Asian banks are moving aggressively to offer new cloud solutions, creating proactive and personalized customer experiences by establishing essential infrastructure and services in the Asia-Pacific region in Japan and Singapore.
Oracle�� Enhanced Customer Data Centers in Asia
2013 will bring more movement for data centers as hardware vendors work to round out their converged data center offerings via continued M&A activity. ��e are dedicated to simplifying IT, so customers can focus on driving business innovation,��said Oracle President Mark Hurd. More than 25 million users and more than 10,000 organizations use Oracle Cloud worldwide each day.
Worldwide revenues from cloud infrastructure services reached US$12.5 billion in Q4 2012 and US$47.2 billion for the full year. Synergy data showed regional spending on IaaS and PaaS passed the US$1 billion mark in 2012, having grown by 55 percent from 2011. Oracle�� shares plunged nearly 10 percent on March 21 after its fiscal Q3 results released late the day earlier missed Wall Street expectations and company outlook. IBD reported that Oracle executives mostly blamed poor sales execution for the miss. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.1 percent on April 8. By the end of trading, Oracle Corporation rose 33 cents (1 percent) to $32.36 on light volume. The stock ranges in price between $31.90 and $32.36.
SeaChange International, Inc. provides multi-screen video products and services that facilitate the aggregation, licensing, management, and distribution of video, television programming, and advertising content to cable system operators, telecommunications companies, broadcast television companies, and mobile communications providers worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Software and Media Services. The Software segment offers back-office products, including SeaChange Axiom, an on-demand back office software that allow operators to centralize video distribution systems, as well as video streamers; advertising product solutions, such as video-on-demand, digital video recorders, and over-the-top services; and home gateway product solutions, which include Nucleus, a hybrid gateway software product that provides control over channel changes, VOD/DVR playback, and trick mode set-top box functionalities. This segment also provides professional services, installation, training, project management, product maintenance, technical support, and software development related services. The Media Services segment offers content for video-on-demand and pay-per-view platforms; and marketing, promotional, and production services to cable operators and telecommunications providers. This segment also sources, acquires, packages, and markets video-on-demand services by providing access to content from local and Hollywood studio providers in various formats, including music videos, television programs, and feature length movies. The company sells and markets its products and services through a direct sales organization, independent agents, and distributors. SeaChange International, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Monica Gerson]
SeaChange International (NASDAQ: SEAC) is estimated to post a Q2 loss at $0.18 per share on revenue of $26.80 million.
China Gerui Advanced Materials Group (NASDAQ: CHOP) is expected to report its Q2 earnings.
- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on SeaChange International (Nasdaq: SEAC ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
Top 10 Services Companies To Invest In 2015: Fiserv Inc.(FISV)
Fiserv, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide various financial services technology solutions. Its solutions include electronic commerce systems and services, such as transaction processing, electronic bill payment and presentment, business process outsourcing, document distribution services, and software and systems solutions. The company operates in two segments, Payments and Industry Products, and Financial Institution Services. The Payments and Industry Products segment provides electronic bill payment and presentment services, and debit and other card-based payment products and services to meet the electronic transaction processing needs of the financial services industry. It also offers Internet banking, investment account processing services for separately managed accounts, card and print personalization services, and fraud and risk management products and services. The Financial Institution Services segment provides account processing services, item processing services , loan origination and servicing products, cash management and consulting services, and other products and services that support various types of financial transactions. The company serves banks, thrifts, credit unions, investment management firms, leasing and finance companies, retailers, merchants, and government agencies. It has operations in the United States, Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, India, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Poland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Fiserv, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Jay Jenkins]
For U.S. Bancorp, a fine of this magnitude is nothing more than a slap on the wrist. However, it is a harbinger for change in how regulators view third-party relationships. Banks will now have to think long and hard about outsourcing, even to reputable companies like Jack Henry and Associates (NASDAQ: JKHY ) and Fiserv (NASDAQ: FISV ) .�
- [By Rich Smith]
On Tuesday, the regional banker, which does business in 16 states throughout the American South, Midwest, and Texas, announced it's inked a deal with online banking software Fiserv (NASDAQ: FISV ) to revamp its online banking and bill-pay system to enhance the customer experience.
- [By Kyial Robinson]
Fiserv (NASDAQ: FISV) is causing quite a trending buzz with its movements this month.
Shares are considered as a company with strong buyback activity.
- [By Lee Jackson]
Fiserv Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) is a leading global technology provider serving the financial services industry, driving innovation in payments, processing services, risk and compliance, customer and channel management, and business insights and optimization. The company announced last month a 10 million share buyback, which is almost 8% of the outstanding shares. The consensus price target for the stock is $100.
Top 10 Services Companies To Invest In 2015: Molina Healthcare Inc (MOH)
Molina Healthcare, Inc., incorporated on July 24, 2002, provides medicaid-related solutions. The Company operates in two segments: Health Plans and Molina Medicaid Solutions. The Company's Health Plans segment consists of health plans in California, Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, and includes the Company's direct delivery business. The Company's Molina Medicaid Solutions segment provides design, development, implementation, and business process outsourcing solutions to state governments for their Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS).As of December 31, 2012, Health Plans segment served approximately 1.8 million members eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, and other government-sponsored health care programs for low-income families and individuals. In June 2013, Molina Healthcare Inc announced that, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Molina Center LLC, it has successfully completed a sale and lease back transaction with the dedicated net lease group of Angelo, Gordon & Co (AG).
The health plans are operated by the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries in those states, each of which is licensed as a health maintenance organization (HMO). The Company's direct delivery business consists of 24 primary care clinics in California, Florida, New Mexico, and Washington, and the Company manages three county-owned primary care clinics under a contract with Fairfax County, Virginia. The Company's Health Plans segment derives its revenue principally in the form of premiums received under Medicaid contracts with the states in which the Company's health plans operate. All of the Company's health plans operate on a single managed care platform for claims processing (the QNXT 4.8 system). MMIS is a core tool used to support the administration of state Medicaid and other health care entitlement programs. Molina Medicaid Solutions holds MMIS contracts with the states of Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, and West Virginia, as well as a contract to provide d! rug rebate administration services for the Florida Medicaid program. The Company arranges health care services for its members through contracts with providers that include independent physicians and groups, hospitals, ancillary providers, and its own clinics. The Company's network of providers includes primary care physicians, specialists and hospitals. The Company contracts with both primary care physicians and specialists many of whom are organized into medical groups or independent practice associations (IPAs).
The Company develops specialized disease management programs that address the particular health care needs of its members. motherhood matters! sm is a comprehensive program designed to improve pregnancy outcomes and enhance member satisfaction. breathe with ease! is a multi-disciplinary disease management program that provides health education resources and case management services to assist physicians caring for asthmatic members between the ages of three and 15. Healthy Living with Diabetes is a diabetes disease management program. Heart Health Living is a cardiovascular disease management program for members who have suffered from congestive heart failure, angina, heart attack, or high blood pressure. The Company provides its members with information to guide them through various episodes of care. This information, which is available in several languages, is designed to educate parents on the use of primary care physicians, emergency rooms, and nurse call centers. The Company's pharmacy management programs focus on physician education regarding appropriate medication utilization and encouraging the use of generic medications. The Company's pharmacists and medical directors work with the Company's pharmacy benefits manager to maintain a formulary that promotes both improved patient care and generic drug use. The Company provides certain centralized medical and administrative services to its health plans pursuant to administrative services agreements, including medical affairs a! nd qualit! y management, health education, credentialing, management, financial, legal, information systems, and human resources services.
The Company competes with HP Enterprise Services, ACS, Computer Services Corporation, and CNSI.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Daniel Jennings]
The White House was planning a massive Obamacare marketing effort with the help of unions and nonprofit groups. That effort has apparently been put on the backburner.
The Obamacare news didn't help UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). Its share price fell by .017 percent in mid-day trading on Wednesday. Yet it seemed to help WellPoint (NYSE: WLP). The operator of the Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans saw its share price rise by .01% on Wednesday . A smaller operator of healthcare plans, Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH) saw its share price fall.
