Tag Archives: CPA

Pro Athlete Tax Returns Illustrate Complexities of U.S. Tax Code

By Kurt Badenhausen, Forbes Staff

Republican Elephant 2 SC GOP lawmakers blast Labor secretary nominee

This is a guest post from K. Sean Packard, CPA, who is Director of Tax at OFS. He specializes in tax planning and the preparation of tax returns for pro athletes. He can be reached at sean.packard@ofswealth.com and on Twitter at @AthleteTax.

From: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2013/04/15/pro-athlete-tax-returns-illustrate-complexities-of-u-s-tax-code/

1 Cheap Stock I Bought, and Why: Social Proof

By Blake Bos and Isaac Pino, CPA, The Motley Fool

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In this video, Blake Bos explains his contrarian position on Apple. The stock is down 33% over the past three months or so, and Blake believes this is an overreaction. Apple has good cash flow, it has cash in the bank, and it sells at a great valuation. Blake believes following the crowd is a strong influence on Wall Street and that investors should be careful not to do so. Instead, he says to look for opportunities in companies that have been unfairly dumped.

Blake has no specific timeline for Apple. He’s holding it until a better investment comes along.

There’s no doubt that Apple is at the center of technology’s largest revolution ever and that longtime shareholders have been handsomely rewarded, with more than 1,000% gains. However, there is a debate raging as to whether Apple remains a buy. The Motley Fool’s senior technology analyst and managing bureau chief, Eric Bleeker, is prepared to fill you in on both reasons to buy and reasons to sell Apple and what opportunities are left for the company (and your portfolio) going forward. To get instant access to his latest thinking on Apple, simply click here now.

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From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/14/1-cheap-stock-i-bought-and-why-social-proof/

1 Business That's Soaring at GE

By Blake Bos and Isaac Pino, CPA, The Motley Fool

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In this video, Isaac Pino highlights a strong business segment of General Electric — namely, its aviation division. Many foreign countries, including emerging markets, have been growing their airlines, and GE jet engines are a popular choice. Aviation makes up 13% of GE‘s revenues and has a strong backlog, which not only bodes well for GE aviation but also may signal general economic growth in these foreign countries. Isaac says GE‘s aviation products may be a stepping stone for the company’s other divisions to take advantage of these other growth opportunities.

For GE, the recent financial crisis struck a blow, but management took advantage of the market‘s dip to make strategic bets in energy. If you’re a GE investor, you need to understand how these bets could drive this company to become the world’s infrastructure leader. At the same time, you need to be aware of the threats to GE‘s portfolio. To help, we’re offering comprehensive coverage for investors in a premium report on General Electric, in which our industrials analyst breaks down GE‘s multiple businesses. You’ll find reasons to buy or sell GE today. To get started, click here now.

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From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/13/1-business-thats-soaring-at-ge/

What to Do Before Collecting Lottery Winnings

By Nicole Seghetti, The Motley Fool

Chevrolet Code 130R concept - front three-quarter view

Filed under:

You hit the lotto! Sure, go ahead and crack open the Dom Perignon. But follow these steps before you start collecting lottery winnings and let the spending spree begin.

Secure your winning ticket. Lottery officials advise signing your ticket. That’s the best way to protect it in case it’s lost or stolen. Then make a copy of the signed ticket, and keep the copy with you. Place the signed ticket in a safe deposit box.

Remain anonymous. Many lotteries release the names of winners. So take steps to protect your privacy to avoid being flooded with calls from long-lost family members, creditors, and charities. Your anonymity will also give you some space to make financial decisions thoughtfully and clearly. If you have a cellphone, use it. But if you have a landline, be sure to obtain an unlisted phone number.

Wait. Wait several days before claiming your prize. In the meantime, ask for some time off work. Don’t quit your job until the money is legally yours. Consult with an attorney about what steps you can take to claim your winnings anonymously.

Assemble your professional team. Get your trusted team together and develop a financial plan before collecting or spending any money. They’ll help you explore the financial implications of each choice before deciding. A reputable financial advisor, certified public accountant, and attorney will recommend the best strategies for obtaining and managing your winnings, while helping you get a sense of your true financial situation.

