Latest from Khabar Masr
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Walmart stock falls after earnings miss forecasts as US sales, 2025 outlook rise
Walmart (WMT) stock fell more than 2% early Thursday after the company reported second quarter earnings shy of expectations while US sales growth topped forecasts with the big box retailer's low-price strategy drawing consumers as tariff-related uncertainty pushed them to more carefully scrutinize their household budgets. In the second quarter, total US same-store sales grew 4.6%. That's more than the 4.2% Wall Street predicted, per Bloomberg consensus estimates. Its wholesale subscription business, Sam's Club, saw the same metric grow 5.9%, the Street had forecast a 5.3% increase. The company now expects net sales in its fiscal 2026 to increase between 3.75%-4.75%, up from a prior range of 3%-4% growth that the company reiterated in the prior quarter. Walmart stock came under pressure after the results showed the company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.68, below the $0.74 the Street had forecast. Revenue came in at $177.40 billion, better than the $176.05 billion Wall Street expected. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to come in between $0.58-$0.60 in the current quarter. "The top-line momentum we have in our business comes from how we're innovating and executing. Connecting with our customers and members through digital experiences is helping to drive our business, and the way we're deploying AI will make these experiences even better," CEO Doug McMillon said in the release. Walmart called out strength in its grocery and health & wellness categories driving its US sales growth. The company it saw share gains "across income brackets led by upper-income households" in its US stores. By category, the company saw grocery sales rise by mid-single digits in the US stores while health & wellness categories saw sales rise by a mid-teens percentage. Investors will look for further insights around tariffs on the call after the company said it would have to raise prices earlier this year. In the quarter, Walmart said "like for like" inflation was 1.1% in its US stores. Read more: 5 ways to tariff-proof your finances Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told analysts in May, "We aren't able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins." He added that tariffs had already led to price increases in April and May. At the time, McMillon said the "reset of costs" would continue throughout the year, adding that for an imported item, "You pay the tariff at the time it comes through customs ... even if the tariff rate comes down later, the cost has been elevated." Robert Ohmes of Bank of America estimated Walmart imports roughly 15% of its US sales from China. Around 60% of the US sales are groceries, which are largely tariff-exempt if they're produced domestically or in Mexico and Canada. Brooke DiPalma is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@ Click here for all of the latest retail stock news and events to better inform your investing strategy
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The sober-curious generation? This map shows where Gen Z is reshaping U.S. drinking habits.
Gen Z is the sober-curious generation. Between 2011 and 2023, the number of adults aged 18 to 24 who drank alcohol dropped by 8 percentage points, according to survey data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consumption among 25- to 34-year-olds has also fallen 5 percentage points over the past decade, making young adults the driving force behind America's diminishing alcohol consumption. Gen Z is driving the shift away from drinking. Even young people who do drink do so less frequently than previous generations. Nearly two-thirds of 18- to 34-year-olds say one to two drinks a day is bad for their health, reflecting changing attitudes toward drinking. These days, drinking less doesn't mean sacrificing a social life, though. Bars and liquor stores are catering to a growing demand for mocktails and zero-proof alcohol. Data from Eventbrite shows a 92% rise in sober-curious events across the country over the past year. These include everything from morning dance parties (20% rise) to DJ'd events with coffee instead of alcohol (478% rise). Advertisement Yahoo used data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine the evolving drinking culture among young adults in the U.S. The map data is based on surveys conducted between 2011-2012 and 2022-2023.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cardinals at Rays Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21
It's Thursday, August 21 and the Cardinals (63-65) are in Tampa to take on the Rays (61-66). Sonny Gray is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Joe Boyle for Tampa Bay. The Cardinals lost its past outing 6-2 to the Marlins, but won the series to snap a five-game losing streak ahead of this matchup. The Rays are coming off being swept by the Yankees in two-games and a loss to the Giants for three consecutive losses. Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We've got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts. Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long. Game details & how to watch Cardinals at Rays Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025 Time: 7:35PM EST Site: George M. Steinbrenner Field City: Tampa, FL Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, FDSNSUN Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out. Odds for the Cardinals at the Rays The latest odds as of Thursday: Moneyline: Cardinals (-121), Rays (+101) Spread: Cardinals -1.5 Total: 8.0 runs Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Rays Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Sonny Gray vs. Joe Boyle Cardinals: Sonny Gray, (11-6, 4.30 ERA)Last outing: 10.80 ERA, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts Rays: Joe Boyle, (1-2, 4.68 ERA)Last outing: 18.00 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type! Expert picks & predictions for tonight's game between the Cardinals and the Rays Rotoworld Best Bet Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts. Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager. Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Cardinals and the Rays: Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline. Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Tampa Bay Rays at +1.5. Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0. Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC. Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cardinals at Rays Tampa Bay is 0-3 in the last 3 games Tampa Bay is 3-3 in the last 6 games St. Louis is 2-6 over the past 9 games St. Louis is 4-5 in the past 9 road games At home this season the Rays have won 17 of 32 games following a defeat The Rays' last 3 games have gone over the Total It has been 3 games since the Rays last covered the Run Line If you're looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports! Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Polish president vetoes bill easing rules about building wind farms
