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Newsweek
5 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Elderly Americans Lose $745M to Scams in 2025 So Far
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. Americans age 60 and older have lost more than $745 million to scams in the first three months of 2025, nearly $200 million more than at the same point last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Newsweek has reached out to the FTC for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters Scams can take many forms, including romance schemes to investment fraud to warnings about an alleged overdue ticket or toll payment. Fraudsters often target older adults, and last year, adults over 60 years old reported they lost more than $2.3 billion to fraud. Scammers use a variety of methods, including phone calls, payment apps or service, and social media applications. So far in 2025, there have been over 677,000 fraud reports across the country, with over $3.18 billion losses, according to the FTC. What To Know Between January and March 2025, Americans ages 60 to 69 reported 60,379 fraud incidents, accounting for 16 percent of all fraud reports so far this year, according to the FTC. Those reports resulted in an estimated $355 million in losses, with a median loss of just under $600. Older adults ages 70 to 79 reported fewer fraud cases, however with higher median losses. More than 45,000 incidents totaling $299 million in losses, with the media loss just under $1,000. With still fewer cases but much higher median losses, Americans age 80 and older reported just over 12,500 scams from January to March, costing $91 million in total, and around $1,900 in median losses. Altogether, older Americans have reported more than $745 million in losses to scams in the first quarter of 2025. Last year, the FTC noted that Americans aged 60 and above reported $546 million losses in scams. An over 90-year-old lady makes a telephone call on June 30, 2024 in Norden (Lower Saxony). An over 90-year-old lady makes a telephone call on June 30, 2024 in Norden (Lower Saxony). Matthias Balk/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What People Are Saying FBI Miami wrote in a July 21 X post: "Each year, millions of older Americans fall victim to online financial fraud, though many do not report it. If you or a loved one are a victim of fraud, we encourage you to report elder fraud to the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at Kathy Stokes, AARP's director of fraud prevention programs, said in a May press release: "The seismic growth of reported fraud continues unabated. The impact on older adults is often catastrophic." She noted scams can cause "emotional and health harms, fraught family dynamics and, in many cases, the reality that despite having saved for a secure retirement, they are left to survive on local, state and federal safety nets." What Happens Next? The FTC and FBI urge affected individuals to report scams at or as reporting assists with investigations and helps authorities track emerging patterns. Families are encouraged to talk with older relatives about common scam tactics, verify any unsolicited communications, and consult trusted sources such as the FTC or AARP for guidance. The FTC is hosting a virtual "Consumer Protection and Older Adults Roundtable" on July 31 at 1 p.m. ET. The roundtable discusses the latest imposter scam trends, tools to protect consumers' savings, and resources to combat against scams.
Local Germany
16-07-2025
- Local Germany
In which German cities can you swim in the river?
Munich The Isar river that winds its way through the Bavarian city is well known for its swimming – and river-surfing – opportunities. And, of course, this much-loved summer hotspot comes with the added bonus of never being much more than a hop, skip and a splash from a beer garden. These are the areas where you can get in and enjoy the clean, icy-cold waters: Upwards from the Flauchersteg to just before the Wittelsbacherbrücke – this spot just south of the city centre is probably the most popular area for swimming, sunbathing and picnicking From the Marienklausensteg to the Thalkirchner bridge A few metres downstream from Wittelsbacherbrücke to the Reichenbachbrücke Downstream from the Großhesseloher railroad bridge to just before the Marienklause From the Max-Joseph bridge to just before the Oberföhring weir A day-tripper jumps out of their floating tyre to take a swim in the Isar river in Munich. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa And if you prefer to embrace Germany's FKK culture and let it all hang out, then there are several nude bathing areas along the river, including by the large gravel bank east of the Flauchersteg. One word of caution, though: the Isar can have strong currents, so do check conditions before you go in and only swim in the designated areas. READ ALSO: Germany's top 10 most beautiful summer swimming spots Children swim in the Marli open-air pool with the city's skyline in the background. Photo: COLORplus / dpa-Bildfunk Lübeck Lübeck's love affair with swimming has been going on for a long time – the first river pool in the maritime city was opened in 1899 and the city fully supports swimming in its waters. There are four open-air pools along the slow-flowing Wakenitz