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Sam Bankman-Fried acknowledges ‘mistakes’ but testifies he did not defraud anyone

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Sam Bankman-Fried acknowledges 'mistakes' but testifies he did not defraud anyone
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Indicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves the United States Courthouse in New York City, U.S., July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo

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By Jody Godoy and Luc Cohen

NEW YORK -Sam Bankman-Fried, testifying in his own defense at his fraud trial on Friday, acknowledged that a “lot of people got hurt” when the FTX cryptocurrency exchange he founded collapsed, but said he did not defraud anyone or take customer funds.

Shortly after taking the witness stand in Manhattan federal court, Bankman-Fried said he made “a number of small mistakes and a number of larger mistakes” while running the now-bankrupt exchange. The biggest mistake, he said, was not implementing a dedicated risk management team.

“We thought that we might be able to build the best product on the market,” Bankman-Fried said. “It turned out basically the opposite of that. A lot of people got hurt – customers, employees – and the company ended up in bankruptcy.”

Prosecutors accuse Bankman-Fried of using FTX customer funds to prop up his crypto-focused hedge fund, Alameda Research, make speculative venture investments and donate more than $100 million to U.S. political campaigns. He also faces charges of scheming to cheat Alameda’s lenders and FTX investors.

He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy brought in December 2022, one month after FTX declared bankruptcy following a wave of customer withdrawals.

Prosecutors say he directed that Alameda be given special trading privileges on FTX, such as a $65 billion line of credit and an exemption from having its positions liquidated if it posted losses. They say those privileges allowed Alameda to siphon deposits from the exchange’s unsuspecting customers.

Responding to questions posed by his defense lawyer Mark Cohen, Bankman-Fried gave long-winded answers and spoke in calm, measured tones as he disputed that narrative. He said Alameda was a “market maker” that served to boost volume on FTX, and thus could borrow money from the exchange to make trades.

Bankman-Fried said he grew concerned about the potential for an “erroneous” liquidation of Alameda’s assets, which would be “catastrophic” for the platform. He said he directed two FTX computer programmers, Nishad Singh and Gary Wang, to implement a feature to prevent this from happening.

“It was scary,” Bankman-Fried said. “This was something that presented systematic risk.”

Prosecutors will have the chance to question that account when they cross-examine the 31-year-old former billionaire.

BANKMAN-FRIED TESTIFIES ABOUT ‘NERDY’ FRAT LIFE

Bankman-Fried, who was jailed in August after U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan found he likely tampered with witnesses, wore a suit and spoke with two water bottles placed in front of him on the witness stand. The former mogul once known for wearing shorts and T-shirts and sporting an unkempt mop of curly locks cut his hair before his trial began.

He described playing “lots of board games” when he lived in an alcohol-free, “nerdy” fraternity house at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a physics degree in 2014 – part of an effort to push back on what his lawyers have termed prosecutors’ portrayal of him as a “cartoon of a villain.”

Jurors have heard from three of his closest confidantes at FTX and Alameda – Singh, Wang, and former Alameda chief executive officer Caroline Ellison. All three have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. They testified earlier this month that they committed financial crimes at Bankman-Fried’s behest.

For criminal defendants, taking the stand is a risky proposition because it opens them up to potentially probing cross-examination by prosecutors.

But given Bankman-Fried’s penchant for risk, legal experts say he likely viewed taking the stand as his best shot to counter the allegations made by members of his inner circle, which were backed up by spreadsheets the three said demonstrated how customer funds were stolen and text messages in which they discussed FTX’s shortfall of funds with Bankman-Fried.

Prosecutors will have the chance to cross-examine Bankman-Fried when Cohen finishes his questioning.

They may ask why he did not disclose to FTX customers that Alameda had special trading privileges on the exchange, and why he posted on social media amid the run on customer deposits last November that FTX was “fine” when he knew it was short billions of dollars.

Closing arguments and jury deliberations are expected to begin next week.

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Sterling Construction stock soars to all-time high of $137.93

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Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:) has reached an impressive milestone, with its stock price soaring to an all-time high of $137.93. This peak represents a significant achievement for the company, reflecting a robust performance and investor confidence. Over the past year, Sterling Construction has witnessed a remarkable 84.48% increase in its stock value, underscoring the company’s strong market presence and the positive reception of its strategic initiatives. Investors and market analysts alike are closely monitoring STRL’s progress, as it continues to build on its momentum in the construction sector.

In other recent news, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. announced two key changes in its leadership. The company revealed the upcoming retirement of board member Charles R. Patton, effective from September 1, 2024. Patton, who has been a part of Sterling’s Board since 2013, will step down after over a decade of service, during which he contributed to the Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee.

In parallel, Sterling Infrastructure named Dan Govin as its new Chief Operating Officer. Govin, who brings over three decades of experience in the energy infrastructure industry, is set to lead the company’s strategic and operational initiatives. His past roles include Regional President at Quanta Services (NYSE:) and Senior Vice President of Operations.

In related developments, Sterling Real Estate Trust, a North Dakota-based real estate investment trust, recently held its annual shareholders’ meeting. During the meeting, eight trustees were elected, including Gregory P. Hammes, Timothy L. Haugen, and Michelle L. Korsmo, among others. Additionally, the appointment of RSM US, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, was ratified by the shareholders. These are among the latest developments at Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. and Sterling Real Estate Trust.

