Posts Tagged ‘market’
Woodside, CA (PRWEB) April 30, 2012
Fisher Investments released its second quarter 2012 Stock Market Outlook, an in-depth analysis of recent global macroeconomic trends and a market forecast for the remainder of the year.
Global stocks were gangbusters in Q1 2012the best Q1 return since 1998, said Research Manager Aaron Anderson. In our view, theres more upside ahead in 2012 and beyond. While Fisher Investments believes the initial bounce-back period of the bull market that started in 2009 is passing as we transition into a more mature stage, the firm still expects 2012 to be a positive year for equity markets.
A combination of expansionary global economic data, attractive stock valuations and still-steep US and global yield curves all seem good indicators of future economic health. Fisher Investments believes earnings and revenue growth will continue in 2012, though expectations have been lowereda factor, from Fishers perspective, making it easier to exceed market expectations.
The Stock Market Outlook includes an overview of recent developments in the PIIGS nations, including Greeces huge but orderly debt restructuring in Q1. It also discusses the current American political outlook, including the recently concluded Supreme Court hearings on the Affordable Care Act and various scenarios for November 2012s national election.
Written under the direction of the firms five-member Investment Policy Committee (IPC), the Stock Market Outlook is published quarterly. Fisher Investments IPC members are CEO and Chief Investment Officer Ken Fisher, Vice Chairman Jeff Silk, Vice Chairman Andrew Teufel and Research Managers Bill Glaser and Aaron Anderson. The IPC oversees Fisher Investments portfolio strategy, in-house research efforts, portfolio engineering and capital markets technology development.
About Fisher Investments
Founded in 1979, Fisher Investments is an independent, privately-owned money management firm with tens of billions under management. Fisher Investments maintains two principal business units, Fisher Investments Institutional Group and Fisher Investments Private Client Group, which serve a global client base of diverse investors. Fisher Investments’ clients include over 100 large institutions and over 25,000 high net worth individuals. Founder and CEO Ken Fisher has written the Forbes “Portfolio Strategy” column for 27 years, has written 8 books on investing and personal finance (5 of which are national bestsellers), and in 2010 was named by Investment Advisor magazine as one of the 30 most influential industry individuals in the last 30 years (Thirty for Thirty, May 2010).
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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 15, 2012
The Medical Device Manufacturing industry has enjoyed strong revenue growth recently and is forecast to continue expanding in the years ahead. Since 2007, revenue increased at an average annual rate of 12.8%, and sales are expected to grow 7.4% in 2012 alone, to $ 64.7 billion. The US economic downturn did little to deter hospitals and other customers from purchasing medical devices, according to IBISWorld industry analyst Nima Samadi. In fact, more industry companies gained sales in 2008 and 2009 than lost them. The aging US population is a major factor driving demand, as the occurrence of health issues that require medical devices is higher in the elderly population. This demographic is forecast to expand further as a percentage of the total population during the five years to 2017, which will help maintain industry growth.
But revenue in the Medical Device Manufacturing industry will not grow as quickly over the five years to 2017. The changing regulatory environment will be the main hindrance, Samadi said. For example, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 will place an excise tax on medical devices, eating into revenue and reducing profit. Also, potential reform to the approval process for new devices will likely hamper innovation and encourage more companies to shift functions overseas.
Foreign outsourcing of manufacturing, research and development and other operations, combined with industry consolidation, is forecast to decrease the number of industry operators during the next five years. This industry has traditionally had a low level of industry concentration, with no one firm dominating. Small operators are common in this type of industry, and typically specialize in developing technology and products for a niche area. Larger players frequently seek to acquire these firms to expand their product range or gain access to a particular technology. But during the five years to 2012, consolidation has swept the industry, with the number of companies decreasing at an average annual rate of 5.5% to total 828. Meanwhile, emerging markets like China and Brazil will attract medical device manufacturers, as US customers face more stringent Medicare reimbursement requirements and other cost-cutting pressures. For more information, visit IBISWorlds Medical Device Manufacturing report in the US industry page.
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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics
This industry includes manufacturers of electromedical and electrotherapeutic apparatus, such as magnetic resonance imaging equipment, medical ultrasound equipment, pacemakers, hearing aids, electrocardiographs and electromedical endoscopic equipment. The industry also manufactures irradiation apparatus and tubes for applications such as medical diagnostic, medical therapeutic, industrial, research and scientific evaluation.
Industry Performance
Executive Summary
Key External Drivers
Current Performance
Industry Outlook
Industry Life Cycle
Products & Markets
Supply Chain
Products & Services
Major Markets
Globalization & Trade
Business Locations
Competitive Landscape
Market Share Concentration
Key Success Factors
Cost Structure Benchmarks
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Major Companies
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About IBISWorld Inc.
Recognized as the nations most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.
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Birmingham, Alabama (PRWEB) April 02, 2012
Health Partners America, LLC, (HPA) today announced the launch of a health insurance training and technology services system that provides health insurance agents with training and tools to allow them to participate in one of the fastest growing trends in health insurance defined contribution health plans.
According to Josh Hilgers, president of HPA, a defined contribution health plan is an alternative to traditional group health plans for those who can no longer afford or qualify for them and they are growing rapidly in popularity. Rather than paying a portion or all of a premium under a defined contribution health plan, an employer can offer no contribution at all or set aside a fixed dollar amount each month for employees to use to pay for individual health insurance or other medical costs such as doctor visits and prescription drugs.
Hilgers said that this approach allows even the smallest of businesses to offer their employees quality health-related benefits, but it requires that insurance brokers and agents follow defined rules and guidelines to maximize the benefits to the employer and the employees.
We offer agents a package of training, technology, and tools that equip them with the expertise and support needed to successfully market and implement a carrier-agnostic defined contribution health insurance program for small businesses, said Hilgers. Our sales system includes the training, marketing templates, customizable online shopping platform (Private Exchange) and access to a state of the art lead management system.
Hilgers said that employees participating in a defined contribution program through their employer are directed to the agents private exchange website where they can compare and select a plan from among a variety of individual health plans being offered by health insurers in their area. He said that the private exchange is a tool that provides employees with more choice and makes it possible for agents to more efficiently provide services to large numbers of individuals and their families rather than employer groups.
Agents who wish to grow this segment of their business at an even faster rate can take advantage of additional tools being made available through HPA such as a professionally staffed call center licensed in all 50 states, Hilgers said. The call center delivers industry leading support and consultation to help agents maintain client satisfaction and keep up with changing customer needs making it possible to uncover potential cross-sell opportunities.
Forward thinking insurance carriers and insurance industry stakeholders have already begun promoting the HPA solution to their agents nationally. Early adopters to this model are already finding it to be the perfect solution for employers who had given up on offering their employees any type of benefits.
More information about defined contribution plans and HPAs training and services can be found at http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com
About Health Partners America
Based in Birmingham, AL, HPA is a subsidiary of Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC, (Southland) based in Tuscaloosa, AL; an employee benefits administrator that began offering benefit solutions in 1983. It administers self-insured benefit programs for the Alabama Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan and processes tens of thousands of claims per month with an accuracy rate of better than 99%. Formerly known as Innovative Benefits Consulting, HPA has pioneered the Defined Contribution Health Plan market place and turned their expertise into a training system to benefit all insurance producers.
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Cape San Blas Florida (PRWEB) January 08, 2012
Bobzio.com offers a free listing platform for vacation rentals, home exchanges, and area services. The listing package includes unlimited photos and video, a reservation calender, mapping feature, and email contact form. The most critical aspect to a successful rental season is presenting a clean and well maintained vacation home. A couple bad reviews due to inadequate cleaning and/or faulty maintenance can be the cause of cancellations and falling reservation inquiries.
Bobzio.com was designed by rental owners and vacation rental customers. Bobzio.com knows exactly the importance of presenting a clean and pleasant experience for rental customers. Bobzio.com recommends a thorough 2 to 3 day initial cleaning before the busy spring season and then a minimal 4-5 hour cleaning between customer use. When possible a solid 8 hour day is best when scheduling permits. The best way to insure repeat customers is by an absolutely clean and well maintained property. Cleaning and maintenance of a vacation rental property is a component of the Marketing Strategy. A repeat customer will produce more income in the long run than solely depending on attracting new customers. The best mix is 50-70% returning customer mix with 50-30% new customers. With a good cleaning and maintenance program many new customers will be by referrals. One property that has a good record of referrals by previous customers is Bayrock 1. The most frequent reason sited is the relaxed atmosphere and the level of cleanliness. Bobzio.com welcomes your comments.
