text:
|Bid||0.00 x 40700|
|Ask||9.08 x 36900|
|Day's Range||9.00 - 9.22|
|52 Week Range||4.05 - 12.52|
|Beta (3Y Monthly)||2.80|
|PE Ratio (TTM)||41.94|
|Forward Dividend & Yield||N/A (N/A)|
|1y Target Est||N/A|
In the latest trading session, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (ACB) closed at $9.05, marking a -1.95% move from the previous day.
After looking like they were set to break down, shares of Canopy Growth (NYSE:CGC) have been surging over the past few trading sessions. As such, CGC stock is up almost 20% over the past five days and on the cusp of breakout territory, with higher prices on many bulls' radar.Source: Shutterstock What so suddenly has CGC stock back in investors' good graces? To be fair, the company didn't really do anything to fall out of their good graces. Rather, it was simply the fading momentum of marijuana stocks at the time.However, momentum was restored in Canopy Growth stock once reports began circulating about its intention to purchase Acreage Holdings (OTCMKTS:ACRGF). The deal is for $300 million in cash and swelled to $3.4 billion once Canopy included 0.58 shares for each subordinate voting share of ACRGF.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Digital Ad Stocks That Deserve Your Attention Right Now Investors are viewing the deal favorably as Acreage Holdings has exposure in 20 different U.S. states. In other words, it's Canopy's way of pushing into the U.S. This comes as it focuses on its future and growing its market share. At the end of the day, market share is a very important component to the cannabis industry. That's one reason why Canopy is considered the leader of this group. Trading CGC StockThe charts for CGC stock look a little busy here, but each level is relevant. The recent action has shown a return of momentum to Canopy Growth stock, but also names like Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB) and Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON), among others. It's even given a boost to names like Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ), which has a near-40% stakes in CGC.That momentum has carried CGC stock into a potentially large breakout area over $48. Where can it go? One analyst says Canopy could run to $72, implying about 90% upside from current levels. Can it actually get there?$48 is the first key test. In the last three trading sessions, CGC stock reclaimed its 20-day and 50-day moving averages as well as prior uptrend support (blue line No. 1). It also cleared prior downtrend resistance (blue line No. 2) and key resistance at $48. Now hovering near $48.25, it's important that CGC stock doesn't give up these recent gains.Whether it can burst through its prior highs near $59 and run to $72 is currently unknown. But if it wants any shot at doing even that, it needs to hold over some of these key levels that it just cleared.Here's what to watch: $48 and prior downtrend resistance (blue line No. 2). According to the RSI, CGC stock is not overbought even after its strong rally over the past few days. According to its MACD reading, momentum is returning to the bulls' favor and could have a lot of upside going forward. Ideally we would see a continuation higher or consolidation near current levels, before a pullback to $48 that holds as support.If $48 soon acts as resistance, bulls need to see the backside of prior downtrend resistance act as support. Bottom Line on Canopy Growth StockIf investors feel that there is momentum in cannabis stocks, then CGC stock is certainly one of the top considerations to ride that wave. In the end though, this is a speculative group and investors have to remember that going forward. This isn't some blue chip stock with a reasonable valuation and strong cash flows.Last quarter (Q3, fiscal 2019), the company had $60.8 million in revenue. That's roughly the same total as it did for all of fiscal 2018. Clearly the growth is very impressive, but we're talking about a company that has consensus expectations for $176 million in sales this year vs. a market cap of more than $16 billion.Granted, estimates call for more than $600 million in sales in fiscal 2020 (which starts in one quarter), but this is still a lofty valuation. That's why M&A deals (such as with Constellation) are so important. It puts billions of dollars into Canopy's coffers, allowing it run its operations and make deals like it did for ARCGF. * 10 High-Yielding Dividend Stocks That Won't Wilt It's a speculative group, but Canopy is among the best in the business.Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell. As of this writing, Bret Kenwell did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 High-Yielding Dividend Stocks That Won't Wilt * 4 Energy Stocks Soaring as Trump Tightens on Iran * 7 Tech Stocks With Too Much Risk, Not Enough Upside Compare Brokers The post Is Canopy Growth Stock Set to Break Out and Rally 90%? appeared first on InvestorPlace.
Are marijuana stocks on U.S. exchanges a good buy now? The marijuana industry gets a lot of hype, but look past the smoke and analyze pot stocks on their fundamentals and technicals.
Canopy Growth's (CGC) announced intention to purchase Acreage Holdings dominated headlines last week. In fact, it dominated headlines so much that many investors may have missed the note that Cowen's Vivien Azer put regarding Canopy competitor Aurora Cannabis (ACB).That would be a crying shame -- because in Azer's estimation, there may actually be more reasons to buy Aurora Cannabis stock, than Canopy.Let's run down the list.A race to scaleFor all that investors have been fascinated by the growth of the marijuana industry for the past several years, the fact remains: This is still a very young industry, and in young industries like this one, the first challenge is generally to scale up quickly, grab market share, drive out competition -- so that by the time the industry matures, they'll be able to keep more profits for themselves.Aurora Cannabis aims to win this race.Already, Aurora says it's ahead of its targeted annual rate of 120,000 kilograms of annual marijuana production capacity for this time, this year. Annualized, management says it's now producing at something more like a 150,000 kg-per-year rate.150,000 kg -- and growing. As Azer reports, Aurora is expanding square footage at its Aurora Sun facility to 1.6 mm square feet so as to add 230,000 kg in annual capacity. Production rates at the Aurora Sky facility are also on the upswing, and in consequence, Aurora management says it is raising its targeted production capacity by 25%, from 500,000 kg to 625,000 kg annual production -- a goal it hopes to reach by mid-2020.To put that in perspective, Canopy Growth says it is looking to produce only 400,000 kg by mid-next year -- less than two-thirds of Aurora's target -- albeit Azer notes that Canopy's target may be "conservative."Cost cutsWhy expand production capacity so much? To create greater supply, of course, to serve the market -- but also to win production efficiencies derived from scale. Aurora Cannabis believes that once it reaches its targeted level of production, it should be able to cut cash costs nearly in half, from about C$1.92 per gram of marijuana produced currently to under C$1 per gram.MarginsGross margins equaling sales minus the cost of the goods sold, such cost cuts should be very good news for Aurora Cannabis' profit margins.Already, Azer says Aurora boasts 61% trailing gross margins, or twice the 29% margins that Canopy produced over the last 12 months -- and Aurora's margins have exceeded 50% for the past eight straight quarters. With lower costs, the analyst estimates Aurora could grow its gross margin to as much as 70%, the best rate in the industry.What to expect on earningsGranted, Aurora's net margins remain negative, but perhaps not for long. Most analysts expect Aurora to turn profitable as early as next year. As for this year, Aurora expects to have 25,000 kg of cannabis produced, packaged, and ready for sale in fiscal Q4 (ending in June). Azer says its own "conservative" estimate is that Aurora won't sell more than 16,000 kg this quarter -- but will be happy to be proven wrong, as this would mean only "upside to our forecasts."For an analyst that rates Aurora Cannabis "outperform," that's a good thing.To read more on the nitty gritty of what’s going on in the rising cannabis industry, click here. Read more on ACB: * How Aurora Cannabis (ACB) Stock Gets to $11 * Aurora Cannabis (ACB) Stock Is in Position for Another Bullish Leg * Aurora Cannabis: Flooding the Cannabis Market with More Supply More recent articles from Smarter Analyst: * With Two Days to Go Before Amazon (AMZN) Earnings, this Top Analyst Weighs in on the Stock * Should You Count on Facebook (FB) Earnings to Push the Stock Higher? Top Analyst Weighs In * Tesla (TSLA) Stock Logs Another Sell Rating; Here's Why * Canntrust (CTST) Transforms from a Small Cannabis Stock Pony into a Unicorn
Cannabis stocks were mostly lower Tuesday, as investors took a breather after Monday’s gains to lock in profits and await the next developments in the sector.
In 2019, investors have been looking for stocks to buy -- not stocks to sell. A broad market selloff toward the end of last year admittedly created some bargains. Key sectors like energy, semiconductors and software offered their share of bargains.This year obviously has been very different. The S&P 500 has gained 16%, and the gains have been spread across the entire U.S. equity market. Among stocks with a market capitalization over $300 million, just 559 -- or 16% -- are down year-to-date. A greater number of those stocks -- 771 -- have gained at least 30%.In that group are some stocks that simply became too cheap amid the fourth quarter plunge. Others have soared thanks to strong performance. But there are more than a few that seem to be benefiting from market optimism -- and not performing nearly as well as their share prices would suggest.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 10 High-Yielding Dividend Stocks That Won't Wilt These 10 stocks all fit that bill. All have gained at least 30% so far this year, yet for various reasons, seem like stocks to sell at the moment. And when the current market strength inevitably starts to fade, these 10 stocks may be the first to fall. Shopify (SHOP)Source: Shopify via FlickrFew stocks reflect the reversal in market sentiment more than e-commerce platform Shopify (NYSE:SHOP). In late December, SHOP stock touched a nine-month low after losing 25% of its market value in just seven sessions. Since then, however, SHOP has gained nearly 90%, adding some $11 billion in market value in the process.And yet, as I wrote earlier this month, the news surrounding Shopify stock really hasn't been that good. 2019 guidance was seen as modestly disappointing. Competition from Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), Square (NYSE:SQ), and privately held Mailchimp seems to be intensifying.Analysts haven't even been able to keep up: the average price target of $189 suggests 16% downside. Yet SHOP keeps marching higher.There is a bull case here, admittedly, and a valuable business. But at 20x+ revenue and 250x 2020 EPS estimates, perfection looks priced in - and then some. I'd call it a stock to sell. Aurora Cannabis (ACB)Source: Shutterstock Marijuana stocks like Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB) similarly have benefited from the stronger market, and the return of the 'risk-on' trade. ACB stock has gained 86% in 2019. Canopy Growth (NYSE:CGC) is up 80%, and Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON) 62%. Only Tilray (NASDAQ:TLRY) has been left out.The gains across the board seem a bit much. Marijuana companies obviously have an enormous opportunity; but there's a long road ahead. Valuations are getting stretched again. Aurora's aggressive strategy is high-risk (if admittedly high-reward), and the steady issuance of stock and debt only adds to that risk. * 7 Small-Cap Growth ETFs For Adventurous Investors To be sure, ACB has promise, as does the sector. But the worry with Aurora Cannabis isn't so much that the company is going to blow up -- or even disappoint -- but rather that the pot industry on the whole is getting overvalued. And with ACB one of the biggest gainers on the way up, it could be one of the larger losers on the way down. Snap (SNAP)Source: Shutterstock Among stocks with a market capitalization above $10 billion, no stock has done better than Snap (NYSE:SNAP) in 2019. It's not even close: SNAP stock has risen 110%, thirty points better than second-place CGC.As I wrote this month, the optimism makes some sense. Execution looks better, and Snap has years of benefits ahead simply from better monetizing its existing users.At the same time, however, the 100%+ gains make SNAP stock look awfully stretched. And the existing user base simply isn't enough -- even if revenue per user continues to rise. This remains a significantly unprofitable company valued at $15 billion. Certainly, there's no shortage of those types of stocks to sell in this market -- but there aren't any others that have doubled in less than four months. Carvana (CVNA)Source: Carvana Used-car retailer Carvana (NYSE:CVNA) has become one of the bigger battleground stocks in the market. The company's online model threatens to disrupt the entire industry, which has brought buyers into CVNA stock. Indeed, Josh Enomoto this month called CVNA one of the 7 best long-term stocks to buy and hold, not long after Luce Emerson detailed the bull case on this site.And there is an intriguing aspect to Carvana's model. But there are also a lot of losses: EBITDA margin for 2018 was negative 10%, with guidance for -3.5% to -5.5% in 2019. Even long-term targets of 8-13.5% suggest only modest profitability.As a result, CVNA might have its share of bulls, but it also has a heavy short interest. Some 56% of the admittedly thin float is sold short. Those shorts have been squeezed so far this year, likely contributing to the 100% gains in Carvana shares so far this year. But shorts make some good points: most notably that Carvana may be trying to take share in what is likely to be a declining market going forward. * 7 Digital Ad Stocks That Deserve Your Attention Right Now Meanwhile, CVNA may be one of the best performers in 2019 -- but it was one of the worst performers at the end of last year, losing more than half its value in a matter of months. If the market stumbles at all, Carvana stock probably takes a tumble. 