Shares of UnitedHealth Group ( UNH -5.07% ) fell for the second session in a row today as investors seem to be reckoning with the backlash against the company following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday morning. UnitedHealth stock finished the day down 5.1% after losing 5.2% on Thursday. Other health insurance stocks also slipped, even as the broad market gained on a strong jobs report. Is the business model under threat? Today's sell-off comes even as some analysts raised their price target in response to the company's earlier 2025 guidance, which it released after hours on Tuesday ahead of an investor conference that was canceled after Thompson, who headed the company's insurance division, was killed. Across social media and in comments sections in news articles, there has been a substantial outcry against the company's insurance practices, in particular its denial rate and its use of AI to deny coverage. One widely shared chart showed UnitedHealth denies 32% of claims, more than any other insurer and double the industry average. Dean Phillips, the congressman representing UnitedHealth's home district in Minnesota, acknowledged the insurance crisis in a post on X, and concluded, "The real culprit is Congress and money in politics, and it's time for change." What's next for UnitedHealth? It's unclear what the ultimate fallout will be from the event, or if anything will change for the health insurance industry. For the moment, however, the issue has captured the nation's attention, and investors seemed to be surprised by the level of outrage directed at the company. There could be ESG -related calls for institutional investors to divest from UnitedHealth and other health insurance stocks, or there could be changes at the regulatory level that impact profits at UnitedHealth and its peers. In its filing, UnitedHealth forecast adjusted earnings of $29.50 to $30 in 2025, up from the $27.50-$27.75 it's forecasting for 2024, showing the company continues to expect steady bottom-line growth even as it faces rising costs from an aging population.None
Published 4:38 pm Thursday, December 5, 2024 By Data Skrive The East Tennessee State Buccaneers versus the West Virginia Mountaineers is the only game on Friday’s college basketball slate that includes a ranked team in play. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up. Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.In Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island, the Greek gods are queer and kind
Analysts' ratings for Udemy UDMY over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 4 analysts. In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 1 2 0 1 0 Last 30D 0 1 0 0 0 1M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 2M Ago 1 1 0 0 0 3M Ago 0 0 0 1 0 Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Udemy, revealing an average target of $9.88, a high estimate of $11.00, and a low estimate of $7.50. Observing a downward trend, the current average is 31.05% lower than the prior average price target of $14.33. Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study The perception of Udemy by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Nat Schindler Scotiabank Announces Sector Outperform $10.00 - Brett Knoblauch Cantor Fitzgerald Lowers Overweight $11.00 $18.00 Ryan MacDonald Needham Lowers Buy $11.00 $15.00 Josh Baer Morgan Stanley Lowers Underweight $7.50 $10.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Udemy. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Udemy compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Udemy's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time. To gain a panoramic view of Udemy's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Udemy analyst ratings. If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance you can start by tracking it here . All You Need to Know About Udemy Udemy Inc operates a marketplace platform at the center of a vibrant knowledge network. The Company operates under two operating and reportable segments Consumer and Enterprise, out of which the Enterprise segment derives the maximum revenue. Geographically, the company derives maximum revenue from North America. The company leverages data, technology, and insights for effective learning experiences. It helps individuals and organizations to possess effective skill acquisition and development with flexibility. Unraveling the Financial Story of Udemy Market Capitalization Analysis: Below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity. Revenue Growth: Udemy displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 5.79% . This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Consumer Discretionary sector. Net Margin: Udemy's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of -12.93%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management. Return on Equity (ROE): Udemy's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of -11.27%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders. Return on Assets (ROA): Udemy's ROA is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -3.95%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns. Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06 , Udemy adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management. The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter. In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Signing with Dodgers was really easy decision for 2-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell
Just hours after former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew from consideration for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump announced his new nominee : former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi . The selection shifts the spotlight to Bondi's record, especially her stance on cannabis reform, which contrasts starkly with Gaetz's pro-legalization views. Despite the unsavory allegations against Gaetz's personal behavior, he’s been an advocate for cannabis reform and was expected to adopt a lenient approach toward legalization if appointed. In contrast, Bondi had a tougher stance on medical marijuana during her tenure as Florida's Attorney General (2011-2019). For example, in 2013, Bondi’s office filed a 57-page challenge to the proposed ballot initiative that was seeking to put medical marijuana (MMJ) on the ballot the following year. Once medical marijuana was approved, she defended state laws restricting cannabis use, including a ban on publicly smoking it. Bondi argued at the time that the ban was justified due to concerns over secondhand smoke exposure. A state judge later ruled the ban to be inconsistent with Florida's constitutional amendment that legalized medical cannabis in 2014. The restriction was eventually overturned under Gov. Ron DeSantis who went on the warpath against smoking in public. Read Also: Cannabis Stocks Feel The Burn: Matt Gaetz Bows Out As Trump’s Attorney General Nominee Bondi's role on Trump's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis during his first term in the White House could further complicate her position on cannabis. The commission, which was chaired by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie , was skeptical about cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain or opioid addiction, citing studies suggesting a potential link between marijuana use and opioid abuse. Authoritative studies have since shown the contrary to be the case. Though Bondi's track record has raised concerns among some cannabis reform advocates, industry leader Kim Rivers , CEO of Trulieve Cannabis Corp TCNNF , described Bondi on X as "straightforward and very fair," reported Marijuana Moment. "She is passionate about ending the opioid crisis and did great work shutting down pill mills in Florida. She is an advocate for safe, regulated markets and I believe she will bring the same energy to end the fentanyl issues our country is facing," Rivers said. Now Read: • Kentucky Gov. Beshear: ‘Go Online And Find’ Your Medical Marijuana Practitioner On Dec. 1 Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The S&P 500 index rose on Wednesday, propelling the Nasdaq past the 20,000-point mark for the first time, fueled by a tech stock rally following a U.S. inflation report that heightened expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell, pulled down by health insurers amid new legislative moves affecting their profitability, the S&P and Nasdaq saw gains. Preliminary data indicated the S&P 500 gained 49.21 points to close at 6,084.12, with the Nasdaq climbing 347.66 points to 20,034.90. However, the Dow decreased by 94.48 points to 44,153.35. The likelihood of a Fed rate cut next week rose to over 96%, according to CME's FedWatch Tool, spurred by recent job growth data. Key tech stocks, including Tesla, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Amazon, posted gains, whereas health sector stocks like Cigna and CVS Health faced losses. Meanwhile, shares of GameStop and Broadcom improved due to favorable earnings and strategic partnerships, respectively. (With inputs from agencies.)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Drew Lock is likely going to start at quarterback for the New York Giants against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday when they try to end a franchise-record 10-game losing streak. Lock started against Atlanta last weekend and his status became an issue after the 34-7 loss when coach Brian Daboll said the 28-year-old was having an issue with his right shoulder. An MRI was done Monday and Daboll announced Tuesday that Lock would be his starter if he stayed healthy. “It came back good so rocking and rolling,” Lock said, noting he was hurt on a third down pass to Daniel Bellinger in the first quarter when Falcons linebacker Matthew Judon pulled his arm on the play. He finished the game. There were questions whether Daboll would switch back to Tommy DeVito after Lock threw two pick-6s and lost a fumble on a strip-sack against the Falcons. Lock has had three interceptions returned for scores in three starts this season, including two on tipped passes. Daboll said it was important to give Lock a couple of starts in which he was able to get all the reps in practice. “Knowing what we did the week before, take the things we need to get better at into this week and actually be able to go out there and do it is something I’m looking forward to,” Lock said. “Similar cadences with the guys, being in the huddle together. I think it can only be a positive for such a roller coaster out of that spot.” The one thing that might change this week is the Giants center. John Michael Schmitz has an ankle injury and he did not practice Tuesday. He left the locker room with a boot on his right foot. New York has moved veteran guard Greg Van Roten to center when Schmitz was hurt and Lock also worked with guard Austin Schlottmann as his center while playing in Denver. “I’m pretty familiar with all the guys that are rotating in there,” Lock said. The Giants have the NFL's worst scoring offense, averaging 14.3 points. They benched Daniel Jones coming out of their bye week and days later released him after he requested it. DeVito has started two games and Lock three since Jones was released. New York has scored 59 points in those games, with 20 coming against Dallas in a seven-point loss on Thanksgiving. Running back Tyrone Tracy (ankle), wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee-foot), cornerback Greg Stroman (shoulder-shin), defensive tackle Cory Durden (shoulder), inside linebacker Micah McFadden (neck) and cornerback Dru Phillips (shoulder) also did not practice on Tuesday, which is usually a day off. The team will have off on Christmas Day and return to practice on Thursday. The Giants opened practice on Tuesday with the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” blaring on the loudspeakers in their indoor practice facility. Jones, who is on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, sent the Giants offensive linemen Christmas gifts. “DJ comes in, saves me and Tommy once again, and then takes care of the guys,” Lock said. “I expected nothing less from the guy. That’s just who he is, and cares about these guys still.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
NoneSwiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger dies in avalanche, aged 26
Daniel Razionale Launches Personal Website to Share His Outdoor Adventures and Connect with Community 11-22-2024 10:40 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Erase Technologies, LLC Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1732294394.jpg Daniel Razionale, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Daniel Razionale, a dedicated community member and avid outdoorsman from Philadelphia, is thrilled to announce the launch of his new personal website, [Insert Website URL], a platform dedicated to sharing his passion for the outdoors and building connections with like-minded individuals. Daniel's website serves as a vibrant hub for those who share his enthusiasm for nature and community service. The site features a rich collection of his personal stories from hiking, cycling, and soccer adventures, providing inspiration and practical advice for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. It also offers a glimpse into Daniel's life, emphasizing how he integrates his commitment to health, personal growth, and community involvement. The website includes a blog where Daniel shares regular updates about his latest adventures, insights into maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and tips on community service. Additionally, visitors can find resources on how to get involved in local charity events and outdoor activities. "Launching this website is about sharing my journey and the lessons I've learned along the way. It's also a platform for others to connect, share their experiences, and inspire each other towards greater community involvement and personal fulfillment," said Daniel Razionale. For more details, visit his new website here [ https://www.danielrazionale.com/ ]. About Daniel Razionale Daniel Razionale is a Philadelphia native recognized for his warm personality in the restaurant industry and his passion for the great outdoors. Through his new website, Daniel aims to inspire and engage with others around the themes of adventure, fitness, and community service. Media Contact Contact Person: Daniel Razionale Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=daniel-razionale-launches-personal-website-to-share-his-outdoor-adventures-and-connect-with-community ] City: Delaware County State: Pennsylvania Country: United States Website: https://www.danielrazionale.com/ This release was published on openPR.
QUÉBEC — Quebec Premier François Legault says he's looking at ways to end prayer in public places, including parks, as his government promises to table new legislation to strengthen secularism in schools. Legault made the comments during a press conference in Quebec City on Friday to mark the end of the fall legislative session. He said he wants to send a "very clear message to Islamists" that Quebec will fight against any disrespect of its fundamental values, including secularism. The premier said that recent reports of teachers allowing prayers in classrooms and preventing girls from playing sports, which have triggered an outcry in Quebec, are "totally unacceptable." "There are teachers who are bringing Islamist religious concepts into Quebec schools," he said. "I will definitely not tolerate that. We don't want that in Quebec." Legault then went a step further when asked by a reporter if he was also bothered by prayer in public places. "Seeing people on their knees in the streets, praying, I think we have to ask ourselves the question. I don't think it's something we should see," he said, adding that his government is considering whether it can legislate on the issue. He went on to say he doesn't want to see people praying "in public parks or public streets." When questioned about the constitutionality of banning public prayer, he said the government is "looking at all possibilities, including the use of the notwithstanding clause," which allows governments to override certain sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Images of Muslims praying in Montreal have sparked controversy in recent months, including when a group gathered in a city park to celebrate Eid al-Adha last June, prompting the borough mayor to muse about banning all religious events in public parks. In a statement, the Canadian Muslim Forum said Legault's comments suggest that some politicians view Muslims as second-class citizens. "These remarks add to a pattern of political rhetoric that unfairly targets Quebecers, especially those of Muslim faith, based solely on their backgrounds," the statement reads. Legault's comments come as the province grapples with a series of reports about Muslim religious practices appearing in some of the province's public schools. On Friday, Education Minister Bernard Drainville declared the government will introduce a new bill aimed at reinforcing secularism in Quebec schools. The announcement followed a Friday report in La Presse that documented students at a high school in Laval, north of Montreal, praying in classrooms and hallways and disrupting a play focused on sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy prevention. Drainville told reporters in Quebec City that the behaviour does not represent "our Quebec" and is "completely intolerable and unacceptable." "These acts of a religious nature clearly contravene secularism obligations," he said in a social media statement. "One can easily imagine the psychological impact that some of these behaviours may have had on students." The news story is the latest in a growing number of incidents reported at Quebec schools involving Muslim teachers and students. The wave of allegations was sparked by a government investigation, made public in October, that found a toxic climate at a Montreal