onsdag 6. juli 2011

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines:EMERGING MARKETS-Latam stocks slide as China economy cools

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/05/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlinesemerging-markets-latam-stocks-slide-as-china-economy-cools/
* Chinese industrial output slows as economy cools
* Investors still see inflation worries in Brazil
* Brazil Bovespa off 1.25 pct, Mexico IPC off 0.43 pct
By Luciana Lopez and Michael O’Boyle
SAO PAULO/MEXICO CITY, May 11 (Reuters) – Latin American stocks slid on Wednesday as signs of slower Chinese growth signaled lower commodities demand ahead, which may spur foreign investors to dump more shares of the region’s materials producers.
The MSCI Latin American index .MILA00000PUS fell 1.16 percent in the morning after gaining in the previous session. Brazil rebounded from its lowest since July last week, but low-volume gains marked little conviction in the rise.
China’s industrial output growth eased much more than expected in April, suggesting the economy of Brazil’s top trading partner is cooling. [ID:nL3E7GB0H2]
“If China doesn’t grow the way people hoped… many investors will turn to less risky assets, which could offer more opportunities for gains,” said Raphael Martello, an economist with Tendencias Consultoria, a Sao Paulo economic research company.
Foreign investors have increasingly pulled out of emerging markets like Latin America to bet on a strengthening recovery in more developed economies, such as the United States.
Rising inflation and the risk of higher interest rates that could weigh on growth have curbed the attraction of stocks in Brazil, where the 12-month IPCA price index has breached a government ceiling of 6.5 percent, Martello said.
Also hurting demand for riskier assets, a euro zone sovereign debt crisis has kept global investors jittery, with rumors flying of a possible restructuring of Greek debt. [ID:nLDE74A16A]
“That never really leaves the agenda,” Martello said.
Brazil’s benchmark Bovespa stock index .BVSP fell 1.25 percent, led by losses in heavyweight commodities companies.
Technical signals continued to paint a gloomy picture for the index, which traded below several key simple moving averages. The Bovespa’s moving average convergence divergence, or MACD, has now stayed persistently bearish for about a month.
Shares of mining giant Vale (VALE5.SA), the world’s largest producer of iron ore, fell 1.73 percent, as state-controlled energy giant Petrobras (PETR4.SA) gave up 1.42 percent.
Brasil Foods (BRFS3.SA) slid 1.28 percent, extending the 7.13 percent loss in the previous session on worries that Brazilian antitrust regulators could impose stricter conditions on the merger that created the company. [ID:nN11106574]
Limiting losses, beef producer JBS (JBSS3.SA) rose 2.67 percent after the company reported a jump in first-quarter net profit.
Mexico’s IPC index .MXX slid 0.43 percent to 35,522 points, potentially snapping a two-day streak of gains.
Technical signals pointed to uncertainty, with a fall below 35,000 boding for a deeper correction, analysts said.
A rise above 36,200, the 38.2 percent Fibonacci retracement of the gauge’s slump from an early April high to a May low, could mean the index will see further gains.
Mining company Grupo Mexico (GMEXICOB.MX) fell 1.55 percent, as telecommunications company America Movil (AMXL.MX) dipped 0.69 percent.
Chile’s IPSA index .IPSA edged up 0.08 percent, buoyed by banking shares.
Shares of Sociedad Matriz del Banco de Chile CHI_pb.SN rose 3.29 percent, with BCI BCI.SN advancing 0.74 percent.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: Destination for Swiss investors

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/05/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-destination-for-swiss-investors/
President Swiss Business Council Pakistan Farukh Mazhar, currently leading a delegation of heads of Pakistan based Swiss companies and prominent Pakistani businessmen to Zurich, said that Pakistan is a huge opportunity destination for investors despite all odds.
Mazhar was addressing a seminar in Zurich at the start of an extensive interaction between the business leaders of the two countries, says a press release.
Presenting the opening address in Zurich, Farukh Mazhar said, “The Pakistani delegation is anxious to explore possibilities of mutual interest with their counterparts here in Zurich.”
Pakistani business leaders fully understand the objective behind this initiative and the dynamic members of the delegation aim to highlight investment opportunities.
within Pakistan for soliciting Foreign Direct Investment from Switzerland as well as exploring export opportunities to Switzerland, Mazhar further added.
In November 2008, Swiss Business Council in Pakistan formed an alliance with Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) to work together in order to develop and expand trade and investment opportunities between both countries. SACC headquartered in Zurich is a strong Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland with business links to 12 Asian countries. Pakistan is now a part of this great Swiss Asian business axis. The Swiss Business council Pakistan and its members hugely value this association, said Mazhar.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: Ifo economic survey remains optimistic on Taiwan

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/05/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-ifo-economic-survey-remains-optimistic-on-taiwan/
The latest Ifo World Economic Survey indicates that Taiwan’s economy will continue to strengthen in the next two quarters along with the global economic recovery, the Council for Economic Planning and Development said May 18.
According to the CEPD, experts polled in the quarterly Ifo survey rated Taiwan’s overall economic climate as “satisfactory” and its private consumption as “good.”
They expect the two categories to show similar results in the next six months and for capital spending to remain “the same.”
Exports are expected to pick up steam, while stock prices are likely to be higher, according to the Ifo survey. Consumer prices and short and long-term interest rates are likely to increase, while the New Taiwan dollar will continue to strengthen versus the U.S. dollar, the survey said.
On the global front, the survey predicts the world economy to continue recovering from the 2009 Great Recession, but at a more moderate pace. The benchmark World Economic Climate Indicator reached 107.7 in the latest poll, up from the 106.8 points in the previous survey.
The CEPD said the stable growth of world economy will help Taiwan maintain its foreign trade momentum. A series of government programs, including its global investment promotion campaign, will help drive the nation’s economy forward, the agency added.
Initiated in 1981 by the German-based Ifo Institute for Economic Research, the Ifo WES assesses the economic situation worldwide based on a comprehensive survey among global professionals.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: Market Preview: All Eyes on LinkedIn’s Encore

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/05/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-market-preview-all-eyes-on-linkedins-encore/
The market shrugged off a ton of shaky economic data on Thursday as LinkedIn(LNKD)-inspired euphoria seemed to serve as a cure-all.
The problem is the business-oriented social networking company’s impressive debut is an impossible act to follow, and there could be a hangover for the broad market to deal with after the stock closed up more than 100%. At one point, the shares ran as high as $122.70, a gain of 170% from LinkedIn’s pricing at $45 per share.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now up about 10 points for the week so Friday’s direction is likely to determine whether the blue-chip index falls for a third straight week for the first time in 2011 or breaks the streak.
Retail investors have continued to trend toward bearishness, according to the latest American Association of Individual Investors survey, which found 41.3% of respondents fell in the bear camp for the week ended on Wednesday. That’s up 5.8% from the week before, and well beyond the long-term average of 30%.
Those identifying themselves as bullish in the survey, which draws from the organization’s 150,000 members and asks how they feel about the stock market for the next six months, came in at just 26.7%, down 4.1% from last week and far below the long-term average of 39%. The remainder of those polled identified themselves as neutral.
Thursday’s after-hours session was a busy one with disappointing results from both Gap(GPS) and Aeropostale(ARO) set against positive reports from Salesforce.com(CRM) and Foot Locker(FL).
Quarterly reports of note due on Friday are few and far between. AnnTaylor Stores(ANN) is always good for some insight into how the affluent consumer is doing, and the company has topped Wall Street’s expectations in three of the past four quarters.
The consensus for the April-ended period calls for a profit of 48 cents a share on revenue of $512.1 million, and there’s bullish lean ahead of the numbers with 12 of the 19 analysts covering the shares at either strong buy (12) or buy (12). The stock closed Thursday at $30.20, up 12.5% so far in 2011 and 50% over the past 52 weeks, so the snapback if there’s a shortfall could be harsh.

