In a shocking turn of events, Fiorentina's promising 22-year-old midfielder has been forced to bid farewell to Serie A as he undergoes a procedure to implant a defibrillator device. The young talent, who has been making waves in Italian football with his skills and potential, now faces the difficult decision of seeking opportunities in other leagues where he can continue his passion for playing the beautiful game.In a sudden turn of events, a fire broke out at an Alibaba data center, sparking concerns about the potential impact on one of the world's largest e-commerce and cloud computing companies. However, in a reassuring response, Alibaba officials have confirmed that there were no casualties and the blaze has now been successfully extinguished.Vail Resorts, Inc. logo (PRNewsFoto/Vail Resorts, Inc.) BROOMFIELD, Colo. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 ended October 31, 2024 , provided season pass sales results for the 2024/2025 season, updated fiscal 2025 net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. guidance and reaffirmed fiscal 2025 Resort Reported EBITDA guidance, announced capital investment plans for calendar year 2025, declared a dividend payable in January 2025 , and announced first quarter share repurchases. Highlights Commenting on the Company's fiscal 2025 first quarter results, Kirsten Lynch , Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our first fiscal quarter historically operates at a loss, given that our North American and European mountain resorts are generally not open for ski season. The quarter's results were driven by winter operations in Australia and summer activities in North America , including sightseeing, dining, retail, lodging, and administrative expenses. "Resort Reported EBITDA was consistent with the prior year, driven by growth in our North American summer business from increased activities spending and lodging results. This growth was offset by a decline in Resort Reported EBITDA of $9 million compared to the prior year from our Australian resorts due to record low snowfall and lower demand, cost inflation, the inclusion of Crans-Montana, and approximately $2.7 million of one-time costs related to the two-year resource efficiency transformation plan and $0.9 million of acquisition and integration related expenses." Regarding the Company's resource efficiency transformation plan, Lynch said, "Vail Resorts continues to make progress on its two-year resource efficiency transformation plan, which was announced in our September 2024 earnings. The two-year Resource Efficiency Transformation Plan is designed to improve organizational effectiveness and scale for operating leverage as the Company grows globally. Through scaled operations, global shared services, and expanded workforce management, the Company expects $100 million in annualized cost efficiencies by the end of its 2026 fiscal year. We will provide updates as significant milestones are achieved." Turning to season pass results, Lynch said, "Our season pass sales highlight the compelling value proposition of our pass products and our commitment to continually investing in the guest experience at our resorts. Over the last four years, pass product sales for the 2024/2025 North American ski season have grown 59% in units and 47% in sales dollars. For the upcoming 2024/2025 North American ski season, pass product sales through December 3, 2024 decreased approximately 2% in units and increased approximately 4% in sales dollars as compared to the period in the prior year through December 4, 2023 . This year's results benefited from an 8% price increase, partially offset by unit growth among lower priced Epic Day Pass products. Pass product sales are adjusted to eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates by applying an exchange rate of $0.71 between the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar in both periods for Whistler Blackcomb pass sales. For the period between September 21, 2024 and December 3, 2024 , pass product sales trends improved relative to pass product sales through September 20, 2024 , with unit growth of approximately 1% and sales dollars growth of approximately 7% as compared to the period in the prior year from September 23, 2023 through December 4, 2023 , due to expected renewal strength, which we believe reflects delayed decision making. "Our North American pass sales highlight strong loyalty with growth among renewing pass holders across all geographies. For the full selling season, the Company acquired a substantial number of new pass holders, however the absolute number of new guests was smaller compared to the prior year, driving the overall unit decline for the full selling season. New pass holders come from lapsed guests, prior year lift ticket guests, and new guests to our database. The Company achieved growth from lapsed guests, who previously purchased a pass or lift ticket but did not buy a pass or lift ticket in the previous season. The decline in new pass holders compared to the prior year was driven by fewer guests who purchased lift tickets in the past season and from guests who are completely new to our database, which we believe was impacted by last season's challenging weather and industry normalization. Epic Day Pass products achieved unit growth driven by the strength in renewing pass holders. We expect to have approximately 2.3 million guests committed to our 42 North American, Australian, and European resorts in advance of the season in non-refundable advance commitment products this year, which are expected to generate over $975 million of revenue and account for approximately 75% of all skier visits (excluding complimentary visits)." Lynch continued, "Heading into the 2024/2025 ski season, we are encouraged by our strong base of committed guests, providing meaningful stability for our Company. Additionally, early season conditions have allowed us to open some resorts earlier than anticipated, including Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Stevens Pass. Early season conditions have also enabled our Rockies resorts to open with significantly improved terrain relative to the prior year, including the opening of the legendary back bowls at Vail Mountain opening the earliest since 2018. Our resorts in the East are experiencing typical seasonal variability for this point in