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... Market Cap Rises To N61.944trn As Nigeria moves towards having a $1 trillion economy by 2030, the combination of new listings, bank recapitalisation and improved participation of domestic investors boosted the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to N61.944 trillion in 2024. When it comes to Africa’s integrated market infrastructure, the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group Plc) is a forerunner. As they seek to make Africa’s largest economy more competitive on the global stage, they serve the interests of the whole continent. With just two trading days left for the year to end, trading on the floor of the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) went down by 0.05 percent on Friday, December 27, 2024, due to profit taking by investors. Nevertheless, the year 2024 has been a good one for the market as the All Share Index closed trading at 102,186.03 points. From January to December 2024, the Nigerian equities market showed resilience in the face of economic headwinds with the new listing of a whopping N8.1 trillion worth of shares. In all, the overall market capitalisation that opened on January 2, 2024 at N40.918 trillion, gained N18.2 trillion or 44.5 percent to close December 27, 2024 at N59.107trillion, making it one of the top four best-performing exchanges in Africa. Also, the All-Share Index closed December 27, 2024, at 102,133.30 basis points, about 27,359.53 basis points or 36.58 percent from 74,773.77 basis points the stock market opened for trading this year. Twenty companies responsible for the N8.1 trillion comprise 10 financial institutions and two brewery manufacturing companies, which were driven by the need to expand business and meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) minimum capital requirement. While most of the banks already listed on the local bourse embarked on public offers and rights issues, others came by way of private placement and ‘listing by introduction.’ Among major ‘listings by introduction’ in 2024 was Aradel Holdings Plc, which listed N3.05 trillion, followed by Transcorp Power Plc, which listed by introduction N1.8 trillion worth of shares. Also, Haldane McCall Plc recently listed by introduction of 3.12 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N3.84 per share with a market capitalisation of over N11.99 billion. In terms of raising fresh capital, Nigerian Breweries Plc and International Breweries Plc are the only two breweries manufacturing companies that raised the highest amount, followed by Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO). Nigerian Breweries was in the market to raise N599.1 billion; International Breweries raised N588.28 billion in fresh capital from the investing public. Nigerian Breweries, in August 2024, got approval for a rights issue of 22,607,491,232 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N26.50 per share based on 11 new ordinary shares for every existing 5 ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Friday, July 12, 2024. International Breweries’ N588 billion rights issue programme was 87.75 percent oversubscribed, with 141.43 billion shares taken up by the company’s shareholders. It amounted to a capital raise of N516.2 billion for the company, which was used to offset the company’s current liabilities. Daily Independent learnt that out of the N8.12 trillion capital in the period under review, GTCO, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Holdings Plc, FCMB Group Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc contributed about 23.4 percent or N1.92 trillion amid CBN’s latest policy in the banking sector. Jaiz Bank Plc, in February 2024 got approval from the Exchange to raise N10.05 billion through private placement. The non-interest financial institution listed a private placement of 10,048,237,995 ordinary shares of N0.50 each at N1.00 per share. Jaiz Bank’s Chairman, Mohammed Bintube, had hinted that the proceeds of the capital raising exercise would be deployed to improve service delivery on its various platforms to enable the bank to achieve its five-year strategic objectives. He further said, “The bank chose this route to sustain its growth trajectory and also to ensure it remains well capitalised in line with its capital management strategy.” On March 28, 2024, the CBN revised the minimum capital requirements for banks. In the new dispensation, commercial banks are facing minimum capital thresholds of N500 billion for international authorisation and N200 billion for national authorisation. In contrast, those with regional authorisation are expected to achieve a N50 billion capital floor. Similarly, non-interest banks with national and regional authorisations will need to increase their capital to N20 billion and N10 billion, respectively. The directive, which was contained in a CBN circular, emphasised that all banks were required to meet the minimum capital requirement within 24 months commencing from April 1, 2024, terminating on March 31, 2026. To enable the banks to meet the minimum capital requirements, the CBN urged banks to consider injecting fresh equity capital through private placements, rights issues, and/or offers for subscription; mergers and acquisitions (M&As); and/ or upgrades or downgrade of licence authorisation. Nigerian banks have accessed the capital market to raise fresh