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Elon Musk net worth: Tesla owner tops billionaire charts post Trump winDaily Post Nigeria Globe Soccer Awards 2024: Full list of winners Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sport Globe Soccer Awards 2024: Full list of winners Published on December 27, 2024 By Don Silas The 2024 Globe Soccer Awards were announced Friday evening in Dubai. Real Madrid’s Vinicius won both the Best Player and Best Forward of the Year awards. Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo won the Best Middle East Player Award, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal was named Best Emerging Player of the Year. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti won the Best Coach of the Year, while Jorge Mendes won the Best Football Agent award. Here is the full list of all the winners at the Globe Soccer Awards: – Best Middle East Player 2024/Top Goalscorer of All Time awards – Cristiano Ronaldo – Best Coach of the Year – Carlo Ancelotti – Best Sporting Director – Piero Ausilio – Best Middle East Coach – Jorge Jesus – Best Midfielder and Maradona Award – Jude Bellingham – Best Emerging Talent – Lamine Yamal – Best Player and Best Forward of the Year awards – Vinicius Jr – Best Agent – Jorge Mendes – Player Career Award – Neymar Jr. – Player Career Award – Thibaut Courtois – Player Career Award – Rio Ferdinand – Special Career – Florentino Pérez – Best Men’s Club – Real Madrid – Best Middle East Club – Al Ain – Club Revelation – Olympiacos Related Topics: Globe Soccer Awards 2024 Don't Miss EPL: Fantastic player, he scored 24 goals – Maresca hails Chelsea target You may like Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdTech and Barbies top 2024 wish lists; Santa Claus
Xpeng G6: Release date, price and all you need to know about the Tesla Model Y rivalParker Payne, a 22-year-old professional wake surfer from Dallas, is trailing an elegant Chris-Craft as he ollies, spins, and carves his way across the Sarasota Bay, spouting a plume of frothy water behind him. This boat is not your grandfather’s Chris-Craft . If feats of extreme Gen Z athleticism seem at odds with the 150-year-old boat builder’s elegant, understated image, Chris-Craft’s leaders hope its latest lineup will change that perception. Starting at $203,000, the Sportster 25 Surf is the company’s newest, smallest, and sportiest boat, engineered for wake-surfers skilled enough to bob behind a boat cruising at 11 miles per hour. The demonstration at the Resort at Longboat Key Club—10 miles from Chris-Craft’s Sarasota, Florida headquarters—hinted at the active lifestyle Chris-Craft wants to bring to its growing portfolio of wake-surf boats. The builder has been busy, launching models at a faster clip than any other time in its history. Long known for its classic aesthetic, Chris-Craft has exited the pandemic with a plan to reach young, well-heeled watersport enthusiasts who find a more stately million-dollar 37-footer impractical. “With the supply chain challenges facing the industry, we saw an opportunity to take a fresh look at consumers of boats below 28 feet,” Chris-Craft CEO Steve Heese tells Robb Report . “Typically buyers on smaller lakes don’t need a solid mahogany dash and the cost that goes along with it.” The foray into smaller, sportier boats represents untapped business for Chris-Craft. Before the pandemic, the company released two new boats a year, the industry standard. Now the made-to-order boat maker is launching three or four models annually, with many targeted toward aspirational buyers in their 30s or 40s. “Above 28 feet, we have a customer who just wants what they want, and they’re not so focused on price,” Heese adds. “Below 28 feet, we have a more value-conscious consumer, and we can’t go crazy on the design enhancements that cost a lot of money.” The renewed focus on a younger demographic represents a return to the company’s roots. Founder Christopher Columbus Smith built his first wooden boat, a skiff, in 1874, as a 13-year-old growing up on the St. Clair River in Algonac, Michigan. He parlayed his early efforts into designing larger, faster boats that attracted wealthy buyers, eventually becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of mahogany runabouts. Chris-Craft debuted the $150,000 standard version of the Sportster 25 in July. The surf edition, which adds an expansive aft sun pad and a wide swim platform with a pull-out step for safe access to the water, followed in September. The company is following the cadre of specialty builders, led by Correct Craft , MasterCraft , and Malibu , that created the wake-surf boat market more than a decade ago. These three brands are considered premier builders in the towboat market, mostly because of the quality and specialization required to create new models for a clientele that is both brand-conscious and obsessed with details. Undeterred and using its own brand equity, Chris-Craft has launched three other surf editions since 2019, all based on the company’s more expensive Launch GT line. The Sportster 25 Surf is the first surf edition from the Sportster lineup. Heese expects strong demand for the new model, forecasting