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Serbia probes fatal train station roof collapse as vigil held for victims

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (Reuters) -Serbia wound up a rescue operation and opened an investigation on Saturday into a roof collapse at a railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad that killed 14 people and injured three others.

The disaster happened on Friday when a length of roofing along the entrance to the station collapsed.

Rescuers using heavy construction machinery worked through the night to free the dead and wounded from under the rubble.

Authorities declared Saturday a national day of mourning.

Thousands of people attended a vigil and protest in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city.

The crowds, including children, blocked the intersection near the train station as people silently lit candles and placed flowers, wreaths and toys on the ground.

A group of mourners stood motionless holding white papers with names of the 14 dead.

“It must be demonstrated that not everything is as (good as) portrayed, that … many things must be changed.”

“In the countries with real democracy, the first who resigns is the minister. There was no talks here about any minister, any oversight official who should resign,” said Dragomir Panic, 78, from Novi Sad.

The station in the city about 70 km (40 miles) northwest of Belgrade was renovated in 2021 and 2022. Other minor works continued until July this year when the Transport Ministry said a total of 16 million euros ($17.33 million) had been invested in the renovation.

Transport Minister Goran Vesic, state Serbian Railways company, the state Traffic Institute and a Chinese consortium – comprising China Railway International Co. Ltd and China Communications Construction Company (CRIC-CCCC) – that renovated the building, all said on Friday that the part of the building that collapsed was not a part of the works.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said 20 people would be interviewed by authorities on Saturday in connection with the disaster, including people from the ministry in charge and the state railways operator.

“The documentation about the building will (also) be obtained … about who made the decisions,” Dacic added.

The state prosecutor’s office in Novi Sad said Vesic would also be among those to be interviewed.

The University Clinical Center in Novi Sad said in a statement that the three injured people remained in intensive care.

Serbia’s opposition politicians and activists, who accuse authorities loyal to President Aleksandar Vucic of rampant corruption, nepotism and excessive red tape, staged a protest in front of the government building in Belgrade, leaving red paint marks of their hands at the tarmac to commemorate victims.

© Reuters. A rescue team inspects the area where a part of a roof of a railway station collapsed in Novi Sad, Serbia November 2, 2024. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

“People are being hurt and die for your profits, scams and frauds,” the Green-Left Front party said in a statement.

Vucic, a populist, and his allies deny such allegations. In a televised address late on Friday the president promised justice and demanded harsh punishment for those responsible. 

Stock Markets

Truist cuts Editas Medicine target to $8, keeps buy rating

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On Monday, Truist Securities revised its price target for Editas Medicine (NASDAQ:), a company specializing in gene editing technology. The firm reduced the target to $8.00 from the previous $12.00 while retaining a Buy rating on the stock.

The adjustment follows the company’s third-quarter report, which did not present any unexpected results following recent announcements. The analyst indicated that Editas Medicine is expected to provide updated data on its reni-cel therapy at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting, as well as updates on its in vivo program in the first quarter of 2025.

The reassessment of the reni-cel program prompted the analyst to moderate the outlook, leading to the lowered price target. Despite this change, the firm continues to support a Buy rating for Editas Medicine shares, suggesting confidence in the company’s long-term potential.

Editas Medicine is actively engaged in the development of gene-editing therapies, with reni-cel being one of its key investigational treatments. The forthcoming data presentations are anticipated to shed more light on the progress and efficacy of these treatments.

The updated price target of $8.00 reflects a more conservative valuation of Editas Medicine by Truist Securities, while the maintained Buy rating indicates a positive view of the stock’s future performance despite the recent adjustments.

In other recent news, Editas Medicine has been the focus of several analyst adjustments. Wells Fargo reduced its price target for Editas from $27.00 to $9.00, while maintaining an Overweight rating. This adjustment followed Editas Medicine’s disclosure of preclinical data for its in vivo hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) editing program.

The company also announced its intention to partner or out-license its reni-cel therapy. Baird also lowered its target for Editas Medicine to $10 from $18, keeping an Outperform rating.

The company has made significant strides in gene editing treatments for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. It reported high levels of editing in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Additionally, Editas secured an upfront payment of $57 million from a financing agreement with DRI Healthcare Trust. Leerink Partners and Truist Securities maintained their Market Perform and Buy ratings respectively on Editas’ stock.

InvestingPro Insights

Recent financial data from InvestingPro provides additional context to Truist Securities’ revised outlook on Editas Medicine (NASDAQ:EDIT). The company’s market capitalization stands at $245.89 million, reflecting its current valuation in the biotech sector. Editas’ stock has experienced significant volatility, with a 41.8% price decline over the past three months and a 48.68% drop in the last six months, aligning with the analyst’s more cautious stance.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that Editas is quickly burning through cash and is not expected to be profitable this year, factors that likely influenced Truist’s decision to lower the price target. The company’s gross profit margin is weak, with a negative 165.65% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, underscoring the challenges in its developmental stage.

Despite these headwinds, Editas maintains a strong liquidity position. An InvestingPro Tip notes that the company’s liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, providing some financial flexibility as it advances its gene-editing therapies. This could be crucial as Editas prepares to present updated data on reni-cel and its in vivo program.

