OU FOOTBALL: Sooners fall in Armed Forces Bowl thriller against NavyNEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Micron Technology, Inc. ("Micron" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MU ). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns Micron and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On December 18, 2024 , Micron announced financial results for its first quarter of fiscal year ("FY") 2025 and issued disappointing guidance for its second quarter of FY 2025. In response to the announcement, securities analysts commented on the reduced guidance and lowered their price targets for Micron stock given the weakness in the Company's consumer chips business. For example, UBS wrote that "[g]uidance was below even the most bearish bogeys we heard into the report, with the company citing ongoing malaise in consumer markets." Similarly, a Bank of America analyst indicated Micron's revenue from sales of its AI memory chips cannot offset the "downward pressure" caused by weak demand for those used in personal computers and smartphones. On this news, Micron's stock price fell $16.81 per share, or 16.2%, to close at $87.09 per share on December 19, 2024 . Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York , Chicago , Los Angeles , London , Paris , and Tel Aviv , is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz , known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud , breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLPPHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FS KKR Capital Corp. (NYSE: FSK) today announced that it has completed its previously announced offering of an additional $100 million in aggregate principal amount of its 6.125% notes due 2030 (the "Notes"). The Notes will be a further issuance of, and form a single series with, the $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Notes due 2030 that FSK issued on November 20, 2024 , increasing the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the series to $700 million . BofA Securities, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, KKR Capital Markets LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., and Truist Securities, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers for this offering. FSK intends to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including potentially repaying outstanding indebtedness under credit facilities and certain notes. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About FS KKR Capital Corp. FSK is a leading publicly traded business development company (BDC) focused on providing customized credit solutions to private middle market U.S. companies. FSK seeks to invest primarily in the senior secured debt and, to a lesser extent, the subordinated debt of private middle market companies. FSK is advised by FS/KKR Advisor, LLC. About FS/KKR Advisor, LLC FS/KKR Advisor, LLC (FS/KKR) is a partnership between FS Investments and KKR Credit that serves as the investment adviser to FSK and other business development companies. FS Investments is a global alternative asset manager dedicated to delivering superior performance and innovative investment and capital solutions. The firm manages over $83 billion in assets for a wide range of clients, including institutional investors, financial professionals and individual investors. FS Investments provides access to a broad suite of alternative asset classes and strategies through its best-in-class investment teams and partners. With its diversified platform and flexible capital solutions, the firm is a valued partner to general partners, asset owners and portfolio companies. FS Investments is grounded in its high-performance culture and guided by its commitment to building value for its clients, investing in its colleagues and giving back to its communities. The firm has more than 500 employees across offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia and is headquartered in Philadelphia . KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. Forward-Looking Statements and Important Disclosure Notice This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to future events or future performance or operations of FSK. Words such as "believes," "expects," "projects," and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the economy, risks associated with possible disruption in FSK's operations or the economy generally due to terrorism, geo-political risks, natural disasters or pandemics such as COVID-19, future changes in laws or regulations and conditions in FSK's operating area and the price at which shares of FSK's common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Some of these factors are enumerated in the filings FSK makes with the SEC. FSK undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact Information: Investor Relations Contact Anna Kleinhenn Anna.Kleinhenn@fsinvestments.com FS Investments Media Team Melanie Hemmert Melanie.Hemmert@fsinvestments.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fsk-completes-public-offering-of-100-million-6-125-unsecured-notes-due-2030--302339667.html SOURCE FS Investments
BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. ( NASDAQ:BRTX – Get Free Report ) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 153,400 shares, a growth of 129.3% from the November 30th total of 66,900 shares. Approximately 3.0% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 47,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.2 days. BioRestorative Therapies Price Performance Shares of BRTX stock opened at $1.55 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $10.73 million, a PE ratio of -1.01 and a beta of 62.52. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $1.52 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.63. BioRestorative Therapies has a 1 year low of $1.03 and a 1 year high of $3.67. BioRestorative Therapies ( NASDAQ:BRTX – Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 12th. The company reported ($0.13) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.35) by $0.22. BioRestorative Therapies had a negative return on equity of 98.49% and a negative net margin of 2,697.08%. The firm had revenue of $0.23 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $0.30 million. Equities research analysts expect that BioRestorative Therapies will post -1.43 EPS for the current year. About BioRestorative Therapies BioRestorative Therapies, Inc, a life sciences company, focuses on the development of regenerative medicine products and therapies using cell and tissue protocols primarily involving adult stem cells. The company's two core developmental programs relate to the treatment of disc/spine disease and metabolic disorders. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BioRestorative Therapies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BioRestorative Therapies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Niger's ruling junta suspended the BBC for three months over the broadcaster's coverage of an extremist attack that allegedly killed dozens of Nigerien soldiers and civilians, authorities said Thursday. “BBC broadcasts false information aimed at destabilizing social calm and undermining the troops' morale,” communications minister Raliou Sidi Mohamed said in letters to radio stations that rebroadcast BBC content. Mohamed asked the stations to suspend BBC's programs “with immediate effect.” The BBC said it had no comment on the suspension. Popular BBC programs, including those in Hausa — the most-spoken language in Niger — are broadcast in the Central African country through local radio partners to reach a large audience across the region. The British broadcaster had reported on its website in Hausa on Wednesday that gunmen had killed more than 90 Nigerien soldiers and more than 40 civilians in two villages near the border with Burkina Faso. The French broadcaster Radio France International, also known as RFI, also reported on the attack, calling it a jihadi attack and citing the same death toll. Niger's authorities denied that an attack happened in the area in a statement read on state television and said it would file a complain against RFI for “incitement to genocide.” Niger, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali, has for over a decade battled an insurgency fought by jihadi groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russia’s mercenary units for security assistance. But the security situation in the Sahel has worsened since the juntas took power, analysts say, with a record number of attacks and civilians killed both by Islamic militants and government forces. Meanwhile, the ruling juntas have cracked down on political dissent and journalists . Earlier this year, Malian authorities banned the media from reporting on the activities of political parties and associations. Burkina Faso suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio stations for their coverage of a mass killing of civilians carried out by the country’s armed forces. In August 2023, Niger banned French broadcasters France 24 and RFI, a month after its military rulers took power in a coup. “Generally speaking, the three juntas censor the media as soon as the security situation in the country is addressed in an unpleasant manner or when abuses are revealed,” Sadibou Marong, head of the sub-Saharan Africa office of Reporters Without Borders, told The Associated Press in September. “Finding reliable and neutral information on government activities has become extremely complex, as has covering security situation in these countries,” Marong added.Stock Market News Today Live Updates: In an ever-evolving financial world, staying informed about stock market trends is crucial. Our Stock Market News provides real-time updates, insightful analysis, and in-depth coverage of the global financial landscape. From major index movements and corporate earnings to economic indicators and geopolitical events, we deliver the latest information impacting your investments and the broader economy. Our goal is to empower you with a clear understanding of market dynamics, investor sentiment, and potential opportunities, keeping you connected to the essential developments shaping the world of finance. Stay ahead with timely updates and expert perspectives on stock market trends. Stock MarketsNews Today Live: US tech giants Nvidia, Tesla emerge top US-listed stock picks for Indians in 2024; ETFs gain momentum
Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy charter( ) has been steadily making its mark as one of Canada’s prominent financial institutions. As we look toward 2025, the stock presents an intriguing blend of opportunity and caution. Known for its strong regional dominance, particularly in Quebec, and its ability to diversify income streams, National Bank stock is well-positioned to deliver solid shareholder . Let’s break down the key elements shaping its outlook as we move into the new year – from recent earnings to broader market sentiment. Into earnings In its most recent earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2024, National Bank posted a net income of $955 million. A remarkable 27% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $2.66, up from $2.09. This exceeded analysts’ expectations and underscored the bank’s continued financial strength. This impressive growth was driven by exceptional performance in wealth management. This saw adjusted net income grow by 17% year-over-year to $219 million. Looking at the big picture, National Bank’s revenue for the trailing 12 months reached $10.6 billion, thus representing 19.7% year-over-year growth. The return on equity (ROE), a key metric that measures profitability against shareholder equity, stands at 15.2%, thereby affirming the bank’s effective use of its capital to drive returns. Notably, analysts project that the bank will maintain a strong ROE of 16.1% over the next three years. This is well above industry averages. Dividends and value One area where National Bank stock shines is its dividend performance. The