Shutterstock/kentoh So you're 50. It's better than you feared. It's better still if you're serious about your retirement savings. Indeed, pre-retirees are often positioned to fund their nest eggs as never before. Why? One or more of your kids may be out of the house, which frees up disposable income; your take-home pay may be at its peak; and you're now eligible to supersize your savings with higher tax-deferred contribution limits. "There's a lot you can do in your 50s to build up that war chest," said Christopher Olsen, a certified financial planner with Ameriprise Platinum Financial Services. The Internal Revenue Service allows those over age 50 to make additional catch-up contributions of $5,500 to their 401(k), 403(b), SARSEP or governmental 457(b), above and beyond the $17,500 annual limit for all taxpayers. Married couples who filed jointly and are both older than 50 may put a combined $11,000 extra into their accounts. Those with a traditional Individual Retirement Account may contribute an extra $1,000 ($2,000 for married filers) beyond the standard $5,500 annual limit ($11,000 for married filers), but you may not be able to deduct all of your contribution if you also participate in a retirement plan at work. Additionally, those with a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees IRA or SIMPLE 401(k) plan may contribute an extra $2,500 a year. Married filers over age 50 may contribute an extra $5,000. Higher Tax Bracket, Bigger Benefit "If you're married and you and your spouse both make catch-up contributions to your 401(k)s or IRAs, you can save a good chunk of money," Olsen said. For example, assuming you start catch-up contributions to your 401(k) at age 50, with an 8 percent annual rate of return, you would have amassed a savings of $667,661 by age 65. By comparison, if you make only the standard $17,500 contribution per year starting at age 50, you would have $508,003-about $160,000 less. Another upside to being 50 and at the top of your earnings game is that your contributions to a tax-deferred account will likely benefit you more now than they did when you were 20, says certified financial planner Ken Waltzer, founder and president of Kenfield Capital Strategies. "Many of my clients in their 50s are in the highest tax rate, which makes retirement saving even more attractive," he said, noting independent contractors and small-business owners can significantly reduce their taxable income. Self-employed individuals and small-business owners over age 50, for example, who defer the maximum $57,500 per year to their Solo 401(k) ($17,500 in employee contributions, $5,500 for catch-up contributions, and $34,500 in employer contributions) can save $20,125 in federal taxes, he said. Sidestepping Landmines When you reach your 50s, of course, there are plenty of financial landmines that could dent your savings. You may, for example, find yourself part of the "sandwich generation," providing often costly care to aging parents while still supporting your children. A recent MetLife study found the proportion of adult children providing personal care and/or financial assistance to a parent has more than tripled over the past 15 years, with a quarter of adult children, mainly baby boomers, providing care to a parent. For those age 50 and older who leave the labor force early to care for an aging parent, the cost of providing that care averages $303,880 when you factor in lost wages, lost Social Security benefits and the negative impact on pensions, according to the study. That's some serious coin. Your Parents' Finances, Plans Thus, it's important to talk openly with your parents about their financial position and plans, said Matthew Saneholtz, a certified financial planner with Tobias Financial Advisors. "Be sure your parents have an estate plan in place and long-term care coverage, or at least a picture of their final stages of life, because it might affect you," he said. "If you know your parents don't have the money to pay for care on their own, are you willing to use your own savings to help them? Will they rely on Medicaid? Will you take care of them in your own home? These are questions you need to think about, as they could become your dependents." On the other end of the spectrum, a frank financial discussion with your parents is equally important if you expect to receive an inheritance, Saneholtz said. They may share details about the estate they plan to leave behind, including gifts to charity, which will impact you. Just be sure you continue to save for yourself. "You don't want to put too much weight in any inheritance you expect to receive," Saneholtz said. "Anything can happen. There are so many different variables, and documents can be changed at the last minute." Your Portfolio As you prepare for retirement, consider, too, how your money is invested, said Olsen at Ameriprise. On paper, you may appear to have all the money you need, but if your portfolio consists primarily of real estate, your ability to cover living expenses after the paychecks come to a halt may be compromised. "A lot of retirement savers don't seem to get that if you have $200,000 in your IRA and a paid-off house that's worth $800,000, you're not positioned as well as someone else who has the same net worth but $500,000 in their investment account," Olsen said. He noted that a large home with higher property taxes, homeowner's insurance, maintenance and utility bills can also drain your savings faster. Now is also the time to determine with greater precision whether your savings are sufficient to meet your long-term needs. The disciplined few who are on track to meet their financial goals can breathe easy, continuing to feather their nest egg while planning ahead for their on-time retirement. Olsen says one of his 50-something clients is so well prepared that he need only achieve a 5 percent average annual rate of return during his retirement years to maintain his standard of living. Statistically, though, you're more likely to have undersaved. A 2013 survey by TD Ameritrade (AMTD) found the average baby boomer has saved $200,000 for retirement but believes he or she will need a median of $750,000 to retire comfortably. That's a huge shortfall. If you're among those who have not saved enough, it's time to make some tough choices. That may mean downsizing your vision for retirement, selling your home to minimize fixed expenses, working longer or adopting a more aggressive stance with your investment portfolio. As you look ahead to your golden years, says Saneholtz, it's also important to ensure your home, health, life and auto insurance coverage is sufficient to protect your savings and your family in the event of an unexpected medical emergency or legal claim. The most important thing to remember, though, is that it's never too late to save.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Your 50s: The Time to Get Serious About Retirement Planning
Friday, February 21, 2014
January Sales of Existing Homes at 18-Month Low
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that the seasonally adjusted annual rate of existing home sales in January fell 5.1% to 4.62 million from a total of 4.87 million in December. Sales are also down 5.1% year-over-year for the month. January’s activity was the lowest since July 2012, when the seasonally adjusted annual rate was 4.59 million.
The consensus estimate called for sales to reach 4.65 million, according to a survey of economists at Bloomberg.
Housing inventory rose 2.2% in January to 1.9 million homes, which is equal to a supply of 4.9 months, higher than the 4.6-month supply in December. Unsold inventory is up 7.3% compared with January 2013, when there was a supply of 4.4 months.
According to the NAR, the national median existing home price in January was $188,900, up 10.7% compared with January 2013.
NAR’s chief economist said:
Disruptive and prolonged winter weather patterns across the country are impacting a wide range of economic activity, and housing is no exception. Some housing activity will be delayed until spring. At the same time, we can’t ignore the ongoing headwinds of tight credit, limited inventory, higher prices and higher mortgage interest rates.
Sales of single-family homes fell 5.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.05 million, down from 4.3 million in December and 6% below sales in January a year ago. Sales of multifamily homes were unchanged month-over-month, at an annual rate of 570,000.
Foreclosed and short sales accounted for 15% of January sales. Foreclosures sold at an average 16% discount to the January median price, while short sales sold at a discount of 13%.
Existing, non-distressed homes were on the market for an average of 66 days, while foreclosed homes were on the market for an average of 58 days and short sales took a median of 150 days to sell.
The good news from the NAR’s report is that housing inventory continues to rise year-over-year even though it is still low by historical standards.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now
Earlier this week, we ran a deep analysis of buy, sell, and hold ratings for the stocks in the S&P 500. In the report we identified the most loved and hated stocks in the index, along with names that may be good contrarian plays due to excessive bullishness or bearishness. Below is a condensed version of a larger summary table provided in the report focusing on analyst sentiment by sector. As shown, there are currently 11,732 analyst ratings for S&P 500 stocks, which equates to 23.5 analyst ratings per stock in the index. Talk about excessive.
The sector with the most analyst coverage is Technology at 29.1 analyst ratings per stock, but Energy is not far behind at 29.0. The Utilities and Materials sectors are the least covered by analysts at 18.5 and 18.8, respectively. So which sectors are analysts most bullish on at the moment? Given the fact that 50.4% of all ratings in the S&P 500 are Buy ratings, Energy is the biggest bullish standout with 61.2% Buy ratings. Four other sectors have a higher percentage of Buy ratings than the overall S&P 500 -- Consumer Discretionary, Healthcare, Industrials, and Technology. Analysts are least bullish on Utilities with 33.9% Buy ratings. Consumer Staples, Financials, Materials and Telecom are the four other sectors with a lower percentage of Buy ratings than the S&P 500 as a whole.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Intelsat SA (I)
Intelsat S.A., incorporated on July 18, 2011, is a satellite services business, providing a layer in the global communications infrastructure. The Company operates satellite capacity, holds orbital location rights, contract backlog, serve commercial customers and deliver services. It provides diversified communications services to the world�� media companies, fixed and wireless telecommunications operators, data networking service providers for enterprise and mobile applications, multinational corporations and Internet service providers (ISPs). It is also the provider of commercial satellite capacity to the United States government and other select military organizations and their contractors.
The Company has a satellite fleet comprised of more than 50 satellites, covering 99% of the Earth�� populated regions. Its fleet, combined with the IntelsatOne terrestrial fiber network and a collection of teleports, form a singular unmatched global infrastructure to meet any communications requirement. As the provider of satellite services, the Company provides mission critical communication services.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Todd Sullivan]
HHC has increased all our ownership percentage through the repurchasing of outstanding warrants.
From the 13D/A
On December 31, 2013, certain of the Reporting Persons entered into swaps for the benefit of certain Pershing Square Funds. Under the terms of the swaps, (i) the relevant Pershing Square Funds will be obligated to pay to the bank counterparty any negative price performance of the 5,399,839 notional number of Common Shares subject to the swaps as of the expiration date of such swaps, plus interest rates set forth in the applicable contracts, and (ii) the bank counterparty will be obligated to pay the relevant Pershing Square Funds any positive price performance of the 5,399,839 notional number Common Shares subject to the swaps as of the expiration date of the swaps. During the term of the swaps, cash will be paid by the bank counterparty to the relevant Pershing Square Fund in an amount equal to the amount of notional distributions or dividends paid by the Issuer in respect of such notional number of Common Shares. All balances will be settled in cash. The Pershing Square Funds��counterparties for the swaps include entities related to Citibank, Nomura, Soci茅t茅 G茅n茅rale and UBS. The swaps do not give the Reporting Persons direct or indirect voting, investment or dispositive control over any securities of the Issuer and do not require the counterparty thereto to acquire, hold, vote or dispose of any securities of the Issuer. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons disclaim any beneficial ownership of any Common Shares that may be referenced in the swap contracts or Common Shares or other securities or financial instruments that may be held from time to time by any counterparty to the contracts. - [By Rich Duprey]
Satellite services provider�Intelsat (NYSE: I ) announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.799 per share on its 5.75% Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting preferred stock, which trades on the NYSE under the symbol I.PRA.
