Latest news with #Holding
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aegon trading update for first quarter 2025
The Hague, May 16, 2025 - Please click here to access all 1Q 2025 trading update related documents. Operating capital generation (OCG) before holding funding and operating expenses increases 4% to EUR 267 million. Reflects business growth partially offset by unfavorable mortality experience in the US Capital ratios of Aegon's main units remain above their respective operating levels Cash Capital at Holding at EUR 1.6 billion, reflecting 68% completion of the ongoing EUR 150 million share buyback program on March 31, 2025 Planned new EUR 200 million share buyback program announced, expected to be completed by the end of 2025, consistent with the plan to bring Cash Capital at Holding down to around EUR 1.0 billion by the end of 2026 Strong commercial momentum in US Strategic Assets Individual Life and World Financial Group (WFG), UK Workplace platform and International. Net outflows in US mid-sized retirement plans and UK Adviser platform. Asset management third party net flows remain positive Aegon group solvency ratio under Bermuda framework – applicable as of January 2028 after the end of the transition period – expected to be broadly similar to group solvency ratio under current methodology. Eligibility review of Aegon's instruments by the Bermuda Monetary Authority concluded Lard Friese, Aegon CEO, commented: 'In the first quarter of 2025, we continued to make progress in transforming our businesses. In the US, we further strengthened our distribution capabilities and increased Transamerica's individual new life sales. Our UK Workplace business once again generated strong net inflows, while our International joint ventures reported higher sales. Asset management third party net flows remained positive. While the macroeconomic environment is uncertain, we expect to meet our 2025 financial targets. Our businesses remain well capitalized, and we have significant excess liquidity at the Holding. Consistent with our plan to reduce Cash Capital at Holding to around EUR 1.0 billion by the end of 2026, we are today announcing a new EUR 200 million share buyback to be executed throughout the second half of 2025.' Additional information PresentationThe conference call presentation is available on as of 7.00 CEST. SupplementsAegon's first quarter 2025 Trading Update Supplement and other supplementary documents are available on Webcast and conference call including Q&AThe webcast and conference call starts at 9:00 am CEST. The audio webcast can be followed on To join the conference call and/or participate in the Q&A, you will need to register via the following registration link. Directly after registration you will see your personal pin on the confirmation screen, and you will also receive an email with the call details and your personal pin to enter the conference call. The link becomes active 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. To avoid any unforeseen connection issues, it is recommended to make use of the 'Call me' option. Approximately two hours after the conference call, a replay will be available on Click to joinWith 'Call me', there's no need to dial-in. Simply click the following registration link and select the option 'Call me'. Enter your information and you will be called back to directly join the conference. The link becomes active 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Should you wish not to use the 'Click to join' function, dial-in numbers are also available. For passcode: you will receive a personal pin upon registration. Dial-in numbers for conference call:United States: +1 864 991 4103 (local) United Kingdom: +44 808 175 1536 (toll-free) The Netherlands: +31 800 745 8377 (toll-free); or +31 970 102 86838 (toll) Financial calendar 2025Annual General Meeting – June 12, 2025First half 2025 results – August 21, 2025Third quarter 2025 trading update – November 13, 2025Capital Markets Day – December 10, 2025 About AegonAegon is an international financial services holding company. Aegon's ambition is to build leading businesses that offer their customers investment, protection, and retirement solutions. Aegon's portfolio of businesses includes fully owned businesses in the United States and United Kingdom, and a global asset manager. Aegon also creates value by combining its international expertise with strong local partners via insurance joint ventures in Spain & Portugal, China, and Brazil, and via asset management partnerships in France and China. In addition, Aegon owns a Bermuda-based life insurer and generates value via a strategic shareholding in a market leading Dutch insurance and pensions company. Aegon's purpose of helping people live their best lives runs through all its activities. As a leading global investor and employer, Aegon seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion & diversity. Aegon is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, domiciled in Bermuda, and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange. More information can be found at More information can be found at Contacts Media relations Investor relations Richard Mackillican Yves Cormier +31(0) 6 27411546 +31(0) 70 344 8028 Local currenciesThis document contains certain information about Aegon's results, financial condition and revenue generating investments presented in USD for the Americas and in GBP for the United Kingdom, because those businesses operate and are managed primarily in those currencies. None of this information is a substitute for or superior to financial information about Aegon presented in EUR, which is the currency of Aegon's primary financial statements. Forward-looking statementsThe statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following are words that identify such forward-looking statements: aim, believe, estimate, target, intend, may, expect, anticipate, predict, project, counting on, plan, continue, want, forecast, goal, should, would, could, is confident, will, and similar expressions as they relate to Aegon. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions and trends and involve risks and uncertainties. In addition, any statements that refer to sustainability, environmental and social targets, commitments, goals, efforts and expectations and other events or circumstances that are partially dependent on future events are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Aegon undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which merely reflect company expectations at the time of writing. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from expectations conveyed in forward-looking statements due to changes caused by various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following: Changes in general economic and/or governmental conditions, particularly in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom and in relation to Aegon's shareholding in ASR Nederland N.V. and asset management business, the Netherlands; Civil unrest, (geo-) political tensions, military action or other instability in countries or geographic regions that affect our operations or that affect global markets; Changes in the performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, such as with regard to: The frequency and severity of defaults by issuers in Aegon's fixed income investment portfolios; The effects of corporate bankruptcies and/or accounting restatements on the financial markets and the resulting decline in the value of equity and debt securities Aegon holds; The effects of declining creditworthiness of certain public sector securities and the resulting decline in the value of government exposure that Aegon holds; The impact from volatility in credit, equity, and interest rates; Changes in the performance of Aegon's investment portfolio and decline in ratings of Aegon's counterparties; The effect of tariffs and potential trade wars on trading markets and on economic growth, globally and in the markets where Aegon operates. Lowering of one or more of Aegon's debt ratings issued by recognized rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on