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Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Beyond The Slopes: Perfect Moment's Bold Expansion Moves In Global Luxury
By JE Insights, Benzinga DETROIT, MICHIGAN - June 16, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Despite broader economic concerns dominating business headlines, one sector seems to have proven relatively resilient: high-end skiwear and luxury apparel. Driven by robust sentiment among affluent consumers and an expanding demand profile - especially among emerging markets - luxury brands have navigated tricky waters better than many of their more austere competitors. Making strategic moves to capitalize on this trend is luxury ski and activewear brand Perfect Moment Ltd. (AMEX: PMNT). The functional fashion firm is executing an aggressive global expansion plan, primarily through exclusive retail openings and key wholesale partnerships. Fundamentally, the idea is to tap into pockets of growth within a complex ecosystem. As Grand View Research points out, the North American ski apparel market may reach a valuation of $3.06 billion by 2030, implying a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% from 2025. Furthermore, it's not just one region that experts believe will see expansion. According to the same resource, the global ski equipment and gear market size reached $15.9 billion in value in 2023. This industry may expand by a CAGR of 5.4% from 2024 to 2030, potentially culminating in total revenue of $22.9 billion. According to Grand View Research, one global catalyst for the interest in ski-related equipment and apparel is the proliferation of resorts, slopes and related facilities. Stated differently, Perfect Moment isn't just aiming to deliver a better product; rather, it's moving in on burgeoning consumer dynamics. To address behavioral pivots in the market, the company is implementing three growth strategies: retail expansion in elite ski destinations, global wholesale partnerships and a shift toward year-round luxury outerwear. This has been paired with the largest shareholder, founder and Chairman Max Gottschalk buying additional shares in the open market, demonstrating his confidence in the company. Elevating The Luxury Experience Through Destination Retail In December last year, Perfect Moment announced the opening of its first European seasonal store at Kitzbühel, a popular ski resort located in the Austrian Alps. Renowned for its world-class skiing experiences, it draws athletes and enthusiasts from across the globe. Situated at the center of the resort, the Perfect-branded store will offer customers an exclusive luxury ski shopping experience, including special in-store events designed for connecting with the local community, the company said. Company co-founder and creative director Jane Gottschalk expressed the strategic importance of the retail launch, 'The opening of our new store in this awe-inspiring location follows our success in other high-end retail markets. It furthers our exploration of establishing physical retail locations at select luxury destinations—particularly locations that embody our love for skiing and the alpine lifestyle.' In addition to the prime location, Perfect Moment also elevated the interior design of the store - an ode to the brand's core ethos of blending fashion with functionality. As the press release stated, '[s]leek, metallic surfaces evoke the winter season, while soft, textured and translucent elements create a harmonious balance.' As well, red accents punctuate the overall ambiance, reflecting the company's signature color. To be clear, Perfect Moment isn't just launching retail locations for its own sake. As Bain & Company discussed, high-end brands are increasingly investing in seasonal boutiques and curated shopping experiences, thereby fostering exclusivity. Moreover, the expansion into Austria aligns with the company's own successful New York SoHo seasonal store model. Global Expansion And Strategic Market Positioning In early January of this year, Perfect Moment announced that it had partnered with globally renowned sales agencies in a bid to boost brand awareness and expand its international footprint. Per the company's press release, the strategic partnerships may strengthen wholesale distribution across key regions, including Europe and Asia. Additionally, the agencies will seek to expand the company's presence in luxury retailers and exclusive boutiques while complementing Perfect Moment's direct-to-consumer (DTC) pivot. Although the fashion brand reports that it has witnessed significant growth in its e-commerce directive, the wholesale business remains a critical pillar for luxury-focused enterprises. As the industry source The Business of Fashion bluntly pointed out, '[t]he notion that there are wholesale brands and direct-to-consumer brands is dying.' To succeed, the most ambitious companies integrate both models. Fundamentally, as the publication noted, 'the idea of being either a DTC or wholesale brand is being supplanted by the