text:
vivo, the global innovative smartphone brand, today announced the launch of its first-ever technologically advanced experience zone with leading retail partner, Poorvika Mobiles in Chennai. The start of this futuristic experience zone is part of vivo’s unwavering commitment to enhance the buying experience of the customers in the retail space.
The newly launched experience zone will be a one-of-a-kind retail experience for customers across Tamil Nadu to witness the new and interactive way to witness product features. Consisting of a touch enabled LED screen, that will allow customers to compare products before making a buying decision and see beforehand the complete features and how they function through an interactive screen. The Poorvika store will house the entire portfolio of vivo devices, including the Y-series, newly launched S-series and the popular V-series smartphones. The newly launched V17Pro and S1 will also be available for customers to experience and purchase.
Commenting on the launch, Nipun Marya, Director-Brand Strategy, vivo India said, “At vivo, we give immense significance to the customer experience and that’s why retail has been a vital part of our strategy since the beginning. The launch of our first technology enabled experience zone is part of a more significant objective to redefine customer buying experience and make it more immersive. This experience zone will allow smartphone enthusiasts to meaningfully engage with the vivo products and experience the cutting-edge technology in a familiar environment. We are confident that Poorvika’s acute understanding of the local market will be instrumental in consolidating vivo’s offline presence further.”
Expressing his delight on the partnership, Mr. Uvaraj Natarajan, CEO of Poorvika Mobiles said, “We are glad to associate with vivo India for the launch of their first experience zone. Poorvika has always been a go to destination for the latest in technology. Our partnership with vivo will create a delightful experience for all our customers in the region.”
The technologically advanced experience zone is located at Poorvika Mobiles store in Shanti Colony, Chennai.
vivo, a premium global smartphone brand, entered India in late 2014; vivo has established itself as one of the top smartphone brands in India. Manufacturing in Greater Noida, the company has a robust distribution network across the country both online and offline, catering the best in class quality services to over 539 cities, in 27 states and 5 union territories backed by more than 550 service centres in India. The organization is dedicated to the pursuit of perfection and is continuously creating surprises for users through constant innovation. Through smartphones, vivo offers users a professional-grade photography solution, taking mobile photography to the level of an art form, witnessing and recording all of life’s beautiful moments.
|Image Caption : vivo Launches First Ever Next-Gen Experience Zone at Poorvika Mobiles store in Shanti Colony, Chennai||click for high-res image|


text:
FedEx Trade Networks' Dr. Udo Lange on the fundamental challenge of extreme overcapacity in the market, regulatory compliance challenges, and their strategy for ocean freight forwarding.
19 Sep 2017
Higher base rates boosted revenue, but a cyber attack and hurricane helped depress profit at FedEx this summer. The transport operator plans across-the-board rate hikes.
01 Aug 2017
A steady increase in freight volumes and e-commerce demand is fueling an expansion of LTL networks, with YRC Freight planning eight distribution centers.
03 Jul 2017
ArcBest subsidiary's "cubic minimum charge" is designed to help LTL carrier capture more costs.
23 Jun 2017
Rail tracks end long before e-commerce's last mile, but Amazon.com has many "touch points" at Union Pacific Railroad, Beth Whited says.
22 Mar 2017
FedEx Freight's latest quarterly earnings show LTL rates rising in the early months of 2017.
28 Feb 2017
Mid-sized LTL carriers increased revenue at a faster pace in 2016 and are poised to grow more.
14 Oct 2016
The Teamsters' long-haul campaign to organize XPO Logistics, as well as FedEx Freight, unfolds terminal by terminal, court decision by court decision.
21 Sep 2016
TNT's European road network, and its ability to handle profitable palletized freight, will be important to FedEx as it integrates global express operations.
01 Aug 2016
Despite lower volumes, many LTL carriers say they are still winning contractual rate increases.
25 May 2016
Freight costing "is a huge challenge," Estes Express Lines' chief operating officer told a technology conference.
18 Mar 2016
As part of an effort to improve yields and better cost and price shipments, FedEx Freight says it will add eight dimensional scanners to the 45 it already uses to reweigh and classify freight at terminals.
17 Mar 2016
Suggestions that Amazon.com’s forays into air freight and logistics might disrupt the business of traditional package carriers or compete with them are “fantastical,” FedEx founder and Chief Executive Officer Fred Smith said Wednesday. “Let me emphasize I choose this word carefully,” Smith said.
03 Mar 2016
FedEx, the largest less-than-truckload carrier in North America and the second-largest trucking operator in the U.S., has joined the league of logistics industry groups, including rival UPS, opposed to a proposed Canadian Pacific-Norfolk Southern railway merger.

domain: news


text:
Express, Inc. (NYSE:EXPR) – Equities researchers at SunTrust Banks lowered their Q1 2019 EPS estimates for Express in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday. SunTrust Banks analyst P. Quintiliano now expects that the company will earn ($0.02) per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of ($0.01). SunTrust Banks has a “Hold” rating and a $8.00 price objective on the stock.
Several other research firms have also issued reports on EXPR. Zacks Investment Research raised shares of Express from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 13th. BMO Capital Markets set a $10.00 target price on shares of Express and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Finally, B. Riley increased their target price on shares of Express from $7.00 to $9.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have issued a hold rating to the company’s stock. The stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $8.75.
Express stock traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $6.99. 422,665 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,757,236. Express has a one year low of $5.28 and a one year high of $11.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $567.42, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.08 and a beta of 0.94.
Express (NYSE:EXPR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 14th. The company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. Express had a net margin of 0.91% and a return on equity of 4.45%. The company had revenue of $693.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $686.82 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.29 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis.
Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Zeke Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Express in the 4th quarter valued at about $108,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its holdings in Express by 29.5% in the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 20,739 shares of the company’s stock valued at $140,000 after acquiring an additional 4,722 shares during the last quarter. Alambic Investment Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Express during the 4th quarter worth approximately $147,000. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan increased its holdings in shares of Express by 59.1% during the 3rd quarter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan now owns 29,420 shares of the company’s stock worth $199,000 after buying an additional 10,930 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FNY Managed Accounts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Express during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $201,000. Institutional investors own 99.08% of the company’s stock.
Express announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, November 30th that permits the company to buyback $150.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.
WARNING: This article was first published by Dispatch Tribunal and is the property of of Dispatch Tribunal. If you are accessing this article on another website, it was illegally copied and reposted in violation of U.S. and international trademark & copyright legislation. The correct version of this article can be viewed at https://www.dispatchtribunal.com/2018/03/20/suntrust-banks-comments-on-express-inc-s-q1-2019-earnings-expr.html.
Express Company Profile
Express, Inc is a specialty apparel and accessories retailer offering both women’s and men’s merchandise. The Company targets women and men between 20 and 30 years old. It offers an assortment of fashionable apparel and accessories to address fashion needs across multiple aspects of lifestyles, including work, casual, jeanswear and going-out occasions.
Receive News & Ratings for Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.


text:
The proliferation of mobile devices has led to a fundamental requirement for the right network which is capable of handling the bandwidth, security, and mobility involved in the movement from office to home.
A recent found that mobile-connected devices will exceed the world population in 2012. Adding to this, internet traffic, per smartphone, is growing at 77 percent per year and internet traffic per tablet is growing at 52 percent per year. The consumerisation of IT and mobility has now moved beyond the ‘tipping point’ and is a reality in today’s working environment.
Uptake of cloud services in SMEs is set to increase dramatically in the next three years, taking the adoption level of some cloud service or application moved into the cloud to almost 100 percent. Progressive companies that have already rolled out cloud solutions are seeing benefits to their business and bottom line. A recent survey by IDC found that almost every SME that uses cloud services saves money, with most lowering costs between 10 percent and 20 percent.
With cloud-based solutions, SMEs can reinvest their time and resources into product, sales, marketing, and other revenue-generating areas. This not only makes businesses easier to manage, but makes them more efficient as well. With the advent of the cloud, smaller budgets are no longer a hindrance to an SME’s ability to compete in the market.
This is because, with cloud, instead of SMEs operating workloads such as desktops and storage through physical in-house servers, they are hosted on centralised virtual servers in a data centre which means the investment costs more affordable; and the deployment and set-up times are quicker and less complicated than the traditional set-up.
As such SMEs can gain a competitive advantage in that they can have the latest and most efficient services quickly, without having to worry about the initial physical infrastructure.
According to a recent report from IDC, 64 percent of SMEs use at least one cloud-based service. That number is poised to skyrocket, especially when you consider the additional 25 percent of small businesses that have a concrete plan to use the cloud, or are at least thinking about it.
Mobile users increasingly expect to integrate their personal and professional information using mobile devices. This expectation is driving SMEs to build mobile applications that enable users to access enterprise data at any time, anywhere and on any device.
The evolving workplace
For many employees, the terms “office hours” and “work place” are becoming dated as the working environment continues to evolve. Work flexibility is a necessity, not an option. It’s normal for employees to integrate their professional/personal lives on their consumer devices and use social media to share, communicate and collaborate.
The modern professional no longer sees the opportunity to use their own device as an optional extra. They now expect and demand to be able to work on the same devices that they use in their personal lives; they expect their employers to react to this. At a time when employees integrate their professional and personal lives more than ever before, they expect their technology to accommodate this. With collaborative technology, SMEs can optimise their working ethos to suit how their employees work best.
Mixing personal and business devices
New work norms have rapidly replaced the old ones. Employees now work at any time and from any location. They often use personally owned mobile devices and communicate over home Wi-Fi networks. Employees regularly integrate personal and professional activities and use their mobile phones to help them unify those activities. They store enterprise data on public cloud servers and synchronize the data between employer and employee-owned devices.
Users often have a better sense than IT of what mobile products and services are feasible in the work environment. This growing wave of consumerisation, expectation and sophistication has created a powerful force for change, and one which SMEs should embrace.


