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SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pluralsight, a global leader in online training for technology professionals, announced today the acquisition of Oklahoma City-based Digital-Tutors, the premier online training resource for creative professionals. The $45 million acquisition — Pluralsight's fourth in eight months — marks the company’s debut in the market for creative learning. Digital-Tutors' more than 1,500 creative skills courses will double Pluralsight's existing catalog of nearly 1,500 developer and IT-oriented courses, forming the world’s largest curated e-learning library for professionals, academic institutions, and businesses of all sizes.
The acquisition of Digital-Tutors comes on the heels of a year of tremendous growth for Pluralsight, signifying the company’s strategy for rapid expansion in the booming e-learning industry, which Global Industry Analysts (GIA) projects to be a $107 billion market in 2015. Since posting $16 million in subscription-based billings in 2012, Pluralsight experienced triple-digit growth in 2013 and is on trajectory to do the same in 2014. In the last eight months, the company acquired three other online learning platforms: PeepCode, a provider of open-source developer courses; Tekpub, a screencast publisher for developers; and TrainSignal, an IT training company that came to Pluralsight in a $23.6 million deal. The Digital-Tutors purchase is Pluralsight's largest to-date.
"Bringing Digital-Tutors on board has positioned Pluralsight as a complete solution for professional technology and creative skills training," said Pluralsight CEO and co-founder Aaron Skonnard. "In the competitive e-learning space, where most companies have brought skills training to beginning and mid-level enthusiasts, we are cementing our status as a career catalyst and go-to resource for the serious professional.”
Digital-Tutors is an e-learning platform that provides training for individuals, universities and businesses, including Pixar, DreamWorks, Rockstar Games and Electronic Arts. With creative courses ranging from motion graphics to 3D animation to visualization to digital painting, the company provides expert-level training for professionals in the movie, game, AEC and product design, and digital art spaces. Since its founding in 2000, Digital-Tutors has kept at the forefront of creative technology by forming partnerships with leading software and hardware providers, including Autodesk, Wacom, Maxon, The Foundry and Pixologic.
“We are thrilled to join Pluralsight," said Piyush Patel, CEO and founder of Digital-Tutors. "We've found a company that's as passionate about changing lives through online learning as we are, and this opportunity will allow us to continue that mission on a whole new scale. The artists, designers, students and businesses that have relied on us for over 13 years will now have even more resources to meet the high expectations and demands of today's creative industries."
Effective immediately, active customers of both platforms will be able to access the two e-libraries at no additional cost. Digital-Tutors' 30 employees will join the Pluralsight team to form the backbone of the company's new creative content engine. Digital-Tutors' premier network of creative skills instructors, who have worked on blockbuster films, top games and award-winning projects, are expected to join Pluralsight’s network of 330 expert authors. In addition, Digital-Tutors CEO and Founder Piyush Patel will join Pluralsight as the senior VP of creative operations.
Founded in 2004 as a classroom-based training company, Pluralsight moved online in 2008 and grew organically before taking $27.5 million in Series A funding from Insight Venture Partners in December 2012. Since then, Pluralsight has grown its already profitable business into one of the world's largest professional training platforms.
Founded in 2004, Pluralsight is the global leader in online learning for serious software developers, IT specialists and creative professionals. As the world’s largest curated e-learning library for professionals, the company offers instant access to more than 3,000 courses authored by top experts. With customers in more than 195 countries, Pluralsight serves as a career catalyst, delivering hands-on, practical training for the most in-demand and understaffed jobs of today. For more information visit Pluralsight.com.


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By Team Lounge
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In the recent years, with more people considering pets as family members, the petcare industry has expanded with myriad of offerings including healthier treats, nutrition-focused food, personalised toys, and uber-comfortable pet products such as pet beds with cooling pads. There is also a better understanding of physical and mental health of pets and ways to access care. With this shift gaining momentum, more people are becoming first time pet parents as well as highlighting the challenges they face during their journey.
To address these challenges better, Supertails, an online platform for pet care needs, recently conducted a survey involving more than 500 Indians with pets. The survey report titled Pawrents revealed interesting challenges, trends, and expectations from the petcare industry.
“The survey is a step forward in that direction and helps us decode the challenges of first-time pawrents and cater to their evolving needs. We are excited to see how these shifting trends will impact the Indian petcare industry which has a potential to grow to $5 Bn by 2030," said Vineet Khanna, Supertails.com CEO and co-founder.
Pawrents go big on petcare spends
The survey revealed that pet-parents in Bengaluru are the highest spenders on petcare, beating Mumbai and Delhi. Among the participants, 55% Bangaloreans spent a monthly average of Rs. 3000 and more on petcare as compared to 52% Mumbaikars. Regarding Delhi, 40% of pawrents spent largely between ₹1500 and 3000 monthly. Overall, 39% of pet parents from metro cities spend more than ₹ 3000 every month while almost half of pawrents in tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India spend between Rs. 1500 and Rs. 3000 every month on petcare.
GenZ embraces pet-parenting
Among first time pawrents, almost half of the surveyed people were Gen Z, followed by 44% of millennial pawrents in the last two years. Pandemic-induced isolation and loneliness could have driven many to adopt pets. Other reasons include rapid urbanisation, nuclear family structures, and seeing pets more as family. Research has shown that interacting with animals can decrease the stress-related hormone, cortisol, and lower blood pressure according to John Hopkins Medicine. They can also reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.
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Needs-based gaps in petcare
Although petcare industry has significantly grown in the recent years, 93% Gen-Z believe there is a lack of credible information available online that can help pet-parents, especially the first timers. Moe than 70% Gen Z pawrents state that online vet consultations should be more accessible. In tier 2 and 3 cities, 73% pawrents face challenges accessing veterinary services online. One of the most concerning gaps is in emergency care with 67% pet parents calling out the lack of access to emergency consultations.
Also read: How to figure out the best diet for your pet
- FIRST PUBLISHED10.04.2023 | 01:00 PM IST

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A few days after Roku and YouTube TV made headlines for arguing over terms, the agreement between YouTube TV and Roku has expired, Roku confirmed to PopCulture.com. As a result, new YouTube TV customers will be unable to install the streaming service on Roku streaming devices and Roku TV. The silver lining here — for existing customers, that is — is that Roku says existing users will continue to have access to YouTube TV "unless Google ties actions that require the full removal of the channel." Users should also know that if they delete the YouTube TV app, they will not be able to re-install it.
In a statement to PopCulture, a Roku spokesperson expressed "disappointment" that "Google has allowed our agreement for the distribution of YouTube TV to expire." The spokesperson repeated Roku's claims made earlier this week that the company has not "asked for one dollar of additional financial consideration from Google to renew YouTube TV." They said that Roku has "removed YouTube TV from our channel store" because the contract has expired and is "taking the extra step to continue to offer existing subscribers access to YouTube TV on the Roku platform unless Google takes actions that require the full removal of the channel."
The statement makes it clear that Roku blames Google, which owns YouTube, for cutting off new subscriptions to the live TV streaming service. "It is well past time for Google to embrace the principles that have made streaming so popular for millions of users by giving consumers control of their streaming experience, by embracing fair competition and by ceasing anticompetitive practices," the statement continued. "We believe consumers stand to benefit from Google and Roku reaching a fair agreement that preserves these principles and we remain committed to trying to achieve that goal."
The dispute centers around Roku's claim that Google has asked the company to give it special treatment, like creating a dedicated search results row for YouTube TV within the Roku smart TV interface and giving YouTube search results more prominent placement. Roku also says that Google is asking them to block search results from other streaming providers when users perform a voice search while the YouTube app is open.
The company also alleges that Google might force the company to upgrade its equipment to Google's specs for YouTube TV, which would force Roku to increase the price of its products — which directly compete with Google's Chromecast.
"We have only asked Google for four simple commitments. First, not to manipulate consumer search results. Second, not to require access to data not available to anyone else," Roku said. "Third, not to leverage their YouTube monopoly to force Roku to accept hardware requirements that would increase consumer costs. Fourth, not to act in a discriminatory and anticompetitive manner against Roku."
Google isn't the only company that Roku has feuded with in recent months. In December, Roku dropped Spectrum's TV app from the platform; it has yet to return. Roku has also seen disputes with NBCU, which was avoided at the last minute but would have seen all of their TV Everywhere apps removed. They also nearly saw the Fox app removed from the platform ahead of last year's Super Bowl.


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NORTHBOROUGH — An employee of T.J. Maxx at Northborough Crossing is facing a larceny charge after police said he made fraudulent returns and stole items from the store.
Northborough police responded to T.J. Maxx at 9106 Shops Way on Sunday to take a report of a past larceny. According to police records, employee Samuel S. Johnson was being detained inside the store’s loss prevention office when they arrived.
The company alleges Johnson, 20, made several fraudulent refund transactions and stole items over a period of close to one year. The most recent transaction came in February, according to an application for a criminal complaint filed in court by Northborough police.
"The estimated total loss to (T.J. Maxx) of Northborough due to (Johnson's) nefarious activities is estimated to be $1,354.45,” the application reads.
Johnson, of 14 Brightside Ave., Shrewsbury, was arrested at the store and charged with larceny over $250 by a single scheme. He was arraigned Monday in Westborough District Court and released on personal recognizance, according to court records.
As a condition of his release, Johnson was ordered to stay away from T.J. Maxx. He is due to appear in court next on April 11.
Jim Haddadin can be reached at 617-863-7144 or firstname.lastname@example.org. Follow him on Twitter: @JimHaddadin.


