Latest news with #Leber
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Can This Beaten-Down Stock Bounce Back?
Key Points Editas Medicine's shares are up in 2025, but the stock has lagged the market in recent years. The struggling biotech decided to shift its strategy after encountering some clinical setbacks. Still, it is miles away from regulatory approval for any product, so the stock looks far too risky. 10 stocks we like better than Editas Medicine › Editas Medicine (NASDAQ: EDIT), a small-cap biotech company, is up by 81% since January. But zooming out gives us a completely different picture. The gene-editing specialist has significantly lagged the market over the past year -- and since the turn of the decade, for that matter; it's down more than 90% since 2020. Its upward trend in 2025 may attract investors who might see even more potential upside for a stock whose shares still trade below $3 apiece. Before you get on the bandwagon, though, it's essential to figure out whether Editas can maintain this momentum over the long run. What's going on with Editas? Editas encountered several clinical setbacks over the past few years. The company failed to find a partner to help it develop reni-cel, an investigational therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD), a rare blood disorder. Although data from a clinical trial for reni-cel were encouraging, Editas apparently thought pursuing this opportunity without a partner was not feasible. It reached the same conclusion with EDIT-101, a gene-editing therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis type 10, an eye disorder. Editas has now shifted its strategy to focus exclusively on in vivo gene-editing medicines. Why is this significant? Administering in vivo gene-editing therapies involves introducing a therapeutic agent into patients. In contrast, ex vivo medicines like reni-cel are far more complex. They require harvesting cells from patients to manufacture the medicine specifically for each person, and then administering it. Editas now boasts several investigational in vivo gene-editing therapies in its pipeline, including some for SCD and beta-thalassemia (another rare blood disease), along with some oncology products it's developing with the help of pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb. In December, announcing that it was switching to in vivo therapies, Editas said it intended to achieve human proof of concept for some of these candidates in two years -- so by the end of 2026. These candidates are still in the very early stages of development, and Editas initiated cost-cutting measures to extend its cash runway. The help of a larger company with deeper pockets won't hurt, either. Not worth the trouble Editas Medicine could see its shares soar even more if it achieves its goal of human proof of concept within two years. If by some chance the biotech goes on to post consistent clinical and regulatory wins, the upside could be enormous. But how likely is that? First, even the company's goal for the next two years (or so) isn't guaranteed. And given that there isn't much else going on with Editas, if it fails, its shares will plummet. Second, even if it succeeds at human proof of concept, Editas will still have a lot of work to do before it can dream of earning regulatory approval for its candidate. Any biotech company with only early-stage pipeline programs is risky, even if it has the help of a larger company. However, Editas Medicine's recent history makes it even more so. The company has already changed its strategy at least twice because of clinical failures. After being forced to abandon the development of EDIT-101, Editas shifted its focus to targeting blood disorders and gave up the development of medicines for eye-related diseases. After its leading ex vivo candidate for those blood diseases failed, it shifted its strategy again, this time deciding to focus solely on in vivo therapies. None of that means the company's new plan won't work, but successive failures certainly don't inspire confidence. Here's the bottom line: Editas Medicine would be an incredibly risky stock even without its prior failures. When taking those into account, it becomes even more challenging to make a decent case for the company performing well over the long run. So it's best not to invest in the stock right now, and not even in the next two years. If Editas achieves human proof of concept as per its stated goal over this period, it might be worth revisiting the question. Should you invest $1,000 in Editas Medicine right now? Before you buy stock in Editas Medicine, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Editas Medicine wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $653,427!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,119,863!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,060% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 11, 2025 Prosper Junior Bakiny has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bristol Myers Squibb. The Motley Fool recommends Editas Medicine. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Can This Beaten-Down Stock Bounce Back? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Intuit launches e-invoicing solution via QuickBooks platform
