Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Video: | Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presents the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presents the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3nQKxTcvxY

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than 400,000 customers use SLC’s digital refund service in first six months

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Student Loans Company improves online customer experience with introduction of new digital refund service.

    A new digital refund service has been used by 418,000 customers in the first six months. As it continues to improve its customer experience, and in response to customer feedback, in May 2024, SLC introduced a new service into the online account for repayment customers.

    The simple, digital service is an easy way for customers to self-serve, requesting a below threshold refund, which is then paid directly into their bank account.

    The figure has been announced today (31 October 2024) as SLC’s issues a new statistical publication – Student loan repayments via PAYE eligible for refund – Tax Year 2023/24. The ad hoc statistical release provides more information on the total number of customers who have made repayments under the four refund scenarios, the total amount repaid, as well as the total refunds provided to customers in 23/24 tax year.

    Under the Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations, there are four refund scenarios, which the publication covers. These are:

    · Below Threshold Refunds – a correct repayment may be taken if a customer’s earnings are above the pay period threshold (e.g. due to overtime or bonus) but their total income for the year is below the annual threshold. SLC must wait until HMRC provides the customer’s annual earnings information at the end of the tax year, before a refund can be provided to eligible customers.

    · Over-repayment refunds – when a customer had paid off their loan, but an additional repayment is taken, due to the timing of pay dates and the request to stop deductions being processed at the employer side. If SLC has up-to-date bank details, a refund will be paid automatically to the customer.

    · Early repayment refunds – a customer has a repayment taken before they are required to begin repaying (a statutory date that generally occurs in April after they finish or leave their course and commence employment).

    · Wrong plan type refunds – the employer places the customer on the wrong plan type for their loan.

    Since May, £61.6m has been successfully refunded to 248,000 customers, in the below threshold refund scenario, as a result of the new refund service. To support the introduction of the new service, SLC has proactively contacted customers who are eligible for a below threshold refund* in the 23/24 tax year. From the almost 700,000 customers that have been contacted (by the end of October 2024), 75% of customers have opened the email and a third have requested a refund, after considering their own personal and financial circumstances.

    Annual earnings information is received from HMRC throughout the year, and SLC will continue to proactively communicate with customers as eligible refunds are identified.

    SLC cannot provide financial advice, and customers are urged to consider their own personal circumstances before requesting a refund. Any refund provided will be added back onto the customer’s student loan balance.

    Steven Darling, Customer Experience Director, at SLC, said: “At SLC, we want to provide the best possible customer experience, and from the feedback we receive from customers, they want to be able to self-serve in their online account.

    “With a below threshold refund being the most common reason why a customer might be eligible for a refund, we’ve made it quick and easy to request a refund through the online account. The figures in our latest report demonstrate the value of these improvements, with £61.6m being paid to 248,000 customers since May 2024.

    “I would encourage customers to keep their contact and bank details up to date in their online account to ensure they don’t miss any key communication regarding refunds.”

    Customers can read all of SLC’s guidance and refund information here, which also includes a step by step video guide of how to request a refund through their online account.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Overspeed near Manor Park

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Overspeeding of a passenger train near to Manor Park station, east London, 24 September 2024.

    FFCCTV image showing the points where the overspeeding occurred (courtesy of MTREL).

    At around 08:11 on 24 September 2024, a passenger train passed over a set of points east of Manor Park station at a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h). This was above the permitted maximum speed for these points of 25 mph (40 km/h). Passing over the points at this speed caused the train to jolt sideways.

    Although there were no reported injuries, the sudden movement of the train resulted in some passengers losing their footing and at least one passenger falling to the floor. The train did not derail during the incident and no damage was caused to the infrastructure or to the vehicles involved.

    We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Anniversary Statement: ATR 72-212 A, G-CMJM

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Right nosewheel detached on takeoff, Edinburgh Airport, 31 October 2023

    This statement provides an update on the AAIB investigation into an accident to ATR 72-212 A, G-CMJM, at Edinburgh Airport, on 31 October 2023.

    While taking off from Edinburgh Airport, the right nose landing gear wheel detached from the aircraft.  The flight continued to its destination without any abnormal indications or adverse aircraft performance, and the missing wheel was only noticed as the aircraft taxied onto stand after landing.

    The investigation into this event is nearing completion and a final report will be issued in due course.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Congratulations to Nikita Avralev on his appointment!

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On October 31, 2024, a graduate of the Academic Reserve program, implemented by the State University of Management by order of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, was appointed acting rector of the Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University named after N.A. Dobrolyubov.

    Dear Nikita Vladimirovich! On behalf of the State University of Management, we congratulate you on your new appointment! Remember, GUU is always ready for interaction and cooperation, and its doors are open to all graduates. We wish you to successfully cope with new work tasks and worthily represent your university.

    Nikita Avralev graduated from Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod in 2003 with a degree in Political Science. In 2021, he completed his Master’s degree in State and Municipal Administration. He holds the academic title of Associate Professor and the academic degree of Candidate of Political Sciences. He is the author of over 40 scientific papers.

    For more than 10 years, he worked at Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, including in leadership positions. From 2020 to 2023, he held the post of Vice-Rector for Strategic and Innovative Development of SKFU. Since April 2023 – Vice-Rector for Strategic Development of Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod.

    Awarded with a Letter of Gratitude from the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia for his significant contribution to the development of education and conscientious work.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/31/2024

    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 Russia: HSE FASHION DAYS: a series of lectures on fashion in Moscow and St. Petersburg

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    HSE FASHION DAYS is an educational initiative of the HSE School of Art and Design, launched in winter 2024. This project includes a series of events dedicated to fashion, one of the most vibrant and dynamically developing creative areas that invariably attracts young people.

    In the last cycleHSE FASHION DAYS was attended by such experts as Igor Andreev, Nino Shamatava, Masha Fedorova, Leonid Alekseev, Anzor Kankulov, Katya Sycheva and Aleksey Bazhenov.

    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 China: Over 90 pct of foreign companies satisfied with China’s business environment: survey

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Over 90 pct of foreign companies satisfied with China’s business environment: survey

    BEIJING, Oct. 31 — More than 90 percent of foreign-funded companies in China are satisfied with the country’s business environment, according to a survey released on Thursday.

    The survey, carried out in the third quarter of this year among over 400 foreign businesses, also revealed that about 50 percent of the respondents said they find the Chinese market more attractive, according to Sun Xiao, spokesperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

    Over 60 percent of the surveyed U.S. enterprises said the attraction of the Chinese market for foreign investment becomes stronger, up 15.26 percentage points quarter on quarter, said Sun.

    Sun said that about 20 percent of the surveyed foreign enterprises plan to increase investment in China, up 2.07 percentage points quarter on quarter.

    About 54.76 percent of the surveyed overseas companies choose to increase investment in China by expanding production lines or pursuing digital transformation.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Philippine side should not tie herself to US war chariot: Defense Spokesperson 2024-10-31 “The Philippine government needs to listen to the voices of its people, fully recognize the high sensitivity and grave consequences of this issue, and stop such dangerous behavior which will hurt others as well as herself,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      BEIJING, Oct. 31 — “The Philippine government needs to listen to the voices of its people, fully recognize the high sensitivity and grave consequences of this issue, and stop such dangerous behavior which will hurt others as well as herself,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday.

      It is reported that the Chairman of the Philippine Senate Foreign Relations Committee openly opposed the US’s deployment of Typhon mid-range missile system in the Philippines during her attendance at a recent media forum. When being asked to comment on such report, the Chinese defense spokesperson made the above remarks.

      He pointed that China has repeatedly expressed firm opposition to the US’s deployment of mid-range missile system in the Philippines. “The US has withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, developed Typhon mid-range missile system, and used it as a tool to maintain its hegemony,” stressed the spokesperson.

      Furthermore, according to the spokesperson, the US has made willful deployment and stirred up troubles, which increased the risk of war in the region. It has been proven time and again that the US is a real saboteur to peace and a troublemaker.

      The spokesperson also pointed out that in fact, many people in the Philippines oppose the US’s deployment of Typhon mid-range missile system. “The Philippine government should not tie herself to the US war chariot and end up being cannon fodders”, urged the spokesperson.

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    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Contractors fined for violation of safety legislation

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Aggressive Construction Engineering Limited, High Grade Engineering Limited and a contractor were fined $36,000, $43,000 and $35,000 respectively at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (October 31). The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
          
         Aggressive Construction Engineering Limited violated the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (FIUO), the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (CSSR) and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulation, whereas High Grade Engineering Limited and the other contractor violated the FIUO and the CSSR.
          
         The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on December 14, 2022, at a construction site in Yau Tong. A worker, while dismantling an I-beam mounted on a wall, was struck and killed by the suddenly collapsed I-beam. 

         The Labour Department is examining the sentences and considering further actions.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ombudsman commends public organisations and public officers for exemplary service and puts forward three strategic focuses to enhance public administration (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

         At the 27th Presentation Ceremony of The Ombudsman’s Awards today (October 31), The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, presented the Grand Award to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD), an Award for Public Organisation to both the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Water Supplies Department (WSD), the Award on Mediation to the Housing Department (HD), the Customer Services Award to the Immigration Department (ImmD), and the Information Technology Application and Creativity Award to the Hospital Authority (HA). Individual Awards were also given to 79 public officers.

         Mr Chan commended the award-winning organisations and public officers for their proactive use of mediation, their endeavours in achieving synergy through interdepartmental collaboration, and their positive attitude in complaint handling. During the ceremony, Mr Chan also discussed the three strategic focuses put forward since he assumed office: The Office of The Ombudsman will go full steam ahead with the use of mediation to resolve complaints from the public, promote interdepartmental collaboration, and instil a positive complaint culture in society. Mr Chan said, “With concerted efforts, we will definitely meet the objectives of improving people’s livelihood, fostering harmonious development in our society and raising the quality standards of public administration.”

         This year’s recipient of the Grand Award, the FSD, has committed to providing effective fire and ambulance services for years. In 2023-24, 94 per cent of fire and ambulance calls were handled within the targeted response time, which is a standard higher than the performance pledge. The FSD’s dedication and professionalism in protecting public life and property are essential for ensuring the normal operation of society. The Department has also been proactive in promoting fire safety and public education on first aid.

         â€‹The SWD has been positive and practical in handling complaints. In response to the Office’s inquiries and investigations, the SWD has been active and efficient in providing comprehensive and useful information. In the Office’s direct investigation operation regarding the Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly, the SWD fully co-operated and was willing to accept and implement all of the Office’s recommendations.

         The WSD has maintained its performance pledge to adopt a customer-oriented approach in providing services. The Department’s complaint handling shows its conscious efforts to provide clear, prompt and detailed replies. WSD staff explain complicated technical issues to the public in plain language and are forthcoming in providing details to the Office to account for incidents. The WSD’s positive attitude has enabled the Office to process complaints efficiently.

         The HD received the Award on Mediation this year. The HD has actively used mediation as a mode of complaint handling. On many occasions, HD staff have suggested using mediation to quickly resolve fundamental problems leading to complaints and have made practical recommendations to address complainants’ discontent.

         The Office has introduced two new awards this year: the Customer Services Award and the Information Technology Application and Creativity Award. 

         The ImmD is the first winning department of the Customer Services Award. Throughout the years, the ImmD has worked hard to provide services that best suit public needs, such as introducing the e-Channel Service and conducting the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise. The procedures for applying for services and collecting documents are simple, flexible and efficient.  

         The HA is the first recipient of the Information Technology Application and Creativity Award. The HA spares no effort in exploring innovation methods and technology to enhance service quality and improve patients’ experiences. Such efforts of the HA can be seen in the launch and ongoing improvement of the “HA Go” app, and the extended coverage of the Medication Delivery Service to all specialist clinics to provide more efficient and convenient services to the public.   

         At the presentation ceremony, Mr Chan also commended recipients of the Individual Awards and recognised their contributions. He said, “Government departments and public organisations rely on their committed and diligent staff to provide quality public service. This year, 79 public officers received the Individual Awards, which is a record high.  I am very pleased to see that more officers are being commended for their professional and excellent services. They have earned recognition and commendation from the general public, their respective departments or organisations, as well as my Office.” 

         A full list of the recipients of the Individual Awards this year and the experiences and thoughts from some of them about receiving these awards can be found in Appendices 1 and 2 respectively.

         The Ombudsman’s Awards Scheme was introduced in 1997. In 1999, the Scheme was extended to honour individual public officers. In 2018, an additional Award on Mediation for a public organisation was introduced. In 2024, two new awards, namely the Customer Services Award and the Information Technology Application and Creativity Award, were added.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory and seizes tobacco products worth about $22 million (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory and seizes tobacco products worth about $22 million (with photos)
    Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory and seizes tobacco products worth about $22 million (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         Hong Kong Customs launched an anti-illicit cigarette operation on October 29, shutting down an underground cigarette factory in Tuen Mun. A total of about 3.3 million of suspected illicit cigarettes and about 1 100 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, with a total estimated market value of about $22 million and a duty potential of about $15 million, were seized.           Based on intelligence analysis, Customs identified an industrial building unit in Tuen Mun for an in-depth investigation. On the evening of October 29, Customs officers intercepted and arrested four men and three women, aged between 35 and 63, outside the unit. Six of them were suspected illegal workers. In addition, an illegal cigarette production line was found in the unit, which included a number of machines for producing and packaging illicit cigarettes, as well as a large amount of raw materials used for manufacturing illicit cigarettes. After counting, Customs seized about 3.3 million of suspected illicit cigarettes and about 1 100kg of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco at the scene, dismantling an underground cigarette factory exploiting illegal workers.           The seven arrested persons have been charged with “dealing with goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies” and will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 1). Customs will continue to trace the source of the batch of raw materials of the illicit cigarettes and the production line-related machines. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.           Customs reminds citizens that they must be vigilant when purchasing cigarettes. They should patronise reputable merchants or stores and not purchase cigarettes from unknown sources to avoid threats to their health.           Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, a person shall not, except under and in accordance with a licence, manufacture tobacco. Also, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.           Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (https://eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 31, 2024Issued at HKT 18:13

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Bybit Card in The Pocket: Physical Card Applications Now Open in Argentina With Welcome Offer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, will be unveiling its first physical Mastercard debit card for Bybit users in Argentina. From now to Dec. 31, 2024, new applicants may unlock up to 30,000 ARS in bonuses for card spendings upon the first 100 USDT in deposit. The welcome offer is available for residents in Argentina.

    Seamlessly bridging digital assets with real-world spending, the Bybit Card has quickly become the preferred choice for Argentina’s crypto community. Starting today, virtual Bybit Card holders in Argentina can apply for the physical card through their accounts within a few clicks. For new users who have not experienced the virtual card and missed the early-bird registration period, now is the time to apply for both the virtual and the physical cards. 

    Argentina has emerged as one of the leading markets for digital assets in Latin America, topping the list of regional crypto inflows. According to a recent Chainalysis report, users in Argentina deposited $91 billion worth of crypto between July 2023 and June 2024—the highest amount in the region.

