There�� a reason that 2013 was marked the Marine Tourism Year by China�� government. Some 530,000 Chinese tourists took cruises beyond the mainland, more than double the previous year. Industry forecasts have the country second only to the U.S. in passengers by 2017.
To Chinese, ship travel once meant taking a steamer down the Yangtze River, mostly as basic transportation before jet service and an expansive highway system became the norm. Today, though, it has taken on an ever more luxurious sheen. This month Carnival's Carnival's Princess Cruises will christen a Sapphire voyage from Shanghai, with the 2,670 on board paying $900 to $5,000 to float to South Korea and southwestern Japan over six days.
Carnival, the world�� largest cruise line, began the current era in 2006 when Allegra , from its more basic Costa line, departed from the old Shanghai docks. International rivals like Royal Caribbean and Star followed, along with a smaller domestic contingent. Now few can afford to stay away. They��e banking on a potential market above 100 million in a few years��nd an actual load, Carnival figures, of 2.3 million passengers.
Phoenix New Media Limited (PNM), incorporated on November 22, 2007, is a new media company providing content on an integrated platform across Internet, mobile and television (TV) channels in China. PNM enables consumers to access professional news and other content and share user-generated content (UGC), on the Internet and through their mobile devices. The Company also transmits its UGC and in-house produced content to TV viewers primarily through Phoenix TV. Its platform includes its ifeng.com channel, consisting of its ifeng.com Website, its video channel, consisting of its dedicated video vertical and video services and applications, and its mobile channel, including its mobile Internet Website and mobile applications.
PNM offers a variety of paid services across all of its channels, including mobile Internet and value-added services (MIVAS), which includes its digital reading services, mobile game services and wireless value-added services (WVAS), such as messaging-based services (short message service and multi-media messaging services); video value-added services (video VAS), which consists of its online subscription and pay-per-view video services, its mobile subscription and pay-per-view video services, and video content sales, and Internet value-added services (Internet VAS). The Company primarily generates its paid service revenues from its WVAS, digital reading services and mobile video subscription and pay-per-view services by providing content to mobile device users and collecting revenue shares or fixed fees for its content services from the relevant mobile operator. The Company also earns paid service revenues in the form of fixed fees from China Mobile Communications Corporation (China Mobile), for its digital reading services.
Video Channel
The Company�� video channel is consists of its online video vertical at v.ifeng.com; mobile video subscription and pay-per-view services and mobile video application, video content sales business. The Compa! ny offers its video VAS paid services through its video channel, which include its online subscription and pay-per-view services, its mobile subscription and pay-per-view video services and video content sales. The Company�� v.ifeng.com vertical offers four categories of video products and services, namely free online video on demand (VOD), live Phoenix TV broadcasts, subscription online video service and pay-per-view online video service. It organizes and presents video content, supplemented by text, images, user surveys and comment postings on its v.ifeng.com vertical.
The VODs typically consist of short clips of up to five minutes of news programs, interviews, documentaries and other programs. Its VOD content is easily searchable on its Website and is organized into over 10 verticals of v.ifeng.com for easy browsing, including news, finance, culture, sports, history, entertainment, news commentary, military affairs, society, biographies history, entertainment, movies and TV, style, vblog, VIP channel, Phoenix TV, live broadcast, and original videos.It offers live streams of Phoenix TV's flagship channels, the Phoenix Chinese Channel and the Phoenix InfoNews Channel. Its online subscription video service enables users to watch advertisement-free premium content, such as feature-length documentaries and exclusive online Phoenix TV programming.
The Company�� online pay-per-view video service enables users to watch advertisement-free premium videos by purchasing access to particular videos on vip.v.ifeng.com. Like its online subscription videos, its pay-per-view videos include longer videos of up to 20 minutes in length. The Company offers video content through the mobile video platforms of telecom operators, primarily China Mobile and China Telecom. Mobile users who access its videos on China Mobile's platform either by subscription or on a pay-per-view basis pay a fixed fee.
Mobile Channel
The Company�� mobile channel consists of its 3g.ifeng! .com mobi! le Website and its MIVAS. The Company offers MIVAS paid services through its video channel, which include its digital reading services, mobile game services and WVAS. Users can access its mobile content and MIVAS directly from their mobile phones on its mobile Internet Website, 3g.ifeng.com; from a mobile operator's platform; by downloading its applications, and by opening a pre-installed application on their mobile devices. The Company provides and markets its MIVAS through cooperation with mobile operators, as well as various mobile device manufacturers, Internet sites, technology and media companies.
