Latest news with #NITE
Japan Times
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Times
Agency warns of fire risks from lithium-ion batteries
A Japanese independent administrative agency has warned consumers that products powered by lithium-ion batteries, such as portable chargers and handheld fans, are more liable to catch fire during summer. A survey by the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, or NITE, showed that the number of accidents involving such devices has been increasing in recent years, to 1,860 between 2020 and 2024. Fire accounted for 85% of them. Lithium-ion batteries are vulnerable to heat and impact, making them prone to accidents when temperatures rise. August marked the highest number of accidents, at 228 cases in the five-year period, followed by July, at 212, and June, at 201. By product, portable chargers logged the highest number, at 361 cases. There were 202 accidents involving power-assisted bicycles and 171 for rechargeable power tools. In July 2020, a man in his 50s in Hyogo Prefecture suffered minor burns when a handheld fan made a strange sound and caught fire while it was being charged. In August 2023, a man in his 40s in Kumamoto Prefecture saw his portable charger overheat and ignite after it was left in the driver's seat of his car for hours. If a battery expands or becomes unusually hot, users should immediately stop charging it or using the device powered by it, NITE said. It said that if a battery ignites, users should extinguish the fire with a large amount of water and notify fire authorities after submerging the device if possible. NITE said that the spread of cheap, copycat batteries with insufficient safeguards may be behind the increase in cases of spontaneous ignition. People should check sellers' contact information and any recall notices before buying devices, it said.
Japan Times
30-04-2025
- Science
- Japan Times
Technology institute warns of digital device accidents amid a series of fires
The National Institute of Technology and Evaluation is calling for caution over accidents involving digital devices, following a series of fires caused by foreign objects entering the USB-type charging connectors of digital devices such as laptops. The warning comes as some students interact with electronic devices for the first time under the "giga school" initiative of distributing information devices to every student, especially after a new academic year began this month. According to NITE, a boy sustained a burn in October 2020 when he picked up a tablet he had dropped in a train car. The device's internal battery is believed to have overheated due to the impact of the fall. In January 2023, a fire broke out at an elementary school in Kanagawa Prefecture apparently after a short circuit due to liquids such as juice entering the charging connector of a digital device. There has also been a case in which sparks flew out of a device after a connector was inserted and removed from a port at an angle. According to the education ministry, roughly 19,000 devices distributed under the GIGA school initiative were damaged or lost between April and July 2021. There were many repairs after devices were used in unexpected ways, such as repairs to deal with sand that had entered device connectors. A NITE official emphasized the importance of telling children to consult with adults around them if they notice anything unusual. "Even if it doesn't lead to something serious, it's still dangerous," the official said of accidents. "We hope digital devices will be handled carefully."
Globe and Mail
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Looking for Exposure to TSLA Stock? Try These Two ETFs
Tesla's (TSLA) growth prospects remain robust, driven by its strong position in the electric vehicle (EV) market and progress in autonomous driving technology. The company's focus on cost efficiency, such as reducing the cost of goods sold per vehicle, enhances its financial position. While a drop in deliveries remains a key concern, TSLA's efforts to expand presence in new markets like Saudi Arabia are impressive. Thus, to gain exposure to TSLA stock, investors may consider investing in these two ETFs: Nightview Fund (NITE) and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR). Don't Miss Our End of Quarter Offers: Discover the latest stocks recommended by top Wall Street analysts, all in one place with Analyst Top Stocks. Make smarter investments with weekly expert stock picks from the Smart Investor Newsletter. Let's take a deeper look at these two ETFs. Nightview Fund The NITE ETF is an actively managed fund aiming for long-term growth. It seeks to beat the S&P 500 Total Return Index over five years and invests in 15-25 undervalued U.S. stocks with strong growth potential. TSLA stock constitutes 19.1% of the ETF's holdings. Apart from TSLA, some of the top stocks in the NITE ETF are Alibaba (BABA), Goldman Sachs (GS), and Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM). Overall, the ETF has $22.18 million in AUM. Also, it has an expense ratio of 1.25%. The NITE ETF has returned 6.48% in the past year. Turning to Wall Street, the ETF has a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Of the 18 stocks held, 15 have Buys and three have a Hold rating. At $33.22, the average NITE ETF price target implies a 22.59% upside potential. Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF The VCR ETF tracks the performance of the MSCI U.S. Investable Market Consumer Discretionary 25/50 Index. This index includes stocks of large, medium, and small U.S. companies in the consumer discretionary sector, such as retail, entertainment, and automotive industries. Importantly, Tesla stock accounts for 13.67% of VCR's total holdings. Some of the top holdings in VCR ETF include Amazon (AMZN), McDonald's (MCD), and Home Depot (HD). Overall, the ETF has $5.57 billion in assets under management (AUM). Also, an expense ratio of 0.09% makes it cost-effective for long-term investors. Over the past year, the VCR ETF has generated a return of 8.9%. On TipRanks, VCR has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 191 Buys, 93 Holds, and 10 Sells assigned in the last three months. At $415.19, the average VCR ETF price target implies 23.65% upside potential. Concluding Thoughts ETFs provide indirect exposure to TSLA, reducing risk compared to investing directly in the stock. Furthermore, ETFs are a liquid and transparent way to participate in the market. Investors seeking ETF recommendations might consider NITE and VCR, as these ETFs offer exposure to Tesla stock.