10 Soaring Stocks to Sell: Wayfair (W)Source: Shutterstock There's an interesting parallel between Carvana and online furniture retailer Wayfair (NYSE:W). Both companies are trying to disrupt industries based on in-person selling through online-focused models. Neither company is profitable. Shorts are targeting both stocks, arguing that growth is being bought through below-market pricing that simply isn't sustainable.And both stocks have soared in 2019 after falling quickly last year. W stock hasn't quite matched that of its automotive peer, but it's gained a handsome 64% so far this year.Here, too, the gains look like too much. Given how cyclical the furniture industry is, investors truly have to trust the economy to assume that growth will continue. (That's true for Carvana as well, by the way.) And in year ten of an economic expansion, that seems dangerous. Cyclical stocks in the rest of the market are being valued as if earnings are near a peak. What does that mean for a cyclical company with no earnings at all? Conagra Brands (CAG)Source: Shutterstock Four months ago, Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG) seemed to be in disarray. Investors were fleeing CAG stock, which hit a six-year low in late December. A cut to 2019 guidance raised questions about growth, and even Conagra's ability to service debt raised in its acquisition of Pinnacle Foods.Sentiment toward the CPG (consumer packaged goods) sector didn't help. The plunge at industry leader Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC) cast a shadow over the entire industry. Consumer tastes simply seemed to be moving away from companies like Conagra and Kraft Heinz.That sentiment seems to have reversed -- at least in the case of Conagra. CAG stock has gained 44% so far this year. (KHC stock continues to fall, however.) A strong Q3 earnings report certainly helped the cause. But the broader worries here hardly seem assuaged. Grocery store customers like Kroger (NYSE:KR) still are struggling, and still trying to push private-label items in a bid to protect margins. Brands like Chef Boyardee, frozen dinner nameplate Marie Callender's, and Slim Jim don't seem likely to drive much growth, particularly among millennials. * 7 Strong Buy Stocks the Street Loves And while investors cheered Q3 results, Conagra cut full-year organic sales growth guidance to just 1%. That's simply not enough to drive profit growth -- or to support even a seemingly modest 15x P/E multiple. Unless that growth improves, at some point the fears that dogged CAG just a few months ago are likely to return. Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD)Source: Paul Sableman via FlickrKHC and CAG weren't the only consumer stocks to plunge in 2018. Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) stock fell 39% in 2018. Slowing growth, debt worries, and a halved dividend drove the selling pressure.Here too, a decent but not spectacular earnings report has helped the cause. BUD has bounced sharply in 2019, rising 36%. But the gains seem like far too much. The problems dogging the stock haven't gone anywhere. Beer demand could take a hit from cannabis legalization. Sales already are slowing: shares of other beer plays like Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM) and Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ,STZ.B) have struggled as a result. And Anheuser-Busch's debt load, even with the dividend cut, remains a concern.There is a case that BUD fell too far toward the end of 2018. This remains a global company with hugely valuable brands. But even if BUD was too cheap at the end of 2018, the current price suggests investors have forgotten why the sell-off even happened. Apple (AAPL)Source: Apple In the near term, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) still may have more room to run. The stock still sits 12% off all-time highs reached in October. AAPL stock only has a few points to go to return to the $1 trillion market capitalization it first reached in August. The company still has a huge cash hoard for buybacks, and a 16x forward P/E multiple hardly seems aggressive.That said, there are multiple concerns here. For all the hype about the services business, the iPhone still drives over 60% of sales, and it's headed in the wrong direction. Replacement cycles are lengthening, pricing is probably maxed out, and the company still has a problem in China. The recent settlement with Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) doesn't help the cause, either. * Why These Are the Top 2 Pot Stocks to Buy Right Now This still seems like a company whose earnings likely have peaked, and that suggests AAPL stock could be, and should be, cheaper. Indeed, that's how investors saw it just a few months ago -- and while AAPL stock has gained 30% this year, it's hard to see what has changed their mind so quickly. Under Armour (UAA)Source: Shutterstock Back in December, Under Armour (NYSE:UA,UAA) announced five-year targets at its Investor Day. Investors clearly were disappointed: UAA stock plunged on the news.Under Armour stock now has gained 37% from December lows, and the obvious question is: why? Q4 earnings were in line. Guidance was within expectations. Commentary from retail partners about holiday sales hardly seemed particularly bullish for UAA. Nothing really has changed since December - except for the Under Armour share price.UAA now trades at 45x next year's earnings. Margins should expand, but they're thin to begin with. Revenue growth isn't good enough. And competition from Nike (NYSE:NKE) and adidas (OTCMKTS:ADDYY) isn't going anywhere.At this point, investors are valuing Under Armour as if management is being too pessimistic. There's very little in the company's operating history to suggest that will be the case. GoPro (GPRO)Source: GoPro Even with a pullback in recent sessions, GoPro (NASDAQ:GPRO) has gained 48% so far this year. Like so many stocks to sell on this list -- and in this market -- the gains are amplified by just far the stock had fallen. GPRO touched an all-time low in December.There is some hope for a turnaround, as I detailed last year. But I wrote this week that even some turnaround looks priced in. GoPro dominates its markets, which is a problem, because it can't take share. Cost-cutting has run its course. This looks like a company unlikely to grow earnings much, if at all -- yet it's again priced for growth. * 10 High-Yielding Dividend Stocks That Won't Wilt More broadly, this is a company that's disappointed before. But like so many stocks on this list, investors seem to be forgetting -- or ignoring -- the risks, and focusing only on the potential rewards. At this point, with GPRO stock, even those rewards don't seem likely to result in much more in the way of upside.As of this writing, Vince Martin has no positions in any securities mentioned. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 High-Yielding Dividend Stocks That Won't Wilt * 4 Energy Stocks Soaring as Trump Tightens on Iran * 7 Tech Stocks With Too Much Risk, Not Enough Upside Compare Brokers The post 10 Stocks to Sell Before They Give Back 2019 Gains appeared first on InvestorPlace.
The global medical device space takes significant strides in terms of research and development (R&D) and regulatory progress in the first quarter.
CALGARY , April 23, 2019 /CNW/ - High Tide Inc. ("High Tide" or the "Company") (HITI.CN) (HTDEF) (2LY.F), an Alberta -based, retail-focused cannabis corporation enhanced by the manufacturing and wholesale distribution of smoking accessories and cannabis lifestyle products, today announced approximately $441,000 in systemwide gross revenues ("Sales") from April 19th to 21st, 2019 , which is a 234% increase over the $132,000 reported for the same three-day period in 2018. This record result was generated from the Company's 13 Canna Cabana-branded stores including the two partnered Ontario locations in Hamilton and Sudbury that opened on April 20th , from its 13 Smoker's Corner locations across Canada , as well as from the Grasscity, Famous Brandz and Smoker's Corner e-commerce websites.
This marijuana stock has been initiated at, or downgraded to, the equivalent of a sell rating four times in less than two months.
CORAL GABLES, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 22, 2019 / Investors should be paying close attention to the cannabis industry right now. Currently, recreational marijuana is now legal in 10 US states & medical marijuana is legal in 33 US States. Today we are highlighting: Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC) / (TSX:WEED.TO), Aphria Inc. (APHA), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (ACB), Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc. (LBUY).
Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) (Frankfurt: 21P) has signed a binding letter of intent with Hempco Food and Fiber (TSX-V: HEMP) to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Hempco. Under the deal, Aurora will pay C$1.04 per share, payable in common shares, totaling around C$63.4 million. Currently, Aurora owns about […]The post Aurora Cannabis Agrees to Acquire All Hempco Shares appeared first on Market Exclusive.
Ever since the cannabis craze hit Wall Street back in mid-2018, I've been pounding on the table saying that the best marijuana stock to buy in the group is Canopy Growth (NYSE:CGC). The logic is simple: In addition to being the biggest player in the industry, CGC stock has long had one thing that no other cannabis company has -- $4 billion in cash from Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ).Source: Shutterstock That $4 billion gives Canopy unprecedented visibility into being one of the industry's long-term winners through early, aggressive, and large investments. As such, I have consistently reasoned that CGC stock belongs in every cannabis-related portfolio.This bull thesis got a big boost in mid-April. Canopy struck a deal with major U.S. cannabis operator Acreage to buy that company for $3.4 billion once cannabis is legalized nationwide in the U.S.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsFor those who don't follow this industry closely, that's a big deal. Canopy is the star player in the legal Canadian cannabis market. But the Canadian market is peanuts. The big deal here is the U.S. market. Depending on who you ask, that market is about tenfold the size of the Canadian market.Thus, the big question for Canopy and other Canadian pot stocks is whether or not these companies can replicate their success in the U.S. * 7 Strong Buy Stocks the Street Loves Canopy just answered that question in emphatic fashion, and the market is reacting favorably. CGC stock popped roughly 10% on the news.In the big picture, thanks to a $4 billion early investment from Constellation Brands, Canopy has given itself unprecedented visibility into being a long-term cannabis market leader. Right now, following the Acreage deal, that visibility is as strong as ever. Consequently, the long-term bull thesis for CGC is likewise as strong as ever. The Acreage Acquisition Is Big NewsThere's a reason CGC popped 10% in response to the company agreeing to acquire Acreage. In plain English, it positions the company to fully capitalize on the $100 billion U.S. cannabis market from the onset.First, some context. The whole Wall Street cannabis craze has been largely centered around one thing: the nationwide legalization of cannabis in Canada in late 2018. Roughly speaking, that single catalyst turned the big four Canadian pot stocks -- Canopy, Aurora (NYSE:ACB), Tilray (NASDAQ:TLRY) and Cronos (NASDAQ:CRON) -- from relatively unknown companies to Wall Street household names with multi-billion dollar market caps.But, while Canadian market legalization was the catalyst, it wasn't the prize. The prize here is the U.S. market, which most estimates put at a $100 billion opportunity, versus $10 billion in Canada. The consensus thesis is that, with cannabis fully legal throughout Canada and hemp legal throughout the U.S., it's only a matter of time before cannabis is fully legal across the entire U.S. The big question is whether or not Canadian cannabis giants like Canopy will be able to capitalize on the big U.S. opportunity when it comes knocking.Canopy just answered that question. By agreeing to acquire Acreage -- a major U.S. cannabis operator with dozens of dispensaries and cultivation sites across 20 states -- Canopy has positioned itself to capitalize on the $100 billion U.S. cannabis market opportunity from the onset. That is, as soon as cannabis is fully legal across the U.S., Canopy will be everywhere through Acreage -- and ready to dominate the U.S. market like it's dominated the Canadian market.That's a big deal. Indeed, it paves the path for CGC to head materially higher in a long-term window. Canopy Growth Stock Has Long-Term UpsideMy long-term bull thesis on Canopy Growth stock is that, if this company can successfully maintain its leadership position as the cannabis industry goes global and matures, then this is a $100 billion company in the making. With more visibility than ever to U.S. market domination, that long-term bull thesis looks about as good as ever.The details of my analysis behind the $100 billion number can be found here. But the short recap is pretty easy to understand. At scale, given current consumption trends, the recreational cannabis market could one day be as big as the alcoholic beverage and tobacco markets. What's more, if you consider the medical opportunity, then the aggregate global cannabis market will easily one day be as big as, if not bigger than, the alcoholic beverage and tobacco markets.The top dogs in those two industries have $100 billion-plus market caps. Witness Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD) or Altira (NYSE:MO). Thus, it's only reasonable to assume that the top dogs in the global cannabis industry at scale will be $100 billion-plus companies too.Given its early leadership position, huge financial resources, aggressive management team, large growing capacity, and global distribution network, Canopy has all the tools necessary to turn into a top dog in the global cannabis industry in a decade. Now, Canopy also has visibility to be a top dog in the U.S. market. Thus, this company continues to take steps towards securing global leadership.So long as the company remains on that path, CGC stock will remain on an uptrend towards a $100 billion valuation. * 10 Dividend Growth Stocks You Can't Miss Bottom Line on CGC StockThere are a lot of pot stocks out there, but none of them have as much long-term visibility as Canopy Growth. Given this, if you're buying into the cannabis industry with a multi-year horizon, CGC stock is the best pick in the industry, without question.As of this writing, Luke Lango was long CGC and ACB. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 5 Dividend Stocks Perfect for Retirees * 7 Reasons the Stock Market Rally Isn't Over Yet * 10 S&P 500 Stocks to Weather the Earnings Storm Compare Brokers The post This Is Why Canopy Growth Is the Best Pot Stock appeared first on InvestorPlace.
