From food banks to crisis shelters, 14 nonprofits recognized for tackling urgent community needsDRAPER, Utah, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The HealthEquity Community Foundation™ today announced the recipients of its second round of community grants, awarding $35,000 across 14 nonprofit organizations. Each selected organization will receive a $2,500 grant to support critical work in one or more of the Foundation’s core areas: health and medicine, financial education and literacy, mental health and crisis ...

Core Viewpoint - The comparison between Dow Inc. and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both companies in the current challenging market environment, with DuPont appearing to have a more attractive investment profile due to its innovation-driven growth and better valuation metrics [2][27]. Group 1: Dow Inc. (DOW) - DOW benefits from a differentiated portfolio and low-cost feedstock positions, focusing on growth in attractive end markets such as pharma and home care [4][27]. - The company is implementing proactive measures to deliver approximately $6 billion in cash support, including infrastructure asset sales and cost savings [5]. - DOW is targeting $1 billion in cost reductions, primarily through workforce reductions of around 1,500 roles globally, with expected benefits of $300 million in 2025 [6]. - DOW has a strong balance sheet with over $11 billion in liquidity and returned $2.5 billion to shareholders in 2024 [7]. - The company offers a high dividend yield of 9.7%, although it has a high payout ratio of 239% [8]. - DOW faces demand softness, particularly in Europe, and challenges in the automotive and construction markets due to inflation and geopolitical tensions [9][16]. - The Performance Materials & Coatings unit is experiencing pricing pressure in siloxane products due to increased supply in Asia [10][11]. - DOW's stock has declined 29.4% year to date, with a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 45.80, representing a significant premium over the industry average [18][22]. Group 2: DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DD) - DuPont is focused on growth through innovation and new product development, particularly in healthcare markets [12][13]. - The acquisition of Spectrum Plastics Group enhances DuPont's position in the healthcare sector, aligning with its innovation-driven strategy [13]. - DuPont is expected to realize cost synergy savings and productivity improvements, with annualized cost savings of $150 million anticipated from restructuring actions [14]. - The company achieved a transaction-adjusted free cash flow conversion of 105% in 2024 and raised its quarterly dividend by 8% to 41 cents per share [15]. - DuPont faces headwinds in the construction and automotive markets, impacting sales in its IndustrialsCo segment [16]. - The company anticipates separation costs related to its electronics business to be modestly below $700 million, affecting margins and free cash flow in 2025 [17]. - DuPont's stock has decreased by 10.7% year to date, trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 15.45, which is below DOW and the industry [18][20]. - The consensus estimates for DuPont suggest a year-over-year rise in sales and EPS of 2.9% and 4.9%, respectively, indicating positive growth prospects [26].

Core Insights - Belpointe PREP, LLC has announced that its mixed-use development project, VIV, in St. Petersburg, Florida, is approximately 85% complete and is expected to begin leasing later this year [1][3] Group 1: Project Overview - VIV is strategically located in downtown St. Petersburg and aims to become a landmark destination with residential units, modern amenities, and vibrant retail spaces [2][5] - The project is designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality living options in St. Petersburg, providing a unique opportunity for residents and businesses [2][5] Group 2: Company Commitment - The CEO of Belpointe OZ expressed excitement about the project's progress and emphasized the company's commitment to delivering exceptional developments in high-growth markets [3] - The project is part of Belpointe OZ's strategy to create long-term value for investors [3] Group 3: Company Profile - Belpointe OZ is a publicly traded qualified opportunity fund listed on NYSE American under the symbol "OZ" and has over 2,500 units in its development pipeline across four cities, with a total project cost exceeding $1.3 billion [6] - The company has filed registration statements with the SEC for the offer and sale of up to $1.5 billion of Class A units [7]

Protara Therapeutics (TARA) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Protara Therapeutics - **Focus**: Development of innovative therapies for oncology, specifically targeting non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with their lead program, TAR-002 Key Points and Arguments Product Development and Mechanism of Action - **TAR-002**: An investigational, genetically distinct strain of *Streptococcus pyogenes* designed to retain immune-stimulating properties through a proprietary manufacturing process [3][4] - **Comparison with BCG**: - Both TAR-002 and BCG are bacterial immune potentiators that drive a TH1 pro-inflammatory response, critical for antitumor immunity [5] - TAR-002 acts as a TLR2 agonist, while BCG is a TLR4 agonist, leading to significantly stronger tumor cell killing and higher upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma [6] - TAR-002 downregulates IL-8, which is associated with bladder cancer recurrence, contrasting with BCG's upregulation of IL-8 [7] Clinical Data and Efficacy Expectations - **Durable Responses**: Nonclinical studies show around 70% of mice remain cancer-free at the 60-day mark, indicating potential for durable clinical responses [7] - **Efficacy Benchmarks**: - A competitive complete response rate (CRR) of 30% is needed to be considered viable, with 40% being competitive and 50% considered best-in-class [12][13] - Initial data suggests a CRR of 63% at six months and 43% at twelve months in BCG-naive patients, with a total CRR of 76% [41] Enrollment and Market Strategy - **Enrollment Progress**: Enrollment is progressing well, with 30 sites in the US and approvals in Japan and China, aiming for full enrollment by spring 2026 [19][20] - **Patient Population**: The study is expected to have a similar split of 75% CIS and 25% concomitant papillary patients, consistent with other studies in this patient population [23][22] Competitive Landscape and Market Opportunity - **Market Size**: The addressable market is estimated at around $5 billion, with a significant number of patients seeking to avoid cystectomy [26] - **Treatment Sequencing**: Future treatment strategies may involve sequencing immune potentiators and cytotoxic drugs, enhancing the potential for TAR-002 in the treatment landscape [26] Regulatory and Development Plans - **FDA Engagement**: Plans to engage with the FDA regarding registrational studies for TAR-002, particularly in the BCG-naive setting, acknowledging the need for alternative treatment options [43][44] - **Comparative Studies**: Proposals to use chemotherapy as a comparator in studies, reflecting real-world treatment practices [46] Upcoming Catalysts - **Key Data Releases**: Anticipated data on 25 BCG unresponsive patients by the end of the year, along with updates on other ongoing studies [50][51] Additional Important Insights - **Tolerability and Administration**: TAR-002 is noted for its favorable tolerability profile, which may facilitate its adoption in community settings where treatment disruptions are less feasible [37][38] - **Long-term Development**: The company aims to position TAR-002 as a viable alternative to BCG, especially for patients who cannot access or tolerate standard BCG therapy [42][44] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the Protara Therapeutics conference, highlighting the company's strategic direction, product differentiation, and market potential in the oncology space.

Core Viewpoint - Encompass Health Corporation (EHC) is well-positioned for growth by providing high-quality, cost-effective integrated care, achieving a 28.8% increase year-to-date, significantly outperforming the industry average of 2.7% [1] Company Overview - Encompass Health has a market capitalization of $12 billion and operates as an integrated healthcare services company based in Birmingham, AL, with a network of 166 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across 38 states and Puerto Rico [2] - The company's forward P/E ratio stands at 22.78X, higher than the industry average of 19.62X, reflecting growing investor confidence [2] Financial Performance and Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EHC's 2025 earnings is $5.01 per share, indicating a 13.1% year-over-year increase, with eight upward estimate revisions in the past two months [4] - Revenue estimates for 2025 are pegged at $5.9 billion, suggesting a 9.5% year-over-year rise, with the company beating earnings estimates in the past four quarters with an average surprise of 12.3% [4] Growth Drivers - Revenue growth is driven by increased discharges and pricing, with total discharges rising 6.3% year-over-year in Q1 2025 and net patient revenue per discharge growing 3.9% year-over-year, surpassing estimates by 1.6% [5] - The company plans to continue investing in its clinical team and expand its hospital network, including seven new facilities with 340 beds and a 50-bed freestanding satellite hospital in 2025 [6] Financial Stability - EHC's financial stability is supported by a strong liquidity position, holding $95.8 million in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025, a 12.2% increase from the end of 2024 [7] - Operating cash flows increased by 17.9% year-over-year in 2024 and 20.9% in Q1 2025 [7] - The trailing 12-month return on invested capital is 9.7%, exceeding the industry average of 5.8% [8] Revenue and EPS Guidance - The company has increased its net operating revenue forecast to a range of $5.85 billion to $5.925 billion [8] - Adjusted EPS guidance has been raised to between $4.85 and $5.10 [10]

Core Points - Comcast has completed a $6.1 million broadband expansion project in Greenwood, South Carolina, providing Internet, mobile, and security services for the first time [1] - The expansion is part of the American Rescue Plan Act and aims to enhance connectivity for residents and businesses, supporting education and economic growth [3][9] Community Impact - Comcast hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community block party to celebrate the launch, including a laptop giveaway for 50 high school students to promote digital literacy [3][4] - The Boys & Girls Club received a $10,000 donation to support digital literacy courses and will become one of Comcast's Lift Zones, providing free WiFi and technology resources [4][6] Economic Commitment - Comcast's Project UP is a $1 billion initiative aimed at creating digital opportunities through community partnerships and connectivity programs [6] - Over the past three years, Comcast has invested $1.3 million in South Carolina nonprofits to enhance digital skills and connectivity [12] Service Offerings - Comcast's residential services in Greenwood include a full suite of products under the Xfinity and NOW brands, offering multi-gigabit Internet speeds and comprehensive home security solutions [10] - Comcast Business provides a range of connectivity and cybersecurity solutions for local businesses, recognized as a leader in flexible and scalable options [11] Future Engagement - Comcast will continue its community involvement by sponsoring the Festival of Discovery in Greenwood this summer [13]

The author is presently an entrepreneur and an investor focused on investing in public companies. The author has over ten years of financial services experience, which includes long and short bottoms up fundamental buy-side research, private equity, M and A Advisory, and accounting. See SA policy on anonymous authors: http://seekingalpha.com/page/policy_anonymous_contributors Disclaimer: In no event will the author writing under the pen name Research and Value (hereafter referred to as R&V) or any affiliate ...

Group 1 - The article expresses a bullish outlook on Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) with a buy recommendation, highlighting its presence in high growth markets such as Macao and Singapore [1] - The financial performance of Las Vegas Sands is described as impressive, indicating a bright future for the company [1] Group 2 - The author has extensive experience in evaluating market trends and analyzing investment opportunities, which adds credibility to the analysis provided [1]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caliber (NASDAQ: CWD), a real estate investor, developer, and manager, announced today the successful closing of a $22.5 million refinance for the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Tucson, Arizona. The property is held within Caliber’s Tax-Advantaged Opportunity Zone Fund. Citi provided the funding and Arriba Capital served as the financial advisor on the cash-out refinance. Proceeds from the transaction will be used to further strengthen the asset and support ...

Core Insights - Exxon Mobil is one of the largest integrated oil companies globally, with its stock down 2.4% year-to-date, while oil prices have decreased by over 12% [1] Company Analysis - The performance of Exxon Mobil's stock is relatively better compared to the decline in oil prices, indicating potential resilience in its business model [1] - The company is part of a broader investment group focused on aerospace, defense, and airline industries, which suggests a diversified investment approach [1] Industry Context - The aerospace, defense, and airline sectors are highlighted as having significant growth prospects, which may influence investment strategies in related companies [1] - The analysis provided by the investment group is data-driven, emphasizing the importance of analytics in understanding market dynamics [1]