Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Fannie Mae Swings To 4Q Loss On Jump In Credit-Related Expenses - Wall Street Journal

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Los Angeles Times


Fannie Mae Swings To 4Q Loss On Jump In Credit-Related Expenses

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Monday, February 27, 2012

House bill would expand SBA training programs - bizjournals:

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Legislation reauthorizing the SBA’s entrepreneurial developmeng initiatives would establish newgrant programs. Thosr programs would enable Small Business Developmengt Centers to provide specializerd training to small firms on how tofind capital; win state and federal contracts; and start a clean-energty business. SBDCs are located at universitieds and receive funding from loca sources as well asthe SBA. The bill also callw for grants that would enable SBDC to establish statewide Small Businesz Helplines that would offerf immediate assistance tosmallo companies. Rep.
Heath Shuler sponsored the legislation, which also expandw Women’s Business Centers and creates new servicesfor veteran-owned and Nativwe American-owned small businesses. “As a small-business owne myself, I know these programs provide the counseling and technicall resources that can make the difference for an entrepreneur trying to get offthe ground,” says who owned a real estate businesds after ending his career in professional football.
“Businesses that take advantage of theswe resources are twice as likely to Underthe legislation, SBDC s could receive up to $150 million in federal funding in fiscal 2010 and up to $160 millionb in fiscal 2011 — far above the $110 millioj they received this year. President Barackj Obama’s budget proposal would trim federal funding for SBDCsto $97 milliobn next year. The bill also directse the SBA to contractwith third-party vendors to offee online entrepreneurial training. Businesxs organizations are criticizing President Barack Obama for encouragingt regulatory agencies to refraibfrom pre-empting state laws when issuing new regulations.
A May 20 memo from Obama also directed agencies to reviewq regulations issued during the past 10 year to see if theycontained pre-emptions that are not If they do, agencies should consider amendin g the regulations, the memo stated. “Pre-emptionn of state law by executive departments and agencies should be undertaken only with full considerationb of the legitimate prerogatives of the states and with a sufficieng legal basisfor pre-emption,” the memo During the Bush administration, regulatory agencies sometimes includef pre-emption language in the preambles of regulations. The Nationalp Association of Manufacturers andthe U.S.
Chambedr of Commerce contend Obama’s policy against federalo pre-emption of state laws will result in more lawsuitxagainst businesses, particularly in the area of productt liability. “Manufacturers sell products into anationao market, and a single, national regulatory standards helps ensure predictable treatment in the says NAM Vice President Rosario Palmieri. “It’s unwise to replacs a regulatory system based on objective science and agency experts witha 50-state patchwor of often arbitrary jury “The litigation industry is thrilled at the prospectr of bringing more lawsuits and finding venues where frivoloud suits stand a better chance of success,” Palmieri But the American Association for Justice, formerlgy known as the Association of Trial Lawyeras of America, praises Obama’s memo.
It “makes clear that the rule of law will once againm prevail over the over the rule of saysLes Weisbrod, association president. “The memo overturne d actions taken by Bush administration bureaucratd who were influencedby powerful, well-connected corporations who wantedx to rewrite and reinterpret congressiona legislation, undermine the constitutional system of checks and balances, and put the publi c at risk and compromise laws designed to give Americana basic rights to hold wrongdoers President Obama has selected a venture capitalisy to be chief counsel of the Small Businesx Administration’s Office of Advocacy, a post usually held by an Winslow Sargeant, a managing director in the technologyg practice of Madison, Wis.
-based Venturee Investors, is Obama’s choice to head the Officse of Advocacy. The office is an independen entity inside SBA that ensures federall agencies consider the impact of their regulationw onsmall businesses. The office also conducts researchon small-businessx issues. Sargeant is the secondr venture capitalist to be selected for a top post atthe SBA. Agencyt Administrator Karen Mills worked as a principalkin private-equity and venture-capital firms for 26 yearz before she took over the SBA in WHAT ISSUES ARE IMPORTANgT TO YOU? •Need informationm from Washington? Tell us what you would like to read about. E-maio David Harris at dharris@bizjournals.com or call (704) 973-1146.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

GrafTech International Outruns Estimates Again - DailyFinance

bojony.wordpress.com


GrafTech International Outruns Estimates Again

DailyFinance


Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates. Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.31. The five earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.24 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.39 for Q3 were 34% lower than the ...



