really anything us threat war politically would make look horrible rush okay let see youre asking questions youre actually making point let see understand one point one thing would hurt democrats war dont want war get 10 15year deal iranians promise develop nuke keep working get closer closer closer theres reason bomb reason stop cause promised theyre gon na end theyre gon na get matter cause isnt gon na war theres war democrats gon na end looking great made sure world remains secure next ten years basically theory caller yeah would agree would save everything diplomatically get rush ah gon na run time finally got question three minutes dont know break transcript rush mr snerdley know last callers question idea gon na get interruption right well basically point overarching umbrella nobodys gon na bomb iran isnt gon na happen gon na french arent gon na british arent gon na russkies arent gon na norcoms arent gon na chicoms arent gon na israelis gon na doesnt matter everything else doesnt matter never gon na know terms deal anyway bottom line nobodys gon na know irans cheating arent going know terms deal wont even know cheating point last thing obama wants kind military activity going election year requires us believe obama cares democrat party going forward would think hes gon na hellbent making sure whatever hes done accomplished finishes rolled back dont want war mean popular conception israel isnt gon na mossads gon na theyre gon na risk losing every dollar aid give interruption dont think obama would cut em sure would theyre gon na risk thats interruption dont know clue im telling popular consensus conventional wisdom israel going hasnt news sigh havent seen stories obama threatened israelis try offer permission go various airspace refueling theres question whether israeli bombers get tehran back without refueled may moot anyway point obama democrats dont want war anything much less time going election iranians know iranians agree deal says wont anything ten years sign sign well may signature may even piece paper may get anything weve got point everybody stand okay iran said theyre gon na anything weaponizing anything ten years 12 years everybodys cool ten years 12 years current crop leaders arent even gon na wash hands somebody elses problem ten years 12 years nobody anything iranians meantime take 10 years theyre promising nothing keep building building building reason thats gon na happen top everything nobody going launch military assault back norman podhoretzs point way stopping may want hear theres dont know alternative theyre gon na agree stop withdrawn every measure designed harm economically politically weve withdrawn measures harm iranians running around fat dumb happy theyre smiling ear ear people dont want hear case humanity since beginning time every major conflict nations people solved one way kills enemy tears enemys stuff forcing enemy say quit thats happens nobody volunteers lose piece paper nobody negotiates defeat thats never works dont negotiate victory either actually achieved dont achieve victory paper thats common sense people dont want hear think radical extreme say happens truth break transcript rush heres bruce muskegon michigan bruce im glad waited great program hello caller thank rush ill get right comment rush thank thank caller referring obama interview talked earlier show id like comment think subtle revealing statement made think really shows colors went great deal chance sorts guarantees made statement repeat statement let state say say guarantee prevent iran getting bomb say quote guarantee agreement prevent iran getting bomb watch rush thats good catch thats good catch thats exactly right everybody part gon na gone ten years central figures kerry certainly gon na back sun valley skiing snow surfing whatever theyre gon na gone none scheduled happen ten years probably gon na attributed thats another reason ten years becomes 13 wont happen watch pretty safe bet able factually say iran nuclear weapon year half time obamas term expires good catch bruce appreciate | 1,896 |
<p>So you're a beginning investor and you want to know how to pick a stock?</p>
<p>Good news. Even an average stock-picker should get a return around 9% a year, themarket's historical average. Now let's take a look at how you can find the best stock for you.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Different people invest for different reasons. Some are looking to build wealth for a life-changing event down the road like retirement or a child's college fund. Others are looking for an income stream to provide spending money. Some want to speculate for a potential big gain, while others are just looking to preserve the money they already have.</p>
<p>Traditionally, the two opposite ends of the investing-style spectrum are growth and income. Chances are your own investing strategy will fall somewhere on this spectrum. Growth investors tend to target, high-priced stocks, with strong growth rates and lots of potential. Think Amazon.com or Facebook.Income investors, on the other hand, favor slower-growing, stable companies that pay dividends. Coca-Cola andMcDonald's are good examples of top income stocks, often called blue chips.</p>
<p>Your investing goals will likely depend on your own life situation. If you're a young adult looking to save money for retirement or a down payment on your first home, a growth strategy will probably be a better fit. If you're a retiree looking for money to supplement your income, choosing reliable dividend stocks would be better for you.</p>
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<p>Investing in the stock market can be intimidating for new investors. The stock market is full of confusing jargon, and the risk of losing money is very real. But it's not as complicated as it may seem. You only need to know a few terms in order to get a basic understanding of any stock. Here are three you should know:</p>
<p>Beginning investors will be best off picking a stock in a sector they are familiar with. Love going to theme parks? Think about putting some coin intoDisney. Have a medical background? Check out healthcare stocks. There are thousands of publicly traded stocks in the U.S. Narrowing them down based on your own interests or experience can make a complicated process much easier.</p>
<p>Familiarity alone isn't enough of a reason to buy a stock, but it can give you an edge over the pros, and it will make it easier, even enjoyable, to follow the stock. You need to understand the underlying business, after all, in order to make smart investments.</p>
<p>It's no surprise, for instance, that millennials recently flocked toSnap Inc(NYSE: SNAP) shares after its IPO, as young people are by far the biggest users of Snapchat and therefore have the best understanding of the product. That doesn't necessarily mean Snap will be a winning stock, but those investors should have a better sense of the company's progress and when to bail if, for example, the product falls out of fashion.</p>
<p>My own best investment came when I bought shares ofChipotle Mexican Grill(NYSE: CMG) shortly after its IPO in 2006. As a college student in Colorado -- Chipotle's home state -- I had visited the chain several times, gaining a first-hand familiarity with it that many investors didn't have, and believed in its growth potential.</p>
<p>Famed fund manager Peter Lynch encouraged individual investors to "buy what you know" --a good first step for beginning investors.</p>
<p>By now, you've decided what your investing goals are, learned the basic stock market fundamentals, and narrowed down your potential choices to a sector or group of stocks you're familiar with. Now it's time to pick one.</p>
<p>There are a number of factors to consider, such as potential growth and valuation (P/E ratio), but perhaps the most important question to ask yourself about a stock is whether it has a sustainable competitive advantage. Warren Buffett, Founder of Berkshire Hathaway andthe world's most acclaimed investor, considers sustainable competitive advantage to be perhaps the most important criterion for choosing a stock. He looks for companies with powerful brands, a history of dominance, beloved products, and other factors that block out competition and allow a company to earn excess profits. Many of the companies I've listed above are considered to have sustainable competitive advantages, whether that's Amazon's Prime ecosystem, Facebook's network effects, or Buffett himself with Berkshire.</p>
<p>A sustainable competitive advantage will ensure that a company can continue growing and earning outsized profits, and stocks that have them will generally outperform over the long term.</p>
<p>Now, go off and do your homework -- but if you still feel overwhelmed you can always put your money in an index fund. No less than Buffett himself has argued for that strategy repeatedly, and even recommended his heirs put 90% of his estate into a low-cost S&amp;P 500 index fund.</p>
<p>But before you go and do that, go back to Step #1 first and make sure it's a good fit.</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="https://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>
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<p>*StockAdvisor returns as of April 3, 2017The author(s) may have a position in any stocks mentioned.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFHobo/info.aspx" type="external">Jeremy Bowman Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Facebook, and Walt Disney. 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 | youre beginning investor want know pick stock good news even average stockpicker get return around 9 year themarkets historical average lets take look find best stock continue reading different people invest different reasons looking build wealth lifechanging event road like retirement childs college fund others looking income stream provide spending money want speculate potential big gain others looking preserve money already traditionally two opposite ends investingstyle spectrum growth income chances investing strategy fall somewhere spectrum growth investors tend target highpriced stocks strong growth rates lots potential think amazoncom facebookincome investors hand favor slowergrowing stable companies pay dividends cocacola andmcdonalds good examples top income stocks often called blue chips investing goals likely depend life situation youre young adult looking save money retirement payment first home growth strategy probably better fit youre retiree looking money supplement income choosing reliable dividend stocks would better advertisement investing stock market intimidating new investors stock market full confusing jargon risk losing money real complicated may seem need know terms order get basic understanding stock three know beginning investors best picking stock sector familiar love going theme parks think putting coin intodisney medical background check healthcare stocks thousands publicly traded stocks us narrowing based interests experience make complicated process much easier familiarity alone isnt enough reason buy stock give edge pros make easier even enjoyable follow stock need understand underlying business order make smart investments surprise instance millennials recently flocked tosnap incnyse snap shares ipo young people far biggest users snapchat therefore best understanding product doesnt necessarily mean snap winning stock investors better sense companys progress bail example product falls fashion best investment came bought shares ofchipotle mexican grillnyse cmg shortly ipo 2006 college student colorado chipotles home state visited chain several times gaining firsthand familiarity many investors didnt believed growth potential famed fund manager peter lynch encouraged individual investors buy know good first step beginning investors youve decided investing goals learned basic stock market fundamentals narrowed potential choices sector group stocks youre familiar time pick one number factors consider potential growth valuation pe ratio perhaps important question ask stock whether sustainable competitive advantage warren buffett founder berkshire hathaway andthe worlds acclaimed investor considers sustainable competitive advantage perhaps important criterion choosing stock looks companies powerful brands history dominance beloved products factors block competition allow company earn excess profits many companies ive listed considered sustainable competitive advantages whether thats amazons prime ecosystem facebooks network effects buffett berkshire sustainable competitive advantage ensure company continue growing earning outsized profits stocks generally outperform long term go homework still feel overwhelmed always put money index fund less buffett argued strategy repeatedly even recommended heirs put 90 estate lowcost sampp 500 index fund go go back step 1 first make sure good fit 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 april 3 2017the authors may position stocks mentioned jeremy bowman opens new window owns shares chipotle mexican grill motley fool owns shares recommends amazon chipotle mexican grill facebook walt disney motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 542 |
<p><a href="http://www.prophecyclubresources.com/RE-GATHERING-OF-THE-TEN-LOST-TRIBES-OF-ISRAEL-MICHAEL-SNYDER/productinfo/MS-R1001/" type="external" />Why has Barack Obama been <a href="" type="internal">releasing thousands of illegal immigrants that have been convicted of crimes</a> back on to the streets of our cities?&#160; According to <a href="http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/121-criminals-charged-murder-following-release-custody-pending-deportation" type="external">U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley</a>, more than 36,000 were released from custody in Fiscal Year 2013 alone.&#160; These individuals were actually <a href="" type="internal">convicted of committing crimes</a>, and many of them went on to <a href="" type="internal">commit new crimes</a> once they were released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.&#160; In fact, Senator Grassley says that 121 of the criminals that were released during Fiscal Year 2013 were subsequently charged with committing murder.&#160; That means that more than 100 American citizens are now dead because of Obama’s foolish policies.&#160; Why is Obama doing this?&#160; He knows that one out of every five illegal immigrants <a href="http://themostimportantnews.com/archives/former-border-patrol-chief-1-in-5-illegals-has-criminal-record" type="external">has a criminal record</a>, and he knows that many of these convicted criminals that he is releasing will go on to commit <a href="" type="internal">new crimes</a>.&#160; What possible justification could Obama have for doing this to our communities?</p>
<p>When I first heard that more than 36,000 convicted criminals had been released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Fiscal Year 2013 alone, I thought that it must be a mistake.&#160; So I started digging around, and I found out that it was true.&#160; The following comes directly from the official website of&#160; <a href="http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/121-criminals-charged-murder-following-release-custody-pending-deportation" type="external">U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley</a>…</p>
<p>Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Immigration and the National Interest Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Sessions and Judiciary Committee member Jeff Flake are asking for more information surrounding cases in which foreign nationals with criminal records facing deportation were released from custody and went on to commit new crimes. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently confirmed that 121 convicted criminals are now charged with homicide after being released from government custody instead of being deported. ICE also disclosed that36,007 criminals were released from its custody in Fiscal Year 2013, and 1,000 of them have since been convicted again of additional crimes. Of those repeat offenders, 156 were released from ICE custody a second time, instead of being deported.</p>
<p>To me, there are either two options.&#160; Either this is an example of incompetence that is off the scale, or this is being done on purpose.</p>
<p>And we are not just talking about small crimes.&#160; Thousands of these criminals have actually been convicted of sex crimes.&#160; And when they are released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, nobody is even making sure that they register as sex offenders.&#160; So they are just roaming around out there, and many of them have gone on to commit&#160; <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/06/13/ice-freed-sex-offenders-often-without-notifying-states/v14qAOXKUOqAtaFeKGeGWI/story.html" type="external">absolutely horrifying crimes against U.S. citizens</a>…</p>
<p>Immigration officials tried to deport Luis-Leyva Vargas, 47, to Cuba after he served three years in a Florida prison for unlawful sex with a teen. In 2008, officials released him. Two years later,he kidnapped an 18-year-old in Rockingham County, Va., at knifepoint and raped her. Now he is serving a 55-year prison sentence.</p>
<p>Felix Rodriguez, a 67-year-old sex offender convicted of raping children as young as 4 in the 1990s, was freed in 2009, also because Cuba would not take him back. Months later, he fatally shot his girlfriend in Kansas City. He pleaded guilty and is serving 10 years in a Missouri prison.</p>
<p>Andrew Rui Stanley, convicted in 2000 of multiple counts of sodomizing a child when Stanley was 14, was released in 2009 after Brazil failed to provide a passport needed to send him home. For the next two years, he viciously abused three children in St. Louis and now, at age 31, will be in prison for the rest of his life.</p>
<p>This kind of thing is happening time after time after time, and yet nothing is being done about it.</p>
<p>Instead, many cities across America have actually set up “welcoming committees” for illegal immigrants that are designed to help them “adjust to life here in the United States”.&#160; The following is an excerpt from an article <a href="http://www.prisonplanet.com/dozens-of-cities-host-welcoming-committees-for-illegals.html" type="external">by Kit Daniels</a>…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.welcomingamerica.org/get-involved/cities/" type="external">Dozens of cities</a> across America are organizing “welcoming committees” to help illegals “adjust to life here in the United States.”</p>
<p>The cities are partnering with <a href="http://www.welcomingamerica.org/" type="external">a group called “Welcoming America”</a> which helps illegals find employment and housing while “helping people who were born in this country understand and appreciate their new neighbors.”</p>
<p>On Monday, the group worked with the Austin, Texas, Commission on Immigrant Affairs to organize a “Welcoming City Summit” with speeches on “executive action and the future potential of immigration reform” and “career pathways for new Americans.”</p>
<p>“The purpose of the Austin Welcoming City Summit is to convene community stakeholders to network, explore the ‘Welcoming City’ concept as it exists nationwide, learn about recognized best practices in immigrant integration and inform Austin’s own Welcoming City vision,” the <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/austin-welcoming-city-summit-registration-15095489014" type="external">summit’s registration page states</a>.</p>
<p>“Welcoming America” touts itself as “grassroots” but is in fact supported by President Obama, the <a href="http://www.welcomingamerica.org/about-us/our-supporters/" type="external">United Nations</a>, the <a href="http://www.welcomingamerica.org/get-involved/cities/" type="external">Clinton Global Initiative</a>, the Carnegie Foundation and the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0CB4QFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.welcomingamerica.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F01%2FWelcoming-Cities-Framing-Paper-Updated.pdf&amp;ei=VWfrVMXbGcmoNpuKhIgE&amp;usg=AFQjCNFcaYA45ztNqNMHvJ1MkKpf-lqoNQ&amp;bvm=bv.86475890,d.eXY" type="external">German Marshall Fund</a>.</p>
<p>Have we gone insane?</p>
<p>When we roll out the red carpet for those that are coming into this country&#160;illegally, word spreads like wildfire and it just encourages even more people to come here illegally.</p>
<p>As I have said so many times before, I believe that America will always need a certain level of immigration.&#160; We are a nation of immigrants, and this nation was built by immigrants.&#160; But it is absolutely imperative that we make everyone come in through the front door.&#160; Instead, we have made it nearly impossible to come in through the front door while leaving the back door wide open.&#160; As a result, a flood of criminals, <a href="" type="internal">gang members</a>, drug traffickers and welfare parasites has come rushing in.</p>
<p>Today, the number of people that enter Texas illegally&#160; <a href="http://themostimportantnews.com/archives/the-number-of-illegal-immigrants-entering-texas-is-greater-than-the-number-of-babies-born" type="external">is greater</a> than the number of babies being born to citizens of that state.&#160; And those illegal immigrants commit a lot of crime.&#160; According to Texas state Senator Dan Patrick, illegal immigrants were charged with nearly half a million crimes in his state during one recent four year time period. And he says that there are <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/07/21/Texas-State-Senator-100-000-Illegal-Immigrant-Gangsters-in-State#" type="external">“at least 100,000 illegal immigrant gang members”</a> living inside the state of Texas right now…</p>
