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Maryland (4-7, 1-7 Big Ten) at No. 4 Penn State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (BTN) BetMGM College Football Odds: Penn State by 24 1/2. Series record: Penn State 43-3-1. WHAT’S AT STAKE? The Nittany Lions will try for their first 11-win regular season in James Franklin’s 10-year tenure and hang onto their chance to host a playoff game. The Nittany Lions could still get to the Big Ten championship game, but would need Michigan to beat No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus earlier in the day. The Terrapins have lost four in a row and are trying to avoid their longest skid since losing seven straight to end the 2019 season. KEY MATCHUP Maryland’s front seven vs. Penn State’s running game. The Nittany Lions lost starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh to a long-term injury last week but were still able to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark against a tough Minnesota defense. Maryland has allowed 176 rushing yards per game over its last four. The Terps will need to do better against a Nittany Lion ground game fueled by running backs Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, tight end Tyler Warren and quarterback Beau Pribula. PLAYERS TO WATCH Maryland: WR Tai Felton. Only one FBS player has more catches than Felton. The sure-handed senior leads the Big Ten with 92 catches for 1,097 yards. He’s scored nine touchdowns and should be a focal point for Penn State’s secondary. Penn State: Singleton. The explosive back has recovered from the unspecified injury that slowed him earlier in the season. He had a season-high 19 touches last week versus Maryland including a career-most six catches. FACTS & FIGURES Maryland is 2-3 in Happy Valley since joining the Big Ten with wins in 2014 and 2020. ... Felton has 183 more receiving yards than the next closest Big Ten WR (Illinois’ Pat Bryant) and is 143 yards away from Marcus Badgett’s single-season record set in 1992. ... Penn State has won seven of the last eight against Maryland. ... The Nittany Lions secured their 27th 10-win season last week. ... Warren became Penn State’s all-time leader in reception yards for a tight end (1,516) with 102 yards against Minnesota. ... DT Zane Durant leads the Big Ten and is fourth among Power Four tackles with 8 1/2 tackles for loss this season. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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As political violence in Mozambique continues, thousands of families are crossing the border into Malawi, with officials warning the situation is "dire." Thousands have fled Mozambique to neighboring Malawi over the past week, officials said. The exodus comes following unrest after Mozambique's top court confirmed the ruling Frelimo party's win in October elections. What do we know about Mozambicans fleeing to Malawi? Dominic Mwandira, commissioner for Malawi's southern border district of Nsanje, said that around 2,500 families had arrived so far. "About 11,000 people crossed the Shire River to enter Malawi, while a additional 2,000 crossed the Ruo River," he said, according to the AFP news agency. He said that several government ministries were put on alert and asylum seekers had taken shelter at several temporary sites. "The situation remains dire as these individuals urgently require humanitarian assistance," Mwandira said in a letter seen by the Reuters news agency. What do we know about the violence in Mozambique? Major cities in Mozambique were paralyzed on Friday as post-election violence spread in the southern African country. Transportation was halted and many businesses shut amid widespread looting and vandalism. Mozambique's Industry and Commerce Ministry said that at least 150 commercial establishments had been vandalized during post-election protests. On Wednesday, over 1,500 inmates escaped a jail in the capital, Maputo , following a riot that killed dozens. At least 134 people have been killed in unrest since Monday, according to the Plataforma Decide electoral monitoring group. Mozambique's highest court confirms disputed election To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Opposition claims election rigged On Monday, Mozambique's Constitutional Council proclaimed Frelimo's candidate, Daniel Chapo, the winner of the October 9 presidential election with around 65% of the vote. Opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane was said to have received 24% of the vote. Mondlane's supporters then took to the streets and clashed with police. Opposition parties and international observers allege that the election was not free or fair. sdi/dj (AFP, Reuters, Lusa)
