Apple (AAPL) is not only the most profitable company in the world, but it also now owns the world�s largest hedge fund. Zero Hedge reports that Braeburn Capital, a Nevada-based asset management corporation specifically founded by Apple to manage its cash, presently has more than $117 billion in AUM (assets-under-management). Thus making it larger than hedge fund giant Bridgewater, which currently has around $100 billion in AUM.

As Zero Hedge notes, Apple has been very secretive about Braeburn�s investments and activities and has kept the company�s profile decidedly low. That�s because �Apple presently uses Braeburn primarily in its capacity for finding legal tax loopholes all around the world to avoid paying taxes.�

What�s more, Zero Hedge says that Braeburn exists in a sort of legal black hole where it has no reporting requirements and thus isn�t obligated to disclose to anyone what it owns. The web site speculates that Braeburn could soon become much more well known, however, as the government could soon turn its attention toward closing legal loopholes that have allowed hugely profitable companies to avoid paying taxes.

Is Your Trade Exchange Missing Out On Valuable New Business?

If your barter company�s listing on BarterNews.com isn�t current, you are definitely missing out on new business. The web site BarterNews.com receives heavy traffic � with over 150,000 page-views every month. Entrepreneurs and corporate executives check the thousands of articles, the weekly �Tuesday Report,� and the �Contacts Section� of our site. They use the latter to find barter companies with which to do business.

Is your barter company�s listing up-to-date?

To keep your listing current is very easy. See the links below to (A) update any changes to your company�s listing, such as new location, phone number, web site or other information, and (B) if your company has not been listed.

Here�s how to get on board:

To make changes to your listing click here.

For new listings click here.

Barter Partnership-Marketing Increases Your Payoff

One of the ways to expand your marketing efforts is by contacting and partnering with other members within your trade exchange. Look for those whom you�ve met and created a rapport with (at mixers or trade fairs) as well as those offering complementary but non-competitive products or services. If you need some help, give a call to your trade broker for possible introductions.

For example, if you�re selling nutritional supplements, you could join forces with the local fitness center wherein you�d display each other�s products or services in your respective businesses. When creating a promotion that would provide additional exposure for both of you, look to fund it on trade and split the cost.

To get started in building barter partnerships, analyze the type of customers you service. What types of businesses are they in? What companies are they doing business with? When you spot a significant number of your customers coming from one industry or neighborhood, consider teaming up with others from the exchange that might also supply that target market.