- [By Sean Williams]
If you want a ray of sunshine in this mess, look no further than either WellPoint (NYSE: WLP ) or Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH ) . Both companies have a stronghold in California with WellPoint's Blue Cross Blue Shield and Molina's low-cost and Medicaid-sponsored plans offering ample choices in the early going for consumers. Although early enrollment in California was disappointing, the expectation all along has been that it would pick up as we get closer to coverage enrollment cutoff date. With few signs of exchange problems in California I'd look for these two companies to impress investors moving forward.
Top 10 Services Companies To Invest In 2015: Green Dot Corporation (GDOT)
Green Dot Corporation operates as a bank holding company. It offers general purpose reloadable prepaid debit cards, and cash loading and transfer services in the United States. The company�s products include Green Dot MasterCard, Visa-branded prepaid debit cards, and various co-branded reloadable prepaid card programs; Visa-branded gift cards; and MoneyPak and swipe reload proprietary products that enable cash loading and transfer services through its Green Dot Network. Its Green Dot Network enables consumers to use cash to reload its prepaid debit cards or to transfer cash to any of the company�s Green Dot Network acceptance members, including competing prepaid card programs, and other online accounts. The company markets its cards and financial services to banked, underbanked, and unbanked consumers. Green Dot Corporation offers its products and services through retail distributors, including mass merchandisers, drug store and convenience store chains, and supermarket chains; the Internet; and relationships with other businesses. Its prepaid debit cards and prepaid reload services are available to consumers at approximately 60,000 retail locations nationwide and online at greendot.com. The company was formerly known as Next Estate Communications, Inc. and changed its name to Green Dot Corporation in October 2005. Green Dot Corporation was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Pasadena, California.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Tim Boyle/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesJanus Capital stock surge when the firm hired investing guru Bill Gross. In any given week, some stocks are sure to shoot up, and others will plummet. The big gainers inspire us to keep investing. The presence of the decliners keeps our greed in check while reminding us about the risks of the equity markets. Let's go over some of last week's best and worst performers. Janus Capital Group (JNS) -- Up 41 percent last week One of last week's biggest gainers was Janus, soaring on Friday after mutual fund manager Bill Gross announced that he would be leaving Pimco to join Janus. It's a big deal for Gross, who managed to grow Pimco's Total Return Fund to $222 billion in assets under management over the past 43 years. Landing Gross would be a great catch for any fund family, but it's particularly sweet for Janus since its strength in the past has been its stock funds. The arrival of Gross should find a lot of fixed income investors flocking to Janus. Green Dot (GDOT) -- Up 16 percent last week Prepaid debit card leader Green Dot got the green light from investors after teaming up with Walmart (WMT) for the retailer's new GoBank low-cost mobile checking platform. Teaming up with Green Dot's prepaid mastery gives it a way to start serving less-affluent customers without taking on gobs of risk. At the end of the day, the market likes Green Dot's potential as the world's largest retailer puts some marketing muscle behind the initiative. ReWalk Robotics (RWLK) -- Up 12 percent last week Giving the disabled hope has made ReWalk Robotics a winner since it went public a couple of weeks ago. It provides a robotic exoskeleton for folks with spinal cord injuries, allowing them to stand up and walk through powered hip and knee controls. It's not cheap, as you can probably imagine. The exoskeleton can reportedly run as high as $85,000. However, ReWalk got a boost last week after a major German insurance company became the first insurer to
- [By Sean Williams]
But not every prepaid company offered what TSYS was looking for. Green Dot (NYSE: GDOT ) , for example, directly competes with NetSpend, but has a good chunk of its revenue tied solely to Wal-Mart. With the introduction of new competitors within Wal-Mart, Green Dot was left scrambling for new retail outlets last summer and has yet to fully recover. TSYS made the wiser decision to scoop up the pricier NetSpend, which had considerably better retail outlet diversity.
- [By Amanda Alix]
Despite Walmart's (NYSE: WMT ) success with prepaid debit cards through partnerships with Green Dot (NYSE: GDOT ) and American Express (NYSE: AXP ) , the retail giant has never quite been able to break into the ranks of the big boys through the launch of its own retail bank. Now, an article on Bloomberg makes this conundrum crystal clear: Banks advising the Federal Reserve have lobbied against making such a plan a reality.