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlinesgoogle-sued-by-paypal-over-claims-it-stole-trade-secrets/

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlinesgoogle-sued-by-paypal-over-claims-it-stole-trade-secrets/
Osama Bedier, a former PayPal executive now at Google, stole PayPal’s confidential information, the company said in the lawsuit filed yesterday in state court in San Jose, California. Stephanie Tilenius, another ex-PayPal executive now at Google, violated contractual obligations by recruiting Bedier, PayPal said.
Bedier “is now leading Google’s efforts to bring point-of- sale technologies and services to retailers on its behalf,” according to the complaint. “Bedier and Google have misappropriated PayPal trade secrets by disclosing them within Google and to major retailers.”
Both companies are trying to move into storefronts from online transactions and build their mobile businesses. PayPal, based in San Jose, is working with major retailers to develop a new type of point-of-sale system — the equipment next to cash registers where consumers swipe credit cards.
Google, based in Mountain View, California, yesterday unveiled two services to let consumers pay merchants and download coupons with a tap of their mobile phones.
“Silicon Valley was built on the ability of individuals to use their knowledge and expertise to seek better employment opportunities, an idea recognized by both California law and public policy,” Aaron Zamost, a Google spokesman, said in an e- mailed statement. “We respect trade secrets, and will defend ourselves against these claims.”

Android Talks

PayPal also alleges that Bedier, who left the company in January, discussed a job with Google while simultaneously leading negotiations to make PayPal a payment option on Google’s Android Market. He didn’t disclose the job-related talks, a breach of his fiduciary duty, the company said.
Tilenius, who left EBay in 2009, was under contract not to recruit employees, PayPal said. She messaged Bedier on Facebook Inc.’s social-networking website, telling him she had a “HUGE” opportunity for him, and sent him e-mails and text messages offering advice while he interviewed for a position, according to the complaint.
The case is PayPal v. Google Inc. (GOOG), 11CV201863, California Superior Court, County of Santa Clara (San Jose).

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines:Hillary Clinton says FBI will probe Gmail hacker attack

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlineshillary-clinton-says-fbi-will-probe-gmail-hacker-attack/
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the U.S. government was investigating a hacker attack on personal Google email accounts used by senior government officials, as well as members of the military, political activists and journalists.
Google Inc. disclosed the attack on its Gmail email service Wednesday, saying it appeared to have originated in China and affected hundreds of people.
“We are obviously very concerned about Google’s announcement,” Clinton said Thursday at a news conference. “These allegations are very serious.”
She said the FBI would conduct an investigation into the breaches.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said that President Obama had been made aware of the attacks. But Carney added that there was no reason to believe that any official U.S. government email accounts had been accessed by the hackers.
Carney said that government officials are permitted to have personal email accounts, but not allowed to use them in any official capacities.
“All of our work is conducted on work email accounts,” Carney said at a news briefing. “That’s part of the Presidential Records Act.”
Google has not publicly disclosed the names of the people whose email accounts may have been exposed during the attack. The company said that they had notified them of the breech.
A Department of Defense spokeswoman said the agency was not sure if any of the victims of the cyber attack were DOD employees.
“As the breach involved Gmail,” said Lt. Col. April Cunningham, “since those are not official DOD email accounts, we are unaware if the targeted individuals are Defense employees.”
Also on Thursday, the Chinese government — which has long been at odds with Google over censorship and other issues — said it had nothing to do with the attack.
“Allegations that the Chinese government supports hacking activities are completely unfounded and made with ulterior motives,” said Hong Lei, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, according to news reports in China.
Hong said the Chinese government was firmly opposed to activities that sabotage Internet and computer security, including hacking.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines:The real deal? Groupon files for public offering

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlinesthe-real-deal-groupon-files-for-public-offering/
NEW YORK/PALOS VERDES, California (Reuters) – Daily deals site Groupon Inc filed for an initial public offering, hoping to capitalize on the biggest investor stampede into Web start-ups since the dotcom bubble burst a decade ago.
The company filed on Thursday to raise up to $750 million in its IPO, an offering that has been speculated about for months and that will be watched as a barometer of whether Internet valuations have become too rich.
In April, a source told Reuters that Groupon could raise as much as $1 billion in an IPO that could value it at $15 billion to $20 billion.
Thursday’s filing did not specify the number of shares to be sold in the IPO, the price range, or the exchange, though it did say the shares would trade under the symbol “GRPN.” It also said the $750 million figure is preliminary and may change.
Other Web companies including LinkedIn Corp and China’s Renren Inc have had strong IPO premieres, and anticipation is building toward a fever pitch for potential offerings by Facebook and Twitter. Pandora, a Web radio company, raised its IPO size to up to $141.6 million on Thursday — 40 percent more than estimates.
Some doubt whether the buzz surrounding the new Web generation is justified, warning that the hype is reminiscent of the atmosphere prior to the dotcom bust in 2001.
Groupon has also been called into question by critics who say its business — essentially a coupon service — can be easily replicated both by startups and existing Web powerhouses. Google has already begun such a service.
At the All Things Digital conference Wednesday, Groupon Chief Executive Andrew Mason himself admitted he feared possible competition from businesses that “have some twist on the model we haven’t thought of yet.”
“I think investors will go for this one,” said Ryan Jacob, chairman and chief investment officer of Jacob Funds, which includes the Jacob Internet Fund. “Whether or not it’s worth the valuation it comes at is still an open question.”
Groupon in the filing warned that it has incurred losses ever since its birth 2-1/2 years ago, that its technology may not be up to the task of handling demand, that expenses are bound to rise, and that the market may not continue to grow.
“As with any business in a 30-month-old industry, the path to success will have twists and turns, moments of brilliance and other moments of sheer stupidity,” Mason, 30, said in a letter to potential stockholders that was attached to the filing.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: Tax tips by the numbers

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-tax-tips-by-the-numbers/
With just a few savvy moves, you could lower your tax bill or perhaps give your annual refund a nice boost, writes David Potts.
No glory without sacrifice, as the saying goes, but as a taxpayer, sacrificing brings nothing unless it’s your salary into super. Still, there are a few things you can do to bump up this year’s refund, or if that’s too optimistic, at least cut your tax bill.
Fortunately, the budget nasties don’t start until the new financial year – or the one after that in the case of the lower caps on salary-sacrificed super contributions for funds of more than $500,000.
You can even buy yourself more time by registering with a tax agent, which will delay your tax bill until at least May next year.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The abolition of the low-income offset on investment income for children kicks in on July 1. So there’s still time to make the most of income splitting and even longer to bump up your super – the top two ways of cutting your tax bill.
By the same token, the reduced penalty for first offenders for salary sacrificing too much to super isn’t available until next year.
Speaking of savings, although the 50 per cent discount off tax on interest or dividend income doesn’t start until July 1 either, you can take advantage of it immediately.
Just roll over any term deposits into the new financial year or, if you’ve got savings in a cash account, whip them over into a one- or two-month term deposit.
“Instead of an online cash-management trust you could put the money in a short-term term deposit that rolls over into the year,” the director of tax services at RSM Bird Cameron, Con Paoliello, says. “Although you’ll have to pay more tax because of the flood levy, you’ll be better off because of the 50 per cent discount.”
The discount on interest up to $1000 also applies to bonds, debentures and annuities.
By the way, next year the discount will reduce the “adjusted taxable income” used for qualifying for government goodies such as social security, the family tax benefit or the seniors health card.
Mind you, even better than a 50 per cent discount would be no tax at all.
Now I’m talking – but how? Move your money into the names of your children or a lower tax-paying spouse.
True, the budget abolishes the low-income tax offset on a child’s unearned income from July 1. But that still leaves $416 in dividends and interest tax-free for each child. Also, when negative gearing, an asset in the lowest-income-earning name is better if you plan to one day sell.
Although the annual tax breaks won’t be as great, this will be more than made up for by the much lower capital gains bill.
What’s more, if you’re getting franked dividends, the 30 per cent tax credit will generate a refund in the hands of a family member in the 15 per cent or zero tax brackets.
Since the low income tax offset still applies this year for children, a family trust should distribute income before the end of the month.
It can also pay to split your super.
You still have to stick to the caps but salary sacrificing some of your super to a partner will generate two tax-free thresholds when drawing out a lump sum and get near the $500,000 fund size limit from 2012-13. Oh, and don’t forget the spouse rebate. Contribute $3000 to the super of a spouse or live-in partner earning less than $13,800 and you get a $540 rebate.
Even better than co-habitation is co-contribution. So long as you’re working and earn less than $31,920, the government will match up to $1000 you put in super, so long as it isn’t salary sacrificed. This phases down as you earn more, cutting out altogether at $61,920.
This year’s tax dodge du jour is all about next year – minimising the flood levy, which begins on July 1. The surcharge is 0.5 per cent of whatever you earn between $50,000 and $100,000, or 1 per cent (plus $250) of anything over $100,000.
Rather than postponing income and spending sooner, this year do it the other way around.
Bring forward income, such as advance leave pay or a bonus and push back expenses so this year’s income is higher than next year’s.
Don’t get too carried away though. Since the levy on an income of $100,000 is $250, if you have more than $675 in expenses that could be claimed this year by pre-paying, such as subscriptions to trade journals, you may as well do that and not worry about the levy. Otherwise, you would be paying more in tax now than you’d be saving later. On higher incomes though, it could well pay to avoid the levy. On earnings of $300,000, for example, it costs $2250.
If you have a geared investment, you need to weigh up the immediate benefit of pre-paying the next 12 months interest against a double deduction for 2012-13 when you can claim 2011-12 plus a pre-payment for the following year.
The other way of minimising the levy is by salary sacrificing into super, especially if you’re on the border between tax brackets.
Say you earn $80,000 a year, which would put you in the 37 per cent tax bracket. Salary sacrificing $1000 into super will bring you down to the 30 per cent bracket, plus your contribution will be taxed at only 15 per cent.
The other frontiers are $16,000 (taking the low-income tax offset into account) above which you pay tax at 15 per cent; $37,000, where the rate rises to 30 per cent; and $180,000, where it goes from 37 to 45 per cent.
Reshuffling a share portfolio can pay, er, other dividends aside from reducing the flood levy.
It’s possible to make the interest on your debt tax deductible.
Here’s how. You sell your shares – the way the sharemarket has been going you’re not likely to have many capital gains to worry about – and pay down the mortgage.
Then borrow again, although keep it in a separate account, and restart your share portfolio.
Oh, were you thinking of donating to a good cause?

