How to win election in red states? The Democrats can learn from this fiery American evangelical pastor
NoneAs the AI market prepares for a surge in 2025, IBM is emerging as an unexpected standout. Despite a recent stock price increase of 37% this year, or 44% when dividends are factored in, IBM remains an undervalued gem in the tech space. At first glance, IBM’s recent performance may seem underwhelming. Their sales grew by a modest 2% year-over-year in the third quarter, with earnings per share getting a slight uplift due to a lower tax burden. But a deeper look reveals a compelling narrative masked by cyclical market factors and strategic long-term planning. The infrastructure segment showed a 7% decline, primarily driven by a lull in IBM Z mainframe sales. This cycle, however, is expected to turn with the 2025 launch of AI-augmented System Z mainframes, which will feature IBM-developed AI chips. IBM’s strength lies in its strategic focus on long-term AI contracts rather than immediate sales spikes. Launched in 2023, IBM’s generative AI platform, watsonx, has already secured over $3 billion in multi-year contracts. This steady accumulation indicates a tipping point, as IBM is set to transform these agreements into significant revenue streams. Looking forward to 2025, CEO Arvind Krishna anticipates a notable growth in IBM’s portfolio, hinting subtly at a record-breaking performance. With IBM’s stock priced relatively low compared to other AI giants, the company offers a lucrative investment opportunity. As IBM continues to secure long-term contracts and gears up for a new mainframe cycle, savvy investors might find a golden opportunity in Big Blue. Why IBM Could Be the Next Big Player in AI by 2025 In the burgeoning landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), IBM is positioned as a frontrunner to watch closely, especially as the market is poised for a substantial boom in 2025. Amidst its evolving strategies, IBM presents intriguing developments that may place it ahead of its competitors in the AI domain. Capitalizing on Long-Term AI Contracts One of IBM’s most promising strategies is its focus on securing long-term AI contracts rather than prioritizing short-term gains. The introduction of the generative AI platform, watsonx, in 2023 is a cornerstone of this approach. This platform has already garnered over $3 billion in multi-year agreements, reflecting trust and anticipation from clients in IBM’s capabilities. These contracts are not merely symbolic but are poised to mature into robust revenue streams as they are fulfilled over time. Innovative AI Augmentation in Infrastructure The anticipated launch of AI-augmented System Z mainframes in 2025 is another strategic move by IBM that merits attention. These new mainframes will incorporate IBM-developed AI chips, promising enhancements in performance and capabilities that are aligned with cutting-edge AI technologies. This innovation is expected to invigorate IBM’s infrastructure sales, which saw a dip partly due to the existing mainframe sales cycle slowdown. Strategic Market Positioning and Future Insights While IBM’s current market performance shows modest sales growth, its underlying strategic positioning reveals a future of potential. CEO Arvind Krishna’s vision for 2025 suggests the possibility of record-breaking achievements for IBM’s portfolio. With the company’s shares currently undervalued in comparison to other AI titans, IBM presents a unique investment opportunity that could yield high returns as its strategic plans come to fruition. Market Analysis and Predictions Industry analysts predict that IBM’s foresight and calculated initiatives in AI might serve as key differentiators in the tech market. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, IBM’s integration of AI within its products and services is predicted to drive substantial growth, making it a firm to watch closely in the coming years. Conclusion In conclusion, amid the accelerating AI market, IBM’s strategic initiatives, including its focus on long-term contracts and innovation in AI-augmented infrastructure, solidify its potential as a leading force. Investors seeking a promising opportunity in the tech sector should closely monitor IBM as it strides towards what could be a breakthrough period in 2025. As the AI wave progresses, IBM stands out as a company combining visionary leadership with actionable strategies.Jamie McGrath insists he is not worried about Aberdeen’s poor record at Tynecastle. The Dons travel back to Edinburgh on Sunday to face Hearts following their 3 The home of the Jambos has not been a happy hunting ground for Aberdeen who have failed to win on their last 11 league visits to Tynecastle. The Dons’ last win at Hearts was on May 7, 2015 when Adam Rooney and Anthony O’Connor netted in a 2-1 victory. McGrath, however, is not concerned about his club’s recent record there. The Dons midfielder said: “We look forward to it. It’s a really nice stadium and a great place to play football. We have to try not to let this affect us too much. “I don’t think it’s anything you’d really think about going into any game. It’s a one-off game so I don’t think history or that comes into it for us anyway. “No doubt it’s a tricky place to go and results in the past have shown that so we’re going to have to be on it. “We’re really going to have to be on it to come away with points.” McGrath staying focused on the positives It has been a tough week for Jimmy Thelin’s side with one point to show from their two away trips to St Mirren and Hibernian. The dramatic conclusion at Easter Road meant the point gained felt like a defeat after Aberdeen conceded twice in stoppage time to draw 3-3 with the Hibees. However, McGrath remains focused on the bigger picture. He said: “We have still had a really good start. “We know it’s a tricky week with three away games and three tough places to go. We’re not getting worried about that. “We’re taking it one game at a time. We have to focus on the positives from Hibs. We didn’t get beat after going one behind. “It’s positive and I’m looking forward to going into Sunday now. We just have to recover well, sleep and eat right, and try to get all the bodies back fit again for Sunday. “We can obviously be disappointed at drawing with Hibs but we can’t let it drag us out for the next few days leading into it. “Focus on the positives and try to create positive energy around the place again. I look forward to Sunday.” ‘We can’t let it affect us’ McGrath was involved in the dramatic draw at Easter Road which saw Hibs level the game in injury time at 2-2 only to fall behind to Ester Sokler’s overhead kick before equalising again. Failing to win the game was a sore one to take for the Dons but the former Wigan Athletic, Dundee United and St Mirren attacker insists his side cannot dwell on the outcome. He said: “To be honest I thought that was it (when Sokler scored). I thought that was the game up to the clock and there was 30 seconds left. As a collective we just have to defend better. “I think the front four were probably too high and we knew the ball was coming long. “As a group we just didn’t defend our box good enough and ultimately you get punished. “It’s a very harsh lesson to learn but to win games in this league you have to do everything you can for the full 96 minutes. “To have the three points in your hand and not come away with it is a tough feeling. “The bottom line is we’re disappointed, but we can’t let it affect us now going into Sunday.” Midfielder proud of character shown at Easter Road Tuesday’s game was one McGrath is unlikely to forget in a hurry but the Republic of Ireland international insists the Dons must focus on the positives. He said: “It was up there alright, the highs and lows. One minute you’re on top of the world and celebrating with the fans and the next you’re obviously at the bottom. “We know the first half probably wasn’t good enough and I know we had the three points in our hands so it’s going to feel like a defeat. “But the important thing was we didn’t lose and we have to take the positives and try to stay as positive as we can. “When you go one behind at Easter Road it’s a tricky place to be and I thought we showed really good character in the second half. “We created some really good chances, played some really good stuff. We looked a lot more like ourselves and dangerous in transitions. “To score three goals away from home is encouraging but to not get three points after scoring three goals away from home leaves a sour taste in your mouth. “We just have to stay positive. We knew it was going to be a tough week. Another tough game now to come so we’re looking forward to it.”
Tweet Facebook Mail Sports and fitness enthusiasts have the chance to snap up a bargain purchase as millions of dollars worth of recreational equipment heads to auction in three Australian cities. One of the country's leading suppliers of sporting hardware, T&R Sports, has entered liquidation, sparking a massive auction event. Lloyds Auctions is handling the liquidation of the company's entire inventory, which includes high quality sporting goods, leisure equipment and gym supplies. READ MORE: UK lawyer fifth death linked to suspected methanol poisonings in Laos One of the electric bikes up for auction. (Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers) (Supplied) There are more than 10,000 lots that need to be cleared in less than 30 days. All items are unreserved and starting from just $1, with items spread across three giant warehouses in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Lloyds Auctions says they are bargains to be had over the next weeks. "This is the shortest time frame Lloyds have ever had to liquidate this amount of goods so buyers can expect up to 80 per cent off Recommended Retail Price RRP," said chief operating officer Lee Hames. All items are brand new or display showroom models. READ MORE: Man charged over alleged violent kidnapping in Sydney The recreational goods include pool tables such as this one. (Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers) (Supplied) They include air hockey tables, ping pong tables, electric scooters, electric bikes, trampolines, exercise equipment, furniture and Pilates reformers. "With the festive season just around the corner, this event provides Australians with a rare opportunity to capitalise on incredible deals while helping to clear these massive inventories," said Hames. "The short 30-day sale window and all items starting at $1 with no reserves ensures that all inventory is cleared ahead of Christmas." The first auctions will begin closing from next Tuesday and they will continue to close through to next month. All auctions are pick up only. Collection is the responsibility of the purchaser. For further information, visit Lloyds Auction .See more as Access Bank confirms acquisition of two banks in 2 countries
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Congress workers protest in Hyderabad over Shah’s remarks on AmbedkarSecurities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, who was aggressive in his oversight of cryptocurrencies and other financial markets, will step down from his post on Jan. 20. Gensler pushed changes that he said protected investors, but the industry and many Republicans bristled at what they saw as overreach. President-elect Donald Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler. But Gensler on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trump’s victory. It hit new highs Thursday and was nearing $100,000. Bitcoin moved notably higher still after Gensler's resignation was announced. Gensler's stance on the rise of cryptocurrencies was captured during a speech he gave during the first year of his chairmanship in 2021 where he described the market as “the Wild West.” “This asset class is rife with fraud, scams, and abuse in certain applications,” he said in a speech at the Aspen Security Forum. “There’s a great deal of hype and spin about how crypto assets work. In many cases, investors aren’t able to get rigorous, balanced, and complete information.” Under Gensler, the SEC brought actions against players in the crypto industry for fraud , wash trading and other violations, including as recently as last month when the commission brought fraud charges against three companies purporting to be market makers, along with nine individuals for trying to manipulate various crypto markets. Yet access to cryptocurrencies became more widespread under Gensler. In January, the SEC approved exchange-traded funds that track the spot price of bitcoin. With such ETFs, investors could get easier access to bitcoin without the huge overlays required to buy it directly. Gensler, however, acknowledged the SEC had denied earlier, similar applications for such ETFs, including Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, among the first to eventually be approved by the SEC. “Circumstances, however, have changed,” Gensler said, pointing to a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that said the SEC failed to adequately explain its reasoning in rejecting Grayscale’s proposal. Even there, Gensler made sure not to endorse the merits of bitcoin. He pointed to how ETFs that hold precious metals are tracking prices of things that have “consumer and industrial users, while in contrast bitcoin is primarily a speculative, volatile asset that’s also used for illicit activity including ransomware, money laundering, sanction evasion, and terrorist financing.” Gensler was tested early in his tenure with the rise of the meme stock phenomenon that shocked the financial system in early 2021. Earlier this year, the SEC under Gensler pushed Wall Street to speed up how long it takes for trades of stocks to settle, one of the areas where the commission’s staff recommended changes following the reckoning created by GameStop , one of the first meme stocks. In the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, hordes of smaller-pocketed and novice investors suddenly piled into the stock of the struggling video-game retailer. During the height of the frenzy, several brokerages barred customers from buying GameStop after the clearinghouse that settles their trades demanded more cash to cover the increased risk created by its highly volatile price. In May 2024, new rules meant broker-dealers have to fully settle their trades within one business day of the trade date, down from the previous two. Critics of the SEC under Gensler have called many of the agency's proposals overly burdensome. The investment industry, for example, is pushing against a proposal to force some advisers and companies disclose more about their environmental, social and governance practices, otherwise known as ESG. Critics say the proposal is overly complex and increases the risk of investor confusion, while imposing unnecessary burdens and costs on funds. On Thursday, Gensler stood by the SEC's track record under his direction. “The staff and the Commission are deeply mission-driven, focused on protecting investors, facilitating capital formation, and ensuring that the markets work for investors and issuers alike," Gensler said in prepared remarks. “The staff comprises true public servants." Gensler previously served as Chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, leading the Obama Administration’s reform of the $400 trillion swaps market. He also was senior advisor to U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes in writing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) and was undersecretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance and assistant secretary of the Treasury from 1997-2001.
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NoneSpanish Bar Owner Arrested After Google Maps Captures Him 'Stuffing Dead Body Into Car Boot'
