FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2009 Flagship National Bank, Bradenton, Florida, was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First Federal Bank of Florida, Lake City, Florida, to assume all of the deposits of Flagship National Bank.[More...]

If over the past six months or so it has seemed as if you were partying like it was 1999 it might be time to reevaluate your stance.  One thing that we have been taking a closer look at lately is the pricing of risk.  Obviously when investors think that risks are low they will demonstrate risk seeking behavior.  We have seen this as the SP500 has climbed 56.6% from the March lows to the highs on 8/28/09.  With a rise like that you would think that 2008 never happened, of course if you believe that then you also believe  in a land of make believe with money trees, the fountain of youth, and models for all.[More...]

An Australian Dollar Play on China’s Growth Tony Daltorio, The Investment U Research Team Despite the continuing negative sentiment toward China from much of Wall Street, China’s remarkable economic growth continues unabated. While Wall Street “experts” focus solely on the export-oriented eastern cities in China, they are missing the rapid growth occurring in other parts of China with the government’s “Go West” program. And let’s not forget that within a few years, the size of China’s middle class will exceed the entire population of the United States. However, there are still many investors who are not comfortable investing directly in China and buying Chinese[More...]

Spotlight On: Biotech The U.S. biotechnology industry includes about 1,000 companies, of all sizes, with combined annual revenues close to $50 billion. Large companies include Amgen, Biogen Idec, Genetech, Genzyme, Life Technologies and Monsanto. Because so many drugs are now developed using biotechnology, the biotech and pharmaceutical industries overlap. Demand for biotechnology products and services is driven primarily by the willingness of insurers to pay for new medical treatments. With the pending introduction of Obamacare, new uncertainties are introduced to this industry. Biotech products and treatments tend to be expensive and the drive to reduce costs through rationing will no doubt effect this industry. The profitability of individual companies depends on the discovery and effective marketing of new products. Because the market for potential[More...]

Dividend increases aren’t the only thing the Kellogg Company (NYSE:K) is known for. For anyone over the age of two, Snap, Crackle and Pop are very familiar characters.[More...]