Ways to be debt free: Let's talk about budget

 source: http://cgblog.org

 

I know you dread this word. Most of us don't have a liking to this word because it has that attachment to limited spending. Most people are either without budget or always spending above their budget.

But here is the truth about this word.

Budget is a tool for you to become rich. No kidding!!!!

Remember that true wealth is not in the things that you have but rather on the net worth that you represent. Let me re-iterate further. Let say you have this big bonus from your company and you decided to buy your dream car, a Lexus. So you went to the agent and you went back to the Lexus car that you kept on seeing for the past 2 years.  

source: http://lexuses350.org

Its price tag is around 3,500,000.00 pesos and your bonus is about 80,000.00. Quite too far but you love this car and you have wanted to drive one. So with a big sigh you told the agent " any discount?" And the agent gave you a 5% discount and a nice term 2.5% down payment and the balance payable in 15 years and you can't say no anymore with this deal.

So you drove that car and you think you feel so rich. Remember you have  a Lexus as your asset which has value of 3,500,000.00 but how much are you really worth after buying the Lexus? 

 source: http://rlv.zcache.com

They key to financial freedom is accumulation. "You are what you keep" to say it in another word. And here is where BUDGETING take its place.

Budgeting shouldn't be seen as the old miser looking  man gazing at you sternly to remind you that you shouldn't be spending this and that. The goal of a budget is to spend your money and resources wisely. Budgeting is not limited to money, you can apply it to all facets of your life.

source: http://www.clipartguide.com

Budgeting lies on your choices. Budgeting forces us to chose wisely and differently. Why eat at a fancy restaurant when you can cook your meals better and at a cheaper cost? Or let say why dine in a fancy restaurant every other day when you could just go there for special occasion thus adding the importance of that occasion.  

You can chose to spend lots of money or to save it up in order for you to put money in a small investment that returns you earnings in the long run. I guess this is a wiser way to use your money now and enjoy the benefits later.

 source: http://www.bookofkindness.info/node/45

Look at budget as your friend and not as the old miser looking man, budget to your financial freedom. 

Some tools that might be of use to you

 source: http://www.iii.co.uk

Currently there are two tools I have placed in my TOOLS tab above. One is an Excel file I created to aid the computation of  TP or Target Price if you want to achieve a certain percentage of gain or profit(this is based on COL and FMS rates only). The other is a paid service that sends you the combined analysis of most stock analyst and aligning fundamental and technical analysis.

The Stock Computation Tool (click here to download)

This Excel file is designed to generate an estimated target selling price. All you need is to plug in the number of shares purchased, its cost and the desired gain when selling. The rates for the different charges are based on the rates applied by most online stockbroker participating in the Philippine Stock Exchange. 

Expert Stock Screener by APF Trading

This tool is a service provided by APF Trading. The latest analysis is emailed to you for your decision making whether to buy or sell a stock. Its main feature is the alignment of both fundamental and technical analysis, when these two align a "YES" note is at the end to signify that such criteria is met.

Ways to be debt free: Keeping your goals

 source: http://creditrepairtipsandadvice.com

I guess this is the last step in achieving debt-free status(or should I say this is the unending step) that you and I has to do. Let us recap the steps:

1. Accepting that you  are buried in debt

2. Make an inventory of what you have

3. Discipline

4. Setting Goals

If you think the rich has no problem keeping their goals because they have a lot of money your wrong. People who are truly rich(as differentiated who are just rich) struggle the same way simple person like you and me  in keeping one's goal. 

But there is a difference.

Persons who are struggling to keep their goals who are buried in debt worry asking themselves where in the world where will they get money to solve their debt problem. 

 source: http://www.learnvest.com

Truly rich people on the other hand worry how are they going to generate money from their money to pay off current spending.

 source: http://mamacanon.blogspot.com

If you have read Robert Kiyosaki or Bob Procter this is what they call "the role of money" in one's life.

For people buried in debt or financially illiterate, they work for money. Day in day out even though they have earned billions or even trillions but they are still buried in debt so they keep working for money thus they become slave of money.

 source: http://i38.tinypic.com

What should we be doing then? We must make money work for ourselves by becoming the master of money. 

You might blurt out the Bible says "Love for money is the root of all evils" and I agree with you so you ask why then you want me to be the master of money?

Here is one truth: Money is neither good nor evil, its the person using it that is good or evil.

So let us make things straight, whether you are rich or buried in debt we face the same struggle in keeping our goals. If you are debt free your goal is to get out of debt. When you do get out of debt and become rich never ever stop keeping your goal to be debt free. Continue that goal and whatever extra you have save it and make it work for you. 

 

When you finally become rich my friend please do me a favor. As the master of money use it wisely. 

There is another truth I have learned and I want to share it to you: The best way to enjoy blessings is to share it. 

When you are at the giving end it feels so good and it creates that "ABUNDANCE MENTALITY" thus you struggle more not to get out of debt(because you are not anymore) but to make money work for you so that you can give more.

Are you a millionaire?

 

source: http://debslessonslearned.blogspot.com

Being a millionaire or rich is not having lots of money, it is rather having the means to give to others 

HAPPY EASTER AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU MORE MY MILLIONARE FRIEND!!

Why not reward yourself with a Somnio Running shoes from your stock earnings

All I can say is "good job!" for last week's stock performance. I bet you made good trades by either unloading your stocks(especially the ones you have been waiting to rise up) or made short trades by buying a stock at a notch lower and selling it when it peaked up.

One of the guides I have been mentioning is for you to share your stock earnings. Sharing is a good way of thanking the Almighty for guiding you in that good break in your stock trade. Sharing does not mean you have to exclude yourself from it. If you have been sharing a portion of your blessings to your tithes, is it right also to enjoy the fruits of your labor?

I got an email from Jomar Hilario about this new shoe on the block Somnio Mission Control Running Shoes.

I am a runner(according to me :)) and have wanted to buy a new pair of shoes. When I checked the shoes they seem so nice to be worn in my feet. They would encourage me more to add another mile to my usual run/jog/walk weekend routine. That is a good idea in rewarding myself from my stock earnings. I am shooting two birds with one stone here, rewarding myself and getting myself fit.

Check Somnio running shoes to check out this new shoes. Also check out Unbox Facebook Page,they have this contest and they are giving away a pair of Somnio shoes for the winner. To learn more about this contest check Unbox post here.

My Personal Analysis: AboitizPower Corporation(AP)

  source: http://www.aboitizpower.com

AboitizPower is mainly a hydroelectric power generating company. Its subsidiaries comprise mostly of power distributors in the Visayas and Mindanao region and  hydroelectric plants in the Northern Luzon area.

Below is AboitizPower's structure:

The Aboitiz group are the major stakeholder.

AboitizPower's price growth has been phenomenal starting at around 4 pesos in January 2009 and closing at the 30 pesos level to date.

AboitizPower has allotted around 49 billion pesos for 2011 CAPEX(Capital Expenditure) for the Subic and Davao coal fired plants. (to read more on this click here)

Fundamentally AboitizPower , just like other utility corporation,  is banking on CAPEX to be able to generate revenues thus a big portion of funding comes from borrowing. Having a Current ratio of 2.58 which is very ok but with a Debt-to-Equity ratio of around 1.33 due to massive borrowing for expansion and rehabilitation projects of which the benefit will be realize in the next 2-5 years. A notable increase of revenue from power generation was the noted in 2010 as compared to 2009(source AP FY2010 Financial and Operating Performance)

In my opinion AboitizPower(AP) is good stock and a must buy while it is at a low level. Though when one looks at the 10 yr range it seems that its growth slowed down in mid-2010 to 2011 after almost 2 years of growth.

  

On a year range Stochastic indicate a sudden rise and could possibly indicate an overbought level.  Thus a good time to buy since price might go down in the next couple of weeks.

My Personal Analysis: AboitizPower Corporation(AP)

  source: http://www.aboitizpower.com

AboitizPower is mainly a hydroelectric power generating company. Its subsidiaries comprise mostly of power distributors in the Visayas and Mindanao region and  hydroelectric plants in the Northern Luzon area.

Below is AboitizPower's structure:

The Aboitiz group are the major stakeholder.

AboitizPower's price growth has been phenomenal starting at around 4 pesos in January 2009 and closing at the 30 pesos level to date.

AboitizPower has allotted around 49 billion pesos for 2011 CAPEX(Capital Expenditure) for the Subic and Davao coal fired plants. (to read more on this click here)

Fundamentally AboitizPower , just like other utility corporation,  is banking on CAPEX to be able to generate revenues thus a big portion of funding comes from borrowing. Having a Current ratio of 2.58 which is very ok but with a Debt-to-Equity ratio of around 1.33 due to massive borrowing for expansion and rehabilitation projects of which the benefit will be realize in the next 2-5 years. A notable increase of revenue from power generation was the noted in 2010 as compared to 2009(source AP FY2010 Financial and Operating Performance)

In my opinion AboitizPower(AP) is good stock and a must buy while it is at a low level. Though when one looks at the 10 yr range it seems that its growth slowed down in mid-2010 to 2011 after almost 2 years of growth.

  

On a year range Stochastic indicate a sudden rise and could possibly indicate an overbought level.  Thus a good time to buy since price might go down in the next couple of weeks.

Who are the Lopezes

source: http://kapamilyaonesite.blogspot.com

Ever heard of ABS-CBN, SkyCable, BayanTel, First Philippine Holdings, FGEN, EDC, Meralco, and BayadCenter?

source: http://www.libros.com.ph

 

These are among the businesses run by the Lopez family. Started by Eugenio Lopez, Sr. after the second World War, he joined the budding broadcasting industry when he established Chronicle Broadcasting Network(CBN). Later on he was able to acquire Alto Broadcasting System and renamed the company ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. Also Eugenio Lopez, Sr. together with other Filipino investors acquired Manila Electric Company which now known as Meralco.

From then on the business was continued by his children  Geny(Eugenio Lopez, Jr.), Oscar, Manolo, Presy, and Robby.

There business is composed of diversified interest in various industries at the same time coupled with various foundations to continue the legacy of Don Ening(Eugenio Lopez, Sr.). 

Eugenio Lopez, Sr. is not only well known because of the businesses he built but also he is known as one of the country's model philanthropist. 

Quoting his words :

The old business tenets have given way to the modern concept, which is not based on profits alone, but rather on the service it can render and the contribution it can make to the prosperity and progress of the nation as a whole.  

Below is  a list of their business(source: Wikipedia.org)

Parent Companies

Lopez Inc. - is a private holding company of the Lopez Family which owns 52.6% of Benpres Holdings Corporation which will be renamed as Lopez Holding Corporation after the approval of the stockholders during their annual stockholders meeting this June 2010. Headed by Presentation Lopez-Psankis.

Lopez Holdings Corporation (formerly Benpres Holdings Corporation) - Lopez Holdings was incorporated in 1993 by the Lopez family to serve as the holding company for investments in major development sectors such as broadcasting and cable; telecommunications; power generation and distribution; and banking. It added to its portfolio, investments in other basic service sectors but has since sold its interest in banking, toll roads, information technology, property development and health care delivery. Lopez Inc. holds 52.6% of Lopez Holdings Corporation.

Selected businesses

Media and Telecommunications

ABS–CBN Corporation - is in the business of producing entertainment, news and information programs and in the continuous adoption of breakthrough technology to deliver these to its audiences not just in the Philippines, but globally through The Filipino Channel. This content is distributed primarily in the Philippines through its flagship station ABS-CBN Channel 2. Last May 2010, the board of directors and stockholders of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation approved the dropping of "broadcasting" to its corporate name and changing it to ABS-CBN Corporation.

Sky Vision Corporation - or SkyCable was incorporated on March 25, 1991 and started commercial operations on February 1, 1992. The economic interest of Benpres in Sky Vision stood at 65.3% as of December 31. 2008. Sky Vision owns and operates cable television service providers which offer the brands SKYCable and SunCable. The major cable companies under Sky Vision are Sky Cable Corporation (formerly Central CATV, Inc.) for Metro Manila and Pilipino Cable Corp. for 22 provincial systems nationwide.

Bayan Telecommunications Holdings Corporation (Bayan Holdings) - owns Bayan Telecommunications, one of the telecommunications company in the Philippines providing a full range of services which includes local exchange, domestic long distance, international long distance, data services and payphone services. As of December 31, 2008, Benpres held 69.1% Bayan Holdings.

Power and Energy

First Philippine Holdings Corporation - First Philippine Holdings Corporation (First Holdings) is a holding company whose core businesses are in power generation and distribution, with strategic initiatives in manufacturing, property and infrastructure.

Power generation

First Gen Corporation - is the holding company of First Holdings in power generation and energy related businesses. First Holdings owns 67% of First Gen.
    
First Gas Holdings Corporation - First Gas Holdings Corporation (FGHC) is the holding company for the development of gas-fired power plants and other non-power gas related businesses. FGHC is 60% owned by First Gen and 40% owned by BG Consolidated Holdings (Philippines) Inc.
    
FGP Corp. - FGP is 60% owned by Unified Holdings Corp. of First Gen. and 40% owned by BG Philippines Holdings, Inc.
    
FG Hydro Power Corporation -First Gen Hydro Power Corporation (FG Hydro) was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Gen.
    
FG Bukidnon Power Corp. - First Gen Renewables, Inc. (FGRI), formerly known as First Philippine Energy Corporation, was established in 1978 to develop prospects in the renewable energy market. First Gen owns 100% of FGRI.
    
Bauang Private Power Corporation- First Private Power Corp. (FPPC) was established in 1992 to engage in power generation as an independent power producer. FPPC is 40% owned by First Gen. Today, it owns 93.25% of Bauang Private Power Corporation (BPPC).
    
Energy Development Corporation - Energy Development Corporation (EDC), established in 1976,accounts for more than 60% of the country’s installed geothermal capacity. Its plants are located in the provinces of Leyte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bicol and North Cotobato. n November 2007, First Gen Corporation bid for and won a 60-percent economic stake in EDC.

Power distribution

Meralco (previously Manila Electric Company) - bought in 1962, and developed into a power-distributing company. First Holdings, now owns 6.7% stake in the company after selling it's 26.6% stake to Pangilinan's led-MPIC and Pilipino Telephone Corp. last year.
    
PECO (Panay Electric Company) - First Holdings entered into a joint venture with the Panay Electric Company, Inc. (PECO) in March 1996 for the construction of a US 72 million diesel-fired power plant in Iloilo City. First Holdings acquired a 30 percent equity in PECO. In turn, PECO subscribed to a 30 percent equity interest in Panay Power Corporation. First Holdings currently owns 30% of PECO.


Property

Rockwell Land Corporation (RLC)- a high-end real estate development corporation initially tasked to developed the Rockwell Center in Makati City. Rockwell Land was established in 1995. It is currently owned by Meralco (51%) and First Holdings (49%). First Holdings is in talks with the Meralco for the purchase of additional stake in RLC.
    
First Philippine Industrial Park - First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) is a 315-hectare industrial estate. FPIP is a joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation of Japan which owns 30% while First Holdings owns 70%, formed in 1996 to develop an industrial park located in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
    
First Philippine Realty Corp. - formerly known as INAEC Development Corporation. It is primarily engage in the acquisition, disposal, or lease of real and personal property. FPRC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Holdings.

Infrastructure

First Balfour, Inc. -is one of the country’s largest engineering and construction companies today, with 40 years in business. First Balfour, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Holdings.
    
First Philippine Industrial Corp.- owns and operates the sole, largest commercial oil pipeline in the country, transporting crude and refined petroleum products from Batangas to Metro Manila. FPIC is 60% owned by First Holdings, in partnership with Shell Petroleum Co., Ltd. (UK) which owns 40%.

Manufacturing

First Philippine Electric Corp. (First Philec)

Philippine Electric Corporation (Philec)

First Electro Dynamics Corporation (FEDCOR)
    
First Philippine Power Systems, Inc. (FPPS)
    
First Sumiden Circuits, Inc. (FSCI)
    
First Sumiden Realty, Inc.
    
First Philec Solar Corporation

Bills Payments

CIS (Corporate Information Solutions) Bayad Center, Inc. - (CBCI) Originally known as the Payment Collection Service, a division of Corporate Information Solutions, Inc. (CIS) in May 1997. Orginally intended for accepting payments for Lopez companies and affiliates, it eventually catered other companies and services as well.

Social responsibility foundations and initiatives

Lopez Group Foundation
    
ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
    
ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation - formerly ABS-CBN Bayan Microfinance
    
Bantay Bata 163
    
Don Senen Gabaldon Foundation
    
Eugenio Lopez Foundation - formed in 1968 to give access to a private collection of books, artworks, and artifacts
    
The Lopez Memorial Museum
    
First Philippine Conservation - formed in 1999 to support Conservation International-Philippines
    
Knowledge Channel Foundation
    
Meralco Millennium Foundation
    
71 Dreams Foundation - headed by Fr. Tito Caluag, S.J.; it was formed to assist the families of the Wowowee stampede.
    
Save The La Mesa Watershed
    
Save the Pasig River
    
Lopez Lifelong Wellness

Former businesses

Maynilad Water Services - joint-venture between Benpres Holdings Corporation and Ondeo Water Services, Inc. (formerly Suez Lyonnaise de Eaux). Benpres left the joint-venture in 2006 in order to settle a debt of US$150 million.
    
The Medical City - in April 2008, Benpres sold entire its 18% stake in The Medical City to Lombard for Php600 million.
    
Tollways - in 2008, First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation and Manila North Tollways Corporation were sold to Metro Pacific Investment Corporation.
    
Philippine Commercial International Bank - a joint venture between Benpres and JG Summit Holdings. Both sold their shares in 1999 which gave way to the Equitable PCI Bank merger and eventually became Banco de Oro Universal Bank.

Who are the Lopezes

source: http://kapamilyaonesite.blogspot.com

Ever heard of ABS-CBN, SkyCable, BayanTel, First Philippine Holdings, FGEN, EDC, Meralco, and BayadCenter?

source: http://www.libros.com.ph

 

These are among the businesses run by the Lopez family. Started by Eugenio Lopez, Sr. after the second World War, he joined the budding broadcasting industry when he established Chronicle Broadcasting Network(CBN). Later on he was able to acquire Alto Broadcasting System and renamed the company ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. Also Eugenio Lopez, Sr. together with other Filipino investors acquired Manila Electric Company which now known as Meralco.

From then on the business was continued by his children  Geny(Eugenio Lopez, Jr.), Oscar, Manolo, Presy, and Robby.

There business is composed of diversified interest in various industries at the same time coupled with various foundations to continue the legacy of Don Ening(Eugenio Lopez, Sr.). 

Eugenio Lopez, Sr. is not only well known because of the businesses he built but also he is known as one of the country's model philanthropist. 

Quoting his words :

The old business tenets have given way to the modern concept, which is not based on profits alone, but rather on the service it can render and the contribution it can make to the prosperity and progress of the nation as a whole.  

Below is  a list of their business(source: Wikipedia.org)

Parent Companies

Lopez Inc. - is a private holding company of the Lopez Family which owns 52.6% of Benpres Holdings Corporation which will be renamed as Lopez Holding Corporation after the approval of the stockholders during their annual stockholders meeting this June 2010. Headed by Presentation Lopez-Psankis.

Lopez Holdings Corporation (formerly Benpres Holdings Corporation) - Lopez Holdings was incorporated in 1993 by the Lopez family to serve as the holding company for investments in major development sectors such as broadcasting and cable; telecommunications; power generation and distribution; and banking. It added to its portfolio, investments in other basic service sectors but has since sold its interest in banking, toll roads, information technology, property development and health care delivery. Lopez Inc. holds 52.6% of Lopez Holdings Corporation.

Selected businesses

Media and Telecommunications

ABS–CBN Corporation - is in the business of producing entertainment, news and information programs and in the continuous adoption of breakthrough technology to deliver these to its audiences not just in the Philippines, but globally through The Filipino Channel. This content is distributed primarily in the Philippines through its flagship station ABS-CBN Channel 2. Last May 2010, the board of directors and stockholders of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation approved the dropping of "broadcasting" to its corporate name and changing it to ABS-CBN Corporation.

Sky Vision Corporation - or SkyCable was incorporated on March 25, 1991 and started commercial operations on February 1, 1992. The economic interest of Benpres in Sky Vision stood at 65.3% as of December 31. 2008. Sky Vision owns and operates cable television service providers which offer the brands SKYCable and SunCable. The major cable companies under Sky Vision are Sky Cable Corporation (formerly Central CATV, Inc.) for Metro Manila and Pilipino Cable Corp. for 22 provincial systems nationwide.

Bayan Telecommunications Holdings Corporation (Bayan Holdings) - owns Bayan Telecommunications, one of the telecommunications company in the Philippines providing a full range of services which includes local exchange, domestic long distance, international long distance, data services and payphone services. As of December 31, 2008, Benpres held 69.1% Bayan Holdings.

Power and Energy

First Philippine Holdings Corporation - First Philippine Holdings Corporation (First Holdings) is a holding company whose core businesses are in power generation and distribution, with strategic initiatives in manufacturing, property and infrastructure.

Power generation

First Gen Corporation - is the holding company of First Holdings in power generation and energy related businesses. First Holdings owns 67% of First Gen.
    
First Gas Holdings Corporation - First Gas Holdings Corporation (FGHC) is the holding company for the development of gas-fired power plants and other non-power gas related businesses. FGHC is 60% owned by First Gen and 40% owned by BG Consolidated Holdings (Philippines) Inc.
    
FGP Corp. - FGP is 60% owned by Unified Holdings Corp. of First Gen. and 40% owned by BG Philippines Holdings, Inc.
    
FG Hydro Power Corporation -First Gen Hydro Power Corporation (FG Hydro) was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Gen.
    
FG Bukidnon Power Corp. - First Gen Renewables, Inc. (FGRI), formerly known as First Philippine Energy Corporation, was established in 1978 to develop prospects in the renewable energy market. First Gen owns 100% of FGRI.
    
Bauang Private Power Corporation- First Private Power Corp. (FPPC) was established in 1992 to engage in power generation as an independent power producer. FPPC is 40% owned by First Gen. Today, it owns 93.25% of Bauang Private Power Corporation (BPPC).
    
Energy Development Corporation - Energy Development Corporation (EDC), established in 1976,accounts for more than 60% of the country’s installed geothermal capacity. Its plants are located in the provinces of Leyte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bicol and North Cotobato. n November 2007, First Gen Corporation bid for and won a 60-percent economic stake in EDC.

Power distribution

Meralco (previously Manila Electric Company) - bought in 1962, and developed into a power-distributing company. First Holdings, now owns 6.7% stake in the company after selling it's 26.6% stake to Pangilinan's led-MPIC and Pilipino Telephone Corp. last year.
    
PECO (Panay Electric Company) - First Holdings entered into a joint venture with the Panay Electric Company, Inc. (PECO) in March 1996 for the construction of a US 72 million diesel-fired power plant in Iloilo City. First Holdings acquired a 30 percent equity in PECO. In turn, PECO subscribed to a 30 percent equity interest in Panay Power Corporation. First Holdings currently owns 30% of PECO.


Property

Rockwell Land Corporation (RLC)- a high-end real estate development corporation initially tasked to developed the Rockwell Center in Makati City. Rockwell Land was established in 1995. It is currently owned by Meralco (51%) and First Holdings (49%). First Holdings is in talks with the Meralco for the purchase of additional stake in RLC.
    
First Philippine Industrial Park - First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) is a 315-hectare industrial estate. FPIP is a joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation of Japan which owns 30% while First Holdings owns 70%, formed in 1996 to develop an industrial park located in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
    
First Philippine Realty Corp. - formerly known as INAEC Development Corporation. It is primarily engage in the acquisition, disposal, or lease of real and personal property. FPRC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Holdings.

Infrastructure

First Balfour, Inc. -is one of the country’s largest engineering and construction companies today, with 40 years in business. First Balfour, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Holdings.
    
First Philippine Industrial Corp.- owns and operates the sole, largest commercial oil pipeline in the country, transporting crude and refined petroleum products from Batangas to Metro Manila. FPIC is 60% owned by First Holdings, in partnership with Shell Petroleum Co., Ltd. (UK) which owns 40%.

Manufacturing

First Philippine Electric Corp. (First Philec)

Philippine Electric Corporation (Philec)

First Electro Dynamics Corporation (FEDCOR)
    
First Philippine Power Systems, Inc. (FPPS)
    
First Sumiden Circuits, Inc. (FSCI)
    
First Sumiden Realty, Inc.
    
First Philec Solar Corporation

Bills Payments

CIS (Corporate Information Solutions) Bayad Center, Inc. - (CBCI) Originally known as the Payment Collection Service, a division of Corporate Information Solutions, Inc. (CIS) in May 1997. Orginally intended for accepting payments for Lopez companies and affiliates, it eventually catered other companies and services as well.

Social responsibility foundations and initiatives

Lopez Group Foundation
    
ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
    
ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation - formerly ABS-CBN Bayan Microfinance
    
Bantay Bata 163
    
Don Senen Gabaldon Foundation
    
Eugenio Lopez Foundation - formed in 1968 to give access to a private collection of books, artworks, and artifacts
    
The Lopez Memorial Museum
    
First Philippine Conservation - formed in 1999 to support Conservation International-Philippines
    
Knowledge Channel Foundation
    
Meralco Millennium Foundation
    
71 Dreams Foundation - headed by Fr. Tito Caluag, S.J.; it was formed to assist the families of the Wowowee stampede.
    
Save The La Mesa Watershed
    
Save the Pasig River
    
Lopez Lifelong Wellness

Former businesses

Maynilad Water Services - joint-venture between Benpres Holdings Corporation and Ondeo Water Services, Inc. (formerly Suez Lyonnaise de Eaux). Benpres left the joint-venture in 2006 in order to settle a debt of US$150 million.
    
The Medical City - in April 2008, Benpres sold entire its 18% stake in The Medical City to Lombard for Php600 million.
    
Tollways - in 2008, First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation and Manila North Tollways Corporation were sold to Metro Pacific Investment Corporation.
    
Philippine Commercial International Bank - a joint venture between Benpres and JG Summit Holdings. Both sold their shares in 1999 which gave way to the Equitable PCI Bank merger and eventually became Banco de Oro Universal Bank.

Investing word of the day: Overbought

source:  http://www.topstocks.com.au/asx_stock_forum.php

You may have read this word in all stock analysis or forum and probably wonder what it is.

Here is a definition I pulled out from Investopedia.com

1. A situation in which the demand for a certain asset unjustifiably pushes the price of an underlying asset to levels that do not support the fundamentals.

2. In technical analysis, this term describes a situation in which the price of a security has risen to such a degree - usually on high volume - that an oscillator has reached its upper bound. This is generally interpreted as a sign that the price of the asset is becoming overvalued and may experience a pullback.

When a stock is in demand, as evidenced by the growth in volume, prices tend to rise to balance the demand-supply dynamics. In times that the demand for such a stock rises abruptly  supported by a sudden increase in volume and rise in price, the stock is said to have reached its upper level thus it is said to be overbought and the tendency is for those sellers to sell their holdings to take profit. 

 source: http://www.babypips.com/

This is seen in the the Stochastic indicator when the line breaches the 80 level mark. If the stock is overbought it will soon drop and this alerts holders of such stock to sell to profit from their holdings once it crosses down the 80 level mark. Since most of the stocks are in the hands of former sellers, demand for the stock goes down thus a need to sell at a lower price than the previous price to sell the stock.

Investing word of the day: Overbought

source:  http://www.topstocks.com.au/asx_stock_forum.php

You may have read this word in all stock analysis or forum and probably wonder what it is.

Here is a definition I pulled out from Investopedia.com

1. A situation in which the demand for a certain asset unjustifiably pushes the price of an underlying asset to levels that do not support the fundamentals.

2. In technical analysis, this term describes a situation in which the price of a security has risen to such a degree - usually on high volume - that an oscillator has reached its upper bound. This is generally interpreted as a sign that the price of the asset is becoming overvalued and may experience a pullback.

When a stock is in demand, as evidenced by the growth in volume, prices tend to rise to balance the demand-supply dynamics. In times that the demand for such a stock rises abruptly  supported by a sudden increase in volume and rise in price, the stock is said to have reached its upper level thus it is said to be overbought and the tendency is for those sellers to sell their holdings to take profit. 

 source: http://www.babypips.com/

This is seen in the the Stochastic indicator when the line breaches the 80 level mark. If the stock is overbought it will soon drop and this alerts holders of such stock to sell to profit from their holdings once it crosses down the 80 level mark. Since most of the stocks are in the hands of former sellers, demand for the stock goes down thus a need to sell at a lower price than the previous price to sell the stock.