Monday, January 31, 2011

Shaw-capital.com - Shaw Capital Management Company News

Shaw Capital Management - Investment Innovation & Excellence. We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics

Shaw Capital Management Newsletter: Japan Submits Budget for 2010

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government submitted to the Diet the fiscal 2010 budget amounting to ¥92.3 trillion
Online PR News – 30-June-2010 –The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government submitted to the Diet the fiscal 2010 budget amounting to ¥92.3 trillion, its first budget since its inauguration in mid-September. The budget was even larger than its counterpart for the current fiscal year — which was already a record if one includes the second supplementary stimulus package, approved last December. This was because of additional spending on child allowances, free senior high school education, cash subsidies to farmers, and higher payments to
medical institutions to alleviate the shortage of medical doctors. Particularly noteworthy is the large amount devoted to social security, up to ¥27.3 trillion, which account for 51% of general public spending … the first time that the social security share has exceeded 50%. In marked contrast, public works investment, which has been cut back by almost 20%, amounts to ¥5.8 trillion, a record drop that symbolizes the DPJ’s philosophy of shifting money to people from public works... eightynine dam projects are likely to be frozen. At a news conference, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama described it as “a
budget meant to safeguard the life of the people.” He also claimed that three reforms were incorporated in the architecture of the budget: first, the principle of a shift of priority “from concrete to people”; second,
initiatives taken by politicians instead of bureaucrats; and third, securing transparency in the budget formulation process. Some creditable aspects notwithstanding, the budget bill appears to be overshadowed, as media reports made clear, by concern over a severe revenue shortage and its implications for the future of Japan’s public finances, which are already debt-laden to a perilous extent as recently pointed out by credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s which raised the prospect of a downgrade in Japan’s sovereign debt rating.
“The budget bill appears to be overshadowed by concern over a severe revenue shortage and its implications for the future of Japan’spublic finances, which are already debt-laden to a perilous extent.”
“Japan’s economic policy flexibility has diminished as a result of increased fiscal deficits and government debt, persistent deflation and a prospect of continued sluggish economic growth”, analysts at the firm said in a note. “It’s impossible to keep tolerating this massive spending,” said Takeshi Minami , chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute in Tokyo. “Japan’s fiscal health will continue to be exceedingly severe given revenue won’t grow and a stagnant recovery may require additional economic
measures.” A major reason for the squeeze is a plunge in prospective tax revenues due to the economic downturn and the drop in corporate profits. Tax revenues for fiscal 2010 are estimated to fall to ¥37.4 trillion, the same level as 26 years ago, in the mid-1980s — while corporate tax revenues are expected
to be half the amount in normal years. As a result, the government has to raise ¥44.3 billion in new government bonds, compared to ¥53.5 trillion in FY2009. This leaves the treasury dependent on debt for 48% of the total budget, up 10 percentage points. At the end of the fiscal year, on March 31, 2011, the
outstanding balance of government bond issues will have shot up to ¥637 trillion, the equivalent of 134% of Japan’s GDP while public debt will probably spiral to ¥973 trillion, almost double GDP.
“At the end of the fiscal year, on March 31, 2011, the outstanding balance of government bond issues will have shot up to ¥637 trillion, the equivalent of 134% of Japan’s GDP while public debt will probably spiral to ¥973 trillion, almost double GDP.”
According to the new government, the economic policies adopted by the previous ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), failed on two fronts: initially boosting demand by increasing public investment, which was effective in the short term but not sustainable until the end of the 1990s. And later enhancing the supply side of the economy by deregulating the labour market and privatizing public entities, which simply widened the income gap within the economy, in the 2000s. However, the new budget was not well received by most observers. The announcement was rather sudden and lacked a comprehensive path to
achieve the stated goals, they claim. Also, no reliable, specific incentives were offered, such as tax changes or deregulation that affect private sector behaviour.
More importantly, given its enormous debt, the government has limited room to offer any incentives without jeopardizing other parts of the economy. However, there was no mention of these painful trade-offs. In addition, while the budget contains some signs of change, there is concern that it may not adequately stimulate the economy. Most private sector economists believe that spending measures in the fiscal 2010 budget (and in the second fiscal 2009 supplementary budget) are expected to provide a limited boost to Japan’s GDP and to kick in no sooner than April
.
“Most private sector economists believe that spending measures in the fiscal 2010 budget are expected to provide a limited boost to Japan’s GDP and to kick in no sooner than April.”
Overall, the budget appears to be the result of a compromise between an attempt to impose some fiscal discipline and the promises made in last year’s summer election of new direct supports to households, such as child allowance, as well as concern over a double-dip recession. “Harsh financial conditions have prevented the administration from keeping all the promises that the DPJ made during its campaign last summer (for instance it has eliminated highway tolls and the gasoline tax). But the administration has succeeded, to some extent, in realizing the party’s slogan of “shifting weight to people from concrete” and its aim of providing more funds for households, rather than for industry-linked organizations and large-scale public works projects”, asserted in its editorial the Japan Times, one of the main national newspapers.
“Almost every move the government makes over the coming months must be seen against the backdrop of the crucial upper house election, which must be held in July for half of the seats.”
The budget must now be approved by Japan’s parliament before taking effect. Hatoyama’s popularity has dropped to 48% this month from 71% after he took the office in September. Almost every move the government makes over the coming months must be seen against the backdrop of the crucial upper house election, which must be held in July for half of the seats. So in the end the budget and its goals may be more dream than reality.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy

South Koreas output is continuing to accelerate, and the government needs to exit from its accommodative economic policies earlier than anticipated. The HSBC Koreas purchasing managers index (PMI) rose from 55.6 in January to 58.2 in February the highest since December 2007. New orders are coming in, and there are rising backlogs of unfulfilled orders.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - Employment too is rising suggesting that the current pace of growth will be sustained for the next several months. Inflation paced a little with consumer prices up 3.1% in January from a year earlier. But inflation in Korea is likely to remain stable for some months.

The central bank is expected to tighten its monetary policy by starting to raise interest rates from the current record low of 2% in the later part of the second quarter as the government retains its focus on job creation and growth.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - Exports expanded 31% year on year, better than Reuters forecast of 22.7%. South Korea posted a much larger-than-expected
trade surplus of $2.33 billion in February as ship deliveries boosted exports, while imports fell as holidays reduced crude oil and natural gas demand.

