Latest news with #SBO
Focus Malaysia
7 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
CPO prices dip on geopolitical tensions, expected to stabilise in 2026
RHB expect 2026 to be a more balanced year fundamentally, with lower year-on-year (YoY) crude palm oil (CPO) prices, but geopolitical risks will translate to more volatility. Spot CPO prices have moderated from MYR4,600-4,800/tonne in 1Q25 to a low of MYR3,780/tonne in May, only to bounce back to the current levels of MYR3,900-MYR4,100/tonne. The downward movement was mainly driven by geopolitics in the light of the US trade tariffs, wars, and crude oil prices falling, all of which pushed CPO prices in the same direction. Correlation between CPO prices and crude oil prices surged to 0.47 in Apr 2025 from -0.6 in 1Q25, and subsequently rose further to current levels of 0.68, due to raised geopolitical risks. Besides following crude oil price trends, CPO prices also followed the lead of soybean oil (SBO) prices which rose due to the recent US biofuel policy change, leading to a rise in blending targets. We expect CPO prices to remain volatile given the ever-changing geopolitical situation. Fundamentally however, global supply and demand will likely be more balanced in 2026, as supply improves, while demand should pick up given the more attractive relative prices. Supply of 17 oils and fats complex is expected to improve YoY in 2026F, coming from a partial recovery of palm, sunflower and rapeseed supplies, as well as continued growth from soybeans. Still, the stock/usage ratio of the 17 oils and fats complex is still expected to remain below the historical average of 13.6%, at 12.9% for Oct 2025/Sep 2026, albeit up from 12.7% in 2025. This leaves very little cushion in case of any short-term bullish supply or demand surprises, hence raising the risk of price volatility going forward. What does this mean for relative prices of vegetable oils and demand? Ignoring the noises from geopolitics, we expect 2026F to see: i) Muted soybean prices, due to continued strong supply in 2026F. ii) SBO prices remain supported at higher levels, due to the higher demand from increased US biofuel blending. iii) CPO prices to continue trading at a discount to SBO in the medium term (currently at USD217/tonne discount). iv) demand from price sensitive countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh come back. We revise down our CPO price assumptions to MYR4,100/tonne (from MYR4,300) for 2025 and to MYR4,000/tonne (from MYR4,100) for 2026 and 2027; but revise up our PK prices to MYR3,300/tonne for 2025F (from MYR2,800) and to MYR3,200/tonne for 2026F and 2027F (from MYR2,600). Post annual ESG review, we have made several changes to our ESG scores and rolled forward our valuation targets to 2026 (from 2025). All in, we downgraded two stocks to NEUTRAL – Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) and Bumitama Agri (BAL), post earnings revision. —July 9, 2025 Main image: The
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas launches new resources for small businesses, entrepreneurs
Taylor Overton leads the new Kansas Department of Commerce Small Business Office. She spoke Tuesday at the Tee Box in Topeka. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Tools for small business owners are now available through the Kansas Small Business Office, leaders with the Kansas Department of Commerce announced Tuesday while highlighting the need to encourage entrepreneurship and business development in the state. Connect KS, a resource website that will answer questions of small business owners and help them find resources in their part of the state, is part of the SBO, said Taylor Overton, who heads up the new office. The resources were announced at an event at the Tee Box in downtown Topeka that drew entrepreneurs from across the state to share the importance of finding programs and information to help them succeed. In addition, many spoke about being part of a Kansas delegation recently at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indiana. 'One of the reasons why this is so important is that new businesses under five years old create the most net new jobs in our economy,' said Jason Grill, with Right to Start, a nonprofit organization that advocates for small businesses. 'They also grow GDP, and they increase lifetime incomes. They increase community wealth, very much so, in lifetime incomes, they diversify our goods and services in our communities, and they fight inequality and poverty.' Grill told about 50 people gathered that for every 1% increase in entrepreneurship in a community, there is a 2% decrease in poverty. Joshua Jefferson, deputy secretary of business development at the commerce department, said the coordination of resources throughout the state is key to the new initiatives. 'We're here to commit to the work of a new era in small business support here in Kansas,' he said. 'The COVID 19 pandemic exposed that the Kansas Department of Commerce was not doing enough for small businesses in the state of Kansas. In the wake of a once-in-a-century economic crisis, we examined the way that the agency was working, and in the process, we discovered that we really weren't supporting small business as much as we could, or that we should.' Jefferson said the creation of the SBO, along with resources like Connect KS, was the culmination of those efforts to change the state's support network. 