understanding that each channel has its strengths and weaknesses, and that most brands need both to thrive.' Perfect Moment's leadership team understands this development, thereby front-running it by commanding a footprint in both avenues. As for the global expansion initiatives, Southern Europe represents a hub for luxury fashion. As noted in the company's press release, Italy, France and Spain are home to some of the world's most influential fashion retailers and luxury shoppers. Japan is also one of the world's biggest luxury markets, with consumers paying premiums for high-quality craftsmanship and exclusivity. Finally, Perfect is building momentum for the Winter Olympics, set to take place next year. The company is working nonstop on a special collection for the high-profile event, potentially positioning itself favorably. In the last edition of the Winter Olympics, the competition drew more than two billion viewers. Strengthening The Year-Round Luxury Outerwear Market In mid-January, Perfect Moment issued another statement reflecting its global ambitions, partnering with two internationally renowned sales agencies to elevate awareness and lift sales growth in key European markets. Specifically, the agencies will expand Perfect Moment's wholesale distribution to luxury retailers and exclusive boutiques, mirroring the company's concurrent global strategies. However, a key distinction in the announcement is the focus on perennial demand. As industry publication DC Fashion Week noted, designer jackets are no longer relegated to outerwear driven by seasonal necessity. Instead, such attire now represents statement pieces. Responding to this consumer pivot, some luxury brands have adapted to this trend, delivering expressive products that are also functional. Naturally, this behavioral shift aligns with Perfect Moment's form-meets-functionality ethos. Perfect Moment has zeroed in on the DACH countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) for its European expansion. Perfect Moment notes that these nations benefit from a consumer base with a relatively high disposable income and strong winter sports cultures. Perfect Moment is also expanding into Benelux, a politico-economic union comprising Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Similar to consumers in the DACH region, Benelux buyers have an affinity toward high-end, technical outerwear. With their higher-income base, Perfect Moment reports that the region's customers are fashion-forward, and are willing to pay a premium for quality, purpose-driven attire. Perfectly Timed: Expanding Luxury With Precision Perfect Moment is capitalizing on anticipated sustained strength in the luxury apparel market by executing a calculated expansion strategy across retail and wholesale channels. Through exclusive retail openings in premier ski destinations, the company is reinforcing its presence in high-profile luxury hubs while enhancing brand exclusivity. Simultaneously, Perfect Moment is broadening its international reach by securing key partnerships in Europe and Asia, ensuring that its designs are positioned within high-end retailers and boutiques that cater to affluent, fashion-conscious consumers. Beyond traditional ski apparel, the company is actively helping shape the evolving luxury outerwear market. With demand for premium jackets and performance-driven fashion rising beyond seasonal constraints, Perfect Moment is expanding into high-value regions where technical craftsmanship and statement fashion pieces resonate with discerning buyers. By balancing retail expansion with strategic wholesale partnerships, the brand is embedding itself deeper into the global luxury ecosystem, potentially strengthening its foothold in a competitive but lucrative industry. Featured image byCanvaonPixabay. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This content was originallypublished on further disclosureshere. View the original release on
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Calamos Protected Bitcoin ETFs: The Edge You May Be Seeking
By JE Insights, Benzinga DETROIT, MICHIGAN - May 20, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Bitcoin (CCC: BTC-USD) and the underlying blockchain technology represent a game-changing innovation in high finance. For the first time, the nexus of economic value has been decoupled from a centralized authority and has instead been distributed across a so-called trustless network. This powerful concept has empowered a radical paradigm shift in participatory economics. At the same time, no revolution materializes without growing pains. For Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency complex, that pain has been in the form of extreme, unrelenting volatility. Without a doubt, the magnitude of wildness in BTC and similar digital assets has been more than enough reason for traditional investors to be cautious. But to allay such fears, global asset manager Calamos Investments offers a novel solution: protected Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. Recently, actively