Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! It’s the international break but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun. There are, of course, crunch playoffs for the Geopolitics World Cup – if anyone actually wants to be there – in Europe and over in Mexico. But for the rest, this is a chance to rip up the rulebook and play whoever the hell they like. Those heading to North America in the s...
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! It’s the international break but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun. There are, of course, crunch playoffs for the Geopolitics World Cup – if anyone actually wants to be there – in Europe and over in Mexico. But for the rest, this is a chance to rip up the rulebook and play whoever the hell they like. Those heading to North America in the summer have to keep things semi-serious. England have got Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Fine. Brazil are in the USA USA USA to play France and Croatia. Check. The defending champions, Argentina, had their Finalissima against Spain in Qatar cancelled because of the threat of rogue missiles and have scheduled friendlies against anyone that was available, namely Mauritania (115th in the world) and Zambia (a lofty 91st). Spain clearly had a better agent and have booked Serbia and Egypt. But these are a mere sideshow to the Fifa Series 2026, a set of village fetes dotted across the globe, pitting nations from different continents against each other in four-team tournaments. After reading Peter Harris’s letter about his walk home from the football ( yesterday’s Football Daily letters ), I was inspired to find out more. I phoned up my local rambling society … but the guy just went on and on” – James Vortkamp-Tong. I take it Peter has not enjoyed the pedestrian pathway from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to Seven Sisters underground. Two hours of woe followed by a race walk/jog down to closest tube station. Stunning” – Chris Brown. Re: football’s capacity for generating Shakespearean quotes ( yesterday’s letters ). Presumably more than one striker, when bearing down on the Liverpool defence back in the late-2000s/early-2010s, would ask himself: ‘Is this a D Agger which I see before me?’” – Andy Korman. In King Lear Act 1 Scene 4, the Bard remarks: ‘Nor tripped neither, you base football player.’ Clear proof that diving took place as early as 1605” – Max Maxwell. Conti...
A study of analyst recommendations at the major brokerages shows that Vale SA (Symbol: VALE) is the #6 broker analyst pick, on average, out of the 50 stocks making up the Metals Channel Global Mining Titans Index, according to Metals Channel. The Metals Channel Global Mining Ti
A study of analyst recommendations at the major brokerages shows that Vale SA (Symbol: VALE) is the #6 broker analyst pick, on average, out of the 50 stocks making up the Metals Channel Global Mining Titans Index, according to Metals Channel. The Metals Channel Global Mining Ti
In a study of analyst recommendations at the major brokerages, for the underlying components of the S&P 500, Baxter International Inc (Symbol: BAX) has taken over the #225 spot from Coterra Energy Inc (Symbol: CTRA), according to ETF Channel. Below is a chart of Baxter Inte
In a study of analyst recommendations at the major brokerages, for the underlying components of the S&P 500, Baxter International Inc (Symbol: BAX) has taken over the #225 spot from Coterra Energy Inc (Symbol: CTRA), according to ETF Channel. Below is a chart of Baxter Inte
A study of analyst recommendations at the major brokerages shows that Boeing Co. (Symbol: BA) is the #5 broker pick, on average, out of the 30 stocks making up the Dow Jones Industrial Average, according to ETF Channel. Boeing Co. also comes in above the median of analyst picks
A study of analyst recommendations at the major brokerages shows that Boeing Co. (Symbol: BA) is the #5 broker pick, on average, out of the 30 stocks making up the Dow Jones Industrial Average, according to ETF Channel. Boeing Co. also comes in above the median of analyst picks
GarryKillian/iStock via Getty Images Germany’s proposal to build a €10 billion ($11.6 billion) military satellite network is drawing criticism from European lawmakers who worry it could duplicate existing efforts and weaken broader defense coordination across the EU, Reuters reported Tuesday. The initiative, involving companies such as Rheinmetall ( RNMBF )( RNMBY ), OHB ( OHBTF ) and Airbus ( EAD...
GarryKillian/iStock via Getty Images Germany’s proposal to build a €10 billion ($11.6 billion) military satellite network is drawing criticism from European lawmakers who worry it could duplicate existing efforts and weaken broader defense coordination across the EU, Reuters reported Tuesday. The initiative, involving companies such as Rheinmetall ( RNMBF )( RNMBY ), OHB ( OHBTF ) and Airbus ( EADSF ) ( EADSY ), would operate separately from the EU’s IRIS² program, a €10.6 billion project designed to create a shared satellite communications system for member states. While Berlin argues its system would meet specific military needs, critics say running parallel networks risks inefficiency and fragmentation. Germany’s plan envisions a constellation of about 100 low-Earth-orbit satellites focused on secure military communications. By comparison, IRIS² aims to deploy nearly 300 satellites by 2029, combining defense and commercial uses. Analysts note both systems would resemble SpaceX’s ( SPACE ) Starshield model, though still far smaller than Starlink’s global network. The debate highlights a broader tension between national sovereignty and collective European defense goals. Some lawmakers warn that separate systems could lead to higher costs and reduced strategic impact, particularly as Europe reassesses its security posture amid shifting U.S. support and ongoing geopolitical threats. Questions are also being raised about affordability and efficiency. Critics argue that taxpayers could end up funding overlapping capabilities, while smaller standalone systems may struggle with coverage and scalability. Supporters of Germany’s approach counter that redundancy is essential in modern warfare, where satellites are increasingly vulnerable to disruption or attack. They also argue that a nationally controlled system would provide greater reliability for defense operations. Meanwhile, the EU continues to promote IRIS² as a way to pool resources and accelerate technological deve...
