Agora Financial

A subsidiary of The Agora network, Agora Financial was founded in 1979 by financial writer and essayist Bill Bonner, the author of Empire of Debt and Financial Reckoning Day.{{cite web|url=http://www.moneyshow.com/marketdata/Corporate_Landing_Page/300/F7606B27AB7C46F992D578B3A252EDDF/Bonner-Bill/ |title=Annual Online Profile |publisher=MoneyShow.com |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002332/http://www.moneyshow.com/marketdata/Corporate_Landing_Page/300/F7606B27AB7C46F992D578B3A252EDDF/Bonner-Bill/ |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3XBQhZLKzmQC&q=Financial+Reckoning+Day |title=Financial Reckoning Day: Surviving the Soft Depression of the 21st Century – Will Bonner, William Bonner |via= Google Books |year= 2004|access-date=June 4, 2013|isbn=9780471696582|last1=Bonner |first1=Will |last2=Bonner |first2=William |last3=Wiggin |first3=Addison }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=syNISzbqF0sC&q=Empire+of+Debt |title=Empire of Debt: The Rise of an Epic Financial Crisis – Will Bonner, Addison Wiggin |via= Google Books |year=2011|access-date=June 4, 2013|isbn=9781118040546|last1=Bonner |first1=Will |last2=Wiggin |first2=Addison }} Bonner's co-author Addison Wiggin is the executive publisher of Agora Financial.{{cite news|author=Addison's New Posts |url=https://blogs.forbes.com/people/awiggin/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812055411/http://blogs.forbes.com/people/awiggin/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2010 |title=Forbes » Contributor Profile » Addison Wiggin |publisher=Blogs.forbes.com |access-date=May 31, 2013}} Wiggin served as executive producer and co-writer on the 2008 feature-length documentary film I.O.U.S.A.. A film about the growth of the U.S. national debt, I.O.U.S.A. was based on Empire of Debt, and was financed by Agora Entertainment, another Agora, Inc. subsidiary.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/06/AR2008080603569.html |title=Indebted Ever After |work=Washingtonpost.com |date=August 7, 2008 |access-date=May 31, 2013 |first=Frank |last=Ahrens}}

The company publishes a number of financial newsletters focused on advising investors on making money in energy, metals, emerging technologies, and small-cap stocks, including the Daily Reckoning, Outstanding Investments, and Capital & Crisis. Agora financial also founded the Richebacher Society, a group focused on continuing the work of the late economist Kurt Richebacher.

Byron King, editor of two of Agora Financial's publications, Energy & Scarcity Investor and Outstanding Investments, has served as an oil industry analyst in the media, specifically in the wake of British Petroleum's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/29/AR2010092906586.html |title=Will the oil spill make a drop of difference regarding our attitudes? |work=Washingtonpost.com |date= September 30, 2010|access-date=May 31, 2013 |first=Steven |last=Mufson}} Other members of the Agora Financial staff have provided analysis for CNBC, Fox Business, and Bloomberg.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2011/11/01/ugly-truth-for-the-fed-inflation-pressures-here-to-stay.html |title=Ugly Truth for the Fed: Inflation Pressures Here to Stay |publisher=CNBC |date=November 1, 2011 |access-date=May 31, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4655992/dollar-continues-to-decline/ |title=Dollar Continues to Decline | Fox Business Video |publisher=Video.foxbusiness.com |date=April 21, 2011 |access-date=May 31, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Lucchesi |first=Cristiane |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-07/diniz-paying-premium-in-quest-for-brasil-foods-corporate-brazil.html |title=Diniz Pays Premium in Quest for Brasil Foods: Corporate Brazil |publisher=Bloomberg |date=February 7, 2013 |access-date=May 31, 2013}} In March 2011, Agora Financial acquired Laissez Faire Books, a libertarian bookseller based in New York.{{citation |url=|title=Agora Financial Acquires Laissez Faire Books |date=April 1, 2011 |access-date=}} Established in 1972, the bookseller publishes and distributes libertarian books, with a focus on economics and finance.{{cite web|url=http://lfb.org/about-us/ |title=About Laissez Faire Books | Laissez-Faire Bookstore |publisher=Lfb.org |access-date=May 31, 2013}} Jeffrey Tucker, author of Bourbon for Breakfast: Living Outside the Statist Quo, and It’s a Jetsons World: Private Miracles and Public Crimes, as well as former editorial vice president of the Ludwig von Mises Institute, was hired as Laissez Faire's executive editor.{{cite news|url=http://finance.boston.com/boston/news/read/20039233/jeffrey_tucker_joins_agora_financial |title=Jeffrey Tucker Joins Agora Financial, To Relaunch Laissez Faire Books | Stock Market Summary (NSDQ, NYSE, AMEX and more) on Boston.com |publisher=Finance.boston.com |date=November 23, 2011 |access-date=May 31, 2013}}

