WebWire | News by Industry : Financial Markets http://www.webwire.com/ Financial Markets News by WebWire en Copyright © 2012 WebWire. All Rights Reserved. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 01:16:12 EST WebWire | News by Industry : Financial Markets 140 32 http://www.webwire.com/ http://www.webwire.com/imgs/webwire_logo_140x32.gif Financial Education Event Empowers Individuals To Create Their Own Economic Recovery http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152342 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 14:19:26 EST Houston (February 3, 2012) – Several hundred participants from all over the world will gather this summer for financial information and inspiration at the luxurious Westin Playa Conchal Resort in Costa Rica, August 24-29. Hosted annually at select international locations by Wealth Masters International, a global financial education and entrepreneurial resource company, the m3 Private Wealth Group is an intensive educational experience aimed at empowering individuals to prosper no matter what's happening in the economy.  
                           
'More millionaires were created coming out of the Great Depression than at any other time in history,' says Kip Herriage, CEO and Wealth Masters Co-Founder. 'Opportunity doesn't go away in a down market. It just changes form and direction. We're teaching our members how to recognize trends and get in position for the next big wave of changes that's about to hit the world economy. That's what the m3 Private Wealth Group is all about.'
 
Attendees interact with global experts in finance, wellness and personal growth and learn prosperity strategies that anyone can put into action. It's a holistic approach rarely seen in the financial world. Wealth Masters President and Co-Founder Karl Bessey said, 'We're excited to announce Costa Rica as the location for our next m3. It's really the ultimate mastermind group. When you get down to what really matters, money is only a part of what it's about. Our members want to feel good enough to enjoy what they earn and have the insight to grow it, protect it and do some good with it in the world.'
 
The Wealth Masters message of individual empowerment is gaining international momentum. Participants will fly in from locations as diverse as the U.S., the UK, Norway and Australia to take part in the event. Kip Herriage explained, 'This isn't just an American idea anymore. The debt game our banks and governments have been playing isn't sustainable and people are waking up to the fact that individual education and accountability, not rescue programs, are the only way out. Our mission is to put the truth about money in the hands of as many people as we can.'
 
About Wealth Masters
Incorporated in 2005 and based in Sugar Land, Texas, Wealth Masters International is one of the world's fastest growing financial education and entrepreneurial resource companies. Promoting Wealth, Health and Wisdom, WMI serves a growing community of more than 35,000 members and consultants with operations in the US and more than 100 countries around the world. Learn more about WMI at www.wmitoday.com. 

— WebWireID152342 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Business Announcements Financial Markets Personal Services Workforce Management / Human Resources WebWireID152342 Article China is now the world's largest importer of softwood lumber and logs despite a slowdown in imports during the 4Q/11 http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152338 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:53:34 EST Seattle, USA. Importation of softwood logs and lumber to China has increased continuously over the past 15 years, and in 2011 the country was the largest importer of softwood lumber and logs in the world, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. Total import value equaled almost eight billion US dollars last year, which was an increase of 57 percent from 2010, and up from only 70 million dollars 15 years ago. Annual growth over the past five years has been almost 30 percent, and over the past 15 years, the CAGR has been as high as 36 percent.   
 
Imports of softwood lumber have increased faster than imports of softwood logs over the past few years, but log imports still constitute a higher share of the total import value of softwood products. After having increased for seven consecutive quarters, the importation of softwood logs and lumber fell for the first time in the 4Q/11 because of reduced domestic demand and high inventories at many of the country's ports. The decline was 14 percent from the 3Q/11, but the total import value was still higher than the fourth quarter in 2010.  
 
By volume, importation of softwood log and softwood lumber to China fell 10 percent in the 4Q/11 as compared to the previous quarter. Importation of logs and lumber from Russia decreased the most, while lumber from New Zealand and logs from Canada actually increased slightly during the fourth quarter. 
 
Much of the increased import demand for softwood raw-material has been, and continues to be, driven by the fast expansion in the house construction sector combined with the fact the China lacks domestic forest resources to meet the growing demand for most forest products.   
 
A tightening monetary policy with a restricted money supply resulted in reduced activities in the construction sector in the second half of 2011. It has also been reported that there were overstocked inventories of real estate (over 20 months of unsold inventory in Beijing and Shanghai), and that housing transaction volumes in many big cities fell by more than 50 percent in the fourth quarter. Societe Generale reported that housing starts were down 25 percent in December as compared to the same month in 2010.
 
It can be expected that the housing market will continue to face headwinds during the first half of 2012 unless the Chinese government steps in to ease the country's monetary policy. As a consequence, the prospects for log and lumber imports will be faced with uncertainty short-term, but will likely continue to trend upward long-term.    
 
Global timber market reporting is included in the 52-page quarterly publication Wood Resource Quarterly. The report, established in 1988 and with subscribers in over 25 countries, tracks sawlog, pulpwood, lumber and pellet prices and market developments in most key regions around the world. To subscribe to the WRQ, please go to www.woodprices.com

— WebWireID152338 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Architecture / Construction / Building Environment Financial Markets Paper / Forest Products / Containers WebWireID152338 Article Legendary Commodities Trader Phil Storer Launches Mentorship and Training Program Right Before His Retirement http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152309 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:35:59 EST Dallas, Texas, USA – Phil Storer, professional Futures and Commodities trader for 40 years, announces that he has launched a mentorship and training program with the primary focus on teaching students how to trade commodities online.

Phil Storer, having worked 30 years as head trader for precious metals market maker, Dillon Gage, has decided to share his most successful trading methods in his new mentorship program. 'I have been very fortunate in my career', says Phil, 'and I want to teach investors how they can manage their own portfolio without placing their financial future in the hands of another person. In my experience, once I have had the opportunity to train someone to do what I do in the markets, they are in a rare and unique position to secure their own financial future.'

