BERLIN (AP) -- Germany is setting up a loan program for struggling small and medium-sized firms in Spain to boost growth and jobs in the crisis-hit southern European economy, according to a document obtained Monday.
Germany's state-owned KfW bank will provide about 1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) at low interest rates to its Spanish counterpart, which will be probably able to lend out several times that amount in cheap loans to local firms.
The move is aimed at easing a credit crunch that is afflicting much of southern Europe, where small and medium-sized firms in particular are struggling to access affordable loans that would allow them to expand their business.
Top ECB officials and several EU leaders have described the lack of access to credit in heavily indebted countries as one of the most pressing issues to deal with as the continent tries to emerge from recession.
Germany, on the other hand, enjoys a top-notch AAA rating that investors see as a safe haven. It can therefore borrow money at rock-bottom interest rates.
Top 10 Managed Healthcare Companies To Own In Right Now: UnitedHealth Group Incorporated(UNH)
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated provides healthcare services in the United States. Its Health Benefits segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services to national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; and non-employer based insurance options for purchase by individuals. It also provides health and well-being services for individuals aged 50 and older; and for services dealing with chronic disease and other specialized issues for older individuals, as well as health plans for the beneficiaries of acute and long-term care Medicaid plans. This segment offers its services through a network of 730,000 physicians and other health care professionals, and 5,300 hospitals. Its OptumHealth segment provides health, financial, and ancillary services and products that assist consumers through personalized health management solutions; benefit administration, and clinical and network management; health-based financi al services; behavioral solutions; and specialty benefits, such as dental, vision, life, critical illness, short-term disability, and stop-loss product offerings. The company?s Ingenix segment offers database and data management services, software products, publications, consulting and actuarial services, business process outsourcing services, and pharmaceutical data consulting and research services. Its Prescription Solutions segment provides integrated pharmacy benefit management services comprising retail network pharmacy contracting and management, claims processing, mail order pharmacy services, specialty pharmacy, benefit design consultation, rebate contracting and management, drug utilization review, formulary management programs, disease therapy management, and adherence programs to employer groups, union trusts, managed care organizations, Medicare-contracted plans, Medicaid plans, and third party administrators. The company was founded in 1974 and is based in Minne tonka, Minnesota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jon C. Ogg]
UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) was fighting Chevron to have the worst performance of the day on Friday. This may have been more profit taking because the stock opened up at $$76.20, only a dime within its new all-time high put in this week.
Top Cheap Companies To Buy Right Now: Sirius XM Radio Inc.(SIRI)
Sirius XM Radio Inc. provides satellite radio services in the United States and Canada. It broadcasts a programming lineup of approximately 135 channels of commercial-free music, sports, news and information, talk and entertainment, traffic, and weather on subscription fee basis through two satellite radio systems in the United States; and holds an interest in the satellite radio services offered in Canada. The company also simulcasts music and selected non-music channels over the Internet; and offers applications to allow consumers to access its Internet services on mobile devices. As of December 31, 2010, it had 20,190,964 subscribers. In addition, the company designs, establishes specifications, sources or specifies parts and components, and manages various aspects of the logistics and production of satellite radios; licenses its technology to various electronics manufacturers to develop, manufacture, and distribute radios under various brands; and imports radios distri buted through its Websites. The company?s satellite radios are primarily distributed through automakers, retailers, and its Websites. Further, it provides music services for commercial establishments; a satellite television service to offer music channels as part of certain programming packages on the DISH Network satellite television service; music and comedy channels to mobile phone users through mobile phone carriers; Backseat TV, a service offering television content designed primarily for children in the backseat of vehicles; Travel Link, a suite of data services that include graphical weather, fuel prices, sports schedules and scores, and movie listings; and real-time traffic and weather services. The company was formerly known as Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and changed its name to Sirius XM Radio Inc. in August 2008. Sirius XM Radio Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rick Munarriz]
Jim Cramer suggested that a cautious stance is in order for Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI ) during last night's Mad Money show.
"I think Sirius Radio is a slow grower here," he warned.
Top Cheap Companies To Buy Right Now: Merck & Company Inc.(MRK)
Merck & Co., Inc. provides various health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. The company?s Pharmaceutical segment provides human health pharmaceutical products, such as therapeutic and preventive agents for the treatment of human disorders in the areas of bone, respiratory, immunology, dermatology, cardiovascular, diabetes and obesity, infectious diseases, neurosciences and ophthalmology, oncology, vaccines, and women's health and endocrine. This segment also offers human health vaccines, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines. Its Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets animal health products. This segment offers antibiotics, anti-inflammatory products, vaccines, products for the treatment of fertility disorders, and parasiticides for cattle, swine, horses, poultry, dogs, cats, salmons, and fish. The Consumer Care segment develops, manufac tures, and markets over-the-counter, foot care, and sun care products. Its over-the-counter product line includes non-drowsy antihistamines; treatment for occasional constipation; decongestant-free cold/flu medicine for people with high blood pressure; nasal decongestant spray; and treatment for frequent heartburn. This segment?s foot care products comprise topical antifungal, and foot and sneaker odor/wetness products; and sun care products include sun care lotions, sprays and dry oils; and sunburn relief products. The company serves drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies, physicians, physician distributors, veterinarians, animal producers, and managed health care providers, as well as food chain and mass merchandiser outlets in the United States and Canada. Merck & Co., Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Carroll]
On the other side of the Dow, Merck (NYSE: MRK ) shares are up 4.1% to lead the index higher today. Merck investors received welcome news today when Merck's melanoma drug lambrolizumab was found to decrease tumors in 38% of its trial population in a significant way. New melanoma drugs are replacing older melanoma treatments, and some analysts believe this could be a multibillion-dollar market in the future. For Merck, which has seen its sales hit hard by the patent cliff, it's an opportunity that it can't afford to miss.