an even split between sales of the Sportster 25’s sterndrive and surf editions. “It was designed from the start to offer the wake surf system as an option, so we built compartments within the boat to hold water ballast tanks,” he says. “We allotted space for pumps and a control system for the dash to control the wake technology.” The company will release another surf boat, based on the larger Sportster 28, in March. Design engineer Callie Gillespie tells Robb Report that the craft features larger trim tab systems that deploy further downwards to create a wave that billows out from behind. The Sportster 25 Surf is also equipped with Volvo drivetrains and roughly 1,000 pounds of ballast. The result is sports car–like handling that creates a formidable surf wave. “We wanted to make sure that there was a perfect weigh-to-ride ratio,” Gillespie says. “The weight was chosen so that the boat would produce both a great wake and a great ride.” Still, the surf boat’s design hews to Chris-Craft’s classic aesthetic, boasting details such as majestic teak decks, smooth leather upholstery with intricate stitching, and a teak console in the cockpit. For the Sportster 25, the boat maker partnered with JL Audio for a premium audio system—a feature that is mandated on other brands’ wake-surf offerings. However, Chris-Craft owns the design for the custom aluminum grill and bezel encasing the speaker. Robb Report ’s tour of the factory revealed the craftsmanship behind the scenes, from the organized and labeled wiring hidden within the fiberglass, to precise grain matching for the wood trim and plush woven carpet on the floor. Each boat must clear 700 inspection points, from bow to stern, before leaving the factory’s garage doors. “We’re not bashful about spending money on nice things, tooling wise,” says Ron Berman, vice president of engineering. That dedication to producing top-caliber boats will be critical as Chris-Craft distinguishes itself in the wake-surf market, which is mostly driven by quality.
10 Things We Loved in 2024NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks are dragging down the market as Friday as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.6%, with more than 80% of stocks in the benchmark index losing ground. The benchmark index was managing to hold onto a modest gain for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 475 points, or 1.1%, to 42,850 as of 11:35 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite fell 2%. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market Friday. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slumped 2.4%. Its enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes. Other Big Tech stocks losing ground included Microsoft, with a 1.9% decline. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 2% and Best Buy slipped 1%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. Energy was the only sector within the S&P 500 rising. It gained 0.4% as crude oil prices rose 1.2%. Investors don't have much in the way of corporate or economic updates to review as the market moves closer to another standout annual finish. The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of just under 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though Inflation has come closer to the central bank's target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Amedisys rose 4.5% after the home health care and hospice services provider agreed to extend the deadline for its sale to UnitedHealth Group. The Justice Department had sued to block the $3.3 billion deal, citing concerns he combination would hinder access to home health and hospice services in the U.S. The move to extend the deadline comes ahead of an expected shift in regulatory policy under Trump. The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Markets in Europe gained ground. Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury remained at 4.59% from late Thursday. The yield on the two-year Treasury slipped to 4.31% from 4.33% late Thursday. Wall Street will have more economic updates to look forward to next week, including reports on pending home sales and home prices. There will also be reports on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity.The everyday Jinnah Quaid-i-Azam is not just a title or name of a person; it is synonymous with freedom, independence, and heroism ‘There are only two ways of learning in life,’ said Jinnah to his son Mohammed Ali. ‘What are they, father?’ he replied. ‘One is to trust the wisdom of your elders and their superior knowledge, to accept their advice and do exactly as they suggest.’ ‘And what is the other way, father?’ ‘The other way is to go your own way, to learn by making mistakes, to learn by hard knocks and kicks in life.’ Till the very last day of his life, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, always took his own way. Quaid-i-Azam is not just a title or the name of a person; it is synonymous with freedom, independence, and heroism. The life of a hero is marked by events that embody the essence of independence and self-realization. A hero’s journey can be described as a monomyth, a cyclical pattern where the hero embarks on an adventure, crosses the threshold from the ordinary world, faces and overcomes crises, and returns transformed, carrying the elixir that can heal or save his people. In the monomyth of Quaid-i-Azam, freedom and independence rest at the core; they are the very heartbeat of his journey. Jinnah’s lineage, too, hinted at an inherent defiance of norms. His father, Jinnahbhai Poonja, was born in 1857, the year of the Indian Rebellion, and later chose to leave his ancestral village of Paneli to seek broader horizons in Gondal and eventually Karachi. This daring spirit was inherited by Quaid-i-Azam, who would later go on to break the wheel of colonial dominance and give birth to a new nation. Born weak and frail on a Sunday in Kharadar, Karachi, Jinnah’s survival itself was a quiet testament to his resilience. Defying early doubts about his health, he not only thrived but went on to embody a personality that consistently surpassed expectations. The early years of Quaid-i-Azam’s life marked the beginning of his hero’s journey. Like an ordinary child, he enjoyed playing games and winning in them, establishing himself as a leader among his friends. At six, he began his education with Gujarati lessons at home, although he showed little interest in reading and preferred games instead. At nine, school posed an unexpected challenge for him. Finding himself outperformed by other students, Quaid-i-Azam chose an unconventional route; he quit school, preferring to accompany his father to work instead. Yet, his stint at the office taught him a humbling lesson: without education, he commanded little respect. Back at school, Jinnah displayed newfound dedication, attending Sind Madrasahtul-Islam, a high school on Newnham Road. Despite occasional shifts between schools, likely a reflection of his restless and perfectionist spirit, he persisted and paved way for his future accomplishments. By the age of 10, Jinnah had developed a passion for horseback riding, a sport that brought him immense joy. Accompanied by his school friend Karim Kassim, the two boys would ride for miles, finding in nature the inspiration for his philosophy of life. To Quaid-i-Azam, the verticality of trees, flowers, domes, and even human posture symbolised aspiration and dignity. This observation cemented his resolve to always look ahead and carry himself with pride. At around fifteen, Quaid-i-Azam faced instability in his life, marking the crisis phase of his monomyth. True to his character of independence and defiance of norms, he confronted challenges directly. After marrying Emi Bai in Paneli, he broke a village tradition by convincing her parents to let her accompany him to Karachi, bypassing the customary one-month stay with her family. Soo after, the General Manager of Grahams Trading Co., an Englishman and close friend of Quaid-i-Azam’s father, offered him a chance to join their Head Office in London as an apprentice for three years, where he could learn practical business administration. He left for London in a ship. During the voyage, when warned about pickpockets in Port Said, Quaid-i-Azam took it as a challenge to his sense of responsibility and confidently explored the streets of Port Said alone. Once in London, Quaid-i-Azam worked at Grahams Trading Co., braving cold, heavy rains every day. While working, he immersed himself in the British liberal environment. He developed a habit of reading the morning paper before finishing his breakfast. He admired the achievements of British leaders, whose speeches were followed with great reverence by the people. He often found himself questioning his own purpose; yes, money was important, but he realised he could never be a leader or a hero for the betterment of his countrymen if he stayed on this path. Inspired by the English leaders, Quaid-i-Azam saw that many of them had studied law. True to his nature, he broke free from the obligation to work at Grahams and decided to pursue the Bar. Though deeply immersed in English culture, Quaid-i-Azam always remained a Muslim at heart. He chose to join Lincoln’s Inn, not just for its academic reputation but also because he saw the name of the Prophet (PBUH) engraved on its entrance alongside the greatest law-givers in history. Despite facing personal and financial challenges, including the death of Emi Bai, and his mother, and the severe losses in his father’s business, Quaid-i-Azam managed to pass the Bar. During his time at Lincoln’s Inn, he expanded his intellectual horizons, obtaining a reader’s ticket to the British Museum and engaging in extensive reading. He often spent Sundays at Hyde Park Corner, where soap-box orators inspired him with their ability to captivate audiences despite lacking formal education. He also frequented the House of Commons, closely observing the parliamentary eloquence of figures like Mr. Gladstone, Lord Morley, Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, Mr. Balfour, and Irish patriot Mr. T.P. O’Connor, skills he would later emulate with great success. During his time in London, he also actively campaigned for Dadabhoy Naoroji. Quaid-i-Azam led a full life, balancing his studies for the Bar, managing finances, engaging in