Study: Angel investors spend less on more in first half of 2009 - South Florida Business Journal:

Angel investors across the country spent fewer dollars, but backed more companies during the first half of 2009 compared to last year, according to a study released Tuesday by the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire.

The study said investments were down 27 percent to $9.1 billion during the six months ended June 30. But, 24,500 entrepreneurial ventures received financing, 6 percent more than last year. The number of active investors was flat, at 140,200.

“While angels have not significantly decreased their investment activity, they are committing less dollars resulting from lower valuations and a cautious approach to investing,” center director Jeffrey Sohl said in a statement.

Health care services/medical devices and equipment was the largest sector, receiving 28 percent of the capital raised. Software and electronics/hardware shared second place, with 14 percent each.

Angel investors also favored later-stage companies. Investments in seed- and startup-stage companies received 27 percent of the capital raised, a decrease of 19 percent from first same six months in 2008.

“This change in investment behavior is likely an indication of both a need to increase investments in existing portfolio companies and a change in angels’ risk tolerance,” Sohl said.

Florida existing home sales up 34% in September - South Florida Business Journal:

Existing home and condo sales in Florida and the tri-county area rose in September, as the housing market slowly continues its recovery.

But, according to the latest figures from Florida Realtors, the Sunshine State still has a long way to go before it shakes off the housing slump.

In South Florida, Miami led the way, with a 51 percent jump in sales of single-family homes, to 619 sales in September from 410 a year ago.

Prices, however, remain depressed, with the median price at $190,900, down 30 percent from $274,600 in the year-ago period.

Miami also led the way in condo sales, with 611, up 73 percent from 353 a year ago. The median price of a Miami condo fell 37 percent, to $132,900 from $212,200.

Single-family home sales in Fort Lauderdale were up 31 percent, to 800 from 611 in September 2008.

The median price has fallen 23 percent, to $200,000 from $259,300 in the year-ago period.

Condo sales in Fort Lauderdale were up 57 percent, to 861 from 549, but prices plummeted 40 percent, to $78,300 from $129,600.

In West Palm Beach, single-family home sales rose 43 percent in September, to 746 from 522. The median price was down 17 percent, to $242,900 from $292,200.

Condo sales in West Palm Beach were up 30 percent, to 632 from 487. But, the median price of a condo fell 24 percent, year-over-year, to $106,700 from $139,800.

Statewide, existing home sales were up 34 percent, to 14,419 homes sold from 10,778 in September 2008.

Between August and September, statewide existing home sales increased 4.1 percent.

The condo market is on the rebound, with Florida Realtors reporting a 77 percent jump in sales to 5,088 units from 2,870 a year ago.

The median price of a home in Florida last month was $142,000, a 19 percent decrease from a year ago, when it was $174,900.

The statewide existing condo median sales price last month was $102,500, down 33 percent from $153,500 in September 2008.

Google announces Social Search with Twitter | Googling Google | ZDNet.com

October 21st, 2009

Google announces Social Search with Twitter

Posted by Garett Rogers @ 9:07 pm

Categories: Uncategorized

Tags: Google Inc., Social Search, Twitter Inc., Business Structures, Search..., Web 2.0, Finance, Internet, Garett Rogers

Today at the Web 2.0 Summit, Marissa Mayer announced Google’s partnership with Twitter to bring the search engine real-time search results. Just hours before Google announced the partnership, Microsoft released their own Twitter search tool on Bing.

Instead of being simply a way to search tweets, Google is planning to improve their existing search results by incorporating real-time observations. Here is an example Marissa gave in the official blog post:

The next time you search for something that can be aided by a real-time observation, say, snow conditions at your favorite ski resort, you’ll find tweets from other users who are there and sharing the latest and greatest information.

This new feature isn’t available yet (whereas Bing made their Twitter search available immediately after their announcement). Google says it should be ready in “the coming months”.

Garett RogersGarett Rogers is employed as a programmer for iQmetrix, which specializes in retail management software for the wireless industry. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.


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BREAKING: Google Announces Social Search

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Google’s Vice-President of Search Marissa Mayer has just made a surprise announcement at the Web 2.0 Expo: a new Google Labs feature called Social Search. They just gave a quick demo of the new feature.