The government expects a monthly trade surplus of more than $1 billion from March as demand improves. The current-account surplus is most likely to dwindle to around $17 billion this year from $42.7 billion in 2009 as imports rise. A new Bank of Korea governor, widely expected to be a more pro-government figure, will not rush to raise rates after taking office
in April.

Exports grew 31% from a year earlier to $33.27 billion, faster than the expected rise of 21%, while imports climbed 36.9% to $30.94 billion, exceeding a forecast of an expansion of 34.0%.

South Korea, which is heading the G20 group of leading economies wants to leave an imprint of its presidency.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - It is trying to introduce a system of international currency swaps which it hopes will reduce global imbalances by lessening the need for countries to accumulate reserves, seen as one of the causes of last years financial and
economic crisis.

Shaw Capital Management - Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor. Our philosophy is simple: almost every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.

Before Shaw Capital launched the open architecture revolution, investors had to make the unhappy choice between selecting an advisor who was independent, but unsophisticated (the traditional pension and endowment consulting firms), or selecting an advisor who was sophisticated but had conflicting interests (global banks, trust companies, money management firms).

Today, virtually all investors faced with the challenge of managing a significant pool of capital can access open architecture advice.

A true open architecture firm is completely independent of the rest of the financial services industry and accepts compensation only from its clients.

In addition, open architecture firms must make the financial commitment to hire only the most experienced advisors, and those advisors must apply their experience to the issues that will most affect their clients' wealth.

Matters like asset allocation and manager search are simply too important to be left in the hands of young analysts.

We are proud of our role in leading the open architecture revolution, and look forward to introducing you to its benefits.

Economy of China by Shaw Capital Management Korea

China's Economy: by Shaw Capital Management Korea - China will continue fiscal stimulus spending and its current monetary policies this year as the country has, in the opinion of the Chinese Communist Party, not fully recovered from the economic downturn.
The Chinese economy grew 8.7% in 2009, and will expand 8.5% in 2010. The consumer price index rose 1.5% in January from a year earlier, slowing from a 1.9% rise in December.
According to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the currentaccount surplus dropped to $284 billion, down by about a third from $426 billion for 2008, which was a record. It is the first decline in the currentaccount balance since 2001.
Shaw Capital Management Korea - China's exports fell last year as global demand collapsed, but the nation's stimulus plan helped support imports. China now accounts for more than 9% of global exports, a share that has been rising since the outbreak of the financial crisis and the ensuing collapse in global trade. China's government says it isn't banking on an export-driven future and has tried, though so far without much success, to shift the emphasis of the economy to domestic consumption and services.
According to International Monetary Fund projections, if current trends continue, China's share of world exports will reach 12% by 2014, a higher portion than Japan managed at the peak of its dominance in the 1980s. China's trade deficit with the US totalled $226.83 billion in 2009 — the U.S.'s largest imbalance with any nation. Mr. Obama has promised to the Congress to "get much tougher" with China on trade rules, including currency rates,
to ensure that U.S. goods are not at a competitive disadvantage.
Shaw Capital Management Korea - India filed more trade complaints against China than any other nation in 2009, according to figures from China's commerce ministry. "A balance of exports and imports is important," Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma said in January in Beijing. China's trade surplus with India grew 46% in 2009 to $16 billion, probably aggravated by the weakening of the yuan against the Indian rupee.
China continues to remain the world's largest foreign holder of the US dollar bonds which stands at US$895 billion. The second biggest holder of the US debt is Japan (US$760 billion).
Premier Wen will deliver the Government Work Report in the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, beginning on March 5. It will spell out Beijing's economic blueprint for 2010 and economic growth targets.
Shaw Capital Management Korea - This year's theme is balanced economic growth. The focus of new fiscal spending is set to shift away from new infrastructure investment to education, healthcare, and other pro-consumption areas. There may be a push to accelerate urbanisation outside of the large cities and in inland regions. The party will endorse measures to increase wages and income. The government has already raised the minimum wage in cities from Beijing to Guangzhou by 10% or more early this year.
The Wen cabinet has indicated that old-age benefits for peasants will be tried out this year and will be made available to all by 2015. Monetary policy will focus on bringing down credit growth to a normal rate of around 17%, from last year's excessive 32%.
Shaw Capital Management Korea - While the 2009 NPC harped on attaining an 8% growth rate, the priority for this year's session is to ensure a more equitable distribution of national
income. This year's NPC will benefit from the lifting of the global economic gloom that hung over last year's session.
U.S.–China bilateral relations have grown tense over President Barack Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama followed by the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton meeting. The cyber attack on Google Inc. is widely seen as originating in China. Google has not officially declared that the government had any role in it.
About Author
  Shaw Capital Management - Investment Innovation & Excellence. We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Factoring and Accounts Receivable Financing Expert Tips

Shaw Capital Management and Financing sharing information, tips and advice on factoring and accounts receivable financing and factoring to avoid scams and other fraudulent transactions. Information focus on the importance of choosing the right firm and understanding the intricacies of this financing alternative and what pitfalls to avoid.

There probably isn't a day when Canadian business owners and financial managers don't hear about factoring and accounts receivable financing as a method of financing their business in Canada. Despite its growing popularity and, we can say, relative importance in the Canadian business financing marketplace this financing mechanism is still somewhat understood.

What information do business owners need to know in order to assess if factoring, also known as invoice discounting, is a viable transaction? Also, are there mistakes and pitfalls to be avoided when considering this financing strategy?

Let's examine the answers to some of those questions. You can be forgiven for trying to figure out why factoring has increased in prominence from a time when no one had almost ever heard of it! The answer to that popularity is more simply and obvious than you might think, and its simply that Canadian chartered banks are finding it increasingly more difficult to fund accounts receivable (and inventory of course) to the extent that their customers need this financing.

When you have a situation where the actual need for financing is acute, and the benefits and flexibility seems significant it is not hard to see the rise in popularity of such a financing mechanism.

First of all, 99% of the time, factoring provides your firm with a greater level of borrowing based on your accounts receivable levels. Quite of 90-100% of your A/R under 90 days can be financed.

So is it all good news? Not necessarily, as we are always meeting with clients that have chosen the wrong type of funding or factoring, and, even worse, find them locked into contracts they cannot get out of. That is uncomfortable for any size firm as you can imagine.

