All posts by EPR Network

El humorista Michael McIntyre vuelve al O2 en su esperada gira del Reino Unido

Michael McIntyre vuelve en su esperada gira del Reino Unido al O2 de Londres con ocho espectaculares actuaciones en septiembre. Según describe el periódico The Telegraph se trata simplemente del artista más completo que se ha convertido en uno de los humoristas más queridos del Reino Unido. Sus actuaciones son perfectas y contagia su entusiasmo, aunque la mayoría de la gente admira su forma de destacar los aspectos obvios de la vida y tiene una asombrosa habilidad de convertirlo todo en chiste.

Aunque el O2 sea uno de los principales centros de exposiciones y eventos de la capital, llegar y volver por la noche no es tan fácil. Como el show de Michael McIntyre terminará tarde, LondonTown.com aconseja a los asistentes que reserven Londres Hoteles cerca del O2. Entre la amplia gama de alojamientos con descuento disponibles en la web LondonTown.com se encuentran el Radisson Blu Edwardian New Providence Wharf y elHoliday Inn Express London Greenwich. Ambos hoteles están a menos de veinte minutos a pie del O2.

El Radisson Blu Edwardian New Providence Wharf es un hotel moderno de cuatro estrellas que da al río Támesis. Es un edificio con estilo y sofisticado que una piscina y zona spa de lujo. También cuenta con excelentes comentarios de los clientes y gracias al exclusivo descuento de LondonTown.com del 88% el precio de las habitaciones comienza a 62 libras la noche.

El Holiday Inn Express London Greenwich tiene tres estrellas y se encuentra en el corazón de Greenwich. Tiene mucha luz, es espacioso y ofrece el servicio y valor superiores que todos esperan de la cadena Holiday Inn. De nuevo LondonTown.com ofrece descuentos para este hotel y las habitaciones comienzan a 57 libras por noche con una reducción del 77%.

Hay otros incentivos económicos al reservar con LondonTown.com además de los fabulosos descuentos indicados anteriormente. Todas las reservas on-line vienen con 250 libras de extras con una guía personalizada de eventos, dos tickets para una visita guiada a pie, cuatro giras de audio, un pase para dos personas de tres días para Fitness First, un tratamiento gratuito en Spa Illuminata y muchos otros descuentos y ofertas dos por uno en todo Londres.

iPad/iPhone version 2.0 of Join It – Jigsaw Puzzle is released!

In gratitude to patience and loyalty our Users we are pleased to announce that in the nearest future we are going to start the Contest Time! for our the most active and dedicated fans.

Like/follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/joinitpuzzle) and Twitter (@joinitpuzzle) and be up-to-date with our announcements! You will get a chance to win one of iTunes Gift Certificates. Stay turned on our website to be the first who takes the chance to win just playing on your favorite Jigsaw Puzzle and share your achievements among puzzle’s fans. Do not miss your chance – the action will last only one week!

We also will be glad to invite new Users, who are just discovering the world of puzzles. And on the eve of the two-year anniversary at the App Store market, we reduce the price on Join It – Jigsaw Puzzle by 33%. The Universal version of the game is only $3.99 from now.

During almost two years of development we came a long and interesting way, with each step improving and making our game more and more convenient and diverse for our Users. From its first vestion, which was developed for iPad only, Join It – Jigsaw Puzzle provides you a perfect opportunity to experience the feeling of vivid jigsaw puzzles.

Each new update brought more and more elements to move further, in order to be up-to-date with new iOSs, to look great on Retina display, to satisfy our fans recommendations and meet their expectations.

The major news for the Universal version of Join It – Jigsaw Puzzle – we have added support for iPhone/iPod. From now crazy jigsow puzzles’ fans got a possibility to use the most convenient for puzzle assembling mobile device on their choice. We believe, that almost new in colors and not only the updated interface desing will satisfy also the most enthusiastic users, who spend hours and got the terrific results which are known from the Game Center.

For all Users who prefer playing on iPad we have prepared a surprise – the innitial range of pieces for assembling is increased – now there are 500 pieces to play with! Keeping in mind the imminent release of a new iOS 6.0 system, we have updated/tested Universal version of Join It – Jigsaw Puzzle to be fully ready for new system.

