Press Releases

NEW YORK, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- What do archaeology, linguistics, the Catholic Church, and the legend of the long-lost city of Atlantis have in common? Charles Brokaw's exhilarating and provocative thriller, THE ATLANTIS CODE (Forge Books; $25.99; On-sale: November 10, 2009), combines these elements into a must-read thriller that has already been a bestseller in the United Kingdom, and is now available from Forge Books in the U.S.

Ever since Dan Brown blew away the literary world with The Da Vinci Code and now The Lost Symbol, millions of readers have been enthralled with the mysteries that abound in religion, history, and archaeology. People now expect -- and demand -- smart thrillers that are steeped with historical accuracy and cutting-edge speculation. Brokaw's THE ATLANTIS CODE will not disappoint, and in fact, will have readers racing to type the words "Catholic Church" and "Atlantis" into their search engines.

Brokaw, a scholar and academic, spent years conducting exhaustive research before writing THE ATLANTIS CODE, and incorporates some of the most revolutionary theories on the existence of Atlantis and its demise. Brokaw, a scholar and an academic who is an expert on aviation and advanced weaponry, also plumbs the depths of early linguistics and peppers his fast-paced adventure with real-life archaeological excavations, ancient peoples and cultures, Paleolithic finds, and treasured relics.

Rich with historical background and an intriguing cast of characters, THE ATLANTIS CODE by Charles Brokaw is an intricate and clever thriller that revolves around some of our world's deepest mysteries.

    THE ATLANTIS CODE
    By Charles Brokaw
    A Forge Hardcover
    ISBN: 978-0-7653-1531-1
    $25.99 / 432 pages
    On Sale: November 10, 2009

www.tor-forge.com/theatlantiscode

SOURCE Tor+Forge Books

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cogent Communications Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCOI), one of the largest Internet service providers in the world, today announced that Dave Schaeffer, Cogent's chief executive officer, will present at the following conferences:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020204/DCM032LOGO )

Thomas Weisel Partners Emerging Communications Conference is being held at the Barclay International Hotel in New York City. Dave Schaeffer will be presenting on Wednesday, November 18(th) at 9:00 AM ET.

Citi's 6(th) Annual Small/Mid Cap Conference is being held at the Citi Conference Center in New York City. Dave Schaeffer will present at 2:15 PM ET on Thursday, November 19(th).

Investors and other interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the presentations by going to the Investor Relations section of Cogent's website (http://www.cogentco.com/us/ir_events.php) to access the link to the live audio webcasts. A replay of the webcasts will be available on Cogent's IR website for 30 days following the presentations.

About Cogent Communications

Cogent Communications (Nasdaq: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP, consistently ranked as one of the top five networks in the world. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high speed Internet access and point-to-point transport services. Cogent's facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides IP services in over 140 markets located in North America and Europe.

Since its inception, Cogent has unleashed the benefits of IP technology, building one of the largest and highest capacity IP networks in existence. This network enables Cogent to offer large bandwidth connections at highly competitive prices. Cogent also offers superior customer support by virtue of its end-to-end control of service delivery and network monitoring.

Cogent Communications is headquartered at 1015 31st Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007. For more information, visit www.cogentco.com. Cogent Communications can be reached in the United States at (202) 295-4200 or via email at info@cogentco.com.

Information in this release may involve expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to Cogent Communications Group, Inc. as of the date of the release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. The statements in this release are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences. Some of the factors and risks associated with our business are discussed in Cogent's registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its other reports filed from time to time with the SEC.

SOURCE Cogent Communications Group, Inc.

BROOKINGS, S.D., Nov. 11, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Daktronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DAKT), announced today it will release its second quarter fiscal 2010 financial results on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 before the market opens. The Company will host a conference call and webcast for all interested parties at 10:00 AM CT that day.

James B. Morgan, DAKT's chief executive officer and William R. Retterath, DAKT's chief financial officer, will host the conference call, which will contain forward-looking statements and other material information.

