Ten United States missionaries who tried to take 33 Haitian children out the country last week without the government’s consent have been charged with child kidnapping and criminal association for illegally trying to take children out of Haiti. Their claimed intention was to move the quake victims to a temporary orphanage being set up at a hotel-resort in the neighbouring Dominican Republic. Police said the Americans did not have paperwork, nor permissions, to remove the children from the country. If convicted, the Americans will face legal proceeding in Haiti and could face prison terms of up to fifteen years. Reuters reported that all ten acknowledged they had violated the law when they tried to take the children from Haiti, but denied they were aware of this breach of law until after their detention.
Haiti’s justice minister, Paul Denis, stated he saw no reason why the missionaries should be tried in the US. “It is Haitian law that has been violated,” he told AFP. “It is up to the Haitian authorities to hear and judge the case. I don’t see any reason why they should be tried in the United States.”
China has retorted after the United States promised to “take a tougher line” with Beijing in regards to currency and trade. Barack Obama said yesterday that he would make sure unfair advantages were not being given by countries to their currencies against the dollar. US companies have complained that the Chinese Yuan is artificially undervalued to give Chinese industries a price advantage.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Ma Zhaoxu, said the value of the Yuan was “not the main reason” for the trade surplus of China with the United States. He went on to say that the “level of the Yuan is close to reasonable and balanced”, and “accusations and pressure do not help to solve the problem”.
When asked at a meeting with Senate democrats, Obama was asked about the possibility of breaking Chinese ties. He replied that he would make sure that they, along with other countries, abided by trade agreements; but, warned that it would be “a mistake” for the United States to become protectionist. He stated his administration would “make sure that our [the US] goods are not artificially inflated in price” and that China’s goods were not deflated. Trade between the two countries came to a total of US$409 billion last year, with a US gap of US$266 billion .
Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been strained recently over a Taiwanese arms deal, Obama visiting the Dalai Lama and Internet censorship.
Japan’s Nikkei newspaper reported that Toyota is poised to recall 270,000 gas-and-electric Prius vehicles (model ZVW30) sold in the US and Japan between May and December 2009, due to a flaw in the car’s anti-lock braking system.
Calamos Asset Management, Inc. will announce earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 after the U.S. financial markets close on Tuesday, January 26. An investor conference call is scheduled that day at 4 p.m. Central time.
A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at http://investors.calamos.com . To listen to the live conference via telephone, several minutes before the start time dial 888.529.1786 if calling from within the U.S. or 706.679.5623 if calling from outside the U.S. Reference Conference ID # 50689532 to be connected.
In addition, the webcast call will be distributed via the Thomson StreetEvents Network: http://www.earnings.com for individual investors and http://www.streetevents.com, a password-protected event management site, for institutional investors.
A replay of the call will be available until the end of the day on February 3, 2010 by dialing 800.642.1687 inside the U.S. or 706.645.9291 outside the U.S., then entering conference ID #50689532. The webcast will be available on http://investors.calamos.com for 90 days following the date of the call.
Additional information about Calamos Asset Management, Inc. is also available on the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at http://investors.calamos.com. This information includes corporate governance documents, SEC filings and assets under management reports. We encourage shareholders and investors to visit and review the company’s website.
About Calamos Asset Management
Calamos Asset Management, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLMS) is a diversified investment firm offering equity, fixed income, convertible and alternative investment strategies, among others. The firm serves institutions and individuals via separately managed accounts and a family of open-end and closed-end funds, offering a risk-managed approach to capital appreciation and income-producing strategies. For more information, visit http://www.calamos.com.
SOURCE Calamos Asset Management, Inc.
RELATED LINKS
http://www.calamos.com
Xyratex Ltd. (Nasdaq: XRTX), a leading provider of enterprise class data storage subsystems and storage process technology, today announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended November 30, 2009. Revenues for the fourth quarter were $243.0 million, a decrease of 14.9% compared to revenues of $285.4 million for the same period last year.
For the fourth quarter, GAAP net income was $1.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share compared to a GAAP net loss of $55.7 million in the same period last year. Non-GAAP net income increased to $7.9 million, or a diluted earnings per share of $0.26, compared to non-GAAP net income of $0.4 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the same quarter a year ago(1).
Gross profit margin in the fourth quarter was 15.6%, compared to 12.5% in the same period last year and 16.7% in the prior quarter.
Revenues from sales of our Networked Storage Solutions (NSS) products were $203.4 million in the fourth quarter as compared to $222.3 million in the same quarter a year ago, a decrease of 8.5%. Gross profit margin in the Networked Storage Solutions business was 13.2% as compared to 8.4% a year ago. Revenues from sales of our Storage Infrastructure (SI) products were $39.5 million as compared to $63.1 million in the same quarter a year ago, a decrease of 37.4%. Gross profit margin in the Storage Infrastructure business was 28.7% as compared to 27.3% a year ago.
