Sep. 14—The term sabermetrics was first coined by Bill James in 1980. It took quite a bit longer, however, for the idea to catch on with the baseball populace, but eventually acronyms like WAR, VORP and UZR caught on as a way to ****** yze the sport.
Analytics are equally as important these days in college basketball. It's why you hear Illinois coach Brad Underwood constantly referencing his team's adjusted offensive efficiency and offensive rebounding rate. Paid services like Synergy give coaching staffs an ****** ytical breakdown of their team to the finest detail.
Publicly available sites like , and , however, have broadened the usage and acceptance of a different way to follow and break down the sport. (KenPom and CBBAnalytics do have a subscription piece but are drastically cheaper than Synergy).
It's through those sites Illinois fans could track one of the most efficient offenses in the modern era during the 2025-26 season. The Illini eventually finished second in adjusted offensive efficiency behind Purdue last season. That particular metric was helped by the Illini not turning the ball over (eighth in turnover rate) and dominating the offensive glass (third in offensive rebounding rate).
One particular metric Illinois tracks is shot volume.

#like #rate #synergy

In its early years, Chinese battery leader CATL focused on electric vehicles (EVs), riding the explosive growth of the global e-mobility market. The company has since taken a turn, aggressively expanding its energy storage business with a target for storage to generate 50% of its global sales by 2030.
Today, CATL stands as one of the world's largest grid storage suppliers, powering megaprojects such as Synergy's 2.4GW-hour (GWh) Collie Battery in Australia and the 1.4GWh Gemini Solar-Plus-Storage project in Nevada, US.
In an exclusive interview with Power Technology, CATL's managing director of Western Europe, Hank Zhao, and chief technology officer of AC (alternating current) systems, Bruce Li, share how they translate learnings from the company's automotive history to its stationary storage unit. They also discuss the operational realities of energy storage leadership, executive decision-making in a fast-changing industry, and bridging the gap between Chinese technology and European markets.
Hank Zhao (HZ): I joined the company's EV business in 2010 and stayed there for 11 years before moving to the energy storage unit in mid-2021.
When the company was founded, it started with e-mobility and stationary storage as its two main business directions. But I think before 2020, the business scale of storage was much smaller than for EVs, and we didn't see as many opportunities. Then from 2021, there was a rapid boom in demand for energy storage, especially in markets like the US and China.

#hank

At 21 years old, San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle is one of the league's most exciting young talents. Throughout his first two NBA seasons, the former UConn guard has a Rookie of the Year Award and an NBA Finals appearance to his name. Last season, Castle averaged 16.7 points, 7.4 **** ists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks.
However, there are two things between Castle and an ascension into superstardom. Turnovers are one of those, as Castle averaged 3.2 giveaways per game last year. Another has been 3-point shooting. Although Castle's 33.2% mark from 3-point range was an improvement from his rookie campaign (28.5%), the third-year guard still has some room for improvement.
Luckily for Spurs fans, Castle has been working tirelessly on his jump shot this summer. Castle's trainer, Olin Simplis, recently spoke about Castle's process this summer, saying, "With Steph, it's also about making sure that we create the proper energy and synergy on every rep. He's such a high-volume guy defensively that sometimes his sequence in his shooting patterns is off. So I think fatigue sets in. If you don't have the proper energy from the ground through your shot line, sometimes the ball reaches the pocket later than it's supposed to during your sequence."
If Castle can shoot near league average from 3-point range (35-36%), he'll be able to cement himself not only as a premiere two-way talent but also as a three-level scoring threat.
For more NBA content, check out the BasketBaltes podcast:

#castle #guard #last

Why have those areas been Stephon's off-season focus? Simplis: "Obviously, shooting overall in the NBA is at a premium. But with Steph, it's also about making sure that we create the proper energy and synergy on every rep. He's such a high-volume guy defensively that sometimes his sequence in his shooting patterns is off. So I think fatigue sets in. If you don't have the proper energy from the ground through your shot line, sometimes the ball reaches the pocket later than it's supposed to during your sequence. We wanted the ball in the shot line while his hips are still in a bent position.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "Obviously, shooting overall in the NBA is at a …

