Latest news with #MattSmith
Metro
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Doctor Who icon favourite to play Lucius in controversial Harry Potter show
The Muggle world has been set alight with rumours and fan favourite picks for who could play who in the upcoming TV adaptation of Harry Potter. HBO has already selected three young actors from the sorting hat to play Harry, Hermione and Ron, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout now on the precipice of international fame. They will be joined in the wizarding world by John Lithgow as headmaster Albus Dumbledore, I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Hagrid. The casting news has been met with a mixed reception, given how contentious JK Rowling has become in recent years amid her anti-trans views. A number of actors have ruled themselves out entirely. There are still several key players from Hogwarts who have yet to be cast – with the cruel Lucius Malfoy among them. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The current favourite to sport the straightened blonde wig and do terrible things to Dobby is none other than the Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith. Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook shares her take… It's obvious where the thought behind this came from. Take one look at Matt Smith in House of the Dragon and you'll think 'Now who does this hair remind me of…?' Between that and his fiery yellow mohawk in Darren Aronofsky's new film, Smith has proven he's willing to put the hair transformation work in to get the results on screen. But would he be any good as the Death Eater? His wolfish part in House of the Dragon would suggest he could – but it's hard to argue with some of the other (perhaps better) names in play here. Tom Felton would be a wink and a nod to the original films (if he would want to return) while a gender flipped Lucius with Streep would provide a fresh dimension to the Draco relationship. Although, given that the Thrones spin-off is another HBO title, casting Smith would certainly save the props department a wig-sourcing job. The 42-year-old is currently top of a bookmaker's list of favourites to take on the character from Jason Isaacs' portrayal in the films, sitting with 6/4 odds. However, he's closely followed by Potter alum Tom Felton, who played Lucius's similarly peroxide blonde son Draco, and has 13/8 odds to reprise a Malfoy role in the TV show, according to Unlike his co-stars from the original films, Felton has not completely disavowed JK Rowling over her anti-trans views. Instead, he acknowledged the author was responsible for the franchise while also saying he is 'pro-human rights across the board' in an interview with The Independent. The next person in the list might have something of an edge, because not only do they have Isaacs' approval, but several Oscars on at home to boot. Isaacs said the Death Eater should be played by Meryl Streep, telling Variety: 'She can do anything, that woman. There's literally no limit to what she can do.' Who would make the best Lucius Malfoy? Plus, we know Streep has a villainous role in her arsenal after her terrifying turn as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, with 2/1 odds for the role. More Trending Isaacs was also asked if he had any advice for whoever is next to take on the role and questioned whether he needs to bother offering pearls of wisdom. 'I know some of the people they're casting already,' he said. 'They're brilliant actors. It's going to be fantastic, and the last thing they need is advice from some old fart like me.' There's every possibility Lucius won't be cast anytime soon, as the character doesn't appear in the first film. Although given that the TV show plans to be a more detailed adaptation, Lucius might be bumped up a season. View More » The Harry Potter TV show will air in 2026. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I love Billie Piper but her return proves Doctor Who is doomed MORE: What Billie Piper said in the past about Doctor Who being a woman MORE: Is Billie Piper the 16th Doctor? Everything we know about her Doctor Who return
Business Journals
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
Is a long-term hedge fund strategy possible in this market?
There has never been so much brinkmanship from a U.S. administration in modern times. The first month of executive orders has produced a cyclone of speculation and a great deal of action and reaction. The U.S. recently enacted tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Within one day, the first two were paused. Such moves have injected a great deal of volatility into markets. Conflicting business policies continue to add to the uncertainty and volatility. How can hedge fund managers hold to a medium- to long-term strategy in a world where so much is uncertain? In this article, we look at how fund managers have been preparing and will continue to respond by lowering their beta exposure. The current state of hedge fund activity Hedge funds began the year divesting from equities. This culminated in a selloff the Friday before the new tariffs where hedge funds 'sold nine of 11 sectors in the S&P,' reported Bloomberg. The most-sold groups included: Consumer discretionary Industrials Financials Energy Communication services Information technology Meanwhile, retail investors bet the opposite. As fund managers sold stocks, retail investors poured $2.1 billion into equities. The market dropped upon news of the tariffs, though less than expected. Futures fell — the Nasdaq composite, 2.35%, and the S&P, 1.7%. It is clear everyone is reading the room differently and holds a wide variety of views on the long-term health of the U.S. economy. On the one hand, JP Morgan Chase announced that it expected tariffs to lower U.S. growth by 0.5%-1% and raise inflation by that same amount. On the other, a Feb. 3 Gallup poll found consumers buoyant. Sixty-one percent expect stocks to rise in value, the most since Gallup began including that question in 2001. Yet, is it worth asking how useful projections, even when given sweeping tariffs, can be paused the next day? What is the long-term effect of those partnerships? Reuters asked fund managers why they were not more aggressive in the administration's first few weeks. Several said they were hesitant to 'get sucked in,' which appears to be trumping the fear of missing out. Many are hedging and investing in bonds and treasuries. "Either inflation comes down and you get hit on margins, or it doesn't, and the Fed hits you because it doesn't cut (rates)," Matt Smith, investment director at Ruffer LLP told Reuters. "We are at our lowest equity weight." Hedge funds have been readying for this market Hedge funds prepared for this presidency with their highest borrowing levels since 