Reasons Analysts Will Utilize Investor Apps

Over the past several years the proliferation of mobile devices has brought us into an era of convenience and dependency. Individuals have a growing need to be connected to the outside world. By 2015 analysts project more U.S. internet users will access the web through mobile devices than through PCs. This shift in demographics has not gone unnoticed in the realm of Investor Relations; new ways of reaching buy and sell side analysts continue to grow.

Here are the five reasons not to miss out on this trend.

1)      Easy mobile compatibility.

•          Before Investor Relations apps, in order to access IR related content investors would have to open a web browser on their device, wait for the page to load before locating and accessing the investor sections. In many cases the desired content would be inaccessible for mobile users, usually due to flash requirements and other compatibility issues.
•          IR apps solve the mobile compatibility dilemma, offering easy access to content such as conference calls, press releases, SEC filings, and other valuable data. Using IR apps enables mobile devices to easily navigate and access content without dreaded compatibility issues.

2)      One stop shop analyst research.

•          As investors become more dependent on mobile devices for their information, they will search for the easiest ways to research a company’s content. Investor Relations apps offer a one stop shop for analysts looking for the most up to date research content.

3)      Companies will utilize investor relations apps on analyst days.

•          With this growing trend, analyst days will see a rise in the usage of IR apps, which will enable participants to access and follow the conference’s content on their mobile device.
•          This will provide less dependence on the Audio and Visual aspects of a company’s conference, because with the IR apps participants can follow presentations closely on their mobile devices.

4)      IR apps will update users when company pages are updated.

•          Push notifications will alert users when content is updated to a company’s page. This reduces the need to constantly check if a company has any new material, such as press releases.
•          IR apps will show users the most up to data content available. For example once a corporation posts their SEC filings to EDGAR they will immediately appear on the company’s app, followed by a push notification to let the user know content has been updated.

5)      The growing importance of qualitative information to investors.

•          In the age of technology, where stock prices tend to accurately reflect a company’s value, there is an increasing importance in a company’s qualitative information. Investor Relations apps provide all the numerical data investors need, but also recognize the growing importance and demand of a company’s qualitative information.
•          Allowing convenient access to presentations, videos, and other content beyond numbers makes IR apps a great asset for any investor seeking added convenience to their lives.

Nassau County's Loss is Brooklyn's Gain

                It is almost certain Nassau Coliseum will go dark in 2015, and that is only the beginning of the unfortunate news for residents of the county. With Nassau’s high unemployment rate, and growing debt Mr. Wang will seemingly get the last laugh after years of failed bids to improve his coliseum. He has pulled off a deal to move his belittled franchise from what is largely regarded as the worst arena in hockey, to the largest of NY’s five boroughs.

                Annually the Islander’s contribute around 60 million dollars in revenues to the Nassau County economy, a combination of ticket sales, vendor sales, transportation, and money spent at retailers around the arena. The big hole in the county’s pocket is magnified when you take into consideration the stimulus the renovations to the coliseum would have provided to the area. Some local politicians strongly believed with the increases in ticket sales, prices, and interest in the team the 60 million dollars in revenue could easily increase 25%.

                Mr. Wang’s proposal to the county earlier in the year would have created $400 million dollars in municipal bonds, which the NY Times estimates would cost the average resident about a $300 dollar increase in property taxes. The short-sighted implications led many who voted on the proposal to ignore the long term benefits the New Nassau Coliseum would have brought.

                The economic benefits of the project were understated, and now the county will deal with the worst case scenario, the departure of their only sports franchise. For starters Mr. Wang’s plan would have taken full advantage of record low interest rates in the bond market; never before could such a project in the region be financed so cheaply. It is estimated the new development would have created around 50,000 construction related jobs, which leads to increase income levels of residents, which of course is taxed. With new jobs the region would see a decrease in unemployment, which of course has its own benefits to the economy like a growth in consumption. The county would see a rise in property values, and the revenues of businesses to the surrounding area. All of the investment and job creation to the county would have provided a much needed stimulus, in a -time of budget shortfalls. It is no secret in economics that austerity measures during recessions stifle growth. While voting no wasn’t a vote for austerity, it was a vote against investment, which would have jumpstarted the region through a countless number of economic ripple effects.

                Ultimately for Islander fans life will go on, and many are optimistic about the positive effects the move could have with free agency. In my opinion the only loser in the situation is Nassau County, and that is a real shame.

A Poppy Spring in Afghanistan

In a week of increased violence in Afghanistan, intelligence sources are contributing the recent string of Taliban offensives as an attempt to protect the season's poppy plants. With attacks focused on government buildings and officials in major Poppy regions, we have seen casualties to many civilians, as well as U.S. soldiers. These conflicts have arisen despite hopes in January from U.S. and Afghanistan to reduce U.S. & NATO troops in the nation.

