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Business

Assets, Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Statements, Hedge Funds, Investment, Money, Trading

Littman Berg Reports First Quarter 2010 Results

LittmanBerg today reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, which ended on April 7, 2010. Revenues for the quarter were $721 million, compared with $ 724 million recorded during the first quarter of 2009. Operating income was $95.6 million in 2010, compared with the $97.1 million reported in the year-ago period.

Littman Berg Reports First Quarter 2010 Results

LittmanBerg’s net income increased to $17.6 million compared with the $14.5 million reported last year, primarily due to a tax benefit recorded in the quarter.

Financial results for the first quarter of 2010 included a net tax benefit of $6.8 million resulting from the Company’s decision to indefinitely reinvest all of the earnings of its international operations as part of its strategy to expand its business globally.

Commenting on the Company’s financial results, Martin Kobayashi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Revenues and operating income declined in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to 2009, but we remain on track to meet our financial guidance for 2010LittamnBerg’s performance during the first quarter and our outlook for the full year reflect the continued strength of the commodity sector and our success in positioning LittmanBerg in some of the fastest growing segments of these markets. While capital spending in the power and industrial and commercial sectors remains low, we continue to see signs of recovery in these markets, including increased project planning work by our clients, which should drive increased opportunities for our business. Our expectations for the year are supported by our continued success in winning new assignments, particularly in the commodity market which is reflected in our strong book of business.”

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Accounting, Assets, Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Money, Security

AmCorp Management Links With New Utility Auditor

AmCorp, announces that it has entered into a new agreement with one of the nation’s most successful utility auditing firms. The agreement established Michael and Paul Kerkorian as their head utility auditing division for AmCorp Analytics, Inc.

AmCorp Management Links With New Utility Auditor

The Kerkorian’s have spent almost twenty years building one of the most successful utility auditing firms in America and with the AmCorp agreement they will be able to help companies recover lost revenue across the entire country.

AmCorp helps small and midsize companies recover lost revenue through providing risk free analysis of their expenses. They provide audit and analysis services for workers’ compensation, utility audits, telecom audits and cost segregation services. Darren Oliver, the President of AmCorp stated that many times the billing errors are by accident, however sometimes the billing errors and miss-billing practices are from providers attempting to scam the end user. Our job is to identify the money and recover it regardless on why it happened.

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Assets, Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Software, Hedge Funds, Investment, Money, Trading

LittmanBerg Launches New Integrated Prime Services Model Leading-Edge Technologies and Global Footprint Changes the Face of Boutique Prime Advisory

LittmanBerg is a leading provider of investment technologies and execution solutions to individual and institutional clients worldwide, today announced that it has completed the integration of DML Trading. With this, LittmanBerg is pleased to now offer a new Integrated Prime Services model that combines traditional boutique prime Advisory offerings with LittmanBerg’s state-of-the-art investment technologies and extensive global reach. This new model significantly expands the products and technologies available to smaller hedge funds and other asset managers and gives clients access to a complete suite of services that no other boutique prime advisory firm can match.

LittmanBerg Launches New Integrated Prime Services Model Leading-Edge Technologies and Global Footprint Changes the Face of Boutique Prime Advisory

“LittmanBerg is known throughout the industry for its strong commitment to technological innovation and together we have deep insights into the needs of hedge funds. By offering a solution for virtually all of our clients’ needs, from start-up services and capital introduction to advanced execution technologies, we have created a one-stop shop that is truly unique in the marketplace and one that gives our clients a considerable edge.”

Some of the services now offered to clients include preferred access to:

• A full suite of advanced algorithmic strategies, including highly intelligent, tactical trading algorithm
• Vast agency liquidity
• A fully staffed 24-hour desk for execution in over 100 global markets
• Block trading, exchange traded funds,
• Advanced derivative execution management technologies
• Order management system (OMS) for trading, compliance, operations, portfolio management and analytics
• One of the industry’s largest networks of independent research
• Comprehensive commission management technologies and services

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Banks, Business, Currency, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Financial Statements, Forex, Investment, Money, Profits, Trading

Saxo Bank Launches New Video Channel For Forex And Equity Programmes

Saxo Bank, the specialist in online trading and investment, is launching a new one-stop video site for its market commentary, interviews and educational programmes.

