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In the U.S., there are more than 40 million borrowers with over $1.3 trillion in student loan debt. According to The Institute for College Access and Success, nearly seven in 10 seniors who graduated from public and non-profit colleges in 2015 had student loan debt.
The good news is that when it comes to getting student loan debt under control, the ball is in your court.
Here are five action steps to lower your debt burden for 2017:
1. Make an extra student loan payment
Like credit cards and mortgages, your student loan monthly statement refers to a minimum payment comprised of the principal and interest amount due. Your lender wants you to pay only the minimum payment because the longer it takes for your student loan to be paid off, the more interest that accrues on your student loan, and the more revenue the lender generates.
recommended stocks to buy: Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(PANW)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Steve Symington]
When revenue inPalo Alto Networks Inc.’s (NYSE:PANW) latest quarter fell short of Wall Street’s expectations a few weeks ago, shares of the next-gen security specialist plummeted more than 20% in a single day. To blame, according to Palo Alto, were execution challenges that the company insists it’s “moving quickly to address.”
- [By Paul Ausick]
Palo Alto Networks Inc. (NYSE: PANW) reported fiscal second quarter 2017 adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.63 on revenue of $422.6 million. In the same period a year ago, the network security company reported EPS of $0.43 on revenue of $334.7 million. Second-quarter results compare to consensus estimates for EPS of $0.62 and $429.72 million in revenue.
- [By Chris Lange]
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NYSE: PANW) released its fiscal first-quarter earnings report after the markets closed on Monday. Although the financial results were close to estimates, in fact beating on the bottom line, Palo Alto still suffered this quarter. Compared to Mondays closing price the stock trades near 57-times expected fiscal 2017 earnings, which could offer some explanation as to why investors seem so shaken on mixed earnings.
recommended stocks to buy: JP Energy Partners LP(JPEP)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By WWW.GURUFOCUS.COM]
For the details of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC’s stock buys and sells, go to www.gurufocus.com/StockBuy.php?GuruName=ArcLight+Capital+Partners%2C+LLC
These are the top 5 holdings of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLCEnable Midstream Partners LP (ENBL) – 43,585,926 shares, 67.58% of the total portfolio. American Midstream Partners LP (AMID) – 13,977,709 shares, 19.28% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 230.89%TransMontaigne Partners LP (TLP) – 3,166,704 shares, 13.14% of the total portfolio. JP Energy Partners LP (JPEP) – 0 shares, 0% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 10000%Added: Am
recommended stocks to buy: Mitel Networks Corporation(MITL)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Lisa Levin]
ShoreTel Inc (NASDAQ: SHOR) shares shot up 28 percent to $7.47. Mitel Networks Corp (NASDAQ: MITL) announced plans to acquire Shortel for $7.50 per share in cash.
recommended stocks to buy: Ishares Trust Dj Us Financial (IYF)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Wayne Duggan]
Investors looking to set up a pair trade to capitalize on the divergent paths of U.S. and European banks should consider going long the iShares Dow Jones US Financial (ETF) (NYSE: IYF) and short the Ishares MSCI Europe Fincls Sctr Indx Fd (NASDAQ: EUFN).
recommended stocks to buy: Zion Oil & Gas Inc(ZN)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Lisa Levin]
Shares of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZN) got a boost, shooting up 20 percent to $5.07.
Spark Energy Inc (NASDAQ: SPKE) shares were also up, gaining 12 percent to $19.40. Guggenheim upgraded Spark Energy from Neutral to Buy.
- [By Lisa Levin]
In trading on Wednesday, energy shares fell by 0.76 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included Whiting Petroleum Corp (NYSE: WLL), down 6 percent, and Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZN) down 7 percent.
- [By Lisa Levin]
Shares of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZN) got a boost, shooting up 47 percent to $6.21.
Spark Energy Inc (NASDAQ: SPKE) shares were also up, gaining 10 percent to $19.10. Guggenheim upgraded Spark Energy from Neutral to Buy.
recommended stocks to buy: Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.(HAWK)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Peter Graham]
A long term performance chart shows shares of Green Dot Corporation recovering back towards positive territory while potential payments peer mid capEuronet Worldwide, Inc (NASDAQ: EEFT) has continued to be an outperformer and small capBlackhawk Network Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: HAWK)has been moving sideways:
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap prepaid payment network and card stock Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: HAWK) reported Q2 2017 earnings after the market closed Wednesday with results beating Wall Street expectations. Operating revenues increased 18% to $463.1 million due to an 8% increase in commissions and fees driven primarily by international growth, including the addition of Grass Roots which was acquired during the fourth quarter of 2016, and higher U.S. retail TDV; a 60% increase in program and other fees primarily due to international growth including the acquisition of Grass Roots, higher U.S. retail TDV and growth in the incentives segment; a 20% increase in marketing revenues primarily due to international growth; and a 19% increase in product sales due to higher incentives and rewards sales, partially offset by declines at Cardpool. The net losswas $6.4 million versus a net loss of $11.3 million driven primarily by growth in the incentives and international segments and lower non-cash acquisition-related expenses, partially offset by increased interest expense. The CEO commented:
- [By Peter Graham]
A long term performance chart shows shares of Green Dot Corporation back in positive territory after having drifted lower while potential payments peer mid capEuronet Worldwide, Inc (NASDAQ: EEFT) has continued to be an outperformer and small capBlackhawk Network Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: HAWK)is drifting higher:
- [By Peter Graham]
The Q4 2016earnings report for small cap prepaid payment network and card stock Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: HAWK) is scheduled forafter the marketcloses on Wednesday (February 15th). In the past, Blackhawk Network Holdingshas citedtheregulatory-mandated introduction of EMV chips for card issuers and store processors as a hazard for its current business model.
