Timing of 13-F Filings Under Review

 13-F Filings Under Review

The investor relations/financial public relations  business has been dramatically transformed by the digital age.  Investors require information when it happens, as it happens.... or else it is "old news."  So why shouldn't public companies, and for that matter, other investors, have access to current shareholder information more quickly than is currently mandated by current SEC regulations?  How often have we heard from potential investors--  "who else owns the stock?"  -- when they are considering taking a position in a public company. We are all judged by the company we keep... or don't keep.  We support the Petition  made by NYSE Euronext, the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals and the National Investor Relations Institute to shorten the reporting period for 13-F filings from 45 days after the end of the quarter to only two days after the end of the quarter.  It’s about time.  Take a look at the Petition that was filed on February 1, 2013 and judge for yourself    https://www.sec.gov/rules/petitions/2013/petn4-659.pdf

Back to Basics

We’ve all heard the familiar adage, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” While the internet and electronic access to financial information via corporate websites and service providers have dramatically changed investor relations practice in recent years, we are happy to note that  many investors are going "back to basics" when it comes to deciding where to allocate investment dollars.  PLR has always advised our clients  that  there is nothing like a face-to-face meeting to communicate a company's story.  And, who better than the CEO to tell that story?  Firms like ours spend a fair amount of time carefully vetting investors before introducing clients to potential shareholders because we want such meetings to be a mutually productive use of time for both parties.  We are keenly aware that CEOs have to juggle many hats these days, so we strive to use their time judiciously.  As a recent article in The Wall Street Journal points out, More Investors Demand CEO Face Time - WSJ.com, CEOs are spending between 20%- 30% of their time meeting directly with investors.  While IROs and CFOs can provide excellent background material,  a growing number of funds and institutional investors have instituted a policy that requires at least one meeting with a company’s CEO before making their investment decision.  We think this is a good trend for both sides.  After all, what better way to determine what your investors are thinking? Face-to-face  meetings allow  investors to gain great insight into corporate management, and  they also give CEOs invaluable feedback that leads to better articulation of corporate messages and actionable plans to  help improve overall performance.  So, while all of us have embraced technology in IR practice because it has enhanced our efficiency and ability to access information, it's worth remembering that the fundamental tenets we learned in  Basic Investor Relations 101 haven’t changed.  Companies need to get out there and  tell their stories, face-to-face, to the right audience.  It’s not revolutionary, but it’s best practice.   

Post-Hurricane Sandy

Our hearts go out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  We are also thankful that our clients, constituents and PLR team are all safe and sound.  While our offices never lost power, many of us were affected at home, and thankfully, our safety was not endangered.  Most of our staff could not get into the office, but those who did, literally took valiant steps to do so.  We had put into place contingency plans several days before the storm, our plans were put into action,  and we were able to communicate with, and service our clients throughout the ordeal.  We are hoping for a full and quicky recovery for those less fortunate storm victims.

 

Disasters such as these are stark reminders of the need for crisis plans, something which so many of us overlook.  They also bring a renewed understanding of  what we are all thankful for, and how fortunate we are to live in a society such as ours. 

SEC Offers Assistance to Filers Affected by Hurricane Sandy


The SEC announced it will be granting extensions to certain filers in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  This extension would affect certain publicly traded companies, investment firms, among others.  For more information click on the link below:

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2012/2012-220.htm

Jobless Rate Falls to 7.8%, Lowest Since January 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/business/economy/us-added-114000-jobs-in-september-rate-drops-to-7-8.html?hp&_r=0

Today's article in the New York Times highlights progress made in the job market.   The private sector added jobs at a greater rate than the government sector did.  The upcoming election season is heating up and this news adds to that excitement. With Election Day rapidly approaching, all eyes will be upon the candidates and their economic proposals. 

PLR Client, Terra Tech Corp., Has Created a Blog!

According to PRWeb, Terra Tech Corp. has launched a blog centered on Urban Ag (Agriculture) solutions and tips for sustaining the global population. The blog reflects the company’s goal of reinvigorating the nation’s agricultural climate, reinstituting the ideals of farming from centuries ago, and abolishing the industrialized nature of farming and feeding consumers. The blog also promotes Terra Tech Corp.’s use of hydroponic and aeroponic technologies in the agribusiness, and the company’s effort to localize agricultural products, reduce the risks associated with food production and carbon footprint, and essentially ensure good health among every consumer in the country. To read the blog, please visit http://terratechcorp.com/blog/.

PLR Has Added a New Client!

Porter, LeVay & Rose welcomes Green Energy Renewable Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:EWRL) ("Green Energy") in joining our diverse roster of clients. Green Energy Renewable Solutions is a developer and operator of municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste processing and recycling facilities. The Company operates with long-term supply agreements to process waste materials into valuable recyclables and reduce waste volume going into landfills by up to 85%. Green Energy Renewable Solutions has developed a strategic plan to create sustainable renewable energy with waste-to-energy power plants and the production of waste derived fuels.  It has begun development of its waste processing and recycling operation in Highland Park, Michigan and has the key elements in place to deliver all the aspects of its waste diversion business model. For more information about Green Energy, please visit www.greenenergyrenewablesolutions.com