How an innocent act as a child led to my deadly 'second-hand' lung disease decades later READ MORE: People warned about dangers of countertop DIY amid rising deaths By EMILY JOSHU STERNE HEALTH REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 17:57, 28 December 2024 | Updated: 17:57, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments A woman with a deadly lung disease is thought to have caught a 'second-hand' lung condition from her father decades prior. The 80-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was experiencing an exacerbation of the condition and struggling to breath. She was admitted to the hospital, where doctors found clumps of plaque strewn across her lungs, which was making it difficult to suck air in. Due to her family history, doctors suspected something unusual had occurred and were proven right after learning more about the woman's childhood. The woman told her doctors that as a child, she and her sisters would play with their father, who worked installing thermal insulation. When he returned home from work, his clothing would be covered in 'snow-like' particles, which turned out to be asbestos. Doctors believe her secondhand exposure as a child to asbestos , which weakens lung tissue, led her to develop pleural plaques - thickened areas of tissue on the lining of the lungs. The medical team also found lung damage in the woman's two sisters, which they say corroborated their theory. While pleural plaques can't spread from person to person, exposure to asbestos, even decades in the past, could increase the risk of developing them. However, it's unclear how common this is. The above scans show the patient's lungs 20 years ago (left) and present day (right). In the present-day scan, pleural plaques can be seen in the lungs Your browser does not support iframes. COPD affects just over one in 15 US adults, equating to more than 14million people, according to the CDC. Smoking is the number one cause, as the chemicals in tobacco smoke damage the lining of the airways. The woman in the case report, from West Virginia, smoked up to 40 cigarettes every day for 20 years. Read More Are YOU battling a never-ending cough? It could be hidden lung disease, study shows However, asbestos fibers can also increase the risk, as these fibers lodge in the lungs and result in inflammation and scarring. These toxic chemicals are also one of the top causes of pleural plaques. These plaques are thickened areas of tissue that develop on the lining of the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Though asbestos was used in home roofing and insulation for decades, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned it from most products in 1989 due to its links to lung diseases and cancer. But even now, the EPA links asbestos to 40,000 deaths per year from lung, ovarian, and throat cancers, mainly in older Americans who were previously exposed to the chemical for long periods of time. And it wasn't until earlier this year that chrysotile asbestos, the last form of the chemical used in the US, was finally banned. Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine , doctors at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center compared x-ray images of the woman's lungs from 20 years ago to present day. The researchers compared scans from the woman's two sisters, as well, which also showed pleural plaques that had worsened from 20 years prior to present day. The above images are scans from the patient's two sisters. They both developed pleural plaques, which could have been from exposure to asbestos as children COPD causes progressive damage to the airways, leading to a constant cough and trouble breathing (stock image) The team noted the women had developed calcified pleural plaques, which form when calcium salts build up in lung tissue due to inflammation. It's unclear if the woman's sisters smoked or had COPD, but asbestos exposure is the most common cause of these types of lung plaques. A 2020 study stated up to eight percent of the US population may have pleural plaques, but up to 60 percent of workers exposed to asbestos may develop plaques. And oftentimes, pleural plaques take decades to form after asbestos exposure. Signs of these plaques include trouble breathing, chronic coughing, chest pain and coughing up blood, but often no symptoms occur. A CT scan is used to diagnose the condition and doctors don't typically recommend treatment for plaques because removing them can damage the lungs and they don't commonly cause serious complications. In rare cases, pleural plaques may increase the risk of other diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. In the 80-year-old's case, she was able to be discharged home after receiving treatment for her COPD exacerbation, which usually includes oxygen to help breathing, antibiotics for any infections, and steroids to reduce lung inflammation. West Virginia Share or comment on this article: How an innocent act as a child led to my deadly 'second-hand' lung disease decades later e-mail Add comment
