NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) — Chris Mubiru had 13 points to lead Northwestern State to a 71-58 victory over North Alabama on Sunday. Mubiru finished 5 of 6 from the field for the Demons (3-4). Jerald Colonel scored 12 points and added six rebounds. Landyn Jumawan had 12 points with two 3-pointers. Jacari Lane finished with 14 points to lead the Lions (4-3). Will Soucie added 13 points and Canin Jefferson scored nine. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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In recent decades, Asia has emerged as the epicentre of the shipbuilding industry, thanks to its strategic location and the capital- and labour-intensive nature of the trade. While Europe was the birthplace of shipbuilding, the construction of large deep-sea vessels has largely shifted to Asia. This industry, known for its cyclical nature, has weathered numerous phases of boom and bust, followed by periods of restructuring. Currently, it is riding a new wave of growth, driven by stringent environmental regulations and the pressing need for ship replacements. This upward trend is expected to continue steadily for several years, with Asia firmly at the helm. This note will primarily focus on South Korea’s shipbuilding industry while also considering regional perspectives. Between 2002 and 2008, the shipbuilding industry experienced an unprecedented boom, fuelled by China’s rapid economic growth and the surge in global trade, particularly in container volumes. This remarkable expansion followed China’s entry into the WTO in 2001 and the subsequent globalisation of supply chains. Although Japan and South Korea initially led the industry, China swiftly captured a significant market share to satisfy its own burgeoning demand for exports and imports. During this period, new ship prices surged by approximately 120%, prompting shipping lines to embark on mass speculative shipbuilding from 2006 onwards. To meet the soaring demand, shipbuilders invested heavily in large-scale dock expansions. In addition, financial intermediaries introduced new ship funding schemes, injecting more liquidity into the industry. However, the 2008 financial crisis dealt a severe blow to the global economy, causing a sharp decline in trade volumes. The overheated shipbuilding market was hit hard, plunging into a prolonged downturn that lasted well into the next decade. On the demand side, a severe oversupply of vessels led to falling freight rates and a significant drop in new orders from shippers. On the supply side, the industry faced structural issues, including excess capacity built up during the boom, high fixed costs such as labour and dockage, and deteriorating profitability. As the downturn dragged on, China embarked on a major restructuring of its shipyards, while South Korea shuttered most of its small and medium-sized shipyards. Since 2021, the global demand for ships has been on the rise, spurred by the surge in goods trading induced by Covid-19. More importantly, the landscape of environmental regulations has evolved significantly. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced new regulations, such as the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), aimed at reducing carbon emissions and fostering a more environmentally friendly shipping industry. The IMO has also adopted a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) strategy to cut the carbon intensity of shipping by 40% by 2030 and ensure that at least 5% of fuels used in shipping are low carbon by then. This challenge can be met by blending biofuels or using alternatives like synthetic or bio-LNG and methanol. The IMO is also laying the groundwork for a future global carbon levy, which is already being implemented for vessels sailing in Europe and calling at European ports. While retrofitting ships to meet new environmental regulations can be costly and often uneconomical, these changes present opportunities for shipbuilders to innovate and advance technically. However, shipping companies and shipowners have been hesitant to place new orders due to uncertainties surrounding future fuel options. Although the order books for ships capable of running on alternative fuels are growing, this shift still raises questions and doubts among investors in new vessels. Fleet owners are also reluctant to scrap old tonnage under these conditions. Nevertheless, we can anticipate increased traction for next-generation vessels, even as global trade evolves and grows more slowly. This trend will be a key driver for future shipping demand. As the life cycle of ships, particularly bulk carriers built during the super-cycle comes to an end, we can expect large-scale decommissioning. Typically, most carriers reach the end of their operational life after 20-30 years, though this can vary depending on market conditions. Shipowners might find it more advantageous to expand their fleets and keep older vessels in service, especially with the recent surge in secondhand ship prices. Scrapping values also play a significant role in these decisions. In addition, geopolitical tensions have led to shifts in trade patterns and rerouting, which, combined with slow steaming practices to save fuel, consumes more capacity and necessitates more vessels. Several shipyards, particularly those specialising in LNG carriers, have order books extending several years into the future. Despite the cyclical nature of the industry and the typical three-to-five-year lead time for ship deliveries, we believe that current market dynamics will foster a more stable order flow in shipbuilding moving forward. The shipyards that weathered the previous boom-and-bust cycle have not yet expanded their docks, creating a seller’s market that is likely to persist for some time. Korean