Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
OTC Picks.com presents a great link list through this URL
http://www.otcpicks.com/links.php
WATCH LIST update, recent winners from the month of February with potential....
ABZT
BLDH
CTUM
CWLC
EXNT
GMCC
GTEC
IBTY
IELM
ILNP
IMGM
IMNR
LTWV
NVAS
PDSC
PHLI
PTSC
SGIHF
SUWN
TXXN
SUWN a stock that has gone roughly 7 X initial investment recently. Yes this is after the fact but is it though ?
MSEV A stock that has gone 18 times initial investment in recent weeks.
USXP a stock that has gone 60 times initial investment in recent weeks.
GRXI No new news but pps has approached the 200 period sma trendline. Is this a turning point ? Should be anyways.
Weekenders: if you are really bored here is something cute to do as a brain teaser with friends.
Cheers,
David
Some winners of today:
ICAN 100.00%
USXP 62.%
TXXN 35.14%
FDRA 33.33%
SUWN 25.38%
SPWP 25.0%
XKEM 24.27%
XPNG 22.73%
IYSA 23.44%
GNBT 18.72%
PHLI 18.39%
BANY 18%
GERN 14.96%
DRGV 13.33%
IDWD 13.10%
ALRX 11.11%
REUTERS Olympics-Latest medals table [FWBCCLM]
Feb 24 (Infostrada Sports) - Torino 2006 latest medals table at the start of
competition on Friday
Rank NOC G S B Total
1. Germany 9 10 5 24
2. Austria 8 6 5 19
3. Russia 8 3 8 19
4. U.S. 7 8 5 20
5. Canada 5 8 6 19
6. Switzerland 5 4 4 13
7. Sweden 5 2 4 11
8. South Korea 4 3 1 8
9. Italy 4 0 6 10
10. France 3 2 4 9
11. Estonia 3 0 0 3
12. Norway 2 8 8 18
13. China 2 3 4 9
14. Netherlands 2 2 3 7
15. Croatia 1 2 0 3
16. Australia 1 0 1 2
17. Japan 1 0 0 1
18. Finland 0 3 3 6
19. Czech Republic 0 2 0 2
20. Belarus 0 1 0 1
20=. Britain 0 1 0 1
20=. Bulgaria 0 1 0 1
20=. Slovakia 0 1 0 1
24. Ukraine 0 0 2 2
25. Latvia 0 0 1 1
NOC: National Olympic Committee
24Feb06 07:13 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
Categories:
DNP ISS LEN OLY PSP RNP RSLT SPO MST/B/SPT MST/B/SPT/OLY MST/L/EN TGT/RSF
UPDATE 1-Olympics-Alpine skiing-Mancuso leads giant slalom
By Clare Fallon
SESTRIERE, Italy, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Julia Mancuso set out
to make amends for a disappointing showing by the American
Alpine ski team at the Turin Olympics with the fastest time in
the first leg of the women's giant slalom on Friday.
Lurking just 0.18 seconds behind her, however, was world
champion Anja Paerson of Sweden who is chasing her second gold
medal after victory in Wednesday's slalom.
The American women have yet to win an Alpine medal at the
Games. Their men's team's only success has come from unheralded
Ted Ligety, who won gold in the combined, while favourites Bode
Miller and Daron Rahlves have both failed to live up to hype.
The women's biggest hope, Lindsey Kildow, had mediocre
results following a crash in training for the downhill and did
not start the giant slalom.
Mancuso, giant slalom bronze medallist at last year's world
championships, set a time of one minute 00.89 seconds down the
Sises course. The run was held in falling snow and organisers moved the start down by seven gates because of forecasts of fog. Mancuso said visibility was bad for her run. "You couldn't
see anything," the American told reporters. "I am quite
surprised to be leading right now. I am going to attack as much
as I can in the second run."
Mancuso, 21, had started the day badly by forgetting her
accreditation, the pass everyone involved in the Games must
wear. "They let me into the first run so hopefully they'll let me into the second," she said.
Paerson, the overall World Cup champion, said she had been
surprised by conditions on the course. "During inspection the course was icy and it was softer in the race," she told television interviewers. "I had to adjust my technique. I will change skis this afternoon."
KNEE HURTING
The Swede told reporters her left knee, which she injured in
the warm-up for the slalom two days ago, was still hurting
slightly.
Janica Kostelic, the 2002 champion, did not start. The
Croatian has been ill throughout the Games with a high pulse
rate and a fever, though she won a record career fourth gold in
last weekend's combined event.
World Cup champion Tanja Poutiainen of Finland was lying
third after the first leg, in 1:01.21, with Austrian Nicole
Hosp, the slalom silver medallist, just 0.05 seconds further
back. Apart from Hosp, the usually powerful Austrians had a
disappointing start with Kathrin Zettel, ninth, their only other racer in the top 10.
Marlies Schild, who won silver in combined and bronze in
slalom, was 1.79 seconds off the pace, in 21st place.
((OLYMPICS-ALPINE SKIING-GIANT-LEG; Editing by xx, Turin
Olympic Desk; Reuters Messaging:
clare.fallon.reuters.com@reuters.net; +44 20 7542 0032))
24Feb06 10:28 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
Categories:
Olympics-Speedskating-American Davis pulls out of 10,000m race
By Karolos Grohmann
TURIN, Feb 23 (Reuters) - American speedskater Shani Davis
has withdrawn from the 10,000 metres race later this week, the
last men's event of the Turin Olympics, a U.S. team official
said on Thursday.
Davis, who has an ongoing feud with team mate Chad Hedrick
over his refusal to take part in the team pursuit, won the 1,000 metres gold medal earlier in the Games. He also won silver in the 1,500.
"He has withdrawn and will be replaced by Charles Ryan
Leveille," a U.S. speedskating team spokesman told Reuters. He
said a statement by Davis on the reasons for his withdrawal
would be made available later in the day. Leveille also skated in Davis's place in the team pursuit
event.
The rivalry was sparked when Hedrick criticised Davis's
decision not to take part in the team race, all but putting paid to the Texan's dream of equalling a record five gold-medal haul.
His decision not to take part meant a slower skater took his
place, leaving the U.S. team out of medals contention.
Davis defended his move by saying he wanted to concentrate
on his individual races, which Hedrick felt did not meet the
Olympic ideal of trying the hardest for your country.
((OLYMPICS-SPEEDSKATING-DAVIS; Editing by Jon Bramley, Turin
Olympics Desk; Reuters Messaging:
jonathan.bramley.com@reuters.net; +44 207 542 0032))
23Feb06 10:33 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
Olympics-Ice hockey-Canada hand Italy Olympic-size defeat
By Steve Keating
TURIN, Feb 11 (Reuters) - The Canadian women opened defence
of their Olympic gold medal on Saturday by crushing hosts Italy
16-0 in the worst defeat in Winter Games ice hockey history.
Haley Wickenheiser and Caroline Ouellette led the thrashing
with hat-tricks while Cheryl Pounder and Gillian Apps each
notched a pair of goals.
Carla MacLeod, Danielle Goyette, Sarah Vaillancourt, Katie
Weatherstone, Jennifer Botterill and Jayna Hefford each tallied
once, as Canada flexed its muscle in a contest that highlighted
the huge divide in talent among women's hockey-playing nations.
Canada and their archrivals from the United States have met
in the final of all nine world championships and the gold medal
games of both Olympics in which women's hockey has been played.
Of those Canada has only twice settled for silver, at the
1998 Nagano Olympics and the 2005 world championships, in a 1-0
overtime shootout.
In contrast, Italy's Games debut will go into the record
books as the worst beating in Olympic women's hockey history.
Canada also administered the previous worst shellacking in a
13-0 win over Japan in the opening game of the 1998 Olympics.
"Games like that, they're not fun to play," said
Wickenheiser, who played in the Finnish professional men's
league two years ago.
"But it's part of what we have to do to get to the gold
medal game.
"You could tell they were a little in awe."
The Italians received a thundering ovation as they stepped
onto the Palasport Olimpico ice but shortly after the contest
began the partisan crowd of 8,399 had little reason to cheer.
Canada needed just 96 seconds to open the scoring, and
Ouellette tallied twice in a 16-second span as Canada coasted to
a 5-0 first period lead.
The ice continued to tilt badly in one direction as Canada
added four second-period goals to take a 9-0 advantage.
Before the game the Italians set the objective of holding
Canada to less than 20 goals and even that seemed in doubt in
the final frame when Canada exploded for seven goals,
outshooting their shell-shocked opponents 19-0.
At the other end of the rink Kim St Pierre had to stop just
five shots to earn the shutout.
AMERICANS WIN
The U.S. also underlined their gold medal aspirations with a
no-nonsense 6-0 win over Switzerland.
Chanda Gunn handled just nine shots to earn the shutout
while Krissy Wendell scored twice and Katie King, Tricia
Dunn-Luoma, Natalie Darwitz and Jenny Potter each found the net
once.
In an earlier contest featuring two medal contenders, Marian
Rooth had goal and an assist and Kim Martin made 30 saves as
Sweden eased past Russia 3-1.
Sweden, bronze medal winners in Salt Lake City, also got
goals from Nanna Jansson and Katarina Timglas.
