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treasures of aztec slot png After a lull, domestic fireworks market of Sivakasi is once again threatened by illegal import of Chinese crackers which are found in cracker shops in north Indian States. Despite the import of firecrackers is “restricted” in India and the Union Government started to make conscious efforts to prevent their flooding of domestic market in the guise of toys some five years back, the imported fireworks have started to rear their ugly heads in North India States. “It was found here and there in small quantity only for display fireworks goods used during celebrations like marriages. The cheap Chinese goods were mixed with domestic goods and was not threatening. But, now even other Chinese fireworks products are found in Indian market,” A. Murali, joint secretary of Sivakasi Fireworks Manufacturers’ Association, told The Hindu . He said such illegal goods were found in Bhopal, Delhi and Punjab. The smuggling and sale of fireworks goods were happening in a hush-hush way which was not affecting the sales of domestic goods in a big way. “But after Deepavali, we find that several dealers in upcountry were openly displaying the photographs of Chinese fireworks in their WhatsApp status with an aim to promote their sale,” Mr. Murali said. However, these goods were not seen displayed in the shops. The very audacity among the dealers to openly declare about possession of Chinese goods only indicates that availability of those smuggled goods was in large quantity. “Only because of the heavy competition to sell their stocks in hand, the dealers have come up in open,” he added. This exercise only showed that the resistance against imported Chinese crackers had fizzled out and they are being smuggled in the guise of other goods. “If the Centre did not act immediately against these imported goods, they would slowly flood the entire country, thus causing economic loss not only to the fireworks manufacturers, but also to the State exchequer,” he added seeking immediate deterrent action. Published - November 24, 2024 08:03 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditParamount Global Cl B stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors

The Obama Democracy Forum kicks off Thursday in Chicago. The goal is to bridge the political divide and get people talking about issues together. The former president, along with actor Ryan Reynolds and country music singer Reyna Roberts, will be speaking. Obama Foundation CEO and longtime Barack Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett spoke with Scripps News about what to expect from the conference. "Part of what we're doing [Thursday] is inviting leaders in the community who can take these tools back to their local communities and help the people on the ground who are feeling helpless in this situation," Jarrett said. "I do think there is a hunger around our country and around the world to focus on what we have in common, to avoid the kind of polarization that we're seeing, to talk to each other in a way that's respectful, to disagree and have hard conversations without letting them break down into acrimony." RELATED STORY | South Korean parliament defies president by lifting declaration of martial law Jarrett also discussed recent threats to democracy, including in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law in an attempt to eliminate "anti-state" forces alleged to be sympathizing with North Korea. "We take a long view. We look at this as a way of building confidence in leaders that are moving forward, that will be leaders of tomorrow. They'll be confident because they'll have the necessary tools to avoid the kind of friction and combativeness that we are seeing all too often," Jarrett said. Watch the full interview with Jarrett in the video above.No. 5 UCLA women’s basketball takes down top-ranked South Carolina

Keir Starmer Pays Heartfelt Tribute to His Brother Nick, Who Died on Boxing Day After Battling CancerCincinnati (4-8) at Dallas (5-7) Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Unlocking New Potential in AI: Where Should Investors Look Next?Why Uber Technologies Plunged Today

Baker Mayfield mocks Tommy DeVito’s celebration as the Bucs embarrass the Giants 30-7

Dean McCullough ‘looks fuming’ as Ant McPartlin takes another swipe at him after fans spot I’m A Celeb feudTrans Golfer Says LPGA Gender-Eligibility Rule 'Part of the Reason' for High Trans Suicide Rate