river in this medieval north-German city: Krähenteich , Falkenwiese, Marli and Eichholz, with water quality being particularly excellent in the last three. The historic Krähenteich pool is in the old town area, right by the former city wall. The much-loved supervised bathing facility also has a sauna and café. Advertisement The busy Falkenwiese is also close to the city centre, so it's ideal if you want to get your strokes in/cool off on a daily basis. The Marli is on the opposite side of the river – and its historic changing area, the Alte Magazin, has been lovingly restored, serving as a perfect reminder of 19th century bathing culture. Head here to enjoy the view over the old town and some glorious sunsets. The Eichholz pool is slightly further out, on the not-so-small Kleiner See, technically an area where the Wakenitz widens. It might not be that tiny, but it's still got a more peaceful intimate feel to the other two with added forest views. READ ALSO: Where in Europe has the cleanest and dirtiest swimming spots All the pools – most of which also have beaches, lawns and areas for non-swimmers – are open from May to September. Swimmers bathe in the Spree canal during a demonstration to mark the 100th anniversary of a ban on swimming in the Spree river, in Berlin on June 17, 2025. The demonstrators are pleading for a lifting of the ban. (Photo by Lilas TANTUSSI DEVOS / AFP) Berlin Swimming in the inner city is generally verboten , but there's a growing movement called Fluss Bad Berlin that's organised demonstration swims. It's been calling for Spree to be cleaned up since 2012 and it looks like this might actually happen by 2026 with plans to open up a section for recreational swimming on track. READ ALSO: Will Berlin open up the Spree river to swimmers? For now, there's the popular floating Badeschiff pool right on the Spree, at Arena Berlin. Advertisement There are also plenty of clean and calm swimming lakes to choose from on the outskirts of the city, such as the open-air lido at Wannsee, actually a bay in the Havel river. Or check out Wild Swim Berlin , which takes you to some of the over 3,000 lakes in and around the city. READ ALSO: A guide to Berlin's hidden swimming spots - from the woman who wrote the book on it A paddler paddles in a kayak in Dresden, on the banks of the river Elbe on July 4, 2025. (Photo by JENS SCHLUETER / AFP) Dresden Boat traffic, currents and water quality can impact swimming in the Elbe river that runs through the eastern city of Dresden, but there are still a couple of (unofficial) options: For example, there are a few calm stretches of the Elbe downstream from the Blaues Wunder bridge which some locals favour. Just be aware, these aren't official swim spots, so take care if you go in. Since 1998, though, there's been an official 3.5km Elbe swim every August from the bridge down to Fährgarten Johannstadt. The Prießnitz estuary, where the stream flows into the Elbe, is a calm spot, that's perfect for paddling rather than full-on swimming due to the shallow waters. The same goes for the scenic Rabenauer gorge to the west of the city. Advertisement Many locals head to the safer Carolasee lake rather than risking an Elbe swim outside of the organised event. READ ALSO: Travel in Germany - A guide to Berlin's best lakes And a few to avoid: The Elbe river in Hamburg is a very busy waterway. This picture shows the "Hamburg sud" carrier sailing on the Elbe in the city. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) Hamburg Swimming in the Hanseatic city isn't officially recommended because the maritime river's a major commercial waterway. That means strong undercurrents and not the best water quality, so you'll see warnings strongly advising against getting in. Even though some people do swim – cautiously – by the beaches along the banks of the river, the Elbstrand, the city says it's not suitable for swimming or bathing. Most people who fancy an outdoor swim, head to nearby supervised lakes, such as Boberger See and Eichbaumsee. Advertisement Düsseldorf, Cologne and Bonn Swimming is off limits in several parts of the busy Rhine in these neighbouring cities, but even where it's not prohibited it can be extremely dangerous – even for experienced swimmers. Several people drown every year because they didn't heed the warnings. [embed] The city administrations and fire brigades regularly remind people not to swim in the river at all and there are notices up – in English, too – warning tempted tourists of the dangers. Dangers include strong undercurrents, hidden obstacles forming treacherous whirlpools and shipping traffic, such as large freighters and tankers, creating strong currents and suction effects. If you want to swim, you're better off visiting one of the cities' nearby lakes or lidos. READ ALSO: How to stay safe while swimming outdoors in Germany this summer Wherever you swim, remember to check conditions before you go in and follow the usual advice to keep yourself and others safe: be careful about going in if you're too hot (due to the extreme temperature difference) and never swim if you've been drinking alcohol or have just eaten. Do you have a favourite city swimming spot? Let us know in the comments!
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Coherent Stock Falls 23% This Year. AI To The Rescue?
