Medium Term Notes for Trading by Matthew Roddan

Medium term notes are used to raise working capital and to improve a company’s balance sheet. Private trading programs are quite popular and banking instruments are popular trading tools. Private trading programs are an investment generating option for individuals and corporates alike, though not many have adequate funds to gain entry into such programs. On the other hand, MTNs could be acquired for larger values at discount and then used in private placement programs, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine.

Why are MTNs in demand for PPP or Private Placement Programs as they’re called? MTNs have been around since late nineties, with amounts as less as $10 – a billion, with the current highest values crossing $75 billions! There are more than 6500 private trade programs and even big corporations like Harley Davidson, Sony Capital and LG have offered MTNs collateralizing their assets for development or expansion.

Individual investors, hedge funds and portfolio managers prefer private trading programs and play by the rules, where most of their funds are invested in one or more variants of private trading programs, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine.  However not many individuals have large sums and many investors are lured by middlemen who take advantage of their ignorance and exploit them into giving up their funds for nothing using fraud or scams. On the other hand, there are real platforms like Project Ninety Nine where investors can pool their funds and get placed in a genuine private placement program and earn profits, which is otherwise impossible when done individually.

MTNs come in handy as they can be purchased for a discount, so one can get an instrument worth 100 million for 10 million or less. Then, it could be invested in PPPs for the duration (medium term) the instrument is valid (1 – 99 years).  As for firms, PPPs are a way to improve their financial credentials and raise capital. Without MTNs many wouldn’t have a shot at these programs, owing to the high investment required. MTNs are a way to invest in PPPs, though not many know how they work.

It is important to understand that MTN buyers do have rights and should request for POF before buying the instrument. If a potential seller refuses or show POF (Proof of Funds), stay clear from them. Remember MT103/23, MT799/999, MT760, etc. are a type of POFs and there’s no way they can avoid showing the POF.

Do you know as a buyer you have a right to see CUSIP / ISIN of the instrument you are buying?

In most cases, you are talking to a broker or middleman who claims to be a seller’s mandate, but you must understand there could be more than just this person and it could be a long chain before the direct seller or buyer is connected. Always ask how many people are involved before proceeding.

No trading platforms communicate with the end party before requirements are met and anyone claiming otherwise is not to be trusted.

While PPPs or Private Trading Programs or Private Placement Programs are real, it is important to identify the right contacts and resources to get through and make money through these programs. Of you wish to avoid fraud and scams tread carefully.

By Matthew Roddan

Is Money Important? By Matthew Roddan

We’ve all heard the saying “Money can’t buy happiness” several times. Funny how most of our problems are related to money or created by money! Can we really ignore money? Money is a means of exchange and a very essential commodity. Without money there’s nothing one can do today – home, education, food, medical assistance and what not, everything boils down to money.

Right from the time a life is brought into the earth, everything revolves around money. While money is not everything, is does play a key role in our lives and one can never do without it. That aside, what about businesses? Can businesses be commenced or run without money? There’s always a pursuit for money and there’s no denying the fact that enough money can bring one a secured feeling. That’s one reason why many prefer starting their own business, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine.

With tumbling economy, many lost their jobs and were left in lurch and succumbed to not being able to manage the change or uncertainty. Even established individuals who had a career for years couldn’t take the hit and look for new opportunities, if at all there were any! By having a business, one can control their destiny and not leave it at the mercy of others – this is one reason that pushes many to start their own business.

It is one reason why many who don’t have the resources for starting a business, look for potential investors or crowd funding to start their dream and take reigns of their future. When potential entrepreneurs have profitable proposals, investors or sponsors are interested in taking the plunge, provided they’re briefed on the possibilities adequately. Matthew Roddanof Project Ninety Nine says that’s one reason why project proposals should be prepared along with financials and statistics to show potential investors. Being prepared is the key to getting funding and Project Ninety Nine brings potential entrepreneurs and investors to discuss on options and take up profitable and potential ventures.

Unlike other sites, this is a real platform where investors discuss and share knowledge and projects that catch their attention are given a thought, analyzed and the site intervenes to come up with a mutually beneficial proposal. In other words, the site stays though the ride and ensures both parties’ interests are taken care of. Handling finances the right way ensures one gets to live comfortably, secure one’s future and what not. Money is a means to an end – one’s security, which influences one’s happiness, freedom and quality of life.

