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Biden tours Florida’s storm-hit streets as Milton debris piles up

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By Trevor Hunnicutt

ST PETE BEACH, Florida (Reuters) -After surveying battered communities and debris-filled streets in Florida, President Joe Biden vowed on Sunday to continue supporting the state’s recovery from Hurricane Milton, the second major storm to pummel the region in recent weeks.

Rising floodwaters, fuel shortages and power outages are hindering cleanup efforts from the storm that made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane and residents struggling to rebuild their lives amid the compounded devastation left by both Milton and the earlier Hurricane Helene.

Residents of hard-hit St. Pete Beach are “heartbroken and exhausted and their expenses are piling up,” Biden said after touring the barrier island’s neighborhoods. 

Street corners were filled with debris alongside felled palm trees and homes with busted pastel-painted garage doors as the smell of moldy building materials filled the air. Heaps of mattresses, siding, couches, microwave ovens, pillows and busted-up kitchen cabinets lined the roads, some still covered in large patches of sand, as Biden walked through with emergency responders. One photo album still lay scattered in the street.

“Help,” one resident asked Biden in lettering on one pile of destroyed household goods.

“I know you’re concerned about the debris removal, and it’s obvious why,” the president said, speaking in front of a collapsed beach house lifted from its foundation. “There’s much more to do. We’re doing everything we can.”

Meanwhile, flooding is expected to continue around the Tampa Bay and the Sanford area northeast of Orlando as river waters continue to rise, according to the National Weather Service’s website.

About 75% of Florida’s power is back online, with full restoration expected by Tuesday evening, said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who traveled with Biden. Five days after the storm hit, about 927,000 customers still do not have power, according to the PowerOutage.us website. 

More gasoline distribution sites are also scheduled to open on Sunday, according to the state’s emergency operations center.    

Still, recovery is expected to take a long time with the two storms hitting within two weeks of each other. 

Biden’s visit offered a bird’s eye view of the destruction as his helicopter thundered along Florida’s western coast from Tampa to St. Petersburg over a landscape of golf courses, waterfront skyscrapers and battered neighborhoods, including the shredded roof of Tampa Bay Rays’ baseball stadium, Tropicana Field.   

“It’s still a mess,” Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert told ABC News’ “This Week” program, adding “it’s been heartening to see all of the outpouring of support and help that people have been offering.” 

At least 17 deaths have been reported from Milton, far less than the more than 200 people killed by Helene, in part from what officials have said were more people heeding calls to evacuate.

‘A PATH FORWARD’

Climate change has been linked to stronger and faster hurricanes, with the two recent back-to-back storms pummeling Florida raising questions of infrastructure resiliency even as many residents vow to stay put.

While Milton was not as destructive as officials had initially forecast, analysts have estimated insured losses for between $30 billion and $60 billion.

Biden’s administration has approved federal aid to help residents and local governments cover expenses but has said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would need additional funding from the U.S. Congress even though it has enough now to meet immediate storm needs. On Sunday, he also announced $612 million for six new utility projects in affected communities.

Biden, a Democrat, reiterated his call for lawmakers — on recess until after the Nov. 5 election — to return to Washington to approve more FEMA money, telling reporters as he left the state Congress needs to move quickly: “It’s important.”

St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila, speaking alongside Biden, echoed the call for help: “We’re concerned about the future of our town…  We need continued federal resources, and we need a path forward to ensure that our community and all other communities, all other cities who were devastated just like this town, can emerge stronger than ever before.”

But Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson resisted White House and state lawmakers appeals to approve more disaster assistance, telling NBC News’ “Meet the Press” program: “The states have to go and calculate and assess the need and then they submit that to Congress, and that takes some time.” 

© Reuters. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks, as he visits storm-damaged areas in the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, in St. Pete Beach, Florida, U.S., October 13, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Relief efforts have also been hampered by a trail of misinformation, including conspiracy theories about officials controlling the weather. Politics has also infiltrated recovery with just three weeks to go until the presidential election. 