managed ETF assets have reached $1 trillion, now comprising 10% of all ETF assets - doubling in just 18 months. The lesser-known trend is the increasing adoption of options-based ETFs by investors, which is projected to reach $650 billion by 2030. Calamos says it stands unique in offering the only solution for downside protection over a defined outcome period. Put another way, Calamos' Protected Bitcoin ETFs aim to deliver the best of both worlds: the advanced mitigatory strategies of sophisticated equities-based traders and the robust performance profile of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. With the launch of the April series, investors have the opportunity to explore a new mechanism of exposure to virtual currencies. A Response To The Tariff Tantrum And Inflation Over the trailing five years, Bitcoin has gained in the range of 1000%, demonstrating its explosive potential - at least when circumstances are favorable. But when the inevitable downcycle erupts? It's not uncommon for digital assets to incur worrying double-digit percentage losses within a matter of days. That's where the beauty of the Calamos Protected Bitcoin ETFs comes in. With these specialized products, investors can gain exposure to an alternative asset class unlike anything else in the market. At the same time, the financial services provider understands that investors are not monoliths. As such, the April series aims to deliver a range of risk-reward profiles to suit individual tastes and tolerances. To provide a mitigated approach to the exciting but wild crypto market, Calamos utilizes a financial transaction similar in structure to an options-based debit transaction called the bull call spread. Unlike a traditional bull spread, though, the underlying cash outlay to enter the long position is instead replaced by a combination of the bond-protected principal and the proceeds from the spread's short-leg transaction. With inflation and trade wars – among other major headwinds – disrupting risk appetite for most, downside-protected funds can potentially deliver much-needed peace of mind. They may also make crypto exposure feasible for market participants averse to extreme uncertainty. The products – listed under the Calamos Bitcoin Structured Alt Protection ETF label - launched on April 7 with the following upside cap rates and protection levels over one year. Fundamentally, the Calamos Protected Bitcoin ETFs attempt to draw a middle ground between the crypto ecosystem's explosive capital gains potential with the discipline found in traditional equity risk models. Delivering The Calamos Risk Management Advantage To be fair, investors can choose to directly purchase Bitcoin or other digital assets, sidestepping Calamos altogether. Nevertheless, many astute market participants avoid doing so due to the very real challenges associated with digital currencies. For one thing, the decentralized nature of the blockchain means that price discovery is occurring 24/7/365. Unlike the equities sector, exchange operators do not temporarily pull the plug to provide traders with a 'cooling off' period. Instead, the crypto market is constantly in flux. It's more than possible – sometimes likely – that drastic changes erupt while traders sleep. Riches can be made and lost in the blink of an eye – Calamos aims to smooth out these acute spikes in valuation velocities. Another element to consider is the largely unregulated nature of cryptocurrencies. In many cases, individuals are responsible for the safeguarding and protection of crypto access. Unfortunately, there have been too many stories of people forgetting their passwords or losing hardware, thus silently nuking millions – if not billions – of dollars. Finally, various political administrations may have radically differing views on digital assets. While the blockchain unlocks profound innovations, the technology also threatens established paradigms. Because of the contentious ground that Bitcoin often walks, an air of uncertainty follows the sector. Calamos helps relieve some of this tension while providing enough breadth for upside speculation. Redefining Access To The Blockchain Economy Calamos isn't offering a magic bullet – it's offering structured protection. For investors intrigued by Bitcoin's long-term potential but unwilling to stomach its short-term chaos, the April series may represent a feasible compromise. With multiple protection levels and corresponding cap ranges, these ETFs allow investors to approach crypto on their own terms. Rather than choosing between blind speculation or complete avoidance, market participants can now explore a middle path. For those seeking a measured, risk-aware entry into digital assets, the Calamos Protected Bitcoin ETFs may offer exactly that. Click here to learn more about a smarter way to invest in Bitcoin. Featured photo byArt RachenonUnsplash This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This content was originallypublished on further disclosureshere. View the original release on
Associated Press
