Tucson Citizen | Popular dogs get a leg up in Best in Show Tucson Citizen Still, the most popular or most familiar breeds don't dominate Best in Show. However, Monday night a few dogs next door won as a German Shepherd, Dalmatian, Dachshund and Pekingese advanced to Tuesday night's competition for Best in Show against the ... Rank 'em: Wha t's your favorite dog breed? Malachy the Pekingese is best in show at Westminster Peak performance: Pekingese becomes America's top dog, wins best in show at ... |
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Popular dogs get a leg up in Best in Show - Tucson Citizen
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Sunday, February 12, 2012
Health care insurers
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With many companies struggling and somecuttintg employees, it’s a bad time to raisd health insurance premiums. Most will not look to the health claims experience of their employees to blamew for the excess costthis time. Of the $640.4 millio in profits Florida HMOs madein $218 million came from investment income, accordingt to research by Minneapolis-based health care analyst Allan Baumgarten.
The Health Options HMO ownexd by , the state’s largest health insurer, derived abouf half of its 2007 earnings from investment Thehealth plan’s investment income fell significantlg in 2008, Blue Cross Executive VP, CFO and Chief Administrative Officer Chrids Doerr said in a statement. This shouldn’t have an impact on premiums during the next yearor two, but it couls have a small impact, such as 1 percenrt or 2 percent, over a longefr period if financial markets continue deteriorating. Most health insurerx did not get a large boosty from their investments in2008 – and they probablu won’t this year, either, Baumgarten said.
Fourth quarter earnings for four ofthe nation’xs largest carriers – , , and showed dramatic declines in investment income, coupledc with large investment write-offs. The insurancew companies have their underwriters factor in investment income when they set their premium rates, Baumgarten said. That means health insurers will look to raisd rates to account for lowerdinvestment income. Some plans might drop coverage and look to servicedmore self-insured companies without shouldering the he said. “Health insurers want profit more than they wantmarketg share,” he said.
“If they shrink [in but maintain their loss ratios, they would be happy with Florida Office of Insurance Regulation spokesman Tom Zutellk said a loss of investmentf income by health plans is not enough by itselt to justify arate change. Yet, it can impact the assumed earningws rates on premiums that are eventuallyfactorefd in. Health insurance companies will probably make theie members pay for their declining investment rather thanmedical providers, said Linda president of the Soutgh Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association.
That’s becaused negotiations with providers are more and it’s easier for plans to lose member accounts than to drop hospitalsz and doctors, she said. had a decline in investment incomein 2008, but it is a fairlhy small component of its premium pricingh strategy, said Conchita Ruiz-Topinka, spokeswoman for the Miami-based She said AvMed customers shouldn’t see their rates affected by markey volatility.
When health insurance companies have a toughbyear investing, they often tighten up theidr underwriting criteria, said Ramona VP of operations for in Fort Seitlin asks to see the components that health insurerxs factor into their rates during underwriting, but they never brealk out investment income as a separate factor, she said. Still, she can see its effecft on their behavior. “Foer those insurers being more conservative, that may be cominyg down from the powers that be that saidthey don’ have such a reserves as in the past because of investmengt losses,” Fiumara said. She believed this will cause some insurerw to raise rates so they canrecoup losses.
Investment losse at health, life, property and casualty insurerstotaled $34.5 billion in the third said Gavin Magor, the seniod health analyst at TheStreet.com Ratings in Palm Beach Health insurers don’t depend on investmeny income as much as those other categories of he noted. “For for-profit insurers, where they would normallh expect a nice return on investmen t to be competitiveon underwriting, they are facing a distincr possibility that they will have to increase thei rates because they can’t take risks on underwritinyg and make it up in investmentg income,” Magor said.
In order to retaih customers hit withrate increases, healtgh insurers will probably offer more plans with stripped-dowbn benefits, he said. “At the end of the day, we will all pay for the sins of Wall Magor said.
With many companies struggling and somecuttintg employees, it’s a bad time to raisd health insurance premiums. Most will not look to the health claims experience of their employees to blamew for the excess costthis time. Of the $640.4 millio in profits Florida HMOs madein $218 million came from investment income, accordingt to research by Minneapolis-based health care analyst Allan Baumgarten.
The Health Options HMO ownexd by , the state’s largest health insurer, derived abouf half of its 2007 earnings from investment Thehealth plan’s investment income fell significantlg in 2008, Blue Cross Executive VP, CFO and Chief Administrative Officer Chrids Doerr said in a statement. This shouldn’t have an impact on premiums during the next yearor two, but it couls have a small impact, such as 1 percenrt or 2 percent, over a longefr period if financial markets continue deteriorating. Most health insurerx did not get a large boosty from their investments in2008 – and they probablu won’t this year, either, Baumgarten said.
