| Security Benefit Completes Acquisition of Rydex Investments
TOPEKA, Kan., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Security Benefit today announced that it has closed its acquisition of Rydex Investments, a Maryland-based investment management company that is a leader in bringing institutional-style investment products to the retail market. "Today's action is a significant milestone for both Security Benefit and Rydex Investments and provides important benefits for all of our key stakeholders," said Kris Robbins, Security Benefit chairman of the board and chief executive officer. "In addition to diversifying our business -- a critical element of success in today's often volatile financial marketplace -- it enables Security Benefit to continue its history of providing broader solutions through sophisticated asset and risk management skills; comprehensive products, options and choices; and a growing array of traditional and non-traditional capabilities." The combined organization has approximately $35 billion in assets under management resulting in approximately $52 billion of assets under administration.
If it's 4 a.m., that's an infomercial on TV
We can see product demonstrations instantly, online. Yet, even so, this particular brand of extended sales pitch -- rife with painfully bad acting, peppy spokespeople and enthusiastic product demos -- still rules the airwaves in the wee hours. Some suck you in, while others just plain... don't. But they all have something to say. So, now, as we settle down for the post-holiday sales doldrums, we have a few things to say about them. (As for the products themselves, we neither endorse nor malign, as we're strictly infomercial window-shoppers.) That said, we give you "The Insomniac's Guide to (a few) Infomercials," which is -- we swear -- based on descriptions of actual product pitches. The Magic Bullet This infomercial is unique in that it tells a story.
Maxcom Telecomunicaciones Third Quarter 2007 Unaudited Results
The number of voice lines in service at the end of 3Q07 increased 26% to 321,003 lines, from 255,174 lines at the end of 3Q06, and 7% when compared to 299,744 lines in service at the end of 2Q07. During 3Q07, 29,306 new voice lines were installed, 3% above the 28,551 lines installed during 3Q06. When compared to 2Q07, the number of installations decreased 3% from 30,343 lines. During the quarter, the monthly churn rate for voice lines was 1.7%, above the 1.6% monthly average churn experienced during 3Q06 and 2Q07. Data equivalent lines (at 64Kbps) increased 226% to 125,960 at the end of 3Q07 from 38,640 at the end of 3Q06, and 105% when compared to 61,586 equivalent lines at the end of 2Q07. The increase was mainly driven by installations to residential customers.
October 2007 Archive
VAN WERT — The Van Wert County Hospital's Kids' Health Fair was held recently for more than 450 third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students of Van Continue » Pet CornerLocal News (258 words) The Humane Society of Allen County has many pets waiting to be adopted. Each comes with a spay or neuter, first shots, and a heartworm Continue » James F. McKinleyFor the Record (47 words) James F. McKinley, 50, of Spencerville, died at 5:56 p.m. Thursday at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Continue » Jeffcats demolish Knights 37-0Sports (692 words) By CHRIS KOENIG The Delphos Herald DELPHOS — Jefferson head coach Damon Ulm knew he had his hands full as the visiting Crestview Knights came to Stadium Continue » More fun on the CanalLocal News (1249 words, 2 responses) The old Miami and Erie Canal provided many fun, fun times for kids in town or anyone who lived nearby.
Businessman Behind Bid For SPL Club Exposed As Pimp
A TYCOON trying to buy an SPL football club can today be exposed as a sleazy pimp luring women into prostitution. Neil MacGregor, 35, claims to be a wealthy ex-SAS officer with a bodyguard firm protecting Hollywood stars. Last week he launched a multi-million pound bid for Inverness Caledonian Thistle after a similar approach to Third Division Elgin City flopped. But we can reveal that MacGregor operates an internet escort agency hiring Scots girls to sell sex in the US porn industry. He was snared after trying to groom a Sunday Mail reporter, posing as a recruit, for a life of vice. Our investigator, who provided a fake CV and photo, agreed to meet MacGregor at Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire but he fled after being confronted.
Running on autopilot
The hottest new products in the 401(k) universe are known as a "targeted maturity funds," which essentially allow investors to put their portfolio management on autopilot for years to come. Also known as "target date funds," these accounts are essentially funds of funds -- managed funds that hold an entire portfolio of mutual funds allocated based on the investor's age. As the investor gets closer to retirement, the portfolio is adjusted and rebalanced automatically to a more age-appropriate asset allocation. But managing the account is not the only effortless part of the process for some 401(k) target maturity fund investors. Thanks to some new rules from Congress, even the enrollment process for targeted maturity funds can be handled without any involvement by the investor.
Public wants input on Carroll police unit
There is no appreciable difference between the cost to run a future unified sheriff's department and the cost to operate a county police department," Powell said. Sheriff Kenneth L. Tregoning said he has urged county commissioners for 21 years to create a law enforcement master plan, which has not been done. Suddenly there is a sense of urgency to get somewhere without any plan in place, he said. For several years, he has pushed for his department to assume primary responsibility for law enforcement in the county. "There is no sound reason that the county is going forward at this speedy and reckless pace to dismantle the sheriff's department," Tregoning said. "Here they want to change the entire face of law enforcement, and they have not had one public meeting. I find that disgraceful," he said.
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