Just in Time for the Holidays: Tesla Mezcal Re-Releases a Limited Edition Collaboration with Nosotros MezcalCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. “Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them,” Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR's “take-it-or-leave-it” final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as “open” teams that don't have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was “primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR,” Freeze said. “NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit,” Freeze said. “NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved.” A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing “new circumstances” in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a “coordinated effort behind the scenes.” “This is completely false,” Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. “23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing,” Lauletta said. "Our efforts to expand – purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track – are integral to achieving this goal. “It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships,” he continued. “It is a necessity because NASCAR’s monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level.” AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is droppedHunt for gun and ammunition stolen from unmarked police car
Costco ( COST 0.88% ) is a store I frequent almost weekly, thanks to the good prices and the shockingly fresh produce. That said, I've never owned the stock, even though it has the type of impressive dividend record that attracts my attention. Sometimes I wish I had bought it, though, because paying full price for a great company can often lead to strong returns. But what about buying it today? Would adding Costco to your portfolio right now set you up for a lifetime of strong returns? Costco's business model is strong The first thing that investors have to get their heads around when it comes to Costco is the business. It is not your typical retailer -- it is a club store. Customers, like me, pay a yearly fee for the privilege of shopping at Costco. Those membership fees, which basically have no costs associated with them, make up around half of the retailer's operating income. That changes the retail game in a very important way. Basically, Costco looks at its business in a totally different way because it isn't earning all of its money from product sales. Thus, keeping customers happy becomes the core objective, so it can keep those membership fees rolling in. The three primary ways it does this is by having cheap prices (membership fees allow it to accept lower margins), creating an enjoyable shopping experience, and having a great selection of products. The long-term success of the business tells you that it has succeeded quite well overall. The numbers speak for themselves. Over the past decade, revenues have grown at a compound annual rate of around 8.5%, while earnings have expanded at a 13.5% clip. As noted, the dividend has been increased every year for two decades, with the past decade's annualized dividend growth a very impressive 12%. Costco is the kind of retailer you'd want to own, but... I'm leery of retail stocks because, in general, retailers tend to go in and out of favor. When people move on to a different retailer, the financial effect on a now out-of-favor retailer can be very hard (think bankruptcy). It's why I prefer to own retail-focused real estate investment trusts (REITs), which can collect rent no matter what retailer occupies a well-located property. But Costco is one of those retailers that has bucked the trend because of its strong business model. The problem is that Wall Street knows just how good the company is, and it doesn't go on sale very often. COST PE Ratio data by YCharts. That's why investors looking at Costco will probably want to keep it on the wish list and not the buy list today. Using traditional valuation metrics is all you need. The price-to-sales ratio is around 1.6x today, versus a five-year average closer to 1x. The price-to-earnings ratio is 56x right now, versus a longer-term average that is just under 41x. Its price-to-cash flow and price-to-book values are both notably above their five-year averages, too. The dividend yield, my preferred valuation tool, is a tiny 0.5%, compared to a five-year average of around 0.7%. Almost any way you cut it, Costco is an expensive stock today. To be fair, I expect Costco to look expensive relative to the broader market just about all the time. The problem is that Costco looks particularly expensive relative to its own history right now. To paraphrase famed value investor Benjamin Graham , paying too much for a good company can be a bad investment. The current call on Costco Overall, Costco is a very well-run company with an advantaged business model. There are a lot of things to like about it, and it should probably be on most investors' wish lists. But right now, given the lofty valuation, it probably shouldn't be on your buy list. Buying it at the right price could set you up for life ... overpaying just to own it could leave you with "dead money" for years to come.CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
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Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has introduced a draft law expanding the scope of foreign nationals who may invest in shares listed on the Saudi main stock market or All Tadawul Share Index (TASI). Under the draft amendment to the Investment Accounts Instructions, the Rules Governing Foreign Investment, and the Financial Market Institutions Regulations, the authority will allow a foreign national residing in one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and a foreign national who has previously resided in the Kingdom or in one of the GCC countries, to invest in shares listed on the main market. The proposed amendments allow individual foreign investors, who previously resided in Saudi Arabia or one of the GCC countries to continue operating their investment accounts and invest in shares listed in the main market even after their residency has ended and they return to their home country, provided they have previously opened an investment account in Saudi Arabia. The proposal, which was presented by the authority on the Istithlaa platform in preparation for its approval, also aims to facilitate the procedures for opening and operating investment accounts for a number of categories of clients of financial market institutions, while taking into account enhancing client protection. The CMA called upon relevant and interested persons participating in the capital market to share their feedback on facilitating the procedures for opening investment accounts for various categories of investors within the proposed “Amendments of the Investment Accounts Instructions and the Rules for Foreign Investment in Securities and the Capital Market Institutions Regulations” for a period of 30 days ending on December 20, 2024. The key elements of the proposed draft include developing the requirements for opening an investment account for individual foreign investors residing in one of the GCC countries and expanding the types of securities they can directly invest in, including shares listed on the main market. Currently, their participation is limited to the debt market, the parallel