Sharing what Black Book editors observed for themselves in the lanes or what the commentary survey personnel reported back to the home office, Ricky Beggs indicated that dealer sentiment is becoming more consistent about how wholesale conditions are nowadays.
In his latest video blog, “Beggs on the Used Car Market,” the Black Book managing editor described how the firm handled its information-gathering processes after Memorial Day weekend.
“What a week we just had, as we took a little time to honor our military friends and then had to dig a little deeper to make sure we were reporting the complete market,” Beggs began. “The editorial team stepped up this past week with focused analysis after each one attended at least one physical auction and watching several more online.
“As we received the reports from our survey personnel all across the country there were many comments similar to the previous few weeks,” he continued. “It is consistent that the market is still not overly aggressive in trying to buy additional or fresh inventory.
“It’s also clear that much of what is available on the dealer consigned lanes could be from slightly aged inventory that was previously acquired when we were at or near the peak of the market, thus leading to a few more no sales this week or maybe even a winkled brow if it did sell,” Beggs went on to say. “It doesn’t hurt too long, but as we overheard one dealer say, he at least turned his offerings into cash. That’s the beauty of the auction industry.”
Beyond the dealer commentary, Black Book found that its wholesale price data is shedding light on a market that’s becoming more consistent, too.
Editors determined the number of necessary adjustments that were increases remained in the low 30-percent level for the third consecutive week. That stretch comes after an 11-week run where Black Book’s increasing adjustments fell between 42 percent and 69 percent.
And the average change for those positive adjustments — $78 to be exact — turned out to be the lowest increasing figure since the week ending Nov. 18.
“This represents another sign of a slightly softening market,” Beggs pointed out.
“Over the past week or so I have talked with quite a few automotive journalists, all asking about the softening of the market and the reasons behind this changing trend,” he continued. “It seems that the price of gas and diesel at the pump always came up in these conversations.”
Black Book noted gas ticked another 4.5 cents lower last week to an average of $3.67 per gallon, what the firm said is the lowest level since Feb. 20. Beggs contends the cost at the pump is why prices within all 10 car segments have now softened for three weeks in a row.
Last week, car prices dipped by an average $31 or 0.2 percent — a figure editors said was consistent with the previous two weeks. The four segments with the greatest percent decline for the week at 0.6 percent and 0.5 percent were also the most fuel-efficient models overall.
Looking over at trucks, the prices for these units dropped by same amount on average for the second straight week. On average, Black Book determined trucks dipped by $29.
Prices for only one truck segment climbed week-over-week, compact SUVs, which rose by $9. Black Book noted this is the only truck segment that has increased each of the past three weeks.
“When looking within this segment, it is small in the volume of vehicles and is primarily driven by the Jeep Wrangler and Nissan Xterra, which have both been pretty solid performers recently,” Beggs indicated.
Beggs wrapped up his latest commentary by asking, “What’s around the corner in the market?”
In response, Beggs said, “We feel there will continue to be a slight softening in the market due to a few more units in the market from the new car trade-ins and the need to adjust to make room for another model year of vehicles, the 2013s, not far from hitting the franchised dealers’ lots.
“When looking at this time of the year in 2011 and the adjustment patterns, maybe the market just began the changes just a little earlier in 2012,” he projected.
“We hope you have a very active and great week and look forward to seeing you on the auction lanes,” Beggs concluded.
Beggs’ video can be viewed below.
Clearwire inks wholesale deal with MVNO Jolt Mobile - FierceWireless
Clearwire (NASDAQ:CLWR) inked a wholesale mobile WiMAX deal with AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) MVNO Jolt Mobile.
The deal, which will eventually include Clearwire's TD-LTE service when Clearwire launches that network next year, will enable Jolt Mobile customers to add mobile WiMAX broadband to their plans. Jolt, a subsidiary of Net Inc., offers prepaid service using AT&T's network.
Currently, Jolt's plans range from $40 per month for unlimited voice and texting to $60 per month for unlimited voice, texting and 2 GB of data. A Jolt representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how the MVNO will price Clearwire's services.
For Clearwire, the Jolt deal is the latest in a string of arrangements meant to expand its customer base. MVNO H2O Wireless, which also works with AT&T, has been reselling Clearwire's WiMAX service since February. In March Cricket provider Leap Wireless (NASDAQ:LEAP) inked a wholesale deal to use Clearwire's LTE network, which it plans to launch by June 2013. Clearwire is also providing service for Voyager Mobile, a startup MVNO. And FreedomPop is also taking advantage of Clearwire's network for its planned "freemium" mobile data service.
However, Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S), Clearwire's majority owner, remains by far and away Clearwire's largest wholesale customer.
For more:
- see this release
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Weekly Menu Planner: Dad's cheeseburgers, turkey soup and shrimp scampi - Dayton Daily News
Family Sunday
Make Dad’s cheeseburgers (see recipe). On the side, present deli red potato salad (stir in fresh chopped dill), pickles and olives. for dessert, chocolate layer cake and fat-free vanilla ice cream go down easy. We sure do love our dads.
SHOPPING LIST: Quick-cooking oats, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, 95 percent-lean ground beef, salt-free dry steak seasoning blend, whole-grain hamburger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar cheese, deli red potato salad, fresh dill, pickles, olives, chocolate layer cake, fat-free vanilla ice cream.
Kids Monday
The whole family will enjoy chicken linguine alfredo. cook an 8- to 10-ounce package refrigerated linguine according to directions; drain. return to pot; add an 8- to 10-ounce package cooked carved chicken breast (such as Perdue or another brand). Stir in ¾ cup light alfredo sauce mixed with 1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Cook over low heat 3 to 4 minutes or until heated; serve immediately.
Serve with carrot sticks and soft rolls. for a light dessert, bite into a nectarine.
SHOPPING LIST: Packaged refrigerated linguine, packaged cooked carved chicken breast, light Alfredo sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, nutmeg, carrot sticks, soft rolls, nectarines.
Express Tuesday
It’s hard to resist tuna melts for flavor and simplicity. Buy 2 cups tuna salad from the deli and spread it over whole-grain English muffin halves; top them with a tomato slice and a slice of Swiss cheese. Broil 6 inches from heat for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts. Serve with baked chips and add a packaged green salad to the meal. Peaches are the right dessert.
SHOPPING LIST: Deli tuna salad, whole-grain English muffins, tomatoes, sliced Swiss cheese, baked chips, packaged green salad, peaches.
Meatless Wednesday
Tonight, make a meal of stuffed baked potatoes. Scrub, pierce and microwave 4 (8-ounce) baking potatoes 10-12 minutes on high (100 percent power).
Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium until hot. Add 1 medium chopped onion, and cook 10 minutes or until golden. Add 2 teaspoons cumin and 1 clove minced garlic; cook 1 minute. Add 2 cups mild salsa and a 15-ounce can rinsed reduced-sodium black beans and cook 5 minutes more or until hot. To serve, slash potatoes and divide bean mixture among them. Top with chopped fresh cilantro and plain yogurt.
Serve with deli coleslaw and whole-grain rolls. Fresh blueberries topped with vanilla yogurt and granola make a great dessert.
SHOPPING LIST: Baking potatoes, canola oil, onion, cumin, garlic, mild salsa, canned reduced-sodium black beans, fresh cilantro, plain yogurt, deli coleslaw, whole-grain rolls, fresh blueberries, vanilla yogurt, granola.
Budget Thursday
Turkey soup (see recipe) was a hit at our house. Serve the vegetable-packed soup with a spinach salad and cornbread (from a mix). Make instant butterscotch pudding with 1 percent milk for dessert.
