Wackenhut Corp. profitiert vom Sicherheitsboom - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[Dialektiker]

Hallo zusammen,

die Aktien der Sicherheitsbranche explodierten heute teilweise bis zu 200% und werden auch weiterhin gefragt bleiben. Mein Favorit hat heute mit ca. 25% Kurszuwachs noch vergleichsweise wenig zugelegt. Es handelt sich dabei um das weltgrößte Personenschutzunternehmen, das u.a. auch weltweit Sicherheitsdienstleistungen für Flughäfen und Flugzeuglinien bereit stellt:

Wackenhut Corp.
WKN: 858848
http://www.wackenhut.com
Handelsplatz: Berlin und NYSE
Market Capitalization $251.0M
Shares Outstanding 15.0M
Float 6.40M

Infos zum Geschäft:
Crime! Terrorism! Low unemployment! Wackenhut battles the perils of modern life by providing security services, private prison management, and employee staffing. The company`s security services (47% of sales) include armed guards, background investigations, consulting, and security for airports, nuclear power plants, and US embassies. Subsidiary Wackenhut Corrections runs more than 50 correctional and detention facilities under contracts with government agencies in the US and other countries. Wackenhut Resources provides staffing services to more than 1,100 client companies in the US. Wackenhut, about 50%-owned by founder George Wackenhut, has operations in 48 US states and 50 countries.

Aktuelle Finanzdaten:
WAK is an international provider of security related and other support services and a developer and manager of privatized correctional and detention facilities. For the 26 weeks ended 7/1/01, revenues rose 11% to $1.35 billion. Net loss before acct. change totaled $500 thousand vs. an income of $8.8 million. Results reflect increased contracts and growth in Flexible Staffing Services, offset by a $14.7 million equity loss of affiliated operations in Chile.

Ich schätze, daß wir bei den Aktien der Sicherheitsbranche in den nächsten Tagen weitere Steigerungen von bis zu 100% sehen könnten, erst recht, wenn sich der Gesamtmarkt weiterhin positiv entwickeln sollte. Die Aktien, die die Technologie (Gepäckdurchleuchtung an Flughäfen, Biometrieprodukte wie Gesichtserkennung, Fingerabdruckprüfung etc.) herstellen sind die unmittelbaren Profiteure der wachsenden Sicherheitsbudgets der USA und weltweit. Doch das eigentlich Benötigte ist nicht so sehr die Technologie, sondern das qualifizierte Personal, das mit dieser Technologie kompetent umgehen kann. Auch in Flugzeugen werden in der Zukunft immer mehr Sicherheitsexperten und Body Guards eingesetzt werden müssen, die im Krisenfall direkt gegen die Terroristen vorgehen können. Hier stellt Wackenhut Corp. genau das qualifizierte Sicherheitspersonal zur Verfügung.

Deshalb denke ich, daß die Aktien der Unternehmen, die Sicherheitspersonal zur Verfügung stellen, in den nächsten Tagen besonders stark steigen werden.


Schöne Grüße
Dialektiker

[Dialektiker]

Hier aktuelle News zur gestrigen Kursentwicklung von Sicherheitsaktien (übernommen aus dem Thread von TheTopNews):

Security Stocks Are Top Performers of the Day
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2001 5:30 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Security device companies were the top U.S. stock performers on Monday, some making triple digit gains in an otherwise glum market that saw trading for the first time since hijacked commercial jets on Tuesday destroyed the World Trade Center and heavily damaged the Pentagon.

Leading the Nasdaq market by percent gain, InVision Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ NM:INVN), which makes sophisticated explosives scanners being rolled out in major airports, rose 165.3 percent, or $5.14, to $8.25. However, it ended off its opening of $10.885, a trend for many of the security firm stocks.

Face recognition technology companies filled two of the Nasdaq`s top 5 spots. Viisage Technology Inc. (NASDAQ NM:VISG), No. 2, rose 142.3 percent, or $2.76, to $4.70, and No. 5 Visionics Corp. (NASDAQ NM:VSNX) rose 93.2 percent, or $3.98, to $8.25. But both also ended lower than they opened.

The Nasdaq Composite index lost nearly 7 percent, falling 115.82 to 1,579.55.