<p>Hours before Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced he would send National Guard troops to the border, Texas state Senator Dan Patrick said there are at least 100,000 illegal immigrant gang members in the state.</p>
<p>On Monday’s The Laura Ingraham Show, Patrick, who is also the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, said from 2008 to 2012, 143,000 illegal immigrant criminals were arrested and jailed in Texas. He said these were “hardened criminals, gang members, and other criminals that we identified as being in Texas illegally.”</p>
<p>“We charged them with 447,000 crimes, a half-million crimes in four years, just in Texas, including over 5,000 rapes and 2,000 murders,” Patrick said. “We estimate we have 100,000 gang members here illegally.”</p>
<p>Are you starting to get the picture?</p>
<p>Thousands upon thousands of Americans are being raped and murdered because of our absolutely insane immigration policies.</p>
<p>At this point, our immigration policies are so “politically correct” that border patrol agents cannot even turn away minors <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/380337/teenage-latin-border-horde-ryan-lovelace" type="external">with known gang affiliations</a>…</p>
<p>Border Patrol officials struggling to keep up with the increasing number of minors illegally crossing the Mexican border are not turning away persons with known gang affiliations. Chris Cabrera, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council Local 3307 in the Rio Grande Valley, explained that a Border Patrol agent he represents helped reunite a teenage gang member with his family in the United States. Cabrera notes the young member of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a transnational criminal gang, had no criminal record in the U.S., but asks, “If he’s a confirmed gang member in his own country, why are we letting him in here?”</p>
<p>“I’ve heard people come in and say, ‘You’re going to let me go, just like you let my mother go, just like you let my sister go. You’re going to let me go as well, and the government’s going to take care of us,’” Cabrera says. “Until we start mandatory detentions, mandatory removals, I don’t think anything is going to change. As a matter of fact, I think it’s going to get worse.”</p>
<p>Art Del Cueto, president of the National Border Patrol Council Local 2544 in Tucson, says agents who recognize the gang-affiliated tattoos of minors crossing the border must treat them the same as anybody else. He says these people are afforded the same rights provided to anyone crossing the border.</p>
<p>Like I stated earlier, either we are witnessing extreme incompetence or this is being done on purpose.</p>
<p>For much more on the illegal immigration crisis in America, I encourage you to check out some of my earlier articles…</p>
<p>-“ <a href="http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/of-course-obamas-amnesty-was-going-to-cause-a-massive-spike-in-illegal-immigration" type="external">Of Course Obama’s Amnesty Was Going To Cause A Massive Spike In Illegal Immigration</a>”</p>
<p>-“ <a href="http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/obama-administration-makes-secret-deal-with-mexico-to-help-illegal-immigrants-in-the-workplace" type="external">Obama Administration Makes Secret Deal With Mexico To Help Illegal Immigrants In The Workplace</a>”</p>
<p>-“ <a href="http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/19-very-disturbing-facts-about-illegal-immigration-that-every-american-should-know" type="external">19 Very Disturbing Facts About Illegal Immigration That Every American Should Know</a>”</p>
<p>-“ <a href="http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/19-very-disturbing-facts-about-illegal-immigration-that-every-american-should-know" type="external">Illegal Immigration = More Identity Theft, More Murder, More Rape And More Drug Dealing</a>”</p>
<p>-“ <a href="http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/11-things-that-the-obama-administration-is-doing-to-promote-more-illegal-immigration" type="external">11 Things That The Obama Administration Is Doing To Promote More Illegal Immigration</a>”</p>
<p>This is not a complicated political issue.</p>
<p>We don’t want drug dealers, rapists and murderers coming to live in our country.</p>
<p>Instead, we want people that are willing to come in, work hard and live by our laws.</p>
<p>The only way to control who is coming in is by making everyone come in through the front door.</p>
<p>If we continue to do things the way that we have been doing them, communities all over the country will continue to be systematically destroyed.</p>
<p>So what are your thoughts about the illegal immigration crisis in America?&#160; Please feel free to share your thoughts by posting a comment below…</p>
<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/illegal-immigration-nightmare-obama-has-been-releasing-1000s-of-convicted-criminals-back-into-our-communities" type="external">Michael Snyder @ End of the American Dream</a>.</p>
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<p /> | true | 0 | barack obama releasing thousands illegal immigrants convicted crimes back streets cities160 according us senator chuck grassley 36000 released custody fiscal year 2013 alone160 individuals actually convicted committing crimes many went commit new crimes released immigration customs enforcement160 fact senator grassley says 121 criminals released fiscal year 2013 subsequently charged committing murder160 means 100 american citizens dead obamas foolish policies160 obama this160 knows one every five illegal immigrants criminal record knows many convicted criminals releasing go commit new crimes160 possible justification could obama communities first heard 36000 convicted criminals released immigration customs enforcement fiscal year 2013 alone thought must mistake160 started digging around found true160 following comes directly official website of160 us senator chuck grassley senate judiciary committee chairman chuck grassley immigration national interest subcommittee chairman jeff sessions judiciary committee member jeff flake asking information surrounding cases foreign nationals criminal records facing deportation released custody went commit new crimes immigration customs enforcement ice recently confirmed 121 convicted criminals charged homicide released government custody instead deported ice also disclosed that36007 criminals released custody fiscal year 2013 1000 since convicted additional crimes repeat offenders 156 released ice custody second time instead deported either two options160 either example incompetence scale done purpose talking small crimes160 thousands criminals actually convicted sex crimes160 released immigration customs enforcement nobody even making sure register sex offenders160 roaming around many gone commit160 absolutely horrifying crimes us citizens immigration officials tried deport luisleyva vargas 47 cuba served three years florida prison unlawful sex teen 2008 officials released two years laterhe kidnapped 18yearold rockingham county va knifepoint raped serving 55year prison sentence felix rodriguez 67yearold sex offender convicted raping children young 4 1990s freed 2009 also cuba would take back months later fatally shot girlfriend kansas city pleaded guilty serving 10 years missouri prison andrew rui stanley convicted 2000 multiple counts sodomizing child stanley 14 released 2009 brazil failed provide passport needed send home next two years viciously abused three children st louis age 31 prison rest life kind thing happening time time time yet nothing done instead many cities across america actually set welcoming committees illegal immigrants designed help adjust life united states160 following excerpt article kit daniels dozens cities across america organizing welcoming committees help illegals adjust life united states cities partnering group called welcoming america helps illegals find employment housing helping people born country understand appreciate new neighbors monday group worked austin texas commission immigrant affairs organize welcoming city summit speeches executive action future potential immigration reform career pathways new americans purpose austin welcoming city summit convene community stakeholders network explore welcoming city concept exists nationwide learn recognized best practices immigrant integration inform austins welcoming city vision summits registration page states welcoming america touts grassroots fact supported president obama united nations clinton global initiative carnegie foundation german marshall fund gone insane roll red carpet coming country160illegally word spreads like wildfire encourages even people come illegally said many times believe america always need certain level immigration160 nation immigrants nation built immigrants160 absolutely imperative make everyone come front door160 instead made nearly impossible come front door leaving back door wide open160 result flood criminals gang members drug traffickers welfare parasites come rushing today number people enter texas illegally160 greater number babies born citizens state160 illegal immigrants commit lot crime160 according texas state senator dan patrick illegal immigrants charged nearly half million crimes state one recent four year time period says least 100000 illegal immigrant gang members living inside state texas right hours texas gov rick perry announced would send national guard troops border texas state senator dan patrick said least 100000 illegal immigrant gang members state mondays laura ingraham show patrick also republican candidate lieutenant governor said 2008 2012 143000 illegal immigrant criminals arrested jailed texas said hardened criminals gang members criminals identified texas illegally charged 447000 crimes halfmillion crimes four years texas including 5000 rapes 2000 murders patrick said estimate 100000 gang members illegally starting get picture thousands upon thousands americans raped murdered absolutely insane immigration policies point immigration policies politically correct border patrol agents even turn away minors known gang affiliations border patrol officials struggling keep increasing number minors illegally crossing mexican border turning away persons known gang affiliations chris cabrera vice president national border patrol council local 3307 rio grande valley explained border patrol agent represents helped reunite teenage gang member family united states cabrera notes young member mara salvatrucha ms13 transnational criminal gang criminal record us asks hes confirmed gang member country letting ive heard people come say youre going let go like let mother go like let sister go youre going let go well governments going take care us cabrera says start mandatory detentions mandatory removals dont think anything going change matter fact think going get worse art del cueto president national border patrol council local 2544 tucson says agents recognize gangaffiliated tattoos minors crossing border must treat anybody else says people afforded rights provided anyone crossing border like stated earlier either witnessing extreme incompetence done purpose much illegal immigration crisis america encourage check earlier articles course obamas amnesty going cause massive spike illegal immigration obama administration makes secret deal mexico help illegal immigrants workplace 19 disturbing facts illegal immigration every american know illegal immigration identity theft murder rape drug dealing 11 things obama administration promote illegal immigration complicated political issue dont want drug dealers rapists murderers coming live country instead want people willing come work hard live laws way control coming making everyone come front door continue things way communities country continue systematically destroyed thoughts illegal immigration crisis america160 please feel free share thoughts posting comment courtesy michael snyder end american dream | 928 |
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<p>Beating earnings expectations has become a recurring pattern for Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN). The big biotech announced its third-quarter results after the market closed on Thursday. Amgen, yet again, topped Wall Street expectations. Here are the highlights.</p>
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<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
<p>Amgen reported revenue of $5.8 billion, up 2% from the third quarter of 2015. While the revenue growth was sluggish, it was still enough to surpass the average analyst estimate of $5.73 billion.</p>
<p>Earnings growth, on the other hand, looked better. Amgen posted third-quarter net income of $2.02 billion, or $2.68 per diluted share. That reflected an increase of 8.6% compared to earnings of $1.86 billion reported in the prior-year period and a 9.8% jump over the$2.44 per diluted share from the year-ago period.</p>
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<p>On a non-GAAP basis, Amgen's earnings came in at $2.28 billion, 9.6% higher than the $2.08 billion posted in the same quarter last year. Amgen reported non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $3.02. This figure represented an 11% increase over the non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $2.72 announced in the third quarter of 2015. It also easily topped the average analyst estimate of $2.79.</p>
<p>Amgen also generated $2.5 billion of cash flow in the third quarter. The company ended the quarter withcash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $37.98 billion.</p>
<p>Net product sales were flat in the third quarter compared to the prior-year period. Top-selling Enbrel lost ground slightly from the same quarter last year, with sales of $1.45 billion. Amgen's second-highest moneymaker, bone marrow stimulant Neulasta, also saw sales slip 5% year over year, to $1.2 billion.</p>
<p>The biggest losers, however, were Epogen and Neupogen. Sales for the drugs fell 31% and 36%, respectively, versus the third quarter of 2015.</p>
<p>Amgen did have some bright spots. Sales for cancer drug Kyprolis soared 34% year over year, to $183 million. Sensipar/Mimpara sales grew by 18%, to $415 million. Sales for bone disease drug Prolia also increased 18%, to $379 million.</p>
<p>Were it not for the catch-all category of "other revenue" climbing compared to the prior-year period, Amgen wouldn't have reported any revenue growth. So how did the biotech's earnings jump? Lower costs.</p>
<p>Cost of sales decreased 1% in the third quarter, thanks primarily to manufacturing efficiencies and higher net selling prices. Selling, general, and administrative (SG&amp;A) costs were flat compared to the prior-year period. The big story for Amgen was that research and development costs fell 12%. All of this combined for a 3% year-over-year decline in total expenses.</p>
<p>Amgen narrowed its full-year 2016 revenue guidance. The company now expects 2016 revenue between$22.6 billion and $22.8 billion. Previously, the low end of that range stood at $22.5 billion.</p>
<p>The company also increased its full-year earnings outlook. Amgen now projects GAAP earnings per share of$9.94 to $10.11, up from the previous range of$9.55 to $9.90. Non-GAAP earnings per share are expected to be between$11.40 to $11.55. Amgen's prior guidance called for non-GAAP earnings per share in the range of$11.10 to $11.40.</p>
<p>There are several potential catalysts for Amgen's stock coming up relatively soon. In September, the biotech announced that erenumab met its primary endpoint in a late-stage study targeting prevention of episodic migraines. Results from a second late-stage study of the pipeline candidate should be announced later this year.</p>
<p>Perhaps the biggest news for Amgen will come from the late-stage cardiovascular outcomes study for cholesterol drug Repatha. The company expects to announce those results in the first quarter of 2017. Positive results could help Amgen convince payers to open their purse strings for Repatha.</p>
<p>Amgen needs help from its pipeline and for Repatha sales to pick up momentum to get revenue growing briskly again. I think the biotech will be successful on both fronts, although it will take time. Meanwhile, Amgen will pay investors to wait.</p>
<p>The company's dividend yield stands at 2.53%. Amgen has increased its dividend every year since 2011.It's similar to beating earnings estimates: It's a recurring pattern that any investor can like.</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=2518&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/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 | beating earnings expectations become recurring pattern amgen inc nasdaq amgn big biotech announced thirdquarter results market closed thursday amgen yet topped wall street expectations highlights continue reading image source getty images amgen reported revenue 58 billion 2 third quarter 2015 revenue growth sluggish still enough surpass average analyst estimate 573 billion earnings growth hand looked better amgen posted thirdquarter net income 202 billion 268 per diluted share reflected increase 86 compared earnings 186 billion reported prioryear period 98 jump the244 per diluted share yearago period advertisement nongaap basis amgens earnings came 228 billion 96 higher 208 billion posted quarter last year amgen reported nongaap earnings per diluted share 302 figure represented 11 increase nongaap earnings per diluted share 272 announced third quarter 2015 also easily topped average analyst estimate 279 amgen also generated 25 billion cash flow third quarter company ended quarter withcash cash equivalents marketable securities totaling 3798 billion net product sales flat third quarter compared prioryear period topselling enbrel lost ground slightly quarter last year sales 145 billion amgens secondhighest moneymaker bone marrow stimulant neulasta also saw sales slip 5 year year 12 billion biggest losers however epogen neupogen sales drugs fell 31 36 respectively versus third quarter 2015 amgen bright spots sales cancer drug kyprolis soared 34 year year 183 million sensiparmimpara sales grew 18 415 million sales bone disease drug prolia also increased 18 379 million catchall category revenue climbing compared prioryear period amgen wouldnt reported revenue growth biotechs earnings jump lower costs cost sales decreased 1 third quarter thanks primarily manufacturing efficiencies higher net selling prices selling general administrative sgampa costs flat compared prioryear period big story amgen research development costs fell 12 combined 3 yearoveryear decline total expenses amgen narrowed fullyear 2016 revenue guidance company expects 2016 revenue between226 billion 228 billion previously low end range stood 225 billion company also increased fullyear earnings outlook amgen projects gaap earnings per share of994 1011 previous range of955 990 nongaap earnings per share expected between1140 1155 amgens prior guidance called nongaap earnings per share range of1110 1140 several potential catalysts amgens stock coming relatively soon september biotech announced erenumab met primary endpoint latestage study targeting prevention episodic migraines results second latestage study pipeline candidate announced later year perhaps biggest news amgen come latestage cardiovascular outcomes study cholesterol drug repatha company expects announce results first quarter 2017 positive results could help amgen convince payers open purse strings repatha amgen needs help pipeline repatha sales pick momentum get revenue growing briskly think biotech successful fronts although take time meanwhile amgen pay investors wait companys dividend yield stands 253 amgen increased dividend every year since 2011its similar beating earnings estimates recurring pattern investor like 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 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 | 534 |
<p>Sarepta Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SRPT) and Amicus Therapeutics (NASDAQ: FOLD)&#160;are two fast-growing biotech stocks that are trading at price-to-sales multiples north of 50, yet biotech investors may still want to add them to their portfolios despite their sky-high valuations. Both companies already market fast-growing, FDA-approved drugs and each is developing new drugs for rare diseases that could significantly expand their peak sales opportunity.</p>
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<p>Sarepta Therapeutics <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/30/the-crazy-backstory-around-sarepta-therapeutics-ga.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=db1b0b3c-a920-11e7-92b0-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">markets Exondys 51 Opens a New Window.</a>, an exon-skipping drug that helps restore dystrophin production in about 13% of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients.</p>
<p>DMD is a rare, life-shortening, muscle-wasting disease, and when&#160;Exondys 51 won FDA approval last year, it became the first FDA-approved therapy in this indication. Despite a small addressable market totaling about 3,400 patients, sales of Exondys 51 are already tracking at an annualized pace of about $140 million, and sales are growing rapidly. Its second-quarter revenue more than doubled its revenue in the first quarter.</p>
