Kanjana Wattanakungchai/iStock via Getty Images In today’s column, we hone in on Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. ( LW ), which is a big player in the global food industry. Recall that this company specifically focuses on the production and distribution of frozen potato products. It is a potato giant, as we often say, and years ago was a key asset within Conagra Brands ( CAG ). Of course, the company was spun off as an independent entity to better focus on its specialized commercial operations. Today, Lamb Weston serves a massive array of food service companies, ranging from global fast-food giants to local restaurants, as well as retail channels. The company has navigated a complex landscape over the last year, characterized by shifting consumer habits and inflationary pressures that have impacted margins. To combat these headwinds, management has been aggressively executing its so-called Focus to Win strategy, which is designed to streamline operations, reduce structural capital intensity, and drive long-term efficiency. Recent strategic moves include closing older facilities in Argentina to consolidate production into more modern hubs and curtailing production lines in Europe to better align supply with a softer international demand environment. However, LW stock has just continued to struggle badly. Data by YCharts Despite a horrific three-year chart as shown above, we are seeing an interesting setup here on valuation and the potential for a return to growth. In fact, after this fiscal year ending May 2026, it is widely expected there will be a meaningful return to double-digit EPS growth: Seeking Alpha Lamb Weston Annual EPS Estimates In this column, we check in on the just-reported fiscal Q3 earnings . Let us discuss. Mixed results for Lamb Weston in Q3 We have been monitoring what we view as a turnaround story at Lamb Weston for several quarters now, and the fiscal third-quarter results just released are a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, we see the North America s...

The address comes after weeks of uncertainty over when and how the U.S. could extricate itself from the conflict . (Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)

Crown Prosecution Service confirms support on inquiries after arrests on suspicion of misconduct in public office Police are receiving advice from prosecutors as part of their inquiries into Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Jeffrey Epstein. The former Duke of York and the former UK ambassador to the US were both arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with the late financier. They have since been released under investigation. Continue reading...

Meta and Google face existential threat as nations rush to ban teen users Los Angeles Times

Meta and Google face existential threat as nations rush to ban teen users latimes.com

A man in his 20s suffers potentially life-changing injuries in a shooting in Bristol.

格隆汇4月2日｜据CNBC：礼来公司首席执行官表示，礼来公司反对将特朗普的药品定价协议立法的举措。

Monty Rakusen/DigitalVision via Getty Images By James Knightley, Chief International Economist, US Manufacturing continues to make progress Recent US activity data has, in general, surprised to the upside so far this year and that has continued with today’s retail sales and ISM manufacturing numbers, suggesting that the economy is in a relatively good position to withstand the economic challenges presented by the Middle East conflict. The US ISM Manufacturing index rose to 52.7 in March from 52.4 in February. This is the best print since August 2022, while the consensus view was looking for it to come in at 52.3. Production rose to 55.1 from 53.5, reflecting a legacy of strong new orders in recent months and a rising order backlog. New orders for March did dip to 53.5 from 55.8, while the order backlog figure came in at 54.4 versus 56.6 last time, but both remain ahead of their six-month averages of 51.6 and 50.1, respectively. This suggests that production can continue to grow strongly for the next couple of months at least. The less positive details are a soft employment component of 48.7 versus 48.8 previously. This is below the 50 break-even level, suggesting jobs continue to be shed by the sector. Unsurprisingly, there was a big jump in the prices paid component to 78.3 from 70.5, reflecting the spike in oil prices, while reduced tariff rates following the striking down of IEEPA are offering only a mild mitigating offset at this stage. As such, profit margins remain under pressure. ISM services likely to face more headwinds Overall, the ISM report suggests that the US manufacturing sector started the year in a very healthy position, especially relative to international peers. Moreover, the chart below shows the relationship between GDP growth and the ISM output series for the manufacturing and services sectors and suggests we would likely have had to revise up our 2026 GDP growth forecasts were it not for the uncertainty and the spike in energy costs being caus...