- [By The Specialist]
Subject to ongoing evaluation and analysis, the Reporting Person may consider certain plans or proposals to increase shareholders' value that may relate to or may result in (I) a change in the present board of directors or management of the Issuer, including any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancies on the board; and/or (ii) a material change in the present dividend policy of the Issuer
- [By Rich Duprey]
Satellite services provider Intelsat (NYSE: I ) announced yesterday its third-quarter dividend of $0.71875 per share on its 5.75% Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting preferred stock, which trades on the NYSE under the symbol I.PRA.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Harris Corporation (HRS)
Harris Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a communications and information technology company that serves government and commercial markets worldwide. It operates in three segments: RF Communications, Government Communications Systems, and Broadcast Communications. The RF Communications segment designs, develops, and manufactures secure radio communications products and systems for manpack, handheld, soldier-worn, vehicular, strategic fixed-site, and shipboard applications that operate in various radio frequency bands. It also offers products and solutions ranging from wireless network infrastructure solutions to portable and mobile single-band and multiband radios, and public safety-grade broadband video and data solutions for the public safety, federal, utility, commercial, and transportation markets. The Government Communications Systems segment develops, supplies, and integrates communications and information processing products, systems, and netw orks for aerospace, terrestrial, and maritime applications supporting department of defense missions. This segment also provides mission-critical communications and information processing systems for the U.S. civilian Federal market, as well as offers IT transformation, managed, and information assurance solutions. The Broadcast Communications segment provides workflow, infrastructure, and networking solutions that enable media companies to streamline workflow from production through transmission; media solutions to manage digital media workflow through software solutions for advertising, media management, digital signage, broadband, digital asset management, and play-out automation; and transmission systems for delivery of media over wireless broadcast terrestrial networks. The company also offers healthcare IT solutions, IT compliance solutions, and mission-critical managed satellite communications services. Harris Corporation was founded in 1895 and is based in Melbourne, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Smith]
The U.S. Department of Defense awarded nine new contracts on Monday worth some $1.121 billion in aggregate. The largest of these awards, however, swallowed more than 85% of the funds on offer. Split among five publicly traded companies, and one privately owned, this monster IT contract envisions paying out $960 million over the course of time to contractors:
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT ) Raytheon (NYSE: RTN ) Harris� (NYSE: HRS ) L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL ) TYBRIN Corp., a subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering Group (NYSE: JEC ) SRA InternationalThe multiple award, indefinite- delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract was awarded under the U.S. Air Force's Network-Centric Solutions-2 (NETCENTS-2) Application Services program, which the Air Force describes as being one of its primary vehicles for purchasing "sustainment, migration, integration, training, help desk support, testing and operational support" services. Over the course of the contract, the six named contactors will be the only ones entitled to bid (against each other) for task orders awarded under the umbrella IDIQ contract.
- [By Rich Smith]
Melbourne, Fla.-based Harris (NYSE: HRS ) announced on Monday the signing of a $61 million contract to sell radio sets to the Poland Ministry of National Defense.
Hot High Tech Stocks To Watch Right Now: United States Cellular Corporation(USM)
United States Cellular Corporation operates as a wireless telecommunications service provider in the United States. The company offers wireless voice and data services to retail consumer and business customers. It provides wireless services in postpaid service plans with voice, messaging, and data services; and prepaid service plans with minutes, messaging, and data services for a monthly fee. The company also offers various additional features, including caller ID blocking, call forwarding, voicemail, call waiting, and three-way calling; and data usage features consisting of Web browsing, email services, instant messaging, text messaging, and picture and video messaging. As of December 31, 2010, it provided wireless voice and data services to 6.1 million customers in 26 states. In addition, the company operates retail stores that sell a range of wireless devices, including handsets, modems, and tablets, as well as accessories, such as carrying cases, hands-free devices, b atteries, battery chargers, memory cards, and other items to consumers and small businesses. Further, it sells wireless devices to agents and other third-party distributors for resale; operates service facilities that provide servicing and repair for wireless devices; and enables customers to activate service and purchase wireless devices online. The company?s business customers include small-to-mid-size businesses in various industries, including construction, retail, professional services, and real estate. It offers its products and services through retail sales and service centers, direct sales, and independent agents. The company was founded in 1983 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. United States Cellular Corporation is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Radovsky]
T-Mobile US (NYSE: TMUS ) has agreed to purchase 10 MHz of Advanced Wireless Services spectrum from U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM ) for $308 million, T-Mobile announced today.
- [By Reuters]
Michael Sohn/APSprint CEO Dan Hesse Sprint has been ranked last among U.S. cellphone service operators in a customer satisfaction survey by the influential Consumer Reports organization, scoring dismal marks for measures ranging from voice to 4G reliability. No-frills carrier Consumer Cellular received the highest overall score of 88 out of 100, followed by U.S. Cellular (USM) with 75. Sprint received the lowest score of 59, faring the worst in terms of value, voice, text and 4G services. The annual ratings were based on a September survey of 58,399 cellphone service subscribers by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, which publishes widely followed surveys and reviews of everything from cars to refrigerators. In last year's survey, Sprint (S) trailed only Verizon Wireless among the four major carriers. Verizon Wireless (VZ) (VOD) ranked highest again this year with a score of 71. T-Mobile US (TMUS) rated 65 and AT&T (T) 64, according to survey results released Thursday. The rankings are based on ratings for voice, text and 4G, taking into account the occurrence of problems and adjusted for frequency of use. Sprint has been revamping its network after years of customer losses. The company, which is 80 percent owned by SoftBank, warned in October that customer defections would remain high in coming quarters. The company reported a decline in third-quarter revenue as it lost more subscribers than expected following the shutdown of its older network. "Our latest cell service satisfaction survey revealed a somewhat precipitous decline by Sprint that shuffled the rankings of the major standard service providers," Glenn Derene, Electronics Content Development Team Leader for Consumer Reports, said in a statement.
Mint made the Mac App Store's Best of 2012 list for a reason. This simple, clean app shows how much you are spending in each category of your budget by monitoring all of your transactions. We love signing in and getting a quick,
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: PCCW Ltd (0008.HK)
PCCW Limited is a Hong Kong-based holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the Company operates in five segments: HKT, which provides telecommunications services, including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile and other telecommunications businesses, such as customer premises equipment sales, outsourcing, consulting and contact centers; Media Business, including interactive pay-TV service, Internet portal multimedia entertainment platform and the Company's directories operations in Hong Kong and mainland China; Solutions Business, which offers IT services and solutions in Hong Kong and mainland China; Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited (PCPD), which covers the Company's property portfolio in Hong Kong and mainland China, and Other Businesses, which includes the Company's wireless broadband business in the United Kingdom and all corporate support functions.Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Anixter International Inc. (AXE)
Anixter International Inc., together with its subsidiaries, distributes enterprise cabling and security solutions, electrical and electronic wire and cable products, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supply fasteners, and other small parts. The company operates in Enterprise Cabling and Security Solutions; Electrical and Electronic Wire and Cable segment; and OEM Supply segments. The Enterprise Cabling and Security Solutions segment offers copper and fiber optic cable and connectivity, access control, video surveillance, cabinets, power, cable management, voice and networking switches, and other ancillary products to finance, transportation, education, government, healthcare, and retail industries. The Electrical and Electronic Wire and Cable segment provides electrical and electronic wire and cable, shipboard cable, support and supply products, low-voltage cable, instrumentation cable, industrial communication and control products, security cable, connectors, industri al Ethernet switches, and voice and data cable to the industrial and OEM markets. The OEM Supply segment product offers nuts, bolts, screws, washers, clips, gaskets, brackets, and rivets, as well as other fasteners and small components to OEM. The company�s customers include manufacturing, resource extraction, telecommunications, internet service providers, finance, education, healthcare, transportation, utilities, aerospace and defense, and government as well as contractors, installers, system integrators, value-added resellers, architects, engineers, and wholesale distributors. It distributes its products primarily in North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company was formerly known as Itel Corporation. Anixter International Inc. was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Glenview, Illinois.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: NTS Inc (NTS)
NTS Inc, formerly Xfone, Inc, incorporated in September 2000, is a holding and managing company providing, through its subsidiaries, integrated communications services, which include voice, video and data over its Fiber-To-The-Premise (FTTP) and other networks. The Company has operations in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana and it also serves customers in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. The Company provides telecommunication products/services, including retail services, Wholesale Services and Internet Based Customer Service. The Company�� divisions include Customer Service Division, Operations Division, Administration Division and Marketing Division.
NTS Communications, Inc. (NTSC) delivers local telephony service to its customers through an on-net UNE-L connection, including voice mail, caller ID, forwarding, 3-way calling, blocking, and PBX services. In addition, NTSC sells off-net total service resale lines. NTSC provides UNE-L services in Lubbock, Abilene, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Pampa, Plainview, and Wichita Falls, Texas. NTSC provides local services via Fiber-To-The-Premise (FTTP) in Lubbock, Wolfforth, Levelland, Littlefield, Burkburnett, and Smyer, Texas. NTSC provides resold local services throughout Texas via its resale agreement with AT&T.
NTSC offers a range of long distance services to its customers, including switched long distance (including intrastate, interstate, and international), toll-free service, dedicated T-1 long distance and calling cards. The majority of its customers are concentrated in West Texas. A minority of its long distance customers are in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. NTSC provides broadband and dial-up Internet service in all of its Texas markets. Download speeds for broadband range from 500 Kilobits to 100 Megabits per second, depending on the end user's distance from an NTSC collocation or the type of facilities used to deliver the service. NTSC also offers Web hosting and wide area networkin! g solutions for business applications. NTSC offers a selection of video services, including basic cable, video on demand, high definition television (HDTV) and digital video recorder (DVR). In addition to providing video service via its FTTP network, NTSC offers CATV via a coaxial cable network in Anton, Brownfield, Colorado City, Hale Center, Idalou, Levelland, Littlefield, Meadow, Morton, New Deal, O'Donnell, Olton, Ropesville, Shallowater, Slaton, Smyer, Tahoka, and Wolfforth Texas. NTSC offers a selection of video services via its CATV offering basic cable, over 250 channels, including sports and movie channels, and Pay Per View. NTSC resells a variety of CPE and CPE related services to its customers.
NTSC offers aggregation and resale of leased fiber transport network from AT&T and other fiber network operators. This service is provided for carrier customers that need direct network connectivity, as well as enterprises that require branch office connections. Services are offered under 1-year contracts for a fixed amount per month. NTSC provides private line service nationwide. NTSC provides multi-regional switched termination, switched toll free origination and wholesale Internet access services to various carrier customers. Services are offered for a fixed amount per minute. NTSC provides wholesale switched termination services to customers via network connections in NTSC POPs and switch sites.
