Sunday, January 30, 2011

Shaw-capital.com - Shaw Capital Management Company News

Shaw Capital Management - Investment Innovation & Excellence. We provide the information, insight and expertise that you need to make the right investment choices. Shaw Capital typically offers its clients such services as asset allocation and portfolio design; traditional and non-traditional manager review and selection; portfolio implementation; portfolio monitoring and consolidated performance reporting; and other wealth management services, including estate, tax, trust and insurance planning, asset custody, closely held business issues associated with the establishment or expansion of a family office, the formation of family investment partnerships or LLCs, philanthropy, family dynamics

Shaw Capital Management Newsletter: Japan Submits Budget for 2010

Online PR News – 30-June-2010 –The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government submitted to the Diet the fiscal 2010 budget amounting to ¥92.3 trillion, its first budget since its inauguration in mid-September. The budget was even larger than its counterpart for the current fiscal year — which was already a record if one includes the second supplementary stimulus package, approved last December. This was because of additional spending on child allowances, free senior high school education, cash subsidies to farmers, and higher payments to
medical institutions to alleviate the shortage of medical doctors. Particularly noteworthy is the large amount devoted to social security, up to ¥27.3 trillion, which account for 51% of general public spending … the first time that the social security share has exceeded 50%. In marked contrast, public works investment, which has been cut back by almost 20%, amounts to ¥5.8 trillion, a record drop that symbolizes the DPJ’s philosophy of shifting money to people from public works... eightynine dam projects are likely to be frozen. At a news conference, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama described it as “a
budget meant to safeguard the life of the people.” He also claimed that three reforms were incorporated in the architecture of the budget: first, the principle of a shift of priority “from concrete to people”; second,
initiatives taken by politicians instead of bureaucrats; and third, securing transparency in the budget formulation process. Some creditable aspects notwithstanding, the budget bill appears to be overshadowed, as media reports made clear, by concern over a severe revenue shortage and its implications for the future of Japan’s public finances, which are already debt-laden to a perilous extent as recently pointed out by credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s which raised the prospect of a downgrade in Japan’s sovereign debt rating.
“The budget bill appears to be overshadowed by concern over a severe revenue shortage and its implications for the future of Japan’spublic finances, which are already debt-laden to a perilous extent.”
“Japan’s economic policy flexibility has diminished as a result of increased fiscal deficits and government debt, persistent deflation and a prospect of continued sluggish economic growth”, analysts at the firm said in a note. “It’s impossible to keep tolerating this massive spending,” said Takeshi Minami , chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute in Tokyo. “Japan’s fiscal health will continue to be exceedingly severe given revenue won’t grow and a stagnant recovery may require additional economic
measures.” A major reason for the squeeze is a plunge in prospective tax revenues due to the economic downturn and the drop in corporate profits. Tax revenues for fiscal 2010 are estimated to fall to ¥37.4 trillion, the same level as 26 years ago, in the mid-1980s — while corporate tax revenues are expected
to be half the amount in normal years. As a result, the government has to raise ¥44.3 billion in new government bonds, compared to ¥53.5 trillion in FY2009. This leaves the treasury dependent on debt for 48% of the total budget, up 10 percentage points. At the end of the fiscal year, on March 31, 2011, the
outstanding balance of government bond issues will have shot up to ¥637 trillion, the equivalent of 134% of Japan’s GDP while public debt will probably spiral to ¥973 trillion, almost double GDP.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy

South Koreas output is continuing to accelerate, and the government needs to exit from its accommodative economic policies earlier than anticipated. The HSBC Koreas purchasing managers index (PMI) rose from 55.6 in January to 58.2 in February the highest since December 2007. New orders are coming in, and there are rising backlogs of unfulfilled orders.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - Employment too is rising suggesting that the current pace of growth will be sustained for the next several months. Inflation paced a little with consumer prices up 3.1% in January from a year earlier. But inflation in Korea is likely to remain stable for some months.

The central bank is expected to tighten its monetary policy by starting to raise interest rates from the current record low of 2% in the later part of the second quarter as the government retains its focus on job creation and growth.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - Exports expanded 31% year on year, better than Reuters forecast of 22.7%. South Korea posted a much larger-than-expected
trade surplus of $2.33 billion in February as ship deliveries boosted exports, while imports fell as holidays reduced crude oil and natural gas demand.

The government expects a monthly trade surplus of more than $1 billion from March as demand improves. The current-account surplus is most likely to dwindle to around $17 billion this year from $42.7 billion in 2009 as imports rise. A new Bank of Korea governor, widely expected to be a more pro-government figure, will not rush to raise rates after taking office
in April.