28-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BNDS ETF Aims To Offer High Yield In Low-Rate Era
By JE Insights, Benzinga DETROIT, MICHIGAN - April 28, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Throughout the post-pandemic recovery phase, worsening inflation represented one of the main impediments, thereby inspiring the Federal Reserve to implement a hawkish monetary policy. At the same time, an overly tight framework can lead to economic deceleration due to the increased cost of borrowing money. With the latest report on inflation showing a cooler-than-expected print, the Fed is now considering easing its monetary policy. Based on trading activity on Fed funds futures, the market expects at least three rate cuts this year. To be fair, such a dovish shift may require the economy to slow down before policymakers feel comfortable pulling the trigger. Notably, the current geopolitical environment - especially as it relates to trade wars - heightens the risk of a deceleration in growth. This circumstance then raises the question: where will investors find high yield without overreaching on risk? Boutique financial specialist Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC - commonly known as Infrastructure Capital - seeks to answer this inquiry with its product, Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF (ARCA: BNDS). An exchange-traded fund, BNDS presents a flexible, actively managed approach to income in this complex and evolving economic landscape. Unlike a typical bond fund, Infrastructure Capital Bond is designed to adapt across multiple credit cycles. At the same time, it aims to consistently deliver high yields through a mix of corporate bonds and options income strategies. Rising Above The Broken Math Of Traditional Bonds A sensible investment strategy could involve a diversified mix of capital gains potential and robust income-generating baselines. However, not all yield-focused investments are built equally, potentially allowing the outsized performance of the BNDS ETF to distinguish itself from the competition. In particular, benchmark yields like the 10-year Treasury may have risen sharply since 2022. Unfortunately, with inflation still elevated, the real return for bondholders remains modest. And while 10-year Treasuries yield around 4.25% and investment-grade corporates deliver around 5.4%, these rates are declining. Should rate cuts materialize, income investors could be under more pressure to find adequate rewards. The aforementioned dynamic is a byproduct of spread compression. Representing the difference in yield between a riskier bond and a safer bond (such as a Treasury), the spread narrows when interest rates drop across the board. Essentially, this dynamic means that high-risk debt securities don't typically offer much more yield than safer alternatives, creating an incentivization problem. After all, who would want to absorb high risk for low reward? Subsequently, spread compression pushes income investors into a corner. One approach is for market participants to heighten their risk exposure with junk bonds - also known as highly speculative or distressed debt. Another approach is to abandon income altogether and instead focus on wealth protection, explaining in part the meteoric rise of gold. What makes Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF stand out is that it offers a potentially happy middle ground. Armed with an active strategy, the BNDS fund's portfolio management team hunt for income in places where other funds can't or won't go. This attribute affords the ETF flexibility, facilitating adjustments to market conditions in real time. How The BNDS ETF Moves The Needle As reported by Statista, in 2023, investors had access to 10,319 ETFs. As of 2022, these funds globally managed assets up to over $11 trillion. To be quite blunt, the concept of an income-generating fund is hardly unique. So, why would investors consider the Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF? Primarily, BNDS ranks highly on relevance. As stated earlier, this ETF is actively managed, delivering important advantages over passive ETFs. Perhaps the most conspicuous element is the ability and flexibility to navigate dynamic market conditions. Indeed, the BNDS doesn't passively track an index or benchmark; instead, actual human beings adjust the portfolio based on economic trends, Fed policy changes and a host of other impact points. This distinguishing factor segues into another point: people, people, people. The BNDS ETF is spearheaded by Infrastructure Capital founder, CEO and lead portfolio manager Jay D. Hatfield. Leveraging a broad perspective on the U.S. financial markets, Hatfield commands extensive experience as an investment banker and research director. In concert with his team of experts, the BNDS fund aims to be geared for whatever the market throws at it: shifting credit cycles, energy booms and busts and monetary policy pivots. The Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF also enjoys credibility. One of