KUALA LUMPUR: Global financial technology firm Intuit Inc has launched a new e-invoicing solution in Malaysia via its QuickBooks platform to help businesses comply with government regulations and enhance operational efficiency. Launched on June 12, the solution is designed to support businesses in meeting the government's e-invoicing requirements while reducing the complexity, cost and risks associated with manual processes. Intuit vice-president for Asia Pacific Lars Leber said the initiative aligns with the government's broader digital economy agenda, especially as Malaysia prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship. "Our e-invoicing solution not only helps Malaysian businesses meet compliance requirements, it also contributes to the broader goal of improving tax transparency and digital efficiency," he said in a statement today. He said automation would help businesses minimise errors, improve cash flow visibility, and shorten payment turnaround times. "We're helping businesses operate more efficiently while ensuring data accuracy for regulators. It's a win-win that strengthens the overall business ecosystem," he added. Leber said Intuit remained committed to supporting Malaysia's growth, with the e-invoicing tool marking the first of many planned innovations. "We're invested in driving the success of our customers in Malaysia, and e-invoicing is just the beginning. More innovation is on the way as we continue to strengthen our position as an AI leader, building a platform where everything is in one place to run and grow your business, from lead to cash, with a virtual team of AI-enabled agents and human experts." The solution enables users to generate and send invoices with just a few clicks, track payment statuses in real time, and connect directly with the Inland Revenue Board (IRB). It also offers full transparency throughout the invoicing process and reduces the risk of business disruptions, revenue loss, or supply chain issues associated with non-compliance. With rising demand for digitalisation across Southeast Asia, Intuit said its tools are designed to help businesses keep pace with evolving regulations while remaining competitive in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
S.C. senator attempt to stop state lawmaker pay increase
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – A legal battle is underway over state lawmakers giving themselves more money. One senator said the way it was done is unconstitutional, but the lawmaker who pushed for the increase the state's new budget, lawmakers voted to more than double their in-district compensation, increasing it from around $1,000 a month to $2,500 a month. The move was led by Republican Senator Matt Leber (R – Charleston), who said it's not a pay raise but a reimbursement to help public servants cover travel and district costs. Leber sponsored a bill that had the same language and said he will try to pass the bill in January. He said lawmakers have not gotten a raise in in-district expense since 1994, and they need to adjust for inflation. Therefore, he said it's not a salary raise. 'If we don't make this at least affordable for the everyday person to run for office, then we're not going to get the everyday person to run for office,' Leber said. 'It's just going to be elites up there running everything, and they love this argument. ' Not everyone agrees on the decision. '$1,000 a month arrives in legislators bank accounts via direct deposit. There are no receipts required to submit for reimbursement. It's just $1,000 deposit into the account. Legislators are free to expend those funds however they deem appropriate,' said Senator Wes Climer (R – York). The increase was passed as an amendment to the budget and Climer said it wasn't the right way to do it. 'Regardless of how you feel about a legislative pay raise, this is the wrong way to do it. Violate the principle that the legislature cannot take the people's money and appropriate it to themselves in real time,' Climer added.'The proviso method is there for us to use more difficult for the current crop of legislators to continue to work. I felt like it was right to go for it now. ' Climer is now suing the State Treasurer's Office, and said the South Carolina Constitution bans lawmakers from increasing their own compensation before an election. He and retired Senator, Dick Harpootlian, have asked the South Carolina Supreme Court to step in, arguing the vote violates the state constitution. 'We are standing here and have filed the suit in order to protect or to defend the constitutional safeguards against the general assembly,' Climer added. Governor Henry McMaster chimed in on the issue last week. 'They are the ones that are trying to pay those expenses. In good faith, if they use that money for the in-district expenses as they're supposed to, then if that amount is legitimate, then that's a proper law,' McMaster said. The South Carolina Supreme Court has issued a scheduling order requiring the state to respond to the injunction request by next Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A pay raise for state lawmakers? Johns Island Republican defends the proposal