Revenues for fiscal year 2009 were $867.9 million, a decrease of 17.3%, compared to revenues of $1,049.7 million for fiscal year 2008. Revenues from sales of our NSS products were $762.0 million for the year as compared to $855.8 million in 2008, a decrease of 11.0%. Revenues from sales of our SI products were $105.9 million as compared to $193.9 million in 2008, a decrease of 45.4%.
GAAP net loss for fiscal year 2009 was $16.4 million or $0.56 per diluted share compared to a GAAP net loss of $47.9 million for fiscal year 2008. Non-GAAP net income for fiscal year 2009 decreased to $1.5 million, or a diluted earnings per share of $0.05, compared to non-GAAP net income of $16.2 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2008.
When comparing with the prior year it should be noted that the 2008 fourth quarter and full year results included some significant non-recurring charges related to the deterioration in the macroeconomic climate in that quarter. GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net income included additional inventory and vendor claim provisions totaling approximately $7 million. These charges reduced the NSS gross profit margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 by 3.2%. GAAP net loss also included non-cash charges totaling approximately $54 million, being an impairment of goodwill and a valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset.
“Although our Fiscal Year 2009 proved to be very challenging, I believe we delivered a good overall performance through reducing our cost base and supporting our customers’ changing needs. The results of the fourth quarter reflect the component supply issues, primarily related to semi conductors, that we have been working to address, which have constrained our NSS shipment capability through the second half of the year. I continue to be encouraged with the demand environment we are seeing for 2010 and believe that component supply will improve from the actions we are taking,” said Steve Barber, CEO of Xyratex. “We are confident that the fundamentals within the markets we serve are improving and that our technology and strong execution will benefit us over the longer term.”
Business Outlook
The following statements are based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. They reflect a significant improvement in the outlook for the SI business including customer forecasts of approximately $140 million for delivery in the first half of 2010.
•Revenue in the first quarter of 2010 is projected to be in the range $245 million to $285 million.
•Fully diluted earnings per share is anticipated to be between $0.24 and $0.52 on a GAAP basis in the first quarter. On a non-GAAP basis fully diluted earnings per share is anticipated to be between $0.32 and $0.60. Non-GAAP earnings per share excludes amortization of intangible assets, equity compensation expense, specified non-recurring items and related taxation expense.
Conference Call/Webcast Information
The company will host a conference call to discuss its results at 1:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 12, 2010.
The conference call can be accessed online via the company’s website www.xyratex.com/investors, or by telephone as follows:
United States
(866) 272-9941
Outside the United States
(617) 213-8895
Passcode
66286501
A replay will be available via the company’s website www.xyratex.com/investors, or can be accessed by telephone through January 19, 2010 as follows:
United States
(888) 286-8010
Outside the United States
(617) 801-6888
Passcode
33869460
(1) Non-GAAP net income (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share excludes (a) amortization of intangible assets, (b) equity compensation expense, (c) specified non-recurring items, such as restructuring costs, the impairment of goodwill and valuation allowance against a deferred tax asset, (d) the related tax effects and (e) the effect of changes in exchange rates on the income tax expense. Reconciliation of non-GAAP net income (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share to GAAP net income (loss) and GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share is included in a table immediately following the condensed consolidated statements of cash flow below.
The intention in providing these non-GAAP measures is to provide supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance while recognizing that they have material limitations and that they should only be referred to with reference to the corresponding GAAP measure.
The Company believes that the provision of these non-GAAP financial measures is useful to investors and investment analysts because it enables comparison to the Company’s historical operating results, those of competitors and other industry participants and also provides transparency to the measures used by management in operational and financial decision making. In relation to the specific items excluded: (a) intangible assets represent costs incurred by the acquired business prior to acquisition, are not cash costs and will not be replaced when the assets are fully amortized and therefore the exclusion of these costs provides management and investors with better visibility of the costs required to generate revenue over time; (b) equity compensation expense is non-cash in nature and is outside the control of management during the period in which the expense is incurred; (c) restructuring costs are not comparable across periods or with other companies and the impairment of goodwill and the valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset are non-recurring, non-cash and are not comparable across periods or with other companies; (d) the exclusion of the related tax effects of excluding items (a) to (c) is necessary to show the effect on net income of the change in tax expense that would have been recorded if these items had not been incurred; (e) the effect of changes in exchange rates on deferred tax balances is non-cash and is not comparable across periods or with other companies.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward–looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, including our projected revenue and fully diluted earnings per share data (on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis) for the first quarter. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include our inability to compete successfully in the competitive and rapidly changing marketplace in which we operate, failure to retain key employees, changes in our customers volume requirements, cancellation or delay of projects and adverse general economic conditions in the United States and internationally. These risks and other factors include those listed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 000-50799). In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
About Xyratex
Xyratex is a leading provider of enterprise class data storage subsystems and storage process technology. The company designs and manufactures enabling technology that provides OEM and disk drive manufacturers with data storage products to support high-performance storage and data communication networks. Xyratex has over 25 years of experience in research and development relating to disk drives, storage systems and high-speed communication protocols.
