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999jili RICHARDSON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 10, 2024 / Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPXS), a leading manufacturer of precision optical sighting systems for domestic and worldwide military and commercial applications, announced today it has been awarded a new contract for Laser Filter Units and Window Assemblies supporting Night Vision devices utilized by the U.S. Armed Forces. The order value is $2.0 million with deliveries covering March 2025 through February 2026. "The AOC team is pleased to continue our support of optical assemblies supporting various Night Vision Devices. AOC has positioned itself as a key supplier of laser protection filters and assemblies supporting the primary suppliers of Night Vision equipment to the U.S. military. We have recently added critical infrastructure to ensure we can continue to meet the growing demand for specialized laser filters and other coated optics" stated Bill Bates, General Manager of Applied Optics Center. With this new order, the current Optex backlog is in excess of $42million. ABOUT OPTEX SYSTEMS Optex, which was founded in 1987, is a Richardson, Texas based ISO 9001:2015 certified concern, which manufactures optical sighting systems and assemblies, primarily for Department of Defense (DOD) applications. Its products are installed on various types of U.S. military land vehicles, such as the Abrams and Bradley fighting vehicles, Light Armored and Armored Security Vehicles, and have been selected for installation on the Stryker family of vehicles. Optex also manufactures and delivers numerous periscope configurations, rifle and surveillance sights, and night vision optical assemblies. Optex delivers its products both directly to the military services and to prime contractors. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.optexsys.com . Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the products and services described herein. You can identify these statements by the use of the words "may," "will," "could," "should," "would," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," "likely," "forecast," "probable," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies concerning future events, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding growth strategy; product and development programs; financial performance and financial condition (including revenue, net income, profit margins and working capital); orders and backlog; the estimated value of IDIQ contracts; expected timing of contract deliveries to customers and corresponding revenue recognition; increases in the cost of materials and labor; costs remaining to fulfill contracts; contract loss reserves; labor shortages; follow-on orders; supply chain challenges; the continuation of historical trends; the sufficiency of our cash balances for future liquidity and capital resource needs; the expected impact of changes in accounting policies on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; anticipated problems and our plans for future operations; and the economy in general or the future of the defense industry. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued funding of defense programs and military spending, the timing of such funding, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in the Company's markets, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, changes in the U.S. Government's interpretation of federal procurement rules and regulations, changes in spending due to policy changes in any new federal presidential administration, market acceptance of the Company's products, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions and restructurings or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, changes to export regulations, increases in tax rates, changes to generally accepted accounting principles, difficulties in retaining key employees and customers, unanticipated costs under fixed-price service and system integration engagements, changes in the market for microcap stocks regardless of growth and value and various other factors beyond our control. You must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from the Company's forward-looking statements. These factors include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. You should carefully evaluate such statements in light of factors described in the Company's filings with the SEC, especially on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. In various filings the Company has identified important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete list of all potential risks or uncertainties. Contact: IR@optexsys.com (972) 764-5718 SOURCE: Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. View the original on accesswire.comNone

Advances in AI, Lab-on-a-Chip, and Emerging Technologies Drive the Transformation of Point-of-Care Diagnostics, Enhancing Speed, Accuracy, and Clinical Efficiency BOSTON , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest BCC Research study on " Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Technologies and Global Markets, " the POC market is expected to grow from $40.6 billion in 2024 to $65.9 billion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2024 through 2029. The point-of-care diagnostics market is rapidly evolving with the integration of new technologies and methodologies, offering significant potential for growth through 2029. This report explores the market landscape, examining components such as hardware (devices, equipment, consumables), software, and analytics. It also segments the market by test types, including alcohol and drug abuse, blood gas electrolyte and metabolite (BGEM), cardiac markers, cholesterol, glucose monitoring, hemoglobin/hemostasis, infectious diseases, pregnancy and fertility, tumor marker, and urine chemistry. The report includes an analysis of the global market by region, and covers the market drivers, challenges, opportunities, and industry strategies, such mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations. the report serves as a vital resource for companies targeting geographic expansion. The transformative impact of AI in POC diagnostics is due to its ability to deliver accurate, reliable test results without requiring skilled personnel. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize healthcare access, particularly in remote or underserved regions by improving healthcare quality in these resource-limited areas. For instance, AI-powered platforms such as Sight OLO utilize convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithms to accurately identify and count blood cells, making it a valuable tool for early disease detection. Such advances in AI-driven diagnostics not only improve healthcare accessibility but also enhance testing efficiency, broadening the reach of medical services worldwide. Please click here for more details on "The global market for point-of-care diagnostics report." The factors driving the global market for POC diagnostics include: Incidence of Infectious Diseases : Infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria remain widespread globally. POC diagnostics enable rapid testing and immediate results, essential for timely treatment and disease control. Growing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer is rising. POC diagnostics facilitate regular monitoring outside traditional settings, increasing demand due to their convenience and need for continuous care. Demand for Self-Testing: The trend toward self-testing for privacy and convenience is growing. Products such as home pregnancy tests, glucose monitors, and COVID-19 kits enable individuals to manage their health from home. Global Aging Population : As the aging population grows, so does the need for frequent medical monitoring. POC diagnostics offer a convenient solution for elderly patients. Request a sample copy of the global market for point-of-care diagnostics report . Report Synopsis Recently announced POC diagnostics diagnostics products: 1. CytoTracker Leukometer ( January 2024 ): Developed at Rutgers University . Rapidly counts white blood cells (WBCs) using a single drop of blood. Achieved 97%+ clinical accuracy. Could speed up sepsis detection in ERs. Helps cancer doctors decide on white blood count ( WBC) stimulants for chemotherapy patients. Published in PLOS One journal. 2. D3 Array–UTI ( February 2024 ): POC diagnostic technology launched by PathogenDx. Detects 26 pathogens and 12 antibiotic-resistance genes in urine samples. Provides results in 30 minutes to a few hours. Uses a microarray-based approach with triplicate testing. Offers qualitative and quantitative results with automated cloud data analysis. Aims to revolutionize UTI diagnostics. The report addresses the following questions: 1. What is the projected size and growth rate of the market? The global market for POC diagnostics was valued at $36.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% to reach $65.9 billion by the end of 2029. 2. What segments are covered in the report? The market is segmented by test type, product type, end-user, and geographic region. Test types, include alcohol and drug screening, BGEM, cardiac markers, cholesterol, glucose monitoring, hemoglobin/hemostasis, infectious disease, pregnancy and fertility, tumor markers and urine chemistry. Product types include POC diagnostics technologies, and hardware and software. End-users include hospitals critical care centers, and home care settings Regions, include North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and the Rest of the World. 3. Which test t ype will dominate the market in 2029? Glucose monitoring POC devices will dominate the market at that time. 4. Which region has the largest market share? North America holds the largest share of the market. Innovative Startups Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd: Mindray introduced the TEX20 Series Point of Care ultrasound system at Euroanaesthesia 2022. This system integrates imaging and physiological data through its X-Link solution, improving patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment in critical care and emergency medicine. GE Healthcare : In January 2023 , GE HealthCare became an independent company after being spun off from GE. In February 2024 , GE HealthCare launched the LOGIQ ultrasound portfolio, including the new LOGIQ Totus, an ultrasound solution that delivers high-quality imaging and AI-powered diagnostic support. This portfolio enhances precision care with AI tools, offering better imaging, efficient workflow, and Verisound digital solutions. Market leaders include: Abbott Becton Dickinson Danaher Corp. Ge Healthcare F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Medtronic Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Siemens Healthineers Ag Quest Diagnostics Inc. Quidelortho Corp. Related reports include: Chronic Disease Management: Therapeutics, Device Technologies, and Global Markets : This report covers the market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and the competitive landscape, including market shares of leading companies. The market is segmented by product type (pharmaceuticals and biologics, medical devices, digital therapeutics), application (various disease categories), end user (hospitals, home care), and geographic region ( North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , Rest of the World). Medical Devices: Technologies and Global Markets : This report covers major