Latest news with #SAX
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, Turtles All the Way Down
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Turtles All the Way Down Constructor: Orca Jimmy Peniston Editor: Jared Goudsmit LEEKS (38A: Veggies worn on Saint David's Day) Saint David's Day is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales. It is observed on March 1, which is the date of Saint David's death in 589 BCE. Traditional Saint David's Day activities include wearing daffodils and LEEKS, two national symbols of Wales. ACTS (9A: "Into the Woods" has two) Into the Woods is a 1987 musical by Stephen Sondheim that intertwines the plots of several fairy tales. As the clue informs us, it has two ACTS. KNEE (15A: Joint bent in a Nordic hamstring curl) The Nordic hamstring curl is an exercise in which a person starts in a kneeling position (i.e. with KNEEs bent) and then slowly lowers their body forward by extending the KNEE. SHIP (16A: Captain Hook's vessel) We're talking about the fictional Captain Hook here, the antagonist in J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan. Captain Hook's vessel was the pirate SHIP the Jolly Roger. TEAMMATE (20A: Bronny, to LeBron James, e.g.) An astute solver might have guessed the answer here was "son" – until seeing the letter count of the answer. LeBron "Bronny" James is the son of LeBron James. Both LeBron and Bronny James currently play basketball for NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, making them TEAMMATEs. EGYPT (33A: Country where Sham el-Nessim is celebrated) Sham el-Nessim is a national holiday in EGYPT that marks the beginning of spring. The holiday's name translates to "smelling the breeze" in English, and appropriately, it's celebrated outside with picnics, music, and games. Sham El-Nessim is celebrated on the Monday after Coptic Easter (which occurs later than the Easter holiday in Western Christianity). SAX (44A: John Coltrane's instrument) John Coltrane (1926-1967) was a SAX player, bandleader, and composer. In 2007, John Coltrane was posthumously awarded a special Pulitzer Prize for his "masterful improvisation, supreme musicianship, and iconic centrality to the history of jazz." BERT (45A: Muppet with a pet pigeon) and ERNIE (62A: Muppet with a rubber duck) and ELMO (54D: Muppet with a pet named Dorothy) This is a lovely little Muppet sub-theme. I like the choice to write all three clues in the "Muppet with a..." format. By the way, BERT's pet pigeon is named Bernice, ERNIE's rubber duck is named Rubber Duckie, and ELMO's pet named Dorothy is a goldfish. CLICK BAIT (58A: "This One Weird Trick..." headline, e.g.) Resist the CLICK BAIT, no matter how interesting or intriguing it seems. REES (67A: "Mudbound" director Dee) Mudbound is a 2017 movie directed by Dee REES. It is based on Hillary Jordan's 2008 novel of the same name. The movie is a historical drama telling the story of two World War II veterans – one white, one Black – who return home to Mississippi after the war. UNDER THE SEA (6D: "The Little Mermaid" song that features steel drums) "UNDER THE SEA" is a calypso-style song sung by the crab Sebastian (voiced by Samuel E. Wright) in Disney's animated 1989 movie The Little Mermaid. The song is Sebastian's attempt to dissuade Ariel (the titular mermaid) from her plan to go after Prince Eric. I can hear those steel drums now... "UNDER THE SEA / UNDER THE SEA / Darling it's better / Down where it's wetter / Take it from me..." FRUIT NINJA (30D: Mobile game that involves slicing apples, mangoes, coconuts, etc.) FRUIT NINJA is a game in which a player uses their finger to slice fruit that appears on the screen. It's been quite some time since I've played FRUIT NINJA (but amazingly I have played it), but I recognized the description here immediately. TACOS (47D: Foods "al pastor") TACOS al pastor is made with pork that has been marinated with pineapple, dried chilies, and spices and then skewered on a spit and grilled. ONION (Cajun holy trinity veggie) In Cajun cuisine, which originated in Louisiana and was developed by CAJUNs (an ethnic group who are descendants of Acadian exiles), the "holy trinity" of aromatic vegetables – green pepper, ONION, and celery – is used in many recipes. BAR (59A: Mixologist's workplace) A mixologist, aka a bartender, mixes and serves alcoholic beverages at a BAR. PENALTY BOX (3D: Place for a punished hockey player) UNDER THE SEA (6D: "The Little Mermaid" song that features steel drums) FRUIT NINJA (30D: Mobile game that involves slicing apples, mangoes, coconuts, etc.) TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN: The last word of each vertical (DOWN) theme answer is a type of TURTLE: BOX TURTLE, SEA TURTLE, and NINJA TURTLE. TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN is an expression alluding to a mythical TURTLE that holds the Earth on its back, and suggests that this TURTLE rests on the back of another TURTLE, which rests on another TURTLE, etc. TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN is also the title of a young adult novel by John Green and the 2024 film adaptation of the novel. Today TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN is an appropriate title for this puzzle in which types of TURTLES are found DOWN in the theme answers. Thank you, Orca Jimmy, for this interesting puzzle. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crossword Blog & Answers for May 27, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ProCredit Holding AG (XTER:PCZ) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Loan Growth Amidst ...
