Utah Hockey Club walks to arena after bus gets stuck in Toronto trafficMETAIRIE, La. (AP) — Dejounte Murray plans to return to the New Orleans Pelicans ' lineup on Wednesday night for the first time since fracturing his left hand in a season-opening victory over Chicago on Oct. 23. And when Murray takes the court against the Toronto Raptors , his mother will be on his mind. After practice on Tuesday, Murray discussed his impending return and disclosed more details about the previously unspecified “personal matters” that caused him to leave the team during the final days of the preseason. His mother had a stroke, he said. “It was tough to leave and go deal with that. As she got better, she wanted me to come play,” Murray said of his last-minute decision to start against Chicago. He added that his hand injury near the end of that game was God's way of telling him, “‘Nah, you need to stay with your mom.’” “I was more concerned about my mother. That was my priority,” Murray continued. “I wasn’t really worried about my recovery.” Murray's mother has recovered well, he said, while he is “healthy and ready to help this team.” Story continues below video “I’m ready to hoop. Play for my mother — she’s going to be watching," Murray said. “I’m ready to compete, bring that winning spirit.” The Pelicans (4-14) certainly could use the help, having lost 14 of 16 games since opening the season with a pair of victories. Injuries have ravaged the roster. At times, all five starters have been out. Star power forward Zion Williamson has missed 12 games this season — one with an illness and 11 with a hamstring injury. Herb Jones has been sidelined by a shoulder strain and Brandon Ingram's status is in doubt after he sat out practice on Tuesday with calf soreness that also sidelined him during a loss on Monday night at Indiana. But at least two starters — Murray and fellow guard CJ McCollum — are expected to play against the Raptors. “I don’t care how many games we’ve lost. I just know every time I step on the floor I feel like we can win games,” said Murray, who had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his lone game with the Pelicans. "That’s just my mentality, and I feel like it can carry over to a lot of guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Baba Vanga predictions were earlier considered a voodoo thing by a majority of the world for a few decades until it was reported that the Bulgarian mystic healer and astrologer had predicted the 9/11 terror attacks on US soil much in advance. This was just not the only shocking prediction, but the inferences of her sayings have been reportedly coming true for years, even after her death. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Baba Vanga predictions for 2025: Are any sinister happenings awaiting the human race? Also known as the Nostradamus of the Balkans due to her eerie predictions about world-changing altercations and incidents, Baba Vanga's predictions can be analyzed for the new year 2025 as well. It includes the outline of dramatic evolution of humanity, and it has also been prophesied that the human race could come in touch with the alien race this year. Biggest Baba Vanga prediction for Europe It has been claimed in reports that Baba Vanga has predicted that Europe could undergo a major population change, and become sparsely populated, possibly due to various geopolitical factors. Whether the Ukraine-Russia conflict could be partly responsible for that, is again a subject of opinion. Environmental factors could also be responsible for Europe becoming sparsely populated in 2025, as per a ToI report. Baba Vanga's most interesting prediction in the world of medical sciences The biggest prediction from the Nostradamus of the Balkans comes for the year 2046, according to the timeline, which reportedly states that synthetic organs could start being mass-produced, which would be a new revolution for the world of medical science, increasing survival rates of humans carrying fatal organ diseases. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program FAQs: Is Baba Vanga dead? Baba Vanga passed away more than two decades ago, but her prophecies still live on after her death. Did Baba Vanga predict the 9/11 attacks on US soil? Baba Vanga reportedly predicted the terror attacks of 9/11 well in advance, and had even apparently, explained the details of the incident that was going to happen. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Circa Sports posted odds to win the College Football National Championship today, and the betting odds differ wildly from the Top Ten in the Playoff Committee rankings, the AP Poll or the Coaches Poll. The board has 10-1, #2 ranked Ohio State at +290, 9-2 Georgia at +375 and 11-0, #1 Oregon at +450. Texas is currently #3 in both polls, but Circa slots the Longhorns 4th in playoff chances at +475. The odds to win at FanDuel are similar. With one week to go in the regular season Circa offers the rest of the field as follows: Notre Dame 15-1 Penn State 17-1 Miami 25-1 Alabama, Tennesse 35-1 SMU 50-1 Clemson, Indiana 60-1 Arizona State, Ole Miss 75-1 Boise State 80-1 Colorado, South Carolina 100-1 Texas A&M 150-1 With three losses, the Buffaloes, Gamecocks and Aggies are even longshots to make the 12-team playoff, but in a year of rare chaos, it could still happen. © Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Playoff Committee announces the first 12-team bracket on Selection Sunday December 8th. As to the odds, it's a bit like the old basketball cliche, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. For several of the contending schools, the odds will go way up or way down depending on how they perform during Rivalry Week and at the conference championship games. For Oregon, the Buckeyes were favored by 3.5 points when the two teams met in October. Ohio State's dominance in wins over Penn State and Indiana has the oddsmakers convinced they'll win the rematch, probably opening as a 6.5-point favorite if the two teams win out on Saturday. OSU hosts archrival Michigan, while the Ducks tangle with longtime nemesis Washington in Autzen Stadium.

Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money . By Kat Tretina MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE December 5, 2024 China is a powerful force to be reckoned with. According to Safeguard Global, the country has the second largest economy based on its gross domestic product, which stands at $14.7 trillion in 2024. China’s role as an economic powerhouse is particularly evident through the lens of the global gold market, in which the nation plays a substantial role. China is the largest producer of gold in the world, and there is also significant demand within the country for gold jewelry and other products, which drives consumption. What’s driving China’s role in the gold market ? There are several factors, including cultural traditions, manufacturing needs and concerns about investments. China’s history with gold China has a long relationship with gold . Its use in the country dates back to the Han dynasty as early as 206 BC, and it’s since been used as currency, for making jewelry and even as part of worship. In 1978, when China re-entered the international economy and resumed trade with other countries, the gold market shifted. China transformed into an industrial powerhouse, and gold played a major role; along with jewelry, gold is frequently used in the creation of electronics, medical devices and in the automotive industry. In 1983, China allowed its citizens to own gold — private gold ownership was previously prohibited — and it created the Shanghai Gold Exchange, major milestones for the gold industry. Those changes began China’s transition to a gold superpower, as the government accumulated its gold reserves and gold mining within the country accelerated. China and gold: its impact today China is a huge presence in the gold market for both production and consumption: China is responsible for about 11% of global gold production, making it the largest producer of gold in the world. In fact, since it overtook South Africa for the lead in 2007, it has dominated the gold production market. According to Mining Technology, there are over 1,300 gold mines in the world, and China operates 117 of them. In 2023, China produced 370 tons of gold. To put that in perspective, that’s more than double the gold production of the U.S. The five largest mines in the country include: Gold is an important part of China’s economy, particularly in the manufacturing industry. China’s chief exports are electronics, machinery and vehicles — all segments that require gold. The Central Bank of China has been buying gold to bolster its reserves, moving its reserves away from traditional assets like U.S. Treasury debt. Its accumulation of gold has helped drive the price of gold . In China, gold was traditionally a common gift, particularly for brides, new parents and for the Lunar New Year, which helped drive its jewelry market. However, as the country has become richer and its citizens more wealthy, purchasing gold for personal use or investments is increasingly common as a status symbol. Right now, China is facing some issues with deflation , meaning prices across the economy have dropped. Combined with a volatile stock market and difficult real estate market, gold can be an appealing alternative for investors . Gold as an investment is particularly popular among young adults interested in alternative assets. Gone are the days when investors needed thousands of dollars or Chinese Yuan to purchase gold; today, Chinese investors can buy “gold beans” — as the name implies, small nuggets of gold — that cost less than $100 per bean. Gold beans have gone viral on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, and mainstream jewelry stores have addressed the trend by selling gold beans in glass jars in their stores. In fact, Chinese consumers between the ages of 18 and 24 are more likely to purchase pure gold than any other age group, according to a report by the Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group. The increased demand for gold as an investment — and the availability of smaller, more accessible gold for investing — played a major role in China’s gold rush, with gold premiums reaching a then-all-time high in 2023. Outlook for China’s gold market Although the gold industry in China is still booming, there are some signs it’s cooling down. Record-high gold prices may have affected consumers, as gold jewelry sales dropped significantly in October 2024. China saw a slight decrease in gold production; for the first three quarters of 2024, its total production dropped by -1.17%. If gold prices remain high, that could continue the downward trend of jewelry sales, but it could increase the demand for gold for investments. How China’s gold market can affect you Because of China’s significant presence in the gold industry, many economists believe that gold prices and demand are affected not by the economy, but by Chinese investors themselves. With so many Chinese investors and consumers purchasing gold, it has markedly increased demand for the precious metal, which subsequently drives up prices. If you’re looking to invest in gold , China’s gold industry and its outlook is encouraging. However, it’s always important to diversify your portfolio so your investments aren’t concentrated in a single asset class. If you do invest in precious metals, investing in traditional securities — such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds or ETFs — can give you a well-rounded portfolio.

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Inner South Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News. A Melbourne bodybuilder who competed at international level is suspected of running a major drug and roid racket. Blair Loveday, 55, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of MDMA. Mr Loveday, who was also charged with trafficking cocaine and ketamine, was allegedly caught at his Melbourne apartment with various drugs and cash on August 2 this year. Mr Loveday was allegedly arrested at his Melbourne apartment with drugs, testosterone, steroids and cash. Police alleged Mr Loveday, a former World Fitness Federation competitor, also trafficked testosterone and anabolic steroids. Mr Loveday, who was also charged with trafficking prescription drugs, was allegedly pinched with cocaine, MDMA and ketamine. Get the latest news straight to your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletters. Investigators also alleged Mr Loveday, who was charged with drug possession, was caught with $9050 cash and a silver Breitling watch suspected of being the proceeds of crime. Mr Loveday was also allegedly caught material used to deal drugs including a powder press, vial crimps, a heat gun and heat sealer, glass vials and beakers, labelling machine and printed labels, a funnel and scales. Melbourne Divisional Response Unit police also suspect Mr Loveday imported a marketable quantity of cocaine via Melbourne Airport on June 20 this year. Mr Loveday in a bodybuilding competition in 2004. Mr Loveday is a prolific competition bodybuilder who competed throughout Australia and overseas for more than two decades. Mr Loveday also claimed, via social media, to run bodybuilding competition promotion company ‘ProComp Thailand’. Mr Loveday was remanded to front court at a later date. More Coverage Slippery sex fiend blabbed suspect drug supplier to cops Paul Shapiro Glam ex real estate agent swept up in alleged steroid syndicate Paul Shapiro More related stories South East Traffick jam: Prolific Melbourne drug dealers unmasked A mum, a stripper, a kickboxer, a chiropractor, lovers and an ex-navy sailor are Melbourne’s most prolific drug dealers of 2024. Read more News Top rated Victorian childcare centres revealed The top rated and underperforming childcare centres across Victoria have been revealed. Search and see the list and watch our exclusive videos. Read moreThe New York Giants entered Week 17 with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Amid a franchise-record 10-game losing streak, few people gave the G-Men a shot against the playoff-chasing Indianapolis Colts . Drew Lock clearly hadn't read the script. The third-string quarterback, who got his shot after Daniel Jones' release and an injury to hometown hero Tommy DeVito, masterminded an incredible 45-33 victory. Lock completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards and four scores in a result which ended the Colts' playoff hopes. It also saw the New England Patriots move to the top of the Draft order. The Pats play the Buffalo Bills , who have already secured the AFC's No. 2 seed, next knowing defeat will see them own the No. 1 pick. Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders appeared so confident he was heading to the Giants, who play the postseason-bound Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18, that he apparently had custom cleats made. The promising signal-caller - son of Hall of Famer Deion - wrapped up his college career in the Alamo Bowl. "We know where we are going, you'll see them in the cleats later on this week," he said ahead of the game. Nomad Customs indeed showed off some red and blue cleats with a Giants logo on them. But Sanders, who was seen playing catch with G-Men rookie sensation Malik Nabers in the streets of New York in December, did not appear to be wearing them as he took the field. The prospect threw two touchdowns and two picks in a 36-14 defeat to the BYU Cougars. Teammate Travis Hunter - a contender to go first overall - was wearing Heisman-themed kicks two weeks after winning the prestigious trophy. The Giants are all-but certain to select a quarterback after moving on from Jones this season. But the Patriots have their future secured with rookie signal-caller Drake Maye, who made his debut against the Houston Texans in Week 6. He has shown enough since for New England bosses to believe they have a franchise quarterback on their hands. That could open the door for two-way star Hunter to go first should the Pats keep the selection. They could also opt to trade down with a QB-needy team for a haul. Sanders would then have a number of potential destinations, including the Cleveland Browns , New Orleans Saints , Las Vegas Raiders , and Tennessee Titans . "I would laugh if the giants won a game and then he was going to the browns or titans lmao," posted one fan on X. "There is no franchise QB in this draft," added another. "He's just coping lol, after that bowl performance, cam ward should be locked in for giants," a third posted in reference to the Miami Hurricanes quarterback. "If you have the gift of sight, Cam Ward is the best QB in this year’s draft - it’s even close!," another agreed. talkSPORT is your home of the NFL, join us every Sunday through the regular season and the playoffs for live commentary - and talkSPORT will be in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX

TORONTO (AP) — The Utah Hockey Club said players were forced to walk to their game against the Maple Leafs after their bus got stuck in Toronto traffic Sunday night. The team posted a video on social media of team members walking to Scotiabank Arena, with player Maveric Lamoureux saying the bus was “not moving at all.” Several city streets had been closed during the day for the annual Santa Claus parade. The Maple Leafs earned their fourth consecutive win by defeating Utah 3-2. The viral incident prompted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call the congestion “embarrassing” and “unacceptable,” highlighting his government’s plan to address the city’s gridlock through bike lane legislation. It wasn’t the first time a Toronto visitor had to ditch their vehicle to make it to an event on time. In June, former One Direction band member Niall Horan had to walk through traffic to get to his concert at Scotiabank Arena. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhlVANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 5, 2024-- lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) today announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, which ended on October 27, 2024. Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Our performance in the third quarter shows the enduring strength of lululemon globally, as we saw continued momentum across our international markets and in Canada. Looking to the future, we are pleased with the start to our holiday season, and we remain focused on accelerating our U.S. business and growing our brand awareness around the world. Thank you to our dedicated teams for continuing to deliver for our guests and stakeholders." The adjusted non-GAAP financial measures below exclude asset impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio during the third quarter of 2023, and the related income tax effects of these items. For the third quarter of 2024, compared to the third quarter of 2023: Meghan Frank, Chief Financial Officer, stated: "Our third quarter results, which exceeded our expectations, demonstrate the ability of our teams to be agile in a dynamic operating environment. With the majority of the fourth quarter still in front of us, we are focused on deepening engagement with our guests and bringing new consumers into the brand. We are committed to delivering on our Power of Three ×2 revenue target of $12.5 billion in 2026 and look forward to all that lies ahead." Stock Repurchase Program During the third quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased 1.6 million shares of its common stock for a cost of $408.5 million. On December 3, 2024, the board of directors approved a $1.0 billion increase to the Company's stock repurchase program. Including this increase, as of December 5, 2024, the Company had approximately $1.8 billion remaining authorized on its stock repurchase program. Balance Sheet Highlights The Company ended the third quarter of 2024 with $1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents and the capacity under its committed revolving credit facility was $393.5 million. Inventories at the end of the third quarter of 2024 increased 8% to $1.8 billion compared to $1.7 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2023. 2024 Outlook For the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company expects net revenue to be in the range of $3.475 billion to $3.510 billion, representing growth of 8% to 10%, or 3% to 4% excluding the 53rd week of 2024. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $5.56 to $5.64 for the quarter. This assumes a tax rate of approximately 29.5%. For 2024, the Company now expects net revenue to be in the range of $10.452 billion to $10.487 billion, representing growth of 9%, or 7% excluding the 53rd week of 2024. Diluted earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of $14.08 to $14.16 for the year. This assumes a tax rate of approximately 30%. The guidance does not reflect potential future repurchases of the Company's shares. The guidance and outlook forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and do not incorporate future unknown impacts, including macroeconomic trends. The Company undertakes no duty to update or to continue to provide information with respect to any forward-looking statements or risk factors, whether as a result of new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those stated below. Power of Three ×2 The Company's Power of Three ×2 growth plan calls for a doubling of the business from 2021 net revenue of $6.25 billion to $12.5 billion by 2026. The key pillars of the plan are product innovation, guest experience, and market expansion. Conference Call Information A conference call to