Video game stocks soared during the Covid pandemic lockdowns, but declined after the world reopened. Now with an uncertain economy, video game fans are being more cautious with their spending, adding more woes for the beaten-down sector. Shortages of console hardware, especially Sony ‘s ( SONY ) PlayStation 5, and game release delays have contributed to disappointing sales lately, analysts say. But there are reasons for optimism. "We’re bullish on the sector," said David Cole, principal analyst for DFC Intelligence, a research firm that tracks digital entertainment. "We’re finally getting beyond the tough comparables from Covid." Hardware shortages are easing and big new game releases are planned for the months ahead, Cole said. On the hardware front, Sony on Feb. 2 raised its PlayStation 5 sales forecast for the fiscal year ending in March to 19 million units from 18 million. The company said chip shortages that have hindered production since its launch in November 2020 have eased. Video Game Stocks In The Cellar Meanwhile, major games set for release in the first half of 2023 include "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor" from Electronic Arts ( EA ) and "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" from Nintendo ( […]

Click here to view original web page at www.investors.com

Michigan is poised to remain a leader in transportation technology thanks to its legacy of long-standing relationships with key U.S. automakers, according to a new article from Newsweek . “For years U.S. automakers have been putting lots of money into developing digital technology, ranging from drivetrains and batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) to a broad range of hardware and software connecting cars to the internet and to make them self-driving,” says Jake Lingeman, author of the article. “Increasingly that money is being invested close to U.S. automaking’s ancestral home.” The article covers the contributions Ford Motor Company, Stellantis and General Motors (GM) have made to make Michigan an integral part of their mobility and software engineering advancements. Automakers Invest in Future Success Ford has focused funding in the downtown Detroit area with the creation of the Michigan Central Innovation District. The company bought the historic Michigan Central Train Station in 2018 to act as an anchor for the 30-acre campus to act as a hub for talent, mobility innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, affordable housing, small business opportunities and community engagement. Google, who recently joined the project, will work with Ford to help develop the future of mobility in Michigan. “This […]

Click here to view original web page at www.michiganbusiness.org

This is the restaurant industry’s opportunity to celebrate the general managers who play a key role in operations. CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Whether part of a large chain or mom and pop, the linchpin of any restaurant is the general manager. To help restaurant operators put the spotlight on this key position, Restaurant Business this year will debut a new industry-wide award program: GM of the Year. The person who holds the GM role plays a key role in what makes a restaurant succeed—or fail. And the importance of that position has been made ever clearer over the past three years as restaurants across the industry recover from the pandemic, battle historically high costs and compete to recruit and retain the best talent. Across the industry, restaurant companies are launching programs to attract stellar GMs or develop them from within, offering bonuses for top-performing talent that range from financial rewards and trips to Hawaii to equity in the company. RB invites restaurant companies to nominate their best general managers. Restaurant Business editors and a select team of operators will pick winners in three categories: Limited service; full-service and independent restaurants. "The industry has long offered awards to […]

Click here to view original web page at www.prnewswire.com

The US Chamber of Commerce is taking aim at the Biden administration’s efforts to create an ethical framework for the creation and use of artificial intelligence. The Chamber on Thursday filed a series of public-records requests with federal agencies that helped to create the “AI Bill of Rights,” a policy framework that was released by the White House last year. The lobbying group, which represents the country’s biggest companies, is looking for more information about who helped write the framework and which businesses they engaged with during its development. “The AI Bill of Rights was drafted without transparency, adequate stakeholder … To read the full article log in .

Click here to view original web page at news.bloomberglaw.com

Is the economic impact as big as touted? When the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles square off this Sunday, Feb. 12, in Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, plenty of eyes will be on the action on the field. However, there are numerous economic aspects going on around the big game as well. Benefits for the host city The opportunity to showcase a city to a massive worldwide audience is something public officials dream of, and economic reports that are released seem to make their case. In 2020 when the 49ers and Chiefs faced off in Miami, the Super Bowl Host Committee and Miami Beach commissions reported that the Super Bowl brought in over 4,500 new jobs to the area and had a total economic impact of $571 million. Last year in Los Angeles, where the Rams defeated the Bengals in brand new SoFi Stadium, the local economy was expected to gain up to $477 million. However Tim DeSchriver , associate professor of sport management in the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics , says those numbers can be overrated. “The visitors’ bureaus and business people with those cities are going to promote that […]