politics, and caring for his family. Amidst these responsibilities, he cultivated a deep interest in literature, particularly Shakespeare, whose works he enjoyed throughout his life. Though he dreamed of acting, especially playing Romeo at the Old Vic, he redirected his ambition toward being a hero on a larger stage, leading millions. His return to Karachi marked the final phase of his monomyth, where he would leave a lasting impact on the world. After relocating to Bombay, Quaid-i-Azam faced early struggles in his career, unable to secure a single brief as a barrister. Despite this, he remained composed, walking the courts daily without income, while internally battling frustration. His social connections eventually led him to a position as a Presidency Magistrate. His performance earned him praise, and when his temporary appointment ended, Sir Charles Ollivant offered him a permanent judicial position with a significant salary. But Quaid-i-Azam declined, confident that he would soon earn more in a single day. His refusal exemplified his independence and ambition, traits noted by Sir Chimanlal Setalvad, “Jinnah had always, even in his junior days, shown considerable independence and courage. He never allowed himself to be overborne either by the judge or the opposing Counsel.” His family had settled in Bombay, and Quaid-i-Azam made it a point to visit them every Sunday in Khoja Mohallah. From then on, Quaid-i-Azam became a pioneering leader for the Muslim struggle in India, never allowing his declining health to slow him down. His capacity to sleep at will helped him manage the exhaustion from his tireless work. Despite physical discomfort, he continued his efforts, saying, “Have you ever heard of a general taking a holiday when his army is fighting for its survival?” Even when bedridden, he would rise to speak, knowing that the Muslims drew their strength from him. His chauffeur, Mohammad Hanif Azad, noted that Quaid-i-Azam had a fondness for good shoes and owned many pairs. He also enjoyed playing billiards, though often alone. “He would take a cue in his hand, survey the balls carefully, fondly rub his fingers on the cue, and then take his shot. He would be so happy when he scored.” Quaid-i-Azam was a heavy smoker, consuming about fifty cigarettes daily. He felt very happy when hosting parties at his home, where he would order special dishes to ensure his guests had plenty to enjoy. For a change, he would sometimes go to the Taj Hotel for a meal, as he liked to eat there. Despite a lifelong aversion to doctors and medicine, he defied his deteriorating health, insisting on continuing his work. His determination was evident as, at times, he would go to bed in his clothes and shoes on after attending events. On one occasion, when a lady compounder was called to check his temperature, she refused to tell him the reading. Quaid-i-Azam admired her firmness, saying, “I like people who can be firm and refuse to be cowered down.” Quaid-i-Azam had a love for roses, particularly carnations, and preferred to keep them in his surroundings. At night, he wore silk pajamas, a lifelong habit, despite often shivering with cold. His mind remained focused on the country’s issues, even when his body was weakening. His thoughts were consumed by Pakistan, Kashmir, refugees, and the constitution. Every day at Ziarat, a table and chair were laid for him in the lawn, and he used to work. It was only a few days before his departure that he stopped working. Saleh Mohammad, his gardener at Ziarat, also recalled that Quaid-i-Azam would walk along the road that led from the Residency to the swimming pool, a distance of about two furlongs. When advised to move to Karachi for treatment, he agreed, saying, “I was born there... I want to be buried there.” When it was time to leave, he refused to travel in a pajama suit, insisting on dressing properly as he always had. In his final moments, as his health worsened, he expressed his readiness to depart, stating, “No, I am not,” when told that he would be okay and live. Quaid-i-Azam, the hero of our nation, lived a life that continues to advocate for freedom and independence. His life stands as a testament to the unwavering pursuit of freedom, not just in the political sense, but in freeing the heart, mind, and soul. The Quaid-i-Azam had a singular goal, and he relentlessly sought freedom from every obstacle that stood in his way. His life teaches us countless lessons, with the most significant being the importance of confronting difficulties head-on. It is through overcoming these challenges that a hero is forged. Much like a caterpillar struggling within a cocoon, unaware that the effort is vital to its transformation into a butterfly, we too must embrace our struggles. Without them, we would not realise our true potential. As we remember Quaid-i-Azam, it is important for us to reflect on our own lives. Are we striving to be free? Are we pursuing independence in all its forms, as he did?
Femi Oshofowora is the chief executive officer of Mbraiz Innovations – a real estate business based in Ogolonto, Ikorodu – Lagos State. In this interview with Josephine Okojie, he spoke about what inspired Mbraiz Innovations and the state of the Nigerian real estate industry. What inspired Mbraiz Innovations? The inspiration came from the need to proffer solutions to people who have had horrible experiences buying properties. We came to preach that and let people know there are genuine people in Nigeria who can do real estate business with them with peace of mind. Secondly, I discovered that real estate is one of the ways people can build massive wealth, thereby I have been able to raise a massive number of young people who are now doing well in their businesses with real estate. What separates your organisation apart from others? At the heart of what we do are our core values, our vision, and a mindset dedicated to changing the misconceptions about real estate. We’re passionate about showing people that real estate can be a trustworthy and rewarding venture. Most importantly, we always under-promise and over deliver. How is your organisation navigating the current economic challenge? We leverage the relationships we have built with people across the years because we are very intentional about these relationships and they help drive our success. Additionally, we make use of technology to ensure that economic challenges don’t hold us back. In this part of the world, 95 percent of businesses fail within the first five years, and 98 percent fail within the next five. But the key to surviving and thriving is learning to leverage people from those you’re building with and clients at different financial levels. When you combine that with the right use of technology, you can not only overcome challenges but scale your business even through tough times. How do you cater to customers who might not be able to afford high-end properties and ensure satisfaction through the entire spectrum of your clients? Customer satisfaction is really important to us. What I’ve realized is that most businesses focus heavily on their customers while they’re still prospects, before they make a purchase. Once the deal is done and they’ve converted to paying clients, many businesses look away and move on to the next prospect. However, we take a different approach. We make it a point to stay in touch with our clients even after the sale. We reach out to collect their feedback, learn where we served them well and where we can improve our clients, also receive our email newsletters and updates, and make sure to celebrate them on their special days. This has helped build a loyal customer base for us that truly values what we do. What’s your approach to sustainability at Mbraiz Innovations? When it comes to sustainability, our approach is all about continuous learning and networking. I believe in constant growth, which is why I invest a lot in training my staff. For example, I just completed a training called Business Sustainability – a famous business coach, where I learned that 98 percent of businesses fail within the first 10 years. I also realised that a business isn’t considered to have started growing until it hits that 10-year mark. Sustainability is crucial because it’s not just about how much you have right now. You could have 10 billion in your account, but without a solid sustainability system, those billions will disappear in no time. Nigeria is being challenged with an increasing rate of brain drain across industries. How do you ensure employee retention? We prioritise training a lot. For example, every Monday, we have personal development sessions for the team. Additionally, whenever there’s a relevant training opportunity related to their department, we ensure they attend. They always come back with new skills and a broader perspective. We also give our team the freedom to make decisions. I don’t impose my views on them because they’re stakeholders too. I share my ideas, but everyone is encouraged to contribute their innovations, and together, we build something sustainable. What are the major challenges you have experienced since inception? The real challenge isn’t really about staff strength, business knowledge, or the economy, because I make sure to train myself and my team to handle economic challenges in advance. The bigger challenge, I’d say, is funding and finance. The real estate industry has been tainted by many amateurs looking to make quick cash and ruined its reputation. This has made it a bit difficult for those of us who are truly passionate to make a real difference. This is especially true for people in the diaspora who want to invest but are hesitant due to trust issues. Many who have the funds to invest are afraid because they’ve had bad experiences, and that’s a major challenge. It’s something I’m working hard to address so that people can trust us and overcome those obstacles to invest with confidence. How do you stay ahead in the very competitive world of Real Estate? In real estate, it’s crucial to understand the specific path you want to take because the industry is so broad. You need to become an authority in that area and keep building yourself in that direction. That’s exactly what I do, and I’m very intentional about it. I make sure that the path I’ve chosen in real estate is one I’m fully committed to, and I continuously acquire