Former ICE Director Jonathan Fahey breaks down how the new administration can work with Democrats to tackle the crisis, including ending birthright citizenship, and reacts to more mysterious drones appearing over New Jersey. Guatemala may accept more foreign nationals deported from the United States by the incoming Trump administration in an effort to strengthen ties to the U.S., according to a report. Officials who spoke to Reuters said Guatemala is willing to receive deported citizens of other Central American countries – such as Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti – which have strained relationships with the U.S. and have not accepted deportees in the past. "There has to be a regional response," one Guatemalan official told Reuters. "And we want to be part of the solution." The expectation is that Trump will keep his campaign promise to begin the largest mass deportation of illegal immigrants in American history, and Guatemala wants to be in the president's favor throughout that process. The officials are bracing for deportations to increase in the fall, reasoning that it will take time for the Trump administration ramp up its operations, according to Reuters. BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN SAYS CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COULD BE PUT IN HALFWAY HOMES Guatemalan migrants pictured after arriving at La Aurora Air Force Base on a deportation flight from the U.S., in Guatemala City, Guatemala, November 8, 2024. (Reuters/Josue Decavele/File Photo) "We aren't ready for it, but we know it's coming," a second Guatemalan government official told the outlet. Guatemala currently receives 14 deportation flights per week under President Biden's administration. The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Trump's team has reportedly reached out to other Central and South American countries to gauge their appetite for accepting deportations from the U.S. Several governments, including Mexico and the Bahamas, have said they do not want to take in foreign nationals from third countries. ILLEGAL MIGRANT INDICTED ON MURDER CHARGES AFTER WOMAN IS BURNED TO DEATH ON SUBWAY A migrant woman speaks with family members as she is processed by staff of the Guatemalan Immigration Institute after arriving on deportation flights from the United States and Mexico, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on January 23, 2024. (Reuters/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo) In 2022, more than 40% of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. came from Mexico, amounting to 4.8 million of 11 million overall, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security report. That was followed by Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, which together accounted for over one-fifth of the total. Guatemala has reportedly been proactive in courting the incoming Trump administration, relative to neighbors El Salvador and Honduras, according to Reuters. Trump transition team members have met with Guatemalan officials, including Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., before he was nominated to serve as secretary of state, along with several employees from the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank who specialize in immigration, border security, drug trafficking and policy towards China. Guatemala would prioritize Guatemalans for re-integration, the second official said, adding that every country should take responsibility for its citizens, but also highlighting a regional pact among Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador that allows free movement. The hope is that deportees from the U.S. would put skills learned in the states to work in Guatemala's private sector. MUSK AND RAMASWAMY IGNITE MAGA WAR OVER SKILLED IMMIGRATION AND AMERICAN ‘MEDIOCRITY’ A police officer stands guard as Guatemalan migrants walk after arriving at La Aurora Air Force Base on a deportation flight from the U.S., in Guatemala City, Guatemala, November 8, 2024. (Reuters/Josue Decavele/File Photo) "These are people who have worked in construction, in the service industry, in various sectors, and many speak English. We want to harness that," the official said. Officials who spoke to Reuters also noted that more deportations could put pressure on Guatemala's economy. Remittances, or money sent home by Guatemalan workers in the U.S., account for about 20% of the country's GDP. In 2023, remittances made up 24% of El Salvador's gross domestic product and nearly 30% of Honduras' GDP. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Officials told Reuters they were not immediately worried about the economic impact of a decline in remittances, but shared concerns over Trump's proposed tariff hikes or increased taxes on remittances. "We don't have a financial plan yet, there are just too many unknowns," said the second official. Reuters contributed to this report. Chris Pandolfo is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.