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – A Republican senator from Johns Island defended his support Thursday for a budget amendment that could give state legislators their first pay raise in decades. State senators voted 24-15 on Wednesday to raise lawmakers' monthly stipend for in-district expenses from $1,000 to $2,500. That money is allocated to lawmakers on top of their $10,400 annual salary and per diems for expenses like travel to Columbia, lodging, and food. Proponents argue the bump is needed to help align compensation, which has stayed the same since the mid-1990s, with inflation. 'This is one pay item we brought inline with inflation,' Sen. Matt Leber wrote in an April 24 Facebook post. 'With 3 children and a wife, I must justify continuing to take the opportunity cost if I'm going to continue serving.' Leber, who operates a home rental business with his wife, said his personal savings have dwindled by about one-third since he took office in 2023. 'My personal business has nearly collapsed since going into office,' Leber wrote. 'I haven't flipped a house in 3 years.' The first-term senator noted that more than half of his annual salary pays for his apartment in Columbia, where he spends most of the week, and he's recently needed to up personal security because of 'the positions [he] takes.' 'It's becoming evident that only the independently wealthy will soon be in these positions making all the policy for South Carolina,' Leber wrote. 'I for one would like to have more blue-collar colleagues.' Governor McMaster endorses effort to slash boat property taxes Others, however, suggested the proposal is just a way for legislators to enrich themselves at the expense of South Carolina taxpayers. 'SC gov't does not care about you,' one user wrote on X. 'They are only interested in lining their pockets any way possible.' Sen. Tom Fernandez, a Goose Creek Republican, was among senators who opposed the increase, a move he believes sends the 'wrong message while families across our state are still struggling with inflation and the cost of living.' 'Leadership should come with sacrifice, not self-reward,' he wrote in an April 23 Facebook post explaining his budget vote. South Carolina lawmakers are among the lowest paid in the nation, according to an analysis by the National Conference of State Legislators. Republican House leadership said they were not aware of the Senate plan and needed to discuss it with their colleagues before speaking publicly. A small conference committee of senators and House members will have to agree in about a month to keep it in the spending plan. The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SC one of 20 states to consider eliminating income taxes on tips
South Carolina is one of 20 states seeking to eliminate state income tax collected on tips earned by the state's service workers. (Stock photo by Phillip Rubino via Getty Images) COLUMBIA — South Carolina legislators are seeking to eliminate state income taxes that waiters, bartenders and other hospitality workers collect through tips. With bills filed in both the House and the Senate, South Carolina is one of 20 states considering such legislation following campaign promises made by both parties' presidential nominees ahead of the November election. 'This bill is simply stolen from Donald Trump's agenda,' Sen. Matt Leber, the Senate bill's lead sponsor, explained to members of a Senate budget subcommittee Tuesday. The Johns Island Republican went on to say the legislation is 'wildly popular' in his Charleston-area district, where a large number of tipped hospitality employees make their living serving tourists. The legislation is not industry specific and would apply to any kind of tipped worker, from hair dressers to golf caddies. The concept has been popular with politicians and voters across the political spectrum. At a rally in Las Vegas in January, Trump credited his campaign promise to end taxes on tips with his winning the swing state of Nevada in November. 'I'm a Republican, and I've never met a tax cut I don't like,' Leber said. But at the federal level, it has given national economists pause. Researchers at the Brookings Institution argue these types of proposals would do little to help low-wage earners who pay very little in federal income taxes to begin with. Plus, only about 5% of the country's lowest wage workers earn tips, according to the nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, D.C. Researchers also say it could drop workers' income so low as to make them ineligible for federal tax credits offered to low-wage earners and parents. No one testified either for or against the bill at Tuesday's hearing, but some senators raised concerns about how the system might be abused. Sen. Tom Corbin gave the hypothetical example of a self-employed business owner who makes a deal to get paid for a job mostly through tips so as to circumvent paying taxes on a larger portion of their income. 'I'm all about reducing taxes, but I was just curious about how people might take advantage of it,' said the Travelers Rest Republican. 'I'm always tasked with thinking about the odd outlier.' Ultimately, the subcommittee did not take a vote. Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, instead suggested the group come back at a later date with amendments to possibly limit which industries and workers may qualify, as well as penalties for anyone caught using the measure to evade taxes. Identical 'no tax on tips' legislation was introduced in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate in January but hasn't gotten any traction yet. Leber told the SC Daily Gazette he supports pursuing it at the state level without waiting for changes to the federal tax code, because he is not confident Congress can get it done in a timely manner. Trump continues to say ending federal taxes on tips is a priority of his administration, but he can't do that by executive order. It will take congressional approval.
