Medium Term Notes for Trading by Matthew Roddan

Medium term notes are used to raise working capital and to improve a company’s balance sheet. Private trading programs are quite popular and banking instruments are popular trading tools. Private trading programs are an investment generating option for individuals and corporates alike, though not many have adequate funds to gain entry into such programs. On the other hand, MTNs could be acquired for larger values at discount and then used in private placement programs, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine.

Why are MTNs in demand for PPP or Private Placement Programs as they’re called? MTNs have been around since late nineties, with amounts as less as $10 – a billion, with the current highest values crossing $75 billions! There are more than 6500 private trade programs and even big corporations like Harley Davidson, Sony Capital and LG have offered MTNs collateralizing their assets for development or expansion.

Individual investors, hedge funds and portfolio managers prefer private trading programs and play by the rules, where most of their funds are invested in one or more variants of private trading programs, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine.  However not many individuals have large sums and many investors are lured by middlemen who take advantage of their ignorance and exploit them into giving up their funds for nothing using fraud or scams. On the other hand, there are real platforms like Project Ninety Nine where investors can pool their funds and get placed in a genuine private placement program and earn profits, which is otherwise impossible when done individually.

MTNs come in handy as they can be purchased for a discount, so one can get an instrument worth 100 million for 10 million or less. Then, it could be invested in PPPs for the duration (medium term) the instrument is valid (1 – 99 years).  As for firms, PPPs are a way to improve their financial credentials and raise capital. Without MTNs many wouldn’t have a shot at these programs, owing to the high investment required. MTNs are a way to invest in PPPs, though not many know how they work.

It is important to understand that MTN buyers do have rights and should request for POF before buying the instrument. If a potential seller refuses or show POF (Proof of Funds), stay clear from them. Remember MT103/23, MT799/999, MT760, etc. are a type of POFs and there’s no way they can avoid showing the POF.

Do you know as a buyer you have a right to see CUSIP / ISIN of the instrument you are buying?

In most cases, you are talking to a broker or middleman who claims to be a seller’s mandate, but you must understand there could be more than just this person and it could be a long chain before the direct seller or buyer is connected. Always ask how many people are involved before proceeding.

No trading platforms communicate with the end party before requirements are met and anyone claiming otherwise is not to be trusted.

While PPPs or Private Trading Programs or Private Placement Programs are real, it is important to identify the right contacts and resources to get through and make money through these programs. Of you wish to avoid fraud and scams tread carefully.

By Matthew Roddan

Discounted Cash Flow by Matthew Roddan

When a company’s financials are scrutinized, metrics used to evaluate the same are important. According to Wall Street, a company’s cash flow is the best indicator for a company’s performance. As such, DCF or discounted cash flow analysis is used to determine a company’s worth by estimating future cash flows.

Projected cash flows (operating profit + depreciation + amortization of goodwill - capital expenses - cash taxes - alteration in working capital) are discounted to current value using company’s weighted average costs. In short, DCF is an effective and unparalleled tool for determining share value, which is important for investors.

Also, a few financial scandals only hiked the importance of DCF. With more concerns about reliability of earnings and calculation of P/E or cash flow determination, coming up with a DCF model calls for more efforts than merely dividing share price by income or sales. However, taking this effort ensures investors get a good idea of the key factors like share value, projection of future income or profits, growth ratio, etc. Besides, DCF can’t be manipulated through aggressive accounting practices easily.

While DCF is a very useful tool, it isn’t without shortcomings. It is a mechanical valuation tool that works akin to garbage in, garbage out saying. So, any minor change or change in assumptions could lead to major differences. But, investors should always crosscheck evaluations and allow considerable margin for such changes or errors, when taking decisions. Major investment decisions should not be taken purely relying on DCF calculations alone. What if a client backs off from a contract, or what if interest rates hike unexpectedly or even a competitor cropping up with crushing prices and the firm losing most business? Remember, when expectations change, calculations or derivations based on the assumptions will change along with it! Do you know even reputed investor Warren Buffet and other financial experts and portfolio managers rely on DCF?

Discounting cash flow is tricky and it is important to remember that assuming or predicting future estimates could be meaningful or meaningless depending on the estimates taken and how reasonable they are. Besides, numbers aren’t static and keep changing with changing trends. As for investors, evaluating stock pricing is very important and DCF is a handy aid for calculating the same, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine. Do you know stock market speculations are based on DCF? Whether it is acquiring a business, or a property, or investing on stock, DCF helps with speculating approximately.

Matthew Roddan

Is Money Important? By Matthew Roddan

We’ve all heard the saying “Money can’t buy happiness” several times. Funny how most of our problems are related to money or created by money! Can we really ignore money? Money is a means of exchange and a very essential commodity. Without money there’s nothing one can do today – home, education, food, medical assistance and what not, everything boils down to money.

Right from the time a life is brought into the earth, everything revolves around money. While money is not everything, is does play a key role in our lives and one can never do without it. That aside, what about businesses? Can businesses be commenced or run without money? There’s always a pursuit for money and there’s no denying the fact that enough money can bring one a secured feeling. That’s one reason why many prefer starting their own business, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine.

With tumbling economy, many lost their jobs and were left in lurch and succumbed to not being able to manage the change or uncertainty. Even established individuals who had a career for years couldn’t take the hit and look for new opportunities, if at all there were any! By having a business, one can control their destiny and not leave it at the mercy of others – this is one reason that pushes many to start their own business.

It is one reason why many who don’t have the resources for starting a business, look for potential investors or crowd funding to start their dream and take reigns of their future. When potential entrepreneurs have profitable proposals, investors or sponsors are interested in taking the plunge, provided they’re briefed on the possibilities adequately. Matthew Roddanof Project Ninety Nine says that’s one reason why project proposals should be prepared along with financials and statistics to show potential investors. Being prepared is the key to getting funding and Project Ninety Nine brings potential entrepreneurs and investors to discuss on options and take up profitable and potential ventures.

Unlike other sites, this is a real platform where investors discuss and share knowledge and projects that catch their attention are given a thought, analyzed and the site intervenes to come up with a mutually beneficial proposal. In other words, the site stays though the ride and ensures both parties’ interests are taken care of. Handling finances the right way ensures one gets to live comfortably, secure one’s future and what not. Money is a means to an end – one’s security, which influences one’s happiness, freedom and quality of life.

Matthew Roddan

Dubai International Financial Centre By Matthew Roddan

The Dubai International Financial Centre also called DIFC is located in Emirate of Dubai and is a federal financial free zone in United Arab Emirates. Established in 2004 through a decree, DIFC is a sprawling 110 acres. Legal systems and courts are different from UAE, with a jurisdiction over commercial, corporate, employment, trusts, civil and securities law affairs. The main aim of DIFC is to offer a platform for financial and business institutions to enter in or out of emerging marks in the region and to create an ambiance for progress, growth and economic development in UAE by offering adequate infrastructure and legal backing on par with international standards.

Under the constitution of UAE, DIFC is independent judicially with commercial and civil laws different from that of UAE. DIFC laws are in English to avoid ambiguity and DIFC has courts and judges from jurisdictions with common law like Singapore, England and Hong Kong. Though DIFC has independent laws, the immigration rules and criminal law is the same as UAE. DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre is modeled after London Court of International Arbitration. DIFC Authority is the main governing body for DIFC and DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) regulate financial services in DIFC, though it is different from UAE federal Securities and Commodities Authority that governs outside of DIFC.

Financial institutions can submit applications for a license and they’re benefitted from the 0% tax for income and profits, no limitations on Forex or profit/capital repatriation, 100% foreign ownership, business continuity and operational support amenities. Dubai International Financial Exchange is a privately owned financial exchange for DIFC and was listed as DIFX and rebranded as NASDAQ Dubai in 2008. DFSA regulates NASDAQ Dubai.

Dubai International Financial Centre Complex houses a hotel, Ritz Carlton that was opened in 2011. Dubai International Financial Centre also houses art galleries, restaurants and an array of outlets for shopping extravaganza. The Dubai shopping season has garnered acclaim worldwide and the number of tourists visiting during this season shoots through the sky. Many entrepreneurs would like to have a business established in DIFC and it isn’t surprising considering the perks and profits businesses get here. Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine would recommend suitable and innovative project launch here, when an able leader is helming it.

The location of a business is very important and DIFC is one location businesses should consider. Not just for expansions, even new launches that are good would sure thrive and flourish here. There’s a reason why it is called Financial Centre and you must try it, to believe it.

By Matthew Roddan

Matthew Roddan

Matthew Roddan is the founder of Project 99 an innovative and new approach to project funding, providing funding solutions to projects throughout the world.

Matthew now offers only distinct consultancy services on a referral only basis. This work includes four major elements starting with forming private equity and similar entities; working on transactions for such funds; working on a wide array of cross-border joint ventures involving emerging markets and ending with working on various infrastructure projects in emerging markets which includes a wide range of credit & capital raise real estate based projects.

His works as a representative includes setting up a collective investment scheme investing in offline agreements for the purchase of gold in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, southeastern Europe and African areas.

He has also represented many private companies in making various investments in developments that include financing and restructuring of investments, establishing joint ventures connected to construction, real estate, financial and franchise projects in Africa, central & South America, South Asia and the Middle East regions.

Dealing with high net worth individuals in debt finance programs and advising on their risk or reward structure is another area of work as a representative.

Matthews work with Project99 involves the establishment of banking facilities for clients in jurisdictions such as Singapore, Dubai and Liechtenstein. Clients funds remain under their control at all times whilst also being able to leverage the funds for use in managed buy sell programs. The nature of the funding mechanisms offered require specialist knowledge and understanding of the the sale and purchase of bank debt.

How Your Network Security Provider Maintains PCI Compliance

PCI Compliance influences a huge number of organizations far and wide - e-business organizations, retail traders and that's just the beginning. This article will give you data about PCI agreeability and how your system security supplier ought to help you look after it. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an official, or an IT chief, the accompanying data will be useful to you.

Installment Card Industry (PCI) is an overall data security standard gathered by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). The standard, which is as of now included 12 rules, was made to help associations that process card installments avoid Visa misrepresentation through expanded controls around information and its introduction to bargain.

The standard applies to all associations which hold, process, or pass cardholder data from any card marked with the logo of one of the card brands, including shopping truck destinations, e-trade and retail dealers and other trader administrations suppliers.

PCI consistence is discriminating for a great many organizations far and wide. Shouldn't we think about yours? Also how does your system security supplier help you to keep up PCI consistence?

Your system security supplier ought to have the capacity to address no less than 5 of the discriminating PCI consistence prerequisites. They ought to likewise help intermittent reviews by producing reports and data to accept agreeability to corporate approaches and recognize rebelliousness issues preceding a review.

Building and Maintaining a Secure Network

PCI Compliance Requirement 1: Install and keep up a firewall setup to ensure cardholder information

PCI Compliance Requirement 2: Do not utilize merchant supplied defaults for framework passwords and other security parameters

System security suppliers keep up the trustworthiness of the firewall by filtering for open ports that make outside access to the system. As a major aspect of a connected security approach, clear passwords must be distinguished and checked against 25 other security best practices. software testing security

Keeping up a Vulnerability Management Program

PCI Compliance Requirement 5: Use and consistently upgrade hostile to infection programming

PCI Compliance Requirement 6: Develop and keep up secure frameworks and applications

Your system security supplier ought to give the absolute most complete defenselessness observing accessible available, covering 6 different security spaces:

Unapproved Software: Ensure that all product applications introduced on your PC systems are affirmed by your organization's security strategy.

Suspicious Traffic: Detect unusual movement on your system that could show an endeavor to get to or control your PCs.

Interruption Vulnerability: Identify open ports or other undesired access focuses that could put your system at danger of interruption.

Malware Protection: Protect your system by guaranteeing antivirus and other system security programming are introduced, upgraded and working appropriately on all PCs.

Upgrades & Patches: Assure all discriminating security redesigns and patches are introduced, with Microsoft's base assurance.

Security Practices: Ensure all your PCs are arranged and utilized as a part of understanding with best practices for system security.

Specialists: Monitor your system security status and tells you how to tackle any issues it recognizes.

Virtual Security Assistant: Provide every minute of every day security for your whole system at a small amount of the expense of human area specialists.

Consistently Monitoring and Testing Networks

PCI Compliance Requirement 11: Regularly test security frameworks and methodologies

This incorporates observing your whole system, including laptops, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a SaaS empowered item, arrange security always gives upgraded security best practices and approaches to your system.

Bust Your Myths With a Software Testing Course

In any case before you join a Software Testing course, here is a little article which draws the line in the middle of Myths and Realities of Testing:

Myth: Testing is excessively extravagant.

Reality: It is said, for Testing - Pay less amid the product advancement or more for its rectification or upkeep. Testing when started early can spare time and cash.

Myth: Testing is drawn out.

Reality: Time devoured by Testing Phase is subject to the quantity of bugs/blunders found. The more the quantity of mistakes, the more will be the time devoured. Be that as it may, if there are no bugs, testing finishes inside no time.

Myth: Testing can't be begun until the product/item is completely created. Software testing

Reality: Iterative or incremental methodology amid the advancement may diminish the reliance of testing on the completely created programming.

Myth: Complete Testing is conceivable.

Reality: Wrong. It is conceivable to test all the ways, yet there may be situations which can happen strictly when arrangement and testing these amid the testing stage is unthinkable.

Myth: The tried programming must be without bug.

Reality: There is no total conviction that a product application is 100% without bug. There is a probability of unanticipated situations, in this way bringing about bugs

Myth: Testers are in charge of deformities that stay even in the wake of testing.

Reality: Due to changing imperatives like expense, time and prerequisites, bugs go into the product. Indeed a test procedure can here and there make the analyzers miss them.

Myth: Test Automation can be utilized at whatever time to lessen time.

Reality: The recent piece of the myth that it lessens the time is genuine, yet the previous that Test Automation can be utilized whenever amid programming improvement is false. Test computerization is utilized just when the code is steady.

Myth: Any one can test a Software application.

Reality: It is by and large expected that product testing is a simple employment and could be possible by anybody. Anyhow it is just a myth. It is just about unthinkable for an untrained individual to investigate the code for potential bugs. It is just as troublesome for a designer to discover lapses in his own code

Myth: An analyzer's undertaking is just to discover bugs.

Reality: Finding bugs is just a piece of an analyzer's occupation. Creating experiments, running them, inputting the required assets, interceding the testing process in unpredictable testing situations are some different employments of analyzer.

The above Myths and Realities about Software Testing may have propelled you to investigate all the more about it. The principle purpose behind individuals to accept more in myths than in the truths is absence of information. The greater part of the graduate projects focus such a great amount on programming that they have a tendency to overlook Testing, while the truth of the matter is that both Programming and Testing go as one. To furnish adolescent graduates with active practice numerous establishments are presently offering undeniable Software instructional classes.