Archive for 2012

How to Get Cash for Your Title Without Losing Your Car

Individuals in Florida and several other states who have bad credit can still get emergency loans through companies other than banks. Individuals who own their car outright and who have a steady job can get a Jacksonville car title loan on their car, regardless of the make or model. Loan companies offer cash for your title while letting you keep your car. The loan company holds the title as collateral and if you don’t repay the loan, the can come and take your car away.

Individuals can get quick cash without any credit check but this fast cash can be dangerous. It’s essential that people don’t borrow any more than they really need so they can make the loan repayments promptly. If someone was to not pay, their car would be repossessed, taken to an auction, and sold.Since most families depend on their car to get to school, work, doctors appointments and more, having the car taken away could be a disaster.

If you are considering a Jacksonville car title loan for yourself, be sure to patronize a lender that offers a fair interest rate so you won’t have too much difficulty paying off the loan. Ask friends for recommendations for lenders offering cash for your title or simply look online. Even though you may need the money for an emergency expense, take your time and find the best loan and the best lender to suit your particular needs. This way, you won’t end up losing your car because you couldn’t afford to make your monthly payment.

How To Order Slate House Signs

It is now possible to order slate house signs right from your computer. These functional and attractive signs are used by many homeowners today, as they add a touch of class and elegance to any home. There are a few options that will need to be considered prior to placing your order. Each of these are simply a matter of personal preference, which will make shopping fun.

You can select from different colours. Black is most often chosen because of the timeless look it provides, but feel free to select another colour if you wish. There will also be the option to choose between clean cuts or rough edges. Either of these options will work well on any home. You will also have the chance to select the font that the personalisation will appear in. There are several to choose from, and no right or wrong choices here.

You can elect to have one or more lines of personalisation when you order slate house signs. You may decide that you want your house number only, or can opt to include your entire post address. If your property is named, you may also choose to have a sign that displays this name. Though there are many options to choose from, the ordering process is actually quite simple. Select what appeals to you most, and you will certainly be pleased with your new sign.

Factors That Determine Prices for Commercial Electricity

There are actually several factors that contribute to prices for commercial electricity. The cost of fossil fuels is one of the main contributors to cost, but is not the only factor. Each energy provider will have their own level of expenses for employees, machinery, and systems. These costs will also make up part of the big picture. What happens if the expenses for one company are less than another? Lower rates can be the direct result.

Does a larger provider always offer a higher rate? Not necessarily. There is a system of balance that comes as each company will work to keep expenses in line with the amount of customers they have. Don’t assume that just because a company is smaller that the rates will be as well. Since there are so many factors to consider, the only way to jump right to how this affects you is to request a quote from the companies you are most interested in.

Once you know the prices for commercial electricity, you can then choose to take action or remain with your current energy provider. Rates can fluctuate, and the low rate you find now may not be available in the future. Be mindful of this when formulating a decision of whether or not to take the next step and switch to a different provider.

The Benchmark Interest Rate of Bond

Debt securities or the more commonly known as the bond is one of the investment instruments that are also traded in the secondary market Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).

Although it does not have the prestige such as product stocks, but bonds have interest in the product and its place in world capital markets.

In fact, if I may say, still a few who truly understand the mechanism of bond transactions on the trading floor products. When in fact, the product of bonds is one investment that can provide huge profits with minimum risk level.

In a column this portfolio, detikFinance tried to introduce a simple description of this product.

Bonds is one type of fixed income securities categorized. Bonds are debt instruments that contain an agreement or contract willingness of the borrower (issuer / issuer) to make regular payments to the lender (investor) in a certain period.

Of course, the entire principal amount will be refunded at the end of the period of the agreement. Well, the interesting thing is, these bonds can be traded and transferable during the period of repayment period.

Characteristics of bonds divided into four categories, namely the bond issuer, priority, coupon rate of interest and redemption options.

In terms of the issuer, bonds are classified into two types ie Government Bonds and Corporate Bonds. Both have a different characteristic.

