text:
The fall in fuel prices over the past six weeks will beadding some fat to some pretty lean margins in the trucking industry. How muchfurther will prices fall? Not much in our view. Although there are someconspiracy theories floating about that suggest the Saudis will pump enough oilto drop prices leading into the November mid-term elections in the US to helpGeorge Bush. An interesting theory, but one we don’t subscribe to.
The currency has also helped lower fuel prices. The reboundin the NZ dollar since mid-year has taken almost everyone by surprise, but inour view it won’t last. As it edges lower it will prevent fuel prices fallingfurther and may in fact nudge them higher before the end of the year.
So that wasn’t all good news, but there is more. For thepast three years one of the main sources of demand for heavy road transport –forestry – has been pretty quiet. That is likely to change over the next threeyears. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are picking strong growth(6%pa) in the volume of wood harvested out to 2010.
The vast majority of this additional wood will be exported.That adds up to around 6 million tonnes of additional wood to be transportedfrom forests to ports or sawmills over the next five years. That’s a lot ofextra freight.
Furthermore, the forests from which the additional wood willcome from are in many cases further from export ports than has traditionallybeen the case for log exports. Northland and East Coast forests will beimportant sources of demand for log transport services.
To get the change in wood freight volumes in perspectivelet’s go back over the last five years. The volume of wood harvested hasremained roughly constant at around 20-21milliom m3. That volume is expected torise to 23 million over the year ending March 2007 and to nearly 27 million by2010. So forestry will move from a stagnant market for freight services to oneof the strongest over the next few years. Suppliers of trucks and roadtransport companies with experience in log haulage will need to gear up for thelift in demand from forestry companies.
In addition to forestry the simple growth in the size of theeconomy will generate demand for freight services. There is a reasonably directlink between GDP and the volume of transport services required. And asbusinesses have sought to become more efficient and add value the demand forhigh quality freight services has seen transport output increase faster thanGDP. We expect GDP to grow on average by around 3%pa. That is likely to see thevolume of freight carried within the economy double by around 2025.
So despite the tight margins and sluggish growth intransport activity evident over the past year, prospects look reasonablybright. Forestry is likely to be a star sector for the transport industry overthe next five years.
Enjoyed this article?
You might like to subscribe to our newsletter and receive the latest news from Infometrics in your inbox. It’s free and we won’t ever spam you.


