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SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Wohl & Fruchter Investigating the Acquisition of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by

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SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Wohl & Fruchter Investigating the Acquisition of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The law firm of Wohl & Fruchter LLP is investigating the proposed acquisition of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Optimer) (NAS: OPTR) by Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Cubist).

On July 30, 2013, Optimer and Cubist announced they had signed an agreement under which Cubist will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Optimer stock for $10.75 per share in cash - over 20% below the $13.29/share closing price of OPTR on July 30, 2013.


In addition to the upfront cash payment, each Optimer stockholder will receive a Contingent Value Right, which is expected to be publicly traded, entitling the holder to receive an additional one-time cash payment of up to $5.00 for each Optimer share they own - but only if certain net sales of Optimer's drug DIFICID® are achieved.

DIFICID is an antibacterial drug used to treat a severe form of diarrhea resulting from intestinal infections in hospitalized adults 18 years of age or older.

In April 2011, Cubist and Optimer entered into a two-year agreement under which Cubist has been co-promoting DIFICID with Optimer to physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare institutions.

According to Reuters, earlier this year, Cubist offered to buy Optimer for $20 per share, or nearly $1 billion - nearly double the price that Cubist has agreed to pay for Optimer in the current transaction.

Wohl & Fruchter's investigation concerns whether the Optimer Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties to stockholders by agreeing to sell the Company to Cubist for an inadequate price, and failing to adequately shop the Company before agreeing to enter into the transaction with Cubist.

Additional information is available at http://www.wohlfruchter.com/cases/optr.

Persons with relevant information, and Optimer shareholders with questions about this investigation, are invited to contact our Firm by calling 866.833.6245, or contacting the attorney below.

About Wohl & Fruchter

Wohl & Fruchter LLP represents plaintiffs in litigation arising from fraud and other fiduciary breaches by corporate managers, as well as other complex litigation matters. Please visit our website, www.wohlfruchter.com, to learn more about our Firm, or contact one of our partners.

This release may be deemed to constitute attorney advertising.



Wohl & Fruchter LLP
J. Elazar Fruchter
845-425-4658 or 866-833-6245
jfruchter@wohlfruchter.com
www.wohlfruchter.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Wohl & Fruchter Investigating the Acquisition of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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Will Sourcefire Fall Short Next Quarter?

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There's no foolproof way to know the future for Sourcefire (NAS: FIRE) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

A cloudy crystal ball
In this series, we use accounts receivable and days sales outstanding to judge a company's current health and future prospects. It's an important step in separating the pretenders from the market's best stocks. Alone, AR -- the amount of money owed the company -- and DSO -- the number of days' worth of sales owed to the company -- don't tell you much. However, by considering the trends in AR and DSO, you can sometimes get a window onto the future.

Sometimes, problems with AR or DSO simply indicate a change in the business (like an acquisition), or lax collections. However, AR that grows more quickly than revenue, or ballooning DSO, can, at times, suggest a desperate company that's trying to boost sales by giving its customers overly generous payment terms. Alternately, it can indicate that the company sprinted to book a load of sales at the end of the quarter, like used-car dealers on the 29th of the month. (Sometimes, companies do both.)


Why might an upstanding firm like Sourcefire do this? For the same reason any other company might: to make the numbers. Investors don't like revenue shortfalls, and employees don't like reporting them to their superiors.

Is Sourcefire sending any potential warning signs? Take a look at the chart below, which plots revenue growth against AR growth, and DSO:

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. FQ = fiscal quarter.

The standard way to calculate DSO uses average accounts receivable. I prefer to look at end-of-quarter receivables, but I've plotted both above.

Watching the trends
When that red line (AR growth) crosses above the green line (revenue growth), I know I need to consult the filings. Similarly, a spike in the blue bars indicates a trend worth worrying about. Sourcefire's latest average DSO stands at 108.9 days, and the end-of-quarter figure is 93.7 days. Differences in business models can generate variations in DSO, and business needs can require occasional fluctuations, but all things being equal, I like to see this figure stay steady. So, let's get back to our original question: Based on DSO and sales, does Sourcefire look like it might miss its numbers in the next quarter or two?

The numbers don't paint a clear picture. For the last fully reported fiscal quarter, Sourcefire's year-over-year revenue grew 21.3%, and its AR grew 46.6%. That's a yellow flag. End-of-quarter DSO increased 19.6% over the prior-year quarter. It was down 11.4% versus the prior quarter. Still, I'm no fortuneteller, and these are just numbers. Investors putting their money on the line always need to dig into the filings for the root causes and draw their own conclusions.

Looking for alternatives to Sourcefire? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.

The article Will Sourcefire Fall Short Next Quarter? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool recommends Sourcefire. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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This Metric Says You're Smart to Own CareFusion

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There's no foolproof way to know the future for CareFusion (NYS: CFN) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

A cloudy crystal ball
In this series, we use accounts receivable and days sales outstanding to judge a company's current health and future prospects. It's an important step in separating the pretenders from the market's best stocks. Alone, AR -- the amount of money owed the company -- and DSO -- the number of days' worth of sales owed to the company -- don't tell you much. However, by considering the trends in AR and DSO, you can sometimes get a window onto the future.

Sometimes, problems with AR or DSO simply indicate a change in the business (like an acquisition), or lax collections. However, AR that grows more quickly than revenue, or ballooning DSO, can, at times, suggest a desperate company that's trying to boost sales by giving its customers overly generous payment terms. Alternately, it can indicate that the company sprinted to book a load of sales at the end of the quarter, like used-car dealers on the 29th of the month. (Sometimes, companies do both.)


Why might an upstanding firm like CareFusion do this? For the same reason any other company might: to make the numbers. Investors don't like revenue shortfalls, and employees don't like reporting them to their superiors.

Is CareFusion sending any potential warning signs? Take a look at the chart below, which plots revenue growth against AR growth, and DSO:

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. FQ = fiscal quarter.

The standard way to calculate DSO uses average accounts receivable. I prefer to look at end-of-quarter receivables, but I've plotted both above.

Watching the trends
When that red line (AR growth) crosses above the green line (revenue growth), I know I need to consult the filings. Similarly, a spike in the blue bars indicates a trend worth worrying about. CareFusion's latest average DSO stands at 80.1 days, and the end-of-quarter figure is 78.6 days. Differences in business models can generate variations in DSO, and business needs can require occasional fluctuations, but all things being equal, I like to see this figure stay steady. So, let's get back to our original question: Based on DSO and sales, does CareFusion look like it might miss its numbers in the next quarter or two?

I don't think so. AR and DSO look healthy. For the last fully reported fiscal quarter, CareFusion's year-over-year revenue shrank 2.0%, and its AR dropped 11.0%. That looks OK. End-of-quarter DSO decreased 10.2% from the prior-year quarter. It was down 4.8% versus the prior quarter. Still, I'm no fortuneteller, and these are just numbers. Investors putting their money on the line always need to dig into the filings for the root causes and draw their own conclusions.

Is CareFusion the best health care stock for you? Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," including one above-average health care logistics company. Click here for instant access to this free report.

The article This Metric Says You're Smart to Own CareFusion originally appeared on Fool.com.

Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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The Chart That Says You're Right on Actuate

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There's no foolproof way to know the future for Actuate (NAS: BIRT) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

A cloudy crystal ball
In this series, we use accounts receivable and days sales outstanding to judge a company's current health and future prospects. It's an important step in separating the pretenders from the market's best stocks. Alone, AR -- the amount of money owed the company -- and DSO -- the number of days' worth of sales owed to the company -- don't tell you much. However, by considering the trends in AR and DSO, you can sometimes get a window onto the future.

Sometimes, problems with AR or DSO simply indicate a change in the business (like an acquisition), or lax collections. However, AR that grows more quickly than revenue, or ballooning DSO, can, at times, suggest a desperate company that's trying to boost sales by giving its customers overly generous payment terms. Alternately, it can indicate that the company sprinted to book a load of sales at the end of the quarter, like used-car dealers on the 29th of the month. (Sometimes, companies do both.)


Why might an upstanding firm like Actuate do this? For the same reason any other company might: to make the numbers. Investors don't like revenue shortfalls, and employees don't like reporting them to their superiors.

Is Actuate sending any potential warning signs? Take a look at the chart below, which plots revenue growth against AR growth, and DSO:

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. FQ = fiscal quarter.

The standard way to calculate DSO uses average accounts receivable. I prefer to look at end-of-quarter receivables, but I've plotted both above.

Watching the trends
When that red line (AR growth) crosses above the green line (revenue growth), I know I need to consult the filings. Similarly, a spike in the blue bars indicates a trend worth worrying about. Actuate's latest average DSO stands at 74.6 days, and the end-of-quarter figure is 64.1 days. Differences in business models can generate variations in DSO, and business needs can require occasional fluctuations, but all things being equal, I like to see this figure stay steady. So, let's get back to our original question: Based on DSO and sales, does Actuate look like it might miss its numbers in the next quarter or two?

I don't think so. AR and DSO look healthy. For the last fully reported fiscal quarter, Actuate's year-over-year revenue grew 0.2%, and its AR dropped 10.0%. That looks OK. End-of-quarter DSO decreased 11.2% from the prior-year quarter. It was down 25.0% versus the prior quarter. Still, I'm no fortuneteller, and these are just numbers. Investors putting their money on the line always need to dig into the filings for the root causes and draw their own conclusions.

Software and computerized services are being consumed in radically different ways, on new and increasingly mobile devices. Many old leaders will be left behind. Whether or not Actuate makes the coming cut, you should check out the company that Motley Fool analysts expect to lead the pack in "The Next Trillion-dollar Revolution." Click here for instant access to this free report.

The article The Chart That Says You're Right on Actuate originally appeared on Fool.com.

Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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The One Chart You Need to See for Cavium

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There's no foolproof way to know the future for Cavium (NAS: CAVM) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

A cloudy crystal ball
In this series, we use accounts receivable and days sales outstanding to judge a company's current health and future prospects. It's an important step in separating the pretenders from the market's best stocks. Alone, AR -- the amount of money owed the company -- and DSO -- the number of days' worth of sales owed to the company -- don't tell you much. However, by considering the trends in AR and DSO, you can sometimes get a window onto the future.

Sometimes, problems with AR or DSO simply indicate a change in the business (like an acquisition), or lax collections. However, AR that grows more quickly than revenue, or ballooning DSO, can, at times, suggest a desperate company that's trying to boost sales by giving its customers overly generous payment terms. Alternately, it can indicate that the company sprinted to book a load of sales at the end of the quarter, like used-car dealers on the 29th of the month. (Sometimes, companies do both.)


Why might an upstanding firm like Cavium do this? For the same reason any other company might: to make the numbers. Investors don't like revenue shortfalls, and employees don't like reporting them to their superiors.

Is Cavium sending any potential warning signs? Take a look at the chart below, which plots revenue growth against AR growth, and DSO:

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. FQ = fiscal quarter.

The standard way to calculate DSO uses average accounts receivable. I prefer to look at end-of-quarter receivables, but I've plotted both above.

Watching the trends
When that red line (AR growth) crosses above the green line (revenue growth), I know I need to consult the filings. Similarly, a spike in the blue bars indicates a trend worth worrying about. Cavium's latest average DSO stands at 45.1 days, and the end-of-quarter figure is 46.8 days. Differences in business models can generate variations in DSO, and business needs can require occasional fluctuations, but all things being equal, I like to see this figure stay steady. So, let's get back to our original question: Based on DSO and sales, does Cavium look like it might miss its numbers in the next quarter or two?

I don't think so. AR and DSO look healthy. For the last fully reported fiscal quarter, Cavium's year-over-year revenue grew 31.8%, and its AR dropped 4.8%. That looks OK. End-of-quarter DSO decreased 28.6% from the prior-year quarter. It was about the same as the prior quarter. Still, I'm no fortuneteller, and these are just numbers. Investors putting their money on the line always need to dig into the filings for the root causes and draw their own conclusions.

Is Cavium the best semiconductor stock for you? You may be missing something obvious. Check out the semiconductor company that Motley Fool analysts expect to lead "The Next Trillion-dollar Revolution." Click here for instant access to this free report.

The article The One Chart You Need to See for Cavium originally appeared on Fool.com.

Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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Some Numbers at TGC Industries that Make Your Stock Look Good

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There's no foolproof way to know the future for TGC Industries (NAS: TGE) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

A cloudy crystal ball
In this series, we use accounts receivable and days sales outstanding to judge a company's current health and future prospects. It's an important step in separating the pretenders from the market's best stocks. Alone, AR -- the amount of money owed the company -- and DSO -- the number of days' worth of sales owed to the company -- don't tell you much. However, by considering the trends in AR and DSO, you can sometimes get a window onto the future.

Sometimes, problems with AR or DSO simply indicate a change in the business (like an acquisition), or lax collections. However, AR that grows more quickly than revenue, or ballooning DSO, can, at times, suggest a desperate company that's trying to boost sales by giving its customers overly generous payment terms. Alternately, it can indicate that the company sprinted to book a load of sales at the end of the quarter, like used-car dealers on the 29th of the month. (Sometimes, companies do both.)


Why might an upstanding firm like TGC Industries do this? For the same reason any other company might: to make the numbers. Investors don't like revenue shortfalls, and employees don't like reporting them to their superiors.

Is TGC Industries sending any potential warning signs? Take a look at the chart below, which plots revenue growth against AR growth, and DSO:

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. FQ = fiscal quarter.

The standard way to calculate DSO uses average accounts receivable. I prefer to look at end-of-quarter receivables, but I've plotted both above.

Watching the trends
When that red line (AR growth) crosses above the green line (revenue growth), I know I need to consult the filings. Similarly, a spike in the blue bars indicates a trend worth worrying about. TGC Industries's latest average DSO stands at 52.2 days, and the end-of-quarter figure is 53.6 days. Differences in business models can generate variations in DSO, and business needs can require occasional fluctuations, but all things being equal, I like to see this figure stay steady. So, let's get back to our original question: Based on DSO and sales, does TGC Industries look like it might miss its numbers in the next quarter or two?

I don't think so. AR and DSO look healthy. For the last fully reported fiscal quarter, TGC Industries's year-over-year revenue shrank 5.7%, and its AR dropped 30.8%. That looks OK. End-of-quarter DSO decreased 27.4% from the prior-year quarter. It was down 6.7% versus the prior quarter. Still, I'm no fortuneteller, and these are just numbers. Investors putting their money on the line always need to dig into the filings for the root causes and draw their own conclusions.

Is TGC Industries the right energy stock for you? Read about a handful of timely, profit-producing plays on expensive crude in "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." Click here for instant access to this free report.

The article Some Numbers at TGC Industries that Make Your Stock Look Good originally appeared on Fool.com.

Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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The Chart That Says You're Right on Xerium Technologies

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There's no foolproof way to know the future for Xerium Technologies (NYS: XRM) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

A cloudy crystal ball
In this series, we use accounts receivable and days sales outstanding to judge a company's current health and future prospects. It's an important step in separating the pretenders from the market's best stocks. Alone, AR -- the amount of money owed the company -- and DSO -- the number of days' worth of sales owed to the company -- don't tell you much. However, by considering the trends in AR and DSO, you can sometimes get a window onto the future.

