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The Prism data scandal, in which the UK and US governments have been found to be "legally compelling collection" of information from internet giants Google and Facebook, is fraught with issues, and will change perceptions on privacy, war...
The Prism data scandal, in which the UK and US governments have been found to be "legally compelling collection" of information from internet giants Google and Facebook, is fraught with issues, and will change perceptions on privacy, warns WPP's leader Sir Martin Sorrell.
23 minutes ago
Yesterday, Starbucks announced that starting next week, it will provide calorie counts on all of its menu boards in its U.S. stores. The move follows earlier menu updates by McDonald's and others, as companies try to get out in front o...
Yesterday, Starbucks announced that starting next week, it will provide calorie counts on all of its menu boards in its U.S. stores. The move follows earlier menu updates by McDonald's and others, as companies try to get out in front of any new legislation. Since 2010, when health care legislation came into effect, the FDA has been working on a law requiring businesses to display calorie information. That effort seems to have stalled out due to strong lobbying and sharp differences between the sides in the debate. Even with the newly displayed calorie information, studies suggest that consumers are still going to be eating and drinking more than they should. All in all, it's a good move for Starbucks with all sorts of positive spin, but ultimately it's not going to make much of a difference on the streets of America. Wait -- how many calories? Let's throw a few tidbits out there. A Grande Caffe Mocha has 260 calories, a Grande Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino with whipped cream has 380, a Grande coffee -- five. The restaurant lobby is pushing for exemptions and flexibility, arguing that the costs associated with labeling are prohibitive, and that some kinds of food don't lend themselves to easy calorie counts. Pizza chains have been especially vocal, claiming that there are upward of 34 million different combinations of toppings and crust that can make up a pizza. The business impact of calorie labeling has been looked at for years, and so far the impacts seem to be minimal. A study from 2009 showed that the number of calories purchased in a meal remained relatively flat once labeling came to New York City. A more recent study showed that, even when we have access to the information regarding our calorie intake, we're still bad at figuring it all out. The British Medical Journal published a study this year of 3,400 Americans in New England who were given access to calorie information before ordering through wall posters, information on napkins, or other standard presentations. Afterward, two-thirds fell short in their estimation of calories consumed, with a full 25% of the participants missing by 500 calories or more. The impact on the bottom line If the studies done so far are indicative of real consumer behavior, then Starbucks just scored a nice little win. The company got some good press, and it shouldn't see any sort of change in consumer behavior based on the labeling. In addition, it can now say that it's competing with McDonald's by giving customers more information about how they buy their coffees. While the move won't make a big impact on the bottom line, it's indicative of a strong marketing and public relations campaign being pushed by Starbucks, and it may hint at future moves. By introducing calorie counts now, the company will be in a better position when it introduces more food items, which customers will want to see the nutritional information for. The early menu change should get people used to the new layout, which will help the bottom line. Should you supersize your holding in McDonald's?McDonald's turned in a dismal year in 2012, underperforming the broader market by 25%. Looking ahead, can the Golden Arches reclaim its throne atop the restaurant industry, or will this unsettling trend continue? Our top analyst weighs in on McDonald's future in a recent premium report on the company. Click here now to find out whether a buying opportunity has emerged for this global juggernaut.
31 minutes ago
As of 12:45 p.m. EDT, with just more than an hour before the Federal Reserve is scheduled to conclude its two-day meeting and announce the fate of its quantitative-easing program, the markets are slightly lower. The Dow Jones Industrial ...