    With the Bybit physical card, users can unlock the full benefits of online and offline spending, accessing over 90 million merchants worldwide through the Mastercard network. The card offers an easy, global payment solution backed by Bybit’s support for major cryptocurrencies and 24/7 customer service. It also comes with a range of perks:

    • Free issuance and delivery
    • Zero annual fees or hidden charges
    • 2% cashback in USDT
    • Up to 8% APR on crypto holdings
    • 30,000 ARS bonus rewards for a limited time only

    “We were encouraged by the warm Argentinian welcome since the Bybit Card made its local debut in July. Three months in, our virtual card has been well loved by the vast majority of Bybit users in Argentina, and we are excited to give users access to the physical version for added flexibility,” said Joan Han, Sales and Marketing Director of Bybit. “Bybit is dedicated to building communities beyond a transactional experience, and we hope a Bybit branded card our users can hold in their hands will bring us closer with a sense of touch and added convenience,” she added.

    The Bybit Card offers a seamless and effortless way for Argentinian users to spend their crypto on everyday purchases while taking full advantage of its rewards and exclusive benefits. Argentinian users can expect more upcoming features and perks with the physical card, including ATM withdrawals and other rewards campaigns in future. The product aligns with Bybit’s mission to foster crypto adoption and create meaningful value for the community.

    Users can find out more about the Bybit Card for residents in Argentina: Bybit Card – Argentina 

    #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

    About Bybit

    Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving over 50 million users. Established in 2018, Bybit provides a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One’s reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

    For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press 

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

    For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

    For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

    Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

    Contact

    Head of PR 
    Tony Au 
    Bybit 
    tony.au@bybit.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bilibili Inc. to Report Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on Thursday, November 14, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bilibili Inc. (“Bilibili” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BILI and HKEX: 9626), an iconic brand and a leading video community for young generations in China, today announced that it will report its third quarter 2024 unaudited financial results on Thursday, November 14, 2024, before the open of U.S. markets.

    The Company’s management will host an earnings conference call at 7:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on November 14, 2024 (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 14, 2024). Details for the conference call are as follows:

    All participants must use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive a set of participant dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which will be used to join the conference call.

    Additionally, a live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.bilibili.com, and a replay of the webcast will be available following the session.

    About Bilibili Inc.

    Bilibili is an iconic brand and a leading video community with a mission to enrich the everyday lives of young generations in China. Bilibili offers a wide array of video-based content with All the Videos You Like as its value proposition. Bilibili builds its community around aspiring users, high-quality content, talented content creators and the strong emotional bonds among them. Bilibili pioneered the “bullet chatting” feature, a live comment function that has transformed our users’ viewing experience by displaying the thoughts and feelings of audience members viewing the same video. The Company has now become the welcoming home of diverse interests among young generations in China and the frontier for promoting Chinese culture across the world.

    For more information, please visit: http://ir.bilibili.com.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In China:

    Bilibili Inc.
    Juliet Yang
    Tel: +86-21-2509-9255 Ext. 8523
    E-mail: ir@bilibili.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Helen Wu
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    E-mail: bilibili@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Brandi Piacente
    Tel: +1-212-481-2050
    E-mail: bilibili@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: CryptoBlox Grows its Mining Division with Kaspa Miners Acquisition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Acquisition Highlights Mining Diversification and Growth

    Vancouver, B.C., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CryptoBlox Technologies Inc. (the “Company” or “CryptoBlox”) (CSE: BLOX) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arm’s length asset purchase agreement (“Agreement”) with 1001038815 Ontario Inc. (the “Vendor”) on October 30, 2024 to purchase five (5) IceRiver KS3 Kaspa mining units (the “Miners”). Completion of the Agreement is conditional upon, among other things, approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Company and the Vendor entering into a management services agreement (the “MSA”), the form of which has been settled, to provide for the set up and ongoing maintenance, hosting and operation of the Miners by the Vendor.

    The MSA provides for competitive electricity rate of USD $0.041 per kilowatt-hour, which is expected to allow for efficient mining of Kaspa with low overhead costs. The total consideration under the Agreement for the Miners and the MSA is 11,000,000 common shares of the Company, having a deemed value of $1,100,0002. A finder’s fee of 550,000 common shares will be payable upon closing.

    By acquiring and deploying the Miners, CryptoBlox hopes expand its digital asset mining operations beyond Bitcoin, leveraging Kaspa’s distinctive blockDAG technology. Kaspa’s technology enables rapid transaction confirmation and high throughput, which makes it an attractive option for miners.

    The Company also announces that it has granted 5 million restricted share units (the “RSUs”) to key management and consultants, to reward such individuals’ ongoing commitment to the Company. Such RSUs will vest as follows: 25% after four (4) months, 25% after eight (8) months, 25% after twelve (12) months, and 25% after sixteen (16) months from the date of grant. The grant of 2,000,000 of the RSUs (the “Related Party Grant”) to a director and officer of the Company was considered a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“), but was exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, given neither the fair market value of the securities issued nor the consideration provided therefor exceeded 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.

    Akshay Sood, CEO of CryptoBlox, commented:

    We are thrilled to enter the Kaspa mining market, as this represents an important step in our commitment to diversification.”

    This is a significant achievement for the Company, given we will acquire a turn key operation, which is expected to immediately generate cash flows, while preserving cash.”

    “We hope to rapidly continue to build out our diversified Blockchain Ecosystem and continue to build value for our shareholders.”

    _____________________________________
    1 CAD $0.055 per kilowatt-hour 
    2CAD $0.10 per common share

    On behalf of the Company,

    Akshay Sood,
    Chief Executive Officer

    About CryptoBlox Technologies Inc.

    CryptoBlox Technologies Inc. (“CryptoBlox”) is a blockchain technology infrastructure company focusing on building out its diversified Blockchain Ecosystem Strategy that consists of Digital Asset Mining & Infrastructure, Mining Products & Technology, and Structured Blockchain Products & Services.

    For further information about the Company, please visit www.cryptoblox.ca or call 236-259-0279.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management’s view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward- looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: the MSA and the performance thereof; the Agreement and the completion thereof; the outlook on Kaspa; the expectation that the Miners will be operated efficiently; expectation that the Miners will generate cash flow immediately and the Company’s commitment to diversification and building value for shareholders. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements, or otherwise.

    The CSE (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Radware Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Highlights

    • Revenue of $69.5 million, an increase of 13% yearoveryear
    • Cloud ARR of $71.6 million, an increase of 15% year-over-year
    • Non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.23 vs. $0.07 in Q3 2023; GAAP diluted EPS of $0.07 vs. $(0.16) in Q3 2023
    • Cash flow from operations of $14.7 million and $58.9 million year-to-date

    TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR), a leading provider of cyber security and application delivery solutions, today announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    “We are pleased to report solid third-quarter results, highlighted by 13% year-over-year revenue growth and a significant improvement in profitability and cash flow from operations,” said Roy Zisapel, Radware’s President and CEO. “Our results reflect double-digit growth in subscription revenue, strong sales of software subscriptions, and the ongoing success of DefensePro X, which carries with it more subscription revenue. We are excited about the momentum we’ve built and our future growth prospects.”

    Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter 2024
    Revenue for the third quarter of 2024 totaled $69.5 million:

    • Revenue in the Americas region was $27.7 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 11% from $24.9 million in the third quarter of 2023.
    • Revenue in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”) region was $25.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 30% from $19.3 million in the third quarter of 2023.
    • Revenue in the Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) region was $16.6 million for the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 5% from $17.4 million in the third quarter of 2023.

    GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $3.1 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net loss of $6.9 million, or $(0.16) per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023.

    Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $10.2 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $2.9 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023.

    As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term bank deposits, and marketable securities of $411.7 million. Cash flow from operations was $14.7 million in the third quarter of 2024.

    Non-GAAP results are calculated excluding, as applicable, the impact of stock-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, litigation costs, acquisition costs, restructuring costs, exchange rate differences, net on balance sheet items included in financial income, net, and tax-related adjustments. A reconciliation of each of the Company’s non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is included at the end of this press release.

    Conference Call
    Radware management will host a call today, October 31, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. EDT to discuss its third quarter 2024 results and fourth quarter 2024 outlook. To participate on the call, please use the following numbers:
    U.S. participants call toll free: 888-510-2008
    International participants call: 1 646-960-0306
    Conference ID: 1864701

    A replay will be available for two days, starting two hours after the end of the call, on telephone number +1-609-800-9099 or (US toll-free) 800-770-2030. Passcode 1864701.

    The call will be webcast live on the Company’s website at: http://www.radware.com/IR/. The webcast will remain available for replay during the next 12 months.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information and Key Performance Indicators
    In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Radware uses non-GAAP measures of gross profit, research and development expense, selling and marketing expense, general and administrative expense, total operating expenses, operating income, financial income, net, income before taxes on income, taxes on income, net income and diluted earnings per share, which are adjustments from results based on GAAP to exclude, as applicable, stock-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, litigation costs, acquisition costs, restructuring costs, exchange rate differences, net on balance sheet items included in financial income, net, and taxrelated adjustments. Management believes that exclusion of these charges allows for meaningful comparisons of operating results across past, present, and future periods. Radware’s management believes the non-GAAP financial measures provided in this release are useful to investors for the purpose of understanding and assessing Radware’s ongoing operations. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is included with the financial information contained in this press release. Management uses both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating and operating the business and, as such, has determined that it is important to provide this information to investors.

    Annual recurring revenue (“ARR”) is a key performance indicator defined as the annualized value of booked orders for term-based cloud services, subscription licenses, and maintenance contracts that are in effect at the end of a reporting period. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue and is not intended to be combined with or to replace either of those items. ARR is not a forecast of future revenue, which can be impacted by contract start and end dates and renewal rates and does not include revenue reported as perpetual license or professional services revenue in our consolidated statement of operations. We consider ARR a key performance indicator of the value of the recurring components of our business.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements made herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about Radware’s plans, outlook, beliefs, or opinions, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may,” and “could.” Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, could differ materially from Radware’s current forecasts and estimates. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the impact of global economic conditions, including as a result of the state of war declared in Israel in October 2023 and instability in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and the tensions between China and Taiwan; our dependence on independent distributors to sell our products; our ability to manage our anticipated growth effectively; a shortage of components or manufacturing capacity could cause a delay in our ability to fulfill orders or increase our manufacturing costs; our business may be affected by sanctions, export controls, and similar measures, targeting Russia and other countries and territories, as well as other responses to Russia’s military conflict in Ukraine, including indefinite suspension of operations in Russia and dealings with Russian entities by many multi-national businesses across a variety of industries; the ability of vendors to provide our hardware platforms and components for the manufacture of our products; our ability to attract, train, and retain highly qualified personnel; intense competition in the market for cyber security and application delivery solutions and in our industry in general, and changes in the competitive landscape; our ability to develop new solutions and enhance existing solutions; the impact to our reputation and business in the event of real or perceived shortcomings, defects, or vulnerabilities in our solutions, if our end-users experience security breaches, if our information technology systems and data, or those of our service providers and other contractors, are compromised by cyber-attackers or other malicious actors, or by a critical system failure; outages, interruptions, or delays in hosting services; the risks associated with our global operations, such as difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations, compliance costs arising from host country laws or regulations, partial or total expropriation, export duties and quotas, local tax exposure, economic or political instability, including as a result of insurrection, war, natural disasters, and major environmental, climate, or public health concerns, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; our net losses in the past two years and possibility we may incur losses in the future; a slowdown in the growth of the cyber security and application delivery solutions market or in the development of the market for our cloud-based solutions; long sales cycles for our solutions; risks and uncertainties relating to acquisitions or other investments; risks associated with doing business in countries with a history of corruption or with foreign governments; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with undetected defects or errors in our products; our ability to protect our proprietary technology; intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties; laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting our business; compliance with open source and third-party licenses; and other factors and risks over which we may have little or no control. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Radware, refer to Radware’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the other risk factors discussed from time to time by Radware in reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except as required by applicable law, Radware undertakes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statement in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made. Radware’s public filings are available from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or may be obtained on Radware’s website at www.radware.com.

    About Radware
    Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR) is a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments. The company’s cloud application, infrastructure, and API security solutions use AI-driven algorithms for precise, hands-free, real-time protection from the most sophisticated web, application, and DDoS attacks, API abuse, and bad bots. Enterprises and carriers worldwide rely on Radware’s solutions to address evolving cybersecurity challenges and protect their brands and business operations while reducing costs. For more information, please visit the Radware website.

    Radware encourages you to join our community and follow us on: Facebook, LinkedIn, Radware Blog, X, YouTube, and Radware Mobile for iOS.

    ©2024 Radware Ltd. All rights reserved. Any Radware products and solutions mentioned in this press release are protected by trademarks, patents, and pending patent applications of Radware in the U.S. and other countries. For more details, please see: https://www.radware.com/LegalNotice/. All other trademarks and names are property of their respective owners.

    Radware believes the information in this document is accurate in all material respects as of its publication date. However, the information is provided without any express, statutory, or implied warranties and is subject to change without notice.

    The contents of any website or hyperlinks mentioned in this press release are for informational purposes and the contents thereof are not part of this press release.

