Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow recordST. PAUL – Hunting pheasants, ruffed grouse, squirrels or rabbits offers Minnesota hunters opportunities to continue enjoying the outdoors as temperatures fall and snow blankets the landscape, the Department of Natural Resources said. Here’s a look at season dates for the small game species. ADVERTISEMENT Fisher, martin and bobcat trapping opens Saturday, Dec. 14, so hunters should be aware of the potential for additional traps in the woods. Hunters can find regulations and complete bag limit information on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/hunting . More information about how or where to hunt can be found on the DNR’s learn to hunt webpages at mndnr.gov/gohunting . Recorded webinars with tips on how to hunt pheasants, grouse, squirrels or rabbits are available in the webinar archive on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the Minnesota DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/discover .
Votes In Maharashtra And Jharkhand To Be Counted Today: 10 PointsThe Power Purchase Adjustment Charges (PPAC) have been sharply reduced in Delhi which will provide a relief to the city's consumers who can expect lower electricity bills now, officials said on Friday (December 27, 2024). A statement of Delhi government said the PPAC was slashed drastically in a "new year bonanza", bringing down electricity bills for all consumers. "Delhi government has been able to reduce PPAC due to honest politics and robust demand supply chain management, said Chief Minister Atishi who also holds power department portfolio. Earlier, discom officials said that in September, PPAC of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) was 37.88 per cent, BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) 37.75 per cent and BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) 35.83 per cent. The revised PPAC in December is 20.52% for TPDDL, 13.63 per cent for BYPL and 18.19% for BRPL, they said. "This will lead to a significant cut in the monthly electricity bills of the consumers," an official stated. BJP's Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva said it was a victory of party workers as the BJP has been protesting against discoms and the AAP government for "looting" honest consumers in the name of PPAC. He said the charges have been reduced due to the BJP's protests and an intervention of LG V K Saxena. Atishi said if BJP is so keen on taking credit it should reduce power prices in 22 states governed by them. Citing Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) orders, Sachdeva told a press conference here that the "PPAC imposed by the three discoms has been reduced by more than 50%, and resultantly the consumer bills will be reduced by 20-25%". The PPAC is added to the electricity bill to compensate for any increase in the cost of power during procurement due to factors like rise in fuel prices, changes in policies among others. It is calculated as a per cent of the sum of the fixed charge and energy charge (units consumed) in power bills. The PPAC is levied under the Electricity Act, Rules and APTEL orders. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) allows central gencos like NTPC, NHPC and transcos to make full recovery of their costs on a monthly basis. On the other hand, Delhi discoms are allowed PPAC on a post-facto quarterly basis with the approval of the DERC. The PPAC is recovered to ensure a timely pass through of the adjustment cost charges to the consumer as any delay further burdens the consumer with interest cost, officials said. Also, without PPAC, discoms will have liquidity stress and won't have money to pay the generation companies, they added. This charge revision is a huge relief for power consumers of Delhi as the PPAC has been significantly reduced by the DERC, said East Delhi Resident Welfare Association Front president BS Vohra. The charges kept increasing continuously in the last few years burdening the middle class, he said expecting more reduction in charges. In case of BRPL and BYPL, the existing PPAC was applicable till December 20, 2024. In the current PPAC approved by an order, dated December 20, passed in case of BRPL and BYPL, the DERC has allowed only the recovery of costs for Q2 of FY 24-25. In case of TPDDL, the existing PPAC is applicable up to January 31, 2025. Its petition is pending before the DERC which may announce a fresh PPAC in coming weeks. The Delhi government said the PPAC was higher earlier as Delhi experienced an unprecedented peak in electricity demand due to severe summers. The discoms purchased electricity at prevalent market rates, leading to higher PPAC, it said. Additionally, in October 2023, The blending proportion of expensive imported coal was increased from four per cent to six percent, resulting in higher costs for generating companies, it said. The PPAC declined in winters in accordance with reduced demand and consumption of power and also because the blending proportion of imported coal was also reduced back to four per cent by mid-October 2024, it said. Published - December 28, 2024 03:20 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit electricity production and distribution
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Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record
The Japanese yen rose off a five-month low against the dollar on Friday after a summary of opinions from the Bank of Japan’s December policy meeting showed some policymakers gaining confidence in an imminent rate increase, while the Japanese central bank also cut its monthly bond purchases. Some Bank of Japan policymakers saw conditions falling into place for an imminent rate hike with one predicting a move “in the near future,” keeping alive the chance of a January hike. The BOJ held interest rates steady at 0.25% at this month’s meeting, a move governor Kazuo Ueda explained as aimed at scrutinizing more data on next year’s wage momentum and clarity on the incoming U.S. administration’s economic policies. The Bank of Japan will cut monthly Japanese government bond (JGB) purchases by another 410 billion yen per month ($2.6 billion), lowering the total to about 4.5 trillion yen per month from January. The Japanese currency has weakened in recent weeks as U.S. Treasury yields rise despite the Federal Reserve cutting rates by 100 basis points since September. Traders are pricing in the likelihood that the U.S. central bank will make fewer cuts next year as inflation remains elevated. Analysts say the policies of the new Donald Trump administration next year are also expected to boost growth and inflation, making traders wary of betting against the greenback. But some see the Japanese currency as staging a comeback against the dollar eventually, with Treasury yields likely to decline. “The prospect of BoJ rate hike in the first quarter of next year... and a drift lower in Treasury yields in H2 2025, suggest the USD/JPY fair value is peaking around now and will be in the mid-130s by the end of next year,” Societe Generale analyst Kit Juckes said in a recent report. Traders are also on watch for any potential intervention by Japanese officials to shore up the currency if it continues to weaken, as they have done multiple times this year. Japan Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato on Friday reiterated concerns over a sliding yen, repeating his warning to take action against excessive currency moves. The dollar was last down 0.15% at 157.76 Japanese yen. It reached 158.09 on Thursday, the highest since July 17, and is on track for a yearly gain of 11.9% against the yen. The U.S. dollar index fell 0.08% to 107.99. It reached a two-year high last Friday of 108.54 and is on pace for a yearly increase of 6.5%. The euro gained 0.07% to $1.0429, but is heading for a yearly decline of 5.5%. Sterling strengthened 0.25% to $1.2556 and is on track for a yearly loss of 1.3%. The Chinese yuan was near a 13-month low, trading at 7.2988 per dollar in the onshore market . The currency has suffered under the threat of additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods under Trump. South Korea’s won dropped to a 16-year low of 1,486.7 per dollar after parliament impeached acting President Han Duck-soo, plunging the country deeper into political chaos. Cryptocurrency bitcoin rose 0.72% to $96,378. It has surged about 126% this year. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Karen Brettell; Additional reporting by Kevin Buckland and Greta Rosen Fondahn; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Richard Drury Thesis As we wrap-up 2024 we hear many market participants bemoaning their portfolio returns when compared to the stellar performance of the S&P 500 ( SPX ). We are bemused by this view and comparison, since very few people Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.California Democratic representative wants to work with Trump’s DOGE to ‘slash waste’
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to not get ahead of themselves. Sunday’s 30-7 rout of the New York Giants began a six-game, regular season-ending stretch in which the Bucs (5-6) will face five opponents that currently have losing records. The victory coming out of the team’s bye week stopped a four-game skid and moved the three-time defending NFC South champions within one game of first-place Atlanta in the division. The Falcons swept the season series, so the Bucs essentially trail the Falcons by two games with six remaining. They’re in a good position to chase their fifth consecutive playoff berth, but can hardly assume they’ll benefit from having an easy remaining schedule. “We’re hoping it builds confidence. We have belief that we’re still sitting and controlling our own destiny,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said of beating the Giants. “But it’s not just going to happen,” Mayfield added. “So, we have to take it one week at a time. And you find the recipe for success within your work week. ... You try to emulate that week after week and continue to build it.” The Los Angeles Chargers, who entered Monday night’s game against Baltimore at 7-3, are the only opponent remaining on Tampa Bay’s schedule that currently has a winning record. The Bucs will face division rival Carolina (3-8) twice in the next six weeks. They’ll also host Las Vegas (2-9) and New Orleans (4-7) and play the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys (4-7) on the road. “We can’t get comfortable,” rookie running back Bucky Irving said. “We just got to keep our foot on the gas and keep running.” The offense continues to put up big numbers, finishing with 450 yards against the Giants. It’s the fifth time Tampa Bay has gained more than 400 yards this season. The Bucs have now scored 30-plus points six times, second in the NFL behind Buffalo’s eight. There wasn’t a lot to fault in the team’s performance against the Giants, although coach Todd Bowles said both the offense and defense could have been done a better job closing out the game late. “For the most part we executed on both sides of the football,” Bowles said. “Still like to have finished the game a little better, but they came back (from the bye week) mentally tougher, and they came ready to play.” Irving averaged more than 7 yards per carry in rushing for 87 yards on 12 attempts. He also had six receptions for 64 yards, finishing with a season-high 151 yards from scrimmage. Just when it looked as if the defense was beginning to trend the right way health-wise, the Bucs lost safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) and linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) to injuries on Sunday. Bowles said Monday he was still awaiting an update on the severity of Whitehead’s injury. Tryon-Shoyinka has an ankle sprain. LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) sat out against the Giants and his status will be evaluated as the week progresses. 11. With wide receiver Mike Evans back on the field after missing three games with a hamstring injury, Mayfield completed passes to 11 different players, tying a team record. “He obviously changed the game, even when he's not getting the ball,” Mayfield said. “It's huge that we have him in.” At Carolina, the second of three consecutive games vs. last-place teams the Bucs will face during their stretch run. They’ll also host the Panthers on Dec. 29. “It’s an NFC South battle, and all of them are going to be hard. None of them are going to be easy,” Bowles said. “I think (coach) Dave (Canales) has done an excellent job taking on that team and it’s taking over his personality right now,” Bowles added. “They’re playing pretty good football. ... It’s going to be a tough battle.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflAustralians are buying dishwashing tablets, sponges and toilet paper at Black Friday sales. or signup to continue reading Aussies are up 35 per cent from last year. Research from ING Bank found demand for household items has increased by 10 per cent year-on-year with 4.4 million shoppers looking to stock up over the weekend. Shoppers are willing to spend an average of $184 each on these essential items and one in ten would spend between $301 and $500. But a third of Aussies said they weren't shopping the sales at all this year because they were budgeting or saving for other things with millennials the most likely generation to hold on to their cash. Almost a quarter of Aussies also said they did not think the discounts were large enough to justify opening their wallets. The difference in spending was evident across the generations with nearly half of millennials saying they intended to spend more on essential household goods than gifts this year, compared to about a quarter of Gen X and Boomers. Almost half of Aussies with children at home were also planning to focus on the bare necessities. ING Australia's Matt Bowen said the survey shows Australians were "using this year's sales to shop [savvy], spending more on household essentials and buying their Christmas gifts in advance due to the rising cost of living." "There's also clearly an appetite to shop with international retailers this year, according to 35 per cent of respondents who plan to shop the sales." , with 58 per cent of Aussies intending to shop the sales this year, an increase of 17 per cent since 2020. More than $12.7 billion is expected to be spent on the sales nationwide across all categories, an increase from last year's $10.8 billion. Almost half of all Black Friday shoppers this year are planning to use the sales to buy their Christmas presents with $297 being the average budget among those shopping for gifts. Lucy is a reporter for the Canberra Times. Originally from the Central West, she has a passion for local and rural news. Email her at lucy.arundell@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Lucy is a reporter for the Canberra Times. Originally from the Central West, she has a passion for local and rural news. Email her at lucy.arundell@austcommunitymedia.com.au. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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Stock market today: Wall Street wavers at the start of a holiday-shortened weekCooper vetoes GOP bill that would weaken his successor, other Democrats