Alamy Sorry, recent college grads: That mountain of student loan debt you have to scale is going to delay your retirement by more than a decade. That's the conclusion of an analysis by personal finance site NerdWallet, which looked at the dismal financial state of today's average college graduate. With a median debt load of $23,300, a 10-year repayment plan and an unemployment rate of 18 percent upon graduation, new grads aren't exactly set up to start socking away retirement funds. It all translates to about $115,000 less in your retirement fund by the time you hit the typical retirement age. So how does $23,000 in college debt now wind up costing you $115,000 later? It's partly a matter of interest on the loan, which winds up costing the typical grad an additional $5,000 or so by the time the debt is repaid. But the real issue is opportunity cost. "[A]lthough the median college graduate leaves with a seemingly manageable $23,300 debt load, 7% of a student's earnings go toward yearly loan payments of $2,858 for the first ten years of his or her career," writes NerdWallet analyst Joseph Egoian. "This prevents any meaningful contributions toward retirement." Now, if that $28,580 being doled out in loan payments instead sat in a plain-vanilla retirement account averaging a 5 percent annual return for 33 years, it would become more than $143,000. But it won't, and as a result, the typical debt-laden college graduate won't be well-situated to retire until he or she is 73 -- a good 12 years later than the current average retirement age. Even with a projected life expectancy of 84, that's still only a decade of retirement to enjoy. Later retirements are somewhat inevitable, even in the absence of exploding student loan debt -- as medical science extends our lifespans, you'll have to work longer simple give yourself a shot at not outliving your money. That's why it's more important than ever to contribute as much as possible to your retirement accounts and take full advantage of any employer matching you can get on your 401(k). Even with tuition growth starting to slow, it's tough to avoid graduating college with a heavy debt load. But you don't have to follow the crowd into a seriously delayed retirement: Being smart about your education can help you get there right on schedule.
10 Best Managed Healthcare Stocks To Invest In 2015: Liberty Global Inc.(LBTYA)
Liberty Global, Inc. provides video, broadband Internet, and telephony services primarily in Europe and Chile. The company offers broadband services over cable distribution systems, including video, broadband Internet, and telephony; and video services through direct-to-home satellite, or through multichannel multipoint distribution systems. Its analog video services comprise basic and expanded basic programming; and digital cable services include basic and premium programming, digital video recorders, and high definition programming, as well as pay-per-view programming, such as video-on-demand and near video-on-demand. In addition, the company offers voice-over-Internet-protocol and circuit-switched telephony services, as well as mobile telephony services using third-party networks. Further, it owns programming networks that provide video programming channels to multi-channel distribution systems owned by the company and the third parties. As of December 31, 2011, the com pany owned and operated networks that passed 33,262,100 homes; and served 18,405,500 video subscribers, 8,159,300 broadband Internet subscribers, and 6,225,300 telephony subscribers. Liberty Global, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is based in Englewood, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Vera Yuan]
Dear Fellow Shareholder: The U.S. economy continues to gradually expand, building on the 5+ year recovery from the Great Recession. Employment levels are improving, though progress has been slower than expected. Inflation, for now, remains subdued. As signaled and on cue, the Fed has been weaning the economy (and investors) off of the extraordinary ��uantitative easing��stimulus. Investors have generally shrugged off world events that might otherwise cause high anxiety (ISIS and the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine, etc.). As attention now turns to when the Fed will raise short-term interest rates, it seems plausible that volatility may intensify as the stimulus security blanket is removed. In the meantime, companies are taking advantage of the artificially low interest rate environment and sanguine investor sentiment. Merger activity remains robust, fueled by cheap and readily available credit. The IPO market has been very active, headlined by the successful Alibaba offering in September. Corporate treasurers continue to issue loads of debt on attractive terms, locking in generationally low interest rates for long terms. While these conditions will not last forever, they have helped opportunistic managers accelerate equity value growth at many companies.Investment Commentary and Outlook After three years of seemingly non-stop gains, the stock market took a pause in the third quarter. While most large cap indices eked out modest positive returns, the broader investing waters were far less placid. Small cap stocks sold off as the Russell 2000 declined more than 7% during the quarter. Energy stocks, both large and small, fell materially as investors worried about too much oil and gas supply coming online in North America (what a difference a decade makes). High yield bonds wobbled briefly in July, then again in September. Increasingly, investors are not treating all securities the same, and as stock pickers we welcome this development. Our equity funds��resu
- [By Tim Brugger]
Upon Liberty Global's (NASDAQ: LBTYA ) successfully closing its acquisition of Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED ) , Tom Mockridge will assume CEO responsibilities of the U.K. communications firm, Liberty Global announced today.
- [By Amy Thomson]
Vodafone has already expanded beyond wireless service, and in June beat John Malone�� Liberty Global (LBTYA) Plc to take over Germany�� Kabel Deutschland Holding AG. (KD8) Vodafone and Verizon accelerated talks on the stake sale after the Kabel Deutschland offer, which put additional pressure on the British company�� finances, a person familiar with the matter said.
Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2014: Charter Communications Inc.(CHTR)
Charter Communications, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers cable video programming services, such as basic and digital video, premium channels, OnDemand, pay-per-view, high definition television, digital video recorder, and online video services; Internet services; Charter.net, which provides multiple e-mail addresses, as well as various entertainment, games, news, and sports content; and telephone services. It also provides broadband communications solutions, such as Internet access, data networking, fiber connectivity to cellular towers and office buildings, video entertainment services, and business telephone services under the Charter Business brand name to business and carrier organizations. As of December 31, 2011, the company served approximately 4.1 million video customers; approximately 3.5 million Internet customers; appr oximately 1.7 million telephone customers; and approximately 476,200 commercial primary service units. Charter Communications, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By CNBC]
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images Time Warner Cable's flirtation with potential merger suitors may include Comcast, which is seeking advice on possible regulatory hurdles if it should pursue a bid, sources told CNBC on Friday. Comcast (CMCSA) (CMCSK), the parent company of CNBC, is not in active discussions on deal terms with Time Warner Cable (TWC), these sources say, but is asking for guidance on antitrust and telecommunications-related issues. According to people familiar with the matter, TWC has made it clear that if it should sell itself, Comcast would be its preferred buyer. These people add that Comcast has been quietly mulling a merger with TWC for some time. The cable operator is on the verge of a bid from Charter Communications (CHTR), according to The Wall Street Journal, which said Charter is near an agreement with banks for the funds to make that offer. Analysts, however, say Time Warner's needs may be better suited with Comcast. "The synergies are very real, and Comcast would be a better fit," said Craig Moffett, founder and senior analyst at MoffettNathanson. He said that while the Department of Justice's anti-trust requirements may not pose an insurmountable challenge, the more stringent litmus test might come from the Federal Communications Commission.
- [By Sean Williams]
Finally, cable operator Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC ) trudged higher by another 2.7% as ongoing rumors continue to swirl about a potential buyout offer from Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR ) . These rumors became even more intriguing when Charter announced yesterday that it had amended credit agreements on $4.8 billion worth of its debt, presumably to give it more room should it decide to make an acquisition. The broadcasting space is certainly ripe for acquisition, but I also wouldn't suggest foolishly chasing names in this space higher on rumors.�
Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2014: DISH Network Corporation(DISH)
DISH Network Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscription television services in the United States. It offers programming that includes approximately 280 basic video channels, 60 Sirius satellite radio music channels, 30 premium movie channels, 35 regional and specialty sports channels, 2,800 local channels, 250 Latino and international channels, and 55 channels of pay-per-view content. The company also offers local HD channels in approximately 160 markets and 215 national HD channels; and receiver systems, including a small satellite dish, digital set-top receivers, and remote controls. In addition, it provides DISHOnline.com, which enables DISH Network subscribers to watch 150,000 movies, television shows, clips, and trailers; DISH Remote Access that enables subscribers to remotely manage their DVRs using compatible mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops through their broadband-connected receiver; and Go ogle TV that enables DISH Network subscribers to search the Internet, check email, interact with social media, and find additional online programming content while simultaneously watching television. As of March 31, 2011, the company had approximately 14.191 million customers. DISH Network provides receiver systems and programming through direct sales channels; and independent third parties, such as small satellite retailers, direct marketing groups, local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications companies. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]
AP From a struggling department store chain finally turning things around to a video store calling it quits, here are the big wins and losses of the business world this week. J.C. Penney (JCP) -- Winner One of the ugliest streaks in retail is dead. J.C. Penney posted a 0.9 percent increase in same-store sales for the month of October, snapping an horrible streak of 21 consecutive negative months. J.C. Penney's fall from grace began when a new CEO attempted a radical makeover that eliminated sales in favor of everyday low pricing. Shoppers didn't like that, and the CEO was eventually shown the door. J.C. Penney still has a long way to truly bounce back. That 0.9 percent increase in store-level sales didn't even keep up with inflation over the past year. However, at a time when many were starting to write the chain off as dead, J.C. Penney is starting to recover, and pick up momentum heading into the crucial holiday shopping season. Blockbuster -- Loser DISH Network (DISH) is closing the last 300 Blockbuster stores that were still open in this country. It will also shutter its distribution centers and wind down its DVDs-by-mail service next month. The country's second-largest provider of satellite television service seemed to be scooping up the video rental chain at a bargain price out of bankruptcy two years ago. However, DISH Network failed to take the steps that would have been necessary to turn the struggling chain around. Instead of weaning customers off the fading DVD platform, DISH Network stuck to optical discs and used the stores to promote its flagship pay-TV service. That was never going to work. "Star Wars" Fans -- Winners Disney (DIS) posted record results on Thursday afternoon, but the real nugget of news out of the entertainment giant is that Episode VII of the ballyhooed "Star Wars" franchise will be released on Dec. 18, 2015. Reports had indicated that there was a disagreement about the release date. Disney's top brass was hoping for a su
- [By Tom Rojas var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach(func]
Dish Network Corp.(DISH) swung to a second-quarter profit as the satellite-television provider reported stronger revenue and narrower pay-TV subscriber losses. Shares ticked up slightly to $62.35 premarket.
