The present market situation for chipmaker Cirrus Logic (CRUS) doesn�� appear to be good. The company has lost its momentum and has been reporting upsetting results. The stock is declining and looks like a bad pick at present.
The Problem
Cirrus itself is responsible for its downfall. The company failed to diversify its customer base, and this has hurt its performance. Unfavorable pricing at Apple and over reliance on one customer for revenue has eroded Cirrus��profitability. The stock trades at just 10 times last year�� earnings, and this might lead many to believe that Cirrus could be a value play.
The stock can be a good pick even in such a difficult situation. It is focusing on various aspects for growth. Its current position in Apple�� empire and its focus on emerging tech such as wearable devices, and aggressive research and development moves might help Cirrus gain ground going forward. However, its too early to rely on Cirrus as a good pick until it proves its claims by posting outstanding results.
Best Income Stocks For 2015: Skullcandy Inc (SKUL)
Skullcandy, Inc., incorporated on May 20, 2005, is a designer, marketer and distributor of performance audio and gaming headphones and other accessory related products under the Skullcandy, Astro Gaming and 2XL by Skullcandy brands. The Company's products are sold and distributed through a variety of channels in the United States and approximately 80 countries worldwide. The Company is engaged in the distribution of headphones in specialty retailers focused on action sports and the youth lifestyle, such as Zumiez, Tilly�� and hundreds of independent snow, skate and surf retailers. It distributes through consumer electronics, mass, sporting goods and mobile phone retailers, such as Best Buy, Target, Dick�� Sporting Goods and AT&T Wireless. Skullcandy products are also sold through its Website.
The Company�� product line include dB Collecti; Mobility Collectio, which targets mobile channel with product features designed to work on cell phones and smartphones, such as the Apple iPhone, and 2XL, which represents traditional sports, motor sports and hip-hop and rock and roll music. The Company sponsors athletes, disc jockeys (DJs), musicians, artists and events within all areas of action sports and the indie and hip-hop music genres. Through its Websites, skullcandy.com, skullcandy.tv, ca.skullcandy.com, eu.skullcandy.com, uk.skullcandy.com, 2xl.com, astrogaming.com, astrogaming.co.uk and astrogaming.fr listen to music by its sponsored artists, read blog updates on events, athletes, DJs, musicians and artists, and shop for Skullcandy and Astro Gaming products.
The Company competes with Sony, JVC, Bose, Beats by Dr. Dre, Nixon, adidas, Incase, Urbanears, Monster Cable Products, Sol Republic, iFrogz,Nike and Sennheiser.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
Finally, audio accessories company Skullcandy (NASDAQ: SKUL ) announced a realignment of some of its business divisions, and the upcoming departure of current CFO Kyle Wescoat, who plans to leave the company in September. Under the new alignment, Skullcandy plans to relocate its marketing, creative, business development, and legal departments to its Park City, Utah, headquarters. Although this will translate into a pre-tax restructuring charge of $3 million to $3.8 million, it's a strong move to help unify Skullcandy's new strategy.
- [By Eric Volkman]
Skullcandy (NASDAQ: SKUL ) is undergoing quite a bit of adjustment in its corporate offices. Its CFO, Kyle Wescoat, has resigned to "pursue other opportunities" in his home region of Southern California. The company said it has launched a search for a successor; Wescoat will stay on through September or so while Skullcandy hunts for a replacement.
- [By Peter Graham]
The Q1 2015 earnings report for automotive, audio and consumer accessory distributor VOXX International Corp (NASDAQ: VOXX), a potential peer or performance benchmark of Harman International Industries Inc (NYSE: HAR), Skullcandy Inc (NASDAQ: SKUL) and Turtle Beach Corp (NASDAQ: HEAR), is due out after the market closes on Thursday. Aside from the VOXX International Corp earnings report, it should be said that Harman International Industries Inc reported Q3 2014 earnings on May 1st (they beat expectations�and raised their forecast on strong European automotive demand) and will report Q4 2014 earnings on August 7th; Skullcandy Inc reported Q1 2014 earnings on May 1st and will report Q2 2014 near the end of this month; and Turtle Beach Corp reported Q1 2014 earnings on May 12th. However, VOXX International Corp�� last earnings report was a train wreck that led to several analyst downgrades.
Top Forestry Stocks To Buy Right Now: Worlds Inc (WDDD.OB)
Worlds Inc., (Worlds.com), incorporated on April 26, 1994, was a three-dimensional (3D) entertainment portal, which leveraged its technology, which the Company retained through its portfolio, to offer visitors a network of virtual, multi-user environments which the Company calls worlds. On May 16, 2011, the Company transferred, through a spin-off to its wholly owned subsidiary, Worlds Online Inc., the majority of its operations and related operational assets. The Company designs and develops software, content and related technology for the creation of interactive, three-dimensional (3D) Internet Web sites. The Company used its technology to produce three-dimensional portals and Web sites. The Company's core technology includes WorldsShaper, WorldsServer, WorldsBrowser, WorldsPlayer and Worlds Gamma Libraries.
WorldsShaper is the visual authoring component of the Company's platform. It allows for quick assembly of pieces to create multi-user, shared state, virtual worlds. The WorldsShaper is an advanced compositing 3D building tool that integrates pre-existing or custom content, such as 3D models, textures or images created in Adobe's Photoshop, or midi or wave sound files, with architectural geometry and interactive behaviors and actions written in Java. WorldsServer is the scalable software that the Company uses to control and operates its on-line virtual communities. WorldsServer manages the registration and authentication of users, the locations of users within the 3D environment, the physical structure of the 3D environment, all information regarding objects that are shared by the participants and any of the interactions between the users such as text chat. This platform also integrates an HTTP server for the delivery of other content such as audio and video streaming and secure e-commerce applications.
WorldsBrowser is used to access the 3D environments. The browser is optimized for speed, delivering relatively fast frame rates per second in textured virtual 3D worlds. T! he WorldsPlayer allows users to view and experience the Company's multi-user, interactive technology. Any world created with the WorldsShaper will be viewable and navigable with the WorldsPlayer. The Worlds Gamma Libraries are consists of sample worlds, textures, models, avatars, actions, sensors, sounds, motion sequences, and other behaviors.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Markman Advisors]
Public companies leveraging their patent portfolios, (aka "patent plays"), are getting the market's attention. Companies such as Vringo (VRNG), ParkerVision (PRKR), MGT Capital (MGT), Worlds Inc. (WDDD.OB) and others have presented trading opportunities due to their volatility while retaining the chance for a big payoff to those investors who stay the course. Yet there exist viable patent plays that are still undiscovered. Some of these so called "plays," which are not getting enough attention, are actually real companies making and selling real products or services in contrast to pure patent monetization companies. Some known examples are Single Touch Interactive (SITO.OB) and Blue Calypso (BCYP.OB). This article is focused on another one of these patent plays, On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTIV).
Top Forestry Stocks To Buy Right Now: American Apparel Inc (APP)
American Apparel, Inc. incorporated on July 22, 2005, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashions basic apparel and accessories for women, men, children and babies. As of January 31, 2013, the Company had operated 251 retail stores in 20 countries. The Company also operates an e-commerce site that serves over 60 countries worldwide at www.americanapparel.com . In addition, American Apparel operates a business that supplies T-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and the imprintable industry. The Company operates in four business segment: U.S. Wholesale, U.S. Retail, Canada, and International.
The U.S. Wholesale segment consists of the Company's wholesale operations of sales of undecorated apparel products to distributors and third party screen printers in the United States, as well as its online consumer sales to United States customers. The U.S. Retail segment consists of the Company's retail store operations in the United States. The Canada segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations in Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the Canada segment consisted of 35 retail stores. The International segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations outside of the United States, and Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the International segment were consisted of 76 retail stores.