discuss third quarter results is scheduled for today, December 5, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Those interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-844-763-8274 or 1-647-484-8814, if calling internationally, approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online at: https://corporate.lululemon.com/investors/news-and-events/events-and-presentations . A replay will be made available online approximately two hours following the live call for a period of 30 days. About lululemon athletica inc. lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) is a technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories company for yoga, running, training, and most other activities, creating transformational products and experiences that build meaningful connections, unlocking greater possibility and wellbeing for all. Setting the bar in innovation of fabrics and functional designs, lululemon works with yogis and athletes in local communities around the world for continuous research and product feedback. For more information, visit lululemon.com . Non-GAAP Financial Measures Constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results are non-GAAP financial measures. A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. The Company provides constant dollar changes in its results to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Adjusted gross profit, gross margin, income from operations, operating margin, income tax expense, effective tax rates, net income, and diluted earnings per share exclude certain inventory provisions, asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, and the related income tax effects of these items. The Company believes these adjusted financial measures are useful to investors as they provide supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in its operating performance, and enable a comparison to its historical financial information. Further, due to the finite and discrete nature of these items, it does not consider them to be normal operating expenses that are necessary to run the business, or impairments or disposal gains that are expected to arise in the normal course of its operations. Management uses these adjusted financial measures and constant currency metrics internally when reviewing and assessing financial performance. The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31st of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2023 was a 52-week year while 2024 will be a 53-week year. The expected net revenue increase excluding the 53rd week excludes the expected net revenue for the 53rd week of 2024. This enables an evaluation of the expected year-over-year increase in net revenue based on 52 weeks in each year. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or with greater prominence to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" included in the accompanying financial tables, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures. The Company's non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release includes estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company's business plans, objectives, and expected operating results that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "outlook," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements also include the Company's guidance and outlook statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations but they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the Company's ability to maintain the value and reputation of its brand; changes in consumer shopping preferences and shifts in distribution channels; the acceptability of its products to guests; its highly competitive market and increasing competition; increasing costs and decreasing selling prices; its ability to anticipate consumer preferences and successfully develop and introduce new, innovative and updated products; its ability to accurately forecast guest demand for its products; its ability to expand in light of its limited operating experience and limited brand recognition in new international markets and new product categories; its ability to manage its growth and the increased complexity of its business effectively; its ability to successfully open new store locations in a timely manner; seasonality; disruptions of its supply chain; its reliance on a relatively small number of vendors to supply and manufacture a significant portion of its products; suppliers or manufacturers not complying with its Vendor Code of Ethics or applicable laws; its ability to deliver its products to the market and to meet guest expectations if it has problems with its distribution system; increasing labor costs and other factors associated with the production of its products in South Asia and South East Asia; its ability to safeguard against security breaches with respect to its technology systems; its compliance with privacy and data protection laws; any material disruption of its information systems; its ability to have technology-based systems function effectively