Russia outshot the Swedes 31-24 but Svetlana Trefilova was
the only one to beat Martin, who is just 19 years old but
playing in her second Olympics.
"We have such a young team," said Sweden coach Peter
Elander. "At one point in the second period we had on the ice
five skaters and a goaltender with an average at of 17.7 years."
Elsewhere, Maija Hassinen stopped 24 shots as Finland
shutout Germany 3-0.
(OLYMPICS-ICE HOCKEY-WOMEN; Editing by Steve Ginsburg, Turin
Olympics Desk; Reuters Messaging: dave.thompson@reuters.com + 44
207 542 0032))
(
11Feb06 23:09 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
GE Energy Providing Power, Heat and Lighting For XX Olympic Winter Games in Torino; Event Launching GE's International Olympic Committee Partnership
TORINO, Italy--(Business Wire)--Feb. 14, 2006--
The world's elite amateur athletes have gathered in
northwestern Italy and are competing at the XX Olympic Winter Games in
Torino. For the past several months, GE Energy crews have been hard at
work, installing and maintaining the tons of power, lighting and
temperature control equipment needed to stage the massive event.
The Torino Games, which opened February 10 and will close February
26, mark the first of several Olympic competitions for which GE will
provide power equipment and a wide range of other services under a
long-term contract with the International Olympic Committee. GE's work
as a formal Worldwide Partner of the IOC began in 2005 and also covers
the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games and the
2012 London Summer Games.
Through its rental business, which supports the special events,
commercial and emergency services sectors, GE Energy also has
successfully supported previous Olympic competitions, including the
2004 Athens Summer Games. This year's event in Italy, however,
represents GE's largest Olympic commitment.
"We are dedicated to helping the Torino Olympic Committee (TOROC)
and the International Olympic Committee make this the most successful
Games possible," said Lance Hall, General Manager of GE Energy's
rental business. "From the sheer volume of human and equipment
resources, we have marshaled the expertise to do our part, behind the
scenes, to help the Torino Winter Games showcase the best amateur
athletes in the world."
For the Torino Games, GE Energy is providing power and heating
solutions for all competitive and non-competitive venues, which are
located throughout the city and the surrounding Italian Alps. The
sites include 14 competition venues, the Olympic Stadium for the
opening and closing ceremonies, the international broadcasting and
media centers, Medals Plaza, and all three Olympic villages.
The scope of GE's energy activities includes all design,
engineering, logistics, mobilization, installation, operations as well
as demobilization.
To support the Torino Games, GE has provided/deployed:
-- More than 560 generators, ranging from 3 kilowatts to 1.6
megawatts, which is more than twice the number of generators
GE provided to support the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens
(280);
-- More than 200 megawatts of power, enough to power 200,000
homes;
-- More than 1,100 indirect, oil-fired and electrical heaters for
more than 550 temporary tent structures at 20 different
venues;
-- More than 700 kilometers of cable installed by GE - 85% more
than the amount of cable for the Athens Games;
-- More than 2,000 electrical distribution panels;
-- More than 280 people in 12 countries, including more than 200
local Italians, to deliver, install and test the equipment and
work on the Torino project.
About GE and the Olympic Games
As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games, GE is the exclusive
provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are
integral to a successful Games. Beginning with the 2006 Olympic Winter
Games in Torino, Italy, GE's Olympic partnership is the company's
first global sports sponsorship at the corporate level in recent
years. From providing power, lighting, security and modular space
solutions at Olympic venues to supplying ultrasound and MRI equipment
to help doctors treat athletes, GE works closely with the Organizing
Committees, local municipalities and other Olympic Partners to
understand their needs and deliver solutions that only GE can. NBC
Universal, a division of GE, is the exclusive U.S. media partner of
the Olympic Games. The GE and NBC Universal partnerships extend
through 2012.
On the Web
www.ge.com/olympicgames
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading
suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with
2005 revenue of $16.5 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy
works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural
gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar
and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products
are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to
aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers
meet pressing environmental challenges.
GE Energy, Atlanta
Media Contact:
Dennis Murphy, 678-844-6948
dennis.murphy@ge.com
or
Masto Public Relations
Ken Darling or Tom Murnane, 518-786-6488
kenneth.darling@ge.com
tom.murnane@mastopr.com
or
Edelman Sports
On-Site Media Contact:
Fiona Bae, +39 333 878 1731
lorraine.dellicarpini@edelman.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006
14Feb06 14:46 GMT
Symbols:
ch;GE de;GEC de;GECF fr;GNE pe;GE us;GE
Source BW Business Wire
Categories:
Olympic-Speedskating-American Cheek wins 500m in style
TURIN, Feb 13 (Reuters) - American Joey Cheek on Monday
outclassed his opponents with two stellar races winning the gold
medal in the 500 metres speedskating event at the Turin Winter
Olympics.
World sprint champion Cheek, a former inline skater
(rollerblades), who was already 0.4 seconds faster after the
first race, skated a faultlesss second race to bring home the
second gold in speedskating at these Games for the United
States.
After crossing the line, Cheek stretched out his hands,
smiled and grabbed a U.S. flag.
Dmitry Dorofeyev of Russia clinched the silver medal, while
South Korean Lee Kang-seok took the bronze.
((OLYMPICS-SPEEDSKATING; reporting by Karolos Grohmann; editing
by Steve Pagani; Turin Olympics Desk; Reuters Messaging:
steve.pagani.reuters.com@reuters.net; +44 207 542 0032))
13Feb06 18:43 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
Categories:
'American Idol' steals Olympic gold in TV ratings
By Steve Gorman
LOS ANGELES, Feb 15 (Reuters) - U.S. television viewers
proved they prefer amateur singers to champion skiers and
figure skaters as the hit talent contest "American Idol"
stomped NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics in the ratings.
"American Idol" on the Fox network averaged 26.3 million
viewers on Tuesday night, compared with just 16 million who
tuned in during the same hour for NBC's tape-delayed broadcast
of the Winter Games, according to early figures from Nielsen
Media Research on Wednesday.
Among viewers aged 18 to 49, the audience group most prized
by advertisers, "American Idol" had more than double NBC's
ratings in head-to-head competition against the Olympics.
Fox, a unit of News Corp. Ltd. <NWS.N>, even gave NBC a run
for its money in the next hour of prime time, as the medical
drama "House" ran nearly even with the Winter Games in total
viewers --20 million for "House," vs. 20.8 million for the
Olympics -- and trounced NBC in ratings among 18- to
49-year-olds.
For the night as a whole, Fox surpassed NBC's prime-time
Olympics coverage, including America's first gold-medal victory
in men's alpine skiing in a decade -- 23.1 million viewers to
18.5 million overall -- and soundly beat NBC in the 18-49
category.
The pop star wannabes of "American Idol" likewise outshone
the likes of Madonna, U2 and Coldplay in last Tuesday's matchup
against the Grammy Awards on CBS, averaging 28 million viewers
compared with 15 million for the Grammys.
Predictably, this year's Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy,
have so far failed to attract the viewers of the 2002 games in
Salt Lake City, Utah, which enjoyed a stateside advantage
allowing live telecasts of many of the marquee events.
The Turin games also lost one of the U.S. team's biggest
stars when skating champion Michelle Kwan withdrew from
competition on Sunday due to a groin injury, ending her
unsuccessful quest for Olympic gold.
Compared to NBC's regular programming lineup, however, the
Winter Games remain a commercial bonanza for the General
Electric Co.-owned <GE.N> network as it struggles to bounce
back from a ratings slump this season.
Despite being bested by Fox and "American Idol," the Turin
games gave NBC its most watched Wednesday night in total
viewers since the Summer Games in Athens in 2004.
And even though the Olympic athletes did not best the
amateurs contestants, the games have proven a formidable rival
for "American Idol," the most watched series on U.S. television
this season.
Last Tuesday's broadcast of the talent show drew 30 million
viewers, nearly 4 million more than during Olympics week.
Source RTRS Reuters News
Olympics-Doping-All Austrian raid athletes test negative - team
TURIN, Feb 24 (Reuters) - All 10 Austrian athletes tested
during a drugs swoop last Saturday by International Olympic
Committee (IOC) officials at the Winter Games have proved
negative, Leo Wallner, president of the Austrian Olympic
Committee, told Reuters on Friday.
The Austrian biathlon and cross-country skiing teams have
been the subject of an IOC and police investigation after blood
transfusion equipment was found at lodgings in the raid.