Phil has witnessed the many changes in the commodities and futures markets over the last four decades; from the old 'clacker boards' to the advent of computerized charting software and trade execution.  His new trading course is called, Old School Commodities, and provides students with his four favorite trading strategies.  The new trading course includes a manual, four CD ROMs as well as access to an online member's area where he posts daily market recap videos for his students.  In addition to the online members area, Phil also hosts weekly live trading webinars so his students can watch Phil trade in real time during market hours. 
 
'Watching Phil trade in the live markets is a real treat', says one of Phil's first students, Cecil Robles. 'There is no question in my mind that Phil has forgotten more about futures trading than most people ever learn.'

Old School Commodities Mentorship and Training Program is currently accepting a limited number of students who are interested in learning how to trade commodities on line.  More information about Old School Commodities can be found at  http://www.HowTo-Trade-Commodities.com.  For more information regarding the Old School Commodities Mentorship and Training Program, you can visit the website for contact information or watch an introduction video by Phil at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB4-T7xZO2c.


 

— WebWireID152309 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Financial Markets WebWireID152309 Article Leading payday loan company implements new and improved induction plan http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152328 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:01:36 EST Payday Express, a UK provider of payday loans online, has announced the implementation of a new and improved staff induction plan.
 
The move was made to ensure that staff training and development remains high on the agenda for Payday Express, a business that prides itself on understanding the value of ensuring all staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively and efficiently carry out their roles.
 
Richard Turner, HR adviser at Payday Express, said: 'Payday Express is passionate about learning and development and makes every effort to ensure that this starts from the moment a new recruit joins the organisation.'
 
The induction, which marks the start of a training programme, involves being introduced to the company, its mission statement and its principles, before being given extensive training on anti-money laundering, data protection, customer service, learning styles and other key skills and knowledge areas.
 
After a revamp of the process by operations manager Sarah Carroll and group trainer Emma Furlong, the induction is now much more interactive and people-focussed – a change that has been introduced to ensure all new starters feel part of the team straight away. While the old induction programme involved open discussions, the new one takes interaction to a new level by incorporating group break-out tasks and quizzes designed to ensure that information has been taken in and understood.
 
The process also involves interaction between experienced team leaders and new starters, after which each group of new employees must deliver a presentation on what they understand about the different roles and teams within the company to be.
 
Sarah Carroll of Payday Express said: 'Getting the new starters to engage with tenured staff is very effective as it means they're not passively absorbing information and instead are actively participating in their own learning. 
 
'So far this has proved to be a successful addition to our induction programme,' she added.
 
Group trainer at the payday loan company, Emma Furlong, said: 'The induction is beneficial as it provides a great platform for new starters to integrate into the company, and gives them knowledge and insight into company values and functions to foster the right mindset for their role and future career.'
 
[ENDS]
 
About Payday Express:
Payday Express is one of the UK's leading payday advance loans specialists, offering an online service to help employed people across the country get access to emergency payday loans. The company is committed to responsible lending and provides customers with a discreet and reliable service that will cover their short-term credit needs.
 
For further information contact:
Ashleigh Slade
Telephone: 0800 652 4661
Email: enquiries@paydayexpress.co.uk  
Website: http://www.paydayexpress.co.uk
 
 

— WebWireID152328 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Banking / Financial Services Financial Markets WebWireID152328 Article Cheshire students hope to clean up in car valet challenge http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152323 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 05:58:37 EST Young business students at an Ellesmere Port college are to have their entrepreneurial skills tested in a business challenge thrown down by a Chester-based auto company.
 
As part of their course, the business diploma students at West Cheshire College are taking part in the "Outstanding Business Student Award" organised by ACF Car Finance Limited.
 
Now in its third year, the competition requires three teams of students, aged 16 to 18, to devise a workable plan for launching a new business in the Chester area.
 
This year, their challenge is to describe how they would research, set-up and profitably manage a car valeting firm based in the city.
 
Members of the team putting forward the best proposals will each be awarded a Kindle eReader, while others taking part will receive a £10.00 gift card to spend in a computer store.
 
As part of their research for the project, the 15-strong group of students recently spent a day being shown behind the scenes at the headquarters of ACF Car Finance on Chester Business Park.
 
The company operates a national network of used car dealerships, and the youngsters saw how the group's many different departments contribute to its business success.
 
They now have until early spring this year to explain how they would clean-up in a car valeting business intended to serve motorists and corporate customers in Chester.
 
Judging the students' efforts will be a course tutor from West Cheshire College, and David Challinor who is Managing Director of The Funding Corporation, parent company to ACF Car Finance:
 
"Our Outstanding Business Student Award scheme is always enjoyed immensely by the students, but it's much more challenging than what you see on TV's Young Apprentice," said David.
 
"Sir Alan Sugar's tasks are carried out on-the-hoof, but we require a lot of very detailed analysis and research to support the students' business proposals.
 
"As such, the challenge is a very valuable part of their business studies training as it confronts students with the present-day realities of launching a new enterprise from scratch.
 
"Just as daunting, but also realistic, is that the groups will have to stand up and present their ideas to the judges - so communication skills also play an important part in the competition.
 
"We've had some amazingly well thought-out  proposals to business ideas put forward in previous years, and I'm hoping to be just as astounded this time round!" added David.
 
No stranger itself to business competitions, The Funding Corporation was last year named Britain's Most Responsible Lender in a major finance industry business award scheme.
 
-ENDS-
 
ACF Car Finance Limited (www.acfcarfinance.co.uk) is part of The Funding Corporation. ACF is Britain's leading supplier of high-quality UK approved car finance to people whose credit status might otherwise prevent them from obtaining car credit. ACF Car Finance has earned a strong reputation within the finance and motor industry for its supply of best used car finance deals,  standards of customer care, and the quality of the friendly, professional advice provided by members of its fully-trained team.
 
