text:
East Lansing -- Michigan State didn't win a Big Ten title Sunday. Fans were screaming about tacos rather than championships during the final moments of a 71-61 victory over Northwestern to end the Big Ten regular season. Sometime in the first half, the Spartans found out that Indiana stunned Michigan and dashed their hopes of sharing the Big Ten title.
They turned from good Sparty to bad and slugged their way past the Wildcats during a day that had Spartans thinking the unthinkable.
"Go Blue."
Some of you felt dirty because MSU is all about putting up banners and building a basketball legacy — even if you have to share it with the bad guys down the road. Of course some Spartans held true to their hatred of Michigan.
One guy read a text from a buddy who is one of the biggest Spartan fans in the world.
"I'd rather finish second than to share a title with those SOB's."
He got his wish as Michigan gagged on a late lead and lost, 72-71, to Indiana. That victory crowned the Hoosiers as Big Ten Champions and buried the Spartans.
By the time the Michigan game ended MSU turned into evil Sparty again, refusing to announce the score of the Michigan-Indiana game. And all was forgotten even if Michigan is not forgiven for its failure to win. Russell Byrd stood at the free-throw line with a big grin on his face deciding the next big thing for Spartan fans.
"We want tacos," fans shouted for the free giveaway when the team scores 70 points.
So he calmly sank two free throws to send the crowd home happy.
MSU playing for banners
Coach Tom Izzo admitted he wanted this Big Ten title. He collects them like baseball cards. They look good on the resume when recruits are looking at this program.
So what does all this mean? It means titleless Michigan State (24-7 overall, 13-5 in the Big Ten) is no better or worse than a team that came one play away from sharing the title. The Spartans are a giant in the college basketball world even though they looked flawed Sunday.
The Spartans are kind of like Tiger Woods. They only play for hardware. Second place doesn't matter.
Now there is a new focus. There are more banners to play for in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments and the Spartans are ready.
"We have something to look forward to," Izzo said. "It will be like a Final Four in the Big Ten Tournament. With the number of ranked teams (in the Big Ten) this could be bigger than any Final Four I've been in."
Once again Keith Appling becomes the guy. He's the point guard and the one that makes the product sizzle or fizzle. MSU has a run in it.
Spartans a threat
And I will tell you why MSU is a bigger threat to reach the Final Four than win a Big Ten title. The better teams in the Big Ten are onto Appling's act. They know when to be physical. They know how to push his buttons.
The rest of the country does not have the blueprint that makes Appling unravel. Even though he finished with 16 points Sunday it should be a bit disturbing that he finished with just two assists.
"Everybody goes through their ups and downs but you got to fight through it,' Appling said.
He also believes the Spartans have a run in them.
"You can't forget that we are the defending Big Ten tournament champs," he said. "We got a lot of the same guys who were on that team. It's about being focused. I'm sure we can do it again if the focus is there."
We saw early focus during another ugly game against the Wildcats. We saw why the Spartans could make another run or get run.
"We ducked no one and I am so proud of that," Izzo said. "We got a lot of things to feel good about. It's the time of year where you get measured by what you do from now on. The first measuring stick we passed. I really do feel that way. Now the one coming up we will be even more scrutinized."
That's the Spartan way. They are always under a microscope this time of year, exactly where they want to be and exactly where they deserve to be.
Now the real fun begins.
And trust me. You won't hear "Go Blue" around here for a very long time.


text:
Welcome Week!
The Campus Activities Board is hosting a week-long series of events to welcome students back to campus. All events will take place in the Acadian Center.
If you need help finding your class, CAB members will be manning a table in the union to direct you where to go. The table will open at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, August 26 and Tuesday, August 27.
On Wednesday, August 28, students can participate in Sumo Wrestling and Jousting in inflatable suits. There will also be video games available. The games begin at 10:30 a.m. and run thru 12:30 p.m.
Friday, between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., student will have a chance to get information about LSU Eunice's clubs and organizations. Refreshments and free gifts will be available, and at noon LSU Eunice's baseball, softball and basketball teams will be introduced.

