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Monday, March 5, 2012

Section 179 for 2012

Section 179 limits for the year 2012 were increased by the 'Jobs Act of 2010' which allows businesses to write-off up to $139,000 of qualified capital expenditures subject to a dollar-for-dollar phase-out once these expenditures exceed $560,000 in the 2012 tax year.
Bonus Depreciation was also increased to 50% by the 'Tax Relief Act of 2010' which allows larger businesses that exceed the $560,000 cap to write-off 50% of qualified assets using first year Bonus Depreciation. Also, small businesses that are not profitable in 2012 can use 50% Bonus Depreciation (on new equipment only) and carry-forward the loss to future profitable years.
This should mean a substantial boost to your bottom line this year. But, to get the deduction for tax year 2012, you have to act this year, as once the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2012; Section 179 can't increase your 2012 profits anymore.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Equipment Leasing is Gaining Popularity

U.S. companies are investing more in equipment than they were a year ago. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association said its monthly index of business volume rose 21% to $5.1 billion last month compared with January 2011. The rise reflects moves by companies to replace computers, vehicles, construction equipment and other assets as the economy improves. It also reflects thawing credit markets, the association said.   
Source: WSJ.com, ELFAonline.org

Friday, February 17, 2012

Mazuma Capital Funds $12.5m Transaction For Thermal Coal Producer

DRAPER, UTAH, February 17, 2012 – Mazuma Capital, a leading national direct lender, today announced that it has funded over $12.5 million dollars for a U.S. high quality thermal coal producer.
The coal producer sought several funding sources that had expertise in funding newer companies. They had many challenges present in the transaction from the type of equipment, to the documentation aspect.  There were also several factors that affected the credit due to recent mergers.  Due to these challenges the financing was denied through several well-known banks and vendors. Mazuma Capital was ultimately the right financing source to help structure and fund the transaction.
A favorable structure was an important objective in order to provide cash flow, the appropriate tax, and accounting factors to meet the financial goals of the company. The structure also needed to provide the ability to expense the payments over time.  Mazuma Capital was able to secure an approval in a timely fashion while meeting the needs of the company; from the terms to the unique structure.
“This is a newer company that is still in the midst of a huge growth phase.  Therefore, this transaction produced several challenges in finding a suitable financing structure to meet the goals of the company.  The lack of history, recent buyouts, and mergers made this a more difficult credit.  Our team worked hard to develop a perfect balance with the right structure, and suitable terms for the company,” said Jared Belnap, President and CEO of Mazuma Capital.

About Mazuma: Mazuma Capital is committed to our client’s success. Our unique capabilities and innovative product offerings provide solutions accelerating financial growth. Servicing both rising companies and established businesses, Mazuma continues to secure its position as the middle-market industry leader. We build long-term relationships by delivering on our commitments. Mazuma co-authored the Utah Best Practices Alliance. Mazuma Capital subscribes to the ELFA Code of Fair Business Practices and NAELB code of ethics.

Media Contact:
Julie Fuchs
801-816-0800 Ext. X291
jfuchs@mazumacapital.com


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

U.S. Companies Keeping Business At Home

U.S. companies, facing slowing markets and rising costs around the world, are taking a new look at their home market.
With growth slowing in China and a slump gripping much of Europe, companies are adding capacity in the U.S., replacing aging equipment and even moving overseas production back from low-cost labor markets, a sign that corporate America could be poised to take a bigger role in the economic recovery.
Union Pacific expects to buy twice as many locomotives this year, spending upward of $400 million.
The pace of earnings growth at companies slowed in the fourth quarter, and there are signs that profitability is falling. That is prompting companies ranging from beverage maker Coca-Cola Co. to industrial supplier Emerson Electric Co. to disclose cost cuts. But after keeping a tight lid on costs for the past few years, many other companies are expanding capacity to meet rising demand.
United Rentals Inc., the world's largest equipment rental company, plans to increase its capital spending by about a third, to $1 billion, this year as more construction and industrial companies opt to rent rather than own equipment like elevated forklifts and backhoe loaders. Cummins Inc., which makes engines for trucks and heavy equipment, is boosting its capital spending to more than double the rate of two years ago.
"It is an environment that feels like it is building momentum," William Plummer, United Rentals' chief financial officer, said in an interview. "We are coming out of the depths of the recession and are starting to build momentum on the upside."
U.S. businesses increased their investments in December. According to the Commerce Department, new orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft, a proxy for how much companies spend on equipment, climbed 2.9% from November. That ended two months of declines, suggesting businesses are becoming more confident. Compared with a year earlier, companies shipped 9% more.
There are signs that hiring may be picking up as companies expand facilities. Job growth in January was its highest level since April, with unemployment falling for the fifth consecutive month.
Source:  WSJ.com

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Construction Industry Optimistic: Activity Expected to Improve in 2012

Highlights of the 2012 Construction Industry Forecast:

  • The worst is behind us... The OQ of 114 is a strong indicator that the industry expects 2012 non-residential construction activity to improve from last year. The 2012 OQ exceeds the score of 109 recorded in 2005, near the height of the construction boom. After falling to an all-time low score of 42 in 2009, the OQ climbed to 66 in 2010 and 96 in 2011.
  • …but overall numbers of contractors remains a concern. In spite of rising optimism over the last three years and strong optimism for 2012, industry executives remain cautious about the amount of available work to sustain the current number of non-residential construction contractors. About four in ten respondents (41.7%) said they expect fewer contractors in their markets by the end of the year. Only 10.4% expect the number of contractors in their area to increase in 2012.
  • Equipment distributors are very optimistic. When asked about their forecast for new equipment sales, 73.3% said they expect to sell more in 2012 than in 2011, and zero respondents said they expect a decrease in new equipment sales. Optimism among construction equipment distributors was high with nearly six in ten distributors (58.1%) expecting an increase in local non-residential construction activity. Only 1.5% said they expect that activity to decrease in 2012.
  • Contractors are optimistic, but not as much. While 18.3% of contractors said they expect to acquire more new equipment in 2012 than they acquired in 2011, 52.% said they would acquire the same amount and 29.2% said they expect to buy less new equipment in the coming year. 40.3% of contractors said they expect non-residential construction activity to increase in the coming year; 47.3% expect the same level; and 12.4% said they expect non-residential activity levels to decrease.