players, competitive intelligence, innovative technologies, and regional opportunities. It includes assessments of recent developments, product portfolios, market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and regulatory scenarios. The market is segmented by device type (e.g., drug delivery devices, IVD, cardiovascular devices), end user (hospitals, home healthcare, etc.), and geographic region ( North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , RoW), with specific country analyses. Market estimates are based on 2023 data, with projections for 2024 and forecasts for 2029. Directly purchase a copy of the report from BCC Research. For further information or to purchase a report, please contact [email protected] About BCC Research BCC Research reports provide objective, unbiased measurement, and assessment of market opportunities. Our industry analysts' goal is to help readers make informed business decisions, free of noise and hype. Contact Us Corporate HQ: 50 Milk St. Ste 16, Boston, MA 02109, USA Email: [email protected] , Phone: +1 781-489-7301 For media inquiries, email [email protected] or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2183242/BCC_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE BCC Research LLC

Could comeback spark winning streak for West Virginia or NCCU?SAN DIEGO , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Realty Income Corporation (Realty Income, NYSE: O), The Monthly Dividend Company ® , today announced it has declared an increase in the company's common stock monthly cash dividend to $0.2640 per share from $0.2635 per share. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2025 , to stockholders of record as of January 2, 2025 . This is the 128 th dividend increase since Realty Income's listing on the NYSE in 1994. The new monthly dividend represents an annualized dividend amount of $3.168 per share as compared to the prior annualized dividend amount of $3.162 per share. "Throughout our 55-year history, Realty Income has declared 654 consecutive monthly dividends," said Sumit Roy , Realty Income's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Today's declaration represents the 109 th consecutive quarter that we have declared a dividend increase since our 1994 NYSE listing, demonstrating our commitment to providing stockholders a dependable monthly dividend that increases over time." About Realty Income Realty Income (NYSE: O), an S&P 500 company, is real estate partner to the world's leading companies. Founded in 1969, we invest in diversified commercial real estate and have a portfolio of over 15,450 properties in all 50 U.S. states, the U.K., and six other countries in Europe . We are known as "The Monthly Dividend Company ® ," and have a mission to invest in people and places to deliver dependable monthly dividends that increase over time. Since our founding, we have declared 654 consecutive monthly dividends and are a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ® index for having increased our dividend for the last 30 consecutive years. Additional information about the company can be found at www.realtyincome.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this press release, the words "estimated," "anticipated," "expect," "believe," "intend," "continue," "should," "may," "likely," "plans," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include discussions of our business and portfolio; cash flows; the intentions of management; and dividends, including the amount, timing and payment of dividends related thereto. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us, which may cause our actual future results to differ materially from expected results. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are, among others, our continued qualification as a real estate investment trust; general domestic and foreign business, economic, or financial conditions; competition; fluctuating interest and currency rates; inflation and its impact on our clients and us; access to debt and equity capital markets and other sources of funding (including the terms and partners of such funding); continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets; other risks inherent in the real estate business including our clients' solvency, client defaults under leases, increased client bankruptcies, potential liability relating to environmental matters, illiquidity of real estate investments, and potential damages from natural disasters; impairments in the value of our real estate assets; changes in domestic and foreign income tax laws and rates; property ownership through joint ventures, partnerships and other arrangements which may limit control of the underlying investments; epidemics or pandemics, including measures taken to limit their spread, the impacts on us, our business, our clients, and the economy generally; the loss of key personnel; the outcome of any legal proceedings to which we are a party or which may occur in the future; acts of terrorism and war; the anticipated benefits from mergers and acquisitions including from the merger with Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.; and those additional risks and factors discussed in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future plans and performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. Actual plans and operating results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in this press release and forecasts made in the forward-looking statements discussed in this press release might not materialize. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements or publicly release the results of any forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date these statements were made. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/128th-common-stock-monthly-dividend-increase-declared-by-realty-income-302328137.html SOURCE Realty Income CorporationAKRON, Ohio – Technology developed at The University of Akron is part of a medical device that was included in TIME Magazine’s The Best Inventions of 2024 list. The publication compiles the list of 200 top inventions each year. Inventions are selected in categories such as consumer electronics, beauty, apps and software, home health, design, food and drink, artificial intelligence, accessibility and more. The magazine’s 2024 list includes a medical device known as Amplio, one of 20 inventions recognized in the medical care category. Amplio is the world’s first wearable 3D full-color surgical microscope, according to a university news release. The surgical microscope offers capabilities such as surgical magnification, fluorescence imaging, night vision, surgical navigation, computer vision, artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Technology developed at the University of Akron improves the device’s surgical lenses, known as loupes, that surgeons use during procedures. These improved lenses offer surgical visualization with microscope functionality and optimized, real-time imaging, according to the release. Yang Liu, an assistant professor in the university’s Department of Biomedical Engineering from 2013 to 2018, developed the technology. Liu and his team also created the device prototypes, according to the release. “We are pleased to see Amplio recognized as one of the year’s top inventions,” University of Akron Research Foundation President Suzanne B. Bausch said in the release. “This device will be a game-changing piece of equipment for surgeons. The University of Akron’s technology plays an integral role in the device.” Unify Medical is the name of the start-up company bringing the Amplio device to market. The company has an exclusive license for the technology from the university through the University of Akron Research Foundation. The university was issued a U.S. patent in December 2020 for the device’s imaging and display system, according to the release. Two other U.S. patent applications and several foreign patent applications for University of Akron-related technology used in Amplio are also pending. “This technology will transform surgical care, optimizing capabilities of surgeons and enhancing patient outcomes,” Kelly Bialek, acting director of technology transfer, intellectual property management and federal reporting in the university’s Office of Technology Transfer, said in the release. “We have worked closely with Unify Medical on the platform technology for several years now, and it is great to see recognition for a technology that is, and will be, transformative.” Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com’s Rubber City Update , an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

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TUSTIN, Calif., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avid Bioservices, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDMO), a dedicated biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) working to improve patient lives by providing high quality development and manufacturing services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended October 31, 2024. Highlights from the Quarter Ended October 31, 2024: “We delivered solid results in a competitive environment, with increased revenues and backlog offset by increased costs,” stated Nick Green, president and CEO of Avid Bioservices. “We are pleased to reach the separately announced agreement with GHO and Ampersand, which will provide our stockholders with significant, immediate and certain cash value for their shares. The transaction also provides us with partners who are committed to leveraging their deep industry experience, focused strategy, and collaborative approach to drive growth beyond the Company’s standalone plan.” Financial Highlights for the Second Quarter and Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 Revenues for the second quarter were $33.5 million, an increase of 32% as compared to revenues of $25.4 million recorded in the same prior year period. For the first six months of fiscal 2025, revenues were $73.7 million, an increase of 17% as compared to revenues of $63.1 million in the same prior year period. The revenue increase for the second quarter and six months ended October 31, 2024, was attributed to increases in manufacturing and process development revenues. As of October 31, 2024, backlog was $220 million an increase of 11% compared to $199 million at the end of the same quarter last year. The company anticipates a significant amount of its backlog will be recognized as revenue over the next five fiscal quarters. Gross loss for the second quarter was $2.0 million compared to a gross loss of $4.7 million for the same prior year period. Gross profit for the first six months of fiscal 2025 was $3.7 million compared to a gross loss of $0.6 million for the same prior year period. The increase in gross profit for the second quarter and six months ended October 31, 2024, compared to the same prior year period was primarily driven by increased revenues, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefit related expenses, facility, manufacturing and other related expenses, and depreciation expense. SG&A expenses for the second quarter were $10.6 million, an increase of 61% compared to $6.6 million recorded in the same prior year period. The increase in SG&A for the second quarter ended October 31, 2024, compared to the same prior year period was primarily due to increases in compensation and benefit related expenses and legal fees. SG&A expenses for the first six months of fiscal 2025 were $18.8 million, an increase