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From China to South Africa: How One Young Professional Bridges Cultures and Boosts the Financial Sector, /PRNewswire/ -- NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: NREF) (the "Company") today announced a dividend for its 8.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (NYSE: NREF PRA) of per share. The dividend will be payable on , to stockholders of record at the close of business on . NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc., is a publicly traded REIT, with its common stock and Series A Preferred Stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NREF" and "NREF PRA," respectively, primarily focused on originating, structuring and investing in first-lien mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, convertible notes, multifamily properties and common equity investments, as well as multifamily and single-family rental commercial mortgage-backed securities securitizations, promissory notes and mortgage-backed securities. More information about the Company is available at . Prosek Partners for NexPoint View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc.“We are sending a very clear message in Pennsylvania, the use of AI to harm others, especially our children, will not be tolerated,” said state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick.
SPRING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPIH) announced today financial results for the second quarter and fiscal year-to-date period ended October 31, 2024. "Net sales for the third quarter were $41.6 million, a decrease of $4.1 million, as compared to the same quarter last year. Net income attributable to common stock of $2.5 million was an increase of $0.5 million, or 29%, compared to $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. For the nine months ended October 31, 2024, net sales of $113.4 million represent an increase of 3% compared to the nine months ended October 31, 2023. The net income attributable to common stock of $7.2 million was an increase of $5.4 million, or 294%, compared to net income attributable to common stock of $1.8 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2023,” noted President and CEO David Mansfield. “Backlog in the third quarter shows considerable growth and now stands at $114.2 million. This is the equivalent to approximately nine months revenue based upon prior years’ revenues. The continual strengthening of our backlog over the past two quarters is encouraging and provides a sense of optimism heading into next year. Additionally, backlog at the end of the third quarter represents the highest level since transitioning from MFRI to Perma-Pipe, which occurred in March 2017,” Mr. Mansfield continued. “Our third quarter and fiscal 2024 year-to-date results continue to reflect exceptional performance, which has remained consistent throughout the year. It is worth noting that our net income attributable to common stock for the nine months ended October 31, 2024, represents the highest level of earnings on a year-to-date basis since transitioning from MFRI to Perma-Pipe,” said Mr. Mansfield. “We are pleased with the level of business activity we have experienced and continue to see, as supported by the significant rise in backlog and share price. The increases in infrastructure spending in Saudi Arabia, India, and the U.A.E., represent key drivers of our overall improvement, for which the strength of our financial results further enables us to continue to execute on strategic initiatives,” concluded Mr. Mansfield. Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results Net sales were $41.6 million and $45.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease of $4.1 million, or 9%, was a result of the timing of project execution. Gross profit was $14.1 million, or 34% of net sales, and $13.2 million, or 29% of net sales, in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of $0.9 million, was driven primarily by better margins due to product mix. General and administrative expenses were $7.3 million and $5.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of $1.6 million, was due to higher payroll expenses and professional fees in the quarter. Selling expenses were $1.2 million and $1.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease of $0.3 million, was due to lower payroll expense in the quarter. Net interest expense remained consistent and was $0.5 million and $0.6 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Other expense was $0.1 million and $0.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease of $0.4 million, was due primarily to exchange rate fluctuations in foreign currency transactions. The Company's ETR was 32% and 31% in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change in the ETR is due to the ability to recognize tax benefits on losses in the United States in the current year whereas the prior year had a full valuation allowance and changes to the mix of income and loss in various jurisdictions. Net income attributable to common stock was $2.5 million and $1.9 million in the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of $0.6 million, was mainly due to better project execution in the quarter. Fiscal 2024 Year-to-Date Results Net sales were $113.4 million and $110.5 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of $2.9 million, or 3%, was a result of increased sales volumes in the Middle East. Gross profit was $38.1 million, or 34% of net sales, and $29.4 million, or 27% of net sales, in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of $8.7 million, was driven primarily by better margins due to product mix. General and administrative expenses were $19.5 million and $16.4 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of $3.1 million, was due to higher payroll expenses and professional fees. Selling expenses were $3.8 million