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New Delhi: The Indian companies in the top 100 emerging markets list bring combined revenue of 797 million USD. India ranks fifth among the emerging markets based on revenues. The findings are part of PwC’s Global 100 Software Leaders report, a revenue based study on the world’s top 100 software vendors.
The report also contains indices of the top 100 software vendors in North America, Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and the emerging markets.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Sanjay Dhawan, Leader, Technology, PwC India said, “The Indian IT industry has been primarily identified with software services and this focus has relegated the software products segment to the background. However, off late, we are seeing a change in the fortunes of this segment due to significant growth. Emerging technologies such as Social media, Mobility, Analytics and Cloud (SMAC) are driving the growth in this segment and helping it move to the next level.”
The report is a clear indicator that the emerging markets are poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in the global software industry. Focus on innovation, growing talent pool and government support are just some of the advantages of this market segment.
A number of software product firms have grown over the last decade from a little over 100 in 2000 to nearly 2400 in 2013. According to the industry body NASSCOM, the revenue from the software product segment currently stands at 2.2 billion USD and is expected to reach 10 billion USD by 2020.
The findings from the research show that some key forces are causing deep structural changes in the industry, fundamentally reshaping how software companies do business:
While expressing his views on the impact of disruptive technology, Mark McCaffrey, PwC's Global Software Leader said, “Cloud computing has enabled SaaS to grow as a new business model. We expect the business models to continue to range from traditional licensing to SaaS subscriptions only for a short-term. Over time, we will see that a growing range of services and functions such as Platform-as-a-Service, Infrastructure-as-a-Service and Anything-as-a-Service (XaaS) will begin to emerge.”
According to PwC’s recent Future of Software Pricing Excellence report series, the top four companies surveyed earned less than 2% of the revenue generated from SaaS in 2011 while data from the top 100 companies indicates considerable movement. The SaaS revenue accounted for at least 40% of the software revenue for 10 companies on the Global 100 list. Industry consolidation and increasing globalisation are also transforming the software sector. Acquisitions are viewed as R&D strategy and key to acquiring talent and building effective and efficient SaaS capabilities.
PwC* helps organisations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. We’re a network of firms in 158 countries with more than 180,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at https://www.pwc.com/.
PwC India refers to the network of entities, having offices in: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. For more information about PwC India's service offerings, please visit www.pwc.in.
*PwC refers to PwC India and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.
Chief Communication Officer
Tel: +91 124 4620661


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The pound will face a 'nightmare scenario' if Corbyn becomes the PM, warns boss of US exchange
The owner of the New York and Chicago mercantile exchanges has warned the pound could face a ‘nightmare scenario’ if Jeremy Corbyn becomes prime minister.
CME Group told investors and businesses that Theresa May’s Tory government had a weak grip on power and would probably be defeated if a poll was held.
Last week, Morgan Stanley said a Corbyn victory would threaten the economy.
Jeremy Corbyn: CME boss believes if Labour Party leader becomes PM the pound will face 'nightmare scenario'
Erik Norland, CME executive director and senior economist, said the Government was ‘hanging by a thread’, adding: ‘Markets should probably be thinking carefully about the next prime minister.
‘In the event the UK takes a hard Brexit followed by a Labour victory, it could see Britain transform into a more socialist, centrally controlled economy – just one that happens to be outside the EU. This is the nightmare scenario for the pound.’
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domain: news


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According to research conducted by World Wide Worx, eighteen percent of South Africans are using their mobile phones to transfer money, proof that mobile wallets are beginning to replace traditional leather ones.
Eighteen percent of South Africans are using mobile phones to transfer money ‚ proof, says First National Bank, of the rapid growth of this form of banking.
The 2011 World Wide Worx Research, which probed the use of mobile phones for banking purposes, showed that close to 2 out of every 10 South Africans are now using their phones to transfer cash to family and friends.
‚Mobile money is one of the fastest growing sectors in the financial services environment ‚ with many people opting for an electronic wallet instead of a leather one,‚ says CEO of First National Bank (FNB) eWallet Solutions, Yolande van Wyk.
The number of eWallet holders has doubled within 6 months, from 250,000 in October 2010 to over 500,000 in April 2011. Figures released by FNB show that the majority of its senders (79%) are aged under 40. This is not surprising since most of the senders are technosavvy Cellphone banking users. 40% of the senders originate from Gauteng, followed by 14% in KwaZulu-Natal and 12% in the Eastern Cape.
‚We’ve been tracking the eWallet withdrawal footprint across the country and it is interesting to note that we’ve even seen eWallet ATM withdrawals in small towns such as Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo, and Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape,‚ says Van Wyk. ‚These trends are an indication that some of the previously unbanked markets are also starting to embrace the idea of a remittance economy. Cellphones as a banking tool are indeed coming of age.‚
According to Van Wyk, part of the attraction to mobile money transfer services is the products’ ease of use and instant reach to the receiving recipient. She notes, ‚ With at least 35 million cellphone users in South Africa, mobile money transfer services have become the most convenient way of sending money, as with cellphones one is able to reach anyone from any part of the country.‚ In addition, eWallet is not merely a money transfer tool but also allows recipients to purchase prepaid airtime and electricity using their cellphones.
Independent research undertaken by FNB reveals that 68% of eWallet users use the service to send money to people who are financially dependent on them and 64 % of these people send money to relatives who reside in a different province. In these cases, money is often required urgently and the instant nature of the eWallet service has clearly contributed to its success.
‚More than 13 million adults in South Africa still remain unbanked with the biggest percentage of these adults based in remote or rural towns,‚ says Van Wyk.
‚These latest trends show how the banked population is beginning to play a significant role in introducing the unbanked to some form of banking, like cash withdrawal from ATMs, and we want to use such information to help extend formal reach of banking to the unbanked population and eventually introduce them to mainstream banking through these channels,‚ she concludes.


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Ellie Mae Shares Take Off on Private-Equity Buyout Offer
Shares of Ellie Mae surge after Thoma Bravo offers to buy the company in all-cash deal valued at $3.7 billion.
FAANG Stocks Aren't the Only Tech Sector Overdue for a Plunge
Software stocks have been on fire for several quarters. Now, they could be a overdue for a pullback right along with the FAANG names.
Time to Raise Some Cash: Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap
Jim Cramer says last week's selloff played out just like he predicted, and you haven't missed the sale.
Market recon: this barbarous relic has been seriously hot lately
We have a president that seems likely to pursue a weaker dollar policy, and gold has surged.
Jim Cramer's Top Takeaways: MGM Resorts, Lululemon, Elli Mae, Ollie's Bargain Outlet
Cramer recommends MGM Resorts and says Ollie's is doing everything right.
'Big Short' Burry Warns That a Repeat of the 2008 Crisis Is in Sight
The legendary financier reiterates his warnings of a market collapse on the way.
Oil Volatility Returns, Pushing Gasoline Prices Higher
The 14-week decline in gasoline prices ended while two million people in Florida are still without power.
New Electric Vehicle Beats Tesla When it Comes to the Environment
A new EV would radically change how cars are made and that could be a threat to the market leader.
McDonald's Menu Adds a (Very) New Take on an Old Favorite
The fast-food giant has been hesitant to make changes like this, but Wendy's bold move may have forced it to.


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Australia's videoconferencing market is getting hotter with Japanese giant Sony making a serious attempt to break into it via new distribution arrangements with unified communications systems distributor 24/7 Distribution.
Huawei is ramping up its assault on the Australian telepresence market with the launch of new multi screen room systems that, it claims, can achieve total costs of ownership that are up to 50 percent those of its competitors.
Increasing adoption by businesses of enterprise-grade telepresence has created a boom market for video conferencing, with global spending expected to hit $1.1 billion by 2016 on the back of compound annual growth of 19.5 percent.
So basically what we/you are saying is that the deployment of the NBN has not been the best, I can[…]
Very sad no 'expert' knows about ping and jitter.
The IQ of the company has not been up for debate at all. Though I would suggest that if they[…]
As I said earlier, you are welcome to draw your own conclusions. But I would suggest that when placing a[…]
I am yet to find a single person who would say that the 4G services in Australia do not outdo[…]


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Today's agenda brings two revisions to old data points.
The Commerce Department will release its final estimate for second-quarter gross domestic product at 8:30 a.m. ET. Economists expect the reading to remain at 3.7 percent growth.
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index at 10 a.m. ET is forecast to increase to 87 from the 85.7 figure reported previously.
BlackBerry also announces earnings before the opening bell.
Next week's calendar features several major reports that could have a big impact on sentiment as investors look for clues on the direction of monetary policy.
Personal income and spending, pending home sales, and the Federal Reserve's regional-activity index get the ball rolling Monday.
Tuesday brings several European sentiment surveys, but the most important number will be U.S. consumer confidence. The Case-Shiller index of home prices are also due, along with Costco earnings in the post-market.
Wednesday's big event is ADP's private-sector payrolls report. European inflation, mortgage applications, the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index, and crude-oil inventories are also due. Paychex reports in the morning.
The following overnight session brings revised manufacturing data for China and Europe.
Thursday features jobless claims, the Institute for Supply Management's key manufacturing index, construction spending, and natural-gas inventories. Micron Technology announces results after the closing bell.
The week concludes with the Labor Department's key non-farm payrolls report Friday morning, followed by factory orders.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 OptionMonster® Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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The ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has seen her fashion label rise from the ashes of an accounting scandal now securing a valuation of £100 million.
Matchesfashion.com has been named British Luxury Brand of the Year at the prestigious Walpole British Luxury awards.
Harrods' chief financial officer John Edgar has stepped down from his position at the luxury department store after five years.
London's Bond Street has been identified as the world's third most expensive place for businesses to operate a store, with rents surging almost 40 per cent in the past year.
Burberry has booked double-digit growth in reports in its half-year report while also announcing a store closure programme as part of a strategic overhaul.
Christian Dior’s veteran chief executive Sidney Toledano will replace Pierre-Yves Roussel as head of the LVMH fashion group, amid a major senior reshuffle.
Hugo Boss is primed to open its first store in Southampton in a “fantastic result” for the Westquay shopping centre as it continues to attract luxury retailers.
Tiffany & Co has been pilloried on social media for its new home products range, which includes a sterling silver tin can being sold at £945.
Liberty has joined fellow luxury department stores Selfridges and Harrods in posting positive results in its last financial year in the face of a tough retail market.
Burberry has announced that its president and chief creative officer Christopher Bailey will leave the company at the end of 2018.


