Fundamental Research Corp. (FRC), a company in the business of providing quality equity research coverage since 2003, recently released its second report on Laguna Blends, Inc. (CSE: LAG) (OTC: LAGBF) (LB6A.F), a rapidly growing multi-level marketing (MLM) company focused on the sale of functional, hemp-based beverages. FRC released its first report on May 5, 2016, giving Laguna a BUY rating and fair value estimate of $0.45 per share. According to the original report, the company’s shares were expected to range from $0.30 to $1.06, depending on the number of affiliates LAGBF generates by 2020.

Since this initial coverage, Laguna’s share price is up by 83% and its market capitalization is up by 155% to $6.22 million. Not only this, reported revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 (quarter ended March 31, 2016) were approximately $17K, a number that rose to approximately $47K in the company’s first quarter of fiscal 2016 (quarter ended June 30, 2016). Laguna Blends has raised approximately $0.7 million through two private placements, leaving FRC to nearly double the company’s fair value estimate from its initial $0.45 per share to $0.80 per share.

The company has also entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Cannaceuticals (“Canna”). LAGBF will be distributing Canna’s seven Swiss-made cannabidiol skincare products by the end of this month in the U.S. and in Canada by the end of the year. The agreement was signed after the results of the clinical trials on these products showed that all 21 female test subjects noticed an overall improvement of their skin’s appearance.

Personal care products were shown to be the number one category in direct sales in 2015. Therefore, it is only fitting that Laguna positions itself within the skin care industry. Niche products such as cannabidiol skin care products normally do well in direct sales, and although these only equate to less than 1% of retail sales in the U.S., wellness product sales and personal care products make up 46.7% of these.

LAGBF has bought all of the current inventory of the seven Cannaceuticals products for $0.23 million, to be paid over the next six months. In addition to this, LAGBF paid a licensing fee in common shares worth $0.10 million. Laguna will place a minimum order of $1.5 million giving the company the rights to sell all seven products in the U.S. and Canada. Once regulatory approvals are received, Laguna will have the rights to sell Canna’s products in Asia, Europe, and Mexico. The agreement fits in with Laguna’s strategy to build a diversified portfolio of products, similar to other MLM companies. Laguna announced the VIP launch of Cannaceuticals CBD skin care products on September 13, 2016, making them available for sale on September 15, 2016.

For more information, visit www.lagunablends.com

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An impressive 90% of young adults aged 18 to 29 use social media, with a third of them saying that it is their preferred means of communication with businesses. 70% have an account on at least one social media platform, 52% use two or more social media sites, and the average social media user maintains five accounts, all according to Business2Community.com (http://dtn.fm/TkMZ2). Statistics continue to show the development and projected growth of social media as a marketing tool.

Although return on investment (ROI) is still hard to measure today, 80% of marketers use “vanity metrics” such as “likes” and “shares” as primary success metrics for their social media platforms, and 56% of these base social media success on website traffic. Over 50% of the companies surveyed did not believe or were not sure that social media was linked to their organization’s marketing strategy. However, many if not all consumers said that social media plays a significant role in their buying decisions.

By 2018, the number of social media users worldwide is expected to reach 2.5 billion, which is why social media marketing budgets are expected to double within the next five years. As a result, the overall share of social media marketing budgets is expected to increase from 9.9% to 22.5%. But why is social media marketing so popular and why is it expected to grow so rapidly?

The answer, in a word, is millennials. With a third of millennials saying they prefer social media to communicate with organizations, it is unlikely that these consumer habits are going to change any time soon. Social media habits are following millennials as they age, meaning businesses are having to adapt to a trend that is going to continue to flourish.

Moxian, Inc. (OTCQB: MOXC), providing companies with social media marketing and promotional platforms, is embracing these growing consumer trends and acting on them. The company has designed its platforms with the aim of helping merchants grow and advertise their businesses through social media. Moxian, Inc. has two primary products: Moxian+ User app and Moxian+ Business app.

