Latest news with #LeapYear
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Dak Prescott, fiancée welcome second baby daughter in touching post
Dak Prescott added another little cowgirl to his family. Prescott, the 31-year-old Cowboys quarterback, and his fiance Sarah Jane Ramos announced Saturday the birth of their second daughter. .Aurora Rayne Prescott was born May 22 and weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces. Advertisement 'Thank You God!' Prescott wrote on Instagram. 'Welcome, Aurora Rayne! May 22, 2025. God is Great. I love you @sarahjane and the Family we've created.' Dak Prescott, Sarah Jane Ramos and their baby daughter Aurora. @sarahjane/Instagram Advertisement Prescott and Ramos have an older daughter who is a Leap Year baby, born Feb. 29, 2024. In the time between having his two daughters, Prescott became the highest-paid player in NFL history when he signed a four-year, $240 million extension. Prescott and his daughters. @sarahjane/Instagram He and Ramos also got engaged when the quarterback dropped to his knee and proposed on a golf course. Advertisement But not everything has come up roses for Prescott in the last 16 months. Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury that required surgery last November. He was only 3-5 as a starter before missing the final games of a season in which the Cowboys took a major step back as two of their rivals (Eagles and Commanders) met in the NFC Championship Game. Advertisement Prescott has been participating in the Cowboys voluntary offseason program and impressed onlookers with his post-surgery mobility during an OTA practice Thursday. It wasn't known at the time, but Prescott had a one-week-old daughter at home at the time of completing 14-of-18 passes as he furthered his recovery. 'Our sweet Aurora Rayne Prescott arrived on her due date 9 days ago, 5.22.25 ,' mother Sarah wrote on her Instagram. 'We've been soaking it all in so beyond grateful and in love with our family of 4 @_4dak' It just so happens that Prescott's jersey number is now equal to the size of his family. The new father of two and the Cowboys open the season against the Eagles on 'Thursday Night Football.'
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Matthew Goode: Everything you need to know about the actor
Known for roles in shows such as Downton Abbey and The Crown, Matthew Goode will led the cast of Dept. Q. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Now the star of Netflix's Edinburgh-set detective drama Dept. Q, Matthew Goode has been appearing on our screens for the last twenty years. Whether you know him from films such as Leap Year, Stoker and The Imitation Game, or are more familiar with his appearances in shows including Downton Abbey, The Crown or A Discovery of Witches, the English actor has made himself known in a variety of supporting roles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Matthew Goode and Jamie Sives in Dept. Q. | Netflix But with the arrival of Dept. Q on Netflix this week, Goode will be leading the cast as the brilliant but frustrating detective Carl Morck. Ahead of the show's release on May 29, here is everything you need to know about Matthew Goode. Who is Matthew Goode? Matthew Goode was born in Exeter on April 3, 1978. His father was a geologist while his mother was a nurse, who also directed amateur theatre. The youngest of five children, Goode's half sister is TV presenter Sally Meen. He grew up in the village of Clyst St. Mary, and studied at the University of Birmingham as well as the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a recent interview with the Telegraph, Goode said: 'I'm a guy from a little village called Clyst St Mary near Exeter, and I didn't even know I wanted to be an actor before I went to university.' What TV shows and movies has Matthew Goode been in? Goode's debut screen role came in 2002, when he appeared in the made for television film Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, directed by the late Scottish director Gavin Millar. Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode arrive at the premiere of "Chasing Liberty" in 2004. | Getty Images Since then Goode has enjoyed a steady career, with roles in romcoms such as Chasing Liberty (2004), Match Point (2005) and Leap Year (2010), as well as appearances in films such as Watchmen (2009), A Single Man (2009), Stoker (2013) and The Imitation Game (2014). More recently, Goode has starred in movies such as The King's Man (2021), Freud's Last Session and Abigail (2024). As for his television roles, he is likely most familiar to Downton Abbey fans for his role as Henry Talbot. He has also appeared in series such as the 2013 adaptation of Death Comes to Pemberley, American legal drama The Good Wife, season 2 of The Crown – in which he starred as Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon – and British fantasy series A Discovery of Witches, in which he played a vampire. Matthew Goode | Getty Images for Paramount Pictu Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Matthew Goode Dept. Q As for his role in Dept. Q, Matthew Goode stars as Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck. Based on the books by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, the Netflix series is set in Edinburgh instead of Copenhagen. Matthew Goode stars in Netflix's new Edinburgh-set drama Dept. Q. | Jamie Simpson/Netflix Living in the Scottish capital following his divorce from his wife, Goode's character is described as a brilliant detective but a difficult colleague having recently been appointed as the head of a new cold case unit following an on-duty tragedy.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
LexisNexis® U.S. Insurance Demand Meter Shows Steady Momentum with "Sizzling" U.S. Consumer Auto Shopping and "Hot" New Policy Growth
ATLANTA, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After a three-quarter streak of "Nuclear" activity, U.S. consumer auto insurance shopping remained elevated in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest LexisNexis® Risk Solutions U.S. Insurance Demand Meter. U.S. auto policy shopping growth reached "Sizzling" at 16%, and new policy growth came in "Hot" at 8.4%. Both readings represent a slight cooling from Q4 2024. Key Takeaways Shoppers Stay Active: As of March 31, 2025, 46% of policies-in-force were shopped at least once in the past 12 months. Shopping and New Policy Growth Remain Elevated: Auto insurance shopping grew 16% year-over-year in Q1 2025, while new policy growth reached 8.4%. Tax Season and Tariff Concerns Drive Behavior: Consumer activity was fueled by tax refund-driven shopping and new vehicle purchases, potentially ahead of anticipated tariff impacts. Older Consumers Lead the Charge: Policyholders aged 66 and older were the most active demographic, with year-over-year shopping growth of 19.7%. Key Observations"Macro forces like tax refund season and tariff concerns are helping shape consumers' auto insurance shopping behavior in meaningful ways," said Jeff Batiste, senior vice president and general manager, U.S. auto and home insurance, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "We also are seeing traditionally stable, high-value customer segments become more active in the market. That underscores a potential need for insurers to re-evaluate how they engage and retain policyholders who may have previously been considered low churn risks." First Quarter Trends Influenced by Direct Channel and Tax SeasonShoppers using the direct channel helped drive first-quarter growth across all age groups, with direct distribution outpacing both independent and exclusive agent channels with a 34% year-over-year increase. Meanwhile, the non-standard market segment saw 30% growth, attributed in part by an influx of uninsured shoppers entering the market with tax refunds in hand. While tax season spurred activity, February's shorter calendar tempered overall momentum. Compared to the Leap Year advantage in Q1 2024, 2025 featured one fewer business day, trimming shopping activity. Still, many regions saw elevated shopping growth, with 10 states reporting increases of 20% or more, including Hawaii (59%), New Jersey (43%), Washington (33%) and Massachusetts (31%). New Policy Growth Gets a Boost from Refunds and Pre-Tariff Vehicle SalesNew policy growth remained solid, supported by March's momentum. LexisNexis Risk Solutions internal analysis points to a combination of tax refund season and increased vehicle sales as drivers of this trend, as consumers looked to get ahead of potential cost impacts from impending tariffs. Notably, states such as Nevada (39%), New Jersey (31%) and New York (30%) reported new policy growth of 20% or higher. Loyalty Slips as Market Dynamics ShiftAs economic pressures and more aggressive marketing strategies converge, auto policy retention continues to decline. Average policy retention dropped to 78% by the end of Q1, down from 83% in early 2022. Today, policies are churning nearly 30% faster than just three years ago, with roughly six million more policies switching hands annually compared to 2021. Perhaps more surprising, historically loyal segments, such as policyholders aged 66 and older and those with 10 and more years of tenure, are now