Latest news with #Nike
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Japan cracks down on ‘sparkly' names for babies like Pikachu or Nike
If you go to Japan, there's a chance you might meet someone with an unusual name – such as 'Nike,' 'Pikachu' or 'Pudding.' While still a minority, these names have grown in popularity over recent decades as parents reject traditional Japanese names for something more unique. But the practice has also drawn criticism – mainly that it's confusing for hospitals, schools and authorities who don't know how to pronounce them. Now the government is cracking down on these so-called 'kirakira' names, which means sparkly or shiny. New rules came into effect on Monday that will limit parents from giving their babies names pronounced in unconventional ways. The news was met with mixed reactions; some social media users argued that kirakira names are an expression of individualism, that they're fairly harmless and don't warrant government regulation. 'They're not children of the nation, right? They're children of their parents,' one person wrote on X after the announcement. Many more, however, welcomed the change – lamenting that children with unusual names might face harassment, or at the very least complications in administrative tasks like registrations or banking. 'Why do certain people put kirakira names on their kids? It just causes those kids to be bullied,' one X user wrote. Another joked sarcastically: 'Please stop restricting kirakira names. Seeing a child's name reveals the intelligence of their parents, which is helpful.' Japan uses three writing systems – Kanji, which is based on Chinese characters, and two other phonetic systems. Names are typically written in Kanji, and this is where the trouble comes in. Because these Chinese characters were mixed with the existing Japanese language, each Kanji character can be pronounced multiple ways – some with ten or more ways. You decipher the 'right' pronunciation based on context clues and the other characters in a sentence or phrase. In kirakira names, which became more popular from the 1980s onward, parents often choose a name based on the phonetic sound – wanting their child's name to sound like 'Pikachu,' for instance – and pick similar-sounding Kanji characters. The problem is that those characters might not usually be pronounced that way – making it hard, or impossible, for a teacher or nurse to decipher how to properly say a child's name just by looking at its written Kanji form. Some have drawn parallels to how American parents have, increasingly in the past decade, chosen unusual spellings for common names – such as Ashleigh instead of Ashley, or Catelynn instead of Caitlin. The Japanese government's new rules aim to limit this by mandating that only widely accepted pronunciations of kanji characters will be allowed. Parents will need to include the phonetic readings of their baby names in the registry – and if local officials see that the phonetic sound of a name doesn't match how its characters are typically pronounced, they may reject the name or request additional paperwork. This is not the first time strict naming rules have sparked debate in Japan. Japan still legally requires married couples to share the same surname, unlike most other major economies that have done away with the tradition. Normally, wives take their husband's name, since same-sex marriages aren't legal in Japan. A movement to change the rules around surnames has been brewing, led by women's rights advocates and those trying to preserve the diversity of Japanese surnames in a nation where a handful of names are becoming increasingly common. First names have afforded more room for experimentation – at least, until the latest rules came in. More and more people have been given unusual names in the last 40 years, according to a 2022 study that analyzed baby names published in local newsletters over the last few decades. The trend suggests a shift toward seeking 'uniqueness and independence' in Japan, the study said – also seen in changes to other parts of Japanese life during that time like family structures and societal values. Girls in particular saw an increase in kirakira names, it added – perhaps suggesting that parents had a stronger 'hope for their daughters to become unique and independent than for their sons.' Japan isn't the only country that has seen an upward trend in unusual baby names. A 2016 study found that American parents picked more unusual names between 2004 and 2015, pointing to the culture's 'increasing individualism.' In China, too, rapid economic growth and upward mobility have meant people today value individualism and autonomy more than previous generations, according to a 2018 study – reflected in the steady rise of parents choosing unique characters in their babies' names. Like in Japan, the study found that Chinese girls were more likely to have unusual names than boys – perhaps reflecting different 'parental expectations.' But it's also common for countries to have rules in place for what names are acceptable. In the US, this is often state-by-state; names in California can only use the 26 alphabetical characters of the English language, which briefly posed a problem when Elon Musk and Grimes named their baby 'X Æ A-12.' They eventually changed the name – very slightly – to 'X Æ A-Xii.' In Germany, authorities may strike down a baby name if they find it offensive or potentially harmful to the child's best interests. For example, they've previously barred parents from using 'Borussia,' a reference to a soccer team, or 'Gastritis,' arguing that the names would 'jeopardize the welfare of the child,' according to the official Frankfurt city administration. Meanwhile New Zealand also maintains strict rules that include bans on references to titles, meaning names like 'King' and 'Prince' are routinely rejected. Soyon Nishioka contributed reporting.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tips sought after 18-year-old disappears near Columbia River
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities are searching for an 18-year-old who was last seen by friends at Vancouver Lake near the Columbia River on Friday. Franky Fred was wearing black Nike shoes, black pants, and a white hoodie 'with Hawaiian flowers' when he went missing, and some of his personal items were left at the beach near the Columbia River, according to police. Investigators describe Fred as a Pacific Islander male with black hair and brown eyes who stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. Anyone with information about Fred is encouraged to contact Vancouver police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Vietnam's AI ambitions hinge on one $8.8 billion tech company