These enable merchants to run targeted advertising campaigns and promotions with the aim of improving the interaction between merchants and consumers. Behavior data is compiled, making the experience for the user more personalized and giving merchants the ability to get to know their audience better. The Moxian+ Business app has built in Social Customer Relationship Management (SCRM), allowing merchants to push promotions in a variety of ways and generating reports customized to their own shops.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Moxian.com

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Late last week, Singlepoint, Inc. (OTC: SING) CEO Greg Lambrecht was featured in an interview on MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon, during which he discussed the company’s progress toward uplisting to the OTCQB Venture Market. After describing Singlepoint as on “the five-yard line, ready to punch it in,” Lambrecht added that the company planned to give an update on its progress toward the filing of its Form 10 with the FCC within the next week. Before the opening bell, Singlepoint did just that, offering prospective shareholders an update on the company’s corporate audit and uplisting plans.

This morning’s news release included details regarding the company’s corporate audit, for which it is currently in the final stages of preparation. Completion of this audit is required ahead of a planned uplisting to the OTCQB exchange. According to Singlepoint’s management team, once the audit is complete, which could be as early as next week, the company will file Form 10, also known as the General Form for Registration of Securities, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, effectively becoming a fully-reporting company. After the SEC accepts this submittal, Singlepoint will look to complete the process of uplisting to the OTCQB exchange within 60 days.

“We have diligently worked alongside MaloneBailey to prepare this audit and increase SinglePoint’s corporate and shareholder value,” Lambrecht stated in this morning’s news release. “Not only will the completion of these efforts provide us better financing options and allow institutional investors to invest directly on the open market, it also correlates with our M&A strategy.”

In June, Singlepoint announced the engagement of Milost Advisors, a global investment banking firm offering comprehensive advisory services, in order to pursue acquisitions and financing facilities. Shortly thereafter, the company issued a letter of intent to acquire the assets and technology of Mobile Bidding Technologies, Inc. (“MBT”). The firm’s primary platform, Text2Bid, takes aim at the traditional live auction market by enabling silent auctions by mobile phone.

The innovative technology “bridges the gap between traditional silent auction bid forms and the live auction by introducing a fun, high energy alternative to the traditional bid process,” according to MBT’s website. Leveraging the marketability of the Text2Bid platform, MBT currently generates more than $10 million a year in donations for its users. Singlepoint intends to finalize the MBT acquisition in the coming weeks following the completion of its corporate audit and subsequent filing of Form 10.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Singlepoint.com

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Described as a game-changing product line unlike any other available on the market, Laguna Blends, Inc.’s (CSE: LAG) (OTC: LAGBF) (LB6A.F) Cannaceuticals Skin Care Anti-Aging Collection finally launched on Thursday, September 15, being available only through the company’s affiliate network to existing members, as well as to any newcomers who want to join or simply resell these innovative products. It is the first skincare product line to use anti-aging cannabidiol (CBD).

Consisting of seven main products, the CBD7 Complete Anti-Aging Collection offers next-generation skincare innovation for women and men alike, being superior to any other products on the market, according to Laguna Blends management during a conference call (http://dtn.fm/KiAo1) with their affiliates on Wednesday. All seven products are infused with hemp CBD and other youth-reviving ingredients, which have demonstrated clinically proven results in seven to 14 days. The CBD7 skincare line is based on Swiss-acquired CBD and the company’s proprietary time-released delivery system called ‘Spheres,’ which basically extends the efficacy of the product by giving little bursts of anti-aging ingredients all throughout the day, thus enhancing penetration by the skin. This, in turn, allows for faster and more noticeable results, Laguna Blends President Ray Grimm Jr. explained during the call.

Grimm also detailed the company’s special promotions for this product line, explaining that up until the end of the month, the products will be available to all affiliates and to new members at discounted rates and in special bundles so as to incentivize sales. “We know that after women and men start using this product consistently for at least 7 days, the product will sell itself,” he added. Grimm’s wife, Daran Grimm, also went on the line to discuss her experience with the new products after having tried them personally, and she offered praise for the whole line as being the first to produce visible results in just seven to 14 days.