market (Nomu), investment funds, and the derivatives market. To open investment accounts for foreigners residing in the GCC countries, the resident's identity data and a valid passport must be submitted. As for foreigners who are not residing in the Kingdom or in the GCC countries, a valid passport must be produced. The amendments prohibited the opening of investment accounts for individual institutions, with the exception of non-profit and endowment institutions, according to the draft law. < Previous Page Next Page >The iMac 2024 is today at a fantastic discounted price of $1,149, reduced from its original price of $1,299 . This $150 discount includes a $100 direct price drop and an additional $50 off via an activated coupon on Amazon. This deal is a record low for the iMac , and especially as it’s about the latest model equipped with the M4 chip. Apple never offers any direct discounts, make sure you get your before it runs out of stock. See at Amazon Moreover, Amazon provides two significant advantages during this promotional period. First, they guarantee the best price throughout Black Friday, meaning customers can shop without worrying about future price drops. Second, Amazon has extended its return policy until January 31, 2024 so that you can purchase holiday gifts now and return them after the festive season if needed. Stunning Display The 2024 iMac features the latest M4 chip which significantly improves performance compared to previous models. With an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, the new iMac is designed for efficiency and speed and makes it up to 1.7 times faster for everyday tasks and up to 2.1 times faster for more demanding workflows such as photo editing and gaming when compared to the M1 model. This impressive leap in performance is complemented by 16GB of unified memory. You’ll probably notice the stunning 24-inch 4.5K Retina display of this iMac which boasts a resolution of 4480 x 2520 pixels. It provides vibrant colors and sharp details and makes it ideal for creative professionals and casual users alike. For the first time, Apple offers a nano-texture glass option which reduces glare and reflections and allows users to position their iMac in bright environments without compromising image quality. The iMac 2024 also comes equipped with a new 12MP Center Stage camera which enhances video calls by automatically keeping users framed in the center of the shot as they move. This feature combined with 1080p HD video recording capabilities makes it perfect for remote work and virtual meetings. The advanced image signal processor within the M4 chip further improves video quality by reducing noise and enhancing dynamic range. Apple’s decision not to offer discounts directly through its own store means that deals like this one on Amazon are rare gems for consumers looking to save on premium products. Alongside the iMac deals, Amazon is also offering discounts on other Apple products such as the newest Mac Mini M4, MacBook Pro M4 and MacBook Air M3 models from 2024. See at AmazonStates are rational beings, what about the presidents?
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The man, known only as H6, brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) after then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman said he should be excluded from the UK in March 2023. Judges were told that in a briefing for the Home Secretary in July 2023, officials claimed H6 had been in a position to generate relationships between prominent UK figures and senior Chinese officials “that could be leveraged for political interference purposes”. They also said that H6 had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state, which combined with his relationship with Andrew, represented a threat to national security. At a hearing in July, the specialist tribunal heard that the businessman was told by an adviser to Andrew that he could act on the duke’s behalf when dealing with potential investors in China, and that H6 had been invited to Andrew’s birthday party in 2020. A letter referencing the birthday party from the adviser, Dominic Hampshire, was discovered on H6’s devices when he was stopped at a port in November 2021. The letter also said: “I also hope that it is clear to you where you sit with my principal and indeed his family. “You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship... Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.” In a ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Bourne, Judge Stephen Smith and Sir Stewart Eldon, dismissed the challenge. The judges said: “The Secretary of State was entitled to conclude that the applicant represented a risk to the national security of the United Kingdom, and that she was entitled to conclude that his exclusion was justified and proportionate.” The Home Office confirmed in July 2023 that H6 would be excluded from the UK as he was considered to have engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and that he likely posed a threat to national security. The now-50-year-old former civil servant brought legal action for a review of the decision, arguing that it was unlawful. The tribunal in London heard that H6 had said he avoids getting involved in politics, and only had limited links to the Chinese state. His lawyers also argued that there was evidence that it was difficult for a Chinese national involved in business to avoid any contact with the CCP and that material related to his relationship with Andrew had to be read in the context of an advisor writing to someone who had been loyal to the duke in difficult times. However Home Office lawyers argued that H6 had downplayed his links to an arm of the CCP, and that his relationship with Andrew could be used for political interference. In their 53-page ruling, the judges said that Andrew could have been made “vulnerable” to the misuse of the influence H6 had. They said: “The applicant won a significant degree, one could say an unusual degree, of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him. “That occurred in a context where, as the contemporaneous documents record, the duke was under considerable pressure and could be expected to value the applicant’s loyal support. “It is obvious that the pressures on the duke could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence. “That does not mean that the Home Secretary could be expected to exclude from the UK any Chinese businessman who formed a commercial relationship with the duke or with any other member of the Royal Family.” The three judges said that H6 had enjoyed a private life in the UK, which had been described as the businessman’s “second home”, adding: “He has settled status, a home and extensive business interests in the United Kingdom. He was regarded as a close confidant of the duke.” The judges continued the Home Secretary was “rationally entitled to decide” there was a potential to leverage the relationship, adding H6 was “not candid” about his links to the CCP. They concluded: “In our judgment it was open to the SSHD to take a reasonably precautionary approach to the risk, and to take action rationally aimed at neutralising it so far as possible. “Whilst excluding the applicant would not necessarily halt his activities, it would significantly hinder them. “Cultivating relationships with prominent UK individuals would logically be much more difficult if no meetings could take place in the UK.”
