NEW YORK ��Jury deliberations in the trial of five former Bernard Madoff employees ended for the week with prosecutors and defense lawyers sparring over the answer to jurors' questions about the structure of the Ponzi scheme architect's firm.
Before leaving Manhattan federal court Friday, the panel wrote a note asking U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain whether three charges in the 31-count criminal indictment referred only to Madoff's phony investment advisory division while three others related solely to his legitimate broker-dealer business.
Evidence during the trial showed that the divisions were intertwined, with Madoff siphoning money from unsuspecting investment clients to prop up his financially struggling broker-dealer wing.
Four of the ex-employees charged in the conspiracy worked chiefly or exclusively in the investment advisory division. The fifth worked largely on the broker-dealer side, though he also had some duties in the other business arm.
RELM Wireless Corporation (RELM) provides two-way radio communications equipment. RELM designs, manufactures and markets wireless communications products consisting of two-way land mobile radios, repeaters, base stations, and related components and subsystems. Two-way land mobile radios can be units that are hand-held (portable) or installed in vehicles (mobile). The Company's P-25 digital products and the Company's analog products function in the VHF (136 megahertz - 174 megahertz), UHF (380 megahertz - 470 megahertz, 450 megahertz - 520 megahertz) and 700-800 megahertz bands. The Company offers products under two brand names: BK Radio and RELM. BK Radio-branded products serve the government and public safety market and RELM-branded products serve the business and industrial market.
BK Radio-branded products consist of land-mobile radio equipment for professional radio users primarily in government and public safety applications. RELM's P-25 digital products are marketed under the BK Radio brand. RELM-branded products provide two-way communications for commercial and industrial concerns, such as hotels, construction firms, schools, and transportation services. The Company provides products to a range of customers, including emergency, public safety, homeland security and military customers of federal and state government agencies, as well as various commercial enterprises. The Company's two-way radio products are used in harsh and hazardous conditions.
The Company competes with Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Roberto Pedone]
Relm Wireless (RWC) is engaged in the designing, manufacturing and marketing wireless communications products consisting of two-way land mobile radios, repeaters, base stations and related components and subsystems. This stock closed up 2.8% to $3.58 in Tuesday's trading session.
Tuesday's Range: $3.40-$3.58
52-Week Range: $1.42-$3.74
Tuesday's Volume: 106,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 74,659
From a technical perspective, RWC trended higher here right above some near-term support levels at $3.20 to $3.10 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending for the last two months, with shares moving higher from its low of $2.62 to its intraday high of $3.58. During that move, shares of RWC have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move is quickly pushing shares of RWC within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if RWC manages to take out its 52-week high at $3.74 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in RWC as long as it's trending above some near-term support levels at $3.20 or its 50-day at $3.10 and then once it sustains a move or close above $3.74 with volume that hits near or above 74,659 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then RWC will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $4.50 to $5.
Top 10 Defense Companies To Watch For 2014: Erickson Air-Crane Inc (EAC)
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (Erickson) is engaged in the operation and manufacture of the Erickson S-64 Aircrane (Aircrane), a heavy-lift helicopter. The Company operates in two segments: Aerial Services and Manufacturing / MRO. Aerial Services offers a range of heavy-lift helicopter services through the Company's worldwide fleet, including firefighting, timber harvesting, infrastructure construction, and crewing services. Manufacturing / MRO manufactures Aircranes from existing airframes, manufactures new components on a contract basis, and provides customers with Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency certified maintenance, and MRO services in the Company's AS9100 certified facility. In October 2012, the Company purchased the Sun Bird Aircraft and associated spare parts inventory and accessories from San Diego Gas & Electric Company. In May 2013, Erickson Air-Crane Inc acquired the entire share capital of Evergreen Helicopters Inc. In September 2013, Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated announced the completion of its acquisition of Air Amazonia Servicos Aeronauticos Ltda and certain related assets from HRT Participacoes em Petroleo S.A.
In February 2012, its Malaysian subsidiary, Erickson Aircrane Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., entered into an amendment to its existing logging contract with Syarikat Samling Timber Sdn. Bhd. (Samling Global) to extend the contract term to January 31, 2013. Pursuant to the amended contract, it began providing aerial timber harvesting services in Malaysia on February 1, 2012 to Samling Global. In January 2012, its Canadian subsidiary, Canadian Air-Crane Limited, amended its existing agreement with Western Forest Products Inc. (Western Forest Products), a Canadian forest products and timberlands management company, to establish the terms for one year of aviation services.