Unfortunately, a team of professionals doesn’t instantly appear once you’ve come into money. You’ll likely encounter smooth-talking, wolves-in-sheep’s-clothing “professionals,” but steer clear. Handpick your own team players and require them to work together.

Check with your trusted family members and friends for referrals. Consider reaching out to past lottery winners for advice. Make sure the team members have experience working with comparable-net-worth individuals who’ve encountered situations similar to yours.

Your financial advisor (preferably one with a Certified Financial Planner, or CFP, designation) will help you decide how much money to spend versus save, how and where to invest your money, and help project when you can achieve your financial goals. Your CPA can give you the ins and outs regarding how much you’ll owe Uncle Sam and how to minimize your tax liabilities. And your attorney will help you develop an estate plan and draft the necessary documents.

Vet each of these professionals and check for complaints filed against them with the appropriate licensing agencies. For example, investigate FINRA BrokerCheck and the CFP Board regarding your financial advisor. Also, see whether there have been any complaints filed with state disciplinary authorities for your CPA and attorney.

Ultimately, make sure you feel comfortable with these people. Don’t work with anyone who rushes you, talks down to you, or pressures you to take actions that you don’t understand or aren’t at ease with. Your team works for you.

Making the right financial decisions today makes …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Weston Financial Says "Avoiding Tax Mistakes" Key to Financial Planning

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

Filed under:


Weston Financial Says “Avoiding Tax Mistakes” Key to Financial Planning


New White Paper Offers Tax Tips for 2013 Planning

WELLESELY, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Weston Financial Group, Inc., a Wellesley, MA-based registered investment advisor with $1.6 billion under management, today released a white paper, “Avoid Tax Mistakes:Taxes Become Strategic for Financial Planning in 2013.”The paper highlights the two types of broad tax strategies and the eight common tax errors people should consider when reviewing their financial plans. The paper also discusses marginal, effective and situational rates, capital gains, managing IRAs, and risk of being enticed by new tax rules.

Information about the white paper, or Weston Financial services, is available by contacting Drew Bottaro , Esq., CFP ® , Weston Financial Group Vice President & Senior Financial Counselor, at 1-781-235-7055. Bottaro, who was recently named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Five Star Professional, has more than 20 years of experience as a financial planning professional.

Weston Financial, a division of Washington Trust Wealth Management , was founded in 1979 to assist affluent families, high net worth corporate executives, and professionals in managing their financial affairs. Weston’s team of wealth managers hold advanced degrees and designations, ranging from JD, MBA, CFP® practitioner, CPA, Masters in Taxation, and Chartered Financial Analyst®. Weston’s services include investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax and risk management. Weston Financial is a division of The Washington Trust Company , the oldest community bank in the nation and is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc ., NASDAQ Global Select: WASH, a $3.1 billion corporation headquartered in Rhode Island.

Washington Trust
Elizabeth B. Eckel, 401-348-1309
401-348-1407
Senior Vice President, Marketing
ebeckel@washtrust.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Connecticut  Massachusetts  Rhode Island

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Weston Financial Says “Avoiding Tax Mistakes” Key to Financial Planning originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Prudential Investments' closed-end funds offer market outlook conference call

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Prudential Investments’ closed-end funds offer market outlook conference call

NEWARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Prudential Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc. (NYS: ISD) and Prudential Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc. (NYS: GHY) are offering investors the replay of a conference call providing market commentary and product updates. The funds are offered by Prudential Investments, the mutual fund business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYS: PRU) .

The call, recorded on March 22, features two of the Funds’ portfolio managers from Prudential Fixed Income’s Leveraged Finance Team, Terence Wheat, CFA, and Rob Spano, CFA, CPA. During the call, they discussed the Funds’ performance, their current views on the short duration high yield market, and their outlook for the remainder of 2013. The replay will be available until midnight on Monday, May 27 and can be accessed by phone or visiting our website by following the details below:

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

 

Replay Dial In: (800) 475-6701

 

Access Code: 286896

 

Sticker Shock: Don't Let It Stop You

By Matt Thalman and Isaac Pino, CPA, The Motley Fool

Filed under:

Fools Isaac Pino and Matt Thalman discuss one key investing point that both new and old investors need to keep in mind when searching for stocks to buy.

The “sticker shock” of such high-profile companies as Google , which trades at $810 per share, and Apple , which trades at $450 a share, can turn investors off and lead them to miss a great opportunity. But a high share price alone doesn’t mean a stock is expensive or that the price can’t go higher in the future.

