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Spaniards will tell you that while the rest of the world lives to work, they work to live. Nowhere is that more evident than in the capital, where the free-spirited Madrileños (Madrid's denizens) provide the main attraction for visitors. The unrivaled number of bars, cafés, discos, restaurants, and live music venues, combined with the locals' enthusiasm for enjoying themselves, make this the place to come for fun. Although Madrid may not have as many historical sites as Paris, Rome, or even Barcelona, you'll still find plenty of intellectual stimulation at some of the best museums in Europe like the
The heart of it all! You should start your tour of the city at the lively
This long, tree-lined boulevard is the backbone of Madrid. It's so long that it even has three official names. Come here to relax, take a coffee break, or sightsee. Starting from
Suddenly, the boulevard turns into the
Gran Vía
Traffic surges through this long, noisy avenue, along with swarms of locals and tourists. Look up and admire the eccentric 20th-century architecture built during the Franco era. You'll find every style represented, from neo-baroque to art-deco. As you follow the
Madrid de los Austrias
Walk around this historic district, named after the Austrian Hapsburgs, and lose yourself amongst the cobbled, winding alleys, iron balconies and old, leaning buildings. It's easy to imagine you're back in the 18th Century, especially at night when the street lamps give the place a romantic feel. Visit the
La Latina (The Rastro)
Right next to Madrid de los Austrias, this old district is known for its huge array of bars, cafés, and restaurants, and Spain's largest flea market, the
Retiro Park
Escape the city in huge, lush, green
Moncloa and Argüelles
Nightlife, nightlife and more nightlife! This area is dominated by great tapas bars that don't even open until 9p or later.
Huertas and Plaza Santa Ana
This is yet another lively spot for cafés, bars, and nightlife action. It is centered around
Malasaña and Chueca
This is a fairly quiet area during the day, with winding streets and 19th-century architecture. At night, it's transformed into a busy nightlife spot as young and old mix in the many bars, discos, and cafés. Malasaña is dominated by
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The Prado
The Prado is one of the most renowned museums in the world, featuring works by Spanish masters such as Velasquez, Goya and Picasso as well as other European artists like Raphael, Botticelli and Caravaggio. In the same area can be found the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, and Thyssen Bornemizsa, forming a triangle with the Prado known as the "Golden Triangle." You'll find another important city landmark that was built during the reign of Carlos III nearby in the middle of Plaza Cánovas del Castillo, Neptune's Fountain. When you get tired from all those museums, you can stop in to the nearby Gran Café de Gijón, the historic café where some of the world's best writers like Federico Garcia Lorca and Antonio Machado have come to wet their whistle. Another option for an little escape from the city is the close by Parque del Buen Retiro, which lies behind the wrought-iron fence. This park is a green and peaceful oasis in the middle of the busy city and it's a great place to take a break from sightseeing.
Palacio Real
The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) was once the home of Spanish monarchs for centuries and is located in Old Madrid, in the 16th and 17th Century district known as Los Austrias. However, the Royal Family no longer lives in the 18th Century building as it is now used for official functions and as a museum. The Palacio Real stands just beyond the Plaza de Oriente, which stands opposite the Teatro Real, the Opera House. The Plaza de Oriente is lined with elegant cafés like the Café de Oriente, an ideal spot to sit and relax. Nearby, on Calle Segovia where the Papal Nuncio used to be, are a number of cafés and restaurants in former ecclesiastical buildings, such as Café del Nuncio and the Taberna de los 100 Vinos.
Plaza de España
The busy Plaza de España has become the new gateway to the city. From here, you can easily get to many popular and historic destinations like the Royal Palace and the Puerta del Sol as well as the area known as Argüelles. In the Plaza de España, you'll find a monument to Cervantes with statues of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza, his most famous characters along with lots of people relaxing on the grass and the park benches. A few blocks away along the Calle Conde Duque, you will find the Cuartel de Conde Duque. It was built during the reign of Felipe V to house the Royal Guard. Today it's a cultural center that organizes excellent exhibitions of contemporary art, open-air concerts, theater performances, and educational workshops. Another nearby spot to visit is the Casa de Campo. On the perpendicular Paseo del Pintor Rosales, you'll soon come to the oldest building in Madrid, the Templo de Debod. The Egyptian government saved this temple from destruction during the building of the Aswan Dam, and presented it to Spain in 1960. The temple, dedicated to the goddess, Isis, is open to the public and worth visiting. Bars and restaurants abound in the areas surrounding the Plaza de España, such as Prada a Tope, which serves up the traditional, rustic cuisine of Spain's Léon region, or Dantxari, which serves up a taste of the Basque region.
Puerta del Sol
If you take the metro to Sol and leave by the Calle Carretas exit, you'll come out at the Puerta del Sol. Here, you'll see the famous clock tower, whose chimes officially announce the New Year on Spanish TV and radio. The statue of Carlos III is across from the clock tower, and the emblem of Madrid, the bear and arbutus tree (el oso y el madroño) is behind the statue. Within a couple of blocks and you'll come to Plaza de Santa Ana. The square is full of bars and restaurants and the area in general is crowded and lively at night. Many writers, painters, and intellectuals have lived and worked here and have been inspired by their surroundings. To your right is a small street called San Sebastián where you'll find a church by the same name, The Church of San Sebastián. The church archives hold the death certificates of Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Ruiz de Alarcón, among others. The most famous bar in the square is the Cervecería Alemana, which you'll find next to the Teatro Español. It's a quaint old-fashioned café where people sit, relax, read the newspaper, and have a bite to eat. Down the street you will find the intersection of Calle Cervantes and Calle León; this is where Cervantes lived during the last few years of his life. Unfortunately, his house was demolished in the 19th Century and he was buried on the grounds of the Trinitarias Convent on Calle Lope de Vega. Much of the area surrounding the Puerta del Sol has a very lively nightlife and sports interesting restaurants, cafés and bars such as Los Gabrieles. Each room of the bar is wonderfully decorated in colorful ceramic tiles depicting a different scene. The most famous room has a recreation of Velázquez's painting Los Borrachos (The Drunkards).
Plaza Mayor
In the center of Madrid is the Plaza Mayor with its statue of Felipe III in the center. The square used to be used by merchants in the Middle Ages, and later for special occasions during the reign of Felipe II. In the Plaza Mayor you will find the Casa de la Panadería, the plaza's first building. The façade was redecorated in 1980, and the building now houses various exhibitions. One of the most famous bars in the plaza is the bullfighting themed Torre del Oro, where you can pick up a sherry and some tapas to fuel the rest of your day or evening. Don't forget to browse the Tiendas de la Plaza Mayor, shops selling all kinds of goods from bullfighting souvenirs to flamenco costumes. Just a few blocks from the Plaza Mayor in the Plaza de las Descalzas is the Museo del Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales (Descalzes Reales Museum). The museum of the Franciscan convent houses important paintings, sculptures and other beautiful works of art. Across from the convent is the Café de las Descalzas, an intimate and romantic restaurant featuring live music (mostly flamenco) several days a week. Heading back towards the Plaza Mayor from the Plaza de las Descalzas, you will encounter the Plaza de la Villa, which now houses the Town Hall amidst 15th-17th Century mansions. Finally, after all this sightseeing, you can head down Calle Mayor to get to Casa Ciriaco, a tavern where you can chow down on hearty Spanish food and wines.
Barrio de Salamanca
The Barrio de Salamanca is one of Madrid's most affluent and exclusive neighborhoods. The barrio is packed full of art galleries such as the Galería Alcolea and Galería Jorge Juan, along with some of the world's most exclusive shopping at stores such as Chanel Boutique, Prada and Louis Vuitton to name just a few. Also abundant in the Barrio de Salamanca are museums. The famous Museo Arqueológico, with their reproduction of the Altamira caves in northern Spain and their prehistoric drawings. Here in Salamanca, you will also find the Museo de Escultura al Aire Libre, the outdoor sculpture garden featuring works by artists like Miró and Chillida. Also in the area is the Plaza de Colón, where you'll find two monuments to the discovery of America, one of them a statue of Columbus himself. Running from the Plaza de Colón to the Plaza de Castilla is the Paseo de la Castellana, one of Madrid's most famous streets, lined with grand mansions alongside national and foreign bank headquarters. When you start to work up an appetite, you can try any of the high quality restaurants in the Salamanca such as El Almirezz for Navarran and Basque food or L'Entrecôte for French food. There is also the Mercado de la Paz, designed by Gustav Eiffel, where you can browse the market for fresh foods or dine at one of the two restaurants in the market.
Bus Tours
Madrid VISION (+34 91 779 18 88/ http://www.madridvision.es/en/index.php/) Madrid Guided Tours (+34 917 056 748/http://www.madridguidedtours.com)
Walking Tours
Walks of Madrid (+ 34 653 912 879/ http://www.walksofspain.com/) Madrid Tourism Centre (+34 915 882 906/ http://www.esmadrid.com/descubremadrid_en/portal.do) Madrid Museum Tours (+34 680 450 231/ http://www.madrid-museum-tours.org)
Tapas Tours
Walks of Madrid (+ 34 653 912 879/ http://www.walksofspain.com/) Madrid Guided Tours (+34 917 056 748/ http://www.madridguidedtours.com) Madrid Museum Tours (+34 680 450 231/ http://www.madrid-museum-tours.org)
Segway Tours
Madsegs Tours S.L. (+34 659 824 499/ http://www.madsegs.com/)
In 1561, Madrid - with a population of 15,000 - became the capital of Spain by decree of King Felipe II. He chose Madrid because of its central location, his aim being to unify the disparate regions of the peninsula and his vast empire.
