Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI: ThinkMarkets wins ‘Newcomer of the Year 2024’ at TradingView awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ThinkMarkets, a leading online trading provider, recently announced that it received an award from TradingView for ‘Newcomer of the Year 2024’. 

    The annual TradingView awards aim to recognize integrated brokers on its platform that are at the forefront of global online trading and have consistently demonstrated providing their users with the best service over the last 12 months. 

    TradingView selects the winner for its nominated categories based on a broker’s verified client reviews, feedback, and ratings, as well as client engagement, platform uptime, and more. This ensures all awards are authentic and that only the best brokers receive recognition. 

    Commenting on the news, co-CEO, Nauman Anees, said the following: 

    “We’re delighted to win this prestigious TradingView award. Despite launching on the platform only midway through the year in July 2024 and having to compete alongside other brokers that also joined that year, we’re thrilled to have made such an impact. We’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response from both new and existing clients eager to take advantage of this offering. We’re grateful that TradingView and the wider trading community have recognized our efforts with this award, and we’ll continue to expand and improve our offering to ensure we remain a leading choice among traders on TradingView.” 

    ThinkMarkets also took the opportunity to express a big thank you for the continued support from its clients, partners, and employees who have all helped in their efforts to achieve this prestigious award. 

    For more information and the latest updates, users can visit: www.thinkmarkets.com 

    About ThinkMarkets
    ThinkMarkets is a global, multi-regulated online brokerage established in 2010 offering clients quick and easy access to 4,000+ CFD instruments across FX, indices, commodities, equities, and more. ThinkMarkets has offices in London, Dubai, Melbourne, and Tokyo and hubs in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South Africa. It also operates with several financial licenses around the globe and delivers some of the industry’s most recognized trading platforms, including its award-winning platform, ThinkTrader.

    Contact

    ThinkMarkets
    pr@thinkmarkets.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0daee5a-f695-4bad-8f7e-faf0c960bd58

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Abbey House Museum to remain open following public consultation

    Source: City of Leeds

    Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall is to remain open following a passionate response to a public consultation, it was announced today.

    Leeds City Council has been consulting on the attraction’s future as the authority explores a range of proposals to address unprecedented financial pressures.

    And after considering almost 10,000 responses, the council has taken the decision to withdraw the proposals as part of its budget plans for the coming year, which will be presented to the council’s executive board next week.

    Consequently, the museum will now remain open to visitors as normal and planning for upcoming events and exhibitions will continue. However, savings still need to be made, and alternative options to secure to the savings required are currently being reviewed.

    Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “The public response to the Abbey House Museum consultation has been incredibly passionate and we’d like to thank everybody who has participated.  The overriding sentiment has been that people across Leeds clearly recognise the unique social value of our museums and galleries to their communities and local heritage.

    “We have always been clear that these types of proposals are not ones that we ever want to bring forward. But the severe and sustained pressures on our budget have given us no choice but to consider some options which we would never normally look at.

    “However, we are always committed to listening and responding to the views of the public and working to find solutions which fit their needs where we can.

    “It was clear from ward members the strength of feeling locally, and this has been replicated from across Leeds in the consultation. As a result, we’re pleased to say the museum will stay open.

    “What we need now is for people channel the passion and enthusiasm they have demonstrated during the consultation into visiting and engaging with the site as much as possible over the coming months so we can all work to support its future.”

    Opened in 1927, Abbey House Museum is home to three replica Victorian streets, which feature shops, a pub, and houses. The museum building itself is Kirkstall Abbey’s original gatehouse.

    Currently, the museum is hosting an exhibition entitled Story Time, which includes a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children’s stories.

    The exhibition aims to look at how reading, learning and enjoying stories has changed through the ages, and the huge influence children’s books have had on young people’s education, play and imaginations.

    Story Time is open now at Abbey House Museum. For more information, including opening times and admission, please visit: Story Time | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: TRC Amends Its Tender Offer for NVIDIA Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TRC Capital Investment Corporation (TRC) announced today that based on current market conditions, TRC has amended the terms of its tender offer for up to 1,000,000 common shares of NVIDIA Corporation (the Company) and has decreased the offer price payable to US$115.45 per share from US$131.50 per share.

    TRC also announced that its offer will still expire at one minute after 11:59 p.m. New York City time on February 20, 2025, unless further extended.

    As of close of business on Monday, February 3, 2025, 167 shares had been tendered.

    TRC will accept for payment and will pay for all shares validly tendered prior to the expiration date and not properly withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the offer. TRC will not be required to accept for payment or pay for any shares and may terminate the offer if certain conditions which, in the reasonable judgment of TRC in any such case, makes it inadvisable to proceed with the offer or with such acceptance for payment or payment.

    Stockholders of the Company who have already tendered their shares and have not withdrawn such shares need not take any additional action with respect to TRC’s amended tender offer. These stockholders will receive the decreased offer price of US$115.45 per share in TRC’s tender offer.

    TRC has amended its tender offer materials to reflect the decreased offer price and other relevant changes.

    THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SHARES. THE SOLICITATION AND THE OFFER TO BUY THE COMPANY’S SHARES WILL ONLY BE MADE PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS, AS SUCH DOCUMENTS ARE SUPPLEMENTED AND AMENDED. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER. STOCKHOLDERS CAN OBTAIN A COPY OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER BY CONTACTING THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER, CNRA FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. AT (416) 861-9446.

    TRC Capital Investment Corporation is a private investment corporation that manages a diverse investment portfolio.

    For further information, contact:

    Contact:      Lorne H. Albaum, President
    Phone:        (416) 304-1474

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Nykredit Realkredit A/S has received the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval of Nykredit’s increase of the qualifying shareholding in Spar Nord Bank A/S – Nykredit Realkredit A/S

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE DOING SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

    Nykredit Realkredit A/S has received the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval of Nykredit’s increase of the qualifying shareholding in Spar Nord Bank A/S.

    4 February 2025

    Nykredit Realkredit A/S has received the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval of Nykredit’s increase of the qualifying shareholding in Spar Nord Bank A/S.

    In accordance with section 4(1) of the Danish Takeover Order1, Nykredit Realkredit A/S (“Nykredit”) announced on 10 December 2024 that Nykredit intended to submit a voluntary public tender offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all shares in Spar Nord Bank A/S (“Spar Nord Bank”), with the exception of Spar Nord Bank’s treasury shares, for a cash price of DKK 210 per share, valuing the aggregated issued share capital of Spar Nord Bank at DKK 24.7 billion.

    On 8 January 2025, Nykredit published the offer document regarding the Offer (the “Offer Document”), as approved by the Danish FSA in accordance with section 11 of the Danish Takeover Order. The Offer Period ends on 19 February 2025 at 23:59 (CET).

    Nykredit has received the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval in accordance with section 61 of the Danish Financial Business Act to increase Nykredit’s qualifying shareholding in Spar Nord Bank up to 100 per cent of the share capital.

    In addition to the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority’s approval, the Offer is subject to fulfilment of the conditions set out in section 6.6 of the Offer Document, including approval by the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority and achievement of the 67 per cent acceptance limit.

    It is Nykredit’s view that the shareholders of Spar Nord Bank find the Offer attractive. At the time of this announcement, Nykredit holds 31.1 per cent of the shares in Spar Nord Bank, and Nykredit’s information about acceptances received so far indicates that the 67 per cent acceptance limit stated in the Offer has been reached.

    Nykredit aims to delist Spar Nord Bank from Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S and to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares as soon as possible after completion of the Offer.

    Nykredit expects the Offer to be completed during H1/2025.

    The full terms and conditions of the Offer are contained in the Offer Document. The Offer Document is published in the Danish FSA’s OAM database: https://oam.finanstilsynet.dk/ and can also, with certain restrictions, be accessed at https://www.nykredit.com/en-gb/offer-spar-nord/ and https://www.sparnord.com/investor-relations/takeover-offer.   

    About Spar Nord Bank

    Spar Nord Bank was founded in 1824 and is now a nationwide bank with 58 branches. Spar Nord Bank offers all types of financial services, consultancy and products, focusing its business on retail customers and primarily small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the local areas in which the bank is represented. The bank is also focused on leasing operations and large corporate customers, which are both business areas handled by the head offices.

    Spar Nord Bank has historically been rooted in northern Jutland and continues to be a market leader in this region. However, in the period from 2002 to 2024, Spar Nord Bank has established and acquired branches outside northern Jutland. Over the course of the years, the bank has adjusted its branch network in an ongoing process and now has a nationwide distribution network comprising 58 branches. These 58 branches are distributed on 32 banking areas, each of which is headed by a manager reporting directly to the bank’s executive board.

    The Spar Nord Bank Group consists of two earnings entities: Spar Nord Bank’s branches and the Trading Division. As an entity, the Trading Division serves customers from Spar Nord Bank’s branches as well as large retail customers and institutional clients in the field of equities, bonds, fixed income and forex products, asset management and international transactions. Finally, under the concept Sparxpres, the bank offers consumer loans to personal customers through Sparxpres’ platform as well as debt consolidation loans and consumer financing via retail stores and gift voucher solutions via shopping centres and city associations.

    About Nykredit

    Nykredit Realkredit A/S (“Nykredit”) is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Denmark, company reg. (CVR) no. 12 71 92 80, having its registered office at Sundkrogsgade 25, 2150 Nordhavn, Denmark. Nykredit is a mortgage credit institution and, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary Totalkredit A/S, is a market leader of the Danish mortgage credit market with a market share of some 45.2 per cent. Nykredit offers mortgage financing for private individuals and businesses.

    Nykredit is part of the Nykredit Group, which historically dates back to 1851. In addition to carrying on mortgage credit business, the Group carries on banking business through Nykredit Bank – including banking and wealth management operations – and has a total of around 4,000 employees in Denmark.

    Nykredit is owned by an association of the Nykredit Group’s customers, Forenet Kredit. Forenet Kredit owns close to 80 per cent of Nykredit’s shares. Other major shareholders are five Danish pension funds: Akademikernes Pension AP Pension, PensionDanmark, PFA and PKA.

    Nykredit is known for the advantages offered through the association. Forenet Kredit makes capital contributions to the Nykredit Group when times are good, and Nykredit has decided to pass these on to its customers.

    Since, 2017, Forenet Kredit has paid over DKK 8 billion in capital contributions to the Nykredit Group, and in the period to 2027, Forenet Kredit has provided a further DKK 7 billion.

    Questions and further information

    Any questions concerning the Offer may be directed to:

    Nykredit Bank A/S

    Company reg. (CVR) no.: 10 51 96 08

    Sundkrogsgade 25

    2150 Nordhavn

    Denmark

    Telephone: +45 7010 9000

    and

    Carnegie Investment Bank

    Filial af Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ), Sverige

    Company reg. (CVR) no. 35 52 12 67

    Overgaden Neden Vandet 9B

    1414 Copenhagen K

    Denmark

    E-mail: annette.hansen@carnegie.dk

    For further information about the Offer, please see: https://www.nykredit.com/en-gb/offer-spar-nord/.

    This announcement and the Offer Document are not directed at shareholders of Spar Nord Bank A/S whose participation in the Offer would require the issuance of an offer document, registration or activities other than what is required under Danish law (and, in the case of shareholders in the United States of America, Section 14(e) of, and applicable provisions of Regulation 14E promulgated under, the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Offer is not made and will not be made, directly or indirectly, to shareholders resident in any jurisdiction in which the submission of the Offer or acceptance thereof would be in contravention of the laws of such jurisdiction. Any person coming into possession of this announcement, the Offer Document or any other document containing a reference to the Offer is expected and assumed to independently obtain all necessary information about any applicable restrictions and to observe these.

    This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase securities or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in accordance with the Offer or otherwise. The Offer will be submitted only in the form of the Offer Document approved by the FSA, which sets out the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including information on how to accept the Offer. The shareholders of Spar Nord Bank are advised to read the Offer Document and any related documents as they contain important information.

    Restricted jurisdictions

    The Offer is not made, and acceptance of the Offer to tender Spar Nord Bank Shares is not accepted, neither directly nor indirectly, in or from any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction or would require any registration, approval or any other measures with any regulatory authority not expressly contemplated by the Offer Document (the “Restricted Jurisdictions”). Neither the United States nor the United Kingdom is a Restricted Jurisdiction.

    Restricted Jurisdictions include, but are not limited to: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

    Persons obtaining documents or information relating to the Offer (including custodians, account holding institutions, nominees, trustees, representatives, fiduciaries or other intermediaries) should not distribute, communicate, transfer or send these in or into a Restricted Jurisdiction or use mail or any other means of communication in or into a Restricted Jurisdiction in connection with the Offer. Persons (including, but not limited to, custodians, custodian banks, nominees, trustees, representatives, fiduciaries or other intermediaries) intending to communicate this Offer Document or any related document to any jurisdiction outside Denmark or the United States should inform themselves about these restrictions before taking any action. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the Laws of such jurisdiction, including securities Laws. It is the responsibility of all Persons obtaining this Offer Document, an acceptance form and/or other documents relating to the Offer Document or to the Offer, or into whose possession such documents otherwise come, to inform themselves about and observe all such restrictions.

    Nykredit is not responsible for ensuring that the distribution, dissemination or communication of this Offer Document outside Denmark, the United States and the United Kingdom is consistent with applicable Law in any jurisdiction other than Denmark, the United States and the United Kingdom.

    Important Information for Shareholders in the United States

    The Offer concerns the shares in Spar Nord Bank, a public limited liability company incorporated and admitted to trading on a regulated market in Denmark, and is subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Danish law, including the Danish capital markets act and the Danish takeover order.

    The Offer is being made to shareholders in Spar Nord Bank in the United States in compliance with the applicable US tender offer rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “U.S. Exchange Act”), including Regulation 14E promulgated thereunder, subject to the relief available for a “Tier II” tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Danish law and practice

    Accordingly, US Spar Nord Bank shareholders should be aware that this announcement and any other documents regarding the Offer have been prepared in accordance with, and will be subject to, the disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, the Offer timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments of Danish law and practice, which may differ materially from those applicable under US domestic tender offer law and practice. In addition, the financial information contained in this announcement or the Offer Document has not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or derived therefrom, and may therefore differ from, or not be comparable with, financial information of US companies.

    In accordance with the laws of, and practice in, Denmark and to the extent permitted by applicable law, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, Nykredit, Nykredit’s affiliates or any nominees or brokers of the foregoing (acting as agents, or in a similar capacity, for Nykredit or any of its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase, or arrange to purchase, outside of the United States, shares in Spar Nord Bank or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such shares in Spar Nord Bank before or during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be announced via Nasdaq Copenhagen and relevant electronic media if, and to the extent, such announcement is required under applicable law. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Denmark, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform US shareholders of Spar Nord Bank of such information.

    In addition, subject to the applicable laws of Denmark and US securities laws, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the financial advisers to Nykredit or their respective affiliates may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Spar Nord Bank, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

    It may not be possible for US shareholders to effect service of process within the United States upon Spar Nord Bank, Nykredit or any of their respective affiliates, or their respective officers or directors, some or all of which may reside outside the United States, or to enforce against any of them judgments of the United States courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or other US law. It may not be possible to bring an action against Nykredit, Spar Nord Bank and/or their respective officers or directors (as applicable) in a non-US court for violations of US laws. Further, it may not be possible to compel Nykredit and Spar Nord Bank or their respective affiliates, as applicable, to subject themselves to the judgment of a US court. In addition, it may be difficult to enforce in Denmark original actions, or actions for the enforcement of judgments of US courts, based on the civil liability provisions of the US federal securities laws.

    The Offer, if completed, may have consequences under US federal income tax and under applicable US state and local, as well as non-US, tax laws. Each shareholder of Spar Nord Bank is urged to consult its independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of the Offer.

    NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN ANY STATE OF THE U.S. HAS APPROVED OR DECLINED TO APPROVE THE OFFER OR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE OFFER OR PROVIDED AN OPINION AS TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANY OFFER DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES.


    1 Executive Order no. 636 of 15 May 2020

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: NEXE Innovations to Present at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference on February 6th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO and NEW YORK, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NEXE Innovations Inc. (“NEXE” or the “Company”) (TSX.V: NEXE) (Frankfurt: NX5) (OTC: NEXNF), a compostable and innovative materials company, today announced that Kam Mangat, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Strategy, will present live at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on February 6th, 2025.

    DATE: February 6th
    TIME: 1:30 pm ET
    LINK: https://bit.ly/40HJNUC
    Available for 1:1 meetings

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the Company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Why NEXE?

    Targeting the multi-billion dollar single-use plastics industry through its:

    • Vertically integrated facility and economies of scale: NEXE utilizes a vertically integrated manufacturing process, including compounding its proprietary resin, extrusion, and injection molding. We believe this end-to-end manufacturing process increases supply chain efficiency, reduces its carbon footprint, and safeguards its intellectual property.
    • Comprehensive IP Portfolio: We developed a pod structure for the compostable coffee pod designed to accommodate higher volumes and still provide a high-quality brewing experience. NEXE accomplished this feat through its innovative technology that increases the filter area (U.S. Pat. No. 12,004,678 issued on June 11, 2024) allowing for more volume per pod and increased coffee extraction, which in our view improves taste and richness. The Company believes that, given these key competitive features, it is well-positioned to offer a compelling “pour-over” coffee experience that appeals to premium coffee brands seeking a sustainable solution. For more details on our IP: NEXE Expands IP Portfolio to Drive Sustainability and Growth Across Different Markets
    • Proprietary Resin: The development of our coffee pod was not without challenges. K-Cup* compatible coffee pods face unique obstacles during the brewing process, including exposure to heat, high pressure, and water flow. Achieving a consistent and satisfying coffee extraction in a K-Cup* compatible machine requires precise engineering to balance these variables. Addressing these complexities demanded significant R&D efforts to create a capsule capable of meeting these rigorous demands while ensuring a premium coffee experience. However, addressing these challenges led to an incredible breakthrough for us in our proprietary resin. We believe this material now forms the foundation of our competitive edge and has positioned NEXE as an innovator that can target low-hanging fruit with higher margins across various industries.
    • Cost Competitive: Compostability often entails higher costs, but at NEXE Innovations, our solution is designed to be environmentally friendly and competitively priced compared to plastics and other alternative material solutions.

    Recent Company Highlights

    Announced three different partnerships:

    • ecoBeans: This West Coast brand is available in retail locations and distributed in the office coffee services (OCS) space.
    • Bridgehead Coffee: An established premium coffee company in Ontario with over 40 years of history, Bridgehead transitioned from another compostable pod to our NEXE pod. Bridgehead works with well-known retail and grocery chains, including Costco, Whole Foods, Sobey’s, and Farm Boy.
    • EKOCUPS: A high-volume online seller and Amazon retailer. This partnership will allow us to expand in the U.S. and build a strong foothold in the largest single-serve market. ~40 million U.S. households own a K-Cup* compatible single-serve brewing system.

    Future Products:

    • NEXE is working with two customers to test compostable pods for the Nespresso** OriginalLine. We expect to launch these pods later in 2025.
    • NEXE continues to invest in R&D and is working on additional sustainable products targeting various industries. Our proprietary resin may be an ideal fit in these industries, and the total addressable market for these industries is larger than that of the coffee pod market.

    Financial Position:

    • NEXE has a strong cash position to execute its strategy, work with large-scale coffee companies, and start building on opportunities outside the coffee space. At the end of fiscal Q2 2025, our total cash position was $14.5 million. 
    • NEXE has minimal debt. The current debt outstanding is $0.5 million, related to an interest-free government loan. NEXE’s commitments at the end of the quarter were $1.3 million, with minimal capex expected over the next two years.

    About NEXE Innovations Inc.
    NEXE Innovations is focused on providing innovative compostable material solutions and packaging to the B2B segment to help businesses achieve their sustainability goals. NEXE Innovations has developed a proprietary and patented compostable material that can withstand heat, pressure, and water. Our flagship product, the NEXE Pod, a BPI-certified compostable coffee pod, showcases our material’s durability and is an ideal substitute for plastic.  The NEXE pod is compatible with major coffee brewing machines and is manufactured at NEXE’s vertically integrated facility based in North America. Discover our innovative approach to sustainability at www.nexeinnovations.com and join our journey on social media @nexeinnovations. #compostablecoffeepods #sustainability #greentech

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:

    NEXE Innovations

    On behalf of the Company:
    Ash Guglani
    President & Director

    For investor relations, contact:
    Kam Mangat
    VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Strategy
    invest@nexeinnovations.com
    Office +1-604-359-4725
    Mobile +1-604-359-4742
    For media relations, contact: media@nexeinnovations.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    *NEXE Innovations Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Keurig®. Keurig® is a registered trademark of Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

    **NEXE Innovations Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Nespresso®. Nespresso® is a registered trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements or information, which include, but are not limited to, statements in respect of the potential benefits of the Nexe Pod including for premium coffee brands, potential launch of new coffee pods, continued investment in R&D, potential applications of proprietary resin to other industries and benefits of proprietary resin to Nexe’s business overall, the Company’s overall business strategy, increases in production and revenue, and the Company’s long-term growth and development plans. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as “may”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “believe” and “continue” or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, the Company’s ability to execute on its business strategy, the adoption of Nexe’s proprietary resin in other industries, and those risks set out in the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for year ended May 31, 2024 under the headings “Risk and Uncertainties”. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include receipt of necessary approvals and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Edge Total Intelligence to Present at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference February 6th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Edge Total Intelligence Inc. (“edgeTI”, “Company”) (TSXV: CTRL) (OTCQB: UNFYF) (FSE: Q5i), based in DC Metro Area, focused on real-time digital twin software, today announced that Jim Barrett, CEO of edgeTI™, will present live at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on February 6th, 2025

    DATE: February 6th
    TIME: 12:30PM EST
    LINK: https://bit.ly/3PZaKOG
    Available for 1×1 meetings: February 7th and afternoon February 10 and 11th

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Recent Company Highlights

    About edgeTI

    edgeTI helps customers sustain situational awareness and accelerate action with its real-time digital operations software, edgeCore™ that unites multiple software applications and data sources into one immersive experience called a Digital Twin. Global enterprises, service providers, and governments are more profitable when insight and action are united to deliver fluid journeys via the platform’s low-code development capability and composable operations. With edgeCore, customers can improve their margins and agility by rapidly transforming siloed systems and data across continuously evolving situations in business, technology, and cross-domain operations — helping them achieve the impossible.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:

    edgeTI
    Nick Brigman
    Analyst and Press Relations
    Phone: 888-771-3343
    Email: ir@edgeti.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Fengate expands retirement community portfolio with the acquisition of two new properties in British Columbia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fengate Asset Management (‘Fengate’) is pleased to announce the successful close of two premier seniors housing properties in Vancouver, British Columbia. The acquisition marks Fengate’s and Seasons Retirement Communities’ (‘Seasons’) first venture into the British Columbia market, further growing its portfolio of retirement communities across Canada.

    The new properties, Seasons Arbutus Walk and Seasons Wesbrook Village, collectively offer 295 rental suites and 88 managed condominium suites located in two of Vancouver’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, offering residents easy access to parks, local amenities, and cultural attractions.

    Fengate and Seasons are managing this investment on behalf of their investors, including the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (‘LPFCEC’).

    “We are proud to build on our legacy of empowering Canada’s seniors through market-leading housing that advances Seasons’ mission of affecting positive change in the lives of this vital and growing community,” said Joseph Mancinelli, International Vice President and Regional Manager for Central and Eastern Canada at LiUNA.