Founded in 1994 in an MBO from IBM, and with headquarters in the UK, Xyratex has an established global base with R&D and operational facilities in Europe, the United States and South East Asia.
For more information, visit www.xyratex.com.
XYRATEX LTD
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended,
Year Ended
November 30,
November 30,
November 30,
November 30,
2009
2008
2009
2008
(US dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Networked Storage Solutions
$ 203,439
$ 222,300
$ 762,028
$ 855,770
Storage Infrastructure
39,534
63,127
105,863
193,946
Total revenues
242,973
285,427
867,891
1,049,716
Cost of revenues
205,014
249,827
742,615
891,139
Gross profit:
Networked Storage Solutions
26,874
18,643
97,981
107,275
Storage Infrastructure
11,348
17,234
28,202
52,566
Equity compensation
(263)
(277)
(907)
(1,264)
Total gross profit
37,959
35,600
125,276
158,577
Operating expenses:
Research and development
17,560
22,726
71,062
85,897
Selling, general and administrative
13,538
15,984
56,463
63,686
Amortization of intangible assets
951
1,223
3,939
4,882
Impairment of goodwill
–
34,256
–
34,256
Restructuring costs
1,170
–
5,898
–
Total operating expenses
33,219
74,189
137,362
188,721
Operating income (loss)
4,740
(38,589)
(12,086)
(30,144)
Interest income, net
4
166
114
1,618
Income (loss) before income taxes
4,744
(38,423)
(11,972)
(28,526)
Provision for income taxes
3,194
17,324
4,442
19,383
Net income (loss)
$ 1,550
$ (55,747)
$ (16,414)
$ (47,909)
Net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
$ 0.05
$ (1.92)
$ (0.56)
$ (1.64)
Diluted
$ 0.05
$ (1.92)
$ (0.56)
$ (1.64)
Weighted average common shares (in thousands), used in
computing net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
29,462
29,096
29,402
29,157
Diluted
30,588
29,096
29,402
29,157
XYRATEX LTD
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
November 30,
November 30,
2009
2008
(US dollars and amounts in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 51,935
$ 28,013
Accounts receivable, net
124,715
140,879
Inventories
108,625
128,183
Prepaid expenses
4,784
2,746
Deferred income taxes
405
1,000
Other current assets
5,825
4,430
Total current assets
296,289
305,251
Property, plant and equipment, net
44,485
47,229
Intangible assets, net
7,207
11,162
Deferred income taxes
6,269
9,545
Total assets
$ 354,250
$ 373,187
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 96,386
$ 111,295
Employee compensation and benefits payable
8,580
9,745
Deferred revenue
10,620
8,386
Income taxes payable
2,013
2,573
Foreign currency contracts
–
13,266
Other accrued liabilities
17,413
14,333
Total current liabilities
135,012
159,598
Long-term debt
–
–
Total liabilities
135,012
159,598
Shareholders’ equity
Common shares (in thousands), par value $0.01 per share
70,000 authorized, 29,461 and 29,146 issued and outstanding
294
291
Additional paid-in capital
370,926
366,067
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
3,598
(13,603)
Accumulated deficit
(155,580)
(139,166)
Total shareholders’ equity
219,238
213,589
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$ 354,250
$ 373,187
XYRATEX LTD
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended,
November 30,
November 30,
2009
2008
(US dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$ (16,414)
$ (47,909)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation
18,197
15,770
Amortization of intangible assets
3,939
4,882
Impairment of intangible assets
–
34,256
Non-cash equity compensation
5,625
7,646
Loss on sale of assets
–
185
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions and divestitures
Accounts receivable
16,164
(18,552)
Inventories
19,558
(36,521)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
165
1,455
Accounts payable
(14,909)
15,249
Employee compensation and benefits payable
(1,165)
(3,535)
Deferred revenue
2,234
(6,826)
Income taxes payable
(560)
1,408
Deferred income taxes
3,021
16,944
Other accrued liabilities
3,433
2,718
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
39,288
(12,830)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in property, plant and equipment
(15,453)
(25,763)
Net cash used in investing activities
(15,453)
(25,763)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of common shares
–
(6,116)
Proceeds from issuance of shares
87
2,044
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
87
(4,072)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
23,922
(42,665)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
28,013
70,678
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 51,935
$ 28,013
XYRATEX LTD
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
November 30,
November 30,
November 30,
November 30,
Summary Reconciliation Of GAAP Net Income (Loss) To Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)
2009
2008
2009
2008
(US dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(US dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP net income (loss)
$1,550
($55,747)
($16,414)
($47,909)
Amortization of intangible assets
951
1,223
3,939
4,882
Impairment of goodwill
–
34,256
–
34,256
Equity compensation
1,758
1,755
5,625
7,646
Restructuring costs
1,170
–
5,898
–
