| Of pension funds and political footballs
Trustees of the California State Teachers Retirement System, no strangers to putting a political agenda before the interests of pensioners, apparently don't like it when state legislators follow their lead. As trustees of the nation's second largest public pension fund, better known as CalSTRS, they ought to remember that if political concerns are allowed to guide the fund's investment decisions, they may not always be able to pick their politics. CalSTRS trustees last week voted to oppose efforts by the state Legislature to control where the fund places its nearly $160 billion portfolio. They were reacting to a pair of efforts led by Republican legislators to mandate "divestment" ---- or selling holdings in a publicly traded company because of its business or investment practices, often prompted by a social cause ---- from countries the bills' authors want to punish.
Compliance Monitoring
Banking Compliance environment; have an in-depth technical knowledge of the FSA Handbook and extensive previous compliance monitoring & advisory experience. Knowledge of the UK/UE regulatory environment and legislation essential. We will only accept candidates with previous experience within Compliance .
Conservation deal protects vast area of Cumberlands
WARTBURG, Tenn. - A pastoral quality invites comparison of the landscape to Cades Cove. A red-shouldered hawk darts through the hemlocks, and warblers singing in the forest canopy echo the arrival of spring. The views from the ridge tops rival anything in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. .
So much growth, so little spare capacity
The British economy is changing shape. For many years, we have relied on consumer spending - and borrowing - to generate growth. But there is increasing evidence that the corporate sector is our economic engine room, rather than the high street. Business investment is now driving growth instead. .
US: Earnings Season Is About To Get Chilly
Corporate profits have been on a tear for more than three years. Defying expectations, earnings growth remained strong last year, completing a record 14 consecutive quarters of double-digit gains from the previous year. Get ready for a change. The profits slowdown already appears to have started, and margins are getting squeezed. For 2007, the combination of cooler demand and warmer labor costs will create a tough economic climate for earnings. Investors who don't adjust their expectations are bound to face some disappointments as the year progresses. .
Somebody’s Gotta Say It (Book Review)
Somebody's Gotta Say It is a refreshingly honest, sober view of the body politic, American culture, and state of our world. Boortz presents a variety of original controversial ideas on a variety of issues. Such proposals would certainly make the political debate more productive if not more interesting (a number of these proposals can be found toward the end of the book in a chapter entitled “No Way in Hell."). I highly recommend this book for anyone who is not easily offended. Anyone who is easily offended should skip this book in favor of a selection from the Oprah Book Club. .
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