S. Hughes
S. Hughes
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We have engaged an investment banking firm to help us assess strategic options for Turner South and a significant programming contributor to that network, the Atlanta Braves franchise, which may lead to the sale of one or both.
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Two thousand five was a great year. Our investment in Hub's sales culture and the commitment of our people enabled us to post organic growth in the face of declining insurance rates. Our acquisition team continued to excel in identifying and closing attractive opportunities. In addition, we achieved our goal of increasing operating margins, recording a one-percentage-point improvement for the quarter and the year.
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To maintain the integrity of the process and the confidentiality of interested parties, we are not commenting on individual discussions we have had concerning the Atlanta Braves. We will say that our initial assumption, that the franchise has significant marketplace value and that there is widespread interest in it as a possible acquisition, has been confirmed. We continue to have meaningful discussions with outside parties about a possible sale of the Braves.
ability anticipate areas both capital complete contingent culture decline declining due encouraged experience flowing further future hurricane improvement integrate internal loss market near ongoing partly rates sales year
We don't see rates declining much further or a significant firming in the near future, partly because ample capital is flowing into the market after the 2005 hurricane season. At the same time, we are encouraged by the ongoing development of our internal sales culture and by our ability to complete and integrate acquisitions. We anticipate further improvement in both areas in 2006. We also anticipate that contingent commissions could decline this year due to loss experience for insurers in 2005.
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In general, people are returning to the site to find information on their peers, to make connections with friends and acquaintances, and to communicate with one another. To our mind, the fact that it's so many things at once-a reference tool, a means for communication, and a clean, fun site to use-is the central reason that people come back daily.
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In May 1998, Bill made soup for people in a house in Belfast,
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It's something that our U.S. government has said a number of times in the past. It's information that was used very widely after his attack on the Kurds. I believe it was close to 300,000, ... That's something I said every day in the course of the campaign. That's information that we talked about a great deal in America.
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It's similar to a situation last year (against Mill River). They hit us and we didn't react well.
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Everyone's delighted for him. He's worked hard this season.
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The BLM feels very strongly that it's important to have a viable livestock industry operating in the rural western United States, ... that public land to subsidize operations to stay in business.
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The (auto) sector continues to face ongoing competitive challenges, as manufacturers shed a further 1,200 payrolls during December, bringing the 2005 job losses to 100,400.
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They just outplayed us. They beat us. That's about all I can say.
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It was great to go out and do a good clean program at the Olympics. I was ready and I have no expectations.
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It was great to see Tom break out at the plate last week, and even better that he was recognized by the league for it. He has been steady defensively all season, no matter where we've asked him to play. We look forward to his offensive contributions to continue for the last half of the season.