HENDERSON, NV / ACCESSWIRE / April 22, 2019 / Bank of America analyst, Christopher Carey, has begun coverage of the cannabis industry with a note Wednesday naming Hexo Corp. (HEXO) as the firm's top pick ...
EDMONTON , April 18, 2019 /CNW/ - Calling all Canadian budtenders! Aurora Cannabis is kicking off the search for Canada's Top Budmaster ™ through a national competition that will recognize cannabis professionals across the country who are guiding consumers as they navigate the new world of legal cannabis. Through a series of skills-based and knowledge-testing events, as well as through digital competitions, Canada's budtender community will be able to demonstrate their expertise in cultivar characteristics and histories, product categories and formats, exceptional customer service, and must also showcase how they contribute to the community and culture. As Canada's first legal 420 holiday approaches, it's time to recognize the women and men in cannabis retail stores who educate consumers every day.
CALGARY , April 22, 2019 /CNW/ - High Tide Inc. ("High Tide" or the "Company") (HITI.CN) (HTDEF) (2LY.F), an Alberta -based, retail-focused cannabis corporation enhanced by the manufacturing and wholesale distribution of smoking accessories and cannabis lifestyle products, today announced that it has closed the first tranche of the sale of unsecured convertible debentures (the "Debentures") of the Company under the non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") previously announced on April 10, 2019 , with gross proceeds of $8,360,000 to date. High Tide intends to close a second and final tranche of the Offering for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $15,000,000 , which has been increased from the original amount of $10,000,000 due to strong investor demand. The outstanding principal amount under the Debentures is convertible at any time before maturity and at the option of the holder, into common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a conversion price of $0.75 per Share.
One of the big themes in the cannabis sector in 2019 has been increased Wall Street coverage. Specifically, Wall Street firms were largely unwilling to cover cannabis stocks in 2018 given the industry's relative newness, rampant investor speculation and lack of fundamental tangibility. But, things have changed for marijuana stocks in 2019. The industry is less new. There's less speculation. The fundamentals have become significantly more tangible. As such, Wall Street firms have more broadly launched coverage on pot stocks in 2019.Source: Shutterstock One big firm that just initiated coverage on pot stocks is Bank of America. Their take? Of the Big Four pot stocks -- Canopy Growth (NYSE:CGC), Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB), Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON) and Tilray (NASDAQ:TLRY) -- the only two worth buying right now are Canopy and Aurora.This isn't an isolated viewpoint. According to TipRanks data, 10 analysts cover CGC stock, while eight analysts cover ACB stock. Of those 18 ratings between CGC and ACB, none of them are Sell ratings. Instead, the consensus rating on CGC stock is "Moderate Buy" while on ACB stock, it's "Strong Buy."InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsMeanwhile, a third of the nine analysts who cover CRON stock have a "Sell" rating on the shares. The consensus rating is a "Hold." Half of the 10 analysts that cover TLRY stock have a "Sell" rating on the name. The consensus rating on TLRY is a "Hold," too.In other words, the broad consensus among Wall Street firms is that when it comes to the cannabis space, investors should buy CGC and ACB, and forget about CRON and TLRY for the time being. I largely agree with consensus Wall Street view. Here's why. Why Buy CGC Stock?The plain answer here is you buy CGC stock because this company has the most visibility today among all pot stocks to one day transform into a long term market leader. * 7 High-Risk Stocks With Big Potential Rewards Canopy has everything you'd want in an early-stage leader in a big-growth market. Sales leadership? They dwarf everyone else in the space when it comes revenues. Growth? They are growing just about as fast as anyone in the space, despite a much bigger base. Production leadership? They sell far more kilograms of cannabis than anyone else, and have among the largest production footprints in the world. Market expansion? They are pushing aggressively into the U.S. hemp market. Confident leadership? CEO Bruce Linton just said that Canopy will generate over C$1 billion ($748 million) in sales over the next 12 months. Celebrity connections? They have ties with Seth Rogen, Snoop Dogg, and Martha Stewart.Above all else, though, Canopy has the financial resources and firepower to sustain and even grow its early lead. A few quarters ago, alcoholic beverage giant Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) poured $4 billion into Canopy. The company still has $3 billion of that left on the balance sheet. That's almost double what any of its competitors have in terms of cash on hand.While 2018 saw a blockbuster year (with nearly $14 billion raised) for cannabis investments, 2019 is on pace to blow past that total, according to cannabis research provider New Frontier Data. Click to EnlargeThus, Canopy has far more firepower than anyone else in this space to invest in growth opportunities, expand operations, expand production, acquire smaller players, so on and so forth. As such, the company does reasonably project as a long-term leader in the global cannabis market, and that's why buying CGC stock today makes sense. Why Buy ACB Stock?The plain answer here is you buy ACB stock because this is the cheapest pot stock in the group for reasons that are most likely temporary.On a pure valuation basis, ACB stock is as cheap as it gets in the cannabis space. Across every metric -- trailing sales, forward sales, market cap per kilogram, annualized revenue -- ACB stock is considerably cheaper than its peers. We are talking a 20%+ undervaluation gap. * 7 Stocks to Buy for Spring Season Growth This relative undervaluation has nothing to do with operating fundamentals. Aurora is big, with the second-largest sales base in the market behind Canopy. The company controls about 20% of the Canadian adult-use market. They also have tremendous production capacity (Aurora has 500,000 kilograms per year in funded capacity) and gross profit margins are among some of the healthiest in the business.Instead, the relative undervaluation in ACB stock has to do with balance sheet. Specifically, unlike peers Canopy and Cronos, Aurora hasn't scored a big investment from a consumer staples giant. Thus, the balance sheet isn't overflowing with billions of dollars to help fund growth. Instead, Aurora has just over $100 million in cash on hand.This won't last forever. Aurora is a big and leading company in the rapid growth cannabis space. The stock is also trading at a huge discount to peers. Thus, it truly is only a matter of time before some big consumer staples company pumps a billion bucks in here, or more. When that happens, the relative undervaluation gap will disappear, and ACB stock will rally in a big way. Bottom Line on CGC Stock and ACB StockThe cannabis sector reeks of long-term potential. But, a lot will happen between now, and when the market matures, and that means that investors need to choose wisely when investing in pot stocks this early in the game.Investment translation? Only buy CGC stock and ACB stock. There are very good reasons to own those two pot stocks here and now, and they should rally over the next several quarters.As of this writing, Luke Lango was long CGC and ACB. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 5 Dividend Stocks Perfect for Retirees * 7 Reasons the Stock Market Rally Isn't Over Yet * 10 S&P 500 Stocks to Weather the Earnings Storm Compare Brokers The post Why These Are the Top 2 Pot Stocks to Buy Right Now appeared first on InvestorPlace.
Pot stocks may have cooled off in recent months but the industry is still hot and Bank of America Merrill Lynch expects it to get hotter as it reaches maturity. "We expect all companies to deliver attractive growth over the next few years, reflecting a low base and strong demand in a newly created legal cannabis markets, namely Canada," Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst Christopher Carey wrote in a note. Part of the reason for the industry's cool down in recent months is that the short-term growth story for many companies has gone up in smoke.
Canopy's $3.4 billion purchase of Acreage Holdings is unlike anything Wall Street or investors have ever seen.
Amy Margolis identified a problem in the burgeoning Oregon cannabis industry, so she set out to solve it. The problem? Despite the industry’s newness and the encouraging early statistics about gender equity, a glass ceiling has developed in the cannabis business.
Ah, the magic of analyst ratings! After a tough month in April, cannabis firm Hexo (NYSEAmerican:HEXO) suddenly reversed course after Bank of America analyst Christopher Carey initiated coverage. Sizing up the risk and reward profile, Carey assigned a "buy" rating on Hexo stock with a $10 price target.Source: Shutterstock The news couldn't have come at a better time. While cannabis stocks offer tremendous upside because they essentially materialize an industry that previously never existed, they're also incredibly volatile. Because this is an unprecedented sector, many investors are unsure how to approach a company like HEXO.As such, I mentioned earlier that I liked Hexo stock, even compared to relative heavyweight Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB). Unfortunately, the aforementioned volatility in cannabis stocks disproportionately impacted HEXO, sending my recommendation toward a quick grave. But thanks to Carey, this bad boy gained nearly 12% on Wednesday.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Stocks to Buy for Spring Season Growth Of course, by the time that you're reading this, this dramatic burst in Hexo stock is in the past. Do newcomers still have a chance in riding this promising, but wild bull? Underappreciated Elements Support Hexo StockThe best way I can characterize Hexo stock is as a diamond in the rough. I believe the organization has the right components in place to make a solid run. However, the credibility issues that stymie virtually all cannabis stocks will pressure HEXO. At the end of the day, it comes down to your risk tolerance.But if you're willing to take that leap, Carey argues that this weed play deserves your attention. Primarily, HEXO stock is undervalued relative to its peers. Of course, in the marijuana sector, "undervalued" is an extremely relative term. That said, many cannabis stocks have hit nosebleed levels. Therefore, HEXO at least on paper provides some assurance of future room for growth.Next, the BofA analyst mentioned that Hexo stock is levered toward a "de-risked" Canadian cannabis market. Although I wouldn't use that term specifically, I see his point. Our northern neighbors paved the way for other western and developed nations to adopt tolerant policies. While this broader dynamic is building out, management has time to hone its craft.Finally, Carey mentioned "value-add partnerships" that go beyond the scope of Hexo's existent relationship with Molson Coors Brewing (NYSE:TAP). I agree. Cannabis stocks can branch out into subsegments of the broader categories of recreational and medicinal usage. However, let's not gloss over the Molson partnership as it holds a significant key for growth.Naturally, the idea here is for Hexo and Molson to developed cannabidiol (CBD)-infused drinks. Now, CBD itself is a tailwind for the industry as it offers non-psychoactive exposure to the cannabis plant. In other words, it's a lot easier to introduce people to weed through a drink rather than a joint. Upgrade Suggests Rising Credibility for Cannabis StocksIndeed, Hexo's Molson partnership has advantages over an expected synergy like Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON) and Altria Group (NYSE:MO). I don't think I can ever get my parents to smoke marijuana. But to drink it in a form that won't get them stoned? That's infinitely more palatable and more socially acceptable.Invariably, that had to enter BofA's thinking process when deciding to go bullish on Hexo stock. But just the fact that the big bank is even considering cannabis stocks is a major sign. It gives the industry significant credibility, and it suggests a very viable environment in the future.While we here in the U.S. have also warmed to varying degrees of legalization, most banks won't finance cannabis-related businesses. Why? Because it comes down to that nasty roadblock called Schedule I. Despite individual state laws, cannabis falls under strict federal guidelines.Sure, we've made progress in this department, too. For instance, the 2018 farm bill won consensus at a time when bipartisanship no longer exists. And major conservative figures have more or less voiced support for full legalization.Nevertheless, that Schedule I classification remains on the books for marijuana. Unless the federal government officially extinguishes it, most banks won't touch cannabis stocks. * 5 Dividend Stocks Perfect for Retirees And while BofA isn't necessarily diving into the sector with open arms, it's essentially giving you the green light to do so. Look, Hexo stock is a risky play no matter how you cut it. But if you've got the nerve, I'd read between the lines.As of this writing, Josh Enomoto did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 Stocks to Buy for Spring Season Growth * This Is How You Beat Back a Bear Market * 7 Dental Stocks to Buy That Will Make You Smile Compare Brokers The post If You Can Tolerate Risk, Hexo Stock Is a Buy appeared first on InvestorPlace.