and $4.2 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease of $0.4 million, was due to lower payroll expenses. Net interest expense was $1.5 million and $1.8 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease of $0.3 million, was due primarily to declining interest rates on certain variable rate debt. Other expense was $0.2 million and $0.4 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change was due primarily to exchange rate fluctuations in foreign currency transactions. The Company's ETR was 28% and 49% in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change in the ETR is due to the ability to recognize tax benefits on losses in the United States in the current year whereas the prior year had a full valuation allowance and changes to the mix of income and loss in various jurisdictions. Net income attributable to common stock was $7.2 million and $1.8 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of $5.4 million, was mainly due to better project execution during the year. Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) is a global leader in pre-insulated piping and leak detection systems for oil and gas gathering, district heating and cooling, and other applications. It uses its extensive engineering and fabrication expertise to develop piping solutions that solve complex challenges regarding the safe and efficient transportation of many types of liquids. In total, the Company has operations at fourteen locations in six countries. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and other information contained in this press release that can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby, including, without limitation, statements regarding the expected future performance and operations of the Company. These statements should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas and its impact on customer order volume for the Company's products; (ii) the Company’s ability to purchase raw materials at favorable prices and to maintain beneficial relationships with its suppliers; (iii) decreases in government spending on projects using the Company’s products, and challenges to the Company’s non-government customers’ liquidity and access to capital funds; (iv) the Company’s ability to repay its debt and renew expiring international credit facilities; (v) the Company’s ability to effectively execute its strategic plan and achieve sustained profitability and positive cash flows; (vi) the Company's ability to collect a long-term account receivable related to a project in the Middle East; (vii) the Company’s ability to interpret changes in tax regulations and legislation; (viii) the Company's ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards; (ix) reversals of previously recorded revenue and profits resulting from inaccurate estimates made in connection with the Company’s "over-time" revenue recognition; (x) the Company’s failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; (xi) the timing of order receipt, execution, delivery and acceptance for the Company’s products; (xii) the Company’s ability to successfully negotiate progress-billing arrangements for its large contracts; (xiii) aggressive pricing by existing competitors and the entrance of new competitors in the markets in which the Company operates; (xiv) the Company’s ability to manufacture products free of latent defects and to recover from suppliers who may provide defective materials to the Company; (xv) reductions or cancellations of orders included in the Company’s backlog; (xvi) risks and uncertainties specific to the Company's international business operations; (xvii) the Company’s ability to attract and retain senior management and key personnel; (xviii) the Company’s ability to achieve the expected benefits of its growth initiatives; (xix) the impact of pandemics and other public health crises on the Company and its operations; and (xx) the impact of cybersecurity threats on the Company’s information technology systems. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More detailed information about factors that may affect our performance may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at https://www.sec.gov and under the Investor Center section of our website ( http://investors.permapipe.com .) Additional information regarding the Company's financial results for the three months ended October 31, 2024, including management's discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations, is contained in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 31, 2024, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof and will be accessible at www.sec.gov and www.permapipe.com . For more information, visit the Company's website. PERMA-PIPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) 2024 2023 2024 2023 $ 41,563 $ 45,690 $ 113,397 $ 110,489 14,086 13,184 38,077 29,424 8,500 7,145 23,214 20,618 5,586 6,039 14,863 8,806 468 640 1,489 1,788 (50 ) (502 ) (156 ) (350 ) 5,068 4,897 13,218 6,668 1,615 1,533 3,692 3,257 $ 3,453 $ 3,364 $ 9,526 $ 3,411 962 1,429 2,303 1,577 $ 2,491 $ 1,935 $ 7,223 $ 1,834 $ 0.31 $ 0.24 $ 0.91 $ 0.23 $ 0.31 $ 0.24 $ 0.90 $ 0.23 Note: Earnings per share calculations could be impacted by rounding. PERMA-PIPE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) $ 104,405 $ 98,818 56,344 56,893 $ 160,749 $ 155,711 $ 53,794 $ 57,742 26,792 25,991 80,586 83,733 8,952 6,266 71,211 65,712 $ 160,749 $ 155,711 View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223777874/en/ CONTACT: Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. David Mansfield, President and CEO Perma-Pipe Investor Relations (847) 929-1200 investor@permapipe.com KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENGINEERING CHEMICALS/PLASTICS OTHER ENERGY OIL/GAS MANUFACTURING ENERGY SOURCE: Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 12:43 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 12:43 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223777874/en