Tax effect of impairment of goodwill
–
(9,592)
–
(9,592)
Tax effect of other non-GAAP adjustments
2,460
(1,024)
2,460
(3,791)
Valuation allowance against UK deferred tax asset
–
29,466
–
29,466
Effect on deferred tax of changes to UK tax rates and exchange rates
–
110
–
1,254
Non-GAAP net income
$7,889
$447
$1,508
$16,212
Summary Reconciliation Of Diluted GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share To Diluted Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Diluted GAAP earnings (loss) per share
$ 0.05
$ (1.92)
$ (0.56)
$ (1.64)
Amortization of intangible assets
0.03
0.04
0.13
0.17
Impairment of goodwill
–
1.18
–
1.17
Equity compensation
0.06
0.06
0.19
0.26
Restructuring costs
0.04
–
0.20
–
Tax effect of impairment of goodwill
–
(0.33)
–
(0.33)
Tax effect of other non-GAAP adjustments
0.08
(0.04)
0.08
(0.13)
Valuation allowance against UK deferred tax asset
–
1.01
–
1.00
Effect on deferred tax of changes to UK tax rates and exchange rates
–
0.00
–
0.04
Diluted non-GAAP earnings per share
$0.26
$0.02
$0.05
$0.54
Summary Of Equity Compensation
Cost of revenues
263
277
907
1,264
Research and development
571
567
1,856
2,469
Selling, general and administrative
924
911
2,862
3,913
Total equity compensation
1,758
1,755
5,625
7,646
SOURCE Xyratex Ltd.
RELATED LINKS
http://www.xyratex.com
Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE: CEL) (TASE: CEL) (hereinafter: the “Company”), announced today the dismissal of a purported class action filed against the Company in May 2007, in the District Court of Tel-Aviv-Jaffa, by two subscribers of the Company, in connection with allegations that the Company unlawfully and in violation of its license raised its tariffs, in pricing plans that included a commitment to purchase certain services for a predefined period. The purported class action was dismissed with prejudice, with plaintiffs’ consent. Had the lawsuit been certified as a class action, the total amount claimed from the Company was estimated by the plaintiffs to be approximately NIS 875 million.
About Cellcom Israel
Cellcom Israel Ltd., established in 1994, is the leading Israeli cellular provider; Cellcom Israel provides its approximately 3.259 million subscribers (as at September 30, 2009) with a broad range of value added services including cellular and landline telephony, roaming services for tourists in Israel and for its subscribers abroad and additional services in the areas of music, video, mobile office etc., based on Cellcom Israel’s technologically advanced infrastructure. The Company operates an HSPA 3.5 Generation network enabling advanced high speed broadband multimedia services, in addition to GSM/GPRS/EDGE and TDMA networks. Cellcom Israel offers Israel’s broadest and largest customer service infrastructure including telephone customer service centers, retail stores, and service and sale centers, distributed nationwide. Through its broad customer service network Cellcom Israel offers its customers technical support, account information, direct to the door parcel services, internet and fax services, dedicated centers for the hearing impaired, etc. As of 2006, Cellcom Israel, through its wholly owned subsidiary Cellcom Fixed Line Communications L.P., provides landline telephone communication services in Israel, in addition to data communication services. Cellcom Israel’s shares are traded both on the New York Stock Exchange (CEL) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (CEL). For additional information please visit the Company’s website www.cellcom.co.il.
Company Contact Investor Relations Contact
————— ————————–
Yaacov Heen Ehud Helft / Ed Job
Chief Financial Officer CCGK Investor Relations
investors@cellcom.co.il ehud@gkir.com / ed.job@ccgir.com
Tel: +972 52 998 9755 Tel: (US) 1 866 704 6710 /1 646-213-1914
SOURCE Cellcom Israel Ltd.
LG Electronics USA today filed a complaint against the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
LG is asking the court to stop the DOE from unilateral measures against the company – inappropriately forcing LG to remove Energy Star labels from certain of its refrigerator-freezer models by Jan. 2, 2010. The LG complaint states that DOE should pursue an industrywide approach to new testing standards within the process established in law.
LG and the DOE reached agreement on matters relating to energy testing for French Door refrigerators in November 2008. The DOE does not dispute that LG fulfilled all its obligations under that agreement.
However, the DOE now wants to change the testing standard announced in the binding November 2008 agreement and to require LG to follow a new test procedure that has not been clarified to LG or properly announced to the industry.
LG shares the DOE’s objective of improving the rules to provide accurate energy information to consumers, but LG objects to the process which the DOE is following.
Any changes to the 2008 agreement affect the entire industry. Fair notice should have been provided to the entire industry and the notice should have been prospective, with no retroactive effect and should have provided sufficient time for comment and compliance with the new rule. This is what the law requires.
