Category Archives: Business

Business, Financial

Two Years After the Flash Crash, High Frequency Firms on the Move: The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 Warsaw

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Edgar Perez, Presenting The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 Warsaw, Poland, “How Algorithmic and High Frequency Traders Leverage Profitable Strategies to Find Alpha in Equities, Options, Futures and FX”, May 11, 2012.

(May 3, 2012, New York) — It was reported by Reuters that increased scrutiny by U.S. regulators and politicians of high-frequency traders is creating an incentive for them to move to less regulated markets inside and outside the United States, Duncan Niederauer, chief executive of NYSE Euronext. High-frequency trading had come under increased scrutiny since the May 6, 2010 “flash crash,” when the Dow Jones industrial average dropped more than 800 points in minutes, before rebounding. Some critics said high frequency trading exacerbated the speed and severity of the fall.

Niederauer said that another result of the increased scrutiny in the United States was that high-frequency firms were accelerating shifts to non-U.S. markets. “I don’t think the high frequency guys have left the U.S. market entirely, but I do think that they have shifted some of their volume to the less regulated market, which you have to say is a rational decision on their part.”

This rational decision by high frequency traders to move to other markets includes Poland. That’s why Edgar Perez is bringing The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 Warsaw, “How Algorithmic and High Frequency Traders Leverage Profitable Strategies to Find Alpha in Equities, Options, Futures and FX” (http://www.TheSpeedTradersWorkshop.com) on May 11 to the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Perez is widely regarded as the preeminent expert in the specialized area of high-frequency trading; he is the author of The Speed Traders, An Insider’s Look at the New High-Frequency Trading Phenomenon That is Transforming the Investing World (http://www.TheSpeedTraders.com), published by McGraw-Hill Inc. (2011).

The Speed Traders Workshop 2012 Warsaw reveals how high-frequency trading players are succeeding in the global markets and driving the development of algorithmic trading at breakneck speeds from the U.S. and Europe to India, Singapore and Brazil.

Perez has been featured on CNBC Cash Flow (with Oriel Morrison), CNBC Squawk Box (with Geoff Cutmore), BNN Business Day (with Kim Parlee), TheStreet.com (with Gregg Greenberg), Channel NewsAsia Business Tonight and Cents & Sensibilities (with Lin Xue Ling), NHK World, iMoney Hong Kong, Hedge Fund Brief, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Dallas Morning News, Valor Econômico, The Korea Herald, FIXGlobal Trading, The Korea Times, TODAY Online, Oriental Daily News and Business Times.

Perez has been engaged to present to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, CFA Singapore, Hong Kong Securities Institute, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University and Pace University, among other public and private institutions. In addition, Perez has spoken at a number of global conferences, including Harvard Business School’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Conference (Boston), High-Frequency Trading Leaders Forum (New York, Chicago, London), MIT Sloan Investment Management Conference (Cambridge), Institutional Investor’s Global Growth Markets Forum (London), Technical Analysis Society (Singapore), TradeTech Asia (Singapore), FIXGlobal Face2Face (Seoul) and Private Equity Convention Russia, CIS & Eurasia (London).

Perez was a vice president at Citigroup, a senior consultant at IBM, and a consultant at McKinsey & Co. in New York City. Perez has an undergraduate degree from Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima, Peru (1994), a Master of Administration from Universidad ESAN, Lima, Peru (1997) and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School, New York, with a dual major in Finance and Management (2002). He belongs to the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Perez resides in the New York City area and is an accomplished salsa and hustle dancer.

Contact:
Julia Petrova
Media Relations Coordinator
The Speed Traders
516-761-4712
jpetrova@thespeedtraders.com
http://www.thespeedtraders.com

Business

FRA supports Re-Emergence of Finnish Forestry

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The Finnish forestry industry is on the up once more, according to FRA, whose outlook is backed by a new study.

Seattle, United States, May 3, 2012 — The Finnish forestry industry is on the up once more, according to Forestry Research Associates (FRA), whose outlook is backed by a new study.

FRA is a research and analysis consultancy, specialising in forestry and timberland investments. It claims that, after a period of downturn, the forestry industry in Finland is ripe for investment once more.