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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CRH stock soars to all-time high, reaching $91.22

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CRH (NYSE:) PLC, a global leader in building materials, has reached an all-time high, with its stock price soaring to $91.22. This significant milestone underscores the company’s robust performance and investor confidence in its growth trajectory. Over the past year, CRH has seen an impressive 66.73% increase in its stock value, reflecting strong market demand and the successful execution of its strategic initiatives. The company’s ability to achieve this record price level amidst a dynamic economic environment speaks volumes about its resilience and the positive outlook shared by its stakeholders.

In other recent news, CRH Plc has seen a series of positive developments. Stifel, a financial services firm, has increased its EBITDA projections for the company by 4% for the years 2024 and 2025, following a positive outlook on CRH’s earnings. This includes the expected contributions from the newly acquired Adbri, which is predicted to add an additional 1% and 2% to the EBITDA in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

In addition, Deutsche Bank has raised its price target for CRH, maintaining a Buy rating on the stock, following the company’s acquisition of a majority stake in Adbri. This move is anticipated to enhance CRH’s materials solutions offerings in Europe.

Furthermore, CRH has appointed Lauren Schulz as its new Chief Communications Officer, a move expected to enhance the company’s global communications strategy.

Additionally, CRH has filed a notification regarding transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities, providing transparency into the dealings of the company’s management.

Lastly, CRH has reported strong growth in adjusted EBITDA and margin for the second quarter of 2024, and has raised its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $6.82 billion to $7.02 billion. These recent developments demonstrate the company’s resilience and strategic approach in a competitive market.

InvestingPro Insights

The ascent of CRH PLC in the stock market is not just a reflection of past performance but also a beacon for future potential, as suggested by InvestingPro data and insights. With a market capitalization of $60.88 billion and a forward-looking P/E ratio of 17.69, CRH is positioned competitively within the Construction Materials industry. Its commitment to shareholder returns is evident through a consistent dividend growth, having raised its dividend for the last four years, and a dividend yield of 1.39% as of the last twelve months leading up to Q2 2024. These financial gestures indicate management’s confidence in the company’s profitability, which is further supported by a strong gross profit margin of 34.85%.

In addition to its financial health, CRH’s operational efficiency is highlighted by an EBITDA growth of 13.63% in the same period. Notably, analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, signaling potential for continued growth. For investors seeking more detailed analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, including insights into CRH’s share buyback strategy and its performance relative to industry peers. These tips, accessible through the InvestingPro platform, offer a comprehensive view of the company’s strengths and investment potential.

For those monitoring CRH’s trajectory, the stock is trading near its 52-week high, at 99.14% of its peak, with a previous close at $89.27. The company’s next earnings date is set for November 7, 2024, which will provide further clarity on its performance and outlook. With a fair value estimate of $101 by analysts and an InvestingPro fair value of $74.35, investors are presented with a nuanced picture of CRH’s valuation. As the market anticipates CRH’s next financial disclosures, the InvestingPro platform remains a valuable resource for real-time data and expert analysis.

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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Nelnet stock soars to all-time high of $115.64 amid robust growth

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In a remarkable display of market confidence, Nelnet Inc (NYSE:) stock has achieved an all-time high, reaching a price level of $115.64. This milestone underscores a period of significant growth for the company, which has seen its stock value surge by 27.28% over the past year. Investors have rallied behind Nelnet’s strong performance, propelling the stock to new heights and reflecting optimism in the company’s future prospects. The all-time high represents not just a peak for the year but an unprecedented value in the company’s trading history, marking a momentous occasion for both Nelnet and its shareholders.

In other recent news, Nelnet Inc. has been under the spotlight following strong Q2 earnings and subsequent adjustments by TD Cowen. The firm increased Nelnet’s price target to $98.00, up from $96.00, while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. This follows Nelnet’s Q2 2024 earnings report, which highlighted an EPS of $1.44, surpassing TD Cowen’s estimate of $1.33. The improved earnings were largely due to reduced operating expenses and a lower provision for losses. However, these gains were slightly offset by a decrease in fee income and a lower net interest income.

In recent developments, Nelnet disclosed its quarterly financial results to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The report provides a snapshot of the financial health of Nelnet Bank, its wholly-owned subsidiary, and includes critical data such as assets, liabilities, and income. This commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance allows investors to gauge Nelnet’s financial stability and growth prospects.

Furthermore, Nelnet’s bank subsidiary, Nelnet Bank, also disclosed its quarterly financials. The report, known as the Call Report, is a significant indicator of the subsidiary’s contribution to Nelnet’s overall financial status. This routine disclosure aligns with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, providing a clear view of Nelnet Bank’s financial standing as of the last quarter.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of Nelnet Inc’s (NNI) recent achievement of an all-time high stock price, several InvestingPro Tips and real-time data points provide further context to the company’s financial health and market performance. Notably, Nelnet has demonstrated a robust track record by raising its dividend for 9 consecutive years and maintaining dividend payments for 18 consecutive years, which signals a strong commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, analysts remain optimistic about the company’s profitability, expecting net income to grow this year.

From a data standpoint, Nelnet’s current market capitalization stands at $4.15 billion with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.88, which adjusts to a lower ratio of 22.02 when considering the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, reflecting a more favorable valuation for investors. The company’s revenue growth has been modest at 0.7% over the last twelve months, yet it experienced a more significant quarterly surge of 12.82% as of Q2 2024. Importantly, Nelnet’s stock is trading near its 52-week high, at 99.06% of this peak, and has seen a large price uptick of 31% over the last six months. These figures underscore the company’s strong market presence and potential for continued growth.

For those interested in deeper analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/NNI, which can provide investors with more nuanced insights into Nelnet’s performance and future outlook.

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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