SHOPPING LIST: Canola oil, ground turkey breast, celery, onion, carrots, reduced-sodium tomato juice, fat-free chicken broth, frozen cut green beans, sliced fresh mushrooms, tomato, less-sodium Worcestershire sauce, dried basil and oregano, coarse salt, pepper, garlic powder, bay leaf, fresh spinach, cornbread mix, instant butterscotch pudding, 1 percent milk.
PLAN AHEAD: Save enough soup for Friday.
Heat and Eat Friday
Dinner is almost on the table because you’re heating the leftover soup. Serve it with ever-popular grilled cheese sandwiches. Add a sliced tomato. How about plums for dessert?
SHOPPING LIST: Bread and cheese for sandwiches, tomatoes, lettuce, plums.
Easy Entertaining Saturday
Your guests will swoon over this shrimp scampi (see recipe). Serve it over angel hair pasta with fresh green beans and a boston lettuce salad alongside.
For dessert, keep it light with honey-lime fruit with fresh mint. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice and 2 tablespoons honey; mix well. Check for sweetness and add more honey or juice to taste. Add 5 to 7 minced fresh mint leaves. In a large bowl, combine 6 cups peeled, cubed or sliced assorted fruit (use any combination of melons, grapes, bananas, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, mangoes, pineapple or other fruit). Pour honey/lime mixture over fruit and toss gently to combine. Spoon into stemmed dessert or other pretty glasses and garnish with mint leaves. (Adapted from “The Daily Feast,” by Esther Rose Graber, Good Books, 2012.)
SHOPPING LIST: Olive oil, uncooked peeled medium shrimp, green onion, garlic, fresh or dried basil, lemon, coarse salt, parmesan cheese, angel hair pasta, fresh green beans, Boston lettuce, limes, honey, fresh mint, assorted fresh fruit.
Clearwire Builds on Wholesale Momentum With Jolt Mobile Agreement - Yahoo Finance
- Clearwire's 4G Mobile Broadband Network to Power Jolt Mobile's Pay-As-You-Go Service
- Companies Expect to Pursue Agreement to Include LTE Capability In the Future
BELLEVUE, Wash. and LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearwire Corporation (Nasdaq:CLWR - News), a leading provider of 4G mobile broadband services in the U.S., and Jolt Mobile Inc., a full service prepaid wireless solution provider, today announced a wholesale agreement that will enable Jolt Mobile to offer its customers high-speed mobile broadband service using Clearwire's 4G network.
"Clearwire's wholesale 4G services can benefit a broad range of providers including national and regional operators, MVNOs, and non-traditional entrants, to serve a diverse range of customers and product options," said Don Stroberg, senior vice president of strategic partnerships and wholesale at Clearwire. "Clearwire's 4G network is a great fit for Jolt, enabling them to add 4G mobile data plans to their prepaid service portfolio. We're thrilled to continue building momentum as the premier wholesale provider of 4G capacity to carriers in the U.S."
Jolt Mobile offers no-contract pre-paid and pay-as-you-go wireless plans that enable its customers -- consisting mainly of ethnic communities, students and seniors -- to affordably connect with family and friends nationwide and throughout the world. Under its agreement with Clearwire, Jolt Mobile customers will have the option to add 4G mobile broadband service on Clearwire's 4G network to their plans.
"With this agreement, Jolt Mobile customers can have 4G data plans that give them access to the Internet at home, at work, and on the go," said Avi Yroshalmaine, president of Jolt Mobile. "By partnering with Clearwire we aim to give our customers a compelling 4G alternative to higher-priced carriers."
Clearwire is constructing a next-generation 4G LTE Advanced-ready network to address the capacity needs of carriers in urban markets where demand for mobile broadband is high. As Clearwire's LTE network comes online, Jolt Mobile and Clearwire expect to pursue an agreement to offer users even faster speeds on this network.
About Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation (Nasdaq:CLWR - News), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of 4G wireless broadband services offering services in areas of the U.S. where more than 130 million people live. The company holds the deepest portfolio of wireless spectrum available for data services in the U.S. Clearwire serves retail customers through its own CLEAR(R) brand as well as through wholesale relationships with some of the leading companies in the retail, technology and telecommunications industries. The company is constructing a next-generation 4G LTE Advanced-ready network to address the capacity needs of the market, and is also working closely with the Global TDD-LTE Initiative and China Mobile to further the TDD-LTE ecosystem. Clearwire is headquartered in Bellevue, Wash. Additional information is available at http://www.clearwire.com.
The Clearwire Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8493
About Jolt Mobile, Inc.
Jolt Mobile, Inc., a subsidiary of NET, Inc., is a pay-as-you-go service. They make it easier for retailers to activate new SIM cards and refill them. With Jolt Mobile, Inc. customers enjoy direct International dialing, making it easier to stay in contact with friends and family all over the world without having to worry about being charged outrageous rates. Additional information is available at http://www.joltmobile.com.
The Jolt Mobile, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13137
Forward-Looking Statements
This release, and other written and oral statements made by Clearwire from time to time, contain forward-looking statements which are based on management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made with information that is currently available. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, management's expectations regarding future financial and operating performance and financial condition; proposed transactions; network development and market launch plans; strategic plans and objectives; industry conditions; the strength of the balance sheet; and liquidity and financing needs. The words "will," "would," "may," "should," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "believe," "target," "designed," "plan" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Clearwire's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from such statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ are:
- We have a history of operating losses and we expect to continue to realize significant net losses for the foreseeable future.
- If our business fails to perform as we expect or if we incur unforeseen expenses in the near term, we will require additional capital to fund our current business. Also, we will need substantial additional capital over the long-term. Such additional capital may not be available on acceptable terms or at all. If we fail to obtain additional capital, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations will likely be materially and adversely affected, and we will be forced to consider all available alternatives.
- Our current plans and projections are based on a number of assumptions about our future performance, which may prove to be inaccurate, such as our ability to substantially expand our wholesale business and implement various cost savings initiatives.
- Our business has become increasingly dependent on our wholesale partners, and Sprint in particular. If we do not receive the amount of revenues we expect from existing wholesale partners or if we are unable to enter into new agreements with additional wholesale partners for new wholesale commitments, our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected, or we could be forced to consider all available alternatives.
- We regularly evaluate our plans, and we may elect to pursue new or alternative strategies which we believe would be beneficial to our business, including among other things, expanding our network coverage to new markets, augmenting our network coverage in existing markets, changing our sales and marketing strategy and/or acquiring additional spectrum. Such modifications to our plans could significantly change our capital requirements.
- We plan to deploy LTE on our wireless broadband network, alongside mobile WiMAX and we will incur significant costs to deploy such technology. Additionally, LTE technology, or other alternative technologies that we may consider, may not perform as we expect on our network and deploying such technologies would result in additional risks to the company, including uncertainty regarding our ability to successfully add a new technology to our current network and to operate dual technology networks without disruptions to customer service, as well as our ability to generate new wholesale customers for the new network.
- We currently depend on our commercial partners to develop and deliver the equipment for our legacy and mobile WiMAX networks, and will be dependent on commercial partners to deliver equipment and devices for our planned LTE network as well.
- Many of our competitors for our retail business are better established and have significantly greater resources, and may subsidize their competitive offerings with other products and services.
- Our substantial indebtedness and restrictive debt covenants could limit our financing options and liquidity position and may limit our ability to grow our business.
- Sprint owns just less than a majority of our common shares, is our largest shareholder, and has the contractual ability to obtain enough shares to hold the majority voting interest in the company, and Sprint may have, or may develop in the future, interests that may diverge from other stockholders.
- Future sales of large blocks of our common stock may adversely impact our stock price.
For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please refer to Clearwire's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 16, 2012 and subsequent Form 10-Q filings. Clearwire assumes no obligation to update or supplement such forward-looking statements.
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