    CONTACTS
    Investor Relations:
    Yisca Erez, +972-72-3917211, ir@radware.com

    Media Contact:
    Gerri Dyrek, gerri.dyrek@radware.com

    Radware Ltd.
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (U.S. Dollars in thousands)
           
      September 30,   December 31,
      2024   2023
      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    Assets      
           
    Current assets      
    Cash and cash equivalents 115,416   70,538
    Marketable securities 94,809   86,372
    Short-term bank deposits 111,998   173,678
    Trade receivables, net 19,963   20,267
    Other receivables and prepaid expenses 9,891   9,529
    Inventories 13,543   15,544
      365,620   375,928
           
    Long-term investments      
    Marketable securities 30,991   33,131
    Long-term bank deposits 58,468  
    Other assets 2,104   2,166
      91,563   35,297
           
           
    Property and equipment, net 16,499   18,221
    Intangible assets, net 12,742   15,718
    Other long-term assets 35,312   37,967
    Operating lease right-of-use assets 18,433   20,777
    Goodwill 68,008   68,008
    Total assets 608,177   571,916
           
    Liabilities and equity      
           
    Current liabilities      
    Trade payables 6,551   4,298
    Deferred revenues 109,924   105,012
    Operating lease liabilities 4,333   4,684
    Other payables and accrued expenses 46,427   41,021
      167,235   155,015
           
    Long-term liabilities      
    Deferred revenues 65,916   60,499
    Operating lease liabilities 13,658   16,020
    Other long-term liabilities 14,173   17,108
      93,747   93,627
           
    Equity      
    Radware Ltd. equity      
    Share capital 749   742
    Additional paid-in capital 548,240   529,209
    Accumulated other comprehensive income 593   77
    Treasury stock, at cost (366,588)   (365,749)
    Retained earnings 123,398   119,812
    Total Radware Ltd. shareholder’s equity 306,392   284,091
           
    Non–controlling interest 40,803   39,183
           
    Total equity 347,195   323,274
           
    Total liabilities and equity 608,177   571,916
           
    Radware Ltd.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)

    (U.S Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) 
                     
        For the three months ended   For the nine months ended
        September 30,   September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
                     
    Revenues   69,488   61,612   201,849   196,260
    Cost of revenues   13,392   12,838   39,260   38,886
    Gross profit   56,096   48,774   162,589   157,374
                     
    Operating expenses, net:                
    Research and development, net   18,654   20,614   56,251   62,905
    Selling and marketing   30,500   30,532   89,945   94,368
    General and administrative   6,948   7,824   21,271   24,378
    Total operating expenses, net   56,102   58,970   167,467   181,651
                     
    Operating loss   (6)   (10,196)   (4,878)   (24,277)
    Financial income, net   4,957   3,778   12,982   10,688
    Income (loss) before taxes on income   4,951   (6,418)   8,104   (13,589)
    Taxes on income   1,807   433   4,518   2,151
    Net income (loss)   3,144   (6,851)   3,586   (15,740)
                     
    Basic net income (loss) per share attributed to Radware Ltd.’s shareholders   0.07   (0.16)   0.09   (0.36)
                     
    Weighted average number of shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per share   41,956,001   42,261,637   41,854,984   43,232,405
                     
    Diluted net income (loss) per share attributed to Radware Ltd.’s shareholders   0.07   (0.16)   0.08   (0.36)
                     
    Weighted average number of shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per share   43,573,161   42,261,637   43,199,279   43,232,405
                     
      Radware Ltd.
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Information
    (U.S Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
                     
        For the three months ended   For the nine months ended
        September 30,   September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    GAAP gross profit 56,096   48,774   162,589   157,374
      Share-based compensation 81   177   240   403
      Amortization of intangible assets 992   992   2,976   2,976
    Non-GAAP gross profit 57,169   49,943   165,805   160,753
                     
    GAAP research and development, net 18,654   20,614   56,251   62,905
      Share-based compensation 1,421   2,064   4,679   6,200
    Non-GAAP Research and development, net 17,233   18,550   51,572   56,705
                     
    GAAP selling and marketing 30,500   30,532   89,945   94,368
      Share-based compensation 2,548   2,134   7,708   9,065
      Restructuring costs   1,273     1,273
    Non-GAAP selling and marketing 27,952   27,125   82,237   84,030
                     
    GAAP general and administrative 6,948   7,824   21,271   24,378
      Share-based compensation 2,008   2,884   6,480   9,483
      Acquisition costs 159   211   571   769
    Non-GAAP general and administrative 4,781   4,729   14,220   14,126
                     
    GAAP total operating expenses, net 56,102   58,970   167,467   181,651
      Share-based compensation 5,977   7,082   18,867   24,748
      Acquisition costs 159   211   571   769
      Restructuring costs   1,273     1,273
    Non-GAAP total operating expenses, net 49,966   50,404   148,029   154,861
                     
    GAAP operating loss (6)   (10,196)   (4,878)   (24,277)
      Share-based compensation 6,058   7,259   19,107   25,151
      Amortization of intangible assets 992   992   2,976   2,976
      Acquisition costs 159   211   571   769
      Restructuring costs   1,273     1,273
    Non-GAAP operating income (loss) 7,203   (461)   17,776   5,892
                     
    GAAP financial income, net 4,957   3,778   12,982   10,688
      Exchange rate differences, net on balance sheet items included in financial income, net (86)   37   (231)   (770)
    Non-GAAP financial income, net 4,871   3,815   12,751   9,918
                     
    GAAP income (loss) before taxes on income 4,951   (6,418)   8,104   (13,589)
      Share-based compensation 6,058   7,259   19,107   25,151
      Amortization of intangible assets 992   992   2,976   2,976
      Acquisition costs 159   211   571   769
      Restructuring costs   1,273     1,273
      Exchange rate differences, net on balance sheet items included in financial income, net (86)   37   (231)   (770)
    Non-GAAP income before taxes on income 12,074   3,354   30,527   15,810
                     
    GAAP taxes on income 1,807   433   4,518   2,151
      Tax related adjustments 62   62   185   185
    Non-GAAP taxes on income 1,869   495   4,703   2,336
                     
    GAAP net income (loss) 3,144   (6,851)   3,586   (15,740)
      Share-based compensation 6,058   7,259   19,107   25,151
      Amortization of intangible assets 992   992   2,976   2,976
      Acquisition costs 159   211   571   769
      Restructuring costs   1,273     1,273
      Exchange rate differences, net on balance sheet items included in financial income, net (86)   37   (231)   (770)
      Tax related adjustments (62)   (62)   (185)   (185)
    Non-GAAP net income 10,205   2,859   25,824   13,474
                     
    GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share 0.07   (0.16)   0.08   (0.36)
      Share-based compensation 0.14   0.17   0.45   0.57
      Amortization of intangible assets 0.02   0.03   0.07   0.07
      Acquisition costs 0.00   0.00   0.01   0.02
      Restructuring costs 0.00   0.03   0.00   0.03
      Exchange rate differences, net on balance sheet items included in financial income, net (0.00)   0.00   (0.01)   (0.02)
      Tax related adjustments (0.00)   (0.00)   (0.00)   0.00
    Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share 0.23   0.07   0.60   0.31
                     
                     
    Weighted average number of shares used to compute non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share 43,573,161   43,163,159   43,199,279   44,058,549
                   
    Radware Ltd.
     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
    (U.S. Dollars in thousands)
                     
        For the three months ended   For the nine months ended
        September 30,   September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    Cash flow from operating activities:                
                     
    Net income (loss)   3,144   (6,851)   3,586   (15,740)
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:                
    Depreciation and amortization   2,947   3,025   8,918   9,216
    Share-based compensation   6,058   7,259   19,107   25,151
    Amortization of premium, accretion of discounts and accrued interest on marketable securities, net   (234)   161   (227)   1,116
    Loss related to securities, net         244
    Increase (decrease) in accrued interest on bank deposits   (814)   (2,289)   4,645   (3,814)
    Increase (decrease) in accrued severance pay, net   147   (401)   106   (506)
    Decrease in trade receivables, net   5,536   4,448   304   5,380
    Decrease (increase) in other receivables and prepaid expenses and other long-term assets   749   (215)   1,155   (2,541)
    Decrease (increase) in inventories   253   (671)   2,001   (1,566)
    Increase (decrease) in trade payables   2,474   (1,778)   2,253   (395)
    Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues   (6,059)   (12,311)   10,329   (11,095)
    Increase (decrease) in other payables and accrued expenses   259   644   7,052   (10,798)
    Operating lease liabilities, net   248   (804)   (369)   (805)
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   14,708   (9,783)   58,860   (6,153)
                     
    Cash flows from investing activities:                
                     
    Purchase of property and equipment   (1,412)   (1,130)   (4,220)   (4,493)
    Proceeds from other long-term assets, net   46   29   40   77
    Proceeds from (investment in) bank deposits, net   9,731   21,145   (1,433)   51,345
    Investment in, redemption of and purchase of marketable securities, net   5,541   2,228   (4,456)   347
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   13,906   22,272   (10,069)   47,276
                     
    Cash flows from financing activities:                
                     
    Proceeds from exercise of share options       3   308
    Repurchase of shares     (20,648)   (839)   (53,131)
    Payment of contingent consideration related to acquisition     (2,063)   (3,077)   (2,063)
    Net cash used in financing activities     (22,711)   (3,913)   (54,886)
                     
    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   28,614   (10,222)   44,878   (13,763)
    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period   86,802   42,644   70,538   46,185
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period   115,416   32,422   115,416   32,422
                     
      Radware Ltd.
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA (NON-GAAP)

    (U.S Dollars in thousands)
                     
        For the three months ended   For the nine months ended
        September 30,   September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
        (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    GAAP net income (loss) 3,144   (6,851)   3,586   (15,740)
      Exclude: Financial income, net (4,957)   (3,778)   (12,982)   (10,688)
      Exclude: Depreciation and amortization expense 2,947   3,025   8,918   9,216
      Exclude: Taxes on income 1,807   433   4,518   2,151
    EBITDA 2,941   (7,171)   4,040   (15,061)
                     
      Share-based compensation 6,058   7,259   19,107   25,151
      Restructuring costs   1,273     1,273
      Acquisition costs 159   211   571   769
    Adjusted EBITDA 9,158   1,572   23,718   12,132
                     
                     
        For the three months ended   For the nine months ended
        September 30,   September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
      Amortization of intangible assets 992   992   2,976   2,976
      Depreciation 1,955   2,033   5,942   6,240
        2,947   3,025   8,918   9,216
                     

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: “The Ragnarok” Official Launching in Southeast Asia on October 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — – GRAVITY Co., Ltd. (NasdaqGM: GRVY) (“Gravity” or “Company”), a developer and publisher of online and mobile games, announced that Gravity’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Gravity Game Tech Co.,Ltd, officially launched the 2D MMORPG mobile and PC game, The Ragnarok, in Southeast Asia on October 31, 2024.

    The Ragnarok embodies the same 2D dot characters and 3D background graphics as Ragnarok Online, creating more feel of the original. The official launch version opens up the 2-1st class of the six major Ragnarok jobs and allows users to trade without stalls, providing them more freedom. Each town has an orchestral BGM from the Ragnarok concert to add more immersive experience.

    In June of this year,“Ragnarok: Novice Hearts”(Chinese Title: RO 仙境傳說:初心之戰) launched in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. After the pre-download began, it has been on the high rankings in free popular games in two major markets in three regions, and immediately after its launch, it was among the top-grossing titles in the Apple App Store. In addition, after launching in Korea under the name The Ragnarok in September, the service has been well smoothly, receiving many favorable reviews from users.

    “We are thrilled to officially launch The Ragnarok in Southeast Asia,” Gravity Stated. “The Ragnarok gives more fun and convenience to users based on the authenticity of the original, and we believe it will once again prove Ragnarok‘s presence in the region. We’ve prepared a lot of events and rewards to celebrate the launch, so please enjoy it, and stay tuned for more content updates in the future.”

    [Gravity Official Website]
    http://www.gravity.co.kr

    [The Ragnarok Official Website in Southeast Asia]
    http://theragnaroksea.com/

    [The Ragnarok Google Play Download Page]
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ggt.tr.google

    [The Ragnarok Apple App Store Download Page]
    https://apps.apple.com/th/app/the-ragnarok/id6575353957

    [The Ragnarok Google Play Games Download Page]
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ggt.tr.google

    About GRAVITY Co., Ltd. —————————————————

    Gravity is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games. Gravity’s principal product, Ragnarok Online, is a popular online game in many markets, including Japan and Taiwan, and is currently commercially offered in 91 regions. For more information about Gravity, please visit http://www.gravity.co.kr.

    Contact:

    Mr. Heung Gon Kim
    Chief Financial Officer
    Gravity Co., Ltd.
    Email: kheung@gravity.co.kr

    Ms. Jin Lee
    Ms. Yujin Oh
    Ms. Eseon Kwon
    IR Unit
    Gravity Co., Ltd.
    Email: ir@gravity.co.kr
    Telephone: +82-2-2132-7801

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Cenovus announces third quarter 2024 results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX: CVE) (NYSE: CVE) today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2024. The company generated nearly $2.5 billion in cash from operating activities, $2.0 billion of adjusted funds flow and $614 million of free funds flow in the quarter. Upstream production of more than 771,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d)1 was slightly lower compared with the second quarter primarily because of turnaround activity at the Christina Lake oil sands facility. Turnaround impacts to production were lower than forecast, as Christina Lake completed its turnaround ahead of schedule. In the downstream, total throughput increased by about 20,000 barrels per day (bbls/d) from the second quarter to almost 643,000 bbls/d, and a major turnaround was successfully completed at the Lima Refinery.

    “We are efficiently and effectively progressing our major projects and our growth plan is on track to deliver increased production that will enhance shareholder returns for the long term,” said Jon McKenzie, Cenovus President & Chief Executive Officer. “With planned upstream and downstream maintenance activities behind us, we’re well positioned to deliver strong operations for the balance of the year and into 2025.”

    Recent highlights

    • Returned $1.1 billion of cash to shareholders in the third quarter, including $732 million in share purchases and base dividends of $329 million.
    • Completed the Christina Lake turnaround safely and well ahead of schedule, resulting in production from the asset exceeding the company’s forecast by 15,000 bbls/d to 20,000 bbls/d in the quarter.
    • Completed a major turnaround at the Lima Refinery on schedule, with pipeline connections to the Toledo Refinery enabling Lima crude runs to continue at a reduced rate, avoiding a full shutdown.
    • Began production from two new well pads at Sunrise which will ramp up in the fourth quarter, which are part of the Sunrise growth program.
    • Completed the SeaRose floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel asset life extension work with resumed volumes around year end, achieving a critical milestone for the West White Rose project.
    • All major projects remain on track to deliver significant growth with West White Rose, Foster Creek optimization, Sunrise growth program and Narrows Lake pipeline progressing as expected.

    Third-quarter results

    Financial summary

    ($ millions, except per share amounts) 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2023 Q3
    Cash from (used in) operating activities 2,474 2,807 2,738
    Adjusted funds flow2 1,960 2,361 3,447
    Per share (diluted)2 1.05 1.26 1.81
    Capital investment 1,346 1,155 1,025
    Free funds flow2 614 1,206 2,422
    Excess free funds flow2 146 735 1,989
    Net earnings (loss) 820 1,000 1,864
    Per share (diluted) 0.42 0.53 0.97
    Long-term debt, including current portion 7,199 7,275 7,224
    Net debt 4,196 4,258 5,976


    Production and throughput

    (before royalties, net to Cenovus) 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2023 Q3
    Oil and NGLs (bbls/d)1 630,500 656,300 652,400
    Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d) 844.6 867.2 867.4
    Total upstream production (BOE/d)1 771,300 800,800 797,000
    Total downstream throughput (bbls/d) 642,900 622,700 664,300

    1See Advisory for production by product type.
    2Non-GAAP financial measure or contains a non-GAAP financial measure. See Advisory.

    Operating results1

    Cenovus’s total revenues were approximately $14.2 billion in the third quarter, down from $14.9 billion in the prior quarter, primarily due to lower commodity prices, which impacted both upstream and downstream results. Planned turnaround activities reduced production, primarily at the Christina Lake oil sands facility and Rainbow Lake conventional operations, as well as in the Atlantic region due to the SeaRose FPSO asset life extension, and reduced throughput at the Lima Refinery.

    Upstream revenues were about $7.3 billion, down from $7.9 billion in the second quarter, while downstream revenues were approximately $9.2 billion, up from $9.1 billion in the prior quarter. Total operating margin3 was about $2.4 billion, compared with $2.9 billion in the previous quarter. Upstream operating margin4 was approximately $2.7 billion, down from $3.1 billion in the second quarter. The company had a downstream operating margin4 shortfall of $323 million in the third quarter as the Lima Refinery underwent a major planned turnaround, compared with a shortfall of $153 million in the previous quarter. In the third quarter, operating margin in U.S. Refining included approximately $209 million of first in, first out (FIFO) losses and about $100 million of turnaround expenses and improvement projects executed during the Lima turnaround.