the year, with all resorts planned to open ahead of the holidays. We are continuing to hire for the winter season, and are on track with our staffing plans and have achieved a strong return rate of our frontline employees from the prior season. Lodging bookings at our U.S. resorts for the upcoming season are consistent with last year. At Whistler Blackcomb, lodging bookings for the full season are lagging prior year levels, which may reflect delayed decision making following challenging conditions in the prior year." Operating Results A more complete discussion of our operating results can be found within the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Company's Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024 , which was filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following are segment highlights: Mountain Segment Lodging Segment Resort - Combination of Mountain and Lodging Segments Real Estate Segment Total Performance Outlook The Company's Resort Reported EBITDA guidance for the year ending July 31, 2025 is unchanged from the prior guidance provided on September 26, 2024 . The Company is updating its guidance for net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc., which it now expects to be between $240 million and $316 million , up from the prior guidance range of $224 million to $300 million . The primary difference is due to a $17 million increase from the gain on sale of real property related to the resolution of the October 2023 Eagle County District Court final ruling and valuation regarding the Town of Vail's condemnation of the Company's East Vail property that was planned for Vail Resorts' incremental affordable workforce housing project, a transaction that has been recorded as Real Estate Reported EBITDA. Additionally, the guidance is updated to include a decrease in expected interest expense of approximately $2 million which assumes that interest rates remain at current levels for the remainder of fiscal 2025. These changes have no impact on expected Resort Reported EBITDA. The Company continues to expect Resort Reported EBITDA for fiscal 2025 to be between $838 million and $894 million , including approximately $27 million of cost efficiencies and an estimated $15 million in one-time costs related to the multi-year resource efficiency transformation plan, and an estimated $1 million of acquisition and integration related expenses specific to Crans-Montana. As compared to fiscal 2024, the fiscal 2025 guidance includes the assumed benefit of a return to normal weather conditions after the challenging conditions in fiscal 2024, more than offset by a return to normal operating costs and the impact of the continued industry normalization, impacting demand. Additionally, the guidance reflects the negative impact from the record low snowfall and related shortened season in Australia in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which negatively impacted demand and resulted in a $9 million decline of Resort Reported EBITDA compared to the prior year period. After considering these items, we expect Resort Reported EBITDA to grow from price increases and ancillary spending, the resource efficiency transformation plan, and the addition of Crans-Montana for the full year. The guidance also assumes (1) a continuation of the current economic environment, (2) normal weather conditions for the 2024/2025 North American and European ski season and the 2025 Australian ski season, and (3) the foreign currency exchange rates as of our original fiscal 2025 guidance issued September 26, 2024 . Foreign currency exchange rates have experienced recent volatility. Relative to the current guidance, if the currency exchange rates as of yesterday, December 8, 2024 of $0.71 between the Canadian Dollar and U.S. Dollar related to the operations of Whistler Blackcomb in Canada , $0.64 between the Australian Dollar and U.S. Dollar related to the operations of Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham in Australia , and $1.14 between the Swiss Franc and U.S. Dollar related to the operations of Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana in Switzerland were to continue for the remainder of the fiscal year, the Company expects this would have an impact on fiscal 2025 guidance of approximately negative $5 million for Resort Reported EBITDA. The following table reflects the forecasted guidance range for the Company's fiscal year ending July 31, 2025 for Total Reported EBITDA (after stock-based compensation expense) and reconciles net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. guidance to such Total Reported EBITDA guidance. Liquidity and Return of Capital As of October 31, 2024 , the Company's total liquidity as measured by total cash plus revolver availability was approximately $1,024 million . This includes $404 million of cash on hand, $407 million of U.S. revolver availability under the Vail Holdings Credit Agreement, and $213 million of revolver availability under the Whistler Credit Agreement. As of October 31, 2024 , the Company's Net Debt was 2.8 times its trailing twelve months Total Reported EBITDA. Regarding the return of capital to shareholders, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.22 per share of Vail Resorts' common stock payable on January 9, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 26 , 2024. In addition, the Company repurchased approximately 0.1 million shares during the quarter at an average price of approximately $174 for a total of $20 million . The Company has 1.6 million shares remaining under its authorization for share repurchases. Commenting on capital allocation, Lynch said, "We will continue to be disciplined stewards of our shareholders' capital, prioritizing investments in our guest and employee experience, high-return capital projects, strategic acquisition opportunities, and returning capital to our shareholders. The Company has a strong balance sheet and remains focused on returning capital to shareholders while always prioritizing the long-term value of our shares." Capital Investments Vail Resorts is committed to enhancing the guest experience and supporting the Company's growth strategies through significant capital investments. For calendar year 2025, the Company plans to invest approximately $198 million to $203 million in core capital, before $45 million