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: Lulzsec Hackers at it Again

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-lulzsec-hackers-at-it-again/
he group that claims it attacked the websites of Nintendo, Sony and the U.S. Senate claims it took the CIA’s public website offline. No sensitive data were tapped or stolen.
The agency said the site contains no classified data, and there was no impact on operations.

Washable Earphones
If your earbuds get sweaty during workouts, you may wish you could just throw them in the washing machine.
Pioneer is out with the first washable earphones. You can also use them in the shower.
They’re available in a variety of colors for $60.

GPS Gone Wrong
Finally, a story of technology gone bad. Three out of town visitors to Bellevue, Wash., said they were following directions from their GPS as they tried to get back to their hotel late and night, and instead, drove their rented SUV down a boat ramp and into a swamp.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: Bitcoin struggles as it tries to change e-currency

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-advice.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-bitcoin-struggles-as-it-tries-to-change-e-currency/
The P2P online currency shirks regulation or outside influence, but security woes and an unstable worth are among its current hangups.
Bitcoin, the anonymous, peer-to-peer e-currency, is among the new spin our virtual world has put on money. And there are a variety of ways it benefits digital transactions: It keeps a detailed log of your online transactions and creates a user-regulated marketplace. Bitcoin has prompted varying responses, being at once heralded as a solution to the current state of the struggling stock market as well as a very dangerous threat to a stable economy. And if US government has taken notice of the emerging global currency, you probably should too.

How it works

Bitcoin wants to change currency the way the Internet changed publishing, and essentially addresses a few specific issues. It wants to making online transactions anonymous, do away with transfer fees, and attempt to take some power away from government-centralized banking, as well as disable government ability to simply create and issue money. Anyone with an Internet connection can use Bitcoins and you use various sites to exchange your cash for the digital currency (or sell something for them). You can trade them for merchandise or services, you can exchange them for hard currencies, or you can mine for Bitcoins. Mining isn’t terribly common, but those who are dedicated to it are an extremely important part of the entire scheme. It’s a complicated process not advised to the average user, but it basically means you need a seriously capable computer to run software that generates new Bitcoins.

The crash

While Bitcoins are very different than the dollar or other currency, they are still subject to economic woes. There was a significant crash in Bitcoin value this weekend: They went from worth roughly $17 a piece to a handful of pennies on the most-used exchange site, Mt. Gox. It’s being reported a hacked account is to blame and all trading operations have been halted for the time being. Worse than suspended use is the fact that a copy of Mt. Gox’s database has been leaked, meaning user data and passwords are making their way across the Internet.
It appears the security breach is due to Mt. Gox’s vulnerable site and that this alone has caused Bitcoins’ worth to plummet as its value has been maintained on other exchange sites. But the Bitcoin market has been inconsistent to say the least: Their worth has risen to remarkable levels and deflated just as quickly prior to the Mt. Gox hack, which is just an added concern to the entire thing. Symantec also reportedly found a Trojan malware program earlier in the weekend. ”The Trojan is Infostealer.Coinbit and it has one motive: to locate your Bitcoin wallet.dat file and email it to the attacker,” the security firm explained in a blog post.

Is there a future for Bitcoin?

While the security breach at Mt. Gox and inflation-prone worth of Bitcoin have likely made non-believers even more disinterested, there is still a strong contingent of Bitcoin users. The more serious users encrypt all their information and loyally defend the organization. The P2P element of Bitcoin is what sets it apart from other e-commerce platforms in general, but this type of networking is what can isolate Bitcoin from finding a wider user base. Without any centralized regulation, security worries and unstable market value could continue and hurt Bitcoin’s long term ambitions. Transforming the way we think about online transactions is difficult enough without these types of setbacks. Which isn’t to say it’s a doomed project, just one that might have a longer evolution then its proponents would like. Despite any roadblocks, the concept is revolutionary and the fact that it’s been able to find its following this quickly is something to consider.

Brightbridge Headlines: Time to move some money to stocks from commodities

http://www.widepr.com/press_release/14866/brightbridge_headlines_time_to_move_some_money_to_stocks_from_commodities.html
Investors became more cautious about commodities after last week’s vicious unwind of oil, copper and precious metals — which some dubbed a mini “flash crash” similar to the one seen in U.S. equity markets a year earlier.

Even as strategists recommend steering away from commodities, they agree that the long-term outlook is positive. But over the near term they do not rule out another downleg in prices — especially if China, the world’s largest consumer of raw materials, continues to tighten monetary policy.

“Chinese policy makers made it very clear that there is ‘no absolute limit’ to what they will do to control inflation, which raised concerns around the impact of their actions on demand growth” for commodities, Jan Loeys, head of asset allocation at JPMorgan, wrote in a research note this week.

Economic activity has been moderating in China, and prospects for future growth seem less certain after the government signaled no end in its fight to curb inflation.

China raised bank reserve requirements by 50 basis points on Thursday, surprising analysts who had expected it to use monetary brakes less aggressively after a series of weaker-than-expected economic data for April.

For its part, the United States saw growth domestic product of only 1.8 percent in the first quarter, down from 3.1 percent in the last three months of 2010.

Last week’s sell-off drove the price of U.S. crude oil below $100 from an April peak of more than $113. Prices have been volatile since then, and further weakness is possible.

“What happened in commodity markets last week was not surprising at all, and more weakness in the near term wouldn’t be that surprising either,” Jim O’Neill, chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said in a recent research note.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: A crisis that could tear Europe apart

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: A crisis that could tear Europe apart

Just imagine living in a Britain in which the state had broken down completely. You would see mobs rampaging through the streets and fires burning in the capital city.

You would see governments rise and fall; you would see taxes rise and social services cut. You would see faceless European bankers flying in to take over Britain’s economy, and you would see thousands of people take to the barricades, blazing with outrage at their betrayal by the political classes.

This may sound like the stuff of science fiction. But it is precisely what is happening right now in Greece, at the epicentre of what may prove to be one of the most terrifying political and economic crises in our lifetimes.

Riot: Protesters wielding weapons clash with riot police during the general strike against austerity plans that was held on WednesdayRiot: Protesters wielding weapons clash with riot police during the general strike against austerity plans that was held on Wednesday

Violent: Left and right wing demonstrators used weapons on each other during a mass fight at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central AthensViolent: Left and right wing demonstrators used weapons on each other during a mass fight at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central Athens

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: A crisis that could tear Europe apart - Saeo

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: A crisis that could tear Europe apart - Saeo

This may sound like the stuff of science fiction. But it is precisely what is happening right now in Greece, at the epicentre of what may prove to be one of the most terrifying political and economic crises in our lifetimes.

Riot: Protesters wielding weapons clash with riot police during the general strike against austerity plans that was held on WednesdayRiot: Protesters wielding weapons clash with riot police during the general strike against austerity plans that was held on Wednesday

Violent: Left and right wing demonstrators used weapons on each other during a mass fight at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central AthensViolent: Left and right wing demonstrators used weapons on each other during a mass fight at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central Athens

The Battle of Athens may seem an awfully long way away. And when most of us think of Greece, we picture bearded philosophers, island sunsets and welcoming tavernas.

