Connect with us
  • tg

Stock Markets

Israel reduces troops in south Gaza, Egypt to host new talks

letizo News

Published

on

By Ari Rabinovitch and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel said on Sunday it had withdrawn more soldiers from southern Gaza, leaving just one brigade, as it and Hamas sent teams to Egypt for fresh talks on a potential ceasefire in the six-month conflict.

Israel has been reducing numbers in Gaza since the start of the year to relieve reservists and is under growing pressure from its ally Washington to improve the humanitarian situation, especially after last week’s killing of seven aid workers.

The military spokesperson did not give details on reasons for withdrawing soldiers or numbers involved. But Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the troops will be preparing for future operations in Gaza.

Both Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls Gaza, confirmed they were sending delegations to Egypt.

Hamas wants any deal to bring about an end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel has said that, after any truce, it would topple Hamas, which is sworn to its destruction.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no deal without a hostage release and that he would not cave to international pressure. Hamas says an agreement must include freedom of movement of residents across the Gaza Strip.

More than 250 hostages were seized and some 1,200 people killed during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli tallies. More than 33,100 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

Around 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza. Asked about troop withdrawals from the enclave, Israel’s Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi told reporters that the military was adapting its methods to what has been and will be a long war.

Gallant said Israel will press on with the war until Hamas no longer controls Gaza or threatens Israel as a military group.

“The forces are exiting and preparing for their next missions,” Gallant said at a meeting with military officials, according to a statement from his office, and “also their coming mission in the Rafah area”.

PALESTINIAN HOPES

Israel says an incursion into the Rafah area, near the border with Egypt, is needed to eliminate Hamas but anxious foreign powers have said it could exact an unacceptable toll on civilians, with more than a million people sheltering there.

Israel says it will evacuate civilians before launching an incursion.

Palestinian residents of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, which has come under Israeli bombardment in recent months, said they had seen Israeli forces leaving the centre of the city and retreating to eastern districts.

Medics said they found at least 12 Palestinian bodies in the area. Some residents from Khan Younis, who have been sheltering in Rafah, began returning to their neighbourhoods after the Israeli troops left.

“It seems at the end it may be a happy Eid,” said Imad Joudat, 55, who lives with his eight-member family in a tent in Rafah, referring to the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday that starts mid-week.

“The occupation withdrew forces from Khan Younis, the Americans are pressuring after some foreigners were killed and Egypt is holding a big round with the Americans, the Israelis, Hamas and Qatar. This time we are hopeful,” Joudat told Reuters via a chat app.

Israel is under increased pressure from the United States, with President Joe Biden demanding that it improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza and work towards a ceasefire, and saying that U.S. support could depend on that.

It was the first time Biden, a staunch supporter of Israel, has sought to leverage U.S. backing to influence Israeli military behaviour. The U.S. is a major supplier of arms to Israel.

© Reuters. Israeli soldiers prepare to enter Gaza, April 7, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Biden has also urged the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to pressure Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal ahead of a fresh round of talks in Cairo.

Israel is also on alert for a possible retaliatory attack from Iran in reaction to the killing of Iranian generals on April 1.

Stock Markets

Sprott announces Q1 2024 dividend of $0.25 per share

letizo News

Published

on

TORONTO – Sprott Inc. (NYSE/TSX: SII), a global leader in precious metals and critical materials investments, has declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.25 per common share for the first quarter of 2024. The dividend is payable on June 5, 2024, to shareholders on record as of May 21, 2024.

The company specified that registered shareholders in Canada, according to Sprott’s shareholder register, as well as beneficial holders with shares held through intermediaries participating in CDS Clearing and Depositary Services Inc. or its nominee, CDS & Co., will receive their dividend in Canadian dollars. The amount will be determined by the spot price exchange rate on the day of payment.

Shareholders residing outside of Canada, including those in the United States, as well as beneficial holders whose intermediary is a participant in The Depository Trust Company or its nominee, Cede & Co., will receive their dividend in U.S. dollars. Beneficial holders with intermediaries in CDS have the option to elect to receive their dividend in U.S. dollars and should contact their broker for more information.

Furthermore, registered shareholders in Canada who are not part of CDS and wish to receive their dividend in U.S. dollars are advised to arrange for their common shares to be deposited with CDS and make a currency election before the May 21, 2024 deadline.

The announced dividend is designated as an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes, which could be advantageous for Canadian taxpayers.

Sprott’s expertise in the precious metals and critical materials sectors is underscored by its specialized investment strategies, which include Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities, and Private Strategies. With offices located in Toronto, New York, Connecticut, and California, Sprott stands as a specialized entity in its field, differentiating itself from more generalist financial institutions.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or
remove ads
.

The company’s common shares are traded on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SII. This dividend announcement is based on a press release statement issued by Sprott Inc.