<p>However, Exondys 51's growth isn't why I think Sarepta Therapeutics shares could continue higher. Instead, it's the company's progress toward developing additional exon-skipping drugs that make me optimistic.</p>
<p>The company is evaluating drugs that skip exon 53 and exon 45, and in September, it reported its exon 53 skipping drug boosted dystrophin levels in a small phase 1/2 trial. If this news leads to the FDA eventually giving a green light to the use of drugs that skip exon 53 and exon 45, then Sarepta Therapeutics' addressable market increases to about 30% of all DMD patients, or roughly 7,600 patients.</p>
<p>Since&#160;Exondys 51 costs $300,000 per year, and future exon-skipping drugs will likely command similar prices, additional approvals could push Sarepta Therapeutics' annual sales over $1 billion after rebates and discounts. Peak revenue could end up being even higher than that, though, because Sarepta Therapeutics is also developing exon-skipping drugs that could allow it to address 47% of DMD patients, or about 12,000 patients per year.</p>
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<p>The company's current $3.2 billion market cap becomes far less frightening if these efforts pan out. Admittedly, there's no telling if it will win more approvals, or when it may turn a profit -- it lost more than $60 million last quarter -- but I do think the opportunity here can justify a higher price.</p>
<p>Amicus Therapeutics' shares have been on a <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2017/07/11/how-big-is-amicus-therapeutics-galafold-opportunit.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=db1b0b3c-a920-11e7-92b0-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">roller-coaster ride Opens a New Window.</a> since the FDA rejected the company's first attempt to file for approval of Galafold, its Fabry disease drug.</p>
<p>Fabry disease is a genetic disease that causes the buildup of a fatty substance called GL-3 in vital organs. Over time, a buildup of GL-3 can lead to kidney failure, stroke, and heart attack. As a result, the average life expectancy for Fabry disease patients is shorter than the general population.</p>
<p>Currently, Fabry disease patients are treated with enzyme replacement therapies.&#160;Shire's Replagal is sold in Europe, and Sanofi's Fabrazyme is sold in Europe and North America. Both drugs replace a missing or under-produced enzyme that's necessary to breakdown GL-3. Unlike these drugs, Galafold&#160;is a chaperone drug. It maximizes the ability to breakdown GL-3 in patients who still produce some of the necessary enzymes. An estimated 35% to 50% of Fabry disease patients could benefit from Galafold's approach.</p>
<p>Though Galaford won an OK in Europe, the FDA initially told Amicus Therapeutics it would have to conduct another trial to prove Galafold's efficacy before it would consider an approval. However, the FDA changed its mind this past summer, telling management it could submit Galafold for approval without doing the additional study.</p>
<p>The FDA's change of heart could signal that an OK is in the offering for Galafold. If so, it could give Amicus Therapeutics' financials a big boost. Replagal and Fabrazyme generate over $1 billion per year in combined sales, while Galafold's sales were only $7.2 million in Q2.&#160;Amicus Therapeutics expects to complete its application for FDA approval in Q4.</p>
<p>A Galafold green light would be great news, but there's another reason Amicus Therapeutics stock could continue to climb. Recently, management reported that its clinical-stage Pompe disease drug improved walking distance at the 6-month and 9-month marks. It also increased muscle strength and boosted pulmonary function. The data conceivably could be good enough to warrant accelerated approval, but if not, a phase 3 trial is slated to begin next year.&#160;</p>
<p>Amicus Therapeutics' opportunity in Pompe disease could be similar to its opportunity in Fabry disease. Sales of Sanofi's&#160;Myozyme and Lumizyme, two commonly used Pompe disease enzyme replacement therapies, totaled 393 million euros in the first six months of 2017.</p>
<p>With the potential to generate 9-figure sales in both Fabry disease and Pompe disease, Amicus Therapeutics could be worth more than its current $2.5 billion market cap.</p>
<p>Sarepta Therapeutics and Amicus Therapeutics spend more money than they bring in, and there's no guarantee their trials will lead to FDA OKs. A lot of success is already priced into their shares, so a stumble could cause shares to tumble, and that makes owning these companies too risky for most investors. Nevertheless, I think the peak sales opportunity for these companies is going to get bigger, and if I'm right, then risk-tolerant investors could still end up being rewarded, despite shares trading near 52-week highs.</p>
<p>10 stocks we like better than Amicus TherapeuticsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*</p>
<p>David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the <a href="http://infotron.fool.com/infotrack/click?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fool.com%2Fmms%2Fmark%2Fe-foolcom-sa-bbn-static%3Faid%3D8867%26source%3Disaeditxt0010449%26ftm_cam%3Dsa-bbn-evergreen%26ftm_pit%3D6312%26ftm_veh%3Dbbn_article_pitch&amp;impression=c58d5cea-90aa-4f6d-a063-084308afbf2d&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=db1b0b3c-a920-11e7-92b0-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">10 best stocks Opens a New Window.</a> for investors to buy right now... and Amicus Therapeutics 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=c58d5cea-90aa-4f6d-a063-084308afbf2d&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=db1b0b3c-a920-11e7-92b0-0050569d4be0&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 September 5, 2017</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFEBCapital/info.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=db1b0b3c-a920-11e7-92b0-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">Todd Campbell Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Amicus Therapeutics. His clients may have positions in the companies mentioned.&#160;The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a <a href="http://www.fool.com/Legal/fool-disclosure-policy.aspx?&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;uuid=db1b0b3c-a920-11e7-92b0-0050569d4be0&amp;utm_source=foxbusiness" type="external">disclosure policy Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | sarepta therapeutics nasdaq srpt amicus therapeutics nasdaq fold160are two fastgrowing biotech stocks trading pricetosales multiples north 50 yet biotech investors may still want add portfolios despite skyhigh valuations companies already market fastgrowing fdaapproved drugs developing new drugs rare diseases could significantly expand peak sales opportunity continue reading sarepta therapeutics markets exondys 51 opens new window exonskipping drug helps restore dystrophin production 13 duchennes muscular dystrophy dmd patients dmd rare lifeshortening musclewasting disease when160exondys 51 fda approval last year became first fdaapproved therapy indication despite small addressable market totaling 3400 patients sales exondys 51 already tracking annualized pace 140 million sales growing rapidly secondquarter revenue doubled revenue first quarter however exondys 51s growth isnt think sarepta therapeutics shares could continue higher instead companys progress toward developing additional exonskipping drugs make optimistic company evaluating drugs skip exon 53 exon 45 september reported exon 53 skipping drug boosted dystrophin levels small phase 12 trial news leads fda eventually giving green light use drugs skip exon 53 exon 45 sarepta therapeutics addressable market increases 30 dmd patients roughly 7600 patients since160exondys 51 costs 300000 per year future exonskipping drugs likely command similar prices additional approvals could push sarepta therapeutics annual sales 1 billion rebates discounts peak revenue could end even higher though sarepta therapeutics also developing exonskipping drugs could allow address 47 dmd patients 12000 patients per year advertisement companys current 32 billion market cap becomes far less frightening efforts pan admittedly theres telling win approvals may turn profit lost 60 million last quarter think opportunity justify higher price amicus therapeutics shares rollercoaster ride opens new window since fda rejected companys first attempt file approval galafold fabry disease drug fabry disease genetic disease causes buildup fatty substance called gl3 vital organs time buildup gl3 lead kidney failure stroke heart attack result average life expectancy fabry disease patients shorter general population currently fabry disease patients treated enzyme replacement therapies160shires replagal sold europe sanofis fabrazyme sold europe north america drugs replace missing underproduced enzyme thats necessary breakdown gl3 unlike drugs galafold160is chaperone drug maximizes ability breakdown gl3 patients still produce necessary enzymes estimated 35 50 fabry disease patients could benefit galafolds approach though galaford ok europe fda initially told amicus therapeutics would conduct another trial prove galafolds efficacy would consider approval however fda changed mind past summer telling management could submit galafold approval without additional study fdas change heart could signal ok offering galafold could give amicus therapeutics financials big boost replagal fabrazyme generate 1 billion per year combined sales galafolds sales 72 million q2160amicus therapeutics expects complete application fda approval q4 galafold green light would great news theres another reason amicus therapeutics stock could continue climb recently management reported clinicalstage pompe disease drug improved walking distance 6month 9month marks also increased muscle strength boosted pulmonary function data conceivably could good enough warrant accelerated approval phase 3 trial slated begin next year160 amicus therapeutics opportunity pompe disease could similar opportunity fabry disease sales sanofis160myozyme lumizyme two commonly used pompe disease enzyme replacement therapies totaled 393 million euros first six months 2017 potential generate 9figure sales fabry disease pompe disease amicus therapeutics could worth current 25 billion market cap sarepta therapeutics amicus therapeutics spend money bring theres guarantee trials lead fda oks lot success already priced shares stumble could cause shares tumble makes owning companies risky investors nevertheless think peak sales opportunity companies going get bigger im right risktolerant investors could still end rewarded despite shares trading near 52week highs 10 stocks like better amicus therapeuticswhen investing geniuses david tom gardner stock tip pay listen newsletter run decade motley fool stock advisor tripled market david tom revealed believe 10 best stocks opens new window investors buy right amicus therapeutics wasnt one thats right think 10 stocks even better buys click opens new window learn picks stock advisor returns september 5 2017 todd campbell opens new window owns shares amicus therapeutics clients may positions companies mentioned160the motley fool position stocks mentioned motley fool disclosure policy opens new window | 660 |
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<p>It's March, which means it's time for spring cleaning. Out with the old tech, and in with some shiny new hardware and sleek productivity applications to get your startup's employees working more efficiently in an open, collaborative environment. PCMag tested an impressive slate of new products over the past month across <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2495560,00.asp" type="external">mind mapping Opens a New Window.</a> and <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2483780,00.asp" type="external">Voice-over-IP Opens a New Window.</a> (VoIP) software and new computing and creator devices. Read on to get a look at some cutting-edge tech that might be just right for your startup.</p>
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<p>IdeaflipTo make a real difference for your startup, you need to not only have a great idea but know what to do with it. <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/345547/ideaflip" type="external">Ideaflip</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is a great mind mapping tool for capturing ideas and building mind maps to visually represent the various elements and moving parts of a concept or project. With a smooth user experience (UX) and simple, straightforward collaboration on Ideaflip boards, this tool is a great way to get your ideas mapped out and your team on the same page.</p>
<p>Jive Hosted VoIPFor the startup that needs a VoIP system, video conferencing solution, and call center functionality all in one, <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2416031,00.asp" type="external">Jive Hosted VoIP</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is an affordable and easy-to-use platform for small to midsize businesses (SMBs). Thanks to a revamped user interface (UI), it's also much more straightforward to navigate. Plus, it's equipped with powerful visual features such as a drag-and-drop dial plan editor.</p>
<p>MyFaxEven in our increasingly digital working world, some analog practices such as sending and receiving faxes are still sometimes necessary. <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385332,00.asp" type="external">MyFax</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is one of our Editors' Choice online fax services that lets you send and receive faxes from the web or via your email client rather than having to invest in a dated fax machine. MyFax is affordable, simple, and flexible. It even offers toll-free and international numbers.</p>
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<p>Zoho Notebook (for Mac)We included Zoho Notebook's iOS app in a <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/346600/pcmag-startup-toolkit-august-2016" type="external">previous Startup Toolkit</a>, and now we're back with a review of Zoho's accompanying Mac desktop app. <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/351789/zoho-notebook-for-mac" type="external">Zoho Notebook (for Mac) Opens a New Window.</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is a lightweight note-taking and syncing app. Right now, it's only available for Apple devices. It represents your notes as collections of notebooks with unique cover designs plus features such as checklists and multimedia attachments, including images, links, and audio recordings. It's a simple experience to manage your notes. Zoho is continually updating the platform along with its broader suite of apps. Plus, it's free.</p>
<p>AmazonBasics ShredderYou don't want to have to worry about a shredder. You just want one that can handle anything you feed it, slicing it to bits. The <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/351570/amazonbasics-12-sheet-cross-cut-paper-cd-and-credit-card-s" type="external">AmazonBasics 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper, CD, and Credit Card Shredder</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is fast and inexpensive. It offers solid speeds and can shred optical discs and plastic cards as well as paper.</p>
<p>Amazon EchoThe <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/331983/amazon-echo" type="external">Amazon Echo</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is so much more than just a wireless speaker. Thanks to the Alexa Skills Kit, the voice assistant now has the capability to aid in an ever-expanding list of business tasks, including communications, logistics, productivity, and scheduling. Teach Alexa some <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/351544/23-must-have-alexa-skills-for-your-small-business" type="external">small business skills Opens a New Window.</a> and set up an Echo to help out around the office.</p>
<p>Cerise Circular ComputerThe <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/351735/cerise-circular-computer" type="external">Cerise Circular Computer</a> is an unusual-looking, workstation-class business desktop. It's compact and stays quiet while giving you excellent performance for digital content creation. Plus, its shimmering black metal tube just looks cool in an office setting.</p>
<p>LG Minibeam LED Projector (PH550)The <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/351523/lg-minibeam-led-projector-ph550" type="external">LG Minibeam LED Projector (PH550)</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is a compact and lightweight projector with good video and data image quality, and one you can take and present with anywhere. It's got a wealth of ports and Bluetooth connectivity options on top of its unusually good video quality for an LED-based projector. It's our Editors' Choice portable, palmtop projector.</p>
<p>Plantronics Voyager Focus UCIf you're going to have a headset on all day, then "you might as well feel like a boss" as our reviewer Sascha Segan wrote. The <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/351525/plantronics-voyager-focus-uc" type="external">Plantronics Voyager Focus UC</a> <a type="external" href="" /> is the best Bluetooth headset PCMag has tested for all-day conversation. It successfully brings together solid stereo audio, high-quality noise cancellation, a boom mic, all-day battery life, and long-wearing comfort. It offers all of this without the trade-offs you get from using either a mono headset or headphones designed primarily for music.</p>
<p>Startup Tool of the Month: Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16If you want to get something special for your startup's art designers or creators, then go for the <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/review/351716/wacom-mobilestudio-pro-16" type="external">Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 Opens a New Window.</a> <a type="external" href="" />. This powerful Windows 10 drawing tablet combines fast components, a high-resolution display, and a comfortable and intuitive pen into a mobile canvas that packs a rich feature set. One such feature is a back camera with Intel RealSense technology for capturing objects in 3D space. We had one of PCMag's in-house designers test the tablet by using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; it proved deft with both apps. Especially considering how the coming Windows 10 Creators Update could <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/349073/how-the-windows-10-creators-update-could-revolutionize-busin" type="external">revolutionize business Opens a New Window.</a>, the Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 is a sound investment if your startup is serious about in-depth art and design work.</p>
<p>This article <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article/351908/pcmag-startup-toolkit-march-2017" type="external">originally appeared</a> on <a href="http://www.pcmag.com" type="external">PCMag.com Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | march means time spring cleaning old tech shiny new hardware sleek productivity applications get startups employees working efficiently open collaborative environment pcmag tested impressive slate new products past month across mind mapping opens new window voiceoverip opens new window voip software new computing creator devices read get look cuttingedge tech might right startup continue reading ideaflipto make real difference startup need great idea know ideaflip great mind mapping tool capturing ideas building mind maps visually represent various elements moving parts concept project smooth user experience ux simple straightforward collaboration ideaflip boards tool great way get ideas mapped team page jive hosted voipfor startup needs voip system video conferencing solution call center functionality one jive hosted voip affordable easytouse platform small midsize businesses smbs thanks revamped user interface ui also much straightforward navigate plus equipped powerful visual features draganddrop dial plan editor myfaxeven increasingly digital working world analog practices sending receiving faxes still sometimes necessary myfax one editors choice online fax services lets send receive faxes web via email client rather invest dated fax machine myfax affordable simple flexible even offers tollfree international numbers advertisement zoho notebook macwe included zoho notebooks ios app previous startup toolkit back review zohos accompanying mac desktop app zoho notebook mac opens new window lightweight notetaking syncing app right available apple devices represents notes collections notebooks unique cover designs plus features checklists multimedia attachments including images links audio recordings simple experience manage notes zoho continually updating platform along broader suite apps plus free amazonbasics shredderyou dont want worry shredder want one handle anything feed slicing bits amazonbasics 12sheet crosscut paper cd credit card shredder fast inexpensive offers solid speeds shred optical discs plastic cards well paper amazon echothe amazon echo much wireless speaker thanks alexa skills kit voice assistant capability aid everexpanding list business tasks including communications logistics productivity scheduling teach alexa small business skills opens new window set echo help around office cerise circular computerthe cerise circular computer unusuallooking workstationclass business desktop compact stays quiet giving excellent performance digital content creation plus shimmering black metal tube looks cool office setting lg minibeam led projector ph550the lg minibeam led projector ph550 compact lightweight projector good video data image quality one take present anywhere got wealth ports bluetooth connectivity options top unusually good video quality ledbased projector editors choice portable palmtop projector plantronics voyager focus ucif youre going headset day might well feel like boss reviewer sascha segan wrote plantronics voyager focus uc best bluetooth headset pcmag tested allday conversation successfully brings together solid stereo audio highquality noise cancellation boom mic allday battery life longwearing comfort offers without tradeoffs get using either mono headset headphones designed primarily music startup tool month wacom mobilestudio pro 16if want get something special startups art designers creators go wacom mobilestudio pro 16 opens new window powerful windows 10 drawing tablet combines fast components highresolution display comfortable intuitive pen mobile canvas packs rich feature set one feature back camera intel realsense technology capturing objects 3d space one pcmags inhouse designers test tablet using adobe photoshop illustrator proved deft apps especially considering coming windows 10 creators update could revolutionize business opens new window wacom mobilestudio pro 16 sound investment startup serious indepth art design work article originally appeared pcmagcom opens new window | 539 |