But this week’s events pose what some are describing as the biggest threat to international stability since the chaos of the 1930s, when the spectre of the Great Depression stalked through the Western world, with Nazism and Communism flourishing in its wake.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: A crisis that could tear Europe apart | Blurpalicious

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: A crisis that could tear Europe apart | Blurpalicious

This may sound like the stuff of science fiction. But it is precisely what is happening right now in Greece, at the epicentre of what may prove to be one of the most terrifying political and economic crises in our lifetimes.

Riot: Protesters wielding weapons clash with riot police during the general strike against austerity plans that was held on WednesdayRiot: Protesters wielding weapons clash with riot police during the general strike against austerity plans that was held on Wednesday

Violent: Left and right wing demonstrators used weapons on each other during a mass fight at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central AthensViolent: Left and right wing demonstrators used weapons on each other during a mass fight at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central Athens

The Battle of Athens may seem an awfully long way away. And when most of us think of Greece, we picture bearded philosophers, island sunsets and welcoming tavernas.

But this week’s events pose what some are describing as the biggest threat to international stability since the chaos of the 1930s, when the spectre of the Great Depression stalked through the Western world, with Nazism and Communism flourishing in its wake.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: A crisis that could tear Europe apart

http://brightbridgewealthmanagement-facts.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-a-crisis-that-could-tear-europe-apart/
You would see governments rise and fall; you would see taxes rise and social services cut. You would see faceless European bankers flying in to take over Britain’s economy, and you would see thousands of people take to the barricades, blazing with outrage at their betrayal by the political classes.
This may sound like the stuff of science fiction. But it is precisely what is happening right now in Greece, at the epicentre of what may prove to be one of the most terrifying political and economic crises in our lifetimes.
Riot: Protesters wielding weapons clash with riot police during the general strike against austerity plans that was held on WednesdayRiot: Protesters wielding weapons clash with riot police during the general strike against austerity plans that was held on Wednesday

Violent: Left and right wing demonstrators used weapons on each other during a mass fight at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central AthensViolent: Left and right wing demonstrators used weapons on each other during a mass fight at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central Athens
The Battle of Athens may seem an awfully long way away. And when most of us think of Greece, we picture bearded philosophers, island sunsets and welcoming tavernas.

Brightbridge Headlines: Time to move some money to stocks from commodities

Brightbridge Headlines: Time to move some money to stocks from commodities

You would see governments rise and fall; you would see taxes rise and social services cut. You would see faceless European bankers flying in to take over Britain’s economy, and you would see thousands of people take to the barricades, blazing with outrage at their betrayal by the political classes.

This may sound like the stuff of science fiction. But it is precisely what is happening right now in Greece, at the epicentre of what may prove to be one of the most terrifying political and economic crises in our lifetimes.

søndag 3. juli 2011

Atlantic International Partnership Latest News | Atlantic International Partnership Latest News

http://digg.com/news/business/atlantic_international_partnership_latest_news_atlantic_international_partnership_latest_news
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio delivers the oath of office to Republican members of the House of Representatives during the first session of the 112th Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. Remember that scene in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” when Jimmy Stewart arrives in the capital for the first time? The freshman senator shakes off his handlers in Union Station and jumps onto a sightseeing bus, eager to see all the statues and monuments honoring the greats of American history. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so thrilled in my life,” he says afterward. “And that Lincoln Memorial — gee whiz! Mr. Lincoln, there he is. Just looking straight at you as you come up those steps. Just sitting there like he was waiting for somebody to come along.” For all their talk of the Founding Fathers, the Constitution and core principles, you’d have thought that the current freshman class of Congress, the sprouted seed of Tea Partyers and the 2010 midterms, would have made a similar tour their first priority on arrival. And for all I know, many of them did just that. But for some, the siren song of cash and influence has proven stronger, already luring them onto the rocks of privilege and corruption that lurk just inside the Beltway. They’ve made a beeline not for the hallowed shrines of patriots’ pride but for the elegant suites of K Street lobbyists, where the closest its residents have been to Lincoln is the bearded face peering from the $5 bill — chump change. So much for fiercely resisting the wicked, wicked ways of Washington. These new members were seduced faster than Dustin Hoffman in “The Graduate.”

Atlantic International Funding Group: Providing Simplified Homewnership Solutions - Saeo

Atlantic International Funding Group: Providing Simplified Homewnership Solutions - Saeo

AIFG has established a unique and innovative concept in the mortgage industry (PARTNERSHIP SERVICING) that is ideally suited to a challenging economy and real estate market. If you don’t know about our concept, then here’s an opportunity to learn more.

AIFG, a Florida Based, Multi State Licensed Mortgage Banker, has been providing partnership services to the mortgage and real estate industry since 2001. At AIFG we are all about PARTNERSHIP not product which is truly a unique approach to the mortgage industry. Here’s why:

Our mortgage professionals take a wholly different approach to doing business. We are unconventional, but in a good way. AIFG is committed to your success, we will stand behind you. We will promote you within our unique personalized partnership service package approach to doing business.

Atlantic International Funding Group: Providing Simplified Homewnership Solutions | Blurpalicious

Atlantic International Funding Group: Providing Simplified Homewnership Solutions | Blurpalicious

AIFG, a Florida Based, Multi State Licensed Mortgage Banker, has been providing partnership services to the mortgage and real estate industry since 2001. At AIFG we are all about PARTNERSHIP not product which is truly a unique approach to the mortgage industry. Here’s why: Our mortgage professionals take a wholly different approach to doing business. We are unconventional, but in a good way. AIFG is committed to your success, we will stand behind you. We will promote you within our unique personalized partnership service package approach to doing business. >>> Click Here For More

Atlantic International Funding Group: Providing Simplified Homewnership Solutions

http://www.aifgi.com/
AIFG has established a unique and innovative concept in the mortgage industry (PARTNERSHIP SERVICING) that is ideally suited to a challenging economy and real estate market. If you don’t know about our concept, then here’s an opportunity to learn more.

AIFG, a Florida Based, Multi State Licensed Mortgage Banker, has been providing partnership services to the mortgage and real estate industry since 2001. At AIFG we are all about PARTNERSHIP not product which is truly a unique approach to the mortgage industry. Here’s why:
Our mortgage professionals take a wholly different approach to doing business. We are unconventional, but in a good way. AIFG is committed to your success, we will stand behind you. We will promote you within our unique personalized partnership service package approach to doing business.

Atlantic International Partnership Review – Disaster Could Show as Japan’s Stepping Stone to Economic Development - Saeo

Atlantic International Partnership Review – Disaster Could Show as Japan’s Stepping Stone to Economic Development - Saeo

A huge tsunami, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, and a nuclear plant emitting radiation.

When some others feel it is seriously awesome to look at a 2012-like scene come about in true lifestyle, most will just appear you inside the eye like you’ve lost your brain and shake their heads in disgust. Consider this earthquake/tsunami happening in some other 3rd world nation, in the event you will. I doubt a creating will remain unscathed. But powerful earthquakes in Japan are nothing new that is why their buildings can stand up to the tremors – but what transpired that Friday afternoon was unprecedented.

The good news is, people today have this nature to bounce back rapidly, and wanting back with the background of Japan, it’s no surprise if they’d be up and running wonderful in only a couple of many years. They’ve already been by considerable trauma and destruction through the WWII, (and although it is entirely from a distinctive bring about), their recovery and re-emergence being a world strength deserves a salute.

As humanitarian aids and pledges of assistance came pouring days soon after the notorious March 11 (doesn’t it remind you of September 11?) the diploma of harm was unveiled: communities teeming with life had been reduced to a depressing rubble and spots close to the nuclear strength plant all of a sudden grew to become ghost towns as citizens fled to far sites in fear of radiation.

These are however living the nightmare of it but being the ever-resilient, disciplined and really civilized Japanese, it’s not very difficult for them to unite and rebuild their nation. (Had it took place to a different nation, you are able to wager on rampant looting and chaos as panic sets in; however the Japanese remained level-headed within the midst of it all.) Maybe that is why regardless of a lot of foreigners wanting to obtain out of Japan rapid, numerous made a decision to stay to assist inside the recovery and would not quit their job there.