The Company�� 3g.ifeng.com Website is a modified version of its ifeng.com site reformatted for use on mobile devices and tailored to the preferences of its mobile users. 3g.ifeng.com allows its users to access ifeng.com and v.ifeng.com content. Similar to ifeng.com, its 3g.ifeng.com features an array of interest-based and interactive verticals, including news, stocks, micro-blog, user surveys, and digital reading, as well as a mobile video site for watching free mobile VOD.
The Company competes with NetEase.com, Inc., Sina Corporation, Sohu.com Inc., Tencent Technology Limited, Youku Tudou Inc., iqiyi.com, Sohu video, QQ video, PPlive.com, PPS.com, China Network Television, 3G Menhu, A8.com, and Kong Zhong Corporation, Wenxuecity.com, Duowei News and Yahoo!.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Belinda Cao]
E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc. (DANG), the nation�� biggest online book retailer, rose 8.5 percent to $11.70, the highest price since Aug. 13. YY Inc. (YY), owner of a social entertainment website, rallied 4.9 percent to $50.47, the highest level since its listing in November. TV and Internet news outlet Phoenix New Media Ltd. (FENG) added 4.5 percent to a two-year high of $12.23.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Omeros Corporation(OMER)
Omeros Corporation, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, engages in discovering, developing, and commercializing products targeting inflammation, coagulopathies, and disorders of the central nervous system. Its product candidates are derived from its proprietary PharmacoSurgery platform that is designed to improve clinical outcomes of patients undergoing arthroscopic, ophthalmological, urological, and other surgical and medical procedures. The company?s lead PharmacoSurgery product candidates include OMS103HP, a Phase 3 clinical program evaluated for OMS103HP?s safety and ability to improve postoperative joint function and reduce pain following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy surgery, and arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament; OMS302, a Phase 2b clinical trial completed product candidate for use during ophthalmological procedures, including cataract and other lens replacement surgery; and OMS201, a Phase 1/Phase 2 clinical trial completed program for use durin g urological surgery. It also engages in developing proprietary compositions that comprise peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists for the treatment and prevention of addiction to substances of abuse. The company?s pipeline of preclinical product development programs includes Plasmin for Surgical and traumatic bleeding; PDE7 for addictions and compulsive disorders, and movement disorders; MASP-2 for macular degeneration, ischemia-reperfusion injury, transplant surgery, and radiation injury; and PDE10 for Schizophrenia. Omeros Corporation was founded in 1994 and is based in Seattle, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Paul Ausick]
Stocks on the move: Boise Inc. (NYSE: BZ) is up 26% at $12.55 following the company�� acquisition by Packaging Corporation of America Inc. (NYSE: PKG) for $12.55 a share ($1.28 billion). Omeros Corp. (NASDAQ: OMER) is up 68.2% at $8.56 following an analyst upgrade. Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (NYSEArca: NAK) is down 33.3% at $1.48 following an announcement from Anglo American plc that it was withdrawing from a massive copper mining project in Alaska.
- [By John Udovich]
The biotech sector has been hot this year with�small cap biotech stocks�Fate Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: FATE),�Omeros Corporation(NASDAQ: OMER) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB) being among those biotech stocks in the news this week. However, there has also been talk�and perhaps�some signs of a bubble in biotech that investors and traders alike need to consider. With that in mind, here is a recap of the latest news for biotech or small cap biotech stocks:
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Magnum Hunter Resources Corp (MHR)
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation (Magnum Hunter), incorporated in June 1997, is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration for and the exploitation, acquisition, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, primarily in the states of West Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Kentucky and North Dakota and in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company is also engaged in midstream operations, including the gathering of natural gas through its ownership and operation of a gas gathering system in West Virginia and Ohio, named as its Eureka Hunter Pipeline System. The Company�� portfolio includes Marcellus/Utica Shales in West Virginia and Ohio, the Eagle Ford Shale in south Texas, and the Williston Basin/Bakken Shale in North Dakota and Saskatchewan, Canada. As of December 31, 2011, its proved reserves were 44.9 million barrels of oil equivalent and were approximately 48% oil. In August 2012, the Company closed on the acquisition of 1,885 net mineral acres located in Atascosa County, Texas. With this acquisition, the Company has approximately 7,278 gross acres and 5,212 net acres located in Atascosa County, Texas.