<p>Twitter shares poised for its best daily gain since September 2016</p>
<p>U.S. stocks rose on Thursday as a steady stream of healthy earnings restored confidence in the market a day after the S&amp;P 500 and the Dow posted their biggest drops in more than seven weeks.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The House of Representatives also passed a budget blueprint (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/house-narrowly-passes-budget-in-critical-step-for-republicans-tax-plan-2017-10-26), paving the way for the Senate to eventually pass a tax-reform package by a simple majority. Some analysts view passage of a tax-cut package as critical to extending the stock-market rally.</p>
<p>What are stock indexes doing?</p>
<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 82 points, or 0.4%, to 23,418. The S&amp;P 500 gained 5 points, or 0.2%, to 2,562 while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 2 points at 6,561.</p>
<p>However, gains in the Nasdaq were limited by heavy weakness in the biotechnology sector (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/biotech-etfs-tumble-with-celgenes-stock-headlining-weakness-2017-10-26), which also weighed on the overall health-care group. The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) slid 2.7% while the health-care sector lost 1.5% as the biggest declining industry of the day.</p>
<p>What's driving the market?</p>
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<p>The House of Representatives passed a budget blueprint on Thursday that is key to Republicans' tax-cutting goals, which paves the way for the Senate to later pass a tax-reform package with a simple majority, instead of 60 votes.</p>
<p>Earlier in the session, the European Central Bank announced plans to extend the length of its quantitative-easing measures but reduce its monthly asset purchases. The move had been expected, but it marked a very gradual tapering of crisis-era measures by the central bank. The ECB, as expected, left interest rates unchanged and reiterated that it anticipated them to remain at present levels for an "extended period" and beyond the eventual end of its asset buying program.</p>
<p>Read:Draghi averts 'taper tantrum'--for now--as ECB takes baby step toward ending QE (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/draghi-averts-taper-tantrumfor-nowas-ecb-begins-slow-walk-to-normalization-2017-10-26)</p>
<p>The markets are also closely monitoring President Donald Trump's coming pick to head the Federal Reserve after Chairwoman Janet Yellen's term ends in February. Yellen is out of the race for the top spot, according to two reports on Thursday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/yellen-looks-to-be-out-of-the-race-for-fed-chief-2017-10-26), leaving Fed Gov. Jerome Powell and Stanford University economist John Taylor as front-runners.</p>
<p>See:What investors need to know about Fed candidate John Taylor's famous rule (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-investors-need-to-know-about-john-taylor-and-the-fed-candidates-famous-rule-2017-10-17)</p>
<p>(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-earnings-cloud-may-maintain-600-billion-market-cap-2017-10-25)What are analysts saying?</p>
<p>On the Fed leadership watch, Kevin Giddis, head of fixed income capital markets at Raymond James, said it's likely a three-way race between Jay Powell, John Taylor, and Yellen.</p>
<p>"If it is John Taylor (hawk), look for the 10--year to take out 2.50% without a problem," he said in a note.</p>
<p>What data are in focus?</p>
<p>Weekly jobless claims (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-jobless-claims-climb-10000-to-233000-a-week-after-hitting-44-year-low-2017-10-26) rose by 10,000 to 233,000 in the latest week, holding at a historically low level.</p>
<p>Pending home sales (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pending-home-sales-wobble-to-a-2-12-year-low-2017-10-26) showed a decline to a 2 1/2 year low in September, missing consensus estimates for a rise of 0.4%, as the housing market is buffeted by lean supply and strong demand. Meanwhile, the advanced U.S. trade deficit widened by 1.3% in September.</p>
<p>See:MarketWatch's economic calendar (http://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendars/economic)</p>
<p>Which stocks are in focus?</p>
<p>Shares of Twitter Inc. (TWTR) surged 19%, poised for their best daily performance since September 2016, after the social-media group reported narrower losses (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/twitter-soars-pre-market-as-it-adds-users-but-admits-to-overestimating-users-for-years-2017-10-26). But Twitter also admitted to overstating users for years (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/twitter-admits-to-overstating-users-for-years-2017-10-26).</p>
<p>Celgene Corp. (CELG) plummeted 20% after the company reported a third-quarter profit beat and revenue miss and lowered its 2017 profit and revenue outlook (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/celgene-shares-drop-11-on-updated-2017-guidance-2017-10-26). The stock pressured the overall biotech and health-care sectors.</p>
<p>Tenet Healthcare Corp.(THC) shares tanked 9.4% following a Reuters report that the hospital operator has ended its plan to sell itself after its chief executive abruptly left (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tenet-announces-early-exit-of-ceo-as-it-continues-to-seek-permanent-successor-2017-10-23)ahead of schedule.</p>
<p>Nutrisystem Inc.(NTRI) continued to slide, falling 9.7%, despite turning in better-than-expected quarterly earnings (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shares-of-nutrisystem-skid-despite-robust-quarterly-earnings-new-buyback-plan-2017-10-25).</p>
<p>Ford Motor Co.(F) rose 1.5% after the auto maker beat profit and revenue estimates (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ford-shares-jump-15-premarket-as-earnings-blow-through-estimates-2017-10-26).</p>
<p>Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.(BWLD) shares soared 21% after a big profit boost (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/buffalo-wild-wings-stock-takes-flight-with-boneless-wings-2017-10-25)due to a switch to boneless wings for one of its signature promotions.</p>
<p>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(BMY) shares fell 4.9% after the company missed on profit and revenue (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bristol-myers-squibb-reports-q3-profit-miss-revenue-beat-updates-2017-consensus-2017-10-26) and changed its 2017 guidance</p>
<p>Shares of CVS Health Corp.(CVS), Rite Aid Corp.(RAD), Express Scripts Holding Co.(ESRX) and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.(WBA) all fell sharply after Amazon.com Inc.(AMZN) secured a wholesale pharmacy license (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/drug-stocks-drop-after-report-that-amazon-has-obtained-pharmacy-licenses-2017-10-26). Amazon rose 0.8%.</p>
<p>Shares of Pfizer Inc.(PFE) fell 1.2% after a Reuters report that the drugmaker will begin the auction process for its consumer health care (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pfizer-sets-date-for-auction-of-consumer-healthcare-unit-reuters-2017-10-26) unit in November.</p>
<p>U.S.-listed shares of Nokia Corp.(NOK) tumbled 20% after the Finnish telecommunications company said its loss widened in the third quarter (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nokia-loss-wider-than-seen-in-weak-networks-market-2017-10-26).</p>
<p>Shares of 3M Co. (MMM), which jumped after the maker of Post-it Notes reported better-than-expected quarterly results earlier in the week (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/3ms-stock-jumps-after-profit-and-revenue-rise-above-expectations-2017-10-24), were off 2.1%.</p>
<p>U.S.-listed shares of Barclays PLC (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/barclays-profit-rises-no-word-on-dividend-hike-2017-10-26)(BCS) slid 9% and those ofDeutsche Bank AG (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/deutsche-bank-profit-more-than-doubles-2017-10-26-2485813)(DBK.XE) fell 1.8% after each bank reported earnings.</p>
<p>After the market closes, focus will turn to technology heavyweights, with Google-parent Alphabet Inc.(GOOGL), Amazon.com and Microsoft Corp.(MSFT) are slated to report.</p>
<p>Read:Alphabet earnings: Google's mobile transition is a double-edged sword (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alphabet-earnings-googles-mobile-transition-is-a-double-edged-sword-2017-10-24)</p>
<p>(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alphabet-earnings-googles-mobile-transition-is-a-double-edged-sword-2017-10-24) (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alphabet-earnings-googles-mobile-transition-is-a-double-edged-sword-2017-10-24)Also read:Microsoft earnings: Cloud may maintain $600 billion market cap (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-earnings-cloud-may-maintain-600-billion-market-cap-2017-10-25)</p>
<p>What are other markets doing?</p>
<p>The euro fell to $1.166 as that ECB announcement was made (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/euro-higher-against-the-dollar-as-ecb-meeting-looms-2017-10-26), down from $1.181 late Wednesday in New York. The ICE Dollar Index jumped 0.1%.</p>
<p>Oil prices reversed earlier drop (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-prices-steady-following-pullback-driven-by-inventory-data-2017-10-26) to rise, while gold (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-prices-retreat-as-dollar-gains-against-euro-2017-10-26) settled lower,</p>
<p>Stocks in Asia closed mixed, while European stocks held steady at a higher level (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-cling-to-small-gains-as-investors-brace-for-ecb-move-2017-10-26)after the ECB announcement. Gains were led by Spanish stocks which soared almost 2% on reports that Catalan President Carles Puigdemont could call early elections (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spain-stocks-rally-on-reports-catalan-leader-will-dissolve-parliament-hold-early-elections-2017-10-26) and dissolve parliament. However, later reports indicated that the Catalan leader may not call a snap election.</p>
<p>Read:Why Italy faces worst shock in Europe as ECB prepares to taper bond buys (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-italy-faces-worst-shock-in-europe-as-ecb-prepares-to-taper-bond-buys-2017-10-24)</p>
<p>--Sara Sjolin contributed to this article.</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>October 26, 2017 15:36 ET (19:36 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | twitter shares poised best daily gain since september 2016 us stocks rose thursday steady stream healthy earnings restored confidence market day sampp 500 dow posted biggest drops seven weeks continue reading house representatives also passed budget blueprint httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryhousenarrowlypassesbudgetincriticalstepforrepublicanstaxplan20171026 paving way senate eventually pass taxreform package simple majority analysts view passage taxcut package critical extending stockmarket rally stock indexes dow jones industrial average rose 82 points 04 23418 sampp 500 gained 5 points 02 2562 nasdaq composite index edged 2 points 6561 however gains nasdaq limited heavy weakness biotechnology sector httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybiotechetfstumblewithcelgenesstockheadliningweakness20171026 also weighed overall healthcare group ishares nasdaq biotechnology etf ibb slid 27 healthcare sector lost 15 biggest declining industry day whats driving market advertisement house representatives passed budget blueprint thursday key republicans taxcutting goals paves way senate later pass taxreform package simple majority instead 60 votes earlier session european central bank announced plans extend length quantitativeeasing measures reduce monthly asset purchases move expected marked gradual tapering crisisera measures central bank ecb expected left interest rates unchanged reiterated anticipated remain present levels extended period beyond eventual end asset buying program readdraghi averts taper tantrumfor nowas ecb takes baby step toward ending qe httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydraghiavertstapertantrumfornowasecbbeginsslowwalktonormalization20171026 markets also closely monitoring president donald trumps coming pick head federal reserve chairwoman janet yellens term ends february yellen race top spot according two reports thursday httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryyellenlookstobeoutoftheraceforfedchief20171026 leaving fed gov jerome powell stanford university economist john taylor frontrunners seewhat investors need know fed candidate john taylors famous rule httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywhatinvestorsneedtoknowaboutjohntaylorandthefedcandidatesfamousrule20171017 httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorymicrosoftearningscloudmaymaintain600billionmarketcap20171025what analysts saying fed leadership watch kevin giddis head fixed income capital markets raymond james said likely threeway race jay powell john taylor yellen john taylor hawk look 10year take 250 without problem said note data focus weekly jobless claims httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryusjoblessclaimsclimb10000to233000aweekafterhitting44yearlow20171026 rose 10000 233000 latest week holding historically low level pending home sales httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorypendinghomesaleswobbletoa212yearlow20171026 showed decline 2 12 year low september missing consensus estimates rise 04 housing market buffeted lean supply strong demand meanwhile advanced us trade deficit widened 13 september seemarketwatchs economic calendar httpwwwmarketwatchcomeconomypoliticscalendarseconomic stocks focus shares twitter inc twtr surged 19 poised best daily performance since september 2016 socialmedia group reported narrower losses httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytwittersoarspremarketasitaddsusersbutadmitstooverestimatingusersforyears20171026 twitter also admitted overstating users years httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytwitteradmitstooverstatingusersforyears20171026 celgene corp celg plummeted 20 company reported thirdquarter profit beat revenue miss lowered 2017 profit revenue outlook httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorycelgenesharesdrop11onupdated2017guidance20171026 stock pressured overall biotech healthcare sectors tenet healthcare corpthc shares tanked 94 following reuters report hospital operator ended plan sell chief executive abruptly left httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorytenetannouncesearlyexitofceoasitcontinuestoseekpermanentsuccessor20171023ahead schedule nutrisystem incntri continued slide falling 97 despite turning betterthanexpected quarterly earnings httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorysharesofnutrisystemskiddespiterobustquarterlyearningsnewbuybackplan20171025 ford motor cof rose 15 auto maker beat profit revenue estimates httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryfordsharesjump15premarketasearningsblowthroughestimates20171026 buffalo wild wings incbwld shares soared 21 big profit boost httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybuffalowildwingsstocktakesflightwithbonelesswings20171025due switch boneless wings one signature promotions bristolmyers squibb cobmy shares fell 49 company missed profit revenue httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybristolmyerssquibbreportsq3profitmissrevenuebeatupdates2017consensus20171026 changed 2017 guidance shares cvs health corpcvs rite aid corprad express scripts holding coesrx walgreens boots alliance incwba fell sharply amazoncom incamzn secured wholesale pharmacy license httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydrugstocksdropafterreportthatamazonhasobtainedpharmacylicenses20171026 amazon rose 08 shares pfizer incpfe fell 12 reuters report drugmaker begin auction process consumer health care httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorypfizersetsdateforauctionofconsumerhealthcareunitreuters20171026 unit november uslisted shares nokia corpnok tumbled 20 finnish telecommunications company said loss widened third quarter httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorynokialosswiderthanseeninweaknetworksmarket20171026 shares 3m co mmm jumped maker postit notes reported betterthanexpected quarterly results earlier week httpwwwmarketwatchcomstory3msstockjumpsafterprofitandrevenueriseaboveexpectations20171024 21 uslisted shares barclays plc httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorybarclaysprofitrisesnowordondividendhike20171026bcs slid 9 ofdeutsche bank ag httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorydeutschebankprofitmorethandoubles201710262485813dbkxe fell 18 bank reported earnings market closes focus turn technology heavyweights googleparent alphabet incgoogl amazoncom microsoft corpmsft slated report readalphabet earnings googles mobile transition doubleedged sword httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryalphabetearningsgooglesmobiletransitionisadoubleedgedsword20171024 httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryalphabetearningsgooglesmobiletransitionisadoubleedgedsword20171024 httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryalphabetearningsgooglesmobiletransitionisadoubleedgedsword20171024also readmicrosoft earnings cloud may maintain 600 billion market cap httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorymicrosoftearningscloudmaymaintain600billionmarketcap20171025 markets euro fell 1166 ecb announcement made httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryeurohigheragainstthedollarasecbmeetinglooms20171026 1181 late wednesday new york ice dollar index jumped 01 oil prices reversed earlier drop httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryoilpricessteadyfollowingpullbackdrivenbyinventorydata20171026 rise gold httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorygoldpricesretreatasdollargainsagainsteuro20171026 settled lower stocks asia closed mixed european stocks held steady higher level httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryeuropeanstocksclingtosmallgainsasinvestorsbraceforecbmove20171026after ecb announcement gains led spanish stocks soared almost 2 reports catalan president carles puigdemont could call early elections httpwwwmarketwatchcomstoryspainstocksrallyonreportscatalanleaderwilldissolveparliamentholdearlyelections20171026 dissolve parliament however later reports indicated catalan leader may call snap election readwhy italy faces worst shock europe ecb prepares taper bond buys httpwwwmarketwatchcomstorywhyitalyfacesworstshockineuropeasecbpreparestotaperbondbuys20171024 sara sjolin contributed article end dow jones newswires october 26 2017 1536 et 1936 gmt | 676 |
<p>Now, here’s where I want to see if government applies its own standards to its public indoctrination centers.</p>
<p>Last week, <a href="https://freedomoutpost.com/christian-medical-professional-pregnant-wife-arrested-children-taken-simply-responsible/" type="external">I reported on Alan and Aimee Friz</a>, Christian parents of 11 children, including the one she is pregnant with. They were both arrested because they cared about the safety of their family and their oldest daughter and locked her in a room at night after she made threats to murder them in their sleep.</p>
<p>While the Frizes simply loved and cared for their daughter, a lot more than the state would have done in the situation, they were ironically caged in a jail cell and their children taken from them.</p>