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This is big news for those of us who have specifically avoided the garish white Nintendo Wii because it totally clashed with the rest of our entertainment set up. After a Gamestop employee snapped a picture of a promo poster announcing the black Wii bundle a few days ago, Nintendo of America has finally dropped the bomb on us: They’re going to paint it, black.
The new Wii bundle will come with Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Wiimote with Motion Plus attachment and a nunchuck, at the same $199 price point as always. Although not specifically mentioned in the press release, we’ve heard through the grape vine that Canada may be getting a similarly toned bundle May 23rd.
Via Tiny Cartridge


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Škoda has revealed a new identity, featuring a 2D symbol and wordmark, which have been separated from one another as it prepares for a future as an electric car company.
The Czech car brand, which is owned by Volkswagen, says it has carried out the work in house. When the rebrand was first mooted in March then CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed that the new branding would first appear on Škoda’s three new electric models: a Skoda Superb successor, a city SUV, and a potential all-electric Skoda Octavia.
Skoda brand design manager Petra Mackeová explains how the winged arrow symbol has been “simplified” and “will now be rendered without 3D graphics”, so it can be “integrated more flexibly into different formats”. The new “more impactful” 2D marque is part of Škoda’s plan to move towards “even more digitalised communication”, she adds.
Škoda’s wordmark has undergone a more drastic change. Mackeová says that its new bespoke typography, named Škoda Pro, is “based on symmetry and a combination of round shapes with borders”. She adds that one of the more challenging aspects was “integrating the caron above the S” as it represents “an important part of Škoda’s Czech heritage”.
The accent known as the “háček” is now incorporated into the first letter. Research carried out by Škoda found that the new typographic wordmark is “easier to recognise and identify”, according to Mackeová.
In line with the car maker’s new digital-first direction, the Škoda wordmark and symbol will now be used as separate entities. Mackeová says that the typographic logo will “feature more widely than the company’s picturemark in marketing communications”.
Despite wanting to change and adapt, Škoda also wanted to “maintain a link with history” by enhancing its green-centred colour palette, says Mackeová. She adds, “Few brands have the colour green ingrained in their DNA as Škoda does.”
She says that the two new green shades – Emerald and Electric Green – have been implemented to “refresh the design”. Respondents who took part in Škoda’s surveys “associated these colours with ecology, sustainability and electromobility,” according to Mackeová who adds, “customer opinions played a key role in the new identity”.
The Next Level Škoda Strategy 2030 comprises five dimensions: a new product portfolio of electric cars; updated brand appearance; expanded customer base; investment in digitalisation and employees; and reducing its CO2 fleet emissions by 50%.
The new identity will roll out gradually across all platforms, starting with communication materials. From 2024, it will start appearing on newly launched models.
Škoda is the latest of many car company’s to rebrand to reflect a digital and electric strategy. Brands like Maserati, Volvo, Aston Martin, BMW and Volkswagen have all rebranded in the last three years.


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January 22, 2018
Over the years, the Co-op Group has quickly expanded to become one of the most well-known names in the country. Thanks to continued success and a positive 2017, the group is set to open 100 brand-new food stores thus creating around 1,600 new jobs.
According to a company representative, around £160 million will be invested into the many projects; this includes makeovers at 150 of their existing sites in the UK. In terms of exact locations, over 20 will enter London while 18 will be introduced to Scotland (including Glasgow, Kilmacolm (Renfrewshire), Edinburgh, and Forres (Highlands). Elsewhere, stores are also expected in Nottingham, Chesterfield, Crewe, York, Southampton, Blackpool, Bristol, Plymouth, Leicester, and Manchester.
For the company as a whole, it seems to be a positive time after they recently announced an agreement with Costcutter Supermarkets Group which sees it become the exclusive wholesale supplier for over 2,200 stores in the UK. What's more, they were also approved by Nisa Retail in their bid to take over the convenience retail company. Although it hasn't yet been approved by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the group is hopeful of the deal going ahead to cap off a successful 2018 already.


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Primark is selling a pair of long winter boots for just £23 - and shoppers have said how much they look the same as a designer version worth £1,320. The budget fashion brand is known for its famous in-store only bargains, that keep loyal customers coming back.
It's approach means that despite the rise in online shopping, people regularly make the trip into town to see what deals they can pick up at the shop. Many Primark customers are attracted by its great value basics, such as gym gear, pyjamas and childrenswear.
But another popular department is the shoe range, with endless styles to choose from. Like other high street stores, Primark is currently stocking up with autumn and winter wear, the Liverpool Echo reports.
READ MORE: Bluewater Shopping Centre: The UK's first ever outdoor skydive machine has opened just minutes from Essex
The retailer has been known to sell designer footwear dupes in the past. Now, Primark has released a new pair that shoppers are getting excited about.
The chain shared a picture of the new £23 boots on Instagram. They come in black or cream with a chunky lug sole and there is a long length available for £23 or a short zip up style for £20.
Despite their bargain price, the longer boots look just like a designer pair by Gianvito Rossi. The luxury Italian brand's Montey Boot comes in black leather and costs £1,320.
Primark shoppers responded to the post with excitement, with one saying: "Yasss we love boot season." Another shopper added: "Love these!!!!!! Best ones yet!" and a third commented: "I bought both."
Sainsbury's follows Asda and Morrisons with huge change affecting most shoppers
'I went shopping for Asda’s Just Essentials range and could not believe how much £10 got me'
Cases of ‘desperate’ people leaving shops without paying on the rise as cost of living crisis bites
Fresh rail strike set to cause more commuter disruption in Essex next month
I tried Essex's new American diner and felt like I had walked straight into New Jersey


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Schneider Electric recently announced the launch of its residential lighting control line under the Square D® Clipsal® brand name. The products will include dimmers, relays, movement sensors and input devices such as switches and touch screens crafted in sleek European styling. The announcement was made at the 2006 International Builders Show in Orlando, Fla.
Archives for March 2006
The Weidt Group conducted a study of daylight harvesting projects to find out if daylight harvesting projects are living up to their expectations. The team—consisting of Eijadi, Prasad Vaidya, Tom McDougall, Jason Steinbock and Jim Douglas—reviewed dozens of completed projects, most of which were sidelit using windows, and separated the success stories—some of them operating for 25 years—from projects they considered to be failures.