The Company offers a full spectrum of heavy-lift helicopter solutions, including the design, engineering, development, manufacturing, and testing of the Airc! rane, as well as Aerial Services and MRO services. It has production, maintenance, and logistics facilities in Central Point, Oregon. It maintains a year-round international presence with operations in Canada, Italy, Malaysia, and Peru, and an operating presence in Australia and Greece.
It owns the Type and Production Certificates for the Aircrane, granting us exclusive design, manufacturing, and related rights for the aircraft and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components. It has made more than 350 design improvements to the Aircrane since acquiring the Type Certificate and it has developed Aircrane accessories that enhance its aerial operations, such as its firefighting tank system and snorkel, timber heli harvester, and anti-rotation device and hoist.
Aerial Services
The Aircrane has a lift capacity of up to 25,000 pounds and is a commercial aircraft built specifically as a flying crane without a fuselage for internal loads. The Aircrane is also a commercial heavy-lift helicopter with a rear load-facing cockpit, combining an unobstructed view and complete aircraft control for precision lift and load placement capabilities. It owns and operates a fleet of 17 Aircranes, which it uses to support a variety of government and commercial customers worldwide across a range of aerial services, including firefighting, timber harvesting, infrastructure construction, and crewing. The Aircrane is capable of providing heavy-lift solutions to a wide variety of industries, including firefighting, timber harvesting, infrastructure construction, oil and gas and energy related construction, disaster recovery, and emergency response. It leases its aircraft to customers for specific missions, with customers generally paying for the aircraft, maintenance, and crewing services, as well as fuel expense. In addition, it provides crewing for aircraft it has sold. Its Aircrane accessories include Fire Tank and Pond Snorkel, Fire Tank and Sea Snorkel, Foam Cannon, Hydromulch Loading Manifo! ld, Heli ! Harvester, Hydraulic Grapple, Long-Line Shock and Pendant, Anti-Rotation Device and Hoist and Material Transport Bucket.
The Aircrane Helitanker has provided firefighting services in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Greece, France, Turkey, and Australia. Its firefighting customers include federal, state, local, and international government agencies who hire the Company to be available as needed. Under its firefighting contracts, aircraft are deployed to locations prone to seasonal fires and remain on standby throughout the fire season. For these contracts, which it refers to as exclusive-use contracts, it typically charge on a per-day basis for availability and on a per-hour basis for actual aircraft use.
Aircrane is engaged in timber operations in a number of regions, including the United States, Canada, and the tropical forests in Malaysia. Its customers uses its harvesting solutions primarily for timber, such as tropical hardwoods and for remote area harvesting in locations that would otherwise require road construction or prohibit ground-based harvesting. Timber is vertically lifted and transported with its hydraulic grapple.
The Aircrane's rear load-facing pilot seat makes the aircraft particularly for infrastructure projects that require extreme precision in load delivery, such as electricity transmission and broadcasting towers, oil and gas pipelines, wind turbines, mining conveying systems, industrial equipment, emergency shelters, and ski-lift equipment. The Aircrane can be configured to transport heavy machinery and equipment, such as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) units, automotive equipment, and other cargo items.
Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (Manufacturing/MRO)
The Company manufactures Aircranes and related components for sale to government and commercial customers and provide aftermarket support and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for the Aircrane and oth! er aircra! ft. It also offers cost per hour (CPH) contracts pursuant to which it provides components and expendable supplies for a customer's aircraft at a fixed cost per flight hour. Through its Manufacturing / MRO segment it manufactures Aircranes from existing airframes, manufacture components on a contract basis, and provide customers with FAA- and European Aviation Safety Agency-certified MRO services
The Company has manufactured a total of 33 Aircranes for its own use and for sale to customers, and has sold one for domestic construction operations and eight for international firefighting operations. It also builds and manufactures Aircranes for its own use and owns, operates, and maintains 17 Aircranes. As the owner of the S-64 Type and Production Certificates, it also has the authority and ability to manufacture an Aircrane entirely from new parts. It manufactures aluminum main and tail rotor blades and have partnered with OEMs to design and manufacture composite main rotor blades. While it provides MRO services to its own Aircranes, it continues to provide parts and maintenance and overhaul services to every Aircrane it has sold. It also performs similar operations on engines and other components for owners of other aircraft platforms. Its FAA-certificated repair station offers an array of services from small repairs to extensive heavy airframe maintenance.
The Company competes with Columbia Helicopters, Helicopter Transport Services and Siller Brothers.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Blake Bos]
In the following video, Motley Fool industrials analyst Blake Bos takes a question from a Fool reader on Facebook, who asks, "What's your Foolish take on Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ: EAC ) ?"