text:
Possis says Q3 net earns 16c vs 10c (7:22 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (CBW.MW) -- Possis Medical
reported late Tuesday third-quarter earnings of $3.1 million, or 16 cents a share, vs $1.8 million, or 10 cents a share, a year ago. The medical devices maker reported sales of $19.3 million, up from $14.6 million last year. Possis said it expects 2004 earnings of 58 cents to 62 cents a share and sales of $71 million to $73 million. Possis' preliminary 2005 earnings forecast is for 83 cents to 96 a share cents and sales of $92 million to $98 million. The upper range of the company's 2005 forecast is contingent upon positive results from its AiMI coronary clinical marketing trial. Possis' shares closed up $1.64 to $26.
Borders Group swings to Q1 profit (5:11 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Borders Group
on Tuesday said it swung to a first-quarter profit during with earnings of 4 cents a share vs. a loss of 6 cents last year. Analysts surveyed by Thompson First Call expected a profit of 2 cents. First-quarter sales were $577.3 million, higher than $521.5 million last year. The book retailer also said same-store sales at Borders and Waldenbooks are expected to decrease in the second quarter. Borders said it expects second-quarter earnings of 6 cents to 8 cents. Shares of Borders rose 7 cents to $22.70 ahead of the announcement.
Autodesk beats Q1 earnings target (4:20 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Autodesk
reported first-quarter net income of $43 million, or 36 cents a share, up more than five-fold from $8 million or 7 cents a share a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, the maker of computer-aided design software said it earned $49 million, or 41 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected the company to earn 30 cents a share, on average. For the first quarter, Autodesk reported revenue of $298 million, up 41 percent from $211 million in the first quarter of last year. Autodesk shares rose 1 cent to close at $33.69 in regular-session trading, ahead of the announcement.
Network Appliance profit rises to match expectations (4:15 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Network Appliance
said late Tuesday that its income rose 47 percent in its fiscal fourth quarter to $36.4 million from $24.8 million a year earlier. Excluding certain items, the company earned $43.5 million. That's 12 cents a share, equal to analysts' expectations and more than the 7 cents a share it earned a year ago. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company sold $337 million of data-storage devices, versus the $321 million expected by analysts and the $242 million it sold a year earlier. Shares fell 35 cents, or 1.7 percent, to close at $20.70 ahead of the announcement.
CORRECT-Hewlett-Packard posts Q2 profit of $884 million (4:05 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Hewlett-Packard
on Tuesday reported a second-quarter net profit of $884 million, or 29 cents a share. Excluding charges, H-P earned 34 cents a share on $20.1 billion in revenue. The company met the profit estimates of Wall Street analysts and exceeded consensus revenue forecasts of $19.3 billion. (This corrects an earlier version which listed the company's operating profit instead of net profit.)
Applied Materials Q2 earns 22c, sales $2.02 bln (4:04 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Applied Materials
reported fiscal second-quarter net income of $373 million, or 22 cents a share, and sales of $2.02 billion. Analysts expected Applied Materials to earn 19 cents a share on sales of $1.89 billion, on average, according to Thomson First Call. During the same quarter last year, the chip-equipment maker lost $62 million, or 4 cents a share, on sales of $1.11 billion.
Rick's Cabaret up as fiscal Q2 turns to profit (12:36 PM ET) CHICAGO (CBS.MW)-- Shares of Rick's Cabaret rose almost 6 percent Tuesday after the company turned to profit in its fiscal second quarter. The Houston-based strip club and online pornography company earned $368,000, or 10 cents per share, compared to a loss of $29,000 and 1 cent in the year-ago period. Revenue came in at $4.2 million, up 17 percent, on club results the company said "benefited from increased patronage during the Super Bowl held in Houston." Shares of Rick's
gained 15 cents to $2.75 in midday trading.
Jo-Ann Stores soar 12% on raised full-year outlook (11:45 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Jo-Ann Stores
soared 12.2 percent to $27.33 after it raised its full-year outlook in the wake of a solid first quarter performance. The retailer said it was lifting its fiscal 2005 earnings forecast to a range of $2.20 to $2.25 per share compared with a prior estimate of $2.18 to $2.22 per share. For the second quarter, described by the company as historically its weakest, it is forecasting a loss between 2 and 7 cents a share, compared with a Thomson First Call average estimate of a 6 cent a share loss. After the bell Monday, Jo-Ann Stores posted first quarter net income of $6.7 million, or 30 cents a share,including $4.2 million in debt repayments, compared with $4.1 million, or 19 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. Sales rose to $404.9 million from $374.8 million. The First Call average estimate was for earnings of 33 cents a share.
Wind River edges Wall St. Q1 loss view (10:37 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Wind River Systems
surged about 6 percent to $9.36 after the company posted a narrower than expected loss before items of $1.9 million, or 2 cents per share, for the first quarter. Wall Street's consensus estimate was for a clean loss of 3 cents per share from the Alameda, Calif., maker of device software optimization technology in the three months ended April 30. Revenue rose 9 percent in the quarter to $52.8 million from $48.5 million in the same period a year earlier. This performance bested the company's outlook for revenue of between $49 million and $51 million in the period. Looking ahead, Wind River sees a loss before items of 1 to 3 cents per share on revenue of between $53 million and $55 million in the second quarter. The current average analysts' estimate published by Thomson First Call is for a loss of 3 cents per share in the period.
GameStop tumbles on Q2 earnings outlook (10:18 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Shares of GameStop
fell 7.4 percent to $15.30 on investor disappointment over its second quarter earnings outlook in the wake of in-line first quarter results. The videogame and software retailer, which is 65 percent owned by Barnes & Noble, posted net income of $6.7 million, or 11 cents a share, which included a $1.7 million, or 3 cent a share charge related to a proposed California labor litigation settlement. Excluding this charge, the company posted 14 cents a share, in line the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call. This compares with earnings of $6.6 million, or 11 cents a share in the first quarter of 2003. Total sales rose to $371.7 million from $321.7 million, but fell 1.8 percent on a same-store sales basis due to weakness in video game hardware sales. The company said it is forecasting second quarter earnigs to be in the range of 12 to 13 cents a share, compared with a First Call average estimate of 14 cents on a same-store sales decline of 1 to 3 percent. Its earnings forecast reflects recently announced price reductions in hardware products. For 2004, it is forecasting earnings to be in the range of $1.20 and $1.24 per share, compared with a First Call average estimate of $1.24.
Insightful falls on disappointment over Q1 revenues (9:49 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Insightful Corp
fell 5.6 percent to $4.08 on disappointment over its first quarter revenue performance. The software group said revenues came in at $4.3 million, flat with the first quarter of 2003, as gains in software license revenues were offset by a dip in revenues for its software maintenance and professional services divisions. Profitability however improved with Insightful posting net income of $200,000, or 2 cents a share compared to a $400,000, or 3 cent a share loss in the year-ago quarter.
Sierra Health ups Q2 earnings outlook (9:26 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Sierra Health Services
raised its second quarter earnings outlook saying it now expects additional income of over $12 million pre-tax due to a higher contribution from its Sierra Military Health Services subsidiary. The Thomson First Call average estimate is for earnings of 73 cents a share. Sierra Military's improved second quarter performance is due to the settlement of certain outstanding contractual isses and the sale of certain of its assets to Health Net Federal Services. Shares of Sierra Health were down 0.9 percent at $39.40 at the close of trading Monday.
Barnes & Noble beats in Q1 by nickel (9:10 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Barnes & Noble
reported consolidated first-quarter earnings of $12.5 million, or 17 cents per share, up from its year-ago equivalent loss of $2 million, or 3 cents per share, and a nickel ahead of Wall Street's consensus view. Total sales rose in the latest three months to $1.45 billion from $1.19 billion in the same period a year earlier. Same-store sales for the company's namesake stores rose 9.4 percent in the quarter. The company's consolidated results include contributions from Barnes & Noble.com and Gamestop
Looking ahead, Barnes & Noble sees earnings of 12 to 17 cents per share for the second quarter, and $2.19 to $2.26 per share for the full year. The current respective average analysts' estimates for these periods are for profits of 17 cents per share, and $2.25 per share, according to Thomson First Call. The stock closed Monday at $28.65, up 28 cents.
Spectrum Pharma Q1 net loss 24c vs. 58c loss (9:06 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Spectrum Pharmaceuticals
posted a first quarter net loss of around $2.2 million, or 24 cents a share compared with a loss of around $1.7 million, or 58 cents a share in the same quarter in 2003. The company attributed the wider net income loss to higher general and administrative expenses. Looking ahead to the rest of the year, the company, which specializes in cancer treatments, says it hopes to generate revenue from the sale of its first generic drug, ciproflaxin, once it receives Food and Drug Administration approval. Shares of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals were down 2.6 percent at $7 at the close of trading Monday.
TJX Q1 net beats Street estimates by a penny (8:58 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- The TJX Companies
posted a rise in first quarter net income to $168.1 million, or 33 cents a share compared with $113.5 million, or 22 cents a share in the same quarter in 2003. Sales jumped 20 percent to $3.4 billion from $2.8 billion, with same-store sales for the period surging 8 percent. The Thomson First Call average estimate was for earnings of 32 cents a share. The company's main division, which consists of its T.J. Maxx and Marshalls store brands, saw a 40 percent jump in quarterly profit to $272 million on total sales of $2.4 billion, with same-store sales up 6 percent. Shares of TJX were up 0.1 percent at $23.86 at the close of trading Monday.
Deere beats Wall St. view for Q2 by 12c (8:51 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Deere & Co.
reported second-quarter earnings of $477.3 million, or $1.88 per share, up from its year-ago profit of $256.9 million, or $1.07 per share, and 12 cents ahead of the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call. Worldwide sales and revenue jumped 34 percent in the latest three months to $5.88 billion from $4.4 billion in the same period a year earlier. The Moline, Ill., heavy equipment maker attributed the better than expected results to strong markets for its products, and the benefits of ongoing business-improvement initiatives, including aggressive inventory management. Looking ahead, Deere forecast company-wide net income of around $350 million on year-over-year sales growth of 25 to 27 percent for the third quarter. The stock closed Monday at $66, down 86 cents.
Cato Q1 net misses estimates by 1c; sees 33-38c in Q2 (8:43 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Cato
