Latest news with #VT
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
International Equity ETF (VT) Hits New 52-Week High
For investors seeking momentum, Vanguard Total World Stock ETF VT is probably on the radar. The fund just hit a 52-week high and is up 24.54% from its 52-week low price of $100.89/share. But are more gains in store for this ETF? Let's take a quick look at the fund and the near-term outlook on it to get a better idea of where it might be headed: The underlying FTSE Global All Cap Index is a float-adjusted, market-capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the market performance of large, mid and small-capitalization stocks of companies located around the world. The fund has major allocations to the United States (61.87%), Japan (5.98%) and the U.K. (3.59%). The product charges 6 bps in annual fees (See: All World Small/Mid Stock ETF). The international equity corner of the market has been an area to watch lately, driven by easing trade tensions. Additionally, robust Q1 earnings across major economies and renewed investor enthusiasm for AI also boost the fund's prospects. Washington and Beijing resuming trade talks in London, is a key tailwind. Currently, VT has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold) with a Low risk outlook. However, it might continue its strong performance in the near term, with a positive weighted alpha of 12.69 (as of which gives cues of a further rally. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT): ETF Research Reports This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Scroll.in
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘In steps, in leaps': Meera Ganapathi's new book of prose-poems about the joys of walking in a city
Getting to know the city I start with nowhere to go. I watch the city, but I don't let it see me. I find a city beneath my feet one day. A city that inhales and exhales rats, wet trash, slick mud, fresh blood, horrors and dreams scrunched up into old newspapers, flowers pushing through cement, glowing-dying cigarette butts, slippers that lost their feet, rolled-up drunks, chopped liver, holes of some significance, cats that glower and slink, a lady who has to sit down as her brain swims, a hand that offers her water, a manhole cover from 1884, a carpet of yellow amaltas, someone's plastic baby Jesus, road kill and ice cream– – all these breaths crammed into a single street to step on or tiptoe past. I find the city with my nose. An island city that you can plot in dried fish, Worli sea breeze, Dadar's flower heaps of rose essence and oily exhaust, chai tapris and cinnamon-flavoured cigarettes underlining the hope of Lokhandwala's auditions, the metal-sweat of railway stations, hot garbage and thick perfume, long lines of new-new laundry, the cold reek of Mahim creek, firni, kebab, fresh bus ticket, art-gallery airconditioning that smells like you're invited but not welcome, hot sanitised hospital tears, sweet butcher meat, onion-peanut Chowpatty, room fresheners masking hurried sex and old sheets, strings of warm-piss-sulabhs, the stink of suppressed dreams clogging your nostrils every five seconds – the essence of Bombay – I think, anger and construction dust (Saki Naka), hope hanging over a national park, coconutoiled heads of Sneha-Mahim, congealed VT ambition, agarbatti and sweat taxis weaving through Prabhadevi at 7 am, stale goodwill of the morning walkers of Dadar East, 1,23,678 specific but unnameable something-somethings of Dharavi, sour hope of 'aaj mera Tuesday hai' Virar local, stagnant ATM AC, crisp unhappiness of the Colaba rich… Some walks I dedicate to the city's trees. And witness the old greats carrying the weight of their wires, locksmith numbers, old-new gods, squirrels, lovers' inscriptions and flocks of parakeets. I watch these trees eat the city, bore through its walls, swallow its forgotten buildings and creep past its boundaries. I watch them engulf the city and caress it in shade, in flower and leaf and fallen fruit, in backrests and meeting places, in landmarks and signposts, in the forgiveness that only trees can show for those who drill, chop, slice, yank, trim, pluck, pick, snip and push them out every day. With each walk, the city acknowledges me in nods, smiles, side-please, shrugs, one cup of tea, looking away quickly, whistles, cat calls, hooded stares, asked directions, offered directions … and I begin to answer to the city, I belong to the city now. I leave myself all over the city. In steps, in leaps, my feet in wet mud, my shadow on old walls, my dropped napkin, my body's warmth on a bus seat, my weight against a pillar on platform 6, my breath mingling with the October air, my old skin becoming new dust … I leave myself all over the city. The city belongs to me. A collection of pleasures Every spring, yellow flowers blanket the hood of a forgotten Fiat Padmini. There are five flowers at times, and as many as fifteen at other times. And whenever I see them scattered across the car's grey, rusting roof, sometimes spilling onto its windshield, leaving yellow dust on its frozen wipers – I feel the car is cared for. To watch the wind carry water in symmetrical ripples like water is being coaxed to dance – uncertain but still graceful – makes me think of gooseflesh, and the ambivalent affection of cats, and of pleasures so tiny they fade as quickly as they come. Today, I plucked hairy mulberries from a bush and painted my lips with their juice, while eating them in a mad rush. Soon my tongue turned blue and I turned six, again. You know, that dull ache in your calves after a few hours of exertion? My friend likes to call it 'sweet muscle pain'. To knead the length of your calves along that pinched pain around your bones and feel a muted kind of comfort … is the oldest pleasurable pain. Finding a long-dead frog pressed to the ground like old grey paper, the heart of a tree split open by lightning, the sweet smelling rot of things, even a burr wedged into the edge of my sock pressing into my skin – not unpleasantly; maybe I'm strange but there is pleasure in this too. I watch curtains billow in open windows and breeze fill the contours of laundry hung to dry and trees bend gracefully in the wind and skirts cling to hidden legs in a gust and the green construction covers of sky scrapers flap like tendrils on the fourteenth floor in the monsoon and I like it so much I want to pull it all apart.
