Global X Funds, the New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds, launched today the world's first Lithium ETF (NYSE Arca: LIT).  This is the first ETF to offer investors targeted access to a resource industry critical for the renewable energy and green movement.

"The Global X Lithium ETF is an efficient way to invest in what we refer to as a 'green' commodity because of its direct correlation to the renewable energy market such as electric cars and energy storage," said Bruno del Ama, CEO of Global X Funds.

The ETF tracks the Solactive Global Lithium Index, which is designed to reflect performance of the largest and most liquid lithium battery producing and mining and refining companies in the world.  As of July 13, 2010, the three largest components of the ETF are lithium producers SQM from Chile, and FMC Corporation and Rockwood Holdings from the US.

The basket of lithium-related equities will give investors access to the complete lithium value chain, from mining and refining through lithium battery production.  As of July 13, 2010, 51% of the index includes lithium battery manufacturers, while 49% of the index consists of lithium mining and refining companies.  

"Lithium is the lightest metal," said Jose C. Gonzalez, COO of Global X Funds. "When processed it has the capacity to store electric energy more efficiently than any other material.  Efficient electric energy storage is necessary for all green energy products and the computer systems that control them – like electric cars, solar, wind and water power."

About Global X Funds

Global X Funds is one of the most innovative and fastest growing family of exchange traded funds. Funds include a suite of Brazil and China sector-specific ETFs and Silver and Copper Miners ETFs, among others. Global X Funds will continue to bring innovative tools to investors, as indicated by its recent filings with the SEC, which include Uranium and Aluminum ETFs.

Disclosure

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles, or from economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. There are additional risks associated with investing in metals as well as their respective mining industries. Narrowly focused investments may be subject to higher volatility.

Structured Solutions AG Indexes have been licensed for use by Global X Management Company, LLC. Global X Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold, or promoted by Structured Solutions AG, nor does this company make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the Global X Funds.

Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Funds' prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 1-888-GX-FUND-1 (1.888.493.8631), or by visiting www.globalxfunds.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Global X Management Company, LLC serves as an advisor to the Global X Funds. The Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co., which is not affiliated with Global X Management Company or any of its affiliates.

SOURCE Global X Funds

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(Job-Applications.com) – Job-Applications.com the leading free job application enablement site for first-time and entry-level jobs announced that their site www.job-applications.com is now aggregating and providing access to more than 1,000+ companies, all of which are hiring right now. By using job-applications.com, anyone can quickly apply to over 1,000+ of the nation's largest full-time and part-time positions for free.

"We have reached a landmark in our efforts to help people find their next job by radically expanding the number of companies to which you can quickly apply and by creating a user experience that helps people prepare for their next job interview with unique insider tips and Q&A for each of the companies on our site," said Doug Crawford, President of Job-Applications.com. "The response of our user community has been incredible with people from all over the country sharing their personal experiences to help employment candidates hone their edge so that they can get the job they need."

The best candidates are  the ones that are well informed, and Job-Applications.com makes sure that you are in-the-know with the latest hiring practices and interview techniques for over a thousand companies. Our site is designed to put you in control and give you the tools you need to aggressively pursue your next job. With Job-Applications.com, you don't have to rely on traditional job boards which may not even carry local postings because it is simply too expensive to post these types of roles. Instead, you can quickly apply to as many companies within your immediate area.

Job-Applications.com makes it easy to apply to retailers like Walmart, Gap, Old Navy, Target, Kmart, BestBuy, Home Depot and Sears as well as restaurants such as Starbucks, McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Chili's, Wendy's and many other quick service establishments. With hundreds of companies and tens of thousands of jobs, Job-Applications.com will help you to quickly find your next career.

About Job-Applications.com

Job-Applications.com is the leading employment application site designed to enable job seekers to submit more job applications in less time. The site is known for its depth of company application coverage as well as its specific company interview tips and question sections. All services are provided free of charge.

SOURCE Job-Applications.com

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Barclaycard joins forces with The Co-operative Food as it becomes the UK's first major grocery retailer to introduce contactless payment in its stores nationwide.

The contactless roll-out will begin with a pilot in 100 Co-operative food stores next year after an agreement was signed with Barclaycard in partnership with Visa. If the pilot is successful, The Co-operative will roll out the terminals to the majority of its food stores in time for the 2012 Olympics, which is being billed as a contactless event, where visitors are expected to experience the full convenience of contactless payment on transport, tickets and other low value purchases.

Contactless payment allows customers to make purchases of 15 pounds Sterling or less, without the need to enter a PIN or insert their card into a payment terminal. Once the card has been held over the contactless terminal, the secure transaction uses the tried and tested Chip and PIN technology to automatically add the purchase to the customer's credit card or debit it from their current account.

Contactless payment, which is already commonplace and proving popular in the USA and Asia, is ideal for transactions where speed is essential, especially at supermarkets and petrol stations. Roll-out of contactless payment in the UK began in 2007 and there are now over nine million contactless enabled cards in circulation.

Sean Toal, commercial director, Food Retail, The Co-operative Group, said: "This is a great opportunity for The Co-operative to work in partnership with Barclaycard to become the first major food retailer in the UK to roll-out this unique payment method. It has received an excellent reception from both customers and retailers where it has been launched overseas and is ideal for our store portfolio."

Mark Hale, director of Food IS, The Co-operative Group, added: "Contactless payment has huge benefits for our customers. In essence, this innovative technology will mean increased customer choice and faster transaction speed, which will vastly improve the customer experience."