LG had been willing to work with the DOE to find a path that would meet shared goals of providing guidance to the industry and a public announcement of the procedure with sufficient information and a reasonable time to implement that protocol.
LG regrets that it has no option other than to use legal means to defend itself and its customers.
SOURCE LG Electronics USA
The Toyota Avalon posted an “Excellent” overall score and outpointed competitors from Hyundai, Buick, and Ford in Consumer Reports’ testing of five large and upscale sedans for the January 2010 issue.
The Avalon earned an overall road test score of 87, outdistancing the Hyundai Azera Limited, which also earned an “Excellent” score, with 81 points.
The redesigned Buick LaCrosse, freshened Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKZ received Very Good ratings (73, 73, and 77 respectively.)
The Avalon remains one of CR’s top-rated sedans thanks to its quiet, spacious cabin; comfortable ride; strong performance; and good fuel economy. It rates only below the Hyundai Genesis and Lexus ES 350 in this category. The Azera continues to be a good value with a nice and roomy interior, but ride and handling show some limitations.
Changes to the Taurus and the LaCrosse redesign have left them virtually tied in CR’s Ratings, and they are very competent contenders in the class. Although the MKZ’s smaller dimensions might make it seem out of place in this group, it competes on equal footing in terms of performance, amenities, and price.
“Detroit’s new contenders measure up well,” said Rik Paul, automotive editor, Consumer Reports. “The redesign much improves the LaCrosse, and a freshening for the MKZ has brought many of the same improvements found in its platform mate, the Ford Fusion. The Taurus’s freshening results in a quiet, comfortable car, but styling has compromised some functionality.”
Consumer Reports also tested the Kia Forte, a small sedan that replaces the lackluster Spectra. The Forte is relatively roomy, with simple controls and very good fuel economy. Still, it landed midpack in CR’s Ratings of small sedans, with a “Very Good” score of 69.
Prices ranged from $31,670 for the Azera Limited to $37,555 for the LaCrosse CXS. All the cars in this test group are Recommended, except the LaCrosse, for which CR has no reliability data yet. CR only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s Annual Auto Survey of its more than seven million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.
Full tests and ratings of the large/upscale sedans test group appear in the January issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale December 1. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org. Updated daily, ConsumerReports.org is the go-to site for the latest auto reviews, product news, blogs on breaking news and car buying information.
Tranquil motoring helps the Toyota Avalon pass for a luxury car that costs twice as much money. It has a vast, quiet cabin; a compliant ride; and a slick, muscular powertrain. The Toyota Avalon XLS, ($34,974, Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price as tested), is powered by a 268-hp, 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine that provides smooth and strong performance and gets 24 mpg overall in CR’s own fuel economy tests. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and is very smooth. Braking is Very Good but handling is not particularly agile. The Avalon’s good-sized trunk includes a good pass-through to the passenger compartment that accommodates long objects like skis.
The Azera is a lot of car for the money. The powertrain is smooth and refined and the interior furnishings are impressive in design and quality. However, agility is not the Azera’s forte and the ordinarily smooth ride can become unsettled. The Hyundai Azera Limited ($31,670 MSRP as tested,) is powered by a 263-hp, 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers lively performance and 20 mpg overall. The five-speed automatic transmission shifts very smoothly. Braking is Very Good. Fit and finish is a notch above many competitors, giving the Azera a luxurious feel. The large trunk can be expanded by folding the 60/40-split rear seatbacks.
A freshening for the MKZ brought many of the same improvements found in its platform mate, the Ford Fusion, including a tighter turning circle and an interior upgrade. The ride is firm yet supple and controlled. The Lincoln MKZ, ($37,160 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 263-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine that is smooth and refined and provides strong acceleration and gets 20 mpg overall. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts very smoothly and responsively. Braking is Very Good. Fit and finish isn’t that impressive for this class. The trunk is spacious.
The redesigned LaCrosse is a sophisticated and thoroughly modern sedan. It handles responsively while delivering a calm, steady ride. The Buick LaCrosse CXS, ($37,555 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 280-hp, 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 engine that delivers lively performance and 20 mpg overall. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts very smoothly. Braking is Very Good. The interior feels luxurious, with high-quality materials. However, styling resulted in compromised access and visibility. The trunk is a good size.
The freshening of the Taurus gave it an upscale interior, but the restyling brought diminished passenger space and a more restricted view out. Still, the makeover resulted in a quiet, comfortable pleasant car that rides and handles well. The Ford Taurus Limited, ($34,980 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 263-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine that provides smooth and responsive performance and 19 mpg overall. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is Very Good. The interior is plush. Folding the rear seatbacks expands the already huge trunk.
The new Kia Forte is a big improvement over the Spectra, but is still a good notch below the best in this class mostly due to its stiff ride and pronounced engine noise. Otherwise, the Forte handles responsively and comes with standard electronic stability control — an important piece of safety equipment. The Kia Forte EX, (18,540, MSRP as tested), is powered by a 156-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that turned in just average performance but above-average fuel economy at 28 mpg overall. The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is Very Good. The roomy trunk can hold as much as larger sedans.