10 March 2025, Bavaria, Gilching Bei München: The lettering and logo of Coherent Munich GmbH & Co. ... More KG can be seen at one of the company's sites in Gilching near Munich (Bavaria). Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images) Coherent stock (NYSE:COHR), a prominent player in photonics technology, provides materials, photonics, and laser technologies to a variety of end markets, has decreased by nearly 23% year-to-date in 2025. This decline has been fueled by a mixed macroeconomic environment, somewhat cautious near-term forecasts from the company earlier this year, along with a broader market shift away from certain high-growth AI and tech stocks. Nevertheless, Coherent's fundamental performance has remained quite robust. In Q3, revenue (June fiscal year) increased by 24% year-over-year to $1.5 billion, and earnings surged to $0.91 per share on an adjusted basis, rising by $0.53 compared to last year. On a separate note, see – Should You Buy CRWV Stock After A Whopping 4x Rise? Coherent has been placing an increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) products. The robust revenue performance over the previous quarter is primarily attributed to the strong demand for its AI/ML-related transceivers, with revenue from the 800G model, utilized for ultra-fast data transmission, skyrocketing nearly 80% sequentially to nearly $200 million. AI necessitates the transfer of large volumes of data with very low latency requirements, and Coherent is well-equipped as it boasts one of the most extensive portfolios of photonic technologies essential for high-speed optical data transmission. Considering the valuation based on sales or profit per dollar, COHR stock appears slightly undervalued in comparison to the broader market. Coherent has a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 2.2 compared to a figure of 3.0 for the S&P 500. Moreover, the company's price-to-free cash flow (P/FCF) ratio stands at 18.9, whereas the S&P 500 is at 20.5. Coherent's growth metrics have also been strong. Coherent's Revenues have increased at an average rate of 22.1% over the past three years, while rising 21.7% from $4.6 billion to $5.6 billion in the previous 12 months. However, concerns regarding profitability remain. Coherent's Operating Income over the last four quarters amounted to $467 million, indicating a disappointing Operating Margin of 8.4% (compared to 13.2% for the S&P 500). Coherent's Operating Cash Flow (OCF) during this period reached $666 million, resulting in a poor OCF Margin of 11.9% (compared to 14.9% for the S&P 500). Nevertheless, margins are expected to improve as high-margin products like AI-related data communication transceivers and advanced industrial lasers see increased demand. Adjusted gross margins have risen to 38.5% over the last quarter, reflecting an increase of around 490 basis points year-over-year, with the company aiming for 40% margins in the near future. This, in tandem with a higher revenue base, could enhance operating margins as well. There are additional positive aspects for Coherent. Coherent's industrial laser division may experience greater traction, as the demand for advanced lasers that aid manufacturers in cutting, welding, and shaping materials with high precision grows as industries increasingly embrace automation. The company has a global manufacturing presence spread across approximately 60 locations in 14 countries, with about half of its manufacturing sites situated in the U.S. This should protect it from potential tariffs on imported semiconductors imposed by the Trump administration, unlike many fabless companies that depend on imports. While there may be potential for COHR stock to rise, the Trefis Reinforced Value (RV) Portfolio has outperformed its all-cap stocks benchmark (a combination of the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 benchmark indices), delivering strong returns for investors. Why is that? The quarterly rebalanced mix of large-, mid-, and small-cap RV Portfolio stocks has provided a flexible approach to capitalize on favorable market conditions while minimizing losses when markets decline, as elaborated in RV Portfolio performance metrics.
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Buy MSFT Stock At $460?
23 May 2025, Bavaria, Munich: The Microsoft logo and lettering can be seen on the Microsoft ... More Deutschland GmbH headquarters building in Parkstadt Schwabing in Munich (Bavaria) on May 23, 2025. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images) Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) stock has experienced a notable increase of 16% over the last month, surpassing the S&P 500's 6% rise. This growth is primarily attributed to Microsoft's impressive Q1 earnings exceeding expectations and a positive outlook, bolstered by its dominance in cloud computing and AI, especially with significant Azure growth. However, following its recent ascent, is MSFT stock still worth buying? Yes, we believe that MSFT stock, which is currently priced around $460, offers an appealing buying opportunity. Though its present valuation is elevated compared to the benchmark index, making it susceptible to negative events, we do not see any significant reasons for concern. Our assessment stems from a thorough evaluation of Microsoft's present valuation relative to its historical operational performance and financial condition. We have examined Microsoft against key criteria: Growth, Profitability, Financial Stability, and Downturn Resilience. This evaluation indicates a robust operational performance and financial status, which we will explain in more detail below. That being said, if you are looking for upside potential with lower volatility compared to individual stocks, the Trefis High Quality portfolio offers an alternative — it has outperformed the S&P 500 and achieved returns exceeding 91% since its launch. Separately, see – Nvidia Stock's 1 Big Risk Based on the price you pay per dollar of sales or profit, MSFT stock appears overpriced in relation to the broader market. Microsoft's Revenues have experienced significant growth in recent years. Microsoft's profit margins are significantly higher than those of most companies in the Trefis coverage universe. Microsoft's financial position is very solid. MSFT stock has experienced an impact that was slightly more favorable than the benchmark S&P 500 index during some recent downturns. Concerned about how a market crash might affect MSFT stock? Our dashboard How Low Can Microsoft Stock Go In A Market Crash? provides a comprehensive analysis of how the stock fared during and after previous market crashes. In conclusion, Microsoft's performance across the evaluated criteria is as follows: Microsoft has showcased strong performance in key financial metrics. Although its current valuation seems elevated compared to the broader market, it is consistent with Microsoft's own historical performance. For example, the current price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 12.6x aligns with its 12.4x average over the past four years. Similarly, the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 35x is in line with the stock's average P/E during the same timeframe. Looking forward, significant growth in Azure is expected to fuel further increases in valuation multiples. The company's revenue growth over the next three years is projected to average in the low double-digits, compared to a 12% average over the preceding three years. Overall, despite its recent increases, we believe MSFT stock continues to be an attractive buy at current levels. In fact, we estimate Microsoft's valuation to be $535 per share, indicating over 15% upside potential. Nevertheless, it is vital to recognize potential risks. A downturn in economic growth or a recession could result in decreased corporate investments in infrastructure, potentially affecting Microsoft's revenue growth. Even though MSFT stock has historically performed better than the benchmark index during economic downturns, a decline in its stock price during such situations cannot be dismissed. Not entirely satisfied with the volatile nature of MSFT stock? The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, comprising 30 stocks, has a proven history of consistently outperforming the S&P 500 over the past four years. What accounts for this? As a collective, HQ Portfolio stocks have delivered superior returns with reduced risk compared to the benchmark index; a more stable investment experience, as demonstrated by HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Should You Buy or Sell CRM Stock Ahead of Its Earnings?
20 March 2025, Bavaria, Munich: The Salesforce logo and lettering can be seen on the facade of the ... More company's Munich headquarters on March 20, 2025 in Munich (Bavaria). Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images) Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) is set to announce its earnings on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. For traders who operate based on events, historical trends around earnings announcements can serve as a significant reference. In the past five years, CRM stock has exhibited a varied but predictable pattern the day after its earnings announcement: in 50% of occurrences, it posted a positive one-day return with a median increase of 7.4%, while in the remaining 50% of instances, it recorded a negative one-day return with a median decrease of 5.5%. Although actual results compared to consensus forecasts will greatly impact the stock's movement, grasping these historical probabilities can assist traders in positioning themselves effectively. There are two primary strategies for event-driven traders: assessing historical probabilities and taking a position prior to the earnings announcement, or watching the correlation between immediate and medium-term returns after the earnings are disclosed and then adjusting their positions accordingly. Analysts expect CRM to announce earnings of $2.55 per share on revenues of $9.75 billion, up from $2.44 per share on revenues of $9.13 billion for the same quarter last year. From a fundamental angle, CRM currently has a market cap of $262 billion. In the last twelve months, the company generated $38 billion in revenue, showcasing robust operational profitability with reported operating profits of $7.7 billion and a net income of $6.2 billion. If you are looking for potential gains with less volatility than individual stocks, the Trefis High Quality portfolio offers an alternative — it has surpassed the S&P 500 and yielded returns exceeding 91% since its inception. Also, see – What Sparked UNH Stock Crash? See earnings reaction history of all stocks Some insights on one-day (1D) post-earnings returns: Additional information for noted 5-Day (5D) and 21-Day (21D) returns following earnings is summarized along with the statistics in the table below. CRM 1D, 5D, and 21D Post Earnings Return A comparatively less risky approach (although not beneficial if the correlation is low) is to comprehend the correlation between short-term and medium-term returns after earnings, identify the pair that presents the highest correlation, and execute the relevant trade. For instance, if 1D and 5D indicate the highest correlation, a trader can position themselves "long" for the following 5 days if the 1D post-earnings return is positive. Here is some correlation data based on 5-year and 3-year (more recent) history. Note that the correlation 1D_5D refers to the relationship between 1D post-earnings returns and subsequent 5D returns. CRM Correlation Between 1D, 5D and 21D Historical Returns At times, the performance of peers can affect the stock's reaction post-earnings. In fact, the pricing might start even before the earnings are made public. Here is some historical data regarding the previous post-earnings performance of Salesforce stock compared to the stock performance of peers that reported earnings just prior to Salesforce. For fair comparison, peer stock returns also reflect post-earnings one-day (1D) returns. CRM Correlation With Peer Earnings Learn more about Trefis RV strategy that has outperformed its all-cap stocks benchmark (a combination of all three: the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000), delivering substantial returns for investors. Additionally, if you are looking for potential gains with a more stable performance than an individual stock like Salesforce, consider the High Quality portfolio, which has exceeded the S&P and achieved >91% returns since its inception.
