Impact Of the Growing Automobile Sector: A Key Driver Transforming the Liquid Synthetic Rubber Market 2024

The Tennessee Titans picked up their third victory of the season on Sunday, defeating the Houston Texans by a score of 32-27. Tennessee will travel to Northwest Stadium to take on the Washington Commanders in Week 13. Though Sunday's contest versus Houston wasn't perfect, the Titans desperately needed this victory. The franchise has been dysfunctional over the last few years, and defeating a hated rival on the road will always instill some confidence in the team going forward. Quarterback Will Levis arguably had his best game of the season in Week 12, completing 18-of-24 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. The former Kentucky Wildcat did throw an atrocious pick-six but converted many key third downs and showcased his unique arm talent. On the other hand, Texans star signal caller C.J. Stroud had an up-and-down afternoon, as the 2023 No.2 overall pick tossed two touchdowns to two interceptions and struggled to finish drives with touchdowns. The lowest point of Stroud's day came on Houston's final offensive play, as the former Ohio State Buckeye was trying to make a play and took a game-ending sack in the endzone, leading to a safety. Though Dan Orlovsky's safety in 2008 with the Detroit Lions was worse than Stroud's crucial mistake at the end of Sunday's game, fans didn't hold back on the Texans' signal caller. Did C.J. Stroud just Orlovsky? You never Orlovsky. Cj stroud welcome to the Dan orlovsky club Somewhere, Dan Orlovsky is smiling watching CJ Stroud run out of the back of his own endzone. #NFL CJ Stroud with the game on the line pic.twitter.com/yjduGF2Hs4 CJ STROUD PULLED A DAN ORLOVSKY HAHAHAHAHAHAHA If Stroud isn't able to turn things around and the Texans are early playoff exits, 2024 would be considered a failure in Houston.