Release Date: May 12, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. ProCredit Holding AG (XTER:PCZ) achieved the highest ever growth in loans and deposits in its history during the financial year 2024. The company reported a solid return on equity of 9.5% despite challenges from lower interest rates. Loan growth was strong at 2.5%, primarily driven by smaller volume segments such as micro, small, and private individuals. The company has been promoted to the German SAX index for small caps, enhancing its visibility in capital markets. ProCredit Holding AG (XTER:PCZ) is on track with its strategic growth and transformation strategy, with scaling effects expected to materialize soon. The Ecuadorian subsidiary continues to underperform, negatively impacting the group's consolidated results. Operating income decreased slightly due to a reduction in net interest income, affected by lower policy rates. The cost-to-income ratio remains high at 70.8%, with scale benefits yet to be realized. There is ongoing pressure on net interest margins due to high deposit rates in many markets. Macroeconomic uncertainty, including potential impacts from US tariffs, poses risks to future performance. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with XTER:PCZ. Q: You reported good growth in net fee and commission income, partly driven by FX transactions. Can you explain the drivers behind this growth and any limiting factors for future growth? A: The growth is mainly driven by volume effects, particularly from an increase in business clients. We have seen a slight slowdown in transaction business due to SEA rollout in some markets, leading to downward pricing of transaction fees. We are working to limit the impact of increased card transaction fees, which we don't expect to repeat this year. Unidentified_2 Q: What steps are you planning to take to increase your capital buffers in light of expected regulatory changes? A: Currently, we have a comfortable buffer above requirements, and there are no concrete measures being worked on. We have a toolkit of measures, including guarantee programs and synthetic securitization, which we can resort to if needed. We are also considering diversifying our capital structure with new instruments. Unidentified_2 Q: How is the traffic in your new branches and service points, and is it in line with expectations? A: We are satisfied with the traffic in our new service points, which are designed to attract private clients in urban areas. The new branches have opened us to new geographic areas, allowing shorter distances for business client management and attracting new clients. Unidentified_2 Q: What is your expectation for interest rate development in your countries of operation, and how does it affect your net interest margin? A: We expect further pressure on decreasing rates, particularly in the EUR area, but this should level out during the year. Not all markets are dependent on the ECB rate, and some have already started increasing rates again. Ukraine saw the biggest decrease in interest income due to earlier policy rate reductions. We are not planning to substantially lower deposit-to-loan ratios. Unidentified_1 Q: Can you provide an update on the situation in Ecuador and any new developments? A: The situation in Ecuador remains difficult, with continued weak performance of the bank. We are actively managing the situation and transforming the portfolio to be less impacted by cap lending rates imposed by the Ecuadorian central bank. There are no new developments beyond what was previously reported. Unidentified_1 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. 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
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Spotify's (SPOT) Ad Business Hit the Right Notes in 2025?
As Spotify (SPOT) doubles down on its advertising ambitions, the streaming giant has entered 2025 with a renewed focus on monetizing its vast user base beyond subscriptions. The big question remains: can Spotify's ad business finally hit the right notes in 2025? Here's what Main Street Data tells us about Spotify. Discover outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks. Filter, analyze, and streamline your search for investment opportunities using Tipranks' Stock Screener. According to Main Street Data, Spotify generated $556 million in ad-supported revenue in Q4 2024, reflecting a 7.2% year-over-year increase. Meanwhile, revenue from its premium segment surged 17% to $3.7 billion compared to the same period last year. On the user front, ad-supported users grew 12% year-over-year to 425 million, while premium subscribers rose 11% to reach 263 million. Although ad revenue has traditionally taken a back seat to Spotify's premium subscriptions, recent initiatives like expanding podcast collaborations and enhancing programmatic capabilities signal the company's growing focus on this segment's potential. Earlier this month, Spotify unveiled several updates to its advertising strategy, including the launch of Gen AI ads. One standout announcement was the introduction of the Spotify Ad Exchange (SAX), a new programmatic platform that enables advertisers to target logged-in users through real-time bidding. Additionally, the company announced new partnerships for SAX, including Google's (GOOGL) Display & Video 360, Magnite, and The Trade Desk (TTD). Meanwhile, SAX will support ads in audio, video, and display formats across music, with podcast inventory to follow. It will be launched in key markets, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, India, and Brazil. While Spotify's ad push signals long-term ambition, analysts are also weighing in on how these moves might impact the company's stock trajectory. According to TipRanks, Wall Street has a Moderate Buy consensus rating on SPOT stock, based on 18 Buys, 10 Holds, and Zero Sell recommendations. The average Spotify stock price target of $668.13 implies a 21% upside potential. Year-to-date, SPOT stock has gained 23.6%.Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue
Globe and Mail
11-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Can Spotify's (SPOT) Ad Business Hit the Right Notes in 2025?
As Spotify (SPOT) doubles down on its advertising ambitions, the streaming giant has entered 2025 with a renewed focus on monetizing its vast user base beyond subscriptions. The big question remains: can Spotify's ad business finally hit the right notes in 2025? Here's what Main Street Data tells us about Spotify. Stay Ahead of the Market: Discover outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks. Filter, analyze, and streamline your search for investment opportunities using Tipranks' Stock Screener. Spotify's Revenue & Subscriber Growth in Q4 According to Main Street Data, Spotify generated $556 million in ad-supported revenue in Q4 2024, reflecting a 7.2% year-over-year increase. Meanwhile, revenue from its premium segment surged 17% to $3.7 billion compared to the same period last year. On the user front, ad-supported users grew 12% year-over-year to 425 million, while premium subscribers rose 11% to reach 263 million. What Lies Ahead for Spotify's Ad Business? Although ad revenue has traditionally taken a back seat to Spotify's premium subscriptions, recent initiatives like expanding podcast collaborations and enhancing programmatic capabilities signal the company's growing focus on this segment's potential. Earlier this month, Spotify unveiled several updates to its advertising strategy, including the launch of Gen AI ads. One standout announcement was the introduction of the Spotify Ad Exchange (SAX), a new programmatic platform that enables advertisers to target logged-in users through real-time bidding. Additionally, the company announced new partnerships for SAX, including Google's (GOOGL) Display & Video 360, Magnite, and The Trade Desk (TTD). Meanwhile, SAX will support ads in audio, video, and display formats across music, with podcast inventory to follow. It will be launched in key markets, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, India, and Brazil. Is Spotify a Good Stock to Buy? While Spotify's ad push signals long-term ambition, analysts are also weighing in on how these moves might impact the company's stock trajectory. According to TipRanks, Wall Street has a Moderate Buy consensus rating on SPOT stock, based on 18 Buys, 10 Holds, and Zero Sell recommendations. The average Spotify stock price target of $668.13 implies a 21% upside potential. Year-to-date, SPOT stock has gained 23.6%.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spotify Rolls Out AI Ad Tools, Partners With Google and Magnite in Programmatic Push
Spotify (NYSE:SPOT) is making a bigger play for ad dollars. The streaming platform unveiled a set of new AI-powered advertising tools and expanded its programmatic ad partnerships by teaming up with Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), Magnite (NASDAQ:MGNI), and The Trade Desk (NASDAQ:TTD). At an event in New York on Wednesday, Spotify introduced the Spotify Ads Exchange (SAX), designed to make buying ads on the platform more flexible for marketers. The Trade Desk, which helped Spotify build the exchange last year, already has access, and now Google and Magnite will join the roster. Spotify also noted that Yahoo DSP and Adform are next in line, with more partners expected soon. Advertisers using SAX will be able to place audio, video, and display ads across Spotify's music library, with podcast inventory expected to roll out in the near future. The exchange is already live in markets including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Brazil, and Mexico. Spotify also debuted Spotify Gen AI Ads, a generative AI tool that lets advertisers quickly produce scripts and voiceovers at no extra cost. The tool is aimed at making high-quality, scalable audio ads more accessible and is now available in the U.S. and Canada through Spotify Ads Manager. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