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Parade is partnering with Gannett, owner of USA Today, to have 21 of its local brands distribute Parade magazine in its Sunday newspapers starting March 5.
The 21 brands range from The Arizona Republic to the Indianapolis Star.
“This valuable partnership helps further Parade’s connection to local communities in key markets, such as our company headquarters in Nashville,” stated Dave Barber, EVP of newspaper relations for Parade’s parent company AMG/Parade.
Parade magazine is currently distributed in over 645 newspapers across the country every Sunday.
“We have recently re-extended our contracts with newspapers from The Tribune Company and McClatchy, just to name a few,” Barber told Publishers Daily about the magazine’s distribution partnerships. “TheHouston Chronicle will begin carrying Parade in March, as well.”
Printed on newsprint, the publication covers entertainment and pop-culture, as well as inspiring stories about life and community. It usually contains one main feature article and regular columns, such as "Personality Parade," which profiles celebrities; "Parade Picks," a curated collection of new things to buy or try; and advice column "Ask Marilyn."
Parade’s annual “What America Eats” issue will be available in Gannett's 21 local newspapers. The issue highlights the top trends and shopping habits of Americans at supermarkets this year.
AMG/Parade is based in Nashville, Tennessee and New York. Its brands also include Relish, Spry Living, Athlon Sports & Life and American Profile's Community Table. They reach a combined audience of more than 150 million monthly in print and a monthly digital audience network of over 100 million uniques.
Parade magazine claims it has a 22 million monthly circulation and a monthly readership of 54 million.


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Battery has become a crucial component thanks to the adoption of EVs and energy storage systems. Freyr Battery, a Norway-based manufacturer, is establishing the first supply chain in the country with contributions from its Asian partners. The company aims to leverage cheap energy prices and optimized production processes to make cost-competitive products.
According to the International Energy Agency's report, demand for EV batteries will surge from 340GWh to 3500GWh by 2030. Various companies have or plan to build battery factories in Europe or the US due to the growing awareness of securing supplies locally or regionally. The situation creates opportunities for startups such as Freyr.
Giga Arctic to ramp up in 2024
Freyr has moved rapidly since its establishment in 2018. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange since July 2021, the company is constructing a production base in northern Norway. The project's first phase includes a customer qualification plant (CQP) and two gigafactories, Giga Arctic, that would cost around US$1.7 billion.
The CQP will host one industrial-scale production line instead of a pilot. Production is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2023. Tom Einar Jensen, Freyr's CEO, said the company will utilize the facility to produce sample cells, test raw materials and train its operators. In short, the CQP could help Freyr achieve high production in the gigafactories later.
According to the company, eight production lines will be installed at Giga Arctic with an annual capacity of 29GWh. Operations will start in the first half of 2024. To secure material supply, the company has partnered with Aleees of Taiwan, aiming to build an LFP cathode plant in the Nordic region.
Jensen said the joint plant would be the largest outside China, with an initial capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year by 2024.
Using green energy to produce clean batteries
Battery startups like Freyr face multiple challenges at their early stage, including finding the right technology, competence, investors and how to scale up quickly. Jensen said scale is essential for driving down production costs and for a company to stay competitive.
As a Norwegian company, Freyr will leverage the economical renewable energy to produce clean batteries. Jensen said 100% of the industrial electricity onshore in the country comes from hydro or other green power sources. Therefore, Freyr probably pays the lowest power prices in the world compared with other battery makers, giving it a competitive edge.
According to the company, producing batteries with green energy can cut down carbon footprint by 25 to 30%. Jensen added that if Freyr could also make cathode materials with renewable energy, it would reduce more than 50% of carbon emissions during the whole battery production process than many China-based manufacturers.
In addition, Freyr has licensed the 24M SemiSolid™ production platform, which is useful for producing cost-competitive products. The platform was developed by 24M Technologies, an MIT startup.
Jensen said the platform enables an optimized production process with smaller and simpler facilities while making much larger and thicker electrodes. Moreover, Freyr only needs less than half of the operators that a conventional battery plant requires and would be able to make three times more batteries per employee.
"So, half the CapEx (capital expenditure), 20 to 25% lower OpEx (operating expense), and a localized supply chain enable us to be very competitive while having the cleanest battery solutions on the planet," the CEO concluded.
Expanding to the US and Finland
Starting from Norway, Freyr is on track to expand. For example, it has formed a joint venture with Koch Strategic Platforms to build a gigafactory in the US. Jensen said the duo has looked into more than 150 sites in the country and narrowed the list down to five.
Freyr will also expand to Finland in the City of Vaasa. Jensen said the country has abundant renewable energy, minerals and metals and the workforce competency it needs. Those advantages could benefit Freyr's planned battery factory in the area.
The startup recently opened a technology resources campus and business unit in Japan. Jensen said the new office could enable Freyr to access battery engineering proficiency, next-generation solutions and many other resources in Japan. The company also looks forward to building local partnerships to scale up rapidly.
As it gets close to product commercialization, Freyr has secured initial customer agreements with companies focusing on energy storage systems (ESS). For instance, it announced on August 30 a battery cell sales agreement with Nidec Corporation of Japan.
Jensen said Freyr's technology is particularly suitable for ESS. Still, the company has also received significant interest from EV and commercial mobility segments, with two times the contract volume for ESS.
Freyr has an ambition to reach 50GWh of annual production capacity by 2025, 100GWh by 2028 and 200GWh by 2030, according to the CEO. He added that the company is considering building anode manufacturing facilities besides producing cathode materials with Aleees. It will also diversify the technology platform beyond 24M to offer a broader set of battery technologies.
And, of course, Freyr is looking for more partners.
"We have no restriction as to who we partner with," Jensen said. "If companies out there have something to offer, and they see that we could be a relevant partner. They're all welcome."


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Prairie Post (East Edition)
Liberals leading Canada off an economic cliff
Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers released last week by Statistics Canada paint a disheartening picture of what lies ahead for low and middle-class Canadians. Goods continue to rise at an alarming rate, while current and further planned Liberal tax increases are creating immense financial pressures.
In July, a consumer expectation survey conducted by the Bank of Canada indicated that more Canadians were concerned about inflation than during the first quarter of 2022. It was noted that significant numbers of people did not fully understand how escalating inflation is a baseline for a future recession. Fast forward three-months however, with continued sky-rocketing cost for basics – foods, gas, home heating, housing - there is little doubt most Canadians now have a clear grasp of inflation and the foreseeable fallout from the fast-approaching recession predicted by economic experts.
Ordinary people understand finances, especially when their bills exceed their income. They know serious trouble is brewing when the cost for a tank of gas is $20 more than it was only a few weeks ago or the forecast to heat their home this winter is predicted to double. The CPI figures were clear, average wage increases of 5.2 per cent can’t keep up with 6.9 per cent inflation or the 11.4 per cent surge for groceries. Sixty-six per cent of Canadians, right now, before cold weather even impacts heating costs, admit to serious money issues.
For years, Canada’s Conservative Opposition has warned the Trudeau government that printing, borrowing and out of control spending only adds gasoline on the inflationary fire. Spending is not a plan to stop inflation, as creating more only drives up prices.
To stop inflation, a Conservative government would begin with capping spending with a Pay-As-You-Go Law requiring the government to find a dollar of savings for each new dollar of spending. We would axe the carbon tax and payroll tax hikes to strengthen paycheques and lower energy prices. Among other initiatives, we would remove red tape and gatekeepers to allow businesses, farmers, and workers to produce more affordable energy, food and housing. Our strategy for creating what cash buys will make things more affordable. Canada’s economy must make more and cost less, with Canadian paycheques and not debt.
Interestingly, while the federal government ignores our Conservative concepts of tax reduction to reduce inflation, 51 other national governments are providing tax relief to its citizens, according to a Canadian Taxpayers Federation report. These include more than half of the G7 and G20 countries that our Prime Minister is always quick to say are in the same inflation crisis as Canada. Except these countries are actioning solutions, while Canada’s government continues to lead us off the economic cliff.