As the owner of a money management company for local households, I am used to fielding questions on A) complex financial issues that require sophisticated solutions and B) the buzzwords of the moment. Investors tend to be in tune with the economic and market zeitgeist. I am always happy to converse about the things that excite, scare, or interest us the most—even if those feelings are sometimes just placeholders until the next latest thing buzzes in our ear and needs to be swatted away (or toward!) our investment portfolios. The Investopedia website isn’t short on queries, either. Investopedia publishes investment news and boasts millions of readers each year. Those readers use the website’s search tool to understand the dynamics affecting their portfolios or household economics. The following are Investopedia’s most searched terms of 2024: Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), went from 2.6 percent in March 2021 to a staggeringly high 9.1 percent in June 2022 and worked its way back to 2.7 percent in October 2024. The cost of goods and services has dominated the conversation for three years. However, many households (i.e., non-economists) care more about the level of prices than the rate of inflation. The inflation rate may be going down, but that only means prices are rising at a slower rate; the cost of things, aggregately, is much higher than before the pandemic. It is such a weight on families that it likely was a pivotal factor in the U.S. election, as many Americans cited the economy as their top issue. Speaking of inflation, the U.S. election almost certainly spurred the search for information on tariffs. A tariff is a tax that a country’s government imposes on goods imported from another country. They are a trade barrier that can serve several purposes. During his first term, President Donald Trump levied tariffs on approximately $380 billion of products, which translated to an imposition of nearly $80 billion of taxes on Americans. That was one of the largest tax increases in decades. President Biden maintained those tariffs and added additional tariffs on $18 billion of goods. During the U.S. presidential campaign, then-former President Trump (now president-elect) often pushed for even more tariffs. Most textbooks contend tariffs are inflationary. Given households’ sensitivity to prices, it is understandable that investors are worried about how that might affect them. I probably wrote more about Nvidia in “Capital Ideas” in 2024 than any other company. And, by far, the most frequently asked question I would get at the grocery store, coffee shop, or gym in 2024 was “Should I buy Nvidia?” Nobody ever liked my answer (even though they didn’t seem to mind I had no idea of their financial needs, goals, timeline, risk tolerance, cash needs, etc.), which was: “Yes, most people should absolutely buy the S&P 500 index, which has more than a six percent allocation to the stock.” When I talked to people, they didn’t care what the company did. They didn’t care about the earnings. They didn’t want to talk to me about data clusters, artificial intelligence, or chip design. They weren’t interested in a company; they were interested in a return. Seeing how the stock is up more than 150 percent year to date, I see how that would interest people, no matter what the company did. (FYI, I did a quick search just now and stopped at finding 10 stocks that are up more than 500 percent year to date. But nothing gathers a crowd like a crowd.) I was surprised by this one. I can only imagine that the interest in Nvidia spread to this term. In June 2024, the company split 10 to one. Nvidia was among 477 companies in 2024 that issued stock splits or reverse stock splits. The sheer size of the national debt ($36 trillion) was possibly enough to prompt investors to search for more information. But I doubt that was enough. One thing I have learned in life is that numbers are only relevant when there is relativity. In 2024, the interest payments on the national debt surpassed the cost of national defense and Medicare for the first time. That certainly puts things in perspective. The cost of home insurance skyrocketed in 2024. Unfortunately, homeowners simultaneously had to stomach the fact that insurers in some states would not cover every natural disaster. Some insurers completely abandoned covering certain states. Former students experienced many ups and downs in 2024. The Biden administration pushed to wipe out the student loans of tens of millions of borrowers. Then, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the plan. Then, President Biden struck back and pushed through a smaller-scale program. There was a lot to learn and a lot to navigate. I don’t know about you, but I tried to keep as much money as possible out of banks this year—the interest paid on deposits was insulting. Although interest rates were the highest they have been for decades, banks were paying practically zero on deposits. Many banks tried to attract deposits by offering higher yields on Certificates of Deposits (CDs), but that was a poor option compared to high-yield savings accounts, such as the Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund, which typically paid a similar amount or more and weren’t locked away from you by the bank for months. Enough said? If not, just know that its price skyrocketed to $100,000 per coin. Nothing attracts attention to an “investment” like a rapidly increasing price (even if the buyer doesn’t have any clue how to value it). In a clear indication that investing became gambling and gambling became investing in 2024, the 10th most searched term on Investopedia had more to do with straight-up taking flyers. Of particular interest to the Investopedia crowd was the ability and interest to bet on the outcome of the U.S. elections. A backdoor Roth IRA is a tax-avoidance strategy that allows higher-income earners to contribute tax free to a Roth IRA. It is good to know that some investors were also interested in financial planning, not just rolling the dice. Allen Harris is an owner of Berkshire Money Management in Great Barrington and Dalton, managing more than $700 million of investments. Unless specifically identified as original research or data gathering, some or all of the data cited is attributable to third-party sources. Unless stated otherwise, any mention of specific securities or investments is for illustrative purposes only. Advisor’s clients may or may not hold the securities discussed in their portfolios. Advisor makes no representations that any of the securities discussed have been or will be profitable. Full disclosures here . Direct inquiries to Allen at AHarris@BerkshireMM.com.

Football: Edward Little coach Rick Kramer stepping down

Emily Henry has quickly become a household name in the world of contemporary romance. Known for her witty, heartwarming, and emotionally layered stories, she’s captured the hearts of readers worldwide. If you’re looking for romance novels that make you laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again, Emily Henry’s books are the perfect choice. Also Read: Dan Brown's Upside-Down Routine: Why He Uses Inversion Therapy to Overcome Writer's Block Redefining Romance Emily Henry’s novels stand out because they go beyond surface-level love stories. Her characters are relatable, flawed, and deeply human, dealing with real-life challenges such as grief, self-doubt, and career struggles. Yet, amidst these trials, Henry weaves lighthearted moments and swoon-worthy romance, creating the perfect balance between emotional depth and feel-good vibes. For Henry, romance isn’t just about falling in love—it’s about self-discovery, growth, and connection. Her stories remind readers that love can heal, inspire, and transform. Books That Speak to the Heart Emily Henry’s books have become instant bestsellers for good reason. Each of her novels offers something unique: Beach Read This delightful story follows two writers, January and Gus, who challenge each other to swap genres. As they tackle their own emotional baggage, sparks fly in unexpected ways. It’s a heartfelt exploration of grief, creativity, and love. People We Meet on Vacation A story of two best friends, Poppy and Alex, navigating the thin line between friendship and romance. Spanning years of summer vacations, this book is both nostalgic and deeply touching. Book Lovers Set in the world of publishing, this enemies-to-lovers tale between a sharp literary agent and a brooding editor explores ambition, family, and finding love where you least expect it. Each book showcases Henry’s signature humour, heartfelt storytelling, and emotional nuance. Why Readers Love Emily Henry What makes Emily Henry’s books so beloved is their ability to resonate with readers on a personal level. Her characters feel real, and their journeys of self-discovery and love often mirror the experiences of her audience. Readers appreciate how she tackles themes like vulnerability, ambition, and healing with authenticity. Her dialogue is sharp and witty, her romance is electric, and her stories leave readers with a sense of hope and warmth. Whether you’re new to romance or a seasoned fan, Henry’s books are impossible to put down. The Future of Feel-Good Romance Emily Henry has carved out a unique space in the romance genre by blending humour, emotional depth, and captivating love stories. With each new release, she continues to redefine what it means to write a feel-good romance. Also Read: George R.R. Martin's Typewriter Obsession - Why He Chooses Vintage Tech to Write 'Game of Thrones' If you haven’t yet picked up one of her novels, you’re in for a treat. Emily Henry’s stories are a celebration of love, life, and the connections that make it all worthwhile. She’s not just writing romances—she’s writing stories that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Features, Lifestyle and around the world.