    “This acquisition is transformational for Fengate and Seasons as we build the foundation for our growth in British Columbia. Fengate and Seasons are well positioned to capitalize on the growing seniors’ demographic in this key strategic growth market and across Canada,” said Jaime McKenna, President Fengate Real Estate.

    “Seasons is pleased to continue to work with Fengate to diversify our portfolio of quality retirement communities,” said Michael Lavallée, Chief Executive Officer at Seasons Retirement Communities.

    “Our best-in-class management team is committed to collaborating with our communities to provide residents with a continuum of care within a warm, welcoming, and vibrant atmosphere that embodies the Seasons promise.”

    Established in 2009 by Fengate, Seasons Retirement Communities is a Canadian company that currently owns and operates 25 retirement communities across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, with more developments underway. Seasons is dedicated to addressing the needs of Canada’s aging population by offering exceptional seniors housing and services.

    MEDIA CONTACT

    Matthew Ventura
    Director, Communications and Marketing, Real Estate
    Fengate Asset Management
    matthew.ventura@fengate.com
    416-432-6194

    About the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada

    Established in 1972, the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPFCEC) is one of the fastest growing multi-employer pension funds across Canada, voted top 10 pension funds by Benefits Canada. With a diverse investment portfolio and over $12 billion in assets, LPFCEC has yielded positive returns for the plan, great work opportunities for LiUNA members, and has created many needed institutions across North America through a broad range of investments. Learn more at lpfcec.org.

    About Fengate Asset Management

    Fengate is a leading alternative investment manager, with more than $40 billion of assets under management, focused on infrastructure, private equity, and real estate strategies. With offices and team members in Canada and the United States, Fengate has a proven track record of successful projects and partnerships and an established reputation as one of the most active real asset investors and developers in North America. Fengate Real Estate, a division of Fengate Asset Management, is a fully integrated real estate investment, development and asset management platform with a $20 billion portfolio, including a 25,000+ residential unit pipeline and 5M+ square feet of industrial space in varying stages of development. Learn more at fengate.com.

    About Seasons Retirement Communities

    Established in 2009, Seasons is a Canadian company that operates 15 retirement residences in Ontario, eight residences in Alberta, and two in British Columbia, with more under development. Our management team has extensive experience in the senior housing sector and has developed a culture dedicated to providing residents with superior customer service. At Seasons, we want our residents to feel proud to call us home and to know they are surrounded by people who genuinely care. Connect. Care. Change®.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83e9e1fe-ce65-4988-aa79-2d431daa80e1
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09619cb9-0b02-456e-aa3e-aaa24488aa2b

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Schedules its Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) will release its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 earnings at 8:00 am ET on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. A conference call to review earnings and other developments in the business will commence at 9:00 am ET. The fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 earnings call will be available via a live webcast. The webcast will be available in a listen only mode by going to:

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/9jnstij5

    For those interested in participating in the question-and-answer portion of the call, please register for the call at the link below.

    https://register.vevent.com/register/BI4b232e4ceea6435ba8f046e92e18e563

    All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

    A replay of the conference call will be available from Tuesday, February 18, 2025, through 9:00 am ET on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, by visiting the listen-only webcast link above.

    About Franklin Electric
    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be named in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies and Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024 and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    CONTACT: Jeff Taylor
    Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
    260.824.2900

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining Announce Subsequent Acquisition Transaction and Completion of Offer

    Source: Agnico Eagle Mines

    • The Offer has now expired and Agnico Eagle has taken-up and acquired 95.6% of the issued and outstanding O3 Mining shares
    • Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining will enter into an amalgamation agreement under which Agnico Eagle will acquire all remaining O3 Mining shares by way of amalgamation
    • Remaining O3 Mining shares (other than shares held by dissenting shareholders) and warrantholders who exercise their warrants after the amalgamation will receive $1.67 per share in cash
    • Questions or Need Assistance? Contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group for assistance at 1-877-452-7184 or email assistance@laurelhill.com 

    (All amounts expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted)

    TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2025 /CNW/ – Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM) (“Agnico Eagle“) and O3 Mining Inc. (TSXV: OIII) (OTCQX: OIIIF) (“O3 Mining“) are pleased to jointly announce the expiry of Agnico Eagle’s board-supported take-over bid (the “Offer“) for all of the outstanding common shares of O3 Mining (the “Common Shares“) for $1.67 in cash per Common Share. Agnico Eagle has taken-up and acquired an aggregate of 114,785,237 Common Shares that were tendered to the Offer, representing approximately 95.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a basic basis. As a result, as of the date hereof, Agnico Eagle beneficially owns, and exercises control and direction over, an aggregate of 115,842,990 Common Shares, representing approximately 96.5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a basic basis. This includes the additional 4,360,806 Common Shares (the “Deposited Shares“) tendered to the Offer during the mandatory 10-day extension period that expired at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on February 3, 2025. The aggregate consideration payable for the Deposited Shares is $7,282,546. Agnico Eagle will pay for the Deposited Shares by February 6, 2025.

    Subsequent Acquisition Transaction

    Agnico Eagle Abitibi Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agnico Eagle, and O3 Mining will amalgamate under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “Amalgamation“), with the amalgamated entity (“Amalco“) becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agnico Eagle. The Amalgamation will constitute the subsequent acquisition transaction contemplated by the Offer (the “Subsequent Acquisition Transaction“), by which Agnico Eagle will acquire ownership of 100% of the Common Shares.

    Each O3 Mining shareholder (other than Agnico Eagle and any O3 Mining shareholder who validly exercises dissent rights in relation to the Amalgamation) will, upon completion of the Amalgamation, receive one redeemable preferred share of Amalco (each, a “Redeemable Preferred Share“) for each Common Share held immediately prior to the effective time of the Amalgamation. The Redeemable Preferred Shares will be automatically redeemed effective immediately following the effective time of the Amalgamation for $1.67 in cash per Redeemable Preferred Share (the “Redemption Consideration“) held immediately prior to the effective time of the Amalgamation. The Redemption Consideration is the same as the consideration that was offered to O3 Mining shareholders under the Offer.

    The Amalgamation must be approved by (i) at least two-thirds of the votes cast by O3 Mining shareholders at a special meeting of O3 Mining shareholders (the “Meeting“) and (ii) a simple majority of the votes cast by O3 Mining shareholders at the Meeting, excluding votes from O3 Mining shareholders required to be excluded by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“). As Agnico Eagle beneficially owns, and exercises control and direction over, Common Shares carrying more than two-thirds of the votes attached to all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and the Common Shares taken-up and acquired under the Offer represent more than a majority of the votes attached to the Common Shares that may be voted in the “minority” vote under MI 61-101, Agnico Eagle is able to ensure the successful outcome of the shareholder votes in respect of the Amalgamation. The O3 Mining board recommends that O3 Mining shareholders vote FOR the Amalgamation.

    Additional information regarding the terms of the amalgamation agreement and the Amalgamation will be provided in the management information circular of O3 Mining (the “Circular“) for the Meeting. It is anticipated that the Circular will be mailed to O3 Mining shareholders in February 2025 and the Meeting will be held in March 2025. Copies of the amalgamation agreement and the Circular will be made available on O3 Mining’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    The Amalgamation is expected to close prior to March 31, 2025. Following completion of the Amalgamation, the Common Shares will be de-listed from the TSX Venture Exchange and O3 Mining will make an application to the Ontario Securities Commission to cease to be a reporting issuer under Canadian securities laws. Upon O3 Mining ceasing to be a reporting issuer, O3 Mining will no longer be subject to the ongoing continuous disclosure and reporting obligations currently imposed on O3 Mining as a reporting issuer and will be a private company that is wholly-owned by Agnico Eagle.

    Information for Warrantholders

    Certain Common Share purchase warrants of O3 Mining (the “Warrants“) remain issued and outstanding, which are governed in accordance with the warrant indenture dated August 28, 2024 between O3 Mining and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent. These Warrants are exercisable at $1.45 per Warrant until August 28, 2026. O3 Mining intends to enter into a supplemental indenture to provide that holders of such Warrants will receive, on exercise of their Warrants in lieu of Common Shares, $1.67 in cash following the Amalgamation.

    Updated Early Warning Disclosure Regarding O3 Mining

    Immediately prior to the take-up of the Deposited Shares under the Offer, Agnico Eagle beneficially owned, and exercised control and direction over, 111,482,184 Common Shares, representing approximately 92.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a basic basis, and 270,000 Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 270,000 Common Shares at an exercise price of $1.45 per Warrant. In addition, Agnico Eagle holds a convertible senior unsecured debenture in the principal amount of $10,000,000 dated June 19, 2023 (the “Convertible Debenture“). Assuming the full exercise of all Warrants held by Agnico Eagle and the full conversion of the Convertible Debenture immediately prior to the take-up of Deposited Shares under the Offer, Agnico Eagle would beneficially own, and exercise control and direction over, 116,630,233 Common Shares, representing approximately 93.1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis.

    Agnico Eagle acquired an additional 4,360,806 Deposited Shares pursuant to the Offer during the mandatory 10-day extension period, representing all of the Common Shares validly deposited and not withdrawn as of 11:59 p.m. (EST) on February 3, 2025, for aggregate consideration of $7,282,546 in cash. As a result, as of the date hereof, Agnico Eagle beneficially owns, and exercises control and direction over, an aggregate of 115,842,990 Common Shares, representing approximately 96.5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a basic basis. Assuming the full exercise of all Warrants held by Agnico Eagle and the full conversion of the Convertible Debenture, Agnico Eagle would beneficially own, and exercise control and direction over, 120,991,039 Common Shares, representing approximately 96.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis.

    An early warning report in respect of the foregoing will be filed by Agnico Eagle in accordance with applicable securities laws. To obtain a copy of the early warning report, please contact:

    Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
    c/o Investor Relations
    145 King Street East, Suite 400
    Toronto, Ontario M5C 2Y7
    Telephone: 416-947-1212
    Email: investor.relations@agnicoeagle.com

    Agnico Eagle’s head office is located at 145 King Street East, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2Y7. O3 Mining’s head office is located at 155 University Avenue, Suite 1440, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3B7.

    Advisors

    Edgehill Advisory Ltd. is acting as financial advisor to Agnico Eagle. Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is acting as legal advisor to Agnico Eagle.

    Maxit Capital is acting as financial advisor to O3 Mining. Bennett Jones LLP is acting as legal advisor to O3 Mining. Fort Capital is acting as financial advisor to the Special Committee of independent directors of O3 Mining. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is acting as legal advisor to the Special Committee.

    Odyssey Trust Company will act as depositary for the Amalgamation and Laurel Hill Advisory Group is acting as information agent. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group, by phone at 1-877-452-7187 or by e-mail at assistance@laurelhill.com.

    About O3 Mining Inc.

    O3 Mining Inc. is a gold explorer and mine developer in Québec, Canada, adjacent to Agnico Eagle’s Canadian Malartic mine. O3 Mining owns a 100% interest in all its properties (128,680 hectares) in Québec. Its principal asset is the Marban Alliance project in Québec, which O3 Mining has advanced over the last five years to the cusp of its next stage of development, with the expectation that the project will deliver long-term benefits to stakeholders.

    About Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

    Agnico Eagle is a Canadian based and led senior gold mining company and the third largest gold producer in the world, producing precious metals from operations in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with a pipeline of high-quality exploration and development projects. Agnico Eagle is a partner of choice within the mining industry, recognized globally for its leading sustainability practices. Agnico Eagle was founded in 1957 and has consistently created value for its shareholders, declaring a cash dividend every year since 1983.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on current expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations about future events as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information and statements are based on estimates of management by O3 Mining and Agnico Eagle, at the time they were made, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the structure, consideration, timing and completion (if at all) of the Subsequent Acquisition Transaction; the ability of Agnico Eagle to complete the Subsequent Acquisition Transaction to acquire 100% of O3 Mining by way of the Amalgamation (if at all); and the timing of the mailing of the Circular, the Meeting and completing the Amalgamation. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in formulating the forward-looking information contained herein include, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining that any second-step transaction will be successful and the ability to achieve goals, including the integration of the Marban Alliance property to the Canadian Malartic land package and the ability to realize synergies arising therefrom. Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining caution that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining believe, or believed at the time, to be reasonable expectations and assumptions, there is no assurance that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither O3 Mining, nor Agnico Eagle nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. O3 Mining and Agnico Eagle do not undertake, and assume no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of Agnico Eagle or any of its affiliates or O3 Mining.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

    View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agnico-eagle-and-o3-mining-announce-subsequent-acquisition-transaction-and-completion-of-offer-302367380.html

    SOURCE Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Well-Earned Retirement for Officer Tildy

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Tildy, the UConn Police Department’s first community outreach dog, will formally celebrate her retirement after seven years of serving – and delighting – the UConn community.  

    Meeting Tildy has been a staple of the UConn experience, bringing immense amounts of joy to everyone she encounters on the Great Lawn, Fairfield Way, Horsebarn Hill, and pretty much every place at UConn where crowds gather, as well as classrooms and courthouses across the state.

    Sergeant Justin Cheney with Officer Tildy of the UConn Police Department on October 19, 2020. (UConn photo/Sean Flynn)

    Tildy’s retirement is bittersweet for UConn, but for one member of the community in particular: Sergeant Justin Cheney ’07 (CLAS), her human partner ever since her arrival in 2018. Cheney has experienced so many events and moments at UConn he wouldn’t normally be part of, all thanks to Tildy. From Sunset Yoga to the Involvement Fair to HuskyTHON, students’ excitement at Tildy’s meant that Cheney was able to become even more immersed in campus life.  

    “I knew that by bringing this dog here, we’re going to get more people to engage in our events,” he says. “I never realized how much she would transcend in the sense that we would be invited to, and included in, all of these different events on campus.”

    UConn dog lovers need not despair, though: Tildy’s little sister Jazmine, a 2-year-old golden retriever, completed her training with Cheney in August 2024, and will take over as community outreach dog on a full-time basis this month. 

    Tildy wasn’t just a pioneer at UConn: Cheney and UConn piloted the Community Outreach Facility Dog Program in Connecticut. Cheney, who started at the UConn Police Department in 2015, working in the Community Outreach Department running programs and trainings, had the idea of getting a dog to assist in areas like victim support or therapy sessions, to better engage the community and enhance the approachability of Community Outreach officers. 

    UConn Police K9 Officers Jazmine and Tildy sit near Gampel Pavilion on Aug. 13, 2024. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    Inspired by the Eastern Washington University Police Department and their yellow lab, Cheney contacted them in hopes of bringing a dog to Storrs. They directed him to Canine Companions, an organization that trains service dogs who go on to provide one-on-one assistance to people. However, not all dogs matriculate as service dogs, and sometimes need alternative placements.  

    Tildy is what is known as a Facility Dog: “A dog that has all of the training as a service dog, but would go into a larger setting to assist multiple people, instead of just assisting one person each and every day,” Cheney says.

    Today, there are now 20 handlers and teams of Community Outreach Facility Dog Programs in Connecticut. “Being the first program in the state shows our commitment to supporting our students, which really was the extra drive for wanting to organize this program,” Cheney says. “The goal was to be able to provide that additional layer of victim assistance and ensure that the dogs will always be there for these services.”

    Jonathan XIV and Tildy of the UConn Police Department share a first date on Horsebarn Hill and at the UConn Dairy Bar in 2019. (Tom Rettig/UConn Photo)

    The duo’s frequent appearances on campus have allowed Cheney to establish quality relationships with students. “We want to make sure our consistency, in terms of our presence at different events or hosting our own, hopefully goes a long way in showing the students that we care and want to be involved,” he says. “We want to participate in as many things as we can but also provide that support and assistance in any way possible.”

    When looking back on highlights of their time together, Cheney recalls the countless number of smiles he’s seen Tildy bring to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. 

    “To see that positive impact and how much she’s done at UConn makes me so happy,” he says. “I feel so lucky to be able to bring this dog around to help people, and feel so rewarded to have this experience.”

    Although Tildy’s retirement means she will not be on campus every day anymore, don’t be surprised if you see her happy face and wagging tail from time to time.

    “This is not the last time Tildy will be on campus,” Cheney says. “She’ll make her way back every once in a while for events that I know she’d love to attend.”

    Tildy’s retirement celebration will be held on Feb. 4 in the Wilbur Cross North Reading Room from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.. Join Cheney, Jazmine and other community outreach facility dogs in saying farewell to Tildy! 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The admissions campaign for international applicants continues at HSE

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    The number of applications has almost doubled: to date, more than 2,600 applications have been submitted for undergraduate programs, and more than 2,400 for master’s programs. Such increased interest from foreign applicants in studying at the HSE confirms the status of HSE as one of the most sought-after Russian universities abroad.

    Who most often chooses HSE

    The leading countries in terms of the number of applications submitted for undergraduate programs are Pakistan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Ghana and Moldova. The countries that most frequently apply for graduate programs are Ghana, India, Nigeria, Gambia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Cameroon.

    “HSE University sees one of its tasks as the active promotion of Russian education in the international arena. And the growing interest among applicants from Asian and African countries, from the CIS countries only confirms HSE’s reputation as a leading research university with the competencies of the future not only in Russia but also abroad. Moreover, both in full-time and online forms,” noted Victoria Panova, Vice-Rector of HSE University. – After all, in a rather difficult time, HSE, along with 10 world universities, entered the number of leaders in distance education according to the rating of THE Online Learning Rankings 2024 magazine. A wide range of programs in the socio-economic and humanitarian areas, in the creative sphere, brilliant teachers from almost 50 countries of the world, a high level of support for international students and modern infrastructure of HSE – all this meets international standards, and the cost of education is often lower than in Western universities. Applicants and their parents evaluate the advantages and opportunities that HSE provides during and after their studies, and choose us.”

    What opportunities does the university offer to international applicants?

    One of the key advantages for international applicants to HSE remains the opportunity to choose the admission format. The university offers two options: a competition for budget (quota) places under the state scholarship of the Government of the Russian Federation, which covers up to 100% of the cost of education, and admission on a commercial basis.

    Foreign applicants can receive a Russian Government scholarship (quota) based on the results of international Olympiads (applicants to a bachelor’s degree) and based on the results of selection events (minimum scores for Master’s degree And bachelor’s degree).

    Additionally, applicants to undergraduate programs may re-credit results of international and national examinations, which makes the admission process even more flexible.

    Preparing for Study: What to Do If You Don’t Know Russian

    HSE offers to master the Russian language in The Center for the Preparation of Foreign Students, choosing to study for one year. Applicants to the bachelor’s degree program can take specialized entrance examinations and apply for a budget (quota) place with an additional year of preparation and Russian language training. A similar option is possible for future master’s degree students: upon successful completion of the portfolio competition, they can also receive a budget place with a year of training.

    HSE – accessible, convenient, understandable

    Website for international applicants has been translated into seven languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Arabic and Hindi, allowing candidates to easily find the information they need and navigate the admissions process. In addition, international applicants are contacted on social media and during webinars, answering the most pressing questions about education, visas, life in Russia and even whether there are places with halal food.

    “We strive to attract only the best. We work with talented schoolchildren and applicants on an ongoing basis,” says Alexander Deyev, Director of Talent Abroad. “HSE ensures simplicity and accessibility of the entire process — from online application submission to the start of studies. We understand that entering a university, especially in a foreign country, is an important step that can be associated with many difficulties, especially for international students. Therefore, every year we do everything possible to make the application and document preparation process as clear as possible. Online consultations, personal support at all stages of admission, preparation for arrival in Russia — all this allows our applicants to feel confident and calm, to know that they will always be supported and helped to solve any problem that arises.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Cority Partners with Salus Technical, Bringing Advanced Bowtie Risk Analysis to CorityOne Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cority, the global leader in enterprise Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) software, today announced a strategic partnership with Salus Technical, a UK-based provider of bowtie risk analysis software. Through this partnership, Cority customers can access Salus Technical’s Bowtie Master solution, with its advanced Bowtie Risk diagramming and analysis features, enhancing their ability to manage complex risks within high-hazard settings.

    Managing risk is a growing demand for and one of the most critical challenges for organizations operating in high hazard environments. Traditional methods of risk assessment often struggle to adequately capture complexities common in high-reliability environments with intricate & highly coupled processes. Bowtie Risk Analysis, with its intuitive visual diagrams, enables organizations to proactively identify and assess compliance, or Bowtie Risk Analysis tools help organizations build a clear, actionable framework for advanced risk management.

    Through this partnership, Cority will integrate Bowtie Master with Cority’s Risk Management solution. As part of CorityOne, the company’s comprehensive EHS and sustainability SaaS-based ecosystem, customers will also be able to access other Safety-based Cority applications and, eventually, the full spectrum of environmental, health, quality, and sustainability programs. This holistic approach provides users with one place for better insights, collaboration, and decision making.

    Addressing Complex Risks with Cutting-Edge Tools

    “Process safety and risk management require tools that not only analyze risks but also make the insights actionable,” said David Jamieson, founder of Salus Technical. “This partnership allows organizations to streamline their risk assessment workflows, ensuring they can visualize complex scenarios, identify key dependencies, and prioritize resources to protect their workforce and operations.”

    Salus Technical’s Bowtie Master dynamically builds bowtie risk diagrams, simplifying the complexities of process safety. Unlike traditional tabular methods, Salus Technical’s Bowtie Master solution enables users to build bowtie risk diagrams dynamically with simple drag-and-drop features, providing a holistic view of risks and dependencies, and helping organizations prioritize required preventive and corrective actions. The integration with CorityOne will allow customers to connect insights from their bowtie risk analysis to other EHS workflows, helping them make informed decisions that increase resiliency, boost system reliability, and reduce the likelihood of catastrophic events.

    Benefits of the partnership Include:

    • Enhanced Risk Visibility: Intuitive, dynamic diagrams simplify complex risk scenarios, improving cross-team collaboration and understanding.
    • Proactive Risk Management: Organizations can prioritize and address risks before incidents occur, reducing downtime and improving operational safety.
    • Improved Efficiency: Seamless integration with CorityOne enables streamlined workflows, data visualization, and effective reporting.

    A Growing Demand for Bowtie Risk Analysis
    Bowtie risk analysis has become a preferred tool in industries such as oil and gas, energy, mining, and transportation, where the stakes of operational failures are high. Regulatory trends in specific regions, including Australia, are further driving demand for bowtie risk analysis capabilities integrated in enterprise-grade EHS software.

    A Unified Approach to Risk Management
    “Organizations in high-hazard industries are demanding for solutions that simplify complex risk management processes while delivering actionable insights to support intelligent action,” said Sean Baldry, senior director of product management at Cority. “With Bowtie Master, we are bringing our customers a powerful, integrated tool that enhances their ability to manage the most complex risk scenarios effectively and efficiently.”

    This partnership underscores Cority’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its CorityOne ecosystem through organic development and strategic collaborations, delivering comprehensive solutions that help organizations drive safety, operational excellence, and sustainability.

    For more information, visit www.cority.com and www.bowtiemaster.com.

