Monday, January 30, 2012

Avoid Scam, Learn About Asset Based Financing

Shaw Capital Management and Financing tips on Why a Business Asset Based Loan Financing Is the Perfect Solution for Cash Flow in Canada
Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cash flow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full. You are a Canadian business owner and financial manager looking for info and guidance on a business asset based loan. What is asset based loan financing, sometimes called cash flow factoring - how does it work, and why could it be the best solution for your firm's working capital challenges.
Let's cover off the basics and find out how you can benefit form this relatively speaking new form of asset financing in Canada.
A good start is to always understand and cover off some basics around what this type of financing is. Simply speaking the facility is a loan arrangement that is drawn down and repaid regularly based on your receivables, inventory, and, if required, equipment and real estate should your firm possess those assets also.
By collateralizing your assets you in effect create an ongoing borrowing base for all your assets - this feasibility then fluctuate on a daily basis based on invoices you generate, inventory you move, and cash you collect from customers. When you need more working capital you simply draw down on initial funds as covered under your asset base.
Your probably can already see the advantage, which is simply that if you have assets you have cash. Your receivables and inventory, as they grow, in effect provide you with unlimited financing.
Unlike a Canadian chartered bank financing your business asset based loan financing in effect has no cap. The alternative facility for this type of working capital financing is of course a Canadian chartered bank line of credit - that facility always comes with a cap and stringent requirements re your balance sheet and income statement quality and ratios, as well as performance covenants and personal guarantees and outside collateral. So there is a big difference in the non bank financing we have table for your consideration.
Your asset based lender works with you to manage the facility - and you are required to regularly report on your levels of A/R and inventory, which are the prime underpinnings of the financing.
Smaller firms use a particular subset of this financing, often called factoring or cash flow factoring. This specific type of financing is less transparent to your customers, as the cash flow factor might insist on verifying your invoices with customers, etc. A true asset based loan financing is usually transparent to your customers, which is the way you want it to be - You bill and collect our own invoices.
If our facility provides you with unlimited working capital then why have you potentially not heard of it and why aren't your competitors using it. Our clients always can be forgiven for asking that question. The reality is that in the U.S. this type of financing is a multi billion dollar industry; it has gained traction in Canada, even more so after the financial meltdown of 2008. Some of Canada's largest corporations use the financing. And if your firm has working capital assets anywhere from 250k and up you are a candidate. Larger facilities are of course in the many millions of dollars.
The Canadian asset based financing market is very fragmented and has a combo of U.S., international and Canadian asset finance lenders. They have varying appetites for deal size, how the facility works on a daily basis, and pricing, which can be competitive to banks or significantly higher.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced business financing advisor and determine if the advantages of business asset based loan financing work for your firm. They have the potential of accelerating cash flow, giving you cash all the time when you need it ( assuming you have assets ) and essentially liquefying and monetizing your current assets to provide constant cash flow, and that's what its all about. Stan Prokop is founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Focus on Plutonic Power Corporation (TSX:PCC) Shaw Capital Management News

Plutonic Power Corporation develops environmentally friendly run-of river hydro projects in British Columbia.

Now before we get into the specifics on this one, let's first answer the question: What is run-of-river hydro?

Plutonic defines it quite well, stating that run-of-river projects do not actually require any damming of water. Instead, some of the water in a river is diverted and sent into a pipe called a penstock.

This penstock feeds the water downhill to a generating station. The natural force of gravity creates the energy required to spin the turbines that in turn generate electricity. The water leaves the generating station and is returned to the river without altering the existing flow or water levels.

All of Plutonic's component specifications and construction methods are consistent with providing the least amount of environmental and visual impacts. In fact, in a comparison of environmental impacts, the Ontario Power Authority shows run-of-river hydro to have less of an impact than solar and wind. And of course it rates much better than oil and coal. “In a comparison of environmental impacts, the Ontario Power Authority shows run-of river hydro to have less of an impact than solar and wind. And of course it rates much better than oil and coal.”

Shaw Capital Management Korea News:  Operations. Plutonic Power is in the process of building out a number of run-of-river hydro projects in Canada. The first to go online will be the East Toba and Montrose project, which is expected to begin operations later in 2010.

The combined installed capacity of this one will be 196 megawatts. All the electricity to be generated from this project will be sold to BC Hydro under a 35-year sales contract.

In the third quarter 2009, 74 percent of the project's plant construction was completed, and 73 percent of the penstock was completed. 79 percent of the construction of the transmission line was completed.

Shaw Capital Management Korea News: Other projects include: Upper Toba Valley Project (3 facilities). Estimated installed capacity of 166.3 megawatts when completed. Bute Inlet Project (17 facilities). Estimated installed capacity of 1,030 megawatts when completed. Freda Creek Project (1 facility). Estimated installed capacity of 35 megawatts when completed.
The BC Hydro Connection. In June, 2008, BC Hydro launched a Clean Power Call to develop new energy operations. A Request for Proposals followed for projects using proven technologies, such as hydro, wind, solar and geothermal.

This Clean Power Call aligned BC Hydro with the BC Energy Plan which calls for 90 percent of electricity in the province to come from clean or renewable sources and for all new electricity generation projects to have zero net greenhouse gas emissions.