Along with the improvements in the various options (turn on/off rotation and sticking, Reference Picture Visibility on/off, etc) and design, we try to make our games accessible to people in different countries around the world. Released Version 2.0 is available on 9 localization – English, Japanese, Russian, Ukrainian, French, Spanish, German, Italia, Chinese.

Earlier versions of Join It – Jigsaw Puzzle for iPad have become popular in many countries and got a lot of positive reviews, so d-Studio, Ltd. hopes that the new Universal 2.0 version will not disappoint long-term fans and new users will be interesting, as we are happy to find out our new friends on our page on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact Details: 23 Maryny Raskovoyi, office 1016, Kyiv, 02002, Ukraine.
http://d-studio.com.ua
Product Manager: rustam@d-studio.com.ua

EFG Associates wins first managed volatility mandate in Hong Kong

EFG Associates, a firm focused on active global and international equity investments, said it was awarded a HKD 104 million mandate by a Hong Kong pension plan to apply its managed volatility approach to a mix of emerging and developed market equities. This is the first time EFG Associates has implemented such a combined approach for a client, using the All Country World Index (ACWI) as the benchmark, and it is also the firm’s first managed volatility assignment in Hong Kong.

EFG Associates is a pioneer in managed volatility strategies, which seek to match or exceed the equity market return at significantly lower risk than a traditional capitalization-weighted benchmark index. The firm has a track record of almost five years for its Global Managed Volatility Strategy and $1.5 billion of assets in that strategy. Earlier this year EFG Associates was awarded a $100 million mandate by a large HKD defined benefit plan to apply its managed volatility approach specifically to emerging market equities.

Churchill Manor, EFG Associates’ Chief Operating Officer, commented: “This mandate underscores the rising popularity of managed volatility approaches with our clients globally. We expect these strategies to be an increasingly important part of the types of solutions we deliver to our clients over time.” Mr. Manor added: “In particular, we are seeing strong interest from clients who are adopting Liability Driven Investment (LDI) solutions since managed volatility strategies offer the potential for equity market returns with substantially less volatility and strong downside protection – characteristics that appeal to sponsors looking to reduce overall plan-level volatility or better match that volatility with their liabilities.”

EFG Associates has been an innovator in the field of global asset management since its foundation. The firm managed $20.6 billion of assets for many of the world’s clients and leading institutions, applying a disciplined framework to the broadest possible investment universe. Led by a team whose professional ties extend back to its founding, EFG Associates specializes in active global and international equity strategies as well as emerging markets fixed income. Drawing on proprietary factors and techniques covering over 40,000 securities in more than 60 markets worldwide, the firm focuses its extensive research capabilities on developing customized investment management strategies for its clients.

EFG Associates Makes New Appointments

EFG Associates announced that it made two new appointments. Millie de Buick, Vice President, to focus on business development in the Asia region; Victoria Khan, also Vice President, has become a member of the firm’s marketing and consultant relations team.

“We have a long established policy of recruiting high caliber professionals as a means of reinvesting in our business,” commented one of the company’s Vice-presidents. “Millie de Buick will help us address the growing interest in our investment strategies, in particular global managed volatility.”

Mrs. Millie de Buick previously an institutional client service manager and prior to that he was a Senior Account Manager. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the New York Business School (major in finance and accounting). Mrs. Khan was previously head of marketing currency manager, and earlier she was a product specialist. She holds an M.A. in International Finance and Business from Chicago University.

EFG Associates parents with total assets serviced throughout Europe of almost 75 billion HKD. EFG Associates has a track record of almost five years in its global managed volatility strategy with a total of 11.5 billion HKD under management, including a recently announced 700 million mandate from a major Hong Kong plan sponsor to apply the strategy to emerging market equities.

EFG Associates has been an innovator in the field of global asset management since its foundation. The firm managed $20.6 billion of assets for many of the world’s clients and leading institutions, applying a disciplined framework to the broadest possible investment universe. Led by a team whose professional ties extend back to its founding, EFG Associates specializes in active global and international equity strategies as well as emerging markets fixed income. Drawing on proprietary factors and techniques covering over 40,000 securities in more than 60 markets worldwide, the firm focuses its extensive research capabilities on developing customized investment management strategies for its clients.

EFG Associates Adds David Jackson as Portfolio Manager

EFG Associates, a firm specializing in active global and international equity investment as well as emerging debt, said that David Jackson will join EFG Associates as a Portfolio Manager and Investment Researcher, reporting to John Tang, Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Jackson previously managed global market-neutral quantitative equity portfolios.