bank offers a forward annual dividend rate of $4.40. With a payout ratio of 41.3%, this dividend appears highly sustainable, leaving ample room for reinvestment in growth initiatives. National Bank consistently rewards shareholders while maintaining a strong balance sheet. This should give income-focused investors confidence as they look to 2025. Over the past five years, the bank’s average dividend yield has hovered around 3.7%, further cementing its reputation as a reliable dividend stock. From a valuation perspective, National Bank stock is trading at a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.5, and a forward P/E of 12.4, thus making it more affordable than some of its larger peers. While not the cheapest on the market, its valuation is reasonable given its growth trajectory, strong profitability, and robust financial health. Its price-to-book ratio of 1.9 remains attractive when compared to its historical averages and suggests that the stock isn’t overpriced at current levels. Looking ahead While National Bank’s fundamentals remain strong, there are areas investors should monitor heading into 2025. The gross impaired loan ratio, which increased to 68 basis points in Q4, is a sign of potential pressure in its credit portfolio. While this remains manageable, it reflects broader economic uncertainties, such as the risk of higher interest rates impacting borrowers. That said, National Bank’s conservative approach to risk management and strong cash reserves, over $163 billion in total cash, position it well to absorb any near-term shocks. Strategically, National Bank has been making moves to expand its presence in wealth management, fintech partnerships, and sustainable finance initiatives. These efforts, paired with the bank’s focus on digital transformation, are expected to support long-term growth. For instance, its investment in advanced technology and mobile banking solutions has allowed it to remain competitive in attracting younger clients while improving operational efficiency. As Canada’s economy continues to recover, these growth strategies should drive value for shareholders in the years ahead. Bottom line National Bank offers a compelling story for investors as we move into 2025. With solid earnings growth, a sustainable dividend, and a reasonable valuation, the stock remains an attractive option for both growth and income-focused investors. Some challenges lie ahead, such as rising impaired loans and margin pressures. Yet the strong capital position, strategic initiatives, and consistent performance provide confidence that it can navigate any economic turbulence. National Bank stands out as a solid Canadian investment poised to hold its own in the financial sector, especially for those seeking stability and income.
The Houston Rockets might just be one big trade away from being a contender. The 2024-25 NBA season has brought some pleasant surprises and some disappointing teams. The Houston Rockets are among the surprising teams this season as they are currently 21-9 and a half-game lead as the No. 2 seed in a loaded Western Conference. While the Rockets are one of the top seeds in the better of the two conferences, they are being overlooked as a contender. They’ve got a clear-cut style and identity while having depth, but they are lacking one major asset every contending squad needs. They don’t have a clear-cut superstar . However, the Rockets have the necessary trade chips and assets needed to acquire a star on the trade market. They’ve got to be patient and allow the right player to become available to make a move. There is one name who could be up for trade soon, though. Tim Bontemps claims De’Aaron Fox would be “scary” in Houston The narrative, right now, is that De’Aaron Fox needs to be traded from the Sacramento Kings . They are 13-18 and are continually sliding in the Western Conference. The former Kentucky guard led the franchise to end their playoff drought that ran two decades long, but they haven’t found any success beyond that. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, a great fit for Fox would be Houston, pairing him with a Rockets squad that is knocking on the door of contention. He claimed they would be “scary” with the All-Star point guard on their roster. “Fox is a hell of a player. If you put him in Houston or San Antonio, I think that’d be pretty scary,” Bontemps said. Bontemps included the Spurs, which would be quite a unique fit. For now, they have Chris Paul alongside Victor Wembanyama. With Fox being 27-years-old, he could be a long-term pairing with Wembanyama, though. Still, the Rockets fit is quite an interesting one given their current roster makeup. However, Bomtemps listed four teams that could be in play, as one team, in particular, could be in play that might appeal to Fox. “I heard Miami, you know, the Bam [Adebayo] connection, there,” Bontemps said. The duo of Fox and Adebayo played together during college in Lexington, which could lead Fox to wanting to be on his way to South Beach to play with his former teammate. A Fox to Houston trade would shake quite a bit up Earlier this season, Fox, who is entering his prime years in the NBA, scored 60 points in a game, then scored 49 points in his following outing. The Kings aren’t a good basketball team right now, and moving Fox might be the only way forward for them. Of course, if Sacramento were to move Fox, they would then open up the idea of moving DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, along with other win-now players, which would allow them to stack draft capital. What would a trade package look like? One would assume if the Kings are moving on from Fox, a rebuild would ensue. Fred VanVleet is a veteran player, but they could eventually flip him for more capital while using the salary to match in a Fox trade. Alongside VanVleet, the Kings could acquire a young guard like Reed Sheppard while trying to secure some draft capital with the high-upside Kentucky product. This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.