Ray Grimm next introduced COO and President of USA operations Stuart Kawasaki, who also voiced his excitement about the new skincare line and shared feedback from his daughter, who had been testing the products herself. “My daughter was so excited with the results that she’s been on a high ever since,” he joked.

Earlier during the call, one of the founders of Laguna Blends, Tony Estigoy, spoke about the company’s flagship products, the hemp-infused coffee Caffé and Pro369 hemp protein drink, describing how impressed he was with their quality the first time he tried them. Estigoy added that he was equally impressed with the quality of the Canna skin care collection, an opinion shared by his fiancée and business partner Tatiana Bedoya. “The new product is a game changer. We’re going to be in a category that runs about $121 billion a year worldwide, we have a product that will make some significant noise,” Estigoy said. In turn, Bedoya said she was excited to see Laguna blends launch a product line that offers both luxury and purpose, since it has proven benefits for the skin health of the user, be they male or female.

One of the highlights of the conference call was the intervention of Laguna Blends CEO and Founder Stuart Gray, who talked briefly about his background and how he came to create the network marketing company. He added that Laguna Blends is the first network marketing company to use a cloud-based technology for its operations, the same technology used by the fastest growing real estate brokerage in the U.S., but adapted to fit Laguna’s specific needs. Gray also talked about his vision for the company, saying he has plans for international expansion in the next few years, once his team builds a solid foundation in North America, focusing on the U.S and Canada to start. “Three to five years from now, I envision Laguna being an international company and offering a number of product categories. Laguna will be the market leader with hemp and CBD products and in network marketing. In addition, Laguna will be doing 50 to 100 million dollars per year in sales, and we will continue to innovate with new technology and tools,” he said.

The innovative Cannaceuticals skincare line is designed to fight skin aging in seven ways: by stimulating collagen production, rehydrating sun-damaged and aged skin, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, restoring firmness, promoting cell renewal, minimizing pore size and reducing discoloration of the skin. The collection includes products such as the Refreshing Facial Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, Regenerating 7 Serum, Restoring Eye and Lip Gel, Rejuvenating Cream, Repairing Night Cream and Resurfacing Enzyme Mask. More information about each product, hemp CBD and the process behind the creation of this unique line can be found on the dedicated website, www.CBDSkinCream.com.

For more information, visit www.lagunablends.com

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Earlier today, Singlepoint, Inc. (OTC: SING) was announced as a featured company on this week’s edition of MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon. MoneyTV is an internationally syndicated television program about “money and what makes it happen.” The show includes informative interviews with company CEOs, offering prospective investors insight into their operations and outlooks for the future.

To view this week’s program, visit www.MoneyTV.net

In the interview, Greg Lambrecht, chief executive officer of Singlepoint, discusses the company’s recent moves, including its acquisition of an interest in daily fantasy sports enterprise DraftFury and its efforts to capitalize on the current Pokémon Go phenomenon. In early August, Singlepoint issued a news release announcing plans to build a mobile app designed to bring “like-minded Pokémon Go players together by offering rewards backed communication opportunities.” Lambrecht told host Donald Baillargeon that Singlepoint’s management team is currently meeting with the company’s app developers in Seattle ahead of the release of the Singlepoint app in the coming months.

Perhaps the most significant progress noted by Lambrecht in the MoneyTV interview was in regard to Singlepoint’s efforts to uplist to the OTCQB Venture Market. He excitedly announced that the company is on “the five-yard line, ready to punch it in,” with Singlepoint currently planning to announce next week that it’s filed its Form 10 with the FCC. Following the planned uplisting, Singlepoint will be better positioned to attract institutional investors and market makers to invest in the company.

“We’re doing what we said we were going to do,” Lambrecht stated in the interview. “We’re moving up to a higher exchange, and I think that all of our shareholders and new shareholders are going to be very pleased with that progress.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Singlepoint.com

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Pacific Health Care Organization, Inc. (OTCQB: PFHO), through its subsidiaries, engages in the management and administration of health care organizations (HCOs) and managed provider networks in California. Leveraging a network of medical providers, the company serves the workers’ compensation industry with two unique HCOs designed to offer choice to injured workers. In total, Pacific Health’s two HCO-certified programs, operating under its Medex subsidiary, have contracted more than 3,900 individual providers and clinics, as well as hospitals, pharmacies, rehabilitation centers and other ancillary services, in order to provide comprehensive medical services to clients across the Golden State.