PHILADELPHIA , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of FS Credit Opportunities Corp. (the Fund) (NYSE: FSCO) announced the monthly distribution for December 2024 . The distribution of $0.06 per share will be paid on December 31, 2024 . Further information on the distribution is summarized in the charts below. The current annualized distribution rate equates to an annualized distribution yield 1 of 10.1% and 10.6%, respectively, based on the Fund's net asset value (NAV) and market price as of November 30, 2024 . The monthly distribution has been fully covered by the Fund's net investment income throughout 2024, and the Fund has generated an estimated total return on NAV of 12.75% and 33.1% on market price year-to-date through November 30, 2024 . The Fund has approximately $2.2 billion in assets under management and invests in event-driven credit, special situations, private capital solutions and other non-traditional credit opportunities. Month Ticker Fund Name Monthly Dividend December FSCO FS Credit Opportunities Corp. $0.06 The distribution will be made on the following schedule: Month Ex-Date Record Date Payable Date December December 23, 2024 December 23, 2024 December 31, 2024 The Fund pays regular monthly cash distributions to common shareholders at a level rate that may be adjusted from time to time. The amount of monthly distributions may be affected by numerous factors, including changes in portfolio and market conditions. Shareholders should not use the information provided here in preparing their tax returns. The Fund will send a Form 1099-DIV to shareholders for the calendar year that will tell them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Investors should consider, among other things, the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. Investors can find the Fund's most recent reports and other filings on the Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR Database or on the Fund's website ( https://fsinvestments.com/fs-credit-opportunities-corp/ ). About FS Investments FS Investments is a global alternative asset manager dedicated to delivering superior performance and innovative investment and capital solutions. The firm manages over $82 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. Contact Information: Investor Relations Joe Montelione joseph.montelione@fsinvestments.com Media Sarah Hilferty media@fsinvestments.com Forward Looking Statements Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements with regard to future events or the future performance or operations of the Fund. Words such as "intends," "will," "expects," and "may" 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, geopolitical risks, risks associated with possible disruption to the Fund's operations or the economy generally due to hostilities, terrorism, natural disasters or pandemics such as COVID-19, future changes in laws or regulations and conditions in the Fund's operating area, unexpected costs, the price at which the Fund's shares of common stock may trade on the New York Stock Exchange and such other factors that are disclosed in the Fund's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that any plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. Except as required by federal securities laws, the Fund undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. 1 Annualized distribution yield reflects the current month's distribution per share annualized and divided by the estimated current month end net asset value (NAV) per share or market price per share; because annualized distribution yield is based on estimated current month end NAV, it is an estimate that is subject to change. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fs-credit-opportunities-corp-fsco-declares-distribution-for-december-2024-302324322.html SOURCE FS Investments
Princess Diana's ex-butler Paul Burrell claims her ghost 'sent' him his now-husbandGlasgow Christmas market Winterfest has finally opened at George Square. Visitors are now being welcomed to the popular attraction which was forced to shut amid Storm Bert yesterday. The event is planned to run until Sunday, January 5, featuring an 80m Drop Tower, the Booster Maxx Carousel, the Wave Swinger, and a Santa's Train Kids Carousel. Posting on social media Winterfest said: “We are OPEN! We are thrilled to welcome you all to Winterfest at George Square.” READ MORE: Man dressed as Grinch treated like 'shoplifter' at Braehead A post shared by GLASGOW WINTERFEST 2024 (@glasgowwinterfest) Organisers had opened the event earlier today, but had to wait for council approval. In the meantime eager guests were left fuming as they begged for updates and hung around near the area. Taking to social media, they shared their disappointment as they asked organisers for answers. Holly Maxwell Polley said: “What an absolute disgrace at the George square Christmas market today. “Putting off the opening time, 11am then 12 then 1pm and at 2pm still can’t get in? “No communication or update at all? Absolute farce.” Judith Murphy said: “Keeping people waiting for hours with no update is a disgrace.” Baxter Bean said: “Have we decided if we are opening today [Sunday]? No posts yet.” Robert Gardiner said: “It’s still not open yet, people are waiting to get in.” We previously reported how a statement posted to Glasgow Winterfest's Instagram page yesterday read: "We're sorry to announce that Winterfest George Square will not be opening today due to adverse weather conditions. "The safety of our staff and visitors is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding. We're hopeful that we'll be able to open tomorrow and can't wait to welcome everyone back to enjoy the festivities. "Stay safe, and we'll keep you updated here with the latest news." Winterfest at St Enoch Square opened earlier this month. It features a bar area, food and retail stalls, amusement rides, a bungee trampoline, and a snow globe.
To play Maria Callas, Angelina Jolie had to learn how to breathe againMANCHESTER, England (AP) — Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to seven points after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle on Wednesday. Chelsea moved up to second by thrashing last-place Southampton 5-1, while Arsenal is third after a 2-0 win over Manchester United. Fourth-place Manchester City ended its seven-game winless run with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Liverpool’s result will give hope to its title rivals after Fabian Schar’s 90th-minute equalizer at St James’ Park. Arne Slot’s team had twice come back from a goal down to take the lead in the 83rd through Mohamed Salah’s second goal of the match. But the Merseyside club was denied an eighth-straight win in all competitions when Newcastle produced a fightback of its own. “I have mixed feelings, we were outstanding in the second half, but we were not good enough in the first half," Slot said. “Maybe 3-3 is what the game deserved.” Chelsea and Arsenal took advantage. Chelsea's third league win in a row puts it ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. City also reduced the gap and is nine points behind Liverpool after finally ending the worst run of results of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career. “We needed it. The club, the players, everyone needed to win,” Guardiola said. After wins over Real Madrid and City last week, Liverpool’s title credentials were given a stern test by Newcastle, which led at halftime through Alexander Isak and again in the second half through Anthony Gordon. Goals from Curtis Jones and Salah twice leveled the game before Salah looked to have sealed the win late on. Schar equalized after Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher misjudged a late free kick. It meant Liverpool dropped points for only the third time this season after drawing against Arsenal and losing to Forest. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said this week that his team was not in the title race, but the standings tell a different story. The London club is Liverpool’s closest challenger after its latest win against 10-man Southampton. Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were all on target in the rout at St Mary’s Stadium. Southampton had briefly leveled the game through Joe Aribo, but Chelsea was already 3-1 up and in control when Jack Stephens was sent off before the break. Arsenal inflicted a first loss on new United head coach Ruben Amorim with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Two goals from second-half corners made the difference, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba finding the back of the net, but Arsenal still slipped to third, despite edging closer to Liverpool. Mikel Arteta's team finished runner-up in each of the last two seasons and looks primed to challenge again after making an unconvincing start to the campaign. “You get written off but we stuck together as a group," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said. “You stick together and we’re starting to reap the rewards of that.” Making his first start since September, Kevin De Bruyne showed City exactly what it has been missing by scoring a goal and creating another as the four-time defending champion got back to winning ways. The Belgium playmaker provided the cross for Bernardo Silva to give City an eighth-minute lead against Forest at the Etihad Stadium. He produced a trademark finish to sweep the ball past goalkeeper Matz Sels in the 31st to put City on course for a first win in eight games. Jeremy Doku made it 3-0 in the 57th, but it was De Bruyne’s performance that stood out after seeing much of his season disrupted by a groin injury. He left the field in the 74th to an ovation from the home crowd. “It’s been a tough time but you have to accept the challenge and I think we did well today," De Bruyne said. "The Premier League is getting harder and harder. We have to improve as a team first and we’ll see in a couple of months where we are. Hopefully, we would have improved a bit and are a lot closer.” But victory could have come at a cost with concerns over the fitness of Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake, who both went off. “Nathan doesn’t look good. We (will) see tomorrow,” Guardiola said. “Manu is making the last two months struggle a lot.” A first win in six games for Everton moved Sean Dyche’s team further away from the relegation zone, while back-to-back losses for Wolverhampton left the club second from bottom of the standings. Ashley Young and Orel Mangala put Everton in control before two second-half own goals from Craig Dawson sealed a 4-0 win for the Merseyside club, which is five points clear of the bottom three. Aston Villa ended an even longer winless run by beating Brentford 3-1 to secure a first victory in nine games in all competitions. Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins from the penalty spot and Matty Cash were on target. James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Democrats gain supermajority in Oregon House with District 22 winPresident-elect Donald Trump says he has “always been in favor” of the H-1B visa program that imports hundreds of thousands of foreign workers, primarily from India, to take white-collar American jobs. “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas,” Trump told the New York Post of the H-1B visa program. “That’s why we have them.” “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B,” Trump continued. “I have used it many times. It’s a great program.” The remarks come after a weeks-long online debate that has divided proponents of the H-1B visa program, mainly billionaire Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and other tech investors, and critics from the political right and left. For years, Breitbart News has chronicled the abuses against white-collar American professionals as a result of the H-1B visa program. There are about 650,000 H-1B visa foreign workers in the U.S. at any given moment. Americans are often laid off in the process and forced to train their foreign replacements, as highlighted by Breitbart News. Research published in the Journal of Business Ethics recently revealed that foreign H-1B visa workers are paid about 10 percent less than their American counterparts doing the same line of work. Analysis conducted in 2018 discovered that 71 percent of tech workers in Silicon Valley, California, are foreign-born, while the tech industry in the San Francisco, Oakland, and Hayward area is made up of 50 percent foreign-born tech workers. Up to 99 percent of foreign H-1B visa workers imported by the top eight outsourcing firms arrive from India. Trump, in particular, for years has been a critic of corporations abusing the H-1B visa program to hold down wages in white-collar industries by laying off American professionals only to replace them with foreign workers. In 2015, Trump’s immigration agenda laid out key reforms for the H-1B visa program to prevent such gaming of the system by corporations, Breitbart News reported at the time: [Trump] called for also increasing the prevailing wage when it comes to the issuance of H-1B visas so as to get Americans — especially Hispanics, blacks, and women — hired into corporate positions in Silicon Valley rather than foreigners. It is here where he points out that Rubio — who along with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is one of the two candidates in the Republican primary against Trump that the donor class is pulling for — has put forward legislation that would drastically harm American workers’ job prospects, and he’s done so on behalf of Zuckerberg and other donors. [Emphasis added] “We graduate two times more Americans with STEM degrees each year than find STEM jobs, yet as much as two-thirds of entry-level hiring for IT jobs is accomplished through the H-1B program,” Trump wrote. “More than half of H-1B visas are issued for the program’s lowest allowable wage level, and more than eighty percent for its bottom two. Raising the prevailing wage paid to H-1Bs will force companies to give these coveted entry-level jobs to the existing domestic pool of unemployed native and immigrant, instead of flying in cheaper workers from overseas. This will improve the number of black, Hispanic and female workers in Silicon Valley who have been passed over in favor of the H-1B program. Mark Zuckerberg’s personal Senator, Marco Rubio, has a bill to triple H-1Bs that would decimate women and minorities.” [Emphasis added] In 2020, Trump implemented such reforms to the program — requiring federal agencies to complete audits to assess their compliance with requirements ensuring only American citizens are given federal civil service jobs and ending the program’s lottery system, instead making companies offer the highest salaries when seeking to import foreign H-1B visa workers. The move was celebrated by longtime Trump supporters who have helped represent Americans fired from their jobs and forced to train their foreign H-1B visa replacements. “Outsourcing hundreds of workers is especially detrimental in the middle of a pandemic, which has already cost millions of Americans their jobs,” a White House statement said at the time. “President Trump’s actions will help combat employers’ misuse of H-1B visas, which were never intended to replace qualified American workers with low-cost foreign labor.” Only months before, in July 2020, Trump issued the reforms, the federally-owned Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced an outsourcing plan whereby 200 American professionals would be laid off and made to train their foreign H-1B visa replacements. By August, Trump stepped in and fired TVA Chair Skip Thompson. He also demanded that TVA CEO Jeff Lyash cut his salary to no more than $500,000 a year after learning that he had raked in $8 million at the time of the outsourcing announcement. Most importantly, with the help of U.S. Tech Workers, Trump successfully lobbied TVA to abandon its outsourcing plan, thus saving hundreds of Americans from layoffs. John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jbinder@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter here .
Seahawks are optimistic again and set to battle Cardinals for the NFC West lead
A late-game rally derailed by a missed extra point and Cowboys stun Commanders 34-26The average investor can easily find new investment ideas by following well-known asset managers. One of those managers is Cathie Wood , who heads up Ark Invest, an investment fund that focuses on disruptive and innovative businesses. In the Ark Innovation ETF , the flagship product that the asset manager offers to clients, fintech enterprise Block (NYSE: SQ) is a top holding. As of Nov. 21, it's the eighth largest position. Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » Should you buy this top Cathie Wood stock while it trades below $100 per share? Bullish on fintech Cathie Wood and her team at Ark Invest are bullish on numerous technological trends. One of the areas the investment manager is optimistic about is the fintech industry. In particular, the excitement relates to how companies are offering holistic solutions to customers for all their financial services needs. Block falls squarely into this investment theme. Ark Invest believes that in the future, the business' vertically integrated offerings, like digital wallets, bank accounts, and debit cards for consumers, and payroll, working capital, and bill pay for merchants, will result in a powerful and more widely used closed-loop payments system. Block is at the forefront of this trend. Indicative of how much Ark Invest is bullish on the fintech niche, the firm offers the Ark Fintech Innovation ETF , which primarily focuses on these types of businesses. Block is the third largest holding in that fund, making up 6.3% of the assets. Block's positive traits Investors probably appreciate Block's growth potential. Through the first nine months of 2024, the company reported a 20% year-over-year increase in gross profit . Both of the critical segments, Square and Cash App, saw double-digit gains with this key performance metric. On the merchant side, Square processed $59.9 billion in gross payment volume in the three-month period that ended Sept. 30. The segment continues to attract larger sellers. On the consumer side, Cash App now has 57 million monthly active users. Management continues to drive further adoption of the Cash App Card, which can boost spending activity and, ultimately, the revenue and gross profit that Block generates. Like many other tech-enabled companies in recent years, Block has made an effort to streamline its operations and drive greater efficiencies. We're seeing this play out right before our eyes. The business posted $323 million in operating income in the third quarter. That's a massive reversal from the $10 million operating loss reported in the year-ago period. The leadership team upped their full-year 2024 guidance, which now calls for an adjusted operating margin of 18%. In theory, Block's business model should scale up in a profitable manner. Large expense items, like product development and sales and marketing, should constitute a lower percentage of total revenue over time, showcasing operating leverage. Shareholders must pay close attention to this going forward to ensure the strategy is working. Betting on earnings growth Block shares were once some of the best-performing on Wall Street. From the company's initial public offering in November 2015 to the stock's peak in August 2021, the share price skyrocketed more than 2,000% higher. That gain was hard to beat. It's been a totally different story since then. As of this writing on Nov. 21, the stock trades 67% off that all-time high. The market is adopting a more tempered view of the business and its prospects. Investors looking to buy shares must pay a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 25.9. That's very reasonable. However, the stock should only be purchased by those who believe the company's top- and bottom-line growth are set to continue at a solid clip. Cathie Wood thinks this will be the case. Based on recent trends, I believe this is a likely outcome as well, which makes the stock look like a compelling buy below $100. Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $368,053 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $43,533 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $484,170 !* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See 3 “Double Down” stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of November 18, 2024 Neil Patel and his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Block. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . Should You Buy This Top Cathie Wood Stock While It's Below $100? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Festive Lanterns, Keepsake Ornaments and Palm Pals Among 2024 Favorites NEWTOWN, Pa. , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- 'Tis the season for unwrapping holiday cheer. Whether shopping for a family member, co-worker, beloved teacher or BFF, Norman's Hallmark is a one-stop shop for holiday gift giving. "The most wonderful time of year is upon us, and Norman's Hallmark has a wide selection of gift items for everyone on your holiday list," said Kim Dunn , Norman's marketing director. "Shoppers in search of the perfect present will find plenty of unique and thoughtful gift ideas that are sure to bring smiles to any recipient." The card and specialty gift retailer has curated a selection of holiday gift ideas for every age, taste and budget. All items are available while supplies last; selections vary by store location. Nostalgic Fun. When it comes to holiday specials, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" have been family favorites for generations. From blankets and plush toys to games, puzzles, tumblers, ornaments, water globes and more, Norman's has plenty of gifts themed around these beloved classics and their iconic characters. (Retail prices vary) Sparkles of Joy. Holiday lanterns are sure to bring a little cheer to any recipient. Designed like a snow globe with LED lights, swirling glitter and water inside, these festive battery-operated accents will be enjoyed for years to come. Choose from themes such as snowmen, cardinals, nativity scenes and – new this year – pet parents, to name a few. (Retail prices vary) The Plush Life. Filled with charm and cuteness, Palm Pals are a plush brand of fun-sized characters that fit in the palm of your hand. Choose from plushies that capture the essence of the season to collections that include animals, foods and other whimsical characters. Their small size makes Palm Pals the perfect stocking stuffer. (Retail prices vary) Sweet 'n Savory. From chocolate covered pretzels to peppermint bark, Norman's carries a wide assortment of chocolate and candy products to satisfy any sweet tooth. Customers will find plenty of options from local chocolatiers David Bradley Chocolatier and Asher's Chocolate Co., as well as national brands such as Godiva and Harry & David. Norman's also carries a wide selection of products from Stonewall Kitchen including delicious gourmet jams and spreads, snacks, baking mixes, condiments, gift sets and more. An assortment of recipe books, kitchen towels and napkins are perfect add-ons to any of these gifts. (Retail prices vary). Pop Princess and Sporty Fun. From books and jewelry to apparel, Norman's has plenty of great ideas for the fans of the world's most famous pop storyteller. Shoppers also have plenty of options for devotees of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies; choose from themed birdhouses, nutcrackers, desk lights and more, including an illustrated biography of the Kelce brothers. (Retail prices vary) A Seasonal Tradition. Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments are an essential addition to any holiday celebration. Norman's Hallmark offers more than 300 brand-new ornaments annually, with designs ranging from those commemorating life's occasions, holiday scenes, sports, hobbies and pets to iconic film and television characters – and just about everything in between. (Retail prices vary) Norman's offers a complete line of Hallmark products, cards for every occasion and Keepsake Ornaments, along with a diverse merchandise selection for gift giving and the home that includes fashion apparel and accessories, books, stationery, games, home décor, specialty candy and gourmet foods. The company maintains thriving supplier partnerships with household-name brands like Warmies, Vera Bradley, Yankee Candle, Life is Good, Scout Bags, Willow Tree , Tervis, David Bradley Chocolatier, Stonewall Kitchen and BOGG Bags, amongst many others. Norman's Hallmark currently operates 80 locations. Celebrating its 85th year in business, the employee-owned (ESOP) company has grown from a single retail store in Trenton, N.J. , to a leading force in the social expression industry. The Newtown, Pa. -based company continues to grow its brick-and-mortar footprint throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey , and in recent years expanded into Delaware and northern Maryland ; it also maintains a strong ecommerce presence. Norman's is the honored recipient of the prestigious "Retailer of the Century" award from Gifts and Decorative Accessories, a leading industry trade publication. Media Contact Maxine Aviles , Caryl Communications, 2017967788, [email protected] , www.caryl.com SOURCE Caryl CommunicationsA late-game rally derailed by a missed field goal and Cowboys stun Commanders 34-26