NTSC provides voice, data, and video services for NTS Telephone Company and also provides billing, sales and marketing, back and front offices services to this subsidiary. The Company provides local dial tone and calling features, such as hunting, calls forwarding and call waiting to both business and residential customers throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, including T-1 and PRI local telephone services to business customers.
The Company uses its own network where available and QWEST , a nationwide long distances carrier, as its underlying long distance network prov! ider. In ! conjunction with Local Telephone Services, it provides Long Distance Services to its residential and business customers. The Company provides two different categories of long distance services-Switched Services to both residential and small business customers, which includes 1+ Outbound Service, Toll Free Inbound Service and Calling Card Service. The Company also provides services, such as T-1 and PRI Services. The Company's long distance services are only available to customers who use the Company's local telephone services.
The Company provides high-speed broadband Internet access to residential and business customers utilizing its own integrated digital data network and utilizing the broadband gateway network of the new ATT. Its DSL service provides up to three megabytes per second (Mbps) of streaming speed combined with Dynamic IP addresses, as well as multiple mailboxes and Web space. The Company's DSL services also include spam filter, instant messaging, pop-up blocking, Web mail access, and parental controls. The Company also provides dial-up Internet access service for quick and dependable connection to the Web. The Company's Internet/Data services are stand-alone products or are bundled with its voice services for residential and business customers. Its customer service department is an additional product offering, which sells, as well as retains customers. The scope of communications service entails network service, customer service, and repair service.
Xfone USA resells a variety of CPE and CPE related services to its customers. Primarily, these sales involve acting with NTSC as an authorized dealer for Toshiba phone systems. These systems are sold to customers either on a stand-alone basis, or in conjunction with the purchase of local, long distance, and/or data services from the Company. In addition, it sells a variety of other electronics such as high-definition (HD) displays, surveillance equipment, paging systems, nurse call systems, routers switches and interne! tworking ! gear.
The Company competes with AT&T, SuddenLink Communications, Time Warner Communication, Qwest, Level 3 and Verizon.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Orange SA (ORAN.N)
Orange SA, formerly France Telecom S.A., incorporated on December 31, 1996, is an European mobile operator, an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) Internet access provider in Europe, and telecommunications services provider for multinational businesses under the Orange Business Services brand. As of December 31, 2010, France Telecom provided services to 209 million customers, of which 150 million were mobile phone customers and 13.7 million were broadband Internet customers, and as of June 30, 2011, provided services to 217.3 million customers. It offers its individual customers, businesses and other telecommunications operators a line of services covering fixed and mobile communications, data transmission, the Internet and multimedia, and other services. The Company�� segments include France, Poland, Spain, Rest of the World, Business Communication Services, International Carriers and Shared Services.
France
The range of services in th e Home segment in France is made up of fixed-line telephony services; other consumer services; online, Internet access, and multimedia services; advertising-management and Internet portal business; content-related business, and carrier services. France Telecom�� traditional fixed-line telephony services provide access to the network, local and long-distance telephone communication services throughout France, and international calls. In addition, France Telecom offers its fixed-line telephony subscribers a broad range of value-added services. The France Telecom Group has a number of portals, including Orange.fr, which is either Web- or mobile-accessible. In December 2010, its audience reached 22.5 million, and Voila.fr and Cityvox (entertainment and leisure listing site in France) in its different formats, such as Cityvox.fr, Cinefil.com, Spectacles.fr, Concert.fr and WebCity.fr. The primary revenue source is online advertising sold by the Orange Advertising Network. This a dvertising management department sells advertising space f! or! about 20 third-party sites, both Web and mobile.
Orange�� offers are built around three product lines: postpaid, prepaid and convergent offers. Orange offers two categories of prepaid offer, to which calls are charged by the second from the first second: The Mobicarte, includes a range of recharges from 5 to 100 euros and Orange Initial, which enables the customer to be billed monthly depending on his or her actual consumption. Orange also has a number of offers that pair mobile use and mobile Internet access with all-in-one offers, including both the hardware and an Internet access plan. The USB 3G+ plans enable connection to the Internet via the mobile broadband network or the Orange public wireless fidelity (WiFi) network from a laptop computer, multimedia mobile phone or a tablet personal computer.
The Company competes with SFR-Neuf Cegetel, Free, Bouygues Telecom, Numericable, Google and Voila.
Poland
Orange (the brand und er which the TP Group subsidiary, PTK Centertel trades) had a total of 14.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2010. In April 2010, PTK Centertel introduced segmented postpaid offers for residential customers. Depending on the usage profile, customers can choose from three types of tariff plans: Dolphin tariffs for frequent users of voice services, Pelican for customers focused on text and community Web-services, and Panther for users of mobile data services (Internet, email). The mobile broadband Internet customer base (Edge and 3G data services) reached 547,000 customers during 2010. In 2010, Orange introduced a SIM-only mobile Internet offer and a portfolio of terminals dedicated to the Orange Free offer.
The Company competes with Netia, Multimedia Polska, Aster and Hyperion.
Spain
Orange Espana, operating under Orange, Ya.com and OBS (Enterprise) brands offers fixed and mobile telecommunication services to more than 13 milli on customers in the residential, professional, business! and ! wh! olesale! segments. Orange Espana�� physical distribution network consists in 2,922 points of presence, including Orange own shops, franchises, specialized shops under the Orange brand, non exclusive specialized shops, and a network of retailers. Orange Espana also distributes its services through distance selling channels, and its own online portal. Orange Espana fixed access infrastructure, based on its own optic fiber network and ADSL roll-out, enables delivery of advanced telecommunication services, including broadband Internet access, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), internet protocol television (IPTV), television (TV) streaming, video on demand (VOD) and advanced business services.
The Company competes with Telefonica, ONO, Vodafone and Jazztel.
Rest of the world
The France Telecom Group is present in Luxembourg via Orange S.A. (formerly VOXmobile), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mobistar. The Luxembourg subsidiary, VOXmobile, was rena med Orange S.A. in October 2009. During the year ended December 31, 2010, Orange S.A. had 88,900 active mobile telephony customers.
The Company competes with Proximus, Mobistar, Base, ex-Mobifon, Telefonica O2, Deutsche Telekom, Swisscom, Sunrise, Moldtelecom, Starnet, ECMS, Vodafone Egypt and Etisalat U.A.E.
Enterprise Communications Services
The Orange Business Services brand covers both the Enterprise Communication Services (ECS) unit, which supplies communications services to multinational companies and corporate accounts and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in France and Orange subsidiaries Business-to-Business (B2B) activities.
Orange Business Services covers the Company�� business customers in more than 160 countries and regions where it provides local technical and commercial assistance. This business segment includes a number of subsidiaries, including Etrali (trading solutions), Almerys (health), Orange Consulting ( project management, telecom consulting), Multimedi! a Busines! s! Services! (multimedia contact centers), Neocles (virtualization solutions), IT&Labs (design and development of embedded Machine-to-Machine applications, vehicle fleet management), Obiane and Telecom System (secure network integration), Alsy (integration services), EGT (equipment and services for video conferences), and GlobeCast (multimedia broadcast systems).
The Company competes with IBM, HP, Microsoft and Cisco.
The Company competes with COLT Telecom, Numericable-Completel, BT Global Services, AT&T Business Services, Verizon Business, T-Systems, Reliance Globalcom, Tata Communications, Belgacom Group, NextiraOne, Spie Communication, NTT Group, IBM Global Services, HP Enterprise Services, Atos Origin, Salesforce and Amazon.
International Carriers and Shared Services
Orange�� International Carriers activity is based on long-distance network infrastructure and offers a range of solutions on the international market. The Company i s involved in the design, construction and operation of submarine cables. The Company�� wholesale activity includes a worldwide network with over 120 presence points and 130,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable; a worldwide network of Internet protocol (IP) routes with end users in over 220 countries and connections to over 250 Internet service providers and a hit rate of over 85% for all European net surfers. France Telecom�� network has over 330 direct routes and interconnections with over 359 operators, and coverage in over 900 destinations with around-the-clock technical support. Its range of solutions includes interconnection, interoperability and signaling solutions for messaging, voice and video telephony services and the Orange Roaming Hub (Global eXchange) solution for moving from a bilateral model to a multilateral roaming system.
France Telecom has developed activities related to its core business line, such as content broadcasting, audience and ad vertising, and also healthcare activities. Ora! nge offer! s fre! e and pay! ing content on its own channels, paid program packages, Video On Demand, music and game offers. Orange distributes content provided by third parties (television, games, music) on fixed-line and mobile networks both inside and outside France. Orange also produces its own channels: Orange Sport and Orange Cinema�� five different channels. Studio 37, is a subsidiary for investing in cinematographic rights, through both co-production and the acquisition of catalogue rights. During the year ended December 32, 2010, Studio 37 supported the launch of 15 films, including the Gainsbourg and Fatal. The Viaccess group, a France Telecom subsidiary, offers access solutions to television content. Orange is present in the games market through the games it sells on the orange.fr portal (Casual Games dedicated to family type games, such as breakout clones or riddles). Orange Healthcare, is the Company�� healthcare division, focused on developing service packages for the whole sector with in a partnership approach.