subset: commoncrawl


text: McCartney gives impromptu concert in Times Square Share this story email Share this story «Previous 3 of 8 Photos Next » Read the story « » Paul McCartney Surprise Times Square Concert Paul McCartney and his band give a surprise pop up concert in Times Square on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013 in New York. McCartney will release his new album called "New" on October 15. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)


text:
Main Content
Just admit it: you get uber-excited when you see black and green. It could be anything — a car, a billboard, someone's clothing — and it'll rev up the pride you have for the Jets. Throw on the Super Sport hat by '47 Brand and feel that same Jets-inspired thrill every time you look in the mirror! This snapback cap features a bold team name, script location name and 3D team logo embroidered on the crown, another team logo embroidered on the side, a woven team name clip tag at the back adjustable strap and a contrast color flat bill. It's full of NY pride and perfect for any occasion!
- 85% Acrylic/15% Nylon
- Adjustable plastic snap strap
- Imported
- Officially licensed Jets hat
- Quality embroidery
- Structured fit
Other Customers also liked:
Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


text:
Nearly two-thirds of the 300 investors surveyed in Understanding Investors: directions for corporate reporting have told ACCA that managers have too much discretion over the financial numbers they report and a sizeable majority of investors say they place more value on information generated from outside a company than on traditional corporate reports, such as the news and social media. Worryingly, 45 per cent identified the annual report as being of no use.
There was a clear dichotomy for policymakers created by quarterly reporting. It was seen as useful by 75 per cent of respondents in terms of their own investment decisions, yet 65 per cent agreed that it created short-termism in the market as a whole and distracted management. Almost half wanted to see mandatory quarterly reporting scrapped.
Key findings included:
- 69 per cent of investors had become more sceptical about company-provided information since the global financial crisis
- 63 per cent place greater value on information generated outside the company
- 63 per cent believe management has too much discretion in the numbers it reports
- 63 per cent believe the amount of information put out by companies has encouraged 'hyper-investment'
- 46 per cent believe mandatory quarterly reporting should be abandoned
- 93 per cent expressed support for the concept of integrated reporting.
The survey also revealed strong support for the role of external assurance, which was seen as the main counterbalance to declining trust in company figures. Only in areas like profit warnings and emerging risks and opportunities did investors believe speed of information outweighed assurance. And 41 per cent wanted to see auditing being extended to quarterly reports.
Ewan Willars, ACCA director of policy, said: 'This research shows there has been a shift in what investors want in terms of financial information since the economic downturn. The decline in trust in corporate information since the global financial crisis suggests there is a bigger role for audit to play in rebuilding confidence in company statements.
'But the research shows that while it's easy to lump 'investors' under one roof, the reality is that different investors want different information from financial reporting. Do short-term investors, such as hedge funds, want or need the same information as longer term investors, such as pension funds? Companies and the finance teams that support them may need to provide a range of financial information that meets the needs of various investment groups, rather than look at the investment community as one.'
Ewan Willars said: 'The quarterly reporting issue shows just how fragmented views can be. Even individual investors are torn both ways – they want to consume quarterly reporting for their own self-interest, they also recognise that this focus on shortening time horizons is damaging for the overall market's long-term interests. There is clearly a desire for regular reporting, but investors are aware of the outcome of that kind of financial information environment.
'This poses a real challenge to regulators and policymakers in terms of their approach. Though in Europe there are moves to remove quarterly reporting as a requirement there might be some logic in leaving it as an option, given the mixed feelings on the individual company and market effects it is seen as having. Accounting standard setters and regulators should be worried about the high percentage of investors who see no use to annual reports and the distrust of management discretion over company figures.
'But investors also have plenty to ponder – if they are to play a central role and have their voice clearly heard in the policy-making process, they need to be clearer on what they want and help the profession develop a financial reporting regime that gives investors the assurances they desire.'
The ACCA survey respondents represented a range of institutions, 150 of which each had more than US$500m in assets under management, including pension funds, insurance companies, private banks and family offices, and other asset management firms, as well as investment advisors or analysts and corporate treasurers.
ACCA today publishes two reports, Understanding investors: directions for corporate reporting and Understanding investors: the changing landscape, a review of emerging investment developments. While both reports are based on the UK and Irish markets, the trends identified have wider international resonance. They form half of a four-part series on investors being carried out by ACCA in 2013.


text:
Home furnishing advice
Home furnishing advice
You can get professional decorating advice for your home or office from IKEA specialists.
Here's how it works:
- Call for an appointment.
- Bring us your floor plans, wall plans and any photos you want us to use as reference.
- Our specialists discuss some ideas with you and give you a plan and an IKEA shopping list.


text:
Treasures of the Royal Courts:
Additional Information
- What:Exhibitions
- Where:Exhibition Space One
EXHIBITION: The V&A reveals the majesty of the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to Ivan the Terrible and the early Romanovs in a major exhibition celebrating 500 years of exchange between Britain and Russia.
Comprising more than 150 objects, from royal portraits, jewellery and luxury goods to processional armour and heraldry, Treasures of the Royal Courts chronicles the close relationship between the English monarchy and the Russian Tsars.
At the heart of the exhibition is a showcase of spectacular silver given to successive Russian Tsars, on exclusive loan from the Moscow Kremlin Museums. Highlights also include a rarely shown portrait of Elizabeth I and the legendary ruby-studded Drake Star, providing a breathtaking insight into the ritual and chivalry of the royal courts.
With further support from Summa Group


text:
More On Tax Planningfrom The Advisor's Professional Library
- Cafeteria Plans The income tax treatment of cafeteria plans is key to their popularity. Learn how to maximize the tax benefits of these "flexible benefit plans".
- IRAs: Eligibility The eligibility rules for contributing to traditional and Roth IRAs are complicated. Learn how to effectively use them in retirement plans.
The real estate markets appear to be staying in recovery mode. That doesn't mean the markets can't get knocked off-track, of course--think fiscal cliff or loss of the home mortgage deduction--but a review of the recent data is encouraging nonetheless.
Commercial Properties
According to the National Association of Realtors' October 2012 Commercial Real Estate Market Survey, the commercial market is sluggish but stable.
The key stats to keep in mind when considering investments in the sector are:
• Sales volume rose 6.0% from a year ago.
• Sales prices declined 4.0% on a year-over-year basis.
• Leasing activity declined 1.0% from the previous quarter.
• Rental rates declined 3.0% compared with the previous quarter.
• Concession levels declined 1.0% on a quarterly basis.
• Financing remains at the top of the current challenges list, followed closely by pricing and the impact of local economies upon commercial markets.
Housing Markets
The regional performances varied but were positive. Existing-home sales in the Northeast increased 1.7% in the third quarter and are 9.8 percent above the third quarter of 2011. The median existing single-family home price in the Northeast slipped 0.3% to $246,900 in the third quarter from a year ago.
In the Midwest, existing-home sales rose 5.2% in the third quarter and are 17.8% higher than a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the Midwest increased 4.2% to $151,100 in the third quarter from the same quarter in 2011.
Existing-home sales in the South increased 5.4 percent in the third quarter and are 11.7 percent above the third quarter of 2011. The regional median existing single-family home price rose 5.7 percent to $165,400 in the third quarter from a year earlier.
In the West, existing-home sales slipped 1.2 percent in the third quarter due to limited supplies, but are 2.1 percent higher than a year ago. With the tight inventory, the median existing single-family home price in the West surged 20.2 percent to $247,400 in the third quarter from the third quarter of 2011.
National stats for the third quarter of 2012 from the National Association of Realtors are similarly positive:
- The median existing single-family home price rose in 120 out of 149 metropolitan statistical areas based on closings in the third quarter compared with same quarter in 2011, while 29 areas had price declines. In the second quarter 110 areas showed increases from a year earlier, while in the third quarter of 2011 only 39 metros were up.
- The national median existing single-family home price was $186,100 in the third quarter, up 7.6 percent from $173,000 in the third quarter of 2011, which is the strongest year-over-year price increase since the first quarter of 2006 when the median price rose 9.4 percent. In the second quarter the price increased 7.2 percent from a year earlier. Some of the price gain resulted from a smaller share of distressed home sales in the market, but the higher prices significantly reflect a market recovery. Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales that generally sell at deep discounts – accounted for 23 percent of second quarter sales, down from 30 percent a year ago.
- Total existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, rose 3.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.68 million in the third quarter from 4.54 million in the second quarter, and were 10.3 percent higher than the 4.25 million pace during the third quarter of 2011. At the end of the third quarter 2.32 million existing homes were available for sale, which is 20.0 percent below the close of the third quarter of 2011 when 2.90 million homes were on the market.
- In the condo sector, metro area condominium and cooperative prices – covering changes in 54 metro areas – showed the national median existing-condo price was $180,800 in the third quarter, up 7.7 percent from the third quarter of 2011. Thirty-three metros showed increases in their median condo price from a year ago and 21 areas had declines.


