僱員再培訓局改革 未來三年檢視逾800課程 推「微證書」制度 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】僱員再培訓局改革，未來三年檢視800多個課程及推出「微證書」制度。 僱員再培訓局去年起開始改革，包括擴大...
僱員再培訓局改革 未來三年檢視逾800課程 推「微證書」制度 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】僱員再培訓局改革，未來三年檢視800多個課程及推出「微證書」制度。 僱員再培訓局去年起開始改革，包括擴大服務對象，報讀學員不再限學歷，去年首三季入讀人次較前一年同期升4%，當中17,000人持副學位以上學歷。未來三年展開中長期改革，將檢視800多個課程，推動「技能為本」培訓，例如AI應用融入課程等，讓培訓人士持續進修適用各行各業的技能。又引入「微證書」制度，分拆課程成不同單元，讓培訓人士彈性報讀進修。再培訓局亦會成立「技能研究部」，前瞻預測市場對不同工種需求。
Key Points If you have savings in a traditional retirement account, you eventually have to start taking mandatory withdrawals. If you don't have a need for that money, don't assume you have to spend it. Saving or investing it could help you down the line. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › When you choose to save for retirement in a traditional IRA or 401(k), you...
Key Points If you have savings in a traditional retirement account, you eventually have to start taking mandatory withdrawals. If you don't have a need for that money, don't assume you have to spend it. Saving or investing it could help you down the line. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › When you choose to save for retirement in a traditional IRA or 401(k), you get the benefit of tax-free contributions. On the other hand, you don't get the most flexibility with your money. Not only do you have to wait until age 59 and 1/2 to start tapping your savings or else face early withdrawal penalties, but you also have to start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) once you turn 73 or 75, depending on the year you were born. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » If you're on the hook for an RMD this year, you might tell yourself you might as well make the most of that mandatory withdrawal. But if you don't need the money, spending it could be a huge mistake. You may not have a need for your RMD today. But what if you run into a string of home repairs in three or four years? Or what if you eventually end up needing to pay for long-term care without insurance? Suddenly, the money you were forced to withdraw now could come in very handy later. For this reason, don't force yourself to spend your RMD. There's nothing wrong with using the money to treat yourself to something nice. But if there's nothing in particular that speaks to you, don't just blow through the RMD because the money had to come out of your retirement plan. Instead, save or invest it. Use to start a CD ladder, purchase bonds, or even buy some broad market exchange-traded funds, which might help that money grow. It's annoying enough to have to remove funds from your retirement savings when you don't want to. But don't squander an opportunity...
Campaigns in 2025–26 combine long-standing concerns over safety, pay and the environment with newer disputes about political influence, diversity policies and surveillance. / Credit: William Ruben Helms via Shutterstock Calls to boycott Amazon have intensified across 2025 and into 2026, driven by deeper scrutiny of the retailer’s role in labour practices, corporate governance, market power and wid...
Campaigns in 2025–26 combine long-standing concerns over safety, pay and the environment with newer disputes about political influence, diversity policies and surveillance. / Credit: William Ruben Helms via Shutterstock Calls to boycott Amazon have intensified across 2025 and into 2026, driven by deeper scrutiny of the retailer’s role in labour practices, corporate governance, market power and wider social issues. Activists, unions and consumer groups are promoting coordinated actions and alternative shopping behaviours as they question Amazon’s impact on workers, competition and global retail dynamics. These movements are gaining attention beyond social media and protest spaces, reflecting broader debates about the responsibilities of major online platforms in the retail sector. Concerns over labour conditions and corporate responsibility Retail industry observers and advocacy groups highlight working conditions in Amazon’s warehouse and fulfilment network as a significant factor in boycott campaigns. Reports from independent sources indicate that injury rates among fulfilment centre staff have been higher than average for comparable industries, alongside claims about demanding performance targets and limited break times. These issues have been raised repeatedly by unions and worker rights organisations as emblematic of systemic labour challenges at large e-commerce firms. GlobalData Strategic Intelligence US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate? Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis. By GlobalData Learn more about Strategic Intelligence The #MakeAmazonPay campaign and related actions have drawn together international labour groups calling for improved pay and safety standards. Protests and strikes have been staged around key shopping events such as Black Friday, with organisers urging shoppers to rethink their purchasing decisions and support fairer working conditions. Political influenc...
