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☆ Norfolk Southern wants to 'make things right' after Ohio train crash, CFO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 22 (Reuters) - Norfolk Southern (NSC.N) will take responsibility for cleaning up the environmental damage from this month's train derailment and controlled detonation of hazardous materials in East Palestine, Ohio, its finance chief said on Wednesday. "We take responsibility ... We're fully dedicated to making things right," George said at an investor conference hosted by Barclays. Norfolk Southern will quantify costs of the clean up no later than its first-quarter earnings, he said. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said it would release a preliminary report on its initial findings on Thursday into the derailment. He will be joined by representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

But employee benefits costs? Ask employees what they're missingYou may think your employees are satisfied with the benefits you offer, but it's worth investigating if that's still true. Add access as an employee benefitLet's say there's a potential benefit your employees want, but it's outside your employee benefits budget. "For example, maybe they just want to buy extra life insurance," Schelhaas said. Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®.

☆ If a recession hits, don't cut back on these 4 things, says CFP
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Instead of sacrificing your coverage entirely, you can ask your insurance providers for packaging discounts or better rates if a recession hits. High-interest debt payoffPaying off your high-interest debt (like the debt from credit cards) is always good advice, but that's especially true during a recession — even right before it. If you don't think you can completely pay off your credit card debt within the next few months, consider buying some time by transferring that debt to a balance transfer card with a zero-interest introductory period. Some accounts, like UFB Best Savings, are offering APYs north of 4%, which is quite high in recent years. UFB Best Savings Learn More UFB Best Savings is a Member FDIC.

☆ CVS wants to be the doctor for people on Medicare
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —CVS is buying a primary care doctor’s network, moving the pharmacy deeper into providing physician services for patients. Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare. In 2018, CVS bought Aetna, making it one of the largest health insurers in the country. “In the last three years, health insurers have become increasingly interested in purchasing primary care practices and employing physicians,” Nicholson said. Additionally, private Medicare plans typically offer higher reimbursement rates from the federal government than traditional Medicare, and CVS wants to capitalize on this, he said.

Combined corn and soy acreage estimates are now closer to 178 million to 180 million rather than 183 million-plus two years ago, keeping primary crop acreage somewhat competitive. Fertilizer prices remain high but have eased since last fall, favorable for corn profitability prospects so long as corn prices do not significantly decline. Insurance price for spring wheat is also set during February, and half of the U.S. spring wheat crop is planted in North Dakota. The state’s spring wheat plantings ended higher than original intentions while corn and soy acres ended lower. Still, U.S. spring wheat acreage in 2022 was down from both intentions and the previous year.

☆ The generative AI boom is bringing San Francisco’s tech scene roaring back to life
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Techies fled from San Francisco during the pandemic, and its resurgence stalled for a while. It's just south of Japantown, mere blocks from San Francisco City Hall, and north of the Mission District. Someone even said it would be "irresponsible" to not work on generative AI in San Francisco. There aren't any skeptics in the space yet, and the majority of generative AI investments land in the Bay Area. Email dsiu@insider.com or tweet @diamondnagasiu) Edited by Matt Weinberger (tweet @gamoid) in San Francisco and Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.

☆ I'm a leg-lengthening surgeon. Most of my clients are men with confidence issues — here's what the procedure's like
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Natalie Rahhal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Shahab Mahboubian performs 30 to 40 cosmetic limb-lengthening surgeries a year. The only field in medicine that uses all of these tools is orthopedic surgery, so it seemed like the right fit. I specialized in limb-lengthening surgery specifically because I wanted to do something that was different from everybody else. People that undergo limb-lengthening surgery are from all walks of life, and many used COVID lockdowns to recover post-surgery. I would say 80% to 85% of my cosmetic limb-lengthening patients are men, and 15% to 20% are women.

You'll need a medical exam to get the best life insurance rate. While there are no medical exam life insurance options, you'll need a check-up for most life insurance policies. You can still get life insurance if you don't want to take a medical exam or know you won't pass it. No medical exam life insurance policies allow you to get insurance without a physical if you qualify. Insider's Featured Life Insurance Companies Lemonade Life InsuranceNationwide Life InsuranceGuardian Life Insurance Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Parafin, launched in 2020, works with so-called platform partners, or companies that other small businesses sell their products through. All the cofounders knew was that they wanted to build technology that would help small businesses. And they may not get their first contract payment from the government for as long as 120 days," Reed, the startup's CEO, told Insider. Helping small businesses manage their taxesComplYant's founder Shiloh Jackson wants to help people be present in their bookkeeping. HoneyBookWhile countless small businesses have been harmed by the pandemic, self-employment and entrepreneurship have found ways to blossom as Americans started new ventures.

