Last updated: May 25, 2012 3:38 pm
Stocks' Breakdown Confirms the Bear's Return - Yahoo Finance
This week's meager and abortive stock-market bounce reconfirmed that the bear is back as prices broke below key chart levels. That augurs another summer of lower prices and higher volatility.
In technical analysis, when a price floor, also known as support, is broken to the downside we get a bearish signal. Prices start to fall, but often we see the market attempt to rally back to that broken support level in what chart watchers call a "test" of the breakdown.
If the market is truly bearish, investors who missed their original chance to sell at the initial breakdown see a second chance to get out. The supply of stock for sale swells and prices head back down. What was once considered to be cheap—the support level—now is considered to be expensive.
This is exactly what we see with some of the major indexes. For example, the Russell 2000 index of small-capitalization stocks rebounded to roughly 770 Tuesday, less than a half point away from its Oct. 27, 2011, high and the end of the first leg of the rally that began earlier that month (see Chart 1). This level was also near the bottoms of three big selloffs last year, making it a very important level on the charts.
The Russell 2000 traded some 20 points lower Wednesday, so it is safe to say that bears overwhelmed the market at that level to quash the rebound and put the market back on track for a weak summer.
Although the Dow Jones Industrial Average does not offer quite the same textbook example of a breakdown and test, the Dow Jones Transportation Average does (see Chart 2). The 5050 level not only provided support for much of the first five months of the year, but it also provided resistance on two occasions late last year. Such a switch in roles, from support to resistance and back, is not uncommon; we can use it as a dividing line between a happy market and a fearful market.
With the Transports trading below 4940 Wednesday afternoon, it is safe to say this sector is fearful and looking at lower prices ahead.
The big question is where the trigger that sets off the next wave of selling resides.
For most major indexes, it is last week's low. For the Standard & Poor's 500 specifically, it is 1292, in round numbers (see Chart 3). While the S&P 500 has held above that level through Wednesday afternoon, a close or preferably two closes below this level would signal a new breakdown in the market.
This critical support level also coincides with the index's October 2011 high. Following a downside break, there would be a relatively clear path to the 1210-1230 zone, which once again coincides with a former level of both support and resistance last year.
The evidence on the charts is now leaning heavily toward the bearish side. Most major indexes and the majority of industry groups sport respective lower highs and lower lows—which is the basic definition of a falling trend.
Further, all major market indexes and the vast majority of industry groups are below their respective 50-day moving averages. Some groups, including the key semiconductor group, are below respective 200-day averages.
To the extent that there are any positive aspects to the technical picture it is that most major indexes are still above the latter metric. However, some are only one more bad day away from a breakdown; indeed, the New York Stock Exchange composite has already broken down.
Despite Wednesday's late comeback, the bottom line is that the bear is back. Barring another round of quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve and other central banks or a resolution of the European debt crisis, it looks to be another long, hot summer for the stock market with deteriorating prices and heightened volatility.
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MacroSolve: Does Every Business Need a Mobile App? - Yahoo Finance
TULSA, OK--(Marketwire -05/10/12)- MacroSolve, Inc., doing business as Illume Mobile (MCVE.PK) (MCVE.PK) ("MacroSolve," "Illume Mobile" or the "Company"), a leading provider of mobile technologies, apps, and solutions for business, today announced that on May 8th, 2012, Donald Trump Jr. was featured on Fox Business' Markets Now with Cheryl Casone and Dennis Kneale discussing the world of business apps and the defense of innovation (through the context of software patent litigation).
In the segment, Donald Trump Jr. and Fox highlight the importance of utilizing mobile technologies for businesses today.
"Today, perhaps the most important piece of real estate that someone can have, is... on their smartphones," claims Donald Trump Jr. "To be able to control a piece of that face, is really critical for business."
Another topic of interest discussed was software patent litigation and, in Mr. Trump's words, the defense of innovation in America. Mr. Trump was stalwart in his defense of MacroSolve's robust patent portfolio and defended a number of lawsuits against major corporations including: Facebook, Walmart and Marriott.
"There are patent trolls and then there are true innovators," states Mr. Trump. "Before anyone was even thinking about... patents and mobile apps and communicating this way, these guys [MacroSolve] came up with the technology to be able to do that. That kind of foresight and that kind of thinking really needs to be protected in this country."
Coming off the recent launches of a number of innovative mobile applications including one for the Trump organization, the business-to-business app company released its first quarter results demonstrating its 5th consecutive quarter of top line revenue growth.
Illume Mobile provides custom mobile solutions, and specializes in three industry-specific mobile application platforms: sales (SaleSentral), dining (DineSentral), and personal safety (GuardianSentral). SaleSentral takes sales information and presentations mobile through the development of a customer interface used for uploading and managing content, creating a sales toolkit to use anytime, anywhere. DineSentral makes it easy to promote a restaurant's brand, maximize sales and connect with customers by utilizing rich graphical content, social media, customer loyalty, customer feedback, and integration with third party applications. GuardianSentral is an easy-to-use smartphone application used in tandem with your current campus security offering (emergency phones, campus police, etc.) to provide real-time GPS tracking of individuals who feel they are in danger.
"Businesses of all sizes recognize the need for a mobile strategy," says Steve Signoff, CEO of Illume Mobile, "but businesses are also savvy and know that having a mobile app means more than just checking a box."
Fox Business' Cheryl Casone asks, "Does every business need a mobile app?" Through the innovative mobile technologies being developed and made available by companies such as MacroSolve, it wouldn't make business sense not to take advantage.
About MacroSolve
MacroSolve, Inc., doing business as Illume Mobile, is a pioneer in delivering mobile apps, technologies, and solutions. Leveraging its intellectual property portfolio, MacroSolve enforces its landmark patent while providing mobile app products and services under the name Illume Mobile. MacroSolve is positioned to become a leader in the mobile app development services space, which is projected to become a $100 billion market in 2015 according to Research2Guidance. For more information, visit Illume Mobile at www.illumemobile.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains projections of future results and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the projections and forward-looking statements included in this press release are described in our publicly filed reports. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, the acceptance of our products, lack of revenue growth, failure to realize profitability, inability to raise capital and market conditions that negatively affect the market price of our common stock. The Company disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements.
US STOCKS-Wall St little changed, investors focus on Greece - Reuters UK
(Fixes day to Friday in lead)
* French banks drawing up Greek euro zone exit contingency plans- sources
* U.S. consumer sentiment climbs in May, highest since Oct 2007
* Stocks off: Dow 0.4 pct, S&P 0.1 pct, Nasdaq 0.2 pct
By Angela Moon
NEW YORK, May 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed in volatile trading on Friday as fresh warnings about Greece kept investors away from risky assets.
Despite the weak start, the S&P 500 was on track to post its best weekly gain in over two months. Trading has been choppy all week, with stocks usually opening lower or little changed but adding gains heading into the close.
Volume was also expected to be light as traders stay away from making new bets or positions heading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend. U.S. markets will be closed on Monday.
French banks, which are among the lenders most exposed to Greece, have stepped up their efforts on contingency plans for the debt-laden country leaving the euro zone, sources familiar with the situation said.
The heightened preparations by banks, including Credit Agricole, BNP Paribas and Societe Generale , come after euro zone sources told Reuters earlier this week that each member of the common currency would have to prepare a plan for a possible Greek exit.
Belgian deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders issued a new warning over Greece, saying it would be a "grave professional error" if central banks and companies were not preparing for a Greek exit from the euro zone.
Energy stocks were among the day's top gainers. Chesapeake Energy Corp rose 2.4 percent to $15.95, up for the second day after the company announced it has put a half-million acres in Wyoming and Colorado up for sale.
Data showed Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers' final May consumer sentiment index rose to 79.3 from 77.8 in the preliminary May report. It was the highest level since October 2007. Market reaction was muted.
Morgan Stanley will adjust thousands of trades to ensure outstanding limit orders to sell will be filled at no more than $42.99 a share for Facebook stock from last Friday's botched initial public offering, the firm told its brokers on Thursday, according to several who listened to the call. Facebook shares were down 2.9 percent at $32.07.
The Dow Jones industrial average was down 44.95 points, or 0.36 percent, at 12,484.80. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 1.69 points, or 0.13 percent, at 1,318.99. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 6.40 points, or 0.23 percent, at 2,832.98.
(Editing by Dave Zimmerman)
Business profile: Bronze and Beauty - Reading Evening Post
The business: Bronze and Beauty, 887 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 6TR. Tel (0118) 945 4000. www.bronzeandbeauty.net, email bronzenbeauty@live.co.uk.
The boss: Sarah McVey: “I am originally from a sales environment, which I was involved in for the best part of 30 years. I gave up my job two years ago to care for my husband who had been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.
"Sadly, he passed away last year. It was an absolutely life-changing moment and made me realise life is far too short so, when I was ready to return to work, I decided that I wanted a complete change.”
What is your business about? “The business is all about beauty and lifestyle, and making the customers feel good about themselves.”
