Site Concepts in progress...feedback/suggestions please

Hello Design community! If you have a minute please take a look at the three following concepts I'm working on for a Stock Market Analysis website that I'm currently working on. The first 2 are fairly solid which i think require a few minor tweaks to improve readablity, spacing, etc. The 3rd however, I'm feeling rather stuck and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts/initial reactions.

The client is fairly corporate in nature as they are stock market experts who deliver insightful analysis to their subscribers. The current site is www.briefing.com

I'd like to keep the 3rd option feeling open but not sure where to take it. Even if there's some sites you could send me to reference it'd be appreciated. I should also add that in the first concept the original logo is used but in 2 & 3 I've taken liberties in making a light and simple update. Lastly, text and images are FPO (For Placement Only).

Many Thanks!
Christine

Concept 1

Concept 2

Concept 3- not finished

Like option 1 for several reasons:

PROS:
1. menu is intuitive,
2. the graph that shows grow,
3. featured products or offers,
4. its well sectioned.

CONS:
1. I will remove any over smiling face (this is serious business, to trust investments),
2. Demographics should define colors but for the industry I would add the beige (light brown color) from concept 2, and probably add some variance of gold in a horizontal bar of white links over gold background (probably the featured products),
3. Not sure what the little + means?

Hope it helps some!

Thanks for the feedback!

3. Not sure what the little + means?

Good question. The "+" is intended to expand on rollover and reveal more information such as a customer quote. See an example here.

Any thoughts on what could be done with the 3rd concept?

Here's an updated version of the 3rd concept. I have one more idea in mind and will post that when finished as well. Please let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!

Concept 3 -updated

hey... i think all three are very cool. My favorite is Concept1 but I like the logo in C2 more. Maybe you can try to combine them..

I dont agree with removing smiling faces. I think they are attractive in that kind of business

Concept 3 -updated

I like this one,but try to add a shadow or something (blur the edges a little...) to the guy.

I like this one,but try to add a shadow or something (blur the edges a little...) to the guy.

I like this idea...perhaps a subtle warm glow!

Thank you for the feedback!!!

I dont agree with removing smiling faces. I think they are attractive in that kind of business

These photos, as I originally mentioned, are for placement only (FPO) but generally I find that people who are smiling too widely like the female in these designs tend to come off looking more cheesy and unnatural. I chose to use her for now anyways because I felt she brings a great sense of diversity to the grouping. I was trying to shoot for an age and gender range in concept 1 to represent the different user groups that will be using the site.

I totally agree with you though on one point...It is nice to see warm faces in such a seemingly cold industry.

Thank you for adding your thoughts!!!

3. my vote