Savusia Konstantin Epic Games, the maker of the popular Fortnite game, said Tuesday it is laying off over 1,000 employees, citing a downturn in engagement of its flagship title. Impacted employees will receive a severance package that includes at least four months of base pay, with more based on tenure, the company said. "This layoff, together with over $500 million of identified cost savings in c...
Savusia Konstantin Epic Games, the maker of the popular Fortnite game, said Tuesday it is laying off over 1,000 employees, citing a downturn in engagement of its flagship title. Impacted employees will receive a severance package that includes at least four months of base pay, with more based on tenure, the company said. "This layoff, together with over $500 million of identified cost savings in contracting, marketing, and closing some open roles, puts us in a more stable place," the company said in an email to employees. The company noted that slower growth, weaker spending, and tougher cost economics are also among reasons for slashing the workforce and specifically highlighted that the cuts weren't AI-related. More on Tencent, Sony, etc. Disney's Sports Dynasty Taps Into A $600 Billion Market Opportunity Tencent Holdings Limited (TCEHY) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Tencent: Strong Q4 Reinforces China's Undervalued AI And Cloud Growth Story Sony and TCL in advanced talks for $1B home entertainment deal Tencent expands AI strategy with WeChat integration with OpenClaw
England opener now faces three-year ban from IPL ‘My journey into Test team has come from county cricket’ Ben Duckett has pulled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League and now faces a three-year ban from the tournament after deciding he needs county cricket to shore up his place in England’s Test team. The opener, 31, was signed by Delhi Capitals at the IPL auction in December in a deal worth £...
England opener now faces three-year ban from IPL ‘My journey into Test team has come from county cricket’ Ben Duckett has pulled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League and now faces a three-year ban from the tournament after deciding he needs county cricket to shore up his place in England’s Test team. The opener, 31, was signed by Delhi Capitals at the IPL auction in December in a deal worth £200,000 and, with the competition starting this weekend, was due to miss the first two months of the English season. Continue reading...
Earnings Call Insights: Leatt Corporation (LEAT) Q4 2025 Management View Sean MacDonald, CEO, CFO, President & Director, emphasized that "2025 was a remarkable year for us, fueled by strong international demand for our innovative products, improved stocking dynamics, encouraging ordering patterns and a surge in consumer direct sales." He highlighted that total global revenues for the year reached ...
Earnings Call Insights: Leatt Corporation (LEAT) Q4 2025 Management View Sean MacDonald, CEO, CFO, President & Director, emphasized that "2025 was a remarkable year for us, fueled by strong international demand for our innovative products, improved stocking dynamics, encouraging ordering patterns and a surge in consumer direct sales." He highlighted that total global revenues for the year reached $61.91 million, marking a 41% increase over 2024, with international revenues at $44.64 million, up 47% year-over-year. MacDonald also noted, "Customer direct sales, an important focus for us, increased by 44% year-over-year and dealer direct sales with our reorganized and reenergized domestic sales force increased by 22%." MacDonald reported gross profit as a percentage of sales for the fourth quarter at 46%, and stated, "Net income for the quarter was $465,000, an increase of 204% over last year." The company closed the year with double-digit revenue growth across all major product categories, with helmet sales up 59%, flagship neck brace sales increasing by 18%, body armor revenues up 29%, footwear sales rising 40%, and technical apparel and accessories sales advancing 56%. MacDonald announced an extension of the share repurchase program, stating, "Our Board authorized an extension of our share repurchase program to purchase shares of outstanding Leatt common stock valued at up to $750,000. The program has been extended to March 31, 2026." Outlook MacDonald expressed optimism for continued expansion, saying, "Looking forward, the momentum we are achieving at all levels of our business has our entire team energized and optimistic about the future of the company." He identified the adventure motorcycling lineup as a major growth contributor: "Sales of our adventure motorcycling lineup of apparel, helmets and boots backed by positive industry reviews and our proven ability to develop exciting and durable products continues to exceed our expectations and contribute strongly ...
Anthropic is joining the increasingly crowded field of companies with AI agents that can take direct control of your local computer desktop. The company has announced that Claude Code (and its more casual user-oriented Claude Cowork ) can now "point, click, and navigate what’s on your screen" to "open files, use the browser, and run dev tools automatically" when necessary to complete tasks. When p...
