The stock market has been hitting new highs this year as excitement continues to build with respect to artificial intelligence (AI) and the opportunities that may open up for many businesses. But while retail investors have been eagerly buying up stocks, Warren Buffett has been fairly quiet and doing more selling than buying. The Oracle of Omaha has cautioned investors in the past "to be fearful when others are greedy," which reflects his overall cautious approach to investing. Minimizing losses are a priority for him, and AI likely wouldn't fall into his circle of competence, which is what he focuses on when deciding which stocks to buy. Should investors take Buffett's conservatism in the markets this year as a red flag? Valuations are high based on historical levels In the third quarter, Buffett continued selling stocks, and Berkshire Hathaway 's cash balance reached more than $325 billion, which is higher than the nearly $277 billion it reported a quarter earlier. He has been selling shares of Apple and Bank of America for multiple periods, two top holdings in the Berkshire portfolio, and hasn't been making big moves with that money, resulting in a growing cash balance. But given how expensive the stock market has become these days, it's perhaps little wonder that he's taking a cautious position. One metric investors should pay close attention to is the S&P 500 Shiller price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which averages inflation-adjusted earnings over the past decade. Today, the ratio is well above what it has averaged since 2000. The previous times it has been this high, there have been significant declines in the market the following year. S&P 500 Shiller CAPE Ratio data by YCharts. The Shiller P/E ratio was higher in 2021. The following year, in 2022, the S&P 500 would crash by more than 19%. In the early 2000s, the market underwent a significant dot-com crash due to the tech bubble. Many value-oriented investors may be concerned that the same could be happening with AI stocks today; many of them are trading at egregious multiples. Shareholders of Palantir Technologies , for example, don't seem to be balking at its massive earnings multiple of more than 300. A value-focused option for investors to consider Even if you're worried about valuations or the possibility of a crash in the markets, it may not necessarily mean that you should sell all of your stocks and pull all of your money out. If a correction takes place, some stocks will inevitably be hit much harder than others. Stocks trading at more reasonable valuations could weather the storm better than stocks which are at obscene multiples. Meanwhile, trying to time the market and waiting for ideal investing conditions is not an optimal strategy as it could result in you missing out on gains along the way. An alternative for investors is to consider an exchange-traded fund (ETF) which prioritizes value investments. A good example of that is the Vanguard Value Index Fund ETF Shares ( VTV 0.73% ) . The fund has a low expense ratio of 0.04% and tracks the U.S. Large Cap Value index. With the average holding in the ETF averaging an earnings multiple of just over 20, investors are getting exposure to more attractively priced stocks than the overall S&P 500 index, which is averaging a multiple of nearly 26. The top holding in the Vanguard fund is Buffett's own Berkshire Hathaway, but at just 3% of the fund's weight, it doesn't represent a huge chunk of the overall portfolio. Investors will also get access to many other blue chip stocks with the ETF, including UnitedHealth Group and Home Depot . Historically, the fund has underperformed the S&P 500, but in a possible downturn, it could be the better buy, especially given how expensive many growth stocks are right now. ^SPX data by YCharts. Investors should prepare for a possible correction Timing the market is risky, but what can be even riskier is holding stocks which trade at extremely high premiums because they can be vulnerable to a sell-off at a moment's notice. When stocks are highly valued, expectations will also be high, and any sign that a company could face difficulty could prompt investors to hit the sell button. It doesn't have to be a bad earnings report, as corrections could happen at any time investors start to smell trouble ahead. That's why it's important to consider valuations and potentially move money into cheaper stocks which may not only provide more protection during a downturn but may possess more upside in the long run. And if you aren't sure which stocks to buy or sell, a good option is to consider the Vanguard Value ETF or similar types of investments which prioritize value stocks .