The conference call may be accessed by a dial-in number or via the Internet as follows:

    Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 10:00 AM CT
    Dial-in number: 913-312-0705
    Webcast: http://www.daktronics.com

About Daktronics

Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is one of the world's largest suppliers of electronic scoreboards, computer-programmable displays, large screen video displays and control systems. The Company excels in the control of large display systems, including those that require integration of complex multiple displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world, in sport, business and transportation applications. For more information, visit the Company's world wide web site at: http://www.daktronics.com, e-mail the Company at investor@daktronics.com, call (605)692-0200 or toll-free (800)843-5843 in the U.S., or write to the Company at 201 Daktronics Drive, PO Box 5128 Brookings, S.D. 57006-5128.

The Daktronics logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5476

Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements reflecting the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events, which could materially affect company performance in the future. The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties including changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and magnitude of future contracts, and other risks noted in the company's SEC filings which may cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

CONTACT: Daktronics, Inc.
         Bill Retterath, Chief Financial Officer
         (605) 692-0200

CHICAGO, IL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 11/11/09 -- As part of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES), a blueprint for modernization of our U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ziegler (PINKSHEETS: ZGCO) brought to market a fixed transaction of $115,000,000, a first of its kind that will allow for the consolidation of two Cleveland area VA campuses. The taxable bonds were issued to fund a 126,000 square foot office building and a 2,080 space parking facility for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center (the Cleveland VA Medical Center).

During an extremely volatile market, Ziegler completed a sizeable real estate backed transaction. Ziegler worked closely with all constituents of the transaction to mitigate bondholder and bond insurer concerns on the lease structure while maintaining the flexibility the VA desired. Ziegler was able to fully fund the project at an acceptable cost of capital level for both the VA and its bondholders.

"Our team worked extremely hard to bring forth the strong merits of the financing that will enable the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center to continue its mission in providing efficient, high quality healthcare to veterans in Northeast Ohio," John Hanley, a managing director at Ziegler and lead banker commented on the recent financing. He went on to state that, "Our strength as a firm was finding creative solutions in a difficult market to meet the needs of both investors and the VA."

The Cleveland VA Medical Center opened in 1961 and today is the 5th largest VA hospital. It ranks 1st nationally in efficiency for large VA tertiary teaching hospitals. The Cleveland VA provides care to eligible veterans residing in 24 counties located in the northeastern portion of the state of Ohio. It currently operates a 256-bed general acute and tertiary care hospital, 84 psychiatric beds, 190-bed nursing home, domiciliary and residential services (122-bed domiciliary and an 83-bed substance abuse domiciliary). In addition, the Cleveland VA Medical Center operates 12 community-based outpatient clinics.

The new 6-story office building will be the first Tier III security building in Cleveland and will also house a Tier III data center, the first in the Midwest and one of only three in the country for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

About Ziegler:

The Ziegler Companies, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ZGCO) is a growth-oriented boutique investment banking and investment services firm with a primary focus in the healthcare, senior living and church and school sectors. Operations encompass capital markets (capital advisory services, bond underwriting, mortgage banking, institutional sales and trading) and wealth management, including asset management and alternative investments.

Nationally, Ziegler's Capital Markets is ranked as one of the leading investment banking firms for non-profit healthcare and senior living providers, as well as religious institutions and schools.

Ziegler Wealth Management (retail brokerage) encompasses investment and consulting services for individuals, families, business owners and institutions nationwide.

Ziegler's alternative investing activities include raising and deploying capital through private investment funds with investment objectives related to the real estate, services and technology sectors of the healthcare and senior living industries.

Ziegler Capital Management, LLC provides separate account management for individuals, corporations, foundations and endowments. Total assets under management are approximately $2.2 billion.

Leslie Lynch
312 596 1630
Email Contact

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fitch Ratings has downgraded seven classes and removed nine classes issued by Abacus 2006-17 from Rating Watch Negative as a result of significant negative credit migration within the reference portfolio and within the eligible investment account. A complete list of rating actions follows at the end of this press release.

As of the Aug. 21, 2009 trustee report, 37.9% of the eligible investments are rated 'CC'. According to the transaction documents, a collateral default constitutes an Optional Early Termination/Event of Default resulting in a Mandatory Redemption. Given the credit ratings of the eligible investments, a collateral default is probable.