For more information on this release, contact:
Jane Whittle
Marketing Manager
The Funding Corporation
01244 625 683
jane.whittle@thefundingcorporation.com

— WebWireID152323 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Automotive Banking / Financial Services Financial Markets WebWireID152323 Article Win tickets to BSB! http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152288 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:26:23 EST Already excited about greeting lots of old and new bike fan friends at the forthcoming Motorcycle News show in London, the team at motorbike accident claims specialist www.Sorrymate.com  are even more thrilled to announce a rather special centrepiece on their stand.

Thanks to their good friends at the legendary Ace Cafe London, their stand at the ExCeL arena will feature the Ace 675CR Street Triple Special that is usually displayed at the cafe. Built by Jack Lilley Ltd, West London's renowned and long established Triumph dealer in collaboration with Ace Cafe London's Stonebridge Motor Company, the bike is a Limited Edition series of 10 individually numbered machines.

Courtesy of Ace Cafe London, they'll be running a 'guess the mileage of the tyre' competition involving a tyre on this machine.

Up for grabs will be two tickets to a British superbikes 2012 event of the winner's choice.

Sorrymate.com's Paul Dutton explained that the competition has been made possible thanks to the great working relationship the bike crash accident claim specialist has with the cafe.

"We have a sponsorship deal with Ace Cafe London, and as a result of this, we feel very privileged that they have loaned us the Ace 675CR Triumph bike, which will certainly help visitors to the Motorcycle News show find our stand," he said.

In preparation for its' appearance at the show, the bike has been fitted with a rear tyre from Ace Cafe London Managing Director Mark Wilsmore's regular bike, a Triumph Speed Triple 1050, which he uses to commute to work every day – and this is the tyre which will be the subject of the competition. 

The lucky entrant who gets closest to guessing the tyre's exact mileage will win Sorrymate.com's prestigious Superbikes tickets prize.

Said Paul Dutton: "The Ace Cafe is a legend among bike and car fans, not just across London, but the whole of the UK, and we hope that the Ace bike – along with the friendly welcome we can assure all visitors – will attract lots of people to our stand over this weekend."

The Ace Cafe London Street Triple Special can be found on stand N320 at the Motorcycle Live show, taking place from 10am to 5pm on Thursday and Friday, February 2 and 3, and between 9am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, February 4 and 5.

About sorrymate.com:
Sorrymate.com deals with all manner of motorcycle accident claims, motorbike accident claims and smidsy claims. If a motorbike accident wasn't your fault, the company will try to ensure you receive 100 per cent compensation without paying a penny. The people behind the company are bikers too, so they understand such situations.
 
 
For further information contact:
Paul Dutton
Email: marketing@sorrymate.com           
Website: http://www.sorrymate.com
Phone: 0800 6 300 301
 

— WebWireID152288 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Financial Markets WebWireID152288 Article Women Favor Obama over Gingrich, New Poll Says http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152268 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:26:33 EST Philadelphia, PA, USA - The Wealth & Freedom Foundation, an organization dedicated to wealth and freedom for the average citizen, recently conducted a public opinion poll regarding the 2012 presidential election.

When posed this question, 'Would more women vote for Newt Gingrich or Barack Obama?' a majority of the respondents, 53.87%, said they thought more women would vote for Obama than Gingrich. 33.33% thought Gingrich would win, while 12.8% thought it would be equal or were unsure.

'I'm really not surprised by these poll results', said Peter J. Bryson, founder of The Wealth & Freedom Foundation.  'With recent allegations of sexual impropriety and a history of infidelity it's clear to see why he would rate poorly amongst women.  And let's just be honest about it, he's not really a likable candidate compared to Obama.'

The poll also found that a majority of people felt that Gingrich would not be able to defeat Obama if the general election were held today.  While 53% of the respondents said that Gingrich could not beat Obama in the 2012 election, 36% thought that he could, and 11% were undecided.

The Wealth & Freedom Foundation, America's #1 advocate for the wealth and freedom of the average citizen, frequently conducts surveys and political opinion polls.  It also publishes a weekly e-newsletter discussing political and financial issues.

— WebWireID152268 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Banking / Financial Services Financial Markets Government Politics Religion WebWireID152268 Article Riding high - mountain biker who scaled exam peak http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152272 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 04:52:21 EST A Chester mountain bike enthusiast who put the brakes on his pastime to study for a top accountancy qualification has seen his sacrifice pay dividends.
 
Danny Armstrong (31) of The Funding Corporation in Chester has now graduated as a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
 
Entry to the elite body is only allowed to those who have passed CIMA's tough management accountancy examinations which usually require three years of study.
 
But Danny was able to telescope his learning into 18 intensive months by being allowed time off from his job to attend BPP University College in Liverpool, and by studying at home.
 
Danny, who was recently promoted to the position of Finance Manager, first joined the company ten years ago after a period working for a Chester accountancy practice.
 
Born in Chester and currently living in Boughton, he is a keen mountain biker - but had to put the padlock on his regular weekends in North Wales whilst preparing for the CIMA exams.
 
Danny was fully sponsored for his £13,000 course by The Funding Corporation which has its headquarters on Chester Business Park.
 
Managing Director David Challinor congratulated him this week on his "fantastic achievement" in gaining a major qualification in so short a space of time:
 
"We are extremely keen on encouraging learning and skills development among staff, and are happy to invest in their gaining qualifications which will open up new career opportunities," said David.
 
"But obviously this also requires a real commitment from those concerned - and Danny has clearly demonstrated that he's got the staying power!" he added.
 