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi File photo:VCG Shortly after the conclusion of the 32nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC), Indian media highlighted extensive criticism from the Indian National Congress toward the Modi administration's handling of China-India relations, specifically questioning the acceptance of a "new normal," along the border compared to the "old normal" before April 2020, which they claim was "unilaterally disturbed by China." Characterizing the issue as a reflection of interparty conflict between the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), some Chinese observers reached by the Global Times also noted that India may hold a dual strategy aimed at gaining leverage in negotiations with China. The Times of India reported Monday that the Congress demanded a full debate and said that discussion in Parliament should focus on "both strategic and economic policy, especially since our dependence on China has increased economically, even as it unilaterally changed the status quo on our borders over four years back." According to a PTI report on Sunday, Indian National Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jariam Ramesh has picked on Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar's recent statement in both Houses of Parliament on China following the 32nd meeting of the WMCC on December 5, while questioning that "does this not reveal a shift in our official position." At the 32nd meeting of the WMCC , China and India agreed to continue to give full play to the role of the border negotiation mechanism, maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, and safeguard sustainable peace and tranquility in the border areas, according to a release from Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday. The two sides positively evaluated the solutions reached by the two countries on border issues, agreed to continue to fully and effectively implement the relevant solutions and take measures to further ease the border situation. Based on the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, the two sides focused on preparations for the next round of meetings between the special representatives of China and India on border issues, said the release. Commenting on the Congress's criticism of the Modi administration, Hu Zhiyong, a professor with the School of English Studies, Zhejiang International Studies University and a research fellow with the Institute of International Relations at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said this reflects entrenched interparty conflicts between India's two major political parties- the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party led by Narendra Modi, and the Congress seeks to boost its domestic approval by criticizing the Modi administration. On the one hand, China should stick to a firm stance on the border issue while conveying its position clearly through diplomatic channels, hu said, adding that the advancement of the bilateral ties required mutual efforts from the two sides. He dismissed Indian Congress' rhetoric as part of a dual strategy aimed at gaining leverage in negotiations with China, and calling it futile. The so-called "old normal" and "new normal," according to Hu, are simply rhetorical labels introduced by some Indian politicians without substantive meaning. As the opposition party, the Congress frequently takes an oppositional stance, criticizing the Modi administration's domestic and foreign policies, including its approach to China-India relations. However, the Congress's minority status in the Indian Parliament limits its capacity to cause any substantial impact on the broader state of China-India relations, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Monday, while noting its relevant statements largely generate political noise, highlighting intensified interparty rivalry.
Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Customers Bancorp, Inc. ( NYSE:CUBI – Free Report ) by 5.2% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 21,640 shares of the bank’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,072 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Customers Bancorp were worth $1,005,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Customers Bancorp in the second quarter valued at approximately $48,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Customers Bancorp by 21.7% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,580 shares of the bank’s stock worth $73,000 after acquiring an additional 282 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Customers Bancorp in the second quarter worth approximately $74,000. CWM LLC boosted its stake in shares of Customers Bancorp by 14.2% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,198 shares of the bank’s stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Customers Bancorp in the second quarter worth approximately $151,000. 89.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Customers Bancorp Price Performance Customers Bancorp stock opened at $56.09 on Friday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $48.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $49.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.93. Customers Bancorp, Inc. has a 1 year low of $42.31 and a 1 year high of $68.49. The company has a market capitalization of $1.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.11 and a beta of 1.61. Insider Activity at Customers Bancorp In other Customers Bancorp news, Director Robert Neil Mackay sold 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.78, for a total value of $215,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,567 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $245,613.26. This trade represents a 46.69 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, CEO Jay S. Sidhu sold 860 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.73, for a total transaction of $47,067.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,189,738 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $65,114,360.74. This represents a 0.07 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders sold 96,440 shares of company stock worth $5,425,815. Insiders own 6.92% of the company’s stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades CUBI has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. B. Riley lifted their price target on Customers Bancorp from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on Customers Bancorp from $61.00 to $55.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Hovde Group lowered Customers Bancorp from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and set a $49.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Friday, August 9th. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on Customers Bancorp from $71.