This quarter’s Forefront focuses on intellectual property and specifically the generic drug market. We are currently working with a bio med company in the early stages of drug development in the diabetes area. The patent litigation costs, first to protect… Continue Reading  

In April O’Keefe presented the Middle Market Forum which explored economic trends impacting our businesses in 2018. Tariffs were not a significant topic at the time, only a potential idea on the horizon. Over the last 4 months, however, significant… Continue Reading  

There are many changes in the capital industry taking place. We have seen unregulated “shadow” bankers start to take the place of financial institutions in providing lending to businesses. Some believe that private equity is a mature industry as there… Continue Reading  

President Trump recently announced a plan to push forward an increase in import tariffs on steel and aluminum. Steel will carry a 25% tariff and aluminum imports a 10% tariff. These tariffs could result in upheavals in production, pricing, and… Continue Reading  

This edition of Forefront highlights issues in the agriculture industry. Commodity prices have continued to tumble and the long term commitments to land leases and equipment when times were better has introduced an unanticipated distress in the industry. Horticulture growers… Continue Reading  

A recent survey and report issued by the International Council of Shopping Centers brought a brighter light to the much-maligned retail real estate market. Who is shopping at traditional shopping centers? Surprisingly, it is the Millennials. More than any other… Continue Reading  

This issue of Forefront addresses some concerns with the retail industry. The beginning of 2017 saw numerous bankruptcies and big box store closings. Macy’s and JCPenney are selling their company-owned real estate to provide the financial runway for rebranding and… Continue Reading  

I admit it — I am one of those people. I don’t generally take my car in to be fixed for recall notices. It takes too much time, I hate waiting at the dealership, I hate dealing with alternate transportation… Continue Reading  

By Nick Tolksdorf In 1965 Gordon Moore, the co-founder of Intel, observed that the number of transistors per square inch on an integrated circuit doubled approximately every two years. As a result, computer size decreases and processing speed increases significantly… Continue Reading  

How will President-elect Trump’s administration’s policies affect the housing/real estate market in 2017 and in his 4 years in office? This is a question that many of us have on our minds with multiple points to consider. Trump is a… Continue Reading