ASX set to rise as Wall Street extends winning streakNew York : Despite the warning that drinking alcohol can lead to cancer risk, less than half of Americans know that regularly drinking alcohol increases the risk of later developing cancer. According to a survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania in the US, although 40 per cent of survey respondents were aware that regularly consuming alcohol increases the chance of later developing cancer, 40 per cent were not sure whether that is true, and 20 per cent reported inaccurate beliefs (either that it would have no effect or that it would decrease the chance of developing cancer). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that you can “lower your risk for cancer by drinking less alcohol or not drinking at all”. The CDC reports that more than half of US adults drink alcohol, 17 per cent binge drink, and 6 per cent drink heavily. According to the survey, alcohol consumption carries significant health risks is backed by systematic reviews as well as meta-analyses focused on the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of death from any cause. “Public health messages about the risks associated with drinking alcohol have to overcome the effects of decades of sophisticated marketing and positive media portrayals,” said Patrick E. Jamieson, who directs APPC’s Annenberg Health and Risk Communication Institute. The survey data come from the 21st wave of a nationally representative panel of 1,744 US adults. To account for attrition, small replenishment samples were added over time using a random probability sampling design. The policy centre has been tracking the American public’s knowledge, beliefs and behaviors regarding vaccination, Covid-19, flu, RSV, and other consequential health issues through this survey panel over the past three-and-a-half years.On Wednesday, Africa’s fastest-growing technology company, NucleusIS Africa Limited announced its acquisition of Rigo Microfinance Bank Limited. This landmark takeover is expected to strengthen NucleusIS Africa’s ability to deliver cutting-edge healthcare financing services across the continent. Speaking on the acquisition at press time, Mr. Femi Niyi, Board Chairman of NucleusIS Africa Limited, expressed optimism about the expanded opportunities this acquisition creates. “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our vision of transforming healthcare financing in Africa. Combining our innovative solutions with Rigo Microfinance Bank’s financial services infrastructure will enable us to address critical healthcare challenges more effectively,” he said. The acquisition underscores NucleusIS Africa’s mission to close the healthcare funding gap through technology-driven solutions. By integrating Rigo Microfinance Bank’s established financial infrastructure, the company aims to broaden its reach and enhance its ability to offer seamless, customized financial services to healthcare providers and patients. The Industry experts believe this acquisition positions NucleusIS Africa as the leading force in healthcare finance innovation across Africa. NucleusIS Africa will be able to better support medical service providers and expand access to essential healthcare services for more Africans. With the added capacity, the company plans to introduce new financial products designed to support healthcare providers, facilitate patient financing, and significantly improve access to quality healthcare services. The move is a strategic step toward reshaping Africa’s healthcare financing landscape. The acquisition of Rigo Microfinance Bank Limited marks a new chapter in the company’s mission to create sustainable healthcare solutions through financial empowerment. NucleusIS Africa Limited, founded in 2019, is a Nigerian Tech Company leading groundbreaking innovation to enhance healthcare access in Africa, through technology-driven health insurance solutions. “The company’s flagship platform automates health insurance operations, connecting insurers, healthcare providers, and individuals across Nigeria and Ghana. Within the last few years, the organization has onboarded over 700,000 insured individuals, while partnering with major health insurance providers. NucleusIS has also introduced a groundbreaking credit scheme that enables users to purchase health insurance on a “buy now, pay later” basis, addressing affordability and accessibility challenges. “Through collaborations with telecom companies and retailers, NucleusIS has expanded its reach, creating thousands of healthcare access points. It has also helped insurers launch tailored products, including specialized plans for seniors and chronic care management. “The company continues to scale its operations with a goal of insuring millions more across Africa in the coming years.
SAN ANTONIO — Robert Henry ran for 178 yards on 16 carries and he scored two touchdowns as UTSA unloaded on Temple late for a 51-27 victory on Friday night in a game of big plays. UTSA (6-5, 4-3 American Athletic Conference), which became bowl eligible, has won nine straight home contests and 17 of 18. Henry scored on a 40-yard touchdown run on the Roadrunners' first possession. UTSA pushed the lead to 14-3 early in the second quarter when quarterback Owen McCown ran 75 yards to the end zone. It was 21-10 after Chris Carpenter returned a kickoff 97 yards. McCown threw for 220 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also had 75 yards rushing on six carries and a touchdown. Evan Simon threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions for Temple (3-8, 2-5). His 61-yard touchdown pass to Dante Wright reduced Temple's deficit to 31-24. Wright caught five passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. The Roadrunners won the only previous meeting with the Owls, 49-34, last season in what was their inaugural AAC game. UTSA played all four FBS teams with the nickname Owls (Florida Atlantic, Kennesaw State, Rice and Temple) this season — only losing to Rice.
