Archives for March 1, 2020

Ocwen Financial Corporation (OCN) and Pinterest Inc. (PINS)

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OCO CAPITAL PARTNERS LP bought a fresh place in Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE:OCN). The institutional investor bought 4.8 million shares of the stock in a transaction took place on 12/31/2019. In another most recent transaction, which held on 12/31/2019, CQS (US) LLC bought approximately 1.9 million shares of Ocwen Financial Corporation In a separate transaction which took place on 12/31/2019, the institutional investor, OMEGA ADVISORS, INC. bought 1.5 million shares of the company’s stock. The total Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.50% of the company’s stock.

In the most recent purchasing and selling session, Ocwen Financial Corporation (OCN)’s share price decreased by -2.78 percent to ratify at $1.40. A sum of 1285786 shares traded at recent session and its average exchanging volume remained at 633.69K shares. The 52-week price high and low points are important variables to concentrate on when assessing the current and prospective worth of a stock. Ocwen Financial Corporation (OCN) shares are taking a pay cut of -38.50% from the high point of 52 weeks and flying high of 30.84% from the low figure of 52 weeks.

Ocwen Financial Corporation (OCN) shares reached a high of $1.49 and dropped to a low of $1.38 until finishing in the latest session at $1.46. Traders and investors may also choose to study the ATR or Average True Range when concentrating on technical inventory assessment. Currently at 0.13 is the 14-day ATR for Ocwen Financial Corporation (OCN). The highest level of 52-weeks price has $2.28 and $1.07 for 52 weeks lowest level. After the recent changes in the price, the firm captured the enterprise value of $8.57B. The liquidity ratios which the firm has won as a debt-to-equity ratio of 22.77.

Having a look at past record, we’re going to look at various forwards or backwards shifting developments regarding OCN. The firm’s shares fell -8.50 percent in the past five business days and shrunk -0.71 percent in the past thirty business days. In the previous quarter, the stock fell -9.68 percent at some point. The output of the stock decreased -22.22 percent within the six-month closing period, while general annual output lost -33.01 percent. The company’s performance is now positive at 2.19% from the beginning of the calendar year.

According to WSJ, Ocwen Financial Corporation (OCN) obtained an estimated Hold proposal from the 2 brokerage firms currently keeping a deep eye on the stock performance as compares to its rivals. 0 equity research analysts rated the shares with a selling strategy, 2 gave a hold approach, 0 gave a purchase tip, 0 gave the firm a overweight advice and 0 put the stock under the underweight category. The average price goal of one year between several banks and credit unions that last year discussed the stock is $2.00.

Pinterest Inc. (PINS) shares on Friday’s trading session, dropped -4.50 percent to see the stock exchange hands at $22.48 per unit. Lets a quick look at company’s past reported and future predictions of growth using the EPS Growth. EPS growth is a percentage change in standardized earnings per share over the trailing-twelve-month period to the current year-end. The company posted a value of -$2.97 as earning-per-share over the last full year, while a chance, will post $0.25 for the coming year. The EPS Growth rate for the company predicted to reach at 350.00% for the coming year.

The last trading period has seen Pinterest Inc. (PINS) move -38.96% and 29.27% from the stock’s 52-week high and 52-week low prices respectively. The daily trading volume for Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:PINS) over the last session is 12.19 million shares. PINS has attracted considerable attention from traders and investors, a scenario that has seen its volume drop -2.36% compared to the previous one.

Investors focus on the profitability proportions of the company that how the company performs at profitability side. Return on equity ratio or ROE is a significant indicator for prospective investors as they would like to see just how effectively a business is using their cash to produce net earnings. As a return on equity, Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:PINS) produces -100.50%. Because it would be easy and highly flexible, ROI measurement is among the most popular investment ratios. Executives could use it to evaluate the levels of performance on acquisitions of capital equipment whereas investors can determine that how the stock investment is better. The ROI entry for PINS’s scenario is at -68.70%. Another main metric of a profitability ratio is the return on assets ratio or ROA that analyses how effectively a business can handle its assets to generate earnings over a duration of time. Pinterest Inc. (PINS) generated -66.40% ROA for the trading twelve-month.