As with any newer type of financing the playing field is complex. You can be forgiven for not knowing how many factor firms are out there, how they run, what their own limitations are, and, even to a certain extent, do they in fact themselves have the funding to survive, let along finance your firm. For that reason we cannot over emphasize the need to work with a credible, experienced and trusted professional in this area.

Let’s talk about some of the nuances, we can call them potential 'pitfalls 'also, of picking the wrong factoring partner. For a starter if you choose a firm who itself is not well capitalized, as we said, you might find that the financing commitments made to you cannot be honored. Canadian business has never had to think that the Canadian chartered banks could be 'out of money 'but the Canadian landscape is somewhat littered with small and medium sized factor firms that do not have the financial wherewithal to support their funding commitments in all places. That just re - enforces our idea that a trusted industry expert will guide you to the best partner for your firm.

Other issues, again, we can call them pitfalls, to look for include: being locked into a contract; having the total factoring cost, or pricing, not reflected properly in your term sheet; advance rates which don't make sense relative to the price you are paying for discounting invoices and; excessive notification and intrusion with your customers, which is very prevalent in the U.S. model of factoring (Many Canadian factor firms are branches of U.S. firms).

So let's recap. It's simply that factoring is growing in popularity. It works because it is providing funding where banks often cannot. If you don't understand who you are dealing with and the various nuances of this type of financing it becomes a burden, not a solution. Investigate this great financing mechanism, but ensure you know what you are getting into. Talking to an expert always helps - that's just common sense

Stan Prokop is founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial. Originating financing for Canadian companies, specializing in working capital, cash flow, and asset based financing, the 6 year old firm has completed in excess of 45 Million $ of financing for companies of all size.

Shaw Capital Guide to Interest-Free SBA ARC Loans for Debt Relief

Shaw Capital Management and Financing – Avoid debt and interest scams. Recovery Act Emergency Loans to $35,000 for Small Business. If your small business is struggling to pay debts, you may qualify for a new type of intrest-free loan in amounts up to $35,000, guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The temporary emergency program, called America’s Recovery Capital, or ARC, was authorized under the economic stimulus law passed earlier in the year and is now being launched by the SBA. 
For borrowers, ARC loans will be interest-free, and with no SBA fees attached. But as with all SBA financing programs, the ARC loans will be made by private, commercial lenders, not SBA directly. Lenders, of course, won’t make loans for free, so the SBA will pay lenders monthly interest on the ARC loans on your behalf. And that’s basically free money for you and a good chance to get a little breathing room if you’re facing burdensome debt payments.
ARC loans are deferred-payment loans available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that are suffering hardship right now and need short-term help to make principal and interest payments on existing debt.  These loans are interest-free to the borrower (you), and 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing - Here’s How it Works. In addition to the loans being zero interest and fully guaranteed by the government, you don't have to make any payments until a year after you receive the last of the funds, which will be disbursed within a period of up to six months. After the initial 12-month payment-free grace period, you'll have five years to pay it off. 
Banks and other financial institutions that make small business loans should have information on the program available soon, and it will be up to them whether or not to participate. Meanwhile, details and updates on the program will be available at the SBA’s special Economic Recovery Act website at www.sba.gov/recovery. Keep in mind that proceeds from an ARC loan must be used specifically to make payments of principal and interest on existing business debt. But that includes a wide range of different types of loans, leases and lines that you might have.
Here are the types of debt that will qualify:
1.      Commercial mortgages on a building or property that your business owns.
2.      Conventional term loans, including secured and unsecured.
3.      Revolving lines of credit.
4.      Capital leases.
5.      Credit card debt.
6.      Notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities.
7.      First mortgages loans under SBA’s 504 Development Company Loan Program.
8.      Any SBA guaranteed loans made after Feb. 17, 2009 (but not SBA-backed loans made prior to that date).
For many business owners, paying down high-interest credit card debt would be the best use of ARC funds. But you will have to prove that the debt was incurred for specific business purposes, and the documentation requirements to use ARC funds for credit card debt could be stringent.
The loan application process, however, is designed to be rather quick. Once lenders submit the application, SBA is promising turnaround within 5-10 business days.
The “Viable” Business Standard
The key to qualifying for and receiving an ARC loan is whether your business is considered "viable" and is facing “immediate financial hardship.”   While the standards don’t seem to present a major hurdle for existing businesses that have had success in the past, the viability measure might rule out newer businesses that haven’t turned a profit. And ARC loans are specifically not intended for startups.
Here's how the SBA defines “viable” for getting one of these loans:

"A viable small business is one that has been profitable in the past, but is just beginning to struggle with making loan payments, and can reasonably project that it can get back on track with the infusion of ARC loan funds and the benefit of deferred payments."
Examples of financial hardship offered by the SBA include declining sales or revenues, or difficulties in paying the operating expenses of the business. ARC loans will be available through SBA-approved lenders as long as the money holds out, or through September 30, 2010.  Daniel Kehrer is Editor and Director of Content Development for Business.com, and write the What Works for Business blog.

Shaw Capital Guide to Business Loans from Family & Friends

An estimated half of all small businesses depend on private investments from family and friends for startup or exansion. Shipping giant UPS was launched when 19-year-old entrepreneur Jim Casey borrowed $100 from a friend to start the company nearly 100 years ago in Seattle. And when teenager Fred DeLuca open a sandwich shop in 1965 with a $1,000 check from a family friend, Subway (now 25,000 restaurants) was born. Friends and family are the single most important outside funding source for small business in America. But there are risks, and "F&F" money must be approached carefully.

Shaw Capital Guide to Business Loans from Family & Friends - Action Steps. The best contacts and resources to help you get it done.

Put a financing facilitator to work. Small business loans from friends and family often go awry because they haven't been properly structured and administered. Sign up a service that will prepare documents, create repayment schedules, bill, collect payments and provide year-end tax statements.

I recommend: Virgin Money (formerly CircleLending) has been a pioneer in private loan administration. The firm helps manage transactions such as small business loans between private parties — especially family and friends.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing – The key to successful financing is structuring loans right. Avoid Debt Management Scams - Offer equity in your business. If your business is a corporation or LLC, your funding source can become an equity investor, buying shares in your business.

I recommend: At Intuit's MyCorporation.com web site, you can incorporate a business or form an LLC online for as little as $149, plus state filing fees.

Put your plan in writing. Even with family and friends, you need to put a business plan and request for funding in writing. Make it as detailed, professional and realistic as you can. Aim for full disclosure of all potential risks.