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24i bolsters commercial management | Major Businesses | Business | News
As a member of the 24i executive team, Read will now be responsible for expanding the company’s market presence and strengthening what the company says is its global reputation as a streaming innovator.
“Andrew has an ideal cross-section of market experience – from start-ups to acquisitions – that will help us to evolve and scale the business,” said 24i CEO Neale Foster commenting on the appointment. “His unique combination of market and business expertise really resonates with customers and builds trust. This is an exciting phase for the company and Andrew is a great addition to the team as we continue our global expansion.”
“24i is well positioned to address the growing need for data-driven video delivery. We are able to cost-effectively provide personalised TV experiences to help our customers differentiate in their markets, which is a key driver for their success,” added Read. “Our success is intrinsically linked to our customer’s success, which is why we want to invest in developing long-lasting and high-value customer relationships. I am excited to be part of this journey,”

domain: news


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Cable guys like to pooh-pooh the concept of cord cutters, saying that the numbers are small and that the economy is the driving force. But a new study from Credit Suisse is bound to make pay-TV operators sit up and take notice: 37 percent of Netflix users between the ages of 25 and 34 use Netflix streaming services instead of pay TV, and another 30 percent of subscribers between 18 and 24 also have cut the cord.
"Netflix's low cost, subscription streaming service (with improving content) is our biggest worry and could become ‘good enough' for consumers with moderate income and TV usage to use as a substitute for pay TV," said a Credit Suisse analyst in a major report on the entertainment industry.
Credit Suisse said "Big Media" has the ability to control its own destiny, but it has a small window in which to do so. "The major U.S. entertainment conglomerates control approximately 70 percent of all TV viewing through its various broadcast, basic cable and premium TV networks and channels. And, content remains the lifeblood for distribution systems," Credit Suisse said.
Jon Najarian, co-founder of TradeMonster.com, in an interview with CNBC, said "The Netflix story just works."
- see this article
Cord cutting: Numbers up, and accelerating as more turn to web
Apple TV, connected TVs create more cord-cutting worries for pay-TV operators
Cutting the cord - is OTT the wave of the future?
Analyst: IPTV is the best defense against cord cutters


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YAKIMA, WA - The Yakima Valley is known for its agriculture, and with spring right around the corner the question is: is the cold impacting produce?
The folks at Owen Roe Winery say there is no impact yet, but if the cold weather continues there will be.
"So our biggest worry is that this cold temperature will last longer than anticipated," said Brandon Burns, sales associate at Owen Roe.
At this moment Burns says the only delay they are having is with pruning the vines.
Other than that he says the cold is actually helping, "A good way to say it is, it let's the vines rest. So they go into a dormancy over winter and having this cold keeps them, kinda helps them rejuvenate and get themselves ready again for spring time."
If the cold weather continues Burns says that would delay harvest, which would then create a trickle down effect all the way down to the bottle.
"If we ended up pushing out harvest too late and we did get frost and lost some grapes, then we're gonna cut down to on how much tonnage we can bring in, which will then affect how much wine we can make and affect profits at that point," said Burns.
Burns says that when temperatures are in the single digits for an extended period of time it can also damage the vines.