    About Cority
    Cority gives every employee from the field to the boardroom the power to make a difference, reducing risks and creating a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world. For over 35 years, Cority’s people-first software solutions have been built by EHS and sustainability experts who know the pressures businesses face. Time-tested, scalable, and configurable, CorityOne is the responsible business platform that combines datasets from across the organization to enable improved efficiencies, actionable insights, data-driven decisions, and more accurate reporting on performance. Trusted by over 1,500 organizations worldwide and consistently recognized as a leader in the EHS industry by independent analyst firms, Cority deeply cares about helping people work toward a better future for everyone. To learn more, visit www.cority.com

    About Salus Technical
    Salus Technical, based in Aberdeen, Scotland, provides engineering, training, and software solutions to help organizations understand and manage risks from major accidents. Their flagship product, Bowtie Master, offers advanced process safety tools trusted by industries worldwide.

    Media Contact
    Natalie Rizk
    RiotMind
    natalier@theriotmind.agency

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Albanese government bans DeepSeek from official devices on security grounds

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    The Albanese government is banning DeepSeek – the Chinese artificial intelligence model – from all government systems and devices on national security grounds.

    It says this is in line with the actions of a number of other countries and is based on “risk and threat information” from security and intelligence agencies.

    The Chinese platform TikTok is already banned from government systems and devices.

    Under the decision, announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, government bodies must immediately remove all DeepSeek products, applications and services from systems and mobile devices. No new installations are allowed.

    But politicians can still have DeepSeek on their personal non-government devices. This presently happens with TikTok – for example opposition leader Peter Dutton has a TikTok account.

    While the direction only applies to official systems and devices, the government is also urging all Australians to inform themselves about how their data can be used online and to carefully review a company’s privacy policy on how customer data is managed.

    Burke said: “The Albanese government is taking swift and decisive action to protect Australia’s national security and national interest.

    “AI is is a technology full of potential and opportunity, but the government will not hesitate to act when our agencies identify a national security risk.

    “Our approach is country-agnostic and focused on the risk to the Australian government and our assets.‘

    The NSW Department of Customer Service acted late last month to ban DeepSeek from official devices and systems.

    The department told Cyber Daily it had “taken a precautionary approach to restrict corporate access to DeepSeek AI, consistent with the approach taken for many new and emerging applications, systems and services”.

    Commenting on the NSW department’s decision Dana Mckay, Senior Lecturer in Innovative Interactive Technologies at RMIT, said: “The reason Chinese-made and-owned tools are being banned is that the data they collect is available to the Chinese government not just when a crime has been committed, but also for economic or social reasons.

    “DeepSeek even collects keystroke patterns, which can be used to identify individuals, potentially allowing them to match in-work searches with leisure time searches, potentially leading to national security risks,” she said.

    “It is fair to ask whether DeepSeek is more dangerous to Australian national security than, say, OpenAI which collects similar data: the difference is that OpenAI will only give data to government to comply with relevant laws, and this typically means where a crime may have been committed.

    “Whether governments should be concerned about the level of data collected by commercial companies, such as OpenAI and Google, is still a significant question, but one that is separate to the national security concerns raised by China’s data sovereignty laws.”

    Among those banning Deepseek are the Pentagon, the United States Navy, NASA, Italy and Taiwan.

    Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Albanese government bans DeepSeek from official devices on security grounds – https://theconversation.com/albanese-government-bans-deepseek-from-official-devices-on-security-grounds-249022

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nearly 20,000 live animals seized, 365 suspects arrested in largest-ever wildlife and forestry operation

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    4 February 2025

    138 countries and regions join forces to target fauna and flora trafficking worldwide

    LYON, France – Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

    Operation Thunder 2024 (11 November – 6 December) brought together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017.

    Authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Such species are illegally trafficked to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items or as pets and competition animals.

    Globally, more than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were identified.

    The operation led to the rescue of 18 big cats, including these tiger cubs in the Czech Republic.

    The seized animals were sent to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation.

    Organized crime networks profit from the demand for rare plants and animals, like this bird seized in Mexico.

    More than 5,877 live turtles were seized during Operation Thunder, including these ones in Tanzania.

    Morocco conducted intelligence-led investigations and seized over 50 snakes of various species.

    12 live pangolins were seized during the action weeks, such as this one in Mozambique.

    These Oryx were seized in Iraq. The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions.

    1,731 other reptiles were seized live, like these blue-tongued lizards in Australia.

    Overall, nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, were rescued.

    33 protected primates were seized during the operation, this one was discovered in Chile.

    An example of a deer seized in North Macedonia during the operation that was jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

    This primate was rescued in Indonesia during Operation Thunder.

    The live animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide.

    Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation, in line with national frameworks and relevant protocols.

    The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions, as it helps confirm the type of species and its origin or distribution, shedding light on new trafficking routes and emerging trends.

    Large-scale trafficking of animal parts, plants and endangered species

    In addition to the live animals, participating countries seized hundreds of thousands of protected animal parts and derivatives, trees, plants, marine life and arthropods.

    Timber cases represent the most significant seizures, primarily occurring in sea cargo container shipments, while most other seizures took place at airports and mail processing hubs.

    Authorities also investigated online activities and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach.

    More than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were also identified.

    Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General said:

    “Organized crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature to fuel human greed. This has far-reaching consequences: it drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change and even fuels conflict and instability.

    “Environmental crimes are uniquely destructive, and INTERPOL, in cooperation with its partners, is committed to protecting our planet for future generations.”

    Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, said:

    “Operation Thunder continues to shed light on a crime that is often not a priority for enforcement actors. Through our joint efforts we have established cooperation mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, and we have refined our enforcement strategies.

    “The illegal wildlife trade is still rapidly growing, highly lucrative and has devastating effects. The WCO remains committed to supporting its members and partners to effectively combat this serious crime.”

    This leopard hide was seized in Namibia, during the largest-ever global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking.

    As well as this leopard skin coat discovered in Poland, Polish authorities also seized 300 seahorse tablets.

    This Mariposa butterfly found in Peru was one of 5,991 pieces and 233kg of arthropods seized globally.

    This wood in Brazil was among 49,572 pieces, 214.9 tonnes and 1340 m3 of timber seized worldwide.

    These sea cucumbers and shark fins were seized in Mozambique.

    Nearly 4.5 tonnes of pangolin scales were seized in Nigeria.

    Mongolia reported the seizure of 40 m3 of timber.

    This skull, discovered by Mexican authorities, was among 53 pieces of big cats seized around the world, including claws, furs, and skulls.

    Python skin products, like this one seized in Italy, are perceived as high-end or luxurious items.

    This coral, found in Italy, was one of 493 pieces and 21.41kg of coral seized globally.

    Indonesia reported two instances of trafficking of African ivory.

    Significant seizures include:

    • Indonesia: 134 tonnes of timber headed to Asia via ocean freight.
    • Kenya: 41 tonnes of exotic timber headed to Asia via ocean freight.
    • Nigeria: 4,472 kg of pangolins scales
    • Türkiye: 6,500 live songbirds discovered during a vehicle inspection at the Syrian border.
    • India: 5,193 live red-eared ornamental slider turtles concealed in passenger suitcases arriving from Malaysia at Chennai Airport.
    • Peru: 3,700 protected plants intercepted en route from Ecuador.
    • Qatar: Eight rhino horns found in a suspect’s luggage while transiting from Mozambique to Thailand.
    • United States: One tonne of sea cucumbers, considered a seafood delicacy, smuggled from Nicaragua.
    • Hong Kong, China: 973 kg of dried shark fins originating from Morocco seized at the airport.
    • Czech Republic: Eight tigers, aged between two months and two years, discovered in a suspected illegal breeding facility.
    • Indonesia: 846 pieces of reticulated python skin, from the world’s longest snake species, concealed on board a ship.
    • More than 300 firearms, vehicles and poaching equipment.

    Building a global intelligence picture of wildlife and timber trafficking

    Regular operations such as Thunder enable investigators to build a comprehensive global intelligence picture and detailed offender profiles, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and resolution of cross-border cases.

    Cooperation between various stakeholders is essential for effectively combating transnational criminal networks, from seizure to arrest and prosecution, as the data collected enable customs administrations to refine their risk management and compliance strategies, and stay one step ahead of criminals, ensuring that their contribution to the fight against wildlife crime is dynamic and responsive.

    Ahead of the operation, countries exchanged actionable intelligence on ongoing cases and high-value targets, updating critical information on 21 INTERPOL Red Notices for suspected traffickers wanted internationally. This exchange continued throughout the operation, with officers using the secure channels provided by both INTERPOL and the WCO to communicate in real time.

    The Operation Thunder series is backed by the CITES Secretariat and carried out under the partnership framework of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). The 2024 edition was co-funded by the European Union, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: WTW Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Revenue1 increased 4% over prior year to $3.0 billion for the quarter and increased 5% to $9.9 billion for the year
    • Organic Revenue growth of 5% for both the quarter and the year
    • Diluted Earnings per Share was $12.25 for the quarter, up 105% over prior year, and Diluted Loss2 was $0.96 for the year.
    • Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share was $8.13 for the quarter, up 9% from prior year, and $16.93 for the year, up 17% over prior year 
    • Operating Margin was 29.7% for the quarter, up 300 basis points over prior year, and 6.3% for the year, down 810 basis points from prior year
    • Adjusted Operating Margin was 36.1% for the quarter, up 190 basis points from prior year, and 23.9% for the year, up 190 basis points over prior year

    LONDON, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) (the “Company”), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    “WTW is entering 2025 with considerable momentum after delivering on our 2024 financial targets through solid revenue growth, robust margin expansion and earnings growth,” said Carl Hess, WTW’s chief executive officer. “The successful completion of our Grow, Simplify and Transform strategy has primed all of our businesses to perform, and we are now stronger, more connected and more efficient than we have ever been. I’m confident our new strategy to accelerate our performance, enhance our efficiency and optimize our portfolio will produce innovative solutions for our customers and create more value for shareholders. I’m proud of our team’s dedication and look forward to executing on our strategic and financial goals in the years ahead.”

    Consolidated Results

    Fourth Quarter 2024, as reported, USD millions, except %

    Key Metrics Q4-24 Q4-23 Y/Y Change
    Revenue1 $3,035 $2,914 Reported 4% | CC 5% | Organic 5%
    Income from Operations $901 $779 16%
    Operating Margin % 29.7% 26.7% 300 bps
    Adjusted Operating Income $1,096 $998 10%
    Adjusted Operating Margin % 36.1% 34.2% 190 bps
    Net Income $1,248 $623 100%
    Adjusted Net Income $827 $775 7%
    Diluted EPS $12.25 $5.97 105%
    Adjusted Diluted EPS $8.13 $7.44 9%

    Revenue was $3.04 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 4% as compared to $2.91 billion for the same period in the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenue increased 5%. On an organic basis, revenue increased 5%. See Supplemental Segment Information for additional detail on book-of-business settlements and interest income included in revenue.

    Net Income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $1.25 billion compared to Net Income of $623 million in the prior-year fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $1.2 billion, or 38.6% of revenue, an increase of 9%, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 billion, or 37.1% of revenue, in the prior-year fourth quarter. The U.S. GAAP tax rate for the fourth quarter was 26.0%, and the adjusted income tax rate for the fourth quarter used in calculating adjusted diluted earnings per share was 21.3%.

    Full Year 2024, as reported, USD millions, except %

    Key Metrics FY-24 FY-23 Y/Y Change
    Revenue1 $9,930 $9,483 Reported 5% | CC 5% | Organic 5%
    Income from Operations $627 $1,365 (54)%
    Operating Margin % 6.3% 14.4% (810) bps
    Adjusted Operating Income $2,378 $2,082 14%
    Adjusted Operating Margin % 23.9% 22.0% 190 bps
    Net (Loss)/Income2 $(88) $1,064 NM
    Adjusted Net Income $1,730 $1,536 13%
    Diluted EPS2 $(0.96) $9.95 NM
    Adjusted Diluted EPS $16.93 $14.49 17%
    1 The revenue amounts included in this release are presented on a U.S. GAAP basis except where stated otherwise. This excludes reinsurance revenue which is reported in discontinued operations. The segment discussion is on an organic basis.
    2 Net Loss and Diluted Loss Per Share for the year ended 2024 primarily includes impairment charges of over $1.0 billion related to the sale of TRANZACT.
    NM Not meaningful

    Revenue was $9.93 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 5% as compared to $9.48 billion for the prior year. On an organic basis, revenue increased 5%. See Supplemental Segment Information for additional detail on book-of-business settlements and interest income included in revenue.

    Net Loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $88 million, compared to Net Income of $1.1 billion in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $2.7 billion, or 27.3% of revenue, an increase of $278 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $2.4 billion, or 25.6% of revenue, in the prior year.

    The U.S. GAAP tax rate for 2024 was 184.7%, and the adjusted income tax rate for 2024 used in calculating adjusted diluted earnings per share was 21.5%.

    Cash Flow and Capital Allocation 

    Cash flows from operating activities were $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year. Free cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, an increase of $184 million, primarily driven by operating margin expansion, partially offset by cash outflows related to transformation and discretionary compensation payments. During the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repurchased $395 million and $901 million of WTW shares, respectively.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Segment Highlights

    Health, Wealth & Career (“HWC”)

    As reported, USD millions, except %

    Health, Wealth & Career Q4-24 Q4-23 Y/Y Change
    Total Revenue $1,853 $1,798 Reported 3% | CC 3% | Organic 3%
    Operating Income $776 $729 6%
    Operating Margin % 41.9% 40.5% 140 bps

    The HWC segment had revenue of $1.85 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 3% (3% increase constant currency and organic) from $1.80 billion in the prior year. Health had organic revenue growth led by increased project work and brokerage income in North America and the continued expansion of our Global Benefits Management client portfolio in International and Europe. Wealth generated organic revenue growth from higher levels of Retirement work globally, an increase in our Investments business due to growth of our LifeSight solution and capital market improvements. Career had organic revenue growth from increased advisory services and product revenue. Benefits Delivery & Outsourcing (BD&O) had an organic revenue decline for the quarter primarily as a result of deliberately moderating growth in TRANZACT.

    Operating margins in the HWC segment increased 140 basis points from the prior-year fourth quarter to 41.9%, primarily from Transformation savings. Please refer to the Supplemental Slides for TRANZACT’s standalone historical financial results.

    Risk & Broking (“R&B”)

    As reported, USD millions, except %

    Risk & Broking Q4-24 Q4-23 Y/Y Change
    Total Revenue $1,141 $1,076 Reported 6% | CC 7% | Organic 7%
    Operating Income $383 $354 8%
    Operating Margin % 33.5% 32.9% 60 bps

    The R&B segment had revenue of $1.14 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 6% (7% increase constant currency and organic) from $1.08 billion in the prior year. Corporate Risk & Broking (CRB) had organic revenue growth driven by higher levels of new business activity and strong client retention. Insurance Consulting and Technology (ICT) had organic revenue growth for the quarter primarily due to strong software sales in Technology.

    Operating margins in the R&B segment increased 60 basis points from the prior-year fourth quarter to 33.5%, primarily due to operating leverage driven by organic revenue growth and disciplined expense management, as well as Transformation savings which were partially offset by headwinds from book-of-business activity and foreign currency fluctuations.

    Select 2025 Financial Considerations

    Changes to Non-GAAP financial measures:

    • All reported non-GAAP metrics will exclude non-cash net periodic pension and postretirement benefit credits
    • Free cash flow and free cash flow margin will capture cash outflows for capitalized software costs
    • Refer to Supplemental Slides for recast of historical Non-GAAP measures

    Business mix:

    • Divested TRANZACT business, which contributed $1.14 to adjusted diluted earnings per share in 2024, is no longer part of the business portfolio
    • Reinsurance joint venture expected to be a headwind on adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.25 to $0.35

    Free cash flow:

    • Expect cash outflows in 2025 from the settlement of accrued costs related to the Transformation program which concluded in 2024
    • Cash taxes related to receipt of earnout from reinsurance divestiture will be classified as Cash Flows from Operating Activities on Statement of Cash Flows

    Capital allocation:

    • Expect share repurchases of ~$1.5 billion, subject to market conditions and potential capital allocation to organic and inorganic investment opportunities

    Foreign exchange:

    • Expect a foreign currency headwind on adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.18 in 2025 at today’s rates

    Adjusted operating margin outlook:

    • ~100 basis points of average annual margin expansion over next 3 years in R&B
    • Incremental annual margin expansion at HWC and enterprise levels

    The 2025 Financial Considerations above include Non-GAAP financial measures. We do not reconcile forward-looking Non-GAAP measures for reasons explained under “WTW Non-GAAP Measures” below.

    Conference Call

    The Company will host a live webcast and conference call to discuss the financial results for the fourth quarter 2024. It will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available on WTW’s website here. The conference call will include a question-and-answer session. To participate in the question-and-answer session, please register here. An online replay will be available at www.wtwco.com shortly after the call concludes.

    About WTW

    At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance. Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you. Learn more at www.wtwco.com.

    WTW Non-GAAP Measures

    In order to assist readers of our consolidated financial statements in understanding the core operating results that WTW’s management uses to evaluate the business and for financial planning, we present the following non-GAAP measures: (1) Constant Currency Change, (2) Organic Change, (3) Adjusted Operating Income/Margin, (4) Adjusted EBITDA/Margin, (5) Adjusted Net Income, (6) Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, (7) Adjusted Income Before Taxes, (8) Adjusted Income Taxes/Tax Rate, (9) Free Cash Flow and (10) Free Cash Flow Margin.

    We believe that those measures are relevant and provide pertinent information widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in our industry to provide a baseline for evaluating and comparing our operating performance, and in the case of free cash flow, our liquidity results.

    Within the measures referred to as ‘adjusted’, we adjust for significant items which will not be settled in cash, or which we believe to be items that are not core to our current or future operations. Some of these items may not be applicable for the current quarter, however they may be part of our full-year results. Additionally, we have historically adjusted for certain items which are not described below, but for which we may adjust in a future period when applicable. Items applicable to the quarter or full year results, or the comparable periods, include the following:

    • Restructuring costs and transaction and transformation – Management believes it is appropriate to adjust for restructuring costs and transaction and transformation when they relate to a specific significant program with a defined set of activities and costs that are not expected to continue beyond a defined period of time, or significant acquisition-related transaction expenses. We believe the adjustment is necessary to present how the Company is performing, both now and in the future when the incurrence of these costs will have concluded.
    • Impairment – Adjustment to remove the non-cash goodwill impairment associated with our Benefits, Delivery and Administration reporting unit related to the sale of our TRANZACT business.
    • Provisions for specified litigation matters – We will include provisions for litigation matters which we believe are not representative of our core business operations. Among other things, we determine this by reference to the amount of the loss (net of insurance and other recovery receivables) and by reference to whether the matter relates to an unusual and complex scenario that is not expected to be repeated as part of our ongoing, ordinary business. These amounts are presented net of insurance and other recovery receivables. See the footnotes to the respective reconciliation tables below for more specificity on the litigation matter excluded from adjusted results.
    • Gains and losses on disposals of operations – Adjustment to remove the gains or losses resulting from disposed operations that have not been classified as discontinued operations.
    • Pension settlement – Adjustment to remove significant pension settlement to better present how the Company is performing.
    • Tax effect of significant adjustments – Relates to the incremental tax expense or benefit resulting from significant or unusual events including significant statutory tax rate changes enacted in material jurisdictions in which we operate, internal reorganizations of ownership of certain businesses that reduced the investment held by our U.S.-controlled subsidiaries and the recovery of certain refunds or payment of taxes related to businesses in which we no longer participate.

    We evaluate our revenue on an as reported (U.S. GAAP), constant currency and organic basis. We believe presenting constant currency and organic information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our comparable results, consistent with how we evaluate our performance internally.

    We consider Constant Currency Change, Organic Change, Adjusted Operating Income/Margin, Adjusted EBITDA/Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, Adjusted Income Before Taxes, Adjusted Income Taxes/Tax Rate and Free Cash Flow to be important financial measures, which are used to internally evaluate and assess our core operations and to benchmark our operating and liquidity results against our competitors. These non-GAAP measures are important in illustrating what our comparable operating and liquidity results would have been had we not incurred transaction-related and non-recurring items. Reconciliations of these measures are included in the accompanying tables with the following exception: The Company does not reconcile its forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, due to variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections and/or certain information not being ascertainable or accessible; and because not all of the information, such as foreign currency impacts necessary for a quantitative reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is available to the Company without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. The Company provides non-GAAP financial measures that it believes will be achieved, however it cannot accurately predict all of the components of the adjusted calculations and the U.S. GAAP measures may be materially different than the non-GAAP measures.

    Our non-GAAP measures and their accompanying definitions are presented as follows:

    Constant Currency Change – Represents the year-over-year change in revenue excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. To calculate this impact, the prior year local currency results are first translated using the current year monthly average exchange rates. The change is calculated by comparing the prior year revenue, translated at the current year monthly average exchange rates, to the current year as reported revenue, for the same period. We believe constant currency measures provide useful information to investors because they provide transparency to performance by excluding the effects that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have on period-over-period comparability given volatility in foreign currency exchange markets.

    Organic Change – Excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, as described above and the period-over-period impact of acquisitions and divestitures on current-year revenue. We believe that excluding transaction-related items from our U.S. GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental information to our investors, and it is important in illustrating what our core operating results would have been had we not included these transaction-related items, since the nature, size and number of these transaction-related items can vary from period to period.

    Adjusted Operating Income/Margin – (Loss)/Income from operations adjusted for impairment, amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results. Adjusted operating income margin is calculated by dividing adjusted operating income by revenue. We consider adjusted operating income/margin to be important financial measures, which are used internally to evaluate and assess our core operations and to benchmark our operating results against our competitors.

    Adjusted EBITDA/Margin – Net (Loss)/Income adjusted for provision for income taxes, interest expense, impairment, depreciation and amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation, gains and losses on disposals of operations and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by revenue. We consider adjusted EBITDA/margin to be important financial measures, which are used internally to evaluate and assess our core operations, to benchmark our operating results against our competitors and to evaluate and measure our performance-based compensation plans.

    Adjusted Net Income – Net (Loss)/Income Attributable to WTW adjusted for impairment, amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation, gains and losses on disposals of operations and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results and the related tax effect of those adjustments and the tax effects of internal reorganizations. This measure is used solely for the purpose of calculating adjusted diluted earnings per share.

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share – Adjusted Net Income divided by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares, diluted. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is used to internally evaluate and assess our core operations and to benchmark our operating results against our competitors.

    Adjusted Income Before Taxes – (Loss)/Income from operations before income taxes adjusted for impairment, amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation, gains and losses on disposals of operations and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results. Adjusted income before taxes is used solely for the purpose of calculating the adjusted income tax rate.

    Adjusted Income Taxes/Tax Rate – Benefit from/(provision for) income taxes adjusted for taxes on certain items of impairment, amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation, gains and losses on disposals of operations, the tax effects of internal reorganizations, and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results, divided by adjusted income before taxes. Adjusted income taxes is used solely for the purpose of calculating the adjusted income tax rate. Management believes that the adjusted income tax rate presents a rate that is more closely aligned to the rate that we would incur if not for the reduction of pre-tax income for the adjusted items and the tax effects of internal reorganizations, which are not core to our current and future operations.

    Free Cash Flow – Cash flows from operating activities less cash used to purchase fixed assets and software for internal use. Free Cash Flow is a liquidity measure and is not meant to represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow presents the core operating performance and cash-generating capabilities of our business operations.

    Free Cash Flow Margin – Free Cash Flow as a percentage of revenue, which represents how much of revenue would be realized on a cash basis. We consider this measure to be a meaningful metric for tracking cash conversion on a year-over-year basis due to the non-cash nature of our pension income, which is included in our GAAP and Non-GAAP earnings metrics presented herein.