The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted former Cleveland Browns nose tackle Siaki Ika on a free agent visit on Wednesday, according to a report by Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV in Houston. Ika, 24, was the Browns’ third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Baylor. The 6-foot-3, 335-pound defensive lineman played in four games for the Browns as a rookie last year, playing in 100 snaps without recording a statistic. He was waived from the team this August and placed on the practice squad before being released on Oct. 15. The Philadelphia Eagles then signed him to their practice squad on Oct. 23 and cut him on Nov. 20. Both Philadelphia and Cleveland play base 4-3 defenses, where they don’t regularly use a nose tackle outside of goal-line situations. He could be a better fit in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers have not had a true backup to Keeanu Benton on the 53-man roster with Montravius Adams on the IR. The Steelers do have two nose tackles on their practices squad, Breiden Fehoko and Domenique Davis. Ika, a Utah native of Tongan descent, attended LSU for two years before transferring to Baylor in 2021. With the Bears, he had a breakout junior season in 2021, recording 24 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks and a pass breakup in 13 games, putting him on NFL Draft radars. Ika’s numbers weren’t as good as a senior posting 24 tackles, two tackles for loss and two passes defended in 2022. The massive nose tackle did not perform well in pre-draft testing. He ran a comically slow 5.39-second 40-yard dash and did not participate in the bench press. His stock slid from a borderline first-round draft pick to a third-rounder, and he still went below his NFL Mock Draft Database projection when the Browns took him at pick No. 98. This article first appeared on Steelers Now and was syndicated with permission.

Nagpur: Around 75 individuals with political crimes registered against them are now under surveillance by rural police to ensure there are no untoward incidents in the post-assembly election phase. Nagpur rural SP Harssh A Poddar informed that his teams identified names, modus operandi, and the areas where the criminals operated, especially those associated with political activities in the past, for strict vigilance. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom IPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team Squads Apart from the police stations, the local crime branch under senior inspector Omprakash Kokate is also engaged in undertaking a stringent drive against hardened goons and flushing out arms and weapons. Sources stated that the rural police leadership, anticipating retaliatory crimes in the district in the backdrop of the electoral outcomes of the recently concluded state assembly election, decided to crack down on the goons affiliated with different political parties and leaders to ensure they do not target each other. In the run-up to the election, Poddar had conducted a similar drive against the goons as per the Election Commission guidelines. He instructed the force to repeat the anti-criminal drive in the district once again.

1 Canadian Growth Stock Poised to Outperform in 2025

Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!

Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods Are On Same Side PoliticallyMoney raised by Bloomerang clients grew 32% from 2023, double the industry average, reinforcing nonprofits using Bloomerang's Giving Platform are better equipped to raise more INDIANAPOLIS , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomerang , the industry's leading donor, volunteer, and fundraising management platform, processed more than $56 million—a record-breaking amount—during GivingTuesday. Nonprofits using Bloomerang's Giving Platform saw increased giving momentum from 2023 with a 32% increase in overall dollars raised—double the overall nonprofit sector increase of 16%. Human services, animal welfare organizations, and educational institutions raised the largest sums. Bloomerang maintained 100% uptime during GivingTuesday, empowering nonprofit users to send 7.4 million emails to their supporters and pull over 750,000 reports on one of the busiest fundraising days of the year. "Nonprofits using Bloomerang shattered expectations this GivingTuesday, achieving double the growth of the industry average and securing average donation amounts three times higher than their peers. This incredible success demonstrates the undeniable power of technology to drive fundraising outcomes, even amidst economic uncertainty," said Dennis Fois , chief executive officer at Bloomerang. "Our platform delivered for clients when it mattered most—kicking off a promising start to the giving season." The number of donations made via a digital wallet—11,960—more than doubled from 2023, further proving the findings in Bloomerang's 2024 Generational Giving Report that digital wallets are an increasingly expected and common giving method. The average donation grew 10% to $349 , and 2,305 individual recurring donations were made during the day, a 25% increase from 2023, indicating an increasing preference for donors to provide on-going support to their preferred causes. "The GivingTuesday results highlight the incredible impact nonprofits can achieve with the right technology," said Tammy Hammond , chief product officer at Bloomerang. "The broad fundraising capabilities within Bloomerang make it easy for nonprofits to effectively raise more during impactful days, such as GivingTuesday. Our built-for-purpose platform is designed to support the entire donor journey, from building segmented lists to developing engaging donation forms, stewarding relationships following a donation, and beyond. Not only does it make giving easier for donors, but it also empowers nonprofits to forge longlasting, sustained relationships with the communities they serve." Bloomerang clients leveraged a range of giving platform features for their GivingTuesday campaigns such as Bloomerang's AI Content Assistant, Predictive Giving Insights and Dynamic Groups to segment donor outreach, peer-to-peer campaigns, customizable donation forms, text fundraising, and more. Bloomerang's end-to-end giving platform aids nonprofits in capitalizing on team strengths, tapping into the generosity of supporters, and maximizing impact. About Bloomerang : Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps nonprofits across the US deliver a better giving experience and create thriving organizations. Combining robust, simple-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve their supporter relationships, and raise more. With Bloomerang, nonprofit professionals love their work and have another teammate in the cause. Bloomerang is a trusted and acclaimed partner for nonprofits. For more information about Bloomerang and to see why successful fundraisers recommend the solution to their peers, visit: https://bloomerang.com . SOURCE BloomerangIndia-BD: Tension at breaking point

Trump Nominates Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler for Small Business AdministratorNone

Reports Record Sales and Earnings Increases Quarterly Cash Dividend by 20% to $0.12 per Common Share LAKEWOOD, Colo. , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. NGVC today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and provided its outlook for fiscal 2025. Highlights for Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023 Net sales increased 9.3% to $322.7 million ; Daily average comparable store sales increased 7.1%, and increased 14.0% on a two-year basis; Net income increased 53.2% to $9.0 million , with diluted earnings per share of $0.39 ; and Adjusted EBITDA was $22.6 million . Highlights for Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023 Net sales increased 8.9% to $1.24 billion ; Daily average comparable store sales increased 7.0%, and increased 10.6% on a two-year basis; 21 st consecutive year of positive comparable store sales growth; Net income increased 46.0% to $33.9 million , with diluted earnings per share of $1.47 ; Adjusted EBITDA was $83.3 million ; and Opened four new stores and relocated/remodeled four stores. "Our outstanding fourth quarter and fiscal year results underscore our customers' appreciation for our commitment to the exceptional quality, value and convenience provided by our innovative business model along with consumers' increasing prioritization of products that support health and sustainability," said Kemper Isely , Co-President. "Our commitment to offering the highest quality products at Always Affordable SM prices is distinctive in the market and has been pivotal to our success. Fourth quarter results were broadly positive with daily average comparable store sales growth of 7.1% and 14.0% on a two-year basis, as well as a 53% increase in net income. We are particularly pleased with the balanced nature of our sales growth in fiscal 2024, including increases in transaction counts and items per transaction, modest price inflation and sales contribution from new stores." Mr. Isely continued, "The combination of consumer trends and our focus on customer engagement and operational initiatives have driven our sustained growth. Over the previous five years we have grown net sales by 37%, and diluted earnings per share have more than tripled. Furthermore, during this period we returned $108 million in capital to our stockholders through $4.76 of cumulative cash dividends per common share. As we look forward to fiscal 2025, we expect to build upon our momentum by continuing to execute to our founding principles, leveraging our differentiated model and emphasizing operational excellence to drive profitable growth." In addition to presenting the financial results of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company is also presenting EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The reconciliation from GAAP to these non-GAAP financial measures is provided at the end of this earnings release. Operating Results — Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023 Net sales during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 increased $27.6 million , or 9.3%, to $322.7 million , compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, due to a $21.0 million increase in comparable store sales and a $6.6 million increase in new store sales. Daily average comparable store sales increased 7.1% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, comprised of a 3.6% increase in daily average transaction count and a 3.4% increase in daily average transaction size. The increase in net sales was driven by increases in transaction counts, items per transaction, retail prices and new store sales. Sales growth was driven by enhanced customer engagement with our {N}power ® rewards program, compelling offers, marketing initiatives, and increased sales of Natural Grocers® brand products. Gross profit during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 increased $11.0 million , or 13.1%, to $95.4 million , compared to $84.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Gross profit reflects earnings after product and store occupancy costs. Gross margin increased 100 basis points to 29.6% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, compared to 28.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase in gross margin was driven by store occupancy cost leverage and higher product margin. Store expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 increased 10.2% to $72.6 million , primarily driven by higher compensation expenses and long-lived asset impairment charges related to a planned store closure. Store expenses as a percentage of net sales were 22.5% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, up from 22.3% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase in store expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily driven by higher long-lived asset impairment charges partially offset by expense leverage. Administrative expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 increased 4.4% to $10.2 million . Administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 3.2% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, down from 3.3% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 increased 56.0% to $12.1 million . Operating margin during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was 3.7%, up from 2.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $9.0 million , or $0.39 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $5.9 million , or $0.26 diluted earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $22.6 million , compared to $16.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Operating Results — Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023 Net sales during fiscal 2024 increased $101.0 million , or 8.9%, to $1,241.6 million , compared to fiscal 2023, due to an $83.0 million increase in comparable store sales and a $22.6 million increase in new store sales, partially offset by a $4.6 million decrease in sales related to closed stores. Daily average comparable store sales increased 7.0% in fiscal 2024, comprised of a 3.8% increase in daily average transaction count and a 3.1% increase in daily average transaction size. The increase in net sales was driven by increases in transaction counts, retail prices, items per transaction and new store sales. Sales growth was driven by enhanced customer engagement with our {N}power rewards program, compelling offers, marketing initiatives including market-specific campaigns, and increased sales of Natural Grocers brand products. Gross profit during fiscal 2024 increased $37.9 million , or 11.6%, to $364.8 million . Gross profit reflects earnings after product and store occupancy costs. Gross margin increased 70 basis points to 29.4% during fiscal 2024, compared to 28.7% in 2023. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by store occupancy cost leverage and higher product margin attributed to effective pricing and promotions. Store expenses during fiscal 2024 increased 7.8% to $277.4 million , primarily driven by higher compensation expenses, depreciation expenses and long-lived asset impairment charges. Store expenses as a percentage of net sales were 22.3% during fiscal 2024, down from 22.6% in fiscal 2023. The decrease in store expenses as a percentage of net sales primarily reflects expense leverage. Administrative expenses during fiscal 2024 increased 7.6% to $38.7 million , driven by higher compensation expenses. Administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 3.1% for fiscal 2024, down from 3.2% in fiscal 2023. Operating income for fiscal 2024 increased 48.3% to $47.0 million . Operating margin during fiscal 2024 was 3.8%, up from 2.8% in fiscal 2023. Net income for fiscal 2024 was $33.9 million , or $1.47 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $23.2 million , or $1.02 diluted earnings per share, for fiscal 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2024 was $83.3 million , compared to $63.4 million in fiscal 2023. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had $8.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, and no amounts outstanding on its $75.0 million revolving credit facility. During fiscal 2024, the Company generated $73.8 million in cash from operations and invested $38.6 million in net capital expenditures, primarily for new and relocated/remodeled stores. Dividend Announcement Today, the Company announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per common share, a 20% increase over the Company's previous quarterly dividend. The dividend will be paid on December 18, 2024 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 2, 2024 . Growth and Development During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 the Company opened one new store, ending the fourth quarter with 169 stores in 21 states. A total of four new stores were opened during fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2025 Outlook The Company is introducing its fiscal 2025 outlook. The Company expects: Fiscal 2025 Outlook Number of new stores 4 to 6 Number of relocations/remodels 2 to 4 Daily average comparable store sales growth 4.0% to 6.0% Diluted earnings per share $1.52 to $1.60 Capital expenditures (in millions) $36 to $44 Earnings Conference Call The Company will host a conference call today at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time ( 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time ) to discuss this earnings release. The dial-in number is 1-888-347-6606 (US) or 1-412-902-4289 (International). The conference ID is "Natural Grocers Q4 FY 2024 Earnings Call." A simultaneous audio webcast will be available at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com and archived for a minimum of 20 days. About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. NGVC is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based nutrition education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in 1955, has 168 stores in 21 states. Visit www.NaturalGrocers.com for more information and store locations. Forward-Looking Statements The following constitutes a "safe harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for the historical information contained herein, statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" and are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global, national, regional or local political, economic, inflationary, deflationary, recessionary, business, interest rate, labor market, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors, and other risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, except as may be required by the securities laws. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Form 10-K and the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Investor Relations at 303-986-4600 or by visiting the Company's website at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com . Investor Contact: Reed Anderson , ICR, 646-277-1260, reed.anderson@icrinc.com NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC. Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three months ended September 30, Year ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net sales $ 322,661 295,075 1,241,585 1,140,568 Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 227,299 210,730 876,775 813,637 Gross profit 95,362 84,345 364,810 326,931 Store expenses 72,605 65,863 277,396 257,282 Administrative expenses 10,241 9,807 38,715 35,973 Pre-opening expenses 450 938 1,722 2,007 Operating income 12,066 7,737 46,977 31,669 Interest expense, net (1,053) (821) (4,176) (3,299) Income before income taxes 11,013 6,916 42,801 28,370 Provision for income taxes (2,003) (1,036) (8,866) (5,127) Net income $ 9,010 5,880 33,935 23,243 Net income per share of common stock: Basic $ 0.40 0.26 1.49 1.02 Diluted $ 0.39 0.26 1.47 1.02 Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding: Basic 22,799,571 22,738,284 22,774,825 22,725,088 Diluted 23,175,214 22,945,750 23,083,903 22,834,316 NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) September 30, 2024 2023 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,871 18,342 Accounts receivable, net 12,610 10,797 Merchandise inventory 120,672 119,260 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,905 4,151 Total current assets 147,058 152,550 Property and equipment, net 178,609 169,060 Other assets: Operating lease assets, net 275,111 287,941 Finance lease assets, net 40,752 45,110 Other assets 458 395 Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 13,488 14,129 Total other assets 329,809 347,575 Total assets $ 655,476 669,185 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 88,397 80,675 Accrued expenses 35,847 33,064 Term loan, current portion — 1,750 Operating lease obligations, current portion 35,926 34,850 Finance lease obligations, current portion 3,960 3,690 Total current liabilities 164,130 154,029 Long-term liabilities: Term loan, net of current portion — 5,938 Operating lease obligations, net of current portion 263,404 276,808 Finance lease obligations, net of current portion 43,217 47,142 Deferred income tax liabilities, net 10,471 14,427 Total long-term liabilities 317,092 344,315 Total liabilities 481,222 498,344 Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.001 par value. 50,000,000 shares authorized, 22,888,540 and 22,745,412 shares issued at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 22,888,540 and 22,738,915 shares outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively 23 23 Additional paid-in capital 60,327 59,013 Retained earnings 113,904 111,871 Common stock in treasury at cost, 6,497 shares at September 30, 2023 — (66) Total stockholders' equity 174,254 170,841 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 655,476 669,185 NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) Year ended September 30, 2024 2023 Operating activities: Net income $ 33,935 23,243 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 30,930 28,906 Loss on impairment of long-lived assets and store closing costs 2,102 1,268 Loss on disposal of property and equipment 10 379 Share-based compensation 2,829 1,360 Deferred income tax benefit (3,955) (1,475) Non-cash interest expense 17 19 Other (160) — Changes in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in: Accounts receivable, net (1,790) 315 Income tax receivable 252 378 Merchandise inventory (1,412) (5,504) Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,069) (128) Operating lease assets 33,446 33,067 (Decrease) increase in: Operating lease liabilities (34,197) (33,899) Accounts payable 10,039 10,350 Accrued expenses 2,783 6,327 Net cash provided by operating activities 73,760 64,606 Investing activities: Acquisition of property and equipment (37,541) (36,568) Acquisition of other intangibles (1,139) (1,525) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 37 107 Proceeds from property insurance settlements 43 36 Net cash used in investing activities (38,600) (37,950) Financing activities: Borrowings under revolving loans 604,200 531,100 Repayments under revolving loans (604,200) (531,100) Repayments under term loan (7,688) (8,000) Finance lease obligation payments (3,610) (2,779) Dividends to shareholders (31,866) (9,089) Repurchase of common stock — (181) Payments of deferred financing costs (18) — Payments on withholding tax for restricted stock unit vesting (1,449) (304) Net cash used in financing activities (44,631) (20,353) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (9,471) 6,303 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 18,342 12,039 Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 8,871 18,342 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid for interest $ 2,216 1,305 Cash paid for interest on financing lease obligations, net of capitalized interest of $338 and $318, respectively 1,939 2,002 Income taxes paid 13,581 5,048 Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities: Acquisition of property and equipment not yet paid $ 3,679 6,016 Acquisition of other intangibles not yet paid 22 3 Property acquired through operating lease obligations 22,317 15,274 Property acquired through finance lease obligations (45) 5,724 NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC. Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. We define EBITDA as net income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA as adjusted to exclude the effects of certain income and expense items that management believes make it more difficult to assess the Company's actual operating performance, including certain items such as impairment charges, store closing costs, share-based compensation and non-recurring items. The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, dollars in thousands: Three months ended September 30, Year ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net income $ 9,010 5,880 33,935 23,243 Interest expense, net 1,053 821 4,176 3,299 Provision for income taxes 2,003 1,036 8,866 5,127 Depreciation and amortization 7,932 7,480 30,930 28,906 EBITDA 19,998 15,217 77,907 60,575 Impairment of long-lived assets and store closing costs 1,721 534 2,547 1,464 Share-based compensation 929 314 2,829 1,360 Adjusted EBITDA $ 22,648 16,065 83,283 63,399 EBITDA increased 31.4% to $20.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $15.2 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. EBITDA increased 28.6% to $77.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2024 compared to $60.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 . EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 6.2% and 5.2% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively. EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 6.3% and 5.3% for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA increased 41.0% to $22.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $16.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted EBITDA increased 31.4% to $83.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2024 compared to $63.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 . Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 7.0% and 5.4% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 6.7% and 5.6% for the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Management believes some investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide additional information about: (i) our operating performance, because they assist us in comparing the operating performance of our stores on a consistent basis, as they remove the impact of non-cash depreciation and amortization expense as well as items not directly resulting from our core operations, such as interest expense and income taxes and (ii) our performance and the effectiveness of our operational strategies. Additionally, EBITDA is a component of a measure in our financial covenants under our credit facility. Furthermore, management believes some investors use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in our industry. Management believes that some investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for comparing our ongoing results of operations. By providing these non-GAAP financial measures, together with a reconciliation from net income, we believe we are enhancing investors' understanding of our business and our results of operations, as well as assisting investors in evaluating how well we are executing our strategic initiatives. Our competitors may define EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently, and as a result, our measures of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA of other companies. Items excluded from EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental measures of operating performance that do not represent and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, net income or other financial statement data presented in the consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of the limitations are: EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any depreciation or interest expense for leases classified as finance leases; EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt; Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect share-based compensation, impairment charges, and store closing costs; EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes; and although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements. Due to these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental information. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natural-grocers-by-vitamin-cottage-announces-fiscal-2024-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-results-302313348.html SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Athabasca Oil Announces 2025 Budget Focused on Cash Flow Per Share Growth and Directing 100% of Free Cash Flow to Shareholder Returns