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☆ 'There's a significant number of upside opportunities': A top-3% fund manager shares 9 of his favorite investments to make now — and why China's economy is in big trouble
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Leading fund manager Mark Costa operates in one of the toughest parts of global markets: the foreign small- and mid-cap value category. In the past decade, his Brandes International Small Cap Value Fund (BISAX) has outperformed 91% of its peers despite logging a modest 4.8% annual return in that span. Of the 11 years that Costa has co-managed the fund, 2023 is shaping up to be one of the best. His foreign-focused small-cap value fund is up 25.3% year-to-date compared to 6% for its index, which puts it in the top 3% of its category, according to Morningstar. The best opportunities Costa sees in Japan are in its regional banking and healthcare industries.

Persons: Mark Costa, he's, Brandes, Costa, Morningstar, Costa wasn't, we've, Yue Yuen, We've, they've Organizations: Costa, Value, PAX, Companies, Royce, C Locations: China, it's, Hong Kong, Indonesia, People's Republic, Europe, Japan, United Kingdom

☆ Africa Climate Summit: Billions pledged to green projects but leaders warn of need ‘to act with urgency’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The inaugural Africa Climate Summit drew to a close on Wednesday, with the host, Kenya’s president William Ruto, saying that a total of $23 billion had been pledged to green projects by governments, investors, development banks and philanthropists. Among the most eye-catching finance announcements, the United Arab Emirates pledged $4.5 billion to clean energy initiatives in Africa. “It is our ambition that this will launch a new transformative partnership to jumpstart a pipeline of bankable clean energy projects in this important continent,” Al-Jaber said, adding that the investment could lead to the generation of 15 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030. At the Africa Climate Summit, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres noted that the continent was responsible for less than four per cent of global carbon emissions. LUIS TATO/AFP/AFP via Getty ImagesGermany announced 450 million euros (about $481 million) of climate finance pledges, and and the US pledged $30 million to support climate resilient food security efforts across Africa.

Persons: William Ruto, Sultan Al, Jaber, ” Al, Yemi Osinbajo, ”, General Antonio Guterres, LUIS TATO, “, Osinbajo, greening Organizations: CNN, Africa Climate Summit, United Arab Emirates, COP28, Global Energy Alliance for People, UN, Getty Images Locations: Africa, Nairobi, Dubai, “, jumpstart, Nigeria, AFP, Copenhagen

☆ The edtech startup funding slowdown may be hitting the 'bottom of the market'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Edtech venture capital funding in 2023 may be on pace for its lowest annual total since 2016. The one exception to this edtech funding dropoff is in AI tools for education and upskilling. This puts the estimated total funding for 2023 at only $3.5 billion, the lowest annual total since 2016, according to HolonIQ. Additionally, there has not been a single edtech "mega round," or a startup funding round valued at over $100 million since 2022, with the exception of the Indian edtech unicorn Byju's $250 million fundraise this spring. Pujji and Mushin also indicated that AI edtech deals were the exception in this slowdown period.

Persons: VCs, It's, Vinny Pujji, Iynna Halilou, Leeor Mushin, Avalanche's Katelyn Donnelly, Mushin, they've, Chegg's, Cheggmate, Khan, Pujji Organizations: Left Lane Capital, Global, Bloomberg, Investors

☆ Despite Thursday's drop, Cramer predicts success for Chipotle
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Jim Cramer said he sees success ahead for fast-food chain Chipotle, even though its stock got clobbered and dropped nearly 10% on Thursday. To Cramer, who has experience as a restaurant owner, some of the most important factors for success are traffic and throughput. The new grill can be only found in 10 high-volume Chipotle locations, Cramer said. Cramer grouped aerospace company Honeywell in with Chipotle as another stock that plunged on Thursday that he thinks will perform well in the future. And that's true for Chipotle, and it's true for Honeywell, just as it was true for Align when the stock rolled over last year," Cramer said.

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Cramer, Chipotle, should've Organizations: Honeywell Locations: Chipotle

☆ Cramer gives his "haves" and "have nots" of the earnings season
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's earnings season, and CNBC's Jim Cramer is giving you his list of haves and have nots. On Thursday, Cramer listed the companies and sectors he thinks are currently thriving on the market alongside the ones he believes are not. Many of these companies, Cramer said, are thriving due to their focus on AI, especially Alphabet, Microsoft and Nvidia. Cramer highlighted a few other contenders also doing well in the tech space like Oracle , Salesforce and Adobe . When it comes to the have nots, Cramer pointed to phone companies, specifically AT&T and Verizon .