(OLYMPICS-DOPING-AUSTRIA-TESTS URGENT; reporting by Sophie
Hardach; Editing by Jon Bramley; Reuters messaging:
jonathan.bramley.reuters.com@reuters.net; +44 207 542 0032))
24Feb06 17:29 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
Categories:
Olympics-Bobsleigh-Men's 4-man competition run 1 results
Feb 24 (Infostrada Sports) - Results from the Olympics Bobsleigh Men's 4-Man
Competition Run 1 in Cesana on Friday
*** Provisional result ***
Time
1. Germany 1 55.20
Andre Lange/Rene Hoppe/Kevin Kuske/Martin Putze
2. Russia 1 55.22
Aleksandr Zubkov/Filipp Egorov/Alexei Seliverstov/Alexey Voevoda
3. Switzerland 1 55.26
Martin Annen/Thomas Lamparter/Beat Hefti/Cedric Grand
4. Canada 1 55.34
Pierre Lueders/Ken Kotyk/Morgan Alexander/Lascelles Brown
5. United States 1 55.43
Todd Hays/Pavle Jovanovic/Steve Mesler/Brock Kreitzburg
6. United States 2 55.46
Steven Holcomb/Curtis Tomasevicz/Bill Schuffenhauer/Lorenzo Smith
7. Germany 2 55.47
Rene Spies/Christoph Heyder/Enrico Kuehn/Alex Metzger
8. Italy 1 55.63
Simone Bertazzo/Samuele Romanini/Matteo Torchio/Omar Sacco
9. Switzerland 2 55.65
Ivo Rueegg/Andi Gees/Roman Handschin/Christian Aebli
10. Austria 1 55.77
Wolfgang Stampfer/Klaus Seelos/Juergen Loacker/Hans-Peter Welz
11. Italy 2 55.80
Fabrizio Tosini/Luca Ottolino/Antonio de Sanctis/Giorgio Morbidelli
12. Netherlands 1 55.82
Arend Glas/Vincent Kortbeek/Sybren Jansma/Arno Klaassen
13. Russia 2 55.87
Evgeni Popov/Sergei Golubev/Piotr Makartchuk/Dmitry Stepushkin
14. Latvia 1 55.88
Janis Minins/Daumants Dreiskens/Marcis Rullis/Janis Ozols
15. Poland 1 55.89
Dawid Kupczyk/Michal Zblewski/Mariusz Latkowski/Marcin Placheta
16. Czech Republic 1 55.92
Ivo Danilevic/Radek Rechka/Roman Gomola/Jan Kobian
17. Britain 1 56.06
Lee Johnston/Martin Wright/Karl Johnston/Dan Humphries
18. France 1 56.09
Bruno Mingeon/Christophe Fouquet/Pierre-Alain Menneron/Alexandre
Vanhoutte
19. Canada 2 56.10
Serge Despres/Nathan Cunningham/Steve Larsen/David Bissett
20. Slovakia 1 56.29
Milan Jagnesak/Victor Rajek/Andrej Benda/Robert Krestanko
21. Latvia 2 56.34
Mihails Arhipovs/Intars Dicmanis/Maris Bogdanovs/Reinis Rozitis
22. Romania 1 56.61
Nicolae Istrate/Adrian Duminicel/Gabriel Popa/Ioan Danut Dovalciuc
23. Croatia 1 56.67
Ivan Sola/Slaven Krajacic/Dejan Vojnovic/Juraj Grabusic
24. Hungary 1 56.99
Marton Gyulai/Zsolt Istvan Kurtosi/Tamas Margl/Bertalan Pinter
25. Brazil 1 1:00.31
Ricardo Raschini/Marcio Silva/Claudinei da Silva/Edson Luques
Bindilatti
. New Zealand 1 DNS
Alan Henderson/Aaron Orangi/Steve Harrison/Matt Dallow
(
24Feb06 17:34 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
Categories:
PC Magazine Leads the Way in Vista Coverage
NEW YORK, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziff Davis Media's leading technology franchise, PC Magazine recorded its single highest traffic record volume for one day, for its comprehensive preview of one of the world's most eagerly anticipated technology products, Microsoft's upcoming Windows Vista program. PC Magazine broke the Vista story first among its competitors yesterday online at http://go.pcmag.com/vista with its special report -- "Inside Windows Vista:
Build 5308."
The Microsoft Vista special report is one of the most complete stories ever produced by PC Magazine. PC Magazine's website, http://PCMag.com, is the leading source of comprehensive, insightful and independent analysis of Microsoft's new Vista technology. The innovative illustrated walkthrough of
Windows Vista features 55 screenshots, and thousands of words, and delivers a wide-ranging and insightful look at the upcoming Windows operating system. PC Magazine will continue to provide thorough coverage through the launch of Microsoft's Vista program this year.
PC Magazine has continued to lead the industry in Windows coverage. The magazine has a long history of detailed, insightful Microsoft operating system reports, going back to DOS in the early 1980s, following up with ground- breaking coverage of the PC's first graphical operating system Windows 1.0 and the break-through Windows 95 operating system.
Readers have come to depend on PC Magazine for the early word and evaluations of technologies that will impact their work and home lives, including Windows, security, wireless networking, portable video, cell phones, and more.
About PC Magazine
PC Magazine, the independent guide to technology, delivers comprehensive labs-based reviews and the most trusted recommendations for buyers of technology products and services. Reaching more than 5.1 million highly engaged technology influencers, PC Magazine provides product reviews, first
looks at emerging technologies and products, and opinionated columns from renowned technology pundits. To meet its readers' needs for buying information that is as current as it is comprehensive, PC Magazine publishes 22 times a year in print and continually on the Web. PCMag.com is the premier online
destination for technology buyers and enthusiasts.
Additional information is available at http://www.ziffdavis.com.
SOURCE Ziff Davis Media
Randy Zane of Ziff Davis Media Inc., +1-212-503-3535,
randy_zane@ziffdavis.com
24Feb06 18:20 GMT
Source PRN PR Newswire
New Survey Suggests Patients No Longer 'Embarrassed' By Cosmetic Surgery
NEW YORK, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new study commissioned by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and released today, men and women of all ages report a greater willingness to tell non-family members that they've had cosmetic surgery.
According to the February 2006 report of 1000 Americans 18 years of age and older, 79 percent of men and 82 percent of women would not be embarrassed if anyone other than immediate family and close friends knew about any plastic surgery they'd had done. While 29 percent of men and women aged 18 to 24
claimed they would be self-conscious about revealing they'd had work done, 89 percent of those in the 55 to 64 range claimed that they would have no misgivings whatsoever, up 7 percent from a 2005 survey. Other key findings of the study include:
* The majority of men and women (74 percent) have not wavered on their attitude toward cosmetic surgery in the past five years, although 16 percent said they were 'more favorable' as opposed to 9 percent that said they were 'less favorable.'
* Men and women are nearly equal in their approval of cosmetic surgery, with men showing a slightly lower (52 percent) approval rating than women (55 percent).
* Out of all age groups, men and women between the ages of 18 and 24 are the most likely to have grown 'more favorable' of plastic surgery in the last 5 years.
* Marital status has little effect as to whether a man or a woman would consider having cosmetic surgery. At 25 percent, those who are married are only slightly less likely to have work done than the un-wed (28 percent).
* Men and women age 55 to 64, at 61 percent, are the most likely to approve of cosmetic surgery, while those age 65 and over, at only 42 percent, are the least likely to show approval.
The study was commissioned by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and conducted by the independent research firm Synovate.
According to 2005 ASAPS Cosmetic Surgery Statistics, last year women had nearly 10,443,847 cosmetic procedures (91.4 percent of total), and men had nearly 984,903 procedures (8.6 percent of total). Overall, the number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures decreased 4% percent from 2004. To access the complete 2005 ASAPS Statistics, go to http://www.surgery.org/press/statistics-2005.php
SOURCE American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Adeena Colbert, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery,
+1-212-921-0500, media@surgery.org
24Feb06 20:00 GMT
Source PRN PR Newswire
Olympics-Curling-U.S. men sweep curling bronze
PINEROLO, Italy, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The United States won
their first Olympic curling medal on Friday, knocking out
Britain to take the bronze.
The U.S. men, skipped by pizzeria owner Pete Fenson, beat
Britain and Scottish skip David Murdoch 8-6 in ten ends.
It was Britain's fourth loss in row, having led the table
for the first six round-robin matches. Britain's women, skipped
by former defending champion Rhona Martin, failed to make it to
the semi-finals.
(OLYMPICS-CURLING-MEN-BRONZE; Reporting by Rachel
Sanderson, rachel.sanderson@reuters.com;
RM:rachel.sanderson.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Ted Turner to leave Time Warner board
NEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Time Warner Inc. <TWX.N> on
Friday said Ted Turner will leave the board after its upcoming
annual meeting, exiting a media empire he helped create,
sometimes criticized and, more recently, played a diminished
role in directing.
Turner gave no reason for his decision to step down, which
comes a week after Time Warner ended a potentially bruising
battle with dissident shareholder Carl Icahn.
"It is after much deliberation that I have decided not to
stand for reelection at the annual meeting," said Turner, who
for a time was the company's largest individual shareholder
after he sold Turner Broadcasting to Time Warner in 1996. "I
have enjoyed working with Dick Parsons as well as the other
board members and the management team."
Time Warner Chief Executive Parsons, who just finished the
very public battle with Icahn, described Turner as a "visionary
leader" in a brief statement.
Parsons said Turner had "made an extraordinary contribution
to this company and, indeed, to the world at large."
The company, which owns the Warner Brothers film studio and
the AOL online service, also said former U.S. Trade
Representative Carla Hills is stepping down from the board in
accordance with retirement policies.
Turner, whose first fame came as a sports baron and
yachtsman, was chairman of Turner Broadcasting System Inc.,
which includes such channels as CNN, TBS and TNT. Time Warner
acquired it in 1996 for $7.5 billion, creating the world's
largest communications company.
Turner served as vice chairman of Time Warner until 2003.