of growth capital investments at its European resorts, including $41 million at Andermatt-Sedrun and $4 million at Crans-Montana, and $6 million of real estate related capital projects to complete multi-year transformational investments at the key base area portals of Breckenridge Peak 8 and Keystone River Run, and planning investments to support the development of the West Lionshead area into a fourth base village at Vail Mountain. Including European growth capital investments, and real estate related capital, the Company plans to invest approximately $249 million to $254 million in calendar year 2025. Projects in the calendar year 2025 capital plan described herein remain subject to approvals. In calendar year 2025, the Company will embark on two multi-year transformational investment plans at Park City Mountain and Vail Mountain. In addition to embarking on two multi-year transformational investment plans, the Company is planning significant investments across the guest experience in calendar year 2025, including: In addition to the investments planned for calendar year 2025, the Company is completing significant investments that will enhance the guest experience for the upcoming 2024/2025 North American and European ski season. As previously announced, the Company expects its capital plan for calendar year 2024 to be approximately $189 million to $194 million , excluding $13 million of incremental capital investments in premium fleet and fulfillment infrastructure to support the official launch of My Epic Gear for the 2024/2025 winter season at 12 destination and regional resorts across North America , $7 million of growth capital investments at Andermatt-Sedrun, $2 million of maintenance and $2 million of integration investments at Crans-Montana, and $3 million of reimbursable capital. Including these one-time investments, the Company's total capital plan for calendar year 2024 is now expected to be approximately $216 million to $221 million . Earnings Conference Call The Company will conduct a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. eastern time to discuss the financial results. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at www.vailresorts.com in the Investor Relations section, or dial (800) 579-2543 (U.S. and Canada ) or +1 (785) 424-1789 (international). The conference ID is MTNQ125. A replay of the conference call will be available two hours following the conclusion of the conference call through December 16, 2024 , at 11:59 p.m. eastern time . To access the replay, dial (800) 753-9146 (U.S. and Canada ) or +1 (402) 220-2705 (international). The conference call will also be archived at www.vailresorts.com . About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and close-to-home ski resorts in the world including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge , Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across North America ; Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland ; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek in Australia . We are passionate about providing an Experience of a Lifetime to our team members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities, and broaden engagement in our sport. Our company owns and/or manages a collection of elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, a portfolio of vacation rentals, condominiums and branded hotels located in close proximity to our mountain destinations, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail and rental locations across North America . Learn more about our company at www.VailResorts.com , or discover our resorts and pass options at www.EpicPass.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements discussed in this press release and on the conference call, other than statements of historical information, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the statements regarding fiscal 2025 performance and the assumptions related thereto, including, but not limited to, our expected net income and Resort Reported EBITDA; our expectations regarding our liquidity; expectations related to our season pass products; our expectations regarding our ancillary lines of business; capital investment projects; our calendar year 2025 capital plan; our expectations regarding our resource efficiency transformation plan; and the payment of dividends. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to risks related to a prolonged weakness in general economic conditions, including adverse effects on the overall travel and leisure related industries and our business and results of operations; risks associated with the effects of high or prolonged inflation, elevated interest rates and financial institution disruptions; unfavorable weather conditions or the impact of natural disasters or other unexpected events; the ultimate amount of refunds that we could be required to refund to our pass product holders for qualifying circumstances under our Epic Coverage program; the willingness or ability of our guests to travel due to terrorism, the uncertainty of military conflicts or public health emergencies, and the cost and availability of travel options and changing consumer preferences, discretionary spending habits; risks related to travel and airline disruptions, and other adverse impacts on the ability of our guests to travel; risks related to interruptions or disruptions of our information technology systems, data security or cyberattacks; risks related to our reliance on information technology, including our failure to maintain the integrity of our customer or employee data and our ability to adapt to technological developments or industry trends; our ability to acquire, develop and implement relevant technology offerings for customers and partners; the seasonality of our business combined with adverse events that may occur during our peak operating periods; competition in our mountain and lodging businesses or with other recreational and leisure activities; risks related to the high fixed cost structure of our business; our ability to fund resort capital expenditures, or accurately identify the need for, or anticipate the timing of certain capital expenditures; risks related to a disruption in our water supply that would impact our snowmaking capabilities and operations; our reliance on government permits or approvals