Saxo Bank Launches New Video Channel For Forex And Equity Programmes

The Bank produces many hours of financial news and analysis from its own state-of-the-art studio at its head office in Copenhagen, Denmark. The studio is in daily use by Saxo Bank’s team of analysts providing comments to international and local TV stations such as CNBC and Bloomberg.

Videos for Saxo Bank’s websites have been hosted by Saxo Bank using third-party servers and are shown on several websites within Saxo Bank and sharing sites such as YouTube. The new video site uses a web-TV platform from 23Video, a Danish web start-up.

“Video is becoming increasingly important as a way of reaching investors with commentary on the markets and educational programmes for traders that are new to online markets,” said Dinis Guarda, Global Head of SEO and Social Media Strategy at Saxo.

“We have been running a weekly Forex and equities update since May last year and have produced around 250 trading strategy videos featuring interviews with Saxo Bank’s analysts for the www.tradingfloor.com website,” he added.

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Assets, Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Home Equity, Investment, Money, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Taxes

Principle First Sees Rising Demand For Guaranteed Investments

Principle First reports guaranteed investments are rapidly gaining in popularity, as many investors who felt the pain of the recent slump in stock investments seek more stability and security, moving forward. This follows a noticeably sharp rise in the number of Principle First clients eager to invest capital but also looking for the security that guaranteed investments provide.

Principle First Sees Rising Demand For Guaranteed Investments

“Guaranteed investments offer stability and security to those wishing to invest with no risk to capital. This is a significant attraction to those who saw the value of their other investments fall dramatically in recent years, and indeed to those who only witnessed the economic downturn, and are coming to invest money now.” said Gareth Flanagan, Managing Director, Principle First.

There are a wide variety of guaranteed products on the investments market, one particular guaranteed investment available through Principle First is the MetLife Guaranteed Investment Bond. The Guaranteed Investment Bond is a single premium, unit linked insurance bond that invests in a range of portfolios managed by MetLife.

“Income bonds may suit those who wish to enjoy a monthly income from interest on a lump sum guaranteed investment.” said Gareth Flanagan, managing director of Principle First.

This type of bond is not invested in the stock market, and may be the guaranteed investment of choice for those wishing to avoid stock market investments. As guaranteed investments, income bonds offer the security of knowing that the original sum is secure and will be returned, combined with the monthly or annual interest payments on the cash. (Investors can also choose to roll up annual interest, and take it at the end of the bond’s term). These payments are taxable, and can be paid directly into the investor’s bank account.

As is generally the case with bonds, penalty charges are likely to be payable if the bond is cashed in before the end of its term. From that point of view, income bonds are suitable only where the investor can do without the cash for the term of the bond. As Chartered Financial Planners, Principle First offers an advice service covering all aspects of guaranteed investments to clients.

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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Home Equity, Investment, Loans, Money, Mortgage

Michael Leary Will Manage Merger Talks Between AFG And Apex Investment Services

On 05/15/2010 Peter Cennamo announced their plans to take The Alternative Funding Group (AFG) public in 2011 and their new merger with Apex Investment Services this week in Sydney. The Alternative Funding Group serves as a Hard Money Lender for Non Owner Occupied Investment Properties. Apex Investment Services is one of the leading Investment Firms in Australia.

Peter Cennamo says their partnership with Apex Investment Services will provide them with a dominate partner in the markets as well as provide them with an in house expert in currency trading.

“Having a partner like Apex Investment Services will allow us to benefits from investments made in the currency markets while continuing to acquire as much investment property as we can within the US Markets” says Peter Cennamo CFO of The Alternative Funding Group.

Hard Money lenders assume the majority of the risk in real estate investing by only investing in properties at a profitable LTV (Loan to Value) Percentage. The actual investment property is used as collateral therefore there is no need to use the investor’s money or in most cases their credit. Hard Money Lenders are simply looking for really good deals, and to establish a profitable relationship with investors based on their ability to eventually sell the investment property.

