Elon Musk Named “Department of Diablo Efficiency” After Clearing Diablo 4’s Hardest Endgame Activity in Less than 2 Minutes
Elon Musk Named “Department of Diablo Efficiency” After Clearing Diablo 4’s Hardest Endgame Activity in Less than 2 Minutes
Elon Musk is a name often synonymous with groundbreaking achievements in technology, space exploration, and electric vehicles. But it looks like he has added another feat to his collection, this time in the world of gaming. For those who don’t know, Musk has been a very active part of the Diablo 4 community. He has shared various videos of himself playing the game and showcasing his skills.
Musk recently showcased his latest feat in the game with a video. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment
Recently, Musk showcased a jaw-dropping speedrun video where he completed Diablo 4‘s hardest endgame activity, the Level 150 Artificer Pit, in less than two minutes. After seeing the video of the speedrun, players have been left in shock and somewhat astonished by this accomplishment, giving Musk various names.
Elon Musk Stuns the Diablo 4 Community with His Latest Speedrun Feat
Players were left in shock after seeing the speedrun video. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment
Elon Musk has once again left the Diablo 4 community surprised, this time with an extraordinary speedrun of the game’s toughest endgame challenge: the Level 150 Artificer Pit. Musk’s video showcased a level of efficiency and precision that would be impressive even by the highest competitive gaming standards.
For context, the Artificer Pit is the hardest and most grueling activity in Diablo 4 Season 6. The mode features swarms of enemies, complex mechanics, and a punishing difficulty curve. Most casual players would be happy to clear it in less than 5-6 minutes or more, but Musk’s two-minute completion is a rare feat that only some can ********.
Even though this feat was possible due to a new elixir bug that boosts HP and in turn, damages of few characters, it is still a very impressive feat and shows his activeness in the community. After Musk shared the video of his feat on X, players are flooding the comments with disbelief and admiration. They are happy to see him dedicate so much time and even give him a new title.
So many life lessons to be learned from speedrunning video games on max difficulty. Teaches you to see the matrix, rather than simply exist in the matrix.
Diablo Tier 150 finished in under 2 mins.
(That’s what she said) pic.twitter.com/KYvKm2vIy5
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 20, 2024
Department Of Diablo Efficiency.
— Share Bear (@ShareBear1776) November 20, 2024
*****! That new Elixir trick is insane. Maybe even Druid or Barb Overpower Builds can do 150 now
— Rob2628 (@Rob_2628) November 20, 2024
this looks like 1:57, meaning you are top 1 in the world now? congrats bro
— imba (@schizoidautist) November 20, 2024
The general consensus after seeing the video is that Musk is not just a tech mogul, he’s a powerhouse gamer as well, earning himself a new title in the process. It’s clear that Musk’s approach to gaming is as meticulous and efficient as his ventures in the real world.
Musk’s Impact on the Gaming Community
Musk has been an active part of the community and always keeps up with the meta. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment
Musk’s involvement in the Diablo 4 community is more than just a celebrity moment. His success shows the appeal of the game’s challenging endgame content, and his willingness to ***** deep into the game. He is showing that even those at the top of their fields can find satisfaction in other pursuits.
While some may think this is a one-time occurrence, Musk has proven that he consistently keeps up with the game. In a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Musk casually revealed that he ranks among the top 20 players in the world for the game. Fans even checked the leaderboard, confirming that it was indeed a remarkable achievement.
For Musk, gaming appears to be more than just a pastime. It seems that he applies the same dedication, efficiency, and strategic thinking that has made him a successful name in tech and business. His speedrun of the hardest dungeon should serve as proof that his competitiveness goes beyond industries.
In the end, as Musk continues to excel in the virtual world of Diablo, he is showing that there’s always some room left to prove your mettle in new and unexpected arenas.
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Goldman says this pharma stock can rally nearly 70%
Goldman says this pharma stock can rally nearly 70%
Goldman Sachs sees big gains ahead for Merus on the back of the company’s ******* treatment. The firm initiated coverage of the ******* therapeutics stock with a buy rating on Wednesday, alongside a $73 per share price target. Goldman’s forecast implies 68% upside from Wednesday’s close. Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Law highlighted the company’s estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) petosemtamab antibody, which is intended for treating recurring and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Law said the antibody has already shown promising results and can be a key growth driver for the stock moving forward. MRUS YTD mountain Merus stock. “We believe peto has a reasonable chance of demonstrating best-in-class efficacy/safety profile,” Law said. “While some ADCs [antibody-***** conjugates] and multikinase inhibitors appear to have encouraging efficacy, they also have higher toxicities.” Merus stock has advanced more than 56% already in 2024. Law added that the antibody’s treatment could equate to a total addressable market of roughly 56,000 annually, which could grow depending on the results of forthcoming Phase 2 test results.
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London Liverpool Street ******** busiest railway station in ***
London Liverpool Street ******** busiest railway station in ***
London Liverpool Street has retained its title of Britain’s busiest railway station as passenger numbers soared over the past year, new figures show.
The estimated number of people entering and exiting the station from March 2023/24 was 94.5 million, said the Office of Rail and Road.
This is 17.5% higher than the figure last year of 80.4 million. The jump in passengers is due to increased use of the Elizabeth line.
London Paddington maintained its position as second busiest station.
Tottenham Court Road, which is only served by Elizabeth line trains, rose from seventh spot to third place, with 64.2 million passenger entries and exits.
At the other end of the scale, Denton in Greater Manchester was the least-used railway station with 54 entries and exits over the past year.
The Elizabeth line stretches from Reading, in Berkshire, and Heathrow Airport, in west London, to Abbey Wood, in south-east London, and Shenfield, in Essex.
The line opened in May 2022.
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FFXIV is Getting a Mobile Version by PUBG Mobile's Lightspeed
FFXIV is Getting a Mobile Version by PUBG Mobile's Lightspeed
FFXIV Mobile is an upcoming brand new version of your favourite MMORPG, built from the ground up for iOS and Android.
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#FFXIV #Mobile #Version #PUBG #Mobile039s #Lightspeed
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Police report details woman’s 2017 allegations against Pete Hegseth, now Trump’s pick for defense secretary
Police report details woman’s 2017 allegations against Pete Hegseth, now Trump’s pick for defense secretary
A woman told police she was ********* assaulted in 2017 by Pete Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report released late Wednesday.
Hegseth, a Fox News personality and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be defense secretary, told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said.
News of the allegations surfaced last week when local officials released a brief statement confirming that a woman had accused Hegseth of ******* ******** in October 2017 after he had spoken at a *********** women’s event in Monterey.
Pete Hegseth in an undated image.
CBS News
Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment early Thursday.
The 22-page police report, which was obtained by Mediaite.com among other outlets, was released in response to a public records request and offers the first detailed account of what the woman alleged transpired – one that is at odds with Hegseth’s version of events.
The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth.
The woman’s name wasn’t released, and CBS News and The Associated Press don’t typically name people who say they’ve been ********* assaulted.