-ENDS-
 
ACF Car Finance Limited (www.acfcarfinance.co.uk) is part of The Funding Corporation. ACF is Britain's leading supplier of high-quality used car finance deals to people whose credit status might otherwise prevent them from obtaining car credit. ACF Car Finance has earned a strong reputation within the finance and motor industry for its supply of  approved car finance uk, standards of customer care, and the quality of the friendly, professional advice provided by members of its fully-trained team.
 
For further information about this piece, contact:
Jane Whittle
Marketing Manager
The Funding Corporation
01244 625 683
jane.whittle@thefundingcorporation.com
 

— WebWireID152272 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Automotive Financial Markets WebWireID152272 Article Searcy Denney Law Firm Reports $3.5 Million Verdict in Tobacco Litigation http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152255 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:11:45 EST West Palm Beach, FL – Attorney Brian Denney announced that a Highlands County jury awarded Theodore Hallgren $3,500,000.00 against Philip Morris USA Inc. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for the wrongful death of his wife, Claire Hallgren, who died of lung cancer after nearly 60 years of smoking cigarettes made by those companies. The verdict includes $1,500,000 in punitive damages against the defendants.
 
Brian R. Denney and T. Hardee Bass of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, represented Mrs. Hallgren's husband, Theodore Hallgren, now 92.  The attorneys stated that the evidence in the trial showed that Mrs. Hallgren started smoking as a teenager, and was already a regular, daily smoker by the time she was sixteen years old in 1938, nearly 30 years before the first warning labels ever appeared on cigarette packs.  Under the standard required by the Florida Supreme Court's "Engle" decision, the plaintiff needed to prove that Mrs. Hallgren was addicted to nicotine and nicotine addiction caused her death.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Hallgren met at Chicago's Hurst High School in 1938.  They married in 1942, shortly before Mr. Hallgren, a Captain in the United States Army, was deployed to the Europe to fight in World War II.  After the war, the Hallgrens settled in the Chicago area, before moving to Florida in 1975.  They were married for 54 years.
 
'The jury in this case was presented with a lot of evidence of tobacco industry conduct and practices, covering a large span of time,' Denney said.  'The jury's verdict is not only an indication that they understood the addictive power of nicotine and how Mrs. Hallgren fought to overcome that addiction; it is also a recognition that these defendants deserved punishment for their intentional misconduct, which included directly marketing cigarettes to children knowing full well they caused lung cancer and were addictive and lying to generations of Americans regarding the danger and addictiveness of their product for one reason –money.'
 
'Mrs. Hallgren is another tragic example of a tobacco industry success story, someone who started smoking as a child decades before warning labels were placed on cigarette packages, who became addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes, and who was unable to break that addiction before it was too late,' said Denney.
 
'Philip Morris USA Inc. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company are forced to stand equal to people like 92 year old Mr. Hallgren within the four walls of a courtroom, whereas outside of the justice system they are able to wield their influence through their financial means.  When fair-minded people hear the evidence in these cases, the common tobacco industry defense themes are flatly rejected.' Said Attorney Hardee Bass
 
A spokesperson for the Searcy Denney law firm said that this case marks eight straight plaintiff's verdicts in Engle progeny tobacco suits by the lawyers for Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley.

— WebWireID152255 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Class Actions / Lawsuits Financial Markets Media Advisory Tobacco WebWireID152255 Article Charity honour for Chester firm's "golden givers" http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152179 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:04:21 EST Big-hearted staff at a Chester-based auto company, ACF Car Finance Limited, have earned a glittering government-backed award for their support of charity.
 
Thanks to the staff's generosity, the firm learned this week it has won a gold achievement accolade from the UK's national Payroll Giving Centre.
 
The honour is made to businesses which successfully encourage staff to make regular charitable donations, deducted at source from their salary.
 
ACF Car Finance is a member-company of The Funding Corporation on Chester Business Park, many of whose 210 employees have now signed up to payroll giving.
 
According to Marketing Manager Jane Whittle, who also heads the company's charity committee, the award came as a "fantastic surprise" to everyone:
 
"The Payroll Giving organisers told us that the number of people now making donations at ACF Car Finance meant that we were automatically entered into their honours scheme," said Jane.
 
"The awards are made at different levels of achievement, so we were amazed to find that we had gone straight in at gold!" she added.
 
Donations from the salaries of staff go directly to the motor industry charity BEN.
 
Just a few months ago, BEN received a further £3,000 boost from ACF Car Finance when the firm's Group Buying Manager, Leyton Cooper, took part in the cause's annual charity rally.
 
He drove to Italy in a scrapyard banger - as required by the rules - and raised the largest single amount of all the 30-plus teams taking part in the 1,700-mile motoring marathon.
 
There is a strong culture of charitable giving at ACF Car Finance, said Jane, and the firm's charity committee which she chairs meets regularly to explore new fundraising opportunities:
 
"We try to divide our efforts between BEN and local good causes, such as the Claire House Children's Hospice in the Wirral.
 
"But we often like to inject a bit of fun into what we do, and one of our most successful initiatives last year was letting staff pay to have their car washed by a company director!
 
"We began encouraging Payroll Giving a few years ago, and arrange regular presentations from the charity to explain how their donations help people in genuine need.
 
"The scheme has received tremendous support from staff - and it's entirely down to them that ACF Car Finance now holds what is known as the Gold Payroll Giving Quality Mark Award," said Jane.
 
Last year, almost £114 million was received and distributed to charity by the government-sponsored Payroll Giving scheme, all from employees who donated straight from their salary.
 
 
ENDS
 
For further information, contact:
Jane Whittle
Marketing Manager
The Funding Corporation
01244 625 683
jane.whittle@thefundingcorporation.com

— WebWireID152179 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Automotive Financial Markets WebWireID152179 Article AnyOption, the New Forex Binary Options Strategy Gives People New Ways to Make & Save Money http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152166 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:27:12 EST Seasoned Forex binary options investors are jumping for joy over the new Forex trading site, AnyOption.
 