2010. They expect the dollar to continue to rise and protectionist policies to have some upsides for the U.S. economy. They also expect to benefit from the Trump administration's promise to maintain lower taxes — notably, corporate taxes and the capital gains tax, via extension of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) – though the administration's proposal on taxing of carried interest is not a favorable one for fund managers. Hedge funds are adjusting their strategies in four ways: Reducing their beta exposure As they say, predictions are difficult, especially about the future. Right now, it feels even more fraught. As tariffs and the president's 60+ executive orders (and counting) show, we can likely expect many quick policy decisions and reversals without warning. In response, Reuters reports that hedge fund managers are reducing the portion of their portfolio dedicated to beta investments to between 15%-5%, down from an average of 20%. Managers want less exposure to technology stocks Tariffs aside, stock market routs like the one that followed news of China's AI DeepSeek have managers on edge. As DeepSeek panic spread, the chipmaker Nvidia shed $600 billion in market cap. Since the industry has shifted to AI models, fortunes seem to rise and fall faster. Managers want less exposure to emerging markets The administration's protectionist policies seem certain to favor the dollar at the expense of our trading partners. They also favor reshoring operations. This makes it difficult to gauge the long-term value of foreign investments, even if they may be more attractive. Managers are bullish on alternative investments Fifty-six percent of hedge funds now have multiple managers and more capacity to shift into alternative investment strategies. For example, real estate and healthcare – from our conversations, hedge fund managers feel all the protectionist policies and declining trade make real estate and healthcare better investments. Consider the implications of new investment strategies As hedge funds shift their investing strategies, there may be a learning curve for firms entering new territory. Managers newly entering commercial real estate will find that the standard capital stack has changed over the past few years, and mezzanine debt is preferred over equity. There also may be new tax consequences to consider. For example, municipal bonds are taxed federally unless they are tax-free, in which case they are probably still subject to state and local taxation. Citrin Cooperman's hedge fund professionals are here to support you each step of the way. If you would like to discuss your allocation strategy and the accounting and tax implications of those holdings, please contact Alexander Reyes, partner and financial services industry practice leader, at areyes@ or James Catalano, partner, at jcatalano@ Citrin Cooperman is one of the nation's largest professional services firms. Since 1979, we've steadily built our business by helping middle market companies and high net worth individuals find practical, actionable solutions to help them meet their short-term needs and long-term objectives. Our clients span a diverse array of industry and business sectors and find sustainable growth through utilizing our menu of comprehensive personal and professional services. Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC, which provides business advisory and non-attest services, operate as an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. For more information, please visit "Citrin Cooperman" is the brand under which Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, a licensed independent CPA firm, and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC serve clients' business needs. The two firms operate as separate legal entities in an alternative practice structure. The entities of Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC are independent member firms of the Moore North America, Inc. (MNA) Association, which is itself a regional member of Moore Global Network Limited (MGNL). All the firms associated with MNA are independently owned and managed entities. Their membership in, or association with, MNA should not be construed as constituting or implying any partnership between them.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Oil finishes down on possible OPEC+ output hike
Shafaq News/ US crude futures fell on Friday as traders expected OPEC+ would decide on Saturday to boost oil output for July beyond previous forecasts. Brent crude futures settled down 25 cents, or 0.39%, at $63.90 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude finished down 15 cents, or 0.25%, at $60.79 a barrel, having earlier dropped more than $1 a barrel. The Brent July futures contract is due to expire on Friday. The more liquid August contract was down 71 cents, or 1.12%, at $62.64 a barrel. At these levels, the front-month benchmark contracts were headed for weekly losses over 1%. Prices dipped into negative territory after Reuters reported that OPEC+may discussan increase in July output larger than the 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) rise that the group decided on for May and June. "What OPEC+ is planning doesn't look particularly supportive for the oil market," said Matt Smith, Kpler's lead analyst for the Americas. The potential OPEC+ output hike comes as the global surplus has widened to 2.2 million bpd, likely necessitating a price adjustment to prompt a supply-side response and restore balance, said JPMorgan analysts in a note, adding that they expected prices to remain within the current range before easing into the high $50s by year-end. Phil Flynn, a senior analyst with Price Futures Group, said an online post on Truth Social by US PresidentDonald Trumpthat seemed to threaten more changes in tariff levels for Chinese imports also put pressure on crude prices. "Trump's Truth Social message on China failing to observe a truce on tariffs also combined with the Reuters headline to push prices down," Flynn said. Trump's tariffs were expected to remain in effect after a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated them on Thursday, reversing a trade court's decision a day earlier to put animmediate blockon the sweeping duties. US energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for a fifth week in a row to the lowest since November 2021, energy services firm Baker Hughes(BKR.O), opens new tabsaid in its closely followed report on Friday. It was the first time since September 2023 that the number of rigs declined for five straight weeks. Baker Hughes said this week's decline put the total count down by 37 rigs, or 6%, from this time last year. Oil rigs fell by four to 461 this week, their lowest since November 2021, the company said. Gas rigs rose by one to 99.
Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Oil finishes down on possible OPEC+ output hike
[HOUSTON] US crude futures fell on Friday (May 30) as traders expected Opec+ would decide on Saturday to boost oil output for July beyond previous forecasts. Brent crude futures settled down 25 cents, or 0.39 per cent, at US$63.90 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude finished down 15 cents, or 0.25 per cent, at US$60.79 a barrel, having earlier dropped more than US$1 a barrel. The Brent July futures contract is due to expire on Friday. The more liquid August contract was down 71 cents, or 1.12 per cent, at US$62.64 a barrel. At these levels, the front-month benchmark contracts were headed for weekly losses over 1 per cent. Prices dipped into negative territory after Reuters reported that Opec+ may discuss an increase in July output larger than the 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) rise that the group decided on for May and June. 'What Opec+ is planning doesn't look particularly supportive for the oil market,' said Matt Smith, Kpler's lead analyst for the Americas. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The potential Opec+ output hike comes as the global surplus has widened to 2.2 million bpd, likely necessitating a price adjustment to prompt a supply-side response and restore balance, said JPMorgan analysts in a note, adding that they expected prices to remain within the current range before easing into the high US$50s by year-end. Phil Flynn, a senior analyst with Price Futures Group, said an online post on Truth Social by US President Donald Trump that seemed to threaten more changes in tariff levels for Chinese imports also put pressure on crude prices. 'Trump's Truth Social message on China failing to observe a truce on tariffs also combined with the Reuters headline to push prices down,' Flynn said. Trump's tariffs were expected to remain in effect after a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated them on Thursday, reversing a trade court's decision a day earlier to put an immediate block on the sweeping duties. US energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for a fifth week in a row to the lowest since November 2021, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in its closely followed report on Friday. It was the first time since September 2023 that the number of rigs declined for five straight weeks. Baker Hughes said this week's decline put the total count down by 37 rigs, or 6 per cent, from this time last year. Oil rigs fell by four to 461 this week, their lowest since November 2021, the company said. Gas rigs rose by one to 99. REUTERS
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill return to Doctor Who for docu-series
Doctor Who stars Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will return to look behind the scenes of the long-running science fiction show as part of a docu-series. They will celebrate 20 years since Doctor Who's Cardiff-based revival by taking part in a special episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed, a series that delves into the BBC show. Scottish actress Gillan and English actor Darvill portrayed Amy Pond and Rory Williams, who were the companions when The Crown and House Of The Dragon star Matt Smith was the 11th Doctor in the 2010s. Since leaving the show, Darvill has won an Olivier Award for his turn as Curly McLain in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and Gillan has been in the blockbuster franchises Guardians Of The Galaxy and Jumanji. She played Amy as a policewoman kissagram who met the Doctor when she was a small child, and remained on the show for two series alongside Birmingham-born Darvill as her panicky husband. The hour-long episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will also see other iterations of the Doctor past and present – including Ncuti Gatwa, who currently plays the 15th Doctor, David Tennant, who has been the 10th and 14th Doctor, and Jodie Whittaker, who played the 13th Doctor – discuss the series. Also appearing will be people who are and have portrayed companions such as Varada Sethu, who is in the current series with Gatwa, Billie Piper and Mandip Gill, along with current and former showrunners Steven Moffat, Chris Chibnall and Russell T Davies. Presenter Steffan Powell promises 'secrets' from the show by talking with former production designer Edward Thomas and costume designer Ray Holman, as well as unpacking what Wales has brought to the programme since it was revived in 2005. Since the time-travelling series was brought back two decades ago, after being on pause since the 1990s, Christopher Eccleston played the ninth Doctor for one season, before Tennant took on the role and continued for a spell with Piper playing his companion, Rose Tyler. Gatwa has played the Time Lord across two series since fellow Scottish actor Tennant bi-generated in 2023. His character is set to have a 'high-stakes showdown' in his latest season's finale The Reality War on Saturday. The episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will land on Saturday June 7 at 6am on BBC iPlayer, and will air on BBC One Wales and BBC Three later that day.
