The president said the defense secretary is "doing a great job."
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would remain on the job, even as he acknowledged that the war with Iran had contributed to Republicans' sweeping midterm losses and as Democrats prepare to use their new congressional majority to potentially investigate the Pentagon chief.
Trump dismissed the possibility of replacing Hegseth, telling reporters he was "doing a great job." When asked about speculation that Hegseth is eyeing Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn's soon-to-be-vacated Tennessee seat, Trump predicted the defense secretary would be "very popular" in the state.
Blackburn, who won Tennessee's gubernatorial race Tuesday, declined to weigh in on who might be picked to fill her Senate seat. Asked about who would be appointed, she said, "It's not a conversation for today."
Trump's remarks come as Republicans grapple with the political fallout from the eight-month war with Iran, which has driven up gas prices and fueled voter frustration over the cost of living. The war and its economic consequences are widely seen as a major factor in Republicans' crushing midterm defeat.

#Trump #defense

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to make an appearance in Brussels.
Now that the Duke and ******* ss of Sussex have settled into their new home across the pond, they are ready to get back to work and contribute to the community. The couple is set to make a joint appearance in Belgium's capital on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
During their visit, they will open the Lost Screen Memorial in the city center. The tribute consists of 50 smartphone screens that each display a photo of a child who lost their life to the negative effects of social media.
According to People, the Sussexes are expected to give a keynote address about the importance of children's digital safety. Prince Harry is also set to participate in a panel discussion ******* led "Beyond Promises: Buidling a Digital Future That Works for Children."
Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation Parents' Network created and launched the Lost Screen Memorial as part of the "No Child Lost to Social Media" campaign. In April 2025, the two unveiled the installation in New York City. Another had gone up in Switzerland this past May with the ******* ss of Sussex present for the opening in Geneva's Place des Nations.

#lost #prince #city #child

Tech billionaire Elon Musk joked on Wednesday about Republicans' defeat in US midterm elections after spending hundreds of millions of dollars to help the party.
Democrats seized control of the US Congress on Tuesday, capturing both the Senate and House of Representatives in a stunning rejection of President Donald Trump's political agenda.
"Guess my election-interfering **** e lasers didn't work this time," Musk said on X, including the shrug emoji.
Musk contributed nearly half a billion dollars to Republican political efforts, making him the largest individual contributor in a federal election cycle since unlimited election spending was allowed in 2010, according to campaign finance tracker OpenSecrets.
His donations have mostly gone to his Republican-leaning America PAC, as well as to the Republican Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) super PAC.

#republican #senate #spending #dollars

Chris Rock has opened up about the behaviour that contributed to the breakdown of his marriage, admitting he "was not a great husband."
The actor split from Malaak Compton-Rock, the mother of his daughters Lola, 24, and 22-year-old Zahra, back in 2014 after 18 years of marriage.
The comedian, 61, spoke to GQ about his divorce after being named one of the magazine's Men of the Year.
He said: "I watched a lot of ****** . I don't watch ****** anymore. I haven't watched ****** in five, six years.
"It's not anything I'm proud of, but it's something I had to go through."

#watched #chris

The New York Yankees entered the offseason facing familiar questions about their offensive identity after another frustrating end to their season. Despite the talent in their lineup, the Yankees were swept by the division rival Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series, leaving the franchise to confront concerns about its execution, approach and ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.
The team's reliance on superstar slugger Aaron Judge was laid bare, as the offense struggled to produce while he was sidelined by an injury. And its failure to execute fundamental defensive and baserunning plays has come under fire as well, particularly after the Rays and World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers succeeded with such a different style.
Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi articulated many of the criticisms surrounding the Yankees shortly after their season ended.
"Joe Girardi isn't blaming Aaron Boone for the Yankees' shortcomings, but believes a deeper-rooted culture issue might have contributed to the team being swept in the ALDS," Mark Suleymanov wrote for the New York Post. "Girardi cited Austin Wells' baserunning blunder in Game 1 and Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s disastrous throw in an error-filled Game 2 as examples of the team's fundamental failures — and the concerning response to those mistakes."
And with the Yankees under fire for a power-heavy offense and poor fundamentals, one of their most intriguing infield prospects has spoken out about the kind of change he'd like to see in the sport.

