Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards will play Christmas Day games for the first time on Wednesday as the NBA delivers its 77th year of contests on the holiday. French centre Wembanyama, last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, will lead the San Antonio Spurs into New York to face the Knicks, who have the league's longest holiday history. The Knicks have played the most Christmas games of any NBA club at 56 entering this year, the first coming in 1947, the year the first NBA Christmas game was played. Wembanyama, a 20-year-old who stands 7-foot-3 (2.21m), averages 24.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 4.0 blocked shots a game for the Spurs, who return to the Christmas lineup for the first time in eight years. "Very excited just about spending Christmas in New York," Wembanyama said. "Going to be like the movies I hope, maybe get a little snow. "I'll approach it just like any other game. We've got to learn about their team, scout them and apply it for sure. I'm sure it's going to be special. I'm sure the league is going to make it something special that we're going to be able to feel." Edwards, a two-time NBA All-Star guard who helped the United States capture gold at the Paris Olympics, will try to spark the Minnesota Timberwolves on a holiday road trip to Dallas in a rematch of last season's Western Conference finals. "Ant-Man" leads the T-Wolves with 25.3 points a game and also has 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals a contest this season. The league's past three champions will also take the court on Wednesday with the defending champion Boston Celtics playing host to Philadelphia, the 2022 trophy-lifting Golden State Warriors playing host to the Los Angeles Lakers and the 2023 winner Denver Nuggets on the road at Phoenix. Lakers star LeBron James, who turns 40 next Monday, is the NBA career leader in points on Christmas with 476 in a record 18 games on December 25. He and former Miami teammate Dwyane Wade share the lead in wins by a player on Christmas with 10. The Lakers and Knicks share the NBA record for Christmas wins by a team with 24 for each. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Bernard King scoring 60 points, the highest NBA total on Christmas Day. Three other players -- Rick Barry, Wilt Chamberlain and Slovenian Luka Doncic -- have scored 50 or more in a game on the holiday. Dallas guard Doncic joined the club with a 50-point effort last year. The Lakers (16-13) and Golden State (15-13) are fighting for seventh in the Western Conference just ahead of San Antonio (15-14) and Minnesota and Phoenix, both 14-14. Dallas is fourth in the West at 19-10, just ahead of Denver 16-11. The Celtics are second in the Eastern Conference at 22-7, ahead of New York (19-10) while Philadelphia has struggled to a 10-17 start, 12th in the East. js/pbGiants’ second-year cornerback who flashed promise suffers serious back injuryFamily of Hamas hostage Edan Alexander celebrates his 21st birthday in NYC's Central ParkDublin, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Sourcing Software - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for Sourcing Software was estimated at US$8.4 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$15.0 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. Several trends are driving growth in the sourcing software market, including the increasing focus on digital transformation, the need for greater supply chain transparency, and the demand for more efficient and sustainable procurement practices. As organizations continue to digitize their operations, sourcing software is becoming a key component of their procurement strategies, enabling them to automate and optimize sourcing processes. The growing importance of supply chain transparency, driven by consumer demand for ethical and sustainable products, is also fueling the adoption of sourcing software that can track and report on supplier practices and compliance. Additionally, the rise of global supply chains and the increasing complexity of procurement activities are pushing businesses to adopt more sophisticated tools that can manage these challenges effectively. The integration of AI, machine learning, and blockchain technology into sourcing software is further accelerating market growth by offering advanced capabilities that improve decision-making, enhance security, and reduce costs. These trends highlight the critical role of sourcing software in modern procurement and supply chain management, as organizations seek to stay competitive in an increasingly complex and dynamic business environment. What Innovations Are Enhancing the Functionality of Sourcing Software? Innovations in sourcing software are enhancing its functionality through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and advanced analytics. AI and machine learning algorithms are being used to automate routine tasks such as supplier evaluation, bid comparison, and risk assessment, allowing procurement teams to focus on more strategic activities. These technologies also enable predictive analytics, which can forecast market trends and supplier risks, helping organizations make more informed sourcing decisions. Additionally, innovations in user interface design are making sourcing software more intuitive and user-friendly, improving adoption rates among procurement professionals. Cloud-based solutions are also gaining traction, offering scalability, flexibility, and real-time collaboration across geographically dispersed teams. The incorporation of blockchain technology is another emerging trend, providing greater transparency and traceability in the supply chain by securely recording every transaction and contract in a decentralized ledger. These innovations are making sourcing software more powerful and efficient, enabling organizations to manage their procurement processes with greater precision and agility. How Does Sourcing Software Impact Supplier Relationships and Business Performance? Sourcing software significantly impacts supplier relationships and business performance by fostering stronger, more collaborative partnerships and enhancing operational efficiency. By centralizing supplier data and communications, sourcing software allows organizations to maintain better control over their supplier base, ensuring that they work with the most reliable and cost-effective partners. The ability to track supplier performance metrics such as on-time delivery, quality, and compliance helps businesses identify potential issues early and address them proactively, reducing disruptions and improving overall supply chain resilience. Furthermore, sourcing software enables more strategic and data-driven negotiations, leading to better contract terms and cost savings. The streamlined processes and real-time insights provided by the software contribute to faster decision-making and improved procurement cycle times, ultimately enhancing business performance and profitability. As a result, organizations that leverage sourcing software are better positioned to meet their procurement goals, reduce risks, and build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with their suppliers. Report Features: Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030. In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Company