text:
- Learning Pages (22)
Read, rhyme, and count along with Bot's book filled with friendly robots.
Weekdays on Nick Jr.
Get them excited for school with this coloring pack featuring all their friends from Nick Jr!
Dress up your Nick Jr. fan's wrist with these bright bracelets!
Get seven printable pages of spring-themed fun featuring Nick Jr. friends
Milli wants your kids to learn these daring new words!
Put the Nick Jr. superheroes back together with this puzzle pack!
Your favorite Nick Jr. characters save the day dressed as superheroes!
Treat your Nick Jr. fan to these heart-y activities
The mission: help the Team put the pieces together again!
Join the UmiCops as they walk their beat to help solve the puzzle
Need an indoor activity? Keep kids entertained with sticker play fun!
Piece together this fun fall puzzle with your Umi fan!
It's up to kids to add the fall colors to these autumn leaves
Kids lead Team Umizoomi to their special forest friends
Kids can take the lead when they follow the flags to the finish line!
Print and watch kids race across the pages with color!
You can count on the Umiz to deliver a mighty big "I miss you" message
Spring into summer with these bright printable stickers
See what's making waves at the beach with Milli!
Something's flying high in the sky & Geo needs help finding out what it is!
Print out a last minute gift dad will love
Bot's at the beach and he'll need your child's help to complete this picture
Perfect pattern power is just a print away!
These cows need super shape help to find their way to the barn!
Kids' pattern powers point the way across the pond
Zoom into spring with these picturesque springtime printable stickers
Piece together this puzzle of the Team at play on an umirrific spring day
Gather your brave princes, princesses, and knights for a royal game of memory match
If your preschooler's mastered basic shapes, try these!
Print this pack and let your kids add color to the Team's snowy shenanigans
There's an exciting surprise behind each date in our umirrific Christmas calendar
Help Crusher avoid those meddlesome mud puddles so he can be dirt-free!
Learn about magnetism in this "attractive" follow the line page!
Unlock secret messages with this decoding pack!
Dora and Friends fans can keep the fun of the Search for Mono episode alive with this activity pack!
It's a story! It's a maze! It's science! It's Blaze and the Monster Machines!
They're built for speed and ready for action! Collect all your favorite Monster Machines!
Get ready for the next big thing. It's Blaze and the Monster Machines coming to Nick in Oct.
Check out Nick's blazing-hot new series, Blaze and the Monster Machines
On your marks: Let's Blaze into the amazing world of Monster Machines
Learn different parts of the body by counting and connecting with Bubble Guppies!
Adorn lunchboxes, pencil cases and more to avoid mix-ups at school!
Dora & friends can keep track of where kids leave off in their favorite tale!
Who will Dora walk dogs with, play soccer with, or even make music with?
Get ready for kindergarten together!
Print or download this easy-to-ready book!
Print or download this easy-to-read book!
Print or download this easy-to-read book!
Print and help kids write a note to their friends
Print and help kids write a note to their friends
Parents and preschoolers can have fun solving this puzzle together!
Print and help kids write a note to their friends
Meet Kate by going on an adventure with her and Dora!
Print and help kids write a note to their friends
Help Alana and her team on a mighty mission!
Print or download this easy-to-read book!
Print and help kids write a note to their friends
Print and help kids write a note to their friends
Wallykazam, wallykazummer, your child can color these words of summer!
Wallykazam,wallykazeezy! Make learning the alphabet super easy!
The letter C is cool when kids learn to write it!


