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Critically, experts say, nothing that's transpired in the crypto market in 2022 undermines the inherent value of the blockchain. "So while this has been a shock to the market, a lot of people in the space remain sanguine about the future of blockchain technology." He said stock trading, buying and selling real estate, and borrowing and lending money remain ripe for disruption by blockchain technology. "The ethereum blockchain could turn out to be this major infrastructure layer for the future of technological services," Abner said. He said prospective crypto users must prepare for a steep learning curve going forward, because it ultimately involves trusting only yourself to be in charge of your assets.

☆ JPMorgan double-upgrades AB InBev, says shares are cheap and will benefit from light beer sales recovery
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Slowing demand for hard seltzer opens up an opportunity for beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev, according to JPMorgan. Analyst Jared Dinges double-upgraded shares of the beer manufacturer to overweight from underweight, saying the stock is trading at a 23% discount to the broader sector and should benefit from improving demand for domestic light beer in the United States. A resurgence in demand for domestic light beer — Anheuser-Busch's "bread and butter" — and the decline in hard seltzer demand in the U.S. should also bode well for the company going forward, Dinges said. "It's commonly believed that Hard Seltzer sales are primarily being replaced by [ready-to-drink beverages], however, we believe a bigger benefactor from the seltzer slowdown is domestic light beer - domestic light beer has improved its share trajectory by 120bps in 2022 alone," he wrote. Demand for beer in the region correlates strongly with the global commodities cycle and should remain strong even as commodities prices remain elevated.

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Amazon, Apple, DraftKings, Tesla, Live Nation & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Here are Monday's biggest calls on Wall Street: JPMorgan reiterates Apple as overweight JPMorgan said its survey checks show Apple's iPhone Pro lead times are moderating. JPMorgan names Amazon a top idea heading into 2023 JPMorgan said Amazon is the "most diversified mega-cap across revs & profit & has numerous large growth opportunities." Morgan Stanley downgrades Aptiv to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said in its downgrade of the auto tech supplier that it thinks Aptiv will be affected by a slower rollout of electric vehicles. Morgan Stanley downgrades Williams-Sonoma to underweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said in its downgrade of Williams-Sonoma that "negative revisions are set to begin." JPMorgan downgrades First Solar to neutral from overweight JPMorgan downgraded the solar stock mainly on valuation.

☆ The world's largest cannabis companies are gobbling up beer brands and striking deals with top athletes to hawk energy drinks because they're struggling to profit off pot
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Jeremy Berke | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

It's hard to make money in cannabis, so the world's largest cannabis companies are pivoting. The Canadian cannabis company Tilray in early November acquired Montauk Brewing Company, a New York craft-beer brewer. In a November 11 note, analysts at the investment bank Jefferies called Canopy's core Canadian cannabis business "a sideshow." Tilray's cannabis business slumps, while beer boomsLike Canopy, Tilray's core cannabis business is also declining while its beverage unit and other businesses are growing. Beyond cutting costs, it was, therefore, only a matter of time before the world's largest cannabis companies, with investors and shareholders breathing down their necks, looked elsewhere to boost their margins.

☆ We now know what Budweiser will do with the beer it can’t sell at the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —Qatar’s last-minute decision to ban alcohol at World Cup stadiums has left Budweiser with loads of beer left on its hands. pic.twitter.com/Vv2YFxIZa1 — Budweiser (@Budweiser) November 19, 2022Last week — just a few days before the World Cup was set to begin — Qatar announced that the eight stadiums couldn’t sell alcoholic Budweiser, leaving fans with only one option for beer: non-alcoholic Bud Zero. “As partners of FIFA for over three decades, we look forward to our activations of FIFA World Cup campaigns around the world to celebrate football with our consumers,” an AB-InBev spokesperson said in a previous statement. So, the decision threw a wrench into the company’s World Cup marketing plans, as the decision dramatically reduces its presence for thousands of fans at the World Cup. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will take place through December 18.

☆ Budweiser World Cup campaign curbed, not crashed, by Qatar beer ban
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Budweiser has been a World Cup sponsor since the 1986 tournament in Mexico. STRICT CONTROLSBut Qatar 2022 was always going to be different, as the first World Cup held in a conservative Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, the consumption of which is banned in public. He added that FIFA and Budweiser had been partners for decades and looked forward to being partners in the future. Doukeris though has said that the far greater impact in terms of beer sales is from fans across the globe, many with a AB InBev beer in hand - from a Jupiler in Belgium to a Brahma in Brazil. Indeed, the brewer has launched its biggest ever World Cup campaign in over 70 markets, more than double the number of participating countries, compared with just over 50 for the 2018 edition.