Government bonds typically have a lower interest coupon rate which would give yield to maturity (YTM) is lower as well. However, the level of risk may be said almost nothing. Therefore, these bonds are fully guaranteed by the government, so the unlikely event of default.

Corporate bonds usually provide a level of higher interest coupon which would provide a higher YTM anyway. But the level of risk is higher, because the private companies always have the possibility of default. Therefore, corporate bonds are usually accompanied by attractive features that are commonly known as the sweetener (sweetening).

In terms of priority, the bonds are divided into two types of bonds senior and junior bonds (subordinated bonds / subdebt). In government bonds this classification does not exist.

The difference between the two types of bonds is the priority when there is a condition of default (default). If a corporation’s default, the lender’s senior bonds will be prioritized for payment.

While the junior bonds get second place after the payment to holders of senior bonds

is completed. Therefore, the coupon rate offered at the junior bonds are usually higher than senior bonds, because the assumed level of risk is greater.

From the side of the coupon interest rate, in general there are three types of coupons are valid in Indonesia is a fixed interest coupon, coupon and zero coupon interest floater.

Provide a fixed interest coupon rate of return (return) which remained since the beginning of the bonds issued until maturity. So that the calculation of interest to be paid and the bond issuer for bond investors YTM calculation becomes easier.

Coupon interest floaters provide returns that vary according to the reference interest rate. Typically, the benchmark interest rate on SBI (Bank Indonesia Certificate).

Zero coupon bonds do not give a coupon interest payable, but rather the provision of discounts on the initial bond offering. For example, company A is issuing bonds worth Rp 1 billion, then the price to be paid by investors, you name it, amounting to Rp 900 million.

Later at maturity, the issuer will pay the full amount of Rp 1 billion. So investors will get a coupon payment in advance.

In terms of redemption options, generally consisting of call options, put options and conversion options. Call option (call option) is a right held issuer to buy back (sort of buy-back) at a certain period before maturity bonds.

Conversely, a put option (put option) is a right held by bond investors to sell back its bonds to the issuer of the bonds. However, the put option is rarely granted, because it is not profitable for the issuer.

exchanging debt value into obligations

While the conversion option is bidding for the bonds by exchanging debt value into obligations into shares. With this option, investors who had become the lender, after the due date will be shifted to the owners of capital in the companies that issued convertible bonds.

According Yunianto Handy, an analyst with PT Mandiri Securities bonds, each of the above classification has a level of risk varies. Therefore, trading characteristics of each type of bond was to be different too.

“The price of bonds that are formed in the secondary market will follow the level of risk and expectations YTM respectively. For, as the closer when due, then the rate of return and risk of each bond product will vary. This is affecting price, “he said at the Independent Club last week.

In bonds in the secondary market transactions, price calculation used is totally different from the calculations in stock trading. Prices used were measured in percentages, not the rupiah denomination.

At the time bonds are issued, then the bond price will be at a level of 100% or commonly known as Par prices. YTM rate when issued was equivalent to the coupon interest rate offered.

As an illustration, a company issuing bonds worth Rp 1 billion 5-year term with a coupon rate of 7.5% per annum and is payable every 6 months.

At the time of publication, the price of these bonds are priced with a YTM of 7.5% Par. That means, if the bond holders decide not to sell these bonds to maturity, the bondholders will receive the funds by 100% (USD 1 billion) at maturity plus accrued interest at 7.5% per year multiplied by 5 (USD 375 million) or a total of Rp 1.375 billion.

However, if an investor buys bonds in the secondary market in the second year, it means the rate of return that would be obtained were different. Because, he did not get the coupon payment before he bought the bonds.

Consequently, the purchase price of bonds in the secondary market was not likely he bought at a price of Par.

In simple terms it can be said that bond prices in the second year will be below the price of Par, call it 98%. Therefore, investors will pursue the difference in the level of return that is obtained by placing a buy position at a price below the price of Par.

Know the Ins and Outs of Investment Bonds

But what happens in the market is not as simple as that. According to Handy, in addition to these factors, there are other factors that make investors provide different offerings in the secondary market.