Click here to view original web page at www.udel.edu

Exxon Mobil ( XOM ) stock broke out Friday after Russia announced it would cut its oil output by 500,000 barrels a day next month, sending crude prices higher. On Friday, a statement from Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the country plans to cut March production by 500,000 barrels per day in response to the European Union’s ban on seaborne imports and price caps on oil products from Russia. Energy stocks moved higher as oil prices advanced on the news, with Exxon Mobil stock retaking a buy point. U.S. crude futures briefly jumped around 3% to above $80 per barrel, before settling to about a 1.5% increase Friday. U.S. oil prices are now up almost 9% on the week — setting the stage for oil’s strongest advance since early October. Brent crude futures also advanced more than 2% to around $87 per barrel. Oil prices also received a boost from China inflation data showed consumer prices rising in January, a sign that the country’s reopening economy is gaining strength. In addition, on Monday, top world oil exporter Saudi Arabia raised its crude prices for Asian markets for the first time in six months. The International Energy Agency’s […]

Click here to view original web page at www.investors.com

Love is in the air getty The dating industry has been transformed in recent years, with a multitude of apps, platforms and matchmaking agencies offering a variety of ways to find romance and a growing presence of female founders. In the run-up to Valentine’s Day, here are three female-run matchmaking businesses. Executive matchmaking Barbie Adler took her experience as a successful executive recruiter, helping executive talent find jobs at Fortune 500 companies, and applied the same methodology to launch executive matchmaking firm Selective Search , which works with some of the top athletes, celebrities and business executives across North America. Her mother was a family and relationship psychiatrist, and from a young age, she always had a strong interest in romance and interpersonal relationships. “After college, I enjoyed a successful career in executive search, but my real desire was to use those skills in a more personal realm that could potentially be more meaningful, helping people find love,” she says. In 2000, although online dating was becoming more mainstream and losing its early stigma, Adler spotted a gap in the dating market for a high-end solution for people who’d built a quality life but hadn’t found the right person […]

Click here to view original web page at www.forbes.com

The Tampa Bay community is home to a large variety of business sectors, from tourism and hospitality to a growing presence of advanced technology sectors, including cybersecurity and manufacturing. While each day brings important choices, there are certain moments or “inflection points” that can have a profound impact on the long-term success of your company and the legacy you leave. It is important that business owners thoroughly understand these inflection points to best prepare for any circumstances they may face. What are those inflection points for your business? Drawing on client insights and perspectives, we have identified a few key moments in time. While a company is growing, there are several considerations: hiring the right talent, expanding your operations and accessing additional capital. Home to a large variety of fast-growing businesses, talent acquisition is one of the most pressing challenges facing Tampa businesses as they look to expand. When growing your workforce, you’ll want to provide comprehensive benefits to help attract and retain the best talent. This includes traditional offerings such as retirement savings and health savings accounts. Forward-looking companies are taking an integrated approach to help support employees’ broader needs, including financial wellness, saving and investing. According to […]

Click here to view original web page at www.bizjournals.com

News Corp said Thursday that it would cut 5% of its workforce, or 1,250 jobs, after the media conglomerate fell short of quarterly Wall Street estimates for profit and revenue, hurt by declines across its businesses, including news. The company also said it incurred $6 million in one-time costs associated with its plans to merge with Fox Corp , which Rupert Murdoch , News Corp executive chairman and Fox co-chairman, scrapped in January. A slump in advertising spending by businesses hit by rising inflation and higher interest rates has dented one of the major sources of revenue for companies such as News Corp (NWS) , which publishes the Wall Street Journal. “A surge in interest rates and acute inflation had a tangible impact on all of our businesses,” Chief Executive Robert Thomson said in a statement. Shares of the company were down nearly 3% in extended trading Thursday. To combat the slowdown, Thomson said there were a number of initiatives underway, including the job cuts. The layoffs will be made across all businesses and result in annual savings of at least $130 million. The company said that in the third quarter it expects to see one-time costs related to […]

Click here to view original web page at www.cnn.com

How to tell a compelling digital transformation story that boosts your share price getty Digital startup companies achieve extraordinary valuations in part by knowing how to tell a compelling story, crafting an exciting vision of their future that sends investors and analysts scrambling to jump on board. Established companies embarked on their own digital journeys can capture some of that same magic by learning how to tell their transformation stories in more powerful ways. Step 1: Establish a shared language for digital transformation A major key to success is having a shared, common language for thinking and talking about digital transformation. Such a language can help people across your enterprise view digital transformation in a more strategic and comprehensive way, instead of fixating on individual technologies and tactical implementation issues. Also, a shared language can help people in different roles and silos collaborate more effectively when planning and executing your digital transformation effort. We recommend a digital transformation language built around five key imperatives: Experiences . Using digital technology to create better experiences for customers, employees, and other key stakeholders. Insights . Using digital technology to generate new, actionable insights and activities that create business value and improve competitiveness, […]

Click here to view original web page at www.forbes.com