for our use of public land or to make operational and capital improvements; risks related to resource efficiency transformation initiatives; risks related to federal, state, local and foreign government laws, rules and regulations, including environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; risks related to changes in security and privacy laws and regulations which could increase our operating costs and adversely affect our ability to market our products, properties and services effectively; potential failure to adapt to technological developments or industry trends regarding information technology; our ability to successfully launch and promote adoption of new products, technology, services and programs; risks related to our workforce, including increased labor costs, loss of key personnel and our ability to maintain adequate staffing, including hiring and retaining a sufficient seasonal workforce; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, including their integration into our internal controls and infrastructure; our ability to successfully navigate new markets, including Europe , or that acquired businesses may fail to perform in accordance with expectations; a deterioration in the quality or reputation of our brands, including our ability to protect our intellectual property and the risk of accidents at our mountain resorts; risks related to scrutiny and changing expectations regarding our environmental, social and governance practices and reporting; risks associated with international operations, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates where the Company has foreign currency exposure, primarily the Canadian and Australian dollars and the Swiss franc, as compared to the U.S. dollar; changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations, or adverse determinations by taxing authorities; risks related to our indebtedness and our ability to satisfy our debt service requirements under our outstanding debt including our unsecured senior notes, which could reduce our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures, future business opportunities and other purposes; a materially adverse change in our financial condition; adverse consequences of current or future litigation and legal claims; changes in accounting judgments and estimates, accounting principles, policies or guidelines; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2024 , which was filed on September 26, 2024 . All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. All guidance and forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forecast or forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Statement Concerning Non-GAAP Financial Measures When reporting financial results, we use the terms Resort Reported EBITDA, Total Reported EBITDA, Resort EBITDA Margin, Net Debt and Net Real Estate Cash Flow, which are not financial measures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Resort Reported EBITDA, Total Reported EBITDA, Resort EBITDA Margin, Net Debt and Net Real Estate Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, measures of financial performance or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, we report segment Reported EBITDA (i.e. Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate), the measure of segment profit or loss required to be disclosed in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. Additionally, with respect to discussion of impacts from currency, the Company calculates the impact by applying current period foreign exchange rates to the prior period results, as the Company believes that comparing financial information using comparable foreign exchange rates is a more objective and useful measure of changes in operating performance. Reported EBITDA (and its counterpart for each of our segments) has been presented herein as a measure of the Company's performance. The Company believes that Reported EBITDA is an indicative measurement of the Company's operating performance, and is similar to performance metrics generally used by investors to evaluate other companies in the resort and lodging industries. The Company defines Resort EBITDA Margin as Resort Reported EBITDA divided by Resort net revenue. The Company believes Resort EBITDA Margin is an important measurement of operating performance. The Company believes that Net Debt is an important measurement of liquidity as it is an indicator of the Company's ability to obtain additional capital resources for its future cash needs. Additionally, the Company believes Net Real Estate Cash Flow is important as a cash flow indicator for its Real Estate segment. See the tables provided in this release for reconciliations of our measures of segment profitability and non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 28, 2024-- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether the sale of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ: ROIC) to Blackstone for $17.50 per share is fair to Retail Opportunity shareholders. Halper Sadeh encourages Retail Opportunity shareholders to click here to learn more about their legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . The investigation concerns whether Retail Opportunity and its board of directors violated the federal securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to, among other things: (1) obtain the best possible consideration for Retail Opportunity shareholders; (2) determine whether Blackstone is underpaying for Retail Opportunity; and (3) disclose all material information necessary for Retail Opportunity shareholders to adequately assess and value the merger consideration. On behalf of Retail Opportunity shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228128629/en/ CONTACT: Halper Sadeh LLC One World Trade Center 85th Floor New York, NY 10007 Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL SOURCE: Halper Sadeh LLC Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/28/2024 03:04 PM/DISC: 12/28/2024 03:04 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228128629/en
In response to the allegations, Hai Di Lao released a statement denying the claims and asserting their commitment to upholding labor laws and providing a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. The company stated that they take any allegations of misconduct seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure that their policies are in compliance with legal regulations.
