In the end, the local team emerged victorious with a stunning 2-1 win over Real Madrid. The villagers erupted into cheers and celebrations, unable to contain their joy and disbelief at what they had just witnessed. It was a moment of triumph that would be etched in their memories forever.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is the oldest stock market index in the U.S. It is a price-weighted index that tracks the performance of 30 of the largest publicly traded companies in the country. Its member companies span a variety of sectors and industries, and it is considered by many to be a reliable indicator of stock market performance and the health of the overall economy. There are only a few broad criteria for a company's inclusion: Be incorporated and headquartered in the U.S. Have the largest percentage of revenue derived from the U.S. Be a member of the S&P 500 . Be a non-transportation or non-utility company. Because it's price-weighted, the highest-priced stock should be no more than 10 times that of the lowest-priced stock in the index. The company must have "an excellent reputation, demonstrate sustained growth, and is of interest to a large number of investors," according to S&P Global . Nvidia ( NVDA -3.22% ) is the most recent addition to the Dow Jones, joining the benchmark on Nov. 8 and replacing chipmaker Intel . That makes it one of only three companies to make the cut so far this year. Over the past decade, Nvidia's revenue has climbed 2,300%, while its net income has surged 8,460%. This, in turn, has fueled stock price gains of 28,940% (as of this writing). As a result of its meteoric rise, the artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker recently completed a 10-for-1 forward stock split after years of strong business and financial results. The new, lower share price paved the way for Nvidia's inclusion in the Dow. Despite Nvidia's parabolic move higher, many on Wall Street believe the stock still has further to run. From humble beginnings Nvidia has long been known for its prowess in developing top-notch graphics processing units (GPUs) that are the first choice among serious gamers. In 1999, the company pioneered the use of parallel computing in its chips, which allows them to run a multitude of mathematical computations simultaneously. By breaking up these massive compute jobs into smaller, more manageable pieces, the company reinvented the gaming industry. In fact, as recently as early 2022, gaming still represented the majority of Nvidia's revenue. But a paradigm shift was coming. It didn't take long before Nvidia realized it could use this technology in a variety of other applications. By 2006, scientists and data researchers discovered that GPUs could be used for other computationally intensive processes, including high-performance computing (HPC), machine learning (a subset of AI), and data centers. This pivot set the stage for the generative AI revolution that kicked off early last year. It's estimated that Nvidia controls as much as 98% of the data center GPU market, according to semiconductor analyst company TechInsights. Since the vast majority of AI processing takes place in data centers, the accelerating adoption of AI directly benefits Nvidia, as its GPUs are the cornerstone of the technology. The company delivered five consecutive quarters of triple-digit, year-over-year growth, so a slowdown was inevitable. However, its most recent results are still enviable. For its fiscal 2025 third quarter (ended Oct. 27), Nvidia generated record revenue of $35 billion, surging 94% year over year and 17% sequentially. This resulted in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.81, which soared 103%. Management is predicting its growth spurt will continue, albeit at a more moderate pace. The company is guiding for Q4 revenue of $37.5 billion, which would represent growth of 70%. The biggest unknown, at this point, is the ongoing supply constraints, which management predicts will persist well into next year. However, if Nvidia's suppliers can accelerate output, sales could jump. Wall Street is still bullish on Nvidia Given the company's pivotal position in the AI revolution, Wall Street is understandably bullish on the company's prospects. Of the 64 analysts who have offered an opinion thus far in November, 94% rate the stock a buy or strong buy, and none recommend selling. Furthermore, an average price target of roughly $170 suggests there's still upside potential of 16% compared to Nvidia's closing price on Wednesday. Rosenblatt analyst Hans Mosesmann continues to be the biggest Nvidia bull on Wall Street. In the wake of the company's impressive results and robust guidance, the analyst maintained a buy rating on the stock while increasing his price target to a Street-high $220, which represents potential gains for investors of 50%. Mosesmann cited Nvidia's "beat and raise" quarter, strong demand for its Hopper chips, and the upcoming ramp of its Blackwell architecture as catalysts to push the stock higher. He isn't the only one that's bullish: A whopping 15 analysts boosted their price targets for Nvidia on the heels of its results. Some investors may be hesitant