A spokeswoman for the Trump transition said early Thursday that the “report corroborates what Mr. Hegseth’s attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false.”
Police recommended the case report be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Investigators were first alerted to the alleged ********, the report said, by a nurse who called them after a patient requested a ******* ******** exam. The patient told medical personnel she believed she was assaulted five days earlier but couldn’t remember much about what had happened. She reported something may have been slipped into her drink before ending up in the hotel room where she said the ******** occurred.
Police collected the unwashed dress and underwear she had worn that night, the report said.
The woman’s partner, who was staying at the hotel with her, told police that he was worried about her that night after she didn’t come back to their room. At 2 a.m., he went to the hotel bar, but she wasn’t there. She made it back a few hours later, apologizing that she “must have fallen asleep.” A few days later, she told him she had been ********* assaulted.
The woman told police she had witnessed the TV anchor acting inappropriately throughout the night and saw him ********* women’s legs. She texted a friend that Hegseth was giving off a “creeper” vibe, according to the report.
After the event, the woman and others attended an afterparty in a hotel suite where she said she confronted Hegseth, telling him she “did not appreciate how he treated women,” the report states.
A group of people, including Hegseth and the woman, left for the hotel’s bar. That’s when “things got fuzzy,” the woman told police.
She remembered having a drink at the bar with Hegseth and others, the police report states. She also told police she argued with Hegseth near the hotel pool, an account supported by a hotel staffer who was sent to handle the disturbance and spoke to police, according to the report.
Soon, the accuser told police, she was inside a hotel room with Hegseth and he took her phone and blocked the door with his body so she couldn’t leave, according to the report. She also told police she remembered “saying ‘no’ a lot,” the report said.
Her next memory was laying on a couch or bed with Hegseth hovering over her bare-chested, his dog tags dangling over her, the report states. Hegseth served in the National Guard, rising to the rank of major.
After she said Hegseth *********** on her stomach, she recalled him asking if she was “OK,” the report states. She told police she did not recall how she got back to her own hotel room and had since suffered from nightmares and memory loss.
At the time of the alleged ******** in 2017, Hegseth, now 44, was going through a divorce with his second wife, with whom he has three children. She filed for divorce after he had a child with a Fox News producer who is now his wife, according to court records and social media posts by Hegseth. His first marriage ended in 2009, also after infidelity by Hegseth, according to court records.
Hegseth told police that he attended an after party and drank ***** but didn’t consume “hard alcohol” and acknowledged being “buzzed” but not ******, according to the police report.
He said he met the woman at the hotel bar and she led him by the arm back to his hotel room, which surprised him because he initially had no intention of having **** with her, the report said.
Hegseth told investigators the ******* encounter that followed was consensual, adding that he explicitly asked more than once if she was comfortable. Hegseth said in the morning the woman “showed early signs of regret” and he assured her that he wouldn’t tell anyone about the encounter.
Hegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, has told CBS News Hegseth paid a confidential financial settlement to a woman who accused him of ******* ******** out of concern the allegation would lead to his ******* from Fox News.
Parlatore said Hegseth reached the settlement agreement to deter his accuser from going forward with a lawsuit, maintaining that he is innocent and the ******* encounter was consensual. Hegseth denies any wrongdoing.
Parlatore declined to disclose the amount of the settlement, saying only that it was “far, far less than what she wanted.” He characterized it as “essentially an extortion and blackmail.”
Fox News Media said in a statement Monday it “was not made aware of the incident or the settlement.”
Trump’s transition team spoke with Parlatore after Hegseth was named as Trump’s nominee defense secretary, the attorney said. He said that he “explained this fully” to them but that he did not know what prior conversations Hegseth had with the transition team, or if they had been informed about the ******* ******** allegation and settlement agreement before the announcement of his impending nomination for defense secretary.
“This should have nothing to do with the confirmation process,” he said.
Trump has indicated that these revelations have not deterred him from Hegseth’s selection as defense secretary.
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ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and ****** commander
ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and ****** commander
BBC
Judges at the International ********* Court (ICC) have issued arrest warrants for *******’s prime minister and former defence minister, as well as ******’s military commander.
A statement said a pre-trial chamber had rejected *******’s challenges to the court’s jurisdiction and issued warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.
A warrant was also issued for Mohammed Deif, although the ******** military has said he was ******* in an air strike in Gaza in July.
The judges found “reasonable grounds” that the three men bore “********* responsibility” for alleged war ******* and ******* against humanity during the war between ******* and ******. Both ******* and ****** have rejected the allegations.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts.
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Amazon’s got a 21-inch Echo Show
Amazon’s got a 21-inch Echo Show
As our homes (and lives) get smarter, the need for some sort of digital hub big enough to run things becomes more urgent. that does everything the Show 15 did, but biggererer. It gets a built-in smart home hub with Thread, Zigbee and Matter control, Wi-Fi 6E and a better camera for video calls.
I bought an on a whim to use as a screen for my Ring doorbell and found it quite underwhelming. But the idea of having a 21-inch screen that could theoretically lay out to-do lists and calendar tasks on the daily is quite appealing. Having two small kids makes being able to marshal all our schedules on one device quite desirable.
— Dan Cooper
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The best ****** Friday deals
But only if you have a digital copy of the title.
Microsoft
Microsoft now allows you to stream select games you own to devices that support Xbox Cloud Gaming. If there’s a catch, it’s that you still need to be a Game Pass Ultimate member to only stream games you own digitally.
It’s cutting its own cord.
Kabletown Comcast, parent company of NBC Universal, will spin out the bulk of its cable TV empire into a new entity. . However the decision is justified, it just looks like Comcast is getting out of the cable business. After all, you probably watched more Suits on Netflix than you did when it first aired on the USA Network.
Update your machine, now.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Apple has released a raft of security updates for Macs, iPhones, iPads, the Vision Pro and Safari. When you get the little pop-up asking you to update your machine, don’t ignore it.
X is believed to have been a vector for disinformation.
The *** is launching an inquiry into the role social media played during the 2024 summer riots. Its chair, Chi Onwurah MP, . Musk will likely relish the chance to speak — after all, his tweet during the *** riots was “Civil war is inevitable.”
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ChatGPT-4o just got a ‘creative writing’ boost for telling more engaging stories
ChatGPT-4o just got a ‘creative writing’ boost for telling more engaging stories
ChatGPT-4o gets ‘creative writing’ update
It can also deal better with uploaded files
The update is only for ChatGPT Plus subscribers
OpenAI has given ChatGPT-4o, the large language model (LLM) that’s available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, a stealthy ‘creative writing’ upgrade.
In a brief tweet on X, OpenAI described the upgrade by saying: “The model’s creative writing ability has leveled up – more natural, engaging, and tailored writing to improve relevance & readability.”
OpenAI also claims that the new ChatGPT-4o works better with uploaded files, providing deeper insights and more thorough responses. ChatGPT has had the ability to upload files and analyze them for a while now, and it works particularly well for uploading data in spreadsheet form, or images, to use in your prompts.
ChatGPT-4o can now rival Eminem
ChatGPT has always been good at creative writing. Sprinkle in a few interesting characters and ask it to tell you a story and it can do a splendid job of spinning a yarn, which is especially useful for parents when it comes to coming up with a story for bedtime. But the new update means it’s got even better.
It’s hard to quantify an update that claims to improve the quality of writing, but so far user reaction has been positive. On X, @kyleshannon tweeted “ Hey @OpenAI your @ChatGPTapp 4o “Creative Writing” upgrade today is INSANE!”
Another user, Kyle, claims that the new ChatGPT-4o rivals Eminem when it comes to creating rap lyrics:
“My test prompt for two years has been some version of ‘write an Eminem style cipher about quantum mechanics.’ ChatGPT has always been the best at this, but no LLM has ever captured the sophisticated internal rhyming structures like he does. Until now”.
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If you want to read ChatGPT-4o’s Eminem-style rap about quantum mechanics, you can in this tweet:
Hey @OpenAI your @ChatGPTapp 4o “Creative Writing” upgrade today is INSANE!My test prompt for two years has been some version of “write an Eminem style cipher about quantum mechanics.” ChatGPT has always been the best at this, but NO LLM has ever captured the sophisticated… pic.twitter.com/XJIlXF98jLNovember 20, 2024
ChatGPT Plus subscribers only
There’s nothing you need to do or install to make use of the ‘creative writing’ update in ChatGPT-4o, it all happens behind the scenes, so just head over to Chat.com and ask it to write something.
Note: The update doesn’t apply to people who are on the free tier of ChatGPT, which is restricted to the ChatGPT-4 LLM, its legacy model.
You might also like…
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John Prescott, combative deputy to ***’s Blair, *****
John Prescott, combative deputy to ***’s Blair, *****
John Prescott, the pugnacious deputy prime minister to Britain’s Tony Blair during his 10 years in government, has ***** aged 86 after a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family said.
Prescott, who served under Blair from 1997 to 2007, was known as a plain-speaking politician who bridged the divide between the traditional left-wing and the modernisers in the Labour Party.
“There was no one quite like him in British politics,” Blair told BBC radio on Thursday.
“I don’t think, to be honest, I’d ever met anyone quite like John, and I still don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like him, and I’m very sad that he’s passed.”
Dubbed an old-school political “bruiser” and a proud trade unionist, he famously punched a member of the public during an election campaign in 2001, after he had been pelted with an egg.
“I was just thinking this morning about the time … when someone smashed an egg on his head and he turned around and he punched the guy and ***** him out … There were no rules that he really abided by,” Blair said.
Camera IconFormer *** deputy prime minister John Prescott ***** after a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family says. (Laura Friezer/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP
Prescott was born on May 31, 1938, in a seaside house in Wales. His father was a railway signalman, and his mother a maid.
Aged 17, he went to sea as a steward on a luxury cruise ship where boxing bouts were organised among the crew to entertain the passengers.
He went into politics after coming ashore and he attended Oxford’s Ruskin College, which offered courses for mature students.
Prescott entered parliament in 1970 and worked his way through the ranks, becoming a key player in the Labour Party’s historic three-election victories from 1997 to 2007.
He acted as a peace broker in the often fraught relationship between Blair and his future successor, Gordon Brown, and was later called “Two Jags” – a reference to his official Jaguar and his own vehicle – after he used his ministerial car for a 200-metre journey, which he said was needed to prevent his wife’s hair being blown about in the wind.
He was lampooned by the media for his lack of oratory skills and his reputation suffered after he acknowledged a long extramarital affair with his younger diary secretary in April 2006.
However, Blair described Prescott as one of the most talented people he had encountered in politics and said he had been vital in keeping the “whole show together” during Labour’s decade in power.
“John Prescott became – and will remain – a legend of the Labour Party: self-educated, passionate in his beliefs, courageous in the causes he adopted, and despite an outwardly deceptive image of uncompromising toughness, he was generous believing in the good in everyone,” Brown said.
Camera IconPrime Minister Tony Blair, left, turns towards the media with his Deputy John Prescott, in 2005. Credit: Alastair Grant/AP
Among the tributes from current and former politicians was one from former US vice-president Al Gore who saluted Prescott’s work on negotiating the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
Prescott told the Guardian newspaper in 2018 that he considered it his greatest achievement.
“I’ve never worked with anyone in politics – on my side of the pond or his – quite like John Prescott,” Gore said.
Prescott is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline, and two sons.
His family said he had ***** “surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery”.
“John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming Britain’s longest-serving deputy prime minister,” the statement said.
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The Despicable Me Four-Movie Collection Is Discounted In Amazon’s ****** Friday *****
The Despicable Me Four-Movie Collection Is Discounted In Amazon’s ****** Friday *****
It’s officially the ****** Friday shopping season, and there are deals galore on Amazon. One such offer is a nice discount on Universal’s Despicable Me movie series, which you can pick up in a four-movie collection–and that’s all of them–that’s currently on ***** for only $33. That’s a nice discount over its usual $50 price point.
The Despicable Me 4-Movie collection includes all four Despicable Me movies, including 2024’s Despicable Me 4. It spans four discs and a total of 5 hours and 52 minutes of movies. As usual, Prime members get free two-day shipping.
Despicable Me 4-Movie Collection
The Despicable Me series premiered in 2010, focusing on a ********* mastermind, Gru (Steve Carell), who adopts three orphans to help carry out a heist. Things get complicated when he grows to care for them. Thanks in part to the goofy Minion side characters, the first movie was a huge success and spawned three sequels. The Minions proved to be so popular they got their own film franchise.
Amazon’s ****** Friday ***** is stacked with dozens of other movie deals. You’ll find a list of some of our favorite ****** Friday Blu-ray deals below, and be sure to check GameSpot’s ****** Friday hub for discounts on games, hardware, and more in the days ahead.
More Movie Box Set ****** Friday Deals
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Don’t Miss a Second Chance to Buy These 2024 Winners for 2025
Don’t Miss a Second Chance to Buy These 2024 Winners for 2025
Amazon and Meta Platforms stock prices are decreasing within uptrends, opening entry points for new and follow-on investments.
Amazon is positioned to grow its core and AWS business, sustaining a double-digit CAGR in 2025. Analysts forecast a 35% to 45% upside from critical targets.
Meta Platforms is investing in technological advancements that will help it sustain long-term growth. Until then, the company is forecast to grow by double digits in 2025, and analysts are raising their stock price targets.
Amazon (NASDAQ:) and Meta (NASDAQ:) are pulling back from their Q3 2024 highs and providing a second chance for investors to load up. Up more than 30% and 55% YTD, respectively, these stocks are experiencing natural corrections within robust bull markets and providing entry points for new and follow-on investments.
The caveat is that the corrections could take their shares even lower, providing a more attractive entry, but the declines are likely to be small and short-lived relative to the trend. Both have the support of analysts and solid outlooks for 2025, including double-digit growth, widening margin, and the near certainty they will outperform their consensus estimates, which will support the price action and take it to new highs over time.
1. Amazon: A Perfect Blend of Technology and Retail
Amazon is a perfect play on consumers and AI. Its retail platform is supported and aided by AWS AI enhancements, including operational quality, consumer engagement, and services, not to mention its position in the AI and data center industry. It is up 35% YTD and is indicated to rise by another 35% to 45% from the critical support target. That target is near the summer highs at $200.50, a trigger point for technical traders and investors.
The analyst trend in 2024 is bullish and suggests at least a 15% upside, with the consensus pegged at $235 in mid-November and the revisions trend positive. The consensus is up more than 40% YOY, with the high-end range another 4000 basis points higher. The analysts tracked by MarketBeat show a high conviction in the consensus and provide a strong tailwind for the market, with 95% rating it at buy and 65% of the targets released following the Q3 results.
The Q3 results and business trends are solid. The company beat on the top and bottom lines, sustaining double-digit revenue growth and widening the margin. All segments and categories contributed to the growth, but AWS stands out. AWS nearly doubled the pace of Amazon’s core business and is increasing its contribution to the net. The forecast for 2025 is for Amazon to grow by 10% systemwide and for adjusted EPS to grow by a more substantial 15%.
Cash flow and free cash flow are drivers for Amazon’s stock price. The company produced leverage cash and free cash flow, with FCF more than doubling. The improvements allowed the company to sustain its cash position while investing in growth and repurchasing a significant amount of shares. The share count fell 1.6% year over year in Q3, bringing the year-to-date total to over 2.3%. Buybacks are expected to continue in Q4 2024 and 2025.
2. Meta Platforms Invests in Technology: To Rise Another 50% in 2025
Meta Platforms is up more than 55% YTD and could rise by another 50% over the next 12 months. The consensus price target reported by MarketBeat implies a 15% upside, but the trends suggest this is a low target. MarketBeat tracks 43 analysts covering this stock; they show a high conviction, with an 86% rating at Buy and a positive revision trend. The consensus target is up almost 100% in the last year due to the company’s persistent outperformance, rising nearly 3% from October to November, and the high-end range is $811 or nearly 50% above the critical support target. Most recent revisions are in the high-end range above the consensus, and the trend will likely remain positive. The critical support target is near the summer high, around $542.
Meta’s 2024 results are solid. The company is outperforming on the top and bottom lines as internal efficiency combines with AI insights and applications. User metrics also improve, driving leveraged bottom-line results that strengthen the dividend outlook. Meta is a budding dividend growth stock and can be expected to increase its payment in 2025. The business outlook for 2025 is also bullish. The forecast is for revenue to grow by 15% and for EPS to grow slightly slower.
The slightly slower pace of EPS growth is part of why the stock is struggling with traction in November. However, margin compression is due to ramping spending on AI and other technological advancements, including virtual reality. The company and others have already proven that ramping AI spending pays off in many ways, boosting revenue and improving earnings quality, which should be seen in results over the next 12 to 24 months.
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US airline flight crews confident and ****** as unions seek richer contracts
US airline flight crews confident and ****** as unions seek richer contracts
By Rajesh Kumar Singh
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Alaska Airlines flight attendant Rebecca Owens works 10 hours a day but only gets paid for half that time – a legacy of a common U.S. airline policy to pay cabin crew members only when planes are in motion. Owens, and thousands of cabin crew like her, wants that to change.
In August, 68% of Alaska flight attendants in a ratification vote rejected a contract that would have increased average pay by 32% over three years. It was also the first labor agreement that would have legally required airlines to start the clock for paying flight attendants when passengers are boarding, not when the flight starts to taxi down the runway.
Delta Air Lines, the only major U.S. airline whose flight attendants are not in a union, instituted boarding pay for its flight attendants at half of their hourly wages in 2022 when they were trying to organize.
Alaska and union leaders have resumed federally mediated contract negotiations this week.
“I want to be compensated for my time at work and want a livable wage so that you can stand on your own while working this job,” said Owens, 35. She said that without her husband’s income, her family would not be able to afford basic needs.
Negotiations at Alaska are being closely watched because one airline’s contract tends to become an industry benchmark. Cabin crews at ******* Airlines, Frontier and ********* Airlines’ regional subsidiary PSA Airlines are also negotiating new labor agreements.
Crews at Southwest Airlines rejected two contract offers before ratifying a deal in April that included a 22% pay raise this year and 3% per year raises through 2027.
Flight attendants have been negotiating with more confidence this year, encouraged by improved airline earnings and bumper pay deals negotiated by pilot unions in the past two years and Boeing factory workers this year, according to interviews with a dozen airline crew and union officials.
Plane crew told Reuters these negotiations are also informed by years of resentment over pay that has lagged inflation while working hours have increased, hurting their quality of life.
Cabin crew at Alaska and ******* have authorized their unions to call strikes if negotiators cannot reach a contract agreement.
Alaska Airlines responded to a question from Reuters saying its goal is to provide “flight attendants – and all employees – with market-competitive wages and benefits.” ******* did not respond to a request for comment.
***** OUT
In previous contract negotiations, airlines secured concessions from workers as the industry was struggling due to economic downturns or fallout from the COVID pandemic.
Story Continues
However, this year, many U.S. airlines have posted healthy profits and cabin crews feel they have more than earned a ******* slice of that pie.
*******’s cabin crews have not had a raise since 2020. The Chicago-based airline in October unveiled a $1.5 billion stock buyback plan.”Flight attendants are really, really ******,” said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), which represents over 50,000 cabin crew at 20 airlines including Alaska and *******.
“They can’t afford to pay their bills.”
Some new hires are forced to live in their cars because they cannot afford rent, said Ken Diaz, head of the flight attendants’ union at *******. A starting salary at ******* is $28.88 an hour. At Alaska, the base pay rate for a newly hired flight attendant is $27.69.
High on the priority list for attendants is being paid for hours worked, not just when the aircraft is in motion. One San Francisco-based ******* flight attendant told Reuters he makes just $2,400-$2,500 a month before taxes despite working over 200 hours. A number of his colleagues supplement their income by driving for Uber and DoorDash, he said.
A flight attendant who was onboard Alaska’s Boeing 737 MAX plane that lost its door panel mid-air in January had a second job as an Amazon delivery driver, according to testimony released by investigators. The flight attendant, who was not named, had worked two package-delivery shifts the day of the door blowout.
Some airlines blanch at the added costs of paying flight crews for tasks like boarding passengers and waiting around the airport before and between flights. The union at ********* has estimated that crews will earn an extra $4.2 billion under its new five-year flight attendant contract, which includes retroactive as well as boarding pay, and compensation for some hours between flights.
Owen says airlines need to rethink their strategy or face an increasingly hostile reaction from crew members.
“People can only take so much,” Owens said. “They are tired. They are burnt out.”
(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Joe Brock and David Gregorio)
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FF7 Rebirth’s director says he wanted to avoid fan service and keep players guessing
FF7 Rebirth’s director says he wanted to avoid fan service and keep players guessing
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi has said that he wanted to avoid too much fan service in the RPG remake and to keep players guessing which elements would be changed.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Hamaguchi said that he felt the game’s ending, which is widely regarded as one of the most significant story moments in the RPG franchise’s history, was a “trap.”
“With the original game, I was just a fan. I played the game when I was younger, and I’ve got my perspective on that scene as just a single fan,” he said.
“I felt if I made a decision – it has to go in this direction, we have to do it this way – that would very much make it a fan-driven thing. Maybe make it more like fan service. I kind of want to avoid doing that.”
Both Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth change elements of the original game. While largely following the main story beats of the original, some characters, such as Zach, were given more prominence.
“The important thing is that the player will wonder whether it’s going to change or not,” he said. “So if it was all exactly as it was in the original storyline, you’d know exactly what was coming: there’d be no anticipation, there’d be no excitement.
“For people who played the game, they’d know exactly what’s coming next. It wouldn’t really be a fun experience. It might be nostalgic, but it wouldn’t be a fun experience.”
Speaking about the elements of the original game that were changed in the remake, Hamaguchi said: “The real purpose of these elements is to indicate to the player, this is where the story might change.”
“It doesn’t mean it will change, this is where it could change. You might see something new, you might see something different. And that really does help people to keep engaged with the story and keep having that wonder and that anticipation about what’s coming next.”
Earlier this year, Hamaguchi said he’s confident the third part will be one of the greatest video games ever made.
VGC’s review of the second entry, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, calls it “an excellent RPG with some of the best characters in the gaming canon”.
“While some open-world content skirts the edges, and the game’s main narrative is left somewhat deflated, the time spent with Aerith, Tifa, and the gang makes this a hugely enjoyable road trip you’ll be playing for hundreds of hours,” we wrote.
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Morgan Stanley CEO is bullish on stocks, says the U.S. economy is ‘outperforming’
Morgan Stanley CEO is bullish on stocks, says the U.S. economy is ‘outperforming’
Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick on Thursday expressed optimism about the stock market, saying that the U.S. economy will continue to outperform in 2025.
“The world is still led by the U.S. consumer,” Pick told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” from the Morgan Stanley summit in Singapore. “Corporate balance sheets in the U.S. are on aggregate, terrific. And [the] new administration is talking about growth.”
He does acknowledge there will be some caution, due to factors including policy uncertainty, but “on the whole, people are are understandably continuing to be constructive.”
Pick said Morgan Stanley predicts that the broad-based S&P 500 will increase, pointing out that sectors like financials and industrials could perform with continued economic growth and some deregulation.
The S&P 500 has gained just over 24% year to date, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has seen a 15.13% climb.
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon
While he also said that the market may fall sometimes, the overall momentum seems to point to a better 2025.
On the U.S. Federal Reserve, Pick said that the central bank has done a “good job.”
It moved cautiously, which was the “right thing to do,” he said, adding the Fed would not want to reverse course on a rate cut.
Trade war worries
Asked if Pick is worried about a new trade war, given the incoming Trump administration, Pick replied simply: “The biggest risk is some combination of geopolitics and policy error.”
His view is that the U.S. economy is growing. The question, however, is if inflation will overheat and stifle growth due to underlying inflationary factors, such as de-globalization and the potential for tariffs, Pick added.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump had threatened to impose 60% tariffs on ******** imports to the U.S., as well as a 10%-20% tariff on global imports.
Morgan Stanley chief economist Seth Carpenter told CNBC on Wednesday that Trump’s proposed tariffs will dent U.S. economic growth going into 2026.
On the other hand, China is battling with deflation and a lack of consumer confidence in the country, Pick said, noting that China has enacted measures like lowering mortgage rates and interest rates in order to stimulate the economy.
As such, he added that both sides have a “mutually unified motivation” to find solutions that can be “pro-growth” for both economies.
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Fable Looks 'Fantastic', Has The Witcher-Like Combat; Character Selection Reportedly Available
Fable Looks 'Fantastic', Has The Witcher-Like Combat; Character Selection Reportedly Available
One of next year’s most anticipated games is undoubtedly Fable. The fantasy RPG franchise originally created by Lionhead is returning fifteen years after its previous mainline installment, and fans are understandably excited.
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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Which is Better?
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Which is Better?
Samsung and Apple are currently the two brands that have some great product lineups in the premium category. Although the latest iteration of their flagship products include the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max, there is some curiosity among users about last year’s flagships. Yes, we are talking about the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. The last year’s flagship from Samsung comes loaded with flagship-grade features and specifications, including the powerful Samsung chipset, pro-grade cameras, long-lasting battery life, impressive display, and some useful AI features.
On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also among the few handsets from Apple that will soon support Apple Intelligence features. So, does it make sense to buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max or go with the Galaxy S23 Ultra? In this article, we have pitted both devices against each other in this specs-based comparison. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Price in India
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max price in India starts at Rs 1,34,900 for the base variant with 256GB of storage. The mid-variant with 512GB comes with a price tag of Rs 1,45,900, while the top-end option with 1TB storage is priced at Rs 1,54,900.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G price in India currently starts at Rs 79,999 for the base variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The top-end 12GB RAM + 512GB model is currently available for as low as Rs 1,14,999.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Design
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a Titanium build. The handset was the first smartphone from Apple to support the Action Button that replaces the single-function switch. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also features an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone is available in ****** Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium and Natural Titanium. The iPhone 15 Pro Max measures 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25mm and weighs 221 grams.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a premium design and was the first handset in the S-series to come equipped with a built-in S-Pen. The smartphone offers an armour aluminium frame and comes equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection coupled with an IP68 rating. The handset is available in Phantom ******, Green, and Cream colour options. The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G measures 1163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm and weighs 234 grams.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Display
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is loaded with a 6.7-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display. The handset offers a resolution of 1290×2796 pixels and ProMotion technology with up to 120Hz screen refresh rate. The handset also features up to 1,000nits of peak brightness, HDR, True Tone, Dynamic Island, and Ceramic Shield protection.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G packs a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ Infinity-O-Edge Dynamic AMOLED display. The screen has a resolution of 3088 x 1440 pixels and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It also features up to 1,750nits of peak brightness, 240Hz touch sampling rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Performance and OS
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A17 Pro chipset. The SoC packs a 6-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max packs up to 512GB of internal storage. The device runs on the latest iOS 18 operating system. Moreover, Apple has already confirmed that the iPhone 15 Pro series will get Apple Intelligence.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that is specially made for the Galaxy handset. The chipset offers an Adreno 740 GPU. It also packs 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Cameras
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is equipped with a triple-camera setup on the rear panel. The handset packs a 48-megapixel wide-angle primary camera with sensor-shift OIS support, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture, and a 12-megapixel ‘tetraprism’ periscope sensor with 5x optical zoom and 25x digital zoom. On the front, the handset is equipped with a 12-megapixel TrueDepth sensor with f/1.9 aperture.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G packs a quad-camera setup. The device features a 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP2 primary sensor with OIS support, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with 120-degree FoV, a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and a 10-megapixel periscope lens with 10x zoom, and 100x space zoom. On the front, the handset comes equipped with a 12-megapixel Dual Pixel selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Battery
In terms of battery, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery. The handset features 45W fast wired charging support, 10W Qi wireless charging, and wireless powershare.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max features a 4,441mAh lithium-ion battery that can deliver up to 29 hours of video playback. The handset features up to 25W fast charging support.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Conclusion
To conclude, both models offer some interesting features and specifications, which still make sense in 2024. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Review) offers a premium design and brings some interesting camera features, coupled with flagship performance. The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (Review) offers a premium design, flagship performance, pro-grade cameras, and a good display. Moreover, it is again a great option for those who don’t want to buy the new iPhone but still want to experience the Apple Intelligence features.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra comparison
Key Specs
Display
6.70-inch
6.80-inch
Processor
Apple A17 Pro
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Front Camera
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
Rear Camera
48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel
200-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 10-megapixel
RAM
8GB
8GB, 12GB
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
iOS 17
Android 13
Resolution
1290×2796 pixels
–
Battery Capacity
–
5000mAh
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Bluesky chief doesn’t know age limit for users
Bluesky chief doesn’t know age limit for users
Getty Images
The chief executive of Bluesky said there are no plans to introduce advertising
The chief executive of the social media network Bluesky – which has exploded in popularity in recent weeks – was unable to give the correct age limit for users on the platform in an interview with the BBC.