With more than 7 million print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Web site and owns and operates a 327-acre Auto Test Center in Connecticut. The organization’s auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To subscribe, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645 or visit www.ConsumerReports.org.
JANUARY 2010
Consumers Union 2009. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports(R) is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To achieve this mission, we test, inform, and protect. To maintain our independence and impartiality, Consumers Union accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers. Consumers Union supports itself through the sale of our information products and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants.
SOURCE Consumer Reports
With Cyber Monday just around the corner, shoppers can find great online deals using innovative online tools that help make shopping easier than ever via Sears.com and Kmart.com. From online layaway, to Sears’ ShipVantage and ShopYourWay(TM) programs, both retailers are making it easier for shoppers to navigate online and do all of their holiday shopping from the convenience of their home, office or anywhere that they’re connected to the Internet.
On Nov. 30, 2009, shoppers will find hundreds of great deals on Sears.com, including 40 percent off all Fisher-Price Trio toys, an extra 25 percent off shoes for the family, plus great savings on the season’s must-have electronics, tools and much more.
A sneak peek of select Cyber Monday offers on Sears.com include:
* Craftsman 260-piece mechanic tool set $169.99 (regularly $299.99)
* Craftsman four-piece 19.2 volt combo kit $79.99 (regularly $139.99)
* Haier 19-inch LCD HDTV $179.99 (regularly $229.99)
* LG 55-inch 1080P LCD HDTV $1,779.99 (regularly $2,279.99)
* Coby 22-inch LCD HDTV with DVD player $249.99 (regularly $279.99)
* Fisher-Price Trio Kings Castle $35.99 (regularly $59.99)
Kmart.com is making Christmas count this Cyber Monday by offering incredible holiday savings on many of its popular online items. Shoppers will find the best online selection in toys, electronics, home appliances, apparel and more when they shop Kmart.com.
Kmart.com is offering a wide range of Cyber Monday deals, including:
* Jaclyn Smith Cashmere Sweater $29.99 (regularly $69.99)
* Haier 26-inch Widescreen LCD TV/DVD Combo $359.99 (regularly $469.99)
* Ripstik Ripster $39.99 (regularly $59.99)
“Shoppers are ready to hit the Web to find these amazing deals at Sears.com and Kmart.com. Beyond the remarkable savings our customers will find on the biggest online shopping day of the year, we’re also providing them a superior online shopping experience,” said Imran Jooma, senior vice president for Online at Sears Holdings. “We’re constantly focused on providing shoppers with new online features that meet their needs and allow them to shop, ship and receive holiday gifts how they want them.”
The award-winning* Sears.com continues to evolve its online product assortment providing value-oriented customers a site that is simple and easy to use. The ShopYourWay campaign, which launched earlier this year, allows customers to shop how they want, when they want, and where they want.
Highlights of the ShopYourWay program include:
* Choice to Get It Today – Sears offers “Buy Online. Pick up in Store,” backed by its READY IN 5-GUARANTEED promise.
* Browsing made easy – Our re-designed Quick View tool and Product pages put the info you need at your fingertips.
* Product Assortment – Find millions of products on Sears.com, ranging from books and electronics to jewelry, appliances, clothing, shoes, tools and power lawn & garden equipment.
* Payment Choices – Pay your way with Online Layaway, Express Checkout, PayPal or eBillme.
* International shipping – Shop and then ship the world over. Send Holiday gifts to friends and family in 90 countries.
* Sears2Go and Kmart2Go – Mobile commerce Web sites that enable customers to find and buy select merchandise from their mobile phone 24/7. Sears2Go and Kmart2Go are the first on-the-go technology offered by a U.S. retailer.
As a ShopYourWay Rewards(SM) member, customers can earn 1 percent back in Rewards on qualifying purchases. Rewards can then be redeemed in store and online. Plus as a special Cyber Monday offering, members will receive double rewards on all online purchases and triple rewards on all apparel purchases.
Sears is also making group gifting easier with its GiveTogether program, a free, online, gift-giving service that helps friends and family gather together online, collect money and purchase a larger and more inspirational gift in an easier, better way.
Sears offers new features like the ShipVantage program, where members can ship purchases as often as they want this holiday season with unlimited free shipping on more than one million Sears.com products. There is no minimum purchase required, so shoppers can ship as many gifts as they’d like. Shoppers can sign up now for 60 day trial offer of unlimited standard shipping for $19.99** or $79 for a one year subscription.
Cyber Monday deals for both Sears and Kmart will be available online starting Monday, Nov. 30, 2009. Please visit www.sears.com and www.kmart.com for more information and special deals.
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation’s fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered exclusively by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ Web site at www.searsholdings.com.