The intent here for BC Hydro is to successfully negotiate power purchase agreements with those chosen from a long list of proposals. … Plutonic is on this list.

And on November 19, 2009, Plutonic Power received notification from By Hydro that the Bute Inlet and Upper Toba Valley Projects will be approved. These projects were proposed jointly with GE Energy Financial Services.

The GE Connection.  In August of 2006, Plutonic Power granted GE Energy Financial Services the exclusive right to make a $100 million equity investment and provide $400 million in debt financing for its East Toba River and Montrose project. In return for the equity investment, GE gets a 49 percent equity stake and 60 percent economic interest in the project. Now by the time BC Hydro issued its request for proposals, GE had given an equity contribution of about $79.3 million and extended about another $71.3 million credit for the East Toba River and Montrose project.

GE also formed a join venture with Plutonic last June 2009 to purchase an uncompleted 144-megawatt wind project in northeast BC. This is the largest wind power project under construction in British Columbia. Given British Columbia's recent announcement that it's going to establish a ‘Green Energy Advisory Task Force’ to help advance the Province's climate, Plutonic Power is in a good position. While Plutonic is knows for run-of-river hydro, this deal allows the company to further develop green assets in Canada. The purchase of this wind project was completed on December 11, 2009. Given British Columbia's recent announcement (November 2, 2009) that it's going to establish a ‘Green Energy Advisory Task Force’ to help advance the Province's climate, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a greener economy, Plutonic Power is in a good position.

Shaw Capital Management Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence.  We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.

Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.




Shaw Capital Management News: Flex-Fuel Power Plants Now Opening in Brazil

On January 19th 2010, the first ethanol-fired power plant whirred into action in Brazil. National oil company Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) and American systems giant General Electric (NYSE: GE) pitched in resources to turn an existing 87 MW plant into a flex-fuel power station that can alternate between natural gas and ethanol (which are both considered alternative fuels, even though only one is renewable).

GE wants to see how its turbines can be adapted to work in flex-fuel plants in Brazil and in developed countries like Japan, where clean-burning power plants are gaining momentum.

Brazil's water-dependent hydroelectric infrastructure teeters during the dry season in places where natural gas isn't easily accessible. It just so happen that wind power peaks at the opposite time of the year as the water in running rivers that drives dam-based generation.

Ethanol and wind could supplant natural gas as the primary alternative source of electricity generation during the dry season in Brazil and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in the Brazilian press that Brazil could be selfsufficient in natural gas after several pre-salt (read: incredibly deep) offshore fossil fuel pockets are tapped.
That capacity is at least five years away. Ethanol is there now, and after wind power auctions started last December, 773 wind turbines will be turning across Brazil by 2012.

Shaw Capital Management Korea News: Shell, Petrobras, GE, and Cosan will surely push hard to get the government in Brasilia to initiate a nationwide "ethanol electricity" campaign to ensure that oil and automotive fuel aren't the key determinants of sugar ethanol's success.

As in so many other areas of the world, those communities that are now underserved by fossil fuels can benefit most from such clean energy advances.

The US Administration completed its revised Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). RFS2 will move towards a national goal of 26 billion gallons of biofuel production by 2022.

At Shaw Capital Management we give you the information and insight you need to make the right investment choices. We look forward to working with you and being the open architects of your financial well being.

Shaw Capital Management Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence.  We provide the information; insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.

Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.
Our philosophy is simple: almost every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.

Before Shaw Capital Management Korea  launched the open architecture revolution, investors had to make the unhappy choice between selecting an advisor who was independent, but unsophisticated (the traditional pension and endowment consulting firms), or selecting an advisor who was sophisticated but had conflicting interests (global banks, trust companies, money management firms).




Sunday, January 22, 2012

Government bond Markets: Shaw Capital Management February Newsletter

Government bond markets have ended 2009 on a very disappointing note. A further improvement in sentiment about the prospects for the global economic recovery, and indications that some central banks might be preparing to introduce early “exit strategies” from the measures that had been introduced to counter the recession, have been important factors in producing a more cautious attitude amongst bond investors. But a further significant consideration towards year-end has been the fear of possible defaults on sovereign debts after the decision by Dubai World, a government-owned company, to seek a moratorium on the servicing of its debts, and the downgrade in the credit rating of Greece because of its deteriorating fiscal situation.

Shaw Capital Management Korea February Newsletter: There was always the risk that the funding requirements resulting from recent policies, and particularly from the measures to counter the latest recession, would prove to be a massive burden for the global bond markets, and this has now proved to be the case. The Dubai government appears to have been rescued by help from Abu Dhabi; but it is still not clear whether there will be help for Greece and other periphery countries of the euro-zone that are in difficulties, and doubts have also been expressed about countries outside the euro-zone, including the UK, if central banks do not implement “exit strategies” carefully, and credible plans to reduce the massive fiscal deficits are not introduced fairly quickly.

Shaw Capital Management Korea February Newsletter: There was always the risk that the funding requirements resulting from recent policies would prove to be a massive burden for the global bond markets.