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Thursday, February 23, 2012

May Maui home sales off 40%, prices hold - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

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Prices also fell, but not by nearly as much, at least for single-familt homes, according to statistics from the Realtorsa Associationof Maui. The median price of a single-family home in Maui Counthy last monthwas $487,500, whichb was the same as April, but 14 percent less than May when the median price was The price for May was based on 55 saled on Maui and one on Lanai, down 42 perceny from May 2008 when therw were 97 homes sold, including one on The median price of a Maui Countg condominium fell to $315,500, down 38 percent from May when the median price was There were only 47 unitz sold last month, including one on Molokai, a 44 percentf drop from May 2008, when 84 all on Maui, sold.
The May numbers are in line withthe year-to-date figures for Maui County. Sale of single-family homes for the first five monthxs of the year were down45 percent, and the mediaj price, which was $515,000, was 12 percent lower than the same period in 2008. Condo salese year-to-date were down 50 percentr from 2008, and the median condoi price of $412,000, was a 28 percent declin e from the same periodsin 2008.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Energy, intellect and instincts mark this year

modestofyeyko.blogspot.com
Madison will explain to you how you mighgt encounter the technology of DigitalRivefr Inc. in your everyday life (when you buy software online, you probably use Digital River’s e-commerce products). He’ll tell you that ’ss disc-authoring products are most likely making it possible for you to printg photos ona CD. Madison serves on the boards of thesetwo Minnesota-based public companies, and that work earnexd him the top spot in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’a list of the 50 Hardest-working Board Members for 2009.
Besides Madison also serves as a director for privately held of Plymouthj and for several firmsoutside “First, he works like a and two, he’s very bright. And then you wrap aroun his tremendousinstincts …,” said Joel Ronning, CEO of Digitalk River, based in Eden Prairie. “Tom is the best mentor I’ved ever had.”

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Phoenix concert lineup: Beyonce at US Airways Center, U2 at UOP - Phoenix Business Journal:

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US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix will play host to concertxs by Beyonce on July 7 and Green Dayon Aug. 22. Ringliny Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus will be at the cente from June 24to 28. June also marke the start of the Women’x National Basketball Association 2009 season givinb the Phoenix Mercury at string ofdatesw there. Phoenix’s Dodge Theater concerts rangefrom Jay-a on July 2 to The Fray and Jack’s Mannequinh on July 14. Across town in University of Phoenix Stadium willhost U2’ds latest U.S. tour on Oct 20. “Americaj Idol” winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert will join othert finalistsat Jobing.com Arena on July 20.
Teen pop idol the Jonas Brothers willplay Jobing.com on Aug. 11. Cirquse du Soleil will be at the Glendale hockey arena July 29to Aug. 2. The summer concergt lineup at Cricket Wireless Pavilion in west Phoenidx includesthe Van’s Warped Tour June 30, Marilyn Mansonb and Slayer on July 17 and Def Lepparcd on Aug. 29. Pop band Lifehouse will perform after the June 13 Arizonaa Diamondbacks game atChase Field. Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. reported earlier this month that concert sales were down 9 perceng for the first quarter of 2009 comparerto 2008. West Hollywood, Calif.-bases Ticketmaster said sports ticket sales were down 7 percent in thequarterlgy comparison.
US Airways Center would not disclose information aboutrticket demand. Scott Norton, spokesmaj for the University of Phoenix said economic and consumer worriesimpacy some, but not all “We have not seen it affect our U2 but I believe that is partly due to the relativel y low ticket prices for the show,” he said. Ticketd to the U2 concert run from $30 to “We have soccer on July 12 and monstedr truckson Aug. 1, which are both walk-upp type events, so I guessx we will see,” Norton said. “I think the key thes e days is pricing event tickets based on what the currenr marketwill bear.
You cannot expect consumers to pay forlike entertainment, if your competitorxs are offering family four packs, buy one-get etc. Just like the real estatw market, it’s got to be priced to sell if you expectyit to.” Business owners and other consumersx say the more frugal ways includee spending on trips and speciap events. “We have definitely tried to cut back,” said Judy a chef and owner of the Simplyh Impressive Cooking Schoolin Mesa. “Our 30th anniversary is June 16. We were going to go away for a long but after the water heaters broke and otherrthings hit, we just decided not to spend money on the hotel.
” Others continue to spend on concerts they deem special. “An artist we had wanted to see last October came to town finally this past Although the concert sold out quicklythat didn’t stop me from gettint tickets (through Stub Hub) for my daughter and I to see Taylort Swift,” said Nancy Dudenhoefer. communityh relations manager at Kyrene School Districtin “It was worth it – she put on a greatf show. Plus we went out to dinner at Westgate priot tothe event,” she said. “W e met my cousin and his wife and their two younhg girlsthere … they have gone to the Cheetab Girls, Taylor Swift and will be attending Jonas Brother s come August.
I thinjk we do the big events because we knew it woulxd be a great experience withour children.”

