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April 07, 2006
Cost Saving on Pay Per Click
Pay Per Click campaigns can be a great way to bring traffic to your website. A new tool that gives you click fraud reports on your pay per click campaigns is just introduced. This tool also gives you guidance in helping you recover costs of click fraud.
While companies report that they just factor the click fraud into their advertising costs, this new tool can give you a report of the amount of click fraud and whether it is (1) worth the time to recover these click fraud costs, (2) have a 3rd party recover click fraud, (3) just absorb click fraud costs into your advertising budget.
A tutorial of this tool is available at ad watcher. If you try this, we'd love to have your feedback as to whether it (1) saves you money, (2) is not worth your time, (3) better to just absorb the click fraud costs in your advertising budget. email us with your opinion of ad watcher.
Posted by Industrial at 12:22 AM | Comments (0)
Uranium Enrichment – What’s Driving Prices Higher
As global interest in nuclear power continues to peak, increased demand for nuclear fuel is triggering higher uranium and enrichment prices. TradeTech’s uranium spot price climbed to $41 this month, while the long-term price for uranium enrichment rose for the third consecutive month to $122 per SWU (Separative Work Unit)—a sharp contrast to last year when enrichment prices remained flat at $113 per SWU.
Denver, CO (PRWEB) April 7, 2006 -- As global interest in nuclear power continues to peak, increased demand for nuclear fuel is triggering higher uranium and enrichment prices. TradeTech’s uranium spot price climbed to $41 this month, while the long-term price for uranium enrichment rose for the third consecutive month to $122 per SWU (Separative Work Unit)—a sharp contrast to last year when enrichment prices remained flat at $113 per SWU.
The price of uranium, used to fuel nuclear power plants that generate about 16 percent of the world's electricity, has increased significantly in the past year due to demand from nuclear utilities that rose faster than mine production and drew down stockpiles. Similar to the uranium market, enrichment prices are experiencing upward pressure due to strong demand from the nuclear energy industry. On a worldwide basis, total uranium enrichment requirements increase gradually through 2015 to about 55 million SWU per year by the end of the period, according to TradeTech’s "Uranium and Enrichment Industry 2006 Market Report."
“Unfilled uranium enrichment requirements increase in an almost linear fashion throughout the period, reaching about 60 percent of requirements for the year 2012,” said R. Gene Clark, chief operating officer of TradeTech, LLC. The term unfilled requirements refers to the portion of requirements over a given period that, as of a given date, is not accounted for after the use of inventory and future deliveries under then-existing contracts. As such, it is the most relevant measure of future market activity—the amount of enrichment that must yet be procured in order to meet reactor requirements.
Today’s worldwide enrichment capacity exceeds requirements by one-third, but not all capacity is operable. In the USA, for example, USEC Inc.’s Portsmouth plant is in cold shutdown and its Paducah plant is not licensed to operate above 8 million SWU, according to the report.
“The Western market is in a precarious supply situation. As Western requirements grow, Western capacity is not planned to grow sufficiently to significantly change this shortfall situation,” Clark added.
TradeTech’s "Uranium and Enrichment Industry 2006 Market Report" is a comprehensive study that discusses how the market is preparing to address the current supply deficit and the effect on enrichment prices as the market attempts to bridge the gap between today’s shortfall and future enrichment capacity expansion.
(Editor’s Note: Uranium enrichment is a key step in transforming natural uranium into nuclear fuel for electricity production. It involves the process of increasing the concentration of U-235 and decreasing that of U-238. Uranium enrichment is sold as separative work units (SWU), the level of effort required to increase the concentration of U-235 in natural uranium.)
TradeTech, and its predecessor companies–NUEXCO Information Services, CONCORD Information Services, and CONCORD Trading Company–has supported the uranium and nuclear fuel cycle industry for more than 35 years, and is widely recognized for its expertise in trading activities and its comprehensive knowledge of the technical, economic and political factors affecting this industry. TradeTech provides expert market consulting, participates in the buying and selling of uranium products and services, and maintains an extensive information database on these industries. TradeTech publishes the Nuclear Market Review each Friday and The Nuclear Review, a monthly trade publication dedicated to the international uranium and nuclear energy industry.
For general and media inquiries contact:
TradeTech, LLC
600 Seventeenth Street
Suite 720 South
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303.573.3530
Fax: 303.573.3531
Internet: www.uranium.info
Posted by newsupdate at 12:12 AM | Comments (0)
Environmentally-Friendly Products Come of Age
All-natural cleaning alternatives are safer for people and the environment – and some work even better than leading brands. Many common household cleaning products contain toxic ingredients that pose a threat to air and water quality and to the health of wildlife and humans.
Norristown, PA (PRWEB) April 7, 2006 -- In the 1960s and 1970s, phosphates were considered to be among the biggest polluters of the environment. When introduced into the environment, phosphates lead to the depletion of oxygen in lakes and streams, killing fish and other aquatic life.
Beginning in 1971, many states banned the use of household laundry detergents containing this chemical compound, and most consumers believed they no longer posed an environmental threat.