One metric investors should be looking at is the price-to-earnings ratio. Google trades at a P/E ratio of 25, while Apple is even cheaper, at only 10. Compare that with 3D Systems , which has a shares price of only $31 but trades at a P/E of 66.

In Apple’s case, an investor is paying $10 for $1 worth of earnings. With Google, it’s slightly more expensive, at $25 for every $1 of current earnings. With this sort of thinking, 3D Systems’ $31 share price doesn’t look cheap anymore, even though it is 14 times less expensive on a dollar basis than Apple.

One more thing to remember is that a 10% return on $2,000 in Google is the same as a 10% return on $2,000 in a $31 per share stock. What you must determine is this: Which one carries more risk?

For help finding high-quality stocks with low risk, check out this report in which the The Motley Fool’s top analysts identify our nine most dependable dividend-paying stocks. It’s called “Secure Your Future With Nine Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks.” You can access your copy today at no cost! Just click here.

The article Sticker Shock: Don’t Let It Stop You originally appeared on Fool.com.


Isaac Pino, CPA owns shares of Google. Fool contributor Matt Thalman owns shares of Apple and Google. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of 3D Systems, Apple, and Google. It has the following options on 3D Systems: short Jan. 2014 $36 calls and short Jan. 2014 $20 puts. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

What to Look For in an Accountant

By Newtek – The Small Business Authority, Contributor Whether it’s an attempt to save money or time, a growing number of small business owners are taking it upon themselves to tackle their financial/tax tasks themselves, as opposed to handing over these important fiscal responsibilities to a trained accountant, CPA, or tax attorney. With the proliferation of ever-more-powerful software to aid in these efforts, many small businesses are feeling more empowered to take these things on themselves. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

Steve Jobs, PCs, and the Incredible Opportunity in 3-D Printing

By Isaac Pino, CPA, The Motley Fool

DDD Chart

Filed under:

3D Systems’ CubeX personal printer, Source: 3D Systems

Three-dimensional printing sparked an explosion of excitement during 2012. The mainstream adoption of this technology led The Economist to predict a “third industrial revolution” and to envision the “factory of the future.” The former editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine left his post to become part of the “maker” movement he believes “will be bigger than the web.” You can expect the hyperbole to continue.

But is it really hyperbole? Not too long from now we could be printing our own clothes, our own cars, even our own ears! New possibilities seem to pop up on a weekly, if not daily, basis.

As a result, separating a future reality from a pipe dream can be incredibly difficult. Even the stock market (or especially the stock market) has had difficulty evaluating the key players in this industry. The chart below illustrates the market’s confusion in the past few months, during which the two largest 3-D printing companies, 3D Systems and Stratasys , reported impressive annual results yet watched their stock prices tumble subsequently. In investing terms, both of these stocks appeared to be “priced for perfection” at the start of 2012.

DDD data by YCharts

So, where do we look to gain a better understanding of 3-D printing’s true potential? Perhaps we should recall a technology visionary of the past, who witnessed the transformative power of advanced machines firsthand.

In 1989, none other than Apple‘s young founder, Steve Jobs, described the effect of empowering individuals with new, advanced “tools” in a fascinating interview with Inc. magazine:

JOBS: You see, I think humans are basically tool builders, and the computer is the most remarkable tool we’ve ever built. The big insight a lot of us had in the 1970s had to do with the importance of putting that tool in the hands of individuals. Let’s say that—for the same amount of money it takes to build the most powerful computer in the world—you could make 1,000 computers with one-thousandth the power and put them in the hands of 1,000 creative people. You’ll get more out of doing that than out of having one person use the most powerful computer in the world. Because people are inherently creative. They will use tools in ways the toolmakers never thought possible. And once a person figures out how to do something with that tool, he or she can share it with the other 999.

