CVC, RBS raise $290 million in Samsonite stake sale-term sheet

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners and Royal Bank of Scotland sold a combined $290 million stake in Hong Kong-listed luggage maker Samsonite International , a term sheet seen by Reuters showed.
The 138.3 million shares were sold at HK$16.20 each, a 4.9 percent discount to Samsonite's Friday's close of HK$17.04, the terms showed. That would put the total deal at HK$2.24 billion, with about 65 percent of the shares sold by CVC and the remainder by RBS .
Samsonite's shares fell 1.6 percent in early trading in Hong Kong to HK$16.76, compared with a 0.3 percent gain in the benchmark Hang Seng index <.hsi>, but were still above the selldown price.
The latest sale meant CVC reduced its stake in Samsonite to about 9.7 percent and RBS to 5.1 percent, according to Thomson Reuters data.
Goldman Sachs was the sole underwriter on the selldown.
Luxembourg-based Samsonite listed in Hong Kong in 2011 in a $1.25 billion IPO. CVC and RBS jointly raised about $821 million by selling into the IPO, although Samsonite's shares languished following the deal.
CVC and RBS have agreed to a 90-day lock-up during which they will refrain from selling any more shares into the market, the terms showed.

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Corvette enthusiasts await debut of 2014 model

DETROIT (Reuters) - Members of America's Corvette Club can't wait to see General Motors Corp's 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, the first new Corvette in nine years, which the automaker will unveil this week at the annual Detroit auto show.
The seventh generation Corvette, called C7 by fans of the iconic American sportscar, has a front-mounted engine and a shape like a race car. GM showed it to the media on Sunday and will make pictures and video available to the public.
But 100 members of the Corvette Club from southeastern Michigan are counting the hours until January 19, when GM will give them a chance to see and touch the car an hour before the doors of the auto show are opened to the public, said social director Peter Shilland, who owns an exclusive 2009 Corvette Callaway edition.
"We want to hear from the engineers and see how far they've come with the C7," said Shilland, a former GM employee.
The car has been has been redesigned from the ground up and goes on sale next summer.
Dan Akerson, GM chief executive officer, said the Corvette is a "halo car" that will draw buyers to the Chevrolet brand, which accounted for 71 percent of the company's U.S. sales in 2012.
Akerson said the Corvette is indicative of the risks the company is willing to take with its new products and called the new Corvette "a balanced risk."
"It's a statement about American ingenuity," Akerson said on Sunday night. "It's a statement about our technology, and, quite frankly, our risk-taking. This is the first car that was designed, start to finish, since our bankruptcy."
Since it debuted 60 years ago this month as a GM Motorama "dream car" concept in New York, the Corvette has earned the nickname "America's sports car" - embodying Detroit muscle and engineering know-how. To date, GM has built and sold more than 1.5 million.
Even as sales have dwindled from a peak of 42,571 in 1977 to 14,132 last year, Corvette has maintained its cachet and exclusivity as the only legitimate U.S.-built competitor to such exotic European sports-car brands as Ferrari and Lamborghini.
That position has been secured by continuous technical improvements and equipment upgrades to the car over the decades, with the 2014 Corvette poised to offer "better performance by every measure" than its predecessors, according to chief engineer Tadge Juechter.
At its heart is a new version of Chevrolet's long-running "small block" V8 - a 6.2-liter engine that produces 450 horsepower, but can run under part throttle on only four cylinders and is expected to return average fuel economy of better than 26 miles per gallon.
The new front-mounted V8 is also potent enough, when equipped with either a new seven-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, to propel the Corvette from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds - pure supercar territory.
In comparison, the 2013 Porsche 911 - its exterior dimensions are virtually identical to those of the 2014 Corvette - has a rear-mounted 350-horsepower 3.6-liter in-line six-cylinder engine that enables 0-60 acceleration in 4.6 seconds, with an average EPA fuel-economy rating of 23 m.p.g.
The Porsche is priced from $83,000 to $173,000. The current Corvette starts at just over $50,000 and runs up to $112,600.
The 2014 Stingray's edgy new exterior design was inspired to some extent by the swoopy Corvette C6.R race car, while the name dates to perhaps the best-known Corvette, the 1963 Sting Ray.
The 2014 Stingray maintains the classic sports-car proportions - long hood, short deck - while providing a visual complement to the car's extraordinary performance. To help reduce weight, Chevrolet has fitted a carbon-fiber roof and hood, composite body panels and an aluminum frame.
And, to support the car's mission of knocking off more expensive and exotic European rivals, the new Corvette features a variety of branded high-end hardware from such European suppliers: Michelin tires, Brembo brakes and Bilstein shocks.
A more premium cockpit, bristling with the latest digital technology and intended to attract luxury import buyers, can be trimmed in leather, aluminum, suede and carbon fiber. Among the available gear: A color head-up display, a pair of eight-inch configurable screens and a 3D navigation system.
"I don't know that much about the C7, but I'm anxious to hear about some of the new technology in the car," says Corvette club member Shilland. "I like the idea of more innovation."

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Apple cuts LCD panel orders for iPhone 5 on weak demand: Nikkei

(Reuters) - Apple Inc has almost halved its order with suppliers of LCD panels for the iPhone 5 in the current quarter due to weak demand, the Nikkei reported on Monday.
Apple has asked suppliers Japan Display Inc, Sharp Corp and South Korean company LG Display Co Ltd, to cut supply, down from an initial plan to order about 65 million units in the quarter, the Japanese daily said.
Japan Display's plant in Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture, where the iPhone maker has invested heavily, is expected to temporarily reduce output by 70 percent to 80 percent compared to the October to December period, the financial daily reported.
Sharp's dedicated facility for iPhone 5 LCD panels in Mie Prefecture will lower production in January and February by about 40 percent from the October to December quarter, when it was near full capacity, the daily said.
An Apple spokesperson was not immediately available for comment outside regular business hours.