'We can do more, and we will do more,' he said. He outlined resources included in the SBO and stressed that part of the task has been making them easier to navigate and accessible to all Kansans. 'By creating a coordinated statewide hub for entrepreneurs at every stage, we're coordinating key resources and creating centralized points of contact for entrepreneurs who are navigating the tough work of business development certifications, permitting access to capital, mentorships and much, much more,' he said. Much of the work of the SBO is connecting people with opportunity, and Overton said she was excited to take a Kansas delegation to the global congress to network with people from around the world. Wichita business owner Kristin Kienzle, who attended the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indiana, said she is learning about creating a successful franchising model that can be replicated nationwide as she explores opportunities to expand into Oklahoma. Kienzle, who owns Utopia Modern Salon Suites, grew her unique approach to offering salon services from one site to three in Wichita, with more on the way. 'I learned some tactical things. I learned some inspirational things and then I also just kind of learned some things about myself,' she said. Being with other entrepreneurs helped her realize how little people understand about what it takes to start a business and manage all the risks. 'As an entrepreneur, we just do what we do,' she said. 'So being in the room on a grand stage with all these people who have done great things, everyone from Mark Cuban down to the guy who started this business six weeks ago, and everything in between was just so it just made me realize, wow, these people, and this is a really unique crowd.' Trademark attorney Julie Grabbe, of Hays, said meeting people from other countries was valuable. 'I'm in west Kansas, so we're in a different situation than a lot of the more metropolitan cities,' she said. 'But commerce is very important to us. We want to be able to keep our young talent. We want to keep growing our cities. We want it to be a vibrant place to live. I think one of the ways to do that is really to have the support of the state to go out and do these kinds of things and get these ideas.'
Newsweek
04-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
SNAP Cuts Could Cost Michigan $900 Million: 'Unacceptable'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Budget officials in Michigan have reported that federal food assistance spending cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would cost Michigan approximately $900 million. The budget bill, passed by the House of Representatives in May and being considered by the Senate currently, exceeds 1,000 pages and contains some of the most significant changes to food stamp eligibility and benefits in recent years. Some $290 billion is earmarked to be cut from the nation's largest anti-poverty program via tightening eligibility, shifting program costs to states and limiting future benefit increases. Why It Matters Around 15 percent of Michigan's population—nearly 1.5 million residents—relies on SNAP benefits to help them purchase essential groceries. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank, more than 59 percent of SNAP participants in the Great Lakes State are in families with children, and 39 percent are in families with older adults or are disabled. What To Know The State Budget Office (SBO) memo, prepared in consultation with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), concluded that the state likely would not be able to cover the food assistance cuts without severely harming funding for education, public safety and Medicaid. Stock image/file photo: Customer entering a grocery store. Stock image/file photo: Customer entering a grocery store. GETTY The SBO also said there would be a knock-on effect on businesses in Michigan. In the 2024 fiscal year, it reported $3.2 billion in SNAP benefits "supported almost 10,000 retailers across the state, paying grocery stores, farmers markets, and other businesses in Michigan and contributing to local economies," saying that federal cuts would be "devastating." Michigan is not the first state to outline the significant financial impact Republican plans could have on state finances. In late May, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said the state would lose some $314 million in food assistance if President Trump's bill comes to pass. What People Are Saying Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement on Wednesday: "In Michigan, we will fight to make sure our kids and families are fed, but we need Republicans in our congressional delegation to step up for their own constituents who need SNAP and Medicaid to survive. If these cuts are signed into law, more Michiganders will go to bed with a pit in their stomach. That's unacceptable." The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank, reported in March: "Mandating that states pay even a small share of SNAP food benefit costs would hit state budgets hard at a time when many states are facing revenue downturns. States are not in a position to absorb these substantial additional costs. In fiscal year 2024, tax revenue fell in 40 states after adjusting for inflation, and many states are projecting budget shortfalls in the short and long term." President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will "make sure SNAP is focused on Americans ONLY!" What Happens Next The legislation moves to the GOP-controlled Senate this week, where potential changes to the bill will be considered.
