As the world economy begins to find its footing after recent economic events, companies are increasingly looking at costs and how to reduce and control them. In past years, capital was cheap and many institutions let capital flow with little regard for cost controls. Although this was poor judgment, it was nonetheless common practice. Today, however, cost controls are a very much needed necessity to be accomplished in a variety of ways. A company that can aide in achieving these goals is one that could be very profitable. As this reality settles in, these types of companies will become more prevalent if they are among the first to establish themselves.

Stream Global Services Inc., an outsourcing services company (18 countries/33 services centers/ 17,000 employees), works to provides additional or required backroom services to companies worldwide. The company offers its services worldwide, but is headquartered in the United States.

Stream appears to be

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After earning hefty profits on its commodities trading for nearly 18 years, heavyweight trader Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) now finds itself on the hot seat, defending this crucial source of revenue. And while that may not be good for Goldman, it’s also bad for investors.  Let me explain…

It all started back in 1991, when J. Aron & Co., Goldman’s commodities-trading division, recommended that a large institutional client invest about $100 million in commodities.  The vehicle “du-jour” was Goldman’s own investment vehicle, the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (now the S&P GSCI Commodity Index).

The GSCI is a 24-commodity dollar-weighted index, comprised of 70% energy (oil and natural gas), 8% industrial metals (aluminum, copper, lead, nickel and zinc), 3% precious metals (gold and silver), 14% agriculture (wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, sugar, coffee and cocoa) and 4% livestock (cattle and hogs).

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Pharmaceuticals and dermatology go hand in hand. Existing skin care products cover a wide range of capabilities. Some are to aide with an allergic reaction. Some slow the elasticity process of aging. Some offer concealment to blemishes. Whatever the type used, this industry is huge, really huge. Even as we live in such uncertain times, the salon and skin care industries are running at peak performance. It is not just one or two areas of that market doing well either, it is abroad. Because of technology accompanied by a host of pharmaceutical scientists, researchers, and those dedicated to the skin care industry, it is constantly blooming with new activity.

Topically delivered products are becoming more popular by the day. It is these products that boast how far technology has come. These products protect the skin from environmental irritants and allows for normal skin respiration while reducing overall irritation. Concepts

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Buy tax-free bonds - now.  If you’re a mutual fund investor, buy them through Vanguard (the average fund company charges expenses six times higher than Vanguard’s).

If you are a closed-end investor, try a tax-free fund like Nuveen Insured Municipal Opportunity Fund (NYSE:NIO), trading at a 10% discount to its net asset value and yielding over 6% paid monthly.

Or, to avoid annual expenses and have the certainty of a final value on a particular date, buy individual tax-free bonds.

But whatever you do, buy them now. Let me count the reasons why you should…

Three Reasons Why Municipal Bonds Make A Good Investment Now

Ten-year municipal bonds, while down from the historic premium they reached a few months ago, are yielding as much as 10-year Treasuries. But while Treasuries are taxable, munis are not. Most municipal bonds are safe. Yes, a few areas - particularly in California and Alabama - are troubled. But the ...

Tax-Free Bonds: Why Now is the Time to Buy Munis

by Alexander Green, Advisory Panelist

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Buy tax-free bonds - now.

Buy them through Vanguard if you are a mutual fund investor. (The average fund company charges expenses six times higher than Vanguard’s.) If you are a closed-end investor, try a tax-free fund like Nuveen Insured Municipal Opportunity Fund (NYSE: NIO) trading at a 10% discount to its net asset value and yielding over 6% paid monthly. Or, to avoid annual expenses and have the certainty of a final value on a particular date, buy individual tax-free bonds.

But, whatever you do, buy them - now.

Tax-Free Bonds: Why It’s Time To Buy Them

So, why is now the time to buy tax-free bonds? Let me count the ways:

Ten-year municipal bonds, while down from the historic premium they reached ...