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Renaissance Learning Inc. (Nasdaq:RLRN) announced financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $34.2 million, an increase of 5.5% from fourth quarter 2009 revenues of $32.4 million. Net income was $7.6 million, or $0.26 per share, an increase of 13.4 % from fourth quarter 2009 income of $6.7 million, or $0.23 per share.
Renaissance Learning, Inc. provides computer-based assessment and periodic progress monitoring technology for pre-kindergarten through senior high schools and districts in the United States and internationally.
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Orofino Gold Corp. (ORFG.PK)
Gold’s Usefulness as an Asset Diversifier:
Most portfolios are invested primarily in traditional financial assets such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Adding gold to a portfolio introduces an entirely different asset; a tangible or real asset, thus increasing the portfolio’s degree of diversification. The purpose of diversification is to protect the total portfolio against fluctuations in the value of any one asset or type of asset. Gold does exactly that.
Gold has been widely used throughout the world as a vehicle for monetary exchange, either by issuance and recognition of gold coins or other bare metal quantities, or through gold-convertible paper instruments by establishing gold standards in which the total value of issued money is represented in a store of gold reserves.
Because of the softness of pure (24k) gold, it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewelry, altering its hardness and ductility, melting point, color and other properties. Alloys with lower caratage, typically 22k, 18k, 14k or 10k, contain higher percentages of copper, or other base metals or silver or palladium in the alloy.
Orofino Gold Corp. has several Gold development properties in Colombia, a current hot spot of gold production in the world markets.
Culo Alzado
Regional geochemistry (stream sediments & soils) has outlined three potential areas for more detailed exploration. All areas have similar NE–trending structural control, historic workings. Most advanced target – 1500 meters long with many historic tunnels and rock sample results up to 253.1 g/t gold; pending soil grind results, drilling planned in 2011.
The observed metallogenic zonation around Senderos de Oro evokes a very viable “hidden porphyry” exploration model. Based upon exploration carried out to date, it is clear that the area hosts significant resources of gold, copper and silver, which, facilitated by the current database and favorable topography, has generated excellent “fast-trackable” bulk-tonnage or high-grade underground Au-Ag-Cu exploration targets. ORFG will be mobilizing drills in the first quarter of 2011.
To learn about ORFG visit: http://www.orofinogold.com
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Proper Power & Energy, Inc. (PPWE.OB)
There is much in the life of oil and natural gas.
When you take time and think about it, it’s awesome how many things get their start from oil and natural gas. Comfy synthetic fabrics we wear all year. Medicines that help us feel better. Transportation fuels that help us get from place to place. Fertilizers that make our gardens grow. And just about every toy our children play with. Oil and natural gas - they’re the stuff of life.
Proper Power & Energy, Inc. has restructured its executive management team this month and entered into a strategic alliance.
Andrew J. Kacic will replace Joseph Abdo as President of PPWE. Mr. Kacic brings more than 32 years of progressive experience as a chief executive in oil and gas, investment banking, insurance services and public securities. Mr. Kacic was the founder and president of American Resources of Delaware, Inc. and its subsidiary Southern Gas Company, successfully taking assets from $220,000 to more than $40 million in less than 4 years. Mr. Abdo will remain the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.
“The Company is now postured to accelerate the development of both Utah and Kentucky in the first Quarter 2011,” Mr. Abdo stated.
Proper Power & Energy, Inc. is an independent exploration and production company. PPWE’s operations are in Kentucky, which provides for low risk developmental drilling and production, and Utah, which PPWE controls over 11,000 acres for its exploratory prospect. Renowned geophysicist and consultant to PPWE, Robert Dunbar, believes the Utah prospect could hold up to one billion barrels of recoverable oil.
To learn more about PPWE visit: http://properpower.com
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Taylor Capital Group Inc. (Nasdaq:TAYC) announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to sell $25 million of a new series of convertible preferred stock to existing investors, including substantial investments from directors Harrison Steans, Jennifer Steans and Bruce Taylor and also from Tom Brown on behalf of Second Curve Capital. Upon stockholder approval, the preferred stock will automatically convert into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $10.00 per share. The Company plans to obtain stockholder approval to convert the preferred stock into common stock at the Company’s 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, which is scheduled for the second quarter of 2011.
Taylor Capital Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Cole Taylor Bank that provides a range of commercial banking products and services primarily to commercial customers and their owner operators in the Chicago metropolitan area.
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First Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:FFCH) announced net income of $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared with net losses of $(1.2) million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and $(4.5) million for the three months ended December 31, 2009. After the effect of the preferred stock dividend and related accretion, First Financial reported net income available to common shareholders of $210 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared with net losses available to common shareholders of $(2.1) million and $(5.5) million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Diluted net income per common share was $0.01 for the current quarter, compared with diluted net loss per common share of $(0.13) for the prior quarter and $(0.33) for the same quarter last year.
First Financial Holdings, Inc. operates as the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston that provides various banking and other related financial services.
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