#shooting #sometimes #line

South Korean battery manufacturer Samsung SDI Company announced that it plans to sell down its stake in Samsung Display Company, an affiliated manufacturer of digital displays for the automotive and other end-user sectors, as it looks to free up capital for investment in future growth businesses.
In a regulatory filing, the company confirmed that it has agreed to reduce its stake in Samsung Display from 15.2% to 10.2%, by selling 13.09 million shares each priced at KRW 304,000, freeing up a total of KRW 4.45 trillion (US$ 3.2 billion) in new investment capital. Samsung Display said it would buy back the shares from Samsung SDI as treasury stock, with the final valuation subject to change during the repurchasing process.
Samsung SDI has faced rising investment demand in the US, reflecting falling sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the country following policy changes by the US government, including the withdrawal of BEV purchase incentives worth up to US$ 7,500 per vehicle last year.
This has prompted manufacturers such as Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution and SK On to convert some of their newly-built capacity in North America from automotive batteries to energy storage systems (ESS), while also buying out their vehicle manufacturing joint venture partners for some of this capacity.
Samsung SDI recently agreed to take over General Motors' almost 50% stake in its Synergy Cells joint venture, which was established in 2024, giving the South Korean battery maker full control of the US$ 3.5 billion battery plant under construction in New Carlisle, Indiana.

#korean #energy

On August 6, Nature's Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR) held its second-quarter earnings call, and the numbers told two very different stories at once. Net sales hit $117 million, the strongest second quarter in the company's history. Gross margin climbed to 73.7%, the highest level in over four years. Yet management also cut its full-year sales and profit guidance, pointing to currency swings and a sudden reversal in China. The tension between a record quarter and a lowered forecast defines where this stock stands today.
North America digital sales grew 26% year-over-year in the quarter, and new customers acquired through the digital channel rose by the same amount. Autoship subscriptions made up 36% of website orders, while the newer social commerce channel jumped 177%, with autoship accounting for 60% of that revenue. Management noted that subscription customers carry a lifetime value more than three times higher than other buyers. The digital business overall is on pace to reach $50 million in sales by the end of 2026, just five years after it launched.
Growth outside China held up too. ****** an sales jumped 50%, and the company's Synergy Eagle system, which operates in ****** an, Taiwan and Korea, grew sales 11% with China excluded from the Asia Pacific total. Europe sales rose 4% to $26.7 million. The company also strengthened its leadership bench, naming Ruth Perkins, a finance veteran of Ford, Estee Lauder and PepsiCo, as CFO effective September 1, and Janine Weber, who helped build Rodan + Fields into a $1 billion skin care brand, as President of North America effective August 10.
China sales fell 20% in the quarter, a sharp reversal from growth that had exceeded 30% over the prior year, which management attributed to unspecified operational issues. That slowdown, combined with currency headwinds, pushed the company to lower its full-year net sales guidance to a range of $490 million to $500 million, down from $500 million to $515 million, and to cut its EBITDA guidance to $48 million to $52 million from $50 million to $54 million. SG&A expenses rose to $44.9 million from $43.7 million a year earlier, and management expects that figure to run between $45 million and $47 million for the rest of the year as growth investments ramp up. Volume incentives climbed to 30.6% of net sales from 29.9%.
The company also spent part of the quarter without a permanent CFO after Shane Jones departed in June, and executives acknowledged that the North American direct selling business has been under pressure for some time, with a planned overhaul not arriving until early 2027.

#sales #digital

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Performance exceeded guidance driven by robust political spending and the successful integration of multiple acquisitions and swaps closed during the quarter.
Management attributes the 9% year-over-year revenue growth to the strategic addition of 14 stations in existing markets and entry into four new markets, enhancing scale and synergy potential.
The company is pivoting its local sports strategy by securing long-term broadcast rights for the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Braves, utilizing Raycom Sports' production expertise to capture high-value local content.
Net retransmission revenue growth remains a foundational pillar for deleveraging, with management noting that all contracts are now secured through 2027, providing a stable, recurring revenue stream.

#atlanta #year #Growth #local

Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Hotchkis & Wiley Mid-Cap Value Fund." A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets posted strong returns in the second quarter of 2026, with the Russell Midcap Index rising 13.8% and the Russell Midcap Value Index returning 13.4%, despite concerns about inflation, a hawkish Federal Reserve, and rising oil prices due to the Iran conflict. Narrow market leadership was evident, particularly semiconductor stocks and other stocks in the AI sector, which saw returns exceeding 100%. The Firm favors quality businesses with attractive valuations, believing that fears regarding AI's impact are overstated. The Hotchkis & Wiley Mid-Cap Value Fund lagged the Russell Midcap Value Index, achieving a 4.74% return in the second quarter, primarily due to underperformance in technology and energy sectors, while stock selection in healthcare contributed positively. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Mid-Cap Value Fund highlighted Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN). Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN), a leading manufacturer and distributor of chemical products that operates through Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls, Epoxy, and Winchester segments, detracted from the fund's performance during the quarter. On August 3, 2026, Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN) closed at $18.62 per share. The one-month return for Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN) was -10.22%, and its shares lost 2.05% over the past 52 weeks. Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN) has a market capitalization of $2.12 billion.
Hotchkis & Wiley Mid-Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Olin Corporation (NYSE:OLN) is one of the largest global producers of chlor alkali chemicals and chlorine derivatives, and also owns the Winchester ammunition brand. It is significantly underearning today due to below-normal commodity prices and demand, but a tightening five-plus year supply/demand outlook in North American chlor-alkali could drive a pricing and volume recovery— and as the swing producer in the region, Olin could capture more than its share of that improvement, with shareholder-friendly capital allocation and an investment-grade balance sheet commitment reinforcing the case. The stock's decline reflects an easing of tensions in the Middle East which will lead to a near term loosening of supply/demand dynamics in commodity chemicals. Olin also announced a merger of equals with Huntsman that we believe is strategically sound and will help reduce risk over the intermediate term due to synergy capture and deleveraging."

#value #russell

LAKE PLACID — Even Gov. Kathy Hochul didn't want to get ahead of herself, admiting it was hard to not get wrapped up in the buzz.
On Monday, she and members of the Lake Placid-New York City Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee toured facilities around Lake Placid.
"I think we're going to build on the result of Milano and Cortina. There's a lot of synergy, but also I think getting New York City involved would enhance our chances of being selected for the bid," Hochul said.
"As exploratory means, we're just exploring. I can't get ahead of myself. We are just exploring the opportunities, ***** sing the benefits, the cost, how we could make that happen."
The committee, formed in June, has been given one year to research the logistics of hosting joint games in New York before considering next steps.

#lake #committee #ahead

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Boring wins again. Italgas, the pipe company ***** ody talks about at parties, just posted a record 81% margin and 25% EBITDA growth by doing something shockingly simple: buying a rival and actually integrating it well.
Italgas, Europe's largest gas distributor, posted first-half adjusted EBITDA of €1.07 billion, up 25% year over year. Total adjusted revenue climbed to €1.32 billion, up 17.5%, and adjusted net profit rose 27.3% to €398.6 million. CEO Paolo Gallo called the margin the highest in company history.
The engine behind all of it is last year's acquisition of 2i Rete Gas. Italgas has already banked roughly 42% of its 2032 synergy target, capturing about €130 million in savings in just six months, against €35 million for all of 2025 combined. Total operating costs fell 6.4% even after absorbing the new company's cost base, and dropped more than 20% on a like-for-like basis. Full-year guidance and the long-range strategic plan both stayed intact.
There's no oil-price guessing game here, no battery race, no app anyone needs to fall in love with. Italgas owns pipes under regulated contracts and gets paid to keep them running. The 2i Rete Gas numbers prove something specific: this deal wasn't just about scale, it was about actually finding the overlap in networks, contracts, IT systems, and procurement, and squeezing real money out of it, faster than the integration playbook usually allows.

#italgas #total #company #posted

Rui Hachimura has agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, as the sharpshooting power forward — one of the top players at his position in the 2026 free-agent class — lands a lucrative new deal.
Charania reported that the two sides attempted to pursue a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, but the Lakers did not cooperate on a deal.
Drafted by the Washington Wizards ninth overall in 2019, Hachimura joined the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade midway through the 2022-23 season and turned into one of their most productive players over the ensuing years — a pitch-perfect role-playing big wing capable of comfortably slotting in alongside stars like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves thanks to his combination of size and knockdown perimeter shooting.
Hachimura, 28, has made more than 40% of his 3-pointers in each of the last three seasons. Most of those launches have come while stationed off the ball, awaiting a kickout from a teammate: Hachimura is one of just 26 players in the NBA last season to make at least 100 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and to knock down at least 40% of those looks, and one of just nine players to do it in each of the last two seasons (AJ Green, Isaiah Joe, Kevin Durant, Max Christie, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Payton Pritchard, Royce O'Neale, Trey Murphy III).
The former Gonzaga standout has developed into one of the most efficient complementary offensive pieces in the league, ranking in the 80th percentile or better in spot-up scoring efficiency three years running, according to Synergy. He's not solely a standstill shooter, though, with the speed to fill the lane in transition, the touch to knock down pull-up jumpers in the midrange when the defense gives it up and the athleticism to drive a closeout and finish at the rim.

The Dallas Mavericks have acquired Santi Aldama in exchange for A.J. Johnson, a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick that originally belonged to the Golden State Warriors and two second-round picks, according to DLLS’ Marc Stein.
Aldama, a 7-foot Spaniard, spent the first five years of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 14 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 **** ists last season in Memphis while shooting 35% from 3 on 4.7 attempts per game. The 7-footer’s willingness to take 3-pointers will be immensely valuable to the Mavericks, who are building around the rim pressure Cooper Flagg provides.
The Rookie of the Year and Aldama, who is only 25 years old, should show synergy on the hardwood together. The versatile big man showed the ability to play with a slashing guard in Ja Morant and more traditional big men such as Zach Edey and Steven Adams.
He also played more than 2,000 minutes with former Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. A lineup with Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr., Flagg and Aldama should provide unique versatility for Mavericks head coach Dusty May’s offensive scheme.
Aldama will make $17 million this upcoming season, and the Mavericks hold a $17 million team option on him for 2027-28.

Comcast (CMCSA) opened Monday's trading up nearly 17% on news that the company would spin off its NBCUniversal and Sky media and entertainment businesses, keeping the cable, wireless, and broadband businesses, along with up to a 19.9% stake in the spinoff.
That's welcome news to long-suffering Comcast shareholders. The company has faced a conglomerate discount for years because of the perceived lack of synergy between the two businesses. Certainly, the nasty divorce between Time Warner and AT&T (T) is but one example of disparate tie-ups gone wrong.
Memory Demand Sent Seagate Soaring — But This Stock Looks Even Better
Nvidia Is Still a Bargain. **** ysts See 57% Upside in NVDA Stock.
Dear Microsoft Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for August 1

Somnigroup International Inc. (NYSE:SGI) is one of the best growth stocks to buy according to billionaire Dan Loeb. On June 15, KeyBanc ******* yst Bradley Thomas reiterated an Overweight rating and a $105 price target on Somnigroup International Inc. (NYSE:SGI). Thomas pointed to fresh regulatory momentum regarding the company's proposed acquisition of Leggett & Platt and robust early-second-quarter sales trends as tailwinds for the stock.
ty-carlson-I8kTKM17Ktc-unsplashRegarding the Leggett & Platt acquisition, Somnigroup filed a Form 8-K on June 4 detailing that it had cleared the antitrust hurdle without a federal challenge. The company values the acquisition at $2.5 billion, and, if completed, Leggett & Platt will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Somnigroup. Somnigroup expects the deal to close by the end of this year.To Thomas, the KeyBanc ******* yst, this deal matters because Leggett & Platt has historically been one of Somnigroup's key upstream suppliers. The company provides materials used in mattress manufacturing, and so bringing it in-house would give Somnigroup greater control over its supply chain, noted Thomas. It will also "unlock synergies," the ******* yst believes, that could exceed the stated $50 million target.Thomas also highlighted that Somnigroup is already integrating the Mattress Firm acquisition. Mattress Firm is the largest mattress retail chain in the US, whose acquisition Somnigroup completed on February 5, 2025, for approximately $5.1 billion. As per Thomas, Somnigroup has been making measurable progress on synergy delivery.Somnigroup International Inc. (NYSE:SGI) is a mattress and bedding products company. It designs, manufactures, and distributes mattresses, adjustable bases, pillows, and other sleep accessories under brands like Serta, Simmons, and Tuft & Needle.While we acknowledge the potential of SGI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.READ NEXT: 10 Best Fast Growth Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds and 15 Best AI Stocks Under $10 to Buy Now.Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.

Japan believe they have cracked the code to becoming a football superpower and it has everything to do with joy. Four years ago the JFA released a manifesto outlining exactly how they plan to win the World Cup by 2050. As hosts, no less.
The strategy is filled with the familiar ingredients of pyramid graphics and bullet points, mentions of synergy and talent identification, but the headline that sets The ***** an Way apart arrives on the first page.
“To become the happiest country in the world through football.”
It is an outcome so fantastical that most first-time readers of the 58-page blueprint will stifle a smirk but there is a bit more to it than players having a smile on their face – even if that is a very common sight.
The language used throughout is often repetitive and vague. Two of the half dozen keys to their defensive strategy are “play proactively” and have a “proactive mentality.” One of the six tenets to their attacking vision is to “decide the match with getting the goal.”

Bogdan Bogdanovic stands at the center of a looming free agency chase by the Denver Nuggets, as reported by Serbian outlet Meridian Sport’s Djordje Matic on Thursday. The Nuggets are eagerly anticipating the June 30 opening of the free-agent market to bolster their championship ambitions ahead of the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season. The front office is prioritizing the Serbian guard due to his proven synergy with fellow countryman and superstar Nikola Jokic. They recognize that their on-court chemistry, built during successful runs with the Serbian senior national team, could significantly elevate the performance of the entire roster, as noted by Matic.
EuroHoops.net
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The front office is prioritizing the Serbian guard due …

Winning teams in the NFL have a coach and quarterback duo that is on the same page. Teams need to be great at both positions, but those connections need to be in complete synergy as part of the formula. The Bears showed that in Year 1, and that fact alone creates even more excitement for what is to come in Chicago. Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson both showed they can be the best at their positions in the league, and that is something Chicago has never had.
In a recent tweet, Jacob Infante displays Caleb Williams' thoughts on his relationship with his head coach. Here is what Caleb had to say:
“His information, his knowledge, his wisdom….it goes a long way for me. I’m 110% in on whatever he says.”
Caleb Williams is as talented as they come at quarterback, but Ben Johnson knows exactly how to utilize Caleb's talent to make the Bears' offense successful. Caleb has trust that Ben Johnson will put him in a position to succeed, and Ben Johnson trusts Caleb Williams to make the game-winning plays. Caleb Williams needs Ben Johnson to get to that next level, and the same vice versa. If those two are on the same page, Chicago will see a lot of wins. That is the winning formula, and more success should be on the way for these two.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Bears' Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson have bought into each other

Interested in Celsius Holdings Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better.
Celsius is reshaping into a multi-brand energy platform as it integrates Alani and Rockstar, with CEO John Fieldly saying the company now reaches about one in five energy drink sales. Celsius is positioning each brand for a different consumer: Celsius for fitness/health, Alani for health-and-beauty, and Rockstar for traditional energy users.
The core Celsius brand is being reset for a return to growth after SKU rationalization and PepsiCo distribution changes. Management expects most retail resets to finish by June or July, with stability over the next few months and a move back toward growth by year-end.
Management sees margin recovery and international expansion as key longer-term drivers, with more than $50 million in synergy savings already secured from Alani integration. Celsius also highlighted early international momentum in markets like France and the U.K., while planning a cautious rollout for Alani overseas in 2027.
MarketBeat Week in Review – 10/06 - 10/10

Hot off the bat - all business news is full of the announced aquisition of
e2open
by
WiseTechGlobal
Global -
What this merger means, where is the synergy potential, where there are blind spots ??
https://wisechainconsult.s...

https://wisechainconsult.s...