Category: Personal Investments

The Appropriate Discount Rate in a Lost Earnings Claim

Every few years, the Journal of Forensic Economics (JFE) publishes the results of its survey of National Association of Forensic Economics (NAFE) members regarding their methods, estimates, and perspectives on lost earnings calculations.  As described in this related article, this survery demonstrates how damages experts often disagree regarding the appopriate discount rate in a lost …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/11/the-appropriate-discount-rate-in-a-lost-earnings-claim-2/

Cannabis Company Valuations Present Unique Challenges

There has been a flurry of activity in the emerging legalized cannabis industry, as regulations and restrictions continue to decrease.  Given that the U.S. cannabis market is estimated to be approximately $60 billion, with still plenty of room to grow, it is not surprising that many investors are looking at this industry.  However, prudent investors …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/10/cannabis-company-valuations-present-unique-challenges/

Expert Can Still Testify, Despite Opinions Being Thrown Out

A recent case illustrated how expert testimony may still be appropriate even when all of the expert’s actual opinions are deemed inadmissible.  In Ross v. Rothstein (March 12, 2015), the Court concluded that an expert’s testimony still offered information helpful to the Court with regard to underlying facts that supported his improper (legal) opinions.  The Court cited …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2015/06/expert-can-still-testify-despite-opinions-being-thrown-out/

Investors Accuse Ernst & Young Accused of Being Complicit in Bribery Scandal

CtW Investments Group (“CtW”), which represents a group of minority shareholders in Wal-Mart, has accused the firm’s external auditor Ernst & Young (“E&Y) of having had early knowledge of Wal-Mart’s violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act related to bribery allegations in Mexico. In a letter to the Public Accounting Oversight Board, CtW reports that …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2015/06/investors-accuse-ernst-young-accused-of-being-complicit-in-bribery-scandal/

Pro-Athlete Lending Firm is an Alleged Ponzi Scheme

A Florida based financial advisory involved in professional athlete lending has been charged with defrauding its clients. On April 7th the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) charged William D. Allen and his business partner Susan C. Daub with running a Ponzi scheme which promised investors 18% returns, however a sizable portion of these “returns” were …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2015/04/pro-athlete-lending-firm-is-an-alleged-ponzi-scheme/

New Revenue Recognition Rules Delayed

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has announced a proposal to delay by one year the effective date of implementation of the new revenue recognition standard under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), making the new date of change for public companies those reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  Private companies would have an additional …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2015/04/new-revenue-recognition-rules-delayed/

Fiduciaries Continue to Face 401(k) Conflict of Interest Allegations

A group of workers at Ameriprise Financial Inc. settled their federal lawsuit against the company regarding management of their 401(k) contributions that were invested in Ameriprise funds and generated millions in allegedly excessive fees for the company. The case was filed in 2011 by Roger Krueger and a group of Ameriprise plan participants.  The plaintiffs disputed …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2015/04/9358/

Bankruptcy Treatment of Education Debts is Clarified by the Ninth Circuit

A Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel has ruled that certain tuition related amounts are dischargeable in bankruptcy.  Generally, education related debts are not able to be discharged.  However, the Panel’s ruling did not apply this exception because the financial aid in question was a non-monetary tuition credit offered by a for-profit university. The Panel described the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2015/03/bankruptcy-treatment-of-education-debts-is-clarified-by-the-ninth-circuit/

A second shot at an end to pre-dispute mandatory arbitration clauses with brokers

Legislation that would free investors from the requirement to engage in pre-dispute mandatory arbitration with their brokers is getting a second life.  Congressman Keith Ellison, D-Minn, has once again introduced the bill to Congress, with the following findings: “(1) Investor confidence in fair and equitable recourse is essential to the health and stability of the securities …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2015/03/a-second-shot-at-an-end-to-pre-dispute-mandatory-arbitration-clauses-with-brokers/

New Standard of Value for Appraisal under Louisiana Law

Louisiana has changed the applicable standard of value in its new Louisiana Business Corporations Act. Under the law, shareholders have a right to avoid the effects of certain corporate actions by selling the shareholder’s shares to the corporation, paid in cash.  Under certain circumstances more fully described in the bill, shareholders have such rights in …

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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2015/02/new-standard-of-value-for-appraisal-under-louisiana-law/