- [By Max Macaluso, Ph.D.]
In the segment below, health care analyst Max Macaluso discusses how allergy season taught him a new lesson about�Merck's (NYSE: MRK ) over-the-counter allergy drug Claritin and the marketing practices of big pharma companies.
Top Cheap Companies To Buy Right Now: Oracle Corporation(ORCL)
Oracle Corporation, an enterprise software company, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and services database and middleware software, applications software, and hardware systems worldwide. It licenses of database and middleware software, including database management software, application server software, service-oriented architecture and business process management software, data integration software, business intelligence software, identity and access management software, content management software, portals and user interaction software, development tools, and Java; and applications software comprising enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, enterprise performance management, supply chain management, business intelligence applications, enterprise portfolio project management, Web commerce, and industry-specific applications software. The company also offers customers with rights to unspecified software product upgrades and maintenance releases; Internet access to technical content; and Internet and telephone access to technical support personnel. In addition, its hardware systems products consist of computer server and hardware-related software, including the Oracle Solaris Operating System; and storage products, such as tape, disk and networking solutions for open systems and mainframe server environments. Its hardware systems support solutions include software updates for the software components. Further, the company offers consulting solutions in business and IT strategy alignment, enterprise architecture planning and design, initial product implementation and integration, and ongoing product enhancements and upgrades; cloud services, including Oracle Cloud Services and Advanced Customer Services; and education solutions comprising instructor-led, media-based, and Internet-based training in the use of its software and hardware products. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Redwood Ci ty, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Victor Reklaitis]
CarMax Inc. (KMX) ��led gainers in the S&P 500, surging more than 16% after upbeat results. Software maker Oracle Corp. (ORCL) �was among losers, slipping 1.7% after a disappointing earnings report.
- [By Vinay Singh]
In 2008, Oracle�� (ORCL) CEO, Lawrence Ellison, called cloud computing a ��onsensical" concept, and had absolutely no strategy for maneuvering the company in that direction. Five years hence, cloud computing has become an indispensable tool for huge companies seeking a sophisticated IT support system.
- [By Liu Yanjun]
In the prepackaged software sector, Oracle Corporation (ORCL) is king. During the fiscal year ending in May 2013, this company reported sales of $37.8 billion, giving it a small increase of just 0.2%. However, there is much ado about everything with Oracle, as its sales have only increased each of the previous five years, with sales increasing a total of 55% since 2008. This year, company sales are up 4.4%. And an announcement made by the company today may only see those sales skyrocket.
Top Cheap Companies To Buy Right Now: Kohl's Corporation(KSS)
Kohl?s Corporation operates department stores in the United States. The company?s stores offer private and exclusive, as well as national branded apparel, footwear, and accessories for women, men, and children; soft home products, such as sheets and pillows; and housewares primarily to middle-income customers. As of January 29, 2011, it operated 1,089 stores in 49 states. The company also offers on-line shopping on its Web site at Kohls.com. Kohl?s Corporation was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Kohl's (NYSE: KSS ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 16. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Kohl's revenues will grow 0.9% and EPS will decrease -7.9%. - [By Ben Levisohn]
J.C. Penny’s stock has gained, even as other retailers have been seen much smaller moves. Macy’s (M) has dropped 0.5% to $45.90, Sears (SHLD) has dipped 0.1% to $58.02 and Kohl’s (KSS) has gained 0.3% to $56.98.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
In retail, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the trend has not been an investor’s friend. How else to explain the November reversals in Kohl’s (KSS), Macy’s (M), Dillard’s (DDS) and JC Penney (JCP), among others?
Top Cheap Companies To Buy Right Now: Whole Foods Market Inc.(WFM)
Whole Foods Market, Inc. engages in the ownership and operation of natural and organic food supermarkets. The company offers produce, seafood, grocery, meat and poultry, bakery, prepared foods and catering, coffee and tea, nutritional supplements, and vitamins. It also provides specialty products, such as beer, wine, and cheese; body care and educational products, such as books; and floral, pet, and household products. As of February 9, 2011, the company operated 302 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Duprey]
Last year the old Kraft snack foods company (now Mondelez International) stirred up controversy by posting a picture of a rainbow Oreo to its Facebook page.�J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP ) has also come in for sustained criticism for hiring openly gay entertainer Ellen DeGeneres as its spokeswoman, and Whole Foods Markets (NASDAQ: WFM ) CEO John Mackey has long considered inclusiveness as part of his "conscious capitalism" credo.�
- [By Sean Williams]
Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM )
Staying in shape this holiday season starts with eating more nutritious foods. That doesn't mean we can't indulge in that slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream or add a little extra gravy to our mashed potatoes, but it does mean a growing focus on locally growing and organic products, especially meats, this season.
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