Hale Global and QL2 Software, Inc. today announced that they have completed the plan of reorganization previously approved by the bankruptcy court. The reorganized company is named QL2 Software, LLC.  

The plan of reorganization pays allowed creditor claims in full, with consideration for equity holders and exit financing to support the growth of QL2.

"After six months of work, we are extremely excited to complete QL2's reorganization," said Charles Hale, President of Hale Global. "With Hale Global's backing, and the skills of its veteran executive team going forward, QL2 will continue to build on its pioneering leadership in the real-time competitive data market, while keeping customer satisfaction our number one operational priority."

"QL2 is extremely excited about our future," said Paul Campbell, Senior Vice President of Field Operations. "We have emerged in a strong position to continue the market-leading, innovative data services that our customers worldwide rely on to run their businesses."

"On behalf of the committee, we are pleased that allowed creditor claims have been paid in full, with interest," said Larry Ream of Bullivant Houser Bailey, counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors.  "Hale Global proved a reliable and experienced equity sponsor, and the creditors look forward to working with the reorganized QL2 in the future."

About QL2 Software, LLC

QL2 is the industry leader in providing services and technology for near real-time pricing and product data from unstructured sources such as the Web. With over 200 customers across more than 35 countries, "QL2data" drives better business decisions and increased revenue.  QL2's customers include 7 of the top 10 global airlines, 5 of the top global online travel agencies, and Global 100 energy, car rental, retail, pharmaceutical and life science companies.

About Hale Global 

Hale Global is a technology holding company with offices in Boston and New York. Hale Global partners with leading companies and their management teams to invest in and manage businesses facing operational or strategic inflection points. For special situation investments, we believe no firm is faster and more reliable than Hale Global in structuring and closing mutually beneficial transactions.  Hale Global has an 8-year track record growing technology businesses into great companies using capital and operational skills.  More information about the firm can be found at www.haleglobal.com.

SOURCE QL2 Software, LLC

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Communications Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: JCS) announced today that the Company's Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $.15 per share of common stock payable to shareholders of record on September 17, 2010.  The dividend will be distributed on October 1, 2010.

About Communications Systems, Inc.

CSI provides physical connectivity infrastructure and services for cost-effective broadband solutions and is a leading supplier of voice grade connecting devices and wiring systems.  CSI serves the broadband market as the world's leading supplier of media conversion technology, which permits networks to deploy fiber optic technology while retaining the copper-based infrastructure already embedded in the network.  CSI also supplies copper wire and fiber optic structured wiring systems for broadband networks and line filters for digital subscriber line ("DSL") service.  CSI also provides network design, training and management services.

SOURCE Communications Systems, Inc.

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FirstMerit Corp. (Nasdaq: FMER) will present at the Barclays Capital Financial Services Conference to be held in New York City on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Paul G. Greig, chairman, president and CEO, will discuss business, financial performance and strategies. The presentation will include forward-looking statements.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070920/CLTU138LOGO)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070920/CLTU138LOGO)

Interested investors may access the live audio presentation, with slides available for viewing, by visiting http://www.firstmerit.com/investors. A replay of the webcast will be archived in the investor relations section of FirstMerit's Web site at http://www.firstmerit.com.

About FirstMerit

FirstMerit Corporation is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of $14.5 billion as of June 30, 2010 and 206 banking offices and 224 ATMs in Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and the Chicago area. FirstMerit Corporation provides a complete range of banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses through its core operations. Principal wholly-owned subsidiaries include: FirstMerit Bank, N.A., FirstMerit Mortgage Corporation, FirstMerit Title Agency, Ltd., and FirstMerit Community Development Corporation.

SOURCE FirstMerit Corporation

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Seven Summits Research issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for EMC, AA, WAG, EXPE, and MJN.

To see what our analysts have discovered about these stocks read the Seven Summits Strategic Investments' PriceWatch Alerts at http://www.iotogo.com/s/090310B (Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)

Today's PriceWatch Alerts cover the following stocks: EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC), Alcoa, Inc. (NYSE: AA), Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG), Expedia Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE), and Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN).