of 46% compared to $12.8 million recorded in the prior year period. The increase in SG&A for the second quarter and six months ended October 31, 2024, compared to the same prior year period was primarily due to increases in compensation and benefit related expenses and audit, legal and other consulting fees. Net loss for the second quarter was $17.4 million or $0.27 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $9.5 million or $0.15 per basic and diluted share for the same prior year period. For the first six months of fiscal 2025, the company recorded a net loss of $22.9 million or $0.36 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $11.6 million or $0.18 per basic and diluted share during the same prior year period. On October 31, 2024, the company reported cash and cash equivalents of $33.4 million, compared to $38.1 million on April 30, 2024. During the second quarter of fiscal 2025, the company’s revolving line of credit expired. More detailed financial information and analysis may be found in Avid Bioservices’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today. Acquisition of Avid Bioservices by GHO Capital Partners and Ampersand Capital Partners On November 6, 2024, the company announced that Avid, GHO Capital Partners LLP ("GHO") and Ampersand Capital Partners (“Ampersand”) have entered into a definitive merger agreement for Avid to be acquired by funds managed by GHO and Ampersand in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion. Under the terms of the merger agreement, GHO and Ampersand would acquire all the outstanding shares held by Avid’s stockholders for $12.50 per share in cash. The per share purchase price represents a 13.8% premium to Avid’s closing share price of $10.98 on November 6, 2024, the last full trading day prior to the transaction announcement, and a 21.9% premium to the company's 20-day volume-weighted average share price for the period ended November 6, 2024. This transaction equates to an enterprise value of approximately $1.1 billion, a 6.3x multiple to consensus FY2025E revenue. The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the Avid Board of Directors, is currently expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Avid’s stockholders and receipt of required regulatory approvals. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. The companies will continue to operate independently until the proposed transaction is finalized. Upon completion of the transaction, Avid common stock will no longer be listed on any public stock exchange. The company will continue to operate under the Avid name and brand. In light of the proposed transaction, Avid will not host an earnings conference call and is suspending its practice of providing financial guidance. About Avid Bioservices, Inc. Avid Bioservices (NASDAQ: CDMO) is a dedicated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on development and CGMP manufacturing of biologics. The company provides a comprehensive range of process development, CGMP clinical and commercial manufacturing services for the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries. With more than 30 years of experience producing biologics, Avid's services include CGMP clinical and commercial drug substance manufacturing, bulk packaging, release and stability testing and regulatory submissions support. For early-stage programs the company provides a variety of process development activities, including cell line development, upstream and downstream development and optimization, analytical methods development, testing and characterization. The scope of our services ranges from standalone process development projects to full development and manufacturing programs through commercialization. www.avidbio.com Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release, which are not purely historical, including statements regarding the company’s projected revenue ramp and expected continued momentum, expected future sustained profitability, the estimated annual revenue-generating capacity of the company’s facilities, the expected benefits to the company’s business from customers with later stage programs, the anticipated timing for recognizing revenue from the company’s backlog, the realization of the company’s strategic objectives, the company’s revenue guidance, and other statements relating to the company’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the proposed transaction that could delay the consummation of the proposed transaction or cause the parties to abandon the proposed transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement entered into in connection with the proposed transaction; the possibility that the company’s stockholders may not approve the proposed transaction; the risk that the parties to the merger agreement may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the company’s common stock; the risk of any unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed transaction; and the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of the company to retain and hire key personnel and to maintain relationships with customers, vendors, partners, employees, stockholders and other business relationships and on its operating results and business generally, the risk the company may experience delays in engaging new customers, the risk that the company may not be successful in executing customers projects, the risk that changing economic conditions may delay or otherwise adversely impact the realization of the company’s backlog, the risk that the company may not be able to convert its backlog into revenue within the contemplated time periods, the risk that the company may experience technical difficulties in completing customer projects due to unanticipated equipment and/or manufacturing