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Sky, Spark, TVNZ, MediaWorks take action against CallPlus, other 'global mode' ISPs
Spark (owner of Lightbox), MediaWorks, Sky TV and TVNZ say they are taking action against internet and technology companies selling and promoting services that enable access to offshore TV and movie services usually blocked to New Zealanders.
Acting together, the four New Zealand competitors have sent Slingshot, Orcon, un-named "other ISPs" and Bypass Network Services (the Auckland-based company that created the global mode technology used by Slingshot and Orcon) to cease operation of global mode and other similar services in New Zealand.
Orcon almost immediately reacted by emailing its customers to tell them it had defaulted its Global Mode service to New Zealand (the CallPlus-owned ISP recently introduced a switcher, which allows its customers to toggle between global and New Zealand modes). The ISP billed the move as a measure to make the recently launched Netflix NZ easier to access, rather than a reaction to legal pressure. The message also includes instructions on how to opt back in to Global Mode.
Mark Callander, CEO of the Call Plus Group that owns Orcon, Slingshot and Flip, says yet to see any cease-and-desist notice.
"Once we have seen the letter and reviewed it, we will be in a position to make a statement. As we’ve said before, we’re confident that Global Mode is perfectly legal," Mr Callander says.
"The Big Boy incumbents have made these threats in the past so we’re not expecting anything particularly exciting. They’re just trying to bully the smaller guys to prevent NZ catching up with the rest of the world. There are many other services in the market today that do exactly the same thing and have done for years, for example Unblock-Us, but for some reason attacking the innovators in NZ is their preferred approach. We will respond to them, media, and the New Zealand public once we’ve reviewed any letter that we receive."
In a joint statement, Lightbox, MediaWorks, Sky and TVNZ say they believe companies who set out to profit by marketing and providing access to content they haven’t paid for are operating outside the law and in breach of copyright.
“We pay considerable amounts of money for content rights, particularly exclusive content rights. These rights are being knowingly and illegally impinged, which is a significant issue that may ultimately need to be resolved in court in order to provide future clarity for all parties involved.
“This is not about taking action against consumers; this is a business to business issue and is about creating a fair playing field.”
The launch of Netflix NZ in March definitely changed the landscape. Netflix US requires a US credit card to join (although there are ways around it); with the advent of Netflix US, you can join the service with an NZ credit card, then change countries using your ISP's global mode, or various readily available bits of software.
A-list law firms see case for global mode
Slingshot took legal advice from Lowndes Jordan principal Rick Shera before it launched Global Mode and before it made it open to all customers. Mr Shera likens accessing Netflix from New Zealand to parallel importing and says Global Mode is in accordance with the Fair Trading Act, Copyright Act and other laws. Chapman Tripp partner Justin Graham leans in the same direction.*
This afternoon, Mr Shera said he was not authorised by his client to make immediate comment.
NBR was tipped off about the pending action by TVNZ, MediaWorks, Spark’s Lightbox and Sky earlier this week but queries to TVNZ and MediaWorks went unanswered before today’s joint statement.
CallPlus Group CEO Mark Callander was none the wiser about the imminent arrival of a cease and desist letter when NBR spoke to him on Tuesday.
Local production companies approached
Meanwhile, NBR understands Spark’s Lightbox, MediaWorks, Sky and TVNZ have been approaching local screen production companies and pressuring them to join the action against the ISPs.
It’s unclear at this stage whether the approach has been greeted with enthusiasm by New Zealand content creators, however.
In the first instance, TVNZ and MediaWorks in particular have alienated local producers by insisting on taking the digital rights for programmes they broadcast for free, producers claim.
In the second, many don’t think the action has merit.
As one Kiwi producer tells NBR, “It's a pathetic legal case. What they need to do is what the music industry does – readjust the monetary system and continue on, because the bottom line is, you stop Slingshot’s Global Mode or these other services and everyone will just go and get TunnelBear or DonkeyArse or any of a hundred more of these things.
“Honestly, it’s like trying to put out a bushfire in Australia with a can of Coke – it’s just ridiculous.”
In an interview shortly before the launch of Netflix NZ, Netflix chief product officer Neil Hunt told NBR there was nothing his company could do, on a technical level, to block VPNs and other software tools used by people to beat geo-blocks. He noted the service's terms and conditions forbid geoblock busting.
Who are the other ISPs?
As to the identity of the “other ISPs” sent cease and desist requests, a TVNZ spokeswoman has clarified they are “a group of smaller operators who we are still in the process of communicating with.”
The only other ISP of any scale to offer a global mode is Singapore-owned MyRepublic (whose boss tells NBR he has not received a cease-and-desist notice, as of late Thursday).
While a global mode is handy, especially for less technical people, it is far from the only way to access a geo-blocked service. Free and low cost software and web browser add-ons are readily available to achieve the same result. CallPlus boss Mr Callander's reference to one popular tool, Unblock-us, hits that his company will soon raise the question of whether Spark will crack down on its own customers who are using software to mask their country of origin, or the makers of those tools themselves.
CallPlus originally positioned Global Mode as a useful feature for households who had an overseas guest who happened to have, say, a Netflix US account. It later opened it up to all-comers.
Sky TV has previously attacked CallPlus, refusing (along with TVNZ and MediaWorks) to run Slingshot ads referencing Global Mode.
It has, however, offered a little carrot for online viewers along with the stick, boosting its recently launched Neon streaming video service by saying it will offer episodes of the new series of Game of Thrones the same day they screen in the US and on Sky's satellite service.
Emphasises importance of Copyright Act review
InternetNZ chief executive Jordan Carter says that the open Internet challenges business models in many industries — including those of local broadcasters who choose to buy and onsell content available in other places.
This afternoon's developments emphasise the important of shows the importance of the pending Copyright Act review, he says.
"A fundamental feature of the open Internet is that it crosses borders. That's what consumers are now used to. That's how it should be.
"It is ironic that our twenty-one-year-old copyright law guarantees anyone can import content on DVDs. Yet now there is a threat of legal action against ISPs who provide digital means to access the same content.
"Moves like this won't decrease piracy. New Zealand Internet users are still paying for content accessed via these services, many of them go off-shore to get content that local providers either don't have or don't provide on-demand.
"Consumers still have the choice to go with Sky, Spark and others' online services. Efforts to undermine competition like this aren't innovation: they are just trying to reduce our choices," Mr Carter says.
The government says the Copyright Act review is on hold until Transpacific Partnership (TPP) discussions are complete.
* The Chapman Tripp comments were made a couple of years ago, in relation to a global mode offered by short-lived ISP Fyx, but the principles remain the same (Fyx was shutdown shortly after its parent company was bought by Australia's Vocus. Vocus said it wan't to focus on the wholesale and corporate market, which it did).


text: When was the last time the words “Porsche” and “honey” were mentioned in the same sentence? Years ago? Never? As implausible as it sounds, it’s not a figment of our imaginations anymore; it’s the real deal. Porsche, the company famous for building some of the most iconic sports cars in the history of the world, is now selling honey.


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Virtual reality is continuing to impress people around the sports world. We first read about how virtual reality was being used to train athletes and then it shifted to entertaining videos for fans. And now as the technology continues to develop, we are watching virtual reality as it is pushing the broadcasting envelope.
NOS, a Portuguese cable and TV operator, has partnered with Samsung and Sport TV, a Portuguese sports premium channel, to give viewers the chance to watch a football match through virtual reality headsets. The match was aired on September 20th between FC Porto and SL Benifica at the FC Porto Dragon Stadium and was the world’s first live VR broadcast.
NOS is the biggest communications and entertainment group in Portugal. It offers the latest generation fixed and mobile phone, television, Internet, voice and data solutions for all market segments. “After having been the first operator to broadcast live and in 3D a football game of the Portuguese national team and the final of the Augusta Masters in 2010, and more recently surfing contents in ultra high definition (4k), Nos now takes another step forward in the quality of the experience it offers the Portuguese people,” stated Hugo Figueiredo, Brand and Communications Manager at NOS.
The broadcast used five different cameras, located throughout the stadium, giving it a 360-degree experience for viewers. Fans were able to select the angle that they wanted to watch the game. If fans were not able to attend the game, they were given the chance to watch the game broadcasted at the Samsung brand store in the Almada Forum or at the NOS Colombo cinemas. These locations still gave fans the chance to test Gear VR. Fans were even encouraged to wear the virtual reality goggles to gain a unique experience.
“This is without question an historic moment for Portugal and also for Samsung,” commented Frederico Paiva, Business Manager at Samsung Portugal. “We know that football is a passion point for the Portuguese people, so that this initiative, the first of its kind worldwide, has all the ingredients for users to have access to an experience that will change the way we look at the broadcasting of live contents.”
By giving fans more options to consume football matches, virtual reality broadcasting could potentially spread to every sport. It will break from traditional broadcasting and fans will be able to experience something like never before.
President of the Portuguese Football League, Pedro Proenca, said, “The Portuguese League is immensely proud to associate to these partners and to this revolutionary initiative in watching a football match. The match opposing FC Porto and Benfica will surely be followed by an even greater number of viewers, to add to the thousands of fans that will be at Dragon Stadium and to the millions that will watch it at home, on the television. Portuguese professional and all the emotion it offers will now be taken to a never before seen level.”