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Stephens boosted their price objective on Customers Bancorp from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $61.11. View Our Latest Stock Report on CUBI About Customers Bancorp ( Free Report ) Customers Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Customers Bank that provides financial products and services to individual consumers, and small and middle market businesses. The company provides deposit banking products, which includes commercial and consumer checking, non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand, MMDA, savings, and time deposit accounts. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CUBI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Customers Bancorp, Inc. ( NYSE:CUBI – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Customers Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Customers Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Retired special agent Robin Dreeke joins 'Fox & Friends' to discuss the background of Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO and his possible motives. The former Ivy League computer scientist charged in the ambush shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had struggled with back pain and the fallout from a spinal surgery, according to reports. Luigi Mangione , 26, told former roommates that he suffered from chronic back pain and a pinched nerve, according to CivilBeat , a Honolulu-based publication. Mangione lived there for at least six months in 2022, according to former roommate RJ Martin, who told the outlet that Mangione's lower back problems affected him for years due to misaligned vertebrae that could sometimes pinch his spinal cord. UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON'S ‘PREMEDITATED’ ATTACK AND SUSPECT'S GETAWAY: TIMELINE CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione shouts as officers restrain him as he arrives for his extradition hearing in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (David Dee Delgado for Fox News Digital) Mangione told his roommate he'd gotten surgery after moving out of the Surfbreak co-op where they lived together, then "he went radio silent." NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto Tuesday that Mangione specifically mentioned UnitedHealthcare and the shareholder conference where Thompson was headed at the time of the shooting in his alleged manifesto. Mangione had allegedly written online about his injury, the chief said, and investigators were looking into whether the health insurance industry had denied a claim from him or withheld some kind of care. NYPD detectives received more than 200 tips, he said, but none of them mentioned Mangione by name. United Healthcare CEO slaying suspect Luigi Mangione pictured at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (Pennsylvania State Police) Martin, who could not immediately be reached for comment, told the New York Times that the University of Pennsylvania alumnus' pain was so severe that sometimes it became debilitating to the point that it derailed his dating life. "He knew that dating and being physically intimate with his back condition wasn’t possible," he told the paper. "I remember him telling me that, and my heart just breaks." Forbes dug up a now-suspended Reddit account attributed to Mangione in which he discussed symptoms of spondylolisthesis, a painful condition involving slipped vertebrae. An archived version shows he described "numbness/tingling" in his toes and lower back pain. He advised others to strengthen their core muscles to take pressure off their back. A screenshot from surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows an alleged person of interest wanted in connection to the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (NYPD Crime Stoppers ) Police have not immediately publicized a potential motive for the murder but alleged that Mangione admitted to the crime in writing and left behind other clues, including bullet casings with the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" on them and a backpack full of Monopoly money. In social media accounts believed to belong to Mangione, he posted an X-ray photo of screws and a plate attached to someone's lower back. Much of his content on Instagram showed him traveling at tropical destinations, hiking and being outdoors. He also discussed back pain and retweeted content about technology, AI, nutrition and other subjects. Mangione appeared to rationalize the actions of Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, on Goodreads, a book-based social media site. Writing about the bomber's manifesto, "Industrial Society and Its Future," he quoted another online "take that [he] found interesting." This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group) "When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive," he wrote. "You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective, it's not terrorism, it's war and revolution." UNITED HEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON LAID TO REST IN MINNESOTA Martin told CivilBeat that Mangione had suggested Kaczynski's manifesto to their local book club. The reading material was so "painful to read" that it ended up breaking apart the club, he told the outlet. But Mangione, writing on Goodreads, felt that it had predicted the future. "It's easy to quickly and thoughtlessly write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies," he wrote. "But it's simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out." A surveillance image released by the NYPD shows the suspect in the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO, Brian Thompson on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (NYPD Crimestoppers) For an anti-capitalist, two key stops for investigators trying to find him happened at multinational chain restaurants – a New York City Starbucks, where he is believed to have left DNA evidence before the shooting, and a Pennsylvania McDonald's, where police arrested him after witnesses recognized his features from a wanted poster. WHO IS LUIGI MANGIONE, SUSPECT IN UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO MURDER? Responding officers, including a rookie cop who received praise from leaders in New York and Pennsylvania, immediately recognized Mangione as the suspect wanted in connection with the New York City ambush shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, authorities said. They found Mangione wearing a beanie and a coronavirus mask , sitting with a laptop at a table in the fast food joint. WATCH: McDonald's customer recognized suspect's backpack, jacket Prosecutors alleged in court that he had the suspected murder weapon, a so-called ghost gun with 3D-printed parts and a suppressor, the same fake ID used to check into a Manhattan hostel before the shooting, $10,000 in American and foreign cash, and a "Faraday bag" used to block cell service. Mangione told the judge that the cash wasn't his. "I don't know where that money came from," he said. "It must have been planted. I don't have that kind of cash." The bag, he added, was just a waterproof bag. An online search found several companies