Stock Markets

Utah Powerhouse Spring Bengtzen Joins eXp Realty as Leader of 80-agent, $316M Team

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Bengtzen cites eXp Realty’s innovative model, robust team support, and growth opportunities as key factors in her decision

BELLINGHAM, Wash., Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eXp Realty^®, the most agent-centric real estate brokerage on the planet™ and the core subsidiary of eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: NASDAQ:), is thrilled to announce that Utah’s Spring Bengtzen, leader of the 80-agent, $316M Utah Life Group, has joined eXp Realty.

Bengtzen, known for her entrepreneurial spirit and focus on innovation, made the move from Real brokerage after carefully evaluating her options. She highlighted eXp Realty’s emphasis on supporting high-performing teams, its production-driven environment, and the leadership of eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja as decisive factors in her decision.

eXp’s leadership team is all in, said Bengtzen. Their focus on innovation and production is unmatched. I truly believe we are stepping into eXp 2.0, and I’m excited to be part of this next phase of growth.

Pareja welcomed Bengtzen and Utah Life Real Estate Group team members, emphasizing the alignment of their vision with eXp Realty’s mission. Spring embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking mindset that defines eXp Realty. Her decision to join us reflects the incredible value we offer to high-performing teams. We are excited to support her and her team as they achieve new heights, Pareja said.

Bengtzen brings more than 20 years of real estate experience and has built a reputation as a dynamic leader and motivational speaker specializing in team growth and scaling. She leads multiple ancillary businesses, including a title company, mortgage company, and the SpringB coaching firm, while co-leading She Inc., a thriving women’s empowerment community dedicated to “Building the Business of You.”

She has been recognized as one of Realtor Magazine’s 30 Under 30 honorees and was ranked No. 37 on RealTrends in 2024.

Beyond real estate, Bengtzen has completed the New York City Marathon and the grueling 29029 Everesting Challenge seven times, demonstrating her relentless drive and determination.

About eXp World Holdings, Inc.
eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPI) is the holding company for eXp Realty^®, FrameVR.io and SUCCESS^® Enterprises. eXp Realty is the largest independent real estate company in the world with more than 85,000 agents in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom (TADAWUL:), Australia, France, India, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Italy, Hong Kong, Colombia, Spain, Israel, Panama, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Greece, New Zealand, Chile, Poland and Dubai and continues to scale internationally. As a publicly traded company, eXp World Holdings provides real estate professionals the unique opportunity to earn equity awards for production goals and contributions to overall company growth. eXp World Holdings and its businesses offer a full suite of brokerage and real estate tech solutions, including an innovative residential and commercial brokerage model, professional services, collaborative tools and personal development. The cloud-based brokerage is powered by FrameVR.io technology, offering immersive 3D platforms that are deeply social and collaborative, enabling agents to be more connected and productive. SUCCESS^® Enterprises, anchored by SUCCESS^® magazine and its related media properties, was established in 1897 and is a leading personal and professional development brand and publication.

For more information, visit https://expworldholdings.com.

Media Relations Contact:
eXp World Holdings, Inc.
mediarelations@expworldholdings.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Denise Garcia, Managing Partner
Hayflower Partners
investors@expworldholdings.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83283797-d5f7-46fc-80de-188531e5be3f

Stock Markets

Adidas seals turnaround year with strong fourth-quarter sales

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

LONDON (Reuters) -Adidas reported what it said were better than expected preliminary fourth-quarter results on Tuesday, with strong sales and profitability for the important holiday shopping period, sealing a successful turnaround year.

The German sportswear brand focused in the past year on fuelling a trend for its retro multicoloured, three-striped shoes like the Samba and Gazelle to reboot its brand and boost sales, and has benefited from weaker performance at its bigger rival Nike (NYSE:).

It said revenue was up 19% year on year in currency-neutral terms in the fourth quarter, while its gross margin increased by 5.2 percentage points to 49.8%.

Adidas (OTC:) reported sales of 5.956 billion euros ($6.2 billion), up from 4.812 billion a year ago.

For the full year, revenue was up 12% in currency-neutral terms, hitting 23.683 billion euros ($24.7 billion). Profitability improved with the gross margin rising by 3.3 percentage points to 50.8%.

The results mark a significant recovery for Adidas from an annual loss in 2023 for the first time in more than 30 years, bruised by cutting ties with disgraced rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, leading to the abrupt ending of its lucrative Yeezy shoe line.

Operating profit for 2024 increased to 1.337 billion euros, from 268 million euros in 2023.

($1 = 0.9593 euros)

Stock Markets

ABB increasing U.S. investment to raise local production, CFO says

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – ABB (ST:) is increasing its investments in the United States as a way to deal with tariff hikes expected from the new Trump administration and to benefit from the country’s economic growth, Chief Financial Officer Timo Ihamuotila said on Tuesday.

“We will be investing more to compensate for this,” Ihamuotila told Reuters when asked about the impact of higher import duties.

“We will be investing more because it’s a good growth market,” the CFO said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

During his election campaign, new U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to impose steep tariffs of 10% to 20% on global imports into the U.S. and 60% on goods from China to help reduce a U.S. trade deficit that now tops $1 trillion annually.

Ihamuotila said local production for local customers was the best way to deal with the situation, noting that ABB currently produces around 80% of its products completely in the U.S., the engineering company’s biggest market.

“We have about 30 manufacturing locations in the U.S. and we will continue to expand these and probably even add something,” Ihamuotila said.

As well as spending more on its factories and facilities, ABB would also consider U.S.-based acquisitions, although many potential targets had high valuations at present, he said.

Outside the United States, Ihamuotila said about 90% of ABB’s products sold in Europe are produced there, while China has about 85% local production.

“It doesn’t fully insulate you, but it helps a lot,” Ihamuotila said. “In general, we are for free trade; we would like to see no tariffs, but it is what it is.”

Stock Markets

US SEC forms cryptocurrency task force

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

(Reuters) – The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said on Tuesday it was forming a new cryptocurrency task force “dedicated to developing a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework for crypto assets.”

The task force’s focuses “will be to help the Commission draw clear regulatory lines, provide realistic paths to registration, craft sensible disclosure frameworks, and deploy enforcement resources judiciously,” the SEC said in a statement.