Stock Pickers Weekly

Inspira Financial an Undervalued Buy

2015-10-26T23:49:00.003-04:00

Inspira Financial (LND.V) has been trading an a discount for some time now.
The company is expected to announce its first quarter results within the next month. Initial estimates are the company is operating with a 55 million to 60 million long book. Similar types of companies are valued at two to three times book value, With 331M outstanding shares, you can value the stock price at a range of $0.33 to $0.55 per share or 153% increase from its current price of $0.13.

About Inspira Financial

Inspira Financial Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides revolving lines of credit and asset-based financial services to healthcare providers and their patients in the United States. The company operates through five divisions: Client Acquisition and Origination; Client Activation; Client Management; Financial and Portfolio Management; and Acquisitions. It primarily offers revolving lines of credit and loans. The company markets its services directly through its own brand, as well as indirectly through its network of origination partners. Inspira Financial Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California.

Canadian Election - Easy Money To Be Made In Marijuana Stocks.

2015-10-19T10:10:00.001-04:00

If you haven't done so already, you should probably pick up some shares of Canopy Growth Corp (CGC) on the TSX venture exchange. You may recall CGC was formerly Tweed Marijuana, Canada's largest marijuana producer.

After several key acquisitions over the last few months, CGC is poised to benefit from a Liberal and/or NDP minority government. Some have already taken advantage of the changing political landscape and have been adding shares of the company to their portfolios.

Have a look at a recent chart of CGC stock. The stock is up 43% since August 24th of this year.

Tweed Marijuana announces acquisition of MedCannAccess in an all-equity deal

2015-09-04T07:51:00.001-04:00

TORONTO - Tweed Marijuana Inc. (TSXV:TWD) has agreed to buy MedCannAccess in an all-stock deal that will allow the medical marijuana producer to connect with its clients face-to-face via three community access centres in Ontario.

Tweed will also acquire from MedCannAccess a 33 per cent stake in CannScience Innovations Inc., a health science research company based out of the MaRS Centre in Toronto that is working with marijuana extracts to provide precise, standardized doses of medicinal cannabis.

The company's lead product in development is a mist that can be sprayed into the mouth. Shareholders of MedCannAccess, which is not traded on any public stock market, will receive $1.5 million in Tweed shares upon closing, plus another $4.24 million in Tweed shares provided that certain milestones — including international expansion goals — are met. Tweed has been on a purchasing streak recently.

The Smiths Falls, Ont.,-based company snapped up rival cannabis producer Bedrocan Cannabis Corp. in June in a friendly deal that the companies say will make them the largest licensed pot producer in the country. Tweed says the acquisition of MedCannAccess will make it the first Canadian medical marijuana producer to have direct, face-to-face contact with its clients.

"Tweed has always placed a heavy emphasis on customer service," CEO Bruce Linton said in a statement.

"Until today, that meant people could call us and talk to a customer care associate or find us on social media to learn more about our products and services. Now they can walk into a physical location and get that same level of service, face to face." MedCannAccess opened the community access centres — located in medical buildings in western Toronto and Guelph and Hamilton, Ont. — roughly a year ago in order to help patients through the process of registering with a licensed marijuana producer. Rade Kovacevic, the business development officer at MedCanAccess, says Canadians are accustomed to visiting a pharmacy for their health-care needs.

However, Health Canada's regulations prohibit licensed producers from selling marijuana through a storefront. Instead, they ship the product to patients once all of the medical documentation and other paperwork has been submitted. By opening the community access centres, the company's goal was to replicate the pharmacy experience without running afoul of the rules.

Rather than selling the product to patients, staff at the centres help patients complete the paperwork and jump through any bureaucratic hoops, Kovacevic said. "If you think of someone that's currently going through chemotherapy, for example, the idea of having to find the forms, figure out how to fill them out yourself and so forth can be quite burdensome when you're already having a difficult time in your life," he said. "Being able to go into a supportive environment where you have a trained social worker on site that's able to help you through the process and connect you with the needed services really makes the process more accessible to people with physical disabilities and severe illnesses."

Read more HERE.

Tweed Marijuana Inc. Completes Acquisition of bedrocan Cannabis Corp., Releases Q1 Fiscal 2016 Financials

2015-08-31T22:44:00.001-04:00

CNW Group
Tweed Marijuana Inc.