While the details are still sparse, here is what we currently know (and we’re still updating, so check back for more information):

- The bottom of search results will soon have social networking information from your friends, like their Flickr (Flickr

) photos or their status updates. It’s a blended search integration, similar to seeing news or image results.

- These are pulled from social networks connected to your Google Profile. The more that are connected, the more social information that will appear in search results.

- They have also improved searching for images using social networks. Images become more relevant using social networking data.

- It will launch in Google Labs in the next few weeks.

Solar power system costs down 30% since 1998 - South Florida Business Journal:

The installed costs of solar photovoltaic systems in the U.S. dropped 30 percent from 1998 to 2008, according to a report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Costs fell 4 percent in 2008, mainly because photovoltaic (PV) modules got cheaper. High demand for solar power systems in the three years before that kept prices of modules high.

In 2008, more factories came on line to make PV modules at the same time as the recession crushed demand, leading to a fall in prices.

Installed costs don’t include any rebates or tax incentives, and reflect the cost paid by the system’s owner.

From 1998 until 2007, costs of PV systems fell mainly because labor, marketing, overhead and other expenses got cheaper.

Researchers Ryan Wiser, Galen Barbose, Carla Peterman and Naim Darghouth studied 52,356 grid-connected PV systems installed in 16 states between 1998 and 2008. More than half – 27,947 – were in the CEC Emerging Renewables Program in California.

They found the average installed costs, in 2008 dollars, fell from $10.80 per watt to $7.50 per watt during the period.

Small PV systems, typically used on homes, saw costs fall the most over time.

Costs varied by region, too: In 2008, Arizona had the lowest, at $7.30 per watt, while Pennsylvania and Ohio were the most expensive, with average installed costs at $9.90 per watt.

By looking at other countries such as Germany and Japan, where solar power has been widely deployed and subsidized by the government, researchers found that such large deployments can drive down costs even further.

Paradoxically, although installed costs fell, drops in government subsidies and incentives over the period were steeper still, so it cost a consumer more in the end to install a PV system.

After incentives, net costs for residential PV systems was $5.40 per watt in 2008, up 1 percent from the year before. For commercial systems, net costs were $4.20 per watt, up 5 percent from 2007.

The full report, “Tracking the Sun II,” can be found here.

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. On the Rise in the 2009 Forbes List of 'America's 200 Best Small Companies' - Yahoo! Finance

ADA, Okla., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (NYSE: PPD - News) is ranked number 66 in the 2009 Forbes Magazine annual list of "America's 200 Best Small Companies," climbing 64 positions from its 2008 ranking of 130 on this list. For the second consecutive year Pre-Paid Legal Services has retained the number one ranking in the Forbes survey in the category of return on equity (RoE), a measure of how efficiently a company uses its assets to produce earnings.

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"It's gratifying to see Pre-Paid Legal Services recognized once again in the Forbes list of best small companies in America," said Harland C. Stonecipher, Founder and CEO of Pre-Paid Legal Services. "We are proud to be listed among America's finest small companies and we are especially pleased that our bottom line results have merited such high ranking."

Stonecipher describes the PPD's repeat performance as the number one ranked company for return on equity as significant. Earlier this year, DeMarche Associates, an independent investment research firm, named PPD as one of the 100 best U.S. corporations, based on the company's growth and risk management strategy.

PPD's 2009 Forbes ranking (based on $453 million in sales), included the 192nd position for sales growth and the 128th position for earnings per share.

PPD has been on the Forbes list for the past three years, which in itself is a measure of stability. According to Forbes, 71 of the 200 companies listed last year fell off the 2009 list. The Forbes list rankings are based on earnings growth, sales growth and return on equity for the previous 12 months.