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BOISE, Idaho — Freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge on the first play of double overtime and Jordan Hansen ended the game on a fourth-down sack to give Northern Illinois a 28-20 victory over Fresno State on Monday in the Idaho Potato Bowl. Dimopoulos, who played quarterback in high school, also converted the two-point conversion when he passed it to quarterback Josh Holst for his second completion of the season. Holst, a freshman walk-on, was making just his third start at quarterback as NIU was without starter Ethan Hampton, who entered with 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns to go with six interceptions. Holst completed 18 of 30 passes for 182 and two touchdowns for Northern Illinois (8-5). He was also intercepted on the first play of the game. Both teams missed a 35-yard field goal in the final three minutes of regulation, including Dylan Lynch's third miss of the game on the final play to send it to overtime. Fresno State started overtime with a touchdown when Bryson Donelson was left wide open out of the backfield to haul in a 9-yard touchdown pass. NIU needed five plays, and a defensive holding penalty, to score as Holst found Grayson Barnes for a 3-yard touchdown. Donelson finished with 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown for Fresno State (6-7). He added three catches for 28 yards and another score. Dual-threat quarterback Joshua Wood was 16 of 23 for 180 yards and a touchdown. Mac Dalena made six catches for 118 yards to help go over 1,000 yards for the season. Fresno State was without 14 players, including starting quarterback Mikey Keene after he transferred to Michigan. Two top-three receivers, Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe, also did not play as the Bulldogs were forced to use five new starters. UTSA 44, COASTAL CAROLINA 15: Owen McCown threw for 254 yards and a touchdown and UTSA scored the opening 27 points of the Myrtle Beach Bowl to cruise past short-handed Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. UTSA (7-6) broke away in the second quarter by scoring a touchdown on three straight drives for a 21-0 lead. McCown was 14 of 17 in the first half, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Overmyer. McCown also scored on a 35-yard run after breaking two tackles near the end zone. The other score was a 9-yard touchdown run by Brandon High. Coastal Carolina (6-7) finished the first half with just 140 total yards — 60 coming on the final drive. The Chanticleers punted on five straight drives to begin the game — with the longest possession lasting seven plays for 25 yards. UTSA added short field goals on its opening two drives of the second half, while Coastal Carolina started with two straight three-and-out drives. UTSA ended CCU’s third drive on Jakevian Rodgers’ first career interception to extend the program's single-game streak with an interception and a sack to 23 games. CCU’s first touchdown came on the first play of the fourth quarter when Bryson Graves caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Tad Hudson. But UTSA’s Chris Carpenter returned the ensuing kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown to make it 34-7. It was the largest margin of victory in the five-year history of the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Aberdeenshire Council is developing a new strategy to safeguard the local economy and make it fairer and more sustainable for the benefit of its communities. Community wealth building (CWB) is a people-centred approach which will bring together communities, businesses, a wide range of public sector bodies and commercial partners to build a stronger local economy. Among the main focus points will be keeping and growing local spend by supporting businesses to bid for local authority and other public sector contracts. It will also support communities to realise their ambitions to hold a greater stake in the local economy, through a host of new opportunities including community asset transfers. As demonstrated successfully by other local authorities who have developed a CWB strategy – including North Ayrshire Council which established the first in Scotland – the council said it is firmly committed to ensuring public land, resources and assets are utilised more effectively to meet community and business needs. As part of the initial engagement work, a series of online workshops are being held to gather the views of local partners and stakeholders across key sectors, which will feed into the development of the draft strategy. An online workshop for the Third Sector, aimed at community groups, charities, and social enterprises, is being held at 1.30-3.30pm on Thursday, January 16 – interested groups can register at Eventbrite Community wealth building uses five pillars to create more economic benefits for an area: Spending - Increasing local procurement, commissioning and wider investment, using public spend to deliver community benefit, fair work and build local supply chains Fair employment - Increasing fair work and developing local labour markets, ensuring the workforce are in well paid jobs that benefit from an effective voice, security and flexibility. Land and property - Ensuring that communities maximise benefit and generate wealth from local land and property. Inclusive ownership - Stimulating the development and growth of locally owned enterprises that generate local wealth. In particular, the encouragement of employee owned businesses, cooperatives and social enterprises. Financial power - Ensuring that the flows of wealth generated within the local economy works for the wellbeing of communities and businesses Chairman of the council’s infrastructure services committee Councillor Alan Turner said: “I am