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Barloworld extends investigation into Russian subsidiary
Around potential export control violations. Vostochnaya Technica's operations have been 'significantly reduced by sanctions and the prolonged geopolitical environment', largely because its market in the area 'has shrunk'. Picture: iStock An independent investigation into potential export control violations by JSE-listed Barloworld related to sales of certain goods to its Russian subsidiary Vostochnaya Technica (VT) has been further extended to September 2025. The investigation was launched in 2024, with Barloworld informing shareholders that it submitted an initial notification of voluntary self-disclosure to a US Commerce Department agency, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), on 5 September 2024 regarding the potential export control violations the company was investigating. Barloworld Group CEO Dominic Sewela said on Monday the company was disappointed to learn last year of the potential export control breach in its VT division and the investigation is ongoing. 'As announced this morning [Monday], BIS has granted a further extension from 2 June to 2 September, and we will keep you updated as we progress with that investigation.' ALSO READ: 'Complex' investigation Barloworld head of legal Sandile Langa said the extension is purely a function of the complexity of the investigation. Langa said the investigation is being conducted by an independent forensic firm, which is working under the guidance of US legal counsel that had requested the company apply for the further extension on the basis of where 'we are in the progress of the investigation'. 'You must appreciate that the US authorities are not likely to have agreed to this further extension unless they were satisfied that the company was taking all the correct steps in the investigation,' he said. Langa's comments were made during a briefing on Barloworld's interim financial results for the six months to 31 March 2025. Barloworld is still the subject of a proposed buyout by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Zahid Group, which if successful will result in Barloworld delisting from the JSE. Sewela said Barloworld's VT business has been significantly reduced by sanctions and the prolonged geopolitical environment, largely because the addressable market has shrunk in that area. 'At the current rate, we expect our operations in VT to trade towards break-even levels and to remain self-sufficient.' Sewela said VT is close to break-even but the business is basically selling parts, which are not impacted by export control, and therefore the discipline is that you are able to sell these parts. He said Barloworld is embarking on initiatives to try and make sure it does not lose its people in VT but stressed 'it is difficult to sell labour in a smaller addressable market'. 'Therefore, I'm not saying we will always remain profitable and hence we are giving guidance that as soon as we dip below that level, we will unfortunately be forced to take people out [of the business]. 'The business is self-sufficient in terms of funding and there is more cash in that business than I would like us to have given – you can't take the cash out,' he said. ALSO READ: Questions over new Barloworld's strategy Interim results Barloworld on Monday reported that group revenue declined by 5.8% to R18.1 billion in the six months to 31 March 2025, driven by a 36.8% decrease in revenue at VT and a 6% decline in Barloworld Equipment Southern Africa. Operating profit from core trading activities improved by 1.3% to R1.48 billion from R1.46 billion, with the group operating margin deteriorating to 8.8% from 9.7%. Excluding VT, the operating margin expanded by 0.3% to 8.8% from 8.5%. Headline earnings per share slumped by 20.5% to 423 cents from 532 cents, largely because of the expected decrease in VT's trading activities from the impact of continuing sanctions in Russia. Normalised headline earnings per share, which excludes VT, remained flat at 356 cents. An interim dividend per share of 120 cents was declared, which is 42.8% lower than the interim dividend of 210 cents declared in the previous corresponding period. ALSO READ: Barloworld CEO accused of conflict in potential buyout by Saudi-led consortium Operating environment Sewela said 2025 has been typified by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, with the world changing faster than ever in terms of economic shifts, global politics and climate changes. 'In such a dynamic environment, businesses such as ours, especially those in cyclical industries, need to look beyond short-term gains and prepare for long term resilient strategies,' he said. Sewela said the trading conditions Barloworld operated in during the period were indicative of the market entering a lower cycle where commodity prices are subdued. He said Barloworld's Southern African mining clients remain cautious about investment and are preferring to rent equipment from the group than to buy while the recovery in the construction sector is still in progress. Sewela added that in Zambia, the copper mines in particular, have been spared by favourable copper prices. He said Barloworld's equipment business in Mongolia continued to grow but at a slower pace. Sewela said the 2024 optimisation actions at Ingrain are yielding the desired benefits, resulting in a lower fixed cost base and improved operating efficiencies. He said Ingrain generated stable revenue, with lower overall volumes offset by inflationary price increases. Turning to the outlook for the group, Sewela said the future effects of tariffs on Barloworld's business remain uncertain and the group is actively assessing the medium to long term implications of these tariffs. 'That said, we have consistently demonstrated our ability to successfully navigate volatility in the past by leveraging our key endowments and having a firm grip on what we can control,' he said. ALSO READ: Now labour dept questions employment equity at Truworths, TFG and Barloworld Buyout update The initial buyout offer by the Newco via a scheme of arrangement was overwhelmingly rejected at a general meeting in February this year, triggering a standby offer that, among other things, is subject to at least 90% of eligible shareholders accepting the offer. However, Newco has the right to waive the 90% threshold and proceed to acquire less shares from shareholders who have accepted the standby offer, with any decision on the waiving of the threshold extended and now expected by no later than 30 June 2025. The Public Investment Corporation, which owns 22% of Barloworld's ordinary shares, in April this year announced that it had accepted the standby offer. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