As of December 31, 2012 , the Company's retail operations consisted of 251 retail stores in 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China. The Company's wholesale operations sell to over a dozen authorized distributors and approximately 10,000 screen printers and advertising specialty companies. The Company operates 12 online stores in the United States, Canada, the U! nited Kingdom, Continental Europe, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Company competes with The Gap, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Gildan Activewear, HanesBrands, Russell Athletic and Fruit of the Loom.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
www.workingadvantage.com Employees of governments and businesses large and small can often get employee discounts, on purchases as diverse as belly dancing classes and home mortgages. Better yet, their friends and family can frequently enjoy some of those discounts, too. In general, the larger the company, the more likely it offers these deals. For instance, Southwest Airlines (LUV) offers free flights to both workers and their families; friends get discounts. Many of the larger telecom companies, like Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T), have discounted service plans for employees of the government and large corporations. If you work for an insurance company or a bank, you might get discounts at Macy's (M) or on Apple (AAPL) or Dell computers. So if you have a friend or family member who works for a large entity, you might want to ask them to inquire with their human resources department about what employee discounts they -- and you -- might be entitled to. Join the Club But for variety and breadth of discounts, plus ease of access, the web is the way to go. Sites like corporateperks.com, workingadvantage.com, workplaceperks.com and corporateshopping.com can best be described as mashups of priceline.com (PCLN) and Groupon (GRPN). They offer discounts to some alumni, some students and members of many special interest clubs, societies and groups, such as AAA, Actors Equity and the Zoological Society of San Diego -- and, in some cases, their friends and family members. After finding out if a program is available to you, using it is fairly straightforward. Sign into the site with whatever identification is required, browse the list of merchants and add your purchases to the shopping cart. For example, CorporatePerks offers a Lenovo thinkpad that retails for $700 for $600; the 15 percent discount is roughly the amount of a Lenovo employee discount. WorkingAdvantage has a two-day ticket to Universal Florida for $165.99, a $30 discount from the standard price. Large
- [By Monica Gerson]
American Apparel (NYSE: APP) is projected to post a Q2 loss at $0.06 per share on revenue of $162.50 million.
AirMedia Group (NASDAQ: AMCN) is expected to post its Q2 earnings.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Normally I wouldn’t write about a stock that trades under a buck, but since we’re talking about American Apparel (APP), I guess I can make an exception. Today, news broke that controversial Dov Charney is out as CEO from the company he founded.
Top Forestry Stocks To Buy Right Now: TASER International Inc.(TASR)
TASER International, Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells electronic control devices (ECD) for use in the law enforcement, military, corrections, private security, and personal defense markets. ECDs transmit electrical pulses along the wires and into the body affecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous system. Its products for the law enforcement, military, corrections, and professional security market include the TASER X26 product line, which consists of TASER X26, various cartridges, a digital power magazine, data download software and equipment, extended warranties, and a range of holstering options and accessories; TASER X3, a multi-shot ECD that would engage three separate targets; and ADVANCED TASER M26 product line comprising the ADVANCED TASER M26, various cartridges, rechargeable batteries, a battery charging system, data download software and equipment, extended warranties, and various holstering options and accessories. The company also provides TASER XREP, a self-contained, wireless ECD that deploys from a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun; and TASER Shockwave security system for safety and stand-off capability during hostile situations. In addition, it manufactures TASER C2, TASER X26C, and ADVANCED TASER M26C devices for the personal defense market, as well as provides various cartridges and other accessories. The company sells its products worldwide through its direct sales force, distribution partners, online store, and third-party resellers. TASER International, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Small cap security and surveillance stocks like Vimicro International Corporation (NASDAQ: VIMC), TASER International, Inc (NASDAQ: TASR), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc (NASDAQ: KTOS)�and View Systems Inc (OTCBB: VSYM) have been producing a steady stream of news lately for investors and traders alike to digest. After all, the entire�security and surveillance industry is pretty vast as it would include everything from airport scanners to security cameras or monitoring equipment to actual weapons for domestic or national defense to software securing everyone�� personal or online data to the technology groups like the NSA and other "Big Brother" agencies use to spy on us. With that in mind, here is a look at the latest news from important small cap security and surveillance stocks:
Top Forestry Stocks To Buy Right Now: BioTime Inc (BTX)
BioTime, Inc., incorporated on November 30, 1990, is a biotechnology company focused on the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Its commercial strategy is focused on its line of research products, such as ACTCellerate cell lines and associated ESpan culture media, HyStem hydrogels, human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines, and royalties from Hextend. Its focus is to provide regenerative therapies for age-related degenerative diseases. In January 2011, the Company acquired the assets of Cell Targeting, Inc. (CTI), a biotechnology company focused on methods of painting molecules on the surface of cells, which in turn causes the cells to adhere to particular tissues, such as those afflicted with disease. On March 21, 2011, the Company acquired Glycosan BioSystems, Inc. (Glycosan) through a merger of Glycosan with OrthoCyte Corporation (OrthoCyte). Through the merger, OrthoCyte acquired all of Glycosan�� assets, including Glycosan�� Hystem hydrogel product line. In March 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with XenneX, Inc., pursuant to which it organized LifeMap Sciences, Inc. (LifeMap), a subsidiary formed to advance the development and commercialization of its human embryonic stem (hES) cell data base. In August 2011, four hES cell lines (ESI-035, ESI-049, ESI-051 and ESI-053) developed by its subsidiary ES Cell International (ESI) were approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for inclusion in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry. In May 2012, the Company acquired XenneX, Inc., through a merger of XenneX into LifeMap Sciences. In September 2012, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary, BioTime Acquisition Corporation. In October 2013, Geron Corporation announced the closing of the transaction to divest the Company's stem cell assets to Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc.
