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FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2024: HIGHLIGHTS TOTAL NET SALES WERE €243.9 MILLION, IN LINE WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 2023 (-0.3%). BRANDED SALES WERE €221.2 MILLION, UP 0.3% FROM 2023 SAME PERIOD AND UP 3.1% FROM 2019 SAME PERIOD. BRANDED SALES WERE 93.0% OF TOTAL SALES, COMPARED TO 92.6% IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 2023 AND 78.5% IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 2019. DOS SALES WERE €57.4 MILLION, UP 6.3% FROM 2023 AND UP 20.8% FROM 2019 SAME PERIODS. 2024 GROWTH WAS DRIVEN BY A 22.3% SALES INCREASE FROM DOS IN THE U.S, WHERE WE OPENED 1 ADDITIONAL STORE IN DENVER. DURING THE FIRST 9 MONTHS OF 2024, WE CLOSED TWO NON-PERFORMING NATUZZI ITALIA STORES, ONE IN SPAIN AND ONE IN SWITZERLAND, AS PART OF OUR ONGOING EFFORT TO PROGRESSIVELY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR RETAIL. AS PART OF OUR TRANSFORMATION, DURING THE FIRST 9 MONTHS OF 2024, WE ACCELERATED OUR RESTRUCTURING WHICH AFFECTED P&L RESULTS WITH (€4.8) MILLION OF ONE-OFF SEVERANCE COSTS: - (€4.1) MILLION ACCRUED IN COST OF SALES; - (€0.7) MILLION ACCRUED IN SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. DURING THE FIRST 9 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, 538 PERSONS EXITED OUR GROUP. THESE EXITS WERE PARTIALLY OFFSET BY HIRES IN STRATEGIC AREAS SUCH AS RETAIL, MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING. FROM 2021 TO SEPTEMBER 2024, WE HAD A NET REDUCTION OF 1110 PERSONS, EQUIVALENT TO A ~26% OF TOTAL. IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2024, GROSS MARGIN WAS 35.8%, COMPARED TO 35.8% IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2023 AND 29.0% IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2019. EXCLUDING (€4.1) MILLION OF ONE-OFF SEVERANCE COSTS, GROSS MARGIN WOULD HAVE BEEN 37.4%, WHICH COMPARES TO 36.3% IN 2023 FIRST NINE MONTHS AND 30.0% IN 2019 FIRST NINE MONTHS. IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 2024, WE HAD AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€3.6) MILLION, COMPARED TO AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€2.2) MILLION IN 2023 FIRST NINE MONTHS AND AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€19.5) MILLION 2019 FIRST NINE MONTHS. EXCLUDING (€4.8) MILLION OF ONE-OFF SEVERANCE COSTS, WE WOULD HAVE REPORTED AN OPERATING PROFIT OF €1.2 MILLION, WHICH COMPARES TO AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€0.7) MILLION IN 2023 FIRST NINE MONTHS AND TO AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€16.1) MILLION IN 2019 FIRST NINE MONTHS. NET FINANCE COSTS WERE (€7.4) MILLION, COMPARED TO (€5.6) MILLION IN 2023 AND (€7.7) MILLION IN 2019 SAME PERIOD, MAINLY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF HIGHER INTEREST EXPENSES ON LEASE CONTRACTS AND THIRD-PARTY FINANCING, AS WELL AS UNFAVORABLE CURRENCY MOVEMENTS ON TRADE PAYABLES AND RECEIVABLES. DURING THE FIRST 9 MONTHS OF 2024, WE INVESTED €5.4 MILLION, PRIMARILY TO UPGRADE OUR ITALIAN FACTORIES AND FOR THE DOS LOCATED IN THE U.S. AND ITALY. WE CONTINUE THE DIVESTMENT PROGRAM OF NON-STRATEGIC ASSETS WE ANNOUNCED: - WE RECEIVED $3.8 MILLION IN OCTOBER 2024 AS A FIRST INSTALLMENT FOR THE SALE OF A BUILDING LOCATED IN HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA. - WE SIGNED A PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE OF A LAND IN ROMANIA FOR AN EXPECTED PRICE BETWEEN €2.9 AND €3.1 MILLION. - AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, WE HELD €17.1 MILLION IN CASH, FROM €33.6 MILLION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023. IN PARTICULAR, THE DIFFERENCE IN CASH IS DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS: - NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES (€5.1) MILLION. OF THIS, (€6.0) MILLION TO REDUCE WORKFORCE; - NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (€5.4) MILLION; - NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (€7.1) MILLION; - EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH (€0.4) MILLION; - DIFFERENCE IN BANK-OVERDRAFT REPAYABLE ON DEMAND €1.5 MILLION. 3Q 2024: HIGHLIGHTS TOTAL NET SALES WERE €75.0 MILLION, IN LINE WITH 3Q 2023 (+0.1%). BRANDED SALES WERE €68.8 MILLION, UP 0.3% FROM 3Q 2023 AND UP 4.6% FROM 3Q 2019. BRANDED SALES WERE 93.7% OF TOTAL SALES, COMPARED TO 93.9% IN 3Q 2023 AND 78.6% IN 3Q 2019. DOS SALES WERE €16.8 MILLION, DOWN 1.4% FROM €17.1 MILLION IN 3Q 2023 AND UP 25.7% FROM €13.4 MILLION IN 3Q 2019. AS PART OF OUR TRANSFORMATION, DURING 3Q 2024, WE ACCELERATED OUR RESTRUCTURING WHICH AFFECTED P&L RESULTS WITH (€3.4) MILLION OF ONE-OFF SEVERANCE COSTS: - (€2.9) MILLION ACCRUED IN COST OF SALES; - (€0.5) MILLION ACCRUED IN SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. IN 3Q 2024, 276 PERSONS EXITED OUR GROUP. THESE EXITS ARE MAINLY DUE TO THE CLOSING OF OUR SHANGHAI PLANT, WHOSE PRODUCTION WAS MOVED TO QUANJIAO. IN 3Q 2024, GROSS MARGIN WAS 31.8%, COMPARED TO 35.4% IN 3Q 2023 AND 28.7% IN 3Q 2019. EXCLUDING (€2.9) MILLION OF ONE-OFF SEVERANCE COSTS, GROSS MARGIN WOULD HAVE BEEN 35.7%, WHICH COMPARES TO 35.5% IN 3Q 2023 AND 30.5% IN 3Q 2019. IN 3Q 2024, WE HAD AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€3.8) MILLION, COMPARED TO A LOSS OF (€1.4) MILLION IN 3Q 2023 AND A LOSS OF (€8.7) MILLION IN 3Q 2019. EXCLUDING (€3.4) MILLION OF ONE-OFF SEVERANCE COSTS, WE WOULD HAVE REPORTED AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€0.4) MILLION, WHICH COMPARES TO AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€1.1) MILLION IN 3Q 2023 AND AN OPERATING LOSS OF (€6.8) MILLION IN 3Q 2019. NET FINANCE COSTS WERE (€3.3) MILLION, COMPARED TO NET FINANCE COSTS OF (€1.4) MILLION IN 3Q 2023 AND (€3.1) MILLION IN 3Q 2019, MAINLY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF HIGHER INTEREST EXPENSES ON LEASE CONTRACTS AND THIRD-PARTY FINANCING, AS WELL AS UNFAVORABLE CURRENCY MOVEMENTS ON TRADE PAYABLES AND RECEIVABLES. DURING 3Q 2024, WE INVESTED €1.7 MILLION, PRIMARILY TO UPGRADE OUR ITALIAN FACTORIES AND FOR THE DOS LOCATED IN THE U.S. AND ITALY. *** Natuzzi S.p.A. NTZ ("we", "Natuzzi" or the "Company" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), one of the most renowned brands in the production and distribution of design and luxury furniture, today reported its unaudited financial information for the first nine months and third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Pasquale Natuzzi, Executive Chairman of the Group, commented: " We are living in a dual-speed reality. On one hand, our performance reflects the ongoing challenges posed by the persistent economic crisis. On the other hand, we are seeing growing evidence of the strength of our long-term Brand/Retail project, which continues to gain momentum, paving the conditions to capture the full potential of our Brands. On November 12, I had the privilege of inaugurating the Natuzzi Harmony Residences, a 110,000-square-feet, 9-floor building with 50 apartments, located in a prestigious area in Dubai. For the first time, we have led the whole architectural and creative direction both for the exterior and interior design, resulting in a project which is a living tribute to our Brand DNA. This initiative is a clear testament that our Brand enjoys global recognition and that we completed our evolution into a lifestyle brand. We also continue to innovate and lead where our brand has its origins. In October, at the High Point Market, we unveiled our 'Re-imagined Gallery' concept — an innovative format designed to strengthen the coherence of the Natuzzi brand representation and improve commercial performance with our distribution partners. The 'Re-imagined Gallery' has since become our global standard for the brand's presence in multi-brand retailers. Along with our global retail format, it ensures consistent brand representation across markets and channels. Thanks to these efforts, we are increasingly presenting our collection in a unified and inspiring way across our 678 stores and 628 galleries worldwide. These results testify that Natuzzi is one of the few global design and high-end furniture brands. They also reinforce my belief that, moving forward, the positive impact of our strategic initiatives will effectively counterbalance market headwinds, positioning us for a prosperous future." Antonio Achille, CEO of the Group, commented: " Our sales during the first nine months of 2024 have been in line with the previous year, despite challenging conditions that continued to impact not only the furnishings sector but also the broader durable and consumer goods industries. This was achieved, despite a soft third quarter, which was significantly below the year's average, thereby affecting deliveries in August and September. In this regard, we need to remember the cycle of our business innovation. For instance, the merchandising and retail initiatives for Natuzzi Italia, introduced during April's Milan Design Week, reached the market only by late September. This was reflected in Natuzzi Italia's delivered sales for the first nine months, which were 0.9% lower compared to the same period in 2023. Natuzzi Italia performance improved in the last two months, effectively closing the gap with 2023 levels. Looking ahead, the focus for Natuzzi Italia will remain on the consistent rollout of the Brand/Retail/Marketing strategy, with a particular emphasis on priority markets, such as U.S., China, UK, Spain and Italy. Natuzzi Editions, distributed in Italy under the "Divani&Divani by Natuzzi" brand, has reported overall revenue slightly up compared to the previous year (+1.1%). We are actively engaging customers through targeted global initiatives, such as the "Re-imagined gallery" project, aimed at building a stronger foundation to reinforce this positive momentum. We remain confident that our brands and retail strategy are poised for significant growth and remain committed to executing the Company's long-term plan: 1) Improve the quality of our distribution to accelerate our Brand journey. Retail . The Group continues to make progresses in its transformation into a retail-branded company. Natuzzi collections are sold globally in 678 stores, of which 54 free standing DOS managed directly by the Group, 19 DOS managed by our JV in China, 3 DOS in partnership in the U.S. and 602 franchised stores. Our DOS sales increased by 6.3% compared to the first nine months of 2023, with U.S.