For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips for Editas Medicine, providing deeper insights into the company’s financial health and market position.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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Cemex stock hits 52-week low at $5.17 amid market challenges

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Cemex SAB de CV (NYSE:), a leading materials company in the construction industry, has seen its stock price touch a 52-week low, dipping to $5.17. This price level reflects a significant downturn from its previous positions, marking a challenging period for the company. Over the past year, Cemex’s stock has experienced a notable decline, with a 1-year change showing a decrease of 22.42%. This downturn is indicative of the broader pressures facing the construction sector, including fluctuating demand and cost pressures, which have impacted the company’s market valuation and investor confidence.

In other recent news, CEMEX has reported a year of substantial growth and strategic optimization despite facing natural disasters and undergoing significant divestitures. The company announced divestitures amounting to $2.2 billion, concentrating on operations in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and the Philippines. In spite of severe weather conditions, including three major hurricanes in the U.S., CEMEX achieved a net income increase of over 200% year-over-year.

CEMEX’s growth strategy, initiated in 2019, has resulted in a 14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2020. The company also reported a 3% reduction in Scope 1 emissions and received a €157 million grant from the EU for a carbon capture project in Germany.

Analysts from Thompson Davis and Goldman Sachs questioned the company’s valuation strategies and the impact of Mexican residential demand on CEMEX, respectively. In response, CEMEX executives emphasized careful evaluation of operational changes and positive expectations for significant impact starting in 2025.

These are among the recent developments that underline CEMEX’s resilience and strategic focus, allowing it to navigate a challenging environment while maintaining a positive outlook for growth.

InvestingPro Insights

Cemex’s recent stock performance aligns with several key insights from InvestingPro. The company is currently trading near its 52-week low, as reflected in the article, with InvestingPro data showing the stock price at $5.18 at the previous close. This represents just 56.02% of its 52-week high, underscoring the significant downturn mentioned.

Despite the challenging market conditions, InvestingPro Tips highlight that Cemex remains a prominent player in the Construction Materials industry. The company’s Price to Book ratio of 0.63 suggests it may be undervalued relative to its assets, potentially offering value for investors looking beyond current market sentiment.

Importantly, an InvestingPro Tip indicates that net income is expected to grow this year, which could provide a positive catalyst for the stock. This growth expectation, combined with the company’s low valuation multiples, may present an opportunity for investors willing to weather the current downturn.

For those seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 7 additional tips that could provide further insights into Cemex’s financial health and future prospects.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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Jefferies cuts Booz Allen stock rating to Hold, sees slowdown in the long-term

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On Monday, Jefferies adjusted its stance on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:), downgrading the stock from Buy to Hold, though the firm increased the price target to $190 from $180. The revision comes despite acknowledging the company’s strong management and share price performance.

The analyst from Jefferies noted that while Booz Allen Hamilton has shown stellar performance, a pause on the stock is suggested as earnings per share (EPS) revisions through the fiscal year 2025 (ending in March 2025) may be limited.

The limited potential for EPS revisions is attributed to margins being range-bound, with the Defense sector—accounting for 48% of sales and approximately 10% margins—outperforming the Civil sector, which makes up 33% of sales and has a 13% margin. The analyst further pointed out that there is an anticipated slowdown in organic growth excluding items, from 11% in the fiscal year 2025 to 8% in fiscal years 2026 to 2027 estimates.

The new price target of $190 is based on a 30% market premium or twice the three-year average, reflecting the analyst’s valuation of the stock. This price target suggests a modest upside from the previous target, indicating a positive outlook on the company’s value despite the rating downgrade.

The downgrade to Hold reflects a cautious approach towards Booz Allen Hamilton’s stock, considering the expected limitations in earnings growth and margin expansion in the upcoming years. The firm’s analysis suggests that while the company has been performing well, future gains might not be as robust as in the previous periods.

In other recent news, Booz Allen Hamilton reported a robust second quarter for fiscal year 2025, with major revenue hikes in its civil, defense, and intelligence sectors.

The company’s VOLT growth strategy, a record $41 billion backlog, a $115 million insurance recovery, and a $200 million boost from payroll modernization were significant contributors to this performance. Adjusted EBITDA reached $364 million, a 25% year-over-year increase, and net income surged by 129% to $390 million.

Despite the loss of the Advana contract and a Department of Veterans Affairs contract to Deloitte, Booz Allen maintains a strong demand environment with a qualified pipeline of over $20 billion.

The firm’s operating model allows for quick adaptation to client needs amid shifting priorities, and recruitment and retention trends remain strong, making Booz Allen an attractive destination for tech talent. These recent developments emphasize Booz Allen’s strong market presence and potential for continued growth.

InvestingPro Insights

While Jefferies has downgraded Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH) to Hold, recent data from InvestingPro paints a nuanced picture of the company’s financial health and market performance. BAH’s revenue growth of 13.94% over the last twelve months and a strong 18.01% quarterly growth align with the company’s solid performance noted in the article.

The stock’s P/E ratio of 28.58 and an adjusted P/E ratio of 31.27 for the last twelve months as of Q2 2025 suggest that investors are willing to pay a premium for BAH’s earnings, which could be justified by its consistent growth. This valuation is further supported by the company’s robust EBITDA growth of 30.89% over the same period.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that BAH has raised its dividend for 9 consecutive years and maintained payments for 13 years, indicating a commitment to shareholder returns. This is particularly relevant given the article’s focus on the company’s financial outlook. Additionally, the tip that BAH operates with a moderate level of debt provides context to the company’s financial stability, which could be a factor in its ability to navigate potential growth slowdowns mentioned in the analyst’s report.

For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips that could provide further insights into BAH’s market position and future prospects.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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