The Company competes with Telefonica, Deutsche Telekom, Telia Sonera and AT&T.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Level 3 Communications Inc.(LVLT)
Level 3 Communications, Inc. engages in the communications business in North America and Europe. It offers network and Internet services, including transport services, high speed Internet protocol services, dedicated Internet access, virtual private network services, and dark fiber services, as well as managed modem, an outsourced, turn-key infrastructure solution; and colocation services. The company also provides various media services, comprising Vyvx services that provide audio and video feeds over fiber or satellite; content delivery network services; media delivery services to customers seeking to manage, protect, and monetize content delivered over the Internet; a range of local and long distance voice services, such as voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and traditional circuit-switch based services; and VoIP Enhanced Local, a VoIP service that enables broadband cable operators, IXCs, VoIP providers, and other companies operating their own switching infrastructure to launch IP-based local and long-distance voice services through a broadband connection. Level 3 Communications? media services also consist of SIP Trunking, a VoIP-based local phone service; Local Inbound service that terminates traditional telephone network originated calls to Internet Protocol termination points; Primary Rate Interface, a TDM local phone service that could be configured in various ways; Long Distance services portfolio comprising local and long distance transport and termination services; and Toll Free services portfolio, which terminate toll free calls that are originated on the traditional telephone network. As of December 31, 2010, its network encompassed approximately 68,000 intercity route miles in North America and an intercity network covering approximately 13,000 miles across Europe. Further, it sells coal primarily through long-term contracts with public utilities. The company was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT )
We're taught in school that two negatives, when multiplied, equal a positive. Unfortunately, combining two bad companies in real life only leaves you with one really bad company! Thus is the plight of Level 3 Communications, which in 2011 bought Global Crossing for $3 billion, merging two integrated telecommunication companies that haven't turned a profit. As of the first quarter, Level 3 had an accumulated deficit of $12.93 billion. - [By Seth Jayson]
Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT ) is expected to report Q2 earnings on July 31. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Level 3 Communications's revenues will expand 0.2% and EPS will remain in the red. - [By Ben Levisohn]
Strategist Andrew Garthwaite and team explain why companies like Sprint (S),� American Water Works (AWK), Volcano (VOLC), Southern (SO) and Level 3 Communications�(LVLT) could get hit by the taper:
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: MetroPCS Communications Inc.(PCS)
MetroPCS Communications, Inc., a wireless telecommunications carrier, together with its subsidiaries, provides wireless broadband mobile services in the United States. Its services include voice services, such as local, domestic long distance, and international call services; and data services, including domestic and international text messaging, multimedia messaging, mobile Internet access, mobile instant messaging, location based services, social networking services, push e-mail, and multimedia streaming and downloads, as well as services provided through the binary runtime environment for wireless (BREW), Blackberry, Windows, and the Android platforms, including ringtones, ring back tones, games, and content applications. The company also offers custom calling features consisting of caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, and voicemail services. In addition, it sells mobile handsets. The company offers its products and services under the MetroPCS brand name, directl y through the company-operated retail stores and indirectly through independent retail outlets, as well as through Internet. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 8.1 million subscribers, as well as operated 159 retail stores primarily in the metropolitan areas of Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Tampa/Sarasota. The company is headquartered in Richardson, Texas.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: DTE Energy Company(DTE)
DTE Energy Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in Michigan. It also involves in non-utility operations. The company?s Energy Utility segment engages in the generation, purchase, distribution, and sale of electricity in southeastern Michigan. It generates electricity from various fuels, including coal, as well as from nuclear and hydro facilitates. As of December 31, 2010, this segment owned and operated approximately 674 distribution substations and approximately 412,100 line transformers; and supplied electricity to 2.1 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southeastern Michigan. The company?s Gas Utility segment engages in the purchase, storage, transmission, distribution, and sale of natural gas in Michigan. As of December 31, 2010, this segment?s distribution system included approximately 19,000 miles of distribution mains, 1,036,000 service lines, and 1,319,000 active meters. It also o wned approximately 2,000 miles of transmission lines that deliver natural gas; and supplied natural gas to approximately 1.2 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout Michigan, as well as to approximately 17,000 customers in Adrian, Michigan. The company?s non-utility operations include natural gas pipelines and storage; unconventional gas exploration, development, and production; power and industrial projects, and coal transportation and marketing; and energy marketing and trading operations. Its customers include electric utilities, merchant power producers, integrated steel mills, and industrial companies. DTE Energy Company was founded in 1995 and is based in Detroit, Michigan.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Jonathan Morgan]
Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE) slipped 1.4 percent to 9.21 euros. Europe�� second-largest telephone company traded without the right to a dividend today.
- [By John Udovich]
Small cap Plug Power Inc was formed in 1997 as a joint venture between Michigan utility owner DTE Energy Co (NYSE: DTE) and Mechanical Technology Inc (OTCMKTS: MKTY) to develop fuel-cell systems to power homes and small businesses. Plug Power Inc says it has�revolutionized the material handling industry with cost-effective power solutions that increase productivity, lower operating costs and reduce carbon footprints as�it manufactures a full suite of products designed to fit seamlessly into the existing battery compartment of all major OEM material handling equipment. In addition, the company says its GenDrive fuel cell is a superior alternative to lead-acid batteries for electric lift trucks in the $20 billion�global material handling market.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Vodafone Group PLC (VOD.O)
Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone), incorporated in 1984, is a mobile communications company operating across the globe providing a range of communications services. The Company offers a range of products and services, including voice, messaging, data and fixed-line solutions and devices to assist customers in meeting their total communications needs. Vodafone has a global presence, with equity interests in over 30 countries and over 40 partner markets worldwide. It operates in three geographic regions: Europe, Africa and Central Europe; Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, and has an investment in Verizon Wireless in the United States. In October 2010, Vodafone Global Enterprise, the business within Vodafone, announced the acquisition of two telecom expense management (TEM) companies, Quickcomm and TnT Expense Management. In November 2011, the Company sold 24.4% interest in Polkomtel in Poland. In March 2012, Verizon Wireless, which is a joint venture of Verizon Communication s Inc. and Vodafone, purchased the operating assets of Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania from the Company. In April 2012, its Netherlands-based division, Vodafone Libertel BV, acquired Telespectrum-DJ. On October 31, 2012, the Company acquired TelstraClear Limited. In May 2013, Vodafone Group Plc announced launch of its carrier services business unit.
In Europe, the Company�� mobile subsidiaries and joint venture operate under the brand name Vodafone. Its associate in France operates as SFR and Neuf Cegetel, and its fixed-line communication businesses operate as Vodafone, Arcor, Tele2 and TeleTu. Vodafone�� subsidiaries in Africa and Central Europe operate under the Vodafone brand, or in the case of Vodacom and its mobile subsidiaries, the Vodacom and Gateway brands. Its joint venture in Poland operates as Polkomtel and its associate in Kenya operates as Safaricom. The Company�� subsidiaries and joint venture in Fiji operate under the Vodafone brand, and its joint venture in Australia operates under the bran! d! s Vodafone and 3. The Company�� associate in the United States operates under the brand Verizon Wireless.
Vodafone has an international customer base with 370 million mobile customers across the world as of March 31, 2011. Vodafone also caters to all business segments ranging from small-office-home-office (SoHo) and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) to corporates and multinational corporations. Through its subsidiaries, Vodafone directly owns and manages approximately 2,200 stores around the world. The Company also has around 10,300 Vodafone-branded stores run through franchise and exclusive dealer arrangements.
The Company�� range of handsets covers all its customer segments and price points, and is available in a variety of designs. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 (fiscal 2011), 14 new handsets were released under its own brand and it shipped 5.8 million. In addition to handsets, it supplies a range of connected smart devices. It su pplies the iPhone in 19 markets. During fiscal 2011, the Company launched its USB stick based on 4G/LTE technology in Germany and Verizon Wireless launched in the United States.; Vodafone WebBox; a smartphone roaming data plan that allows the European customers to use their home data plan abroad for only 2 a day to access the Internet, emails and applications; the Android-powered Vodafone 845 and 945 devices; Vodafone TV services; Vodafone 252, which comes pre-loaded with Vodafone M-Pesa for mobile payment services and a prepaid balance indicator that helps customers to keep track of their phone credit to avoid overspending; Vodafone M-Pesa in South Africa, Qatar and Fiji; 3G services in India, and LTE services by acquiring LTE spectrum in Germany.
The Company is a carrier of mobile voice traffic in the world providing domestic, international and roaming voice services to more than 370 million customers. Its networks sent and received over 292 billion text, pic ture, music and video messages during fiscal 2011. The ! Compa! ny! serves! more than 75 million customers with data services, which allow access to the Internet, email and applications on their phones, tablets, laptops and netbooks. The Company provides a range of data products, including Machine-to-machine (��2M�� connections, which allow devices to communicate with one another via built-in mobile SIM cards; Third party billing; Financial services; Near field communication (��FC��, and Mobile advertising. The Company, as of March 31, 2011, served 5.3 million M2M connections around the world. NFC allows communication between devices when they are touched together or brought within a few centimetres of each other. The Company has mobile advertising business in 18 countries with a range of capabilities. Over six million customers use its fixed broadband services in 13 markets to meet their total communications needs. In addition, through Gateway, it provides wholesale carrier services to more than 40 African countries. Other service revenue includes business managed services, such as secure remote network access, and revenue from mobile virtual network operators generated from selling access to its network at the wholesale level. The Company�� enterprise customers range from small-office-home-office (��oHo�� businesses and small to medium-sized enterprises (��MEs��, through to domestic and multinational companies. The Company has 34 million enterprise customers accounting for around 9% of all customers and around 23% of service revenue. The Company focuses on SoHos and SMEs to provide customers with integrated fixed and mobile communications solutions. Vodafone Global Enterprise manages the communication needs of over 560 of the multinational corporate customers. It provides a range of managed services, such as Central Ordering, Device Manager, Spend Manager Solutions, Invoice Manager, Vodafone Neverfail and Telecoms management. The Company offers a range of total communications applications, as well as services for enterprise and consumer customers. V! odafone !! Always Be! st Connected software enables customers to stay connected to the Internet on the available connection wherever they are by automatically managing the switching between connection types including mobile broadband, Wi-Fi and LAN. Vodafone PC Backup is an online back-up and restores service that enables users to remotely store data securely and automatically via their Internet connection.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Axia NetMedia Corp (XXI)
Axia NetMedia Corporation (Axia) is engaged in delivering Critical Fibre Optic Enabled Services. The Company sells services and solutions over fibre optic communications infrastructure or Next Generation Networks (NGNs). The Company has networks in the Province of Alberta in Canada, the state of Massachusetts in the United States of America, the state of Catalonia in Spain, France, and Singapore. In North America, Axia sells fibre-enabled services to the public and private sectors. In the public sector Axia sells services directly to customers in the education, healthcare, library and government services segments across the province. MB123 is Axia�� NGN in Western Massachusetts in the United States. MB123 include about 2,200 kilometers of fibre backhaul infrastructure and electronics connecting more than 120 communities. The European segment is driven by Covage in France and includes its Spanish network, Xarxa Oberta.Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: CalAmp Corp (CAMP.O)
CalAmp Corp. (CalAmp) develops and markets wireless technology solutions that deliver data, voice and video for critical networked communications and other applications. The Company has two business segments: Wireless DataCom, which serves commercial, industrial and government customers, and Satellite, which focuses on the North American Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) market. In May 2012, CalAmp Corp announced that it has entered into a five-year supply agreement to provide fleet tracking products to Navman Wireless. As part of the transaction, CalAmp has acquired certain products and technologies from Navman Wireless and established a research and development center in Auckland, New Zealand. The assets acquired by CalAmp include technology for Mobile Display Terminals (MDT) and an MDT product line marketed to telematics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) globally. In March 2013, it completed the acquisition of the operations of Wireless Matrix Corporation.
< p>Wireless DataCom
The Wireless DataCom segment provides wireless technology, products and services for industrial Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Mobile Resource Management (MRM) market segments for a range of applications, including optimizing and automating electricity distribution and ancillary utility functions; facilitating communication and coordination among emergency first-responders; increasing productivity and optimizing activities of mobile workforces; improving management control over valuable remote and mobile assets, and enabling emerging applications in a wirelessly connected world.