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Ducati will unveil a new Multistrada 1260 GT later this year, a higher-specification GT variant which will have Ducati's latest advanced rider assistance system, in the form of radar-assisted cruise control.
In addition to touring accessories, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 GT will feature the latest radar-assisted cruise control system.
The new Multistrada 1260 GT is expected to be unveiled later this year, possibly at the EICMA show in Milan, and to be introduced as a 2020 model.
Ducati is working on several other hi-tech safety systems as part of the brand's strategy called "Safety Road Map 2025" under which several new advanced rider assistance systems will be introduced, including the radar-based cruise control system.
The new radar-based cruise control will be used in the L-twin format, and not the upcoming V4-engine Multistrada that Ducati is already working on.
The 1260GT will be a more touring-focussed version of the current Ducati Multistrada 1260, and we expect the new model to be introduced in India as well, possibly sometime in mid-2020.
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Revamped IBM mainframe designed to ‘thwart’ cyber-crime
After making mainframes for 55 years, the company’s new model works with hybrid clouds and can be customised for each client
New York — IBM is introducing a revamped mainframe server geared to combating cyber-crime across public and private cloud services.
Mainframes are the world’s most powerful computers and one of IBM’s signature hardware products. The latest model, z15, was launched on Thursday and is designed with extra-secure privacy capabilities to help businesses shift critical data onto multiple cloud networks, known as hybrid cloud.
“We read in the press every day about data breaches that happen because of cyber-crime and that our personal information and business information is being stolen and used against us,” said Ross Mauri, GM of IBM Z, the company’s mainframe program. “This mainframe is specifically designed to completely thwart that.”
Moving data between third parties is often the root cause of privacy breaches, Mauri said. In 2018, about 60% of businesses reported they suffered a data breach caused by a vendor or third party, according to research by risk management company Opus and Ponemon Institute.
Through z15, businesses are able to control who can access their data — and revoke that access at any time. They will also be able to enforce their own internal privacy policies, creating different views of their data for different employees and teams, even if they are using multiple private and public cloud providers, the company said in a statement.
“This has never been done before,” Mauri said. “From the privacy point of view, this is a game changer.”
IBM created the first mainframe computer about 55 years ago. Today they run everything from credit card transactions to airline reservation systems for two thirds of Fortune 100 companies. Each mainframe is custom-built and can cost anywhere from $500,000 to $3m, depending on a client’s business requirements. On average, IBM upgrades its mainframe Z system every two-and-a-half years.
Mike Chuba, an analyst at Gartner, said IBM is moving beyond introducing its new mainframes as just faster and more efficient computers. Instead, it’s connecting the upgrade to the company’s overall business strategy. “This is a big shift away from the traditional speeds and feeds focus of these announcements.”
IBM is interlocking the z15 to the hybrid cloud, in a bid to boost its $34bn acquisition of open-source software maker Red Hat. After lagging in the cloud market for more than a decade, IBM is pegging its future to a hybrid cloud strategy that will allow it to offer services on companies’ private clouds and also third-party public clouds.
The 108-year-old tech giant has been struggling to adopt cloud-related technologies and has weathered almost seven straight years of shrinking revenue. Mainframe sales make up about 10% of IBM’s overall sales, according to a 2018 annual report.


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- Six of seven Super Bowl car ads featured EVs.
- But only 9% of passenger vehicle sales globally are EVs, Canalys said.
- Of the 6.5 million EVs sold in 2021, 3.2 million EVs were sold in 2021 to mainland China, 2.3 million EVs were sold in Europe, and 535,000 were in the United States.
Those ad dollars are a sign of where the car industry is going, but don't reflect where car sales stand right now: Only 9% of total global passenger car sales were electric vehicles, according to new research published Monday from market research company Canalys.
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In 2021, 6.5 million EVs were sold worldwide, according to Canalys. That includes fully electric and plug-in hybrid passenger cars and represents 109% growth over 2020.
By comparison, the total global passenger car market grew 4% in 2021, Canalys said.
That means the electric vehicle market is growing at more than 25 times the pace of the car market overall, but it's still only a small piece of the total.
Of the 6.5 million EVs sold in 2021, 3.2 million EVs were sold in 2021 to mainland China and 2.3 million EVs in Europe.
"In many European countries EVs represented more than a quarter of new cars sold," said Ashwin Amberkar, analyst at Canalys, in the report. "But customers must be patient. A nine to 12 month wait time for a new EV is not unusual."
The United States is a much smaller market for EVs, in comparison. Only 535,000 cars, representing about 4% of new cars sold in the United States, were electric.
Tesla has a stronghold on EV sales in the United States, with almost 60% of EV sales in the US going to Elon Musk's car company.
"The competition's EV sales are nowhere near Tesla's in the US since Model 3 shipments ramped up in 2018," Chris Jones, vice president and chief analyst at Canalys, said in the report. "Tesla even outsells many premium car brands in the overall market."
With its massive footprint in EV sales in the United States, Tesla has a slight edge over the rest of the EV market globally: 14% of global EV sales were Tesla, followed by Volkswagen Group with a 12% global EV market share.


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Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc and one of the most influential figures in the tech industry, recently announced on Twitter that he had found a new chief executive for Twitter. While this news was initially well-received, with Tesla’s shares rising by over 2%, the excitement was short-lived as the shares fell by 2.3% the following day. The news has raised questions about the potential implications for both Twitter and Tesla.
Impact on Tesla Shares
The announcement made by Elon Musk about the new Twitter CEO had a mixed impact on Tesla’s shares. The initial reaction was positive, with the shares rising by more than 2% on Thursday. However, the excitement was short-lived as the shares fell by 2.3% the following day. The decline was attributed to concerns over Musk’s involvement in multiple companies and his tendency to make unexpected announcements on Twitter.
Some analysts also suggested that Musk’s announcement may have distracted investors from Tesla’s recent earnings report, which showed a decline in profits. Tesla’s profits fell by 44% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period last year, due to supply chain disruptions and increased competition in the electric vehicle market. While Musk’s announcement may have generated some positive sentiment in the short term, it remains to be seen whether it will have a long-term impact on Tesla’s shares.
Implications for Twitter
The appointment of Linda Yaccarino as Twitter’s new CEO has raised expectations for the social media platform. Yaccarino is a highly respected executive who previously served as the chairman of advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal. She is expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to Twitter, particularly in the areas of advertising and content partnerships.
Yaccarino’s appointment has also raised hopes that Twitter may be able to compete more effectively with other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. Twitter has struggled in recent years to attract new users and generate revenue growth, and its stock price has lagged behind its competitors. Yaccarino’s focus on advertising and partnerships may be exactly what the company needs to turn things around.
However, there are also concerns about the potential for conflict between Yaccarino and Musk. Musk has a large following on Twitter and is known for his outspoken and controversial tweets. There is a risk that his tweets could harm Twitter’s reputation or even lead to regulatory action against the company. It remains to be seen how Yaccarino will manage this risk and whether she will be able to work effectively with Musk.
Elon Musk’s announcement about the new Twitter CEO has generated a great deal of interest and speculation in the tech industry. While the news was initially well-received, with Tesla’s shares rising by over 2%, the excitement was short-lived as the shares fell by 2.3% the following day. The appointment of Linda Yaccarino as Twitter’s new CEO has raised hopes that the company may be able to compete more effectively with its competitors and generate revenue growth. However, there are also concerns about the potential for conflict between Yaccarino and Musk, particularly given his history of controversial tweets. It remains to be seen how this will play out and what the implications will be for both Twitter and Tesla.


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Golden Discs are to open a new shop this Saturday 17th June, at 34 Cruises Street in Limerick. The chains cites it as “(continuing) the unprecedented expansion of Golden Discs”, after the launches of The Vinyl Lounge in Cork and their new flagship in Dundrum Town Centre. That adds to Steamboat’s recent addition to Limerick, who address the opening below.
Golden Discs’ history in the town stretches back, with previous outlets in Arthurs Quay, Crescent and Jetland Shopping Centres, and the former Todds, now a Brown Thomas.
Says spokesperson Emma Harney, “after an eight-year absence Golden Discs will take prime position on the main pedestrian shopping street in the city, and to celebrate, this weekend the store will have special discounts across various product lines.”
“Limerick has a strong musical heritage, with renowned artists including The Cranberries, Hermitage Green and this year’s Choice Music Prize winners, Rusangano Family all hailing from the city. Golden Discs will support local artists by hosting instore gigs and appearances, starting this month with Anna’s Anchor at 3pm on Saturday 24th June. Anna’s Anchor recently released their new single ‘Summer Camp’ from their debut album release Nautical Mile which will be on sale instore.”
The shop is mooted to carry the usual range of major-label music, film, and pop-culture merchandise, continuing their vinyl expansion with a full offering of back-catalogue and new releases.
Stephen Fitzgerald, CEO of Golden Discs, said, ‘We are thrilled to return to the city and are looking forward to once again being part of the thriving and vibrant Limerick music scene.’
The chain’s opening in the area has not gone unacknowledged by the city’s scene, with Mark Carey, head of independent record and instrument emporium Steamboat Music remarking on the shop’s Facebook page: “We wish Golden Discs all the best with their expansion into Limerick but make no mistake, we’ll be the first to critique how they handle local artists.”
The shop is recruiting part-time staff, with local music and film heads encouraged to hand in CVs.


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Apple Watch Series 8 could have an entirely new design with a flat screen, according to Macrumors. This information was recently provided on the social media platform Twitter by the account “ShrimpApplePro.”
Apple Watch Series 8 will feature a flat design with three different models
Jon Prosser claims in his recent video on YouTube channel Front Page Tech that Apple Watch Series 8 will have a flat screen. The Apple Watch Series 7 was previously speculated to sport a similar look, but it never materialized.
Prosser started a rumor in May of last year that Apple was working on a new Apple Watch with flat, square sides. CAD drawings of this device were later shared by several sites.
Prosser speculated at the time that this design could be for the Apple Watch Series 7. He did not rule out the possibility that it will emerge later on the Apple Watch Series 8.
Apple Watch Series 7 was released in September with a rounded-corner design. Flat screens will also debut on a new range of Apple goods, according to the insider, including the iPhone 14.
Apple is expected to release three new Apple Watch models this year, including the Apple Watch Series 8, the second-generation Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Explorer Edition for outdoor athletes. The flat bezel design may be used on any of these new models, according to Prosser.
In the Apple rumor community, ShrimpApplePro is becoming increasingly well-known. This account previously offered a first look at the iPhone 14 Pro’s “piece and hole” True Depth camera array. ShrimpApplePro anticipated the Apple Watch Series 7 would have the same rounded shape as the Apple Watch Series 6, but with slimmer bezels, last year.
As a result of the new knowledge, Prosser has revealed Ian Zelbo renders of the Apple Watch Series 8 with a flat bezel design. Body temperature monitoring is believed to be included in the Apple Watch Series 8. The activity tracking features may be upgraded in this version as well.


