WESTON, Fla., Sept. 15, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Wall Street News Alert's "stocks to watch" this morning are: Payment Data Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:PYDS), eResearch Technology Inc (Nasdaq:ERES), ValueClick Inc. (Nasdaq:VCLK) and LookSmart Ltd. (Nasdaq:LOOK).
Aggressive investors and traders need to watch Payment Data Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:PYDS) again this morning! Yesterday after the markets closed, the company, along with alliance partner Secure Cash Network, Inc, and Celluphone, "America's Premier Master Agent," to the wireless industry, issued a press release announcing the availability of Pronto Banco(TM), the first card to utilize Payment Data Systems' new bill payment service for debit cards!
This is great news for investors! The Pronto Banco(TM) Twin Card Packet is an ATM/debit card system that allows the consumer to send one of two cards to a friend or relative in another country providing access to funds from either card. Another value-added feature in the Pronto Banco(TM) packet is a prepaid Estafeta envelope allowing the primary cardholder the option of sending the second card to Mexico. Estafeta, Inc. is Mexico's leading and most reliable express shipping company with complete coverage of the Mexican territory. Consumers can use either card to access money via ATMs, or shop at millions of POS retail locations worldwide. Bill payment is being initially delivered with a pay by phone capability. The next major functional enhancement will be the ability to pay bills at the counter of Internet-enabled convenience stores. This functionality will be available to stores within the next two months.
Investors need to watch this company! According to the press release, nearly 35 million Hispanics reside in the United States. Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S population. It is estimated that approximately 50% of Hispanics are unbanked and regularly send money home. In 2003, nearly $23 Billion were sent from the U.S. to Mexico, Central & South America. Sending funds using traditional methods like Western Union and Moneygram typically result in charges equal to or over 10% of the amount sent. Pronto Banco(TM) is normally half the price and is expected to drive significant sales, profits and store traffic for Celluphone retail partners.
The stock closed yesterday at Twenty cents a share.
About the companies involved: Payment Data Systems, Inc., is an Integrated Payments Solution Provider delivering comprehensive, cost-effective solutions to billers and retailers for the processing and management of electronic payments via the Internet, point of sale, or payments taken by Customer Service Representatives or an Interactive Voice Response (IVR).
Founded in 1983, Celluphone was appointed the first Authorized Agent for Verizon Wireless (then AT&T AMPS) thirteen months before cellular service was even launched in the Los Angeles area. Since then, they’ve grown to become one of the largest wireless distributors in the country.
Secure Cash Network, Inc. (SCN) is a Consumer Products and Financial Services company specializing in Stored-Value ATM/Debit products for unbanked consumers.
Stocks showing interesting activity yesterday at the close of the regular trading day were: eResearch Technology Inc (Nasdaq:ERES) up 8.5% on 2.9 million shares traded, ValueClick Inc. (Nasdaq:VCLK) up 7.9% on 1.7 million shares traded and LookSmart Ltd. (Nasdaq:LOOK) up 6.9% on 2.5 million shares traded.
Commentary:
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