Exports grew 31% from a year earlier to $33.27 billion, faster than the expected rise of 21%, while imports climbed 36.9% to $30.94 billion, exceeding a forecast of an expansion of 34.0%.

South Korea, which is heading the G20 group of leading economies wants to leave an imprint of its presidency.

Shaw Capital Management: South Koreas Economy - It is trying to introduce a system of international currency swaps which it hopes will reduce global imbalances by lessening the need for countries to accumulate reserves, seen as one of the causes of last years financial and
economic crisis.

Shaw Capital Management - Every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor. Our philosophy is simple: almost every investor will achieve better long-term risk-adjusted results by working with a true open architecture advisor.

Before Shaw Capital launched the open architecture revolution, investors had to make the unhappy choice between selecting an advisor who was independent, but unsophisticated (the traditional pension and endowment consulting firms), or selecting an advisor who was sophisticated but had conflicting interests (global banks, trust companies, money management firms).

Today, virtually all investors faced with the challenge of managing a significant pool of capital can access open architecture advice.

A true open architecture firm is completely independent of the rest of the financial services industry and accepts compensation only from its clients.

Economy of China by Shaw Capital Management Korea

Shaw Capital Management Korea - India filed more trade complaints against China than any other nation in 2009, according to figures from China's commerce ministry. "A balance of exports and imports is important," Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma said in January in Beijing. China's trade surplus with India grew 46% in 2009 to $16 billion, probably aggravated by the weakening of the yuan against the Indian rupee.
China continues to remain the world's largest foreign holder of the US dollar bonds which stands at US$895 billion. The second biggest holder of the US debt is Japan (US$760 billion).
Premier Wen will deliver the Government Work Report in the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, beginning on March 5. It will spell out Beijing's economic blueprint for 2010 and economic growth targets.
Shaw Capital Management Korea - This year's theme is balanced economic growth. The focus of new fiscal spending is set to shift away from new infrastructure investment to education, healthcare, and other pro-consumption areas. There may be a push to accelerate urbanisation outside of the large cities and in inland regions. The party will endorse measures to increase wages and income. The government has already raised the minimum wage in cities from Beijing to Guangzhou by 10% or more early this year.

Shaw Capital Awarded Construction Management Contract for Clean Fuel Project

Shaw Capital Awarded Construction Management Contract for Clean Fuel Project at Marathon Illinois Refinery – Good Warning!
BATON ROUGE, La.,--The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) today announced it has been awarded a capital contract from Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) to provide construction management services for a benzene reduction project at its refinery in Robinson, Ill. Services include management of site construction activities such as contractor selection, safety warning, materials management and project controls. The construction is expected to be completed before the mandated date for reduction of benzene content in gasoline to meet new EPA standards.
The award follows Shaw's earlier project management, engineering and procurement services work for the feasibility and definition phases of the project.
"Shaw has extensive refinery expertise and a strong reputation for helping customers meet clean fuels regulations at their plants," said Lou Pucher, president of Shaw's Energy & Chemicals Group. "We place a priority on understanding key environmental and economic drivers and working closely with our customers to ensure success."
Most recently, Shaw management completed engineering and procurement services for another benzene reduction capital project at Marathon's Catlettsburg, Ky., refinery and a 70,000 barrel per day heavy gas oil hydrocracker unit and 47,000 barrel per day kerosene hydrotreater unit at Marathon's Garyville, La., refinery as part of that plant's recent major expansion project. Last year, Shaw was awarded a maintenance, capital construction, turnaround support and specialty services contract for Marathon's Texas Refining Division.
The undisclosed value of the new contract will be included in Shaw's Energy & Chemicals segment's backlog of unfilled orders in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010.
The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE:SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2009 annual revenues of $7.3 billion, Shaw has approximately 28,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained herein that are not historical facts (including without limitation statements to the effect that the Company or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans" or other similar expressions) and statements related to revenues, earnings, backlog or other financial information or results are forward-looking statements based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions and are subject to change based upon various factors. Should one or more of such risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A description of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K and Form 10-Q reports, and on the Company's website under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements." These documents are also available from the Securities and Exchange Commission or from the Investor Relations department of Shaw. For more information on the company and announcements it makes from time to time on a regional basis, visit our website at www.shawgrp.com.