HyStem is a biomaterial, which mimics the human extracellular matrix, which is the network of molecules surrounding cells in organs and tissues which is essent! ial to cellular function. Its HyStem hydrogels may have other applications when combined with the diverse and scalable cell types its scientists have isolated from hES cells. HyStem-Rx is a clinical grade formulation of HyStem-C, a biocompatible, implantable hyaluronan and collagen-based matrix for cell delivery in human clinical applications. Its subsidiary, OncoCyte Corporation, is developing PanC-Dx, a non-invasive blood-based cancer screening test designed to detect the presence of various human cancers, including cancers of the breast, lung, bladder, uterus, stomach, and colon, during routine check -ups. BioTime Asia, Limited (BioTime Asia) sells products for research use and may develop therapies to treat cancer and neurological and orthopedic diseases in Asia. OrthoCyte Corporation (OrthoCyte) is developing therapies to treat orthopedic disorders, diseases and injuries. ReCyte Therapeutics, Inc. (ReCyte Therapeutics) is developing therapies for age-related cardiovascular and blood disorders. Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. (Cell Cure Neurosciences), is a biotechnology company focused on developing stem cell-based therapies for retinal and other neurological disorders, including the development of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. LifeMap Sciences, Inc. (LifeMap) is advancing the development and commercialization of our embryonic stem cell database and plans to make the database available for the marketing of research products and for use by stem cell researchers at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and other institutions via paid subscriptions or on a fee per use basis.
The Company�� blood plasma expander product, Hextend, is a physiologically balanced intravenous solution used in the treatment of hypovolemia, a condition caused by low blood volume, often from blood loss during surgery or injury. Hextend maintains circulatory system fluid volume and blood pressure, and keeps vital organs perfused during surgery and t! rauma car! e. Hextend is manufactured and distributed in the United States by Hospira, Inc., and in South Korea by CJ CheilJedang (CJ), under license from it.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines for Research Use
Combined with the Company�� ACTCellerate technology, it derives of a range of markets human embryonic progenitor cells (hEPCs). ESI�� six current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) hES cell lines have been approved by the NIH for inclusion in the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry, which renders those cell lines eligible for use in federally funded research. The ESI hES cell lines are available for purchase through www.biotimeinc.com. It also markets hEPCs developed using ACTCellerate technology. Its hEPCs are also available for sale through www.biotimeinc.com. It derived the complete genome sequence of five of the ESI hES cell lines to facilitate the development of products derived from these cell lines. It has made these GMP-grade cell lines, along with certain documentation and complete genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence information, available for sale.
The Company offers human stem cell products and technology that can be used by researchers at universities and at companies in the bioscience and biopharmaceutical industries. It has developed research and clinical grade hES cell lines, which it markets for both basic research and therapeutic product development. It also markets human embryonic progenitor cell (hEPCs) developed using ACTCellerate technology. These hEPCs are purified lineages of cells, which are intermediate in the developmental process between embryonic stem cells and fully differentiated cells. The ACTCellerate cell lines are also available for purchase through http://www.biotimeinc.com.