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While Latin America is far from where it was during the boom years, it’s also not as bad off as it was in 2014-15…or even 2016 for that matter.
But that growth was regional and projected across the next few years. Below, we drill down to 2017 to look at broader economic growth in specific Latin American markets and then share some areas where there’s been greater consumer spending.
These 2017 LatAm consumer insights could help marketers, business intelligence professionals, executives, investors and others get a better sense of which areas are leading the economic recovery in Latin America.
Overall, Argentina had 1.1% growth in GDP for Q1 2017 compared to Q4 2016, with a slight GDP growth of .3% compared to Q1 2016. While by no means spectacular, the figures suggest that the recession may be over in Argentina, a view shared by Nicolás Dujovne, Argentina’s Minister of Finance. In addition, the IMF recently increased its projection of 2017 GDP growth for Argentina from 2.2% to 2.4%, followed by projected 2.25% growth in 2018.
Consumer Spending Growth Areas in Argentina
Sales of electronics in Argentina went up by 14.2% between January and May 2017, according to research from GfK. This is compared to the same period during 2016, which was a very tough year for electronics sales. One product category that particularly spiked was laptops, with a 50% sales growth, which may be attributable to the elimination of the 35% tax on the importation of finished computers.
Between January and May 2017 motorcycle sales grew by 49.4% in Argentina, according to Asociación de Concesionarios de Automotores de la República Argentina and Cámara de Fabricantes de Motovehículos (CAFAM). Currently Argentines are buying around 50,000 motorcycles per month, though the trade associations expect motorcycles sales in Argentina to reach 700,000 units in 2017. Zanella, Honda, Motomel, Corrven and Gilera are the top 5 motorcycle brands in Argentina from a sales standpoint.
#3: New Cars
According to Asociación de Concesionarios de Automotores de la República Argentina (ACARA), new car sales totaled 451.178 units between January and June 2017, compared to 338,373 units during the same period in 2016. This means that new car sales were up more than 33% in Argentina during the first half of 2017. The top-selling car models in Argentina so far during 2017 include the Volkswagen Gol, the Renault Nuevo Sandero and the Chevrolet Onix. In addition, sales of luxury cars went up by 80% during the first half of 2017.
After 20 straight quarters of drops in GDP, Brazil’s GDP grew by 1% during the first quarter of 2017, according to Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Brazil’s agricultural sector had its largest growth in more than 20 years, with a 13.4% increase compared to the previous quarter. This was the highest growth in a quarter for this sector since Q4 of 1996. Industry also rose, increasing by 0.9% after drops in the past couple of quarters. It’s also noteworthy that Brazil’s mining and quarrying industry expanded by 1.7%. There’s also been a 53.1% increase in Brazilian exports during the first half of 2017.
Consumer Spending Growth Areas in Brazil
New car sales went up by 4.4% during the first half of 2017 in Brazil, according to statistics published by the Federação Nacional da Distribuição de Veículos Automotores. More than 993,000 vehicles were sold in Brazil during the first half of 2017, compared to 951,203 units sold during the first half of 2016. An article in AutoInforme claims that this is the first car sales increase in Brazil during a semester since 2013.
The Associação Nacional das Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Anfavea) projects that overall, 2017 new car sales in Brazil will go up by 4.5% to 5%.
In addition, more than 5.25 million used cars were sold in Brazil during the first half of 2017, a 23.7% increase compared to the first half of 2016, according to Federação Nacional dos Concessionários de veículos Automotores)
In terms of individual car brand sales increases in this period in Brazil, Jeep’s sales were up 53%, Nissan’s were up 38%, Ford’s were up 15%, Toyota’s Brazil sales were up 2.7%, Renault’s sales were up by 5% and Honda’s were up by 3.6%. However, the leaders in car market share in Brazil are still GM (#1), Fiat (#2), Volkswagen (#3), Ford (#4) and Hyundai (#5).
While no results are yet available for the first half of 2017, IDC did recently report that mobile phone sales in Brazil rose by 25.4% during Q1 2017—a total of 12.4 million units were sold. Of these 12.4 million units, 11.4 million were smartphones while the rest were feature phones. As such, smartphone sales in Brazil during Q1 2017 grew by 22.6% compared to Q1 2016. IDC projects that overall cell phone sales in Brazil will go up by 7.2% to reach a total of 51.2 million units and that in all of 2017, 47 million smartphones will be sold in Brazil. This will bring Brazil back to the same total of mobile phone unit sales it had in 2015. The 47 million smartphones projected to be sold in Brazil in 2017 is a significant increase from the 43.5 million sold in 2016.
The insurance sector in Brazil grew by 13.9% during Q12017, according to figures reported by Confederação Nacional das Seguradoras.
#4: Travel Spend
Brazilian travelers spent nearly 35% more on international travel during the first half of 2017, according to the Banco Central. They spent a total of US$8.8 billion, compared to US$6.5 billion during the first half of 2016.
Book sales in Brazil grew in volume by 5.47% during the first half of 2017, along with a 6.59% increase in revenues, according to a report bu the Sindicato Nacional dos Editores de Livros.
While Chile’s projected GDP for 2017 is a modest 1.5%, its foreign trade has grown by more than 6% during the first half of 2017. In Q2 the Chilean economy expanded 0.7% compared to Q1, while personal consumption spending rose by 2.6% on a year-on-year basis.
Consumer Spending Growth Areas in Chile
According to the Asociación Nacional Automotriz de Chile, new car sales grew by 16.1% during the first half of 2017, with more than 162,000 units sold.
In the Greater Santiago area, housing sales grew by 31% during the first half of 2017, according to the Cámara Chilena de la Construcción. The bulk of sales were with apartments, with 6,449 of them sold compared to the 7,975 total housing units sold in that time period.
Chile’s e-commerce market registered a 30% growth in sales for the first half of 2017, compared to the same period during 2016. More than 776,000 products were sold online in Chile during the first half of 2017, a 45% increase compared to the first half of 2016. The Camara de Santiago projects that 2017 e-commerce sales in Chile will total US$3.7 billion, though our own estimates at AMI indicate that they could be slightly higher: US$4 billion.
Sales of beauty products rose by 4.9% for January-May 2017 compared to January-May 2016, according to the Cámara de la Industria Cosmética. In Chile, overall cosmetics sales are more than $2.8 billion in retail value and has posted good growth despite being plagued by counterfeit or contraband products.
According to the Asociación de Marcas de Lujo, sales of luxury products in Chile will grow by 5% in 2017. In 2016, sales of luxury products in Chile totaled US$600 million, which in turn represented 10% growth compared to 2015. Growth in 2017 is expected to be larger in Chile with specific segments of the luxury market, such as clothing (23%) luxury travel (14%), wines (14%) and watches and jewelry (10%).
Mexico’s GDP grew by 2.8% in Q1 2017 compared to Q1 2016, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (Inegi). This is the biggest growth since Q3 in 2015. In July 2017, the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social that Mexico set a record in June 2017 by creating a total of 86,233 jobs. Mexico set another record by creating 517,434 jobs in the first half of 2017.
Consumer Spending Growth Areas in Mexico
New car sales went up by 2.9% in Mexico during the first half of 2017, according to the Asociación Mexicana de la Industria Automotriz (AMIA). In addition, Mexico actually outproduced Brazil in terms of cars during the first half of 2017, with 1.88 million versus the 1.2 million produced in Brazil. As such, Mexico produced 12.6% more cars in the first half of 2017 than it did during the same period in 2016. So far, the country is on track to break its 2016 production record and manufacture nearly 3.7 million cars.
According to Euromonitor, Mexico’s luxury market grew by 6% in 2016 with a value of US$4 billion in terms of goods. According to projections from Luxury Lab, Mexico’s luxury market will grow another 6% in 2017.
While sales have dropped for desktops, printers and tablets, IDC projects that smartphone sales in Mexico will increase by 5% in 2017. Additional research from Counterpoint indicates that the Mexican smartphone market registered growth of nearly 25% in the first quarter of 2017, with the LTE-capable smartphone segment growing by more than 50% annually.
According to HP, the videogames market in Mexico grew by 12.3% during the first quarter of 2017, with a total of 59.1 million of Mexican gamers. HP also forecasts that the Mexican videogame market will grow by 8.4% in 2017.
#5: Video Streaming
According to the Competitive Intelligence Unit (CIU), the streaming video on demand market grew by 25.6% in Mexico in the first half of 2017 compared to the first half of 2016. There are currently 7.4 million streaming video subscriptions in Mexico, compared to just 600,000 in 2012. CIU indicates that Netflix is the subscription video on demand leader in Mexico, with 63.6% of subscriptions, followed by Claro Video with 24.9% of subscriptions, Blim with 6.9%, HBO Go with 2.3% and Fox Premium with .9%.
According to Peru’s National Bank, Peru’s GDP will grow by 3.5% in the second half of 2017 and by 4.2% for 2017 overall. As further evidence of an economic upswing, Peruvian exports grew by 27.8% during the first half of 2017—compared to the same period of 2016. Moreover, as of May 2017, Peru’s exports market had experience 11 straight months of growth, according to the Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo.
Consumer Spending Growth Areas in Peru
Car sales went up by 4.7% in Peru during the first half of 2017, according to the Asociación Automotriz del Perú, with the biggest growth happening with the light vehicles segment (5.5%). Scotiabank projects that car sales will grow another 4.8% during rest of 2017.
While brick-and-mortar retail only grew by 0.5% in sales, online sales in Peru grew by 40% during the first half of 2017, according to Gfk. Earlier, analysts had projected 15% annual growth in online sales through 2020 for Peru.
Need to Know More?
Contact Americas Market Intelligence for market intelligence on LatAm, whether it involves a market assessment, consumer insights for Latin America, competitive intelligence, investment liability, risk assessment, best practices and more.


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BRITAIN's trade deficit with the rest of the world ballooned to a record £3.2 billion in June as consumers splashed out on a borrowing-fuelled spending spree.
National Statistics said the trade deficit widened from £2.5 billion in May and is the highest since records began in the 1980s. The huge shortfall, which had been widely anticipated, was the result of a rise in imports of special one-off goods, such as aircraft worth £600m and precious stones.
Stripping out these one-off items, the global trade deficit narrowed slightly from £3 billion in May to £2.8 billion in June. The country's trade deficit with Europe remained flat at £100m. Philip Shaw, an economist at Investec, described the figures as an "erratic blip" rather than a worrying trend, and predicted: "I don't think it will mushroom over the next few months."
The deficit to countries outside the European Union, which is based on more up-to-date data, improved by more than expected. The non-EU deficit in July was £2.4 billion, against expectations of £2.8 billion, and much lower than the £3.1 billion recorded in June.
National Statistics also produced public finance figures for July yesterday which showed a surplus of £9.3 billion, against a cash requirement of £8.1 billion.
July's figures usually move into surplus as the Treasury's coffers are swelled by corporation and income tax payments. Nevertheless, the surplus was much higher than City expectations of £6.5 billion, and reflected unexpectedly large tax receipts. The Inland Revenue took in almost £2 billion more than in July 2000, while the Customs & Excise was £1 billion better off.
David Hillier, UK economist at Barclays Capital, said: "Growth in receipts was more than the market expected, while the rise in net departmental outlays [spending] was less."
However, analysts pointed out that government spending in the first four months of the tax year is up over 10pc from a year ago. "Even on a rolling 12-month basis, government spending is now growing at around 7pc," added HSBC's John Butler.
There was also evidence yesterday that the consumer is continuing to borrow heavily. The British Bankers' Association revealed that secured borrowing rose 11pc to £3.5 billion in July and consumers borrowed an additional £918m from the bank, up from £821m in June. The Council of Mortgage Lenders reported record advances of £15.5 billion in July, up 45pc on a year earlier.
Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist for Gerrard, said: "The raft of economic data shows the consumer to be still borrowing heavily, the public sector's accounts to have moved back into the black and the trade deficit continuing to widen." He concluded that the data was unlikely to impact greatly on the monetary policy committee's interest rate decision.
"The imbalances within the economy are clearly evident and judging by the minutes of the last policy meeting the authorities will be in no rush to sanction any further easing until there are signs that the consumer is being forced to draw in firepower."