selling Faraday containers describe them as also being waterproof. A photo obtained by Fox News Digital shows Luigi Mangione. (Obtained by Fox News Digital) NYPD BELIEVES UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO ASSASSIN LEFT NEW YORK CITY ON A BUS MORNING OF SHOOTING Surveillance video taken outside a Midtown Manhattan Hilton hotel shows a masked assassin sneak up behind Thompson on the sidewalk around 6:45 a.m. last Wednesday, Dec. 4. Thompson was on his way to a shareholder conference at the venue set to begin later that morning when the gunman opened fire from behind. As the CEO collapsed on the street, a woman who witnessed the attack fled in one direction, and the masked figure casually walked off in the other. Police tracked his movements throughout New York City to a bus depot, where he left about an hour after the slaying. Luigi Mangione poses with a McDonald's meal in a Facebook photograph posted on Aug. 24, 2019. He was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Monday in connection with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Luigi Mangione/Facebook) Surveillance images taken from a hostel he stayed at near Central Park circulated widely online as police launched an interstate manhunt for the suspect. Mangione is facing a slew of charges in New York in connection with the murder, as well as additional charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and a forged ID, in Pennsylvania. He graduated with bachelor and master's degrees in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 and comes from a prominent Baltimore family. Luigi Mangione pictured in a Facebook photo. Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Monday morning in connection with the ambush murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. (Luigi Mangione/Facebook) FAMILY OF UNITED HEALTHCARE CEO SHOOTING SUSPECT SAYS THEY ARE ‘SHOCKED’ BY SON'S ARREST He also attended the Gilman School, a private prep school in the city, where he was valedictorian in 2016. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The notes left on the bullet casings found at the crime scene have drawn comparisons to the book "Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It" – speculation swirled that the slaying may have grown out of resentment for a denied claim. The book was not found on Mangione's Goodreads account when accessed before it was set to private Monday.Chipotle is raising its U.S. prices to offset inflation and to compensate for a promise to increase portion sizes. Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs officer, Laurie Schalow, confirmed Friday that the Mexican restaurant chain was implementing a 2% price increase nationally. Schalow said it’s the first time the California-based company has raised its prices in more than a year. Chipotle revealed the price increase after an analyst report released earlier this week by investment bank Truist Securities noted a 2% price increase at approximately 20% of the chain’s 3,500 U.S. stores. Truist, which raised its price target for Chipotle’s shares, also reported that customer traffic at the chain’s restaurants accelerated in November. Chipotle said in October that its food, beverage and packaging costs all increased in the third quarter. It cited avocados as an example. Avocado shipments from Mexico to the U.S. were briefly suspended in June after two U.S. Department of Agriculture employees were assaulted and temporarily held by assailants in the Mexican state of Michoacan. Chipotle also cited the cost of ensuring it was providing “consistent and generous portions” to its customers. Former Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said in July that Chipotle was retraining workers at approximately 10% of Chipotle’s stores after customers complained on social media that they were getting smaller portions. Niccol left Chipotle in September to become the chairman and CEO of Starbucks, which has said it won’t raise prices through September 2025. Restaurant price inflation has aggravated U.S. consumers. The price of food eaten away from home rose 30% between October 2019 and October 2024, according to government figures. The price of food eaten at home rose 27% in that same period. Earlier this year, McDonald’s said it was seeing more customers eat at home instead of getting fast food because of price increases. The company responded with a $5 meal deal and other discounts. He’s one of the most famous corporate leaders in the Chipotle is raising its U.S. prices to offset inflation and The U.S. government on Friday ordered testing of the nation's A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook a large area of Northern
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 10, 2024-- Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: INGM) is pleased to announce it has earned two 2024 Geography and Global AWS Partner Awards, recognizing leaders around the globe that are playing key roles in helping their customers drive innovation and build solutions on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Both awards were repeat wins for Ingram Micro. The distributor was named the Global Distributor Partner of the Year for the second consecutive year, honoring the team’s significant contributions related to growth and number of partners enabled. Ingram Micro’s BRLink was also honored with a repeat win in the Innovation Partner of the Year award category for the LATAM region. This is the third consecutive year Ingram Micro was honored by AWS as a Partner of the Year. Announced during the Partner Awards Gala at AWS re:Invent 2024, the Geographic and Global AWS Partner Awards recognize a wide range of AWS Partners that have embraced specialization, innovation, and cooperation over the past year. Geo and Global AWS Partner Awards recognize partners whose business models continue to evolve and thrive on AWS as they support their customers. As a Premier AWS Consulting Partner, Ingram Micro is empowering thousands of channel partners worldwide to innovate, grow, and create more value with AWS. Demonstrating its commitment to removing complexity and easing engagement, Ingram Micro recently announced the integrating of the AWS Marketplace into Ingram Micro’s AI-powered Xvantage digital experience platform. The move will help open new markets and further simplify the go-to-market strategies, sales, and management of solutions for its channel partner community. In addition to unifying and simplifying the operational aspects of buying from the AWS Marketplace via Ingram Micro Xvantage, the distributor is providing customers with access to advanced technical resources and talent and the ongoing sales and professional services support needed to establish and expand their AWS business. “Ingram Micro’s repeat win of the AWS Global Distributor of the Year award reflects our deep and wide technical knowledge and professional services expertise, as well as our long-standing, close relationship with AWS, which is centered on helping our mutual channel partners