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Savannah, GA (PRWEB) August 25, 2010
As MD Tech Pro’s newest regional developer of the Low Country Market, Michael H. Brown hopes to alleviate some of the pain and suffering that doctors are feeling these days. While physicians abandon the paper trail and jump into a fast changing medical electronic age, specialized IT companies like MD Tech Pro are coming to their rescue.
“The choices, selection and adoption of technology like Electronic Medical Records (EMR) can be overwhelming to physicians,” said Brown. “Now the Savannah medical community will have access to the most seasoned IT and EMR partners in this time of transition.”
The Atlanta-based company is launching a regional office to provide IT and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) solutions exclusively to medical practices. Brown’s team will be based out of Savannah, and will service medical practices from 1 to over 50 physicians, in the southern portions of South Carolina and Georgia.
MD Tech Pro was established by two veteran medical IT professionals who identified an urgent need for doctors to have a proactive specialized IT and EMR partner that offered more than reactive computer repair and support. What evolved is a company providing a vast array of healthcare IT and EMR services designed to keep a medical practice focused on patient care instead of IT burdens.
“With federal efforts pushing doctors to EMR adoption, we hope to lessen their load and become a partner in this inevitable, but worthwhile transition,” said Brown. “Downtime in a medical practice is just not an option so we’ve perfected our medical IT services so that there is no interruption to patient care, billing and other office functions.”
A veteran of the healthcare industry, Brown has spent his career in medical equipment, medical sales and the healthcare real estate investment/development markets.
“Savannah has a very reputable medical environment, and I’m excited to be a part of this thriving community,” said Brown.
“Michael has a strong track record for managing medical solutions and being innovative, responsive and passionate about delivering value,” said Sheryl Cherico, Founder of MD Tech Pro. “When we started expanding our IT services across the U.S. with new offices in both Phoenix and Savannah, we knew Michael was the perfect fit for Savannah and the Low Country market.”
Both Brown and his wife Corinne, a native of Savannah, have always had their eye on returning to Savannah. “There is a certain soul to Savannah that is very similar to New Orleans making me feel right at home,” said Brown. Since his childhood years in New Orleans, Brown has been an avid hunter and fisherman and plans to fish and hunt for both game and business opportunities.
Mrs. Brown, formerly a publishing executive for Time, Inc. has spent two decades in the coastal markets of Jacksonville, Charleston, Savannah and Hilton Head, managing multiple publications including Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Sunset and Entr
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Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 06, 2012
Atlantic Information Services, Inc., publisher of AISs Health Reform Week, is pleased to announce its January 12 webinar, Essential Health Benefits Under Reform: What HHSs New Guidance Means for Insurers and Employers. See webinar details at http://aishealth.com/marketplace/c2r04_011212.
HHSs Dec. 16 guidance on essential health benefits under reform provides great flexibility for states and lots of useful insights for health plans and employers. It also, though, is a recipe for wide state-by-state variation in benefits that must be offered. And it leaves undecided perhaps for longer than plans can wait in their product development cycles such key aspects as premiums, deductibles and copayments that will enter into the determinations of actuarial value required. Also unresolved is what constitutes medical necessity.
The guidance lets states choose from among four benchmark plans, including both state and federal products, thereby meaning that insurers would have to meet state mandates in some states but not others. Moreover, HHS said it will reassess the benchmarks for 2016 and beyond.
The webinar will provide a thorough analysis of the business strategies health plans and employers now are contemplating for benefit offerings in the post-exchange world ahead. Participants will get reliable strategic information on such key topics as:
What plans are states likely to choose for their benchmarks under the HHS guidance, and why?
What will the plan choices mean for benefits that insurers will have to add to comply with the requirements? How costly will this be?