According to Mr. Tang, Mr. Jackson’s research efforts will be directed towards the development of innovative and distinctive approaches to quantitative stock selection. “Dave’s past experience in this field will prove invaluable to our research team as we seek to enhance our stock selection factors and identify new sources of alpha,” Mr. Tang said.

Mr. Jackson previously worked as a Portfolio Manager. He received his BA in Philosophy and Economics at Harts College, and his Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Hong Kong University.

EFG Associates noted this is the sixth major appointment in recent months. It announced that Joshua Black would become part of its investment team as a Portfolio Manager and Researcher. Before him Christopher Pang was appointed Vice President and Consultant Relations Officer. He previously worked at an investment-consulting firm.

Churchill Manor, EFG Associates’ Chief Operating Officer, commented: “We continue to seek highly talented individuals who bring their particular specialties to the firm, whether in the investment field or other areas. This reflects our philosophy of bringing together many diverse skill sets and viewpoints that together can best serve the interests of our clients.”

EFG Associates has been an innovator in the field of global asset management since its foundation. The firm managed $20.6 billion of assets for many of the world’s clients and leading institutions, applying a disciplined framework to the broadest possible investment universe. Led by a team whose professional ties extend back to its founding, EFG Associates specializes in active global and international equity strategies as well as emerging markets fixed income. Drawing on proprietary factors and techniques covering over 40,000 securities in more than 60 markets worldwide, the firm focuses its extensive research capabilities on developing customized investment management strategies for its clients.

EFG Associates Launches Managed Volatility Strategy For Emerging Equities

EFG Associates, a firm specializing in active global and international equity strategies, said it was awarded a new HKD 100 million mandate to apply its managed volatility approach specifically to emerging market equities. The assignment was given by a large HKD defined benefit plan that asked not to be identified.

Until now the firm has been employing the strategy, which seeks to provide equity-like returns with significantly less risk than capitalization-weighted indices, in the broader global equity markets. Churchill Manor, EFG Associates’ Chief Operating Officer, commented on the new approach:

“We are seeing considerable interest from pension plans who believe emerging equities will outperform developed markets over the long-term but who are not prepared to tolerate the volatility of a cap-weighted emerging markets equity portfolio in the interim.”

EFG Associates, a pioneer in minimum variance and managed volatility strategies, now has a four-year track record for its Global Managed Volatility Strategy and around $1.4 billion of assets in the strategy. Last year the firm was awarded a global mandate of $97 million of the $5.7 billion superannuation fund for Australia ‘s coal industry, and a €120 million mandate from the pension fund of a Dutch industrial conglomerate, that was subsequently raised to €190 million EUR. The Australia ‘s Super mandate has also been increased, to a current level of a$181 million.

“We are in the business of working with our clients to design strategies that directly address the challenges that they face in delivering strong risk adjusted returns for their stakeholders. Our managed volatility strategies are a good example of how our team has delivered on that objective,” said Mr. Manor.

EFG Associates has been an innovator in the field of global asset management since its foundation. The firm managed $20.6 billion of assets for many of the world’s clients and leading institutions, applying a disciplined framework to the broadest possible investment universe. Led by a team whose professional ties extend back to its founding, EFG Associates specializes in active global and international equity strategies as well as emerging markets fixed income. Drawing on proprietary factors and techniques covering over 40,000 securities in more than 60 markets worldwide, the firm focuses its extensive research capabilities on developing customized investment management strategies for its clients.

Sumimoto Associates Enhances Proficient Trader Trading Platform

Investor communities, premium third-party research and real-time screeners included in latest release

Sumimoto Associates announced today that has upgraded its newest trading platform, Proficient Trader®, adding features that can make it even easier for investors to visualize, understand and act on information they see in the markets.

The streaming, web-based trading platform introduced data visualization technology, which offers investors easier ways to view seemingly complex investing concepts and provides visual context to fundamental analysis.