In this article JPM Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Nike Inc. signage on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images When Nike reported fiscal third quarter earnings on Tuesday night, investors were looking for evidence its recovery is on track. Instead, all they learned is the retailer's turnaround is far from over, sending shares tumbling more than 14% in mid-day trading Wednesday. During a call with analysts, finance chief Matt Friend warned sales would slide by a low single digit percentage through the end of this calendar year, as a decline in China is expected to offset growing strength in North America. The company anticipates sales will fall between 2% and 4% in the current quarter, worse than the 1.9% growth analysts had expected, while it expects China sales will plunge 20% – even with a two point benefit from foreign exchange rates. Efforts to clean up Nike's assortment in China and drive full price sales are expected to continue – and remain a drag on revenue growth – through fiscal 2027, slated to end next spring. It expects to begin lapping the period when it started to get hit by higher tariffs in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, slated for this summer, which could give it easier year-over-year profit comparisons. Executives expect gross margins could begin expanding by the end of the year during the retailer's fiscal 2027 second quarter – if they do at all. Nike's gross margin has declined year over year for seven straight quarters, and it may be harder to boost the metric now because product input costs could rise due to the war in the Middle East. "The environment around us has become increasingly dynamic, and we could experience unplanned volatility due to the disruption in the Middle East, rising oil prices, and other factors that could impact either input costs or consumer behavior," said Friend. "We are focused on what we can control, and...

Lordhenrivoton | E+ | Getty Images Parents who took out student loans for their child's education still have time to take steps to preserve their access to affordable repayment plans and debt forgiveness , consumer advocates say. But the window of opportunity is shrinking quickly. Starting in July, Parent PLUS borrowers will no longer qualify for income-driven repayment plans, due to changes implemented in President Donald Trump 's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. IDR plans cap borrowers' monthly bills at a share of their discretionary income and culminate in student loan forgiveness. But if you consolidate your Parent PLUS loans into a so-called Direct Consolidation Loan in April, you can likely maintain your access to IDR options, said Nancy Nierman, assistant director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program in New York. Consolidating Parent PLUS loans will leave you with a Direct federal loan — the kind most students carry. Previously, experts said parent borrowers should start the consolidation process by the end of March in order to meet the July 1 deadline. But, Nierman said, she's recently seen the U.S. Department of Education complete these requests within six weeks. "Borrowers should still be able to file applications during the month of April and have their new consolidation loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2026," Nierman said. The Parent PLUS federal loan program allows parents to borrow on behalf of dependent undergraduate students. Roughly 3.6 million people hold these loans, and the total debt exceeds $114 billion, according to an analysis by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. The typical parent balance is around $32,000. Consolidate now for IDR access Because parent borrowers need to have their consolidation completed before July 1 to still qualify for IDR plans, experts still recommend you start the process as soon as possible. "They shouldn't procrastinate," Kantrowitz said. Read more CNBC personal finance coverage Parents with student lo...

Accor SA has signed a memorandum of understanding to sell its stake in Essendi to a consortium including Blackstone Inc . for up to €975 million ($1.1 billion). Under the agreement, Blackstone and Colony Investment Management will buy Accor’s 30.56% stake in Essendi, formerly known as AccorInvest, according to a statement Wednesday. As part of the deal, Accor could receive up to €975 million — €675 million of which will be received when the transaction closes, as well as an earn-out of up to €300 million. As part of the deal, Essendi’s portfolio will gradually be converted into franchise contracts. The transaction will close in the third quarter of 2026, the company added. It is subject to the finalization of the shareholders’ agreement between Blackstone and other Essendi shareholders. Essendi was created in 2017, when Accor spun off its property arm into a separate vehicle. The hotel group then sold a 55% stake in the business to a consortium of investors including Amundi SA and GIC Pte in 2018.