    Total upstream production was 771,300 BOE/d in the third quarter, a decrease of 29,500 BOE/d from the prior quarter due to turnarounds at Christina Lake, Rainbow Lake and other Conventional facilities. Christina Lake production was 211,800 bbls/d, compared to 237,100 bbls/d in the second quarter, as a result of the planned turnaround activity. Production impacted by the Christina Lake turnaround was restored ahead of schedule. Foster Creek and Sunrise production increased quarter-over-quarter, with 198,000 bbls/d at Foster Creek compared with 195,000 bbls/d in the second quarter and Sunrise production of 50,400 bbls/d compared with 46,100 bbls/d in the second quarter. Production from the Lloydminster thermal and Lloydminster conventional heavy assets was 109,400 bbls/d and 16,300 bbls/d respectively, both slightly below the prior quarter.

    Production in the Conventional segment was 118,100 BOE/d in the third quarter, a slight decrease from 123,100 BOE/d in the second quarter, as turnaround activities were safely completed at Rainbow Lake and other Conventional facilities.

    In the Offshore segment, production was 65,500 BOE/d compared with 66,200 BOE/d in the second quarter. In Asia Pacific, sales volumes were 56,500 BOE/d, slightly lower than the previous quarter due to the completion of planned maintenance on the Liwan offshore platform and at the onshore Gaolan gas plant. In the Atlantic, production was 9,000 bbls/d, up from 8,400 bbls/d in the prior quarter as the non-operated Terra Nova field continues to ramp up to full rates. Planned maintenance work on the SeaRose FPSO was completed at the dry dock in Belfast and the vessel is returning to the White Rose field, with production expected to resume by year end.

    Refining throughput in the third quarter was 642,900 bbls/d, an increase from 622,700 bbls/d in the second quarter, primarily due to reduced maintenance activity. Crude throughput in Canadian Refining was 99,400 bbls/d in the third quarter, compared with 53,800 bbls/d in the previous quarter, with the increase primarily due to a major turnaround at the Lloydminster Upgrader which impacted second quarter throughput.

    In U.S. Refining, crude throughput was 543,500 bbls/d in the third quarter, compared with 568,900 bbls/d in the second quarter. Throughput decreased primarily due to a major turnaround at the Lima Refinery that commenced in September, which resulted in the plant running at reduced crude throughput rates. Market capture in the U.S. was lower than the previous quarter primarily due to inventory timing impacts, the Lima Refinery turnaround and unplanned outages in secondary units at the operated and non-operated refineries. Subsequent to the quarter, the turnaround at Lima was safely and successfully completed in October.

    3Non-GAAP financial measure. Total operating margin is the total of Upstream operating margin plus Downstream operating margin. See Advisory.
    4Specified financial measure. See Advisory.

    Financial results

    Cash from operating activities in the third quarter, which includes changes in non-cash working capital, was about $2.5 billion, compared with $2.8 billion in the second quarter. Adjusted funds flow was approximately $2.0 billion, compared with $2.4 billion in the prior period and excess free funds flow (EFFF) was $146 million, compared with $735 million in the previous quarter. Third-quarter financial results were impacted by lower benchmark prices, planned turnaround activity, unplanned outages, and a FIFO loss in the U.S. Refining segment. Net earnings in the third quarter were $820 million, compared with $1.0 billion in the previous quarter.

    Long-term debt, including the current portion, was $7.2 billion at September 30, 2024. Net debt decreased slightly from the prior quarter to approximately $4.2 billion at September 30, 2024, primarily due to free funds flow of $614 million and a release of non-cash working capital, offset by shareholder returns of $1.1 billion. Following the achievement of the net debt target in July 2024, the company continues to steward toward a net debt level near $4.0 billion and returning 100% of EFFF to shareholders over time in accordance with its financial framework.

    Growth projects and capital investments

    In the Oil Sands segment, the company continues to progress the tie-back of Narrows Lake, building a 17-kilometre pipeline connecting the reservoir to the Christina Lake processing facility, which will add between 20,000 bbls/d and 30,000 bbls/d of production. The project is approximately 93% constructed, as critical tie-ins to the Narrows Lake pipeline were completed during the Christina Lake turnaround. The project remains on track for first production mid-2025. At Sunrise, as part of the growth program, the company brought two new well pads online in the third quarter, which will continue to ramp up into the fourth quarter. One additional well pad will come online in early 2025. The optimization project at Foster Creek remains on schedule for startup by the middle of 2026, with most modules and major pieces of equipment in place and pipe installation underway. At the Lloydminster conventional heavy oil assets, 20 new production wells were drilled in the third quarter, positioning the company for growth from this business in 2025.

    The West White Rose project reached a significant milestone with the completion of the SeaRose FPSO asset life extension work at the dry dock in Belfast. The vessel is now sailing back to the White Rose field where reconnection and commissioning will take place to enable the existing field to resume production by year end. The West White Rose project is now approximately 85% complete and progressing on-schedule.

    Dividend declarations and share purchases

    The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly base dividend of $0.180 per common share, payable on December 31, 2024 to shareholders of record as of December 13, 2024.

    In addition, the Board has declared a quarterly dividend on each of the Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares – Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, Series 5 and Series 7 – payable on December 31, 2024 to shareholders of record as of December 13, 2024 as follows:

    Preferred shares dividend summary

    Share series Rate (%) Amount ($/share)
    Series 1 2.577 0.16106
    Series 2 5.935 0.37296
    Series 3 4.689 0.29306
    Series 5 4.591 0.28694
    Series 7 3.935 0.24594

    All dividends paid on Cenovus’s common and preferred shares will be designated as “eligible dividends” for Canadian federal income tax purposes. Declaration of dividends is at the sole discretion of the Board and will continue to be evaluated on a quarterly basis.

    In the third quarter, the company returned approximately $1.1 billion to common shareholders, composed of $732 million from its purchase of 28.4 million shares through its normal course issuer bid (NCIB) and $329 million through base dividends.

    Since the share buyback program began in November 2021, as at October 28, Cenovus has purchased approximately 227 million common shares, delivering $5.3 billion in returns to shareholders. The current NCIB will expire on November 8, 2024. Cenovus has received approval from the Board of Directors to apply for another NCIB program. Cenovus will apply for approval to repurchase up to approximately 127 million of the company’s common shares, representing approximately 10% of its public float, as defined by the TSX.

    2024 planned maintenance

    The following table provides details on planned maintenance activities at Cenovus assets through 2024 and anticipated production or throughput impacts.

    Potential quarterly production/throughput impact (Mbbls/d or MBOE/d)

      Q4 Annualized impact
    Upstream
    Oil Sands 0-3 7-10
    Atlantic 6-9 7-10
    Conventional 2-4
    Downstream
    Canadian Refining 12-14
    U.S. Refining 5-10 9-12


    Sustainability

    Cenovus’s 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility report was issued in August, highlighting the company’s progress and performance related to safety, Indigenous reconciliation, and inclusion & diversity as well as its approach to governance. Cenovus remains committed to delivering on its environmental projects and performance, however recent changes to Canada’s Competition Act has created uncertainty and risk around the company’s ability to speak publicly about its actions.

    Conference call today
    8 a.m. Mountain Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time)

    Cenovus will host a conference call today, October 31, 2024, starting at 8 a.m. MT (10 a.m. ET).

    To join the conference call, please dial 888-307-2440 (toll-free in North America) or 647-694-2812 to reach a live operator who will join you into the call. A live audio webcast will also be available and archived for approximately 30 days.

    Advisory

    Basis of Presentation

    Cenovus reports financial results in Canadian dollars and presents production volumes on a net to Cenovus before royalties basis, unless otherwise stated. Cenovus prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Accounting Standards.

    Barrels of Oil Equivalent

    Natural gas volumes have been converted to barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) on the basis of six thousand cubic feet (Mcf) to one barrel (bbl). BOE may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A conversion ratio of one bbl to six Mcf is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil compared with natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency conversion ratio of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis is not an accurate reflection of value.

    Product types

    Product type by operating segment Three months ended
    September 30, 2024
    Oil Sands
    Bitumen (Mbbls/d) 569.6
    Heavy crude oil (Mbbls/d) 16.3
    Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d) 10.4
    Total Oil Sands segment production (MBOE/d) 587.7
    Conventional
    Light crude oil (Mbbls/d) 4.6
    Natural gas liquids (Mbbls/d) 21.1
    Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d) 554.8
    Total Conventional segment production (MBOE/d) 118.1
    Offshore
    Light crude oil (Mbbls/d) 9.0
    Natural gas liquids (Mbbls/d) 9.9
    Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d) 279.4
    Total Offshore segment production (MBOE/d) 65.5
    Total upstream production (MBOE/d) 771.3


    Forward‐looking Information

    This news release contains certain forward‐looking statements and forward‐looking information (collectively referred to as “forward‐looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation about Cenovus’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the future of the company, based on certain assumptions made in light of the company’s experiences and perceptions of historical trends. Although Cenovus believes that the expectations represented by such forward‐looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward‐looking information in this document is identified by words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “deliver”, “expect”, “focus”, “plan”, “progress”, “steward”, “target” and “will” or similar expressions and includes suggestions of future outcomes, including, but not limited to, statements about:   returning Excess Free Funds Flow to shareholders; shareholder returns, including renewing the company’s normal course issuer bid; safety; growth plans and projects; Net Debt; production guidance; the optimization project at Foster Creek; the tie-back of Narrows Lake to Christina Lake; amount and timing of production at Narrows Lake; production and timing of well pads at Sunrise; drilling activity and production at the Conventional Heavy Oil assets; return of the Sea Rose FPSO to the White Rose Field and return of production; the construction of the West White Rose project; 2024 planned maintenance; and dividend payments.

    Developing forward‐looking information involves reliance on a number of assumptions and consideration of certain risks and uncertainties, some of which are specific to Cenovus and others that apply to the industry generally. The factors or assumptions on which the forward‐looking information in this news release are based include, but are not limited to: the allocation of free funds flow; commodity prices, inflation and supply chain constraints; Cenovus’s ability to produce on an unconstrained basis; Cenovus’s ability to access sufficient insurance coverage to pursue development plans; Cenovus’s ability to deliver safe and reliable operations and demonstrate strong governance; and the assumptions inherent in Cenovus’s 2024 corporate guidance available on cenovus.com.

    The risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward‐looking information in this news release include, but are not limited to: the accuracy of estimates regarding commodity production and operating expenses, inflation, taxes, royalties, capital costs and currency and interest rates; risks inherent in the operation of Cenovus’s business; and risks associated with climate change and Cenovus’s assumptions relating thereto and other risks identified under “Risk Management and Risk Factors” and “Advisory” in Cenovus’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Except as required by applicable securities laws, Cenovus disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive and are made as at the date hereof. Events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward‐looking information. For additional information regarding Cenovus’s material risk factors, the assumptions made, and risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to “Risk Management and Risk Factors” and “Advisory” in Cenovus’s MD&A for the periods ended December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024, and to the risk factors, assumptions and uncertainties described in other documents Cenovus files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities in Canada (available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at sec.gov and Cenovus’s website at cenovus.com.)

    Specified Financial Measures

    This news release contains references to certain specified financial measures that do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards. Readers should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company’s results as reported under IFRS Accounting Standards. These measures are defined differently by different companies and, therefore, might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For information on the composition of these measures, as well as an explanation of how the company uses these measures, refer to the Specified Financial Measures Advisory located in Cenovus’s MD&A for the period ended September 30, 2024 (available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at sec.gov and on Cenovus’s website at cenovus.com) which is incorporated by reference into this news release.

    Upstream Operating Margin and Downstream Operating Margin

    Upstream Operating Margin and Downstream Operating Margin, and the individual components thereof, are included in Note 1 to the interim Consolidated Financial Statements.


    Total Operating Margin

    Total Operating Margin is the total of Upstream Operating Margin plus Downstream Operating Margin.

      Upstream (5) Downstream (5) Total
    ($ millions) Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2023 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2023 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2023
    Revenues
    Gross Sales 8,259   8,715   8,783   9,228   9,053   9,658 17,487   17,768   18,441  
    Less: Royalties (929 ) (859 ) (1,135 )     (929 ) (859 ) (1,135 )
      7,330   7,856   7,648   9,228   9,053   9,658 16,558   16,909   17,306  
    Expenses
    Purchased Product 1,088   815   900   8,637   8,099   7,947 9,725   8,914   8,847  
    Transportation and Blending 2,661   3,043   2,397       2,661   3,043   2,397  
    Operating 860   889   914   918   1,099   778 1,778   1,988   1,692  
    Realized (Gain) Loss on Risk Management (10 ) 20   (10 ) (4 ) 8   11 (14 ) 28   1  
    Operating Margin 2,731   3,089   3,447   (323 ) (153 ) 922 2,408   2,936   4,369  

    5Found in the September 30, 2024, or the June 30, 2024, interim Consolidated Financial Statements.


    Adjusted Funds Flow, Free Funds Flow and Excess Free Funds Flow

    The following table provides a reconciliation of cash from (used in) operating activities found in Cenovus’s Consolidated Financial Statements to Adjusted Funds Flow, Free Funds Flow and Excess Free Funds Flow. Adjusted Funds Flow per Share – Basic and Adjusted Funds Flow per Share – Diluted are calculated by dividing Adjusted Funds Flow by the respective basic or diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and may be useful to evaluate a company’s ability to generate cash.

      Three Months Ended
    ($ millions) September 30, 2024 June 30, 2024 September 30, 2023
    Cash From (Used in) Operating Activities (5) 2,474 2,807 2,738
    (Add) Deduct:      
    Settlement of Decommissioning Liabilities (74) (48) (68)
    Net Change in Non-Cash Working Capital 588 494 (641)
    Adjusted Funds Flow 1,960 2,361 3,447
    Capital Investment 1,346 1,155 1,025
    Free Funds Flow 614 1,206 2,422
    Add (Deduct):      
    Base Dividends Paid on Common Shares (329) (334) (264)
    Dividends Paid on Preferred Shares (9) (9)
    Settlement of Decommissioning Liabilities (74) (48) (68)
    Principal Repayment of Leases (74) (75) (70)
    Acquisitions, Net of Cash Acquired (4) (5) (32)
    Proceeds From Divestitures 22 1
    Excess Free Funds Flow 146 735 1,989

    5Found in the September, 30, 2024, or the June 30, 2024, interim Consolidated Financial Statements.


    Cenovus Energy Inc.

    Cenovus Energy Inc. is an integrated energy company with oil and natural gas production operations in Canada and the Asia Pacific region, and upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States. The company is focused on managing its assets in a safe, innovative and cost-efficient manner, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into its business plans. Cenovus common shares and warrants are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, and the company’s preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit cenovus.com.