Matthew Roddan

Discounted Cash Flow ~ An Overview

DCF short for discounted cash flow analysis is a way to evaluate a company, project or assets. Cash flows for the future are assumed and discounted considering cost of capital to get the current values. Sum of future cash flows outgoing or incoming is net present value (NPV) that’s taken as price or value of cash flows. Discounted cash flow analysis is used to determine the worth of an investment in simplified terms. It is used in real estate development, investment finance, patent evaluation and corporate financial management.

As Matthew Roddan from Project Ninety Nine says, understanding the probability of risk and profits is very important in an investment decision. Investment decisions are made for profits and understanding what one can expect is very important to determine the suitability of an investment. Exponential discounting is the most common method deployed for discounting, to evaluate future cash flows answering the question – what would be the returns for an investment at a specific rate of return, as against cash flow expected in the future? Hyperbolic discounting is another method, though not deployed widely. Discount rate is the right weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and it reflects cash flow risks.

Discounted cash flow analysis is important for any investor to determine if or not an investment decision is suitable. Let’s look at it this way – consider the investment as a business or a company. DCF is a way to determine a company worth currently, based on calculations for the future. Though this is a useful method, it does have hiccups. Being a mechanical evaluation tool, it is bond by a principle and even simple changes in one value could result in major changes in value. So, instead of determining values for infinity a cap is used – say 10 years. This way, estimation becomes measurable.

Besides, Discounted Cash Flow is a method that uses intrinsic valuation for companies that have predictable flow of cash. It is used for companies that have been around for a while, though it is also used for IT companies that are expected to grow swiftly. This means, when a start-up or developing firm is evaluated, the results could go right or horribly wrong! As an investor, you must be able to weigh your options and prepare for both, says Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine. This way or that, evaluating an investment is important for any investor and determining the right investments is done based on calculations that are probabilities and possibilities, not a definitive. The calculated risk should be something you would be able to manage, irrespective of whether it turns our favorable or not! 

Dubai International Financial Centre By Matthew Roddan

The Dubai International Financial Centre also called DIFC is located in Emirate of Dubai and is a federal financial free zone in United Arab Emirates. Established in 2004 through a decree, DIFC is a sprawling 110 acres. Legal systems and courts are different from UAE, with a jurisdiction over commercial, corporate, employment, trusts, civil and securities law affairs. The main aim of DIFC is to offer a platform for financial and business institutions to enter in or out of emerging marks in the region and to create an ambiance for progress, growth and economic development in UAE by offering adequate infrastructure and legal backing on par with international standards.

Under the constitution of UAE, DIFC is independent judicially with commercial and civil laws different from that of UAE. DIFC laws are in English to avoid ambiguity and DIFC has courts and judges from jurisdictions with common law like Singapore, England and Hong Kong. Though DIFC has independent laws, the immigration rules and criminal law is the same as UAE. DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre is modeled after London Court of International Arbitration. DIFC Authority is the main governing body for DIFC and DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) regulate financial services in DIFC, though it is different from UAE federal Securities and Commodities Authority that governs outside of DIFC.

Financial institutions can submit applications for a license and they’re benefitted from the 0% tax for income and profits, no limitations on Forex or profit/capital repatriation, 100% foreign ownership, business continuity and operational support amenities. Dubai International Financial Exchange is a privately owned financial exchange for DIFC and was listed as DIFX and rebranded as NASDAQ Dubai in 2008. DFSA regulates NASDAQ Dubai.

Dubai International Financial Centre Complex houses a hotel, Ritz Carlton that was opened in 2011. Dubai International Financial Centre also houses art galleries, restaurants and an array of outlets for shopping extravaganza. The Dubai shopping season has garnered acclaim worldwide and the number of tourists visiting during this season shoots through the sky. Many entrepreneurs would like to have a business established in DIFC and it isn’t surprising considering the perks and profits businesses get here. Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine would recommend suitable and innovative project launch here, when an able leader is helming it.

The location of a business is very important and DIFC is one location businesses should consider. Not just for expansions, even new launches that are good would sure thrive and flourish here. There’s a reason why it is called Financial Centre and you must try it, to believe it.

By Matthew Roddan

What’s a Medium Term Note?

Medium-term note or MTN is when a debt note maturity period is 5 – 10 years, though technically the repayment duration or maturity period could be less than a year to a 100 years! These debt notes can be issued on floating or fixed coupon basis. Floating rate MTNs are either simple where the coupon is aligned

Euribor +/- basis points or it could be notes with complex structure and linked to indices, swap treasuries, etc.  If they’re issued to investors who aren’t residents of the US, they’re termed "Euro Medium Term Notes". Issuing MTNs to US-based investors calls for a US MTN program.

MTNs can come with fixed maturity date or come with put options, embedded call wherein MTNs could be redeemed per pre-accepted terms or speculations. MTN is usually issued for unsecured investment debts, with fixed rates, though it offers flexibility to both the issuer and investor when it comes to documentation and structure. While many use bank instruments for PPP and have an idea of how MTNs work, many don’t know how it really works! It is funny how they’re rising in popularity and many deploy it for different purposes, without knowing how these instruments work or what it really is! Matthew Roddan of Project Ninety Nine explains MTNs are a great way to get into PPP, especially since not many have the funds required to invest in PPP from their resources. Since PPP is gaining exposure and many would like to know if or not PPPs are what stuffs that make a mythical legend, let’s understand MTNs better.

According to Matthew Roddan, many aspire to invest in PPP but end up being unable to do so by trusting wrong people (brokers) or because they don’t have enough resources. The former is truer and why many think PPPs don’t exist. So, let’s understand MTNs better and how they can be used for PPP. MTNs are instruments of debt issued by banks and are sold to investors with a good face value, annual interest rate and maturity date. So, if you hold a note from Bank of America that’s worth 100 million, with interest rate of 7% each year, you will get 7 million till the instrument matures, after which you can cash it for its worth!

While MTNs are very similar to debt notes, it is more popular because of its price, flexibility, resale potential and option to be bought at a discount instead of its face value. According to Matthew Roddan from Project Ninety Nine, MTNs are available for more than fifty years and can effectively compete with any bank instrument. Since they were available for discounted rate, it became popular after “trading bank instruments” gained notoriety in the secondary market. PPP reign began soon after and Internet has made it even more popular and widely available. If you have an interest in PPP, MTNs Project Ninety Nine are your go-to option.

By Matthew Roddan

A Look Back and a Look Ahead - Pervasive Software Testing Challenges

As we usher into an alternate decade, I can't quit thinking about testing as a methodology, as an environment, and how it has advanced through the years. Testing has advanced itself from being a receptive to a proactive need. As indicated by a main worldwide statistical surveying firm, programming testing spend is at €79bn in 2010 and the figure is to move to €100bn by 2014. In the most recent ten years, testing has seen a considerable measure of development. Testing has its own financial plan, techniques have developed, devices have developed, sellers are putting forth result based testing administrations, yet there are a few difficulties that appear to be pervasive. This is what I think about them:

1. Overseeing desires

Desires were and are unavoidable. The greatest test for testing groups is to oversee and meet these desires. Desires are the criteria to assess the achievement or disappointment of testing endeavors. Furthermore if these desires are not reliably seen by the business and testing group together, the whole reason for existing is lost. The point is to build an imparted vision or objective through powerful desire setting. Testing is an iterative methodology thus is overseeing desires.

2. Innovation scene and its dynamism

The business environment in which IT works is always showing signs of change. Sorts of IT frameworks, stages, and dialects used to fabricate them are additionally multiplying. Today organizations are moving towards giving administrations through CLOUD. Each has its remarkable surroundings. At that point they are interconnected with inner and outside applications. Consequently, testing and foreseeing everything and anything they can do is much harder. Also this represents an extraordinary test for the testing group to rapidly highlight chances early to such a degree as to assemble proficient programming.