Infrastructure Capital's most popular investment vehicles is Virtus InfraCap US Preferred Stock ETF (ARCA: PFFA). Another actively managed fund, PFFA buys U.S. preferred stocks that pay fixed dividends, aligning with the Infrastructure Capital philosophy of extracting income from uncommon places. Still, what arguably moves the needle for investors considering the BNDS ETF is its yield. At the moment, the fund's 30-day Sec Yield clocks in at 7.12%. Combined with a management fee and gross expense ratio of 0.80% and 0.81%, respectively, the BNDS aims to deliver a robust income at a sensible cost. Finally, the meat and potatoes of this income fund centers on long-duration, higher-yield corporate issuers, such as Plains All American Pipeline LP and Lincoln National Corp. These companies tend to represent stable businesses with tangible cash flows - aligning with Infrastructure Capital's broad strategic view of targeting assets with intrinsic value and free cash flow potential. Rethinking The Income Game In a world where the traditional playbook no longer cuts it, income investors may want to consider going beyond surface-level yields and embrace adaptability. The days of relying on static bond strategies are fading fast, replaced by a need for dynamic approaches that can respond to evolving risks - and just as importantly, uncover overlooked rewards. By marrying real-time flexibility with a disciplined focus, Infrastructure Capital's strategy represents something more than just another bond fund: it's a deliberate response to the challenges of this new rate environment. To learn more about this approach and what it could mean for your portfolio, visit click here. Featured image byNattanan KanchanapratfromPixabay. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This content was originallypublished on further disclosureshere.
Associated Press
23-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The New Industrial Frontier: On-Orbit Manufacturing And One Company's Role In Making It A Reality
By JE Insights, Benzinga DETROIT, MICHIGAN - April 23, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - No matter the origin of operations, the theoretical capacity of manufacturing endeavors will always be limited by on-ground considerations, such as labor availability, skill gaps, supply chain disruptions and regulatory frameworks. However, the terrestrial nature of this paradigm has never been under question - that is, until recently. With advancing technologies opening new frontiers, particularly in the realm of orbital manufacturing, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) could be poised to deliver a radical new solution. Enter the world of on-orbit manufacturing. In prior ages of innovation and industrialization, the recurring motif has always been the earth, the literal ground zero. As such, manufacturing would invariably be confined to - and limited by - the rules of the ecosystem, from ambient temperatures to the rate at which objects fall. But by changing not just the protocol of manufacturing, but the entire canvas, suddenly, new possibilities emerge. Even better, in the case of Ascent Solar, the company doesn't just offer speculative moonshots designed to excite the exclusive domain of the theoretical – it says it has already laid the groundwork for solar production in orbit. The Innovation And Advantage Of Orbital Manufacturing Contrary to the complex lexicon utilized by other industries, the term orbital manufacturing is thankfully intuitive: it describes the process of producing goods in space rather than on earth. At first blush, the concept sounds unnecessarily complex and therefore expensive - until one realizes that space manufacturing can leverage unique conditions like microgravity, near-perfect vacuums and extreme temperatures. From a fundamental perspective, advocates of orbital manufacturing assert that certain conditions in space facilitate the development of products that offer superior quality than those of terrestrial origin. 'Space is a much better place to do almost any industrial process,' said Space Forge CEO Joshua Western in an interview with The Guardian. 'We live on a planet where we're weighed down by gravity. We made ovens, refrigerators and the vacuum pump to help manufacture products on earth, but if you go to space, you get those benefits for free.' Another pivotal edge of orbital manufacturing is production hampered by fewer defects, particularly for complex processes such as semiconductors. To be fair, McKinsey & Company notes that such defects are relatively rare in the chipmaking space. However, an important attribute is the natural vacuum of the final frontier, which could help facilitate thin-layering techniques. These unique protocols help reduce or eliminate gases during production, potentially leading to the development of smaller semiconductor structures. McKinsey acknowledges that if space-based research and development could develop such advanced semiconductors, the benefits could be massive. As circumstances stand now, the industry