Latest news with #IHF
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Are Wall Street Analysts Bullish on CVS Health Stock?
With a market cap of $75.4 billion, CVS Health Corporation (CVS) is a leading U.S. healthcare company that operates across multiple segments, including retail pharmacies, pharmacy benefit management (PBM), and health insurance. Headquartered in Rhode Island, CVS owns one of the largest pharmacy chains in the country and also operates MinuteClinic walk-in clinics. Shares of the retail pharmacy titan have lagged behind the broader market over the past year. CVS stock has declined 2.6% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied 16.6%. However, CVS has made a strong comeback in 2025, with its stock soaring 33.7% year-to-date, significantly outpacing the S&P 500's 8.3% gain over the same period. More News from Barchart Here's What Happened the Last Time Novo Nordisk Stock Was This Oversold Tesla Just Signed a Chip Supply Deal with Samsung. What Does That Mean for TSLA Stock? Earnings Will Be 'Worse Than Expected' for UnitedHealth. How Should You Play UNH Stock Here? Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! Zooming in, CVS' stock has outperformed the iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF), which has declined 25.4% over the past year and 12.6% on a YTD basis. On July 23, CVS Health shares soared 1.3% after the company announced the opening of its new Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) in Columbus, located at the Rosewind Community Center. In partnership with local organizations, the WITC offers free workforce training and health services, aiming to support careers in pharmacy, customer service, and retail. For the current fiscal year, ending in December 2025, analysts project CVS' EPS to grow 12.9% annually to $6.12 on a diluted basis. The company has a good track record of outperforming expectations, having surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters. Among the 23 analysts covering CVS stock, the consensus rating is a 'Strong Buy.' That's based on 17 'Strong Buy' ratings, two 'Moderate Buys,' and four 'Holds.' This configuration has been consistent over the past months. On Jul. 22, UBS Group AG (UBS) lowered its price target on CVS Health from $71 to $67 while keeping a 'Neutral' rating, citing increased cost pressures in the Health Insurance Exchange and Medicaid segments. Despite these challenges, CVS maintains solid financial health and is considered undervalued, with potential offsets from cost-saving initiatives and acquisitions. The mean price target of $79.09 represents a 31.8% premium to CVS' current price levels. The Street-high price target of $95 suggests an upside potential of 58.3%. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on 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
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Hotel prices go Supersonic: Oasis fans pay the price
As excitement builds for the long-awaited Oasis reunion concert in Dublin next month, fans are facing the harsh reality of soaring hotel prices that rival the cost of a concert ticket - or more. For many, the return of the Gallagher brothers will be music to their ears, but the price of a pillow in the capital that weekend could leave them singing a very different tune. With thousands expected to descend on the city for the event, accommodation costs have surged to eye-watering levels for Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of August. How much are rooms? Most hotels in Dublin city centre are charging upwards of €400 per night for a standard room - more than double the usual rate. The Irish Hotels Federation has admitted that many hotels do hike prices when availability is limited. "With regard to supply and demand issues, there are times when locations experience significant increases in demand, around major events, and this can result in price increases," a spokesperson for the IHF said. "For last availability, this is a common occurrence in other industries such as airlines for example if you're booking one of the last seats on a plane, the price may reflect this." The IHF said many of the prices listed online are last minute prices, and are not reflective of the "overall value which most fans will already have availed of when booking." However, many hotels are offering cheaper last minute prices for this weekend, than they are for the Oasis dates in August. One popular five-star hotel is charging over €1,800 per night for a small queen room for the Oasis weekend, excluding breakfast. That same room is available for €700 per night this weekend. Meanwhile, a four-star hotel in the city centre is charging €537 per night for a standard king room on concert nights, again excluding breakfast, while their rate this weekend is over €200 lower. Forced out of the city? The IHF points to lower prices available outside of the city centre in places like City West, Clondalkin, Swords and Tallaght. If you're willing to travel, you can bag a room for under €250 a night that weekend. However, concert goers would have to fork out extra for transport to and from these locations, some of which are an hour drive away from Croke Park. "It is very common for sell-out of near-capacity nights for visitors to stay in accommodation that is not within the city centre itself," the IHF argued. Do other cities around the world bump up prices? A report carried out by Fáilte Ireland reveals that Irish hotels are not alone when it comes to price hikes around big events. "Dublin is not atypical with respect to room rate 'premiums' during big events," the report finds. "Cities across the world typically exhibit similar pricing patterns." For example, the report looks at Bruce Springsteen's 2023 European tour concert in Dublin on May 5th where hotel occupancy surpassed 90% and the average daily rate was above €250. Hotel 'premiums' were also recorded on tour dates right across Europe. While these varied by location, Dublin still had higher room prices than cities like Birmingham, Copenhagen and Hamburg. Are booking platforms more expensive? On popular platform 85% of hotel rooms in Dublin were booked out for the Oasis weekend at the time of writing this article. Many people will book through such platforms, hoping to save time and money. However, the IHF recommends booking directly with hotels to get better value, stating that rates on include "very substantial" commissions. A quick search on the website of one four-star hotel just outside the city centre reveals that room prices are €40 cheaper when booking directly. However, this is not always the case. Any tips for finding the best deals? The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission pointed out that the same rules apply to hotel bookings as to any other online purchase. "Pay close attention to make sure you're on a legitimate website," said Grainne Griffin, consumer expert and Director of Communications at the CCPC. "Booking platforms are great for comparing lots of options at once but make sure it is based in the EU in case anything goes wrong. "Also, it's always worth approaching the hotel directly before you make the purchase to see if they will offer you a better price for booking directly," she added. Ms Griffin said to check the terms and conditions for the booking carefully and consider the worst case scenario - "If the concert was cancelled, would you be entitled to a refund?" Similar to the advice of the IHF, the CCPC suggests considering hotels outside of the city centre for lower prices. "Even if you need to factor in the cost of a taxi back after the concert this could still be a better deal," she said. Transport for Ireland have a taxi fare estimator which can help you work out costs. One thing's for sure, if you've yet to plan your accommodation, book smart and fast - or you might just look back in anger.
The Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Government urged ‘not to delay solemn promise' of VAT cut for hospitality sector
THE GOVERNMENT HAS been urged 'not to delay its promise' of cutting the VAT rate for the hospitality sector to 9% in the upcoming budget. Despite election promises and ministerial pronouncements, government this week has been signalling that a cut to the VAT rate for the hospitality sector may not go ahead in Budget 2026. Tánaiste Simon Harris said the government had made a 'solemn' commitment in the election to reduce the VAT rate for the hospitality sector, but this week the government has been sending mixed signals on how it will proceed. Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1 yesterday, junior justice minister Niall Collins said the VAT cut was not a 'done deal'. VAT for the tourism and hospitality sectors was reduced to 9% during the Covid-19 pandemic at a cost of €1.2bn to the exchequer. The previous 13.5% rate was reinstated last August, despite the sector's opposition. Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the largest representative body for the retail industry in Ireland, has called on the Government to follow through on its 'promise to permanently cut the rate of VAT for the hospitality industry to 9% in Budget 2026'. Jean McCabe, CEO of REI, said that 'after a tough few years, the Government's solemn promise to cut the VAT rate for the hospitality industry was welcome'. 'It would be regrettable for it to delay its promise now,' she added. 'There are too many livelihoods at stake not to introduce a measure as soon as possible that would have such a significant impact on the industry, and on related industries such as retail.' She said the government must do 'everything in its power to strengthen our domestic economy at a time when we need it most'. McCabe also called for the general rate of VAT be cut from 23% to 21% to assist the retail industry. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has criticised the 'deeply misleading' figure of €1 billion per year that was quoted earlier this week regarding the cost to the Exchequer of reducing VAT for hospitality businesses. On Tuesday, during a press conference on the Summer Economic Statement, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe told reporters that the one-year cost for reducing the hospitality VAT rate to 9% for restaurants and hotels would be between €950mn and €1bn. However, later in the press conference, Donohoe said he would need to clarify if that figure did include hotels. A spokesperson for the minister told The Journal today that, based on CSO data, the total one-year cost for restaurants and hotels is actually €810mn. This is split €675mn for restaurants and cafes and €135mn for hotels. The cost for hairdressers would be an additional €40mn. IHF Chief Executive Paul Gallagher said it's time for an 'honest and balanced debate' that 'recognises the economic and social importance of hospitality food service businesses and gives them a fighting chance to survive'. He noted that the 'true cost involved is significantly lower than the widely quoted €1bn figure cited by the Government in recent days' Gallagher added: 'The Government's narrative has had the effect, intended or otherwise, of driving a wedge between the public and the hospitality industry, framing the VAT reduction as a giveaway to businesses. 'This is extremely divisive and simply not true.' He said the 9% VAT reduction sought would apply to prepared food services, such as meals in restaurants, takeaways, commercial kitchens and food served on transport. 'The real beneficiaries are small food businesses,' said Gallagher, 'many of which are operating on the brink of survival due to extreme food cost inflation and shrinking margins. 'Reducing VAT on food services is not a handout to hospitality businesses – it is a vital intervention for a sector that supports over 270,000 livelihoods and contributes significantly to the economy.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Hoteliers and retailers push back on possible VAT cut delay
Hoteliers and the retail industry have pushed back on a possible delay in the reintroduction of the 9 per cent VAT rate for hospitality, calling claims that it would cost €1 billion 'misleading.' Tax Strategy Group papers published on Thursday showed that reducing the VAT rate for food & drink and accommodation at the next budget would cost the exchequer about €800 million, while the Government is thought to be considering holding back the reduction until the middle of next year. Extending the cut to food and drink only would likely cost about €675 million, the papers show. 'In the lead up to the general election and afterwards, discussions between hospitality representative bodies and the Government have always been on the basis that any VAT reduction would apply to hospitality food services only and not accommodation services,' IHF chief executive Paul Gallagher said in a statement. 'To suggest anything else was on the table is disingenuous.' Mr Gallagher's comments underline the depth of feeling within the industry on the VAT matter, even as some Government politicians express opposition to the move. While Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has pledged to restore the rate, Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice has warned extending the rate for luxury hotels would sit 'very, very uncomfortably with me'. READ MORE [ Income tax dilemma for Government as VAT cuts could cost €1bn Opens in new window ] 'The Government's narrative has had the effect, intended or otherwise, of driving a wedge between the public and the hospitality industry, framing the VAT reduction as a giveaway to businesses. This is extremely divisive and simply not true.,' he added. 'The 9 per cent VAT reduction sought would apply to prepared food services, such as meals in restaurants, takeaways, commercial kitchens and food served on transport.' Mr Gallagher's comments came as industry group Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) urged the Government not to delay reinstating the VAT cut. [ Government likely to delay VAT reduction for hospitality sector until mid-2026 Opens in new window ] 'The retail and hospitality industries work hand in glove to provide a world-class consumer experience in Ireland,' REI chief executive Jean McCabe said in a statement. 'However, both industries have been severely impacted in recent years by the rising business costs, and numerous business owners have been forced to close their doors after unsustainable financial pressure.' 'The VAT rate for hospitality must be cut in Budget 2026 as promised,' Ms McCabe said, adding that the general rate should be reduced to 21 per cent from 23 per cent to support other retailers.
Asharq Al-Awsat
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Handball Team Intensifies World Championship Preparations
The Saudi handball team is continuing intensive preparations for the 2025 IHF Men's U19 World Championship at its ongoing training camp, where 20 players aim to enhance physical and technical readiness as part of the Saudi Handball Federation's technical committee plan, SPA reported. The team seeks to compete strongly against international teams and demonstrate the development of handball in the Kingdom.