Earnings Call Insights: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Bernard Zovighian introduced Gerianne Sarte as the new Head of Investor Relations and stated, "We delivered a strong quarter, growing at 11.6% and a strong full year 2025, growing at 10.7%. This is the result of our differentiated strategy with a clear vision around three key elements: focusing thoroughly on ...
Earnings Call Insights: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Bernard Zovighian introduced Gerianne Sarte as the new Head of Investor Relations and stated, "We delivered a strong quarter, growing at 11.6% and a strong full year 2025, growing at 10.7%. This is the result of our differentiated strategy with a clear vision around three key elements: focusing thoroughly on structural heart, solving large, urgent and very complex patient needs and pursuing unique opportunities to innovate and lead." Zovighian highlighted renewed focus on SAPIEN TAVR, driven by long-term clinical data and practice-changing trials, with new guideline changes in Europe. He emphasized, "We have increased confidence in meeting our 8% to 10% sales growth guidance as well as in our EPS guidance." For TMTT, Zovighian noted, "Growth is fueled by a comprehensive portfolio of repair and replacement therapies...These include the launch of SAPIEN M3, the scaling of EVOQUE, the upcoming introduction of next gen PASCAL in Q4 of this year and the introduction of PASCAL for U.S. tricuspid patients also in Q4. Together, these are significant advancements for mitral and tricuspid patients and represent large opportunities to achieve our $2 billion revenue expectation for TMTT in 2030." Zovighian described the expansion of the American Heart Association partnership and new initiatives for timely diagnosis and treatment in heart valve disease. CFO Scott Ullem stated, "Total sales of $1.57 billion grew 11.6% year-over-year. Our adjusted earnings per share was $0.58, this lower-than-expected EPS was driven by higher spending on patient access initiatives and a higher-than-expected tax rate." Ullem added, "It is important to note that we have increased confidence in our 2026 earnings per share guidance of $2.90 to $3.05." Outlook Management reiterated increased confidence in achieving 2026 full year sales growth of 8% to 10% and EPS of $2.90 to $3.05. Ullem projected Q1 2026 sales of...
Another late derby win for Heart of Midlothian, another late goal that sparked jubilation around the stands at Tynecastle, another Derek McInnes celebration with a ballboy. Tomas Magnusson's 88th-minute strike in Tuesday's Edinburgh derby at home to Hibernian added yet more veracity to a title charge that few would have found believable at the start of the season. It is not the first time this cam...
Another late derby win for Heart of Midlothian, another late goal that sparked jubilation around the stands at Tynecastle, another Derek McInnes celebration with a ballboy. Tomas Magnusson's 88th-minute strike in Tuesday's Edinburgh derby at home to Hibernian added yet more veracity to a title charge that few would have found believable at the start of the season. It is not the first time this campaign when they have produced a moment of magic in the last few minutes, or even dying seconds, to fuel the fires of belief among their fans. It is the habit of champions. The ability to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat, to conjure three points from the ashes. Celtic and Rangers have done it plenty over the years - the former did it again in the Scottish Cup at the weekend - and now Hearts are showing they can do it too. Boy did they need it after last week's defeat away to St Mirren and with both sides of the Old Firm improving since changing their managers. Defeat by Hibs would have given Rangers the chance to go top when they visit Motherwell on Tuesday. Instead, with just 12 games to go, McInnes' side, who have been out in front since September, are six points clear of Danny Rohl's Ibrox side as they face a difficult away trip to the side sitting fourth. Reigning champions Celtic are a further three points back, albeit with an extra game in hand.
Donny DBM/iStock via Getty Images At a glance Performance The Fund returned -3.53% and the S&P 500® Index returned 2.66%. Contributors/detractors Stock selection in the information technology sector detracted from relative performance. Stock selection in the consumer staples sector contributed. Outlook Our differentiated investment approach aims to provide equity diversification for clients, along...
