Yet another natural gas company has announced an increase in their outlook for 2009. This time it is Washington, D.C.-based utility holding company WGL Holdings, Inc. Figures from February of this year states that the company projects an increase of $2.41 to $2.53 per share for 2009. These numbers went even higher in the company’s recent statement as they changed their prediction to a $2.53 to $2.65 increase per share.
How long should we expect this trend in the natural gas industry? It seems that the global financial crisis is not affecting these types of companies at all. In fact, their sales and profits are even growing. The question now is whether or not this is the right time to invest in these stocks, as it seems they have nowhere else to go but up.
April 25, 2009
The Future is Bright for WGL
April 24, 2009
Nicor Customers to Expect $2.50 Increase in Natural Gas Bills
It looks like Nicor Inc. has won the battle in hiking up their natural gas prices as their requested rate hike was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission last Wednesday, March 25, 2009. Starting April, Nicor customers should expect an increase of $2.50 to $3.00 on their monthly natural gas bills.
The consolation is that the approved increase is actually just half of what the company requested for last year. Nicor originally requested an increase of about $140 million, which was deemed too much by the commission. Instead they approved half of the said amount and set the increase at $69 million, a figure that they thought fitting based on the company’s current situation. This is a hard pill to swallow for a lot of people and the Citizens Utility Board of the state plan to appeal the court’s ruling.
April 23, 2009
Sempra Energy: Nowhere to Go But Up
It seems that while the rest of the world continues to feel the effects of the financial crisis, gas utility companies are some of the select few that are not affected by the global situation. Testament to this fact is the recently released statement from Sempra Energy that they predict a further increase in their profits for the years to come.
The San Diego, California-based company announced that they project even more profits in 2010 compared to their already lucrative 2009 prediction. $5 to $5.25 is how much they think each of their shares will grow next year, which is already 15% higher than its outlook for 2009 which is at $4.35 to $4.60 increase per share. Sempra went further by stating their 2013 prediction of an increase of $5.65 to $5.95 per share. If only the rest of us were this well off.
Opera to Partner with U.S. Carrier?
Opera software recently announced that they are on the verge of launching Opera Mobile 9.7. The mobile phone browser has been in existence for several years and the software company has regularly been releasing newer versions of the smartphone browser that encompass the previous one. Critics and bloggers alike consider Opera as the best mobile phone browser as it is able to load full internet sites easier and at a quicker rate.
Together with this announcement is the alleged rumour that Opera is closing in on a deal with a U.S. telecom provider. This is exciting news for Opera users as this would surely mean that we could expect even better versions of the already excellent browser which will now be integrated with the services of our network provider.
April 22, 2009
Senior Sprint Director Stepping Down
Sprint Nextel Corp. announced that their longest-serving director, Irvine O. Hockaday Jr., has decided not to run for re-election to the company’s board. The company did not cite any reason regarding Hockaday’s decision but they assured the public that it had nothing to do with the company’s policies or operations. Some observers doubt this as Hockaday has been under public scrutiny for the longest time because of his unusual situation.
Over his 12 years with the company, Hockaday had his fair share of criticism. Analysts have been claiming that Hockaday has violated rules that limit certain individuals to a particular number of boards. Aside from his position at Sprint, he was also Chief Executive at Hallmark Cards Inc. up to 2001, and is currently a member of the boards of Crown Media Holdings Inc., Ford Motor Company, and Estee Lauder Inc.
Verizon Wireless Prepares for Immanent Flooding
Verizon Wireless has taken measures to ensure that its Fargo-based subscribers get uninterrupted service despite the flood cresting of the Red River expected to begin Saturday. As a response to the floods Verizon have deployed Cell on Light Truck (COLT) which will serve as a temporary cell site at the Centennial Elementary School in South Fargo. The temporary cell site will enhance capacity and coverage of Verizon’s data and voice network in the affected area.
This is an example of a responsible company making sure that its subscribers remain connected in this vital period. Other companies, may they be telecom providers or not, must follow in the footsteps of Verizon. It is necessary that these companies not only concern themselves with their finances but must also look out for the welfare of their customers by helping them in any way that they can.
April 21, 2009
Newest Axesstel Products to be Flaunted CTIA
Axesstel, industry heavyweight in wireless voice and broadband products, intends to showcase its newest products at the upcoming CTIA Wireless Convention to be held this April 1-3 at Las Vegas Convention Center. Axesstel has been assigned to Booth 1034 and will be displaying their latest technologies including wireless phones, broadband modems, and security alarms.
Axesstel’s revenue mostly come from 2G and 3G GSM technologies and the company intends to build on their previous success in this field. The organization is looking to take advantage of the current trend as more and more carriers migrate from CDMA to the newer and faster HSPA networks. Operators, most notably in North America, are following this trend and Axesstel intends to make this region their primary target market for 2009.
Twitter Brings Back SMS Service in the UK, is the U.S. next?
Social networking and micro-blogging service Twitter has recently announced their intention to return the SMS service to UK users. Twitter has agreed a deal with UK network provider Vodafone which will allow its subscribers to receive regular SMS tweets for free. Outgoing tweets will be deducted from the user’s text allowance for their specific plan. Sources say that deals are also close with other UK-based providers such as T-Mobile, 3 and O2.
With Twitter reinstating service with UK users does this mean that US users should also expect the same service? Twitter confirms that they are working on deals with other countries aside from the UK which means that this is a big possibility. If this pushes through then this would be excellent news for Twitter fanatics as they can Twitter away through their mobiles whenever and wherever they like.
April 20, 2009
The Verizon Revolution
Verizon Wireless, the largest telecom network in the United States, intends to further improve its customers’ retail store experience this 2009. The telecom giant recently announced that they will be opening an additional 560 retail stores with the Evolution Store design. The state-of-the-art store design gives Verizon customers a fully interactive experience with the company’s latest services including wireless voice, data, video and music.
The design was initially introduced last year to more than 20 stores throughout the United States and Verizon says that by the end of 2009, they intend to have the design rolled out to as much as 830 Communication Stores.
Among other features, the Evolution Store’s latest innovation is the SHOPP system or the Streamlined Hybrid Order Processing Path which is a custom-built sales software system that promises to enhance the entire in-store sales process.
DISH vs. the FTC
Dish Network (DISH), a satellite broadcast provider in the United States, is currently facing a stern battle with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC is saying that DISH illegally called thousands of US residents who were part of the National Do Not Call Registry. If the violation is proven Dish Network could be facing charges of up to $16,000 per violation. Dish Network however claims that they followed the law strictly and refuse to settle the case.
In the past the FTC has charged around 40 other companies with similar offences. Most notable was Direct TV who settled out of court to the tune of $5.3 million.
If Dish Network really violated this law then they should be fined a similar amount. The Do Not Call Registry was set up for a reason and it is very annoying to receive unsolicited calls when one has particularly requested not to.