posted first quarter net income of $16.8 million, or 81 cents a share compared with $17.5 million, or 68 cents a share in the same quarter in 2003. Sales rose 4 percent to $205.2 million from $197.3 million. The Thomson First Call average was for earnings of 82 cents a share. The woman's clothing chain said same-store sales in the quarter dropped 2 percent. Looking ahead, chief executive officer John Cato said he is forecasting second quarter earnings to be in a range of 33 cents to 38 cents a share, compared with a First Call average estimate of 32 cents. Cato said the estimate is based on same-store sales in the second quarter in range of down 2 percent to up 2 percent. Shares of Cato were down 2.5 percent at $18.90 at the close of trading Monday.
Jacuzzi Brands lifts 2004 view; Q2 net a penny shy (8:31 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Jacuzzi Brands
posting fiscal second quarter net income of $5.9 million, or 8 cents a share compared with a net loss of $33.4 million, or 45 cents a share in the same quarter in 2003, which included a loss of $39.1 million, or 53 cents a share from discontinued operations. The Thomson First Call average estimate was for earnings of 9 cents a share. Sales rose 17.3 percent to $332.9 million from $283.8 million. Looking ahead, the company raised its 2004 earnings outlook to 52 cents a share, excluding an 11 cent a share restructuring charge linked to the shut down of a cast iron plant in Salem, Ohio. The First Call average is for full-year earnings of 50 cents a share. Shares of Jacuzzi Brands were down 5.3 percent at $7.50 at the close of trading Monday.
Saks Q1 earns matches expectations (8:17 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - Saks
reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $22 million, or 15 cents a share, up from 10 cents a share in the same period a year ago. Excluding a charge related to the write-off of assets, earnings were 17 cents a share, matching the average analyst estimate compiled by Thomson First Call. Net sales rose 11 percent to $1.54 billion, topping analyst forecasts of $1.49 billion. Same-store sales increased 10 percent, amid 15 percent growth at Saks Fifth Avenue stores and a 6.4 percent increase at its Saks Department Store Group sales. The stock closed Monday down 25 cents at $13.98.
Orthodontic Centers delays 10-Q; to change accounting (8:11 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Orthodontic Centers of America
said it's delaying filing its Form 10-Q for the first quarter with the Securities and Exchange Commission because of its decision to adopt a new standard for its accounting of the results of variable interest entities. The change calls for the company's results to reflect the consolidation of its affiliated practices. It will exclude non-performing practices engaged in litigation with the company, and those who have ceased paying service fees. Orthodontic Centers said the change will impact how it recognizes revenue but not cash flows. The company also provided a preliminary outlook for the first quarter, estimating after-tax earnings of $7.2 million, or 14 cents per share, on patient revenue of $110.9 million after applying the new accounting standard. The stock closed Monday at $6.34, down a nickel.
Columbus McKinnon posts narrower Q4 net loss vs. yr-ago (7:48 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Columbus McKinnon Corp
posted a fiscal fourth quarter net loss of $1.5 million, or 10 cents a share compared to a net loss of $8.1 million, or 55 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. Current quarter results include a charge of $3.9 million on the sales of its Positech and Lister divisions. The maker of hoists and cranes saw sales edge up 2 percent to $121.2 million against $118.8 million in the year-ago period. Columbus McKinnnon shares were unchanged at $5.51 at the close of trading Monday.
Dick's Sporting Goods Q1 earns, sales top forecasts (7:40 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - Dick's Sporting Goods
reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $10.9 million, or 21 cents a share, up from 14 cents a share in the same period a year ago, and above the average analyst estimate compiled by Thomson First Call of 18 cents a share. Total sales rose 20 percent to $364.2 million, topping analyst forecasts of $361 million. Same-store sales increased 4.6 percent. Looking ahead, the sports products retailer said its expects fiscal second-quarter earnings of 32 to 33 cents a share, which is below analyst projections of 36 cents, but raised its 2004 outlook to $1.27 to $1.28 a share from $1.24 to $1.25. The stock closed Monday up 2 cents at $26.53.
BJ's Wholesale Q1 earns rise, exceed expectations (7:30 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - BJ's Wholesale
reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $16.1 million, or 23 cents a share, up from 18 cents a share in the same period a year ago, and a penny a share better than the average analyst estimate compiled by Thomson First Call. Net sales rose 12 percent to $1.6 billion, matching analyst forecasts. Same-store sales grew 6.6 percent, amid a 9 percent increase in food sales and a 4 percent rise in general merchandise sales. The membership-based wholesale retailer closed Monday up $1.02 at $21.31.
Staples Q1 earns top estimates, sales up 12% (7:19 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Office equipment chain Staples
said it earned $126 million, or 25 cents a share, in the first quarter, up from 18 cents a share a year ago, boosted by growth across all its business divisions. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call was for earnings of 22 cents a share. Sales climbed 12 percent to $3.45 billion from $3.09 billion a year ago. Same-store sales in North America were up 5 percent. Staples said it now expects second-quarter earnings growth of 20 percent, in line with the current consensus. Revenues are expected to grow in the high single-digits. For all of 2004, the company is forecasting earnings growth of more than 20 percent. Shares ended Monday down 1.9 percent at $24.42.
Zale Corp. sets 2-for-1 split; posts Q3 profit in line (7:13 AM ET) WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) -- Zale Corp.
said its board declared a two-for-one stock split, payable June 8 to shareholders of record on May 28. The jewelry retailer also reported earnings of $11.5 million, or 43 cents per share, for the third quarter ended April 30, up from $9.4 million, or 29 cents, earned in the fiscal 2003 period. The latest quarter's profit matched the average forecast among analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call. Zale's quarterly revenue reached $483.2 million, up from the prior year's $449.4 million, as comp-store sales improved by 7.2 percent. Zale also said it's "comfortable" with fourth-quarter profit estimates ranging from 23 cents to 25 cents per share; the First Call-derived average stands at 26 cents. The profit forecast is unadjusted for the stock split. Shares of Zale ended Monday at $52.80, down $1.15 on the session.
J.C. Penney Q1 earns, rev. rise above expectations (7:07 AM ET) NEW YORK (CBS.MW) - J.C. Penney
reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $41 million, or 13 cents a share, down from 20 cents a share in the same period a year ago. Excluding discontinued Eckerd operations, earnings were $118 million, or 38 cents a share, up from a nickel a share in the same period a year ago, and above the average analyst estimate compiled by Thomson First Call of 34 cents a share. Net sales rose 8.7 percent to $4.03 billion, ahead of analyst forecasts of $3.99 billion, amid 9.5 percent same-store sales growth at its department store business and a 6.5 percent increase at its catalog and Internet business. Looking ahead, the company expects fiscal second-quarter sales to rise in the "low-single digits" percentage range, as optimism over the improvement in the economy and consumer spending is tempered by concerns over economic and geopolitical issues. The stock closed Monday down 42 cents at $31.60.
Home Depot raises outlook as Q1 sales jump 16% (6:15 AM ET) LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Home improvement retailer Home Depot
raised its sales growth outlook for the fiscal year to a rise of 10 percent to 12 percent after sales in its April-ending first quarter surged 16 percent to $2.4 billion. It said same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose 7.7 percent in the quarter, marking its highest first quarter comparable store sales growth in five years. Home Depot said it lifted its fiscal 2004 earnings per share growth projection to 10 percent-to-14 percent, up from an earlier projection of 7-11 percent growth. Earnings in the quarter rose to $1.1 billion, or 49 cents a share, up 26 percent.
Yell directory sales rise 6.5% in March year (2:42 AM ET) LONDON (CBS.MW) -- U.K. directory Yell Group(UK:YELL), a 2003 IPO, said sales in the year to the end of March rose 6.5 percent to 1.187 billion. Adjusted profit rose to 60.2 million pounds. The group posted a 25.5 million pound loss in the year-ago period. In U.S. operations, sales rose 10.6 percent to 552 million pounds, or up 21.2 percent at a constant exchange rate. "We have continued to win and keep advertisers in the UK and the U.S. In the U.K., the rapid growth of Yell.com has added to our momentum," it said.
U.K. airports operator BAA sees fy 2004 traffic up 6% (2:36 AM ET) LONDON (CBS.MW) -- U.K. airports operator BAA(UK:BAA)posted a 0.2 percent rise in pre-tax profit for the year to March 31 of 539 million pounds. Looking ahead, it said that "although the international political outlook is likely to remain uncertain, we believe that robust passenger traffic growth will continue as the U.K. economy strengthens, along with those of key regions such as North America and Asia." BAA affirmed expectations for more than 6 percent growth in passenger traffic this year, up from 4.4 percent to 133.4 million in the March-ending year. Net debt rose to 2.770 billion pounds from 1.918 billion in the year-ago period.
Schroders funds sees Q1 net business outflows (2:30 AM ET) LONDON (CBS.MW) -- U.K. fund management group Schroders(UK:SDR)Tuesday said pre-tax profit before amortization rose to 30.4 million pounds in the first three months of the year from 9 million pounds in the March quarter of 2003. "Higher margins on new business won in both Retail and Institutional in the quarter outweigh the revenue effect of the business lost during the period," it said in an update ahead of full results. Asset management revenue for the quarter rose to 115.1 million pounds from 97.1 million a year ago. Funds under management rose 1.5 percent to 100.4 billion pounds "as a result of rising equity markets partially offset by net business outflows during the period. Net business outflows amounted to 1.4 billion pounds in the quarter, with net inflows in the retail business of 2 billion and 200 million pounds in Private
Banking, exceeded by net outflows in the Institutional business of 3.6 billion pounds.
Air France FY net drops 22.5%, "substantial" rise seen (2:26 AM ET) LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Air France(FR:003112)on Tuesday said net income in its March 31-ending fiscal year dropped 22.5 percent to 93 million euros, hit by the SARS crisis in Asia at the start of the year and severe air traffic control disruption. Analysts predicted net profits between 20 million and 97 million euros, AFX News said. Revenue fell 2.8 percent to 12.3 billion euros, with negative currency effects of around 4 percent, although the airline pointed out that the weak dollar contributed to offsetting the rise in fuel prices. Excluding the favorable impact of the initial consolidation, the Air France-KLM Group said it is targeting a "substantial" increase in operating profit, assuming a 5 percent rise in average capacity, stable unit revenue, a euro/dollar parity of 1.23 with a 55% hedging of net operating exposure, a retained oil market price of $33/bbl and capital expenditure slightly under 2 billion euros.
U.K. wireless MmO2 swings to profit, rev. up 22% (2:14 AM ET) LONDON (CBS.MW) -- U.K. wireless operator MmO2(UK:OOM)
Tuesday pre-tax profit for the March-ending year rose to 95 million pounds. In the year-ago period, MmO2 posted a loss ahead of tax. Revenue rose 22 percent to 5.646 billion pounds as the operator's customer base rose 14 percent to 20.7 million. In the U.K., it said blended average revenue per user rose 10 percent to 272 pounds. Looking ahead, it said: "Going forward, our mobile markets remain highly competitive, but all our businesses are well positioned, with real positive momentum which is set to continue and enable us to deliver further profitable growth."

domain: news


text:
Why the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept Matters:
Nissan and its luxury branch, Infiniti, are well respected in the area of design, so when a new concept arrives identified as a "design direction," on Nissan's 80th year anniversary in Japan, the industry takes it seriously. The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept mirrors two other concepts announced last year - the Resonance and Friend-ME. Nissan has hinted that the SSC reflects the next generation Maxima, so that is more than likely true. What we still don't know is how much of this beautiful and futuristic design will end up on the editing room floor before it makes its appearance as a Maxima.


text:
Despite its ubiquity, AI has been underutilized in government affairs. While many lawmakers have weighed the antitrust implications of AI, not many in + Read More
By 2025 the chatbot industry is expected to be worth $1.25 billion, growing at a CAGR of 24.3%, according to a new report by Grand View Research.
While some brands were initially hesitant to get onboard, thanks to tech advancements, these chatbot fears are being put to bed. And it’s no surprise – with up to 91% of chatbot chats resolved without human involvement, chatbot benefits are evident. Let’s dig into the key factors that are driving this growth and why top brands are embracing AI chatbots.
When customer service chatbots first came to the market, complaints were abundant – so much so that ‘chatbot fails’ became a common term that still lingers on today. These complaints largely stemmed from the fact that the chatbot couldn’t ‘speak human’. It couldn’t understand the true meaning and intent of a human conversation, and unsurprisingly, this led to a frustrating and unsatisfactory experience for the end user.
However, since then chatbot vendors have made great strides in the development of this technology, driven by AI and most specifically, Natural Language Processing (NLP). NLP is a branch of AI that simply put, helps computers communicate with humans. It’s the essential ingredient to produce intelligent, human-like conversations. By harnessing NLP, a chatbot can understand the customer, identify what their goal is, and take the right action to resolve the query.
– Howard Pull, MullenLowe Profero in Information Age
Take Tangerine, an Australian telecom company, that implemented Comm100 AI Chatbot in 2020. With an advanced NLP engine and the ability to understand the intent behind the visitor’s question, the chatbot resolves 91% of assigned chats – without any human agent involvement. It’s use cases like this that are proving the effectiveness of AI Chatbots.
Read the full story: Comm100 Chatbot Resolves 91% of Assigned Live Chats for Tangerine
Because of these improvements in technology, there is an ever-growing consumer acceptance, and even appetite, for chatbots in customer service.
According to Salesforce, 69% of consumers prefer to use chatbots than speak with an agent. The key reason for this is simple. Above all else, consumers want fast answers to their questions. They don’t mind if they are being served by a chatbot or an agent – so long as their issue is resolved quickly.
Consumers also want to get the answer to their question whenever it suits them, no matter the time or day. Chatbots can provide this 24/7 support when agents are offline. 64% of consumers claim that 24/7 service is the most useful chatbot functionality. Speed and availability are the most important factors for today’s consumer, and the self-serve, always-on nature of AI chatbots provides this experience.
And this mentality isn’t just shared by younger demographics, as is often wrongly assumed. A recent study found that 49% of those aged 33-40 prefer using chatbots as their communication channel when shopping online, and 44% of 45-60 year olds.
Customer experience (CX) is far more than just another acronym or industry buzzword – it has been proven to have measurable benefits on the bottom line, and brands are investing heavily into it.
The debate around whether AI chatbots damage customer experience rages on, but the true answer is, it depends entirely on the specific chatbot and how it’s being trained and used. AI chatbots that are well-built and serve a clear purpose to the customer don’t damage CX. In fact, they can improve it. Here’s how.
For most customer service teams, a large portion of incoming queries will be simple, common questions like; ‘How do I change my password’ or ‘What time does the store close’. While every query is important, these common queries are typically of lower value, while taking up a lot of agent time.
Once these questions have been identified, they can be directly routed to the chatbot once a few basic questions have been answered in a pre-chat survey. And because the questions are typically straight-forward, the chatbot will rarely need to escalate the issue to an agent and can resolve the query without any human involvement. Tangerine, an Australian network provider, set up Comm100 AI Chatbot to deal with a surge in live chat queries. Its chatbot resolves up to 91% of chats without agent involvement, saving Tangerine from having to hire more agents to manage the increase in chat volume.
– Richard Branson, COO at Tangerine
Read the full story here: Comm100 Chatbot Resolves 91% of Assigned Live Chats for Tangerine
However, for some companies, reducing headcount isn’t the major reason for implementing a chatbot. Instead, they employ chatbots as a way to improve customer experience. Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is a perfect example of this. CBS recognized that much of their agents’ time was being spent on simple queries, giving them less time to focus on the more sensitive or complicated questions. By setting up Comm100 AI Chatbot, the former are now handled by the chatbot, giving the agents more time to focus on the latter and so provide more meaningful and helpful conversations to the donors who need it.
– Denny Michaud, Customer Relations Manager at Canadian Blood Services
Read the full story here: Canadian Blood Services Improves Customer & Agent Experience with Comm100 AI Chatbot – Pt. 2
It’s also worth noting that AI chatbots improve customer experience by reducing wait time and queue length for those visitors who want to speak to an agent. After ASEBP, a Canadian Health Insurer for Alberta’s public education sector, implemented Comm100 AI Chatbot, service wait time dropped from 24 seconds to just 14 seconds.
Read the full story here: ASEBP Reduces Wait Time & Improves CSAT with Comm100 Live Chat & Chatbot
Organizations of every size and stripe across the world are turning to AI chatbots, but no matter how intelligent and helpful these chatbots are, they won’t ever replace whole teams. While agents clearly benefit from the support of chatbots, chatbots still need agent support for the ‘human touch’ that will always remain vital to customer service. When implemented well, AI chatbots can resolve large portions of customer queries, allowing human teams to take customer experience up a level.
Watch this 10-minute walk-through of Comm100’s AI chatbot to find out how our chatbot interacts with human agents, and how it is trained and maintained.Watch the video