*Sears.com is recognized as a leader in online and mobile commerce: Number-one rated site by e-Tailing Group’s Annual e-Commerce Gauge Top Customer Experience and overall Best-in-Class in Mobile Commerce by the Acquity Group.
**ShipVantage 60-day trial offer expires December 18, 2009. Membership includes unlimited free standard shipping; $0.99 per item for Expedited shipping; $3.99 per item for Premium shipping. Rates apply to mailable items only. Complete program terms and conditions.
SOURCE Sears Holdings Corporation
Siemens Healthcare redefines productivity with a new generation of its Tim® (Total imaging matrix) technology and with its new Dot(TM) (Day optimizing throughput) engine. Both technologies are introduced in the new MAGNETOM® Aera* 1.5 Tesla (T) and the new MAGNETOM Skyra* 3T scanners at the 95th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) from November 29 to December 3 at McCormick Place (Booth #825, East Building/Lakeside Center, Hall D) in Chicago. These two new scanners are the first to incorporate both Tim and Dot technology. The combination of Tim and Dot delivers patient-centered care and significantly improves productivity across the entire MRI workflow. Siemens will also demonstrate additional innovations, such as the Tim Dockable Table, for easy patient preparation outside the scanner room, and an all new coil architecture incorporating DirectConnect(TM) coil design, providing cableless coils for fast and easy set up and higher Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO)
The Siemens-unique Tim technology was launched in 2003. Since then, more than 4,000 Tim systems have been sold. Tim 4G* is the latest version of Tim and the most advanced generation of coil technology. After conventional and array technology, Siemens pioneered Integrated Panoramic Array technology in 1997 and the Tim technology in 2003. Tim 4G is now the 4th generation, offering ultra-high-density coils, DirectRF(TM) and other features for improved flexibility, accuracy and speed. Tim 4G technology provides newly designed ultra-high density coils with an array of up to 204 coil elements that utilize up to 128 channels. As a result, the user will have enough channels to support imaging with ultra-high density coils, excellent image quality with high signal-to-noise is routine and high processing speed improves productivity even further. Additionally, without coil or patient repositioning the Tim coils allow covering the complete anatomy of the patient from whole body coverage (up to 205 cm) to smallest details.
Today’s healthcare environment is increasingly faced with less staff, less reimbursement, less time. With the advanced RF solution, Siemens was able to focus on the productivity, across the entire MRI workflow, and thus developed the Day optimizing throughput (Dot) engine. Dot multiplies the power of its Tim technology, resulting in greater image consistency, improved diagnostic confidence, greater ease of use, and increased productivity.
Consistent, robust images can be achieved by automating exams, as well as personalizing each exam for virtually every patient to better help staff to provide superb, more effective patient care. Add to this the importance of highly optimized use of all resources 24/7, and productivity improves across every aspect of the clinical and business day. And this is where Tim and Dot come in.
“We strive to be a part of the solution to the challenges in Healthcare today. Siemens is proud to welcome in a new era of MRI,” said Walter Marzendorfer, head of Magnetic Resonance, Siemens Healthcare. “Tim and Dot are the direct response to today’s demanding world of healthcare economics. Together, they deliver faster, more efficient throughput for up to 30 percent more productivity per day.”
Tim: 4G Flexibility, 4G Accuracy, 4G Speed
Tim is the ultimate innovation technology with new patient-adaptive technology, enhancing image quality and acquisition speed, as well as raising productivity in everyday practice.
Tim offers a completely redesigned RF system and an all-new innovative coil architecture that packs more coil elements into a smaller space (up to 204 coil elements with 48 channels as standard configuration), unlocking the possibility of higher element configurations and higher SNR. The result is high-resolution imaging that holds up even when zooming in on multi-station images. With up to 128 channels, Tim provides enough channels to utilize ultra-high density coils.
Tim enables increased resolution and a total field of view of up to 205 cm with no coil or patient repositioning. With Tim, the most flexible Parallel Imaging is offered enabling simultaneous parallel acquisition in two directions for fast, high-resolution 3D data in a breath hold and this is supported by inline multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) capabilities.
The DirectConnect coil design provides cable-less coils for fast and easy set-up and higher SNR. For flexible coils, one-hand operation with SlideConnect makes patient set-up even easier. For superb coverage of the patient’s anatomy the Tim coils allow you to select exams, not coils. Tim’s coils can be seamlessly integrated to support large anatomic coverage, for instance, combining head, neck, body and spine coil elements to create a neurovascular array. Furthermore, the new coils are incredibly lightweight (18-channel Body coil of about 1 kg) and easy on the patient.
The new Tim Dockable Table comes with an integrated, removable Spine 32-channel coil. It is completely Tim-compatible, with integrated DirectConnect and SlideConnect coil ports. Critically ill, physically challenged, bariatric patients and other immobile types of patients can be prepared outside the scanner room and wheeled in for the exam. The table holds up to 250 kg / 550 lbs., even when mobile. For patient safety, handrails are integrated into the Tim Dockable Table. It is easily docked to the magnet and allows faster exam set-up and higher patient throughput.