Top 10 Services Companies To Invest In 2015: Consolidated Graphics Inc. (CGX)
Consolidated Graphics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides general commercial printing and print-related services in the United States and internationally. The company�s services include traditional print services, such as electronic prepress, digital and offset printing, finishing, and storage and delivery of custom manufactured printed documents; and fulfillment and mailing services for such printed materials. It also offers technology solutions that enable its customers to procure and manage printed materials and/or design, procure, distribute, track, and analyze results of printing-based marketing programs and activities; and multi-media capabilities, which allow customers to supplement the message of their printed materials through other media, such as the Internet, email, or text messaging. The company prints multi-color marketing materials, product and capability brochures, point-of-purchase displays, packaging, direct mail pieces, shareholder communicat ions, trading cards, calendars, and photo books, as well as customized materials for the financial services, insurance, healthcare, and other industries. In addition, it offers e-commerce software solutions and other print-related services. The company�s customers include national and local corporations operating in a range of industries, as well as advertising agencies, graphic design firms, catalog retailers, direct mail marketers, state and local governments and quasi-governmental agencies, educational institutions, not-for-profit associations, and political campaign organizations. Consolidated Graphics, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Monica Gerson]
Breaking news
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE: HOT) reported a gain in its third-quarter core earnings and lifted its full-year earnings forecast. To read the full news, click here. Procera Networks (NASDAQ: PKT) and Skyfire, a fully-owned subsidiary of Opera Software, today announced a joint solution and partnership to tackle the rapid growth of video traffic on global mobile networks, based on an open, scalable ICAP architecture. To read the full news, click here. R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company (NASDAQ: RRD) and Consolidated Graphics (NYSE: CGX) jointly announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement by which RR Donnelley will acquire Consolidated Graphics, a provider of digital and commercial printing, fulfillment services, print management and proprietary Internet-based technology solutions. To read the full news, click here. Dunkin' Brands Group (NASDAQ: DNKN) reported a 36% rise in its third-quarter income. To read the full news, click here. Posted-In: Jobless Claims JP Morgan US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Global Pre-Market Outlook Markets
- [By Seth Jayson]
Consolidated Graphics (NYSE: CGX ) reported earnings on May 15. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q4), Consolidated Graphics met expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.
Top 10 Services Companies To Invest In 2015: Xueda Education Group(XUE)
Xueda Education Group provides tutoring services for primary and secondary school students in the People?s Republic of China with a focus on offering personalized tutoring services. Its services include consultation and assessment, formulation of a customized study plan, personalized tutoring, and delivery of supporting services. The company also provides course offerings that cover various academic subjects taught in primary and secondary schools, such as mathematics, English, physics, Chinese, and chemistry; and self-designed courses beyond the standard curriculum in certain subjects, as well as in subjects not taught at public primary and secondary schools. As of December 31, 2010, its tutoring service network comprised 207 learning centers and approximately 9,650 full-time service professionals, serving customers located in 53 economically developed cities across 27 of China?s 31 provinces and municipalities. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Beij ing, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
In trading on Friday, non-cyclical consumer goods & services shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 0.09 percent. Among the leading sector stocks, gains came from Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) and Xueda Education Group (NYSE: XUE). Financial sector was the leading decliner in the US market today.
- [By Garrett Cook]
Non-cyclical consumer goods & services shares fell 0.45 percent on Tuesday. Top losers in the sector included Diamond Foods (NASDAQ: DMND), down 3.4 percent, and Xueda Education Group (NYSE: XUE), off 2.6 percent.