WARSAW (Reuters) -Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a bill meant to ease rules for building onshore wind farms on Thursday, saying that a government decision to bundle it together with a freeze on energy prices amounted to "blackmail". The accusation is the latest salvo in a battle with the centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, an arch rival of the president's allies in the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party. The bill would have cut the distance required between planned installations and residential locations, while keeping permitting more restrictive for projects close to protected natural areas. It included incentives for municipalities and homeowners in areas located close to new wind farms. It also included a clause that would have frozen energy prices for households until the end of the year. Nawrocki, who opposes easing the wind farm regulations but is in favour of an energy price freeze, objected to the two elements being combined in one bill. "There is one bill that I have ... unequivocally decided to veto," Nawrocki told a news conference. "The wind farm bill ... is a form of blackmail by the parliamentary majority and the government, not only against the President of the Republic of Poland, but also against society," he said. Nawrocki said he would propose a new bill that would copy the price freeze section of the vetoed legislation while dropping the wind farm elements. Energy Minister Milosz Motyka responded to the veto, writing on X that Poland needed to unlock "the potential offered by cheap energy sources." "President Nawrocki's veto of the law guaranteeing low energy prices is a blow to Polish families, industry, energy security, and the entire economy," he wrote.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NervGen Pharma's NVG-291-R Demonstrates Significant Functional Recovery in Department of Defense-Sponsored Preclinical Models of Traumatic Hearing Loss and Peripheral Nerve Injury
Demonstrated significant hearing restoration in blast-induced sensorineural hearing loss models Promoted significant functional recovery and axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve injury models Reinforced NVG-291's broad therapeutic potential with new data across three distinct injury models Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 21, 2025) - NervGen Pharma Corp. (TSXV: NGEN) (OTCQB: NGENF), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class neuroreparative therapeutics for spinal cord injury and other neurologic disorders, today announced positive preclinical results of two Department of Defense sponsored studies in models of blast-induced sensorineural hearing loss and peripheral nerve injury, reinforcing the broad therapeutic application of its first and potential best-in-class candidate, NVG-291. Presented at the 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium, the studies show that NVG-291-R, the rodent variant of NVG-291, promoted significant functional recovery in models of blast-induced sensorineural hearing loss and peripheral nerve injury, two debilitating conditions affecting military and civilian populations. These preclinical findings build on the recently announced CONNECT SCI Study topline results, the first proof-of-concept study to successfully demonstrate that pharmacological treatment with NVG-291 translates improvements observed in animal models into electrophysiological connectivity and clinically meaningful functional gains in individuals living with chronic spinal cord injury. Novel Preclinical Findings in Blast-Induced Sensorineural Hearing LossConducted by the U.S. Air Force's 59th Medical Wing in collaboration with the Uniformed Services University, Brooke Army Medical Center, NVG-291-R was investigated as a potential novel treatment for blast-induced sensorineural hearing loss. Significant Hearing Restoration: In a rat model exposed to shock waves, either a single high-pressure blast or a series of low-pressure blasts, daily subcutaneous NVG-291-R treatment led to statistically significant improvements in hearing thresholds across all frequencies by end-of-study at Day 30, preventing the profound and permanent hearing loss observed in untreated animals. "Sensorineural hearing loss from blast exposure is one of the most common and debilitating injuries affecting our service members. Currently, we can only offer hearing aids or cochlear implants, which don't restore natural hearing," stated Colonel Michael Davis, MD, FACS Former Director, U.S. Combat Casualty Care Research Program, Defense Health Agency. "To see a systemic drug significantly improve hearing thresholds by potentially repairing the underlying nerve damage is a groundbreaking step forward. This could fundamentally change how we manage acute acoustic trauma on the battlefield and beyond." Novel Preclinical Findings in Peripheral Nerve InjuryResearchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis investigated NVG-291-R as a potential novel treatment in clinically relevant rodent models of both moderate and severe peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Improved Neuromuscular Function and Axonal Regeneration: In moderate and severe models of PNI, daily subcutaneous NVG-291-R treatment led to statistically significant improvements in neuromuscular function and axonal regrowth. Increases in compound muscle action potentials and specific tetanic force were associated with a higher total number and density of axons distal to the injury site. Functional and regenerative gains were observed as early as 4 weeks post-injury. "Peripheral nerve injuries can be life altering and are a major barrier to return-to-duty for our military personnel," said Dr. Wilson Ray, MD, a neurosurgeon and lead investigator from WashU Medicine. "Combat-sustained PNIs have increased in both frequency and severity in recent years, yet there remain no effective or reparative treatments. Our study showed a significant acceleration of functional recovery and clear histological evidence of axonal regrowth. These findings suggest that NVG-291 could play a critical role in improving outcomes for individuals with peripheral nerve damage in both military and civilian populations." Preclinical Evidence Reinforces NVG-291's Broad Therapeutic PotentialThese findings in both the auditory and peripheral nervous systems further support the broad therapeutic potential of NVG-291 across multiple neurological conditions. These studies, presented at the 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium, reinforce NVG-291's ability to accelerate nervous system repair in clinically relevant models of military-related nerve damage. "We are demonstrating a consistent ability to promote nervous system repair, whether in the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, or the delicate structures of the inner ear," said Dr. Marc DePaul, Director of Research at NervGen Pharma. "These robust findings strengthen our commitment to advancing NVG-291 into further clinical studies and bringing a new class of restorative medicine to individuals in need." About NVG-291NervGen holds exclusive worldwide rights to NVG-291, a first- and potential best-in-class neuroreparative therapeutic peptide targeting nervous system repair. NVG-291's technology is licensed from Case Western Reserve University and is based on academic studies that demonstrated the preclinical efficacy of NVG-291-R, the rodent variant of NVG-291, in animal models of spinal cord injury. These studies implicated multiple potential molecular and cellular mechanisms by which NVG-291-R promotes neurorepair and functional improvement in both central and peripheral nervous system injury models. The implicated mechanisms include the promotion of neuronal sprouting, or plasticity, remyelination, and promotion of a non-inflammatory phenotype in the microglial cells. NervGen has received Fast Track designation from the FDA and Orphan Designation from the EMA for NVG-291 in individuals living with spinal cord injury. About NervGenNervGen (TSXV: NGEN) (OTCQB: NGENF) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing first-in-class neuroreparative therapeutics to promote nervous system repair in settings of neurotrauma and neurologic disease. The Company is evaluating the clinical efficacy of its lead candidate, NVG-291, in the Phase 1b/2a CONNECT SCI Study in spinal cord injury. Topline data from the chronic cohort (1-10 years post-injury) of this trial showed that NVG-291 met a primary endpoint and demonstrated strong and consistent trends across functional assessments. Comprehensive analysis of NVG-291's efficacy profile is ongoing. Enrollment in the subacute cohort (20-90 days post-injury) of the trial continues, and more information about participation in the subacute study is available at For more information about NervGen, visit and follow NervGen on X and LinkedIn for the latest news on the company. ContactsHuitt Tracey, Investorshtracey@ David Schull or Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D., MediaRusso Bill Adams, Chief Financial Officerinfo@ Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note and Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements herein include but are not limited to, the Company's current and future plans, expectations and intentions, results, levels of activity, performance, goals or achievements, or any other future events or developments constitute forward-looking statements, and the words "may", "will", "would", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "trend", "indication", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "likely" or "potential", or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to: the Company's potential best-in-class candidate, NVG-291; the potential broad therapeutic applications of NVG-291; the future growth of the Company; the Company's mission of transforming the lives of individuals living with spinal cord injury; the objectives, planned clinical endpoints, timing, expected rate of enrollment, and final results from our Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of NVG-291 in individuals with spinal cord injury; the future development plans and benefits of NVG-291; the development plans and prospective target indications for NVG-300; and the creation of neuroreparative therapeutics to promote nervous system repair in settings of neurotrauma and neurologic disease. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the company in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. In making forward-looking statements, the Company has relied on various assumptions, including, but not limited to: its ability to obtain future funding on favorable terms, if at all; the accuracy of its financial projections; obtaining positive results in its clinical; its ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals; its ability to arrange for the manufacturing of its product candidates and technologies; and general business, market and economic conditions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, a lack of revenue, insufficient funding, reliance upon key personnel, the uncertainty of the clinical development process, competition, and other factors set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recently filed prospectus supplement, short form base shelf prospectus, annual information form, financial statements and management discussion and analysis all of which can be found on NervGen's profile on SEDAR+ at All clinical development plans are subject to additional funding. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made in this news release. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