capital via public offers and rights issues. However, the outcome of these capital raising exercises is creating mixed reactions among capital market stakeholders. In the period under review, GTCO raised N400.5 billion as it got approval and listed its offer for subscription of 9,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N44.50 per share. Similarly, the NGX approved Access Holdings N351.01 billion fresh capital, with rights issue of 17,772,612,811 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N19.75 per share based on one new ordinary share for every existing two ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Friday, June 07, 2024. Notable banks that have completed fresh capital injections in the banking sector include: Zenith Bank’s N289.38 billion public offer and rights issue; Fidelity Bank’s N127.10 billion public offer and rights issue; FCMB Group’s N110.94 billion and Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc’s N130.79 billion private placements and rights issues. Others that approached the NGX for capital raising are UBA, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, and FBN Holdings N239.4 billion, N148.71 billion and N149.56 billion, respectively. Chairman NGX Group Plc, Mr. Umaru Kwairanga, in a chat with Daily Independent stated that the banking sector recapitalisation has long been recognised as a cornerstone for building resilient financial institutions and a thriving economy. He said, “It is essential not just for regulatory compliance but for driving innovation, fostering economic stability, and equipping banks to fulfil their critical role in resource allocation and development. At the Nigerian Exchange Group, we remain unwavering in our commitment to creating a capital market ecosystem that supports these objectives. “The capital market serves as a critical enabler in this process, acting as a bridge between issuers seeking to raise capital and investors looking for opportunities to create value. At NGX Group, our mission is to ensure that this bridge is efficient, accessible, and transparent. It is against this backdrop that we introduced NGX Invest, a digital platform transforming the way public offerings and rights issues are distributed in Nigeria. “Since its inception, NGX Invest has facilitated over N1.26 trillion in capital-raising efforts by banks, including notable players such as FBN Holdings, Zenith Bank, GTCO, FCMB Group and Access Bank, among others. These achievements underscore the potential of the capital market to support various sectors’ growth while fostering investor confidence through transparency and efficiency.” One noticeable development in the year was that the Exchange recorded N3.968 trillion in equities trading, driven by strong domestic investor participation. Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has recorded a remarkable increase in the value of equities traded, reaching a record high of N3.968 trillion in the nine months leading up to September 30, 2024. This figure represented a significant rise from the N2.712 trillion worth of stocks traded during the same period in 2023. Foreign investors contributed N696.88 billion, accounting for 17.56 percent of the total value of stocks traded, while domestic investors dominated the market with N3.271 trillion, or 82.44 percent of the total trading volume. According to the latest report on Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) released by NGX, foreign inflows during this review period amounted to N310.99 billion, whereas foreign outflows reached N385.89 billion.EAGLE ELECTRONICS ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF STATE-OF-THE-ART ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING FACILITY, $14MM OF FUNDING, AND CUSTOMER COMMITMENTS
TAIPEI , Dec. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, smart wearable devices enriched with artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) are redefining the boundaries of innovation. Leading the charge, members of the AI on Chip Industrial Cooperation Strategic Alliance, including Jorjin, Singular Wings Medical, and SoundLand, are demonstrating formidable expertise by leveraging their distinctive technological capabilities. Jorjin has made significant strides by integrating AR glasses with AI to facilitate educational training and standard operating procedure (SOP) guidance, helping workers quickly master critical skills. Additionally, the company has launched the MetaSpace AR interaction platform, which enhances visitor engagement through personalized commentary and interactive experiences at immersive exhibitions and educational settings, bringing AR closer to daily life. Singular Wings Medical is revolutionizing blood sugar monitoring with its innovative use of wearable electrocardiograms (ECG) sensors. The company's technology analyzes blood sugar changes without the need for blood sampling or skin punctures, addressing key issues of invasiveness and data discontinuity. By employing AI algorithms and extensive clinical data, the company precisely monitors blood sugar levels, offering personalized health management solutions that boost medical efficiency and cut costs. SoundLand, a pioneer in sound processing, has unveiled its latest electronic and patch-type stethoscopes designed for remote transmission of cardiopulmonary sounds. These cutting-edge devices support telemedicine and educational training, facilitating ongoing monitoring of vital signs and enhancing the convenience of patient care. Together, Jorjin, Singular Wings Medical, and SoundLand are driving industrial innovation, highlighting the vast potential of Taiwanese firms in the global AI and smart wearables market. For more information on Taiwan's premier manufacturers, please contact service@ai-on-chip-b2bmatch.org.tw View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taiwanese-companies-lead-innovation-in-ai-powered-smart-wearables-302340029.html SOURCE AI on Chip Industrial Cooperation Strategic Alliance © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
LINCOLN — The World-Herald's Wilson Moore is handing out his Husker Report Card, assessing Nebraska's performance in several areas. Here are the grades coming out of the Huskers' win over Wisconsin. Emmett Johnson was the speed back Nebraska needed him to be as slipped into space and past would-be tacklers. The redshirt sophomore was a receiving threat out of the backfield and was rarely taken to the ground by the first defender to meet him on a play. He set career highs in rushing yards and all-purpose yards. Dante Dowdell scored untouched on a 12-yard run in the first half and tacked on a plunge from the goal line. GRADE: A People are also reading... Recap: Here's how Joey Graziadei will win 'Dancing with the Stars' Zitel bound over to district court in death of child They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. At the courthouse, Nov. 16, 2024 Kidnapping in Nebraska prompted police chase that ended with 3 dead on I-29 in Missouri Chamberlain among seven inducted into Nebraska Baseball HOF No change in bond amounts in child abuse death case Harmonizers to perform Just Askin': Dana Holgorsen noncommittal on future, ranking a big week for Nebraska Athletics Clabaugh family presents Outstanding Educator award Inside Nebraska volleyball’s finishing kick for a Big Ten title: First up, Wisconsin Courthouse lighting ceremony planned for Sunday Historical society appoints board members, elects officers Believers bought airplane for dead preacher thinking he’d rise from grave to fly in it How one Virginia woman persevered through abuse, oppression in Christian 'cult' Nebraska didn’t come out with the most ambitious game plan, but Dylan Raiola executed it. The quarterback was accurate and efficient, particularly over the middle of the field. He didn’t often push the ball downfield, but he took what the Wisconsin defense gave him, forcing little and avoiding negative plays. GRADE: B Shaky tackling, allowing Wisconsin to break off the occasional chunk play, blemished an otherwise solid night for Nebraska in the trenches. The Badgers struggled to maintain drives, and two of the game’s pivotal plays were NU run stops: a Nash Hutmacher forced fumble that set up a field goal late in the first half and John Bullock stuffing Tawee Walker on fourth down in NU territory in the third quarter. GRADE: B Like his counterpart on the opposite sideline, Braedyn Locke was solid within a conservative attack. He took care of the ball and hit receivers when they were open. Nebraska, like in the running game, didn’t do itself any favors with its tackling — especially in the secondary. A 58-yard bomb to Vinny Anthony II gave Wisconsin a quick touchdown it needed for a potential comeback attempt. GRADE: C Barney gave the Huskers a nice jump with a 45-yard kickoff return to begin the game, setting up an opening-drive touchdown. Brian Buschini continued his excellent season with a coffin-corner punt to pin Wisconsin at its own 3-yard line, and John Hohl connected on 37- and 45-yard field goals. GRADE: B The Dana Holgorsen effect is real. Nebraska’s offense moved as smoothly as it has since the first half against Colorado in Week 2. Raiola was comfortable. Playmakers like Johnson and Jacory Barney Jr. got the ball in space, and the Huskers finally stopped looking like they were fighting themselves. GRADE: B It really didn’t matter how Nebraska got to six wins. The resulting feeling was always going to be cathartic, and eight years of pressure and dread released from Memorial Stadium on Saturday, the recent past dissipating into the air. The Huskers’ bowl drought is no longer a topic of conversation. For one night, nothing else matters. GRADE: A Get local news delivered to your inbox!
After all 12 campmates returned from a successful yet "horrific" first eating trial on I'm a Celebrity 2024 tonight (November 23), it didn't take long for the atmosphere to change. Once the celebrities had tucked into a feast, thanks to Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles winning 12 portions of food in ‘Terrifying Teddy Bears’ Picnic’, the first argument of the series took place between Dean McCullough and Corrie's Alan Halsall. Dean had to be woken up by Alan from his sleep as the campmates needed wood for the fire, which Jane Moore needed help carrying - due to current roles in the camp, Dean was the only person who was allowed to do it. But a hesitant Dean accused Alan of saying he "didn't fancy it" when instead, he just "needed a minute" to sort his contact lenses. Your votes mean Coleen and Dean are about to have a trucking terrifying time when they face Absolute Carnage ⚠️ #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/Q9PcJ3SwF1 In response to this, I'm a Celebrity fans have slammed Dean for being "aggressive" towards Alan. One said on X: "nah but there was no need for Dean to go off at Alan like that #ImACeleb" Another wrote: "Dean and this aggression??? Don’t speak to Alan like that #imaceleb" Someone posted: "Omg is dean serious?! Alan couldn’t of been nicer when trying to wake him up! #imaceleb" This person agreed: "what was actually wrong with what alan said to dean?? he was being so gentle with him like huh ?? #imaceleb" Did you see this argument between Dean and Alan? (Image: ITV) This user noticed: "dean didn’t even go straight down to get the wood he went down to argue with alan?? #imaceleb" "Protect Alan at all costs," hailed an ITV viewer. Elsewhere, Wayne Rooney has encouraged I'm a Celebrity viewers to vote for his wife Coleen to do a trial as he feels she would want to “put herself to the test”. The former England footballer, 39, said he was “proud” of how Coleen was doing in the Australian jungle in a post on social media on Saturday. (function (d, s, n) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; js = d.createElement(s); js.className = n; js.src = "//player.ex.co/player/ec8cce9e-7e0a-47e3-a7b1-5b60531978e1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); js.setAttribute('programmatic', 'true'); js.onload = function () { const playerApi237931 = ExCoPlayer.connect('ec8cce9e-7e0a-47e3-a7b1-5b60531978e1'); playerApi237931.init({ "autoPlay": false, "mute": true, "showAds": true, "playbackMode": "play-in-view", "content": { "playFirst": [ { "title": "How much is Ant and Dec's net worth?", "src": "https://large-cdn.ex.co/transformations/production/3dac3c05-257d-45d2-b760-c1524f8b72f3/720p.mp4" } ], "playlistId": "649d35e179e0a90012b53bab" }, "sticky": { "mode": "persistent", "closeButton": true, "pauseOnClose": true, "desktop": { "enabled": false, "position": "bottom-right" }, "mobile": { "enabled": false, "position": "upper-small" } }}); }; }(document, 'script', 'exco-player')); The couple, who first met at school and began dating aged 16, share four sons – Kai Wayne, Klay Anthony, Kit Joseph and Cass Mac. Recommended reading: “Proud of @ColeenRoo on @imacelebrity she’s doing great”, he wrote on X, alongside a collage of photos of her on the show. “Me and the boys would love to see her doing a trial and we know she’d want to put herself to the test. “If you can download the #ImACeleb and let’s get voting!” I'm a Celebrity continues on ITV1 and ITVX from 9pm on Sunday, November 24.Jayden Daniels dazzles again as Commanders clinch a playoff spot by beating Falcons 30-24 in OT
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As 2024 comes to an end and we reflect on the past year, a trendy quote comes to my mind. “Two things can be true.” I have heard this often in reference to politics and pop culture. As it applies to our work here at United Way, it is true that we are incredibly thankful for those who support the work of our community partners. We are grateful for monetary donations, volunteers who give their precious time, and those who are vocal and proud advocates of United Way. We are also looking to 2025 with a desire for continued and greater impact and the hope for continued support. The need in southern West Virginia is great and our theme for the 2024/2025 campaign is “United for IMPACT!” This theme represents the outstanding impact United Way creates, identifying the needs of our neighbors, and addressing those needs with our community partners. With the advent of a new year, our community partners are a reminder that hope for the future is what our work is about. Parents on tight budgets who receive car seats, formula, or diapers from baby pantries have great hope for the health and future of their children. Home-delivered meals provide nutrition, interaction, and hope to isolated seniors in our communities. Children who have been abused and the loved ones who suffer with them are given hope for healing by child advocacy centers. Recovery programs offer lifelines to those who struggle with substance use disorders. Hope is the common denominator among the agencies who provide services to our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family members. Our direct services, the 2-1-1 Information and Referral Hotline and the Equal Footing Shoe Fund provide hope to thousands of southern West Virginia residents. Over 1,000 requests are made annually by school personnel for new, athletic shoes for children without proper footwear. Providing shoes offers local children hope for similar learning experiences as their classmates. In southern West Virginia, over 8,000 connections are made yearly by our 2-1-1 resource specialist, providing hope to those who don’t know where to turn when they have unmet needs. Your donation is critical. With your help we can bring significant change to our communities. If you have made your 2025 gift or pledge, thank you. If not, please consider giving today. Every dollar is vital to helping our community reach its $850,000 campaign goal. You can donate safely online at unitedwayswv.org , pledge conveniently and securely by calling 304-253-2111, ext. 105, to speak with a United Way representative, or mail your contribution today to United Way of Southern West Virginia, PO Box 5456, Beckley, WV 25801. Contributions made to United Way of Southern West Virginia stay in southern West Virginia to fund the programs that support our friends, neighbors, family, and colleagues. We are United for IMPACT!