text:
Leaders in Aptitude, Personality and Occupational assessments
AnalyzeMyCareer.com is the most comprehensive set of online tests available on the Internet. The site has been online since the year 2000. Thousands of people interested in finding out more about their careers have taken the tests.
The concept was developed by a team of occupational psychologists, who specialize in career counseling and have decades of experience in helping people to find the right career. The goal of the site is to give visitors an opportunity to discover what their aptitude abilities are and where their real career interests lie.
This is achieved by analyzing the occupational interests, the personality type and the aptitude ability of subscribers to the service. Once the tests are completed, suitable careers are recommended to the subscriber. Detailed information, including the job outlook and salary information, is also provided for each career choice which is recommended.
Aptitude Tests
There are several different tests, which uniquely identify your aptitude ability: numerical reasoning, mechanical reasoning, abstract reasoning, spatial relations, verbal reasoning, language usage and spelling.
Expert Opinion
This subscription enables you to analyze all dimensions of your career choices - an Occupational Interest Inventory, a Personality Test and Aptitude tests are combined into one package saving you over 35% off the cost of the individual components.
Expert Opinion Gold
The gold subscription is the most complete career assessment available. All facets of your career are analyzed - an Occupational Interest Inventory, a Personality test, Aptitude tests and an Entrepreneurial Index are combined into one package saving you 40% off the cost of the individual components.
Personality Test
This assessment identifies your personality type. Find out your true nature - Are you an introvert or an extrovert, sensate or intuitive, are you the thinking or feeling type and what is your perception versus your judgement?
On completion of this assessment, you will be provided with a report, which answers these questions. Careers matching your personality profile will also be described in detail.
Occupational Interest
The Occupational Interest assessment identifies the type of career interests that you have. During the assessment, our system develops this career profile by presenting you with different types of careers, which you must rank in order of your preference. The assessment will help you to establish where your true career vocation lies - Computational, Science, Mechanical, Medical etc.
Entrepreneurship Index
The EI index has been devised by Dr. Cormac Lankford, Phd in Entrepreneurship, and has helped leading entrepreneurs to fully understand their capabilities.
The EI index analyzes entrepreneurial qualities by building a Career Profile and a Psychological Profile of the candidate. The Entrepreneurial qualities interrogated by each profile are outlined below.


text:
Paula Houseman
Odyssey in a Teacup's humorous slant makes the dark side of our natures look almost appealing!... : Humor » Read
» Users
Welcome Visitor:
No history available
About | News | Contact | Your Account | BooksieSilk | TheNextBigWriter | Self Publishing | Advertise
© 2013 TheNextBigWriter, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Privacy Policy.


text:
EMC's Paul Brown discusses the seamless integration of Intel® Ethernet X520 Server Adapters with EMC solutions.
Single-root I/O virtualization bypasses CPU when moving data to and from a virtual machine.
Intel® Ethernet Controller XL710 supports flexible enterprise, cloud, and telecom data centers.
See how Intel® Ethernet FD correctly directs Ethernet packets to the right processor core.
Discusses how 10 GbE unified networking and Intel® Open FCoE simplify the data center.
Demos setup on Windows Server* 2008 R2 and Intel® Ethernet 10 Gigabit Converged Network Adapter.


text:
Revision as of 16:20, 16 August 2011 by Stormtrooperguy (Talk | contribs)
|TIE Pilot, A New Hope
|Model TI 6854, Photo by Ed Eliason
Description: TIE Pilot, ANH
|The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd., it is Lucasfilm's preferred Imperial costuming group. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. © & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.


