"Banks have a new image. Now you have 'a friend,' your friendly banker. If the banks are so friendly, how come they chain down the pens?"Alan King
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#1 Real Estate Investing Mistake Of 2005
Over the past few years, real estate investors, hungry for break-even or positive cash flow rental properties, purchased income properties out of state. California investors bought houses in Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma. Florida investors purchased houses ...
Real Estate Investing: Beware Of "Subject To" Promises
Another real estate writer's mini course, full of promises and fluff, ended with a "lesson" on why you need to buy his book so you can finance multiple properties "subject to." The reason, he said, "because banks won't let you finance more than ten ...
Stock Market Investment Advice: Part 1
Stock Market Investment Advice: "The Two Most Profitable Secrets of the World's Greatest Investors"Investing today is not for the faint of heart. Finding the right stock has never been harder, much less getting truly helpful stock market investment ...
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Sin and sorrow everywhere
People dying in despair
Happy Birthday to you; Happy Birthday to you.
When a kid, my grandfather gave me a crisp dollar bill for my birthday. It wasn't about the money; it was about him. As a kid, I also heard theological and monetary snipes at the church, "All the church wants is my money". This week, we are reminded that it is not all about the money; it is about the man.
Theological jargon ("sin") may not be germane to your conversations. However, sorrow always evokes loss, stirs questions about what matters, and tears become our vocabulary. So, what does this have to do with the stock market? Funny you should ask.
Every corporation (profit or nonprofit) portrays its leadership. Corporate boards and officers may hide for a while behind press releases and balance sheets, but revelation ultimately casts beams of light on the board room, the office suite, and the sacristy.
Forbes magazine maintains a "Corporate Scandal Sheet" It lists twenty-two New York Stock Exchange corporations under current indictment for accounting "imbroglios". - Their "sins" described: "...overstated results by inflating capital expenses and hiding debt"..
- "Shredding documents...after the SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) launched an inquiry...."
- "Boosted profits and hid debts totaling over $1 billion...."
- "Overstated $100 million in sales...."
The sorrow? Abject disappointment for investors, pension recipients, company employees (mail room clerks, janitors), children, and tax payers. It is about the money.
Proxy season busies me with reading and voting on behalf of clients. Proxy votes give authorization to the directors to "elect", "approve", and "ratify". Shareholders submit proxy votes with confidence that the Board of Directors will act with integrity. Many don't.
During 2003, under John Paul II's direction, the Pope's charity authorized $69 million dollars in expenditures to help allay the "grave difficulties caused by tensions and conflicts" around the world. Congregants give with confidence that the Pope's Charity will act with integrity. He did.
About The Author
Ray Randall serves clients as a registered investment advisor with his firm, Ethos Advisory Services, Essex, Massachusetts http://www.ethosadvisory.com. He has wide experience within the financial services industry, writes a weekly newsletter for Ethos Advisory Services, and coordinates the developments at Echievements . Ray holds a Masters Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, MA. You may email him or call (877-895-3756).
rayrandall@ethosasdvisory.com
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Will US Investment Create a 'Ruby Republic' in Burma?Huffington Post (blog)America is making a big mistake by calling for US business investment without evidence of true reform from the Burmese government. Secretary Clinton's exuberant claim is premature; Burma has a long way to go towards meaningful change.and more » |
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Stern Advice-Investors pressed to go alternativeReutersBy Linda Stern | WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If you work with an investment adviser, there's a decent chance that sometime during the last year, you've had a conversation about alternative investments. There's also a decent chance you emerged from that ...and more » |
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Goldman sets $40 bln clean energy investment planReutersBy Lauren Tara LaCapra May 23 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc plans to channel investments totaling $40 billion over the next decade into renewable energy projects, an area the investment bank called one of the biggest profit opportunities since ...and more » |
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