Sometimes, problems with AR or DSO simply indicate a change in the business (like an acquisition), or lax collections. However, AR that grows more quickly than revenue, or ballooning DSO, can, at times, suggest a desperate company that's trying to boost sales by giving its customers overly generous payment terms. Alternately, it can indicate that the company sprinted to book a load of sales at the end of the quarter, like used-car dealers on the 29th of the month. (Sometimes, companies do both.)


Why might an upstanding firm like Xerium Technologies do this? For the same reason any other company might: to make the numbers. Investors don't like revenue shortfalls, and employees don't like reporting them to their superiors.

Is Xerium Technologies sending any potential warning signs? Take a look at the chart below, which plots revenue growth against AR growth, and DSO:

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. FQ = fiscal quarter.

The standard way to calculate DSO uses average accounts receivable. I prefer to look at end-of-quarter receivables, but I've plotted both above.

Watching the trends
When that red line (AR growth) crosses above the green line (revenue growth), I know I need to consult the filings. Similarly, a spike in the blue bars indicates a trend worth worrying about. Xerium Technologies's latest average DSO stands at 56.9 days, and the end-of-quarter figure is 59.5 days. Differences in business models can generate variations in DSO, and business needs can require occasional fluctuations, but all things being equal, I like to see this figure stay steady. So, let's get back to our original question: Based on DSO and sales, does Xerium Technologies look like it might miss its numbers in the next quarter or two?

I don't think so. AR and DSO look healthy. For the last fully reported fiscal quarter, Xerium Technologies's year-over-year revenue grew 4.0%, and its AR grew 3.3%. That looks OK. End-of-quarter DSO decreased 1.8% from the prior-year quarter. It was up 2.4% versus the prior quarter. Still, I'm no fortuneteller, and these are just numbers. Investors putting their money on the line always need to dig into the filings for the root causes and draw their own conclusions.

Looking for alternatives to Xerium Technologies? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.

The article The Chart That Says You're Right on Xerium Technologies originally appeared on Fool.com.

Seth Jayson had no position in any company mentioned here at the time of publication. You can view his stock holdings here. He is co-advisor of Motley Fool Hidden Gems, which provides new small-cap ideas every month, backed by a real-money portfolio. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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BNP Paribas Q2 2013 - Interview with CEO Jean-Laurent Bonnafé

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BNP Paribas Q2 2013 - Interview with CEO Jean-Laurent Bonnafé

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BNP Paribas, one of Europe's largest banks, reports results for the second quarter of 2013. CEO Jean-Laurent Bonnafé comments on the Group's results.

Watch the video here:


http://www.eurobusinessmedia.com/BNP-Paribas-Q2-2013-Interview-with-CEO-Jean-Laurent-Bonnafe?utm_source=ceo-direct&utm_medium=bw

Topics covered in the interview include:

- Comments on 2Q 2013

- Simple & Efficient

- Cost of risk evolution

- Domestic Markets

- Other Retail Banking

- Investment Solutions

- CIB

- Implications of higher interest rates

- Asia Pacific Plan

- Business plan preparation

- EU Bail-in framework

- Basel 3 leverage ratio

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com) has a presence in nearly 80 countries with 190,000 employees, including 145,000 in Europe. It ranks highly in its three core activities: Retail Banking, Investment Solutions and Corporate & Investment Banking. In Europe, the Group has four domestic markets (Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg) and BNP Paribas Personal Finance is the leader in consumer lending. BNP Paribas is rolling out its integrated retail banking model across Mediterranean basin countries, in Turkey, in Eastern Europe and a large network in the western part of the United States. In its Corporate & Investment Banking and Investment Solutions activities, BNP Paribas also enjoys top positions in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas and solid and fast-growing businesses in Asia-Pacific.



BNP Paribas
Communication
Antoine Sire, +33 (0)1 40 14 21 06
antoine.sire@bnpparibas.com
or
Investor Relations
Stéphane de Marnhac, +33 (0)1 42 98 46 45
IRO

KEYWORDS:   United States  Europe  North America  France  New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article BNP Paribas Q2 2013 - Interview with CEO Jean-Laurent Bonnafé originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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OriginOil Granted Patent in Japan for its Core Extraction Invention, Files Latest Aquaculture Applic

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OriginOil Granted Patent in Japan for its Core Extraction Invention, Files Latest Aquaculture Application

Japanese recognition follows Australia's for company's pioneering Single Step Extraction™ invention; invention pace quickens with new aquaculture application

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OriginOil, Inc. (OTCQB: OOIL), developer of Electro Water Separation™ (EWS), a breakthrough water cleanup technology for oil & gas, algae and other water-intensive industries, announced today that it has received its second international patent for its algae harvesting technology from the Japan Patent Office.


The invention, titled "Systems, apparatus and methods of obtaining intracellular products and cellular mass and debris from algae and derivative products and process of use thereof," was issued as patent number 5284536 in Japan (see image) for a term of 20 years beginning in 2010.

The invention was previously issued as patent 2010239380 in Australia (see image) for the same term. The application has also been published by the European Patent Office (EPO) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

"This was when we first learned how to process algae for downstream applications, and we continue to be impressed with its continued relevance in all applications needing removal of organic particles from large amounts of water, including oil and gas," said Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil's CEO. "We have 19 active supporting patent applications in this area alone, and this remains a very solid foundation."

Separately, the company filed for patent protection of a technology entitled "Removing Ammonia From Water," for reducing or eliminating ammonia from water using a series of reaction tubes. This technology has application to continuous aquaculture and human sewage water treatment.

"I'm very pleased with the team's work on this application," said Nicholas Eckelberry, co-founder and chief inventor. "Jose Sanchez and Andrew Davies richly deserve to be co-inventors. With this team, I feel sure that we will continue to invent solidly in our area of utility."

OriginOil is currently prosecuting a total of 31 patent applications, of which 13 have been filed as international applications. For more information, please go to http://www.originoil.com/technology/intellectual-property.html.

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About OriginOil, Inc.

OriginOil has developed a breakthrough water cleanup technology for the oil & gas, algae and other water-intensive industries. Unlike other technologies, the company's patent-pending Electro Water Separation™ process rapidly and efficiently removes organic material from large quantities of water without the need for chemicals. For the oil & gas industry, OriginOil is helping clean up produced water and recycle fracking water, to reduce harm to the environment and lower costs. For the emerging algae industry, OriginOil is making large-scale harvest possible. And in aquaculture, OriginOil is helping improve yields and making seafood healthier by dramatically reducing the levels of toxic ammonia and bacteria in water. For a world short on clean water, OriginOil is the lower-cost and cleaner answer. To learn more about OriginOil®, please visit our website at www.originoil.com.