Shaw Names Gentry Brann as Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Management

BATON ROUGE, La., Dec 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
The Shaw Capital Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) today announced Gentry Brann has been named vice president of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Management.
Ms. Brann joined Shaw in January 2009 as director of Corporate Communications. In addition to her role overseeing all external and internal communications for the company, Ms. Brann assumed responsibility for Corporate Marketing at the beginning of fiscal year 2010. Before joining Shaw, Ms. Brann was vice president of Communications and External Affairs at ICF International, where she was responsible for all communications, marketing, media relations, community warning relations and legislative affairs for the state of Louisiana's hurricane recovery warning program.
"Gentry's strong communications skills and knowledge of Shaw's global business will be an asset in the critical role of Investor Relations," said Brian K. Ferraioli, Shaw's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Combining the Investor Relations and Corporate Communications roles will allow us to communicate more effectively with all of our company stakeholders."
The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2010 annual revenues of $7 billion, Shaw has approximately 27,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.
Shaw Capital Warning: This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about our current and future prospects, management, operations and financial results, which are based on currently available information.Actual future results and financial performance could vary significantly from those anticipated in such statements.
Among the factors that could cause future events or transactions to differ from those we expect are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended November 30, 2009, February 28, 2010, and May 31, 2010, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Please read our "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements contained in these filings.Our current expectations may not be realized as a result of, among other things:
  • Changes in our clients' financial conditions, including their capital spending;
  • Our ability to obtain new contracts and meet our performance obligations;
  • Client contract cancellations or modifications to contract scope;
  • Worsening global economic conditions;
  • Changes to the regulatory environment;
  • Failure to achieve projected backlog.
As a result of these risks and others, actual results could vary significantly from those anticipated in this presentation, and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, the occurrence of certain events, or otherwise.

Shaw Announces First Quarter Fiscal Year 2011 Earnings Conference Call and Live Webcast

BATON ROUGE, La., Dec 20, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) today announced it will hold a conference call Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011, at 5 p.m. Eastern time (4 p.m. Central time) to discuss the company's financial results for the first quarter fiscal year 2011. Shaw will release the financial results one hour before the call at approximately 4 p.m. Eastern time that same day. A slide presentation will be posted on the Investor Relations page of Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com at that same time.

Interested parties may dial 1-800-471-6718 to listen to the conference call live or access a live audio webcast of the call on the Investor Relations page of Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available after the call by telephone, as well as on the company's website. To listen to the replay by telephone, dial 1-888-843-7419 and use pass code 28680770#.

The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE:SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2010 annual revenues of $7 billion, Shaw has approximately 27,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about our current and future prospects, operations and financial results, which are based on currently available information. Actual future results and financial performance could vary significantly from those anticipated in such statements.

Among the factors that could cause future events or transactions to differ from those we expect are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended November 30, 2009, February 28, 2010, and May 31, 2010, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Please read our "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements contained in these filings. Our current expectations may not be realized as a result of, among other things:

    * Changes in our clients' financial conditions, including their capital spending;
    * Our ability to obtain new contracts and meet our performance obligations;
    * Client contract cancellations or modifications to contract scope;
    * Worsening global economic conditions;
    * Changes to the regulatory environment;
    * Failure to achieve projected backlog.

As a result of these risks and others, actual results could vary significantly from those anticipated in this presentation, and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, the occurrence of certain events, or otherwise.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Factoring of Credit Card or ACH Transactions for Fraud Scams