text:
Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia: Bond funds posted their second biggest weekly inflows year-to-date during the week ending October 10 on investors concerns over the risks posed to equities by global growth and weaker corporate earnings.
Data provider EPFR Global said that overall, the EPFR Global-tracked Bond Funds absorbed $8.22bn which took YTD inflows up $348bn mark while equity funds saw $1.23bn flow out. Money market funds took in $2.6bn as flows into Europe money market funds offset redemptions from their U.S. counterparts.
"The risks associated with aggressive quantitative easing include inflation, asset bubbles and razor thin returns on the safer fixed income classes. U.S. Equity Funds experienced net redemptions for the third week running, Technology sector funds had their worst week since late January and money market funds snapped a three week outflow streak," said the report.
It explained that the latest figures indicate that investors are confident that the European Central Banks willingness to buy short term sovereign debt has removed some of the risks of an immediate Eurozone break-up: for only the sixth time in the 41 weeks YTD both Europe equity and bond funds recorded inflows. Appetite for emerging markets assets also showed some resilience, in part because investors resumed their hunt for yield.
Bond fund sales across the globe are on an upward swing as business intelligence provide......................
To view our full article Click here
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: New data from Walkers, a Cayman Islands-based legal and professional services firm, shows that despite a challenging year for the hedge fund industry new launches are continuing. Those launches are coming both from individual and institutional managers. The only
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: The International Monetary Fund has confirmed the inclusion of the Chinese Yuan in the reserve currency basket. This means that loans will be available in Yuan alongside other major currencies including the US Dollar and the Euro.
The basket of reserve curr
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Illinois-based Z Capital is in talks to acquire Affinity Gaming, a Las Vegas-based casino company. This is Z Capital's fifth bid for the company in two years and the firm is already the largest shareholder. Z Capital has offered to raise its bid from $14.50
By: Carne Group
The issue of a lack of female directors on corporate boards has risen up the regulatory and political agenda recently, and managers of public money in particular are focusing on the issue of diversity on fund boards. A recent article published by FT Ignites has pointed out that w
By Bruce Frumerman.
How long is the selling cycle now? Thats a question my financial communications and sales marketing consulting firm has been asked on a regular basis by hedge fund firm owners and sales people, ever since we opened the doors to our firm in 1987 pre-crash.
Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva for New Managers: The distressed debt market, a predilection for private equity firms and hedge funds, is showing signs of profit going forward.
This year, however, has not
In the week ending 27 November, 2015, hedge funds most favorite stocks reported the worst performance this year, data from Goldman Sachs latest Hedge Fund VI
Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva: The Asian markets have been on a roller coaster in the last year. The Hang Seng index is down 6% in the last twelve months, with highs around May and lows around August. The FTSE Straits Times Index is down almost 11%, with lows in August-September. And the N
In the week ending 20 November, 2015, several U.S.-based hedge funds reduced their holdings in Apple in Q3 as shares of the iPhone maker dropped sharply; Netflix and Pay
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Co-investments have been a hot topic for pension funds in recent years, as they try to move away from high fees and improve transparency. But now, family offices are more readily getting into the mix and establishing in-house deal teams, according to the delega
Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva for New Managers: We heard earlier this year that Dr. Do
Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva for New Managers: Executives from fund of funds firms, family offices, a placement agent, a private equity firm, and an accounting firm gathered in Connecticut last month for the
Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva for New Managers: Executives from fund of funds, family offices, a placement agent, a private equity firm, and an accounting firm gathered in Connecticut last month for the
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York for New Managers: $360 million, Seattle-based hedge fund Acuitas Investments has launched a new micro-cap long/short equity fund targeting $400 million. The vehicle will be a multi
