Latest news with #Empower
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Markets have 'stepped back from the brink' of tariff volatility
Marta Norton, Empower chief investment strategist, joins Market Domination Overtime with Josh Lipton and Julie Hyman to discuss the US economy, the "Magnificent Seven," and how the markets have been responding to shifting tariff headlines. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination Overtime here. Well, for more on the market action, we're joined now by Empower chief investment strategist, Marta Norton. Marta, it's good to see you. So, I think, Marta, we gotta start on the, on the bouncing ball of tariff headlines. We have a court step in, they block a wide swathe of Trump tariffs, market rallies, right? But now, throughout the day, we then saw them give some of that up. Now we're in appeals court temporarily pausing this decision to invalidate the levies. I think investors are trying, Marta, to make sense of this. How are you, as a strategist, trying to make sense of this and what it means for the market? I love the analogy of a bouncing ball. That's absolutely what we saw today and really what we've seen since April 2nd. We, of course, saw these massive reciprocal tariffs go into effect, and then we've seen pauses, we've seen delays and everyone's kind of on pins and needles waiting for what the actuality of the trade deals look like. And I think we can get that sense from the market that we've stepped back from the brink, and we see the market recovery go alongside that. And now we're at a point where we're trying to ascertain where exactly does that tariff level fall out. And I think the reality is we look at today is there could be a longer tail and even determining what the rules of the ground are as we work through these appeals processes and the different functions that the Trump administration is relying upon to put the tariffs in place that it wants to see. Hey Marta, it's Julie here. All of that said, it doesn't seem like there is a huge amount of fear or concern or worry built in about tariff outcomes at this point. What is your sort of, I mean, do you even have a base case, I guess, at this stage because things are still kind of up in the air? Well, you have to acknowledge a wide range of outcomes when you have these kind of variables that are so hard to predict. Certainly, that's the case. And I would also acknowledge that the market doesn't show a lot of fear. I mean, if you take a look at the recovery that we've seen since the initial sell-off, we've essentially done a round trip. So most of the market now is back up to the more extreme valuations that we saw heading into April 2nd. And so you could argue that the market is really focusing on the positive range of outcomes and not really accounting for anything that could go wrong on the tariff front or really any other area in particular. So I guess as I take a look at the market today, I would argue that there's just not as much margin of safety as I would like to see in this environment. Marta, I'm curious to get your take on the economy as well today. We got, you know, GDP data today, another look at Q1. I know, you know, it's old news, but another, you know, a negative print, personal spending revised lower, your take on the economy, Marta, and where we are and where you think we're headed. Well, a few things here to call out. First of all, just that hard data narrative has remained largely positive. So to the point, yes, GDP is showing some softening and especially, you know, reflecting the import surge that we saw, but we are seeing inflation prove a little bit more stable than folks had anticipated. We're seeing the labor market continue to show signs of resilience, and of course, we're coming out of this very strong Q1 earning season. But I think the reality is that the trend, regardless of which one of those variables that you're looking at, the trend is largely to the downside here. So we have a nice buffer from where we're starting from on the economic side, on the earning side, but we do expect the uncertainty that we're in and the concerns around a more protectionist policy broadly to have an effect on the economy. Obviously, we saw those strong numbers from Nvidia that helped buoy those shares, and there's been a lot of attention on the Magnificent Seven more broadly, maybe excluding Tesla for the moment, right? We have seen valuations on those stocks really come down, particularly for Nvidia itself. Is that an area where you think investors should be, you know, hiding out, perhaps, in this market? Yeah, it's such an interesting contrast when you look at the start of the year. The market looked overvalued, and a lot of that overvaluation was concentrated in those MAG 7 names. In fact, they looked historically expensive. Not as expensive as they were in late 2021, but still very pricey. And then you roll the clock forward to today, and the market generally looks expensive, and yet the MAG 7 are more reasonably priced. And when you think about the case for the MAG 7, the fundamental appeal that they have, whether it's from, you know, the earnings, the profitability, the balance sheet robustness, the AI theme that they're tied to, that's a lot of appeal from a fundamental perspective, and the valuations now are more approachable. So if we're looking for where the silver lining is in today's market price action, or in this year's price action, I would say it's a decent time to be a MAG 7 investor. Are you as excited, Marta, as opportunities overseas as some of the other strategists we have on the show? Well, certainly the valuation argument has favored markets overseas and continues to favor market overseas. I think the one consideration that I have there is just kind of where growth prospects stand overseas relative to the US. I think that the US has borne the brunt of the trade war, and I think at some point, there will be some pain borne by markets overseas. I also think that when you get excited about the AI narrative, you can get excited for opportunities in China certainly, and in the US, but it's harder to get excited about an AI narrative for Europe broadly. So I think that the valuation argument means that it makes some sense to lean overseas, but I think I would put a cap on that exposure. Marta, always great to see and to have you on the show. Thank you. My pleasure.