<p>Now, it’s come out to light that a public school in Iowa has been giving kids “time out” in a wooden cage for up to an hour! Check out the video.</p>
<p />
<p>The 6×3 boxes are referred to as “seclusion enclosures” and they can only be opened from the outside.</p>
<p>They have padded walls and a window in the door.</p>
<p>One school board member referred to them as “little dungeons.”</p>
<p>The cages were implemented to confine students who are said to be “in danger of harming themselves and others.”</p>
<p>You might say, how can this be? Isn’t this some form of cruel and unusual punishment for small children? Of course, it is, but the state board of education has specific rules that keep this form of seclusion outside its ban of corporal punishment. I’ll bet they don’t allow paddling, which is what I got when I went to school.</p>
<p>According to the Iowa Department of Education:</p>
<p>Chapter 103 – Seclusion rooms must have adequate light and ventilation and a comfortable temperature. Staff needs permission to extend a child’s sentence for longer tahn an hour.</p>
<p>OK, so now that we have public indoctrination centers run like prison systems anyway, they are putting in isolation blocks, and calling the “corporal punishment” a “sentence.”</p>
<p>These people are treating kids like they are criminals rather than giving them proper discipline.</p>
<p>In addition to the Department of Education, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported on the wooden cages back in July.</p>
<p>EDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids school district has admitted Pierce Elementary School staff held a third-grade girl in an unauthorized seclusion room not for being physically aggressive — as the law allows — but because she wouldn’t stop crying.</p>
<p>“If I did that, I absolutely would be reported to DHS,” said Tammy Mims, the girl’s guardian, referring to the Iowa Department of Human Services, which investigates reports of child abuse. “There’s no accountability.”</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>“I was crying, kicking the door and trying to pull it open,” the girl told The Gazette. “They said, ‘You need to calm down,’ but I couldn’t get out.”</p>
<p>She doesn’t know how long she was in the room — and the school district didn’t document the incident — but she said she finally was able to pull the door open a crack and saw several school staff on the other side.</p>
<p>The girl said she was placed in that room twice during third grade, although Mims said she did not receive written notice — as required by law — for either incident.</p>
<p>S. C. Sherman at the <a href="http://dailysurge.com/2017/10/care-teacher-locked-kid-wooden-box-iowa-public-schools-just/" type="external">Daily Surge</a> writes:</p>
<p>When I first saw this I wanted to write it off as a joke. The Huffington Post has run a lot of stuff I find dubious at best.</p>
<p>I watched the video partly because my kids go to school in Eastern Iowa, which is exactly where this form of “Discipline” was said to be taking place.</p>
<p>I personally was in shock.</p>
<p>I was stunned. Eastern Iowa and schools tend to lean liberal. How could liberals be for this? Was it really happening? I went to my personal Facebook page. The one where I post mostly only family photos and non-political things. I shared this video and asked if any of my friends new if this was real or not. I was half expecting it to be “Fake News”. Well, it wasn’t.</p>
<p>Of course, those in charge of these mini-prisons blame everything and everyone but their lack of ability to manage.</p>
<p>The Gazette reported, “Seclusion rooms, used in many Iowa school districts, are allowed as a last resort when agitated children are at risk of harming themselves or others. Although some psychologists and parents believe seclusion can do more harm than good, the practice reflects the challenges teachers face educating children with mental illness, developmental disabilities or trauma that may cause them to act out violently.”</p>
<p>“But the rooms aren’t to be used for minor infractions, and never for punishment,” the report added.</p>
<p>But they are being used for that. They’re even referring to it as a “sentence.”</p>
<p>In a review of the cages, an Iowa City Task Force said they wanted to keep them, but wanted to use them less. That’s code word for, we’re just engaging in damage control.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to understand why we need to lock up a 4- or 5-year-old in a 6-by-6 cell because we can’t calm them down,” board member Phil Hemingway <a href="http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/education/iowa-city-schools-task-force-recommends-keeping-seclusion-rooms-for-discipline-20170614" type="external">said.</a></p>
<p>“These are little dungeons we have in the classroom,” board member Chris Liebig <a href="http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/education/iowa-city-schools-task-force-recommends-keeping-seclusion-rooms-for-discipline-20170614" type="external">added</a>. “I understand there’s a rationale you can build for them, but to me, it’s just not right. … It can’t look and feel the way that these do.”</p>
<p>So, in days gone by, public indoctrination centers used to paddle, or you might have to go to the principal’s office where they would probably call your parents and then you got spanked when you got home.</p>
<p>Not today. Today, people are happily dropping their children off at the local elementary prison facility.</p>
<p>Seriously, America, are you not awake to what is being done in this country?</p>
<p>Get your kids out of these places while you still can and start teaching them at home! You can do it! You can! <a href="http://www.ronpaulcurriculum.com/index.cfm?affID=Alive2god" type="external">And you can start for free by clicking here!</a></p>
<p>Courtesy of <a href="https://freedomoutpost.com/iowa-public-schools-now-locking-4-6-year-old-kids-wooden-cage-hour/" type="external">Freedom Outpost</a></p>
<p>Tim Brown is an author and Editor at <a href="http://freedomoutpost.com/" type="external">FreedomOutpost.com</a>, <a href="http://sonsoflibertymedia.com" type="external">SonsOfLibertyMedia.com</a>, <a href="http://gunsinthenews.com" type="external">GunsInTheNews.com</a> and <a href="http://thewashingtonstandard.com" type="external">TheWashingtonStandard.com</a>. He is husband to his “more precious than rubies” wife, father of 10 “mighty arrows”, jack of all trades, Christian and lover of liberty. He resides in the U.S. occupied Great State of South Carolina. Tim is also an affiliate for the <a href="joshuamark5.com" type="external">Joshua Mark 5 AR/AK hybrid semi-automatic rifle</a>. Follow Tim on <a href="https://twitter.com/FPPTim" type="external">Twitter</a>.</p>
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<p /> | true | 0 | heres want see government applies standards public indoctrination centers last week reported alan aimee friz christian parents 11 children including one pregnant arrested cared safety family oldest daughter locked room night made threats murder sleep frizes simply loved cared daughter lot state would done situation ironically caged jail cell children taken come light public school iowa giving kids time wooden cage hour check video 63 boxes referred seclusion enclosures opened outside padded walls window door one school board member referred little dungeons cages implemented confine students said danger harming others might say isnt form cruel unusual punishment small children course state board education specific rules keep form seclusion outside ban corporal punishment ill bet dont allow paddling got went school according iowa department education chapter 103 seclusion rooms must adequate light ventilation comfortable temperature staff needs permission extend childs sentence longer tahn hour ok public indoctrination centers run like prison systems anyway putting isolation blocks calling corporal punishment sentence people treating kids like criminals rather giving proper discipline addition department education cedar rapids gazette reported wooden cages back july edar rapids cedar rapids school district admitted pierce elementary school staff held thirdgrade girl unauthorized seclusion room physically aggressive law allows wouldnt stop crying absolutely would reported dhs said tammy mims girls guardian referring iowa department human services investigates reports child abuse theres accountability crying kicking door trying pull open girl told gazette said need calm couldnt get doesnt know long room school district didnt document incident said finally able pull door open crack saw several school staff side girl said placed room twice third grade although mims said receive written notice required law either incident c sherman daily surge writes first saw wanted write joke huffington post run lot stuff find dubious best watched video partly kids go school eastern iowa exactly form discipline said taking place personally shock stunned eastern iowa schools tend lean liberal could liberals really happening went personal facebook page one post mostly family photos nonpolitical things shared video asked friends new real half expecting fake news well wasnt course charge miniprisons blame everything everyone lack ability manage gazette reported seclusion rooms used many iowa school districts allowed last resort agitated children risk harming others although psychologists parents believe seclusion harm good practice reflects challenges teachers face educating children mental illness developmental disabilities trauma may cause act violently rooms arent used minor infractions never punishment report added used theyre even referring sentence review cages iowa city task force said wanted keep wanted use less thats code word engaging damage control hard understand need lock 4 5yearold 6by6 cell cant calm board member phil hemingway said little dungeons classroom board member chris liebig added understand theres rationale build right cant look feel way days gone public indoctrination centers used paddle might go principals office would probably call parents got spanked got home today today people happily dropping children local elementary prison facility seriously america awake done country get kids places still start teaching home start free clicking courtesy freedom outpost tim brown author editor freedomoutpostcom sonsoflibertymediacom gunsinthenewscom thewashingtonstandardcom husband precious rubies wife father 10 mighty arrows jack trades christian lover liberty resides us occupied great state south carolina tim also affiliate joshua mark 5 arak hybrid semiautomatic rifle follow tim twitter | 544 |
<p />
<p>Brokerages saw top advisers depart in droves last year and shift $132.5 billion in client assets with them, a Reuters tally shows, creating headaches for some Wall Street banks at a time when wealth management is becoming an increasingly important part of business.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>Unprecedented signing bonuses, cultural changes linked to acquisitions, a push to cross-sell company products, and a growing charm of joining regional outfits contributed to many of these exits which are likely to continue this year, recruiters and brokers said.</p>
<p>All told, at least 880 veteran brokers and their teams changed firms in 2012, according to the data, which tracks the moves of top individual advisers and teams that manage $100 million or more in client assets. That included the departure of at least 16 $1 billion-plus advisers or teams, a number wealth management recruiters say they usually see over several years, not in 12 months.</p>
<p>Morgan Stanley Wealth Management - the brokerage majority owned by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) and partially owned by Citigroup (NYSE:C) - felt the brunt of defections in 2012, with the departure of at least 243 veteran advisers who managed more than $39.2 billion. Bank of America Corp's (NYSE:BAC) Merrill lost at least 184 advisers who managed more than $28.5 billion.</p>
<p>The two largest U.S. brokerages by headcount each lost at least six teams that managed $1 billion or more in client assets apiece - easily the size of an entire office branch.</p>
<p>"Our strategy is to attract the industry's best talent for our clients, and to size our adviser population to meet market opportunity," Merrill spokesman Matt Card said.</p>
<p>Morgan Stanley declined to comment.</p>
<p>Several major Wall Street banks such as Morgan Stanley and UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) are betting on wealth management for steady income and growth, as a weak global economy and financial regulation hit profits from other businesses such as trading and investment banking. At Morgan Stanley, for example, the wealth management unit accounted for 44 percent of third-quarter revenue, excluding one-time charges.</p>
<p>While adviser defections may not immediately make a big dent in the more than $1 trillion in assets the top brokerages manage, the losses can add up over time. Losing $1 billion in client assets, for example, can translate into loss of more than $10 million in annual revenues for a firm.</p>
<p>"We'll start to see some impact on the revenue side of the equation," as bigger advisers continue to depart, said Memphis-based banking analyst Marty Mosby of Guggenheim Partners.</p>
<p>"(Bigger firms) will have to make sure their resources are being applied in the most efficient way possible," and will need to make existing client assets more productive, he said.</p>
<p>U.S. brokerages have already begun to move in that direction, adding incentives to their 2013 pay plans to coax advisers to sell bank products.</p>
<p>Wells Fargo &amp; Co's Wells Fargo Advisors and UBS Wealth Management Americas fared better in terms of recruiting and retaining veteran advisers in 2012. UBS offered some of the richest retention and sign-on bonuses in the industry and Wells benefited from its independent brokerage division, which allows advisers to own their practices. Even so, at least 82 veteran advisers departed Wells and 67 left UBS.</p>
<p>UBS is "always looking at attracting the top advisers," while also making the firm a place advisers want to stay, spokeswoman Karina Byrne said. "Our low attrition rates show that we are succeeding."</p>
<p>Wells managing director Ron Sallett said 2012 was the second best recruiting year for the company's independent brokerage unit since it was founded more than a decade ago. "We think our firm is continuing to position itself in the market as the firm of choice," he said.</p>
<p>BIG BONUSES</p>
<p>Signing bonuses for top advisers are now around 350 percent of the broker's annual revenue, with 180 to 200 percent offered upfront, said Tom Lewis, a New Jersey-based lawyer for Stark &amp; Stark. An adviser who generates about $1 million in annual revenue might receive as much as $2 million on day one from a rival firm.</p>
<p>"They're in a range that we haven't seen approached before," said Lewis, who works with advisers making the transition to a new firm. "It's a long-term investment, yet your short-term profitability suffers."</p>
<p>UBS, for example, said it had a 10 percent increase in compensation commitments and advances related to recruited financial advisers in the third quarter from the year prior. The cost-to-income ratio - a measure of profitability - at UBS's U.S. brokerage was at 86.1 percent at the end of September, compared with 66.5 percent for its global wealth management unit, which doesn't have to offer such bonuses.</p>
<p>Half of the big brokerage advisers who left their firms became independent advisers, joined an independent advisory firm or moved to a smaller firm like Raymond James Financial Inc or Ameriprise Financial Inc, the data shows. They took $35.2 billion in client assets with them.</p>
<p>"Our expectations for 2013 (recruiting) are very promising," said Raymond James' Private Client Group President Tash Elwyn.</p>
<p>These firms offer lower signing bonuses, but advisers who made the move say there are other attractions, such as the ability to focus more on their clients' investment needs rather than also worrying about the company's bottom line.</p>
<p>Departing wirehouse advisers also pointed to concerns about a perceived push to cross-sell bank or company-branded products at their old firms, increased layers of management and cultural conflicts stemming from the acquisition of their firm by larger companies.</p>
<p>Illinois-based advisers Ziv Ohel and William Duncan, who together managed $275 million in client assets at Morgan Stanley, left the firm in mid-November. Ohel said they joined Minneapolis-based Ameriprise because the firm focused more on financial planning and had less of a big brokerage mentality.</p>
<p>Independence is also increasingly attractive to advisers. HighTower Advisors LLC, Focus Financial Partners LLC and Dynasty Financial Partners LLC each lured at least one team with $1 billion or more in client assets.</p>
<p>(Reporting By Ashley Lau; Editing by Jennifer Merritt, Paritosh Bansal and Bernard Orr)</p>
<p>Advertisement</p> | true | 0 | brokerages saw top advisers depart droves last year shift 1325 billion client assets reuters tally shows creating headaches wall street banks time wealth management becoming increasingly important part business continue reading unprecedented signing bonuses cultural changes linked acquisitions push crosssell company products growing charm joining regional outfits contributed many exits likely continue year recruiters brokers said told least 880 veteran brokers teams changed firms 2012 according data tracks moves top individual advisers teams manage 100 million client assets included departure least 16 1 billionplus advisers teams number wealth management recruiters say usually see several years 12 months morgan stanley wealth management brokerage majority owned morgan stanley nysems partially owned citigroup nysec felt brunt defections 2012 departure least 243 veteran advisers managed 392 billion bank america corps nysebac merrill lost least 184 advisers managed 285 billion two largest us brokerages headcount lost least six teams managed 1 billion client assets apiece easily size entire office branch strategy attract industrys best talent clients size adviser population meet market opportunity merrill spokesman matt card said morgan stanley declined comment several major wall street banks morgan stanley ubs ag nyseubs betting wealth management steady income growth weak global economy financial regulation hit profits businesses trading investment banking morgan stanley example wealth management unit accounted 44 percent thirdquarter revenue excluding onetime charges adviser defections may immediately make big dent 1 trillion assets top brokerages manage losses add time losing 1 billion client assets example translate loss 10 million annual revenues firm well start see impact revenue side equation bigger advisers continue depart said memphisbased banking analyst marty mosby guggenheim partners bigger firms make sure resources applied efficient way possible need make existing client assets productive said us brokerages already begun move direction adding incentives 2013 pay plans coax advisers sell bank products wells fargo amp cos wells fargo advisors ubs wealth management americas fared better terms recruiting retaining veteran advisers 2012 ubs offered richest retention signon bonuses industry wells benefited independent brokerage division allows advisers practices even least 82 veteran advisers departed wells 67 left ubs ubs always looking attracting top advisers also making firm place advisers want stay spokeswoman karina byrne said low attrition rates show succeeding wells managing director ron sallett said 2012 second best recruiting year companys independent brokerage unit since founded decade ago think firm continuing position market firm choice said big bonuses signing bonuses top advisers around 350 percent brokers annual revenue 180 200 percent offered upfront said tom lewis new jerseybased lawyer stark amp stark adviser generates 1 million annual revenue might receive much 2 million day one rival firm theyre range havent seen approached said lewis works advisers making transition new firm longterm investment yet shortterm profitability suffers ubs example said 10 percent increase compensation commitments advances related recruited financial advisers third quarter year prior costtoincome ratio measure profitability ubss us brokerage 861 percent end september compared 665 percent global wealth management unit doesnt offer bonuses half big brokerage advisers left firms became independent advisers joined independent advisory firm moved smaller firm like raymond james financial inc ameriprise financial inc data shows took 352 billion client assets expectations 2013 recruiting promising said raymond james private client group president tash elwyn firms offer lower signing bonuses advisers made move say attractions ability focus clients investment needs rather also worrying companys bottom line departing wirehouse advisers also pointed concerns perceived push crosssell bank companybranded products old firms increased layers management cultural conflicts stemming acquisition firm larger companies illinoisbased advisers ziv ohel william duncan together managed 275 million client assets morgan stanley left firm midnovember ohel said joined minneapolisbased ameriprise firm focused financial planning less big brokerage mentality independence also increasingly attractive advisers hightower advisors llc focus financial partners llc dynasty financial partners llc lured least one team 1 billion client assets reporting ashley lau editing jennifer merritt paritosh bansal bernard orr advertisement | 642 |
<p>Late last month, Carson Block, the founder of short seller Muddy Waters LLC, accepted an invitation from a man identifying himself as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal.</p>
<p>They were to meet at a chic Manhattan hotel and discuss Mr. Block's short selling of the stock of a French supermarket chain, according to Mr. Block.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>The man who showed up wasn't a Journal reporter. According to video footage of the encounter reviewed by The Wall Street Journal and two people who know him, it was Jean-Charles Brisard, a well-known corporate security and intelligence consultant who lives in Switzerland and France.</p>
<p>Mr. Brisard also has regularly worked for Groupe Casino, the French supermarket targeted by Muddy Waters' short selling, the two people said.</p>
<p>The hotel rendezvous offers a peek into the sometimes cloak-and-dagger world of a small but influential circle of short sellers and the companies they target.</p>
<p>The encounter was described in a lawsuit filed on Oct. 31 in New York by Mr. Block, but Mr. Brisard's involvement and his alleged links to Casino haven't previously been reported.</p>
<p>When first contacted by a reporter about the hotel meeting, Mr. Brisard said: "I am a stranger to these facts. I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," adding that he had never worked for Casino. Ten minutes later Mr. Brisard called back to say he had been "confused" during the initial call and that he had "no comment" on whether he appeared in the video or had ever worked for the retailer.</p>
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<p>On the phone, Mr. Brisard described himself as an "international investigator." His résumé, which is posted on his business website, lists a "business intelligence" stint at media conglomerate Vivendi SA as well as work for the French government, but has no mention of work for Casino. He is regularly quoted in French and international media as a counterterrorism expert.</p>
<p>When asked for comment for this article, a spokeswoman for Casino denied any involvement. She said the company has "never acted in an inappropriate manner" or "authorized anyone to act in an inappropriate manner." Asked whether Casino had any relationship with Mr. Brisard, the spokeswoman said: "We don't have to detail the professional relationships with third parties. It is just business confidentiality."</p>
<p>Mr. Block's Muddy Waters borrows shares and then sells them with the aim of repurchasing them later at a lower price. To that end, the California firm publishes critical research about the company whose shares it is trading and profits if the price declines. Muddy Waters and other short sellers like it disclose in their research they are shorting the stock.</p>
<p>Mr. Block released a report in late 2015 accusing Casino of using accounting gimmicks and financial engineering to inflate its earnings. Its shares dropped 15% after the report was published. Casino denied the allegations, calling them "grossly erroneous" and filed a complaint to the French stock market watchdog at that time.</p>
<p>Mr. Block said he suspected the individual who met him at the hotel of impersonating the Journal reporter. Shortly after the meeting began, Mr. Block whipped out his cellphone and began to film the encounter.</p>
<p>"I'd like to know who you really are," Mr. Block said, according to the video of the encounter. Admitting he didn't work for the Journal, the impostor said: "I wanted to meet you. There is no other way to meet you."</p>
<p>Shortly after, Mr. Block filed a lawsuit in New York trying to compel Google's parent Alphabet Inc. to turn over information related to the identity of the suspected impostor. The person had used Gmail in exchanges with Muddy Waters claiming to be William Horobin, a reporter in the Journal's Paris bureau, according to the lawsuit.</p>
<p>A Muddy Waters spokesman said Mr. Block filed the suit to establish that the impostor was sent by Casino. "Going through with the lawsuit is the first step in proving that [Casino CEO Jean-Charles] Naouri is the ultimate actor here. It means a lot when people swear to the facts under penalty of perjury," the spokesman told the Journal.</p>
<p>"Casino already suffered many calumnious accusations from this company in the past," the Casino spokeswoman said. "We believe these alleged suspicions would just be another attempt to destabilize the group and we vehemently refute and deny any such allegations."</p>
<p>The lawsuit by Muddy Waters stated that the firm responded more than 10 times to the impostor's messages dating back to September last year, though a spokesman said the firm didn't reveal any sensitive information.</p>
<p>"We are told by our bureau in São Paulo that you're about to release a new report on French company Casino," the person wrote in one email exchange, reviewed by the Journal and referred to in the lawsuit. "Do you already have a release date? Could we chat briefly at your best convenience?"</p>
<p>Mr. Brisard declined to comment on whether he was involved in the email correspondence. Google didn't respond to a request for comment.</p>
<p>The Mr. Horobin who is a Journal reporter declined to comment. A spokeswoman for Dow Jones &amp; Co., publisher of the Journal, said: "I can confirm that The Wall Street Journal reporter with this name has made no inquiries" with Muddy Waters.</p>
<p>As Mr. Block planned a fact-finding trip to Paris in January 2017, his assistants began receiving unusual inquiries, according to the lawsuit. One came from a person claiming to work at the French stock market regulator. Another came from someone claiming to be the assistant of a high-profile French banker, seeking details on Mr. Block's Paris schedule.</p>
<p>In the lawsuit, Muddy Waters said it contacted the Journal's Mr. Horobin in February and established that he hadn't been communicating with the firm.</p>
<p>"My thinking at that time was I'd like to somehow use this or flip the script," Mr. Block said in an interview. When the person impersonating Mr. Horobin proposed a meeting, Mr. Block said he took it, with the intention of confronting him.</p>
<p>A spokesman for Muddy Waters said the firm is "exploring all legal remedies going forward, but hard to say exactly what they are at this point." He also said the firm no longer has a short position on Casino.</p>
<p>Write to Nick Kostov at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>November 05, 2017 12:20 ET (17:20 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | late last month carson block founder short seller muddy waters llc accepted invitation man identifying reporter wall street journal meet chic manhattan hotel discuss mr blocks short selling stock french supermarket chain according mr block continue reading man showed wasnt journal reporter according video footage encounter reviewed wall street journal two people know jeancharles brisard wellknown corporate security intelligence consultant lives switzerland france mr brisard also regularly worked groupe casino french supermarket targeted muddy waters short selling two people said hotel rendezvous offers peek sometimes cloakanddagger world small influential circle short sellers companies target encounter described lawsuit filed oct 31 new york mr block mr brisards involvement alleged links casino havent previously reported first contacted reporter hotel meeting mr brisard said stranger facts absolutely idea youre talking adding never worked casino ten minutes later mr brisard called back say confused initial call comment whether appeared video ever worked retailer advertisement phone mr brisard described international investigator résumé posted business website lists business intelligence stint media conglomerate vivendi sa well work french government mention work casino regularly quoted french international media counterterrorism expert asked comment article spokeswoman casino denied involvement said company never acted inappropriate manner authorized anyone act inappropriate manner asked whether casino relationship mr brisard spokeswoman said dont detail professional relationships third parties business confidentiality mr blocks muddy waters borrows shares sells aim repurchasing later lower price end california firm publishes critical research company whose shares trading profits price declines muddy waters short sellers like disclose research shorting stock mr block released report late 2015 accusing casino using accounting gimmicks financial engineering inflate earnings shares dropped 15 report published casino denied allegations calling grossly erroneous filed complaint french stock market watchdog time mr block said suspected individual met hotel impersonating journal reporter shortly meeting began mr block whipped cellphone began film encounter id like know really mr block said according video encounter admitting didnt work journal impostor said wanted meet way meet shortly mr block filed lawsuit new york trying compel googles parent alphabet inc turn information related identity suspected impostor person used gmail exchanges muddy waters claiming william horobin reporter journals paris bureau according lawsuit muddy waters spokesman said mr block filed suit establish impostor sent casino going lawsuit first step proving casino ceo jeancharles naouri ultimate actor means lot people swear facts penalty perjury spokesman told journal casino already suffered many calumnious accusations company past casino spokeswoman said believe alleged suspicions would another attempt destabilize group vehemently refute deny allegations lawsuit muddy waters stated firm responded 10 times impostors messages dating back september last year though spokesman said firm didnt reveal sensitive information told bureau são paulo youre release new report french company casino person wrote one email exchange reviewed journal referred lawsuit already release date could chat briefly best convenience mr brisard declined comment whether involved email correspondence google didnt respond request comment mr horobin journal reporter declined comment spokeswoman dow jones amp co publisher journal said confirm wall street journal reporter name made inquiries muddy waters mr block planned factfinding trip paris january 2017 assistants began receiving unusual inquiries according lawsuit one came person claiming work french stock market regulator another came someone claiming assistant highprofile french banker seeking details mr blocks paris schedule lawsuit muddy waters said contacted journals mr horobin february established hadnt communicating firm thinking time id like somehow use flip script mr block said interview person impersonating mr horobin proposed meeting mr block said took intention confronting spokesman muddy waters said firm exploring legal remedies going forward hard say exactly point also said firm longer short position casino write nick kostov nickkostovwsjcom end dow jones newswires november 05 2017 1220 et 1720 gmt | 612 |
<p>Services have become an incredibly important part of Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL)business, which now brings in more revenue than either the Mac or the iPad. Meanwhile, Apple's guidance left a little to be desired.</p>
<p>In this clip from <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: Tech Opens a New Window.</a>, Motley Fool analystsDylan Lewis and Evan Niu, CFA, break down the results from the latest earnings release.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>A full transcript follows the video.</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>This podcast was recorded on Oct. 28, 2016.</p>
<p>Dylan Lewis: One ofthe things I thought was particularly interestingwith the commentary from this report was, you look at the services segment,you look at the last couple quarters, you've seenservice segment revenue up 20%, and they're really touting this number. Most recently, it was $6.3 billion,which is roughly 13% of revenue. At this point, we're coming up on two full years of them breaking out services as a product segment. Looking backwards, we've seen a huge step change in the fiscal Q1 quarter. In 2015fiscal Q4, we were at $5.1 billion. That hopped up a full billion dollarsin the following quarter, fiscal Q1 2016. So,I'm really curious looking forwardwhat that segment might look like. Theoretically, we should be in the step-change quarter. It'll be interesting to see if they can sustain that growth, or if we're going to continue to see them hum along at more or less flatsequential growth.</p>
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<p>Evan Niu:Yeah,services is becoming huge. Like you said, it's $6.3 billion. Andif you look at the past four quarters, this is now basically a $25 billion business. That's bigger than the Mac, bigger than the iPad. It's their second-biggestbusiness at this point,which is kind of crazy to think about, because Apple is typically not that great atservices in general. Particularly because the services revenue,most of it is not coming from a subscription service like Apple Music that bills every month. That'scertainly part of it. But it comes back to what we were talking about earlier, which is the whole installed base-related purchases. A lot of that services revenue comes from them relying on their users buying content and apps on the App Store reliably. That's why that number is important,and I'm surprised they didn't give it. Not a whole lot of it is occurring, monthly subscriptionfees that you can count onevery month. So,it is important,but they're doing a really good job of growing that number. It's a pretty big business now, $25 billion.</p>
<p>Lewis:It's huge. I think, you hit on the installed base thing, if there are any issues with them growing that installed base, it stands to reason that the services segment won't continue to growthe way that it has.That's kind of the relationship there, and that's why you always see the step change happen infiscal Q1, because that's when they sell a ton of iPhones. You'regoing to see those two things move together. That's certainly something thatI'm watching in the coming quarter, because they'repointing to it more and more in their conference calls. I think it's an indication ofa lot of other elements of their business.</p>
<p>Niu:Absolutely.</p>
<p>Lewis:Looking forwardand looking at the guidance that they provided,for the first time since physical Q1 of last year, Apple is guiding for year-over-year growthnext quarter, which I think is a welcome sign for a lot of investors. The company isexpecting revenue to come in somewhere between $76 billion and $78 billion. When we say year-over-year growth, fiscal Q1 last year, they posted revenue of $75.8 billion. So,it's not going to be huge,but it is positive growth.</p>
<p>Niu:I'll take it.</p>
<p>Lewis:Yeah,at this point, looking year-over-year declines fora little while,it's certainly a welcome trend to see. I think some people are maybe a little disappointed in this guidance, givensome of the tailwinds that the business has right now at its disposal. This issomething we've talked about in previous shows. One of the major competitors, theSamsungNote 7, being off the market,you would think would be a much larger catalyst for Apple than maybe they're letting on.</p>
<p>Niu:Yeah. They declined to giveany meaningful comment onwhether or not they think they'll benefit,but I think pretty clearly that they will. And now there's even reports thatthe Galaxy S7 Edge iscatching on fire. I don't know if you've seen it, there's not as many of them. But there were reports startingin September. That was a month ago. Again, it's not as widespread,but there are a handful of casesacross the world, like in Chinaand the Philippines with the S7 Edge -- which isone of the phones that Samsung is pushing people toward. And here's the crazy part --one of those phone was a replacementfor a Galaxy Note 7. So Samsung gives acustomer an S7 Edge to replace his Note 7 that caught on fire, and the S7 Edge catches on fire! It's just a mess.</p>
<p>Lewis:That's a bad brand experience there.</p>
<p>Niu:I think,going back to their guidance,I do think, the one thing that stood out to meas far as not so great in the guidance wasthe gross margin guide. The revenue guidance was fine becauseit'll be nice to get a little growth, even if it's not a lot. We had threeconsecutive quarters of negative growth up top at this point, so I think anything is nice. On theprofitability side, I was surprised, too, because in the fourth quarter, Applealways enjoys a lot of operating leverage when their revenue scales up to these really high levels. Usually, you see margins expanding in a pretty meaningful way,usually to the point where you're at 40%. They're guiding to basically upwards of 38.5%. So, 50 basis points shy of what I would expect them to guide to. And,for what it's worth, last year they did 40%.</p>
<p>Lewis:In fairness on that 40% figure, that was also a quarter where they realized $550 million or so in a patent disputeagreement with Samsung. I think that added about 40 basis points to that margin number. I think the true margin number was like 39.6% or so.</p>
<p>Niu:Butif you go back another year, it was still like 39.9%. It's still pretty close to 40%. AndI know it doesn't sound like a lot, 50 basis points,but when you're talking about a business this big, every basis point counts. One basis point is like $7.6 million. So, multiply that by 50, and that's gross profit, comingstraight down through the income statement. They've been talking a lot aboutcommodity costs and component costs being very favorable. So,I'm wondering why that guidance wasn't stronger.</p>
<p>It's also possible thatthere are some currency effects,because they've been battling the strengthening dollar for a really long time. That's very much hurting them,because about two-thirds of revenue comes from outside the U.S. Thestrengthening dollar has been hurting them for many quarters. So, that could also be part of it. I think that might have been why the original market reaction was negative. Ifyou're watching after hours, the stock jumpedon the iPhone numberas soon as it was released,started getting back those gains as people read through the numbers and started digesting them a little bit.</p>
<p><a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFlewis/info.aspx" type="external">Dylan Lewis Opens a New Window.</a> owns shares of Apple. <a href="http://my.fool.com/profile/TMFNewCow/info.aspx" 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 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 | services become incredibly important part apples nasdaq aaplbusiness brings revenue either mac ipad meanwhile apples guidance left little desired clip industry focus tech opens new window motley fool analystsdylan lewis evan niu cfa break results latest earnings release continue reading full transcript follows video secret billiondollar stock opportunity worlds biggest tech company forgot show something wall street analysts fool didnt miss beat theres small company thats powering brandnew gadgets coming revolution technology think stock price nearly unlimited room run early intheknow investors one click opens new window podcast recorded oct 28 2016 dylan lewis one ofthe things thought particularly interestingwith commentary report look services segmentyou look last couple quarters youve seenservice segment revenue 20 theyre really touting number recently 63 billionwhich roughly 13 revenue point coming two full years breaking services product segment looking backwards weve seen huge step change fiscal q1 quarter 2015fiscal q4 51 billion hopped full billion dollarsin following quarter fiscal q1 2016 soim really curious looking forwardwhat segment might look like theoretically stepchange quarter itll interesting see sustain growth going continue see hum along less flatsequential growth advertisement evan niuyeahservices becoming huge like said 63 billion andif look past four quarters basically 25 billion business thats bigger mac bigger ipad secondbiggestbusiness pointwhich kind crazy think apple typically great atservices general particularly services revenuemost coming subscription service like apple music bills every month thatscertainly part comes back talking earlier whole installed baserelated purchases lot services revenue comes relying users buying content apps app store reliably thats number importantand im surprised didnt give whole lot occurring monthly subscriptionfees count onevery month soit importantbut theyre really good job growing number pretty big business 25 billion lewisits huge think hit installed base thing issues growing installed base stands reason services segment wont continue growthe way hasthats kind relationship thats always see step change happen infiscal q1 thats sell ton iphones youregoing see two things move together thats certainly something thatim watching coming quarter theyrepointing conference calls think indication ofa lot elements business niuabsolutely lewislooking forwardand looking guidance providedfor first time since physical q1 last year apple guiding yearoveryear growthnext quarter think welcome sign lot investors company isexpecting revenue come somewhere 76 billion 78 billion say yearoveryear growth fiscal q1 last year posted revenue 758 billion soits going hugebut positive growth niuill take lewisyeahat point looking yearoveryear declines fora little whileits certainly welcome trend see think people maybe little disappointed guidance givensome tailwinds business right disposal issomething weve talked previous shows one major competitors thesamsungnote 7 marketyou would think would much larger catalyst apple maybe theyre letting niuyeah declined giveany meaningful comment onwhether think theyll benefitbut think pretty clearly theres even reports thatthe galaxy s7 edge iscatching fire dont know youve seen theres many reports startingin september month ago widespreadbut handful casesacross world like chinaand philippines s7 edge isone phones samsung pushing people toward heres crazy part one phone replacementfor galaxy note 7 samsung gives acustomer s7 edge replace note 7 caught fire s7 edge catches fire mess lewisthats bad brand experience niui thinkgoing back guidancei think one thing stood meas far great guidance wasthe gross margin guide revenue guidance fine becauseitll nice get little growth even lot threeconsecutive quarters negative growth top point think anything nice theprofitability side surprised fourth quarter applealways enjoys lot operating leverage revenue scales really high levels usually see margins expanding pretty meaningful wayusually point youre 40 theyre guiding basically upwards 385 50 basis points shy would expect guide andfor worth last year 40 lewisin fairness 40 figure also quarter realized 550 million patent disputeagreement samsung think added 40 basis points margin number think true margin number like 396 niubutif go back another year still like 399 still pretty close 40 andi know doesnt sound like lot 50 basis pointsbut youre talking business big every basis point counts one basis point like 76 million multiply 50 thats gross profit comingstraight income statement theyve talking lot aboutcommodity costs component costs favorable soim wondering guidance wasnt stronger also possible thatthere currency effectsbecause theyve battling strengthening dollar really long time thats much hurting thembecause twothirds revenue comes outside us thestrengthening dollar hurting many quarters could also part think might original market reaction negative ifyoure watching hours stock jumpedon iphone numberas soon releasedstarted getting back gains people read numbers started digesting little bit dylan lewis opens new window owns shares apple evan niu cfa opens new window owns shares apple motley fool owns shares recommends apple 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 | 785 |