According to data from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB), the state’s workers’ compensation insurance system delivers medical and wage replacement benefits to roughly 800,000 injured workers each year (http://dtn.fm/42MQj). With a high frequency of permanent disability claims and a higher-than-average cost of handling claims in the state, California’s workers’ compensation premiums are the highest in the country. The WCIRB goes on to report that these premiums have continued to grow by double-digit percentages in recent years, spiking 11 percent from 2013 to 2014 alone. These increases have been attributed to a number of factors, including rising medical costs, inflation, fraud and other factors.

Medex aims to insulate employers from these rising costs without negatively impacting the quality of coverage and treatment received by employees. The company’s cost containment programs have been proven to drastically reduce workers’ compensation-related costs for employers. These programs include a certified HCO that features access to an exclusive, specialized network of medical providers; a medical provider network (MPN) that offers less complicated guidelines but provides less control for clients over employee’s claims; and an integrated HCO + MPN program that combines the benefits of the two programs in order to maximize medical control and minimize claim cost.

PFHO was incorporated in 1970 and is based in Newport Beach, California. The company is led by an experienced management team headed by chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tom Kubota, who has served in these positions since 2001. Kubota is joined by Fred Odaka, PFHO’s chief financial officer, who has been with the company since August 2008.

For more information, visit www.PacificHealthCareOrganization.com

Medical Transcription Billing Corp. (NASDAQ: MTBC) is a health care information technology company marketing a fully-integrated suite of web-based solutions to an expanding network of health care providers. The company’s product portfolio, which includes a web-based electronic health record solution (WebEHR), revenue cycle and practice management solutions and other related business services, is currently in use by health care organizations in more than 40 states across the country, ranging from single physician practices to independent physician associations. Leveraging these flexible solutions, MTBC’s clients are able to increase revenues, streamline workflows and make better business and clinical decisions while simultaneously limiting administrative burdens and operating expenses.

Since listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market in 2014, MTBC has relied on an aggressive acquisition strategy to expand its foothold in the health care information technology market, completing three concurrent acquisitions at the time of its IPO. The company has already completed three additional acquisitions this year, and its management team has indicated that more targets are on the radar moving forward. Perhaps the most noteworthy of the 2016 acquisitions to date, MTBC purchased Texas-based Gulf Coast Billing, Inc. in February. In addition to adding roughly $3 million in annualized revenues to its books, the acquisition strategically positioned MTBC to expand its client base moving forward, particularly in terms of niche specialty markets.

Last month, the company gave prospective shareholders some insight into the early impact of its 2016 acquisitions when it released its financial results for the second quarter. MTBC’s quarterly revenue of $5.2 million was up slightly from the results of Q1, while its GAAP net loss was down 35 percent from the first three months of 2016. Moreover, the company recorded its third consecutive quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA, reporting $14,000 for the period.

“Our quarter over quarter revenue growth is a milestone, marking the first time this has happened since the fourth quarter of 2014,” Mahmud Haq, chairman and chief executive officer of MTBC, stated in a recent news release. “This reflects the stabilization of our business after the three simultaneous acquisitions at the time of our IPO in 2014, and the fact that we had obtained capital to invest in growing our business at the end of 2015. We finished the quarter with $6.6 million of growth capital.”

This stabilization could be coming at a great time, as the health care information technology market is rapidly evolving and taking shape. According to Statista (http://dtn.fm/0mmKN), medical IT spending in the United States and Europe topped $341.8 billion in 2014, up more than 12 percent from 2009, and the proliferation of mobile and wearable technologies is expected to play a key role in continuing this upward trend in the years to come. In a 2015 report from Accenture (http://dtn.fm/uI10I), 41 percent of health executives reported that their organization’s data volume related to patients had grown by more than 50 percent in just one year. Meanwhile, a massive 52 percent of surveyed patients were interested in receiving enhanced access to this data, particularly as it relates to physician notes.