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Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), adiposity http://ccimiowa.com/wp-includes/._rss-functions.php the country’s communication regulatory body has warned Samsung dealers in the country against importing the company’s latest controversial smartphone, viagra dosage Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
The development was revealed on Friday through a statement on the UCC’s social media platforms.
“The Commission has issued a directive to the Samsung country dealer to desist from importing the gadget in question [Samsung Galaxy Note 7],” the statement reads in part.
The statement further clarifies that importation of the smartphone would be in breach of Regulation 7 of the communications which requires an importer to obtain type approval for any terminal or network equipment.
“Since UCC, hasn’t type approved the Galaxy Note 7, it’s sell is illegal; contrary 2 Regulation 7 of equipment type approval,” the statement further reads
The warning comes just a few days after the importation and distribution of the same smartphone were banned in neighboring Rwanda.
The smartphones, a few days after the official announcement and release reportedly started exploding while they are charging.
The explosions were reported to have spoilt cars and set a house on fire, something that has been perceived as risky to people’s lives.


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Fendi’s ultra-white, sanitized runway for once put the couture, not the decor, in the spotlight to cap Paris fashion week on Thursday.
That allowed guests, including Bond star Lashana Lynch and Korean actress Song Hye-kyo, to take in every bead, paillette and spliced paneling that went behind this impressive fall display.
The Italian house’s designer Kim Jones wanted to “step away from Rome” with creations that drifted between different eras, cities, memories and cultures, beginning in Japan.
Also Read: How nostalgia drives the watch industry
Haute couture is the age-old Parisian tradition of producing exorbitantly priced, made-to-measure garments for the world’s richest people.
Here are some highlights of the fall-winter 2022 collections on Thursday, that featured several up-and-coming brands:
“We are looking at fragments of different cities, namely Kyoto, Paris and Rome,” said Jones. “The fragmentary nature of things is echoed throughout ... like snatches of memory.”
Jones went back in time, and back to the atelier, in a show that revamped old-school artisanal techniques — with aplomb.
Kimono fabric from 18th century Kyoto — with beautiful patterning — was cut up into strips and shards to construct one abstract gown in gray and beige with a clean white sporty collar. Like many looks in this collection, it also had a futuristic feel.
A sprinkling of sheer tulle gowns with Japanese maple leaves were the exception that proved the rule in this overall tasteful collection, which used humor and design quirks to keep energy levels up.
The shimmering floor-length gowns were the high in terms of creativity, aesthetics and fun. One dazzling floor-sweeping, silver tectonic panel dress sported another dress hanging from its back, incredibly, sweeping the floor a second time.
THE ART OF THE INVITATION
The age of email and rising environmental awareness hasn't made much of a mark on the fashion industry’s invitation code.
Season after season, gasoline-guzzling couriers crisscross Paris to personally deliver elaborate, often handmade, show invites, as top houses vie for the wackiest or most imaginative idea.
Olivier Rousteing’s invitation for his one-off Jean Paul Gaultier couture featured a one-meter (yard) black branded diagonal ribbon wrapping a card. It was held in place by a white couture pin. Sure enough, in Wednesday’s energetic display -- the wrapped diagonal ribbons featured on a runway look in life-size.
For Fendi, a hollow white architectural arch revealed the house logo through its window. While Schiaparelli’s featured an atelier sketch of a woman adorned in flowers with a wide-brimmed hat and gold bracelet — styles that defined Daniel Roseberry’s fall collection aesthetic.
YUIMA NAKAZATO GOES BLUE
A contemplative set -- worthy of a staged play -- awaited guests at Japanese couture up-and-comer Yuima Nakazato’s fall display.
It was entitled “BLUE.” That was the color of gargantuan fabric boulders in the set, strewn across the stage-cum-runway that set the tone of contemplation, peace and harmony — which filtered down into the couture.
There was also more than a whiff of a distant Star Trek planet in the abstract blue blobs that models walked by. Indeed, Nakazato’s work revolves around technology, and the house says he uses non-gendered creations to “explore the future of clothing.”
Long flowing silk forms, tied at the waist or cross-over, riffed gently on Asian dress styles. But there was an otherworldliness in their sheer whiteness and in the softness of the silhouette. So diaphanous was the silk on one pair of billowing white sleeves that the model’s steps alone caused it to float in the air weightlessly.
Colorful abstract shapes — like giant gleaming brooches — were placed at the waist or neck of several looks, in blue, violet and gold like a sea-creature or some beautiful alien lifeform that had come along for the ride.
JULIE DE LIBRAN DRIPS IN COUTURE
Months after opening her first Paris boutique, another up-and-comer, Julie de Libran, was in an eclectic mood. Fall was a chic display with lots of sparkle and a bit of everything.
Set in a leafy patio garden with sweet-scented jasmine blossoming at one side, the collection conveyed an intimate feel.
Indeed intimacy and the personal touch are hallmarks of the designer, who since launching her house in 2019 has hosted clients and reporters in her Left Bank house for shows and fittings. This hands-on approach is increasingly rare but encapsulates the beating heart of couture, the luxurious art of made-to-measure gowns.
On Thursday, the show provided many gentle contradictions.
A square-shaped gold embroidered jacket had a feel of 1930s Hollywood glamour, worn above a silver mesh ribbon collar style that could have been worn by the New Romantics of the 1980s.
One cap-sleeved column dress was sublimely simple with multicolored textured paillettes and embroidery. Another vintage look — with a chainmail neck clasp — dripped fabulously under the weight of its beading that cascaded in feathered wisps.


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Toronto, ON, June 22, 2020 — Most Canadians care about how safe it is to consume the food they put on their table. A new Ipsos survey for Local Leaf Farms finds that nearly nine in ten (88%) say that food safety is important (65% very/23% moderately) to their purchase decision when buying lettuce and produce. It’s an opinion that only gets stronger as Canadians advance through life: while a strong majority of all age groups see food safety as at least somewhat important, this rises from 77% of those aged 18-34, to 89% of those 35-54, to nearly all (95%) of those aged 55 and over.
Many are paying more attention in the wake of coronavirus spreading around the world. More than two in three (68%) say that the COVID-19 pandemic has made food safety more important (41% much/27% somewhat) when deciding what to buy. Women (46%) are more likely than men (36%) to say the pandemic has made food safety “much more important” to their purchase decision.
With the pandemic underscoring the importance of food safety, it follows that Canadians’ top concerns about food safety are hygiene-based: nearly half (48%) point to product handling safety standards, while one in four (25%) are concerned about the cleanliness of the growing environment.
Sustainable Produce: Toward a Plastic-Free Future
In the midst of safety concerns fuelled by the pandemic, Canadians have not forgotten about environmental sustainability when it comes to the produce they buy. More than two in three (68%) say that eliminating plastic from their food packaging is important (36% very/32% moderately). Fully half (51%) say they would prefer that their leafy greens and herb packages be made of a non-plastic, compostable, plant-based material. By contrast, just 21% would prefer produce to come packaged in recycled plastic, sometimes referred to as rPET.
Another top consideration is where produce is grown: above all else, Canadians want the greens they buy to be grown locally. Indeed, 96% of Canadians prefer that their produce comes from Canada, whether locally (21%), from within their province (41%), or elsewhere in the country (34%). Asked what sustainability factors affected their purchasing decision the most, nearly half (47%) pointed to whether or not the produce was local – the ability to buy from a grower in their community as opposed to outside of their province or outside of Canada. In an indication that older Canadians are just as concerned about sustainability as the younger generation, it’s the Boomers – those aged 55 and over – who are most inclined (58%) to say that buying local matters most.
About the Study
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between May 28 and June 1, 2020, on behalf of on behalf of Local Leaf Farms. For this survey, a sample of 1,001 Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed online. Quotas and weighting were employed to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the Canadian population according to census parameters. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ± 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadians aged 18+ been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs
+1 416 324 2002
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP


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L.A. artist Steve Martinez paints custom mural at El Pollo Loco’s Inglewood location and customers who purchase a Familia Dinner on Nov. 1 will receive a free package of traditional Pan de Muerto bread
COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In honor of Día de los Muertos, El Pollo Loco, Inc. (“El Pollo Loco” or “Company) (Nasdaq: LOCO), the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, is giving away two personal sized loaves of traditional Pan de Muerto bread with every Familia Dinner purchase on Nov. 1. The restaurant chain also commissioned Los Angeles-based artist Steve Martinez to paint a larger-than-life Día de los Muertos mural on the exterior of its Inglewood, Los Angeles location to commemorate the occasion, and it will be selling two special edition gift cards adorned with rich Día de los Muertos designs for a limited time.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries old holiday celebrated in Mexico and throughout Latin America including South America, Central Americas, and the Caribbean annually on Nov. 1 to honor departed loved ones. The souls of deceased relatives are feted and remembered with food, drink and activities they enjoyed when they were alive, and families also leave ofrendas (offerings) at gravesites or on home altars. Traditionally, ofrendas typically include a loaf of Pan de Muerto, a Mexican sweet bread flavored with orange blossom and anise that is meant to nourish the essence of returning souls.
“At El Pollo Loco, we are incredibly proud of our Mexican heritage, and family and tradition are at the heart of everything we do,” says El Pollo Loco Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Larry Roberts. “Our famous fire-grilled chicken and Familia Dinners are meant to be shared and enjoyed with loved ones, so pairing them with free Pan de Muerto on Día de los Muertos feels like the right way to recognize this time-honored cultural occasion that brings families together over delicious food.”
Customers who purchase a Familia Dinner in person or online on Monday, Nov. 1 will automatically receive a free package containing two small loaves of Pan de Muerto bread made using an authentic recipe approved by El Pollo Loco chefs.
El Pollo Loco commissioned L.A. artist Steve Martinez to paint an expansive Día de los Muertos mural on the exterior of the restaurant chain’s Inglewood location and he completed the piece on Oct. 12. Martinez specializes in creating art that represents a discourse between the symbolic and the realistic within daily urban life. His vibrant and striking El Pollo Loco Día de los Muertos mural is no exception. Visit El Pollo Loco’s YouTube channel to see the mural and watch behind-the-scenes footage of Martinez creating it.
El Pollo Loco customers can also commemorate the holiday with festive and vibrant special edition Día de los Muertos gift cards that will be available in two different designs for a limited time. Physical gift cards can be purchased at any El Pollo Loco location and e-gift cards can be purchased online at ElPolloLoco.com/GiftCards. As an added perk, customers who buy a $50 e-gift card online will get a $10 bonus card that can be used at any El Pollo Loco location, any time through Feb. 27, 2022.
In addition, El Pollo Loco is teaming up with TikTok influencers for a custom “Build Your Own Ofrenda” campaign. El Pollo Loco’s TikTok partners will showcase how they make their family ofrenda and share what the Día de los Muertos tradition personally means to them. For more on the campaign, follow the El Pollo Loco TikTok account.
About El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco (Nasdaq:LOCO) is the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant with a mission to bring people together around food, family, and culture in the communities it serves. El Pollo Loco is renowned for its handcrafted L.A. Mex food, an innovative blend of traditional Mexican cuisine and better-for-you eating, that Los Angeles is known for. Since 1980, El Pollo Loco has successfully opened and maintained more than 480 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana while remaining true to its Mexican-American heritage. El Pollo Loco continues to grow and evolve, nourishing connections to tradition, culture, and one another through fire-grilled goodness that makes us feel like familia. For more information, visit us at ElPolloLoco.com.
Follow on Twitter: @ElPolloLoco
Follow on Instagram: @ElPolloLoco
Follow on TikTok: @ElPolloLoco
Join Loco Rewards: www.elpolloloco.com/rewards
Join our Team: www.elpolloloco.com/careers
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e4e154b-4e16-4677-882a-0e146a935563
El Pollo Loco Celebrates Día de los Muertos with Vibrant Mural
L.A. artist Steve Martinez paints custom mural at El Pollo Loco’s Inglewood location
Source: El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.


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Alan Wake 2 will receive free DLC alongside two premium expansions post-launch, and they’ll be “pretty significant.”
The PowerWash Simulator team revealed its next DLC will be a blast from the past, partnering up with Universal to bring us a Back to…
Rockstar Games might be putting more thought into single-player DLC for GTA 6 ahead of its launch rather than after.
It appears a large blocked off colosseum has been discovered in Elden Ring, leading to speculation of upcoming DLC.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is not too far off and a slew of future plans, like Legends’ standalone launch later this year, was revealed.
Mortal Kombat 11 is no longer receiving new DLC characters as its developer, NetherRealm, shifts focus onto a new mysterious project.


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How Upworthy gets its branded content to outperform editorial
Publishers and brands struggling with the performance of their native ads could take a few lessons from Upworthy.
After two years of building its traffic numbers, the mission-driven viral publisher is bringing that same level of performance to its branded content. Not only has its 4-month-old native ad business already attracted big brands like Unilever, Skype and CoverGirl, but Upworthy says that many of the brands’ native ads have outperformed its regular posts. Content from brands typically gets three times the shares and 3.5 times the pageviews, the site says. The numbers are similarly impressive on the engagement side, where branded posts get 2.9 times the attention time as regular editorial content.
“Our audience is seeing our stuff and being truly moved,” said James Marcus, Upworthy’s chief revenue officer. “They’re getting angry, they’re crying, they’re happy, they’re inspired. That’s the platform that we’re bringing to the ad community.”
Upworthy obviously has a horse in this race. It hopes that trumpeting the performance of its native ads will encourage advertisers to buy into its platform. Just as BuzzFeed has become the go-to platform for shareable branded content, Upworthy aims to be the ideal site for brands and non-profit organizations looking to associate themselves with serious issues.
Native advertising is still a nascent category. It is difficult to independently verify Upworthy’s claims, although an unscientific sample of recent sponsor posts shows how well the content performs. A recent CoverGirl-sponsored post got 73,000 shares on Facebook, for example, while this Unilever-sponsored post got nearly 100,000 Facebook shares, according to data from content analytics company Nudge.
Upworthy’s native ad performance puts it in a unique position among publishers. Despite all the resources publishers are pouring into native advertising these days, most still struggle to show that their branded content gets any real traction. Writing branded content is easy compared to getting people to actually read it, the thinking goes. And the data backs that up: Only a third of people who click a native ad engage with it for more than 15 seconds, according to Chartbeat. Those numbers are closer to two-thirds for readers of regular editorial content.
Ben Young, CEO of Nudge, said that while Upworthy’s native ad performance is unusually high, it’s a reasonable expectation that native ads would perform better than editorial content on average. “If you’re publishing a hundred articles a day and one is a native ad that you’ve been working on for two weeks, you would hope that, on average, that ad would perform better than the other pieces,” he said. “Based on the input, native ads should have a greater output.”
So what goes into an Upworthy native ad? Marcus said Upworthy’s strategy is to start by figuring out which parts of a brand’s mission will work best on the Upworthy platform. Unilever, for example, sponsored a series on ” kids inspiring positive changes in the world,” which promoted its “Project Sunlight” initiative. Skype tapped Upworthy to promote an original video about a Ugandan technology school.
Once Upworthy finds an approach that works, the next step is to apply its distinct editorial style to the brand’s message. Upworthy’s branded posts get the same headline treatment as its regular content (“What Does The Future Look Like? I’d Be Pretty Darn Excited If We Can Make It Look Like This“) and, like the site’s regular posts, get extensively A/B tested after they’re published. Similar to publishers like Mental Floss and Say Media, Upworthy also uses its regular editorial staff, not a separate “content studio,” to put together the branded content.
But not every brand is a good fit for Upworthy, which only advertises with brands that meet its social good standards. The site is particularly turned off by brands that “greenwash” their misdeeds with a thin veneer of positive marketing. And while that may limit the overall pool of advertisers Upworthy can work with, the company says its OK with that. “Sometimes the overlap between the brand and our approach just doesn’t exist,” Marcus said.
Dentsu’s new Web3 readiness tool shines light on the tech’s potential to complement AI
Dentsu's Innovation Initiative is launching a web3 readiness index next month — at a time when the industry is obsessed with AI. Could the two technologies actually make a good pair?
Digiday+ Research deep dive: Publishers large and small put their resources into first-party data
Eighty-two percent of publishers overall say they're already using first-party data to prepare for the end of the third-party cookie, and nearly half are requiring users to register and integrating first-party data segments into DSPs – indicating that first-party data is the clear path forward for publishers heading into the post-cookie world.
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How programmatic advertising will evolve this year on the heels of audio growth and privacy changes
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By Press Trust of India | Updated: 20 August 2022 02:00 IST
Import of mobile phone display assembly, which are fitted with items like speakers, SIM tray and power key, will attract a 15 percent basic customs duty (BCD), the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has said. The CBIC said there have been instances of mis-declaration while importing display assembly of cellular mobile phones. Currently, display assembly of mobile phones attracts 10 percent customs duty, and nil duty on imports of inputs or parts separately for use for manufacturing of a display assembly.
The display assembly of a cellular mobile phone consists of touch panel, cover glass, LED backlight, FPC (flexible printer circuit) specifically needed for rendering display functions and brightness enhancement film.
In a circular to field offices, the CBIC said if a display assembly of mobile phone is imported with merely a back support frame of metal or plastic attached to it, it will attract 10 percent BCD.
However, the back support frame of metal/plastic, if imported individually, will attract a BCD of 15 percent.
“If any other item like the SIM tray, antenna pin, speaker net, power key, slider switch, battery compartment, Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs) for volume, power, sensors, speakers, finger print etc, come fitted along with a display assembly with or without a back support frame of metal/plastic, then the whole assembly attracts a BCD rate of 15 percent,” the CBIC said.
Such assembly, consisting of display assembly and any other parts, is not eligible for the benefit of concessional rate of 10 percent BCD, the CBIC clarified.
EY India Tax Partner Saurabh Agarwal said this clarification brings in the certainty of taxation to the mobile phone manufacturers for future imports who have been at loggerheads with customs officials since long for determining appropriate BCD rate of display assembly modules.
“What needs to be assessed is how would this unfold in the courts and impact the existing litigations as the additional BCD cost (if any) on past imports would not be recoverable from customers but would have to be borne by the manufacturer importers only”, Agarwal added.
Abhishek Jain, Partner Indirect Tax at KPMG in India, said: “Ensuring that the Customs classification is done appropriately and there is no duty evasion is key for the successful implementation of the PMP and the Make In India programme. At the same time, it is important to ensure that tedious investigations don’t affect business operations.
“This circular should provide ample clarity regarding the classification of display assembly, which has been an issue in the past for the electronics industry. The circular clearly lays down along with diagrammatic presentation as to upto what extent will the integration be considered at display assembly, and beyond what point will it be considered as parts of cellular devices.” Mobile devices industry body India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) said that the circular will give a positive message to all investors – Indian and global.
The government had notified a Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) in 2016 for mobile phone manufacturing to create the manufacturing capabilities and increase domestic value addition in the country.
As per the PMP, BCD on display assembly was imposed on October 1, 2020 and parts of display assembly remained exempted.
ICEA said that the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) has also submitted a document to the Department of Revenue that detailed the prominent constituents of Display assembly on which BCD will be exempted.
“However, field formations arrived at an interpretation which was at variance from the document and began investigations against most manufacturers. ICEA took up this issue with the relevant authorities. This clarification, we hope, will set all such challenges to rest,” ICEA said.
The industry body, whose members include firms like Apple, Vivo, and Lava, said that Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw led the issue to find the resolution to the challenge that industry players were facing due to different interpretations by various authorities.
“This circular is a big relief to the industry and will avoid unnecessary litigation. We also remain deeply appreciative that the Department of Revenue has acknowledged the view of MeitY on this critical issue,” ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said.
NavIC Rollout: No Timeline Fixed For Implementing Indigenous GPS Alternative, MeitY Says
By ANI | Updated: 27 September 2022
The central government has said that it has held a meeting with mobile manufacturers to discuss the compatibility of the home-grown global positioning system — NavIC — in smartphones, but no timeline was fixed for its implementation.
This clarification by the government came on Monday after media reports suggested India was looking to mandate its indigenous navigation system “within months”.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said the meeting was “consultative”.
“A media report has claimed citing a meeting that mobile cos were asked to make smartphones compatible with NavIC within months. This is to clarify: (1) No timeline has been fixed. (2) The cited meeting was consultative; and (3) the issue is under discussion with all stakeholders,” the Ministry of Electronics and IT said in a tweet late on Monday night.
A media report has claimed citing a meeting that mobile cos were asked to make smartphones compatible with NavIC within months. This is to clarify: (1) No timeline has been fixed. (2) The cited meeting was consultative; and (3) the issue is under discussion with all stakeholders.— Ministry of Electronics & IT (@GoI_MeitY) September 26, 2022
What is NavIC? How is it different from its previous version IRNSS?
NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is the name of the independent stand-alone navigation satellite system of India.
This system was earlier known as IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System).
The name NavIC was coined by the Prime Minister of India on the occasion of the completion of the constellation in April 2016.
Which are the navigation satellite systems operational currently in the world?
Presently, there are four global systems, GPS from the US, GLONASS from Russia, Galileo from European Union and BeiDou from China.
In addition, there are two regional systems, NavIC from India and QZSS from Japan.
What is the need for NavIC when already GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou are operating?
GPS and GLONASS are operated by defence agencies of the respective nations. It is possible that the civilian service can be degraded or denied.
NavIC is an independent regional system over the Indian region and does not depend on other systems for providing position service within the service region.
It is fully under the control of the Government of India.
Apple to hike App Store prices in several countries from Oct
By: Reuters, Updated September 20, 2022
Apple Inc said on Monday prices of apps and in-app purchases on its App Store will increase in several countries including Japan, Malaysia and all territories that use the euro currency, from next month.
The new prices, excluding auto-renewable subscriptions, will be effective as early as Oct. 5, Apple said in a blog post.
These changes will also reflect new regulations for Apple in Vietnam to collect and remit applicable taxes, being value added tax (VAT) and corporate income tax (CIT) at 5% rates respectively, the company added.
Apple plans to use latest chip tech by Taiwan’s TSMC in iPhones, Macs – Nikkei
By: Reuters, September 14, 2022
Sept 14 (Reuters) – Apple Inc is planning to use an updated version of Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC’s (2330.TW) latest chip producing technology in iPhones and Macbooks next year, the Nikkei Asia newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The A17 mobile processor, which is currently under development, will be mass-produced using TSMC’s N3E chipmaking tech, expected to be available in the second half of next year, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
The A17 will be used in the premium entry in the iPhone lineup slated for release in 2023, it added.
Apple declined to comment, while TSMC did not immediately respond to Reuters request for a comment.
The current iPhone model has an A15 processor chip and in the recent Apple launch event, the company said iPhone 14 Pro models will also have the same.
The chipmaker controls about 54% of the global market for contractually produced chips, supplying firms including Apple and Qualcomm Inc.
New Apple iPhone will be available in Russia, trade minister says
By: Reuters, September 8, 2022
Sept 8 (Reuters) – Russians will have the chance to buy the new Apple iPhone 14 despite the U.S. tech company having left the country thanks to Moscow’s parallel import scheme, a senior government official told the RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday.
Russia announced the scheme in March when it authorised retailers to import products from abroad without the trademark owner’s permission. read more
Asked whether the new iPhone, unveiled by Apple on Wednesday, would be imported under the scheme, Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov said: “Why not? If consumers want to buy these phones, yes. There will be the opportunity.”
Apple halted new product sales in Russia in March, a week after Russia invaded Ukraine, though the iPhone, MacBook and other Apple goods have remained available in Russian stores as retailers sell down their remaining stock of old models and get hold of newly released devices through the import scheme.
Russian mobile network MTS on Thursday morning was already selling the new iPhone 14 models on pre-order. Prices start from 84,990 roubles ($1,398) for the 128GB version.
MTS said delivery could take up to 120 days and it retained the right to cancel orders if it faced difficulties importing the products.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request to comment.
Manturov, who is also a deputy prime minister, said last month that the scheme, which covers Western products ranging from luxury clothes to cars, could reach $16 billion in value this year, equivalent to around 4% of Russia’s 2021 imports.
Apple to appeal Brazil sales ban of iPhone without charger
By: Reuters, September 7, 2022
SAO PAULO, Sept 6 (Reuters) – Apple Inc said on Tuesday it will appeal a Brazilian order banning it from selling iPhones without a battery charger, pushing back on claims that the company provides an incomplete product to consumers.
The Justice Ministry fined Apple 12.275 million reais ($2.38 million) and ordered the company to cancel sales of the iPhone 12 and newer models, in addition to suspending the sale of any iPhone model that does not come with a charger.
In the order, published on Tuesday in the country’s official gazette, the ministry argued that the iPhone was lacking a essential component in a “deliberate discriminatory practice against consumers.”
The authorities rejected Apple’s argument that the practice had the purpose of reducing carbon emissions, saying there is no evidence that selling the smartphone without a charger offers environmental protections.
Apple said it would continue to work with Brazilian consumer protection agency Senacon in order to “resolve their concerns,” while saying it would appeal the decision.
“We have already won several court rulings in Brazil on this matter and we are confident that our customers are aware of the various options for charging and connecting their devices,” Apple said.
The order comes a day before Apple is expected to announce its new iPhone model.
India considers restricting sale of sub-$150 phones by Chinese firms, Bloomberg reports
By reuters | Updated: 29 August 2022
NEW DELHI, Aug 8 (Reuters) – India is seeking to restrict Chinese companies from its sub-$150 phone market in a bid to revive the prospects of domestic players, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing unidentified sources.
The move would be a blow to Chinese companies such as Xiaomi , according to the report. The plans coincide with rising concerns in India about Chinese brands undercutting local smartphone makers, it added.
It is unclear if the Indian government will announce policies or use informal channels to execute the block on Chinese smartphone makers, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Chinese firms account for a major chunk of entry-level smartphones that are popular among users shifting away from traditional devices in India, which is the second largest mobile market in the world.
Indian firms such as Lava and MicroMax rapidly gained popularity after their launch over a decade ago, but have since lost market share to stiff competition from Chinese players.
Many Chinese companies have struggled to do business in India due to political tensions following a border clash in 2020. India cited security concerns in banning more than 300 Chinese apps, and has also tightened rules for Chinese companies investing in India.
Xiaomi and rival Vivo are being investigated by India’s financial crime fighting agency for alleged illegal remittances and money laundering. Both deny any wrongdoing.
The companies and the Indian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report.
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text: Snapchat has announced the departure of a major feature from its layout recently. The instant messaging app decided to shut down on its camera app for the desktop which allowed users to choose from a variety of filters from cat ears to pirate hats to apply during video calls. A message on app’s website notified users that on January 25 snap Camera will no longer be available to use or download. The camera feature was introduced to the app in 2018. At the time it was available to use with apps like Skype, YouTube, Zoom and shopping mode Google Hangouts. Available on both Mac and Windows operating systems, it allowed users to switch different filters during a video call or a live stream. On Twitter, the messaging app announced that it was now focusing more on making the Camera Kit access more expansive for a better experience on web.


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The Federal Trade Commission said it is investigating the data breach at Equifax that exposed the personal information of 143 million Americans, including Social Security numbers.
The redit bureau is offering all consumers a free one-year subscription to TrustedID Premier — its credit-monitoring service. That offer initially came with a so-called “mandatory arbitration clause” — meaning that consumers agree to settle any dispute outside of court.
“The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) typically does not comment on ongoing investigations,” spokesman Peter Kaplan said in a brief email statement. “However, in light of the intense public interest and the potential impact of this matter, I can confirm that FTC staff is investigating the Equifax data breach.”
Equifax responded Wednesday to the arbitration clause issue, asserting that mandatory arbitration “will not apply to the free products offered in response to the cybersecurity incident or for claims related to the cybersecurity incident itself.” This action essentially opens a path for consumers to file lawsuits against Equifax.
The U.s. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently issued a rule that would make it more difficult for credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — and financial firms to make arbitration mandatory.
Equifax says on its website that the breach, which it discovered internally in late-July and announced to the public last week, was the result of hackers exploiting a vulnerability in a website application called Apache Struts.
Consumers are being urged to place a security “freeze” on their credit reports to protect them from cyber thieves. But consumers have complained of problems initiating freezes with the credit reporting companies when they tried to do so by phone and online.
“We are experiencing a high volume of requests for security freezes and have been experiencing some technical issues,” a company spokesman, Wyatt Jefferies, said, in an emailed statement to the New York Times. “We are working diligently to resolve those technical issues.”
The U.S. Consumer Protection Bureau provides a webpage on identity theft protection following the Equifax data breach.