text:
Plastics industry’s efforts to comply with China’s “Dual Carbon” Targets
China has embarked on a road towards a “dual carbon” target where it commits to reach its carbon peak by 2030 and move forward to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. As the world raised concerns over climate change, countries are exerting efforts and directing resources to curb carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Having the world’s biggest industrial production, China’s role in meeting its “dual carbon” goal is crucial and its commitment has been well received around the world.
To reach its “dual carbon” goal, China has introduced policies encouraging technological innovations that are aimed at encouraging smart production, utilizing renewable energy, increasing recycling and usage of bio-based and recycled materials. More investments have also been directed towards “green manufacturing” projects as green manufacturing is one of the strategic objectives under the ‘Made in China 2025’ plan. The government has also been supporting some industries that have shifted to products that contribute to reduction in carbon emission, such as the production of new energy vehicles (NEV) like electric vehicles.
Plastics manufacturing at a turning point
China’s plastics manufacturing operations are largely dependent on fossil fuels, hence carbon emissions from these plants remain high. A report from the WWF Global states that in 2021, researchers estimate that the production and incineration of plastics will amount to over 850 million tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As plastics factories resume their production following the pandemic, emissions from these factories have surged.
But the commitment of the plastics industry has not waned and will continue to inspire innovations and development of state-of-the-art technologies to reduce their carbon footprints. Given that each stage of plastics production produces greenhouse gas emissions that affects the environment, a growing number of companies in the plastics industry are taking urgent steps to reduce their carbon footprint, either through the use of more efficient and smarter production process, shift towards renewable energy such as solar energy to power their plants, plastics recycling and re-use of recycled materials as inputs.
Leading global companies are supporting China’s goal to reduce carbon emissions. DSM Engineering Materials announced that it is accelerating its efforts to reduce its total greenhouse gas emissions (including Scope 1, 2, 3 upstream) and the carbon footprint of its products by 50% by 2030, from a 2016 baseline. In its drive towards 100% renewable electricity, DSM Engineering Materials plants in Europe and China are already fully powered by renewable electricity. In addition, DSM Engineering Materials has committed to developing and rolling out bio- and/or recycled-based alternatives for its entire portfolio by 2030; specific grades are already available for all major product lines.
SABIC has announced the successful implementation of another project under its TRUCIRCLE™ program to speed up its move towards a circular plastic economy. Allied Bakeries, a UK-based supplier of bakery products, has introduced bread bags made by St. Johns Packaging using SABIC’s certified circular polyethylene (PE) in the packaging of their Kingsmill No Crusts 50/50. Following the kick-off of the joint project in November 2020, the trial phase was completed in May 2021 at the St. Johns Packaging production site in China and Kingsmill introduced the bags made from PE film with certified circular polymers content. The bags are made by St. Johns Packaging using a PE resin grade from SABIC, and incorporate a 30% content of recycled feedstock from post-consumer waste.
A collaboration between INEOS Styrolution and travel luggage maker TUPLUS enabled TUPLUS to advance its efforts in reducing the carbon footprint of its products and promote more environment-conscious mode of travelling. INEOS Styrolution’s Terluran ECO GP-22 MR50, a fully recyclable ABS grade containing 50% of recycled post-consumer waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), is applied to produce TUPLUS travel luggage.
The contribution of Clariant to China’s carbon neutrality goal is through its MegaMax catalyst series for CO2-based methanol production which aims to help China reach its carbon neutrality target. Capturing and converting CO2 emissions is a cornerstone of the technology roadmap for addressing climate change. Synthesizing methanol from CO2 is a particularly valuable approach because methanol forms a building block for thousands of chemical products such as plastics, paints, cosmetics, and fuels — including providing an energy storage carrier for hydrogen. With MegaMax catalyst, Clariant is able to help customers in China and around the world to considerably reduce carbon emissions, and achieve critical climate targets.
As a bio-based material, polylactic acid (PLA) is seen as an alternative that offers reduced carbon footprint. One example is the Luminy® PLA portfolio that Total Corbion PLA presented at CHINAPLAS 2021 which also displayed a number of partner applications for this material. Luminy® PLA portfolio includes both high heat and standard PLA grades and is used in a wide range of markets from packaging to durable consumer goods and electronics.
At CHINAPLAS 2022, the highly efficient machines, recycling technologies and other production techniques that will help plastics manufacturers achieve their goals of reducing their carbon emissions are among the highlights. On-floor demonstrations of well-known Chinese and overseas exhibitors, and consultations with technical experts will further help visitors as they explore viable options. For more information, visit: www.chinaplasonline.com.
Follow this link to join pnTurkey WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/


text:
The Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham marked Retail Day with an event that celebrated the state’s top retailers and allowed UAB business students to hear the leaders’ advice and success stories.
UAB Department of Marketing, Industrial Distribution and Economics. “It’s part of our system to really encourage our students to interact with the business community. We want them to see what the real world is like and how much fun people can have doing what they love while meeting other people’s needs and expectations.”“To meet the state’s most accomplished retailers and learn from them directly is great for our students,” said Robert Robicheaux, Ph.D., chair of the
Twelve retail businesses with operations in 72 Alabama cities and 31 states were recognized as Retailers of the Year at a luncheon at The Club.
Keynote speaker Rodney Barstein, chief operating officer of Simply Fashion Stores Ltd., gave the keynote speech. He outlined ways retail stores can best win and retain customers in a digital age with outstanding shopping and service experiences.
The UAB Collat School of Business partnered with the Alabama Retail Association to mark the 32nd annual Retail Day. The event highlights the retail industry’s contribution to the state economy.


text:
The U.S. trade deficit in goods widened to a record high in March likely as businesses who are worried about shortages front-loaded imports after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, raising the risk that economic growth stalled in the first quarter. The report from the Commerce Department on Wednesday also showed solid increases in retail and wholesale inventories. That could offset some of the hit to gross domestic product growth from the sky-high trade gap. The goods trade deficit jumped 17.8% to an all-time high of $125.3 billion. The increase likely reflected both higher volumes and prices. Imports of goods accelerated 11.5% to $294.6 billion. They were boosted by a 15% surge in imports of industrial supplies, which include petroleum products. Imports of consumer goods vaulted 13.6%, while those of motor vehicles increased 12.0%. There were also solid gains in imports of food and capital goods.I’ll also note that increased imports and higher inventories should work to tamper down inflation, but that does not seem to have shown up in the CPI data so far. The high level of imports also is illustrative of the US dollar zooming higher in recent months, which makes prodcuts from other countries cheaper for Americans to buy. COVID-related shutdowns in China are likely to show up (or not show up) on shelves in the near future. And those increased inventories would likely decline soon enough, which could give the excuse to keep prices higher. Another item to keep in mind is if our economy is so reliant on imports, it also leaves us susceptible to issues in other parts of the world that can screw up the supply chain and raise prices for consumers. And that takes away any advantage that might come from making things in other places, even if our dollar keeps strengthening. A positive sign with the high amount of imports is that it indicates that consumer demand stayed strong through the first 3 months of 2022, shrugging off higher prices so far. But it seems likely that something starts to give in Q2 - is it the higher prices, the higher inventories, the higher amount of imports, or the increased demand? And if it's not prices coming down, we are likely going to see growth slow from the booming rate we had at the end of 2021. So maybe it's a good idea to encourage companies to make things in America and use local resources to reduce those uncertainties, and the Biden Administration has included a Buy America directive as part of the large infrastructure bill. Insourcing can also help keep demand moving along in this country by having the jobs (and wages) go into Americans' pockets, and back out to other businesses. It could work, ya know. And the "inflationary/protectionist" argument isn't something that's going to fly when it's events in foreign countries that are causing the inflation is the first place. Because while our record trade deficit isn't a problem in itself (especially with the strong dollar), the overseas disruptions and related vulnerabilities to our economy that result are things we need to care about.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Trade deficit, inventories, strong dollar should level inflation. But it isn't happening yet
Despite all the recent news about supply shortages, we got information today that indicates imports to the United States are at record levels.
Posted by Jake formerly of the LP at 6:14:00 PM


text:
Royal Enfield, the motorcycle brand of Eicher Motors, has launched a new colour of Classic 500 range of motorcycles in Squadron Blue. According to the company, the new colour variant has been inspired by the Indian Air Force and is a tribute by Royal Enfield for its long standing history with Air Force officers.
"The Classic 500 Squadron Blue is a tribute to Royal Enfield's war time presence and association with the armed forces. We wanted a variant with a genuine armed forces heritage for our customers," said Rudratej Singh, president, Royal Enfield. "We had to be very particular about the colour to create authenticity and also provide the motorcycle its post war appeal. This inspiration led us to create the Classic Squadron Blue.”
The new Squadron Blue Classic 500 variant is now available for booking across all company stores and dealerships in India.
The motorcycle will be available at an on-road price of Rs. 1,86,688 in New Delhi, Rs. 1,93,372 in Mumbai, Rs. 1,89,350 in Chennai, Rs. 1,98,649 in Bengaluru and Rs. 1,96,700 in Kolkata.


text:
Genshin Impact Was The Highest Grossing Game In October Says SuperData
SuperData has just published their report on the highest grossing games for October 2020. According to the report, gamers spent $10.6 billion on digital games in October resulting in a 14% increase in game spending year-over-year.
“Consistent with ongoing trends, console spending grew the fastest, with earnings up 18% over 2019. This was especially impressive growth given that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare launched in October 2019 and many of the biggest titles of the 2020 holiday season were not released until November. Earnings on other platforms rose as well, with mobile up 15% and PC up 10%.”
Mihoyo’s Genshin Impact was the highest-grossing game in October which is surprising considering that gamers usually stay away from Chinese-made gacha MMORPGs. Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs: Legion also broke franchise records, selling 1.9 million digital units in just the final three days of October. Star Wars Squadrons also did extremely well with 1.1 million units sold beating Star Wars Battlefront 2’s launch sales by a fairly good margin although earnings were lower for the game because of its lower price.
SuperData also reported a substantial rise in revenue for game subscription services like EA Play, PlayStation Now, and Xbox Game Pass. The total revenue for these services increased by 142% year-over-year and subscriptions rose by 113% with the majority of growth accounted to the Xbox Game Pass.


text:
A report released Monday concludes that electric deregulation has cost Texas residential consumers more than $11 billion in higher rates and that the operator of the state's major power grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, has been poorly managed and industry-dominated.
The 101-page report, "The Story of ERCOT," is the result of a research project of the Steering Committee of Cities Served by Oncor and the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, which works with 158 cities and other governmental entities to buy electricity in bulk.
Deregulation, it said, has resulted in higher rates for Texas power consumers rather than the lower rates forecast by lawmakers who passed the state law in 1999.
Before deregulation, Texas had cheaper rates than most states. Between 1999 and the first six months of 2010, however, Texas residential consumers "suffered greater increases [in electric rates] than residents in all but six other states," the report said.
"Had electric prices remained at the national average -- not below it, just at it -- Texas residential consumers would have saved more than $11 billion since the implementation of deregulation," the report said, citing data compiled by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The entire deregulated Texas market, commercial, industrial and residential, "would have saved $15.5 billion had prices remained at the national average," the report said.
However, the latest EIA data, for November, shows that Texas' average residential electric rate was 11.37 cents per kilowatt-hour, below the national average of 11.7 cents.
In addition, Texas' average commercial and industrial rates for November were 8.85 cents and 5.91 cents per kwh, respectively, easily below the national averages of 10.07 and 6.59 cents.
The average prices the EIA cited for Texas are a mix of deregulated and regulated rates.
John Fainter, CEO of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas, said the state's deregulated electricity market now offers many residential rate plans at prices well below the state's average rate.
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Our Summer Campaign Is Underway
Support Common Dreams Today
Independent News and Views Putting People Over Profit
The website overseen by the Texas Public Utility Commission, www.powertochoose.org, lists several one-year fixed residential rates of 8 to 9 cents per kwh, which are competitive with, or below, rates charged by some electric providers in the regulated market, which includes municipally owned power companies and rural electric cooperatives.
ERCOT declined to comment Monday on the report's assertions regarding consumer prices and the impact of deregulation since the agency does not have "policymaking authority" in those areas. In response to the report's contention that it has been poorly managed, ERCOT said it "welcomes any and all input that will assist us in improving the organization."
ERCOT said the highly critical report "simply repeats issues which were already addressed by the Texas Sunset Commission during the summer of 2010."
"These are expected to be acted upon by the Texas Legislature during their current session, and ERCOT stands ready to institute any and all changes the Legislature adopts," the agency said.
Tom "Smitty" Smith, Texas director of Public Citizen, said the consumer and environmental organization generally agrees with the report's conclusions.
"ERCOT has for too long been run for, by and of the power companies," he said.
There needs to be a thorough review of ERCOT during the legislative session, Smith said. The composition of ERCOT's board "needs to be inverted, so it's controlled by citizens as opposed to corporations with economic interests," he said.
Fainter, while defending deregulation, said the report is on target in criticizing ERCOT about overruns of several hundred million dollars for implementation of its nodal system. The system is designed to improve the flow of power across transmission lines, reducing congestion and lowering prices.
The implementation and costs unquestionably were "poorly managed," Fainter said. He said, however, that the nodal market has functioned "very well" since its Dec. 1 startup and should save consumers money.


text:
Irish indies are feeling more buoyant about future trade after the outcome of the country’s general election, which was held on February 25.
With the newly elected coalition between the Fine Gael and Labour parties now in power in the Republic, there is a general consensus among retailers spoken to by Drapers that consumer confidence will bounce back, following a long period of uncertainty and tough trading.
Tom Barry, owner of Barry’s Menswear in Mallow, believes people were waiting to see what the outcome of the election was and that, now it has been decided, things will slowly start to pick up.
He said: “People have taken a big hit while the economy has been bad, so it will take a few months to get over that, but I definitely think things are on the up.”
This is a view shared by Louis Copeland, owner of the eponymous indie, which has five stores in Dublin. He said: “Retail is all about confidence, and people have really lacked confidence over the last few months. Hopefully now, though, this will start to return and I have a feeling this year things are going to get better.”
Nora McDonnell, manager of contemporary womenswear indie Bella Sola in Newcastle West, said she has seen business start to pick up since the election. She said: “I’m very optimistic after this. So far it’s been a good start. Everyone was really pessimistic at the start of the season, but things are looking a lot more optimistic now.”
However, not everyone believes the new Government will make much difference to the trading outlook this year. Martin O’Byrne, owner of premium menswear indie Frewen & Aylward in Dun Laoghaire, near Dublin, said: “It can do no harm - anybody that’s in can’t be as bad as the last Government, but it’s only going to be different faces on the telly telling us the same bad news.”


text:
Shoppers in Ipswich brave rain for Boxing Day sales
PUBLISHED: 14:23 26 December 2019 | UPDATED: 15:13 26 December 2019
Hundreds of shoppers braved the rain in Ipswich this morning to scoop up some Boxing Day bargains.
Despite a drizzly start to the day, shoppers hit the high street looking to spend their Christmas gift vouchers and to take advantage of the sales.
Most of the big name stores were open for business - from Boots and River Island to Debenhams and Burtons - however, Marks and Spencers remained closed today.
Ioana Raducea and Joel Cravid, from Ipswich, were out shopping with children Maria, six, and Ava, eight months. "We are just looking around today," said Ms Raducea.
"The weather couldn't stop us coming out - there's no weather that could stop us. "We have had a really nice Christmas but we needed a bit of fresh air today, especially for the kids.
"If we see something nice, convenient and at the right price, we'll get it."
- Early risers queue up for Boxing Day sales across Suffolk
Kelly and Gareth Randell, from Stowmarket were out with their children Jasmin, 10, and Lewis, nine.
Mrs Randell said: "We are just here spending our vouchers from Christmas.
"We might go to the cinema later and also have some lunch - and we'll finish the day in the pub.
Asked if the weather almost put them off, Mrs Randell said: "It did with him but not me. "This Christmas money is burning a hole in our pocket."
Joy Jasmin and Kai Gray also braved the rain to take a look around the town.
Mrs Jasmin said: "We've been to River Island, Topman and Poundland today.
"There was a big rush on Lush this morning.
"It has been a bit short on what we like. My grandson is from south London and they have got more shops open there."
Elizabeth Dubbeld, who lives in Ipswich, said: "We've got some vouchers to cash in today and we also want to have some lunch with the family.
"We sometimes come out on Boxing Day, we mostly play it by ear. "Our family is here from Nottingham so we thought we would show them the town. "We were hoping for weather like yesterday but you can't have everything."
Sailmakers shopping centre is boasting its busiest month of the year, with more than half a million shoppers expected by the time shops close on New Year's Eve.
Mike Sorhaindo, manager of Sailmakers, said: "Boxing Day is always a very important day in the retail calendar and there has been a steady trade throughout the day with people looking for bargains.
"Pandora has been particularly busy again and always seem to do well at this time of year while Yours and Ryman have had plenty of activity and so have HMV and Poundland.
"We have had about 400,000 visitors to the centre during December and would expect to be well over the 500,000 mark by the New Year."
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Ipswich Star. Click the link in the orange box below for details.


text:
Contact: Nicole Armendariz
Email: [email protected]
Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow:
This week, Wisconsin lawmakers will convene for a special session to consider legislation that will solidify Foxconn coming to Wisconsin. Today I am urging bipartisan support for the bill in order to bring thousands of jobs and a new era of economic development to the state.
When I campaigned for the honor of becoming Waukesha County Executive, I was very clear that my priority is to help Waukesha County become the epicenter of economic development in Wisconsin. Since then, we’ve created the Waukesha County Center for Growth, in partnership with the Waukesha County Business Alliance; the University of Wisconsin Small Business Development Center; the City of Waukesha; and eleven other municipalities. The Center for Growth enables Waukesha County to leverage Wisconn Valley’s economic potential.
This opportunity will impact job growth in Waukesha County in the near future and for generations to come. Along with the announcement of the plant, Foxconn has significant supply chain demand. We will see new companies moving into the area with the anticipation of 22,000 supply chain positions.
I am already hearing from Waukesha County business owners who have been asked whether they can ramp up production in order to meet Foxconn’s needs. The tech giant is expected to make $4.26 billion in supplier purchases each year, and about a third of that will come from Wisconsin companies, including our local businesses.
Bringing in Foxconn will also mean job opportunities for local students when they graduate college. In fact, Waukesha County Technical College already has a program in place to train students for the types of skilled positions expected in Wisconn Valley. With an average salary of $53,875 plus benefits, the jobs offered at the new facility will certainly attract top talent.
The bottom line is that this deal will have a generational impact on the entire state of Wisconsin, and we will certainly see the benefits right here in Waukesha County. I ask all state legislators, Republicans and Democrats alike, to vote in favor of job creation, in favor of providing opportunities for our working families, in favor of a brighter future for the students attending our technical and four-year colleges and universities, and in favor of this important piece of legislation that could truly have a lasting effect on our state’s future.


text:
Legislators slammed banks last week for the money they made from overdraft fees. It turns out, though, that overdraft revenue fell in 2020 for the first time in six years.
The reasons? With nowhere to go when Covid-19 hit, many people curbed their spending. Stimulus money helped them pad their bank accounts. And banks were also more lenient about waiving the fees.
Get 10% off extra on Hot Rate Hotels with Hotwire promo code
Up to 50% off stays + free cancellations
Today's Groupon promo code - Extra 25% off everything
Up to 60% off - Target Promo Code
Up to 15% off + free shipping at Wayfair
- The Home Depot:
Home Depot Daily Deal: $130 off cordless 6-tool combo kit


text:
Supply chain security can barely keep up with the breakneck pace of technological innovation and COVID-19 demands, federal IT leaders said at an ACT-IAC Emerging Technology Forum this week.
But supply chain security leaders like Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the General Services Administration are working hard to provide guidance and resources for federal agencies seeking to secure their IT supply chains in a mutable tech environment.
“For emerging technologies, we cannot take supply chain in a one-and-done strategy,” said GSA Deputy Commissioner for Acquisition in the Office of Technology Keith Nakasone. “I'll use the example of 5G. 5G will allow us to compute power down to the edge and edge devices. As we move things further out it really comes down to the data and how we manage risk. If we know from an acquisition perspective, we look at the prime contractor. Now we have to be concerned further down the chain and have to be concerned about vendor risk as well.”
Federal agencies can supercharge supply chain security by altering language in contracts to lock in security standards from the start as they modernize their networks for 5G.
“As we build out cases for emerging technologies, we're going to have requirements and language in the contracts to have some insight into the technology itself,” Nakasone said. “We're going to have these requirements that will be potentially unique to some of the emerging tech, but time is changing as well. We're in the infant stages of how we inject emerging tech, but we have to look at supply chain risk and cybersecurity moving forward.”
Noel Kyle, Supply Chain Risk Management Initiative lead for the National Risk Management Center at CISA, said public-private partnerships and information-sharing are vital.
“We have a program that consists of three pieces: partnerships, frameworks and analysis,” she said. “How do we put processes in place to share information across the federal government and the private industry, and where do we store that information, what kind of repositories do we build so people can get that access?”
Real-time visibility of the IT supply chain can slump because not every federal agency can see its vendors’ suppliers and those suppliers’ suppliers, all the way to a product’s various points of origin.
Throw emerging technologies into the mix, and IT supply chain complexities snowball.
“What 5G is doing for us, it's going to enable use cases that were never possible before,” said Nick Ward, CISO at the Department of Justice. “To get [internet of things] devices more and more, it's scary and exciting all at the same time. How do we protect that? What CISA is doing is critically important to make sure vendors understand supply chain risk is important. We need to make sure those vendors are paying more attention to that as they're bringing more things to market.”
At DOJ, zero trust and encryption are "crucial" tools, but strong vendor partnerships increasingly command attention.
“Partnerships with vendors are going to be crucial going into the future as the market gets more robust,” Ward said.
Supplier relationships boost security, but can also limit disruption. More than half of federal organizations reported a “catastrophic impact” to their supply chains due to COVID-19, according to a CISA survey. Big themes included a lack of supplier diversification and poor inventory management.
“[The survey] exposed how a reliance on lean inventory models, which in a normal environment provides efficiency and cost-effectiveness, when disrupted, could cause delayed deliveries,” Kyle said. “It also underscored the difficulties companies faced in understanding their junior tier suppliers.” CISA will release another report in November addressing these subjects, she added, “like mapping out the supply chain, broadening the supplier network, shifting amounts for inventory health.”
In the meantime, federal agencies can improve data collection to sketch a more accurate snapshot of their supply chains, and train the federal workforce to interpret that data.
“When we look at supply chain and the IT commodities, there is a heavy lift or demand on mobile devices as well as tablets, laptops,” Nakasone said. “One of the things we need to consider is the tools, how to access data in a distributed environment. The first thing is educate, train, develop and move forward.”


text:
Microsoft says its MSN business will split into two units--one focused on information and another focused on communications--an effort to streamline the long-struggling Web property.
MSN will divide into one unit focusing on information and another focusing on communications.
The information unit will oversee the MSN Web portal, the company's search technology initiative, and its other media and e-commerce-related services. The unit will be headed by Yusuf Mehdi, who until now ran all of MSN with Senior Vice President David Cole. Mehdi will also spearhead Microsoft's attempts to create an online music store and its investment in ramping up its Web search technology.
The communications division will consist of popular MSN products such as the Web-based e-mail service Hotmail, instant messaging, the Passport log-in service and other subscription-driven offerings. The unit will be headed by Blake Irving, currently corporate vice president at MSN.
Cole will now oversee both units as well as corporate functions such as global sales, business development and finance.
The division of labor comes as MSN, launched in the mid-'90s, continues to take its lumps in an ever-changing market. MSN has watched its dial-up subscriber base erode over the past few quarters and has tried to reposition itself as a premium software package for broadband users.
MSN said it was realigning to improve its customer focus, accelerate innovation and clarify its overall strategic direction.
However, some analysts said the changes reflected concerns over MSN's struggling dial-up subscription business, which continued its decline last quarter.
"I think this comes down to consolidating leadership over MSN's subscription services, which have not performed well over the past year," said Rob Helm, an analyst at Directions on Microsoft, an independent market research company.


text:
Reese's Pieces Launches into Space to Signal the First Innovation to the Candy in its 40-Year History in Canada
TORONTO -- Hershey Canada Inc. is taking its latest product to new heights – literally: Reese's Pieces Peanut Candy will be launched into space this month. Given Reese's Pieces' long history of being the favourite candy of extraterrestrials, the brand wants to ensure all aliens in space are aware of the new peanut variant and give them an opportunity to try a free sample.
Also read, Non-Chocolate Candy Sales Set to Reach $11 Billion in 2018.
Taking off from the Mojave Desert in California, Reese's Pieces Peanut Candy will go beyond the Earth's atmosphere in hopes of luring any aliens out of hiding with the first known extraterrestrial product sampling initiative.
"Reese is Canada's number one chocolate brand and we're excited to bring our newest innovation, Reese's Pieces Peanut Candy, to Canadian earthlings and non-earthlings up in space," said Jackson Hitchon, Head of Marketing, Hershey Canada. "So if you're an extraterrestrial who loves Reese's Pieces, it's time to make contact. We have a free sample of what is sure to be your new favourite candy heading your way."
The candy will be placed in a real in-store product display designed to attract extraterrestrials and launched into space on Saturday, January 26 (weather permitting) at roughly 11 a.m. EST (8 a.m., PST) using a high-altitude balloon manufactured by Night Crew Labs. At its peak, it will break the Earth's atmosphere and float at the edge of space at an expected altitude of 30.5 km, up to three times higher than a typical commercial airplane flight. Extraterrestrials will have the opportunity to follow the trail and get their hands on the newest twist to their beloved Reese's Pieces. Once the mission is complete, any unclaimed Reese's Pieces Peanut Candy will come back down to earth.
Reese's Pieces Peanut Candy delivers the ultimate crunch with the addition of a delicious peanut centre, wrapped in smooth peanut butter, covered in a crunchy candy shell. The candy is now available nationwide to humans and extraterrestrials alike.
SOURCE Hershey Canada Inc.
News & Updates
Stay informed with the latest news around foodservice, agriculture and other related food news.


text:
Meta is working on a real-time translator for every language in the world
Meta is developing a universal translation machine. The organization promises a solution for the entire world population, including speakers of rare languages that current AI translators don't support.
According to Meta, existing AI translators support 80 percent of all global languages. Rare la... Read more
Amazon Translate makes translations more personal
Amazon has released a new version of its translation machine. The Translate software has a new feature that allows users to change the translation style based on previous translations.
The new feature is called Active Custom Translation (ACT). Users can add parallel data (PD), containing example... Read more
Google expands Interpreter to hotels and airports
Visiting another country and having trouble communicating with the hotel staff? With Interpreter mode last year, Google wanted to overcome such a language barrier more easily. As of this week, that function has been expanded considerably, after Google joined forces with a number of major partners.
... Read more


text:
The TMB’s Kevin Pulford and a Big Issue vendor with copies of Forgotten Yorkshire. Image: Tripe Marketing Board
Forget bake sales and sponsored skydives. A group of hobby writers from Yorkshire have figured out a way to support charities while getting one over on a mega-corporation and have now raised over £20,000 for food banks with an Amazon loophole.
The Robin Hood-esque scheme was cooked up by the Tripe Marketing Board (TMB) – no relation to the offal – after they saw their parody history book, Forgotten Yorkshire, discounted by Amazon and found an opportunity.
Not only have thousands been raised to feed the vulnerable since it was discovered in late 2022, but a film is in the early stages of development.
When Forgotten Yorkshire is discounted to 99p, Amazon pays the same royalties for every copy as they would for its full price of £9.99.
The TMB quickly decided to donate £2 per copy sold through the loophole to charities. To maximise donations, their task was then to get supporters to buy as many copies as possible before the discount expires.
Over the past few months, the writers have been keeping an eagle eye on the book’s price and mobilising a small army of supporters and acquaintances to buy it, channelling thousands of pounds to projects in London, Glasgow and Yorkshire.
Despite the loophole going viral, the discount keeps returning, much to everybody’s bafflement.
“We’ve stopped trying to understand it – is it an algorithm gone wrong, or a sympathetic (or rebellious!) Amazon employee or manager? Whatever the reason, we’ve been able to generate more cash for food banks,” Paul Etherington of the Tripe Marketing Board says.
Individual customers are limited to purchasing three copies, so friends, family, colleagues, social media followers, and random people on the street have been roped in, creating a small army of Forgotten Yorkshire hoarders.
Etherington had even taken to asking strangers in cafes if they’d order their fill of copies, offering to give them the money needed for the initial outlay.
When The Big Issue covered the story in December, it supercharged the fundraising efforts. And they’ve kept going. The book has been discounted by Amazon six times – to Etherington’s knowledge – since the start of 2023, sometimes for a day, sometimes for half a day.
“The coverage The Big Issue, in particular, gave it helped explain the situation, because it’s a complex thing to explain,” says Etherington.
It’s silly. But it’s making a real difference. Through exploiting the loophole, the group of hobby writers have raised over £20k, saving one food bank from closure and helping others support the vulnerable through the cost of living crisis.
Jen Doig is one of those along for the ride. After seeing a post on Twitter about the discount, she “thought it sounded like an easy way to help a charity while getting one over on ‘The Man’.”
Doig kept the first three copies she ordered, but has ended up having to find a home for 30 more copies.
“I’m now at the stage of looking up random charity shops around Yorkshire and sending copies to them,” she says.
If the tale sounds a bit like a classic British caper, you’re not wrong – the story is even in line for the film treatment, with a production company set to turn it into a drama for film or television.
“This is a kind of post-modern fairytale via Ealing comedy and Monty Python,” says producer Mike Chamberlain of Tearaway Films, who added it was still “early days” in terms of production with a script yet to be written.
The cast of characters has grown over the months. When Sean Gibbons got a call from Etherington in December, he needed to get his head round the unusual offer of help.
“It was just bizarre, weren’t it? I just couldn’t quite grasp. It took me a while,” Gibbons says.
Gibbons manages Food Aware CIC, an organisation distributing surplus food around south Yorkshire. By sending food parcels to over 100 groups, Gibbons says Food Aware indirectly feeds around 4,000 people a week.
As the cost of living crisis has hit, stocks have grown thin. Food is more expensive, donations have dried up as families struggle to feed themselves, and demand is as high as it’s ever been. This is tangible when Gibbons goes into Food Aware’s warehouse. “It’s never been as empty,” he says.
Thanks to the Tripe Marketing Board, however, £3,700 has hit Food Aware’s coffers, with a further £1,500 to come in the next few weeks. It’s cash that’s had a clear impact. For example, Food Aware receives around 1,200 pounds of minced beef a week. On its own this isn’t much help for families. Donations from Forgotten Yorkshire have allowed Food Aware to buy the rest of the ingredients – tomatoes, kidney beans – to make a chilli con carne, and send out a coherent parcel rather than a collection of bits and bobs. Donations have also gone towards purchases of nappies and baby wipes to support struggling families.
For Gibbons, the escapade is a victory for the unconventional. The Tripe Marketing Board are “mad as a box of frogs, just like we are at Food Aware,” he says.
“We call ourselves the oddments of society trying to correct, the best way we can, the people that need support that shouldn’t be in the situation they are in with the cost of living crisis.”
Etherington says the writers have earned about £2,000 each from the increased book sales – more than they’ve made from the book since it was published. As hobby writers who aren’t in it for the money, it’s given them a boost to start future projects and making more books.
Alongside the (unexpectedly all-consuming) work to get copies sold, Etherington has had to analyse his own feelings about food banks.
“I hate that they have to exist, but I’ve seen the incredible work many of them do and I’ve seen the difference the money we’ve been able to generate has made. But, at the end of the day, they’re plugging holes that have been deliberately created by the government,” he says.
“It seems to me almost taken for granted that they’re there and they’ll provide that safety net. It’s not something I’m comfortable with, ultimately the state should be providing that support.”
Urgent action is needed to prevent even more people being pushed into homelessness. A secure home is the first step in addressing the cruel cycle of poverty to ensure people can fulfil their potential. Join us to keep people in their homes.


text:
In the spirit of trying something new, two members of the CGT/RIS Executive Council sat down to discuss three of today’s most pressing issues in consumer goods and retail today — and they attempted to do it in 10 minutes.
We checked in with Guy Yehiav, general manager of Zebra Analytics and a member of the CGT/RIS Executive Council, to get his perspective on the promise of AI in retail and consumer goods, as well as some of the ways companies are leveraging prescriptive analytics right now.
While it’s unclear how much of the pandemic-prompted digital disruption has staying power, it’s safe to say consumers have gotten a taste of the potential of tech-enabled convenience, and they like what they see.
As we exit the pandemic, we tapped into the power of the CGT/RIS Executive Council for a look at today’s new consumer, as well as insight into how both brands and retailers can transform them into loyal buyers through technology.
With more than three decades of global retail experience, Richard Widdowson can say with confidence that things in business are not always as clear-cut as they seem — but that doesn’t mean the industry couldn’t stand to simplify a bit.
Consumers expect brands to understand their unique lives and needs and respond with customized solutions. If the experience they encounter on their journey is poor, or if they can’t find the brand they are looking for, they won’t hesitate to switch brands.
We spent some time chatting with Forhez, who also serves as a co-chair of the CGT/RIS Executive Council, about what may be the most exciting and challenging consumer the industry has ever been responsible for serving.


text:
VIZ Media and the London-based Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG) will be forming a new company, VIZ Media B.V., which will focus on penetrating European comics markets with its manga and animation brands. The company will officially open in Amsterdam on October 3, 2005. (via the Comics Reporter weblog)
The highlight of this year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will be the 25th anniversary of the New Teen Titans, which formed the foundation of the show on Cartoon Network. New Teen Titans co-creator Marv Wolfman will be present at the show, and a free Titans print by artist Frank Cho will be handed out to attendees as […]
Buzzscope.com has posted several previews for comics scheduled to be released on September 14, including Franklin Richards #1 by Marc Sumerak and Chris Eliopoulus (Marvel), Thor: Blood Oath #1 by Michael Avon Oeming and Scott Kolins (Marvel), Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai OGN by Jeff Amano and Craig Rousseau (Image), Green Arrow #54 by […]
Whatever its strengths or weaknesses as a movie, the universal consensus is that Sin City is the most faithful comics-to-film translation to date. Virtually all its dialogue is lifted straight from Frank Miller’s original text, and the “digital backlot” techniques used to shoot the film painstakingly reproduce the visuals of the comics. At least one […]
Buzzscope.com has posted a page full of comic book previews for books scheduled for release on September 7, 2005. Included are The Stardust Kid #2 by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog; Incredible Hulk #86 by Peter David and Jorge Lucas; Ultimate Spider-Man #82 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley; and Y the Last Man […]
Several players in the comic book industry have announced relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina in the American South. DC Comics has issued a preliminary statement stating that they will give their products to affected retailers at no charge, and promises a more comprehensive statement next week. The linked article at Newsarama.com also recalls […]
Writer Gail Simone has spoken to Newsarama about Birds of Prey #85, which ended with a potentially major change for Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Oracle. The article contains major spoilers for the issue. Birds of Prey #86, due out on September 21, 2005, will be a self-contained story with artwork by Bruce Timm.
Buzzscope.com has posted a set of on-line comics previews for comics to be released on August 31, 2005. Included are Death Jr. #3 by Gary Whitta and Ted Naifeh (Image), Robin #141 by Bill Willingham and Scott McDaniel (DC), Astro City: The Dark Age #3 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson (DC/Wildstorm), Astonishing X-Men #12 […]


text:
‘Like it or Not,’ President Trump’s Tax Cuts to Boost Economic Growth
$DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX
Ken Langone, the founder of Home Depot (NYSE:HD) says whether or not you are a supporter of President Donald Trump, his landmark tax-cut strategy will ultimately truly help “Make America Great Again” on every financial and economic level.
“It’s going to help growth like it or not, it’s going to help growth,” he said when confronted with the argument by NY-T’s columnist Paul Krugman that The Trump Tax cut is “mainly a giveaway” to corporations.
“The numbers we have so far show that the much-hyped bonuses are trivial, less than $6 Billion, or 0.03% of GDP, while stock buybacks have been more than $170-B. And many of those bonuses would probably have happened anyway, whereas stock buybacks are running far above historical levels,” Mr. Krugman recently wrote for the paper.
Mr. Langone disputed Krugman’s allegations, saying that Home Depot for the last decade has bought back billions of its stock each year.
Earlier this year, the world’s largest home-improvement chain will pay hourly workers a 1-time cash bonus of as much as $1,000 in the latest Quarter.
The move follows President Trump’s legislation last year that lowered the corporate taxes by 14 percentage points to 21 from 35%.
Mr. Langone is not alone in touting the economic benefits of the tax cuts.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan claims President Trump’s corporate tax cut is driving the stock market and a host of economic benefits, and that “we’re underestimating the impact of that.”
Wednesday, the major US stock market indexes finished at: DJIA -380.83 at 25029.20, NAS Comp -57.35 at 7273.00, S&P 500 -30.45 at 2713.83
Volume: Trade on the NYSE came in at: 1.1-B/shares exchanged
- NAS Comp +5.4% YTD
- S&P 500: +1.5% YTD
- DJIA +1.3% YTD
- Russell 2000: -1.5% YTD
HeffX-LTN’s Market Indexes Technical Analysis
Latest posts by HEFFX Australia (see all)
- Bitcoin: BTC/USD (BTC=X) Price About to Blast Off - December 4, 2020
- Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) in talks to purchase Wondery - December 4, 2020
- Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Stock Chart Technical Analysis - December 4, 2020


text:
Subscribe To DirectX 12 May Not Help Xbox One That Much, According To Developer Updates
I've already subscribed
DirectX 12 was supposed to be the super secret sauce of the Xbox One. It was supposed to be the “Banana Surprise” that popped out and caused the competitors to get their Jimmies jangled. Well, that may not be the case in a real-world application.
Gaming Bolt has continued to let leak small bits of interview information like Taco Bell's sauces leak through buns, as they discussed a number of different topics with Flying Wild Hog's lead engine programmer Krzysztof Narkowicz and the company's CEO and game director, Michal Szustak.
The interview surrounds the upcoming release of the re-imagined Shadow Warrior for the eighth-gen home consoles, and the conversation turned to a hot topic of discussion lately, DirectX 12.
As many Xbox fans and eager tech beavers have been touting since the announcement of DirectX 12, it's supposedly going to help the Xbox One in a huge way, possibly even enabling it to hit the holy grail of 1920 x 1080p and getting it out of the gutter-trash region of 792p, a resolution so fake that it makes Jocelyn Wildenstein's face seem homogenous to the rest of humankind.
Anyway, Krzysztof Narkowicz put a pin in the bubble, saying...
“It’s targeted at lowering draw call overhead on PC, which isn’t such a big issue on Xbox One, as some low level access is already available there. On the other hand having one API across multiple platforms decreases development time”.
So technically, DirectX 12 is setup to help the pipeline and not necessarily the performance. Even more than that, it's going to help PC more than it helps the Xbox One.
What you end up with is easier porting because lower-level call access on PC will make it easier to port to the Xbox One. In very loose terms, this could theoretically help some games achieve 1080p, only if they were solely and purely optimized for PC and they had trouble porting it to the consoles, in which case DirectX 12 might help a game that might have gone from 1080p on PC down to 720p on console – due to certain functions – to maintain a better base of optimized performance, so there's a lesser need to turn down, truncate or completely remove features in the process (i.e., such as removing ambient occlusion or shadow resolution to compensate for the API difference between platforms). Again, that's just a potentiality.
Nevertheless, Narkowicz verifies that better API access means faster port times, and he also acknowledged that as it stands it's pretty easy porting between the PS4 and Xbox One, saying...
“The hardware is very similar to PS4. Xbox One is using familiar APIs like DirectX. Adding Xbox One support after having a PS4 version up and running was an easy task,”
Even still, the APIs are only for optimizing software and not for performing miracles. This is why Shadow Warrior is still only 900p on the Xbox One and 1080p on the PlayStation 4.
The issue of not hitting 1080p is going to be one that follows the Xbox One around like a string of toilet paper on the shoe of a McDonalds addict.
The Xbox director of development, Boyd Multerer, tried to pass it off on a complex GPU, but the reality is that it's because of a weak GPU, limited ESRAM, and the fact that the console was tweaked to the tune of watching TV on your TV.


text:
But as some users who updated to Android 11 discovered, not everything is working as expected after installing the new operating system, with phone calls performed via Google Assistant being among the broken features.
More specifically, asking Google Assistant to start a call has no result, with Google itself acknowledging the problem shortly after the debut of Android 11 and eventually rolling out a fix in an OS update. But as it turns out, the problem is still there, and some users still can’t make calls on Android Auto after the update to Android 11.
Someone on Google’s forums, however, has discovered a rather simple fix that comes down to just one tap on the mobile device. What you need to do is configure the default app to handle phone calls and set it to “always” be the preferred option.
So the first thing you need to do is park the car and then start a phone call on Android Auto. Immediately look at the phone, and you should see a prompt asking you to select the app to “open with” the call.
“Choose the phone app you use (I use the default Samsung phone app - a green icon with an old school phone receiver depicted) and then click ‘Always.’ This part is critical because if you accidentally select ‘Just Once’ (either by accidentally selecting ‘Just Once’ or you click the icon twice to select rather than once to highlight), the problem will only be fixed for that call, not calls going forward,” the user explains.
At this point, however, it’s not yet clear if this does the trick for everybody, especially if the default app for handling phone calls is already configured.


text:
New York, NY: IgnitionOne, a marketing technology and services company, recently announced the latest innovation offered within its Customer Intelligence Platform: predictive analysis on ad creative. This industry-first capability further empowers marketers with data-driven decisions, allowing them to define the success of a campaign before results are gathered.
Defining CDP Success with 5 Must-have Use-Cases for Enterprises
Thursday, March 7, 2019
11:00 AM EST / (GMT -5)
This new capability leverages artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques to predict the performance of creatives in real-time, providing stronger insights to make more effective decisions. Once a given creative is uploaded into the IgnitionOne Customer Intelligence Platform (CIP), marketers can predict how that creative will perform amongst target customers, before it is even deployed. This predictive capability utilizes visual recognition algorithms that learn from impressions tracked across the IgnitionOne network. The tool is now available to IgnitionOne’s 300+ clients and partners to utilize within the CIP.
“This new capability utilizes the latest deep learning techniques implemented within our Customer Intelligence Platform,” said Danny Portman, PhD, Director, Data Science at IgnitionOne. “It is our most advanced application of data science to marketing and advertising to date. We are putting the control back in the marketer’s hands, alleviating the need to test creatives on actual customers.”
Through a data science model, enterprise marketers can gauge the probability of various marketing responses to predict future performance. Since launching its Customer Intelligence capabilities last year, IgnitionOne has continued to refine its offering by focusing on creating a holistic data model for marketers, equipped with insights and analytics.
“It’s like a crystal ball for marketers. With this feature, you can evaluate performance before an ad even runs,” said Christopher Hansen, COO at IgnitionOne. “This feature is the first of its kind — and truly changes the game for our entire industry. Not only does this remove the guesswork from marketing and advertising, but it simplifies the creative process and cuts back on wasted ad budget.”


text:
Pressat 2014-10-20 Monday 20 October, 2014 The Institute of the Motor Industry calls for licensing of the retail motor trade as newresearch... ...http://www.bizwireexpress.com/showstoryPressat.php?storyid=3111
Some things get better with age. Wine, cheese and these silver foxes who are redefining what it means to be a senior citizen. They are public... ...http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Meryl-Streep-to-Richard-Gere-The-silver-club-of-Hollywood/articleshow/44855662.cms
Sun Pharma's growth in the last five years cannot be ignored. And neither can its founder-leader Dilip Shanghvi who has become the stuff of legends... ...http://forbesindia.com/article/leaderhip-awards-2014/sun-pharmas-dilip-shanghvi-has-become-the-stuff-of-legends/38791/1
is keeping up his love of aviation during his time in the UK by joining a local flying club. The keen pilot, who is currently filming the new 'Star... ...http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/harrison-ford-joins-british-flying-club-114101600116_1.html
"Star Wars 7" is generating immense buzz in the film industry. Director JJ Abrams has been trying to keep the script of the movie a mystery but a... ...http://www.ibtimes.co.in/star-wars-7-potential-poilers-aliens-feature-film-hans-solo-princess-leia-may-get-married-611462
Download 42 (2013), Director : Brian...


text:
SGR Train Tickets: A popular tours and travel agent with wide publicity on social and mainstream media has been caught up in the SGR tickets scandal.
The scandal involves a ticketing block game and refund scheme. The refund scheme involves the theft of up to Sh. 1 million daily from the SGR.
Under the tickets scandal, the popular tours and travel firm has been working with insiders to ensure that rivals have no access to the tickets.
The popular and highly publicized firm is said to be the chief ticket pirate in the seat blocking game at the SGR.
Insiders within the ticketing office are said to be in collusion with a major travel agent offering bulk booking for tourists who block seats immediately the online system opens and resell them at double or triple the prices to other stranded agents or individuals.
A disgruntled travel agent laments that her agency could not secure tickets for December 23 onwards when they tried to beat the one-month advance booking.
“We had the entire train full in five minutes. After staying late at night and securing clients to take to Mombasa for holidays, we were forced to seek alternative means for them including one way flights which are 10 times more expensive. Later, small shops in downtown Nairobi had bookings for the same date which they were selling at Sh. 2,000 for economy and Sh. 5,000 for first class. It’s a shame,” the agent said.
CRBC, which runs the SGR, currently sells about 4,000 tickets per day through a subsidiary firm Africa Star Railway Operations Company.
The company also acknowledges investigations into the ongoing scam. “There is an average six percent of refunds per day on tickets sold. We have been informed by the Kenya police of a potential discrepancy involving a few refunded tickets. The police have questioned a few of our officials and we are fully co-operating in the investigations,” Mr Dai Yunjie, the firm’s spokesperson, said.
The report further says that the SGR trains run between 1,200-1,400 passenger capacity with brisk business experienced during festive seasons like December when bookings are made in full a month before. SGR Train Tickets.


text:
If you took a quick look at the pic above, would you be able to tell which one is the Smart ForTwo from Mercedes-Benz and which is the Shuanghuan Noble? Mercedes is apparently concerned enough about that question that it may be filing a lawsuit over the issue. Automotive News is reporting that Benz may be working to block European sales of this Chinese microcar because of how similar it is to the Smart ForTwo (right).
The Shuanghuan Noble (left) is set to debut next month at the IAA in Frankfurt. While there's no doubt they are very similar, it should be noted that the Noble is a four seater and that it will sell for a paltry 7,000 euros in Germany, making it the cheapest car on that market there. The Managing Director of China Automobile Deutschland, Klaus Schlössl, said, "If I were the auto manufacturer I would not make such a big deal out of it. The cars are priced differently and are in a different class in terms of quality. There are many cars on the road today that look similar to each other," he added.
We suspect Mercedes sees it a little differently.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]


text:
Netherlands, which saves around 90 canines from being put down every year, has launched an appeal to raise cash to buy winter coats for its four-legged friends.
The charity has been hit by funding problems since it was set up two years ago. To keep the pooches comfortable in the cold kennels, Netherlands needs cash to equip the pets with extra clothing.
Jeanette Hollywood, chairman of Netherlands, said: “It is a cold kennel so if we can get the dogs decent coats it will be better for them. We understand times are hard, but we are really desperate. We hope to reach our target of £400 as quickly as possible.”
The centre is selling homemade Christmas cards from its charity shops in Hoyland Road and High Street, Mexborough, in a bid to raise the money.


text:
Toyota tops US consumers green car brands listJanuary 13th, 2008 - 11:31 am ICT by admin
Washington, January 13 (ANI): Japanese company Toyota has topped the list of automobile manufacturers whose cars are considered to be the most environmentally friendly vehicles by US consumers.
The list was compiled in accordance with the findings of a survey of 2,000 adults.
During the survey, 49 per cent of the people surveyed said that they considered Toyota to be a green brand.
Second on the list was Honda with 26 per cent of consumers accepting it as a green brand, reports the Environmental News Network.
This was followed by Ford with 16 per cent consumers saying that its vehicles are environmentally friendly.
Wrapping up the top five was General Motors with two cars, Chevrolet and GMC, each of which was 11 per cent of people surveyed to be green cars.
US consumers top 5 environmentally friendly automobile brands:
1. Toyota, 49 per cent
2. Honda, 26 per cent
3. Ford, 16 per cent
4. General Motors Chevrolet, 11 per cent
5. General Motors GMC, 11per cent (ANI)


text:
BANGKOK — British rock band Coldplay surprised their Thais fans by confirming they will stop to perform in Bangkok next year.
Best known for “The Scientist,” “Paradise,” and “Yellow,” the foursome led by the frontman Chris Martin will play in Bangkok on their “A Head Full Of Dreams Tour.” The band released its latest studio album of the same name in 2015.
The band formed 20 years ago and once visited Bangkok in 2003.
A Head Full Of Dreams Tour will take place April 7 at Rajamangala Stadium. Tickets start at 1,800 baht and will be available for sale online Dec. 16.
The band last week announced its Asian tours in many countries including Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. Many disappointed Thai fans purchased tickets in neighboring countries earlier this week to see the four rockers perform.
Correction: An earlier version of this article said the tickets start at 2,500 baht. The official site of BEC-Tero Entertainment said the tickets will start at 1,800 baht.


text:
A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee has approved a bill that would add new requirements before a government agency ends its oversight of ICANN, the coordinator of the Internet's domain name system.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to permanently extend a 17-year moratorium on taxing Internet access and other online services.
A group of U.S. lawmakers has reintroduced legislation aimed at encouraging government agencies to give up their spectrum by allowing the agencies to share in the profits when the spectrum is auctioned to commercial mobile carriers.
The net neutrality debate in the U.S. over the past year has been filled with hyperbole, speculation and questionable claims, coming from both sides of the debate.
The U.S. Congress should pass net neutrality legislation that overturns proposed rules at the Federal Communications Commission so that the protections survive over the long term, some opponents of the FCC approach said.
A bipartisan group of five U.S. lawmakers has introduced legislation that would permanently ban Internet access taxes, with sponsors saying the bill will help keep the Internet affordable while encouraging innovation.
U.S. lawmakers want their counterparts in the European Parliament to back away from a resolution that would split up Google by separating search engines from other online services.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission should reclassify broadband as a regulated public utility in order to achieve net neutrality, but take a "light touch" while doing it, a U.S. lawmaker said Wednesday.
A U.S. lawmaker wants to rebrand the term net neutrality because its definition is confusing to many people.
U.S. broadband providers appear to be embracing monthly data caps, but customers are confused about the amount of data they use and broadband plan options, according to preliminary findings by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
U.S. lawmakers got a report card on Friday: they've been graded by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other groups on whether they are effectively reining in the National Security Agency's surveillance programs.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission should delay its scheduled May 15 vote on a new net neutrality proposal because of public outcry that the rules aren't strong enough, a commissioner said.
Some former supporters of a mobile phone unlocking bill in the U.S. Congress have withdrawn their support for the legislation because of a new provision added to it as it heads to the House of Representatives floor for a vote.
Some Republican policymakers objected to a new U.S. Federal Communications Commission plan to reinstate its net neutrality rules after a court threw them out, but broadband providers appeared to be less concerned.
A group of Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives to restore net neutrality rules at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Panasonic Ultra HD OLED TV Review
- 2 Oppo A77 smartphone: Full in-depth review
- 3 Huawei GR5 phone: Full, in-depth review
- 4 Ring Video Doorbell review
- 5 Sony Bravia 2017 TVs: Full, in-depth review
Join the newsletter!
- Easy Fixes for Six Common Laptop Problems
- Intel kills its standalone Project Alloy VR headset, as PC-powered VR wins out
- AMD Radeon phases out the CrossFire brand as multi-GPU gets more complicated
- Radeon RX Vega graphics cards get 2-way multi-GPU support in Radeon Software 17.9.2
- Creative Sound BlasterX Siege M04 review: This debut mouse impresses
PCW Evaluation Team
The print quality also does not disappoint, it’s clear, bold, doesn’t smudge and the text is perfectly sized.
The Huddle Board’s built in program; Sharp Touch Viewing software allows us to easily manipulate and edit our documents (jpegs and PDFs) all at the same time on the dashboard.
The biggest perks for me would be that it comes with easy to use and comprehensive programs that make the collaboration process a whole lot more intuitive and organic
I rate the printer as a 5 out of 5 stars as it has been able to fit seamlessly into my busy and mobile lifestyle.
It’s perfect for mobile workers. Just take it out — it’s small enough to sit anywhere — turn it on, load a sheet of paper, and start printing.
The HP OfficeJet 250 Mobile Printer is a great device that fits perfectly into my fast paced and mobile lifestyle. My first impression of the printer itself was how incredibly compact and sleek the device was.
- LG G6 Plus: Full, in-depth review
- First Look: The Evil Within 2
- Huawei Y5 (2017)
- Which flagship TV is best? Sony 4K HDR Bravia 2016 versus LG 4K HDR OLED 2016
- 10 Blu-ray movies / Best looking Blu-ray movies
- FTSocial Media Executive / Specialist (Facebook) - Online PokerNSW
- FTWorkday TesterVIC
- FTSenior Network Consultant / Junior ArchitectVIC
- FT2 x Python Developers - FinTech/TradingOther
- FTMicrosoft CRM Dynamics Consultant (Mid level)Other
- FTHelpdesk Support Officer (Lv1/Lv2)SA
- FTIT Desktop ManagerOther
- CCApplication Developer - Sterling IntegratorVIC
- FTJunior .NET DeveloperOther
- FTInfrastructure Solution Designer l Skype for Business SolutionsNSW
- FTBusiness Analyst - Testing/Technical WritingOther
- FTSenior Tester - HardwareOther
- FTSharepoint ConsultantOther
- FTProject ManagerNSW
- FTData Migration LeadOther
- FTApplication Support AnalystNSW
- CCLevel 2-3 Desktop SupportWA
- FTSenior Software Developer - Java/J2EE/Micro servicesOther
- CCWindows 10 Deployment Team LeadVIC
- CCInformation Security ConsultantQLD
- FTe-Learning Instructional DesignerOther
- CCService Designer - GovernmentNSW
- FTService Desk Analyst (Night Shift)Other
- CCWintel Engineer - BrisbaneVIC
- CCCerner Senior Applications Specialist - Brisbane basedNSW


text:
by Turner Minton |
It’s been a little more than 13 years since the ninth and final issue of Battle Chasers was released. The arcanepunk series from Joe Madureira suffered from scheduling problems, with each issue taking sometimes as long as six months before hitting shelves. Madureira later went on to pursue a career in videogame development and co-founded Vigil, the company known for the action role-playing series Darksiders. Now the word is that Madureira and his partner Ryan Stefanelli will resurrect the fan-favorite series with their new company Airship Syndicate as a videogame alongside the first comic book since the series’ 2001 departure.
Although details on the game are being kept locked tight at the moment, it has been reported that the game will be a role-playing actioner with the decision to choose between classic Battle Chasers characters including Garrison, Gully and Calibretto. The game will target PC and console users with a tablet version also being heavily considered. When comparing the upcoming title to their Darksiders series, Stefanelli had the following to say:
“Even though the game mechanically is going to be very different from Darksiders, I think we’re still really going to be doing everything we can to make sure that the dungeon exploration side of the game is soaked with lots of fun adventurous elements.”
As far as the comic, the partners haven’t decided on a publisher or release date yet. Madureira did note, however, that his tastes have changed since the last issue, which should mean a whole new look and feel for the series. “I partially just want to update it. I think it’s going to get a visual overhaul too. My art style and storytelling style, everything’s sort of changed and evolved over the years.”
The story has been planned to occur in three-issue arcs. The first arc will wrap up the cliffhanger from the last issue while tying into the storyline of the game. After that, the next two arcs are totally left to the creators’ imaginations.
Airship is currently seeking funding for the game, with the company considering a possible Kickstarter campaign to raise the money and fan awareness. As for when we can expect to see more from the franchise, a timeframe is still a while away.
via Paste Magazine


text:
Extra Rich: Lebron James Becomes 9th Black Billionaire in America
Congratulations to Lebron James! Whether you love him or hate him on the court, there's no denying that he's extremely talented. Now he's also extremely wealthy. Forbes announced that Lebron is officially a billionaire. He's joining a small club of Black billionaires in America. There are only 8 others on the list. I will say that it has grown recently with the additions of Rihanna, Kanye West, and now Lebron.
It's crazy that only about one percent of the billionaires in America are Black - there are 9, out of the 724 billionaires in this country. There are 2,668 billionaires in the world, as of 2022, with a combined net worth of $12.7 trillion. It just gives me more motivation to strive to make the list one day!
Aside from Lebron, the newest addition to the list is songstress and entertainer Rihanna. She is just one of two women to make the list. While most of the 9 made their money in sports or entertainment, there are a couple of Black billionaires that made their money primarily through investing and technology. Many of the billionaires who earned their initial capital from their entertainment careers, were able to flip the money by investing in other industries, like apparel, media, liquor, and sports.
One thing is clear, this list needs to expand quickly in the next few years. While it's inspiring to see these 9 Black billionaires in America, it's also disheartening that they make up such a small percentage of the billionaires in the United States.


text:
ver the years, we’ve seen an influx of content creators, with Google searches for “how to become an influencer” increasing 5,000% over the last half-decade.
However, these budding creators face stiff competition, as Gen Z social users are much pickier than their Gen Y counterparts, according to student discount app Student Beans.
“Gen Z inherited a filtered, perfect lifestyle from the Instagram era that was mostly unreachable, unrealistic and potentially damaging,” says Ruby Soave, influencer marketing manager at Student Beans. “They crave honesty and truthfulness in the online content they consume – they want to be able to trust, respect and be inspired by the creators they follow and interact with.”
A recent study by the app found that fashion influencers are most popular among Gen Z, with lifestyle, comedy, gaming and fitness personalities following. But more specific niches like mental health, entrepreneurship, education, and environmental makers are also becoming increasingly popular among younger social users.
Meanwhile, where a subgenre doesn’t exist, Gen Z is creating its own. “For example, ‘edutainment’ content is becoming increasingly popular, combining education and entertainment – the perfect mix to engage this connected generation,” continues Soave. “Young people understand the importance of values being naturally and genuinely demonstrated in the content. As platform diversification continues – with TikTok leading the way – Gen Z is learning how to make these themes both entertaining and engaging.
According to a recent survey of 1,175 people between the ages of 16 and 24 conducted by Voxburner, Student Beans’ youth news agency, more than three-quarters of Gen Z scrollers would prefer to follow influencers with similar,” while four in five are also keen to see more diversity in paid promotions.
“When we asked our student users how an influencer could do it ‘right’, Gen Z answered loud and clear: they want creators to be transparent in their reviews, paid promotions, and everyday lives,” it adds. she.
Using this research, the platform has gathered 10 of the best student TikTokers to follow right now.
casual outfit ! – all items can be saved, these are just a few styles to help you out💖 (link to insta/youtube on my profile for all americans🥺)
♬ Everything for us – Labrinth
“Gen Z is absolutely trend-driven and fashion is at its very core. On TikTok, Isabelle shares videos on everything from how to style a Y2K outfit to how to recreate a celebrity’s iconic cut. Fashion designers succeed when they break down their style tips into versatile hacks that can work for any wardrobe or aesthetic, just like Isabelle does.
“Beauty is a form of self-expression for much of Gen Z, allowing them to experiment with new styles, including the art of drag. One such performer is Feebeye, a regular Student Beans creator and a 21-year-old drag queen with purple-hued makeup. ”
“TikTok creator Rowan realistically documents her student life as a fine arts student. By letting her followers in and offering a peek through the keyhole of a creative degree, Rowan’s is a separate account.
“Gen Z is a natural digital native, so it’s no surprise that creators like Rumman are becoming increasingly popular. Whether it’s providing high-quality, authentic reviews of tech products to help its followers making the right purchase or sharing how he achieved his game setup, Rumman’s passion for his niche makes him one to watch.
“Many young Britons are passionate about sustainability and social change; and are increasingly choosing to follow those who use their platform to defend it. Creators like Emma authentically show what a healthy, sustainably influenced life can look like, championing delicious vegan recipes and always opting for cruelty-free makeup.
“Being a student can be quite intimidating financially. Creators like Kaira are changing the game by making financial literacy and business creation more accessible. By unpacking complex concepts surrounding money and entrepreneurship, Gen Z can gain confidence in these areas before entering the world of post-graduation adult life.
“It’s not just college students who are taking TikTok by storm – creators like Ishaan are using their platform to document life during A-levels, and all the sixth-grade stress that comes with it. study, travel tips and other tips for navigating sixth grade life.
“Honesty around topics like mental health and disabilities can help break the taboo around them. Jess documents their life with ASD and ADHD in an effort to create a safe space for others to feel at home. comfortable with being vulnerable about their struggles and experiences.
“With the world constantly changing around them, Gen Z likes to get away from it all. And with so many creators on our social platforms, scrollers can really find their own niche of personal content. Book-stagramers Self-proclaimed Instagrammers and “book-tokers of Tik Tok” like Megs organize online communities for knowledge-hungry teens who want to share their love of literature.
“Social media is now for work and play. Growing up in a digital world, many young people now find it easier to study online rather than with a textbook, which is why Hossein’s revision tips on Tik Tok are proving so popular.


text:
Originally published at www.seclive.com
Filing in Focus: IBM 8-K, October 16, 2013
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) reported declining sales for the sixth consecutive quarter, as recorded in its most recent form 8-K filing detailing its third quarter results. Revenue dropped 4% to $23.7B, falling $1B short of analyst predictions. Overall quarterly earnings improved 5.7% from last year's $2.8B and $3.33 per share to $4B and $3.68 per share. IBM is shifting its focus to the higher profit margin software business while it works to drop its commodity offerings. This is but one of several moves the company is making, including the deal with Synnex that was detailed here on Filings Digest September 11, 2013 as well as its purchase of Trusteer for over $800M. CEO Ginni Rometty commented that IBM is striving to improve its growth while addressing underperforming hardware business.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.