Aegon's ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition; Lowering of one or more of insurer financial strength ratings of Aegon's insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the written premium, policy retention, profitability and liquidity of its insurance subsidiaries; The effect of applicable Bermuda solvency requirements, the European Union's Solvency II requirements, and applicable equivalent solvency requirements and other regulations in other jurisdictions affecting the capital Aegon is required to maintain and our ability to pay dividends; Changes in the European Commissions' or European regulator's position on the equivalence of the supervisory regime for insurance and reinsurance undertakings in force in Bermuda; Changes affecting interest rate levels and low or rapidly changing interest rate levels; Changes affecting currency exchange rates, in particular the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP exchange rates; The effects of global inflation, or inflation in the markets where Aegon operates; Changes in the availability of, and costs associated with, liquidity sources such as bank and capital markets funding, as well as conditions in the credit markets in general such as changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness; Increasing levels of competition, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, emerging markets and in relation to Aegon's shareholding in ASR Nederland N.V. and asset management business, the Netherlands; Catastrophic events, either manmade or by nature, including by way of example acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics, could result in material losses and significantly interrupt Aegon's business; The frequency and severity of insured loss events; Changes affecting longevity, mortality, morbidity, persistence and other factors that may impact the profitability of Aegon's insurance products and management of derivatives; Aegon's projected results are highly sensitive to complex mathematical models of financial markets, mortality, longevity, and other dynamic systems subject to shocks and unpredictable volatility. Should assumptions to these models later prove incorrect, or should errors in those models escape the controls in place to detect them, future performance will vary from projected results; Reinsurers to whom Aegon has ceded significant underwriting risks may fail to meet their obligations; Changes in customer behavior and public opinion in general related to, among other things, the type of products Aegon sells, including legal, regulatory or commercial necessity to meet changing customer expectations; Customer responsiveness to both new products and distribution channels; Third-party information used by us may prove to be inaccurate and change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve impacting our results and disclosures; As Aegon's operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology, operational risks such as system disruptions or failures, security or data privacy breaches, cyberattacks, human error, failure to safeguard personally identifiable information, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including with respect to third parties with which Aegon does business, may disrupt Aegon's business, damage its reputation and adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; Aegon's failure to swiftly, effectively, and securely adapt and integrate emerging technologies; The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including Aegon's ability to complete, or obtain regulatory approval for, acquisitions and divestitures, integrate acquisitions, and realize anticipated results from such transactions, and its ability to separate businesses as part of divestitures; Aegon's failure to achieve anticipated levels of earnings or operational efficiencies, as well as other management initiatives related to cost savings, Cash Capital at Holding, gross financial leverage and free cash flow; Changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments; Litigation or regulatory action that could require Aegon to pay significant damages or change the way Aegon does business; Competitive, legal, regulatory, or tax changes that affect profitability, the distribution cost of or demand for Aegon's products; Consequences of an actual or potential break-up of the European Monetary Union in whole or in part, or further consequences of the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and potential consequences if other European Union countries leave the European Union; Changes in laws and regulations, or the interpretation thereof by regulators and courts, including as a result of comprehensive reform or shifts away from multilateral approaches to regulation of global or national operations, particularly regarding those laws and regulations related to ESG matters, those affecting Aegon's operations' ability to hire and retain key personnel, taxation of Aegon companies, the products Aegon sells, the attractiveness of certain products to its consumers and Aegon's intellectual property; Regulatory changes relating to the pensions, investment, insurance industries and enforcing adjustments in the jurisdictions in which Aegon operates; Standard setting initiatives of supranational standard setting bodies such as the Financial Stability Board and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors or changes to such standards that may have an impact on regional (such as EU), national (such as Bermuda) or US federal or state level financial regulation or the application thereof to Aegon; Changes in accounting regulations and policies or a change by Aegon in applying such regulations and policies, voluntarily or otherwise, which may affect Aegon's reported results, shareholders' equity or regulatory capital adequacy levels; The rapidly changing landscape for ESG responsibilities, leading to potential challenges by private parties and governmental authorities, and/or changes in ESG standards and requirements, including assumptions, methodology and materiality, or a change by Aegon in applying such standards and requirements, voluntarily or otherwise, may affect Aegon's ability to meet evolving standards and requirements, or Aegon's ability to meet its sustainability and ESG-related goals, or related public expectations, which may also negatively affect Aegon's reputation or the reputation of its board of directors or its management; Unexpected delays, difficulties, and expenses in executing against Aegon's environmental, climate, or other ESG targets, goals and commitments, and changes in laws or regulations affecting us, such as changes in data privacy, environmental, health and safety laws; and Reliance on third-party information in certain of Aegon's disclosures, which may change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve. These factors, as well as any inaccuracies in third-party information used by Aegon, including in estimates or assumptions, may cause results to differ materially and adversely from statements, estimates, and beliefs made by Aegon or third-parties. Moreover, Aegon's disclosures based on any standards may change due to revisions in framework requirements, availability of information, changes in its business or applicable governmental policies, or other factors, some of which may be beyond Aegon's control. Additionally, Aegon's discussion of various ESG and other sustainability issues in this document or in other locations, including on our corporate website, may be informed by the interests of various stakeholders, as well as various ESG standards, frameworks, and regulations (including for the measurement and assessment of underlying data). As such, our disclosures on such issues, including climate-related disclosures, may include information that is not necessarily "material" under US securities laws for SEC reporting purposes, even if we use words such as "material" or "materiality" in relation to those statements. ESG expectations continue to evolve, often quickly, including for matters outside of our control; our disclosures are inherently dependent