ROSEN, TOP RANKED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Unisys Corporation Investors to Inquire About Securities Class Action Investigation - UIS
The Coalition has pledged to establish a dedicated national taskforce aimed at combating rising antisemitism across Australia. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton made the announcement in Melbourne on Monday after a synagogue was targeted in a suspected arson attack on Friday. The Adass Israel Synagogue was allegedly broken into by three men who poured liquid on the floor and set the building ablaze with worshippers inside. Following the attack, Mr Dutton announced an antisemitism taskforce led by the Australian Federal Police, ASIO and other law enforcement and intelligence bodies. The taskforce would focus on addressing offences including doxing, hate speech, terror symbols, incitement, harassment and other crimes. Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson said the taskforce would be “up and running from day one” of a Dutton Coalition government after the next election. The taskforce would investigate any future acts of antisemitism as well as any outstanding complaints or unsolved crimes against the Jewish community since October 7, 2023. The opposition has blamed the Albanese government’s “weakness” for the rising level of antisemitism in Australia. “The Prime Minister's failure to lead and his weakness since October 7 has directly led to the tragic events that we saw at the Adass Israel synagogue,” Mr Paterson said. The Opposition Leader said antisemitism had been “exacerbated over the last 13 months”. “The government’s initial response to the protests on the steps of the Sydney Opera House was completely inadequate,” Mr Dutton said. “The months of hatred displayed on university campuses and in public forums have been completely unacceptable. “The blatant racism against people of Jewish faith has been obvious and pervasive.” There have been many anti-Israel and antisemitic incidents since the October 7 attacks, including the Sydney Opera House protests where “gas the Jews” was chanted. There were then months of university encampments protesting ties to Israel, which were investigated by police for unlawful behaviour . Mr Dutton blamed Mr Albanese for allowing a climate of antisemitism to fester and said the recent firebombing attack was “entirely predictable”. “I just think it's dangerous that the Prime Minister's been so weak for all of his time in office,” he said. “It was entirely predictable that there was going to be an attack on a mosque or on a school or some other place of gathering. “The armed guards at Jewish schools are there because of the threat level. They're not at Christian schools. They're not at Islamic schools. “That is the level of threat that is faced by the Jewish community. And it's been exacerbated by the Prime Minister's incompetence.” Mr Albanese expressed concern about the “worrying rise in antisemitism” but maintained he had consistently “called out” incidents. “We've done a range of programs. We've had a landmark ban on the Nazi salute and hate symbols that came into effect in January of this year,” he said on Sunday. “We've appointed Jillian Segal as Australia's first ever envoy on anti-Semitism. “We have criminalised doxing in legislation that was passed just a week ago as part of our privacy laws legislation.” The Coalition’s policy measures have gone further still, with strengthened provisions under the Migration Act. The changes will ensure immigrants engaging in antisemitic conduct would be deported by a Dutton government. “We will amend Section 501 of the character provisions of the Migration Act to ensure that this antisemitic conduct is captured by the law,” Mr Paterson said. The Coalition has also pledged a $32.5 million funding package for the Jewish community, ensuring armed guards at schools, synagogues and community centres.
When chipmaker Nvidia says it's partnering with a company to produce an artificial intelligence (AI) product, it's probably something that investors should pay attention to. Considering that the majority of servers built for AI have Nvidia GPUs in them, it knows plenty about what's happening in that part of the computing space. During Nvidia's Q3 conference call, it highlighted one company that it's working with to bring AI to more customers: Accenture ( ACN 1.28% ) , the largest tech consulting firm in the world. Accenture's army of AI experts Nvidia CFO Colette Kress said during its conference call that Accenture created a new unit with 30,000 employees trained on Nvidia's AI technology. This makes it one of the most well-equipped companies to provide clients with the AI expertise they may lack in-house. While tech giants like Alphabet or Microsoft have huge teams devoted to this technology, companies in the banking, industrial, or oil sectors, for example, are unlikely to have those sorts of internal resources. As a result, they need to work with consulting firms like Accenture. Accenture CEO Julie Sweet had this to say about generative AI: That perfectly sums up the AI-related investment thesis for Accenture, as it is set to benefit from generative AI going mainstream in the coming years. Still, it is a huge consulting firm with many areas of specialization and expertise. It isn't an AI pure-play. But does the rest of the business plus an AI boost equal a winning investment? A pricey stock based on the outlook In its fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, which ended Aug. 31, Accenture saw new bookings of $20.1 billion, of which generative AI made up $1 billion. So while generative AI has clearly given the business a boost, it only accounted for 5% of total bookings, making it a relatively minor part of the larger investment picture. Fiscal 2024 wasn't the greatest year for Accenture, as clients were conservative with their spending. Revenue rose just 3% in Q4 and only 1% for the year. The outlook for fiscal 2025 is slightly better -- management expects revenue to grow by 3% to 6% in local currencies. (As a global business headquartered in Ireland, it's exposed to changes in currency exchange rates.) Still, considering that many AI companies are boosting their revenue at much faster rates than that, is Accenture worth investing in? From a forward price-to-earnings standpoint , Accenture's stock is quite expensive. ACN PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts. Shares are trading at around 28 times forward earnings, a similar valuation to Meta Platforms and Taiwan Semiconductor , both of which are growing much faster than it is. So why would Accenture make a better stock pick? One advantage investors get from Accenture is its generous shareholder capital return program. It increased its dividend by 15% in Q4, and at the current share price, it has a yield of about 1.6%. It also repurchases a lot of stock -- $4.5 billion worth last year alone. Reducing the outstanding share count boosts its earnings per share , which are expected to increase between 5% and 8% in fiscal 2025. Still, even with the dividend and stock buyback program, Accenture's stock is a bit too expensive for my taste, especially when there are other AI companies that are growing much faster and trade at similar or cheaper valuations . As a result, I'll take a pass on it for now.At Gulf bitcoin gathering, Trump family and allies to bask in crypto industry's euphoria