North Adams resident charged with DUI in Vermont following U-Haul crash
WHITINGHAM, VT. (WWLP) – A North Adams resident was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a U-Haul accident in Vermont. Massachusetts man arrested after driving 120MPH on Route 16 in New Hampshire Vermont State Police stated in a press release that at approximately 7:59 p.m. on Sunday, troopers were alerted to a U-Haul off the roadway in Whitingham. Officers arrived in the area and found the operator of the vehicle, identified as 30-year-old Lindsee Delano of North Adams, with injuries sustained from the accident. Delano was brought to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center to be treated. State Police said that upon further investigation of the incident, troopers discovered that Delano was intoxicated while operating the U-Haul. Delano was arrested and charged with DUI, and is scheduled to appear at Vermont Superior Court – Windham Criminal Division on June 22. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Barloworld's interim earnings drop amid onging Zahid Group takeover attempt
A 550 kVA Cat C15 diesel generator set being assembled at Barloworld Power's Boksburg facility. The group is experiencing tough trading conditions in line with macro-economic volatility in the markets where it operates, especially in its Russia business, where sales has decline due to the impact of sanction. Image: Supplied Barloworld, still the subject of a controversial takeover bid by Saudi Arabia-based Zahid Group and CEO Dominic Sewela, nearly halved its interim dividend to 120 cent a share (210 cents per share). This followed a 20.5% decline in headline earnings per share (HEPS) to 423.2 cents for the six months to March 31, with the results impacted by a weak performance in the Russia business due to the impact of sanctions in that country. Many JSE listed companies exited their businesses in Russia after the onset of the war in Ukraine, but Barloworld opted to retain Vostochnaya Technica (VT). Excluding VT, normalised HEPS was flat at 356 cents per share. Sewela said trading conditions were broadly aligned with their expectations of stable to modest economic growth, guarded optimism, moderated by cyclicality and subdued commodity markets. "Barloworld has shown remarkable resilience, especially excluding the VT results. The positive impact of the restructuring of Ingrain in 2024 is especially evident. We continue to navigate the evolving environment by pulling the levers within our control,' said Sewela in a statement. Regarding the Zahid takeover bid that was initially rejected by shareholders, an announcement about the requisite 90% acceptances from shareholders to be received in terms of a standby offer, or whether the bidding company wishes to waive the threshold, was expected to be made by June 30, 2025. Group revenue fell by 5.8% to R18.1 billion, weighed down by a significant reduction in VT revenue. 'The board remains vigilant in overseeing the investment in VT and will conclude and communicate an official strategy in due course,' the board said in the results.. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBIDA) fell by 9.1% to R2.2bn. Excluding VT revenue EBITDA increased by 3%. The EBITDA margin fell to 12.4% from 12.9%. Excluding VT, EBITDA margin expanded from 11.9% to 12.5%. The group invested in working capital to support growth objectives and used free cash flow to reduce floor plans, which were more expensive than its available facilities. As a result, net debt increased by R1.6bn to R4.8bn. Net asset value per share increased to 9 235 cents from 9 111 cents. Solvency and liquidity remained strong. On the outlook, Sewela said that since the end of the first quarter, financial markets and commodities were very volatile, rapidly reacting to developments regarding US tariffs and associated uncertainties. 'In such an unpredictable environment, effective risk management and scenario planning are crucial, especially for complex supply chains as well as the fragile geopolitical state of affairs.' The board said several major South African mining corporations reported that, despite prevailing market turbulence, primary commodity trade routes were largely unaffected due to the exclusion of platinum group metals, coal, gold, manganese and chrome from tariff implications. 'We continue to assess the potential impact of tariffs on our iron ore, steel, and diamond customers.' Some reorientation and dislocation of physical trade flows was anticipated in the near future, which could present both opportunities and challenges for Barlworld's customers. 'The potential consequences of slower economic growth and a fragmented trading environment may be more significant. The future effects of tariffs on our business remains uncertain, and we are mapping out the medium- to long-term ramifications for our business,' the board said. The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) had extended a deadline to September 2 for Barloworld to complete an investigation on potential export violations. VT's EBITDA fell 68.1% to R133 million. Operating profit of R104m decreased by 73.1% compared to the prior period. VT was expected to trade at breakeven levels as the structure was optimised for lower activity levels. VT was self-sufficient in terms of its funding requirements. EBITDA for Equipment Southern Africa fell 1.9% to R1.3bn. Operating profit declined 15.1% - the margin reduction resulted mainly from changes in the sales mix, from lower aftermarket activity.