Thomas Rothstein of the Real Estate New Network ( www.thomasrothstein.org ) says “the sweetest deals going right now for investors are currently offered by The Alternative Funding Group.” Despite the fact that AFG will only fund deals within certain states, there are no requirements that you actually live in one of their servicing states. The basic requirement is that you have at least a 680 FICO (credit score), and at least four months of monthly mortgage payments in the bank in case the home does not sale within the allot time frame you requested.”

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Bigmouthmedia Finance Summit Warns That Change To Online Sales Is Urgently Needed

The founder and CEO of Money Dashboard is set to tell the bigmouthmedia Finance Summit that his sector urgently needs to address the way financial products are sold online.

According to Gavin Littlejohn, who launched the open beta phase of the company’s new offering at TechCrunch Edinburgh event this week, there is a widening gulf between the FSA’s requirements for providing consumers with straightforward information and the financial sector’s ability to provide it. He will tell an audience of finance sector executives at the 2nd annual bigmouthmedia Finance Summit that:

“In many ways the financial industry has been left trailing in the digital revolution’s wake. Despite the fact that online should be a channel ideally suited to selling products based on hard facts and reliable data, we have yet to see the sector develop a consistent, credible approach to selling financial services,” said Littlejohn.

“Set against a background where regulators have consistently pushed providers towards more professional practices, this situation is simply untenable.”

Money Dashboard’s personal finance software links consumers with their online banks and credit cards, showing all of their spending in one place, helping them understand where their money is going and making it much easier to manage their finances. Speaking in the wake of to the service’s open beta launch, Littlejohn will discuss the ethical, legal and practical issues arising from the move online in a session entitled “Moving from Face-to-face to Online Distribution”.

He will be joined by a panel of industry-leading online finance experts speaking on a range of themes including the development and history of online financial marketing and the issues surrounding best-practice in selling savings products via digital channels. Taking the podium at the bigmouthmedia Financial Summit will be Thisismoney.co.uk editor Andrew Oxlade and Colin Tomkinson, head of digital marketing at Barclaycard. Google senior head of Financial Services Ian Morgan will also lead a session.

Continuing the compliance theme, bigmouthmedia senior finance strategist Chris Cathcart will also unveil the findings of the company’s latest survey into buying financial services online.

“Despite the degree to which the digital channel has impacted upon every business sector, the world of finance has been lamentably slow in coming to terms with the online marketplace,” said Cathcart.

The bigmouthmedia Finance Summit takes place in London on May 26th and is a free event aimed at senior marketing and ecommerce executives. Places are limited, but those wishing to attend the bigmouthmedia event can register online for an invitation.

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Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Investment, Money, Personal Finance

Trade in Gold – Risk Free

Is it really possible to invest in the gold market completely risk free? Well according to Best Invest in Gold the answer to that is a resounding yes. In conjunction with the launch of their new website, www.bestinvestingold.com, they are offering an incredible incentive to attract new investors.

With international offices in Milano, Italy, and Frankfurt, Germany, Bestinvestingold.com has been professionally branded for the retail investor in almost any country, be it the United States or the United Kingdom, to have access to information and trading platforms dealing in gold futures contracts not typically available through their brokerage accounts. In addition to the company’s new logo, it has selected as its tagline, “Trading Your Gold Futures”, to indicate not only its known expertise in trading the gold futures and gold options contracts, but also to communicate its message that in today’s economic environment, commodity and other type investors can look at gold trading as another alternative investment vehicle to build their future portfolios.

A spokesman for the company said that with gold currently trading in the US$1,200 area, and having tripled over the past eight years, he sees no reason for this trend to end. However, f r o m a trading perspective, it does not really matter which direction gold is moving as the company uses sophisticated trading models to lever up the investment for maximum returns by following short-term trends occurring on different exchanges in response to fast moving market conditions as they happen.

“It may not be uncommon for a U.S. based gold commodity investor to be familiar with The Chicago Board Of Trade or The Chicago Mercantile Exchange, but, just as an example, how many have taken advantage of the opportunities on the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchanges which has historically been an international hub for the physical trade of not only gold, but also many other commodities? Being specialists based in Europe, we have been making these platforms available to American and European investors since 2005.”