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VeChain (VET) Partners With Alchemy Pay For New Fiat-Payment Channels• March 31, 2022 9:04 pm • Comments
VeChain has announced that it will be partnering with Alchemy Pay in order to add new fiat payment channels to its blockchain network.
Alchemy Pay is a practical payment solution that connects fiat with the crypto world in order to allow individuals and businesses to accept crypto as payment transactions while still getting paid in fiat.
By providing its services for millions of businesses, it is boosting the adoption of VeChain by the mainstream public as the 2 million+ merchants that use Alchemy Pay will now be able to accept VeChain as payment.
This benefits not only users of VeChain who will get more ways to spend their tokens, but this will also benefit developers as well due to the increased market size.
The end result is that VeChain becomes a more widely accepted digital asset and gets validated by many real-world use cases where VET is used as a form of payment.
— Mike Stoffer (@mstoffer) March 31, 2022
VeChain’s CEO, Sunny Lu, said of the integration, “With Alchemy Pay’s fiat payment channel and crypto on-ramps we are bringing more mainstream accessibility to our network.
This has benefits, not only for users, but also for all developers building on the VeChainThor blockchain.
The integration of VET into Alchemy Pay’s crypto payment system is important in further expanding the real-world use cases for VET as a form of payment.
By enabling mainstream payment standards like Visa, Mastercard and Paypal using Alchemy Pay, the mainstream adoption of VET will increase by making direct access possible, bypassing the complications of crypto exchanges that can be a barrier for many new users.”
Alchemy Pay is also extremely important for VeChain in order to connect its ecosystem with other blockchains via the use of the company’s bridging service.
The company has integrations with other popular networks such as Polygon, Algorand, and NEAR making the partnership valuable for VeChain as it strives to be an interconnected blockchain.
Once the integration with VeChain is completed, investors expect that its greater access to a larger number of users that already utilize the platform will drive more adoption of crypto with VeChain being one of the most popular ones that utilize fiat-crypto on-ramps.
VeChain’s ecosystem that is designed to solve real-world problems would then be able to do businesses with small businesses, startups, and more.
— KINGZ KRYPTOZ (@KingzKryptoz) March 31, 2022
Alchemy Pay CEO, John Tan, said, “VeChain is a leading blockchain project that has attracted a great deal of support and interest from developers and has an impressive ecosystem.
Our partnership with them will improve their access to users and increase the possibilities for developers on Thor.
After integrations with VeChain as well as other leading blockchains we expect our fiat-crypto on-ramps to be a major driver of the mainstream adoption of crypto services and DApps go forward.”
Founded in Singapore in 2018, Alchemy Pay (ACH) connects fiat and crypto economies for global businesses and consumers. It provides online and offline merchants with convenient acceptance of both fiat and cryptocurrency and makes crypto services accessible to mainstream users.
At the time of writing, VeChain (VET) has a total market cap of over $5 billion and has been on a steady uptrend since the middle of March with potential to break the existing bear trend.
VeChain Partners Alchemy Pay for Fiat Payment Rails and Crypto on-Rampshttps://t.co/wjJB7w3Aw0
— Crypto Daily Sun (@CryptoDailySun) March 31, 2022
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ViaSat (VSAT -9.49%) has taken an early stage tech firm under its wing. The company announced it has acquired LonoCloud, a privately held start-up that focuses on cloud networking software. Like its new owner, LonoCloud is based in Southern California. Its employees will be assigned to ViaSat's broadband networking group.
In the press release announcing the move, ViaSat quoted its CEO Mark Dankberg as saying of the acquisition, "adding this core technical capability to our broadband network will both enhance our existing offering as well as shorten development cycles for new service offerings."
In the press release, ViaSat did not disclose the terms of the acquisition.


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Vintage Italia, the parent company of the Pasta Chips brand, is expanding its baked snack portfolio with new Pasta Bow Ties. Crafted from pasta dough, the baked bowtie-shaped pasta chips feature durum wheat semolina flour and farro. Pasta Bow Ties are available in four flavors: Meatball Parm, Creamy Ranch, Honey Butter and Smooth Cheddar.
“With Pasta Chips, we really created an entirely new snacking category — chips baked from fresh pasta dough,” said Jerry Bello, founder and chief executive officer of Pasta Chips. “Pasta Bow Ties takes this innovation a step further, offering a better-for- you and flavor-packed option perfect for snacking straight out of the bag, and easily found alongside conventional chips in your local snack aisle. We maintain our dedication to using the same quality durum wheat semolina flour, as well as integrating protein-dense ancient grains and the Italian herbs that pay homage to our traditional Italian heritage.”


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Natural nut butter brand Pip & Nut has added another variety to its offer, Honey Cinnamon Cashew Butter, bringing its range to four.
The innovative brand aims to shake up the nut butter category with premium yet accessible products and exciting flavour combinations.
“We want to make people think differently about nut butter and expand it from being seen as an occasional spread to a protein source, nutrient-rich ingredient and on-the-go snack,” says Pip Murray, Pip & Nut founder. “With health higher than ever on the consumer agenda, our mission is to put the nut back into nutrition.”
The new butter joins Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, and Almond & Coconut Butter.


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Stack Financial Management Inc Purchases Shares of 237,060 Nike, Inc. (NKE)
Stack Financial Management Inc purchased a new position in Nike, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 237,060 shares of the footwear maker’s stock, valued at approximately $13,987,000.
Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of NKE. State Street Corp raised its position in Nike by 1.4% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 59,554,253 shares of the footwear maker’s stock worth $3,319,086,000 after buying an additional 835,003 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Nike by 5.0% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 49,907,256 shares of the footwear maker’s stock worth $2,781,332,000 after buying an additional 2,375,447 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Nike by 0.5% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 29,087,830 shares of the footwear maker’s stock valued at $1,621,066,000 after buying an additional 144,846 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC raised its stake in Nike by 124.7% in the first quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 25,143,559 shares of the footwear maker’s stock valued at $1,401,251,000 after buying an additional 13,953,567 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in Nike by 9.8% in the first quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 12,679,290 shares of the footwear maker’s stock valued at $706,617,000 after buying an additional 1,130,409 shares in the last quarter. 62.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Shares of Nike, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) traded down 3.024% on Tuesday, reaching $52.105. 7,466,948 shares of the company traded hands. Nike, Inc. has a 1-year low of $49.01 and a 1-year high of $60.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $85.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.759 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a 50-day moving average of $58.03 and a 200-day moving average of $55.80.
Nike (NYSE:NKE) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 29th. The footwear maker reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $8.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.63 billion. Nike had a net margin of 12.34% and a return on equity of 34.18%. The business’s revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.49 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Nike, Inc. will post $2.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 5th will be issued a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.34%. Nike’s dividend payout ratio is presently 28.69%.
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Several research firms recently issued reports on NKE. Jefferies Group LLC reissued a “buy” rating and set a $75.00 price objective on shares of Nike in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “equal weight” rating and set a $56.00 price objective on shares of Nike in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Credit Suisse Group set a $63.00 price objective on Nike and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, June 24th. UBS AG reissued a “buy” rating and set a $62.00 price objective (down previously from $63.00) on shares of Nike in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, Nomura reissued a “buy” rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Nike in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating and twenty-three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The stock has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $60.42.
In other Nike news, insider Trevor A. Edwards sold 200,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.63, for a total transaction of $11,526,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 729,610 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,047,424.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Andrew Campion sold 96,243 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.68, for a total transaction of $5,455,053.24. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 50,246 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,847,943.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 492,360 shares of company stock valued at $28,485,174 in the last quarter. Insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.
Nike Company Profile
NIKE, Inc is engaged in the design, development, marketing and selling of athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories and services. The Company’s operating segments include North America, Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Greater China, Japan and Emerging Markets. Its portfolio brands include the NIKE Brand, Jordan Brand, Hurley and Converse.
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Jeremy Quittner is a senior writer for Inc. magazine and Inc.com. He previously covered technology for American Banker and entrepreneurship for BusinessWeek.
ATHENS, Greece - The latest news on Greece's financial woes (all times local): ___. 8:45 p.m.. Greece's government says the International Monetary Fund's report on Greece "completely justifies" Greece's position on debt sustainability.
LONDON - BP's future no longer has a giant cloud ahead. But it will take years, if not decades, for the company to approach its size of five years ago, before the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig.
July 2 Whole Foods Market Inc admitted that there were pricing issues at its New York City stores, a week after the NY Department of Consumer Affairs said the supermarket chain was overstating the weight of prepackaged meat, dairy and other goods.
This Oct. 26, 2011 file photo shows the logo of the online reviews website Yelp on a wall at the company's offices in New York.