Video games don't need to be a solitary experience. Some of the most fun one can have in a game is with their friends or partners. The best co-op games bridge the gap between single-player experiences and multiplayer lobbies, bringing the best of both worlds. You get to laugh, cry, and get angry at each other while not having to spend a dime on an expensive dinner outside. That's why we've compiled this list of the best co-op games you can play with your friends or partner. These games require two or more players to work together, so both people have to pay attention. Some of them will test the limits of your relationship, while others will act as a backdrop for you to spend a cozy night with your loved one. The others will probably break decade-old friendships. Whichever you choose to play, you'll both have fun and hopefully come out of it stronger together. Portal 2 If it ain't broke, why fix it? But it can be improved. Portal 2 improves nearly every aspect of the original classic but also adds a separate co-op campaign as a bonus. The co-op story is set after the events of the first game, and you get to play as robots instead of humans. It's a different perspective on the game's universe, bolstered by the inventive co-op gameplay. Portal 2 is available on PC (Steam) and Nintendo Switch in the Portal: Companion Collection. It Takes Two Forget co-op, It Takes Two is one the best games of the last decade, period. As far as storytelling in a co-op game goes, It Takes Two takes the cake with a heartfelt narrative about a couple on the brink of divorce. You play as either Cody or May who, after getting trapped in the bodies of their daughter's toys, must figure out how to work together while on a fantastical quest. It Takes Two's gameplay sees mechanics borrowed from various genres, with a focus on platforming and puzzle-solving. Throughout the game, you'll also be partaking in various minigames scattered throughout its Toy Story-inspired maps. It's the perfect game for new couples to bond together, and may even bring you closer to your partner if you're in a rough patch. It Takes Two is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch consoles. Overcooked! 2 If there's one word that describes Overcooked! 2, it's "chaotic". Have you ever watched an episode of The Bear? Yeah, Overcooked! 2 is a little reminiscent of that. You'll need to prepare cuisines while trying not to mess up your partner's cooking and pathway while having to hit strict deadlines. It's as much a cooking game as it is a platformer, with the game constantly changing how the kitchen looks and works to keep you on your toes. Play Overcooked! 2 as you wait for your Uber Eats. Overcooked! 2 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. A Way Out A Way Out paved the way for It Takes Two with its impressive presentation and seamless melding of co-op mechanics. A Way Out is a split-screen co-op game where both players take on the role of Vincent and Leo, two prisoners who plan a prison escape. While it takes obvious cues from the movies that inspired it, A Way Out is saved by its inventive co-op-level design. The characters aren't the most complex, but the story has a lot of twists that will keep you and your partner guessing. A Way Out is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One consoles and is backward compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Evil West Evil West is exactly what it looks like. It's a third-person, gunslinging, vampire-shooting, spaghetti western homage in the form of a video game that's a throwback to the Xbox 360 days. It's campy and the developers know it, and that's exactly how its co-op works. Evil West's co-op mode has both players taking on the role of Jesse Rentier, cowboy/monster hunter. Its story is linear and progress only carries over for the host in a co-op session, though it's not exactly a replayable game. That's why getting a friend to join you to shoot demons and vampires is a good idea. The co-op mode also slightly switches up some encounters so going back to the single-player mode will be a different experience. Evil West is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. We Were Here We Were Here relies on clear communication between players to solve its puzzles. Unlike most co-op games on this list, We Were Here keeps both players separate for the majority of the playtime. One player is stuck in the library reading riddles while the other player gets to explore the castle and solve them. Both players use their walkie-talkies to keep in contact, which adds to the old-school exploration vibe that We Were Here nails. Each game in the series explores a different location, but the first one remains iconic and it's free (at least on PC)! We Were Here is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One consoles and is backwards compatible on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Super Mario Bros. Wonder It's the most wholesome game on this list, and are you really surprised that it's a Mario game? The Italian plumber has always delivered joy to many households with his adventures, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder delivers the same. While the levels don't fundamentally change in their design, you never know what crazy things a Wonder seed will add. Players can choose to play as any one of 12 characters in the game, collecting power-ups, turning into Elephant versions of themselves, and generally jumping on goombas. Super Mario Bros. Wonder lives up to its name in every way imaginable. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is available on the Nintendo Switch. Cuphead Cuphead is a tough game, so spare your friend if they fail to jump and dodge projectiles at the right moment. If you think adding a second player to Cuphead is going to make things easier, then you're in for a rude awakening. It also makes for a great prank. You boot up the game and your partner thinks it's a cute 1930s-inspired cartoon, and then the horror starts. Cuphead is a brilliant run-and-gun shooter that tests your patience and will at every turn. Be prepared to break that controller that your partner gifted you, apologize, and take them out to dinner. And then come back to playing Cuphead as you exact your revenge on the Devil himself for ruining your date night. Cuphead can be played on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. It can be played on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S via backwards compatibility.Nine CSU Rams earn Mountain West all-conference honorsNvidia Just Reached a $30 Billion Milestone. Is the Stock a Buy for 2025?