    These non-GAAP measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the information contained within our condensed consolidated financial statements.

    WTW Forward-Looking Statements

    This document contains ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations or certain considerations relating to our future results. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as our outlook, plans and references to future performance, including our future financial and operating results (including our revenue, costs, or margins), short-term and long-term financial goals, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, including with respect to organic revenue growth, free cash flow generation, adjusted net revenue, adjusted operating margin and adjusted earnings per share; future share repurchases; demand for our services and competitive strengths; strategic goals; existing and evolving business strategies including those related to acquisition and disposition activity; the benefits of new initiatives; the growth of our business and operations; the sustained health of our product, service, transaction, client, and talent assessment and management pipelines; our ability to successfully manage ongoing leadership, organizational, and technology changes, including investments in improving systems and processes; our ability to implement and realize anticipated benefits of any cost-savings initiatives including our multi-year operational transformation program; the potential impact of natural or man-made disasters like health pandemics and other world health crises; future capital expenditures; ongoing working capital efforts; the impact of changes to tax laws on our financial results; and our recognition of future impairment charges or write-off of receivables, are forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘continues’, ‘seek’, ‘target’, ‘goal’, ‘focus’, ‘probably’, or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking disclosure is speculative by its nature.

    There are important risks, uncertainties, events and factors that could cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, including the following: our ability to successfully establish, execute and achieve our global business strategy as it evolves; our ability to fully realize the anticipated benefits of our growth strategy, including inorganic growth through acquisitions; our ability to execute strategic transactions, including both acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to receive adequate consideration or any earnout proceeds in return for any dispositions or integrate or manage acquired businesses or effect internal reorganizations; incremental risks relating to the transitional arrangements in effect subsequent to our previously completed sale of TRANZACT; our ability to successfully manage ongoing organizational changes, investments in improving systems and processes, and in connection with our acquisition and divestiture activities; risks relating to changes in our management structures and in senior leadership; our ability to achieve our short-term and long-term financial goals, such as with respect to our cash flow generation, and the timing with respect to such achievement; the risks related to changes in general economic conditions, business and political conditions, changes in the financial markets, inflation, credit availability, increased interest rates and changes in trade policies; the risks to our short-term and long-term financial goals from any of the risks or uncertainties set forth herein; the risks relating to the adverse impacts of macroeconomic trends, including inflation, changes in interest rates and trade policies, as well as political events, war, such as the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts, and other international disputes, terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues and other business interruptions on the global economy and capital markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and long-term goals; our ability to successfully hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency rates; the risks relating to the adverse impacts of natural or man-made disasters such as health pandemics and other world health crises on the demand for our products and services, our cash flows and our business operations; material interruptions to or loss of our information processing capabilities, or failure to effectively maintain and upgrade our information technology resources and systems and related risks of cybersecurity breaches or incidents; our ability to comply with complex and evolving regulations related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence; significant competition that we face and the potential for loss of market share and/or profitability; the impact of seasonality and differences in timing of renewals and non-recurring revenue increases from disposals and book-of-business sales; the insufficiency of client data protection, potential breaches of information systems or insufficient safeguards against cybersecurity breaches or incidents; the risk of increased liability or new legal claims arising from our new and existing products and services, and expectations, intentions and outcomes relating to outstanding litigation; the risk of substantial negative outcomes on existing litigation or investigation matters; changes in the regulatory environment in which we operate, including, among other risks, the impacts of pending competition law and regulatory investigations; various claims, government inquiries or investigations or the potential for regulatory action; our ability to integrate direct-to-consumer sales and marketing solutions with our existing offerings and solutions; disasters or business continuity problems; our ability to successfully enhance our billing, collection and other working capital efforts, and thereby increase our free cash flow; our ability to properly identify and manage conflicts of interest; reputational damage, including from association with third parties; reliance on third-party service providers and suppliers; the loss of key employees or a large number of employees and rehiring rates; our ability to maintain our corporate culture; doing business internationally, including the impact of foreign currency exchange rates; compliance with extensive government regulation; the risk of sanctions imposed by governments, or changes to associated sanction regulations (such as sanctions imposed on Russia) and related counter-sanctions; our ability to effectively apply technology, data and analytics changes for internal operations, maintaining industry standards and meeting client preferences; changes and developments in the insurance industry or the U.S. healthcare system, including those related to Medicare, any legislative actions from the current U.S. Congress, the recent Final Rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for contract year 2025 and any judicial claims, rulings and appeals related thereto, and any other changes and developments in legal, regulatory, economic, business or operational conditions that could impact our Medicare benefits businesses; the inability to protect our intellectual property rights, or the potential infringement upon the intellectual property rights of others; fluctuations in our pension assets and liabilities and related changes in pension income, including as a result of, related to, or derived from movements in the interest rate environment, investment returns, inflation, or changes in other assumptions that are used to estimate our benefit obligations and their effect on adjusted earnings per share; our capital structure, including indebtedness amounts, the limitations imposed by the covenants in the documents governing such indebtedness and the maintenance of the financial and disclosure controls and procedures of each; our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all; adverse changes in our credit ratings; the impact of recent or potential changes to U.S. or foreign laws, and the enactment of additional, or the revision of existing, state, federal, and/or foreign laws and regulations, recent judicial decisions and development of case law, other regulations and any policy changes and legislative actions, including those that may impose additional excise taxes or impact our effective tax rate; U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. persons owning at least 10% of our shares; changes in accounting principles, estimates or assumptions; our recognition of future non-cash pre-tax losses and related impairment charges; risks relating to or arising from environmental, social and governance practices; fluctuation in revenue against our relatively fixed or higher than expected expenses; the laws of Ireland being different from the laws of the U.S. and potentially affording less protections to the holders of our securities; and our holding company structure potentially preventing us from being able to receive dividends or other distributions in needed amounts from our subsidiaries.

    The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and new factors may emerge from time to time that could also affect actual performance and results. For more information, please see Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies are available online at www.sec.gov or www.wtwco.com.

    Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and therefore also the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. Given the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this document, our inclusion of this information is not a representation or guarantee by us that our objectives and plans will be achieved.

    Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we will not update these forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. With regard to these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this document may not occur, and we caution you against unduly relying on these forward-looking statements.

    Contact

    INVESTORS
    Claudia De La Hoz | Claudia.Delahoz@wtwco.com

     

    WTW
    Supplemental Segment Information
    (In millions of U.S. dollars)
    (Unaudited)
     
    REVENUE    
                  Components of Revenue Change(i)
                        Less:       Less:    
        Three Months Ended
     December 31,
        As Reported   Currency   Constant Currency   Acquisitions/   Organic
        2024     2023     % Change   Impact   Change   Divestitures   Change
                                     
    Health, Wealth & Career                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 1,847     $ 1,791     3%   0%   3%   0%   3%
    Interest income     6       7                      
    Total     1,853       1,798     3%   0%   3%   0%   3%
                                     
    Risk & Broking                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 1,115     $ 1,049     6%   (1)%   7%   0%   7%
    Interest income     26       27                      
    Total     1,141       1,076     6%   (1)%   7%   0%   7%
                                     
    Segment Revenue   $ 2,994     $ 2,874     4%   (1)%   5%   0%   5%
    Corporate, reimbursable expenses and other     37       35                      
    Interest income     4       5                      
    Revenue   $ 3,035     $ 2,914     4%   (1)%   5%   0%   5%(ii)
                  Components of Revenue Change(i)
                        Less:       Less:    
        Years Ended December 31,    As Reported   Currency   Constant Currency   Acquisitions/   Organic
        2024    2023    % Change   Impact   Change   Divestitures   Change
                                     
    Health, Wealth & Career                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 5,745     $ 5,557     3%   0%   3%   0%   4%
    Interest income     32       25                      
    Total     5,777       5,582     3%   0%   4%   0%   4%
                                     
    Risk & Broking                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 3,926     $ 3,656     7%   0%   8%   0%   8%
    Interest income     112       79                      
    Total     4,038       3,735     8%   (1)%   9%   0%   8%
                                     
    Segment Revenue   $ 9,815     $ 9,317     5%   0%   6%   0%   6%
    Corporate, reimbursable expenses and other     93       125                      
    Interest income     22       41                      
    Revenue   $ 9,930     $ 9,483     5%   0%   5%   0%   5%(ii)

    (i)  Components of revenue change may not add due to rounding.
    (ii)  Interest income did not contribute to organic change for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024.

    BOOK-OF-BUSINESS SETTLEMENTS AND INTEREST INCOME

        Three Months Ended December 31,  
        HWC    R&B    Corporate    Total 
        2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023 
    Book-of-business settlements   $ 5     $ 1     $ 6     $ 14     $     $     $ 11     $ 15  
    Interest income     6       7       26       27       4       5       36       39  
    Total   $ 11     $ 8     $ 32     $ 41     $ 4     $ 5     $ 47     $ 54  
        Years Ended December 31,  
        HWC    R&B    Corporate    Total 
        2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023 
    Book-of-business settlements   $ 8     $ 1     $ 14     $ 25     $     $     $ 22     $ 26  
    Interest income     32       25       112       79       22       41       166       145  
    Total   $ 40     $ 26     $ 126     $ 104     $ 22     $ 41     $ 188     $ 171  


    SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME (i)

        Three Months Ended
    December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Health, Wealth & Career   $ 776     $ 729  
    Risk & Broking     383       354  
    Segment Operating Income   $ 1,159     $ 1,083  
        Years Ended
    December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Health, Wealth & Career   $ 1,717     $ 1,565  
    Risk & Broking     958       813  
    Segment Operating Income   $ 2,675     $ 2,378  


    (i)
    Segment operating income excludes certain costs, including amortization of intangibles, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation expenses, certain litigation provisions, and to the extent that the actual expense based upon which allocations are made differs from the forecast/budget amount, a reconciling item will be created between internally-allocated expenses and the actual expenses reported for U.S. GAAP purposes.

    SEGMENT OPERATING MARGINS

        Three Months Ended December 31,
        2024    2023 
    Health, Wealth & Career   41.9%   40.5%
    Risk & Broking   33.5%   32.9%
        Years Ended
    December 31,
        2024    2023 
    Health, Wealth & Career   29.7%   28.0%
    Risk & Broking   23.7%   21.8%


    RECONCILIATIONS OF SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME TO INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

        Three Months Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Segment Operating Income   $ 1,159     $ 1,083  
    Amortization     (50 )     (60 )
    Restructuring costs     (32 )     (38 )
    Transaction and transformation(i)     (113 )     (121 )
    Unallocated, net(ii)     (63 )     (85 )
    Income from Operations     901       779  
    Interest expense     (66 )     (63 )
    Other income, net     853       23  
    Income from operations before income taxes   $ 1,688     $ 739  
        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Segment Operating Income   $ 2,675     $ 2,378  
    Impairment(iii)     (1,042 )      
    Amortization     (226 )     (263 )
    Restructuring costs     (61 )     (68 )
    Transaction and transformation(i)     (409 )     (386 )
    Unallocated, net(ii)     (310 )     (296 )
    Income from Operations     627       1,365  
    Interest expense     (263 )     (235 )
    Other (loss)/income, net     (260 )     149  
    Income from operations before income taxes   $ 104     $ 1,279  

     (i) In 2024 and 2023, in addition to legal fees and other transaction costs, includes primarily consulting fees and compensation costs related to the Transformation program.
     (ii) Includes certain costs, primarily related to corporate functions which are not directly related to the segments, and certain differences between budgeted expenses determined at the beginning of the year and actual expenses that we report for U.S. GAAP purposes.
     (iii) Represents the non-cash goodwill impairment associated with our BDA reporting unit related to the completed sale of our TRANZACT business.

    WTW
    Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures
    (In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    RECONCILIATIONS OF NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO WTW TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

        Three Months Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Net income attributable to WTW   $ 1,246     $ 622  
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Amortization     50       60  
    Restructuring costs     32       38  
    Transaction and transformation     113       121  
    Pension settlement     23        
    (Gain)/loss on disposal of operations     (853 )     1  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(i)     216       (67 )
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 827     $ 775  
                 
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted     102       104  
                 
    Diluted Earnings Per Share   $ 12.25     $ 5.97  
    Adjusted for certain items:(ii)            
    Amortization     0.49       0.58  
    Restructuring costs     0.31       0.36  
    Transaction and transformation     1.11       1.16  
    Pension settlement     0.23        
    (Gain)/loss on disposal of operations     (8.39 )     0.01  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(i)     2.12       (0.64 )
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share(ii)   $ 8.13     $ 7.44  
        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Net (loss)/income attributable to WTW   $ (98 )   $ 1,055  
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Impairment     1,042        
    Amortization     226       263  
    Restructuring costs     61       68  
    Transaction and transformation     409       386  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(iii)     13        
    Pension settlement     23        
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     337       (43 )
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(i)     (276 )     (195 )
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     (7 )     2  
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 1,730     $ 1,536  
                 
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted(iv)     102       106  
                 
    Diluted (Loss)/Earnings Per Share(iv)   $ (0.96 )   $ 9.95  
    Adjusted for certain items:(ii)            
    Impairment     10.20        
    Amortization     2.21       2.48  
    Restructuring costs     0.60       0.64  
    Transaction and transformation     4.00       3.64  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(iii)     0.13        
    Pension settlement     0.23        
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     3.30       (0.41 )
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(i)     (2.70 )     (1.84 )
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     (0.07 )     0.02  
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share(ii)   $ 16.93     $ 14.49  

     (i) The tax effect was calculated using an effective tax rate for each item.
    (ii) Per share values and totals may differ due to rounding.
    (iii) Represents a provision related to litigation arising out of a structured insurance program originally placed for a client over 15 years ago. The program is of a type and complexity that was highly bespoke to the client and for that reason is unlikely to be exactly replicated elsewhere. We believe excluding this matter from adjusted results makes results more comparable from period to period and more representative of our core business operations.
    (iv) When there is a net loss attributable to WTW for the period, basic and diluted shares and earnings per share are the same values.

    RECONCILIATIONS OF NET INCOME/(LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA

        Three Months Ended December 31,    
        2024    2023   
                   
    Net Income   $ 1,248   41.1% $ 623   21.4%
    Provision for income taxes     440       116    
    Interest expense     66       63    
    Depreciation     54       58    
    Amortization     50       60    
    Restructuring costs     32       38    
    Transaction and transformation     113       121    
    Pension settlement     23          
    (Gain)/loss on disposal of operations     (853 )     1    
    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin   $ 1,173   38.6% $ 1,080   37.1%
        Years Ended December 31,    
        2024    2023   
                   
    Net (Loss)/Income   $ (88 ) (0.9)% $ 1,064   11.2%
    Provision for income taxes     192       215    
    Interest expense     263       235    
    Impairment     1,042          
    Depreciation     230       242    
    Amortization     226       263    
    Restructuring costs     61       68    
    Transaction and transformation     409       386    
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13          
    Pension settlement     23          
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     337       (43 )  
    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin   $ 2,708   27.3% $ 2,430   25.6%

     (i) Represents a provision related to litigation arising out of a structured insurance program originally placed for a client over 15 years ago. The program is of a type and complexity that was highly bespoke to the client and for that reason is unlikely to be exactly replicated elsewhere. We believe excluding this matter from adjusted results makes results more comparable from period to period and more representative of our core business operations.

    RECONCILIATIONS OF INCOME FROM OPERATIONS TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

        Three Months Ended December 31,    
        2024     2023    
                   
    Income from operations and Operating margin   $ 901   29.7% $ 779   26.7%
    Adjusted for certain items:              
    Amortization     50       60    
    Restructuring costs     32       38    
    Transaction and transformation     113       121    
    Adjusted operating income and Adjusted operating income margin   $ 1,096   36.1% $ 998   34.2%
        Years Ended December 31,    
        2024     2023    
                   
    Income from operations and Operating margin   $ 627   6.3% $ 1,365   14.4%
    Adjusted for certain items:              
    Impairment     1,042          
    Amortization     226       263    
    Restructuring costs     61       68    
    Transaction and transformation     409       386    
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13          
    Adjusted operating income and Adjusted operating income margin   $ 2,378   23.9% $ 2,082   22.0%

    (i) Represents a provision related to litigation arising out of a structured insurance program originally placed for a client over 15 years ago. The program is of a type and complexity that was highly bespoke to the client and for that reason is unlikely to be exactly replicated elsewhere. We believe excluding this matter from adjusted results makes results more comparable from period to period and more representative of our core business operations.

    RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP INCOME TAXES/TAX RATE TO ADJUSTED INCOME TAXES/TAX RATE

        Three Months Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Income from operations before income taxes   $ 1,688     $ 739  
                 
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Amortization     50       60  
    Restructuring costs     32       38  
    Transaction and transformation     113       121  
    Pension settlement     23        
    (Gain)/loss on disposal of operations     (853 )     1  
    Adjusted income before taxes   $ 1,053     $ 959  
                 
    Provision for income taxes   $ 440     $ 116  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     (216 )     67  
    Adjusted income taxes   $ 224     $ 183  
                 
    U.S. GAAP tax rate     26.0 %     15.7 %
    Adjusted income tax rate     21.3 %     19.1 %
        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Income from operations before income taxes   $ 104     $ 1,279  
                 
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Impairment     1,042        
    Amortization     226       263  
    Restructuring costs     61       68  
    Transaction and transformation     409       386  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13        
    Pension settlement     23        
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     337       (43 )
    Adjusted income before taxes   $ 2,215     $ 1,953  
                 
    Provision for income taxes   $ 192     $ 215  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     276       195  
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     7       (2 )
    Adjusted income taxes   $ 475     $ 408  
                 
    U.S. GAAP tax rate     184.7 %     16.8 %
    Adjusted income tax rate     21.5 %     20.9 %

    (i) Represents a provision related to litigation arising out of a structured insurance program originally placed for a client over 15 years ago. The program is of a type and complexity that was highly bespoke to the client and for that reason is unlikely to be exactly replicated elsewhere. We believe excluding this matter from adjusted results makes results more comparable from period to period and more representative of our core business operations.
    (ii) The tax effect was calculated using an effective tax rate for each item.

    RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW

        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Cash flows from operating activities   $ 1,512     $ 1,345  
    Less: Additions to fixed assets and software for internal use     (136 )     (153 )
    Free Cash Flow   $ 1,376     $ 1,192  
                 
    Revenue   $ 9,930     $ 9,483  
    Free Cash Flow Margin     13.9 %     12.6 %

     

    WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
    (In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                 
        Three Months Ended
     December 31, 
      Years Ended
     December 31, 
        2024    2023    2024    2023 
    Revenue   $ 3,035     $ 2,914     $ 9,930     $ 9,483  
                             
    Costs of providing services                        
    Salaries and benefits     1,367       1,325       5,502       5,344  
    Other operating expenses     518       533       1,833       1,815  
    Impairment                 1,042        
    Depreciation     54       58       230       242  
    Amortization     50       60       226       263  
    Restructuring costs     32       38       61       68  
    Transaction and transformation     113       121       409       386  
    Total costs of providing services     2,134       2,135       9,303       8,118  
                             
    Income from operations     901       779       627       1,365  
                             
    Interest expense     (66 )     (63 )     (263 )     (235 )
    Other income/(loss), net     853       23       (260 )     149  
                             
    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES   1,688       739       104       1,279  
                             
    Provision for income taxes     (440 )     (116 )     (192 )     (215 )
                             
    NET INCOME/(LOSS)   1,248       623       (88 )     1,064  
                             
    Income attributable to non-controlling interests     (2 )     (1 )     (10 )     (9 )
                             
    NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO WTW   $ 1,246     $ 622     $ (98 )   $ 1,055  
                             
    EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE                        
    Basic earnings/(loss) per share   $ 12.32     $ 6.02     $ (0.96 )   $ 10.01  
    Diluted earnings/(loss) per share   $ 12.25     $ 5.97     $ (0.96 )   $ 9.95  
                             
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, basic     101       103       102       105  
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted     102       104       102       106  

     

    WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In millions of U.S. dollars, except share data)
    (Unaudited)
     
        December 31,    December 31, 
        2024    2023 
    ASSETS            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,890     $ 1,424  
    Fiduciary assets     9,504       9,073  
    Accounts receivable, net     2,494       2,572  
    Prepaid and other current assets     1,217       364  
    Total current assets     15,105       13,433  
    Fixed assets, net     661       720  
    Goodwill     8,799       10,195  
    Other intangible assets, net     1,295       2,016  
    Right-of-use assets     485       565  
    Pension benefits assets     530       588  
    Other non-current assets     806       1,573  
    Total non-current assets     12,576       15,657  
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 27,681     $ 29,090  
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY            
    Fiduciary liabilities   $ 9,504     $ 9,073  
    Deferred revenue and accrued expenses     2,211       2,104  
    Current debt           650  
    Current lease liabilities     118       125  
    Other current liabilities     793       678  
    Total current liabilities     12,626       12,630  
    Long-term debt     5,309       4,567  
    Liability for pension benefits     615       563  
    Deferred tax liabilities     45       542  
    Provision for liabilities     341       365  
    Long-term lease liabilities     502       592  
    Other non-current liabilities     226       238  
    Total non-current liabilities     7,038       6,867  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES     19,664       19,497  
    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES            
    EQUITY(i)            
    Additional paid-in capital     10,989       10,910  
    Retained earnings     109       1,466  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax     (3,158 )     (2,856 )
    Total WTW shareholders’ equity     7,940       9,520  
    Non-controlling interests     77       73  
    Total Equity     8,017       9,593  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   $ 27,681     $ 29,090  

    ________________________
    (i)  Equity includes (a) Ordinary shares $0.000304635 nominal value; Authorized 1,510,003,775; Issued 99,805,780 (2024) and 102,538,072 (2023); Outstanding 99,805,780 (2024) and 102,538,072 (2023) and (b) Preference shares, $0.000115 nominal value; Authorized 1,000,000,000 and Issued none in 2024 and 2023.

     

    WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (In millions of U.S. dollars)
    (Unaudited)
         
        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
    NET (LOSS)/INCOME   $ (88 )   $ 1,064  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to total net cash from operating activities:            
    Depreciation     230       242  
    Amortization     226       263  
    Impairment     1,042        
    Non-cash restructuring charges     41       38  
    Non-cash lease expense     98       105  
    Net periodic benefit of defined benefit pension plans     4       (26 )
    Provision for doubtful receivables from clients     13       6  
    Benefit from deferred income taxes     (213 )     (109 )
    Share-based compensation     121       125  
    Net loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     337       (43 )
    Non-cash foreign exchange (gain)/loss     (31 )     20  
    Other, net     58       31  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase of subsidiaries:            
    Accounts receivable     (233 )     (206 )
    Other assets     (373 )     (185 )
    Other liabilities     301       16  
    Provisions     (21 )     4  
    Net cash from operating activities     1,512       1,345  
                 
    CASH FLOWS FROM/(USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
    Additions to fixed assets and software for internal use     (136 )     (153 )
    Capitalized software costs     (109 )     (89 )
    Acquisitions of operations, net of cash acquired     (107 )     (6 )
    Proceeds from sale of operations     619       89  
    Cash and fiduciary funds transferred in sale of operations     (5 )     (922 )
    Purchase of investments     (12 )     (4 )
    Net cash from/(used in) investing activities     250       (1,085 )
                 
    CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
    Senior notes issued     746       748  
    Debt issuance costs     (9 )     (7 )
    Repayments of debt     (655 )     (254 )
    Repurchase of shares     (901 )     (1,000 )
    Net proceeds/(payments) from fiduciary funds held for clients     785       (234 )
    Payments of deferred and contingent consideration related to acquisitions     (2 )     (12 )
    Cash paid for employee taxes on withholding shares     (56 )     (26 )
    Dividends paid     (354 )     (352 )
    Acquisitions of and dividends paid to non-controlling interests     (13 )     (63 )
    Net cash used in financing activities     (459 )     (1,200 )
                 
    INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED
       CASH
        1,303       (940 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (97 )     11  
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF
       PERIOD (i)
        3,792       4,721  
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD (i)   $ 4,998     $ 3,792  

    ________________________
    (i)  The amounts of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, their respective classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as well as their respective portions of the increase or decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for each of the periods presented have been included in the Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information section.

