It's going to keep getting harder to find a cigarette in 2013 if the state legislatures across the country get their way. Higher cigarette taxes are on the docket in a number of states with traditionally high numbers of smokers. Minnesota in particular, where nearly 16% of the population still smokes, the governor is seeking to boost the state cigarette tax rate to a new rate of $2.83 per pack, a move which is being lauded across the board by anti-smoking advocates. [View news story]
If you are an adult, you should be able to eat or smoke anything legal. We don't need Government to tell us how to live our lives. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to realize over eating or smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, exposes you to excessive health problems. Many Politicians smoke and drink. People who do either one or both, probably are addicted to the addictive properties of the products. But they are legal products, smokers and consumers of alcohol are not criminals.
More from the NY Attorney General: Schneiderman is set to sue Bank of America (BAC +2.2%) and Wells Fargo (WAC +0.3%) for "repeatedly violating" the terms of the $26B mortgage settlement, reports the NYT. At issue are improvements in servicing standards such as ending the bureaucratic nightmare of loan mods or foreclosure relief. Schneiderman's office has reportedly documented 210 violations against Wells, and 129 against BofA since October. [View news story]
It maybe that no liability has been mentioned because the violations have yet to be identified (The subject of violations is talked about on DEALbook this morning and the Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman of New York's picture is above the article).
AIG wins a legal battle, a federal appeals court ruling its $10B lawsuit against Bank of America (BAC) over mortgage losses belongs in state, not federal court. Filed in 2011, the case has been on hold while the venue is determined, but stems from what AIG claims were frauds and misrepresentations on $28B of MBS purchased from BofA, Merrill, and Countrywide. [View news story]
It could well be time to bail from Bank of America until they get their legal affairs in order. A bank with legal problems this big, doesn't strike me as a good investment. Where else do they get the money for the huge legal fees?
Heinz, Is Anyone Listening Or Is Everyone Blind? [View article]
The way I understand it, if the major stock holders approve the sale this action can't be stopped. Anthony J. F. O'Reilly ( former CEO of Heinz ) in 1997 owned over 6 million shares, which made him the largest single owner. Now at the current dividend rate, that equates to over 10 million dollars a year in dividends. If He is unwilling to stop the sale, how can we little investors even entertain the thought of do so?
Bank Of America A Long-Term Buy At Current Prices [View article]
BAC pays a paltry 1/2% Dividend that hardly qualifies for a consistent good dividend. We can't look to this banks past for investment choices, because too much bad information was on the books. And there are still questions that have to be answered from the banking world. Which includes BAC. Look to invest in this institution 5 to 8 years from now.
Main Street Capital (MAIN) announces an increase in commitments to its line of credit, with the total now $352.5M from $287.5M previously. The credit facility's accordion feature is upsized, meaning the amount could go as high as $425M. The company currently has $110M drawn on the line. (PR) [View news story]
Some bank has increased their line of funding up to a high of $425 million. But they are as of now, using $110 million dollars.
AT&T (T -0.5%) is set to launch new prepaid plans on June 15 under a brand called All in One, Fierce Wireless reports. The services will reportedly include a $35/month feature phone plan and a $50/month smartphone plan, with each supporting unlimited voice and text to go with a data bucket. The report comes a week after AT&T reported a Q1 net loss of 184K prepaid subs, a number that contrasts unfavorably with Verizon's (VZ) 43K net gain. Verizon recently launched a $35/month prepaid plan for feature phones, and $60-$70/month prepaid plans for smartphones. [View news story]
Verizon is killing AT&T in the wireless market. It's no secret that for the past 5 years especially, that many people have given up their land lines for wireless phones. Add poor customer service to the list and it spells a disaster for less customers.
Nelson Peltz discloses stakes in Mondelez (MDLZ) and PepsiCo (PEP), following earlier reports the billionaire could be pushing for a merger of the food giants, and PEP says it has held meetings with Peltz's Trian Fund Management in recent weeks to consider its "ideas and initiatives" for long-term growth. Trian says it owned 3.9M PEP shares and 19.4M shares in MDLZ as of Dec. 31. MDLZ +2.3%, PEP +0.8% premarket. [View news story]
As long as Pepsi co can pay out a dividend, I'll keep the stock.