Persons: Jim Cramer, Cramer, what's, Wynn, Darden, Kohl Organizations: Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Nvidia, Tesla, Adobe, MGM, Verizon, Nordstrom Locations: Chipotle

☆ CEOs do matter when picking stocks. 5 things we look for in a leader and examples from our portfolio
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | In Kevinstankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

It's not unusual for a company's stock price to soar — or sink — on news of a CEO shakeup. So, CEOs matter when picking stocks — and at the Club, these are the five things we look for when evaluating the leaders of our holdings. A stock's day-to-day and even month-to-month performance may not truly reflect how well a CEO is leading a company. Trust has value, and the stocks of companies led by reputable CEOs with competent management teams can trade at premium valuations. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.

Persons: Mary Dillon, Locker, J im Cramer, buybacks, Rainer Blair, —, Kevin Johnson, Marc Benioff, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, we've, Bruce Broussard, Humana, Jeff Smith's, Craig Jelinek, who's, that's, Jelinek, it'd, Andy Jassy, Tim Cook, he's, Cook, Jim Cramer's, Dan Schulman, Sanjiv Lamba, Linde, Lamba, Eli Lilly, Dave Ricks, Eli Lilly's, Jim, Lilly, Jim Farley, Farley, Elon Musk's Tesla, Ford, LLY, Jim Cramer, Spencer Platt Organizations: Club, McKinsey & Co, Natural Resources, GE Life Sciences, SVB Securities, Starbucks, Humana, Bain & Co, Costco, CNBC, Apple, Amazon's, Football, MGM, Management, PayPal, Linde, LIN, Ford Motor, Wall, EV, Ford, The New York Stock Exchange, Financial, Getty Locations: U.S, Manhattan, New York City

☆ BTS 10th anniversary: K-pop sensation’s decade-long style evolution
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —This week marks 10 years since K-pop sensation BTS burst onto the South Korean music scene in a flurry of chunky chains, baseball caps and spiky hair. BTS pictured at a photo call for the Incheon Korean Music Wave festival in 2013, just months after the band debuted. Han Myung-Gu/WireImage/Getty Images BTS sport colorful streetwear to perform on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in November 2017. RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images BTS appears at the American Music Awards in 2017, when they became the first Korean group to perform at the annual ceremony. Amy Sussman/Getty Images Photos: BTS' decade-long style evolution Prev NextNowhere is this more evident than on the red carpet.

Persons: Louis Vuitton, Jungkook, Valentino, Dior, Calvin Klein, Han Myung, Jimmy Kimmel, Griffin, Jordan Strauss, David Becker, Amy Sussman, Lee Ha, jeong, Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello, Kim Jones, Jin, Suga Organizations: CNN, Hit Entertainment, Incheon Korean Music, Bauer, BTS, Entertainment, MTV Locations: Korean, Seoul, South Korea, Jimin

☆ Guest view: “1% for 1.5C” can power green finance
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Mahmoud Mohieldin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Developing countries excluding China require approximately $2 trillion annually by 2030, as per the Finance for Climate Action report. But current arrangements to get climate finance from developed to developing states are inefficient, insufficient and unfair. The difference could be subsidized in part through the as-yet unpaid portion of the promised $100 billion climate finance pledge, estimated conservatively at $20 billion annually. And it helps minimize developing countries’ indebtedness, in comparison to the current practice. The scheme would also unlock concessional funds for adaptation and resilience projects, which relative to the mitigation of emissions remains the Cinderella of climate finance, attracting less than 10% of global climate finance.

☆ Resale value of Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton handbags is falling
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“Demand for higher-priced luxury brands at resale is down, which is pushing prices for brands like Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton down.”At the same time, she said, demand for previously owned lower-priced luxury brands — such as Miu Miu and Bottega Veneta — is up. They are no longer willing to pay the same price at resale that were willing to pay last year for brands like Hermes, Gucci and Louis Vuitton,” Skoda added. According to The RealReal’s Annual Luxury Consignment Report 2023, which was released Thursday, handbag resale prices fell 20% for Louis Vuitton, 17% for Gucci, 10% for Hermès and 9% for Chanel over the past 90 days. Resale prices are cooling somewhat for luxury handbag brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, according to The RealReal. As they embrace lower prices, resale shoppers have become less picky about the condition of the items they buy.

