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

Discounted Cash Flow ~ An Overview

DCF short for discounted cash flow analysis is a way to evaluate a company, project or assets. Cash flows for the future are assumed and discounted considering cost of capital to get the current values. Sum of future cash flows outgoing or incoming is net present value (NPV) that’s taken as price or value of cash flows. Discounted cash flow analysis is used to determine the worth of an investment in simplified terms. It is used in real estate development, investment finance, patent evaluation and corporate financial management.

As Matthew Roddan from Project Ninety Nine says, understanding the probability of risk and profits is very important in an investment decision. Investment decisions are made for profits and understanding what one can expect is very important to determine the suitability of an investment. Exponential discounting is the most common method deployed for discounting, to evaluate future cash flows answering the question – what would be the returns for an investment at a specific rate of return, as against cash flow expected in the future? Hyperbolic discounting is another method, though not deployed widely. Discount rate is the right weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and it reflects cash flow risks.

Discounted cash flow analysis is important for any investor to determine if or not an investment decision is suitable. Let’s look at it this way – consider the investment as a business or a company. DCF is a way to determine a company worth currently, based on calculations for the future. Though this is a useful method, it does have hiccups. Being a mechanical evaluation tool, it is bond by a principle and even simple changes in one value could result in major changes in value. So, instead of determining values for infinity a cap is used – say 10 years. This way, estimation becomes measurable.

Besides, Discounted Cash Flow is a method that uses intrinsic valuation for companies that have predictable flow of cash. It is used for companies that have been around for a while, though it is also used for IT companies that are expected to grow swiftly. This means, when a start-up or developing firm is evaluated, the results could go right or horribly wrong! As an investor, you must be able to weigh your options and prepare for both, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine. This way or that, evaluating an investment is important for any investor and determining the right investments is done based on calculations that are probabilities and possibilities, not a definitive. The calculated risk should be something you would be able to manage, irrespective of whether it turns our favorable or not! 

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

Software Engineering and the Intelligence Community - Setting Real Time Standards

Programming designing is a fundamental order when outlining and executing elite information endeavors. In spite of the fact that product architects are not affirmed or endorsed by any models body, utilization of programming designers with involvement in the Intelligence Community expands shots of achievement.

Programming Engineering Defined

Programming designing is the use of a deliberate, restrained, quantifiable way to the improvement, operation, and upkeep of programming, and the investigation of these methodologies; that is, the utilization of building to programming. (Source Wikipedia)

Information of writing computer programs is the fundamental essential to turning into a product engineer, however it is not sufficient. Numerous programming specialists have degrees in Computer Science or arithmetic and physical science because of the absence of programming building projects in advanced education. A composed personality and an enthusiasm for critical thinking are likewise essentials.

Then again, as information systems get to be more perplexing and fundamental in huge associations advanced education has begun to change with the presentation of new programming designing degrees, particularly in post-graduate training.

Programming Engineering as a Discipline

Programming designing contains various separate yet interrelated controls.

* Software necessities

* Software plan

* Software advancement

* Software testing

* Software upkeep

* Software design administration

* Software designing administration, see additionally extend administration

* Software advancement process

* Software designing devices and Computer Aided Software Engineering

* Software quality

* Social Software Engineering

Every sub order has its own execution prerequisites and methods for achievement.

Employments in Software Engineering - A Strong Market

Since the field of programming designing is expansive and developing more unpredictable due to the presentation of new advances and applications, the potential for employment development is huge even in a down economy.

As indicated by the Federal Government considers, the interest for qualified programming architects is noteworthy and will keep on growwing,

PC programming architects are one of the occupations anticipated to develop the quickest and include the most new employments over the 2006-16 decade.

Incredible occupation prospects are normal for candidates with in any event four year certification in PC building or software engineering and with handy work experience.

PC programming architects should persistently strive to gain new abilities in conjunction with the fast changes that happen in PC innovation.

Since PC systems and registering equipment and programming are developing in force and unpredictability, the interest for qualified Software architects is high. As the United States keeps on being a data driven society new, lucrative employments with quality advantage bundles are accessible in the economy.

This is especially valid as the economy rises up out of its discouraged state.

Vocation of PC programming architects is anticipated to increment by 38 percent over the 2006 to 2016 period, which is much speedier than the normal for all occupations. This occupation will produce around 324,000 new occupations, over the projections decade, one of the biggest business increments of any occupation.

Critical drivers of development in the interest for programming architects incorporate appropriation of new advancements for data proficiency in an aggressive domain. This is especially valid as data systems develop in refinement and interconnect.

What's more, data security concerns and digital dangers have offered climb to new programming necessities.

Concerns over "digital security" will bring about organizations and government keeping on putting intensely in programming that secures their systems and key electronic framework from assault. Digital Security has turned into a real range of sympathy toward the U,S, Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

Not very many associations are ready to trust the security of their systems to ease, seaward programming designing firms.

At long last, in financial and aggressive terms minimal effort seaward outsourcing is not a genuine danger on the grounds that product building obliges advancement and extreme innovative work uses. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

One territory with a gigantic longing for programming architects is the Federal Government. software testing security The Federal Government keeps on growwing and, with the present pattern in Government spending, more prominent interest for IT and Cyber Security building pros will likewise produce occupation request..

Guaranteeing Quality Standards - A Problem

While there is huge interest for designing experts, the frameworks and systems composed and executed by programming designers are frequently the heart of any vast business of government venture. Quality and proficiency can't be yielded by substandard execution.

Numerous who call themselves "Programming Engineer" are not completely qualified and frequently create low quality work yield.

Numerous callings authorize quality benchmarks through expert certificate sheets however proficient affirmation of programming architects is befuddling and, while numerous perspective it as an instrument to enhance proficient practice, others consider it as a pointless encumbrance.

In the United States, most accreditation projects in the IT business are situated to particular advances, and are overseen by the sellers of these advancements.

Regardless of which way the civil argument goes, full accreditation won't serve as a quality standard barrier for programming designers soon so other, at work guidelines, must be utilized to guarantee building quality.

Archived past execution that is good or a background marked by programming advancement in a requesting industry has now turned into a central point to focus future achievement.

Programming Engineering and the Intelligence Community - Real Time Certification

With the unlucky deficiency of any standard affirmation projects, head honchos and taxpayer driven organization foremen must practice extraordinary consideration when using programming engineers.to outline or restore discriminating system or venture programming.

Since systems and the product that run them are getting to be more discriminating to business operations and more perplexing, the shots of an unpracticed or unfit programming specialist unalterably harming all or piece of the system has expanded.

One noteworthy mistake by an inadequate designer could destroy a whole systems administration undertaking and cut down an association. This is especially valid for substantial government.agencies tasked with the accumulation and handling of delicate information.

Of all Federal Government offices, a case can be made that the Intelligence Community  is the most requesting and separating in terms of programming building. This level of greatness prerequisite is a direct result of the measure of the information systems included and the mission necessities to guarantee national security.

Notwithstanding the mission discriminating requests of every org and its customers for constant information, consistent, gigantic measures of delicate information are gathered on a 24x7 premise.

This information must be prepared, broke down, ensured and scattered in an effective way that ensures national security engages. Information assurance and digital security are new difficulties to the product designer and spot extra execution requests..

An outline blemish in the structural planning of a system could be deadly for the whole accumulation framework and the presentation of an infection or other digital break could crash the whole framework.

Due to the ordered/touchy nature of the information gathered in the Intelligence Community abnormal state exceptional status are likewise obliged and this spots further troubles on the uprightness of the single person.

Adjusting the needs of the Intelligence Community is a requesting assignment yet the experience will test the aptitudes, hard working attitude and judgment of even the most prepared programming architect. Subsequently designs with IC experience order a premium wage and profits based after substantiating themselves proficient,

At the point when a formal certificate is not accessible, wide and far reaching programming designing background in the Intelligence Community on a vocation hopeful's resume is regularly a significant constant substitute.

What Is the Value of Software Testing?

I am regularly approached what I accomplish as a profession. As a coach and specialist in the field of programming testing, I need to clarify the field and practice of programming testing in some inventive routes, for example,

I help individuals discover bugs in programming before it goes out to you.

I am a "test pilot" for programming.

I am similar to a product bug exterminator.

I can likewise indicate late news, for example, the disappointment of the Obamacare site and say, "I attempt to help organizations stay away from this sort of issue."

Here is the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) definition: "The methodology comprising of all life cycle exercises, both static and dynamic, concerned with arranging, planning and assessment of programming items and related work items to verify that they fulfill defined necessities, to exhibit that they are fit for reason and to recognize imperfections."

In reality, programming testing is additionally framework testing, since you require equipment to test programming.

The intriguing thing to me about the ISTQB definition is that it portrays a process that happens all through a product venture. In any case, as a client of programming, you can test the product you need to purchase before you purchase it.

For instance, on the off chance that you need to purchase an individual money application, you can download trial renditions of different items and see which one addresses your issues best. This is what is implied by being "fit for reason." Perhaps all the applications you attempt are practically right, yet some may be excessively mind boggling or excessively basic.

Some individuals see programming testing as the methodology of discovering surrenders (or bugs).

Then again, I recommend that the best estimation of programming testing is to give data about programming, for example, imperfections, execution, convenience, security, and different territories.

An alternate approach to see programming testing is "quality control" for programming. Like in assembling where the QC individuals search for imperfections in items, programming analyzers search for deformities in a product item. Software testing

Lamentably, excessively few organizations and associations see the worth to programming quality, so they discharge carriage programming to their clients. These deformities expense time, cash and result in a ton of dissatisfaction. Simply think about the last time you encountered a product issue. Maybe your statement handling programming slammed while you were composing something and you lost the most recent 15 minutes of composing. That is baffling.

In business, programming imperfections have created individuals to pass on, and for colossal measures of cash to be lost. In the Facebook IPO, Nasdaq has needed to pay over $80 million to date in fines and compensation to speculators. That was because of one product deformity (not a glitch), that brought on a perpetual circle condition.