SIMMONS SAYS: Same record, new success for the Maple LeafsBonus shares 2024: Shares of Kothari Products surged over 7 per cent in intra-day trade on Monday, December 30 following the board's approval to bonus share issue in the ratio of 1:1. This was the second straight day of gains for Kothari Products stock, with the scrip rallying 12 per cent during this period. In an exchange filing on Friday, December 27, Kothari Products informed that its Board of Directors, at its board meeting held today, recommended the issue of bonus shares in the ratio of 1:1, subject to the approval of the members through postal ballot. This means that every shareholder who owns one stock of the company as of the record date will receive another stock at no additional cost. However, the company has not yet announced the record date for the bonus share issue . The company's board also approved increasing the authorized share capital from Rs. 31,50,00,000 to ₹ 61,50,00,000, subject to the approval of the members through postal ballot. Stock Price Trend Following this development, Kothari Products share price surged as much as 7.37 per cent to the day's high of ₹ 209.70. The stock opened at ₹ 199.15 as against its previous close of ₹ 195.30. The stock hit its 52-week high of ₹ 227.35 last week, on December 26, while its 52-week low stands at ₹ 111.15, which it touched on March 13, 2024. So far this month, the stock has rallied 30 per cent, while it has rallied 50 per cent in the last six months. On a one-year basis, Kothari Products share price is up 61 per cent. Kothari Products, engaged in sectors such as real estate, investments and international trading of exports and imports, is a small-cap company with a market capitalisation of ₹ 600 crore. Kothari Products Bonus Shares History This is the third bonus share action by Kothari Products. The small-cap firm had first approved bonus shares in the ratio of 2:1 in March 2014. Meanwhile, it announced a second bonus share issue in 2016 in a 1:2 ratio, suggests data from Trendlyne. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

Researchers launch “moonshot” to cure blindness through eye transplants

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions Transforms its Go-to-Market-Strategy in Canada to Drive Customer ExcellencePenn State, with balanced scoring, pulls away from PennAP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:32 a.m. ESTCharles Schwab Corp. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors despite daily gains

Unnecessary roughness over national anthem flapMumbai: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Monday amid unabated foreign fund outflows and weak trends in the global markets. The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex declined 142.26 points to 78,556.81 in early trade. The NSE Nifty dipped 48.35 points to 23,765.05. From the 30 blue-chip pack, Infosys, Mahindra & Mahindra, HCL Technologies, Titan, Power Grid, Tech Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Tata Motors were among the biggest laggards. Adani Ports, Zomato, UltraTech Cement and ITC were among the gainers. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,323.29 crore on Friday, according to exchange data. In Asian markets, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading lower while Seoul quoted higher. US markets ended in the negative territory on Friday. Global oil benchmark Brent crude went up 0.07 per cent to USD 74.22 a barrel. The BSE benchmark climbed 226.59 points or 0.29 per cent to settle at 78,699.07 on Friday. The Nifty went up by 63.20 points or 0.27 per cent to 23,813.40.