Word of the Day

Commodity

Even if you don't think you do, you already know plenty about commodities. Want us to prove it? No problem.

What makes oil produced in Saudi Arabia different from oil exported from Nigeria? It's the same thing that makes the corn you ate at last summer¿s barbecue different from the corn used to produce ethanol. Stumped? Well, don't feel bad, it's a trick question. The answer? Absolutely nothing. Corn is corn no matter where it comes from -- just as wheat is wheat and natural gas is -- right! -- natural gas. (Though the quality may differ, the make-up is uniform.)

So, in less elaborate terms, corn and oil (and all other commodities) are homogenous goods that can be processed, resold and more often than not, used as an input to the production of other goods or services. These goods are traded on a commodity exchange, thus setting the price-per-barrel (or other metric unit) used to value them.

Now pay attention, here's a question that indeed does have an answer: What is the difference between a commodity and a stock? While a stock can tank and become worthless, a commodity cannot have its value be wiped to zero. One other difference: Most commodities are traded in futures, meaning traders buy and sell where they think the price of a product will be at a certain point in the future. Stocks trade based on the value of the underlying company at that point in time.

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Monday, June 30, 2008

BAE Systems Ranks among 100 Best Places to Work in Information Technology

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MCLEAN, Va., Jun 30, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) ----BAE Systems has been selected by International Data Group's Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management," as one of the top places to work for information technology (IT) professionals. This honor is part of the publication's 15th annual Best Places to Work in IT survey, which ranks the top 100 companies based on excellence and quality of work environment.

"BAE Systems has a long history of commitment to its employees as well as to its customers," says Rick Shieffelin, president of BAE Systems Information Technology. "This is equalled by the importance we place on creating a culture and ethical working environment that attracts, engages and retains a diverse mix of the best and brightest people."

The Best Places to Work list is an annual ranking of the top 100 work environments for technology professionals. The lists are compiled based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention. Computerworld conducts extensive surveys of IT workers, and their responses factor heavily in determining the rankings.

"Being among the Best Places to Work in IT means crafting a blend of employee advantages that includes the potential for flexible hours, competitive pay, excellent benefits, a supportive leadership environment, opportunities for ongoing training and advancement, and ultimately, the feeling that you'd like to stay with the company a long, long time," said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld.

The Best Places to Work feature appeared in the June 30 issue of Computerworld and online at Computerworld.com/2008bestplaces.

BAE Systems Information Technology is a full-service solutions provider of information systems and services that offers network and managed IT operations to provide secure, reliable solutions in support of mission-critical customer needs. BAE Systems Information Technology supports advanced computing operations across the federal government and is directly involved with many of the government's most sophisticated agencies in delivering new technologies.

About Computerworld

Computerworld is the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide. Computerworld's award-winning Web site (www.computerworld.com), weekly publication, focused conference series and custom research form the hub of the world's largest (40+ edition) global IT media network. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards, including Folio Magazine's 2006 Gold EDDIE Award for the best technology/computing magazine, the 2004 and 2006 Magazine of the Year Award, and 2006 Best Overall Web Publication from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE).

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded GBP 15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.

SOURCE: BAE Systems

BAE Systems Elizabeth Reinhardt, +1 703 563-7770 Mobile: +1 571 296 5087 elizabethreinhardt@baesystems.com
   or BAE Systems Shannon Smith, +1 703 907 8257 Mobile: +1 703 967 3854 shannon.n.smith@baesystems.com www.baesystems.com