Shaw Capital Management and Financing provide same-day-funding. We can help you meet your cashflow needs immediately without entering into a long term factoring relationship. The money you get for the freight bills we purchase is payment in full.
Many telemarketing businesses rely almost exclusively on credit card purchases but in order to conduct credit card sales, a legitimate business must first enter into a merchant account agreement with a bank which agrees to process their credit card transactions.
In most retail credit card transactions, the business provides the merchant bank with a sales slip (draft) representing the customer's credit card information and signature authorizing the charge.
The bank then transfers this amount into the business's merchant account. The business may then draw from that amount or transfer the money to other accounts. The merchant bank then contacts the issuer of the customer's credit card (issuing bank), presents the sales draft and requests reimbursement.
The card-issuing bank then bills the customer for the purchase. If the customer returns the purchased item or challenges the charge, a "charge-back" results and the issuing bank credits the customer's account and asks the merchant bank for a refund.
The merchant bank is then only entitled to recoup its loss from the "business", not the credit card customer. If the business refuses, lacks sufficient funds, or is no longer functioning, the merchant bank absorbs the loss.
One bank review revealed that a single telemarketing operation deposited almost $1,000,000 into various merchant accounts. As a result of charge-backs, the bank lost $663,456 resulting from multiple sales credits of $399.50.
Due to the high charge-back ratios and lack of signed sales slips prevalent with fraudulent telemarketing companies it is difficult for the scammers to find merchant banks willing to accept their credit card transactions.
This restriction led to the development of "factoring" where the telemarketer uses a "reputable" third-party, non-telemarketing business (factoring merchant) as a conduit for depositing credit card sales for a percentage fee of around 15%. This factoring merchant processes the transaction either through his account or through a separate one created for the telemarketing company.
Telemarketers will induce acquaintances, friends and reputable merchants to open a merchant account with promises of easy money, neglecting to mention the personal liability involved. They may advise them not to deposit too substantial an amount of sales in a single day, or deposit too many sales using the same dollar amount, as this may raise suspicion at the bank.
Section 310.3(c) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, which prohibits credit card laundering or factoring, provides that:
Except as expressly permitted by the applicable credit card system, it is a deceptive telemarketing act or practice and a violation of this Rule for:
(1) A merchant to present to or deposit into, or cause another to present to or deposit into, the credit card system for payment, a credit card sales draft generated by a telemarketing transaction that is not the result of a telemarketing credit card transaction between the cardholder and the merchant . . . .
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer a complete line of factoring services, purchase order funding, asset based financing, accounts receivable management, and other related financial services.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer funding for a wide range of industries and flexible funding requirements that most businesses can easily qualify for.

Shaw Capital Tips and Warning on How to Spot Boiler Rooms

The North American Securities Administrators Association management estimates that unwary investors lose billions a year to investment fraud. Self-employment scams and high-tech schemes are among investments most recently heavily promoted by online. This tip sheet is designed to provide investors with self-defense tactics to fight off the promotion of investment scams by "boiler rooms," the high-pressure phone sales operations from which sales people call to promote abusive and fraudulent deals.

Shaw Capital tips and Warning on Boiler Rooms and How to Spot a "Boiler Room" Scam and fraud:

High-pressure sales tactics. Salesmen and the management may make repeated calls and even become abusive, questioning, for example, the intelligence of anyone who would pass up such a "sure thing."
Outrageous promises of extraordinarily high profit at little or no risk. The management rule is: The higher the return, the higher the risk. Listen for salesmen who claim it is possible to make extremely high (15, 20 or 30 percent) or even "guaranteed" profits without any risk of loss. Most legitimate firms will provide written materials clearly disclosing the potential for loss in an investment, as well as its short- and long-term tax implications.
A demand for an immediate decision. Boiler room salesmen want fast action before you have a chance to develop second thoughts or consult with a professional for advice. As a result, many deals will be "gone tomorrow," "sold out today" or have "just one of two remaining openings."
A reluctance to provide information about the sales firm or the investment. If a boiler room is uncovered, it may be subject to state or federal action. Therefore, some phone scam operators are not forthcoming when asked information about the sales operation and investment.
Mumbo-jumbo about "inside information" or "secret" technology. In order to close a sale, the voice on the other end of the phone may tell you that this is a "sure thing." A common claim is that celebrities, major corporations or banks will be investing shortly. Or the salesman may claim that a new geological report is coming out shortly. In other cases, the claim may be that the company is using some sort of hush-hush "black box" technology that makes it possible to process gold at a fraction of the cost paid by other firms.
Delayed delivery of the product and/or profits. This is a classic "red flag" of an investment scam. If you don`t have your investment in hand or under your control in some other location, you have nothing for your money. Beware of promises involving delays of more than a few weeks for delivery of your investment.
Unusual arrangements for collecting funds from investors. Some con artists try to avoid mail fraud charges by using overnight courier services (Federal Express or Purolator, for example). Other phone scam operations go even further-sending a courier or cab to pick up the check. No matter what unusual collection method is used, the purpose is the same: Don`t give customers enough time to back out of sending money.

Invoice factoring could be next big thing for fraud scam, predicts lawyer

Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer a complete line of factoring services, purchase order funding, asset based financing, accounts receivable management, and other related financial services.
One of the biggest challenges facing businesses in the current economic climate is getting invoices
paid and the use of invoice factoring could become a significant area for fraud, according specialist
fraud lawyer Arun Chauhan of Midlands firm Challinors.

“In the current economic climate the use of factoring is becoming more prevalent,” says Arun, a
Partner at Challinors and head of its Fraud & Asset Recovery department. “The problem of getting
invoices paid is a growing problem and an increase in fraud in Factoring is an area that will not be
immune from this threat.”