on the methodology (including any related assumptions or estimates) and data used, and there can be no guarantee that such disclosures will necessarily reflect or be consistent with the preferred practices or interpretations of particular stakeholders, either currently or in future. This document contains information that qualifies, or may qualify, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting Aegon are described in its filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2024 Integrated Annual Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Aegon expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Aegon's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP (WFG):WFG CONSISTS OF:IN THE UNITED STATES, WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC (IN CALIFORNIA, DOING BUSINESS AS WORLD FINANCIAL INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC), WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP INSURANCE AGENCY OF HAWAII, INC., WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP INSURANCE AGENCY OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC., AND / OR WFG INSURANCE AGENCY OF PUERTO RICO, INC. (COLLECTIVELY WFGIA), WHICH OFFER INSURANCE AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS. IN THE UNITED STATES, TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC. IS A FULL-SERVICE, FULLY LICENSED, INDEPENDENT BROKER-DEALER AND REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR. TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC. (TFA), MEMBER FINRA, MSRB, SIPC, AND REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR, OFFERS SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES. IN CANADA, WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP INSURANCE AGENCY OF CANADA INC. (WFGIAC), WHICH OFFERS LIFE INSURANCE AND SEGREGATED FUNDS. WFG SECURITIES INC. (WFGS), WHICH OFFERS MUTUAL AND WFGS ARE AFFILIATED COMPANIES. Attachment 20250516_PR_Aegon trading update for first quarter 2025Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aegon trading update for first quarter 2025
The Hague, May 16, 2025 - Please click here to access all 1Q 2025 trading update related documents. Operating capital generation (OCG) before holding funding and operating expenses increases 4% to EUR 267 million. Reflects business growth partially offset by unfavorable mortality experience in the US Capital ratios of Aegon's main units remain above their respective operating levels Cash Capital at Holding at EUR 1.6 billion, reflecting 68% completion of the ongoing EUR 150 million share buyback program on March 31, 2025 Planned new EUR 200 million share buyback program announced, expected to be completed by the end of 2025, consistent with the plan to bring Cash Capital at Holding down to around EUR 1.0 billion by the end of 2026 Strong commercial momentum in US Strategic Assets Individual Life and World Financial Group (WFG), UK Workplace platform and International. Net outflows in US mid-sized retirement plans and UK Adviser platform. Asset management third party net flows remain positive Aegon group solvency ratio under Bermuda framework – applicable as of January 2028 after the end of the transition period – expected to be broadly similar to group solvency ratio under current methodology. Eligibility review of Aegon's instruments by the Bermuda Monetary Authority concluded Lard Friese, Aegon CEO, commented: 'In the first quarter of 2025, we continued to make progress in transforming our businesses. In the US, we further strengthened our distribution capabilities and increased Transamerica's individual new life sales. Our UK Workplace business once again generated strong net inflows, while our International joint ventures reported higher sales. Asset management third party net flows remained positive. While the macroeconomic environment is uncertain, we expect to meet our 2025 financial targets. Our businesses remain well capitalized, and we have significant excess liquidity at the Holding. Consistent with our plan to reduce Cash Capital at Holding to around EUR 1.0 billion by the end of 2026, we are today announcing a new EUR 200 million share buyback to be executed throughout the second half of 2025.' Additional information PresentationThe conference call presentation is available on as of 7.00 CEST. SupplementsAegon's first quarter 2025 Trading Update Supplement and other supplementary documents are available on Webcast and conference call including Q&AThe webcast and conference call starts at 9:00 am CEST. The audio webcast can be followed on To join the conference call and/or participate in the Q&A, you will need to register via the following registration link. Directly after registration you will see your personal pin on the confirmation screen, and you will also receive an email with the call details and your personal pin to enter the conference call. The link becomes active 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. To avoid any unforeseen connection issues, it is recommended to make use of the 'Call me' option. Approximately two hours after the conference call, a replay will be available on Click to joinWith 'Call me', there's no need to dial-in. Simply click the following registration link and select the option 'Call me'. Enter your information and you will be called back to directly join the conference. The link becomes active 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Should you wish not to use the 'Click to join' function, dial-in numbers are also available. For passcode: you will receive a personal pin upon registration. Dial-in numbers for conference call:United States: +1 864 991 4103 (local) United Kingdom: +44 808 175 1536 (toll-free) The Netherlands: +31 800 745 8377 (toll-free); or +31 970 102 86838 (toll) Financial calendar 2025Annual General Meeting – June 12, 2025First half 2025 results – August 21, 2025Third quarter 2025 trading update – November 13, 2025Capital Markets Day – December 10, 2025 About AegonAegon is an international financial services holding company. Aegon's ambition is to build leading businesses that offer their customers investment, protection, and retirement solutions. Aegon's portfolio of businesses includes fully owned businesses in the United States and United Kingdom, and a global asset manager. Aegon also creates value by combining its international expertise with strong local partners via insurance joint ventures in Spain & Portugal, China, and Brazil, and via asset management partnerships in France and China. In addition, Aegon owns a Bermuda-based life insurer and generates value via a strategic shareholding in a market leading Dutch insurance and pensions company. Aegon's purpose of helping people live their best lives runs through all its activities. As a leading global investor and employer, Aegon seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion & diversity. Aegon is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, domiciled in Bermuda, and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange. More information can be found at More information can be found at Contacts Media relations Investor relations Richard Mackillican Yves Cormier +31(0) 6 27411546 +31(0) 70 344 8028 Local currenciesThis document contains certain information about Aegon's results, financial condition and revenue generating investments presented in USD for the Americas and in GBP for the United Kingdom, because those businesses operate and are managed primarily in those currencies. None of this information is a substitute for or superior to financial information about Aegon presented in EUR, which is the currency of Aegon's primary financial statements. Forward-looking statementsThe statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following are words that identify such forward-looking statements: aim, believe, estimate, target, intend, may, expect, anticipate, predict, project, counting on, plan, continue, want, forecast, goal, should, would, could, is confident, will, and similar expressions as they relate to Aegon. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions and trends and involve risks and uncertainties. In addition, any statements that refer to sustainability, environmental and social targets, commitments, goals, efforts and expectations and other events or circumstances that are partially dependent on future events are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Aegon undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which merely reflect company expectations at the time of writing. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from expectations conveyed in forward-looking statements due to changes caused by various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following: Changes in general economic and/or governmental conditions, particularly in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom and in relation to Aegon's shareholding in ASR Nederland N.V. and asset management business, the Netherlands; Civil unrest, (geo-) political tensions, military action or other instability in countries or geographic regions that affect our operations or that affect global markets; Changes in the performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, such as with regard to: The frequency and severity of defaults by issuers in Aegon's fixed income investment portfolios; The effects of corporate bankruptcies and/or accounting restatements on the financial markets and the resulting decline in the value of equity and debt securities Aegon holds; The effects of declining creditworthiness of certain public sector securities and the resulting decline in the value of government exposure that Aegon holds; The impact from volatility in credit, equity, and interest rates; Changes in the performance of Aegon's investment portfolio and decline in ratings of Aegon's counterparties; The effect of tariffs and potential trade wars on trading markets and on economic growth, globally and in the markets where Aegon operates. Lowering of one or more of Aegon's debt ratings issued by recognized rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on Aegon's ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition; Lowering of one or more of insurer financial strength ratings of Aegon's insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the written premium, policy retention, profitability and liquidity of its insurance subsidiaries; The effect of applicable Bermuda solvency requirements, the European Union's Solvency II requirements, and applicable equivalent solvency requirements and other regulations in other jurisdictions affecting the capital Aegon is required to maintain and our ability to pay dividends; Changes in the European Commissions' or European regulator's position on the equivalence of the supervisory regime for insurance and reinsurance undertakings in force in Bermuda; Changes affecting interest rate levels and low or rapidly changing interest rate levels; Changes affecting currency exchange rates, in particular the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP exchange rates; The effects of global inflation, or inflation in the markets where Aegon operates; Changes in the availability of, and costs associated with, liquidity sources such as bank and capital markets funding, as well as conditions in the credit markets in general such as changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness; Increasing levels of competition, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, emerging markets and in relation to Aegon's shareholding in ASR Nederland N.V. and asset management business, the Netherlands; Catastrophic events, either manmade or by nature, including by way of example acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics, could result in material losses and significantly interrupt Aegon's business; The frequency and severity of insured loss events; Changes affecting longevity, mortality, morbidity, persistence and other factors that may impact the profitability of Aegon's insurance products and management of derivatives; Aegon's projected results are highly sensitive to complex mathematical models of financial markets, mortality, longevity, and other dynamic systems subject to shocks and unpredictable volatility. Should assumptions to these models later prove incorrect, or should errors in those models escape the controls in place to detect them, future performance will vary from projected results; Reinsurers to whom Aegon has ceded significant underwriting risks may fail to meet their obligations; Changes in customer behavior and public opinion in general related to, among other things, the type of products Aegon sells, including legal, regulatory or commercial necessity to meet changing customer expectations; Customer responsiveness to both new products and distribution channels; Third-party information used by us may prove to be inaccurate and change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve impacting our results and disclosures; As Aegon's operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology, operational risks such as system disruptions or failures, security or data privacy breaches, cyberattacks, human error, failure to safeguard personally identifiable information, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including with respect to third parties with which Aegon does business, may disrupt Aegon's business, damage its reputation and adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; Aegon's failure to swiftly, effectively, and securely adapt and integrate emerging technologies; The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including Aegon's ability to complete, or obtain regulatory approval for, acquisitions and divestitures, integrate acquisitions, and realize anticipated results from such transactions, and its ability to separate businesses as part of divestitures; Aegon's failure to achieve anticipated levels of earnings or operational efficiencies, as well as other management initiatives related to cost savings, Cash Capital at Holding, gross financial leverage and free cash flow; Changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments; Litigation or regulatory action that could require Aegon to pay significant damages or change the way Aegon does business; Competitive, legal, regulatory, or tax changes that affect profitability, the distribution cost of or demand for Aegon's products; Consequences of an actual or potential break-up of the European Monetary Union in whole or in part, or further consequences of the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and potential consequences if other European Union countries leave the European Union; Changes in laws and regulations, or the interpretation thereof by regulators and courts, including as a result of comprehensive reform or shifts away from multilateral approaches to regulation of global or national operations, particularly regarding those laws and regulations related to ESG matters, those affecting Aegon's operations' ability to hire and retain key personnel, taxation of Aegon companies, the products Aegon sells, the attractiveness of certain products to its consumers and Aegon's intellectual property; Regulatory changes relating to the pensions, investment, insurance industries and enforcing adjustments in the jurisdictions in which Aegon operates; Standard setting initiatives of supranational standard setting bodies such as the Financial Stability Board and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors or changes to such standards that may have an impact on regional (such as EU), national (such as Bermuda) or US federal or state level financial regulation or the application thereof to Aegon; Changes in accounting regulations and policies or a change by Aegon in applying such regulations and policies, voluntarily or otherwise, which may affect Aegon's reported results, shareholders' equity or regulatory capital adequacy levels; The rapidly changing landscape for ESG responsibilities, leading to potential challenges by private parties and governmental authorities, and/or changes in ESG standards and requirements, including assumptions, methodology and materiality, or a change by Aegon in applying such standards and requirements, voluntarily or