On May 3, 2011, it acquired NuLoch Resources Inc. In April 2011, Triad Hunter, its wholly owned subsidiary, acquired certain Marcellus Shale oil and gas properties located in Wetzel County, West Virginia. On April 13, 2011, it acquired NGAS Resources, Inc. In February 2012, Triad Hunter acquired leasehold mineral interests located primarily in Noble County, Ohio.
Eagle Ford Shale Properties
Eagle Ford Shale is located in Gonzales, Lavaca, Atascosa and Fayette Counties, Texas. The Eagle Ford Shale properties are held primarily by its wholly owned subsidiary, Eagle Ford Hunter, Inc. As of February 27, 2012, the Company�� Eagle Ford Shale properties included approximately 54,000 gross (24,000 net) acres primarily targeting the Eagle Ford Shale oil window, principally in Gonzales and Lavaca Counties, Texas. As of December 31! , 2011, proved reserves attributable to the Eagle Ford Shale properties were 5.4 million barrels of oil equivalent, of which 94% were oil and 24% were classified as proved developed producing, and 5.4 million barrels of oil equivalent. As of February 27, 2012, its Eagle Ford Shale properties included 18 gross (10 net) productive wells, of which it operated 14.
Williston Basin Properties
The Williston Basin is spread across North Dakota, Montana and parts of southern Canada. The basin produces oil and natural gas from a range of producing horizons, including the Madison, Bakken, Three Forks/Sanish and Red River formations. As of February 27, 2012, the Company�� Williston Basin properties included approximately 413,003 gross (122,561 net) acres. As of December 31, 2011, proved reserves attributable to the Williston Basin properties were 8.9 million barrels of oil equivalent, of which 94% were oil and 42% were classified as proved developed producing, and 8.8 million barrels of oil equivalent. As of February 27, 2012, the Williston Basin properties included approximately 288 gross (98.9 net) productive wells.
The Williston Hunter United States property acreage is located in Divide and Burke Counties, North Dakota, with its primary production from the Bakken Shale and Three Forks/Sanish formations. As of February 27, 2012, its Williston Hunter United States properties included approximately 36,355 net acres in the Williston Basin in North Dakota. As of February 27, 2012, the Williston Hunter United States properties included approximately 105 gross (9.5 net) productive wells. The Company�� Williston Hunter Canada property is located primarily in Enchant, near Vauxhall, Alberta, Canada, at Balsam near Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada and at Tableland, near Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada. As of February 27 2012, the Williston Hunter Canada properties included approximately 107,270 gross acres (79,693 net acres). At December 31, 2011, the Williston Hunter Canada prope! rties inc! luded approximately 65 gross productive wells. As of December 31, 2011, Williston Hunter Canada had 41,797 gross (32,944 net) acres of land that is prospective for Bakken and Three Forks/Sanish oil in the Tableland field. The Enchant property consists of 10,720 acres. As of December 31, 2011, 48 wells (44.1 net) were producing on this acreage. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned approximately 43% average interest in 15 fields located in the Williston Basin in North Dakota consisting of 151 wells, and approximately 15,000 gross (6,450 net) acres.
Appalachian Basin Properties
The properties acquired in the NGAS acquisition are held by its wholly owned subsidiary, Magnum Hunter Production, Inc. As of February 27, 2012, its Appalachian Basin properties included a total of approximately 484,412 gross (412,323 net) acres, located primarily in the Marcellus Shale, Utica Shale and southern Appalachian Basin. At December 31, 2011, proved reserves attributable to its Appalachian Basin properties were 29.9 million barrels of oil equivalent, of which 27% were oil and 59% were classified as proved developed producing, and 30.2 million barrels of oil equivalent. As of February 27, 2012, the Appalachian Basin properties included approximately 3,112 gross (2,257 net) productive wells, of which we operated approximately 88%.