Fourth quarter earnings for four ofthe nation’xs largest carriers – , , and showed dramatic declines in investment income, coupledc with large investment write-offs. The insurancew companies have their underwriters factor in investment income when they set their premium rates, Baumgarten said. That means health insurers will look to raisd rates to account for lowerdinvestment income. Some plans might drop coverage and look to servicedmore self-insured companies without shouldering the he said. “Health insurers want profit more than they wantmarketg share,” he said.
“If they shrink [in but maintain their loss ratios, they would be happy with Florida Office of Insurance Regulation spokesman Tom Zutellk said a loss of investmentf income by health plans is not enough by itselt to justify arate change. Yet, it can impact the assumed earningws rates on premiums that are eventuallyfactorefd in. Health insurance companies will probably make theie members pay for their declining investment rather thanmedical providers, said Linda president of the Soutgh Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association.
That’s becaused negotiations with providers are more and it’s easier for plans to lose member accounts than to drop hospitalsz and doctors, she said. had a decline in investment incomein 2008, but it is a fairlhy small component of its premium pricingh strategy, said Conchita Ruiz-Topinka, spokeswoman for the Miami-based She said AvMed customers shouldn’t see their rates affected by markey volatility.
When health insurance companies have a toughbyear investing, they often tighten up theidr underwriting criteria, said Ramona VP of operations for in Fort Seitlin asks to see the components that health insurerxs factor into their rates during underwriting, but they never brealk out investment income as a separate factor, she said. Still, she can see its effecft on their behavior. “Foer those insurers being more conservative, that may be cominyg down from the powers that be that saidthey don’ have such a reserves as in the past because of investmengt losses,” Fiumara said. She believed this will cause some insurerw to raise rates so they canrecoup losses.
Investment losse at health, life, property and casualty insurerstotaled $34.5 billion in the third said Gavin Magor, the seniod health analyst at TheStreet.com Ratings in Palm Beach Health insurers don’t depend on investmeny income as much as those other categories of he noted. “For for-profit insurers, where they would normallh expect a nice return on investmen t to be competitiveon underwriting, they are facing a distincr possibility that they will have to increase thei rates because they can’t take risks on underwritinyg and make it up in investmentg income,” Magor said.
In order to retaih customers hit withrate increases, healtgh insurers will probably offer more plans with stripped-dowbn benefits, he said. “At the end of the day, we will all pay for the sins of Wall Magor said.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Orlando 7-Eleven converts to franchise - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
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The 3,000-square-foot convenience stord at 3911 McCoy Road nearConwah Road, which also has a gasolinde station, will now be owne d by franchisee Ermal Metollari, a former store manager for five years. Dallas-basexd 7-Eleven Inc. announced plans in 2007 to convery 100 existing locations in the state to franchised Store managers were invited to apply for those franchises beforew the offerwent public. More than 40 7-Eleve n stores in the Orlando market are now with about another 140 ownee bythe company.
Between eight to 10 7-Elevenn stores throughout the statw are being converted into franchise operations each month and plans to have most of the conversione nationwide completedby 2012, accordinfg to a news release. The company franchises or licensesabout 7,800 stored in North America and more than 36,100 stores in 15 The company reported 2008 sales of more than $53.7
The 3,000-square-foot convenience stord at 3911 McCoy Road nearConwah Road, which also has a gasolinde station, will now be owne d by franchisee Ermal Metollari, a former store manager for five years. Dallas-basexd 7-Eleven Inc. announced plans in 2007 to convery 100 existing locations in the state to franchised Store managers were invited to apply for those franchises beforew the offerwent public. More than 40 7-Eleve n stores in the Orlando market are now with about another 140 ownee bythe company.
Between eight to 10 7-Elevenn stores throughout the statw are being converted into franchise operations each month and plans to have most of the conversione nationwide completedby 2012, accordinfg to a news release. The company franchises or licensesabout 7,800 stored in North America and more than 36,100 stores in 15 The company reported 2008 sales of more than $53.7
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Freddie Mac allows financing of 125% of home value - Washington Business Journal:
yfimuna.wordpress.com
Fannie Mae also announced a similar change. The move come as the Obama administration raised themaximumn loan-to-value (LTV) ratio from 105 percent. As a resulft of this change, qualified borrowers will be able toobtainh McLean-based Freddie Mac’s (NYSE:FRE) Relief Refinance Mortgages with loan amounts up to 125 percent of the current value of theidr property. The higher LTV ratipo is expected to givehomeowners – especially those in markets that have experiencef sharp declines in home valuesz -- more options to refinance into mortgages with terms that betterd position them for long-term homeownership, the companyu said.
“This is a change that will put affordablse refinancing opportunities within reach of performingv borrowers who have suffered the effects of local homeprice erosion,” said Don executive vice president in a “Today’s announcement also underscores Freddie Mac’ds commitment to make the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable program a gateway to successfulp long-term homeownership for as many borrowera as possible.” To encourage borrowers with 30-yeaer fixed rate mortgages to consider a shorterd 25-year term, Freddie Mac is providing a special pricw incentive to lenders.
The incentive only applies to Reliefr Refinance Mortgages with LTV ratios between 105 percenr and125 percent. The 25-year term will result in borrowers paying less interest over the life of theif loan and over time improving their overallequityy position. Freddie Mac’s Relief Refinance Mortgage is available to borrowers who are current on mortgages that are ownesd or guaranteed byFreddie Mac. Freddie Mac’s Relief Refinancee Mortgage allows borrowers to financeclosing costs, financing costs and escrowzs up to $5,000 or 4 perceng of the current unpaid principal balancde of the mortgage being refinanced, whichevet is less.
Mortgage insurance is not required if the existingv mortgage does notrequire it. mortgage insurance coverage on the new loan must be the same as on theoriginap mortgage. Borrowers who apply for Relief Refinance Mortgagese through their current servicer will not need tobe re-underwritten in most When borrowers apply for Relief Refinance Mortgages throughb lenders other than their current servicer, the lender must re-underwrite the borrower through Loan Prospector, Freddie Mac’s automatedf underwriting service, the company said. The expanded LTV ratiows are available now when borrowers apply for Relief Refinanc Mortgages through their current servicer and will becomeavailable Oct.
1 when borrowers apply through any lended affiliated withFreddie Mac. Freddiew Mac also said the resultinb impact on prepayments for certain Freddie Mac mortgageparticipation certificates, may vary, dependiny on borrower response and other
Fannie Mae also announced a similar change. The move come as the Obama administration raised themaximumn loan-to-value (LTV) ratio from 105 percent. As a resulft of this change, qualified borrowers will be able toobtainh McLean-based Freddie Mac’s (NYSE:FRE) Relief Refinance Mortgages with loan amounts up to 125 percent of the current value of theidr property. The higher LTV ratipo is expected to givehomeowners – especially those in markets that have experiencef sharp declines in home valuesz -- more options to refinance into mortgages with terms that betterd position them for long-term homeownership, the companyu said.
“This is a change that will put affordablse refinancing opportunities within reach of performingv borrowers who have suffered the effects of local homeprice erosion,” said Don executive vice president in a “Today’s announcement also underscores Freddie Mac’ds commitment to make the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable program a gateway to successfulp long-term homeownership for as many borrowera as possible.” To encourage borrowers with 30-yeaer fixed rate mortgages to consider a shorterd 25-year term, Freddie Mac is providing a special pricw incentive to lenders.
The incentive only applies to Reliefr Refinance Mortgages with LTV ratios between 105 percenr and125 percent. The 25-year term will result in borrowers paying less interest over the life of theif loan and over time improving their overallequityy position. Freddie Mac’s Relief Refinance Mortgage is available to borrowers who are current on mortgages that are ownesd or guaranteed byFreddie Mac. Freddie Mac’s Relief Refinancee Mortgage allows borrowers to financeclosing costs, financing costs and escrowzs up to $5,000 or 4 perceng of the current unpaid principal balancde of the mortgage being refinanced, whichevet is less.
Mortgage insurance is not required if the existingv mortgage does notrequire it. mortgage insurance coverage on the new loan must be the same as on theoriginap mortgage. Borrowers who apply for Relief Refinance Mortgagese through their current servicer will not need tobe re-underwritten in most When borrowers apply for Relief Refinance Mortgages throughb lenders other than their current servicer, the lender must re-underwrite the borrower through Loan Prospector, Freddie Mac’s automatedf underwriting service, the company said. The expanded LTV ratiows are available now when borrowers apply for Relief Refinanc Mortgages through their current servicer and will becomeavailable Oct.
1 when borrowers apply through any lended affiliated withFreddie Mac. Freddiew Mac also said the resultinb impact on prepayments for certain Freddie Mac mortgageparticipation certificates, may vary, dependiny on borrower response and other
Monday, February 6, 2012
MetWest signs PBSJ as second tenant - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
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The national engineering company is expected to occupyabout 83,000 square feet in the 250,000-square-foot tower that has been builtt to meet the ’s Leadership in Energu and Environmental Design. PBSJ Chief Executiv e Officer John B. Zumwalt III said the companyu looked for an office in proximity to its clients and one that incorporater sustainabledesign strategies. “MetWest International fit that bill in termds ofoffice space, location, LEED certification, and pedestrian-oriented site design,” Zumwalt said in a statement.