3. Correspondence crevices

Analyzers in separation can't construct proficiency in the testing methodology. For this, there necessities to be an increment in cooperation and correspondence in the middle of analyzers and business specialists, and, analyzers and designers. Ideally in this decade, with Agile technique being received forcefully, these correspondence crevices will be tended to. Bringing the SME, designer, and analyzer together amid the early phases of SDLC will guarantee all venture members talk the same dialect, and construct an imparted and steady comprehension of the space. This will prompt better details, disposes of erroneous presumptions and guarantees useful crevices are found much ahead of schedule in the cycle.

4. Anyone can test

That is a myth. Anyone CAN'T test. software testing tester This is a reality. It doesn't make a difference in the event that you have cutting edge -testing- base or preparing educational program to help your testing methodology. What is important is the last quality. What's more who drives last quality? Is it accurate to say that it is the individuals or the devices? I concur it is both. Anyway the buck stops at individuals. On the off chance that you don't have the right individuals, whatever apparatuses you utilize - the wanted result won't be accomplished! Consequently, RIGHT PEOPLE is the key expression here. Furthermore the test is to discover the right set of individuals. It doesn't make a difference the group is inward or a merchant, it is individuals in it who will drive results. It is their readiness, energy, and abilities that will drive results. Furthermore, as testing groups will get included right on time in the improvement cycle, associations require another type of analyzers. Another type of collective and multi-talented analyzers is obliged who will conquer any hindrance in the middle of business and innovation and who comprehend the practices and instruments. Thirdly, innovation, as it generally does, will change, and analyzers will need to adjust to new innovations. Analyzers will need to end up all the more actually skilled with a consistent experience crosswise over numerous stages and testing situations. That is the reason anyone CAN'T test. What's more understanding this is of fundamental significanc.

Is A Software Testing Company Important?

Programming testing is one of the essential components in the product improvement life-cycle. It is otherwise called quality certification. Genuinely talking, configuration oversights include the larger part of bugs found in the product. With a specific end goal to accomplish achievement, all the slips and bugs need to be amended. The primary reason for this testing is to keep up congruity with the first business necessities and outline particulars. Programming analyzers are mindful to approve the product to dodge outline imperfections and improvement blunders. By performing the test, we can guarantee that the product can work in distinctive circumstances easily. How about we read on.  

software testing US 

The testing period of programming advancement incorporates framework approval, client acknowledgement testing and experiment audit and endorsement. All in all, there are 2 basic routines for testing, i.e. manual testing and computerized testing.. At the point when the errors are discovered, the bugs travel through extra advancement and testing stages. To guarantee that the item or application addresses the issues of the clients with insignificant issues, we require a product testing organization to help us. There are numerous administration suppliers in the business sector. They perform testing by applying diverse demonstrated techniques. The testing techniques can be partitioned into sub classifications, i.e. framework testing, end to end testing, incorporation testing, practical testing, unit testing, discovery testing, white box testing, incremental joining testing, et cetera. Diverse routines are utilized taking into account customers' necessities and the sorts of bugs.

Do we truly require a product testing organization? Does this organization assume an imperative part? Obviously! It serves to perform the accompanying:

• Verify and approve the product item

The organization performs check and acceptance methodology to figure out if the framework meets its predefined objectives or not and it serves to guarantee that the yield is right.

In spite of the fact that this methodology could be possible by your own, it will be more successful in the event that it is performed by an autonomous testing org.

• Improve the quality

You need to hold up under at the top of the priority list that the vicinity of bugs in the product application can result in unsalvageable misfortunes. Consequently, I would say the nature of the product is of most extreme significance. By selecting a testing organization, its test specialist will have the capacity to verify that the product meets the quality gauges.

• Prove the ease of use and operability of the product item

At the point when the product is discharged to a chose gathering of clients, we have to guarantee that the specific programming can be utilized and worked easily. By getting an administration supplier to perform the testing, you will have the capacity to demonstrate to the clients that the product is both usable and operable. Any issue confronted by the clients will be recorded and dissected.

• Prevent imperfection relocation

To be honest talking, early location and investigating of blunders will most likely help to spare a ton of expenses. By getting a product testing organization, its experts will help to identify the blunders in the product prerequisites social affair stage and keep these slips from moving to the resulting stage. You won't endure enormous misfortunes if early avoidance has been carried out.

So, programming testing dependably trails consecutive. It checks the adequacy of the project and assesses its yield according to prerequisite. It is for sure imperative to contract a testing organization to