SMITHS FALLS, ON , Aug. 31, 2015 /CNW/ - Tweed Marijuana Inc. (TWD.V) ("TMI" or "the Company"), parent company of licensed medical marijuana producers Tweed Inc. (Tweed) and Tweed Farms Inc. (Tweed Farms), is pleased to announce it has officially closed an all-stock transaction to fully acquire Bedrocan Cannabis Corp. ("Bedrocan"). The transaction has united the two strongest brands in Canadian cannabis under one roof, and signals the Company's intention to further solidify its position as the leading player in the industry.

"We have established the clear market leader, and are driving the evolution of the cannabis sector in Canada ," said Bruce Linton , Chairman and CEO of TMI. "The acquisition of Bedrocan is the first step, and we intend to continue to take the initiative, growing our portfolio of brands, expanding clinical research on cannabis, adding new products and services, and introducing additional innovations for patients and consumers."

Combined, Tweed and Bedrocan launch into priority of client generation, with more than 5,600 active registered customers. The Company's priority is now to build on the unique strengths of each brand, with their distinct customer segments, to accelerate patient acquisition and the rate of market growth.

WestJet Reports Record Quarter on Strong Ancillary Revenues

2015-07-29T00:06:00.000-04:00

WestJet Airlines Ltd. (TSX:WJA), Canada's second largest airliner, released record second-quarter earnings results before the market opened on July 28, A summary look at the results is below;

2015 second quarter financial results represent our 41st consecutive quarter of reported profitability with total revenue of $942 million and net earnings of $61.6 million and a second quarter record diluted earnings per share of $ 0.49. During the quarter ,our operating margin expanded to 10 .7 per cent , driven largely by continued lower fuel prices and an increase in ancillary revenue . Total revenue increased by 1.3 per cent year over year, driven by the increase in ancillary revenue which was offset by lower guest revenue resulting from downward pressure on our fares and a lower load factor .

We returned approximately $ 45.1 million to our shareholders through our dividend and share buy - back programs in the second quarter of 201 5 . Since these programs began in 2010, we have returned over six hundred million dollars to our shareholders. At June 30, 2015, our 12 - month record ROIC of 16.0 per cent marks the 12th consecutive quarter of exceeding our goal of a sustainable 12 .0 per cent ROIC and represents an increase of 1 .7 percentage points compared to our 201 4 full - year ROIC of 14.3 per cent . As of the date of this MD&A, we revised our previous ROIC goal from a sustainable 12.0 per cent to a targeted range of 13 .0 to 16.0 per cent.

The overall increase in total revenue was driven by an increase in ancillary revenue included in other revenue , partially offset by lower guest revenue resulting from downward pressure on our fares and a lower load factor . On an ASM basis, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 revenue decreased by 5.7 per cent to 14.16 cents from 15.02 cents in the same quarter of 2014 .

This record ancillary revenue is largely due to WestJets transition to GuestLogix (TSX:GXI) next-generation onboard retail solutions. WestJet continues to leverage the Company’s leading retail platform and PCI-compliant handheld POS devices to transact food and beverage sales on its flights, as well as utilize GuestLogix’ Global Payment Gateway™ for enhanced revenue protection.

Ancillary revenue, which includes service fees, our WestJet RBC ® MasterCard ± program revenue and onboard sales, provides an opportunity to maximize our profits through the sale of higher - margin goods and services while enhancing our overall guest experience by providing guests with additional products and services to meet their needs.

The following table presents ancillary revenue and ancillary revenue on a per guest basis for the three and six months ended June 30 , 2015:

For the three and six months ended June 3 0 , 2015 , ancillary revenue was $ 82.9 million and $166.0 million , an increase of 73.3 and 68.5 per cent from $ 47.8 million and $98.5 million, respectively, in the same periods of the prior year . These increase s are mainly attributable to the introduction of the first bag fee in late 2014. Other areas contributing to the increase include higher guest bookings , an increase in Plus seating upgrade sales and t he continued penetration of our WestJet RBC ® MasterCard ± program. On a per guest basis, ancillary fees for the quarter and year to date increased by 66.7 and 63.4 per cent to $16.74 and $16.83 per guest, from $ 10. 04 and $10.30 per guest , respectively, for 201 4 . This change is mainly attributable to the introduction of the first bag fee.