☆ Americans are flocking to wildfire country
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Our main finding is that people seem to be moving to counties with the highest wildfire risks, and cities and suburbs with relatively hot summers. This is concerning because wildfire and heat are only expected to become more dangerous with climate change," Mahalia Clark, the lead author of the study, told CNBC. "People tend to think of wildfire as something that affects the West, but it also affects large areas of the South and even Midwest." On the other hand, sometimes high risk areas are more affordable, creating an unfortunate incentive for people to move there." But homebuyers also need to be doing their due diligence on the climate risks associated with the location where they are considering buying a new home.

We're here to clear up common misconceptions and help consumers find the best no medical exam life insurance options. Accelerated underwriting life insuranceAccelerated underwriting may seem like a given with no medical exam life insurance. Because of public records information, the pricing on this type of no medical exam life insurance is most likely comparable to standard life policies. Whether due to age, prescription history, or other medical history, buyers should have life insurance alternatives involving a medical exam. How to pick the best life insurance policy for youParticularly when choosing life insurance, customization is critical.

☆ Russian oil cap will work, EU ministers insist, despite Kremlin opposition and broad skepticism
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

G7, the EU and Australia implemented on December 5 a cap on Russian oil prices. BRUSSELS — A price cap on Russian seaborne oil will work, EU ministers told CNBC, despite attempts from the Kremlin to escape sanctions and a broad market skepticism over the measure. When asked if the oil cap can work in reducing Russia's oil revenues, Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said, "Yes, it can." One of the big open questions is the role of India and China in the implementation of this price cap. "Then we will assess the consequences of the implementation of this oil cap," he added.

☆ EU sanctions on Russian oil take effect on Monday - here's what to expect and why the price cap may not yield any real results
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

EU officials have agreed to set a price cap on Russian oil at $60 a barrel. Starting Monday, seaborne imports of Russian oil into the EU will be banned, as will European insurance and shipping services for vessels carrying Russian oil anywhere in the world. How would the oil price cap work? At the same time, the EU, G7 member countries, and Australia are participating in the price cap on Russian oil. But the EU ban on Russian oil supersedes a price cap, Energy Aspects analyst Amrita Sen has pointed out.

☆ Cyber Insurers Turn Attention to Catastrophic Hacks
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( James Rundle | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

While cyber insurance has evolved significantly in recent years, insurers say they might still be unprepared for the fallout from a catastrophic cyberattack. “I think it’s important we stress that the insurance industry has not had a catastrophic event,” said John Coletti, head of cyber reinsurance at Swiss Re. “We have hundreds of years of history of understanding that risk,” Mr. Tiernan said. Part of the challenge for modeling cyber catastrophes is that historical data simply doesn’t exist to produce accurate models, Mr. Tiernan said. “We probably need to pay a little more attention to the assumptions that underpin them.”Write to James Rundle at james.rundle@wsj.com

☆ Over 10 years, 43% of first marriages can fail. Here's why couples might want a postnuptial agreement
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Deborah Nason | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Vitapix | E+ | Getty ImagesWhile couples might sign a prenuptial agreement before they're married and a "post-nup" after, it's more than just the timing that differentiates these arrangements, experts say. "It's a whole different ballgame once you're married," said Martin Shenkman, estate attorney with Shenkman Law in New York City. When a post-nup might be called forWhat situations might prompt a couple to prepare a postnuptial agreement? For example, married couples may need to adjust a pre-nup they'd signed, according to attorney and certified financial planner Keith Singer, president of Singer Wealth in Boca Raton, Florida. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 10 years as many as 43% of first marriages can fail.

We're here to clear up common misconceptions and help consumers find the best no medical exam life insurance options. May offer coverage to military members other companies won't cover Check mark icon A check mark. Because of public records information, the pricing on this type of no medical exam life insurance is most likely comparable to standard life policies. Whether due to age, prescription history, or other medical history, buyers should have life insurance alternatives involving a medical exam. How to pick the best life insurance policy for youParticularly when choosing life insurance, customization is critical.

☆ Insurance is poised to perform well even amid economic weakness. Here are expert's top stock picks
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Why insurance stocks have outperformed There are a few things that have led to the sector's outperformance this year and that are expected to give it a lift in 2023. Within the group, he's focused on property and casualty insurance and life insurance. Other analysts also see value in so-called multi-line companies, which bundle different kinds of insurance together, and reinsurance, which is insurance for insurance companies. Which stocks insurance analysts like Dwelle's top pick is AIG , which has property and casualty and life insurance. He also recommends the insurance group for investors who want to orient themselves more conservatively and stay away from buying beaten up growth stocks, such as tech names.

Pet food prices rose 14% between September 2021 and September 2022, according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics. Fifty percent are shopping for cheaper alternatives to their standard pet food, and 35% say they've had to reduce the frequency of their visits to grooming services. More worryingly: 46% of pet owners said that they've decided to forego or delay veterinary treatments in the wake of inflation — including dental procedures and X-Rays. She told Insider: "Google searches for "can I give my dog paracetamol?" have surged recently, as we fear people are seeking to self-medicate animals and avoid vet costs."

☆ Buffett's Berkshire loses money as stocks, Hurricane Ian offset higher demand
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nov 5 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N) on Saturday posted a $2.69 billion third-quarter loss as rising inflation, falling stock investments and a big loss from Hurricane Ian offset improvement in many of the conglomerate's businesses. It also bought back more of its own stock but was cautious, repurchasing $1.05 billion, similar to the second quarter. It also said rising costs hurt results at two of its best-known businesses, the BNSF railroad and Geico auto insurer. That helped offset a $2.7 billion after-tax loss from Ian, a strong Category 4 hurricane that slammed into Florida on Sept. 28. Net results included $10.45 billion of losses from investments and derivatives, as the stock prices of many large Berkshire investments other than Apple Inc (AAPL.O) fell.

☆ Berkshire Hathaway's operating earnings jump 20%, conglomerate buys back another $1 billion in stock
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Earnings from the company's utilities and energy businesses came in at $1.585 billion, up from $1.496 billion year over year. Insurance underwriting suffered a loss of 962 million, however, while railroad earnings dipped to $1.442 billion from $1.538 billion in 2021. Berkshire spent $1.05 billion in share repurchases during the quarter, bringing the nine-month total to $5.25 billion. However, Berkshire did post a net loss of $2.69 billion in the third quarter, versus a $10.34 billion gain a year before. Berkshire suffered a $10.1 billion loss on its investments during the quarter, bringing its 2022 decline to $63.9 billion.

☆ I'm a leg-lengthening surgeon. Most of my clients are men with confidence issues — here's what the procedure's like and why I do it.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Natalie Rahhal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

The only field in medicine that uses all of these tools is orthopedic surgery, so it seemed like the right fit. I specialized in limb-lengthening surgery specifically because I wanted to do something that was different from everybody else. People that undergo limb-lengthening surgery are from all walks of life, and many used COVID lockdowns to recover post-surgery. I would say 80% to 85% of my cosmetic limb-lengthening patients are men and 15% to 20% are women. Even though I've done limb-lengthening surgeries hundreds of times, I still get a little nervous.

☆ Josh Brown says go for these consumer-focused stocks that flourish with higher costs in the economy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"It's just too high of a rate to assume that all of these great consumer businesses that make up the S & P can flourish," he said. "Almost every name in this group – the 40 names in the S & P 500 insurance sector – are within 3% to 5% of record-high prices," he said. "There's nothing like this in the market right now," he added. The iShares U.S. Insurance ETF is up more than 9% year to date, versus the S & P 500's roughly 19% dip. He also noted that catastrophic weather could give them the ability to get higher policy renewal rates and higher prices for those policies.

☆ ‘Ugly times’ are pushing record annuity sales. Here's what you need to know before you buy
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

How to know if an annuity makes sense for youFinancial advisors often recommend using a different flavor of annuity when building financial plans: a single-premium immediate annuity or deferred-income annuity. Payouts from immediate annuities start right away, while those from deferred-income annuities starts later, perhaps in a retiree's 70s or 80s. Single-premium immediate annuities and deferred-income annuities are relatively simple to understand compared with other categories, advisors said. By contrast, consumers can't get back principal when they buy single-premium immediate annuities or deferred-income annuities. This is one likely reason consumers don't buy them as readily, despite their income efficiency, Giesing said.

☆ Credit Agricole, AXA to bid this week for Banco BPM's insurance deal-sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Andrea Mandala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Credit Agricole has bought 9.2% of Banco BPM this year with a view to expanding their strategic partnerships beyond consumer finance. Insurance and asset management, which Banco BPM has put at the core of its profit strategy, are seen as the obvious candidates. Banco BPM, AXA, Credit Agricole and Generali all declined to comment. Banco BPM CEO Giuseppe Castagna recently said the bank was in no rush to select an insurance partner. In August Banco BPM had indicated it would take a decision by the end of the year.

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