How to Keep Your CEO Off the Jumbotron
Why do executives, like the Astronomer CEO, keep taking needless risks? Bloomberg Opinion columnist Beth Kowitt knows a lot — maybe too much — about their bad behavior. (Source: Bloomberg)
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Business Insider
2 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Chinese firm seals $100 million grain deal in Angola, second agriculture investment this week
China's Sinohydro Group will invest more than $100 million in Angola to develop new sources of grain. Sinohydro Group is set to invest over $100 million in Angola for grain development. Angola granted a tax-free 25-year land concession of 30,000 hectares to Sinohydro. The project aims to improve agricultural infrastructure using existing equipment. China's Sinohydro Group will invest more than $100 million in Angola to develop new sources of grain, marking the second major agricultural agreement between the two countries in less than a week. Under a deal signed late Thursday in Luanda, Angola granted Sinohydro a 25-year, tax-free land concession covering 30,000 hectares across six eastern provinces, Bloomberg reported. The Chinese engineering and infrastructure giant will utilise equipment already available in the country to expedite the rollout of logistics and agricultural support infrastructure. 'Angola has vast land but lacks basic infrastructure,' said Li Xunfeng, Sinohydro's Managing Director, at the signing ceremony. 'This is the right time to invest; the environment here is better than in many African countries.' The announcement follows a $250 million investment revealed earlier this week by a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned conglomerate Citic Ltd., which plans to develop large-scale soybean and corn farms in Angola. Sinohydro, which has been operating in Angola for over two decades, stated that the new project aligns with the Angolan government's initiative to revive large-scale farming and reduce its reliance on food imports. 60% of output bound for China According to Agriculture Minister Isaac dos Anjos, about 60% of the produce, mainly soybeans, will be exported to China, while the remainder will support domestic consumption. The concession will be divided into plots ranging from 500 to 1,000 hectares to accommodate both commercial farms and community-led initiatives. Sinohydro also plans to establish a seed research and testing centre to improve yields and attract more Chinese agribusinesses to the country.
Fast Company
3 minutes ago
- Fast Company
5 job search habits young job seekers should ditch immediately
After nearly four decades on Wall Street and over 15 years mentoring students and young adults, I've witnessed countless young professionals struggle with their job searches —not because they lack talent, but because they're trapped in counterproductive habits that sabotage their success before they even begin. The job market has never been more competitive. With AI tools and vast information resources now available to every applicant, the baseline for what constitutes a 'good' application has skyrocketed. Today's job seekers have access to sophisticated résumé optimization tools, interview prep platforms, and industry insights that previous generations could never have imagined. And that means that simply having a polished resume or knowing basic company facts no longer differentiates you from the competition. A saturated job market The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this competition exponentially. Economic disruptions created a massive pool of highly competent applicants—seasoned professionals who were laid off, recent graduates whose traditional entry points disappeared, and career changers seeking more stable industries—all competing for fewer available positions. What we're witnessing is an unprecedented bottleneck, where exceptional candidates are struggling to get through recruiting filters just because the volume of qualified applicants has overwhelmed traditional hiring processes. This saturation means that even talented individuals with strong credentials are facing rejection after rejection, not due to inadequacy, but due to sheer numbers. Employers who once received dozens of applications for a position now receive hundreds, forcing them to rely on increasingly narrow filtering criteria that can eliminate excellent candidates for arbitrary reasons. In this new landscape, it's the candidates who go above and beyond—who demonstrate genuine initiative, build real relationships, and create tangible value—who separate themselves from the pack. The tools are available to everyone, but it's how strategically and creatively you use them that determines your success. The reality is that most new job seekers are their own worst enemies, repeating the same ineffective strategies that virtually guarantee disappointment. If you're serious about launching your career, it's time to break these five destructive habits immediately. Stop the Spray-and-Pray Approach I see this mistake constantly: talented graduates treating job applications like a numbers game, firing off identical résumés to every posting they find. During my years at one of the largest banks in the United States, I reviewed countless résumés. The generic submissions were easy to spot and equally easy to dismiss. Employers aren't looking for someone who can fill any role—they want someone who genuinely understands (and is passionate about) their specific position. Every application should tell a story about why you and this particular company are a perfect match. Research the organization, understand their challenges, and demonstrate how your skills address