the knowledge and skills needed to stay afloat and succeed in that field. How do you ensure ethical business practices, especially how your staff interacts with clients? Every business, organization, or even place of worship has its own set of policies. The key is to establish a strong working system that everyone understands and can follow. As the leader, it’s crucial not to abuse the system or policies in place. We have clear standards that everyone must adhere to, and if changes are needed, I don’t make those decisions alone. I call a management meeting to discuss changes and review our standards together. We also make it a point to review our standards every quarter to see how they’re performing and to stay updated on current trends, ensuring we’re always evolving and not left behind. Have there been any instances where you had to let a customer go because they weren’t following the policies you’ve set for your brand? Yes, this has happened a few times. In real estate, it’s essential to have strong core values, and one of ours is integrity. In this business, you discover that some people get money through questionable means and try to invest in them. When someone applies for a property with us, we require their identification, address, and job details, among other documents, because this is the standard stated by EFCC to avoid money laundering. Some individuals may try to invest stolen money, and we ensure that everything is traceable to protect the business. Additionally, we sometimes encounter clients who resist following our standards because they had negative experiences with unprofessional real estate agents in the past, and in some cases, they’re the ones causing issues but just want to move on quickly, using us as an escape. For us, however, the money you want to pay doesn’t count here; it’s doing business the right and legal way that matters. Are there any challenging or bad experiences you’d like to share? In almost seven years of operation, we’ve never had to deal with any court cases, and that’s a direct result of staying true to our core values. How do you promote diversity and inclusion within your brand? It’s all about understanding and recognizing that everyone has their unique strengths. We ensure to place people in departments where they can excel based on those strengths. The head of our head of marketing is a woman, and our head of accounting is a man. We also have women who go to the site, and sometimes, we all head there as a team. It’s about creating an environment where everyone plays to their strengths, no matter their gender or role. How do you handle the risks involved in real estate? Wisdom and prayer. Real estate is a high-risk industry, especially because it’s capital intensive, but the returns can be significant. We make sure to do thorough due diligence before making any decisions. This process helps us minimize risks by giving us the right information to make informed decisions. How do you go about building partnerships with other companies? We approach partnerships in different ways. We have partnership plans for both organisations and private individuals. Right now, we have over 100 individuals partnering with Mbraiz and we also collaborate with other companies. We currently have an estate in Asaba, a partnership deal with a close friend of mine who’s also in real estate. How do you adapt to the new trends, especially in this Gen Z-driven world? Every business needs to keep up with trends because if you don’t, you risk becoming outdated. It’s important to carefully examine these trends and choose the ones that align with your brand. Some trends can even harm your brand’s identity if you’re not careful. We also leverage the onGen Z trends because they are often so tech-savvy. They’re using their skills to help promote the real estate space in innovative ways, and that’s something we embrace. Are there any ongoing projects? We just wrapped up an event last month called “Vision 30:30,” which aimed to help 30 people under 30 become landowners. We found that many people over 30 still don’t know how to become landowners, so it was a great success. We were able to help a large number of people achieve this goal. We also have another event coming up in January called “NYSC” which stands for New Year Sales Corps. It’s a program designed for people who want to earn extra income, boost their selling skills, and make money in real estate and it’ll be launching on January 1st, 2025.Bread or missiles? A critical look at defense priorities amid PH's socioeconomic and geopolitical challengesAzenta's CFO Herman Cueto sells $28,529 in stock
The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing . But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin , gold and other investments also drove higher. Here’s a look at some of the numbers that defined the year. All are as of Dec. 20. 1998 Remember when President Bill Clinton got impeached or when baseball’s Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run against the Montreal Expos? That was the last time the U.S. stock market closed out a second straight year with a leap of at least 20%, something the S&P 500 is on track to do again this year. The index has climbed 24.3% so far this year, not including dividends, following last year’s spurt of 24.2%. 57 The number of all-time highs the S&P 500 has set so far this year. The first came early, on Jan. 19, when the index capped a two-year comeback from the swoon caused by high inflation and worries that high interest rates instituted by the Federal Reserve to combat it would create a recession. But the index was methodical through the rest of the year, setting a record in every month outside of April and August, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. The latest came on Dec. 6. 3 The number of times the Federal Reserve has cut its main interest rate this year from a two-decade high, offering some relief to the economy. Expectations for those cuts, along with hopes for more in 2025, were a big reason the U.S. stock market has been so successful this year. The 1 percentage point of cuts, though, is still short of the 1.5 percentage points that many traders were forecasting for 2024 at the start of the year. The Fed disappointed investors in December when it said it may cut rates just two more times in 2025, fewer than it had earlier expected. 1,508 That’s how many points the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by the day after Election Day, as investors made bets on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world . The more widely followed S&P 500 soared 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. Aside from bitcoin, stocks of banks and smaller winners were also perceived to be big winners. The bump has since diminished amid worries that Trump’s policies could also send inflation higher. Related Articles Economy | Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices Economy | US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high Economy | A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Economy | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump Economy | How to avoid financial stress during the holiday season $100,000 The level that bitcoin topped to set a record above $108,000 this past month. It’s been climbing as interest rates come down, and it got a particularly big boost following Trump’s election. He’s turned around and become a fan of crypto, and he’s named a former regulator who’s seen as friendly to digital currencies as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing someone who critics said was overly aggressive in his oversight. Bitcoin was below $17,000 just two years ago following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. 26.7% Gold’s rise for the year, as it also hit records and had as strong a run as U.S. stocks. Wars around the world have helped drive demand for investments seen as safe, such as gold. It’s also benefited from the Fed’s cut to interest rates. When bonds are paying less in interest, they pull away fewer potential buyers from gold, which pays investors nothing. $420 It’s a favorite number of Elon Musk, and it’s also a threshold that Tesla’s stock price passed in December as it set a record. The number has a long history among marijuana devotees, and Musk famously said in 2018 that he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share . Tesla soared this year, up from less than $250 at the start, in part because of expectations that Musk’s close relationship with Trump could benefit the company. $91.2 billion That’s how much revenue Nvidia made in the nine months through Oct. 27, showing how the artificial-intelligence frenzy is creating mountains of cash. Nvidia’s chips are driving much of the move into AI, and its revenue through the last nine months catapulted from less than $39 billion the year before. Such growth has boosted Nvidia’s worth to more than $3 trillion in total. 74% GameStop’s gain on May 13 after Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” appeared online for the first time in three years to support the video game retailer’s stock, which he helped rocket to unimaginable heights during the “ meme stock craze ” in 2021. Several other meme stocks also jumped following his post in May on the social platform X, including AMC Entertainment. Gill later disclosed a sizeable stake in the online pet products retailer Chewy, but he sold all of his holdings by late October . 1.6%, 3.0% and 3.1% That’s how much the U.S. economy grew, at annualized seasonally adjusted rates, in each of the three first quarters of this year. Such growth blew past what many pessimists were expecting when inflation was topping 9% in the summer of 2022. The fear was that the medicine prescribed by the Fed to beat high inflation — high interest rates — would create a recession. Households at the lower end of the income spectrum in particular are feeling pain now, as they contend with still-high prices. But the overall economy has remained remarkably resilient. 20.1% This is the vacancy rate for U.S. office buildings — an all-time high — through the first three quarters of 2024, according to data from Moody’s. The fact the rate held steady for most of the year was something of a win for office building owners, given that it had marched up steadily from 16.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Demand for office space weakened as the pandemic led to the popularization of remote work. 3.73 million That’s the total number of previously occupied homes sold nationally through the first 11 months of 2024. Sales would have to surge 20% year-over-year in December for 2024’s home sales to match the 4.09 million existing homes sold in 2023, a nearly 30-year low. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. A shortage of homes for sale and elevated mortgage rates have discouraged many would-be homebuyers.
Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talkStock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talkArticle content KINGSTON, Ont. — Arnaud Desjardins had 320 passing yards and Felipe Forteza booted six field goals to lead the Laval Rouge et Or to a 22-17 victory over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the Vanier Cup on Saturday. It was the record 12th Canadian university football title for the Quebec champions, who handed the Ontario champion Golden Hawks their first loss of the year. Ryan Hughes and Jaxon Stebbings caught touchdown passes for Laurier. Golden Hawks quarterback Taylor Elgersma won the Hec Crighton Trophy as the outstanding U Sports football player earlier in the week, but it was Desjardins who shone early on a breezy, chilly afternoon at Richardson Stadium. Desjardins, a finalist for the award, completed his first 22 pass attempts. Forteza split the uprights five times in the first half to help Laval take a 17-7 lead into the intermission. Forteza’s sixth field goal with 2:31 left in the game set a Vanier Cup record. The Golden Hawks had to punt on their next possession and were pinned in their own end when they got the ball back in the dying seconds. Laurier had an 8-0 record in the regular season and outscored its opposition 128-76 over its first three playoff wins. Laval entered at 10-1 overall (7-1, 3-0) and was coming off two close victories over the last two weeks. A near-capacity crowd at the 8,000-seat Queen’s University venue appeared to be an even split of Laurier and Laval supporters on opposite sides of the field. The weather cooperated after two days of showers in the area. It was cloudy and 8 C at kickoff. Desjardins marched the Rouge et Or deep into Laurier territory on Laval’s first possession before settling for an 18-yard field goal by Forteza. Laval used a no-huddle offence in the early going with Desjardins frequently using dump passes to great effect. The Rouge et Or used a nine-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a Forteza chip shot from 15 yards out. The potent Rouge et Or defence, which led U Sports with only 106 points allowed in the regular season, made an early statement as Jordan Lessard forced a fumble from Elgersma that the Golden Hawks recovered. On the next play, Ndeki Garant-Doumambila walloped the Laurier pivot with a ferocious sack. Laurier didn’t record a first down until late in the first quarter. Laval had a 128-39 edge in total yards over the first 15 minutes. Laval’s special-teams play was also on point. Forteza booted a 73-yard punt and the Rouge et Or coverage swarmed returner Tayshaun Jackson, forcing him down at the Laurier one-yard line. The Golden Hawks would concede a safety to make it 8-0. Forteza added to the lead at 7:01 with a 35-yard field goal. Jackson gave Laurier some life when he broke for a 51-yard run to the Laval five-yard line. Hughes took a shovel pass from Elgersma and sprinted for the corner of the end zone to put the Golden Hawks on the scoreboard. Desjardins guided the Laval offence on a 46-yard drive capped by a 32-yard field goal by Forteza with 2:33 left in the half. Laurier’s ensuing possession was a short one as Lessard forced another fumble and Jackson lost the ball at his 42-yard line. Forteza’s 32-yard kick made it 17-7. The Golden Hawks came out with more jump in the third quarter. Elgersma found Ethan Jordan for a 45-yard reception to highlight a 93-yard drive capped by Stebbings’ three-yard TD catch and Dawson Hodge’s conversion. Laval took a 19-14 lead when Laurier conceded a safety to open the fourth quarter. Hodge made it a two-point game when he hit a 34-yard field goal with 8:26 left. With 4:57 remaining, Laval’s Loic Brodeur forced a fumble at midfield. He knocked the ball out of Elgersma’s hands and Garant-Doumambila recovered. The Golden Hawks beat Queen’s 29-21 before topping Western 51-31 to win the Ontario championship. Laurier looked just as strong on the road, handing the Atlantic champion Bishop’s Gaiters their first loss of the year with a 48-24 rout. Laval’s route to the Vanier Cup started with a comfortable 41-18 win over Concordia. The Rouge et Or then beat the 2023 Vanier champion Montréal Carabins 22-17 for the Quebec title before earning a 17-14 road win over the Canada West champion Regina Rams. The Golden Hawks fell to 2-4 all-time in the national championship game. Laval, which improved to 12-2 all-time, last won the title in 2022. The Rouge et Or had won both previous meetings against the Golden Hawks. The victories — in 2004 and 2016 — came in the Uteck Bowl at Quebec City. The 2025 Vanier Cup will be played in Regina.