Some historians claim that Madrid stands on the site of a Roman town, Mantua Carpetana. Although there's no proof to support this theory, archaeological remains do confirm that there has been continuous human settlement in this area for as long as any other part of Europe. The Museo Nacional Arqueológico displays archaeological artifacts left by prehistoric settlers.
The Moorish invasion of the peninsula is clearly documented. During the 9th Century, the Moors built a military outpost to guard against a Christian attack from the Guadarrama mountains to the north, on the rock where the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) now stands. They called this settlement Mayrit, and you can still see remains of the original defensive walls, below the Almudena Cathedral.
Christian forces unsuccessfully attacked Mayrit in 932, and again in 1047, in an attempt to regain the land they had lost. But it wasn't until 1086 that the Christian king, Alfonso VI, was able to capture Madrid (Mayrit) along with nearby Toledo. During the following decades, the city (which was still no more than a village) was constantly besieged. The Campo del Moro (Moor's Field), located just below the Royal Palace, was named after the Moorish siege encampment.
In the late 13th Century, Madrid was an ordinary medieval village with less than 4000 inhabitants. Two churches still remain from that era, the San Nicolás de los Servitas and the San Pedro el Viejo, both located near the Plaza de la Villa.
The nobility began to gather in Madrid during the 14th Century, and succeeding monarchs saw the growing settlement as a pleasant retreat from ongoing social unrest in other parts of the country. By the 15th Century, Madrid had become a center of trade and finance, and areas like the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor began to develop. The Catholic Monarchs (Isabel and Ferdinand) united the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon in 1479, and ruled over a period of relative political stability. During their reign, Christopher Columbus "discovered" the New World, and most of the Jewish population was expelled from Spain.
The French-born Felipe V was crowned king in 1700. By this time the capital had been in decline for many years and he set about regenerating it with the help of the Marquis de Vadillo and architects and engineers like Teodoro Ardeman and Pedro Ribera. They walled in the banks of the river Manzanares to make it look grander and built baroque masterpieces like the Puente de Toledo bridge, San Fernando Hospice (now the Museo Municipal), and Monte de Piedad.
Carlos III, who came to the throne in 1759, was known as the "mayor" because of all the building work and improvements to the city he commissioned. Not only did he finish the construction of a new royal palace, Granja de San Ildefonso, he also renovated the area around the Prado by building the Plaza de Cibeles, Neptune's Fountain, and the Puerta de Alcalá.
Historians divide this century into two periods: decline and recovery. The French invasion, which installed Napoleon's brother on the Spanish throne, led to a period of decline in Madrid. King Joseph Bonaparte tore down a number of churches during his reign, leading to wider boulevards and generally broader streets as a result. When Fernando VII was returned to the throne, he restored the Church's property and began rebuilding what had been destroyed during the war.
During the reign of Queen Isabel II, the construction of the Isabel II Canal and the arrival of the railway expanded the city's transportation and communications network.
During Madrid's period of recovery, the city slowly regained its lost urban splendor. The prospering bourgeoisie started to build small residential palaces like the Palacio de Linares and the Palacio de Gaviria. The demand for housing grew, and new neighborhoods like Chamberí, Argüelles, and Salamanca were built outside the old town.
Madrid suffered the same feeling of defeat as the rest of the country when Spain lost its last remaining colonies (the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico) in 1898. Alfonso XIII was crowned king in 1902 and brought in a new period of parliamentary monarchy, which had to cope with the economic and political crisis resulting from the losses of 1898.
The only example of Modernist architecture, popular at this time in Europe and North America, is the Palacio de Longoria, which now acts as headquarters to the Sociedad General de Autores. The urban development program, Ciudad Lineal (Linear City), designed by engineer Arturo Soria, was the only progressive project of its kind to be carried out in a stagnant late-19th Century Madrid.
The most exciting architectural event of the early 20th Century in Madrid was a gathering of international architects to design the first stretch of the Gran Vía, from Calle Alcalá to San Luis.
The university campus (Ciudad Universitaria) was built during General Primo de Rivera's dictatorship (1923-1930) in a similar style to projects in the U.S. and other parts of Europe.
The Republican coalition won the elections of April 1931. Thousands of supporters celebrated the victory and the Declaration of the Second Republic in the Puerta del Sol.
Increasing social unrest and political instability led to a bloody civil war after a military uprising against the democratically elected Republican government. The civil war lasted from 1936-1939 and during this time the Republican-held city was under constant siege. The streets became war zones. The area between the Plaza de España, along Calle Princesa and Calle Rosales to the Parque del Oeste was most damaged by the constant bombings by the Nationalists. The park itself was the frontline. The Republicans cleverly managed to protect monuments like the Cibeles statue, the Puerta de Alcalá, and Neptune's fountain on Paseo del Prado under mounds of bricks and sandbags. The Republican barricades and cries of No pasarán (They shall not pass) could not stop the advance of the Nationalist forces.
A reconstruction program began after the civil war, and the Gran Vía was eventually completed. A massive influx of immigrants from other parts of Spain - even poorer than Madrid — rapidly increased the city's population.
During the 1960s, many new districts were built on the outskirts, spreading further and further out into the surrounding plains. The economy began to grow and speculative construction became common and damaging to districts like the Paseo de la Castellana where many historic palaces were demolished to make way for tall, modern apartment blocks.
There has been constant architectural change and renewal in Madrid since the end of the dictatorship in 1975. The Gran Vía is no longer the elegant avenue it once was. It's now a busy commercial street full of shops and cinemas. The Paseo de la Castellana, once home to the wealthy upper-middle classes, has been taken over by banks and embassies. The once rundown and seedy Chueca district has been transformed by the gay community into a lively and stimulating place to live, work and have fun.
Since democracy returned to Spain, Madrid's fantastic metro system has expanded, numerous historic buildings have been restored, parks and public squares have been properly maintained, trees have been planted all over the city and new fountains built. Major construction projects like the Picasso Tower demonstrate what a modern place the city has become, eager to contribute to the European Union and benefit from the euro zone economy.
Madrid offers visitors a full range of accommodation options, from the most luxurious five-star hotels to small affordable hostels.
Retiro & Paseo del Prado
The Westin Palace has always been popular with writers, performers, and politicians, from Ernest Hemingway, Ava Gardner, and Henry Kissinger to the Rolling Stones. It's worth going in, even if it's just for a coffee, to admire the magnificent décor. The Ritz, which opened in 1910, is widely considered to be the city's most elegant hotel. Both of these grand hotels are located conveniently close to Madrid's greatest attractions: the Prado Museum; the Thyssen-Bornesmiza Museum; the Reina Sofía Museum, the Botanical Gardens and Buen Retiro Park.
Plaza España & Conde Duque
There are also several comfortable hotels in the area around Gran Vía, Madrid's version of Broadway. The city's legendary street-life takes place here, in and around the many restaurants, bars, cinemas, theaters, and shops. The Tryp Washington is located here.
Chueca & Malasaña
In this lively neighborhood filled with bars and gay nightlife, lodging at the inexpensive but nice Hotel Mónaco is sure to be pleasant and it is situated at Plaza de Chueca. Another option is the Petit Palace Ducal Chueca, which is close to the old quarters of Madrid and even has bike rentals for free.
The NH Alcalá is close to Buen Retiro Park, which is a great place if you fancy jogging or strolling amongst the trees and lakes. The shopping district around Calle Serrano also has several affordable hotels belonging to the NH chain: the NH Lagasca and NH Balboa, for example. The luxurious and modern Hotel Villa Magna caters to international celebrities and superstars as well. You'll find it on Paseo de la Castellana close to calle José Ortega y Gasset, home of Versace, Armani and other international fashion designer outlets. If you've got money to burn, book a room at the nearby Hotel Wellington, whose interior is as beautiful as its regal exterior.
Huertas & Santa Ana
If you elect to stay at the Reina Victoria during the bullfighting season and you might end up rubbing shoulders with a top bullfighter. The Victoria is beside the teatro Español in the plaza de Santa Ana, where you'll also find a wide selection of bars, restaurants and pubs. For a cheaper alternative in the same neck of the woods, check out the oldest hotel in the city, Hotel París. It opened in 1872 and continues to provide cheap, basic accommodation with a sense of history, close to the Puerta del Sol and the plaza de Santa Ana.
Cuzco & Infanta Mercedes
The Hotel Meliá Castilla in the north of the city, near the conference center on Paseo de la Castellana and Real Madrid's football stadium, Santiago Bernabéu, offers excellent conference facilities and accommodation for business executives. Near the Airport
Hotel Novotel Campo de las Naciones and the hotel Tryp Alameda Aeropuerto offer business travelers comfortable accommodation near the airport and the IFEMA trade center. Golf courses are also nearby.
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Thank you for visiting the Principal's Page This page will be updated on a regular basis and will share the status of High Point Central and the major events that occur in our school. If you would like to receive an email when this page is updated , click "Subscribe" at the bottom of this page. To contact Mr. Christina, call 336.819.2825 or use the email link to the left.
Parents, Please see the attached letter. It contains important information about Common Core Exams and End of Course Tests. Please contact us at 336-819-2825 if you have questions and/or concerns.
Student Body President
Chandler Clodfelter
Student Body Vice-President
Alex Hill
Student Body Secretary
Kyndall Turner
Senior Class President
Cole Baldwin
Senior Class Vice - President
Elizabeth Crawford
Rob Jarrell
Junior Class Vice-President
Stephen Smith
Emma Caroline Wheatley
Sophomore Vice-President
Omar Benallal
Parents Needed GRAD Fest is a drug and alcohol free party for graduates of Andrews, Central, Penn-Griffin, Southwest and The Academy of Central High Schools. GRADfest provides a safe environment for students to celebrate graduation and prevents injuries or loss of life from alcohol related accidents.
The event, organized and sponsored by parents, is held on Graduation Night June 8, 2013. We need your help!!! Please consider being a part of the celebration and volunteer your time to help make this a success! (see attachment)
For our Athletic Calendar, click here.
To view the 2012-2013 Academic Calendar, click here. To view the 2013-2014 Academic Calendar, click here.
For our HPC Band Calendar, see the attachment at the bottom of this calendar.
Yearbook Distribution in Girl's Gym during 4th period
Graduation Rehearsal at 4:45pm at the Coliseum Special Annex
Graduation 8:30pm Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center
Dance United Dance
On Friday, March 22nd under the leadership of our Student Council, High Point Central students held a Candyland-themed semi-formal dance as our school wide service learning event.
Students raised support that totaled $3700.00 for United Way of Greater High Point. Thank you to all the students, faculty, parents, and community members who contributed to the success of this event!

subset: commoncrawl


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Jonnie Peacock and Stefanie Reid are world class Paralympians, helping to redefine the way we view disability, ahead of what looks set to be the most popular Paralympics ever in London 2012.
Both athletes have had a leg amputated above the knee, due to injury and illness, and use a carbon fibre blade for competition, in place of their missing limb. Spending a few hours in a room with Jonnie and Stefanie calls into question every preconception of what it means to be able bodied. Far from inducing discomfort or sympathy, the ingenuity and sleek simplicity of the blade is surprisingly compelling. While its hard technological aesthetic highlights and complements the fluid athleticism of their physiques. Watch the focus and power of sprinter Jonnie in full flight, or the burst of energy as Stef launches into a long jump and the first word that springs to mind isn't disabled. Stef and Jonnie were the perfect pairing to showcase i-Sustain, a project running in collaboration with London's Centre for Sustainable Fashion. i-Sustain aims to offer an eye-catching insight into the designers who combine intellect and aesthetic to look beyond the next season towards a better fashion future. Jonnie and Stef embody the potential for a complete cultural shift in attitudes to disability; while the clothes they're wearing do the same for sustainable fashion. From established names such as Issey Miyake and Margiela, to emerging talents Christopher Raeburn and Matthew Miller, designers are seeing the possibility of fashion being used as a creative tool to encourage people to make better choices and to demonstrate meaningful industrial change. Some designers re-appropriate the waste from other industries, some rethink the pattern creation and construction process; others use innovative new materials or low impact printing and embellishment techniques. Whatever the approach, good design has been and always will be about solving a problem. Fashion should be inspiring, evocative and beautiful but this can exist hand in hand with a collective awareness of and respect for the wonderful diversity of the people and planet that surround us.
See the full i-Sustain project here.
Text: Alex McIntosh
Photography: Kerry Dean
Styling: Sam Willoughby
Hair: Keiichiro Hirano at Debbie Walters Make-up Anita Keeling at Jed Root
Photography Assistance: Jonathan Leigh
Styling Assistance: Katrina Howley
Retouching: Russell Day at Daybreak Creative
Models: Stefanie Reid and Jonnie Peacock


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Posts Tagged 'Tycoon gold addon'
Tycoon Addon Review – My Honest Thoughts
Hello fellow gamers, Stommpy here.
Recently I have discovered a new World of Warcraft Addon called "Tycoon". I have played with it for a couple of weeks and I would like to share my honest thoughts about it. So, without further ado, I would like to present you the long awaited Tycoon Gold Addon's Review.
Oh, and before I begin, I have to note that – this is a review. I will be going into full detail about both the positives and the negatives of the product, so please do not be offended by my critical opinion. Furthermore, if you are looking for Tycoon's official website then please follow the link below:
Click Here to Visit Tycoon's Official website.
What exactly is Tycoon?
Tycoon is a new World of Warcraft Addon which was invented by the company named "Manaview". This company has produced quite a few other Addons for WoW such as: "Impulse – Keybind & Macros Addon", "Edge – Talent Builds Addon" and "Booster – Leveling Addon".
They called their newest creation – "Tycoon". It is the first World of Warcraft in-game Addon, which allows you to make Gold on autopilot. This latest product automates all of the most powerful gold making strategies in the game and combines them into one simple to use Addon. It aims to transform boring Gold farming into a fun, quick and immensely profitable experience. This is something that every WoW player has been dreaming of and it has the power to completely change the way we make gold. The creators claim that all of their users increase their Gold flow by a minimum of 223% and an average user up to 530%! However, does Tycoon live up to its expectations?
Does it actually work?
Let us cut to the chase here. Does the Addon actually work, or it is just a big spoof?
I cannot honestly tell if it lives up to all of its expectations. However, after using it for quite a while my Gold income has increased significantly. Therefore I have to say that it does work. In fact, I believe that everyone using the same strategies provided with the Addon could easily increase their Gold flow by more than 223%
Is it 100% Legal?
Naturally a question appears, if it is that good, is it even legal to use?
Actually it is completely legal to use this Addon and you are in no risk of getting banned. Tycoon was carefully designed from the start to fit within Blizzards Addon policies.
How does it work?
The idea behind everything is fairly simple, yet incredibly powerful. Tycoon takes the best gold strategies in the whole game and automates the most difficult and the most time consuming parts of the strategy. What does automated mean? It means that the Addon will optimize the strategy so you are more efficient in doing it, resulting in about five times more gold than you would normally get.
Currently there are five strategy modules implemented with the Addon.
1) The Gathering Module gives you a list of the most profitable items. It helps you discover hot lower level items that make more gold per hour than the popular items and have nearly no competition. You are able to choose the highest profit items from the list, hit go, and it can show you highly optimized gathering routes to help you get from two to three times more ore, herbs, and skins than normal.
2) The Farming Module gives you a list of the most profitable items to farm. Tycoon discovers new items to farm that you never knew would make you so much gold. It also shows you great grinding spots that are virtually free from competition and are packed with squishy mobs with high drop rates.
3) The Crafting Module gives you a list of high profit items to craft. Tycoon discovers which items your server is desperate for. Then you can craft the items and sell it to the hungry market at high prices, resulting insane profit.
4) The Auction House Module locates underpriced items on the AH and lays them all out for you on a convenient list. This allows you to buy items at a low price and immediately resell it for huge profit. This is by far the easiest way to make gold. You can consistently make several thousand a day just by running the scan and buying hundreds of low price items at 10-1000g profit a piece. Or… you can instantly make several thousand off a seller who mistakenly posted his epic item at 1,000g rather than 10,000g, making you 9k gold profit in a second.
5) The Dailies Module simply helps you do daily quests more efficiently and easily.
This is more than 95% of all gold making strategies used by the World of Warcraft community.
Click Here For Full Details About Tycoon In Their Official Website.
Detailed Walkthrough of the Addon
The first thing you should do when you start Tycoon is to scan the Auction House. This will help the Addon understand your server's economy. This is pretty similar to Auctioneer but it is a much quicker scan that takes no more than 30 seconds and it is done within a click of a button. When the scan is complete Tycoon has enough information to do its magic. A window will appear with lists of items ordered from top to bottom by how much Tycoon estimates you will make, per hour, if you go for that item. I am impressed with how accurately Tycoon is able to give you solid advice on which items will make you the most money.
To my surprise items that I never thought would make me the most gold per hour would appear at the top of the list. That is where Tycoon really comes in handy. It has the ability to scan through an enormous amount of data that would take a human several hours to figure out. People usually skip past the economy studying part and just go straight for the highest level items, but with Tycoon you will discover those are not always the items that will make you the most gold per hour. It knows your economy better than a human will ever be able to know, it knows if the market is inflated and knows when there is too much competition. If situations are not right to go for one item, Tycoon will give you another one. It is a good feeling to know you are always taking the strategy that makes you the most gold possible at that point in time.
Tycoon does more than just tell you the best way to make the most gold. It shows you where! If Tycoon tells me to mine say, Cobalt ore, all you need to do is click the "Show me routes" button and it will give you highly optimized mining routes. This creates ant trails around your which guide you over the most populated mining node locations. This feature is great and allowed me to double the amount of ore I typically get mining by myself. This was an awesome feature added to the Gathering Module. Furthermore, all 5 Strategy Modules have some kind of special feature that helps you get the most of that item in the shortest amount of time!
The Negative points of Tycoon
Nothing is perfect and Tycoon is not an exception. I have found some minor bugs and glitches within the Addon (nothing too drastic). One of them is that sometimes Tycoon will put an item at the top of the "Most Profitable" list which is not in very high demand. It does show you the "demand" of the item is low though. So, as long as you pay attention to that and do not go for any items that are low in demand, you should be able to quickly sell it. Otherwise, if you don't mind waiting, you will still sell it eventually.
Last word
Tycoon is a truly revolutionary product that is going to change Gold Making forever and put those Chinese gold farmers out of business. Once you've used Tycoon, attempting to play without it will be nearly impossible. The Addon is beautiful and has very few bugs for a new product. With the data, tools, and special features of this Addon, it is nearly impossible to not make more gold using it. They have gone above and beyond everything you will need to make 500% more gold per hour, or more. Every aspect of the gold strategies included has been enhanced by helpful data or features to help you do it better and faster. Everything you can possibly need to become a true gold tycoon is right here in this brilliant Addon by Manaview. So, if you're looking to make more gold – a LOT more gold – I highly recommend checking out the Tycoon Gold Guide. It is by far the best way to make the most gold possible in the shortest amount of time.
I hope this review was useful to you and helped you to decide whether Tycoon is worth your time.
Tycoon Gold Addon
Hello dear readers, Stommpy here.
I have recently purchased a new World of Warcraft Addon. It is called – "Tycoon Gold Addon". I have been using it for a couple of weeks and I would really like to share my experience with everyone. Therefore currently I am writing a Full Tycoon Gold Addon Review. I should be able to finish it and post it by tomorrow. In the meantime I have posted some useful Gold making guides and here's a quick introduction to the Addon itself.
See you soon, Stommpy.


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Wood Checkers Set
Perfect game to play with kids to start your own family traditions. This beautifully hand crafted solid wood checkers game is a great addition for the home or office. Includes a solid wood game board, playing pieces and instruction manual. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Imported from China.


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I chose this hotel because it had 4 stars and an indoor pool that looked great. The hotel looks very good, quality finishing. And here comes the however.... the staff is not that friendly, at the reception i found a young lady that was .. just say she was not suited for the job. She put me in a non... More
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Free Online Android Games Page eight hundred sixty two | ||||
Plays: 2456 Category: Action You play as Ducky Jones, a half duck half cyborg character as he manoeuvres his way through the countryside avoiding and killing those pesky bunny minions in the hopes of reaching their boss: Nigel Of Saucetown, a maniacal bunny looking to rule the world. Ducky wishes to exact revenge on a world that took his legs, one person at a time. Tags: Action, Adventure, Awesome, Flash, Fun, Funny, Game, Magic, Platformer, Super, Time, enLanguagesen | Plays: 2455 Category: Shooting Aim of the game is to score more points by eating small fish's Tags: Fishes., Packman | |||
Plays: 2455 Category: Action A game of ball, or the bouncing is required to win. Tags: Balls, limited, rebound, shot, tank, versus time, ?????., ?? | Plays: 2455 Category: Customize Pimp My Enzo - car tuning. Tags: enzo, ferrari, supercar, tuning | |||
Plays: 2455 Category: Puzzles 3D Snake Tags: 3d, snake | Plays: 2455 Category: Puzzles Weigh gems so that each pirate gets his fair share of treasure...or else. Tags: balance, game, gems, pirate, puzzle, scales, treasure, weigh | |||
Plays: 2455 Category: Dress-Up Dress up the Anime Bride Tags: anime, dress up, dressup | Plays: 2455 Category: BoardGame Buyout is a business game! Buy companies, upgrade them and make your opponent pay! There are a total of 30 companies on the board. Tags: buyout, degryne, dice, mobile, monopoly, ying yang, yingdotyang | |||
Plays: 2455 Category: BoardGame Plant the seeds as fast as you can on the right fields and try to unlock all the achievements in 20 levels. Tags: fields, levels, plant, puzzle, time, unlock | Plays: 2455 Category: Puzzles Sort all of the blocks in right places. Do not leave empty spots. Each full line of blocks will give you points Tags: arcade, en, kid-flash-games.com, tetrisLanguagesen | |||
Plays: 2455 Category: Puzzles Its Valentine's day! Help Sarah prepare herself for her romantic date tonight! Get all her chores done at work, but don't get caught by the nasty boss! Tags: girls, cute, dating, minigames | Plays: 2455 Category: Action Navigate your gyroball to the glowing goal of each level without falling off the platforms. Tags: Gyroball,Action,game,games,flash,fun | |||
Plays: 2455 Category: Adventure This time, you are trapped in a bathroom and you need to find objects and clues in order to escape. Tags: Escape game, adventure, bathroom, escape games, point and click, puzzle | Plays: 2454 Category: Action Use your castle's weapons to protect yourself from the enemy, and become King of the Hill. Tags: King, of, the, Hill | |||
Plays: 2454 Category: Action Can you navigate the canyon and get the best score possible? Tags: Canyon, Glider | Plays: 2454 Category: Dress-Up Fairies coloring page game Tags: coloring, coloring pages, fairies | |||
Plays: 2454 Category: Action You're the hunter, protect your territory! hardcast community - duell game Tags: duellgame, en, hardcast, highscore, hunting, leaderboard, neawolf, shootingLanguagesen | Plays: 2454 Category: Dress-Up Roxanne is spending her summer vacation at the seaside, on a wonderful exotic island. She met here a handsome boy who asked her for a romantic date on the beach. She wants to look perfect today, so she is going to need an expert in fashion like you to get her ready for the date. Give Roxanne a perfect look in this cool new game! Check out her trendy summer wardrobe and choose the clothes you like best to dress her up! Don't forget to also pick up for her some chic accessories and a new hairstyle. Enjoy! Tags: beach, dress up, en, girl, romantic, romantic dress upLanguagesen | |||
Plays: 2454 Category: Action chinese version of the freeworldgroup.com game Tags: train, zh-cnLanguageszh-cn | Plays: 2454 Category: Action Original mix between words, platforms, action and strategy! Tags: dictionary.com,Action,game,games,flash,fun | |||
Plays: 2454 Category: Puzzles 18 level maze labyrinth game with obstacle, enemy and point to catch up Tags: ball, maze, orbs, puzzle | Plays: 2454 Category: Dress-Up Avril Lavigne is a this famous pop-rock star and has a rebel style.But now you would be the makeup artist for Arvil Lavigne and you should get to choose the right makeup styles for her . Enjoy this fabulous makeover game. Tags: Avril Lavigne Makeup, Avril Lavigne dress up games, avril lavigne makeover games, celebrity dress up games, celebrity dress up games, celebrity games, celebrity makeouver games, igirlgames, igirlgames.com | |||
Plays: 2454 Category: Puzzles Virus are growing... Stop the infection by horizontal or vertical align viruses to kill them Use several bonus to help you in the game 3 Game modes: - LEVEL mode - SURVIVOR mode - MAX LINE mode Tags: arcade, en, line, quick reflexion, virusLanguagesen | Plays: 2454 Category: Other Help the bee to find his way trough the beetubes, find the route to the flower, take your nectar, and return to the door, avoid hitting the tube's sides, otherwise you will be losing nectar. When the wind blows press Tags: bee, beetubes, flowers, fly, flying, nectar | |||
Plays: 2454 Category: Dress-Up Happy Halloween is approaching. Would you love to join the trick or treat game? First dress up, sweet princess, scary witch or cute Miss pumpkin? Here are so many funny Halloween costumes. Choose your favorite one. Let's enjoy happy Halloween! Tags: Happy Halloween Cutie, dress up games, games for girls, girls games, halloween dress up games, halloween games, halloween games for kids, halloween games online, hotgirlsgames, scary games, scary halloween gamesLanguages | Plays: 2454 Category: Shooting Pop Them Damn Bubbles! Tags: bubbles, pop, them | |||
Free Online Android Games Page eight hundred sixty two |


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Electric Beach @ Santos Party House July 14th + Contest to win tons of Prizes
Electric Beach is the premiere EDM event series presented by Corona Light. The next event will be in New York July 14th at Santos Party House featuring a VERY SPECIAL Surprise Guest with the Hyperbits. Also get your photo taken by none other then Kirill from Kirill Was Here.
Want a chance to win your way into the show plus tons of other great prizes? Electric Beach and elektro have the contest for you. Not only can you win a table (in basement) including 1 Bottle and 5 Free Entries, but you can also win an exclusive Corona Light Remix Watch, electric beach sunglasses, exclusive electric beach wristbands and a free subscription to elektro magazine.
***Must be 21+ years of age. Flight and hotel accommodations not included. Gratuity not included.
Electric Beach NYC Official Website
Electric Beach NYC Facebook
Electric Beach NYC Twitter
Electric Beach Official Website
Electric Beach Facebook
Electric Beach Twitter


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ALGIERS, 13 July 2009 – UNICEF and the Algerian ministries of Religious Affairs and Health launched a series of training sessions for mourchidates, or women preachers, on promoting and protecting the health of women and children.
Lack of accurate information negatively impacts the health of many mothers and children in Algeria. However, because of their significant reach, mourchidates can play a lead role in relaying vital information to women in mosques through guidance and awareness campaigns.
According to UNICEF estimates, the annual number of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes in Algeria is 180 per 100,000 live births. Only 7 per cent of children are exclusively breastfed during the first six months of life and 11 per cent of children under the age of five suffer from stunting.
UNICEF is partnering with the Algerian government to provide women religious leaders key messages on protecting maternal and child health.
More than 30 mourchidates have been trained so far in a programme targeting 300 women preachers throughout the country. The programme seeks to introduce participants to principles of communication for behavioral change, providing them with essential information on the health of mothers and children, and highlighting the role of communication in promoting health.
"The next step for us is to reach out to women and mothers and provide them with the information they need for their wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of their children," said Samira, one of the participants.
Such information will have a positive impact on the health and development of children as well as the mothers themselves.
About UNICEF:
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. In Pakistan and elsewhere, it has provided vital relief and reconstruction support to help individuals rebuild their lives after emergencies. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For further information, please contact:
Faycal Oulmi, UNICEF Algiers,
Tel + 213 2169 2135 Ext. 122,
E-mail: email@example.com


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The New York Times Company announced today fourth-quarter 2012 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased to $.76 from $.34 in the same period of 2011, largely due to the special items discussed below. Excluding severance and special items, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations decreased to $.32 in the fourth quarter of 2012 from $.39 in the fourth quarter of 2011. The decrease was due principally to a higher effective tax rate applicable in the fourth quarter of 2012 after the exclusion of severance and special items.
The Company had operating profit of $44.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with $90.8 million in the same period of 2011. Excluding depreciation, amortization, severance and the special items discussed below, operating profit was $124.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with $126.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
"2012 showed both the opportunities and challenges we face as a company," said Mark Thompson, president and chief executive officer. "We saw continued strong growth in digital subscriptions as well as increased revenue from our large print circulation base. Indeed, for the first time in our history, annual circulation revenues surpassed those from advertising. Our pay model continued to prove itself, with approximately 668,000 paid digital subscriptions across the Company at quarter end, up 13 percent from the end of the third quarter."
Direct-to-customer merchants who mail catalogs told Multichannel Merchant they are fine with the United States Postal Service's 5-day delivery plan, which is scheduled to go into effect the week of Aug. 5.
Under the plan announced on February 6 by the USPS, catalogs and other forms of mail will no longer be delivered on Saturdays. Packages, however, will still be delivered on Saturdays.
USPS said in a statement that once the plan is fully implemented, it will generate a cost savings of about $2 billion annually.
Catalog mailers and others in direct-to-customer said they think the savings will be passed on to them in the form of fewer future rate increases.
"If going to 5-day (non-package) delivery is essential to aligning USPS costs with its declining revenues, then it is essential for the sustainability of the mailing industry and our economy," said Terri Alpert, founder and CEO of Stony Creek Brands, which mails the Uno Alla Volta artisan gift catalog and The Artisan Table, formerly known as The Cooking Enthusiast and Professional Cutlery Direct.
Lynn Gore, vice president of marketing at Plow & Hearth, added that its in-home dates are on Mondays, and even now when it gets some early deliveries, it only represents about 3% of the total mail stream.
"We may see some demand shift, but I don't think it will be a negative impact overall," Gore said.
Lois Brayfield, president and chief creative officer at consultancy J. Schmid & Assoc., said that her catalog-mailing customers are not panicking about the USPS's decision to cut mail delivery to five days.
But she added that it is something to keep an eye on because Monday tends to be the strongest delivery day for catalogs. So in theory, it could mean the catalog delivered on a Monday could become part of a cluttered mailbox.
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has issued its response to the United States Postal Service (USPS) announcement to eliminate six-day mail delivery service. "The U.S. Postal Service's decision to eliminate six-day mail delivery is a short-sighted solution with questionable financial savings and will only drive volume out of the system, stripping both the USPS and businesses that depend on the mailing industry of potential revenues," said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. "The greatest contributor to the record $15.9 billion USPS losses in 2012 was not the cost of Saturday delivery but the $11.1 billion in unrealistic benefit obligations. Reduction of service puts mailing industry jobs at risk and eliminates the Postal Service's opportunities to leverage its network to find new revenue growth." The USPS is the essential component of a $1 trillion mailing industry that employs more than 8 million Americans in large and small businesses across the country such as advertising, printing, paper manufacturing, publishing, and financial services. Approximately one-third, or $6 billion, of printing and writing paper produced in the U.S. is delivered through the Postal Service. "We urge Congress to take action to ensure the long-term stability of the Postal Service and to passing comprehensive postal reform that supports both long-term cost reductions and new revenue sources, not by cutting critical services needed for delivery of time sensitive information," said Harman.
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. today announced sales for the five, fourteen and fifty-three weeks ended February 2, 2013, in accordance with the National Retail Federation fiscal reporting calendar. The comparable percentage change information presented below is based upon comparison of the four, thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended January 26, 2013 with the prior year corresponding periods ended January 28, 2012.
Comparable store sales in the four weeks ended January 26, 2013 decreased 0.4%, compared with the four-week period last year. Total sales for the five weeks ended February 2, 2013 increased 15.2% to $200.8 million, compared with $174.4 million in the four-week period last year.
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, comparable stores sales in the thirteen weeks ended January 26, 2013 increased 1.0%, compared with the thirteen-week period last year. Total sales in the fourteen weeks ended February 2, 2013 increased 3.2% to $1,015.1 million, compared with $983.2 million in the thirteen-week period last year.
Fiscal 2012 comparable store sales in the fifty-two weeks ended January 26, 2013 increased 0.5%, compared with the fifty-two week period last year. Fiscal 2012 total sales for the fifty-three weeks ended February 2, 2013 increased 1.2% to $2,919.4 million, compared with $2,884.7 million in the fifty-two week period last year.
Macy's, Inc. today reported total sales of $1.799 billion for the five weeks ended Feb. 2, 2013, an increase of 34.6 percent compared with total sales of $1.337 billion in the four weeks ended Jan. 28, 2012. The January period reflects an extra week in fiscal 2012, creating a 53-week fiscal year that occurs approximately every six years in the accounting cycle for most retailing companies.
On a same-store basis - which includes comparable four-week periods this year and last year - Macy's, Inc. sales were up 11.7 percent in January as compared to January 2012.
Graphic Packaging Holding Company, a leading provider of packaging solutions to food, beverage and other consumer products companies, today reported Net Income for fourth quarter 2012 of $22.9 million, or $0.06 per share, based upon 392.2 million weighted average diluted shares. This compares to fourth quarter 2011 Net Income of $265.6 million, or $0.67 per share, based on 396.3 million weighted average diluted shares. The fourth quarter of 2011 was positively impacted by the release of a $265.2 million tax valuation allowance.
Adjusted Net Income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $33.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, when adjusted for $10.3 million in charges (net of tax) related to business combinations and other special charges (which are detailed in the financial attachments hereto). This compares to fourth quarter 2011 Adjusted Net Income of $7.0 million or $0.02 per diluted share.
For the full year 2012, Net Income was $122.6 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, based on 396.2 million weighted average diluted shares. This compares to 2011 Net Income of $276.9 million or $0.73 per diluted share, based on 381.7 million weighted average diluted shares. Full year 2012 Adjusted Net Income was $146.3 million or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to full year 2011 Adjusted Net Income of $100.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share.
Norske Skog continues to reduce debt and fixed costs despite challenging markets. Net loss was significantly influenced by non-cash items such as impairments and change in value of energy contracts. Norske Skog had gross operating earnings (EBITDA) in the fourth quarter of 2012 of NOK 327 million, down from NOK 365 million in the third quarter. This decline was due to weak seasonal effects and NOK appreciation. Gross operating earnings for the full year 2012 were NOK 1 464 million, a reduction of NOK 51 million from 2011, mainly due to lower production capacity after the closure of Norske Skog Follum, sale of Norske Skog Bio Bio and Norske Skog Parenco.
Net profit before special items were NOK 432 million in 2012 compared to NOK 12 million in 2011. The net loss of NOK 2.8 billion for 2012 was heavily influenced by NOK 3.2 billion in impairments, change in value of energy contracts and restructuring expenses. Impairments reflect increased uncertainty about sales price expectations. In addition, reassessment of Norske Skog's business in Australasia and reduction in the expected useful life of Norske Skog Walsum influenced impairments. Cash flow from operating activities was NOK 382 million before net financial payments in the quarter. Underlying interest expenses in 2012 fell from 2011 in line with the reduction of net debt.
Orchids Paper Products Company today reported year-end 2012 financial results.
Summary:•Full year net sales increased $3.0 million, or 3%, to $100.8 million, marking the first time the Company has achieved more than $100 million in net sales. Total net sales in the fourth quarter of 2012 decreased 6% to $24.0 million, compared with $25.7 million in the same period in 2011. •Full year net sales of converted product were $90.5 million, a new twelve-month record, which represented an increase of $8.6 million, or 10%, over 2011. Net sales of converted product in the fourth quarter of 2012 were $21.8 million, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 8%, over the prior year quarter. •Full year net income for 2012 was $9.3 million, an increase of $3.1 million, or 49%, compared to the $6.2 million in 2011. Fourth quarter 2012 net income was $2.2 million, a decrease of $561,000, or 21%, compared with $2.7 million of net income in the same period of 2011.
News Corporation today reported $9.43 billion of total revenue for the three months ending December 31, 2012, a $450 million or 5% increase over the $8.98 billion of revenue reported in the prior year quarter. The revenue increase was led by $398 million or 18% growth at the Company's Cable Network Programming segment.
The Company reported second quarter total segment operating income(1) of $1.58 billion compared to $1.50 billion reported a year ago. The improvement was led by operating income improvements at the Company's Cable Network Programming and Television segments. The second quarter results included $56 million of costs related to the ongoing investigations initiated upon the closure of The News of the World as compared to $87 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. This year's second quarter results also included $23 million of costs related to the proposed separation of the Company's entertainment and publishing businesses. Excluding these costs from both years, second quarter adjusted total segment operating income of $1.66 billion increased $75 million or 5% from $1.58 billion reported in the second quarter of the prior year.
The Company reported quarterly net income attributable to stockholders of $2.38 billion ($1.01 per share), compared to $1.06 billion ($0.42 per share) reported in the corresponding period of the prior year. This quarter's pre-tax results included $1.40 billion of income in Other, net, principally related to gains on the acquisitions of additional ownership stakes in FOX SPORTS Australia and Fox Star Sports Asia (formerly ESPN Star Sports), as well as a $131 million gain from the Company's participation in British Sky Broadcasting's ("BSkyB") share repurchase program, which is reflected in Equity earnings of affiliates. These gains were partially offset by $65 million of restructuring and impairment charges, primarily related to the Company's international newspaper businesses. Excluding the net income effects of these items, the costs related to the investigations in the U.K. and the proposed separation of the Company's entertainment and publishing businesses, along with comparable items in both years, second quarter adjusted earnings per share(2) was $0.44 compared with the adjusted prior year quarter result of $0.39.
After nine months of financial year 2012/2013 (April 1 to December 31, 2012), Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is on track to achieve its operating targets for the current financial year.
In the quarter under review (October 1 to December 31, 2012), higher sales and savings from the Focus 2012 efficiency program resulted in a much improved operating result as planned. Quarterly sales were 9 percent up on the same period of the previous year, increasing from EUR 631 million to EUR 688 million. The operating result (EBIT) excluding special items increased by EUR 23 million to EUR 25 million (previous year: EUR 2 million).
Improvements in EBIT and the financial result led to a positive income before taxes of EUR 5 million after a negative result of EUR -25 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Thanks to positive tax effects in the reporting period, the net result rose to EUR 16 million (previous year: EUR -14 million).
"The financial year is going according to plan. The third quarter reflects the progress we had expected in terms of earnings. We are systematically moving toward our target of returning to profitability by the end of financial year 2013/2014. We are on the right track," said Heidelberg CEO Gerold Linzbach.
Costco Wholesale Corporation today reported net sales of $9.35 billion for the month of January, the five weeks ended February 3, 2013, an increase of seven percent from $8.74 billion during the similar period last year. This year's period contained one less day compared to last year, due to the timing of the New Year's holiday, which negatively impacted total and comparable sales by approximately 2%.
For the first twenty-two weeks of its fiscal year ended February 3, 2013, the Company reported net sales of $43.77 billion, an increase of nine percent from $40.18 billion during the similar period last year.
West Texas Intermediate oil was little changed as an Energy Information Administration report showed supplies dropped at Cushing, Oklahoma, the biggest U.S. storage hub and delivery point for the New York-traded crude.
Futures slipped 2 cents after stockpiles declined 315,000 barrels last week at Cushing to 51.4 million, a one-month low. Nationwide inventories gained 2.62 million barrels to 371.7 million. WTI's discount to Brent oil widened to the most this year on concern that flow limits on the Seaway pipeline would bolster a glut at Cushing.
"It looks like a lot of buyers are using railcars to avoid the bottleneck at Cushing," said Richard Soultanian, co- president of NUS Consulting Group, a Park Ridge, New Jersey- based energy procurement adviser. "Anyone that can avoid Cushing is going to."
Crude oil for March delivery settled at $96.62 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It touched a two-week low of $95.04 in intraday trading.
Limited Brands, Inc. reported comparable store sales for the five weeks ended Feb. 2, 2013 increased 9% compared to the five weeks ended Feb. 4, 2012. The Company reported net sales of $986.4 million for the five-week period ended Feb. 2, 2013 compared to sales of $774.5 million for the four-week period ended Jan. 28, 2012. The fifth week in January 2013 represented approximately $125 million in sales.
Comparable store sales for the 14 week fourth quarter ended Feb. 2, 2013 increased 5% compared to the 14 weeks ended Feb. 4, 2012. Net sales were $3.856 billion for the 14 week fourth quarter ended Feb. 2, 2013 compared to $3.515 billion for the 13 weeks ended Jan. 28, 2012.
The Company reported a comparable stores sales increase of 6% for the 53 week year ended Feb. 2, 2013, compared to the 53 weeks ended Feb. 4, 2012. Net sales were $10.459 billion for the 53 week year ended Feb. 2, 2013 compared to $10.364 billion for the 52 weeks ended Jan. 28, 2012.
Fourth quarter 2011 and 2011 full year sales included $13.1 million and $702.4 million attributable to the third party apparel sourcing business, which was sold in November 2011.
Metsä Group Financial Statements Bulletin 2012, Stock Exchange Release 7 February 2013 at noon
Full year result for 2012– Sales amounted to EUR 5,001 million (1–12/2011: EUR 5,346 million).– Operating result excluding non-recurring items was EUR 252 million (314). Operating result including non-recurring items was EUR 237 million (29).– Result before taxes excluding non-recurring items was EUR 149 million (195). Including non-recurring items, the result before taxes was EUR 134 million (-98).– Cash flow from operations amounted to EUR 440 million (552)
Result for October–December 2012– Sales amounted to EUR 1,228 million (10–12/2011: 1,223).– Operating result excluding non-recurring items was EUR 71 million (3). Operating result including non-recurring items was EUR 77 million (-200).– Result before taxes and excluding non-recurring items was EUR 43 million (-21). Result before taxes including non-recurring items was EUR 49 million (-228).
President Obama today nominated REI President and CEO Sally Jewell of Seattle as his next secretary of the interior.
In making the announcement in an afternoon event at the White House, Obama noted her previous experience as an engineer in oil fields and her life as an active outdoorswoman who once spent a month climbing mountains in Antarctica. He praised her record of achievement and environmental stewardship at REI, saying, "She knows the link between conservation and good jobs." In her remarks, Jewell said, "I have a great job at REI today, but there's no role that compares to the call to serve my country as the secretary of the interior."
The president pointed out that the secretary oversees 500 million acres of public land, including places such as Yellowstone National Park, and balances stewardship of those lands with future considerations such as energy policy.
If confirmed, Jewell will replace Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who held the post throughout Obama's first term. Salazar announced last month that he would step down in March.
Walgreens had January sales of $6.15 billion, an increase of 6.3 percent from $5.78 billion for the same month in fiscal 2012.
Total front-end sales increased 1.3 percent compared with the same month in fiscal 2012, while comparable store front-end sales decreased 0.4 percent. Customer traffic in comparable stores decreased 2.8 percent while basket size increased 2.4 percent.
CVS Caremark Corporation today announced operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012.
Fourth Quarter Year-over-year Highlights: •Net revenues increased 10.9% to a record $31.4 billion, with Pharmacy Services up 17.4% and Retail Pharmacy up 5.1% •Retail Pharmacy segment same store sales increased 4.0% •Operating profit increased 17.7% to a record $2.3 billion
Full Year Highlights: •Net revenues increased 15.0% to a record $123.1 billion, with Pharmacy Services up 24.7% and Retail Pharmacy up 6.8% •Retail Pharmacy segment same store sales increased 5.5% •Operating profit increased 14.2% to a record $7.2 billion
Time Warner Inc. today reported financial results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2012.
Full-year Revenues decreased 1% from 2011 to $28.7 billion, as growth at the Networks segment was more than offset by declines at the Film and TV Entertainment and Publishing segments. Adjusted Operating Income rose 4% from 2011, to $6.1 billion, due to growth at the Networks segment, partially offset by declines at the Publishing and Film and TV Entertainment segments. Operating Income increased 2% from 2011 to $5.9 billion. Adjusted Operating Income and Operating Income margins were 21% in 2012, up from 20% in 2011.
The Company posted 2012 Adjusted Diluted Net Income per Common Share ("Adjusted EPS") of $3.28, up 13% from $2.89 in the prior year. Diluted Income per Common Share was $3.09 compared to $2.71 in 2011.
In the fourth quarter of 2012, Revenues were essentially flat at $8.2 billion, as growth at the Networks segment was offset by declines at the Film and TV Entertainment and Publishing segments. Adjusted Operating Income increased 16%, to $2.0 billion, in the quarter due to growth at the Networks and Film and TV Entertainment segments, partially offset by a decline at the Publishing segment. Operating Income increased 21% to $2.0 billion. Adjusted Operating Income and Operating Income margins were 24% and 25% for the fourth quarter of 2012, respectively, compared to 21% and 20%, respectively, in the prior year period.
The Company posted Adjusted EPS of $1.17, up 24% from $0.94 for the year-ago quarter. Diluted Income per Common Share was $1.21 compared to $0.76 in the prior year quarter.
Smurfit Kappa Group today announced results for the 3 months and 12 months ending 31 December 2012.
Full Year 2012 Highlights: Pre-exceptional EPS growth of 8% to 108.3 cent per share; Strong EBITDA of €1,020 million and EBITDA margin of 13.9%; Final dividend per share increased by 37% from 15 cent to 20.5 cent; Two bond transactions completed in 2012 with a combined value of €690 million. A further €400 million bond issued in January 2013 at a rate of 4.125% maturing 2020; Orange County Container Group ('OCCG') acquisition finalised on 30 November 2012 and immediately earnings accretive on acquisition; Strong growth in sales to our Pan European customers in 2012
Gary McGann, Smurfit Kappa Group CEO commented: "Continuing our drive for earnings growth, we are pleased to report EBITDA of €1,020 million with strong pre-exceptional EPS growth of 8% to 108.3 cent for the full year 2012. Notwithstanding the challenging macro environment, a robust operational performance has allowed SKG to undertake a number of financial and strategic initiatives, which have left the Group in a very good position to drive future growth and deliver increased value to shareholders.
SKG continues to be the best positioned supplier of innovative, market leading paper-based packaging in its chosen markets of Europe and the Americas. The high quality of its earnings is supported by the Group's market oriented integrated model, the substantial geographic footprint of its operations and its clear focus on customer service which allows SKG to at least meet, and in many cases define, customer needs.
Sappi Fine Paper North America announced today the release of its 2012 Sustainability Report, the company's second annual regional report focusing on the company's strong sustainability performance in North America over the past few years.
Demonstrating how sustainable development is fundamental to Sappi's business strategy, the publication reports on our continued commitments to achieving strategic goals in sustainability, which extend beyond our mill gates to local communities, customers and industry partners.
"Sustainability is a catalyst for growth and over the past five years, we have achieved considerable progress towards our long-term goals," said Jennifer Miller , executive vice president of coated business and chief sustainability officer. "It is this vision that drives our core business strategy, one that recognizes that financial success can only be achieved when operations and sustainability work hand-in-hand to ensure a more profitable future."
Financial summary for the quarter: •Profit for the period US$17 million (Q1 2012 US$45 million) •EPS 3 US cents (Q1 2012 9 US cents) •Operating profit excluding special items US$73 million (Q1 2012 US$100 million) •Net finance costs of US$42 million (Q1 2012 US$54 million) •Net debt US$2,095 million (Q1 2012 US$2,175 million)
Operating profit excluding special items of US$73 million was in line with our expectations given generally lower selling prices for pulp and paper. This compares to an operating profit excluding special items of US$100 million in the equivalent quarter last year and US$118 million in the quarter ended September 2012.
Our North American coated paper business performed well, with increased coated paper sales volumes partially offset by lower average sales prices which were 3% when compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Release paper sales volumes were markedly higher than in both the equivalent quarter last year, and the prior quarter. Average sales prices, whilst stable compared to the prior quarter were below those of the equivalent quarter last year. The North American business was however negatively impacted by lower pulp prices, which were 5% lower than the equivalent quarter last year, and 3% lower than the prior quarter. Sales volumes were also lower in both comparative periods, partly due to a planned increase in pulp inventories at the Cloquet mill ahead of the conversion to dissolving wood pulp.
Despite tough market conditions in Europe during the quarter and depressed industry volumes year-on-year, in the case of mechanical coated paper by as much as 7%, the European paper business achieved sales volumes for the quarter equal to the equivalent quarter in the prior year. During the quarter we experienced strong downward pressure on pricing for all graphic paper grades, and average graphic paper sales prices were 2% lower than in the equivalent quarter last year. The coated specialities business continues to perform well, with increased sales volumes and stable to increasing price movements compared with the equivalent quarter last year.
The Southern African business posted similar results to the prior quarter despite the impact of the three-week road transport strike which spilled over into the first quarter. However, compared with the equivalent quarter last year, it was a weaker quarter due to lower sales volumes, lower average prices in the Specialised Cellulose business and higher variable costs. The Specialised Cellulose business generated an EBITDA excluding special items of ZAR351 million, representing an EBITDA excluding special items margin of 28%. The Southern African paper business further improved their performance, compared both to the equivalent quarter last year and the prior quarter. While sales volumes were lower predominantly due to the restructuring of the business and resultant machine closures, sales prices were higher for both local and export sales.
Multi-Color Corporation today announced a 35% increase in third quarter adjusted EPS compared to the prior year quarter after the first anniversary of the York acquisition. "The December quarter saw adjusted gross margin, as a percent of revenues, rebound with a 2% increase over the prior year quarter to 19%. The return to higher gross margin is now across a much larger revenue base and primarily reflects benefits of York acquisition synergies," said Nigel Vinecombe, President and CEO of Multi-Color Corporation. Third quarter highlights:Net revenues increased 7% to $157 million from $146.4 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011. Net revenues increased 4% or $5.8 million due to acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2011 and 3% due to higher sales volumes.
Gross profit increased $6.9 million or 29% compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011. Adjusted for special items, gross profit increased $5.4 million or 21% compared to the prior year quarter. The increase is primarily due to higher sales volumes in the current quarter and acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2011. Gross margins, adjusted for special items, increased to 19% of net revenues compared to 17% of net revenues in the three months ended December 31, 2011. This increase in adjusted gross margins is due primarily to improvements in operations in North and Latin America related to the completion of most of the integration of the York Label Group acquisition.
Operating income increased $8.1 million compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted for special items, operating income increased 30% to $16.3 million from $12.5 million. The increase was due primarily to acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2011, higher North American sales volumes and improvements in the operations in North and Latin America related to the completion of most of the integration of the York Label Group acquisition.
A new survey of ad agencies indicates that digital media may eclipse traditional advertising in the near future, with nearly one-third of respondents expecting to spend more on digital than on traditional media within the next three years.
That's according to a survey conducted by ad transaction processor Strata, which polled nearly 100 ad shops in the fourth quarter.
The survey found that enthusiasm for spot TV and spot radio continues to decline. On a year-to-year basis, the survey found that 40% fewer respondents indicated their clients were interested in spot TV advertising, while 32% were less interested in spot radio.
According to the survey, print continues its free fall, with agencies indicating that 60% percent of advertisers are less interested in print than they were a year ago.
Oil fell in New York after the biggest gain in a week, widening its discount to Brent crude to the most this year. U.S. crude and gasoline stockpiles rose last week, an industry report showed.
West Texas Intermediate futures declined as much as 0.7 percent. WTI's discount to London-traded Brent widened for a sixth day as limits on the Seaway pipeline cut flows to Gulf Coast refineries. U.S. crude supplies rose by 3.63 million barrels, the American Petroleum Institute said. Energy Department data due today will probably show oil inventories rose to a seven-week high.
"We're moving into the refinery maintenance season so that could affect crude stock builds, at the end of this quarter demand should go lower," said Thina Saltvedt, an analyst at Nordea Bank AG, who predicts that prices will remain supported at current levels by geopolitical concern and improved demand for riskier assets.
Crude for March delivery was 62 cents lower at $96.02 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 11:12 a.m. London time.
Asia Pulp & Paper Group said it halted all its suppliers from clearing natural forests as of February, accelerating its pledge to use only farmed trees by two years.
The Sinar Mas Group unit has suspended all forest clearing as of Feb. 1, while non-profit organizations including the Forest Trust identify areas that will no longer be harvested and others that can be developed into plantations, it said in a statement in Jakarta today.
The company said in June 2012 it planned to be entirely reliant on raw materials from plantations by 2015, after Greenpeace International accused it in May of clearing natural rain forests to supply its mills and logging in areas considered to be among the last habitat of the Sumatran tiger, which is protected under international conservation programs.
Asia Pulp produces more than 18 million tons of paper and pulp products each year, the company said in today's statement. That compares with the 2 million tons produced every year by Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd., which also operates plantations in Indonesia and China, according to the company's website.
The paper producer will halt purchases and other contracts with any supplier that isn't complying with the commitments, it said, adding that it has enough plantations to meet its long- term production goals.
MOD-PAC CORP., a high value-added, on-demand print services firm that designs and manufactures custom and stock folding cartons, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.
Revenue increased $2.1 million, or 14.1%, to $16.6 million in the fourth quarter from $14.6 million in the prior-year period on strong custom folding carton sales. Net income increased 152.9% to $1.0 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared with $0.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011. The substantial increase in net income reflects positive leverage on higher sales and continued cost control.
Sales of custom folding cartons increased 18.5% to $12.2 million compared with $10.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The increase was primarily due to the addition of new product lines from several existing customers, the ramp-up of sales from some large customers whose business was earned last year and higher graphics charges, partially offset by lower waste paperboard sales.
Stock packaging sales were $3.7 million and $3.5 million in the fourth quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively, reflecting increased holiday sales as a result of Easter being early this year.
Personalized print sales were $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 consistent with the prior-year period.
Gross profit for the 2012 fourth quarter was $3.9 million, an increase of 54.3% when compared with gross profit of $2.5 million in the prior-year period. Fourth quarter gross margin expanded to 23.3% from 17.2% in the fourth quarter of 2011, reflecting improved leverage on higher sales combined with continued cost control.
In 2012 Koryazhma Mill (Arkhangelsk Oblast) manufactured 1,101,000 tons of pulp and paper products. This is 4% above the 2011 output.
The figures include 381,000 tons of market pulp, with a 7% increase as compared to the previous year.
Market containerboard production has gained 1% to reach 486,000 tons.
Paper output increase amounted to 5%, reaching 235,000 tons. This includes 87,000 tons of sack paper, 111,000 tons of offset paper, and 36,000 tons of wallpaper.
Own logging of OJSC Ilim Group in the Arkhangelsk Oblast reached 2.3 million m3 at the year-end 2012.
OAO Ilim Gofra, corrugated box business of Ilim Group in the Leningrad oblast, manufactured 129,526 m2 of products, which is 6% more than in 2011.
j2 Global continues to build out its digital media portfolio with the acquisition of popular gamer lifestyle brand IGN Entertainment, a News Corp property.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Reports indicate the amount will be "considerably" lower than the $650 million News Corp paid for the network in 2005 however. Multiple outlets put the figure at less than $100 million--a "rock bottom" price in a "soft [and] limited prospective buyer universe," a source with direct knowledge of the market tells Folio:. NewsCorp had reportedly been seeking $100 million for the property as of October. IGN--publisher of digital properties IGN.com, UGO.com, 1UP.com and AskMen.com--will officially fall under the purview of Ziff Davis, Inc.
Oil rose from its lowest closing level in a week in New York as signs of economic recovery in Europe countered estimates that U.S. crude inventories rose.
West Texas Intermediate advanced as much as 0.5 percent after their biggest loss in two months yesterday. A survey by Markit Economics today showed European services output shrank less than initially estimated in January, prompting the bloc's single currency to strengthen against the dollar. U.S. crude stockpiles probably increased for a third week, according to a Bloomberg News survey before Energy Information Administration data tomorrow.
"Upbeat macro sentiment" is driving oil's gains, said Andrey Kryuchenkov, an analyst at VTB Capital in London, who predicts that WTI will struggle to reach $100 a barrel this month.
Crude for March delivery gained as much as 52 cents to $96.69 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $96.66 at 10:51 a.m. London time. The volume of all futures traded was 11.7 percent above the 100-day average.
As a result of increased manufacturing costs, there will be a price increase effective with shipments February 18, 2013 for the following Bindakote products.
C2S Folio, Cut Sizes & HP Indigo items – 10%C1S Label – 10%
This increase impacts these two products only.
Stora Enso plans to restructure its operations through the permanent shutdown of two newspaper machines in Sweden. Stora Enso also plans efficiency improvements in the Printing and Reading customer service and the Building and Living Business Area. The profitability improvement actions are planned to reduce annual costs by EUR 54 million and reduce the number of employees by approximately 600 altogether.
Printing and Reading plans the permanent shutdown of paper machine (PM) 2 at Hylte Mill in Sweden with annual capacity 205 000 tonnes of newsprint and PM 11 at Kvarnsveden Mill in Sweden with annual capacity 270 000 tonnes of newsprint in the second quarter of 2013. This represents 3.4% of European newsprint capacity. The plans to shut down capacity are due to continuing structural weakening of newsprint demand in Europe. In addition, Stora Enso plans to create a common platform for all its Printing and Reading sales desk, order handling and logistic services in Europe to improve customer service. These processes currently handled at seven customer service centres, mills and logistic service centres will be centralised into five customer service centres located in Finland, Sweden, Germany, Belgium and the UK. It is planned to establish a separate Logistics Service Centre for overseas business in Gothenburg, Sweden to serve all Stora Enso's Business Areas.
Gannett Co., Inc., a leading international media and marketing solutions company, today reported strong fourth quarter financial results. Earnings per diluted share, on a GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) basis were $0.44 for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $0.49 for the same quarter last year. Excluding special items in both years, fourth quarter earnings per diluted share were $0.89 in 2012 compared to $0.72 in the fourth quarter of 2011, a 23.6 percent increase.
Net income attributable to Gannett was $103.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Net income attributable to Gannett on a non-GAAP basis increased 20.2 percent to $207.3 million from $172.4 million in 2011. Operating income totaled $220.4 million in the quarter. Non-GAAP operating income including strategic initiative investments of $14.1 million but excluding special items and the extra week totaled $320.3 million, up 10.2 percent compared to the fourth quarter last year. Operating cash flow in the quarter (a non-GAAP term defined as operating income plus special items, depreciation and amortization) was $384.7 million compared to $339.2 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. Excluding the extra week operating cash flow was up 9.1 percent.
Total operating revenues for the company were $1.52 billion in the fourth quarter, a 9.4 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter last year. A substantial increase in Broadcasting segment revenues, higher Publishing segment revenues as well as the extra week in the quarter drove the increase. The increase in Broadcasting segment revenues reflects a record level of political spending in the quarter. Significantly higher circulation revenue in the Publishing segment resulting from the positive impact of the all access content subscription model more than offset a decline in advertising revenues. Digital segment revenues were up due primarily to revenue growth at CareerBuilder. Excluding the extra week in the quarter, total operating revenues were 4.8 percent higher than the year ago quarter.
With the help of Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities' statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and in partnership with Xcel Energy, Flambeau River Papers has implemented an energy efficient Sulfur Burner and Heat Recovery Steam Generator that will save over 600,000 therms of natural gas annually.
Sulfur burners are used to create sulfur dioxide (SO2) that is mixed with water and is used to remove lignin from the pulp fibers used to make paper. Prior to mixing with water for use in the lignin process, the SO2 must be cooled down from it combustion temperature.
Focus on Energy introduced this new technology to Flambeau River Papers in 2010, provided technical assistance, including energy savings calculations to help justify the project and offered a grant of $250,000 and a $467,837 loan through its Emerging Technology Program. "We wouldn't have implemented this technology without the technical and financial support of the Focus on Energy Program, "said Randy Stoeckel, President of Flambeau River Papers.
Since it's reopening in 2006, Flambeau River Papers has saved nearly $11 million in natural gas and electricity costs by implementing both best practices and emerging technologies.
Glossy products still look best on the glossy page.
Advertising for luxury brands is driving increases in first-quarter ad pages at big magazine publishers, a welcome dose of good news for companies that have grappled with layoffs, restructurings and general malaise in a business whose fortunes have fallen as the online world has grown.
Conde Nast, Hearst Magazines, Time Inc and Rodale all expect a rise in ad pages sold in their magazines for the first quarter.
Conde Nast, whose magazines include Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair, expects its strongest first-quarter in five years, with a 5 percent increase in ad pages. The news was so unusual that the company even issued a press release on the subject, something it hasn't done in sometime.
And as Europe remains mired in an economic slump, high-end fashion brands like Hermes are finding a ripe audience in U.S. magazines.
"What I hear continually from research about luxury advertising is that consumers like the actual experience of print," said Brenda White, a senior vice president and a director of publishing at Starcom USA, a division of Publicis Group SA.
Company executives said the gains are not coming at the expense of lower prices.
A newly formed joint venture between Mark Harris, co-founder and co-owner of National Publisher Services (NPS), and David Fry, chairman of NPI Ventures LLC and CTO of Fry Communications, called I-5 Publishing LLC has acquired the books, magazines and websites of special interest publisher BowTie Inc.
Terms of the deal were not released, but Harris and Fry ballparked it at $10 million-plus. Included in the sale are Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy, Pet Product News International, Horse Illustrated, Urban Farm, AnimalNetwork.com, DogChannel.com and books like Dog Heroes of September 11th and The Original Dog Bible. I-5 Publishing LLC, Harris and Fry's new venture, is the latest in a series of professional partnerships between the two executives and their respective companies—NPI Ventures owns 50 percent of NPS, which acquired Circulation Specialists Inc. in 2011, as previously reported by FOLIO:.
Brent crude retreated from its highest closing level in more than four months in London as the prospect of renewed talks between western governments and Iran spurred speculation that last week's gains were excessive.
Futures slipped as much as 0.6 percent, while West Texas Intermediate halted its longest stretch of weekly advances in more than eight years. Iran considers an offer to negotiate directly with the U.S. over its nuclear program a "step forward" and expects to resume meetings with world powers later this month, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said. Brent's 14- day relative strength index was at 70, a technical level that suggests prices have climbed too quickly.
"It reduces the risk that Middle East tensions, or Iran tensions, will increase in the short term and bring oil prices substantially higher," said Hannes Loacker, an analyst at Raiffeisen Bank International AG in Vienna, who predicts Brent will average $114 a barrel this quarter.
Brent for March settlement slid as much as 72 cents to $116.04 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, and was at $116.10 at 10:42 a.m. local time. It closed at $116.76 on Feb. 1, the highest since Sept. 13.
UPS today announced record 2012 fourth quarter and full year adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.32 and $4.53 respectively, with the U.S. Domestic segment leading the way. The company generated annual free cash flow of approximately $5.4 billion, a testament to operations execution and the emphasis UPS places on capital efficiency. UPS estimates that Hurricane Sandy reduced earnings per share by approximately $0.05.
UPS recorded a fourth quarter mark-to-market, non-cash, after-tax charge of $3.0 billion for its company-sponsored pension and post-retirement benefit plans. Although the plans exceeded their expected rate of return, these incremental gains were more than offset by a 120 basis point decline in year-end discount rates. As a result, on a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share for the quarter fell to a loss of $1.83. For the full year, reported diluted earnings per share were $0.83. This adjustment does not affect cash flow, required pension funding or benefits paid to plan participants.
Twin Rivers Paper Company, a leader in lightweight specialty packaging, label and publishing papers, announced significant inroads the company has made in environmental improvements. Since 2006, Twin Rivers has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 76 percent and now derives 83 percent of its energy from carbon-neutral sources.
Twin Rivers has beneficially reused 93 percent of its solid process by turning this waste stream into compost, fuel, land applications, and value-added raw materials. The company has also reduced its electrical consumption each year through the installation of variable-speed motors. They installed a system that replaces fresh water with processed water, saving nearly a million gallons of water every day, approximately equivalent to one and a half Olympic size swimming pools. By the end of 2013, the company will complete an initiative to reduce up to 85% of the odor from its Edmundston operations.
"We are tackling environmental projects that minimize our environmental footprint," says Roland Leger, Manager of the Edmundston Pulp Mill. "We are firmly committed to completing the odor-reduction project by the end of 2013."
Consolidated sales for the three-month period ended December 29, 2012, were $376 million, as compared to $401 million in the comparable period of the prior year. The Company generated a net loss of $10 million or $0.10 per share in the December 2012 quarter compared to a net loss of $16 million or $0.16 per share in the December 2011 quarter. Operating earnings before depreciation, amortization and other items (adjusted EBITDA) was $19 million for the three-month period ended December 29, 2012, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $12 million a year ago and adjusted EBITDA of $23 million in the prior quarter.
The Specialty Cellulose Pulp segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $18 million on sales of $103 million for the quarter ended December 29, 2012, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $25 million on sales of $127 million in the prior quarter.
The Paper segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $6 million on sales of $78 million for the quarter ended December 2012, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $14 million on sales of $96 million in the prior quarter.
The Forest Products segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $2 million on sales of $101 million for the quarter ended December 29, 2012, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $8 million on sales of $108 million in the prior quarter.
The Paper Pulp segment generated nil adjusted EBITDA on sales of $117 million for the quarter ended December 29, 2012, compared to negative adjusted EBITDA of $18 million on sales of $140 million in the prior quarter.
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