I recommend: A terrific place to find help writing your plan is Bplans.com.

Arm yourself with finance facts. The better you understand the intricacies of financing, the more likely you are to succeed.

I recommend: "Financing Your Small Business: How to Borrow Money from People Your Know," is a helpful booklet produced jointly by SCORE and CircleLending.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing Guide to Business Loans from Family & Friends - Tips & Tactics . Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide. Plan your approach in advance. Think about your ideal loan and how it would work, and have those details at hand. Be yourself when you approach people for money. Don't try to suddenly come off like a big corporate executive. That's likely to be a turnoff. Don't borrow more than your friend or relative can afford to lose. Let them name the final amount. You don't have to get it all from one person. Agree on terms and formalize the agreement in writing. If it's a loan, this should specify an interest rate, repayment schedule and whether the loan is secured or not.

Shaw Capital Factoring VS Bank Loan

Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet yourcash flow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full.Shaw Capital helps you to avoid costly mistakes, online scam, fraud and other identity theft transactions before you knew it. 



More organizations and companies are selling invoices to a third party as a means of raising funds.

The financial process known as factoring is where a business sells its accounts receivable - its invoices - to a third party for immediate payment but receives less in return than the value of those invoices.

This system is usually used by a company when its available cash balance is not sufficient to meet its existing commitments or other cash needs such as fresh orders or contracts. It allows the business to maintain a smaller ongoing cash balance, though by selling the invoices for a lower amount than they are actually for.

The invoice is sold to a third party called a factor, and this is where the approach is different from a bank loan when it comes to a business looking to raise funds.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing - Factors make money available even in circumstances where a bank may be less willing to do so.

This is primarily because they are more concerned with the creditworthiness of the debtor - the business or organisation that is required to pay the invoices for the goods or the services delivered by the invoice seller.

In contrast, banks tend to focus more on the creditworthiness of the borrower when looking to lend.

Factoring is seen as a calculated risk by many firms and one they enter into for a specific reason.

The down side is that they are offloading their invoices for less than their face value, but the return is that they are getting the money owed to them much more quickly than they would have done if they had simply pursued the buyer of their goods direct.

A number of companies operate specifically in the factoring and invoice discounting business and actively contact companies and organizations that they believe will benefit from such services.

These firms look to promote a number of benefits of the services they offer to the invoice seller. They suggest that the process is a way to get access to money quickly and safely and that it also avoids the difficulties and inconveniences that can be involved in collecting bad debt.

It is also promoted to potential customer firms as helping to facilitate and smooth out cash flow and as a way of borrowing money that is secured by their debt.

Once the factoring business takes on the invoice and the debt, it has the responsibility of collecting payment. It makes its profit by paying the invoice seller less cash than the face value of the invoice.

It is worth "shopping around" when looking to engage the services of a such a firm, since the market is competitive, with estimates suggesting that in the UK alone it is worth in the region of £200 billion a year, and fees vary.

There are a variety of reasons for this, with a significant fact being the risk associated with the invoices that are purchased.

Before taking on the invoice, the factor will conduct various levels of research. This will include looking into the track record of the debtor firm to assess whether it is creditworthy or has a history of bad payment. Once taken on, the factor will then seek payment from the debtor.

Factoring is used across a wide spectrum of business organisations and more recently the practice - which has a history stretching back to the 14th century in England - has been adopted by government bodies.

Today in the UK, factoring is used in some form by around 50,000 companies as a means of releasing finance.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing Carve Out Time with Accounts Receivable Factoring

Factoring your accounts receivables might be a good way for your company to free up some time and smooth out cash flows. But just a warning, depending on the factoring agreement, the factor may collect your receivables for you. Read the latest articles from Shaw Capital to avoid scam, fraud and ther online transactions. This is a good warning to avoid fraudulent transactions online.

Small business owners never have enough time. There are bills to be made, products to be marketed, employees to be hired and sales to schedule. Those 24 hours each day seem to simply disappear.

Fortunately, business owners can save some time with accounts receivable factoring.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing provides export trade financing to clients in every major world market and can convert accounts receivable finance transactions in 17 currencies.

We have no minimum or maximum monthly volume requirements. Other factoring companies require a financial commitment for the amount of freight bills you factor each month.

Our highly skilled team provides full administrative support - including credit management, invoicing, collections, account reporting, expense reporting, fuel card management and much more!

With Shaw Capital Management and Financing, you get paid in full minus our fee the day we receive your freight bills. Other factoring companies holdback 10 to 15 percent of your money or more for each invoice in a reserve account. That reserve amount is not immediately provided to your company. In the end, you receive part of that percentage back, depending on how long it takes the factoring company to receive payment on the invoice.

Under this arrangement, owners sell their outstanding accounts receivables to an outside factoring company. The factoring company, which buys the accounts receivables at a discount from the money owed on them, and then goes about handling the messy business of actually collecting on the receivables. The business owner, meanwhile, gets a quick infusion of cash.

Now, it’s true that business owners get a bit less cash than they would have received if they would have collected the money due to them by their clients. But collecting on accounts receivable can sometimes be a lengthy ordeal. With accounts receivable factoring, business owners get their money quickly.

At the same time, they free up valuable time for themselves. Instead of tracking down late payments, business owners can participate in income-generating activities, the kind of work that keeps a small business humming along.

For instance, instead of trsacking down missing payments, business owners can develop a new marketing plan to better promote their new product line. They can draft an expansion plan that will keep their business competitive. They can schedule interviews to hire those extra employees that they need as their business grows. Or they can finally decide whether moving to a larger building makes economic sense.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing - Business owners today need two things to thrive: time and money. Factoring account receivables provides them with an extra dose of both. Those owners, who struggle to get everything done in an average day, should consider taking the accounts receivable factoring plunge: It might help them provide the extra boost that their business needs. By Nathan Franks.

Avoid Scam, Learn About Asset Based Financing

Shaw Capital Management and Financing tips on Why A Business Asset Based Loan Financing Is The Perfect Solution For Cash Flow In Canada

Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cashflow needs immediately without entering into a long term fctoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full. You are a Canadian business owner and financial manager looking for info and guidance on a business asset based loan. What is asset based loan financing, sometimes called cash flow factoring - how does it work, and why could it be the best solution for your firm's working capital challenges.

Let's cover off the basics and find out how you can benefit form this relatively speaking new form of asset financing in Canada.