-based DOS showing a growth of 22.3% over the same period also supported by the 4 DOS opened in 2023 (in San Diego, Manhasset, Houston, Atlanta) and the new Denver store opened in September 2024. Our North American retail network now includes 22 Natuzzi Italia stores (18 of which are directly operated and 4 operated by franchise partners) and 10 Natuzzi Editions stores, comprising 1 DOS, 3 stores operated in joint venture with a local partner and 6 franchise stores. Re-imagined Gallery. Natuzzi has redefined its wholesale shop-in-shop format resulting in an innovative concept designed to support independent retailers to properly represent the distinctiveness of our brand in their multi-brand environment, while improving their sell-out performances. We are witnessing a strong interest from both current and prospective partners. Since the global launch of this re-imagined Gallery Concept, Natuzzi has received proposals for 142 projects, including new openings and refits, which will be implemented starting from 1Q 2025. Reimagined Gallery program is also enabling us to re-enter into key European markets. In Germany, we recently si g ned a partnership with a leading furniture retailer, which resulted in the opening of 24 new Natuzzi Editions galleries. 2) Foster new market opportunities: Trade and Contract. I am particularly proud and thankful to our team for the progress made by the newly established division. 'Natuzzi Harmony Residences' in Dubai marks a transformative milestone for our business, reflecting our evolution and ambitions. It is a true testament to the power of the Natuzzi Italia brand, as it represents our first venture into designing and branding an entire residential building. This achievement reaffirms that establishing our dedicated Trade & Contract division was the right decision, enabling us to fully leverage Natuzzi's assets and expertise while setting distinct growth and profitability targets. 3) Enhance margins. Excluding €4.1 million of one-off severance costs, gross margin would have reached 37.4% in the first nine months of 2024, which compares to a gross margin of 36.3% in 2023 same period and 30.0% in 2019 same period. The gross margin was affected by the weak order flow during 3Q 2024, which negatively weighed on deliveries in August and September, resulting in a less efficient absorption of fixed costs for the period. 4) Execute our restructuring program. We remain committed to optimizing our operating model and reducing costs across factories and offices in Italy and abroad. In the first nine months of 2024, 538 employees (of which 276 in the third quarter) exited the Group, partially offset by strategic hires in retail, advertising, and merchandising. These reductions mainly involved factory workers in Romania, China, and Italy, as well as employees at the Group level. Since the beginning of 2021, we have achieved a net reduction of 1,110 positions—a 26% decrease. This reduction is part of our strategy of transitioning Natuzzi from a volume-driven to a value-driven organization. This shift requires a leaner workforce, new competencies, and an evolved approach to human resources and organization. We remain committed to implementing this plan ethically and in full compliance with the laws. As restructuring progresses, our streamlined model positions us to unlock greater value when sales return to historical levels. 5) Production simplification and efficiency improvement . We continue to conduct a comprehensive review of the Group's industrial operations to simplify processes, reduce working capital and drive further efficiencies. Our efforts to optimize the footprint of our Asian operations are progressing as planned. In 3Q 2024 we completed the closing of our historical factory in Shanghai, shifting the production to the new plant located in Quanjiao, Anhui Province, China. This new plant, which will serve exclusively the Chinese market, offers industrial and transformation costs which are approximately 30% lower compared to the Shanghai plant. 6) Divest non-strategic resources The Company continues to make progress in its strategy of divesting non-strategic assets. The sale of the building in High Point, NC, is proceeding as planned, with $3.8 million received in October. Additionally, in November, we signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of a land adjacent to our factory in Romania. The final price is expected to range between €2.9 million and €3.1 million. The transaction is anticipated to close by mid-2025, pending customary approvals and processes with the local municipality. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the sale of non-strategic assets to fund restructuring initiatives and expand its DOS network, with a particular focus on the U.S. market. The challenging market continues to delay the full realization of benefits from our retail expansion and restructuring efforts. We remain dedicated to enhancing our brand-retail value proposition while steadily reducing the Group's fixed cost base." *** 2024 FIRST NINE MONTHS CONSOLIDATED REVENUE Consolidated revenue for the first nine months of 2024 amounted to €243.9 million, compared to €244.5 million in 2023 same period. 2024 performance was impacted by ongoing macroeconomic, geopolitical, and industry-specific challenges, which continued to dampen consumer spending capacity and delay purchases of durable goods. Excluding "other sales" of €6.1 million, 2024 invoiced sales from upholstered and other home furnishings products amounted to €237.8 million, compared to €238.1 million in 2023 same period. Revenues from upholstered and other home furnishings products are hereafter described according to the main dimensions of the Group's business: A: Branded/Unbranded Business B: Key Markets C: Distribution A. Branded/Unbranded business The Group operates in the branded business (with Natuzzi Italia , Natuzzi Editions and Divani&Divani by Natuzzi ) and unbranded business, the latter with collections dedicated to large-scale distribution. A1. Branded business . Within the branded business, Natuzzi is pursuing a dual-brand strategy: i) Natuzzi Italia , our luxury furniture brand, offers products entirely designed and manufactured in Italy and targets an affluent and more sophisticated global consumer with a highly inspirational collection that is largely the same across all our global stores to best represent our Brand. Natuzzi Italia products are almost exclusively sold in mono-brand stores (directly operated or franchises). ii) Natuzzi Editions , our contemporary collection, offers products entirely designed in Italy and produced in different plants strategically located to best serve individual markets (mainly China, Romania and Brazil). Natuzzi Editions products are distributed in Italy under the brand " Divani&Divani by Natuzzi", which is manufactured in Italy to shorten the lead time to serve the Italian market where the brand is distributed. The store merchandising of Natuzzi Editions, starting from a common collection, is tailored to best fit the opportunities of each market. The Natuzzi Editions products are sold primarily through galleries and selected mono-brand franchise stores. In 2024, Natuzzi's branded invoiced sales amounted to €221.2 million, compared to €220.6 million in 2023 same period. The following is the contribution of each Brand in terms of invoiced sales for the first nine months of 2024: ─ Natuzzi Italia invoiced sales amounted to €91.9 million, compared to €92.7 million in 2023 same period. ─ Natuzzi Editions invoiced sales (including invoiced sales from " Divani&Divani by Natuzzi" ) amounted to €129.3 million, compared to €127.9 million in 2023 same period. Specifically, Natuzzi Editions invoiced sales were €102.6 million, compared to €103.0 million in 2023 same period. Invoiced sales for Divani&Divani by Natuzzi were €26.7 million, compared to €24.9 million in 2023 same period. A2. Unbranded business . Invoiced sales from our unbranded business amounted to €16.6 million, compared to €17.5 million in 2023 same period. The Company's strategy is to focus on selected large accounts and serve them with a more efficient go-to-market model. B. Key Markets Below is a breakdown of upholstery and home-furnishings invoiced sales for the first nine months of 2024, compared to 2023 same period, according to the following geographic areas. 2024 2023 Delta € Delta % North America 76.9 69.5 7.4 10.6% Greater China 18.8 19.5 (0.7) (3.4%) West & South Europe 75.9 80.2 (4.3) (5.3%) Emerging Markets 31.8 34.2 (2.4) (7.2%) Rest of the World* 34.4 34.7 (0.3) (0.9%) Total 237.8 238.1 (0.3) (0.1%) Figures in €/million, except percentage. *Include South and Central America, Rest of APAC. In North America, the sales increase is primarily driven by the branded segment of the business, with significant contributions from our DOS and franchise stores in the U.S. In Greater China, the furniture industry and real estate markets continue to encounter significant challenges. Enhanced coordination efforts within our joint venture are instrumental in reducing the inventory of Natuzzi Italia products. The JV is realigning the organization's scale and capabilities to better reflect the current business trends. To date, the JV has already reduced SG&A expenses by almost 20% compared to the previous year, also as a result of a reduced number of employees. The JV plans to continue with this project to get a more agile structure, to a level coherent with the current business rate. The performance in West & South Europe reflects a generalized difficult macroeconomic condition, especially for some European mature markets, as well as the loss of disposable income by consumers as a result of prior different quarters of high interest rates and inflation. The emerging markets, and in particular East Europe and the Middle East, are still curbed by the worsening of international relations and the associated conflicts. C. Distribution During the first nine months of 2024, the Group distributed its branded collections in 103 countries, according to the following table. Direct Retail FOS Total retail stores (Sept. 30, 2024) North America 22 (1) 10 32 West & South Europe 31 100 131 Greater China 19 (2) 325 344 Emerging Markets ─ 78 78 Rest of the World 4 89 93 Total 76 602 678 (1) Included 3 DOS in the U.S. managed in joint venture with a local partner. As the Natuzzi Group does not exert full control in each of these DOS, we consolidate only the sell-in from such DOS. (2) All directly operated by our joint venture in China. As the Natuzzi Group owns a 49% stake in the joint venture and does not control it, we consolidate only the sell-in from such DOS. FOS = Franchise stores managed by independent partners. The Group also sells its branded products by means of 628 Natuzzi galleries (including 12 Natuzzi Concessions, i.e., store-in-store points of sale directly managed by the Mexican subsidiary of the Group). During the first nine months of 2024, the Group's invoiced sales from direct retail , including DOS and Concessions operated by the Group, were €57.4 million, compared to €54.0 million in 2023 same period. This growth was primarily driven by a 22.3% increase in sales from our US-based DOS. In 2024 we also closed two non-performing stores in Zurich, Switzerland, and Madrid, Spain. During the first nine months of 2024, invoiced sales from franchise stores (FOS) amounted to €97.8 million, compared to €98.7 million in 2023 same period. We continue executing our strategy to evolve into a Brand/Retailer and improve the quality of our distribution network. The weight of the invoiced sales generated by the retail network (Direct retail and Franchise Operated Stores) on total upholstered and home furnishings business in the first nine months of 2024 was 65.3% compared to 64.1% in 2023 same period and compared to 44.1% in 2019 same period. The Group also sells its products through the wholesale channel , consisting primarily of Natuzzi-branded galleries in multi-brand stores, as well as mass distributors selling mainly unbranded products. During the first nine months of 2024, invoiced sales from the wholesale channel amounted to €82.6 million, compared to €85.5 million in 2023 same period. We are placing renewed emphasis on the wholesale segment of our business, which remains a strategic channel in several geographies, including the U.S. and Europe. To support this, we are introducing a re-imagined gallery concept, which provides a practical setting for sales associates to engage with clients, narrate the captivating Natuzzi story, showcase our collections, and support sales. GROSS MARGIN Gross margin for the first nine months of 2024 was 35.8%, which compares to 35.8% in 2023 and 29.0% in 2019 same periods. Net of the (€4.1) million of one-off severance costs included in cost of sales, gross margin for the first nine months of 2024 would have been 37.4%. This would compare to 36.3% in 2023 same period and 30.0% in 2019 same period. 2024 Gross margin was partially affected by the weak business trend during 3Q 2024, that impacted deliveries in August and September, below the average for 2024. This resulted in a less efficient absorption of fixed costs, which, together with a different brand mix, inventory exits and costs related to moving production from Shanghai to Quanjiao, weighed on the improving trajectory of gross margin. 2024 consumption was (36.5%) on revenues, improving from (37.4%) in 2023 same period. In 2024, labor costs increased by €2.8 million compared to the same period in 2023. This rise includes €4.1 million in one-off severance-related expenses, primarily in China, Romania, and Italy, reflecting our ongoing efforts to optimize workforce levels across the Group's facilities. Additionally, labor costs rose in Romania, as part of the Government plan to increase the minimum wage, and in Italy, due to the renegotiation of national collective bargaining agreements. 3Q 2024 gross margin was 31.8%, compared to 35.4% in 3Q 2023 and 28.7% in 3Q 2019, as per the factors explained above. Net of the (€2.9) million of one-off severance costs, 3Q 2024 gross margin would have been 35.7%, which would compare to 35.5% in 3Q 2023 and 30.5% in 3Q 2019. OPERATING EXPENSES During the first nine months of 2024, operating expenses, which includes selling expenses, administrative expenses, other operating income/expenses, and the impairment of trade receivables, totaled (€90.8) million, or (37.2)% of revenue, compared to (€89.7) million, or (36.7)% of revenue in 2023 same period. In 2024, in particular, selling and administrative expenses were affected by the following factors, for a total of €3.1 million, compared to 2023 same period: - a €2.1 million of extra costs related to the opening of new DOS as well from the 4 additional stores opened in 2023; - a €1.0 million reduction in incentives from the Italian government compared to 2023 same period. During the first nine months of 2024, we accrued €0.7 million, to reduce the number of employees in Italy and in some of the Group's subsidiaries. During the first nine months of 2024, transportation costs as a percentage of revenue decreased to (7.8%) from (8.3%) during the same period in 2023. However, in 3Q 2024, they rose to (8.6%), compared to (7.6%) in 3Q 2023, primarily due to the Suez Canal crisis, which required rerouting shipments from China and Vietnam. To counter this inflationary pressure, the Company implemented freight surcharges starting in August 2024. In addition, within "Other income", during the first nine months of 2023, we benefitted from €2.0 million of extraordinary income mainly related to freight surcharges. In 2024, the benefits of similar extraordinary income were not significant. NET FINANCE INCOME/(COSTS) During the first nine months of 2024, the Company accounted for a total of (€7.4) million of Net Finance costs, compared to a total of (€5.6) million of Net Finance costs in 2023 same period. One of the main drivers of the difference between the two periods relates to unfavorable currency exchange movements, resulting in a net exchange rate loss of (€0.7) million in 2024, compared to a net exchange rate gain of €0.3 million in 2023 same period. Furthermore, persisting high interest rates continue to adversely impact our results, principally in terms of high interest expenses on lease contracts as well as third-party financing, resulting in 2024 finance costs of (€7.3) million compared to finance costs of (€6.6) million in 2023 same period. 2024 THIRD QUARTER: KEY RESULTS During 3Q 2024, the Company reported the following results: ─ Total revenue of €75.0 million, in line with €74.9 million in 3Q 2023. The third quarter is historically our slowest quarter, as Italian factories are customarily shut down for most of August. In addition, delivered sales during 3Q 2024 were significantly impacted by ongoing challenging business conditions resulting in lower than usual delivered sales in August and September. ─ We had gross margin of 31.8%, compared to 35.4% in 3Q 2023 and 28.7% in 3Q 2019. Excluding (€2.9) million of one-off severance-related costs to reduce workforce mainly at our Chinese factory, 3Q 2024 gross margin would have been 35.7%. As anticipated, 3Q 2024 gross margin was affected by a weak business trend during the quarter, particularly impacting delivered sales of Natuzzi Italia products, resulting in a less efficient absorption of fixed costs. In addition, a different brand mix, inventory exits and costs related to moving production from Shanghai to Quanjiao, further weighed on gross margin in 3Q 2024. ─ Operating expenses, which includes selling expenses, administrative expenses, other operating income/expenses, and the impairment of trade receivables, totaled (€27.7) million, or (36.9)% of revenue, compared to (€27.8) million, or (37.2)% of revenue in 3Q 2023. ─ Depreciation and amortization, which include also the depreciation charge of right-of-use assets related to the operating leases and accounted for in the cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses, amounted to €5.1 million in 3Q 2024, compared to €5.7 million in 3Q 2023 and €6.2 million in 3Q 2019. ─ In 3Q 2024 operating loss was (€3.8) million, which compares to a loss of (€1.4) million in 3Q 2023, and a loss of (€8.7) million in 3Q 2019. Net of the (€3.4) million of one-off severance costs, 3Q 2024 would have reported an operating loss of (€0.4) million. ─ Total Net Finance costs were (€3.3) million, compared to total Net Finance Costs of (€1.4) million in 3Q 2023, mainly as a result of: i) a €0.5 million increase in finance costs due to persisting high interest rates affecting in particular interest expenses on lease contracts and third-party financing, and ii) a €1.2 million negative difference from net exchange rate, following unfavorable currency movements. ─ We had a loss after tax for the period of (€7.4) million, primarily driven by the factors outlined above. This compares to a loss after tax of (€2.7) million in 3Q 2023 and to a loss after tax of (€11.7) million in 3Q 2019. CASH FLOW AND BALANCE SHEET As of September 30, 2024, we held €17.1 million in cash, from €33.6 million as of December 31, 2023, representing a decrease of €16.5 million. In particular, the difference in cash is determined as follows: ─ Net cash used in operating activities (€5.1) million. Of this, (€6.0) million to reduce workforce; ─ Net cash used in investing activities (€5.4) million; ─ Net cash used in financing activities (€7.1) million; ─ Effect of movements exchange rates on cash (€0.4) million; ─ Difference in bank-overdraft repayable on demand €1.5 million. As of September 30, 2024, we had a net financial position before lease liabilities (cash and cash equivalents minus long-term borrowings minus bank overdraft and short-term borrowings minus current portion of long-term borrowings) of (€28.7) million, compared to (€6.6) million as of December 31, 2023, indicating a deterioration of €22.1 million in the period. ******* Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries Unaudited consolidated statement of profit or loss for the third quarter of 2024 and 2023 on the basis of IFRS-IAS (expressed in millions Euro, except as otherwise indicated) Third quarter ended on Change Percentage of revenue 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-23 % 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-23 Revenue 75.0 74.9 0.1 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Cost of Sales (51.1 ) (48.4 ) 5.7 % -68.2 % -64.6 % Gross profit 23.8 26.5 -10.0 % 31.8 % 35.4 % Other income 1.3 2.4 1.8 % 3.2 % Selling expenses (20.3 ) (21.6 ) -6.2 % -27.0 % -28.8 % Administrative expenses (8.5 ) (8.6 ) -0.8 % -11.3 % -11.4 % Impairment on trade receivables (0.3 ) (0.0 ) -0.4 % 0.0 % Other expenses 0.0 (0.1 ) 0.1 % -0.1 % Operating profit/(loss) (3.8 ) (1.4 ) -5.1 % -1.8 % Finance income 0.2 0.4 0.3 % 0.5 % Finance costs (2.4 ) (1.9 ) -3.1 % -2.5 % Net exchange rate gains/(losses) (1.1 ) 0.1 -1.5 % 0.2 % Net finance income/(costs) (3.3 ) (1.4 ) -4.4 % -1.9 % Share of profit/(loss) of equity-method investees (0.0 ) 0.4 0.0 % 0.5 % Profit/(Loss) before tax (7.1 ) (2.4 ) -9.4 % -3.2 % Income tax expense/(benefit) (0.3 ) (0.3 ) -0.4 % -0.4 % Profit/(Loss) for the period (7.4 ) (2.7 ) -9.9 % -3.6 % Profit/(Loss) attributable to: Owners of the Company (7.8 ) (2.7 ) Non-controlling interests 0.3 0.0 Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries Unaudited consolidated statement of profit or loss for the nine months of 2024 and 2023 on the basis of IFRS-IAS (expressed in millions Euro, except as otherwise indicated) Nine months ended on Change Percentage of revenue 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-23 % 30-Sep-24 30-Sep-23 Revenue 243.9 244.5 -0.3 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Cost of Sales (156.7 ) (157.0 ) -0.2 % -64.25 % -64.21 % Gross profit 87.2 87.5 -0.4 % 35.8 % 35.8 % Other income 3.8 6.0 1.6 % 2.5 % Selling expenses (67.3 ) (68.2 ) -1.4 % -27.6 % -27.9 % Administrative expenses (27.0 ) (27.3 ) -1.1 % -11.1 % -11.1 % Impairment on trade receivables (0.3 ) (0.1 ) -0.1 % 0.0 % Other expenses (0.1 ) (0.2 ) 0.0 % -0.1 % Operating profit/(loss) (3.6 ) (2.2 ) -1.5 % -0.9 % Finance income 0.6 0.7 0.2 % 0.3 % Finance costs (7.3 ) (6.6 ) -3.0 % -2.7 % Net exchange rate gains/(losses) (0.7 ) 0.3 -0.3 % 0.1 % Net finance income/(costs) (7.4 ) (5.6 ) -3.1 % -2.3 % Share of profit/(loss) of equity-method investees 0.1 2.4 0.0 % 1.0 % Profit/(Loss) before tax (11.0 ) (5.5 ) -4.5 % -2.3 % Income tax expense (0.5 ) (0.9 ) -0.2 % -0.3 % Profit/(Loss) for the period (11.5 ) (6.4 ) -4.7 % -2.6 % Profit/(Loss) attributable to: Owners of the Company (11.9 ) (6.3 ) Non-controlling interests 0.4 (0.1 ) Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries Unaudited consolidated statements of financial position (condensed) on the basis of IFRS-IAS (Expressed in millions of Euro) 30-Sep-24 31-Dec-23 ASSETS Non-current assets 176.0 188.6 Current assets 140.4 149.7 TOTAL ASSETS 316.4 338.3 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity attributable to Owners of the Company 56.1 68.9 Non-controlling interests 4.6 4.3 Non-current liabilities 106.3 110.4 Current liabilities 149.5 154.7 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 316.4 338.3 Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries Unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows (condensed) (Expressed in millions of Euro) 30-Sep-24 31-Dec-23 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (5.1 ) 3.2 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (5.4 ) (7.9 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (7.1 ) (15.7 ) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (17.6 ) (20.4 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year 31.6 52.7 Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash held (0.4 ) (0.8 ) Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period 13.6 31.6 For the purpose of the statements of cash flow, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following: (Expressed in millions of Euro) 30-Sep-24 31-Dec-23 Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position 17.1 33.6 Bank overdrafts repayable on demand (3.5 ) (2.0 ) Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows 13.6 31.6 CONFERENCE CALL The Company will host a conference call on Friday December 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern time (4.00 p.m. Italy time, or 3.00 p.m. UK time) to discuss financial information . To join live the conference call, interested persons will need to either: i) dial-in the following number: Toll/International: + 1-412-717-9633, then passcode 39252103# , or ii) click on the following link : https://www.c-meeting.com/web3/join/3PQUFXRW48XTKQ to join via video. Participants also have the option to listen via phone after registering to the link. ***** CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may be expressed in a variety of ways, including the use of future or present tense language. Words such as "estimate," "forecast," "project," "anticipate," "likely," "target," "expect," "intend," "continue," "seek," "believe," "plan," "goal," "could," "should," "would," "may," "might," "will," "strategy," "synergies," "opportunities," "trends," "ambition," "objective," "aim," "future," "potentially," "outlook" and words of similar meaning may signify forward-looking statements. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as well as other factors that may be beyond our control. The Company cautions readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to: effects on the Group from competition with other furniture producers, material changes in consumer demand or preferences, significant economic developments in the Group's primary markets, the Group's execution of its reorganization plans for its manufacturing facilities, significant changes in labor, material and other costs affecting the construction of new plants, significant changes in the costs of principal raw materials and in energy costs, significant exchange rate movements or changes in the Group's legal and regulatory environment, including developments related to the Italian Government's investment incentive or similar programs, the duration, severity and geographic spread of any public health outbreaks (including the spread of new variants of COVID-19), consumer demand, our supply chain and the Company's financial condition, business operations and liquidity, the geopolitical tensions and market uncertainties resulting from the ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war and the inflationary environment and increases in interest rates. The Company cautions readers that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events. Additional information about potential factors that could affect the Company's business and financial results is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release. About Natuzzi S.p.A. Founded in 1959 by Pasquale Natuzzi, Natuzzi S.p.A. is one of the most renowned brands in the production and distribution of design and luxury furniture. As of September 30, 2024, Natuzzi distributes its collections worldwide through a global retail network of 678 monobrand stores and 628 galleries. Natuzzi products embed the finest spirit of Italian design and the unique craftmanship details of the "Made in Italy", where a predominant part of its production takes place. Natuzzi has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since May 13, 1993. Committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability, Natuzzi S.p.A. is ISO 9001 and 14001 certified (Quality and Environment), ISO 45001 certified (Safety on the Workplace) and FSC ® Chain of Custody, CoC (FSC-C131540). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212991243/en/ © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her, court records show. They're due back in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul on Dec. 16. According to the criminal complaints, a Lululemon investigator had been tracking the pair even before police first confronted them on Nov. 14 at a store in suburban Roseville. The investigator told police the couple were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses across the country, the complaints said. They would steal items and make fraudulent returns, it said. Police found suitcases containing more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing when they searched the couple's hotel room in Bloomington, the complaint said. According to the investigator, they were also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut, the complaint said. Within Minnesota, they were also accused of thefts at stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs of Woodbury, Edina and Minnetonka. The investigator said the two were part of a group that would usually travel to a city and hit Lululemon stores there for two days, return to the East Coast to exchange the items without receipts for new items, take back the new items with the return receipts for credit card refunds, then head back out to commit more thefts, the complaint said. In at least some of the thefts, it said, Richards would enter the store first and buy one or two cheap items. He'd then return to the sales floor where, with help from Lawes-Richards, they would remove a security sensor from another item and put it on one of the items he had just purchased. Lawes-Richards and another woman would then conceal leggings under their clothing. They would then leave together. When the security sensors at the door went off, he would offer staff the bag with the items he had bought, while the women would keep walking out, fooling the staff into thinking it was his sensor that had set off the alarm, the complaint said. Richards' attorney declined comment. Lawes-Richards' public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. “This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,” Tristen Shields, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, said in a statement. "We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industrywide issue.” The two are being prosecuted under a state law enacted last year that seeks to crack down on organized retail theft. One of its chief authors, Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park, said 34 states already had organized retail crime laws on their books. “I am glad to see it is working as intended to bring down criminal operations," Latz said in a statement. "This type of theft harms retailers in myriad ways, including lost economic activity, job loss, and threats to worker safety when crime goes unaddressed. It also harms consumers through rising costs and compromised products being resold online.” Two Minnesota women were also charged under the new law in August. They were accused of targeting a Lululemon store in Minneapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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Analysis: Week 12 full of sloppy play, especially on special teamsMARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 17, 2024-- CardioFocus, Inc. , a medical device company dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for cardiac arrhythmias, today announced the first series of patients treated with the investigational OptiShotTM Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as part of the VISION AF clinical trial. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217582090/en/ Image: [A] Endoscopic view of LSPV, [B]&[D] OptiShot Balloon, [C]&[E] Post PFA map (Photo: Business Wire) Dr. Vivek Reddy, Director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Services at Mount Sinai Hospital and Prof. Petr Neužil, Chief of Cardiology at Na Homolce Hospital, performed the first cases at Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. The first-in-human trial will treat up to 50 patients in the coming months with 12-month follow-up planned, including critical remapping procedures to validate the efficacy of this novel technology. “The OptiShot balloon catheter is unique among the advanced generation of PFA catheters, with its ability to deliver circumferential lesions to the pulmonary veins with endoscopic visual confirmation of electrode-tissue contact,” said Dr. Reddy. “Direct contact confirmation made me more confident that our acute treatment strategy with this system may provide good long-term outcomes.” Professor Petr Neužil said, “The ultra-compliant balloon allows for adaptation to all anatomies with unparallelled tissue contact and precise pulsed electric field energy delivery. This design is focused on raising the bar for patient outcomes and we look forward to continuing the study.” “CardioFocus has combined our expertise in pulsed field waveforms with our clinically proven compliant balloon system to create OptiShot, a next generation PFA system for the treatment of atrial fibrillation,” said CardioFocus CEO Steve Ogilvie. “We are one step closer toward providing a true single shot pulmonary vein isolation tool, designed for safe and effective patient treatment. We are thankful to our electrophysiologist partners as well as the CardioFocus team and advisors for making this remarkable achievement happen.” CardioFocus is taking a portfolio approach to PFA. In addition to OptiShot, CardioFocus will continue clinical trials evaluating the investigational QuickShotTM PFA System, a large area focal ablation catheter that integrates with various navigation technologies. In the EU CardioFocus has treated over 6000 patients with the Centauri PFA System, which uses a proprietary monopolar waveform with marketed contact-force sensing focal ablation catheters and mapping systems. The OptiShot PFA Balloon System is investigational and not approved for commercial use. About CardioFocus, Inc. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, CardioFocus is a medical device innovator and manufacturer dedicated to advancing ablation treatment for cardiac disorders such as atrial fibrillation, the most common heart arrhythmia. For more information, visit CardioFocus.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217582090/en/ CONTACT: Media Relations [Pete Bell.pbell@cardiofocus.com ] KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS EUROPE UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL DEVICES HEALTH HOSPITALS CLINICAL TRIALS CARDIOLOGY BIOTECHNOLOGY SOURCE: CardioFocus, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/17/2024 03:09 PM/DISC: 12/17/2024 03:10 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217582090/en

Do you know what a decapoda is? How about a lesser covert? What about a gall? A group of Uxbridge youth found the answers to these questions last Friday when they took part in the Brook Never Sleeps program, put on by the township’s environmental and sustainability committee during a school PA day. Broken up into groups, the children travelled to four stations in and around the township offices where they learned about aquatic insects, how to cast when fly fishing and how life goes on around the stream all year long. While participating in a nature scavenger hunt along the banks of the Uxbridge Brook, the participants wore white sports socks over their boots and shoes. At the end of the session, the socks - covered in mud and debris - were taken off and placed in Ziploc bags. The children were asked to take the bags home, place them in a sunny window and observe what grows from the socks. Later in the day, the youngsters had close encounters with live turtles brought in from Scales Nature Park in Orillia. Christine MacKenzie, the organizer, said about 40 children signed up for the free program, which is aimed at exposing children to the natural environment. The Brook Never Sleeps was held previously in March, during the March break, but MacKenzie said that time of year often saw the ground covered in snow, so the decision was made to move it to November. Midway through the day, the youngsters assembled in the council chambers for healthy snacks and several boxes of pizza before resuming the program. To answer the questions posed earlier: at a station set up by Ontario Streams, a charity that rehabilitates streams and brooks, the children used magnifying glasses to examine a host of tiny, squirming bugs taken from the stream. One, which resembled a tiny crayfish, was called a decapoda. At a session on birds, they learned that a lesser covert is a type of feather. In the nature scavenger hunt, they learned that a gall is a type of growth found on plants, usually round like a ball and containing a grub. NoneUSA TODAY Writer Calls For President Biden To Cancel Thanksgiving

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NewMarket Corporation Authorizes New Share Repurchase ProgramD ear Cathy: I saw the article in your column about the 14-year-old feral cat who was trapped, fixed and left to live outdoors. They mentioned the cat injured a back paw, which made me wonder why they didn’t try to make her an indoor cat where she would be safer. In 2011, we trapped a wild-born feral in our neighborhood, Sox. After getting her fixed and microchipped, we kept her in a half bath with a window for five months, spending time with her daily. It took years for her to trust us, but she eventually became a happy, content indoor cat, even bonding with two of our other cats. We moved across the country with Sox and four other pets, making stops to ensure they were comfortable. Sox remained cautious in our new home but eventually started exploring the house and stopped hiding. She would flop on her back, purr and show us just how happy she had become. She never did want us to touch her or pick her up, though. Sadly, we lost Sox in December 2022 to kidney disease and hypothyroidism. She was so ill at the end that I was able to pick her up for the first time and hold her. We miss her terribly, but we’re grateful for the wonderful life she had with us. — Ken, Las Vegas Dear Ken: Unfortunately, not all feral cats can transition to indoor life as well as Sox did. Cats have a much smaller socialization window than dogs, and if they miss that critical period, they may never adjust to living indoors. Some ferals become severely stressed or fearful in confinement, to the point where their quality of life suffers. In these cases, caretakers often make the tough decision to let them live outdoors. Injuries like the one described in the column are heartbreaking reminders of the risks and challenges outdoor cats face. It also underscores the importance of spaying and neutering pets to reduce the number of unwanted cats left to fend for themselves on the streets. Dear Cathy: My dog, Oliver, is about 2 years old. We’ve had him for a year. He was a stray captured by a Washington, D.C., animal shelter, who was fostered, neutered, vaccinated and operated on for a urinary tract issue. He was later adopted by a family whose “first” dog didn’t want a “little brother.” When we brought him home, his anxiety was understandably high, and he barked aggressively at new faces and visitors. Over time, this behavior has improved — his barking is now less aggressive and shorter. He approaches, backs up and barks a little more but calms down after a few minutes and becomes the friendly, quiet Oliver we love. He’s a terrier mix with a DNA profile showing a mix of about 15 breeds, including bully breeds and husky. He’s a small to medium-size dog. Any suggestions on how to build his confidence when greeting visitors? — Oliver’s Mom, Washington, D.C. Dear Oliver’s Mom: One way to help Oliver feel more secure is to practice controlled greetings. Start with familiar friends. When they arrive, have them enter quietly, avoid direct eye contact and let Oliver approach on his terms. Reward calm behavior with treats and praise, reinforcing that visitors are positive experiences. To strengthen these associations, guests may also offer him a favorite treat or toy upon arrival. The goal is to get Oliver to see new faces as opportunities for fun and rewards, not threats. Pair that with teaching him to sit when new people arrive, since dogs have a more difficult time barking when they are sitting. For extra support, tools like an anxiety wrap, pheromone collar or over-the-counter calming chews can help soothe Oliver and set the stage for success. Puzzle toys filled with high-value treats, reserved specifically for when guests arrive, can also redirect his energy. With consistency and by celebrating small wins, his greeting behavior will likely improve as he builds confidence and learns he is safe. Cathy M. Rosenthal is an author and pet expert. Email her at cathy@petpundit.com . Please include your name, city and state. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Huefner 1-6 2-2 5, Sakho 1-3 1-3 3, Boykin 4-13 3-4 11, Finister 4-7 1-2 10, Wilkerson 9-23 3-3 22, Hammons 0-1 0-0 0, Scroggins 4-5 0-0 8, Burns 1-3 0-0 2, Ford 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 25-64 10-14 63. Huntley 2-9 1-2 6, Beaubrun 2-3 3-4 7, Conners 4-9 9-10 19, Tate 6-14 2-4 17, Threadgill 4-11 2-2 11, Wilson 0-0 0-0 0, Muttilib 2-5 0-0 4, Dodd 0-1 0-0 0, Marcus 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 21-53 17-22 66. Halftime_Sam Houston St. 33-30. 3-Point Goals_Sam Houston St. 3-14 (Finister 1-1, Huefner 1-3, Wilkerson 1-8, Boykin 0-1, Hammons 0-1), Appalachian St. 7-24 (Tate 3-6, Conners 2-5, Threadgill 1-3, Huntley 1-5, Beaubrun 0-1, Dodd 0-1, Muttilib 0-3). Rebounds_Sam Houston St. 35 (Finister 7), Appalachian St. 33 (Beaubrun 9). Assists_Sam Houston St. 9 (Boykin 5), Appalachian St. 11 (Tate 4). Total Fouls_Sam Houston St. 20, Appalachian St. 15.EDITOR'S NOTE: On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. No one wants to see any player take a vicious hit like the one that knocked Trevor Lawrence out of the game. It’s easy to agree on that point. Eliminating violent shots is the hard part. The NFL has instituted several rules to protect quarterbacks but football is a physical sport and players have to react instantly and make split-second decisions going at high speeds so injuries keep occurring. Lawrence was carted off the field in the first half of Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday after Azeez Al-Shaair leveled the defenseless quarterback with a forearm to the facemask. The late hit put Lawrence in the fencing position — both fists clenched — and he stayed on the ground for several minutes, while a brawl ensued. Lawrence didn’t require hospitalization for his concussion but it’s unknown when he’ll return. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out/been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote on X. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.” Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and faces a fine and potential suspension after his latest unsportsmanlike penalty. The Texans' linebacker was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard last week. He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline that wasn’t flagged. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. John Raoux, Associated Press Al-Shaair once got away with grabbing Tom Brady by the throat on a pass rush in a game between the 49ers and Buccaneers. Outraged Jaguars players called Al-Shaair’s hit “dirty” and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans made it known he didn’t condone it. “It’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said. “Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down. Unfortunate play. Not representative of who Azeez is. He’s a smart player, really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss really affected us on the defensive side. Just not what we’re coaching. Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. Not representative of us. I’ll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we’ll move forward from it.” Fox Sports color analyst Daryl Johnston, a former fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t hold back his criticism, calling it a “cheap shot.” “It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston said. “Everything. You’ll see this in slow motion and Azeez Al-Shaair does everything you’re trying to prevent in this situation. It’s reckless. It’s disrespectful. There’s an honor that you give to your opponent on the football field and you respect him. And there’s opportunities to be physical and give big hits and play this game in that manner. And there’s other times when there’s a respect that you grant to your opponent.” Some former NFL quarterbacks blasted Al-Shaair on social media. “There is no place in the game of football for dirty hits like this one,” Robert Griffin III wrote on X. Chase Daniel called it “one of the dirtiest hits” he’s ever seen on a quarterback. Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, right, jumps on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after his late hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, bottom, during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Phelan M. Ebenhack, Associated Press Even defensive players struggled to defend Al-Shaair. “That was uncalled for,” Hall of Fame defensive lineman Michael Strahan said on Fox’s studio show while fellow Hall of Famer Howie Long agreed. But the play also sparked debate about the quarterback slide. Lawrence slid feet first, which signals that he’s giving himself up on the play. The NFL rulebook states: “A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide.” But defensive players aren’t automatically penalized if they make contact with a sliding quarterback if they already committed and the contact is unavoidable. The rules state it’s a foul when “the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness.” Al-Shaair did that so he was penalized and will face other repercussions. Still, given the hard-hitting nature of the sport, it won’t be the last time this happens. When Caleb Williams took the field for the Chicago Bears' first regular season game against the Tennessee Titans, the anticipation for the rookie's debut game—possibly the most ever—was on full display. Despite a tough debut for the quarterback, the Bears secured a 24-17 win, a notable feat for the rookie. The victory made Williams the first #1 overall pick with a Week 1 win in over 20 years. Going forward this season, Williams is expected to eclipse C.J. Stroud's record-breaking 2023 rookie campaign with the Houston Texans. However, Stroud's success is an anomaly. Drafting a successful quarterback, especially one who is effective right away, is difficult. When teams have a high first-round draft