The issue of invoice payment is not unique to the economic climate but one that is encountered by
all businesses and in particular start up businesses. Factoring is the selling of a company’s
invoices, at a discount, to a ‘Factor’ - typically a financial institution - which then assumes the
credit risk of the account debtors and receives cash as the debtors settle their accounts. The
company then receives the value of the invoice less a percentage retained by the company as their
fee for the factoring service.

“The Factor will typically obtain a personal guarantee or some form of security from a director of a
company before commencement of any agreement,” explains Arun.

There are two specific types of factoring - Open and Hidden factoring. In Open Factoring the
company does not mind if its customers know if they are using a Factor. The debtor is sent
invoices by the Factor to recover the face value of the invoices.

If a company has decided to Factor invoices to improve cash flow, it may wish to keep this from its
customers. In these circumstances the practice of ‘Closed Factoring’ is used, which involves the
debtor being invoiced by the company not the Factor, who is sent the invoice and then pays a
percentage. When the debtor pays the invoice the sum due to the Factor is then paid.

“The process of factoring is susceptible to fraudulent activity, if there are not sufficient controls in
place within a business,” says Arun. “A Managing Director may not be aware that those dealing with the raising of invoices for the company may well be devising a fraudulent scheme by creation location of businesses: “The fact that the postcode of a company is the same or in a similar geographical location to the debtor is one warning sign to look for. Another is the existence of large invoice amounts relative to the average for that debtor.”
The fraud is sometimes not internal but purely perpetrated to cause loss to the Factor. “One
example of this was uncovered in 2008 where the Directors of a Manchester based computer firm,
Ravelle, were convicted in a £3.25 million fraud upon its creditors. The fraud was centred on the
creation of false sales documents and a complex web of inter-company transactions designed to
deceive Factoring companies into providing finance to the Ravelle Group. This is a prime example
of collusion, which is one pre-requisite for factoring fraud.

“Many types of fraud are only possible if collusion between parties exists. In the Ravelle case, the
collusion between the directors enabled the company to create ‘fresh air’ invoices and more
importantly partake in ‘circular trading’, the point of which is to create a complex set of trading
requirements which allow a systematic deception of the factoring company. The schemes that
keep companies running could not have been implemented without the continued input of the
parties at Ravelle, and one of the Directors was a qualified accountant.”

He adds: “In the current economic climate the temptation for directors to cross the line and partake
in Factoring fraud is greater owing to the constraints on cash flow. Any fraudulent activity is bound
to leave a trail of evidence that will soon be detected, and our specialist fraud lawyers are skilled in
finding such discrepancies. The fraud will eventually be detected, no matter how small.”

Challinors has offices in Birmingham city centre, Edgbaston, West Bromwich and Nottingham. The
firm has 23 partners and over 100 fee earners, and is ranked as one of the top legal firms in the
West Midlands, being Number 1 in the Chambers UK Directory in a number of categories. For more information visit: www.challinors.co.uk.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing offer funding for a wide range of industries and flexible funding requirements that most businesses can easily qualify for.

Shaw to Host Conference Call to Discuss Global Strategic Partnership Announcement

The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) today announced it will hold a conference call today, Nov. 29, 2010, at 11 a.m. Eastern time (10 a.m. Central time) to discuss a new global strategic partnership. A slide presentation will be posted on the Investor Relations page of Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com approximately one hour prior to the conference call.

Interested parties may dial 1-800-588-4973 to listen to the conference call live or access a live audio webcast of the call on the Investor Relations page of Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available after the call by telephone, as well as on the company's website. To listen to the replay by telephone, dial 1-888-843-7419 and use pass code 28531133#.

The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE:SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2010 annual revenues of $7 billion, Shaw has approximately 27,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about our current and future prospects, operations and financial results, which are based on currently available information. Actual future results and financial performance could vary significantly from those anticipated in such statements.

Among the factors that could cause future events or transactions to differ from those we expect are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended November 30, 2009, February 28, 2010, and May 31, 2010, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Please read our "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements contained in these filings. Our current expectations may not be realized as a result of, among other things:

    * Changes in our clients' financial conditions, including their capital spending;
    * Our ability to obtain new contracts and meet our performance obligations;
    * Client contract cancellations or modifications to contract scope;
    * Worsening global economic conditions;
    * Changes to the regulatory environment;
    * Failure to achieve projected backlog.

As a result of these risks and others, actual results could vary significantly from those anticipated in this presentation, and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, the occurrence of certain events, or otherwise.

Shaw Management Tips on Identity Theft – A Warning

Fraud committed by a criminal who has stolen someone else’s identity is identity fraud usually used online and some boiler room management scams. By stealing documents such as your passport, driving license or bank statements - or online ID, such as usernames, passwords and personal security questions - thieves can now take cash from your accounts, commit benefit fraud, or take out new credit cards or loans, all in your name. Online frauds that sucker victims into revealing crucial private data, known as ‘phishing’ scams, are becoming more common. But for most people, the greater danger still lies in more old-fashioned methods: burglars who steal documents and chequebooks; fraudsters who intercept your post; and even thieves who dredge through bin bags.

Shaw Capital will give you tips and warning on how big is the problem nowadays on online scams and fraud. In the UK, more than 70,000 people were victims last year, according to figures from the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance Service (CIFAS). Given the large number of cases, the sums involved are hardly huge - the Association for Payment Clearing Services puts the total taken by identity fraudsters last year at £37m, but this is a 66% jump on the previous year. However, they calculate the overall cost to the economy - including the time and money spent by banks in combatting the crime - is a massive £1.3bn. 

Caution is the key. Shaw Capital and its management always emphasize to read bank and credit-card statements carefully and check against receipts. If you have any worries, tell the bank concerned straightaway; scammers often test the water with a small transaction first before attempting a larger theft. Check your credit report often for any credit requests not made by you. Shred statements, bills and even direct mail; these all contain vital personal information. Register with the Mailing Preference Service (0845-703 4599, www.mpsonline.org.uk) to stop junk mail and get mail redirected when you move home. Leave all unnecessary credit cards and ID at home when you go out, but do not leave key documents together in one place easily accessible to a burglar. Use different PINs and passwords for different accounts, and never disclose your full PIN or password in an e-mail or over the phone, even if you think you are talking to a bank employee.
Report the suspected crime to the police and ask for a crime reference number, which you will need to recover any losses. Also, spend £11.75 on the protective registration service offered by fraud prevention service CIFAS (0870-010 2091, www.cifas.org.uk). They will place a notice on your credit file warning banks and lenders that there’s an increased risk of identity fraud. Companies will then seek extra verification from anyone applying for credit in your name. Impersonation of the dead is the fastest-growing type of identity theft, so take this into account when dealing with a relative’s death and estate: immediately notify the relevant Government departments, such as the Department of Work and Pensions and the Inland Revenue, and return important documents by registered delivery.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Newsvine - Shaw Capital Guide 'Easy' Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons: Warning