Critical in the past of some of the company's high-ranking
executives, including former CEO Gerald Levin and AOL founder
Steve Case, Turner also complained about his lack of influence
on the board.
Indeed, his role at the company has diminished in recent
years, and as of late last year he owned around 30 million
shares in Time Warner, less than 1 percent. Still, Turner's name is closely associated with the company, and he has been a media industry celebrity for years. In the 1970s, a decade in which he won the America's Cup yachting title, he was known as as "Captain Outrageous" for his sailing and his volubility.
But soon he become known by nicknames such as "Terrible
Ted" and "Mouth of the South" as he gained fame and built up
his television empire from scratch.
Turner's departure comes during another difficult stretch
for Time Warner. The company just this month ended the public
battle with Icahn, in which the investor at times called for
board to be replaced and the company split into as many as four
independent corporations.
Faced with the public relations battle, Time Warner agreed
to repurchase as much as $20 billion in stock and consider
electing two new directors, seeking Icahn's advice in the
process.
24Feb06 16:15 GMT
de;AOL de;AOLF de;AOLS de;AOLX us;TWX
Source RTRS Reuters News
Chiquita To Hold Investor Day on March 2 in New York City
Global Webcast and Remote Telephone Access Also Available
CINCINNATI, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiquita Brands
International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) will hold its annual analyst and investor day on Thursday, March 2, 2006. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Grand Paris meeting room of The Sofitel, 45 West 44th Street, New York. For telephone access, please contact one of the following numbers 10 minutes
prior to the scheduled start time. In the United States and Canada, dial 1-866-510-0711. For all other locations, dial +617-597-5379. A replay of the call will be available until March 16. To access, dial 1-888-286-8010 in the United States or +617-801-6888 from other locations and provide the confirmation code 19145368.
To listen to the audio webcast of the conference call, please use the link on Chiquita's home page (www.chiquita.com). The webcast will also be distributed over CCBN's StreetEvents Network (www.streetevents.com). The archived webcast will be available after the call at www.chiquita.com until 5 p.m. on March 17.
To attend in person, RSVP by e-mail to mmitchell@chiquita.com. Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (www.chiquita.com) is a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added produce, which is sold under the Chiquita(R) premium brand and related trademarks. The company is one of the largest banana producers in the world and a major supplier of bananas in Europe and North America. In June 2005, Chiquita acquired Fresh Express(R), the U.S. market leader in value-added salads, a fast-growing food category for grocery retailers, foodservice providers and quick-service restaurants. Certain statements may be made on the conference call that may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from any predictions made.
SOURCE Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
Michael Mitchell of Chiquita Brands International, Inc., +1-513-784-8959, or mmitchell@chiquita.com
24Feb06 16:17 GMT
Symbols:
us;CQB
Source PRN PR Newswire
Olympics-Alpine skiing-Paerson can beat my record, says Stenmark
By Simon Evans
SESTRIERE, Italy, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Ingemar Stenmark, the
most successful Alpine skier of all time, believes his fellow
Swede Anja Paerson could break his record of 86 World Cup
victories.
Paerson, who like Stenmark, hails from the Swedish village
of Tarnaby, won gold in the women's slalom on Wednesday and has
32 World Cup wins so far. "I think as long as she likes skiing she can compete for many more years, I hope she will beat my record of 86 World Cup victories - she has a good chance," Stenmark told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.
"She is skiing well in all disciplines and it would be
perfect for someone from my village to beat my record," he said.
Stenmark racked up his record tally of victories in the
1970s and 80s by competing mostly in slalom and giant slalom
whereas 24-year-old Paerson has won bronze in downhill and
combined at the Turin Games, is the current super-G world
champion and last season won the overall World Cup title.
"Maybe the most impressive thing about her is that she skis
well in all disciplines - she has all the mental strength and
physical strength and everything you need to become a top
champion," he said.
Stenmark, 49, was in Sestriere to watch Paerson claim her
first ever Olympic gold as she outpaced Austrians Nicole Hosp
and Marlies Schild to win the slalom.
"It was fantastic. It was a big relief for her as she was
under a lot of pressure. She has won medals in world
championships and Olympics but never a gold and so it was so
important for her," said the Swede.
Stenmark said he was convinced Paerson was capable of great
things after seeing her ski as a youngster.
"Already when she was seven or eight she was winning all the
races and it was obvious that she would become a great
champion," he said.
But the man who won the overall World Cup title three times
between 1976 and 1978 had no explanation for why Tarnaby had
been able to produce two skiers who between them have won 10
world and Olympic medal events. "I don't know. We have nothing else to do there except ski," he said, adding that it was unlikely that the village erupted with joy at Wednesday's gold medal. "I don't think there would have been much of a reaction
because they are used to great results but of course they are
very happy and very proud," he said. ((BC-OLYMPICS-ALPINE SKIING-STENMARK-INTERVIEW:
24Feb06 01:05 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
Categories:
Non-U.S. trading volume sets new record at NYSE
By Vivianne Rodrigues
NEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Trading in non-U.S. stocks at
the New York Stock Exchange reached a record 215.4 million
shares a day on average in January, up 32 percent from
December, according to the NYSE.
The previous record volume for non-U.S. trading at the NYSE
was 203.2 million shares a day, set in July 2002. Non-U.S.
volume last month accounted for 11.5 percent of total volume at
the exchange, up from 10.5 percent in December.
The dollar value of trading in non-U.S. stocks on the NYSE
also set a record at $7.4 billion daily, up from the previous
record of $5.1 billion in December.
European companies averaged 57.3 million shares a day in
January, up 34 percent over December and Canadian companies
averaged 51.3 million shares a day, up 27 percent over the
prior month.
Trading of NYSE-listed Asia-Pacific and Latin American
stocks averaged 39.2 million shares a day in January, about a
40 percent increase from December.
The worldwide market capitalization of NYSE-listed non-U.S.
companies reached $8.4 trillion in January, as the average
price of non-U.S. shares increased by 8 percent over year-end
2005.
24Feb06 15:38 GMT
Source RTRS Reuters News
eSignal Launches Advanced Get Dashboard for End-of-Day Traders; Product Includes Free Mentoring, Teaching and Training For Customers
HAYWARD, Calif.--(Business Wire)--Jan. 31, 2006--
eSignal, a division of Interactive Data Corporation
(NYSE: IDC) and a leading provider of streaming, real-time financial market data, news, analytics and decision support tools to professional and individual traders, today announced the immediate availability of Advanced GET End-of-Day, version 9.1.Combining an all new dashboard with many of the features offered in Advanced GET, Advanced GET End-of-Day 9.1 enhances the capabilities of investors to make timely decisions by taking the complexity out of scanning charts for Type I and Type II trades and automatically identifying these trade types. The new dashboard can monitor up to 80 charts within a single window and alert investors when "Type I" and "Type II" trade types are identified. Users will also appreciate a new
graphical interface that has been updated to allow users to better customize their desktop. Other features include access to company profiles with fundamental data and a new symbol search.
eSignal is also providing an extensive coaching, support and
training package for anyone upgrading to or purchasing Advanced GET End-of-Day 9.1. The package includes three months of online small group Advanced GET coaching, mentoring and training by eSignal's experienced traders, who use Advanced GET in their personal trading. "Successful trading isn't the result of using more tools than the next person - it's using the right tools, with the right training in the use of those tools," said Paul Famular, eSignal's vice president of global sales. "With this new release, we're enhancing an award-winning set of tools and combining them with the educational resources necessary to help investors maximize the potential of those tools."
"As a seasoned trader, I was thrilled with both the new program
and the training provided for Advanced GET," said Tyler P. Duffy, Managing Director for Capital Wealth Advisors, LLC, and an Advanced GET 9.1 beta user. "The training was invaluable. I quickly learned how to properly use the tools and apply the time-honored principles of this rule-based approach to trading."
Advanced GET End-of-Day 9.1 is offered at a discount for attendees of eSignal seminars. eSignal's complete schedule of free and paid classes, educational resources and product training are available for traders of all experience levels, and can be found at www.eSignalLearning.com. Live and online classes are available.
Availability
Advanced GET End-of-Day 9.1 is immediately available for $3,995
U.S. For a limited time only, existing users of Advanced GET
End-of-Day may upgrade to the new version for just $795 and will also receive one full year of Advanced GET End-of-Day data, which includes U.S. stocks, futures and Forex data. Additional services can be purchased online at www.AdvancedGET.com or by calling, toll free,
1.800.833.1228.
About eSignal
The eSignal division (www.eSignal.com) of Interactive Data
Corporation (NYSE: IDC) (www.interactivedatacorp.com) is a leading global provider of financial and business information to professional and active individual investors. Building on a 20-year legacy of delivering time-sensitive financial information, eSignal provides streaming, real-time market data, news and analytics. eSignal's suite of products includes eSignal(R), Advanced GET(TM), FutureSource(R), MarketCenter LIVE(TM) and QuoTrek(R).
eSignal
Raphel Finelli, 510-723-3501
rfinelli@mail.esignal.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006
31Jan06 13:16 GMT
Symbols:
de;DTA de;DTAF de;DTAS de;DTAX us;IDC
Source BW Business Wire
Free Software Makes Home Inventory Easy; New Version of Inventory Software Now Available
LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--Jan. 11, 2006--
The holiday influx of high tech gadgets, jewelry and
other gifts are long-since unwrapped, but have they been accounted for?