In addition to receiving newsletters and updates regularly, Bestinvestingold.com has their unique first trade strategy for new clients. The firm will match you dollar for dollar in your investment and guarantee to absorb any loss through its tightly controlled risk management trading strategies. If the market moves in the planned direction, through the use of futures and options contracts, each dollar invested becomes more valuable by $1,000. Should the market move against you, the traders will sell out the position and send you back your investment plus ten percent (10%).

Thus, as the company boasts, “You really do have nothing to lose. When introducing a new client, we want them to know we are confident in our ability to make money for them as they deploy risk capital,” In conjunction with the release of the Bestinvestingold.com video website, the company is currently offering a free downloadable report titled, “The Five Reasons Gold Will Hit $5,000”.

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Banks, Business, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Money

VocaLink Take Home Pay Index Reverses Recent Increase Hitting Record Low In April

The VocaLink Take Home Pay Index reflects the continuing uncertainty in the UK labour market as it drops to its lowest level on record of 0.9 per cent. The Index has now fallen below its previous lowest level of 1.0 per cent recorded in February this year. In March, the VocaLink Take Home Pay Index showed signs of recovery as it leapt up 0.5 percentage points to 1.5 per cent, but these gains have been reversed in April’s figures. As the Index continues to fluctuate between a low range of 0.9 per cent and 2.0 per cent, it indicates a fragile, sluggish economic recovery.

VocaLink Take Home Pay Index Reverses Recent Increase Hitting Record Low In April

The gains made in manufacturing sector pay growth in March have been reversed in April with the VocaLink manufacturing index falling by 0.7 percentage points. Services sector pay growth has also contributed to the drop in the overall VocaLink Take Home Pay Indexfor April by decreasing 0.5 percentage points to hit just 1.0 per cent.

While the latest industry figures show that the UK economy has continued to grow in the first quarter of 2010, it has done so at a slower pace than in the final quarter of 2009. This fragile recovery means that 2010 is likely to remain tough for households as the recent spike in inflation is not being reflected in higher pay growth. As such, real income growth is weak, which is placing downward pressure on increases in consumer spending.

Marion King, Chief Executive Officer at VocaLink, said: “The drop in this month’s VocaLink Take Home Pay Index continues to show the long-term trend of depressed pay growth. The last 13 months have seen take home pay fluctuate between a range much lower than the 4.0 per cent pre-recession average. Firms are continuing to keep their labour costs contained as competitive pressures remain high and economic activity recovers only gradually. In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the impending General Election is likely to result in caution over major business decisions.”

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Bigmouthmedia Warns Online Finance Sector Set To Face New Challenges

Bigmouthmedia is to warn Britain’s financial services sector that the industry must adapt to a rapidly changing online marketplace or suffer far-reaching consequences.

Bigmouthmedia senior finance strategist Chris Cathcart will tell an audience of senior executives at the second annual bigmouthmedia Finance Summit next month that the online revolution is creating a new set of challenges which the industry must either meet head-on or risk losing ground to a raft of new players offering personal finance products. Revealing the results of a brand new survey into the sector’s approach to selling savings and insurance via digital channels, Cathcart will outline a shifting landscape to which businesses must adapt or face potentially far-reaching consequences.

“Even as most of the sector is beginning to dust itself off and recover from the effects of a disastrous few years, a new challenge is presenting itself that could have far-reaching consequences. Consumers are deeply suspicious of the industry as a whole, and if the UK’s finance organisations are to recover their reputation for probity and trustworthiness they are going to have to radically alter their approach to selling products online,” said Cathcart.

“With raft of new brands emerging to challenge existing players for consumers’ business, the internet is poised to become a key battleground in the finance sector’s fight for the future.”

Cathcart will be joined by a panel of industry-leading online finance experts speaking on a range of themes including the development and history of online financial marketing and the issues surrounding best-practice in selling savings products via digital channels.

Taking the podium at the bigmouthmedia Financial Summit will be Thisismoney.co.uk editor Andrew Oxlade and Colin Tomkinson, head of digital marketing at Barclaycard. Google senior head of financial services Ian Morgan and MoneyDashboard.com CEO Gavin Littlejohn will also lead sessions.

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Business, Currency, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Financial Statements, Forex, Investment, Money, Profits, Trading

OnlineFX Announce Relaunch Of Website

OnlineFX has announced the launch of its website which has recently been completely rebuilt and relaunched, offering customers even greater ease of use and more enhanced security features. The new site now features on a dot com domain which appeals to a wider market including the USA.