    Find Cenovus on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

    Cenovus contacts

    Investors
    Investor Relations general line
    403-766-7711

    Media
    Media Relations general line
    403-766-7751

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: “Ragnarok: Rebirth” Official Launching in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau on October 31, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GRAVITY Co., Ltd. (NasdaqGM: GRVY) (“Gravity” or “Company”), a developer and publisher of online and mobile games, announced that Gravity’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Gravity Game Vision Co., Ltd, officially launched the 3D MMORPG mobile game, Ragnarok: Rebirth (Chinese Title: 中仙境傳說:重生), on October 31, 2024 at 9:00 am (HKT) in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

    Ragnarok: Rebirth is idle content, which reduces fatigue and provides rich rewards that allow users to grow their characters quickly over time. The game provides both vertical and horizontal screens for user convenience. In June of this year, immediately after its launch in Southeast Asia, Ragnarok Rebirth ranked the first in free popular game in the Apple App Store in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, proving its undying popularity. 

    “As the title suggests, Ragnarok: Rebirth was created to provide a new Ragnarok experience,” Gravity stated. “We’re grateful for the enthusiastic interest and support for the pre-registration, and we’ll do our best for users with good service.”

    [Gravity Official Website]
    http://www.gravity.co.kr

    [The Ragnarok : Rebirth Official Website]
    https://ror.gnjoy.hk/

    [The Ragnarok : Rebirth Google Play Download Page]
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ggv.rebirth.tw

    [The Ragnarok : Rebirth Apple App Store Download Page]
    https://apps.apple.com/tw/app/ro%E4%BB%99%E5%A2%83%E5%82%B3%E8%AA%AA-%E9%87%8D%E7%94%9F/id6596747214

    [The Ragnarok : Rebirth Huawei App Gallery Page]

    https://appgallery.huawei.com/app/C112092537

    About GRAVITY Co., Ltd. —————————————————

    Gravity is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games. Gravity’s principal product, Ragnarok Online, is a popular online game in many markets, including Japan and Taiwan, and is currently commercially offered in 91 regions. For more information about Gravity, please visit http://www.gravity.co.kr.

    Contact:

    Mr. Heung Gon Kim
    Chief Financial Officer
    Gravity Co., Ltd.
    Email: kheung@gravity.co.kr

    Ms. Jin Lee
    Ms. Yujin Oh
    Ms. Eseon Kwon
    IR Unit
    Gravity Co., Ltd.
    Email: ir@gravity.co.kr
    Telephone: +82-2-2132-7801

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Great Elm Capital Corp. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Great Elm Capital Corp. (“we,” “our,” the “Company” or “GECC”) (NASDAQ: GECC), a business development company, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Third Quarter and Other Recent Highlights:

    • Net investment income (“NII”) for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $4.1 million, or $0.39 per share, as compared to $3.1 million, or $0.32 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
    • Net assets were $125.8 million, or $12.04 per share, on September 30, 2024, as compared to $126.0 million, or $12.06 per share, on June 30, 2024.
    • In September 2024, issued $36.0 million of 8.125% unsecured notes due 2029 (the “GECCH Notes”) and an additional $5.4 million in October with the full exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option.
    • Redeemed all outstanding 6.75% unsecured notes due in January 2025 (the “GECCM Notes”) on October 12, 2024 with net proceeds from the GECCH notes and cash on hand.
    • GECC’s asset coverage ratio was 166.2% as of September 30, 2024, as compared to 171.0% as of June 30, 2024 and 168.4% as of September 30, 2023.
      • Pro forma for the GECCH issuances and GECCM redemption, the asset coverage ratio would have been 164.4%.
    • The Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share for the fourth quarter of 2024, equating to a 14.0% annualized yield on the Company’s closing market price on October 30, 2024 of $10.03.

    Management Commentary 
    “We had a strong third quarter, reporting NII that exceeded our quarterly distribution and generating record total investment income of $11.7 million,” said Matt Kaplan, GECC’s Chief Executive Officer. “Along with managing our stable portfolio, we successfully refinanced our GECCM Notes, extending our debt maturity profile. We look forward to closing a very successful 2024 on firm footing, after completing multiple substantial capital raises at NAV and launching our CLO joint venture. Our innovative JV approach utilizing the CLO structure has increased our exposure to first lien bank loans with long term, non-recourse financing, and is already delivering strong cash income. Looking ahead, we believe we remain well-positioned to maintain our dividend coverage and deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to our shareholders.”

    Financial Highlights – Per Share Data

      Q3/2023 Q4/2023 Q1/2024 Q2/2024 Q3/2024
    Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) $1.02 $0.55 ($0.05) ($0.14) $0.33
    Net Investment Income (“NII”) Per Share $0.40 $0.43 $0.37 $0.32 $0.39
    Pre-Incentive Net Investment Income Per Share $0.50 $0.54 $0.46 $0.40 $0.49
    Net Realized and Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Per Share $0.62 $0.12 ($0.42) ($0.46) ($0.06)
    Net Asset Value Per Share at Period End $12.88 $12.99 $12.57 $12.06 $12.04
    Distributions Paid / Declared Per Share $0.35 $0.45 $0.35 $0.35 $0.35
     

    Portfolio and Investment Activity

    As of September 30, 2024, GECC held total investments of $333.3 million at fair value, as follows:

    • 53 debt investments in corporate credit, totaling approximately $204.8 million, representing 61.4% of the fair market value of the Company’s total investments. Secured debt investments comprised a substantial majority of the fair market value of the Company’s debt investments.
    • An investment in Great Elm Specialty Finance, totaling approximately $43.6 million, comprised of one debt investment of $29.7 million and one equity investment of $13.9 million, representing 8.9% and 4.2%, respectively, of the fair market value of the Company’s total investments.
    • An investment in the CLO JV, totaling approximately $32.9 million, representing 9.9% of the fair market value of the Company’s total investments.
    • Seven dividend paying equity investments, totaling approximately $36.3 million, representing 10.9% of the fair market value of the Company’s total investments.
    • Other equity investments, totaling approximately $15.7 million, representing 4.7% of the fair market value of the Company’s total investments.

    As of September 30, 2024, the weighted average current yield on the Company’s debt portfolio was 12.8%. Floating rate instruments comprised approximately 72% of the fair market value of debt investments (up from 69% last quarter) and the Company’s fixed rate debt investments had a weighted average maturity of 2.0 years.

    During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we deployed approximately $73.6 million into 29 investments(1) at a weighted average current yield of 11.5%.

    During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we monetized, in part or in full, 38 investments for approximately $39.1 million(2), at a weighted average current yield of 10.9%. Monetizations include $13.2 million of mandatory debt paydowns and redemptions at a weighted average current yield of 13.1%.

    Financial Review
    Total investment income for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $11.7 million, or $1.12 per share. Net expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 were approximately $7.7 million, or $0.73 per share.

    Net realized and unrealized losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 were approximately $0.6 million, or $0.06 per share.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources
    As of September 30, 2024, cash and money market fund investments totaled approximately $26.0 million.

    As of September 30, 2024, total debt outstanding (par value) was $235.3 million, comprised of 6.75% senior notes due January 2025 (NASDAQ: GECCM), 5.875% senior notes due June 2026 (NASDAQ: GECCO), 8.75% senior notes due September 2028 (NASDAQ: GECCZ), 8.50% senior notes due April 2029 (NASDAQ: GECCI) and 8.125% senior notes due December 2029 (NASDAQ: GECCH).

    Subsequent to quarter-end, the Company used the net proceeds from the GECCH Notes issuance and cash on hand to redeem all GECCM Notes. As of October 30, 2024, pro-forma total debt outstanding (par value) was $195.4 million.

    Distributions
    The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash distribution of $0.35 per share for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. The fourth quarter distribution will be payable on December 31, 2024 to stockholders of record as of December 16, 2024.

    The distribution equates to a 14.0% annualized dividend yield on the Company’s closing market price on October 30, 2024 of $10.03 and an 11.6% annualized dividend yield on the Company’s September 30, 2024 NAV of $12.04 per share.

    Conference Call and Webcast
    GECC will discuss these results in a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET.

    Conference Call Details
       
    Date/Time: Thursday, October 31, 2024 – 8:30 a.m. ET
       
    Participant Dial-In Numbers:  
    (United States): 877-407-0789
    (International): 201-689-8562
       

    To access the call, please dial-in approximately five minutes before the start time and, when asked, provide the operator with passcode “GECC”. An accompanying slide presentation will be available in pdf format via the “Events and Presentations” section of Great Elm Capital Corp.’s website here after the issuance of the earnings release.

    Webcast

    The call and presentation will also be simultaneously webcast over the internet via the “Events and Presentations” section of GECC’s website or by clicking on the webcast link here.

    About Great Elm Capital Corp.
    GECC is an externally managed business development company that seeks to generate current income and capital appreciation by investing in debt and income generating equity securities, including investments in specialty finance businesses. For additional information, please visit http://www.greatelmcc.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    Statements in this communication that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “designed,” “seek,” “continue,” “upside,” “potential” and similar expressions. All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in the statements. The key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: conditions in the credit markets, our expected financings and investments, including interest rate volatility, inflationary pressure, the price of GECC common stock and the performance of GECC’s portfolio and investment manager. Information concerning these and other factors can be found in GECC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. GECC assumes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any duty to, update any forward-looking statements contained in this communication or to conform prior statements to actual results or revised expectations except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

    This press release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.

    Endnotes:
    (1) This includes new deals, additional fundings (inclusive of those on revolving credit facilities), refinancings and capitalized PIK income. Amounts included herein do not include investments in short-term securities, including United States Treasury Bills.
    (2) This includes scheduled principal payments, prepayments, sales and repayments (inclusive of those on revolving credit facilities). Amounts included herein do not include investments in short-term securities, including United States Treasury Bills.

    Media & Investor Contact:
    Investor Relations
    investorrelations@greatelmcap.com

    GREAT ELM CAPITAL CORP.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (unaudited)
    Dollar amounts in thousands (except per share amounts)

        September 30,
    2024
        December 31,
    2023
     
    Assets            
    Investments            
    Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $259,732 and $179,626, respectively)   $ 256,777     $ 183,335  
    Non-affiliated, non-controlled short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $85,484 and $10,807, respectively)     85,474       10,807  
    Affiliated investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $12,378 and $13,423, respectively)           1,067  
    Controlled investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $80,642 and $46,300, respectively)     76,506       46,210  
    Total investments     418,757       241,419  
                 
    Cash and cash equivalents     305       953  
    Receivable for investments sold     3,121       840  
    Interest receivable     3,652       2,105  
    Dividends receivable     622       1,001  
    Due from portfolio company     1       37  
    Deferred financing costs     262       335  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     306       135  
    Total assets   $ 427,026     $ 246,825  
                 
    Liabilities            
    Notes payable (including unamortized discount of $5,317 and $2,896, respectively)   $ 229,967     $ 140,214  
    Payable for investments purchased     66,043       3,327  
    Interest payable     170       32  
    Accrued incentive fees payable     2,594       1,431  
    Distributions payable           760  
    Due to affiliates     1,445       1,195  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     981       1,127  
    Total liabilities   $ 301,200     $ 148,086  
                 
    Commitments and contingencies   $     $  
                 
    Net Assets            
    Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (100,000,000 shares authorized, 10,449,888 shares issued and outstanding and 7,601,958 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)   $ 104     $ 76  
    Additional paid-in capital     319,438       283,795  
    Accumulated losses     (193,716 )     (185,132 )
    Total net assets   $ 125,826     $ 98,739  
    Total liabilities and net assets   $ 427,026     $ 246,825  
    Net asset value per share   $ 12.04     $ 12.99  
     


    GREAT ELM CAPITAL CORP.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
    Dollar amounts in thousands (except per share amounts)

        For the Three Months Ended
    September 30,
        For the Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
     
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Investment Income:                        
    Interest income from:                        
    Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments   $ 6,321     $ 6,357     $ 18,276     $ 17,669  
    Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments (PIK)     826       552       2,267       1,591  
    Affiliated investments           33       64       95  
    Controlled investments     974       650       2,858       1,715  
    Controlled investments (PIK)                       233  
    Total interest income     8,121       7,592       23,465       21,303  
    Dividend income from:                        
    Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments     584       254       2,015       899  
    Controlled investments     3,002       525       3,912       1,841  
    Total dividend income     3,586       779       5,927       2,740  
    Other commitment fees from non-affiliated, non-controlled investments           802       700       2,406  
    Other income from:                        
    Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments     20       103       92       214  
    Total other income     20       103       92       214  
    Total investment income   $ 11,727     $ 9,276     $ 30,184     $ 26,663  
                             
    Expenses:                        
    Management fees   $ 1,201     $ 899     $ 3,209     $ 2,652  
    Incentive fees     1,018       763       2,580       2,315  
    Administration fees     375       420       1,156       1,056  
    Custody fees     38       19       110       62  
    Directors’ fees     52       51       160       156  
    Professional services     409       422       1,210       1,392  
    Interest expense     4,210       3,344       10,490       8,934  
    Other expenses     277       267       866       770  
    Total expenses   $ 7,580     $ 6,185     $ 19,781     $ 17,337  
    Net investment income before taxes   $ 4,147     $ 3,091     $ 10,403     $ 9,326  
    Excise tax   $ 75     $ 39     $ 80     $ 67  
    Net investment income   $ 4,072     $ 3,052     $ 10,323     $ 9,259  
                             
    Net realized and unrealized gains (losses):                        
    Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions from:                        
    Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments   $ 227     $ 1,637     $ 2,738     $ 4,024  
    Affiliated investments     (1 )           (626 )      
    Controlled investments           (3,461 )           (3,461 )
    Realized loss on repurchase of debt     (3 )           (3 )      
    Total net realized gain (loss)     223       (1,824 )     2,109       563  
    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment transactions from:        
    Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments     715       2,581       (6,674 )     8,416  
    Affiliated investments     1       25       (22 )     177  
    Controlled investments     (1,537 )     3,926       (4,046 )     2,707  
    Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (821 )     6,532       (10,742 )     11,300  
    Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   $ (598 )   $ 4,708     $ (8,633 )   $ 11,863  
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   $ 3,474     $ 7,760     $ 1,690     $ 21,122  
                             
    Net investment income per share (basic and diluted):   $ 0.39     $ 0.40     $ 1.08     $ 1.22  
    Earnings per share (basic and diluted):   $ 0.33     $ 1.02     $ 0.18     $ 2.77  
    Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted):     10,449,888       7,601,958       9,556,695       7,601,958  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Order.co Names Alec Stonitsch as VP of Product, Payments & Integrations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Order.co, a leading procurement and accounts payable automation software, today announced that Alec Stonitsch has been named Vice President of Product, Payments and Integrations. In this new position, Stonitsch will spearhead Order.co’s efforts to optimize the overall payment experience and drive strategic partnerships to advance Order.co’s integrations and payment infrastructure.

    “Delivering our customers best-in-class products and exceptional experiences is at the forefront of everything we do and every decision we make at Order.co,” said Zach Garippa, CEO & Co-Founder. “I am thrilled to have Alec leading the charge for the strategy and execution of embedded payments at Order.co after having served as a leader across various aspects of the business for the last 6 years. Alec’s deep understanding of the complex payments landscape, in tandem with his unique institutional knowledge of the business, will enable Order.co to accelerate innovation around our embedded payments products while meaningfully improving the experience for our customers.”

    In Stonitsch’s most recent position as Director of Product, he played an instrumental role in establishing a credit offering that provides customers with flexible payment options that align business purchasing needs to AP preferences. Furthermore, he led crucial integration efforts, including the development of integrations with major accounting systems such as NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks Online, while also servicing custom integration requests for customers using larger ERP systems like SAP and Workday.

    Looking towards the future, Stonitsch will be focused on enhancing Order.co’s proprietary consolidated invoicing feature, which enables businesses to decrease invoice reconciliation time, eliminate manual expense coding, increase spend visibility, and unlock working capital. Stonitsch’s goal is to make this powerful tool even more intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring an exceptional experience for all users.

    “I’m thrilled to take on this new role and continue driving improvements that directly benefit our customers,” Stonitsch shared. “I’ve had the pleasure of watching Order.co grow over these past 6 years, and I look forward to enhancing our platform’s usability to make managing expenses and accounts payable even more seamless. Streamlining these critical processes will help save our customers time and money, allowing them to focus on growing their businesses with confidence.”

    About Order.co:

    Order.co is a procurement software that helps cut costs and complexity with every order. Order.co eliminates manual purchasing and payment tasks and gives your team one place to purchase, approve, track, and pay for everything your business needs. To learn more, please visit https://www.order.co

    Media Contact

    Allison Reich
    Senior Manager of Brand, Content & Enablement
    Allison.reich@order.co

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: WTW Reports Third Quarter 2024 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Revenue1 increased 6% to $2.3 billion for the quarter with organic growth of 6% for the quarter
    • Diluted Loss2 per Share was $16.44 for the quarter
    • Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share were $2.93 for the quarter, up 31% from prior year
    • Operating Margin2 was (33.5)% for the quarter
    • Adjusted Operating Margin was 18.1% for the quarter, up 190 basis points from prior year

    LONDON, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) (the “Company”), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    “We had another strong quarter fueled by revenue growth, operating leverage and the success of our Transformation program. Our revenue growth of 6% for the quarter is evidence that our value proposition is continuing to resonate in the market and that our investments in talent and technology are succeeding. We are also making ongoing progress on our commitment to improve cash flow. Given our strong performance and momentum, we are entering the fourth quarter with confidence in our ability to deliver on our targets for the year and drive sustainable, profitable growth going forward.”

    Consolidated Results

    As reported, USD millions, except %

    Key Metrics Q3-24 Q3-23 Y/Y Change
    Revenue1 $2,289 $2,166 Reported 6% | CC 6% | Organic 6%
    (Loss)/Income from Operations2 $(766) $159 NM
    Operating Margin2 % (33.5)% 7.3% NM
    Adjusted Operating Income $414 $351 18%
    Adjusted Operating Margin % 18.1% 16.2% 190 bps
    Net (Loss)/Income2 $(1,672) $139 NM
    Adjusted Net Income $299 $236 27%
    Diluted EPS2 $(16.44) $1.29 NM
    Adjusted Diluted EPS $2.93 $2.24 31%
    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 Loss from Operations, Operating Margin, Net Loss and Diluted EPS for the third quarter of 2024 include pre-tax non-cash losses and impairment charges of over $1.0 billion each related to the pending sale of TRANZACT.
    NM Not meaningful.

    Revenue was $2.29 billion for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 6% as compared to $2.17 billion for the same period in the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenue increased 6%. On an organic basis, revenue increased 6%. See Supplemental Segment Information for additional detail on book-of-business settlements and interest income included in revenue.

    Net Loss for the third quarter of 2024 was $1.67 billion compared to Net Income of $139 million in the prior-year third quarter. Loss from Operations, Operating Margin, Net Loss and Diluted EPS for the third quarter of 2024 include pre-tax non-cash losses and impairment charges of over $1.0 billion each related to the pending sale of TRANZACT. Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $501 million, or 21.9% of revenue, an increase of 15%, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $436 million, or 20.1% of revenue, in the prior-year third quarter. The U.S. GAAP tax rate for the third quarter was 16.1%, and the adjusted income tax rate for the third quarter used in calculating adjusted diluted earnings per share was 19.7%.

    Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

    Cash flows from operating activities were $913 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $823 million for the prior year. Free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $807 million and $707 million, respectively, an increase of $100 million, primarily driven by operating margin expansion, partially offset by cash outflows related to transformation and discretionary compensation payments. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased $205 million of WTW outstanding shares.

    Third Quarter 2024 Segment Highlights

    Health, Wealth & Career (“HWC”)

    As reported, USD millions, except %

    Health, Wealth & Career Q3-24 Q3-23 Y/Y Change
    Total Revenue $1,328 $1,282 Reported 4% | CC 3% | Organic 4%
    Operating Income $329 $305 8%
    Operating Margin % 24.7% 23.8% 90 bps

    The HWC segment had revenue of $1.33 billion in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 4% (3% increase constant currency and 4% organic) from $1.28 billion in the prior year. Health had organic revenue growth driven by strong client retention, new local appointments and the continued expansion of our Global Benefits Management client portfolio in International and Europe, along with increased brokerage income in North America. Wealth generated organic revenue growth from higher levels of Retirement work in Europe, an increase in our Investments business due to capital market improvements and growth from our LifeSight solution. Career had organic revenue growth from increased compensation survey sales and advisory services in Work & Rewards and product revenue in Employee Experience. Benefits Delivery & Outsourcing (BD&O) had an organic revenue decline for the quarter primarily as a result of deliberately moderating growth in Individual Marketplace and a stronger comparable in Outsourcing.

    Operating margins in the HWC segment increased 90 basis points from the prior-year third quarter to 24.7%, 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 Q3-24 Q3-23 Y/Y Change
    Total Revenue $940 $855 Reported 10% | CC 10% | Organic 10%
    Operating Income $170 $134 27%
    Operating Margin % 18.1% 15.7% 240 bps

    The R&B segment had revenue of $940 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 10% (10% increase constant currency and organic) from $855 million 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, partially offset by tempered demand for discretionary services in Consulting.

    Operating margins in the R&B segment increased 240 basis points from the prior-year third quarter to 18.1%, primarily due to operating leverage driven by organic revenue growth and disciplined expense management, as well as Transformation savings.

    2024 Outlook

    Based on current and anticipated market conditions, the Company’s full-year targets for 2024, consistent with those targets that have been previously provided, are as follows. Refer to the Supplemental Slides for additional detail.

    • Expect to deliver revenue of $9.9 billion or greater and mid-single digit organic revenue growth for the full year 2024
    • Expect to deliver adjusted operating margin of 23.0% – 23.5% for the full year 2024
    • Expect to deliver adjusted diluted earnings per share of $16.00 – $17.00 for the full year 2024
    • Expect approximately $88 million in non-cash pension income for the full year 2024
    • Expect a foreign currency headwind on adjusted earnings per share of approximately $0.06 for the full year 2024 at today’s rates, down from $0.10 previously
    • Expect to deliver approximately $450 million of cumulative run-rate savings from the Transformation program by the end of 2024 with total program costs of $1.175 billion.

    Outlook includes Non-GAAP financial measures. We do not reconcile forward-looking Non-GAAP measures for reasons explained below.

    In addition, WTW will host an Investor Day on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast presentation will be available at www.wtwco.com and a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website following the event.

    Conference Call

    The Company will host a live webcast and conference call to discuss the financial results for the third quarter 2024. It will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024, 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 pending divestiture 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.
    • 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. 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 make divestitures, including the pending sale of our TRANZACT business (inclusive of all the legal entities that comprise such business), or acquisitions, including our ability to integrate or manage acquired businesses or de-integrate businesses to be disposed, as well as our ability to identify and successfully execute on opportunities for strategic collaboration; our ability to consummate the pending sale of TRANZACT, and related incremental risks associated therewith including our ability to obtain approval (or for applicable waiting periods to expire) under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976; our ability to successfully manage ongoing organizational changes, including as part of our multi-year operational transformation program, investments in improving systems and processes, and in connection with our acquisition and divestiture activities, including the pending sale of TRANZACT, and related to changes in leadership in any of our businesses; 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; the risks relating to the transitional arrangements in effect subsequent to our previously-completed sale of Willis Re to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.; 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 such as TRANZACT; 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 non-cash pre-tax losses and related impairment charges in connection with our pending sale of TRANZACT and other future impairment charges or write-offs of receivables; risks relating to or arising from environmental, social and governance practices; fluctuation in revenue against our relatively fixed or higher than expected expenses; the risk that investment levels, including cash spending, to achieve additional expected savings under our multi-year operational transformation program; 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
     September 30,
        As Reported   Currency   Constant Currency   Acquisitions/   Organic
        2024     2023     % Change   Impact   Change   Divestitures   Change
                                     
    Health, Wealth & Career                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 1,320     $ 1,275     4 %   0 %   3 %   0 %   4 %
    Interest income     8       7                      
    Total     1,328       1,282     4 %   0 %   3 %   0 %   4 %
                                     
    Risk & Broking                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 911     $ 830     10 %   0 %   10 %   0 %   10 %
    Interest income     29       25                      
    Total     940       855     10 %   0 %   10 %   0 %   10 %
                                     
    Segment Revenue   $ 2,268     $ 2,137     6 %   0 %   6 %   0 %   6 %
    Reimbursable expenses and other     15       22                      
    Interest income     6       7                      
    Revenue   $ 2,289     $ 2,166     6 %   0 %   6 %   0 %   6%(ii)  
                  Components of Revenue Change(i)
                        Less:       Less:    
        Nine Months Ended September 30,     As Reported   Currency   Constant Currency   Acquisitions/   Organic
        2024     2023     % Change   Impact   Change   Divestitures   Change
                                     
    Health, Wealth & Career                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 3,898     $ 3,766     4 %   0 %   4 %   0 %   4 %
    Interest income     26       18                      
    Total     3,924       3,784     4 %   0 %   4 %   0 %   4 %
                                     
    Risk & Broking                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 2,811     $ 2,607     8 %   0 %   8 %   0 %   8 %
    Interest income     86       52                      
    Total     2,897       2,659     9 %   0 %   9 %   0 %   9 %
                                     
    Segment Revenue   $ 6,821     $ 6,443     6 %   0 %   6 %   0 %   6 %
    Reimbursable expenses and other     56       90                      
    Interest income     18       36                      
    Revenue   $ 6,895     $ 6,569     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 and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    BOOK-OF-BUSINESS SETTLEMENTS AND INTEREST INCOME

        Three Months Ended September 30,  
        HWC     R&B     Corporate     Total  
        2024     2023     2024     2023     2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Book-of-business settlements   $ 3     $     $ 4     $ 1     $     $     $ 7     $ 1  
    Interest income     8       7       29       25       6       7       43       39  
    Total   $ 11     $ 7     $ 33     $ 26     $ 6     $ 7     $ 50     $ 40  
        Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        HWC     R&B     Corporate     Total  
        2024     2023     2024     2023     2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Book-of-business settlements   $ 3     $     $ 8     $ 11     $     $     $ 11     $ 11  
    Interest income     26       18       86       52       18       36       130       106  
    Total   $ 29     $ 18     $ 94     $ 63     $ 18     $ 36     $ 141     $ 117  


    SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME (i)

        Three Months Ended
    September 30,
       
                   
                   
                       
                       
                       
        2024     2023    
                   
                   
                       
                       
                       
                   
                   
                   
                       
                       
                       
    Health, Wealth & Career   $ 329     $ 305    
                   
                   
                       
                       
                       
    Risk & Broking     170       134    
                   
                   
                       
                       
                       
    Segment Operating Income   $ 499     $ 439    
        Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
     
        2024     2023  
                 
    Health, Wealth & Career   $ 941     $ 836  
    Risk & Broking     575       459  
    Segment Operating Income   $ 1,516     $ 1,295  

    (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 September 30,
        2024   2023
    Health, Wealth & Career   24.7%   23.8%
    Risk & Broking   18.1%   15.7%
        Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024   2023
    Health, Wealth & Career   24.0%   22.1%
    Risk & Broking   19.8%   17.3%


    RECONCILIATIONS OF SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME TO (LOSS)/INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

        Three Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
                 
    Segment Operating Income   $ 499     $ 439  
    Impairment(i)     (1,042 )      
    Amortization     (56 )     (62 )
    Restructuring costs     (8 )     (17 )
    Transaction and transformation(ii)     (74 )     (113 )
    Unallocated, net(iii)     (85 )     (88 )
    (Loss)/Income from Operations     (766 )     159  
    Interest expense     (65 )     (61 )
    Other (loss)/income, net     (1,163 )     66  
    (Loss)/income from operations before income taxes   $ (1,994 )   $ 164  
        Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
                 
    Segment Operating Income   $ 1,516     $ 1,295  
    Impairment(i)     (1,042 )      
    Amortization     (176 )     (203 )
    Restructuring costs     (29 )     (30 )
    Transaction and transformation(ii)     (296 )     (265 )
    Unallocated, net(iii)     (247 )     (211 )
    (Loss)/Income from Operations     (274 )     586  
    Interest expense     (197 )     (172 )
    Other (loss)/income, net     (1,113 )     126  
    (Loss)/income from operations before income taxes   $ (1,584 )   $ 540  

     (i) Represents the non-cash goodwill impairment associated with our BDA reporting unit related to the pending divestiture of our TRANZACT business.
     (ii) 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.
     (iii) 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.

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

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

        Three Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
                 
    Net (loss)/income attributable to WTW   $ (1,675 )   $ 136  
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Impairment     1,042        
    Amortization     56       62  
    Restructuring costs     8       17  
    Transaction and transformation     74       113  
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     1,190       (41 )
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     (396 )     (51 )
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 299     $ 236  
                 
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted     102       105  
                 
    Diluted (Loss)/Earnings Per Share   $ (16.44 )   $ 1.29  
    Adjusted for certain items:(iii)            
    Impairment     10.23        
    Amortization     0.55       0.59  
    Restructuring costs     0.08       0.16  
    Transaction and transformation     0.73       1.07  
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     11.68       (0.39 )
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     (3.89 )     (0.48 )
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share(iii)   $ 2.93     $ 2.24  
        Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
                 
    Net (loss)/income attributable to WTW   $ (1,344 )   $ 433  
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Impairment     1,042        
    Amortization     176       203  
    Restructuring costs     29       30  
    Transaction and transformation     296       265  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13        
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     1,190       (44 )
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     (492 )     (128 )
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     (7 )     2  
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 903     $ 761  
                 
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted     103       107  
                 
    Diluted (Loss)/Earnings Per Share   $ (13.11 )   $ 4.06  
    Adjusted for certain items:(iii)            
    Impairment     10.17        
    Amortization     1.72       1.90  
    Restructuring costs     0.28       0.28  
    Transaction and transformation     2.89       2.48  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     0.13        
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     11.61       (0.41 )
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     (4.80 )     (1.20 )
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     (0.07 )     0.02  
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share(iii)   $ 8.81     $ 7.13  

     (i) Represents a provision related to potential 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. Because of this, while we do not believe the potential litigation is material, 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.
    (iii) Per share values and totals may differ due to rounding.

    RECONCILIATIONS OF NET (LOSS)/INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA

        Three Months Ended September 30,    
        2024     2023    
                   
    Net (Loss)/Income   $ (1,672 ) (73.0 )% $ 139   6.4 %
    Provision for income taxes     (322 )     25    
    Interest expense     65       61    
    Impairment     1,042          
    Depreciation     60       60    
    Amortization     56       62    
    Restructuring costs     8       17    
    Transaction and transformation     74       113    
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     1,190       (41 )  
    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin   $ 501   21.9 % $ 436   20.1 %
        Nine Months Ended September 30,    
        2024     2023    
                   
    Net (Loss)/Income   $ (1,336 ) (19.4 )% $ 441   6.7 %
    Provision for income taxes     (248 )     99    
    Interest expense     197       172    
    Impairment     1,042          
    Depreciation     176       184    
    Amortization     176       203    
    Restructuring costs     29       30    
    Transaction and transformation     296       265    
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13          
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     1,190       (44 )  
    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin   $ 1,535   22.3 % $ 1,350   20.6 %

     (i) Represents a provision related to potential 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. Because of this, while we do not believe the potential litigation is material, 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 (LOSS)/INCOME FROM OPERATIONS TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

        Three Months Ended September 30,    
        2024     2023    
                   
    (Loss)/Income from operations and Operating margin   $ (766 ) (33.5 )% $ 159   7.3 %
    Adjusted for certain items:              
    Impairment     1,042          
    Amortization     56       62    
    Restructuring costs     8       17    
    Transaction and transformation     74       113    
    Adjusted operating income and Adjusted operating income margin   $ 414   18.1 % $ 351   16.2 %
        Nine Months Ended September 30,    
        2024     2023    
                   
    (Loss)/Income from operations and Operating margin   $ (274 ) (4.0 )% $ 586   8.9 %
    Adjusted for certain items:              
    Impairment     1,042          
    Amortization     176       203    
    Restructuring costs     29       30    
    Transaction and transformation     296       265    
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13          
    Adjusted operating income and Adjusted operating income margin   $ 1,282   18.6 % $ 1,084   16.5 %

     (i) Represents a provision related to potential 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. Because of this, while we do not believe the potential litigation is material, 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 September 30,  
        2024     2023  
                 
    (Loss)/income from operations before income taxes   $ (1,994 )   $ 164  
                 
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Impairment     1,042        
    Amortization     56       62  
    Restructuring costs     8       17  
    Transaction and transformation     74       113  
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     1,190       (41 )
    Adjusted income before taxes   $ 376     $ 315  
                 
    (Benefit from)/provision for income taxes   $ (322 )   $ 25  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     396       51  
    Adjusted income taxes   $ 74     $ 76  
                 
    U.S. GAAP tax rate     16.1 %     15.5 %
    Adjusted income tax rate     19.7 %     24.3 %
        Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024   2023
                 
    (Loss)/income from operations before income taxes   $ (1,584 )   $ 540  
                 
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Impairment     1,042        
    Amortization     176       203  
    Restructuring costs     29       30  
    Transaction and transformation     296       265  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13        
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     1,190       (44 )
    Adjusted income before taxes   $ 1,162     $ 994  
                 
    (Benefit from)/provision for income taxes   $ (248 )   $ 99  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     492       128  
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     7       (2 )
    Adjusted income taxes   $ 251     $ 225  
                 
    U.S. GAAP tax rate     15.6 %     18.3 %
    Adjusted income tax rate     21.6 %     22.6 %

    (i) Represents a provision related to potential 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. Because of this, while we do not believe the potential litigation is material, 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

        Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2024   2023
                 
    Cash flows from operating activities   $ 913     $ 823  
    Less: Additions to fixed assets and software for internal use     (106 )     (116 )
    Free Cash Flow   $ 807     $ 707  
    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
     September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
     September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Revenue   $ 2,289     $ 2,166     $ 6,895     $ 6,569  
                             
    Costs of providing services                        
    Salaries and benefits     1,396       1,359       4,135       4,019  
    Other operating expenses     419       396       1,315       1,282  
    Impairment     1,042             1,042        
    Depreciation     60       60       176       184  
    Amortization     56       62       176       203  
    Restructuring costs     8       17       29       30  
    Transaction and transformation     74       113       296       265  
    Total costs of providing services     3,055       2,007       7,169       5,983  
                             
    (Loss)/income from operations     (766 )     159       (274 )     586  
                             
    Interest expense     (65 )     (61 )     (197 )     (172 )
    Other (loss)/income, net     (1,163 )     66       (1,113 )     126  
                             
    (LOSS)/INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES   (1,994 )     164       (1,584 )     540  
                             
    Benefit from/(provision for) income taxes     322       (25 )     248       (99 )
                             
    NET (LOSS)/INCOME   (1,672 )     139       (1,336 )     441  
                             
    Income attributable to non-controlling interests     (3 )     (3 )     (8 )     (8 )
                             
    NET (LOSS)/INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WTW   $ (1,675 )   $ 136     $ (1,344 )   $ 433  
                             
    (LOSS)/EARNINGS PER SHARE                        
    Basic (loss)/earnings per share   $ (16.44 )   $ 1.30     $ (13.11 )   $ 4.08  
    Diluted (loss)/earnings per share   $ (16.44 )   $ 1.29     $ (13.11 )   $ 4.06  
                             
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, basic     102       105       103       106  
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted     102       105       103       107  
    WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In millions of U.S. dollars, except share data)
    (Unaudited)
        September 30,     December 31,  
        2024     2023  
    ASSETS            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,372     $ 1,424  
    Fiduciary assets     9,176       9,073  
    Accounts receivable, net     2,118       2,572  
    Prepaid and other current assets     558       364  
    Current assets held for sale     1,089        
    Total current assets     14,313       13,433  
    Fixed assets, net     710       720  
    Goodwill     8,882       10,195  
    Other intangible assets, net     1,360       2,016  
    Right-of-use assets     539       565  
    Pension benefits assets     632       588  
    Other non-current assets     732       1,573  
    Total non-current assets     12,855       15,657  
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 27,168     $ 29,090  
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY            
    Fiduciary liabilities   $ 9,176     $ 9,073  
    Deferred revenue and accrued expenses     2,027       2,104  
    Current debt           650  
    Current lease liabilities     122       125  
    Other current liabilities     735       678  
    Current liabilities held for sale     475        
    Total current liabilities     12,535       12,630  
    Long-term debt     5,308       4,567  
    Liability for pension benefits     487       563  
    Deferred tax liabilities     94       542  
    Provision for liabilities     416       365  
    Long-term lease liabilities     556       592  
    Other non-current liabilities     202       238  
    Total non-current liabilities     7,063       6,867  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES     19,598       19,497  
    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES            
    EQUITY(i)            
    Additional paid-in capital     10,957       10,910  
    (Accumulated deficit)/retained earnings     (650 )     1,466  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax     (2,810 )     (2,856 )
    Treasury shares, at cost, 15,574 shares in 2024     (5 )      
    Total WTW shareholders’ equity     7,492       9,520  
    Non-controlling interests     78       73  
    Total Equity     7,570       9,593  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   $ 27,168     $ 29,090  

     (i)  Equity includes (a) Ordinary shares $0.000304635 nominal value; Authorized 1,510,003,775; Issued 100,887,015 (2024) and 102,538,072 (2023); Outstanding 100,871,441 (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)
        Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
    NET (LOSS)/INCOME   $ (1,336 )   $ 441  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to total net cash from operating activities:            
    Depreciation     176       184  
    Amortization     176       203  
    Impairment     1,042        
    Non-cash restructuring charges     17       19  
    Non-cash lease expense     76       83  
    Net periodic benefit of defined benefit pension plans     (15 )     (20 )
    Provision for doubtful receivables from clients     13       8  
    Benefit from deferred income taxes     (379 )     (58 )
    Share-based compensation     85       87  
    Net loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     1,190       (44 )
    Non-cash foreign exchange (gain)/loss     (25 )     1  
    Other, net     32       21  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase of subsidiaries:            
    Accounts receivable     271       261  
    Other assets     (299 )     (175 )
    Other liabilities     (159 )     (191 )
    Provisions     48       3  
    Net cash from operating activities     913       823  
                 
    CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
    Additions to fixed assets and software for internal use     (106 )     (116 )
    Capitalized software costs     (83 )     (66 )
    Acquisitions of operations, net of cash acquired     (28 )     (6 )
    Proceeds from sale of operations           86  
    Cash and fiduciary funds transferred in sale of operations           (922 )
    Purchase of investments     (13 )     (6 )
    Net cash used in investing activities     (230 )     (1,030 )
                 
    CASH FLOWS FROM/(USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
    Senior notes issued     746       748  
    Debt issuance costs     (9 )     (7 )
    Repayments of debt     (653 )     (253 )
    Repurchase of shares     (506 )     (804 )
    Net proceeds/(payments) from fiduciary funds held for clients     934       (71 )
    Payments of deferred and contingent consideration related to acquisitions     (2 )     (8 )
    Cash paid for employee taxes on withholding shares     (30 )     (21 )
    Dividends paid     (265 )     (265 )
    Acquisitions of and dividends paid to non-controlling interests     (10 )     (47 )
    Net cash from/(used in) financing activities     205       (728 )
                 
    INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED
       CASH
        888       (935 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     32       (54 )
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF
       PERIOD (i)
        3,792       4,721  
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD (i)   $ 4,712     $ 3,732  

    (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

        Nine Months Ended September 30,  
        2024     2023  
                 
    Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,372     $ 1,247  
    Fiduciary funds (included in fiduciary assets)     3,340       2,485  
    Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   $ 4,712     $ 3,732  
                 
    (Decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and other restricted cash   $ (54 )   $ 5  
    Increase/(decrease) in fiduciary funds     942       (940 )
    Total (i)   $ 888     $ (935 )

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

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: JD.com to Report Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on November 14, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: JD and HKEX: 9618 (HKD counter) and 89618 (RMB counter), a leading supply chain-based technology and service provider, today announced that it plans to release its unaudited third quarter 2024 financial results on Thursday, November 14, 2024, before the U.S. market opens.

    JD.com’s management will hold a conference call at 7:00 am, Eastern Time on November 14, 2024, (8:00 pm, Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 14, 2024) to discuss the third quarter 2024 financial results.

    Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below and dial in 15 minutes prior to the call, using participant dial-in numbers, the Passcode and unique access PIN which would be provided upon registering. You will be automatically linked to the live call after completion of this process, unless required to provide the conference ID below due to regional restrictions.

    PRE-REGISTER LINK: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10042830-skvylg.html

    CONFERENCE ID: 10042830

    A telephone replay will be available for one week until November 21, 2024. The dial-in details are as follows:

    US: +1-855-883-1031
    International:
    Hong Kong:
    Mainland China:
    Passcode:
    +61-7-3107-6325
    800-930-639
    400-120-9216
    10042830
     

    Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available on JD.com’s investor relations website at http://ir.jd.com.

    About JD.com, Inc.

    JD.com is a leading supply chain-based technology and service provider. The Company’s cutting-edge retail infrastructure seeks to enable consumers to buy whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want it. The Company has opened its technology and infrastructure to partners, brands and other sectors, as part of its Retail as a Service offering to help drive productivity and innovation across a range of industries.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    Sean Zhang
    +86 (10) 8912-6804
    IR@JD.com

    Media Relations
    +86 (10) 8911-6155
    Press@JD.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Diagnosed prevalent cases of primary open angle glaucoma to reach 10 million in 7MM by 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Diagnosed prevalent cases of primary open angle glaucoma to reach 10 million in 7MM by 2033, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    The burden of diagnosed prevalent cases of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) (including normal tension glaucoma (NTG)) is forecast to increase at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 1% from around 9.1 million cases in 2023 to 10 million cases in 2033 in the seven major markets (7MM*), according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Glaucoma: Epidemiology Forecast to 2033’, reveals that the increase is partly attributed to increased disease awareness and improved diagnostic testing across the 7MM, combined with underlying demographic changes in the respective markets.

    In the US and 5EU markets, the average proportion of NTG among POAG is approximately 40%; however, Japanese populations are at a significantly greater risk of NTG. As such, GlobalData epidemiologists anticipate that in 2033, 91% of all POAG cases in Japan will be NTG.

    Anna Moody, MRES, Senior Epidemiologist at GlobalData, comments: “More research is needed to understand why Japanese populations are at an increased risk for NTG. Understanding the risk factors that increase susceptibility could help inform prevention strategies and disease outcomes.”

    GlobalData epidemiologists also forecast the age-specific diagnosed prevalent cases of POAG (excluding NTG) and found that the prevalence of glaucoma increased with increasing age. In 2033, the diagnosed prevalence of POAG (excluding NTG) in the 7MM is expected to be lowest from 40–49 years (0.1%), and highest in 80–84 years (2.5%). An individual’s intraocular pressure increases as they age, which explains why their risk of glaucoma also increases as they age.

    Moody concludes: “As the population of elderly people increases across the 7MM, more regular eye-testing should be encouraged in individuals over 40 years to ensure prompt diagnosis of glaucoma. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent more extreme disease outcomes, such as blindness.”

    *7MM: The US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Japan

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Don’t burn a hole in your pocket with a fine this Bonfire Night

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Burning household waste can cause pollution, harm people, wildlife and the environment and could lead to a fine of up to £50,000.

    Go to a properly organised bonfire instead of holding your own and risk breaking the rules

    With Bonfire Night fast approaching, the Environment Agency is urging those planning to celebrate to go to an organised event or risk a hefty fine if holding their own.

    As well as the safety risks caused by bonfires, they have an impact on the climate and, if the wrong materials are burned, can harm wildlife, the environment and human health.

    The only materials that should be used in bonfires are dry, untreated and unpainted wood, along with small amounts of paper or cardboard. Using wet wood creates smoke which can spread and cause a nuisance to neighbours, and bonfires can quickly get out of control if not properly managed.

    Those still planning to have a bonfire at home are advised:

    • not to use it to dispose of household waste such as plastic, rubber, glass, oils or metal – these materials carry a pollution risk and should be disposed of through waste collections or at council recycling centres.
    • always check for hedgehogs and other wildlife which may have crawled inside before setting light to a bonfire
    • don’t allow anyone else to add materials to your bonfire, other than clean, dry, untreated wood.

    Wet wood creates smoke and bonfires can quickly escape control

    It’s not just householders that may use Bonfire Night as a way of getting rid of rubbish, businesses may use it to burn waste too, but the Environment Agency also urges them to be aware of what they are burning.

    As well as the harm and nuisance burning the wrong kind of waste can cause, burning of most types of waste is illegal and can carry a fine of up to £50,000.

    Ben Shayler of the Environment Agency said:

    We want people to have fun on Bonfire Night – but to do so safely and in a way that won’t create a risk to the environment, wildlife, you and your neighbours.

    The best way of doing that is to stop burning waste altogether and go to a properly organised community event where organisers have followed our guidelines and won’t be causing a hazard.

    Whether you are a business owner or householder, if you are paying someone to take waste away, always check they are licensed waste carriers who will dispose of waste correctly. Criminals working in illegal waste operations may also use the celebration to dispose of hazardous and inappropriate waste.

    Dave Waters, area manager of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

    We would always urge people to attend organised bonfire and fireworks events as it’s much safer. In addition, it reduces the potential pressure on the fire and rescue service at a time of year when we can be extremely busy.

    If you see a bonfire being built, which you think may contain hazardous materials, you can contact the Environment Agency on our 24-hour helpline at 0800 807060 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

    You can check if a waste carrier is licensed on our public register.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand concludes high quality trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have concluded negotiations on a trade agreement that will open up significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters in the Gulf region, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay announced from Doha today. 

    Today’s announcement follows significant reengagement with the GCC following meetings with GCC Ministers at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Abu Dhabi in February of this year and delivers on an 18 year-long ambition for New Zealand to agree this high-quality trade deal in the Middle East. 

    “This is the highest quality deal the GCC has done to date and its first with a major agricultural exporter,” Mr McClay said. 

    “It delivers duty free access for 99 per cent of New Zealand’s exports over 10 years and when combined with our recently concluded NZ-UAE CEPA, 51 per cent of our exports to the region will be tariff-free from day one. 

    New Zealand and GCC trade is worth over $3 billion annually, with New Zealand exporting $2.6 billion in the year to June 2024. This includes $1.8 billion of dairy, $260 million of red meat, $72 million of horticulture and $70 million of travel and tourism services.  

    The agreement includes provisions that will make doing business easier with preferential access for our primary sector exporters, streamlined customs processes, reduced trade barriers, and commitments to level the playing field for Kiwi services businesses entering the market.

    The agreement also includes chapters and provisions on intellectual property, transparency and trade and sustainable development including labour standards, climate, and women’s economic empowerment committing to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). New Zealand has also secured our Treaty of Waitangi exception to allow us to meet treaty obligations. 

    “This agreement complements the NZ-UAE CEPA that was announced in September, and together they represent an important milestone in the Government’s efforts to grow our international connections and double exports by value in 10 years,”  Mr McClay says.

    “Successfully concluding a trade agreement with the GCC has been a long-standing ambition for successive governments for almost two decades. Growing New Zealand’s trade relationships is part of our plan to grow the economy, lift incomes for kiwis, and create jobs.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKMA and BIS co-host international financial conference (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    HKMA and BIS co-host international financial conference (with photos)
    HKMA and BIS co-host international financial conference (with photos)
    *********************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:     An international financial conference (Conference), jointly organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and supported by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), was successfully concluded today (October 31) in Hong Kong. This Conference followed the 15th Global Risk Forum co-hosted by the HKMA and GARP on October 30, and brought together over 100 representatives from international bodies, central banks, regulatory authorities, financial institutions, technology firms, consultancy firms and academia around the world.            Building on the success of the inaugural Conference last year, the HKMA co-organised this significant event with the BIS for the second time. The Conference this year focused on the theme of “Opportunities and Challenges of Emerging Technologies in the Financial Ecosystem”, and featured a keynote address by the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England for Financial Stability, Ms Sarah Breeden. Other distinguished speakers of the Conference also shared their valuable insights on how artificial intelligence, tokenisation, and other technologies are transforming the financial landscape and how the industry can better prepare for these changes.            The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, “Technology is a game changer in the financial industry. While we embrace the immense opportunities it offers, we must also strengthen collaboration among all parties to effectively address the challenges it presents. This Conference provides an excellent opportunity to leverage the collective insights of relevant stakeholders on the opportunities and challenges brought about by technological advancements. The HKMA will work hand in hand with the banking industry to foster a safe and smooth digital transformation journey.”           Chief Representative of the BIS Office for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Tao Zhang, said, “Working closely with central banks and other stakeholders, the BIS can play a crucial role in support of their efforts to reap the benefits of tokenisation and artificial intelligence while addressing associated challenges.”About the Bank for International Settlements      The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is an international organisation established in 1930 and owned by central banks. Its headquarters is located in Basel, Switzerland. The mission of the BIS is to support co-operation among central banks around the world in their pursuit of global monetary and financial stability. The BIS Representative Office for Asia and the Pacific is located in Hong Kong. The BIS also has an innovation hub centre in Hong Kong and is undertaking projects to develop public goods in the technology space to support central banks and improve the functioning of the financial system. This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Hong Kong Centre of the BIS Innovation Hub.  About the Global Association of Risk Professionals      The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit membership organisation focused on elevating the practice of risk management. GARP offers the leading global certification for risk managers in the Financial Risk Manager (FRM®), as well as the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®) Certificate, Risk and AI (RAI™) Certificate, and ongoing educational opportunities through Continuing Professional Development. Through the GARP Benchmarking Initiative (GBI®) and GARP Risk Institute, GARP sponsors research in risk management and promotes collaboration among practitioners, academics, and regulators.  Founded in 1996 and governed by a Board of Trustees, GARP is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, the United States, with offices in London and Hong Kong.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 31, 2024Issued at HKT 18:17

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Expert Advisory Group on Legal and Dispute Resolution Services holds first meeting (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Expert Advisory Group on Legal and Dispute Resolution Services holds first meeting (with photos)
    Expert Advisory Group on Legal and Dispute Resolution Services holds first meeting (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Expert Advisory Group on Legal and Dispute Resolution Services (EAG), established by the Department of Justice (DoJ) earlier this month, held its first meeting today (October 31). During the meeting, the EAG considered and endorsed its terms of reference and discussed future work and issues for follow-up.       The EAG, chaired by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and with the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, as the vice-chairman, comprises experts from the legal and dispute resolution services sector. It advises the DoJ in respect of the promotion and development of the legal and dispute resolution services of Hong Kong for a term of three years. Its terms of reference are as follows: 

    Considering, formulating and advising on the overall strategies and initiatives for the promotion and development of Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution services in and outside Hong Kong;
    Advising on the wider use of out-of-court dispute resolution services (including mediation and arbitration) in Hong Kong;   
    Serving as a forum for raising and discussing such issues as may be of concern to the legal and dispute resolution sector to enhance Hong Kong as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region; and
    Considering and dealing with such other matters as may be incidental to any of the matters stated above.

          Meanwhile, the Working Group on Mediation Regulatory System, chaired by Mr Lam and vice-chaired by Mr Cheung, has also been established this October for a term of two years. Members of the Working Group will advise the DoJ on the mediation regulation regime in Hong Kong, including reviewing and making recommendations to reform or improve the current regime in relation to matters such as accreditation and disciplinary matters. ???     The membership lists of the EAG and the Working Group are attached in Annexes 1 and 2.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 31, 2024Issued at HKT 18:24

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Blockchain Future: GEM Digital Limited Commits $10M Investment to VSG

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VSG, a leading blockchain ecosystem, has entered a strategic alliance with GEM Digital Limited, securing up to $10 million USD through a token subscription agreement. This partnership is set to accelerate VSG’s mission of delivering cost-effective, decentralised, and scalable solutions across its blockchain platform, solidifying its position in the growing decentralised economy.

    GEM Digital’s extensive investment portfolio and expertise in utility tokens make it a key partner for VSG. With investments across over 30 centralised and decentralised exchanges globally, GEM Digital offers not only financial backing but a vast network and industry insights. The collaboration enhances VSG’s ability to innovate within the blockchain space. For GEM Digital, this investment underlines its commitment to advancing blockchain technology, aligning with VSG’s ambitions to expand applications in enterprise solutions, gaming, NFTs, and decentralised finance (DeFi).

    VSG is known for its focus on security, scalability, and decentralised applications (dApps). The commitment from GEM Digital will allow VSG to develop its ecosystem further by attracting developers, growing its user base, and scaling operations to meet market demand. Part of the funds will support VSG’s upcoming hackathon, an initiative to foster innovation by encouraging developers to create new dApps, enhancing engagement and functionality. As VSG broadens its application range, it seeks to make blockchain more accessible and versatile, meeting the needs of individuals and enterprises alike with real-world solutions.

    Yan Whitaker, VSG co-founder, stated, “We’re thrilled to partner with GEM Digital at this pivotal stage in our journey. With their support, we’re confident in accelerating the development of our blockchain ecosystem and redefining what’s possible in decentralised applications.” Jason Ansell, co-founder of VSG, described the partnership as a milestone, helping VSG drive innovation, expand platform capabilities, and deliver practical blockchain solutions for business and DeFi sectors.

    About GEM Digital Limited

    Based in the Bahamas, GEM Digital Limited is an asset investment firm focused on utility tokens. Its parent company, Global Emerging Markets (“GEM”), is a $3.4 billion alternative investment group with offices in Paris, New York, and the Bahamas, spanning asset classes like Small-Mid Cap Buyouts, Private Investments in Public Equities (PIPEs), and select venture investments.

    About VSG

    Vector Smart Chain (VSC) underpins VSG, aiming to transform decentralised finance through a secure, scalable platform for businesses and individuals.

    Media Contact:

    Fruzsina Lederer
    Fruzsi.lederer@gmail.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/60739ca6-0ca5-4582-b269-b3c87f8dacbd

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP investigates case of severe enterovirus 71 infection and epidemiologically linked outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CHP investigates case of severe enterovirus 71 infection and epidemiologically linked outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease
    CHP investigates case of severe enterovirus 71 infection and epidemiologically linked outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (October 31) investigating a case of severe enterovirus (EV) 71 infection and an epidemiologically linked outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), and again urged the public and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.     The severe case involved a 12-day-old baby girl. She has presented with fever since October 25, and was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital and admitted for treatment on the same day. Her clinical sample tested positive for EV71 upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnoses were EV71 infection complicated with meningitis. The patient is now in stable condition.     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her 18-month-old brother and her father had developed HFMD infection symptoms since October 18 and 22 respectively, and both of them had recovered. Her other home contacts have remained asymptomatic. The CHP has arranged laboratory testing for the two symptomatic home contacts.      The CHP’s epidemiological investigations also revealed that Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Joyful Place, where the patient’s brother is receiving childcare services, recorded a recent outbreak of HFMD. According to preliminary information, the outbreak involves six children, including the patient’s brother, three boys and two girls, aged between 15 months and 18 months. They have developed HFMD symptoms between October 18 and 26, and all of them sought medical attention and no hospitalisation was required. They are now in a stable condition. All children in the child care centre have been put under medical surveillance by the CHP.     According to the information collected from the epidemiological investigations so far, the CHP suspected that the outbreak of HFMD in the child care centre was caused by EV71. The CHP will arrange laboratory testing for all children with relevant symptoms in order to ascertain the causative agent of infection.      Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the child care centre to understand the disinfection, infection control and child care steps, and advised necessary measures. The CHP has advised the child care centre to suspend classes starting from tomorrow for 14 days to prevent further spread of HFMD. The child care centre has been requested to conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection under the supervision of the CHP. The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.      “EV71 is one of the causative agents for HFMD. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person’s nose or throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters or stool. Good personal and environmental hygiene are the most important measures to prevent EV71 infection,” a spokesman for the CHP said.      “HFMD is common in children, while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet,” the spokesman said.      “The local HFMD activity is currently at high level. In Hong Kong, the usual peak season for HFMD and EV71 infection is from May to July. A smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health condition. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact,” the spokesman added.      The spokesman reminded that alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses causing HFMD, for example, EV71. To prevent HFMD, members of the public (especially the management of institutions) should take heed of the following preventive measures: 

    Maintain good air circulation;
    Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
    Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
    Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
    Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry;
    Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry;
    Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all vesicles have dried and crusted;
    Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
    Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of sick children.

         ???The CHP’s weekly publication, EV SCAN (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/21639.html), is issued every Friday to report the latest local situation of HFMD. Members of the public may also visit the CHP’s page on HFMD and EV71 infection for more information.

     
    Ends/Thursday, October 31, 2024Issued at HKT 18:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Bitdeer Launches Second-Generation Bitcoin Mining Machine SEALMINER A2, Achieving Roadmap Goals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR), a world-leading technology company for blockchain and high-performance computing, officially unveiled its self-developed Bitcoin mining machine, the SEALMINER A2 series.

    As the second-generation product in the SEALMINER series, SEALMINER A2 mining machine is equipped with Bitdeer’s independently developed second-generation chip, SEAL02. The A2 series achieves further breakthroughs, offering higher power efficiency ratios, enhanced technologies and improved stability, compared to the A1.

    The A2 series includes two models: the air-cooling SEALMINER A2 and the hydro-cooling SEALMINER A2 Hydro, designed to meet mining needs in various environments. Both models adopt advanced cooling technologies and excel in power consumption control and hashrate performance, ensuring stable operation under high-intensity workloads. Test videos of both A2 series models showcasing their exceptional performance have been released.

    SEALMINER A2 vs SEALMINER A2 Hydro

    These are the key specifications for both models:

    • SEALMINER A2: Power efficiency ratio of 16.5J/TH, Hashrate of 226TH/s, Power Consumption of 3,729W.
    • SEALMINER A2 Hydro: Power efficiency ratio of 16.5J/TH, Hashrate of up to 446TH/s, Power Consumption of 7,359W.

    Bitdeer remains committed to enhancing transparency and efficiency in the mining industry through research and development investments and technological innovations, providing the industry with efficient and reliable mining solutions. Bitdeer will continue to uphold the principles of “Innovation, Efficiency, Stability” offering global miners higher-quality and more reliable products and services.

    About SEALMINER
    SEALMINER, a pioneering brand of Bitcoin mining machines under Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR), specializes in offering efficient and sustainable mining solutions. SEALMINER integrates Bitdeer’s self-developed SEAL series of mining chips manufactured using advanced process nodes. By continuously improving power efficiency ratios, SEALMINER is dedicated to providing innovative, efficient, and reliable products and services to customers worldwide. To learn more, visit https://www.bitdeer.com/ or follow Bitdeer on X @ BitdeerOfficial and LinkedIn @ Bitdeer Group.

    Investors and others should note that Bitdeer may announce material information using its website and/or on its accounts on social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn. Therefore, Bitdeer encourages investors and others to review the information it posts on social media and other communication channels listed on its website.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “look forward to,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.

    Contacts:
    For Promotional Partnerships:
    marketing@bitdeer.com

    For Sales Consultations:
    sales@bitdeer.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/658fc26a-8029-4682-abfd-2cc623896ecd

    The MIL Network