and Japanese shipbuilders are likely to make strategic and risk-managed investments in capacity expansion, as they are more selective in taking orders. In contrast, Chinese shipbuilders may adopt a different approach, as the largest fraction of the fleet eligible for replacement consists of bulk carriers, which are predominantly built by Chinese shipyards. This could drive a stronger need for investment expansion in China. Over the past two years, we have seen some previously closed shipyards in China reopen and start picking up orders again. For now, the more specialised shipbuilders from Korea and Japan are poised to enjoy better earnings by focusing on filling their shipyards with profitable and reliable orders. We believe this cautious approach will prolong the seller’s market. Moreover, the capacity shortage among the main players may create opportunities for smaller Asian shipbuilders to increase their market share. Concerns about oversupply in terms of tonnage from 2027 onwards are already emerging, as orders for LNG and LPG ships, as well as containers, have reached record highs over the past two years. However, the momentum is likely to continue, albeit at a slower pace, driven by regulatory changes and an increase in replacement orders for dual-fuel ships. For instance, ammonia is being used as a fuel in small and medium-sized LPG carriers. However, the development of clean ammonia, which is produced with minimal or zero greenhouse gas emissions, is still in its planning stages. To achieve decarbonisation goals, there will be an increasing need for a transition to green energy. As part of this shift, shipyards should prepare to retrofit existing vessels with fuel-saving features and new engine systems. This will be essential to accelerate the decarbonisation of the extensive existing fleet. Since 2012, China’s shipbuilding industry has ranked first in the world for new orders. Domestic shipyards fulfil most of the country’s shipbuilding needs and possess key competitive advantages. Labour costs, which account for more than 20% of total production costs, are significantly lower in China—about 50% less compared to Korea and Japan. Additionally, China is the world’s cheapest steel manufacturer, making its prices more competitive than those of other countries. In terms of financing, the Chinese government provides sovereign refund guarantees for certain classes of vessels, alleviating financial burdens on the shipyards. South Korea’s market share in the global shipbuilding market has been declining over the past four years, currently accounting for 27.5% of new orders based on Compensated Gross Tonnage (CGT) from 2020 to the third quarter of 2024. However, Korean shipbuilders continue to lead in efficiency. Korea has the highest ratio of shipbuilding per yard. Most of the orders received by Korean shipbuilders are for high-value vessels such as LNG carriers, LPG carriers, and VLCCs, and they come from reliable shipowners. Korean shipbuilders hold a dominant 93% share of the LPG carrier market, securing 33 out of 37 orders in the first half of 2024. They have also received orders for 44 LNG carriers from Qatar out of a total of 62 orders over the past two years. Meanwhile, China has experienced the strongest growth in exports of motor container ships over the last two years, a segment that is not the primary focus of Korean and Japanese shipbuilders. When comparing ship exports as a percentage of total exports, Korean shipbuilding plays a more significant role than in China and Japan. Although China holds the largest share of the global shipbuilding market, most orders are placed by Chinese owners, resulting in a lower share of ship exports in total exports compared to Korea and Japan. As of November 2024, Korean ship exports have increased by 40.2% year-over-year, year-to-date, compared to an 8.5% rise in total exports. Alongside semiconductors, which saw a 47.0% increase, ships are driving strong export growth in 2024. With high order backlogs currently at 3.5 years, ship exports are expected to continue growing for at least the next three years. South Korea has announced a $1.44 billion investment plan over the next 10 years to collaborate with businesses in developing smart and clean energy technologies for the shipbuilding industry. The “K-Shipbuilding Hyper-Gap Vision 2040” strategy aims to develop advanced ship technologies such as full autopilot capabilities and carbon-free engines powered by LNG, ammonia, and hydrogen. The strategy outlines 10 flagship projects, such as developing liquefied carbon dioxide carriers, implementing carbon capture and storage systems for ships, and achieving fully autonomous navigation capabilities. This initiative is designed to counter China’s growing dominance in the industry. South Korea is also actively seeking international collaborations. For instance, South Korea and Norway have agreed to enhance cooperation in clean energy, shipbuilding, and the development of eco-friendly and smart vessels. Given the expected tariff hikes and stricter trade rules promised by President-elect Trump during his campaign, Korean exports are likely to take a hit. However, when it comes to shipbuilding, Trump’s foreign and defence policy could be beneficial for Korean shipbuilders. According to industry news, Korean shipbuilders have secured several maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) contracts with the US Navy, and Trump has expressed rare positive sentiments towards non-US manufacturers in shipbuilding. South Korea is likely to emerge as the Trump administration’s most likely partner for overhauling and constructing US combat ships. With geopolitical tensions high, the US is likely to increase foreign orders to close the gap with China, as the US shipbuilding industry is