    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,890     $ 1,424  
    Fiduciary funds (included in fiduciary assets)     3,108       2,368  
    Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   $ 4,998     $ 3,792  
                 
    Increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and other restricted cash   $ 510     $ 163  
    Increase/(decrease) in fiduciary funds     793       (1,103 )
    Total (i)   $ 1,303     $ (940 )

    (i) Does not include the effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Australia’s Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show “Grug and the Rainbow” (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Australia’s Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show “Grug and the Rainbow” (with photos)
    Australia’s Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show “Grug and the Rainbow” (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has invited Australia’s Windmill Theatre Company with Grug, a celebrated picture-book character, to return to Hong Kong after a hiatus of 10 years. The Company will perform the puppetry show “Grug and the Rainbow” as the finale of this year’s “Cheers!” Series from February 28 to March 2 (Friday to Sunday), bringing a colourful and heart-warming adventure to toddlers and Grug fans of all ages.     Grug is a character from the much-loved picture books by Australian writer Ted Prior. Grug started out as the top of a burrawang tree that fell to the ground. He is fascinated by the world around him. In “Grug and the Rainbow”, Grug is amazed by the vibrant colours of a rainbow after the rain stops, and wants to have a rainbow of his own. On his journey to gather the colours of a rainbow, Grug encounters a bowerbird and a crab, and sets off on trips to the beach, the city and the snowfields, where he experiences cycling, playing drums, house painting, skiing, and more. His friends Cara the carpet snake and Snoot the echidna join him to experience a series of surprises and fun happenings as he explores a world of colour.      With accessible storytelling, a simple yet delicate set and magical sound effects, “Grug and the Rainbow” is best suited for children aged 2 to 6. The actors skillfully manipulate the exquisite puppets, blending them with vivid and riveting voices, to bring the characters of the picture book to life. There are several audience participation bits throughout the performance, while the company ingeniously integrates daily objects and knowledge into the scenes, enabling young audiences to acquire knowledge through the theatre-going experience, unleashing their imagination and creativity.     Founded in Adelaide, Australia, in 2002, the Windmill Theatre Company has earned a global reputation as a leading producer of theatre for children, teenagers, and families. It was hailed by newspaper The Australian as “the best children’s theatre company in the country”. Over the years, the Company has presented 65 productions in over 3 000 performances in more than 300 cities and towns across 30 countries.      The performance schedule of “Cheers!” Series: “Grug and the Rainbow” by the Windmill Theatre Company (Australia) is as follows:      Performances in English with simple Cantonese interpretation:     February 28 (Friday), 5pm and 7.30pm     March 1 (Saturday), 11.30am     March 2 (Sunday), 2.30pm     Performances in English:     March 1 (Saturday), 2.30pm     March 2 (Sunday), 11.30am     The above-mentioned performances will be held at the Cultural Activities Hall of Sha Tin Town Hall. Each performance will run for about 35 minutes without intermission. An interactive session will be held after each performance. Tickets priced at $280 (half-price tickets for full-time students and children aged 6 or below) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Children must be accompanied by a parent or an adult, and one ticket per person is required regardless of age (including young children). The “Cheers!” Series offers various discount schemes, such as package discounts and family package discounts. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1779.html.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 4, 2025Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. Announces Common Stock Repurchase Plan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BROOKFIELD, Wis., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Directors of CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company” or “CIB Marine”) (OTCQX: CIBH), the parent company of CIBM Bank, has authorized a 2025 share repurchase program for up to $1 million worth of the Company’s outstanding common stock. This marks the Company’s first common stock repurchase program since completing the repurchase of all Company-issued preferred stock in 2024.

    Repurchases are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025. Common stock may be repurchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Common share repurchases will be made at the Company’s discretion, with the timing and amount determined by a number of factors, including, the availability of common shares, general market conditions, trading prices, economic conditions, regulatory requirements, and the Company’s financial performance. All stock purchases will be made in accordance with applicable legal requirements. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase a specific amount of common stock within any particular time frame, and there is no guarantee that any shares will be repurchased upon criteria established by the Company. The Board of Directors will evaluate repurchase conditions at least quarterly to determine the terms and conditions for repurchase activity.

    “Having just completed our very successful preferred stock repurchase plan in October, this common stock repurchase program will build off of the momentum of 2024 as we continue to expand meaningful opportunities for shareholder value,” stated Brian Chaffin, President and CEO. “We recognize the important opportunity that current market conditions afford for stock repurchase activity, and the benefits it provides to our shareholders.”

    CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for CIBM Bank, which operates nine banking offices and has mortgage loan officers and/or offices in nine states. More information on the Company is available at www.cibmarine.com, including recent shareholder letters, links to regulatory financial reports, and audited financial statements.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    CIB Marine has made statements in this release that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. CIB Marine intends these forward-looking statements to be subject to the safe harbor created thereby and is including this statement to avail itself of the safe harbor. Forward-looking statements are identified generally by statements containing words and phrases such as “may,” “project,” “are confident,” “should be,” “intend,” “predict,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect CIB Marine’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance that are subject to many uncertainties and factors relating to CIB Marine’s operations and the business environment, which could change at any time.

    There are inherent difficulties in predicting factors that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements.

    Stockholders should note that many factors, some of which are discussed elsewhere in this release and in the documents that are incorporated by reference, could affect the future financial results of CIB Marine and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document. These factors, many of which are beyond CIB Marine’s control, include but are not limited to:

    • operating, legal, execution, credit, market, security (including cyber), and regulatory risks;
    • economic, political, and competitive forces affecting CIB Marine’s banking business;
    • the impact on net interest income and securities values from changes in monetary policy and general economic and political conditions; and
    • the risk that CIB Marine’s analyses of these risks and forces could be incorrect and/or that the strategies developed to address them could be unsuccessful.

    These factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. CIB Marine undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and CIB Marine’s actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements.

    FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
    J. Brian Chaffin, President & CEO
    (217) 355-0900
    brian.chaffin@cibmbank.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Decentralized Privacy Centric Search Engine Presearch Launches “NSFW” Spicy Mode Search Experience

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Presearch (www.presearch.io), the privacy-centric, non-profiling meta-search engine, announced today the launch of a free “Spicy” NSFW adult search service. Building on the successful Presearch Takeover Advertising (PTA) format, this new offering creates a privacy-focused space where adult products, services, and creators can connect with audiences. It’s already achieving click-through rates 10 times higher than those of traditional takeover ads. Established industry leaders have already enthusiastically joined the platform including Lovense, Stripchat, Subseeker, OnlyFinder, Creatr.uk and OnlyTraffic.

    By toggling the chili-pepper icon in the Presearch search bar and confirming they are the legal age of consent, users can select the NSFW “after hours” search experience with adult-oriented registered wallpaper style takeover ads that rotate in the background.  The “Spicy” feature, available now for Presearch users, empowers those who opt in to access curated content from advertisers in the adult industry, including OnlyFans creators, cam models, dating platforms, adult toys and sexual wellness products.  A dedicated OnlyFans creator search feature, unavailable directly on the OnlyFans platform, will also be seamlessly integrated. 

    This initiative upholds Presearch’s commitment to user empowerment, anonymity and ethical advertising by providing a non-judgmental, non-profiling, tracker free space for adult-focused brands to promote their offerings free from stigma or restrictive policies commonly found. 

    “The history of the internet wouldn’t be possible without adult brands, from Minitel Rose to OnlyFans,” said Presearch.com CEO Tim Enneking. “The new spicy ‘NSFW’ option for Presearch allows qualified users to engage with this sex-positive content if they wish, while finally providing a safe-space for adult content creators, products and services to advertise freely and thrive.”

    Presearch ensures age safety through periodic age verification while adhering to privacy-respecting practices that never associate user behavior with identity or IP addresses. Additionally, Presearch complies with the RTA (Restricted to Adults) industry standard. 

    “I’m 1,000% confident that once users—especially remote workers and digital nomads—experience this new search paradigm, they’ll never want to go back to basic, boring search again,” said Brenden Tacon, Business Development Lead at Presearch. “We’re offering users a unique, enticing, and pleasurable search experience while fostering inclusivity and freedom of expression, which all aligns with the Presearch Ethos. At the same time, we’re addressing a major void in the market and meeting a significant demand by providing advertisers in the adult industry with a critical platform.”

    Presearch Takeover Advertising has become a game-changer in the industry, empowering brands by eliminating invasive tracking methods and offering advertisers a unique opportunity to reach privacy-conscious users. By expanding into the NSFW space, Presearch opens new doors for adult brands often excluded from mainstream advertising platforms, ensuring they can reach their audience without compromising ethical standards.

    The “Spicy” NSFW feature is available now. Advertisers and users interested in learning more can visit Presearch’s Advertising page: https://presearch.io/advertise.

    About Presearch
    Presearch.com offers a privacy-focused, non-profiling search experience with results comparable to leading search engines. Its search-to-earn model rewards users with PRE tokens for every search, creating a unique value proposition. Powered by a decentralized node infrastructure, Presearch promotes fairness and mitigates biases in search outcomes unlike conventional platforms that may prioritize self-serving content and suppress others. With a loyal community, the platform serves nearly 12 million searches per month.

    MEDIA CONTACT: 
    presearch@transformgroup.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Opening of He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal

    Source: New Zealand Governor General

    Toitū Kāhui tangata

    Ka Haea te ata,

    ka Hāpara te ata

    Ka korokī te manu

    Ka wairori te kutu

    Ko te ata nui, ka horaina

    Ka Taki te umere,

    He po, he po, he ao

    ka awatea.

    E koro, ….Matiu,

    Kua tatū mai ō rahi ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te rā, arā , Te Taraipiunara o Waitangi rima te kau tau ki muri, whakaara mai ai.

    Hoki wairua mai!, Hoki wairua mai!

    Hoki wairua mai!

    Koutou, tātou kua tatū mai i runga i te reo karanga o te rā,

    Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

    [Be alert for this is a gathering of great significance. As the dawn breaks, and we hear the birds call, we move from the time of darkness to the new era of enlightenment. Each new dawn enables us to embrace new knowledge, to be inspired by the possibilities that rise in front of us.

    Matiu(Rata) We have arrived to celebrate 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal, which was begun under your watch. Return in spirit to embrace your people, as we celebrate its journey.]

    To one and all gathered here today, greetings.

    I specifically acknowledge:

    Distinguished members of the judiciary, including the Honourable Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann, Chief Justice of New Zealand, and

    The Honourable Chief Justice Debra Mortimer, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia,

    Ministers of the Crown,

    Members of Parliament,

    Ngati Kawa, Ngati Rahiri, Ngati Hine and Ngati Kuri representatives,

    Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu and Dame Claudia Orange.

    I am truly honoured to take part in the opening of this exhibition commemorating the first 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal.

    How fitting that He Kura Toi Tangata begin its tour of Aotearoa here in Waitangi – te pito te whenua – where Te Tiriti, the foundational document for the Tribunal’s work, was conceived in its English and te reo Māori iterations – and was signed by rangatira, as well as my earliest antecedent in this role, Captain William Hobson.

    Kō ngā tahu ā ō tapuwai inanahi, hei tauira mō āpōpō. The footsteps laid down by our ancestors create the paving stones upon which we stand today.

    Retrospectives challenge us to consider and compare how we were in the past, with how we are today. This exhibition will prompt us to reflect on the impacts and achievements of the Waitangi Tribunal over the past 50 years, and the ways they are woven through our story as a nation.

    From its small beginnings; to the gradual additions to its powers, Members and support staff; to its ground-breaking reports – the Tribunal has become a vital forum for the airing of concerns about a wide range of issues; for the seeking of redress for past wrongs; and for exploring the meaning of Te Tiriti as it pertains to the contemporary world.

    The Tribunal has achieved so much, whether it be in greater public awareness of Te Tiriti and te ao Māori, in contributions to legislative development and new institutions, and of course, in the Treaty Settlement process.

    Tonight, I particularly want to pay homage to those claimants who spent many decades of their lives toiling on behalf of their hapu or iwi – often at great personal cost – and sometimes not living long enough to see the resolution of those claims.

    In addition, I want to acknowledge all who have been involved in working with the Tribunal, including those behind the scenes. Sir Doug Graham observed that the Treaty Settlements in the 1990s would not have been possible without the Tribunal’s research and deliberations – which, incidentally, included research undertaken by our current Minister of Justice, the Honourable Paul Goldsmith, during his time with the Tribunal. The research done by, and presented to the Tribunal over its 50 years is an immensely valuable resource for all New Zealanders.

    On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I thank Members – past and present – for their willingness to grapple with complex histories and contentious issues, and to make recommendations that have often been at the leading edge of the practical application of te Tiriti.  As Sir Doug said: “They have done their country proud”.

    I hope the more difficult moments were balanced by moments of intense satisfaction – whether it be enabling histories to be heard and recorded for posterity – or providing a forum for debate about emerging societal, cultural or environmental issues.

    There is so much to learn from the lessons of history uncovered during the Tribunal process. The Tribunal’s recommendations have, in turn, become part of the historical record.

    If Matiu Rata could have been with us tonight, how proud he would have been to celebrate his legacy with you all – and to honour the people who played their part in taking the Waitangi Tribunal forward on its journey.

    Congratulations to everyone here tonight who has been involved in the Tribunal process to date, as well as all those involved in the making of this powerful and timely exhibition. I am delighted to now formally open He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal, 1975-2025. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI: For the Third Consecutive Year, Check Point Software Demonstrates Industry’s Highest Threat Prevention Rate in Miercom’s Enterprise and Hybrid Mesh Firewall Security Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a pioneer and global leader of cyber security solutions, today revealed that the Infinity Platform has achieved an outstanding 99.9% block rate on Zero+1 day malware, a 99.7% phishing prevention rate, the highest security efficacy for Security Services Edge use cases, and an impressive 98% block rate on high and critical network intrusion exploits – as reflected in Miercom’s 2025 security benchmark report.

    “Yet again, in a comparison between the top five cyber security companies, Miercom recognizes the Check Point Infinity Platform for delivering the industry’s highest threat prevention rate,” said Eyal Manor, VP of Product Management at Check Point Software. “With cyber attacks growing 44% year-over-year, preventing and detecting threats is essential to protecting our digital way of life. These Miercom results validate our exceptional ability to not only accurately detect and block new malware and critical events, but also to provide the best cyber security product quality to customers, year after year.”

    This year, Miercom introduced an important firewall comparison to reflect the quality of cyber security products, by assessing their vulnerability to being hacked. Leveraging CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) database, Miercom highlighted Check Point as having the best record – with one single KEV. The other top cyber security vendors had 11, 16, and 21 KEVs.

    With the advent of the hybrid mesh firewall platforms, Miercom’s 2025 security report has expanded to provide a holistic view of threat prevention across all three hybrid firewall use cases: On-premises, Cloud, and Firewall-as-a-Service (SSE/SASE). The Check Point Infinity Platform delivers a comprehensive hybrid mesh firewall solution with exceptional threat prevention.

    “We proudly award Check Point with the Miercom Certified Secure certification in recognition of their superior competitive performance and exceptional value for organizations of all sizes,” said Rob Smithers, CEO at Miercom. “Based on our latest head-to-head competitive test findings and observations, the Check Point Infinity Platform sets the standard in all of the security efficacy testing categories. In our benchmarks, the Infinity Platform offers the best protection against the latest generation of cyberattacks, including Zero+1 Day new malware. Check Point also enables enterprises to effectively prevent new malware from entering and spreading across their networks, servers, and endpoints, saving them time, money, stress, and resources.”

    The report includes the following highlights:

    • Zero+1 Day Malware Prevention vs Detection: Check Point led with the highest score preventing 99.9% of malware downloads. Other vendors ranged from 62.7% to 90.9%.
    • SSE/SASE Threat Prevention: Check Point led with a 99% block rate. Other vendors ranged from 74% to 96%.
    • Phishing Prevention: Check Point proved to have the best overall prevention against phishing URLs, making use of Quantum Firewall Software R82’s advanced AI deep learning capabilities. Other vendors ranged from 55.87% to 98.69%.

    To understand vendors’ threat prevention capabilities, Miercom ran benchmarks over the course of three months. Miercom continuously downloaded sets of 500 malicious files from VirusTotal, with samples consisting of Office docx, Office xlsx, pdf, exe, PowerShell, Bash script, APK, and dll and archived files. Miercom assessed each firewall solution using Anti-virus, IPS, Anti-bot, URLF, sandboxing, and all the AIML powered security engines. Testing was run concurrently on each vendor’s solution to determine how well each blocks modern attacks.

    Read the full report here: https://www.checkpoint.com/2025-miercom-firewall-report/

    Follow Check Point via:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies
    X( formerly Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/checkpointsw
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkpointsoftware
    Blog: https://blog.checkpoint.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CPGlobal

    About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 
    Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider protecting over 100,000 organizations worldwide. Check Point leverages the power of AI everywhere to enhance cyber security efficiency and accuracy through its Infinity Platform, with industry-leading catch rates enabling proactive threat anticipation and smarter, faster response times. The comprehensive platform includes cloud-delivered technologies consisting of Check Point Harmony to secure the workspace, Check Point CloudGuard to secure the cloud, Check Point Quantum to secure the network, and Check Point Infinity Platform Services for collaborative security operations and services.

    Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding future growth, the expansion of Check Point’s industry leadership, the enhancement of shareholder value and the delivery of an industry-leading cyber security platform to customers worldwide. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    MEDIA CONTACT:                                    
    Liz Wu                                             
    Check Point Software Technologies
    press@us.checkpoint.com               
    INVESTOR CONTACT:
    Kip E. Meintzer
    Check Point Software Technologies
    ir@us.checkpoint.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 01/30/2025 Blackburn, Risch, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand Prohibitions on Use of Foreign Assistance Funding for Abortions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) today introduced the American Values Act, legislation to permanently enact and expand existing prohibitions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to pay for the performance or promotion of abortion services overseas.

    “Human life across the world must be protected, and the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions abroad is contrary to American values,” said Senator Blackburn. “This bill would strengthen the existing restrictions on the use of foreign assistance for abortions, making it crystal clear such actions will not be tolerated.”

    “American foreign aid should always be used in a way that is in line with American values- and that means that no foreign assistance funds should ever be used to perform or promote abortion services,” said Senator Risch. “I’m proud to introduce the American Values Act with my colleagues to hold our government accountable to this standard and protect the sanctity of life across the globe.”

    “As President Donald J. Trump re-evaluates foreign aid, it’s absolutely essential that American taxpayer dollars are never used to fund abortions here or anywhere in the world,” said Senator Mullin. “Our nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and it’s our job to protect those values. I’m glad to join this important legislation to defend the sanctity of life.” 

    “No American taxpayer should be forced to fund abortions overseas,” said Dr. Paul. “It’s bad enough that Washington spends recklessly at home, but using taxpayer dollars to promote abortion abroad is an insult to both life and fiscal responsibility. This legislation is a necessary step towards reigning wasteful spending and standing for the fundamental right to life.”

    Senator Rick Scott said, “It’s extremely troubling that American tax dollars could be used to promote or perform abortion overseas. Our American Values Act ensures U.S. taxpayer dollars sent as foreign aid are helping families, not harming human life.” 

    “Americans made it clear this year with the election of President Trump that they have rejected the left’s radical, pro-abortion agenda. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to end the United States’ funding of abortions abroad and help our nation once again become a defender of life across the globe,” said Senator Daines.

    “As the right to life is the most fundamental human right of all, I strongly oppose sending U.S. taxpayer dollars overseas to promote or perform abortion,” said Senator Hagerty. “I’m pleased once again to support the American Values Act that seeks to close loopholes and uphold pro-life values in U.S. diplomacy and development by placing permanent restrictions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to fund abortions and involuntary sterilizations.”

    AMERICAN VALUES ACT:

    If enacted, this legislation would:

    • Clarify that existing prohibitions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to pay for the performance or promotion of abortions, forced sterilizations, or biomedical research relating to abortions or forced sterilizations shall apply to all assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act;
    • Permanently enact long-standing appropriations restrictions on the use of foreign assistance funds to lobby for or against abortion;
    • Permanently enact long-standing appropriations restrictions on the provision of foreign assistance funds to organizations that support or participate in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization; and
    • Permanently enact long-standing appropriations restrictions on the use of funds made available to the Peace Corps to pay for abortions.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 02/3/2025 Blackburn Introduces “DOGE Acts” to Make Federal Government More Efficient and Slash Wasteful Spending

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn) introduced a package of bills known as the “DOGE Acts” to hold the federal government accountable for managing taxpayer dollars. The DOGE Acts coincide with President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to modernize federal technology and maximize government productivity.

    “Under President Trump’s leadership, Republicans have the opportunity to slash wasteful spending and rein in outsized bureaucracy,” said Senator Blackburn. “The DOGE Acts would get the federal government back on track by requiring federal employees to return to the office, move federal agencies into the heartland of America, cut bloated federal spending, lower taxes on social security for seniors, and freeze federal hiring and salaries until we can rightsize the federal government.” 

    THE DOGE ACTS:

    The DOGE Acts include the separate pieces of legislation below: 

    • The Federal Freeze Act would direct certain agency heads to implement a one-year freeze on hiring and salary increases and decrease the size of the agency’s workforce by 2% two years after enactment and 5% three years after enactment. The bill would exempt employees deemed necessary for national security, law enforcement, public safety, and public health purposes from the hiring freeze. Click here for bill text.
    • The Commission to Relocate the Federal Bureaucracy Act would establish a commission to report to Congress on moving non-national security related agencies out of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area based on a variety of factors, including financial efficiency, the existence of pre-existing infrastructure, whether an area is designated as a Qualified Opportunity Zone or as economically distressed, and whether at least 50% of an agency’s workforce participated in telework in the last five years. The bill would also instruct the commission to develop the report with an aim of relocating at least 100,000 federal employees out of the D.C. metro area. Click here for bill text. This legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
    • The Federal Employee Performance and Accountability Act would implement a 5-year pilot program establishing a performance-based pay structure among certain federal employees in order to bolster government efficiency, exempting agencies deemed necessary for national security or public safety. Click here for bill text. This legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
    • The Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems (SHOW UP) Act would require government agencies to reinstate their pre-COVID telework policies within 30 days and direct agency heads to submit to Congress a report on the adverse impacts of agencies’ expansion of telework policies for employees during COVID. Further, it would prevent federal agencies from permanently expanding telework without submitting to Congress details on how remote work policies will bolster agency mission performance. Click here for bill text. This legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
    • 1%, 2%, and 5% Across-the-Board Spending Cuts: This legislation would implement across-the-board rescissions of non-security discretionary spending, including a rescission of 1% of non-security discretionary appropriations made available for Fiscal Year 2026, a rescission of 2% of non-security discretionary appropriations made available for Fiscal Year 2027, and a recission of 5% of non-security discretionary appropriations made available for Fiscal Year 2028 and every fiscal year thereafter. These cuts would exclude the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs, and National Nuclear Security Administration. Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 30-2025: New import permit requirements for Brassicaceous and Cucurbitaceous seed for sowing from 1 July 2025

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    4 February 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    This notice is of interest to importers (and their customs brokers) of the following Brassicaceous seed for sowing requiring treatment and Cucurbitaceous seed for sowing requiring testing and/or treatment (including synonyms and subordinate taxa) imported from all countries.

    • Brassicaceous seed
      • Brassica rapa (turnip, bok choy)
      • Eruca vesicaria (rocket)
      • Raphanus sativus (…

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Queensland Government introduces more rigorous assessment process for wind farm developments

    Source: Allens Insights

    A significant shift for the state’s wind energy sector 7 min read

    From 3 February 2025, wind farm developments in Queensland will transition from a code assessable to an impact assessable application process, introducing a more rigorous assessment process. This shift reflects the Queensland Government’s growing concerns over environmental impacts and community opposition and marks a significant change for the state’s wind energy sector.

    The revised State Code 23: Wind farm development (v.3.2) (Updated Wind Farm Code) introduces updated requirements, including stronger community engagement obligations, agricultural land protections and new infrastructure and decommissioning provisions. These updates aim to provide a more structured approach to managing the potential environmental, community and infrastructure impacts throughout the lifecycle of wind farm projects.

    In this Insight, we explore the additional assessment requirements, including expanded public consultation and a broader technical review, and outline the key considerations for developers, investors and government bodies amid increased scrutiny, public engagement obligations and regulatory hurdles.

    Key takeaways

    • Wind farm developments in Queensland will now undergo impact assessment, leading to heightened technical scrutiny, public consultation and appeal rights for submitters.
    • The transition from State Code 23: Wind farm development (v.3.1) to the Updated Wind Farm Code marks a notable policy shift, increasing regulatory scrutiny on wind farm development.
    • The new requirements introduce enhanced environmental protections, agricultural safeguards and community engagement obligations.
    • Infrastructure obligations have been expanded, including:
      • road and transport measures to mitigate impacts on local road networks during both construction and operation, ensuring safe and efficient transportation of wind farm components and materials throughout the project lifecycle.
      • financial security for decommissioning, requiring developers to provide bonds or financial guarantees to ensure the timely rehabilitation of sites and removal of infrastructure at the end of the wind farm’s operational life.
      • stronger community engagement requirements, including the submission of a Workforce Accommodation and Infrastructure Report to assess impacts on housing, services and local infrastructure, with a focus on consulting with local governments regarding workforce accommodation strategies and their impact on the community.
    • The Queensland Government has also signalled future regulatory changes that may apply similar impact assessment requirements to large-scale solar farms and other renewable energy projects, suggesting a broader policy shift.

    Changes to the assessment process

    The Planning (Wind Farms) Amendment Regulation 2025 (Qld) (Amendment Regulation) effective from 3 February 2025, raises the assessment threshold for wind farms from code assessable to impact assessable,.

    The shift follows the Ministerial Direction issued by the Honourable Jarrod Bleijie MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, and Minister for Industrial Relations on 16 January 2025, which suspended assessments for the Wongalee, Theodore and Bungaban Wind Farms. The Queensland Government says this change is intended to bring wind farm developments into line with the approval processes required for major development projects, reinforcing its commitment to robust environmental and community impact assessments.

    The increase to impact assessment represents the highest level of scrutiny under Queensland’s planning framework. Wind farm projects will now:

    • require more comprehensive technical assessments
    • have expanded public consultation requirements
    • be subject to appeal rights for submitters, which now apply to wind farm projects subject to impact assessment (and were not available under code assessment).

    Wind Farm Code: key amendments

    The Amendment Regulation introduces the Updated Wind Farm Code, which imposes updated assessment criteria for wind farm development applications.

    Table 1: Key amendments in the Updated Wind Farm Code

    Key change Wind Farm Code Commentary
    Purpose statement

    Revised purpose statement explicitly highlights the potential for adverse impacts, and emphasises the need to demonstrate that development does not result in unacceptable adverse impacts. Specifically includes:

    • minimum assessment parameters to mitigate impacts.
    • emphasis on community and local government engagement.
    • focus on all stages: design, siting, construction, operation and decommissioning.
    The Updated Wind Farm Code emphasises greater community consultation, local government engagement and the need to demonstrate effective mitigation of adverse impacts through specific assessment parameters. It introduces a more detailed focus on the siting of developments near sensitive areas and integrates a lifecycle approach, covering all stages of development, including decommissioning.
    Agricultural land protection PO5: requires that wind farm development must ensure there is no significant loss of high-quality agricultural land values. This includes a focus on avoiding or minimising impacts on high-quality agricultural land, aligning with State Planning Policy definitions. The Updated Wind Farm Code introduces the requirement for an Agricultural Land Assessment Report to be submitted as part of the application. This report must demonstrate that the development does not result in a significant loss of high-quality agricultural land values, identifying the land’s suitability for agricultural production and ensuring alignment with the State Planning Policy definitions. It includes an assessment of soils, land suitability and agricultural potential.
    Workforce accommodation

    PO16: on-site workforce accommodation associated with the construction of the wind farm must not result in adverse impacts on surrounding communities and townships, such as overburdening services and community facilities.

    PO17: off-site workforce accommodation associated with the construction of the wind farm must not result in adverse impacts on surrounding communities and townships, such as overburdening services, housing supply and community facilities.

    The Updated Wind Farm Code requires applicants to submit a Workforce Accommodation and Infrastructure Report that details both on-site and off-site accommodation options. It includes an assessment of potential impacts on housing supply, community services and local infrastructure. Developers must assess and address the impacts of workforce accommodation on local communities and services, including commuting distances, housing demand and pressure on community facilities. The Updated Wind Farm Code places greater emphasis on consultation with local governments regarding workforce accommodation strategies and their impacts.
    Infrastructure

    PO23: explicitly states that impacts of the development on infrastructure and services, including social infrastructure, communications networks and essential infrastructure, must be identified. Furthermore, measures to manage, mitigate and remediate any impacts must be undertaken:

    • prior to commencement of any development.
    • prior to additional demand being placed on infrastructure and services.

    PO23 requires wind farm developers to assess and mitigate the impact of their development on both essential infrastructure (such as water, waste, electricity and communications networks) and social infrastructure (such as healthcare and emergency services). The Workforce Accommodation and Infrastructure Report is a critical document in this assessment, detailing:

    • the infrastructure and services that may be affected by the development, both during construction and operation.
    • mitigation measures to address any identified impacts, which must be implemented prior to the start of development or before additional demand is placed on local services.
    • consultation with local governments and relevant infrastructure providers to ensure the project is compatible with the existing infrastructure capacity and community needs.
    Community impact PO26: developers must identify, assess and mitigate impacts on local communities, ensuring that any adverse impacts are avoided. The mitigation strategies are explicitly required to address community concerns. This requirement reflects a proactive approach to handling community impacts.

    PO26 requires wind farm developers to identify, assess and mitigate impacts on surrounding communities and individuals. The key practical changes introduced by this Performance Outcome are:

    • Developers must engage with local communities and stakeholders prior to lodging applications. This ensures transparency and allows concerns to be addressed early in the planning process.
    • A comprehensive Community Engagement Report is required, detailing the community profile, stakeholder feedback and how concerns have been or will be addressed. This is a more structured approach compared to previous guidelines, ensuring that community input directly informs project design.
    • The report should also outline measures for managing and resolving complaints, with a Complaint Investigation and Response Plan that includes a toll-free hotline, incident tracking and clear processes for resolving issues raised by the public.
    Decommissioning PO30: introduces a requirement for developers to provide financial security mechanisms (eg bonds or financial guarantees) to ensure timely compliance with decommissioning obligations. The Updated Wind Farm Code requires the preparation of detailed decommissioning plans after the completion of construction and the commencement of operations, as well as at the end of the project’s operational life. These plans must outline how decommissioning activities will ensure no adverse impacts on individuals, communities or the natural environment. Typically, this involves measures to ‘make good’ the land and remove infrastructure. A key addition in PO30 is the requirement for applicants to provide evidence of financial security (such as bonds or financial guarantees) to ensure timely compliance with decommissioning obligations. This aims to mitigate risks and ensure the decommissioning process is completed efficiently, with minimal impacts on landowners and government.

    The effects of the new assessment regime

    • Existing development applications: wind farm development applications lodged before 3 February 2025 will continue to be assessed under the framework that applied at the time of lodgement.
    • New development applications: all new wind farm applications lodged from 3 February 2025 onwards will be subject to impact assessment and must comply with the Updated Wind Farm Code. This means greater technical scrutiny, public consultation and increased regulatory obligations.
    • ‘Other change’ applications: if a change to an existing development approval is classified as an ‘other change’ under the Planning Act 2016 (Qld) (Planning Act), it may trigger a new assessment under the Updated Wind Farm Code.
    • Suspended projects: the Ministerial Direction issued on 16 January 2025 has temporarily paused assessments for the Wongalee, Theodore and Bungaban Wind Farms until 16 May 2025. The assessment pathway for these projects will be confirmed once the suspension period concludes.
    • Potential for Ministerial call-in: the Planning Act provides discretionary call-in powers, allowing the Minister to assess or reassess development applications where a state interest is identified. If a project is called in:
      • the Minister may determine which assessment benchmarks apply, including the possibility of applying the Updated Wind Farm Code.
      • appeal rights available under standard development assessment processes do not apply, with judicial review being the only available legal avenue.

    Next steps

    Developers, investors and government bodies will need to navigate increased scrutiny, public engagement obligations and regulatory hurdles.

    Key considerations moving forward:

    • Regulatory preparedness: developers should carefully review the Updated Wind Farm Code to ensure their projects meet the new planning and environmental benchmarks.
    • Engagement strategies: with heightened public consultation requirements and new appeal rights for submitters, early and proactive engagement with stakeholders is essential to mitigate risk.
    • Financial planning: the new financial security obligations for decommissioning and site rehabilitation will require developers to assess funding provisions at the outset.
    • Monitoring Ministerial intervention: the existing Ministerial Direction and call-in powers add further complexity. Developers should closely monitor regulatory developments and be prepared for increased scrutiny of wind farm projects.
    • Future regulatory changes and community benefit framework: The Queensland Government has signalled its intent to expand impact assessment requirements to other renewable projects, including large-scale solar farms, while introducing a community benefit framework. Renewable energy developers should prepare for additional scrutiny on future projects, which may require demonstrating local economic benefits, job creation, or infrastructure investment as part of the approval process, similar to other major development projects in regional communities.

    The evolving regulatory landscape for wind energy and other renewable projects in Queensland requires strategic planning, legal awareness and other proactive stakeholder engagement. For further advice or detailed information regarding the new planning framework and its implications, please reach out to any of the listed contacts.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Is this 2025, or 1965? Grammy wins for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones keep the rock canon in the past

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charlotte Markowitsch, PhD Candidate in Popular Music Studies, RMIT University

    History has repeated in the rock category at this week’s 67th Grammy Awards. Best rock performance was awarded to the Beatles for their song Now and Then, while the Rolling Stones took home best rock album for Hackney Diamonds.

    The Beatles’ track, finished and released by the fab four’s remaining members with the assistance of artificial intelligence, has been recognised by the Recording Academy 55 years after the band broke up. This comes as their eighth Grammy win and 27th nomination since their 1962 debut.

    The Beatles’ long time rivals, the Rolling Stones, have received many accolades over their six decade career, including five Grammys. Their 24th studio album includes cameos from other legacy artists like Elton John and Stevie Wonder.

    These victories are historic – but they also reveal a broader truth about rock music’s biggest institutions. The same artists who defined the genre decades ago continue to dominate its highest honours, leaving little space for contemporary acts to break through.

    The new wave

    The past year has seen a resurgence in rock. Streaming services and radio have reflected a rise in the popularity of the genre and reunions of rock’s most popular bands are making headlines.

    This renewed enthusiasm toward rock has brought newcomers to the genre, including an emergence of new popular talent.

    Newer rock talent was present at the Grammys, with St Vincent (who broke out in 2006) winning Best rock song and Fontaines D.C. receiving their first best rock album nomination since their debut in 2014.

    Both of these artists have been recognised for breathing new life into the rock genre. With a willingness to confront discomfort and vulnerability coupled with distinctive guitar work and production choices, St. Vincent has been positioned as a trailblazer in modern rock.

    Fontaines D.C’s nominated album Romance has been praised by critics for its energetic embrace of a diverse musical palette with compelling lyrics, a sound which has grabbed the attention of those outside and within the rock audience.

    But they were up against a nominee pool largely composed of long career legacy acts such as Green Day, Pearl Jam, Jack White and the Black Crowes, who all broke out in the last millennium.

    Along with the Beatles’ and the Rolling Stones’ wins, this reflects a trend in rock’s institutional recognition, where industry awards, hall of fame inductions, and media retrospectives continue to reaffirm the same monumental figures – often to the exclusion of artists shaping rock today. This phenomenon is a symptom of the rock canon, otherwise known as “the best of all time”.

    The old canon

    The rock canon is a set of artists, albums and songs that have been collectively deemed as the genre’s greatest.

    This canon was solidified by the late 1960s and 1970s and is sustained predominantly by media outlets and awards organisations like the Grammys. Publications that rank “the best” also help shape the rock canon by repeatedly spotlighting the same classic albums and artists.

    To be considered “the best” in rock, artists typically need to meet an (often unwritten) criteria of long-term critical acclaim, commercial success and influence on future generations. Artists like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones meet this criteria, frequently appearing in the top ranks of “best of” lists and maintaining their position at the top of the rock hierarchy.

    But the Grammy wins for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones raise concerns about how rigid this canon remains. Artists who enter the rock canon rarely leave it, making it difficult for newcomers to garner the same levels of critical and commercial success. It has also been criticised for its preferential treatment towards whiteness and masculinity.

    If the canon represents the highest levels of artistic quality in rock, its inability to change poses concerns for the future of the genre.

    Australia has not remained untouched by these issues. While the Grammys are an American institution, the rock canon’s influence extends globally.

    Australian institutions such as Triple J’s Hottest 100 of All Time have demonstrated this influence, showing us that the canon plays a role in shaping Australian music culture. Artists like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin often appear on these lists, voted on by Australian listeners. Local audiences overwhelmingly favour a more standard, mainstream canon of older international rock acts over our own Australian talent.

    The preference towards artists who have long been in the canon in today’s “best of” lists makes it harder for local artists – particularly those from marginalised backgrounds – to gain widespread recognition.

    Crafting a vital genre

    The Grammy success of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones reflects both the strength and the stagnation of rock’s institutional gate-keeping.

    On one hand, these wins celebrate artists whose influence has endured for generations. On the other, they reveal how difficult it is for new acts to gain recognition when institutions continue looking backward rather than forward.

    As rock continues its resurgence, the vitality of the genre may rely on expanding a more inclusive definition of greatness: one that makes room for innovation and diversity, not just nostalgia.

    Will future Grammy ceremonies still be awarding the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, or will we finally see rock’s institutions evolve?

    Charlotte Markowitsch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Is this 2025, or 1965? Grammy wins for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones keep the rock canon in the past – https://theconversation.com/is-this-2025-or-1965-grammy-wins-for-the-beatles-and-the-rolling-stones-keep-the-rock-canon-in-the-past-249009

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI: Dassault Systèmes: Strong Q4 results driven by new business acceleration and expanded 3DEXPERIENCE footprint

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, FranceFebruary 4, 2025

    Dassault Systèmes: Strong Q4 results driven by new business acceleration and expanded 3DEXPERIENCE footprint

    Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today reports its IFRS unaudited estimated financial results for the fourth quarter 2024 and full year ended December 31, 2024. The Group’s Board of Directors approved these estimated results on February 3, 2025. This press release also includes financial information on a non-IFRS basis and reconciliations with IFRS figures in the Appendix.

    Summary Highlights1  

    (unaudited, non-IFRS unless otherwise noted,
    all growth rates in constant currencies)

    • 4Q24: Software revenue accelerated to 9% growth;
    • 4Q24: Top line acceleration driven by new business growth of 13% and 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue up 22%;
    • 4Q24: Operating margin stood at 36.3%, an increase of 70 basis points, with diluted EPS of €0.40, up 11%;
    • FY24: Total revenue grew to €6.21 billion with software revenue up 6%, operating margin of 31.9% and diluted EPS of €1.28, up 9%;
    • Initiating guidance for FY25: total revenue growth expected between 6% and 8%, operating margin between 32.6% and 32.9%, up 70-100 basis points, and diluted EPS of €1.36-€1.39;
    • Revealing 3D UNIV+RSES and their AI-based services.

    Dassault Systèmes’ Chief Executive Officer Commentary

    Pascal Daloz, Dassault Systèmes’ Chief Executive Officer, commented:

    “2024 has been a year of competitive success, driven by the expansion of 3DEXPERIENCE across industries, domains and geographies, and redefining our strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Volkswagen, Lockheed Martin, Mahindra & Mahindra, Airbus, and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

    Key to this success is the relevance of 3DEXPERIENCE combining deep industry knowledge and know-how to help customers enhance their value propositions and empower their teams. This will nurture our future growth and build the foundation for broad cloud adoption.

    Building on this strong foundation, we are excited to announce a new era for Dassault Systèmes. We are fully committed to creating UNIV+RSES, a combination of multiple virtual twins, integrating artificial intelligence to connect virtual and real, across all industry solutions. This will unlock new opportunities for our clients and position us as the trusted Global IP Generation and Management Company.”

    Dassault Systèmes’ Chief Financial Officer Commentary

    (revenue, operating margin and diluted EPS (‘EPS’) growth rates in constant currencies,
    data on a non-IFRS basis)

    Rouven Bergmann, Dassault Systèmes’ Chief Financial Officer, commented:

    “We delivered a strong Q4 in the context of a challenging year, with total revenue up 7%, driven by new business growth of 13% in the quarter. From a product line perspective, this performance was led by Industrial Innovation, up 8%, as a result of the wider adoption of 3DEXPERIENCE, with a focus on manufacturing. At the same time, we saw continued excellent performance in Mainstream Innovation while in Life Sciences, MEDIDATA returned to growth.

    Turning to the bottom line, profitability improved in the quarter with an operating margin of 36.3%, up 70 basis points driven by productivity gains, and EPS increased by a strong 11%.

    For 2024, software revenue growth was 6% and EPS grew by 9%. Operating cash flow came in at €1.66 billion resulting in a net cash position of €1.46 billion, highlighting our capacity for future investments.

    Looking ahead, we are confident in our growth outlook and competitive positioning.

    As such, for 2025 we anticipate total revenue growth between 6% and 8%, operating margin expansion of 70-100 basis points and EPS up 7% to 10%.

    Lastly, we are delighted to hold our Capital Markets Day this coming June, at our headquarters in Paris where it will be the opportunity to discuss our vision for the next horizon.”

    Financial Summary

    In millions of Euros,
    except per share data and percentages
      IFRS   IFRS
      Q4 2024 Q4 2023 Change Change in constant currencies   YTD 2024 YTD 2023 Change Change in constant currencies
    Total Revenue   1,754.2 1,643.4 7% 7%   6,213.6 5,951.4 4% 5%
    Software Revenue   1,601.5 1,476.1 8% 9%   5,613.3 5,360.0 5% 6%
    Operating Margin   27.6% 23.2% +4.3pts     21.9% 20.9% +1.0pt  
    Diluted EPS   0.30 0.25 20%     0.90 0.79 14%  
    In millions of Euros,
    except per share data and percentages
      Non-IFRS   Non-IFRS
      Q4 2024 Q4 2023 Change Change in constant currencies   YTD 2024 YTD 2023 Change Change in constant currencies
    Total Revenue   1,754.2 1,643.4 7% 7%   6,213.6 5,951.4 4% 5%
    Software Revenue   1,601.5 1,476.1 8% 9%   5,613.3 5,360.0 5% 6%
    Operating Margin   36.3% 35.9% +0.4pt     31.9% 32.4% (0.4)pt  
    Diluted EPS   0.40 0.36 9% 11%   1.28 1.20 7% 9%

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Versus 2023 Financial Comparisons

    (unaudited, IFRS and non-IFRS unless otherwise noted,
    all revenue growth rates in constant currencies)

    • Total Revenue: Total revenue in the fourth quarter grew by 7% to €1.75 billion, and software revenue increased by 9% to €1.60 billion. Subscription & support revenue rose 7%; recurring revenue represented 75% of software revenue. Licenses and other software revenue increased by 15% to €405 million. Services revenue was down 9% to €153 million, during the quarter.
    • Software Revenue by Geography: Revenue in the Americas increased by 5% to represent 37% of software revenue, led by Aerospace & Defense. Europe (43% of software revenue) grew by 14%, thanks to large deals closed in Aerospace & Defense and Home & Lifestyle. In Asia, revenue increased by 7%, led by Japan and India, while China remained volatile. Asia represented 20% of software revenue at the end of the fourth quarter.
    • Software Revenue by Product Line:
      • Industrial Innovation software revenue increased by 8% to €902 million, driven by strong momentum with 3DEXPERIENCE wins and many strategic competitive displacements, led by DELMIA in manufacturing. Industrial Innovation software represented 56% of software revenue.
      • Life Sciences software revenue was flat, at €298 million, accounting for 19% of software revenue. MEDIDATA returned to growth, up 1% in the quarter, highlighting progressive improvement.
      • Mainstream Innovation software revenue increased by 17% to €402 million, with SOLIDWORKS achieving its best quarter since 2022 and CENTRIC PLM maintaining strong momentum. Mainstream Innovation represented 25% of software revenue, during the period.
    • Software Revenue by Industry: Aerospace & Defense, Home & Lifestyle and Industrial Equipment were among the best performers during the quarter.
    • Key Strategic Drivers: 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue increased by 22% thanks to major deals signings in Aerospace & Defense and Transport & Mobility. 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue represented 46% of 3DEXPERIENCE eligible software revenue. Cloud software revenue grew by 6% and represented 22% of software revenue during the period. Excluding MEDIDATA, Cloud software revenue increased by 19%.
    • Operating Income and Margin: IFRS operating income rose by 27% at €483 million, as reported. Non-IFRS operating income increased by 9% in constant currencies at €637 million (up 8% as reported). The IFRS operating margin stood at 27.6% compared to 23.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The non-IFRS operating margin totaled 36.3% versus 35.9% during the same period last year, up 70 basis points in constant currencies.
    • Earnings per Share: IFRS diluted EPS was €0.30, up 20% as reported. Non-IFRS diluted EPS grew to €0.40, up 9% as reported, or 11% in constant currencies.

    Fiscal 2024 Versus 2023 Financial Comparisons

    (unaudited, IFRS and non-IFRS unless otherwise noted,
    all revenue growth rates in constant currencies)

    • Total Revenue: Total revenue grew by 5% to €6.21 billion. Software revenue increased by 6% to €5.61 billion. Subscription and support revenue rose to €4.49 billion up 6%; recurring revenue represented 80% of total software revenue. Licenses and other software revenue grew by 4% to €1.13 billion. Services revenue came at €600 million, up 2%.
    • Software Revenue by Geography: The Americas increased by 4% and represented 39% of software revenue. Europe rose by 6% and represented 38% of software revenue. Asia grew by 9%, representing 22% of software revenue.
    • Software Revenue by Product Line:
      • Industrial Innovation software revenue was up 5% to €3.02 billion and represented 54% of software revenue. DELMIA, ENOVIA and SIMULIA exhibited the strongest performance.
    • Life Sciences software revenue decreased by 1% to €1.14 billion, representing 20% of software revenue.
    • Mainstream Innovation software revenue increased by 13% to €1.45 billion. Mainstream Innovation represented 26% of software revenue.
    • Software Revenue by Industry: Home & Lifestyle, Aerospace and Defense, High-Tech and Industrial equipment displayed some of the strongest performance.
    • Key Strategic Drivers: 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue increased by 14%, representing 39% of 3DEXPERIENCE eligible software revenue. Cloud software revenue grew by 7% and represented 24% of software revenue. Excluding MEDIDATA, Cloud software revenue increased by more than 40% versus last year.
    • Operating Income and Margin: IFRS operating income increased by 9% to €1.36 billion, as reported. Non-IFRS operating income increased by 3% as reported, up 4% in constant currencies, to €1.98 billion. IFRS operating margin totaled 21.9% compared to 20.9% in 2023. The non-IFRS operating margin stood at 31.9% in 2024 compared to 32.4% last year.
    • Earnings per Share: IFRS diluted EPS was up 14% as reported, to €0.90. Non-IFRS diluted EPS grew by 7% to €1.28, as reported, up 9% in constant currencies.
    • Cash Flow from Operations (IFRS): Cash flow from operations totaled €1.66 billion, up 6% year over year at reported rate with strong cash conversion and good cash collection, offset by receivables up on higher business activity in the fourth quarter.
    • Balance Sheet (IFRS): Dassault Systèmes had a net cash position of €1.46 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of €0.88 billion, compared to €0.58 billion for the year ending December 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents totaled €3.95 billion at the end of December 2024. The movements of the year on cash and cash equivalents include the reimbursement for €700 million of the second tranche of the bond issued by the company in 2019.

    Financial Objectives for 2025

    Dassault Systèmes’ first quarter and 2025 financial objectives presented below are given on a non-IFRS basis and reflect the principal 2025 currency exchange rate assumptions for the US dollar and Japanese yen as well as the potential impact from additional non-Euro currencies:

               
          Q1 2025 FY 2025  
      Total Revenue (billion) €1.535 – €1.601 €6.550 – €6.650  
      Growth 2 – 7% 5 – 7%  
      Growth ex FX 3 – 8% 6 – 8%  
               
      Software revenue growth * 3 – 8% 6 – 8%  
        Of which licenses and other software revenue growth * 0 – 9% 3 – 5%  
        Of which recurring revenue growth * 4 – 8% 7 – 9%  
     

    Services revenue growth *

    0 – 4%

    3 – 6%  
               
      Operating Margin 31.0% – 31.1% 32.6% – 32.9%  
               
      EPS Diluted €0.30 – €0.32 €1.36 – €1.39  
      Growth 2 – 6% 6 – 8%  
      Growth ex FX 3 – 7% 7 – 10%  
               
      US dollar $1.10 per Euro $1.10 per Euro  
      Japanese yen (before hedging) JPY 155.0 per Euro JPY 155.0 per Euro  
      * Growth in Constant Currencies      

    These objectives are prepared and communicated only on a non-IFRS basis and are subject to the cautionary statement set forth below.

    The 2025 non-IFRS financial objectives set forth above do not take into account the following accounting elements below and are estimated based upon the 2025 principal currency exchange rates above: no significant contract liabilities write-downs; share-based compensation expenses, including related social charges, estimated at approximately €161 million (these estimates do not include any new stock option or share grants issued after December 31, 2024); amortization of acquired intangibles and of tangibles reevaluation, estimated at approximately €336 million, largely impacted by the acquisition of MEDIDATA; and lease incentives of acquired companies at approximately €2 million.

    The above objectives also do not include any impact from other operating income and expenses, a net principally comprised of acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets; from one-time items included in financial revenue; from one-time tax effects; and from the income tax effects of these non-IFRS adjustments. Finally, these estimates do not include any new acquisitions or restructuring completed after December 31, 2024.

    Corporate Announcements

    Today’s Webcast and Conference Call Information

    Today, Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Dassault Systèmes will host, from Paris, a webcasted presentation at 9:00 AM London Time / 10:00 AM Paris time, and will then host a conference call at 8:30 AM New York time / 1:30 PM London time / 2:30 PM Paris time. The webcasted presentation and conference calls will be available online by accessing investor.3ds.com.

    Additional investor information is available at investor.3ds.com or by calling Dassault Systèmes’ Investor Relations at +33.1.61.62.69.24.

    Investor Relations Events

    • First Quarter 2025 Earnings Release: April 24, 2025
    • Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release: July 24, 2025
    • Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Release: October 23, 2025

    Forward-looking Information

    Statements herein that are not historical facts but express expectations or objectives for the future, including but not limited to statements regarding the Group’s non-IFRS financial performance objectives are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on Dassault Systèmes management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or performances may differ materially from those in such statements due to a range of factors.

    The Group’s actual results or performance may be materially negatively affected by numerous risks and uncertainties, as described in the “Risk Factors” section 1.9 of the 2023 Universal Registration Document (‘Document d’enregistrement universel’) filed with the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) on March 18, 2024, available on the Group’s website www.3ds.com.

    In particular, please refer to the risk factor “Uncertain Global Economic Environment” in section 1.9.1.1 of the 2023 Universal Registration Document set out below for ease of reference:

    “In light of the uncertainties regarding economic, business, social, health and geopolitical conditions at the global level, Dassault Systèmes’ revenue, net earnings and cash flows may grow more slowly, whether on an annual or quarterly basis, mainly due to the following factors:

    • the deployment of Dassault Systèmes’ solutions may represent a large portion of a customer’s investments in software technology. Decisions to make such an investment are impacted by the economic environment in which the customers operate. Uncertain global geopolitical, economic and health conditions and the lack of visibility or the lack of financial resources may cause some customers, e.g. within the automotive, aerospace, energy or natural resources industries, to reduce, postpone or terminate their investments, or to reduce or not renew ongoing paid maintenance for their installed base, which impact larger customers’ revenue with their respective sub-contractors;
    • the political, economic and monetary situation in certain geographic regions where Dassault Systèmes operates could become more volatile and impact Dassault Systèmes’ business, for example, due to stricter export compliance rules or the introduction of new customs tariffs;
    • continued pressure or volatility on raw materials and energy prices could also slow down Dassault Systèmes’ diversification efforts in new industries;
    • uncertainties regarding the extent and duration of inflation could adversely affect the financial position of Dassault Systèmes; and
    • the sales cycle of Dassault Systèmes’ products – already relatively long due to the strategic nature of such investments for customers – could further lengthen.

    The occurrence of crises – health and political in particular – could have consequences both for the health and safety of Dassault Systèmes’ employees and for the Company. It could also adversely impact the financial situation or financing and supply capabilities of Dassault Systèmes’ existing and potential customers, commercial and technology partners, some of whom may be forced to temporarily close sites or cease operations. A deteriorating economic environment could generate increased price pressure and affect the collection of receivables, which would negatively impact Dassault Systèmes’ revenue, financial performance and market position.

    Dassault Systèmes makes every effort to take into consideration this uncertain macroeconomic outlook. Dassault Systèmes’ business results, however, may not develop as anticipated. Furthermore, due to factors affecting sales of Dassault Systèmes’ products and services, there may be a substantial time lag between an improvement in global economic and business conditions and an upswing in the Company’s business results.

    In preparing such forward-looking statements, the Group has in particular assumed an average US dollar to euro exchange rate of US$1.10 per €1.00 as well as an average Japanese yen to euro exchange rate of JPY155.0 to €1.00, before hedging for the first quarter 2025. The Group has assumed an average US dollar to euro exchange rate of US$1.10 per €1.00 as well as an average Japanese yen to euro exchange rate of JPY155.0 to €1.00, before hedging for the full year 2025. However, currency values fluctuate, and the Group’s results may be significantly affected by changes in exchange rates.   

    Non-IFRS Financial Information

    Readers are cautioned that the supplemental non-IFRS financial information presented in this press release is subject to inherent limitations. It is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for IFRS measurements. The supplemental non-IFRS financial information should be read only in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. Furthermore, the Group’s supplemental non-IFRS financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled “non-IFRS” measures used by other companies. Specific limitations for individual non-IFRS measures are set forth in the Company’s 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on March 18, 2024.

    In the tables accompanying this press release the Group sets forth its supplemental non-IFRS figures for revenue, operating income, operating margin, net income and diluted earnings per share, which exclude the effect of adjusting the carrying value of acquired companies’ deferred revenue, share-based compensation expense and related social charges, the amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangibles reevaluation, certain other operating income and expense, net, including impairment of goodwill and acquired intangibles, the effect of adjusting lease incentives of acquired companies, certain one-time items included in financial revenue and other, net, and the income tax effect of the non-IFRS adjustments and certain one-time tax effects. The tables also set forth the most comparable IFRS financial measure and reconciliations of this information with non-IFRS information.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com

    ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens. With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 350,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact. For more information, visit www.3ds.com

    Dassault Systèmes Investor Relations Team                        FTI Consulting

    Beatrix Martinez: +33 1 61 62 40 73                                Arnaud de Cheffontaines: +33 1 47 03 69 48

                                                                    Jamie Ricketts : +44 20 3727 1600

    investors@3ds.com

    Dassault Systèmes Press Contacts

    Corporate / France        Arnaud MALHERBE        

    arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com        

    +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

    © Dassault Systèmes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval.

    APPENDIX TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this and other documents may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.    

    Glossary of Definitions

    Non-IFRS Financial Information

    Acquisitions and Foreign Exchange Impact

    Condensed consolidated statements of income

    Condensed consolidated balance sheet

    Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

    IFRS – non-IFRS reconciliation

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES – Glossary of Definitions

    Information in Constant Currencies

    Dassault Systèmes has followed a long-standing policy of measuring its revenue performance and setting its revenue objectives exclusive of currency in order to measure in a transparent manner the underlying level of improvement in its total revenue and software revenue by activity, industry, geography and product lines. The Group believes it is helpful to evaluate its growth exclusive of currency impacts, particularly to help understand revenue trends in its business. Therefore, the Group provides percentage increases or decreases in its revenue and expenses (in both IFRS as well as non-IFRS) to eliminate the effect of changes in currency values, particularly the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, relative to the euro. When trend information is expressed “in constant currencies”, the results of the “prior” period have first been recalculated using the average exchange rates of the comparable period in the current year, and then compared with the results of the comparable period in the current year.

    While constant currency calculations are not considered to be an IFRS measure, the Group believes these measures are critical to understanding its global revenue results and to compare with many of its competitors who report their financial results in U.S. dollars. Therefore, Dassault Systèmes includes this calculation for comparing IFRS revenue figures as well non-IFRS revenue figures for comparable periods. All information at constant exchange rates is expressed as a rounded percentage and therefore may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.

    Information on Growth excluding acquisitions (“organic growth”)

    In addition to financial indicators on the entire Group’s scope, Dassault Systèmes provides growth excluding acquisitions effect, also named organic growth. In order to do so, the data relating to the scope is restated excluding acquisitions, from the date of the transaction, over a period of 12 months.

    Information on Industrial Sectors

    The Group provides broad end-to-end software solutions and services: its platform-based virtual twin experiences combine modeling, simulation, data science and collaborative innovation to support companies in the three sectors it serves, namely Manufacturing Industries, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Infrastructure & Cities.

    These three sectors comprise twelve industries:

    • Manufacturing Industries: Transportation & Mobility; Aerospace & Defense; Marine & Offshore; Industrial Equipment; High-Tech; Home & Lifestyle; Consumer Packaged Goods – Retail. In Manufacturing Industries, Dassault Systèmes helps customers virtualize their operations, improve data sharing and collaboration across their organization, reduce costs and time-to-market, and become more sustainable;
    • Life Sciences & Healthcare: Life Sciences & Healthcare. In this sector, the Group aims to address the entire cycle of the patient journey to lead the way toward precision medicine. To reach the broader healthcare ecosystem from research to commercial, the Group’s solutions connect all elements from molecule development to prevention to care, and combine new therapeutics, med practices, and Medtech;
    • Infrastructure & Cities: Infrastructure, Energy & Materials; Architecture, Engineering & Construction; Business Services; Cities & Public Services. In Infrastructure & Cities, the Group supports the virtualization of the sector in making its industries more efficient and sustainable, and creating desirable living environments.

    Information on Product Lines

    The Group’s product lines financial reporting include the following financial information:

    • Industrial Innovation software revenue, which includes CATIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, DELMIA, GEOVIA, NETVIBES, and 3DEXCITE brands;
    • Life Sciences software revenue, which includes MEDIDATA and BIOVIA brands;
    • Mainstream Innovation software revenue which includes its CENTRIC PLM and 3DVIA brands, as well as its 3DEXPERIENCE WORKS family which includes the SOLIDWORKS brand.

    Starting from 2022, OUTSCALE became a brand of the Group, extending the portfolio of software applications. As the first sovereign and sustainable operator on the cloud, OUTSCALE enables governments and corporations from all sectors to achieve digital autonomy through a Cloud experience and with a world-class cyber governance.

    GEOs

    Eleven GEOs are responsible for driving development of the Company’s business and implementing its customer‑centric engagement model. Teams leverage strong networks of local customers, users, partners, and influencers.

    These GEOs are structured into three groups:

    • the “Americas” group, made of two GEO’s;
    • the “Europe” group, comprising Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and made of four GEO’s;
    • the “Asia” group, comprising Asia and Oceania and made of five GEO’s.

    3DEXPERIENCE Software Contribution

    To measure the relative share of 3DEXPERIENCE software in its revenues, Dassault Systèmes uses the following ratio: for software revenue, the Group calculates the percentage contribution by comparing total 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue to software revenue for all product lines except SOLIDWORKS, MEDIDATA, CENTRIC PLM and other acquisitions (defined as “3DEXPERIENCE Eligible software revenue”).

    Cloud revenue

    Cloud revenues correspond to revenue generated through a catalog of cloud-based solutions, infrastructure as a service, cloud solution development and cloud managed services. They are delivered by Dassault Systèmes via a cloud infrastructure hosted by Dassault Systèmes, or by third party providers of cloud computing infrastructure services. These offerings are available through different deployment methods: Dedicated cloud, Sovereign cloud and International cloud. Cloud solutions are generally offered through subscriptions models or perpetual licenses with support and hosting services.

    New business

    New business is the combination of subscription revenue and licenses & other software revenue.

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    NON-IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros, except per share data, percentages, headcount and exchange rates)

    Non-IFRS key figures exclude the effects of adjusting the carrying value of acquired companies’ contract liabilities (deferred revenue), share-based compensation expense, including related social charges, amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation, lease incentives of acquired companies, other operating income and expense, net, including the acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets, certain one-time items included in financial loss, net, certain one-time tax effects and the income tax effects of these non-IFRS adjustments.

    Comparable IFRS financial information and a reconciliation of the IFRS and non-IFRS measures are set forth in the separate tables within this Attachment.

    In millions of Euros, except per share data, percentages, headcount and exchange rates Non-IFRS reported
    Three months ended Twelve months ended
    December 31,

    2024

    December 31,

    2023

    Change Change in constant currencies December 31,

    2024

    December 31,

    2023

    Change Change in constant currencies
    Total Revenue € 1,754.2 € 1,643.4 7% 7% € 6,213.6 € 5,951.4 4% 5%
                     
    Revenue breakdown by activity                
    Software revenue 1,601.5 1,476.1 8% 9% 5,613.3 5,360.0 5% 6%
    Of which licenses and other software revenue 405.4 351.9 15% 15% 1,125.2 1,087.6 3% 4%
    Of which subscription and support revenue 1,196.1 1,124.3 6% 7% 4,488.1 4,272.4 5% 6%
    Services revenue 152.8 167.3 (9)% (9)% 600.3 591.4 2% 2%
                     
    Software revenue breakdown by product line                
    Industrial Innovation 901.8 837.3 8% 8% 3,019.6 2,908.0 4% 5%
    Life Sciences 297.7 295.1 1% 0% 1,144.2 1,158.9 (1)% (1)%
    Mainstream Innovation 402.0 343.7 17% 17% 1,449.4 1,293.2 12% 13%
                     
    Software Revenue breakdown by geography                
    Americas 595.0 566.7 5% 5% 2,214.7 2,141.9 3% 4%
    Europe 685.0 601.1 14% 14% 2,150.4 2,027.3 6% 6%
    Asia 321.4 308.4 4% 7% 1,248.1 1,190.8 5% 9%
                     
    Operating income € 636.8 € 589.8 8%   € 1,983.7 € 1,925.6 3%  
    Operating margin 36.3% 35.9%     31.9% 32.4%    
                     
    Net income attributable to shareholders € 530.7 € 487.2 9%   € 1,705.1 € 1,597.9 7%  
    Diluted earnings per share € 0.40 € 0.36 9% 11% € 1.28 € 1.20 7% 9%
                     
    Closing headcount 26,026 25,573 2%   26,026 25,573 2%  
                     
    Average Rate USD per Euro 1.07 1.08 (1)%   1.08 1.08 0%  
    Average Rate JPY per Euro 162.55 159.12 2%   163.85 151.99 8%  

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    ACQUISITIONS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE IMPACT

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros)

    In millions of Euros Non-IFRS reported o/w growth at constant rate and scope o/w change of scope impact at current year rate o/w FX impact on previous year figures
    December 31,

    2024

    December 31,

    2023

    Change
    Revenue QTD 1,754.2 1,643.4 110.9 111.8 0.6 (1.6)
    Revenue YTD 6,213.6 5,951.4 262.2 302.0 2.2 (42.0)

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages)

    In millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages IFRS reported
    Three months ended Twelve months ended
    December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
    2024 2023 2024 2023
    Licenses and other software revenue 405.4 351.9 1,125.2 1,087.6
    Subscription and Support revenue 1,196.1 1,124.3 4,488.1 4,272.4
    Software revenue 1,601.5 1,476.1 5,613.3 5,360.0
    Services revenue 152.8 167.3 600.3 591.4
    Total Revenue € 1,754.2 € 1,643.4 € 6,213.6 € 5,951.4
    Cost of software revenue (1) (134.1) (124.9) (498.5) (453.9)
    Cost of services revenue (132.7) (131.0) (517.8) (517.1)
    Research and development expenses (327.7) (317.5) (1,286.2) (1,228.3)
    Marketing and sales expenses (456.6) (429.3) (1,704.3) (1,624.5)
    General and administrative expenses (136.4) (124.8) (470.5) (450.6)
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation (87.5) (94.9) (361.6) (378.9)
    Other operating income and expense, net 4.2 (39.5) (15.0) (56.2)
    Total Operating Expenses (1,270.9) (1,261.8) (4,854.0) (4,709.5)
    Operating Income € 483.4 € 381.6 € 1,359.6 € 1,241.9
    Financial income (loss), net 22.9 27.8 118.4 59.0
    Income before income taxes € 506.3 € 409.4 € 1,478.0 € 1,300.9
    Income tax expense (95.4) (79.1) (279.9) (250.7)
    Net Income € 410.9 € 330.3 € 1,198.1 € 1,050.2
    Non-controlling interest 1.1 (0.3) 2.1 0.7
    Net Income attributable to equity holders of the parent € 412.0 € 330.0 € 1,200.2 € 1,050.9
    Basic earnings per share 0.31 0.25 0.91 0.80
    Diluted earnings per share € 0.30 € 0.25 € 0.90 € 0.79
    Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in millions) 1,312.7 1,314.1 1,313.3 1,315.1
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions) 1,330.0 1,336.6 1,333.4 1,336.8

    (1) Excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation.

    IFRS reported

     

    Three months ended December 31, 2024 Twelve months ended December 31, 2024
    Change (2) Change in constant currencies Change (2) Change in constant currencies
    Total Revenue 7% 7% 4% 5%
    Revenue by activity        
    Software revenue 8% 9% 5% 6%
    Services revenue (9)% (9)% 2% 2%
    Software Revenue by product line        
    Industrial Innovation 8% 8% 4% 5%
    Life Sciences 1% 0% (1)% (1)%
    Mainstream Innovation 17% 17% 12% 13%
    Software Revenue by geography        
    Americas 5% 5% 3% 4%
    Europe 14% 14% 6% 6%
    Asia 4% 7% 5% 9%

    (2) Variation compared to the same period in the prior year.