Airport security firm ICTS International N.V. (NASDAQ NM:ICTS) rose 113.3 percent, or $5.04, to $9.49 and fingerprint scanning company Identix Inc. (AMEX:IDX) climbed $3.05, or 72.6 percent, to $7.25 on the American Stock Exchange.

Security services company Wackenhut Corp. (NYSE:WAK), whose contracts include some Department of Energy nuclear installations, rose $4.45, or 26.7 percent, to $21.15 on the New York Stock Exchange, where the percent gain leader was bullet-resistant vest maker and security services firm Armor Holdings Inc. (NYSE:AH), up 39.3 percent, or $5.62, to $19.92.

L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LLL), which supplies secure communications and specialized products for aerospace and military industries, was the second highest gainer on the NYSE, up $24, or 38.1 percent, to $87, though short of its $92 opening

------
Zusammenfassung:
VSNX
8.25 +3.98

RELATED SYMBOLS

INVN
8.25 +5.14

VISG
4.70 +2.76

ICTS
9.49 +5.04

IDX
7.20 +3.00

WAK
21.15 +4.45

AH
19.92 +5.62

LLL
87.00 +24.00

[Dialektiker]

September 17, 2001
ACROSS THE U.S.

Security: Suddenly top priority
David Mildenberg Bizjournals.com

Suddenly, security is a top priority for businesses and governments in cities across America.

It wasn`t that way, until Sept. 11.

Richard M. Smith, chief technology officer for The Privacy Center at the University of Denver, says Americans can expect beefed-up security at offices, in airports and on the Internet as a result of the attacks.

It`s already happening, according to reports from 41 metropolitan business newspapers operated by American City Business Journals.

In downtown Baltimore, property manager Colliers Pinkard closed all entrances except for one to the Legg Mason office tower. Security guards also started the unusual practice of checking employees` identification cards before granting access to the elevators. And delivery personnel were monitored more closely.

Similar efforts were under way in downtown office buildings across the nation.

Wackenhut, which provides security for many major government agencies and 17 U.S. embassies, has received requests for additional staff members in many areas, says Patrick Cannan, director of corporate relations.

"Instead of three eight-hour shifts, we have gone to two 12-hour shifts. That frees up 10 guards from a force of 30 to either move to another site or set up additional checkpoints."

More companies also started investigating ways to improve protection for their top executives.

"We started getting calls late the same morning as the attacks," says Bill Gist, president of The Palladium Group, a West Palm Beach, Fla., security firm. Terrorism "will permanently affect the country`s freedom of movement. It is now an angry America."

A number of South Florida firms doubled their security manpower overnight and beefed up the special forces that guard high-profile businessmen and their families, Gist said.

As a result of the terrorism, some real estate executives predict there may be a backlash against leasing space in high-profile skyscraper.

"Some companies in this country could have a knee-jerk reaction and be a little skittish of high-rise space," says Michael O`Hanlon, executive director of Insignia/ESG Inc. in Dallas.

Gail Simonton, executive director and general counsel for the Tennessee-based National Association of Security Companies, predicts increased standards and training will be required for security guards.

Bill Walsh, general manager of the new Marriott Waterfront Hotel at Baltimore`s Inner Harbor, says guests and visitors will no longer be able to leave cars in front of the main entrance for more than five minutes without handing over their keys to the valet staff. And hotel patrons can no longer leave their bags unattended -- a steadfast rule throughout London, which has become accustomed to bomb attacks.

Stricter airport security, similar to procedures in Europe and the Middle East, is also an immediate result of the attacks because of new Federal Aviation Administration rules.

Shimon Alon, chairman of the Boston-based Israel New England Chamber of Commerce, says the new rules will frustrate many frequent business travelers.

"It was very inconvenient to stay in line for an hour to go for security. I think we will see more of it here in the U.S.," he says.

But the University of Denver`s Smith cautions that security "quick fixes" won`t resolve every problem. He expresses strong reservations about face-scanning technology, cell-phone surveillance and photo-imaging identification systems. Smith says many of the systems are ineffective and can be intrusive.

Face-scanning technology, which is already used by police in Tampa, Fla., employs surveillance cameras to digitally detect criminals and help police apprehend them.

Sue Armstrong, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, says the terrorist attacks raise civil rights issues to a whole new level.