“Determinants of bond prices is the biggest factor is interest rates,” he explained.

Continuing the illustration above, if when he bought bonds earlier in the second year, where interest rates have decreased to as low as 6%, then the movement of bond prices in the secondary market will depend largely on expectations of interest rate trends.

Illustration like this, if investors are speculating the future trend of interest rates will go down, call it to the level of 5%, then he will put up bidding to buy at prices above the price of Par.

“In this way, he will have a YTM of getting bigger in the future in line with the downward trend in interest rates,” said Handy.

Conversely, if investors are projecting the future interest rates will go up, call it to the level of 8%, then the consequences will be receiving the projected yield will decrease.

“Therefore, to still get a big yield, he would put the price bid under Par,” said Handy.

Handy explained that the simple formula as follows:

If SBI is projected to decline, YTM will decrease, then prices will tend to rise.
If BI is projected to rise, YTM will go up, then prices will tend to fall.

Therefore, further Handy, to play bonds in the secondary market, investors should pay attention to the calculation of projected trends in interest rates. Therefore, the trend in interest rates greatly affect the movement of bond prices in the secondary market.

“Factors to be considered is the trend of inflation in the future. Therefore, the trend of inflation go hand in hand with the trend of interest rates (SBI). If inflation rises, the SBI will go up also, conversely, if inflation goes down, then SBI will come down anyway,” he said .

Well, talk about the macro economic conditions in the future Indonesia, said the latest projections into the second half of 2010 will be a global economic recovery. This recovery will certainly include Indonesia in it.

“Economic recovery is usually accompanied by rising inflation which of course will cause an increase in interest rates higher,” said Handy.

By simple logic, it can be assumed, in the future will happen, which means higher interest rates would make bonds YTM products has increased as well.

Then the consequences will be a decline in bond prices in the secondary market ahead of the second half of 2010.

“The decline in prices and the adjustment as it already started to happen from now. Investors seem to have anticipated the projected rise in interest rates early on. For investors who speculate in interest rates will rise right in the second semester, it would be better to buy now because prices are still high, thus received YTM will be greater,

Leave Deposits, Time for You to Switch Stock Exchange

Investing for the community should become a lifestyle trend. No longer limited to just think ‘saving’ and put the funds on deposit that supposedly most secure investment instrument. Begin turning to the stock. Why?

Simple indicator is the increase in the Composite Stock Price Index (CSPI), which reached 46.13% to a level of 3703.512 during 2010, and is predicted to continue in this year.

According to research results of PT Bahana TCW Investment Management, the strategy of investing in 2011 is to minimize the allocation of liquidity, either cash or deposits. The problem of excess liquidity to keep interest rates remain low, so the acquisition can not cover inflation.

Let’s look at interest rate movements on the type of investment deposits. Since 2005, the government cut fuel subsidies and the allocation of the global crisis that terrible incident in 2008, causing deposit rates continued to decline. Until the acquisition of interest on the bonds can not fight inflation, mainly of food commodities and education.

Indeed during the 1998 crisis, the government became fully ensure public funds are deposited in the deposit. So forget the notion that the deposits as a profitable and safe investment.

Trimming the fuel subsidy is causing inflation and cause interest rates rise. But it turns out the positive impact, especially foreign investor confidence, actually increased.

Furthermore, not only foreigners who buy government bonds, but also domestic banks. Proceeds from sale of state bonds has raised additional funds of banking, even exceeding the purposes for which credit has actually been increasing.

As a result, excess funds are collected in Bank Indonesia Certificates (SBI), and ultimately be borne by the central bank.

Bank Indonesia (BI) instrument makes interest rates as inflation control through the absorption of liquidity. If the rupiah liquidity is absorbed, there can be reinforcement that reduces the risk of inflation. During the height of bank money in SBI, the bank is relatively not so needy of public funds as reflected in relatively low deposit rates.

An alternative solution is to stock investing. Shares of commodity sector remains one of the main drivers of investment in the stock market. But the expectation of rising stocks will not last year.