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Tainted Food Products Lawyer – San Francisco California Attorney Mary Alexander educates
California Tainted Food Products Lawyer – Mary Alexander
San Francisco, California — As far spread as the tainted food cases involving chicken, peanuts and spinach have become, people all over the nation are more concerned with the food they are consuming and the problems that could arise if that food is contaminated.
Contaminated food is often a result of poor manufacturing or packaging. These errors could have drastic effects including serious illness to consumers and even death.
During the 2006 E. coli outbreaks, which is a fatal bacterium that triggers severe dehydration, seemingly harmless foods became dangerous including spinach and lettuce products, causing illness in hundreds of consumers.
Botulism is another type of serious illness brought on by food-borne bacteria, where the victim suffers from abdominal pain, paralysis, and respiratory failure. This form of tainted food has been linked to improper canning processes. Signs of botulism include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness.
The California tainted food product law firm of Mary Alexander & Associates gives clients the peace of mind knowing the legal team has an aggressive blend of a legal and scientific background.
Founding partner, Mary Alexander is a Stanford-trained scientist who has a unique combination of skill that allows her to take on technical negligence cases, such as those involving tainted food products.
Individuals who think they may have contracted a food-borne illness as a result of tainted food products should contact a physician immediately, and then contact a reputable tainted food product lawyer like Mary Alexander & Associates for help in collecting the compensation they deserve.
Visit Mary Alexander & Associates online for more information at http://www.maryalexanderlaw.com or call 1-866-802-9497.


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LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
This week at Dell Technologies World 2019, Toshiba Memory America, Inc. (TMA), the U.S.-based subsidiary of Toshiba Memory Corporation, will be on hand to demonstrate how its flash-based solid state drives (SSDs) and software optimize applications on a variety of server platforms. With a theme of ‘Real Transformation,’ this year’s Dell Technologies World shines the spotlight on the products, solutions and strategies that are truly changing IT infrastructures. From an entirely new category of SSDs to software that makes flash storage accessible via NVMe-oF™ (NVM Express™over Fabrics) networks, TMA has the solutions necessary to make the transformation of the data center a reality.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190501005392/en/
Toshiba Memory is focused on making the transformation of the data center a reality. (Graphic: Business Wire)
Toshiba Memory has been a long-term OEM supplier for nearly two decades, and 2019 marks the third year in a row that the company has been a Diamond-level Dell Technologies World sponsor. Toshiba Memory products can be found in numerous solutions across multiple product lines, including laptop/mobile computing, desktop, data center, and enterprise servers/storage.
Demonstrations are located in TMA’s booth #1303 on the show floor at The Venetian Resort® from April 29 through May 2, and include:
Toshiba Memory SSD and Flash Products: Enterprise/data center SSDs, client SSDs, self-encrypting drive (SED) SSDs, and 96-layer BiCS FLASH™ 3D flash memory.
Additionally, TMA will participate in breakout sessions focused on its new value SAS and low-power NVMe SSD solutions, titled “Life after SATA – Moving from SATA SSDs to SAS/NVMe in the Data Center.” TMA will also join the Dell Technologies World executive summit, and Jeremy Werner, senior vice president and general manager, SSD business unit, will be featured in a live interview on Dell EMC TV. The breakout sessions and interview will be available on-demand on the Dell Technologies World site at the conclusion of the show.
“The time for real transformation is now, and the change agent behind data center modernization is flash-based storage,” noted Werner. “We are proud to support Dell Technologies and work together toward a future where improved agility, greater efficiencies, reduced maintenance, and lower operational costs are facts of life for our mutual customers.”
For more information, please visit business.toshiba-memory.com.
About Toshiba Memory America, Inc.
Toshiba Memory America, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Toshiba Memory Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of flash memory and solid state drives (SSDs). From the invention of flash memory to today’s breakthrough 96-layer BiCS FLASH™ 3D technology, Toshiba Memory continues to lead innovation and move the industry forward. For more information, please visit business.toshiba-memory.com and follow us on social media.
© 2019 Toshiba Memory America, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services, and contact information is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba Memory product specifications.
|NVMe and NVMe-oF are trademarks of NVM Express, Inc.|
|Dell, Dell EMC, PowerEdge, PowerVault, Latitude, OptiPlex, EqualLogic, XtremIO, Dell Precision, Compellent, XPS are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions.|
|All company names, product names and service names may be trademarks of their respective companies.|
|1||Principled Technologies Report: Toshiba Memory and Dell EMC PowerEdge R840 Database Analytics report|
|2||Principled Technologies Report: Toshiba Memory and Dell EMC PowerEdge MX Transactional Database report|
Copyright Business Wire 2019


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Registers of Scotland have released their latest quarterly report, covering the period from April to June 2016, and have revealed that the volume of sales across Scotland has increased, while the average property prices have decreased, when compared with the same period last year.
Flats have shown the biggest increase in sales volumes, up 11.2 per cent year on year, and this could be attributed to the changes in land and building transaction tax. At ESPC we saw a large increase in the number of one and two bedroom flats being sold in areas like Leith, Dunfermline and Musselburgh as people snapped up these properties before the 3% supplementary tax came into place. While the average property price of transactions recorded through ROS has come down, across east central Scotland we are seeing steady increases; the average selling price of a two bedroom flat has increased by 5.0%, and the average selling price of a three bedroom house has increased by 7.6%.
ROS also reported that the sale of detached properties has slowed this quarter. This is indicative of the sale in top-end properties stalling due to an increase in tax payable on properties valued at over £333,000 when LBTT replaced Stamp Duty in April 2015. We are also now comparing volumes and periods with the same period last year when people rushed to buy homes at the top-end of the market, to avoid paying the tax.
Across Scotland, Solicitors Property Centre's (SPC's) are reporting a good turnover, with Highland Solicitors Property Centre (HSPC) seeing an increase in the number of properties sold and Sarah Woodcock, manager at HSPC, commenting: "We are pleased to see increased activity in recent months and in particular a healthy increase in sales, and with properties being marketed also starting to climb."
Glasgow Solicitors Property Centre (GSPC) has reported that house prices in the west of Scotland have risen by 3.1%. The pattern of decreasing selling times also continues and is now down by 28% compared to the same quarter of 2015 in the area. It now takes on average 55 days to sell, the lowest figure for eight years.
Lynne Hill, manager of TSPC in Dundee said: "Our member firms are reporting many properties going under offer very quickly and we have been witnessing the return of closing dates. It is an indication of strong demand when buyers are jostling to secure a particular property."
Anne Begg, manager of PSPC said: "There are improvements in some areas and slight dips in others. More and more properties are achieving their asking price with pricing being more consistent and reliable and you are more likely now to achieve your Home Report value than has been the case in recent years. We have sold a record number of properties - the most over the past five years."View all News Articles


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Regular exercise may increase the abundance of bacteria associated with anti-inflammation and reduce the abundance of bacteria associated with pro-inflammation in physically inactive elderly women, says a new study from China.
In response to the pandemic, UK firm Westomatic has made available a new contactless drinks dispenser that can mix up and distribute protein shakes along with a number of sports nutrition-based beverages.
The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) is backing caffeine use in sports stating the stimulant is particularly effective in prolonged aerobic-type activities and brief duration, high-intensity exercise.
Does it matter when you eat? A new study on elite cyclists says yes, with a cohort that ate only between late morning and early evening showing weight loss and loss of fat mass compared to others that ate throughout the day.
As the industry enters the final few weeks of 2020, the raft of products, ingredients and extracts to incur the wrath of authorities does not let up as NutraIngredients presents a round-up of food alerts involving a folic acid spray, vegan protein bars...
Italian fruit extracts firm Iprona makes available CherryCraft, a tart cherry extract that could prove useful in sports nutrition products after studies link it to improved muscle recovery and cardiovascular health.
FrieslandCampina are to discontinue the production of several powder products used in infant nutrition, medical nutrition and sports nutrition at its Dutch plants as part of the firm’s transformation strategy.
Adding Kerry’s GanedenBC30 probiotic to milk protein may boost the absorption of select amino acids, such as arginine and isoleucine, while other amino acids were more quickly absorbed, says a new study.
As 2020 enters its final month, NutraIngredients, once again presents the monthly recall round-up, with food alerts involving a steroid-containing sports supplement and over 80 cases of firms misusing the coronavirus claims.