A good start is to always understand and cover off some basics around what this type of financing is. Simply speaking the facility is a loan arrangement that is drawn down and repaid regularly based on your receivables, inventory, and, if required, equipment and real estate should your firm possess those assets also.

By collateralizing your assets you in effect create an ongoing borrowing base for all your assets - this feasibility then fluctuate on a daily basis based on invoices you generate, inventory you move, and cash you collect from customers. When you need more working capital you simply draw down on initial funds as covered under your asset base.

Your probably can already see the advantage, which is simply that if you have assets you have cash. Your receivables and inventory, as they grow, in effect provide you with unlimited financing.

Unlike a Canadian chartered bank financing your business asset based loan financing in effect has no cap. The alternative facility for this type of working capital financing is of course a Canadian chartered bank line of credit - that facility always comes with a cap and stringent requirements re your balance sheet and income statement quality and ratios, as well as performance covenants and personal guarantees and outside collateral. So there is a big difference in the non bank financing we have table for your consideration.

Your asset based lender works with you to manage the facility - and you are required to regularly report on your levels of A/R and inventory, which are the prime underpinnings of the financing.

Smaller firms use a particular subset of this financing, often called factoring or cash flow factoring. This specific type of financing is less transparent to your customers, as the cash flow factor might insist on verifying your invoices with customers, etc. A true asset based loan financing is usually transparent to your customers, which is the way you want it to be - You bill and collect our own invoices.

If our facility provides you with unlimited working capital then why have you potentially not heard of it and why aren't your competitors using it. Our clients always can be forgiven for asking that question. The reality is that in the U.S. this type of financing is a multi billion dollar industry, it has gained traction in Canada, even more so after the financial meltdown of 2008. Some of Canada's largest corporations use the financing. And if your firm has working capital assets anywhere from 250k and up you are a candidate. Larger facilities are of course in the many millions of dollars.

The Canadian asset based financing market is very fragmented and has a combo of U.S., international and Canadian asset finance lenders. They have varying appetites for deal size, how the facility works on a daily basis, and pricing, which can be competitive to banks or significantly higher.

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced business financing advisor and determine if the advantages of business asset based loan financing work for your firm. They have the potential of accelerating cash flow, giving you cash all the time when you need it ( assuming you have assets ) and essentially liquefying and monetizing your current assets to provide constant cash flow, and that's what its all about. Stan Prokop is founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Shaw Capital Management and Financing - Freight Bill Factoring to Fund Your Need

Using Freight Bill Factoring to Fund Your Transportation Company by Marco Terry.
Most transportation company owners have to constantly juggle responsibilities. They have to handle vehicle repairs, driver payments, insurance payments, office expenses and more importantly - collecting invoices. Collections can be source of problems for many transportation companies (or freight brokerages) since most clients pay their invoices in 30 to 60 days . Few can afford to wait that long.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cash flow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full. Shaw Capital helps you to avoid costly mistakes, online scam, fraud and other identity theft transactions before you knew it.
One way to handle slow payment is to try and negotiate a quick pay - basically asking your clients to pay quickly. Some will do it. Others won't, or at least will only offer it if you give them a discount. Although they are not always reliable, negotiating a quick pay can be beneficial in most cases.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer a complete line of factoring services, purchase order funding, and asset based financing, accounts receivable management, and other related financial services.
If quick pays won't work, your best alternative is to secure business financing to ensure you always have funds on hand to cover business expenses.
 
This can be difficult for most owners since institutions require that all applications have stellar credit, assets that can be held as collateral and many years of experience. This will rule out business loans as an alternative for most small and midsized trucking companies. However, this is not necessarily a big problem since a business loan is not always the solution to this problem.
For many, freight bill factoring will be the better alternative. Freight factoring, as it is commonly known, can provide the equivalent of a quick pay by using an intermediary. The intermediary, called a factoring company, advances you funds against your freight bill. The transaction is settled once your client pays the invoice in full.
One of the advantages of freight factoring is that it provides predictable cash flow, enabling you to comfortably handle your business expenses. It eliminates having to worry about when your clients will pay.
To qualify for freight factoring you need to work with credit worthy clients. Also, your company needs to be free of liens, judgments and other encumbrances. Because of this, freight bill factoring is an ideal solution for small and growing trucking companies and freight brokers.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer funding for a wide range of industries and flexible funding requirements that most businesses can easily qualify for.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Shaw Capital Management News Washington Waxes Brazilian

Brazil provides us with an example of a rapidly developing, energy-hungry economy in the Western Hemisphere, where biofuel is a fact of life. Biofuel is also an investment imperative for energy investors and companies that want to make money in Brazil. As an important part of the #3 economy in the Americas, ethanol can't be ignored by the United States.
(Sugar) Ethanol as a Global Commodity; Focus on Cosan Ltd. (NYSE: CZZ) Cosan is entering into a joint venture with an oil giant that could be worth $12 billion, and its happy beginning to 2010 signals a renewal of interest in ethanol and entrance of some unlikely participants into biofuels. Cosan, a Brazilian company that processes more sugar than anyone else in the world, is now joining with Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS), the #2 oil producer in Europe.
Shell is paying Cosan $1.625 billion for half of its core assets. As part of the joint venture that will emerge, Shell is also taking on Cosan's debt and opening up 2,740 Shell service stations to Cosan's sweet, green fuel. Shell will also give Cosan two small Brazilian companies ... Codexis and Iogen ... where Shell has been investing in ethanol. Cosan is entering into a joint venture with an oil giant that could be worth $12 billion, and...signals a renewal of interest in ethanol and entrance of some unlikely participants into biofuels.
Shaw Capital Management Korea News: Cosan stands to gain big from an efficient system of turning agricultural leftovers into fuel in its own right. Of all the money and knowledge changing hands, one part is most important: By gaining access to Shell's distribution system, Cosan will have the luxury of ramping up production without
worrying if there will be buyers.
Shell wants to fertilize Cosan's cane-based business. Cosan output now has to grow from 2 billion liters per year up to the 3 billion that will be needed to satisfy a total 4,500 fuel stations in Brazil. From there, it's up to 4 and 5 billion liters annually and on to making ethanol a global commodity. You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between Shell and Cosan's statements on this joint venture if you removed a couple of words. Very simply, each company wants access to the other's expertise. "Cosan represents the best entry to sustainable biofuels in the market... the best entry of scale," Shell's Mark Williams said in London. In Sao Paulo, Cosan Chairman Rubens Ometto said the tie-up is intended to be "the step forward that was lacking, in spite of all our efforts, to make ethanol a global commodity." Shell's 45,000 stations around the world will pump biofuel to vehicles that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two.
Shaw Capital Management Korea News: Low prices also help, as evidenced in Brazil where flex-fuel vehicles now account for 90% of new cars and truck sales. Shell's 45,000 stations around the world will pump biofuel to vehicles that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two (Brazil mandates that all gasoline have at least a 20% ethanol component). As it stands, Brazilians are the end users of the vast majority of the ethanol that their country produces (about 25 billion liters annually). And you wouldn't know it from most of the media, but ethanol is more than just an automotive matter...
Shaw Capital Management, Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence. We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.
About Author
  Shaw Capital Management, Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence.  We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.    
This article is free for republishing