text:
The slashed prices and smaller allocation—estimated at around $450 million—were stark signs of the manufacturing community’s ongoing troubles; executives previously hinted the company would hold the line on prices since it expected the market to improve. Still, unlike previous sights this year, most of the goods sold. The refusal rate was said to be less than 10 percent, and most of those goods eventually found buyers.
The price reduction was not even across all categories, and some of the assortments received adjustments, one of De Beers’ traditional methods for price changes.
Attendees said that CEO Philippe Mellier spoke with surprising passion at the regular sightholder dinner, acknowledging the problems that clients have been having for the past eight months. He stressed that De Beers was committed to the long-term health of the business and to forging strong relationships with its clients, which struck some attendees as a marked change from prior comments.
Spokesperson David Johnson says Mellier’s message was not necessarily new, but centered on how all of De Beers initiatives—including its new financial-reporting requirements, the Forevermark, and synthetic detection devices—support the health of the market. “It was about tying everything together,” he says. Johnson declined to comment on pricing.


text:
Isis, the mobile-payments joint venture that includes three U.S. national mobile operators, said Tuesday that Visa, MasterCard and American Express have signed on to support the project.
Optus mobile customers will be able to record and play back free-to-air Australian television through a 3G compatible mobile phone, thanks to a new service launched today.
Apple's iOS-based iPhone continues to be the preferred smartphone for nearly 50% of consumers, with Android the top choice for about one-third of them. The real surprise is evidence that Windows Phone OS now outstrips Android in user satisfaction.
Apple’s iOS 4.3.4 PDF vulnerability fix issued Friday didn’t stymie jailbreakers for long -- a beta jailbreak tool for the mobile software update was released on Saturday.
In its latest phone, the Droid 3 on Verizon, Motorola put considerable thought in the specs of the phone but seems to have overlooked one important aspect: repairability.
Google has unveiled an incremental release of the Android platform featuring optimizations for a wider range of tablets and a compatibility enhancement for fixed-size applications.
Google's free-to-use operating system is increasingly imposing costs on handset developers.
Apple may be preparing to assault the prepaid side of Android with a contract-free iPhone of its own.
Microsoft is working on a secretive new project in its Windows Phone division, according to a job description it posted over the weekend.
Acer has created a new mobile devices business group for China, with the aim of tapping the country's growing smartphone and tablet market.
Earlier this month, T-Mobile announced the latest addition to its myTouch family, the myTouch 4G Slide. The specs look pretty standard for this summer's slew of high-end smartphones: 4G connectivity, a 3.7-inch Super LCD display, Android 2.3 and a du...
As an example of the truism that specs don't always matter, the Droid 3 is it. On paper, this heir to Verizon's Motorola Droid line ($200 with a new 2-year contract as of 7/15/2011) sounded extremely promising: It has a dual-core processor, a 960-by-...
Android is a phenomenal success story -- skyrocketing from nothing to surpass both RIM and Apple and become the dominant smartphone platform in only a couple years.
A judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission has made an initial determination that HTC infringed two Apple patents, HTC said Friday.
Apple has amended its App Store policy in Taiwan, allowing customers to receive a refund within seven days of buying a product after a demand by Taipei's city government.
Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Synology DiskStation DS215j NAS device
- 2 Fitbit Charge wireless activity tracker
- 3 HP Stream 11 laptop
- 4 B&O BeoPlay A2 portable Bluetooth speaker
- 5 Acer Chromebook 11 (CB3-111)
Best Deals on GoodGearGuide
Latest News Articles
- Facebook blocks content in Turkey deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad
- Apple Watch to go on sale in March, claims analyst
- AT&T to acquire Nextel Mexico assets for $1.9 billion
- Facebook in Turkey ordered to block material insulting Prophet Muhammad
- Motorola returns to China, touts phone customization
GGG Evaluation Team
First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.


text:
Apple Inc has the tradition of not revealing (officially) even a slight hint of its products until it is ready for unveiling, but tech giant just can't stop leaksters from exposing details of its products.
Once again, speculations on the Cupertino giant's next device, which could be the iPhone 7 or iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, have started gaining momentum over the last few weeks.
It is almost certain that Apple Inc will release its next device in September this year, as the company has been launching its smartphones ahead of the holiday season all these years. However, one thing that still remains uncertain on the minds of gadget lovers is whether it is releasing the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus or the iPhone 7.
With Apple Inc keeping secrecy on the release date of its upcoming device, rumour-mongers are ruling the roost.
According to a report by Apple Insider, Apple might unveil the iPhone 6s, and perhaps the iPhone 6s Plus with Apple SIM (universal SIM card) pre-installed in September this year, but Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities had reportedly sent out a note to investors that Apple might release its flagship smartphone, perhaps the iPhone 7, this year, according to Value Walk.
There are also reports that Apple might release both the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 6s this year, while others claimed that the next-generation device could be pushed to next year. There is also possibility of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus being killed if the flagship device is released this year.
Meanwhile, the Cupertino giant's upcoming device will have several feature upgrades according to Ming-Chi Kuo as reported by 9to5mac. The smartphone is expected to have Force Touch features, improved Touch ID and 12mp camera.
It was earlier reported that the device will be powered by an A9 chip, come packed with 2GB RAM, screen protected by sapphire crystal glass and chassis made of liquid metal.
Techradar reported citing the Wall Street Journal that Apple Inc has bought LinX Computational Imaging, an Israeli company known for its camera technology, for $20 million (approximately £13.5m), throwing up a possibility that the feature could be introduced to the iPhone 7.