Nelson Peltz discloses stakes in Mondelez (MDLZ) and PepsiCo (PEP), following earlier reports the billionaire could be pushing for a merger of the food giants, and PEP says it has held meetings with Peltz's Trian Fund Management in recent weeks to consider its "ideas and initiatives" for long-term growth. Trian says it owned 3.9M PEP shares and 19.4M shares in MDLZ as of Dec. 31. MDLZ +2.3%, PEP +0.8% premarket. [View news story]
There was some talk that PEP could spin off their snacks division to concentrate on the beverage side only.
It's going to keep getting harder to find a cigarette in 2013 if the state legislatures across the country get their way. Higher cigarette taxes are on the docket in a number of states with traditionally high numbers of smokers. Minnesota in particular, where nearly 16% of the population still smokes, the governor is seeking to boost the state cigarette tax rate to a new rate of $2.83 per pack, a move which is being lauded across the board by anti-smoking advocates. [View news story]
Many Politicians smoke and drink. People who do either one or both, probably are addicted to the addictive properties of the products.
But they are legal products, smokers and consumers of alcohol are not criminals.
Should You Buy Coca-Cola Now? [View article]
AT&T: Not Just For Pensions And Widows [View article]
More from the NY Attorney General: Schneiderman is set to sue Bank of America (BAC +2.2%) and Wells Fargo (WAC +0.3%) for "repeatedly violating" the terms of the $26B mortgage settlement, reports the NYT. At issue are improvements in servicing standards such as ending the bureaucratic nightmare of loan mods or foreclosure relief. Schneiderman's office has reportedly documented 210 violations against Wells, and 129 against BofA since October. [View news story]
Whisper Number Impact: Earnings Preview For Altria [View article]
AIG wins a legal battle, a federal appeals court ruling its $10B lawsuit against Bank of America (BAC) over mortgage losses belongs in state, not federal court. Filed in 2011, the case has been on hold while the venue is determined, but stems from what AIG claims were frauds and misrepresentations on $28B of MBS purchased from BofA, Merrill, and Countrywide. [View news story]
legal affairs in order. A bank with legal problems this big, doesn't strike me as a good investment. Where else do they get the money for the huge legal fees?
Heinz, Is Anyone Listening Or Is Everyone Blind? [View article]
Bank Of America A Long-Term Buy At Current Prices [View article]
good dividend. We can't look to this banks past for investment choices, because too much bad information was on the books.
And there are still questions that have to be answered from the banking world. Which includes BAC. Look to invest in this institution 5 to 8 years from now.
How Risky Is Annaly Capital? [View article]
Main Street Capital (MAIN) announces an increase in commitments to its line of credit, with the total now $352.5M from $287.5M previously. The credit facility's accordion feature is upsized, meaning the amount could go as high as $425M. The company currently has $110M drawn on the line. (PR) [View news story]
million. But they are as of now, using $110 million dollars.
AT&T (T -0.5%) is set to launch new prepaid plans on June 15 under a brand called All in One, Fierce Wireless reports. The services will reportedly include a $35/month feature phone plan and a $50/month smartphone plan, with each supporting unlimited voice and text to go with a data bucket. The report comes a week after AT&T reported a Q1 net loss of 184K prepaid subs, a number that contrasts unfavorably with Verizon's (VZ) 43K net gain. Verizon recently launched a $35/month prepaid plan for feature phones, and $60-$70/month prepaid plans for smartphones. [View news story]
Nelson Peltz discloses stakes in Mondelez (MDLZ) and PepsiCo (PEP), following earlier reports the billionaire could be pushing for a merger of the food giants, and PEP says it has held meetings with Peltz's Trian Fund Management in recent weeks to consider its "ideas and initiatives" for long-term growth. Trian says it owned 3.9M PEP shares and 19.4M shares in MDLZ as of Dec. 31. MDLZ +2.3%, PEP +0.8% premarket. [View news story]
Nelson Peltz discloses stakes in Mondelez (MDLZ) and PepsiCo (PEP), following earlier reports the billionaire could be pushing for a merger of the food giants, and PEP says it has held meetings with Peltz's Trian Fund Management in recent weeks to consider its "ideas and initiatives" for long-term growth. Trian says it owned 3.9M PEP shares and 19.4M shares in MDLZ as of Dec. 31. MDLZ +2.3%, PEP +0.8% premarket. [View news story]
PepsiCo: $6.4 Billion Is Rewarding For Investors But At What Cost? [View article]
Take The Long Road On Bank Of America To Double-Digit Returns [View article]