Latest news with #LCM
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AT&T Soars 52.2% in a Year: Should You Invest in T Stock Now?
AT&T, Inc. T has gained 52.2% over the past year compared with the Wireless National industry's growth of 27.6%. The stock has also outperformed the Zacks Computer & Technology sector and the S&P 500's growth of 12% and 12.1%, respectively. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The company has outperformed its peers like Verizon Communications Inc. VZ and T-Mobile US, Inc. TMUS. Verizon has gained 6.1%, while TMUS has increased 36.6% during this period. AT&T expects to continue investing in key areas and adjust its business according to the evolving market scenario to fuel long-term growth, while maintaining a healthy dividend payment and actively pruning debt. The company is adopting prpl Foundation's Life Cycle Management (LCM) to advance its broadband innovation initiatives. The prplware LCM is a software framework that effectively optimizes containerized application deployment on broadband gateways, utilizing the high computing capabilities of ARM-based chipsets. AT&T has steadily deployed the LCM solution over the past few years, and currently, around 12 million broadband gateways are integrated with software with ARM-based chipsets eliminates the high CPU and memory usage issue of legacy containerized applications. The advanced system allows many applications to run concurrently in broadband gateways. This significantly improves efficiency. Moreover, prplware software supports multi-carrier application deployment, empowering service providers to offer several options to clients and developers. AT&T plans to increase its LCM adoption to foster innovation across the company is set to acquire Lumen's fiber connectivity business for $5.75 billion. Following the completion of the buyout, AT&T will acquire 1 million fiber customers and 4 million fiber locations across 11 U.S. states. Integration of Lumen's customer base and fiber deployment capabilities will significantly boost AT&T's competitive edge in the fiber broadband domain. The company is aiming to expand its fiber network to approximately 60 million locations by 2030, almost doubling its current reach. Its expansion will target major metro areas such as Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, Seattle and more. The company's strategy of continuous innovation, adoption of leading-edge technology, combined with strategic acquisitions, is expected to foster long-term growth. As of March 31, 2025, AT&T had $6.88 billion of cash and cash equivalents with long-term debt of $117.26 billion. At the end of the first quarter, the company had a current ratio of 0.7 compared to the preceding quarter's 0.67. A current ratio of less than 1 suggests that the company might face difficulty paying off its short-term obligations easily. Moreover, a high debt burden makes the company more vulnerable to economic downturns and hinders investment in growth a saturated U.S. wireless market, the spectrum crunch has become a major issue in the U.S. telecom industry. Most of the carriers are finding it increasingly difficult to manage mobile data traffic, which is growing by leaps and bounds. Moreover, intensifying competition with other industry giants like Verizon and T-Mobile is weighing on margins. T-Mobile's aggressive push for 5G expansion, solid cash flow growth and several strategic acquisitions to boost competitive edge is a concern for AT&T. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research AT&T is currently witnessing a downtrend in estimate revisions. Earnings estimates for 2025 have declined 3.27% to $2.07 over the past 60 days, while the same for 2026 has decreased 0.88% to $2.24. The negative estimate revision portrays bearish sentiments about the stock's growth potential. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, AT&T appears to be trading relatively cheaper compared to the industry but trading above its mean. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company shares currently trade at 13.04 forward earnings, lower than 13.72 for the industry but above the stock's mean of 10.16. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research With a customer-centric business model, AT&T is witnessing healthy momentum in its postpaid wireless business with a lower churn rate and increased adoption of higher-tier unlimited plans. Strong focus on expanding fiber broadband network infrastructure through innovation and strategic acquisition is a positive fierce competition in the wireless market with a relatively fixed pool of customers is putting pressure on pricing. High debt burden remains a concern. Downtrend in estimate revision highlights growing investor skepticism. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), AT&T appears to be treading in the middle of the road, and new investors could be better off if they trade with caution. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AT&T Inc. (T) : Free Stock Analysis Report Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Reuters
29-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
UK rare earths company to build plant in France
LONDON, May 29 (Reuters) - Britain's Less Common Metals, one of the few firms outside China involved in a key step of rare earths processing, plans to build a plant in France, teaming up with a recycling firm there, LCM's majority owner and chairman said. The move would mark another step to diversify Western supplies of rare earths - critical for making magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and electronic components. China accounts for about 90% of the world's processed rare earth production. LCM aims to launch production of rare earth metals and alloys in France by 2027, using raw materials from a plant being built by Carester, Grant Smith told Reuters. France, aiming to become a European hub for the rare earths sector, is also home to a rare earths plant owned by chemicals group Solvay ( opens new tab, which launched an expansion in April. A final decision is due soon on LCM's 110 million euro ($124 million) project that would be built in Lacq, southwestern France, adjacent to Carester's plant, which will take old permanent magnets and recycle them, Smith added. "To put the finishing touches on our project, we need two things: get the funding in place and finalise the offtake to make sure the project's going to be viable," Smith said in an interview. Carester has received 216 million euros in funding from Japanese sources and the French government for its processing unit Caremag, which is expected to produce 1,400 metric tons of rare earth oxides a year, mainly from recycled magnets. LCM aims to apply for funds from both the European Union and France and also plans to raise equity or debt funding, Smith said. LCM would take the rare earth oxides from Caremag and process them into rare earth metals and alloys, which would be sold to permanent magnet producers. Rare earths go through a lengthy and complex process to be transformed from mined ore to finished permanent magnets and only a handful of companies outside of China are involved in the metals and alloying segment. Since 1992, LCM has produced a range of rare earth metals and alloys at its plant at Ellesmere Port in northwest England and it will continue that production as it expands abroad, Smith said. In the longer term, LCM is also considering establishing operations in North America and Asia, he added. ($1 = 0.8862 euros)
Pembrokeshire Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Senedd backs data bill despite constitutional concerns
THE SENEDD signed off on the UK Government's data bill despite constitutional concerns, with the proposed legislation 'completely failing' a key test set by the First Minister. Senedd Members voted 39-11 in favour of consenting to the data use and access bill, which aims to make better use of data and boost the UK economy by £10bn over the next decade. But Plaid Cymru members and Labour backbenchers voiced concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to make laws in some areas already devolved to Wales. Alun Davies urged Welsh ministers to withdraw the legislative consent motion or LCM, the means by which the Senedd indicates support for UK laws on devolved matters. Referring to a speech by Eluned Morgan the same day, which put distance between Labour in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, Mr Davies said the bill fails a test set by the First Minister. Labour MS Alun Davies He told the Senedd: 'The First Minister was very clear this morning in a speech that she made at the Norwegian church that where the devolved settlement is engaged, unless consent lies with Welsh ministers then consent would not be provided for UK legislation.' During the debate on May 6, the former minister – now a member of the Senedd's legislation committee – expressed concerns about the number of LCMs during this term. He said: 'What we are seeing now is an LCM that deals with devolved matters and where the Welsh Government is seceding the settlement… enabling UK ministers to amend Welsh legislation without reference to… Welsh ministers or this parliament. 'And that is unacceptable. It fails, completely, the tests that have been set by the First Minister to support UK legislation.' The Plaid Cymru-turned-Labour politician added: 'I think many Labour members who supported the First Minister this morning will feel very, very difficult about voting for this.' Mick Antoniw, who was previously counsel general, the Welsh Government's chief legal adviser, nodded in agreement with much of his colleague's contribution. Mike Hedges, the Labour chair of the legislation committee, recommended granting consent but he remained dissatisfied by Welsh ministers 'conceding' constitutional concerns. Labour MS Mick Antoniw 'This is unwelcome and a serious cause for concern,' he said of delegated powers exercisable solely by UK ministers in devolved areas. Mr Hedges criticised the 'suboptimal' quality and timeliness of the consent process, with the Welsh Government publishing key documents days before the debate. Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd's culture and communications committee, expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on data sharing between the UK and EU. South Wales East MS Delyth Jewell Her Plaid Cymru colleague Luke Fletcher warned of 'far-reaching' constitutional implications as well as potential for the bill to 'dilute' data protection standards. He told the Senedd: 'It's telling in this respect that the UK Government has refused to share this relevant risk assessment on this matter.' Rebecca Evans, Wales' economy secretary, pointed to amendments to strengthen the bill but she recognised the two governments were 'not aligned in the devolution analysis'. Recommending the Senedd supports the bill, which is mostly non-devolved, Ms Evans emphasised the importance of UK-wide regulations. Labour and the Conservatives supported the motion, with Plaid Cymru voting against and Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds abstaining. Under the non-binding Sewel convention, the UK Government would 'not normally' legislate in devolved areas without such consent.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Assisted dying law will need Welsh Parliament vote
Politicians in Cardiff Bay are to get a vote over whether controversial Westminster legislation to legalise assisted dying should apply to members will have to decide whether to give consent for Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's legislation to apply in Wales, should it be agreed by the UK passed in March by MPs could also give Senedd politicians and ministers power over when most of the law comes into October Senedd members - including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Health Minister Jeremy Miles - voted against the broader principle of assisted dying. If agreed by MPs, Leadbeater's legislation would make it legal for over-18s who are terminally ill to be given assistance to end their own UK and Welsh governments have remained neutral on the backbench and Leadbeater met to discuss the bill earlier this week. On Wednesday the Welsh government published documentation confirming Labour ministers in Cardiff believe Leadbeater's bill requires the consent of the it amends the law regarding suicide - something which the UK Parliament is responsible for in Wales - the Welsh government says parts of the law tread into matters that the Senedd is usually responsible includes the chief medical officer drawing up guidance on how the act operates, and powers for Welsh ministers to provide assisted dying means that the Senedd needs to pass what is known as a "legislative consent motion" (LCM).When they were first envisaged parliament was not meant to legislate in devolved areas without the Senedd's permission via an LCM, but it is not legally binding and can be Labour, however, promised to "strengthen" the convention behind LCMs at the last general election. A committee of MPs has been amending the bill. In March it agreed by a small margin that Welsh ministers should have powers to start most of the legislation's the amendment, which was backed by 12 votes to 11 and proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney, the Senedd will have to vote on regulations to bring the law into a decision would only take place if the law gets through the UK Parliament - itself not certain - while the LCM would likely be held proposal was opposed by UK Labour ministers Stephen Kinnock and Sarah Sackman, as well as Leadbeater the committee in March, Olney said: "Regardless of where we stand on assisted dying, we should respect democracy. Referring to the October vote, she said: "The people of Wales, through their elected representatives - acting as they should, as representatives - have voted against assisted dying. "We should respect that choice and not impose it on them, in whole or in part, without their consent."But Aberavon MP Kinnock said the amendment could potentially "create a disparity, particularly in relation to the introduction of the criminal offences, and a lack of certainty". Ministers and Senedd 'could block bill' The amendment followed evidence to the committee by Aberyswyth University emeritus professor Emyr Lewis, who asked the MPs to consider whether ministers should be given powers over when the legislation begins to apply when the Senedd had rejected the broader told BBC Wales he had questioned whether it would be "constitutionally appropriate" for Parliament to have ignored the earlier Senedd vote."We know the Senedd has rejected this. Is it right that... the parliament in London should impose, if you want to put it that way, on Wales this change in the law, which is going to have far reaching effects?"He said that if the Senedd supported the bill it could be brought in in Wales, should it be passed by MPs, as it would be in England."If, however, the feeling in Wales remains as it was when the matter was voted on before then this very morally and legally far reaching bill won't be brought into force in Wales if the people of Wales don't want it."He told BBC Wales that the Olney amendment could give ministers in Cardiff powers to block the law professor said: "Welsh ministers could block it and so could the Senedd in Wales." The Senedd vote last October saw 26 Members of the Senedd opposing Labour MS Julie Morgan's motion with 19 MSs in support versus nine bill is narrower than Morgan's motion, specifying it would apply to over-18s who are expected to die within six months, with a number of measures intended to act as vote proposed that suffering "intolerably" from an incurable physical condition should have the option of an assisted death. Former counsel general Mick Antoniw has said he expects a different difference between the law and the earlier Senedd vote was acknowledged in the committee's debate on Olney's said the Morgan motion was "very different from the legislation before this Parliament".She said changes made to the bill allowing ministers powers to make regulations about voluntary assisted dying services would "hopefully also provide some reassurance on issues around devolution". A spokesperson for Kim Leadbeater said discussions with the Welsh government "have been very constructive and Kim is determined to respect the devolution agreement and work with Welsh ministers in the interests of terminally ill people in both England and Wales".The Welsh government said: "This is a complex issue with many moral, operational, constitutional and legal considerations, and like the UK government we have adopted a neutral position."
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Stormont backs GB Energy Bill despite concern over ‘lack of detail'
The Northern Ireland Assembly has endorsed the extension of the Great British Energy Bill to the region despite some MLAs expressing concern over a 'lack of detail' around how it will work. The Government Bill is designed to establish a state-owned limited firm called Great British Energy backed with £8.3 billion of public cash. It is to be tasked with investing in and developing clean energy projects across the UK as part of the drive to tackle climate change and meet the UK's net zero emissions target. However, Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole voiced concern at a lack of detail around how it will operate in Northern Ireland, pointing out complicating factors including the single electricity grid operating across the island of Ireland. Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the Stormont Executive had agreed that she should seek a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) for the Bill in the Assembly. 'Early indications are that GB Energy has the potential to support transition to net zero, however I will scrutinise all proposals closely to ensure our devolved powers are properly represented and respected,' she told MLAs. Economy Committee chair Philip Brett said the committee was unable to agree a final view on the LCM 'in the absence of clarity coming from Whitehall'. Mr Brett also said that speaking as the DUP's Economy spokesperson, he could confirm his party is 'very happy to support the LCM', describing potential for local renewable energy projects to tap into funding. Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole said he did not intend to force a division but wanted to put on the record his concern around a lack of information around how the firm will operate in Northern Ireland. He said the Opposition welcomed the principle of a state owned energy company, but emphasised the absence of detail. 'We're having a debate here today in the absence of real detailed information about how GB Energy is going to select, prioritise and direct investments in Northern Ireland,' he said. 'We also have a situation where Northern Ireland is part of an all-island single electricity market. We also are bound by aspects of European law in relation to that – that's for a very good reason, because it enables us to keep the lights on because we have a single grid operating on this island. 'None of that is necessarily a deterrent for GB Energy operating in Northern Ireland … but I am drawing attention to the unique regulatory and investment position that Northern Ireland is in.' Alliance MLA David Honeyford voiced support for the LCM, but also expressed concern at a lack of detail, while UUP MLA Steve Aiken said his party will also support it. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said had concerns about the Bill, as well as the fact that MLAs had indicated they would back the LCM despite complaining of a lack of information. 'There are serious questions about whether this LCM should be supported at all,' he said. Responding to some of the comments raised during the debate, Ms Archibald said even if the LCM is not approved by the Assembly, GB Energy will still operate in Northern Ireland, but Stormont will have no ability to engage. 'It would be bad form if they (UK Government) ploughed on regardless, but if the LCM isn't passed it does not preclude GB Energy as a company from operating here in the North, and we would have absolutely no ability to shape what is being developed or taken forward,' she said. 'So the approval of today's motion enables us to remain engaged as work on GB Energy progresses.' The LCM was passed by the Assembly.