A number of local officials greeted or accompanied Biden on his tour, including Florida Republican U.S. Representative Anna Luna. The state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, declined the White House invitation and Biden told reporters that he did not speak with DeSantis. DeSantis’ office was not immediately available for comment. 

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Allbirds stock touches 52-week low at $7.65 amid market challenges

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In a challenging market environment, Allbirds Inc. (NASDAQ:) stock has recorded a new 52-week low, dipping to $7.65. The eco-friendly footwear company has faced significant headwinds over the past year, reflected in a substantial 1-year change with a decline of -55.8%. Investors have shown concern as the brand navigates through a competitive retail landscape and supply chain issues, which have pressured the stock to its current low. The company’s efforts to rebound will be closely watched by market participants looking for signs of a turnaround or further indications of industry-wide pressures.

In other recent news, Allbirds disclosed its Q3 2024 financial results, reporting a net revenue of $43 million. This figure reflects a downturn due to reduced unit sales and transitions to a distributor model in certain regions. Despite these challenges, the company managed to increase its gross margin to 44.4%, attributed to lower freight costs and improved inventory management.

The company also launched two new products, the Tree Glider and Lounger Lift, which have been positively received by consumers. Allbirds revised its full-year revenue guidance to between $187 million and $193 million and anticipates an adjusted EBITDA loss of $75 million to $71 million.

Additionally, Allbirds has signed two new international distributor agreements, expanding its reach in Latin America and Europe from mid-2025. The company’s management, led by CEO Joe Vernachio and CFO Annie Mitchell, remains optimistic about future growth, driven by forthcoming product launches and strategic marketing efforts.

InvestingPro Insights

Allbirds Inc. (BIRD) continues to face significant challenges, as reflected in its recent stock performance and financial metrics. According to InvestingPro data, the company’s revenue growth has declined by 22.67% over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, with a quarterly revenue decline of 24.89% in Q3 2024. This aligns with the InvestingPro Tip that analysts anticipate sales decline in the current year.

The company’s financial health is also concerning, with an operating income margin of -48.08% for the same period. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that Allbirds is quickly burning through cash, which is particularly worrisome given the current market conditions.

Despite these challenges, InvestingPro Tips indicate that Allbirds holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet and its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations. This could provide some financial flexibility as the company navigates its turnaround efforts.

For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 17 additional tips for Allbirds, providing a deeper understanding of the company’s financial position and market performance.

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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Quipt Home Medical stock hits 52-week low at $2.55

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Quipt Home Medical (TASE:) Corp. (QIPT) stock has reached a new 52-week low, trading at $2.55. This latest price point marks a significant downturn for the company, which has experienced a 46.87% decline over the past year. Investors are closely monitoring the home medical equipment provider as it navigates through a challenging period marked by this notable decrease in stock value. The 52-week low serves as a critical indicator for the market, reflecting investor sentiment and potential shifts in the company’s financial health and operational performance.

In other recent news, Quipt Home Medical Corp has been making notable strides despite facing several challenges. The company’s third fiscal quarter report revealed a steady increase in revenue, reaching $64 million, a 6.1% rise from the previous year. The customer base also expanded by 9%, serving 153,223 unique patients, and adjusted EBITDA grew by 2.7% to $14.2 million.

Benchmark revised its stock price target for Quipt Home Medical, reducing it to $7 from the previous $9, but maintained a Buy rating for the stock. This adjustment was influenced by several factors including the expiration of Medicare’s 75/25 rate relief, a diminished Managed Care contract, and the repercussions of the Change Healthcare (NASDAQ:) cyberattack. However, the firm predicts that Quipt could achieve an 8%-10% organic growth rate by the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

In the face of these challenges, Quipt Home Medical has reported a 9% increase in resupply revenue for sleep therapy and supplies, which accounts for half of the company’s revenues. The company’s management has also indicated an active mergers and acquisitions pipeline, which could provide further growth opportunities. These are the recent developments that investors should keep an eye on.

InvestingPro Insights

Despite Quipt Home Medical Corp. (QIPT) hitting a new 52-week low, InvestingPro data reveals some interesting insights that may provide context for investors. The company’s revenue growth remains strong, with a 29.31% increase over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, reaching $244.23 million. This growth suggests that QIPT continues to expand its market presence in the home medical equipment sector.

