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Wall Street analysts took a couple of days to crunch the numbers on Amgen’s planned $13.4 billion purchase of Celgene’s psoriasis blockbuster Otezla, and now they’ve reached a consensus: The biotech giant overpaid for the drug. Then again, if anyone can make the purchase pay off for investors, it would be Amgen.
Analysts on average expect Otezla to be bringing in nearly $3 billion in annual sales by 2024, according to data collected by EvaluatePharma. Factor in a typical 6.5% discount rate and margins, plus the $2.2 billion in tax breaks Amgen promises it will generate, and the product has a net present value of $11.8 billion, meaning the company overpaid by nearly $2 billion.
But Amgen brings something to the table that most big biopharma players don’t, which is a sales force that made the anti-inflammatory Enbrel a $5 billion-a-year powerhouse. That sales force “should now go into overdrive to wring maximum sales out of Otezla, a novel oral psoriasis therapy,” EvaluatePharma said. “Thus perhaps current sellside forecasts do not reflect the bull case.”
Analysts at SVB Leerink are decidedly bullish on the Otezla deal. They sent a note to investors Tuesday predicting Otezla sales could be as much as 50% higher than consensus estimates. SVB Leerink predicts the product’s sales will come in at $2.5 billion next year and expand to $3.6 billion in 2023. The firm is on board with Amgen’s prediction that the product will achieve low-double-digit sales growth until it loses its U.S. patent protection in 2028.
If Amgen can pull that off, Otezla’s net present value would be $9.1 billion, and no one will accuse the company of having overpaid, SVB Leerink points out—but it is a big “if.” Amgen said it would break even on the deal on a cash basis around 2024, citing opportunities to expand Otezla’s label to include scalp psoriasis, juvenile idiopathic psoriasis and other indications. None of that is guaranteed, however, and even with SVB Leerink’s optimistic sales numbers, Amgen wouldn’t break even until 2025 at the earliest, the firm said.
There are other risks Amgen will have to contend with, not the least of which is the Federal Trade Commission’s assessment of the Otezla purchase. Bristol-Myers Squibb was forced to sell Otezla in order to consummate its $74 billion purchase of Celgene, due to concerns it would compete with BMS’ investigational TYK-2 inhibitor, BMS-986165. But Amgen not only has Enbrel, it also markets a biosimilar version of AbbVie’s anti-inflammatory Humira, leading some to wonder whether the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) might also have a problem with this deal.
Or as SVB Leerink put it, “we still don’t understand why having Otezla in the same portfolio as a TYK2 in phase III is not OK, but having it in the same portfolio as Enbrel and a biosimilar Humira both for the same indication is OK.”
Amgen CEO Robert Bradway addressed those concerns in a conference call with analysts Monday, though he stopped short of guaranteeing the deal will pass muster with regulators. “We have a high degree of confidence, but we want to respect the FTC’s process, and they’ll review it on the merits,” he said.
There’s no doubt that Amgen needed to do something big to prop up its top line. Its revenues fell 3% to $5.9 billion in the second quarter, dragged down by competition to old hit drugs Sensipar and Neulasta. The competition was so steep, in fact, it overwhelmed double-digit prescription growth from newer products like migraine treatment Aimovig and cholesterol reducer Repatha.
The company is counting on further growth from new launches like Aimovig, as well as a boost from its oncology portfolio. AMG510, a KRAS inhibitor the company is testing in several cancer types, is already generating excitement on the Street. At the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in June, the company said that in a small phase 1 study AMG510 halted tumor growth in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer. The company is expected to release extended results in NSCLC in early September.
In fact, analysts at RBC Capital Markets believe the combination of Otezla, AMG510 and a recent patent win around Enbrel could provide a major revenue boost over the next three years, they said in a note to investors on Monday.
“Despite initial ‘sticker-shock,’” RBC said, Amgen’s purchase of Otezla is a “a well-suited add” to its existing immunology and inflammation portfolio. “We note this is a dramatic shift in top-line growth prospects,” RBC added, making it possible for Amgen to achieve a three-year 6% compound annual growth rate—far outpacing the 1% growth rate it would likely have seen without Otezla.


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To address the scarcity in edible oil supply, five companies agreed with the Addis Ababa Trade Bureau to distribute 7.2 million liters of palm oil per month.
AHFA Plc, Al-Sam International, Belayneh Kindie Import and Export (BKIE), Guna Trading House Plc and Alle Bejemla Enterprise were selected to distribute palm oil starting August 1st.
Previously, the Merchandise Wholesale and Import Trade Enterprise (MEWIT) controlled the importation and distribution of palm oil.
MEWIT has offered palm oil packaged in three, five, ten, 20, and 25 liter containers since 2011.
The new deal put an end to MEWIT’s monopoly, introducing five companies to the scene. The five companies are expected to distribute 20 percent of their stock to Consumer Associations and sell the rest to retailers.
Government organizations and hospitals will be able to buy oil directly from the companies at government-set prices.
The recent edible oil shortage forced the government to allow more companies to enter the import and distribution market.
In 2011, the government restricted edible oil import by private companies, announcing that it will import and distribute cooking oil itself in order to regulate market price.
Gemeches Melaku, deputy head of the Addis Ababa Trade Bureau, told Capital that the companies will be tasked with stabilizing the market.
“The ultimate goal of the agreement is to stabilize the market, making cooking oil abundantly available. Companies like Al-Sam are on the way to locally producing palm oil, which would further reduce the price,” Gemeches said.
Gemeches also asked for the cooperation of stakeholders to control the proper operation of distribution channels. Currently, total local palm oil demand is 420,000 tons per year.
The world’s most widely used cooking oil, palm oil, is produced primarily in Indonesia and Malaysia, which collectively account for 85 percent of global output. Its price dropped 20 percent last year because of an abundance of oilseeds, despite efforts in both countries to increase palm-based bio-diesel use.
Although oilseeds make up a large part of Ethiopia’s crop production, the country relies mainly on imported products to meets its growing demand for edible oil. Annual consumption of edible oil in Ethiopia is estimated at around 530,000 tons a year.
Repi Wilmar, through seven billion birr in investments for 14 factories, including an oil refinery, is expected to meet 80 percent of Ethiopia’s palm oil demand

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Pulse crop processing firm Alliance Grain Traders has signed a letter of intent to buy Pulse Depot, a Rosetown, Sask. pulse and special crop processor.
Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed in Alliance’s announcement Tuesday, other than to say that Pulse Depot’s shareholders will be able to decide whether to sell all their outstanding shares or to sell all the business and assets outright.
Pulse Depot won’t be the Regina income fund’s only business in Rosetown, about 110 km southwest of Saskatoon. The company already operates Rosetown’s only other pulse processing plant as part of its Saskcan Pulse Trading subsidiary.
“Rosetown and the surrounding area is emerging as a growth area for both
red and green lentils,” said Alliance CEO Murad Al-Katib in a release Tuesday.
Pulse Depot, whose business focuses on lentils, canary seed, peas and chickpeas, is “well-located to capitalize on rail freight options with Canadian National Railway (CN), which is expected to make more transport capacity available” to Alliance, he said.
The deal between the two companies was negotiated at arm’s length and is expected to close on or about Aug. 1, Alliance said in its release.
Alliance, formerly known as the Agtech Income Fund, operates six processing plants that clean, split, sort and bag pulses and specialty crops for export markets. Its holdings include Saskcan Pulse Trading, with plants at Regina and Rosetown; Saskcan Horizon, at Aberdeen, Sask.; United Pulse Trading of Williston, N.D.; and Australia Milling Group, which processes pulses at Horsham in Australia’s southeast.


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It’s looking like a sunny August!
Maybe you’ll spot these celebs at the new stadium!
Cyber thieves got into more than 1,000 StubHub customers’ accounts and fraudulently bought tickets for events through the online ticket reseller, a law enforcement official and the company said.
If Twister, paint and water balloons sound like a good time to you, this is really going to be your thing.
Plan your schedule!
Here are this week’s buzziest stories.
Drought? What drought?
This guy may be on to something.


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Miidasplayer International Holding Co. — better known as King — is planning to go public. Though CEO Riccardo Zacconi had mentioned potential plans for an IPO in the past, this is the most serious the “Candy Crush Saga” maker has become about allowing public investors to buy shares.
The Wall Street Journal broke the news about the plan, though King is not commenting on the newspaper’s report. Instead, it released a statement saying that an IPO is “one option.”
“King’s success and growth presents numerous opportunities for the business to develop further, and one option would be to take the company public. However, while it’s an option for the future, we would not comment on when we could consider making such a decision,” reads the company’s statement.
The last big social media gaming company to go public was Zynga. Like Zynga’s games in their prime, King’s “Candy Crush Saga” is the most popular game on Facebook with more than 70 million daily players.


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(Image source from Singapore’s Home & Decor website)
Here at Urban Aperture, we couldn’t stop being more proud of the accomplishments that both of our founders have made.
Audi Khalid, from being praised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for his photograph of Bukit Merah and now Audi Khalid is being featured on Home & Decor Singapore where Eliza Hamizah a writer at Singapore Press Holdings wrote about what Audi Khalid has to say about Singapore through his eyes
“One of the byproducts of a country in rapid development is the juxtaposition of past and present, not just in terms of old shophouses versus HDB flats and modern architecture, but also in the lifestyle and mentality of the old and young, the progressive and the traditional.” – Audi Khalid
Before that, we had Augustine Yuen’s photography exhibition in Melbourne, Australia during the very first week of August where he also began his journey around the city of Melbourne where after that he will make his way to Sydney, Australia before ending his trip.
(photographed by Audi Khalid from Urban Aperture)
Not forgetting that all of this happened in the very same month where Urban Aperture turns one. August has been a particular month for us, and we are excited to put out more content for 2018.
See the full article by Eliza Hamizah here: Home and Decor Singapore


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Michael Friedman reviews Jeff Halper’s book “War Against the People,” where Halper argues Israel has no intention of “winning” the conflict with the Palestinians. It’s protracted state is far too valuable for its international export brand, “In Halper’s view, Israel is an essential partner in this global pacification effort because it has developed such a model and used it successfully against the Palestinians for over 50 years. Governments buy what Israel is selling because it is not only sophisticated and comprehensive, but it has been field tested and shown to work.”
Source: Why has the Israeli occupation lasted so long? It’s good for business.