Volatility is just a proportion of the anticipated day by day value extend—the range where an informal investor works. Greater instability implies more noteworthy benefit or misfortune. After an ongoing check, Pinterest Inc. (PINS) stock is found to be 4.76% volatile for the week, while 4.26% volatility is recorded for the month. The outstanding shares have been calculated 599.62M. Based on a recent bid, its distance from 20 days simple moving average is -2.21%, and its distance from 50 days simple moving average is 7.99% while it has a distance of -11.28% from the 200 days simple moving average.

The Williams Percent Range or Williams %R is a well-known specialized pointer made by Larry Williams to help recognize overbought and oversold circumstances. Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:PINS)’s Williams Percent Range or Williams %R at the time of writing to be seated at 93.75% for 9-Day. It is also calculated for different time spans. Currently for this organization, Williams %R is stood at 83.54% for 14-Day, 73.61% for 20-Day, 48.38% for 50-Day and to be seated 48.38% for 100-Day. Relative Strength Index, or RSI(14), which is a technical analysis gauge, also used to measure momentum on a scale of zero to 100 for overbought and oversold. In the case of Pinterest Inc., the RSI reading has hit 49.72 for 14-Day.

Hundreds of sailors needed

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Royal Canadian Navy, coast guard short hundreds of sailors

It’s been billed as the largest-ever investment in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard during a time of peace.

Over the next decade, the federal government will invest tens of billions of dollars into new science ships, icebreakers, supply vessels and warships.

Yet as they prepare to welcome those new ships with open arms, given the age of their current fleets, top officials at both the navy and coast guard are wrestling with a difficult but critical question: Who will sail the vessels?

That is because the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard need hundreds more sailors between them. And while the situation isn’t critical yet, it has become one of the top priorities for both services.

“It’s good to get all those resources, all this new technology and new ships,” Canadian Coast Guard Commissioner Mario Pelletier said in a recent interview. “But without people, I’m not going to be able to operate or to support or to manage the operations. So I need people.”

The coast guard says up to 15 per cent of its positions are currently vacant, representing a shortfall of roughly 1,000 people. While that alone is cause for concern, the organization released a business plan last year that noted the workforce is also getting older.

The same business plan identified recruitment as “one of the most difficult challenges” for the organization — an assessment echoed by Pelletier. It is for those reasons that he identified recruitment as well as retention as a key focus when he became commissioner in December.

Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, who took over as commander of the Royal Canadian Navy last June, has the same priority: getting more young men and women to sign up to sail with the navy, which is short roughly 850 members.

The shortfall is manageable now, but McDonald said the concern is what would happen should the navy find itself needing to dramatically ramp up its operations — something that can’t be ruled out given the current state of the world.

“So on one hand, my broad message to you is it’s very manageable, the shortfalls we’re currently experiencing,” he said. “But in a volatile world where we may be required to do more, we need to be able to push to fill those numbers in — and we are.”

The navy and coast guard are not alone when it comes to having trouble recruiting new sailors. Canada’s entire marine industry is facing a similar shortage of bodies, as older sailors leave faster than they can be replaced and new technology sparks shortages of certain skills.

“We’ve identified a shortage over the next five to 10 years of about 5,000 people,” said Bruce Burrows, president of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “And we are having to temporarily bring, for example, foreign captains.”

Why aren’t people considering a career in the navy, coast guard or marine industry? Officials have previously cited the fight for employees at a time when unemployment is low and many people don’t want to be away from home for long periods of time.

Yet McDonald, Pelletier and Burrows all cite a lack of awareness. McDonald calls it “maritime blindness.” Not only have most Canadians never been on — or perhaps even close to — a large vessel, but those interviewed believe there is a misconception about the job.

Burrows is quick to list the many ways in which the industry has tried to become more appealing, including shorter stints at sea, more emphasis on high-tech skills as vessels have become more modern, and better food and connectivity to home.