The Company's Wireless DataCom segment is comprised of a Wireless Networks business and an MRM business. CalAmp's Wireless Networks business provides products, systems and services to industrial, utility, energy and transportation enterprises and state and local governmental entities for deployment where the ability to communicate with mobile personne l or to command and control remote assets is crucial. Util! it! ies, oil and gas, mining, railroad and security companies rely on CalAmp products for wireless data communications to and from outlying locations, permitting real-time monitoring, activation and control of remote equipment. Applications include remotely measuring freshwater and wastewater flows, pipeline flow monitoring for oil and gas transport, automated utility meter reading, remote Internet access and perimeter monitoring. CalAmp is among the leaders in the application of wireless communications technology to Smart Grid power distribution automation for electric utilities.
MRM wireless solutions include global positioning system (GPS) location, cellular data modems and programmable events-based notification firmware as key components, allowing customers to know where and how their assets are performing, no matter where those mobile assets are located. Commercial organizations, vehicle finance providers, city and county governments, and a range of other enter prises rely on CalAmp products and systems to optimize delivery of services and protect valuable assets. Applications include fleet management, asset tracking, student and school bus tracking and route optimization, stolen vehicle recovery, remote asset security, remote vehicle start, and machine-to-machine communications. In addition to functioning as an OEM supplier of location and communications hardware for MRM applications, CalAmp is a total solutions provider of turn-key systems incorporating location and communications hardware, cellular airtime and Web-based remote asset management tools and interfaces.
The Company competes with Motorola Solutions, GE-MDS, Freewave, Sierra Wireless, GenX, Spireon, Novatel Wireless-Enfora and Xirgo.
Satellite
The Satellite segment develops, manufactures and sells DBS outdoor customer premise equipment and whole home video networking devices for digital and high definition satellite television (TV ) reception. CalAmp's satellite products are sold prim! arily ! t! o EchoSt! ar, an affiliate of Dish Network.
The Company's DBS reception products are installed at subscriber premises to receive television programming signals transmitted from orbiting satellites. These DBS reception products consist principally of outdoor electronics that receive, process, amplify and switch satellite television signals for distribution over coaxial cable to multiple set-top boxes inside the home that can acquire, recognize and process the signal to create a picture.
The Company competes with Sharp, Wistron NeWeb Corporation, Microelectronics Technology, Pro Brand and Global Invacom.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Virgin Media Inc.(VMED)
Virgin Media Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides entertainment and communications services in the United Kingdom. The company offers cable broadband Internet, television, and fixed line telephone services under the Virgin Media brand to residential customers; mobile telephony services through Virgin Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator; broadband and telephone services to residential customers through third-party telecommunications networks; and video on demand services, including access to movies, television programs, music videos, and other on-demand content, as well as provides digital video recorders. It also offers voice, data, and Internet solutions to commercial customers comprising analog telephony and managed data networks and applications, as well as supplies communications services to health and emergency services providers. As of December 31, 2011, the company provided cable broadband services to approximately 4 million subscribers; cable television s ervices to approximately 3.76 million residential subscribers; cable telephony services to approximately 4.2 million residential subscribers; mobile telephony services to approximately 3 million customers; non-cable fixed line telephone services to approximately 163,300 subscribers; and voice, data, and Internet solutions to approximately 50,000 businesses and 250 public sector organizations. The company offers its products and services through telesales, customer care centers, and online, as well as through its sales force. It serves mobile and fixed-line service providers, systems integrators, and Internet service providers; and private and public sector organizations. The company was formerly known as NTL Incorporated and changed its name to Virgin Media Inc. in February 2007. The company was founded in 1993 and is based in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Markos Kaminis]
Whether the stock is overvalued or not does not matter at this point, because an impact to its subscriber base due to the data sharing news would probably change market expectations for the company's operations and affect both earnings estimates and valuation multiples. It would probably drive the shares lower in my view, and I see no reason to risk that by holding the stock. Long-term holders, of course, have tax considerations to consider, and the news is still filing out. If Verizon's peers are also implicated clearly, perhaps with the aid of a Verizon PR push, this issue would be effectively mitigated. Though even in that case, there could be market share loss by all major American firms, with companies like T-Mobile US (TMUS) and Virgin Media (VMED) benefiting, whether they have also been involved or not. In any event, for new stakeholders, or those willing to deal with tax implications; or for those interested in a potential short opportunity, I would sell the stock today. I see no reason to bear risk while this issue and its implications are still unraveling, and while VZ has thus far not been significantly discounted for it.
- [By Tim Brugger]
Upon Liberty Global's (NASDAQ: LBTYA ) successfully closing its acquisition of Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED ) , Tom Mockridge will assume CEO responsibilities of the U.K. communications firm, Liberty Global announced today.
Top 10 Telecom Stocks To Watch Right Now: Cellcom Israel Ltd.(CEL)
Cellcom Israel Ltd. provides cellular communications services in Israel. It offers basic and advanced cellular telephone services, text and multimedia messaging services, and advanced cellular content and data services. The company?s basic cellular telephony services include voice mail, cellular fax, call waiting, call forwarding, caller identification, collect call, conference calling, ?Talk 2?, additional number services, and collect call services; and outbound and inbound roaming services. It also provides value-added services comprising Cellcom volume that includes downloadable content, such as music, games, on-net-reality programs, drama series, and video games; SMS and MMS services to send and receive text, photos, multimedia, and animation messages; access to third party application providers for notification of roadway speed detectors, mange vehicle fleets, and enable subscribers to manage and operate time clocks and various controllers for industrial, agricultural , and commercial purposes; video calls to communicate with each other through video applications; zone services for calls initiated from a specific location; location-based services; voice-based information services; text-based information services and interactive information services, including news headlines, sports results, and traffic and weather reports; and data services to access handsets, cellular modems, laptops, tablets, and cellular routers, as well as Internet based payment services. In addition, the company sells handsets, modems, routers, tablets, and laptops, as well as provides repair and replacement services; and offers landline telephony, transmission, and data services through its approximately 1,500 kilometers of inland fiber-optic infrastructure and complementary microwave links to selected business customers. As of March 31, 2011, it provided its services to approximately 3.395 million subscribers. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Netanya, Israel.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Smith]
Cellcom Israel (NYSE: CEL ) is getting a new CFO.
Following the company's successful merger with Netvision, current Chief Financial Officer Yaacov Heen is declaring his mission accomplished, and says he intends to resign his post on Sept. 17 after 16 years with the company. At that time, Cellcom says it will bring on Shlomi Fruhling, the former VP for strategy and finance at Netvision, to become the merged company's new CFO on Sept. 18.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Get Free Personalized Retirement Advice
You're setting aside money in a retirement account, but you're not sure if you're saving enough. Or maybe you're in retirement and are looking for ways to make your money last. Or perhaps you need help getting your finances in order so that you can start saving for retirement. If you need help with these or any other retirement or financial matters, take advantage of an opportunity Thursday, February 20, to ask a financial planner your most pressing questions for free.
SEE ALSO: Are You Saving Enough for Retirement?The Jump-Start Your Retirement Plan event sponsored by Kiplinger and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors offers people a chance to get free personalized financial advice. NAPFA members will be answering questions during online chats from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Financial planners will answer questions on topics including saving for retirement, taxes and retirement, and income in retirement. They also will be able to help people with other financial challenges, such as paying down debt or saving for college. You can submit a question now or on the day of the event by visiting our online chat room. Your question will be submitted and held until an adviser can answer it on the day of the chat. Questions will be answered in the order in which they are received. If you can't visit Kiplinger.com on the day of the chat, you can check back later for a transcript with the answers to questions.
Kiplinger’s 2014 Stock Picks: Readers Weigh In
What's old is seemingly new again. Of the top two finishers in our online poll assessing the potential of seven stocks featured in the January 2014 issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, one company boasts ties to Thomas Edison and the other traces its roots to Aaron Burr. Both stocks would've looked equally at home in your grandfather's portfolio as they would in yours today.
See Also: 2014 Investing Outlook: Special Report
The two venerable stocks that proved most appealing to our readers are General Electric (GE) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM). GE, founded in 1892 through the merger of electric-light manufacturers Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston, garnered a decisive 29% of the 1,043 votes cast. In 2014, the global conglomerate should benefit from an improving world economy, we wrote in the January issue. GE investors, in turn, should benefit from dividend hikes, share buybacks and an above-average stock yield.
Twenty percent of readers think runner-up JPMorgan will be the best-performing stock among the seven choices in 2014. Despite being mired in controversies over the past two years, it's "one of the best-run banks, with a strong balance sheet and a compelling international investment-banking operation," we wrote. Its legal and regulatory woes have suppressed the stock, so its valuation remains attractive. Incidentally, JPMorgan is no stranger to controversy. It began as the Bank of the Manhattan Co., established in 1799 by Burr, who gained notoriety for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804.
The next two stocks favored by readers are those of energy companies, albeit from different ends of the energy spectrum. In third place, with 19% of the votes, is Occidental Petroleum (OXY), an oil-and-gas firm that also has operations in chemical manufacturing. We like the fact that it derives the bulk of its energy from North America rather than from unstable regions of the world, plus Occidental "boasts a superb balance sheet, with plenty of cash for dividends and share buybacks."
Coming in fourth is Cree (CREE). It's not a household name—at least not yet—but 12% of voters think highly of the company's status as a leader in the manufacture of energy-efficient light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. The U.S. and other nations are phasing out traditional incandescent bulbs, which paves the way for sales of LED bulbs as replacements. Cree is also dipping its toes in the solar-power industry.
The next two stocks on the list earned just 7% of the votes apiece. Honeywell International (HON), an industrial giant that makes everything from jet engines to smoke detectors, "has turned skeptics into believers," we wrote in the January issue, as a result of management meeting the ambitious goals laid out in a five-year plan unveiled in 2010. Air Lease (AL), as the name implies, leases planes to more than 75 airlines. The stock has had a bumpy ride since its market debut in 2011, but the share price should take off in 2014 if profits climb, as analysts expect.
In last place, with just 5% of the votes, is Eaton Corp. (ETN). The company, based in Ireland, manufactures all manner of power-management components and systems for cars, trucks, heavy equipment, planes and more. Eaton has the potential to "fire on all cylinders" in 2014, we wrote, as long as the commercial-construction market rebounds.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
VF Corp. (VFC): A Real Comfortable Stock
Everybody's saying it, so we will, too: Baby, it's cold outside! Companies like VF Corp (NYSE:VFC), maker of Wrangler jeans and winter clothing brands The North Face and Timberland, could be warming up as a result. We think it's a buy for risk-averse folks fearful of expensive equities but hard-pressed to find an alternative in the land of slender bond yields.