and grow its e-commerce business globally; climate change, and related legislative and regulatory responses; increased scrutiny regarding its environmental, social, and governance, or sustainability responsibilities; an economic recession, depression, or downturn or economic uncertainty in its key markets; global or regional health events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and related government, private sector, and individual consumer responsive actions; global economic and political conditions; its ability to source and sell its merchandise profitably or at all if new trade restrictions are imposed or existing trade restrictions become more burdensome; changes in tax laws or unanticipated tax liabilities; its ability to comply with trade and other regulations; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; imitation by its competitors; its ability to protect its intellectual property rights; conflicting trademarks and patents and the prevention of sale of certain products; its exposure to various types of litigation; and other risks and uncertainties set out in filings made from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov , including, without limitation, its most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. lululemon athletica inc. The fiscal year ending February 2, 2025 is referred to as "2024" and the fiscal year ended January 28, 2024 is referred to as "2023". Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Unaudited; Expressed in thousands, except per share amounts Third Quarter First Three Quarters 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net revenue $ 2,396,660 $ 2,204,218 $ 6,976,629 $ 6,414,175 Costs of goods sold 995,054 947,554 2,887,770 2,708,195 Gross profit 1,401,606 1,256,664 4,088,859 3,705,980 As a percentage of net revenue 58.5 % 57.0 % 58.6 % 57.8 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 909,827 842,795 2,624,212 2,407,683 As a percentage of net revenue 38.0 % 38.2 % 37.6 % 37.5 % Impairment of assets and restructuring costs — 74,501 — 74,501 Amortization of intangible assets 1,118 1,253 1,118 5,010 Income from operations 490,661 338,115 1,463,529 1,218,786 As a percentage of net revenue 20.5 % 15.3 % 21.0 % 19.0 % Other income (expense), net 13,743 9,842 55,020 25,229 Income before income tax expense 504,404 347,957 1,518,549 1,244,015 Income tax expense 152,534 99,243 452,336 363,293 Net income $ 351,870 $ 248,714 $ 1,066,213 $ 880,722 Basic earnings per share $ 2.87 $ 1.97 $ 8.57 $ 6.94 Diluted earnings per share $ 2.87 $ 1.96 $ 8.55 $ 6.92 Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 122,697 126,460 124,471 126,892 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 122,803 126,770 124,668 127,218 lululemon athletica inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Unaudited; Expressed in thousands October 27, 2024 January 28, 2024 October 29, 2023 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,188,419 $ 2,243,971 $ 1,091,138 Inventories 1,800,893 1,323,602 1,663,617 Prepaid and receivable income taxes 257,388 183,733 300,258 Other current assets 358,589 309,271 309,886 Total current assets 3,605,289 4,060,577 3,364,899 Property and equipment, net 1,697,759 1,545,811 1,413,918 Right-of-use lease assets 1,360,589 1,265,610 1,048,607 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 178,185 24,083 23,912 Deferred income taxes and other non-current assets 241,847 195,860 170,928 Total assets $ 7,083,669 $ 7,091,941 $ 6,022,264 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 385,960 $ 348,441 $ 309,324 Accrued liabilities and other 561,615 348,555 392,949 Accrued compensation and related expenses 190,169 326,110 250,479 Current lease liabilities 290,368 249,270 217,138 Current income taxes payable 96,808 12,098 27,231 Unredeemed gift card liability 238,327 306,479 213,256 Other current liabilities 40,286 40,308 37,737 Total current liabilities 1,803,533 1,631,261 1,448,114 Non-current lease liabilities 1,223,733 1,154,012 950,954 Non-current income taxes payable — 15,864 15,864 Deferred income tax liability 33,231 29,522 53,833 Other non-current liabilities 37,440 29,201 27,650 Stockholders' equity 3,985,732 4,232,081 3,525,849 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 7,083,669 $ 7,091,941 $ 6,022,264 lululemon athletica inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Unaudited; Expressed in thousands First Three Quarters 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 1,066,213 $ 880,722 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (194,890 ) 31,344 Net cash provided by operating activities 871,323 912,066 Net cash used in investing activities (575,214 ) (445,325 ) Net cash used in financing activities (1,328,510 ) (510,583 ) Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (23,151 ) (19,887 ) Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,055,552 ) (63,729 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 2,243,971 1,154,867 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,188,419 $ 1,091,138 lululemon athletica inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Unaudited; Expressed in thousands, except per share amounts Constant dollar changes The below changes show the change for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. Net Revenue Change Foreign exchange Change in constant dollars United States — % — % — % Canada 9 — 9 Mexico (1) n/a n/a n/a Americas 2 — 2 China Mainland 39 (3 ) 36 Rest of World 27 (4 ) 23 Total international 33 (3 ) 30 Total 9 % (1 )% 8 % Comparable Sales (2) Change Foreign exchange Change in constant dollars Americas (2 )% — % (2 )% China Mainland 27 (3 ) 24 Rest of World 23 (3 ) 20 Total international 25 (3 ) 22 Total 4 % (1 )% 3 % (1) On September 10, 2024, the Company acquired the lululemon branded retail locations and operations run by a third party in Mexico. Wholesale sales to the third party by lululemon athletica canada inc. prior to the acquisition are disclosed as net revenue recognized within Canada. (2) Comparable sales includes comparable company-operated store and e-commerce net revenue. Comparable company-operated stores have been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, or open for at least 12 full fiscal months after being significantly expanded. Comparable company-operated stores exclude stores which have been temporarily relocated for renovations or have been temporarily closed. Adjusted financial measures The following tables reconcile adjusted 2023 financial measures with the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The adjustments relate to certain inventory provisions, asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio and their related tax effects. Please refer to Note 4. Impairment of Assets and Restructuring Costs included in Item 1 of Part I of the Company's Report on Form 10-Q to be filed with the SEC on or about December 5, 2024 for further information on the nature of these amounts. Third Quarter 2023 Gross Profit Gross Margin Income from Operations Operating Margin Income Tax Expense Effective Tax Rate Net Income Diluted Earnings Per Share GAAP results $ 1,256,664 57.0 % $ 338,115 15.3 % $ 99,243 28.5 % $ 248,714 $ 1.96 lululemon Studio charges: lululemon Studio obsolescence provision 23,709 1.1 23,709 1.1 23,709 0.19 Impairment of assets 44,186 2.0 44,186 0.35 Restructuring costs 30,315 1.4 30,315 0.24 Tax effect of the above 26,085 (0.4 ) (26,085 ) (0.21 ) 23,709 1.1 98,210 4.5 26,085 (0.4 ) 72,125 0.57 Adjusted results (non-GAAP) $ 1,280,373 58.1 % $ 436,325 19.8 % $ 125,328 28.1 % $ 320,839 $ 2.53 First Three Quarters 2023 Gross Profit Gross Margin Income from Operations Operating Margin Income Tax Expense Effective Tax Rate Net Income Diluted Earnings Per Share GAAP results $ 3,705,980 57.8 % $ 1,218,786 19.0 % $ 363,293 29.2 % $ 880,722 $ 6.92 lululemon Studio charges: lululemon Studio obsolescence provision 23,709 0.3 23,709 0.3 23,709 0.19 Impairment of assets 44,186 0.7 44,186 0.35 Restructuring costs 30,315 0.5 30,315 0.24 Tax effect of the above 26,085 (0.2 ) (26,085 ) (0.21 ) 23,709 0.3 98,210 1.5 26,085 (0.2 ) 72,125 0.57 Adjusted results (non-GAAP) $ 3,729,689 58.1 % $ 1,316,996 20.5 % $ 389,378 29.0 % $ 952,847 $ 7.49 Expected net revenue increase excluding the 53rd week The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31st of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2023 was a 52-week year while 2024 will be a 53-week year. Fourth Quarter 2024 Fiscal 2024 Expected net revenue increase 8% to 10% 9% Impact of 53rd week (5)% to (6)% (2)% Expected net revenue increase excluding the 53rd week (non-GAAP) 3% to 4% 7% lululemon athletica inc. Company-operated Store Count and Square Footage (1) Square footage expressed in thousands Number of Stores Open at the Beginning of the Quarter Number of Stores Opened During the Quarter Number of Stores Closed During the Quarter Number of Stores Open at the End of the Quarter 4 th Quarter 2023 686 26 1 711 1 st Quarter 2024 711 5 5 711 2 nd Quarter 2024 711 11 1 721 3 rd Quarter 2024 721 28 — 749 Total Gross Square Feet at the Beginning of the Quarter Gross Square Feet Added During the Quarter (2) Gross Square Feet Lost During the Quarter (2) Total Gross Square Feet at the End of the Quarter 4 th Quarter 2023 2,797 173 3 2,967 1 st Quarter 2024 2,967 35 14 2,988 2 nd Quarter 2024 2,988 90 3 3,075 3 rd Quarter 2024 3,075 156 — 3,231 (1) (2) View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205433612/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contacts: lululemon athletica inc. Howard Tubin 1-604-732-6124 or ICR, Inc. Joseph Teklits/Caitlin Churchill 1-203-682-8200 Media Contact: lululemon athletica inc. Madi Wallace 1-604-732-6124 KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FASHION ONLINE RETAIL RETAIL HEALTH OTHER RETAIL FITNESS & NUTRITION SPECIALTY SOURCE: lululemon athletica inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/05/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/05/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205433612/enPakistani authorities launch operation to clear Imran Khan supporters from the capital