It wasn't too long ago in January when the Taliban decided to sit down at peace talks for the first time in the course of the War in Afghanistan. Then in February there was the Koran burning incident, and in March a U.S. Soldier reportedly murdered 18 Afghani civilians, further enraging the entire country.

In the past few years the government of Afghanistan, with pressure from the International Community, have begun to 'eradicate' one of the nation's largest sources of revenue, the poppy plant, with pressures coming from the International Community. The U.N. has pressured Afghanistan to destroy its main cash crop because of an increasing narcotics problem in the region, and because the plant is considered a main source of funding for the Taliban.

The Taliban have been carrying out attacks in Southern and Western Afghanistan with the intention of maintaining control of their corrupt lucrative industry. The Poppy plant is a staple of Afghanistan's agriculture sector, and the industry in Afghanistan is estimated to be worth around 4 billion dollars annually, with the U.N. estimating Taliban roughly holding 10% of that revenue; Agriculture is of great importance Afghanistan's economy, with nearly 80% of the country employed in the agriculture industry, it also makes up a large portion of their GDP of 28 billion.

The eradication has been unpopular with local farmers, as well as with citizens, and offers a unique political risk to the current Karzai regime in Afghanistan, with the recent threat of the Taliban regaining control due to increasing unpopularity of Western influence. Supporters of the industry claim that the plant is essential in insuring income in poverty stricken areas, and who claim there are currently no alternatives to grow. One solution would be for the Afghani government to subsidize legal industries, to finance and develop poverty stricken rural regions. There is a ton of uncertainty in the economic, and political direction of Afghanistan in the coming years.

With the United States expected to start removing troops Mid-2013, and with the spring resurgence of the Taliban, Afghanistan is once again a growing concern for the International Community.

Prized Author on Climate Change

Scientist and Professor of Geography at UCLA Jared Diamond recently gave an interview concerning the direction of the United States, and how our nation can adapt to avoid becoming the next civilization to collapse. While Diamond sounds optimistic he creates a surprisingly long list, and emphasizes that failure in just 1 place could lead to the demise of our country.

He outlines the most important environmental changes necessary to achieve prosperity:
1) Forests
2) Fisheries
3) Topsoil
4) Bio-Diversity
5) Energy
6) Fresh-Water
7) Photosynthetic Capacity
8) Toxic Chemicals
9) Greenhouse Gases
10) Invasive Species
11) Population
12) Consumption Rates

Mississippi Blues.....

Historically the Mississippi River experiences some degree of flooding about once every 12 years. So when Senior Meteorologist Jonathan Erdman of the Weather Channel describes the recent events as a "only a 1-in-300 year flood", people should begin to take notice. Erdman himself does indeed make the link to climate change.

The Mississippi anomaly arises at an interesting time; This week 2 bills were passed in the House (with overwhelming support from House Republicans) to expand drilling in the gulf while eliminating post BP spill safety/research regulations. Legislation that tries to strike swiftly on societies recent fear of growing gas prices, and global oil shortages. Ironically these bills were voted on at around the same time Exxon Mobil CEO testified in front of Congress, blaming speculation for the price hikes, and debunking any supply and demand connection. While the Republicans maintain their 'Drill Baby Drill' stance, Congressional Democrats are pushing forward legislation to end Top 5 Oil Company subsidies.

The outcome of these votes could determine our future environmental doctrine, as well as bring major reform to the corporate structure of our country. In his weekly address President Obama came out firing on these topics. Assuring Americans that the gas prices are speculation, and not a sign of necessary increases in drilling.

Perhaps the most important environmental news this week came from the National Academy of Sciences (Yes the people that actually know what they're talking about). Their scientists released a report titled 'America's Choices' yesterday, which not only concludes that global warming is very real, but also that each passing moment in which we don't act, could be devastating.

The New Nassau Coliseum

Today Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced a major economic and job creation plan; A plan that includes replacing the aging Nassau Coliseum. Mangano was accompanied by a very delighted owner Charles Wang, who has been pushing for a new facility for years.

However this doesn't seal the deal, to finance the project Mangano would need to pass a public referendum throughout the county. The referendum, which will be voted on August 1st, would call for 350 million in bonds (over the next 30 years) for the Islanders facility, and 50 million in bonds for a near-by minor league ball-park. (Rumored to be a future rival of Suffolk County's Duck's).

With their current lease set to expire in 2015 it has been rumored the NY Islander's will look elsewhere if a new deal is not reached by then. Would Long Island really miss the Islanders?? The team ranked last in the league in average attendance, with 11,059 per game.

While the teams fan base may be in hiding the plan should gather enough support from Union Supporters, and others looking to create jobs and bolster the local economy.