Around 48 hours before it kicks off the soccer World Cup, officials made the shock announcement Friday that Qatar is banning alcohol sales from its stadium perimeters. FIFA, the sport's troubled international governing body, said in a tweet that the decision had been made "following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA." Budweiser beer kiosks at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha stand empty on Friday. It also presents a major headache for sponsor, Budweiser, which has a $75 million advertising deal with FIFA. FIFA's statement thanked AB InBev, Budweiser's parent company, for its "understanding and continuous support" to "cater for everyone" during the World Cup.

☆ No alcohol sales permitted at Qatar's World Cup stadium sites
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The announcement comes two days before Sunday's kickoff of the World Cup, the first to be held in a conservative Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, the consumption of which is banned in public. For years, Qatar's tournament organisers have said that alcohol would be widely accessible to fans at the tournament. Budweiser has been a World Cup sponsor since 1985, the year before the event was held in Mexico. "Tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup," the statement said. Questions have swirled around the role alcohol would play at this year's World Cup since Qatar won hosting rights in 2010.

☆ What is Bud Zero, the only beer Budweiser can sell at the World Cup?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —In a surprise reversal, Qatar announced a ban of alcoholic beer at the eight stadiums hosting the World Cup. One serving of Bud Zero has 0 grams of sugar and 50 calories. “As partners of FIFA for over three decades, we look forward to our activations of FIFA World Cup campaigns around the world to celebrate football with our consumers,” an Anheuser-Busch InBev spokesperson said in a statement. Just a few days ago, reports showed World Cup workers moving beer tents into less visible areas of stadiums. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicks off Sunday and lasts until December 18.

☆ No alcohol sales permitted at Qatar's World Cup stadium sites - FIFA
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA Nov 18 (Reuters) - In a reversal, alcoholic beer will not be sold at Qatar's World Cup stadiums, world soccer governing body FIFA said in a statement on Friday. The announcement comes two days before Sunday's kickoff of the World Cup, the first to be held in a conservative Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, the consumption of which is banned in public. "Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters," a FIFA spokesperson said in the statement. "Tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup," the statement said. Questions have swirled around the role alcohol would play at this year's World Cup since Qatar won hosting rights in 2010.

Doha, Qatar CNN —Just two days before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, soccer’s world governing body FIFA confirmed that no alcohol will be sold at the eight stadiums which will host the tournament’s 64 matches. “Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeter,” said the FIFA statement. “There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar’s World Cup stadiums,” added the FIFA statement. “The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” continued the FIFA statement. The 2022 Qatar World Cup runs from November 20 until December 18.

☆ Qatar to ban beer at World Cup stadiums in dramatic reversal two days before tournament starts
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Qatar is banning all beer sales at and around its World Cup stadiums, in a dramatic U-turn just two days before the massive soccer tournament begins, world soccer governing body FIFA confirmed on Friday. The conservative, gas-rich Muslim nation does not fully ban alcohol for visitors, but its sale and consumption is strictly controlled. Budweiser's non-alcoholic beer, Bud Zero, will continue to be sold at all eight of the country's World Cup stadiums, the statement said. "The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev's understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022." These include workers' rights, visitor capacity issues, cultural and religious restrictions, and the fact that for the first time in its history, the World Cup is taking place in winter rather than summer due to the country's extreme heat during its summer months.

☆ Kraft Heinz turns to gimmicks and nostalgia to revive its ‘dusty’ brands
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Because they’re incredible.”More than half of Kraft Heinz’s business comes from just eight brands — the aforementioned three, plus Kraft Mac and Cheese, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Heinz, Lunchables and Ore-Ida. For Kraft Heinz, which is relying on Patricio to execute a comeback, there’s a lot on the line. So we have more loyalty.”For that reason, Kraft Heinz has leaned in to promoting its legacy brands — and with sometimes outrageous marketing. Kraft HeinzOther Kraft Heinz brands have also used attention-grabbing marketing campaigns. Kraft Heinz’s brands now have a presence on gaming platforms like Roblox, in addition to social media channels and other platforms.