These doubts have already led to a significant widening of yield spreads on bonds of member countries of the euro-zone, with Greek bond yields now more than 2.5% higher than German bond yields; and even 10-year yields on US bonds and UK gilts have risen to the 4% level as investors have reduced their exposure.

Shaw Capital Management Korea February Newsletter: Our position on the prospects for the bond markets remains unchanged. We still expect that the recovery in the global economy will only develop at a very slow pace, and that “exit strategies” will only be introduced very gradually. The background situation will therefore continue to provide some support for bond markets.

But the timescale for the implementation of “exit strategies” is shortening; and the massive fiscal deficits are already placing great strains on the markets. The fears of defaults on sovereign debt may well be an overreaction; we expect, for example, that the weaker members of the eurozone will receive support from the stronger members to prevent defaults; but higher bond yields appear unavoidable. Prospects for all the major bond markets are therefore very unattractive.

Shaw Capital Management Korea February Newsletter: The performance of the US economy remains a critical factor in assessing those prospects, and the latest evidence has become more positive. The growth rate in the third quarter of the year has been revised down again; but since then there has been a lower-than-expected fall in non-farm payrolls, and an improvement in consumer sentiment that is reflected in a reasonable level of retail sales in the run-up to Christmas. Weaknesses remain, especially in manufacturing, and new house sales fell sharply in November; but a growth rate around 2% is expected this year. The Fed appears to agree with this more optimistic view, arguing in the statement after the latest meeting of its Open Market Committee that economic activity is continuing to pick up, and that the deterioration in the labour market is abating; but it is remaining very cautious. Interest rates are likely to be at low levels “for an extended period”, and the quantitative easing programme has been maintained, although some of the emergency liquidity measures will be withdrawn. It is clearly anxious to avoid doing anything that might harm the economic recovery. This should continue to provide some support for the bond market, even though the Fed will no longer be buying Treasuries and other corporate bonds; but it does appear that this will not be enough to offset the effects of the massive fiscal deficit, which is expected to reach $1.5 trillion this year, and to remain high well into the future.

Shaw Capital Management Korea February Newsletter: Debt issuance rose to over $2 trillion in 2009 to finance this deficit, and to replace maturing bonds; and the latest decision to take advantage of the unexpected windfall from the repayment of bank bail-out funds that are no longer needed to provide new resources for job creation is a clear indication that there are no plans to take early action to reduce the deficit.

It is not surprising therefore that bond investors have been reducing their exposure to the market, and that the yield curve has continued to steepen. In the absence of any change in policy, this process is likely to continue, and push overall yield levels even higher.

Article one of three.

Shaw Capital Management Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence.  We provide the information; insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management based in Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.

Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.




Shaw Names Gentry Brann as Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Management

BATON ROUGE, La., Dec 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
The Shaw Capital Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) today announced Gentry Brann has been named vice president of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Management.
Ms. Brann joined Shaw in January 2009 as director of Corporate Communications. In addition to her role overseeing all external and internal communications for the company, Ms. Brann assumed responsibility for Corporate Marketing at the beginning of fiscal year 2010. Before joining Shaw, Ms. Brann was vice president of Communications and External Affairs at ICF International, where she was responsible for all communications, marketing, media relations, community warning relations and legislative affairs for the state of Louisiana's hurricane recovery warning program.
"Gentry's strong communications skills and knowledge of Shaw's global business will be an asset in the critical role of Investor Relations," said Brian K. Ferraioli, Shaw's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Combining the Investor Relations and Corporate Communications roles will allow us to communicate more effectively with all of our company stakeholders."
The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2010 annual revenues of $7 billion, Shaw has approximately 27,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.
Shaw Capital Warning: This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about our current and future prospects, management, operations and financial results, which are based on currently available information.Actual future results and financial performance could vary significantly from those anticipated in such statements.
Among the factors that could cause future events or transactions to differ from those we expect are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended November 30, 2009, February 28, 2010, and May 31, 2010, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Please read our "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements contained in these filings.Our current expectations may not be realized as a result of, among other things:
  • Changes in our clients' financial conditions, including their capital spending;
  • Our ability to obtain new contracts and meet our performance obligations;
  • Client contract cancellations or modifications to contract scope;
  • Worsening global economic conditions;
  • Changes to the regulatory environment;
  • Failure to achieve projected backlog.
As a result of these risks and others, actual results could vary significantly from those anticipated in this presentation, and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, the occurrence of certain events, or otherwise.

Shaw Management Tips on Identity Theft

Fraud committed by a criminal who has stolen someone else’s identity is identity fraud usually used online and some boiler room management scams. By stealing documents such as your passport, driving license or bank statements - or online ID, such as usernames, passwords and personal security questions - thieves can now take cash from your accounts, commit benefit fraud, or take out new credit cards or loans, all in your name. Online frauds that sucker victims into revealing crucial private data, known as ‘phishing’ scams, are becoming more common. But for most people, the greater danger still lies in more old-fashioned methods: burglars who steal documents and chequebooks; fraudsters who intercept your post; and even thieves who dredge through bin bags.