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap heavy-lift helicopter maker Erickson Inc (NASDAQ: EAC), a peer of other helicopter or aviation stocks like large caps like Boeing Co (NYSE: BA) and Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT), is ranked as the thirteenth most shorted stock on the Nasdaq with short interest of 38.00% according to Highshortinterest.com.�Having exposure to the Department of Defense in an era of shrinking defense commitments along with the oil sector as oil prices hit multiyear lows seems to be impacting investor sentiment towards Erickson Inc.
Top 10 Defense Companies To Watch For 2014: Airbus Group NV (EADSF)
Airbus Group NV, known as European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV, is a Netherlands-based company active within the aerospace and defense sector. The Company manufactures aircrafts, helicopters, commercial space launch vehicles, missiles, satellites, defense systems and defense electronics, and offers services related to these activities. The Company oprates four divisions. The Airbus division comprises the Airbus Commercial and Airbus Military segments, which develop, manufacture, market and sell commercial jet aircrafts, military transport aircrafts and special mission aircrafts, among others. The Eurocopter division develops, markets and sells civil and military helicopters. The Astrium division develops, manufactures and sells satellites, orbital infrastructures and launchers, as well as provides space-related services. The Cassidian division develops, manufactures and sells missiles systems, military combat and training aircrafts, among others.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Rich Smith]
European plane maker and EADS (NASDAQOTH: EADSF ) subsidiary Airbus announced Monday that one of its biggest, and most expensive planes, has just secured a big place in the airplane lineup at British Airways (BA).
- [By Alanna Petroff]
4. Earnings and economics: Shares in Airbus Group (EADSF) are rising by about 3% in Europe after the firm reported better than expected quarterly earnings.
- [By Alanna Petroff]
Airbus, part of the pan-European aerospace conglomerate EADS (EADSF), is hoping that all airlines will adopt the 18-inch standard for long-haul flights.
- [By Alanna Petroff]
Last month, Airbus, which is owned by the European aerospace group EADS (EADSF), predicted the number of aircraft worldwide would double over the next 20 years, spurred by rising demand from emerging markets.
Top 10 Defense Companies To Watch For 2014: Implant Sciences Corp (IMSC)
Implant Sciences Corporation (Implant Sciences), incorporated in August 31,1984, develops, manufactures and sells sensors and systems for the security, safety and defense (SS&D) industries. Its technologies are used worldwide in security and inspection applications. Implant Sciences has developed technologies used in explosives trace detection (ETD), and and narcotics trace detection (NTD) applications and market and sell handheld ETD and benchtop ETD and NTD systems that use its technologies. The systems are used by private companies and Government agencies to screen baggage, cargo, vehicles, other objects and people for the detection of trace amounts of explosives. Implant Sciences have developed explosives detection systems designed for use in aviation and transportation security, high threat facilities and infrastructure, military installations, customs and border protection, and mail and cargo screening. The systems use the Quantum Sniffer technologies, including photon-based, non-radioactive ion source in combination with ion mobility spectrometry, a detection tool sensitive to the speeds with which ions of various substances move through the air to electronically detect minute quantities of explosives vapor and particles.
Quantum Sniffer QS-H150 Portable Explosives Detector
The Quantum Sniffer QS-H150 Portable Explosives Detector employs a vortex collector for the simultaneous detection of explosives particulates and vapors with or without physical contact and in real-time. The QS-HS150 can detect vapors and nanogram quantities of explosives particulates for explosives substances considered to be threats. The substances include military and commercial explosives, improvised and homemade explosives, and propellants and taggants.
The QS-H150 has automatic and continuous self-calibration. It monitors its environment, senses changes that would affect its accuracy, and re-calibrates accordingly. The system requires no user intervention and no calibration cons! umables. The detection process begins with the collection of a sample with its vortex collector. After collection, the sample is ionized photonically and analyzed using ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) technology. The presence of a threat substance is indicated by a visible and audible alarms. The threat substance is then identified and displayed on the integrated liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. When detecting a threat substance, the QS-H150 rapidly alarms. This real-time detection limits equipment contamination and allows for fast clear-down.
Quantum Sniffer QS-B220 Benchtop Explosives and Narcotics Detector
QS-B220 Benchtop Explosives and Narcotics Detector uses dual IMS with non-radioactive ionization for the detection and identification of a range of military, commercial, and improvised explosives as well as narcotics. The QS-B220 uses a sample trap which is wiped on the surface to be interrogated for explosives or narcotics particles.
The QS-B220 has automatic and continuous self-calibration. It monitors its environment, senses changes that would affect its accuracy, and re-calibrates accordingly.
Quantum Sniffer TM QS-Hx Portable Explosives Detector
The Company is focusing in developing a next-generation handheld detector that will use dual IMS non-radioactive ionization for the detection and identification of a range of military, commercial and improvised explosives, as well as narcotics. The QS-Hx will have automatic and continuous self-calibration, multi-level password-protected data security and will include a data management interface with data export to a network for recordkeeping, providing a link with the central command centers and logistics systems used by carriers.
Miniature Mass Spectrometer
The Company�� acquisition of Ion Metrics enabled it to obtain miniaturized quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS) detector technology. The QMS detector is roughly the size of an AA battery and has low manufactur! ing costs! . When used in conjunction with an IMS, the QMS detector senses the molecular weight of the chemical species resulting in an orthogonal detection method in which a more fundamental characteristic of a substance is measured. It is developing interfaces for integrating the QMS detector into its future products.
Hyphenated Detectors
Depending on the application and the number of interfering background chemicals, it may be necessary to incorporate additional orthogonal detection methods. The combination of multiple sensors in series is known as employing hyphenated methods. By measuring different properties of the same species, interferents are separated from target species for a deterministic detection and identification and have minimum rates of false alarms. It is developing hyphenated systems employing conventional ion mobility, differential mobility and quadrupole mass spectrometry. As of June 30, 2012, it has one patent issued in real-time trace detection by IMS and QMS and two hyphenated system patents pending.
The Company competes with Morpho Detection, Inc., NucTech Company Limited and Smiths Detection, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By James E. Brumley]
It's not an uncompetitive market. Names like Implant Sciences Corporation (OTCMKTS:IMSC) and NXT-ID (OTCBB:NXTD) are battling in the security and facility-defense arena as well; IMSC makes explosives-detection and drug-detection hardware, while NXTD designs 3D image-rendering software that caters to the unique needs of prison security personnel, though the same technology has been proven in more traditional functions like building-security systems that keep certain people out rather than in. Neither Implant Sciences nor NXT-ID compete directly head-to-head with View Systems, however ... fortunately for them. See, VSYM is considered by some to be the best in the industry.
Top 10 Defense Companies To Watch For 2014: Bombardier Inc (BDRAF)
Bombardier, Inc. is a Canada-based aerospace and transportation company. The Company operates in two segments: aerospace and rail transportation. The aerospace segment is structured by market segment (business aircraft, commercial aircraft and services), which is reflective of its organizational structure. The transportation segment is structured by market segment (rolling stock, services, system and signalling), which is reflective of its organizational structure, and by geographic region (Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and Rest of world). As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 80 production and engineering sites in 26 countries, and a worldwide network of service centre. In May 2012, it launched the Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft programs. In October 2013, the Company announced that it has opened Bombardier's new wing manufacturing and assembly facility in Belfast. In December 2013, the Company sold Flexjet's activities to Flexjet, LLC.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Quick Pen]
Why are there talks about slowing down?
In one of my previous articles where I was speaking of Bombardier�� (BDRAF) troubles because of the drop in oil prices, I had mentioned that analysts are expecting the oil prices to drop as low as $60 a barrel. It seems that time has come as Brent Crude oil price touched $60.79 a barrel according to NASDAQ. The following is chart shows the fluctuations in the Brent Crude Oil Spot Price. The latest spot price is as of December 15, 2014.