HANOI – Four decades ago, Truong Gia Binh set up a technology company using a single computer in a room loaned by his then-father-in-law, General Vo Nguyen Giap, revered for leading Vietnamese troops in defeating the French and US militaries. That company, FPT Corp., is now Vietnam's biggest listed tech firm. It's central to the government's push to build a technology sector capable of competing with its regional rivals as it seeks to move the nation beyond assembling Nike shoes and Apple devices. FPT has already had some success. Globally, it lists 130 Fortune Global 500 companies, including Airbus, Halliburton and Ford Motor as clients. It's also partnered with Nvidia to build an AI data centre in Vietnam, another in Japan, and is expanding into semiconductor chip design. But there are significant challenges ahead as it seeks to compete with more established tech companies from the likes of India and Malaysia. FPT must also navigate a new era of tariffs initiated by US President Donald Trump. 'We work day and night,' Mr Binh said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. He's confident that, over the long term, the company can maintain an annual revenue growth rate of approximately 20 per cent. Developing a leading-edge technology sector is Vietnam's 'way out of being a low-cost economic hub,' said Lam Nguyen, managing director of IDC Indochina. The Communist government sees FPT as a corporate model to help the nation transition beyond its traditional manufacturing base to industries specialising in areas such as AI-related products. While not directly at risk from new US duties, FPT could experience 'indirect impacts because many of our global customers are affected by these tariffs,'' the company said in an emailed statement. FPT is cutting 30 per cent of costs without hurting its core business, DNSE Securities said on its website, citing FPT chief executive officer Nguyen Van Khoa at the company's April shareholders' meeting. It may also need to negotiate a closer relationship with the nation's watchful police. When asked about reports that the Ministry of Public Security, which has been tightening internet regulations in recent years, seeks to take a majority stake of the company's internet unit, FPT Telecom, the company said it has 'no additional information on this matter.'' Mr Binh holds nearly 7 per cent of FPT, followed by the government, which has a 5.71 per cent stake. 'Followed' Ho Chi Minh Mr Binh's life tracks the history of the winning North Vietnamese forces. In 1954, his family 'followed' revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi in the cause of independence, the FPT chairman said. The clan was so poor he wore clothes handed down from his sisters and watched as explosives from US bombers rained down on the city. 'My youth was about the lack of nearly everything,' said Mr Binh, 69, who met Ho Chi Minh twice. As a teenager, he was handpicked by the government to study in the former Soviet Union. Upon his return, he and 12 others founded the company, originally called Food Processing Technology at the suggestion of a government minister. It's now the seventh-largest publicly traded company in Vietnam, with a market capitalisation of US$6.8 billion (S$8.8 billion). FPT has more than 80,000 employees and operations in 30 countries. In 2024, the company recorded a 19 per cent jump in full-year revenue to 62.85 trillion dong (S$3.1 billion), aided by contributions from its FPT Software unit. From IT solutions for self-driving cars to industrial robots, FPT has diversified its product expertise in its quest for growth. In April, Sumitomo Corp. and SBI Holdings announced they were each acquiring a 20 per cent stake in a FPT unit to hasten AI adoption in Japan. The company, though, faces mounting challenges, from rising global competition to US tariffs. 'On your home turf, you are strong,' said Louis Nguyen, chief executive officer of Ho Chi Minh City-based private equity firm Saigon Asset Management, which previously owned shares in the company. 'When you compete in the global arena, you go against giants.' FPT Software gained a foothold in Japan in 2000 with a Nippon Telegraph & Telephone contract. FPT now has some 4,500 employees in Japan and expects that to rise to 5,000 this year, according to the company. FPT expects revenue from its Japan unit to jump to US$1 billion in 2027 from US$500 million in 2024. Domestically, the government looks to FPT in its quest to have three AI centres and at least 100 chip design companies by 2030 in the country, and a semiconductor industry with annual revenue of more than US$100 billion by 2050. 'It's a national hero,' said Vinnie Lauria, Ho Chi Minh City-based co-founder of Golden Gate Ventures. To that end, FPT – whose co-founders initially trained themselves with tech manuals purchased from Hong Kong during the US embargo of Vietnam – says it has trained thousands of technologists at its five universities nationwide. And it has set up 16 elementary to high school campuses where children as young as first grade begin learning programming languages. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nike (NKE) Returns to Amazon to Rekindle Old Fortunes
Nike Inc. (NKE), one of the world's leading footwear brands, has reported year-over-year sales declines for four consecutive quarters, prompting concerns about its long-term growth sustainability. In response, the company announced a two-pronged strategy on May 22: resuming direct sales through Amazon and implementing targeted price increases to enhance profit margins. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter While these initiatives may provide near-term support, I maintain a bearish outlook on Nike's stock, as I believe the current valuation does not fully reflect the key risks the company continues to face. Although I am bearish on Nike, I believe the decision to sell directly on Amazon in the U.S. will help the footwear giant's sales in the short term. A survey conducted by AlixPartners and Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America in 2024 found that more than a third of consumers start their footwear search on Amazon. Nike's return to Amazon is likely to be completed before the end of this month. In line with the partnership terms, Amazon has notified third-party sellers that they will not be allowed to sell certain Nike products, starting on July 19. Over the past five years, many of Nike's direct competitors have maintained a strong presence on Amazon, while Nike's absence from the platform has contributed to market share losses. Looking ahead, Nike's renewed partnership with Amazon should improve its competitive positioning. Selling directly on Amazon also allows Nike greater control over its brand presentation, mitigating the negative impact of third-party sellers who have shaped the brand's image on the