to buy the stock given its lofty valuation, and on the surface, that argument has weight. After all, Nvidia is currently selling for 69 times earnings and 38 times sales, which certainly appears expensive. However, Wall Street expects Nvidia to generate EPS of $4.36 in fiscal 2026, which begins in late January. That works out to roughly 33 times forward earnings. I'd argue that's an attractive price to pay for an industry leader with unrivaled market share and a solid runway for growth ahead. For my money, Nvidia is a buy .It is believed that the man used his extensive collection of smartphones to engage in a practice known as "data scraping," wherein he would indiscriminately gather personal data from unsuspecting individuals. This data could include sensitive information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and even financial details. By compiling this information, the man could create a database of potential customers for his "lucky bags," targeting individuals based on their demographics, preferences, and purchasing behavior.Titans are their own worst enemy as they fail again to string together wins
It looked like a recipe for disaster. So, when his country's swimmers were being accused of doping earlier this year, one Chinese official cooked up something fast. He blamed it on contaminated noodles. In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. Recommended Videos This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. “The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more,” Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. “There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie,” said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction.” Something in the kitchen was contaminated In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation , did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the “no-fault findings,” as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report , Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist “saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities.” But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's “decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable.” But how did the drugs get into the kitchen? A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug “then entered the market through illegal channels,” he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles,” Li said. “The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice.” New information sent to WADA ... eventually This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. “Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated,” he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. “It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. “Which clearly it has not.” ___ AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-gamesWith Yi Nuo's input, the Honor GT is expected to offer optimized performance, seamless gameplay, and enhanced graphics, catering to the demands of professional gamers as well as casual players looking to take their gaming experience to the next level. The collaboration between Honor and Yi Nuo highlights the brand's commitment to delivering products that are not only technologically advanced but also tailored to meet the specific needs of the gaming community.
Data center companies ink huge power deals
As Liverpool continues their pre-season preparations with yet another friendly match, this time against Girona, the spotlight once again falls on Jurgen Klopp's men. The friendly match against the Spanish side serves as another opportunity for Klopp to fine-tune his team ahead of the upcoming season. Despite the level of competition often being lower in pre-season matches, the importance of these games should not be underestimated. They provide a platform for players to gain fitness, for tactical ideas to be tested, and for team cohesion to be strengthened.As global markets wind down for the Christmas break, U.S. stock indices have shown promising movement. The Nasdaq led a half-day rally on Christmas Eve, approaching its record highs, while the S&P 500 pushed past the 6,000 mark. However, not all stocks have kept pace with this festive momentum. Among key players, Nvidia presented a buying opportunity as it crossed crucial levels, despite retreating from intra-day peaks. Other AI chip titans like Broadcom and Astera Labs saw continued upward trends. Meanwhile, Tesla maintained its strong performance from earlier in the week, bouncing back further after a minor dip. The hotel industry also saw movement, with China’s Atour Lifestyle Holdings nearing a potential buy point. Nvidia remains a highlight on various expert lists, including the IBD Leaderboard and SwingTrader, showcasing ongoing interest in tech and AI sectors. Globally, major markets will pause on Wednesday due to the Christmas holiday. Despite slight after-hours declines in Dow Jones futures and minimal changes in S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures, this doesn’t necessarily predict action when trading resumes. In broader market news, the dawn of the “Santa Claus rally” has spurred optimism. Notable gains were seen across