- [By Louis Navellier]
DIRECTV Holdings LLC is the largest direct-broadcast satellite service in the United States, ahead of No. 2 DISH Network (DISH). DIRECTV continues to upgrade its services and add new customers even as its rivals in the cable TV business lose subscribers. With 27,200 employees, the company currently serves more than 37 million customers across the U.S. and Latin America.
- [By Matt Thalman]
The first few of the companies are the major cable providers, such as Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA ) , Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH ) , and�DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV ) . For every new home built, one of the cable companies is going to receive a new customer. In Comcast's situation, the lines must be laid, but Dish and DirecTV only need to install a satellite in your yard. General Electric (NYSE: GE ) is another company that derives a decent portion of its revenue from appliances and lighting, and this unit should see increased revenues as new homes are built.
Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2014: Gannett Co. Inc. (GCI)
Gannett Co., Inc. operates as a media and marketing solutions company in the United States and internationally. Its Publishing segment publishes 83 U.S. daily newspapers with affiliated online sites, including USA TODAY, a national, general-interest daily newspaper; USATODAY.com; USA WEEKEND, a magazine supplement for newspapers; Clipper Magazine, a direct mail advertising magazine; bi-weekly Nursing Spectrum and NurseWeek periodicals; and military and defense newspapers. This segment also includes 17 paid-for daily newspapers; approximately 200 weekly newspapers, magazines, and trade publications; and approximately 600 non-daily publications, as well as involves in commercial printing, newswire, marketing, and data services operations. The company?s Digital segment owns and operates CareerBuilder, an employment Web site, which offers online recruitment and career advancement services for employers, employees, recruiters, and job seekers; ShopLocal, which provides multicha nnel shopping and advertising services; Planet Discover, which offers hosted search and advertising services; PointRoll, which provides digital marketing services and technology; and Schedule Star, which offers scheduling solution for high school athletic departments. Its Broadcasting segment operates 23 television stations and affiliated Web sites, which produce local programming, such as news, sports, and entertainment programming. This segment also includes Captivate Network, a national news and entertainment network that delivers programming and full-motion video advertising on video screens located in elevators of office towers and select hotel lobbies in North America. The company has strategic business relationships with online affiliates, including Classified Ventures, ShopLocal.com, Topix, and Metromix LLC, as well as strategic marketing agreement with Microsoft. Gannett Co., Inc. was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tiernan Ray]
FBR & Co.‘s�William Bird, who follows the shares of old media dinosaurs�Gannett (GCI), �Meredith�(MDP),�News�(NWSA), and�The New York Times�(NYT), today offers the findings of a survey of 2,041 adults in the U.S. from March 12th to March 17th.
Bird has an Outperform rating on shares of Gannett, and Market Perform ratings on the other three names.
The upshot of the survey is that a third of young readers don’t read print papers, and are more and more flocking to online news outlets.
The survey, conducted with the help of Clear Voice Research LLC, suggests to Bird a “steady structural pressure on print, a tip of the spear demographic problem for print circulation, and slow magazine tablet adoption�� negative as tablets offer a better business model for magazines.”
More specifically, there is “value destruction” as more and more people trade from print to digital editioins of publications:
The survey suggests that structural pressure on consumer newspaper readership is a touch above�that of magazines. Over the next year, print newspaper usage is expected to decline a net 5% (i.e.,�6% expect to use more versus 11% who expect to use less). A total of 11% of respondents said they plan to use print newspapers less and 10% said they plan to �use print magazines less. This was exactly offset by the percentage of respondents who said they�plan to consume online newspapers more (11%) and those who plan to consume online magazines�more (10%). With $1 of print ad spend translating to $0.25 in digital, these results are supportive of �continued print-to-digital value destruction.
Younger readers tend to be more inclined to dump print, says FBR:
According to our survey, intended print newspaper subscription cancellations total 9.8% over the next 12 months. Notable is that plans to cancel skew heavily toward the below 35 year old demographic. The 18 to 34 demographic reflects
Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2014: Time Warner Cable Inc(TWC)
Time Warner Cable Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cable operator in the United States. It offers video, high-speed data, and voice services over its broadband cable systems to residential and commercial customers. The company provides a range of video services, including on-demand, high-definition (HD), and digital video recorder (DVR) services; residential high-speed data services with connection to the Internet; wireless mobile broadband Internet services; and digital phone services to residential customers. It offers video programming tiers and music services; high-speed data, networking, and transport services; and commercial digital phone service to small and medium-sized businesses under the Time Warner Cable Business Class brand. Further, Time Warner Cable Inc. sells advertising to various national, regional, and local customers. As of June 30, 2011, the company served approximately 14.5 million residential and commercial customers in the New Yor k State, the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California, and Texas. Time Warner Cable Inc. is based in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Moskowitz]
Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC ) �doesn't have the best reputation among its customers, but all that matters to investors is whether or not the company can make shareholders money through stock appreciation and dividend payments. Let's take a look at the Time Warner Cable situation and compare the company's potential to that of Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA ) and Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR ) .
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