"If you think we struggled with some difficult issues in the past, this is only the tip of the iceberg," she says. "I think all of us will have to reconsider what our civil liberties are and what the implications are."

[Dialektiker]

Firms Invest in a Feeling of Security
From Guards to Safety Systems, Demand for Special Services Rises in Wake of Terror Attacks

By Terence Chea
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 17, 2001; Page E01

Last week`s terrorist attacks wreaked havoc on global commerce, but they could mean brisk business for at least one industry. Just days after the disaster, the Washington area`s private security industry is scrambling to meet surging demand for its services.

Worried employers are calling Vance International Inc. of Oakton to hire guards. They`re ringing Arlington-based Kastle Systems LLC to upgrade their buildings` security systems. And they`re dialing Intellimar Inc. of Sykesville to order blast-resistant doors, bomb containers and bulletproof windows.

"There`s been a marked increase in activity," said Mark Oakes, Intellimar`s president and chief executive. "There`s a new appreciation for the need to protect the occupants of these buildings."

Demand for security is rising as employers take a closer look at their safety needs after terrorists, by hijacking and crashing passenger jets, showed what could happen when security fails. The attacks killed thousands at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon, causing billions of dollars in property damage and crippling the stock market.

The security industry now anticipates a growing market for guards, consultants, electronic access systems, surveillance cameras, architectural reinforcements, scanning technology and a host of other protective services.

"People are very concerned about their security needs and think they`re in a war-like environment," said Ira Lipman, founder and president of Guardsmark Inc., a Memphis-based company that provides security services in the Washington region. "People are going to spend the money because they don`t want the problem. . . . People are not going to have this kind of loss of life."

Beefing up security won`t be cheap and the costs will be passed onto tenants of commercial buildings. A typical security system for an office building varies widely depending on its sophistication and staffing, but can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Security as a Priority


Security executives hope the attacks will lead government and business leaders to examine their security needs, upgrade their systems, add personnel and expand budgets to prepare for what feels like a more dangerous world.

"You`ll see a greater degree of sophistication in terms of security-service purchases," Lipman said. "The stakes are too high today."

Industry analysts have heard this kind of talk before, however. Demand for security services surged after other major terrorist incidents: the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center; the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City; and the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

But after headlines fade, employers return to old routines and few permanent changes are made. And in a weak economy, when fears of a recession loom, employers may be even less willing to beef up security if it eats away at their bottom line.

"At the time of a particularly bad incident, we have resolve to fix things, but we have a tendency to drift away and become complacent," said Bob Disney, chairman of the council on global terrorism, political instability and international crime at the American Society of Industrial Security, an Alexandria-based association of security professionals.

"I think any prudent CEO would start taking a look at increased security for his or her organization," Disney said. "Whether or not it`s going to happen, I don`t know."

Increased security budgets could give another boost to a fast-growing industry that makes its living off fear and uncertainty. An estimated $100 billion industry made up of personnel contractors, manufacturers and consultants, the sector has expanded steadily in recent decades on news of hijackings, hostage crises, bombings, office shootings, kidnappings and employee lawsuits.

While security spending has increased overall, industry executives say many companies and government agencies still haven`t made security a top priority.

The aviation industry is an example of how profits get put ahead of safety, they said. Airports have a reputation for hiring low-paid, low-skilled employees for important security positions. Security firms such as Guardsmark stopped bidding for airport contracts more than a decade ago because they were routinely underbid by cheaper providers. The average pay for baggage screeners nationwide is slightly more than the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour, and turnover is high.

"They`ve been buying low bottom dollar," Guardsmark`s Lipman said. "When you take the lowest bid, it doesn`t give good security."

Security-industry executives hope Tuesday`s assaults will make employers understand the value of high-quality security systems and professionals. Of course, security experts would benefit if they did so: Such thinking could lead to better salaries, benefits and training for personnel, which would attract more qualified job candidates, a problem most say they face constantly.

Many local companies could see more business if employers make long-term investments in security. The Washington region is home to a colorful assortment of security-related firms, many started by former FBI and Secret Service agents.

Buying Security


Last Friday morning, security officer Kevin Whited manned the front desk at the offices of Washington technology company ConnectLive Communications Network, where he monitored security cameras and watched for unfamiliar visitors. Whited, uniformed and armed, said that since Tuesday`s attacks, "I think my antennae went up a little higher."

Whited works for Vance International, which was founded by former Secret Service agent Chuck Vance in 1984 and employs about 4,000 worldwide. Since last week`s tragedy, the company has already gotten calls for guards to patrol office buildings and protect corporate executives.

"We`ve certainly had a spike in business," said Joseph Ricci, Vance`s director of corporate marketing. "People are just scared. They want to feel safe. The sight of . . . more security officers is a deterrent and makes people feel better."

Kastle Systems, which designs, installs and monitors custom electronic security systems for commercial office buildings, has also received more orders from clients. Founded in 1972, the company operates systems in more than 1,500 buildings and about 70 percent of Washington`s commercial buildings, said Gene Samburg, Kastle`s president and founder.

Samburg said customers are calling to make changes in their security systems. Since Tuesday, many companies switched to a lock-down policy in which all employees must use electronic cards to enter a building.

"We see that as an indication of how much more security-conscious tenants are becoming," Samburg said. "We anticipate a lot of changes in the ways people operate their buildings."

Intellimar, which serves as a middleman between government agencies and specialized manufacturers of bulletproof doors and the like, has also seen business rise in the past week. "I think there`s going to be an additional emphasis on protecting our infrastructure domestically," said Oakes, who founded the company six years ago.

Corporate Risk International of Fairfax, which helps corporations manage crises such as kidnapping and hostage situations, also expects more business from concerned executives working in high-risk countries such as Colombia, Brazil and Russia.

"I think these incidents will certainly put security on the forefront of minds of corporate executives," said Dick Hildrich, senior vice president of investigations and operations at Corporate Risk. In the past few days, he said, "We`re already getting calls from corporations asking us to review their procedures and policies."

Many of the nation`s largest security companies -- Pinkerton`s Inc., Kroll Inc., ADT Security Services Inc., Wackenhut Corp., Tyco International Ltd. and Allied Securities Inc. -- have a significant presence in the Washington area and may also see more business.

Wake-Up Call

Increased security spending could lead to problems as well. Some security executives worry that too many companies and consultants will enter the business looking to profit from the heightened fear, undermining the industry`s credibility.

"A lot of people who don`t know what they`re doing are going to jump into the business," Gene Samburg said. "It could harm the believability of the systems and companies that are here."

Samburg is also concerned that employers might spend more money on expensive equipment, but may buy systems that do not improve overall security. "What usually happens in the aftermath of terrorist attacks like this is people beef up one of the links that`s already robust," Samburg said. "It only strengthens the link, but not the chain."

Many companies said they have adequate security in place and do not anticipate changes in their systems. "I don`t see any change for us," said David Taylor, vice president of commercial management at Arlington-based Charles E. Smith Co., a major property owner in the Washington region and the developer of Crystal City. "We`ve always been concerned about security. We`ve been focused on security for a long time and we`ll continue to be."

Taylor said some tight security measures are too impractical. For example, requiring electronic keys to enter commercial buildings can be too inconvenient for tenants who rely on clients and customers. And he added that increased spending on security gets passed on to tenants.

Nonetheless, security professionals believe Tuesday`s disaster, unprecedented in scale and scope, will galvanize public and private employers to make investments in security that they weren`t willing to make before.

"I hope this is really truly going to be a wake-up call for America and that we really do beef up security, not just for anti-terrorism reasons but also just plain bad guys and criminals," said Disney of the American Society of Industrial Security.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company

[Dialektiker]