What product/services do you offer? “At Bronze and Beauty we offer treatments ranging from tanning (spray tans as well as a tanning booth), manicures including nail extensions, pedicures, eyelash extensions, waxing for both women and men, facials, massages including Indian head massage, reflexology, ear piercing, body wraps and teeth whitening.”
How and when did you start your business? “The business was established in 2003 by Emily Shepherd. I bought the salon in January 2012 when Emily decided that she wanted to concentrate more on her family.
“Although I did not have prior experience in the beauty profession I had been a customer of Bronze and Beauty myself, and when chatting to Emily I realised what a great little business it was, and that the existing staff would be able to continue to manage the shop as well as teaching me along the way.”
How many staff do you employ? “I employ five staff.”
Who are your customers? “Bronze and Beauty has a wide range of female and male customers from the local area as well as further afield, including a few who appear on television, and it is therefore important for them to look their best.
“Some of our regular customers pop in as and when they feel the need for a quick tanning session without having to make an appointment.
“Others, like the busy mums, will make an appointment and set aside a few hours or so to have a complete pamper session and will take in a relaxing massage followed by a facial, manicure and pedicure.”
What sets you apart from the competition? “Because we are located just outside of the town centre, we are able to provide our customers with free on-site parking, so they do not have to worry about the high parking charges in the town centre. Also, Bronze and Beauty has been established for over nine years and prides itself on its strong loyal customer base.”
How has the recession affected business? “I have to say that although the first few months of the year were relatively quiet (which I put down to the usual post-Christmas lull), business has since picked up and our appointments diary is steadily getting fuller.
“Before knowing that I had taken over at Bronze and Beauty, a friend of mine who had driven past the salon and noticed that it had been redecorated said to me: ‘What idiot would open a beauty salon in a recession?’ However, women and men will always want to look good and feel good about themselves, even if that means just a few minutes in the tanning booth or a beauty treatment.”
How do you feel about the future? “I feel positive about the future. I have great staff, some of whom have remained at Bronze and Beauty since my takeover, and some I have employed since I took over. They are keen to continue to attend training courses to learn new techniques and treatments and I am hoping that, in the not too distant future, Bronze and Beauty will be able to offer new products and treatments as they become available.”
The Business Finance Store Discusses How Business Debt Can Affect Personal Credit - YAHOO!
The Business Finance Store discusses how small business owner business credit and debt might be affecting their personal credit.
Santa Ana, CA (PRWEB) May 25, 2012
A federal judge ruled that auto dealers who use consumer’s bad credit histories to charge higher interest rates must inform these clients of the negative information on their credit report, the Associated Press reported in an article titled "Judge: Auto dealers must reveal bad credit history even when they use third-party financier" published on May 24, 2012. This ruling further demonstrates the importance of understanding one’s credit history. This is true, not only for consumers but business owners as well. Many do not realize but their business and personal credit are more connected than they expect. In the recent blog post “How Business Debt Can Affect Your Personal Credit Score,” The Business Finance Store discusses how small business owner business credit and debt might be affecting their personal credit.Many who take on debt to fund their business do not realize that their business debt could affect their personal credit and potentially their interest rates on things such their personal car loan. While there may be little one can do about this dilemma, understanding exactly what can affect a personal credit report is the first step toward avoiding larger issues. Read more about how business credit can affect personal credit at The Business Finance Store Blog.
The Business Finance Store is a business financing and consulting firm that offers customized Business Financial Solutions. Seasoned professionals offer assistance in a variety of financial solutions to help small businesses succeed such as: Business Financial Solutions, Legal Solutions, and Accounting Solutions.
The staff at The Business Finance Store understands that starting and growing a business is an exciting time. They keep it exciting by taking care of some of the most difficult aspects, by providing legal advice, helping with vital responsibilities like accounting & bookkeeping, and by obtaining business finance. They can quickly and easily guide entrepreneurs through many different complicated processes and put them on the path to success.
For 10 years The Business Finance Store has been helping startups and other small businesses legally structure their companies, find the right franchises, get the funding they need, and achieve the American Dream of owning their own successful business. Since expanding nationwide in 2007, they have helped thousands of companies and have funded over $60 Million in business credit lines, not including SBA loans. The Business Finance Store sees limitless potential in the current climate, and looks forward to many strong years of growth to come. Take some time to review their services, and give them a call.
For more information, or a free, no-obligation analysis of your business needs, visit The Business Finance Store website: http://www.businessfinancestore.com. A member of their professional staff will contact you to discuss your business' short and long-term goals. Whatever you need, The Business Finance Store is there.
Kelly Rye
The Business Finance Store
(949) 777-5959
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