In today's unsure markets these brief PriceWatch Alerts contain concise detailed strategies for each covered stock and include position protection tactics designed to potentially defend investors from unexpected market shifts. While other market reports only provide stock news and opinion, we offer strategies that position investments against uncertainty and increase chances of making a profit, even if a stock goes down.

"Our PriceWatch Alerts go beyond other market reports. Along with a brief concise overview, each PriceWatch Alert provides useful strategies, which ensure potential investments are protected with basic hedging techniques," says Reid Stratton, Seven Summits Senior Analyst. "These brief company reports contain information that can benefit expert and novice investors who want to stay ahead of the market."

For essential information on stocks poised to move go to:

http://www.iotogo.com/s/090310B for Seven Summits Strategic Investments' PriceWatch Alerts.

Seven Summits Investment Research is an independent investment research group, which focuses on the U.S. equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. For more information go to www.SevenSummitsInvestmentResearch.com. CRD# 137114

All stocks and options shown are examples only-- not recommendations to buy or sell. Our picks do not represent a positive or negative outlook on any security. Potential returns do not take into account your trade size, brokerage commissions or taxes--expenses that will affect actual investment returns. Stocks and options involve risk, thus they are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling options, a person should request a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options available from Catherine at 800-698-9101 or at http://www.cboe.com/Resources/Intro.aspx. Privacy policy available upon request.

SOURCE Seven Summits Investment Research

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The John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund (JGPAX) won the #1 spot among global equities funds as determined by Bloomberg Markets Magazine in its annual rankings, published in the October issue.  With a 30.7 percent total return for the year ending June 30 and a 10.2 percent five-year total return, the Global Opportunities Fund posted the top score of 97.7 in the overall Bloomberg rankings.

MFC Global Investment Management's Christopher H. Arbuthnot, CFA, is the lead portfolio manager for the Fund.

In addition, the John Hancock Strategic Income Fund (JHFIX) placed sixth among top global bond funds, with a score of 73.2 points, in the Bloomberg rankings.  Managed by MFC Global Investment Management (MFC GIM) senior portfolio managers Daniel S. Janis III and Thomas C. Goggins, the fund posted a one-year total return of 19.3 percent, 6.9 percent for three years, and 5.8 percent for five years.

"We're pleased with Bloomberg's recognition of outstanding performance by these MFC Global Investment Management sub-advised funds," said Keith F. Hartstein, President & CEO.  "The Global Opportunities and Strategic Income funds are a reflection of the overall excellence of the John Hancock family of funds today.  Through our partnership with MFC GIM and 11 other world-class sub-advisors, we are committed to providing access to premier institutional investment strategies which will help shareholders meet their investment goals and objectives."

Bloomberg's mutual fund rankings include only active, open-end, U.S.-domiciled funds with more than $250 million in total assets. Excluded in the rankings were institutional-class, index, sector and market-neutral funds. For the global equity and global bond rankings, the universe was limited to funds with at least one-third of their assets invested outside the U.S.  The Bloomberg scoring model included five equally weighted criteria:  total returns for one, three and five years, and Sharpe ratios for three and five years, all as of June 30.  Sharpe ratios were added because they show how well the return of a fund compensates investors for the risk taken.

In addition to the Bloomberg rankings, the Wall Street Journal's monthly Mutual Fund Review for September 2010 ranked John Hancock Global Opportunities as a "Category King," claiming the top spot of the Global Stock category for its year to date return.  The John Hancock High Yield Fund was also a "Category King," ranked among the top High Yield Taxable funds for its year to date performance.

About John Hancock Funds

The Boston-based mutual fund business unit of John Hancock Financial, John Hancock Funds manages more than $54.6 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts, retirement plans and related party assets for individual and institutional investors at June 30, 2010.  

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. For more than 120 years, clients have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$454 billion (US$428 billion) as at June 30, 2010.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial may be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Funds

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