What does the guidances proposed requirement that plans cover one drug per mandated class mean for insurers and pharmaceutical manufacturers?
To what extent are states likely to modify the benefits within the required categories and replace them with others of comparable worth? What will be the impact?
What effect will the guidance have on employer decisions on whether to continue offering employee health coverage, as opposed to absorbing penalties under the law and having employees obtain coverage in the exchanges?
What is HHS likely to decide on the required premium, copayment and deductible aspects of the essential benefits, and when? How will that affect decisions and costs?
What can insurers expect and what should they do regarding the still-coming determinations related to required actuarial value in 2014 and beyond?
What will be the impact of the guidance on self-insured employers, which are exempt from the essential-benefits requirements but could be affected by insurance-market trends and cannot put annual and lifetime dollar limits on essential benefits?
After a lively 60-minute presentation, a concluding 30-minute question-and-answer session will allow webinar participants to pose individual questions to the speakers. Visit http://aishealth.com/marketplace/c2r04_011212#speakers to learn more about the speakers:
Chantel Sheaks, a principal in government affairs in Buck Consultants National Technical Resources Group in Washington, D.C.
David Tuomala, Director of Actuarial Consulting for OptumInsight, a unit of UnitedHealth Group, based in the Eden Prairie, Minn., office.
Visit http://aishealth.com/marketplace/c2r04_011212 for more details and registration information.
About AIS
AIS develops highly targeted news, data and strategies for managers in hospitals, health plans, medical group practices, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. Learn more at http://www.AISHealth.com.
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Savannah, GA (PRWEB) August 25, 2010
As MD Tech Pro’s newest regional developer of the Low Country Market, Michael H. Brown hopes to alleviate some of the pain and suffering that doctors are feeling these days. While physicians abandon the paper trail and jump into a fast changing medical electronic age, specialized IT companies like MD Tech Pro are coming to their rescue.
“The choices, selection and adoption of technology like Electronic Medical Records (EMR) can be overwhelming to physicians,” said Brown. “Now the Savannah medical community will have access to the most seasoned IT and EMR partners in this time of transition.”
The Atlanta-based company is launching a regional office to provide IT and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) solutions exclusively to medical practices. Brown’s team will be based out of Savannah, and will service medical practices from 1 to over 50 physicians, in the southern portions of South Carolina and Georgia.
MD Tech Pro was established by two veteran medical IT professionals who identified an urgent need for doctors to have a proactive specialized IT and EMR partner that offered more than reactive computer repair and support. What evolved is a company providing a vast array of healthcare IT and EMR services designed to keep a medical practice focused on patient care instead of IT burdens.
“With federal efforts pushing doctors to EMR adoption, we hope to lessen their load and become a partner in this inevitable, but worthwhile transition,” said Brown. “Downtime in a medical practice is just not an option so we’ve perfected our medical IT services so that there is no interruption to patient care, billing and other office functions.”
A veteran of the healthcare industry, Brown has spent his career in medical equipment, medical sales and the healthcare real estate investment/development markets.
“Savannah has a very reputable medical environment, and I’m excited to be a part of this thriving community,” said Brown.
“Michael has a strong track record for managing medical solutions and being innovative, responsive and passionate about delivering value,” said Sheryl Cherico, Founder of MD Tech Pro. “When we started expanding our IT services across the U.S. with new offices in both Phoenix and Savannah, we knew Michael was the perfect fit for Savannah and the Low Country market.”
Both Brown and his wife Corinne, a native of Savannah, have always had their eye on returning to Savannah. “There is a certain soul to Savannah that is very similar to New Orleans making me feel right at home,” said Brown. Since his childhood years in New Orleans, Brown has been an avid hunter and fisherman and plans to fish and hunt for both game and business opportunities.
Mrs. Brown, formerly a publishing executive for Time, Inc. has spent two decades in the coastal markets of Jacksonville, Charleston, Savannah and Hilton Head, managing multiple publications including Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Sunset and Entr
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Competition to sell generic forms of Lipitor grew a little tighter Wednesday after Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. received regulatory approval to sell its version of Pfizer’s blockbuster cholesterol fighter.