WestJet Vacations continues to generate revenue which supports WestJet’s overall network . The land component, which includes hotels, attractions and car rentals, is reported on the condensed consolidated statement of earnings at the net amount received . In the first half of 2015 , WestJet Vacations’ non-air revenue component declined as the weaker Canadian dollar impacted our margins throughout the first half of 201 5 compared to the same period in the prior year. The majority of the land components are paid in US dollars , which is netted against the gross revenue collected in Canadian dollars.

Insurance coverage for medical marijuana on the horizon, industry experts say

2015-07-27T07:30:00.000-04:00

Alexandra Posadzki, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - Canadians who have been prescribed medical marijuana could one day see their insurance company footing the bill, experts predict, following the introduction of new Health Canada rules that allow for the sale of cannabis oils.

Health Canada announced revamped medical marijuana regulations earlier this month after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that users of the drug should be permitted to consume it in other forms, such as oils and edibles, rather than having to smoke dried buds.

"You're going to see insurance companies slowly start to creep into the sector," says Khurram Malik, an analyst at Jacob Securities Inc., noting that the new regulations will allow medical marijuana producers to sell gel caps similar to those made from cod liver oil.

That will allow for more precise dosing, Malik says.

"When you're trying to smoke a plant you have no idea how much you're consuming, so that makes doctors a little nervous," he said.

Experts say the changes are a major step towards legitimizing the drug in the eyes of doctors and insurers.

"When something doesn't look different than other medicines, it becomes much easier for people to get comfortable with the idea that this is, in fact, a possible treatment option for patients," says Bruce Linton, the chief executive of Smiths Falls, Ont.-based Tweed Marijuana Inc. (CVE:TWD).

However, medical marijuana producers still have one major hurdle to overcome before insurers begin routinely funding the drug — cannabis currently doesn't have a drug identification number, known as a DIN.

"If it was issued a DIN by Health Canada, it's quite likely that the insurance companies would cover it," says Wendy Hope, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.
"To obtain a DIN, the new form of medical marijuana would need to go through the full Health Canada approval process like any new drug."

As it stands, most insurance companies don't routinely cover medical marijuana. But some insurers, including Manulife, say they will consider making an exception if the employer has specifically requested it for one of its employees.

"It's up to the employer to ask if they want to have it covered," says Hope.

Earlier this year, Sun Life agreed to pay for a University of Waterloo's medical marijuana prescription through his student health plan after the student union went to bat for him. Jonathan Zaid, 22, uses the drug to combat a syndrome called new daily persistent headache.

Some health insurance companies may pay for medical marijuana through a health spending account, says Hope. But, she adds, "my understanding is it doesn't happen often."

Malik says the primary reason why medical marijuana doesn't have a DIN is a lack of rigorous, clinical research on its efficacy.

"The evidence is very circumstantial — not your typical 10-year, double-blind study that doctors and big pharmaceutical companies like to see," Malik said.

He suspects that's about to change.

"You're going to see a lot of Canadian companies partnering up with universities overseas that are a little more progressive than the ones we have here, at least in this space, to drive this research forward and legitimize it in the eyes of doctors and get DIN numbers on these things," Malik said.

Malik says there is a financial incentive for insurers to pay for medical marijuana, rather than shelling out for pricier chronic pain drugs such as opiates.

"From a dollars and cents standpoint, if marijuana is the same thing as a narcotic opiate, they would much rather cover marijuana because they're in the business to make money," Malik said.

Follow @alexposadzki on Twitter.

Nigeria's Air Peace geared towards safety

2015-07-26T18:40:00.001-04:00

It was recently heard from seasoned stakeholders that over 47 airlines had been licensed to operate after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, 31 of them are comatose while only about eight are operational currently.

Allen Onyema, a barrister , who is the chairman of a relatively new entrant, Air Peace, says his airline is here to stay as it is set up to bring peace to Nigeria as witnessed in the composition of the workforce of the airline.

Onyema, who is the National Chairman of The Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), said when the company took delivery of a B737-500 with registration number 5N-BQS, the airline had entered into a maintenance partnership with the BCT Aviation Maintenance Company of the United Kingdom.

According to him, Air Peace fleet is being maintained by the British maintenance firm, BCT Aviation Maintenance Company, which maintains aircraft around the world. He pointed out though the maintenance agreement was at a huge cost to the company, the airline attached importance to safety issues.