realize their growth potential,” said Duncan Robinson, vice president, Global Partnerships, Ingram Micro. “The honor also highlights the key role Ingram Micro plays helping channel partners accelerate success and move businesses to AWS through all phases of complex migration projects, including discovery, planning, migration, and operations.” Ingram Micro and BRLink Honored as AWS Innovation Partner of the Year in LATAM A key differentiator for Ingram Micro is its ability to provide channel partners with access to experienced talent and professional services, empowering them to accelerate their customers' cloud adoption journeys. This support includes technical expertise, tools, education, technology, and ongoing technical support to ideate, deploy, and manage AWS solutions. In line with this commitment, Ingram Micro is proud to announce that BRLink, an Ingram Micro company and a leader in the Brazilian cloud services market, has again been named the AWS Innovation Partner of the Year for the LATAM region. Presented annually, this award recognizes organizations that deliver innovative consulting, professional, managed, and value-added resale services. Winners have demonstrated proof in delivering outstanding customer experience via an integrated lifecycle of services, from initial assessments, architecting, developing and deployment of cloud environments to ongoing migration and management of cloud infrastructure and applications. "We are incredibly proud that BRLink has been named the LATAM Innovation Partner of the Year for the second consecutive year,” said Guilherme Barreiro, director, Services and BRLink, Ingram Micro, LATAM. “This recognition reinforces our commitment to helping customers address their challenges through innovative solutions and validates the path we are taking." The Geography and Global AWS Partner Awards included a self-nomination process across several award categories, awarded at both the geographic and global level. All AWS Partners were invited to participate and submit a nomination. Award submissions were reviewed by a third-party, Canalys, and selected with special emphasis placed on customer success use cases. In addition, there were several data-driven award categories, which were evaluated by a unique set of metrics that helped measure AWS Partners’ performance over the past year. Canalys audited the datasets used to ensure that all measurements and calculations were objective and accurate. Finalists represented the top three ranked AWS Partners across each category. The AWS Partner Network (APN) is a global program focused on helping partners innovate, accelerate their journey to the cloud, and take full advantage of the breadth and depth of AWS. About Ingram Micro Ingram Micro (NYSE: INGM) is a leading technology company for the global information technology ecosystem. With the ability to reach nearly 90% of the global population, we play a vital role in the worldwide IT sales channel, bringing products and services from technology manufacturers and cloud providers to a highly diversified base of business-to-business technology experts. Through Ingram Micro XvantageTM, our AI-powered digital platform, we offer what we believe to be the industry’s first comprehensive business-to-consumer-like experience, integrating hardware and cloud subscriptions, personalized recommendations, instant pricing, order tracking, and billing automation. We also provide a broad range of technology services, including financing, specialized marketing, and lifecycle management, as well as technical pre- and post-sales professional support. Learn more at www.ingrammicro.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210912708/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact: Marie Meoli Rourke WhiteFox Marketing 714-292-2199 marie@whitefoxpr.com KEYWORD: NEVADA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MOBILE/WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY SECURITY OTHER TECHNOLOGY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE NETWORKS INTERNET HARDWARE VOIP SOURCE: Ingram Micro Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/10/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/10/2024 04:04 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210912708/enNone
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Vocal coach Helene Hørlyck has vowed to keep sharing memories of Liam Payne and expressed gratitude to the late singer-songwriter's family following his funeral. Liam, 31, tragically passed away last month after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina . His funeral was held in the UK on Wednesday, 20 November , with guests including his former One Direction bandmates, ex Cheryl and X Factor mogul Simon Cowell attending a service in the Home Counties. Helene, who worked with Liam and One Direction as a vocal coach, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, explaining how after spending a week in London she'd been left feeling full of "love and sadness". In addition to this, she thanked Liam's parents, Karen and Geoff Payne, and his sisters, Nicola and Ruth Payne, and promised to continue sharing stories about Liam. Alongside photos from her trip to the UK, as well as some snaps with Liam, Helene wrote: "As my week in London comes to an end I am filled with love and sadness. Thank you Karen, Geoff, Ruth and Nicola - I will as promised continue to tell Liam's story and share my memories." In response to the heartwarming post, fans filled the comments section with messages of support for Helene. "He will live forever in our memories and in our stories," wrote one. Another fan offered condolences, saying: "I'm so sorry for your loss Helene," reports the Mirror . "My heart goes out to you his friends his girlfriend and his son," a third added. Others shared heart emojis. Last month, vocal coach Helene penned a heartfelt tribute to Liam following his tragic death. "My heart is heavy writing this. Liam was the loveliest young man who just loved to sing. He was only a teenager when I met him and One Direction was formed," she wrote. She went on to praise his influence on the band, adding that: "His talent and professionalism had a big impact on the band especially in the early days as Liam always strived for the best during all of our sessions. Liam was fun and a joy to spend time with, he even re named some of my vocal exercises as he had such a wonderful sense of humour and upbeat energy." Helene also shared personal memories of the Teardrops singer. "I will always remember Liam as a polite young man who was caring and kind. Whenever my son Cai would join the world tours Liam would invite him along on his tourbus, sit and play video games with him, make sure he was OK, such a person was Liam, warm and friendly," she continued. She concluded with a touching farewell: "Thank you for all the wonderful years dear Liam, you will forever be in my heart and your voice will live on, not only in my memories but also in the incredible songs. Rest in peace sweet darling."
