Core Insights - Fair Wear and Green Button have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to enhance Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) by combining their expertise to assist companies in translating commitments into actionable benefits for workers and the environment [1] Group 1: Collaboration Objectives - The partnership aims to make due diligence practical and accessible for more brands, providing clearer pathways for embedding responsible practices into operations [2] - The collaboration is timely as the textile sector faces evolving mandatory due diligence laws, necessitating reliable guidance for companies [2] - The partnership will focus on three key areas to support effective implementation of HREDD [2] Group 2: Initial Benefits - Green Button companies now have access to Fair Wear's grievance mechanism and due diligence Academy, enhancing their operational capabilities [3] - The organizations are working together on the Green Button's standard revision process and advancing environmental due diligence topics for Fair Wear members [3] Group 3: Responsible Purchasing Practices (RPP) Working Group - The RPP Working Group, including Fair Wear and Solidaridad, has introduced a practical human rights due diligence tool aimed at promoting responsible purchasing among fashion brands [4] - The tool addresses high-risk areas such as production planning, payment and contract terms, and costing, providing a common basis for accountability assessments [5] Group 4: Standard Harmonization and Implementation - The partnership focuses on harmonizing standards to reduce complexity for businesses while maintaining ambition and impact [6] - Joint tools and aligned brand guidance will be co-created to facilitate step-by-step implementation of HREDD [6] - The collaboration aims to strengthen accountability measures to assess and communicate the effectiveness of corporate due diligence efforts [6]

Core Viewpoint - Live Ventures Incorporated is launching a strategic campaign to enhance communication with stakeholders, aiming to strengthen its brand and stimulate growth opportunities [1][3]. Group 1: Company Overview - Live Ventures Incorporated (Nasdaq: LIVE) is a diversified holding company focused on value-oriented acquisitions of domestic middle-market companies [4]. - The company's acquisition strategy is sector-agnostic, targeting firms with stable cash flows and strong market positions [4]. - Current portfolio includes companies in various industries such as textile, flooring, tools, steel, and entertainment [4]. Group 2: Strategic Partnership - The company has partnered with Brandsinger LLC, a branding and communications consultancy based in New York City, to enhance its branding efforts [2][3]. - Brandsinger, founded in 2008 by Claude Singer, has a history of working with well-known financial institutions and private equity firms [2][5]. - The partnership aims to leverage Brandsinger's expertise to sharpen strategy, build transparency, and amplify the value of portfolio companies [3]. Group 3: Campaign Objectives - The newly announced campaign will encompass investor relations, public relations, employee communications, and community outreach [3]. - The initiative is designed to strengthen the corporate narrative, elevate communications across the portfolio, and enhance transparency for all stakeholders [3]. - The campaign reflects the company's commitment to building durable and recognizable portfolio brands that support long-term shareholder value [3].

Core Viewpoint - The escalating tensions between the United States and India, driven by energy trade and tariff disputes, have drawn significant international attention [1] Group 1: U.S.-India Trade Relations - On August 27, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on over 55% of Indian exports to the U.S., affecting goods worth hundreds of billions [5] - The U.S. Trade Advisor Peter Navarro criticized India for its continued oil imports from Russia, linking it to the funding of the Russian war effort [3][7] - The new tariffs are expected to lead to a 40% drop in India's exports to the U.S. this fiscal year, amounting to approximately $37 billion [15] Group 2: Energy Trade Dynamics - India has increased its oil imports from Russia by 15 times since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saving at least $17 billion due to lower prices [11] - The U.S. has expressed concerns that India's high tariff barriers have contributed to job losses and wage stagnation in the U.S. manufacturing sector [7][9] Group 3: Diplomatic Responses - India has maintained that its energy purchases from Russia are based on national security needs rather than political alignment [11] - The Indian government is reportedly planning to reduce Russian oil imports while increasing energy purchases from the U.S. [13] Group 4: Broader Implications - The current tensions could regress U.S.-India relations to a low point reminiscent of the aftermath of India's nuclear tests in 1998 [15] - The conflict may extend to other areas, including visa issues for Indian tech talent in the U.S. and IT outsourcing services [15][17] - The outcome of this geopolitical struggle is likely to reshape not only U.S.-India relations but also the global geopolitical landscape and international trade order [17][18]

Lesotho is courting “alternative markets” for its textile industry battered by the uncertainty created by Donald Trump’s tariffs which resulted in the shuttering of dozens of factories and furloughing of thousands of workers https://t.co/CnGWtz5Ep8 ...