platform, often to its detriment. Moreover, leveraging Amazon's extensive U.S. reach—estimated at approximately 230 million active users—could help Nike strengthen its market presence and build a more resilient business profile. That said, investors should be mindful of potential risks associated with this strategy. Chief among them is margin pressure, as Amazon's seller fees could weigh on Nike's profitability. There is also a risk of channel cannibalization; a stronger presence on Amazon could divert traffic away from Nike's e-commerce platform. If that occurs, Nike may lose valuable direct-to-consumer data, which could hinder the effectiveness of its marketing and customer engagement efforts over the long term. As part of its strategy to reignite growth, Nike plans to implement selective price increases across certain product categories. According to multiple media sources, footwear priced above $150 will see a $10 increase, while those in the $100–$150 range will rise by $5. Adult apparel is also expected to see price adjustments ranging from $2 to $10, depending on the retail price. Notably, Nike will exempt several key categories from these hikes, including Air Force 1 sneakers, children's footwear, Michael Jordan-branded apparel, and all items priced under $100. This approach indicates that Nike strategically targets product segments with relatively low price elasticity, where stable sales volumes are likely to sustain revenue growth despite higher prices. The planned price increases appear justified in light of anticipated import cost pressures stemming from new tariffs. The degree to which these hikes will bolster gross margins depends largely on the company's ability to maintain stable sales volumes and the overall economic impact of the tariffs. Nike's gross margins have faced downward pressure in recent years, falling to 41.5% in Q3 FY2025 from 46% in FY2022. Key factors contributing to this decline include increased inventory write-downs, higher discounting to attract customers to Nike's direct-to-consumer channels, such as its website, and rising input costs. In theory, Nike's targeted price increases could enhance gross margins, provided sales volumes remain stable or decline only slightly. However, the implementation of new tariffs presents significant challenges to this strategy. According to UBS estimates, proposed tariffs on imports from Vietnam, which account for nearly half of Nike's footwear production, would necessitate substantially larger price hikes for the company to preserve its gross margin levels. Conversely, Morningstar analysts suggest that raising prices by more than 10% could severely impact sales volumes, making such increases difficult to sustain without compromising demand. On Wall Street, NKE stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 14 Buy, 15 Hold, and zero Sell ratings over the past three months. NKE's average stock price target of $76.75 implies approximately 28% upside potential over the next twelve months. Notably, several analysts who have recently expressed caution on Nike's stock appear encouraged by the company's decision to re-enter the Amazon marketplace. For example, Morgan Stanley analyst Alexandra Straton highlighted that direct sales on Amazon represent a clear positive, potentially adding $300 million to $500 million in incremental annual revenue. Similarly, HSBC analyst Erwan Rambourg views Nike's return to Amazon as a favorable catalyst, though he expressed concerns regarding the company's innovation pipeline. Analysts Sam Poser of Williams Trading and Brian Nagel of Oppenheimer also support this strategic move. While Nike's return to Amazon is a positive development, I remain cautious on the stock due to its elevated valuation, with a forward P/E exceeding 28. Although the company's five-year average forward P/E is around 31, this period included above-average growth, such as the 19% year-over-year revenue increase in Fiscal 2021, driven by post-pandemic recovery. Given the recent decline in revenue, I anticipate a potential valuation re-rating in the near term. Nike's decision to resume direct sales on Amazon in the U.S. is a strategic move likely to enhance short-term revenue. However, planned price increases may not translate into margin expansion, as the company faces rising import tariffs alongside the risk of reduced sales volumes. Given its current elevated valuation, Nike offers a limited margin of safety for investors. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Nike (NKE) Dipped More Than Broader Market Today
Nike (NKE) closed the latest trading day at $61.78, indicating a -1.67% change from the previous session's end. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.56%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.58%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.51%. Heading into today, shares of the athletic apparel maker had gained 9.19% over the past month, lagging the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 10.54% and outpacing the S&P 500's gain of 7.37% in that time. Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Nike in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.11, down 89.11% from the prior-year quarter. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $10.67 billion, indicating a 15.35% downward movement from the same quarter last year. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $2.15 per share and a revenue of $45.88 billion, demonstrating changes of -45.57% and -10.67%, respectively, from the preceding year. It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Nike. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the company's business and profitability. Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system. The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.37% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Nike is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. In the context of valuation, Nike is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 29.18. This denotes a premium relative to the industry's average Forward P/E of 16.61. It's also important to note that NKE currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.95. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. NKE's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.16 as of yesterday's close. The Shoes and Retail Apparel industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 182, placing it within the bottom 27% of over 250 industries. The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1. Be sure to use to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions. 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 NIKE, Inc. (NKE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research 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
