As tech enthusiasts eagerly await CES, a thrilling GPU leak has set the community abuzz. Asus is rumored to be expanding its high-end ROG lineup with a mesmerizing “Astral” sub-series of graphics cards. New whispers from the tech sphere, thanks to listings by Intcomex and El Changarro, suggest that the Asus ROG Astral RTX 5080 could make its grand debut soon. As major retailers gear up, anticipation is mounting over what this new series will bring to the table. Three Product Families Asus is well-known for segmenting its products into three main categories: Prime, TUF, and ROG. Each tier caters to different market segments, from budget-conscious to premium users. This leak highlights three key GPUs: the Nvidia RTX 5080, alongside AMD’s RX 9070 XT and RX 9070. Interestingly, the AMD’s RX 9070 XT is speculated to be a part of the rebranded RX 9000 series. Specifications and Expectations The RTX 5080 is expected to feature 16GB of memory, aligning with prior speculations. Meanwhile, the AMD counterparts, RX 9070 XT and RX 9070, are anticipated to include the same memory capacity but with GDDR6 technology. This strategic release could pit these models directly against Nvidia’s upcoming Blackwell series, including the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070. Excitement is building as Asus’s Astral series may bring a celestial design theme, potentially adopting stunning white or silver aesthetics. As fans await official announcements, the tech world watches closely for any updates on these next-gen powerhouses. Unveiling ASUS’s New Astral Series: The Future of GPU Design? As CES approaches, the tech community is buzzing with anticipation over a potential game-changing reveal from ASUS. The rumored expansion of ASUS’s high-end Republic of Gamers (ROG) lineup with a new “Astral” sub-series of graphics cards has enthusiasts eagerly awaiting more details. — Innovative Features and Design Themes ASUS is renowned for pushing the limits of hardware design, and the Astral series is poised to continue this trend. Speculation suggests that the series will feature a mesmerizing celestial theme, possibly incorporating sleek white or silver aesthetics that appeal to both gamers and designers seeking visually stunning setups. This aesthetic shift could signify a new trend in GPU design, where visual appeal is balanced with raw performance. — Performance Specifications The RTX 5080 within the rumored Astral series is expected to come with 16GB of VRAM. This aligns with key trends in the GPU market, where higher memory capacities are becoming standard to accommodate demanding applications like AI-driven simulations and 4K gaming. The use of GDDR6 technology for AMD’s RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 models points to a competitive edge, promising faster data rates and improved performance efficiency. — Market Position and Competition ASUS traditionally segments its products into Prime, TUF, and ROG tiers, targeting a wide range of users from budget to premium segments. The leaked information suggests that the Astral series will face stiff competition from NVIDIA’s upcoming Blackwell series. This includes NVIDIA’s RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070, setting the stage for a potential showdown in high-performance gaming and creator markets. — Industry Predictions and Insights Analysts predict that the Astral sub-series could redefine market expectations with its cutting-edge design and performance capabilities. If the RTX 5080 and AMD’s RX 9070 XT can deliver on these speculated promises, ASUS could strengthen its position as a leader in the gaming hardware industry, potentially influencing design trends for years to come. — Implications for Consumers For tech enthusiasts and consumers looking to upgrade their gaming systems, the potential release of the ASUS Astral series presents an exciting opportunity. With advanced GPUs potentially offering substantial performance improvements, users can expect better gaming experiences, particularly with high-resolution setups. The growing anticipation underscores the significance of innovation in the GPU market, and the ASUS Astral series could be a pivotal development. As we await official announcements, the rumor mill continues to fuel excitement and speculation. For further insights into their innovations, visit the ASUS official site here .Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI): Hedge Funds Boost Holdings Despite Nasdaq Delisting RiskWinter sports enthusiasts across Canada eagerly anticipate the first snowfall, signalling the start of a season filled with fresh air and fun in a snowy wonderland. However, a changing climate is making those first flakes increasingly unpredictable, challenging an industry that supports communities and promotes healthy lifestyles nationwide. In response, the Canadian Ski Council has launched , a resource showcasing the industry’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The initiative provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Canada’s ski areas are adapting to ensure snowy days remain a hallmark of winter for generations to come. “Responsibility and resilience are at the heart of the ski industry’s investment in snowmaking,” said Paul Pinchbeck, President and CEO of the Canadian Ski Council. Snowmaking is essential for ski operations across Canada, providing consistent snow coverage that enhances the experience for recreational skiers. “It ensures visitors can enjoy the slopes even during fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable weather while supporting the communities that rely on winter tourism,” Pinchbeck adds. Snowmaking also plays a vital role in kickstarting the winter season, offering early access to slopes before natural snowfall is dependable. This early-season reliability not only attracts visitors eager to embrace winter activities but also supports competitive athletes by providing critical training opportunities. As a foundation of operations, snowmaking bolsters the resilience of Canada’s ski industry and its capacity to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Snowfall data from Environment Canada reveals that winter in Canada is changing. While snow cover has decreased in regions like the Pacific Coast and the Rockies, areas in southern Canada and central British Columbia have seen an increase in days with snow cover. Meanwhile, the Weather Network’s 2024/2025 Winter Forecast predicts near- to above-normal precipitation across most of Canada, ensuring an active winter ahead. Ski areas are at the heart of many communities, supporting the economy through job creation and attracting millions of visitors annually. For example, Canada’s ski areas welcome 17.9 million skier visits annually, including 2.4 million active skiers and riders, and generate $4.4 billion in spending. Beyond economics, skiing and snowboarding deliver significant health benefits. Outdoor activity improves cardiovascular health, balance, strength, and coordination while supporting mental well-being. Studies show that skiers may be at a lower risk of anxiety disorders like Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) and benefit from natural boosts to sleep, metabolism, and immune function. The stakes are high, and the industry is taking a proactive approach to adapting to the many challenges it faces. Snowmaking technology has evolved dramatically, becoming more efficient and environmentally friendly. The resource seeks to provide insights into the snowmaking process while debunking myths about made snow. With conscientious innovation and a commitment to community, Canada’s ski industry ensures that snow is snow – preserving winter recreation, supporting local economies, and ensuring snow sports remain a cornerstone of Canadian winter culture for years to come. is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting skiing and snowboarding across Canada. Through a variety of programs and initiatives, the Council works to make winter sports accessible to all Canadians, fostering a love for the outdoors and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles.None
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) will present at Citi's 2024 Global Healthcare Conference at 9:30 a.m. ET on Thursday , Dec. 5, 2024. Peter Griffith , executive vice president and chief financial officer at Amgen, Jay Bradner , executive vice president of Research and Development and chief scientific officer at Amgen, and Susan Sweeney , executive vice president of Obesity and Related Conditions at Amgen, will participate in a fireside chat at the conference. The webcast will be broadcast over the internet simultaneously and will be available to members of the news media, investors and the general public. The webcast, as with other selected presentations regarding developments in Amgen's business given by management at certain investor and medical conferences, can be found on Amgen's website, www.amgen.com , under Investors. Information regarding presentation times, webcast availability and webcast links are noted on Amgen's Investor Relations Events Calendar. The webcast will be archived and available for replay for at least 90 days after the event. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative medicines to help millions of patients in their fight against some of the world's toughest diseases. More than 40 years ago, Amgen helped to establish the biotechnology industry and remains on the cutting-edge of innovation, using technology and human genetic data to push beyond what's known today. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline that builds on its existing portfolio of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases and rare diseases. In 2024, Amgen was named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company and one of "America's Best Large Employers" by Forbes, among other external recognitions . Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average ® , and it is also part of the Nasdaq-100 Index ® , which includes the largest and most innovative non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also part of the Nasdaq-100 index. In 2023, Amgen was named one of "America's Greatest Workplaces" by Newsweek, one of "America's Climate Leaders" by USA Today and one of the "World's Best Companies" by TIME. For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube and Threads . Amgen Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the current expectations and beliefs of Amgen. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements on the outcome, benefits and synergies of collaborations, or potential collaborations, with any other company (including BeiGene, Ltd. or Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.), the performance of Otezla ® (apremilast) (including anticipated Otezla sales growth and the timing of non-GAAP EPS accretion), our acquisitions of Teneobio, Inc., ChemoCentryx, Inc., or Horizon Therapeutics plc (including the prospective performance and outlook of Horizon's business, performance and opportunities, any potential strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities expected as a result of such acquisition, and any projected impacts from the Horizon acquisition on our acquisition-related expenses going forward), as well as estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes, effects of pandemics or other widespread health problems on our business, outcomes, progress, and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission reports filed by Amgen, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of the date of this news release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those we project. Our results may be affected by our ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally, clinical and regulatory developments involving current and future products, sales growth of recently launched products, competition from other products including biosimilars, difficulties or delays in manufacturing our products and global economic conditions. In addition, sales of our products are affected by pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny and reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers and may be affected by regulatory, clinical and guideline developments and domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment. Furthermore, our research, testing, pricing, marketing and other operations are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign government regulatory authorities. We or others could identify safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with our products, including our devices, after they are on the market. Our business may be impacted by government investigations, litigation and product liability claims. In addition, our business may be impacted by the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities. If we fail to meet the compliance obligations in the corporate integrity agreement between us and the U.S. government, we could become subject to significant sanctions. Further, while we routinely obtain patents for our products and technology, the protection offered by our patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by our competitors, or we may fail to prevail in present and future intellectual property litigation. We perform a substantial amount of our commercial manufacturing activities at a few key facilities, including in Puerto Rico , and also depend on third parties for a portion of our manufacturing activities, and limits on supply may constrain sales of certain of our current products and product candidate development. An outbreak of disease or similar public health threat, such as COVID-19, and the public and governmental effort to mitigate against the spread of such disease, could have a significant adverse effect on the supply of materials for our manufacturing activities, the distribution of our products, the commercialization of our product candidates, and our clinical trial operations, and any such events may have a material adverse effect on our product development, product sales, business and results of operations. We rely on collaborations with third parties for the development of some of our product candidates and for the commercialization and sales of some of our commercial products. In addition, we compete with other companies with respect to many of our marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. Discovery or identification of new product candidates or development of new indications for existing products cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate or development of a new indication for an existing product will be successful and become a commercial product. Further, some raw materials, medical devices and component parts for our products are supplied by sole third-party suppliers. Certain of our distributors, customers and payers have substantial purchasing leverage in their dealings with us. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of our products that implicate an entire class of products could have a material adverse effect on sales of the affected products and on our business and results of operations. Our efforts to collaborate with or acquire other companies, products or technology, and to integrate the operations of companies or to support the products or technology we have acquired, may not be successful. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to realize any of the strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities arising from the Horizon acquisition, and such benefits, synergies or opportunities may take longer to realize than expected. We may not be able to successfully integrate Horizon, and such integration may take longer, be more difficult or cost more than expected. A breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach of our information technology systems could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our systems and our data. Our stock price is volatile and may be affected by a number of events. Our business and operations may be negatively affected by the failure, or perceived failure, of achieving our environmental, social and governance objectives. The effects of global climate change and related natural disasters could negatively affect our business and operations. Global economic conditions may magnify certain risks that affect our business. Our business performance could affect or limit the ability of our Board of Directors to declare a dividend or our ability to pay a dividend or repurchase our common stock. We may not be able to access the capital and credit markets on terms that are favorable to us, or at all. CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks Elissa Snook , 609-251-1407 (media) Justin Claeys , 805-313-9775 (investors) View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amgen-to-present-at-citis-2024-global-healthcare-conference-302319891.html SOURCE Amgen