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After its closely followed Wall Street debut in April, social media platform Pinterest (NYSE: PINS) will be publishing second-quarter results Thursday after the market’s close. The company’s steady expansion, since it was launched nearly a decade ago, gathered momentum after going public.
Wall Street analysts will be looking for revenues of $235.53 million for the to-be-reported quarter. Meanwhile, the company is expected to report a loss of $0.08 per share.
The visual search engine has been steadily expanding its user base across all markets, which is expected to have translated into revenues in the second quarter. However, the rapid user addition will trim the Average Revenue Per User due to the low monetization rate in the foreign markets.
Pros & Cons
Advertising income, currently the company’s sole revenue source, could come under pressure from competition from Facebook-owned Instagram (FB) and microblogging platform Twitter (TWTR). Nevertheless, the ongoing efforts to ramp up the site by incorporating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence might enhance user engagement, offsetting the negative factors. It will also increase merchandise sales on the platform, supported by new features that allow retailers to present the full catalog of their products.
In the long term, the steps taken by the management to foray into traditional advertising areas like television and print media are expected to contribute to the company’s expansion into a global entity.
Pinterest’s stock lost sharply in May after it reported weaker than expected revenues of $202 million for the first quarter, despite a 54% year-over-year increase. Adjusted loss for the quarter was $0.32 per share. At 291 million, the number of active users at the end of the quarter was up 22%.
Rival social media platform Snapchat, operated by Snap, Inc. (SNAP), added about 13 million users in the second quarter of 2019. Consequently, Snap’s revenues surged 48% to $388 million and loss narrowed to $0.06 per share from $0.14 per share last year.
The performance of Pinterest at the stock market has been positive since the Wall street debut and the shares are currently trading above the IPO price. The stock, which hit an all-time high of around $34 days after the IPO, gained 14% since the beginning of the year.
Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today reported its fourth quarter financial results for the period ended January 31, 2021. Net income for the fourth quarter was $911.3 million, or $4.10 per
Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND), a specialist in plant-based meat substitutes, Thursday reported a wider loss for the fourth quarter, despite an increase in revenues. The numbers also missed the consensus
Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) reported fourth-quarter 2020 financial results after the regular market hours on Thursday. The space tourism company reported zero revenue in the fourth quarter, compared to $529,000


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Folowing stories last week concerning the fire-related recall in the US of a batch of its Ambilight plasma and LCD TVs, I took the liberty of getting an official response from Philips UK about the issue. And here it is...

"The issue is specific to the US and therefore does not affect any UK or Pan-European models.

Philips' US operation was alerted to an irregularity specific to certain batches of its 42 and 50 Plasma and LCD TVs with Ambilight technology, produced between April and August of 2005, and distributed in North America only.

The affected TVs are liable to component failure with the potential risk for internal sparks and smoke, and in the worst case, ignition of the failed component internal to the Ambilight enclosure. Based on incidences reported and testing by Philips, we conclude that there is virtually no risk of an external fire-hazard due to the use of cabinets constructed with flame retardant material. No external fire, personal injury or property damage has been experienced. Nonetheless, Philips has been performing preventive repairs in consumers homes as a precautionary measure. "


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Google purchased Nest a long time ago in 2014. For quite a while, the company remained relatively autonomous and independent under the Alphabet umbrella, but recently, Google has folded Nest and its product right into its hardware division. Most notably, the Home Hub is now called Nest Hub, and Nest devices are losing their ability to connect to IFTTT, all in the name of security. However, with Nest accounts being migrated to Google accounts at the moment, users are experiencing inconveniences – some people report they haven't been able to connect their Secure and Nest IQ cams with the Assistant for weeks.
On May 31, a customer shared his experience in a Nest community thread. After purchasing and setting up his Secure cam, he tried to enable the Assistant, only to receive an error message. Another community member chimed in, describing the same issues. This one even contacted the support team, who said that the company's engineers were aware of the problem. And sure enough, a Nest employee joined the discussion and said that the firm was indeed working on a fix – which was at the beginning of June.
Since then, the same bunch of customers has become increasingly irritated by the slow resolution, since the native Assistant integration informed their decision to go with Nest in the first place. All troubleshooting on their part was to no avail. However, so far, the problem mainly seems to arise for customers setting up their new or additional devices, which admittedly makes for a bad onboarding experience, but shouldn't affect existing setups.
So, if you're experiencing similar issues, the only thing we can say right now is: hang in there, Google is working on a fix.


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SLOUGH-BASED Mars Chocolate UK's partnership with the Football Association (FA) won a bronze award at the prestigious Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Community Partnership Awards.
The awards, held at Shakespeare's Globe, in London, on Wednesday last week (24), rewards businesses for making a positive difference.
The FA Mars 'Just Play' programme won in the health and wellbeing category for helping adults become more active.
The programme is designed to remove the barriers to playing football by providing casual, play as you go 'kickabouts', supervised by an FA level one coach, at sites across the UK.
Terry Jones, FDF director of communications, said: "Our Community Partnership Awards are an important opportunity to recognise the positive impact food and drink businesses have across the country and to celebrate their economic success.
"Whether it's working with local schools, sourcing ingredients sustainably or showcasing British products on the global stage, the food and drink sector is full of great examples of how businesses can be both successful and responsible.
"This year's winners are an inspiration to all businesses, both in and out of the food chain, and show not only what can be achieved when companies are committed to making a positive difference, but also why our sector is a such great place to be."


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On Wednesday, Microsoft announced that it has identified and fixed all the known issues present in the Windows 10 operating system for the October 2018 update and the re-release of the key update has begun.
The story goes back to this- some users complained that installing the Windows 10 October update wiped off their data. As a result of this, last week, Microsoft halted the availability of the update (version 1809).
John Cable, Director of Program Management, Windows Servicing, and Delivery said- “We have fully investigated all the reports of data loss and identified and fixed all the known issues which were present in the update, and conducted internal validation as well. Just two days before the updated version was rolled out, it was paused. The reports of actual data loss are very few in number, but any data lost is a serious concern(one one-hundredth percenter cent of version 1809 installs)“.
He added that Microsoft Support and retail stores customer service personnel would be available at no charge to help customers retrieve lost data.
Cable added- “We will carefully study the results, feedback, and diagnostic data from our Insiders before taking any additional steps towards re-releasing the updated version in a better way. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of any file recovery work, if users have manually checked for the updates and still believe that there is an issue with the missing files, make sure to minimize usage of the affected device and contact us directly.” Also rendered an apology for the same statement “for any impact these issues may have had on any of our customers.”


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This week's Humble Bundle comes with Tom Clancy games, including access to the beta version of "The Division."
What should fans anticipate in the new game?
"Tom Clancy's The Division" alpha version has been made available on the Xbox One.
With the Electronic Entertainment Expo officially starting on Tuesday, gamers are now excited for the games which will be announced during the event.
One Ubisoft Massive employee believes that the game will be pushed back into 2015.
The team behind the game has assured fans that the PC version of The Division will be optimized for the platform.
The game will have players looking for clean water and food, which will introduce the RPG elements to the game.
Consiga dos boletos por el precio de uno con el código OBWW2018.
The superhero movie "Deadpool" has crushed box-office records despite the restricted rating (Rated R) given to the film.
This was the first time in their 52 years in the industry to reveal three cover girls.


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Thanksgiving fell on the earliest Thursday possible this year, but the early holiday didn’t stall Americans from making the virtual dash for deals. Following a bustling shopping weekend both online and in-store, the ‘official’ online shopping holiday was right around the corner. Many were left wondering: If Americans spent a combined $59 billion over Black [...]
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Formula One will switch to 2.4 litre V8 engines in 2006. Cosworth has already begun dyno testing it’s V8 engine. The engine revs all the way up to 20,000rpm where the electronic rev limiter kicks in.
Click here for a video of the Cosworth V8 undergoing dyno testing.
Currently Formula One engines use 3.0 V10 naturally aspirated engines. Some of the teams will be allowed to continue using 3.0 V10 engines with rev limiters temporarily as cost-cutting measures while they develop new V8 engines. The V10 engines normally rev up to 19,000rpm currently, about 1000rpm lower than the Cosworth V8.
But I wonder who is going to use the engines though. Jordan (known as Midland next season) is now using Toyota engines. Red Bull Racing has decided to switch to Ferrari engines and even Minardi is expected to go for a rev-limited V10 engine instead of the Cosworth V8.
A potential candidate could be Williams.


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The Number Of Cryptocurrency Users Almost Doubled In 2018
According to the Cambridge Centre For Alternative Finance, the number of verified cryptocurrency users grew by 80% in the first three quarters of 2018. As stated the reseach, if last year there were 18 million users, today this number has grown to 35 million.
Glad to see that our new #cryptoasset report has already been covered by @crowdfundinside (including a summary of report findings and an interview with lead author @mrauchs) and @bloomberg (focus on user figures).
Link 1: https://t.co/EeHFAVUChE
Link 2: https://t.co/3IoEZsibDr
— CambridgeAltFin CJBS (@CambridgeAltFin) December 13, 2018
According to the publication, while some critics predict that the price of Bitcoin may fall to zero values, these data may be important, signaling the likely recovery of the market.
At the same time users are most likely still observers or long-term investors. Cryptocurrencies themselves, due to their volatility, are practically not used in commerce.
“The results of the study are consistent with the widespread belief that the majority of users, both experienced and novice users, are individuals, not representatives of business. These could be those for whom [cryptocurrency] is akin to a hobby, retail investors, consumers or users who are in search of a better investment or payment alternative, ” the author states.
The number of cryptocurrency accounts is growing:
"The strongest growth was in 2017, but the number of new user accounts, as well as the number of users verified on the basis of documents, continued to grow rapidly in 2018," the research says.
Earlier, experts of the Belarusian marketing agency BDCenter analyzed 30 of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges and concluded that the largest number of users of these platforms is based in the United States, Russia and China.


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AAVAA, the cutting-edge assistive tech company, proudly showcased its innovative spirit at the LG Nova Innovation Festival, making a lasting impression and clinching the second-place title at the LG webOS Hackathon event.
The LG Nova Innovation Festival, held in the heart of San Francisco, provided a dynamic platform for tech enthusiasts, innovators, and visionaries to come together to re-imagine the future of technology. AAVAA, a company dedicated to creating assistive technology devices that enhance the lives of people with disabilities, seized this opportunity to shine.
The highlight of AAVAA’s participation in the festival was the LG Hackathon, where participants were challenged to submit ideas aimed at improving LG’s operating system, WebOS. AAVAA’s visionary leader, Naeem Komeilipoor, presented a groundbreaking pitch that revolved around using AAVAA’s technology to detect eye movements and facial gestures to control other devices.
During the pitch session, Naeem showcased an amazing demo using an AAVAA device that allowed him to control an LG TV using only his head movements and blinks. The audience was amazed by this groundbreaking demonstration.
AAVAA’s innovative concept aimed at making television viewing more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, especially individuals with disabilities, ushering in a new era of assistive technology.
We’re excited to announce that AAVAA won second place at the LG NOVA webOS Hackathon during the LG NOVA Innovation Festival. 🥈
The LG NOVA Innovation Festival has opened up new possibilities and allowed us to connect with LG executives, partners, as well as other innovative startups and investors.
The second-place win at the LG Hackathon event underscores AAVAA’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of assistive technology and creating meaningful, real-world solutions. Our vision to use head movement and facial gestures to control LG TVs is not only a testament to their innovative spirit but also a significant step toward making technology more accessible and intuitive for all.


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Brands that are connecting at the speed of culture will win, said Adam Harter, PepsiCo’s VP of cultural connections, during his keynote presentation at the Digital Marketing World Forum (DMWF), in New York City.
Harter took the stage on Wednesday afternoon to talk about marketing in a post-mobile world, where big data, influence, and the blending of real and virtual worlds have redefined marketing—for the better.
According to Harter, 90% of the world’s data has been created in the past 12 months. Mobile, he said, is indispensable in the “connected” world. In fact, 90% of 18- to 29-year-olds sleep with or next to their smartphones; by the end of 2016, more than 8 trillion texts will have been sent overall.
This mobile-obsessed environment is what made PepsiCo realize it needed its own mobile-first reset. This reset consisted of four parts:
- A shift in culture.
- A better strategy for leveraging the data explosion.
- Driving dynamic creative.
- Measuring success every step of the way.
PepsiCo’s shift in culture is based on a new guiding principle: No campaign, program, or tactic will be considered if mobile isn’t part of the equation, Harter said.
“If someone calls a meeting to review creative for a campaign that doesn’t have a mobile component, that meeting gets cancelled,” Harter said. “We don’t even look at it.”
Additionally, PepsiCo is leveraging data to anticipate and be ready to activate, looking for the perfect moments in time to insert the brand and drive buzz. According to Harter, partners are key in leveraging the data explosion.
In terms of driving dynamic creative, everything that PepsiCo does takes into consideration what Harter calls “thumb-stopping behavior.” With so much media being thrown at always-connected customers, standing out has, understandably, become more difficult. That’s why “Make it memorable and make it immersive” is now PepsiCo’s mobile mantra.
Also part of PepsiCo’s newfound focus on dynamic creative is the democratization of influence, Harter said. Influencers, he said, can truly shape what a brand is trying to do. Sometimes they can even tell the PepsiCo brand story even better than the brand itself.
According to Harter, any program in which PepsiCo alters reality is a big hit with its fans. For example, a program in collaboration with Fox’s “Empire” took brand integration to the next level when Pepsi was featured in the plotline of three episodes. The lead character, Jamal, won a sponsorship deal after he created the song “Ready to Go” for a Pepsi ad. Jamal introduced the commercial and then Fox aired it during the commercial break. Then it was back to the show, blurring the lines between programming and advertising like never before, Harter explained.
“Consumers love when we can mess with their minds,” Harter said.
Another recent campaign that truly embodies PepsiCo’s commitment to mobile-first communications is #SayItWithPepsi, Harter said. Pepsi created branded emojis, placing them on its products in more than 17 markets, and also created a downloadable Pepsimoji keyboard.
“The #SayItWithPepsi campaign is really a never-been-done-before media approach,” Harter said. “It was truly mobile-first. We had five-second creative executions optimized for mobile. And the results were groundbreaking for us.”
This article first appeared in www.cmo.com
Seeking to build and grow your brand using the force of consumer insight, strategic foresight, creative disruption and technology prowess? Talk to us at +9714 3867728 or mail: firstname.lastname@example.org or visit www.groupisd.com


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GSTN Portal plans Registration of Existing Taxpayers under GST from 1 Nov. 2016
The GST Network (GSTN) is reportedly in the process of opening a web portal for registration of vendors, traders, manufactures, service providers, etc. from 1 Nov. 2016. This will facilitate access to GSTN for the taxpayers to make submissions necessary for registration, tax payment, gst return filing, refund processing, etc. On the other hand, the GSTN has already opened up its developer portal for specialised IT firms to develop service applications related with tax payment and filing of returns under the GST.
As per GSTN’s plans, the portal will be open for existing taxpayers from Nov. 2016 and requisite Login information will be provided to them and new taxpayers may enroll with GSTN subsequently.
With finalisation of threshold limits for registration and applicability of GST, taxpayers and professionals now have basic clarity about the operational aspects of the new tax GST and exemptions therefrom.
It may be noted that GST Council has decided that all assessees with annual turnover/ revenue below Rs. 20 lakh (Rs. 10 lakh for 11 special category NE / Hill states) will be kept outside the purview of GST or say they will be exempted from GST. Further, the GST Council has announced compounding scheme also which may be opted by Small traders or taxpayers with annual turnover/ revenues ranging from Rs. 20 Lac to Rs. 50 Lac and a flat nominal rate of tax under GST shall be applicable to them.


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SEJONG -- The country's anti-trust regulator said Monday it has found 14 online sellers of face masks in possible violation of fair trade laws, amid surging demand for protective masks over the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Some of the online sellers have been accused of unilaterally canceling orders and selling face masks at higher market prices, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said in a statement.
For instance, one online vendor unilaterally canceled orders for 119,450 face masks between Jan. 20 and Feb. 4 and then raised prices before selling the masks to other buyers, the FTC said.
If any irregularities are found, the web-based vendors will face administrative punishment, the FTC said.
Earlier this month, the government approved tougher penalties on the hoarding of protective masks and hand sanitizer in light of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, believed to have originated in China.
Under the new rules, a person who hoards such products will face a prison sentence of up to two years or a maximum fine of 50 million won ($42,000). The government also decided to push forward measures to compel manufacturers and wholesalers of protective face masks and hand sanitizer to report to the authorities before shipping or selling their products.
Under the planned measures, all manufacturers are required to make daily reports on the amount delivered in the domestic market as well as the amount to be exported. (Yonhap)


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While New Yorkers were getting into a snit about a life-size chocolate Jesus, Londoners were celebrating the Easter holidays by devouring a massive chocolate billboard decorated with eggs and bunnies. According to a BBC article, sugar-happy shoppers reduced the three-dimensional Covent Garden billboard to a few stray shards in just three hours.
Fancy-chocolate company Thorntons decorated the 14.5-by-9.5-foot installation (made up of 128 chocolate panels) with 10 jumbo chocolate bunnies and 72 massive chocolate-hazelnut eggs. It took 10 workers more than 300 hours to assemble. Encouraging passersby to break off a tail or nibble an ear was part of the company’s promotional plan, but with 860 pounds of chocolate involved, it figured the billboard would last at least a week.
Clearly, Thorntons underestimated what any British dentist knows: Brits love their sweets. Predestruction photos here, courtesy of YumSugar.


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UK Inflation at 1.5% as Lockdown Bites
The UK’s inflation rate fell to 1.5% in March, largely driven by falls in the price of clothing and fuel ahead of the coronavirus lockdown.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell from 1.7% in February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Clothing stores had offered more discounts as shoppers began staying at home, it said. Falling oil prices also resulted in cheaper petrol prices.
Economists warn inflation could slide to 0.5% in 2020 as the economy shrinks.
The ONS’s latest data was collected on 17 March, just before lockdown started on the 23rd. But its head of inflation, Mike Hardie, said there were already signs people were spending less in shops and more on necessities such as food.
The agency said prices of clothes and shoes had fallen by 1.2% in the year to March 2020.
It also said average petrol prices stood at 119.4 pence per litre during the month – the lowest seen since February 2019, while diesel stood at 123.8p
The UK benchmark for oil has fallen to about $16 (£13) a barrel as economic activity has slowed to trickle. That is a fall of about 75% since the start of the year.
Sarah Hewin, senior economist at Standard Chartered bank, told the BBC‘s Today programme: “Normally low inflation would be welcomed as it means people have effectively more to spend in the shop but these are not normal circumstances.
“The fall in inflation, in addition to low energy prices, is an indication of the steep recession we will see in the coming months.”


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Dolce & Gabbana has changed the name of one of its products after the fashion world lashed out in offense.
The fashion house named a pair of $2,400 footwear the “slave sandal,” and it didn’t take long for folks on Twitter to call the brand “insensitive”—among other things.
Those responsible for naming the sandal were accused of “glorifying slavery”:
The name choice made one young fashionista “want to throw up”:
Here are a few more negative reactions:
Brand managers have yet to issue a public apology, but D&G’s website has a new product name listed: "decorative flat sandal.” Saks Fifth Avenue is selling the shoes under the name “pompom leather lace-up sandal.”
RELATED: Keep your cool in a crisis with these 13 tips.


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We are in the last phase of the September quarter earnings season, and the results announced by the BSE 500 companies so far have shown signs of a sharp recovery, as compared to the June quarter, when the economic activity in the country was compromised due to lockdown in various regions. From the BSE 500 list, 216 companies have announced their September quarter results so far. We excluded banking and financial companies. Along with the index stocks we also analyse each sector quarterly earnings. (Data Source: ACE Equity)
Caught between demonetisation and GST, the Indian corporate sector had a tough start to the fiscal year as is evident from the first quarter’s report card. While optically the aggregate earnings may not appear as a shocker, it nevertheless hides underlying weakness and a clear loss of momentum.
The fittest survived and the ones staying above water are running a tight ship. Markets would like to blame recent correction on geopolitical tensions and Sebi’s action on 'shell companies'. However, as the saying goes, markets are slaves of earnings, hence this is the indicator that they cannot be ignored. If the second half of FY18 doesn’t bring the mojo back to earnings, the next leg of rally will have to wait longer.
Nifty protected by few strong ones
Going strictly by statistics, the weighted average Nifty earnings so far have grown by 12 percent. However, the aggregate absolute earnings have declined. As the numbers suggest, despite a higher growth in sales, operating profit de-grew, thereby pointing to margin pressure, probably coming from input prices that couldn’t be fully passed on amid the overall weak sentiment.
The weighted average Nifty earnings have been protected by the good performance of two heavyweight sectors namely financials and oil & gas that usually houses the leaders of the likes of HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Bank, etc. While companies like Tata Motors and State Bank of India reported optically exciting numbers - for the auto manufacturer it was a one-time gain and for the banking bellwether it was lower provisions that masked the underlying weakness. Interestingly, if one were to look at Nifty earnings ex-financials, the numbers look worse.
The sectoral losers – pharma, tyres, FMCG, durables, electricals & micro finance
In the large cap universe there were some discerning sectoral trends – pharmaceutical companies had a very difficult quarter, weighed down by GST de-stocking and US generics pressure. GST and raw material prices negatively impacted earnings of tyre companies. Micro finance companies too have not yet come out of demonetisation crisis, compounded in recent times by the “moral hazard” of farm loan waiver. Consumer-facing businesses like staples, consumer electronics and electricals all bore the brunt of GST.
Smarter large caps
However, retail sectors and jewellers fared better partly due to the pre-GST sales and their own unique initiatives. While GST cast its shadow on most India-linked businesses, some of the men like Interglobe Aviation, Bajaj Finance, domestic equity brokers like Edelweiss/Motilal, Container Corporation, Bharat Electronics, L&T Finance, Dalmia Bharat, Century Textiles etc stood out, underscoring the pivotal importance of stock picking in investments.
Earnings momentum faltering?
What was disconcerting was the loss of earnings momentum in the broader market. Our analysis of over 2000 companies suggests that while the performance snapshot looks similar to their large-cap counterparts, earnings quality is weakening. In the quarter gone by, the number of companies reporting losses have actually gone up from 624 (Q1 FY17) to 639. Incidentally, the number of companies reporting over 10 percent growth in profitability has also fallen from 837 to 781.
Margin compression – a clear trend
A closer look at the BSE500 aggregate suggests that while topline growth has not faltered much, operating profit has shrunk. However, the bottomline didn’t deteriorate as much on account of lower interest costs.
The saga of margin compression is evident in the mid-cap universe as well. The consumer-facing businesses had a particularly challenging quarter. Hence, the BSE Midcap index posted a poor show with lower growth in topline, sharp decline in operating profit and a big contraction in overall profitability.
Small cap – how safe?
Finally, of great interest to investors at large is a deep dive into the smallcap universe. Here again the headline number concealed the underlying deterioration. While on an aggregate basis, numbers appear not to have weakened significantly, but earnings quality has. As against 80 and 77 companies that reported losses respectively in the year-ago and previous quarter; in the quarter gone by, the number has jumped to 88.
So the aggregate show clearly was protected by a few outliers. This is clearly evident from the fact that while close to 253 companies reported earnings growth in excess of 10 percent in the year-ago quarter, that number has fallen steeply to 190 in the latest quarter gone by.
But the moot question is, does Q1 18 results matter?
It does matter as any growth market is driven by earnings growth. However, not all is not lost for India Inc. Most corporates are guiding to a better second half of FY18. They are highlighting gains for organised sector due to GST and better outlook for global growth as probable tailwinds. But let us not forget that the proof of the pudding is only in eating. So investors got to monitor earnings closely.
The headline index is not particularly cheap at 19.5X FY18 projected earnings. In the near-term, markets might keep hopes of revival in the second half alive and not correct significantly on this count. But any escalation of political tension in our borders or globally will bring the valuation argument back. With few good men continuing to support earnings, too much liquidity will continue to chase too few good companies. Thus, valuation may remain at elevated levels making the task of finding growth with value, a lot more difficult, going forward.


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The need to identify the sender and receiving parties in crypto transactions allegedly means support for privacy-focused altcoins must end.
Changpeng Zhao has U-turned on warnings Binance’s new product was under attack from a bad actor.
The computing power dedicated to mining bitcoin has hit yet another new high, suggesting that as many as 600,000 machines have come online since June.
The U.S. Treasury mentioned cryptocurrency thefts as one of the reasons for the action against the Lazarus Group, Bluenoroff and Andariel.
PayPal representatives have said they remain cautious about the future of Facebook’s Libra, yet they continue to strongly believe in its potential.
With minimum ticket sizes as low as 10 euro, Neufund says it's bringing capital markets to the people.
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland teams up with local tech startup Igloo to launch a blockchain-based tenancy agreement platform by the end of 2019.


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The Los Angeles City Fur Ban - Make Los Angeles Fur Free!
0 have signed. Let’s get to 150,000!
Make LA Fur Free - The Los Angeles City Fur Ban.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield recently introduced a measure to ban the sale and manufacture of fur products within the City of Los Angeles. The motion was co-presented by Councilmember Paul Koretz and seconded by Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. The effort was spearheaded by the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation and Animal Hope in Legislation
If passed, the ban would prohibit the sale and manufacture of products such as shoes, handbags or clothing that are made in whole or in part of fur, with an exemption for used fur products. The issue has been assigned to the Personnel and Animal Welfare Committees.
We are urging that the motion be heard and approved in committee, asking ALL members of city council to lend their support to this important measure.
The fur trade is a brutal industry where millions of animals such as foxes, minks, rabbits, dogs, cats, raccoons, and chinchilla’s are killed every year. Most of these animals are raised on fur farms, where they are kept in cages, barely bigger than their bodies and confined to a life of misery. They live through intense stress and engage in psychotic behaviors like repetitive pacing, self-mutilation and cannibalism. They endure this life only to be killed in some of the most inhumane ways - electrocuted and stunned, some still alive as they are being skinned. They are submitted to this suffering solely for the sake of their fur.
As a fashion mecca and the second largest city in the United States, this measure is life changing, and seeks to set an example of compassion for the rest of the country and the world to follow. Today there are countless varieties of fabric and fur alternatives. There is no need for this brutal industry, and Los Angeles should not support this cruelty. Other California cities with similar bans in place include West Hollywood, Berkley, and San Francisco.
That is why we are urging all members of the city council to support Councilmembers Blumenfield, Ko retz and O’Farrell, and pass this important measure that would change the future of fur products and save countless animals.
Today: Animal Hope in Legislation is counting on you
Animal Hope in Legislation needs your help with “The Los Angeles City Fur Ban - Make Los Angeles Fur Free!”. Join Animal Hope in Legislation and 143,948 supporters today.


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senior Mgr. of Content Strategy & SEO
WASHINGTON, D.C., - January 19, 2022 - The reviews and rating platform Clutch has released their 2022 iteration of the best service providers in the UK. The companies included in this list demonstrated their dedication to their clients throughout the past twelve months.
The best businesses get to the top because of their ability to quickly adapt to new circumstances and situations. These companies not only weathered the challenges that came their way, but even leveraged them to their advantage.
Clutch is all about rewarding companies that take a less than ideal situation and making it work for their benefit. Highlighting these success stories will inspire others to do the same. Their team is able to determine who these companies are by looking at various factors such as market position and client feedback.
“The featured UK companies overcame a challenging year.” said Clutch Customer Experience Representative Nate Weavill “We’re the lucky ones to be able to compile all their stories in a format that gives them the recognition they deserve.”
If you want your company to have the chance to be included in Clutch’s annual top performers, the first step is creating a Clutch profile.
Here is a complete list of the top B2B service providers in the UK:
Results are a snapshot of Clutch’s Leaders Matrices on January 11, 2022. Rankings are dynamic and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Clutch’s website.
Clutch is the leading ratings and reviews platform for IT, marketing, and business service providers. Each month, over half a million buyers and sellers of services use the Clutch platform, and the user base is growing over 50% a year. Clutch has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the U.S. and has been listed as a top 50 startup by LinkedIn.


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21/02/2019 · Consumer Reports has announced the best cars of 2019. Toyota and Subaru dominate the list, while Audi, BMW, Ford, and Hyundai all make appearances. Consumer Reports has announced the best cars of 2019. Toyota and Subaru dominate the list, while Audi, BMW,. Hybrid/electric car. Consumer Reports has released their list of 10 best cars for 2018-2019 to help you choose your investment wisely. The latest mix includes daily drivers all the way to utility vehicles for a wider variety of car buyers who want the best bang for their bucks. Scientists and Consumer Reports a nationally representative fielded survey to investigate the car buying intentions of U.S. adults. We also investigated the potential impacts thatincentives for buying electric vehicles may have on drivers purchase decisions, as well as theyhow feel about federal and state policies. 06/01/2019 · Regular readers of Green Car Reports know we have been saying for a year now that 2019 is the year of the electric SUV. Now the year is finally here, and we thought we'd give our readers a peek at what we know about all the upcoming models. Most are SUVs, with a couple of hatchbacks thrown in. In many cases their specific arrival.
13/05/2019 · Best Affordable Electric Cars 2019 1. Kia e-Niro. Along with its sister car, the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia e-Niro redefines how much real-world range we should now be expecting from an electric vehicle towards the more affordable end of the price spectrum. 14/10/2019 · Electric cars are still far outnumbered by their gasoline-powered cousins, but they're becoming more common, and more affordable. A new survey by Consumer Reports says 36% of prospective car buyers would consider a plug-in electric vehicle for their next new car. CR says it has a lot has to do with pricing - The price points are much.
“Automakers and dealers have made little to no effort to market electric cars in the US, and yet this survey shows that Americans have widespread interest in them,” says Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Manager of Cars and Energy Policy for Consumer Reports. “Car buyers across the economic spectrum are interested in electric cars, but.For 2019, Consumer Reports only got feedback on four Infiniti models, but this small lineup proved quite reliable for owners over the past year. At the top of the automaker’s list was the Q60 coupe, which first appeared in 2017. Outside of a few infotainment issues, owners had nothing negative to report. When the winter season comes around, you may start thinking about the bad weather that often comes with it. If you live in an area that gets heavy snow during the winter you’ve probably experienced the issues that can occur when you have a lot of snow around your home. Top 10 Best Electric Wheelchairs Consumer Report In 2020. Last Updated December 13, 2019. This electric wheelchair is designed to be able to be transported in most standard cars so you don’t have to install a lift. ComfyGO New Model 2019 Fold & Travel Lightweight Folding Remote Control Electric.
12/09/2019 · Electric vehicle owners in some states are paying higher annual fees for driving zero-emissions cars than their gas-guzzling friends, according to new analysis by Consumer Reports. Of the 26 states that impose fees on electric vehicles, 11 charge more for an EV than an owner of a traditional gas-powered car ends up paying in gasoline taxes every year. users know a good vehicle when they see one. Does it drive well? Is it reliable? Is it comfortable? Based on their own personal experience, here's the list of the Highest Rated 2019 Electric Cars. 06/09/2018 · We've purchased the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado for our test program. Hear our first impressions of the popular pickup and where we think it stands in the ongoing truck war. Mercedes-Benz introduces its first all-electric vehicle, the EQC; and we answer viewer questions about hybrids and the best used car for a new teen driver. 07/08/2018 · We bring the 10 best electric cars for 2019 list to the fore for your consideration so you can decide which is truely the best electric vehicles available on the market today. 1. Audi E-tron Sportback 2019 – Topping the list of the best electric cars. The Audi E tron Sportback made an initial appearance at the Shanghai motor show in 2017.
23/04/2018 · Toyota is betting on sedan appeal with the new 2019 Avalon. The flagship sedan offers drivers a traditional family vehicle with updated styling, a premium cabin and a. Best Electric Cars You Can Buy in 2019. Many analysts believe this will make 2020 the breakout year for electrics and start attracting a whole new class of consumer. Naturally, electric vehicles also tend to be showcases for the. and there have been recent reports of layoffs of those working on the autonomous technology for the company. The Tesla Model 3 has lost its CR recommendation. Consumer Reports can no longer recommend the electric sedan because CR members say they’ve identified a number of reliability problems with their cars.
Consumer issues with early cars, even if they didn’t bother owners very much, seemed to make Consumer Reports feel a bit skittish. However, Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, says, “as the production stabilized, we have seen improvements to the reliability.”. 14/11/2019 · Consumer Reports released its much-followed Auto Reliability Survey showing the most and least reliable 2020. Tesla. The company's best-seller, the Model 3 electric compact car, earned the coveted Consumer Reports recommendation this year after failing to earn that status. These are the 10 best cars, SUVs and pickups of 2019. 12/10/2018 · This week we discuss our findings regarding the recent reports of Honda CR-V drivers experiencing gasoline leaking into and diluting the engine oil, and what you should do if you are having the same problem. Next, we give our first impressions of the all-new 2019 Nissan Altima, and how it stacks up in the already declining compact.
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Lumi, Seera Group’s vehicle rental business, has set an industry-first in the Kingdom to provide Harley-Davidson bikes on rent exclusively. Through its partnership with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Lumi has launched the first fleet of touring and cruiser motorcycles that enable bike aficionados to explore the Kingdom in inimitable style.
A disruptive new business model that will transform the vehicle rental sector, the new service will benefit not only bike enthusiasts in the Kingdom but also visitors as Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome global travellers both on business and leisure.
The partnership is highlighted by two significant strengths: One, the premium features and outstanding performance of the Harley-Davidson bikes backed by the seamless service of trained technicians; and two, Lumi’s advanced booking experience, proven customer service and extensive rental industry expertise that allows easy bike rentals. In the first phase, the bikes are rented out at Lumi’s counter at the Harley-Davidson outlet in Riyadh, and will be later followed by dedicated Lumi branch outlets and online booking service too.
Azfar Shakeel, Vice President of Lumi, said: "At the heart of this new partnership is Lumi’s focus on bringing innovative services that not only transform the vehicle rental business but also create exceptional lifestyle experiences for our customers. With domestic tourism gaining momentum and international travel set to rebound, we are preparing to welcome visitors as well as treat Saudi residents to new thrills, such as an exhilarating ride to discover the Kingdom on a Harley-Davidson. Our fleet of cruisers and touring bikes are ideal to criss-cross Saudi Arabia and discover the varied tourism offering of the Kingdom."
Monther Almutlaq, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson Saudi Arabia, said: "It is with pleasure that Harley Davidson Saudi Arabia announced the partnership with Lumi, Seera Group’s Vehicle Rental Business to provide Harley-Davidson rental bikes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With Lumi’s experience in the vehicle rental Industry, we are positive this move will add new services and experiences to motorbike enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia, GCC, and all over the world. There are over a million and half members of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) whom we are sure will be thrilled at the opportunity of visiting Saudi Arabia and having many adventures with Motorbike. This partnership between Lumi, Seera Group’s Vehicle Rental Business and Harley-Davidson Saudi Arabia aims to advance the tourism experience in Saudi Arabia in line with the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision".
Operating in the Kingdom since 1997, Harley-Davidson has a loyal following in Saudi Arabia and is one of the sought-after bikes by the young and trendy. With Lumi’s significant footprint across the Kingdom, users can now conveniently access Harley-Davidson bikes for a day, week or a cross-country riding adventure. Customers can also apply for a bike licence after taking four hours of training conducted by Harley Davidson.
Evolving as one of the top vehicle rental brands, Lumi has recently launched a user-friendly and comprehensive app – an intuitive and seamless digital platform to further streamline and automate the online booking process, providing customers with a quick, secure, and hassle-free experience.
Further, as part of Group’s larger initiative, ‘Seera Safe’, Lumi has launched several safety initiatives, reassuring customers of the highest standards of health and safety followed. Enhanced cleaning procedures include the thorough sanitisation of all bikes before rental with attention paid to high touch point areas. Temperature checks of staff and visitors have been activated and social distancing measures are practised, and digital processes and payments reduce physical contact.
Lumi is ISO 9001:2015 certified, highlighting its commitment to the highest quality standards. With a fleet of over 14,000 cars in the Kingdom and more than 150 corporate clients recorded in over five years in Saudi Arabia, Lumi is further strengthening its credentials as Saudi Arabia’s top-performing rental service with new tech-driven services.