As of February 27, 2012, it had approximately 58,426 net acres in the Marcellus Shale area of West Virginia and Ohio. The Company�� Marcellus Shale property is located principally in Tyler, Pleasants, Doddridge, Wetzel and Lewis Counties, West Virginia and in Washington, Monroe and Noble Counties, Ohio. As of February 27, 2012, the Company operated 33 vertical Marcellus Shale wells and 16 horizontal Marcellus Shale wells. As of February 27, 2012, approximately 63% of its leases in the Marcellus Shale area were held by production.
Other Properties
The Company�� East Chalkley field is located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.! The fiel! d consists of approximately 714 gross acres (443 net acres). This developmental project is an exploitation of bypassed oil reserves remaining in a natural gas field located at depths between 9,300 and 9,400 feet. As of February 27, 2012, the Company operated the East Chalkley field and owned an approximately 62% working interest and an approximately 42.7% net revenue interest in the field. Other properties of the Company are located in Nacogdoches, Colorado, Lavaca, Bee, Fayette and Wharton Counties, Texas and Desoto Parish, Louisiana. As of February 27, 2012, these properties consisted of an aggregate of approximately 7,050 gross (1,188 net) acres.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Matt DiLallo]
Other smaller drillers like Rex Energy (NASDAQ: REXX ) and Magnum Hunter Resources (NYSE: MHR ) are following suit and increasing the amount of capital being spent on the play. Just last month Rex reported results at three of its Utica wells. According to CEO Tom Stabley, the company believes the results "demonstrate the opportunity for superior well performance in this region." Like Gulfport, Rex is spending a large portion of its 2013 capital budget on the play and is expecting that capital to generate significant liquids-rich growth for the company.
- [By Arjun Sreekumar]
Houston-based Magnum Hunter Resources (NYSE: MHR ) recently announced that it has commenced drilling on its first horizontal well in Ohio's Utica ��a vast shale rock formation located in the Appalachian Basin and thought to have massive hydrocarbon potential.
- [By Matt DiLallo]
One such company that's hated by investors is Magnum Hunter Resources (NYSE: MHR ) . As of two months ago, investors had sold short 20% of shares outstanding; however, that has increased to a staggering 32% of shares outstanding as of April 15. With shares down by a third over the past month, it would appear that the shorts are right about this company. Let's drill down into what happened and see what investors can expect.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Invest In Right Now: NGL Energy Partners LP (NGL)
NGL Energy Partners LP is a limited partnership company formed to own and operate a vertically-integrated propane business. The Company operates in three segments: retail propane; wholesale supply and marketing; and midstream. Its retail propane business sells propane to end users consisting of residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial customers. The Company�� wholesale supply and marketing business supplies propane and other natural gas liquids and provides related storage to retailers, wholesalers and refiners. Its midstream business, which consists of its propane terminaling business, takes delivery of propane from pipelines or trucks at its propane terminals and transfers the propane to third-party transport trucks for delivery to retailers, wholesalers or other consumers. The Company�� general partner is NGL Energy Holdings LLC (the General Partner). On October 14, 2010, it executed a series of transactions (the Combination) with NGL Supply, Inc. (NGL Supply). In February 2012, the Company acquired all of the assets comprising the propane and distillate operations of North American Propane. In May 2012, the Company acquired Downeast Energy Corporation. The assets contributed by Downeast are located in Maine and New Hampshire. In November 2012, the Company acquired limited liability company membership interests in Pecos Gathering & Marketing LLC and its affiliated companies (Pecos). In July 2013, NGL Energy Partners LP announced the acquisition of the assets of Crescent Terminals, LLC. Effective July 8, 2013, NGL Energy Partners LP acquired High Roller Wells Big Lake SWD No 1 LP. In August 2013, NGL Energy Partners LP acquired the water disposal and hauling business of Oilfield Water Lines LP. In September 2013, NGL Energy Partners LP acquired the water disposal business of Coastal Plains Disposal #1, LLC owned by WinCo Development, LLC. In November 2013, the Company announced acquisition of all of the equity interests of Gavilon, LLC.
Retail Propane
The Co! mpany�� retail propane business consists of the retail marketing, sale and distribution of propane, including the sale and lease of propane tanks, equipment and supplies, to more than 56,000 residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial customers. It markets retail propane primarily in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas through its customer service locations. The Company owns or leases 44 customer service locations and 37 satellite distribution locations, with aggregate above-ground propane storage capacity of approximately four million gallons. It also owns a fleet of bulk delivery trucks and service vehicles.