☆ Factbox: Companies count the cost of ditching Russia
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

INDITEX (ITX.MC)Zara owner will book a provision of 216 million euros after agreeing to sell its Russia stores to UAE-based Daher Group. TRATON (8TRA.DE)Volkswagen's (VOWG_p.DE) truck division Traton in September said disposing of some assets in Russia would cause a 550 million euro loss. CREDIT AGRICOLE (CAGR.PA)Credit Agricole provisioned more than 500 million euros related to its Russian exposure in Q1. LINDEThe world's largest industrial gases company's exit from Russia recorded impairments of $993 million from its Russia exit. SIEMENS (SIEGn.DE)The Munich-based engineering and tech firm said in May it would take a 600 million euro hit in Q2 for exiting Russia.

☆ AB InBev raises 2022 outlook as beer sales accelerate
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Q3 core profit up 6.5% vs market consensus 5.2%AB InBev says beer market resilientHeineken, Carlsberg voice concerns over European consumersBRUSSELS, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI.BR), the world's largest brewer, reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on Thursday as beer sales accelerated, and raised its 2022 outlook to the top-end of its previous forecast range. Third-quarter core profit - earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation - rose 6.5% on a like-for-like basis to $5.31 billion, above the 5.2% climb forecast by analysts in a company-compiled poll. The company said it now expects its core profit to rise by between 6% and 8%. EUROPEAN CONSUMER PINCHAB InBev's largest rivals, far more reliant on Europe, gave a more cautious view of the beer market. For it and Heineken, Europe represented at least 50% of their third-quarter business, against less than 15% for AB InBev.

☆ How the founders of hot cannabis-beverage startup Cann quietly raised millions from big-name investors amid the industry's downturn
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-04 | by ( Jeremy Berke | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Cann's cofounders shared their vision for competing with the biggest alcohol brands. Cann is InvestBev's first foray into cannabis beverages, Brian Rosen, an InvestBev partner, told Insider in an interview. He said his firm was looking to make an investment in cannabis beverages, and Cann stood out to him. The future of cannabis beverages will be challenging, founders sayTo be sure, cannabis beverages face challenges. Big alcohol brands have made their own bets on cannabis beverages, without much to show so far.

☆ With Interest Rates Rising, Companies Look to Unload Pension Liabilities
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Jennifer Williams-Alvarez | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Rising interest rates are boosting corporate pension plans, providing finance chiefs with an option to lighten their companies’ balance sheets and transfer obligations to insurers. PREVIEWWhen interest rates rise, liabilities for defined-benefit plans—a type of pension plan that promises fixed amounts to participants—shrink. They can also move just a portion of their pension obligations, but that still requires a high funding status. “If interest rates level off or decrease, the funded status could fall pretty quickly,” said Matt McDaniel, a partner at Mercer who advises companies on pension risk transfers. Recent stock market declines have hurt some defined-benefit pension plans invested in publicly traded equities, Mr. McDaniel said.

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☆ Rights groups ask sponsors to press FIFA, Qatar on migrant worker compensation
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Workers are seen inside the Lusail stadium which is under construction for the upcoming 2022 Fifa soccer World Cup during a stadium tour in Doha, Qatar, December 20, 2019. Qatar has faced intense criticism from human rights groups over its treatment of migrant workers, who along with other foreigners comprise the bulk of the country's population. Qatari authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters about the rights groups' report. read moreMinky Worden, the director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, said that sponsors should use their "considerable leverage" to apply pressure on FIFA and Qatar to fulfil their responsibilities to workers. In May, Amnesty and other rights groups had called on FIFA to earmark $440 million to compensate migrant workers in Qatar.

☆ Leaders from Walmart, AB InBev, Honeywell, Carlyle, and more share advice for getting started — and sticking to — sustainability goals
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-22 | by ( Julia Hood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +26 min

Sustainability leaders from Walmart, JUST Capital, Dow, Honeywell, Cognizant, Deloitte, Bank of America, AB InBev, and Carlyle participated. If you're just looking for a science partner, you're going to go and get the science. So then we started building debriefs for our portfolio companies, actually making them sit down and have a conversation with us. Because as long as you do it with integrity, you're going to probably get to the right place. I remember him saying when we talked about the idea, "what you're trying to achieve with that, is somewhere between really, really, really, really hard and impossible."

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