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Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Fiber Broadband Association Marks Industry Investment in U.S. Manufacturing
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today at , the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) released data that shows the positive potential of NTIA BEAD (Broadband Equity Access and Deployment) broadband infrastructure funding program, reflected through its members' investment response to comply with Build America, Buy America (BABA) for the program. A number of FBA's BABA-compliant members reported nearly $650 million of investments to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and 5,600 new jobs created to date. This effort has led to an additional 1,325,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity added with either new manufacturing facilities being built and/or expanded over the past two years -- representing 72+ manufacturing facilities across 28 states. Fiber is the primary network technology required by the BEAD Program to comply with BABA. "The fiber broadband industry creates thousands of jobs and contributes billions of dollars to the American economy. The BEAD program has catalyzed FBA members to onshore fiber manufacturing investment and jobs. The continuation of BEAD funding is critical for closing the digital divide, preserving good jobs, stimulating the economy, and maintaining American leadership," said Marissa Mitrovich, Vice President of Public Policy, Fiber Broadband Association. The Buy America Preference applies to BEAD funded infrastructure projects. In a February 2024 Notice of Final Waiver, the Department of Commerce (DOC) issued a limited waiver for certain construction materials and manufactured products used in BEAD funded projects. For instance, DOC found that all optic glass used in manufacturing fiber and fiber optic cable must be BABA compliant, although it provided a waiver for non-optic-glass inputs to the optical fiber pre-form process, and that key fiber transmission electronics needed to be manufactured in the U.S., although it waived the 55 percent cost of components requirement needed. The BEAD BABA Waiver is available at 'The amount of time, effort, commitment, and training required to bring these jobs back to the U.S. cannot be understated, nor should the value these jobs and facilities are having on the communities that will benefit from this new capacity,' said Anis Khemakhem, Chief Marketing Officer, Clearfield. 'The BABA commitment reaches every level of the companies involved, permeating the supply chain and demanding focused organizational alignment. The investment spans from soft costs, such as training, to hard costs, such as product tooling.' Stay updated by subscribing to the Fiber Broadband Association's weekly newsletter here. About the Fiber Broadband Association The Fiber Broadband Association is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists dedicated to the advancement of fiber broadband deployment and the pursuit of a world where communications are limitless, advancing quality of life and digital equity anywhere and everywhere. The Fiber Broadband Association helps providers, communities, and policy makers make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. Since 2001, these companies, organizations, and members have worked with communities and consumers in mind to build the critical infrastructure that provides the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MEA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'A commentary on the last four years of my life': BABA on debut record, Truth
BABA's debut album, Truth, is a 'commentary on the last four years' of the artist's life. The 12-track, featuring production crafted by Enda Gallery who co-wrote the record, is a compelling autobiographical album that explores core themes of female empowerment, love, loss and hope. 'Basically, the album is really just a commentary, kind of on the last four years of my life,' Siobhán Lynch, aka BABA, told the Irish Mirror. 'We had a lot of miscarriages the last few years. I had the process of IVF. 'So there's two songs. There's one for my little boy that I lost in the second trimester of pregnancy. That's Apollo. 'And then very luckily, I had a little girl, so that's Love Like This. That's about her and then there's two songs in the middle which are Lost in Lisbon and Spicy Summer. 'Because the album was starting to sound a little sad, I really wanted to make sure that I kept elements of me in there. 'Spicy Summer is about my favorite thing, which is kissing and the summer time. So I wanted to make sure I kept that in there. And Lost in Lisbon is kind of a reflection on lost loves and things'. The record is loosely divided into four stages, each reflecting points in Siobhán's journey, with these parts connected by unique interludes. 'Sometimes I think when albums come out, although the songs are personal to the artist, you don't really see all of the background work or the personal touches. So that's why I wanted to put those little bits in. 'Two of them were voice notes. One of them, the one for Apollo, was one that I found on what should have been his second birthday, that I'd recorded. 