With seven Aircraft – 3 state of the art Dornier 328 Jets and 4 Boeing 737-500 sp (special performance) jets, travelers can be rest assured that their journeys will feel like holidays be you on vacation or a business trip.

All Aircraft are equipped with Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS 220) geared towards safety. This equipment is manufactured and installed on all the planes by Flight Aerospace Solutions Ltd (FLYHT) of Canada. FLYHT has a five-year contract with Air Peace to this end. One of the fundamentals of the AFIRS 220 is the monitoring of the Engine trend from take off to landing not only by the Pilot but also officials monitoring on ground.

That way, the engine performance is seen guaranteeing maximum safety. The AFIRS special features like Flight tracking, the automated engine data collection for real time trending, fuel management and satellite voice communications currently stand Air Peace out as one of the Airlines with such matchless safety strength in the world!

Source: Business Day Online

Earnings Outlook - Guestlogix estimate revenue of $0.12/share or $16.8 million for the most recent quarter $GXI

2015-07-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Estimates are that Guestlogix will report revenues of $16.8 million ($0.12/share) for the most recent quarter, which is 9.9% higher than the previous quarter. The increase is attributed to Guestlogix recent acquisition of Openjaw Technologies and its omni-channel retailing platform.

Guestlogix is a global leader in comprehensive retailing and payment technology targeted to the passenger travel industry. The Company offers a diversified portfolio of hardware, software, content and professional services to travel operators across the globe.

The Company's revenue is generated through a mix of transaction fees, licensing fees and professional service activities. Our customer engagements are either directly with the travel operator or brand itself, with its primary catering or duty - free provider, or with a secondary technology partner such as an in-flight entertainment and connectivity provider.

FedEx orders 50 Boeing freighters with AFIRS technology in deal worth $9.97 billion

2015-07-22T01:57:00.001-04:00

In a deal worth $9.97 billion, FedEx has ordered 50 new Boeing 767-300 freighter. In a statement issued Tuesday July 21st, FedEx agreed to purchase 50 additional 767-300F aircraft from The Boeing Company as it continues to modernize its aircraft fleet to more effectively serve its customers. In addition to the 50 confirmed orders, FedEx also has options to purchase a total of 50 767F aircraft.

The 50 firm-order aircraft will be delivered from fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2023. Total capital spending for fiscal 2016 remains at $4.6 billion. The impact to capital spending in fiscal 2017 from this new order is immaterial. With this order, FedEx Express now holds a total of 106 firm orders for 767Fs from The Boeing Company through fiscal 2023.

“Acquiring additional 767F aircraft is a continuation of our very successful air fleet modernization program and will enable us to reduce structural costs, improve our fuel efficiency and enhance the reliability of our global network,” said David J. Bronczek, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Express.

Corporate Overview
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $47 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 325,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com. Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements, such as statements relating to management's views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the global markets in which we operate, our ability to execute on our profit improvement programs, legal challenges or changes related to FedEx Ground’s owner operators, new U.S. domestic or international government regulation, the impact from any terrorist activities or international conflicts, our ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage acquired businesses, changes in fuel prices and currency exchange rates, our ability to match capacity to shifting volume levels and other factors which can be found in FedEx Corp.'s and its subsidiaries' press releases and filings with the SEC.

Hudson's Bay Company price target raised to $54.00 $HBC

2015-04-09T08:55:00.002-04:00

Hudson's Bay Company is a Canada-based retailer company. The Company is a North American retailer offering a selection of branded merchandise in Canada and the United States. The Company operates three retail banners: Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, which offers assortment of apparel, accessories, shoes, beauty and home merchandise. The Company also operates Home Outfitters, which is a kitchen, bed and bath superstore with 69 locations across Canada.

The Hudson’s Bay is a department store with 90 full-line locations across Canada. The Lord & Taylor operates 49 full-line locations primarily in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The Saks Fifth Avenue is one of the retailers, which consists of 39 stores and five international licensed stores in United States. The Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH offers value-oriented merchandise through 72 stores in United States.

In the last quarter the EPS was 0.61 cents, if this trend continues, EPS for the year will be close to $2.40/share. This dramatically lowers the P/E to around 10-13 instead of a P/E of 31.00 as of today. As well, continued strong sales in the US from the Saks and Off 5th brands are also contributing to the HBC balance sheet.