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Solana Ventures, Forte, and Griffin Gaming Partners announced they will invest $150 million in blockchain games.
The aim is to invest in Web 3 game makers who are creating decentralized games on the Solana blockchain. Such games often use nonfungible tokens (NFTs) that use the transparency and security of the digital ledger of blockchain to authenticate unique digital items.
NFTs have taken off in the past year and crypto-focused game companies have seen big successes with NFT games such as Axie Infinity. Now the established game developers are taking notice and moving into the NFT games market for new ways of monetizing digital items.
Solana Ventures is the strategic investment arm of Solana Labs, the creator of the Solana blockchain ecosystem that is popular with games. Griffin Gaming partners has one of the largest funds for invest in games, and Forte provides the infrastructure and regulatory compliance for game companies that want to move into blockchain games quickly. Forte recently raised $725 million in its own funding.
“The ecosystem is still defining what the intersection of blockchain and gaming looks like,” said Matthew Beck, partner at Solana Ventures, in a statement. “And I’m delighted to partner with Forte and Griffin Gaming Partners to help support this new generation of game designers and builders.”
In blockchain-enabled games, players can truly own goods, rather than making pure entertainment expenditures, since their digital items can be authenticated. Players around the world can freely trade goods and services with each other and can participate in community economies that reward creativity, collaboration, and skill. These new systems provide game players and communities all around the world with new creative and economic opportunities.
“Gaming and interactive media would not be a cornerstone of blockchain today if it weren’t for the many technical developments the community has accomplished in the past decade — Solana is a premier example, having helped pave the way with scalability and UX fit to match these demanding experiences,” said Pierre Planche, partner at Griffin Gaming Partners, in a statement.
Forte’s platform allows game publishers to easily integrate these blockchain technologies into their games, with products for seamless, embeddable token wallets, NFT minting and selling, payment rails, and other services built specifically for blockchain token economies and the management of digital and virtual assets.
“Blockchain is enabling publishers to engage with their player bases in innovative ways,” said Forte CEO Josh Williams, in a statement. “Where game developers once had to continuously create new content for players to consume as one-time purchases, with the advent of NFTs and other blockchain technologies, game developers can now offer their audiences real property rights and create self-sustaining and thriving economies within their games.”
Above: Griffin Gaming Partners, Solana Ventures, and Forte have teamed up on blockchain games.
Image Credit: Griffin Gaming Partners
He added, “Solana further pulls the future of blockchain gaming forward, as its ultra-fast and low-cost solutions ensure scalability, even at tens of thousands of transactions per second, making building games on Forte with Solana feasible and cost-effective for both developers and players. We are also honored to partner with Griffin Gaming Partners, which has an exemplary reputation in working with publishers to build the most forward-looking titles in the games industry.”
Griffin has invested over $400 million into gaming and Web 3 gaming-related companies over the past two years, including its lead investment in Forte’s best-in-class platform for blockchain gaming and balanced digital economies. Griffin is backed by over a dozen of the world’s premier gaming, media, and technology companies across Europe, the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East.
“Griffin is excited to continue to partner closely with Forte and Solana to help move the blockchain gaming ecosystem forward with a focus on the right technology, quality game-play, and long-term value,” said Nick Tuosto, cofounder of Griffin Gaming Partners, in a statement.
Solana is the world’s most performant blockchain, supporting 65,000 transactions per second, 400 millisecond block finality, and average transaction costs of $0.00025. The network is also extremely energy efficient, with transactions using less energy than two Google searches.
This is the second blockchain gaming-focused investment initiative Solana Ventures has announced, following a $100 million fund in collaboration with FTX and Lightspeed.


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'Diaspora tourism' set to grow
The influx of immigrants to the UK, many from eastern Europe, is presenting a new opportunity for the UK travel industry.
Net immigration to the UK is projected at 230,000 a year until 2012, and the World Travel Market Global Trends Report 2007 has identified 'diaspora tourism' as one of the key tourism trends of the next few years.
The WTM report, produced in partnership with market intelligence company Euromonitor, recognises three types of diaspora tourism - heritage, residential and festival.
"Heritage tourism is predominantly driven by diaspora tourists that wish to discover their ancestry and heritage," explains WTM chairman, Fiona Jeffery. Such tourists tend to travel back to their homeland from the UK for one or two weeks to trace their family routes and take language or culinary courses.
Residential tourists are typically eastern Europeans who plan to invest in property in their native country, while festival tourists travel home for major events and festivals such as Christmas, Easter, weddings and christenings.
The growth in low-cost airlines serving eastern Europe is helping to fuel diaspora tourism. Wizz Air is one such airline, offering flights from several UK airports including Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Liverpool, Belfast and Glasgow Prestwick to eastern European countries including Hungary, Poland and Romania.
Written by: Nick Purdom
Relax the night before your flight and book a great value airport hotel online from Holiday Extras


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Impulse Nutrition serves smoothies; Five Guys on Archer reopens soon
Published: Friday, August 1, 2014 at 12:53 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, August 1, 2014 at 12:53 p.m.
Correction: Impulse Nutrition, a nutrition bar that serves smoothies and herbal teas, has opened in the old Florida National Bank drive-thru that closed in the late 1980s following the bank’s purchase by First Union National Bank, now Wells Fargo Bank. An earlier version of this article misstated why the drive-thru had closed.
The old Florida National Bank drive-thru building at the corner of Northwest First Avenue and Northwest Second Street recently reopened as a nutrition bar that serves smoothies and herbal teas.
Impulse Nutrition first welcomed customers in mid-June. The business also offers nutrition counseling and wellness evaluations.
Smoothies come in 35 flavors and are all under 250 calories.
The 430-square-foot building doesn't have exercise machines, but the parking lot is used for exercises as part of Impulse's Get Fit Gainesville free exercise program.
“We've found that people, they're wanting to work out, but maybe they're scrimping on their nutrition because they've got to pay for the six months of gym membership,” said Perry Coughlin, who co-owns the store with his fiancée, Rosa Blaine. “We want to give away the fitness for free and teach them about nutrition because science has shown it's probably 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent fitness to keep people healthy.”
The store is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
An event celebrating the recent renovation is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the business. The $10 cover includes aloe shooters, herbal teas and smoothies, and music by the band Tuff Times.
Firefly seafood on the move
Firefly seafood restaurant has closed its Newberry location on Newberry Road to relocate.
A June 30 post on Firefly's Facebook page announced the closing. But the restaurant's website and phone number weren't working Thursday, so it wasn't clear where the move is to and when the reopening will happen.
Thurmond Realty has the former location at 25461 W. Newberry Road listed for sale for $199,990.
Tea spot coming to Crispers Plaza
Kung Fu Tea is expected to open by September in the former Cycle Therapy space at 3102 SW 34th St.
“Kung Fu Tea is a very popular drink now for the young-people market,” owner Amy Lin said. “That's why I chose Gainesville — because it has the college.”
The franchise specializes in hot and cold specialty drinks. It has about 50 stores across the U.S., and Gainesville's will be the second in Florida, following one already open in Tampa, Lin said.
The space has been vacant since Cycle Therapy closed six to eight months ago, said Nick Banks, Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group's managing director.
Five Guys on Archer to reopen
Five Guys Burgers and Fries' Archer Road location has been closed recently because of remodeling but is set to reopen Thursday, Aug. 7
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Imagine making an already expensive phone even more expensive. A Russian luxury phone company Caviar did something similar by taking an Apple iPhone 11 Pro and making it a very expensive piece of art.
Wondering how they did it? According to News18, the company has managed to make a special edition of Apple iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max that have an actual piece of Steve Jobs iconic black turtleneck.
The special edition comes with a similar design as the original iPhone and pays tribute to Jobs. The Apple logo houses a tiny piece from the popular black turtleneck sweater worn by Steve Jobs along with an autograph at the bottom.
If you consider yourself a fan of Steve Jobs and intent on buying a unit, you might want to hurry because there are only 9 units of these special iPhones are available in the whole world.


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AutoDeal.com.ph, the country’s no.1 automotive online marketplace, has released its quarterly report that shows an increase in the number of test drives and quotations request, as well as general inquiries, using the online buying platform.
In the AutoDeal Industry Insights Q1 2019, the total online car buying inquiries are up by 12% compared to the same period last year, and up by 13.66% from Q4 2018. This shows a significant increase in the interest of online car buyers, which has been an upward trend since 2015.
Apart from the increased interest of the car buyers, the spike in the total number of leads could be attributed to the enhancements employed onto the AutoDeal platform, which resulted to 6,869,051 website visits in Q1 2019 – up by 6.71% from Q4 2018. This resulted in a total of 80,820 inquiries through the AutoDeal platform, which converted to a total of 3,245 confirmed purchases that were tracked and confirmed from those who used AutoDeal in purchasing their cars.
Moreover, the Industry Insights Q1 2019 report recorded a record-breaking number of inquiries in March. Garnering more than 30,000 leads sent over to our partner dealers, March 2019 outperforms other months since AutoDeal has started.
Of all the inquiries received in Q1 2019, subcompact cars and AUVs/MPVs remain to pique the interest of online car buyers. This can be attributed to the popularity of new nameplates like the Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Rush, which are both under the category of AUVs/MPVs. Subcompact cars, on the other hand, remain as the frontrunners due to their competitive pricing and relative affordability.
Although, it’s important to note that there’s a decrease in the number of inquiries for both AUVs/MPVs and subcompact cars. In contrast, pickup trucks, whether used for lifestyle or business, continue to take a bigger piece of the pie – a trend that has started since the exemption from the revised excise tax rates have been employed in 2018, resulting to more attractive pricing of this vehicle type.
The increase in inquiries for pickup trucks coincides with the fact that the average price of vehicles sold on AutoDeal in Q1 2019 is P1,259,545. This figure is well within the price range of mid-variant pickup trucks. The way we see it, the pickup truck segment will continue to flourish through the course of 2019 if the competitive pricing carries on.
For a copy of the AutoDeal Industry Insights Q1 2019 report, you can download it via the link on top of this page.