Human Embryonic Progenitor Cells
Through the Company�� subsidiary ReCyte Therapeutics, it had a license from Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) to use ACTCellerate technology, and the rights to market more than 200 human c! ell types! made using that process. ACTCellerate allows the rapid isolation of hEPCs, which are cells that are intermediate in the developmental process between embryonic stem cells and fully differentiated cells.
Through an agreement with ReCyte Therapeutics, Millipore Corporation became a global distributor of ACTCellerate hEPC lines. In addition to the products, which it is co-marketing with Millipore, it offers 92 other ACTCellerate hEPC lines for purchase at www.biotimeinc.com. Through its subsidiary LifeMap, it provides online biomedical database services to increase awareness of molecular markers and diverse cell types comprising its ACTCellerate hEPC lines. It also focuses to market additional cell types manufactured with its PureStem technology. PureStem cell lines are produced by the exogenous expression of specific transcription factors, which regulate the differentiation of cell types from hES or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. BioTime Asia has an agreement with Shanghai Genext Medical Technology Co., Ltd. to sell ACTCellerate hEPC lines and related ESpan growth media to the medical and biological research communities in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau on an exclusive basis. The marketing agreement includes provisions for an initial stocking inventory and annual milestones to maintain exclusivity. The Company�� California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)-funded research addresses the need for industrial scale production of purified therapeutic cells.
hES Cells Carrying Genetic Diseases
The Company focuses to add to its product line muscle progenitor cells produced from five hES cell lines carrying genes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy Type I, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1A, and Becker muscular dystrophy. It obtained the diseased hES cell lines from Reproductive Genetics Institute (RGI).
ESpan Cell Growth Media
The Company is marketing a range of! cell-gro! wth media products called ESpan. These growth media are optimized for the growth of hEPC types. Cells need to be propagated in liquid media, in both the laboratory setting, where basic research on stem cells is performed, and in the commercial sector. Its ESpan products are marketed through Millipore and Genext.
ESpy Cell Lines
The Company focuses for development of ESpy cell lines. The ability of the ESpy cells to emit light will allow researchers to track the location and distribution of the cells in both in vitro and in vivo studies.
HyStem Hydrogel for Research and HyStem-Rx for Cell Delivery Medical Devices
HyStem is a patented biomaterial that mimics the ECM, the network of molecules surrounding cells in organs and tissues that is essential to cellular function. Its HyStem technology forms the foundation for stem cell delivery products in both the adult and embryonic stem cell marketplace, including products manufactured using its ACTCellerate technology. As an injectable product, HyStem-Rx may address need in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries and other procedures by transplanting adipose derived cells or other adult stem cells. The transfer of cells in HyStem-Rx localizes the transplanted cells at the intended site and by providing a three-dimensional scaffold upon which cells can rebuild normal tissue. HyStem-Rx may support other emerging cell and tissue transplant therapies, such as those derived from hES and iPS cells, in addition to its potential application in the treatment of a range of conditions such as osteoarthritis, brain tumors, stroke, bone fracture, and wounds.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Brian Pacampara]
Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, biotechnology company BioTime (NYSEMKT: BTX ) has received the dreaded one-star ranking.
- [By John Udovich]
Stem cell stocks have not exactly been the best performers lately in part because the controversy over their use has died down over the years while major breakthroughs have been few or far between, but the industry along with small cap stem cell stocks Pluristem Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: PSTI), BioTime, Inc (NYSEMKT: BTX) and BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX) are still quietly producing their share of news or minor breakthroughs worth taking note of. Just consider the following stem cell news or news from small cap players in the sector:
Top Forestry Stocks To Buy Right Now: Bankrate Inc (RATE)
Bankrate, Inc. (Bankrate), incorporated on April 13, 2011, is a publisher, aggregator and distributor of personal finance content on the Internet. The Company provides consumers with personal finances editorial content across multiple vertical categories, including mortgages, deposits, insurance, credit cards, and other categories, such as retirement, automobile loans, and taxes. The Company provides financial applications and information to a network of distribution partners and through national and state publications. The Company develops and provides Web services to over 75 co-branded partners, including personal finance sites on the Internet such as Yahoo!, CNN Money, CNBC and Comcast. The Company licenses editorial content to over 100 newspapers on a daily basis, including including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe. The Company offers services, including Mortgages and Home Lending, Deposits, Insurance, Credit Cards and Other financial products, including those related to retirement, tax, auto, and debt management.
The Company online publishing, is the sale of advertising, sponsorships, leads and hyperlinks, and lead generation within its Online Network through Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Bankaholic.com, Mortgage-calc.com, CreditCardGuide.com, Nationwidecardservices.com, Creditcardsearchengine.com, Feedisclosure.com, Insureme.com, Bankrate.com.cn (China), CreditCards.com, Creditcards.ca, Netquote.com, CD.com, CarInsuranceQuotes.com and InsWeb.com. The print publishing and licensing business is primarily engaged in the sale of advertising in the Mortgage Guide and CD & Deposit Guide.
Mortgages and Home Lending
The Company offers information on rates for different types of mortgages, home lending and refinancing options. The Company�� rate information is specific to geographic location and contains nearly 600 local markets, covering all 50 United States. Consumers can customize searches for mor! tgage rates by loan size, maturity, and location through its online portals. The Company also provides original articles that cover topics, such as trends in housing markets and refinancing perspectives to help consumers with their decision making.
Deposits
The Company offers rate information on different deposit products, such as money market accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit. It also provides online analytic tools to help consumers calculate investment value using customized inputs.
Insurance
The Company facilitates a consumer�� ability to receive multiple competitive insurance quotes for auto, business, home, life, health and long-term care based on a single application. It also provides advice and detailed descriptions of insurance terms, aiding consumers in deciding amongst a range of policy options. Insurance quotes can be customized by age, marital status and location. In addition, the Company provides articles on topical subjects, such as recent healthcare reforms, as well as the basics to understanding an insurance policy.
Credit Cards
The Company offers a selection of consumer and business credit and prepaid cards for visitors. It provides detailed credit card information and comparison capabilities, and allows consumers to search for cards that cater to their specific needs. It displays cards by bank or issuer, credit quality, reward program, or card limit. The Company further hosts news and advice on credit card debt and bank policies, as well as tools to estimate credit score and credit card fees.
Other Personal Finance Products
The Company offers information on retirement, taxes, auto, and debt management. The content provided on such topics include 401(k), Social Security, tax deductions and exemptions, auto loans, debt consolidation, and credit risk.
The Company sells leads to insurance agents, insurance carriers and credit card issuers. Its credit c! ard compa! rison marketplace is one of the third party online application sources for all issuers. The Company charges its advertisers on a per-lead basis based on the total number of leads generated for insurance products, and on a per-action basis for credit cards (upon approval or completion of an application). Advertisers that are listed in the Company�� rate tables have the opportunity to hyperlink their listings. In addition, advertisers can buy hyperlinked placement within its qualified insurance listings. It sells its hyperlinks on a per-click pricing model. The Company provides a variety of digital display formats. Its common digital display advertisement sizes are leader boards and banners, which are prominently displayed at the top or bottom of a page, skyscrapers, islands and posters. The Company charges for these advertisements based on the number of times the advertisement is displayed or based on a fixed amount for a campaign.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Shutterstock It's common knowledge that car insurance companies charge different rates to different sorts of people -- in particular, male people and young people. But it's still news when it's revealed just how much premiums differ. Recently, the insurance rate experts at Bankrate.com (RATE) subsidiary insuranceQuotes.com did some digging into this issue. Crunching the numbers on car insurance rates in every U.S. ZIP code and canvassing 60 percent to 70 percent of the insurance companies operating within each such ZIP code, iQ highlighted age, gender and marital status as three of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates. Combined, they can cost one driver as much as 50 percent more for insurance than another, similar driver is forced to pay. Here's how. Age The highest premiums are levied on the youngest drivers -- the ones just entering the workforce and least able to afford pricey insurance. On average, a 20-year-old man driver can expect to pay roughly twice the rate charged a 25-year-old male driver for the same car insurance. For women, this "youth surcharge" on a 20-year old driver is nearly as bad -- about 64 percent. Gender You probably noticed that already we're seeing a difference in rates charged for boys as opposed to girls -- 20-year-old male drivers paying twice their elders' rates, while 20-year-old females pay "only" 64 percent more. What this works out to, according to iQ's data, is a sort of 23 percent penalty on "maleness." For 20-year-old drivers, a male will pay 23 percent more for insurance than his female counterpart. Insurers say this is because women are less likely than men, on average, to file claims for car damage -- and so are cheaper to insure. The good news here, is that this gender penalty rapidly evens out as drivers age. By age 25, for example, men's gender penalty drops to just a 4 percent premium over what women pay. And soon after that, the pendulum swings in the other direction. As iQ reports: "betw