delighted to see work starting around a community wealth building strategy for Aberdeenshire which will provide us with the means to deliver wellbeing for every community across the north-east. “By working hand in hand with those communities and our commercial sectors, we will enable them to create and own wealth in their local area. “While absolutely acknowledging that Aberdeenshire has a thriving and diverse economy, we know it can be improved to provide more equity for businesses. “Our priority is to maximise economic opportunities for everyone across Aberdeenshire by putting people at the very heart of those vital local economies.” Committee vice-chairwoman Councillor Isobel Davidson said: “I’m really excited about a community wealth building approach which will offer excellent opportunities for local people to create a more inclusive and thriving community and ensure that the benefits of local economic growth are properly and rightfully invested across Aberdeenshire.”CAROLINA FOOTBALL: Gamecocks try to keep same mindset, intensity when it faces Wofford
Cryptocurrencies boast about radicalizing finance. But we rarely use them in our daily lives. Their utility remains scarce in the real world. SpacePay ($SPY) aims to change that narrative. The crypto payment APK is designed to make digital currency practical for everyday purchases, and its MVP is already completed. SpacePay Presale Builds Momentum As BTC soars ahead, investors are on the hunt for cryptocurrencies that could take advantage of the next bull season. A top crypto on their watchlists is SpacePay, and for the right reason. SpacePay has a tangible goal. It is focused on simplifying cryptocurrency payments. Businesses and everyday shoppers can start integrating crypto using the app. The crypto market is overflowing with tokens. They promise astronomical returns, but rarely deliver. Due to their lack of real-world functionality, they plunge into the dark depths of the market within days of going live. SpacePay is one of the few exceptions, and that anchors its long-term goals. The $SPY presale is on its way to the $700,000 milestone. SpacePay raised $750,000 in a private presale. Investors are eager to jump in before the bull run takes off. This success underscores a growing demand for cryptocurrencies with real-world utility. The Magic Lies in Simplicity SpacePay doesn’t require costly hardware or complicated setups. It delivers a hassle-free solution. The Android-compatible APK integrates seamlessly with existing Point-of-Sale (POS) systems. It allows retailers to accept crypto payments with minimal effort. Retailers pay a transaction fee of just 0.5%. Customers enjoy fast, secure transactions powered by NFC technology. Volatility is another chief concern of businesses. Who would want to sell a product for $1000 only to find its value crashed to $800 an hour later? SpacePay solves this challenge with instant conversion. Let’s say a business based in the US has integrated SpacePay. A customer pays with BTC via the SpacePay app by scanning a QR code. The payment is immediately converted into USD, the retailer’s local fiat currency. This way, the risk of market fluctuations is eliminated, giving businesses peace of mind. The platform supports 325 wallets and a range of cryptocurrencies. The broad compatibility and instant-settlement model could position crypto as a more attractive option than traditional payment methods. Benefits for $SPY Token Holders $SPY powers the SpacePay ecosystem. Early adopters can buy the token at discounted rates during the presale. It comes with multiple perks: Early access to new products and features. Voting rights: Have a say in the project’s future direction. Exclusive webinars: Get insights from the leadership team by joining quarterly sessions. Potential revenue sharing: Grab opportunities for passive financial rewards as the ecosystem grows. SpacePay’s tokenomics lays a level playing field for investors. 20% of the tokens are allocated to the public presale. It minimizes the risk of whale domination and helps develop a diverse investor base. A substantial share of the funds is earmarked for development, marketing, and ecosystem growth. 18% is set aside for strategic partnerships and 12% is allocated as a reserve. Building a Community SpacePay is growing. The project’s Telegram group has already attracted over 5,000 members, while its X (Twitter) following is ready to hit 60,000. This strong community presence reflects confidence in the project. SpacePay is soon launching a referral program and a staking system to promote community engagement. $SPY is set to debut on major crypto exchanges after the presale. It is expected to strengthen the token’s reach and adoption. The SpacePay presale is designed to offer a level playing field for investors of all scales. It accepts ETH, USDC, USDT, and fiat cards. https://x.com/SpacePayLtd/status/1861463642148851880 $SPY is Gearing Up to Pump in the Altcoin Season The SpacePay Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is already in beta. In the altcoin market, where competitors are mostly stuck in the ideation phase, SpacePay stands out. It could reshape how we view and use digital currencies. For both veteran crypto investors and those dipping their toes into the market, SpacePay is a top new crypto coin to watch. It offers a compelling case for why digital currencies matter. While hollow crypto projects themed around silly animal mascots and fun narratives have their charm, they are also short-lived. They don’t have long-term potential. But a project rooted in utility has the potential to thrive even after the speculative hype subsides. With SpacePay, a future where we buy lunch with Bitcoin, or any cryptocurrency for that matter, is close. Join the $SPY presale For the latest updates about the presale and project developments, join the SpacePay community on X (Twitter) and Telegram .