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Monster Jam Tickets Rev Up Massive Sales Traffic on BuyAnySeat.com

Tickets to Monster Jam 2013 events are driving massive online search and sales traffic for seats, said Felina Martinez at ticket marketplace BuyAnySeat.com. The shows start up on Friday night, January 4, 2013 in nine U.S. cities from Trenton, New Jersey to Tacoma, Washington.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) January 02, 2013
Monster Jam is set to kick into high gear again this year. The 2013 shows rev up Friday night, January 4, 2013 in nine cities, including: Trenton, New Jersey; Des Moines, Iowa; Nashville, Tennessee; Manchester, New Hampshire; Birmingham, Alabama; Columbus, Ohio; Rochester, New York; Tacoma, Washington; and Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The tour begins in the late winter each year and visits virtually all major cities in the U.S., Canada and Europe. The shows culminate with the Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas every year, with this season’s finals event scheduled for March 23, 2013.
The series is sanctioned under the umbrella of the United States Hot Rod Association (USHRA) and takes place primarily in the United States. Although individual event formats can vary greatly based on the “intermission” entertainment, the main attraction is always the racing and freestyle competitions by monster trucks.
“Online traffic for Monster Jam tickets has been absolutely massive,” said Felina Martinez at online ticket marketplace BuyAnySeat.com. “Not only are tickets beginning to sell out for some of the dozens of upcoming shows, the show’s popularity grows each year as new competitors join the tour.
“Since fans of all ages attend these events, many times with close friends and family, we’re proud to be able to offer them a complete selection of Monster Jam tickets, with a worry-free guarantee to protect their purchase,” said Martinez.
“To access the continuously updated selection of discount Monster Jam tickets we have available, fans can go to BuyAnySeat.com and search for Monster Jam – then select their tickets,” said Martinez.
Monster Jam is a live motorsport event tour and TV series currently operated by Feld Entertainment and sponsored by Advance Auto Parts. Scheduled concurrently at different venues around the country, monster trucks face off in two different forms of competition – racing and freestyle.
In the smaller shows, there is a wheelie competition or a donut contest, and sometimes both. The goal in the wheelie competition is to hit a ramp and get big air while remaining perpendicular to the ground. In the donut competition, drivers try to spin their trucks until they get dizzy, the truck can't go any more, or they think they have a good enough score to win.
Side-by-side racing is traditional heads-up tournament racing, where the first truck to cross the finish line moves onto the next round until it is eliminated or wins the Championship race.
The freestyle competition gives drivers 90 seconds, plus a 30 second bonus period, on an open floor to show off their skills as they drive their huge trucks over cars. Drivers perform stunts and tricks that make these massive high-horsepower vehicles appear to dance gracefully across the track. The freestyle competition winner is determined by three judges who each give the driver a score out of a possible 10.
If the same driver who wins racing that night also wins freestyle, they receive the Double Down trophy, named after the Double Down activities in the Las Vegas Monster Jam World Finals. (Source: Wikipedia.com)
To shop for cheap Monster Jam tickets, visit BuyAnySeat.com.
About BuyAnySeat.com: An online ticket marketplace, BuyAnySeat.com connects sports, theater and other live entertainment fans to an extensive worldwide network of ticket sellers. The site’s simplified listings and navigational tools enable fans to easily locate, compare and purchase inexpensive, discounted or lower-priced tickets to virtually all advertised sports and entertainment events around the globe. The site, which is PCI-compliant and Norton Secured, also provides customers with a complete Worry-Free Guarantee on all ticket purchases. Based in Denver, Colorado, BuyAnySeat.com is a subsidiary of Denver Media Holdings. For more information, please visit http://buyanyseat.com.

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Jane Yuan and Creative Retail Packaging Pair Up to Develop Branding, Packaging & Web Design for Simple & Crisp

Seattle based Simple & Crisp, an organic dried fruit crisp company, launches branding, custom packaging and website produced by Creative Retail Packaging.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) January 02, 2013
Simple & Crisp, an organic, gluten-free dried fruit crisp, has hit the marketplace in full swing with branding, custom packaging and a website created by Creative Retail Packaging. Chief Pairing Purveyor Jane Yuan, chief editor of the lifestyle news site Seattleite.com, created Simple & Crisp with the desire to offer healthier options to entertain guests, as well as satisfy different dietary needs. Her vision of introducing fruit crisps as a gourmet serving vessel and cracker alternative was brought to life with CRP, a design and custom packaging company located in Seattle.
“When I first visited CRP, I knew I had a product with potential.” recounts Yuan. “After meeting with them, I realized that potential was even greater than I imagined, and I felt excited to move forward with my brand.”
CRP Creative Director Cole Johnston was equally motivated by Yuan’s ideas and felt inspired to work alongside her to jumpstart her brand. “Jane had a very unique and compelling vision for Simple & Crisp. Our job was to take her passion and turn it into a tangible brand experience,” explains Johnston. “After our initial meeting, we all left inspired with a clear direction for the brand.”
Yuan spoke with a representative at Whole Foods, attended the Natural Products Expo, and traveled to New York to gain inspiration. She shared her fruit crisps with friends, local restaurant owners, sometimes even complete strangers, gathering feedback about the crisps themselves and whether or not consumers would be interested in her product.
“I knew my close friends enjoyed them, but I wasn’t sure if they were simply being gracious,” says Yuan. “I needed unbiased feedback from people I didn’t know who would challenge my vision. This process played an integral role in confirming that I was on the right path.”
Yuan sought to promote Simple & Crisp as the “perfect pairing” for the social, yet health-conscious entertainer. The crisps are “the perfect pairing” for items such as cheese, chocolate, champagne, and countless other foods and beverages – an ideal culinary companion for healthy entertaining. One of the biggest sources of inspiration for Yuan was the unique and eye-catching retail experience in New York’s Dean & Deluca. “For me, design aesthetic and presentation are very important qualities. I wanted Simple & Crisp to be something that people are proud to buy and serve – so much so, that they would feel comfortable putting the package on their table as they entertained,” explains Yuan.
“With a background in public relations and a true passion for her product, Jane was the perfect spokesperson for her brand. This ended up playing an important role in the overall branding and packaging design for Simple & Crisp,” says Johnston.
The main considerations that Yuan communicated to CRP were that the packaging had to be airtight and structurally sound, while also showcasing the product in a unique and visually appealing manner.
Yuan chose a hexagonal prism not only for its structural integrity but for its ownable geometric shelf presence. To highlight the natural beauty and integrity of the fruit, Yuan added die-cut windows to showcase the fruit crisps from multiple vantage points.
“The process of taking the dielines CRP had drawn and making prototypes out of them played a vital role in solving the packaging challenges I faced. The crisps look beautiful in the packaging, and I am very pleased with the end result,” says Yuan.
Yuan and CRP also worked together to design the Simple & Crisp website. The site’s main purpose is to provide interactive information about the product and its “perfect pairings” as well as to serve as a point of purchase for consumers. Similar to the packaging, the design features a clean white background with colorful product photography, showcasing the fruit crisps as the main attraction.
For Yuan, the functionality of the site was as important as the design. “The revealing effect of the navigation panel encourages customers to uncover sources for culinary inspiration and creativity,” explains Yuan. “As Chief Pairing Purveyor, I am constantly on the lookout for new ways to pair our crisps with unique foods and beverages. Our site is meant to act as a motivational tool for people looking to entertain in exciting, unconventional settings.”
Simple & Crisp products are available at Whole Foods stores in Washington and Oregon, nationally at Dean & Deluca and Opensky.com or online at the company’s website http://simpleandcrisp.com. The company utilizes organic ingredients. Owner and Chief Pairing Purveyor Jane Yuan sources the fruit at the peak of perfection and oversees the manufacturing and distribution from her Seattle facility.
Creative Retail Packaging is a Houston-based company with over 30 years of experience in the design and sourcing of custom retail packaging. The company’s Design division specializes in brand development, graphic and web design. CRP has offices in Seattle, Houston, and Chicago, and operates three regional warehouses across the United States.

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NewsWatch Features ProCamera HD on it's National Television Show as Part of AppWatch

NewsWatch, a nationwide television show, recently aired a news segment about “ProCamera HD”, a new camera app. The segment aired as part of “AppWatch”, a weekly review of the top apps in the marketplace.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 03, 2013
NewsWatch, a nationwide television show, recently aired a news segment about “ProCamera HD”, a new camera app. The segment aired as part of AppWatch, a weekly review of the top apps in the marketplace.
ProCamera is a full-featured 5-in-1 app that has still camera and video, photo editing tools, social networking support, and camera related utilities. ProCamera sets the standard as the most professional camera app with its high-end features and has gotten numerous awards. ProCamera HD for iPad was released recently as the first full-featured iPad camera replacement app and has been a big success worldwide.
Included in the new app, users have access to: ProCamera Lightbox to save, export and delete photos within the app; QuickFlick for going immediately to albums and settings; 100% stability and blazing fast performance; adjustable capture format, including 16:9, 4:3, 3:2, 1:1,; and Anti-Shake Image Stabilizer for photo and video.
ProCamera HD also comes with professional editing capabilities. Using the Pro Lab Studio users can make real-time tonal curve correction; as well as adjust brightness, contrast, gamma, saturation, color temperature, and shadows.
For more information or to download the “ProCamera HD” app, head to their iTunes Page.
About Cocologics

Cocologics is a professional startup and has become the technological leader for mobile photography software on iOS. Committed to sustainability, Cocologics develops cutting-edge software solutions, which meet the highest demands in quality, aesthetics and simplicity.
NewsWatch is a weekly 30-minute consumer oriented television show that airs on the ION Network Thursday mornings at 5:30am across the nation. NewsWatch regularly features top travel destinations, health tips, technology products, medical breakthroughs and entertainment news on the show. A recent addition to NewsWatch, AppWatch is a weekly segment that provides viewers app reviews and game reviews of the latest and hottest apps and games out on the market for iOS and Android devices. The show airs in 180 markets nationwide as well as all of the top 20 broadcast markets in the country, and is the preferred choice for Satellite Media Tour and Video News Release Distribution.
For more information, head to http://www.newswatchtv.com. To watch more NewsWatch segments, visit the YouTube Channel, http://www.Youtube.com/TVConsumerWatch.

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Wall Street Week Ahead - "Cliff" concerns give way to earnings focus

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors' "fiscal cliff" worries are likely to give way to more fundamental concerns, like earnings, as fourth-quarter reports get under way next week.
Financial results, which begin after the market closes on Tuesday with aluminum company Alcoa , are expected to be only slightly better than the third-quarter's lackluster results. As a warning sign, analyst current estimates are down sharply from what they were in October.
That could set stocks up for more volatility following a week of sharp gains that put the Standard & Poor's 500 index <.spx> on Friday at the highest close since December 31, 2007. The index also registered its biggest weekly percentage gain in more than a year.
Based on a Reuters analysis, Europe ranks among the chief concerns cited by companies that warned on fourth-quarter results. Uncertainty about the region and its weak economic outlook were cited by more than half of the 25 largest S&P 500 companies that issued warnings.
In the most recent earnings conference calls, macroeconomic worries were cited by 10 companies while the U.S. "fiscal cliff" was cited by at least nine as reasons for their earnings warnings.
"The number of things that could go wrong isn't so high, but the magnitude of how wrong they could go is what's worrisome," said Kurt Winters, senior portfolio manager for Whitebox Mutual Funds in Minneapolis.
Negative-to-positive guidance by S&P 500 companies for the fourth quarter was 3.6 to 1, the second worst since the third quarter of 2001, according to Thomson Reuters data.
U.S. lawmakers narrowly averted the "fiscal cliff" by coming to a last-minute agreement on a bill to avoid steep tax hikes this weeks -- driving the rally in stocks -- but the battle over further spending cuts is expected to resume in two months.
Investors also have seen a revival of worries about Europe's sovereign debt problems, with Moody's in November downgrading France's credit rating and debt crises looming for Spain and other countries.
"You have a recession in Europe as a base case. Europe is still the biggest trading partner with a lot of U.S. companies, and it's still a big chunk of global capital spending," said Adam Parker, chief U.S. equity strategist at Morgan Stanley in New York.
Among companies citing worries about Europe was eBay , whose chief financial officer, Bob Swan, spoke of "macro pressures from Europe" in the company's October earnings conference call.
REVENUE WORRIES
One of the biggest worries voiced about earnings has been whether companies will be able to continue to boost profit growth despite relatively weak revenue growth.
S&P 500 revenue fell 0.8 percent in the third quarter for the first decline since the third quarter of 2009, Thomson Reuters data showed. Earnings growth for the quarter was a paltry 0.1 percent after briefly dipping into negative territory.
On top of that, just 40 percent of S&P 500 companies beat revenue expectations in the third quarter, while 64.2 percent beat earnings estimates, the Thomson Reuters data showed.
For the fourth quarter, estimates are slightly better but are well off estimates for the quarter from just a few months earlier. S&P 500 earnings are expected to have risen 2.8 percent while revenue is expected to have gone up 1.9 percent.
Back in October, earnings growth for the fourth quarter was forecast up 9.9 percent.
In spite of the cautious outlooks, some analysts still see a good chance for earnings beats this reporting period.
"The thinking is you need top line growth for earnings to continue to expand, and we've seen the market defy that," said Mike Jackson, founder of Denver-based investment firm T3 Equity Labs.
Based on his analysis, energy, industrials and consumer discretionary are the S&P sectors most likely to beat earnings expectations in the upcoming season, while consumer staples, materials and utilities are the least likely to beat, Jackson said.
Sounding a positive note on Friday, drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co said it expects profit in 2013 to increase by more than Wall Street had been forecasting, primarily due to cost controls and improved productivity.

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GreenDeals Re-brands Marketplace as Go Green Marketplace

GreenDeals has relaunched their Marketplace for eco-friendly products under a new domain and brand, GoGreenMarketplace.com.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 31, 2012
GreenDeals launched their Marketplace last month to help green minded consumers purchase green products, including eco-friendly, fair trade and organic items in one place. After extensive testing, they have decided to re-brand the GreenDeals Marketplace to the Go Green Marketplace to help differentiate its offering from its traditional eco-friendly deal site. The Go Green Marketplace will be hosted under a new domain but still be operated as an entity of GreenDeals.
The Go Green Marketplace will still allow shoppers looking for eco-friendly and organic products such as bath & body, kitchen & home, cleaning supplies and more to purchase all of these products at one website. All products are shipped out from a single warehouse to limit excessive shipping and reduce our shipping carbon footprint.
Gone are the days of searching website after website to find green products, the Go Green Marketplace is the one stop shopping experience for anything green. Shoppers can purchase green products from over a hundred companies such as Seventh Generation, Bambu, Mr. Meyer's, EcoClean, and Preserve.
The Go Green Marketplace features over 1,500 products and will add new products weekly with a goal of 20,000 green products by the end of 2013. GreenDeals Director, Jonah Mytro stated, "The re-launch of the GreenDeals Marketplace is essential to help us differentiate and grow this new website to consumers. We are anticipating the Go Green Marketplace to experience tremendous growth over the next 12 months as we expand our green product offerings."
While GreenDeals has had tremendous success offering discounts on green products, the Go Green Marketplace is ideal for consumers looking to purchase a variety of products for home, family, and gifting. Shoppers can visit the Go Green Marketplace and get free shipping with any order of at least fifty dollars.
About GreenDeals
GreenDeals launched in October 2010 to offer discounts and deals from local and national green businesses approved by Green America. GreenDeals offers daily deals, contests, content, tips, and promotes green living to thousands consumers across the US and Canada.

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Book of Mormon Tickets Remain Atop Most Popular Theatre Tickets List

The Book of Mormon continues to remain at the top of our Most Popular Theatre Tickets list, said Felina Martinez at online ticket marketplace BuyAnySeat.com. The 9-time Tony Award winning musical is currently running at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York, the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, and the Curran Theatre in San Francisco.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) January 01, 2013
This bold, bawdy, hilarious and heartfelt musical opened in February of 2011. It went on to win nine Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Now after almost two years, it continues to top popularity polls and play to sold out crowds around the country. (Source: Wikipedia.com, BuyAnySeat.com)
From the creators of “South Park and “Avenue Q”, Coloradoans Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the Book of Mormon continues to receive an almost perfect 4.9 rating from audiences, while critics give it a 4.7 out of five stars. (Source: Entertainment-link.com)
“While this musical is not appropriate for younger children, especially those in their pre-teens, adult audiences appear to appreciate the show’s explicit and irreverent content,” said Felina Martinez at online ticket marketplace BuyAnySeat.com. “We continue to see The Book of Mormon tickets at the top of our Most Popular Theatre Tickets list.”
“Through-out the Holiday season, we’ve also seen major spikes in search traffic for discount Book of Mormon tickets for the current performances in New York, Chicago and San Francisco.”

“We still have a big selection of Book of Mormon tickets available however,” said Martinez. “And we’re proud to be able to offer fans a great selection, with a worry-free guarantee to protect their purchase,” said Martinez.
“To access the complete selection of cheap Book of Mormon tickets we now have available, customers can go to BuyAnySeat.com and search for Book of Mormon – then select their tickets,” said Martinez.
The musical itself tells the tale of two mismatched missionaries sent to deepest, darkest Africa to spread the good word. Those who have seen "South Park" probably won't need any warnings, but the producers have issued a parental advisory due to `explicit language’. What happens to these asymmetric missionaries in poor, hungry, AIDS-plagued Africa is... well, R-rated.
To some reviewers, the musical’s content is both revolutionary and classic, hilarious and humane, funny and obscene. Other critics have called it blasphemous, scurrilous and more foul-mouthed than David Mamet on a blue streak – yet with a heart and soul as pure and pristine as a Rodgers and Hammerstein or Disney show.
How offensive is it? Despite its adult theme and bawdy content, Entertainment Weekly and the Salt Lake Tribute call it “surprisingly sweet”, while Vogue magazine writes that the show "starts out as a potty-mouthed buddy comedy" before "winding up as a kind of parable," and concludes that the musical's "dirty little secret is its big heart."
To shop for The Book of Mormon tickets, visit BuyAnySeat.com.
About BuyAnySeat.com: An online ticket marketplace, BuyAnySeat.com connects sports, theater and other live entertainment fans to an extensive worldwide network of ticket sellers. The site’s simplified listings and navigational tools enable fans to easily locate, compare and purchase inexpensive, discounted or lower-priced tickets to virtually all advertised sports and entertainment events around the globe. The site, which is PCI-compliant and Norton Secured, also provides customers with a complete Worry-Free Guarantee on all ticket purchases. Based in Denver, Colorado, BuyAnySeat.com is a subsidiary of Denver Media Holdings. For more information, please visit http://buyanyseat.com.
Note: Not an authorized ticket seller of the Book of Mormon.

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Breakout Consulting Offers New Clients $500 Off on Dream Client Marketing Campaign

Leading business consultancy offers businesses of all sizes to strategically target their dream client list.

(PRWEB) January 01, 2013
Breakout Consulting, a leading small business coaching and consulting firm based in Dearborn, MI is offering new clients a $500 discount on their Dream Client Marketing Campaign focused on attracting the most lucrative buyers in their marketplace. The customized marketing package includes all the research, creatives and marketing collateral necessary to execute an effective dream client or best buyer marketing strategy. Package price also includes coaching and guidance to ensure effective deployment of the campaign. New clients can expect to be interacting with prospective dream clients within 45 days of engaging Breakout Consulting for this service.
The promotional price of $495 is a 50% discount over the normal price and is offered to new clients only.
Additional details can be found on their website or by calling 313-757-1425.
About Breakout Consulting:
Breakout Consulting, LLC was founded in 2000 by Michael P. Berry, a seasoned business professional who has been involved at various levels of ownership and management in 23 different private and franchise brands. Coaching and consulting services focus on all aspects of business improvement including marketing, sales, profitability, growth, hiring, training, planning, policies and procedures for start-ups and small to medium sized businesses. Prospective clients are offered a complimentary initial consultation and receive a customized 12-point growth plan free of charge.

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More than 400 Million Devices Are Connected in U.S. Homes, According to The NPD Group

There are 425 million devices connected to the Internet in U.S. homes, according to a new Connected Intelligence report from global information company, The NPD Group.

Port Washington, New York (PRWEB) January 02, 2013
There are 425 million devices connected to the Internet in U.S. homes, according to a new Connected Intelligence report from global information company, The NPD Group. The Connected Home report found that while computers are still the primary connected device, numerous others are diminishing the computer’s relevance to the broadband content marketplace. This trend is being fueled by devices such as gaming consoles and Blu-ray Disc players adding to the number of Internet connected HDTVs, and the connectivity piped directly to the TV itself. Strong consumer retail sales in developing categories such as tablets and smartphones are also impacting the traditional computer’s share of Internet connected devices.
By the end of 2013, a shift towards more screen-sharing across devices is expected. Smaller screens such as the smartphone have the greatest reach now with an estimated 133 million users, with tablets contributing another 31.8 million screens. The development of the shared screen experience, by throwing content from a smaller screen to the TV, is converging device ecosystems and will allow for over-the-top content to become even more prominent on the TV.
“Mobile is adding another dimension powered by screen sharing technologies that allows users to project their tablet or smartphone onto their TV,” said John Buffone, director, NPD’s Connected Intelligence. “Through 2013, multi-screen and multi-device synergy will lead the growth in the broader connected device market, but only if services consumers desire are delivered in a simplistic manner. In this connected world, content providers and consumer technology OEMs need to determine the optimal mix of services and have them on the right devices.”
Are consumers embracing the ability to access apps on their TVs? Read John’s blog to find out.
Methodology

More than 4,000 U.S. consumers, age 18 and older were surveyed in the fourth quarter of 2012. The number of installed and internet connected devices includes those that deliver broadband applications such as computers, tablets, smartphones, HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc Players, video game consoles, and streaming media set top boxes. These devices must actually be connected to the Internet not just be Internet capable. Networking devices and others such as routers, modems, mobile hot spots, and pay TV set top boxes were excluded from this analysis. E-readers were also excluded due to the limited content array they offer.
About Connected Intelligence

Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market. For more information: http://www.connected-intelligence.com. Follow Connected Intelligence on Twitter: @npdci.
About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group provides global information and advisory services to drive better business decisions. By combining unique data assets with unmatched industry expertise, we help our clients track their markets, understand consumers, and drive profitable growth. Sectors covered include automotive, beauty, entertainment, fashion, food / foodservice, home, office supplies, sports, technology, toys, video games, and wireless. For more information, visit npd.com and npdgroupblog.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npdtech and @npdgroup.

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NewsWatch Features Creatoverse, a Sandbox App that Fosters Your Creativity, on AppWatch

NewsWatch, a nationwide television show, recently aired a news segment about “Creatorverse”, a new tablet app by Linden Lab. The segment aired as part of “AppWatch”, a weekly review of the top apps in the marketplace.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 02, 2013
NewsWatch, a nationwide television show, recently aired a news segment about “Creatorverse”, a new iPad app by Linden Lab. The segment aired as part of AppWatch, a weekly review of the top apps in the marketplace.
NewsWatch recently discovered Creatorverse, a sandbox style app that fosters a user’s creative side. Creatoverse is produced by Linden Lab, the developers of Second Life, and it allows users to design unique creations, from circular objects to motors, to ramps with jumping cars, and then set those designs in motion with simple commands.
The Creatorverse interface is intuitive and easy to understand for users of all ages. Andrew Tropeano, host of AppWatch, performed a demo of the app and was able to draw a car with two wheels on a road with several jumps. He added directional commands, gravity, and motion, then sent the car flying. It was easy, fun, and thought provoking.
Users can create their own designs or they can remix other Creatorverse user’s designs already made and shared to the cloud-based “Creatorverse Galaxy”. Once users create their design, they can save it to their device or share it to the Creatorverse Galaxy for everyone to play with and make their own. Creatorverse is a unique product that stimulates user’s creativity while still being fun and easy to use.
Creatorverse is currently available for iOS, Android, and Amazon devices for $4.99.

For more information or to download the “Creatorverse” app, go to the Creatorverse website.
NewsWatch is a weekly 30-minute consumer oriented television show that airs on the ION Network Thursday mornings at 5:30am across the nation. NewsWatch regularly features top travel destinations, health tips, technology products, medical breakthroughs and entertainment news on the show. A recent addition to NewsWatch, AppWatch is a weekly segment that provides viewers app reviews and game reviews of the latest and hottest apps and games out on the market for iOS and Android devices. The show airs in 180 markets nationwide as well as all of the top 20 broadcast markets in the country, and is the preferred choice for Satellite Media Tour and Video News Release Distribution.

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Daimer Unveils Pressure Washer Steam Cleaner to its Cleaning Equipment Offerings for U.S. Military in the Middle East and Elsewhere Worldwide

Military cleaning personnel need powerful pressure washers just like all maintenance staff with many industries, but the environments within which cleaning is performed are very different. Technologically outstanding steam cleaners offer superior cleaning power to quickly remove even the most challenging substances from military vehicles and more.

Woburn, MA (PRWEB) January 01, 2013
Daimer Industries, Inc.®, the global-leading supplier of U.S. engineered and manufactured commercial cleaning equipment offering well-recognized products, including its versatile stationary pressure washer machines, proprietary portable commercial pressure washer equipment, rugged industrial carpet cleaner systems, and temperature-maximized vapor steam cleaner models, has unveiled to the government its Super Max™ 12500 PE, truly unique, tri-mode pressure washing equipment emitting no fossil fuels and high cleaning power.
The company ships its equipment not only to the American government and all branches of the military, but also to national and international companies and organizations of all sizes located in over 200 countries globally. American and foreign buyers prefer top U.S. manufactured equipment such as those made by Daimer®. Popular systems range from industrial truck mount carpet cleaning equipment to the most advanced car wash equipment, and many other technologies in between for virtually unlimited applications within all countries.
The 12500 PE machine is both heated and powered by propane, so it can be used for indoor and outdoor cleaning applications. The gas pressure washer create a pressure level of 3000 psi and offers a high flow rate of 5 gpm. High temperatures up to 330ºF make tough cleaning applications like mud, grease, and oil removal easy. Daimer®'s own Thermal Optimized Projection Steam™ (TOPS™) technology allows for the steam pressure washer to create more forceful, higher temperature steam flow than other steam cleaners on the market. The company's TOPS™ and Super-Hot™ features result in much fast cleaning performance as well as dramatically lower water usage for "greener" cleaning than other brands' systems.
“Military forces have different cleaning needs than any ordinary company or organization. Soldiers generally have to work in difficult and dangerous conditions, so powerful cleaning equipment with superior technologies, high temperatures and flow rates are required to make the cleaning applications easier and much faster,” states Daimer Industries, Inc.® spokesperson, Matthew Baratta. “Daimer® is extremely proud to be shipping its Super Max™ 12500 PE commercial pressure washer systems to military forces in the Middle East, United States, and other locations throughout the world. Daimer®'s machine is capable of targeting some of the toughest cleaning applications imaginable.”
Government military personnel have to manage varied cleaning tasks, other than obviously protecting the country and its national interests abroad as well as within the United States. Daimer®'s Super Max™ 12500 PE pressure washer is ideal for truck washing and superb auto detailing tasks. The product is excellent for maintaining heavy trucks, Hummers, automobiles, construction equipment, building exteriors, and more.
The high-powered system offers the power of even some of its durable electric pressure washer machine models and can clean all kinds of hard surfaces, including concrete, brick, metal, and most other hard surfaces both inside facilities and on outside premises. The power washing equipment can even be attached to Daimer®'s hard surface spinning tools for remarkable tile and grout cleaning with simultaneous extraction.
Daimer®'s multi-functional equipment can be used as a steam industrial pressure washer system, a forceful hot water pressure washer, and a cold water pressure cleaner system. The 12500 PE gas pressure washer offers optional two-gun operation to allow two personnel to use the machine at the same time. The system can heat water to desired temperatures in nearly 30 seconds, due to its TOPS™ functionality and the presence of heavy-duty schedule 80 heating coils. The machine's outstanding temperatures dissolve oil and grease deposits quickly and easily without the use of chemicals.
The Super Max™ 12500 PE pressure washers include steel, powder-coated, high gloss, chip or chemical resistant housing makes it durable enough to withstand the rigors of tough outdoor cleaning applications. The highly powerful machine includes a very heavy-duty 20.0 HP propane engine.
The company's Super Max™ 12500 PE comes with Daimer®'s Long Hose Technology™ (LHT™) that offers excellent power even if hoses of 300 feet in length are used. For indoor use, the machine can be kept outside and long hoses can be used to clean the inside. The pressure level of the company's pressure washers will drop very slightly, even if the machine is kept at a distance of many hundreds feet away from location where cleaning is performed. Operators can leave the equipment outside and use long hoses to target objects deeper within industrial facilities.
A 3' durable trigger wand with quick disconnect, 50' high pressure steam hose, and a number of nozzles, such as a blast nozzle to one with a 40º spray pattern, are some of the accessories included with the machine.
For Additional Information:
To learn more about the Super Max™ 12500 PE, visit the company's official corporate website or contact Matthew Baratta at (888) 507-2220. The equipment is available for exportation to most countries across the globe.
About Daimer Industries, Inc.®:

Daimer Industries, Inc.® is the global supplier of highly advanced cleaning equipment, such as hot water pressure washer machines, electric pressure washer systems, carpet cleaning systems, hard floor cleaners, gum removal machines, steam cleaning systems, and other products and models with patented technologies.

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Breakout Consulting Offers New Clients $500 Off on Dream Client Marketing Campaign

Leading business consultancy offers businesses of all sizes to strategically target their dream client list.

(PRWEB) January 01, 2013
Breakout Consulting, a leading small business coaching and consulting firm based in Dearborn, MI is offering new clients a $500 discount on their Dream Client Marketing Campaign focused on attracting the most lucrative buyers in their marketplace. The customized marketing package includes all the research, creatives and marketing collateral necessary to execute an effective dream client or best buyer marketing strategy. Package price also includes coaching and guidance to ensure effective deployment of the campaign. New clients can expect to be interacting with prospective dream clients within 45 days of engaging Breakout Consulting for this service.
The promotional price of $495 is a 50% discount over the normal price and is offered to new clients only.
Additional details can be found on their website or by calling 313-757-1425.
About Breakout Consulting:
Breakout Consulting, LLC was founded in 2000 by Michael P. Berry, a seasoned business professional who has been involved at various levels of ownership and management in 23 different private and franchise brands. Coaching and consulting services focus on all aspects of business improvement including marketing, sales, profitability, growth, hiring, training, planning, policies and procedures for start-ups and small to medium sized businesses. Prospective clients are offered a complimentary initial consultation and receive a customized 12-point growth plan free of charge.

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Latest Software Review Impressed With Integrated Video Tutorials Presented In Ultimate Typing™ Software, eReflect Announces

A recently published review of Ultimate Typing™ software reveals that the EasyLearn™ technology with integrated video tutorials is a unique tool that makes Ultimate Typing™ very efficient.

New York City, NY (PRWEB) January 02, 2013
Ultimate Typing™ software has been examined in a detailed review by Leon Ferreira of the website Neurocube.co.za, and he has found that the video tutorials of the software account for its high efficiency in teaching typing correctly and efficiently.
As the review suggests, Ultimate Typing™ software is an easy to use typing program that has helped him personally to switch from his two-finger typing method into a more productive and professional all-ten-fingers typing style. The reviewer states that by practicing 7 minutes per day in his lunch breaks, he was able to substantially improve both his speed and accuracy, seeing noticeable improvement as early as in five days' time.
Ferreira notes that despite his age he was able to improve his typing in as little as two weeks, with results that he found rather astonishing. Upon reflection, he attributes this otherwise unbelievable progress to the EasyLearn™ technology incorporated in Ultimate Typing™. The software features a state-of-the-art technology using professional and interactive video tutorials.
These tutorials are available throughout the software and are presented to the user before they start practicing. These videos are of high quality, precise and very easy to understand. The instructor explains in simple language the requirements of the exercise and any “how-to” tips and tricks, and then the user is expected to practice the exercise at hand. According to the reviewer, this feature proves to be very helpful as it allows users to learn correctly all typing tricks and strategies presented. The teach-then-practice method of Ultimate Typing™ ensures that all learners, regardless of level and needs, can benefit from practicing with Ultimate Typing™.
This revolutionary typing class strategy not only saves time for the user, according to the reviewer, but it also ensures that no knowledge or skill gaps are left in the user's learning curve. Instead, the instructional videos provide all necessary information about how to perform an exercise for maximum results, which makes it easy for the users to succeed.
For more information on how Ultimate Typing™ can improve your typing speed and accuracy please visit the official website http://www.ultimatetyping.com.
About Ultimate Typing™
Ultimate Typing™ is an advanced typing tutor software that offers incomparably sophisticated typing strategies.
Ultimate Typing™ is based on the latest research and scientific developments regarding efficient typing. With as little as 7 minutes a day, aspiring fast typists can substantially improve their typing accuracy and speed.
With its user-friendly and expert-designed activities all users can improve their typing. Accurate typing is possible thanks to Ultimate Typing™. Plus, eReflect provides a money-back guarantee that cannot be matched.

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WMX Group Holdings, Inc. (WMXG:OTCBB) to Benefit in 2013 from the New US Budget Compromise

Thomas Anthony Guerriero, CEO of WMX Group Holdings, Inc. (WMXG:OTCBB) sees the company benefiting from the new US Budget compromise.

Deerfield Beach, Florida (PRWEB) January 01, 2013
The US budget compromise will raise taxes on income over $450,000 for couples (http://online.wsj.com). WMX Group Holdings, Inc. Chairman & CEO, Thomas Anthony Guerriero said, "This tax increase will lead families to seek investment advisors who can structure complex financial plans to maximize their earning potential."
At WMX all investment plans are customized and cater to the needs of the specific client. This is unique to the investment industry, who herds most investors into packaged products, with the masses of informed investors around the globe. With more economic challenges, comes the need for those individuals who can find solutions. This plays to WMX's strengths, giving them a very positive outlook at 2013.
About WMX Group Holdings, Inc.

WMX Group Holdings, Inc. (WMXG:OTCBB) is an ISO Certified, publicly traded diversified holding company. WMX’s primary business is two-fold as a Registered Investment Advisory firm and a Global University. In addition to these two focusses, WMX has several active start up incubator companies and an extensive library of Intellectual Property.
About Thomas Anthony Guerriero

Thomas Anthony Guerriero is world renowned for being one of the most powerful and influential CEO's in the history of Wall Street. His financial advisor training program is legendary for creating some of the top producing financial professionals in the world.

​

Mr. Thomas Anthony Guerriero is currently the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WMX Group Holdings, Inc. He has over fourteen years of extensive upper executive experience. Mr. Guerriero began his career in the financial markets in 1998, and soon thereafter earned the position of Senior Vice President of the securities division of First Union, one of the largest institutions in the world with over $400 billion in client assets. After First Union was acquired by Wachovia, Mr. Guerriero continued to build his client base and team through several institutions and think tanks, eventually etching his name in stone industry wide, by becoming the CEO of a Member Firm, TAA. There he gained the prestigious recognition of being one of the youngest individuals to ever head a member firm.
His success at TAA led him towards the second acquisition in his career, this time by High Point Capital. Mr. Guerriero's unique ability to create unique systems both technical and fundamentally, recruit, train, mentor, and inspire individuals through his creative methodologies has led him to be recognized as a global force to be reckoned with. His most recent acquisition was at the helm of Global Wealth as CEO. He was able to maximize profitability and surpass all expectations in the face of the toughest economic climate of our generation, leading towards the third acquisition of his career of Global Wealth and its Institute of Finance.



As one of the most talented minds and influential people in the world today he shows no signs in letting up. In 2011, he was nominated, accepted, and confirmed as one of the youngest inductions ever into Marquis's Who's Who in America. Also in 2011 Mr. Guerriero became one of the youngest owners of a professional sports team. He became an owner of a professional basketball team, the Springfield Armor in the NBA D league (The Brooklyn Nets Affiliate). Mr. Guerriero attended Graduate School at Harvard University, holds two Graduate Certificates from Boston University & University of Notre Dame, has two BA degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University & Thomas Edison State. He has held several professional licenses over the course of his career Series 7, Series 63, Series 66, Series 24 licenses. Always looking for a challenge Mr. Guerriero is a former professional soccer player, holds several world records, climbed two of the seven summits, been featured in a major motion picture with Oliver Stone, been featured on television around the world, and is a published author with "How To Understand & Master The Stock Market", "Understanding & Master Securities Laws And Regulations" and "Plan For Crisis".
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21B of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers are cautioned not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and only speak as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements usually contain the words "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "expect," or similar expressions and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
Investors are encouraged to carefully review regulatory filings prior to investment consideration. Past performance is no guarantee of future success or that there cannot be losses or business interruption. The Company is in a rapid growth sector that may or may not continue to grow in the future and therefore poses risks that may be different than other investments. Management regularly provides news and additional information believed to be true and accurate at the time of dissemination but has no requirement to modify, comment or change in the future should circumstance change or information prove to be inaccurate for any reason. Additionally, the Company makes every effort to comply with all applicable laws.

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For 2013, Employee Social Security Tax Rate Increases to 6.2% - PayrollMate.com Updates Tax Calculator

Real Business Solutions has updated the 2013 payroll tax software to implement the new employee social security tax rate effective January 1, 2013. Employers and payroll departments can try Payroll Mate 2013 for free by visiting PayrollMate.com.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) January 01, 2013
For 2013, the employee tax rate for social security increases to 6.2%. The social security wage base limit increases to $113,700. Payroll software developer, Real Business Solutions released an updated withholding calculator with support for new social security tax calculations. The software maker invites tax professionals and payroll departments to try the 2013 version of Payroll Mate software by visiting http://www.PayrollMate.com/.
According to the IRS, employers should implement the 6.2% employee social security tax rate as soon as possible, but not later than February 15, 2013. After implementing the new 6.2% rate, employers should make an adjustment in a subsequent pay period to correct any underwithholding of social security tax as soon as possible, but not later than March 31, 2013.
Below is a summary of the features offered by Payroll Mate:

Automatically calculates federal payroll tax and state payroll tax withholding.
Supports different types of pay periods.
Supports customizable income, tax and deductions categories.
Supports income per mile and per piece.
Supports the following federal payroll forms: 941, 940, 944, W-2, W-3.
Payroll forms software with support for California DE 9 , DE 9C, Texas C-3 , Texas C-4, New York NYS-45, IL 941 and IL UI-3/40.
Supports fringe benefits.
Supports payroll vacation accrual and sick pay accrual.
Exports Payroll Data to QuickBooks software.
Exports Payroll checks to Quicken and accounting software like Microsoft Office accounting.
Generates comprehensive payroll reports.
Supports non-employee (1099 contractor payroll) with the ability to print 1099 MISC and 1096 tax forms.
Handles payroll deductions.
Exports payroll reports to Excel, CSV and PDF.
Prints on Laser and Inkjet checks.
Prints on preprinted red scannable W2 forms and W3 forms.
Free updates during the tax year.
One step backup and restore.
Runs over a network.
Supports payroll direct deposit.
Ability to print MICR checks on blank check stock.

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Existing home sales rise to fastest pace in three years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Home resales rose sharply in November to their fastest pace in three years, a sign the recovery in the housing market is gaining steam.
The National Association of Realtors said on Thursday that existing home sales climbed 5.9 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million units.
That was the fastest since November 2009, when a federal tax credit for home buyers was due to expire. Sales were well above the median forecast of a 4.87 million-unit rate in a Reuters poll.
The U.S. housing market tanked on the eve of the 2007-09 recession and has yet to fully recover, but steady job creation has helped the housing sector this year, when it is expected to add to economic growth for the first time since 2005.
NAR economist Lawrence Yun said superstorm Sandy, which slammed in the U.S. East Coast in late October and disrupted the regional economy for weeks, had only a slight negative impact on home resales.
The NAR expects some purchases delayed by the storm to add a slight boost to resales over the next few months, Yun said.
Nationwide, the median price for a home resale was $180,600 in November, up 10.1 percent from a year earlier as fewer people sold their homes under distressed conditions compared to the same period in 2011. Distressed sales include foreclosures.
The nation's inventory of existing homes for sale fell 3.8 percent during the month to 2.03 million, the lowest level since December 2001.
At the current pace of sales, inventories would be exhausted in 4.8 months, the lowest rate since September 2005.
Distressed sales fell to 22 percent of total sales from 29 percent a year ago.
The share of distressed sales, which also include those where the sales price was below the amount owed on the home, was also down from 24 percent in October.

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New York City should hike taxes on big business-comptroller

New York City's top financial officer and possible contender for mayor in 2013, John Liu, proposed on Thursday tax hikes for big businesses and an end to Madison Square Garden's $15 million annual property tax exemption.
The proposals by New York City Comptroller John Liu include tax hikes on private equity firms, which would help offset his plan for $500 million in tax breaks and lowered fines for 90 percent of the city's small businesses.
Liu is expected to vie for the Democratic mayoral nomination for the election in November 2013.
The city could end tax breaks for big companies - more than $250 million of which were handed out last year, Liu said.
The city could also eliminate its $15 million annual property tax exemption for Madison Square Garden, the indoor arena in midtown Manhattan that's home to the New York Knicks basketball team. Madison Square Garden has been exempt from paying taxes on real property since 1982 under New York state law.
The arena is owned by The Madison Square Garden Co, which also owns the Knicks and other professional sports teams. The company also owns Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre and others venues, as well as television networks.
Liu also proposed examining tax breaks for special interests. Insurance companies, for instance, have not paid the general corporation tax since 1974, at a cost of $300 million annually to the city, he said.
Private equity firms could also start paying the unincorporated business tax for carried interest or gains from assets being held for investment. The exemption costs New York City about $200 million a year, Liu said.
Liu's package would use the revenue generated by those measures to offset his plan to ease the tax burden for small businesses.
He proposed ending the city's general corporation tax for all businesses with liabilities under $5,000 -- about 240,000 business in the city, or 85 percent of those that currently pay the tax.
His plan would also reduce some fines, as well as exempt businesses that make less than $250,000 in annual income from the city's unincorporated business tax.
The proposals would have to be approved by the governor and state legislature after a request by the city council.
The city is facing a possible $2.7 billion gap in fiscal 2014 that could grow to $3.8 billion the following year, Liu said.

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Republicans push own "fiscal cliff" plan; talks frozen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans in the Congress pushed ahead on Thursday with a "fiscal cliff" plan that stands no chance of becoming law as time runs short to reach a deal with President Barack Obama to avert a Washington-induced economic recession.
House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner's "Plan B" to limit income-tax increases to the wealthiest sliver of the population appeared likely to pass the House on Thursday evening after it narrowly cleared a procedural hurdle in the afternoon.
However, Obama has vowed to veto the plan, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he will not bring it up for a vote in the Democratic-controlled chamber. White House spokesman Jay Carney called it a "multi-day exercise in futility."
Still, passage of Plan B could give Boehner the political cover he needs to strike a deal that would break with decades of Republican anti-tax orthodoxy.
"Time's running short. I'm going to do everything I can to protect as many Americans from an increase in taxes as I can," Boehner told a news conference.
Though it does not raise taxes on as many affluent Americans as Obama wants, the bill would put Republicans on record as supporting a tax increase on those who earn more than $1 million per year - a position the party opposed only weeks ago.
That could make it easier eventually to split the difference with Obama, who wants to lower the threshold to households that earn more than $400,000 annually. Obama also faces resistance on his left flank from liberals who oppose cuts to popular benefit programs, which Republicans say must be part of any deal.
Obama and Boehner will need to engage in more political theater to get lawmakers in both parties to sign on to the painful concessions that will have to be part of any deal to avert the cliff and rein in the national debt, analysts say.
"They are now in the mode where they have to demonstrate how hard they're trying to get everything they can," said Joe Minarik, a former Democratic budget official now with the Committee For Economic Development, a centrist think tank.
Even as he pressured Obama and the Democratic Senate to approve his plan, Boehner indicated that he was not willing to walk away from the bargaining table.
"The country faces challenges, and the president and I, in our respective roles, have a responsibility to work together to get them a result," Boehner said.
TIME RUNNING OUT
Obama and Boehner aim to reach a deal before the end of the year, when taxes will automatically rise for nearly all Americans and the government will have to scale back spending on domestic and military programs. The $600 billion hit to the economy could push the U.S. economy into recession, economists say.
Investors so far have assumed the two sides will reach a deal, but concerns over the fiscal cliff have weighed on markets in recent weeks. The S&P 500 index of U.S. stocks was up 0.4 percent in Thursday trading, despite a round of strong data on economic growth and housing.
"The closer we get to the end of the year without a deal, the more optimism is going to evaporate," said Todd Schoenberger, managing partner at LandColt Capital in New York.
Shares crept up after Boehner said he was prepared to work with Obama to prevent the fiscal cliff from kicking in.
Lawmakers are eager to wrap up their work and return home for the Christmas holiday, but congressional leaders kept the door open for last-minute action.
The Senate was expected to leave town on Thursday or Friday, but Reid said it could return next week to vote on any deal.
Boehner indicated the House would stay in session after Thursday's vote, scheduled for 7:45 p.m. EST (0045 GMT on Friday).
Several influential conservative groups have condemned Plan B, and some Republicans are expected to vote against it. But passage appeared likely after the House narrowly voted by 219 to 197 to bring the bill to the floor for debate.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an influential business group that has often tangled with the Obama administration, offered grudging support.
"We are not comfortable allowing tax increases on anyone in this environment. However, we understand that, at times, politics requires compromise," the Chamber's top lobbyist, Bruce Josten, wrote in a letter to lawmakers.
To placate conservatives, Boehner also scheduled a vote on legislation that would shift $55 billion in scheduled defense cuts to cuts in food and health benefits for the poor and other domestic programs.
That measure also would roll back some of the Dodd-Frank financial regulation reforms of 2010. It is not expected to become law.

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