pick, and they're coming off an unsuccessful few seasons, it's assumed that they will use their first pick on a quarterback . That player will assume the title of "the face of the franchise" and will get the central attention, win or lose. To see which quarterbacks have faced that challenge and triumphed, ATS.io compiled a ranking of the 10 best rookie quarterbacks since 1960 using data from StatHead . Rookies were defined as players who are in their first season of professional football and have not been on the roster of another professional team. Quarterbacks were ranked according to adjusted net yards per pass attempt, which quantifies efficient passing skill. Ties were broken using passer rating. Only rookie quarterbacks with at least 10 games played and 200 total passing attempts were considered. Since 1967, 130 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round. Of those drafted, only 61 have won a playoff game as a starter, according to The Athletic, which used data from NFL Research . The biggest reason this success rate is not guaranteed is because there are differences between college and pro offensive systems. In the collegiate game, the ball is snapped at different points on the field, passing windows are wider, and defenders and linemen are not as quick, making the adjustment to the pro level more difficult. NFL scouts and general managers are gambling on what skills can be transferable and how long those adjustments might take, which is why some teams prefer redshirt quarterbacks to ease the transition. However, just because a team may not want to use their first-round pick on a quarterback, doesn't mean they can't find a diamond in the rough later in the draft. Think about Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and Dak Prescott, all of which were not first-round picks, but have gone on to make a name for themselves in the NFL. Stacy Revere // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.44 - Passer rating: 91.2 - Season stats: 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, 6 interceptions Coming out of college, Gardner Minshew was not a highly sought-after quarterback for NFL teams. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 draft—a draft that was headlined by Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, and Daniel Jones. Nonetheless, Minshew's rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars was filled with many accomplishments. He won Rookie of the Week seven times despite not winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Minshew also had the highest passer rating of any rookie quarterback that started in 2019. James Gilbert // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.77 - Passer rating: 93.7 - Season stats: 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions Pressure was high for Baker Mayfield as the first overall pick in the 2018 draft. When he joined the Cleveland Browns, there was an expectation that once the team figured out the quarterback position, it could be playoff-ready. After trading for Jarvis Landry, a young wide receiver from the Miami Dolphins, in the offseason, the Browns were on their way. Mayfield's rookie season was filled with many firsts, and the Landry-Mayfield connection filled the stat sheet. Mayfield set the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback in 2019 with 27 surpassing prior marks from Payton Manning and Russell Wilson. Julio Aguilar // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.84 - Passer rating: 98.3 - Season stats: 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Justin Herbert was the third quarterback selected in the 2020 NFL draft behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. As the No. 6 overall pick, expectations were high, but there was also an assumption that it would be a few years before Herbert's development would take shape. Then, Chargers starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was accidentally punctured in the lung by a team doctor administering a painkiller before the second game of the season, and it wasn't clear what Taylor's status would be moving forward. When Herbert was given the nod to start minutes before the game, fans didn't know what to expect. Herbert shocked viewers when he threw for over 300 yards and only one interception in that game. He continued his strong rookie showing throughout the season and went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Harry How // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.93 - Passer rating: 98.1 - Season stats: 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions Ben Roethlisberger was the third quarterback selected in his draft class behind the likes of Eli Manning and Philip Rivers—though fans wouldn't have been able to tell. From the moment Roethlisberger was called up by the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in his first game—Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens—it was clear he had a special arm, gaining the nickname "Golden Arm." While the next several games were bumpy for Steelers fans, it was clear that Roethlisberger was the future of the franchise. The Steelers had a solid running game and its receiving core, led by Hines Ward, was one of the best in the league . Once Roethlisberger gained his footing a few games in, he was unstoppable. He led Pittsburgh to its best record ever: 15-1. He also started the season on an eight-game winning streak, becoming the first rookie to do so. Additionally, Roethlisberger became the first quarterback to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Allen Kee // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 87.7 - Season stats: 3,440 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, there were high expectations on Matt Ryan's shoulders heading to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were coming off back-to-back losing seasons and off-the-field legal troubles with its starting quarterback Michael Vick overshadowing the team's play. Ryan was expected to pick up the pieces. He did that immediately, leading the Falcons to an 11-5 record in his rookie season and becoming the clear favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year halfway through the season, which he went on to win. The tag team of Ryan and running back Michael Turner was one of the best offensive forces in the sport that season. Icon Sportswire // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 100 - Season stats: 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Russell Wilson was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Considering Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck headlined the NFL Draft that year, it was not believed that Wilson would be a starter come Week 1, but that quickly changed. Going into the 2012 NFL Draft, Tarvaris Jackson was the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback, and the team signed NFL veteran quarterback Matt Flynn as an insurance policy on the injury-prone Jackson . It was assumed in the short term that either Jackson or Flynn would lead the franchise. Once training camp arrived, however, the Seahawks' quarterback position was uncertain. Jackson was traded to the Buffalo Bills, and Flynn was underwhelming at camp, forcing Head Coach Pete Carroll to take a gamble on his rookie quarterback, Wilson, in Week 1. Carroll, nor Wilson, ever looked back. Wilson was one of the best passing quarterbacks that season. He led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year. Otto Greule Jr // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.39 - Passer rating: 96 - Season stats: 2,210 yards, 20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions When Dan Marino was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1983, the NFL looked very different. Running the ball was the name of the game. The quarterback would either run the football himself at the line of scrimmage or hand it off to the running back, and the offensive linemen would claw and push the pile forward as the runner powered his legs. It was not a pretty sight. However, Marino took a different approach, throwing the ball with a unique quick release for that era. He led the Dolphins to a 9-1 record after replacing David Woodley midway through his rookie season, ending with a 12-4 record. He went on to win Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to start a Pro Bowl. Bettmann // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 100.8 - Season stats: 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions When C.J. Stroud was drafted No. 2 by the Houston Texans last year, there were a lot of questions, not about his ability, but about the organization that he would be playing for. The Texans were coming off of a 3-13-1 season in 2022, finishing with the worst record in the league, and a lot of volatility in its front office. The team fired its head coach and a top executive before the draft. Weeks later, the team hired former Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans as its next head coach. While Ryans is a defensive-minded coach, Stroud was seen as a key ingredient to the team's success since Ryans hired his coaching staff around the quarterback. Stroud led the NFL in yards and TD-to-interception ratio during his rookie season, which is an efficiency statistic considering he didn't get his first interception until his sixth regular-season game against the New Orleans Saints. While Stroud was a part of the league MVP conversation for most of the season, he didn't ultimately win the title. However, he was named 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and his rookie season is seen as one of the best in NFL history. Ryan Kang // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 102.4 - Season stats: 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions Leading into the 2012 draft, it wasn't a matter of whether Washington would pick a quarterback, it was a matter of who. After several seasons of mediocre quarterback play and losing seasons from the likes of Jason Campbell, Donovan McNabb, and Rex Grossman, it was time for a new face to lead the offense. At No. 2, Washington selected Robert Griffin III making him the second quarterback selected in the 2012 NFL draft behind Andrew Luck. Griffin started his rookie year campaign with one of the best performances football fans have ever seen. He completed 19 of his 26 pass attempts for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns, beating the New Orleans Saints. That game earned him the highest passer rating by a rookie ever, 158.3. He now shares that record with Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota. Griffin III went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. Rob Carr // Getty Images - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.86 - Passer rating: 104.9 - Season stats: 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions Dak Prescott is statistically the best rookie quarterback ever, racking up the best passer rating as a rookie. After losing his first game, he led the Cowboys on an 11-game winning streak. That season, he led the team to its fourth-best season ever with a 13-3 record. Prescott was the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and became the first NFL quarterback to be drafted in the fourth round or later to start all 16 regular season games. Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Shanna Kelly. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Wesley Hitt // Getty Images

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Correction: Alabama A&M football player still alive following Magic City Classic injury; University retracts statement on deathNEW YORK (AP) — The man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not a client of the medical insurer and may have targeted it because of its size and influence, a senior police official said Thursday. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York in an interview Thursday that investigators have uncovered evidence that Luigi Mangione had prior knowledge UnitedHealthcare was holding its annual investor conference in New York City. Mangione also mentioned the company in a note found in his possession when he was detained by police in Pennsylvania. “We have no indication that he was ever a client of United Healthcare, but he does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America. So that’s possibly why he targeted that company,” said Kenny. UnitedHealthcare is in the top 20 largest U.S. companies by market capitalization but is not the fifth largest. It is the largest U.S. health insurer. Mangione remains jailed without bail in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday after being spotted at a McDonald's in the city of Altoona, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City. His lawyer there, Thomas Dickey, has said Mangione intends to plead not guilty. Dickey also said he has yet to see evidence decisively linking his client to the crime. Mangione's arrest came five days after the caught-on-camera killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Police say the shooter waited outside the hotel, where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, early on the morning of Dec. 4. He approached Thompson from behind and shot him before fleeing on a bicycle through Central Park. Mangione is fighting attempts to extradite him back to New York so that he can face a murder charge in Thompson's killing. A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 30. The 26-year-old, who police say was found with a “ ghost gun ” matching shell casings found at the site of the shooting, is charged in Pennsylvania with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Mangione is an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family. In posts on social media, Mangione wrote about experiencing severe chronic back pain before undergoing a spinal fusion surgery in 2023. Afterward, he posted that the operation had been a success and that his pain had improved and mobility returned. He urged others to consider the same type of surgery. On Wednesday, police said investigators are looking at his writings about his health problems and his criticism of corporate America and the U.S. health care system . Kenny said in the NBC interview that Mangione's family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November.

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Onex Corporation Announces Variation of Price Range and Extension of Its Previously Announced ...Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, outlines her plans to cut federal spending and waste as she is set to chair the Senate 'DOGE' Caucus. Republican Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has successfully fended off Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan in the race for the state's 1st Congressional District, The Associated Press reported Wednesday. Miller-Meeks has served in the U.S. House since 2021, and currently represents the state’s 1st Congressional District, which includes cities such as Davenport and Iowa City in the southeastern portion of the state. She flipped her seat from blue to red in 2020 and saw this year’s race move from a "likely" victory for Republicans to a toss-up. She won her 2020 race by a slim margin of just six votes but expanded that advantage in 2022. REP. MILLER-MEEKS BEATS BACK CONSERVATIVE PRIMARY CHALLENGE IN IOWA RACE Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, speaks during a town hall event in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) Miller-Meeks fended off a GOP primary challenger earlier in the cycle who accused her of voting "against you and the Republican platform over 40% of the time," while she pitched herself to voters as a "proven conservative." The Iowa Republican received endorsements from the Trump orbit amid her election cycle, including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell and former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "There is no better conservative fighter for Iowa's First Congressional District than Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. I am proud to endorse and serve beside Mariannette to deliver for the American people and help claw back disastrous policies from the Biden administration," House Speaker Mike Johnson said in his endorsement of Miller-Meeks earlier in the election cycle. Miller-Meeks is a doctor and military veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 24 years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Former Iowa state Rep. Christina Bohannan. (Iowa Legislature ) Democratic challenger Bohannon is a law professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, who previously served in the Iowa state House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023. She campaigned on making the Iowa public school system top-rate nationally, instituting "common-sense gun laws," fighting to "put Roe v. Wade back into federal law" and vowing to "work with anyone to secure the border." FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS: CRITICAL 'TOSS-UP' RACES WILL DETERMINE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE HOUSE The pair sparred during a debate last month that included exchanges on abortion and the economy, as well as immigration reform. Miller-Meeks, similar to Republicans across the nation, pinned blame for the illegal immigration crisis on the Biden-Harris administration following former President Donald Trump's White House border policies . "Trump-era policies that reduced the amount of illegal immigrants coming across our border, that helped to keep down the amount of illegal drugs, illegal fentanyl, that our customs and border protections agents actually felt like they were doing their job," Miller-Meeks said during the debate. Bohannan argued that a bipartisan piece of legislation this year that would have addressed the border but argued Republicans "killed it." Republicans have said the immigration bill would have further worsened the crisis, and that the legislation was essentially dead on arrival. GREG GUTFELD: MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS 'MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY' TO GRILL COVID ERA OFFICIAL ON THE LIVES RUINED The U.S.-Mexico border wall in Sasabe, Ariz. (Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images) "We had a golden opportunity recently to pass the strictest border security bill that we have seen in this country in a very long time, maybe ever. And Rep. Miller-Meeks and her party in the House killed it," Bohannan said last month. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Miller-Meeks previously defeated Bohannan in the 2022 general election , 53% to 47%. The 1st district as a whole went for Trump in the 2020 election, voting for him by about three percentage points over President Biden. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw contributed to this report.

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