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- Language Tips
HANGZHOU - Police in east China's Zhejiang Province said Monday they have captured 22 people who allegedly produced and sold pharmaceutical capsules containing excessive levels of chromium.
By Monday noon, police had detained 11 suspects from four capsule manufacturing companies in Xinchang county, according to a spokesman from the county's public security bureau.
On Sunday, an investigative report from China Central Television revealed that several companies in Xinchang, a major pharmaceutical production hub in China, had manufactured drug capsules with industrial gelatin, which contains a greater amount of chromium than edible gelatin and is illegal to use for making drug capsules.
The report showed that the industrial gelatine used to manufacture the capsules was made from scraps of leather material. The report said the gelatin came from companies in northern Hebei Province and eastern Jiangxi Province.
Local police will investigate 43 capsule manufacturing companies in Xinchang and suspend operations for those found to be operating outside the law, the spokesman said.
Late Sunday night, the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) issued an emergency notice, calling for suspended sales and consumption of a list of drugs that may have been packed into the contaminated capsules.
The SFDA has instructed local bureaus to monitor the drugs specified in the notice.
The Beijing Drug Administration has banned sales of the drugs listed by the SFDA since Monday and has begun to conduct inspections of drug manufacturers and drug stores to ensure compliance.
A similar move has been made by authorities in Zhejiang and a province-wide inspection of all companies that may have been involved in the manufacture of the contaminated capsules is under way, according to the Zhejiang Food and Drug Administration.
The Chinese Pharmacopoeia sets clear standards for capsule manufacturers and requires drug makers to purchase capsules only from licensed manufacturers, the SFDA notice said.
The notice said drug manufacturers will face legal consequences if inspection results indicate that they have failed to meet government standards.


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Chibies from Wow! Stuff has been highlighted as a key toy trend line for 2021 in the US Toy Association’s annual Toy Trends forecast.
The new line from Wow! Stuff, that listens to music and flashes perfectly to every beat, was created by Josie North and Victoria Brown from the Wow! Stuff team, who have been friends since childhood.
The Toy Association released its annual Toy Trends Briefing on 16th February this year. The briefing traditionally takes place for industry professionals at Toy Fair New York, and covers the key trends predicted to dominate the toy industry in the year ahead. New Chibies from Wow! Stuff was selected as part of the 2021 ‘Mixing in Music’ Toy Trend, which TA Toy Trend specialist and researcher Kristin Morency Goldman described as ‘one of the biggest trends we’ve seen this year.’
Best friends since primary school, the girls are now in their early twenties. While working at Wow! Stuff, they came up with the innovative Chibies concept and proceeded to develop it further, initially with some handmade samples and then with the help and technical expertise of the internal Product Development team.
Dr. Graeme Taylor, co-founder and director of Innovation at Wow! Stuff, commented: “Chibies has an interesting back story. Usually our PD team, with scientists at the core, is heavily involved in the original ideation. This time however, we moved aside to allow two young members of the team, Josie and Victoria – who have been best friends since they were five – to expand on an idea they had come up with together.”
Victoria commented: “As kids, we always built things together and loved doing lip sync videos when we were eight or nine, long before Tik Tok made it famous. Spotting trends is our passion and now we are developing toys for a living, it doesn’t feel like work.” Josie agreed: “It feels surreal to be working together as best friends and seeing our idea, our handmade prototypes, come to life and now be on sale at Target.”
Graeme added: “With the Chibies range, we are seeing a three road intersection where fashion meets music meets toys. Combining all three and innovating with sound sensors has really created something special.”
For more information see the Wow! Stuff website.


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Myntra adds new third-party sellers to comply with FDI normsMonday, February 20, 2017
Bengaluru, Jan. 20 -- Flipkart-owned fashion retailer Myntra has changed its legal structure in order to comply with foreign direct investment (FDI) laws that cap a third-party seller's contribution to 25% of its sales. Myntra, which earlier had just one retail partner called Vector E-commerce Pvt. Ltd, has now added three new sellers on its platform, according to two people familiar with the matter and documents with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). The three new sellers on its platform are Shreyash Retail Pvt. Ltd, Health and Happiness Pvt. Ltd and Tech Connect Retail Pvt. Ltd. Myntra is likely to add at least one more seller by the end of this fiscal year, said the people cited above. Myntra didn't respond to emails seeking comment. Shreyash Retail was incorporated in May 2016 with an initial paid-up capital of Rs1 crore, according to RoC documents. Two executives, Sudarshan Kumar Mittal and Urmil Mittal, are listed as directors of the entity, according to the documents. Health & Happiness was set up in February last year by Dinesh Verma, a lawyer, and Sabina Dinesh Verma. Its other shareholders include Sanjeev Kumar Khurana, Arun Kumar Vajpayee and Suvrat Khiwani, RoC documents show. Mint reported on 8 August that Myntra had started working with a new seller called Tech Connect Retail Pvt. Ltd, owned by former Bharti Airtel Ltd chief executive Sanjay Kapoor. Since India has barred direct online retail, e-commerce firms have complex structures that involve separating their businesses into purportedly independent entities. In this case, Myntra's holding company, Myntra Designs Pvt. Ltd, sources products and sells them to its sellers, which in turn sell them to customers on Myntra. The firm was forced to change its legal structure because of FDI laws announced in last March by India that allowed FDI in online marketplaces but capped the contribution of a single seller to 25% of the marketplace's overall business. Alternatively, Myntra could have chosen to become a genuine marketplace but it has chosen the current structure as it allows it to control customer experience. In a marketplace, the quality of Myntra's products and service would largely depend on third-party sellers. Many of India's top e-commerce companies including Myntra's parent, Flipkart, and Amazon India have changed their legal structures after the new laws. Flipkart has reduced its dependence on WS Retail Services Pvt. Ltd, its biggest seller, by working with several large new sellers, including Health & Happiness and Tech Connect. Amazon has similarly diversified its seller base by moving its smartphones business away from Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd, which is a joint venture between Amazon and N.R. Narayana Murthy's Catamaran Ventures. Another online retailer, Jabong, which was bought by Myntra in July, also changed its legal structure and added at least three new sellers on its platform last year. Separately, Myntra's largest seller, Vector E-Commerce re-ported revenue of Rs1,747 crore for the year ended March 2016, an increase of about 40% from the year-ago period, show documents sourced from data platform Tofler. Vector swung to a loss during the period, showing a loss of Rs8.7 crore, compared with a marginal profit of Rs6.5 lakh a year earlier. Mint reported in December that Myntra Designs posted a sharp slowdown in sales growth for the year ended March 2016, as its move to become an app-only platform alienated customers. For the fiscal year 2015-16, Myntra Designs reported revenue of Rs1,069 crore, compared with Rs773 crore a year earlier. Losses widened to Rs816 crore from Rs741 crore. The 38% increase in sales in the last fiscal year reflected a slowdown in growth for Myntra from the past two years, when its sales expanded by at least 75%. In December, Myntra, which had acquired smaller rival Jabong earlier in 2016, had said that it would aim to hit $2 billion in annual revenue run rate and also turn profitable by the end of the 2017-18 fiscal year, driven mainly by a rapidly growing user base. A $2 billion annual revenue run rate implies monthly revenues of roughly $165 million.


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— Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs are recalled after Ford determined the vehicles can leak gas and catch on fire. About 411,600 model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner SUVs equipped with 3-liter engines are involved in the recall.
Ford says the flex-fuel engines are at risk of fuel leaks because the fuel delivery module's fuel supply ports can develop cracks. Those cracks can allow gas to leak and if it happens near any ignition source, be prepared for a fire.
The automaker says the dangerous defect hasn't caused any accidents or injuries, but Ford didn't say if any fires have been reported.
The 2010-2012 Ford Escape SUVs were built February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and the 2010-2011 Mercury Mariners were built February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010.
About 329,018 of the recalled SUVs are in the U.S., 69,576 are in Canada, 7,477 in Mexico and 247 in federalized territories.
Ford doesn't know when the recall will begin, but dealers plan on replacing the fuel delivery module flanges in the SUVs.
Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner owners who have questions should call 866-436-7332.
CarComplaints.com will update this page when more recall details are released. Until then, read complaints about the SUVs named in the Ford recall:


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MENORCA AWARDED THE TITLE OF EUROPEAN REGION OF GASTRONOMY 2022
- Cheese at agroturismo Son Vives
- Mahón - Menorcan cheese © Pedro Coll, Balearic Ministry for Economic Model, Tourism and Labour - AETIB
- Fira del Camp, Menorca ©Balearic Ministry for Economic Model, Tourism and Labour - AETIB
- Port of Citutatdella, Menorca ©Balearic Islands Tourist Board
- View of Fornells , Menorca ©Balearic Islands Tourist Board
On 18 January 2020, the Balearic Island of Menorca was officially awarded the title of European Region of Gastronomy for 2022 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT). The European Region of Gastronomy project aims to promote local products and cuisine in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and has recognised Menorca’s efforts to enrich and support its own gastronomic heritage and cultural diversity. The IGCAT was impressed by the role that gastronomy has as a cornerstone of the island’s economy and culture.
The Balearic Islands have long been recognised for their ever-evolving gastronomy which takes influences from a variety of cultures that have settled on the Mediterranean archipelago during its long history. The low-key island of Menorca is home to a host of denominación de origen (designation of origin) products such as Mahón-Menorca cheese, cured meats, hand-made liquors, pastries and wines. The island’s gastronomic identity has been crafted over time by local businesses, small farms and artisans who have supported the local economy and upheld tradition, while offering visitors innovative and immerse gastro-experiences.
Committed to preserving these products and respecting both traditional and modern culinary traditions, the island has initiated a range of measures to preserve and benefit the destination’s unique gastronomic ecosystem. This includes ‘Fira Arrels’ an annual event that showcases the island’s distinct gastronomy, bringing Menorcan cuisine to the world and providing a platform to showcase both traditional and new food businesses, supporting producers and restaurants while boosting awareness, and in turn, consumption of local produce.
In 2022, Menorca will host an array of gastronomic events and festivals in celebration of its recognition as the European Region of Gastronomy and hopes to further consolidate its position as a leading food destination worldwide.
For more information about the European Region of Gastronomy 2022 title, please visit: https://igcat.org/menorca-awarded-european-region-of-gastronomy-2022/
For more information about Fira Arrels, please visit: http://www.firaarrels.com/en