FRA’s view on the state of the industry in the Scandinavian country reflects the general outlook within Finland itself, according to a research report commissioned the Finnish Forest Association. The report found that the general confidence in the industry is returning after a tough few years.

Some 76 per cent of those questioned said they felt confident in Finland’s forestry industry’s international competitiveness. This was up from just 61 per cent who said the same back in 2007.

There was also a discovery that three quarters of the people questioned agreed that forestry by-products should be increasingly used in biomass power stations to generate energy.

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, said, “We very much welcome the news that the outlook among Finland’s forestry industry is more positive than it has been in recent years.

“We hope that this signifies the start of a new period of prosperity for the industry and that investors will be drawn to the asset class as an alternative to stocks and shares.”

FRA supports investment in forestry as an asset class and claims that it has regularly outperformed equities over the past ten years or so. Collins added, “With the increasingly volatile nature of traditional investments, it’s no wonder that wise investors are looking for new places to invest their cash.”

FRA supports timber investments through sustainable plantations that provide the chance for investors to buy up areas of forest and support the forestry industry and the communities that rely on it.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

Investing in whisky can pay off claims AAA

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Although the wine investment market is going through a tough spell at the moment, investing in whisky could still be worth considering for those who want to turn a hobby into a money-spinner, according to AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, May 3, 2012 — Although the wine investment market is going through a tough spell at the moment, investing in whisky could still be worth considering for those who want to turn a hobby into a money-spinner, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that there is money to be made from investing in rare Scotch and other whiskies, that could grow in value over the coming years. AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained: “many of us are looking for a true alternative investment strategy, which will leave us clear to avoid dealing with stocks, shares banks and bonds. Whisky could be the answer.”

One of the major draws for whisky investors is rare one-off releases, such as John Walker and Sons Diamond Jubilee Whisky, which is priced at £100,000. Although this does come at a high price, the exclusivity of this asset could prove its winning characteristic in a few years time, claims Mr Johnson.

This is not based on rumour, but on fact. “The top-performing ten whiskies gained 400 per cent of their value between 2008 and 2011,” claimed Mr Johnson. Gains of 245 per cent were recorded for the top 100.

Some less expensive whiskies can also prove profitable and a little less risky, claimed AAA, which advocates a wide range of alternative investments. It added that single malts from producers like Macallan and Glenlivet can turn a good profit – particularly if you buy up some rare or older varieties, according to AAA.

As well as interest-based alternatives, like investing in art, wine, whisky, collectibles and real estate, AAA also promotes investing in forestry and timber. “Fast growing timber species, like teak and eucalyptus, can be grown rapidly and sold for a huge profit once the trees reach maturity,”explained Mr Johnson. Those interested in investing in such plantations can contact Greenwood Management about their sustainable projects in Brazil.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

Sustainability receiving Boost from Investors, claims FRA

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Forestry investors are helping to boost sustainability, claims FRA.

Seattle, United States, May 3, 2012 — Forestry investors are helping to boost sustainability, claims Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

FRA, along with a host of other experts, are claiming that the increased interest in alternative investments, and particularly ethical investments, is helping to boost the importance of sustainability around the globe.

A recent article in the Financial Times also highlighted how investment in sustainable real estate is also helping to boost the demand for green buildings, with more and more investors realising the benefit of putting their cash towards an ethical project.

“There’s no doubt that green investments are proving more popular these days, explained FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins. He added, “Investors are largely disillusioned with the state of economy and the fact that the banks held all the power for so long.”

FRA claims that the tide is changing and that investors are increasingly looking at ways to contribute to a more sustainable way of living and investing.

Forestry investment is one of the areas that has attracted a huge amount of attention in recent years. Investing in sustainable timber plantations offers a lower-risk option for investors who are keen to make an impact with their cash. “Investing in timber is less risky as you don’t have to harvest and sell your timber when your trees reach maturity – you can always hang onto them and watch them continue to grow until the price is right,” explained Collins.