InvestingPro Insights

Sprott Inc. (NYSE/TSX: SII) has recently announced its quarterly dividend, affirming its commitment to rewarding shareholders. This is in line with one of the InvestingPro Tips that highlights the company’s track record of maintaining dividend payments for 17 consecutive years. Moreover, the same source suggests that Sprott Inc. is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, which could indicate a potential undervaluation of the company’s stock.

Examining the real-time metrics from InvestingPro, Sprott Inc. boasts a market capitalization of $1.04 billion USD, reflecting its substantial presence in the precious metals and critical materials investment sector. The company also shows a promising P/E ratio of 20.75 when adjusted for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023.

This, combined with a PEG ratio of just 0.18 for the same period, suggests that the stock could have room for growth when considering its earnings trajectory. Furthermore, the revenue growth for Sprott Inc. has been robust, with a 16.42% increase over the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, underlining the company’s financial health and potential for further expansion.

For investors interested in deeper insights and additional metrics, there are more InvestingPro Tips available, which could provide a more comprehensive investment picture. To explore these insights and leverage the full suite of tools, consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at InvestingPro.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or
remove ads
.

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

Franklin financial exec Gregory A. Duffey buys $58,000 in stock

letizo News

Published

on

Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) director Gregory A. Duffey has recently increased his stake in the company, according to a new SEC filing. On May 3, 2024, Duffey purchased 2,000 shares of common stock at a price of $29.0 per share, totaling $58,000.

This transaction has bolstered Duffey’s ownership in the state commercial bank to 17,964 shares. The purchase reflects a straightforward investment in the company’s stock, without the involvement of equity swaps or other complex financial instruments. As the director of Franklin Financial Services Corp., Duffey’s decision to buy additional shares could be seen as a vote of confidence in the company’s future prospects.

Investors often monitor insider transactions as they may provide insights into the company’s performance and management’s expectations. The details of the transaction, including the number of shares purchased and the price paid, are publicly available through the SEC filing, offering transparency to shareholders and potential investors.

Franklin Financial Services Corp., based in Chambersburg, PA, operates as a state commercial bank and is known for its community-focused banking services. The company’s stock is traded under the ticker symbol FRAF on the NASDAQ exchange.

InvestingPro Insights

Recent insider trading by Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) director Gregory A. Duffey has spotlighted the company’s stock, drawing investor attention to its financial health and future outlook. To provide a clearer picture of FRAF’s standing, we’ve gathered some key data and insights from InvestingPro.

Despite a challenging economic environment, Franklin Financial Services Corp. has managed to maintain a consistent dividend payout for 41 consecutive years, a testament to its financial stability and commitment to shareholders. Moreover, the company has experienced a strong return over the last month, with a 12.57% increase, which may partly explain Duffey’s confidence in increasing his stake. This is also reflected in the company’s profitability over the last twelve months, suggesting a solid operational performance.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or
remove ads
.

InvestingPro Data metrics reveal a market capitalization of $124.48 million and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.05, which adjusts slightly to 9.11 when looking at the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. The company’s price-to-book ratio stands at 0.94 for the same period, indicating that the stock may be reasonably valued in relation to its assets. However, it’s important to note that FRAF suffers from weak gross profit margins, which could be a point of consideration for potential investors.

For those looking to delve deeper into Franklin Financial Services Corp.’s financials and future prospects, InvestingPro offers additional tips and insights. With the use of coupon code PRONEWS24, readers can get an extra 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, unlocking even more valuable information. There are 5 more InvestingPro Tips available, which could further guide investment decisions regarding FRAF.

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

SICC Co stock rating upgraded to buy, price target cut

letizo News

Published

on

On Tuesday, Jefferies upgraded shares of SICC Co Ltd (688234:CH), a prominent conductive substrate manufacturer, from Hold to Buy, while adjusting the stock price target to RMB66.00 from the previous RMB69.00.

This decision was influenced by the company’s financial performance, with fourth-quarter 2023 and first-quarter 2024 revenues meeting expectations and net profit surpassing both Jefferies’ and consensus estimates.

The optimism for the upgrade is partly due to SICC’s Lingang fabrication plant reaching a capacity of 25 kilowatts per month by the end of 2023. This expansion has positioned SICC among the top three conductive substrate makers.

The analyst noted that overseas customers now contribute approximately 40% to the company’s revenue with a gross margin (GM) of 29% in 2023. The expectation of a higher mix of overseas business in the forthcoming years is a driving factor behind the positive outlook.

The upgrade reflects the company’s short-term financial prospects, which are expected to remain strong. The analyst emphasized this by stating the company’s revenue alignment with forecasts and the substantial outperformance in net profit as key indicators of SICC’s robust financial health.

The revised stock price target of RMB66.00, despite being a slight reduction from the prior target, aligns with the upgraded stock rating and the anticipation of SICC’s continued growth and expansion in market share, especially with its increased capacity and international customer base.

The company’s strategic positioning and financial results are the primary reasons behind Jefferies’ confidence in SICC’s stock performance.

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

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or
remove ads
.
Continue Reading

Trending

©2021-2024 Letizo All Rights Reserved