Latest news with #JensKalaene
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Google Stock To $350?
10 July 2025, Berlin: The Google logo can be seen on a small door at the stable guard party. Photo: ... More Jens Kalaene/dpa (Photo by Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images) Google stock has already achieved remarkable gains, growing 2x from $88 levels in early 2023 to approximately $180 at present. But what could drive the stock to double from its current levels over the coming years? The answer is rooted in AI and cloud computing– the main growth engine for Google. Google Cloud has shown strong performance, with an average revenue growth of 31% over the last three years. This positive trend is anticipated to continue, with sales expected to average over 20% annually for the next three years. The substantial demand for cloud computing services is primarily driven by the growing AI boom, as companies increasingly utilize Google Cloud to quickly implement and scale their AI projects. Additionally, if you are looking for more stability than investing in an individual stock, consider the High Quality portfolio, which has surpassed the S&P, achieving >91% returns since its inception. Also, see – Will The Rally In XRP Price Continue? Key Growth Drivers Path to Doubling For Google stock to double from current levels, the company needs consistent revenue growth of around 15-20% annually along with margin expansion. This seems attainable through: The convergence of these elements, particularly the AI revolution and growth in cloud computing, opens multiple avenues for Google to meet the performance required to double its stock price over the next 3-5 years. We anticipate Google's revenues to surpass $500 billion within the next three years, with earnings likely to nearly double due to improved profitability. Currently, GOOG stock trades around $180, pricing it at roughly 20 times its trailing earnings. This is considerably lower than some of its competitors, with Amazon trading at 36 times and Microsoft at 39 times earnings. Given Google's deep integration of AI and its enhancing profitability, we foresee an upward revision in its valuation multiple. Even if the stock holds a similar valuation, it could exceed $300 within the next three to four years. If investors assign a higher multiple, it would signify more than a twofold increase from current levels. Also see – Alphabet's Valuation Ratios Comparison. Google's leading position in search, its dominance in digital advertising, and its expanding presence in cloud computing and AI infrastructure offer multiple levers for long-term value creation. This revaluation, supported by accelerating growth in high-margin segments like Google Cloud and YouTube, underpins the potential for the stock to double as markets reassess Alphabet's earnings potential in an AI-driven economy. Alphabet's core advertising operations, combined with strategic investments in AI, cloud services, and autonomous technologies, create a well-diversified and resilient growth engine. If these sectors maintain their current trajectory, the stock could see significant upside, driven by both revenue growth and improving operating leverage. Risk Considerations While Google's outlook is promising, several variables could hinder its stock from doubling. Firstly, escalating competition in critical sectors presents a threat. In cloud computing, Google Cloud faces stiff competition from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, which could pressure its margins and growth rates. Also see – MSFT Stock To $1,000? Likewise, in the rapidly advancing AI sector, rivals such as OpenAI (with ChatGPT) and Perplexity are challenging Google's dominance in search through AI-driven methods. Secondly, regulatory scrutiny and antitrust actions are considerable concerns. Google is already confronting legal challenges regarding its market dominance in online search and digital advertising. Ongoing probes, including a recent preliminary investigation into its collaboration with underscore a growing regulatory interest in potential anti-competitive behavior, particularly in the emerging AI ecosystem. These developments could restrict expansion, result in hefty fines, or even compel business restructuring. Related – Google's $1 Trillion Lawsuit Thirdly, Google's substantial AI capital expenditures carry execution risks. The company plans to invest around $75 billion in technical infrastructure in 2025 to bolster AI and business growth. If these significant investments do not yield anticipated returns or take excessively long to materialize, investor sentiment may turn unfavorable. Finally, macroeconomic factors could influence Google's performance. Economic recessions could curtail advertising investments across its search and YouTube platforms, as well as enterprise cloud spending. For more details, see – Buy or Sell GOOG Stock? Moreover, high interest rates could render growth stocks like Google less attractive than fixed-income options, potentially dampening investor enthusiasm. Investors contemplating Google stock should carefully evaluate these potential risks. Now, we apply a risk assessment framework while building the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio which, comprising 30 stocks, has a strong record of comfortably outperforming the S&P 500 over the past four years. Why is that? As a collective group, HQ Portfolio stocks have delivered superior returns with reduced risk compared to the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster experience as shown in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
CNBC
24-06-2025
- Health
- CNBC
Novo Nordisk ends deal with Hims & Hers over sales of Wegovy copycats; HIMS drops 34%
KEY POINTS Novo Nordisk said it is ending its collaboration with Hims & Hers due to concerns about the telehealth company's sales and promotion of cheaper knock-offs of the weight loss drug Wegovy. Novo Nordisk in April said it would offer Wegovy through several telehealth companies, such as Hims & Hers, to expand access to the blockbuster injection now that it is no longer in short supply in the U.S. But Novo Nordisk said Hims & Hers has "failed to adhere to the law which prohibits mass sales of compounded drugs" and accused the telehealth company of "deceptive" marketing that is putting patient safety at risk. The "Wegovy" brand slimming syringe is sold in the Achat pharmacy in Mitte. The "Wegovy" slimming syringe has been available in Germany for a year. Jens Kalaene | Picture Alliance | Getty Images
Local Germany
20-06-2025
- General
- Local Germany
Will Berlin open up the Spree river to swimmers?
This week a group of eager swimmers in Berlin made the news when they dove into the River Spree as part of a protest against the city's swimming ban. According to a report by AP , around 200 swimmers jumped into the river on Tuesday to demonstrate that the water is clean enough for bathing, and demand that the city move forward with a plan to create a designated swim zone in the Mitte district. Swimming in the centre of Berlin is generally verboten , but in this case it was allowed because a group called Fluss Bad Berlin had organised the event as a registered protest. The group , which has around 500 members, is a non-profit that has advocated for cleaning up the Spree and making it swimmable since 2012. 'For 100 years now, people have not been allowed to swim in the inner-city Spree and we no longer think this is justified…' Jan Edler, a board member of the group told AP . Their chief goal, of reclaiming a central section of the Spree for recreational swimming, is closer to being realised than ever before, as city leaders have voiced enthusiasm for doing so as early as summer 2026. What's the plan? According to the initiative brought by Fluss Bad Berlin , the plan is to open up an 840-meter-long section of the Spree Canal between Schloßplatz and the Bode Museum for recreational swimming. This central section of the river makes sense as an initial bathing location because it's closed off to boat traffic. And, believe it or not, there is a history of Spree swimming specifically in this area. Up until around 100 years ago, there were river bathing locations established around the Humboldt Forum. Numerous participants cavort at a swimming demonstration between Schinkelplatz and the Humboldt Forum against the bathing ban in the Spree. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jens Kalaene The initiative faces two primary challenges: ensuring swimmable water quality and the need to restructure historical monuments. To keep the water clean, the use of plants that remove pollutants from water has been proposed, as well as a disinfection system with UV radiation that kicks in to sterilise waste water overflows that can happen during heavy rain. Initial tests suggest that a combination of these measures can keep water in the Spree sufficiently safe for swimming. Advertisement A point of contention, however, is that the canal in this area is surrounded by protected historical monuments, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Parts of these monuments would need to be altered in places to allow swimmers better access to the Spree. Current plans - drawn up with the interests of monument protection in mind - would include outdoor stairs into the water at the Humboldt Forum and at the ESMT University of Applied Sciences, located on Schlossplatz. The responsible district councillor, Ephraim Gothe (SPD), recently told German media outlets that he could imagine opening the Spree Canal to swimmers as early as summer 2026. READ ALSO: The ultimate guide to looking and sounding like a local in Berlin What are the current rules? According to Berlin's Bathing Water Ordinance, swimming in the centre of the city is outlawed. Bathing here was banned a century ago after it became known that the water quality had deteriorated to the point that people were getting sick. (The swimming protest on Tuesday marked the 100th anniversary of the swim ban.) Advertisement But the Spree River swim ban doesn't apply everywhere in the city. The press office of the Berlin police told Tip Berlin that the Spree swim ban applies "in the lock area", "in the boat traffic areas" and in places with a 'no swimming' sign. Put simply, swimming in the canals and the central part of the city are not allowed, as well as marked locations. Also swimmers need to be mindful that the Spree does see a fair share of boat traffic. Swimming would be allowed in the canal that goes around Museum Island. Map by Fluss Bad Berlin. There are places not far from the city where swimmers are seen semi-regularly in the summer months – such as near the Funkhaus, across from Planterwald. Swimming is not technically allowed here, and the Berlin Water Police have been known to issue citations from time to time. Some cheeky bathers in the area have objected to the citations on the grounds that, while swimming is prohibited, falling off a dock into the river is merely an unfortunate accident. Advertisement How dirty is it? The water in Berlin's officially permitted bathing areas is tested biweekly during the swimming season. While the Spree itself is tested less regularly, there is still ample evidence that its water quality has improved significantly in recent years. "The water quality in the suburban Spree is generally good from a hygienic point of view," Andreas Matzinger of the Berlin Water Competence Centre (KWB) told TipBerlin . However, the quality can fluctuate. The city's sewer system is designed to overflow into the river in places during heavy rain, so pollution levels generally rise for a few days following a heavy storm. Levels of bacteria like E. coli and chemical pollutants are found in higher concentrations during these times. READ ALSO: Hotels, transport and food - How the cost of travel in Germany is rising this summer Because the river flows to the west through the city, water quality tends to be a bit better in the eastern districts. Some residents in Berlin maintain a degree of scepticism about the Spree's cleanliness, but for the 200 or so people who swam in the canal this week – as well as plenty more who regularly swim and paddle on the river during the summer months – the water seems inviting.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Airbnb now wants to sell you haircuts, museum visits and massages
Airbnb, the start-up that began as a platform offering cash-strapped travellers cheap sleeping arrangements in private homes, is now trying to expand into a massive new market: selling services and experiences like cooking classes, horse riding and museum trips. — Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa LOS ANGELES: Airbnb is expanding its business beyond accommodation to include experiences like museum visits, horse-riding and cooking classes, as well as services from people like masseurs, hair stylists and professional chefs. "Hotels do have one thing that we don't have and those are services," Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky said. The offering aimed at closing this gap will initially launch in 260 cities with 10 categories, including services from fitness trainers and photographers. Over time, the range of services is expected to expand. An app for more than just travel This could mark a radical shift for an app typically used only once or a few times a year. Chesky and co-founder Nate Blecharczyk emphasized that the services and experiences are not tied to travel. Their vision is that people could use the app whenever they want to book a photographer, a massage or haircut. Could Airbnb eventually become a platform for booking local tradespeople? Blecharczyk pointed out that Airbnb hosts already require services from cleaners or plumbers. Industry analyst Carolina Milanesi believes the move could change how the stock market views Airbnb. While the company has so far been evaluated using traditional travel industry metrics, such as the number of overnight stays, the stock market might now see it more as a tech platform. At the same time, Airbnb is entering areas where specialised apps have already carved out niches. This will also make it harder to ensure consistent quality across offerings, and there will be more regulations to comply with. Airbnb has faced criticism in various cities, with accusations that the service contributes to housing shortages by renting out more apartments in prime locations to tourists at high prices. But Blecharczyk argued that the expansion into the services business would not be affected by this debate. Bigger business than accommodation? The first 10 service categories were selected based on user surveys. Providers of services and experiences must apply, and Airbnb selects them based on factors such as experience and reviews in their field, Blecharczyk said. Blecharczyk is convinced that even during travel, services could potentially become a bigger business than accommodation. He explained that typically, for every US$1 (RM4.30) spent on accommodation, an additional US$3 (RM12.89) is spent on food, shopping, and excursions. Airbnb might even be surprised by how large this business could become. Airbnb says it will charge providers a fee of 20% for experiences and 15% for services. This revenue is used to cover costs such as payment transaction fees, customer service and insurance. Service and experience providers are not exclusively tied to the platform. Chesky said the idea behind the experiences is to explore a city with the people who know it best. Unwanted interactions can be reported with the push of a button, as is already the case with communication between accommodation providers and their customers. Airbnb also uses machine learning to detect problems. Airbnb Originals is set to be the space where users can find experiences hosted "by the world's most interesting people," Chesky said. The Airbnb app has been redesigned to accommodate the new offerings beyond accommodation. For example, after booking a stay, the app will suggest nearby services and experiences. – dpa
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'The Voice' Season 27 Semifinals: Who Went Home? Who Is in the Finale?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a dramatic two-part TV special, NBC's The Voice narrowed its Season 27 field from 12 contestants to just five finalists. Tuesday's special event was divided into two episodes: Episode 19 recapped the standout performances from the previous night's semifinals, while Episode 20 focused on live eliminations and the reveal of the Season 27 final five. Four artists advanced through America's vote, four were eliminated and the remaining four battled live for the coveted fifth spot via the "Instant Save." A file photo from 2016 shows the set of "The Voice Kids," a German spinoff live television series. The latest episode of "The Voice" in the U.S. premiered on Tuesday. A file photo from 2016 shows the set of "The Voice Kids," a German spinoff live television series. The latest episode of "The Voice" in the U.S. premiered on Tuesday. Jens Kalaene/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What Happened on 'The Voice' Last Night? Monday's episode marked a pivotal shake-up: The show's "Super Save" brought back four previously eliminated artists to perform in the semifinals. Tuesday night began with a performance from judge John Legend and followed with a retrospective look at the semifinal performances. "It's going to be a tough night tonight watching us go from 12 to five," host Carson Daly said during the broadcast before announcing the safe four contestants. After a performance from country star Kelsea Ballerini, Daly named the four contestants that would battle it out for the final spot in the top five. With the final now just a week away, the top five set the stage for a wide-open championship. Which Contestants Cracked the Top 5? The first finalist revealed was Renzo, 34, from Philadelphia, representing Team Legend. Previously seen on American Idol as Dennis Lorenzo, Renzo closed Episode 19 with a high-octane version of Aerosmith's "Dream On." Next through was Lucia Flores-Wiseman, of Washington, from Team Adam. The third finalist was Team Bublé's Jadyn Cree, who impressed some viewers with a performance of "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James & The Shondells. Jaelen Johnston, the 22-year-old member of Team Kelsea, was the fourth name announced. Johnston's country twang made him a fan favorite throughout the season. The final spot came down to an Instant Save, with four singers—Adam David (Team Bublé), Olivia Kuper-Harris (Team Legend), Iris Herrera (Team Kelsea) and Bryson Battle (Team Legend)—competing live. Ultimately, David clinched the fifth finalist position. Who Was Eliminated From 'The Voice' on Tuesday? Kaiya Hamilton, Alanna Lynise, Kolby Cordell and Conor James did not advance to the finale, or perform for the final spot. Despite their performances in Episode 20, Kuper-Harris, Herrera and Battle did not advance. When Is 'The Voice' Finale? The Season 27 finale of The Voice will air live May 19 on NBC, with the top five artists performing one final time. Episodes are available for streaming on Peacock the next day. Voting will begin and the winner of The Voice will be crowned in a live results show on May 20. Fans can vote via The Voice app or during the finale.