facility issues which could result in projects being terminated or delay delivery of products to customers, revenue recognition and receipt of payment or result in the loss of the customer, the risk that the company’s later-stage customers do not receive regulatory approval or that commercial demand for an approved product is less than forecast, the risk that one or more existing customers terminates its contract prior to completion or reduces or delays its demand for development or manufacturing services which could adversely affect guided fiscal 2025 revenues, the risk that expanding into a new biologics manufacturing capability may distract senior management’s focus on the company’s existing operations, the risk that the company may experience delays in hiring qualified individuals into the cell and gene therapy business, the risk that the company may experience delays in engaging customers for the cell and gene therapy business, and the risk that the cell and gene therapy business may not become profitable for several years, if ever. Our business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, as well as any updates to these risk factors filed from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and we disclaim any obligation, and do not undertake, to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release except as may be required by law.The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has “provisionally concluded” that Apple’s restrictive mobile browser policies limit innovation. After an independent inquiry group shared its findings on browser competition on iOS and Android, the governing body’s board plans to conduct an in-depth assessment of how Apple and Google constrict third-party browsers on their platforms. However, Apple — with its more closed ecosystem — appears to have borne the brunt of the CMA’s concern. The CMA’s investigation is based on the premise that Apple and Google have an effective duopoly on mobile platforms, allowing them to set the rules of how mobile browsers work. The board says third-party browser developers have complained that they’re constricted by rules like Apple’s requirement to use the company’s WebKit browser engine. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement “The group has provisionally found that Apple’s rules restrict other competitors from being able to deliver new, innovative features that could benefit consumers,” the CMA wrote. “Other browser providers have highlighted concerns that they have been unable to offer a full range of browser features, such as faster webpage loading on iPhone.” The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC), which passed earlier this year , will give the UK body extra ammunition to carry out its next steps. The UK’s equivalent of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) can designate big tech companies as having “Strategic Market Status” with “substantial and entrenched market power” and “a position of strategic significance.” Much like the EU’s version, the law gives the UK some teeth to negotiate and force concessions from Big Tech behemoths that, at least in the US, often seem untouchable: The DMCC will empower the UK board to fine infringing companies up to 10 percent of their global revenue. The CMA’s summary of Apple’s hearing reveals the iPhone maker argued that it restricts browser engines to “ensure users get the best security, privacy, and performance on iOS devices” — a familiar argument to those who’ve followed Apple’s previous competition trials. Apple claimed healthy competition exists, due to the presence of third-party browsers with features like ad-blocking, VPNs and AI. The company also said it routinely considers developer feedback and hadn’t heard any fuss over its current browser rules. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Contradicting that, the CMA said other browser providers have highlighted features they can’t implement on iOS, like faster webpage loading. “Many smaller UK app developers also told us that they would like to use progressive web apps — an alternative way for businesses to provide apps to mobile users without downloading apps through an app store — but this technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices,” the board wrote. The CMA also said that how browser choices are presented to users lets Apple and Google “manipulate these choices to make their own browsers the clearest or easiest option.” In addition, it pointed out a revenue-sharing agreement between the two companies that “significantly reduces their financial incentives to compete in mobile browsers on iOS.” The board’s next step is a period of open comments on its findings, which will end on December 13. After its investigation, the CMA expects to make its final ruling in March 2025.On Wednesday, ( ) stock earned a positive adjustment to its , from 67 to 71. This exclusive rating from Investor's Business Daily identifies market leadership with a 1 (worst) to 99 (best) score. The rating shows how a stock's price performance over the last 52 weeks stacks up against all the other stocks in our database. Decades of market research reveals that the top-performing stocks often have an RS Rating of at least 80 in the early stages of their moves. See if Dynatrace stock can continue to rebound and hit that benchmark. Is Dynatrace Stock A Buy? Dynatrace stock broke out of a cup with handle pattern on Wednesday with a 57.39 and is still within the buy range. The security software platform showed 19% earnings growth in its most recent report, while sales growth came in at 19%. Dynatrace stock holds the No. 22 rank among its peers in the Computer Software-Enterprise industry group. ( ), ( ) and ( ) are among the top 5 highly rated stocks within the group.