SINGAPORE, Nov. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd ("Trident” or the "Company,” NASDAQ: TDTH), a leading digital transformation facilitator in the e-commerce enablement and digital optimization services market for small and medium enterprise (SMEs) in Singapore, today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Initial Public Offering On September 11, 2024, the Company closed the initial public offering of 1,800,000 American Depositary Shares ("ADSs”) at a price to the public of US$5.00 per ADS. Each ADS represents eight Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company. Trident's ADSs began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 10, 2024, under the symbol "TDTH.” First Half of 2024 Financial Highlights Haiyan Huang, Trident's Chief Financial Officer, added, "Our first half results reflect the ongoing transformation of our business model and the investments we are making to position ourselves for future growth. Our total revenues declined 21.3% year over year as we sought to prioritize the shift towards our Web 3.0 e-commerce platform. Our strategic investments in the business transformation, while impacting our near-term profitability, are essential to ensuring the security, functionality, and overall success of our platform. We remain focused on the disciplined execution of our transition strategy as we seek to become a leader in Web 3.0 enablement.” Key Financial Results June 30 Unaudited Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Revenues June 30, The Company's revenues decreased by 21.27% from US$481,165 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, to US$378,839 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the Company's strategic shift towards prioritizing its Web 3.0 e-commerce platform, Tridentity, a core growth area for its long-term vision in the future. As a result, the Company allocated fewer resources to its consulting and IT customization business. This realignment allows the Company to concentrate on expanding its presence in Tridentity, positioning Trident to capture new opportunities in a rapidly advancing digital ecosystem. Tridentity, the Company's flagship product, is a cutting-edge identity app built on blockchain technology, designed to provide secure single sign-on capabilities to integrated third-party systems in various industries, which was launched in December 2023. Tridentity currently includes three primary business modules: Tri-event for NFT (Non-Fungible Token) event ticketing, Tri-food for block-chain powered food delivery, and Tri-verse for virtual community connecting its users. As the platform remains in the development, optimization, and gradual testing stages, the Company generated only US$1,872 in revenue from providing technical support for selling event tickets on behalf of merchants through Tridentity for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Cost of Revenues June 30, The Company's cost of revenues decreased by 7.49% from US$389,569 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to US$360,390 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in direct labor cost and miscellaneous costs in total of US$141,141 as a result of a significant reduction in headcount in response to lower business volumes and cost controls, and partially offset by an increase of service fees in the amount of US$111,962 as a result of the fulfillment of slightly increased number of management software solutions projects since the second half of 2023. Gross profit and margin As a result of the factors described above, the Company recorded a gross profit of US$0.09 million and US$0.02 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, representing a gross profit margin of 19.0% and 4.9%, respectively. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to the decrease in IT consulting services with relatively higher gross margin and high proportion of revenues in the first half of 2023, which had no revenue in the first half of 2024. Operating expenses Selling expenses The Company's selling and marketing expenses slightly increased from US$253,343 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to US$264,326 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to hiring of additional business development personnel to support the launch, operation and promotion of Tridentity since the second half of 2023, which was partially offset by the decrease in marketing and advertising expenses due to the Company's strict control over discretionary spending. General and administrative expenses The Company's general and administrative expenses decreased slightly from US$1,551,710 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to US$1,528,022 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in professional service fees and other overhead expenses, which was partially offset by an increase in payroll expenses due to additional headcount in management. Research and development expenses The Company's research and development expenses decreased from US$192,855 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to US$172,519 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to the decrease in system development expenses for which there will be no further related expenses in 2024. This decrease was partially offset by the increase in payroll expenses, outsource service fees and the technical support expenses for Tridentity. Other income, net The Company's other income, net decreased from US$44,900 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to US$19,391 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease of interest income and the depreciation of the Singapore dollar against the U.S. dollar in the Company's reporting currency translation from S$1.3523 to US$1.00 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 to S$1.3552 to US$1.00 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, leading to a decrease in unrealized gain as the foreign currency exposures are liabilities. About Trident Trident is a leading digital transformation facilitator in the e-commerce enablement and digital optimization services market for SMEs in Singapore. The Company offers business and technology solutions that are designed to optimize clients' experiences with their customers by driving digital adoption and self-service. Tridentity, the Company's flagship product, is a cutting-edge identity app built on blockchain technology, designed to provide secure single sign-on capabilities to third-party integrated systems in industry verticals such as e-commerce, food and beverage, fintech, healthcare and health services, and wholesale and retail. Tridentity endeavors to offer unparalleled security features, ensuring the protection of sensitive information and safeguarding against potential threats, which promises a new and better age in the digital landscape. Orchestrating with and beyond Tridentity, Trident's mission is to be the leader in Web 3.0 enablement, bridging businesses to a trusted and secure e-commerce platform with curated customer experiences. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking” statements pursuant to the "safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will,” "expects,” "anticipates,” "aims,” "future,” "intends,” "plans,” "believes,” "estimates,” "likely to,” and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in announcements and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors, or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's strategies, future business development, and financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the digital solutions market; the political, economic, social and legal developments in the jurisdictions that the Company operates in or in which the Company intends to expand its business and operations; the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this announcement is as of the date of this announcement, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. For Investor/Media Enquiries Investor Relations Robin Yang, Partner ICR, LLC Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (212) 321-0602 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted) June 30, December 31,
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. households won't be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying they are "going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened additional tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. ”All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire . Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy , including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as his pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added that “we're not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are -- things do -- things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better health care for less money.” Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.None