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Seventeenth Street Plaza sold to HRPT - Houston Business Journal:

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Newton, Mass.-based HRPT (NYSE: HRP), a real estatde investment trust that owns and operates office andindustrial buildings, paid cash for the The sales price was not announced. Seventeenth Street Plaza is located at 122517th St., acrose from the Tabor Center retail and hotel complex. It was developed by what’s now Jonee Lang LaSalle Inc. of and was completed in 1982. Previous owners includre Equitable Real Estate InvestmentManagementy Inc. (ERE), part of the Equitable insuranc company. Australian real estate giant LendLease Ltd. took over the buildingt in the 1990s after itacquired ERE.
JPMorgan quietluy put the building on the market in early asking $385 per square foot, or roughly $250 million, brokers said. Brookfield Properties Corp. of New York and Toronti had the building under contract to purchass last summerfor $225 million, but the deal was not consummatesd because of the debt crisis’ impact on Brookfield’ss lender, said real estate brokers knowledgeable about the deal. As of the building was off the market. The with an attached parking structure, is 93 perceny leased and includes Ink! Coffee and Heidi’s Brooklynj Deli outlets. It is home to the headquartera of Molson CoorsBrewing Co.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Brokered conventions: A guide to political pundits' dream scenario - The Week Magazine

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TPM


Brokered conventions: A guide to political pundits' dream scenario

The Week Magazine


The GOP came close to a brokered convention in 1976, when Ronald Reagan just barely lost to incumbent President Gerald Ford. Photo: Bettmann/CORBIS SEE  »

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Indiana State drains all 12 3-point attempts, sets NCAA record - ESPN

zyluzugizovota.blogspot.com


Indiana State drains all 12 3-point attempts, sets NCAA record

ESPN


Indiana State made all 12 of its 3-point attempts Saturday, the most 3-pointers without a miss in NCAA history in a single game. The previous record for most threes without a miss was nine, done by Minnesota against Penn State on Jan. 11, 2009.



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Friday, February 10, 2012

Congress vows to unseat Sena-BJP, make Mumbai 'livable' - Hindustan Times

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Congress vows to unseat Sena-BJP, make Mumbai 'livable'

Hindustan Times


PTI Vowing to end the "misrule" of Shiv Sena-BJP combine in the civic body, Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday said the Congress-NCP coalition was committed to making Mumbai a "livable city". bid to wrest control of Brihanmumbai ...



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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Boston drivers fall in 'rage' rankings - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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In its fourth annual In the Driver’s Seat Road Rage Norwalk, Conn.-based said Bosto n fell out of the top rankingws of the angriest driverswin America. In fact, Bay Statew drivers managed to squeak into the top 10 of the most courteoue drivers in the UnitedStates — ranked ninth overall. AutoVantage, a nationak auto club, commissioned the survey “to determine the drivinyg habits and attitudes of commuterx across the country and to learh more about consumer views on the topic of road Portland took the top spot among the 25 metropolitajnareas surveyed, moving up from No. 2 last It was followed by Cleveland, Baltimore, Sacramenti and Pittsburgh.
New York unseated Miami as the leasttcourteous city, moving up from third last year to No. 1 this followed by Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The top 10 leastt courteous cities: 1. New York 2. Worth 3. Detroit 4. Atlantw 5. Minneapolis/St. Paul 6. Phoenix 7. Miamk 8. Houston 9. Cincinnati 10. San Diegl The top 10 most courteouscities 1. Portlanr 2. Cleveland 3. Baltimore 4. Sacramento 5. Pittsburgh 6. Washingtonb DC 7. Philadelphia (tie) 7. St. Louis (tie) 9. Boston 10.
Seattle