1800 updates make for a more fully-formed game. It’s no secret that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl launched in rough shape. Despite its fun and mechanically dense highs, special moments that made it one of the year’s best releases were often brought down by visual kinks, progression-halting bugs, and questionable AI behavior not in line with what the developer originally planned. GSC Game World has promised to bring the game up to snuff with future updates and expansions. And it seems that some of the game’s most substantial faults are already being addressed ahead of the holidays. Update 1.1 will rectify over 1,800 issues, the biggest among them being the first big fix for “A-Life 2.0,” the game’s advanced AI technology. A-Life 2.0 was supposed to be one of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s biggest improvements over the 2007 original. It was meant to give NPCs a significant upgrade that lets them continue their lives and actions long after the player encounters them in the open world. These independent behaviors would make the world feel more immersive. Unfortunately, implementing the tech on time without breaking other crucial parts of the game proved difficult. The Ukranian developer ultimately decided to scale back A-Life 2.0 so they could hit their release date. Enemy and ally artificial intelligence could be very hit or miss in the launch version of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. With an extra month of work, GSC Game World has begun re-implementing those systems. Issues like enemies spawning behind players, a frequent frustration for those who played the game at launch, will be a thing of the past. Players will also encounter roaming NPCs across the Zone more often. The game will track those NPCs' actions at a much greater distance from the player’s position than before. NPCs who are making their way to certain locations will do so in real-time and more reliably thanks to an overhaul in AI pathing. All of these fixes combined will help emergent scenarios in the wasteland and meaningful NPC encounters occur more naturally. A few other balance changes like reducing enemies' ability to detect players in seconds despite being crouched behind cover, reducing spawn times for enemy reinforcements, and enemies getting stuck or glitching through doorways, are all top-line fixes for Update 1.1. Each will help enemy encounters feel more fair and less immersion-breaking, a crucial part of maintaining the game’s immaculate sense of place. Players should encounter fewer unintentional anomalies in the wasteland, allowing for better game immersion. Outside of AI, the patch is also adding a way for players to account for analog stick drift. This feature has become a standard quality-of-life feature in most first-person shooters and was a commonly reported omission from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 . Update 1.1 applies “further improvements to dead zones and curves for gamepad movement, aiming and camera controls for a more smooth and controllable experience using sticks on controller.” The game’s opening level, which is notoriously difficult thanks to its lack of a comprehensible tutorial, has been reworked to help onboard new players. Adjustments have been made to also help the game perform better in more populated and graphically intensive areas. Players who’ve encountered inaccessible saves will be happy to know that this issue has been addressed as well. After reviewing the game, I encountered an issue where a save refused to load, which lost me 30 minutes of campaign progress. Patch 1.1 fixes “when the player was unable to load existing saves after the title and steam process was terminated unexpectedly,” and an issue where save files would go missing after a “hard reboot.” All in all, more than 500 visual blemishes, 250 progress-stopping bugs, 200 crash triggers, 100 open-world issues, and 80 cutscenes, were fixed. The patch comes in at a hefty 110 gigabytes, something GSC Game World also says they’re working on for future updates. “We understand that the size of the patch is huge and the process of downloading will take some time,” a note from the developer reads. “We will work on this aspect.” Despite its rocky launch (and even rockier development under the duress of being in a nation at war ), S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has already been a major success for GSC Game World. It sold over a million copies in less than a week. And it still has a healthy number of concurrent players on Steam despite being launched into Xbox and PC Game Pass. It’s a positive outcome in an era where troubled launches can spell certain doom for games and their developers . It’s good to see players look past some of the game’s more glaring problems in support of what makes it special. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a game unlike most other new releases in 2024 and deserves to be discovered by as many players as possible, even as its developer works hard to correct its well-documented issues. Video Games Books XboxAssad exit puts US at perilous crossroads in Syria