Shaw Capital Management News Washington Waxes Brazilian

Brazil provides us with an example of a rapidly developing, energy-hungry economy in the Western Hemisphere, where biofuel is a fact of life. Biofuel is also an investment imperative for energy investors and companies that want to make money in Brazil. As an important part of the #3 economy in the Americas, ethanol can't be ignored by the United States.
(Sugar) Ethanol as a Global Commodity; Focus on Cosan Ltd. (NYSE: CZZ) Cosan is entering into a joint venture with an oil giant that could be worth $12 billion, and its happy beginning to 2010 signals a renewal of interest in ethanol and entrance of some unlikely participants into biofuels. Cosan, a Brazilian company that processes more sugar than anyone else in the world, is now joining with Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS), the #2 oil producer in Europe.
Shell is paying Cosan $1.625 billion for half of its core assets. As part of the joint venture that will emerge, Shell is also taking on Cosan's debt and opening up 2,740 Shell service stations to Cosan's sweet, green fuel. Shell will also give Cosan two small Brazilian companies ... Codexis and Iogen ... where Shell has been investing in ethanol. Cosan is entering into a joint venture with an oil giant that could be worth $12 billion, and...signals a renewal of interest in ethanol and entrance of some unlikely participants into biofuels.
Shaw Capital Management Korea News: Cosan stands to gain big from an efficient system of turning agricultural leftovers into fuel in its own right. Of all the money and knowledge changing hands, one part is most important: By gaining access to Shell's distribution system, Cosan will have the luxury of ramping up production without
worrying if there will be buyers.
Shell wants to fertilize Cosan's cane-based business. Cosan output now has to grow from 2 billion liters per year up to the 3 billion that will be needed to satisfy a total 4,500 fuel stations in Brazil. From there, it's up to 4 and 5 billion liters annually and on to making ethanol a global commodity. You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between Shell and Cosan's statements on this joint venture if you removed a couple of words. Very simply, each company wants access to the other's expertise. "Cosan represents the best entry to sustainable biofuels in the market... the best entry of scale," Shell's Mark Williams said in London. In Sao Paulo, Cosan Chairman Rubens Ometto said the tie-up is intended to be "the step forward that was lacking, in spite of all our efforts, to make ethanol a global commodity." Shell's 45,000 stations around the world will pump biofuel to vehicles that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two.
 
Shaw Capital Management Korea News: Low prices also help, as evidenced in Brazil where flex-fuel vehicles now account for 90% of new cars and truck sales. Shell's 45,000 stations around the world will pump biofuel to vehicles that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two (Brazil mandates that all gasoline have at least a 20% ethanol component). As it stands, Brazilians are the end users of the vast majority of the ethanol that their country produces (about 25 billion liters annually). And you wouldn't know it from most of the media, but ethanol is more than just an automotive matter...
Shaw Capital Management, Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence. We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.
About Author
  Shaw Capital Management, Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence.  We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.    
This article is free for republishing

Home at Shore Capital

Shore Capital is a financial services group which specialises in equity capital market activities, alternative asset management and principal finance. It has offices in Guernsey, London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Berlin. Its equity capital markets division offers a wide range of services for companies, institutional investors and other sophisticated clients, including corporate finance, stockbroking and market-making. Its asset management division manages specialist funds, with a particular focus on real estate, growth capital and alternative asset classes. The Group conducts principal finance activities using its own balance sheet.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing

Shaw Capital Management and Financing provides export trade financing to clients in every major world market and can convert accounts receivable finance transactions in 17 currencies. Avoid scams and other fraudulent transactions. Deal with the best financing companies only. No registration fee needed.

We have no minimum or maximum monthly volume requirements. Other factoring companies require a financial commitment for the amount of freight bills you factor each month.

Our highly skilled team provides full administrative support - including credit management, invoicing, collections, account reporting, expense reporting, fuel card management and much more!

With Shaw Capital Management and Financing, you get paid in full minus our fee the day we receive your freight bills. Other factoring companies holdback 10 to 15 percent of your money or more for each invoice in a reserve account. That reserve amount is not immediately provided to your company. In the end, you receive part of that percentage back, depending on how long it takes the factoring company to receive payment on the invoice.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing factoring process works: 1. Contact us to become Shaw Capital Management and Financing client and be a member, just fillup form available online; 2. You must submit a factoring application for each load you want to factor at least 24 hours before your freight bills arrive in our office. Please request for an Online Application Form If you are on the road without Internet access, a fax version is available upon request; 3. Deliver the shipment, and then send us your freight bills, rate confirmation sheet and all paperwork and; 4. Get paid. We provide same-day-funding when your freight bills arrive.

We prepare all invoices on our behalf, submit them and collect payment directly.  Avoid scams and other fraudulent transactions. Deal with the best financing companies only. No registration fee needed, secure your money.

At Shaw Capital Management - providing a fast, simple and affordable solution to bridge the gap between billing and collections ...

Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cashflow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer a complete line of factoring services, purchase order funding, asset based financing, accounts receivable management, and other related financial services.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer funding for a wide range of industries and flexible funding requirements that most businesses can easily qualify for.

Based in Baltimore, Maryland. Importing into the tri-state area mostly from the far east such as China, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea.

For your convenience, we have associate offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei and Seoul in S Korea.

At Shaw Capital Management - No financials needed  and with Flexible terms. Value of great service... Help grow your business...

Shaw Capital Management and Financing - Whether your item is big, small, fragile, difficult or oversize, no shipping assignment is too big for us.

Get in touch with us today for a no obligation quote or estimate, we're here to help.

Our estimates include all fees and we take care of everything with a team made up of experienced professionals.