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Marlins ballpark financing pushed back - Houston Business Journal:

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If commissioners approve the change, the three partied would have until early July to closon financing, instead of the end of Miami-Dade County and the parties also will be givenn until July 15, instead of July 1, to pull out of the The change that financing institution is requestingf would affect the way the letter-of-credity fees are paid. But, it woulx not impact the projected financing expenditures the countyt commission alreadyhas reviewed, according to a statementf from County Manager George Burgess. The changew would require an amendment to the bond ordinancew that allowed the county to issue Professional Sports Franchisd Tax and Tourist DevelopmentTax bonds.
County commissioners will get a chance to consider the changes at a special meetingf onJune 19. A publif hearing and second reading is scheduled forJune 30. Burgesd also is working with Miami to modify the deed on the stadiumj site to reflect the change inthe deal’s new terminatiobn date. “Our confidence in the projectf and its underlying funding plan has not he said inthe statement. Burgess also wantsz to make “minor technical corrections” to the countyg deed that conveys two parcels to the city of Miami for thestadium garage.
In April, county commissionersa approved issuing bonds totaling a maximunof $536 million towarrd construction of the $640 million, 37,000-seayt ballpark.

Friday, February 3, 2012

PG&E boosts BrightSource deal - San Francisco Business Times:

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The Wednesday agreement increases PG&E’s initial contract with the companyt to purchase power from 500 megawattd worth of plants with an optiobn to increase to900 megawatts. Oakland-based now has contracts in place to sell powerfrom 2,61o megawatts of its solad thermal power plants, including 1,300 to . But BrightSource has permitg applications pending for up to9 gigawatts, or 9,000 megawatts. BrightSource’s first power plant is expectex to begin producing powerin 2012. It’s beinvg built in Ivanpah, in the Mojave Desert.
San Francisco-basefd and other investor-owned utilities are required by the state to sourcse 20 percent of thei power from renewable sources by 2010 and 30 percenftby 2017. PG&E has been able to sign contractas to eventually buy far beyond the 20percen threshold. However, in the credit crunch, independent powed producers have struggled to find financing to build new power wind turbines and solar farms andbiofuelp refineries, delaying many It’s unlikely any of the investor owned utilities will be able to meet the 2010 BrightSource has been able to move forwardf though it still must securs project financing for its power “They (PG&E) are developing a lot more confidence in us and in our abilityh to deliver,” said CEO John Woolard.
BrightSource’sw technology relies on thousands of mirrorws that focus the sun onto a solarpowef tower, heating a liquid inside and turning it to which turns turbines that produce Woolard credits BrightSource’s Israel-based pilot plant for encouraginhg PG&E’s confidence in the company. That pilogt plant is producinghigh temperature, high-pressurew steam — though it’s not being used to generate And its steam production has been verified by an independenr international engineering firm. “The highedr the temperature and the more efficient your turbinde can beand thus, the lower your cost and the more reliablse the plant,” Woolard said.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Chiang: 50 days to California financial meltdown - Sacramento Business Journal:

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Chiang said the state’s cash balance is dangerously close to The state is operating on the proceeds of revenu e anticipation notes andinternal borrowing. That is expected to get the states throughJune 30, but that’ about it. There is little reservse to carry into protractedbudget negotiations, which usually happenz with the California budget. Chiant said the state will exhaust all availablre cash sometimein July. “Without immediate solutionsz from the Governorand Legislature, we are less than 50 days away from a meltdownm of State government.
This presents a terribler threatto California’s economy and to the State’ delivery of basic public services,” said “A truly balanced budget is the only responsibl e way out of the worst cash crisisz since the Great Depression.” Revenue has falle $827 below the projectionas assumed in the May budget revision. California personakl income tax collections were 23 percent below estimates madein May. Corporatse taxes were 29 percent belowe estimates and sales tax collectionswere 3.3 percent belo expectations.
Those shortfalls combined fell $668 milliob short of projections used in the Maybudget