Lara Trump stepping down as RNC co-chair and addressing speculation about Florida Senate seatNasdaq Announces End-of-Month Open Short Interest Positions in Nasdaq Stocks as of Settlement Date November 29, 2024

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So far in 2024, the S&P 500 index has gained an impressive 26% while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has soared roughly 28%. Without a doubt, one of the biggest tailwinds fueling these market returns is artificial intelligence (AI). Among AI's hottest stocks through 2024 are data analytics company Palantir Technologies ( PLTR -1.03% ) and semiconductor leader Nvidia ( NVDA 0.28% ) . Both companies have handily topped the markets this year -- with shares of Palantir rocketing by 291% while Nvidia has gained about 179% (as of market close Nov. 29). With Palantir and Nvidia looking like two of the AI realm's most dominant forces, would you be surprised to learn that some of Wall Street's brightest minds are only buying one of these stocks right now? Below, I'll outline moves made by some of the most prestigious hedge funds and detail why I think these decisions could make a lot of sense. How is Wall Street investing in Palantir and Nvidia? Thanks to an incredibly helpful tool called the form 13F , everyday investors can get a glimpse into what stocks large institutional investors are buying and selling. Below, I've quantified the buys and sells between Palantir and Nvidia stock among two notable hedge fund managers during the third quarter: Ken Griffin (Citadel Advisors) : In the September-ended quarter, Ken Griffin's Citadel Advisors sold 5,172,681 shares of Palantir -- reducing the fund's exposure by 91% in the process . At the same time, Griffin and his constituents increased Citadel's stake in Nvidia by 194% -- adding over 4.7 million shares. David Shaw (D.E. Shaw) : Another hedge fund that trimmed its stake in Palantir during the third quarter was D.E. Shaw, which sold 8.7 million shares of the software giant and reduced its position by 45%. Similar to Citadel, D.E. Shaw increased its exposure in Nvidia by more than 50%, buying nearly 6 million shares in the quarter. Let's dig into what may have influenced the decisions to trim Palantir while adding Nvidia over the last few months. Why sell Palantir right now? In April 2023, Palantir launched its fourth major software suite -- the Palantir Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). The advent of AIP has catapulted Palantir into the forefront of the AI narrative, helping the company accelerate revenue across both the commercial and public sectors, all while achieving notable margin expansion and consistent profitability. While Palantir's current rate of growth and future outlook are impressive , there is one obvious reason to sell the stock right now: valuation. PLTR PS Ratio data by YCharts As of the time of this writing, Palantir is trading at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 61. As the chart above illustrates, the company has experienced notable valuation expansion throughout 2024 and has emerged as one of the priciest software-as-a-service (SaaS) stocks among its peers. To put it plainly, there is a really good argument to be made that Palantir stock is overbought. Given how much momentum shares have witnessed in such short order, I can't blame the teams at Citadel and D.E. Shaw for reducing their exposure. The stock has had a historic run, and now appears to be a logical opportunity to lock in some profits. Why buy Nvidia right now? Nvidia is one of the most important pillars supporting the entire AI ecosystem right now. The company's chip sets, known as graphics processing units (GPUs), are perhaps the most coveted piece of infrastructure for generative AI development. In my eyes, the two most obvious catalysts fueling Nvidia's bull case thesis over the next few years are rising investment in AI-related infrastructure combined with the upcoming launch of the company's next generation GPU architecture, Blackwell. Similar to why I think investors are selling Palantir, the primary reason influencing the decisions to buy Nvidia could be valuation. NVDA PE Ratio data by YCharts While Nvidia's valuation isn't cheap per se, the company's current price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-free-cash-flow (P/FCF) multiples are trading relatively in line with 10-year averages. Given Nvidia is a much larger entity today than it was a decade ago, coupled with its strong position to continue acquiring incremental market share as demand for AI infrastructure continues to soar, investors could argue that Nvidia is actually undervalued -- making it a particularly compelling buy and hold at the moment. The bottom line While I understand the decision to sell Palantir and buy Nvidia right now, I can't say for certain what drove the decisions of the portfolio managers that I mentioned in this piece. As I've written in many other articles, I think competition in the GPU space is going to eat into Nvidia's growth sooner rather than later. For that reason, I haven't entirely bought into the notion that Nvidia's valuation is actually all that reasonable. While I own shares in both Palantir and Nvidia, I won't be adding to either position at their respective prices.French government falls in historic no-confidence vote