Wholesale Supply and Marketing
The Company�� wholesale supply and marketing business provides propane procurement, storage, transportation and supply services to customers, through assets owned by it and by third parties. Its wholesale supply and marketing business also obtains the majority of the propane supply for its retail propane business. The Company procures propane from refiners, gas processing plants, producers and other resellers for delivery to leased storage, common carrier pipelines, rail car terminals and direct to certain customers. It has the right to utilize 100% of the ConocoPhillips Blue Line pipeline, which runs from Borger, Texas, to its propane terminals in East St. Louis, Illinois and Jefferson City, Missouri. The Company leases approximately 67 million gallons of propane storage space in various locations to accommodate the supply requirements and contractual needs of its retail and wholesale customers.
Midstream
The Company�� midstream business, which consists of its propane terminaling business, takes delivery of propane from a pipeline or truck at its propane terminals and transfers the propane to third party trucks for delivery to propane retailers, wholesalers or other customers. The Company�� midstream assets consist of its three propane terminals in East St. Louis, Illinois; Jefferson City, Missou! ri, and S! t. Catharines, Ontario. The Company is a service provider at each of its terminals, which have a combined annual throughput in excess of 170 million gallons of propane.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Robert Rapier]
The four propane-focused MLPs are AmeriGas Partners (NYSE: APU), Suburban Propane Partners (NYSE: SPH), NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL), and Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP).
- [By Jayson Derrick]
NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) and Transmontaigne Partners (NYSE: TLP) said that they have ended discussions over NGL Energy's non-binding proposal to acquire the outstanding units of Transmontaigne. Shares of NGL Energy lost 0.57 percent, closing at $42.21 while shares of Transmontaigne gained 0.54 percent, closing at $43.03.
- [By Robert Rapier]
But because SPH is more involved in the retail end of propane instead of the production/logistical side, it has been significantly outperformed by NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) and Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP). In short, the latter two are the ways to play higher propane prices, whereas SPH will see much less benefit from higher-priced propane.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Pepsico Inc.(PEP)
PepsiCo, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of foods, snacks, and carbonated and non-carbonated beverages worldwide. The company operates in four divisions: PepsiCo Americas Foods (PAF); PepsiCo Americas Beverages (PAB); PepsiCo Europe; and PepsiCo Asia, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA). The PAF division offers Lay?s and Ruffles potato chips, Doritos and Tostitos tortilla chips and dips, Cheetos cheese flavored snacks, Fritos corn chips, Quaker Chewy granola bars, and SunChips multigrain snacks in North America; Quaker oatmeal, Aunt Jemima mixes and syrups, Cap?n Crunch cereal, Quaker grits, and Life cereal, as well as Rice-A-Roni, Pasta Roni, and Near East side dishes in North America; and various snack foods under Doritos, Marias Gamesa, Cheetos, Ruffles, Emperador, Saladitas, Sabritas, and Lay?s brands in Latin America. The PAB division provides carbonated soft drinks, beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods under Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, 7UP, Tropicana Pure Premium, Electropura, Sierra Mist, Epura, and Mirinda brands; ready-to-drink tea, coffee, and water products through joint ventures with Unilever and Starbucks; and sells concentrate to authorized bottlers, and branded finished goods directly to independent distributors and retailers. This division also manufactures third-party brands, such as Dr Pepper, Crush, Rock Star, and Muscle Milk. The PepsiCo Europe division offers Frito Lay Snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices, and Quaker foods in Europe. The AMEA division provides snack food under the Lay?s, Kurkure, Chipsy, Doritos, Smith?s, Cheetos, Red Rock Deli, and Ruffles brands; Quaker-brand cereals and snacks; and beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods under the Pepsi, Mirinda, 7UP, and Mountain Dew brands. PepsiCo, Inc. was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Purchase, New York.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Bruce Kennedy]
Mexicans have a well-established love of candies, pastries, fried foods and sugary soft drinks. And that love, notes the WSJ, has boosted revenues for beverage and snack food producers like Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP). It's also helped Grupo Bimbo (OTC: GRBMF) , the Mexico City-based owner of America's Sara Lee brand, become one of the giants in the multinational packaged foods industry.
- [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]
Pepsi provides convenient and affordable beverage and food items to consumers in a multitude of countries around the world. The company�may be facing the reality of a declining number of soda drinkers in North America, but the beverage and food company isn�� letting any depressing forecasts get the best of its competitive spirit. The stock has been moving higher in recent years and is now consolidating near highs for the year. Over the last four quarters, earnings and revenues have been rising, which has left investors optimistic about earnings announcements. Relative to its peers and sector, Pepsi has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Pepsi to OUTPERFORM.
- [By Sue Chang and Ben Eisen]
Shares of fellow in-home beverage marker SodaStream International Ltd. (SODA) �were also 9.4% higher, after initially dropping on the Coke��reen Mountain news. Investors bid up SodaStream following analyst speculation that PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) �could make a move to buy the company to better compete with Coca-Cola. ��epsi has no place else to turn,��said analysts at Citron Research in explaining why Pepsi might be interested.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Fortress Investment Group LLC (FIG)
Fortress Investment Group LLC (Fortress) is a global investment management firm. Its offering of alternative investment products includes private equity funds, liquid hedge funds and credit funds. In addition, it offers traditional investment products. As of December 31, 2011, it managed alternative assets in three businesses: Private Equity, Liquid Hedge Funds and Credit Funds. Private Equity is a business, which manages assets under management (AUM) consisted of two business segments: private equity funds, which make investments in debt and equity securities of public or privately held entities in North America and Western Europe, and publicly traded alternative investment vehicles, which it refer to as Castles, which invest in real estate and real estate related debt investments. Liquid Hedge Funds invest globally in fixed income, currency, equity and commodity markets and related derivatives. Credit Funds is a business, which manages AUM consisted of two business segments: credit hedge funds which make investments in assets, opportunistic lending situations and securities, on a global basis and throughout the capital structure, as well as non-Fortress originated funds, for which Fortress has been retained as manager as part of an advisory business, and credit private equity (PE) funds, which are consisted of a family of credit opportunities funds focused on investing in distressed and undervalued assets, a range of long dated value funds focused on investing in undervalued assets with cash flows and long investment horizons, a range of real assets funds focused on investing in tangible and intangible assets in four principal categories (real estate, capital assets and natural resources), a family of Asia funds, including Japan real estate funds and an Asian investor based global opportunities fund, and a range of real estate opportunities funds.
Private Equity Funds
The Company�� private equity business is made up of a series of funds named the Fortress Investment Funds! and organized to make control-oriented investments in cash flow generating, asset-based businesses in North America and Western Europe. Investors in its private equity funds contractually commit capital at the outset of a fund, which is then drawn down as investment opportunities become available, generally over a one to three year investment period. Management fees of 1% to 1.5% are generally charged on committed capital during the investment period of a new fund, and then on invested capital (or net asset value (NAV), if lower). It also earns a 10% to 25% share of the profits on each realized investment in a fund.
The Company manages two companies: Newcastle Investment Corp. and Eurocastle Investment Limited, which it calls its Castles. It earns management fees from each Castle equal to 1.5% of the company�� equity. In addition, it earns incentive income equal to 25% of the company�� funds from operations (FFO) in excess of specified returns to the Company�� shareholders. In addition to these fees, it also receives from the Castles, for services provided, options to purchase shares of their common stock in connection with each of their common stock offerings.
Liquid Hedge Funds
The Fortress Macro Funds, and Fortress�� legacy macro-strategy funds, the Drawbridge Global Macro Funds, apply an investment process based on macroeconomic fundamental, market momentum and technical analyses. The funds have the flexibility to allocate capital dynamically across a range of global strategies, markets and instruments as opportunities change, and are designed to take advantage of a range of sources of market, economic and pricing data to generate trading ideas. The fund invests in developed markets; they also invest in emerging markets if market conditions present opportunities for attractive returns. The funds pursue global macro directional and relative value strategies. Management fees are charged based on the AUM of the Fortress Macro Funds at a rate between 1.5%! and 2% a! nnually, depending on the investment and liquidity terms elected by investors. It earns incentive income of between 15% and 25% of the fund�� profits, generally payable annually, depending on the investment and liquidity terms elected by investors. In other words, an incentive income payment establishes a high water mark, such that the fund must earn a cumulative positive return from that point forward in order for Fortress to earn incentive income. Investors in the Fortress Macro Funds may invest with the right to redeem without paying any redemption fee either monthly, quarterly, or annually after three years. Investors with three-year liquidity may redeem annually before three years, subject to an early redemption fee payable to the funds.