Investors are at an interesting crossroads. After a remarkable run in 2013, stocks by many lights are fully or over valued; but alternative assets offer such paltry returns that investors are forced to consider equities even as they fear a correction.
We feel their pain, so recently we undertook an exercise aimed at capturing equity exposure at relatively modest risk, without retreating to the old familiar harbors of groceries and drugs.
Our bull case for VF Corp. rests on three legs: valuation, income and growth prospects.
VALUATION
The shares trade at 22.39 times trailing 12 months' earnings and 19.18 times earnings on forward estimates. These ratios are lag those of the S&P 500 and are at a discount to peers. Over the last five years, the company's shares have traded in the range of 9.2x to 23.3x trailing 12-months' earnings, so, based on historical multiples, the shares are near their highs. But we remain persuaded because of …
INCOME
The company currently pays an annual dividend of $1.05 for a yield of 1.77%, enough in a low-yielding world to offer comfort while we await fruition of …
GROWTH STRATEGIES
VF Corp. has impressively pursued an international business expansion that isn't finished yet, particularly in the Asia Pacific. The company plans increasing its store count in China from 2,300 to 6,000 over the next five years and aims to increase revenue from international operations to 43% of total revenue from 38% currently.
Confidence in management's ability to execute is reflected in the PE to earnings growth measure (PEG) of 1.95, we believe. Usually, value investors like to see a PEG below 1.0, but as have said. Our goal in this exercise was not so much to seek value in an expensive market, but to gain equity exposure and relatively modest risk. We think VF Corp. could be a reasonable vehicle in achieving that.
VF Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel and footwear with more than 30 brands. The company's largest five brands are The North Face, Vans, Wrangler, Timberland and Lee. Other brands include 7 For All Mankind, Bulwark, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, Ella Moss, JanSport, Kipling, lucy, Majestic, Napapijri, Nautica, Red Kap, Reef, Riders, Splendid and Smartwool. V.F. Corporation was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Greensboro, N.C.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Wolff: A liberal takedown of Roger Ailes
Potentially critical reviewers didn't get an advance copy of the Ailes book, likely positive reviewers did — a new literary target-marketing strategy. In the case of Ailes, where opinions are almost always black or white — left or right — it must have seemed very easy for the author and the book's publisher, Random House, to identify allies and enemies.
This, then, is not a review of the book but of the media politics surrounding the book — or, really, of what happens when media become a proxy for politics.
Obviously, the case will be made that Ailes himself has been one of the chief culprits in politicizing the media, turning Fox News into an aggressive polemic for right-wing issues and against left-wing proponents. But by that token, there is not likely to be more objectivity or nuance when the left turns its media guns on the right.
It's a standoff, with each side ready for war and sure of its own virtue, speaking to its own troops.
Sherman, a young reporter with standard liberal bona fides and opinions, came to write about Ailes because Ailes is a liberal bête noire. Ailes, being a liberal bête noire, did not want someone he fairly assumed to have a predictable liberal view to write a book about him.
Three years ago, Ailes and Sherman began sparring from a distance. Ailes hoped Sherman, unable to get access to Ailes and his associates, would give up the project — as is the usual custom among punctilious reporters. Sherman hoped that his persistence and fly-like annoyance would wear down his subject and that ultimately Ailes would relent and agree! to an interview — as often happens. Neither hope came to pass.
Hence, the author and his publisher have taken the marketing-forward position that since Ailes does not want this story told, that must mean this is the real story or, at least, a damaging story, which, if you are a liberal, is the story you want to be real.
Ailes, for his part, is in the not-so-sympathetic position of being a public figure arguing that his story can't fairly be told by someone who doesn't actually know him.
The journalist's handbook recommends that when you don't get access to your subject and are forced to do what's called a "write around," you should go far and wide for sources, using sheer numbers of interviews as the basis of your authority. Sherman keeps announcing that he did "614" interviews — which, to any journalist, is a protest-too-much sort of specificity. This is the Kitty Kelley method. In her pulpy biographies of Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan and others, Kelley — who said she did 1,002 interviews for the Reagan book — employs a quilt of suggestive quotes that can be arranged to almost any effect from people who either wanted to be quoted for self-interested reasons or don't want to be quoted by name for self-interested reasons. In the end, using such catch-all sourcing, even the author cannot truly judge how much meat there is in the stew or from what beast it comes.
Now, the standard celebrity PR manual would have recommended that Ailes ignore the Sherman book. After all, it is a book, and who reads books? And, without direct access to its subject, it exists in a limbo of the speculative and questionable.
But Ailes, a fabled political consultant, operates from a campaign playbook that says don't let your enemies tell your story. Accordingly, he responded to the book in a combat-ready way, making himself into the ogreish Goliath and the author into a schleppy David.
In a highly politicized media world, it is often the objections of your opponents that help make you s! eem power! ful and courageous.
Fox News takes much of its righteousness and delight from the liberal apoplexy it inspires. Sherman now thrillingly benefits from Ailes' outrage.
Arguably, Sherman has failed in the most important aspect of his journalistic effort: Lacking charm or wiles, he didn't get access, pretty much the price of entry for a serious biographer. (Curiously, the loquacious Ailes is actually rather easy to get to.) But Ailes' objections make the book newsworthy. What is it that Ailes is so objecting to? To answer that question, The New York Times was able to spin a story highlighting various quotable assertions from the book, absent all context and without actually checking any of the details. (In 1991, the Times ran a similar unverified piece based on an advance copy of Kelley's biography of Nancy Reagan. The story met with great journalistic condemnation, and the paper's then editor, Max Frankel, admitted that running it was a terrible mistake.)
Books have become totemic rather than narrative or analytic. The top-selling category of books — political tracts — are bought not principally to be read, but because of their symbolic value, their identity politics, for the way they confirm who you think you are.
Sherman and Random House hope they have found in Ailes a symbol to make liberals froth and buy books. The cut-and-paste method, the interviewing the 30-years-past girlfriend technique, the making the idle remark the smoking gun, turns journalism into not just hackery, but into a political keepsake.
Sherman, somewhat disingenuously, keeps saying that Ailes is a larger-than-life figure on the level of William Randolph Hearst. But Hearst's story, as told in Citizen Kane by Orson Welles, whom Hearst disdained and refused to speak to, has the key distinction of actually being fiction.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Seven ways Americans pay taxes
Clearly, the U.S. tax system can be very complex. Understanding the basics, especially the different types of taxes you may face, can be a valuable tool in financial planning.
Not all taxes are paid at the same time. Some, for example, are deducted from your paycheck. "Generally, three types of taxes will show up on a worker's pay stub: federal income taxes, payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare), and state income taxes," Andrew Lundeen, manager of federal projects at the Tax Foundation, told 24/7 Wall St.
Other taxes, however, are levied at the register. State and local governments collect sales taxes on individual goods and services. Similarly, governments charge excise taxes on specific items, including gasoline and cigarettes.
Not all authorities levy the same types of taxes. Income taxes serve as the largest source of revenue for the federal government, accounting for over 40% of yearly tax revenue. And according to projections from the Congressional Budget Office, income taxes, as well as social insurance taxes, should continue to account for the bulk of the U.S. government's tax revenue going forward.
At the state level, the picture is a bit more mixed. Different states use different tax structures to raise money for the various services they provide. While some states rely heavily on income taxes, others depend primarily on sales or property taxes. A few states, including Florida and Texas, have no personal income tax. Others "follow a structure similar to the federal [tax] code, but with different brackets and much lower rates," explained Lundeen.
Counties, cities, and other local areas often levy taxes to raise ! money as well. Property taxes, Lundeen noted, "are generally charged at the local level in order to pay for services such as schools, police and fire departments, and parks." Similarly, localities often charge an additional sales tax.
Not all taxes apply to everyone. The federal estate tax, often the subject of controversy, applies only after death and only if the estate is worth $5.34 million or more. Also, you may be able to avoid paying a number of excise taxes if you do not smoke, drink, or gamble. However, some excise taxes may be harder to avoid, including those levied on cell phone services, hotel stays, and gasoline purchases, according to Lundeen.
Here are seven ways Americans pay taxes.
1. Income taxes
Income taxes can be charged at the federal, state and local levels. At the federal level, the amount paid depends on a number of factors, including income and marital status. Lundeen noted the U.S. has a progressive tax system, consisting of seven tax brackets. He added, "for each additional dollar in a new bracket, you pay that bracket's tax rate." There are also a number of credits. For one, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) gives a tax credit to low and moderate earners.
State income tax structures vary considerably. Some states, such as Florida, do not levy an income tax at all. A few states use a single income tax rate, while many states apply different tax rates depending on income.
2. Sales taxes
Sales taxes are taxes on goods and services purchased. These are usually calculated as a percentage of the price paid. Sales taxes vary by state, and even by municipality. In some states, there are no sales taxes at either the state or local level. Other states and local authorities can charge a hefty amount. In Tennessee, for example, consumers can pay as much as 9.44% in sales taxes when combining state and local taxes, according to the Tax Foundation. In 12 states, sales taxes are higher than 8%. Sales taxes are often considered to be regressive, mea! ning lowe! r-income individuals and households spend a greater proportion of their earnings to pay the tax, compared to higher income residents.
MORE: The best and worst run cities in America
3. Excise taxes
Excise taxes are similar to broad sales taxes, except they are charged on specific goods. States typically tax certain purchases, including gas, cigarettes, beer and liquor. Excise taxes are frequently levied on so-called "sin products," and often are intended not only to help raise money, but also to deter unhealthy behaviors. The federal government also collects such taxes, including 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, as well as a 10% charge for tanning services. Excise taxes are often combined with sales taxes on a single purchase. According to Lundeen, in many cases a sales tax is paid on top of an excise tax.
4. Payroll taxes
Both employees and employers have to pay the Social Security tax, one of two payroll taxes. For the Social Security tax, employees pay 6.2% of their wages, and employers match that for a total contribution of 12.4%. In 2013, the maximum earnings subject to the tax were $117,000. In 2011 and 2012, the amount employees had to contribute briefly declined to 4.2% of wages, as part of a payroll tax holiday designed to encourage people to spend more and boost the U.S. economy.
A similar tax also exists for Medicare. Both employees and employers are required to contribute 1.45% of wages, or 2.9% in total, to fund the program. Unlike Social Security, there is no maximum taxable wage. In fact, since last year, workers who earned more than $200,000 had to contribute an extra 0.9% of their wages to the program.