FLYHT Aerospace Solutions - A Better Way To Fly

2015-04-08T23:56:00.004-04:00

FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd is a leading provider of real-time data communications technology for the aviation industry. The Company is engaged in design, development, and service provider to the global aerospace industry. The Company is providers of real-time data communications for the aerospace industry.

The Company supports aviation customers in different sectors including commercial, business, leasing and military operators. The Company’s key products include Automated Flight Information Reporting System 220, Automated Flight Information Reporting System 228, DRAGON, and Underfloor Stowage Unit.

A simplified version of the benefits of FLYHT's AFIRS technology can be found in the promotional video from HP, The Machine: the Future of Computing (go to 1:00m in the video below).

Trial to push for better flight tracking a year after MH370 $FLY $FLYLF

2015-03-02T09:57:00.002-05:00

(Reuters) - Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia are launching a trial to allow air traffic controllers to more closely track aircraft traversing remote oceans such as the one believed to be the final resting place of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

No trace has been found of the Boeing 777 aircraft (BA.N), which disappeared a year ago this week carrying 227 mainly Chinese passengers and 12 crew in what has become one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history.

Read more HERE.

GuestLogix lands agreement for onboard iPhone retail platform

2015-02-25T08:24:00.000-05:00

GuestLogix Inc. (TSX: GXI), the leading global provider of ancillary-focused merchandising, payment and business intelligence technology to airlines and the passenger travel industry, today announced it will be supporting one of its largest customers’ initiative to implement Apple iPhone devices for multi-purpose use by Flight Attendants onboard.

The airline selected the Company’s next-generation smartphone technology as part of a recent multi-year renewal agreement for the continued support of the carrier’s food and beverage retailing, including continued use of the Ancillary Insights™ business intelligence platform. The Airline’s Flight Attendants will leverage GuestLogix’ iOS application and performance analytics functionality to manage its onboard retail transactions and generate real-time reporting for improved ancillary revenue management and an enhanced passenger experience. This agreement reaffirms GuestLogix’ market leadership positioning and its commitment to providing the most innovative and secure retailing solutions to airlines and the passenger travel industry.

“Maintaining our customers’ trust and loyalty is of utmost importance to us, and this agreement with one of the world’s largest airlines speaks to the security and reliability of GuestLogix’ technology and customer care,” said Brett Proud, President & CEO, GuestLogix. “As we advance our relationship, our customer can rest assured that it is leveraging the industry’s leading technology to support its retail strategy and goals, and will have access to GuestLogix’ complete portfolio of solutions that drive ancillary revenue and enhance the passenger experience.”

GuestLogix has earned over 90 payment and operational certifications for its end-to-end retail solutions, including its Transaction Processing Engine® (TPE) and Global Payment Gateway™, making it the most accredited retail and payment technology provider to the passenger travel industry.
The Company has several active deployments with its next-generation mobile POS solution underway covering all major operating systems – iOS, Android and Windows Phone. GuestLogix has also been called upon to design and develop custom payment peripherals to accompany its software solutions. Taking into account a multitude of smartphone and tablet manufacturers, GuestLogix now has a diverse set of peripherals that enable PCI-certified swipe, chip & PIN, contactless and NFC payments making room for emerging payment methods such as Apple Pay and other e-Wallet technology.

“We are seeing a myriad of requests from travel operators to advance their onboard retail strategy from consumer-grade mobile devices, traditional, purpose-built POS devices as well as supporting self-service retail channels onboard,” said Patrick O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, GuestLogix. “We are proud to have built the foundation required to meet these diverse requests with the most comprehensive and secure onboard retail technology in the industry.”

Read more HERE.

New American Apparel CEO Paula Schneider Is Revamping the Label’s Smutty Image $APP

2015-02-10T11:30:00.000-05:00

Less sleaze, please! Now that Dov Charney is out of the picture, American Apparel can press forward under its new CEO, Paula Schneider. And for those who aren’t too keen on the retailer’s racy image, this news might come as a delight.

Schneider is looking to uphold the brand’s edgy vibe, but cut back on the borderline (or sometimes downright) indecent image the label has cultivated in the past. Schneider says she wants to focus on American Apparel’s social consciousness and kick the smut to the curb, instead highlighting issues like gay rights and the company’s Made in America angle.

Read more HERE.