virtually defunct. South Korea, with the world’s second-largest combat ship-building capacity after China, is well-positioned to capitalise on this. Under the Jones Act, US ships must be built by local shipyards. In response, Korean shipbuilders are stepping up their efforts. In June, Hanwha Ocean acquired a shipyard in the US and plans to boost its capacity to build ships. Other major shipbuilders are also tapping into the MRO market and plan to expand investments in the US. China, South Korea, and Japan currently account for more than 85% of the global shipbuilding industry. However, other Asian countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and India also have significant potential to grow in the global shipbuilding scene. As previously mentioned, shipbuilding requires substantial capital and labour to remain competitive. With significant up-front investment and skilled workers, and markets already dominated by the top three countries, the barrier to entry in shipbuilding is relatively high and often requires government support. Moreover, global trade is increasingly driven by intra-Asia trade, and export-driven economies are naturally linked to shipping and shipbuilding, even though vessels can be flagged and managed from anywhere in the world. As Asia is a global hub for the production and consumption of goods, it has a competitive advantage in maintaining a strong shipbuilding industry. At the same time, there is an abundance of affordable yet skilled labour in these countries. Beyond China, South Korea, and Japan, we see growth potential from other Asian countries as well. India has announced that it will set up a shipping company as part of its national strategy. The idea is to reduce dependence on foreign shipping lines by having a national fleet of ships. This is likely to lead to increased investment in shipbuilding in the mid-term. India has set an ambitious goal, aiming to rank among the top 10 shipbuilders by 2030. The government has taken several key measures, such as the Financial Assistance Policy on Shipbuilding and Grant of Infrastructure Status. In the case of Korea, there has been a shortage of labour, so shipbuilders have had to recruit technicians from abroad, mostly from East Asian countries. South Korean shipbuilders have also acquired shipyards in Vietnam and the Philippines. This signals that Asia will continue to be the main hub of the global shipbuilding industry. In the case of Vietnam, shipbuilding has increased tenfold over the past 10 years. According to the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Research Report 2023-2032, Vietnamese shipbuilding is expected to grow at a record CAGR of 6% from 2023 to 2032. Vietnam is actively collaborating with international partners to strengthen its capabilities. Japan has agreed to transfer military technology to build military ships. Additionally, a joint venture between Hyundai Mipo (South Korea) and Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC – Vietnam), established in 1996, has grown to become the largest shipyard in Southeast Asia. While this article has focused on shipbuilding in Asia, the region also plays a crucial role in ship recycling. Not only does Asia build the majority of the world’s ships, but it also recycles or disposes of most ships at the end of their lives. South Asia recycles 80-85% of the world’s ships, although new recycling facilities have been established in Brazil, Indonesia, and the Middle East. China has stopped recycling foreign-flagged ships but continues to promote steel scrap to reduce pollution in finished steel products. With the Hong Kong Convention set to enter into force in June 2025, many ship recycling sectors are improving their practices to ensure safe and environmentally sound procedures are followed. New players from non-Asian countries have entered the market in greater numbers. However, to expand their market share, they will need to consider several factors, including the affordable disposal of hazardous materials, access to affordable skilled labour, transparent ship recycling regulations, and the proximity to markets for recycled and remanufactured products. All these factors suggest that South Asia will remain the leader in ship recycling for a considerable time. Shipbuilding has evolved into one of Asia’s most vital industries, with China, South Korea, and Japan leading the charge as fierce competitors, and new players steadily entering the market. The current upcycle in shipbuilding is poised to offer numerous opportunities for both emerging and established players. Despite its cyclical nature, which inevitably brings future downturns, shipbuilders have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in managing past challenges. It is evident that shipbuilding will continue to be a significant growth driver in Asia. Source: INGCampaigners called for more investment in Scotland’s rail services after figures appeared to show the performance of the state train operator is declining amid cancellations caused by industrial action, driver shortages and ageing stock. The official rail-performance indicator — known as PPM (public performance measure) — shows a deterioration in ScotRail services to lower levels than under the previous private-sector ownership. The network experienced 19 cancellations on Sunday due to a lack of drivers willing to work overtime on Sunday rest days and high winds, although disruption was less than the same day on the previous weekend. But the PPM figures show a decline over a longer period, with delivery stalling across key performance areas, resulting in a service now even worse in terms of reliability than it was under Dutch-owned Abellio. ScotRail was taken into public ownership by the SNP government in 2022 partly because of performance concerns.