Top 10 Services Companies To Invest In 2015: Ruby Tuesday Inc.(RT)
Ruby Tuesday, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises casual dining restaurants in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and internationally. The company operates its restaurants under the Ruby Tuesday brand, as well as owns and operates one Marlin & Ray?s, one Truffles, and two Wok Hay casual dining restaurants. As of August 30, 2011, it owned and operated 746 Ruby Tuesday restaurants; and 43 domestic and 52 international franchisees operated restaurants. The company was founded in 1920 and is based in Maryville, Tennessee.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By CNBC]
Tony Tribble, Invision/AP Forget about Bloomin' Onions or boneless wings, for many consumers, the choice of where to dine often comes down to a different factor: which restaurant has the best booze. "Alcoholic beverages can be a key driver of traffic, differentiation, and loyalty," said David Decker, president of Consumer Edge Insight. According to the firm, two factors that keep customers coming back are "selection" and "pricing." Consumer Edge Insight recently surveyed restaurant customers to find out which casual-dining spots generated the most loyalty with their alcoholic beverages. Taking the top spot for "selection" was Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD), with 29 percent of those surveyed saying they were "most likely to visit it most often due to its good selection of alcoholic beverages." Applebee's (DIN) took the second spot, with 24 percent, and Outback Steakhouse (BLMN) and T.G.I. Friday's tied for third place with 22 percent each. Prices also keep customers coming back to Buffalo Wild Wings. When asked which casual-dining brand they were "most likely to visit most often due to its good prices of alcoholic beverages," Buffalo Wild Wings came out on top with 30 percent. Chili's (EAT) was No. 2 at 23 percent, and Ruby Tuesday (RT) was third with 22 percent. Buffalo Wild Wings has always made alcohol a part of its experience, even making it part of its tagline: "Wings.Beer.Sports." The chain is the No. 1 account for more than 50 different beer brands and recently launched Game Changer, a new beer in a partnership with Redhook Brewery. Priced between cheaper domestic lagers and pricier craft beers, Game Changer became the fourth-most-popular draft beer at company-owned locations within two weeks of its release. "Among casual-dining restaurants, Buffalo Wild Wings is seeing the greatest positive effect in terms of building customer loyalty with its alcohol offerings," Decker said. "There are many steps other restaurants can take to improve their alcoho
- [By Sean Williams]
To begin with, poor economic growth conditions act to keep consumers in their homes and away from restaurants. Higher payroll taxes, for instance, are reducing consumers' budgets and forcing some to eat out less. This has been one of the main setbacks for restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday (NYSE: RT ) , which has tried boosting its marketing budget on numerous occasions and emphasizing its specials to drive traffic, but has been largely unsuccessful in doing so.
- [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]
AP/Shiho FukadaActivist investor Carl Icahn loves to give advice to public companies. But this week, his advice for eBay felt a couple of years behind the curve. Companies can make brilliant moves, but there are also times when things don't work out quite as planned. From a classy handbag maker carrying its latest financials to market, to a blowout report by the leading streaming video service, here's a rundown of the week's best and worst in the business world. Netflix (NFLX) -- Winner Netflix was last year's top performer among S&P 500 stocks, and it's off to another strong start in 2014. Shares of the leading video service hit another all-time high this week after it posted blowout quarterly results. Netflix closed out the year on a strong note with more than 44 million streaming subscribers worldwide and expanding profit margins. It expects to top 48 million streaming members by the end of March. Strong financial results naturally make you a winner, but Netflix also got the market excited by announcing that it will soon offer a variety of pricing plans. More importantly, it's suggesting that it may eventually increase the price of its basic $7.99 a month plan. Coach (COH) -- Loser Luxury handbags are still selling, but Coach totes aren't faring as well. The iconic maker of high-end purses and accessories posted disappointing quarterly results on Tuesday. Sales declined by 6 percent during the seasonally potent holiday quarter, and net income took an even bigger hit. Foreign currency translations weighed on the results, but sales still would have been lower if there weren't any currency fluctuations. Coach investors shouldn't be surprised. Sales, net income, and store-level comparable sales also slipped three months earlier. It's not the niche. Michael Kors (KORS) has been able to post healthy double-digit growth through the gradual fade in prominence at Coach. Beats Music -- Winner Music streaming has become popular, and that's big for the musi
- [By Jeremy Bowman]
What: Shares of Ruby Tuesday (NYSE: RT ) were giving investors indigestion today, falling as much as 17% after a lackluster fourth-quarter earnings report.
Meet the teens who got $100K for stocks 