Article by Carl Fletcher

The daily press, together with a whole host of websites carry prices and other basic information about stocks and shares. On their own and collectively they offer valuable pointers about how the company is performing, how it s viewed by the market and what its future prospects are. Whichever financial website or newspaper you choose, the format the information is shown in is fairly typical and is explained below.

The name: First of all, the company name is given or an abbreviated version if there is insufficient room. The stock will be quoted with its peers either by sector e.g. banking if it is a comprehensive list of shares or by indices e.g. FTSE 100 if only quotes for the top companies are provided. Being listed with the same type of companies means you can compare its performance to that of similar organisations and lets you select stocks by sector or size.

The price: The share price is the price at the close of the previous trading session and is quoted in pence. This is the mid-price and not the price at which the share could be bought or sold and there will always be a margin between the two. For illiquid stocks and/or smaller companies, the actual buy/sell prices could be a significant percentage away from the mid-price.

Price Movement: The movement in pence is given as the difference between the closing price in the previous column and the prior days closing price. Alternatively, if the share price is in a weekend newspaper, the movement is likely to represent the price change over the previous week.

Price highs & lows: The next bit of information is the closing prices of the shares highs and lows. This might be for the calendar year to date or for the previous 52 week period. If you factor this in to your share trading criteria then make sure you determine which period the data covers so you properly assess where the current price sits in the trading range. Remember this is quite a crude indicator because if price movements is one of your key factors then charting or technical analysis is likely to be more appropriate.

Market Capitalisation: The market capitalisation is the stock markets value of the company and is calculated by multiplying the number of shares in issue by the current market price. Depending on price volatility the value of the company can vary considerably from day to day. The capitalisation will be quoted in millions.

Dividend Yield: The dividend yield will be quoted gross and will be calculated by taking the gross dividend paid by the company and dividing it by the current share price. Both are in pence and the yield is expressed as a percentage.

Price / Earnings ratio: Known as the p/e ratio and is perhaps the most important share price ratio for comparing shares (ideally in the same sectors) and will be discussed in detail in a later article. It is calculated by taking the share price and dividing it by the company’s earnings per share. The calculation of earnings can vary but is usually profits after taxation.

About the Author

Carl Fletcher writes for Indexed Results, the Link Building solutions network.

Article by Francis Mars

Post LAP-BAND® System Diet Plan & Nutrition Guildeline 1800getslimAfter surgery, you’ll need a new nutrition plan. Dr. Farid Zarif, Director of Bariatric Nutrition / Dietetics can assist you in attaining the best plan suitable for your lifestyle. You’ll learn about the healthy changes you can and need to make in your food selections and daily diet. Along with daily physical activity. It’s very important to follow your new eating and drinking instructions beginning immediately after the surgery.”THE LAP-BAND® CAN!”TM”The LAP-BAND® Can!” TM (if used correctly), be the most effective tool for safe and healthy weight loss in the history of weight loss programs, diets and surgery. The LAP-BAND® is a tool. A tool that, when applied with healthy food selections, moderate physical activities, and adequate sleep, can assist in reducing caloric intake, sustaining the unfed state, and increasing purposeful eating while minimizing impulsive food selecting.”The LAP-BAND® Can!” TM be a very pleasant experience when committing to and qualifying for the LAP-BAND® procedure. The following are a few easy steps to insure a successful and most effective experience before surgery. Allow at least 7 days to “Prepare” for your new LAP-BAND® Lifestyle. Then, After Surgery 1800getslimWeek 1: a 7 days Liquid Diet is required. Week 2: a 7 days Pureed Diet is requiredWeek 3: a 7 days Solid Food Diet is required. “The LAP-BAND® Can!” be most effective in weight loss by eating whole solid foods. Amount of food The surgery reduces the size of the stomach which limits the amount of food consumed to about 1 to 2 ounces (2 to 4 tablespoons). The diameter of this new stomach pouch’s exit is also small which delays emptying. Overeating results in distressing pain and/or vomiting. Frequency and duration of meals Because volume is limited and stomach emptying is delayed, it is important to eat and drink slowly patients start with an ounce of food (1 tablespoonful) over about 10 to 15 minutes. Eventually, each meal should take no less than 20 to 30 minutes. In the long run, eating about 6 small “meals” allows for a more nutritionally balanced diet. Food texture Initially liquid meals are recommended until the stomach heals. The diet is progressed to puree foods to avoid blocking the small opening. Texture is advanced according to how well foods can be chewed. Taking small bites and chewing foods to a pureed consistency is essential. Liquids Only small amounts of liquids should be consumed with meals. This prevents fullness and allows necessary foods to be eaten. However, liquids are crucial to prevent dehydration. They should be sipped between meals. Nutritious foods Because the quantity of food eaten is reduced, it is important to select food with the best nutritional value. This is not only important to ensure healing after surgery, but also to ensure that weight loss occurs and is maintained in the long run. The psychological urge to eat will test the capacity of the gastric pouch with increased amounts and varieties of foods. It can be stretched and the purpose of the surgery can be defeated. Food intolerances vary from individual to individual. Vitamin, mineral and other nutritional supplements may also be indicated. It is important to work with a dietitian to ensure that “nutrient rich and calorie poor” foods are eaten. Follow-up after surgery is essential to monitor weight loss, for blood tests to assess hydration, presence of specific vitamin, mineral, or other nutrient deficiencies, and psychological adaptation to lost weight and lifestyle changes. With time, a gradual increase in types and amounts of foods may be eaten. Within 1 year, most people stop losing weight and attention is directed to diet and lifestyle changes that maintain the weight that has been lost and to prevent regain. When you are discharged from the hospital, you must continue to follow very specific instructions for about three weeks. You will return to your surgeon about one week after your surgery, at which time you will begin specific diet instructions as to what types of food you can eat. It is important to follow the instructions below: (progression to solid food will vary w/ each individual)WATER: 64 oz. (8 glasses) of water / day 1800getslimWater helps the body metabolize fat, eliminates fluid retention, suppresses the appetite, maintains proper muscle tone, and prevents the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss, eliminates waste, and relieves constipation. Please visit <http://www.weightlosscenters.com/lap_band_diet_and_nutrition.html> for additional Post LAP-BAND® System Diet Plan & Nutrition GuildelinesCall Nutrition Department at 310-273-8885, exts. 148, 149 and 157 for more information about the LAP-BAND® Dietary Guidelines.”Dramatic weight loss can be expected over time, but a gradual weight loss of about 1-2 pounds per week is preferred. Usually, 40 percent of excess weight is lost within a year of the procedure; and at 5 years, most patients lose and maintain 50-70% of excess body weight.” 1800getslim

About the Author

Francis Mars