• Breakthrough Technology Alert – Edited by Ray Blanco, looks for investment opportunities in new technologies.{{cite web|url=http://www.thelifesciencesreport.com/pub/na/13495 |title=Biotech Ideas That Will Change the World: Patrick Cox [PVCT] |publisher=The Life Sciences Report |access-date=May 31, 2013}}
• Capital & Crisis - Edited by Chris Mayer, this newsletter explores the topic of global value investing.{{cite web|url=http://www.valueinvestingcongress.com/the_congress/speakers/chris_mayer/index.php |title=Chris Mayer – Capital & Crisis |publisher=Valueinvestingcongress.com |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122120455/http://valueinvestingcongress.com/the_congress/speakers/chris_mayer/index.php |archive-date=January 22, 2013 }}
• Daily Reckoning – The publisher's flagship newsletter, the daily publication discusses economic issues, investment ideas, and market analysis.{{cite web |url=http://www.addisonwiggin.com/the-daily-reckoning/ |title=The Daily Reckoning |publisher=Addison Wiggin |access-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718195518/http://www.addisonwiggin.com/the-daily-reckoning/ |archive-date=July 18, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
• Energy & Scarcity Investor – Edited by Byron King, focuses on companies exploring new areas of resource development.{{cite web|url=http://www.smallcappower.com/experts/profiles/byron-king |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130624201510/http://www.smallcappower.com/experts/profiles/byron-king |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 24, 2013 |title=Byron King – Editor, Energy & Scarcity Investor and Outstanding Investments |publisher=SmallcapPower |access-date=May 31, 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.investimonials.com/newsletters/reviews-agora-financial-energy-scarcity-investor.aspx |title=Reviews of Agora Financial: Energy & Scarcity Investor at Investimonials |publisher=Investimonials.com |date=September 4, 2012 |access-date=May 31, 2013}}
• Lifetime Income Report – Edited by Neil George, the newsletter is focused on dividend growth.{{cite web|url=http://stockgumshoe.com/reviews/lifetime-income-report/ |title=Lifetime Income Report |publisher=Stock Gumshoe |access-date=May 31, 2013}}
• Mayer’s Special Situations – Edited by Chris Mayer, the monthly publication discusses unique small-cap investment opportunities.{{cite web |url=http://www.arabianmoney.net/gcc-economics/2013/02/14/dubai-stocks-look-interesting-but-the-correction-may-be-coming-says-financial-newsletter-guru-chris-mayer/ |title=Dubai stocks look interesting but the correction may be coming says financial newsletter guru Chris Mayer « ArabianMoney |publisher=Arabianmoney.net |date=February 14, 2013 |access-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218222618/http://www.arabianmoney.net/gcc-economics/2013/02/14/dubai-stocks-look-interesting-but-the-correction-may-be-coming-says-financial-newsletter-guru-chris-mayer/ |archive-date=February 18, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
• Options Hotline – Edited by Steve Sarnoff, the publication looks for potential investment opportunities in the stock market.{{cite web |url=http://onlycritiques.com/subcategories/InvestmentOpp/StevenSarnoffOptionsHotline.html |title=Critique/Review of Steven Sarnoff – Options Hotline in the Investment Opportunities Category |publisher=Onlycritiques.com |access-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128070235/http://onlycritiques.com/subcategories/InvestmentOpp/StevenSarnoffOptionsHotline.html |archive-date=January 28, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
• Outstanding Investments – Edited by Byron King, the publication focuses on investments in energy, mining, and precious metals.{{cite web |last=Brush |first=Michael |url=http://money.msn.com/how-to-invest/top-pros-top-stocks-for-2011-brush.aspx?page=2 |title=Top pros' top stocks for 2011 – 2 – MSN Money |publisher=Money.msn.com |date=December 21, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005245/http://money.msn.com/how-to-invest/top-pros-top-stocks-for-2011-brush.aspx?page=2 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }} The publication was ranked #1 in overall return from 2000-2010 by Hulbert Financial Digest.{{cite web|author=The Daily Reckoning |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/what-if-past-is-prologue-2011-6 |title=What if Past is Prologue? |publisher=Business Insider |date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=June 4, 2013}}
• Penny Sleuth – A daily newsletter edited by Jonas Elmerraji, with commentary and analysis on small-cap stocks.{{cite web|last=Nelson |first=Jim |url=http://www.businesshighlight.org/business/finance/penny-sleuth-s-10-tips-for-new-penny-stock-investors.html |title=Penny Sleuth's 10 Tips for New Penny Stock Investors |publisher=Businesshighlight.org |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224348/http://www.businesshighlight.org/business/finance/penny-sleuth-s-10-tips-for-new-penny-stock-investors.html |archive-date=December 2, 2013 }}
• Penny Stock Fortunes – Co-edited by Jonas Elmerraji and Greg Guenthner, advises on investing in penny stocks.{{cite web|author=Articles from Jonas Elmerraji, Penny Sleuth |url=http://www.topstockanalysts.com/index.php/author/jonas-elmerraji/ |title=Jonas Elmerraji, Penny Sleuth |publisher=TopStockAnalysts.com |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225042547/http://www.topstockanalysts.com/index.php/author/jonas-elmerraji/ |archive-date=February 25, 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://silverpennystock.com/penny-stock-fortunes-greg-guenthner/ |title=Penny Stock Fortunes Greg Guenthner |publisher=Silverpennystock.com |date=March 4, 2013 |access-date=May 31, 2013}}
• STORM Signals – Co-edited by Jonas Elmerraji and Greg Guenthner, it makes recommendations on using market volatility for investment opportunities.{{cite web|url=http://www.investorsalley.com/mc13/01-07/article4.html |title=The Market Cap by Investors Alley – January 7, 2013 |publisher=Investorsalley.com |date=January 7, 2013 |access-date=June 4, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://stocks-to-by.com/category/stock-market/ |title=Best Stocks to Buy, Hot Penny Stocks, Cheep and Good – stock market |publisher=Stocks-to-by.com |access-date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822052134/http://stocks-to-by.com/category/stock-market/ |archive-date=August 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
• Strategic Short Report – Edited by Dan Amoss, discusses investment strategy based on predictions of the directions various companies are headed.{{cite web|url=http://www.investimonials.com/newsletters/reviews-agora-financial-strategic-short-report.aspx |title=Reviews of Agora Financial: Strategic Short Report at Investimonials |publisher=Investimonials.com |access-date=May 31, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://goldstockstoday.com/tag/strategic-short-report/ |title=Strategic Short Report |publisher=Gold Stocks Today |access-date=May 31, 2013}}
• Technology Profits Confidential – Edited by Ray Blanco, discusses investment opportunities in emerging technologies.{{cite web|url=http://www.thelifesciencesreport.com/pub/htdocs/expert.html?id=7962 |title=Expert – Ray Blanco |publisher=The Life Sciences Report |access-date=May 31, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thelifesciencesreport.com/pub/htdocs/expert.html?id=7235 |title=Expert – Patrick Cox |publisher=The Life Sciences Report |access-date=May 31, 2013}}
• Total Income Alert – Edited by Neil George, discusses varied investment opportunities as an income source.{{cite web|url=http://seekingalpha.com/author/neil-george |title=Neil George |publisher=Seeking Alpha |access-date=May 31, 2013}}
• 25 Cent Trader - Edited by Nomi Prins, discusses options trading by placing trades on usually Monday or Tuesday.{{Cite web|url=https://nobsimreviews.com/nomi-prins-25-cent-contracts/|title=Nomi Prins 25 Cent Contracts|date=April 23, 2020|website=NoBSIMReviews}}
• FDA Trader - Edited by Ray Blanco, the strategy looks for breakout moves in the medical markets.{{Cite web|url=https://sevenfigurepublishing.com/publications/ftr/|title=Ray Blanco's FDA Trader|website=Seven Figure Publishing|language=en|access-date=2020-04-23}}
• Buyout Millionaires Club - Co-edited by Zach Scheidt and Jonathan Rodriguez, it looks to identify the market’s most compelling takeover targets before a deal is announced.{{Cite web|url=https://seekingalpha.com/author/zachary-scheidt|title=Zachary Scheidt's Articles|website=Seeking Alpha|language=en|access-date=2020-04-23}}
• Daily Double Club - Edited by Alan Knuckman, it looks for profit opportunities to double your money daily.{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-knuckman-949673a|title=Alan Knuckman Linkedin|website=Linkedin}}
• Weekly Fortunes - Edited by Tim Sykes, it is a bi-weekly newsletter that focuses on penny stocks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timothysykes.com/|title=Timothy Sykes : Millionaire Stock Trader and Entrepreneur|website=Timothy Sykes|language=en|access-date=2020-04-23}}