Donny DBM/iStock via Getty Images At a glance Performance The Fund returned -3.53% and the S&P 500® Index returned 2.66%. Contributors/detractors Stock selection in the information technology sector detracted from relative performance. Stock selection in the consumer staples sector contributed. Outlook Our differentiated investment approach aims to provide equity diversification for clients, along with returns not tied to an index or the broad economy. Investment environment U.S. shares rose on positive corporate earnings news. Economic growth has been relatively stable despite a government shutdown, policy headwinds, and slower-than-expected employment growth. The Federal Reserve (Fed) followed a September rate cut with two additional 25 basis-point rate cuts, in October and December, respectively. Excitement around artificial intelligence was a strong driver of returns early in the quarter. The market began to broaden in the second half of October as concerns over valuations and potential investment returns led to declines in AI-related stocks. Nonetheless, stocks ended the year on a strong note. Portfolio review Oracle ( ORCL ) was relative detractor, amid volatility in AI-related stocks. Oracle has emerged as a leading player in the AI market, supported by its strong and growing position in the hyperscale market as well as close relationships with leading AI partners. Oracle's cloud business has signed several multibillion-dollar contracts. This led to a large increase in remaining performance obligations (RPOs), which represent expected future revenues. Despite the company's strong financial performance, the stock declined in the fourth quarter as investors grew more cautious about Oracle's ability to fund the ambitious infrastructure buildout necessary to service these future contracts. Further, the market has concerns about the potential customer concentration within these RPOs. We believe these concerns are overstated as Oracle has multiple avenues for fundi...
The number of British troops in Norway will double as part of efforts to bolster defences in the high north against Russia. British defence secretary John Healey promised during a visit to Royal Marines at Camp Viking in the Norwegian Arctic, to increase the number of troops deployed to the country from 1,000 to 2,000 over three years. Healey said: “Demands on defence are rising, and Russia poses ...
The number of British troops in Norway will double as part of efforts to bolster defences in the high north against Russia. British defence secretary John Healey promised during a visit to Royal Marines at Camp Viking in the Norwegian Arctic, to increase the number of troops deployed to the country from 1,000 to 2,000 over three years. Healey said: “Demands on defence are rising, and Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic and high north security that we have seen since the cold war. We see Putin rapidly re-establishing military presence in the region, including reopening old cold war bases.” The UK will also commit UK forces to Nato’s Arctic Sentry mission, the alliance’s initiative to improve security in the region to help address Donald Trump’s concerns over Greenland. The promises to bolster the defence of the Arctic came as British former head of the armed forces General Sir Nick Carter called for greater European cooperation to deter Russia and support Ukraine. A Russian strike killed four people, including three small children, in a town west of Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv, the regional governor said early on Wednesday. Oleh Syniehubov, writing on Telegram, said the three children, all aged under two, died along with a 34-year-old man in the house where they were staying in the town of Bohodukhiv. A woman aged 74 was injured in the incident. Reuters could not independently verify the report. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assembled his top military officers on Tuesday to discuss shortcomings in air defence and other aspects of protecting civilians from attack. “Many changes are happening right now in the work of air defence. In some regions, the way teams operate, interceptors, mobile fire units, the entire small air defence component is being practically rebuilt completely,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. “But this is only one element of defence that requires changes. Changes will happen.” Zelenskyy is also assessing ho...
Lean hog futures closed the Tuesday session with contracts 25 cents to $1.25 lower. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $87.74 on Tuesday afternoon. The CME Lean Hog Index was 11 cents lower on Feb 6 at $86.46. USDA’s pork carcass cutout value from Tuesday afternoon report was 37 cents lower at $95.46 per cwt. The loin, rib, and belly were the primals reported lower. USDA estimated fede...
Lean hog futures closed the Tuesday session with contracts 25 cents to $1.25 lower. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $87.74 on Tuesday afternoon. The CME Lean Hog Index was 11 cents lower on Feb 6 at $86.46. USDA’s pork carcass cutout value from Tuesday afternoon report was 37 cents lower at $95.46 per cwt. The loin, rib, and belly were the primals reported lower. USDA estimated federally inspected hog slaughter for Tuesday at 494,000 head, with the week to date total at 979,000 head. That was 58,000 head above last week but 782 head below the same week last year. Don’t Miss a Day: Feb 26 Hogs closed at $86.850, down $0.250, Apr 26 Hogs closed at $95.500, down $1.225 May 26 Hogs closed at $99.525, down $0.850, More news from Barchart The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
Investors like when a company adjusts its guidance in a positive way. High-end fashion etailer LuxExperience (LUXE +21.09%) was quite the attractive sleeper stock on Tuesday. Thanks to fiscal second-quarter earnings that came in above analyst estimates and positive guidance adjustments, the company's shares saw a more than 21% lift in price on the day. Top and bottom-line beats For its second fram...