Undeniably, one of the hardest hit sectors is their economic system. The market evidently suffered a sharp decline while in the height in the radiation concern nevertheless it returned on course around the following several days, albeit steadily.

Regardless of what took place to them while in the previous, Japan’s financial system seems to be heading to an additional economic bubble. There’s no doubt that 1000s of enterprises have been hit (instantly or indirectly) through the catastrophe. But shortly they will nonetheless should select up where they left off and begin anew.

Inspite of each of the challenges they deal with, Japan can nevertheless appear forward with aspiration. This just could possibly be the chance for his or her politics and financial state (which are both on the stalemate for many decades) to enter a long-overdue progress. The Bank of Japan is supplying to release a stimulus to finance the nation’s street to recovery.

With all of the building that could be heading all over while in the near long run, it could get started a growth while in the financial system as lots of individuals will probably be involved in the do the job. Providers will need much more employees to help keep up with the price they really should create a structure, for instance.

The truth is, a lot of traders are eyeing Japanese stock market place for any enormous probable to make earnings for them, from the extended run, which is. They are considering the long-term advantage of getting low cost stocks and waiting for the market to rise.

The stigma through the Chernobyl incident while in the previous may have triggered an overreaction on the rest of your globe. Constantly checking radiation amounts in their vicinity; advising citizens to pull out from Japan; and banning food products allegedly made up of large levels of radiation. But when the nuclear power plant challenge concluded, these are expected to flip close to.

Perhaps, we will count on the fact that Japan’s economic system can bounce back from tragedy and also its people. Then the Land of the Rising Sun can nonetheless look and feel forward to a lively trade.

Atlantic International Partnership (AIP) offers a comprehensive service giving you, AIP investors and entrepreneurs access to Marketplaces in your region and around the World.

AIP investors are uniquely dynamic individuals or groups of individuals. AIP investors invest their capital in new or early stage companies. We have found that AIP investors are not a source of capital alone but we have found them to make excellent mentors. As most AIP investors are in fact successful entrepreneurs or business people themselves we have found that they are able to offer entrepreneurs advice and helpful suggestions based on the experience that they have accumulated from their own businesses.

Atlantic International Partnership Review - Disaster Could Show as Japan's... | utterbackpac | Social-Bookmarking.Net

Atlantic International Partnership Review - Disaster Could Show as Japan's... | utterbackpac | Social-Bookmarking.Net

When some others feel it is seriously awesome to look at a 2012-like scene come about in true lifestyle, most will just appear you inside the eye like you’ve lost your brain and shake their heads in disgust. Consider this earthquake/tsunami happening in some other 3rd world nation, in the event you will. I doubt a creating will remain unscathed. But powerful earthquakes in Japan are nothing new that is why their buildings can stand up to the tremors – but what transpired that Friday afternoon was unprecedented.

The good news is, people today have this nature to bounce back rapidly, and wanting back with the background of Japan, it’s no surprise if they’d be up and running wonderful in only a couple of many years. They’ve already been by considerable trauma and destruction through the WWII, (and although it is entirely from a distinctive bring about), their recovery and re-emergence being a world strength deserves a salute.

As humanitarian aids and pledges of assistance came pouring days soon after the notorious March 11 (doesn’t it remind you of September 11?) the diploma of harm was unveiled: communities teeming with life had been reduced to a depressing rubble and spots close to the nuclear strength plant all of a sudden grew to become ghost towns as citizens fled to far sites in fear of radiation.

These are however living the nightmare of it but being the ever-resilient, disciplined and really civilized Japanese, it’s not very difficult for them to unite and rebuild their nation. (Had it took place to a different nation, you are able to wager on rampant looting and chaos as panic sets in; however the Japanese remained level-headed within the midst of it all.) Maybe that is why regardless of a lot of foreigners wanting to obtain out of Japan rapid, numerous made a decision to stay to assist inside the recovery and would not quit their job there.

Undeniably, one of the hardest hit sectors is their economic system. The market evidently suffered a sharp decline while in the height in the radiation concern nevertheless it returned on course around the following several days, albeit steadily.

Regardless of what took place to them while in the previous, Japan’s financial system seems to be heading to an additional economic bubble. There’s no doubt that 1000s of enterprises have been hit (instantly or indirectly) through the catastrophe. But shortly they will nonetheless should select up where they left off and begin anew.

Inspite of each of the challenges they deal with, Japan can nevertheless appear forward with aspiration. This just could possibly be the chance for his or her politics and financial state (which are both on the stalemate for many decades) to enter a long-overdue progress. The Bank of Japan is supplying to release a stimulus to finance the nation’s street to recovery.

With all of the building that could be heading all over while in the near long run, it could get started a growth while in the financial system as lots of individuals will probably be involved in the do the job. Providers will need much more employees to help keep up with the price they really should create a structure, for instance.

The truth is, a lot of traders are eyeing Japanese stock market place for any enormous probable to make earnings for them, from the extended run, which is. They are considering the long-term advantage of getting low cost stocks and waiting for the market to rise.

The stigma through the Chernobyl incident while in the previous may have triggered an overreaction on the rest of your globe. Constantly checking radiation amounts in their vicinity; advising citizens to pull out from Japan; and banning food products allegedly made up of large levels of radiation. But when the nuclear power plant challenge concluded, these are expected to flip close to.

Atlantic International Partnership Review – Disaster Could Show as Japan’s Stepping Stone to Economic Development | Blurpalicious

Atlantic International Partnership Review – Disaster Could Show as Japan’s Stepping Stone to Economic Development | Blurpalicious

A huge tsunami, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, and a nuclear plant emitting radiation.

When some others feel it is seriously awesome to look at a 2012-like scene come about in true lifestyle, most will just appear you inside the eye like you’ve lost your brain and shake their heads in disgust. Consider this earthquake/tsunami happening in some other 3rd world nation, in the event you will. I doubt a creating will remain unscathed. But powerful earthquakes in Japan are nothing new that is why their buildings can stand up to the tremors – but what transpired that Friday afternoon was unprecedented.

The good news is, people today have this nature to bounce back rapidly, and wanting back with the background of Japan, it’s no surprise if they’d be up and running wonderful in only a couple of many years. They’ve already been by considerable trauma and destruction through the WWII, (and although it is entirely from a distinctive bring about), their recovery and re-emergence being a world strength deserves a salute.

As humanitarian aids and pledges of assistance came pouring days soon after the notorious March 11 (doesn’t it remind you of September 11?) the diploma of harm was unveiled: communities teeming with life had been reduced to a depressing rubble and spots close to the nuclear strength plant all of a sudden grew to become ghost towns as citizens fled to far sites in fear of radiation.

These are however living the nightmare of it but being the ever-resilient, disciplined and really civilized Japanese, it’s not very difficult for them to unite and rebuild their nation. (Had it took place to a different nation, you are able to wager on rampant looting and chaos as panic sets in; however the Japanese remained level-headed within the midst of it all.) Maybe that is why regardless of a lot of foreigners wanting to obtain out of Japan rapid, numerous made a decision to stay to assist inside the recovery and would not quit their job there.

Undeniably, one of the hardest hit sectors is their economic system. The market evidently suffered a sharp decline while in the height in the radiation concern nevertheless it returned on course around the following several days, albeit steadily.

Regardless of what took place to them while in the previous, Japan’s financial system seems to be heading to an additional economic bubble. There’s no doubt that 1000s of enterprises have been hit (instantly or indirectly) through the catastrophe. But shortly they will nonetheless should select up where they left off and begin anew.

Inspite of each of the challenges they deal with, Japan can nevertheless appear forward with aspiration. This just could possibly be the chance for his or her politics and financial state (which are both on the stalemate for many decades) to enter a long-overdue progress. The Bank of Japan is supplying to release a stimulus to finance the nation’s street to recovery.

With all of the building that could be heading all over while in the near long run, it could get started a growth while in the financial system as lots of individuals will probably be involved in the do the job. Providers will need much more employees to help keep up with the price they really should create a structure, for instance.

The truth is, a lot of traders are eyeing Japanese stock market place for any enormous probable to make earnings for them, from the extended run, which is. They are considering the long-term advantage of getting low cost stocks and waiting for the market to rise.

The stigma through the Chernobyl incident while in the previous may have triggered an overreaction on the rest of your globe. Constantly checking radiation amounts in their vicinity; advising citizens to pull out from Japan; and banning food products allegedly made up of large levels of radiation. But when the nuclear power plant challenge concluded, these are expected to flip close to.