Core Insights - Live Ventures Incorporated reported improved operational performance across all four operating segments in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, despite challenges in the new home construction and home refurbishment markets [3][4][5] - The company achieved a significant increase in Adjusted EBITDA, more than doubling from $6.1 million to $13.2 million, reflecting effective cost management and operational optimization [5][11][37] Financial Summary for Q3 Fiscal Year 2025 - Revenue decreased by 9.2% to approximately $112.5 million compared to $123.9 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to declines in the Retail-Flooring and Steel Manufacturing segments [7][8] - Operating income surged by 607.6% to $8.0 million, up from $1.1 million in the prior-year period, driven by increased revenue in the Retail-Entertainment segment and reduced expenses [8][9] - Net income increased to $5.4 million from a net loss of $2.9 million in the prior-year period, with diluted earnings per share rising to $1.24 [10][8] - Gross margin expanded to 34.0%, a 410 basis point improvement from 29.9% in the prior-year period [8][4] Segment Performance - **Retail - Entertainment**: Revenue increased by 15.2% to approximately $19.0 million, with operating income rising to approximately $2.3 million [16] - **Retail - Flooring**: Revenue decreased by 17.9% to approximately $30.4 million, with an operating loss of approximately $0.7 million, improved from a loss of $1.5 million in the prior-year period [17] - **Flooring Manufacturing**: Revenue decreased by 5.7% to approximately $29.5 million, but operating income increased to approximately $4.1 million from $1.9 million [18] - **Steel Manufacturing**: Revenue decreased by 13.8% to approximately $33.6 million, with operating income rising to approximately $2.3 million from $1.4 million [19] Financial Summary for Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 - Total revenue decreased by 8.1% to approximately $331.1 million compared to $360.1 million in the prior-year period, with declines in Flooring Manufacturing, Retail-Flooring, and Steel Manufacturing segments [22][24] - Operating income increased by 183.2% to approximately $10.9 million, driven by lower expenses and improved performance in the Retail-Entertainment segment [25] - Net income for the nine months was approximately $21.7 million, with diluted earnings per share at $4.97, compared to a net loss of approximately $6.8 million in the prior-year period [26][24] - Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months increased by 31.7% to approximately $25.4 million, reflecting improved operational performance [27] Segment Results for Nine Months Ended June 30, 2025 - **Retail - Entertainment**: Revenue increased by 9.0% to approximately $58.8 million, with operating income of approximately $8.2 million [31] - **Retail - Flooring**: Revenue decreased by 13.4% to approximately $89.5 million, with an operating loss of approximately $5.6 million [32] - **Flooring Manufacturing**: Revenue decreased by 9.9% to approximately $85.3 million, with operating income of approximately $5.5 million [34] - **Steel Manufacturing**: Revenue decreased by 9.7% to approximately $97.4 million, with operating income of approximately $5.6 million [35]

Company Overview - Live Ventures Incorporated is a diversified holding company focused on value-oriented acquisitions of domestic middle-market companies [2] - The company's acquisition strategy is sector agnostic, targeting well-run, closely held businesses with a proven track record of earnings growth and cash flow generation [2] - Live Ventures aims to partner with management teams of acquired businesses to enhance stockholder value through a disciplined buy-build-hold long-term strategy [2] - Founded in 1968, the company was refocused into a diversified holding company in 2011 under the leadership of CEO Jon Isaac [2] - The current portfolio includes subsidiaries in the textile, flooring, tools, steel, and entertainment industries [2] Upcoming Financial Results - Live Ventures will release its financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2025, before the market opens on August 7, 2025 [1] - A conference call to discuss the results is scheduled for August 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) [1] - Investors can access a recording of the discussion on the company's Investor Relations page after the call [1]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a preference for A-shares over offshore markets due to their lagging performance year-to-date and more reasonable valuations compared to offshore markets [12]. Core Insights - Investor sentiment for A-shares has improved, with the weighted Morgan Stanley A-share Sentiment Indicator (MSASI) rising to 78% and the simple MSASI to 65% [2][6]. - The Chinese government has intensified its anti-involution message to address overcapacity issues in sectors like solar, lithium batteries, new energy vehicles, and e-commerce [4]. - Despite the positive sentiment, near-term volatility is expected to rise, and the report cautions against a beta-focused strategy in the offshore market [12]. Summary by Sections Investor Sentiment - A-share investor sentiment improved with the weighted MSASI increasing by 7 percentage points to 78% and the simple MSASI rising by 8 percentage points to 65% compared to the previous cutoff date [2]. - Average daily turnover for ChiNext and A-shares decreased by 11% and 7% respectively, while equity futures and Northbound turnover increased by 7% and 9% [2]. Market Inflows - Southbound markets experienced net inflows of US$2.7 billion from July 2 to July 9, with year-to-date and month-to-date net inflows reaching US$95.8 billion and US$0.5 billion respectively [3]. Economic Indicators - The Producer Price Index (PPI) showed a deflation of -0.4% month-over-month in June, driven by weak construction activities and tariff impacts, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 0.1% year-over-year from -0.1% in May [5]. Policy Implications - The report emphasizes the need for a tailored approach to the anti-involution initiative, as different sectors have varying competitive landscapes, ESG considerations, and market sizes [4]. - The implementation of policies to rebalance and reflation the economy remains challenging due to institutional inertia [5].

[संगीत] जय श्री राम। मेरा नाम मनीष त्रिपाठी। प्रभु श्री रामलीला सरकार अयोध्या का डिजाइनर। और इससे बड़ी पहचान शायद मैं अपने आप को कभी नहीं दिला सकता था। और आज ये सौभाग्य है कि भगवान प्रभु श्री रामलला सरकार जो पूरे ब्रह्मांड के राजा हैं उनका डिजाइनर कहलाने का सौभाग्य मुझे प्राप्त हुआ है। और आज पूरे एक साल हो चुके हैं। एक साल के ऊपर हो चुका है। प्रभु श्री रामलला सरकार की सेवा में प्रतिदिन हर रोज प्रभु के नए पोशाक उनको बनाकर उनको सजाकर प्रभु की सेवा में अर्पण करने का सौभाग्य भी शायद प्रभु ने हम लोग को दे रखा है ...

A temporary halt in US tariffs which ends in 10 days has brought little relief to Lesotho’s textile industry, as orders from its top export market have dried up and resulted in shuttered factories and a wave of layoffs https://t.co/i48tbTWjbE ...