Anthropic is joining the increasingly crowded field of companies with AI agents that can take direct control of your local computer desktop. The company has announced that Claude Code (and its more casual user-oriented Claude Cowork ) can now "point, click, and navigate what’s on your screen" to "open files, use the browser, and run dev tools automatically" when necessary to complete tasks. When possible, Anthropic says Claude Code and Cowork will still prioritize using Connectors to directly access and control outside apps or data sources. When that connection isn't available, though, those tools are now able to ask permission to "scroll, click to open, and explore as needed" on the machine itself to do what's asked. This kind of direct control of the computer can also be initiated and managed remotely via Claude's Dispatch tool as long as the target computer remains powered on. An Anthropic video shows some examples of tasks Claud Code can complete on your desktop via Dispatch. The new feature is now available to Claude Pro and Max subscribers using MacOS in what Anthropic calls a "research preview." That means the system "won't always work perfectly" and will sometimes require a "second try" for complex tasks, Anthropic warns. Completing tasks via "computer use" also "takes much longer and is more error-prone" than performing the same task via Connectors, the company writes. Read full article Comments
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does Atmos (ATO) have what it takes? Let's find out.
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does Atmos (ATO) have what it takes? Let's find out.
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does Brixmor (BRX) have what it takes? Let's find out.
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does Brixmor (BRX) have what it takes? Let's find out.
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does Independent Bank (IBCP) have what it takes? Let's find out.
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does Independent Bank (IBCP) have what it takes? Let's find out.
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does M&T Bank (MTB) have what it takes? Let's find out.
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does M&T Bank (MTB) have what it takes? Let's find out.
8vFanI/iStock via Getty Images Understanding how BDCs lend, manage credit risk, and navigate interest rate environments can help investors better evaluate their role in a diversified income portfolio. How BDCs Manage Credit Risk While BDCs operate in a higher-yielding segment of the credit market, their portfolios are typically structured with risk management in mind. First, many BDCs focus on sen...
8vFanI/iStock via Getty Images Understanding how BDCs lend, manage credit risk, and navigate interest rate environments can help investors better evaluate their role in a diversified income portfolio. How BDCs Manage Credit Risk While BDCs operate in a higher-yielding segment of the credit market, their portfolios are typically structured with risk management in mind. First, many BDCs focus on senior secured loans. These loans sit higher in a borrower’s capital structure and are backed by collateral, which can improve recovery prospects in the event of financial stress. Second, BDC portfolios are usually diversified across industries and borrowers. This diversification helps reduce the impact of any single credit event. Lastly, experienced BDC managers rely on active underwriting and ongoing monitoring. Because many of these loans are privately negotiated, managers often maintain close relationships with borrowers and can respond more quickly to changes in company performance. Interest Rates and Floating Rate Income Interest rate exposure is another factor investors often consider when evaluating BDCs. A large portion of BDC loans are structured as floating-rate instruments. The interest payments on these loans adjust with changes in benchmark rates such as SOFR. When interest rates rise, the income generated by these loans may increase. When rates decline, income from floating-rate loans may fall. That said, lower borrowing costs can ease financial pressure on borrowers, which may help support credit quality. In that sense, interest rate changes can have offsetting effects within a BDC portfolio. Dividend Stability and Income Generation One reason BDCs are popular with income-focused investors is their distribution structure. BDCs are required to distribute most of their taxable income to shareholders, which supports the relatively high yields associated with the asset class. Many BDCs also maintain dividend coverage ratios, which provide an indication of whether p...
Apple will soon allow businesses to buy advertisements in its Maps app. In an announcement on Tuesday , Apple says ads may appear at the top of your search results in Maps , as well as in a new "Suggested Places" list. They will arrive in-app in the US and Canada this summer. The company describes its Suggested Places feature as an experience that displays recommendations "based on what's trending...
Apple will soon allow businesses to buy advertisements in its Maps app. In an announcement on Tuesday , Apple says ads may appear at the top of your search results in Maps , as well as in a new "Suggested Places" list. They will arrive in-app in the US and Canada this summer. The company describes its Suggested Places feature as an experience that displays recommendations "based on what's trending nearby, the user's recent searches, and more." It notes that it will clearly mark ads in the app, and that a "user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account." Apple maintains that it doe … Read the full story at The Verge.
Investors considering a purchase of Quantum-Si Inc (Symbol: QSI) shares, but tentative about paying the going market price of $0.8684/share, might benefit from considering selling puts among the alternative strategies at their disposal. One interesting put contract in particula
Investors considering a purchase of Quantum-Si Inc (Symbol: QSI) shares, but tentative about paying the going market price of $0.8684/share, might benefit from considering selling puts among the alternative strategies at their disposal. One interesting put contract in particula