text:
Today New Relic announced that we’ve added 14 new partners to our Affiliate Program. By becoming affiliates, web development firms and user groups can make New Relic RPM available to their clients and potentially share subscription fees. So far, more than 70 companies are taking advantage of the program.
The newest affiliates include ChicagoRuby.org, Marakana, XLSuite, Kiranatama, Code71, ZenCocoon, XAOP, ReactionControl, BrowserMob, CumulusCode, Freepository, R3 Technologies, Concept 47, and Agile Consulting LLC.
Patrick Lightbody, CEO and founder of BrowserMob says that “New Relic is the perfect partner for us. The combination of BrowserMob’s browser testing tools—the first of their kind— and New Relic’s monitoring and root-cause analysis capabilities will make it easier for our customers to optimize their web applications throughout the development lifecycle.”
Learn more about the Affiliate Program. If you are interested in becoming a member, reach out to Bill Lapcevic at New Relic.


text:
A110 CANVAS 2
Lenovo warns of cost challenges as it sinks to Q1 loss
The outlook for the rest of the year was challenging as component shortages would dive costs higher.
Sensex tanks 267 points; Nifty hits one-month low; 5 factors that spooked investors
Markets from Japan to the UK were in the red amid concern...
Karur Vysya Bank posts Q1 net up 1% at Rs 147.97 crore
Its net NPA also increased to 2.85 per cent from 0.79 per cent earlier.
Nasdaq hits record on Netflix boost; Dow dragged by Goldman
he Nasdaq posted its eighth consecutive session of gains, the longest streak since its 10-day string in February 2015.
We will take a call on merger with Max Life on 17th July: Keki Mistry, HDFC
On a structural basis, demand for housing has accelerated.
With rural focus, Honda launches new scooter Cliq at Rs 42,499
The Cliq will roll out of the Tapukara plant in Rajasthan's Alwar district, while HMSI also operates 1.2 million scooters-only plant near Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
Diplomats frustrated, confused by Trump administration
WASHINGTON (AP) — America's diplomats are struggling to figure out what mission the Trump administration expects them to carry out, and they see the importance of their jobs waning as President Donald Trump seeks drastic cuts to the budgets of the State Department and U.S.
ET Review: Micromax A110 Canvas2
The A110 Canvas 2 features several hardware and design upgrades. The phone is overall slimmer, even though the weight remains unchanged at 168 grams.
Zara opens biggest store in Mumbai; to launch online store by year-end
Spanish fashion brand has 21 stores in eight cities across the country and plans to open 2-3 stores a year going ahead.
Heat complete epic second half of season but miss playoffs
BASKETBALL-NBA-PLAYOFFS/:NBA-Heat complete epic second half of season but miss playoffs
Highlights of Monday's NBA game
BASKETBALL-NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/:NBA-Highlights of Monday's NBA game
A strategy to ride the uptrend
The sale of the option helps part finance the cost of the purchased call. The strategy is followed when you expect moderate price movement of an underlying share or commodity , etc.
You can still get benefit under PMAY even if your parents own a home
Here we break down important details like who all can apply, how much the subsidy in rupee terms is and how the subsidy impacts the loan amount.


text:
Investigators looking for three people for questioning in Harbison Wal-Mart fire
Columbia, SC (Paul Kirby) – Columbia Police Department investigators are hoping the public can help them identify and locate the two males and one female that were caught on surveillance footage at the doors of the Wal-Mart in Harbison early Tuesday. They want to ask them some questions about the fire at that store that is close to the I-26 interchange on Harbison Boulevard. The fire that started around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday is estimated to have done about 3 million dollars worth of damages to the store and its contents. Fortunately, no one was injured during the blaze. The store, which is located in Lexington County, was annexed into the City of Columbia years ago making the Columbia Police Department the lead law enforcement agency.
Investigators now believe that the fire was intentionally set in a food aisle of the store, according to the CPD’s Twitter page. They say only a few employees and customers were inside the building at the time and while no one was injured, flames and smoke caused significant damage to parts of the store. Although the pharmacy will be serving customers, the rest of the store will stay closed until the building has been inspected, completely cleaned up, and restocked.
The people they’d like to speak with were observed getting out of an older model, green SUV that appears to be a Chevy Tahoe or Suburban. The investigators are continuing to review surveillance video related to the incident according to the department.
Citizens who believe they have information regarding the fire or persons of interest are encouraged to contact Crimestoppers by calling 1-888-CRIME-SC. You can also go to their website at www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a Tip” tab. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your tip leads to an arrest.


text:
More efficient gaming PC’s could save $18bn
Simply upgrading a few core components in gaming PCs could save enough energy to stop the construction of 40 500MW power plants, a new study has claimed.
Research from the Berkeley Lab entitled “Taming the energy use of gaming computers” found that gaming PCs could achieve energy savings of more than 75% with simple modifcations.
Head researcher Evan Mills said: “Your average gaming computer is like three refrigerators. When we use a computer to look at our email or tend our Facebook pages, the processor isn’t working hard at all. But when you’re gaming, the processor is screaming. Plus, the power draw at that peak load is much higher and the amount of time spent in that mode is much greater than on a standard PC.”
Gaming computers currently represent 2.5% of the global PC base, yet they are responsible for 20% of the energy output. Mills calculated that typical gaming computers use 1,400 Kwh per year, which is 6 times more output than a standard PC and 10 times more than a gaming console.
As part of the research, five gaming computers were built with progressively more efficient components being incorporated. They followed industry protocols for benchmarking performance alongside measuring energy consumption.
They were able to reduce energy use by 50% without affecting PC performance. By modifying operational settings of the PC, the total savings amounted to more than 75%.
“The huge bottom line here is that gamers don’t have to sacrifice performance to save energy,” Mills said. “You can have your cake and eat it too. In fact, the efficient systems run cooler and quieter, both of which are desirable attributes among gamers.”
The report also estimates that the number of consumers using personalised gaming consoles could double by 2020. A 75% increase in efficiency would save an estimated 75Twh of electricity, worth approximately $18bn.
The Berkely Lab has a history of trying to slash energy from electronics. Last year the Lab delved into the energy consumption of supercomputers.
In Europe, a recent EU directive targeting big screen TV efficiency promised to cut energy bills by $8bn a year.
© Faversham House Ltd 2023 edie news articles may be copied or forwarded for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.


text:
« Latest News
FDA Lawsuit Delayed 30 DaysMarch 21st, 2017
The FDA and cigar trade group delays the FDA lawsuit by 30 days.
FDA lawsuit: On March 21, 2017, FDA and the cigar trade groups suing the agency jointly agreed to a 30-day delay of the trial start.
The Food & Drug Administration had originally requested a 60-day pushback, due to staff turnover within FDA due to the new administration; while that offer was rejected by the plaintiffs, the Cigar Association of America (CAA), Cigar Rights of America (CRA) and the International Premium Cigar & Pipes Retailers Association (IPCPR) agreed to 30 days with one stipulation: if FDA requests another delay, the groups will not agree unless FDA extends the compliance dates for their deeming regulations.
Other dates pertaining to motions and filings have been moved to accommodate the extension. Originally scheduled for July 28, the trial start date has now been set for Aug. 30, 2017.