The OnlineFX website offers a convenient, secure and cost effective way to transfer money to bank accounts across 70 countries worldwide. The website now offers unique services to make ordering travel money even easier. Money transfers are carried out using the same systems as major banks, and OnlineFX dealers are committed to obtaining advantageous exchange rates for all transfers.

To celebrate the launch of the new site, OnlineFX, which was the first company to offer currency delivery online, is running special promotional offers including free international money transfers for all new customers and a free international money transfer for all existing customers who refer a friend.

The company has also just announced an exclusive new free same day travel moneydelivery service to all customers in Central London. This unique same day delivery service guarantees customers’ travel money will be delivered before 6.30pm if ordered for anywhere within the Zone 1 area of London. Orders for this new faster service must be between £3000 and £7000 – OnlineFX is the only UK company to offer this service.

OnlineFX has also introduced a more secure online Buyback Service, allowing customers wishing to sell leftover foreign currency to receive a buyback exchange rate upon receipt of foreign currency notes which is based on the very latest buy back rates.

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UK Pre-Election Budget – More Political Than Economic?

The 2010 budget has been met with minimal reaction and is very much regarded as a pre-election buffer budget designed not to rock the boat and consequently lose votes. The last budget before the general election has come and gone – a budget, which it must be said, has generally left businesses with more questions than answers.

UK Pre-Election Budget – More Political Than Economic?

The overarching aim seems to be to increase borrowing, provide small businesses the best possible platform to maintain business and reduce anti-social behaviour through alcohol/tobacco tax increases.

Unsurprisingly, the budget – as they tend to be just prior to an election – contained a great deal of political rhetoric and not a great deal of financial detail.

As a result, businesses are left wondering how exactly the government – should it be re-elected – will tackle the UK’s massive deficit. Businesses are left wanting greater clarity on what public sector spending cuts are to come.

A strong indication of stability was required from the budget, so businesses can make decisions without worrying whether the rules are going to change. Businesses would also have been looking for signs of fiscal competitiveness for the UK.

Industry commentator Alex Miller shares his views on how this budget will affect your UK businesses.

For more information on finance recruitment and jobs offered by Reed Specialist Recruitment, please visit their website reedglobal.com.

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Traders Advisory DMCC – A Specialize FX Firm Announces Its Opening

On April 18, 2010, Traders Advisory DMCC will start its business activities. Traders Advisory is based in Dubai, UAE and licensed and registered as a free zone company under the rules and regulation of Dubai Multi Commodities Center Authority; it centers its activities on the financial market specifically the FX market by providing alternative forecast and technical analysis of the currency market to traders. It will also offer FOREX training course in Dubai for starters who want to learn how to trade the currency market effectively.

Traders Advisory DMCC - A Specialize FX Firm Announces Its Opening

“Now a day, almost everyone is in to trading the financial market online, and almost all retail traders are in pursuit of finding the solution on how to make their trading easy and profitable. We are providing solutions; our specialized services will help FX traders”, said Mr. Monirul Quazi, Managing Director of the company.

As a trader, either full time or part time, doing all the hard work and research could be very exhausting. Traders Advisory DMCC can offer solution to make trading the currency market less stress and profitable. By simply acquiring to the company’s specialize technical analysis service, members are now leveraging with the company’s vast resources including its team of experts.

The list of services of Traders Advisory DMCC will be available in their website advisoryfx.com beginning on April 18, 2010. For the time being, you can visit advisoryfx.info to sign up for their Special Opening Promo of 30 days FREE access to their website.

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Saxo Bank On Track With Sound Results For 2009

Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, has announced that it has received sound and steady results for 2009 and achieved a positive emergence from the financial crisis.

Business picked up during the second half of 2009 after a relatively slow beginning to the year. Operating income for the year was DKK 2,228 million compared to DKK 2,518 million in 2008. Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was DKK 441 million while net profit was DKK 201 million with 80% earned in the second half of the year.

As of 31 December 2009, the solvency ratio was 19%. The Bank’s Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment (ICAAP) process showed a minimum capital requirement of 8%.