OpenAI releases text-to-video model Sora for ChatGPT Plus and Pro usersCerity Partners LLC grew its stake in Banco Santander, S.A. ( NYSE:SAN – Free Report ) by 47.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 668,343 shares of the bank’s stock after buying an additional 214,868 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in Banco Santander were worth $3,409,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SAN. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new position in Banco Santander during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Planned Solutions Inc. bought a new position in Banco Santander in the 2nd quarter worth $47,000. AE Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Banco Santander in the 2nd quarter worth $50,000. Brookstone Capital Management bought a new stake in Banco Santander during the third quarter valued at about $54,000. Finally, Joel Isaacson & Co. LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Santander in the third quarter worth about $55,000. Institutional investors own 9.19% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently issued reports on SAN shares. Morgan Stanley raised Banco Santander from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday. UBS Group raised shares of Banco Santander from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Banco Santander from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. Banco Santander Price Performance NYSE:SAN opened at $4.62 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $4.89 and its 200 day moving average is $4.86. Banco Santander, S.A. has a 12 month low of $3.83 and a 12 month high of $5.27. The company has a market capitalization of $73.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.08. Banco Santander Cuts Dividend The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 6th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 31st were issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 31st. Banco Santander’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.00%. Banco Santander Profile ( Free Report ) Banco Santander, SA provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments. It offers demand and time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts; mortgages, consumer finance, loans, and various financing solutions; and project finance, debt capital markets, global transaction banking, and corporate finance services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
49ers QB Brock Purdy, DE Nick Bosa out, Brandon Allen to start at Green BaySANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — After three straight losses, including back-to-back blowouts , the San Francisco 49ers needed a get-right game. The Chicago Bears helped provide just that. Brock Purdy carved up Chicago's defense to lead San Francisco to its best offensive output of the season and the defense dominated the Bears in a 38-13 win Sunday that looked a lot more like the team that went to the Super Bowl last season than the one that has struggled in 2024. “I think just the biggest thing was just getting some energy and momentum,” Purdy said. “This league is hard. It’s tough. If you don’t have momentum or energy and belief within a building, it can be really tough.” The problem for San Francisco (6-7) is it might be too late to salvage its playoff hopes. Three blown fourth-quarter leads to division rivals and the lopsided losses at Green Bay and Buffalo the previous two weeks leave the Niners two games out of the playoffs with only four games to go. They might need to win out to get back to the postseason for a fourth straight season, and even then they could need some help because their three division losses will make it tough to win any tiebreakers in the tightly packed NFC West. “If we win every single game, I think we’ve put ourselves in a very good position to either win the division or somehow sneak our way into playoff contention,” tight end George Kittle said. “I thought everyone’s focused on this one week. ... Forget the whole season whether you’ve played like crap the entire season, whether you’ve had missed opportunities, or whether you have a bunch of touchdowns. Whatever it is, flush all that and just focus on this one game.” Big plays. The Niners repeatedly gashed the Bears for big plays as the passing game looked as good as it has all season. Purdy had eight completions go for at least 20 yards — tied for the most in any game for the 49ers since at least 1991 — with Kittle catching four of them, Isaac Guerendo two and one each for Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings. Kickoffs. Jake Moody attempted two line-drive kicks as San Francisco tried to pin Chicago deep instead of allowing a touchback. But both kicks landed shy of the landing zone at the 20, giving the Bears the ball at the 40. DL Yetur Gross-Matos. The Niners have been struggling to generate a pass rush with Nick Bosa sidelined, but Gross-Matos made a big impact on Sunday. He had a career-high three sacks in the game after coming into the game with just one this season. S Ji'Ayir Brown. The second-year safety lost his starting job with the return of Talanoa Hufanga from a wrist injury. Brown played 15 defensive snaps in a spot role and was beat on a TD pass to Rome Odunze in his limited action. Guerendo has a sprained foot and will be evaluated later this week to see if he can play. ... OL Ben Bartch will likely go on IR after suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday. ... LB Dre Greenlaw could return this week for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl. ... DL Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and LT Trent Williams (ankle) will be evaluated this week but there is no timeline on when they will return. ... LG Aaron Banks cleared the concussion protocol and should play this week. ... LB Dee Winters (ankle), S Malik Mustapha (chest, shoulder) and LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles are day-to-day. 305 — The 49ers outgained the Bears by 305 yards in the first half for the ninth best advantage in a first half since at least 1991. The 319 yards for San Francisco were the most by any team in a first half this season and the 4 yards allowed were the fewest. The 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLTrump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next
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ALSAC announces transition of Richard C. Shadyac, Jr. as CEO