However, profitability remains a concern. InvestingPro Tips highlight that QIPT has not been profitable over the last twelve months, with a negative P/E ratio of -24.61. On a more positive note, analysts predict that the company will become profitable this year, which could potentially reverse the stock’s downward trend.

The current market valuation implies a strong free cash flow yield, according to another InvestingPro Tip. This could indicate that the stock may be undervalued at its current price, especially considering that it’s trading near its 52-week low. Investors looking for a deeper analysis can find 7 additional InvestingPro Tips for QIPT, offering a more comprehensive view of the company’s financial situation 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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Muslims who voted for Trump upset by his pro-Israel cabinet picks

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By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Muslim leaders who supported Republican Donald Trump to protest against the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza and attacks on Lebanon have been deeply disappointed by his Cabinet picks, they tell Reuters.

“Trump won because of us and we’re not happy with his Secretary of State pick and others,” said Rabiul Chowdhury, a Philadelphia investor who chaired the Abandon Harris campaign in Pennsylvania and co-founded Muslims for Trump. Muslim support for Trump helped him win Michigan and may have factored into other swing state wins, strategists believe.

Trump picked Republican senator Marco Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel for Secretary of State. Rubio said earlier this year he would not call for a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he believed Israel should destroy “every element” of Hamas. “These people are vicious animals,” he added.

Trump also nominated Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and staunch pro-Israel conservative who backs Israeli occupation of the West Bank and has called a two state solution in Palestine “unworkable”, as the next ambassador to Israel.

He has picked Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, who called the UN a “cesspool of antisemitism” for its condemnation of deaths in Gaza, to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Rexhinaldo Nazarko, executive director of the American Muslim Engagement and Empowerment Network (AMEEN), said Muslim voters had hoped Trump would choose Cabinet officials who work toward peace, and there was no sign of that.

“We are very disappointed,” he said. “It seems like this administration has been packed entirely with neoconservatives and extremely pro-Israel, pro-war people, which is a failure on the on the side of President Trump, to the pro-peace and anti-war movement.”

Nazarko said the community would continue pressing to make its voices heard after rallying votes to help Trump win. “At least we’re on the map.”

Hassan Abdel Salam, a former professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and co-founder of the Abandon Harris campaign, which endorsed Green Party candidate Jill Stein, said Trump’s staffing plans were not surprising, but had proven even more extreme that he had feared.

“It’s like he’s going on Zionist overdrive,” he said. “We were always extremely skeptical…Obviously we’re still waiting to see where the administration will go, but it does look like our community has been played.”

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Several Muslim and Arab supporters of Trump said they hoped Richard Grenell, Trump’s former acting director of national intelligence, would play a key role after he led months of outreach to Muslim and Arab American communities, and was even introduced as a potential next secretary of state at events.

Another key Trump ally, Massad Boulos, the Lebanese father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany, met repeatedly with Arab American and Muslim leaders.

Both promised Arab American and Muslim voters that Trump was a candidate for peace who would act swiftly to end the wars in the Middle East and beyond. Neither was immediately reachable.

Trump made several visits to cities with large Arab American and Muslim populations, include a stop in Dearborn, a majority Arab city, where he said he loved Muslims, and Pittsburgh, where he called Muslims for Trump “a beautiful movement. They want peace. They want stability.”

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Richard Grenell, a top advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump and former Acting Director of National Intelligence, speaks to the attendees of a Muslims and Bangladeshi Americans for Trump  outreach event in Hamtramck, Michigan, U.S. November 2, 2024.  REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo

Rola Makki, the Lebanese American, Muslim vice chair for outreach of the Michigan Republican Party, shrugged off the criticism.

“I don’t think everyone’s going to be happy with every appointment Trump makes, but the outcome is what matters,” she said. “I do know that Trump wants peace, and what people need to realize is that there’s 50,000 dead Palestinians and 3,000 dead Lebanese, and that’s happened during the current administration.”

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