major indices and ETFs, including strong performances by small-cap, tech-software, and semiconductor sectors. For those looking to invest, it’s crucial to track leading stocks and sectors, as well as emerging areas of growth and opportunity. The market remains selective, calling for strategic picks among potential gainers in AI, travel, and finance sectors. Wall Street’s Holiday Cheer: Emerging Trends and Insights for Savvy Investors As markets enter the festive season, recent activities in U.S. stock indices suggest favorable conditions for strategic investors. The impressive surge in the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 has brought optimism, with the Nasdaq nearing its highest records and the S&P 500 surpassing notable thresholds. Yet, not every stock has shared this prosperity, making discerning investment choices crucial. Innovative Prospects in the Tech Sector The technology sector, specifically areas like artificial intelligence and semiconductors, is gaining considerable traction. Nvidia , known for its leadership in AI chips, offers promising buy opportunities as it hits strategic levels, notwithstanding brief intra-day pullbacks. Other key players such as Broadcom and Astera Labs are experiencing sustained upward trajectories, reflecting broader industry positivity. Tesla’s robust performance adds to the optimistic outlook, particularly following a rebound from minor slumps earlier in the week. This highlights the electric vehicle industry’s resilience and its potential as a strategic investment area. Market Trends: The Santa Claus Rally Effect The “Santa Claus rally,” a phenomenon where stock prices often rise in the last week of December, has invigorated market sentiment. This seasonal increase in trading activities and stock prices is particularly evident in small-cap, tech-software, and semiconductor sectors. Investors are advised to monitor these areas closely as they continue to demonstrate substantial gains. Emerging Opportunities in Global Markets Investment opportunities also expand beyond the technology sphere. The hotel sector is showing promise, with companies like China’s Atour Lifestyle Holdings potentially offering attractive purchase points. This underscores growth potential in the travel and hospitality industries as global travel scales back up. Strategic Insights for Investors For those intrigued by the evolving market landscape, it’s essential to refine focus towards sectors forecasted for growth. The AI chip market, driven by firms like Nvidia and Broadcom, alongside emerging players, can be particularly rewarding. Additionally, the near-future trends in travel, hospitality, and finance sectors offer strategic investment avenues. In conclusion, while holiday-induced pauses are expected, the new year beckons with prospects for gains. Staying informed about trending sectors and poised industries will be crucial for capitalizing on market volatility and sustained upward trends. For more information on stock trends and market analysis, visit the comprehensive resources on Nasdaq and SP Global .
FAT IS FLAVOR File photo shows a row of roasted hogs. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said there is no need to put a price cap on pork, particularly on “lechon” (roasted pig), for the upcoming holiday season despite the effects of African swine fever (ASF) in the country. “No, I don’t believe in price caps. Especially roasted pigs. Technically, it’s a luxury item,” he said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of the annual membership meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. on Thursday. Tiu Laurel said that although a “minimal” price increase is expected amid the peak demands during Christmas, the country has a “stable” pork supply. READ: No price cap on lechon, says DA “I don’t think it’s going to be a big increase [in prices]. I think increment, minor increase only,” he added. Chester Tan, chair of the National Federation of Hog Farmers, likewise allayed concerns over the holiday staple’s supply stability. “Right now, we are assuring the public, this coming December season that we have enough supply of pork even for the lechoneros, [we have] enough supply,” he said in a separate interview. He said they have secured forecasts, planning, and preparation with the DA for the past two to three months. The DA chief, meanwhile, said that the arrival of pork imports has helped strengthen the country’s stocks. READ: Cebu City assures public of enough ‘lechon’ supply “I think, we have enough supply. Actually, I was looking at the import numbers the other day, and [it shows that] there is 10 percent more importation of pork this year than last year,” Tiu Laurel said. As of Sept. 30, more than 517.86 million kilograms of imported pork arrived in the country since January, based on the DA’s Trade System. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . The DA has also been ramping up efforts to mitigate the impact of the ASF in the livestock sector through continuous government-controlled vaccination and more stringent biosecurity protocols, including setting up inspection stations within Metro Manila and nearby provinces.None
Pete Hegseth, president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Defense, has close ties to an Idaho-based Christian nationalist church that aims to turn America into a theocracy. Hegseth is a member of a Tennessee congregation affiliated with Christ Church, a controversial congregation in Moscow, Idaho, that has become a leader in the movement to get more Christianity in the public sphere. In an appearance last year on the Christ Church-connected streaming show “Crosspolitic,” Hegseth talked about how building up fundamentalist Christian education systems is important in what he sees as a “spiritual battle” with the secular world. He sees Christian students as foot soldiers in that war and refers to Christian schools as “boot camp.” “We’re in middle phase one right now, which is effectively a tactical retreat where you regroup, consolidate and reorganize and as you do so, you build your army underground with the opportunity later on of taking offensive operations — and obviously all of this is metaphorical and all that good stuff,” he said on the show. Hegseth did not immediately respond to requests for an interview. Hegseth has spoken positively about Christ Church Pastor Doug Wilson’s writings Christ Church is led by Pastor Doug Wilson, who founded the Calvinist group of churches called the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, or CREC. CREC has congregations in nearly all 50 states and several foreign countries. Hegseth’s church is a member of CREC, and Hegseth has spoken positively of Wilson’s writings. Wilson and his allies have a rigid patriarchal belief system and don’t believe in the separation of church and state. They support taking away the right to vote from most women, barring non-Christians from holding office and criminalizing the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, Wilson has increased his influence nationally as he’s built a religious, educational and media empire. His Association of Classical Christian Schools has hundreds of fundamentalist schools around the country, and his publishing outfit Canon Press churns out dozens of titles a year as well as popular streaming shows that highlight unyielding socially conservative ideals. In the recently released podcast, “Extremely American” (created by this reporter), Wilson says one of his goals is to get like-minded people into positions of influence. In an emailed response for this story, he said he’s closer to that post-election and that he supports Hegseth’s nomination, though he downplayed any influence he has on him. “I was grateful for Trump’s win, and believe that it is much more likely that Christians with views similar to mine will receive positions in the new administration,” he said. Hegseth nomination could threaten cohesion, diversity of U.S. military, experts say That’s what worries Air Force veteran Mikey Weinstein, who is the president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Weinstein says Hegseth, if confirmed as secretary of Defense, would threaten the cohesion of a religiously and racially diverse U.S. military. “Pete Hegseth is a poster child for literally everything that would be the opposite of what you would want to have for someone who’s controlling the technologically most lethal organization in the history of this country,” he said. Weinstein sees Hegseth’s nomination as an example of the dangers of Project 2025, a 900-page policy paper written by far-right political activists. It lays out a plan to gut the federal government and install Christian nationalist ideals. “Christian nationalism is an absolute fatal cancer metastasizing at light speed (for) the national security of this country,” he said. “It is a Christian version of the Taliban.” Matthew D. Taylor, senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies, said Hegseth is “one of the most extreme far right figures ever nominated to a cabinet post, at least in modern memory.” Taylor said he’s broadly concerned about Christian nationalists, who tend to take a dim view of democracy, potentially having a lot of sway in this administration. “I think we should expect a profound degradation of our democratic norms of the rule of law, and I think we are edging closer to a de facto Anglo Protestant establishment, of the kind where Anglo Protestant Christianity as the de facto official religion in the United States,” he said. Hegseth faces some headwinds in his nomination process due to multiple marital sex scandals and the recent revelation that he paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in exchange for her not speaking about it. He denies he assaulted her but admits he paid her. He’s also gotten criticism for tattoos that are symbols of the Crusades and wrote a book titled “American Crusade,” where he derides Muslims. Before becoming a TV personality, Hegseth led the conservative veterans group Concerned Veterans for America, which advocated for increased privatization of veterans’ health care. He has also said that women should not be allowed to serve in combat roles in the military, and has complained about what he terms “woke” policies in the military.Ukraine must be in strong position for negotiations, Starmer says