5. Property taxes
Property taxes are usually imposed to fund local services. According to the Tax Foundation's Lundeen, these taxes are based on the property's market value, and are most often levied on real estate, but can also apply to other property, such as cars. In many instances, these taxes ar! e deducti! ble. However, according to the IRS, property taxes on real estate are only deductible if they are used to promote the "general public welfare," but not if they are used "for local benefits and improvements that increase the value of the property." Many homeowners also qualify for a mortgage interest deduction.
6. Estate taxes
The IRS defines an estate tax as "a tax on your right to transfer property at your death." The estate tax is controversial, as it is seen by some as a penalty for dying. Cash, securities, insurance, real estate, and business interests are among the items considered part of an estate. However, for individuals, only estates exceeding $5.34 million are taxed by the federal government. Most Americans, therefore, are exempt from paying the federal estate tax. The highest estate tax rate charged at the federal level is 40%.
Estate taxes are also often levied at the state level. While states frequently use lower rates, they also often have lower exemptions than the federal government's $5.34 million cutoff. Some states have an inheritance tax, where the rate you pay depends on your relation to the deceased.
MORE: The worst product flops of 2013
7. Gift taxes
The gift tax is similar to the estate tax, in that it is a tax on transferring wealth. One important difference is that gift taxes involve two living people, Lundeen added. The federal government also has a far lower exemption level for the gift tax than it does for the estate tax. All gifts over $14,000 are taxable, with the tax to be paid by the recipient. The highest gift tax rate is 40% of the taxable gift amount. This tax applies not only to cash, but also to gifts like company shares or cars. Last year, Minnesota became the second state to implement its own gift tax, following Connecticut.
24/7 Wall St. is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
Report: The 10 richest U.S. presidents
Secretary Clinton received an estimated $14 million advance on her new book last year, and she has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars for each speaking engagement, figures that rival her husband's. In all, the couple's net worth is estimated by 24/7 Wall St. to be $55 million, making it one of the wealthiest presidential estates in history.
Four years ago, 24/7 Wall St. published "The Net worth of Every American President, from Washington to Obama." Each year, we have updated our figures to reflect the earnings of the still-living presidents. One thing remains clear: these days, it pays to be president, especially after leaving office.
Like last year, the only currently living president who is counted among of the wealthiest of all time is President Clinton.
President Barack Obama is not one of the richest presidents. The president receives a salary of $400,000 a year as president, which, while generous, isn't even close to today's top executives salaries. The President's annual income has actually dropped steadily since he entered office. In 2009, the President's adjusted gross income was $5.5 million. That figure fell to less than $1 million in 2012. This is primarily due to a drop-off in revenue from his prior book deals. 24/7 Wall St. estimates the President's net worth to be $7.5 million.
The net worth of the presidents varies widely. George Washington's estate was worth more than half a billion in today's dollars. On the other hand, several presidents went bankrupt.
The fortunes of America's presidents are often tied to the economy of their time. As the focus of the economy has changed, ! so has the way the presidents made their money.
It is not surprising then to find that the first few presidents — from Washington's election to about 75 years later — were large landowners. They generally made money from land, crops, and commodity speculation. Of course, this left them highly vulnerable to poor crop yields, and they could lose most or all of their properties because of a few bad years.
By 1850, the financial history of the presidency entered a new era. Beginning with Millard Fillmore, most presidents were lawyers who spent years in public service. They rarely amassed large fortunes and their incomes often came almost entirely from their salaries.
These presidents were distinctly middle class and often retired without the means to support themselves in anyway resembling the presidential lifestyle. Buchanan, Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, Hayes and Garfield had modest net worths when they died.
At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th, there was another significant change to the economy. Large, professionally organized corporations in the oil, mining, financial and railroad sectors allowed individuals to amass large fortunes.
The Kennedys were wealthy because of the financial empire built by Joseph Kennedy. Herbert Hoover made millions of dollars as the owner of mining companies. Indeed, since the early 20th century, the fortunes of many presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and both of the Bushes were driven by inherited wealth.
The net worth figures for the 10 wealthiest presidents are in 2010 dollars. Because several of the presidents, particularly in the early 19th century, made and lost huge fortunes in a matter of a few years, the net worth of each president is for the peak time. The exception to the 2010 rule are the presidents who are still living and have more recent earnings. In the case of each president, we have taken into account hard assets such as land, estimated lifetime savings b! ased on w! ork history, inheritance and homes. Wages considered were earned for services as varied as collector of customs at the Port of New York to royalties on books, as well as ownership of companies and yields from family estates.
This is 24/7 Wall St.'s list of the richest U.S. presidents.
10. John Fitzgerald Kennedy
> Net worth: $1 billion (never inherited his father's fortune)
> In office: 1961 to 1963
> 35th president
Kennedy was born into wealth and married into it. His father was one of the wealthiest men in America and the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. His wife, too, was an oil heiress. Almost all of JFK's income and property came from a trust shared with other family members.
9. William Jefferson Clinton
> Net Worth: $55 million
> In office: 1993 – 2001
> 42nd president
Unlike other presidents, Clinton did not inherit any wealth and gained little net worth during 20 plus years of public service. After his time in the White House, however, he earned a substantial income as an author and public speaker. In 2005, Clinton earned a $15 million advance on his book "My Life." Former Secretary Clinton's advance for her upcoming autobiography is expected to be nearly as much. In 2011, the former president was paid $750,000 alone to speak in Hong Kong for Ericsson. By 2012, the former president was estimated to have earned over $100 million. Secretary Clinton has started contributing to the family fortune since leaving office. It is reported that she earns more than $200,000 per speech.
8. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
> Net worth: $60 million
> In office: 1933 to 1945
> 32nd president
Roosevelt's wealth came through inheritance and marriage. He owned the 800-acre Springwood estate, as well as properties in Georgia, Maine and New York. In 1919, his mother had to bail him out of financial difficulty. He spent most of his adult life in public service. Before he was president, Roosevelt was app! ointed as! sistant secretary of the Navy by President Wilson.
7. Herbert Clark Hoover
> Net worth: $75 million
> In office: 1929 to 1933
> 31st president
An orphan, Hoover was raised by his uncle, a doctor. Hoover made a fortune as a mining company executive. He had a generous salary for 17 years and had extensive holdings in mining companies. Hoover donated his presidential salary to charity. He also owned "Hoover House" in Monterey, Calif.
6. Lyndon Baines Johnson
> Net worth: $98 million
> In office: 1963 to 1969
> 36th president
Johnson's father lost all the family's money when LBJ was a boy. Over time, the 36th president had accumulated 1,500 acres in Blanco County, Tex., which included his home, called the Texas White House. He and his wife owned a radio and television station in Austin, Tex., and they had a variety of other moderate holdings, including livestock and private aircraft.
5. James Madison
> Net worth: $101 million
> In office: 1809 to 1817
> 4th president
Madison was the largest landowner in Orange County, Va. His land holding consisted of 5,000 acres and the Montpelier estate. He made significant wealth as Secretary of State and president. Madison lost money at the end of his life due to the steady financial collapse of his plantation.
4. Andrew Jackson
> Net worth: $119 million
> In office: 1829 to 1837
> 7th president
While he was considered to be in touch with the average middle-class American, Jackson quietly became one of the wealthiest presidents of the 1800s. "Old Hickory" married into wealth and made money in the military. His homestead, The Hermitage, included 1,050 acres of prime real estate. Over the course of his life, he owned as many as 300 slaves. Jackson entered considerable debt later in life.
3. Theodore Roosevelt
> Net worth: $125 million
> In office: 1901 to 1909
> 26th president
Born to a prominent and wealthy family, Roosevel! t receive! d a sizable trust fund. He lost most of his money on a ranching venture in the Dakotas and had to work as an author to pay the bills. Roosevelt spent most of his adult years in public service. His 235-acre estate, Sagamore Hill, now sits on some of the most valuable real estate in Long Island.
2. Thomas Jefferson
> Net worth: $212 million
> In office: 1801 to 1809
> 3rd president
Jefferson was left 3,000 acres and several dozen slaves by his father. Monticello, Jefferson's home on a 5,000-acre plantation in Virginia, was one of the architectural wonders of its time. He made considerable money in various political positions before becoming president, but he was mired in debt towards the end of his life.
1. George Washington
> Net worth: $525 million
> In office: 1789 to 1797
> 1st president
Washington's Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon, consisted of five separate farms on 8,000 acres of prime farmland run by more than 300 slaves. His wife, Martha, inherited significant property from her father. As president, Washington earned well more than subsequent presidents: his salary was 2% of the total U.S. budget in 1789.
MORE: The net worth of every American president
MORE: Five unusual alternatives to investing in gold
MORE: Eight outrageous CEO perks
24/7 Wall St. is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
Best Recreation Companies To Own In Right Now
All eyes of the world are on Colorado, which allowed the legal sales of marijuana for recreational use. It also became the first Government in the World to control and regulate marijuana, also known as Cannabis, which is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug and as medicine.
Beginning�Wednesday�(Jan.1), 21 and over became eligible to buy marijuana legally for the first time anywhere in the State. Sales will be tightly controlled, regulated as alcohol is currently, and subject to a number of restrictions preventing sales to minors, intoxicated driving, smoking in public and other undesirable behaviors.
The new law could be an alternative to the drug war, generate the kind of tax dollars that state government hopes and save the costs of locking up drug offenders. The Colorado Legislative Council estimates marijuana will generate $67 million in tax revenue annually.
Best Recreation Companies To Own In Right Now: Accell Group NV (ACCG.AS)
Accell Group NV is a Netherlands-based holding company. The Company and its subsidiaries divides its business into two segments: Bicycle & Bicycle Parts, active in the design, development, production, marketing and sales of bicycles, bicycle parts and accessories; and Fitness, providing fitness equipment. It sells bicycles under the Batavus, Bremshey, Ghost, Haibike, Hercules, Koga, Lapierre, Loekie, Redline, Sparta, Staiger, Tunturi, Winora, XLC and Raleigh brands via specialist bicycle retailers as well as bicycle parts under the Juncker Bike Parts and Wiener Bike Parts brands and fitness equipment under the Bremshey Sport brand. The Company�� main markets are the Netherlands, Germany, France, and European countries. The Company has production facilities in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Hungary and Belgium. As of December 31, 2011, it operated through 21 wholly owned subsidiaries. On May 22, 2012, the Company acquired Raleigh Cycle Limited.