Perhaps, we will count on the fact that Japan’s economic system can bounce back from tragedy and also its people. Then the Land of the Rising Sun can nonetheless look and feel forward to a lively trade.

Atlantic International Partnership (AIP) offers a comprehensive service giving you, AIP investors and entrepreneurs access to Marketplaces in your region and around the World.

AIP investors are uniquely dynamic individuals or groups of individuals. AIP investors invest their capital in new or early stage companies. We have found that AIP investors are not a source of capital alone but we have found them to make excellent mentors. As most AIP investors are in fact successful entrepreneurs or business people themselves we have found that they are able to offer entrepreneurs advice and helpful suggestions based on the experience that they have accumulated from their own businesses.

Atlantic International Partnership Review – Disaster Could Show as Japan’s Stepping Stone to Economic Development

http://tech-seeker.com/blog/atlantic-international-partnership-review-disaster-could-show-as-japans-stepping-stone-to-economic-development/
A huge tsunami, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, and a nuclear plant emitting radiation.

When some others feel it is seriously awesome to look at a 2012-like scene come about in true lifestyle, most will just appear you inside the eye like you’ve lost your brain and shake their heads in disgust. Consider this earthquake/tsunami happening in some other 3rd world nation, in the event you will. I doubt a creating will remain unscathed. But powerful earthquakes in Japan are nothing new that is why their buildings can stand up to the tremors – but what transpired that Friday afternoon was unprecedented.

The good news is, people today have this nature to bounce back rapidly, and wanting back with the background of Japan, it’s no surprise if they’d be up and running wonderful in only a couple of many years. They’ve already been by considerable trauma and destruction through the WWII, (and although it is entirely from a distinctive bring about), their recovery and re-emergence being a world strength deserves a salute.

As humanitarian aids and pledges of assistance came pouring days soon after the notorious March 11 (doesn’t it remind you of September 11?) the diploma of harm was unveiled: communities teeming with life had been reduced to a depressing rubble and spots close to the nuclear strength plant all of a sudden grew to become ghost towns as citizens fled to far sites in fear of radiation.

These are however living the nightmare of it but being the ever-resilient, disciplined and really civilized Japanese, it’s not very difficult for them to unite and rebuild their nation. (Had it took place to a different nation, you are able to wager on rampant looting and chaos as panic sets in; however the Japanese remained level-headed within the midst of it all.) Maybe that is why regardless of a lot of foreigners wanting to obtain out of Japan rapid, numerous made a decision to stay to assist inside the recovery and would not quit their job there.

Undeniably, one of the hardest hit sectors is their economic system. The market evidently suffered a sharp decline while in the height in the radiation concern nevertheless it returned on course around the following several days, albeit steadily.

Regardless of what took place to them while in the previous, Japan’s financial system seems to be heading to an additional economic bubble. There’s no doubt that 1000s of enterprises have been hit (instantly or indirectly) through the catastrophe. But shortly they will nonetheless should select up where they left off and begin anew.

Inspite of each of the challenges they deal with, Japan can nevertheless appear forward with aspiration. This just could possibly be the chance for his or her politics and financial state (which are both on the stalemate for many decades) to enter a long-overdue progress. The Bank of Japan is supplying to release a stimulus to finance the nation’s street to recovery.

With all of the building that could be heading all over while in the near long run, it could get started a growth while in the financial system as lots of individuals will probably be involved in the do the job. Providers will need much more employees to help keep up with the price they really should create a structure, for instance.

The truth is, a lot of traders are eyeing Japanese stock market place for any enormous probable to make earnings for them, from the extended run, which is. They are considering the long-term advantage of getting low cost stocks and waiting for the market to rise.

The stigma through the Chernobyl incident while in the previous may have triggered an overreaction on the rest of your globe. Constantly checking radiation amounts in their vicinity; advising citizens to pull out from Japan; and banning food products allegedly made up of large levels of radiation. But when the nuclear power plant challenge concluded, these are expected to flip close to.

Perhaps, we will count on the fact that Japan’s economic system can bounce back from tragedy and also its people. Then the Land of the Rising Sun can nonetheless look and feel forward to a lively trade.

Atlantic International Partnership (AIP) offers a comprehensive service giving you, AIP investors and entrepreneurs access to Marketplaces in your region and around the World.
AIP investors are uniquely dynamic individuals or groups of individuals. AIP investors invest their capital in new or early stage companies. We have found that AIP investors are not a source of capital alone but we have found them to make excellent mentors. As most AIP investors are in fact successful entrepreneurs or business people themselves we have found that they are able to offer entrepreneurs advice and helpful suggestions based on the experience that they have accumulated from their own businesses.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines:Weak retail, jobless reports pull stocks lower | Blurpalicious

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines:Weak retail, jobless reports pull stocks lower | Blurpalicious

NEW YORK — Weaker than expected sales reports from retailers and another large number of claims for unemployment benefits pulled the stock market lower for the second straight day Thursday.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 41.59, or 0.3%, to 12,248.55. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index dipped 1.61, or 0.1%, to 1,312.94. The Nasdaq composite rose 4.12, or 0.2%, to 2,773.31.

Slightly more stocks fell than rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Trading volume was 3.9 billion shares.

First-time applications for unemployment benefits, an indication of how many people are losing their jobs, fell slightly last week to 422,000. That was more than economists were expecting and well above the 375,000 level that signals that the economy is adding jobs.

“Companies are just not hiring the same number of workers that they laid off two years ago, and that’s leading to a very stale jobs environment,” said David Loesser, the president of the Estate Planners Group, a financial advisory firm in Washington Crossing, Pa.

Several retailers reported poor sales for May, adding to concerns that the U.S. economy is straining under higher costs for raw materials like oil and cotton. Companies that catered to middle and lower income shoppers said that higher food and gas prices cut into sales. Gap Inc. (GPS) fell after sales fell across all its brands. Target Corp. (TGT) fell after missing expectations as sales traffic slowed during the second half of the month.

Luxury retailer Saks Inc. (SKS) was among the few companies in the category that rose. The company gained after far surpassing analyst’s expectations.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines:Weak retail, jobless reports pull stocks lower - Saeo

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines:Weak retail, jobless reports pull stocks lower - Saeo

Weaker than expected sales reports from retailers and another large number of claims for unemployment benefits pulled the stock market lower for the second straight day Thursday.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 41.59, or 0.3%, to 12,248.55. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index dipped 1.61, or 0.1%, to 1,312.94. The Nasdaq composite rose 4.12, or 0.2%, to 2,773.31.

Slightly more stocks fell than rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Trading volume was 3.9 billion shares.

First-time applications for unemployment benefits, an indication of how many people are losing their jobs, fell slightly last week to 422,000. That was more than economists were expecting and well above the 375,000 level that signals that the economy is adding jobs.

“Companies are just not hiring the same number of workers that they laid off two years ago, and that’s leading to a very stale jobs environment,” said David Loesser, the president of the Estate Planners Group, a financial advisory firm in Washington Crossing, Pa.

Several retailers reported poor sales for May, adding to concerns that the U.S. economy is straining under higher costs for raw materials like oil and cotton. Companies that catered to middle and lower income shoppers said that higher food and gas prices cut into sales. Gap Inc. (GPS) fell after sales fell across all its brands. Target Corp. (TGT) fell after missing expectations as sales traffic slowed during the second half of the month.

Luxury retailer Saks Inc. (SKS) was among the few companies in the category that rose. The company gained after far surpassing analyst’s expectations.

Financial companies fell, though less than the overall stock market. Goldman Sachs (GS) dropped after the bank received a subpoena from the Manhattan District Attorney‘s office to discuss its role in the financial crisis. The subpoena follows the April release of a Senate report that showed Goldman had steered investors toward mortgage securities it knew would likely fail.

A number of recent reports have indicated that the U.S. economy may be slowing. On Wednesday, payroll processor ADP said that private employers added just 38,000 jobs in May, down from 177,000 in April. That, along with a sharply lower reading on a key manufacturing index sent the Dow industrials down 280 points Wednesday. It was the worst drop in nearly a year and erased more than a quarter of the stock market’s gains for 2011.