NEW YORK — Stoli Group USA, the owner of the namesake vodka , has filed for bankruptcy as it struggled to contend with slowing demand for spirits, a major cyberattack that has snarled its operations and several years of fighting Russia in court. The company in its bankruptcy filing said it is “experiencing financial difficulties” and lists between $50 million and $100 million in liabilities. Stoli vodka and Kentucky Owl bourbon will continue to be available on store shelves while the company navigates the Chapter 11 process, which only pertains to its U.S. business. Until 2022, Stoli was sold as Stolichnaya in the United States, which loosely translates to “capital city” in Russian. The company shortened its title following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and boycotts against Russian-branded vodkas . Stoli Group’s founder, Russian-born billionaire Yuri Shefler, was exiled from that nation in 2000 because of his opposition to President Vladimir Putin. Intel announced on December 2 that CEO Pat Gelsinger has resigned after a difficult stint at the company. The once-dominant chipmaker’s stock cratered as it missed the AI boom and was surpassed by most of its rivals. The liquor has long been marketed as a Russian vodka, but its production facilities have been in Latvia for several decades. Stoli Group is a unit of Luxembourg-based SPI Group, which owns other spirit and wine brands. “The Stoli Group has been targeted by the Russian Federation since it was formed nearly 25 years ago,” said Stoli Group CEO Chris Caldwell in a statement. “Earlier this year the company and our owner were both named by the Russian state as ‘extremist groups working against Russia’s interests.’” Its ongoing legal battle with the Russia government has forced Stoli to “spend dozens of millions of dollars on this long-term court battle across the globe with the Russian authorities,” according to its court filing. Caldwell also said that Stoli’s global operations has been a “victim of a malicious cyber attack” that has forced the company to operate “entirely manually while the systems are rebuilt.” A slowdown in demand for alcohol has crushed several company’s bottom lines following the pandemic when people were stuck at home and stocked up. Stoli’s filings said that it has seen a “decline and softening of demand for alcohol and spirits products post-Covid and especially beginning in 2023 and continuing into 2024.” Stoli Group USA, maker of Stoli vodka, has filed for bankruptcy due to slowing demand for spirits, a major cyberattack, and ongoing legal battles with Russia. The-CNN-WireTM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Mutual of America Capital Management LLC Sells 3,316 Shares of Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN)Mutual of America Capital Management LLC cut its position in Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:RYAN – Free Report ) by 5.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 55,289 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,316 shares during the quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Ryan Specialty were worth $3,671,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Quadrature Capital Ltd increased its position in Ryan Specialty by 73.5% during the 1st quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 8,449 shares of the company’s stock valued at $469,000 after buying an additional 3,580 shares in the last quarter. PEAK6 Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ryan Specialty during the first quarter valued at $1,409,000. Bayesian Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Ryan Specialty in the 1st quarter valued at $618,000. 2Xideas AG purchased a new position in Ryan Specialty in the 1st quarter worth $19,765,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Ryan Specialty by 96.4% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 605 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. 84.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Ryan Specialty Stock Performance RYAN opened at $73.52 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.25 billion, a PE ratio of 95.48, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40. Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. has a twelve month low of $41.49 and a twelve month high of $74.53. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $69.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $62.51. Ryan Specialty Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 12th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.60%. Ryan Specialty’s dividend payout ratio is currently 57.14%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages recently weighed in on RYAN. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Ryan Specialty from $67.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Ryan Specialty from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Ryan Specialty from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Ryan Specialty from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $65.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 24th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Ryan Specialty from $76.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $71.67. Check Out Our Latest Report on Ryan Specialty Insider Activity In other Ryan Specialty news, EVP Mark Stephen Katz sold 14,790 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.39, for a total transaction of $1,055,858.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,386 shares in the company, valued at $884,236.54. This represents a 54.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Nicholas Dominic Cortezi sold 5,375 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.73, for a total value of $347,923.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 2,685 shares in the company, valued at $173,800.05. This represents a 66.69 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 22,490 shares of company stock valued at $1,553,977. 11.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Ryan Specialty ( Free Report ) Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc operates as a service provider of specialty products and solutions for insurance brokers, agents, and carriers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Singapore. It offers distribution, underwriting, product development, administration, and risk management services by acting as a wholesale broker and a managing underwriter. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RYAN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:RYAN – Free Report ). 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