Seasoned Forex investors are developing a sophisticated binary options strategy with AnyOption.  With the sharp economic downturn that the world has experienced, more and more investors have begun to shy away from investing in common Forex strategies. It's understandable – some of the biggest companies in the world have suddenly failed during these tough times. Wise investors are turning their eyes to a new binary options strategy.
 
Forex binary options new strategy (www.AnyOptionn.info) are popular for a variety of reasons. The first reason is that Binary options trading on the Anyoption platform offers a payout of 65-71% if an option expires in-the-money and a 15% return if the option expires out-of-the-money (you may lose 85% of your investment). This makes it much easier to win in options, and it also makes it a lot less risky than other markets. Despite having a lower amount of risk than most other kinds of options, Forex binary options yield a very high return in most cases.
 
With Forex binary options, you can choose the expiry time of your options bet, and you can choose what assets you want to invest in. Moreover, unlike many other Forex binary options trading sites, AnyOption.com also gives you a 15% loss refund.
 
Sophisticated Forex investors are now calling AnyOption a powerhouse. AnyOption is one of the greatest ways to get incredibly high returns, and it's also one of the most popular investing platforms on the net. Signing up for this platform is very easy.  Demo accounts are also available. 
 
The creators of AnyOption are now inviting you to try out their services, as well as spread the word about this new trading platform and binary options strategy. With strong backing from seasoned Forex binary options investors from around the world, AnyOption is destined to be one of the most profitable platforms that investors can try.
 
For more information or to get started on the AnyOption Forex Binary Options Strategy go to: (www.AnyOptionn.info)

— WebWireID152166 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Banking / Financial Services Financial Markets WebWireID152166 Article Plaintiffs Win Again in Engle Progeny Tobacco Cases http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152156 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:32:46 EST On January 26, 2012, an Escambia County jury awarded Erskin Donal Ward $2.7 million against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and Liggett Group, LLC, in case number 2008-CA-2135, filed in the First Judicial Circuit, in Escambia County, Florida.
 
The lawsuit filed in the case alleged that Erskin Ward's wife, Mattie Emma Ward, died of emphysema after nearly 50 years of smoking cigarettes made by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and Liggett Group, LLC Philip Morris USA, Inc.
 
Erskin Ward's attorney, James Gustafson said that the jury verdict included $1.7 million in punitive damages against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
 
James W. Gustafson, Jr. of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley in Tallahassee, Florida, along with Matt Schultz of the Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Echsner & Proctor firm in Pensacola, Florida represented Mrs. Ward's husband, Erskin Donal Ward, now 76.
 
Mr. Gustafson stated that evidence in the trial demonstrated Mrs. Ward started smoking as a thirteen year old in rural Alabama in 1949, almost 20 years before the first warning labels ever appeared on cigarette packs.  Under the standard required by the Florida Supreme Court's "Engle" decision, the plaintiff needed to prove that Mrs. Ward was addicted to nicotine and nicotine addiction caused her death.
 
"The jury's work and patience in this trial showed," Gustafson said. "The verdict is not only a tribute to a woman who was a treasure to Pensacola and the special education community, but to the hard work the jury did to understand how much things have changed in the past 50 years--and the need to punish R.J. Reynolds for its intentional outrages, what they did to a generation of Americans, including hawking cigarettes to children.'
 
"Mrs. Ward is another tragic example of the best among us, someone who started smoking as a child decades before the warnings, and was killed by addiction to nicotine," said Gustafson.
 
Sources at the Searcy Denney law firm said that this verdict marks eight successive plaintiff's verdicts in Engle progeny tobacco suits by the lawyers for Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley.  "The industry keeps saying they're changing the legal landscape, that they have such powerful defenses to these cases.  When good people see the truth, those defenses are the same glass houses of deceit they always were." said James Gustafson.

— WebWireID152156 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Class Actions / Lawsuits Financial Markets Personal Services Tobacco WebWireID152156 Article Forex Trading Growing Rapidly In Popularity http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152095 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:52:37 EST To many people, the foreign exchange is a daunting international industry. Millions of people, including large international banking companies, participate in the foreign exchange industry, or Forex Trading, every single day.

"The number of people that are starting to trade different currencies across the globe is astronomical. It's absolutely unbelieveable," exclaims Robert Taggert, a founder of ForexTradingCheck.com. "Even though I'm heavily involved with the industry, it still confounds me to this day."

According to a survey by the Triennial Central Bank, there was approximately $3.98 trillion traded on average every single day. This number was only $1.7 trillion per day in 1998.

"People are starting to take a much closer look at currencies because of the Euro debt crisis and the long-term devaluation of the U.S. Dollar," Taggert says. "People are interested in profiting from this uncertainty, so they begin to look at different options in the Forex Trading industry."

Although the big banks are heavily involved in the Forex Trading industry, small players can invest small amounts of money with various trading companies in the industry and use leverage to increase their profit.

"Using a lot of leverage is risky, but going with an unreputable Forex Trading company is much riskier," warns Taggert. "You need to know what companies to use, and what strategies to follow. Some people lose their shirt, but it's often a result of risky trading practices. Other people win big."

You can find additional information about Forex Trading and the most reputable companies at http://ForexTradingCheck.com.

— WebWireID152095 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Banking / Financial Services Electronic / Internet Commerce Financial Markets OTC / SmallCap WebWireID152095 Article Europe Could Recover Its Dynamism, Says British Prime Minister David Cameron http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152021 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:42:46 EST - Resolving the Eurozone crisis is the most urgent question facing Europe
- Vital progress has been made, but Europe needs tough fiscal discipline, bold action and real political will
- The theme of the 42nd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models. For more information, visit http://wef.ch/Davos

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland – Despite the uncertainty sweeping across the European Union, British Prime Minister David Cameron was bullish about the prospects for resolving the current Eurozone crisis. 'Europe could recover its dynamism. I still believe we can. But only if we are bold. Only if we fight for our prosperity ... [and if we] get to grips with the debt,' he said.

The Prime Minister called for bold decisions on deregulation, on opening up the Single Market, on innovation and trade, and to address the 'fundamental issues' at the heart of the Eurozone crisis. 'All of these decisions lie in our own hands. They are the test of Europe's leaders in the months ahead. ... The problems we face are man-made and with bold action and real political will we can fix them,' the Prime Minister urged.

Short-term issues must be dealt with. 'Greece, banks and the firewall. If you do all those three things together quickly, you would ease the sense of the crisis. For 2012, that would make a clear difference,' he advised. Cameron's remarks came on the heels of pressure from the International Monetary Fund on Monday 23 January to 'bolster the firewall' around Italy and Spain as talks between Greece and its creditors have been mired in deadlock for a third week.

Cameron outlined the features common to all successful currency unions:

- A central bank that can comprehensively stand behind the currency and the financial system
- The deepest possible economic integration with the flexibility to deal with economic shocks
- A system of fiscal transfers and collective debt issuance that can deal with the tensions and imbalances between different countries and regions within the union.

'Currently it's not that the Eurozone doesn't have all of these…it's that it doesn't really have any of these,' he declared.

The Eurozone crisis calls for 'tough fiscal discipline', but the Prime Minister pointed out that this is a problem of trade deficits, not just budget deficits. 'It means countries with those deficits making painful decisions to raise productivity and drive down costs year after year to regain their competitiveness,' he said. 'That does not happen overnight and it can have painful economic and even political consequences. Nor is it sufficient. You need the support of single currency partners and ... a system of fiscal integration and risk sharing, perhaps through the creation of Euro area bonds to make that support work.'

Despite Britain's refusal last December to sign an EU treaty that would change the way the single market is regulated, Cameron said Britain is not walking away from Europe. 'Britain is part of the European Union. Not by default, but by choice. It fundamentally reflects our national interest to be part of the single market on our doorstep and we have no intention of walking away from it. We want Europe to be a success. … When that political will is there, we can make a decisive difference.'

The Co-Chairs of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012 are: Yasuchika Hasegawa, President and Chief Executive Officer, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Japan; Vikram Pandit, Chief Executive Officer, Citi, USA; Paul Polman, Chief Executive Officer, Unilever, United Kingdom; Alejandro Ramirez, Chief Executive Officer, Cinepolis, Mexico; Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer, Facebook, USA; and Peter Voser, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell, Netherlands.

Notes to Editors

Find more information about the Annual Meeting 2012 at http://wef.ch/Davos
View the best photographs from the Annual Meeting on Flickr at http://wef.ch/pix
Watch live webcasts of the sessions on Livestream at http://wef.ch/live
Watch the sessions on YouTube at http://wef.ch/youtube or Youku at http://wef.ch/youku
Ask a World Leader on YouTube: http://wef.ch/askaleader
Become a fan of the Forum on Facebook at http://wef.ch/facebook
Follow the Forum on Twitter at http://wef.ch/twitter and http://wef.ch/livetweet
Listen to the Forum Podcast at http://wef.ch/podcast
Read the Forum Blog at http://wef.ch/blog
Read Forum reports on Scribd at http://wef.ch/scribd
Follow the Meeting on the iPhone at http://wef.ch/app
Upcoming Forum events at http://wef.ch/events
Subscribe to Forum News Releases at http://wef.ch/news
Connect with the Forum at http://wef.ch/connect

— WebWireID152021 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Financial Markets Government Legal Issues Lifestyle / Society Politics WebWireID152021 Article Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler: 'There is no alternative to the euro' http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152020 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:37:48 EST Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler strongly advocates a common economic and finance policy in Europe at the World Economic Forum in Davos: 'From a global perspective, only a united Europe will be competitive in the long run.' Representatives from business, politics and science are meeting for the 42nd time in the Swiss winter resort to discuss a better future.

'The rescue of the euro is currently the decisive topic, not just for us Europeans, but for many regions with close economic ties to us,' emphasizes Stadler. The Audi chairman does not consider solving the crisis to be the responsibility of politics alone. What is needed now more than ever is responsible, future-oriented and sustainable business activity to bolster mutual trust within Europe and to consolidate the European national economies. 'We need a strong European economic region if we are to be competitive from a global perspective. There is no alternative to the euro,' says Stadler.

Audi established the Audi Urban Future Initiative in 2011 to identify and promote pathways to a sustainable and responsible future. At the World Economic Forum, the company is therefore presenting new ideas that architects, urban planners, politicians and energy suppliers have developed for the urban mobility of the future at this interdisciplinary exchange in the Audi Lounge – CO2-neutral, networked with the surroundings and driverless, if necessary.

The Audi A2 concept technology study on display in the Audi Pavilion at Lake Davos also offers a tangible peek at the electric mobility in the megacities of the future. Participants in the Forum can also experience the new driving feeling for themselves. The Audi A6 Avant hybrid and the Audi A3 e-tron, for example, are available for test drives at the Audi Pavilion. Under the watchful eye of instructors from the Audi driving experience, they will also have the opportunity to test and improve their driving skills on snow and ice in, among other vehicles, one of six Audi Q5 hybrid quattro models provided by Audi.

Audi has been the exclusive shuttle partner of the World Economic Forum since 1987. This year's fleet once again fulfills the strict guidelines of the 'Towards a Greener Davos' initiative. With emissions of 171 g CO2/km, the Audi sedans are well below the limit of 200 g CO2/km set for Davos. The company is providing a total of 86 Audi A8 L and 13 armored high-security vehicles for the shuttle service in Davos.