their specific needs. Yes, this takes more time—but would you rather send 50 thoughtless applications that get ignored, or 10 targeted ones that actually generate interviews? Embrace LinkedIn as Your Career Command Center I'm amazed by how many job seekers still treat LinkedIn as an afterthought. In today's digital world, your LinkedIn profile is often your first chance to make an impression. Worse yet, many young professionals create a profile and then abandon it, missing countless opportunities for meaningful connections. Your LinkedIn presence should be as polished and strategic as your résumé. More importantly, it should be active. Share insights about your industry, comment thoughtfully on posts from professionals you admire, and regularly update your network on your career journey. We encourage young adults to view LinkedIn as a relationship-building platform, not just a digital résumé. The connections you make today become the foundation for opportunities in the future. Many of our most successful clients have landed positions through LinkedIn relationships they cultivated months before they even began their formal job search. Abandon the Perfect Role Fantasy One of the most career-limiting beliefs I encounter is the idea that you should wait for the perfect opportunity. Young professionals often turn down roles that don't match their exact vision, convinced that holding out will yield something better. This perfectionist mindset ignores a fundamental truth: careers are built through progression. Some of the most successful individuals I've mentored started in positions that seemed unrelated to their ultimate goals but provided invaluable experience and connections. Early in your career, prioritize learning and growth over title and salary. A role with exceptional mentorship, challenging projects, or exposure to senior leadership can be far more valuable than a prestigious position where you'll be isolated or underutilized. The goal is forward momentum, not immediate arrival at your destination. I often tell my mentees that your first job is rarely your last job, but it's always your launching pad. Choose roles that accelerate your trajectory, even if they don't perfectly align with your original vision. Master the Art of Strategic Follow-Up The job search doesn't end when you walk out of the interview room: that's when the real work begins. Yet countless candidates don't take full advantage of promising opportunities by failing to follow up appropriately. A thoughtful follow-up message accomplishes several critical objectives: it demonstrates your genuine interest, reinforces key points from your conversation, and keeps you visible during the decision-making process. More importantly, it shows that you understand professional norms and can manage relationships effectively. Your follow-up should be personalized, referencing specific moments from your conversation and reiterating how you can contribute to their team's success. This isn't about being pushy—it's about being professional and maintaining momentum. I've seen talented candidates lose opportunities to less-qualified competitors simply because they assumed their interview performance would speak for itself. In a competitive market, every advantage matters, and strategic follow-up can be the difference between getting the offer or being forgotten Stop Waiting Until Your Senior Year to Think About Career Strategy One of the most limiting mistakes I see is students who coast through their first few years of college without any career planning, suddenly panicking during junior or senior year when they realize competitive roles require years of preparation. Today's job market rewards those who think strategically early. The most coveted positions, whether in finance, consulting, technology, or other competitive fields, increasingly expect candidates to have meaningful internship experience, relevant projects, and established industry connections. Students who wait until their final years find themselves competing against peers who've been building their credentials since freshman year. But let me be clear: starting later doesn't doom your prospects. I've mentored countless students who discovered their career direction during their junior or senior years and still achieved remarkable success. The key is understanding that you'll need to accelerate your efforts and be more strategic about your approach. The real mistake isn't starting late; it's continuing to delay action once you recognize the importance of career planning. Whether you're a freshman or a senior, the best time to start building your professional foundation is right now. The Path Forward Throughout my career mentoring young professionals, I've watched talented individuals gain access to opportunities they never thought possible by simply approaching their job search with the same intelligence and intention they bring to other aspects of their lives. Remember, your job search can be a demonstration of your professional capabilities. Employers are evaluating not just what you've accomplished, but how you approach challenges, manage relationships, and execute strategies. The job market may be competitive, but it's not impenetrable. With the right approach, persistence, and strategic thinking, you can transform your job search from a source of frustration into a launching pad for the career you truly want.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Newest Stock in the S&P 500 Has Soared 510% Since Its 2015 IPO, and It's a Buy Right Now, According to Wall Street