A new version of free home inventory software from the Insurance Information Network of California is now available. Home inventories are more important than ever considering the hurricane losses in the Gulf region, widespread fires in the central U.S. and the ever present danger of earthquakes in California.
A home inventory helps you to:
-- Purchase enough insurance to replace the items you own,
-- Streamline the insurance claim process, and
-- Substantiate losses for income tax purposes
To encourage homeowners and renters to create and update a home
inventory, IINC offers the software as a free download from its Web site at www.iinc.org. IINC is a non-profit, non-lobbying insurance trade association dedicated to helping consumers understand insurance and safety issues, and has spokespeople in Northern and Southern California available to discuss this and other insurance topics.
Insurance Information Network of California
Media Relations, 800-397-1679
Copyright Business Wire 2006
11Jan06 20:05 GMT
Source BW Business Wire
``Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'' Arrives on DVD March 7 from Warner Home Video [FSRNNCG]
BURBANK, Calif.--(Business Wire)--Jan. 13, 2006--
Warner Home Video:
-- The $282 Million(a) Record-Breaking Box Office Hit, from
Director Mike Newell, Features the Spellbinding Harry Potter
Cast of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
-- Available on a 2-Disc DVD Loaded with Fun Interactive
Challenges, Breathtaking Making-of Featurettes,
Behind-the-Scenes Footage and Exhilarating DVD-ROM Features
Experience the magic this spring when the mesmerizing film "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" debuts on DVD March 7 from Warner Home Video. Director Mike Newell (Mona Lisa Smile) and screenwriter Steve Kloves take audiences on a journey from the Quidditch World Cup to Hogwarts and into the thrilling competition of the Triwizard Tournament. Based on J.K. Rowling's award-winning fourth novel, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" takes Harry and his friends on an
adventure filled with more danger and action than ever before. This $282 million(a) box office smash features great performances from the returning cast of Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger). Fresh new faces in the magical Triwizard Tournament include Clemence Poesy (Fleur Delacour), Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory) and Stanislav Ianevski (Viktor Krum). Veteran actor Brendan Gleeson (Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody) joins the renowned cast of Hogwarts professors including Robbie Coltrane
(Rubeus Hagrid), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall) and Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore) in this suspenseful latest installment of the Harry Potter film series.
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" will be available on a
Single-Disc DVD for $28.98 SRP in full frame and widescreen formats. The 2-Disc Special Edition DVD will be available at $30.97 SRP and the Harry Potter Special Edition 4-pack at $73.92 SRP; both in widescreen format only. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" will also be available in UMD format for PSP.
SYNOPSIS
When Harry Potter's name emerges from the Goblet of Fire, he
becomes a competitor in a grueling battle for glory among three
wizarding schools -- the Triwizard Tournament. But since Harry never submitted his name for the Tournament, who did? Now Harry must confront a deadly dragon, fierce water demons and an enchanted maze only to find himself in the cruel grasp of He Who Must Not Be Named. In this fourth film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, everything changes as Harry, Ron and Hermione leave childhood forever and take on challenges greater than anything they could have imagined.
DVD ELEMENTS
2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION includes never-before-seen footage,
conversations with the cast, interactive challenges, making-of
featurettes and an exclusive look at the film from behind-the-scenes. The "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" 2-Disc Special Edition will thrill audiences with these exhilarating bonus features.
DISC 1:
Feature Film only
DISC 2:
Exciting Additional Scenes available
Conversations with the Cast -- an interview with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Fun Interactive Challenges Including:
-- Triwizard Tournament: Dragon Challenge
-- Triwizard Tournament: Lake Challenge
-- Triwizard Tournament: Maze Challenge
-- To the Graveyard and Back Challenge
Breathtaking Making-of Featurettes and Behind-the-Scenes
Including:
-- Harry vs. the Horntail: The First Task
-- In Too Deep: The Second Task
-- The Maze: The Third Task
-- Meet the Champions
-- He Who Must Not Be Named
-- Preparing for the Yule Ball
Exhilarating DVD-ROM Features Including:
-- EA Game Demo
-- Magical Trading Cards
-- Hogwarts Timeline
-- Web interactivity
THE CREDITS
With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
Note to Editors: Photo material can be downloaded at
www.whvdirect.com
(C)2006 Warner Bros. Ent.
Harry Potter Publishing Rights (C)J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter characters, names and related indicia are trademarks
of and (C)Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
(a) box office figure as of 1/12/06
"Terrific entertainment.
Fueled with endless invention."
- Roger Ebert, "EBERT & ROEPER"
Warner Home Video
Emily Zalenski, 818-977-7450
emily.zalenski@warnerbros.com
or
Edelman Public Relations
David Goldman, 212-704-8217
david.goldman@edelman.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006
13Jan06 13:30 GMT
Source BW Business Wire
Online Brokerage News Feeds question: Any IHubers aware of online brokers whom use news feeds other than reuters bn/prn/rtrs? Are there bloomberg news feeds available to online brokers for example? I will look into it but easier to ask.
Student-Run Private Equity Funds Take Center Stage at 3rd Annual University Private Equity Summit in Salt Lake City
--(Business Wire)--University Venture Fund
-
WHAT:More than 175 students from the nation's leading business
schools -- including Northwestern, Pennsylvania, Stanford,
UC Berkeley and others -- will meet for an exceptional
national conference on student-run private equity funds.
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 19 through Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006.
WHERE: Wells Fargo Building, 299 S. Main, 23rd floor, Salt Lake
City.
WHY:
The continuing trend in business schools is to provide
students with a true venture capital and entrepreneurial
education by students running their own firms. This hands-on
experience involves students researching startup companies
and commit investor's money. At the conference, students
will share their best practices, build their network of
busineess contacts, and learn from some of the best
professionals in the investment industry.
WHO:
Nationally-renowned investors and entrepreneurs will share
insights with the students, including Ken Howery, co-founder
of PayPal; Josh Wolfe, managing director of Lux Capital;
James Lee Sorenson, founder of Sorenson Communications; and
John Crocker, managing director of Citigroup Private Equity.
Media Opportunities:
Interviews will be available with the following:
-- Jared Hutchings, managing director of the University Venture
Fund, the nation's largest student-run private equity fund,
which is hosting the conference.
-- Jack Brittain, dean of University of Utah's David Eccles
School of Business.
-- James Lee Sorenson, founder of Sorenson Communications,
co-chair of Sorenson Capital Investment advisory committee and
founding donor of UVF.
CONTACT: For more information or to arrange an interview contact
David Parkinson, 801-287-9472 (work); 801-971-2450 (cell);
david@sorensoncompanies.com (e-mail).
University Venture Fund
David Parkinson, 801-287-9472 (work)
or 801-971-2450 (cell)
david@sorensoncompanies.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006
17Jan06 15:01 GMT
Source BW Business Wire
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox Helps Consumers Protect Themselves Against Home Lending and Foreclosure Rescue Scams Vulnerable Michigan Homeowners Targeted
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney General Mike Cox warned consumers today to be on guard against con-artists who target homeowners with various home lending and foreclosure rescue scams.
"For many consumers, purchasing a home is the largest investment of their lives. Consumers must educate themselves to protect their investment," said Cox. "In today's age of mass communication and access to data, there are so many different schemes con-artists employ to trick homeowners into selling their home for far less than it's worth or to refinance a loan with higher interest rates and payments than necessary."
In a Consumer Alert, "Home Lending and Foreclosure Rescue Scams" posted on the Attorney General's Web site, http://www.michigan.gov/ag , Cox cautions consumers against several sophisticated scams con-artists use and provides
warning signs consumers should look for.
"These scams change constantly as crooks become savvier," Cox said. "Homeowners need to be vigilant when making home improvements that require refinancing, or refinancing to save money or to save the home from foreclosure."
Michigan currently is reporting one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country and because con-artists prey on vulnerable consumers, it is important to spread the message.
The detailed Consumer Alert on Home Lending and Foreclosure Rescue Scams is also available by calling the Consumer
Protection Division's toll-free
hotline, 1-877-SOLVE-88(1-877-765-8388).
SOURCE Michigan Attorney General
Rusty Hills of Michigan Attorney General's office, +1-517-373-8060
24Jan06 19:47 GMT
Source PRN PR Newswire
A.G. Edwards Opens California Municipal BONDS Trading Desk
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Officials at
financial-services company A.G. Edwards (NYSE: AGE) announced today the opening of a new municipal bond trading desk in California. Working out of the firm's Beverly Hills branch office, the new regional trading desk will be responsible for municipal secondary trading for the states of California,
Nevada and Hawaii. The activities of the California desk will service the client needs of the St. Louis-based firm's entire branch network, which encompasses more than 730 offices nationwide.
"With our significant presence already in the region, and the fact that California is one of the largest issuers of municipal bonds in the country, it just made sense for us to have a trading desk in the state," said John Harrington, vice president and director of Fixed Income for A.G. Edwards. "We
have a total of 68 branch offices in California, Nevada and Hawaii, and we also run a public finance office in Los Angeles, so we know these markets well."