In the week ending 13 November, 2015, EY's 2015 Global Hedge Fund and Investor Survey showed that hedge funds are confronting the impact of financial market regulations and challenges of evolving prime broker relationships. Regulations such as Basel III and Dodd-Frank have caused banks a
Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva: Participants at the recent Opalesque France Roundtable discussed liquidity, and volatility levels, and the effect that high frequency trading has on them.
"We have exper
Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Hatteras Funds, a boutique alternatives-focused asset manager has signed a letter of intent to repurchase itself from battered broker RCS Capital. RCS is currently seeking a buyer and trying to raise funds after a botched deal with Apollo Global Management invol
Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia: According to the latest ML Capital Alternative UCITS Barometer, investors are cautious after a quarter of uncertainty and volatility. So most of them are opting to maintain current positions for now. However, the
In the week ending 06 November, 2015, In Asia, Shanghai police raided the office of Zexi Investment as part of crackdown on strategies blamed for worsening sto
This article was written by Carne, an international specialist in the provision of independent governance services and European management company solutions to the global asset management industry.
A recent SEC action has highlighted how concerned regulators have become about data intru
This article was authored by Laven Partners, a provider of compliance, due diligence and operations services based in London.
The collapse of the financial sector in 2008, its aftermath and resulting enquires into the notoriously bad
By: Proskauer
On September 15, 2015, the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a Risk Alert announcing its second round of examinations of registered investment advisers and broker-dealers under its cybersecurity examinati
This article was authored by Simon Lack, founder of SL Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.
Everybody wants to know why the market just did what it did, and what its next likely move might be. Chinese equities dont seem that impo
By: Andre Boreas, CEO Quadsight Partners
the private equity fundraising market is still in a state of bifurcation. The largest, brand-name managers are receiving the majority of investor commitments, with smaller managers particularly first-time funds finding it difficult to raise
By: WTS
The soft trade barrier of the peculiar German tax compliance is de facto lifted. For the first time, international funds will de facto be granted a comparable competitive playing field with their German counterparts as the tax compliance complexity and its inherent cost for UCITS and AIF
By: Scott Price, Head of Business Development and Client Management for North America, Maitland
Ernst & Youngs latest glob
By Diego Lopez, global sovereign wealth funds director at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). You can download the full report here.
The global economy has witnessed the emergence of a new set of key actor
From Bloomberg.com: David Einhorns main hedge fund at Greenlight Capital fell 5.2 percent in November and is poised for only its second losing year in almost two decades. The losses bring the funds yearly drop to almost 21 percent, according to an e-mail sent to clients that was obtained by Bloomb
By Bruce Frumerman.
How long is the selling cycle now? Thats a question my financial communications and sales marketing consulting firm has been asked on a regular basis by hedge fund firm owners and sales people, ever since we opened the doors to our firm in 1987 pre-crash.
From PIonline.com: Daniel Greenhaus joined hedge fund manager Solus Alternative Asset Management as managing director and chief strategist.
He will work closely with Chris Bondy, Solus chief economist, managing director and executive vice president, said Chris Pucillo, CEO and chief investmen
From Bloomberg.com: Its mid-November, but for investors who trade in the debt of distressed companies, the years already done -- and they lost. Hedge funds that specialize in the debt are grappling with their worst declines in seven years. Funds managed by Knighthead Capital Management, Candlewood
Contained in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, signed by President Obama on November 2, is a rather complex provision that materially changes how partnerships are audited. Generally effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the so-called TEFRA and Electing Large Partnership rul
Featuring : 5192% since inception, 31.1% average net annual return.Visio Capital Management (Pty) Limited was formed in June 2003 by Patrice Moyal
. The firm manages equity long/short hedge funds, retail unit trusts, segregated long-only mandates and Pan-African funds for mainly institution...» Watch the video
» More
Near Term Trend: PositiveFriday's Close: 2039.89 (+ 0.49)UPDATE: As we stated last week, I still believe the risk remains to the downside, and a dip toward 1975.00 is still in play.