“We think the expectations are the benefits to follow the historical average of 20%, according to the long term nominal GDP growth of Indonesia,” explained Director of Research and Investor Relations Investments on the type of bonds or corporate bonds also worth ogled. Investors can choose a corporate bond with a good credit rating, rather than government bonds. Treasury bond yield mapping for the tenor of 10 years, in late 2010 at 7.6% level. This figure is lower than the average 10-year inflation of 8.3%.

“Indeed, inflation in 2011 could be less than 8.3%, so the yield on Treasury bonds are very attractive. But investors should be alert to secure itself when inflation soared,” he said.

Other investment alternatives can be done in non-listed companies through private equity fund. Especially when the price of stocks and bonds are considered expensive, while the low-interest bonds awake.

The advantage to invest in private equity funds is the dividend. In addition, there is potential for greater profit when released into the market the company’s business capital as a public company.

Tips ‘Equip’ Son Credit Card

Equipping children with a credit card there is no harm, even from one side to give a positive thing because it can train the child to manage finances. But there are some things which should be noted that parents will equip her credit card.

Of course everyone has different views about the provision of credit card supplementation in children aged adolescents.

“Giving credit cards to the training of children is a responsibility of trust and remarkable, both for parents and for children themselves,” said Maria Sukrisman, Vice President, Card & Strategic Marcom Head, Citibank NA Indonesia, Friday (21/05/2010).

He explained that credit card issuers in Indonesia in general allow supplementation for children who already had identification such as ID cards, namely the age of 17 years.

The majority of parents agree that children should learn independently. Early on they were taught to save and create a budget and, if necessary, be able to earn their own income. One way that can be taken in teaching children how to manage finances is to provide a credit card.

Enormous advantages of credit cards is to avoid the risk of carrying too much cash.

“Through the credit card, you also can control spending and your child’s ability to manage credit. You can see the transactions that they do through monthly bills, so you also can see the habits of children and thereby know what problems may arise in the future , “explains Maria.

Based on this information, he added, parents can discuss with children about ways in the proper use of credit cards, before they have it themselves later on when to have their own income.

Here are some tips from Citibank for parents who give credit cards to the child:

Teach children to use credit cards wisely

You should teach and give examples of the use of credit cards with either the child. If you do not have good habits, most likely your children will follow the habit. Reiterate that the credit card is a non-cash means of payment, rather than facilities for the debt.

Convey that the credit card is a Privilege

The first time you have a credit card, tell them that this card is a privilege that you give to him and therefore they should be fully responsible in using it. Tell also that you will constantly monitor the transactions made by the child.

Review and discuss the bill every month

When you receive a monthly credit card bill, sit down together and examine every expenditure made by your child. If you feel there are things that are unnecessary or inappropriate, straight talk and solve it with your son or daughter. Through the monthly bill, you can also teach children about the importance of interest and pay off their bills on time.

Have a clear payment plan

One important thing is to be discussed with the child how he would pay these bills. If they do not work, then you can impose a cut of the money monthly. Teach that they can only do the expenditure of the amount of money they have. If not, then they will not have the ability to manage credit cards well. If the kids buy something at great expense, you can just charge interest when he returned the money to you.

Specify the limit that can be used child

Parents should make a deal with a child on the limited use of credit cards. With this limit, both parties must be consistent in terms of this agreement has been made. Make sure you only give one credit card to the child.

If planning to send their children abroad, make a credit card as a payment facility that allows

Credit cards are very commonly used in foreign countries, so as to pay tuition, buy books, rent dormitory space and other needs can be made by credit card.

For children, she will feel secure that the parents in the country will meet the cost of education needed. As for parents, although far in the eyes of children, credit card bills can be a role model activity and spending habits of their children.

So, when is the right time for parents to give credit card facilities to their children?
“There is no absolute age limit in this case. Parents should be able to view and understanding of the needs of adolescents for a credit card. If the child is in need and understand the credit card function properly, then you can provide these facilities,” explains Maria.