After racing to its best first quarter since 1998 thanks to higher corporate profits, the S&P 500 has fallen 3.8% over the last month. It is still up 4% for the year.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines:Weak retail, jobless reports pull stocks lower

http://brightbridgewealth-management.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlinesweak-retail-jobless-reports-pull-stocks-lower/
NEW YORK — Weaker than expected sales reports from retailers and another large number of claims for unemployment benefits pulled the stock market lower for the second straight day Thursday.
The Dow Jones industrial average lost 41.59, or 0.3%, to 12,248.55. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index dipped 1.61, or 0.1%, to 1,312.94. The Nasdaq composite rose 4.12, or 0.2%, to 2,773.31.
Slightly more stocks fell than rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Trading volume was 3.9 billion shares.
First-time applications for unemployment benefits, an indication of how many people are losing their jobs, fell slightly last week to 422,000. That was more than economists were expecting and well above the 375,000 level that signals that the economy is adding jobs.
“Companies are just not hiring the same number of workers that they laid off two years ago, and that’s leading to a very stale jobs environment,” said David Loesser, the president of the Estate Planners Group, a financial advisory firm in Washington Crossing, Pa.
Several retailers reported poor sales for May, adding to concerns that the U.S. economy is straining under higher costs for raw materials like oil and cotton. Companies that catered to middle and lower income shoppers said that higher food and gas prices cut into sales. Gap Inc. (GPS) fell after sales fell across all its brands. Target Corp. (TGT) fell after missing expectations as sales traffic slowed during the second half of the month.
Luxury retailer Saks Inc. (SKS) was among the few companies in the category that rose. The company gained after far surpassing analyst’s expectations.
Financial companies fell, though less than the overall stock market. Goldman Sachs (GS) dropped after the bank received a subpoena from the Manhattan District Attorney‘s office to discuss its role in the financial crisis. The subpoena follows the April release of a Senate report that showed Goldman had steered investors toward mortgage securities it knew would likely fail.
A number of recent reports have indicated that the U.S. economy may be slowing. On Wednesday, payroll processor ADP said that private employers added just 38,000 jobs in May, down from 177,000 in April. That, along with a sharply lower reading on a key manufacturing index sent the Dow industrials down 280 points Wednesday. It was the worst drop in nearly a year and erased more than a quarter of the stock market’s gains for 2011.
After racing to its best first quarter since 1998 thanks to higher corporate profits, the S&P 500 has fallen 3.8% over the last month. It is still up 4% for the year.
Many investors are now focused on Friday, when the government’s monthly employment report will be released. Economists expect that the unemployment rate will dip down to 8.9% from the current 9.0%.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: People’s Bank Still Owes an Accounting to Its Shareholders: View - Saeo

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: People’s Bank Still Owes an Accounting to Its Shareholders: View - Saeo

Astoundingly, in combination with the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and various other bailouts by the Treasury Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., this approach mostly worked: Credit markets gradually thawed, the biggest U.S. banks were pulled back from the brink and the economy has posted seven quarters of consecutive — albeit modest — growth since June 2009.

So why does the Fed continue to keep Congress, and the rest of us, in the dark about the way taxpayer money was used? Last week, Bloomberg News’s Bob Ivry reported that in 2008 Credit Suisse Group AG (CS), Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS) each borrowed at least $30 billion from a Fed emergency-lending program whose details haven’t been disclosed to shareholders, members of Congress or the public.

28-Day Loans

It was no simple task to uncover this $80 billion Fed initiative known as single-tranche open-market operations (ST OMO), which from March through December 2008 made 28-day loans to units of 20 banks that paid interest rates as low as 0.01 percent. Information about the program was buried in just 27 pages of the more than 29,000 pages of data the Fed was forced to release under the Freedom of Information Act after a request for disclosure was contested all the way to the Supreme Court. Nor was the program mentioned in the reports on emergency lending the Fed was required to make to Congress last year under the Dodd-Frank law.

The Fed claims, with some justification, that it has been more open than ever before in its 97-year history, giving pride of place to Chairman Ben Bernanke’s big press conference on April 27. Openness is different from transparency, however. While it is true the central bank has released a trove of data concerning its lending facilities during the 2007-2009 crisis, it has never done so voluntarily.

Bank-Supervisory Memos

There is a lot more to be done. Specifically, the Fed should make public the bank-supervisory memos from the period that preceded the popping of the credit bubble. Determining which signs and portents were missed, ignored or misinterpreted will help regulators and Congress — and the Fed itself — avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Another urgent change is to require the Fed’s regional affiliates to be more transparent. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which administered the ST OMO program, has rebuffed requests for information about specific amounts the bank lent and to which firms. The New York Fed claims, unconvincingly, that it’s not subject to the disclosure laws that cover the rest of the executive branch because it’s a private entity.

Quantitative Easing

Finally, the Fed’s emergency policy of funneling money into the banking system has been followed by a post-emergency policy of quantitative easing, which amounted to funneling even more money into that same banking system. This has increased the threat of inflation and weakened the dollar. More disclosure would force central bankers to tell us how they plan to address these unintended consequences.

More than two years after the official end of the recession, the Fed should understand that withholding information ultimately undermines its ability to preserve its independence, a fundamental requirement of fulfilling its mandate. Its opacity only serves to reinforce a misguided sense among some Americans that the central bank is an occult organization devoted to mysterious ends. This perception was visible in a Bloomberg National Poll published in December in which a majority of respondents said they favored either bringing the Fed under tighter political control or abolishing it outright.

Greater disclosure has the power to deepen public appreciation of an independent Fed’s beneficial role for all Americans. The central bank should trust the citizens it serves to understand the actions it takes in their name — and with their money.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: People’s Bank Still Owes an Accounting to Its Shareholders: View | Blurpalicious

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: People’s Bank Still Owes an Accounting to Its Shareholders: View | Blurpalicious

It sounds too good to be true, yet it happens to be a pretty good analogy for the method the U.S. Federal Reserve used to rescue the financial system from collapse in 2008. The biggest U.S. banks — and some foreign ones — were given access to Fed lending programs at negligible rates and then used the money to, among other things, buy 10-year Treasury securities with yields from 2.05 percent to 4.27 percent. Altogether, the central bank committed $3.5 trillion to bailing out banks and restoring the flow of credit to a paralyzed financial system.

Astoundingly, in combination with the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and various other bailouts by the Treasury Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., this approach mostly worked: Credit markets gradually thawed, the biggest U.S. banks were pulled back from the brink and the economy has posted seven quarters of consecutive — albeit modest — growth since June 2009.

So why does the Fed continue to keep Congress, and the rest of us, in the dark about the way taxpayer money was used? Last week, Bloomberg News’s Bob Ivry reported that in 2008 Credit Suisse Group AG (CS), Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS) each borrowed at least $30 billion from a Fed emergency-lending program whose details haven’t been disclosed to shareholders, members of Congress or the public.

28-Day Loans

It was no simple task to uncover this $80 billion Fed initiative known as single-tranche open-market operations (ST OMO), which from March through December 2008 made 28-day loans to units of 20 banks that paid interest rates as low as 0.01 percent. Information about the program was buried in just 27 pages of the more than 29,000 pages of data the Fed was forced to release under the Freedom of Information Act after a request for disclosure was contested all the way to the Supreme Court. Nor was the program mentioned in the reports on emergency lending the Fed was required to make to Congress last year under the Dodd-Frank law.

The Fed claims, with some justification, that it has been more open than ever before in its 97-year history, giving pride of place to Chairman Ben Bernanke’s big press conference on April 27. Openness is different from transparency, however. While it is true the central bank has released a trove of data concerning its lending facilities during the 2007-2009 crisis, it has never done so voluntarily.

Bank-Supervisory Memos

There is a lot more to be done. Specifically, the Fed should make public the bank-supervisory memos from the period that preceded the popping of the credit bubble. Determining which signs and portents were missed, ignored or misinterpreted will help regulators and Congress — and the Fed itself — avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Another urgent change is to require the Fed’s regional affiliates to be more transparent. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which administered the ST OMO program, has rebuffed requests for information about specific amounts the bank lent and to which firms. The New York Fed claims, unconvincingly, that it’s not subject to the disclosure laws that cover the rest of the executive branch because it’s a private entity.

Quantitative Easing

Finally, the Fed’s emergency policy of funneling money into the banking system has been followed by a post-emergency policy of quantitative easing, which amounted to funneling even more money into that same banking system. This has increased the threat of inflation and weakened the dollar. More disclosure would force central bankers to tell us how they plan to address these unintended consequences.

More than two years after the official end of the recession, the Fed should understand that withholding information ultimately undermines its ability to preserve its independence, a fundamental requirement of fulfilling its mandate. Its opacity only serves to reinforce a misguided sense among some Americans that the central bank is an occult organization devoted to mysterious ends. This perception was visible in a Bloomberg National Poll published in December in which a majority of respondents said they favored either bringing the Fed under tighter political control or abolishing it outright.