represents one of the largest on the planet, with total sales projected to hit $725 billion by this year. Moreover, research in the arena will clock in at about $90 billion. Since tech giants compete heavily for the most incremental of advantages, an overhaul in terms of the underlying structure of semiconductors could change the game entirely. In particular, one key subsegment of the semiconductor industry – solar photovoltaics (PV) - could see tremendous advances, which is where Ascent Solar Technologies comes in. The Case For Solar PV In Orbit At its core, solar PV represents a family of devices that convert sunlight into electricity using semiconductors – a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Through this process, solar panels are able to power everything in space from satellites to space stations. Obviously, to develop these panels, engineers construct them terrestrially. By logical reasoning, these complex PV systems must survive violent launches to reach orbit, adding to the total mass involved, along with increased costs and challenges. A key advantage, then, of on-orbit manufacturing is convenience. Should solar cells and panels be constructed in space, the process eliminates the logistical burden of surviving launches. From a financial and business planning perspective, orbital manufacturing may yield greater predictability, keeping the accounting department happy. From an engineering standpoint, this new approach permits the production of lighter, higher-efficiency panels with custom geometries. In other words, specialized panels no longer need to be 'folded' to accommodate orbital deployment. Instead, these products can be built to spec, in space. Of course, money always talks - and the conversation is only getting louder. According to Ascent's research, market demand for on-orbit power could reach 1.8 megawatts per year by 2030 - and that's not including large-scale projects like Starlink. Even more compelling, the U.S. Department of Defense requires more advanced solutions, particularly drones, satellites and forward bases that are undergirded by superior power-to-mass ratios. Ascent may be uniquely positioned to help advance the next step in the broader space economy, drawing intrigue toward its capabilities and acumen. Ascending Above The Competition Based in Thornton, Colorado, Ascent is one of the leading providers of innovative, high-performance, flexible thin-film solar panels. These specially designed systems were manufactured for scenarios where traditional rigid solar panels don't work. Commanding a rich portfolio of patents, Ascent has quickly risen to its place in the industry thanks to its lab-to-fab experiences, particularly in the realm of lightweight panels. Specifically, the company participated directly in a U.S. Air Force-backed feasibility study, contributing critical technical guidance for a conceptual thin-film PV manufacturing system designed to operate in orbit. Working alongside Above: Orbital Inc., Ascent helped map out a compact system architecture capable of producing up to 500 kilowatts per year - all within the internal dimensions of a single space station module. At the heart of the process is Ascent's proprietary vacuum-deposition technique, a method already optimized for space conditions. Rather than force components to survive the stresses of launch, Ascent's system processes raw materials in orbit, unlocking higher-efficiency output with fewer structural trade-offs. Projected power-to-mass ratios approach 830 watts per kilogram in space, a substantial improvement over legacy systems. Ascent reports that the form factor flexibility of its design also eliminates the need for folding mechanisms or reinforced frames, enabling custom geometries tailored to mission-specific requirements. Backed by a robust patent portfolio – including coverage of sequential deposition techniques, multilayer back contact systems and integrated thermal management – Ascent holds key intellectual property directly aligned with orbital production. Leveraging engineering extending far beyond the conceptual phase and into the tangible domain, the underlying innovations offer significant relevancies for both governmental and commercial endeavors. A New Industrial Frontier Ascent is helping shape a new manufacturing paradigm – one that trades the constraints of gravity and launch logistics for flexibility, efficiency and scale. It says its core technology aligns directly with the demands of space-based infrastructure, offering a streamlined path from concept to deployment. With government-backed validation, a growing patent portfolio and clear relevance to both defense and commercial markets, Ascent isn't waiting for the future to arrive - it's helping to forge it. For more information about Ascent Solar Technologies and its role in orbital manufacturing, click here. Featured imagebyBrunoonPixabay. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This content was originally published on Benzinga. Read further disclosures here. View the original release on