( ) shares currently come with a of 9.3%. That’s higher than the average, well above , and a lot better than the interest available on cash. That makes it look as though investors looking for passive income should be piling into the stock. If only it were that easy – the reality is (unfortunately) a bit more complicated. Five-year returns Five years ago, Legal & General was trading with a 6.6% dividend yield. Things were different back then, but this was still an eye-catching return. Since then, the company has grown its shareholder distributions each year. The average annual increase has been only around 3%, but it’s been impressively consistent. The trouble is, this hasn’t translated into a great result for shareholders. While it has paid out a total of 94.37p per share, this has mostly been offset by the stock falling 82.44p in that time. As a result, investors who bought the stock in December 2020 are 3.9% in total on their investment. That’s lower than the FTSE 100, well below inflation, and even worse than the return available on cash. Is the dividend safe? A 9.3% dividend offers a lot more protection from a falling share price than a 6.6% one. And the yield hasn’t been at this level at any point in the last 10 years. Management is forecasting a 2% annual increase in the dividend with additional cash to be distributed through share buybacks. But investors might initially wonder how Legal & General is going to fund this. The firm currently pays out more to shareholders than it brings in as net income. But while this might look like a source of concern, it’s probably less of a risk than it initially appears. At the end of 2023, Legal & General has more than £9bn of excess capital after meeting its Solvency Capital Requirement. This should mean the company is able to meet its ongoing dividend commitments. Outlook In terms of future growth, Legal & General’s main engine is its Pensions Risk Transfer business. It takes on future guaranteed pension obligations from other companies – in exchange for a fee. Management is optimistic about the pipeline for new deals over the next few years. But investors need to be clear that the quality is there as well as the quantity. Getting cash up front before paying out costs later is a nice structure. But the deals have an asymmetric risk structure – the amount Legal & General can make is fixed while the potential liabilities are not. Even including the returns the firm can generate by investing the premiums, it will be a long time until the profitability of the contracts becomes clear. And this is where the risk comes from for investors. A no-brainer? As an investment, Legal & General shares are anything but a no-brainer. The nature of the firm’s potential liabilities means there’s a lot of uncertainty about the future, especially over the long term. That’s why the dividend yield is so high – investors need something to give them a margin of safety against the ongoing risks. While 9.3% might be enough for some, I’m looking elsewhere.
WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Hours after the ground stop was lifted, Tajer said the union had not heard about any “chaos out there beyond just the normal heavy travel day.” He said officials were watching for any cascading effects, such as staffing problems. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights were departing within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — were arriving at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York’s Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms were developing in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. —— Associated Press writers David Koenig, Mae Anderson and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.
Arewa Ambassador International College of Health Science and Technology, Zaria in Kaduna state has embarked on the circumcision of over 1,000 children in Zaria city and its environs free of charge. The College Director Murtala Iliyasu disclosed this during the exercise at the College premises on Saturday. He said, the free circumcision exercise is part of the College corporate social responsibility to the neighbouring communities. Iliyasu remarked further that the college management will continue to do more beside the circumcision exercise. The Director of the College acknowledged the support and contributions of their Grand Patron Justice Isiyaku Bello (Kuliyan Zazzau ) in supporting the college to execute many impactful programmes in the college. According to him Justice Bello is the pillar of all their success and the College is proud to have him as a Grand Patron. He said, the Grand Patron will remain forever in their book of records as the College is growing in terms of producing high skills manpower to the health sector. The College Director promised to improve on the Corporate Social Responsibility by introducing High blood pressure test and other related tests in the coming 2025. NIGERIAN TRIBUNEKingstree High School Mathematics Team participated in Mathematics TournamentGrab A Free Game On Steam Right Now - GameSpot
Dell Technologies Stock Gets RS Rating Lift
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