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Caterpillar Inc. CAT, -7.56% reported its fourth-quarter profit rose 44% to $1 billion, or $1.54 a share, from $697 million, or $1.04 a share, a year earlier. Revenue fell to $14.40 billion, from $16.08 billion a year earlier, the construction equipment maker said Monday. That is better than analyst expectations of a profit of $1.27 a share on revenue of $13.41 billion, according to FactSet. The firm said that sales were hit by a decline in mining sales during 2013, but maintained strong cash flow through cost cutting. Going forward, the manufacturer expects adjusted earnings of $5.30 per share in 2014, or $5.85 when restructuring costs are excluded. The company also announced that it would buy back about $1.7 billion in common stock during the firm quarter, and $10 billion by the end of 2018. Shares in Caterpillar were up 6.9% in premarket trading.
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Courts Grant Bisous Bisous An Injunction Against Bisou, La Madeleine Starts Its Walmart Experiment, Vegan Chicken Looks Like The Hot New Trend And More.
Welcome to The Spread, our weekly feature that aims to share all the area restaurant, food and beverage industry news that’s fit to print. Except, this is the Internet, so space isn’t a concern. Also: Good thing, because this is Dallas and this town always has breaking restaurant news going down like whoa.
What’s in a name? A whole hell of a lot, it turns out!
After a public dispute over their businesses’ quite similar names — a situation that led to IRL confusion, plus shockingly negative and misdirected online reviews — a judge this week ruled in favor of the long-running Uptown bakery Bisou Bisou Pâtisserie‘s court injunction filings against the still-fairly-new and nearby McKinney Avenue supper lounge and nightclub now formerly known as Bisou. With courts now ordering the newer of the two concepts to cease using the term “bisou” in any aspect of their branding, the newer of the two businesses will now be known as Cle from this point on.
Eater has way more details on the admittedly confusing trademark dispute, but it should be noted that the Bisous Bisous v. Bisou beef is hardly the only head-scratcher in this week’s Dallas-area food and drink news round-up.
Back in April, you may recall, we used this space to hip you to the bizarre fact that the North Texas-based La Madeleine French Bakery & Café chain had somehow entered into talks with Walmart to possibly serve as an in-store restaurant option for the superstore chain in the wake of McDonald’s pulling out of the massive companies’ long-standing partnership. Well, as the Dallas Morning News reports this week, the brands are currently testing the eyebrow-raising possibility out, with La Madeleine counters now open within area Walmarts in Garland, Rowlett and, soon enough, Cleburne. And there are more en route: By the end of October, you can expect another seven La Madeleine-Walmart pairings to pop up around the region. Per a statement from La Madeleine CEO Lionel Ladouceur to the DMN, the two companies will then evaluate their efforts at some point in 2022 before deciding whether to more greatly commit to their bit.
Speaking of smaller brands crossing with bigger ones, the Dallas Observer this week took a look at the ambitious, San Antonio-sprung vegan chicken concept Project Pollo in the wake of its announcement that it would soon be making its entrance into the North Texas market with a new location along Greenville Avenue. Per their report, Project Pollo founder Lucas Bradbury — who launched his brand as a food truck just last year before quickly expanding to eight brick-and-mortar homes — hopes to have as many as 25 locations of his restaurant in Texas by the end of 2020, and 100 locations in total by 2025. Even more noteworthy, however, is his overall goal: He thinks his vegan chicken offerings can become so popular that a) his company’s sales can save the lives of a million chickens by the end of the decade, and b) his company will put Chick-Fil-A out of business by that same 2030 finish line.
He might be onto something, actually — especially considering his company isn’t the only vegan chicken player in the news this week. The beloved vegan Pleasant Grove bakery and taqueria El Palote Panaderia is, per the DMN, gearing up to open a new vegan fried chicken ghost kitchen concept out of their kitchen called Desperados. Their fried chicken will be made with soy protein and served on bamboo sticks instead of bones and available for ordering via Uber Eats, Door Dash and GrubHub once all the permits are in place. In the meantime, El Palote will be slinging the chicken out of their storefront on the weekends.
In even more plant-based news, CultureMap reports that the oat milk giant Oatly this week announced plans to open a factory in Fort Worth. Across 280,000 square feet, they’ll manufacture various flavors of their oat milk, oat milk yogurt and oat milk ice cream offerings. The factory is slated for completion by 2023.
For those of us who can’t live without actual dairy products, CultureMap also notes that the TikTok star Larray is also entering the North Texas ghost kitchen game. His Larray’s Loaded Mac concept will offer up seven different mac and cheese varieties, including the four-cheese “classique” blend and the more-ambitious “feelin’ risky” that includes pulled pork, crispy onions, Fritos, barbecue sauce and cheddar cheese. Check the offerings of your favorite third-party delivery app if those sound up your alley.
Meanwhile, although not a ghost kitchen, an actual ghost of the past is making its return in Downtown Dallas. After a three-year renovation, the DMN notes that Rodeo Bar, which shuttered its operations in 2018, is set to once again attempt to lasso drinkers into its Adolphus Hotel home come September. While the menu is still in the works, guests can expect a menu containing robust cocktails, plus eats including queso, brisket and a hearty burgers.
Speaking of hearty comfort foods, beloved brunch destination Jonathon’s Oak Cliff is going to have to drop the latter part of its name soon, as the DMN reports that it will be moving soon to a new home alone Forest Lane. The menu, furniture and aesthetic are all expected to remain the same, with an opening expected in the late fall. The brand’s sister diner’s concept along Beckley Avenue in Oak Cliff will also remain open for the time being.
Also moving — or, more appropriately, expanding — is the lauded McKinney Avenue dinner spot Rye, which Eater notes opened a new, second location along Greenville Avenue this week. The restaurant, which comes from the same minds behind Apothecary, serves avant garde cocktails, and small, sharable globally inspired plates. And, much like its popular sister concept, reservations are a must.
As is checking in with this rundown every week, really. The food news in this city never really stops, does it?


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Travolution has put together a team of experts which visitors to next week’s Travel Technology Europe trade show can arrange one-to-one meetings with.
As part of our strategic partnership with the annual trade show in London, we’ve lined up experts in hospitality tech, GDPR, digital design and technology systems at this year’s two-day event.
Visitors can register for free to attend the show and then get access to an online diary to arrange travel clinics with the experts.
Travolution’s team includes:
• Jackie Groves, of Xcelerate Solutions, a GDPR expert.
• James Box, Clearleft UK director, and James Bates, digital design expert at Clearleft.
• Ian Richardson, co-founder and chief executive of ICE ICT, a digital consultancy.
• Patience Tagborolo, partnerships director at hotel technology expert from Wi-Q.
Lee Hayhurst, Travolution editor, said: “The TTE advice clinics are a great way to get your burning questions answered on the travel technology topics that are most relevant to your firms.
“I’m sure the experts we have recruited, as well as those TTE has lined up, will provide valuable face-to-face insight and advice to visitors to the show.”
Travolution will be launching its annual Innovation Report including an analysis of technology spend of firms in the UK travel sector at TTE.
The report has been sponsored by Atcore and will be available on its stand (T16), on Travolution’s stand (HT60) and at a session on the first day in the Innovation Theatre at 2.40pm.
TTE, which is marking its 15 year, expects to see more than 6,000 visitors and will see more than 120 travel and hospitality technology suppliers showcase their products and solutions.
This year the show will feature an expanded hospitality technology zone, an interactive ‘playground’ featuring Virtual and Augmented Reality tech, and the Disrupt start-up awards.
This year’s finalists for the Disrupt awards have been announced following an online vote. They are:
• Protected Trust Services
All five will present pitched live at the show on the first afternoon to a judging panel before a winner is chosen who will win a free stand for the show in 2019 worth £8,000.
TTE takes place at Olympia on February 21-22 alongside the Business Travel Show.


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Playtech Announces Broken Records With 2012 Financials
February 20, 2013
When a major online casino software company or online casino operator posts their financial results for the world to see, it's a sign of two major things. First, it shows that they are a high-class operation that is trying to remain as transparent as possible with its financial dealings. Second, it helps to give indicators of where the industry as a whole may be heading. Almost all of the top companies release their financial results each quarter and at the end of the year, and Playtech is no exception. This time, they're announcing some broken records as well.
In the last quarter of 2012, Playtech had a gross income of €98.8 million. At just under 100 million euros, this was a 26 percent increase from the gross income of the fourth quarter of 2011. Their total revenues also took a big leap of 20 percent at a total of €83.9 million during this quarter. What's really amazing about this is that for 2012 overall, Playtech had a 51 percent increase in gross income when compared to 2011. This is an absolutely enormous and impressive number that breaks their records for their best growth ever.
Playtech CEO Mor Weizer said, "Playtech has again delivered an exceptional fourth quarter performance enhanced by William Hill Online's record quarterly profit and the significant growth in software revenues with casino, services and bingo demonstrating double-digit increases. The company received robust organic growth and benefited from innovative cross-selling initiatives with several major licensees. Playtech's new product and licensee launches, together with the launch of slots in Italy, have exceeded expectations and build further on the company's solid growth platform. I am also pleased to announce that our joint venture with Gauselmann has been awarded licenses by Schleswig Holstein for online casino and sports betting."
Playtech has been one of the top two online casino software companies for several years. Recently, they have expanded into several newly-regulated markets, and this has given them tons of opportunities to experience growth. Their joint venture with William Hill Online has seen them get dragged into a lot of controversy over the past 24 months, but they are still holding their position as one of the two leaders of the online casino software industry. While 2012 was a record year for Playtech, it will be interesting to see if they can hold their position during 2013.