contributing significantly to the uptick in shopping and switching behavior. This shift underscores the potential need for insurers to double down on proactive retention strategies. Older Consumers Top the Charts in Shopping ActivityOlder adults, particularly those 66 and older, became the most active shoppers this quarter, growing nearly 20% year-over-year. Meanwhile, the 26-35 age group saw the lowest growth at just over 13%. Rate sensitivity among older consumers on fixed incomes likely played a key role in older shoppers' increased activity, a noteworthy reversal for what has traditionally been a stable segment. Looking AheadLexisNexis Risk Solutions notes that while the full impact of proposed tariffs may not be felt until later in 2025, those currently in effect are already shaping the market. Consumers may fast-track purchases of vehicles and home goods before prices climb and, as a result, insurers could see a ripple effect across both auto and home policy activity. As these lines of business increasingly influence one another, insurance carriers will need to closely monitor shopping trends and refine their acquisition and retention strategies accordingly. "Carriers are achieving notable underwriting results but continue to face significant retention challenges. Declining retention rates may force carriers to replace lost policies to sustain growth, which could strain their current business models," added Batiste. "Acquiring new business is costly, and these policies often have higher claims frequency than long-standing ones, likely increasing both loss and expense ratios. To help maintain positive underwriting results, carriers should remain disciplined in their underwriting approach." Download the latest U.S. Insurance Demand Meter. LexisNexis U.S. Insurance Demand MeterThe LexisNexis® U.S. Insurance Demand Meter is a quarterly analysis of shopping volume and frequency, new business volume and related data points. LexisNexis Risk Solutions offers this unique market-wide perspective of U.S. consumer shopping and switching behavior based on its analysis of consumer shopping transactions since 2009, representing nearly 90% of the universe of U.S. insurance shopping activity. About LexisNexis Risk SolutionsLexisNexis® Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data, sophisticated analytics platforms and technology solutions to provide insights that help businesses across multiple industries and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit and Media Contacts:Annalysce BakerLexisNexis Risk SolutionsPhone: +1 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions 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
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's what Wall Street is saying about Amazon ahead of earnings
Amazon (AMZN) is scheduled to report results for its first quarter of 2025 after the market close on Thursday, May 1, with a conference call scheduled for 5:00 pm ET. Here's what to watch for: Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. EXPECTATIONS: During the company's last earnings call, Amazon said it saw Q1 revenue $151.0B-$155.5B, and Q1 net sales between $151.0B and $155.5B, or to grow between 5% and 9% compared with the first quarter 2024. 'This guidance anticipates an unusually large, unfavorable impact of approximately $2.1B, or 150 basis points, from foreign exchange rates. Also, as a reminder, in the first quarter of 2024 the impact from Leap Year added approximately $1.5 billion in net sales,' the company stated. The company also said that operating income was expected to be between $14.0B and $18.0B, compared with $15.3 Bin first quarter 2024. 'This guidance assumes, among other things, that no additional business acquisitions, restructurings, or legal settlements are concluded,' Amazon added. Current consensus EPS and revenue forecasts for Amazon's first quarter stand at $1.37 and $155.13B, respectively, according to data from Yahoo Finance. The consensus EPS and revenue forecasts for Amazon's full year 2025 stand at $6.21 and $694.41B, respectively. CONFIDENT DESPITE UNCERTAINTY: In a research note ahead of earnings, BofA said that for Q1, it projects sales/EBIT of $155.5B/$17.8B. The firm thinks the consumer held up relatively well in Q1 despite tariff headlines. For AWS, BofA believes VA Street estimate for 17.4% year-over-year growth is achievable, with CEO Jassy indicating intra quarter that AI demand remains 'insatiable.' The firm recently lowered Q2 estimates to reflect macro uncertainty, partially offset by FX tailwinds. For the outlook, BofA expects Q2 sales guide of $154B-$160B, and for operating income, it