You may have heard about smallcases and wondered what they are and how they work. In India, these investment instruments have become incredibly popular, simplifying the investment process for many. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start investing with smallcases. What are smallcases? Smallcases are modern investment products that allow you to buy a diversified portfolio of stocks or ETFs that reflect a particular idea, strategy, or theme. Imagine if you could invest not just in single stocks but in a basket of them, picked to align with a particular market trend or theme. This is essentially what smallcase offers. Smallcases should be considered ready-to-invest portfolios designed to make stock market investing less complicated and more accessible. They are crafted by SEBI-registered professionals, offering both expert insights and analysis. Whether it's a theme based on the rising demand for green energy or a conservative approach focusing on stable dividend yields, there’s a smallcase available for nearly every investment interest. Why invest in smallcases? Before jumping in, it’s important to ask: why choose smallcases over traditional investments? Here are a few compelling reasons: 1. Simplified investment process: Navigating individual stocks can be overwhelming. Smallcases simplify this by bundling stocks that reflect a theme or sector, reducing the need for intense market research on each security. 2. Diverse exposure: By investing in a smallcase, you diversify your portfolio in just one transaction. This diversity helps spread risk and can lead to more stable returns over time. 3. Customisation: Smallcases aren’t set in stone. While themed, they can be tailored to suit your needs. Bought a smallcase focused on India’s tech boom? You can easily add or remove stocks according to your preference or market insights. Also Read: France’s Total says no new investment in Adani till bribe charges cleared 4. Cost-effective: One might assume that such curated products would come with high fees, yet smallcases tend to be budget-friendly, particularly when juxtaposed with mutual funds. Getting started: Essential steps With a simple approach, you can start building your portfolio. Here’s how you start: Step 1: Set your financial goals Before investing, outline your goals. Are you saving for a short-term purchase or planning for long-term financial security? Understanding your objectives will influence which smallcases to choose and your overall investment strategy. Step 2: Understand the financial basics Knowing the basic principles of investing is crucial. Learn about terms such as equity, diversification, risk management, and returns. Although smallcases are user-friendly, having a fundamental grasp on these concepts enhances your ability to make informed decisions. Step 3: Research smallcases Explore the various themes and strategies that smallcases offer. Platforms, such as Axis Direct, offer various options for sectors, strategies, and market conditions. Whether you're interested in the digital revolution, rural consumption, or dividend aristocrats, there’s probably a smallcase for you. Step 4: Open a demat account To invest in smallcases, you’ll need a demat account. This account holds your purchased securities in electronic format, allowing seamless transactions on the stock market. Compare different brokers as demat account opening charges and annual maintenance fees may vary. Step 5: Start investing With your demat account ready and a smallcase chosen, you can begin investing. Smallcases often require a minimum investment, which makes them more accessible compared to some other investment vehicles. Regularly monitor the performance of your investments and make adjustments as needed. Also Read: Why did govt dismiss RBI reservations about electoral bonds? Smallcases vs mutual funds A common query among new investors is how smallcases differ from mutual funds. Here are a few distinctions: ● Control & transparency: Smallcases allow you direct control over your investments. Unlike mutual funds, you know exactly what stocks you own and where the portfolio is managed on your behalf. ● Cost: Mutual funds can often involve higher management fees. Smallcases can be more cost-effective, as you’re often only charged for the transaction. ● Liquidity: Selling a smallcase is similar to selling individual stocks, offering better liquidity than mutual funds, which might have exit loads. Tips for success in smallcase investing Keep learning The financial markets are dynamic. Staying informed can greatly impact your investment success. Websites, podcasts, and webinars are excellent resources to keep your knowledge fresh. Diversify Even within smallcases, diversification is key. Holding too much of the same type or sector of stock can increase risk. Mix it up to secure your investments from market volatility. Regular reviews Periodically review your investment portfolio. Life changes, as do market trends, require adjustments to your investment strategy. This doesn’t mean over-trading, but routine checks are a good practice. Stay patient Investment is a long-term game. Markets will have their ups and downs, and staying patient is vital. Avoid making hasty decisions based on short-term market movements. Leverage technology Use technology to your advantage. Many platforms offer tools and analytics that help track and forecast market trends, assisting you in making informed decisions. Conclusion Investing with smallcases presents an opportunity to tap into the stock market in a less intimidating and strategic way. By following the simple steps outlined and having a grasp on related fees such as demat account opening charges, you’re well on your way to starting a successful investment journey. Remember, the key to investing is not picking the perfect stock every time but building a robust and diversified portfolio that stands the test of time. This is an advertorial. The published article is being presented as received. Also Read: Adani's overseas investments can now cost India her national security: Cong Follow us on: Facebook , Twitter , Google News , Instagram Join our official telegram channel ( @nationalherald ) and stay updated with the latest headlinesAs the event came to a close, the participants left with a renewed sense of optimism and urgency to continue exploring the possibilities of AI in healthcare. They recognized the transformative potential of AI to improve patient care, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation in the healthcare industry. However, they also acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and ethical considerations to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically.