otherwise, may affect Aegon's ability to meet evolving standards and requirements, or Aegon's ability to meet its sustainability and ESG-related goals, or related public expectations, which may also negatively affect Aegon's reputation or the reputation of its board of directors or its management; Unexpected delays, difficulties, and expenses in executing against Aegon's environmental, climate, or other ESG targets, goals and commitments, and changes in laws or regulations affecting us, such as changes in data privacy, environmental, health and safety laws; and Reliance on third-party information in certain of Aegon's disclosures, which may change over time as methodologies and data availability and quality continue to evolve. These factors, as well as any inaccuracies in third-party information used by Aegon, including in estimates or assumptions, may cause results to differ materially and adversely from statements, estimates, and beliefs made by Aegon or third-parties. Moreover, Aegon's disclosures based on any standards may change due to revisions in framework requirements, availability of information, changes in its business or applicable governmental policies, or other factors, some of which may be beyond Aegon's control. Additionally, Aegon's discussion of various ESG and other sustainability issues in this document or in other locations, including on our corporate website, may be informed by the interests of various stakeholders, as well as various ESG standards, frameworks, and regulations (including for the measurement and assessment of underlying data). As such, our disclosures on such issues, including climate-related disclosures, may include information that is not necessarily "material" under US securities laws for SEC reporting purposes, even if we use words such as "material" or "materiality" in relation to those statements. ESG expectations continue to evolve, often quickly, including for matters outside of our control; our disclosures are inherently dependent on the methodology (including any related assumptions or estimates) and data used, and there can be no guarantee that such disclosures will necessarily reflect or be consistent with the preferred practices or interpretations of particular stakeholders, either currently or in future. This document contains information that qualifies, or may qualify, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting Aegon are described in its filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2024 Integrated Annual Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Aegon expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Aegon's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP (WFG):WFG CONSISTS OF:IN THE UNITED STATES, WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC (IN CALIFORNIA, DOING BUSINESS AS WORLD FINANCIAL INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC), WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP INSURANCE AGENCY OF HAWAII, INC., WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP INSURANCE AGENCY OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC., AND / OR WFG INSURANCE AGENCY OF PUERTO RICO, INC. (COLLECTIVELY WFGIA), WHICH OFFER INSURANCE AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS. IN THE UNITED STATES, TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC. IS A FULL-SERVICE, FULLY LICENSED, INDEPENDENT BROKER-DEALER AND REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR. TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, INC. (TFA), MEMBER FINRA, MSRB, SIPC, AND REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR, OFFERS SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES. IN CANADA, WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP INSURANCE AGENCY OF CANADA INC. (WFGIAC), WHICH OFFERS LIFE INSURANCE AND SEGREGATED FUNDS. WFG SECURITIES INC. (WFGS), WHICH OFFERS MUTUAL AND WFGS ARE AFFILIATED COMPANIES. Attachment 20250516_PR_Aegon trading update for first quarter 2025
Kuwait Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
KIPCO reports net profit of KD 5.1 million for Q1 2025
KIPCO reports net profit of KD 5.1 million for Q1 2025 'We remain focused on creating greater value for our stakeholders' says company's Group CEO KUWAIT: KIPCO – Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) – announced a net profit of KD 5.1 million ($ 16.5million) for the first three months of 2025. Earnings per share for the first quarter of 2025 were 0.7fils ($0.2 cents). The decrease in KIPCO's overall net profit from KD 5.8 million ($18.8 million) reported in the first quarter of 2024 is mainly attributed to the increase in credit provisions at banking subsidiaries. In the first three months of 2025, operating profit increased 15 percent to KD 50.3 million ($163.1 million) from KD 43.7million ($141.7million) reported for the same period last year. The increase reflects the enhanced performance of our banking business, petrochemical services and logistics. In the first quarter of the year, KIPCO's total revenue from operations came to KD 383.6million ($1.24 billion), an increase of 9 percent from the KD351.8 million ($1.14billion) reported in the corresponding period of 2024. Shareholders equity went up 1.1 percent to KD 641.0million ($2.08 billion) compared to KD 633.9million ($2.06 billion) at the end of 2024. KIPCO's consolidated assets came to KD 13.3 billion ($43.1 billion) at the end of the first three months of 2025, up from the KD 13.0 billion ($42.1 billion) reported at the end of 2024. Commenting on the results, Sheikha Dana Naser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, KIPCO's Group Chief Executive Officer, said: 'In our recent Annual General Meeting, we underscored our commitment to achieve stable and growing positive cashflows through ensuring future sustainable dividend distributions from our businesses. The results for the first quarter of 2025 reflect KIPCO's continued efforts ensure sustainable growth through the streamlining of operations, enhancing the performance of portfolio companies and strengthening the holding company's capital structure as we continue to focus on creating greater value for our shareholders.'
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
West Cork production studio 'building an industry from scratch'
If Hollywood has taught the world anything, it's to dream big. Down in West Cork, they've taken the 'build it and they will come' mantra to the next level. While Tinseltown has been trying to get to grips with US president Donald Trump's tariffs announcement — in a now familiar style, a light-on-detail plan to put 100% tariffs on films made outside the US — down on the Baltimore Rd, outside Skibbereen, it is business as usual at West Cork Film Studios. Filming wrapped a few short weeks ago on Hokum, a supernatural thriller directed by Damian McCarthy and starring the A-list actor of Apple TV hit Severance, Adam Scott. It's the biggest production to date to be made at West Cork Film Studios, quietly making its mark in the industry. Setting up a film studio in West Cork had plenty of doubters. 'I think people thought we were daft,' said Édaín O'Donnell, co-founder of West Cork Film Studios with Steve Park. A lot of people in the industry and outside thought it would never work here Édaín has worked in film production in Ireland for decades in various roles, primarily in the art and set paint production, as has Steve — Australian-born but long settled in West Cork. The idea of creating a dedicated film studio locally developed after the region was used for the production of Michael Kinirons's thriller The Sparrow in Baltimore, along with Holding — which was adapted from Graham Norton's novel of the same name. Steve worked on film construction for Holding and Édaín was the head of painting. 'It was so spread out. We had a unit base in Drimoleague. We were in Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Castletownshend. We had workshops in Ballydehob and then we were trying to paint a kitchen set in a marquee,' Édaín said. 'So, at the end of Holding, we had the idea of adapting part of my family's furniture warehouse into a film studio.' Édaín's father Jim has been designing and manufacturing furniture for 60 years. 