New York Post
26-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Business owners reveal their biggest hurdles in setting up shop in the US
From working too many hours to being let down by a vendor and underestimating costs, a new survey reveals the biggest hurdles business owners faced when first starting out. A survey of 1,000 small business owners (SBOs) and freelancers pinpointed the things they wish they'd known from the start. Advertisement Results showed financial missteps as one of the most common challenges SBOs faced – underestimating just how much things would cost and ensuring proper cash flow impacted over a third of SBOs (36%) early on. Wishing they'd had more support or been able to do more marketing was the second-most mentioned area (29%), while being able to maintain a good work-life balance was something over one in four (27%) business owners and freelancers said they found difficult to manage. 4 A survey of 1,000 small business owners (SBOs) and freelancers pinpointed the things they wish they'd known from the start. While the struggle to attain work-life balance affected many new entrepreneurs, results showed a supportive community can really make the difference – eight in 10 SBOs attribute much of their success to their network of partners and vendors. Advertisement The survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of HP for its Instant Ink service found that while many SBOs faced early adversity, they built confidence in their leadership ability – the average SBO surveyed said it took just over two years to feel like a fully confident business owner. That experience is hard-earned – the average SBO estimates they put in just over 50 hours a week to launch their business or establish themself as a freelancer in their field. 4 Results showed financial missteps as one of the most common challenges SBOs faced. Pormezz – A quarter (27%) of owners said 60-hour weeks or longer were the norm, while one in six (16%) were clocking more than 70 hours. Advertisement 'Having a trusted tech partner is essential for small business owners,' said Diana Sroka, SVP of consumer services product for HP. 'With limited time and budget, it's important to find solutions that are smart, flexible and adaptable to the unique needs of each business.' Those long weeks show a small business owner must often wear many hats. In fact, the average owner estimates they did the equivalent of three full-time roles, with customer service, operations and sales being the most common areas SBOs said they had to manage themselves. That places even more emphasis on the need for strong partnerships and a reliable network, yet many SBOs report being let down. Two in five (38%) said a vendor or partner had failed them in some way that significantly impacted their business. 4 The average SBO estimates they put in just over 50 hours a week to launch their business or establish themself as a freelancer in their field. Advertisement It's no surprise then that 79% claimed having a trusted network of partners and vendors is important to their success – they even ranked having good connections in business as more important than having sufficient cash flow when evaluating what contributed to performance (76% vs. 64%). Interestingly, despite the hardships, 41% said they wouldn't change anything at all in their entrepreneurial journey because they felt those experiences helped them grow more resilient and were an integral part of their learning. And to go it alone, you need the vision – when asked what their most indispensable resource was as an entrepreneur, SBOs overwhelmingly cited 'my own creativity.' 'In the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, the importance of strong partnerships – especially with a reliable tech partner – cannot be overstated,' added Sroka. 'Too many small business owners face setbacks due to broken trust, missed expectations and technology failures. Building a strong tech partnership is crucial to keeping business moving forward in a constantly evolving landscape.' 4 It's no surprise that 79% claimed having a trusted network of partners and vendors is important to their success. BIGGEST HURDLES FACED BY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS Underestimating costs (36%) Not doing enough marketing (29%) Ignoring work-life balance (27%) Pricing products or services incorrectly (25%) Not doing enough research on the market (15%) Choosing the wrong vendors or partners (14%) Not investing enough in technology (10%) Not delegating (10%) Neglecting customer experience (7%) Not outsourcing (7%) Skimping on legal and administrative essentials (6%) Advertisement Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 1,000 small business owners (SBOs) and freelancers (split 50/50); the survey was commissioned by HP and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 17 – March 26, 2025.
Los Angeles Times
17-04-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Small Bowel Obstruction and How You Can Manage It
Small bowel obstruction (SBO) can present as an acute condition requiring prompt attention, where something blocks the normal flow of food and liquid through the small intestine [1], [3]. This can be as simple as a clump of scar tissue preventing things from moving forward, or it can be caused by conditions like hernias or inflammation. Table of Contents Acute small bowel obstruction is more common than many people think; it has been reported to cause about 2% of all visits to the emergency department for abdominal pain. It also makes up a substantial chunk—around 12% to 16%—of emergency surgical admissions, and it leads to roughly 20% of emergency surgical procedures [1], [4]. Because of these high numbers, early detection and proper treatment matter a lot. If left untreated, an obstruction can lead to perforation (a hole in the bowel) or strangulation (tissue death), both of which can be very serious. The most frequent cause of SBO is the presence of intra-abdominal adhesions (scar tissue) that form after an abdominal surgery. These adhesions are responsible for about 65% of all cases [4]. Other causes may include: Crohn disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases are significant etiological factors for SBO, particularly in patients with a history of these conditions. This make it also slightly different than others like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Scar tissue often shows up after surgery as the body heals. Over time, these bands of tissue can tighten or create knots. When they snag or twist a part of the intestines, it leads to a blockage that must be addressed before it causes more harm. When a blockage occurs in the small intestine: This chain reaction can progress quickly. The more the intestine stays obstructed, the more fluid and nutrients get trapped, leading to more swelling, more pain, and possibly worse outcomes if not treated in time. SBO typically shows up with: Often, people with SBO will mention that they had past abdominal surgeries. This is a key predictor, since previous operations increase the likelihood of adhesions forming over the years [1]. Doctors generally take note of certain signs to suspect SBO: Once the patient's symptoms and exam point to a probable SBO, imaging tests such as CT scans or MR enterography help confirm the diagnosis. These tests can reveal where the obstruction is, what might be causing it (e.g., adhesions or hernias), and whether there are hints of strangulation or blood supply issues [2], [7]. Imaging can also reveal bowel wall thickening and edema, which are indicative of complications. Additionally, imaging can identify signs of vascular compromise, which necessitate prompt surgical intervention. Such detailed information from the images allows doctors to decide if surgery is necessary right away or if less invasive options could work first. In the past, surgery was the first plan of action for SBO. Nowadays, doctors often try a combination of methods that do not always require an operation. These changes are thanks to better understanding of how SBO develops, the use of laparoscopic techniques, and improved imaging technology that gives a clearer picture of what's going on inside [8]. Small bowel obstruction, often caused by scar tissue, hernias, or tumors, requires immediate care to prevent serious complications. Quick diagnosis is essential, as untreated obstruction can lead to bowel perforation or tissue death. While modern diagnostic methods and nonoperative treatments can be effective, surgery remains crucial in certain cases. Awareness of risk factors and prompt intervention are key to a successful recovery. [1] Taylor, M. R., & Lalani, N. (2013). Adult small bowel obstruction. Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, 20(6), 528–544. [2] Silva, A. C., Pimenta, M., & Guimarães, L. S. (2009). Small bowel obstruction: what to look for. Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc, 29(2), 423–439. [3] Bower, K. L., Lollar, D. I., Williams, S. L., Adkins, F. C., Luyimbazi, D. T., & Bower, C. E. (2018). Small Bowel Obstruction. The Surgical clinics of North America, 98(5), 945–971. [4] Tong, J. W. V., Lingam, P., & Shelat, V. G. (2020). Adhesive small bowel obstruction - an update. Acute medicine & surgery, 7(1), e587. [5] Rami Reddy, S. R., & Cappell, M. S. (2017). A Systematic Review of the Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Small Bowel Obstruction. Current gastroenterology reports, 19(6), 28. [6] Azagury, D., Liu, R. C., Morgan, A., & Spain, D. A. (2015). Small bowel obstruction: A practical step-by-step evidence-based approach to evaluation, decision making, and management. The journal of trauma and acute care surgery, 79(4), 661–668. [7] Tai, F. W. D., & Sidhu, R. (2023). Small bowel obstruction: what a gastroenterologist needs to know. Current opinion in gastroenterology, 39(3), 234–241. [8] Aka, A. A., Wright, J. P., & DeBeche-Adams, T. (2021). Small Bowel Obstruction. Clinics in colon and rectal surgery, 34(4), 219–226. [9] Cappell, M. S., & Batke, M. (2008). Mechanical obstruction of the small bowel and colon. The Medical clinics of North America, 92(3), 575–viii.