Fast-forward 24 years, replace “computers” with “3-D printers”, and it is easy to see how we could be on the cusp of a similar technological sea change. Steve Jobs, recognized by Inc. as the …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Investing in 3-D Printing Is a Dangerous Game: Choose Your Allocation Wisely

By Isaac Pino, CPA and Blake Bos, The Motley Fool

Filed under:

For investors trying to pick the next fundamental, technological, breakthrough investment, it can be quite the dangerous task if approached foolhardily. The 3-D printing arena has surely been heating up, and if they are thinking of investing in companies like 3D Systems , Stratasys , or ExOne , then investors need to answer one very serious question: How much should be allocated toward these stocks? In the video below Motley Fool analysts Blake Bos and Isaac Pino discuss 3-D printing and how investors should determine what percentage of their portfolios should be allocated to companies in this booming sector.

With the U.S. relying on the rest of the world for such a large percentage of our goods, many investors are ready for the end of the “made in China” era. Well, it may be here. Read all about the biggest industry disruptors since the personal computer in  “3 Stocks to Own for the New Industrial Revolution.” Just click here to learn more.

The article Investing in 3-D Printing Is a Dangerous Game: Choose Your Allocation Wisely originally appeared on Fool.com.


Blake Bos has no position in any stocks mentioned. Isaac Pino, CPA has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems and Stratasys. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems and Stratasys and has the following options: Short Jan 2014 $36 Calls on 3D Systems and Short Jan 2014 $20 Puts on 3D Systems. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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3D Systems' Shares Continue to Plunge: Is It Time to Buy?

By Isaac Pino, CPA and Blake Bos, The Motley Fool

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Many investors may be wondering if it’s time to buy into 3D Systems  after shares have fallen more than 30% since the highs reached in late January, and after the company’s founder, Chuck Hull, has sold 18,000 shares. In the following video, Fool analysts Isaac Pino and Blake Bos discuss whether they think the recent sell-off provides for a great opportunity to get in at cheaper prices, or if investors should wait on the sidelines for a better bargain.

With the U.S. relying on the rest of the world for such a large percentage of our goods, many investors are ready for the end of the “made in China” era. Well, it may be here. Read all about the biggest industry disruptors since the personal computer in “3 Stocks to Own for the New Industrial Revolution.” Just click here to learn more.

The article 3D Systems’ Shares Continue to Plunge: Is It Time to Buy? originally appeared on Fool.com.


Blake Bos and Isaac Pino, CPA, have no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends, owns shares of, and has options on 3D Systems. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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The Biggest Key to Making 3-D Printing Commonplace at Home

By Isaac Pino, CPA and Blake Bos, The Motley Fool

Filed under:

While investors and the public alike continually hear about the grand potential of 3-D printing at home, the mainstream argument leaves a lot to be desired. How will I ever be able to design a replacement door handle for my 1975 Ford Mustang with no computer-aided drafting skills? The answer to that question and the biggest key to 3-D printing for the average Joe is simple — 3-D scanning. In the following video, Fool analysts Blake Bos and Isaac Pino discuss the current state of 3-D scanning and what 3D Systems , Stratasys , and Makerbot are doing to be part of it.

With the U.S. relying on the rest of the world for such a large percentage of our goods, many investors are ready for the end of the “made in China” era. Well, it may be here. Read all about the biggest industry disrupters since the personal computer in 3 Stocks to Own for the New Industrial Revolution. Just click here to learn more.

The article The Biggest Key to Making 3-D Printing Commonplace at Home originally appeared on Fool.com.


Blake Bos and Isaac Pino, CPA, have no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of 3D Systems and Stratasys and has option on 3D Systems. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Do Consumers Really Matter for 3-D Printing Companies?

By Isaac Pino, CPA and Blake Bos, The Motley Fool

Filed under:

The mainstream media has latched on to the 3-D printing phenomenon and with that can come disillusionment. Talk of printing out your own shoes or a door knob at home may have caused the public and investors to have unclear views of companies like 3D Systems , Stratasys , and Ex One . In the video below, analysts Blake Bos and Isaac Pino talk about just how important consumer-focused 3-D printing is to the companies, and how investors should view them. Be sure to weigh in below if you think consumer-oriented printers are the key to the future of the companies.

With the U.S. relying on the rest of the world for such a large percentage of our goods, many investors are ready for the end of the “made in China” era. Well, it may be here. Read all about the biggest industry disrupters since the personal computer in 3 Stocks to Own for the New Industrial Revolution. Just click here to learn more.

The article Do Consumers Really Matter for 3-D Printing Companies? originally appeared on Fool.com.


Blake Bos has no position in any stocks mentioned. Isaac Pino, CPA has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems and Stratasys. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems and Stratasys and has the following options: Short Jan 2014 $36 Calls on 3D Systems and Short Jan 2014 $20 Puts on 3D Systems. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Why This Railroad's a Great Bet for the Long Haul

By Isaac Pino, CPA, The Motley Fool

CSX Domestic Utility Coal

Filed under:

Railroad stocks traditionally perform on-par with the economy: Periods of robust economic growth deliver attractive returns for railroads, and vise versa. For decades, this market-matching performance coupled with poor industry economics explained Warren Buffett‘s tendency to ignore the railroad sector altogether.

In more recent years, however, Buffett’s experienced a change of heart, and it’s not due to nostalgia for the bygone era of railroads. He sees a dynamic and profitable future for all of the major players, which could result in market-beating performance across the industry. This trend has already taken root and looks poised to continue due to steady long-term U.S. economic growth, a need for low-cost long-haul transportation of goods, and a rail infrastructure that remains the envy of the rest of the world. 

For investors, the door remains wide open for investment in rail, and CSX , the largest East Coast operator, presents an attractive opportunity. To provide investors with further insight into CSX, we recently published an in-depth premium report that evaluates every aspect of the company from strategy to leadership to valuation. Today, you can get a sneak peak into this report and see just how CSX can use its valuable assets to deliver strong returns for shareholders in the years to come:

In May 2012, the International Energy Agency, a leading global alliance and research body, proclaimed the next few decades “the golden age of natural gas.” The IEA predicted this clean-burning commodity will replace coal as the second-largest energy source in the world. As this shift rapidly takes shape in the U.S., especially among utility companies, financial pundits have proclaimed the end of the coal era as a major roadblock for certain railroad companies. What the pundits are missing, however, are a few noteworthy trends.

Coal’s recent unpopularity in the U.S. might be temporary as natural gas prices rebound from their current rock-bottom levels. At the same time, coal is still a highly valued resource around the world, particularly in developing countries in Europe and Asia. These areas of the world have less immediately available natural gas resources, and thus any transition away from coal would take decades, not years, to play out. Let’s compare the two trends taking shape currently in the most important coal markets.

For CSX, America’s utility coal demand has steadily declined from its peak of 162 tons in 2006. During this time, many older, less efficient coal plants have been idled, and even the well-run plants have been forced to stockpile coal due to plunging natural gas prices.

In the meantime, the U.S. is emerging as a prime supplier of coal globally. As developed countries transition to cleaner fuels, the rapidly rising non-OECD countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa will drive the majority of growth in demand for coal.

World Coal Consumption by Region, 1980-2035

The long-term story of coal demand is quite different from the immediate repercussions of the U.S. decline. In the last five years, CSX‘s coal export loads have …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

American Public Education Announces Participation in the 15th Annual Credit Suisse Global Services C

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

Filed under:

American Public Education Announces Participation in the 15 th Annual Credit Suisse Global Services Conference

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– American Public Education, Inc. (NAS: APEI) – parent company of online learning provider American Public University System, which operates through American Military University and American Public University – announced that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Harry T. Wilkins, CPA plans to address the financial community at the 15th Annual Credit Suisse Global Services Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mr. Wilkins will speak and answer questions from the financial community at 1:30 p.m. Mountain time (4:30 p.m. Eastern time) on Monday, March 11, 2013. A link to the live webcast of the presentation, as well as an audio replay, will be available to listeners who log in through American Public Education‘s website, www.AmericanPublicEducation.com. The replay will be available for 90 days after the presentation.

Direct Webcast Link: http://cc.talkpoint.com/cred001/031113a_am/?entity=32_4VJJTCT

American Public Education, Inc.

American Public Education, Inc. (NAS: APEI) is an online provider of higher education focused primarily on serving the military and public service communities. American Public University System (APUS), wholly owned by APEI, operates through American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU). APUS serves more than 100,000 adult learners worldwide and offers 87 degree programs in fields ranging from homeland security, military studies, intelligence, and criminal justice to technology, business administration, public health, and liberal arts. Nationally recognized for its best practices in online higher education, APUS provides an affordable education through classes taught by experienced faculty who are leaders in their fields and committed to the academic achievement of their students.

American Public University System is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). For more information about APUS graduation rates, median debt of students who completed programs, and other important information, visit www.apus.edu/disclosure.

American Public Education, Inc.
Christopher L. Symanoskie
Vice President, Investor Relations
703-334-3880

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Arizona  West Virginia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article American Public Education Announces Participation in the 15th Annual Credit Suisse Global Services Conference originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Douglas J. Swirsky Joins Fibrocell Board

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

Filed under:

Douglas J. Swirsky Joins Fibrocell Board

Brings Extensive Experience with Capital Markets

EXTON, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Fibrocell Science, Inc. (OTC: FCSC) announced today that Douglas J. Swirsky, CPA, CFA, joined its Board of Directors. Since 2006, Mr. Swirsky has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary of GenVec, Inc. Mr. Swirsky previously held investment banking positions at UBS, PaineWebber, Morgan Stanley, and Legg Mason. Prior to joining GenVec, Mr. Swirsky was with Stifel Nicolaus where he served as a Managing Director and the Head of Life Sciences Investment Banking. His experience also includes positions in public accounting and consulting.

“Doug brings extensive and wide-ranging financial expertise to our Board,” said David Pernock, CEO and Board Chair, Fibrocell Science. “His experience in life sciences and his relationship with the capital markets is an excellent fit with our strategic direction. We’re delighted to welcome him as a new Board member.”

GenVec, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that uses differentiated, proprietary technologies to create superior therapeutics and vaccines. In his current position, Mr. Swirsky oversees all financial aspects of GenVec’s operations and works closely with the CEO and executive team on business strategy. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University and his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Swirsky is a member of the Board of Directors of PolyMedix, Inc.

About Fibrocell Science, Inc.

Fibrocell Science, Inc. (FCSC) is an autologous cellular therapeutic company focused on the development of innovative products for aesthetic, medical and scientific applications. Fibrocell Science is committed to advancing the scientific, medical and commercial potential of autologous skin and tissue, as well as its innovative cellular processing technology and manufacturing excellence. For additional information, please visit www.fibrocellscience.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Most Americans Have More Savings Than Credit Card Debt

By CNBC

Money savings vs. credit cards debt

Filed under: , , , ,

Rumors of the spendthrift American consumer may be slightly exaggerated. Bankrate’s 2013 February Financial Security Index found that a majority of consumers — by a narrow margin — say they have more savings than credit card debt.

For more than half the country, 55 percent, an emergency fund outweighs credit card debt. Nearly a quarter, 24 percent, admit to having more debt on plastic than money in the bank, while 16 percent say they have neither credit card debt nor savings. That puts 40 percent of the population close to the edge of ruin while everyone else seems to be sitting pretty.

If most people have more savings than credit card debt, “Why are so many people broke?”

It’s a curious question. The answer may be that although credit card balances came down through the financial downturn that began in 2007, consumers’ fundamental behavior of not saving enough did not change.

According to the Department of Commerce, for 2012, the overall savings of the average household were 3.9 percent, much better compared to the 0.9 percent Americans were saving in 2001. However, this is down from the average 5.4 percent savings rate in 2008.

Even with a low savings rate, why wouldn’t a supposedly low credit card debt rate put Americans in better financial shape?

“The fact of the matter is that America is broke — whether it’s mortgages, student loans or credit cards, we are broke. The old rule of thumb is that people should have six months’ of savings,” Dvorkin says.”If you talk to people, most don’t have two pennies.”

Who’s In Trouble?

In Bankrate’s survey, men were more likely than women to say their emergency fund outweighed credit card debt, at 60 percent, compared to 49 percent of women.

But credit card debt hits all kinds of consumers. Bankrate’s survey has found that roughly a quarter of all income levels has more credit card debt than savings.

“Credit card debt will eat you alive no matter who you are,” Dvorkin says.

Income Levels With More Credit Card Debt Than Savings.
Income Level $75K+ $50K-$74.9K $30K – $49.9K Under $30K
2011 22% 27% 29% 23%
2012 20% 31% 27% 30%
2013 23% 25% 30% 23%

Those people with incomes more than $75,000 were less likely to have no savings or credit card debt compared to those at the opposite end of the spectrum, with incomes less than $30,000. Only 7 percent of high earners have no …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance