Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to marry in lavish $600 Million Aspen weddingA hard-right populist, Calin Georgescu, known for his anti-European Union and anti-NATO views, has unexpectedly surged into the lead in Romania's presidential race. With 98% of ballots counted, the 62-year-old garnered nearly 23% of the vote, surpassing centre-left Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who holds around 20%. Elena Lasconi, representing the centre-right, trails in third with nearly 19%, while far-right leader George Simion stands at 14%. Partial results suggest Georgescu, who only had 5% support in pre-election opinion polls, will face off against Ciolacu in a run-off vote on December 8. Initially, exit polls pointed to a Ciolacu lead, with Lasconi in second, indicating an election central to economic concerns and rising living costs. Running independently, Georgescu significantly leveraged social media platforms like TikTok to connect with voters, in stark contrast to mainstream media, which largely overlooked him. A former member of the right-wing Alliance for Uniting Romanians party, Georgescu has called for halting aid to Ukraine and condemned Romania's involvement in NATO's missile defense initiatives. Georgescu's controversial remarks, including support for WWII-era leader Ion Antonescu, who allied with Adolf Hitler, have prompted further scrutiny. Following the election results, Georgescu described them as a 'cry for peace' from the public, emphasizing the magnitude of their collective voice. Meanwhile, Romania's government continues to stand by Ukraine, supporting it with military resources amid its ongoing conflict with Russia and accommodating NATO's defensive installations. (With inputs from agencies.)
Romania braces for parliamentary vote after far right's poll upsetRays will play 13 of first 16 games at home and 47 of 59, then have 69 of last 103 on roadRays will play 13 of first 16 games at home and 47 of 59, then have 69 of last 103 on road
Analysts' ratings for Booz Allen Hamilton BAH over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 9 analysts. The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 1 2 4 2 0 Last 30D 0 0 1 0 0 1M Ago 0 1 2 1 0 2M Ago 1 1 0 1 0 3M Ago 0 0 1 0 0 Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $179.44, a high estimate of $206.00, and a low estimate of $155.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 8.38% increase from the previous average price target of $165.56. Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis A clear picture of Booz Allen Hamilton's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Tobey Sommer Truist Securities Lowers Hold $155.00 $185.00 Howard Rubel Jefferies Raises Hold $190.00 $180.00 David Strauss Barclays Raises Underweight $175.00 $142.00 Matthew Akers Wells Fargo Raises Overweight $206.00 $185.00 Tobey Sommer Truist Securities Raises Hold $185.00 $165.00 Noah Poponak Goldman Sachs Raises Buy $196.00 $174.00 Seth Seifman JP Morgan Raises Underweight $158.00 $154.00 Matthew Akers Wells Fargo Raises Overweight $185.00 $165.00 Tobey Sommer Truist Securities Raises Hold $165.00 $140.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Booz Allen Hamilton. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Booz Allen Hamilton compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Booz Allen Hamilton's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time. Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of Booz Allen Hamilton's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Booz Allen Hamilton analyst ratings. Discovering Booz Allen Hamilton: A Closer Look Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp is a provider of management consulting services to the U.S. government. Other services offered include technology, such as cloud computing and cybersecurity consulting, and engineering consulting. The consulting services are focused on defense, intelligence, and civil markets. In addition to the U.S. government, Booz Allen Hamilton provides its management and technology consulting services to large corporations, institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The company assists clients in long-term engagements around the globe. Booz Allen Hamilton's Financial Performance Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position. Revenue Growth: Booz Allen Hamilton's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 18.01% . This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Industrials sector. Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 12.4%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control. Return on Equity (ROE): Booz Allen Hamilton's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 34.15% . This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital. Return on Assets (ROA): Booz Allen Hamilton's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 5.77%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health. Debt Management: Booz Allen Hamilton's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 3.01 , the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk. How Are Analyst Ratings Determined? Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions. In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs. Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. Click here for urgent details . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
After a far-right pro-Russia candidate secured a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election Monday, the eastern European NATO member is bracing for a high-stakes parliamentary vote on Sunday, amid fears it could bring about a strategic shift in the country. Calin Georgescu was in pole position with almost 23 percent after the first round of voting, a political earthquake in the country of 19 million people that has so far resisted nationalist appeals that have gained traction in Hungary and Slovakia. His victory ahead of centre-right mayor Elena Lasconi -- who scored 19.18 percent -- ended the hopes of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to compete for the presidency in the December runoff. After coming third at 19.15, Ciolacu said his Social Democratic Party (PSD) won't challenge the narrow result, and announced his resignation as party leader. Experts say the far right's surprise success could affect the parliamentary elections later this week, and even influence the chances of forming a future government. In the runoff ballot on December 8, Lasconi will face Georgescu, a NATO critic who in the past expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Georgescu's popularity surged ahead of the vote with a viral TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine, which shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Romania. In a first reaction on his YouTube channel, the 62-year-old independent candidate insisted "there is no East or West", stressing that neutrality was "absolutely necessary". "I am not an extremist, I am not a fascist -- I am a Romanian who loves his country," he said in reference to media reports that "tried to portray" him in a wrongful way. For his rival Lasconi, the upcoming runoff represents "an existential battle", "a historic confrontation" between those who wish to "preserve Romania's young democracy" and those who want to "return to the Russian sphere of influence". "We must not allow anger to throw us back into the past," she said to thunderous applause from her supporters, vowing to stand up for Europe and NATO. The political earthquake comes amid soaring inflation and mounting fears of Romania being potentially dragged into Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine, as the country has emerged as a key player on the alliance's eastern flank. In Sunday's vote, another far-right contender, AUR party leader George Simion, secured nearly 14 percent. Already pounding the campaign trail for this week's parliamentary elections, Simion said Romania now has "the chance to have a sovereign government and a sovereign president". Overall, the far right won more than a third of all votes in Sunday's presidential ballot. "The far right is by far the big winner of this election," political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP, predicting a possible "contagion effect" in the parliamentary vote. Extremist forces and Lasconi's centre-right party now have "wind in their sails", sociologist Gelu Duminica said, though "it remains to be seen if they know how to capitalise" on it. The PSD, which has shaped the country's politics for more than three decades, has never before been eliminated in the first round of a presidential election. The National Liberal Party (PNL) party, with whom the PSD currently governs, also suffered a defeat. While many expressed their disbelief over the poll in the streets of the capital Bucharest, others were enthused. Maria Chis, 70, said she was surprised by Georgescu's lead in the first round but had been impressed after watching his TikTok videos. "He seems a man of integrity, serious and patriotic. He inspires seriousness. I think only someone like him can bring change," said the pensioner, who was planning to vote for him in the second round. Alex Tudose, the owner of a construction company, was gloomy. "There is sorrow, disappointment, that after so many years in Euro-Atlantic structures we voted for a pro-Russian by over 20 percent," the 42-year-old said. "There is clearly a strong fragmentation both in society and in the political class, and I think we saw that yesterday," he said. ani-anb-kym/sbkENERGY SERVICES OF AMERICA COMPLETES ACQUISITION
A high-level team of Punjab officials, including doctors from Government Rajindra Hospital and Patiala health department called on veteran farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal at Khanauri and urged him to take medical aid in view of his deteriorating health. The 67-year-old has been fasting since November 26 to press the Centre into accepting the protesting farmers’ demands and has so far refused medical treatment. The state government has formed a team of doctors to monitor his health around the clock. The visit came hours after the Supreme Court questioned the Punjab government’s commitment to save the life of the fasting farmer leader and sought a status report on the next date of hearing scheduled for Saturday. The doctors asked the farm leader to take the required medication through a drip (Intravenous). “Our concern is only that you take the required medication to stay alive and keep fighting your ongoing battle,” a medical expert urged Dallewal. As per the latest blood test reports, accessed by HT, the high levels of ketones in the blood of Dallewal are worrying. His uric acid levels are also up which indicates deranged renal functions. The normal range of Uric acid in males is between 3-7 mg/dL. A team comprising deputy inspector general of police Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Patiala deputy commissioner Preeti Yadav, senior superintendent of police Nanak Singh and others visited the farmer leader. Later Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema also met Dallewal and urged the Centre to give up its “stubborn attitude” and talk to farmers to resolve their issues. Talking to mediapersons Cheema said chief minister Bhagwant Mann will return from abroad on Saturday and Dallewal’s health and related issues will then be taken up with him. When asked about today’s Supreme Court directions, Cheema, said, “I will appeal to the Supreme Court to issue directions to the Union government to fulfil all the demands of protesting farmers at the earliest.” Farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said the Centre does not want to talk to the farmers. “Why is the Centre running away from talks? Why this indifferent attitude towards farmers,” Kohar asked. Farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and the Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. A “jatha (group)” of 101 farmers attempted to march to Delhi on foot three times between December 6 and 14 but were stopped by security personnel of Haryana.
US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north on Friday and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. It was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Parts of it were set on fire. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has a nearly total abortion ban and a porous safety net for mothers and young children. GOP state leaders in Tennessee and other states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 argue that they are bolstering services for families. Recent research and an analysis by The Associated Press has found that from the time a Tennessee woman gets pregnant, she faces greater obstacles to a healthy pregnancy, a healthy child and a financially stable family life than the average American mom. Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals' Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts. Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train has been indicted on state charges. A prosecutor announced Sebastian Zapeta’s indictment at a court hearing Friday. The development comes days after Zapeta’s arrest and subsequent police questioning in which they say he identified himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit. The indictment will be under seal until Jan. 7. He remains jailed. Federal immigration officials say the 33-year-old Zapeta is from Guatemala and entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victim. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.A bar crawl, a fake holiday and something called "Chrismukkah"? What a week this is!
Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. “Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.” Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. “The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Michael Andretti posted on social media. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!” The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA. The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1."
Maga v Musk: Trump camp divided in bitter fight over immigration policyWe would pull up next to each other and chit chat while the kids were gathering their stuff and switching cars. Exceeding even my own, Dan tended to have obsessive curiosities. For the past few weeks, almost every morning we would talk about this thing called “Bitcoin” he was deep diving. He was clearly very excited about it, but I hadn’t put any time into the topic outside of kid exchange. I played along reveling in his excitement. Dan was also a trader, he had spent a good portion of his career trading currencies at the Chicago Merc. If it moved, Dan wanted to trade it, and the wild movement in this Bitcoin thing was providing him lots of stimulation. I am not a trader. My career has been spent doing planning, strategy and investing. Because trading and investing share some subject matter, I can talk competently with traders, but when I invest in something I am looking for a trend over time, not just movement. When I invest in something, I want to understand it’s fundamentals. After a few weeks of Bitcoin talk I decided to put some time into learning about it. Wow, the rabbit holes were deep. The blockchain technology it was built on, the libertarian philosophy behind the concept, the finite nature; a person could spend a lifetime on this topic, and some since have. I perceived the concept as a digital currency alternative, and a finite asset sharing characteristics of an investment or security. This was something entirely new. Getting some for myself would be complicated. I had to find a legitimate crypto