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros)

    In millions of Euros IFRS reported
    December 31, December 31,
    2024 2023
    ASSETS    
    Cash and cash equivalents 3,952.6 3,568.3
    Trade accounts receivable, net 2,120.9 1,707.9
    Contract assets 30.1 26.8
    Other current assets 464.0 477.1
    Total current assets 6,567.6 5,780.1
    Property and equipment, net 945.8 882.8
    Goodwill and Intangible assets, net 7,687.1 7,647.0
    Other non-current assets 345.5 312.5
    Total non-current assets 8,978.3 8,842.3
    Total Assets € 15,545.9 € 14,622.5
    LIABILITIES    
    Trade accounts payable 259.9 230.5
    Contract liabilities 1,663.4 1,479.3
    Borrowings, current 450.8 950.1
    Other current liabilities 1,147.4 901.0
    Total current liabilities 3,521.5 3,561.0
    Borrowings, non-current 2,042.8 2,040.6
    Other non-current liabilities 900.9 1,174.8
    Total non-current liabilities 2,943.7 3,215.4
    Non-controlling interests 14.1 11.9
    Parent shareholders’ equity 9,066.6 7,834.1
    Total Liabilities € 15,545.9 € 14,622.5

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros)

    In millions of Euros IFRS reported
    Three months ended Twelve months ended
    December 31, December 31, Change December 31, December 31, Change
    2024 2023 2024 2023
    Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent 412.0 330.0 82.0 1,200.2 1,050.9 149.3
    Non-controlling interest (1.1) 0.3 (1.4) (2.1) (0.7) (1.4)
    Net income 410.9 330.3 80.6 1,198.1 1,050.2 147.9
    Depreciation of property and equipment 49.7 44.0 5.7 191.9 182.4 9.4
    Amortization of intangible assets 89.4 96.8 (7.4) 369.1 387.1 (18.0)
    Adjustments for other non-cash items (75.9) (48.8) (27.0) 37.7 74.7 (37.0)
    Changes in working capital (162.1) (128.8) (33.3) (137.0) (129.2) (7.7)
    Net Cash From Operating Activities € 312.0 € 293.4 € 18.6 € 1,659.8 € 1,565.2 € 94.6
                 
    Additions to property, equipment and intangibles assets (49.1) (42.5) (6.6) (193.4) (145.3) (48.1)
    Payment for acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (4.2) (0.5) (3.8) (22.5) (16.1) (6.4)
    Other 0.3 0.1 0.1 24.1 (0.3) 24.4
    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities € (53.1) € (42.9) € (10.2) € (191.7) € (161.6) € (30.1)
                 
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options 4.4 28.5 (24.1) 48.4 67.0 (18.6)
    Cash dividends paid 0.0 (0.0) (302.7) (276.2) (26.4)
    Repurchase and sale of treasury stock (0.5) 10.6 (11.1) (374.0) (375.4) 1.4
    Capital increase (0.0) 0.0 146.1 (146.1)
    Acquisition of non-controlling interests (0.0) (0.1) 0.1 (3.3) (0.9) (2.4)
    Proceeds from borrowings 0.0 (0.0) 200.2 20.3 179.9
    Repayment of borrowings (100.0) 0.1 (100.0) (700.9) (28.1) (672.7)
    Repayment of lease liabilities (18.7) (26.3) 7.7 (79.7) (89.4) 9.7
    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities € (114.8) € 12.7 € (127.5) € (1,211.9) € (536.7) € (675.2)
                 
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 150.8 (63.2) 213.9 128.2 (67.5) 195.7
                 
    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents € 294.9 € 200.1 € 94.8 € 384.3 € 799.3 € (415.0)
                 
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period € 3,657.7 € 3,368.1   € 3,568.3 € 2,769.0  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period € 3,952.6 € 3,568.3   € 3,952.6 € 3,568.3  

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES
    SUPPLEMENTAL NON-IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    IFRS – NON-IFRS RECONCILIATION
    (unaudited; in millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages)

    Readers are cautioned that the supplemental non-IFRS information presented in this press release is subject to inherent limitations. It is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered as a substitute for IFRS measurements. Also, the Group’s supplemental non-IFRS financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled “non-IFRS” measures used by other companies. Further specific limitations for individual non-IFRS measures, and the reasons for presenting non-IFRS financial information, are set forth in the Group’s Document d’Enregistrement Universel for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the AMF on March 18, 2024. To compensate for these limitations, the supplemental non-IFRS financial information should be read not in isolation, but only in conjunction with the Group’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

    In millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages Three months ended December 31, Change
    2024 Adjustment(1) 2024 2023 Adjustment(1) 2023 IFRS Non-IFRS(2)
    IFRS Non-IFRS IFRS Non-IFRS
    Total Revenue € 1,754.2 € 1,754.2 € 1,643.4 € 1,643.4 7% 7%
    Revenue breakdown by activity                
    Software revenue 1,601.5 1,601.5 1,476.1 1,476.1 8% 8%
    Licenses and other software revenue 405.4 405.4 351.9 351.9 15% 15%
    Subscription and Support revenue 1,196.1 1,196.1 1,124.3 1,124.3 6% 6%
    Recurring portion of Software revenue 75%   75% 76%   76%    
    Services revenue 152.8 152.8 167.3 167.3 (9)% (9)%
    Software Revenue breakdown by product line                
    Industrial Innovation 901.8 901.8 837.3 837.3 8% 8%
    Life Sciences 297.7 297.7 295.1 295.1 1% 1%
    Mainstream Innovation 402.0 402.0 343.7 343.7 17% 17%
    Software Revenue breakdown by geography                
    Americas 595.0 595.0 566.7 566.7 5% 5%
    Europe 685.0 685.0 601.1 601.1 14% 14%
    Asia 321.4 321.4 308.4 308.4 4% 4%
    Total Operating Expenses € (1,270.9) € 153.4 € (1,117.5) € (1,261.8) € 208.2 € (1,053.6) 1% 6%
    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges (69.7) 69.7 (73.2) 73.2    
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation (87.5) 87.5 (94.9) 94.9    
    Lease incentives of acquired companies (0.4) 0.4 (0.7) 0.7    
    Other operating income and expense, net 4.2 (4.2) (39.5) 39.5    
    Operating Income € 483.4 € 153.4 € 636.8 € 381.6 € 208.2 € 589.8 27% 8%
    Operating Margin 27.6%   36.3% 23.2%   35.9%    
    Financial income (loss), net 22.9 1.1 24.0 27.8 1.0 28.8 (18)% (17)%
    Income tax expense (95.4) (33.2) (128.6) (79.1) (51.3) (130.4) 21% (1)%
    Non-controlling interest 1.1 (2.6) (1.5) (0.3) (0.7) (1.0) N/A 53%
    Net Income attributable to shareholders € 412.0 € 118.7 € 530.7 € 330.0 € 157.2 € 487.2 25% 9%
    Diluted Earnings Per Share (3) € 0.30 € 0.10 € 0.40 € 0.25 € 0.12 € 0.36 20% 9%

    (1) In the reconciliation schedule above, (i) all adjustments to IFRS revenue data reflect the exclusion of the effect of adjusting the carrying value of acquired companies’ contract liabilities (deferred revenue); (ii) adjustments to IFRS operating expense data reflect the exclusion of the amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation, share-based compensation expense, including related social charges, lease incentives of acquired companies, as detailed below, and other operating income and expense, net including acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets; (iii) adjustments to IFRS financial loss, net reflect the exclusion of certain one-time items included in financial loss, net, and; (iv) all adjustments to IFRS income data reflect the combined effect of these adjustments, plus with respect to net income and diluted earnings per share, certain one-time tax effects and the income tax effect of the non-IFRS adjustments.

    In millions of Euros, except percentages Three months ended December 31, Change
    2024

    IFRS

    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges Lease incentives of acquired companies 2024

    Non-IFRS

    2023

    IFRS

    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges Lease incentives of acquired companies 2023

    Non-IFRS

    IFRS Non-

    IFRS

    Cost of revenue (266.9) 5.0 0.1 (261.8) (255.9) 3.6 0.2 (252.1) 4% 4%
    Research and development expenses (327.7) 18.2 0.2 (309.3) (317.5) 28.5 0.3 (288.7) 3% 7%
    Marketing and sales expenses (456.6) 25.1 0.1 (431.4) (429.3) 20.9 0.1 (408.3) 6% 6%
    General and administrative expenses (136.4) 21.4 0.0 (115.0) (124.8) 20.2 0.0 (104.5) 9% 10%
    Total   € 69.7 € 0.4     € 73.2 € 0.7      

    (2) The non-IFRS percentage increase (decrease) compares non-IFRS measures for the two different periods. In the event there is non-IFRS adjustment to the relevant measure for only one of the periods under comparison, the non-IFRS increase (decrease) compares the non-IFRS measure to the relevant IFRS measure.
    (3) Based on a weighted average 1,330.0 million diluted shares for Q4 2024 and 1,336.6 million diluted shares for Q4 2023, and, for IFRS only, a diluted net income attributable to the sharehorlders of € 394.7 million for Q4 2024 (€ 330.0 million for Q4 2023). The Diluted net income attributable to equity holders of the Group corresponds to the Net Income attributable to equity holders of the Group adjusted by the impact of the share-based compensation plans to be settled either in cash or in shares at the option of the Group.

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES
    SUPPLEMENTAL NON-IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    IFRS – NON-IFRS RECONCILIATION
    (unaudited; in millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages)

    Readers are cautioned that the supplemental non-IFRS information presented in this press release is subject to inherent limitations. It is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered as a substitute for IFRS measurements. Also, the Group’s supplemental non-IFRS financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled “non-IFRS” measures used by other companies. Further specific limitations for individual non-IFRS measures, and the reasons for presenting non-IFRS financial information, are set forth in the Group’s Document d’Enregistrement Universel for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the AMF on March 18, 2024. To compensate for these limitations, the supplemental non-IFRS financial information should be read not in isolation, but only in conjunction with the Group’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

    In millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages Twelve months ended December 31, Change
    2024 Adjustment(1) 2024 2023 Adjustment(1) 2023 IFRS Non-IFRS(2)
    IFRS Non-IFRS IFRS Non-IFRS
    Total Revenue € 6,213.6   € 6,213.6 € 5,951.4 € 5,951.4 4% 4%
    Revenue breakdown by activity                
    Software revenue 5,613.3   5,613.3 5,360.0 5,360.0 5% 5%
    Licenses and other software revenue 1,125.2 1,125.2 1,087.6 1,087.6 3% 3%
    Subscription and Support revenue 4,488.1   4,488.1 4,272.4 4,272.4 5% 5%
    Recurring portion of Software revenue 80%   80% 80%   80%    
    Services revenue 600.3 600.3 591.4 591.4 2% 2%
    Software Revenue breakdown by product line                
    Industrial Innovation 3,019.6 3,019.6 2,908.0 2,908.0 4% 4%
    Life Sciences 1,144.2 1,144.2 1,158.9 1,158.9 (1)% (1)%
    Mainstream Innovation 1,449.4 1,449.4 1,293.2 1,293.2 12% 12%
    Software Revenue breakdown by geography                
    Americas 2,214.7   2,214.7 2,141.9 2,141.9 3% 3%
    Europe 2,150.4 2,150.4 2,027.3 2,027.3 6% 6%
    Asia 1,248.1 1,248.1 1,190.8 1,190.8 5% 5%
    Total Operating Expenses € (4,854.0) € 624.2 € (4,229.8) € (4,709.5) € 683.7 € (4,025.8) 3% 5%
    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges (245.6) 245.6 (245.8) 245.8    
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation (361.6) 361.6 (378.9) 378.9    
    Lease incentives of acquired companies (1.9) 1.9 (2.8) 2.8    
    Other operating income and expense, net (15.0) 15.0 (56.2) 56.2    
    Operating Income € 1,359.6 € 624.2 € 1,983.7 € 1,241.9 € 683.7 € 1,925.6 9% 3%
    Operating Margin 21.9%   31.9% 20.9%   32.4%    
    Financial income (loss), net 118.4 3.2 121.6 59.0 29.3 88.2 101% 38%
    Income tax expense (279.9) (117.0) (396.8) (250.7) (164.1) (414.8) 12% (4)%
    Non-controlling interest 2.1 (5.5) (3.4) 0.7 (1.9) (1.2) 190% 187%
    Net Income attributable to shareholders € 1,200.2 € 504.9 € 1,705.1 € 1,050.9 € 546.9 € 1,597.9 14% 7%
    Diluted Earnings Per Share (3) € 0.90 € 0.38 € 1.28 € 0.79 € 0.41 € 1.20 14% 7%

    (1) In the reconciliation schedule above, (i) all adjustments to IFRS revenue data reflect the exclusion of the effect of adjusting the carrying value of acquired companies’ contract liabilities (deferred revenue); (ii) adjustments to IFRS operating expense data reflect the exclusion of the amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation, share-based compensation expense, including related social charges, lease incentives of acquired companies, as detailed below, and other operating income and expense, net including acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets; (iii) adjustments to IFRS financial loss, net reflect the exclusion of certain one-time items included in financial loss, net, and; (iv) all adjustments to IFRS income data reflect the combined effect of these adjustments, plus with respect to net income and diluted earnings per share, certain one-time tax effects and the income tax effect of the non-IFRS adjustments.

    In millions of Euros, except percentages Twelve months ended December 31, Change
    2024

    IFRS

    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges Lease incentives of acquired companies 2024

    Non-IFRS

    2023

    IFRS

    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges Lease incentives of acquired companies 2023

    Non-IFRS

    IFRS Non-

    IFRS

    Cost of revenue (1,016.3) 16.2 0.5 (999.5) (971.0) 15.7 0.8 (954.4) 5% 5%
    Research and development expenses (1,286.2) 76.9 0.9 (1,208.4) (1,228.3) 94.4 1.3 (1,132.6) 5% 7%
    Marketing and sales expenses (1,704.3) 80.8 0.3 (1,623.3) (1,624.5) 73.6 0.5 (1,550.4) 5% 5%
    General and administrative expenses (470.5) 71.7 0.2 (398.7) (450.6) 62.2 0.2 (388.3) 4% 3%
    Total   € 245.6 € 1.9     € 245.8 € 2.8      

    (2) The non-IFRS percentage increase (decrease) compares non-IFRS measures for the two different periods. In the event there is non-IFRS adjustment to the relevant measure for only one of the periods under comparison, the non-IFRS increase (decrease) compares the non-IFRS measure to the relevant IFRS measure.
    (3) Based on a weighted average 1,333.4 million diluted shares for YTD 2024 and 1,336.8 million diluted shares for YTD 2023.


    1 IFRS figures for 4Q24: total revenue at €1.75 billion, operating margin of 27.6% and diluted EPS at €0.30; IFRS figures for FY24: total revenue at €6.21 billion, operating margin of 21.9% and diluted EPS at €0.90.  

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Government response to the independent Review of the Meetings and Documents Amendments

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    Today, the Government tabled in Parliament its response to the independent review of legislative amendments made in 2021 and 2022 to provide for virtual company meetings and the electronic distribution, signing and execution of company documents.

    The Government has accepted or accepted in principle all recommendations of the independent panel.

    This includes accepting the key recommendation of the panel to maintain the current requirement for listed companies and registered schemes to obtain constitutional permission from their members before they can hold a wholly virtual meeting.

    The Government has also accepted the recommendation of the panel to conduct another review in 5 years’ time of the effectiveness of the virtual meeting laws, to allow time for companies and members to become adept to the use of virtual meetings and for bodies such as ASIC, ASX and industry associations to issue guidance on appropriate conduct and use of technology at members’ meetings.

    The Government encourages these bodies to provide guidance well before the commencement of the further review in 5 years.

    The Government is committed to ensuring the efficient and effective operation of Australian capital markets, recognising the importance of good corporate governance and the rights of members.

    I thank the panel, the Hon Dr Robert Austin AM (as Chair), Ms Helen Bird and Ms Judith Fox for their considered review and extend my thanks to all stakeholders for their contributions during the consultation process.

    The tabling of the Government response satisfies the requirements in subsection 1687J(6) of the Corporations Act for the Government to table a response to the review in Parliament.

    A copy of the Government response is on the Treasury website.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Coalition’s tax-free lunch plan could cost $250 million or $10 billion – depending on who’s doing the sums

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dale Boccabella, Associate Professor of Taxation Law, UNSW Sydney

    Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

    The 1980s are remembered for many things including power suits, the Ford Falcon and the long lunch.

    The last was thanks to a generous interpretation of tax law as it applied to food and entertainment at “business meetings”. Bosses could deduct the cost of lunch with colleagues and contacts for tax purposes.

    The Hawke government ended that when it made sweeping changes to tax law the mid 80s including the introduction of a fringe benefits tax.

    But the long lunch might return under a Coalition government.

    Its estimated cost to the budget, however, swings wildly. The Parliamentary Budget Office puts the figure at A$250 million, while a government-commissioned study by Treasury says it could be between $1.6 billion and $10 billion .

    The different estimates result from varied modelling of how many businesses would seek the deduction and the average amount each would claim. Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor on Tuesday said it would cost less than $250 million. He said the Treasury estimates were “straight nonsense”.

    Angus Taylor said Treasury’s estimates were “straight nonsense”
    Mick Tsikas/AAP

    The actual cost may also depend on whether the deduction would be limited to employees or could include spending on their family members and on clients. These things are not yet clear.

    One thing that is clear, however, is higher spending at hospitality venues should bring in more tax from businesses to offset the lost deduction revenue.

    Whatever rules emerge, enforcing them could be expensive. Some small businesses might be tempted to inflate their expenditure, or simply “reclassify” usual food and drink costs to make them eligible for a deduction.

    Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced the plan late last month. He said small businesses could claim deductions for meals and entertainment. This would be available to businesses with a turnover under $10 million and excluded alcohol.

    The deduction would be capped at $20,000 a year. The policy would run initially for two years and would presumably be reviewed with a view to extending it or making it permanent.

    Dutton gave two reasons for reintroducing the exemption to the FBT. First, it was an incentive that would help retain and reward employees. Employees can get a “little bit of a return”, Dutton said at the time. Second, it would boost hospitality spending.

    Overwhelmingly, this policy is an incentive for small businesses. However, tax policy experts argue the tax system should not use targeted tax breaks to promote a particular economic activity.

    One major concern is this plan runs counter to the reasonably clear boundary our income tax system has established between private consumption expenditure (not deductible) and income producing expenditure (deductible).

    The 1985 deduction denial for entertainment expenditure is a central part of this framework; it squarely recognised the private consumption character of the expenditure and it has stood for 40 years in tax law. Serious analysis should be done before changes are made.

    Also, it might lead to claims of “what about me?” Think, for example, of a small business taxpayer with a turnover of $12 million who misses out. What about an independent contractor who falls short of being a business?

    It looks like the technical way the tax deduction is to be achieved will depend on who benefits from the food and entertainment. If the beneficiary is a customer of the small business, the small business will be given a deduction. If the employee benefits, the small business will get an exemption for the benefit and obtain a deduction for the expenditure.

    Peter Dutton said in his announcement last month the Coalition was doing this in a way to ensure small businesses “are not dragged into a complicated tax jungle”.

    Fringe benefits tax is complicated and compliance costs are high.
    Shakirov Albert/Shutterstock

    The complexity of fringe benefits tax is well known. Compliance costs are high and mistakes are made by taxpayers and tax agents. The complexity is greatest for entertainment spending where income tax interacts with fringe benefits tax and the GST.

    Without knowing the proposed rules, there is a chance a small business incurring entertainment expenditure can avoid being brought into a “tax jungle” if they keep employees and customers at separate entertainment events.

    If they do combine the two, some complications arise, but they are not insurmountable. In any event, tax agents and their clients tend to get used to their specific situation over time. Excluding alcohol does add a slight complication, though, because of the different treatment it will attract.

    Overall, the concerns about this policy are real and substantial. It is worth recalling that there are many examples of poor tax policy getting into legislation, and despite the significant evidence about them, they are not removed.

    The capital gains tax discount is a good example. This discount has overwhelmingly delivered a tax break to high income earners. And the amount of the lost revenue is continually increasing. Let us think before running this risk with the proposed “long lunch” tax break.

    Dale Boccabella does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Coalition’s tax-free lunch plan could cost $250 million or $10 billion – depending on who’s doing the sums – https://theconversation.com/coalitions-tax-free-lunch-plan-could-cost-250-million-or-10-billion-depending-on-whos-doing-the-sums-247999

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCSD to host Australian puppet show

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Australia’s Windmill Theatre Company will return to Hong Kong from February 28 to March 2, following a 10-year hiatus, with the celebrated picture-book character Grug.

    The puppetry show Grug and the Rainbow will make up the finale of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department’s “Cheers!” Series.

    Grug is a character from the much-loved picture books of Australian writer Ted Prior. He began life as a burrawang treetop before falling to the ground, and is fascinated by the world around him.

    In Grug and the Rainbow, Grug is amazed by the vibrant colours of a rainbow and wants to have a rainbow of his own.

    The show, which will be staged at Sha Tin Town Hall, is best suited for children aged 2 to 6.

    Performances in English, with simple Cantonese interpretation, will be held at 5pm and 7.30pm on February 28, at 11.30am on March 1, and at 2.30pm on March 2. Performances exclusively in English will be held at 2.30pm on March 1 and at 11.30am on March 2.

    Each performance will run for about 35 minutes without intermission, and will be followed by an interactive session.

    Tickets are now available at URBTIX.

    Click here for details.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Yes, energy prices are hurting the food sector. But burning more fossil fuels is not the answer

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vivienne Reiner, PhD Candidate, Integrated Sustainability Analysis group, University of Sydney

    Months out from a federal election, the industry lobby is gearing up in opposition to the Albanese government’s renewable energy targets. In a salvo on Monday, food distributors urged the government to increase fossil fuel production, as a way to purportedly tackle high energy prices.

    It was followed by comments on Tuesday by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which also called for fast-tracking of gas expansion to avoid price spikes and blackouts.

    Unfortunately, however, these approaches miss the point. They are a short-sighted response to what is, in large part, a climate-induced problem.

    In fact, evidence suggests burning more coal and gas will only make things worse for many industries, including the food sector.

    More fossil fuels = more industry disruption

    The industry group Independent Food Distributors Australia claims Labor’s energy policies are driving up costs for businesses and, in turn, consumers.

    In comments published in The Australian, the group’s chief executive Richard Forbes said the phase-out of coal-fired energy was too fast and the government’s renewable energy target was too ambitious. The newspaper claimed business owners instead want Labor to support new gas plants and support upgrades to existing coal plants.

    The group represents food manufacturers, suppliers and distributors supporting the food service industry. Its members largely comprise food distribution warehouses operating large refrigerators and freezers.

    First, it’s important to ask whether a focus on renewable energy can be blamed for Australia’s high energy prices. The answer is largely no.

    That aside, would expanding fossil fuel production ultimately be a boon to food distributors? Evidence suggests it would not.

    A study published in 2022, led by my colleagues at the University of Sydney, found that almost one-fifth of total emissions from global food systems were produced by transport and supporting services, such as distribution warehouses. This was equivalent to about 6% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

    Of course, greenhouse gas emissions are warming the climate and leading to worse and more frequent natural disasters. And, as another University of Sydney study showed, these disasters have extensive repercussions for the food industry.

    It found the disruptions would be hardest felt by the fruit, vegetable and livestock sectors, however effects flowed to other sectors such as transport services. Overall, people in rural areas and those from a low-socioeconomic background were most vulnerable, both to food and nutrition impacts, as well as losses in employment and income.

    What’s more, research I led into the economic impact of Australia’s 2019–20 bushfires also reveals the vulnerability of the food ecosystem. The 2024 study, which focused on tourism, found employment and income losses were greatest in the hospitality and transport sectors respectively. Restaurants, cafes and accommodation providers were disproportionately hit by job losses resulting from reduced consumption, including less food being consumed out of home.

    So what does all this mean? Clearly, expanding polluting energy generation to reduce food distribution costs in the short term will not, ultimately, secure the sector’s future.

    Making food distribution more sustainable

    Having said all this, Australia’s high energy prices are undoubtedly a stress point for many Australian businesses. So how can the food sector tackle the problem?

    Energy requirements (and therefore costs and emissions) differ according to the type of food. Fruits and vegetables, for example, are likely to require a temperature-controlled environment. This generates about double the emissions produced by growing the crops themselves.

    Growing and distributing crops that can be transported at ambient temperatures would reduce energy use. This is particularly important given refrigeration needs are likely to increase as the planet warms.

    In terms of broader food movements, 94% of domestic transport happens by road. So, there is a strong case for investing in electric trucks to help guard against energy price hikes.

    The weight of food freight has also been correlated with energy use. Cereals – along with fruit and vegetables, flour and sugar beet/cane – are among the food types transported at high tonnages.

    As my colleagues have noted, there are huge energy savings to be gained if the global population ate more locally produced food, and if food businesses used cleaner production and distribution methods, such as natural refrigerants.

    Energy requirements differ according to the type of food.
    BK Awangga/Shutterstock

    Looking ahead

    Global food systems are crucial to human wellbeing. It’s in everyone’s interests to keep them functioning well and protected from climate-fuelled hazards.

    The choices now facing the food-distribution sector represent one of many tradeoffs Australia must make during its transition to a low-carbon future.

    Will we continue the polluting, business-as-usual approach or will we embrace Australia’s natural advantages in renewable energy, and protect the planet that supports us?

    When it comes to food distribution, will Australia expand gas and coal production as a purported answer to lower energy costs in the short term – or will we move swiftly to decarbonise the sector and buy more local, sustainable food?

    Vivienne Reiner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Yes, energy prices are hurting the food sector. But burning more fossil fuels is not the answer – https://theconversation.com/yes-energy-prices-are-hurting-the-food-sector-but-burning-more-fossil-fuels-is-not-the-answer-248996

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz