20 hours ago
ESPN might not want to cover San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York being arrested on prostitution charges, but Shannon Sharpe has no issue with it.
To be clear, Sharpe has no issue covering it, he also has no issue with York allegedly attempting to pay for ******* ual activity. York was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio and initially charged with engaging in prostitution, but it was later amended to disorderly conduct. The 49ers owners pleaded no contest to the reduced charges after allegedly responding to a prostitution ad, offering to pay $140 for ******* at an Ohio trailer park.
"Ain't nothing wrong with that," Sharpe said with a smirk. "Come on, man. You think the man cause he's worth a billion dollars he don't want to wet his whistle?"
Nightcap co-host Joe Johnson seemed rather disgusted by the thought of a wealthy person going to a trailer park with $140 for ******* . On the contrary, Chad Johnson claimed he was familiar with the area where York allegedly went to receive ******* ual favors, implying he has been there for similar reasons himself. Sharpe was eager to add, "sometimes you like them sleazy."
"They the ones that got all the moves," Sharpe insisted. "Remember I told you, 'She had more moves than a $100 hooker?' Them the ones that got the moves, the $5,000 ones don't do nothing but model."
#sharpe #ISSUE #johnson #want
To be clear, Sharpe has no issue covering it, he also has no issue with York allegedly attempting to pay for ******* ual activity. York was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio and initially charged with engaging in prostitution, but it was later amended to disorderly conduct. The 49ers owners pleaded no contest to the reduced charges after allegedly responding to a prostitution ad, offering to pay $140 for ******* at an Ohio trailer park.
"Ain't nothing wrong with that," Sharpe said with a smirk. "Come on, man. You think the man cause he's worth a billion dollars he don't want to wet his whistle?"
Nightcap co-host Joe Johnson seemed rather disgusted by the thought of a wealthy person going to a trailer park with $140 for ******* . On the contrary, Chad Johnson claimed he was familiar with the area where York allegedly went to receive ******* ual favors, implying he has been there for similar reasons himself. Sharpe was eager to add, "sometimes you like them sleazy."
"They the ones that got all the moves," Sharpe insisted. "Remember I told you, 'She had more moves than a $100 hooker?' Them the ones that got the moves, the $5,000 ones don't do nothing but model."
#sharpe #ISSUE #johnson #want
21 hours ago
Orbis Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for "Orbis Global Equity Strategy". The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, the Global Equity Strategy returned 19.9%, surpassing the MSCI All Country World Index by 7.8%. The market faced narrow breadth in the quarter. The strategy focuses on AI investments categorized into four groups: "Core" (direct exposure), "Enablers" (supporting businesses), "AI Powered" (companies enhanced by AI), and "Overlooked" (misjudged resilient companies). The firm emphasizes maintaining strong but flexible convictions in a fluctuating market, prioritizing disciplined, evidence-based investment over emotional decision-making. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Orbis Global Equity Strategy highlighted Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN). Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) is a specialty insurance services company that provides distribution, underwriting, product development, administration, and risk management services. On August 24, 2026, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) closed at $44.34 per share. The one-month return of Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) was -3.63%, and its shares lost 23.17% over the past 52 weeks. Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) has a market capitalization of $17.29 billion.
Orbis Global Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The biggest winners have been concentrated in AI. But not all AI exposure is equal. We frame ours in four groups. The first is the "Core", the second is "Enablers", the third is AI "Powered" and the fourth is the "Overlooked": resilient businesses the market has mispriced as AI casualties. The first three are widely understood. The fourth is where we believe the market is most wrong, and where we are hunting.
Take insurance brokerage. Brown & Brown and Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) are brokers: they sit between companies and insurers, matching clients to the right coverage and placing it for a fee, without carrying the risk themselves. Both are priced as AI casualties. Two fears weigh on the stocks: a softening pricing cycle and AI disintermediation. The pricing cycle is already in the price. On AI, we disagree. Ryan Specialty makes the case from the other end of the market: a leading specialist in excess and surplus, the part of insurance built for complex, hard-to-place, and emerging risk. That market is structurally expanding, and we view Ryan as its most capable navigator. The pattern holds across the Overlooked. We are not buying businesses AI leaves alone. We are buying businesses that put AI to work. Scaled brokers with proprietary data are sharpened by it, not replaced."
#market #letter
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Orbis Global Equity Strategy highlighted Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN). Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) is a specialty insurance services company that provides distribution, underwriting, product development, administration, and risk management services. On August 24, 2026, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) closed at $44.34 per share. The one-month return of Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) was -3.63%, and its shares lost 23.17% over the past 52 weeks. Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) has a market capitalization of $17.29 billion.
Orbis Global Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The biggest winners have been concentrated in AI. But not all AI exposure is equal. We frame ours in four groups. The first is the "Core", the second is "Enablers", the third is AI "Powered" and the fourth is the "Overlooked": resilient businesses the market has mispriced as AI casualties. The first three are widely understood. The fourth is where we believe the market is most wrong, and where we are hunting.
Take insurance brokerage. Brown & Brown and Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) are brokers: they sit between companies and insurers, matching clients to the right coverage and placing it for a fee, without carrying the risk themselves. Both are priced as AI casualties. Two fears weigh on the stocks: a softening pricing cycle and AI disintermediation. The pricing cycle is already in the price. On AI, we disagree. Ryan Specialty makes the case from the other end of the market: a leading specialist in excess and surplus, the part of insurance built for complex, hard-to-place, and emerging risk. That market is structurally expanding, and we view Ryan as its most capable navigator. The pattern holds across the Overlooked. We are not buying businesses AI leaves alone. We are buying businesses that put AI to work. Scaled brokers with proprietary data are sharpened by it, not replaced."
#market #letter
2 days ago
Super Bowl champion Shannon Sharpe took aim at Enes Kanter on an episode of his "Nightcap" podcast, accusing the former NBA player of "rage baiting" for attention. Sharpe, alongside Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and former NBA All-Star Joe Johnson, questioned Kanter's motives after he was ejected from a WNBA game following a heated exchange with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Shannon Sharpe and Joe Johnson call out enes kanter for his antics after he got into with Natasha cloud. He doing too much for a guy who was a role player his whole career . Him getting into with the wnba feels like he’s looking for his 15mins of fame https://t.co/zgLTSABUfJ pic.twitter.com/fr3ASLwoQb
Sharpe and his co-hosts wasted no time calling out Kanter during an episode of "Nightcap," saying the former Boston Celtics player only attended to draw attention to himself and make a ruckus. "He probably ain't never been to no WNBA game. Then go there just to be the agitator, just cause ruckus, just to make the headlines. Come on, bro, what we doing?" Joe Johnson said.
Sharpe didn't seem as annoyed as others, saying Kanter's motive is likely to rile people up so he can garner attention. "He's rage baiting. Then he's gonna run to Fox News and talk about, 'See, this is what I'm talking about, they're not inclusive. They wanna have their cake and eat it too' and yada yada yada yada yada," he said.
Sharpe didn't end there; the 8X Pro-Bowler even came for Kanter's ability to perform, saying if he "were good," he'd still be in the NBA. "His own home country don't want him back," Sharpe said.
#sharpe #johnson #WNBA #attention
Shannon Sharpe and Joe Johnson call out enes kanter for his antics after he got into with Natasha cloud. He doing too much for a guy who was a role player his whole career . Him getting into with the wnba feels like he’s looking for his 15mins of fame https://t.co/zgLTSABUfJ pic.twitter.com/fr3ASLwoQb
Sharpe and his co-hosts wasted no time calling out Kanter during an episode of "Nightcap," saying the former Boston Celtics player only attended to draw attention to himself and make a ruckus. "He probably ain't never been to no WNBA game. Then go there just to be the agitator, just cause ruckus, just to make the headlines. Come on, bro, what we doing?" Joe Johnson said.
Sharpe didn't seem as annoyed as others, saying Kanter's motive is likely to rile people up so he can garner attention. "He's rage baiting. Then he's gonna run to Fox News and talk about, 'See, this is what I'm talking about, they're not inclusive. They wanna have their cake and eat it too' and yada yada yada yada yada," he said.
Sharpe didn't end there; the 8X Pro-Bowler even came for Kanter's ability to perform, saying if he "were good," he'd still be in the NBA. "His own home country don't want him back," Sharpe said.
#sharpe #johnson #WNBA #attention
2 days ago
The Portland Trail Blazers will be without Shaedon Sharpe for a significant portion of the 2026-27 campaign.
Sharpe sustained a torn meniscus in his knee, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. He is now expected to miss six months recovering. Based on that timeline, barring any setbacks, Sharpe should be able to take the court again in late February or early March.
Specifics of the injury, including when Sharpe injured his knee, are not yet known.
Sharpe averaged a career-high 20.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season, his fourth in the league after the Trail Blazers selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the team last fall that will keep him with the franchise through 2030.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
#last
Sharpe sustained a torn meniscus in his knee, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. He is now expected to miss six months recovering. Based on that timeline, barring any setbacks, Sharpe should be able to take the court again in late February or early March.
Specifics of the injury, including when Sharpe injured his knee, are not yet known.
Sharpe averaged a career-high 20.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season, his fourth in the league after the Trail Blazers selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the team last fall that will keep him with the franchise through 2030.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
#last
2 days ago
Shams Charania: Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe sustained a torn meniscus in his knee and is expected to miss six months, sources tell ESPN.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Shaedon Sharpe expected to miss six months with torn meniscus in knee
#shaedon #torn #meniscus
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Shaedon Sharpe expected to miss six months with torn meniscus in knee
#shaedon #torn #meniscus
3 days ago
With the NFL roster cut deadline now just a week away, the New England Patriots' wide receiver competition is coming into focus.
The Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 Saturday night in their second of three preseason games, with rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams providing one of the biggest highlights of the night.
Williams hauled in a 69-yard touchdown reception, his second touchdown in as many preseason games, as he continues to make his case for a spot on the Patriots' final roster.
"Just being consistent honestly, that's all it is, is being consistent. You know, we have a great group of guys, it's always competition, just competitive, but it's friendly competition. **** ody gets mad at anybody and it's iron sharpens iron at the end of the day so I'm really glad to have this great group of guys," Williams said.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said the team wants to continue giving Williams opportunities to improve while evaluating the entire wide receiver group.
#wide #preseason
The Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 Saturday night in their second of three preseason games, with rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams providing one of the biggest highlights of the night.
Williams hauled in a 69-yard touchdown reception, his second touchdown in as many preseason games, as he continues to make his case for a spot on the Patriots' final roster.
"Just being consistent honestly, that's all it is, is being consistent. You know, we have a great group of guys, it's always competition, just competitive, but it's friendly competition. **** ody gets mad at anybody and it's iron sharpens iron at the end of the day so I'm really glad to have this great group of guys," Williams said.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said the team wants to continue giving Williams opportunities to improve while evaluating the entire wide receiver group.
#wide #preseason
3 days ago
On August 13, ARS Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SPRY) held its second-quarter 2026 earnings call, the first for new President and CEO Donn Casale. He used it to lay out three priorities: sharper commercial targeting for neffy, tighter financial discipline, and a pipeline push into chronic spontaneous urticaria. The quarter itself showed a company still early in proving its epinephrine nasal spray can win over prescribers who default to needle-based injectors out of habit.
The headline number is market share. Neffy's total US share reached 5% in the second quarter, double the 2.5% mark from a year earlier. Inside the field sales team's targeted call universe, share jumped further, to 8% from 4%. That targeted approach is showing up in the prescriber data too, with more than 16,000 unique neffy prescribers in the quarter, over three times the year-ago total. Casale pointed to a stark gap between covered and uncovered territory: where the sales team is active, neffy holds 8% share versus roughly 1% where it isn't.
To lead that push, ARS brought on Meg Smith as Chief Commercial Officer, a 25-year veteran Casale worked with at Dynavax. The field organization is now fully built out and pointed at the highest-value prescribers, who represent 44% of the total market opportunity. Beyond neffy, ARS is extending its intranasal epinephrine platform into CSU, a market with no FDA-approved on-demand treatment for acute flares today, a gap the company believes its existing commercial infrastructure is positioned to fill.
The flip side of that story is cost. Second quarter total revenue was $33.7 million, with $26.2 million of that coming from US net product sales, against total operating expenses of $95.1 million, including $12.8 million in cost of goods sold. SG&A alone ran approximately $77.6 million for the quarter, a level Casale acknowledged reflected an earlier strategy built around broad consumer advertising that didn't convert well in what he described as a prevention-based market rather than a treatment market.
The company is now guiding to combined SG&A and R&D expenses of $114 million to $126 million for the back half of 2026, with cash-based spending in that category expected to fall to $100 million to $110 million, a cut of more than 40% in cash SG&A from the first half of the year. That reduced spending pace is expected to hold through 2027. On the pipeline side, the CSU phase II-B interim readout, previously expected by the end of 2026, has slipped to the first quarter of 2027, a delay the company attributed to the trial's design requiring patients to log three separate flare episodes before data can be collected.
#million #market #company #year
The headline number is market share. Neffy's total US share reached 5% in the second quarter, double the 2.5% mark from a year earlier. Inside the field sales team's targeted call universe, share jumped further, to 8% from 4%. That targeted approach is showing up in the prescriber data too, with more than 16,000 unique neffy prescribers in the quarter, over three times the year-ago total. Casale pointed to a stark gap between covered and uncovered territory: where the sales team is active, neffy holds 8% share versus roughly 1% where it isn't.
To lead that push, ARS brought on Meg Smith as Chief Commercial Officer, a 25-year veteran Casale worked with at Dynavax. The field organization is now fully built out and pointed at the highest-value prescribers, who represent 44% of the total market opportunity. Beyond neffy, ARS is extending its intranasal epinephrine platform into CSU, a market with no FDA-approved on-demand treatment for acute flares today, a gap the company believes its existing commercial infrastructure is positioned to fill.
The flip side of that story is cost. Second quarter total revenue was $33.7 million, with $26.2 million of that coming from US net product sales, against total operating expenses of $95.1 million, including $12.8 million in cost of goods sold. SG&A alone ran approximately $77.6 million for the quarter, a level Casale acknowledged reflected an earlier strategy built around broad consumer advertising that didn't convert well in what he described as a prevention-based market rather than a treatment market.
The company is now guiding to combined SG&A and R&D expenses of $114 million to $126 million for the back half of 2026, with cash-based spending in that category expected to fall to $100 million to $110 million, a cut of more than 40% in cash SG&A from the first half of the year. That reduced spending pace is expected to hold through 2027. On the pipeline side, the CSU phase II-B interim readout, previously expected by the end of 2026, has slipped to the first quarter of 2027, a delay the company attributed to the trial's design requiring patients to log three separate flare episodes before data can be collected.
#million #market #company #year
3 days ago
On August 13, Ascendis Pharma (NASDAQ:ASND) reported second-quarter results that showed how far its rare disease portfolio has come. Total product revenue roughly doubled from a year earlier to €315 million, and for the first time all three of the company's approved TransCon therapies, SKYTROFA, YORVIPATH and YUVIWEL, were contributing meaningful sales in the same quarter. That combination is what management is leaning on to justify its 2030 revenue ambitions.
YORVIPATH, the hypoparathyroidism treatment, generated €252 million in the quarter and crossed blockbuster level on an annualized basis just two years after its U.S. launch, while reaching patients in more than 35 countries through either commercial sales or named patient access programs. Long-term trial data presented during the quarter showed response rates sustained between 82% and 86% on the combined endpoint, with patients still on therapy at a 95% rate five years after starting.
SKYTROFA, the once-weekly growth hormone therapy, crossed 20,000 unique patient enrollments and remains the best-selling long-acting growth hormone in the US as measured by brand value, contributing €55 million for the quarter. YUVIWEL, the newest of the three, launched commercially in the US during the quarter and brought in €8 million in its first quarter on the market. Enrollment kept climbing after the quarter closed, from more than 170 unique patients through June 30 to more than 220 by the end of July, with more than 65% of those patients already approved for reimbursement. Ascendis also ended the quarter with €812 million in cash and carries no bank debt or convertible debt, giving it room to keep funding these launches without outside financing.
The growth came with a steeper cost base. SG&A expenses rose to €173 million in the quarter from €145 million in the prior quarter, and R&D expenses climbed to €76 million from €59 million, a comparison made sharper by the fact that the prior quarter's figure had been reduced by a one-time €11 million reversal of earlier inventory write-downs. Reported operating profit of €220 million also leaned heavily on a one-time item, a €158 million gain tied to the sale of a PRV. Strip that out and non-IFRS operating profit was €92 million, a 27% margin that better reflects the underlying business. Total revenue of €339 million for the quarter also included €24 million of non-product collaboration revenue, including a €17 million milestone payment tied to TransCon CNP, money that will not repeat every quarter. And while YUVIWEL's early numbers are strong, formal regulatory decisions for the drug in the U.S. and European Union are not expected until the fourth quarter of 2026, meaning current sales are happening ahead of full approval.
#patients #time #transcon
YORVIPATH, the hypoparathyroidism treatment, generated €252 million in the quarter and crossed blockbuster level on an annualized basis just two years after its U.S. launch, while reaching patients in more than 35 countries through either commercial sales or named patient access programs. Long-term trial data presented during the quarter showed response rates sustained between 82% and 86% on the combined endpoint, with patients still on therapy at a 95% rate five years after starting.
SKYTROFA, the once-weekly growth hormone therapy, crossed 20,000 unique patient enrollments and remains the best-selling long-acting growth hormone in the US as measured by brand value, contributing €55 million for the quarter. YUVIWEL, the newest of the three, launched commercially in the US during the quarter and brought in €8 million in its first quarter on the market. Enrollment kept climbing after the quarter closed, from more than 170 unique patients through June 30 to more than 220 by the end of July, with more than 65% of those patients already approved for reimbursement. Ascendis also ended the quarter with €812 million in cash and carries no bank debt or convertible debt, giving it room to keep funding these launches without outside financing.
The growth came with a steeper cost base. SG&A expenses rose to €173 million in the quarter from €145 million in the prior quarter, and R&D expenses climbed to €76 million from €59 million, a comparison made sharper by the fact that the prior quarter's figure had been reduced by a one-time €11 million reversal of earlier inventory write-downs. Reported operating profit of €220 million also leaned heavily on a one-time item, a €158 million gain tied to the sale of a PRV. Strip that out and non-IFRS operating profit was €92 million, a 27% margin that better reflects the underlying business. Total revenue of €339 million for the quarter also included €24 million of non-product collaboration revenue, including a €17 million milestone payment tied to TransCon CNP, money that will not repeat every quarter. And while YUVIWEL's early numbers are strong, formal regulatory decisions for the drug in the U.S. and European Union are not expected until the fourth quarter of 2026, meaning current sales are happening ahead of full approval.
#patients #time #transcon
3 days ago
Fans attending the latest Ultimate Fighting Championship event at Golden 1 Center inSacramento, California, were treated to an action-packed card.
The UFC Sacramento headliner featured a middleweight clash betweenAnthonyHernandez and GregoryRodrigues. The two delivered an entertaining fight, butRodrigues ultimately had his hand raised. In the co-main event,VitorPetrino defeated SergheiSpivac in a heavyweight bout. Although the co-feature did notlive up to expectations, the event produced 10 finishes in 13fights.
Let's examine what could be next for the main-card winners.
Thanks to sharper striking and punishing leg kicks, Rodrigues(20-6, 11-3 UFC) outstruck fellow former Legacy Fighting Alliance ****** leholder Hernandez (15-4, 1 NC; 9-4UFC) in the UFC Sacramento main event. Hernandez rallied in Rounds3 and 4, but "Robocop" did enough to earn a unanimous decision.Rodrigues has won seven of his past eight Octagon appearances.
The next logical step for Rodrigues could be a clash with NassourdineImavov. Both fighters consistently pursue finishes, making thisan appealing matchup. Although Imavov has called for a ****** le shot,he might have to wait with KhamzatChimaev and Dricus DuPlessis also pursuing the championship currently held bySeanStrickland. A victory over Imavov could move Rodrigues close tohis own shot at the middleweight crown.
In the heavyweight co-main event, Petrino (15-2, 8-2 UFC) grappledhis way to a unanimous decision over former World Warriors FightingChampionship ****** leholder Spivac (18-7, 9-7 UFC) in a lacklusteraffair. It was not Petrino's best performance, but the victoryextended his winning streak to four.
The Brazilian continues to climb the rankings in a heavyweightdivision badly in need of new contenders. A matchup with notedfinisher BrandoPericic, who is building momentum of his own, could offer aninteresting test. The pairing would give both men an opportunity toestablish themselves as emerging threats in the division.
Former two-division OneChampionship ****** leholder Reinierde Ridder (22-4, 5-2 UFC) made a successful UFC lightheavyweight debut by defeating RomanDolidze (15-6, 9-6 UFC). De Ridder capitalized on Dolidze'sdecision to pull guard early, overwhelming his opponent on thecanvas by continually advancing position and landing punches.
The end came 4:01 into the first round, when Dolidze could no longer intelligently defend himself as de Ridder poured onstrikes from back control. Although "The Dutch Knight"rebounded from consecutive defeats, the victory came against afellow middleweight competing outside his usual weight class.
To secure a spot in the light heavyweight rankings, de Riddershould next face an established 205-pounder such as BogdanGuskov. Although Guskov lost his most recent ****** ignment, heremains a dangerous opponent who could provide a meaningfultest.
#although
The UFC Sacramento headliner featured a middleweight clash betweenAnthonyHernandez and GregoryRodrigues. The two delivered an entertaining fight, butRodrigues ultimately had his hand raised. In the co-main event,VitorPetrino defeated SergheiSpivac in a heavyweight bout. Although the co-feature did notlive up to expectations, the event produced 10 finishes in 13fights.
Let's examine what could be next for the main-card winners.
Thanks to sharper striking and punishing leg kicks, Rodrigues(20-6, 11-3 UFC) outstruck fellow former Legacy Fighting Alliance ****** leholder Hernandez (15-4, 1 NC; 9-4UFC) in the UFC Sacramento main event. Hernandez rallied in Rounds3 and 4, but "Robocop" did enough to earn a unanimous decision.Rodrigues has won seven of his past eight Octagon appearances.
The next logical step for Rodrigues could be a clash with NassourdineImavov. Both fighters consistently pursue finishes, making thisan appealing matchup. Although Imavov has called for a ****** le shot,he might have to wait with KhamzatChimaev and Dricus DuPlessis also pursuing the championship currently held bySeanStrickland. A victory over Imavov could move Rodrigues close tohis own shot at the middleweight crown.
In the heavyweight co-main event, Petrino (15-2, 8-2 UFC) grappledhis way to a unanimous decision over former World Warriors FightingChampionship ****** leholder Spivac (18-7, 9-7 UFC) in a lacklusteraffair. It was not Petrino's best performance, but the victoryextended his winning streak to four.
The Brazilian continues to climb the rankings in a heavyweightdivision badly in need of new contenders. A matchup with notedfinisher BrandoPericic, who is building momentum of his own, could offer aninteresting test. The pairing would give both men an opportunity toestablish themselves as emerging threats in the division.
Former two-division OneChampionship ****** leholder Reinierde Ridder (22-4, 5-2 UFC) made a successful UFC lightheavyweight debut by defeating RomanDolidze (15-6, 9-6 UFC). De Ridder capitalized on Dolidze'sdecision to pull guard early, overwhelming his opponent on thecanvas by continually advancing position and landing punches.
The end came 4:01 into the first round, when Dolidze could no longer intelligently defend himself as de Ridder poured onstrikes from back control. Although "The Dutch Knight"rebounded from consecutive defeats, the victory came against afellow middleweight competing outside his usual weight class.
To secure a spot in the light heavyweight rankings, de Riddershould next face an established 205-pounder such as BogdanGuskov. Although Guskov lost his most recent ****** ignment, heremains a dangerous opponent who could provide a meaningfultest.
#although
4 days ago
Fantasy Football QB Rankings 2026: Best PPR draft quarterbacks, top sleepers and breakouts originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The value placed on the quarterback position in fantasy football varies.
In sharper and more competitive leagues, you might see the position fall late in drafts. However, in your average home league, it's extremely common for someone to reach on a Josh Allen- or Lamar Jackson-type player.
The fluctuating value of fantasy football quarterbacks persists in 2026.
Superflex and two-quarterback league formats have increased the value of a position that was once overlooked in fantasy sports because of the many reliable quarterbacks. Even a quarterback ranked 20th often delivers a solid stat line most weeks.
#league
The value placed on the quarterback position in fantasy football varies.
In sharper and more competitive leagues, you might see the position fall late in drafts. However, in your average home league, it's extremely common for someone to reach on a Josh Allen- or Lamar Jackson-type player.
The fluctuating value of fantasy football quarterbacks persists in 2026.
Superflex and two-quarterback league formats have increased the value of a position that was once overlooked in fantasy sports because of the many reliable quarterbacks. Even a quarterback ranked 20th often delivers a solid stat line most weeks.
#league
4 days ago
A 19-year-old sprinter said reaching the semi-finals of the European Athletics Championships was "a dream come true".
Ebuka Nwokeji, from Northampton, competed in the men's 200m race during his first tournament as a senior British international in August.
He was the youngest male athlete selected for Great Britain's team in Birmingham and clocked 20.83 seconds, finishing sixth in his semi-final heat.
"I feel blessed to have even been able to compete; To make a senior team and to make the semi-finals is a dream come true," Nwokeji told BBC Radio Northampton presenter Jake Sharpe.
Italy beat Great Britain by one gold to finish top of the medal table during August's tournament.
#true
Ebuka Nwokeji, from Northampton, competed in the men's 200m race during his first tournament as a senior British international in August.
He was the youngest male athlete selected for Great Britain's team in Birmingham and clocked 20.83 seconds, finishing sixth in his semi-final heat.
"I feel blessed to have even been able to compete; To make a senior team and to make the semi-finals is a dream come true," Nwokeji told BBC Radio Northampton presenter Jake Sharpe.
Italy beat Great Britain by one gold to finish top of the medal table during August's tournament.
#true
5 days ago
White Sox Triple-A standout could provide crucial arm for division **** le run originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
You can't help the division you play in, and the Chicago White Sox are taking full advantage of that. While other teams are leading their division with 75+ wins, the White Sox are leading their division with only 66 wins.
They hold a 3.5-game lead over the Minnesota Twins, who recently jumped ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for that No. 2 spot.
It's been a team affair for the Sox this season as they have been a scrappy bunch offensively, and the pitching staff has done just enough to mark more wins than losses.
MORE: How a new cutter and sharper command transformed this White Sox ace
#leading #triple #minnesota
You can't help the division you play in, and the Chicago White Sox are taking full advantage of that. While other teams are leading their division with 75+ wins, the White Sox are leading their division with only 66 wins.
They hold a 3.5-game lead over the Minnesota Twins, who recently jumped ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for that No. 2 spot.
It's been a team affair for the Sox this season as they have been a scrappy bunch offensively, and the pitching staff has done just enough to mark more wins than losses.
MORE: How a new cutter and sharper command transformed this White Sox ace
#leading #triple #minnesota
5 days ago
(Corrects Aug 20 story in paragraph 5 to remove erroneous reference to Julius Baer)
By Summer Zhen, Selena Li and Xinghui Kok
HONG KONG/SINGAPORE, Aug 20 (Reuters) - A growing campaign to tax offshore wealth is forcing wealthy Chinese people to rethink their trust structures and investment holdings, lawyers and advisers say, as Beijing sharpens its focus on capital outflows and rule enforcement amid growing fiscal strains.
In late July, authorities overhauled rules to impose a 20% income tax on offshore trusts, while tax offices in major cities like Beijing and Hangzhou have started to enforce taxation on returns from offshore insurance policies.
Those measures have triggered a scramble among some wealthy individuals to ***** s their liabilities, raise cash to meet them and revamp investment holdings. They have also fuelled concern that Beijing may widen its tax crackdown and scrutiny of offshore wealth.
#wealth #wealthy #investment
By Summer Zhen, Selena Li and Xinghui Kok
HONG KONG/SINGAPORE, Aug 20 (Reuters) - A growing campaign to tax offshore wealth is forcing wealthy Chinese people to rethink their trust structures and investment holdings, lawyers and advisers say, as Beijing sharpens its focus on capital outflows and rule enforcement amid growing fiscal strains.
In late July, authorities overhauled rules to impose a 20% income tax on offshore trusts, while tax offices in major cities like Beijing and Hangzhou have started to enforce taxation on returns from offshore insurance policies.
Those measures have triggered a scramble among some wealthy individuals to ***** s their liabilities, raise cash to meet them and revamp investment holdings. They have also fuelled concern that Beijing may widen its tax crackdown and scrutiny of offshore wealth.
#wealth #wealthy #investment
5 days ago
In professional sports, contract negotiations are typically viewed as solitary journeys driven by agents and personal statistics. However, inside the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room, defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and outside linebacker Nick Herbig proved that friendly competition can be the ultimate catalyst for financial and professional success.
The two defensive standouts, who were college teammates at Wisconsin before joining the Steelers' 2023 draft class, leaned heavily on their bond to navigate the high-stakes offseason that led to extensions for both players.
Speaking on "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward," Benton detailed how his relationship with Herbig fueled his drive to earn his new four-year extension, reportedly worth $72 million.
"It's crazy, man. We do everything together," Benton said when reflecting on signing extensions in the same offseason as Herbig. "You got to compete, man. I think that's what drives our relationship, our friendship, you know, the competition aspect."
That competitive spark burned brightest after Herbig secured his four-year, $100 million extension first, sharpening Benton's focus during training and preparation.
#four
The two defensive standouts, who were college teammates at Wisconsin before joining the Steelers' 2023 draft class, leaned heavily on their bond to navigate the high-stakes offseason that led to extensions for both players.
Speaking on "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward," Benton detailed how his relationship with Herbig fueled his drive to earn his new four-year extension, reportedly worth $72 million.
"It's crazy, man. We do everything together," Benton said when reflecting on signing extensions in the same offseason as Herbig. "You got to compete, man. I think that's what drives our relationship, our friendship, you know, the competition aspect."
That competitive spark burned brightest after Herbig secured his four-year, $100 million extension first, sharpening Benton's focus during training and preparation.
#four
5 days ago
VivoPower PLC (NASDAQ:VIVO, FRA:51J) has fully retired the $28.8 million in shareholder debt it owed to AWN Holdings, eliminating the last of its principal obligation to the entity and sharpening its credit profile ahead of a planned AI data center buildout in Norway, according to a new ****** yst note from ****** le Capital Markets.
Of the total, $16.5 million was converted under the company's second PIPE offering, while the remaining $12.3 million was repaid in cash.
Analysts at ****** le said the move removes the ****** ociated interest expense and materially improves VivoPower's credit quality as it advances the Mo i Rana AI data center conversion.
The debt retirement follows a $50 million PIPE priced at $7.50 per share on July 29, led by Blue Sky Capital alongside Nordic, EU and GCC institutional and family-office investors. Proceeds from the raise are earmarked for the Mo i Rana project and further debt reduction.
VivoPower's board has also approved separating the company's 2.2GW non-Nordic portfolio, spanning the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and the Philippines, into an independently listed and capitalized platform on the London Stock Exchange and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. ****** le said the restructuring moves the portfolio's capital expenditure off VivoPower's balance sheet while the company retains de facto control, leaving a Nordic-focused AI infrastructure business.
#noble #rana #data
Of the total, $16.5 million was converted under the company's second PIPE offering, while the remaining $12.3 million was repaid in cash.
Analysts at ****** le said the move removes the ****** ociated interest expense and materially improves VivoPower's credit quality as it advances the Mo i Rana AI data center conversion.
The debt retirement follows a $50 million PIPE priced at $7.50 per share on July 29, led by Blue Sky Capital alongside Nordic, EU and GCC institutional and family-office investors. Proceeds from the raise are earmarked for the Mo i Rana project and further debt reduction.
VivoPower's board has also approved separating the company's 2.2GW non-Nordic portfolio, spanning the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and the Philippines, into an independently listed and capitalized platform on the London Stock Exchange and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. ****** le said the restructuring moves the portfolio's capital expenditure off VivoPower's balance sheet while the company retains de facto control, leaving a Nordic-focused AI infrastructure business.
#noble #rana #data
5 days ago
Half of Americans say President Trump's mass deportation campaign is too aggressive, according to a new poll released Wednesday, as Republicans look to regain voters' confidence on immigration less than 90 days away from the midterm election.
Nearly a quarter of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election also said his immigration enforcement approach is too aggressive, according to the Politico poll, which was conducted with Public First. It found that 50 percent of Americans overall said the administration's immigration agenda has gone too far.
While the administration has made some changes to its enforcement strategy, the polling has remained largely unchanged since earlier surveys in January and April — amid the height of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, where federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens.
"Voters really did want border security, but they did not want to see abuelita taken away because she's been here for 40 years but without documentation," Arizona-based GOP strategist Barrett Marson told Politico.
The divide was sharper among Trump's supporters. Thirty-one percent of Trump voters who did not identify with the MAGA movement said his immigration agenda was too aggressive, compared with 15 percent of self-identified MAGA voters.
#immigration #Trump #MAGA #poll
Nearly a quarter of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election also said his immigration enforcement approach is too aggressive, according to the Politico poll, which was conducted with Public First. It found that 50 percent of Americans overall said the administration's immigration agenda has gone too far.
While the administration has made some changes to its enforcement strategy, the polling has remained largely unchanged since earlier surveys in January and April — amid the height of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, where federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens.
"Voters really did want border security, but they did not want to see abuelita taken away because she's been here for 40 years but without documentation," Arizona-based GOP strategist Barrett Marson told Politico.
The divide was sharper among Trump's supporters. Thirty-one percent of Trump voters who did not identify with the MAGA movement said his immigration agenda was too aggressive, compared with 15 percent of self-identified MAGA voters.
#immigration #Trump #MAGA #poll
5 days ago
Wall Street has spent the last week absorbing Nvidia's (NVDA) plan to arrange half a trillion dollars of other people's money, and the sharpest objection came from someone who was explicitly trying to argue the other side. Asked on the All-In podcast published Aug. 14 where the arrangement could break, David Sacks, while still an overall bull on AI and similar, is acutely aware of the risks of the massive, multi-trillion-dollar AI buildout, saying, "The biggest risk to me is not on the demand side," he said. "The biggest risk is that you get a glut of compute and you get an overbuild. And in the same way that we had dark fiber after the dotcom crash, if you had dark GPUs, that'd be a disaster for everyone."
On Aug. 10, Nvidia said it had signed memorandums of understanding with Apollo (APO), BlackRock (BLK), Blackstone (BX), Brookfield (BN), Goldman Sachs (GS), and KKR (KKR) to establish independent compute financing platforms to "mobilize over $500 billion of third-party capital for the buildout of AI infrastructure over time." The release adds that the partnerships "remain subject to execution of the final agreements." Meaning, that figure is an aspiration, not raised money, not committed money, and not Nvidia revenue. Several outlets blurred the distinction.
Barron Trump, 20, Now Worth $150 Million — More Than Mom, Melania — From Crypto And $39 Energy Drink
Billionaire Michael Saylor Warns Against Buying a House Because 'Every 36 Years You Actually Pay the Cost of the House in Tax to the Government'
QQQ Just 'Gamma Flipped' as Market Makers Were Forced to Sell. Here's What Our Top Chart Expert is Tracking Next.
#NVIDIA #trillion #side #dark
On Aug. 10, Nvidia said it had signed memorandums of understanding with Apollo (APO), BlackRock (BLK), Blackstone (BX), Brookfield (BN), Goldman Sachs (GS), and KKR (KKR) to establish independent compute financing platforms to "mobilize over $500 billion of third-party capital for the buildout of AI infrastructure over time." The release adds that the partnerships "remain subject to execution of the final agreements." Meaning, that figure is an aspiration, not raised money, not committed money, and not Nvidia revenue. Several outlets blurred the distinction.
Barron Trump, 20, Now Worth $150 Million — More Than Mom, Melania — From Crypto And $39 Energy Drink
Billionaire Michael Saylor Warns Against Buying a House Because 'Every 36 Years You Actually Pay the Cost of the House in Tax to the Government'
QQQ Just 'Gamma Flipped' as Market Makers Were Forced to Sell. Here's What Our Top Chart Expert is Tracking Next.
#NVIDIA #trillion #side #dark
6 days ago
Wall Street has spent the last week absorbing Nvidia's (NVDA) plan to arrange half a trillion dollars of other people's money, and the sharpest objection came from someone who was explicitly trying to argue the other side. Asked on the All-In podcast published Aug. 14 where the arrangement could break, David Sacks, while still an overall bull on AI and similar, is acutely aware of the risks of the massive, multi-trillion-dollar AI buildout, saying, "The biggest risk to me is not on the demand side," he said. "The biggest risk is that you get a glut of compute and you get an overbuild. And in the same way that we had dark fiber after the dotcom crash, if you had dark GPUs, that'd be a disaster for everyone."
On Aug. 10, Nvidia said it had signed memorandums of understanding with Apollo (APO), BlackRock (BLK), Blackstone (BX), Brookfield (BN), Goldman Sachs (GS), and KKR (KKR) to establish independent compute financing platforms to "mobilize over $500 billion of third-party capital for the buildout of AI infrastructure over time." The release adds that the partnerships "remain subject to execution of the final agreements." Meaning, that figure is an aspiration, not raised money, not committed money, and not Nvidia revenue. Several outlets blurred the distinction.
Barron Trump, 20, Now Worth $150 Million — More Than Mom, Melania — From Crypto And $39 Energy Drink
Billionaire Michael Saylor Warns Against Buying a House Because 'Every 36 Years You Actually Pay the Cost of the House in Tax to the Government'
QQQ Just 'Gamma Flipped' as Market Makers Were Forced to Sell. Here's What Our Top Chart Expert is Tracking Next.
#trillion #side #biggest #risk
On Aug. 10, Nvidia said it had signed memorandums of understanding with Apollo (APO), BlackRock (BLK), Blackstone (BX), Brookfield (BN), Goldman Sachs (GS), and KKR (KKR) to establish independent compute financing platforms to "mobilize over $500 billion of third-party capital for the buildout of AI infrastructure over time." The release adds that the partnerships "remain subject to execution of the final agreements." Meaning, that figure is an aspiration, not raised money, not committed money, and not Nvidia revenue. Several outlets blurred the distinction.
Barron Trump, 20, Now Worth $150 Million — More Than Mom, Melania — From Crypto And $39 Energy Drink
Billionaire Michael Saylor Warns Against Buying a House Because 'Every 36 Years You Actually Pay the Cost of the House in Tax to the Government'
QQQ Just 'Gamma Flipped' as Market Makers Were Forced to Sell. Here's What Our Top Chart Expert is Tracking Next.
#trillion #side #biggest #risk
6 days ago
RKT trades 40% below its 52-week high but outpaced UWMC, falling just 2% Monday versus UWMC's sharper 6% drop.
REM's 52-week range of $20 to $24 and MTG's less than 1% Monday slip reflect broad mortgage sector rate sensitivity.
Rocket's technology platform and scale position it to capture mortgage market share if rates fall and industry consolidation accelerates.
Act now: the ******* yst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Rocket Companies didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT) stock is slipping 2% to $14.50 in Tuesday trading after falling 2% Monday as higher rates and weak mortgage activity continued to weigh on the housing market. Rocket Companies stock remains more than 40% below its $24.36 52-week high, showing that the recent recovery has yet to erase the damage from the housing slowdown.
#week #high #market
REM's 52-week range of $20 to $24 and MTG's less than 1% Monday slip reflect broad mortgage sector rate sensitivity.
Rocket's technology platform and scale position it to capture mortgage market share if rates fall and industry consolidation accelerates.
Act now: the ******* yst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Rocket Companies didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT) stock is slipping 2% to $14.50 in Tuesday trading after falling 2% Monday as higher rates and weak mortgage activity continued to weigh on the housing market. Rocket Companies stock remains more than 40% below its $24.36 52-week high, showing that the recent recovery has yet to erase the damage from the housing slowdown.
#week #high #market
7 days ago
The Athletics' blew another late lead on Tuesday night in Kansas City, allowing three runs in the bottom of the ninth to let an easy win slip right through their fingers. This one hurt.
Facing Kansas City left-hander Daniel Lynch IV tonight, the A's got to work right away against the reliever-turned-starter. Zack Gelof drew a one-out walk to spark the first-inning rally and was immediately followed by a Jeff McNeil single and another walk to Jonah Heim. That loaded the bases and brought up rookie infielder Tommy White. A productive out would have been fine but the A's ideally needed a hit, and White delivered with a base knock to left field to drive home one:
McNeil got a bit greedy behind Gelof trying to score and was gunned down at the plate. That took the air out of the rally and the A's would ultimately only come away with one. Felt like they left some meat on the bone there.
That one run was enough for the Athletics' pitching early. Righty Jack Perkins was initially slated to start but a late change saw left-hander Brady Basso get the ball for the first couple frames. He had a clean 1-2-3 bottom of the first then allowed one harmless single in the second. Pressing his luck, Mark Kotsay sent Basso back out for the third and Basso allowed another hit but also got one more out before getting pulled for Perkins.
Perkins was just as effective as Basso. He finished the third inning and would end up pitching through the sixth inning. He'd only allow two base runners in his work tonight, looking sharper as the game went on. He ended his night on a massive high, striking out the side in the sixth including an inning-ending punchout of Royals star Bobby Witt Jr.
#basso
Facing Kansas City left-hander Daniel Lynch IV tonight, the A's got to work right away against the reliever-turned-starter. Zack Gelof drew a one-out walk to spark the first-inning rally and was immediately followed by a Jeff McNeil single and another walk to Jonah Heim. That loaded the bases and brought up rookie infielder Tommy White. A productive out would have been fine but the A's ideally needed a hit, and White delivered with a base knock to left field to drive home one:
McNeil got a bit greedy behind Gelof trying to score and was gunned down at the plate. That took the air out of the rally and the A's would ultimately only come away with one. Felt like they left some meat on the bone there.
That one run was enough for the Athletics' pitching early. Righty Jack Perkins was initially slated to start but a late change saw left-hander Brady Basso get the ball for the first couple frames. He had a clean 1-2-3 bottom of the first then allowed one harmless single in the second. Pressing his luck, Mark Kotsay sent Basso back out for the third and Basso allowed another hit but also got one more out before getting pulled for Perkins.
Perkins was just as effective as Basso. He finished the third inning and would end up pitching through the sixth inning. He'd only allow two base runners in his work tonight, looking sharper as the game went on. He ended his night on a massive high, striking out the side in the sixth including an inning-ending punchout of Royals star Bobby Witt Jr.
#basso
8 days ago
Liverpool could yet see two notable departures before the window shuts, with Caught Offside reporting that Curtis Jones is wanted by Inter Milan and Cody Gakpo is moving closer to Tottenham Hotspur. For Andoni Iraola, this is quickly becoming a key part of his summer rebuild.
Jones has entered the final year of his deal, and that fact naturally sharpens the discussion. According to the report, Inter have made him "a priority target" and "believe a deal can be reached for around €35 million." Liverpool are said to have wanted nearer €40m, but the wider context matters. If there is no extension, the club risk losing leverage as the season progresses.
The report adds that Jones is open to Italy, while his recent absences have fuelled talk around his future. It is understood, however, that those omissions were linked to "a hip problem and fitness management rather than simply protecting him for a transfer." That distinction is important, because it suggests a football decision has not yet fully been made.
Gakpo's situation feels more advanced. It is claimed that he has "reached an agreement in principle with Tottenham", with Liverpool seeking "more than £60m" and sources valuing him at around £70m. Unlike Jones, Liverpool are under no pressure on contract. Gakpo is tied down until 2030, which means any deal would need to suit the club's terms.
Photo LFC on X
#Inter #gakpo #TOTTENHAM
Jones has entered the final year of his deal, and that fact naturally sharpens the discussion. According to the report, Inter have made him "a priority target" and "believe a deal can be reached for around €35 million." Liverpool are said to have wanted nearer €40m, but the wider context matters. If there is no extension, the club risk losing leverage as the season progresses.
The report adds that Jones is open to Italy, while his recent absences have fuelled talk around his future. It is understood, however, that those omissions were linked to "a hip problem and fitness management rather than simply protecting him for a transfer." That distinction is important, because it suggests a football decision has not yet fully been made.
Gakpo's situation feels more advanced. It is claimed that he has "reached an agreement in principle with Tottenham", with Liverpool seeking "more than £60m" and sources valuing him at around £70m. Unlike Jones, Liverpool are under no pressure on contract. Gakpo is tied down until 2030, which means any deal would need to suit the club's terms.
Photo LFC on X
#Inter #gakpo #TOTTENHAM
8 days ago
On August 7, Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) held its second-quarter earnings call under new President and CEO Robert Wright, a Wendy's veteran of 28 years who most recently ran Potbelly, joined by new CFO Steven Cirulis. Global systemwide sales fell 6.5%, and the company pulled its full-year outlook entirely. Wright did not soften the message: traffic is down, value has slipped, and franchisee economics are strained.
Not everything in the quarter was bleak. US company-operated restaurants outperformed the broader system by 280 basis points, and customer satisfaction scores in the US improved even as traffic fell. Wendy's also kept building, opening 21 new US restaurants and 27 internationally, with systemwide sales abroad still growing 3.4%. Strip out a soft Canadian market, and international same-restaurant sales were actually positive, with sales up 8.6%.
Wright laid out five strategic priorities going forward: rebuilding the menu around quality and value, sharpening marketing around a consistent brand narrative, tightening restaurant operations, improving the digital and loyalty experience, and getting back to unit growth. He promised a full strategic plan by the next quarterly update and framed the dividend cut as a deliberate move to free up capital for that turnaround rather than a sign of distress.
The core problem is that customers are visiting less often. US same-restaurant sales dropped 7.0%, driven by a 12.5% decline in traffic that a 5.6% jump in average check could not offset. Wright pointed to eroding food quality, an increasingly complex and less compelling Biggie value platform, and inconsistent drive-thru execution as root causes. Commodity costs rose about 9% in the quarter, including continued beef inflation, while labor costs climbed roughly 4%, squeezing US company-operated restaurant margin down to 13.8%. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $124.1 million, down $22.5 million from a year earlier, and adjusted EPS came in at just $0.18. The company also closed 289 US restaurants in the first half of the year.
Management does not expect systemwide sales to return to growth in either the third or fourth quarter, and it cut the quarterly dividend to $0.07 per share while pausing share buybacks for 2026 to preserve cash. Net leverage stood at 5.0 times, and roughly $430 million of debt maturing in 2028 will need refinancing in the coming months.
#quarter #systemwide #TRAFFIC #down
Not everything in the quarter was bleak. US company-operated restaurants outperformed the broader system by 280 basis points, and customer satisfaction scores in the US improved even as traffic fell. Wendy's also kept building, opening 21 new US restaurants and 27 internationally, with systemwide sales abroad still growing 3.4%. Strip out a soft Canadian market, and international same-restaurant sales were actually positive, with sales up 8.6%.
Wright laid out five strategic priorities going forward: rebuilding the menu around quality and value, sharpening marketing around a consistent brand narrative, tightening restaurant operations, improving the digital and loyalty experience, and getting back to unit growth. He promised a full strategic plan by the next quarterly update and framed the dividend cut as a deliberate move to free up capital for that turnaround rather than a sign of distress.
The core problem is that customers are visiting less often. US same-restaurant sales dropped 7.0%, driven by a 12.5% decline in traffic that a 5.6% jump in average check could not offset. Wright pointed to eroding food quality, an increasingly complex and less compelling Biggie value platform, and inconsistent drive-thru execution as root causes. Commodity costs rose about 9% in the quarter, including continued beef inflation, while labor costs climbed roughly 4%, squeezing US company-operated restaurant margin down to 13.8%. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $124.1 million, down $22.5 million from a year earlier, and adjusted EPS came in at just $0.18. The company also closed 289 US restaurants in the first half of the year.
Management does not expect systemwide sales to return to growth in either the third or fourth quarter, and it cut the quarterly dividend to $0.07 per share while pausing share buybacks for 2026 to preserve cash. Net leverage stood at 5.0 times, and roughly $430 million of debt maturing in 2028 will need refinancing in the coming months.
#quarter #systemwide #TRAFFIC #down
8 days ago
China exported 6.7% more fuel last month than it did in June, although on an annual basis fuel exports dropped by 12.9%, Reuters reported today, citing Chinese customs data.
In absolute terms, Chinese refiners exported 4.65 million tons of refined products including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and bunkering fuel. Diesel exports totalled 810,000 tons last month, up by 88% amid a global squeeze on diesel stocks because of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. This puts them on par with July 2025 export levels and 50% higher than the average monthly so far this year.
Exports of other refined oil products, however, remain substantially lower than they were before the United States and Israel launched the February 28 strikes on Iran that started the war. Gasoline exports in July were 55.3% lower than a year earlier but up by a massive 320% from June as the Chinese government relaxed fuel export curbs imposed in March. Jet fuel exports were down 33% on an annual basis but up 42% on a monthly basis.
In early March, days after the conflict in the Middle East erupted and led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Chinese government moved to ban all fuel exports amid a worsening supply crunch, with the exception of some volumes shipping out to certain countries in Southeast Asia.
Beijing began to relax the curbs later, with the latest easing announced earlier this month, totalling 2.7 million tons of refined products, to be in effect until the end of August. However, refiners would be allowed to roll over some of those volumes to September if they cannot find buyers for the full amount. The easing of the curbs was prompted by abundant domestic stocks that, according to **** ysts, helped the world avoid a sharper oil price spike because of the Iran war.
#chinese #Diesel
In absolute terms, Chinese refiners exported 4.65 million tons of refined products including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and bunkering fuel. Diesel exports totalled 810,000 tons last month, up by 88% amid a global squeeze on diesel stocks because of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. This puts them on par with July 2025 export levels and 50% higher than the average monthly so far this year.
Exports of other refined oil products, however, remain substantially lower than they were before the United States and Israel launched the February 28 strikes on Iran that started the war. Gasoline exports in July were 55.3% lower than a year earlier but up by a massive 320% from June as the Chinese government relaxed fuel export curbs imposed in March. Jet fuel exports were down 33% on an annual basis but up 42% on a monthly basis.
In early March, days after the conflict in the Middle East erupted and led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Chinese government moved to ban all fuel exports amid a worsening supply crunch, with the exception of some volumes shipping out to certain countries in Southeast Asia.
Beijing began to relax the curbs later, with the latest easing announced earlier this month, totalling 2.7 million tons of refined products, to be in effect until the end of August. However, refiners would be allowed to roll over some of those volumes to September if they cannot find buyers for the full amount. The easing of the curbs was prompted by abundant domestic stocks that, according to **** ysts, helped the world avoid a sharper oil price spike because of the Iran war.
#chinese #Diesel
8 days ago
On August 7, AdvanSix (NYSE:ASIX) reported second-quarter sales of $421 million, up about 3% from a year earlier, while adjusted EBITDA fell $24 million to $32 million and adjusted EPS dropped $1.50 to $0.19. Behind those numbers sits a story of two forces pulling in opposite directions: a $72 million year-over-year jump in raw material costs, and a fertilizer season where farmers spent less than the company expected. What stands out is how completely AdvanSix priced its way through the cost spike, even as volume told a rougher story.
The quarter's 3% sales growth broke down into 18% favorable pricing against a 15% volume decline. Raw material pass-through pricing rose 13% as benzene and propylene costs climbed, while market-based pricing improved 5%, largely on higher plant nutrient pricing tied to sulfur input costs. That combination fully offset the $72 million raw material headwind for the quarter, and the swing looked even sharper sequentially: a $10 million net price/cost headwind in the first quarter flipped into a $39 million tailwind in the second. AdvanSix also closed out the full fertilizer year near a record for domestic granular ammonium sulfate volume, supported by progress toward a 75% ammonium sulfate granular conversion mix, with its sustained growth program generating returns above 30%.
Looking ahead, the company plans to grow ammonia sales volume 30% in 2026 against 2025's already record year, and it is applying for a USDA grant to expand ammonia capacity further. Management also pointed to a stronger cash flow picture in the back half of 2026, citing a lower capital spending run rate, working capital tailwinds from the fourth quarter fertilizer pre-buy program, and 45Q carbon capture tax credits.
The same quarter that showed pricing discipline also showed real demand strain. Plant nutrient volume came in below expectations as rising grower input costs met steady, lower crop and grain prices, squeezing farmer profitability enough to cut overall fertilizer consumption and drive a $17 million unfavorable volume impact. A planned ammonia plant turnaround, shifted into the quarter to align with a supplier's pipeline inspection, added another $4 million operational hit. Sulfur costs have been a bigger problem still. The Tampa sulfur marker closed at a record $705 per long ton in the third quarter, up from $655 in the second, and AdvanSix estimates every $100 per long ton move costs it roughly $35 million a year.
#quarter #year #pricing #sulfur
The quarter's 3% sales growth broke down into 18% favorable pricing against a 15% volume decline. Raw material pass-through pricing rose 13% as benzene and propylene costs climbed, while market-based pricing improved 5%, largely on higher plant nutrient pricing tied to sulfur input costs. That combination fully offset the $72 million raw material headwind for the quarter, and the swing looked even sharper sequentially: a $10 million net price/cost headwind in the first quarter flipped into a $39 million tailwind in the second. AdvanSix also closed out the full fertilizer year near a record for domestic granular ammonium sulfate volume, supported by progress toward a 75% ammonium sulfate granular conversion mix, with its sustained growth program generating returns above 30%.
Looking ahead, the company plans to grow ammonia sales volume 30% in 2026 against 2025's already record year, and it is applying for a USDA grant to expand ammonia capacity further. Management also pointed to a stronger cash flow picture in the back half of 2026, citing a lower capital spending run rate, working capital tailwinds from the fourth quarter fertilizer pre-buy program, and 45Q carbon capture tax credits.
The same quarter that showed pricing discipline also showed real demand strain. Plant nutrient volume came in below expectations as rising grower input costs met steady, lower crop and grain prices, squeezing farmer profitability enough to cut overall fertilizer consumption and drive a $17 million unfavorable volume impact. A planned ammonia plant turnaround, shifted into the quarter to align with a supplier's pipeline inspection, added another $4 million operational hit. Sulfur costs have been a bigger problem still. The Tampa sulfur marker closed at a record $705 per long ton in the third quarter, up from $655 in the second, and AdvanSix estimates every $100 per long ton move costs it roughly $35 million a year.
#quarter #year #pricing #sulfur
9 days ago
With three weeks of training camp complete and the preseason opener in the books, the New York Giants' roster picture continues to sharpen under head coach John Harbaugh. Longer practices, increased physicality, and the first live game action have provided clearer evaluations of positional battles and special-teams contributions, prompting further adjustments from earlier projections.
This updated 53-man outlook reflects those developments while maintaining Harbaugh's emphasis on versatile players, depth, and reliable contributors across the roster. Performances in the preseason loss offered additional insight into how certain players handle game situations, influencing several close calls.
The team remains early in the evaluation process, but the current snapshot captures the strongest consensus following three weeks of camp and the first exhibition contest.
Rinse and repeat. This is not going to change unless there is an injury, and Brandon Allen did very little to state his case in Saturday's loss to the Vikings.
In: Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
#weeks
This updated 53-man outlook reflects those developments while maintaining Harbaugh's emphasis on versatile players, depth, and reliable contributors across the roster. Performances in the preseason loss offered additional insight into how certain players handle game situations, influencing several close calls.
The team remains early in the evaluation process, but the current snapshot captures the strongest consensus following three weeks of camp and the first exhibition contest.
Rinse and repeat. This is not going to change unless there is an injury, and Brandon Allen did very little to state his case in Saturday's loss to the Vikings.
In: Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
#weeks
9 days ago
The Chargers' 27-7 preseason victory over the Texans ignited the usual August hyperbole, turning an exhibition opener into a certified hype machine.
A handful of standout performances have fans wildly extrapolating the team's regular-season potential. From instant quarterback controversies to the defensive side of the ball, the fanbase is already running wild with a few major overreactions.
Here are four of them:
Trey Lance started the game but struggled, throwing some questionable passes, including a red-zone interception to Texans rookie Kamari Ramsey. DJ Uiagalelei stepped in and looked like the sharper quarterback, throwing for 120 yards and a three-yard touchdown pass to Devonte Ross, leading many to claim Uiagalelei as QB2. The reality is that while Uiagalelei has had a strong summer and a solid preseason performance, he hasn't done anything notable enough to surpass Lance just yet.
Johnson, the second-year running back, racked up 85 scrimmage yards, two rushing touchdowns, and a successful two-point conversion. He also broke free for a 55-yard reception. If the Chargers only roll with three backs, Johnson will have a tough time earning a spot on the 53-man roster with Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal in front of him. He is undoubtedly in the mix for a practice squad spot alongside Jaret Patterson and rookie Greg Desrosiers.
#rookie
A handful of standout performances have fans wildly extrapolating the team's regular-season potential. From instant quarterback controversies to the defensive side of the ball, the fanbase is already running wild with a few major overreactions.
Here are four of them:
Trey Lance started the game but struggled, throwing some questionable passes, including a red-zone interception to Texans rookie Kamari Ramsey. DJ Uiagalelei stepped in and looked like the sharper quarterback, throwing for 120 yards and a three-yard touchdown pass to Devonte Ross, leading many to claim Uiagalelei as QB2. The reality is that while Uiagalelei has had a strong summer and a solid preseason performance, he hasn't done anything notable enough to surpass Lance just yet.
Johnson, the second-year running back, racked up 85 scrimmage yards, two rushing touchdowns, and a successful two-point conversion. He also broke free for a 55-yard reception. If the Chargers only roll with three backs, Johnson will have a tough time earning a spot on the 53-man roster with Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal in front of him. He is undoubtedly in the mix for a practice squad spot alongside Jaret Patterson and rookie Greg Desrosiers.
#rookie
10 days ago
Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA)'s long-running turnaround just got tougher. On August 7, the athletic clothing manufacturer forecasted a sharper annual revenue decline, and investors responded by sending shares down as much as 9% in early trade, showing the market's lack of patience for a recovery story that is being pushed further out.
The headline number is the forecast drop itself: Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA) now expects full-year revenue to fall by a mid-single-digit percentage, a significant decrease from its previous target of only a "slight decline." The breakdown is centered right where it hurts the most. Under Armour's North America sector, its largest market by far, saw revenue fall 9% to $609.8 million in the fiscal quarter ended June 30. During the post-earnings call, CFO Reza Taleghani didn't sugarcoat the forecast, telling investors that the company is expecting a more difficult consumer environment, notably in North America and parts of Asia Pacific, to continue through the second quarter.
The pressures behind the miss are largely macro, but they aggravate a company-specific issue. Ongoing inflation and a more difficult consumer-spending environment have caused buyers to be more careful about discretionary purchases such as apparel, footwear, and accessories, a trend that has impacted the whole sportswear industry, not just Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA). Morningstar ******* yst David Swartz put it bluntly: the sportswear market is struggling right now, and tariff-related cost constraints aren't helping. On top of the macro pressure is a competitive one. Buyers are increasingly moving toward newer, innovation-focused companies such as On and Hoka.
CEO Kevin Plank, who returned to the position in 2024 to create a turnaround, has pursued a strategy based on doing less, better. The company has reduced its product ******* ortment by about 25%, focusing on higher-priced items in sectors such as training, running, and team sports rather than competing across price points. Plank's own definition of the plan was pointed: consumers do not need more choices, but rather better ones. Under that idea, Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA) has introduced new goods geared in part at attracting younger Gen Z customers, including training shoes such as the "Surge 5" and "Radiant TR".
That strategic reset did not come cheap. Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA) stated it had spent $266 million on restructuring and transformation efforts thus far, with the overall turnaround plan scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
#armour #north #buyers
The headline number is the forecast drop itself: Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA) now expects full-year revenue to fall by a mid-single-digit percentage, a significant decrease from its previous target of only a "slight decline." The breakdown is centered right where it hurts the most. Under Armour's North America sector, its largest market by far, saw revenue fall 9% to $609.8 million in the fiscal quarter ended June 30. During the post-earnings call, CFO Reza Taleghani didn't sugarcoat the forecast, telling investors that the company is expecting a more difficult consumer environment, notably in North America and parts of Asia Pacific, to continue through the second quarter.
The pressures behind the miss are largely macro, but they aggravate a company-specific issue. Ongoing inflation and a more difficult consumer-spending environment have caused buyers to be more careful about discretionary purchases such as apparel, footwear, and accessories, a trend that has impacted the whole sportswear industry, not just Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA). Morningstar ******* yst David Swartz put it bluntly: the sportswear market is struggling right now, and tariff-related cost constraints aren't helping. On top of the macro pressure is a competitive one. Buyers are increasingly moving toward newer, innovation-focused companies such as On and Hoka.
CEO Kevin Plank, who returned to the position in 2024 to create a turnaround, has pursued a strategy based on doing less, better. The company has reduced its product ******* ortment by about 25%, focusing on higher-priced items in sectors such as training, running, and team sports rather than competing across price points. Plank's own definition of the plan was pointed: consumers do not need more choices, but rather better ones. Under that idea, Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA) has introduced new goods geared in part at attracting younger Gen Z customers, including training shoes such as the "Surge 5" and "Radiant TR".
That strategic reset did not come cheap. Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UAA) stated it had spent $266 million on restructuring and transformation efforts thus far, with the overall turnaround plan scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
#armour #north #buyers
10 days ago
Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney is one of the players that the Nets could sign to an contract extension if the franchise was inclined to keep him in the fold moving forward. When it comes to Brooklyn and how they approach the rest of its rebuild, every decision has to be weighed against what could be so it's fair to wonder if the Nets should extend Clowney.
Keith Smith of Spotrac recently put together a primer of every player that's eligible for an extension this offseason, broken into different aspects of how someone could be extended and when. For someone like Clowney, he is one of 22 players from the 2023 NBA Draft class that is eligible for rookie-scale extensions after San Antonio forward Victor Wembanyama signed his earlier this summer.
"Over the years, Brooklyn has taken care of some of their own drafted-and-developed players, while others haven't been extended. Clowney may be more in the latter camp, like Day'Ron Sharpe was before him," Smith wrote on Clowney earlier this summer when giving his prediction. Granted, Sharpe was re-signed by Brooklyn this offseason on a two-year, $20 million deal so it's fair to wonder if the Nets will go the same way with Clowney.
"The challenge for Clowney is that the rim-protecting, stretch-big archetype is still there, but it's also still unrealized," Smith continued with his prediction. "If he had shown just a bit more consistency on both ends, an extension might have come. As it is, the Nets will continue to prioritize flexibility and let things play out to restricted free agency in 2027."
Smith predicted earlier in the summer that Clowney would not be signed to his rookie-scale extension, but that doesn't mean that his future with Brooklyn ends after this season if an extension is not reached. Clowney, 22, is coming off the best season of his three-year career as he averaged 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 ***** ists per game while shooting 39.6% from the field and 32.9% from behind the three-point line last season for the Nets.
#Nets
Keith Smith of Spotrac recently put together a primer of every player that's eligible for an extension this offseason, broken into different aspects of how someone could be extended and when. For someone like Clowney, he is one of 22 players from the 2023 NBA Draft class that is eligible for rookie-scale extensions after San Antonio forward Victor Wembanyama signed his earlier this summer.
"Over the years, Brooklyn has taken care of some of their own drafted-and-developed players, while others haven't been extended. Clowney may be more in the latter camp, like Day'Ron Sharpe was before him," Smith wrote on Clowney earlier this summer when giving his prediction. Granted, Sharpe was re-signed by Brooklyn this offseason on a two-year, $20 million deal so it's fair to wonder if the Nets will go the same way with Clowney.
"The challenge for Clowney is that the rim-protecting, stretch-big archetype is still there, but it's also still unrealized," Smith continued with his prediction. "If he had shown just a bit more consistency on both ends, an extension might have come. As it is, the Nets will continue to prioritize flexibility and let things play out to restricted free agency in 2027."
Smith predicted earlier in the summer that Clowney would not be signed to his rookie-scale extension, but that doesn't mean that his future with Brooklyn ends after this season if an extension is not reached. Clowney, 22, is coming off the best season of his three-year career as he averaged 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 ***** ists per game while shooting 39.6% from the field and 32.9% from behind the three-point line last season for the Nets.
#Nets
10 days ago
Yesterday's 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund marked the official end of Roma's pre-season, a period filled with the usual highs, lows, hyperbole, and overreactions we see every August. While the Giallorossi looked much sharper in Dortmund than at any point during the summer schedule, there was still a noticeable lack of pace on the left side of the attack, a wrinkle they haven't been able to smooth out for several years.
Since Sunday is typically a day of rest, we'll spare you the trauma of recounting Roma's many failures in this department over the past few years. Instead, we'll focus on a relatively new name in the Giallorossi transfer web: Lyon left-winger Malick Fofana. A 21-year-old winger, Fofana began his professional career with Gent in his native Belgium before signing with Lyon on a €19.5 million transfer in January 2024.
In his first 18 months with the club, Fofana scored 15 goals and provided five ******* ists in roughly 1,000 minutes across all competitions, an impressive start for an 18- or 19-year-old making the jump to Ligue 1. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to build on that success last season after missing nearly six months due to ankle surgery. Still, during his brief time on the pitch last season, Fofana managed two goals and an ******* ist in 749 league minutes.
Despite the injuries, Fofana has the necessary pace and trickery to take flight under Gasperini. The problem, as you're no doubt aware, is cost and competition. According to Nicolo Schira, Roma have lodged an official €40 million bid for the Belgian international but face a stiff challenge from Galatasaray, which can offer Fofana a higher salary.
With opening day only a week away, the time for delays has long since passed. Whether it's Fofana, Rodrigo Mora, or a mysterious dark horse candidate, Roma's attack needs an injection of speed and creativity.
#since #official #pace
Since Sunday is typically a day of rest, we'll spare you the trauma of recounting Roma's many failures in this department over the past few years. Instead, we'll focus on a relatively new name in the Giallorossi transfer web: Lyon left-winger Malick Fofana. A 21-year-old winger, Fofana began his professional career with Gent in his native Belgium before signing with Lyon on a €19.5 million transfer in January 2024.
In his first 18 months with the club, Fofana scored 15 goals and provided five ******* ists in roughly 1,000 minutes across all competitions, an impressive start for an 18- or 19-year-old making the jump to Ligue 1. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to build on that success last season after missing nearly six months due to ankle surgery. Still, during his brief time on the pitch last season, Fofana managed two goals and an ******* ist in 749 league minutes.
Despite the injuries, Fofana has the necessary pace and trickery to take flight under Gasperini. The problem, as you're no doubt aware, is cost and competition. According to Nicolo Schira, Roma have lodged an official €40 million bid for the Belgian international but face a stiff challenge from Galatasaray, which can offer Fofana a higher salary.
With opening day only a week away, the time for delays has long since passed. Whether it's Fofana, Rodrigo Mora, or a mysterious dark horse candidate, Roma's attack needs an injection of speed and creativity.
#since #official #pace
10 days ago
The spending is going up. The margins are going down. Free cash flow is negative. And a Wall Street ***** yst who covers one of the most closely watched stocks in the market just published a note saying the next quarter has to be different.
The note comes from Morgan Stanley. The company it covers is Tesla. ***** yst Andrew Percoco has been on the Tesla account since longtime ***** yst Adam Jonas moved to the automotive side. His message on August 11 is direct. The long-term AI thesis is still intact. But the numbers need to start showing up, according to Investing.com.
Percoco kept his Equal Weight rating and $415 price target on Tesla. The stock was trading around $330 at the time of publication. That puts the target roughly 26% above where the stock was sitting.
The note says the second quarter earnings call did not change his long-term view. Tesla is positioned to lead in physical AI. That part of the thesis is not in question. What has changed is the urgency around proof. Weaker gross margins, higher research and development spending, and extended free cash flow burn have "sharpened our and investors' focus on measurable progress across Robotaxi and Optimus," Percoco wrote.
More Tesla:
#tesla
The note comes from Morgan Stanley. The company it covers is Tesla. ***** yst Andrew Percoco has been on the Tesla account since longtime ***** yst Adam Jonas moved to the automotive side. His message on August 11 is direct. The long-term AI thesis is still intact. But the numbers need to start showing up, according to Investing.com.
Percoco kept his Equal Weight rating and $415 price target on Tesla. The stock was trading around $330 at the time of publication. That puts the target roughly 26% above where the stock was sitting.
The note says the second quarter earnings call did not change his long-term view. Tesla is positioned to lead in physical AI. That part of the thesis is not in question. What has changed is the urgency around proof. Weaker gross margins, higher research and development spending, and extended free cash flow burn have "sharpened our and investors' focus on measurable progress across Robotaxi and Optimus," Percoco wrote.
More Tesla:
#tesla