In a letter to the Prime Minister, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel and shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) had “no proper basis in international law”. They said the UK’s refusal to explicitly say whether or not the Israeli premier would be detained if he arrived in the country “opens the farcical spectre of your Government trying to sanction the arrest” of an ally to Britain. Criticising the ICC warrant, the shadow ministers said: “It is hard to escape the conclusion this is an activist decision, motivated by politics and not the law.” They argued the court was established to pursue cases in instances where countries do not have robust and independent judiciaries, which could not be said of Israel. “The UK Government’s response to the decision has been nonsensical,” they said. “On Friday, the Home Secretary refused to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be detained if he travelled to the UK. “This opens the farcical spectre of your Government trying to sanction the arrest on UK soil of the leader of an ally of the UK, while you continue a diplomatic charm offensive with the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. “It falls to you to clarify the Government’s position – now. The Government must make clear that it does not support an arrest warrant being issued which has no proper basis in international law.” Downing Street on Friday indicated that Mr Netanyahu could face arrest if he entered the UK, refusing to comment on “hypotheticals” but saying Britain would always follow its “legal obligations”. The International Criminal Court Act 2001 states that a Secretary of State must, on receipt of a request for arrest from the ICC, “transmit the request and the documents accompanying it to an appropriate judicial officer”. Asked whether the UK would comply with requirements under the Act, Sir Keir’s spokesman said: “Yes, the Government would fulfil its obligations under the Act and indeed its legal obligations.” The ICC has issued a warrant for Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Number 10 previously said the domestic process linked to ICC arrest warrants has never been used to date by the UK because no-one wanted by the international court had visited the country. It added that Israel remained a “key partner across a range of areas”. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It is important that we have a dialogue with Israel at all levels to reach the ceasefire that we all want to see, to bring an end to the violence, to protect civilians and ensure the release of hostages.” The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’s armed wing, over the October 7 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. A domestic court process would be required before Mr Netanyahu faced arrest if he set foot in the UK. The ICC said there are “reasonable grounds to believe” Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant were responsible for “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts”. The court’s pre-trial chamber also found “reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population”. The impact of the warrants is likely to be limited since Israel and its major ally, the US, are not members of the ICC.
DNC chair election foreshadows fight for party’s future
Thames Water says it will run out of cash in March as it scrambles to avoid a taxpayer bailoutIn a ceremony marked by tearful farewells, standing ovations, and cheers, Gilroy welcomed its new city council this week and sent off three of its seven members — a move that represents a remaking of the council, after three of four incumbents were voted out of office. Many residents say the results represent a call for change, and have entrusted that to the newly elected leaders who have promised more scrutiny on spending and a focus on bringing business to Gilroy. “We needed change. Three out of four members of the council are new — the proof is there,” said incoming Mayor Greg Bozzo. “I believe that with the collective personal and professional experiences of this community, we can reach our full potential.” The mayoral race saw incumbent Marie Blankley unseated by . Bozzo, a landscape contractor, leveled criticisms at the current city government, argued for more collaboration between officials and residents, improved customer service at the city, and . While the Garlic Festival is not run by the city of Gilroy, Bozzo maintains that the city can play a role in easing its return. In the city council, retired teacher Kelly Ramirez and businessman Terence Fugazzi joined the fold. Ramirez says she hopes to be a “voice of common sense” focused on solutions, and Fugazzi says he will take a “fiscally conservative lens” to his role, using the budget as a way to prioritize the most essential services for the city. Along with Bozzo, Fugazzi’s election shifts the representation on the council, with a majority in the business sector as he joins Councilmembers Dion Bracco and Tom Cline, both of whom started their own companies. Firefighter and self-described progressive Councilmember Zach Hilton is the only remaining incumbent on the council. “I want to be the changemaker and not someone the people want to change,” he said. Many at this week’s swearing in ceremony and in exchanges online stressed the need for change — including revitalizing the city’s downtown, bringing more business to the city, and reviving the Garlic Festival. Several expressed their hope that Bozzo and the new city council could enact those changes. “The city of Gilroy needed a vitamin B-12 shot of new ideas on how to attract and retain (up and coming) small businesses,” said Gilroy voter Brent Jones in an exchange with this news organization on Nextdoor. “We need a Gilroy 2.0 ... Hoping Greg (Bozzo) is a change agent.” The desire for more vibrant business was expressed by each of the newly elected leaders, who said that bringing in more business was crucial to ensuring the city could afford to take care of its citizens and bolster . While each of the newly elected members admitted that the call for change was a part of the electoral shift, they pointed to several other factors as well, including their on the ground campaigning and negative advertising by outside parties. They all asserted