Contactless payment will also increase throughput as research has shown that a large number of customers will walk out of a shop if they see an excessive queue length.

Stuart Neal, head of UK Payment Acceptance at Barclaycard, said: "We're absolutely delighted that The Co-operative is joining forces with Barclaycard to roll out contactless payments across all of its stores. For a household name such as The Co-operative to commit to the technology really shows that it is the future of payments, and we are looking forward to working with them to further enhance the in-store experience for their customers."

Notes  to Editors:

About Barclaycard:

Barclaycard, part of Barclays Global Retail Banking division, is a leading global payment business which helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and accept payments flexibly, and to access low interest rate credit cards, build credit and provides its own customer rewards scheme.

Barclays and Barclaycard are leading the way in introducing contactless and there are now over eight million contactless-enabled Barclaycards and Barclays debit cards, helping retailers reduce queuing and cut the cost of card transactions. In line with its history of providing customers with innovative payment forms, Barclaycard also intends to make payments by mobile phone available to the mass market by 2012.

Barclays and Barclaycard are the leading providers of contactless terminals in the UK with 25,000 live and accepting payment throughout the country for retailers including Pret A Manger, Subway, Yo! Sushi and EAT.  

About The Co-operative Group

The Co-operative Group stands apart from other major retailers in the UK as a business which is owned, not by a small group of shareholders, but by more than five million consumers. With core interests in food, financial services, travel, pharmacy, funerals and farms, it has an annual turnover of 14 billion pounds Sterling, employs 123,000 staff and operates over 5,000 retail trading outlets handling more than 20 million weekly transactions.  

SOURCE Barclaycard

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Cheese is one of the world's favorite foods and Sam's Club is adding more than a dozen internationally acclaimed varieties to its fresh department. Some of the finest artisan cheese products from England, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain will begin to arrive in select Sam's Club locations in August, and in the coming months.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100722/DA38501)

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100722/DA38501)

Sam's Club expects to offer the new imported cheeses in more than 150 clubs late this fall. The additional product will include both regular and special seasonal items to complement Sam's Club domestic cheese offering, which includes sliced deli cheese as well as hard and soft cheeses.

"Consumers are hungry for new food products because they are experimenting more with food at home and see it as form of entertainment," said Shawn Baldwin, vice president, Fresh and Deli, Sam's Club. "We have identified some of the highest quality European brands and will be bringing them to the U.S. for the first time. These family owned operations are thrilled to serve Sam's Club members."

Some of the most notable imports include Parmiagiano Reggiano, a prestigious Italian Cheese that is aged for a minimum of two years and the Irish Dairy Board's  Ballyshannon Cheddar.

Many of the imported cheeses at Sam's Club are D.O.P certified (Product Denominazione of Origin) to ensure the quality and production methods meet exact standards, and that the product is developed only in the region specified. In addition to verifying authenticity, by working with its suppliers, Sam's Club can identify the exact production of many of the imported cheeses, bringing greater visibility from the farm, to the manufacturer, to the club, which is another step in ensuring superior quality and consistency.

In an effort to source the best product for its members, Sam's Club buyers visit supplier facilities to inspect the production process. In addition, Sam's Club uses a test kitchen and sensory lab at its home office to sample products, and give suppliers feedback about how to improve them.

According to a study in 2009, Sam's Club was found to save its Members on average 30.4 percent on frequently purchased product categories for home and personal use versus grocery and specialty retailers.  Sam's Club expects to pass on similar savings of 30 to 50 percent on the new imported cheeses when compared to like product sold at other grocery or specialty stores.

Read Lori Lange's blog at www.recipegirl.com about her experience touring Italy with Sam's Club during the cheese selection process. Visit http://www3.samsclub.com/NewsRoom/Press/740 to meet the cheese makers and visit one of the largest food shows in the world, Cibus in Parma, Italy.

About Sam's Club

Sam's Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE: WMT). The first Sam's Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam's Club serves more than 47 million U.S. Members with locations nationwide, as well as in Brazil, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam's Club saves its members on average 30.4 percent over grocery and specialty retailers by offering superior values on quality merchandise and services for home or work. Saving is made simple at Sam's Club. Visit samsclub.com for more information.

SOURCE Sam's Club

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Four Rivers Software, a leading computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) provider for the healthcare industry announces TMS Anywhere, its mobile solution that works in both connected and disconnected environments.

TMS Anywhere from Four Rivers is designed to allow your technicians to remain mobile regardless of their environment.  Technicians are able to access all of the data in real-time.  When they enter an area that is no longer connected, the application saves your data and allows the technician to continue working.  The data is automatically synchronized when a connection is available allowing your Technicians to remain in the field where they are most productive.

TMS Anywhere combines the functionality of TMS Now Wireless with TMS Mobile and provides your organization with the best possible solution.  TMS Anywhere is available for the TMS Professional applications.

For further information on the TMS Anywhere from Four Rivers please visit our website at www.frsoft.com or contact Four Rivers at 1-800-488-6990

About Four Rivers Software Systems, Inc.

Four Rivers Software Systems, Inc. (www.frsoft.com) is the leading provider of computerized support services solutions for healthcare clinical engineering and facilities departments. The TMS product family includes TMS Enterprise®, TMS® OnLine Professional, TMS® OnSite Professional, and TMS WorkGroup®.

SOURCE Four Rivers Software Systems, Inc.

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