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Next week, Intel's CEO, Pat Gelsinger, will travel to Europe to meet with EU officials about the possibility of building new fab capacity within the bloc. These discussions with the EU will take place at a time when foundry capacity and overall semiconductor manufacturing capability are increasingly seen in geopolitical terms.
The EU's recent draft proposal called for the various members to collectively account for 20 percent of leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing by 2030. At present, the EU is home to about 10 percent of the world's semiconductor manufacturing capability, but there are no leading-edge facilities currently within the zone. Intel's Irish facilities currently use 14nm and are expected to deploy 7nm when available, but they aren't in production on that node yet. These new talks(Opens in a new window) may be intended to build on that draft proposal.
Today, there are just two foundries on the leading edge: TSMC and Samsung. Intel is roughly one node off the leading edge; the 10nm CPUs it ships today have historically been considered comparable with 7nm silicon from TSMC, which is currently shipping 5nm SoCs. Intel intends to rejoin the leading edge and it also wants to create a new client foundry business for itself. Intel's push to reinvent itself as a client foundry is part of what the company has called IDM 2.0, and it's the kind of long-range, long-term initiative that could be greatly boosted by EU investments that helped Intel establish itself in this market.From Intel's announcements earlier this spring regarding its IDM plans and foundry initiatives.
As for why the European Union might be willing to consider such a deal, there are several reasons. The ongoing semiconductor shortage is an obvious reason, but not the only one. The EU and the PRC are each the others' largest trading partners, but recent political events have roiled waters between the two powers. A recent trade deal giving EU companies better access to Chinese markets has been put on hold(Opens in a new window) after China blacklisted five members of the EU Parliament following Brussels' imposition of sanctions against Chinese officials accused of human rights violations in Xinjiang province related to the ongoing abuse and enslavement of the Uyghur people. China has no shortage of people to be upset at, it seems, given that British MPs voted yesterday(Opens in a new window) to declare that China's treatment of the Uyghur people constitutes genocide.
With just three firms currently on or aiming for the leading edge, the European Union has to choose a partner if it wants to underwrite part of a manufacturing effort. TSMC is the current leading foundry, but it's also potentially exposed to any instability in the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan. Perhaps more pertinently, the company has poo-pooed the idea that the EU needs its own factories and called the idea of expanded production "economically unrealistic."
Besides Intel, Samsung would be the EU's most likely partner, but we haven't heard anything about any Samsung. Recent discussions focused on the idea of a US-based fab, possibly located in Austin. Any long-term deal or interest from the EU in helping Intel build an ecosystem for EU customers could benefit Intel's narrative and promises that IDM 2.0 is different from the company's previous foundry effort.
Right now, a lot of the proposals around future government investments in foundry manufacturing are just that: proposals. Neither the US nor the EU has moved forward with a concrete proposal to pour billions into the market, much less specified which companies would be the beneficiaries of such investment. Any attempt to create a robust, less-encumbered supply chain will have to focus on more than just lithography. Semiconductor manufacturing requires a lot of raw material inputs and sophisticated processing steps. The US or EU would also need to invest in bringing packaging, test, and assembly facilities back to their respective shores if they wanted to invest in a "local" semiconductor manufacturing supply chain.
Just because Pat Gelsinger is meeting with EU officials in April doesn't mean we'll see a foundry announcement by May. But watch both the EU and the US for future announcements regarding semiconductor investment for clues as to how seriously either government is taking the idea of investing in new capacity or building out additional supply chain options. If the EU and US are serious, we could be looking at the beginning of a new era in semiconductor manufacturing, one in which ties to other countries are closely scrutinized, and deals are made with an eye towards maintaining manufacturing access in the event of trade wars or other disruptive global events.Feature image of Intel Leixlip, Ireland. Now Read:


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Previously: The Problem With OneDrive For Business
Box.com has matured into a service that meets the needs of small businesses and law firms for online file storage of shared company files.
Box was founded almost ten years ago. It has grown into a large company with a fast-growing user base, including almost half of the Fortune 500 companies. […] continuedRead more
Bluetooth has been around for more than ten years powering our phone headsets but not much else. Now that we’re using phones and tablets as our primary technology devices, Bluetooth is turning up everywhere.
Bluetooth is a special kind of wireless signal designed to work over short distances. Frequently you’ll see references to a range of thirty feet but the reality is frequently far less. […] continuedRead more
Amazon has been making some odd product decisions lately, and the latest was just announced today: the Kindle Voyage, a black & white e-reader with some modest improvements over the current Kindle Paperwhite that sells for a luxury price, starting at $199 and scaling up to as much as $289. […] continuedRead more
One of the advantages of using Office 365 to host company email is its broad support for mobile devices. Office 365 mail can be set up across more platforms than almost any other mail service – iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, and Windows devices have built-in support for Exchange mail, and Microsoft also supports POP/SMTP and IMAP for devices that don’t talk to Exchange. […] continuedRead more
Microsoft and Google are stepping up their efforts to gain market share by encouraging manufacturers to sell large quantities of ultra-cheap phones, tablets and computers. And in an interesting new development, some of those cheap devices won’t suck.
Let’s talk for a minute about the strategy behind the upcoming flood of low-end devices, then look at some examples. […] continuedRead more
The cost of online storage continues to drop as Microsoft, Google and Amazon race to build out enormous online data storehouses. Last week Dropbox finally dropped its price for 1Tb of online file storage to $9.99/month to match the competition. Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive will also give you 1Tb of space for $9.99/month. […] continuedRead more
After a quiet summer, we’re heading into the season for new product announcements. Here’s a roundup of some of the phones that will be arriving soon.Apple – iPhones
The big announcement of the season will be the new iPhones, which will be announced by Apple on September 9. It is widely believed that Apple will offer two models with larger screens than the current 4” iPhone – probably a 4.7” screen and a 5.5” screen. […] continuedRead more
When you go into a Verizon or AT&T store, you aren’t buying a smartphone. You’re buying an entry ticket into a beautiful garden, an ecosystem full of wondrous delights. Apple and Google are working nonstop to make their gardens into bigger and better places, with the hope that you will stay with them as you buy more devices. […] continuedRead more
Eighty-five percent of smartphones shipped in the second quarter of 2014 were running Android.
Eighty-five percent for Android! Astonishing.
Apple’s share of the global phone market slipped below 12%. The market is growing so fast that Apple’s shipments were up from the previous year while their share of the total market declined. […] continuedRead more
Windows Phone 8.1, a major update to Microsoft’s phone OS, will be rolled out to Windows Phone users over the next few weeks. If you have a Windows Phone, you’ll be alerted when it’s available, possibly as soon as this week. There are some nice improvements in the new version, as Microsoft continues to make Lumia phones into a tempting alternative to iPhones and Android phones. […] continuedRead more
Here’s a guide to buying a license for Microsoft Office, followed by a description of what Office programs and apps are available for computers, tablets, and phones.
The core Microsoft Office programs – Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, plus Outlook and OneNote – have been essential tools in every business since the dawn of Windows computing in the 80s. […] continuedRead more
Samsung / LG / HTC have a new Android phone that’s slightly bigger / smaller / faster with more something and an improved something else!
Apple’s next iPhone will be marginally bigger than the current zzzzz
. . .
Sorry. I dozed off.
Wow, is the bloom off that rose or what? […] continuedRead more
Windows 8 users who set Google Chrome as their default Internet browser are caught by surprise when it opens in a fullscreen Metro environment instead of running on the familiar Windows desktop. I’ll explain how that works below.
Today Google released Chrome version 32, which makes their strategy clearer. The new version makes the Metro version of Chrome a vehicle for running their faux operating system Chrome OS inside of Windows 8 – a Trojan horse aimed at taking down Windows from inside. […] continuedRead more
The world is changing. Here’s an anecdote to help you understand just how fast it’s happening.
My wife was at a conference last week attended by a hundred medical and legal professionals. Each person had a device for viewing the speaker slides and taking notes.
Three of them, including my wife, had laptop computers. […] continuedRead more
LastPass released a major update this week. LastPass 3.0 gives the essential password manager a streamlined look and introduces some new features. If you’re a LastPass user, you’ll see some new things happening onscreen as you move around password fields. Don’t be unnerved! The changes will seem to be for the better, I think, after we get used to them. […] continuedRead more


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Website security breaches may endanger personal and financial data, but when password details are maliciously accessed, the risk is even greater. Fortunately, Google has announced that it is adding a new security feature to Chrome that will let users know immediately whether or not their passwords have been stolen.
With dozens of high-profile security breaches at trusted companies around the world, it's harder than ever to guarantee the security of your passwords. However, with too many users making this classic mistake of repeating the same password across many services, the risk is increased if even one website is affected by a breach.
We explain how this very useful feature works
According to Google, the new feature will be quite intuitive for its users Chrome. Once you've entered a password in Chrome, a popup will pop up to let you know if it's ever stolen. The popup will also allow you to control others accounts who use this password and change it to avoid further vulnerabilities.
Google has been testing this technology for most of the year in the form of a browser extension. Now, the company opens the feature globally to all users in the hope of keeping everyone safe from weak and compromised codes access.
This feature will be gradually transferred to all users in the coming months.
Already have your password violated?
There are different ways to check if your passwords have been compromised, but the simplest solution is to head to HaveIBeenPwned. This useful site requires nothing more than an address email to search for thousands of data breaches, to find out if the passwords associated with this account have been breached.
There is no risk of entering your email here, but the results can be quite frustrating.
We don't want to break it to you, but there is a pretty good chance that at least one of your passwords has been compromised in recent years. Only 2018 reported 1.244 data breaches at USA with more than 446.5 millions of files exposed to potential hackers. Statistics have shown that these numbers are getting worse on a yearly basis, so you will definitely need to address your problematic online security. But how?
How can I protect myself?
When Google adds a security feature to the Chrome interface, you know that password protection is important. Unfortunately, with all these violations of it security, it can seem like a pretty important task to keep your personal data secure, especially if you expect to remember all of these unique passwords. Fortunately, that's why password managers are built.
When you install a password manager, you not only protect your personal data, but also make your online experience much easier. In addition to storing and protecting multiple passwords PIN and passwords, a password manager logs on accounts as easy as a click of a button. Just go to a specific site, click the password manager icon, and you're securely linked to any account you have.