that their position was essentially non-partisan. “There’s a real need for me to try and represent the entire city,” said Fugazzi. Even so, he noted that fiscal responsibility was a crucial part of his approach. “I think there will be a little more scrutiny about where dollars are spent. There’s no doubt that that’s going to be a big issue in the next budget cycle.” Ramirez noted that she would share in the “scrutiny” but was “open to all options” that didn’t cut back services, such as combining or contracting out certain city responsibilities or making new investments where needed. Even Hilton mentioned he would be open to belt-tightening if it didn’t compromise services to the city, though he stressed bringing more money to the city as his preferred option. Regardless of ideological leanings, several expect a more collaborative council moving forward. “I come to this council with hope,” said Ramirez. “I’m very optimistic that this will be a very different council that will be more inclined to work together.”Growth investors have seen their fair share of bumps in the road the last few years, with some great businesses they follow being forced to navigate some real challenges. Several of these growth stocks managed their way through and are again delivering meaningful returns. If you have the investment capital and risk appetite to put cash into growth-oriented stocks, now might be a great time to put money into quality companies. As you determine which ones to invest in, it's important to only use cash that you won't soon need for monthly financial obligations and to ensure you thoroughly understand any company you buy before you add it to your basket of investments. With those elements in mind, here are two top growth stocks to consider that look like screaming buys in November. 1. TransMedics Group TransMedics Group ( TMDX -4.16% ) is a medical technology and devices company that focuses on organ transplant therapy for end-stage organ failure patients. The company was founded in 1998, and one of the achievements that the company is most known for is its Organ Care System (OCS). The TransMedics OCS is a device that enables the maintenance and preservation of donor organs from storing to transporting those organs to transplant patients. The device can perform numerous functions, including imitating the temperature of the human body and transmitting nutrients to keep the donor organ healthy. Three types of organs can be preserved and stored in the TransMedics OCS -- lungs, livers, and hearts. The OCS can maintain the health of organs outside of the human body for up to 24 hours in many cases. With traditional cold storage methods that have historically been used to facilitate organ transplants, numerous complications regularly ensue ranging from ischemia to enhanced complications post-transplant. Ischemia is a common issue with organ transplants that occurs when insufficient blood flow to the donor organ causes damage to the tissue that can deteriorate further after the transplant. With the TransMedics OCS, the risk of ischemia is greatly reduced, as is the risk of potential complications. Another integral aspect to TransMedic Group's growth strategy is its logistics business, which even includes an air fleet that it uses to transport donor organs. TransMedics had 18 owned aircraft in its fleet at last count. Management believes that the company is on track to achieve the goal of 10,000 OCS transplant cases per year in the U.S. by 2028. Total revenue in the third quarter of 2024 totaled approximately $109 million, a 64% increase from one year ago. Management noted that this revenue growth was driven by continued adoption of its OCS across all three organs as well as logistics revenue. Where TransMedics Group reported a net loss of $25.4 million one year ago, the recent quarter saw it generate net income of $4.2 million. Management is also forecasting anywhere from 76% to 84% revenue growth in the full year 2024 compared to 2023. Investors who want to become part-owners in an innovative business disrupting the multibillion-dollar global transplant market might want to take a second look at this healthcare stock . 2. Shopify Shopify ( SHOP 0.45% ) has built an explosive global footprint since the company was first founded nearly two decades ago. The company controls about 10% of the global e-commerce software market and is the largest e-commerce software platform in the U.S. with a market share of roughly 30%. Bear in mind that the U.S. e-commerce market is valued north of $1 trillion. It is the largest e-commerce market in the world second only to China. Shopify's market opportunity is only growing both in its core North American markets and internationally as the global e-commerce industry expands. In the third quarter of 2024, Shopify reported its fifth consecutive quarter of gross merchandise value (GMV) growth, which is the total value of merchandise sold in a given period. Gross payment volume (GPV) is also accelerating at a rapid clip. Its operating income more than doubled in Q3, while revenue growth accelerated 26% year over year to $2.2 billion. Shopify's suite of software and hardware solutions are known for integrations with a wide range of offerings from its global partner ecosystem. However, its own in-house solutions, such as Shopify Payments (a payment processing service for merchants) and Shop Pay (a seamless checkout option for customers) are proving to be key growth drivers. Case in point: The Shopify Payments offering processed $43 billion in GPV in the third quarter of 2024, a whopping 31% increase from one year ago that accounted for 62% of overall GMV. As for Shop Pay, this product offering processed $17 billion in GMV in Q3, a 42% year-over-year increase that comprised 41% of GPV. Shopify remains very profitable, with Q3 operating income soaring 132% to $283 million and net income rising 15% from one year ago to $828 million. It also delivered a 19% free cash flow margin, with total free cash flow exploding 53% year over year to $421 million. While some investors may shy away from e-commerce given the current growth environment, Shopify is proving that it's a comeback kid. It definitely isn't too late to snag some shares that can compound your returns generously over the next five or more years.
Maverick McNealy earned his first victory on the PGA Tour as he finished with a final-round 68 to edge out a trio of players by one shot at the RSM Classic in St Simons Island, Georgia. The 29-year-old sank a 5ft 5in putt on the 18th hole to finish at 16-under 266, just ahead of Luke Clanton (66), Nico Echavarria of Colombia (65) and Daniel Berger (67). The victory came in his 134th start as a professional, and it sends him to Maui to start the year at The Sentry and to The Masters in April for the first time. Berger missed a 20-foot birdie attempt on the 18th alongside Echavarria and Clanton, who both missed par putts from inside eight feet on the final hole that created the four-way tie. Clanton was a shot away from joining Nick Dunlap as amateur winners on the PGA Tour this year. He tugged his approach to the 18th into a bunker, blasted out nicely to seven feet and stooped over in disbelief when he missed his par putt and had to settle for a 66. Trending "It's going to be a tough one to definitely take, for sure, after bogeying the last," Clanton said. "But I think it's proven to me that out here I can win, so I'll be training for that." Henrik Norlander, who was No 126 in the FedExCup last year, had a 63-68 weekend and joined Berger as the two players who moved into the top 125. More from Pga Tour Zozo Championship: Nico Echavarria edges out Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman to claim second PGA Tour victory Shriners Children's Open: Taylor Pendrith remains in PGA Tour lead after wind-delays in Las Vegas Shriners Children's Open: Taylor Pendrith takes three-shot lead after 10 birdies as Joel Dahmen suffers penalty Jordan Spieth confirms intention to undergo surgery on injured left wrist after FedExCup playoffs exit Matt Kuchar sorry for solo Monday finish at Wyndham Championship and says he 'knows it stinks' PGA Tour: Hayden Springer shoots historic 59 at John Deere Classic JT Poston posted the round of the day with a seven-under 63, joining Lee Hodges (67) and Canada's Mackenzie Hughes (68) in a tie for fifth at 14-under 268. Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland Enter Course, City, or Postal Code Courses Locations No results found. Please try another search. Vince Whaley, who shared the lead with McNealy entering the final round, finished joint-eighth after shooting 71 on Sunday. Michael Thorbjornsen (69) and Patrick Fishburn (69) also tied for eighth at 13-under 269. Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV , streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app , giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada. The company filed in documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Thursday. The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform. That means TikTok must "wind down" its operations in Canada, though the app will continue to be available to Canadians. TikTok wants the court to overturn the government’s order and to place a pause on the order while the court hears the case. It is claiming the minister's decision was "unreasonable" and "driven by improper purposes." The review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to harm national security. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement at the time the government was taking action to address "specific national security risks," though it didn’t specify what those risks were. TikTok’s filing says Champagne "failed to engage with TikTok Canada on the purported substance of the concerns that led to the (order.)" The company argues the government ordered "measures that bear no rational connection to the national security risks it identifies." It says the reasons for the order "are unintelligible, fail to reveal a rational chain of analysis and are rife with logical fallacies." The company's law firm, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, declined to comment, while Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the order would "eliminate the jobs and livelihoods of our hundreds of dedicated local employees — who support the community of more than 14 million monthly Canadian users on TikTok, including businesses, advertisers, creators and initiatives developed especially for Canada." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Darryl Greer and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — Elijah Howard ran for 110 yards and scored two touchdowns, the Central Connecticut defense made seven interceptions, and the Blue Devils beat Duquesne 21-14 on Saturday to claim the Northeast Conference's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. Howard provided the game-winning score by running it in from the 6, then threw the 2-point conversion to quarterback Brady Olson to cap the scoring with 13:44 left in the fourth quarter. The defense for the Blue Devils (7-5, 5-1) sealed the game when it stymied the Dukes (8-3, 5-1) on their final three possessions. Following Central Connecticut's last touchdown, Jalen Howard sacked Darius Perrantes on Duquesne’s first play and forced a fumble which the Blue Devils recovered. Central Connecticut failed to add to the lead when Jack Barnum missed a 40-yard field, but Duquesne turned it back over when Perrantes threw an end zone pick. The Blue Devils punted after six plays, but again, Duquesne saw another drive end with a Perrantes interception. Perrantes threw seven interceptions with three going to Christopher Jean, a pair to Davone Walden Jr. and one each to Deon McLean and Vincent Thomas. Duquesne secured at least a share of the NEC title for a conference record seventh time in program history with last week's win over Wagner. It was the second straight year the Dukes played a winner-take-all game for the NEC automatic bid on the road in the final week of the regular season. Last year they beat Merrimack 26-14 to win the NEC title outright. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP collegebasketball: andMurder of UnitedHealthcare CEO ignites online fury over health insurance industry