Shaw Capital will give you tips on how big is the problem nowadays on online scams and fraud. In the UK, more than 70,000 people were victims last year, according to figures from the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance Service (CIFAS). Given the large number of cases, the sums involved are hardly huge - the Association for Payment Clearing Services puts the total taken by identity fraudsters last year at £37m, but this is a 66% jump on the previous year. However, they calculate the overall cost to the economy - including the time and money spent by banks in combatting the crime - is a massive £1.3bn. 

Caution is the key. Shaw Capital and its management always emphasize to read bank and credit-card statements carefully and check against receipts. If you have any worries, tell the bank concerned straightaway; scammers often test the water with a small transaction first before attempting a larger theft. Check your credit report often for any credit requests not made by you. Shred statements, bills and even direct mail; these all contain vital personal information. Register with the Mailing Preference Service (0845-703 4599, www.mpsonline.org.uk) to stop junk mail and get mail redirected when you move home. Leave all unnecessary credit cards and ID at home when you go out, but do not leave key documents together in one place easily accessible to a burglar. Use different PINs and passwords for different accounts, and never disclose your full PIN or password in an e-mail or over the phone, even if you think you are talking to a bank employee.
Report the suspected crime to the police and ask for a crime reference number, which you will need to recover any losses. Also, spend £11.75 on the protective registration service offered by fraud prevention service CIFAS (0870-010 2091, www.cifas.org.uk). They will place a notice on your credit file warning banks and lenders that there’s an increased risk of identity fraud. Companies will then seek extra verification from anyone applying for credit in your name. Impersonation of the dead is the fastest-growing type of identity theft, so take this into account when dealing with a relative’s death and estate: immediately notify the relevant Government departments, such as the Department of Work and Pensions and the Inland Revenue, and return important documents by registered delivery.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Focus on Plutonic Power Corporation (TSX:PCC) Shaw Capital Management News

Plutonic Power Corporation develops environmentally friendly run-of river hydro projects in British Columbia.

Now before we get into the specifics on this one, let's first answer the question: What is run-of-river hydro?

Plutonic defines it quite well, stating that run-of-river projects do not actually require any damming of water. Instead, some of the water in a river is diverted and sent into a pipe called a penstock.

This penstock feeds the water downhill to a generating station. The natural force of gravity creates the energy required to spin the turbines that in turn generate electricity. The water leaves the generating station and is returned to the river without altering the existing flow or water levels.

All of Plutonic's component specifications and construction methods are consistent with providing the least amount of environmental and visual impacts. In fact, in a comparison of environmental impacts, the Ontario Power Authority shows run-of-river hydro to have less of an impact than solar and wind. And of course it rates much better than oil and coal. “In a comparison of environmental impacts, the Ontario Power Authority shows run-of river hydro to have less of an impact than solar and wind. And of course it rates much better than oil and coal.”

Shaw Capital Management Korea News:  Operations. Plutonic Power is in the process of building out a number of run-of-river hydro projects in Canada. The first to go online will be the East Toba and Montrose project, which is expected to begin operations later in 2010.

The combined installed capacity of this one will be 196 megawatts. All the electricity to be generated from this project will be sold to BC Hydro under a 35-year sales contract.

In the third quarter 2009, 74 percent of the project's plant construction was completed, and 73 percent of the penstock was completed. 79 percent of the construction of the transmission line was completed.

Shaw Capital Management Korea News: Other projects include: Upper Toba Valley Project (3 facilities). Estimated installed capacity of 166.3 megawatts when completed. Bute Inlet Project (17 facilities). Estimated installed capacity of 1,030 megawatts when completed. Freda Creek Project (1 facility). Estimated installed capacity of 35 megawatts when completed.
The BC Hydro Connection. In June, 2008, BC Hydro launched a Clean Power Call to develop new energy operations. A Request for Proposals followed for projects using proven technologies, such as hydro, wind, solar and geothermal.

This Clean Power Call aligned BC Hydro with the BC Energy Plan which calls for 90 percent of electricity in the province to come from clean or renewable sources and for all new electricity generation projects to have zero net greenhouse gas emissions.

The intent here for BC Hydro is to successfully negotiate power purchase agreements with those chosen from a long list of proposals. … Plutonic is on this list.

And on November 19, 2009, Plutonic Power received notification from By Hydro that the Bute Inlet and Upper Toba Valley Projects will be approved. These projects were proposed jointly with GE Energy Financial Services.

The GE Connection.  In August of 2006, Plutonic Power granted GE Energy Financial Services the exclusive right to make a $100 million equity investment and provide $400 million in debt financing for its East Toba River and Montrose project. In return for the equity investment, GE gets a 49 percent equity stake and 60 percent economic interest in the project. Now by the time BC Hydro issued its request for proposals, GE had given an equity contribution of about $79.3 million and extended about another $71.3 million credit for the East Toba River and Montrose project.