Heading the effort in California will be Brian Martin, a senior trader who specializes in West Coast municipal issues. Martin has relocated from the firm's headquarters to manage the California trading desk, and he will be joined by bond trader Derek Gipson and product specialist Carmelinda Vellanoweth. Gipson brings more than 15 years experience in municipal bond
trading, most recently serving as a vice president at Credit Suisse First Boston since 1991. Vellanoweth comes to A.G. Edwards after more than 20 years at Wachovia Securities, with experience in fixed-income marketing and municipal bonds.
The California bond desk becomes the second regional trading desk for the A.G. Edwards Fixed Income department, as the firm already runs a similar office in Jupiter, Florida that handles trading of issues from Florida,Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Guam and the
Virgin Islands.
About A.G. Edwards
Drawn to the firm's client-first philosophy, individuals and businesses have turned to A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. for sound advice and access to a wide array of investment products and services that can help them meet their financial goals and objectives. Founded in 1887, A.G. Edwards and its affiliates employ nearly 7,000 financial consultants in more than 700 offices nationwide and two European locations in London and Geneva.
More information
can be found on agedwards.com .
How we do business
A.G. Edwards generally acts as a broker-dealer, but may act as an investment advisor on designated accounts, and the firm's obligations will vary with the role it plays. When working with clients the firm generally acts as a broker-dealer unless specifically indicated in writing. To better understand the differences between brokerage and advisory services, please
consult Important Information About Your Relationship With A.G. Edwards on agedwards.com/disclosures .
SOURCE A.G. Edwards
Margaret Welch, +1-314-955-5912, welchmg@agedwards.com , or Byron Goodrich, +1-314-955-3235, byron.goodrich@agedwards.com , both of A.G. Edwards 5Jan06 15:13 GMT
Symbols:
de;EDW de;EDWF de;EDWX us;AGE
Source PRN PR Newswire
Categories:
Different or Similar? Technology Gap Between Small Offices and Home-based Businesses Is Decreasing, IDC Finds
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(Business Wire)--Jan. 25, 2006--
Very small offices (SO) and home-based offices (HO) are
often regarded as distinct markets for the purpose of IT marketing and sales: one is part of small business, the other part of consumer. In many respects however, they are very similar, and the technology gap between the two segments will decrease in the coming years, a new IDC study reveals.
"The SOHO market continues to bridge the consumer and commercial technology space, with significant opportunity for suppliers who can deliver affordable, easy to use solutions", said Merle Sandler, senior research analyst for SMB and Home Office Market at IDC. "Whether operating inside or outside the home, SOHO customers are interested in advanced technology that can help them grow their businesses."
Among key highlights of IDC's overview of SOHO firms are the
following:
-- SOHO firms will reach 23.1 million by the end of 2009.
-- Penetration rates for cellular phones, PCs, and inkjet
printers are similar and substantial for both SOHO segments.
-- Monochrome laser printer ownership is higher in small offices than in home offices, but with declining prices, color laser printers will be increasingly attractive to both segments.
-- LAN usage is higher among small offices than home offices, but networking use will grow significantly in both types of
businesses in the coming years.
-- Online small offices are more likely to have a home page than are online home offices, but home offices with a home page are more likely to be selling online.
IDC's new study, SOHO Market Overview 2006: How Similar Are Small Businesses with Fewer Than 10 Employees and Home-Based Businesses? (IDC #34776) examines the similarities and differences between SOHO firms - small offices with fewer than 10 employees (SO) and income-generating home offices (HO). The study forecasts the growth of both SOHO segments and compares their use of technologies including telecommunications, PCs, printers, LANs, Internet and ecommerce. To purchase this document, call IDC's Sales hotline at 508-988-7988 or email sales@idc.com.
About IDC
IDC is the premier global market intelligence and advisory firm in the information technology and telecommunications industries. We analyze and predict technology trends so that our clients can make strategic, fact-based decisions on IT purchases and business strategy. Over 700 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide local expertise and insights on technology markets. Business executives and IT managers have relied for 40 years on our advice to make decisions that contribute to the success of their organizations.
IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media,research, and events company. Additional information can be found at www.idc.com.
IDC
Merle Sandler, 508-988-6741
msandler@idc.com
or
Anne-Sophie Dankens, 508-935-4313
adankens@idc.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006
25Jan06 12:00 GMT
Source BW Business Wire
Median Price of a Home in California at $548,430 in December, up 15.6 Percent from Year Ago; Sales Decrease 17.6 Percent
LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--Jan. 25, 2006--
The median price of an existing home in California in
December increased 15.6 percent and sales decreased 17.6 percent compared with the same period a year ago, the California Association of REALTORS(R) (C.A.R.) reported today.
"Consumers also were rattled by both the spike in energy costs and the hurricanes late last year," he said. "Looking ahead, we expect those concerns to impact transactions completed in January as well."
"Housing affordability in the state remains at record lows, which also is impacting the robust sales trend we experienced throughout much of 2005," she said.
Source: California Association of REALTORS(R)
Today's release also is available on C.A.R. Online at
http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzU4OTk=.
California Association of REALTORS(R)
Mark Giberson, 213-739-8304
markg@car.org
Copyright Business Wire 2006
25Jan06 19:35 GMT
Source BW Business Wire
KB Home Becomes First Builder in Houston Awarded NHQ Certification for Exceptional Quality and Customer Satisfaction
Landmark Quality Management Program Provides Third-Party Certification and Increases Customer Satisfaction
UPPER MARLBORO, Md., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The NAHB Research Center today announced the National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certification of KB Home Houston. The Houston based division of national home builder KB Home, earned the designation following a rigorous NAHB Research Center audit of the
implementation of their quality assurance systems. KB Home is the only NHQ certified builder in the city of Houston, joining the elite group of builders who have successfully completed the distinguished program since its launch in early 2005. Additional KB Home divisions participating in the program are
working toward certification in 2006, signaling KB Home's corporate commitment to the NHQ program.
Formally launched at the 2005 International Builders' Show, the NHQ Certified Builder program is designed to increase efficiency and consistency in building practices. The program provides a rigorous and complete review of a builder's business practices, and ensures that all elements of the company's
quality assurance system are incorporated to provide greater customer satisfaction. To achieve certification, KB Home's Houston division conducted field and office training to implement their quality program, work more efficiently with their trade contractors, and maintain the continuous improvement efforts required by all NHQ Programs.
NAHB Research Center president Michael Luzier said, "I am excited about how the NHQ Certified Builder program is developing and the increased efficiencies and customer satisfaction that participating builders are achieving. This program will continue to play a vital role the evolution of
quality assurance in home building, and I would like to thank KB Home's Houston division for taking part in it."
KB Home -- Houston's Only Builder Certified for Quality
KB Home's Houston division delivered more than 2,700 homes throughout the greater Houston area in 2005. Despite the impressive production numbers, KB Home's top priority is delighting homeowners. In 2005, KB Home Houston earned
a customer satisfaction index of 99.2 percent. "KB Home's consistent focus on providing superior customer service for our
homebuyers throughout all phases of the homebuying experience is the cornerstone of our commitment to quality," said Kyle Davison, KB Home's South Central Texas Division President. "As Houston's only NHQ Certified home builder, KB Home is very proud to accept this award in recognition of our commitment to quality."
KB Home has been a pioneer in quality assurance in the home building industry. In November 2003, KB Home Chairman and CEO Bruce Karatz announced that the company would become the first large builder in the country to implement the NHQ Certified Trade Contractor program nationwide. This partnership will serve to provide greater efficiency, consistency, and
effectiveness to the benefit of KB Home's customers. As a result of program implementation, all of KB Home's trade partners will be required to complete quality assurance management training, and are on their way towards achieving
NHQ certification.
About the National Housing Quality Program:The NAHB Research Center launched the NHQ Program in 1993. The NHQ Program has introduced many of the concepts of the worldwide quality revolution to home building and remodeling, and provides numerous opportunities for collaboration among the various
industry stakeholders. NHQ activities include the Certified Builder Program, Certified Trade Contractor Program, Manufacturer Training Certification program, and co-sponsorship of the National Housing Quality Award Program.
Builders interested in starting on the path to quality certification can visit www.nahbrc.org/quality, email quality@nahbrc.org., or call Rita Knab, NHQ program coordinator, at (800) 638-8556, ext. 6225.
ABOUT THE NAHB RESEARCH CENTER: Located in Upper Marlboro, Md., the NAHB Research Center promotes innovation in housing technology to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of homes and home building products. Created over 40 years ago as a subsidiary of the
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the NAHB Research Center has established itself as the source for reliable, objective information and research on housing construction and development issues. Through its various testing and certification services, the Research Center seal is
internationally-recognized as a mark of product quality and an assurance of product performance.
ABOUT KB HOME: Building homes for nearly half a century, KB Home is one of America's premier homebuilders with domestic operating divisions in some of the fastest-growing regions and states: West Coast -- California; Southwest -- Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico; Central -- Colorado, Illinois, Indiana and Texas; and Southeast -- Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Kaufman & Broad S.A., the Company's publicly-traded French subsidiary, is one of the largest homebuilders in France.
In fiscal 2004, the Company delivered homes to 31,646 families in the United States and France. KB Home also offers complete mortgage services through Countrywide KB Home Loans, a joint venture with Countrywide Financial Corporation. Founded in 1957, and winner of the 2004 American Business Award for Best Overall Company, KB Home is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KBH." For more information about any of KB Home's new home communities, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit
http://www.kbhome.com.