About PPD

We believe our products are one of a kind, life events legal service plans. Our plans provide for legal service benefits provided through a network of independent law firms across the U.S. and Canada, and include unlimited attorney consultation, will preparation, traffic violation defense, automobile-related criminal charges defense, letter writing, document preparation and review and a general trial defense benefit. We have an identity theft restoration product we think is also one of a kind due to the combination of our identity theft restoration partner and our provider law firms. More information about our products and us can be found at our homepage at www.prepaidlegal.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, regarding our future plans and objectives and expected operating results, dividends and share repurchases and statements of the assumptions underlying such statements, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain assumptions that may not be correct. They are subject to risks and uncertainties incident to our business that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the reports and statements filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including (among others) those listed in our Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, and include the risks that our membership persistency or renewal rates may decline, that we may not be able to continue to grow our memberships and earnings, that we are dependent on the continued active participation of our principal executive officer, that pending or future litigation may have a material adverse effect on us if resolved unfavorably to us, that we may have compromises of our information security, that during an economic downturn in the economy consumer purchases of discretionary items may be affected which could materially harm our sales, retention rates, profitability and financial condition, that we could be adversely affected by regulatory developments, that competition could adversely affect us, that we are substantially dependent on our marketing force, that our stock price may be affected by short sellers, that we have been unable to increase our employee group membership sales and that our active premium in force is not indicative of future revenue as a result of changes in active memberships from cancellations and additional membership sales. Please refer to pages 15 - 17 of our 2008 Form 10-K and pages 7 and 8 of our June 30, 2009 Form 10-Q for a more complete description of these risks. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements in this release.

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Recognizes Associates Achievement

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Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Recognizes Associates Achievement

October 22, 2009 7:00 AM EDT

ADA, Okla., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Since Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (NYSE: PPD) announced the re-launch of its marketing program at the 2009 Leadership Summit, there has been a significant increase in the number of independent associates achieving senior-level recognition and earnings with the company.

"We have delivered a strong message about the growth potential at Pre-Paid Legal

Services and our independent sales associates are responding to this opportunity," said Harland C. Stonecipher, Founder and CEO of Pre-Paid Legal, Inc. "For the four-week period, from September 21 through October 16, 2009, we have seen more activity at all levels within the associate network, and we are proud to announce 13 major recognition and earning awards."

These associate recognition and earnings awards (Editors: see note below) include:

--  $100,000 Ring Earners: Michael and Lisa McCoy (Clive, Iowa), Scott and
        Ronda Ferguson (Houston, Texas), Ryan Sean Burns (West Jordan, Utah),
        Trina Robinson and Austin Kemie (Los Angeles, California)
    --  $250,000 Ring Earner: Chris and Sky Hughes (Murrietta, California)
    --  $300,000 Income
Earners: Frank and Theresa AuCoin (Charleston, South Carolina), Sean and Loren Mikael (Los Angeles, California) -- $800,000 Income Earner: Mark and Tammy Smith (Mission Viejo, California) -- $1.5 million Income Earner: Brian Carruthers (Davidsonville, Maryland) -- Millionaire Club Member: Kim Ferris (Amherst, New York) and Joe and Doreen Wilkinson (North Richland Hills, Texas) -- Platinum Level Award: Danny and Charlotte Walker (South Pete Beach, Florida)

Stonecipher referenced timing as a key variable in the recent surge of associate success. "In this economy people need legal advice -- they have legal issues -- and they need additional income," Stonecipher said. "Our product and opportunity provide access to legal counsel and a way to generate more cash flow, both in the form of first-year commissions and residual income in later years."

Editors Note:

Associate earnings are either for commissions earned during a 12-month period (which includes the "corporate ring system" given at earning levels of $100,000, $250,000, $500,000 and one million dollars) or for the Millionaire Club (which includes associates who have achieved one million dollars in commissions during their association with PPD). Pre-Paid Legal recognition includes other programs, such as the Platinum awards, a network leadership designation.

About PPD

We believe our products are one of a kind, life events legal service plans. Our plans provide for legal service benefits provided through a network of independent law firms across the U.S. and Canada, and include unlimited attorney consultation, will preparation, traffic violation defense, automobile-related criminal charges defense, letter writing, document preparation and review and a general trial defense benefit. We have an identity theft restoration product we think is also one of a kind due to the combination of our identity theft restoration partner and our provider law firms. More information about our products and us can be found at our homepage at www.prepaidlegal.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, regarding our future plans and objectives and expected operating results, dividends and share repurchases and statements of the assumptions underlying such statements, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain assumptions that may not be correct. They are subject to risks and uncertainties incident to our business that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the reports and statements filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including (among others) those listed in our Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, and include the risks that our membership persistency or renewal rates may decline, that we may not be able to continue to grow our memberships and earnings, that we are dependent on the continued active participation of our principal executive officer, that pending or future litigation may have a material adverse effect on us if resolved unfavorably to us, that we may have compromises of our information security, that during an economic downturn in the economy consumer purchases of discretionary items may be affected which could materially harm our sales, retention rates, profitability and financial condition, that we could be adversely affected by regulatory developments, that competition could adversely affect us, that we are substantially dependent on our marketing force, that our stock price may be affected by short sellers, that we have been unable to increase our employee group membership sales and that our active premium in force is not indicative of future revenue as a result of changes in active memberships from cancellations and additional membership sales. Please refer to pages 15 - 17 of our 2008 Form 10-K and pages 7 and 8 of our June 30, 2009 Form 10-Q for a more complete description of these risks. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements in this release.