exchange (not easy), connect my exchange account to my PayPal account (scary) and then when I got my bitcoin, I would need to store it in something called a digital wallet. It was a lot. I decided to take another approach. If this Bitcoin was presenting as an alternative currency, then instead of using actual dollars to procure some, I would instead use another form of what I perceive as an alternative currency to get mine. In my safe deposit box, I have some silver dollars. During my research on the Bitcoin topic, I had come across an auction site, kind of like an Ebay, facilitating the sale of real-world products to be settled in Bitcoin. The auction site also provided a digital wallet to hold the Bitcoin. I listed my silver dollar for sale. In short order, it sold. It was worth about $30 at the time; I sold it on the auction site for 0.04 bitcoin. The math seemed to work, and I now had some Bitcoin. I wrote a column about the whole experiment. Curiosity satisfied, I left my Bitcoin in my wallet on the auction site, and promptly forgot the name of the site and my password, for five years. And what a crazy five years it was. The topic of Bitcoin morphed into the subject of cryptocurrency in general and the whole now “crypto” industry turned into the digital version of the wild west. At some point, some news item triggered me to go find my Bitcoin. Fortunately, my personal email account is a total mess so five years later I was able to find the original auction transaction. When I went back to the auction site it was gone. It had been sold to a crypto exchange company, which had then in turn been sold to a company called Coinbase, which had an app. So, on a Saturday morning lying in bed, I nervously put my email into the Coinbase app, miraculously it recognized my email and sent me a password reset. A few minutes later I was looking at my long-lost Bitcoin, still hanging in my now Coinbase wallet, and it wasn’t worth $30 anymore. Woohoo. The five years since I found my lost Bitcoin on the internet have seen cryptocurrency evolve from the digital wild west, complete with scams, heists, scandals, booms, busts, bandits and S.E.C. sheriffs, to a point of maturity and legitimacy, and through all these growing pains Bitcoin itself has maintained a primacy. With the advent of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies being packaged into Exchange Traded Funds I feel like the topic may finally be ready for use in investment planning and maybe even financial planning conversations with traditional investors. The early days of wild speculation and yes, wild profits, may be in the past but I think Bitcoin in particular will be important in ways we may not yet completely understand. So yes, in this topic for the column I am deliberately not early to the party, but I also don’t think I’m late, and now the conversation can be more focused on the “how,” instead of merely the “if” when it comes to Bitcoin.
Prices for copper and aluminium fell in London on Friday as data showing a tumble in euro zone business activity weakened the euro, and the dollar strengthened weighing on prices for industrial metals. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) CMCU3 was down 0.7% at $8,950 per metric ton in official open-outcry trading. The Eurozone’s dominant services industry contracted and manufacturing sank deeper into recession this month, a survey showed on Friday. The euro plunged to a two-year low after the data, and the U.S. dollar index hit a fresh two-year high. Eight weeks of the U.S. currency strengthening, which makes dollar-priced metals more expensive for buyers using other currencies, and concerns about demand in top metals consumer China helped copper to fall by 12% from a four-month peak hit on Sept. 30. “Industrial metals have also struggled amid heightened tensions and tariff threat, lowering the near-term outlook for growth and demand while gold and other investment metals have received a haven bid,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. Gold rose 1% on Friday with signs of escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war after Russia’s strike on Ukraine using a newly developed hypersonic ballistic missile. A poll, the first on China’s economy by Reuters since Donald Trump’s sweeping election victory on Nov. 5, showed this week that the United States could impose nearly 40% tariffs on imports from China early next year. Meanwhile, the recent decline in copper prices helped to revive some part of demand in China – visible in a five-week-long decline in copper inventories in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange. LME aluminium CMAL3 fell 0.7% to $2,614 in official activity, zinc CMZN3 eased 0.9% to $2,963, tin CMSN3 was down 0.2% at $28,700, while nickel CMNI3 added 1.0% to $15,875 with some consumer buying supported by its recent price decline. Lead CMPB3 rose 0.9% to $2,017 supported by a decline in SHFE-monitored stocks PB-STX-SGH and fresh stocks cancellations in the LME-registered warehouses. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Polina Devitt in London; additional reporting by Mai Nguyen in Hanoi; Editing by Shreya Biswas and Krishna Chandra Eluri)10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025