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — What's stoking the Denver Broncos' surprising surge is the growing connection between rookie quarterback Bo Nix and veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Whenever the Broncos (7-5) need a clutch catch, a key flag or a timely touchdown, Sutton is usually the one delivering it like he did Sunday when he caught eight passes on 10 targets for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns that sparked the Broncos' come-from-behind 29-19 win at Las Vegas.
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The stock market has been soaring over the last two years, with the S&P 500 ( ^GSPC 0.35% ) surging by more than 65%, as of this writing, since it bottomed out in October 2022. The tech-heavy Nasdaq ( ^IXIC 0.16% ) has fared even better, up by more than 85% since December 2022. Now more than ever, though, it's essential to choose your investments wisely. The market can't keep climbing forever, and a downturn will hit sooner or later. When that happens, not all stocks will have the strength to bounce back. While there's no single correct way that everyone should be investing, there are some guidelines that can better protect your portfolio when the next bear market inevitably strikes. And there's one simple piece of advice from billionaire investor Warren Buffett that could make or break your investments. The key to choosing the right stocks In Berkshire Hathaway 's 2021 letter to shareholders, Warren Buffett outlined how he and then-business partner Charlie Munger determined where to invest. "[O]ur goal is to have meaningful investments in businesses with both durable economic advantages and a first-class CEO," he writes. At its core, this piece of advice is incredibly simple: Invest in strong companies. But there's a key difference between buying stocks and buying businesses, and if you mistakenly invest in the wrong places, it could spell disaster for your portfolio. The most dangerous part of the stock market right now The stock market has been thriving in recent years, and it hasn't been particularly difficult to earn positive returns no matter where you invest. But that doesn't necessarily mean that all stocks -- even those that have seen their prices surge lately -- are strong investments. Sometimes, during periods of prosperity, the market can get swept up in a wave of optimism. That isn't always a bad thing, but it does mean that shaky stocks can skyrocket in price when investors buy into their hype. If the companies behind those stocks don't have the fundamentals to match their surging price, though, they'll likely face a steep correction down the road. In severe cases, those stocks may not be able to bounce back from a downturn at all. While these investments may look promising now, they can wreak havoc on your portfolio during the next wave of volatility. Choosing businesses over stocks As Buffett advised to shareholders, being a "business picker" over a "stock picker" can protect your portfolio throughout even the worst market slumps. The key is to separate a stock's market performance from the company's underlying business fundamentals. Just because a stock's price is surging doesn't necessarily mean the business behind it is healthy. By digging into the underlying company, you can get a better idea of whether that stock will survive rough economic times and go on to experience long-term growth. There are several important factors to look for when studying a business's overall health. General financial metrics like the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and the debt ratio , for example, can help determine a company's growth potential and risk level. But it's also wise to look at big-picture factors, like the organization's management team and any trends in the industry. Though not as concrete as financial figures, these elements can help gauge whether the company will be able to adapt to industry changes and maintain a competitive advantage. While the market may be thriving right now, it's always wise to double-check that your portfolio is prepared for tough times, too. By focusing on investing in the right businesses (and not getting caught up in the hype of rising stock prices), you can rest easier knowing your money is safer -- no matter what the future has in store for the market.
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