Top 10 Defense Companies To Watch For 2014: Soditech Ingenierie SA (SEC)
Soditech Ingenierie SA is a France-based company that is primarily engaged in electronic and mechanical engineering services in various sectors. The Company�� activity is organized into three sectors: Defense & Research, Space and Energy & Nuclear. It provides specialized services in four fields: aerospace, covering communication satellites, observation satellites and space stations; automotive, providing such services as engine design and plasturgy for equipment manufacturers; aeronautics, offering structural research for aircraft makers, instruments or electro-mechanical systems for assisting pilots and others, and defense, providing engineering of numerous tests and trials systems, with or without implementations, among others. The Company also offers additional services, such as energy forecasting and environmental analysis, environmental management system, and others. In May 2014, it restructured company into three main divisions: Defense & Research, Space and Energy & Nuclear.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By muhammadbazil]
In the past, hedge funds provided investors with a way to invest large amounts of money without much government regulation. In the past few years, government scrutiny into hedge funds has increased enormously. As a result, some of America�� largest hedge funds have opted to shrink away from the powers that be by becoming ��amily offices.��But, even in the face of increased federal oversight, there are some entities that are doing just the opposite. Indeed, some family offices are bucking the trend by becoming hedge funds that can seek out new clientele and invest with a wide range of investor capital.The more common move to shift from hedge fund to closed family office was popularized by large hedge funds and hedge fund managers like George Soros (Trades, Portfolio), Carl Icahn (Trades, Portfolio), and Steve Cohen�� SAC Capital Advisors (now Point72 Asset Management). Some estimates suggest that there are over 1,000 different family offices throughout the nation. The Dodd-Frank Act went into full effect in 2010, causing many hedge fund managers to rethink their positions.Going Against the TrendSeveral family offices are going against the trend by becoming hedge funds fully open to new investors. Although popular discourse has suggested that this is a negative move, many family-office-to-hedge-fund conversions are based on sound business planning.The legitimacy of switching from a hedge fund to a family office is generally only applicable in situations where the hedge fund manager controls extensive capital. For instance, George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) was able to start his family office with a hefty $24 billion to invest. Of course, as a family office, the Soros Fund Management LLC cannot solicit outside investors or manage any money that does not belong to the Soros family.For family offices that do not have $24 billion in capital to work with, remaining in business as a family office limits their investment options. Thus, the small undercurrent of fa
Top 10 Defense Companies To Watch For 2014: Raytheon Company(RTN)
Raytheon Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides electronics, mission systems integration, and other capabilities in the areas of sensing, effects, and command, control, communications, and intelligence systems, as well as mission support services in the United States and internationally. It operates in six segments: Integrated Defense Systems, Intelligence and Information Systems, Missile Systems, Network Centric Systems, Space and Airborne Systems, and Technical Services. The Integrated Defense Systems segment provides integrated naval, air, and missile defense and civil security response solutions. The Intelligence and Information Systems segment offers intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, advanced cyber solutions, weather and environmental solutions, and information-based solutions for law enforcement and homeland security. The Missile Systems segment develops and produces weapon systems, including missiles, smart munitions, close-in weapon systems, projectiles, kinetic kill vehicles, and directed energy effectors for the armed forces of the U.S. and other allied nations. The Network Centric Systems segment provides net-centric mission solutions, including integrated communications systems, command and control systems, combat systems, and operations and precision components for the U.S. federal, state, and local government customers, as well as civil customers. The Space and Airborne Systems segment designs and develops integrated systems and solutions for missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; precision engagement; unmanned aerial operations; and space. The Technical Services segment provides training, logistics, engineering, product support, and operational support services for the mission support, homeland security, space, civil aviation, counterproliferation, and counterterrorism markets. Raytheon Company was founded in 1922 and is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Rich Smith]
As already mentioned, 30 contractors are named as recipients, from well-known contractor names such as Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH ) , General Dynamics (NYSE: GD ) , Honeywell (NYSE: HON ) , Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT ) , and Raytheon (NYSE: RTN ) , all the way down to small businesses with names like PrimeTech International, Metrostar Systems, and Tatitlek Training Services. It is divided into three groupings, with some of the work reserved for section 8(a) Small Businesses and other work only for Reserved Small Business. But the majority of the work is considered "unrestricted," and up for bidding by 19 of the 30 firms named.
- [By Rich Smith]
On Thursday, Waltham, Mass.-based Raytheon (NYSE: RTN ) reported that it has booked an order to sell $106 million worth of Paveway II smart bombs to ... somebody.
- [By Rich Smith]
The Department of Defense awarded a bit more than $235 million worth of contracts Wednesday, with three big publicly traded companies accounting for more than a quarter of the total contract value awarded.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT ) won a $39 million contract exercising a firm-fixed-price option to produce Block 2 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) systems at low-rate initial production rates.�The SEWIP program aims to upgrade the U.S. Navy's current AN/SLQ-32(V) Electronic Warfare System to improve the performance of antennae and receivers. Work on this contract should be complete by September 2014. Raytheon (NYSE: RTN ) was awarded a $14.6 million modification to a previously awarded contract to do phase II design work on the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS), assessing, documenting, and implementing design modifications to make the JPALS Increment 1A Ship system easier to maintain.�JPALS is a project to make aircraft landing systems that run on GPS more robust, and harder for opposing forces to jam. This contract runs through December 2013. Honeywell (NYSE: HON ) won a $9 million�contract to supply 121 advanced multipurpose displays for installation aboard Navy F/A-18E/F fighter jets and EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft.�Delivery and installation should be complete by January 2015. link
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