The founders and CEOs of Saxo Bank, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, said in a joint statement:

“Saxo Bank is a trading, investment and savings specialist not engaged in traditional lending activities and not dependant on traditional loan financing business. That has worked to our advantage in what was a very difficult year for everyone. Saxo Bank’s business model has shown some resilience to the financial crisis and we are satisfied with the results.

“2009 was a year of geographical expansion and establishing new business areas. We opened five new offices and our Asset Management business grew significantly. The new Saxo Equity Platform, which was launched in March 2010, sets the stage for a year, which will be characterised by new products and platform developments. Even though such investments have no or limited impact on income in the short run, we believe it is the right time to take advantage of the many opportunities available to take the Bank to the next level.”

The value of clients’ collateral deposits related to the trading business increased more than 70% to DKK 15 billion as of 31 December 2009. On 1 April 2010 it was more than DKK 17 billion.

In 2009, Saxo Asset Management was launched to cater for the top segment of High-Net-Worth Investors. The new business area is the combined concept of three asset management businesses acquired in 2009. The asset management activities of the Bank now include expertise within Danish bonds, Nordic Stocks, high-yield and emerging market bonds. The acquired companies, Sirius, Capital Four and the 51% stake in Global Evolution, grew assets under management organically from approximately DKK 10 DKK billion at the time of acquisition to more than DKK 20 billion as of 31 December 2009. On 1 April 2010 it had grown another 25% to DKK 25 billion.

Saxo Bank is a Forex, CFDs and Futures trading specialist and has no engagement in traditional lending activities. However, in response to the instability and lack of confidence in the financial markets, Saxo Bank chose to join the Danish state’s Guarantee Scheme (Private Contingency Association). On 24 March 2010, a majority in the Danish Parliament agreed on a new guarantee scheme, which would bring deposit guarantees into line with European Union rules. The new guarantee scheme is set to take effect from 1 October 2010. All Danish banks are covered by the scheme.

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Knowledge To Action Stock Market Seminars Supply International Demand

Knowledge to Action, Europe’s largest trader coaching company, is expanding to offer its forex trading seminars in Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. This follows greatly increased demand for these events, at which attendees gain valuable insights into becoming successful private traders on the foreign exchange markets.

Knowledge To Action Stock Market Seminars Supply International Demand

Knowledge to Action originally started running stock market training in 2004 and launched its forex training courses in 2008. Knowledge to Action previously only held seminars in the UK, which houses its Trader Centre of Excellence and one of London’s most successful private trading floors.

After speaking to sell out Australian audiences in 2009, Knowledge to Action is officially launching an office in Australia this month. This offers more opportunities for private individuals to benefit from Knowledge to Action’s strategies and systems for gaining financial independence through stock market and forex trading. People living in Australasia can now benefit from these training events.

The company was set up by Greg Secker, who spent years working across foreign exchange trading floors in Europe and the US. He set up Knowledge to Action in 2003 in his home and soon expanded, offering stock market courses from 2004. The company has grown and developed explosively in the period since then, so that it is now the number one trader coaching company in Europe, and is on track to expand into the United States in the second half of 2010.

This growth over a period of just a few years is testimony to the effectiveness of Knowledge to Action’s award-winning forex training and stock market training courses, which are run from its London Headquarters. The success of this training was recognised recently by the company winning a place as a regional finalist in the 2009 National Business Awards.

About Knowledge to Action
Knowledge to Action, founded by Greg Secker, is the home of the award-winning Traders University® programme, and Europe’s number one trader coaching company.  Its stock market course has launched many private traders on the path to financial independence since 2004.

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New Online Inheritance Tax Planner

Principle First has announced the online launch of its unique Inheritance Tax Planner facility. Developed in close consultation with clients, the unique new online tool enables users to calculate their own personal liability for inheritance tax.

Levied at 40%, Inheritance Tax (IHT) is one of the most important taxes to HMRC (The Revenue Commissioners), and swells the taxman’s coffers by billions of pounds every year. The good news though, for many inheritors, is that a good financial adviser can radically cut a person’s IHT liability, in just a few simple steps.