It is something of a tradition every December to take stock of the year that is ending and consider what might lie ahead. This is true on a personal level: in my family, we tend to do this around the dinner table. But it is also true more broadly, with the time of year inviting an examination of the intersection of economics, national politics, and global geopolitics. You would be forgiven if, as a starting point, you expected these three areas to be in alignment. After all, they are deeply interconnected, which suggests self-reinforcing dynamics. But 2024 brought some unusual dispersion in this relationship that actually widened, rather than narrowed, over the course of the year. Begin with geopolitics. In 2024, Russia secured a greater advantage in the Ukraine war than the consensus forecasts of a year ago anticipated. Similarly, the human suffering and physical destruction resulting from the Israel’s war on Gaza exceeded most observers’ already-grim expectations, and spread to other countries, such as Lebanon. The apparent impunity of the strong, together with the absence of effective means of preventing dire humanitarian crises, has deepened the sense for many that the global order is fundamentally imbalanced, and lacks any enforceable guardrails. As for domestic politics, upheaval has been the order of the day in many countries. Governments have collapsed in both France and Germany – Europe’s largest economies – leaving the European Union without political leadership. And following Donald Trump’s victory in last month’s presidential election, the US is preparing for a political transition that is likely to bring a significant increase in the political influence of a new “counter-elite”. Meanwhile, an “axis of convenience” – comprising China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia – is seeking to challenge the Western-dominated international order. Other recent developments – from the now-impeached South Korean president’s abrupt declaration of martial law (which was quickly reversed) to the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria – have reinforced the impression that we are living at a time of exceptional geopolitical and political volatility. The last year also brought some worrisome macroeconomic developments. Europe’s malaise has deepened, as countries grapple with low growth and large budget deficits. And China has failed to respond credibly to the clear and present danger of “Japanification”, with unfavourable demographics, a debt overhang, and a prolonged property-market downturn undermining growth, economic efficiency, and consumer confidence. And yet, stock markets have remained relatively stable and delivered high returns, including almost 60 record-high closes for the S&P index. The US economy’s exceptional performance is a major reason why. Far from weakening, as most economists expected, the US pulled even further ahead. Given the amount of foreign capital the US is attracting, and the scale of its investment in the future drivers of productivity, competitiveness, and growth, it is likely to continue outperforming other major economies in 2025. One consequence of this success is that the US Federal Reserve did not deliver the soothing 1.75-2-percentage-point interest-rate cuts that markets were pricing in a year ago. This trend, too, is set to continue: at December’s policy meeting, the Fed signalled fewer cuts in 2025, and a higher terminal (long-run) rate. But political and geopolitical upheaval – and the limited prospects for significant improvements – does pose a risk to the endurance of US economic exceptionalism. Even if the US continues outperforming its peers, as expected, the range of possible outcomes, in terms of both growth and inflation, has widened. In fact, global economic and policy outcomes as a whole are now subject to a larger possibility set, both because the downside risks have grown and because upside innovations – such as in artificial intelligence, life sciences, food security, health care, and defence – could transform sectors and accelerate productivity gains. Absent a major policy reset, my baseline scenario for the US includes a somewhat lower immediate growth rate, even as the economy outperforms its peers, and sticky inflation. This will present the Fed with a choice: accept above-target inflation or attempt to bring it down and risk tipping the economy into recession. Globally, economic fragmentation will continue, pushing some countries to diversify their reserves further away from the US dollar and explore alternatives to Western payment systems. Yields on US ten-year government bonds – a global benchmark – will edge higher, trading mostly in the 4.75-5% range. As for financial markets, they might find it more challenging to maintain their status as the “good house” in a challenging geo-economic neighbourhood. This is how things appear now. But, beyond recognising the wider dispersion of possible economic outcomes in 2025, it will be crucial regularly to test whichever baseline one embraces against actual developments. – Project Syndicate • Mohamed A El-Erian, President of Queens’ College at the University of Cambridge, is a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the author of The Only Game in Town: Central Banks, Instability, and Avoiding the Next Collapse and a co-author (with Gordon Brown, Michael Spence, and Reid Lidow) of Permacrisis: A Plan to Fix a Fractured World . Related Story Marmi 2025 registration continues at Katara with more GCC participation Qatar Sports for All Federation launches Muay Thai Winter CampTitle: Expert Discusses Escalating Impact of Syrian Crisis on Refugees and TerrorismIn response to Trump's remarks, President Zelensky issued a strongly worded statement condemning the former US President's insensitivity and emphasizing the severity of the situation in Ukraine. Zelensky stressed that