礼来首席执行官：礼来公司反对将特朗普时期的药品定价协议写入法律。

美国总统唐纳德・特朗普周三表示，他正与众议长迈克・约翰逊、参议院多数党领袖约翰・图恩合作，拟绕过参议院 冗长议事阻挠机制（filibuster） ，为移民执法人员拨款。 “我们将以最快速度、全力以赴，为边境巡逻队与移民海关执法局（ICE）人员补充资金，” 特朗普在其社交平台 Truth Social 上发文称。 “我要求相关法案 最迟于 6 月 1 日前 提交至我办公桌签署。” 责任编辑：丁文武

Earnings Call Insights: VolitionRx (VNRX) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Cameron Reynolds said Q4 2025 included “our first order for the new Nu.Q Cancer assays for clinical certification ahead of routine clinical use in lung cancer” and “the inclusion of our Nu.Q NETs assay in real-world interventional evaluation of early detection of sepsis in a government-backed, approximately $7.3 million, program in France.” Reynolds said Volition is beginning its “human licensing strategy with the signing of not 1, but 2 agreements,” citing “a co-marketing service agreement with Hologic” and APS with Werfen, and added, “We have further strengthened our intellectual property portfolio and are continuing our licensing discussions with around 10 of the world's leading diagnostic and liquid biopsy companies... and we anticipate announcing additional agreements throughout 2026.” Reynolds highlighted traction across pillars, including Nu.Q Discover (“we are now serving close to 100 clients worldwide”) and Nu.Q Vet, where he said central lab automation is “crucial,” and that “the completion of all validation and verification of the chemiluminescent immunoassay, ChLIA, version of the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test with Fuji Vet Systems in Japan” “will significantly enhance turnaround times and throughput.” Reynolds described a feline expansion opportunity, stating that in a lymphoma detection study “At 100% specificity... the assay detected over 80% of feline lymphomas,” and added, “The publication of this study in a peer-reviewed journal is expected subsequently to unlock a $5 million milestone contract payment.” CFO Terig Hughes said, “For the full year 2025, we recorded $1.7 million in revenue, a growth of 40% over the full year 2024,” and added, “we significantly reduced operating expenses, which were $4.8 million lower, a reduction of 17% compared to the full year 2024.” Outlook Management said it is not issuing 2026 revenue guidance; CFO Terig Hughes stated, “we will not be providing revenue ...

(RTTNews) - European markets closed on a strong note on Wednesday with investors picking up stocks across the board amid growing optimism about a de-escalation in the Middle East war after U.S. President Donald Trump said that American forces would leave Iran in "two or three wee

Mills says the announcement of his sacking from the BBC had led "to the publication of rumour and speculation".

WASHINGTON, April 01, 2026--Babel Street, a global leader in mission-grade risk intelligence, today announced it is offering tailored threat intelligence briefings to security leaders across the technology sector immediately, at no cost, to those companies specifically named by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a warning issued Tuesday, March 31.

AMD Stock Rebounds Toward $220 on Wells Fargo’s Positive Q1 Earnings Expectations FXLeaders

京東集團-SW (09618)討論區- 股票評論- 股吧交流社區 moomoo.com

京東集團-SW (09618)討論區- 股票評論- 股吧交流社區 Moomoo

伊朗伊斯兰共和国广播电视台1日援引一名伊朗官员的社交媒体声明说，伊朗总统佩泽希齐扬将在几小时后发表致美国人民的公开信。（新华社）

The Financial Sector SPDR Fund ( XLF ) declined 9.85% in the first quarter of 2026, remaining in negative territory and underperforming the broader S&P 500 Index, which fell 4.6% over the same period. The top S&P 500 financial gainers and losers for Q1 2026 are as follows: Q1 top performers: Cboe Global Markets ( CBOE ): +13.28%. CME Group ( CME ): +9.52%. Chubb ( CB ): +5.12%. The Travelers Companies ( TRV ): +2.28%. Arch Capital Group ( ACGL ): +2.27%. Q1 bottom performers: Robinhood Markets ( HOOD ): -39.85%. Ares Management ( ARES ): -34.41%. Fidelity National Information Services ( FIS ): -28.51%. KKR & Co. ( KKR ): -28.24%. Blackstone ( BX ): -27.59%. What Quantitative Measures Say The State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF ( NYSEARCA: XLF ) saw a decline in its Seeking Alpha Quant Rating over the quarter, slipping from 3.93/5 at the start to 2.71/5 by the end.The fund continued to demonstrate strong expense efficiency and liquidity, both rated A+, while its risk profile was comparatively weaker with a rating of C-. What SA Analysts Say SA analysts give it a Hold rating of 3.28, with two analysts recommending Buy and five suggesting Hold. More on State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF, Chubb, etc. Ares Management: High-Yield Growth Story With Elevated Risks Cboe Global Markets: Good Hedge For High Volatility Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS) Presents at Wells Fargo Payments/Fintech Symposium 2026 Transcript S&P 500 logs weakest Q1 performance since 2022 - here’s what drove the moves Lawmakers probe Blackstone, Ares and peers over private credit practices: report

