Ask the Fool Viatical Settlements as Investments
Viatical settlements involve a terminally ill person selling a life policy for immediate cash. A buyer pays less than the death benefit, hoping for a return when the policy pays out, but risks include long payout times, medical cures, or the insured outliving expectations. Middlemen take fees and the policy could be lost if the insured dies early or remains ill.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J.J. Ite
Wye
John
Jane
Jake
My Dumbest Investment Lesson from Gold Markets
A reader recalls buying gold during Middle East conflicts and war fears, selling at a loss. The Fool critiques timing market calls, arguing gold underperforms long term versus stocks and invites readers to submit their own investment missteps or successes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Middle East
J.P. Barrington
Ill
The
Foo
Jeremy Siegel
McGraw- Hill
Name That Company In Brief
An American classic founded before the Civil War, top supplier to the printed T shirt industry. Known for BVD Gitano Mun sungwear Screen Stars and Wilson brands. Acquired by a company in 1961 that also bought the maker of the union suit. Paid to rename Joe Robbie Stadium in 1996 and employs about 30 000 people. Believes in apples grapes and goose berries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
BVD
Gitano
Munsingwear
Screen Stars
Wilson
Union
Miami
Joe Robbie
United States
Mufiy
Stock splits are not cause for celebration
A reader learns that stock splits do not change the total investment value and only alter share counts. It notes splits reflect management optimism and can be reverse or regular, with examples from UPDWN and Microsoft, and advises evaluating price relative to earnings and company fundamentals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sisyphus Transport Corp
Sisyphus
Microsoft
Wal-Mart Builds Global Reach From Hope State Founding
The text notes a company founded in a state of Hope in 1962 that now employs over 900,000 people, runs about 3,600 stores, and posted nearly 140 billion dollars in revenue last year with 17 percent growth. It mentions computerized distribution, Supercenters, wholesale clubs, a 1970 public stock offering, and a 1000 percent rise in the last decade.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State of Hope
Sam-boy
Wal-Mart
Pfaltzgraff Designers Keep Classic Style Fresh
Peter Rush notes Pfaltzgraff designs stay consumer focused as about half their market are new brides and the rest loyal customers. Artists work on the job with diverse styles from geometric to folk art producing one to seven designs daily, with no quotas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Peter Rush
Trade
National Tabletop and Giftware Association
New York
Walsh
England
Germany
What This Thing Called The Motley Fool Is
Shakespearean echo frames a modern investing site that deflates hype and speaks plainly about stocks. The Motley Fool claims to tell the truth about investing with a witty, approachable voice.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Motley Fool
PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay drives profits and growth
The article notes Frito-Lay accounts for 63 percent of PepsiCo’s operating profit with Lay’s Doritos and Wow! leading domestic growth. International salty snacks rose while cookies and crackers fell. Tropicana juices adds to a stable product portfolio.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
PepsiCo
Pepsi-Cola
Pepsi
Frito-Lay
Lay’s
Doritos
Wow
Frito-LayCo
Tropicana Beverages
Corporate pay debates cross sports and entertainment divides
The article argues executive compensation rests with corporate officers and a director committee, while public tolerance for high salaries is strongest in sports and entertainment. It questions whether athletes or entertainers contribute more to productivity than corporate chiefs overseeing vast assets and employment, prompting a comparison of value and responsibility.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fiat Oe
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mme
He Foot School
Fool
Fool.com
the Motley Fool
BO Box
Alexandria
Selena
Dist
Universal Press Syndicate
Pfaltzgraff
Pfaltegraffs
Lenox
Homer Laughlin
Martha Stewart Living
Home Decorator
Better Homes
Naturewood
Jodi Phy
Harrisburg
Phy
Dort Theatre
Bank One
Bankone
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