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If Aaron Rodgers wants to play for a new team, which destinations make sense for the aging Jets QB in 2025?
With the small caps sector emerging from its slumber, it’s time to pull out the sheep entrails and take a wild stab at who will outperform in 2025. As the superannuation ads go, past performance does not guarantee future returns – or a timely insurance payout in the case of the embattled Cbus. But last year we hit winners with the little-known water-management play Vysarn (ASX:VYS) , whose shares bounced around 60% in 2024. The equally obscure FOS Capital (ASX:FOS) – a provider of industrial lighting products – surged 80%. We also sniffed the aroma of success with scented-candle play Dusk Group (ASX:DSK) , but went to water somewhat with Duxton Water (ASX:D2O) and H2O treatment play Fluence Corporation (ASX:FLC) . Building on a housing recovery A manufacturer, marketer and distributor of fabricated and semi-fabricated aluminium-related products, Capral (ASX:CAA) is one of the few listed remaining ASX-listed building material companies after a spree of takeovers. The $170 million Capral looks cheap, the legacy of past problems with a badly timed investment in its Bremer Park facility. Now, the leaner company is well placed for a housing recovery. Just the ticket No-one likes being sprung using a mobile while they’re driving or not wearing a seatbelt, but these activities are a leading cause of road trauma. That’s acknowledged even in America, which has an elevated view of what amounts to personal liberties. Acusensus (ASX:ACE) is a leader in mobile camera tech to detect such infringements, even through the tinted windows of a supersized SUV. The company has contracts with road authorities in most Australian states as well as the US, the UK and New Zealand and this month won a $27 million contract extension with Queensland’s road authorities. Motorists dislike being pinged for illicit parking even more. But fair’s fair, private parking is private parking. Smart Parking (ASX:SPZ) manages car parks across five geographies including the UK, Germany, Denmark and NZ. But most of its revenues derive from ‘parking breach notices’. In a September quarter trading update the company reported revenue of $17 million, up 24% year-on-year and adjusted underlying earnings of $5.4 million. The company has dibs over 1529 sites – ahead of its guidance of 1500 and is striving for 3000 sites by the end of 2028. Canaccord describes Smart Parking’s business as “predictable and scalable”, which sounds like just the ticket. You’ll hear from my (patent) attorney We’re stealing this idea from Katana portfolio manager Romano Sala Tenna – but please don’t sue. IPH (ASX:IPH) is the largest patent attorney in Australia, Canada and Singapore, with a sector-leading client base. Patent law has exceptionally low client churn and most firms have been around for decades (IPH listed in 2014). Despite management’s sound execution of international growth, the stock has halved over the past two years and yields a healthy 6.9%. The company itself believes the stock is undervalued, having supersized its buyback scheme from $40 million to $75 million. Cream of the ag stock crop By its nature, the agricultural sector is subject to the whims of commodity prices and the weather. Arguably the stalwarts such as Graincorp (ASX:GNC) and Elders (ASX:ELD) look fully or fairly valued, so what else is taking seed? Often overlooked, stockfeed group Ridley Corporation (ASX:RIC) is climbing the “wall of value” from rendering (mushing up slaughterhouse waste) to higher-value, higher-nutrient products. For a left-of-field play, Bio-Gene Technology (ASX:BGT) is developing novel insecticides from natural compounds, as rejoinder to the Chemical Charlies who spray their land with far too much of the hydrocarbon-based stuff. Bio-gene aims to file its application approval for Flavocide’s active ingredient with the local gatekeeper by the end of 2025. For investors wanting a bit more buzz, Duxton Broadacre Farms (ASX:DBF) owns vast tracts of land but also has a $5.75 million, 23% stake in Duxton Bees, which owns and manages around 1650 hives (mainly in Murray Darling region). The busy pollinators are in huge demand, with more than 30 ag industries relying on them to generate a commercial yield. Oh, baby! An undervalued life-sciences play It’s been a stellar year for the pre-commercial biotech sector, with (largely) positive trial results and well-supported capital raisings. But does better value lie with the overlook established plays? Fundie Seneca likes Monash IVF Group (ASX:MVF) , the leading provider of assisted reproductive services in Australia and Malaysia. The company achieved Australia's first IVF birth and the world's first pregnancy from a frozen embryo, under the guidance of the late Professor Carl Wood. After a flurry of corporate activity, Monash IVF is the sole remaining listed fertility services provider. The company trades at a circa 30% discount to the earnings multiple paid by private equity for its nearest competitor, Virtus Health, in 2022. Having completed its merger with Capitol Health, Integral Diagnostics (ASX:IDX) officially has become Australia’s second-biggest radiology provider. Investors Mutual Portfolio Manager Lucas Goode notes radiology volumes have grown at a 4%-plus compound annual growth rate over the past 15 years and this should accelerate due to the need for ageing Australians to have more testing. Integral’s investment in tech means it is well placed to benefit from growth, while the merger should yield significant operational benefits. A strong balance sheet provides scope for further accretive acquisitions. We'll also throw in Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CUV) , which has an approved drug for a rare skin disorder with robust revenues and a cash-rich balance sheet. And did we mention the company is strongly profitable? To management's bemusement, Clinuvel shares have lost 60% of their value over the past five years. Take a punt The bourse is a glorified casino and brokers are bookies in nice suits, but ironically online sports betting mob Pointsbet (ASX:PBH) looks more than a sheer punt given the short odds of it being taken over. Having abandond its costly, failed Very Big Adventure in the US, Pointsbet’s revenues these days derive locally, with a smaller Canadian operation expanding more rapidly. As Seneca notes, Pointsbet last year reported its first positive quarterly operating cash flows. Given the need for the local sector to consolidate ahead of a likely gambing ad crackdown, we bet that Pointsbet will be subsumed by this time next year. The company denied reports of a takeover approach in November, but where there’s smoke there’s fire. Banish ‘forever’ chemicals ... forever Something is lurking in our water – and its invisible and very nasty. The toxin in question is PFAS, the ‘forever chemicals’ widely used in applications such as fire retardants, Teflon pans and carpets. The plaintiff lawyers are circling, given PFAS has been linked with maladies including cancer, organ damage and infertility. The profitable SciDev (ASX:SDV) is a leader in cleansing technologies to cleanse PFAS from waterways – which is easier said than done. In November Scidev secured its first European commercial order, from Swedish Hydro Solutions AB for a contract value of $475,000. Scidev estimates the global PFAS treatment market at US$1.8 billion ($2.76 billion) per annum and growing at an annual rate of 5.2%. Catapult to greatness Having prodigious athletic talent is one thing – we’re thinking of the ‘catch me if you can’ sensation Gout Gout – but it still needs to be accurately measured. Catapult Group (ASX:CAT) has become a global champion in measuring and analysing performance via its wearable devices. Catapult’s results for the September half-year showed revenue of US$57.8 million ($85 million), up 19% year-on-year. Annualised contract value, the company’s preferred metric, grew 20% to US$96.8 million with free cash flow of US$4.8 million. Catapult shares have – er – catapulted 160% this year and the company is worth a tad under $1 billion. But who would you back: a gold medal performer or Slovakia with one bronze medal at the Paris Olympics? No offence. Forager Funds is convinced, because Catapult is its biggest holding in its Australian shares fund. Originally published as Criterion’s small cap gems poised to star in 2025 (part one) Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Stockhead More small cap gems set to shine in 2025 After a stellar 2024 for recovering small to mid caps sector, our experts scour the sector for more overlooked nuggets. Read more Stockhead Legally, share ownership may not be what you think Investors should ask questions about custodial-based share arrangements by which they do not have legal ownership. Read more
U.S. small-cap stocks have delivered an exceptional performance this November , with the iShares Russell 2000 ETF IWM climbing 8.5% and outpacing the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY . This year's rally for IWM is driven by supportive monetary policy, political developments, and economic resilience. The Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts, including a 25-basis-point reduction in November, have reduced borrowing costs, particularly benefiting small-cap companies that rely heavily on credit. What To Know: Small-cap companies, which constitute the bulk of the Russell 2000 index, are typically more sensitive to borrowing costs than their larger counterparts. Unlike large-cap companies, which often have diversified funding sources and international revenue streams, small-caps rely heavily on domestic lending to finance operations, expansion and innovation. Read Also: S&P 500 Faces Volatile 2025 As ‘Inflation Boom’ Could Return: Bank Of America Strategist Lower interest rates directly reduce borrowing costs, improving profit margins for small-cap firms. Additionally, cheaper credit can enable these businesses to invest more aggressively in growth initiatives, such as hiring, capital expenditures and research and development. Rate cuts also typically encourage a rotation into riskier assets like small caps, as the lower yields on fixed-income securities push investors to seek higher returns in equities. This shift in investor sentiment is another factor behind the strong performance of IWM during periods of monetary easing. What Else: Optimism surrounding the Republican sweep in the 2024 elections has further bolstered small caps, as investors anticipate regulatory rollbacks . Economic fundamentals have added fuel to the rally. The U.S. economy remains strong, with steady GDP growth and a robust labor market supporting consumer confidence and domestic demand, key drivers for small-cap stocks. Read Also: US Business Activity Soars To 31-Month Highs In November: Small Caps Rally, Dow Tops 44,000 IWM Performance After Recent Elections Historical data from Benzinga Pro suggests that the performance of small caps, including IWM, often reflects broader market sentiment driven by post-election policies, economic expectations and seasonal trends. November 2020 (Post-Biden Election) : Following the election of Joe Biden, IWM experienced a sharp rally, increasing by 18.24% in November 2020. This surge was largely driven by investor optimism surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine and the possibility of new fiscal stimulus. November 2016 (Post-Trump Election) : After Donald Trump won the election in November 2016, IWM rose by approximately 6.5% . This was fueled by expectations of pro-business policies, including tax cuts and deregulation. November 2012 (Post-Obama Re-election) : In November 2012, after President Obama was re-elected, IWM saw more modest growth, rising by about 1.5% . This reflected investor expectations of stability under Obama's second term. November 2008 (Post-Obama's First Election) : Following Barack Obama's first election, small-cap stocks faced challenges in the aftermath of the financial crisis. IWM declined by approximately 5% in November 2008 as the market struggled amid the global economic downturn. Read Also: DOJ Targets Google Chrome, Poll Shows 64% Oppose Alphabet Breakup: YouTube Seen As Top Prize © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Over 1L degrees, 227 awards to be conferred at NU’s 112th convocationZoological Survey of India discovers new species of parasitic waspsMMA Weight Classes
The South African National Space Agency (Sansa) has successfully tested a specialised payload on a suborbital sounding rocket launched from a newly unveiled rocket gantry operated by the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI). The facility is located at the Denel Overberg Test Range facility in Arniston. During the flight, which lasted approximately 400 seconds, Sansa's payload successfully measured the Earth's magnetic field and other data. ASRI was officially launched in May 2024 and operates under the mechanical engineering faculty at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The institute primarily focuses on developing an indigenous commercial space launch capability for South Africa. It is the evolution of the Aerospace Research Group (ASReg), founded by professors Jean Pitot and Mike Brooks in 2009. The engineers and their postgraduate students have designed, built, and tested several research rocket motors and successfully launched a number suborbital sounding rockets. Among these are the Phoenix-1A and Phoenix-1B Hybrid rockets, which have had several successful launches, including reaching the African hybrid rocket altitude record of 17.9 km. ASRI's rocket gantry was inaugurated on 3 December 2024 by the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina. Its development was funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. "This gantry is a national asset that will be used to launch suborbital rockets built by ASRI," Gina stated. "It can also accommodate much larger solid-propellant vehicles of the type operated by space-faring... Jan Vermeulen
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers on Saturday. Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) gave up a safety on the final kickoff return, throwing a ball out of bounds in the end zone as players passed it around hoping for a miracle touchdown. Altmyer was 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant finished with seven receptions for 197 yards. Altmeyer put Illinois in front with a 30-yard TD run with 3:07 to go. He passed to Josh McCray on the 2-point conversion, making it 30-24. Rutgers responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Athan Kaliakmanis had a 15-yard run on fourth down. He passed to running back Kyle Manangai for a 13-yard TD with 1:08 remaining. Illinois then drove 75 yards in eight plays for the unexpected win. Kaliakmanis was 18 for 36 for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 13 carries for 84 yards and two TDs. Monangai had a career-high 28 carries for 122 yards. Kaliakmanis found Ian Strong for a 2-yard touchdown in the final seconds of the first half, and he scored on a 1-yard run to lift Rutgers to a 24-15 lead early in the fourth quarter. Illinois responded with Aidan Laughery’s 8-yard TD run, setting up the roller-coaster finish. The start of the second half was delayed because of a scrum between the teams. There were no punches thrown and the officials called penalties on both schools. Monangai become the third player in Rutgers history to rush for 3,000 yards when he picked up 4 on a third-and-1 carry early in the second quarter. The defending conference rushing champion joins Ray Rice and Terrell Willis in hitting the mark. Illinois: The great finish keeps the Illini in line for its first nine-win season since 2007 and a prestigious bowl game this season. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were seconds away from their first in-conference three-game win streak since joining the Big Ten in 2014. Illinois: At Northwestern next Saturday. Rutgers: At Michigan State next Saturday. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollBermuda Stock Exchange Report: Nov 22 2024Top 10 Upcoming Cars In 2025 That Are Spied Testing Already
Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York
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Four years havepassed since the liberation of the Lachin district of Azerbaijanfrom the Armenian occupation, reports. According to a trilateral statement signed on November 10 byPresident of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Russia VladimirPutin and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, the Lachindistrict was cleared of the armed forces of Armenia and returned toAzerbaijan on 1 December. Lachin was occupied by the armed forces of Armenia on May 18,1992. Armenian occupants destroyed and plundered hundreds ofcultural and household objects, dozens of settlements, villages andhistorical monuments in the region. As a result of the occupation, 63,341 Azerbaijani citizens wereexpelled from their homeland, more than 300 military personnel andcivilians were killed and disappeared without a trace. On theterritory of the district, 8950 buildings were occupied, including7 industrial and construction enterprises, 471 service points, 154schools, hundreds of historical and cultural monuments. The occupation of Lachin, which has an important geostrategicposition, caused serious damage to the economy of Azerbaijan.Lachin region, rich in natural resources, has healing springs suchas Turshsu, Galaderasi, Aganus, Khirmanlar, Tigig, Turshtigig,Nureddin, Nagdali, Hajihanli. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, onthe territory of the Lachin district there are 3 mercury deposits(Narzanli, Chilgazchay, Saribulag) with total reserves of 1,124tons, Gochaz marble limestone, suitable for the production offacing stone, with reserves of 2,533 cubic meters, 2 tuffs(Agoglan, Ahmadli), suitable for the production of sawn stone, 2colored decorative stones, volcanic ash and other naturalresources. In addition, the Garagol State Nature Reserve and the StateNature Reserve are also located in the Lachin district, the reservewith a total area of 240 hectares has vegetation of 68 species and27 families. Rare species of fauna, such as roe deer, goat, wildboar, bear, blackbird, partridge, blackbird, inhabited theterritory of the State Reserve, created in November 1961 to protectand increase the number of animals and birds. During the survey ofthe reserve in 1989, 96 mountain goats (bezoar goats), 360 wildboars, 320 roe deer, 110 bears were recorded, as well as a largenumber of wolves, badgers, squirrels, pheasants and partridges. For 28 years, Armenia ignored the norms of international law andUN resolutions on the unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troopsfrom the occupied Azerbaijani lands. As a result of the counter-offensive operation launched onSeptember 27, the Azerbaijani army fulfilled the missionunfulfilled by the UN Security Council and restored historicaljustice, liberating our lands, which had been occupied for almost30 years Until November 9, 5 cities, 4 villages and 286 villages wereliberated from the occupation. Jabrayil city and 90 villages of thedistrict, Fuzuli city and 53 villages of the district, Zangilancity, Mindzhivan, Agband, Bartaz villages and 52 villages of thedistrict, Gadrut village and 35 villages of Khojavend district, 3villages of Terter district, Gubadli city and 41 villages of theregion, Khojaly district 9 villages, the city of Shusha, 3 villagesof the Lachin region, as well as several strategic heights in thedirection of Agdar and Murovdag, and in Zangilan - Bartaz, Sigirt,Shukurataz heights and 5 more unnamed heights also were liberatedfrom the occupation. According to a trilateral statement signed by the leaders ofAzerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, Aghdam was returned to Azerbaijanon November 20, Kalbajar on November 25, and Lachin on December1.