If a Mandatory Redemption occurs, Goldman Sachs International (GSI), as the put counterparty, would no longer be required to purchase the eligible investments at 100% of par, resulting in the eligible investments being subject to collateral market value risk. Upon any required liquidation of the below investment grade collateral in the eligible account, Fitch expects low recoveries.

Additionally under a Mandatory Redemption, the issuer may owe various termination payments to counterparties under swap and other agreements associated with the transaction. As a result, Fitch anticipates significant losses in the event of a Mandatory Redemption.

Classes marked paid in full (PIF) have been fully redeemed under the Optional Redemption provision. The provision allows the issuer to redeem the notes using principal proceeds from the eligible investment account. The notes may be redeemed without regard to sequential order. Principal proceeds may also be used to reinvest under the eligible investment criteria. Use of the proceeds are under the sole discretion of the issuer (Goldman Sachs).

Since Fitch's last rating action in January 2009, approximately 53.3% of the reference portfolio has been downgraded, and 57.5% was placed on Rating Watch Negative. Approximately 97.5% of the portfolio has a Fitch-derived rating below investment grade and 25% has a rating in the 'CCC' rating category or lower, compared to 24.2% and 0%, respectively, at last review. The reference portfolio is composed of 50 commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) and five structured finance collateralized debt obligations (SF CDOs), of which 90.8% are CMBS assets from the 2005 and 2006 vintages, 8.3% are SF CDOs from the 2005 and 2006 vintages, and the balance are CMBS assets from the 2004 vintage (0.8%).

This transaction was analyzed under the framework described in the report 'Global Rating Criteria for Structured Finance CDOs' using the Portfolio Credit Model (PCM) for projecting future default levels for the underlying portfolio. The rating assigned to the class A-1 notes, however, is dependent on the rating of the lowest rated eligible investment ('CC'), reflecting the risk of an Event of Default and subsequent liquidation of the collateral.

Due to the significant collateral deterioration, all PCM rating loss rates exceed the credit enhancement available to the class A-2 notes and below. For these classes, Fitch compared the respective credit enhancement levels to the amount of underlying assets considered distressed (rated 'CCC' and lower). Given the high probability of default of these assets, the expected low recoveries upon default, and the rating cap implied by the lowest rated asset in the eligible investment account, these classes have been assigned a 'CC' rating.

Abacus 2006-17 is a static synthetic CDO transaction issued in December 2006 that references a US$600 million CMBS portfolio. The transaction is designed to provide credit protection for realized losses on the reference portfolio through a credit default swap (CDS) between the issuer and the swap counterparty, Goldman Sachs Capital Markets, L.P. (GSCM), which is rated 'A+/F1+' with a Stable Outlook by Fitch.

Proceeds from the securities are invested in a pool of eligible investments, which are protected through the collateral put agreement between the issuer and the put counterparty, GSI. The payment obligations of the put counterparty are guaranteed by GSI, the swap counterparty guarantor, under all conditions except for a Mandatory Redemption. A Mandatory Redemption can occur in an Event of Default or termination event.

Fitch has downgraded the following classes as indicated and are removed from Rating Watch Negative:

--$66,000,000 Class A-1 to 'CC' from 'BBB-' ;

--$72,000,000 Class A-2 to 'CC' from 'BB';

--$20,000,000 Class B to 'CC' from 'BB-' ;

--$16,500,000 Class C to 'CC' from 'BB-';

--$13,500,000 Class E to 'CC' from 'B';

--$6,000,000 Class L to 'CC' from 'CCC';

--$3,900,000 Class M to 'CC' from 'CCC'.

In addition classes D, F, G, H (also removed from Rating Watch Negative), J, K, N, O , P, Q have been paid in full.

These rating actions reflect the application of Fitch's current criteria which are available at 'www.fitchratings.com' and specifically include the following reports:

--'Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria' (Sept. 30, 2009);

--'Global Rating Criteria for Synthetic CDOs' (March 9, 2009);

--'Global Rating Criteria for Structured Finance CDOs' (Dec. 16, 2008).

Additional information is available at www.fitchratings.com.

ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE.

    Source: Fitch Ratings