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Today's Playbook On Health Insurance Stocks, Post- Public Option

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:13:00 GMT

In an astute political move, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius on Sunday said that providing citizens with the option of government-run insurance is not essential to the Obama administration's overhaul of U.S. health care. Evidently, the administration has caved on this very important issue, leaving the door open for private health insurance companies to move forward with creative products and profits for shareholders. Of course the devil will be in the details, but at fist glance Team Obama will expand health using cooperatives similar to the public/private scheme in the domestic utility industry. Here are potential winners for investors to explore. Beware using the insurance index ETFs as your vehicle, as the health care sub-sector is in play now, not all insurance stocks. Aetna (AET) $28.28/$12.3b market cap/ 0.14% American Independence Corp. (AMIC) $4.75/$40.4m market cap/0% [More...]

Boone Pickens' Hedge Fund BP Capital: Licking Wounds (13F Filing Q1 2009)

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:18:00 GMT

This is the 1st Quarter 2009 edition of our ongoing hedge fund portfolio tracking series. Before reading this update, make sure you check out the Hedge Fund 13F filings series preface. Next up, we have BP Capital. With all the commotion surrounding energy these days, it never hurts to track[More...]

Alternative Energy - Industry Outlook

Mon, 11 May 2009 21:19:16 GMT

Assuming that GDP growth is slightly negative for the next 3 to 4 quarters while the credit markets gradually strengthen, let's consider the outlook and opportunities for the Alternative Energy industry over the next 6 to 12 months. Many companies engaged in the solar power market offer profitability with strong average long-term annual earnings growth expectations of approximately 40%, stock price valuations significantly discounted from their recent historic highs, and a favorable political environment. Industry Outlook for Alternative Energy Stocks: Speculative - Bullish The electric power industry is one of the world's largest industrial segments. With a global market share of approximately 25%, the United States is the leading producer of electricity, followed by China, Japan and Russia. Total global electricity consumption volume grew at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 3.1% from 1980 to 2006,[More...]

Can't Forget Corporate Governance

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:13:00 GMT

All the financials of a company can look good. The prospects for its products might seem great, and products in the pipeline may appear to be even more impressive. But a poor corporate governance structure leads to managers stealing profits from shareholders and setting up the company for massive failure. A rather famous classic case involves Enron, which was one of the world's largest energy companies. Enron execs were allowed to override Enron's code of ethics that forbade practices involving self-dealing by executives - and they were able to do this with board approval. Boards are supposed to be on the side of shareholders,[More...]

Political Mud Wrestling in Japan: Everyone Loses

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:58:00 GMT

Japanese politics since Junichiro Koizumi have been in a tailspin, with the mud wrestling between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Democratic Party of Japan (DJP) creating political gridlock amidst one of the most serious recessions in postwar history. This gridlock is exacerbating the negative impact the global recession is already having on Japan's export-driven economy, which is being harder hit than North American and European economies. The unintended benefit is that it is undermining confidence in the Yen as a haven currency. Between 2001 and 2005, Junichiro Koizumi changed the way that Japanese politics was played. Rather than being ruled by factional politics within the LDP, he spoke directly to the people, relying more on his image, ideas and popular support than on currying favor with party insiders. This gave him the independence that enabled him to pursue his structural-reform agenda even if it meant destroying his own LDP, which had[More...]

US Banking Crisis Still In Phase 2

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:28:00 GMT

It is widely perceived that Japan’s banking crisis was made worse by the fact that the Japanese government took so long to take decisive action for a clean-up. Successive actions were taken in Japan, but the government and regulators consistently underestimated the depth and breadth of the problem. Stock prices collapsed first in 1990, followed by a collapse in property prices in 1991, while official land prices did not begin falling until 1992. The Basil Capital Accord dictating minimal capital requirements for banks was implemented in March 1993. This included two tiers of allowable capital, Tier 1 and Tier 2. As the Japanese banks were allowed to count 45% of the market value of their stock holdings as Tier 2, they appeared to have a comfortable capital cushion as well as a significant amount of unrealized gains on marketable securities as well as property holdings. Like the US, the crisis first began in the non-bank financial sector[More...]

Finance Capitalism Hits a Wall

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Hudson saw earliest in my opinion that this was not an emerging technical problem, its a fundamental issue of the political economy and the dollar system. Its solutions will involve tension between owners and renters of all assets and between the real economy and financial flows. The debt must be written off. The Oligarchs' Escape Plan By MICHAEL HUDSON The financial “wealth creation” game is over. Economies emerged from World War II relatively free of debt, but the 60-year global run-up has run its course. Finance capitalism is in a state of collapse, and marginal palliatives cannot revive it. The U.S. economy cannot “inflate its way out of debt,” because this would collapse the dollar and end its dreams of global empire by forcing foreign countries to go their own way. There is too little manufacturing to make the economy more “competitive,” given its high housing costs, transportation,[More...]