U S Global Investors Inc. lowered its stake in Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN ) by 33.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,980 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock after selling 4,000 shares during the quarter. U S Global Investors Inc.’s holdings in Amazon.com were worth $1,487,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMZN. PayPay Securities Corp raised its stake in Amazon.com by 64.6% in the 2nd quarter. PayPay Securities Corp now owns 163 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Hoese & Co LLP acquired a new stake in Amazon.com during the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc grew its holdings in shares of Amazon.com by 650.0% during the second quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 300 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 260 shares in the last quarter. Koesten Hirschmann & Crabtree INC. acquired a new stake in shares of Amazon.com in the first quarter valued at about $69,000. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Amazon.com in the second quarter worth about $77,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.20% of the company’s stock. Amazon.com Trading Down 0.6 % Shares of NASDAQ:AMZN opened at $197.12 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $2.07 trillion, a PE ratio of 42.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.14. The company’s 50 day moving average is $193.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $186.31. Amazon.com, Inc. has a 52 week low of $142.81 and a 52 week high of $215.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Jonathan Rubinstein sold 5,004 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $199.85, for a total value of $1,000,049.40. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 99,396 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $19,864,290.60. This trade represents a 4.79 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, CEO Douglas J. Herrington sold 5,502 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.81, for a total transaction of $1,132,366.62. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 518,911 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $106,797,072.91. This trade represents a 1.05 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 6,011,423 shares of company stock worth $1,249,093,896 over the last 90 days. 10.80% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently commented on AMZN. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Amazon.com from $220.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Amazon.com from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Itau BBA Securities lowered shares of Amazon.com from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and set a $186.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Amazon.com from $225.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Amazon.com from $215.00 to $225.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, forty have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $235.77. View Our Latest Analysis on AMZN Amazon.com Profile ( Free Report ) Amazon.com, Inc engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Echo, Ring, Blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content. See Also Five stocks we like better than Amazon.com Technology Stocks Explained: Here’s What to Know About Tech Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot The 3 Best Fintech Stocks to Buy Now MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 Investing In Preferred Stock vs. Common Stock 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMZN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Amazon.com Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amazon.com and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
9 Cheap European Stocks That Increased Dividends in 2024The release of the Ideal L6 C-NCAP scores represents a significant achievement for the automotive industry, highlighting the brand's unwavering commitment to safety and innovation. The exceptional performance of the Ideal L6 in all safety categories underscores its position as a leader in vehicle safety standards and sets a new benchmark for other manufacturers to aspire to. With safety being a top priority for consumers worldwide, the Ideal L6's outstanding C-NCAP results are sure to resonate with safety-conscious drivers seeking a reliable and secure vehicle option.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Snapping a franchise-record 10-game losing streak, winning for the first time at home this season and ending the Indianapolis Colts' slim playoff hopes Sunday didn't salvage the season for the New York Giants. The main positive in the 45-33 win that Drew Lock led with four touchdown passes and a late TD run was the Giants (3-13) got to walk off the field with smiles for the first time in months after a season of misery that will could lead to major changes. Another factor from the win: New York no longer has control of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Giants coach Brian Daboll, who has had two straight losing seasons following a playoff berth in 2022 in his first year, said that he was happy the team got a chance to celebrate after losing eight