<p>Global stocks fall on further North Korea rhetoric</p>
<p>-- Wall Street recovered slightly in Friday morning trade</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>-- Haven assets rise</p>
<p>U.S. stocks were on track for their biggest weekly loss in months, shaken by disappointing earnings results and an escalation of threats between the U.S. and North Korea.</p>
<p>On Friday, stocks recovered slightly, with the S&amp;P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.2%. The S&amp;P 500 is set to end the week down 1.4%, its biggest weekly loss since March.</p>
<p>The Dow closed down 205 points Thursday, in its biggest decline since May 17, after a string of retailers reported weak earnings and President Donald Trump rejected criticism that his threats to release "fire and fury" had been too inflammatory. Instead, he said his statement "maybe wasn't tough enough."</p>
<p>On Friday, the president appeared to double down on his earlier threat, warning on Twitter that military solutions are in place and "locked and loaded."</p>
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<p>"As a portfolio manager, you say, 'Do I think we'll get a war out of this?'," said Torsten Slok, chief international economist at Deutsche Bank. "If the answer is yes, then you better get defensive. If you think this is just rattling sabers, and it's just words, then you could view this as a buying opportunity."</p>
<p>Investors said the rhetoric may have sparked some selling, but it wasn't solely to blame for the sharp fall. Instead, it provided an excuse for a selloff many investors consider overdue.</p>
<p>On average, the S&amp;P 500 falls 5% or more every 10 weeks and the index falls 10% every 33 weeks, according to data analyzed by AllianceBernstein going back to 1928. It has been more than a year since the last 5% downdraft in stocks and more than 76 weeks since the stock market suffered a 10% loss.</p>
<p>"Given the great run we've had, seems like some sort of pullback wouldn't be surprising," said Michael Baele, managing director of investments at U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management.</p>
<p>Earnings results also weighed on stocks. Large retailers Macy's and Kohl's tumbled on Thursday after they reported disappointing second-quarter results. On Friday, fellow retailer J.C. Penney dropped 16% after its second-quarter loss exceeded expectations.</p>
<p>In other corporate news, shares of Snapchat parent Snap fell 13% after it reported earnings late Thursday that missed analyst forecasts. Nvidia's shares shed more than 5% after the chip maker's revenue rose only 2% from the first quarter.</p>
<p>The CBOE Volatility Index -- a measure of investors' expectations for swings in the S&amp;P 500 over the next 30 days -- surged 44% to 16.04 Thursday -- its highest level since U.S. Election Day. It slipped a bit Friday, but was still on track to end the week up more than 50%.</p>
<p>The selling in the U.S. extended to global markets Friday. The Stoxx Europe 600 fell 1%, while benchmarks in Hong Kong and South Korea -- which had been one of the best performers of 2017 -- closed down 2% and 1.7% respectively, Friday, putting the week's drop at 2.5% and 3.2%.</p>
<p>Korea's Samsung Electronics fell 2.8% Friday. China's Tencent Holdings, whose surge in 2017 was key to the Hang Seng's gains, fell 4.9% Friday.</p>
<p>Kenan Machado contributed to this article.</p>
<p>Write to Corrie Driebusch at [email protected]</p>
<p>-- U.S. stocks recover slightly Friday</p>
<p>-- Major indexes around the world set for weekly declines</p>
<p>U.S. stocks rose Friday but were still on track for their biggest weekly loss in months, shaken by disappointing earnings results and an escalation of threats between the U.S. and North Korea.</p>
<p>The rhetoric, which began late Tuesday and continued into Friday, cracked the calm that has enveloped the market for months and interrupted stocks' march higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which had been steadily hitting records, posted its biggest decline since May on Thursday, while the CBOE Volatility Index, known as Wall Street's "fear gauge," rose to its highest level of the year.</p>
<p>Markets recovered slightly Friday. Investors dipped back into stocks and retreated from assets they consider to be safer stores of value, such as gold.</p>
<p>"As a portfolio manager, you say, 'Do I think we'll get a war out of this?'" said Torsten Slok, chief international economist at Deutsche Bank, referring to the back and forth between North Korea and President Donald Trump. "If the answer is 'yes,' then you better get defensive. If you think this is just rattling sabers, and it's just words, then you could view this as a buying opportunity."</p>
<p>The Dow industrials rose 42 points, or 0.2%, to 21885 on Friday. The S&amp;P 500 added 0.3%, though it was on course to end the week down 1.3%, its biggest loss since March.</p>
<p>The escalation provided an excuse for a selloff many investors consider overdue, some investors and analysts said.</p>
<p>On average, the S&amp;P 500 falls 5% or more every 10 weeks and the index falls 10% every 33 weeks, according to data analyzed by AllianceBernstein going back to 1928. It has been more than a year since the last 5% downdraft in stocks and more than 76 weeks since the stock market suffered a 10% loss.</p>
<p>"Given the great run we've had, seems like some sort of pullback wouldn't be surprising," said Michael Baele, managing director of investments at U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management.</p>
<p>The CBOE Volatility Index -- a measure of investors' expectations for swings in the S&amp;P 500 over the next 30 days -- surged Thursday to its highest level since U.S. Election Day. It slipped Friday but was still on track to end the week up around 50%.</p>
<p>Investors said the week's swings were as much a result of earnings as geopolitics.</p>
<p>Large retailers Macy's and Kohl's tumbled on Thursday after they reported another quarter of shrinking sales. Shares of fellow department store J.C. Penney dropped 15% Friday after the company's second-quarter loss exceeded expectations.</p>
<p>Shares of Snapchat parent Snap fell 12% after it reported earnings late Thursday that missed analyst forecasts.</p>
<p>Thursday's selling in the U.S. extended to global markets Friday. The Stoxx Europe 600 fell 1%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 2% Friday and lost 2.5% for the week -- its biggest weekly decline of the year. South Korea's Kospi declined 1.7% Friday, putting its weekly drop at 3.2% -- its largest since June 2016.</p>
<p>Korea's Samsung Electronics fell 2.8% Friday. China's Tencent Holdings, whose surge in 2017 has been key to the Hang Seng's gains, fell 4.9% Friday.</p>
<p>Write to Corrie Driebusch at [email protected]</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>August 11, 2017 14:50 ET (18:50 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | global stocks fall north korea rhetoric wall street recovered slightly friday morning trade continue reading assets rise us stocks track biggest weekly loss months shaken disappointing earnings results escalation threats us north korea friday stocks recovered slightly sampp 500 dow jones industrial average 02 sampp 500 set end week 14 biggest weekly loss since march dow closed 205 points thursday biggest decline since may 17 string retailers reported weak earnings president donald trump rejected criticism threats release fire fury inflammatory instead said statement maybe wasnt tough enough friday president appeared double earlier threat warning twitter military solutions place locked loaded advertisement portfolio manager say think well get war said torsten slok chief international economist deutsche bank answer yes better get defensive think rattling sabers words could view buying opportunity investors said rhetoric may sparked selling wasnt solely blame sharp fall instead provided excuse selloff many investors consider overdue average sampp 500 falls 5 every 10 weeks index falls 10 every 33 weeks according data analyzed alliancebernstein going back 1928 year since last 5 downdraft stocks 76 weeks since stock market suffered 10 loss given great run weve seems like sort pullback wouldnt surprising said michael baele managing director investments us bank private wealth management earnings results also weighed stocks large retailers macys kohls tumbled thursday reported disappointing secondquarter results friday fellow retailer jc penney dropped 16 secondquarter loss exceeded expectations corporate news shares snapchat parent snap fell 13 reported earnings late thursday missed analyst forecasts nvidias shares shed 5 chip makers revenue rose 2 first quarter cboe volatility index measure investors expectations swings sampp 500 next 30 days surged 44 1604 thursday highest level since us election day slipped bit friday still track end week 50 selling us extended global markets friday stoxx europe 600 fell 1 benchmarks hong kong south korea one best performers 2017 closed 2 17 respectively friday putting weeks drop 25 32 koreas samsung electronics fell 28 friday chinas tencent holdings whose surge 2017 key hang sengs gains fell 49 friday kenan machado contributed article write corrie driebusch corriedriebuschwsjcom us stocks recover slightly friday major indexes around world set weekly declines us stocks rose friday still track biggest weekly loss months shaken disappointing earnings results escalation threats us north korea rhetoric began late tuesday continued friday cracked calm enveloped market months interrupted stocks march higher dow jones industrial average steadily hitting records posted biggest decline since may thursday cboe volatility index known wall streets fear gauge rose highest level year markets recovered slightly friday investors dipped back stocks retreated assets consider safer stores value gold portfolio manager say think well get war said torsten slok chief international economist deutsche bank referring back forth north korea president donald trump answer yes better get defensive think rattling sabers words could view buying opportunity dow industrials rose 42 points 02 21885 friday sampp 500 added 03 though course end week 13 biggest loss since march escalation provided excuse selloff many investors consider overdue investors analysts said average sampp 500 falls 5 every 10 weeks index falls 10 every 33 weeks according data analyzed alliancebernstein going back 1928 year since last 5 downdraft stocks 76 weeks since stock market suffered 10 loss given great run weve seems like sort pullback wouldnt surprising said michael baele managing director investments us bank private wealth management cboe volatility index measure investors expectations swings sampp 500 next 30 days surged thursday highest level since us election day slipped friday still track end week around 50 investors said weeks swings much result earnings geopolitics large retailers macys kohls tumbled thursday reported another quarter shrinking sales shares fellow department store jc penney dropped 15 friday companys secondquarter loss exceeded expectations shares snapchat parent snap fell 12 reported earnings late thursday missed analyst forecasts thursdays selling us extended global markets friday stoxx europe 600 fell 1 hong kongs hang seng shed 2 friday lost 25 week biggest weekly decline year south koreas kospi declined 17 friday putting weekly drop 32 largest since june 2016 koreas samsung electronics fell 28 friday chinas tencent holdings whose surge 2017 key hang sengs gains fell 49 friday write corrie driebusch corriedriebuschwsjcom end dow jones newswires august 11 2017 1450 et 1850 gmt | 701 |
<p />
<p>Security breaches are detrimental to any business. In addition to the financial costs involved, a tarnished reputation is difficult to overcome — and customer trust is undoubtedly tough to regain once personal information has been compromised.</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>To prevent breaches, security measures must meet all sorts of regulations, such as those set forth by federal and state laws and by industry organizations. For instance, all businesses need to comply with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards to securely accept credit card payments and keep their customers' information safe. Privacy guidelines also govern emails, personal data and other types of information that must remain secure.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, no small business is perfect. Due to a lack of time and resources, it seems impossible to keep up with all the latest threats and industry regulations, let alone manage the massive amounts of data a small business generates. From making small blunders to defying company policies, small business owners and employees put their company and their customers' information at risk every day.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4574-3-new-data-security-threats-to-small-business.html" type="external">[3 New Cyberthreats You Don't Know About Yet] Opens a New Window.</a></p>
<p>To help small businesses recognize problem areas, Sarah Isaacs, CEO at Conventus, an information security consulting firm, and her team outlined the top security mistakes that leave small businesses vulnerable to breaches and compliance audits. Included below are several tips to help keep small businesses and their customers' information secure.</p>
<p>1. Ignoring blind spots</p>
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<p>In small businesses, technical expertise is generally not deep. Rather, the folks in charge of protecting data are often performing other job functions in the company. If your staff lacks expertise in a given area, it is important to invest in regular security-health checks with subject matter experts to ensure each solution you have in place continues to remain optimally configured and operating at peak performance.</p>
<p>2. Thinking your size makes you immune</p>
<p>Many small companies believe their size means they are immune to break-ins, IP theft or other issues; they may feel only bigger organizations will be targeted. This leads to a piecemeal security portfolio put together with cheap point solutions, freeware and no way to consolidate the information. Don't think it won't happen to you; always make precautions and take threats seriously.</p>
<p>3. Not checking your work</p>
<p>Just as a writer's work is reviewed by an editor, your work may benefit from a second perspective. In one instance, an administrator at an oil and gas company manually input a policy that included a typo. This left a huge hole, which was open and susceptible to attack. Having your work reviewed by a second set of eyes, be it from a colleague or a consultant, can help avoid simple errors and help protect your business.</p>
<p>4. Viewing compliance as a "checkbox"</p>
<p>PCI, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and other regulations are not just points to cross off your list. To get out ahead of audit findings, implement industry best practices such as those set forth by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), the SANS Institute or even Microsoft Hardening Guidelines. Nothing ruins your week like tracking down lost data or a root cause, so embrace a security mindset and view it as a responsibility, not a chore.</p>
<p>5. Not enforcing an employee security policy</p>
<p>Few small businesses enforce security policies on their employees. In any business, employees are likely storing customer data, whether they are aware of it or not. A stolen laptop, lost smartphone or even a prying eye can lead to the wrong people obtaining your IP or customer data without your knowledge. Create a policy, if you do not have one currently, and enforce it on all employees.</p>
<p>6. Ignoring staff education</p>
<p>Whether your staff comes to you with a strong security background or is forced to "learn on the fly," a lack of training can lead to avoidable incidents. No matter their prior knowledge, make sure your IT staff receives training about the products they work with, and be sure to provide time and financial resources to help keep them up to date. Personnel training can provide a large return on investment (ROI) and help avoid incidents that could damage your business and reputation.</p>
<p>7. Using the same passwords again and again</p>
<p>Every company, small or large, should strive to have some guidelines and standard operating procedures around the use — and reuse — of passwords. In order to mitigate the risk of successful password guessing and cracking in their environment, employees should be aware of the issues that may stem from the use and reuse of weak passwords. Put a password manager such as Last Pass, Keepass or Roboform in place to generate random passwords for each new account that is created and to keep track of each password. &#160;Change passwords for critical resources every 90-180 days, and enforce rules of complexity such as a minimum number of characters and alphanumeric requirements.</p>
<p>8. Letting just anyone on your network</p>
<p>Clients, vendors and other visitors may request access, but allowing non-secured personal or third-party computers to connect to your local area network (LAN) can be a big mistake. Make sure any and every computer on your network is secure; you never know if a client's laptop is carrying a virus.</p>
