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Investopedia
5 Things To Know Before The Stock Market Opens
~2.5 mins read

Boeing (BA) shares are moving higher in premarket trading after the plane maker reached a tentative deal with union machinists to end a five-week strike; Spirit Airlines (SAVE) shares are soaring after the discount carrier extended a debt deadline; gold prices hit a fresh all-time high; bitcoin is pulling back slightly after approaching the $70,000 level; and Kenvue (KVUE) shares are surging on a report that activist investor Starboard Value has taken a "sizable stake" in the Tylenol and Listerine maker. Here's what investors need to know today.

Boeing (BA) and the union representing its machinists have reached a tentative agreement to end the five-week strike that is estimated to have cost the aircraft maker roughly $1 billion. Last week, Boeing announced a series of measures to curb costs, including cutting around 10% of its workforce and postponing the launch of its first 777x jetliner. The deal would give workers a 35% jump in wages over four years and boost contributions to their 401(k) plans, but would not restore traditional pension plans, a goal for some union members. The union will vote on the agreement on Wednesday. Shares of Boeing are up 3% in premarket trading.

Shares of Spirit Airlines (SAVE) are soaring 40% in premarket trading after the discount airline said it reached a deal with its credit card processor to extend a debt-financing deadline into December. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Spirit said it had drawn down $300 million in available credit and expects to end the year with $1 billion in liquidity.  The announcement comes weeks after the discount airline was reportedly considering bankruptcy after its failed merger with JetBlue (JBLU). Spirit shares had lost more than 90% of their value this year through Friday's close.

Gold hit a fresh all-time record, climbing above $2,750, after the commodity closed at record highs four straight days last week. The precious metal has been boosted by escalating tensions in the Middle East, as investors seek safe-haven assets for security amid geopolitical uncertainty. Expectations for further interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve are also helping boost its price, as lower rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding the metal, making it a more attractive storer of value.

Bitcoin (BTC) is pulling back slightly after nearing the $70,000 price level as investors pour money into spot Bitcoin exchange traded funds (ETFs), which have reported more than $2.4 billion in inflows over the past week, according to data. Bitcoin has risen by about 16% since September, outpacing the benchmark S&P 500 index, which has gained only about 4% over the same period. Both U.S. presidential candidates have shown some support from crypto industry, as the election outcomes weigh heavier than economic concerns on investors' minds.

Activist investor Starboard Value reportedly has taken a "sizable stake" in consumer-product maker Kenvue (KVUE) in an effort to boost the share price of the company spun off from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) last year. According to , Starboard believe that Kenvue stock is underperforming despite having a good lineup of brands, which include Tylenol, Listerine, and Band-Aid. Kenvue shares have been flat this year through Friday's close, despite the S&P 500 rising by 23% during that period. Kenvue shares were up by more than 8% in premarket trading.

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Instablog9ja
Just In: Dangote Refinery Reportedly Asks Court To Void Import Licenses Of NNPCL, Matrix, And Four Others In A ₦100 Billion Case
~3.6 mins read

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to void import licenses issued to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and four other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products that are already being produced by Dangote without shortfalls, Nairametrics is reporting.

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, Dangote Refinery is also seeking N100 billion in damages against the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for allegedly continuing to issue import licenses to NNPCL, Matrix, and other companies for importing petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel (aviation turbine fuel) into Nigeria, “despite the production of AGO and Jet-A1 that exceeds the current daily consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria by the Dangote Refinery.” Joined as defendants in the case are NMDPRA, NNPCL, Aym Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited (1st to 7th defendants).

In its originating summons dated September 6, 2024, and exclusively seen by Nairametrics, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, asked the court to declare that NMDPRA is allegedly in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products. He stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.

He also urged the court to declare that NMDPRA is in violation of its statutory responsibilities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for not encouraging local refineries such as Dangote Refinery.

In an affidavit deposed by Ahmed Hashem, the Group General Manager of Government and Strategic Relations at Dangote Refinery, he submitted that the import licenses granted to other companies by NMDPRA for the importation of AGO and Jet-A1 are crippling the plaintiff’s business, to which it has committed substantial financial resources in billions of US dollars. He noted that the plaintiff’s products are largely left unpatronized due to the alleged actions of NMDPRA.

He stated that NMDPRA has thr 3atened to to impose and demand a 0.5% levy on the plaintiff on wholesales and off-takers, as well as another 0.5% levy on wholesales to the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) via a letter dated June 10, 2024, contrary to statutory provisions that limit the implementation of levies on transactions within Free Zones.

He emphasized that the foundational purpose of establishing Free Zones is to foster competition, attract foreign investment, and create tax havens. He further stated that there is an alleged grand conspiracy and concerted effort by International Oil Companies and interests, in conjunction with the defendants, who are unhappy that Nigeria has an indigenous refinery ready to solve the lingering energy crisis and save the economy.

“The intervention of the Honourable Court has become necessary in order to stem the incessant violation of statutory provisions by the 1st Defendant in favor of other entities such as the 2nd to 7th defendant “ the plaintiff stated.

The refinery’s legal team stated that the plaintiff is greatly distressed, and its investments risk being jeopardized unless the Honourable Court intervenes. He sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from further issuing and/or renewing import licenses to the 2nd to 7th defendants or other companies for the purpose of importing petroleum products. In addition to a restraining order against the import licenses of the affected companies, the plaintiff sought “General damages in the sum of N100,000,000,000 against the 1st Defendant (NMDPRA) and an order of court directing the 1st Defendant to seal off all tank farms, storage facilities, warehouses, and stations used by the defendants for the storage of all refined petroleum products imported into Nigeria.”

Other reliefs partly sought by the plaintiff are as follows: A declaration that by the provisions of Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Act (NEPZA), Sections 23(h) and 55(1) of the Companies Income Tax Act (CIT Act), Paragraph 6 of the Second Schedule to the CIT Act, Regulation 54(2)(a)(0) of the Dangote Industries Free Zone Regulation 2020, and the Finance Act, the plaintiff, being an entity duly registered as a Free-Zone Enterprise, is exempted from all federal, state, and local government taxes, levies, and other rates.

A declaration that it is against the NEPZA Act, CIT Act, Finance Act, and Dangote Industries Free Zone Regulation 2020, as well as legislative intent, for the 1st Defendant to impose or threaten to impose on the plaintiff an additional financial obligation of a 0.5% levy meant for off-takers of petroleum products directly and an additional 0.5% wholesale levy in favor of the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF).

An order of mandatory injunction directing the 1st Defendant to withdraw immediately all import licenses issued to the 2nd-7th defendants and other companies other than the plaintiff and other local refineries for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products into Nigeria.

An order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from imposing and demanding a 0.5% levy meant for off-takers of petroleum products directly and an additional 0.5% wholesale levy in favor of MDGIF or any other levy or sum against the plaintiff.

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Investopedia
What You Need To Know Ahead Of GE Vernova's Earnings Wednesday
~1.4 mins read

GE Vernova (GEV) is scheduled to release earnings Wednesday morning, its third report since completing the split of General Electric into three standalone companies.

Analysts expect GE Vernova to report $8.92 billion in revenue for the quarter, up from $8.13 billion the same time last year, when it was still part of the GE conglomerate, along with GE Aerospace (GE), from which GE Vernova was spun off.

GE Vernova is also projected to post a profit of $134.5 million after its prior two quarters as an independent company have been split between one net profit and one net loss.

GE Vernova shares closed up 0.7% Friday to more than $272, and have nearly doubled in value since their April debut.

Since it was spun off from GE in April, analysts largely have been optimistic about the company's future, saying it's well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for electricity, especially via renewable methods like wind and solar, to run data centers and power-hungry artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Last month, company leadership said at an investor event that it expects full-year revenue to come in at the higher end of its projected $34 billion to $35 billion range, with analysts expecting revenue of $34.99 billion for the year.

GE Vernova also said it expected the company's wind segment to post another loss for the third quarter because of the high costs of its offshore wind business, which suffered a setback as an offshore blade broke off the coast of Massachusetts earlier this year. However, the GE Vernova wind business is expected to be "modestly profitable" in the fourth quarter.

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Instablog9ja
How Oluwo Of Iwo Chased Me Out Of His Palace Like A Child — Ooni Of Ife
~0.9 mins read

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has disclosed how Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi chased out him out of his palace in Iwo.

The monarch revealed this in a trending video on social media at the weekend. Ooni who spoke in Yoruba language disclosed he visited Oluwo at his palace in Iwo but was chased away like a baby.

His words, “When I visited Oluwo, he chased me out like a child, since that incident, I have always maintained myself going close to him. Now that you people (attendees) are imploring that I visit him again, what if he does what he likes to me?

But I have to contain his excesses as an elder, although I am a young person sitting on the throne of the elders. Oluwo, I greet you.”

The Ooni is known for pursuing a unity agenda among traditional rulers in the region and Nigeria but Oluwo has been on the other side, especially with his war against idol worshipping among Yoruba traditional rulers. The Ooni has condemned traditional rulers advocating against Yoruba tradition without referring Oluwo, but Oba Akanbi has always described idol worshipping as alien to Yoruba tradition and culture.

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Instablog9ja
Senator Ashiru Calls Us Corr¥pt After Dr¥gs Were Found At His Home, But His Remarks Won’t Hinder Our Investigation — NDLEA
~1.0 mins read

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, deputy majority leader of the senate, is “bad-mouthing” it because dr¥gs were allegedly found in his home.

Last week, Ashiru, senator representing Kwara south, said the agency is the “most corr¥pt and compromised government agency” in the country and there is a need to establish a new organisation to curb drug addiction and trafficking. The senator was contributing to a debate on a bill seeking to establish an institute for drug awareness and rehabilitation.

During that debate, Kawu Sumaila, senator representing Kano south, alleged that the homes of some politicians are being used to stockpile narcotics.Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s director of media, said Ashiru’s outburst was because of his grouse with the agency.

“The personal house of the senator in GRA Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, had been raided in recent past, where dr¥gs and illicit substances were recovered while two of his aides: Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya were arrested,” Babafemi said.

“Based on credible intelligence and surveillance which confirmed that the senators house was being used as a dr¥g joint for dr¥g dealers and users, the house was raided by our operatives at 1:30pm on February 4, 2024 during which the two aides were arrested, while a third suspect escaped arrest

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Hallelujah Challenge: “We’ve Really Become Our Parents,” Says OAP Ope
~0.2 mins read

OAP Ope making reference to Halleluyah Challenge, has said, we’ve really become our parents.

She said see youths waking to pray and praise in the middle of the night, We have really become our parents.

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