Investors like when a company adjusts its guidance in a positive way. High-end fashion etailer LuxExperience (LUXE +21.09%) was quite the attractive sleeper stock on Tuesday. Thanks to fiscal second-quarter earnings that came in above analyst estimates and positive guidance adjustments, the company's shares saw a more than 21% lift in price on the day. Top and bottom-line beats For its second frame of fiscal 2026, LuxExperience's net sales nearly tripled on a year-over-year basis to just under 647 million euros ($770 million). Its net loss deepened to 9.1 million euros ($10.8 million), from second quarter 2025's deficit of almost 7.7 million ($9.2 million). On a per-share basis, that former number was 0.05 euros ($0.06). Both figures bettered the consensus analyst projections, although not spectacularly. Collectively, the pundits tracking LuxExperience stock were anticipating slightly below 646 million euros ($769 million) on the top line, and a deeper per-share net loss of 0.07 euros ($0.08). The company, a mini-conglomerate of luxury brands, did particularly well with its core Mytheresa line. Its net sales rose by nearly 9% during the quarter to produce nearly 243 million ($289 million) in revenue. On the other hand, Net-a-Porter and the accompanying Mr Porter saw a 1% slide in net sales together, while Yoox declined by 7%. Expand NYSE : LUXE LuxExperience B.v. Today's Change ( 21.09 %) $ 1.63 Current Price $ 9.36 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.1B Day's Range $ 8.69 - $ 9.44 52wk Range $ 6.18 - $ 12.50 Volume 1.3M Avg Vol 261K Gross Margin 44.96 % Raising the low end Clearly encouraged by its performance, LuxExperience raised the lower end of its gross merchandise value (GMV) and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) guidance for the entirety of fiscal 2026. For the former, the retailer is now modeling 2.5 billion ($3 billion) euros to 2.7 billion euros ($3.2 billion) for the year; previously, the lower end was 2.4 billion ($2.9 b...
Earnings Call Insights: Zillow Group, Inc. (ZG) Q4 2025 Management View Jeremy Wacksman, CEO, highlighted, "Q4 capped a year of strong execution for Zillow and continued progress on our long-term strategy to make moving easier. We delivered excellent results across the business and achieved all of our reported financial targets for full year 2025, including full year profitability, and we're carry...
Earnings Call Insights: Zillow Group, Inc. (ZG) Q4 2025 Management View Jeremy Wacksman, CEO, highlighted, "Q4 capped a year of strong execution for Zillow and continued progress on our long-term strategy to make moving easier. We delivered excellent results across the business and achieved all of our reported financial targets for full year 2025, including full year profitability, and we're carrying that momentum into 2026." Wacksman emphasized the company's evolution into an integrated ecosystem that spans buying, selling, renting, and financing, underpinned by product innovation and industry partnerships. He stated, "In Q4, total revenue increased 18% year-over-year, coming in near the top of our outlook range. And I'm proud to share that for the full year, total revenue grew 16%, consistent with our mid-teens growth outlook. We also expanded full year EBITDA margins by nearly 200 basis points year-over-year, in line with our outlook." Wacksman reported, "For Sale, revenue grew 11% year-over-year in Q4 with 8% growth in residential revenue and 39% growth in mortgages revenue," and noted, "In Rentals, Q4 revenue was up 45% year-over-year, driven by 63% growth in multifamily revenue." Wacksman described how technology and integration are driving outcomes: "Our software is deeply embedded in daily workflows and helps agents manage tours, financing, listing strategy and client communication more effectively...ShowingTime, which enables 90% of all tours of homes for sale in the U.S. and Follow Up Boss, our customer relationship management software that powers daily activity for more than 80% of the highest volume teams in the country." He also announced that "Zillow Pro, a comprehensive suite of offerings that helps agents manage all of their clients...is currently beta testing and plan to expand nationwide over the second half of the year." Jeremy Hofmann, CFO, stated, "Q4 2025 revenue was up 18% year-over-year to $654 million, near the top end of our outlook range. ...