GE also formed a join venture with Plutonic last June 2009 to purchase an uncompleted 144-megawatt wind project in northeast BC. This is the largest wind power project under construction in British Columbia. Given British Columbia's recent announcement that it's going to establish a ‘Green Energy Advisory Task Force’ to help advance the Province's climate, Plutonic Power is in a good position. While Plutonic is knows for run-of-river hydro, this deal allows the company to further develop green assets in Canada. The purchase of this wind project was completed on December 11, 2009. Given British Columbia's recent announcement (November 2, 2009) that it's going to establish a ‘Green Energy Advisory Task Force’ to help advance the Province's climate, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a greener economy, Plutonic Power is in a good position.

Shaw Capital Management Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence.  We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.

Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.




Shaw Capital Management News: Flex-Fuel Power Plants Now Opening in Brazil

On January 19th 2010, the first ethanol-fired power plant whirred into action in Brazil. National oil company Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) and American systems giant General Electric (NYSE: GE) pitched in resources to turn an existing 87 MW plant into a flex-fuel power station that can alternate between natural gas and ethanol (which are both considered alternative fuels, even though only one is renewable).

GE wants to see how its turbines can be adapted to work in flex-fuel plants in Brazil and in developed countries like Japan, where clean-burning power plants are gaining momentum.

Brazil's water-dependent hydroelectric infrastructure teeters during the dry season in places where natural gas isn't easily accessible. It just so happen that wind power peaks at the opposite time of the year as the water in running rivers that drives dam-based generation.

Ethanol and wind could supplant natural gas as the primary alternative source of electricity generation during the dry season in Brazil and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in the Brazilian press that Brazil could be selfsufficient in natural gas after several pre-salt (read: incredibly deep) offshore fossil fuel pockets are tapped.
That capacity is at least five years away. Ethanol is there now, and after wind power auctions started last December, 773 wind turbines will be turning across Brazil by 2012.

Shaw Capital Management Korea News: Shell, Petrobras, GE, and Cosan will surely push hard to get the government in Brasilia to initiate a nationwide "ethanol electricity" campaign to ensure that oil and automotive fuel aren't the key determinants of sugar ethanol's success.

As in so many other areas of the world, those communities that are now underserved by fossil fuels can benefit most from such clean energy advances.

The US Administration completed its revised Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). RFS2 will move towards a national goal of 26 billion gallons of biofuel production by 2022.

At Shaw Capital Management we give you the information and insight you need to make the right investment choices. We look forward to working with you and being the open architects of your financial well being.

Shaw Capital Management Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence.  We provide the information; insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.

Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.
Our philosophy is simple: almost every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.

Before Shaw Capital Management Korea  launched the open architecture revolution, investors had to make the unhappy choice between selecting an advisor who was independent, but unsophisticated (the traditional pension and endowment consulting firms), or selecting an advisor who was sophisticated but had conflicting interests (global banks, trust companies, money management firms).




Avoid Scam, Learn About Asset Based Financing

Shaw Capital Management and Financing tips on Why a Business Asset Based Loan Financing Is the Perfect Solution for Cash Flow in Canada
Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cash flow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full. You are a Canadian business owner and financial manager looking for info and guidance on a business asset based loan. What is asset based loan financing, sometimes called cash flow factoring - how does it work, and why could it be the best solution for your firm's working capital challenges.
Let's cover off the basics and find out how you can benefit form this relatively speaking new form of asset financing in Canada.
A good start is to always understand and cover off some basics around what this type of financing is. Simply speaking the facility is a loan arrangement that is drawn down and repaid regularly based on your receivables, inventory, and, if required, equipment and real estate should your firm possess those assets also.
By collateralizing your assets you in effect create an ongoing borrowing base for all your assets - this feasibility then fluctuate on a daily basis based on invoices you generate, inventory you move, and cash you collect from customers. When you need more working capital you simply draw down on initial funds as covered under your asset base.
Your probably can already see the advantage, which is simply that if you have assets you have cash. Your receivables and inventory, as they grow, in effect provide you with unlimited financing.
Unlike a Canadian chartered bank financing your business asset based loan financing in effect has no cap. The alternative facility for this type of working capital financing is of course a Canadian chartered bank line of credit - that facility always comes with a cap and stringent requirements re your balance sheet and income statement quality and ratios, as well as performance covenants and personal guarantees and outside collateral. So there is a big difference in the non bank financing we have table for your consideration.
Your asset based lender works with you to manage the facility - and you are required to regularly report on your levels of A/R and inventory, which are the prime underpinnings of the financing.
Smaller firms use a particular subset of this financing, often called factoring or cash flow factoring. This specific type of financing is less transparent to your customers, as the cash flow factor might insist on verifying your invoices with customers, etc. A true asset based loan financing is usually transparent to your customers, which is the way you want it to be - You bill and collect our own invoices.
If our facility provides you with unlimited working capital then why have you potentially not heard of it and why aren't your competitors using it. Our clients always can be forgiven for asking that question. The reality is that in the U.S. this type of financing is a multi billion dollar industry; it has gained traction in Canada, even more so after the financial meltdown of 2008. Some of Canada's largest corporations use the financing. And if your firm has working capital assets anywhere from 250k and up you are a candidate. Larger facilities are of course in the many millions of dollars.
The Canadian asset based financing market is very fragmented and has a combo of U.S., international and Canadian asset finance lenders. They have varying appetites for deal size, how the facility works on a daily basis, and pricing, which can be competitive to banks or significantly higher.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced business financing advisor and determine if the advantages of business asset based loan financing work for your firm. They have the potential of accelerating cash flow, giving you cash all the time when you need it ( assuming you have assets ) and essentially liquefying and monetizing your current assets to provide constant cash flow, and that's what its all about. Stan Prokop is founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Shaw Capital Tips on How to Spot Boiler Rooms

The North American Securities Administrators Association management estimates that unwary investors lose billions a year to investment fraud. Self-employment scams and high-tech schemes are among investments most recently heavily promoted by online. This tip sheet is designed to provide investors with self-defense tactics to fight off the promotion of investment scams by "boiler rooms," the high-pressure phone sales operations from which sales people call to promote abusive and fraudulent deals.