expects $12.0B-$17.0B, below Street at $17.5B, as lower-end reflects tariff uncertainty and usual management. The firm acknowledges Q2 and second half of the year revenue uncertainty, but remains confident on Amazon's ability to take share in e-commerce, improve retail margins via headcount cuts, and benefit from Cloud AI demand. EARNINGS PRESSURES: Last week, Raymond James downgraded to Outperform from Strong Buy with a price target of $195, down from $275. Due to an 'uneven' macro environment, tariffs, and 'steepening investment intensity,' the Street is underestimating Amazon's earnings pressures in 2025 and 2026, the firm tells investors in a research note. Raymond downgraded the shares to Outperform pending greater investment and return on investment visibility. Regardless of tariff 'stickiness,' further supply chain and logistics diversification likely create a drag for Amazon given its China and rural U.S. demand-side platform exposures, contends the firm. Raymond James remains 'constructive' on the company's artificial intelligence prospects and long-term investments, but with rising earnings risk and limited monetization progress, it finds it more challenging for to stick with its Strong Buy rating. The firm now prefers shares of Meta Platforms (META), Uber (UBER), and MercadoLibre (MELI) to Amazon. RESULTS COULD BE BETTER THAN FEARED: Benchmark lowered the firm's price target on Buy-rated to $260 from $270. Amazon 'feels like they could be at the confluence of several warring headlines,' including substantial exposure to Chinese sellers, pricing pressure, questions around the sustainability of cloud growth and profitability, and the ongoing offset of incremental e-commerce share gains and improving operational efficiencies throughout the fulfilment ecosystem, says the firm, which made about a 5% operating income reduction to 2025 and 2026 ahead of earnings. However, given that seismic changes do not tend to happen overnight, even in uncertain economic environments, the firm thinks 'there is a decent chance results hang in better than feared.' TARGET CUTS AHEAD OF EARNINGS: Earlier this week, UBS lowered the firm's price target on Buy-rated to $253 from $272 ahead of the May 1 earnings report. The firm anticipates some level of tariff-driven demand destruction due to price elasticity, and says data from the Department of Commerce suggests goods Americans have purchased have anywhere from 55%-71% imported content across an array of categories, while food and beverage sit lower at 22%. UBS also assumes a deceleration trajectory for Amazon Web Services growth in 2025 below consensus, and that the level of capital intensity across both the e-commerce and AWS remains unchanged. Oppenheimer also lowered the firm's price target on to $220 from $260, while keeping an Outperform rating on the shares. Ahead of reporting Q1 results on Thursday, the firm is reducing its Amazon estimates to incorporate uncertainty around tariffs. Investors are highly uncertain as to the tariff impact on e-commerce, but Oppenheimer expects a greater impact on margins vs. revenue, to protect market share and customer experience. TARIFFS: Amazon is seeking major supplier discounts and setting tough terms to protect margins amid U.S. tariffs, following its playbook from President Donald Trump's first term, The Financial Times' Rafe Uddin reported. According to three vendor consultants who negotiate on behalf of multiple brands and suppliers, Amazon is seeking low double-digit price cuts from the sellers of goods ranging from homeware to consumer electronics. Amazon said: 'We're working with our broad, varied range of valued selling partners in our store to support them in adapting to the developing environment while maintaining low prices for customers.' SENTIMENT: Check out recent Media Buzz Sentiment on Amazon as measured by TipRanks. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See the top stocks recommended by analysts >> Read More on UBER: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Looking for Exposure to ABNB Stock Ahead of Q1 Earnings? Try These Two ETFs Hertz (HTZ) Looks to Raise Cash amid $6B Debt Load and Ongoing Bankruptcy Battle Volkswagen, Uber launch partnership to deploy ID. Buzz AD vehicles on platform Lyft to begin dispatching taxis to cut down on wait times, Bloomberg says Wall St. Analysts Stunned by Bill Ackman's Daring Leap to Revive Hertz Stock (HTZ) Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
16-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Amazon Could Be the Future Owner of TikTok. Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold AMZN Stock Now?
Amazon (AMZN) has spent years flirting with social media, acquiring Twitch for live streaming and Goodreads for book reviews while experimenting with short-form video through its now-defunct Inspire feature. Now, Amazon is making its boldest play yet, placing a last-minute bid for TikTok as the platform faces a U.S. ban unless Chinese parent company ByteDance secures an approved buyer. With TikTok's massive user base and influence, Amazon sees an opportunity to expand its advertising dominance and engage younger audiences. But the competition is fierce. Software company Oracle (ORCL), investment firm Blackstone (BX), and multiple billionaire-backed consortiums are also circling while regulatory hurdles loom large. The deal could supercharge Amazon's ambitions or entangle it in geopolitical and antitrust challenges. With the deadline just weeks away after President Donald Trump granted TikTok a 75-day extension early in April, is this a rare window for investors to snag Amazon's shares while they're still 26% off their YTD peak – or is it better to sit tight or step back? About Amazon Stock Amazon (AMZN) is a global tech powerhouse. Dominating U.S. e-commerce, its ventures span cloud computing, entertainment, and smart devices. With initiatives in artificial intelligence, logistics, and healthcare, Amazon continually redefines the digital landscape. Amazon, with a $1.9 trillion market cap, built its empire brick by digital brick, soaring 763% over the past decade. But 2025 hasn't been kind. This Magnificent Seven stock has tumbled 18% YTD. Amazon Tops Q4 Earnings Forecasts On Feb. 6, Amazon reported its Q4 earnings results, closing out 2024 with serious momentum. Revenue climbed 10% year-over-year to $187.8 billion, while adjusted EPS nearly doubled to $1.86. The surge came from tight operational execution and better margins across the board. AWS grew 19% annually to $28.8 billion. Free cash flow rocketed to $38.2 billion in 2024, giving Amazon room to bet big on AI and future takeovers. Sitting on nearly $79 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of Dec. 31, 2024, it's locked, loaded, and ready for whatever comes next. Plus, Amazon's logistics revamp is paying off. A shift to regional fulfillment is slashing costs and speeding up delivery, fortifying its grip on retail dominance. Still, the shine dimmed post-earnings. Shares slid 4.1% on Feb. 7, spooked by slowing cloud computing momentum concerns and a soft Q1 outlook, dampened by currency headwinds and the missing Leap Year day. Management projects Q1 revenue between $151 billion and $155.5 billion, factoring in a $2.1 billion forex hit. Operating income is expected to land between $14 billion and $18 billion. Amazon's 'Eleventh-Hour' TikTok Bid Raises Stakes Amazon's surprise bid for TikTok came just days before the initial April 5 deadline, with ByteDance required to sell to a U.S.-approved buyer or face a ban on national security grounds. Amazon submitted an offer and sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, signaling its late interest. The bid coincided with President Donald Trump's meeting with officials to discuss potential buyers. Competition is fierce. AI startup Perplexity pitched a TikTok merger in January, claiming it could rebuild the algorithm independently and host it in U.S.-controlled data centers to avoid monopoly risks. Oracle is leading a bid to buy out TikTok's Chinese investors. Blackstone is also considering a stake. With 170 million U.S. users at stake, Amazon sees TikTok as a strategic asset for expanding its digital advertising business. However, regulatory scrutiny and antitrust concerns could complicate the deal. If Amazon succeeds, it could reshape its media and ad business, but a missed deal might look like a very public failure. With big players circling, the spotlight is squarely on whether Amazon's late push will pay off or fall flat. What Do Analysts Expect for Amazon Stock? After Amazon's takeover bid, Citi sees Amazon's move as stellar. The bank held its $270 price target and a 'Buy' rating on AMZN stock. With TikTok Shop hitting $9 billion gross merchandise volume (GMV) in the U.S. last year and having an impressive U.S. user base, the synergies are electric. Despite whispers that Amazon's offer isn't being taken seriously, if the company manages to pull it off, it could be Amazon's next great growth lever. AMZN has a consensus 'Strong Buy' rating overall. Of the 53 analysts in coverage, 48 recommend a 'Strong Buy,' four suggest a 'Moderate Buy,' and the remaining one gives a 'Hold.' The mean price target of $260.87 suggests upside potential of 45% from the current price levels.