Since 1999, the company has hosted the annual Agora Financial Investment Symposium. Held in Vancouver, British Columbia, the conference is Agora Financial's largest event of the year.{{cite web|author=Rocky Vega |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Daily-Reckoning/2010/0219/Even-in-the-heart-of-the-Olympics-a-foreclosure |title=Even in the heart of the Olympics, a foreclosure |publisher=CSMonitor.com |date=February 19, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2013}} The conference brings together a large number of speakers discussing emerging financial trends, as well as panels and debates.{{cite web |last=From |first=Thoughts |url=http://jutiagroup.com/20100719-the-debt-supercycle/ |title=The Debt Supercycle |publisher=Jutiagroup.com |date=July 19, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615150619/http://jutiagroup.com/20100719-the-debt-supercycle/ |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Past speakers have included Steve Forbes, Jim Rogers, Doug Casey, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, and James Howard Kunstler.{{cite web |url=http://www.addisonwiggin.com/about/ |title=Biography |publisher=Addison Wiggin |access-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603054528/http://www.addisonwiggin.com/about/ |archive-date=June 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Each year, the conference is built around a central theme, with "A Tale of Two Americas" the theme selected for 2013.{{cite web |url=http://blog.milesfranklin.com/events |title=Events | A Trusted Resource For Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Bullion News |publisher=Blog.milesfranklin.com |access-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511023036/http://blog.milesfranklin.com/events |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