SOURCE Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.


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Fiserv: South Florida home prices to continue freefall - South Florida Business Journal:

A study by financial services firm Fiserv predicted that U.S. home prices will continue declining through the middle of 2010 – with the Miami area suffering the steepest drop among major markets.

Using the Case-Shiller Index of home prices, and calculating in data such as foreclosures, Fiserv predicted that median home prices nationwide would fall 11.3 percent – to $154,336 from $174,000 – between June 2009 and June 2010.

Fiserv chief economist David Stiff said the forecast is based on the gap between home prices and incomes, which was distorted during the boom years and is now correcting itself. The study also factored in the amount of foreclosures.

While this would be a disaster for many, it could create opportunities for people looking to buy.

“Because prices dropped so dramatically and they will continue to drop in Florida, affordability is being restored quickly,” Stiff said. “People who were priced out of the market two or three years ago should be able to afford houses.”

The glut of foreclosures and vacant units means even greater woes for South Florida. Fiserv predicts Miami home prices will drop an additional 29.9 percent during that period. That mean median home prices will fall to $150,715 from $215,000 – below the expected national average.

If that happens, expect another wave of losses for banks as they write down the value of their loans. It could also spur even more people to walk away from homes that are worth less than their mortgages. The decline in home values would cause more holes in city and county budgets, as well.

Things will be nearly as bad in Fort Lauderdale, Fiserv predicted. It said home prices there would fall 26.2 percent during the period. That means the median home price would drop to $160,884 from $218,000.

In West Palm Beach, Fiserv forecast that home prices would decline by 21.7 percent, to $179,307 from $229,000.

Fiserv also predicted that home prices in South Florida would decline in the low single digits between June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2011.

Report: Litigation wave to hit companies - South Florida Business Journal:

Corporate litigators may find themselves facing a dramatic upswing in business, according to a report from the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski.

Eighty-three percent of U.S. and U.K. companies surveyed reported that new litigation has begun against their companies in the past year.

Of the companies that responded to the sixth-annual Litigation Trends Survey, 38 percent said the primary reason is the economic downturn.

Forty-two percent said they expect an increase in legal disputes in the next 12 months. The survey polled 408 company lawyers between May and July.

Respondents from large-cap companies were the most concerned about higher levels of litigation, with 52 percent saying they expect more legal disputes. In the public company segment, 47 percent of the respondents expected an upswing in litigation.

The areas likely to experience more litigation involve bankruptcy, contracts and labor-employment, the report concludeds.

Increases also have been noted in the areas of intellectual property, insurance and regulatory actions, although they are experiencing more modest increases, the report said.

The one industry that appears less impacted by the swell of litigation is health care.

Whistle-blower investigations also are about to make a comeback, the report concluded.

“Looking to 2010, 16 percent of all respondents say they expect the number of internal investigations involving their company to increase,” the report noted.

As part of the trend, more corporate in-house counsel are starting to see more active regulators and expect the number of investigations into corporate business to increase.

PPL Media Room: Pre-Paid Legal In The News

« The Green Light | Main

October 15, 2009

Pre-Paid Legal In The News

Top 5 Reasons Members Call PLFs

 

Recent US Chamber Magazine article highlights Debt Collection as leading nationwide service request among legal service plan members of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., during the second quarter of 2009.  "The Pre-Paid Legal Top Five List is intended to be a snapshot of the issues that legal service plan members face today.  Given the economic hardships that so many Americans are experiencing, it's not a pretty picture," says Pre-Paid Legal Services Founder and CEO Harland C. Stonecipher.

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