As of 12:45 p.m. EDT, with just more than an hour before the Federal Reserve is scheduled to conclude its two-day meeting and announce the fate of its quantitative-easing program, the markets are slightly lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 19 points, or 0.13%, while the S&P 500 is down 0.11% and the Nasdaq has lost 0.17% of its value. While some market participants believe the Fed will leave its bond-buying program alone for the time being, others fear the Fed will begin taking its foot off the gas and allow interest rates to rise. But regardless of what the central bank says or does today, volatility will probably rise this afternoon, and there's a good chance the market will make a big move in one direction or the other. So far it's been a pretty dull day for the Dow. Let's take a look at three components that are standing out -- and not in a good way. Shares of the Dow's telecommunications stocks are leading the index lower. AT&T is down 0.9%, while Verizon has lost 1.1%. The likely cause for the drops is the announcement that DISH Network will no longer seek to buy Sprint Nextel . DISH said it would no longer raise its purchase price after rival bidder SoftBank increased its offer last week. This move opens the door for SoftBank to acquire Sprint, which is not what AT&T and Verizon investors wanted to see. SoftBank has deep pockets, so it could surely help the company get back on its feet in the U.S. and perhaps even open new markets around the world to the straggling telecom. We have recently seen both AT&T and Verizon shopping around for smaller telecom companies outside the U.S., and now Sprint may also be a player in these markets.  Another big loser on the Dow today is Boeing . The aerospace company's shares have fallen 1.1%, and its biggest competitor, Airbus, may be the cause. Airbus has announced that it made a few big sales at the Paris Air show yesterday, which is a sign that the company's A350 and A330 wide-body jets are attracting customers and may pose a real threat to Boeing's own wide-body aircraft, the 787 and 777. Still, today's move is simply a headline-driven reaction and is a part of the market's regular ups and downs.   Boeing is a major player in a multitrillion-dollar market in which the opportunities are massive. However, emerging competitors and the company's execution problems have investors wondering whether Boeing will live up to its shareholder responsibilities. The Fool's premium research report on the company provides investors with the must-know info on Boeing. They'll be updating the report as key news hits, so don't miss out -- simply click here now to claim your copy today.
31 minutes ago
Northern Trust Appoints Jim Bridgman National Leader for Outsourced CIO Business Serving Middle Markets CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Northern Trust (NAS: NTRS) has selected Jim Bridgman as its National Leader for Foundation ...
Northern Trust Appoints Jim Bridgman National Leader for Outsourced CIO Business Serving Middle Markets CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Northern Trust (NAS: NTRS) has selected Jim Bridgman as its National Leader for Foundation and Institutional Advisors group. In this role, Bridgman will lead the group's strategic development and execution across the United States. This includes the delivery of integrated investment advice, banking solutions, asset servicing and new business development through consultative services to mid-size foundation and institutional clients. Jim Bridgman (Photo: Business Wire) Bridgman brings over 25 years of experience to this role, most recently serving as Managing Director of Sales & Marketing for the Midwest, growing Northern Trust's personal wealth business across the region. He will report to Scott Dille, National Director of Client Experience and Employee Engagement for Wealth Management at Northern Trust. "Jim is an adept leader who understands our clients' complex needs," Dille said. "He brings a strong history of achievement and expertise that I believe will support the continued growth of our Foundation and Institutional Advisors group." Bridgman previously managed Citi's Midwest Regional Private Bank, which covered 14 states. Prior to Citi, he served as the manager of new business development and client servicing for Northern Trust's Global Family and Private Investment Offices group. Bridgman joined Northern Trust in 1995 as Vice President responsible for marketing Northern Trust's full-service defined contribution programs to new and existing clients. He obtained his BA degree in Finance from Texas Tech University. As an outsourced chief investment officer, Northern Trust's Foundation and Institutional Advisors group provides investment advice, asset servicing and other related services to help non-profit organizations achieve their financial and philanthropic goals cost-effectively. Northern Trust collaborates with board and investment committee members to assist them with their investment oversight duties and governance. About Northern Trust Northern Trust Corporation (NAS: NTRS) is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, banking solutions and fiduciary services for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a financial holding company based in Chicago, has offices in 18 U.S. states and 16 international locations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of March 31, 2013, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$5.0 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$810.2 billion. For more than 120 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust. Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130619006157/en/ Media Contacts:Northern TrustAmy Bickers, 312-444-3097Amy_Bickers@ntrs.comorBailey Madden, 312-557-1314Bailey_Madden@ntrs.comhttp://www.northerntrust.comKEYWORDS:   United States  North America  IllinoisINDUSTRY KEYWORDS:
31 minutes ago
Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, consumer electronic device giant has earned a respected four-star ranking. With that in mind, let's ...
Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, consumer electronic device giant has earned a respected four-star ranking. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Apple and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now. Apple facts Headquarters (founded) Cupertino, Calif. (1976) Market Cap $405.3 billion Industry Computer hardware Trailing-12-Month Revenue $169.1 billion Management CEO Tim Cook (since 2011) CFO Peter Oppenheimer (since 2004) 39.7% Cash/Debt $39.1 billion / $0 Dividend Yield 2.8% Competitors Google BlackBerry Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS. On CAPS, 92% of the 30,076 members who have rated Apple believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. Just last month, one of those Fools, All-Star JaysRage, succinctly summed up the Apple bull case for our community: I am generally in favor of the recent cash-management activities. If Apple stays pinned at [$450 per share] or lower, it will save the company a ton of money. ... It has been a long time since Apple introduced new products. Some Apple "investors" are restless and bored and many of them are chasing some other bright shiny things now that Apple isn't as sexy. Long story short: I think the cash management should keep Apple pinned near $450. If the predicted pipeline begins to produce new products in Q3 and Q4 and beyond as promised by management, Apple will regain the "sexy" and we'll see it approach its value sometime toward the beginning of 2014. I do think they will see some continued margin erosion on mature products, but that is priced in and then some. There's no doubt that Apple is at the center of technology's largest revolution ever, and that longtime shareholders have been handsomely rewarded with over 1,000% gains. However, there is a debate raging as to whether Apple remains a buy. The Motley Fool's senior technology analyst and managing bureau chief, Eric Bleeker, is prepared to fill you in on both reasons to buy and reasons to sell Apple, and what opportunities are left for the company (and your portfolio) going forward. To get instant access to his latest thinking on Apple, simply click here now.
31 minutes ago
Except for Wells Fargo, all of the Big Four banks are trading in the red today, with Citigroup down 0.50% about two hours after the opening bell. Thank general investor nervousness over Ben Bernanke's looming speech to the markets today...
Except for Wells Fargo, all of the Big Four banks are trading in the red today, with Citigroup down 0.50% about two hours after the opening bell. Thank general investor nervousness over Ben Bernanke's looming speech to the markets today. The beginning of the end? The subject of the Fed chairman's remarks will be the results of the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, ending today. Investors are fearing the beginning of the end of quantitative easing, the bond-purchase program the Fed put in place last September to boost the nation's economy. By most accounts, it has worked: The rate of unemployment is down; GDP growth is solid, if not stellar; and the housing market is booming again, which has traditionally contributed as much as 18% to the country's GDP. With results like that, I understand why investors are worried, though I don't believe they should be. Foolish bottom line There's also the (so-far) small matter of a Citi trader in London being criminally charged with rate rigging of the LIBOR, or London Interbank Offered Rate. The LIBOR is the basic rate used around the world for trillions of dollars in transactions: from car loans, to mortgages, to derivatives. Last year, scandal erupted over the rigging of this rate for financial gain. But so far, this issue isn't gaining wider traction as a general problem for the bank itself. And truly, today's down stock performance revolves around the fate of the Fed's direction on interest rate policy more than anything else. Analysts are mixed as to whether or not Bernanke will announce the tapering off of monthly bond purchases, but in the end, it really doesn't matter. What does matter is the state of the particular companies you're invested in. So long as their fundamentals are solid, and your investing thesis for them remains intact, there's no reason to sell off regardless of what the Fed announces. And Citi investors are on solid ground, I think. The company has come a long way since the financial crisis and only continues to improve its overall situation. It's balance sheet is healthy, much healthier than Bank of America's . And look what investors in that superbank are facing: the threat of being hit with tens of billions more in payouts as a result of bad mortgage-backed securities issued by its Countrywide Financial unit. On top of everything else, I believe the recovery has enough legs to stand at least a little on its own right now, and that's all a Fed taper would ask of it. So don't worry about what the Fed has to say. And I wouldn't worry about this London trader, at least for right now. Citi is a good place to be invested, and that's what counts. Looking for in-depth analysis on Citi? Then look no further than our new premium report. Inside, Motley Fool senior banking analyst Matt Koppenheffer cracks the superbank's code: revealing how it makes money, how profitable it is, and what areas investors need to watch going forward. He'll also give you three reasons to buy and three reasons to sell. And with quarterly updates included, this premium report could quite literally be the last source of investment research you'll ever need on Citigroup. For immediate access, simply click here now.
