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A popular Wendy's commercial in the 80s made famous the question: "Where's the beef?" Good one. And here's an even better one: "Where's the alpha?" You might want to whip this one out the next time you meet with your portfolio manager.
Alpha is the over-and-above-the-expected return. It is the "value added." Therefore, it makes sense that a positive alpha means an investment has outperformed its market-predicted return, while a negative alpha would mean just the opposite. The expected return is calculated by a formula that takes into account the investment's level of unavoidable risk (aka beta).
Ever stepped into an elevator and after the doors close you become aware of an almost-suffocating scent coming from the woman next to you who must have bathed in perfume? Well, as you know, once the doors close you can't escape the smell until the ride is over. This is similar to beta, which is risk that can't be reduced or diversified away. A measure of "systematic" or market related risk, beta is used as a measure relative to a certain index -- such as the S&P 500.
So, for example, let¿s say your portfolio is managed to compete against the S&P 500. If you generate a better return than the index while not taking on added risk (standard deviation of returns) then you get alpha. Low beta means the market-related risk is low and vice versa for high beta.
Another example, let's say a mutual fund or stock has a beta of 1.5 relative to the S&
P500 ¿ that means it is 1.5 times as risky. So, over time, if the S&P 500 goes up 1%, your portfolio should be up 1.5%
plus (one can hope) some percentage of alpha. If the S&P 500 is down 1%, your portfolio should be down 1.5%.
Alpha
and beta are based off of linear regression of a set of data. Warning: this may cause a high school fifth-period flashback,
but it will be over before you know it:
The equation for a line is Y = a + bX.
a = alpha (the Y intercept - the added
value)
b = Beta (the coefficient you multiply X by)
X = S&P 500 (in this case)
Y = your portfolio
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Monday, May 12, 2008
Flexsys Files Patent-Infringement Complaint With U.S. International Trade Commission Against Sinorgchem, KKPC and Kumho Tire
Comtex
ST. LOUIS, May 12, 2008 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) ----Flexsys America L.P., a subsidiary of Solutia Inc. (NYSE:SOA), today announced it has filed a new complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against Sinorgchem Co., Shandong; Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (KKPC); Kumho Tire Co., Inc.; and Kumho Tire USA, Inc. This complaint asserts that the importation of Sinorgchem's 4-ADPA or any antidegradants made from its 4-ADPA into the United States violates section 337 of the U.S. Tariff Act, due to Sinorgchem's infringement upon Flexsys' patents for the production of 4-ADPA and its intermediates.
"Flexsys invests significantly in the discovery, development and commercialization of manufacturing processes for rubber chemicals," said Jim Voss, president of Flexsys and senior vice president of Solutia Inc. "When our competitors attempt to illegally misappropriate our patented technology, we will continue to take aggressive action including the enforcement of our legal rights on a global scale."
In this new case, Flexsys seeks an exclusion order barring the importation of Sinorgchem's 4-ADPA as well as 6PPD made from Sinorgchem's 4-ADPA into the United States, including that manufactured by KKPC. A separate exclusion order continues to be in effect for Sinorgchem material as a result of an additional case that Flexsys already is pursuing before the ITC against Sinorgchem.
Flexsys also has a civil patent infringement case against Kumho Tire, KKPC and Sinorgchem. This case is currently pending in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
The technology at issue in this case relates to environmentally friendly methods for preparing compounds used in the manufacture of rubber products such as tires, belts and hoses. These compounds prevent premature degradation of rubber due to exposure to sun, heat, ozone and other factors. One such antidegradant is 6PPD, which is manufactured and sold by Flexsys under the brand name Santoflex(r) 6PPD. The material known as 4-ADPA is an intermediate compound used in the production of 6PPD.
Flexsys products play an important role in the manufacture of tires and other rubber products, such as belts, hoses, seals and footwear. Flexsys is a global business with offices, manufacturing facilities and technology centers around the world. Flexsys has annual sales of more than $650 million, about two-thirds of which take place outside the United States.
Note to editor: Flexsys, Crystex and Santoflex are registered trademarks of Solutia Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates," or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. These statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about the industries in which Solutia operates. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or achievements to be materially different from the future results or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those risk and uncertainties described in Solutia's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under "Cautionary Statement About Forward Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors", and Solutia's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These reports can be accessed through the "Investors" section of Solutia's website at www.solutia.com. Solutia disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in response to new information, unforeseen events, changed circumstances or any other occurrence.
About Solutia Inc.
Solutia is a market-leading performance materials and specialty chemicals company. The company focuses on providing solutions for a better life through a range of products, including: Saflex(r) interlayer for laminated glass; CPFilms(r) aftermarket window films sold under the LLumar(r) brand and others; high-performance nylon polymers and fibers sold under brands such as Vydyne(r) and Wear-Dated(r); and technical specialties including the Flexsys(r) family of chemicals for the rubber industry, Skydrol(r) aviation hydraulic fluid and Therminol(r) heat transfer fluid. Solutia's businesses are world leaders in each of their market segments. With its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the company operates globally with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 60 locations. More information is available at www.Solutia.com.
The Solutia Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2620
This news release was distributed by PrimeNewswire, www.primenewswire.com
SOURCE: Solutia Inc.
Solutia Inc. Media: Dan Jenkins (314) 674-8552 Investors: Susannah Livingston (314) 674-8914 Customers: Tim Wessel (314) 674-1174
(C) Copyright 2008 PrimeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.
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