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Markets have 'stepped back from the brink' of tariff volatility
Marta Norton, Empower chief investment strategist, joins Market Domination Overtime with Josh Lipton and Julie Hyman to discuss the US economy, the "Magnificent Seven," and how the markets have been responding to shifting tariff headlines. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination Overtime here. Sign in to access your portfolio
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
The Northern Ireland organisation helping change thousands of lives
With its initial work dating back more than 150 years, Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL) now works to help those with learning difficulties and disabilities find their way into the workplace, as well as operating its own substantial manufacturing and services social enterprise at its Belfast base. It's an organisation which is quietly changing thousands of lives in communities right across Northern Ireland. And it's the people – from the staff to those involved in the various schemes and initiatives – which are at the heart of USEL. The organisation has a team of around 185 staff, and supports around 1,000 people each year. 'Our mission is simple but powerful: to support people with disabilities and health conditions into meaningful employment,' Scott Jackson, chief executive of USEL, says. 'This work touches almost every workplace because any organisation of any size will have people facing these challenges. It's not niche; it's everyone.' For Scott, the heart of USEL is its people. 'The staff and those we support – that's what makes USEL what it is. They are the key to our success.' USEL delivers a wide range of employment services across Northern Ireland, including Workable NI, Empower, and Skills for Life and Work. These programmes help individuals build confidence and capability in CV writing, interview techniques, essential skills like English and Maths, and even newer areas like podcasting – all underpinned by professional and personal development. 'We combine essential training with practical, on-the-job experience,' Scott says. 'That might mean someone gaining warehousing experience here at USEL, which then helps them transition to employment in the open labour market.' USEL's Workable NI programme supports both employees with disabilities and the employers who hire them offering tailored, on-the-job support that helps retain talent and build inclusive workplaces. The organisation has deep roots, tracing back to social reformer Mary Hobson, who originally established workshops for blind workers. Today, USEL operates from its Belfast base on the Shankill Road, with regional offices in Londonderry and Portadown, and staff based across Northern Ireland. 'We're working to shift employer attitudes to prove that with the right support, people can and do thrive in work,' Scott says. On the social enterprise side, USEL is a key manufacturing and recycling player. It produces specialist bags and carriers used by emergency services across the UK, and operates Northern Ireland's only mattress recycling facility. 'We've undergone a major transformation,' Scott says. 'We make products for blue light services, partner with commercial clients, and drive circular economy thinking. Our shredding business, U Shred NI, is growing steadily as a secure waste provider.' USEL also runs the Ability Café social enterprise, with outlets on the Shankill Road and in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. Walking through USEL's Shankill base, the scale of operations becomes clear – from classrooms and a podcasting suite to warehousing and recycling areas. A new building project is also underway to support future growth. While USEL is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Communities, the majority of its income is self-generated through commercial contracts. 'We bid competitively. Nothing is handed to us,' Scott says. 'That commercial focus drives innovation and sustainability.' Looking ahead, he sees continued growth on the horizon. 'We're increasing brand awareness, entering new markets, and always measuring return on investment. Every pound we earn helps us reach more people and deliver more programmes.' USEL supports a wide spectrum of individuals – from those who've never worked and need foundational skills, to people already in employment who need targeted support due to new health conditions or disabilities. 'Let's say someone develops a disability after an accident,' Scott says. 'We're there for both the individual and the employer, ensuring they get the right support to stay in work.' Ultimately, the goal is broader than employment it's about boosting economic participation and creating meaningful social impact. 'This is about people. It's about jobs. It's about building a more inclusive economy.'
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
ISN ® Expands Partnership with Eaton for Global Safety Standardization
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ISN, the global leader in contractor and supplier information management services, released that Eaton, a leading intelligent power management company, has expanded its use of ISNetworld to help manage global contractor safety and compliance initiatives in new regions. 'ISN has proven to be a valuable partner as we look to create a consistent approach to contractor safety management across our global services organization,' said Shelley Baber, EHS Director, Electrical Engineering Services & Systems Division at Eaton. 'The platform allows us to enhance safety and simplify our processes, helping ensure contractors meet the highest standards no matter where they operate. This partnership enables us to make better data-driven business decisions to collaborate more efficiently with our contractors.' Eaton recently expanded its use of ISNetworld to support its services business in Canada, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa, and the Middle East as part of its initiative to standardize contractor management practices globally. 'Eaton's dedication to advancing contractor safety and management on a global scale is truly impressive and ISN is proud to be its chosen partner in this journey,' said Brittany Surine, Executive Vice President at ISN. 'We are committed to providing tailored support and innovative tools to help Eaton ensure its contractors worldwide are meeting the company's standards.' For more information on ISN's industry-leading software and services, visit About ISN ISN is the global leader in contractor and supplier information management, with more than 20 years of experience connecting 850 Hiring Clients in capital-intensive industries with 85,000 active contractors and suppliers to promote safety, health, and sustainability in the workplace. ISN's brands include ISNetworld ®, a global online contractor and supplier management platform, Transparency-One ®, a responsible sourcing platform built to bring transparency to supply chain management, and Empower ®, a worker-level app built to keep workers moving forward. ISN has 14 offices around the globe which provide award-winning support and training for its customers in more than 85 countries. ISN takes pride in leading worldwide efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of contractor and supplier management systems and in serving as a world-class forum for sharing industry best practices, benchmarking performance, providing data insights among its members, and helping decision makers, including board members, ensure contractor and supplier risk is assessed and monitored. For more information, visit
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ISN® Expands Partnership with Eaton for Global Safety Standardization
Power management leader expands global safety initiatives through ISNetworld® DALLAS, May 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ISN, the global leader in contractor and supplier information management services, released that Eaton, a leading intelligent power management company, has expanded its use of ISNetworld to help manage global contractor safety and compliance initiatives in new regions. "ISN has proven to be a valuable partner as we look to create a consistent approach to contractor safety management across our global services organization," said Shelley Baber, EHS Director, Electrical Engineering Services & Systems Division at Eaton. "The platform allows us to enhance safety and simplify our processes, helping ensure contractors meet the highest standards no matter where they operate. This partnership enables us to make better data-driven business decisions to collaborate more efficiently with our contractors." Eaton recently expanded its use of ISNetworld to support its services business in Canada, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa, and the Middle East as part of its initiative to standardize contractor management practices globally. "Eaton's dedication to advancing contractor safety and management on a global scale is truly impressive and ISN is proud to be its chosen partner in this journey," said Brittany Surine, Executive Vice President at ISN. "We are committed to providing tailored support and innovative tools to help Eaton ensure its contractors worldwide are meeting the company's standards." For more information on ISN's industry-leading software and services, visit About ISN ISN is the global leader in contractor and supplier information management, with more than 20 years of experience connecting 850 Hiring Clients in capital-intensive industries with 85,000 active contractors and suppliers to promote safety, health, and sustainability in the workplace. ISN's brands include ISNetworld®, a global online contractor and supplier management platform, Transparency-One®, a responsible sourcing platform built to bring transparency to supply chain management, and Empower®, a worker-level app built to keep workers moving forward. ISN has 14 offices around the globe which provide award-winning support and training for its customers in more than 85 countries. ISN takes pride in leading worldwide efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of contractor and supplier management systems and in serving as a world-class forum for sharing industry best practices, benchmarking performance, providing data insights among its members, and helping decision makers, including board members, ensure contractor and supplier risk is assessed and monitored. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact Taylor D'EliseoWalker Sands for ISNisnpr@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