31 minutes ago
Principal Solar Continues to Expand by Acquiring a 3MW Solar Power Plant in Fayetteville, Tennessee Acquisition creates platform for continued growth DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Princi...
Principal Solar Continues to Expand by Acquiring a 3MW Solar Power Plant in Fayetteville, Tennessee Acquisition creates platform for continued growth DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Principal Solar, Inc (PSI; OTC Pink: PSWW), a publicly traded solar energy holding company executing a unique roll-up strategy to create the world's first distributed solar utility, today announced its most recent acquisition: the 3MW Powerhouse One, LLC (PH1) solar power farm - four 750kW ground-mounted PV systems located in Fayetteville, Tennessee, cumulatively operating as a 3MW ground-mounted PV system. PH1 is one of the largest operating PV systems in Tennessee. Built by vis solis, Inc. the Franklin, TN based U.S. subsidiary of vis solis, GmbH, a solar development and integration company, and commissioned in November of 2011, PH1 carries a 20-year agreement with Fayetteville Public Utilities that is backed by the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Generation Partners Program. "The goal of this acquisition is to add to our portfolio of solar generation while attracting similar assets to our model," says Michael Gorton, president and CEO of PSI. "vis solis developed and built a great project, and adding it to our portfolio was an easy decision." R. Michael Martin, executive vice president of Business Development, PSI, adds, "This important acquisition fuels the build-up of our solar portfolio, and working with vis solis adds value to our partnership strategy. Our attention now focuses on multiple projects of similar scale, and going forward, we encourage developers to present us with such opportunities for acquisition." Carlos Mayer, president and CEO, vis solis says, "vis solis and PSI share the same vision: to convert the power of the sun, the most abundant sustainable energy resource on earth, into competitive, reliable and environmentally-friendly electricity. We are delighted to team with PSI and to be a part of PSI's move into the Tennessee Valley region as it demonstrates its leadership and commitment to solar energy." About Principal Solar Principal Solar, Inc (PSI; OTC Pink: PSWW), is a publicly traded solar energy holding company executing a unique roll-up strategy to create the world's first distributed solar utility.PSI concentrates its resources on the acquisition, finance, development and management of solar power companies. The Principal Solar Institute, an educational organization created by Principal Solar, Inc., is dedicated to spreading solar knowledge to the critical stakeholders in the ongoing energy debate. Visit www.PrincipalSolar.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors in the solar energy generating industry (market risk, government regulation, operational risks, etc.) that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. The Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. CPR for Principal Solar, Inc.Joelle Caputa, 201-641-1911 x 54Jcaputa@cpronline.comKEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Tennessee  TexasINDUSTRY KEYWORDS:
31 minutes ago
Life Time Fitness to Present at the Oppenheimer & Co. 13 th Annual Consumer Conference CHANHASSEN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Life Time - The Healthy Way of Life Company (NYSE: LTM), today announced that Michael Robinson, executive v...
Life Time Fitness to Present at the Oppenheimer & Co. 13 th Annual Consumer Conference CHANHASSEN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Life Time - The Healthy Way of Life Company (NYSE: LTM), today announced that Michael Robinson, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will present at the Oppenheimer & Co. 13th Annual Consumer Conference. John Heller, senior director of investor relations, also will attend on behalf of the Company. The Conference will be held June 25-26, 2013 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. The Life Time presentation will occur on June 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The presentation will be webcast and may be accessed via the Company's Investor Relations section of its website at lifetimefitness.com. A replay of the presentation will be available through Friday, September 20, 2013. About Life Time Fitness, Inc. As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (NYS: LTM) helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest - or discovering new passions - both inside and outside of Life Time's distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company's Healthy Way of Life approach enables customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of June 19, 2013, the Company operated 106 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC® brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com. Life Time Fitness, Inc.Investor Contact:John Heller, 952-229-7427ir@lifetimefitness.comorMedia Contact:Jason Thunstrom, 952-229-7435pr@lifetimefitness.comKEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Massachusetts  MinnesotaINDUSTRY KEYWORDS:
31 minutes ago
Law Firm Brower Piven Announces Investigation of Centerline Holding Company Proposed Buyout STEVENSON, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The securities litigation firm of Brower Piven, A Professional Corporation, has commenced an inves...