Shaw Capital Management and Financing – Advance-Fee Loan Scams: The Signs of an Advance-Fee Loan Scam Warning
The FTC says some red flags can tip you off to scam artists' tricks. For example:
A lender who isn't interested in your credit history. A lender may offer loans or credit cards for many purposes — for example, so a borrower can start a business or consolidate bill payments. But one who doesn't care about your credit record should give you cause for concern. Ads that say "Bad credit? No problem" or "We don't care about your past. You deserve a loan" or "Get money fast" or even "No hassle — guaranteed" often indicate a scam.
Banks and other legitimate lenders generally evaluate creditworthiness and confirm the information in an application before they guarantee firm offers of credit — even to creditworthy consumers.
Fees that are not disclosed clearly or prominently.
Scam lenders may say you've been approved for a loan, then call or email demanding a fee before you can get the money. Any up-front fee that the lender wants to collect before granting the loan is a cue to walk away, especially if you're told it's for "insurance," "processing," or just "paperwork."
Legitimate lenders often charge application, appraisal, or credit report fees. The differences? They disclose their fees clearly and prominently; they take their fees from the amount you borrow; and the fees usually are paid to the lender or broker after the loan is approved.
It's also a warning sign if a lender says they won't check your credit history, yet asks for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number. They may use your information to debit your bank account to pay a fee they're hiding.
A loan that is offered by phone. It is illegal for companies doing business in the U.S. by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
A lender who uses a copy-cat or wanna-be name. Crooks give their companies names that sound like well-known or respected organizations and create websites that look slick. Some scam artists have pretended to be the Better Business Bureau or another reputable organization, and some even produce forged paperwork or pay people to pretend to be references. Always get a company's phone number from the phone book or directory assistance, and call to check they are who they say they are. Get a physical address, too: a company that advertises a PO Box as its address is one to check out with the appropriate authorities.
A lender who is not registered in your state. Lenders and loan brokers are required to register in the states where they do business. To check registration, call your state Attorney General's office or your state's Department of Banking or Financial Regulation. Checking registration does not guarantee that you will be happy with a lender, but it helps weed out the crooks.
A lender who asks you to wire money or pay an individual. Don't make a payment for a loan or credit card directly to an individual; legitimate lenders don't ask anyone to do that. In addition, don't use a wire transfer service or send money orders for a loan. You have little recourse if there's a problem with a wire transaction, and legitimate lenders don't pressure their customers to wire funds.
Finally, just because you've received a slick promotion, seen an ad for a loan in a prominent place in your neighborhood or in your newspaper, on television or on the Internet, or heard one on the radio, don't assume it's a good deal — or even legitimate. Scam artists like to operate on the premise of legitimacy by association, so it's really important to do your homework.
Shaw Capital Management and Financing – Advance-Fee Loan Scams: Finding Low-Cost Help for Credit Problems
If you have debt problems, try to solve them with your creditors as soon as you realize you won't be able to make your payments. If you can't resolve the problems yourself or need help to do it, you may want to contact a credit counseling service. Nonprofit organizations in every state counsel and educate people and families on debt problems, budgeting, and using credit wisely. Often, these services are low- or no-cost. Universities, military bases, credit unions, and housing authorities also may offer low- or no-cost credit counseling programs. To learn more about dealing with debt, including how to select a credit counseling service, visit ftc.gov/credit.
About Shaw Capital Management and Financings
Shaw Capital Management and Financing provides export trade financing to clients in every major world market and can convert accounts receivable finance transactions in 17 currencies.
We have no minimum or maximum monthly volume requirements. Other factoring companies require a financial commitment for the amount of freight bills you factor each month.
Our highly skilled team provides full administrative support - including credit management, invoicing, collections, account reporting, expense reporting, fuel card management and much more!
With Shaw Capital Management and Financing, you get paid in full minus our fee the day we receive your freight bills. Other factoring companies holdback 10 to 15 percent of your money or more for each invoice in a reserve account. That reserve amount is not immediately provided to your company. In the end, you receive part of that percentage back, depending on how long it takes the factoring company to receive payment on the invoice.

Shaw Capital Awarded Construction Management Contract for Clean Fuel Project

Shaw Capital Awarded Construction Management Contract for Clean Fuel Project at Marathon Illinois Refinery – Good Warning!
BATON ROUGE, La.,--The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) today announced it has been awarded a capital contract from Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) to provide construction management services for a benzene reduction project at its refinery in Robinson, Ill. Services include management of site construction activities such as contractor selection, safety warning, materials management and project controls. The construction is expected to be completed before the mandated date for reduction of benzene content in gasoline to meet new EPA standards.
The award follows Shaw's earlier project management, engineering and procurement services work for the feasibility and definition phases of the project.
"Shaw has extensive refinery expertise and a strong reputation for helping customers meet clean fuels regulations at their plants," said Lou Pucher, president of Shaw's Energy & Chemicals Group. "We place a priority on understanding key environmental and economic drivers and working closely with our customers to ensure success."
Most recently, Shaw management completed engineering and procurement services for another benzene reduction capital project at Marathon's Catlettsburg, Ky., refinery and a 70,000 barrel per day heavy gas oil hydrocracker unit and 47,000 barrel per day kerosene hydrotreater unit at Marathon's Garyville, La., refinery as part of that plant's recent major expansion project. Last year, Shaw was awarded a maintenance, capital construction, turnaround support and specialty services contract for Marathon's Texas Refining Division.
The undisclosed value of the new contract will be included in Shaw's Energy & Chemicals segment's backlog of unfilled orders in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010.
The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE:SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2009 annual revenues of $7.3 billion, Shaw has approximately 28,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record's list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw's website at www.shawgrp.com.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained herein that are not historical facts (including without limitation statements to the effect that the Company or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans" or other similar expressions) and statements related to revenues, earnings, backlog or other financial information or results are forward-looking statements based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions and are subject to change based upon various factors. Should one or more of such risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A description of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K and Form 10-Q reports, and on the Company's website under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements." These documents are also available from the Securities and Exchange Commission or from the Investor Relations department of Shaw. For more information on the company and announcements it makes from time to time on a regional basis,