FLYHT: Update from International Civil Aviation Organization ("ICAO") Meetings $FLY $FLYLF

2015-02-10T09:23:00.000-05:00

CALGARY, ALBERTA, Feb 10, 2015 (Marketwired) -- FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (otcqx:FLYLF)(FLY) (the "Company" or "FLYHT") is pleased to provide an update on the International Civil Aviation Organization ("ICAO") meetings held last week in Montreal, Quebec. FLYHT attended the industry working group looking into aircraft data collection, storage and uses. The Company was well represented and actively engaged. Initial recommendations, with proposed applicability effective 2021, were made to the industry for consideration and the working group has an end of 2015 deliverable deadline to ICAO.

Among the recommendations from the High Level Security Council meeting that was attended by government officials and United Nations delegates and occurred prior to the industry meetings were:

--  A new 15-minute aircraft tracking "standard",
--  The "standard" is performance-based and not prescriptive, meaning that
    global airlines would be able to use any technologies and procedures
    they deem suitable, and;
--  A three-tiered approach for global aircraft tracking covering normal,
    abnormal and distress conditions.

Industry groups will recommend suitable applications of the recommendations.

Read more HERE.

FLYHT AUTOMATED TRACKING AND TRIGGERED DATA STREAMING FROM AIRCRAFT – SOLUTION BRIEF.

American Apparel’s New CEO Wants Brand to Cover Up

2015-02-08T10:00:00.001-05:00

American Apparel’s new CEO Paula Schneider wants to reign in the amount of skin on show in the brand’s advertising imagery.

LOS ANGELES, United States — Paula Schneider, American Apparel Inc.’s new chief executive officer, wants the brand to be as provocative as it was under expelled founder Dov Charney. Just with less skin.

“It doesn’t have to be overtly sexual,” Schneider said in her first wide-ranging interview. “There’s a way to tell our story where it’s not offensive. It is an edgy brand. And it will continue to be an edgy brand.”

Read more HERE.

GuestLogix Announces Collaboration with Travel Retail Training Ltd. to Drive Crew Engagement Initiative at ISPY2015

2015-01-26T10:03:00.000-05:00

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan 26, 2015) - GuestLogix Inc. (GXI.TO), the leading global provider of ancillary-focused merchandising, payment and business intelligence technology to airlines and the passenger travel industry, today announced its collaboration with Travel Retail Training Ltd. (TRT), Samsung and Comply365 to support Inflight Sales Person of the Year (ISPY) 2015's crew engagement initiative.

This event will gather global airline professionals and concessionaires, including top selling cabin crew from 40 of the world's leading airlines, from January 26 to 29, 2015 for four days of learning, networking and awards distribution.

Read more HERE.

Reader Stock Pick Submission: PPJ Enterprise $PPJE

2015-01-23T09:30:00.000-05:00

PPJ Healthcare Enterprises, Inc. is a healthcare finance company whose main purpose is to stand as the face of a public company to attract various investments to fund the financial interests of its subsidiaries.

The goal of each subsidiary is to seek ventures that improve the financial health of medical and dental practices throughout the United States, specifically through technology-based medical records programs and advanced medical billing software systems.

Recently the company received a commitment of signing an agreement with a medical conglomerate to conduct the practice's advisory, billing, collections and practice management services for all non HMO patients.Deal, which would allow PPJ Healthcare Enterprises to service a hospital, multi-specialty medical clinics specializing in cardiology, interventional cardiology, radiology, urgent care, interventional pain management office suit surgery center, anesthesia, Aphresis and surgical services.

Company officials plan to bring in new medical services to the practice as well as conduct a thorough analysis of its billing and operational need for the specialized services. Initial conservative estimates indicate the deal could result in gross annual revenues of as low as $1.5 to 2 million dollars in the 1st 12 to 15 months for PPJ Healthcare Enterprises, Inc.

The Company expects to start servicing this agreement by late February to mid March of 2015. "This potential deal promises to be a huge benefit for PPJ Healthcare Enterprises Inc. and its investors," said Chandana Basu, CEO of PPJE. "It marks a new beginning for a considerable revenue increase for the company as well as our possible new partners. We look forward to this tremendous opportunity to help this medical practice grow and flourish."

With the recent changes to American health care and its providers, along with an ever increasing need for electronic medical records (EMRs), PPJ appears poised for a breakout.