text:
In Spain, merchandise rolled out at the end of 2013 and the brand now has 20 licensees on board in key categories including publishing (Random House and Santillana), toys (Bizak, master toy partner), experiential apparel (Creativos Educativos Proyectos), apparel (United Labels), musical toys (Claudio Reig), role-play and construction sets (Simba). Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom is also now being featured in Bauer’s
Additionally, Creativos Educativos Proyectos launched events during the 2014 holiday season, with a number of activities and costume character meet-and-greets at shopping centers across Spain.
"Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom" airs on Spanish networks Nick Jr. and RTVE’s Clan.
In Italy, publishing partner Giunti recently released a line of books and held Ben and Holly parties at the annual comic book and gaming convention,
Giochi Preziosi launched its toy line for the brand during the 2014 holiday season at Toys Center and Giocheria stores and will expand the line for Easter to include a range of food and beverage offerings from Preziosi Food including Easter Eggs and confectionery.
Season two of "Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom" is currently airing in Italy on Rai Yo Yo.
“The ratings and consumer engagement for 'Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom' are incredibly strong across both regions, so it’s vital that we continue to introduce products and initiatives into these markets to meet the ongoing demand," says Andrew Carley, head of global licensing, Entertainment One. "We are taking a long-term approach to the international strategy and want to ensure that the partners we work with capture the magical and charming qualities of the brand that are making it a firm favorite with families across the world.”
Read more about:
Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry.
Join 62,000+ members. Yes, it’s completely free.


text:
Small businesses are certainly taking advantage and making their mark this holiday season using online selling websites. There are some fantastic online e-commerce platforms which can be customised according to a business and industry needs. Great holiday deals, multi-buy offers and discounts that include free postage and shipping offers are attracting more and more online buyers. Hence, the festive season of 2012 looks to flourish.
The visual below highlights some of the best online marketplaces which online small businesses should take privilege of especially, if you sell products locally, nationally or even internationally. Although, the visual outlines the US online market performance, the online marketplaces can very much be tailored and customised for use in the UK and the rest of the world.


text:
Blame it on humanity’s greedy habit of never satisfied with everything they have, it has motivated Samsung into creating bigger HDTV on each year, and surpassing all of its existing produce line. We have seen their coolest 55-inch and 65-inch LED TV last year, but the Wow-effect is not stopping there. Recently, Samsung has just released yet another mind blowing LED Smart TV (codename: ES9000) under their Series 9 product line, with the new size of 75-inch to blow your mind!
If you have a projector as your TV at home, you might won’t feel a thing with 75-inch screen. However, for those who’ve been playing with the type of 21-32-inch TV, it’s indeed a massive stuff for them. They’ll sitting in front of the 75-inch beauty with their jaws dropped as low as possible!
Fine, kidding aside, Samsung released this ES9000 75-inch Smart TV in South Korea as a device beyond a mere HDTV. You can actually call it as a smart computer with massive screen as it’s not just a casual big screen TV anymore. If you’ve ever feel the might of their existing Smart TV, I believe you’ll love this ES9000 as well.
It has come with the same SMART functionality, plus it has come with dual core processor to process the task like a mini computer. Absolutely, Samsung ES9000 supports Full HD 3D playback, can go to the web via WIFI, sharing with DLNA certified devices, working as a smartHub, a working retractable HD camera for video chat with friends and the intuitive motion sensing control for RC-less navigation.
Price wise, Samsung plans to sell the ES9000 75-inch Smart TV for 19.8 million Korean Won, which is around $17,000+ in US dollar. Well, massive stuff for massive pile of Benjamins. This smart TV has available in Korea, so if you’ve got the money to spend on this luxurious toy, you can fly to Korea to get one.


text:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recalled more than 12.1 million pounds of raw beef products, including ground beef, because of the risk of contamination with salmonella newport, a strain of the bacteria that is a common cause of food poisoning.
The recalled products were produced between July 26 and September 7 by the JBS Tolleson, Inc., processing plant in Tolleson, Arizona. Among the recalled products are ground beef sold at Sam's Club, Walmart and Kroger stores in more than two dozen states including Texas.
Long-term care providers are urged to check their freezers for these raw beef products, and to either throw them away or return them to the place they were purchased. A product list and product labels can be found on the USDA website.


text:
LUXURY DEFENSE: Amid all the Scrooge-like talk of austerity measures, Silvia Venturini Fendi has been defending luxury. At the European Union Innovation Convention in Brussels on Dec. 5, the creative director of Fendi Accessories, part of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, called upon the EU Commission for support. European luxury products, she said, “embody the contrasting forces of tradition and creativity, past and future, that is unique to European culture.”
Specifically, Fendi requested a strong intellectual property framework and stressed the luxury sector’s role as a creator of jobs and a driver of growth that can help pull Europe out of its economic crisis.
This story first appeared in the December 6, 2011 issue of WWD. Subscribe Today.


text:
This morning Wesfarmers Limited [ASX:WES] went through a surge in share price value by 6.31%.
The month of March has seen a significant amount of improvement for Wesfarmers, four days ago they were trading at $41.12 a share, now they have jumped up to $43.75 a share.
Wesfarmers have been operating since 1914, while holding a strong market value of $49.662 billion.
They engage in retail, coal and mining production as well as many other sectors. Wesfarmers operates hundreds of retail stores around Australia.
Recently, Wesfarmers has made the decision to end business with its Coles-Myer assets.
Wesfarmers acquired Coles back in 2007, marking a transformation in the business to become a more diversified trader.
At the time, they had to pay at least $22 billion for its acquisition which included Coles, Kmart, Target and Officeworks.
A risky move, especially in 2007 when Coles was in a much worse state.
Wesfarmers helped Coles outcompete its Woolworths rival by spending billions to improve Coles’ image.
Theshoutout.com reported that Wesfarmers Managing Director Rob Scott stated:
‘We believe Coles has developed strong investment fundamentals and is of a scale where it should be operated and owned separately. It is now a mature and cash generative business, which is expected to have a strong balance sheet and dividend paying capacity.’
Woolworths has more or less completed their task of stabilising Coles’ business.
Why their detachment?
Wesfarmers were paying too much for their Coles assets.
Millions were invested to help steer the business into the right direction.
Wesfarmers have now created a platform for themselves where they can return to their early days of simply being a trader of buying and selling assets. Instead of primarily focusing on enhancing the Coles brand.
Despite Wesfarmers helping the franchise, Coles did suffer a revenue drop in 2017, as well as their profits.
Wesfarmers can now focus on its other businesses as well as future acquisitions that can take place.
For Money Morning
PS: Knowing what investments that can make a great turnover is a struggle, the right amount of guidance is required in order for you to build your investment portfolio. Kris Sayce from Money Morning has put together a free report ‘The Three Best Investments in Australia for 2018 and Beyond’, which will help you make the right decision.


