GLG News by Employee Benefits Experts

Anthony CancelaPresidentCANCELA INSURANCE BROKERAGE, LLC

Rising Costs

August 23, 2006

Analysis of:Some Factors Fueling Rising Healthcare Costs in 2006 | www.pwc.com

Analysis of PriceWaterhouseCooper's Report dated January 2006 and how it relates to current trends 

Anthony CancelaPresidentCANCELA INSURANCE BROKERAGE, LLC

Large Group vs. Small Group market is very different

August 23, 2006

Analysis of:CDHP's and the market trend in NJ, NY & PA | www.hctproject.com

To compare solely on the basis of large group trends vs. small group trends would be unfair as the needs of the small group business owner are different.

Anthony CancelaPresidentCANCELA INSURANCE BROKERAGE, LLC

Not reflective of current trend

August 23, 2006

Analysis of:Aetna Shares Drop on Medical Costs, Enrollment Cut | www.medscape.com

We need to look at the overall picture and not just the current numbers.

Todd AntonelliFounder and PresidentAntonelli LLC

Management Buy-Out Likely of RR Donnelley

August 23, 2006

Analysis of:Firms eye takeover of R.R. Donnelley | www.marketwatch.com

This article is merely an announcement.  It doesn't address the importance or the upcoming advantages of a management buyout vs. a $3billion share repurchase which is the other option under consideration.

Even though S&P lowered its Outlook rating to negative it maintains its A- score.  Despite the recent press it is clear sitting here in Chicago that RR Donnelley will increase its already heavy debt load with a management buyout.

Stockholders should be pleased with the possibility of upcoming stock price appreciation from this potential leveraged buy out. 

Longer term investors then are banking on management having more skin in the game of leading the largest printing company here in the US.

Todd AntonelliFounder and PresidentAntonelli LLC

We Will See A SIgnificant Upsurge In 401(k) Type Plans

August 21, 2006

Analysis of:Pension reform could create millions of new savers | www.marketwatch.com

What is not mentioned in the article is that underfunded companies from a pension related retirment benefit perspective must now have their plans funded completely within seven years.

Individuals may now be able to boost their pretax savings into IRAs

Employers that have defined contribution plans must now automatically enroll workers into their Profit Sharing 401(k) plans.  Employees will also be able to contribute more to savings in this manner.

This all bodes well for mutual fund companies as regulations are now in place to encourage retirement plan savings and the companies necessary to manage income on a mutual fund basis that these plans will have will increase in assets under management.

As the trend continues in big industry we will see more and more companies converting from defined benefit to defined contribution plans of the 401k nature to help push the accountability of savings for retirment back to the individual.

 

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

BCBS Association:Will No Longer Disclose Financial Results

August 11, 2006

Analysis of:Transparency Has Its Limits | www.modernhealthcare.com

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has made a large public splash this week by announcing an initiative which will pool loss data from over 20 not for profit BCBS plans see link http://cms.nationalunderwriter.com/cms/nulh/Breaking%20News/2006/08/04-blues-ab At the same time they will no longer offer financial results in aggregate of their licensed nonprofit blue plans, something they have historically done. It is interesting that BCBS is just now aggregating data across multiple plans and the explanation of what they intend to do with that data can be found by viewing the commentary below.

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

Healthplans Race Toward, Predictive, Personal and Pre-emptive

August 4, 2006

Analysis of:Employers' Stock in Wellness Rises With No End in Sight | www.managedcaremag.com

This article presents an excellent summary of the current state of wellness in America while providing good insights into the perspective of employers, Health Plans and the U.S. surgeon General.

Competitive advantage for Healthplans will come to the first player to achieve proven competence at making health care "predictive, personal and pre-emptive" for their members. For healthcare companies with a large book of fully insured business this quest has enormous profitability potential that investors should hone in on now.

Daniel BucklePrincipalEmployee Benefit Resources of South Texas

Linking Lifestyle Choices With Healthcare Costs

August 4, 2006

Analysis of:More Americans See Hiking Health Costs for Unhealthy as Fair | www.plansponsor.com

53% of Americans surveyed now believe charging more for health insurance to individuals with unhealthy lifestyles is fair, up from 37% in 2003. Several, recent polls suggest this majority opinion is widespread.

Investors in the healthcare sector should take note as this opinion is linked to workplace education on wellness as employers prepare for consumer driven health plans.

Todd AntonelliFounder and PresidentAntonelli LLC

Wachovia Faces Major Operational Challenges In Transforming to A True Commercial Banking Model

July 26, 2006

Analysis of:Mortgage slowdown hits GoldenWest | biz.yahoo.com

Wachovia's acquisition of Golden Wests locations in California will present an operational challenge in transforming from a tradional thrift operation to a true commercial bank.

Wallstreet has discounted Wachovias shares in this regard, but with a solid transition plan and a clear statement of direction in these lucrative locations, Wachovia may pull of this transaction.

The presenting problem is the portfolio of option ARM mortgages that represent the current focus of the Golden West locations.

Todd AntonelliFounder and PresidentAntonelli LLC

Realtime Access to Personal Earned Income Will Spark Increase In Consumer Spending

July 19, 2006

Analysis of:Instant Issuance Builds Momentum, Looks to RFID, Prepaid, Credit | www.digitaltransactions.net

The underlying theme of direct access to debit funds through debit card issuance will have an immediate and direct impact the banks that issue such choices.

Consumer spending should see an increase as people or more quickly able to spend.

Consumer lending insitutions should see a corresponding rejuvenation in the health of their balance sheets as debit cards increase and credit card allocations are brought more in line with credit report analyses on an individual basis.

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