More Tinkering In The Markets? Do You Trust Your Government?

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Alex’s Notes: Hat tip to Simon Heapes who pointed this article out to me this morning. I certainly found the amazing drop in oil price strange when it occurred. When I see an amazing rise or drop, I have learned (ok call it being cynical) that many times it might just be someone tinkering in the markets. I have seen far too much evidence of this kind of tinkering PERSONALLY to just dismiss it anymore. So when a massive shift occurs, not only do I look at market fundamentals, what the technical traders are saying, but also I look for motive and manipulation. To assume we trade in “free markets” any more is simply naive. Does this mean I think every move in the markets are contrived? No, that is not what I am saying. What I am saying is, that markets have been manipulated for far smaller incentive than the sovereignty and or control of an entire monetary[More...]

Alt-Energy: Deja Vu All Over Again

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Highlighted here are the following: PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy (PBW), Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy (TAN), Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF (KWT), First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge US Liquid (QCLN) or the Market Vectors Global[More...]

Alternative Energy - Jan 21 2009 2:58PM

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:12:00 GMT

The Salt Lake Tribune Rebecca Walsh Column: Walsh: Advocate's Soft Power is Hard to Beat

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:48:00 GMT

Jan. 25--Other advocates for the poor call Pamela Atkinson the "Queen Mum."
Some might say Gayle Ruzicka is the most powerful woman in Utah, or Margaret Dayton, chairwoman of the Utah Senate Rules Committee, or Salt Lake County Attorney Lohra Miller.
After years of working for Intermountain Health Care and hauling bags of dog food to homeless camps, she's the closest thing to an unaffiliated saint Utah has.

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Independence Holding Company Appoints Managing General Underwriter

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:27:00 GMT

Independence Holding Company today announced the appointment of an employer medical stop-loss managing general underwriter by Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc.[More...]

Independence Holding Company Reports Second-Quarter and Six Months Results

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:47:00 GMT

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 10, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Holding Company (NYSE:IHC) today reported 2009 second-quarter and six months results.
This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which reconciliations can be found at the end of this release.
Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to IHC increased to $.13 per share, diluted, or $1,976,000, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $(.43) per share, diluted, or $(6,693,000), for the three months ended June 30, 2008.

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Independence Holding Company Announces Semi-Annual Cash Dividend

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:41:00 GMT

Independence Holding Company today reported declaration of a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.025 per share of common stock, payable to stockholders of record on July 6, 2009, with a payment date of July 20, 2009.[More...]

Independence Holding Company Reports Net Income From Continuing Operations of $.22 Per Share, Diluted, for the First Quarter of 2009 Versus $.20 Per Share, Diluted, for the First Quarter of 2008

Mon, 11 May 2009 20:49:00 GMT

Independence Holding Company today reported 2009 first-quarter results. This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which reconciliations can be found at the end of this release.[More...]

American Independence Corp. Announces 2009 First-Quarter Results

Mon, 11 May 2009 20:45:00 GMT

American Independence Corp. today reported 2009 first-quarter results. This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which reconciliations can be found at the end of this release.[More...]

IHC Group Announces Defined Solutions Limited Benefit Medical Insurance Plan for Individuals and Families

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:02:00 GMT

The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) and its operating subsidiaries, recently announced the launch of Defined Solutions, a guaranteed issue limited benefit medical insurance plan for individuals and families. Defined Solutions provides a simple solution for people who may be struggling to find and qualify for affordable health insurance.[More...]

American Independence Corp. Announces 2008 Fourth-Quarter and Annual Results

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:17:00 GMT

American Independence Corp. today reported 2008 fourth-quarter and annual results. This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which a reconciliation can be found on the final page.[More...]

Independence Holding Company Announces 2008 Fourth-Quarter and Annual Results

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:10:00 GMT

Independence Holding Company today reported 2008 fourth-quarter and annual results. This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which a reconciliation can be found on the final page.[More...]

A.M. Best Company Affirms Group Rating of 'A-' (Excellent) of All Carriers in the IHC Group

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:26:00 GMT

Independence Holding Company today announced that A.M. Best Company affirmed the financial strength rating of 'A-' for each of Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Independence American Insurance Company. The outlook for all ratings has been revised to 'negative' from 'stable.'[More...]

A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Independence Holding Company and Its Subsidiaries; Revises Outlook to Negative

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:49:00 GMT

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the issuer credit rating of “bbb-” of Independence Holding Company (Independence Holding) [NYSE: IHC]. A.M. Best also has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and ICRs of “a-” for Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. (MNL) (Madison, WI), Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York (SSL) (New York, NY) and Independence American Insurance Company (Independence American) (New Castle, DE). The outlook for all ratings has been revised to negative from stable.[More...]