'And I actually forgot about it, and Enda was like, 'Just go through them', and we nearly didn't put it on, because I just thought, 'Oh, is it too much?' 'It's important. It's very important. For me, talking about pregnancy loss, it's just a really important thing, because when I first started having miscarriages, there was no one to talk to about it. 'So I actually started my own podcast, just to chat through it. So some women had somewhere to go, or people had somewhere to go. Because no one was really talking about it, and it's really lonely.' While some tracks on the album took just 10 minutes to pen, Apollo took Siobhán nine months to write. 'Apollo took me nine months to write. Some of the songs took 10 minutes,' Siobhán shared. 'We actually started the song, writing the melody of the song before I lost him. 'And then I lost him in the January, and we went back through some of the melodies we'd been writing. I was like, 'Oh, this really sounds like something I could work with'. But just to get the words down on paper, it's very difficult.' BABA's debut album, Truth, is out now on all streaming platforms.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Access Fixtures Introduces BOST - Classic Bostonian Style LED Bollard Lights
Access Fixtures launches BOST LED Bollard Lights, classic Bostonian style with architectural-grade build, BABA & BAA compliant, and EXTREME-LIFE rated. 'BOST LED Bollard Lights combine timeless form with modern performance, designed to complement classic architecture while delivering durability, efficiency, and compliance.'— Steven Rothschild, CEO WORCESTER, MA, UNITED STATES, May 27, 2025 / / -- Access Fixtures, a leading provider of commercial, industrial, and sports lighting solutions, announces the launch of BOST Classic Bostonian-Style LED Bollard Lights, a timeless solution that merges traditional design with high-performance LED technology. Engineered for parks, campuses, walkways, and public plazas, BOST Bollard Lights deliver durability, architectural appeal, and long-lasting lighting performance in any outdoor space. Architectural Grade With a refined lantern-inspired silhouette and clean support arms, BOST Bollard Lights brings a touch of historic Bostonian elegance to contemporary landscapes. The fixture is crafted from precision-engineered die-cast aluminum, finished in architectural black powder coat over a chromate conversion coating for corrosion resistance. Its robust construction and attention to design detail make it ideal for urban and institutional settings requiring architectural-grade fixtures with long-term durability. BAA and BABA Compliant BOST is BAA and BABA compliant, meeting Build America requirements for federally funded projects. This makes it a reliable choice for municipalities, campuses, and public infrastructure installations requiring U.S.-sourced components. EXTREME-LIFE with LED Efficiency BOST is powered by advanced LEDs rated L70 @ 187,000 hours, significantly reducing maintenance cycles and delivering decades of reliable lighting. This EXTREME-LIFE performance makes it ideal for areas where consistent illumination and low maintenance are essential. 'BOST Bollard Light is where timeless form meets next-generation performance,' said Steven Rothschild, CEO of Access Fixtures. 'It's designed to complement classic architecture while delivering durability, efficiency, and compliance for unique projects.' BOST is available in 10-watt, 19-watt, or 28-watt models and offers Kelvin temperature options of 3000K, 4000K, or 5000K. It features precision optics with Type II, III, IV, and V distributions and a clear UV-stabilized polycarbonate opal vandal-resistant lens, which balances durability with excellent light diffusion. Comes standard with a textured architectural black powder-coat finish. An optional custom color finish is also available to match specific project aesthetics or site branding. The fixture operates on 120–277-volt, is 0–10-volt dimmable, and includes standard 2kV surge protection (10kV available). Optional features include a microwave motion sensor with dimming, battery backup (90 minutes), cold-start battery backup rated to -20°C (90 minutes), dimming control functionality, and a GFCI outlet for safe and convenient outdoor power access, allowing the bollard light to support tools and electrical equipment while enhancing safety in wet environments. BOST LED bollard lights are IP66 rated, protecting against dust and powerful water jets. It is also CSA-listed for wet locations and complies with ANSI/UL 1598 and 8750 standards, ensuring safety and reliability in demanding outdoor environments. Simplified installation using the mounting kit with 8" zinc-plated anchor bolts. All BOST fixtures come with a 5-year limited warranty. About Access Fixtures Access Fixtures is a trusted manufacturer of high-performance LED lighting solutions for commercial, industrial, and sports applications. With a focus on quality, innovation, and reliability, Access Fixtures delivers fixtures engineered to meet the highest standards in lighting performance. Learn more at or call 1-800-468-9925. Steven Rothschild Access Fixtures +1 800-468-9925 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Business Insider
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Is Alibaba Stock (BABA) a Buy, Hold, or Sell?