Profiles: Coverage of major players such as Aavenir, Corcentric, Coupa Software Inc., and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments. Key Attributes: Key Topics Covered: MARKET OVERVIEW Influencer Market Insights World Market Trajectories Global Economic Update Sourcing Software - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E) Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E) MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Increasing Need for Supply Chain Transparency and Efficiency Drives Sourcing Software Adoption Digital Transformation in Procurement Processes Fueling Technology Uptake Growth of E-procurement Platforms and Online Supplier Integration AI and Machine Learning Enhancements for Predictive Analytics in Sourcing Rising Importance of Sustainable and Ethical Sourcing Practices Advancements in Cloud-Based Sourcing Platforms Offering Scalability and Security Integration of Blockchain for Enhanced Security and Transparency in Supplier Contracts Vendor Management and Performance Tracking Capabilities Becomes Critical Adoption of Multi-Tier Sourcing Strategies to Mitigate Supply Chain Risks FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS (Total 52 Featured) Aavenir Corcentric Coupa Software Inc. GEP iPoint-systems Ivalua Inc. Jaggaer Keelvar Oracle Corporation ProcurePort Promena Strategic Procurement & Sourcing Solutions SAP SE Tradogram Workday, Inc. Zycus, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2v4hwo About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Sourcing Software Market
By Aaditya GovindRao and Roushni Nair (Reuters) – Goodman Group’s stock has been on a hot streak this year, shining bright among its Australian real-estate peers as the artificial intelligence boom has driven a frenzied demand for data centres. Global “hyperscalers”, or large-scale cloud service providers, such as Amazon, Microsoft and Meta, have been spending billions on data centres to cater to growing demand for AI services. Australia’s data-centre market, though nascent, saw outsized investment this year with Blackstone buying AirTrunk for A$24 billion ($14.91 billion) in September and developer NEXTDC raising nearly A$4.6 billion in equity and debt. Goodman, the country’s biggest property developer, counts the world’s largest hyperscalers as its customers, its website says, but the company did not confirm the identities of its customers in response to Reuters. Its inventory, however, reflects the heightened demand for these specialized facilities, with data centres under construction making up 42% of its A$12.8 billion ($7.96 billion) portfolio of projects under development at the end of September, up from 37% at the end of last year. This has sent its stock flying 45.8% higher this year, positioning Goodman for its best performance since 2006. It is also the Australian real estate index’s top performer. Higher exposure to data centres in development makes the market more comfortable paying a higher multiple for the business, said John Lockton, head of investment strategy at Sandstone Insights. “Investments into data centres continue to see momentum ... We expect this environment to continue to support Goodman – CAPEX outlook for hyperscalers implies ongoing growth for FY25.” The consensus is split on whether Goodman’s stock rise can continue. Some factions of the market highlighted that investor interest in data-centre-focused stocks has begun to cool as valuations get rich. They drew caution from landlord DigiCo Infrastructure REIT’s initial public offering this month, where it raised A$2 billion, but the stock fell 9% on debut. “We think Goodman’s securities are expensive at current prices ... we are more cautious about assuming maintainable excess returns from DC investment in the longer term,” said Winky Yingqi Tan, a Morningstar analyst focused on REITs. Tan also flagged risks of data-centre obsolescence leading to capital-intensive upgrades, and rivals adding more supply, as factors that could erode Goodman’s returns over time. Lockton, however, remains upbeat on Goodman’s prospects. He lauds its existing pipeline, and access to land with power supply that can be converted to data centres, which rivals have flagged as difficult to obtain. ($1 = 1.6093 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Aaditya Govind Rao and Roushni Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Rushil Dutta and Rod Nickel) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
Strictly Come Dancing fans fear BBC star 'set to quit' after seven years on show
Goodman Group's stock has been on a hot streak this year, shining bright among its Australian real-estate peers as the artificial intelligence boom has driven a frenzied demand for data centres. Global "hyperscalers", or large-scale cloud service providers, such as Amazon, Microsoft and Meta, have been spending billions on data centres to cater to growing demand for AI services. Australia's data-centre market, though nascent, saw outsized investment this year with Blackstone buying AirTrunk for A$24 billion ($14.91 billion) in September and developer NEXTDC raising nearly A$4.6 billion in equity and debt. Goodman, the country's biggest property developer, counts the world's largest hyperscalers as its customers, its website says, but the company did not confirm the identities of its customers in response to Reuters. Its inventory, however, reflects the heightened demand for these specialized facilities, with data centres under construction making up 42 per cent of its A$12.8 billion ($7.96 billion) portfolio of projects under development at the end of September, up from 37 per cent at the end of last year. This has sent its stock flying 45.8 per cent higher this year, positioning Goodman for its best performance since 2006. It is also the Australian real estate index's top performer. Higher exposure to data centres in development makes the market more comfortable paying a higher multiple for the business, said John Lockton, head of investment strategy at Sandstone Insights. "Investments into data centres continue to see momentum ... We expect this environment to continue to support Goodman – CAPEX outlook for hyperscalers implies ongoing growth for FY25." The consensus is split on whether Goodman's stock rise can continue. Some factions of the market highlighted that investor interest in data-centre-focused stocks has begun to cool as valuations get rich. They drew caution from landlord DigiCo Infrastructure REIT's initial public offering this month, where it raised A$2 billion, but the stock fell 9 per cent on debut. "We think Goodman's securities are expensive at current prices ... we are more cautious about assuming maintainable excess returns from DC investment in the longer term," said Winky Yingqi Tan, a Morningstar analyst focused on REITs. Tan also flagged risks of data-centre obsolescence leading to capital-intensive upgrades, and rivals adding more supply, as factors that could erode Goodman's returns over time. Lockton, however, remains upbeat on Goodman's prospects. He lauds its existing pipeline, and access to land with power supply that can be converted to data centres, which rivals have flagged as difficult to obtain. ($1 = 1.6093 Australian dollars)