☆ U.S. climate envoy Kerry outlines carbon offset initiative for developing nations
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ABU DHABI, Jan 15 (Reuters) - U.S. climate envoy John Kerry on Sunday outlined core principles for a "high-integrity" carbon offset plan meant to help developing nations speed their energy transition, and next steps including establishing a consultative group. The Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA), first announced at last year's COP27 climate conference, is being developed by the United States with the Bezos Earth Fund and the Rockefeller Foundation to mobilise private capital. "We believe you can have high-integrity, accountable, transparent credit which will help us to be able to put some money on the table," he said, acknowledging widespread criticism of voluntary carbon offset schemes. He said ETA principles also called for a near-term, inclusive and comprehensive approach to deliver on broader sustainable development goals and support power sector-wide energy transition. Reporting by Rachna Uppal and Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Billionaire urges overhaul of collapsed Australia-Asia solar mega project
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Sonali Paul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest called on Thursday for an overhaul of a $20 billion-plus project to send solar power from Australia to Singapore, which collapsed after he and tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes split over funding plans. Singapore-based Sun Cable, largely owned by Forrest's private firm Squadron Energy and Cannon-Brookes' private firm Grok, appointed voluntary administrators this week less than a year after raising A$210 million for the Australia-Asia PowerLink project. In Squadron's first public comments since the collapse was announced on Wednesday, the firm said the project "requires vision and precise execution". "Squadron Energy believes in the vision but believes the manner in which the project is delivered needs urgent change," Squadron Chairman John Hartman said in an emailed statement. "Exceptional governance practices and world-class project delivery expertise, as well as pursuing bankable technologies, will be required to make the project a reality," Hartman said.

What people do to their bodies is their own business, but the ubiquity of injections, fillers and surgery in Hollywood creates a trickle-down problem. The longer you stare at your own face, the more you see how you don’t look like your favorite actor — or influencer. In another catch-22, stars also risk backlash if they do get cosmetic surgery — or if fans believe they have. Bullock, like Kidman, has previously denied getting plastic surgery (although she has talked about using something called Epidermal Growth Factor). Steroids have the same pernicious impact in Hollywood as cosmetic surgery, artificially elevating physical expectations and increasing peer pressure to keep up with the new standards.

☆ India's e-bus ambition hits financing speed bump
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Sarita Chaganti Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mahesh Babu, chief executive of e-bus maker Switch Mobility, said that "most of the contracts related to STUs are seen by banks as high risk" and called for payment security for bus makers. Financing diesel buses is safer because in the case of any default, banks can repossess the asset and easily redeploy it. A Tata Motors spokesperson said there was a need for "adequate safeguards with appropriate payment security mechanisms" to make such ventures bankable. A federal government official, on the condition of anonymity, said they would consider the demands of the industry. The Ministry of Heavy Industries, which is promoting the use of e-buses, did not immediately respond to a email seeking comment.

MONTREAL/BOGOTA Dec 16 (Reuters) - Latin America is drawing early investment for jet fuel produced from materials like forest residues and palm oil as emission-conscious airlines scour emerging markets for less-polluting fuel to power flights, industry executives say. While most sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, is produced in the United States, Europe, and Singapore, Latin America is emerging as a budding market. "Latin America right now is really a hot spot for Honeywell." Producing and distributing SAF in regions with faster-growing traffic like Latin America is key to meeting industry targets, said Landon Loomis, Latin America president for U.S. planemaker Boeing (BA.N). And Vibra Energia (VBBR3.SA) is working with Brasil BioFuels (BBF) to produce palm oil-based jet fuel in 2025.

☆ More finance needed for Africa's energy transition opportunities
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Bate Felix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DAKAR, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Africa's transition to cleaner fuels and power generation presents investors with opportunities across the value chain, but more direct financing is needed on projects, the head of a South African independent power producer, said on Thursday. The South African government has unveiled a five-year $84 billion transition plan to cut carbon emissions and harness other economic opportunities from the energy transition. "We want to build an African energy champion based on clean energy. POOL OF CAPITALHowever, a key question that remains to be answered on African's energy transition and its capacity to adapt to the impact of climate change, is that of finance. Anibor Kragha, executive secretary of the African Refiners and Distributors Association, acknowledged that projects on the continent were struggling to tap available finance for energy transition.