Alibaba (BABA) is doubling down on artificial intelligence, aiming to use it to transform online shopping and cloud services. It is using AI across its apps and cloud platform to improve customer experience, make business operations smoother, and stay ahead of the competition. At the recent Alibaba Cloud Go-Global Conference, CEO Eddie Wu said the company is now speeding up efforts to take its AI products overseas. This includes plans to roll out large language models like Qwen and Model Studio in global markets, helping Chinese businesses expand and growing Alibaba's presence worldwide. Confident Investing Starts Here: According to TipRanks AI analyst, BABA stock scored 81 out of 100 with an Outperform rating. Despite some near-term challenges, Wall Street remains optimistic about the stock. Notably, the stock is up 42% year-to-date and about 50% over the past year. Let's take a closer look at what's driving sentiment around BABA stock. BABA Stock's Bullish Case According to TipRanks AI analyst, Alibaba stock's strong score reflects solid financials, decent fourth-quarter earnings, and a fair valuation. A major reason behind this outlook is Alibaba's expanding role in artificial intelligence. The company is using AI in two key areas. It offers the cloud services that support AI development across China and also adds AI features to its own apps like Taobao and Tmall. As demand for AI grows—especially for training and running models—Alibaba is in a good spot to benefit both as a provider and as a user. During the latest earnings call, Alibaba's cloud division was a standout. Revenue rose by 18%, and profit margins came in better than expected, reflecting that the company is managing costs well and could see steady growth as more Chinese businesses turn to cloud-based AI solutions. Furthermore, in its main e-commerce segment, customer management revenue from Taobao and Tmall rose 12%, indicating that recent efforts to improve user experience and monetization are working. It also shows that Alibaba continues to hold strong in China's large and competitive online retail space. Near-Term Pressures Remain Still, there are some short-term challenges. Alibaba's investments in food delivery and logistics have reduced margins, and management expects these costs to stay elevated for now. The Local Services Group (LSG) and Cainiao logistics unit both reported losses that were larger than expected. While these areas are important for fast delivery and fulfillment, they have yet to scale efficiently. Is Alibaba Stock a Good Buy Right Now? Analysts remain highly bullish about Alibaba's stock trajectory. With 13 unanimous Buy ratings, BABA stock commands a Strong Buy consensus rating on TipRanks. Also, the average Alibaba price target of $164.50 implies 36.25% upside potential from current levels.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Geopolitical Jitters Push Alibaba (BABA) into Prime Buy-the-Dip Territory
After a period of significant volatility in the Chinese technology sector, Alibaba (BABA) is once again capturing investor interest. The company's latest quarterly report, released earlier this month, highlights strong year-over-year performance and signals meaningful progress in China's advancement in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter From a long-term investment perspective, I believe Alibaba remains undervalued. Multiple avenues for potential upside exist, including stable performance in e-commerce, AI-powered cloud services, enhanced shareholder returns, and China's evolving global positioning within the broader geopolitical landscape. While the latter remains speculative and subject to change, it is essential to consider it in the company's long-term growth trajectory. Overall, I maintain a tentatively bullish outlook on BABA. Alibaba's March quarter report posted a promising turnaround. Revenue rose 7% year-over-year, driven by stronger consumer spending and market share gains in key business lines. Notably, operating income on a comparable basis grew 93% year-over-year due to a rising top line and better cost control. The firm reduced operating costs and share-based compensation and boosted the efficiency of its platforms. That drove adjusted EBITA 36% higher than the previous year—a definite indication that underlying profitability is gaining traction. Net income reached $1.65 billion, rising 1,203% year-over-year, albeit partly fueled by one-off investment gains. Even excluding those, non-GAAP net income grew 22%. Cash generation was also strong, with operating cash flow up 18% year-over-year. In short, Alibaba is not only growing again—it's turning that growth into cash and profit. That's an instructive signal for investors seeking to ride out sustainable momentum if geopolitical headwinds don't persist. Alibaba's Cloud Computing segment is emerging as a significant growth driver, fueled in large part by the company's strategic focus on artificial intelligence. In the fourth quarter, revenue from the Cloud Intelligence Group rose 18% year over year, reaching approximately $4.15 billion. Of particular note is the consistency of Alibaba's AI-related revenue. The company has achieved an impressive milestone of seven consecutive quarters of triple-digit revenue growth from AI-powered cloud products. CEO Eddie Wu has identified the growing demand for generative AI as a major catalyst for this momentum. This trend is also reflected in the segment's profitability, with adjusted EBITA increasing by 69% year-over-year. Alibaba's core e-commerce platforms, Taobao and Tmall, continue demonstrating strong performance. In the fourth quarter, customer management revenue, comprising advertising and commission income, increased 12% year-over-year, reflecting both a rebound in consumer confidence and improved monetization efficiency. Management has introduced initiatives focused on competitive pricing, enhanced customer service, and expanded membership benefits to further stimulate user engagement. Notably, 88VIP—Alibaba's premium loyalty program—surpassed 50 million members in the past year, signaling growing traction among high-value consumers. With approximately 900 million active shoppers in China, Alibaba retains an unmatched scale advantage. On the global front, its international e-commerce platforms—including Lazada, AliExpress, and Trendyol—delivered 22% revenue growth in the fourth quarter. While these operations are not yet profitable, they continue to narrow losses as they scale and mature. One of the most encouraging aspects of Alibaba's fourth-quarter report was its approach to capital returns. In fiscal year 2025, the company repurchased $11.9 billion worth of shares, reducing the number of shares outstanding by over 5%. This signals a strong vote of confidence from management in Alibaba's intrinsic value. In addition, the company declared its first full-year cash dividend, paying $1.05 per American Depositary Share (ADS), along with a special one-time dividend of $0.95 per ADS. The combined $2.00 dividend is a notable departure from Alibaba's historical strategy of reinvesting the bulk of its earnings, highlighting a shift toward greater shareholder returns. Alibaba's balance sheet remains robust. The company ended the fiscal year with approximately $82 billion in cash and short-term investments. This provides ample flexibility to support continued investment in strategic growth initiatives while also maintaining capacity for future dividends or share repurchases. Despite these positive indicators, Alibaba continues to trade at relatively modest valuation multiples. With FY2025 net income of roughly $17.36 billion, the company's price-to-earnings ratio remains in the low teens—suggesting a discounted valuation by market standards. However, this discount reflects a significant overarching risk. Geopolitical tensions pose an ongoing concern, particularly if China's policy direction diverges from the U.S.-led international framework. Past events, such as the impact of U.S. tariffs under the Trump administration, underscore the potential for capital flight from China-focused equities. As such, maintaining limited exposure to Chinese stocks within diversified portfolios may be a prudent approach. On Wall Street, Alibaba has a unanimous consensus Strong Buy rating based on 13 ratings. The average BABA price target is $164.50, indicating a 35% upside potential over the next 12 months. This shows strong and broad positive sentiment that reaffirms the validity of a strategic investment. Alibaba's fiscal year 2025 results—particularly its fourth-quarter performance—represent a clear inflection point. The company is regaining momentum, with renewed growth, expanding margins, and meaningful capital returns through dividends, share repurchases, and strategic spin-offs. In my view, the market has yet to fully recognize how significantly Alibaba has evolved. It is now a more streamlined, capital-efficient, and shareholder-focused enterprise than in years past. The current valuation still leaves considerable room for re-rating, particularly if macroeconomic conditions stabilize and regulatory pressures ease. This may represent a rare opportunity to invest in a world-class technology company at a discount, with substantial upside potential. BABA could prove to be a strategic investment in a future shaped more by global collaboration than by geopolitical conflict. 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