Law Firm Brower Piven Announces Investigation of Centerline Holding Company Proposed Buyout STEVENSON, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The securities litigation firm of Brower Piven, A Professional Corporation, has commenced an investigation into possible breaches of fiduciary duty to current shareholders of Centerline Holding Company ("Centerline" or the "Company") (OTC: CLNH) and other violations of state law by the board of directors of Centerline relating to the proposed buyout of the Company by Hunt Companies, Inc. The firm's investigation seeks to determine, among other things, whether the board of directors of Centerline breached their fiduciary duties by failing to maximize shareholder value. According to the joint press release announcing the proposed buyout, Centerline shareholders will receive $39.89 in cash for each share of Centerline common stock they own. Centerline stock traded above the deal price as recently as June 7, 2013. If you currently own common stock of Centerline and would like to learn more about the investigation being conducted by Brower Piven, you may email or call Brower Piven, who will, without obligation or cost to you, attempt to answer your questions. You may contact Brower Piven by email at hoffman@browerpiven.com, by calling (410) 415-6616, or at Brower Piven, A Professional Corporation, 1925 Old Valley Road, Stevenson, Maryland 21153. Attorneys at Brower Piven have combined experience litigating securities and other class action cases of over 60 years. Brower Piven, A Professional CorporationStevenson, MarylandCharles J. Piven, 410-415-6616hoffman@browerpiven.comKEYWORDS:   United States  North America  MarylandINDUSTRY KEYWORDS:
31 minutes ago
Michael McLean Appointed Chairman of the Board of Medical Risk Managers, Inc., Thomas Doran Named President of MRM BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Symetra Financial Corporation (NYS: SYA) today announced two executive a...
Michael McLean Appointed Chairman of the Board of Medical Risk Managers, Inc., Thomas Doran Named President of MRM BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Symetra Financial Corporation (NYS: SYA) today announced two executive appointments at Medical Risk Managers, Inc. (MRM), naming Michael McLean as chairman of the board and Thomas Doran as president. MRM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Symetra, is a managing general underwriting and consulting firm that specializes in medical stop-loss insurance. McLean, who has served as MRM president since 1991, will transition to a strategic leadership role. As chairman of the board, he will be responsible for the long-term strategy of the company as well as client acquisition and retention. McLean joined MRM as executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1988. He previously worked at The Hartford Life Insurance Company and The Travelers. McLean is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Doran's appointment to president comes after three years as executive vice president of MRM. In his new position, he will have profit-and-loss responsibility and will run the company's day-to-day operations. Doran joined MRM in 2010 following a successful career at Aetna, where he held a variety of actuarial roles. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. "With Mike guiding the company strategy, and Tom managing operations, we have a terrific duo leading MRM," said Michael Fry, executive vice president of Symetra's Benefits Division. "These appointments recognize the outstanding contributions Mike and Tom have made over the years. In their expanded leadership roles, I'm confident MRM will continue to grow and exceed client expectations." Symetra Financial Corporation acquired Medical Risk Managers, Inc., in May 2007. MRM operates independently, underwriting self-funded business for multiple partners in addition to Symetra. Medical stop-loss insurance coverage helps protect employers that self-insure their employee benefit plans against large, potentially catastrophic claims. About Medical Risk Managers Medical Risk Managers, Inc. is a full-service managing general underwriting and consulting firm that specializes in group stop-loss insurance. Founded in 1984, the South Windsor, Conn.-based company provides clients with underwriting, actuarial, stop-loss claim adjudication, network evaluation, accounting support and strategy consulting. For more information, visit www.mrm-mgu.com. About Symetra Symetra Financial Corporation (NYS: SYA) is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Wash. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit www.symetra.com. Symetra Financial CorporationDiana McSweeney, 425-256-6167diana.mcsweeney@symetra.comKEYWORDS:   United States  North America  WashingtonINDUSTRY KEYWORDS:
31 minutes ago