CONTACT:
Lea Gibson
281-668-3873
lgibson@kbhome.com
Kimberly Warren
800-638-8556, x6269
kwarren@nahbrc.org
SOURCE KB Home
Lea Gibson of KB Home, +1-281-668-3873, lgibson@kbhome.com; or Kimberly Warren of NAHB Research Center, +1-800-638-8556, ext. 6269, kwarren@nahbrc.org
31Jan06 16:30 GMT
Symbols:
de;KBH de;KBHF de;KBHX us;KBH us;OHK us;YAB
Source PRN PR Newswire
Categories:
2006 Massachusetts Venture Capital Directory Now Available; Directory is the Only Guide Exclusively Devoted to Massachusetts Based Venture Capital Firms
BOSTON--(Business Wire)--Jan. 31, 2006--
Massinvestor Publishing is excited to announce the
launch of its 2006 Massachusetts Venture Capital Directory, which profiles over 185 Venture Capital firms with offices in Massachusetts.
While many professionals are familiar with some of the prominent Massachusetts Venture Capital names--Matrix, Charles River, Greylock, Battery--it may be surprising to know there are more than 185 Venture Capital firms with offices in the Bay State.
In addition to covering all local Venture Capitalists, the
directory includes profiles of local Private Equity firms (later stage investors), Incubators, prominent Angel investors, Family Investment offices, Merchant Banks, Venture Debt firms, and Economic Development offices.
The 2006 edition is completely revised and updated and includes
more than thirty firms not covered in the previous edition.
The Directory's Editor and Publisher, Michael Stern, has been
covering the Massachusetts Venture and Technology scene for over seven years.
"We're very excited about launching our fifth annual edition,"
said Stern. "It's amazing how much the Venture Capital landscape changes each year-- new firms have been created, new funds have been raised, and new partners have been added. We make it our mission to stay up to date with all the developments."
Massachusetts continues to remain a top area for Venture Capital activity. According to a recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers MoneyTree survey, Massachusetts ranks as the number two region in the country in terms of Venture Capital activity.
The Directory is sold exclusively through the website
www.massinvestor.com. The Directory includes an eBook (a complete electronic version of the printed Directory in an easy-to-use PDF format), as well as an interactive Excel spreadsheet containing the contact information (including email addresses) of more than 500 individual Massachusetts investment partners.
About Massinvestor Publishing
Founded in 1998, Massinvestor, Inc. is the leading publisher of
Venture Capital directories, providing authoritative coverage of the nation's top regions for Venture financing -- Silicon Valley, Massachusetts, Texas, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Massinvestor, Inc.
Michael Stern, 617-620-4606
info@massinvestor.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006
31Jan06 17:59 GMT
Source BW Business Wire
Warner Home Video Will Release the Third Season of ``The Waltons,'' the Award-Winning, Classic Family Drama, on DVD April 25, 2006
BURBANK, Calif.--(Business Wire)--Feb. 1, 2006--
John-Boy and the entire Waltons family will return for
another engaging season on DVD, when Warner Home Video releases "The Waltons: The Complete Third Season" on April 25, 2006.
The five-disc collector's set will feature over 20 hours of
content, including 25 episodes from the series' third season. The set will be available for $39.98 (SRP).
Consumers will be able to bring home another season of "The
Waltons," the heartwarming, family-friendly classic, which has been recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as one of the top, award-winning programs of all time. Season three of the series aired from September 1974 to March 1975 and earned Emmy Award wins for both Will Geer and Ellen Corby.
"`The Waltons' was an ideal family show that illustrated what life was like during the Great Depression. The acting, writing and production value of this series were superb and did a remarkable job of bringing the real-life drama of a loving family into the homes of America in a way that made us feel like we were part of that family," commented Rosemary Markson, WHV Executive Director, TV Marketing. She added, "`The Waltons' may have aired more that 30 years ago, however, the messages, values and morals presented in each episode are just as
relevant and effective today. The same goes for the show's
entertainment value. We think viewers of all ages will find this series to be thoroughly engaging."
"The Waltons," which made its network television premiere on
September 14, 1972, on CBS, follows one family's life as they run a lumber mill during the Great Depression in rural Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Created and narrated by author Earl Hamner, Jr., the program is a reflection of Hamner's own upbringing during the same era, with his experiences re-told to the viewer through the eyes of aspiring writer John Boy Walton (portrayed by Richard Thomas). The close-knit family includes father John Walton (Ralph Waite) and his wife Olivia (Michael Learned), and their children John Boy, Mary Ellen, Jim-Bob, Elizabeth, Jason, Erin and Ben. Grandparents Zeb (Will
Geer) and Esther (Ellen Corby) serve as the family elders of this large and loving family, who together face the challenges of 1930s United States while living on Waltons Mountain.
For more information on this and other titles distributed by
Warner Home Video, visit www.whvdirect.com.
Artwork is downloadable at www.WHVDirect.com or by request.
Warner Home Video
Melissa Hufjay, 818-977-7310
or
The Lippin Group/LA
Alex Uliantzeff, 323-965-1990
Copyright Business Wire 2006
01Feb06 12:00 GMT
Source BW Business Wire
More Home Builders News
Brookfield Homes Reports Strong Growth in Earnings Per Share
DEL MAR, Calif.--(Business Wire)--Feb. 1, 2006--
Brookfield Homes Corporation (NYSE:BHS) -
today announced strong financial results for the year ended December 31, 2005:
Brookfield Homes Corporation is a residential homebuilder and
land developer, building homes and developing land in master-planned communities and infill locations. We design, construct and market single-family and multi-family homes primarily to move-up and luxury homebuyers. We also entitle and develop land for our own communities and sell lots to other homebuilders. Our portfolio includes 30,000 lots owned and controlled in the San Francisco Bay Area; Southland / Los Angeles; San Diego / Riverside; Sacramento; and Washington D.C. Area markets.
Net income totaled $219 million, an increase of $73 million
from the same period in 2004. The 2005 results included $39 million generated from bulk land sales, and an increase in housing margins to 30% from 22% in 2004. Earnings per share totaled $7.04, compared to $4.64 in 2004.
- Housing revenue totaled $1,074 million, compared to $1,169
million in 2004. The decrease in housing revenue is primarily due to 216 fewer units closed during the year compared to 2004, partially offset by an increase in the average selling price of the company's homes to $679,000 from $650,000 in 2004.
- Cash flow from operating activities was $60 million in 2005,
and over the past two years the company generated a total of $224 million of operating cash flow.
- Fourth Quarter and Year Ended 2005 Financial and Operating
Highlights
Recent Developments and Operating Highlights
- 2005 Home and Lot Closings: In 2005, Brookfield Homes closed
1,582 homes and 1,242 lots for a total of 2,824 home and lot
closings. This compares to a total of 2,198 home and lot closings in 2004. Brookfield Homes' backlog as of the end of January 2006 was approximately 35% of the estimated 1,625 home closings for this year. The company has also targeted to close approximately 1,500 bulk lot sales during 2006.
- Lots Owned and Controlled: The company's lots owned or
controlled at December 31, 2005 total 29,512, an increase of 6% from inventory levels at the end of 2004. Direct ownership of 12,333 lots provides strong visibility on Brookfield Homes' future cash flows, and the 17,179 lots under option are controlled with the objective of adding value through land entitlements.
- A summary of lots, owned or controlled under option, by region, follows:
- Increased Regular Dividend: On February 1, 2006, the board of directors approved an increase in its semi-annual dividend to $0.20 per share. The increased dividend is payable on June 30, 2006 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2006.
- Tender Offer and Share Buyback Program: The company purchased, at a price of $55.00 per share, 10% or 3,000,000 shares of its outstanding common stock through a tender offer which expired in the fourth quarter of 2005. In addition, under the share buyback program, Brookfield Homes purchased a further 707,500 shares or $34 million of its common stock at an average price of $47.84 during 2005.
- 2006 Earnings Guidance - The company expects earnings per share to grow to between $7.60 and $8.20 in 2006, from $7.04 in 2005, an increase of up to 16%. Contributing factors to the positive earnings guidance are: the sale to other homebuilders of lots originally held through options, and then processed through the entitlement and/or development phases; and strong operating margins as a result of building homes on land the company entitled and developed.
Outlook
"We believe our markets will see a soft landing, characterized by a leveling off of home prices and deliveries. Having said that, we are well positioned to maintain our strong performance by proactively managing our operations through changing economic environments," concluded Ian Cockwell, Brookfield Homes' President and Chief Executive Officer.
Brookfield Homes Corporation
For more information, visit the Brookfield Homes website at www.brookfieldhomes.com.
Brookfield Homes Corporation
Linda Northwood
Director, Investor Relations
(858) 481-2567
Email: lnorthwood@brookfieldhomes.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006
01Feb06 21:30 GMT
Symbols:
de;BXY us;BHS
Source BW Business Wire
Categories:
MST/I/HOM MST/L/EN MST/R/CA MST/R/NME MST/R/US MST/R/US/CA MST/S/ERN
TGT/BWB
German securities trading up 47 percent in Jan
FRANKFURT, Feb 1 (Reuters) - German securities trade rose
47 percent in January to 436.2 billion euros ($527.8 billion),
helped by a strong rise in equity trading, exchange operator
Deutsche Boerse <DB1Gn.DE> said on Wednesday.