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LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Technology stocks ticked higher Friday following rough going during the day as investors digested more poor financial results and found little comfort from the better-than-expected reading on quarterly U.S. economic activity.
The Nasdaq-100 After Hours Indicator, which tracks the evening's most actively traded shares, rose 2.2 points, or 0.2%, to 1,182.41.
Amazon.com Inc. AMZN, -0.49% shares rose 0.3% to $59. They were the best price performer on the Nasdaq Composite during the day, charging up 18% after the online retailer posted strong fourth-quarter earnings and a better-than-expected forecast late Thursday.
But Amazon's advances weren't enough to carry the tech-heavy index COMP, +0.22% to positive territory. The Nasdaq fell 2.1%
Juniper Networks JNPR, +0.14% shares picked up 0.2% to $14.20 in evening trades. They were slammed 17% in the regular session after the company's results missed Wall Street's estimates late Thursday.
Broadcom Corp. BRCM shares rose 0.6% to $15.94. The shares slumped 9.1% in Friday's regular session after the company warned of a shortfall in revenue for the current quarter.
The S&P 500 SPX, +0.09% fell 2.3% on Friday and logged its worst January on record. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, -0.03% slumped 1.8%. The losses on the benchmarks came after the Commerce Department said the economy shrank 3.8% in the fourth quarter, the fastest quarterly rate of decline since 1982.
The grim figure was below the estimate for a decline of 5.5%, but only because the government counts unwanted buildup of goods on store shelves as growth. See Economic Report.
Sal Guatieri, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, said in a note Friday that with manufacturers -- notably automakers -- cutting production to "look for a sizeable hit to GDP" in future quarters.
"The economy is in the tank, with a bigger contraction slated for the current quarter," he said, adding that it appears first-quarter gross domestic product will contract more than 5%.
Economists polled by MarketWatch currently expect a GDP contraction of 4% for the first quarter.


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No matter what Premier Kathleen Wynne says, there is nothing reckless about Doug Ford’s comments on opening up the sale of alcohol and marijuana to the private sector. He’s been clear it won’t happen overnight, and he’s right that there’s no reason for the province to maintain a monopoly in any area.
The government regulates all kinds of products, from gasoline to pharmaceuticals, and it can and will continue to have a role to play in alcohol and marijuana sales even if they’re not entirely in government-operated outlets. If privately owned restaurants and bars can sell alcohol to customers, under strict government supervision and regulation, why can’t retail stores?
On issues like this, we often behave as if Ontario is in a bubble and that no other jurisdiction in the world has tried the ideas we’re debating. You can buy alcohol in corner stores in Quebec and marijuana in private stores in several U.S. states. Surely there’s nothing about Ontario that makes us uniquely incapable of doing the same.


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These stats are brought to you by e-Marketer who are providing some great stats to keep in mind when you are thinking about your next targeted mobile campaign.
Biggest thing to come out of this report: Singles Keep Their Smartphones Close at Hand
The number of unmarried US adults has grown to encompass a demographic unto itself. The US Census Bureau found that the number of men and women living alone or in nonfamily households increased 78.7% since 1970 to 33.6 million households in 2012, or more than one-third of total US households.
As the single audience has increased, the demographic has become a key target for marketers, and, it seems, one that they are highly likely to find on advanced mobile devices.
According to a May 2013 survey from dating websites ChristianMingle and JDate, more than half of surveyed single smartphone users between 21 and 42 years old said they were so dependent on their mobile device that it was “like an addiction.” And about 40% of unmarried men and women in this age range said they got less sleep than they should because they were up late with the device.
Among this demographic, being constantly connected is becoming the norm, and turning off is getting harder and harder to do.
Overall, eMarketer estimates, 69.1% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 72.2% of 25- to 34-year-olds in the US—age groups likely well represented among adult singles—will use a smartphone this year.
Single women showed a somewhat higher addiction to their smartphone than men, according to the online dating sites’ study. Two out of five men said they checked their mobile device first thing in the morning, compared to a greater 48% of women. The youngest adult smartphone-using singles were the most likely to look at their device first thing, with this tendency decreasing among older age brackets.
Texting was a constant activity every day for nearly half of singles, at 47%, 12 percentage points more than those who merely texted several times a day. About three-quarters said they surfed the web throughout the day, and an almost equal percentage of respondents said they emailed and checked social sites at least a few times daily.
Besides their ever-at-hand smartphones, 61% of total US singles also reported owning a tablet, meaning that for marketers, the likelihood of finding this audience on mobile throughout the day—at home, at work and when out—is great.
Original article found here


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Lambo unveils supercar for India at Rs 3.06 cr
Italian supercar maker Lamborghini which is celebrating its 50th anniversary has launched a special edition of its supercar Gallardo exclusively for...
Italian supercar maker Lamborghini which is celebrating its 50th anniversary has launched a special edition of its supercar Gallardo exclusively for Indian market. Priced at Rs 3.06 crore, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 India Limited Edition is available in three colours - pearl orange, pearl white and pearl green, and comes wrapped in Indian tricolour racing strip along the centre of the car.
It also has tricolour adornments to the interior trim, dashboard and door trims. Besides, a special edition name plate is etched on the window glass on the driver side, accentuating the patriotic feel that the model seeks to generate.
Notably, only six units of the model will ever be made, making the India special edition, a first from the Italian carmaker, a treasure trove for the buyers. However, there is no change to the exiting layout on the engine front as the special edition features 5.2 litre engine as in the regular offering. It generates a whopping 550 PS power and 540 Nm torque, making the model one of the most powerful supercars available for sale in India.
"From the time Lamborghini established itself in India, I have seen a new segment of buyers for our cars and the market is only growing. The special model will further enhance our brand value," Pavan Shetty, Head, Lamborghini India, said at the launch of the new model in Mumbai.


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On 29th August, the well-known electronic manufacture exhibition in South China, the 22nd South China International Electronic Production Equipment and Micro Electronics Industry exhibition was solemnly opened in Shenzhen convention and exhibition center.
Part of the exhibition site
the crowd in the exhibition
As the leading enterprise of the intelligent equipment manufacturer, Unisplendour Suneast Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. showed the double pump selective soldering system, BIMS intelligent manufacturing management system, reflow oven, wave soldering machine, screen printer and dispenser in NEPCON South China 2017, and also three new products, the selective soldering system SUNFLOW DS, dual-rail reflow oven SER-708A and vertical reflow oven SVR-300, which all got high praise from the audience..
View of Unisplendour Suneast booth
Introduce the machines to foreigners
on-site negotiation in the exhibition
The media have an interview with General Manager.


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Local Market Update - June 2023
The June 2023 Market Report by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®) has been reviewed by broker analysts, revealing several significant trends in the local real estate market. The reduction in home sales in Naples during June is attributed to a surge in summer travel. The report highlights a 13.6 percent decrease in overall closed sales for the month, totaling 837 closed sales compared to 969 closed sales in June 2022.
Despite the decline in closed sales, this dip is perceived as temporary, with indications that it may not extend into July's closed sales data. This optimism is supported by a 0.8 percent increase in overall pending sales (homes under contract) during June, rising from 794 pending sales in June 2022 to 800 pending sales. Additionally, the report notes that showings did not experience a significant double-digit drop as seen in previous months.
One positive aspect is that the slow sales in June did not have a negative impact on home prices. The median closed price for June exhibited a modest 0.4 percent increase, reaching $602,494, up from $600,000 in June 2022. However, the report does highlight a 2.9 percent decrease in the percent of list price received during June, falling to 96.2 percent from 99.1 percent in June 2022. This decrease is seen as an indication that more price negotiations are taking place in the market.
Overall inventory continued to rise compared to 2022 levels, with June experiencing an 8.2 percent increase in overall inventory, totaling 2,659 homes compared to 2,457 homes in June 2022. It's important to note that this increase in inventory is attributed to low sales for the month rather than new listings, which actually decreased by 28.2 percent to 860 new listings from 1,198 new listings in June 2022.
Broker experts emphasize that despite challenges like the pandemic and hurricanes, the monthly reports do not suggest an imminent market correction. Both median and average closed prices have remained stable, suggesting a level of resilience in the market. The market outlook remains cautiously optimistic, considering the potential for improved sales in the upcoming months.


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Duo was launched about a month ago, but the hype about the video calling app has gone down. And the Mountain View company knows this.
That’s why Google has launched a series of video ads, which are cute and funny, on YouTube.
I’m not gonna tell you what the ads are about, so you will have to watch them for yourself and find out. And you can do that right here:
Each of the video’s description, highlights the fact that Duo one-on-one calling works with Android phones and iPhones. In fact the devices featured in the ads are Nexus and iPhones.
And the ads themselves are probably a means to convey that Duo is meant for video calling between two people, and not for group video chats. But will this ever be used more than normal voice calls, or IMs?
Hopefully the upcoming instant messaging app, Allo, will prove to be more successful than Duo has been so far.


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Costco faces class-action gender bias lawsuit from workers
September 26, 2012
NEW — 11:15 a.m. Sept. 26, 2012
Issaquah-based Costco faces a gender bias lawsuit from workers, after a federal judge ruled the lawsuit can proceed.
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco certified a class, or group, of plaintiffs, Tuesday. The group includes about 700 women challenging the company’s system for promotions to management posts. Costco has denied the plaintiffs’ claims.
In 2004, employees sued Costco after plaintiffs claimed the largest warehouse chain in the United States limited promotions to female employees by failing to post job openings.
Courts put the case on hold as a gender-discrimination case against Wal-Mart headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2011, justice threw out the case, Dukes v. Wal-Mart, and said the lawsuit encompassed more than 1 million women — too many plaintiffs to qualify as a single class-action case.
Chen’s 86-page order granted plaintiffs’ attorneys the right to proceed in the case, Ellis v. Costco. No court date has yet been set in the case.
Lawyers for the Costco employees must follow standards set in the Wal-Mart lawsuit, a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled last year.