— WebWireID152020 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Automotive Financial Markets Government Politics WebWireID152020 Article JWT acquires majority stake in Jordanian marketing communications company http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151988 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:10:52 EST WPP announces that JWT, its wholly-owned global advertising and communications company, has acquired 51% of the shares in the capital of a newly incorporated Jordanian company which will acquire the assets of IDEA, a full service marketing communications company in Amman, Jordan, which has been JWT's affiliate for the past 7 years. The new company will trade under the name JWT Jordan.

Based in Amman, Jordan, JWT Jordan is a full service marketing communications company with capabilities including strategic planning, advertising, digital marketing, activation and advocacy communications. The agency employs 27 people and major clients include HSBC, Zain Telecom and Nokia.

JWT Jordan's unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December 2011 were US$1.35 million.

This investment continues WPP's strategy of developing its services in fast-growing markets and sectors. WPP companies (including associates) employ 3,500 people in the Middle East generating revenues of nearly US$400 million.

— WebWireID151988 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Advertising / Marketing Business Announcements Financial Markets Publishing / Information Services WebWireID151988 Article Young Americans Recognize The Impact Of Innovation On U.S. Economy And Personal Lives According To New Survey http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151984 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:25:29 EST Cambridge, Mass. - The 2012 Lemelson-MIT Invention Index1, announced today, indicates that young Americans are acutely aware of the importance of invention and innovation in their personal lives, and within the context of the nation's economy. Yet most feel there are factors that would prevent them from furthering education in or entering inventive fields, posing a threat to the pool of future U.S. innovators and the country's economic prosperity.

A Threat to U.S. Innovation

The annual Lemelson-MIT Invention Index, which gauges Americans' perceptions about invention and innovation, surveyed Americans ages 16 – 25. When asked about how new technology like smartphones and tablets influences and impacts their personal lives, 40 percent of respondents said they couldn't imagine their life without it. Americans also have a clear understanding of the role invention and innovation play in the health of the nation with nearly half (47 percent) saying that a lack of invention will hurt the U.S. economy. Those surveyed, however, may not be the ones to take-on the challenge; 60 percent say there are factors that could keep them from pursuing an education or career in science, technology, engineering or math - fields that yield invention and lead to innovation.

Thomas Edison Chosen over Steve Jobs as Greatest Innovator

Though part of the 'Apple Generation,' many young Americans surprisingly chose Thomas Edison (54 percent) over Steve Jobs (24 percent) as the greatest innovator of all time, demonstrating that education around the history of invention exists in today's curriculum. However, it may not be strong enough to inspire young Americans to make the leap into innovative fields themselves. When asked what other factors would stop them from pursuing innovation-driving fields, nearly half (45 percent) said that invention is not given enough attention in their school.
Additionally, 28 percent said their education left them unprepared to enter these fields.

'Hands-on invention activities are critical, but few too many students have opportunities to learn and develop their inventive skills,' said Leigh Estabrooks, the Lemelson-MIT Program's invention education officer. 'This year's survey revealed that less than half of respondents have done things like used a drill or hand-held power tool, or made something out of raw materials in the past year. We must engage students in these types of invention experiences as well as provide a strong STEM education to drive future innovators.'

Driving Future Innovators

American youth feel that education is most in need of a new, inventive solution, more than other fields like healthcare, energy and finance. They also believe there are several ways to generate aspiring inventors by reforming learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. Fifty-four percent said including invention projects during school, or a creative field trip could be a solution; while 52 percent said simply giving students a place to develop an invention could do the trick.

Outside of the classroom, a majority (80 percent) expressed interest in education training courses to help them become more inventive and creative. Fifty-eight percent said an opportunity to participate in an invention-related national service co-op, such as a training program where aspiring inventors can 'shadow' working professionals in science, technology, engineering and math would encourage aspiring inventors in the U.S.

Joshua Schuler, executive director of the Lemelson-MIT Program, supports such ideas. 'These encouraging statistics show that young Americans have an interest in learning more about invention. At the Lemelson-MIT Program our mission is to celebrate and inspire invention. We invite communities to join us by giving youth access to role models and hands-on programs like InvenTeams to help them become more inventive in their personal and professional lives.'

Now in its ninth year, the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Initiative inspires and empowers youth to invent by engaging students in creative thinking, problem-solving and hands-on learning. Granted up to $10,000 each, InvenTeams create and pursue a yearlong invention project addressing real-world problems such as energy efficiency and disaster relief.


About the Lemelson-MIT Program

celebrating innovation, inspiring youth

The Lemelson-MIT Program celebrates outstanding innovators and inspires young people to pursue creative lives and careers through invention.

Jerome H. Lemelson, one of U.S. history's most prolific inventors, and his wife Dorothy founded the Lemelson-MIT Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1994. It is funded by The Lemelson Foundation and administered by the School of Engineering. The Foundation sparks, sustains and celebrates innovation and the inventive spirit. It supports projects in the U.S. and developing countries that nurture innovators and unleash invention to advance economic, social and environmentally sustainable development. To date The Lemelson Foundation has donated or committed more than U.S. $150 million in support of its mission. http://web.mit.edu/invent.

1 The 2012 Lemelson-MIT Invention Index survey was conducted by Kelton Research December 9-15, 2011, using an internet-based, multiple-choice format. The sample size of 1,000 respondents, ages 16-25, at the 95 percent confidence level would equate to + or – 3.1 percent margin of error had this been a random sample.*Please refer to the survey as the Lemelson-MIT Invention Index.

— WebWireID151984 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Education Financial Markets Higher Education Lifestyle / Society Youth / Children WebWireID151984 Article New Saxo Bank Financial Calendar Launched on TradingFloor.com http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151961 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:45:09 EST Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, has launched a new financial calendar covering major global macro-economic, corporate and geopolitical events. The calendar is available to all Saxo Bank group websites, but has a home on TradingFloor.com where there will be real-time updates of major event data.
 
