Connect with us
  • tg

Stock Markets

Hezbollah, Israel exchange heavy fire in ‘new phase’ of fighting

letizo News

Published

on

By Timour Azhari and Miro Maman

BEIRUT/HAIFA, Israel (Reuters) -Hezbollah and Israel exchanged heavy fire into Sunday, as the Lebanese militant group sent rockets deep into northern Israeli territory after facing some of the most intense bombardment in almost a year of conflict.

Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem told mourners at the funeral of one of the group’s commanders killed last week in Beirut: “We have entered a new phase, the title of which is the open-ended battle of reckoning.”

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said operations would continue until it was safe for evacuated people on his side of the border to return – also setting the stage for a long conflict as Iran-backed Hezbollah has vowed to fight on until a ceasefire in the parallel Gaza war.

Israel’s Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi said in a televised statement the military was well-prepared for the next stages of fighting, which were coming in the next few days, but did not say what this would entail.

“We will do whatever it takes to removes threats against Israel,” Halevi said in a televised statement.

The conflict – which has escalated sharply in the past week – has raged since Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel, saying it was acting in support of Palestinians facing an Israeli offensive further south in Gaza.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members exploded. The attack was widely blamed on Israel, which has not confirmed or denied responsibility.

The following day, Israel launched its heaviest bombardment of Lebanon yet.

On Friday an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb targeted senior Hezbollah commanders in an attack that killed 45 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Hezbollah said 16 members of the group were among the dead, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and another commander, Ahmed Wahbi.

In a further intense bombardment on Saturday the Israeli military said it struck around 290 targets, including thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels.

“In recent days we have inflicted a series of blows on Hezbollah that it never imagined,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement. “If Hezbollah has not understood the message, I promise you, it will understand the message.”

SIRENS SOUND, SCHOOLS CLOSED

Speaking at Aqil’s funeral on Sunday, Hezbollah’s Qassem said Israel was seeking to paralyse the group, but would not succeed.

Qassem said Israel’s escalation of the conflict would lead to further displacement of its own citizens.

Israel has closed schools, restricted gatherings in the north and ordered hospitals there to move patients and staff to protected areas – many have secured or underground facilities designed to withstand rocket fire.

Air raid sirens sounded constantly in Israel on Sunday. About 150 rockets, cruise missiles and drones were fired at Israel overnight and into Sunday, most of which were intercepted by air defences, the military said.

Several buildings were struck, including a house badly damaged near the city of Haifa. Rescue teams treated wounded but there were no reports of deaths. Residents had been instructed to stay near bomb shelters and safe rooms.

Hezbollah said it hit a barracks and another Israeli position with squadrons of attack drones and also launched rockets at military-industrial facilities in an “initial response” to the device attacks last week.

An official in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a grouping of Iran-backed armed factions, said they launched cruise missile and explosive drone attacks at Israel at dawn on Sunday as part of “a new phase in our support front” with Lebanon.

“Escalation in Lebanon means escalation from Iraq,” the official said.

‘IMMINENT CATASTROPHE’

The U.N. special coordinator in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasscharet, said in a post on X that “with the region on the brink of an imminent catastrophe, it cannot be overstated enough: there is NO military solution that will make either side safer”.

Lebanon’s top Christian cleric, Bechara Boutros al-Rai, said in his Sunday sermon that Lebanon was “deeply saddened” by the casualties among civilians and within Hezbollah in the attacks of the past week, in a rare condolence message by a Christian leader to the group.

“We direct an appeal to the (United Nations Security Council) to put an end to this war by all available means,” Rai said.

Tens of thousands of people have left their homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border since Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in October.

© Reuters. Smoke billows over southern Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as pictured from Marjayoun, Lebanon, near the border with Israel, September 22, 2024. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher

The Gaza conflict was triggered on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 41,300 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, and laid waste to the enclave.

Stock Markets

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

letizo News

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Stock Markets

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

letizo News

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Stock Markets

Muslims who voted for Trump upset by his pro-Israel cabinet picks

letizo News

Published

on

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.”

Continue Reading

Trending

©2021-2024 Letizo All Rights Reserved