the conflict in Ukraine is not a minor dispute, but a full-scale war that has claimed the lives of thousands and continues to pose a grave threat to regional stability.BillionToOne to Present at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” People are also reading... Nebraska transportation director: Expressway system won't be done until 2042 27-year-old Beatrice man sentenced for May assault Nebraska football signing day preview: Potential flips and a 5-star up for grabs At the courthouse, Dec. 7, 2024 Gage County Sheriff's Office helps catch Fairbury suspect Shoplifting investigation leads to arrest for possession of controlled substance Stabler scores 22 in Lady O's season opening win Mother to Mother supporting families Orangemen open season with win over Nebraska City Holiday lights travel through downtown Beatrice for annual parade At the courthouse, Nov. 30, 2024 Holiday Lighted Parade happening Saturday P.E.O. sponsors Holiday Tour of Homes Beatrice company seeks to break China's stranglehold on rare-earth minerals Clarissa Ruh There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____ Get local news delivered to your inbox!In response to concerns about data security and potential data loss, Alibaba emphasized that they have comprehensive data backup and disaster recovery measures in place to prevent such scenarios. The company stated that they have redundancies and fail-safes to ensure the continuity of their cloud services, even in the event of unexpected incidents like a fire. They also pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Furthermore, the expansion of medical insurance coverage to include rare disease drugs will also benefit healthcare providers and the healthcare system as a whole. By making these medications more affordable and accessible, patients are more likely to adhere to their treatment regimens, resulting in better disease management and reduced hospitalizations. This, in turn, can help alleviate the strain on healthcare resources and reduce overall healthcare costs in the long run.
forward has been suspended four games without pay and center has been suspended three games without pay for their role in a fight between the players during Dallas' 98-89 win Friday night, the NBA has announced. Additionally, Mavericks forward was suspended one game without pay for escalating the altercation. The incident occurred after Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while being guarded by with 9:02 left in the third quarter. Nurkic then confronted Marshall before taking an open-handed swing at his head. Marshall then responded with a punch. Washington quickly shoved Nurkic to the ground before the teams were separated. The referees reviewed the play before deciding that all three players would be ejected. Following the on-court incident, Marshall attempted to further engage Nurkic in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms, the league said. Marshall will begin serving his four-game suspension and Washington will serve his one-game suspension Saturday night when the Mavericks visit the . Nurkic will also begin his three-game suspension Saturday, with the Suns visiting the .The entertainment world is abuzz with excitement as news of a showdown between Lions 1 and Lions 2 has spread like wildfire. Fans of the popular TV series have been eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated clash between the two rival groups, and now, with the premiere just around the corner, the hype has reached a fever pitch.As we move forward, it is essential for businesses to maintain their focus on sound financial management, risk mitigation, and innovation to capitalize on the existing momentum and drive further growth. By staying proactive and adaptable, Chinese enterprises can continue to build on their strengths and contribute towards a thriving business environment in the country.IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oncocyte Corp., (Nasdaq: OCX), a leading diagnostics technology company, today announced that Chief Executive Officer Josh Riggs and Chief Financial Officer Andrea James will attend “J.P. Morgan Week,” coinciding with the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, from January 13-16, 2025. During this period, Oncocyte will host one-on-one meetings with interested investors. Investors wishing to schedule a meeting are encouraged to contact Julie Silber at PCG Advisory via email at jsilber@pcgadvisory.com . Event: “J.P. Morgan Week” Dates: January 13-16, 2025 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA About Oncocyte Oncocyte is a diagnostics technology company. The Company’s tests are designed to help provide clarity and confidence to physicians and their patients. VitaGraftTM is a clinical blood-based solid organ transplantation monitoring test. GraftAssureTM is a research use only (RUO) blood-based solid organ transplantation monitoring test. DetermaIOTM is a gene expression test that assesses the tumor microenvironment to predict response to immunotherapies. DetermaCNITM is a blood-based monitoring tool for monitoring therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients. For more information about Oncocyte, please visit https://oncocyte.com/ . For more information about our products, please visit the following web pages: VitaGraft KidneyTM – https://oncocyte.com/vitagraft-kidney/ VitaGraft LiverTM – https://oncocyte.com/vitagraft-liver/ GraftAssureTM – https://oncocyte.com/graftassure/ DetermaIOTM – https://oncocyte.com/determa-io/ DetermaCNITM – https://oncocyte.com/determa-cni/ VitaGraftTM, GraftAssureTM, DetermaIOTM, and DetermaCNITM are trademarks of Oncocyte Corporation. CONTACT: Jeff Ramson PCG Advisory (646) 863-6893 jramson@pcgadvisory.com
As this story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility that early childhood education institutions have in providing a safe and nurturing environment for young children. The authorities in Tongzhou District have pledged to conduct thorough inspections of all kindergartens in the area to ensure compliance with regulations and to protect the well-being of the children in their care.Recently, a disturbing incident has come to light involving allegations of leadership mockery towards an employee taking bereavement leave, as well as accusations against a popular restaurant chain denying such claims. The incident has sparked outrage and debate within the community, shedding light on the importance of respectful and compassionate leadership in the workplace.Sworn NPCs are designed to be more than just mere sidekicks; they are intelligent beings who understand the importance of concise communication. Unlike other NPCs who tend to bombard players with unnecessary information or incessant banter, Sworn NPCs are programmed to only speak when necessary and to the point. This ensures that players can focus on the gameplay without being constantly interrupted by long-winded dialogue.