elementary school. The report found that a group of teachers at Bedford school, mostly of North African descent, yelled at and humiliated students. Some teachers didn’t believe in learning disabilities and attributed students’ difficulties to laziness. Subjects like science and sex education were either ignored or barely taught, and girls were prevented from playing soccer. Eleven teachers have since been suspended from the school. The government is now looking into 17 schools it believes may have breached the province's secularism law. The report on those schools is expected in January, but Drainville says he can already confirm that the government is going to act. Quebec used the notwithstanding clause to shield the province's controversial secularism law, Bill 21, from constitutional challenges. That law prevents certain public sector workers, including teachers and police officers, from wearing religious symbols on the job. The government also invoked the clause to protect its contentious language law, Bill 96. On Friday, Legault said the protection of Quebec's identity has been one of his top priorities over the last year and repeated his claims that temporary immigration is threatening the French language in Montreal. He also reiterated that he's "open" to the idea of a Quebec constitution, following a recent recommendation from a committee tasked with coming up with ways to boost Quebec's autonomy. He said a constitution could enshrine Quebec's values, including secularism and equality between men and women. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. — By Maura Forrest in Montreal The Canadian PressArnolfo Teves Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO The Department of Justice (DOJ) is expecting to see former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. back in the country soon to face murder charges after the Court of Appeals in Timor-Leste granted the Philippine government’s extradition request for the second time. While acknowledging that Teves could still appeal the latest decision of the Timor-Leste appeals court, Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV on Friday said this could be the last chance for the dismissed lawmaker to resort to that legal remedy. READ: Timor-Leste grants extradition request vs Teves for 2nd time According to Clavano, the DOJ is confident that the decision will no longer change since this is the second time the Timor-Leste government granted the Philippines’ extradition request since June. “In a way, we have seen the sentiment of the [Timor-Leste] justices, right? This is already the second instance, and their decision remains the same. That’s why we don’t, we do not expect that Timor-Leste’s decision will change,” he said. “They respected our laws in the decision. They used our own laws, and they also used international law in coming up with this very sound decision. So we are happy and we welcome this decision. This is something that we have been looking forward to and we will not stop until [Teves] faces the charges here in the Philippines,” Clavano added. Teves has been named as the alleged mastermind behind the slaying of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in Pamplona town on March 4, 2023. Nine others were also killed with Degamo when a group of armed men barged into the family compound where the governor was meeting with constituents. Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder in the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51. He, however, had denied all allegations. Following an Interpol red notice in February, Teves was arrested on March 21 in Dili, Timor-Leste, while playing golf. In a decision on Dec. 2, the Timorese Court of Appeals, through a majority vote of two, granted the Philippines’ extradition request, citing the criminal charges filed against Teves. “It is clear from the extradition request that the State of the Philippines is seeking extradition for criminal proceedings on the grounds that the extraditee (Teves) is the mastermind of several murders, some of which were committed and others thwarted and attempted, and not on the grounds that the extraditee supported this or that presidential candidate and is or is not a political enemy,” the decision read. “The extradition request is not made for political purposes, but only to bring justice to the numerous victims of the multiple crimes of murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder mentioned above,” it added. Teves had also told the court that he feared for his life should he be sent back to the Philippines. But the appeals court said there was not enough evidence to support such claims, especially after the Philippine government assured in its request that it would abide by international and domestic laws against torture. “The witness Topacio said that the extraditee did not return to the Philippines because he was informed that there was political persecution against him, but he was not credible on this point since the Court was convinced that the extraditee did not return in order not to answer the criminal charges at issue in the present extradition proceedings,” the court said, referring to Ferdinand Topacio, one of Teves’ lawyers. In June, the Court of Appeals in Timor-Leste granted the Philippine government’s request to extradite Teves. Teves’ camp, however, filed a motion for reconsideration the following month, but it was denied in August. In September, Teves’ return was further delayed as his extradition case underwent “new proceedings.” The DOJ, in an earlier statement, said that Teves’ legal team had challenged the court’s extradition decision, citing concerns over the number of judges involved. “This is a clear afterthought, raised only after the proceedings concluded unfavorably for him,” the DOJ said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . It noted that Teves and his legal team had been fully engaged in the process and given every opportunity to present their case. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH