It's been about 59 years since Warren Buffett took the helm at Berkshire Hathaway . He paid roughly $14.86 per share in 1965 to take control of the holding company. These days, the A-class shares, which have never split, trade for more than $700,000, making Buffett arguably the best stock picker of the past six decades. Buffett has done a lot more selling than buying lately, but one stock he's enthusiastically accumulated over the past year belongs to America's only satellite radio provider, Sirius XM Holdings ( SIRI 1.75% ) . At the end of September, Buffett held over 105 million shares worth about $2.5 billion. Unfortunately for Buffett and the rest of Berkshire Hathaway's shareholders, Sirius XM stock has been a disaster lately. It's fallen 54% from the end of 2023 through Nov. 19, 2024. Buying quality stocks when they're underappreciated is a big part of Buffett's successful investing strategy. Here's a look at why the stock has been beaten down, to see if it could be a smart buy at recent prices. Why Sirius XM stock is way down in 2024 It doesn't take a degree in economics to see that there's a problem over at Sirius XM. Quarterly revenue rose sharply for several years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, sales peaked in late 2021 and have been stagnant or declining since. The company acquired Pandora in 2019, but it still relies on Sirius XM subscribers for 70% of total revenue. The stock is way down this year because subscription revenue hasn't been so reliable. In the third quarter, subscriber revenue from the Sirius XM segment fell 5% year over year to $1.5 billion. At the end of September, Sirius XM had 33.2 million subscribers. That's about 800,000 fewer subscribers than it reported at the end of 2021. Mobile internet infrastructure throughout North America is more robust than it was just a few years ago. The number of folks who can open the Spotify ( SPOT 0.92% ) application on their new car's touchscreen is also much higher. This could explain why it looks like the audio streaming leader is eating Sirius XM's lunch. While Sirius XM was losing users, Spotify was gaining them hand over fist. The audio streamer reported third-quarter U.S. revenue that rose 18.6% year over year to $1.6 billion, which is now more than the Sirius XM segment receives from all its subscribers. Why Buffett loves Sirius XM stock If you want to use the satellite radio feature that came with your vehicle, Sirius XM is your only option. The company earns some money from advertising, but relatively reliable subscriptions to Pandora and Sirius XM are responsible for more than three-quarters of total revenue. In addition to an advantage as the only satellite radio provider, Sirius XM has another feature Buffett appreciates: Healthy profit margins. SIRI Revenue (Quarterly) data by YCharts. Quarterly revenue may be down, but so are the number of customer service representatives necessary to support a stagnant user base. The well-run company's operating margin over the trailing 12-month period rose to 23.8%. Berkshire Hathaway doesn't pay a dividend, but Buffett appreciates businesses that do. Sirius XM has raised its payout by 22.9% since the middle of 2022. The stock offers a 4.3% yield at recent prices. A bargain now? On the surface, Sirius XM stock looks like a terrific bargain at the low price of 7.95 times trailing 12-month earnings. At such a low multiple, investors could come out miles ahead if profits hold steady over the long run. Unfortunately, profits available to distribute to investors have been in steep decline. Management expects free cash flow to decline from $1.2 billion in 2023 to approximately $1 billion this year. Free cash flow is currently sufficient to support the company's dividend, but it's been declining since early 2022. I hate arguing with Buffett, but I'm not sure buying Sirius XM stock is a great idea right now.Unions attack 2.8% Government pay rise proposal for NHS workers and teachers
Meta and Serie A Team Up to Combat Piracy in Soccer Streaming
Boxing Day sporting extravaganza has always caught the attention of fans around the world and this year it will be no different. Cricket being one of the popular sports, it always has been synonymous with the festive vibe of after Christmas Boxing Day. We have many top cricketers in action this year as the battle for supremacy is on the line. Starting with the big one will be India taking on Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Stadium. South Africa host Pakistan in a one-off test match while Zimbabwe will also be facing Afghanistan in the last of the fixtures. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Full Schedule Announced: India vs Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai; Check Groups and Complete Fixtures. India defeated Australia in the opening game of their five-game series but Australia bounced back in style in the Adelaide game. The rain curtailed third match was a draw setting up for a fascinating Boxing Day test that should draw a record capacity. India have traditionally done well in this fixture but in recent times, the results have not been up to the mark and hence we cannot say for sure which Indian team will turn up. On the other hand, Australia will be confident of a good showing. When is India vs Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Know Date and Time in IST of IND vs PAK Cricket Match. Pakistan blanked Proteas 3-0 in the ODI series putting the host under a lot of duress ahead of the one-off test match. South Africa have always done well at home in the red ball cricket but Pakistan have shown their capabilities in recent times. Afghanistan on the other hand should start as the favorites against a young and inexperienced Zimbabwe team. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2024 09:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).sported another style change during a recent outing with her husband, , as the two spent time together in Tokyo, Japan. Censori, 29, has run the gamut in terms of her style picks this year. Though she has sported while out in public in the wake of her husband’s January declaration that it would be a year of for his wife, her most recent fashion display contradicted that earlier vow from the “Gold Digger” rapper. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.
No-fly zones are enforced around airports, military installations, nuclear plants, certain landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, and sports stadiums during games. Not everybody follows the rules. Sightings at airports have shut down flights in a few instances. Reported sightings of what appear to be drones flying over New Jersey at night in recent weeks have created anxiety among some residents, in part because it is not clear who is operating them or why. Some state and local officials have called for stricter rules to govern drones. After receiving reports of drone activity last month near Morris County, New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary bans on drone flights over a golf course in Bedminster , New Jersey, that is owned by President-elect Donald Trump, and over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base . The FAA says the bans are in response to requests from “federal security partners.” The FAA is responsible for the regulations governing their use , and Congress has written some requirements into law. With a 2018 law, the Preventing Emerging Threats Act, Congress gave certain agencies in the Homeland Security and Justice departments authority to counter threats from unmanned aircraft to protect the safety of certain facilities. New drones must be outfitted with equipment allowing law enforcement to identify the operator, and Congress gave the agencies the power to detect and take down unmanned aircraft that they consider dangerous. The law spells out where the counter-drone measures can be used, including “national special security events” such as presidential inaugurations and other large gatherings of people. To get a “remote pilot certificate,” you must be at least 16 years old, be proficient in English, pass an aeronautics exam, and not suffer from a ”mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small unmanned aircraft system.” Yes, but the FAA imposes restrictions on nighttime operations. Most drones are not allowed to fly at night unless they are equipped with anti-collision lights that are visible for at least 3 miles (4.8 kilometers). Over the past decade, pilots have reported hundreds of close calls between drones and airplanes including airline jets. In some cases, airplane pilots have had to take evasive action to avoid collisions. Drones buzzing over a runway caused flights to be stopped at London’s Gatwick Airport during the Christmas travel rush in 2018 and again in May 2023 . Police dismissed the idea of shooting down the drones, fearing that stray bullets could kill someone. Advances in drone technology have made it harder for law enforcement to find rogue drone operators — bigger drones in particular have more range and power. Some state and local officials in New Jersey are calling for stronger restrictions because of the recent sightings, and that has the drone industry worried. Scott Shtofman, director of government affairs at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, said putting more limits on drones could have a “chilling effect” on “a growing economic engine for the United States.” “We would definitely oppose anything that is blindly pushing for new regulation of what are right now legal drone operations,” he said. AirSight, a company that sells software against “drone threats,” says more than 20 states have enacted laws against privacy invasion by drones, including Peeping Toms. Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College in New Jersey, and founder of its drone program, says it's up to users to reduce public concern about the machines. He said operators must explain why they are flying when confronted by people worried about privacy or safety. “It's a brand new technology that's not really understood real well, so it will raise fear and anxiety in a lot of people,” Austin said. “We want to be good professional aviators and alleviate that.” Associated Press reporter Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C., contributed.Max George will be spending Christmas in hospital. The 36-year-old pop star - who is best known for being part of the boyband The Wanted alongside Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes, Jay McGuinness and the late Tom Parker - took to social media on Thursday (12.12.24) to reveal that he had started to feel "really unwell" earlier in the week and will to have surgery after doctors discovered some heart problems. He wrote on Instagram: "Yesterday I felt really unwell and was taken in to hospital. Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart. "I have a lot more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet. It’s gonna be a difficult few weeks / months... and Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned!" The 'Glad You Came' hitmaker - who is currently dating former soap actress Maisie Smith - admitted that the whole ordeal had come as a "huge shock" to him but is glad that things were dealt with as soon as possible, even if it means he will be spending the festive period in bed. He said: " But, as always, I’m surrounded with love and support from my wonderful partner Maisie, her family, my family and friends.. and I’m 100% in the best place. "Although this is a huge shock and no doubt a set back, it’s something I’ll take on with all I’ve got! I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was. "Apologies if I bore you with updates in the coming weeks..I’ve probably got a month in a bed and there’s not THAT much to do!" Max was inundated with words of support from his fans and friends in the comments, with bandmate Siva writing: "Here for you brother. Rest up and get well soon." Perez Hilton said: "Oh no!!!!!!! Sending you all of the healing!!!" Westlife star Nicky Byrne wrote: "Get well soon Max", whilst JLS singer Marvin Humes said: "Sorry to hear you’re not well geezer..you’re strong and will fight through..big love mate."
From the season’s outset, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Minnesota would leave itself the flexibility to close games with whatever lineup the coaching staff felt was needed to secure a victory. ADVERTISEMENT Sometimes, he noted, he’d get the choice right. Surely, there would be other times when he wouldn’t. “Hopefully, I do way more than I don’t,” Finch said this week. Sunday evening, however, was a checkmark in the “not right” column, at least based off the result. The Timberwolves didn’t score in the final 4:47 of their loss to Golden State. Finch said this week that Mike Conley’s inclusion in the closing lineup would’ve added organization to the equation. But he was quick to add that, with the ill-advised shots Anthony Edwards was taking, may not have mattered. ADVERTISEMENT Finch also reiterated what he said after the game, that Nickeil Alexander-Walker was playing “so well,” so he was hesitant to take him off the floor. “Maybe the other thing I could’ve done was go small,” Finch said, “but we’ve not really done that a ton.” That was the cry of many Wolves’ followers on social media on Sunday. Minnesota has proven rather inept at late-game offense when Conley isn’t on the floor. But all recognized Alexander-Walker had also earned the opportunity to close. You certainly won’t take Edwards off the floor in those situations, and the Wolves wanted Jaden McDaniels on the floor to guard Steph Curry. That left Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert as the only options to take off the court in favor of Conley, and that would’ve left Minnesota small. And, as Finch noted, the Wolves simply haven’t gone small this season. Like, at all. None of Naz Reid, Randle or Gobert have played more than 17 minutes this season without another big man next to him. ADVERTISEMENT It’s not something the Wolves practice, either. McDaniels said he’s only repped minutes at the four in practice when one of the bigs have been unavailable. Still, Finch said it wasn’t that he was “uncomfortable” rolling out a small-ball look Sunday. “But I worry a lot about rebounding. We struggle to rebound with our bigger lineups, at times. So, I know our smaller lineups have really struggled,” Finch said. “That’s some of the reason not to go small is really rebounding issues. But I think our guys are comfortable playing in all different combinations. But I haven’t really thought about going small, necessarily.” ADVERTISEMENT Indeed, Minnesota is just 12th in the NBA this season in defensive rebounding rate, grabbing 71.3% of opposing missed shots. The glass was especially an issue Sunday, as Golden State grabbed 14 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points. But it’s worth noting many of those came by guards in situations in which size was no factor on the play. McDaniels said he’s comfortable playing any position, including the power forward slot. And Minnesota certainly has the wing depth to roll out more small ball lineups if the situation ever called for it. There could be a playoff matchup that does just that, though Finch noted it could also go the other direction where the Wolves’ advantage would be to lean bigger. Versatility rules come April and May. But the Wolves don’t seem overly urgent to trot out any small-ball looks just to see how they perform at this juncture in the campaign. ADVERTISEMENT “Usually, it’s better with Naz at the four (than me),” McDaniels said. There is, however, at least one proponent of doing a little experimenting: Conley. “I think (small ball) kind of promotes a different level of spacing and speed to the game. You’re going to have to rely on guard-guard situations, guard pick and rolls,” Conley said. “Maybe me setting the screen and roll, Just creating different advantages for ourselves, as opposed to our typical offense or typical flow of things. I would love to see it, maybe — see how it works.” ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
Padel Court Manufacturers China: Redefining The Padel Sports Experience
Meta has joined forces with Italy's premier soccer league, Serie A, in a strategic move to curb illegal live streaming of matches. This collaboration, announced on Friday, marks a significant step in safeguarding the broadcast rights that constitute the majority of Serie A's revenue. Under the agreement, Serie A will leverage Meta tools to monitor and swiftly report unauthorized streaming activities on Facebook and Instagram. As part of the initiative, Meta is assisting the league in developing software aimed at streamlining the reporting process. This effort is part of a broader push by Italian authorities to combat online piracy, which has cost broadcasters and sports leagues billions. The crackdown includes the introduction of legislation allowing swift action against illegal streaming and recent police operations dismantling an extensive piracy network across Europe. (With inputs from agencies.)