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Cold comfort: Why demand for patio heaters is on the rise
Restaurants, bars and breweries are also looking for more permanent solutions for their patios
Patio heaters and outdoor shelters are flying off the shelves in the Lower Mainland, as people look for creative ways to keep a safe physical distance and still gather with friends and family through the colder months.
Some products designed to keep you warm and dry outdoors have been sold out for weeks at home improvement stores and online retailers.
At the BBQ Shop in Port Coquitlam, owner Nash Shivji says sales of fire pits and patio heaters are up 40 per cent over last year, and he is struggling to keep up with the demand.
"Most of my suppliers are sold out, too," said Shivji.
"Customers say they've been everywhere and people are sold out. I will be in that same boat very soon, too," he said.
Aside from trying to stay warm, consumers are also seeking ways to stay protected from wind and rain, says an awning supply owner in Port Coquitlam. Sales of Aaron Greenaway's patio coverings and retractable awnings have doubled, at a time when the season is typically coming to an end, he said.
"I've never worked so hard in my life," said Greenaway.
He's hired four extra staff members to keep up with installation demands, as people look for space to safely gather, or work from home.
"They know the rain is coming. They know it's going to get cold, so they are trying to improve that space and overall enjoyment."
Increasingly, bars, restaurants and breweries — which were granted temporary permits to add outdoor patio space in the summer — are also trying to find solutions.
The permits were a lifeline for many establishments hit hard by shutdowns. Some owners however, are now finding themselves scrambling to find more permanent solutions to their summer patio spaces — just to stay in business.
"I'm scared to death," said Kevin Larsen, one of the owners of Camp Beer Company in Langley.
The craft brewery's outdoor capacity is 10 people, down from 55 before the pandemic hit. Its indoor capacity was also 55 before the pandemic, and that's now been halved.
With fall and winter coming, Larsen says they have no choice but to get a larger, more permanent, retractable awning to keep customers warm and dry — an expense he says is unavoidable.
"We just have to embrace it and push forward," he said. "Hopefully people will put on a jacket and come out and have a beer."
Camp's patio is heated by overhead gas heaters and a fire bowl — which are permitted by the City of Langley, in an important distinction between business and personal use.
Units powered by electricity are safe for enclosed spaces, says Shivji. But he warns anyone considering buying natural gas or propane patio heaters and fire pits should use caution because the appliances are designed for outdoor use only, not enclosed spaces.
In fact, the City of Vancouver says on private property, any fixed or portable patio heater that produces an open flame requires a permit by the fire chief.
Anyone using natural gas or propane patio heaters, whether fixed or portable, is advised to check their local regulations and bylaws to ensure the appliance is safe for use.


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Many say the charges and subscription prices to make use of the meals supply app Grubhub is chopping into their earnings.
Now, town plans on stepping in.
The kitchen is busier than ever at Telio on the Higher West Facet, however that doesn’t imply the Greek restaurant is seeing a surge in earnings. The house owners stated the one factor that’s growing is the charges to make use of Grubhub, CBS2’s Dick Brennan reported Monday.
“Couple years ago they said to me, ‘No less than 20 [percent],’ and I said, ‘I don’t want to pay 20 [percent]. I can’t afford it,’” Telio proprietor Yianni Berbeis stated.
The third-party meals supply app, which additionally owns Seamless, has turn out to be a double-edged sword for his three eating places.
“We were doing 80 percent of the deliveries Grubhub and Seamless,” Berbeis stated.
In complete, he needed to pay $300,000 to them final yr in subscription prices and fees, Brennan reported.
“You can’t deny it. If you take them out, you’re going to close business,” Berbeis stated.
Whereas he affords 10 p.c off to clients who order by way of his web site to keep away from the charges, different eating places like The Kitchen within the Bronx began its personal supply service app to compete, and an Amsterdam Avenue deli give up delivering altogether due to Grubhub.
“They charge too much fees, way too much and customer, they are not happy about it,” stated Sayed Ahmed, supervisor of Amsterdam Connoisseur.
However Grubhub stated it’s serving to out companies, claiming one yr after becoming a member of its app, eating places develop month-to-month takeout by a median of 30 p.c, six occasions higher than eating places not utilizing an internet market.
“We can’t have a third-party service provider hijacking the entire industry,” Metropolis Councilman Mark Gjonaj stated.
Which is why Gjonaj is having the council examine Grubhub’s charges, particularly ones that make no sense, like a easy inquiry name triggering a Grubhub cost.
“These fees that are allegedly being charged without a sale going through,” Gjonaj stated.
It’s a supply debate that restaurant house owners need settled.
Town can be maintain a listening to concerning the charges on June 27. It’s inviting restaurant house owners to attend. Grubhub officers informed CBS2 they are going to be in attendance to listen to the complaints.


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Chinese online retailer Alibaba Group is ready to debut in the US market with its first initial public offering (IPO) at the country’s stock market on September 18. With its entry, the Chinese conglomerate is set to script history in the US stock market.
According to the latest documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday, Alibaba has planned to raise up to USD 24.3 billion (£15bn) in its share sale when it begins trading at the at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) from September 19 under the code BABA.
Sources say the company is likely to set the share price on September 18.
With a whopping amount of USD 24.3 billion, Alibaba will break previous record amount of USD 22.1 billion set by Agricultural Bank of China.
As the IPO debut of the Chinese retail giant into the American market nears, speculations, fears and high hopes are mounting higher day-by-day.
Here are the top ten reasons you should know as an investor in Alibaba:
- Analysts say the company is likely to keep its share price in the range of USD 60-66 per share. With this size, Alibaba’s IPO would become the largest ever for a US-listed firm.
- The total value of the company is expected to be about USD 163 billion, which is really a big one in the US stock market history.
- The speculated worth value will make the Chinese retailer larger than 95 percent of the firms featuring on the S&P500. Hence, being a shareholder into a big company like Alibaba is a fair deal.
- Alibaba is expected to raise about USD 21 billion, which would be more than USD 17.9 billion raised by Visa in 2008, the largest US IPO till date.
- The Chinese firm would sell 320.1 million depositary shares in its IPO in the US. And the share price ranges between USD 60 to USD 66 per share. Analysts say the expected price range is a worthy deal for the investors.
- If the company’s projections materialize, the market cap of Alibaba would go as high as USD 245 billion overnight.
- Analysts say the Chinese company that was barely known to anyone just a few weeks ago will be bigger than prominent companies like Facebook, eBay and Amazon in an instant.
- Once it goes public, Alibaba will soon turn into enormous cash war chest. With huge cash in hand it will go hunting for acquisitions that boost customer penetration and revenue simultaneously.
- The deal bigger as Alibaba’s magnitude has already sent enormous shockwaves across the financial markets. Sources say the company plans to sell nearly half of its stake while giving them a mammoth amount of cash. But where will all those cash go? Analysts say the money will go to three places:
- The company could return the cash to shareholders via a buyback
- The cash could be handed out to the shareholders with a hefty dividend
- Last but not the least, the company could start focusing on expansion projects by making some big acquisitions
Analysts say, in any case, it’s a victory situation for the shareholders.
10. Slow and steady wins the race. This adage goes very well with Alibaba. Its sales rose 55 percent in the year that ended in March, while its net income rose nearly six-fold over two years.


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The Boy Scouts greeted Reynold’s customers during Moonlight Madness Oct. 18.
By Angel Wyrwas
The Boy Scouts greeted Reynold’s customers during Moonlight Madness Oct. 18. They had set up a table inside the entrance door to collect items for the Community Cupboard. “The boys really learn a lot about interacting with people when we do things like this,” said Scout Leader Trish Barth. “They want to be helpful and I believe it was a very successful experience.”
The Scouts took a large truck of donations to the Community Cupboard after doing a little shopping themselves. “Some people donated money instead of products,” said Barth, “so we went shopping and bought some sale items to donate as well. People are incredibly generous.”


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The huge success of Canadian-based Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) made the country proud. The market debut of the e-commerce and online store software company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) as well as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), was unprecedented.
The initial public offering (IPO) and the first day of trading on May 21, 2015, will be known as as the most explosive IPO in the record books of the TSX. For one, the timing was perfect, as tech stocks reigned supreme in the stock market. All eyes were glued on Shopify as it opened a new chapter in its existence.
From Snowdevil to tech unicorn
Computer engineers Tobias Lütke and Daniel Weinand are the founders of Shopify. The founders themselves did not have an inkling of the massive potential of the open-source web application framework the duo used to build the Snowdevil online store.
The purpose was to sell snowboarding equipment under the brand name Snowdevil. Two months after the development of the online store, Lütke and Daniel launched Shopify in June 2006. Nine years later, the company was ready to go public. The rest is history.
Epic market debut
The enterprising gentlemen were able to source $122 million from venture capitalists. A growth strategy was in place, although there were no profits to declare. On IPO day, Shopify raised gross proceeds in the amount of US$151.5 million.
The IPO was well received. Four months later, a break came when Amazon announced the closure of the Amazon Webstore service for merchants. Luckily, Shopify was chosen as the migration provider.
Today, there are 800,000 small- and medium-sized merchants utilizing Shopify’s platform to do business. More are being added including the subscribers to Shopify Plus, which was created for larger merchants. Also, Shopify is regarded as the best alternative to Amazon and the future nemesis of the e-commerce giant.
Winnings of early investors
The astonishing surge of Shopify after the IPO brought enormous winnings to the early investors. From the IPO price of $17, SHOP closed the first day of trading at $31.25. A year later, the stock could only show a 7.87% increase. Two years more on May 15, 2017, SHOP has soared by 282.58% to $128.97.
Many thought that SHOP has peaked too early and a fall was imminent. The stock proved analysts wrong as the powerful surge continued. As of this writing, Shopify is trading at $431.05, or a staggering 1,279.36% increase from the closing on opening day. That is a spectacular feat indeed for the Canadian tech unicorn.
If you believed in Shopify’s potential then and invested $10,000 from the very beginning, your investment would be worth $137,936 today. There is no TSX IPO on record that delivered such gigantic gains.
Shopify is a class act. There’s room for massive growth in so far as the merchant registration is concerned. But from my viewpoint, the price can’t go up any further.


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While Blizzard might have competitive games like Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm, it’s safe to say that the company’s first truly competitive game was StarCraft. This trend continued with StarCraft 2 but safe to say that it never quite captured the magic that was the original StarCraft.
The good news is that if you loved the original StarCraft, word on the street has it that Blizzard is apparently making a HD version of the game. This is according to a report from Korean news outlet iNews24 (via Kotaku) who claims that HD version of the game will come with an improved graphics resolution as well as a new UI. However other than that, the gameplay is expected to remain the same.
It is also said that the game will be officially revealed in September, and as to why September, it is when the StarCraft 2 World Championship Series will be coming to an end, so announcing it during/after the event makes sense especially with StarCraft still being fresh in everyone’s minds. It is also rumored that we could be getting more details about the game during BlizzCon 2016 in November.
Now in terms of StarCraft, Blizzard has stated that Legacy of the Void will conclude the current storyline, which sounds like they could be done with StarCraft, at least for now. The next game will probably feature a new storyline and new characters, although when exactly that will take place remains to be seen.


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Panasonic and Pentax have introduced digital cameras that are geared toward the mid to high-end consumer.
New York — Harvey Electronics will continue to receive funds for the next eight weeks through a $1.5 million debtor-in-possession line
New York — NuVision, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., continues to roll out its Lucidium line of “
Peter Weedfald is has left his post as senior VP/chief marketing officer at Circuit City.
New York – Acer today introduced a pair of multimedia Aspire notebooks featuring 16:9, 1080p LCD displays, Blu-ray optical drives, and
Santa Ana, Calif. — Averatec is expanding its line of ultra portable notebooks with a new 12.1-
Stamford, Conn. — Worldwide PC sales could increase almost 11 percent this year over 2007 if
New York — Panasonic provided further details on its plans for its Viera plasma Full 1080p and
Bellevue, Wash. — Smartphone maker HTC made its first mobile computer, the Shift ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), available this week through
Tokyo — Toshiba is forecasting a $665.5 million operating loss in HD DVD business for fiscal
A quick look around the just opened Flatbush, Brooklyn location of
New York — Samsung held its annual star-studded Hope for Children Gala on June11, raising $
San Antonio — The Progressive Retailers Organization was at the Westin La Cantera Hill Coun
If you are having trouble accessing TWICE content or wish to subscribe to TWICE Online please email firstname.lastname@example.org or call 866-71-PRESS (866-717-7377).


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Hear the one about the pink donkey? Last month in Los Angeles, a restaurant called Pink Taco used a pink-painted donkey as part of a Cinco de Mayo promotion. The stunt caused quite an uproar and generated a ton of publicity for Pink Taco. It was a huge success in terms of creating buzz, just maybe not the kind that the restaurant was looking for. It all backfired when animal activists started knocking on their door, and 3,000 people jumped on a Facebook boycott of the restaurant.
In light of the Pink Taco debacle, we dug around to find other restaurant publicity stunts that have been tried over the years. Turns out, the owner of Pink Taco was hardly the first genius to try do something stupid or over the top to focus the spotlight on a restaurant. Restaurants have been pulling tactics like these since at the least the early 1900s, when Nathan's hired actors to stand on the street eating hot dogs... while wearing lab coats -- all in the name of trying to create a healthier image.
In the time since, many other restaurants have tried their own brand of Barnum & Bailey. Taco Bell claimed it bought the Liberty Bell. One Seattle restaurant unveiled underwater billboards said to have been anchored in the 1950s to catch the eye of passing submarine-drivers. Some campaigns, like the one where a German restaurant was supposedly encouraging diners to donate body parts to be cooked, turned out to be complete scams not even involving a real restaurant in the first place.
There's no doubt that pulling stunts like this will get a lot of attention. But with the restaurant business as difficult as it already is, you've really got to wonder about short-sighted owners who would rather have the hype around their restaurants be so fleeting and gimmicky. But you be the judge. How outrageous and successful do you consider these stunts? And be sure to comment if you remember any great stunts that didn't make the list.
- Jamie Tredwell, The Daily Meal
More from The Daily Meal:
Reality TV Star Food and Drink Spin-Offs
101 Best Restaurants in America
10 Chain Restaurants Worth Visiting
13 Mobster Restaurants Around the Country
10 Best Athlete-Owned Restaurants
Everyone knows Nathan's is a New York original, but what you might not know is the company’s success is greatly due to a publicity stunt dating to 1916. Nathan, a Polish immigrant, was trying to undercut the prices of Feltman’s Restaurant, a large beer garden he shared a spot with on Coney Island. He cut prices to a nickel per dog, but results were unexpected, with rumors starting that questioned the quality of the meat to explain the low price. To combat these rumors, Nathan hired actors to stand outside his place wearing lab coats and stethoscopes while eating the hot dogs. He later unveiled signs reading, “If doctors eat our hot dogs, you know they’re good!” It must’ve worked, because Nathans continues to thrive today, and you're probably saying, "Feltman who?" Related: Hot Dog Q&A with Richard Pink
Though it remains sort of an urban legend as to who actually gets credited with its invention, Harry Reichenbach's “Invisible Fish” is one of the most original restaurant stunts on record. As the story goes, Reichenbach was hired by an ex-circus woman to bring traffic to her luncheon. Harry supposedly noticed a giant empty fish tank sitting in her back room, and decided to fill it with water and put it in the restaurant window with a sign reading: “The only living Brazilian invisible fish.” The stunt garnered so much attention from people claiming to be able to see the fish that crowds couldn’t be controlled. It's been riffed on many times since. Related: 21 Deadly Dishes
In 1998, Burger King bought a full-page ad in USA Today announcing they had created a burger that would improve the lives 1.4 million Americans. What could that possibly be? The Left-Handed Whopper! The new burger would have all the same condiments, just rotated a mere 180 degrees to better suit hungry left-handers who may have been struggling with conventional burgers. Whopper Freakout: A Burger King campaign in 2007 discontinued the Whopper for one day — with camera crews filming customer reaction to prove just how loved the Whopper really is. What ensued after the stunt was exactly the name of the campaign: a freakout. Related: Celebrity Fast Food Commercials Before They Were Famous
After creating a stir in 2001 for a stunt promising a free taco to every U.S. citizen if the Mir space station core hit a target they assembled, Taco Bell was at it again in 2006. They put an ad in The New York Times headlined, “Taco Bell Buys the Liberty Bell.” The ruse continued with the company explaining that the purchase was mean to help allay the national debt. Though it sounds like an obvious joke, enraged Philadelphians complained in numbers about the transaction. Taco Bell admitted the whole story was a scam, but their sales did increase by about half-a-million dollars during the week of April 1st, compared to the week before. Related: 20 Most Popular Fast Food Restaurants on Facebook
In a creative and elaborate hoax in Sydney circa 2009, a Portuguese chain called Nando's arranged for an impersonator to crash the premier of Sacha Baron Cohen's latest flick, Bruno, while dressed up to look like the film's central character. When the impersonator arrived, six models followed him out of the limo. While the fake Bruno was escorted off the red carpet some models dunked buckets of Nando's Peri Peri sauce over their chests and others unveiled signs proclaiming: "This year's hottest chicks are covered in Peri Peri." Related: Bad Table Manners: Celebrity Edition
In a stunt that created much controversy on the Puget Sound in 2009, the longstanding Seattle seafood restaurant, Ivar’s, surfaced a series of underwater billboards that were supposedly submerged in 1954. “Ivar’s Chowder. Worth surfacing for. 75¢ a cup," a sign proclaimed. And “Diver’s special. Kids 12 & Under Eat Free with regular entrée. Includes Jell-O.” Allegedly, the signs were part of the restaurant's original owner’s plan to advertise to divers and submarine pilots passing through the Puget Sound. Even though it was revealed to be a hoax, the stunt worked miracles for Ivar's. The following months saw overall sales increase by ten percent, with clam chowder sales increasing by more than 400%. Related: 30,000 Pounds of Bananas and Other Spills
Not too long ago, folks in Melbourne were abuzz with excitement about a “hidden pizza” restaurant that was offering free pizza to any customer who came in. The catch? You had to find it first. People were instructed, “Look it up the way you would any other business.” You’re thinking Google? Wrong. Turns out the whole thing was a scam put on by Yellow Pages and an advertising company called Sensis, as a way to say something like, "Yes, we’re still relevant." What a tease! Related: A Tour of New York City's Best Pizza
One stunt in 2010 caused such an uproar that it brought international attention to Berlin’s FLIME restaurant before it even opened. The restaurant released an ad campaign calling for donors to give “any part of their body” to be served at the eatery. That’s right, a cannibal restaurant. And this was just four years after Berlin's Armin Meiwes (pictured) had been sentenced to life in prison for cannibalism. When the stunt was found to be a hoax, the restaurant changed their website to how it remains today, a declaration by Vebu (Germany’s PETA equivalent) to condemn meat eating as similar to eating human flesh. Related: 21 Strange Food Deaths Through History
Remember last year when the volcano that no one could pronounce erupted in Iceland? And it delayed travel plans for most everyone in Europe? Well, two Icelandic chefs from the Holt Hotel in Reykjavik created a way to capitalize on it. The chefs offered to fly two lucky customers to the point of the eruption to cook them dinner using the heat of the lava. It sounds like a meal of epic proportions — quite the stunt from some of Iceland’s leading chefs. For all that, when asked if he would consider doing it all over again, Chef Fridgeir Eiriksson said, absolutely not. Related: 21 Deadly Dishes
This Los Angeles taqueria made headlines last month when they decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by painting a donkey bright pink and parking it right outside their restaurant. As expected, animal rights activists were up in arms over the spectacle, and there was actually a boycott launched for the restaurant on Facebook. They have since posted a response on the restaurant’s homepage, assuring everyone that the animal was treated safely, and they have spoken with PETA, vowing to never again use live animals in any of their events or promotions. Related: Tacos at La Taqueria
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Around the Office is a weekly group blog that shows what the OnlineFriendly.biz team and Kobayashi Online have found interesting, funny, poignant, or otherwise notable over the past week.
Brent and Eva have been playing with Firefox personas, which are easy-to-use themes that let you personalize the look of your browser. They’ve creating some excellent Kobayashi Online logowear for Firefox, and have been pleasantly surprised to see one of their seven personas has had more than 60 active users!
Eva is hopeful that Apple’s iOS 5 will, indeed, make the iPad magic device after seeing a charming video from Simon Pierro. While it can’t change the weather, the iPad update let Simon take the sun out of the sky, and into his pocket. Facetime has been updated so that in addition to being able to share a conversation, you can share a glass of milk. While the video looks to be the product Simon’s slight of hand, we hope that iOS 5, which Apple gave a sneak peak of earlier this month, shows at least some of the sparkle of this video.
Google’s executive chairman Eric Schmidt recently spoke in Cannes about how the mobile phone will replace the browser as the world’s next “primary development artifact”. Roberto is wondering how this will affect Web design and online writing as we know it. His guess is that websites will have less copy, more images, but fewer icons and menu items. We’ll be glued to our phones to find out.
At an Elvis Costello concert, Daveed was surprised by the lack of restrictions on recordings and photos. Many years ago this would’ve been unheard of, given that content providers have put the kibosh on anything that may infringe on their copyrighted materials.
In the event that the top content providers and US Internet service providers actually come to an agreement on piracy crackdown system, which seems to be in the works, Canada will surely be under pressure to follow suit.
Skeptical that piracy can be curbed through strong-arm tactics, Daveed wonders how long will it be before the cultural industries learn to live with current technology and use it for profit, rather than fight it – a fight they are bound to lose. For the time being, Elvis Costello isn’t afraid of fan recordings.