But phosphates were not banned in most states, and they continue to be a key ingredient in most industrial and institutional laundry detergents and in automatic dishwashing detergents used in households throughout the country.
Phosphates aren’t the only pollutant that household cleaning products are emitting into our environment. Many common household cleaning products contain other toxic ingredients that pose a threat to air and water quality and to the health of wildlife and humans. According to the Children's Health Environmental Coalition, the average American home has more than three gallons of hazardous materials. Other sources say it’s as high as 25 gallons, most of which is in household cleaning products. Elevated concentrations of these toxic materials can remain in the air and on surfaces long after the cleaning activity is completed, posing a risk to human health.
Here are some of the top polluting problems caused by many of today’s household cleaning products:
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from certain solvents such as isopropyl alcohol and glycol ethers found in household cleaning, degreasing and disinfecting products. Prolonged exposure to these compounds can cause a variety of health problems, and VOCs have long been linked to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer.
• Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are chemicals that have been used in household products for more than 40 years as detergents, emulsifiers and wetting or dispersing agents. In the body, NPEs mimic the hormone estrogen, and researchers have speculated that these chemicals are contributing to decreased sperm count in wild animals -- and possibly in humans. NPEs also do not biodegrade in the environment.
• Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) is the most widely used surfactant in the world and is found in laundry detergents and many other common cleaning products. LAS also contains a “benzene ring” in its molecule, and benzene is a carcinogen or cancer causing agent.
• Environmental persistence: Many cleaning products claim to be biodegradable, but consumers should beware. For a cleaner to be truly biodegradable, each ingredient within the product must break down into basic natural substances – carbon dioxide and water – within days or weeks, not years or decades. Products that completely biodegrade in the environment don’t affect our food chain and natural life-cycle. Many ingredients in today’s household cleaning products don’t meet that test.
Cleaning products labeled as environmentally-friendly have been available for years, and many offer dramatically improved environmental and health benefits over traditional cleaners. But consumers have long believed they had to sacrifice cleaning effectiveness when purchasing such products. Not any longer. Laboratory tests are proving that products made with all-natural ingredients, that contain no toxins and are completely biodegradable also can be effective cleaners – in some cases, even more effective than top selling brands.
Among these naturally-derived cleaning ingredients are alkyl polyglycosides (APG™) a cleaning compound made from coconut oil, palm kernel oil and glucose. Sun & Earth (www.sunandearth.com) laundry detergent, part of a family of environmentally-friendly cleaning products containing APG™, proved equal to All® laundry detergent in the removal of clay, oil and other stains. And in a comparison of all-purpose cleaners, Sun & Earth performed better than the two leading national brands.
Using products without harsh chemicals often is just a matter of common sense and following manufacturers’ directions. For example, the manufacturers of many refrigerators, microwaves and other household appliances recommend against using harsh cleaners on their products. The reason? Toxic solvents in many all-purpose cleaners – including some of the most popular brands – cause stress cracks in plastic appliance components. Such cracks can diminish the life of the appliance.
Using some environmentally-friendly products also has direct health benefits on the millions of people who suffer from allergies or sensitive skin. Many of these products use organic components such as lemon and orange oils for scent and color instead of dyes and perfumes, which are thought to trigger allergies. In addition, tests measuring skin vitality after exposure to the leading dishwashing liquids and one environmentally-friendly brand showed the leading brands to cause significantly greater skin cell mortality.
There’s one more piece of good news for consumers who like the idea of using environmentally-friendly products but haven’t yet tried them. The price of many such products is now competitive with the leading brands – within five to 10 percent of the retail cost. Many grocery stores, health food retailers and pharmacies now carry more than one brand of environmentally-friendly products – and, of course, the Internet makes many of these products available through increasingly popular online transactions.
Posted by newsupdate at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)
Mining and Exploration Companies Discover a New Way to Handle Foreign Exchange Transactions
Foreign exchange transactions in the mining and exploration industry have been a huge money making machine for the banks. The average loss when handling foreign exchange through the bank can be as much as 2%-4%.
(PRWEB) April 7, 2006 -- One of the major reasons mining and exploration has been so economically strong is its ability and willingness to embrace new technology and innovation.
There are still a few innovations, however, that need to be discovered…
Foreign exchange transactions in the mining and exploration industry have been a huge money making machine for the banks.
Why is that?
The bank is there to make money for itself, not to make you rich. (Sorry if I’m disappointing anyone)
The average loss when handling foreign exchange through the bank can be as much as 2%-4%. Without any risk management tools, strategies and solutions, the losses can exceed thousands of dollars. You might find it hard to believe, but the numbers are that significant.
Foreign exchange transactions and international money transfers are part of the ongoing accounting process in mining and exploration firms. The fluctuating currency market and high service fees from financial institutions, which are hidden in the exchange rate, can drastically change your company’s profits.
I’ve worked with many companies in the mining and exploration sector, and some facts have become obvious.