The effects of these changes can be seen throughout the health care industry. Kaiser Permanente, the largest managed care organization in the country, recently invested $4 billion in building its advanced HealthConnect platform, which provides real-time access to medical records for both clinicians and its roughly nine million members. For health care providers without $4 billion to invest, MTBC’s portfolio of products represents an attractive alternative.

The company’s KLAS-ranked EHR software ChartsPro™, for example, allows physicians to automate a variety of clinical activities in order to improve efficiency and productivity. The web-based platform empowers patients by offering convenient access to personal health records and streamlines the workflow of clinicians with a comprehensive WebEHR dashboard, convenient e-prescribing capabilities and direct lab integration.

All told, MTBC’s entire product portfolio functions as a cohesive platform designed to help health care providers improve their financial performance and transform their practices into successful business enterprises. By aiding physician practices in their efforts to successfully navigate a rapidly shifting health care industry environment, MTBC is strategically positioned to capitalize on the ongoing technological revolution in health care.

For more information, visit www.MTBC.com

Shares of Net Element climbed as much as 47% in Wednesday’s mid-day trade, a day after the payment processing innovator announced its inclusion to South Florida Business Journal’s Top 25 Fastest-Growing Technology Companies.

Net Element CEO Oleg Firer attributes the recognition to the company’s pattern of sustainable growth, as well as the diligence of corporate staff as the company moves toward deeper traction in its chosen markets.

“We are honored to be recognized for our consistent and strong growth,” Oleg Firer, CEO of Net Element stated in the news release. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Net Element team as we continue to focus on powering global commerce and bringing disruptive technologies to our customers.”

The South Florida Business Journal selects companies for its annual list based on percentage growth over a two-year period. Each company honored with the 2016 Technology Award will be recognized at a formal event taking place October 13, 2016. The companies will also be listed in a special section of the Business Journal that will include coverage of the 2016 Technology Awards. For more information, visit http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida.

Net Element is a global technology company delivering electronic payment solutions that enable merchants to process transactions through various integrated platforms. The company provides its services through a portfolio of operating companies with disruptive technologies in their respective fields. By tapping into large, relatively underserved markets, Net Element has a track record of impressive year-over-year growth, and continues to secure leading positions in select markets.

For more information, visit www.netelement.com

For many Americans, this has been a year for saving, with over 50% of U.S. citizens choosing saving money as their primary goal, rather than exercising more, eating healthier, or losing weight. According to an American Express press release (http://dtn.fm/Lb9DD), people in the U.S. are aiming to set aside an average of over $15,000 this year, a large increase over 2015.

In addition, more Americans today plan to save in order to spend on experiences such as travel. Approximately 70% of Americans plan to travel for leisure, versus 66% in 2015. U.S. citizens want to maximize their vacation time this year, and, according to an article at Parenting.com (http://dtn.fm/C4kMG), “family trips are one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry, and despite the fact that the average vacation in the United States costs $4,580 for a family of four, parents are willing to spend that money on something they feel is important to their family.”

The article highlights key traveling family trends for 2016. First, families are traveling with friends and/or family. This has been put down to the fact that the millennial generation, starting families, is beginning to value experiences more than just material possessions. People are booking holidays with extended family in order to share new experiences. Instead of young parents taking their kids to their grandparents’ homes, there has been a significant shift toward family destination visits.

Secondly, family holidays are not limited to summer vacations. Thanks to the flexibility of people’s jobs today, parents are able to take time off from work knowing they can keep on track of their careers remotely, via the Internet. Without the limitations of a brick and mortar facility, families are able to travel for longer periods of time.

Thirdly, spontaneous travel is no longer just for the rich and famous. The Internet provides quick and easy travel planning for people of all demographics. Last minute hotel deals, car rentals, flights, and so on are all available at the click of a button. Not only is it affordable; it’s easy. In addition to this, travel companies worldwide now promote last minute holiday deals for thousands of destinations.