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Catch country's brand new music video premieres and biggest hits this weekend on CMT. From Friday Nov. 9 to Sunday Nov. 11, CMT will air six exclusive music videos during the channel's music hours starting at 6:00 a.m. ET/PT. The world premiere videos will also be featured on all of CMT's digital platforms including CMT.com, its Facebook page and @CMT on Twitter.
The music-packed weekend will showcase brand new videos including Train and Ashley Monroe's "Bruises," Eli Young Band's "Say Goodnight," "Three Wooden Crosses" by The Avett Brothers and Randy Travis from CMT Crossroads, Aaron Lewis' "Forever," Dustin Lynch's "She Cranks My Tractor," and "Beer With Jesus" by Thomas Rhett. The newest, most recent videos by Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and more will also be infused throughout CMT's three-day new music extravaganza.
Can't wait until tomorrow? Head over to CMT.com right now for a sneak peek of both Eli Young Band and Train's new videos and everything else that's in store for the Big New Music Weekend!


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by Florin Oprea
Yuvraj Malik – LiveMint
Paytm recently announced the acquisition of Nearbuy and Little, two deals platforms that focus on local restaurants as well as commercial establishments.
FAO: Paytm’s CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma is out shopping. I bet he has quite a long “checklist”. He got loads of money and very high ambitions. More about Paytm’s funding and plans – here.
Adyen rolled out WeChat Pay, one of the most popular mobile payment apps in China, allowing Adyen merchants to offer WeChat Pay on their point-of-sale terminals worldwide.
FAO: Woo hoo. This comes after launching Alipay in October.
JD Alois – Crowdfund Insider
Jack Dorsey, founder of Square and Twitter, revealed in a tweet that Square’s Cash App is rolling out Bitcoin for its users. The integration should come as no surprise to crypto enthusiasts as digital currency is quickly going mainstream.
FAO: Yeah, and probably other currencies will soon follow. Just like Revolut did earlier this week (reported here in Blockchain Daily News), adding litecoin and ether, after it previously added bitcoin last July.
Funding Circle announced that investors have lent more than $5 billion globally to small businesses through the Funding Circle platform. This has supported a network of 40,000 businesses across the UK, USA, Germany and the Netherlands and helped to create more than 100,000 new jobs (Small Business, Big Impact‘ research).
DNT: Recently, Funding Circle announced the launch of ISA (individual savings account) to all current investors.
Laura He – SCMP
ZhongAn, China’s first and largest online-only issuer, said it wanted to learn from its rival and early investor, Ping An Insurance Group, which has taken the lead in research and development in insurance technology.
FAO: ZhongAn’s IPO was quite a “hit” last September in Hong Kong, where it raised $1.5B. I am sure you all know by now, as you also know that all Chinese fintech giants seem to have “binary options” when considering listing their shares: US or Hong Kong. Just look at Dianrong’s announcement earlier this week.
GMEX was selected as one of the 25 ‘high impact’ solution providers, from around the world. The exchange solution will include technology to deliver market data, Warehouse Receipts, finance and trading, including auctions, quoting and continuous trading facilities.
FAO: Another success for Hirander Misra and his team. In June GMEX closed a deal with Midclear which selected GMEX Technologies to provide and implement AvenirClear CCP product as the core system of the first CCP in Lebanon. You can read a profile of Misra in one of our previous editions.
Via Inside Media – TheCityUK has appointed Deloitte boss Richard Bell as its first city chair for Greater Manchester.
Jessica Meyers – Los Angeles Times
Chinese women find more success than those in the U.S. when it comes to tech, according to a 2016 report by Silicon Valley Bank. Nearly 80% of Chinese startups include one high-level woman, it concluded, compared with 54% of American startups.
Karlis Salna, Tassia Sipahutar – Bloomberg (subscription)
Indonesia’s central bank will bar fintech companies from using digital currencies on their platforms as a global frenzy around bitcoin continues to lure more investors. The curbs, effective from Jan. 1, won’t apply to trading of digital currencies, Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor Sugeng said.
FAO: Yes, expected. Oh, you might find useful to check our Crypto-Teams BDN Global Outlook, published and kept updated in Blockchain Daily News.
Here’s the situation now:
Crypto-Teams BDN Global Outlook
Team “Pro”: Japan, Hong Kong + Singapore, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Catalonia, Argentina (latest entry)
Team “Against”: China, India, Russia, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, Lebanon, Taiwan and Zimbabwe (latest entry)
Team “Neutral”: EU (FOR NOW), USA, Canada
Suchit Leesa-Nguansuk – Bangkok Post
Thailand ranks seventh out of 10 Asian countries in a Taiwanese consulting firm’s FinTech Competitiveness Index. The country, however, outperforms Malaysia and only lags behind Singapore in terms of regulatory advancement.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority deepened ties with regulators in Hong Kong signing two cooperation agreements to enhance collaboration in FinTech innovation. The agreements reinforce the existing strong relationship between the authorities in the two markets, which cooperate in the regulation of the financial services sector and FinTech businesses.
Sramana Mitra – Seeking Alpha
According to FT Partners, the FinTech market saw a record 412 financial deals during the third quarter of 2017. One of the largest deals in the quarter involved a $250 million investment by Softbank in billion-dollar unicorn Kabbage.
FAO: Recently Kabbage and ING said they were expanding their partnership into France and Italy to provide automated small business lending.
FAO: Florin Adrian Oprea, Editor-in-chief FinTech Daily News
DNT: Decebal Nicolaie Todarita, Editor FinTech Daily News


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Like Tapose, which made its debut on the iPad yesterday, Paper is a place to store ideas. But unlike the former — which is backed by J. Allard, the latter is more sketchbook than scrapbook, and comes from a group of individuals — FiftyThree, Inc. — who once worked on the now-defunct Courier project.
Tagged With courier
Unlike every tablet that looks like every other tablet that looks like an iPad, Microsoft's Courier was bold, imaginative and different. Of course, it got killed and was never released. But the spirit is still alive! The Courier's dual pane versatility lives on with Tapose.
CNET is delving further into the death of the Microsoft Courier, looking at the differences between Steven Sinoksky and J Allard, who ran the Windows 8 and Courier projects respectively. They say that Sinofsky's business-minded pragmatism and Windows 7 salvage job ultimately swayed Ballmer to follow his vision.
Microsoft has finally gone and offed Pioneer Studios, the operation that was behind the now dead, and still awesome, Courier tablet. The studio was the baby of J Allard, who broke up with Microsoft a year ago, and helped develop consumer electronics and experiences with products like Windows Phone 7, Xbox, Zune and the absolute flop that was the Kin.
Few e-readers are as intimate as this prototype from Nicholas Chen. Look how they communicate in that video! The only caveat it's backed by Microsoft Research. We all know what happened the last time they teased something like this.
There's a Kickstarter project that's inspired from the promise of the ill-fated Microsoft Courier and delivers a similar "two-panel" experience to the iPad. Interested? Yeah, us too. It's called Taposé and it comes with an adjustable split screen interface that's supposed to let you "interact with multiple apps simultaneously in the company of Taposé collections".