Why eBay may spin off Enterprise and PayPal

2015-01-22T21:06:00.003-05:00

Global commerce platform and payments leader eBay (Nasdaq:EBAY) today reported that revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014 increased 9% to $4.9 billion, compared to the same period in 2013. GAAP earnings were $936 million or $0.75 per diluted share, and Non-GAAP earnings were $1.1 billion or $0.90 per diluted share, driven by enabled commerce volume growth of 21%.

EBay Inc’s plans to break up into three different companies could accommodate would-be suitors, signaling a potential merger fight after the breakup.

The company plans to spin off its payments division, PayPal, from its core marketplace division in the second half of the year, making two standalone publicly traded companies that some analysts say could be worth more than the combined entity.

On Wednesday, eBay added that it will sell or prepare a public offering of its eBay Enterprise unit, which the company bought for $2.4 billion roughly four years ago.

The announced moves are intended to give each business the ability to consider all their alternatives, including a sale, eBay Chief Executive Officer John Donahoe said.

Read more HERE.

Greyhound Launches OnTouch®, An Online Catalog Of Destination Packages And Deals Offered Via Its Onboard Wi-Fi Platform

2015-01-16T09:04:00.001-05:00

DALLAS, Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Greyhound, the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in North America, today announced the launch of OnTouch®, an onboard catalog of destination packages that allows customers to purchase tickets to theatrical events, popular attractions and ground transportation offers, including shuttles, shared rides and private limos, all from the comfort of their seat using their own personal Wi-Fi enabled device. OnTouch developed by GuestLogix, is now available on all Greyhound and BoltBus services.

"As an innovative leader in transportation, we constantly work to transform the travel experience for our customers," said Todd Koch, vice president, strategy and development, Greyhound Lines, Inc. "With OnTouch, we are offering exclusive destination packages at our customers' fingertips from the comfort of their seat while they travel. This additional convenience complements our current roster of premium amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, extra legroom and leather seats."

In an effort to continually improve the travel experience, Greyhound has recently introduced a number of advancements that include an updated Wi-Fi platform that allows customers to stay socially connected with ease while they travel, an updated website homepage design that is more user-friendly and a new mobile app that makes it easier for smartphone users to manage their travel on the go.

"Traveling on Greyhound isn't just about getting from one place to another anymore," added Koch. "It has transformed into an entire customer experience from the moment they purchase a ticket to the time they arrive at their destination. We strive to provide our customers a comfortable, stress-free and convenient experience, and offer new and valuable products to create an unforgettable trip that ensures they choose Greyhound the next time they travel."

About GreyhoundGreyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 3,800 destinations across the continent. The company also provides Greyhound Package Express (GPX) and charter services. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at www.greyhound.com. For the latest news and travel deals, follow GreyhoundBus on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GreyhoundBus, Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus, follow GreyhoundLines on Instagram at www.instagram.com/greyhoundlines or follow our award winning blog, The Hound, at http://www.bloggreyhound.com.

SOURCE Greyhound Lines

Real-time black-box streaming now available for commercial airlines

2014-12-30T22:24:00.000-05:00

Canada's FLYHT Aerospace solutions has developed the worlds first real-time data streaming for use in commercial airlines.

Although US regulators and all major US air carriers have elected not to utilize this technology, China's government has imposed a safety mandate that would see all commercial airlines installing FLYHT's AFIRS (Automated Flight Information Reporting System). FLYHT has also taken the initiative of working with Boeing, MacDonald Douglas, Bombardier and Airbus to make installation of their proprietary technology easy and affordable to airlines.

The AFIRS UpTime single multifunction LRU monitors the aircraft generated data for predefined events and trigger criteria, providing accurate operational and performance data to flight operations, dispatch, safety, and/or maintenance personnel. UpTime, the secure, redundant client-web interface, allows for easy data retrieval, reporting, and real-time communication capabilities for instantaneous in-flight contact.

Key capabilities of AFIRS include:

“Always on” global voice and data communications capability via the Iridium satellite network
Aircraft position monitoring via integrated GPS – aircraft position and other selected information can be fed to third-party aircraft situational display providers
Automatic tracking and recording of OOOI (out, off, on, in) data for completely accurate tracking of times
Recording of all parameters via integrated flash QAR (for collection of FOQA and FDM data)
Real-time notification and reporting of airframe and engine exceedances and related data
Engine performance trend monitoring and reporting
Ability to monitor and report compliance with critical fuel saving initiatives
Monitoring and tracking of compliance with emerging carbon emission criteria
FLYHTStream™ – afirs unique and proprietary ability to stream aircraft data to the ground in real time

AFIRS’ timely, secure, seamless, end-to-end communications capability significantly increases the aircraft operator’s “maintenance situational awareness”, thereby increasing efficiency and decreasing cost of operations.