Shaw Capital tips on Boiler Rooms and How to Spot a "Boiler Room" Scam and fraud:

High-pressure sales tactics. Salesmen and the management may make repeated calls and even become abusive, questioning, for example, the intelligence of anyone who would pass up such a "sure thing."
Outrageous promises of extraordinarily high profit at little or no risk. The management rule is: The higher the return, the higher the risk. Listen for salesmen who claim it is possible to make extremely high (15, 20 or 30 percent) or even "guaranteed" profits without any risk of loss. Most legitimate firms will provide written materials clearly disclosing the potential for loss in an investment, as well as its short- and long-term tax implications.
A demand for an immediate decision. Boiler room salesmen want fast action before you have a chance to develop second thoughts or consult with a professional for advice. As a result, many deals will be "gone tomorrow," "sold out today" or have "just one of two remaining openings."
A reluctance to provide information about the sales firm or the investment. If a boiler room is uncovered, it may be subject to state or federal action. Therefore, some phone scam operators are not forthcoming when asked information about the sales operation and investment.
Mumbo-jumbo about "inside information" or "secret" technology. In order to close a sale, the voice on the other end of the phone may tell you that this is a "sure thing." A common claim is that celebrities, major corporations or banks will be investing shortly. Or the salesman may claim that a new geological report is coming out shortly. In other cases, the claim may be that the company is using some sort of hush-hush "black box" technology that makes it possible to process gold at a fraction of the cost paid by other firms.
Delayed delivery of the product and/or profits. This is a classic "red flag" of an investment scam. If you don`t have your investment in hand or under your control in some other location, you have nothing for your money. Beware of promises involving delays of more than a few weeks for delivery of your investment.
Unusual arrangements for collecting funds from investors. Some con artists try to avoid mail fraud charges by using overnight courier services (Federal Express or Purolator, for example). Other phone scam operations go even further-sending a courier or cab to pick up the check. No matter what unusual collection method is used, the purpose is the same: Don`t give customers enough time to back out of sending money.

Invoice Factoring could be Next Big Thing for Fraud Scam, Predicts Lawyer

Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer a complete line of factoring services, purchase order funding, and asset based financing, accounts receivable management, and other related financial services.
One of the biggest challenges facing businesses in the current economic climate is getting invoices paid and the use of invoice factoring could become a significant area for fraud, according specialist fraud lawyer Arun Chauhan of Midlands firm Challinors.

“In the current economic climate the use of factoring is becoming more prevalent,” says Arun, a
Partner at Challinors and head of its Fraud & Asset Recovery department. “The problem of getting invoices paid is a growing problem and an increase in fraud in Factoring is an area that will not be immune from this threat.”

The issue of invoice payment is not unique to the economic climate but one that is encountered by all businesses and in particular start up businesses. Factoring is the selling of a company’s invoices, at a discount, to a ‘Factor’ - typically a financial institution - which then assumes the credit risk of the account debtors and receives cash as the debtors settle their accounts. The company then receives the value of the invoice less a percentage retained by the company as their fee for the factoring service.

“The Factor will typically obtain a personal guarantee or some form of security from a director of a company before commencement of any agreement,” explains Arun.

There are two specific types of factoring - Open and hidden factoring. In Open Factoring the company does not mind if its customers know if they are using a Factor. The debtor is sent invoices by the Factor to recover the face value of the invoices.

If a company has decided to Factor invoices to improve cash flow, it may wish to keep this from its customers. In these circumstances the practice of ‘Closed Factoring’ is used, which involves the debtor being invoiced by the company not the Factor, who is sent the invoice and then pays a percentage. When the debtor pays the invoice the sum due to the Factor is then paid.

“The process of factoring is susceptible to fraudulent activity, if there are not sufficient controls in place within a business,” says Arun. “A Managing Director may not be aware that those dealing with the raising of invoices for the company may well be devising a fraudulent scheme by creation location of businesses: “The fact that the postcode of a company is the same or in a similar geographical location to the debtor is one warning sign to look for. Another is the existence of large invoice amounts relative to the average for that debtor.”

The fraud is sometimes not internal but purely perpetrated to cause loss to the Factor. “One example of this was uncovered in 2008 where the Directors of a Manchester based computer firm,
Ravelle, were convicted in a £3.25 million fraud upon its creditors. The fraud was centred on the creation of false sales documents and a complex web of inter-company transactions designed to deceive Factoring companies into providing finance to the Ravelle Group. This is a prime example of collusion, which is one pre-requisite for factoring fraud.