China Creates Large-Scale System Of Commercial Sensing Satellites
Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictions보스턴, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 손해보험(P&C) 및 일반 보험의 미래를 주도해가는 지능형 솔루션 제공업체인 Duck Creek Technologies (이하 Duck Creek)가 회사 및 고객을 위한 혁신과 성장에 더욱 속도를 내기 위해 베테랑급 임원 3명을 글로벌 고위 경영진에 임명했다. 새로 선임된 임원들은 북미 영업 담당 수석 부사장인 William Magowan, 유럽•중동•아프리카 지역 (EMEA) 담당 매니징 디렉터인 Elodie Hilderal, 아시아태평양 지역 담당 매니징 디렉터인 Christian Erickson이다. 신규 임원들은 보다 큰 조직과 협력해 사업 확장과 매출 성장에 필요한 새로운 기회를 창출하는 한편 전 세계 Duck Creek 고객과 파트너를 대상으로 세계적 수준의 경험을 제공하는데 주력하게 된다. William과 Elodie, Christian은 Duck Creek을 비롯해 다양한 곳에서 풍부한 보험관련 기술 경력을 보유하고 있다: William Magowan 은 보험 기술 업계에서 20년 동안 영업 책임자로 활동한 경력을 바탕으로 북미 영업 담당 수석 부사장 을 맡으며 Duck Creek에 재합류했다. 그는 우수 실적을 보인 영업팀을 육성하고 이를 진두지휘하며 제품 혁신을 주도했으며, 검증된 고객 가치를 제공하는 데 있어 탁월한 성과를 보였다. Elodie Hilderal 은 Duck Creek 영업 부사장으로 성공적인 역할을 수행한 후 EMEA 지역 매니징 디렉터 로 임명되었다. Elodie 디렉터는 보험 및 재보험 엔터프라이즈 소프트웨어 업계에서 15년 동안 영업, 전문 서비스, 고객 성공 분야에서 리더십 역할을 수행해 온 탁월한 리더로, 보험 및 재보험 업계에서 탄탄한 경력을 구축한 인물이다. Christian Erickson 은 25년 이상 엔터프라이즈 소프트웨어, 클라우드, 사이버 보안, 전문 서비스 분야에서 쌓은 경험을 바탕으로 아태지역 매니징 디렉터 를 맡게 되었다. Duck Creek에 합류하기 전에는 Cognizant와 Accenture를 비롯한 여러 회사에서 금융 서비스 및 보험 부문의 총괄 매니저를 역임하며 성장, 고객 성공, 전문 서비스 부문을 담당했다. Duck Creek Technologies의 Mike Jackowski CEO는 “William과 Elodie, Christian 이렇게 신규 임명 세 명을 선임한 것은 Duck Creek에 있어 중요한 순간이다. 이들의 리더십 역량과 업계 전문성을 바탕으로 2025년에는 전례 없는 수준의 성장을 이루고 전 세계로 사업 영역을 확장할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다"라고 밝혔다. 그는 또 “Duck Creek은 보험 기술 분야를 선도하는 기업으로서, 고객들은 우리가 구축하는 솔루션부터 제공하는 고객 경험에 이르기까지 우수성의 표준을 정립하기를 기대하고 있다. 세 명의 임원 모두 보험사와 보험 계약자의 지속적인 이익을 위해 Duck Creek이 업계를 지속적으로 선도할 수 있도록 배경과 노하우, 입증된 성공 경험을 갖추고 있다”고 설명했다. Duck Creek Technologies 소개 Duck Creek Technologies는 재산 및 손해(P&C), 일반 보험 산업의 미래를 주도할 지능형 솔루션을 공급한다. 당사는 최신 보험 시스템 구축의 기반이 되는 플랫폼으로 업계가 클라우드를 활용해 민첩성을 가지고 지능형 방식으로 원활하게 사업을 운영할 수 있도록 지원한다. 진정성, 목적성, 투명성을 핵심 가치로 삼는 Duck Creek은 개인과 기업이 가장 필요로 하는 시기, 장소, 방법을 통해 보험을 이용할 수 있어야 한다고 믿는다. 시장을 선도하는 당사의 솔루션은 독립형 또는 전체 제품군 으로 제공되며, Duck Creek OnDemand 를 통해 이용할 수 있다. 자세한 정보는 회사 홈페이지 www.duckcreek.com 에서 확인하세요. 소셜 채널인 – LinkedIn 과 X 에서 Duck Creek을 팔로우해 최신 정보 확인도 가능합니다. 언론 연락처 정보: Marianne Dempsey/Tara Stred duckcreek@threeringsinc.com
Undercover FBI agents were not present during the 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Donald Trump supporters, a Justice Department watchdog said Thursday in a report debunking a popular right-wing conspiracy theory. "We found no evidence in the materials we reviewed or the testimony we received showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6," Justice Department inspector general Michael Horowitz said in an 88-page report. Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6 in a bid to prevent congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden's election victory. Right-wing media and even some Republican lawmakers have spuriously claimed that undercover FBI agents provoked the attack on Congress, which followed a fiery speech by Trump in which he falsely claimed the election had been stolen. The inspector general said that while no undercover FBI agents were present at the Trump rally or the Capitol, 26 FBI informants known as confidential human sources (CHS) were in Washington at the time. Three of the informants had been tasked with reporting on domestic terrorist suspects while the others were there on their own. "None of these FBI CHSs were authorized to enter the Capitol or a restricted area, or to otherwise break the law on January 6, nor was any CHS directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6," the report said. The inspector general also said there had been an intelligence-gathering failure by the FBI ahead of the January 6 attack. "While the FBI undertook significant efforts to identify domestic terrorism subjects who planned to travel to the Capital region on January 6," the report said, "the FBI did not take a step that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations. "Specifically, the FBI did not canvass its field offices in advance of January 6, 2021, to identify any intelligence, including CHS reporting, about potential threats to the January 6 Electoral Certification," it said. FBI deputy director Paul Abbate was quoted as saying this was a "basic step that was missed" in "understanding the threat picture prior to January 6." Trump was impeached by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives following the attack on the Capitol, but acquitted by the Senate. He is to return to the White House on January 20 after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the November presidential election. More than 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the assault on Congress. Trump has lauded them as "patriots" and "political prisoners" and pledged to pardon many of them when he returns to the White House. cl/st
Global monitor says famine is weeks away in north Gaza. A US diplomat calls warning 'irresponsible'ABILENE, Texas (AP) — Sam Hicks scored on a 53-yard run in the fourth quarter and finished with 171 yards on the ground to lead Abilene Christian to a 24-0 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Wildcats (9-4), ranked No. 15 in the FCS coaches poll and seeded 15th, qualified for the playoffs for the first time and will travel to play No. 2 seed and nine-time champion North Dakota State (10-2) on Saturday at the Fargo Dome. The Bison had a first-round bye. Abilene Christian grabbed a 7-0 lead on its second possession when Carson Haggard connected with Trey Cleveland for a 37-yard touchdown that capped a 10-play 97-yard drive. Northern Arizona (8-5), ranked 17th but unseeded for the playoffs after winning five straight to get in, picked off Haggard on the Wildcats' next two possessions but could not turn them into points. NAU went for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line with 9:30 left before halftime, but Jordan Mukes tackled Ty Pennington for a 4-yard loss. That led to a 46-yard field goal by Ritse Vaes and a 10-0 lead at halftime. The score remained the same until Hicks' big run with 10:16 left to play. Haggard passed 6 yards to Blayne Taylor for the final score with 2:16 to go. Haggard completed 23 of 29 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions. Abilene Christian's defense allowed at least 20 points in every game during the regular season and yielded at least 30 six times. The Wildcats lost their season opener to FBS member Texas Tech 52-51 in overtime. Abilene Christian's last shutout came in a 56-0 victory over Lamar on Sept. 25, 2021. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Hurricanes visit the Panthers in Eastern Conference actionWould you pay a $100 first date deposit? Single woman, 30, proposes charging time-wasting Aussie men cancellation fee after splashing out 'hundreds' on makeup and petrol for Tinder no-shows