当地时间4月1日，美国总统特朗普表示，他并不关心伊朗的浓缩铀库存，并称相关设施“埋得非常深”。特朗普表示，美国将通过卫星持续监控相关情况，并称伊朗目前“已无能力”发展核武器，同时重申阻止伊朗获得核武器的目标已实现。（央视新闻）

Getty Images Job layoff announcements soared in 2025, up 58% from 2024. January’s figures were high, though February 2026 came in low, according to Challenger, Gray and Christmas . Unfortunately for those who watch the economy, the numbers are bogus. That’s not the fault of news media nor businesses that add up the announcements, such as Challenger. It’s the underlying layoff announcements that are false. The hard data shows the United States is closer to a layoff drought than a deluge. The law provides a strong incentive to over-announce future layoffs. The WARN Act requires large companies (100 employees or more) to provide 60 days of notice when they are laying off 50 or more workers. (Details and exceptions are described by the Department of Labor .) Companies are subject to penalties if they do not warn employees of upcoming layoffs, but there are no penalties for announcing layoffs that don’t occur, nor for overstating layoffs. So, if a business is thinking about laying off about 100 workers, they may want to announce 120 or 150 people to be laid off. No penalty for too large an announcement, but penalties for too small an announcement. This measure also misses small employers, who are not subject to the WARN Act. Percentage of employed people being laid off is very low now (Source: Dr. Bill Conerly using data from Department of Labor) We have two alternative sources of information about layoffs. My favorite is initial claims for unemployment insurance. That figure, divided by total employment, tells us the risk that a person will be laid off. And it’s been trending down for years. The February risk of an employed person filing for unemployment insurance was 0.14%, compared to the average for the 1970s of 0.43%. And we are well below the average for 2024 and 2025. The initial claims count is not perfect. It includes people who filed but were later denied benefits. That could be because they were fired for cause, had not been employed long enough, or were not a...

Worries over AI spending and the sustainability of demand have been weighing on the tech sector.

EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS/DigitalVision via Getty Images Shares of Lamb Weston ( LW ) have been a poor performer, losing about 20% of their value over the past year. Shares have been battered by weak margins and volumes as the company deals with a highly competitive environment and weak foot traffic at restaurants given cautious consumer spending. These pressures continued in Q3 with overseas activity fairly weak, sending shares down about 6% in early trading on Wednesday. I last covered Lamb Weston in September , rating the stock a “ H old” as I was pleased by progress on cost-cutting but felt valuation was fair. In hindsight, a "S ell" was more appropriate, with shares down a quarter since then. With updated financials, now is a good time to revisit LW. Seeking Alpha Trade down pressure weighs on margins In the company’s fiscal third quarter , Lamb Weston earned $0.72 per share, which beat estimates by $0.11 as revenue grew 2.6% to $1.6 billion. While sales were up modestly, EPS was down 37% from last year, reflecting material margin compression. On a constant currency basis, sales were flat, with volumes up 7% but pricing/mix a 7% headwind. While it continues to win new customers in North America, it is seeing consumers trade down to more value-oriented brands. With persistent inflation and strained discretionary budgets, consumers are clearly very cost-conscious. If anything, the spike in oil prices year-to-date is likely to exacerbate this trend across 2026. Adjusted EBITDA was down $101 million to $272 million. Gross profit declined by $93 million to $328 million. The company had to write off about $33 million of inventory as it had excess raw potatoes overseas that it could not use given weaker demand. The company is seeing pressure overseas, especially in Europe. Given that region’s reliance on imported crude oil and LNG, the fuel disruption is likely to be larger than in America, exacerbating this pressure. In particular, consumers may cut back on eating out ...