text:
Pistons rookie Andre Drummond's impressive play so for this season offers a glimmer of hope for the team's future. (Clarence Tabb, Jr./Detroit News)
Auburn Hills -- For the Pistons to turn it around, this is how it has to happen. It's not about halftime entertainment or a deep-pocketed owner or a fancy downtown arena.
It's about a spark from a player, any player, that elicits a double-take and maybe a double-team, and does stuff you're not used to seeing. The NBA is full of players with similar games, full of teams with similar rosters. The Pistons haven't stood out for several years, unremarkable in every way.
This is how it could change, with someone like Andre Drummond. The 6-foot-11 rookie from Connecticut is turning heads, even as his own head sometimes spins. He has the defensive ferocity and high-end potential the Pistons desperately need. When Drummond flushes a rebound dunk, he throws his head back in a youthful roar, and leaves fans shouting for more.
Drummond is only 19, so caution is in order here. Lawrence Frank rightly preaches perspective, and it's early for regular 31-minute games out of Drummond. But it isn't as far off as first imagined. There's a reason big men with force are so coveted in the NBA — they stand out.
"Coach has faith in me, leaving me out there for so many minutes," Drummond said after tallying 15 points and 12 rebounds in a season-high 31 minutes in a 104-97 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday. "I bring a lot of energy to the floor, that's one of the biggest assets I bring to the team."
Drummond is trying to defy the "low-motor" knock that pushed him to No. 9 in the draft, where the Pistons happily grabbed him.
He brings size and flair, which is why fans want to see more of him.
Earning his time
The Pistons should be pleased they have a player actually stirring debate, and I bet Frank will adjust if Drummond plays like he has lately. But the rookie isn't being handed anything, and he isn't the team's only potential spark. Greg Monroe averages 15.4 points and 9.7 rebounds, and the young backcourt of Brandon Knight and Kyle Singler shows flashes, good and bad.
You can look at the 6-14 record and simply dismiss the Pistons, and many people do. Or you can look at their recent five-game home winning streak and Drummond's crunch-time impact and see a way back. Drummond played the entire fourth quarter as the Pistons sliced a 20-point deficit to three before falling to the Warriors.
Frank uses Drummond and the 6-11 Monroe together sometimes, with mixed results. There's a lot of experimenting, and veterans Jason Maxiell and Tayshaun Prince will stay in the mix as long as they add something. But the point is, after three straight fortunate turns in the draft, the Pistons finally have promising pieces to develop.
Monroe fell to them at No. 7 in 2010. Knight fell to No. 8 last year. Also in that draft, Joe Dumars grabbed Singler in the second around. And then there was Drummond, plopping to them at No. 9 this year, billed as the classic high-risk, high-reward youngster.
Frankly, Frank already is seeing more reward than risk. Drummond averages 17.6 minutes, 6.4 points and 6.5 rebounds, and those numbers should rise. His offensive rebounding is impressive and he's shooting 56.7 percent (tops among all rookies) and, ugh, 39 percent from the free-throw line. When Drummond was on the floor against the Warriors, the Pistons outscored them by 17.
"When Andre plays with the effort and energy he's capable of, he's a game-changer," Frank said. "That said, he's going to make, like every young player, his share of mistakes.
"But we're very, very happy with his progress."
You look at Drummond's 285-pound frame and it's easy to forget how young he is — he won't turn 20 until August. After the game the other night, he politely asked a reporter for help with his sleeve as he was putting on a jacket. Cheap line: The guy's so young, he needs help getting dressed.
Giving it his all
At least he's not getting regularly undressed by opposing players. Oh, he has his dizzy moments with turnovers and positioning, but he's also second on the team in blocked shots. And once attached, labels don't have to stick forever. Drummond is a bright, engaging guy who generally plays hard, counter to the pre-draft perception.
"In the past, people said what they had to say, that I didn't have a high motor," Drummond said. "(The criticism) had nothing to do with fueling me, it's the drive I have everyday to play this game. It's not a someday thing, it's an everyday thing."
His confidence appears to be growing with back-to-back 12-rebound games, including nine offensive boards against the Cavaliers. Drummond is fourth in the NBA in rebounds-per-minute, and says he has no problem patiently finding his role.
The Pistons are still at least a year away from even thinking about playoff contention. And they're probably longer away from seriously considering a move to join the Red Wings in a new arena downtown. That venture still makes perfect sense from a logistical standpoint, if it somehow can make sense from a financial standpoint.
That's a long-term view. In the short term, the narrative about the Pistons will only change with fresh faces and intriguing new stories. As the drumbeat about Drummond grows, the kid just might be able to handle it.