In the investigations following 9/11, the SEC determined that an unusual number of investors had purchased put options on American Airlines immediately prior to September 11, 2001. Further investigation found Agora's Options Hotline newsletter and its editor Steve Sarnoff as responsible for faxing some 2,000 subscribers the recommendation to buy put options on American Airlines on September 9, 2001.{{cite web |url=http://ithp.org/articles/septemberinsidertrading.html |title=Evidence of insider trading before september 11th |publisher=Ithp.org |access-date=June 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419230635/http://ithp.org/articles/septemberinsidertrading.html |archive-date=April 19, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Sarnoff was investigated for insider trading with the SEC eventually concluding “all suspicious trades were checked out, and the SEC satisfied itself that the traders had no advance knowledge of 9/11.”{{cite web |url=http://media.nara.gov/9-11/MFR/t-0148-911MFR-00139.pdf#sthash.MYQA4sOk.dpuf |title=Interview of Joseph J. Cella III, Page 14 |publisher=9-11 Commission |date=September 16, 2003 |access-date=June 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222152337/http://media.nara.gov/9-11/MFR/t-0148-911MFR-00139.pdf#sthash.MYQA4sOk.dpuf |archive-date=February 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In October 2019 the Federal Trade Commission sued Agora Financial for promising a "100 percent success rate" cure for Type 2 diabetes within 28 days, without any changes to diet or exercise, if customers would buy Agora's books, newsletters, and other products. The suit also addressed a bogus "Congressional Checks" or "Republican Checks" scheme where customers who were Republicans could receive government backed checks ranging from $900 to over tens of thousands of dollars and to get the information on the checks customers would need to pay $4.95 for shipping for a book, Congress’ Secret $1.17 Trillion Giveaway, and subscribe to Agora's Lifetime Income Report newsletter, which costs $99 a year. The book however contained only information on dividend investing and nothing about free Congressional checks.{{cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/10/ftc-sues-publisher-targeting-seniors-phony-diabetes-cure-money |title=FTC Sues Publisher for Targeting Seniors With Phony Diabetes Cure and Money Making Schemes |publisher=Federal Trade Commission |date=October 29, 2019 |access-date=January 4, 2020}}

In February 2021 Agora Financial and some of its affiliates agreed to pay more than $2 million to settle the FTC charges. The FTC reported Agora tricked seniors into buying materials that falsely promised a cure for type 2 diabetes or promoted a phony plan to help them cash in on a government-affiliated check program.{{cite web |last1=Oxenden |first1=McKenna |title=Baltimore-based Agora Financial to pay more than $2M to settle FTC charges for tricking seniors into buying products |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-agora-ftc-settlement-20210209-blor2yv7fzeqtn2ciwtapta6xu-story.html |website=The Baltimore Sun |publisher=Baltimore Sun |access-date=16 February 2021}}{{cite web |title=Publisher Will Pay More Than $2 Million to Settle FTC Charges That It Targeted Seniors with Phony Diabetes Cure and Money Making Schemes |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/02/publisher-will-pay-more-2-million-settle-ftc-charges-it-targeted |website=Federal Trade Commission |access-date=16 February 2021}}

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Category:Publishing companies established in 1979

Category:Publishing companies of the United States

Category:Companies based in Baltimore

Category:1979 establishments in Maryland