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Suppliers can use their insights to help wholesalers sell more to existing customers, according to Richie Gray, director of sales, out of home, Kraft Foods.
One of the opportunities he identified was the “consumer quality gap”, and he illustrated this with research Kraft carried out on the coffee market.
He said: “We looked at the average prices charged for a cup of coffee across a variety of different sectors. It varied from about a pound in a supermarket caf eacute; to approaching pound;3.50 in a hotel coffee bar.
“Consumers in practically every sector were telling us they were dissatisfied with the quality of the coffee they were receiving and would be willing to pay a lot more for what they would really want. That gap equates to pound;0.5bn in retail sales value, and that’s what we mean by the consumer quality gap.”
He added: “While clearly it is the operators who would stand to gain the lion’s share of that opportunity it is the wholesalers who can help the operators.”


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Union Leader: Hudson firm gets backing from Rep. Kuster on cost of Internet sales tax bill
HUDSON — As the owner of a small but thriving Internet sales business, Travis Adams fears for his company's future should the Marketplace Fairness Act come to fruition.
The Internet sales tax legislation, which recently was passed by the Senate, would force online retailers like Adams to collect sales taxes on behalf of more than 9,000 taxing jurisdictions nationwide.
Adams began his business, Whaddy.com, in Nashua in 2011. The company, which moved to Executive Drive in Hudson last summer, sells overstock and customer return items online via retail sites like eBay and Amazon.
Business has been booming, Adams said; he's hoping to add 10 positions to his six-person staff within the coming year.
"We need more hands to move things quicker," he said.
But should the Marketplace Fairness Act become law, Adams said his most pressing need would be to hire a full-time accountant.
Right now, Adams contracts the services of part-time bookkeeper Kathleen Alves, an accountant with Medaglia & Co. in Nashua.
Alves said the new legislation could cost Whaddy "between $15,000 to $75,000 per year" in additional expenses, including salary for a full-time staff accountant.
"A new tax rule would definitely slow us down," Adams said. "Hiring an accountant would likely take away several pairs of hand that would have been bringing in revenue."
This past March, Adams traveled to Washington, D.C., where he shared his concerns with Congresswoman Annie Kuster.
The Democrat visited the Hudson warehouse Tuesday morning. She toured the facility, chatted with employees and shared the latest information on the pending legislation.
A vocal opponent of the Marketplace Fairness Act, Kuster said the legislation would have a devastating impact on Granite State businesses, particularly those that conduct most of their business online.
"We're a live free or die state, and we're known as a no sales tax state," the congresswoman said. "This (legislation) would make a not-so-level playing field."
Kuster has voiced disapproval of the measure alongside fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Carol Shea Porter. She said she's feeling somewhat hopeful, since the House appears "much more resistant" to the legislation than the Senate. Sens. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., both voted against the bill.
"We're trying to express the truth about this, that this would be enormously burdensome for businesses (like Whaddy)," Kuster said. "It goes against everything we're working toward — an environment for job creation, where small businesses can continue to grow."


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CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) today reported its progress on its sustainability and corporate citizenship goals, including efforts to improve the health of young people and reduce the environmental footprint of its products. The complete update of its corporate social responsibility report is available at www.campbellsoupcompany.com/csr.
The 2011 report, Nourishing: Consumers • Neighbors • Employees • Planet, describes Campbell’s strategies, policies and programs to help drive the company toward four comprehensive goals by 2020.
“Across the Campbell organization we continue to demonstrate progress toward our 2020 goals,” said Dave Stangis, Vice President – Corporate Social Responsibility. “We have updated the online report to reflect performance from fiscal 2010, which represents important information for both our external and internal stakeholders. More clearly than ever we can show that our efforts are delivering measureable results and value to our business and societal stakeholders.”
Over the next decade, Campbell will pursue the following four goals:
- Nourishing Our Planet – Reduce the environmental footprint of its product portfolio in half, as measured by water use and CO2 emissions per product produced. Over the past year Campbell has eliminated nearly 29,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions at its manufacturing operations and reduced greenhouse gas emissions per unit of food produced by more than 4 percent. The company also reduced water used by 3 percent and energy used by 2 percent per unit of food produced.
- Nourishing Our Neighbors – Campbell announced a 10-year, $10 million plan with the goal of reducing childhood obesity and hunger among Camden’s 23,000 children by 50 percent. Campbell will collaborate with leading organizations, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Food Trust, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Camden, the Camden Children’s Garden and the Y, along with the United Way, Cooper University Hospital, Rutgers University, the Food Bank of South Jersey and others.
- Nourishing Our Employees – Achieve 100 percent employee engagement in CSR and sustainability. Campbell employees now have a CSR-oriented goal incorporated into their annual performance objectives, which can be achieved either individually or as part of a work-affiliated group activity.
- Nourishing Our Consumers – Continue to advance the nutrition and wellness profile of Campbell’s product portfolio. Last year, wellness-oriented products accounted for 32 percent of total company revenue. In the U.S. alone, Campbell now has more than 200 products with reduced levels of sodium; more than 200 products that are low in fat and saturated fat; more than 150 products that have 100 calories or less per serving; and more than 115 product SKUs that are certified by the American Heart Association.
Campbell issued its first Corporate Social Responsibility report in 2008 and its second in 2010. Since last year’s report, the company has made significant progress, including:
- Spent $145 million with women- and minority-owned businesses, an increase of 4 percent versus the prior year.
- Supported the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, which collected a record 77.1 million pounds of food, to surpass the 1 Billion pound mark over the 18 years the drive has been in existence.
- Provided 145 grants totaling $150,000 through the company’s Dollars For Doers program, which recognizes employee volunteers in the community, more than five times the number of grants awarded the prior year.
- Saved more than 4.5 million pounds in steel, plastic and paper packaging materials in 2010.
- Transitioned a PET beverage bottle supply from the U.S. to a local supplier in Canada, eliminating 750 trucks and their associated environmental impact, from the road.
- Redesigned Shapes and Jatz packaging in Australia, reducing paperboard by 440,000 pounds and eliminating 12,000 pallets from distribution.
- More than 1,000 Camden employees volunteered at 60 different projects during Make A Difference Week in 2010. As part of this effort, they sorted 67,000 pounds of food, harvested 4,000 pounds of fresh produce and taught nutrition education to more than 200 youths.
- The company’s plant safety performance (recordable rate) improved to 2.65 from 2.76, which is nearly one-half the industry average for recordable injuries per 200,000 hours worked.
Campbell has been widely recognized for its corporate social responsibility efforts. The company was added to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, named #2 on the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List by Corporate Responsibility magazine, named #1 in the HIP100 (Human Impact + Profit) Portfolio, added to the Maplecroft Climate Innovation Index, named to the list of 2010 World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere magazine and named a Catalyst Award winner in 2010.
The structure and content of the 2011 Report was prepared using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines as a basis for organization and content. The 2011 update to the Report addresses Campbell operations on a global basis and includes performance metrics from fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010, where available.
To conserve resources, this year’s updated full report is only available on line at www.campbellsoupcompany.com/csr. The 2010 CSR report was also printed as a digest size, 24-page report, printed on 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper. It is also available on request by contacting email@example.com.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup and sauces, baked snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s” and “V8.” Through its corporate social responsibility program, the company strives to make a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. Campbell is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit www.campbellsoup.com.


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In the 1950s and 60s, Gumby—and Pokey, his trusty steed—were TV fixtures as they joyfully lived the adventures every kid dreams of… Read why Gumby matters.
The RLM trendSpotting Report is an e-newsletter full of fascinating and useful information. To subscribe, just enter your e-mail below and confirm that you want to get on the list.
Time-Life Inc, one of the world’s largest direct marketers of audio and video products, tasked RLM with garnering media attention around the release of the famous television show, HEE HAW, to DVD in stores and through a direct response campaign available to consumers online and by phone.
RLM incited a virtual HEE HAW riot among fans anxious for the show’s release after years off air.
Rather than focus only on national media outlets, RLM targeted regional print and broadcast outlets to create local buzz that stretched through to the major national media outlets.
Prior to the launch, RLM conducted preliminary outreach, sending notices and teasers to targeted media and releasing the news publicly with enough time before the launch to cultivate public anticipation and product demand.
Then, RLM relentlessly pitched daily newspapers, broadcast, and trade publications between the announcement and the day of the release to ensure broad coverage before, on the day of, and well after the launch itself.
Within the only a few weeks, news of Time Life’s release of HEE HAW was found everywhere from national radio networks to television, and in almost every daily newspaper in the top 25 markets in the United States. Stories placed by RLM reached 74,011,912 people in the US and Canada! HEE HAW coverage included:


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Avenue Supermarts, the operator of retail chain DMart, has received a third hike in target price by Hong Kong-based CLSA, which sees the firm’s store expansion as a key driver of its growth.
What Happened: While maintaining a “buy” stance on the stock, CLSA set a new target price of ₹5514, up from the previous ₹5307, suggesting potential gains of over 23% from its previous close.
CLSA’s optimism stems from Avenue Supermarts’ robust store expansion during the quarter ending March, reaching an all-time high of 21 new stores. According to the company’s exchange filing on Sunday, it opened three new stores in Pune, Bengaluru and Nashik, bringing the total store count to 365.
CLSA believes that this acceleration in store additions will address some investor concerns and enhance the company’s product mix and gross margins.
The Larger Thesis: The brokerage anticipates a shift in focus towards the company’s quarterly sales releases. CLSA’s previous target price upgrade highlighted the potential benefit for the retail company from rising palm oil and crude oil prices, which could offer pricing flexibility in the upcoming fiscal year 2025.
Macquarie also shares a bullish sentiment on Avenue Supermarts, maintaining an “outperform” rating and raising the target to ₹4,500 from ₹4,350. Meanwhile, ICICI Securities said it preferred DMart over Nestle, citing more favorable valuations.
What Happened: Avenue Supermarkets’ share price was down 1.24% at ₹4,427.90. Over the past month, Avenue Supermarts’ stock has surged by over 16%, with a one-year return of 33%.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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