“Many types of fraud are only possible if collusion between parties exists. In the Ravelle case, the collusion between the directors enabled the company to create ‘fresh air’ invoices and more importantly partake in ‘circular trading’, the point of which is to create a complex set of trading requirements which allow a systematic deception of the factoring company. The schemes that keep companies running could not have been implemented without the continued input of the parties at Ravelle, and one of the Directors was a qualified accountant.”

He adds: “In the current economic climate the temptation for directors to cross the line and partake in Factoring fraud is greater owing to the constraints on cash flow. Any fraudulent activity is bound to leave a trail of evidence that will soon be detected, and our specialist fraud lawyers are skilled in finding such discrepancies. The fraud will eventually be detected, no matter how small.”

Challinors has offices in Birmingham city centre, Edgbaston, West Bromwich and Nottingham. The firm has 23 partners and over 100 fee earners, and is ranked as one of the top legal firms in the West Midlands, being Number 1 in the Chambers UK Directory in a number of categories. For more information visit: www.challinors.co.uk.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer funding for a wide range of industries and flexible funding requirements that most businesses can easily qualify for.

Shaw Capital Accounts Receivable Financing, Avoid Scams

Shaw Capital Management and Financing, What is Accounts Receivable Financing?

Receivable financing is a method used by businesses to convert sales on credit terms for immediate cash flow. Financing accounts receivable has become the preferred financial tool in obtaining flexible working capital for businesses of all sizes. The receivable credit line is determined by the financial strength of the customer (Buyer), not the client (The seller of the receivables).
Shaw Capital Management financing programs can accommodate companies with seasonal or uneven sales patterns or start-up operations with no financial base to rely upon. Any business can qualify for receivable financing if it generates sales on open credit terms to customers with financial credit strength.
Shaw Capital Accounts Receivable Financing, Avoid Scams - Business must sell to a good credit worthy account debtor (customer), a receivable or invoice that can be verified or has an acceptance (signed off) by the account debtor. Receivable financing is available to all industries that provide services, or deliver products to commercial accounts.
At Shaw Capital Management - providing a fast, simple and affordable solution to bridge the gap between billing and collections...
Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cash flow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer a complete line of factoring services, purchase order funding, and asset based financing, accounts receivable management, and other related financial services.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer funding for a wide range of industries and flexible funding requirements that most businesses can easily qualify for.
Based in Baltimore, Maryland. Importing into the tri-state area mostly from the Far East such as China, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea. Shaw Capital Accounts Receivable Financing, Avoid Scams - At Shaw Capital Management - providing a fast, simple and affordable solution to bridge the gap between billing and collections...
For your convenience, we have associate offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei and Seoul in S Korea.
At Shaw Capital Management - No financials needed and with Flexible terms. Value of great service... Help grow your business...

Shaw Capital Management and Financing - Whether your item is big, small, fragile, difficult or oversize, no shipping assignment is too big for us .Get in touch with us today for a no obligation quote or estimate, we're here to help.
Our estimates include all fees and we take care of everything with a team made up of experienced professionals. No hidden shipping costs. Let us blow away the smoke! We’re open, up-front, and we include all costs in our prices.
We take care everything. We handle every step of the shipping process. If a problem comes up at any stage, we have the experience to solve it.
Shaw Capital Accounts Receivable Financing, Avoid Scams - We’re passionate about what we do, and we’re here to help you in any way we can.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Shaw Capital Management News: Washington Waxes Brazilian

Brazil provides us with an example of a rapidly developing, energy-hungry economy in the Western Hemisphere, where biofuel is a fact of life. Biofuel is also an investment imperative for energy investors and companies that want to make money in Brazil. As an important part of the #3 economy in the Americas, ethanol can't be ignored by the United States.

(Sugar) Ethanol as a Global Commodity; Focus on Cosan Ltd. (NYSE: CZZ) Cosan is entering into a joint venture with an oil giant that could be worth $12 billion, and its happy beginning to 2010 signals a renewal of interest in ethanol and entrance of some unlikely participants into biofuels. Cosan, a Brazilian company that processes more sugar than anyone else in the world, is now joining with Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS), the #2 oil producer in Europe.

Shell is paying Cosan $1.625 billion for half of its core assets. As part of the joint venture that will emerge, Shell is also taking on Cosan's debt and opening up 2,740 Shell service stations to Cosan's sweet, green fuel. Shell will also give Cosan two small Brazilian companies … Codexis and Iogen … where Shell has been investing in ethanol. Cosan is entering into a joint venture with an oil giant that could be worth $12 billion, and...signals a renewal of interest in ethanol and entrance of some unlikely participants into biofuels.

Shaw Capital Management Korea News:  Cosan stands to gain big from an efficient system of turning agricultural leftovers into fuel in its own right. Of all the money and knowledge changing hands, one part is most important: By gaining access to Shell's distribution system, Cosan will have the luxury of ramping up production without
worrying if there will be buyers.

Shell wants to fertilize Cosan's cane-based business. Cosan output now has to grow from 2 billion liters per year up to the 3 billion that will be needed to satisfy a total 4,500 fuel stations in Brazil. From there, it's up to 4 and 5 billion liters annually and on to making ethanol a global commodity. You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between Shell and Cosan's statements on this joint venture if you removed a couple of words. Very simply, each company wants access to the other's expertise. "Cosan represents the best entry to sustainable biofuels in the market... the best entry of scale," Shell's Mark Williams said in London. In Sao Paulo, Cosan Chairman Rubens Ometto said the tie-up is intended to be "the step forward that was lacking, in spite of all our efforts, to make ethanol a global commodity." Shell's 45,000 stations around the world will pump biofuel to vehicles that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two.

Shaw Capital Management Korea News:  Low prices also help, as evidenced in Brazil where flex-fuel vehicles now account for 90% of new cars and truck sales. Shell's 45,000 stations around the world will pump biofuel to vehicles that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two (Brazil mandates that all gasoline have at least a 20% ethanol component). As it stands, Brazilians are the end users of the vast majority of the ethanol that their country produces (about 25 billion liters annually). And you wouldn't know it from most of the media, but ethanol is more than just an automotive matter...


Shaw Capital Management, Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence.  We provide the information; insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.

Shaw to Release Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2011 Earnings April 11

BATON ROUGE, La., Mar 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) will hold a conference call Monday, April 11, 2011, at 9 a.m. Eastern time (8 a.m. Central time) to discuss the company's financial results for the second quarter fiscal year 2011.
Financial results and a slide presentation will be posted on Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com at approximately 8 a.m. Eastern time that same day.
Interested parties may either dial 1.800.471.6718 to listen to the conference call live or access a live audio webcast on Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com. A replay of the conference call will be available after the call by telephone, as well as on the company's website. To listen to the replay by telephone, dial 1.888.843.7419 and use pass code 29395871#.
The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE:SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2010 annual revenues of $7 billion, Shaw has approximately 27,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about our current and future prospects, operations and financial results, which are based on currently available information. Actual future results and financial performance could vary significantly from those anticipated in such statements.
Among the factors that could cause future events or transactions to differ from those we expect are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended February 28, 2010, May 31, 2010, and November 30, 2010, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Please read our "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements contained in these filings. Our current expectations may not be realized as a result of, among other things:
  • Changes in our clients' financial conditions, including their capital spending;
  • Our ability to obtain new contracts and meet our performance obligations;
  • Client contract cancellations or modifications to contract scope;
  • Worsening global economic conditions;
  • Changes to the regulatory environment;
  • Litigation or arbitration decisions;
  • Failure to achieve projected backlog.
As a result of these risks and others, actual results could vary significantly from those anticipated in this press release, and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, the occurrence of certain events or otherwise.
SOURCE: The Shaw Group Inc.
The Shaw Group Inc.
Gentry Brann, 225-987-7372
gentry.brann@shawgrp.com

Shaw to Assist Toshiba in Providing Support Services at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

BATON ROUGE, La., Mar 22, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In response to the tragic events in Japan, The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) will assist Toshiba Corporation in providing support services for the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in Japan.
As an extension of the relationship the two companies have shared since 2006, Shaw will assist Toshiba with mitigation, remediation and recovery services at the plant. A team of experts from Shaw's Power and Environmental & Infrastructure Groups has mobilized to provide services both on the ground in Japan, as well as engineering, analysis, assessment and design from the U.S.
"The people of Japan have experienced an extraordinary tragedy. It is our hope that Shaw's nuclear, remediation and emergency response expertise will assist in bringing prompt resolution and relief to the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station," said J.M. Bernhard Jr., Shaw's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Our relationship with Toshiba spans the globe. We are ready to help our partners and friends in their response to the events that resulted from this unprecedented natural disaster."
Shaw has extensive experience in nuclear, environmental and natural disaster services. In the aftermath of some of the largest disasters in recent history, Shaw rapidly and effectively mobilized its workforce to provide support following the events at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear power plants, hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and earthquakes in Haiti, Northridge, Calif., and Sumatra.
The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE:SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2010 annual revenues of $7 billion, Shaw has approximately 27,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about our current and future prospects, operations and financial results, which are based on currently available information. Actual future results and financial performance could vary significantly from those anticipated in such statements.
Among the factors that could cause future events or transactions to differ from those we expect are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended February 28, 2010, May 31, 2010 and November 30, 2010, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Please read our "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements contained in these filings. Our current expectations may not be realized as a result of, among other things:
  • Changes in our clients' financial conditions, including their capital spending;
  • Our ability to obtain new contracts and meet our performance obligations;
  • Client contract cancellations or modifications to contract scope;
  • Worsening global economic conditions;
  • Changes to the regulatory environment;
  • Litigation or arbitration decisions;
  • Failure to achieve projected backlog.
As a result of these risks and others, actual results could vary significantly from those anticipated in this press release, and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, the occurrence of certain events or otherwise.
SOURCE: The Shaw Group Inc.
The Shaw Group Inc.
Gentry Brann, 225-987-7372
gentry.brann@shawgrp.com