The Fortress Asia Macro Funds invest in global fixed income, commodities, currency and equity markets, and their related derivatives, thematically related to the Asia-Pacific region through a fundamental macroeconomic strategy, which focuses on liquid investments. The funds��investment program focuses on global trading and capital flows. Management fee rates for these funds range from 1.5% to 2% and it earns incentive income equal to 20% of their profits. Commodities Funds invests across multiple sectors within the commodity asset class ranging from energy to metals to agriculture and within the cyclical, industrial, and commodity equity universe. Management fee rates for these funds range from 1.5% to 2% and it earns incentive income equal to 20% of their profits. The Fortress Partners Fund�� investments are made both in Fortress Funds and in funds managed by other managers, and in direct investments that are sourced either by Fortress personnel or by third parties with whom it has relationships. Management fee rates for these funds range from 1% to 1.5% and it earns incentive income generally equal to 20% of the profits from direct investments only.
Credit Funds
The Company�� credit hedge funds are designed to exploi! t pricing! anomalies, which exist between the public and private finance markets. It has developed a network consisted of internal and external resources to source transactions for the funds. The funds are able to invest in a range of financial instruments, ranging from assets, opportunistic lending situations and securities throughout the capital structure with a value orientation.
The Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds form the core of the Company�� credit hedge fund investing strategy. The funds acquire a portfolio of investments throughout the United States, Western Europe and the Pacific region. Management fees are charged based on the AUM of the Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds at a rate generally equal to 2% annually. It earns incentive income of 20% of the fund�� profits, payable annually, and subject to achieving cumulative positive returns since the prior incentive income payment. Investors in the Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds may redeem annually on December 31. The Worden Funds invest in a portfolio of undervalued and distressed investments in North America and Western Europe, but also in Australia, Asia and elsewhere on an opportunistic basis. Management fees are charged based on the AUM of the Worden Funds at a rate generally equal to 2% annually. It earns incentive income of 20% of the funds��profits.
The Company�� credit PE funds are of families of funds. They have management fee rates between 1% and 1.5% and generate incentive income of between 10% and 20% of a fund�� profits subject to the fund achieving a minimum return as a whole. Fortress through Fortress Credit Opportunities Funds make opportunistic credit-related investments. In addition to its Fortress Investment Fund family of funds, it has a private equity fund product, the Long Dated Value family of funds, which focuses on making investments with long dated cash flows. Its Real Assets Funds invest in tangible and intangible assets. The investment program of these funds focuses on di! rect inve! stments in four principal investment categories: real estate, capital assets and natural resources, but also may include indirect investments in the form of interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs), master limited partnerships, corporate securities, debt securities and debt obligations, including those that provide equity upside, as well as options, royalties, residuals and other call rights. The investments are located in North America and Western Europe. Fortress Japan Opportunity Funds focus to invest in Japanese real estate-related performing, sub-performing and non-performing loans, securities and similar instruments. Real Estate Opportunities Funds make opportunistic commercial real estate investments.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Amanda Alix]
This turn of events worked in favor of Fortress Investment Group's (NYSE: FIG ) portfolio, which held the former Centex Corp, the subprime mortgage lending unit of a Texas homebuilder. That company is now Nationstar, which is definitely doing its fair share to add to its parent's bottom line. Also owned by Fortress is Newcastle Investment (NYSE: NCT ) , the diversified REIT with an involvement in almost anything to do with real estate, whether residential or commercial.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Invest In Right Now: MiMedx Group Inc (MDXG)
MiMedx Group, Inc. (MiMedx), incorporated on February 28, 2008, is an integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of regenerative biomaterial products processed from human amniotic membrane. The Company�� biomaterial platform technologies include the device technologies HydroFix and CollaFix, and tissue technologies, AmnioFix and EpiFix. Its tissue technologies are processed from human amniotic membrane that is derived from the donated placentas. Through the Company�� donor program, mothers delivering full-term caesarian births can elect in advance of delivery to donate the placenta in lieu of having it discarded as medical waste. MiMedx processes the human amniotic membrane utilizing its Purion Process to produce a manipulated implant for homologous use. MiMedx is the supplier of amniotic tissue, having supplied over 100,000 implants to distributors and other equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for application in the Wound Care, Surgical, Sports Medicine, Ophthalmic and Dental sectors of healthcare.