Trading in equities, warrants and exchange-traded funds was
389.4 billion euros in January. Trading in fixed-income
securities totaled 46.8 billion, the company said.
Order book statistics showed German stock exchanges
generated an equities turnover of 144.5 billion euros in
January, up from 91.5 billion in January 2005.
German equities accounted for 133.5 billion euros of this
total, with foreign equities comprising 11.1 billion.
On the Eurex derivatives exchange, which Deutsche Boerse
co-owns with the Swiss Stock Exchange, the number of contracts
rose 24 percent from the year-earlier month to 118 million.
About 5.4 million contracts were traded and settled per day
in January.
The strongest performance of the month was in the
fixed-income derivatives segment, with 59.4 million contracts
traded. More than 25 million contracts were traded in the
euro-bund-future.
($1=.8265 Euro)
01Feb06 19:55 GMT
Symbols:
de;DB1 de;DB1F de;DB1S de;DB1X gb;DHE
Source RTRS Reuters News
Pulte Homes Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Financial Results
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--(Business Wire)--Feb. 1, 2006--
Pulte Homes, Inc. (NYSE:PHM):
based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is a FORTUNE 200 company with operations in 54 markets and 27 states
Fourth Quarter Earnings from Continuing Operations Increase 28% to a Record $2.03 Per Diluted Share
Q4 Home Settlement Revenues Climb 28% to a Record $5.0 Billion
Net New Orders for the Quarter Climb 24% to $3.3 Billion; Backlog Value Increases 22% to $6.3 Billion
2005 Consolidated Revenues Increase 28% to a Record $14.7 Billion; 2005 Earnings from Continuing Operations Increase 43% to $5.47 Per Diluted Share
Company Reaffirms Guidance for 2006 Earnings from Continuing Operations in the Range of $6.00 to $6.25 Per Diluted Share
Company Repurchases $102 Million of Stock During Q4; Board Approves New $200 Million Share Repurchase Authorization
Pulte Homes, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) today announced record financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. For the quarter, income from continuing operations increased 28% to a record $531.7 million, compared with $415.2 million in 2004. Fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations increased 28% to $2.03 per diluted share, compared with prior year earnings from continuing operations of $1.59 per diluted share. Quarterly and annual earnings per share for both years have been adjusted for the Company's 2:1
stock split effected September 1, 2005 and for the reclassification of Pulte's Mexico business to Discontinued Operations following its sale as announced on December 27, 2005.
Consolidated fourth quarter revenues for the Company increased 24% to $5.1 billion.
For the full year 2005, Pulte Homes reported record consolidated revenues of $14.7 billion, an increase of 28% over the prior year. Full year earnings from continuing operations gained 43% to $5.47 per diluted share, compared with $3.82 in the prior year.
"We are very pleased with Pulte's fourth quarter and full year
operating and financial results," said Richard J. Dugas, Jr.,
President and Chief Executive Officer. "The strength of Pulte's
diversified business model, particularly our customer segment
diversity that includes an unmatched position serving the exploding Active Adult population with our Del Webb brand, once again allowed Pulte to post excellent new order growth that is among the strongest in our industry. Fundamentally, our strategy of serving all major buyer segments and geographies offers opportunities for increased growth and more consistent financial performance."
"Through the scale, scope and diversification advantages Pulte
maintains, we see opportunity for further growth in 2006. We continue to target 2006 earnings growth of roughly 10% to 15%, which is in-line with current guidance for earnings of $6.00 to $6.25 per share," said Dugas.
In a separate release, Pulte Homes announced that its Board of
Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional $200 million of its outstanding stock. "During the fourth quarter of 2005, we repurchased approximately $102 million worth of our outstanding shares, which used all but approximately $20 million of the previous authorization," said Roger A. Cregg, Executive Vice President and CFO. "Given current market conditions, we see an opportunity to invest in our business through the purchase of land assets and our own stock."
Fourth Quarter Results
Revenues from homebuilding settlements for the fourth quarter
increased 28% to a record $5 billion. Higher revenues for the period re the result of a 9% increase in average selling price to $321,000 combined with a 17% increase in total home deliveries to 15,670 homes.
The higher average selling price for the period reflects a combination of price increases realized during the quarter and changes in the mix of homes delivered.
Fourth quarter homebuilding pretax income increased 23% to $820.5 million, compared with prior year pretax income of $664.8 million.
Pretax income for the period benefited from a 130 basis point decrease in Selling, General & Administrative expenses as a percent of home settlement revenues, partially offset by a 40 basis point decrease in gross margins from home settlements. In addition, land sales during the quarter generated $9.3 million in gross profits, compared with $62.9 million in 2004. Land sales are an important component of the Company's domestic homebuilding operations, but can fluctuate quarter-to-quarter depending upon the timing of individual land transactions.
The dollar value of net new home orders for the quarter was $3.3 billion, or 9,821 homes, up 24% from the prior year fourth quarter order value of $2.7 billion, or 8,940 homes. Ending backlog for Pulte's homebuilding operations was valued at $6.3 billion, an increase of 22% over the prior year. Yearend unit backlog totaled 17,817 homes, an increase of 12% compared with 15,916 at the end of 2004.
Fourth quarter pretax income for the Company's financial services operations totaled $25.9 million, compared with prior year pretax income of $17.7 million. The 47% increase in pretax income was driven by an increase in loan originations and a more favorable interest rate environment. Higher homebuilding volumes, combined with a 180 basis point increase in capture rate to 90.6%, helped drive loan production for the period to 14,972 loans, representing $3 billion in principal value.
Effective with the sale of Pulte Mexico as announced on December 27, 2005, Pulte's Mexican business operations were reclassified into Discontinued Operations. In addition, the Company recorded fourth quarter income in discontinued operations associated with the previously announced judgment in the Company's breach of contract case against the United States government. As reported in a November 18, 2005 press release, the company received $48.7 million from the conclusion of this case, with the funds to be used for general corporate purposes.
Full Year Results
For the year ended December 31, 2005, Pulte Homes' income from
continuing operations increased 45% to $1.4 billion, compared with prior year income of $993.6 million. Earnings from continuing operations for 2005 were $5.47 per diluted share, an increase of 43% over prior year earnings from continuing operations of $3.82 per diluted share. Annual earnings per share for both years have been adjusted for the Company's 2:1 stock split effected September 1, 2005 and for the reclassification of Pulte's Mexico business operations to
Discontinued Operations following the sale of its homebuilding
operations announced on December 27, 2005. Consolidated revenues for 2005 were a record $14.7 billion, up 28%
from $11.5 billion in 2004.
Revenues from homebuilding settlements for 2005 increased 30% to $14.4 billion. Higher revenues for the period resulted from a 10% increase in average selling price to $315,000 combined with an 18% increase in the number of homes closed which totaled a record 45,630 homes. The increase in average selling price for the period reflects a combination of price increases and a favorable change in the mix of product closed during the period.
Homebuilding pretax income for the year increased 41% to a record $2.3 billion, compared with prior year pretax income of $1.6 billion. Gross margins from home sales for the period increased 80 basis points to 23.4%, while Selling, General & Administrative costs as a percentage of settlement revenues dropped approximately 110 basis points to 7.7%. Land sales for the year generated $18.2 million in pretax income, compared with $99.8 million in 2004.
For 2005, Pulte's financial services operations reported pretax
income of $70.6 million, an increase of 49% over prior year pretax income of $47.4 million. Higher homebuilding volumes, combined with a 140 basis point increase in capture rate to 89.2%, helped drive loan originations for the period to 42,994 loans, representing $8.5 billion in principal value.
A conference call discussing Pulte Homes' fourth quarter results will be held Thursday, February 2, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, and web cast live via Pulte.com. Interested investors can access the call via the Company's home page at www.pulte.com .
About Pulte Homes
Pulte Homes, Inc., (NYSE:PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is a FORTUNE 200 company with operations in 54 markets and 27 states. In 2005, the company delivered 45,630 homes in the U.S. and generated consolidated revenues of $14.7 billion. During its 56-year history, the company has constructed more than 450,000 homes. In 2005, Pulte Homes received the most awards in the J.D. Power and Associates New Home-Builder Customer Satisfaction Study(sm), marking the sixth-straight year Pulte achieved this distinction among America's largest homebuilding companies. Pulte operations were highest-ranked
in 16 markets and were among the top three in 22 of 27 markets in which it qualified. Under its Del Webb brand, Pulte is the nation's largest builder of active adult communities for people age 55 and better. Its DiVosta operation is nationally recognized for a proprietary building system that has delivered more than 25,000 "Built Solid" homes in Florida since 1960. Pulte Mortgage LLC is a nationwide lender and offers Pulte customers a wide variety of loan products and superior customer service.
Investor Relations
James Zeumer, 248-433-4597
email: jim.zeumer@pulte.com
or Media Relations
Mark Marymee, 248-433-4648
email: mark.marymee@pulte.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006
01Feb06 22:02 GMT
Symbols:
us;PHM