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IBM Software's push into the SMB market is gaining momentum going into the second half of the year, with growing numbers of customers and new products. For example, the company says it has attracted 10,000 new customers in the first half of 2004--that's twice the number of new customers attracted in the first half of 2003 and more than all new SMB customers added to its fold in 2002.
"We're focusing on the SMB market because SMB is growth. It is a section of the market that has not traditionally been addressed by IBM," says Kevin Hooper, director of SMB sales and business development for IBM Software. "But over the past two years, we have been addressing this by building out a suite of products and offerings aimed specifically at the SMB segment." Of the new customers, banking, life sciences and wholesale are the industries growing the fastest--in the double digits.
As part of IBM Software's realignment late last year, in which brands and product lines were aligned according to industry, the team decided to turn its focus more to the SMB area as well. "We realized that these customers purchase in many different ways, and we needed to figure out a robust way in which we could enable the customers to purchase from IBM," Hooper says. IBM's response? The Solutions Builder Express portfolio, launched earlier this year, offers hardware, middleware, servicing and financing tailored to the SMB market's needs. The Express offerings aim to be quickly and cost effectively acquired, installed and managed for fast ROI.
Earlier this month, IBM announced six new Starting Points, or templates, available in its Solutions Builder Express portfolio and its new Jump Start program. The template additions include Collaborative Document Management in Banking; Item Management and Synchronization for UCCnet; Retail e-commerce Website; Collaborative Community and Employee Portals for IBM eServer iSeries; and cross-industry B2B e-commerce and B2C e-commerce Analytics. Each Starting Point serves as a solution template with information on design, implementation, deployment, technical architecture, hardware and software specifications, reusable installation and integration instructions, and demo toolkits.
In addition to ease of use, Hooper says that SMB customers "want to buy from vendors who understand their business models and business needs and know their jargon and acronyms." IBM also educated its sales force to better serve the SMB market. "We have educated our sales force so they can speak the language, and we're educating our partners to understand the pain points within the SMB customer segment," Hooper says.
The continued investment is part of IBM's Small and Medium Business Advantage, a larger $500 million initiative to provide marketing and sales support for Business Partners selling into the SMB market. IBM also introduced its Jump Start program to help Business Partners quickly adopt and employ assets in the Solutions Builder Express toolkit. Interested partners can find more information and nominate themselves for the Jump Start program on the IBM PartnerWorld portal.


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The future is electric and the sooner we accept it, the better prepared we will be. The market for electric vehicles (EVs) has rapidly grown in the past few years, and despite the slowdown in 2022, the market has picked up better than anticipated this year. There is a strong acceleration in EV adoption but it will also depend on the government policies and the manufacturing companies. EV manufacturing companies could have their best years coming ahead and now is the time for investing in EV stocks. Whether you believe in the future of electric vehicles or not, investing in EV stocks will help turn $1,000 into $1 million.
The electric vehicle landscape is rapidly changing, and new players are entering the market while some are unable to keep pace with the thriving industry. If you are thinking about investing in the EV industry, you need to look for companies that have proven themselves, and ones that have the necessary talent, tech and liquidity to be the best in this industry. Here are the top EV stocks to buy.
Undoubtedly one of the best EV stocks to buy, Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has ruled the industry for a few years now. Investors who have owned the stock in the past decade have taken home massive gains. TSLA stock is up 168% year to date and is trading at $290 today. The stock was at $108 in January and is inching closer to $300 presently. There are multiple reasons to own Tesla stock. One is its competitive advantage. When it comes to EVs and self-driving technology, nobody has been able to beat Tesla.
Considered a leader in the industry, the company is a solid brand that offers investors strong gross margins. It reported impressive delivery numbers, which is proof that consumers are willing to pay a premium for a luxury product. The company delivered 466,140 cars in the second quarter. It is planning to build a factory in India, which could be a strong move considering the population of the country. Tesla is known for offering the longest range in EVs and the company’s vehicles have some of the coolest features which customers love.
Another reason to love this stock is its leadership and experience. The company has established itself in the market, and enjoys an early-mover advantage. Elon Musk does not shy away from innovation, and using the latest technology to improve the performance of the company’s EVs. The company has also generated a new source of revenue by offering its charging network to other EV companies. While it may not make a huge contribution to the total revenue, it will make a difference. The company is set to report quarterly results on soon which it might take the stock even higher.
Ford Motor Company (F)
Not a lot of people are a fan of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), but I believe in the company’s ability to scale production and inch higher. In the first quarter, the company reported net sales of $41.5 billion which was up 20% year over year, and the EPS was up 66% year over year. These numbers prove that a lot is coming up from the company. Ford’s EV division sold 12,000 units in the recent quarter, which was a drop from the previous quarter. However, its quarterly sales in the United states were up 9.9% resulting in 531,662 vehicles sold. The management is certain that they can hit the goal of 2 million annually by the end of 2026. It recently partnered with Tesla for the charging infrastructure, and Ford owners will now be able to charge their vehicles at Tesla’s charging stations.
When we look at Ford, we must remember its position as one of the top automakers, and the company has the potential to become a big player in the EV space in the coming years. F stock is trading at $14 today and is moving closer to the 52-week high of $16. The stock is up 20% year to date, and I believe this upward momentum will continue. It also enjoys a dividend yield of 4.01% and has paid a quarterly dividend of $0.15.
Ford is a strong brand but a lot will depend on how it handles the competition in the EV space. However, if you believe in the future of EVs and understand the risks associated with the company, Ford can be a good buy. Citi has recently raised the price target of the stock to $17 with a buy rating. The company is set to report earnings soon.
Li Auto (LI)
Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI) is one of the high potential EV stocks that can help turn your $1,000 into a $1 million. While it may take time to see massive growth in the company, it is already on its way there. LI stock is trading at $38 today and is up 82% year to date. It has soared above 79% in the last six months. The company is planning to launch new models this year, and it has already surpassed this quarter’s production expectations.
It delivered 52,584 vehicles in the first quarter and 86,533 vehicles in the second quarter. The company had projected deliveries in the range of 76,000 to 80,000 vehicles for the quarter, but delivered more than that. This will also reflect in the top and bottom lines when the company reports results. For perspective, in the first quarter, the company reported a revenue of $2.74 billion, which is a 96% rise from the same quarter the previous year, and its gross profit hit $557.7 million, a 77% rise.
Li Auto is well-placed in China, and is leading the market there. The current situation of the economy points to a more positive Chinese market and the demand for EVs could go higher. This will lead to a rise in sales and revenues for Li Auto. Looking at the company’s potential, LI stock looks undervalued to me. The automaker has a longer runway for growth and it offers a solid investment opportunity for investors looking to grow their money.
On the date of publication, Vandita Jadeja did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.


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If you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to skin care, think again. One of the original household name beauty brands, Lancôme is still finding ways to create new, innovative products in an ever-evolving industry. 30 years after the launch of the Rénergie Double Performance cream in 1992, Lancôme is introducing the Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum, a one-of-a-kind treatment that mixes three active ingredients (hyaluronic acid, C+niacinamide, and ferulic acid) that were previously deemed impossible to combine due to their unstable nature. Global Ambassador Amanda Seyfried serves as the face of the exciting new product that officially launches today December 1, and according to the brand, signals “a new era of high-performance skin care” for Lancôme.
With youthful-looking skin at the forefront of so many people’s skin care goals, there’s no shortage of anti-aging products on the market. Lancôme’s legacy and intensive research, however, sets them apart — and after 40 years in the game, they’ve dreamed up a brand new product that’s breaking barriers.
To avoid compromising the potency of the three main ingredients, each component of the Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum is held in separate chambers that are then combined when the product is dispensed — for the freshest, most effective formula possible. “With this major scientific breakthrough, we can determine the best combination of active ingredients to shape the full potential of the skin,” says Dr. Annie Black, Lancôme International Scientific Director, in a press release. “With Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum, we are entering our new era of anti-aging performance by mastering the combination of potent active ingredients that are known to have complementary and simultaneous effects on the skin, but were previously deemed incompatible.”
Each of the formula’s three active ingredients also has its own distinct texture, which melts together for a luxurious application experience; hyaluronic acid and gluco-peptides offer a creamy texture, vitamin C derivative and niacinamide combine in a light emulsion, and a clear gel helps stabilize and protect the ferulic acid.
According to clinical testing done by Lancôme and reported in the brand’s press release, participants said that after just one week, their skin looked smoother with fewer wrinkles, and after eight weeks, the appearance of dark spots had improved.
See below to experience the potent formula and innovative packaging for yourself. Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum is now available on Lancome-usa.com and Lancôme counters nationwide.
We only include products that have been independently selected by TZR's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.


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Electric car prices could go up before they come down
The secret to affordable electric vehicles is cheaper batteries. But after years of falling prices, battery costs are now headed in the wrong direction.
Why it matters: Costlier batteries could drive up the price of electric vehicles — threatening the auto industry's transition away from fossil fuels, and, in turn, society's fight against climate change.
Driving the news: Soaring costs for minerals and other raw materials could push the average price of a lithium-ion battery pack to $135 per kilowatt-hour in 2022, according to researchers at BloombergNEF who specialize in studying the energy transition.
- The projected 2.3% hike would mark the first price increase in a decade.
What they're saying: "This creates a tough environment for automakers, particularly those in Europe, which have to increase EV sales in order to meet average fleet emissions standards," says James Frith, BNEF's head of energy storage research, per Bloomberg.
- "These automakers may now have to make a choice between reducing their margins or passing costs on, at the risk of putting consumers off purchasing an EV."
What's happening: Electric vehicles are about to flood dealer showrooms.
- Last year, there were just 24 EV models for sale in the U.S.
- By 2025, consumers will have 146 EV models to choose from, according to IHS Markit's forecast.
Yes, but: High sticker prices, along with worries about the availability of charging stations, are still obstacles to public acceptance.
- Automakers have responded by introducing cars with a longer driving range — which requires a larger battery.
Where it stands: Battery pack prices have been falling steadily since at least 2010, when the average cost was $1,200 per kilowatt-hour.
- The latest data shows battery prices fell another 6% from last year, to $132 per kilowatt-hour.
- The industry has been aiming for $100 per kilowatt-hour, which would put the purchase price of an EV on par with their gasoline counterparts.
What to watch: BloombergNEF says that $100 target is still possible by 2024 but could take a few years longer because of the higher commodity prices.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on Dec. 1.