Latest news with #Platinum
CNBC
17 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Platinum Equity-backed McGraw Hill files for U.S. IPO
McGraw Hill, a textbook publisher and educational courses provider backed by billionaire Tom Gores' Platinum Equity, filed for an initial public offering in the United States on Friday. The move comes nearly four years after the company's $4.5 billion acquisition by Platinum, and coincides with the gradual reopening of the IPO market. Recent strong market debuts, such as stablecoin giant Circle, have also encouraged more companies to list their shares. Columbus, Ohio-based McGraw Hill disclosed a revenue of $2.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, up 7% from the year before. Its net loss narrowed to $85.8 million, compared with $193 million a year earlier. McGraw Hill is the holding company of McGraw-Hill Education, which previously attempted to go public but withdrew its filing in 2018. It is one of the most recognized names in the publishing industry, and has a global sales team of nearly 1,500. The company will aim to trade on the NYSE under the symbol "MH". Goldman Sachs is the lead underwriter for the IPO.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Platinum ETF (PPLT) Hits New 52-Week High
GraniteShares Platinum Trust PLTM is probably on the radar for investors seeking momentum. The fund just hit a 52-week high and moved up 58.6% from its 52-week low price of $8.72/share. Are more gains in store for this ETF? Let us take a quick look at the fund and the near-term outlook on it to get a better idea of where it might be headed. This ETF is designed to track the price of Platinum Bullion. The product charges 50 bps in annual fees. Platinum has surged more than 50% in 2025, driven by supply shortages and rising Chinese imports. A projected deficit, declining mine output, weak recycling, and falling inventories are tightening supply. Meanwhile, demand remains strong from autos, jewelry, and a jump in investment inflows. The ETF PPLT might continue its strong performance in the near term, with a positive weighted alpha of 61.16, which gives cues of a further rally. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Silver Finally Confirms Platinum's Take
Another day, another bearish confirmation. And I don't even mean (not one but) two breakdown in silver that we see in today's pre-market trading. Yes, this is bearish. Even if silver moves back up in a way later, the fact that silver moved below the support lines based on the intraday price extremes is already notable. Actually, a move back up (perhaps to the rising support line) before the slide continues wouldn't be surprising at all. Yes, it is in perfect tune with the signals coming from the platinum. And yes, it is particularly bearish given what's happening in the USD Index. But before I move to that, let's take a look at gold. It broke down below its rising support line and continued to decline since that time. Right now, gold is below its late-May high, and with just a little more weakness, June will become a down month for gold. While gold's and silver's breakdowns are important on their own, what makes them truly remarkable is that they both happened while the USD declined. The USD Index corrected a bit today, which is quite normal as it encountered a strong, medium-term resistance. While I fully expect this resistance line to be broken given the significance of the recent buy signals (invalidations of breakdowns + the super-strong long-term support from which the USDX rallied), seeing a pullback right now is simply natural. What is not natural is that both precious metals declined despite that. Think about it: if gold failed to rally despite dramatic increase in tensions in the Middle East and a new military conflict in general AND despite the decline in the USD Index… Then what could possibly drive its price higher here? Yes, there are some extreme cases like the financial system meltdown, introducing of a government-backed cryptocurrency that everyone would be forced to adopt instead of using anything else… But aside of those extreme cases, it looks like there's very little that can contribute to further rallies. I mean, I saw many situations where gold and the rest of the precious metals market was weak throughout 20 years of my precious metals market analysis, but this… This is exceptional. I wrote about how the platinum market confirms all this, and I'm going to add one more detail today: the price-volume link during the most recent price moves. Volume peaked when platinum reversed about a week ago. That was the first top. The second top formed on declining and much weaker volume. This is how it looks like when buying power is drying up. And now, when platinum is starting to decline, the volume is picking up again. Now, please consider the following: the platinum market is tiny market compared to gold and silver. So, if the investment public entered the precious metals market, the impact was likely felt here in the most dramatic way. This is exactly what I think happened – and we saw the exact same thing at the 2008 top. This is extremely important (and quite exciting) to see that during the second top in platinum, the volume actually declined. This is like the first crack in the dam. Perhaps in one of the most investment-public-saturated markets, the wave of buying is ending – the buyers get tired. The buying frenzy is over. And as no new buyers are able to keep pushing the price higher, it can do only one thing – decline. To clarify, when there are no buyers or sellers, the price doesn't stay at the same level – it declines until buyers emerge. So, as it seems that those that enter the market in the final parts of the rally are not only in the market, but that all of them already entered… It tells us that the rally is indeed over. Not just in this market, but in the entire precious metals complex, and perhaps in many other markets. The 2008 top in platinum wasn't an isolated signal just for PMs, was it? If you have your gold as insurance and you're happy with your portfolio as it is, you might simply watch out for the trading long positions here (or consider hedging them). Also, speaking of one's portfolio, we recently published a brand new, interactive, Golden Meadow® Portfolio Calculator which might help to put things into perspective – I encourage you to check it out. Thank you for reading my today's analysis – I appreciate that you took the time to dig deeper and that you read the entire piece. If you'd like to get more (and extra details not available to 99% investors), I invite you to stay updated with our free analyses - sign up for our free gold newsletter now. Thank you. Przemyslaw K. Radomski, CFA Founder, Editor-in-chief
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Ford Ranger Interior Layout & Technology
Interior What is it like on the inside? We'll start with the obvious: that huge portrait central touchscreen, measuring 10.1in in lower spec models, and 12in in upper spec models. It runs Ford's SYNC 4 operating system, and take it from us, it's an excellent bit of kit; easy on the eye, logical to operate, and smooth functioning. Though we'd be slightly worried about using our mucky paws on it after a hard day's graft. In front of the driver sits an eight-inch or 10.1in digital instrument cluster depending on the spec, but you get the usual physical switchgear on the steering wheel, and while almost everything is now controlled through said screen, Ford has also used common sense and retained the aircon controls, which are situated directly beneath, plus a few drive mode buttons on the centre console. Advertisement - Page continues below More family hauler, less workhorse, then? Sure, the cabin itself feels a general step up in quality over the previous generation Ranger, with premium materials and soft touch plastic throughout, but the answer to that question really depends on the spec you go for. Base-spec models are more rugged by nature and don't pack quite the same creature comforts as upper models, with the range getting ever posher as you work your way up. More on that on the Buying tab, but the Wildtrack that we tested certainly felt as though it could be used for family duties with few complaints. The top-spec Platinum almost feels too posh for work purposes with its fancy leather trim. You sit high, with a commanding view over the road, while the seats are hugely comfortable and plenty supportive. Rear visibility isn't great, but rear sensors and camera are thankfully standard fit. There's more space in the rear compared with the previous generation thanks to the longer wheelbase and wider track too. Any gimmicks of note? Well, the bed is now plastic-moulded to protect owners' knees (and against scratches), and it's now wide enough to fit a full-size pallet loaded sideways. There's also extra tie-down points to secure loads, dividers to stop timber or toolboxes sliding around, a tailgate that doubles up as a workbench and a lighting system – touchscreen or app controlled – to help you see what you're doing in the dark. Advertisement - Page continues below Browsing the spec list also revealed a 'Power to the Box' feature on top-spec models, which allows you to use tools, recharge batteries, or run appliances such as a kettle – because you can never have too much coffee – directly from the load bay. Handy. The power closing load bay cover is also pretty cool, but an expensive way to be lazy at £1,800. Anything I need to know about the hybrid? The only real differences are a few different displays on the inside, some buttons to control when you want to run on electric only, and a small 31mm ramp in the bed that allows the battery to sit underneath using a modified frame. So yes, there is ever so slightly less space in the back than you'd find in the diesel. One major bonus though is the addition of Ford's Pro Power Onboard tech. You'll have to tick an option box to get it (although it's free of charge on the top-spec Stormtrak), but it's well worth it with the option of a hefty 6.9kW system that could run a compact cement mixer, an angle grinder and floodlights all at the same time. Impressive. There's also a lighter 2.3 kW system that could run things like a portable fridge or charge e-bikes.
Motor Trend
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum AWD First Test: A Candidate for Most Improved?
Pros Among the quickest in class Spacious cabin, comfortable ride Premium interior look and feel Cons You look like a cop BlueCruise still needs work Small third row We're not in the habit of handing out dozens of vehicle awards each year, but if we were, the 2025 Ford Explorer would be the odds-on favorite for 'most improved.' When the sixth-generation Explorer arrived back in 2020, we panned it for its unrefined ride, poor engine tuning, dated technology, and cheap build quality. Much has changed for the better, however, with the refreshed the 2025 Ford Explorer. The Platinum AWD model we just drove represents a marked improvement over previous Explorers, turning it from an also-ran to a three-row family SUV that's more than worthy of consideration. The 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum AWD is significantly improved, featuring a refined ride, enhanced interior, and advanced tech. With a 400-hp V-6, it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Priced at $61,740, it offers value against rivals, boasting premium features and a smooth driving experience. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next What's New for the 2025 Explorer While the Explorer has undergone plenty of positive changes, the song remains the same under the hood (well, unless you're looking for the hybrid option, which is now only available on Explorer police cars). Its carryover engine options are gas only, namely the 300-hp 2.3-liter turbo-four, or in the case of our luxeish Explorer Platinum, the more powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that produces 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Both are also paired to the same 10-speed automatic, which, unlike most three-row SUVs in its segment, powers the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is of course an option (equipped on our test vehicle) for $2,000 extra. Much like a home flip, Ford spent sparingly but smartly, gussying up the Explorer where it would make the biggest difference. New grille and wheel treatments telegraph the changes outside (though as our photographer noted when we pulled up to our shoot, 'I thought you were a cop'), but inside is where the most drastic and impactful updates were made. All 2025 Explorers get a redesigned dashboard, a new, 13.2-inch Ford Digital Experience infotainment display, and on higher-spec models like our Explorer Platinum, Ford's BlueCruise hands-free advanced driver assist system. Ford also invested heavily in redesigning the center stack and console, improving materials quality and trim mixtures. How It Drives Based on our time behind the wheel of the new 2025 Explorer Platinum, we suspect that instead of revamping engine power, for example, Ford engineers decided to dedicate much of their time to improving the overall refinement of the family SUV's powertrain and chassis. While most Explorer drivers—save your local sheriff—won't care about this SUV's outright performance numbers, they're nevertheless impressive for the class. Bearing in mind that a quicker Explorer ST with the same powertrain exists (stay tuned for that test), the Explorer Platinum accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk 5.9 seconds and clears the quarter mile in 14.5 seconds at 95.4 mph. That's quicker than just about anything in the class, save for EVs like the Kia EV9 and hot rods such as its Explorer ST sibling and Durango Hellcat. Its closest competitor would be the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, which matches the Explorer's 0–60-mph time but trails it in the quarter mile, needing 14.7 seconds at 93.5 mph. The Explorer Platinum brakes and handles well for the class, too. It stops from 60 mph in 126 feet, and it lapped our figure-eight handling course in a respectable 26.7 seconds at 0.68 g average. This V-6-powered Explorer also posts respectable fuel economy figures, netting an EPA-estimated 18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined. That trails the range-topping Grand Highlander Hybrid Max's 20/26/22 mpg score by a hair while also matching or besting many of the competitors in the segment, including the Chevrolet Traverse and Kia Telluride. There's nothing outright exciting about the Explorer Platinum, but driving it on the same roads where the pre-refresh version finished dead last in a comparison test with the rest of the class really highlights the improvements to the 2025 model. The throttle response from the V-6 is smooth, with a glut of low-end torque that makes the Ford leap forward off the line or past slower traffic effortlessly. The transmission tuning is likewise much improved, with the 10-speed automatic working nearly imperceptivity in the background. There are no paddle shifters to be found in this version of the Explorer, but we could goad the Ford into downshifts by switching into Sport mode or shifting the transmission into low on long descending grades. The Explorer also excels as a family vehicle thanks to its overall ride quality. Given its relatively long wheelbase, pitch, roll, and dive are minimized while accelerating, cornering, or braking, and the suspension itself does a great job of smoothing out harsher impacts and secondary shaking over rough pavement. The only negative we experienced was the Explorer Platinum's stylish 21-inch footwear, which sometimes exacerbated issues over speed bumps and potholes. From a driver assistance standpoint, although it's not as humanlike in its operation as GM's Super Cruise, the Ford BlueCruise hands-free system is a solid setup that helps ease the monotony of heavy stop-and-go highway traffic and routine interstate travel. There were a couple of small downsides, however. We found that in more complicated urban highway environments BlueCruise tended to be overly cautious, leading to slower automatic lane changes and sometimes being cut off by more decisive traffic. The Explorer is already among the roomier three-row SUVs in its class, and that doesn't change here. The second-row seats are spacious and comfortable for adults, with beefy armrests, and further benefit from overhead HVAC vents, power ports, and cupholders. The third row, which requires occupants to climb over a small driveshaft hump, is shallow and flat, with low, child-sized armrests and a hard cushion. Adults won't be happy back here, but elementary-school-aged children will fit just fine. On the plus side, parents will appreciate the easy ingress and egress to the third row, and the easily cleanable hard plastic sides. Up front, the loaded Explorer Platinum's comfortable and supportive quilted leather seats are the nicest in the house, with heating, cooling, and massage functions. The redesigned dashboard looks and feels upscale, too, with a creative mix of cloth, metallic, wood, plastic, and leather accents that lend the cabin a premium feel. The new infotainment system is snappy and responsive, and (for an internal combustion-engine-powered vehicle, at least) it features novel apps like YouTube. We're particularly fond of the metallic lip beneath the screen to rest your hand on for ease of operation, as well as the massive wireless phone charging shelf directly below the infotainment display. With average new car prices approaching $50,000, the $61,740 Explorer Platinum comes off as something of a value proposition. It undercuts rivals like the GMC Acadia Denali by a few thousand dollars, and it offers more advanced infotainment and driver assist systems than slightly cheaper models such as the Honda Pilot Elite or Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus. More than anything, the 2025 Explorer finally stands out not for what it doesn't do, but for what it does. Now where's that Most Improved trophy?