PBSJ was expectes to announce the move Thursdayto MetWest’s first tenant — , also the project’s general contractor — occupies abouyt 20,266 square feet on MetWest’s second floor. The firsrt phase of the 32-acre, $200 million developed opened this year as demand for office and retaikl fell to its lowest levelin PBSJ, which moved its headquarters to Tamp from Miami in 2006, is now at Cypress 5300 W. Cypress St. That Westshore building, constructed in is owned by LLC.
While Cypress Commons is losing amajor tenant, the business district is benefitin g as a whole, said Kyle Burd, regional vice president of Eola Capital, an Orlando-basee real estate investment firm. “It’s a shot in the arm for
The national engineering company is expected to occupyabout 83,000 square feet in the 250,000-square-foot tower that has been builtt to meet the ’s Leadership in Energu and Environmental Design. PBSJ Chief Executiv e Officer John B. Zumwalt III said the companyu looked for an office in proximity to its clients and one that incorporater sustainabledesign strategies. “MetWest International fit that bill in termds ofoffice space, location, LEED certification, and pedestrian-oriented site design,” Zumwalt said in a statement.
PBSJ was expectes to announce the move Thursdayto MetWest’s first tenant — , also the project’s general contractor — occupies abouyt 20,266 square feet on MetWest’s second floor. The firsrt phase of the 32-acre, $200 million developed opened this year as demand for office and retaikl fell to its lowest levelin PBSJ, which moved its headquarters to Tamp from Miami in 2006, is now at Cypress 5300 W. Cypress St. That Westshore building, constructed in is owned by LLC.
While Cypress Commons is losing amajor tenant, the business district is benefitin g as a whole, said Kyle Burd, regional vice president of Eola Capital, an Orlando-basee real estate investment firm. “It’s a shot in the arm for
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Ryu leads Australian Ladies Masters by three shots - CBSSports.com
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USA TODAY | Ryu leads Australian Ladies Masters by three shots CBSSports.com GOLD COAST, Australia -- US Open champion So Yeon Ryu shot a 3-under-par 69 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Australian Ladies Masters. Ryu, who shot an 11-under-par 61 in the second round, moved to a 54-hole total of ... Franc es Boddard shoots 63 at Australian Ladies Masters Great round: Frances Bondad in action at Royal Pines. Picture: Michael Ross ... Women's Open champ Ryu leads Australian Masters |
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Fed's Beige Book: Midwest contraction
batyushkinuxit.blogspot.com
Whereas some industries experienced substantial drope in activity during the pastsix weeks, modesgt increases in other sectors led the Fed to characterize the Ninth District’s contraction as moderating. The Ninth Federalk District includes Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northwestern Consumer spending and tourism werestill weak, but had “improvef somewhat from the previous few according to the Fed. The servicse sector continued to experiencedecreased revenue, employment and profits comparec to a year ago, and further profift contraction is likely.
The Fed characterized the commercial real estat e sectoras “anemic,” adding that residentiap construction continued at steadily low levels. The residential real estatw market did see more activityh than in the previous reporting Manufacturing continuedits slide, as did energh and mining. However, some wind energy projects continuw tomove forward, and gold mines are at “near capacituy production.” Labor markets continued to struggle. Job cuts in many of them in the health careand medical-devicer fields, were cited by the Fed in its assessmeng of labor conditions.
Wage increasesw were modest, and firmxs surveyed by the Fed expect toincreases employees’ wages by 1.8 percent over the next year. Pricde increases, however, were “subdued,” with the risinbg cost of gas anotable exception, the Fed The Fed’s next Beige Book reporyt is due July 29.
Whereas some industries experienced substantial drope in activity during the pastsix weeks, modesgt increases in other sectors led the Fed to characterize the Ninth District’s contraction as moderating. The Ninth Federalk District includes Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northwestern Consumer spending and tourism werestill weak, but had “improvef somewhat from the previous few according to the Fed. The servicse sector continued to experiencedecreased revenue, employment and profits comparec to a year ago, and further profift contraction is likely.
The Fed characterized the commercial real estat e sectoras “anemic,” adding that residentiap construction continued at steadily low levels. The residential real estatw market did see more activityh than in the previous reporting Manufacturing continuedits slide, as did energh and mining. However, some wind energy projects continuw tomove forward, and gold mines are at “near capacituy production.” Labor markets continued to struggle. Job cuts in many of them in the health careand medical-devicer fields, were cited by the Fed in its assessmeng of labor conditions.
Wage increasesw were modest, and firmxs surveyed by the Fed expect toincreases employees’ wages by 1.8 percent over the next year. Pricde increases, however, were “subdued,” with the risinbg cost of gas anotable exception, the Fed The Fed’s next Beige Book reporyt is due July 29.
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