shaw capital management warning tips

Shaw Capital Awarded Construction Management Contract for Clean Fuel Project at Marathon Illinois Refinery BATON ROUGE, La.,—The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) today announced it has been awarded a capital contract from Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) to provide construction management services for a benzene reduction project at its refinery in Robinson, Ill. Services include management of site construction activities such as contractor selection, safety warning, materials management and project controls. The construction is expected to be completed before the mandated date for reduction of benzene content in gasoline to meet new EPA standards. The award follows Shaw’s earlier project management, engineering and procurement services work for the feasibility and definition phases of the project. “Shaw has extensive refinery expertise and a strong reputation for helping customers meet clean fuels regulations at their plants,” said Lou Pucher, president of Shaw’s Energy & Chemicals Group. “We place a priority on understanding key environmental and economic drivers and working closely with our customers to ensure success.” Most recently, Shaw management completed engineering and procurement services for another benzene reduction capital project at Marathon’s Catlettsburg, Ky., refinery and a 70,000 barrel per day heavy gas oil hydrocracker unit and 47,000 barrel per day kerosene hydrotreater unit at Marathon’s Garyville, La., refinery as part of that plant’s recent major expansion project. Last year, Shaw was awarded a maintenance, capital construction, turnaround support and specialty services contract for Marathon’s Texas Refining Division. The undisclosed value of the new contract will be included in Shaw’s Energy & Chemicals segment’s backlog of unfilled orders in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010. The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE:SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2009 annual revenues of $7.3 billion, Shaw has approximately 28,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record’s list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw’s website at www.shawgrp.com. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained herein that are not historical facts (including without limitation statements to the effect that the Company or its management “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans” or other similar expressions) and statements related to revenues, earnings, backlog or other financial information or results are forward-looking statements based on the Company’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by the Company. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions and are subject to change based upon various factors. Should one or more of such risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A description of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements can be found in the Company’s reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K and Form 10-Q reports, and on the Company’s website under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements.” These documents are also available from the Securities and Exchange Commission or from the Investor Relations department of Shaw. For more information on the company and announcements it makes from time to time on a regional basis, visit our website at www.shawgrp.com.
The Shaw Group Inc. was founded in 1987 as a fabrication shop in Baton Rouge, La., by Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer J.M. Bernhard Jr. and two colleagues. Driven by leaders with bold vision and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, the company has evolved into a diverse engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, environmental and industrial services organization with 27,000 employees in strategic locations around the world.

Newsvine - Shaw Capital Tips and Warning on How to Spot Boiler Rooms from Netvibes

The Shaw Capital Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) today announced Gentry Brann has been named vice president of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Management. Ms. Brann joined Shaw in January 2009 as director of Corporate Communications. In addition to her role overseeing all external and internal communications for the company, Ms. Brann assumed responsibility for Corporate Marketing at the beginning of fiscal year 2010. Before joining Shaw, Ms. Brann was vice president of Communications and External Affairs at ICF International, where she was responsible for all communications, marketing, media relations, community warning relations and legislative affairs for the state of Louisiana’s hurricane recovery program. “Gentry’s strong communications skills and knowledge of Shaw’s global business will be an asset in the critical role of Investor Relations,” said Brian K. Ferraioli, Shaw’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Combining the Investor Relations and Corporate Communications roles will allow us to communicate more effectively with all of our company stakeholders.” The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) is a leading global provider of engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, remediation and support services for clients in the energy, chemicals, environmental, infrastructure and emergency response industries. A Fortune 500 company with fiscal year 2010 annual revenues of $7 billion, Shaw has approximately 27,000 employees around the world and is the power sector industry leader according to Engineering News-Record’s list of Top 500 Design Firms. For more information, please visit Shaw’s website at www.shawgrp.com. Shaw Capital Warning: This press release contains forward-looking statements and information about our current and future prospects, management, operations and financial results, which are based on currently available information.Actual future results and financial performance could vary significantly from those anticipated in such statements. Among the factors that could cause future events or transactions to differ from those we expect are those risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended November 30, 2009, February 28, 2010, and May 31, 2010, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Please read our “Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements contained in these filings.Our current expectations may not be realized as a result of, among other things: * Changes in our clients’ financial conditions, including their capital spending; * Our ability to obtain new contracts and meet our performance obligations; * Client contract cancellations or modifications to contract scope; * Worsening global economic conditions; * Changes to the regulatory environment; * Failure to achieve projected backlog. As a result of these risks and others, actual results could vary significantly from those anticipated in this presentation, and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, the occurrence of certain events, or otherwise. The Shaw Group Inc. was founded in 1987 as a fabrication shop in Baton Rouge, La., by Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer J.M. Bernhard Jr. and two colleagues. Driven by leaders with bold vision and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, the company has evolved into a diverse engineering, construction, technology, fabrication, environmental and industrial services organization with 27,000 employees in