Commerical Airlines Slow To Adopt New Safety Technology

2014-12-28T10:24:00.001-05:00

Less than ten months after the loss of Malaysia flight 370, the airline industry has been hit with yet another missing plane.

Early Sunday morning AirAsia flight QZ8501 disappeared from radar with 162 people on board in airspace possibly thick with dense storm clouds, strong winds and lightning, officials said. Aircraft searching for AirAsia Flight 8501 called off the effort for the night and will resume at Monday morning, said Achmad Toha of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency. Some ships were continuing the search overnight, he said.

It is still unknown whether AirAsia flight QZ8501 had been equipped with FLYHT aerospace solutions advanced communications and AFIRS(Automated Flight Information Reporting System)equipment.

FLYHT provides proprietary technological products and services designed to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in the airline industry. The Company has patented and commercialized three products and associated services currently marketed to airlines, manufacturers and maintenance organizations around the world. Its premier technology, AFIRS™ UpTime™, allows airlines to monitor and manage aircraft operations anywhere, anytime, in real time. If an aircraft encounters an emergency, FLYHT’s triggered data streaming mode, FLYHTStream™, automatically streams vital data, normally secured in the black box, to designated sites on the ground in real-time. The Dragon is FLYHT’s latest product, a revolutionary light weight portable satellite communications device that blends existing FLYHT technology with that of the iPad.

American Apparel poised for $1.30 open

2014-12-19T00:55:00.002-05:00

(Reuters) - Clothing manufacturer American Apparel Inc (APP.A) has been approached by private equity firm Irving Place Capital for a possible takeover, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.

The Los Angeles-based retailer received an expression of interest from Irving Place in the last couple of weeks, people familiar with the matter told the Journal, adding that the approach was initially rebuffed because of the low price.

Irving Place then raised its price range to $1.30 to $1.40 per share. The board has yet to respond, the sources told the Journal.

If rumors of Dov Charney's collective bid to regain control of his beloved company hold true, American Apparel could see even higher prices if speculation about Charney are correct.

FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Named as Data Recorder Market is Projected to Grow at 4.52% CAGR From 2014-2020:

2014-12-18T08:47:00.003-05:00

DALLAS, December 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

ReportsnReports.com adds Data Recorder Market by Type, technology and Geography - Forecasts & Analysis to 2014 - 2020 global research report to its store. The data recorder market forecast report offers a complete analysis of the market during the forecast period of six years from 2014-2020. It analyzes factors driving the market, restraining market growth, opportunities, and challenges faced by the industry.

The report discusses key industry, market, and technology trends that influence the data recorder market. The report tracks, analyzes, and projects the market size for major regions including North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. The report also provides the market share by technology types; cockpit voice recorder, flight data recorder, voyage data recorder, quick access recorder, and data loggers. It provides an insight into regional trends on spending, analyzes market size by region, and also provides the data on the spending pattern by types.

Complete report on Data Recorder Market by Type (cockpit voice recorder, flight data recorder, quick access recorder, voyage data recorder, data logger), by technology (flash card, cloud computing and solid state) by Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East, Latin America and Africa) - Forecasts & Analysis to 2014 - 2020 is HERE.

American Apparel shares surge 19% amid takeover speculation $APP

2014-12-17T21:55:00.002-05:00

The Made In America dream may live on, but it will be without Dov Charney. A day after the firing of the disgraced CEO, American Apparel Inc.'s stock jumped amid fresh speculation that the apparel company is ripe for a takeover.

Shares of the Los Angeles retailer shot up nearly 19% to 69 cents Wednesday following Charney's ouster and the appointment of Paula Schneider as the new chief executive starting Jan 5. Charney had been working as a consultant to the company during his suspension from the CEO job.

American Apparel said Tuesday that an investigation into misconduct allegations, including inappropriate behavior with employees, led the company to the determination that Charney shouldn't be reinstated as CEO or continue as an employee.

Read more HERE.