TradingFloor.com is a market information and social portal managed by Saxo Bank. Members of TradingFloor.com, which is free to join, not only receive real-time data updates, but also have the ability to save several filters of events based on type (economic vs. corporate), geography and, within corporates, by sector. Other Saxo Bank group sites receive the same data but with a slight delay.
 
Saxo Bank's new Financial Calendar is one of the broadest available to traders around the world. Macroeconomic events from over 28 countries are covered, as are forthcoming corporate events for the constituents of more than 23 of the world's benchmark indices. Where possible, the information available includes estimates, forecasts and actual figures plus event descriptions and historic data.
 
'Our new Financial Calendar lives up to Saxo Bank's accomplishment of being one of the world's best online multi-asset trading venues,' says Hugh Taggart, Head of Content at Saxo Bank. 'There are many online calendars, but few are instantaneously updated and have the same breadth of information valuable to traders and investors who are increasingly active across asset classes. Of course, the calendar is another reason to become a TradingFloor.com member and is in line with Saxo Bank's strategy to make the site the best online financial market community.'
 
About TradingFloor.com
TradingFloor.com is a trading commentary, news and analysis web site hosted, owned and managed by Saxo Bank A/S. The site provides commentary and analysis on trading in the financial markets. Content is delivered in text and video format. The site's contributors and bloggers include economists, equity analysts, trading advisors and journalists from Saxo Bank, its clients and other reputable researchers and commentators. The website is embedded in all of Saxo Bank's trading platforms.
 
About Saxo Bank
Saxo Bank is a fully licensed and EU-regulated international investment bank, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded in 1992, Saxo Bank has risen to become a leading international investment bank and Internet trading provider to both private and institutional investors.
 
Saxo Bank is a leading online trading and investment specialist with a worldwide client base. A fully licensed and regulated European bank, Saxo Bank enables private investors and institutional clients to trade FX, CFDs, ETFs, Stocks, Futures, Options and other derivatives. The three specialised and fully integrated trading platforms; the browser-based SaxoWebTrader, the downloadable SaxoTrader and the SaxoMobileTrader application are available in over 20 languages. Saxo Asset Management accommodates high-net worth private clients and institutional investors. In 2010 Saxo Bank continued the diversification of its business with acquisitions of Saxo-ETrade Bank, a specialist in online investment, and Brørup Sparekasse, a Danish savings bank. The Saxo Bank Group is headquartered in Copenhagen with offices throughout Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia. Saxo Bank opened its Dubai office in 2009 and was the first Danish bank to establish its presence in the Gulf Corporation Council region.

— WebWireID151961 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Banking / Financial Services Financial Markets Multimedia / Online / Internet WebWireID151961 Article STM Group launches US specific QROPS for US resident expats - http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151966 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:41:32 EST STM Group has designed a new US QROPS scheme which we are pleased to announce has been approved by the Malta Financial Services Authority and recognised by HMRC in the UK as a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). This follows on from STM's recent success in resolving the Gibraltar QROPS crisis, and utilising the Prudential International range of funds to offer a zero entry fee lite QROPS.

The US QROPS has been set up specifically with US residents in mind and has been designed to interact with the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) that exists between Malta and the US which specifically deals with pension payments between the two countries in an efficient manner. When coupled with STM's commitment to no exit penalties (as with all STM QROPS) and free transfers between STM QROPS this provides a truly unique offering.

Whilst full details of the new scheme are being kept confidential for obvious reasons, it is STM's expertise on QROPS and the detailed knowledge of the US and Malta taxation system that has allowed STM to lead the way in providing a US QROPS solution.

Due to Malta's EU status, a Malta QROPS also offers some unique advantages over other jurisdictions and is therefore a welcome addition to the STM Group multijurisdictional QROPS Wrap.

David Erhardt, STM Group Pensions Director commented, "We are delighted to be able to offer clients and intermediaries a US QROPS solution. We believe that this DTA (1 of 59 that Malta has in place) has allowed this to become possible. The importance of DTAs should not be underestimated especially in light of the recent HMRC proposed changes."　For a confidential discussion about your pension, please contact STM Group on the details below.Or visit www.stm-qrops.com/usa-qrops and download your free guide to US QROPS.

— WebWireID151966 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Banking / Financial Services Financial Markets Insurance WebWireID151966 Article Site Offers $200 Forex Profit Predictor Bonus For Derek Frey's Program http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151948 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:26:15 EST There has been lot of feedback about John's Forex Profit Predictor program.  The program has only been released 2 days and already more than half of the memberships are already been claimed.  

For those looking for a Forex Profit Predictor bonus when they buy the program, John Barry of ForexProfitPredictorReview.org is offer a $200 cash bonus to anyone who buys it from his site.  Barry also says that he is giving away an iPad2 to one lucky winner.  On the website one can also find a Forex Profit Predictor review.

It's not every day that you see real money, real time trades rack up a 680% gain in the Forex, that's for sure.  Then again, this is the first time someone's traded using a rocket scientists formula to predict where the currency is headed next.

Forex Profit Predictor is a combination of unique mathematical formulas created by one of the foremost minds in the field, and John Halpin's actual and real money trading experience and development over the last 24 years that has set this system apart from all others.

This tool is definitely a very valuable addition to every trader's arsenal. Derek's testing of the application as it applies to the Forex(FX) market and tweaking of the program is what made it what it is today, a truly an amazing Forex predictor.

To get access to Forex Profit Predictor or to get the $200 bonus and review visit forexprofitpredictorreview.org.

— WebWireID151948 —

WebWire® | More Feeds

]]> Banking / Financial Services Financial Markets WebWireID151948 Article