The navy, meanwhile, has been implementing wireless networks onto its ships so sailors can stay connected to home while highlighting the ability to learn new skills in a fast-paced environment.

Third day of pipeline talks

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Ministers, Wet’suwet’en chief optimistic as talks continue

Senior government ministers and a Wet’suwet’en hereditary chief say they remain optimistic talks will break an impasse over a pipeline dispute that has sparked widespread solidarity protests and transport disruptions.

Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and British Columbia Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser said the discussions are complex but are progressing respectfully.

In a news conference Saturday, Bennett said the fact that the conversations are continuing is “a very good sign.”

“We remain optimistic that we will be able to find a conclusion that’s really good for the Wet’suwet’en Nation,” she said.

Chief Na’moks, who also goes by John Ridsdale, said he hasn’t been happy with the early drafts, but noted Saturday was a new day.

“I am always optimistic, our nation is always optimistic,” he said. “I think there is a way forward, but they have their own culture and politics that has to change.”

The talks began Thursday afternoon in northern B.C. and continued into late into Friday night, and another update was expected later Saturday.

Some Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs are opposed to a natural gas pipeline in their traditional territory, an issue that has spurred solidarity protests and blockades across the country.

The demonstrations have disrupted passenger and freight train service over the last three weeks and police have recently moved to dismantle some of the blockades.

Via Rail said Friday that most service will be gradually restored as of Tuesday, including between Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

Solidarity protests and blockades have broken out across the country since the RCMP moved into Wet’suwet’en territory in northern British Columbia on Feb. 6 to enforce an injunction to stop a blockade erected by those opposed to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the blockades have created deep anxieties across the country, and he views the meetings as a positive step forward.

“A lot of this could have been avoided if the federal government Prime Minister Trudeau had taken better steps earlier on, but I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing now,” he told reporters on Saturday, after speaking to delegates to the Nova Scotia provincial NDP convention.

“What we’re seeing now is finally after over a month of asking to meet with the federal government, now there seems to be a meeting … and I still continue to call on the prime minister to meet with the hereditary chiefs to de-escalate and work towards peaceful resolution.”

The Wet’suwet’en are governed by both a traditional hereditary chief system and elected band councils. A majority of its councils have approved the pipeline, but some of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs oppose it running through their traditional territory.

The dispute also encompasses other unsettled land rights and title issues, including who has the right to negotiate with governments and corporations, the fact that the land is not covered by a treaty and remains unceded, and a 1997 court case that recognized the hereditary chiefs’ authority and the exclusive right of the Wet’suwet’en peoples to the land but did not specify the boundaries.

The issues raised in the talks are challenging and difficult, Bennett and Fraser said Saturday.

“It’s not only about the rights and title…it’s 150 years of broken promises and of cynicism that is completely understandable about will the government do what they said they are going to do,” said Bennett.

“And how do we make sure that we can allay those fears and say, for both of our governments, that we are really serious about this and we want to be able to change the way and the kind of partnership that we require nation to nation.”

Na’moks said he believes the relationship between Indigenous people and the provincial and federal governments can be changed.

“If we stay on the track that we were on in the past, we weren’t being heard,” he said.

Na’moks said the blockades are unfortunate and noted that it didn’t have to get to that point.

“But unless they have a proper discussion with us, and how the future can change for this country and be open and honest about it, then we are just going backwards,” he said. “We don’t need to go backwards.”

Like a college dorm for adults, co-living is the next big thing

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There’s a new solution for millennials struggling with rising rents, but it has a familiar feel.

Communal living, or co-living, brings together a group of people, likely strangers, in a shared space. Often, there are private sleeping quarters but the kitchens and work areas are communal spaces.

It’s not unlike a college dorm. Although considerably nicer.

Co-living is also another alternative to sharing a home with mom and dad.

As rents rise, more people are looking for a living arrangement that offers lower costs and better perks. As a result, the number of co-living offerings has expanded dramatically in the last few years.

For instance, WeWork opened two locations under the shared-living brand WeLive in the U.S. Its apartments in New York range from studios to four-bedroom units, and typically cost less than similar buildings in the neighborhood.

Other companies like WeLive, including Haven, Common, Ollie and Quarters, use the same basic model of short-term rental contracts with shared common spaces and other incentives such as housekeeping, high design and a social atmosphere.

In general, though, co-living tends to give you less personal square feet and a more flexible lease term.

In some cases, the perks are so great that residents pay a premium to live there.

Cassidy Claire Risien, 34, lives in a newly renovated townhouse in trendy Venice, California — just seven blocks from the beach.

Yet, money is tight for the actor and artist, even with her day job as a spin instructor.

“I had been living by myself and it was no longer sustainable,” she said. In an online search for rentals in her area, she set the price range to its lowest setting and a communal living option popped up among the results.

Now Risien pays less than a $1,000 a month to live at Haven.

At Haven, the focus is on health and wellness, and residents are encouraged to share their specialty, whether that’s teaching a yoga class or cooking lessons in one of the four chef’s kitchens.

In return, the rent is reduced to $995 a month, including linen and towel service and streaming entertainment subscriptions such as Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Haven’s CEO Ben Katz likens it to a private membership club — “like Soho House, but you live with us,” he said, referring to the exclusive, London-based 27-property club and hotel chain.

There are about 96 active members living among Haven’s four townhouses, with a communal courtyard. But here, there are no private living quarters. Rather, there are roughly four people to a bedroom and each have their own individual sleeping pod.

While that arrangement is not for everyone, Risien, for one, loves it. “I initially planned to stay for six months but I can anticipate myself staying for a long time,” she said.

“There’s a part of me that wonders how long I can stay.”

For many like Risien, sluggish wage growth and sky-high rents in many cities have made it unaffordable to live alone.

That’s partly why, since the Great Recession, more young adults are still living with their parents than on their own, according to the Pew Research Center.

“Many of us thought that during the recovery, as the job market improved, the share living with their parents would peak and start falling,” said Richard Fry, a senior researcher at Pew Research Center. “That has not happened yet.”

Meanwhile, the number of people living with an unrelated roommate has declined since 1995, according to Fry.

Even with record low unemployment, wages have barely budged, when adjusted for inflation from pre-recession levels, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Then there are the hefty student loan bills from school, which are at an all-time high, putting a severe strain on most millennials’ financial circumstances. Seven in 10 seniors graduate with debt, owing about $30,000 per borrower, according to the most recent data from the Institute for College Access & Success.

At the same time, the homeownership rate for the largest generation in U.S. history is lower than that of their parents and grandparents at the same age, according to a separate report by the Urban Institute, a policy research group.

4 Ways to Get Out of Paying Taxes in Retirement

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Working folks would do just about anything to avoid paying taxes, and seniors, too, are eager to ease that burden. In fact, in some ways, it’s even more important to be tax-savvy when you’re older because at that stage of life, you may be limited to a fixed income that gives you less financial flexibility.

The good news? Some smart planning on your part could help you avoid a huge tax bill in retirement. Here are a few strategies to consider to achieve that goal.

1. House your savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k)

You need independent savings to help pay the bills in retirement, but the account you choose could make a world of difference from a tax perspective. Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s offer tax breaks on contributions, but withdrawals are considered taxable income.

Roth IRAs and 401(k)s, on the other hand, don’t offer an immediate tax break on contributions but allow for tax-free withdrawals. If you keep your retirement savings in a Roth account, that money is yours to access free and clear of the IRS when you’re older.

2. Invest in municipal bonds

Bonds are often regarded as a suitable investment for seniors. They’re not only fairly stable, but they’re a good source of predictable income since they pay interest twice a year

If you buy corporate bonds — those issued by public companies — you’ll pay taxes on your interest income. But if you buy municipal bonds — those issued by cities, states, and other public entities — you’ll avoid federal taxes on the interest payments you collect. And if you purchase municipal bonds that are issued by your state of residence, you also won’t be subject to state or local taxes on that interest.

3. Fund a health savings account

Healthcare is usually one of the largest expenses seniors face. Now you can save for future healthcare costs by padding your regular savings account or boosting your IRA or 401(k). But if you’re eligible to participate in a health savings account, you can sock away funds for medical costs in the most tax-advantaged manner possible.

To qualify for an HSA, you must be enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance plan, the definition of which changes from year to year. If you are eligible, the money you put into your HSA goes in tax-free. From there, you can withdraw funds to pay for near-term medical expenses or carry unused funds forward, such as into retirement, and use them later.

Any money you don’t withdraw immediately can be invested, and gains in that account are yours to enjoy tax-free. And when you’re ready to take HSA withdrawals, those are also tax-free, as long as they’re used to pay for qualified medical expenses.

4. Move to a state with no income tax

Though there are a host of valuable credits and deductions that can help you lower your federal income tax burden, you may still need to deal with taxes at the state level. But if you retire in a state that doesn’t impose income taxes, you’ll avoid that hassle entirely.

There are seven states that don’t have an income tax:

  • Alaska
  • Florida
  • Nevada
  • South Dakota
  • Texas
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

As a senior, you might not find the cold climates of Alaska, South Dakota, and Wyoming appealing. But there’s a reason why Florida is such a popular choice for retirees, and it’s not just the weather — it’s the potential tax savings, as well.

The less tax you pay in retirement, the more money you’ll have left over to cover your bills and enjoy life. Employ these and other tactics to avoid taxes in retirement, because after a lifetime of paying them, you finally deserve a break.

3 Retirement Mistakes That Will Make You Miserable

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When you work hard your entire life, you deserve a relaxing, stress-free retirement as your personal reward. But a few seemingly innocent mistakes on your part could have the opposite result, leaving you overwhelmingly unhappy during your senior years. Here are a few blunders that are more significant than you might realize.

1. Relying on Social Security alone for income

Falling back on Social Security is easier than saving money independently for retirement. But if you don’t make an effort to sock away some money in a 401(k) or IRA, you’re likely to wind up cash-strapped.

Social Security is only designed to replace about 40% of your previous income, assuming you’re an average earner. Most seniors, meanwhile, need somewhere around 70% to 80% of their former paychecks to cover their bills and have enough left over to enjoy life, so don’t count on those benefits too heavily. Instead, make an effort to supplement them with savings of your own.

2. Forgetting about taxes

Many seniors are shocked to learn that the income they’re privy to in retirement is largely taxable. Not only are withdrawals from a traditional IRA or 401(k) subject to taxes, but so are Social Security benefits — unless they’re your only source of retirement income, in which case taxes may not be an issue.

To avoid getting caught off guard, read up on taxes in retirement, but also, if possible, put at least some of your savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k). Roth plan withdrawals don’t get taxed, which buys you more financial flexibility later in life. And if you earn too much to fund a Roth IRA directly, you can always contribute to a traditional IRA and convert it to a Roth afterward.

3. Not knowing what you’ll do with your time

Many seniors enter retirement looking forward to their newfound free time, only to find themselves bored and miserable after a couple of months. Unfortunately, the novelty of not being bound to a work schedule can wear off very quickly, and feelings of restlessness can easily give way to mental health issues like depression.

To avoid that fate, map out some ideas of how you’ll spend your time prior to actually retiring. But also, make sure those ideas align with the level of income you’ll be privy to. Traveling is a great way to keep yourself occupied, but if you can’t afford more than one trip a year, you’ll need a backup plan. That could involve volunteering, working part-time, or getting involved in community center activities.

Don’t set yourself up for failure

The last thing you want to do is wind up unhappy in retirement — and the best way to avoid that is to do some careful planning well in advance. Many people wait till their 50s or even 60s to start thinking about their golden years, and that’s a mistake by itself.

If you begin planning for retirement in your 30s or 40s, you’ll have a greater opportunity to save money, narrow down your goals, and educate yourself on the challenges that are generally unique to seniors. And that’s a good way to avoid the misery so many retirees unfortunately face.