Reflections on Christmas past and present | Pius Kamau
Boopie Miller's 24 points spark SMU to a 98-82 win over Longwood in nonconference finale
CHARACTER.AI, once one of Silicon Valley’s most promising AI startups, announced on Thursday new safety measures to protect teenage users as it faces lawsuits alleging its chatbots contributed to youth suicide and self-harm. The California-based company, founded by former Google engineers, is among several firms offering AI companions - chatbots designed to provide conversation, entertainment and emotional support through human-like interactions. In a Florida lawsuit filed in October, a mother claimed the platform bears responsibility for her 14-year-old son’s suicide. The teen, Sewell Setzer III, had formed an intimate relationship with a chatbot based on the Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen and mentioned a desire for suicide. According to the complaint, the bot encouraged his final act, responding “please do, my sweet king” when he said he was “coming home” before taking his life with his stepfather’s weapon. Character.AI “went to great lengths to engineer 14-year-old Sewell’s harmful dependency on their products, sexually and emotionally abused him, and ultimately failed to offer help or notify his parents when he expressed suicidal ideation,” the suit said. A separate Texas lawsuit filed on Monday involves two families who allege the platform exposed their children to sexual content and encouraged self-harm. One case involved a 17-year-old autistic teen who allegedly suffered a mental health crisis after using the platform. In another example, the lawsuit alleged that a Character.AI encouraged a teen to kill his parents for limiting his screen time. The platform, which hosts millions of user-created personas ranging from historical figures to abstract concepts, has grown popular among young users seeking emotional support. Critics say this has led to dangerous dependencies among vulnerable teens. In response, Character.AI announced it has developed a separate AI model for users under 18, with stricter content filters and more conservative responses. The platform will now automatically flag suicide-related content and direct users to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “Our goal is to provide a space that is both engaging and safe for our community,” a company spokesperson said. The company plans to introduce parental controls in early 2025, allowing oversight of children’s platform usage. For bots that include descriptions like therapist or doctor, a special note will warn that they do not replace professional advice. New features also include mandatory break notifications and prominent disclaimers about the artificial nature of the interactions. Both lawsuits name Character.AI’s founders and Google, an investor in the company. The founders, Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas Adiwarsana, returned to Google in August as part of a technology licensing agreement with Character.AI. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement that Google and Character.AI are completely separate, unrelated companies. “User safety is a top concern for us, which is why we’ve taken a cautious and responsible approach to developing and rolling out our AI products, with rigorous testing and safety processes,” he added. AFPNone
Investors that have a high tolerance for risk might want to consider the ASX shares in this article. That's because they have just been named as buys with major upside potential. Here's what analysts are saying about them: ( ) The first small cap ASX share that is being tipped as a buy is Ai-Media Technologies. It is a technology company that allows many of the world's leading brands to caption their TV broadcasts, live streams, events, virtual meetings and more. It notes that its technology delivers over 7 million minutes of captioning, transcription, and translation for live and recorded media content, online events, and web streams every month. Morgans rates the company as a buy. Last week, its analysts said: Technology led captioning is the bulk of AIM's gross profit today and should exceed 90% within the next 12 months. Management has highlighted it will now aggressively pursue growth, targeting $60m of EBITDA by FY29, with the requirement of upfront investment in sales and product development. We see substantial share price upside if management achieve its target. We estimate that $60m of EBITDA in FY29 is worth $2.91 in FY29 or $1.44 today. This equates to a ~40% IRR, leaving substantial margin for error. The reward is, in our view, well worth the risk. Morgans has an add rating and $1.00 price target on its shares. This suggests that its shares could rise 27% from current levels. ( ) Another small cap ASX share that is highly rated is Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals. It is a biotechnology company focused on repurposing Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS) for the treatment of Osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee. If approved the drug will have the brand name Zilosul. Bell Potter notes that the "global market for a safe, effective treatment that provides superior patient outcomes compared to the standard of care is a multiple blockbuster." It adds: In the US along the incidence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis is estimated at 30m persons. The pricing of the drug will ultimately be determined by the economic benefit associated with its use as well as the cost of other therapies. The conservative estimate is US$2,500 per year which places the addressable market in the tens of billions of US$. In light of this, the broker is highly encouraged by recent trial data and the prospect of phase 3 studies starting next year. As a result, Bell Potter put a speculative buy rating and 80 cents price target on its shares last week. This implies potential upside of 38% for investors over the next 12 months.