The new Principle First online Inheritance Tax Planner alerts clients to their current Inheritance Tax liability and when used alongside Principle First’s financial planning advice it could enable them to vastly reduce or completely eliminate their exposure to what has been called ‘the most avoidable tax of all’.

The Principle First Inheritance Tax Calculator is an important tool as it helps with the crucial first step in avoiding this most expensive of taxes which is simply knowing how much could be owed.

IHT can apply to parts of a person’s wealth when they pass funds and assets on to their children. It is a relatively simple calculation based on the total assets in their ‘estate’, less debts and liabilities. Despite this, many people fail to take a few minutes to work out their IHT liability, and then take advice on how to reduce it.

The current tax-free allowance, or ‘nil rate band’ for IHT in 2010-11 is £325,000 (£650,000 for a married couple or civil partnership). This amount however covers a wide range of assets which are included as part of an estate. Calculations need to include the value of properties, cars, valuables, savings, investments, and insurances – less the value of any outstanding mortgage, loans and other debts.

By entering these values into the inheritance Tax Planner, in response to a series of simple questions, the user can calculate the value of their estate, and deduct their allowance to show how much of their wealth will be liable to Inheritance Tax. The calculator will then show how much of that they would have to pay in Inheritance Tax at this moment.

Principle First believes the new online tool will prove to be a simple but valuable asset for its clients which could easily help them save thousands of pounds which they would otherwise lose to HMRC.

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Saxo Bank Launches Property Investment Products

Saxo Bank, the online trading and investment specialist, will now offer property investment products for both private clients and institutional investors through a new company, Saxo Properties.

Saxo Bank Launches Property Investment Products

The newly formed investment firm Saxo Properties, fully owned by Saxo Bank, will launch closed-ended funds for both high net worth clients and institutional investors. Two of the Danish real estate industry’s most well-known individuals, Jesper Damborg and Claus Klostermann, will respectively become CEO and managing director of investments at Saxo Properties.

“Initially, Saxo Properties will focus on handpicked Copenhagen residential, office and retail properties. The first fund will close within the next three months, but we intend to establish a number of funds with a significant ownership capital of at least DKK 250 million,” said Jesper Damborg.

Saxo Bank’s business model is often described as a facilitator model where the bank through its trading platforms offers liquidity, products and services to clients as obtained from other financial institutions. Saxo Properties will use the same model. Saxo Bank has hired Flemming Schandorff, the former COO of ISS, one of the world’s largest commercial providers of facility services, to a similar position at Saxo Properties to facilitate administration of the estates.

“First and foremost, Saxo Properties will prioritize achieving attractive market returns, but we will also focus on how to capitalize on tight cost control and good management, such as rebuilding, mixed lease and general maintenance,” said Jesper Damborg.

Saxo Bank’s CEOs and founders, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, said in a joint statement: “Saxo Bank holds asset under management of DKK 40 billion, and our focus on asset management has proved a great success. Many clients have asked for property investment products and there is also a clear synergy between Saxo Asset Management and Saxo Properties, which we can now utilize. Many properties are traded at a low price especially in Copenhagen, so the timing is right to expand our asset management to include property investment products.”

Last year, Saxo Bank bought Sirius Asset Management, Capital Four and 51 percent of Global Evolution. The three companies now form Saxo Asset Management, which has management expertise for Danish bonds, Danish equities, corporate bonds and emerging market bonds.

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Agricote And Saxo Banque France Partner

Saxo Banque France, the online investment and trading specialist, has announced an exclusive partnership with Agricote, the agricultural broker, allowing farmers to manage their selling prices and negotiate agricultural or commodity futures and CFDS online using the award winning SaxoTrader platform.

The partnership with Agricote reflects the evolution of the agricultural industry, and the reality that a new generation of farmers want to control their production and sales, using futures to hedge their output and manage risk. Using SaxoTrader, the partnership enables both producers and buyers to manage market volatility and trade agricultural futures and CFDs online 24 hours a day, with access to 23 stock exchanges.

Commenting on the partnership, Pierre de Perthuis, co-founding partner of Agricote, said: “Our partnership with Saxo Banque will enable farmers to move forward and manage their own production and sales. Farmers no longer want to suffer from the pressures imposed by a volatile market, and seeing farmers taking positions on an online future trading platform is an innovative step forward for the industry. We are very proud to support these pioneers. Farmers are now able to control their destiny”.