This, teamed with the fact that timber demand is soaring in emerging markets such as India, China and Brazil, means that prices are set to rise in the coming years. “Investing in timber grown in Canada or Brazil through firms like Greenwood Management offers a uniquely profitable and ethical choice that will help investors get a taste of green investments for as little as around $15,000,” concluded Mr Collins.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

FRA welcomes Forestry Investment Program positivity

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Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burkino Faso have all given insights into their intended responses to the Forest Investment Program (FIP), claims FRA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, May 03, 2012 – Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burkino Faso have all given insights into their intended responses to the Forest Investment Program (FIP), claims Forestry Research Associated (FRA).

The research and analysis group said that reports from allafrica.com show that representatives from each of the three African nations have pledged to continue their support for the REDD+ scheme in exchange for funding under the FIP.

Speaking at the annual FIP pilot scheme meeting in Brazil, Burkino Faso’s officials said that the country maintains a strong political affiliation and support to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+). The country also pledged to improve synergies between the REDD+ work and other industries, such as agriculture and environment. It wants to invest in private sector forestry.

Meanwhile, both Ghana and Burkino Faso mentioned that they were finding management of stakeholders’ expectation a challenge.

The DRC said that it has made some headway in keeping track of investments under the scheme, through the launch of an online National REDD+ Projects register, which monitors the projects that are receiving the funding. However, it added that the private sector is still sceptical due to high taxes and complexities.

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, said, “We support the REDD+ program and are pleased to see that developing nations are still being rewarded for protecting their forestry industries for generations to come.”

FRA believes that schemes like the FIP and carbon trading programs help communities living in developing nations to realize and benefit from the value of standing forests. “This helps to reduce the reliance on non-sustainable forestry practices and underlines the benefits of managed forestry,” added Mr Collins.

Investors all over the world can do their bit to promote sustainable forestry and managed forestry by investing in plantation projects like those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

Kasasa Changes The Face of Local Banking in Macon

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BankFirst Financial Introduces Kasasa, a Striking Alternative to the Mega Bank Rollercoaster

Macon, Mississippi, May 03, 2012 – BankFirst Financial asks consumers, “Do you Kasasa?” as it becomes the first financial institution in Mississippi to launch the country’s most innovative financial products.

Kasasa® is a new brand of free checking and savings accounts that rewards consumers for using their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or digital downloads from iTunes® or Amazon.com. These accounts, combined with the personal service that only community financial institutions can deliver, are offering residents a better checking account option than the megabank experience.

“Consumers deserve to wake up to happier days of banking and leave behind the nightmare of megabank fees and mistreatment. We are pleased to be the first in Columbus to offer these unique products” said Gray Flora, EVP of BankFirst Financial Services. “Kasasa delivers what research shows people really want but believe they can’t have—great financial products with the personal service of a community based financial institution.”

BankFirst Financial is offering Three Kasasa financial products, including Kasasa Cash™, Kasasa Saver™ and Kasasa Tunes™. All Kasasa products are free, reward-based accounts, with no minimum balance to get the rewards, no monthly service fee, online banking and nationwide ATM fee refunds.

Kasasa Cash™- A free checking account that yields high interest for every month the account holder qualifies.

Kasasa Saver™- A free, high interest saver account linked to a Kasasa Cash checking account. The interest and ATM fee refunds earned in the Kasasa Cash are automatically deposited into the Kasasa Saver account when the account holders qualify. The balance in the Kasasa Saver account also earns a high rate of interest.

Kasasa Tunes™- A checking account that rewards consumers with digital downloads from iTunes® Amazon or Amazon.com when they qualify.

To receive the Kasasa account benefits, each monthly qualification cycle account holders are asked to do a few simple things (like, receive a monthly eStatement, use a debit card a minimum number of times, and have an electronic transaction such as direct deposit or ACH) post and clear their account. If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, BankFirst Financial will alert the individual, who will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

“Extensive research has shown us that consumers would prefer to do business with community financial institutions, but feel they would lose access to products,” continued Gray Flora. “Kasasa is opening people’s eyes to a new banking model where no sacrifices are necessary. It’s a win-win because account holders are rewarded with innovative products and personalized service.”