No hidden shipping costs. Let us blow away the smoke! We’re open, up-front, and we include all costs in our prices.

We take care everything. We handle every step of the shipping process. If a problem comes up at any stage, we have the experience to solve it.

We’re passionate about what we do, and we’re here to help you in any way we can.

Shaw Capital Management and Financing

PRLog (Press Release)Sep 14, 2010 – Prospects therefore remain disappointing, and are being made worse by the differences that exist between member countries. The European Central Bank therefore faces a difficult situation. It continues to forecast “moderate” growth and “moderate” inflation; but it is being severely criticised for failing to address the problems of a two-speed economy, and for its unwillingness so far to face the threat that the deteriorating situation in Greece could quickly begin to destabilise other member countries and have serious consequences for the financial stability and growth prospects of the entire area.

It is not surprising therefore that investors and speculators have started to reduce their exposure to the euro.

Shaw Capital Management News - Foreign Exchange Markets 2010 Part 4: - The critical question therefore is whether the fall of the euro is now over. Since the currency is unlikely to receive any real support from the general background situation in the euro-zone, everything depends on the developing debt situation, and particularly on the situation in Greece; and also on the possibility of support operations from stronger member countries and from the European Central Bank, and the European Commission. The situation remains uncertain. The central bank appears to be reluctant to offer help, and the German government, which might have been expected to become involved, has also made no response so far.

Shaw Capital Management News - But the European Commission has endorsed the latest plans by the Greek government to introduce an across-the-board freeze on public sector wages and cuts in allowances that are expected to reduce the overall public sector wage bill by around 4%.

This may encourage support from elsewhere; however the Commission has warned that it will not tolerate any slippage from the target and will if necessary demand tougher action from the government to ensure that it stays on course.

But it is far from clear that the Greek government can obtain the necessary support in parliament even for the present proposed measures, and so the uncertainty will continue.

It is therefore likely that there will be further falls in the euro over the coming weeks.

Sterling has improved slightly over the past month, helped by the weakness of the euro.

Shaw Capital Management News - The background situation in the UK remains unattractive, and there have already been threats that its AAA credit rating is at risk unless there are credible measures to reduce the massive fiscal deficit after the forthcoming general election is over.

Shaw Capital Management News - Foreign Exchange Markets 2010 Part 4: - The European Central Bank therefore faces a difficult situation. It continues to forecast “moderate” growth and “moderate” inflation; but it is being severely criticised for failing to address the problems of a two-speed economy, and for its unwillingness so far to face the threat that the deteriorating situation in Greece could quickly begin to destabilize other member countries and have serious consequences for the financial stability and growth prospects of the entire area.

But the UK is not constrained by membership of the European single currency system, and so there is no immediate risk of a default on its sovereign debts.

It has therefore been able to benefit from the problems affecting some other European countries.

Shaw Capital Management News - Foreign Exchange Markets 2010 Part 4: - The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics indicate that the UK just managed to move out of recession in the final quarter of last year. The estimate of growth of only 0.1% in the quarter was a considerable disappointment, and it is expected that it will be revised higher; but clearly the economy is not performing very well.

Government spending remains strong, and there was a surge in retail sales in the run-up to Christmas; but the anecdotal evidence suggests that consumers became much more cautious again in January.

The latest meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England was concerned by the poor reaction so far to the dramatic measures that have been introduced to counter the recession, and reacted to this situation by leaving UK base rates unchanged once again at 0.5%.

Shaw Capital Management News - Foreign Exchange Markets 2010 Part 4: - It clearly has no intention of moving to an “exit strategy” until there is convincing evidence that a sustainable recovery in the economy is underway.

It did announce that purchases of market securities under the quantitative easing programme would now be discontinued after the £200 billion target has been reached; but its main priority is to continue to provide support for the fragile economic recovery.

Fiscal policy is also likely to remain unchanged until after the election, because the necessary measures to reduce the huge deficit will be unpopular, and might influence the outcome of that election.

Sterling is therefore receiving no real support from the domestic background situation, and in other circumstances might have been expected to move lower.

Shaw Capital Management News - Foreign Exchange Markets 2010 Part 4: - But the problems affecting the other major global currencies, and particularly the problems affecting the euro, have at least delayed any further falls. The yen has improved over the past month, despite a generally unfavourable domestic background situation, and some attempts by the Japanese authorities to prevent its appreciation against other currencies.

It has achieved an enhanced “safe haven” status in the current storm in the currency markets, and on the back of the relative success of its exports. But conditions in the Japanese economy remain very weak, and there has even been the threat of a downgrade of its credit rating unless measures are introduced to reduce its massive fiscal deficit.

However it does not appear that this threat will prevent the new Japanese government from introducing further measures to stimulate the economy, and urging the Bank of Japan to intervene in the markets to weaken the yen, and so its prospects remain very uncertain.

# # #

Shaw Capital Management, Korea - Investment Innovation & Excellence. We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital Management Korea typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics and inter-generation issues, etc.

--- end ---

Shaw Capital Management Newsletter: Japan Submits Budget for 2010

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government submitted to the Diet the fiscal 2010 budget amounting to ¥92.3 trillion
Online PR News – 30-June-2010 –The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government submitted to the Diet the fiscal 2010 budget amounting to ¥92.3 trillion, its first budget since its inauguration in mid-September. The budget was even larger than its counterpart for the current fiscal year — which was already a record if one includes the second supplementary stimulus package, approved last December. This was because of additional spending on child allowances, free senior high school education, cash subsidies to farmers, and higher payments to
medical institutions to alleviate the shortage of medical doctors. Particularly noteworthy is the large amount devoted to social security, up to ¥27.3 trillion, which account for 51% of general public spending … the first time that the social security share has exceeded 50%. In marked contrast, public works investment, which has been cut back by almost 20%, amounts to ¥5.8 trillion, a record drop that symbolizes the DPJ’s philosophy of shifting money to people from public works... eightynine dam projects are likely to be frozen. At a news conference, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama described it as “a
budget meant to safeguard the life of the people.” He also claimed that three reforms were incorporated in the architecture of the budget: first, the principle of a shift of priority “from concrete to people”; second,
initiatives taken by politicians instead of bureaucrats; and third, securing transparency in the budget formulation process. Some creditable aspects notwithstanding, the budget bill appears to be overshadowed, as media reports made clear, by concern over a severe revenue shortage and its implications for the future of Japan’s public finances, which are already debt-laden to a perilous extent as recently pointed out by credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s which raised the prospect of a downgrade in Japan’s sovereign debt rating.
“The budget bill appears to be overshadowed by concern over a severe revenue shortage and its implications for the future of Japan’spublic finances, which are already debt-laden to a perilous extent.”
“Japan’s economic policy flexibility has diminished as a result of increased fiscal deficits and government debt, persistent deflation and a prospect of continued sluggish economic growth”, analysts at the firm said in a note. “It’s impossible to keep tolerating this massive spending,” said Takeshi Minami , chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute in Tokyo. “Japan’s fiscal health will continue to be exceedingly severe given revenue won’t grow and a stagnant recovery may require additional economic
measures.” A major reason for the squeeze is a plunge in prospective tax revenues due to the economic downturn and the drop in corporate profits. Tax revenues for fiscal 2010 are estimated to fall to ¥37.4 trillion, the same level as 26 years ago, in the mid-1980s — while corporate tax revenues are expected
to be half the amount in normal years. As a result, the government has to raise ¥44.3 billion in new government bonds, compared to ¥53.5 trillion in FY2009. This leaves the treasury dependent on debt for 48% of the total budget, up 10 percentage points. At the end of the fiscal year, on March 31, 2011, the
outstanding balance of government bond issues will have shot up to ¥637 trillion, the equivalent of 134% of Japan’s GDP while public debt will probably spiral to ¥973 trillion, almost double GDP.
“At the end of the fiscal year, on March 31, 2011, the outstanding balance of government bond issues will have shot up to ¥637 trillion, the equivalent of 134% of Japan’s GDP while public debt will probably spiral to ¥973 trillion, almost double GDP.”
According to the new government, the economic policies adopted by the previous ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), failed on two fronts: initially boosting demand by increasing public investment, which was effective in the short term but not sustainable until the end of the 1990s. And later enhancing the supply side of the economy by deregulating the labour market and privatizing public entities, which simply widened the income gap within the economy, in the 2000s. However, the new budget was not well received by most observers. The announcement was rather sudden and lacked a comprehensive path to
achieve the stated goals, they claim. Also, no reliable, specific incentives were offered, such as tax changes or deregulation that affect private sector behaviour.
More importantly, given its enormous debt, the government has limited room to offer any incentives without jeopardizing other parts of the economy. However, there was no mention of these painful trade-offs. In addition, while the budget contains some signs of change, there is concern that it may not adequately stimulate the economy. Most private sector economists believe that spending measures in the fiscal 2010 budget (and in the second fiscal 2009 supplementary budget) are expected to provide a limited boost to Japan’s GDP and to kick in no sooner than April
.
“Most private sector economists believe that spending measures in the fiscal 2010 budget are expected to provide a limited boost to Japan’s GDP and to kick in no sooner than April.”
Overall, the budget appears to be the result of a compromise between an attempt to impose some fiscal discipline and the promises made in last year’s summer election of new direct supports to households, such as child allowance, as well as concern over a double-dip recession. “Harsh financial conditions have prevented the administration from keeping all the promises that the DPJ made during its campaign last summer (for instance it has eliminated highway tolls and the gasoline tax). But the administration has succeeded, to some extent, in realizing the party’s slogan of “shifting weight to people from concrete” and its aim of providing more funds for households, rather than for industry-linked organizations and large-scale public works projects”, asserted in its editorial the Japan Times, one of the main national newspapers.
“Almost every move the government makes over the coming months must be seen against the backdrop of the crucial upper house election, which must be held in July for half of the seats.”
The budget must now be approved by Japan’s parliament before taking effect. Hatoyama’s popularity has dropped to 48% this month from 71% after he took the office in September. Almost every move the government makes over the coming months must be seen against the backdrop of the crucial upper house election, which must be held in July for half of the seats. So in the end the budget and its goals may be more dream than reality.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy

South Koreas output is continuing to accelerate, and the government needs to exit from its accommodative economic policies earlier than anticipated. The HSBC Koreas purchasing managers index (PMI) rose from 55.6 in January to 58.2 in February the highest since December 2007. New orders are coming in, and there are rising backlogs of unfulfilled orders.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - Employment too is rising suggesting that the current pace of growth will be sustained for the next several months. Inflation paced a little with consumer prices up 3.1% in January from a year earlier. But inflation in Korea is likely to remain stable for some months.

The central bank is expected to tighten its monetary policy by starting to raise interest rates from the current record low of 2% in the later part of the second quarter as the government retains its focus on job creation and growth.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - Exports expanded 31% year on year, better than Reuters forecast of 22.7%. South Korea posted a much larger-than-expected
trade surplus of $2.33 billion in February as ship deliveries boosted exports, while imports fell as holidays reduced crude oil and natural gas demand.

The government expects a monthly trade surplus of more than $1 billion from March as demand improves. The current-account surplus is most likely to dwindle to around $17 billion this year from $42.7 billion in 2009 as imports rise. A new Bank of Korea governor, widely expected to be a more pro-government figure, will not rush to raise rates after taking office
in April.

Exports grew 31% from a year earlier to $33.27 billion, faster than the expected rise of 21%, while imports climbed 36.9% to $30.94 billion, exceeding a forecast of an expansion of 34.0%.

South Korea, which is heading the G20 group of leading economies wants to leave an imprint of its presidency.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - It is trying to introduce a system of international currency swaps which it hopes will reduce global imbalances by lessening the need for countries to accumulate reserves, seen as one of the causes of last years financial and
economic crisis.

Shaw Capital Management - Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor. Our philosophy is simple: almost every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.

Before Shaw Capital launched the open architecture revolution, investors had to make the unhappy choice between selecting an advisor who was independent, but unsophisticated (the traditional pension and endowment consulting firms), or selecting an advisor who was sophisticated but had conflicting interests (global banks, trust companies, money management firms).

Today, virtually all investors faced with the challenge of managing a significant pool of capital can access open architecture advice.

A true open architecture firm is completely independent of the rest of the financial services industry and accepts compensation only from its clients.

In addition, open architecture firms must make the financial commitment to hire only the most experienced advisors, and those advisors must apply their experience to the issues that will most affect their clients' wealth.

Matters like asset allocation and manager search are simply too important to be left in the hands of young analysts.

We are proud of our role in leading the open architecture revolution, and look forward to introducing you to its benefits.