Key Points Block has been added to the S&P 500, one of just six companies to make the cut so far in 2025. The company is a fintech pioneer and continues to expand its market. Despite some hiccups earlier this year, Wall Street remains convinced the stock is a buy. 10 stocks we like better than Block › The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is generally recognized as the most comprehensive measure of the U.S. stock market, made up of the 500 leading publicly traded companies in the country. Given the broad reach of the businesses that make up the index, it is regarded as the most reliable benchmark of overall stock market performance. To be considered for admission to the S&P 500, a company must meet the following criteria: Be a U.S. company Its market cap must be at least $20.5 billion Shares must be highly liquid Have at least 50% of its outstanding shares available for trading Must be profitable based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the most recent quarter Must be profitable during the previous four quarters in aggregate Block (NYSE: XYZ) is the latest addition to the S&P 500, added to its ranks on July 23. That makes it one of only six companies to make the grade so far this year. Since its IPO in late 2015, Block has easily outpaced the market, generating gains of 510%, compared to a 206% increase for the S&P 500 (as of market close on Wednesday). The stock price gains have been fueled by an ever-expanding fintech ecosystem, as its revenue has soared 1,640%, while net income has jumped 867%. Yet, despite the stock's market-beating gains and the company's strong track record navigating the fluid fintech space it helped pioneer, many believe Block is just getting started. Let's examine the opportunity ahead and why Wall Street believes the stock is a buy. A Square peg in a round hole Block, formerly Square, made a name for itself by pioneering mobile payment processing solutions and point-of-sale systems for small businesses. From those humble beginnings, the company now offers a growing suite of tools for entrepreneurs and consumers alike, including payment processing, point-of-sale systems, business loans, digital retail, loyalty programs, marketing, digital wallet, and -- mostly recently -- consumer loans. At the heart of Block's expanding ecosystem is its two-pronged approach: Square Business, which provides services to merchants, and Cash App, which caters to consumers. The seamless integration between the two segments helps spin the flywheel that has been key to Block's success. It was also among the first major public companies to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet, making its initial purchase in October 2020. Block has thus far spent roughly $261 million and currently holds 8,584 Bitcoin, worth roughly $1.03 billion. The company also announced plans to begin accepting Bitcoin as a payment method later this year. Despite a highly competitive landscape, Block continues to expand its role as one of the leading fintech providers. Paint by numbers You don't have to take my word for it. Despite a backdrop of economic uncertainty caused by persistent inflation and tariffs, Block's recent results tell the story. In the first quarter (excluding Bitcoin), revenue of $3.47 billion grew 8% year over year, while gross profit of $2.29 billion climbed 9%. Operating income of $329 million rose 32%, resulting in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.56, an increase of 19%. Unfortunately, investors were looking for better gross profit, which sent the stock lower -- but the results were solid nonetheless. Block's performance was fueled by gross payment volume (GPV) that grew 7.2% (8.2% in constant currency). Cash App did its part, increasing user engagement, as gross profit per monthly active user grew 9%. Wall Street is bullish Block lowered its guidance earlier this year in response to the continuing uncertainty, but Wall Street remains bullish. Of the 47 analysts who covered the stock thus far in July, 35 -- or an impressive 75% -- rate it a buy or strong buy. TD Cowen analyst Bryan Bergin is a longtime Block bull, maintaining a buy rating and a $115 price target on the stock, which represents potential upside of 44% compared to the stock's closing price on Wednesday. While he acknowledged the macroeconomic headwinds and a slow start in 2025, he believes that the company is on track for continued improvement in the back half of the year. Bergin also points to improvements toward achieving the Rule of 40. The oft-cited metric evaluates growth in relation to profits, and Block is looking to make the grade by the end of 2025 or early 2026. Despite all that potential, Block is remarkably cheap. The stock is currently selling for just 19 times trailing-12-month earnings and 2 times sales. Block's inclusion in the S&P 500 is an important milestone. It's not only a testament to the company's position in an evolving industry, but also the growing adoption of Bitcoin into the mainstream. Given its long track record, strong secular tailwinds, and Wall Street's bullish take, I would submit that Block is a buy. Should you invest $1,000 in Block right now? Before you buy stock in Block, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Block wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,774!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,064,942!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,040% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Danny Vena has positions in Bitcoin and Block. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and Block. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Newest Stock in the S&P 500 Has Soared 510% Since Its 2015 IPO, and It's a Buy Right Now, According to Wall Street was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