In 2009, Kasasa was piloted in six other markets across the U.S. In just the first two months of offering Kasasa, participating community financial institutions reported growth rates upwards of 150% on new account openings and 372% in deposits at institutions focused on deposit growth.

Kasasa is being introduced with an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. It comes to life through a fresh mix of eye-popping advertising, the likes of which exceed the typical megabank’s high-budget programs. The ads feature America’s top slam poets www.kasasa.com/news-and-media/advertising riffing lyrical threads around the theme of “Do you Kasasa?”

Kasasa is distributed to BankFirst Financial from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the megabanks.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit www.bankfirstfs.com or www.kasasa.com/BankFirstFS.

Do you Kasasa?
Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by rewarding them for ussing their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or iTunes® or Amazon.com downloads. Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit www.kasasa.com.

Contact:
Katie Weathers
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(404) 791-8245
kweathers@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business

FRA welcomes Timber investment article from Pictet-Timber head

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FRA is welcoming an article by Pictet-Timber fund co-manager Gabriel Micheli in Investment Week, giving tips to anyone considering investing in timber.

Bainbridge Island, WA, May 02, 2012 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) is welcoming an article by Pictet-Timber fund co-manager Gabriel Micheli in Investment Week, giving tips to anyone considering investing in timber.

Mr Micheli is keen to point out the potential returns that can come about as a result of opting for timber investments, which will be underpinned by real growing demand for timber products in emerging economies such as China and India.

He said that wise investors are “waking up” to the environmental “megatrends” in the market. These include the realisation that growing forests can provide communities with income as they provide potential for carbon trading arrangements. As a result of these arrangements, developing countries can make money from developed nations through carbon trading. This is possible because trees absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide from the air and therefore provide one of the most cost-effective means of reducing carbon emissions.

Mr Micheli added that investors are regularly seeing their returns from timber investment exceeding returns on stocks and shares investments. He points out that between 1990 and 2011 the NCREIF Timberland index returned 10.7 per cent each year. He claims that this shows that timber has a “key role” to play in any portfolio that is diversified against risk.

He claims that the demand for timber is coming from the nations that are desperate to get their hands on raw materials to continue their housing and infrastructure developments. At the same time, supply is not keeping up with the pace, which will drive prices up.

“Along with Mr Micheli, we are confident that timber prices will rise along with demand in the coming few years,” stated Peter Collins, the analysis partner at FRA, a research and analysis consultancy specialising in forestry investment.

He added, “Investing in sustainable timber growth, through firms such as Greenwood Management and Pictet-timber fund can provide careful investors with the chance to make a health return form an ethical investment –something that is not that easy to come by.”

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

Digital Assets Help eBook Distributor Become Global Leader

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First Edition Design Publishing continues expansion of their worldwide distribution list.

Sarasota, FL, USA – May 2, 2012 — “First Edition Design Publishing’s background as licensed Apple Developers and Microsoft Solution Providers, as well as our extensive technical digital assets, puts us in a perfect position as the leading Master Distributors for eBooks. We are unequaled in the number of distribution points that we submit books to and the speed in which we can do it. We are at well over 100,000 distribution points reaching over 100 countries,” First Edition Design Publishing’s CEO, Deborah E. Gordon said. “Efficiency is crucial and that is just one of our strong points.”

This week Ms. Gordon’s company added MBS Books, Textbooks.com, Feedbooks, OnlineBookPlace, SmartEbook.com, Starland Books and Eguidebooks to their distribution list along with three more Christian book outlets, Mardel, Parable, and Berean. They also further expanded eBook distribution in, Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and Spain through Google Play.

First Edition Design Publishing (http://www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com), based in Sarasota, Florida, USA leads the industry in eBook distribution. They convert, format and submit eBooks to Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Google, Kobo, Diesel, 3M, Ingram, Baker and Taylor, Nielsen, EBSCO, scores of additional on-line retailers and libraries, schools, colleges and universities. The company also has a POD (Print On Demand) division, which creates printed books and makes them available worldwide through their distribution network.

Media Contact:
Tom Gahan
First Edition Design Publishing
PO Box 20217, Sarasota FL 34276
631-369-0063
tgahan@firsteditiondesign.com

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Business, Internet & Online, Management, Marketing, Technology, Telecom

Make the Right Appointments with Voice Group

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Representing a great range of clients within a variety of sectors, Voice Group is one of the most respected brands in the call-centre industry. So from insurance firms to utilities companies, to financial and professional service providers, the team at Voice Group are able to use their wealth of experience to provide a variety of contact centre services that are applicable to the business and consumer marketplace.

These services include the Appointment Setting, which will create a series of qualified appointments for businesses. Voice Group utilise a tried and tested appointment generation process that guarantees that all meetings fulfil a pre-agreed criteria, go ahead, and ultimately generate a return for all clients.

The appointment setting team is supported by a dedicated and experience management resource, which includes additional training, quality control, account management, IT/MI, and general operational management. Voice Group also has the ability to source data and integrate additional marketing techniques, including SMS, email, and direct mail.

The target audience for the Appointment Setting Service is consumers, SME’s, and large corporate. Voice Group has spent years building a strong reputation with all of their clients, and are renowned for providing a quality service and proactive management, while meeting and exceeding clients expectations.

“Voice Group has recruited a varied team of experienced agents who are able to resolve all client issues,” said a Voice Group spokesperson. “We aim to assist all of our clients by utilising our specialist IT systems that are able to manage contacts and report and record calls. This enables us to help the process of appointment making and quality control.”

For additional information, please visit the VOICE Group website.

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Business, Human Resources

Engage PEO Selects ITCS as Premier Time and Attendance Solution

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Engage PEO has selected ITCS at its preferred provider of time and attendance solutions.

St. Petersburg, FL – May 1, 2012 — Engage PEO, a leading professional employer organization providing HR outsourcing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses, has selected ITCS at its preferred provider of time and attendance solutions.

“ITCS, via its WebClock suite of workforce management solutions, has extensive capabilities that address the needs of our clients, along with a uniquely vast level of experience within the PEO industry,” said Ralph Labarta, Engage’s chief technology officer. “The combination of ITCS’s proficiencies and Engage’s payroll, benefits and HR expertise, allows us to deliver a turnkey solution that spans seamlessly from time collection to paycheck distribution.”

“We have enjoyed great success across a broad spectrum of industries, by providing capable solutions ‘out-of-the-box’ and by providing configuration options and customizations when appropriate,” said Bill Flanagan, president of ITCS. “With a partner like Engage with its team of experts and rapid growth, it is important to support flexible solutions and be able to work cooperatively to address the client’s challenges.”

“Engage’s number one priority is to provide our clients with a truly premier suite of products and solutions,” added Jay Starkman, chief executive officer of Engage. “ITCS does just that with its best-of-breed, cost effective time and attendance solutions. We are excited about this partnership.”

About Engage PEO

Engage PEO delivers comprehensive HR solutions to small and mid-sized businesses, sharpening their competitive advantage. Comprised of the industry’s most respected veteran professional employer organization executives, certified HR professionals and attorneys, Engage PEO provides hands-on, expert HR services and counsel to help clients minimize cost and maximize efficiency for stronger business performance. The company’s superior service offering includes a full range of health and worker’s compensation insurance products, payroll technology and tax administration, risk management services and best-of-breed technology as part of an extensive suite of HR services. For more information visit http://www.EngagePEO.com.

About ITCS

ITCS is a leading provider of labor management solutions and web based time and attendance since 1998. The ITCS-WebClock product is “Simple and Easy to Use”, highly configurable and may be customized. The ITCS-WebClock is used as a SaaS hosted model or installed at the client site. Payroll is streamlined through the Web Punch and Timesheet Entry, Badge and Biometric Time Clocks, PDA, Cell Phones and Telephone interfaces.

Media Contact:
Sandra Fine, rbb PR
Engage PEO
3001 Executive Drive Suite 340
St. Petersburg, FL 33762
(305) 567-0535
kristy.kennedy@rbbpr.com
http://www.engagepeo.com