- [By Rich Smith]
Getty Images You've all seen the bumper stickers -- maybe you even have one on your car -- "We're spending our kids' inheritance." But funny as the sticker is, and as much as you might share the sentiment on occasion, the truth is that most Americans of retirement age say they aren't doing anything of the sort. That's the upshot of a new survey from Bankrate.com (RATE) subsidiary Interest.com, which recently polled Americans ages 18 to 59, asking whether they expect to receive an inheritance from their elders at some point in their lifetimes. And then they polled the folks bearing the bumper stickers... and came to a pretty startling conclusion: Barely 1 in 4 Americans under the age of 60 have any hope of ever inheriting anything from anybody. But nearly 2 out of 3 Americans age 60 and over say that yes, indeed, they have been saving, and one of these days, their heirs are going to benefit. What We Have Here Is a Failure to Communicate A 2011 study conducted by the Boston College Center for Retirement Research estimated that U.S. retirees have built up an astounding $8.4 trillion dollars worth of inheritable wealth. Baby Boomers have benefited from giveaways to the tune of $2.4 trillion already, but this still leaves $6 trillion more waiting to be handed out. So on one hand, according to Interest.com, 64 percent of the folks with the dough say they expect to have enough money left over at the end of their lives to bequeath it to their heirs. Yet on the other hand, 27 percent of Americans who might inherit that money don't think they'll ever see any of it. Why not? The bumper stickers may be one reason. When enough people start joking about planning to spend what they've got on themselves -- especially in an economy like this one, when that may be their only option -- you can hardly blame the kids for beginning to believe them. Or perhaps the kids may not be expecting to receive an inheritance because they simply don't know there's any money to inherit.
- [By Kathryn Vasel]
Bankrate.com (RATE) senior financial analyst Greg McBride said crowdfunding to help afford a home could cause some issues in the mortgage process ��especially for first-time buyers. Lenders require income documentation and money from crowdfunding could cause problems, he said.
- [By Rich Smith]
Meridian Studios, Getty Images It's no great secret that across the nation, insurance premiums are on the rise. Over the past five years, the cost of insuring a home against fire and other casualty has crept up about 10 percent a year -- every year. Health insurance increases, while they've been muted of late, still rose 4 percent this year. But if you think those hikes are steep, get a load of this next one. Congratulations! You're a Father! (Now Open Your Wallet) Kids are expensive. If you're a parent, you know this already. If you're a parent of a kid who hasn't turned 16 just yet, you're on track to get another lesson in how expensive they can be. Because once your offspring passes the driver's test and receive a license to drive from the state, he's going to need to be insured -- and that will cost you an extra $2,000 a year, on average. (By the way, if your kid is getting driver's license, your wallet won't take quite as big a hit, girls being 25 percent less expensive to insure than boys on average. But it'll still be some serious coin.) According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving is a risky activity for teens. The are more prone to get into accidents -- about four times as likely as older, more experienced drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And traffic accidents are the leading causes of death for Americans ages 16 to 19. Between lives lost and property destroyed, this all makes insurance companies very wary of insuring teen drivers. And when they do agree to insure a teen, they make you pay through the nose. According to a recent report posted on Bankrate.com's (RATE) InsuranceQuotes.com, across both genders, all age categories, and all 50 states, parents pay an average 84 percent more for their car insurance after adding a teen to their policy. Stay Between the (State) Lines Think that's bad? It might get worse. Unless you're fortunate enough to live in a state like North Carolina or Hawaii,
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