Jay Graber wrongly said you needed to be 18 to use Bluesky, when the actual age limit is 13.
While speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Breakfast programme, Ms Graber also said the company had chosen not to verify the ages of its users on the platform, with concerns over how that data would then be handled.
Millions of people signed up to the app since the US election results, some in protest at the role X, formerly Twitter, played in propelling Donald Trump to victory.
Ms Graber put the rapid growth down to the “really great” experience users were having on Bluesky.
“There’s not harassment and bots and spam and a lot of the other problems that plague other platforms,” she said.
13 or 18?
On age verification, Ms Graber told the BBC that Bluesky has “age-gating” when users sign up, by asking people to enter their date of birth.
When asked directly what the age limit was on Bluesky, Ms Graber said: “When you sign up – I’ll have to check – I think it’s like 18 and above.”
Following the interview, Bluesky contacted the BBC to clarify that the minimum age is 13, not 18. They added there are additional settings within the app to ensure content is safe for children.
In a wide-ranging interview with presenter Rick Edwards, she said Bluesky does not try to verify the identification of the user, to ensure people are not lying when signing up.
She said: “We don’t take IDs or anything like that. I know that’s proposed in some places. That’s very private information.
“I think companies like us would want to make sure we’re handling that private user data very responsibly.”
Ms Graber also said moderation on the platform came from a mix of human moderators and automated technology, and they have no plans to introduce “traditional advertising”.
One option being looked at, she said, was making money through subscriptions for users who want extra features on their accounts.
Election defection
Bluesky was developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, and visually looks how X used to look back in its Twitter days.
Mr Dorsey is no longer part of the team behind it, having stepped down from the board in May last year, and the platform has experienced a surge in sign ups since the results of the US election.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, was a major backer of Donald Trump during his campaign.
He will also be heavily involved in the President’s administration after being named co-head of the new administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Political division has lead to some people leaving X in protest since the election, and Bluesky appears to have benefitted.
In September, the company said it had nine million users. This week, it surpassed 20 million.
However that ******** far behind X, as well as Threads, a rival platform set up by Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer said this week he has “no plans” to join the social media platform.
The Prime Minister told reporters that “at the moment” there are no moves to establish official *** government accounts or a personal one in his name.
He said it is “important for a government” to be able to communicate with “as many people as possible”.
X does not share its total user numbers but it is understood to be measured in the hundreds of millions. Mr Musk himself has 205m followers on his account.
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****** Friday deals include the Theragun Mini massager for $149
****** Friday deals include the Theragun Mini massager for $149
Who couldn’t use a good massage right now? This ****** Friday ***** slashes $50 off one of our favorite gifts for moms: the compact and triangular Theragun Mini 2.0 massage ****. It can soothe aches and pains and easily slide into a small purse, backpack or gym bag. The massager is discounted to $149, down from its usual $199. It’s part of a larger ***** of Therabody’s often coveted recovery devices.
Although more forceful massage guns are available, Therabody’s second-gen mini massage **** strikes a nice balance of power and portability. It’s 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than its predecessor, measuring 5.55 x 4.92 x 1.93 inches and weighing one pound. This 2.0 model has a slightly longer battery life than the first Theragun Mini: up to 120 minutes from a full charge (via USB-C).
Therabody
It has three speeds, ranging from 1,750 to 2,400 percussions per minute (PPM). Its 12mm amplitude delivers deep tissue massage to help you recover after a workout or soothe areas of habitual tension or chronic aches.
Although this model lacks a screen, it has an LED speed indicator. You can also pair it via Bluetooth with the Therabody app to control the device and perform guided massage routines.
This model includes three attachments: a dampener (firm but gentle), a standard ball (firmer) and a thumb (for trigger points). However, if you decide to expand its arsenal, it’s compatible with all of Therabody’s fourth and fifth-generation attachments. The massage **** includes a soft carrying case to protect it while bouncing around in your workout bag.
Check out all of the latest ****** Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.
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3 Big Dividends (Yielding 7.9%) Built for Post-Election Drama
3 Big Dividends (Yielding 7.9%) Built for Post-Election Drama
Well, that was fast. As you no doubt know by now, stocks gave back their post-election bump nearly as fast as they took it. Now they’re more or less where they started pre-election.
There’s a story behind this “pop and drop” that showed me something we need to bear in mind more and more as we head into 2025 (and a new presidential term): The need to diversify our portfolios, not only within stocks but (especially, with more volatility likely) beyond them.
And that need for diversification goes for our holdings of high-yielding closed-end funds (CEFs), too.
Now, market veterans will no doubt be quick to say that these short-term moves are just noise, and in the long term it doesn’t really matter who is the president. There’s definitely some truth to that.
Market Euphoria Followed the 2016 Vote …
Back in 2016, when President-elect Trump’s first win stunned the world, stocks rose, even as some commentators predicted a slump.
However, we should note the shape of the line in the chart above: Stocks were already soaring before November 8, 2016, when the results became clear.
And as is the case in any other administration, stocks also saw some rough patches during Trump’s first term, as the fell just over 6% in 2018, the index’s first down year in a decade.
And, yes, when President Biden won in 2020, we saw a similar market jump:
… And the 2020 Election, Too
Truth is, election results really don’t change the long-term trajectory of the stock market, and it’s really not all that surprising that stocks have returned to pre-election levels.
Long Term, Stocks Create Wealth
But that said, there are proposals, especially around tariffs, that would affect some sectors more than others. And there is the fact that the market has soared this year. And then, of course, there are the things that catch everyone off-guard, like the selloff we saw earlier this week on higher tensions around Ukraine.
That uncertainty, combined with stocks’ strong run this year, does suggest we could see a pullback in the short term.
But we do not want to go to cash in response. For one, we’ll cut off our payouts! Plus we’ll likely miss out on stock gains (since investors who sell in a panic almost always buy back in too late) and leave ourselves vulnerable to inflation.
This is where CEFs come in, because they let us do the opposite of cash: Set ourselves up for gains and higher income as volatility ticks up.
Members of my CEF Insider service know the value of CEFs’ high yields at times like these: CEFs yield 8% on average, and our CEF Insider portfolio pays even more—9.4% as I write this, with 80% of our holdings paying dividends monthly.
Another thing that often surprises newbie CEF investors is the diversification we can get from these funds—there are CEFs holding everything from stocks and bonds to preferred stocks, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and utility stocks (even blue chip techs). So if the market pivots from stocks to, say, bonds or REITs, we’re covered if we have a diversified CEF portfolio, because we’ll own all three.
Here’s a quick three-CEF sample portfolio that will give you just this kind of diversification, along with a sweet 7.9% average dividend, too.
CEF No. 1: A 6.5% Payer That Profits From Volatility
The Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (NASDAQ:) is a 6.5%-yielding stock fund that, as the name says, focuses on the . If you’ve been investing for a while, you know that the NASDAQ is a higher-performing index than the S&P 500, but it’s more volatile, too.
QQQX mitigates this volatility by selling call options on its holdings, which translates that volatility into an income stream that backstops that payout. The cost of that higher dividend is the fact that selling calls does hamper the fund’s overall return, as its best performers are sold, or “called away.”
However, that effect is somewhat offset by the stronger historical returns of the NASDAQ vs. the S&P 500. The overall result is an S&P 500–like return from QQQX, with a much ******* income stream than the 1.3% payout on an S&P 500 index fund:
6.5%-Paying QQQX Delivers S&P 500–Style Returns
Moreover, the fact that the fund “clones” the NASDAQ means you get exposure to top techs, like NVIDIA (NASDAQ:), Apple (NASDAQ:) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:) as well as non-tech firms in the index, like PepsiCo (NASDAQ:), Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:) and Starbucks (NASDAQ:).
Finally, this one stands out for its 10% discount to net asset value (NAV, or the value of its underlying portfolio). That’s particularly attractive given the heightened volatility we’re seeing these days.
CEF No. 2: A Corporate-Bond Fund Run By the Premier Name in CEFs
Let’s top up that 6.5% dividend yield with a fund with a portfolio of corporate bonds and bond derivatives it actively manages to respond to the Fed.
The upshot? Whether rates go up or down, the PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity (NYSE:) will position itself to keep up its 9.8% dividend yield. It’s got a tremendous track record, too, returning over 1,000% in the last 20 years.
Big Gains for PTY Shareholders
I do have a word of caution here, though: This one trades at a 25% premium to NAV today, but that’s the price of owning a fund run by PIMCO, a vaunted name in CEFs. It’s also roughly the premium at which the fund has traded over the last five years, so that markup isn’t completely unusual (though I prefer discounted funds like the 5 I’ll tell you more about here).
CEF No. 3: A REIT Fund Paying More Than You’d Ever Get From Rental Property
Finally, we can pick up attractive real estate with the appropriately named Cohen & Steers Quality Income Realty Fund (NYSE:).
This one is always on my watch list due to its 197 holdings, many of which are in REITs that themselves hold thousands of buildings. Top holdings include cell-tower owner ********* Tower Corp (NYSE:), warehouse REIT Prologis (NYSE:) (PLD) and data-center landlord Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:).
This is about as diversified as you can get, and it’s an approach that’s provided a strong total return that includes a high payout: RQI yields 7.4% and trades at a 4% discount, which is around where it has traded, on average, over the last five years.
Reliable Profits Over the Long Haul
In addition to REITs, RQI also holds some bonds and preferred stocks (stock-bond hybrids that trade on a market, like stocks, but whose payouts tend to be fixed, like a bond). With diversification like this, no matter where America’s flows under President Trump’s second administration, you’ll be there to collect a piece of it.
Buy These 5 “Low Drama” Funds Now (for 10.5% Yields, Monthly Payouts)
At times like these, stocks and funds that pay dividends MONTHLY give us even more peace of mind than those that simply pay a high yield alone.
Sure, monthly payouts roll in along with our bills, and that’s a very good reason to prefer them. But more important, it’s just plain comforting to have that reliable payout coming your way every 30 (or 31) days, rather than having to wait for 90 or more. Especially when the markets are roiling beneath our feet.
That’s why NOW, with so many things seeming uncertain, I’m recommending a diversified collection of 5 CEFs that pay us every single month. And they yield an outsized 10.5% too.
Think about that for a second: Every year, we’re earning more than 10% of the value of our upfront investment in these funds in dividend cash. And that comes our way in the form of reliable payouts that drip, drip, drip into our accounts monthly.
The time to buy these 5 monthly paying CEFs is now, while they’re still bargains.
Disclosure: Brett Owens and Michael Foster are contrarian income investors who look for undervalued stocks/funds across the U.S. markets. Click here to learn how to profit from their strategies in the latest report, “7 Great Dividend Growth Stocks for a Secure Retirement.”
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Row at climate talks over ‘backsliding’ on fossil fuels
Row at climate talks over ‘backsliding’ on fossil fuels
A row has broken out at COP29 climate talks as leading countries said a draft deal risked going back on a historic agreement to reduce the use of planet-warming fossil fuels.
“Standing still is retreat and the world will rightly judge us very harshly if this is the outcome,” said *** energy minister Ed Milband.
The ***, ********* Union, New Zealand and Ireland said the proposed agreement was “unacceptable”.
Developing nations said they are unhappy that a **** of money has not been agreed to help them tackle climate change.
Nearly 200 countries are meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan to try to decide on the next steps in tackling climate change
The row comes as the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned countries that “******** is not an option”.
At the heart of the talks is a trade-off between promises of more money from developed nations and global pledges to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Some developing nations and oil-rich countries are reluctant to push strong action on cutting fossil fuels because it could jeopardise their economic growth.
In an open meeting of all nations, the EU Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra called the draft deal “unbalanced, unworkable and unsubtle”.
US Climate Envoy John Podesta said: “We are surprised that there is nothing that carries forward…what we agreed last year in Dubai.”
“We will have ******* in our duty and the millions of people already feeling the effects of extreme weather,” he added.
Samoan minister Cedric Schuster, representing small island nations on the front-line of climate change, said:
“We cannot afford to undermine the progress achieved less than a year ago in Dubai”.
At the COP28 climate talks last year, nations agreed to “transition away from fossil fuels.”
“If we do not get ambition on mitigation, then everything else fails,” said Eamon Ryan, Ireland’s minister for the environment, speaking to journalists.
Diplomats are upset with the COP29 hosts Azerbaijan. They say the draft deal reflects the views of the ***** group of countries and what’s termed the Like-Minded group, which includes Saudi Arabia, China, India and Bolivia.
The Saudis have suggested that the fossil fuels agreement reached was just one option for countries, rather than an specific instruction.
Minister Ryan said the new proposed deal text reflected this view.
“We all know that there has been backsliding. There has been an attempt to interpret what we agreed last year as a menu, and actually taking back the language and taking back the commitment, and that has to stop in the interest of the ***** group too.”
But developing countries have made clear that they think richer countries are also going back on previous promises. In 2015, as part of the landmark Paris Agreement, developed nations promised to provide money to help poorer countries move away from fossil fuels and prepare for extreme weather.
The proposed agreement on new finance for climate – published Thursday morning – currently contains no figure.
Diego Pacheco, Bolivia’s lead negotiator, said: “This is not even a joke. This is an offence to the demands of the global south.
“This is a finance COP and needs political will to provide finance and any thing less is a betrayal to […] the Paris agreement and to millions of people around the world,” he said
The G77+China group, which represents developing countries, want $1.3tn (£1.03tn) by 2030. That could be from governments and private sources like banks or businesses.
But they say no specific number has been mentioned here.
“I have heard figures in the corridors, but nothing official,” said Evans Njewa, chair for the Least Developed Countries Group.
Developing countries also want to get a figure about how money will be from grants, such as in aid budgets, and how much would be private loans.
They ***** any more loans will increase their existing debt burdens.
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Pick Up A Discounted Victrix Pro ****** Stick Just In Time For Your Holiday Gaming
Pick Up A Discounted Victrix Pro ****** Stick Just In Time For Your Holiday Gaming
Fighting games are ******* and better than ever, and if you’re looking to make your next round of Street Fighter 6 or Tekken 8 a winning one, you might want to check out this ****** Friday special on Victrix’s Pro FS ****** sticks, which are discounted to $320 (normally $400).
Victrix Pro ****** Sticks
This deal includes both the traditional FS model that is equipped with a joystick on Sanwa JLF base and the FS-12 leverless version that replaces the joystick with extra inputs. While it feels somewhat alien to use at first, leverless ****** sticks are becoming very popular with professional fighting game players as these can help pull off tricky moves in games more reliably. As for colors, there are two options here, depending on your tastes.
Both models have Sanwa Denshi 30mm buttons, a removable Sanwa Densi Ball-top joystick on the regular model, and a foam lap pad for comfortable gaming sessions. You can also open them up for when you want to do some customization or cleaning, and since they’re made from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, they can easily survive a turbulent trip to Las Vegas for the next Evo tournament. If you’d prefer something nondescript, you can pick up one of these ****** sticks in a crisp PS5-style white, or for something flashier, there’s a bright purple finish.
Victrix Pro FS ****** stick (PS5/PS4/PC)
Victrix Pro FS-12 leverless ****** stick (PS5/PS4/PC)
Alternatively, you can also check out the Razer Kitsune. This is a bit more affordable at $270 (was $300), and depending on your preferences, it might be superior to the Victrix Pro. This is Razer’s take on the leverless style fighting game controller, and it features low-profile linear optical switches and a slick design that’s complemented with RGB lighting.
For more deals, be sure to check out Amazon’s full ****** Friday *****. You can also check out GameSpot’s ****** Friday deals hub for all the latest discounts throughout the holiday shopping season.
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Pelican News
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Our trust in society is eroding. We need to ****** back
Our trust in society is eroding. We need to ****** back
A recent scandal over food hygiene ratings shows how deception destroys trust within society. We need to ****** back, says Jonathan R. Goodman
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#trust #society #eroding #******
Pelican News
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Exclusive: get $150 off the best Shark cordless vacuum with this ****** Friday promo code
Exclusive: get $150 off the best Shark cordless vacuum with this ****** Friday promo code
Head to Shark right now and you can get the PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum with Auto-Empty Base for $349.99 (was $499.99) using our exclusive coupon code TR150. This code expires at the end of the day on Saturday, so you’ll need to be speedy to take advantage of it.
The ****** Friday deals are really hotting up now, and this one is well worth taking advantage of. The PowerDetect line just launched in September, and it combines powerful suction with clever automation features to save you effort and maximize battery life (it’s due to be added to our official best Shark vacuum guide when that next gets an update).
Our code is on the version with the auto-empty base (scroll down for a full explainer on that). If you just want the vacuum, and not the base, you can pick that up for $299.99 (was $429.99) at Shark. Get the full low-down in our Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum review.
Given that it’s so new, we weren’t necessarily expecting discounts on this line in this year’s ****** Friday vacuum sales. It’s good value for money even at full price, and even more of a steal with these early deals.
Today’s best Shark cordless vacuum deal
Do I need the auto-empty base?
This promo code is on the PowerDetect Cordless with an auto-empty base. As well as providing somewhere for you to store this vacuum while it charges, the dust cup will automatically empty, via a sealed system, into a larger bin in the base when you dock it.
This not only saves time and effort, but it also means far fewer chances for dust and allergens to escape back into the air, because you’ll only need to manually empty it occasionally. Shark has added a handy anti-odor puck to the base to ensure it stays smelling fresh, even when full.
It’s a clever and useful idea that we haven’t spotted anywhere else yet (although we suspect we might see auto-empty bases appearing with the next generation of best cordless vacuums).
More of today’s ****** Friday sales in the US
Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99
Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99
Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones
Cheap TVs: smart TVs at Best Buy from $69.99
Christmas trees: top-rated trees from $54.99
Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99
Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping
Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99
Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture
Lowe’s: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31
Nectar: up to 50% off all mattresses
Nordstrom: 46% off boots, coats, jeans & jewelry
Samsung: $1,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances
Target: save on furniture, tech & clothing
Walmart: cheap TVs, ****** vacs, furniture & appliances
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Pelican News
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****** Friday deals bring the Echo Buds down to only $25
****** Friday deals bring the Echo Buds down to only $25
Our choice for best budget open design earbuds is currently discounted for ****** Friday. Right now, you can pick up the Amazon Echo Buds for just $25, down from $50 — an all-time low price that makes an affordable option that much more accessible.
Amazon released its most recent generation of Echo Buds in 2023 and impressed us with its level of quality for an open earbud option. The semi-in-ear style allows for more ambient noise and might be more comfortable depending on your ear shape. The earbuds have some solid perks such as multi-device connectivity and a solid five hours of music playback. You can increase their life by another hour if you turn wake word off. You’ll get up to 20 hours of charge with the case.
Amazon
As an Amazon device, the Echo Buds are also equipped with Alexa, so you can ask the assistant to play music, call someone, set a reminder or one of the many other standard tasks. Plus, you can use the Alexa app to set tap controls for muting your mics and changing your music. Speaking of music, these earbuds have 12mm drivers and a crisp overall sound (though the open nature hurts the bass quality). Be careful, though, when working out as their low IPX2 water resistance rating means sweat could be a problem.
Check out all of the latest ****** Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.
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Pelican News
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