Brightbridge Wealth Management Headlines: People’s Bank Still Owes an Accounting to Its Shareholders: View

http://brightbridgewealth-management.com/2011/06/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-people%e2%80%99s-bank-still-owes-an-accounting-to-its-shareholders-view/
Imagine that a friend with infinite resources gives you unlimited access to his bank account in exchange for a symbolic amount of interest, say 0.01 percent. Then imagine that you can do as you please with the money, including lend it back to your deep-pocketed friend at a much higher rate of interest and keep the difference as profit.
It sounds too good to be true, yet it happens to be a pretty good analogy for the method the U.S. Federal Reserve used to rescue the financial system from collapse in 2008. The biggest U.S. banks — and some foreign ones — were given access to Fed lending programs at negligible rates and then used the money to, among other things, buy 10-year Treasury securities with yields from 2.05 percent to 4.27 percent. Altogether, the central bank committed $3.5 trillion to bailing out banks and restoring the flow of credit to a paralyzed financial system.
Astoundingly, in combination with the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and various other bailouts by the Treasury Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., this approach mostly worked: Credit markets gradually thawed, the biggest U.S. banks were pulled back from the brink and the economy has posted seven quarters of consecutive — albeit modest — growth since June 2009.
So why does the Fed continue to keep Congress, and the rest of us, in the dark about the way taxpayer money was used? Last week, Bloomberg News’s Bob Ivry reported that in 2008 Credit Suisse Group AG (CS), Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS) each borrowed at least $30 billion from a Fed emergency-lending program whose details haven’t been disclosed to shareholders, members of Congress or the public.

28-Day Loans

It was no simple task to uncover this $80 billion Fed initiative known as single-tranche open-market operations (ST OMO), which from March through December 2008 made 28-day loans to units of 20 banks that paid interest rates as low as 0.01 percent. Information about the program was buried in just 27 pages of the more than 29,000 pages of data the Fed was forced to release under the Freedom of Information Act after a request for disclosure was contested all the way to the Supreme Court. Nor was the program mentioned in the reports on emergency lending the Fed was required to make to Congress last year under the Dodd-Frank law.
The Fed claims, with some justification, that it has been more open than ever before in its 97-year history, giving pride of place to Chairman Ben Bernanke’s big press conference on April 27. Openness is different from transparency, however. While it is true the central bank has released a trove of data concerning its lending facilities during the 2007-2009 crisis, it has never done so voluntarily.

Bank-Supervisory Memos

There is a lot more to be done. Specifically, the Fed should make public the bank-supervisory memos from the period that preceded the popping of the credit bubble. Determining which signs and portents were missed, ignored or misinterpreted will help regulators and Congress — and the Fed itself — avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Another urgent change is to require the Fed’s regional affiliates to be more transparent. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which administered the ST OMO program, has rebuffed requests for information about specific amounts the bank lent and to which firms. The New York Fed claims, unconvincingly, that it’s not subject to the disclosure laws that cover the rest of the executive branch because it’s a private entity.

Quantitative Easing

Finally, the Fed’s emergency policy of funneling money into the banking system has been followed by a post-emergency policy of quantitative easing, which amounted to funneling even more money into that same banking system. This has increased the threat of inflation and weakened the dollar. More disclosure would force central bankers to tell us how they plan to address these unintended consequences.

fredag 1. juli 2011

Dynamic Wealth Management Zurich Switzerland

Dynamic Wealth Management Zurich Switzerland

CEO Joe Kennedy told the Herald yesterday that “the company raised the capital it sought to raise” after it drew $234 million in its initial public offering, selling 14.7 million shares at $16 each. The virtual-jukebox company’s shares closed up 9 percent at $17.42 and its valuation shot to $2.8 billion — an amazing figure for a business that’s never made a profit.

“It’s definitely overvalued,” said Anupam Palit, a Green Crest Capital analyst, who pegged the shares at $7.50. “The reason it was hot is there are a lot of people very hungry for tech and social media IPOs, and there’s just not that much supply.”

With Internet companies such as Facebook and Group-on waiting in the wings, analysts said Oakland, Calif.-based Pandora was right to rush out the door.

“Public investors are interested in the business because of the trajectory we’ve had,” Kennedy said. “We’ll continue to grow our listener hours and continue to build on the smartphone explosion.”

Pandora underwent more investor scrutiny than Linked-In’s March IPO, said David Menlow of IPOfinancial.com.

“This offering has fired a very significant warning shot across the bow of the IPO market,” Menlow said. “Investors are starting to pull themselves together.”

Dynamic Wealth Management Headlines: Pandora opens door to tech stock rush - Saeo

Dynamic Wealth Management Headlines: Pandora opens door to tech stock rush - Saeo

Pandora CEO Joe Kennedy told the Herald yesterday that “the company raised the capital it sought to raise” after it drew $234 million in its initial public offering, selling 14.7 million shares at $16 each. The virtual-jukebox company’s shares closed up 9 percent at $17.42 and its valuation shot to $2.8 billion — an amazing figure for a business that’s never made a profit.

“It’s definitely overvalued,” said Anupam Palit, a Green Crest Capital analyst, who pegged the shares at $7.50. “The reason it was hot is there are a lot of people very hungry for tech and social media IPOs, and there’s just not that much supply.”

With Internet companies such as Facebook and Group-on waiting in the wings, analysts said Oakland, Calif.-based Pandora was right to rush out the door.

“Public investors are interested in the business because of the trajectory we’ve had,” Kennedy said. “We’ll continue to grow our listener hours and continue to build on the smartphone explosion.”

Pandora underwent more investor scrutiny than Linked-In’s March IPO, said David Menlow of IPOfinancial.com.

“This offering has fired a very significant warning shot across the bow of the IPO market,” Menlow said. “Investors are starting to pull themselves together.”

Dynamic Wealth Management Headlines: Pandora opens door to tech stock rush | Blurpalicious

Dynamic Wealth Management Headlines: Pandora opens door to tech stock rush | Blurpalicious

Pandora Media yesterday illustrated the pent-up demand by investors for the flurry of tech and social media companies expected to hit the stock market in the coming months, analysts say.

Pandora CEO Joe Kennedy told the Herald yesterday that “the company raised the capital it sought to raise” after it drew $234 million in its initial public offering, selling 14.7 million shares at $16 each. The virtual-jukebox company’s shares closed up 9 percent at $17.42 and its valuation shot to $2.8 billion — an amazing figure for a business that’s never made a profit.

“It’s definitely overvalued,” said Anupam Palit, a Green Crest Capital analyst, who pegged the shares at $7.50. “The reason it was hot is there are a lot of people very hungry for tech and social media IPOs, and there’s just not that much supply.”

With Internet companies such as Facebook and Group-on waiting in the wings, analysts said Oakland, Calif.-based Pandora was right to rush out the door.

“Public investors are interested in the business because of the trajectory we’ve had,” Kennedy said. “We’ll continue to grow our listener hours and continue to build on the smartphone explosion.”

Pandora underwent more investor scrutiny than Linked-In’s March IPO, said David Menlow of IPOfinancial.com.

Dynamic Wealth Management Headlines: Pandora opens door to tech stock rush

http://dynamicwealthmanagement-updates.com/2011/06/dynamic-wealth-management-headlines-pandora-opens-door-to-tech-stock-rush/
Pandora CEO Joe Kennedy told the Herald yesterday that “the company raised the capital it sought to raise” after it drew $234 million in its initial public offering, selling 14.7 million shares at $16 each. The virtual-jukebox company’s shares closed up 9 percent at $17.42 and its valuation shot to $2.8 billion — an amazing figure for a business that’s never made a profit.
“It’s definitely overvalued,” said Anupam Palit, a Green Crest Capital analyst, who pegged the shares at $7.50. “The reason it was hot is there are a lot of people very hungry for tech and social media IPOs, and there’s just not that much supply.”
With Internet companies such as Facebook and Group-on waiting in the wings, analysts said Oakland, Calif.-based Pandora was right to rush out the door.
“Public investors are interested in the business because of the trajectory we’ve had,” Kennedy said. “We’ll continue to grow our listener hours and continue to build on the smartphone explosion.”
Pandora underwent more investor scrutiny than Linked-In’s March IPO, said David Menlow of IPOfinancial.com.