The Company has three platform technologies. Its largest addressable market is in chronic wound care consisting of diabetic, venous and pressure ulcers. On January 5, 2011, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interests in Surgical Biologics, LLC. Located in Kennesaw, Georgia, Surgical Biologics develops allografts and other products processed from human amniotic membrane that can be used for a range of medical applications, including ocular surface repair, gum repair, wound care, nerve and tendon repair, spine repair, burn treatment, and many other types of procedures that require the repair of a patient�� integumental (native) tissue. Surgical Biologics has developed a specialized process for the processing of amniotic membrane to produce a manipulated allograft for homologous use.
AmnioFix and EpiFix
MiMedx is the supplier of allografts processed from amniotic tissue, having supplied over 70,000 allografts to date for application in the Ophthalm! ic, Orthopedic, Dental, Spinal and Wound Care segments of healthcare. Its amnion products, AmnioFix and EpiFix, are processed from human tissue. The AmnioFix and EpiFix allografts can be used for a range of procedures, including ocular surface repair, gingival recession repair, wound care, burns, and many other types of procedures for the repair of a patient�� integumental (native) tissue. Its AmnioFix technology also is used as a graft to reduce the amount of scar tissue formation, provide a local anti-inflammatory and help with the soft tissue healing of the area. EpiFix offers a range of wound healing and wound care options. Much of the clinical usage of EpiFix has been for wound care patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, vein circulation ulcers, or artery circulation ulcers.
CollaFix
The Company�� CollaFix technology combines a means of creating fibers from soluble collagen and a specialized cross-linking process. MiMedx utilizes two separate cross-linking technologies for various applications. Initial laboratory and animal testing shows that the cross-linked collagen fibers produce a biocompatible, and durable construct that can be transformed into surgical meshes intended to treat a number of orthopedic soft-tissue trauma and disease disorders.
HydroFix
The Company licenses rights to a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer, which is a water-based biomaterial that can be manufactured with a range of mechanical properties, including those that appear to mimic closely the mechanical and physical properties of natural, healthy human tissue. This hydrogel has been used in other orthopedic and general surgery device applications, and it has demonstrated biocompatibility and durability inside the human body. It has a similar version of the product for the European market called HydroFix Spine Shield. The device is classified as a post-surgical adhesion inhibiting barrier and is used in specific spine surgeries. In December the original! HydroFix! Spine Shield (for Anterior use Class IIb in Europe) was renamed to be HydroFix Anterior Shield.
The Company competes with W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. and Stryker.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Teresa Rivas]
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Arrowood and Petit, CEO of MiMex Group (MDXG), in January of last year. The SEC alleges that Arrowood received non-public information about the potential sale of Matria Healthcare (a publicly traded company that merged with Inverness Medical Innovations in 2008) from Petit, who was CEO of the firm at that time.
- [By Rich Smith]
MiMedx Group (NASDAQ: MDXG ) ,�announced�Monday that results from a randomized controlled trial for its EpiFix wound-care allograft have been published in the International Wound Journal.�
The clinical trial included patients with diabetic foot ulcers of at least four weeks' duration without infection, having adequate blood supply. Patients were broken into two groups, one receiving standard care alone, the other standard care plus EpiFix. After four and six weeks of treatment, the overall healing rate of patients treated with EpiFix was 77% and 92%, respectively, whereas standard care healed 0% and 8% of the wounds, respectively. The rate of healing with EpiFix exceeded that of standard treatment as well.
According to the World Health Organization, diabetes will affect 366 million people worldwide -- up from 171 million in 2000.�Approximately 25% of diabetics will develop a chronic non-healing ulcer over their lifetime.�Diabetic foot ulcers�occur in 15% of all patients with diabetes and precede 84% of all lower leg amputations.
EpiFix makes use of dehydrated human amniotic membrane to heal these ulcers. At room�temperature, EpiFix can have a shelf life of five years and retains the properties of the natural membrane.�Although there are similar, competing products on the market, the superior performance of�EpiFix compared with rival products (not yet proven by published studies) could help to make the company a market leader in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