'My father says he invents and reinvents himself every 20 years. So he's embracing this as a new diversification into film at the age of 83,' Édaín said. Édaín's brother Aodh — an RNLI assessor, trainer, and helm in Union Hall — is also a studio director, adding a different skillset for films with sea or water-based elements. Part of the furniture warehouse was redesigned into a 20,000sq ft film studio. In 2023, the new studio was officially opened by mentor David Puttnam in the presence of stars such as Jeremy Irons. Edain O' Donnell with, from left, film producer David Puttnam, actor Jeremy Irons, and TD Christopher O' Sullivan at West Cork Film Studios open day. File Picture: Johannes Eisele. Now an independent company, West Cork Film Studios has to fly solo. 'It is not just building a studio, it is building an industry from scratch,' Steve said. 'We have a different approach to what a film studio should be. It's more holistic. It's our job to make sure that people that come here to make movies have a really enjoyable experience. That's part of being in West Cork. We're not just selling the studios, we're selling a lifestyle.' This week, film director and screenwriter Vicky Waldron Wight has been enjoying that lifestyle as production gets underway on her international feature film The Body Is Water. Vicky's previous feature film Happiness for Beginners, released in 2023, was a Netflix top 10 hit worldwide. Her other features include The Volunteer and The Lost Husband. She is based in Houston, Texas, but is originally from Monkstown in Cork. 'My parents emigrated when I was 12 in 1985. My mother Helen is from Mitchelstown and was a nurse. She had lived in New York, so had become a naturalized citizen. In 1985 Ireland, times were hard and my dad's business went under. There were four children, so my parents were adventurous and said we might as well just go.' Before she left, her teacher Mrs Murphy showed the young Vicky some things about America. One of those things was Steven Spielberg and his films Jaws and ET. Film became her passion and her career. Making film, I'm compelled. It's like religion for me Ireland remained close to heart. 'I come back every summer now with my kids and have for many, many years. The greatest goal I had was to come back to Ireland and make a film. Now, this is a dream coming true to come back and make a film here because I've never felt anything but Irish. It feels like being home.' The Body Is Water is filming at locations around West Cork until July. The film is not autobiographical, but aspects are threaded through Vicky's own life. 'I had cancer and there's a cancer storyline in the movie, as well as themes of grief and loss. My dad, Michael Waldron, passed away in 2002, and losing him was a seminal moment for our family because he was only 62. 'We all thought we'd be introducing him to our grandkids. Not being able to do that was just heartbreaking, because this fear of missing out that, to me, is what death is really about. When I was sick, it was very hard for me to imagine everyone else's future without me. 'That has influenced all my writing — but this particularly.' Daisy Ridley as Rey and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in a scene from the movie 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi', filmed on Skellig Michael, Ireland. The production firm behind the film received €3.43m in tax credits from the Revenue. File Picture: Jonathan Olley/ Lucasfilm Some of the film is set in Houston, Texas, but most will be a spectacular showcase of Ireland's South-West. Vicky said that West Cork Film Studios offered a priceless opportunity. 'I grew up going to Schull and Barleycove, and have all these places in my mind since I was a little girl. Having production facilities here makes it so much easier to actually execute a vision in West Cork. 'Because of the infrastructure, it makes it very easy and the landscape is maybe the most beautiful in Ireland — places like Mizen Head. That's part of our dream.' While Ireland radiates, Hollywood is in turmoil. Adam Scott, speaking on Rob Lowe's podcast Literally! before arriving in Ireland to shoot Hokum, said it was 'so weird that nothing shoots in Los Angeles' these days. But it's now weird. Ireland's generous Section 481 tax credit is worth up to 32% of expenditure to film productions up to €125m. October's budget introduced 'Scéal Uplift', adding 8% to the 32% credit for feature films up to €20m. Lowe, who films his US game show The Floor in Ardmore Studios, hit the nail on the head. 'It's cheaper to bring 100 American people to Ireland than to walk across the lot at Fox, past the soundstages, and do it there,' he said. 'Green Wave' Ireland is feeling the benefits. The production spend generated by the Irish screen industry in 2024 was valued at over €430m, representing a 33% increase on 2023, according to Screen Ireland. Analysis by Alma Economics for Screen Ireland found the audiovisual sector supports 15,899 full-time equivalent jobs, with a value to the Irish economy of over €1bn. Average small to medium film productions cost around €4m, and a third of that is estimated to go into the community — from accommodation to materials, food to transport. Ireland is booming. The second season of Wednesday — season one was the most popular Netflix show of all time with 250m views — will be released in August, with filming completed in Dublin in 2024. In 2025, Screen Ireland says more than 80 film, TV, and animation productions are planned here. Hollywood has been looking enviously at the success of Ireland, whose success has been dubbed the 'Green Wave'. Like all good movies, there has to be a plot twist. Mr Trump has seen the success of foreign film industries such as Ireland and wants a piece of the action. 'The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,' he wrote on Truth Social, bemoaning countries 'offering all sorts of incentives to draw' filmmakers and studios away from the US. His plan, like most of his other plans to wrest back jobs to the US, is tariffs. A proposed 100% tariff on foreign film production has sent a shiver through the Irish film production landscape. 'Panic is always the worst thing, but you have to plan around the potential risks,' West Cork Film Studios financial director Katherine O'Sullivan said. It's a constant reassessment of where one is at In Skibbereen, filming continues on two productions through to summer with further productions lined up. This year, the studio is paying its own way and eyeing a sustainable future. A deal to buy a former plastics factory from IDA Ireland is close to being finalised, which will transform into a studio back lot. A link up with Kerry College's immersive screenwriting course is in the pipeline. The studio already employs people with neurodiverse abilities to realise their talents, and Édaín says that will be developed further. Collaboration is important, and community is even more so. More than 100 people were employed at the studio during production of Hokum. 'We get huge support locally, and people are seeing the benefit to the whole community. We see the community as co-producers,' said Édaín. The studio continues to be mentored by David Puttnam, while Robert Sheehan of Love/Hate fame has discussed writing an independent film for the studio based in West Cork. Ultimately, filmmakers just want to make movies. 'It's frightening to think that you couldn't make a film in another country because of tariffs,' Vicky said. I have two movies that I'm trying to sell in America, to shoot in America, but it's more expensive 'I love making films in America and in Texas particularly. I would like to make more films in and around Houston and South Texas. 'The tariff conversation is complicated on a lot of levels, but — along with all the US filmmakers I know — I'm hopeful there can be measures taken to bring more work to America via federal and state tax incentives and subsidies. 'Rather than trying to load up and tariff others, actually make yourself more attractive — that is what Ireland has done.'
The Guardian
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Holding Fever: when club side Rishton signed the fastest bowler in the world
To paraphrase Bishop Berkeley's famous empiricist thought-experiment: if a legendary over is bowled in a game that isn't televised, did it really happen? The answer is: yes, Bish, it happened. In fact, Geoffrey Boycott still remembers punching a 150kph throat ball toward Joel Garner in the gully. But, unless you happened to have been watching Tony Francis' two-minute despatch on News at Ten on Saturday 14 March 1981, it would have slipped past your attention that Rishton's new pro, Michael Holding, had relocated Geoffrey's off stump 20 yards nearer the press box. Which, if you were one of the Lancashire League's top-order batters, might not be a bad thing to have slipped your attention. Nevertheless, if they hadn't seen the recent Barbados bombardment, they will have had vivid memories of Andy Roberts' and especially Mikey's Old Trafford brutalism from five years earlier: Holding roaring in off the boundary, the 45-year-old Brian Close now jerking his combover away at the last second from the hard red missile, like a stuntman avoiding a punch, now chesting it away to point like Niall Quinn playing in Kevin Phillips after a long diagonal from full-back, eventually walking off with a torso resembling a Rorschach Test – heavily bruised, yes, but not out. 'Closey got one run in 59 minutes and had the shit knocked out of him,' recalls Pat Pocock. 'He was in a terrible state when he came in. I had got in as nightwatchman in the first innings [on day one] and I didn't get out that night. Next morning, I'm walking out with John Edrich and he asked me, 'Which end do you fancy?' I told him I'd have Andy Roberts' end as he was a bit of light relief. John pisses himself laughing: 'I tell you now, if Andy Roberts is light relief then we've got problems.'' Yep, the 1981 season promised to be a challenge for the hardy amateurs of east Lancashire's mill towns. So much so, in fact, that Ian Bell, the 21-year-old opening bat at Ramsbottom, Rishton's first opponents, decided to retire on the eve of the season, calling the hiring of Roberts by Haslingden and Holding 'a retrograde step' – this in a league with a lineage of West Indian speedsters (not to mention Ray Lindwall, Dennis Lillee, Frank Tyson and others) running from Learie Constantine and Manny Martindale through Roy Gilchrist, Chester Watson, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith, who in 1964, en route to a league-record 144 wickets for Burnley, was rumoured to have sent 37 people to hospital. When Rishton played them in the Worsley Cup final that year, a jar of laxative tablets was found in their dressing room, which they promptly launched out of the window before going on to win the game. 'I just don't fancy playing against bowlers such as Holding and Roberts,' Bell told the Lancashire Telegraph. 'I will be getting married in the summer and I have other responsibilities in addition to playing cricket. I want to feel that I will be at work every Monday morning in a fit condition.' It's fair to say there were a few nerves jangling about on Easter Sunday – a few prayers as Ramsbottom opener Peter Ashworth scratched out his guard and looked up into the distance to see the lean and mean 27-year-old Jamaican standing at the top of his run and preparing to send down his first ball in Lancashire League cricket. His partner, Mick Everett, a police sergeant in Bury who had knocked off from his night shift at 5am, was glad to be getting a look at one. Hallelujah. Adding to the air of anxiety was the Ramsbottom committee's unprecedented investment in three brand new, plum-coloured helmets, along with assorted padding, which could either be seen as confidence-building tools or as starkly tactile reminders of the impending physical jeopardy. The procurement of these various bone protectors formed the main through-line in Saturday's Rossendale Free Press – the weekly newspaper covering Rammy, Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Bacup – which ran its preview under the headline: 'Enter the Tin-Hat Brigade.' After noting the purchase of the new £50 helmets, the correspondent observed: 'There will be a number of well concealed chest and thigh pads among equipment. Some players could find it difficult just walking to the crease! But now the talking has to stop. The action is about to start. And, to be fair to these world-class cricketers, let's just give them a chance to get on with the job that they're being paid (handsomely) to do. It is so easy to prejudge. Surely, players of their calibre have no need to stoop to any intimidatory tactics? Flying deliveries won't get many wickets but they could result in one or two sore heads. Captains and umpires will, hopefully, keep a close watch on the situation.' The tone was wary – the fears and pre-emptive bargaining of a village that had spotted hordes of barbarian invaders on the horizon. Four days earlier, Holding had been playing the final day of the Jamaica Test in 32C heat. He flew into London with the England squad on the Friday, from where he was collected the next day by Wilf Woodhouse, owner of a shop on Rishton High Street that rented TVs and top-loading video recorders. The Rishton chairman, evidently, was a gifted salesman, coaxing Holding to the village for a summer's work when he was near the top of many counties' shopping lists. Woodhouse had approached his man during the previous summer's Old Trafford Test, impressing with his passion and energy, as Holding would later recount in his autobiography No Holding Back: 'Wilf was very enthusiastic; I liked that. He told me that the standard of cricket was good and I would not find it a chore. He said that Rishton would pay me £5,000 for the summer. In those days that was a lot of money, especially for playing at weekends only. After discussing it further I thought, why not?' Holding left his job in the Central Data Processing Unit of the Jamaican government and took his 'first venture into professional cricket outside West Indies'. Woodhouse would also loan Holding to Lancashire for what turned out to be seven first-class and seven List A matches that summer. They had tried to sign Holding in 1977, only for him to return to Jamaica to complete his degree, and would pay Rishton a fee for his services as well as provide insurance coverage should he pick up an injury on county duty – although the chances of this were diminished by having his West Indies skipper, Clive Lloyd, in the captain's chair at Old Trafford. The loan fee wasn't the only benefit of the arrangement, either. Holding's new-ball partner at Rishton, Barrie Hill, a purveyor of little in-swinging floaters, was carrying over a troublesome shoulder injury from the previous summer and as a deal-sweetener he would receive treatment from the Lancashire physio. When Woodhouse and Holding pulled on to Rishton's Blackburn Road ground that Sunday lunchtime there were already around 2,000 spectators there, the biggest crowd since the days of Hall and Griffith almost 20 years earlier and 10 times the average of the previous few seasons. But then, this was the fastest bowler in the world – an action that was pure liquid, the most sublime cricketing spectacle of the age – and he was at the peak of his powers. Of course they flocked in. Besides, the pubs shut at 2pm, whereas the cricket club didn't. The gate of £850 (around £3,175 in today's money) already meant that 20% of Rishton's outlay had been chalked off. Canny bit of business, Wilf. Membership had almost doubled to 700, which was very welcome with work ongoing on a new £60,000 clubhouse. Holding Fever had arrived, so much so that the 1,200 meat pies the club had bought in for the day were gone before the tea interval, forcing club secretary Harry Crabtree to head off in search of more. 'We'll need a lot of meat and potato pie nights to pay for yon lad,' observed one Rishton ultra. The pie consumption might have been connected to the nippy April weather, a chilly 12C, with spectators hunkered under blankets, which wasn't the case at Sabina Park earlier in the week. Cold or not, Holding Fever had also drawn film crews from the BBC and Granada TV, who busily conducted their David-and-Goliath interviews with the Ramsbottom players. A phalanx of national press were there, too – Telegraph, Times, Sunday People – and the previous evening Woodhouse had told the Guardian: 'A man of Holding's abilities should find this a piece of cake. But he will be under pressure to get us the wickets. Rishton have been third these last three years. We want to win the league and the cup, so we went for the best.' Lemon squeezy. Rishton lost the toss and Rammy opted not to get stuck straight into the batting, hoping the temperature might drop another muscle-stiffening degree or two before their turn came. The pitch had spent three Sisyphean weeks under covers and the winds were biting, but the hum of excitement could not be muffled. Alas, the home side's batting was unable to rise to the challenge of the grand tour's opening night, and Holding's 26 – featuring one six out of the ground, which became something of a motif – was the top score in a disappointing effort. His wicket was taken by Andy Taylor, a private in the Royal Transportation Corps in Hull, back home on leave for the weekend and fresh from football in the morning. No send-off was proffered. Rishton subsided from 98 for five to 108 all out. And then it was time. How's your ticker? 'He did not start his run-up across the main road or on Rishton Station as some comedians in the clubhouse had suggested,' observed the Lancashire Telegraph. 'He took 17 giant strides from the sightscreen and several times tried a shorter run.' Peter Ashworth survived physically intact, but contributed just three to a run-chase in which Holding's figures after an eight-over opening burst – four off the longer run – were none for 21. The Sunday People described him as 'hampered by jet-lag, two sweaters, a bitter wind, no proper total to bowl at, and stiffness from his winter chore of cleaning out Boycott and Gooch.' On the eve of the match, Sergeant Everett had told the Guardian that his aim was simply to 'pick up one four off the meat of the bat', and this he did as he and Mark Price took the score to 58 for one before the latter was run out for 23 by a direct hit from Holding at cover. At 70 for two the game looked as good as won, but Holding returned to clean up Everett up for a valiant 30, made over what he called '90 wonderful minutes' and at the cost of one thumbnail. Holding had needed 70 deliveries to take his first Lancashire League wicket, 19 more than his Test strike rate, and when it came he raised his hands to the heavens in salutation. Runs thereafter were dragged from the depths of Rammy's doggedness and, despite a wobble from 93 for four to 94 for seven, they managed to scramble over the line. Maurice Haslam struck the winning four off Mikey, a moment taking pride of place on the mental mantelpiece. 'Holding, though very fast, was never vicious,' reported the Lancashire Telegraph. 'He bowled fairly and won respect and admiration when he did not allow the pressure to drive him to send down bumpers.' Price reflected on 'the best day of my cricketing life' (there are 23s and 23s) while Everett told the Bolton News: 'It is something you cannot describe. I set my stall out just to survive and help the team win. When I first went out my nerves were really bad but once at the wicket I just concentrated on batting. He was nippy, particularly early on.' Nippy indeed – though not as nippy as he might have been had it not been quite so nippy – Mikey had finished with three for 48 on a wicket lacking the zip of Bridgetown. Ever keen to take the sensationalist line, the Sunday People was having none of the 'respect and admiration' stuff, none of this bowling fairly. It was red meat all the way, as they saw it, a rhetorical flurry that was as much projection as reporting: 'Rishton, home of 7,000 cricket maniacs, wants to win something after three years of finishing among the bridesmaids. That's why Holding is being paid nearly £200 a match. That's why the ground was packed for his debut. They won't be coming back if he insists on being the first gentleman of speed. They want someone pinned to the sightscreen. And somewhere in his engagement of 26 matches Holding will feel obliged to satisfy them.' Whether Holding would crank things up and/or abandon his full length as circumstances (and conditions) changed was a question for down the track, so to speak. However, if anyone thought having the world's quickest bowler in Rishton's ranks would simply mean other teams folding, Rammy had shown them to be sorely mistaken, not least because the league was littered with international pros, including five players who would take part in the World Cup final a couple of years later. Besides Holding and Roberts, there was Lowerhouse's Mohinder Amarnath (player of the match, of course, in India's shock win at Lord's), Enfield's Madan Lal (a trophy in each of his first three seasons at Dill Hall Lane, 1,087 runs at 78 in his fourth), and Nelson's newcomer Kapil Dev, who sat at No 4 in the ICC bowling rankings, three spots above Mikey, 10 above Andy. Those illustrious West Indian sleeves would need to be rolled up. Weather permitting, naturally. This is an extract from Sticky Dogs and Stardust – The Second Innings.