LONDON: “Human intelligence,” the cultural critic Neil Postman once wrote, “is among the most fragile things in nature. It doesn’t take much to distract it, suppress it, or even annihilate it.” The year was 1988, a former Hollywood actor was in the White House, and Postman was worried about the ascendancy of pictures over words in American media, culture and politics. Television "conditions our minds to apprehend the world through fragmented pictures and forces other media to orient themselves in that direction", he argued in an essay in his book Conscientious Objections. “A culture does not have to force scholars to flee to render them impotent. A culture does not have to burn books to assure that they will not be read ... There are other ways to achieve stupidity.” DECLINE IN LITERACY SKILLS What might have seemed curmudgeonly in 1988 reads more like prophecy from the perspective of 2024. This month, the OECD released the results of a vast exercise : In-person assessments of the literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills of 160,000 adults aged 16 to 65 in 31 different countries and economies. Compared with the last set of assessments a decade earlier, the trends in literacy skills were striking. Proficiency improved significantly in only two countries (Finland and Denmark), remained stable in 14, and declined significantly in 11, with the biggest deterioration in South Korea, Lithuania, New Zealand and Poland. Among adults with tertiary-level education (such as university graduates), literacy proficiency fell in 13 countries and only increased in Finland, while nearly all countries and economies experienced declines in literacy proficiency among adults with below upper secondary education. Singapore and the US had the biggest inequalities in both literacy and numeracy. “Thirty per cent of Americans read at a level that you would expect from a 10-year-old child,” Andreas Schleicher, director for education and skills at the OECD, told me – referring to the proportion of people in the US who scored level 1 or below in literacy. “It is actually hard to imagine – that every third person you meet on the street has difficulties reading even simple things.” In some countries, the deterioration is partly explained by an ageing population and rising levels of immigration, but Schleicher says these factors alone do not fully account for the trend. His own hypothesis would come as no surprise to Postman: That technology has changed the way many of us consume information, away from longer, more complex pieces of writing, such as books and newspaper articles, to short social media posts and video clips. At the same time, social media has made it more likely that you "read stuff that confirms your views, rather than engages with diverse perspectives, and that’s what you need to get to [the top levels] on the [OECD literacy] assessment, where you need to distinguish fact from opinion, navigate ambiguity, manage complexity", Schleicher explained. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLITICS AND PUBLIC DEBATE The implications for politics and the quality of public debate are already evident. These, too, were foreseen. In 2007, writer Caleb Crain wrote an article called Twilight of the Books in The New Yorker magazine about what a possible post-literate culture might look like. In oral cultures, he wrote, cliche and stereotype are valued, conflict and name-calling are prized because they are memorable, and speakers tend not to correct themselves because “it is only in a literate culture that the past’s inconsistencies have to be accounted for”. Does that sound familiar? These trends are not unavoidable or irreversible. Finland demonstrates the potential for high-quality education and strong social norms to sustain a highly literate population, even in a world where TikTok exists. England shows the difference that improved schooling can make: There, the literacy proficiency of 16-year-olds to 24-year-olds was significantly better than a decade ago. THE QUESTION OF AI The question of whether AI could alleviate or exacerbate the problem is more tricky. Systems like ChatGPT can perform well on many reading and writing tasks: They can parse reams of information and reduce it to summaries. A number of studies suggest that, when deployed in the workplace, these tools can significantly increase the performance of lower-skilled workers. In one study, researchers tracked the impact of an AI tool on customer service agents who provided technical support via written chat boxes. The AI tool, trained on the conversational patterns of top performers, provided real-time text suggestions to agents on how to respond to customers. The study found lower-skilled workers became more productive and their communication patterns became more similar to those of higher-skilled workers. David Autor, an economics professor at MIT, has even argued that AI tools could enable more workers to perform higher-skilled roles and help restore “the middle-skill, middle-class heart of the US labour market”. But, as Autor says, in order to make good use of a tool to “level up” your skills, you need a decent foundation to begin with. Absent that, Schleicher worries that people with poor literacy skills will become “naive consumers of prefabricated content”. In other words, without solid skills of your own, it is only a few short steps from being supported by the machine, to finding yourself dependent on it, or subject to it.In addition to Li Muhao and Fang Shuo, three other standout players were recognized for their exceptional performances in round 15 of the CBA regular season. Their contributions to their respective teams were vital in securing crucial victories and showcasing the high level of competition in the league.