text:
Oh man, I wish you didn't look so happy. It's not that I want you to be sad, it's just that you look so ugly when you smile. Your smile, frankly, sucks. Fortunately, it's a solvable problem. Simply stick this piece of rubber in your mouth that forces you to smile, and in a matter of days you're sure to have a smile that won't be so revolting to those around you. It's the Beauty Smile Trainer, yet another device that could only come out of Japan. Thanks again, Japan! [TokyoMango]
Nothing Says Happiness Like a Slab of Rubber Forcing You to Smile
Trending Stories Right Now
Samsung is one of the clear leaders in mobile display tech, and its screens are found in a wide range of flagship devices including its own Galaxy phones and those of its biggest competitors such as Apple. However, one of the biggest complaints about the Galaxy S9 is that looks virtually identical to last year’s device, a sentiment that arose largely due to the fact that Samsung didn’t do much to change up the S9's screen.
Just a week after it shockingly put an end to Iron Fist after a promising second season, Netflix and Marvel have pulled the plug on another of their superhero shows. The streaming service has confirmed that after two seasons, Luke Cage is cancelled.


text:
Google Launches its Fashion Line, Supports Budding Designers
Google has gone techno-chic, unveiling fashion designs inspired by the internet giant. The company also supports emerging fashion designers through an annual competition.
An "old-fashioned magnifying glass pendant" priced at $US200 was reported to be on sale online at googlestore. com, along with a $US300 knit scarf in the firm's trademark colors and "peace" t-shirts for $US85.
The pieces were the creations of budding designers who last year were asked to come up with "one-of-a-kind" items inspired in some way by Google, whether it be the firm's colors, technology or mission.
Google's VP of search and user experience Marissa Meyer is widely famous for her impeccable fashion sense as much as for the planned approach she takes to any variation to the homepage or other parts of the search engine.
Also, the designs supported from an annual fund-raising event by fashion magazine Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
Google product marketing manager Michaela Prescott said in a blog post, "While we loved seeing fashion meet iGoogle, we wanted to see these pieces in person - and wear them!".
Google had its favorite designs customized for elite people and will have them available for purchase for a restricted period of time, according to Prescott.
Famed microbiologist Dr. Mark Wainberg, who played...Read More
Microsoft Corp. has claimed that it has already...Read More
Struggling to fight back soaring heroin and HIV...Read More
During the most recent Nintendo Direct, the mobile...Read More
Fresh Express is recalling a limited number of...Read More
Tech giant Google Inc. has plans to introduce a...Read More


text:
Air travel is rarely very romantic, but this Valentine’s Day some airports and airlines are making a special effort to add a dash of love and a sprinkle of surprise to the journey.
The uptick in couples applying for last-minute marriage licenses in Las Vegas around Valentine’s Day usually overwhelms the downtown county’s clerk’s office, so this year there’s a pop-up marriage license bureau set up through February 17 in the baggage claim area of Terminal 1 at McCarran International Airport.
Couples will still need to find someone to perform the legal marriage ceremony, but filling out a pre-application and getting a license at the airport can go a long way in streamlining the process. For lovebirds in a rush, keep in mind that the Terminal 1 baggage claim area at the Las Vegas airport also has 24-hour flower vending machines and a to-go liquor shop.
As in previous years, volunteers at both Philadelphia International Airport and Florida’s Jacksonville International Airport will be handing out Valentine’s Day carnations to passengers.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport caps off its fourth “We Love Our Guests Campaign” on Valentine’s Day with key rings and teddy bears for passengers and photo booths and love-themed music playing throughout the airport.
There will be a “Kissing Booth” distributing chocolate kisses and Valentines to passengers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) on February 14 and a chance to hug and pose with some of the miniature therapy horses that regularly visit the airport.
The horses at CVG will be decked out in their Valentine’s Day attire, as will the therapy dogs at Los Angeles International, Phoenix Sky Harbor, and many other airports around the country. The love-fest will continue February 16, when specially dressed therapy dogs and team-member Lilou the pig help passengers usher in the Lunar New Year at a photo station in San Francisco International Airport.
Heart-shaped lollipops will be handed out to passengers during Valentine’s Day in many terminals at Los Angeles International Airport, and in the Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale International Airport they’ll be celebrating the day with live entertainment, face painting, and complimentary chocolate roses and candy buffets.
Chocolates will be offered to passengers flying through Austin Bergstrom International Airport on February 14 and, for those who still need to purchase a Valentine’s gift before leaving the airport, there will be a booth selling chocolate-covered strawberries from local favorite Amy’s Ice Creams. Shops in most every other airport will have chocolates, heart-shaped bake-goods and trinkets and other romantic items wrapped and ready to go as well.
Valentine’s Day activities at Heathrow International Airport will include live music, free heart-shaped candies, Polaroid photo ops, complimentary caricature sketches, and make-your-own Valentine’s Day card stations. And to ensure no Valentine’s Day proposals are inadvertently ruined by a shiny engagement ring drawing the attention of a security officer at the checkpoint, officials at England’s East Midlands Airport have been offering “secret codes” to travelers who’d like their bags inspected out of their traveling companion’s line of vision.
Passengers on Southwest Airlines flights will be treated to a complimentary alcoholic beverage on Valentine’s Day, with some declared “fun flights,” featuring employees hosting trivia games and giveaways.
United Airlines will be setting up Valentine’s Day candy stations in its club lounges on Valentine’s Day, ANA (All Nippon Airways) will be handing out specially made chocolates to all passengers, and Alaska Airlines will be unveiling a heart-shaped sculpture "with a special meaning" at San Francisco International Airport.


text:
Polyphony Digital studio head Kazunori Yamauchi has confirmed a limited-time GT Sport demo, in a post on the PlayStation Blog. The demo will be available as a free download from… Read More »
Digital Foundry shows us how the GT Sport beta stacks up against it’s PS3-era predecessor.
A massive 17 GB update brings further improvements to Polyphony’s upcoming racer, and opens it up to new regions.
Digital Foundry has taken a closer look at how GT Sport performs on Sony’s uprated console.
Another region gets involved in testing this year’s Gran Turismo.
Visual confirmation of a substantial GT Sport physics change has been documented.
A new in-game competition has begun for the GT Sport beta — and GTPlanet’s taken an early lead!
The ongoing beta for Polyphony Digital’s upcoming sim racer gets a surprise update to v1.05.
The German manufacturer will feature in the latest entry in the series, marking the first time it has been officially included in the franchise.
After one month of testing with primarily North American players, the GT Sport beta moves into the franchise’s biggest market.
It sounds like other regions are about to get official access to the early version of Polyphony Digital’s racer…
Closed beta videos are flooding Youtube — so we’ve picked some of the best out there for your viewing pleasure.
Reports of beta access are flooding in from across the globe. Is Phase Two imminent?
Sony has mysteriously ended beta registration for Gran Turismo’s largest market, at least for now.
In a surprise announcement, a GT Sport beta is set to open next week, first in the US before rolling out to other regions.