DirectRF, Tim’s new all digital-in/digital-out design, integrates all RF transmit and receive components at the magnet, eliminating analog cables for true signal purity. This compact and efficient design enables an immediate feedback loop for real-time sequence adaptation.
TimTX TrueForm enables optimized RF transmission for excellent B1 homogeneity and scalability to higher numbers of transmit channels to empower new applications**.
Dot: Personalized, Guided, Automated
Completing MR’s power couple, Dot makes it easy to get the best possible results for virtually any type of patient, providing uniquely tailored, optimized scans configurable to patient condition or clinical question. Dot proposes optimized exam strategies, requiring only confirmation prior to scanning. Dot adapts to each patient’s breath-hold capacity and then links to your best scanning protocol to match. Personalized, high-quality exams can be easily reproduced, even when conditions change. Now, every patient gets the same consistent exam every time. Dot can also be customized easily to reflect the standards of care of each individual institution.
With real-time on-board guidance, Dot guides the user, step by step through even the most complicated exams, providing instant help, how-to descriptions, and example images, readily, within view. At critical steps in the scanning process, your decision points are presented. The user can add or eliminate protocols or groups of protocols with the click of a button. Dot can be easily customized to steps, images, text, and protocols to follow individual standards of care. Patient data and positioning information is provided at the scanner for accurate and fast patient set-up.
With intelligent automated workflows customized to your standards, scans are completed faster and more easily, with less chance of errors or repeats. Dot links proper protocols and procedures, so that the optimal Field of View (FoV) is instantly estimated. And automated positioning and alignment of slices can provide fast and robust image quality across all patients. Dot also integrates AutoVoice Commands into the scan process, ensuring the synchronized timing of breathing and scanning, while lowering variability and stress for the MRI technologist.
Dot offers optimized Engines for brain, cardiac, abdomen, knee, angiographic, and oncology exams.
MAGNETOM Aera (1.5T) and MAGNETOM Skyra (3T) – Transforming Productivity in MRI
“The pressure to control costs in the hospital environment, while still providing the best care, has never been greater. We are committed to continue investing in technology innovations that can play a role in improving healthcare efficiency,” said Jeffrey Bundy, vice president, Magnetic Resonance, Siemens Healthcare. “With the introduction of these revolutionary MR systems, our focus was on increasing the productivity of our customers and improving the experience of their patients.”
Both systems provide 70 cm Open-bore design together with the innovations: Tim and Dot – thus setting a new standard of efficiency, ease of use, and is designed to bring extraordinary value across the entire imaging process. Tim supplies the power needed for superb image quality, while Dot takes away the complexity inherent in MR scanning.
The 70 cm Open-bore design of MAGNETOM Aera and Skyra can accommodate a large variety of patient sizes, shapes and conditions. The friendly and open appearance helps to reduce sedation rates, minimizes stress for claustrophobic patients, and leads to higher throughput and more referrals. And the super-short magnets allow many studies to be completed with the patient’s head outside the bore while still supporting a full 50 cm FoV (45 cm in z-direction).
Tim’s new ultra high-density array, with up to 204 coil elements combined with a new RF design with up to 128 RF channels, leads to an enormous SNR increase. This enables high-resolution imaging that holds up even when zooming in on multi-station images.
The 3T MAGNETOM Skyra is also optimized with Siemens TimTX TrueForm design for unmatched B1 homogeneity. Clear, sharp images can be viewed with 50 percent more imaging volume and TimTX TrueForm provides the foundation for multi-channel transmit array capabilities at 3T.
In addition to Tim and Dot, both the MAGNETOM Aera and MAGNETOM Skyra come with Tim DirectConnect cableless coils and an optional Tim Dockable Table. The newly designed cover provides the illumination MoodLight(TM) allowing the color of the front panel to be freely chosen.
All mentioned features sum up to higher diagnostic confidence, easier and faster patient handling and improved comfort for user and patient. The improved productivity at the scanner is pushed even further with the new Siemens syngo.via imaging software. With syngo.via, productivity in MR reading is increased by up to 50 percent. syngo.via sorts the images automatically, prepares the case and every step is guided the way the user wants it. syngo.via uniquely integrates imaging modalities and IT, making it possible to access and share information anywhere. Protocol planning can now be done remotely and all the information needed is transferred to the scanner automatically. Tim and Dot together with syngo.via will dramatically increase productivity in MR by transforming the whole workflow from planning, scanning up to reading and result sharing.
* The information about this product is being provided for planning purposes. The product requires 510(k) review and is not commercially available in the US.
** available only in 3T
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens is the only company to offer customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 49,000 employees worldwide and operates in over 130 countries. In fiscal year 2008 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 11.2 billion euros and profit of 1.2 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.
SOURCE Siemens Healthcare