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Opinion: Indicted populists have a long history of staying in office

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

Even as more indictments of former President Donald Trump loom, 2024 voters may be leaning his way. Many recent polls have the former president running even with President Joe Biden or taking the lead. Trump’s ability to weather his legal storms have led to comparisons with other politicians who have run for office, often successfully, in the midst of legal troubles. The comparisons matter — but what’s most important for understanding the current moment is the dynamic that links the many examples: us-versus-them.Let’s start at the top. Many people know the story of Boston Mayor James Curley, so popular among the voters that in the 1940s he ran the city for five months from a federal penitentiary. Trump had barely taken office when the comparisons to Curley began. As the former president’s legal difficulties have mounted, they’ve come creeping back. Small wonder. Curley, an ardent New Dealer, was thoroughly corrupt, but whenever another investigation loomed, he appealed to his suppor...

Opinion: Are your elected political officials principled or stubborn?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

As I watched the debt ceiling standoff between Republican lawmakers and President Joe Biden over the last several months, I returned to a question I have been contemplating for several years: What is the difference between taking a principled stand on an issue and being a stubborn, egotistical obstructionist?For most of us, whether a politician seems principled or egotistical often depends on whether we agree with the stand they have taken. But with just a little effort, I believe we can get past our biases.Our culture is built on the idea of winners and losers. In sports (naturally) and business, in academics and talent, even in romance and family — we see competition in all of it. We want to win at life. And if there are winners, there must be losers.This mentality creates a country of “us” versus “them,” with each side claiming a monopoly on truth and morality and painting the others as deluded, ignorant, or even evil.We need to stop viewing political opposition as an enemy to an...

CVS Health turns in better-than-expected 2Q even as pharmacy pricing, increased care use hurt

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

CVS Health topped second-quarter expectations, but the health care giant’s profit sank as pricing pressure hurt its drugstore business and rising medical costs hit the health insurance side.The company also booked a $496 million, pretax restructuring charge in the quarter and reaffirmed a forecast for the year that it had cut in May.The drugstore chain, pharmacy benefit manager and insurer said Wednesday that it posted adjusted earnings of $2.21 per share in the quarter that ended June 30. Total revenue grew 10% to $88.92 billion, but net income plunged 37% to $1.9 billion.Analysts expected, on average, earnings of $2.12 per share on $86.41 billion in revenue, according to FactSet.Woonsocket, Rhode Island-based CVS Health Corp. operates one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains with nearly 10,000 retail locations. It runs prescription drug plans for big clients like insurers and employers through a large pharmacy benefit management business.It also provides health insurance...

WWE: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) on Wednesday reported second-quarter profit of $52 million.On a per-share basis, the Stamford, Connecticut-based company said it had profit of 67 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 91 cents per share.The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 93 cents per share.The producer of professional wrestling events and television shows posted revenue of $410.3 million in the period, topping Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $398.5 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WWE at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WWESource

Donnelley Financial: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — CHICAGO (AP) — Donnelley Financial Solutions Inc. (DFIN) on Wednesday reported net income of $37.7 million in its second quarter.On a per-share basis, the Chicago-based company said it had profit of $1.24.The financial communications and data services provider posted revenue of $242.1 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on DFIN at https://www.zacks.com/ap/DFINSource

Perion Network: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

HOLON, Israel (AP) — HOLON, Israel (AP) — Perion Network Ltd. (PERI) on Wednesday reported second-quarter profit of $21.4 million.On a per-share basis, the Holon, Israel-based company said it had net income of 43 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 84 cents per share.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 71 cents per share.The digital media company posted revenue of $178.5 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $176 million.Perion Network expects full-year revenue in the range of $730 million to $750 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PERI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PERISource

Builders FirstSource: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — DALLAS (AP) — Builders FirstSource Inc. (BLDR) on Wednesday reported second-quarter profit of $404.6 million.The Dallas-based company said it had profit of $3.16 per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were $3.89 per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of six analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $2.69 per share.The construction supply company posted revenue of $4.53 billion in the period, also beating Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $4.25 billion.Builders FirstSource expects full-year revenue in the range of $16.8 billion to $17.8 billion.Builders FirstSource shares have more than doubled since the beginning of the year. The stock has more than doubled in the last 12 months._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on BLDR at https://www.zacks.c...

Intercept: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ICPT) on Wednesday reported a loss of $5.9 million in its second quarter.The Morristown, New Jersey-based company said it had a loss of 14 cents per share.The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 56 cents per share.The drugmaker posted revenue of $83.7 million in the period, which also topped Street forecasts. Eight analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $78.7 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ICPT at https://www.zacks.com/ap/ICPTSource

Steven Madden: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. (AP) — LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. (AP) — Steven Madden Ltd. (SHOO) on Wednesday reported second-quarter profit of $34.5 million.The Long Island City, New York-based company said it had profit of 46 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 47 cents per share.The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 48 cents per share.The footwear and accessories retailer posted revenue of $442.8 million in the period, which also missed Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $454.2 million.Steven Madden expects full-year earnings in the range of $2.40 to $2.50 per share._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on SHOO at https://www.zacks.com/ap/SHOOSource

Garmin: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:04:02 GMT

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland (AP) — SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland (AP) — Garmin Ltd. (GRMN) on Wednesday reported second-quarter earnings of $287.9 million.The Schaffhausen, Switzerland-based company said it had profit of $1.50 per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, came to $1.45 per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.43 per share.The maker of personal navigation devices posted revenue of $1.32 billion in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.28 billion.Garmin expects full-year earnings to be $5.15 per share, with revenue expected to be $5.05 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GRMN at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GRMNSource