1. When it comes to small to mid sized firms, there is only one CFO that is handling 2-3 companies at the same time.
2. Optimizing foreign exchange transactions is often not even on the “Top 10” list of things to do, even though foreign exchange risk is always mentioned in a company’s annual report as a factor that affects profits and cash flow.
3. Most companies are unaware that there is a better way to handle foreign exchange - in preventing losses, minimizing risk, optimizing cash flow and running more of an efficient operation (www.ForeignExchangeExpert.com).
4. No one seems to know who to ask for help.
5. There is a very real fear of change.
Besides fluctuations in the price of labor, electricity, fuel, steel and chemicals, a company’s operating results and cash flow are strongly affected by foreign exchange rates and changes in the currency market.
If it’s not handled by a professional in the commercial foreign exchange field, foreign exchange rates and market movements can have a significant impact on results and profitability, contributing to the long-term viability of the company.
It’s time for mining and exploration companies to discover a new way to handle foreign exchange.
When a CFO, controller or accountant can consult and use the services of a commercial foreign exchange specialist, called a foreign exchange broker, the uncontrollable and risky currency market becomes a well-managed part of the business.
If your business has been affected by currency market and foreign exchange transactions, you can find helpful information and learn more about the benefits of using a foreign exchange broker by reading “Commercial Foreign Exchange; Value vs. Loss” by Gary Birshtein.
http://www.garybirshtein.com/News_Letter_Press_Release.php
Posted by newsupdate at 12:02 AM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2006
Alberta Oil Sands Proving Rich for Developers
In a story published in early March, AXcess News covered the Canadian oil sands being developed in Alberta where government figures put the reserves second only to Saudi Arabia.
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 7, 2006 -- In a story published in early March, AXcess News covered the Canadian oil sands being developed in Alberta where government figures put the reserves second only to Saudi Arabia. Today, after the U.S. Department of Energy reported that crude oil stocks rose 2.1 million barrels, traders concern over world supplies pushed crude oil up over $1 per barrel, or 3 percent.
Peoria, Illinois-based Caterpillar, Inc. (NYSE: CAT) and other heavy-equipment manufacturers could stand to gain as much as $5 billion in sales as a boom in oil squeezed from Canadian sand may boost demand for mining trucks and parts.
Syncrude Canada Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE: SU), Shell Canada (TSX: SHC), Petrobank Energy and Resources (TSX: PBG) and other Canadian oil-sands miners will need to add almost 300 Caterpillar mining trucks and graders by 2013 to unlock Alberta's reserves, according to Finning International Inc., the world's leading Caterpillar dealer.
In early March, Petrobank announced that it increased its oil sands land base by 33% and initial start up operations was underway at the Whitesands pilot project.
Whitesands Insitu Ltd., owned 84% by Petrobank, acquired a total of 15 sections of oil sands leases at a net cost of $20 million.
"Suncor is now producing 260,000 barrels of oil per day from oil sands and expects the output to grow to 3 million barrels by 2015 and 5 million barrels per day by 2030," said Richard George, Suncor's chief executive at the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.
George pointed out that oil production from the Alaska North Slope and California is declining, leaving California refiners to look for imports from Latin America. "The Gulf Coast holds obvious attractions," he said. "It's the largest refining complex in the world. And with about half of the United States' coking and hydrocracking capacity, it already has the right pots and pans to run a wide variety of oil sands product slates."
Royal Dutch Shell Plc said its Shell EP Americas unit paid C$465 million ($400 million) to buy 10 properties in northern Alberta, the highest price paid for Canadian oil sand leases last month.
The Hague-based Royal Dutch Shell said its U.S. unit has formed a new company, SURE Northern Energy Ltd., to assess and exploit its new holdings, even though its 78-percent-owned Canadian unit, Shell Canada Ltd, is already a top investor in the oil-rich region of northern Alberta.
Amongst the junior oil sands development companies, Patch International, Inc. (OTCBB: PTCH), which was featured in the early March story, "Canada's Answer to OPEC", has been organizing to expand as well through a 2.5 to 1 reverse stock split, the formation of Patch Oilsands Limited Partnership and the acquisition of an oil sands property in the heart of the McMurray Channel in the Athabasca oil sands.
Patch's president, David Stadnyk, hinted at additions to the company's management team in an open letter to shareholders following the reverse of its shares when he said, "A big part of taking PTCH to the next level will be to welcome the right people onto our team to accelerate our growth strategy. We expect to make progress in this regard in the very near future."
Patch had also changed its stock symbol from PTII to PTCH.
For a junior oil sands development company, Patch is probably one of the most aggressive players in the Alberta oil sands market, mostly due to its consortium approach to acquiring property and the cash on hand it possesses thanks to shares of a Nasdaq traded pharmaceutical company it has been slowly selling for capital purposes.
Patch's Stadnyk is staying tight-lipped for now, but with all of its recent organization activities, Patch is probably moving towards buying more oil sand properties. Both Shell, Suncor and Petrobank surround Patch International's oil sands claims, putting their land in premium rankings.
Source: http://www.axcessnews.com
Posted by newsupdate at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)