straight at MetLife Stadium. “Those guys put a lot into it. They come out, they grind every day. They have good attitudes,” Daboll said. “It’s never easy when you when are losing. But I’m proud of the character and all the people in the building, and I’m mostly happy for them.” Lock, who threw two pick-6s in the loss to Atlanta a week ago, sandwiched touchdown passes of 31 and 59 yards to Malik Nabers around TD passes of 32 yards to Darius Slayton and 5 yards to Wan'Dale Robinson in leading the Giants (3-13) to their first win since beating Seattle on Oct. 6. “I've won a lot in my life,” Slayton said. "I wouldn’t say I ever forget the feeling of winning, but, you know, obviously it’s nice to get that feeling back today.” Ihmir Smith-Marsette had a 100-yard return on the second-half kickoff on a day the league's worst offense set a season high for points. Jonathan Taylor scored on runs of 3 and 26 yards for Indianapolis (7-9), while Joe Flacco, subbing for the injured Anthony Richardson, threw touchdown passes of 13 yards to Alec Pierce and 7 yards to Michael Pittman, the last bringing the Colts within 35-33 with 6:38 left in the fourth quarter. Lock, who finished 17 of 23 for 309 yards, clinched the game by leading a nine-play, 70-yard drive that he capped with a 5-yard run. “It’s kudos to him,” said Nabers, who now has 104 catches for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns. “He looked over the film, found some things that he could get better on and did all that through the week, and it showed how good he can be.” The 45 points were the most for New York since putting up 49 in a 52-49 loss to the Saints in 2015. It’s the Giants most in a win since a 45-14 rout against Washington in 2014 and most at home since a 52-27 win against the Saints in 2012. The No. 6 overall pick in the draft, Nabers finished with seven catches for a career-high 171 yards. “That’s why we drafted him, where we drafted him,” Daboll said. “I’ve been asked about it since training camp and I think the response has been, ‘He’s a pretty good football player.’” Flacco was 26 of 38 for 330 yards with two interceptions, the second by rookie Dru Phillips shortly after Lock's TD run. Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards in a win over Tennessee last week, finished with 125 yards on 32 carries. Pierce had six catches for 122 yards. The Colts came into the game needing to win their final two games and also get help to make the playoffs. “We had something to play for today and obviously we didn’t get it done," Flacco said. The Colts haven't made the playoffs since posting an 11-5 record in 2020. “It's hard to explain,” said Colts coach Shane Steichen, who led the team to a 9-8 record in his first season in 2023. “We had to play a complete game. We haven’t done it all year. We have to be on the same page, and to go out there like that is obviously not good enough.” Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy become the third pair of rookies to have more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in the same season. The previous duo was running back Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston of the Saints in 2006. Colts: Richardson was inactive with foot and back injuries sustained against Tennessee. Giants: DL Armon Watts (knee) was ruled out in the first half. Colts: Finish the regular season by hosting Jacksonville. Giants: At Philadelphia to face Saquon Barkley and the Eagles. AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
As the two teams take to the field, all eyes will be on the tactical battle between the managers and the individual duels between the players. Leverkusen's midfield maestros will need to find a way past Inter's resolute defense, while Inter's forwards will look to exploit any weaknesses in Leverkusen's backline. It promises to be a game of chess on the football pitch, with both teams looking to outwit and outmaneuver their opponents to secure victory.In a shocking development, a missing female master's student who had disappeared without a trace was recently found and hospitalized for treatment. The case has sent ripples of concern and relief throughout the community as authorities work to unravel the mysteries surrounding her disappearance.
The Xiaomi Smart Socket 3, a popular and versatile smart home device, is now available at an unbeatable price of 38.8 yuan after applying the special coupons provided by South Mountain. This smart socket allows users to remotely control their electronic devices, set timers, and monitor energy usage with ease, making it a valuable addition to any modern home.Trump attacks 'dumbest' 2023 debt limit extension
Reaves scores 20 points as Iona secures 79-73 victory over ColgateLooking ahead, policymakers will continue to closely monitor the inflationary dynamics and housing market developments to ensure a sustainable and balanced economic growth trajectory. The data released by the National Bureau of Statistics provides valuable insights into the current economic landscape and serves as a basis for informed decision-making by policymakers, businesses, and consumers alike.Title: Russian Foreign Ministry Reports Assad Has Ordered Peaceful Transfer of Power, Renouncing Presidential PositionSamsung ordered to pay $118 million for infringing Netlist patents