OriginOil Safe Harbor Statement:

Matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this update, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with our history of losses and our need to raise additional financing, the acceptance of our products and technology in the marketplace, our ability to demonstrate the commercial viability of our products and technology and our need to increase the size of our organization. Further information on the Company's risk factors is contained in the Company's quarterly and annual reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Abstract:

OriginOil granted patent in Japan for its core extraction invention, files latest aquaculture application and Japanese recognition follows Australia's for company's pioneering Single Step Extraction™ invention; invention pace quickens with new aquaculture application

Key Words:

originoil, originoil inc, ooil, origin oil, flow back produced water, frack, ectro water separation, clean-frac, algae appliance, riggs Eckelberry, invest algae, new oil, algae oil, renewable oil, algae biofuel, chemical free process algae, algae commercialization, algae harvesting, renewable crude oil, algae extraction, Japan Patent Office, patent applications, European Patent Office, EPO, PCT, Removing Ammonia From Water, eliminating ammonia, human sewage water treatment, Nicholas Eckelberry, Jose Sanchez, Andrew Davies



Press Contact:
Antenna Group - a Beckerman Company
Jerry Schranz
201-465-8020
jerry@antennagroup.com
or
Investor Relations OriginOil:
Tom Becker
Toll-free: 877-999-OOIL (6645) Ext. 3
International: +1-323-939-6645 Ext. 3
Fax: 323-315-2301
ir@originoil.com
www.originoil.com

KEYWORDS:   Australia  United States  Asia Pacific  North America  Australia/Oceania  California  Japan

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article OriginOil Granted Patent in Japan for its Core Extraction Invention, Files Latest Aquaculture Application originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Intuit Celebrates Small Business Passion with Multi-million Dollar Campaign Around Football's Bigges

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Intuit Celebrates Small Business Passion with Multi-million Dollar Campaign Around Football's Biggest Game

Company Teams Up with Bill Rancic, Jimmy Johnson to Give Small Businesses a Voice and Reward Them with the Ultimate Touchdown

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Intuit Inc. (NAS: INTU) is taking small business owners off the sidelines and putting them in the starting lineup. Its new program shares small business stories with the world and recognizes their contributions with more than $25 million in rewards and offers to help them succeed.


Intuit Small Business Big Game by Intuit QuickBooks provides small businesses a platform to give them a voice and inspire others. Intuit and the world will then determine which deserving small business should win the opportunity of a lifetime - their very own 30-second television advertisement that will air during football's biggest game on Feb. 2.

Intuit has been supporting small businesses for more than 22 years, and with Small Business Big Game it is shining a light on the 29 million small businesses across the U.S. and giving them resources that will aid in their success. Each participant will receive the Intuit Small Business Playbook and a special Intuit QuickBooks product offer as well as a chance to win other prizes including $1,000 grants, online advertising credits and advice from entrepreneur and program advocate Bill Rancic. They can also connect with, and learn from, other small business owners who have similar challenges and goals.

"Every small business has a unique story - and we want the world to hear it," said Brad Smith, Intuit's president and chief executive officer. "Small businesses account for 90 percent of the U.S. economy, but they rarely get credit for their tremendous impact. While one small business owner will score the ultimate touchdown, this program is one where everyone wins as it recognizes the contributions of small businesses and invites others to join the growing movement."

Intuit has drafted key players to help with the program. Bill Rancic, entrepreneur, author and reality television star of Giuliana and Bill, will provide expert advice and share his experience as a small business owner. Renowned professional football coach and two-time Super Bowl winner, Jimmy Johnson will help recruit small businesses to enter and motivate them.

"I'm all too familiar with the challenges small business owners face, as well as the joy of success that comes along with taking a risk and setting out on your own," said Rancic. "What I found is that you can't do it alone. Through this program, Intuit is truly championing and fueling small business growth."

Ready for Kickoff - How the Program Works

Starting today through Sept. 22, any small business owner who qualifies can visit the Small Business Big Game website to sign-up and tell their company story in 600 characters or less.

Just for entering, participants receive the Intuit Small Business Playbook - a tips and tricks guide on hot topics for small businesses. They also get an exclusive 30-day free offer for QuickBooks Online with the option to continue for 12 months at a 50 percent discount, including payroll and payments solutions. In addition, entrants will be eligible for random giveaways that include $1,000 business grants and autographed footballs by Jimmy Johnson.

During the week of Sept. 23, the businesses with the most votes from the public advance to the next round. They will then have the opportunity to tell the world more about themselves by answering questions about their business that also make them eligible for weekly sweepstakes. These include Facebook and Google advertising credits and a free year of QuickBooks Online. Among the many prizes in this round, one lucky winner will score a trip for two to New York, complete with tickets to the big game.

Then, on Oct. 28 approximately 8,000 Intuit employees worldwide will narrow down the competition from the top 20 small businesses to the final four, which will be announced on Nov. 11. Each of the four finalists will receive television advertising for their business including a professionally produced commercial, get to meet Bill Rancic and attend a viewing party of the big game in New York being held in their honor.

From Nov. 11 to Dec. 1 it will be up to people around the globe to vote and select which small business they want to see take the spotlight in February and have their story told. Whoever receives the most votes will win the grand prize and can expect to have their advertising broadcast during the third quarter of professional football's championship game.

To find out more information or to enter, please visit the Small Business Big Game website at www.SmallBusinessBigGame.com. To read the official rules go to www.SmallBusinessBigGame.com/Rules. To join the conversation, share on Facebook and Twitter using #TeamSmallBiz.

About Intuit Inc.

Intuit Inc. is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses; financial institutions, including banks and credit unions; consumers and accounting professionals. Its flagship products and services, including QuickBooks®, Quicken® and TurboTax®, simplify small business management and payroll processing, personal finance, and tax preparation and filing. ProSeries® and Lacerte® are Intuit's leading tax preparation offerings for professional accountants. Intuit Financial Services helps banks and credit unions grow by providing on-demand solutions and services that make it easier for consumers and businesses to manage their money.

Founded in 1983, Intuit had annual revenue of $4.15 billion in its fiscal year 2012. The company has approximately 8,000 employees with major offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India and other locations. More information can be found at www.intuit.com.

Intuit and the Intuit logo, among others, are registered trademarks and/or registered service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other countries. The Intuit Small Business Payroll Index is copyrighted by Intuit. Its contents may not be resold or modified in any way. It can be linked to and referenced with the following attribution: "Intuit Small Business Employment Index © Intuit Inc. All rights reserved." These Terms of Use supplement the Small Business Website Terms of Service at: http://smallbusiness.intuit.com/small-business/legal/index.jsp?_requestid=178246.



Intuit Inc.
Elisabeth Gettelman, 415-238-1915
egettelman@intuit.com
or
Access Communications
Jen Garcia, 415-828-2514
jgarcia@accesspr.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Intuit Celebrates Small Business Passion with Multi-million Dollar Campaign Around Football's Biggest Game originally appeared on Fool.com.

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Manchester United and PepsiCo form partnership in seven countries in Asia

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Manchester United and PepsiCo form partnership in seven countries in Asia

MANCHESTER, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Manchester United Football Club (NYS: MANU) today announced a multi-year regional sponsorship agreement with PepsiCo (NYS: PEP) in Asia-Pacific.

Under terms of the agreement, PepsiCo will become the Official Soft Drinks Partner of Manchester United in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei. PepsiCo will hold exclusive rights to use Manchester United branding on its products and point of sale materials within these markets.


Manchester United enjoys a combined fan base of more than 38 million consumers in these seven countries. Connecting this fan base to PepsiCo's strong portfolio of brands is expected to unlock new growth opportunities and further increase the reach and popularity of the Manchester United and Pepsi brands in the region.

Pepsi has a long and successful heritage in Football marketing, leveraging it as a platform to connect with consumers in relevant and engaging ways. Football is the number one sport in South East Asia and Manchester United, the number one club, has a strong 'home' in this region.

Throughout Manchester United's 135 year heritage it has grown to become the most recognisable and biggest sports brand in the world, winning 61 trophies and boasting a global fan base of 659 million followers.

Manchester United Group Managing Director Richard Arnold comments:

'Manchester United and Pepsi are two iconic brands and the Club is delighted to be teaming up with PepsiCo as our Official Soft Drinks partner in these seven territories in Asia. Our huge following in this region and the strong popularity of both brands within Asia-Pacific can only benefit our fans. PepsiCo understands what our fans love and through our partnership will be bringing them exciting promotions and incentives and getting them closer to the Club they support.

PepsiCo is an ideal partner for Manchester United because of its unique understanding of sports and inventive marketing initiatives. We're excited to team up with PepsiCo during this important time in our history and welcome this world-class company as one of our partners '

Mustafa Moussa, Senior Marketing Director for Social Beverages, PepsiCo Asia-Pacific comments:

'Sports represent a huge global platform for PepsiCo, and we're delighted to be teaming up with Manchester United in Asia Pacific. The combination of Manchester United's stature as one of the world's most iconic sports franchises and PepsiCo's portfolio of beloved brands will create exciting new opportunities for consumers throughout the region.

The partnership brings to life Pepsi's "Live for Now" positioning, which was launched in Asia Pacific in January this year. Working with the biggest names in sports and entertainment, we look forward to enabling consumers to celebrate their passion for Pepsi and Manchester United.'

ENDS

About Manchester United

Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth. Through our 135-year heritage we have won 61 trophies, enabling us to develop the world's leading sports brand and a global community of 659 million followers. Our large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and match day.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Our main businesses -- Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola -- make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world. PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo's promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment by conserving energy and water and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support and invest in the local communities where we operate. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.



Enquiries:
Manchester United Ltd
Kate Lowe,
+44 (0) 161 868 8427
or
PepsiCo, Inc.
Jeff Dahncke,
+1 914 253 3941

KEYWORDS:   United Kingdom  United States  Europe  Asia Pacific  North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Manchester United and PepsiCo form partnership in seven countries in Asia originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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KKH Selects Accenture to Improve Productivity by Standardizing IT Systems

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KKH Selects Accenture to Improve Productivity by Standardizing IT Systems

KRONBERG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Accenture (NYS: ACN) has signed a four-year contract extension with the Kaufmännische Krankenkasse (KKH), one of the largest statutory health insurers in Germany, to help deliver healthcare information technology (IT), training, application development and maintenance services.

"IT is vital for KKH to ensure that we use our policyholders' premiums in an efficient way and, at the same time, offer them the best possible services," says Dr. Ulrich Vollert, who leads the IT organization at KKH. "The IT system supports our business practices and enables better quality of services and improved cost savings."


Under the agreement, Accenture also will also help to implement and support the integration of KKH's accounting and document management IT systems, project management and IT developer training. The document management approach will include an interface that Accenture has help designed to align with KKH's existing in-house software and has helped enable data exchange between systems from a single platform. The document management system will enable KKH's employees to securely access information at multiple locations.

"We look forward to helping KKH implement a consistent, highly productive IT system," said Hans Aubauer, managing director of Accenture's health business in Germany. "Using Accenture Health Administration Services, KKH will improve business productivity with effective services that will support the needs of policyholders and employees."

Learn more about Accenture's Insight Driven HealthAccenture Health Administration Services and Delivering Public Service for the Future.

About the KKH

The KKH, with 1.8 million policyholders, is one of the largest German statutory health insurance companies It is considered to be one of the pioneers of innovative treatment models within the statutory health insurance system. Its more than 4,000 employees offer an excellent service, develop innovative health programs and support the policyholders in the development of healthy lifestyles. The total annual budget is just under five billion euros. Its main offices are in Hannover.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 266,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$27.9 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2012. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

Accenture Health Administration Services

Through Accenture Health Administration Services, we help payers and health organizations significantly reduce costs, increase enrollment and leverage new market opportunities. Our services combine management consulting, technology and outsourcing to help streamline functions and improve the performance of administrative functions.



Accenture
Uwe Schick, + 06173 94 698 19
uwe.schick@accenture.com
or
Accenture
Jenn Francis, + 1 630-338-6426
jennifer.francis@accenture.com

KEYWORDS:   Europe  Germany

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article KKH Selects Accenture to Improve Productivity by Standardizing IT Systems originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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New Canon VIXIA Mini Compact Personal Camcorder Offers a Unique Feature Set Inspiring Shooters to Be

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New Canon VIXIA Mini Compact Personal Camcorder Offers a Unique Feature Set Inspiring Shooters to Become the Stars of Their Own Videos

The New VIXIA Mini Compact Personal Camcorder Features an Ultra Wide-Angle Lens, Full HD Video, Vari-Angle LCD Monitor and Slim Ultra-Compact Body with Built-in Stand, and Allows for Convenient Hands-Free Shooting with Built-in Wi-Fi

MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the new VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder. The creatively designed VIXIA mini personal camcorder allows shooters to easily record their hobbies, special interests and memorable moments hands-free, and then share those videos and images on their favorite social networking sites or their own blogs via built-in Wi-Fi or via the free Canon Movie Uploader app*.


The VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder features an ultra wide-angle Canon f/2.8 fisheye lens (160 degree movies / 170 degree photos) allowing a user to shoot from unique and creative perspectives while including their surroundings to make their videos and images more interesting. By utilizing the Wide Mode users can give the viewer a full view of their surroundings and then switch to Close-Up Mode to provide emphasis on a particular subject. While in Close-up Mode, users can record a centered 1920 x 1440 resolution image with little distortion. They can also quickly toggle from one shooting mode to the other, or switch back and forth between video and image mode, by touching the camcorder's innovatively designed 2.7-inch capacitive-tilt touch panel LCD display. Attached to the camera by two parallel hinges, the Vari-Angle LCD monitor allows for various shooting styles, including low-angle shooting, normal and high-angle-shooting and self-shooting.

In addition, the camcorder's 12.8 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor combined with the Canon DIGIC DV4 Image Processor creates the Canon HS SYSTEM, allowing shooters to capture and record stunning Full HD video in MP4 format as well as jpeg still images to a removable microSD card, all in the exceptional image quality standard that the Canon line of VIXIA camcorders are known for. The camcorder's video image quality is further enhanced with the use of a Mechanical Shutter for the recording of moving subjects with little distortion. Beyond delivering high-quality video, the VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder also records high-quality audio thanks to its built-in stereo microphone. By using Audio Scene Select modes, users can choose an audio scene that matches their surroundings such as music or speech or even suppressing road noise.

"The new VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder marks the birth of an innovative video camera designed specifically for the social media savvy user," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "This uniquely styled compact personal camcorder allows users to shoot, view and share videos and photos of themselves enjoying their hobbies or special occasions with family and friends."

Tools to Become the Star

The Canon VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder comes with a feature set that puts the user in the driver seat, expanding their creativity, allowing them to not only be the director of their videos or images, but also the star. Mirror Image Recording/Playback lets users view the scene they are recording in real time so they can watch as they record. So whether they are shooting their latest blog post about cooking a favorite Italian culinary delight, or filming a practice golf swing to help perfect their back stroke, the VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder is a versatile and convenient tool.

New Special Scene Modes such as Food & Fashion, Sports, and Macro provide users with advanced presets to help capture impressive images even under difficult shooting conditions to prevent over/under exposure. For those looking to shoot in a fun and unique perspective, the camcorder's Slow Motion or Fast Motion modes provide imaging effects that allow creativity in controlling space and time. Slow Motion allows shooting video at a choice of two slow motion speeds - 1/4x (VGA) and 1/2x (720p) allowing viewers to easily see and closely examine video of dancers or other fast moving subjects. Fast Motion allows shooting at two fast motion speeds - 4x and 2x - ideal for speeding up footage of cooking, makeup, nail art, etc.

The camcorder's Smart Auto Mode allows the beginning user to capture those spontaneous moments with a touch of the screen. Smart Auto intelligently selects one of 38 predefined situations to give outstanding video and still image output.

The VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder comes with a built-in adjustable stand allowing users to tilt and elevate it up to approximately 60 degrees providing a new way to record video hands-free, and the camcorder's tripod socket also allows for flexible positioning of the device. And an automatic lens cover helps protect against scratches and dust when the camera is not in use.

Advanced Connectivity to Help Users Share Their World

Once a user has recorded their video blog, or a day at the park with the kids, it's time to share the video or images with friends, family and fans. The VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder comes with built-in Wi-Fi allowing users to quickly share their video and photos to social networking sites like YouTube and Facebook, or they can be sent directly to their PC. A user can also upload their video or still images taken with the VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder from virtually anywhere by downloading the free Canon Movie Uploader app onto their iOS supported device.*

The Live Streaming feature allows for users to view and record on their iOS or Android device when they download the free Canon CameraAccess2 App**.The Canon CameraAccess2 App is available for download on both iOS and Android supported smartphones and tablets. The Live Streaming feature also allows a user to control the VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder from remote locations.

Pricing & Availability

The VIXIA mini compact personal camcorder will be available in black and white and is scheduled to be available September 2013 for an estimated retail price of $299.99.1 An optional VIXIA mini carrying case and strap are scheduled to also be available September 2013 in black or white for an estimated retail price of $14.99.1 For more information, and a full list of product specifications, visit www.usa.canon.com/vixiamini

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $40 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYS: CAJ) , ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2012† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2013. In 2012, Canon U.S.A. has received the PCMag.com Readers' Choice Award for Service and Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the ninth consecutive year, and for camcorders for the past two years. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Availability and specifications of all products are subject to change without notice.

*This software enables you to upload images to social network sites. Before uploading images, please be aware that image files may contain privacy related information such as people and places. If necessary, please delete such information. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this software. Compatible with iOS version 5/6 or later for select devices.

** The Canon CameraAccess2 app is compatible with iOS version 5/6 or later or Android version 2.3/4.0 for select devices.

1 Prices are estimated retail prices and are subject to change at any time without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.



Editorial:
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Robert Luckett, 631-330-5205
rluckett@cusa.canon.com
or
Leigh Nofi, 631-330-3783
lnofi@cusa.canon.com
or
Canon U.S.A. website:
www.usa.canon.com
or
For sales information/customer support:
1-800-OK-CANON
ccenter@cits.canon.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article New Canon VIXIA Mini Compact Personal Camcorder Offers a Unique Feature Set Inspiring Shooters to Become the Stars of Their Own Videos originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 

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Bailed-Out Chrysler Thriving and Ready for IPO by Year End

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Chrysler 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.
AP
Chrysler Group, pumped up by the strong demand for its Jeep vehicles and Ram pickup truck, reported healthy second quarter earnings. Its CEO said the solid performance had the company poised for an initial public offering by the end of this year.

Chrysler reported net income of $507 million for the second quarter, up 16 percent from the same period a year earlier. The company said modifications it needs to make to the Jeep Cherokee and Liberty models to prevent fires will take a bite out of earnings for 2013.

CEO Sergio Marchionne, who also serves as CEO of Italian automaker Fiat, which has a controlling stake in Chrysler, said the company is preparing paperwork for its long-awaited IPO. "November or December would be the ideal time" for the Chrysler listing, said Marchionne.

Will there be demand for Chrysler stock? Auto stocks have underperformed the market the last two years except for Tesla Motors. And General Motors, which along with Chrysler was the beneficiary of taxpayer-assisted bankruptcy in 2009, has not enjoyed great demand for its shares until recently.

For more on Chrysler's fortunes, get the rest of the story at AOL Autos.

 

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Facebook Stock Just Pennies Shy of Hitting IPO Price Again

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Hand holding a smartphone with a Facebook logo in front of dollar bills, symbolic image for the Facebook IPO
Alamy
By Alexei Oreskovic

Facebook's (FB) stock on Tuesday came within a hair of reclaiming its $38 debut price for the first time since going public in 2012, a milestone in the social networking company's effort to wipe away Wall Street's skepticism of its business.

The stock has surged more than 40 percent in the past week after the company reported blowout quarterly results that showed Facebook's progress building a mobile advertising business. Shares of Facebook climbed as much as 7 percent to $37.96 in heavy trading on Tuesday, before settling back to finish the regular session at $37.63.

The social network, with 1.15 billion users, has never traded at or above $38 since the first few days after its initial public offering in May 2012.

Facebook's market value was cut in half in the months following the IPO as concerns about issues ranging from slowing revenue to massive insider selling made the Internet company's stock a Wall Street punch line.

"Most companies of that size don't re-accelerate their growth rate. Facebook's been an exception," said Aaron Kessler, an analyst with Raymond James. "I would say they're in better shape today than they were at the IPO price and the stock is still below that."

Facebook options volume was frenzied on Tuesday, as overall turnover was 3.8 times the recent daily average, according to options analytics firm Trade Alert. Traders on Tuesday exchanged 694,000 calls and 300,000 puts on Facebook.
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The most popular options were the weekly $38 and $37 strike calls expiring this Friday as most traders expected gains in coming days. One player liked the weekly $32.50 strike puts expiring on Aug. 9, which appeared to be bought 15,000 times for only a dime, said options strategist Frederic Ruffy.

Facebook's recent success building a mobile advertising business -- an area where many of its rivals have struggled -- and the online service's expanding number of daily users have won back investors' respect and confidence in its prospects. That has fueled a rebound in the shares, which are up more than 50 percent in July.

Facebook said last week its mobile advertising revenue grew 75 percent in a span of three months, trouncing analyst targets and delivering the company's strongest revenue growth since the third quarter of 2011. Many analysts raised their price targets above the $38 level following Facebook's quarterly report last week.

The second quarter results "were really a game-changer in terms of how Facebook is perceived on the Street," said Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson. "It was pretty close to the perfect quarter."

Facebook announced plans on Tuesday to help market and distribute mobile games on its social network in exchange for a cut of revenue that the games generate, raising hopes that the company could tap a new business. And many investors expect Facebook to offer high-priced video ads in the coming months.

Gradually Erasing the Doubts

Created in a Harvard dorm room by CEO Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, Facebook become the first American technology company to debut on Wall Street valued at more than $100 billion.

Facebook's IPO was to have been the culmination of eight years of breakneck growth for a company that became a social and cultural phenomenon. Instead, it was marred by a series of trading glitches on its debut, and the company and its underwriters subsequently faced accusations of pumping up the price and inadequate disclosure.

Facebook shares opened 11 percent above the $38 offering price on May 18, 2012. But a series of problems that plagued the Nasdaq Stock Market where the shares debuted contributed to a sharp fall in the stock after it peaked that day at about $45. It closed at $38.23, and on the following Monday shares fell through the $38 price.

By early September, Facebook's shares bottomed at $17.55.

The cool investor reception to Facebook and other consumer dotcom debutantes at the time, such as Groupon (GRPN) and Zynga (ZNGA), put a chill on the Silicon Valley IPO train.

"The question has never been do a lot of people go to Facebook. The question is how much revenue and profitability can Facebook derive from that activity," said Pacific Crest's Wilson.
"There have been many that have questioned whether or not Facebook would grow significantly, but Q2 kind of erased that doubt," he said, referring to Facebook's business.

(Reporting by Alexei Oreskovic; Additional reporting by Doris Frankel in Chicago; Editing by Richard Chang and Lisa Shumaker)

 

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The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Announces Consolidated Summary Report of Mitsubishi UFJ Finan

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The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Announces Consolidated Summary Report of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. under Japanese GAAP for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.:

Consolidated Summary Report < under Japanese GAAP >

for the three months ended June 30, 2013
Company name:     Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.     Stock exchange listings:     Tokyo, Nagoya, New York
Code number: 8306

URL http://www.mufg.jp/

Representative: Nobuyuki Hirano, President & CEO
For inquiry: Hiroshi Fukunaga, General Manager - Financial Planning Division / Financial Accounting Office
TEL (03) 3240-3110
Quarterly securities report issuing date:   August 14, 2013     Dividend payment date:     -
Trading accounts: Established
Supplemental information for quarterly financial statements:   Available
Quarterly investor meeting presentation: None
 
(Amounts of less than one million yen are rounded down.)
1. Consolidated Financial Data for the Three Months ended June 30, 2013
(1) Results of Operations   (% represents the change from the same period in the previous fiscal year)
      Ordinary Income   Ordinary Profits   Net Income
Three months ended    

million yen

 

 

%  

million yen

 

 

%  

million yen

 

 

%
June 30, 2013 1,317,382 9.8 420,646 23.5 255,287 39.6
June 30, 2012       1,200,343     (17.7 )       340,729     (43.3 )       182,917     (63.5 )  
(*)Comprehensive income
June 30, 2013:     265,548   million yen,   7.1%   ;   June 30, 2012:     247,840   million yen,     (62.5)%
       
   

Net Income
per Common Stock

 

Diluted Net Income
per Common Stock

Three months ended yen yen
June 30, 2013 18.03 17.96
June 30, 2012   12.93     12.89  
 
(2) Financial Conditions
  Total Assets

Total Net Assets

Net Assets Attributable to
MUFG Shareholders to
Total Assets (*)

As of million yen million yen %
June 30, 2013 234,081,703 13,682,265 5.1
March 31, 2013   234,498,701     13,519,655         5.0  
(Reference) Shareholders' equity as of     June 30, 2013:     11,849,951   million yen;     March 31, 2013:     11,736,617   million yen
(*) "Net assets attributable to MUFG shareholders to total assets" is computed under the formula shown below
(Total net assets - Subscription rights to shares - Minority interests) / Total assets
 
2. Dividends on Common Stock
  Dividends per Share
  1st quarter-end   2nd quarter-end   3rd quarter-end   Fiscal year-end   Total
Fiscal year yen   yen   yen   yen     yen
ended March 31, 2013 -     6.00     -     7.00       13.00  
ending March 31, 2014 -                            
ending March 31, 2014 (Forecast)           7.00       -       7.00         14.00  

(*1)

 

Revision of forecasts for dividends on the presentation date of this Consolidated Summary Report : None

(*2)

The information in the above table is only for dividends on common stocks. Please refer to "Dividends on preferred stocks" with regard to dividends on other type of (unlisted) stocks issued by us.

 

3.

Earnings Target for the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2014 (Consolidated)

MUFG has the target of 760.0 billion yen of consolidated net income for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014. (There is no change to our earnings target released on May 15, 2013.)
MUFG is engaged in financial service businesses such as banking business, trust banking business, securities business and credit card/loan businesses. Because there are various uncertainties caused by economic situation, market environments and other factors in these businesses, MUFG discloses a target of its consolidated net income instead of a forecast of its performance.
 
※ Notes
       

(1)

Changes in significant subsidiaries during the period: No

 

(2)

Adoption of any particular accounting methods for quarterly consolidated financial statements: No

 

(3)

Changes in accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and restatements

(A) Changes in accounting policies due to revision of accounting standards: No
(B) Changes in accounting policies due to reasons other than (A): No
(C) Changes in accounting estimates: No
(D) Restatements: No
 

(4)

Number of common stocks outstanding at the end of the period

(A) Total stocks outstanding including treasury stocks: June 30, 2013 14,160,338,420 shares
March 31, 2013 14,158,585,720 shares
(B) Treasury stocks: June 30, 2013 3,104,146 shares
March 31, 2013 3,411,544 shares
(C) Average outstanding stocks: Three months ended June 30, 2013 14,155,716,167 shares
Three months ended June 30, 2012 14,145,812,888 shares
 
※ Disclosure regarding the execution of the quarterly review process
 

This "Consolidated Summary Report" (Quarterly "Tanshin") is outside the scope of the external auditor's quarterly review procedure which is required by "Financial Instruments and Exchange Act". Therefore, the quarterly review process has not been completed as of this disclosure in the "Consolidated Summary Report".

 
※ Notes for using forecasted information etc.
 
1. This financial summary report contains forward-looking statements regarding estimations, forecasts, targets and plans in relation to the results of operations, financial conditions and other overall management of the company and/or the group as a whole (the "forward- looking statements"). The forward-looking statements are made based upon, among other things, the company's current estimations, perceptions and evaluations. In addition, in order for the company to adopt such estimations, forecasts, targets and plans regarding future events, certain assumptions have been made. Accordingly, due to various risks and uncertainties, the statements and assumptions are inherently not guarantees of future performance, may be considered differently from alternative perspectives and may result in material differences from the actual result. For the main factors that may affect the current forecasts, please see Consolidated Summary Report, Annual Securities Report, Disclosure Book, Annual Report, and other current disclosures that the company has announced.
 
2. The financial information included in this financial summary report is prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Japan ("Japanese GAAP"). Differences exist between Japanese GAAP and the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") in certain material respects. Such differences have resulted in the past, and are expected to continue to result for this period and future periods, in amounts for certain financial statement line items under U.S. GAAP to differ significantly from the amounts under Japanese GAAP. For example, differences in consolidation basis or accounting for business combinations, including but not limited to amortization and impairment of goodwill, could result in significant differences in our reported financial results between Japanese GAAP and U.S. GAAP. Readers should consult their own professional advisors for an understanding of the differences between Japanese GAAP and U.S. GAAP and how those differences might affect our reported financial results. To date, we have published U.S. GAAP financial results only on a semiannual and annual basis, and currently do not expect to publish U.S. GAAP financial results for the period reported in this financial summary report.
 
(Dividends on preferred stocks)
                   
Dividends per share relating to preferred stocks are as follows:
 
Preferred Stock First Series of Class 5 Dividends per Share
  1st quarter-end 2nd quarter-end 3rd quarter-end

Fiscal year-end

Total

yen yen yen yen yen
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2013   -     57.50     -     57.50     115.00  
Fiscal year ending March 31, 2014   -                          
Fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 (Forecast)             57.50       -       57.50       115.00  
 
Preferred Stock Class 11 Dividends per Share
  1st quarter-end 2nd quarter-end 3rd quarter-end

Fiscal year-end

Total

yen yen yen yen yen
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2013   -     2.65     -     2.65     5.30  
Fiscal year ending March 31, 2014   -                          
Fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 (Forecast)             2.65       -       2.65       5.30  
 

Above is part of the Consolidated Summary Report of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. under Japanese GAAP For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) makes available financial reports and highlights of MUFG group companies including those of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Please refer to MUFG's website for full information.



The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.
Akira Narumi, +81-3-3240-1111
Chief Manager
Corporate Administration Division

KEYWORDS:   Asia Pacific  Japan

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Announces Consolidated Summary Report of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. under Japanese GAAP for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013 originally appeared on Fool.com.

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QUAN Turns to 3D Printing for Its Premiere iPad Case

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QUAN Turns to 3D Printing for Its Premiere iPad Case

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As 3D printing surges in popularity, Quantum International Corp. (OTCBB: QUAN) is exploring 3D printing technology for the manufacturing of its iPad case, seeing a lucrative connection in its product trajectory and the market potential of the exciting technology.

"We have talked about 3D printing at different levels in the past," Quantum CEO Robert Federowicz said. "Currently we are looking into 3D printing technology for the prototyping of our case and possibly also as the preferred manufacturing method. 3D printing is here to stay and this will allow us to closer evaluate the potential for this technology."


3D printing surpassed $1 billion in revenues last year and allows businesses to download designs from the Internet and transform the printouts, layer by layer, into three-dimensional physical objects. In a recent report by Business Facilities, small firms are creating custom objects and spare parts for everything from toys to artificial limbs, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing.

With projections for 3D printing reaching $3.1 billion worldwide by 2016 and $5.2 billion by 2020, Quantum is exploring all avenues for potential partners into the sector. With two creative cases on verge of launch, the time is right for Quantum to enter into a partnership with an innovative company involved in 3D printing.

Quantum believes it is well positioned for growth as the market for iPad accessories continues to expand rapidly. For more information on Quantum International's technology initiatives, please visit www.quantuminnovators.com/investors.html.

Quantum International Corp. is feverishly working on completing the development of these amazing forward-thinking support products to compete in a booming global industry alongside Apple Inc. (NAS: AAPL) and Logitech International SA (NAS: LOGI) .

About Quantum International Corp.

Quantum International Corp. (OTCBB: QUAN) is a robotics innovation company working to commercialize the next generation of sophisticated, automated technology. The Company is positioning itself to develop, deliver and market the most cutting-edge innovations in robotics in order to leverage the worldwide demand for the precision, speed and cost effectiveness these technologies offer.

For more information about Quantum International Corp., please visit www.quantuminnovators.com/investors.html.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the Company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof.



Quantum International Corp.
Robert Federowicz, 832-308-1260
President and CEO
info@quantuminnovators.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article QUAN Turns to 3D Printing for Its Premiere iPad Case originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Edwards Adds nXDS Dry Scroll Pumps to Their Range of Turbopumping Stations

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Edwards Adds nXDS Dry Scroll Pumps to Their Range of Turbopumping Stations

Better performance and reduced maintenance with nXDS dry scroll pumps

CRAWLEY, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Edwards Group Limited (NAS: EVAC) , a leading manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products and abatement systems and a global provider of related value-added services, has updated their range of turbopumping stations to include the newly launched nXDS dry scroll pumps. The turbo stations already incorporated the award winning nEXT turbomolecular pumps, but can now also be configured to include the class leading nXDS dry pumps.

Edwards' turbostation including nXDS dry pump (Photo: Business Wire)

Edwards' turbostation including nXDS dry pump (Photo: Business Wire)


Edwards' turbopumping stations feature a choice of nEXT turbopumps with speeds from 42 l/s to 400 l/s, enabling the most appropriate pump for the application to be selected. There is also a comprehensive range of backing pumps to meet specific needs, from low priced oil-sealed rotary vane pumping options to totally dry systems, now including the nXDS dry scroll pumps.

Russell Coleman, Market Sector Manager for R&D, Edwards, commented, "We have launched an update to our range of turbo stations to now include our new nXDS dry scroll pumps. This not only leads to better performance in terms of ultimate pressure and longer life between servicing, but also extends the range of turbo stations to include dry backing pumps with capacities from 1 m3/hr up to 20 m3/hr, as all four models of nXDS are available. They offer up to 1 decade better ultimate pressure performance compared with the previous XDS model, which in turn leads to a better ultimate at the turbopump inlet."

The nXDS dry scroll pump offers a unique, oil-free, robust vacuum solution. Its advanced scroll-form and quiet operation, <52 dB(A), deliver best-in-class performance. The unique tip-seal design doubles the tip-seal life compared with Edwards' previous XDS scroll pumps and it is easily field serviceable with a minimum of special tooling, giving class-leading maintenance intervals, less down time and a lower cost of ownership.

For further information on the 'plug and play' turbopumping system, please visit:

http://www.edwardsvacuum.com/pumpingstations/



Edwards Group Limited
Rebecca Walder
+44 (0) 1293 603103
Rebecca.Walder@edwardsvacuum.com

KEYWORDS:   United Kingdom  Europe

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Edwards Adds nXDS Dry Scroll Pumps to Their Range of Turbopumping Stations originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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D&B Declares Quarterly Dividend

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D&B Declares Quarterly Dividend

SHORT HILLS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- D&B (NYS: DNB) , the world's leading source of commercial information and insight on businesses, announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share. This quarterly cash dividend is payable on September 18, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 3, 2013.

About D&B


D&B (NYS: DNB) is the world's leading source of commercial information and insight on businesses, enabling companies to Decide with Confidence® for 172 years. D&B's global commercial database contains more than 225 million business records. The database is enhanced by D&B's proprietary DUNSRight® Quality Process, which provides our customers with quality business information. This quality information is the foundation of our global solutions that customers rely on to make critical business decisions.

D&B provides two solution sets that meet a diverse set of customer needs globally. Customers use D&B Risk Management Solutions™ to mitigate credit and supplier risk, increase cash flow and drive increased profitability, and D&B Sales & Marketing Solutions™ to provide data management capabilities that provide effective and cost efficient marketing solutions and to convert prospects into clients by enabling business professionals to research companies, executives and industries.



D&B
Patricia Colpitts (Media)
512-578-8016
pcolpitts@dnb.com
or
Roger Sachs (Investors/Analysts)
973-921-5914
sachsr@dnb.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  New Jersey

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article D&B Declares Quarterly Dividend originally appeared on Fool.com.

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How to Invest in the Rail Boom

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In widespread markets, from North America to the Middle East, various forms of rail systems are coming into a major growth phase -- in some cases projected to double by 2022. Some regions, including parts of Africa, will involve tremendous infrastructure efforts -- building track, carriages, and support structures. Other places, like the United States, will see world-leading demand for light and commuter rail systems. Many companies and governments will be involved, but here are a few ways to tap into the massive demand approaching the rail industry.

Back from the fringe
As reported in the International Railway Journal, African infrastructure requirements are turning increasingly to rail systems as a way to handle the growing interest in African mineral deposits, as well as the burgeoning urban populations. A German consulting service released a survey estimating that the rail network will grow by more than 14,000 route kilometers by 2017.

Asia-Pacific rail network growth and enhancement is substantial as well, with 120,000 route km of track in China alone by 2020. Europe will be replacing more than 10,000 locomotives and nearly 2,000 railcars between 2015 and 2022.


While Latin American as a whole is growing its rail network, Brazil is one of the biggest contributors. The nation has plans to expand 12,000 route km of track through this year alone. There is a tremendous amount of freight rail throughout the nation and in Latin America, but passenger rail leaves significant opportunity.

This article could provide stats about large government-funded network expansions from every corner of the earth, but you get the point: Significant opportunities abound in the rail industry.

How to tap in
Investors have long been fans of domestic and North American rail network companies such as Union Pacific . The freight rail company has been on a nearly vertical trajectory since the recession, up more than 200%, along with regular dividend increases. The company just recently announced that it will again boost its payout by more than 14%. Union Pacific will continue to grow, as freight rail in the U.S. is projected to grow further, along with infrastructure improvements, yet it still trades at under 15 times earnings.

 There are other, more indirect methods of tapping into the humongous international growth. Siemens , for example, was recently awarded part of a 22 billion euro contract from Saudi Arabia as part of a new six-line metro system buildout. Back in the U.K., a nation where many, many cars, tracks, and locomotives are set to be replaced, Siemens was awarded a contract for more than 1,100 new cars, to be delivered to London starting in 2016. The deal is worth 1.8 billion euros -- or nearly $2.4 billion.

There are plenty of other ways to tap into the rail boom, some more risky than others. But these two plays, one American and one European, offer safer bets that will no doubt benefit from the re-emergence of rail as a transportation linchpin.

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The article How to Invest in the Rail Boom originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Michael Lewis and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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