#series #division

Angel Reese being praised for her performance during the 2026 WNBA Finals doesn't sit well with one Los Angeles Clippers fan.
The Atlanta Dream survived the win-or-go-home Game 6 against the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Finals.
Star forward Angel Reese contributed 15 points to the 80-69 win, but she had a somewhat off-shooting night.
Despite that, many have praised Reese for her overall performance in the series and want her to win the Finals MVP if the Dream seal the deal in Game 7.
One X user, 'Jacobtheclipper' doesn't share the same enthusiasm about Reese's WNBA Finals performance as others.

#finals #WNBA #angeles

Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick helped Al-Nassr to a 5-3 win against Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League and took the Portugal striker to 985 career goals.
With the game evenly poised at 2-2 following goals from Angelo Gabriel and Sadio Mane for for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo secured the win for his side by scoring three times in 15 second-half minutes.
His Portugal team-mate Joao Felix contributed four ***** ists, including for two of Ronaldo's goals.
It was the 67th hat-trick of the 41-year-old's career as he continues to chase another milestone in a glittering career.
He has scored seven of his hat-tricks for Al-Nassr - along with 44 for Real Madrid, 10 for Portugal and three each at Manchester United and Juventus.

#nassr

Fans are roasting Packers' Josh Jacobs for doing handcuffs celebration after TD in vs. Panthers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Green Bay Packers notched their fourth win in five games after outclassing the Carolina Panthers, 27-19, at Lambeau Field on Thursday.
The Packers leaned on a strong start, building a 10-point lead, 20-10, at halftime. Josh Jacobs contributed to the double-digit advantage by scoring on a one-yard punch with 6:33 to go in the second quarter.
After his touchdown, Jacobs celebrated by pretending to be handcuffed, as his teammates whooped it up with him in the end zone.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

#panthers #clutchpoints

Dawson Sutton experienced an eventful afternoon in Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, finishing 19th after leading one lap and encountering tire problems. The Rackley W.A.R. driver started 26th and demonstrated competitive speed during the middle portion of the race.
Sutton advanced through the field as the opening stages featured shifting drafting lanes and changing pit strategies. His No. 26 Chevrolet became particularly competitive during Stage 2, when he finished seventh and collected four valuable points.
Sutton also benefited from an efficient pit stop following the stage, moving toward the front as competitors employed different tire strategies. However, his afternoon became more challenging when a tire problem caused him to slow during the final stage.
The issue contributed to a caution for debris, forcing Sutton to recover lost track position during the remaining portion of the race. Despite the setback, he continued competing and avoided the late accident that eliminated multiple drivers. Sutton ultimately completed 85 laps and finished 19th, one lap behind winner Sammy Smith.
The result earned him 23 points and helped him maintain 18th in the overall NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings with 366 points.

#tire

England signed off their campaign in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series with a 55-run victory over Sri Lanka, riding on Ben Duckett's magnificent 167 before Liam Dawson's four-wicket haul derailed the chase at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.

Asked to bat first after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field, England piled up 386/5 in 50 overs, registering the highest ODI total at the Lahore venue. Duckett led the charge with a commanding 132-ball knock, while Tom Banton and captain Harry Brook made valuable contributions to keep the scoreboard moving.

Sri Lanka put up a spirited fight in reply, with Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake scoring half-centuries. However, Dawson's spell of 4/49 broke the backbone of their middle order as the visitors were bowled out for 331 in 45.1 overs.
Duckett provided the foundation for England's imposing total with an innings of 167 off 132 deliveries. The left-hander combined patience with attacking strokeplay, setting the tone for a commanding batting performance.

He shared an opening partnership of 163 runs with Banton, who contributed 74 off 75 ****** . The stand gave England early control before Duckett continued to accelerate through the middle overs.

Captain Brook then joined the charge, helping England add another 107 runs in a brisk partnership with Duckett. The substantial contributions at the top ensured England maintained momentum throughout the innings and finished with 386/5.

The total surpassed Pakistan's 375/3 against Zimbabwe in 2015 to become the highest ODI score recorded at Gaddafi Stadium.
Sri Lanka needed a strong start to chase down the daunting target and found contributions from Fernando, Mendis and Rathnayake, who all registered half-centuries. Their efforts kept the chase alive, but England continued to find breakthroughs at crucial moments.

Dawson proved particularly effective in the middle overs, finishing with figures of 4/49 from his 10 overs. His spell disrupted Sri Lanka's progress and left the lower order with too much to do.

With the required rate climbing and wickets falling, Sri Lanka eventually folded for 331 in 45.1 overs. Sam Curran claimed the final wicket, dismissing Malinga to complete England's victory.
The 55-run victory gave England a positive finish to their campaign in Pakistan, ending their winless run in the country. However, the result did not alter the tournament's final lineup, with Sri Lanka and Pakistan having already secured qualification for the tri-series final.

#duckett

Social Security provides about 30% of older Americans' household income, according to a Congressional Research Service report.
Earnings, pensions, retirement account withdrawals, and investments also contribute to older Americans' income.
Social Security's share of income rises with age, reaching about 40% among adults 80 and older.
You may envision relying on Social Security during retirement, but the data show older adults tend to depend on other income sources.
About 19% of Americans 65 and older whose households received Social Security relied on it for 90% or more of household income in 2019, according to a 2025 Congressional Research Service report. Other sources fill the gap, according to the **** ysis: earnings, pension and retirement fund payments, and income from **** ets. The report matched Social Security Administration records with survey responses and included people still working.

#Social #income #Retirement #Research

Real Madrid left-back Marc Cucurella talked to the press after the team's convincing 4-1 win over Sevilla in La Liga. The Spanish defender was pleased with the effort.
"I think we played a very good game from the start. We had quite a bit of control and knew when to attack quickly and when to maintain more possession. I think we played a very solid 90 minutes," he said.
Cucurella was also very happy for Eder Militao, who made his return from injury last night.
"He's a great player with a lot of personality. He also contributes a lot to the locker room. He's a very cheerful guy, and I'm very happy to have him back. Now, we have just a few injured players, but little by little, we're getting there. The important thing is to have everyone available. It's a very long season. There are many matches, and the more players we have available, the better," he explained.
Lastly, he previewed the upcoming match against Leipzig in the Champions League.

#back #played #available #madrid

It's not easy being a billionaire in the event that a stock market bubble bursts.
Just ask billionaire Bridgewater ****** ociates founder Ray Dalio, who sounds like he's worrying about potentially massive wealth destruction if the artificial intelligence trade goes south.
"Everybody says 'I'm worth a billion dollars' but, OK, try to spend that," Dalio said at the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore on Wednesday. Bloomberg first reported his comments.
Dalio suggested that measures that force the ultrawealthy to liquidate their unrealized gains, such as a wealth tax, could hasten or contribute to a bubble popping.
"In order to spend that, you have to sell wealth in order to get money — and so the bubble usually ****** at that," he added.

#spend #bridgewater

When True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 4, the chain's CEO Jeff Chandler tried to make it clear that the company planned to continue operating.
"This process is the best path forward to simplify the business and focus on what we do best: delivering craveable, health-forward food and genuine hospitality. We are confident this step will help us build a stronger True Food Kitchen for the future," he said in a press release.
True Food Kitchen serves an upscale clientele looking for healthy food. Most of its stores are located in higher-end shopping or lifestyle plazas. That contributed to its financial problems, Chad Van Horn, founder and managing partner of Van Horn Law Group in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., shared with TheStreet.
"True Food Kitchen did not file because people stopped eating there. Sales were essentially flat, about $312 million last year against $314 million the year before, and the reported debt is around $42 million. That is a cost and footprint problem, not a demand problem," he said.
As part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, True Food Kitchen shared that it had already closed 12 restaurants. Those locations completed their final service on Oct. 4, but the initial release did not share which locations were closing.

#chapter

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Deciding how much to withdraw from your retirement accounts means finding a balance between enjoying life and making your money last. Taking too little leaves you with unused savings, while taking too much risks running out of money later. Taxes also affect how much you can actually spend. To help you create a retirement budget, let's break down the example of a 67-year-old with $870,000 in a 401(k), $120,000 in an IRA and $26,400 annually from Social Security. Here's what a withdrawal plan could look based on two rates.
A financial advisor can help you create a withdrawal strategy that balances your lifestyle needs, tax impacts and long-term retirement goals.
A 401(k) and a traditional IRA are both retirement accounts funded with pre-tax dollars. Contributions are deducted from your taxable income, allowing you to grow savings faster because the money enters the account before taxes. In retirement, however, all withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. This includes both the money you contributed and the investment earnings.
This is different from a Roth IRA, which is funded with after-tax dollars. You do not receive an upfront tax deduction for contributions. The benefit comes later: withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, including both contributions and earnings.

#taking #taxes #later #Help

Kevin Hart's 2017 ***** tape scandal could resurface in court as Montia Sabbag may be called to testify in the comedian's ongoing legal battle. Sabbag, who was involved in the controversial recording, could now face questions about the incident and the investigation that followed.
Kevin Hart's former ***** istant Miesha Shakes is seeking testimony from Montia Sabbag in her legal dispute with the comedian, potentially bringing Hart's controversial 2017 ***** tape scandal back into the spotlight. According to TMZ, Shakes wants Sabbag questioned about the video and the investigation that followed.
Sabbag was at the center of the scandal after a video involving her and Hart became the subject of an extortion investigation. She has acknowledged that she appears in the recording but has denied any involvement in making it or in the extortion attempt that followed. Shakes now reportedly wants her account of those events to become part of the current proceedings.
Sabbag's potential involvement comes amid a separate dispute between Hart and Shakes over a non-disclosure agreement. Hart has accused his former ***** istant of violating the agreement by discussing his personal life in an interview with a blogger. Shakes has disputed that claim and argued that Hart failed to fulfill obligations under the agreement, which she says makes the deal invalid.
The two sides also disagree over who is responsible for damage to Hart's reputation. Hart has accused Shakes of harming his public image, while Shakes has argued that Hart's own actions have contributed to it, citing the ***** tape controversy among other examples. Shakes plans to testify in the case and wants Hart to do the same. The legal proceedings are ongoing.

#sabbag

Joe Manganiello is opening up to PEOPLE about his secret health battle that he says nearly killed him
The True Blood star says he's now symptom-free and engaged to Caitlin O'Connor after the 7-year-long ordeal
Manganiello's new memoir Bloodlines will be available everywhere on Oct. 13
Joe Manganiello's long hair is tied up in a top knot, his beard is perfectly groomed, and his skin boasts glowing tan. He looks healthy because, finally, he is.
For seven of the last 10 years, the actor was secretly fighting a mysterious autoimmune illness so virulent it nearly killed him. In his new memoir Bloodlines (out Oct. 13), Manganiello, 49, opens up about recovering from a health battle that led to "major organ amputation" and contributed to the end of his seven-year marriage to actress Sofía Vergara, 54: "I can't believe I'm alive," he says. "I feel like I was reborn."

#nearly #long #memoir #seven

Ash Gardner has spoken publicly for the first time about the alleged affair with teammate Georgia Voll that contributed to the breakdown of her marriage to Monica Wright.

Gardner said the situation became far more public than she expected and admitted she had been "naive" about the level of attention it would attract.

The controversy came to light earlier this year when Wright revealed the affair on social media. The relationship is believed to have begun during the Women's World Cup in India last year. Gardner has since apologised to Wright and said she has spent time reflecting on what happened.
Speaking to Australian outlet CODE Sports, Gardner acknowledged that her public image had taken a hit, saying, "My reputation has been tarnished with the public, but I guess something that I always try to strive to do when representing any team that I play in is be the best teammate that I can, and hopefully show what this team means to me when I'm playing for them."

The Australian vice-captain also said being a high-profile athlete means personal matters can attract intense public interest.

"Playing sport at a high level, you're open to having a platform, and sometimes with this comes interest from the public, and they want to know things about your personal life, and they invest, and then can make judgment either way of what you are or aren't doing."
Gardner admitted she was shocked when Wright publicly identified Voll, writing, "This is who my wife cheated on me with," alongside a photo of the teammate.

"I was certainly surprised, as you could imagine," Gardner said.

She added, "I certainly didn't expect the situation to take the path that it did, or to become as public as what it did. But I also understand that everyone has their own way of dealing with difficult situations."

Gardner said she now wants to focus on learning from the experience, having difficult conversations where necessary and moving forward with the Australian team.

She also said she understood Wright's perspective and tried to remain positive during what she described as a very difficult period.

#publicly

Mikayla Nogueira is opening up about the moment that ultimately contributed to the end of her marriage to her ex-husband, Cody Hawken.
The beauty influencer became emotional while recounting Hawken's near-fatal overdose during his sobriety journey. The couple was married for two years before their relationship ended in late 2025.
Now, Mikayla Nogueira is reflecting on the frightening experience that altered their relationship after unveiling a new romantic interest.
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA
Speaking on the "On Purpose With Jay Shetty" podcast, Nogueira recalled the painful incident, saying she woke up one night and realized Hawken was not in bed. She eventually found him unresponsive in another room and dialed 911.

#collin #press #mega

Rising interest rates have the US on a collision course with the need to finally deal with its bloated debt pile, Goldman Sachs warns.
"Persistently higher rates would boost interest expense as a share of GDP — a key gauge of the cash outflows needed to service the debt — and push the debt-to-GDP ratio up to 132% by 2035, 10 percentage points above our baseline, raising the odds that deficit reduction becomes necessary sooner to stabilize the debt," Goldman Sachs strategist Pierfrancesco Mei wrote in a new note on Tuesday.
US Treasury yields have climbed aggressively this year, effectively pushing up the country's debt servicing costs. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield (^TNX) has surged more than 115 basis points, from around 4.10% late last year to a 24-year high of around 5.28% at present.
Read more: How soaring Treasury yields could hit your finances
This sustained sell-off across the bond market has been fueled by inflation brought on by the US war on Iran, which prompted the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates last month. The economy's resilience in the face of pricing pressures has also contributed to the sell-off.

#points #yields

Rising interest rates have the US on a collision course with finally having to deal with its bloated debt pile, warns Goldman Sachs.
"Persistently higher rates would boost interest expense as a share of GDP—a key gauge of the cash outflows needed to service the debt—and push the debt-to-GDP ratio up to 132% by 2035, 10 percentage points above our baseline, raising the odds that deficit reduction becomes necessary sooner to stabilize the debt," said Goldman Sachs strategist Pierfrancesco Mei in a new note on Tuesday.
US Treasury yields have climbed aggressively this year, effectively pushing up the country's debt servicing costs. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield has surged more than 115 basis points, from around 4.10% late last year to a 24-year high of around 5.28% at present.
This sustained sell-off across the bond market has been fueled by inflation brought on by the US war on Iran, which prompted the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates last month. The economy's resilience in the face of pricing pressures has also contributed to the sell-off.
What's happening in the bond market couldn't come at a worse time for US debt watchers.

#interest

Sandra Bullock's journey to becoming one of Hollywood's most recognizable stars began far from the blockbuster action movies that eventually made her famous. Growing up with an opera singer mother, she was introduced to performance at an early age and studied music, ballet and other forms of movement. Acting eventually became her focus, but major success did not arrive immediately. Bullock spent years building experience before finding the role that transformed her career. That gradual rise helped shape a performer known for moving comfortably between action, comedy, romance and drama.
Bullock began appearing professionally during the late 1980s, taking smaller roles as she worked toward greater opportunities. Her breakthrough finally arrived with Speed in 1994. Starring alongside Keanu Reeves, she played Annie Porter, a passenger forced to take control of a Los Angeles bus rigged to explode if its speed dropped below a dangerous threshold. The movie combined large scale action with humor and chemistry between its leads, turning Bullock into an international star.
The production also demanded considerable physical commitment. Bullock later described the genuine fear she experienced while filming scenes aboard the speeding bus. Although she was not actually controlling the vehicle during the most dangerous sequences, being positioned at the front made the action feel very real. That sense of physical vulnerability contributed to the urgency of her performance. She returned to the franchise for Speed 2: Cruise Control in 1997, this time facing danger aboard a runaway cruise ship.
Bullock was already looking beyond acting alone. In the 1990s, she established Fortis Films, giving her greater involvement in developing and producing projects. That experience became especially important with Miss Congeniality, the 2000 action comedy in which she played FBI agent Gracie Hart. Bullock also served as a producer, helping shape a movie that combined physical comedy, crime and an unconventional transformation story.
Her career continued to expand across genres. Films such as While You Were Sleeping, The Proposal and Gravity demonstrated her ability to move between romantic comedy and intense drama. One of her most significant dramatic successes came with The Blind Side in 2009. Her performance as Leigh Anne Tuohy earned Bullock the Academy Award for Best Actress, adding another dimension to a career already **** ociated with major commercial films.

#speed #films

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has released a classified report to its workforce examining what it says are chapters from the bureau's history "where this institution fell short," according to an internal message obtained Friday by The ***** ociated Press.
It was unclear what episodes from the FBI's past are chronicled in the new "Patel Report." But the document's existence is in keeping with Director Kash Patel's frequent criticism of the leaders who preceded him as well as with his determination to rid the FBI of agents and other employees he contends have politicized the bureau in the past. Patel's critics, however, accuse him of politicizing the FBI.
Though Patel pledged at his confirmation hearing last year that he would not look "backward," he has encouraged investigation of former senior officials and has presided over waves of terminations, including of employees who participated in years-old investigations of President Donald Trump, were photographed taking a knee during a 2020 racial justice protest and contributed to a disputed ***** ytical memo about Catholic extremism.
"The Patel Report looks backward because accountability demands it," says a memo to the workforce signed by the FBI's co-deputy directors, Christopher Raia and Andrew Bailey, that describes the document as marking the "closing of one chapter in our history and the beginning of another complete with a brighter future ahead."
Bailey announced his resignation earlier this week, and his last day is Friday. The FBI declined to comment on the report.

#Friday #workforce #employees #backward

Anas Marwah and Asala Maleh have built an audience of more than 65 million followers through family YouTube vlogs
Speaking with PEOPLE ahead of their sold-out live show at the Prudential Center in Newark, the pair open up about how authenticity has contributed to their longevity online
They also share how they protect their family life, including their two children, Mila and Noah, online
When Anas Marwah and Asala Maleh look back on their careers at age 70, they don't want to have any regrets.

The content creators, who are also married with two children, can trace the origins of their relationship right alongside the origins of their wildly successful social media careers. The pair first got their start as individual online creators on the now-defunct social media platform Vine, then met on Snapchat and began their now years-long journey to build their own social media empire.

Since first connecting and building their careers and family together, the pair's online reach has spiraled. They're best known for their family YouTube vlogs, which they create with a core mission of making "screen time family time again." Despite their over 65 million followers, the pair are adamant they don't want to lose the magic that helped them build their platform.

"Authenticity is probably our number one thing," says Anas, 34. This pursuit of making sure all their content is authentic has allowed them to understand what their audience wants for so long — and to deliver on it each and every day. Most recently, the pair have decided to translate the lovable excitement of their YouTube vlogs into their first-ever live show: "The Anazala Family Live," which will see the couple take over the Prudential Center in Newark. A testament to the pair's loyal audience: the event sold out in just 25 minutes.
Asala and Anas.
Credit: The Anazala Family

#youtube

On August 5, Cencora (NYSE:COR) reported results for its fiscal third quarter, which closed on June 30, and the headline numbers looked clean. Revenue rose 5.1% to $84.8 billion, adjusted earnings per share climbed 12.0% to $4.48, and management raised its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to $17.75 to $17.95. The company also repurchased $1 billion of its own stock during the quarter. But the profit story has moving parts, and a few of them pull in opposite directions.
Start with the gap between profit growth and sales growth. Adjusted operating income rose 17.0% while revenue grew only 5.1%. Much of the help came from gross profit, which jumped 23.2% on an adjusted basis as both segments contributed and the OneOncology acquisition in February lifted margins in the US business. In plain terms, adjusted gross margin widened 61 basis points to 4.16%, so the company keeps more gross profit from every dollar it sells.
The strength was not confined to one corner, either. US Healthcare Solutions grew operating income 15.9% on higher pharmaceutical sales and the OneOncology deal, while specialty volume to health systems and physician groups lifted its revenue. International Healthcare Solutions did better still, with operating income up 20.8% on strength in European distribution and global specialty logistics. Management also put cash to work, completing in one quarter the $1 billion of buybacks it had expected to finish by the close of calendar 2026. The board declared a $0.60 quarterly dividend as well, payable August 31, to holders of record on August 14.
Growth is costing more than it first appears. Adjusted operating expenses jumped 26.8%, faster than adjusted gross profit, because OneOncology brought expenses along with its profits. Even so, adjusted operating income amounts to just 1.46% of revenue, a thin cushion on a business this large. Financing adds weight too. Cencora funded part of the purchase with new senior notes plus variable-rate term loans, and net interest expense rose $58.9 million from a year earlier.
The sales mix carries its own drag. GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss are adding to revenue, but they earn lower gross margins, so each dollar of that growth is worth less to profit. Meanwhile, an oncology customer Cencora lost in 2025, and lower sales to a large mail order customer both held back US revenue, as did lower manufacturer prices on some brand pharmaceuticals. Cencora is also exploring strategic alternatives for a group of other businesses, and its April divestiture of US Consulting Services trimmed consulting sales.

#adjusted #revenue #august

Millions of Americans recently received unwelcome news about their cell phone bills.
In late June, T-Mobile (TMUS) said it was retiring over 1,000 older plans, shifting customers to newer offerings at an added cost of as much as $6 per line per month. And starting in August, AT&T (T) hiked rates on some of its older plans by $10 to $20 and increased a monthly per-line fee by $1.
The changes contributed to a steep 5.9% jump in Americans' wireless bills from July to August alone, according to Consumer Price Index data. It was the largest single-month jump since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the category nearly three decades ago.
In a twist, last month's rising phone bills may have helped convince the Federal Reserve to implement its first interest rate hike in three years. The steep price jump likely contributed about 10 basis points of August's 0.3% month-over-month rise in core consumer prices, according to Wall Street ******* ysts. The hotter-than-expected jump in this category, which strips out price changes in the particularly volatile food and energy sectors, helped cement expectations for the Fed's 25 basis point hike to benchmark rates last Wednesday.
Read more: How the Fed rate decision affects your bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments

#august #plans

Millions of Americans recently received unwelcome news about their cell phone bills.
In late June, T-Mobile (TMUS) said it was retiring over 1,000 older plans, shifting customers to newer offerings at an added cost of as much as $6 per line per month. And starting in August, AT&T (T) hiked rates on some of its older plans by $10 to $20 and increased a monthly per-line fee by $1.
The changes contributed to a steep 5.9% jump in Americans' wireless bills from July to August alone, according to Consumer Price Index data. It was the largest single-month jump since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the category nearly three decades ago.
In a twist, last month's rising phone bills may have helped convince the Federal Reserve to implement its first interest rate hike in three years. The steep price jump likely contributed about 10 basis points of August's 0.3% month-over-month rise in core consumer prices, according to Wall Street ******* ysts. The hotter-than-expected jump in this category, which strips out price changes in the particularly volatile food and energy sectors, helped cement expectations for the Fed's 25 basis point hike to benchmark rates last Wednesday.
Read more: How the Fed rate decision affects your bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments

#Consumer

Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG) received a boost on September 15 when the company announced that it had secured an approximately $80 million contract for its Deepwater Conqueror ultra-deepwater drillship in Equatorial Guinea. The estimated 170-day campaign with an undisclosed operator is expected to begin next year, directly following the rig's current contract in the US Gulf.
Built in 2016, the DSME 12000-design Deepwater Conqueror can operate in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and drill to a maximum depth of 40,000 feet.
The $80 million award provides Transocean with additional contract revenue and improves visibility into the company's future revenue base. If the award includes attractive day rates and limited mobilization costs, it could contribute positively to operating margins and cash flows. The company's backlog stood at approximately $6.7 billion as of August 5, 2026.
The contract could also improve the utilization of its high-value drilling rig. Since ultra-deepwater rigs require substantial investment, securing work for an idle or underutilized rig could help spread fixed operating costs over a larger revenue base. Deepwater Conqueror will move directly from its US Gulf contract to Equatorial Guinea, avoiding a gap between the two programs.
The latest award also provides Transocean with an alternative destination for its rigs. The company had already signaled in its Q2 earnings call that the growing demand for new deepwater contracts in Africa would also help offset a decline in awards in the US Gulf.

#deepwater #contract #gulf #equatorial

On August 6, Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) reported earnings of $1.84 per diluted share for the quarter that closed on June 30, up from $1.75 a year earlier, and lifted most of its full-year targets. Here is the odd part. The company moved less volume than it did a year ago and still grew profit. Understanding how that works, and how long it can last, is the whole story.
Start with pricing, because that is the engine. Core price on total revenue added 5.3% to growth, which helped lift total revenue by 4.6%. Inside the related business, price contributed 4.1% in the restricted portion and 7.8% in the open market. Management says price beat cost inflation, and the margin backs that up. Adjusted EBITDA reached $1.42 billion at a 32.1% margin, matching the prior year even after Republic absorbed a 50 basis point drag from event-driven landfill volumes it received in 2025.
Cash generation is just as sturdy. Through the first half of 2026, operations produced $2.38 billion, and adjusted free cash flow came to $1.58 billion. That paid for $860 million of acquisitions and $1.04 billion returned to shareholders, so Republic is buying growth and rewarding owners from the same pool. The board added 4.5 cents to the quarterly dividend, setting it at $0.670 per share with an October 2 record date and payment on October 15. Management also raised full-year revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow guidance, and set adjusted earnings at $7.23 to $7.28 per share.
The catch is that volume is moving the wrong way. Average yield added 3.4% to total revenue, while volume took away 1.6%, and the related business gave up 1.9% to volume. That makes this a price-led story, and price can only carry so much weight if volumes keep shrinking. Acquisitions also supplied 1.1% of the 4.6% total growth, so organic growth is smaller than the headline suggests.
Other lines were softer too. The environmental solutions business slipped 0.2%, so it added no lift. Recycled commodities sold for an average of $136 per ton at Republic's recycling centers, which is $13 lower than a year earlier. Margin only matched last year's level, and adjusted earnings per share rose 4.5%, just under revenue growth, so profit grew in step with sales rather than faster.

#year

GDEV Inc. (NASDAQ:GDEV) saw a year-on-year drop in bookings from both its in-app purchases and advertising, during the second quarter fiscal 2026. Consequently, the quarterly revenue figure of $94 million was down 22% compared to Q2 FY25. On the flip side, SG&A expenses and costs related to platform commissions were lower relative to the corresponding period last year. Along with other factors, the lower cost base helped GDEV report $20 million in net profit, up from $17 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Copyright: artush / 123RF Stock Photo
Breaking down the expenses, selling and marketing costs came down by 38% compared to the same quarter last year, clocking in at $33 million. It reflects on management's continued focus on deploying an efficient approach for its user acquisition initiatives. The approach is based on a more targeted performance marketing across certain channels that lead to durable high-value users, instead of broader campaigns for near-term benefits.
The reported quarter marked a turnaround related to the equity accounted ******* ociates. These contributed a $2 million profit share, which was a reversal from a $2 million loss share in Q2 FY25. Most notably, cash flows from operating activities turned from negative $10 million in Q2 FY25 to positive $10 million in the reported period.
Several operating metrics weakened during the reported quarter. Monthly paying users dropped by 23% year-over-year, along with a 15% decline for the entire first half. This was the major underlying reason for a sluggish performance in bookings, which stood at $73 million and $156 million for the second quarter and first half of the year, respectively. These fell short in comparison to $92 million and $173 million recorded in the corresponding periods last year. GDEV also said the decline in first-half platform commissions was driven by lower revenues recognized from PC platforms, while PC's share of bookings fell to 36% from 39%.

#million #lower