Finally, options for accommodation are growing. Motels are not the only affordable option out there anymore. The combination of new booking platforms, timeshares, resorts, and other innovative options has made family accommodation increasingly comfortable and something people now look forward to. Many families now opt for full homes for their holidays so that they can take advantage of the greater space, comfort, and ability to cook affordable meals.

The technology-driven travel company Monaker Group (OTCQB: MKGI) offers all of the above to traveling families. The company’s real-time booking engine features a creative range of alternative lodging such as resorts, villas, hotels, homes, and more. In addition to this, families are able to book car rentals, flights, tours, and concierge services, allowing them to fully enjoy their vacation rather than losing time planning when they arrive at their destination. The company offers its services around the world, with listings growing every year thanks to its growing list of partnerships and acquisitions.

For more information, visit www.MonakerGroup.com

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“Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour,” the Bard of Avon reminds us, an observation that is confirmed by examining the history of carbonated beverages. Our love affair with fizzy drinks is souring. The American consumer is no longer as enamored of soda as in the heady days when he or she was told ‘Things Go Better with Coke’.

The soft drink market has turned soft. Quenching thirst (hydration in modern jargon) is no longer enough. Now consumers are asking for functional hydration that adds electrolytes and carbohydrates to their beverages, and companies like Laguna Blends (CSE: LAG) (OTC: LAGBF) (LB6A.F) are answering. For athletes, jocks, players, amateurs, pros and average Joes, Laguna Blends has brought two healthful hemp-based beverages to market. With its Caffe Protein Coffee and Pro369, Laguna Blends is set to taste success in the fast growing functional beverages market.

Functional beverages are drinks that not only keep our bodies hydrated but provide some added nutritional benefit. Under this category fall a variety of fortified drinks that address health and nutritional issues across all age groups. Ingredients added to fortify drinks include herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fruit and vegetables. The market is segmented into energy drinks, sports drinks, nutraceutical drinks, dairy-based beverages, juices, and enhanced water. A nutraceutical is a food or drink that promotes health or has medicinal benefits. The three largest segments are, in order from largest down, energy drinks, sports drinks and nutraceutical drinks.

According to a white paper (http://nnw.fm/M9Tmu) from industry analysts First Beverage Group, smaller “better-for-you” brands like Caffe Protein Coffee and Pro369 have billions of dollars of market share in play. ‘Small brands… are expected to grow into… a $95 billion market by 2020’. In the white paper, released last year, First Beverage Group identifies three factors it believes will drive growth in the non-alcoholic beverage market.

The first is ‘an increased focus on “health and wellness” (that) has already shaped general consumption habits across food and beverage categories’. The second determinant is the rise of the “smart consumer” – the informed consumer who demands increased transparency, simplicity in ingredients, and truth in labeling. Thirdly, it cites the behavior of Millennials as an important characteristic, noting that this group is ‘the most socially and digitally connected generation in history and their consumption patterns, which demand better-for-you, authentic, hand-crafted, and local products, will continue to drive a significant shift not only in consumption patterns, but also in the way brands market themselves…’.

Laguna Blends is certainly ready for the challenge. The company markets products based on the nutritional health benefits derived from hemp. Its flagship product is Caffe Protein Coffee, which is loaded in proteins: both whey and hemp. Another product is Pro369, which combines HempOmega®, hemp protein and ginseng, and comes in four delicious flavors: Vanilla Caramel, Tropical Fruit, Mixed Berry and Chocolate Banana.

Research (http://nnw.fm/d57dO) has uncovered the nutritional benefits of hemp. Hempseed, typically, contains over 30 percent oil and about 25 percent protein, with considerable amounts of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. The hempseed oil contains over 80 percent in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and is an exceptionally rich source of the two essential fatty acids (EFAs), linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. These EFAs are used, by the body, to build more complex fats called omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which have been shown to promote cardiovascular health.

For more information, visit www.lagunablends.com

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