<p>Originally published on <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5550-top-security-mistakes.html" type="external">BusinessNewsDaily Opens a New Window.</a>.</p> | true | 0 | security breaches detrimental business addition financial costs involved tarnished reputation difficult overcome customer trust undoubtedly tough regain personal information compromised continue reading prevent breaches security measures must meet sorts regulations set forth federal state laws industry organizations instance businesses need comply payment card industry pci standards securely accept credit card payments keep customers information safe privacy guidelines also govern emails personal data types information must remain secure nonetheless small business perfect due lack time resources seems impossible keep latest threats industry regulations let alone manage massive amounts data small business generates making small blunders defying company policies small business owners employees put company customers information risk every day 3 new cyberthreats dont know yet opens new window help small businesses recognize problem areas sarah isaacs ceo conventus information security consulting firm team outlined top security mistakes leave small businesses vulnerable breaches compliance audits included several tips help keep small businesses customers information secure 1 ignoring blind spots advertisement small businesses technical expertise generally deep rather folks charge protecting data often performing job functions company staff lacks expertise given area important invest regular securityhealth checks subject matter experts ensure solution place continues remain optimally configured operating peak performance 2 thinking size makes immune many small companies believe size means immune breakins ip theft issues may feel bigger organizations targeted leads piecemeal security portfolio put together cheap point solutions freeware way consolidate information dont think wont happen always make precautions take threats seriously 3 checking work writers work reviewed editor work may benefit second perspective one instance administrator oil gas company manually input policy included typo left huge hole open susceptible attack work reviewed second set eyes colleague consultant help avoid simple errors help protect business 4 viewing compliance checkbox pci health insurance portability accountability act hipaa federal information security management act fisma regulations points cross list get ahead audit findings implement industry best practices set forth center internet security cis sans institute even microsoft hardening guidelines nothing ruins week like tracking lost data root cause embrace security mindset view responsibility chore 5 enforcing employee security policy small businesses enforce security policies employees business employees likely storing customer data whether aware stolen laptop lost smartphone even prying eye lead wrong people obtaining ip customer data without knowledge create policy one currently enforce employees 6 ignoring staff education whether staff comes strong security background forced learn fly lack training lead avoidable incidents matter prior knowledge make sure staff receives training products work sure provide time financial resources help keep date personnel training provide large return investment roi help avoid incidents could damage business reputation 7 using passwords every company small large strive guidelines standard operating procedures around use reuse passwords order mitigate risk successful password guessing cracking environment employees aware issues may stem use reuse weak passwords put password manager last pass keepass roboform place generate random passwords new account created keep track password 160change passwords critical resources every 90180 days enforce rules complexity minimum number characters alphanumeric requirements 8 letting anyone network clients vendors visitors may request access allowing nonsecured personal thirdparty computers connect local area network lan big mistake make sure every computer network secure never know clients laptop carrying virus originally published businessnewsdaily opens new window | 536 |
<p>TIDMNHY</p>
<p>Hydro's underlying earnings before financial items and tax decreased to</p>
<p>Continue Reading Below</p>
<p>NOK 2 446 million in the third quarter, down from NOK 2 930 million in</p>
<p>the second quarter. The decrease mainly reflects higher raw material</p>
<p>costs and negative currency effects.</p>
<p>-- Underlying EBIT of NOK 2 446 million</p>
<p>-- Negative result effects from raw material costs and USD depreciation</p>
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<p>-- Weak Rolled Products results on continued operational issues and negative</p>
<p>currency effect</p>
<p>-- Acquisition of Sapa completed on October 2, integration progressing</p>
<p>according to plan</p>
<p>-- Better improvement program on track for 2019 target of NOK 2.9 billion,</p>
<p>despite 2017 setback</p>
<p>-- Karmøy Technology Pilot on time and budget, expected start-up Q4</p>
<p>2017</p>
<p>-- Positive market sentiment on announced Chinese closures, global market</p>
<p>expected largely balanced in 2017</p>
<p>"We have lifted our global demand estimate for 2017 to 5-6%, indicating</p>
<p>a continued strong demand for aluminium. There is a positive market</p>
<p>sentiment for aluminium, mainly driven by curtailments of primary</p>
<p>production in China, which have supported the market balance in the</p>
<p>quarter," says President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg.</p>
<p>"This quarter marks a new chapter in our history, adding Extruded</p>
<p>Solutions as a fifth business area in Hydro. We are now 35,000-people</p>
<p>strong, with 150 sites all over the world and 30,000 customers</p>
<p>throughout the entire value chain of aluminium. We have a global reach</p>
<p>as well as being very close to our customers and all the communities we</p>
<p>serve," says Brandtzæg.</p>
<p>"We now have the best-possible platform for further growth and</p>
<p>opportunities, innovation and product development," says Brandtzæg.</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT for Bauxite &amp; Alumina decreased compared to the second</p>
<p>quarter. Higher bauxite and caustic prices, negative currency effects</p>
<p>and increased depreciation, primarily in Paragominas, were partly offset</p>
<p>by improved consumption factors. The ongoing ramp-up process of the new</p>
<p>press filter operation caused additional cost at the alumina refinery.</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT for Primary Metal declined in the third quarter due to</p>
<p>negative currency effects, as the NOK strengthened against the USD, in</p>
<p>addition to seasonally lower volumes and higher carbon costs. This was</p>
<p>partly offset by lower alumina and fixed costs.</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT for Metal Markets declined in the third quarter, mainly</p>
<p>due to negative inventory valuation and less positive currency effects.</p>
<p>Results from remelters declined in the third quarter driven by lower</p>
<p>sales volumes in Europe.</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT for Rolled Products in the third quarter improved</p>
<p>slightly compared to the second quarter of 2017. The increase was</p>
<p>primarily due to an accrual for employee compensation recognized in the</p>
<p>second quarter. This was partly offset by negative currency developments</p>
<p>and seasonal effects including summer shutdown in certain plants. The</p>
<p>Neuss smelter result was on same level compared to prior quarter.</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT for Energy increased compared to the previous quarter,</p>
<p>mainly due to improved commercial results and higher production, partly</p>
<p>offset by periodically higher property tax.</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT for Sapa decreased compared to the previous quarter, in</p>
<p>line with general seasonality in the extrusion business.</p>
<p>Due to the ongoing performance challenges in Rolled Products, progress</p>
<p>on Hydro's "Better" improvement program is behind plan. While Hydro does</p>
<p>not expect to reach the year end target of NOK 500 million, the delay is</p>
<p>not expected to impact the ability to reach the 2019 target of NOK 2.9</p>
<p>billion.</p>
<p>Hydro's net cash position increased by NOK 1.7 billion to NOK 7.7</p>
<p>billion at the end of the quarter. Net cash provided by operating</p>
<p>activities amounted to NOK 3.0 billion. Net cash used in investment</p>
<p>activities, excluding short term investments, amounted to NOK 1.3</p>
<p>billion.</p>
<p>Reported earnings before financial items and tax amounted to NOK 2,323</p>
<p>million for the third quarter. In addition to the factors discussed</p>
<p>above, reported EBIT included net unrealized derivative gains of NOK 23</p>
<p>million and negative metal effects of NOK 151 million.</p>
<p>Net income amounted to NOK 2,184 million in the third quarter including</p>
<p>a reduction in tax expense and related interest income of NOK 125</p>
<p>million in total following a closed tax case in September 2017. Net</p>
<p>income also includes net foreign exchange gains of NOK 520 million,</p>
<p>mainly unrealized, reflecting a weakening of USD against BRL affecting</p>
<p>US dollar debt in Brazil, while the weakening of EUR forward rates</p>
<p>against NOK resulted in an unrealized gain on the embedded derivatives</p>
<p>in power contracts denominated in EUR.</p>
<p>Change</p>
<p>Third Second Change Third prior First 9 First 9</p>
<p>Key financial information quarter quarter prior quarter year months months Year</p>
<p>NOK million, except per share data 2017 2017 quarter 2016 quarter 2017 2016 2016</p>
<p>Revenue 22,799 24,591 (7) % 20,174 13 % 70,416 60,703 81,953</p>
<p>Earnings before financial items and tax (EBIT) 2,323 2,946 (21) % 1,376 69 % 7,678 5,047 7,011</p>
<p>Items excluded from underlying EBIT 123 (16) &gt;100 % 101 21 % (18) (451) (586)</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT 2,446 2,930 (17) % 1,477 66 % 7,660 4,596 6,425</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT :</p>
<p>Bauxite &amp; Alumina 413 662 (38) % 153 &gt;100 % 1,831 516 1,227</p>
<p>Primary Metal 1,298 1,486 (13) % 637 &gt;100 % 3,684 1,657 2,258</p>
<p>Metal Markets 91 244 (63) % 117 (22) % 359 358 510</p>
<p>Rolled Products 95 84 12 % 211 (55) % 285 701 708</p>
<p>Energy 368 284 30 % 285 29 % 1,075 983 1,343</p>
<p>Other and eliminations 181 170 7 % 75 &gt;100 % 426 380 380</p>
<p>Underlying EBIT 2,446 2,930 (17) % 1,477 66 % 7,660 4,596 6,425</p>
<p>Earnings before financial items, tax, depreciation</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>amortization (EBITDA) 3,766 4,335 (13) % 2,792 35 % 11,863 8,922 12,485</p>
<p>Underlying EBITDA 3,889 4,319 (10) % 2,753 41 % 11,845 8,331 11,474</p>
<p>Net income (loss) 2,184 1,562 40 % 1,119 95 % 5,585 5,578 6,586</p>
<p>Underlying net income (loss) 1,785 2,214 (19) % 958 86 % 5,580 2,906 3,875</p>
<p>Earnings per share 1.00 0.73 37 % 0.53 88 % 2.59 2.61 3.13</p>
<p>Underlying earnings per share 0.82 1.04 (21) % 0.46 80 % 2.61 1.37 1.83</p>
<p>Financial data:</p>
<p>Investments 1,424 1,420 0 % 1,914 (26) % 4,216 5,596 9,137</p>
<p>Adjusted net cash (debt) (2,976) (5,146) 42 % (8,072) 63 % (2,976) (8,072) (5,598)</p>
<p>Change</p>
<p>Third Second Change Third prior First 9 First 9</p>
<p>quarter quarter prior quarter year months months Year</p>
<p>Key Operational information 2017 2017 quarter 2016 quarter 2017 2016 2016</p>
<p>Bauxite production (kmt) 3,043 2,943 3 % 2,777 10 % 8,386 8,069 11,132</p>
<p>Alumina production (kmt) 1,605 1,576 2 % 1,635 (2) % 4,704 4,706 6,341</p>
<p>Primary aluminium production (kmt) 527 523 1 % 526 0 % 1,566 1,559 2,085</p>
<p>Realized aluminium price LME (USD/mt) 1,921 1,902 1 % 1,612 19 % 1,859 1,552 1,574</p>
<p>Realized aluminium price LME (NOK/mt) 15,496 16,265 (5) % 13,375 16 % 15,510 13,049 13,193</p>
<p>Realized USD/NOK exchange rate 8.07 8.55 (6) % 8.30 (3) % 8.35 8.41 8.38</p>
<p>Rolled Products sales volumes to external market</p>
<p>(kmt) 236 239 (1) % 231 3 % 716 697 911</p>
<p>Sapa sales volumes (kmt) 170 180 (6) % 170 0 % 527 527 682</p>
<p>Power production (GWh) 2,509 2,369 6 % 2,946 (15) % 7,746 8,781 11,332</p>
<p>Investor contact</p>
<p>Contact Stian Hasle</p>
<p>Cellular +47 97736022</p>
<p>E-mail [email protected]</p>
<p>Press contact</p>
<p>Contact Halvor Molland</p>
<p>Cellular +47 92979797</p>
<p>E-mail [email protected]</p>
<p>Cautionary note</p>
<p>Certain statements included in this announcement contain forward-looking</p>
<p>information, including, without limitation, information relating to (a)</p>
<p>forecasts, projections and estimates, (b) statements of Hydro management</p>
<p>concerning plans, objectives and strategies, such as planned expansions,</p>
<p>investments, divestments, curtailments or other projects, (c) targeted</p>
<p>production volumes and costs, capacities or rates, start-up costs, cost</p>
<p>reductions and profit objectives, (d) various expectations about future</p>
<p>developments in Hydro's markets, particularly prices, supply and demand</p>
<p>and competition, (e) results of operations, (f) margins, (g) growth</p>
<p>rates, (h) risk management, and (i) qualified statements such as</p>
<p>"expected", "scheduled", "targeted", "planned", "proposed", "intended"</p>
<p>or similar.</p>
<p>Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such</p>
<p>forward-looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking</p>
<p>statements are based on a number of assumptions and forecasts that, by</p>
<p>their nature, involve risk and uncertainty. Various factors could cause</p>
<p>our actual results to differ materially from those projected in a</p>
<p>forward-looking statement or affect the extent to which a particular</p>
<p>projection is realized. Factors that could cause these differences</p>
<p>include, but are not limited to: our continued ability to reposition and</p>
<p>restructure our upstream and downstream businesses; changes in</p>
<p>availability and cost of energy and raw materials; global supply and</p>
<p>demand for aluminium and aluminium products; world economic growth,</p>
<p>including rates of inflation and industrial production; changes in the</p>
<p>relative value of currencies and the value of commodity contracts;</p>
<p>trends in Hydro's key markets and competition; and legislative,</p>
<p>regulatory and political factors.</p>
<p>No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been</p>
<p>correct. Hydro disclaims any obligation to update or revise any</p>
<p>forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,</p>
<p>future events or otherwise.</p>
<p>This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to</p>
<p>section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.</p>
<p>Q3 2017 Presentation: http://hugin.info/106/R/2144192/821719.pdf</p>
<p>Q3 2017 Report: http://hugin.info/106/R/2144192/821711.pdf</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: Norsk Hydro via Globenewswire</p>
<p>http://www.hydro.com/en/?WT.mc_id=Pressrelease</p>
<p>(END) Dow Jones Newswires</p>
<p>October 25, 2017 01:15 ET (05:15 GMT)</p> | true | 0 | tidmnhy hydros underlying earnings financial items tax decreased continue reading nok 2 446 million third quarter nok 2 930 million second quarter decrease mainly reflects higher raw material costs negative currency effects underlying ebit nok 2 446 million negative result effects raw material costs usd depreciation advertisement weak rolled products results continued operational issues negative currency effect acquisition sapa completed october 2 integration progressing according plan better improvement program track 2019 target nok 29 billion despite 2017 setback karmøy technology pilot time budget expected startup q4 2017 positive market sentiment announced chinese closures global market expected largely balanced 2017 lifted global demand estimate 2017 56 indicating continued strong demand aluminium positive market sentiment aluminium mainly driven curtailments primary production china supported market balance quarter says president ceo svein richard brandtzæg quarter marks new chapter history adding extruded solutions fifth business area hydro 35000people strong 150 sites world 30000 customers throughout entire value chain aluminium global reach well close customers communities serve says brandtzæg bestpossible platform growth opportunities innovation product development says brandtzæg underlying ebit bauxite amp alumina decreased compared second quarter higher bauxite caustic prices negative currency effects increased depreciation primarily paragominas partly offset improved consumption factors ongoing rampup process new press filter operation caused additional cost alumina refinery underlying ebit primary metal declined third quarter due negative currency effects nok strengthened usd addition seasonally lower volumes higher carbon costs partly offset lower alumina fixed costs underlying ebit metal markets declined third quarter mainly due negative inventory valuation less positive currency effects results remelters declined third quarter driven lower sales volumes europe underlying ebit rolled products third quarter improved slightly compared second quarter 2017 increase primarily due accrual employee compensation recognized second quarter partly offset negative currency developments seasonal effects including summer shutdown certain plants neuss smelter result level compared prior quarter underlying ebit energy increased compared previous quarter mainly due improved commercial results higher production partly offset periodically higher property tax underlying ebit sapa decreased compared previous quarter line general seasonality extrusion business due ongoing performance challenges rolled products progress hydros better improvement program behind plan hydro expect reach year end target nok 500 million delay expected impact ability reach 2019 target nok 29 billion hydros net cash position increased nok 17 billion nok 77 billion end quarter net cash provided operating activities amounted nok 30 billion net cash used investment activities excluding short term investments amounted nok 13 billion reported earnings financial items tax amounted nok 2323 million third quarter addition factors discussed reported ebit included net unrealized derivative gains nok 23 million negative metal effects nok 151 million net income amounted nok 2184 million third quarter including reduction tax expense related interest income nok 125 million total following closed tax case september 2017 net income also includes net foreign exchange gains nok 520 million mainly unrealized reflecting weakening usd brl affecting us dollar debt brazil weakening eur forward rates nok resulted unrealized gain embedded derivatives power contracts denominated eur change third second change third prior first 9 first 9 key financial information quarter quarter prior quarter year months months year nok million except per share data 2017 2017 quarter 2016 quarter 2017 2016 2016 revenue 22799 24591 7 20174 13 70416 60703 81953 earnings financial items tax ebit 2323 2946 21 1376 69 7678 5047 7011 items excluded underlying ebit 123 16 gt100 101 21 18 451 586 underlying ebit 2446 2930 17 1477 66 7660 4596 6425 underlying ebit bauxite amp alumina 413 662 38 153 gt100 1831 516 1227 primary metal 1298 1486 13 637 gt100 3684 1657 2258 metal markets 91 244 63 117 22 359 358 510 rolled products 95 84 12 211 55 285 701 708 energy 368 284 30 285 29 1075 983 1343 eliminations 181 170 7 75 gt100 426 380 380 underlying ebit 2446 2930 17 1477 66 7660 4596 6425 earnings financial items tax depreciation amortization ebitda 3766 4335 13 2792 35 11863 8922 12485 underlying ebitda 3889 4319 10 2753 41 11845 8331 11474 net income loss 2184 1562 40 1119 95 5585 5578 6586 underlying net income loss 1785 2214 19 958 86 5580 2906 3875 earnings per share 100 073 37 053 88 259 261 313 underlying earnings per share 082 104 21 046 80 261 137 183 financial data investments 1424 1420 0 1914 26 4216 5596 9137 adjusted net cash debt 2976 5146 42 8072 63 2976 8072 5598 change third second change third prior first 9 first 9 quarter quarter prior quarter year months months year key operational information 2017 2017 quarter 2016 quarter 2017 2016 2016 bauxite production kmt 3043 2943 3 2777 10 8386 8069 11132 alumina production kmt 1605 1576 2 1635 2 4704 4706 6341 primary aluminium production kmt 527 523 1 526 0 1566 1559 2085 realized aluminium price lme usdmt 1921 1902 1 1612 19 1859 1552 1574 realized aluminium price lme nokmt 15496 16265 5 13375 16 15510 13049 13193 realized usdnok exchange rate 807 855 6 830 3 835 841 838 rolled products sales volumes external market kmt 236 239 1 231 3 716 697 911 sapa sales volumes kmt 170 180 6 170 0 527 527 682 power production gwh 2509 2369 6 2946 15 7746 8781 11332 investor contact contact stian hasle cellular 47 97736022 email stianhaslehydrocom press contact contact halvor molland cellular 47 92979797 email halvormollandhydrocom cautionary note certain statements included announcement contain forwardlooking information including without limitation information relating forecasts projections estimates b statements hydro management concerning plans objectives strategies planned expansions investments divestments curtailments projects c targeted production volumes costs capacities rates startup costs cost reductions profit objectives various expectations future developments hydros markets particularly prices supply demand competition e results operations f margins g growth rates h risk management qualified statements expected scheduled targeted planned proposed intended similar although believe expectations reflected forwardlooking statements reasonable forwardlooking statements based number assumptions forecasts nature involve risk uncertainty various factors could cause actual results differ materially projected forwardlooking statement affect extent particular projection realized factors could cause differences include limited continued ability reposition restructure upstream downstream businesses changes availability cost energy raw materials global supply demand aluminium aluminium products world economic growth including rates inflation industrial production changes relative value currencies value commodity contracts trends hydros key markets competition legislative regulatory political factors assurance given expectations prove correct hydro disclaims obligation update revise forwardlooking statements whether result new information future events otherwise information subject disclosure requirements pursuant section 512 norwegian securities trading act q3 2017 presentation httphugininfo106r2144192821719pdf q3 2017 report httphugininfo106r2144192821711pdf announcement distributed nasdaq corporate solutions behalf nasdaq corporate solutions clients issuer announcement warrants solely responsible content accuracy originality information contained therein source norsk hydro via globenewswire httpwwwhydrocomenwtmc_idpressrelease end dow jones newswires october 25 2017 0115 et 0515 gmt | 1,128 |
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