Pierre-Antoine Dusoulier, CEO of Saxo Banque France added: “We are pleased to partner with Agricote and acknowledge that the agricultural industry is changing and needs strong support. Agricote was looking for a trusted partner and we met its requirements: Saxo Banque is a perennial French Bank and we have a highly efficient online trading platform and services for fast deployment.”

Main characteristics of the partnership:
– Privileged access to International Futures Markets
– Ability to adopt and implement own marketing strategy
– An appropriate account with user profile
– Trading account access via PC, website or cell phone
– Personalized assistance by Agricote
– A free demo account for 20 days

Farmers will be able to access their online trading platform via a dedicated page on the Agricote website.

Via EPR Network
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2009 SABEW Award For Mutualfundreform.com

The blog, www.mutualfundreform.com, has won the top award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW) in the best small blog category. The winning award was made as part of the 15th annual Best in Business Journalism competition, recognizing top publications,Web sites and the best business news reporting during 2009.

The blog,  mutualfundreform.com, won the award primarily for its original 7,000-word investigative series into how little-understood mutual fund fees, revenue sharing deals, high commissions paid to wholesalers and different share classes all benefit mutual fund salespeople and executives more than individual shareholders.

2009 SABEW Award For Mutualfundreform.com

The series, written by the site’s creator, Chuck Epstein, shows how these payments create conflicts of interest between shareholders and investment professionals which make it difficult for individual investors to obtain objective financial advice.

Other issues covered on the blog deal with the failure of SEC regulators, and the need for financial professionals to adopt the same fiduciary standards used by institutional investors and pension fund executives.

The site maintains that the need for mutual fund reform is essential since the load mutual fund industry currently has practices in place which essentially work against their own shareholders.

The creator of www.mutualfundreform.com is Chuck Epstein. He has been a senior writer for two large mutual fund companies and also won first place awards from the Mutual Fund Education Association (MFEA) in 2006, 2007, 2008 for writing and editing the best adviser and/or shareholder newsletters in the large-fund class category.

He also has held senior-level marketing positions with the New York Futures Exchange, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and written by-lined articles for over 50 financial publications.

Via EPR Network
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VocaLink Scales Charity Heights

VocaLink, the specialist provider of transaction services to banks, has launched a scheme to help raise money for Bonita Norris in her attempt to become the youngest British female to reach the summit of Mount Everest, in order to raise money for Global Angels.

VocaLink Scales Charity Heights

VocaLink, as the official sponsor of the challenge, is trying to raise funds for Bonita and the Global Angels charity through its network of almost 50,000 Mobile Phone Top-Up (MPTU) ATMs across the UK.

To raise the money, VocaLink has managed to get together some of the major UK banks* who have agreed to donate 5p to Global Angels every time someone tops-up a mobile phone** during March and April using a VocaLink ATM.

Bonita will be climbing Mount Everest to raise money for Global Angels, an international foundation which champions the causes of children around the world to help provide sustainable solutions. Every pound received from public donations goes directly to projects working at grass-roots level to empower children and their communities.

Bonita will be looking to climb Mount Everest’s towering 8,848 meters during May 2010 when conditions are at their best. To complete her climb, Bonita will be putting herself at risk from the dangers of frostbite, hypothermia, snow-blindness, alongside the many other perils associated with extreme altitude climbing.

The MPTU service is available through ATMs bearing the green top-up logo which include Barclays, Bank Machine, Cardpoint, Cashzone, Clydesdale Bank, Cooperative Bank, Coventry Building Society, First Trust Bank, Halifax, Hanco, HSBC, Infocash, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide Building Society, Nat West, Note Machine, Royal Bank of Scotland, Sainsbury’s Finance and Yorkshire Bank.

In addition to the Mobile Phone Top-Up service, Bonita is also auctioning 3 flags which will feature the highest bidders name or personal message. Bonita will take the flags up Mount Everest on her record breaking journey. The first flag auction will run from the 8th to the 14th March, the second flag 15th-21st and the third flag 22nd -28th.

Via EPR Network
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