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Entrepreneur
2 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
This $200 MacBook Air Handles Your Hustle Without Complaints
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. One thing to keep in mind when getting a laptop to support your professional needs is that not every job needs the latest M-series MacBook. If your goal is reliable performance, decent battery life, and that always-satisfying Apple experience—without obliterating your tech budget—this refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (from 2017) might be exactly what you're looking for. At just $199.97, it's a compelling option for entrepreneurs, frequent flyers, remote teams, or anyone needing a no-fuss, high-functioning laptop. Whether you're outfitting new hires, building a small remote team, or just need a travel-friendly workhorse for flights and coworking spaces, this deal checks all the right boxes. Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 128GB SSD and Intel HD Graphics 6000, this MacBook Air can easily handle productivity apps, video calls, and browser-based work. The 13.3-inch Retina display (1440×900) gives you enough screen real estate for spreadsheets, docs, or Netflix—no judgment here. And with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 12-hour battery, you've got the flexibility to work wherever you find a signal and a seat. A business-savvy no-brainer Sure, it's not the newest model, but at this price, it's a smart choice for businesses that are looking to scale or support remote productivity without buying into another $1,000 machine. It's also ideal as a reliable secondary laptop for traveling professionals who'd rather not risk their $2,000 daily driver at airport security. It's been cleaned and inspected, and arrives with the possibility of some light scratching or minor blemishes. All in all, it's a legit Apple laptop with great performance, for just $200. You'll get what you need, save what you don't, and maybe even impress a client or two with how resourcefully you roll. Get a top-quality refurbished Apple MacBook Air for just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping when you order through July 20. Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished) See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Those who invested in Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS) three years ago are up 120%
While Glaukos Corporation (NYSE:GKOS) shareholders are probably generally happy, the stock hasn't had particularly good run recently, with the share price falling 21% in the last quarter. In contrast, the return over three years has been impressive. Indeed, the share price is up a very strong 120% in that time. So the recent fall in the share price should be viewed in that context. If the business can perform well for years to come, then the recent drop could be an opportunity. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. Because Glaukos made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually desire strong revenue growth. As you can imagine, fast revenue growth, when maintained, often leads to fast profit growth. Over the last three years Glaukos has grown its revenue at 12% annually. That's pretty nice growth. It's fair to say that the market has acknowledged the growth by pushing the share price up 30% per year. It's hard to value pre-profit businesses, but it seems like the market has become a lot more optimistic about this one! It would be worth thinking about when profits will flow, since that milestone will attract more attention. The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). Glaukos is a well known stock, with plenty of analyst coverage, suggesting some visibility into future growth. Given we have quite a good number of analyst forecasts, it might be well worth checking out this free chart depicting consensus estimates. Investors in Glaukos had a tough year, with a total loss of 16%, against a market gain of about 13%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 15% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. You might want to assess this data-rich visualization of its earnings, revenue and cash flow. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Those who invested in Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS) three years ago are up 120%
While Glaukos Corporation (NYSE:GKOS) shareholders are probably generally happy, the stock hasn't had particularly good run recently, with the share price falling 21% in the last quarter. In contrast, the return over three years has been impressive. Indeed, the share price is up a very strong 120% in that time. So the recent fall in the share price should be viewed in that context. If the business can perform well for years to come, then the recent drop could be an opportunity. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. Because Glaukos made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually desire strong revenue growth. As you can imagine, fast revenue growth, when maintained, often leads to fast profit growth. Over the last three years Glaukos has grown its revenue at 12% annually. That's pretty nice growth. It's fair to say that the market has acknowledged the growth by pushing the share price up 30% per year. It's hard to value pre-profit businesses, but it seems like the market has become a lot more optimistic about this one! It would be worth thinking about when profits will flow, since that milestone will attract more attention. The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). Glaukos is a well known stock, with plenty of analyst coverage, suggesting some visibility into future growth. Given we have quite a good number of analyst forecasts, it might be well worth checking out this free chart depicting consensus estimates. Investors in Glaukos had a tough year, with a total loss of 16%, against a market gain of about 13%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 15% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. You might want to assess this data-rich visualization of its earnings, revenue and cash flow. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CF Bankshares' (NASDAQ:CFBK) investors will be pleased with their splendid 129% return over the last five years
The worst result, after buying shares in a company (assuming no leverage), would be if you lose all the money you put in. But on a lighter note, a good company can see its share price rise well over 100%. For instance, the price of CF Bankshares Inc. (NASDAQ:CFBK) stock is up an impressive 118% over the last five years. Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During five years of share price growth, CF Bankshares achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 2.7% per year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 17% per year, over the same period. This suggests that market participants hold the company in higher regard, these days. And that's hardly shocking given the track record of growth. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). Dive deeper into CF Bankshares' key metrics by checking this interactive graph of CF Bankshares's earnings, revenue and cash flow. As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of CF Bankshares, it has a TSR of 129% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! It's nice to see that CF Bankshares shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 25% over the last year. That's including the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 18% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. If you would like to research CF Bankshares in more detail then you might want to take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in the company. If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of undervalued small caps that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. 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
Entrepreneur
4 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
What Every Brand Gets Wrong About Using AI
Fast, scalable AI-powered marketing can boost efficiency, but when brands sacrifice empathy for speed, they lose trust. Here's how to drive loyalty in the age of automation. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Artificial intelligence has definitely changed how we do business, for the better in many ways. Chatbots that reply in seconds, algorithms tracking your behavior so you can instantly get what you want and automation handling routine tasks faster than any human team ever could. But just because it's fast doesn't mean it feels good. Efficiency is great, but I've seen too many businesses losing the human element that actually builds trust and loyalty. If your digital experience feels robotic, scripted or cold, people won't stick around, no matter how "optimized" it is. At some point, tech needs a heartbeat behind it. Otherwise, all you're doing is automating disconnection. Related: How to Scale a Marketing Strategy That Works When automation goes too far Yes, automation is powerful. It keeps things running. Chatbots answer questions 24/7, tools auto-schedule content and systems track customer behavior. But let's not ignore the downside. Sure, 51% of consumers prefer interacting with bots over humans when they want immediate service. But what if they don't? What happens when customers get frustrated from waiting or having to repeat themselves? Think about the entire experience. When every interaction feels automated, customers begin to question whether anyone is really paying attention. Bots can't read the room. They can't hear tone, detect frustration or understand nuance. So, while automation helps scale, it often kills connection if you rely on it too much. Your chatbot can still handle basic questions, but when things get tricky, a handoff to a human rep makes all the difference. Most people aren't expecting perfection. They're looking for effort, care and responsiveness. When that's missing, the tech isn't helping — it's hurting. Personalization is now a necessity, not a mere desire Personalization is now a basic expectation, but it can't be all AI. In 2024, Forbes surveyed over 1,000 U.S. consumers for their State of Customer Service and CX Study and found that 81% of customers prefer companies that offer a personalized experience, and they expect this personal touch across the platforms they use, not just in-store or over email. No surprise there — it confirms what we already know about personalization. Customers want fast, relevant and thoughtful service that feels made for them. But here's where brands get it wrong: They use AI to automate "personalization" based on click behavior, email opens or CRM tags — and stop there. The result? Generic messages dressed up in personalization tags. "Hi [FirstName]" isn't what people mean by thoughtful. Yes, AI helps scale insight. But real personalization comes from real-time awareness, in those moments that can't be predicted. Knowing that a customer just called support five minutes ago changes how you respond to their next email. This isn't something AI alone can deliver. It takes judgment, context and care. Let your team go off-book when it serves the customer. That's what humanizing your strategy means: efficient, but never robotic. Because personalization shouldn't feel predictive, it should feel considered. AI might tee it up, but humans close the loop. Related: 5 Innovative Ways to Give Your Customers the Personalized Experiences They Want Do what the algorithm can't Speed, data and automation can open the door, but connection keeps people coming back. Ask real questions The comments section is the closest thing you've got to a real-time focus group. It keeps your blind spots in check. Ask what your customers are struggling with, what they want to see more of and what's missing. They'll tell you when something's off. If you're paying attention, you can adjust before it becomes a bigger issue. Reward frontline feedback Your best insights aren't in your dashboards. Want to improve a feature? Ask the person fielding complaints about it. Want to write better copy? Talk to the person who knows the objections your customers keep bringing up. Build a process where frontline teams can flag patterns, share feedback and influence decisions. When your team sees that their input shapes the brand, they become more invested. And when customers see that their voice actually leads to improvements, they trust you more. Lead with your story Sprout Social reports that for 86% of consumers, authenticity is a major factor in choosing which brands to support. That's why storytelling — especially the messy, honest kind — builds trust faster than any email sequence ever could. It doesn't have to be dramatic or polished. Some of the most powerful brand moments come from raw, unscripted content: a phone-shot video, a glimpse of what went wrong behind the scenes, a quick peek at how you build your product. The truth is, customers don't just want to be sold to — they want to be in a relationship with the brands they buy from. Seeing real people doing real work is what turns that relationship from transactional to emotional. Related: How Brands Can Embrace Authenticity in a World Craving Transparency People first, always AI is here to stay, and that's not a bad thing. Use automation. Streamline. But remember, the brands that will truly thrive are the ones that know how to scale connection, not just automation. The future of digital isn't less human. It's more intentional. Next time you build a marketing campaign, send an email or respond to a comment, ask yourself: Does this sound human? Or just efficient?