☆ Opinion: It's time for African countries to consider a climate tax on exports
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Adjoa Adjei-Twum | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

I welcome progress here, as African nations are bearing the brunt of climate change. It is now time for African nations to levy a climate export tax on commodities, such as cocoa and rubber, to help pay for climate adaptation. Adaptation is all about building resilience and capacity, and I believe our governments, banks, and businesses must also adapt. Additionally, G20 countries are asking their banks to forecast how risky their loans are due to climate change. It is a wake-up call for African governments, banks, institutions, and companies to unite, step up, and adapt to a new climate reality.

☆ Chris Evans named 'Sexiest Man Alive' by People magazine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

LOS ANGELES — Chris Evans may have put down Captain America’s shield but he’s got a new badge of honor: he’s been named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. Evans, who for nearly a decade played Captain America in Marvel’s sprawling superhero films, takes the baton from another Avenger, Paul Rudd. “It’s ripe for harassment.”Among those likely to heckle him are co-stars and previous Sexiest Man Alive winners like Rudd, Ryan Reynolds and Chris Hemsworth. Evans’ first film role came in 2000′s “The New Comers” and he played superhero Johnny Storm in two “Fantastic Four” films released in 2005 and 2007. “It’s something that as I become old and saggy I can look back on and say ‘I remember then…’” Evans said.

It wants 3.8 billion pounds ($4.4 billion) to build a gigafactory in northern England but its plans are hanging by a thread as it struggles to lure enough investment. French battery startup Verkor, for example, announced on Wednesday that it had raised 250 million euros ($249 million) to fund a megafactory. The European Battery Alliance (EBA) acknowledges Asian firms, and Chinese companies in particular, are likely to increase their market share in the coming years, helped by their track record and offtake agreements. "Even if we have the production in Europe, it doesn't mean we have the know-how or the control," she said. The EU has approved 6.1 billion euros since 2019 in funding by member states for battery research and innovation while Britain has a 1 billion pound fund to support investments in EV supply chains.

☆ 'Black Adam' wins a star-powered box office
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Frank Pallotta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —Who says movie stars no longer matter in Hollywood? Theaters and box offices got a much-needed boost this weekend thanks to superhero flick “Black Adam” and romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise” — two films led by big stars. 1 spot at the domestic box office with an estimated $67 million. The debut of “Black Adam” is the largest opening at the box office since July’s “Thor: Love & Thunder.” (Warner Bros., like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. In fact, Universal suffered a set back just a few weeks ago when “Bros.,” another romantic comedy, flopped at the box office.

☆ 'Black Adam' credit scene proves Hollywood has learned nothing
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Ani Bundel | Ani Bundel Is A Cultural Critic Who Has Been Writing Regularly Since Her Work Can Also Be Found At Elite Daily | Weta'S Telly Visions | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

DC Films’ latest release into the endless superhero pantheon, “Black Adam,” has a lot riding on Dwayne Johnson’s muscled shoulders. Black Adam, one of the regularly scheduled villains in the comic book, was supposed to be his main antagonist. And while “Black Panther” did a great job of making its bad guy both a certifiable badass and a nuanced character, “Black Adam” fails miserably. “Black Adam” has an interesting inkling of an idea: an oppressed culture that needs to overthrow the invading white men. But the midcredit sequence in “Black Adam” unfortunately suggests studio leaders are committed to making the same mistakes all over again.

☆ How Bryan Lourd became one of the most powerful people in the history of Hollywood
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Lourd, 61, isn't a household name, but he wields a stunning amount of influence in Hollywood. Lourd's Hollywood clients aren't just A-listers, they're A+-listers: Brad Pitt. An old-fashioned talent agent who loves discussing old movies and doesn't mind pointing out the flaws in his own clients' work, Lourd has become arguably the most powerful person in Hollywood. "He's one of the most powerful people in the history of Hollywood," said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. But Lourd's clients are such bankable stars that it's equally important for Hollywood executives to be friendly with him as it is beneficial for Lourd and CAA.

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