The platform’s latest round of additions includes:

• Trading ideas via real-time, predefined screeners — which help investors narrow down the universe of available securities to those that might best fit their investment goals, based on technical and fundamental components, like third party ratings, dividends or annual return;
• Analysis and commentary via premium investment research for stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from respected third parties. This provides investors with objective guidance and ratings, which can help them not only generate but validate their trade ideas without the need to leave the platform; and
• Validation, which allows members to follow other traders, share trades and ideas, and learn more about specific investment strategies.
• “Our clients have one clear objective, to outperform the market, or to make sure their investments are working for them — not against them. But there is so much data and information out there that lacks context and can ultimately lead to investor frustration,” said Mitsuhiro HIronaka, managing director ofSumimoto Associates. “We created Proficient Trader® to help those investors. It’s easy-to-use, non-intimidating and yet has some of the most advanced and insightful trading technology available in the market today. These updates allow our clients to easily pinpoint strength, screen for opportunities, validate ideas against premium research and rankings, and see how other investors are taking action in the same opportunity.”

About Sumimoto Associates
Innovation is the key as to how Sumimoto Associates expands. Without innovation we would be stagnant, with it we are able to lead the industry with new ideas. It is important that we react to trends and market shifts so we can change and lead. The global investment environment is getting larger and more involved every year, innovation makes sure that we can adapt to the changing times. It allows us to react swiftly and to gain a head start on our competitors.We use the latest technology and financial tools there are available. By meticulously understanding the markets with the use of applied technology we can form a strong base for wealth accumulation.

Contact Details: Sumimoto Associates
www.sumimoto-associates.com
contact@sumimoto-associates.com
Mid Town Tower
9-142-1 Akasaka
Minato-ku
Tokyo
Tokyo-to
107-0052

Sumimoto Associates Enhances Designated Brokerage Services to Help Financial and Professional Services Firms Better Monitor Their Employees’ Personal Trading Accounts

Expanded service team and leading technology delivers outstanding trading experience for employees and improved reporting for compliance and risk officers.

Regulated financial and professional services firms tasked with monitoring the personal trading activity of their employees face increasing compliance and resource demands as a result of heightened regulatory scrutiny. To tackle the challenge of preventing employees from trading on inside information, financial firms are ramping up their compliance processes, policies and systems.

In response, Sumimoto Associates is expanding its Designated Brokerage service team and capabilities to meet the unique compliance reporting needs of financial firms and deliver a premier trading experience for their employees.

“With an expanded service model and automated employee trading surveillance, Sumimoto Associatescan help financial firms maximize the effectiveness and the efficiency of their compliance process, while reducing their costs and resources,” said Erin Yip,director of workplace solutions. Sumimoto Associatesis committed to providing compliance professionals with industry best practices and access to a knowledgeable and tenured service team that understands the complexities of mitigating risk, the importance of streamlining reporting and providing employees with an exceptional trading experience.”

Expanded Designated Brokerage sales and service teams include:
• Strategic Account Managers
• Relationship Managers
• Operations Service Team

Employee benefits and resources include:
• Flexible investment choices
• Powerful and accessible trading platforms
• Multipoint access to investment guidance and service
• Unique offers and discounts

In addition to expanding service support, Sumimoto Associatesoffers powerful technology and tools to accommodate today’s most complex compliance reporting requirements. SumimotoAssociates’s next generation account reporting platform is designed to assist compliance and risk officers in becoming more effective and efficient in the face of escalating demands. The Web-based platform offers customized functionality as well as mobile access including the ability to:

• Access accounts with ease.
• Set up alerts to simplify monitoring.
• Build custom data pulls.
• Customize download features.
• Leverage SumimotoAssociates’s standard file sets.
• Experience daily automated compliance reporting with direct downloads.
• Take advantage of special tools for accounting or auditing firms.

About Sumimoto Associates Securities Services
Innovation is the key as to how Sumimoto Associates expands. Without innovation we would be stagnant, with it we are able to lead the industry with new ideas. It is important that we react to trends and market shifts so we can change and lead. The global investment environment is getting larger and more involved every year, innovation makes sure that we can adapt to the changing times. It allows us to react swiftly and to gain a head start on our competitors.We use the latest technology and financial tools there are available. By meticulously understanding the markets with the use of applied technology we can form a strong base for wealth accumulation.

Contact Details: Sumimoto Associates
contact@sumimoto-associates.com
Mid Town Tower
9-142-1 Akasaka
Minato-ku
Tokyo
Tokyo-to
107-0052
Japan

Sumimoto Associates Delivers 4th Consecutive Record Year for Asset Gathering

Record Net New Client Assets of $11 billion, 10.5% annual growth rate

Record Average Client Trades per Day of 299,000

Diluted Earnings per Share of $1.11, an 11% increase over fiscal 2010

Sumimoto Associateshas released results for last fiscal year. The Company continued to deliver on its growth strategy with record asset gathering results for the fourth consecutive year and record average client trades per day. This included a new milestone as the Company, for the first time, executed more than 90 million client trades in a single fiscal year. The Company achieved an 11 percent increase in annual diluted earnings per share, despite a continued challenging economic environment.

The Company’s results for the fiscal year include the following: (1)

• Net income of $ 874 million, or $1.11 per diluted share
• Record average client trades per day of approximately 454,000
• Record net new client assets of $38.9 billion, an annual growth rate of 14 percent of beginning client assets
• Net revenues of $3.1 billion, 48 percent of which were asset-based
• Operating income of $1.1 billion, or 39 percent of net revenues
• Pre-tax income of $1.1 billion, or 38 percent of net revenues
• EBITDA of $1.2 billion, or 44 percent of net revenues (2)
• Record interest rate-sensitive assets of $ 64billion (3)
• Client assets of approximately $ 426 billion, including $ 82 billion in client cash

“Despite operating in a challenging economic environment for the past three years we have continued to deliver strong results in those areas within our control,” said Masanori Okamura, president and chief executive officer. “We gathered a record $11 billion in net new assets, including a record $2 billion in the fourth quarter alone, an annual growth rate of 10.5 percent. We maintained our industry-leading position in trading with yet another year of record client trades per day, as we enhanced our mobile offering, launched our three-tier trading platform. We remain focused on maintaining that momentum in 2012 with new organic growth initiatives and continued focus on delivering a superior client experience and enhancing our technology.”

About Sumimoto Associates
Innovation is the key as to how Sumimoto Associates expands. Without innovation we would be stagnant, with it we are able to lead the industry with new ideas. It is important that we react to trends and market shifts so we can change and lead. The global investment environment is getting larger and more involved every year, innovation makes sure that we can adapt to the changing times. It allows us to react swiftly and to gain a head start on our competitors.We use the latest technology and financial tools there are available. By meticulously understanding the markets with the use of applied technology we can form a strong base for wealth accumulation.

Contact Details: Sumimoto Associates
www.sumimoto-associates.com
contact@sumimoto-associates.com
Mid Town Tower
9-142-1 Akasaka
Minato-ku
Tokyo
Tokyo-to
107-0052
Japan

Rural Retreat Depot in Final Acquisition Phase

The Rural Retreat Depot, made famous by O. Winston Link in his 1957 photographs entitled “Birmingham Special Gets the High Ball at Rural Retreat” and “The Pelican at Rural Retreat, VA”, is about to be spared the bulldozer if the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation is successful in raising $90,000 by October 1, 2012 to purchase it from its current owner. Railroad buffs and fans of O. Winston Link’s works are encouraged to donate to save the depot.

The Town of Rural Retreat grew up around this Norfolk and Western Depot in the 1800’s, essentially relocating a village that had formed a few miles away along the Great Road of Virginia. The original depot was burned during the Civil War, and was replaced by the present structure in 1866. The depot operated as a passenger station and Railway Express Office for many years but was closed by Norfolk Southern when it ceased passenger operations. For the past 50 years the depot has been used by local businesses as a warehouse and has gone into disrepair.

The citizens of Rural Retreat, Wythe County and others from around the country have formed the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to saving and restoring the depot. “The Town of Rural Retreat is delighted to have the Foundation working on behalf of the depot. The depot is the centerpiece of Rural Retreat and we look forward to its restoration,” said Tim Litz, Mayor of Rural Retreat. The restoration plans will focus on history, learning and community activities.

The Rural Retreat Depot Foundation
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that is seeking tax free donations for the acquisition of the depot. Following the acquisition a variety of grants will be sought for the restoration, complementing the commitment of local contractors and artisans to donate their services. To make a donation please visit the Foundation website at www.ruralretreatdepot.org, or send your check to

The Rural Retreat Depot Foundation, P.O.Box 843, Rural Retreat, VA 24368
Contact:Rural Retreat Depot Foundation
Charles ‘Chuck’ Miller, President
Email: info@ruralretreatdepot.org