09-12-01 06:15:46 PM

Security firms see increased demand after US attacks

By Jamie LaReau

NEW YORK, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Companies that provide
security services were flooded with requests for more guards
and advice on how they can best protect their employees
following Tuesday`s airplane attacks.
From New York; to California; to Boise, Idaho corporate
executives stepped up their efforts to provide improved
security in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center
in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a third
crash outside Pittsburgh.
The No. 1 U.S. security firm, Wackenhut Corp. (WAK.N), said
it has manned its operational "war room" since around 10:00
a.m. EDT Tuesday when calls started coming in from companies
wanting increased security after the deadly attacks.
"Along the East Coast, this is the highest request for
additional security alerts I`ve ever seen," said Alan
Bernstein, executive vice president and chief operating officer
of Wackenhut. Bernstein said he has worked for Wackenhut for
about 23 years.
The world`s biggest security services company -- Sweden`s
Securitas AB (SECUb.ST) -- said it has already seen a rise in
demand for its services.
Securitas stock rose 13.23 percent on the Swedish stock
exchange during Wednesday afternoon trading.
"Unfortunately, we`re hearing that investors are seeing
that this tragedy could create some additional demand for
security purposes, and I suspect that`s the case," said
research analyst Jim MacDonald of First Analysis, a
Chicago-based research firm and investment bank.
SECURITY FIRMS MOVED TO ACTION
Wackenhut has been communicating with its 145 U.S. offices
and 50 overseas offices through its operational "war room" to
move security guards to other locations and increase overtime
in areas where it does not have enough manpower to meet the
increasing demands, Bernstein said.
So far, dozens of guards have been moved from Baltimore,
Maryland to New York and about 150 others are being moved
"somewhere" in the country to to meet companies` security
requests, Bernstein added.
"The problem is manpower," he said. "We are going to
certain areas of 7-12`s, meaning 12-hour shifts, seven days a
week. It allows you to expand your work force. This will drive
up our expense in overtime, but we, of course, will recoup that
expense from our clients."
Bernstein said Wackenhut is not increasing its prices, it
has an emergency protective rate, which remains constant for
the more than 150 companies who have called so far wanting
increased security.
"Our increase in revenue and profitability will be there
... we do not know what that might be yet, but it will be
proportionate to what the client needs," Bernstein said.
Shares of Wackenhut closed Monday at $16.70, just off its
52-week high of $18. The stock has outperformed the Standard Poor`s 500 (.SPX) index by about 57 percent in the past 12
months.
Danville, California-based Pinkerton, a consulting and
investigating company owned by Securitas, said it has been
fielding dozens of calls from companies concerned about
security since Tuesday`s events, said managing director Howard
Morioka in an interview with Reuters.
"Naturally, everyone is concerned about security and in
addition to normal security precautions, everyone is
heightening their security," Morioka said.
CORPORATE AMERICA MORE CAUTIOUS
Veteran security consultant John Horn of privately owned
IPSA International, a corporate investigation and security
advisory firm with 12 U.S. offices and two offices overseas,
said the attacks will forever change the face of security in
corporate America.
"There`s going to be more rigor and scrutiny in hiring
employees. There`s going to be more emphasis on physical
security ... access controls, employee IDs ... more emphasis on
policies and procedures." Horn said. "If you listen to
President Bush and Colin Powell, there will be a response to
this somewhere and somehow ... so you can anticipate there`s
going to be another shoe drop and it`s going to be an American
shoe. So, there will be an increased vulnerability for
Americans operating abroad."
Atlanta, Georgia-based IPSA has received calls from
executives to help find missing relatives or employees in the
World Trade Center rubble, Horn said. He`s also seeing more
demand for his expertise in advising companies on appropriate
employee security.
He said one of the fundamental rules he tells companies is
to never book more than one executive or employee on the same
airplane, as was the case when off-price apparel retailer TJX
Inc. (TJX.N) on Wednesday confirmed that seven of its
associates, including two assistant vice presidents, were on
American Airlines Flight 11, which is believed to be the plane
that was hijacked and flown into one of the World Trade Center
towers in New York on Tuesday.
"That`s so fundamental," Horn said. "Corporate security
directors ... that`s their job ... to outline procedures and
policies like that."
Bernstein and Horn agreed that many companies and
individuals will be reassessing their own vulnerability at this
point and want outside advice on how to "mitigate" those risks
in the future.


REUTERS

[Dialektiker]

Habt Ihr keine Meinung zur Sicherheitsbranche im allgemeinen und zu Wackenhut Corp. im besonderen? Oder warum reagiert Ihr nicht?

Ich würde hier gerne die zukünftige Entwicklung mit Euch diskutieren!

Gruß Dialektiker

[Fruehrentner]

Hallo Dialektiker,

ich würd mich gern beteiligen, habe aber ausser deinen beiträgen hier noch keine weiteren infos.

Ich denke Unternehmen, die Sicherheits- u. Personneerkennungshard- u. software herstellen, werden profitieren.

Wer kennt solche Firmen?

Gruß
FR