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President Donald Trump tweeted praise for Tesla CEO Elon Musk after the electric carmaker announced it would build its next factory in Texas. Musk promptly responded.
@realDonaldTrump @Tesla Thank you on behalf of the Tesla team. We look forward to building Giga Texas!— Elon Musk 🌹 (@Elon Musk 🌹)1595599932.0
- What Tulsa offers Elon Musk for Tesla's next 'Gigafactory' - austonia ›
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- Elon Musk threatens to move Tesla operations to Texas and Nevada ... ›
- Elon Musk seeks to fast-track $1.1 billion Tesla factory in Austin ... ›
- SpaceX job ad reveals early stages of Texas space resort - austonia ›
- Tesla's Elon Musk becomes 3rd richest person in the world - austonia ›
There's nothing Austinites look forward to more than South by Southwest, and this year, the annual event returns as a digital experience.
After a truly impactful year on the aviation industry, Norwegian Air announced that due to COVID-19 and government advice discouraging travel, it would abandon its long haul flights to focus on its European audience for the time being.
That means Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is losing two European routes: a nonstop route to London and Austin's sole nonstop route to Paris.
A sigh of relief was felt by Willie Nelson fans everywhere after the music legend posted on social media he received the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Starbucks Coffee Co. this week made a big splash in the $3.4 billion cold-crafted juice market when it opened the first Evolution Fresh™ custom juice bar.
The move into the “healthy beverage” segment comes four months after acquiring San Bernardino, Calif.-based Evolution Fresh, Inc. for $30 million. The concept store, likely to be followed by construction of hundreds nationwide, features a patented juice dispensing system that allows the wait staff to customize high-quality fruit and vegetable juice offerings.
The 8-ounce drinks sell for $4.99 and the 16-ounce drinks are priced at $7.99.
Mixologists at Evolution Fresh™ also offer a selection of salads, soup and healthy snack options and sell TAZO tea in packages and on tap. The single tea tap is for seasonal offerings, according to a company spokesperson. TAZO currently manufactures tea concentrates for lattes and offers a limited selection of bottled tea juice blends first introduced in 2006.
Two deceptively simple technologies come into play in this store.
While it looks like freshly squeezed juice, what comes from the tap has been crushed under such intense pressure that no pathogens survive. After cold pressing and squeezing the fruit, the juice undergoes High Pressure Processing (Pascalization) that allows for a 45-day shelf life. The innovative process retains more of the flavor, vitamins and nutrients of raw fruits and vegetables. Juices go from tree to shelf in seven days or less, eliminating the need for noisy blenders and flies hovering over in-store bowls of over-ripe fruit.
The second innovation is graduated glassware that makes it easy for mixologists to draw unique combinations of juice from the taps. One customer might ask for four ounces of apple with six ounces of pomegranate and eight ounces of tea. Another will stare at the mesmerizing video wall above the taps and order carrot and beet, advertised as the juice highest in B vitamins.
The mix is then poured into a plastic cup with lid and straw. Each shop will have a customized selection of fruit and vegetable juices and a tap for TAZO that holds great promise for tea lovers.
Retail expert Burt Flickinger III, managing director of SRG (Strategic Resource Group) in New York, calls it the “perfect consumer combination” because drinks are customized to each consumer.
Fresh beverages, wraps, soups, vegan items and salads on offer appeal to an entirely different customer than someone ordering high-calorie, high-caffeine lattes at a Starbucks across the street, he notes.
“One wants high-quality, high-octane caffeine and sweet baked goods and the other — an even more knowledgeable young professional, with an even higher level of education, who is more health conscious — wants fresh, natural athletic energy, a meal and health solution at the same time,” says Flickinger.
“People's tastes are changing and Starbucks could be a bellwether,” adds Bob Phibbs, a retail consultant and author known as the Retail Dr. “Their acquisition of Evolution gives them a proven café concept that is right on trend in larger, upscale markets without diluting their Starbucks brand,” he said.
“They are trying things to boost earnings, that's why they are successful. Smaller retailers should take notice and become informed because it is likely those Evolution customers, especially in the NE and NW could be open to similar options. Not another granita machine or "Italian ice" but healthy/healthful juices,” he said.
A challenge for everyone in the fresh juice category is that even at 45 days “shelf life is so low you'll have to burn through a lot of product until the category demand justifies it.”
Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Beverages
The foodservice drinks are flanked with a cold case filled with Starbucks juices. These grab-and-go options will compete with the highly successful Naked Juice, owned by PepsiCo. Evolution Fresh founder Jimmy Rosenberg also founded the Naked Juice Company in 1983. Starbucks previously featured Naked Juice in its stores and will now replace those lines with Evolution products later this year.
Evolution Fresh brand will also be available to grocery channels. Coca-Cola owned Odwalla is the other big player in the $5 billion juice category which includes several pasteurized brands.
The new branding clearly reflects the vibrancy of real, pure ingredients and products, highlighting the fact that the juice is never heated due to Evolution Fresh’s innovative use of (HPP), according to Starbucks.
“Evolution Fresh sets a new standard in premium cold-crafted juice. We are making real juice that has more of the nutrients and flavors from the fruits and vegetables from which it comes from,” said Jeff Hansberry, president, Channel Development. “We have a tremendous opportunity to change people’s lives not only by making premium-quality, natural juices and foods more readily available, but also by offering an extensive variety of choices for customers to select the best options for their lifestyle.”
The company writes that refreshing the brand also marks Starbucks’ commitment to bringing continued innovation to the cold processed category. Many independent juice bars and rivals like Jamba Juice do not pasteurize their in-store offerings. Evolution Fresh plans to build on its product line-up with new seasonal and core juices that are never heated, according to Starbucks.
Fruit Beverage Market
The liquid refreshment beverage category has rebounded since 2010, according to Beverage Marketing Corporation. Sales of fruit beverages declined to 3.5 billion gallons during the recession, representing 12.2 percent of the refreshment market which is dominated by carbonated soda (47.2 percent share).
“Competition from other categories has been intense and innovation has been limited in the fruit beverage category,” according to BMC, adding “Higher prices, particularly for chilled orange juice, has also negatively impacted the category.”
“Over the last five years, fruit drinks have outperformed fruit juice and gained share,” according to BMC. Fruit drinks (vs 100 percent juices) now hold 46.4 percent of the fruit beverage segment. During this same period, BMC reports RTD tea grew by 10.4 percent and jumped 11.5 percent in volume from 2009 to 2010. RTD tea volume is nearing the billion mark at 989.7 million gallons.
In the summer of 2006, Starbucks introduced the Frappuccino Juice Blend, which is described as being "real fruit juices combined with Tazo Tea, blended with ice." A coffee-free "cream" base was created to make a beverage called a Frappuccino Blended Crème. Flavors include Green Tea Frappuccino and Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino. Tazo® Green Tea Crème Frappuccino® was named a Weight Watchers favorite. The line was discontinued in 2008.
Evolution Fresh Format Expansion
Flickinger estimates a $500,000 price tag for each new free-standing store. He predicts hundreds will be built following a six month shakedown period in Bellevue. Growth will be in university towns, he said. “Look for stores across from USC in California and UCLA and in Ithaca, New York, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia and other ‘trend-setting’ communities,” he said.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said last November that successful independent juice bars gross more than a million per unit, a annual sales number less than the typical Starbucks but somewhat above competitor Jamba Juice.
This is a good time for expansion with shopping mall vacancies at an all-time high, he explains. “Smart landlords will offer generous build-out allowances allowing Evolution Fresh to reach scale faster,” said Flickinger.
Starbucks is a very astute manager of retail properties with choice locations nationwide. Look for store within store expansion of the concept at larger locations, he said.
“Juice makes tremendous sense in retail right now,” said Flickinger.


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Hedge fund manager David Einhorn isn't the only one who thinks Steve Ballmer should go: a lot of employees seem to think so as well.
According to Glassdoor's latest quarterly survey as reported by Geekwire, Steve Ballmer's approval rating plunged to 29% during the quarter. That's based on surveys of at least 50 employees during the quarter -- a small sample size, meaning it may not be perfectly accurate.
But it's still a huge drop from last quarter's rating of 40%, and much lower than other tech CEOs -- even Cisco John Chambers is still at 55%. Top ranking tech CEOs include Apple's Steve Jobs with 97% and Intel's Paul Otellini with 94%.
Ballmer's overall rating stands at 47% -- that's based on cumulative surveys of more than 1,500 workers.


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We continue to wait patiently for the arrival of the Google Pixel Watch, but according to the latest from the rumor mill we might have to hang on for a few months yet – it seems the wearable might not launch until October, alongside the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro.
That's according to well-known tech tipster Jon Prosser on Twitter, who says that the smartwatch is going to be teased at the Google IO event in May before getting a full announcement and launch later on in the year.
Prosser – who has less than a 100 percent record with tech predictions – also says the Google Pixel 6a will be fully unveiled at Google IO, which runs from May 11 to May 12. That device is said to be going on sale on July 28.
Watch this space
The last we heard from Prosser, he was suggesting that the launch of the Pixel Watch – as in the date it would get properly unveiled and go on sale – was going to be pushed back from around Google IO time to later in the year. That has now come to pass.
It's the global chip shortage that once again seems to be to blame, with manufacturers across the tech industry scrambling to find enough components to put in their products. While the problems do seem to be easing, the effects continue to be felt.
We'll be watching closely when Google IO 2022 gets underway on May 11. Ostensibly an event for developers to learn more about Google's software platforms, it has occasionally been used to launch a hardware product or two in previous years.
Analysis: a gadget Google needs to get right
Take a trip through the TechRadar archives and you'll see that we've been waiting for the Pixel Watch for an awfully long time. It was at one stage expected to launch alongside the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL back in 2018, for example – which obviously didn't happen.
Fitbit's acquisition by Google's parent company Alphabet, completed in 2021 – for a hefty $2.1 billion – gave new impetus to the Pixel Watch rumors. As yet though, we're still waiting for the flagship wearable to make its public debut.
Google seems to have refocused its efforts on Pixel hardware lately, specifically with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro – devices that really give the best phones on the market something to think about. That's a good sign that the Pixel Watch could be here soon.
With the Apple Watch dominating the market and Samsung also boasting a strong smartwatch line-up, it's perhaps no bad thing that Google is taking its time: it needs to get the Pixel Watch right to make sure it's a serious competitor to what's already out.
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Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.


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