Robert W. Jordan,former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia,has been assessing the kingdom's position in the recent wave of change sweeping the Middle East.King Abdullah is seen as a very sincere,non-corrupt ruler by his people.
We do need to carefully watch the middle class and the jobless.That could percolate over the next several years.Fifty percent of Saudis under 18 have poor prospects,but the people are impressed by the kingdom's investments in infrastructure.
There is tremendous liquidity in the Middle East,but Iran's hands are at work in the Yemen,Bahrain and Lebanon troubles.
The oil field security in Saudi Arabia is good.Overall,the business view is positive.
In Bahrain,it appears the king and crown prince will likely survive.They appear to have gotten a grip on the troubles,the former ambassador feels.
Mr.Jordan is currently Partner in Charge of Middle East Practice at law firm Baker Botts LLP.The firm has offices in Abu Dhabi,Dubai and Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
Although a Saudi Arabian firm has created two exchange-traded funds based on the country's Tadawul stock market,they are not traded on U.S. exchanges as of yet.The Gulf Cooperation Council etfs are only available ex-Saudi Arabia.
iShares MSCI GCC Countries ex-Saudi Arabia(IGCC)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Bullish on Bahrain
Talal al Zain,Chairman of Gulf Air and CEO of Mumtalakat,Bahrain's 9 billion dollar sovereign wealth fund,says the country already started on democracy 10 years ago.We're classified as the number 10 freest market in the world,with an excellent educated population.
It is 100% business as usual now-in spite of the Pearl Square protest.The bulk of the people support the al Khalifas as rulers in a constitutional monarchy,which we already have started.
Mumtalakat will continue to grow the wealth of the Bahraini people.I can tell you we will continue the improvement we have already started,Mr.al Zain promised.
The island nation is a key U.S. ally,hosting the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.Its Shiite majority,inspired by the Egyptian revolution,is pushing for more of a say in the Sunni minority government.
Market Vectors Gulf States Index ETF(MES)
It is 100% business as usual now-in spite of the Pearl Square protest.The bulk of the people support the al Khalifas as rulers in a constitutional monarchy,which we already have started.
Mumtalakat will continue to grow the wealth of the Bahraini people.I can tell you we will continue the improvement we have already started,Mr.al Zain promised.
The island nation is a key U.S. ally,hosting the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.Its Shiite majority,inspired by the Egyptian revolution,is pushing for more of a say in the Sunni minority government.
Market Vectors Gulf States Index ETF(MES)
Professional&Executive Event:Diversity Job Fair
Diversity Job Fair will be held Tuesday,March 1 from 10am-3pm at
Embassy Suites Crystal City
1300 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington,VA 22202
Bring your resumes.
Those exhibiting include:
American University
Hilton Worldwide
Mass Mutual Financial Group
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
New York Life
State Farm
Walmart
Verizon Wireless
A minimum of a 4 year degree is required.For more information,visit www.PSIJobFair.com
Also visit www.NAACPJobFinder.com to register today.
Embassy Suites Crystal City
1300 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington,VA 22202
Bring your resumes.
Those exhibiting include:
American University
Hilton Worldwide
Mass Mutual Financial Group
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
New York Life
State Farm
Walmart
Verizon Wireless
A minimum of a 4 year degree is required.For more information,visit www.PSIJobFair.com
Also visit www.NAACPJobFinder.com to register today.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Bristol-Myers/Pfizer Drug Apixiban Superior to Aspirin For AF Patients
A Phase 3 trial of the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer oral medication apixiban showed that,for atrial fibrillation patients unsuitable for a vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin,apixiban is superior to aspirin at reducing the risk of stroke or systemic embolism without a significant increase in major bleeding(annual event rate of 1.6% for apixiban versus 3.7% for aspirin).
The study also showed that apixiban was superior to aspirin at reducing the composite of stroke,systemic embolism,heart attack or vascular death for AF patients versus aspirin(annual event rate of 4.2% for apixiban versus 6.7% for aspirin).
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia.It afflicts about 5.1 million Americans and more than 6 million Europeans.About 40-50% of AF patients are considered unsuitable for vitamin K antagonists because of the risk of bleeding and incompatibility with other medications.
Lead investigator Dr.Stuart Conolly,MD,professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton,Ontario,said the risk of stroke or systemic embolism is of great concern for patients with atrial fibrillation,especially because AF-related strokes are particularly devastating.Given the significant number of patients who are not eligible for vitamin K antagonists,it is especially important to have potential new treatment options that are both safe and effective.
Pfizer and Bristol-Myers have been in a worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize apixiban since 2007.
Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY),Pfizer(PFE)
The study also showed that apixiban was superior to aspirin at reducing the composite of stroke,systemic embolism,heart attack or vascular death for AF patients versus aspirin(annual event rate of 4.2% for apixiban versus 6.7% for aspirin).
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia.It afflicts about 5.1 million Americans and more than 6 million Europeans.About 40-50% of AF patients are considered unsuitable for vitamin K antagonists because of the risk of bleeding and incompatibility with other medications.
Lead investigator Dr.Stuart Conolly,MD,professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton,Ontario,said the risk of stroke or systemic embolism is of great concern for patients with atrial fibrillation,especially because AF-related strokes are particularly devastating.Given the significant number of patients who are not eligible for vitamin K antagonists,it is especially important to have potential new treatment options that are both safe and effective.
Pfizer and Bristol-Myers have been in a worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize apixiban since 2007.
Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY),Pfizer(PFE)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Insurance CEO Tackles Inflation
Edmund "Ted" Kelly,CEO of privately held insurer Liberty Mutual Group,sees high single digit inflation in the 2014-15 time frame.We're in hard assets such as oil and gas,mining and minerals to protect ourselves.
Cheap money is pumping up the financials and making credit too available,and we're concerned about it.
We very much like China,Vietnam,Thailand,Brazil.We're strong on the Iberian Penninsula-Spain and Portugal-as well as Turkey and Poland.What we have seen in China is a remarkable ability to manage the economy,Mr.Kelly noted.
Liberty Mutual does not intend to go public anytime soon,in light of commercial insurers cutting prices recently,which tends to devalue insurance company stock.
Cheap money is pumping up the financials and making credit too available,and we're concerned about it.
We very much like China,Vietnam,Thailand,Brazil.We're strong on the Iberian Penninsula-Spain and Portugal-as well as Turkey and Poland.What we have seen in China is a remarkable ability to manage the economy,Mr.Kelly noted.
Liberty Mutual does not intend to go public anytime soon,in light of commercial insurers cutting prices recently,which tends to devalue insurance company stock.
Advantage View:Evaluating This Bull Market
We are seeing bullish sentiment extremes,and this shows that the bull market is unsustainable,according to Walter Zimmerman,Chief Technical Analyst at United ICAP.We are likley to see the highs for the year this month.Be wary of any sudden moves to the downside.
Everyone is long,waiting for the next rally.Everyone is already in the market.All the mergers are also a sign.It's not just individuals that are bullish.Historically,market tops have been marked by big financial mergers such as the recently announced Deutsche Boerse-NYSE/Euronext or the CME-NYMEX tie-ups.
United ICAP is a technical advisory service and inter-dealer energy broker.It provides analysis to the energy industry,as well as the average trader and investor.
Everyone is long,waiting for the next rally.Everyone is already in the market.All the mergers are also a sign.It's not just individuals that are bullish.Historically,market tops have been marked by big financial mergers such as the recently announced Deutsche Boerse-NYSE/Euronext or the CME-NYMEX tie-ups.
United ICAP is a technical advisory service and inter-dealer energy broker.It provides analysis to the energy industry,as well as the average trader and investor.
Anne Arundel Community College Jobs
Anne Arundel Community College has several faculty openings for fall 2011.The School of Arts&Sciences needs English(multiple positions)and History faculty.Business,Computing&Technical Studies needs CyberCenter and Computer Technologies faculty.
AACC was named a 2010 Great College to Work For by The Chronicle of Higher Education.Located in Arnold,Maryland,it is convenient to Washington and Baltimore.Bring your experience and passion for teaching to Anne Arundel Community College.For further information and to apply,visit their web site at www.aacc.edu/employment.
AACC was named a 2010 Great College to Work For by The Chronicle of Higher Education.Located in Arnold,Maryland,it is convenient to Washington and Baltimore.Bring your experience and passion for teaching to Anne Arundel Community College.For further information and to apply,visit their web site at www.aacc.edu/employment.
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