Best Recreation Companies To Own In Right Now: Smith & Wesson Holding Corp (SWHC.O)
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Smith & Wesson), incorporated on June 17, 1991, is a manufacturer of firearms. The Company manufactures a range of handguns, modern sporting rifles, hunting rifles, black powder firearms, handcuffs, and firearm-related products and accessories for sale to a range of customers, including gun enthusiasts, collectors, hunters, sportsmen, competitive shooters, individuals desiring home and personal protection, law enforcement and security agencies and officers, and military agencies in the United States and globally. It sell its products under the Smith & Wesson brand, the M&P brand, the Thompson/Center brand, and the Walther brand. The Company manufactures its firearm products at its facilities in Springfield, Massachusetts and Houlton, Maine. On July 26, 2012, it sold all of the assets of Smith & Wesson Security Solutions, Inc.
Firearms
During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company intr oduced multiple new handgun and modern sporting rifle models, and one new bolt action rifle platform. The Company's rifle introductions included the addition of the M&P15 300 Whisper to the Company's line of modern sporting rifles. As of April 30, 2012, the Company participated in three categories of the long-gun market and both core categories of the handgun market.
Handguns
The Company manufactures an variety of handgun models that include revolvers and pistols. A revolver is a handgun with a cylinder that holds the ammunition in a series of rotating chambers that are successively aligned with the barrel of the firearm during each firing cycle. There are two general types of revolvers: single-action and double-action. The Company's small-frame revolvers have been carried by law enforcement personnel and personal defense-minded citizens. The Company's revolvers are available in a variety of models and calibers, with applications in virtually all pr ofessional and personal markets.
The Company� �! s M&P15 Series of modern sporting rifles are designed to satisfy the functionality and reliability needs of global military, law enforcement, and security personnel. These rifles are also popular as sporting target rifles and are sold to consumers through the Company's sporting good distributors, retailers, and dealers. The Company has a range of product portfolio of modern sporting rifles, which includes a lower price-point, sport model, a .22 caliber model, and a fully automatic model designed for the exclusive use of military and law enforcement agencies throughout the world.
Hunting Firearms
The Company manufactures three lines of bolt-action rifles under its Thompson/Center brand consisting of several models in each line. The Company's hunting rifles are offered in 16 different calibers. Bolt-action rifles operate by the cycling of a bolt handle that allows for both the loading and unloading of rounds through a magazine fed system.
< p>During fiscal 2012, the Company introduced the Dimension bolt action rifle platform. Under the Company's Thompson/Center brand, the Company also offers seven models of American-made single shot black powder, or muzzle loader, firearms. The Company offers eight models of interchangeable, single shot firearm systems that deliver numerous gun, barrel, caliber configurations, and finishes. These systems can be configured as a center-fire rifle, rim-fire rifle, shotgun, black powder firearm, or single-shot handgun for use across the entire range of big- and small-game hunting.Handcuffs
The Company manufactures handcuffs and restraints in the United States. The Company fabricates these products from the carbon or stainless steel.
Smith & Wesson Academy
Through the Smith & Wesson Academy, the Company offers instruction designed to meet the training needs of law enforcement and security customers worldwide. Classes are conduct ed at the Company's facility in Springfield, Massachus! etts o! r! on loca! tion around the world.
Specialty Services
The Company's services include forging, heat treating, finishing, and plating. It provides services to third-party customers.
The Company competes with Ruger,Taurus, Beretta, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Bushmaster, Rock River, Stag Arms, DPMS, Browning, Marlin, Remington, Ruger, Savage, Weatherby, CVA, Traditions, and Winchester.
10 Best Value Stocks To Own Right Now: Accell Group NV (ACCEL)
Accell Group NV is a Netherlands-based holding company. The Company and its subsidiaries divides its business into two segments: Bicycle & Bicycle Parts, active in the design, development, production, marketing and sales of bicycles, bicycle parts and accessories; and Fitness, providing fitness equipment. It sells bicycles under the Batavus, Bremshey, Ghost, Haibike, Hercules, Koga, Lapierre, Loekie, Redline, Sparta, Staiger, Tunturi, Winora, XLC and Raleigh brands via specialist bicycle retailers as well as bicycle parts under the Juncker Bike Parts and Wiener Bike Parts brands and fitness equipment under the Bremshey Sport brand. The Company�� main markets are the Netherlands, Germany, France, and European countries. The Company has production facilities in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Hungary and Belgium. As of December 31, 2011, it operated through 21 wholly owned subsidiaries. On May 22, 2012, the Company acquired Raleigh Cycle Limited.Best Recreation Companies To Own In Right Now: In Ovations Holdings Inc (INOH)
In Ovations Holdings Inc, formerly Marine Exploration, Inc., incorporated on June 27, 1996, is engaged in marine treasure hunting expeditions. Its operations are limited to providing funding to, and making approved capital expenditures for its joint venture partner, Hispaniola Ventures, LLC (Hispaniola). Hispaniola is engaged in the actual search for, diving to, and recovery of, the cargo and artifacts. In May 2012, the Company acquired Atmospheric Water Solutions, Inc. (AWS). The acquisition includes water making technology, inventory, and a distribution center. In January 2014, the Company announced the incorporation of of its Energy Services Company (ESCO), Electro Verde, Inc.
The Company is focused on the recovery of two vessels, named as Operation Mystery Galleon and Operation Abrojos which includes, without limitation, an operation to the Serranilla and Bajo Nuevo Banks in the Caribbean Sea. It is undergoing preliminary operations off the coast of the Dominican Republic. On December 11, 2008, Marine Exploration Inc's 128 ft operations vessel, the M/V Hispaniola, was launched for its primary missions, Operation Mystery Galleon and Operation Abrojos.
The Company competes with Odyssey Marine Exploration, Subsea Resources Ltd., Sovereign Exploration Associates International Inc. and Admiralty Holding Company.
Best Recreation Companies To Own In Right Now: Smith & Wesson Holding Corp (SWHC)
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Smith & Wesson), incorporated on June 17, 1991, is a manufacturer of firearms. The Company manufactures a range of handguns, modern sporting rifles, hunting rifles, black powder firearms, handcuffs, and firearm-related products and accessories for sale to a range of customers, including gun enthusiasts, collectors, hunters, sportsmen, competitive shooters, individuals desiring home and personal protection, law enforcement and security agencies and officers, and military agencies in the United States and globally. It sell its products under the Smith & Wesson brand, the M&P brand, the Thompson/Center brand, and the Walther brand. The Company manufactures its firearm products at its facilities in Springfield, Massachusetts and Houlton, Maine. On July 26, 2012, it sold all of the assets of Smith & Wesson Security Solutions, Inc.
Firearms
During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company introduced multiple new handgun and modern sporting rifle models, and one new bolt action rifle platform. The Company's rifle introductions included the addition of the M&P15 300 Whisper to the Company's line of modern sporting rifles. As of April 30, 2012, the Company participated in three categories of the long-gun market and both core categories of the handgun market.
Handguns
The Company manufactures an variety of handgun models that include revolvers and pistols. A revolver is a handgun with a cylinder that holds the ammunition in a series of rotating chambers that are successively aligned with the barrel of the firearm during each firing cycle. There are two general types of revolvers: single-action and double-action. The Company's small-frame revolvers have been carried by law enforcement personnel and personal defense-minded citizens. The Company's revolvers are available in a variety of models and calibers, with applications in virtually all professional and personal markets.
The Company�� M! &P15 Series of modern sporting rifles are designed to satisfy the functionality and reliability needs of global military, law enforcement, and security personnel. These rifles are also popular as sporting target rifles and are sold to consumers through the Company's sporting good distributors, retailers, and dealers. The Company has a range of product portfolio of modern sporting rifles, which includes a lower price-point, sport model, a .22 caliber model, and a fully automatic model designed for the exclusive use of military and law enforcement agencies throughout the world.
Hunting Firearms
The Company manufactures three lines of bolt-action rifles under its Thompson/Center brand consisting of several models in each line. The Company's hunting rifles are offered in 16 different calibers. Bolt-action rifles operate by the cycling of a bolt handle that allows for both the loading and unloading of rounds through a magazine fed system.
During fiscal 2012, the Company introduced the Dimension bolt action rifle platform. Under the Company's Thompson/Center brand, the Company also offers seven models of American-made single shot black powder, or muzzle loader, firearms. The Company offers eight models of interchangeable, single shot firearm systems that deliver numerous gun, barrel, caliber configurations, and finishes. These systems can be configured as a center-fire rifle, rim-fire rifle, shotgun, black powder firearm, or single-shot handgun for use across the entire range of big- and small-game hunting.
Handcuffs
The Company manufactures handcuffs and restraints in the United States. The Company fabricates these products from the carbon or stainless steel.
Smith & Wesson Academy
Through the Smith & Wesson Academy, the Company offers instruction designed to meet the training needs of law enforcement and security customers worldwide. Classes are conducted at the Company's facility in Springfield, Massachusetts or o! n locatio! n around the world.
Specialty Services
The Company's services include forging, heat treating, finishing, and plating. It provides services to third-party customers.
The Company competes with Ruger,Taurus, Beretta, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Bushmaster, Rock River, Stag Arms, DPMS, Browning, Marlin, Remington, Ruger, Savage, Weatherby, CVA, Traditions, and Winchester.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dimitra DeFotis]
Smith & Wesson Holding (SWHC) shares fell by 58 cents, or more than 5% to $10.90 after hours, erasing the day’s 3.5% gain. It reported earnings of 40 cents per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, which ended July 30, compared to 36 cents expected by analysts; and revenue came in better than expected at $171 million.�According to its�prepared release, Smith & Wesson expects�net sales for the second fiscal quarter to be between $135.0 million and $140.0 million and GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of between 20 cents and 22 cents.�The company also�increased its revenue guidance for the full fiscal year, and sees net sales of between $610.0 million and $620.0 million, with earnings of between $1.30 and $1.35 for fiscal 2014.�The Street is looking for earnings of $1.30 per share, or $1.36 fully reported, for fiscal 2014.
- [By Rich Smith]
Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly mentioned Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.�(NASDAQ: SWHC) as securing a contract. That is not the case. The Fool regrets the error.
- [By Paul Ausick]
Big Earnings Movers: Specialty retailer Quiksilver Inc. (NYSE: ZQK) is up 31.7% at $6.85. Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC) is down 10.2% at $10.31 after issuing weak guidance. Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: MFRM) is down 14.6% at $35.59. Korn/Ferry International (NYSE: KFY) is up 11.2% at $20.81 after posting a new 52-week high of $20.93 earlier. VeriFone Systems Inc. (NYSE: PAY) is up 10.1% at $22.81. Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) is up 11.2% at $28.11.
- [By Rick Munarriz]
Tuesday
Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWHC ) takes aim at Wall Street's targets. Firearms makers may be controversial for some investors, but there's no denying that that their products are in hot demand these days. Consumers fearing that gun-ownership restrictions are about to tighten are loading up on weaponry, and that's translating into big growth for the gunmakers.