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As more connected products are adopted, most consumers would prefer one interface to enable interoperability across devices 0

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As more connected products are adopted, most consumers would prefer one interface to enable interoperability across devices

While connected products are increasingly being adopted, 65% of consumers would prefer one interface to enable interoperability across devices Paris, France (Jan. 4, 2024) – Connected devices[1] have become an integral part of life for consumers according to the Capgemini Research Institute’s latest report, Connected products: Enhancing consumers’ lives with technology. The research found that over a third of consumers plan to buy more connected devices in the next year, with health and home security devices set to drive the most sales. While consumers have an insatiable appetite for connected products, they expect vendors to take greater responsibility for sustainability issues such as e-waste[2] and ensure stronger data protection. The survey found that 67% of consumers consider connected products a necessity and 41% say they help them to save time and make them less aggravated. Consumers’ preferences and trends are: Entertainment devices and connected vehicles: with four in five consumers owning a connected entertainment system, including smart TVs and gaming systems, connected entertainment devices are the most popular connected products globally. Connected vehicles[3] have also continued to rise in popularity with 60% of consumers now owning one. However, ownership rates vary widely between countries, with the highest rate in the...

Majesco Acquires Decision Research Corporation 0

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Majesco Acquires Decision Research Corporation

Majesco Acquires the DRC Business Bringing Market-Leading Enterprise Rating and Complementary Core Platform for the Rapidly Growing MGA, MGU and Smaller Insurer P&C Market Acquisition advances Majesco P&C Solutions by delivering crucial technologies that accelerate growth strategies, innovation, and speed to market to meet rapidly changing risk and market demands Morristown, NJ (Jan. 3, 2024) – Majesco, a global leader of cloud insurance software solutions for insurance business transformation, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Decision Research Corporation (DRC) business, a SaaS-based insurance software company delivering market-leading enterprise rating, a reinsurance solution, and core for the P&C insurance market. Majesco will add over 20 P&C customers to their growing customer community. DRC designed and delivered a market leading enterprise rating for large insurers with complex rating demands and the core platform for the rapidly growing MGA/MGU market and unique demands for smaller insurers in a rapidly changing marketplace. The DRC acquisition expands the breadth and depth of solutions to improve operational optimization, innovation, and speed to market for all parties within the P&C market. The announcement furthers Majesco’s customer-centric growth strategy and reinforces its commitment to making insurance faster, easier and better for all. “We’re thrilled to welcome...

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Jeremy Siegel: 10% Stock Gain Possible in 2024

Economic data released last week suggests that the economy is progressing at a healthy pace, “I would even call it a ‘Goldilocks’ pace,” Siegel said. “The data is not too strong to encourage the Federal Reserve to tighten and certainly not too weak to start a slowdown in corporate profits.” The Middle East conflict and the danger to cargo ships in the Red Sea have pushed oil prices up and could lead to other supply chain delays, generating inflationary pressure, Siegel wrote. “But so far these tensions are only impacting oil,” he said, “and we see no signs in other commodities, which have been stable if not declining.” Siegel said he disagrees with those who think the Fed needs to make six rate cuts this year to have a good 2024. The key point from the recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting was Jerome Powell, the Fed chair, being more flexible and willing to cut rates on economic weakness, he said, adding, “If real economic growth stays strong, the Fed could keep rates exactly where they are, and we could have strong equity markets.” Powell’s flexibility lowers the probability for recession and raises chances for continued growth or a softer landing,...

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China Broker TIAN RUIXIANG Agrees to Buy Hong Kong’s Peak Consulting Services

Article 0 Comments TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Ltd., the Beijing, China-based insurance broker, announced its subsidiary TRX HongKong Investment Ltd., has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to acquire Hong Kong insurance broker Peak Consulting Services Ltd. Financial terms of the proposed deal were not disclosed. According to the MoU, the acquisition is conditional on satisfactory findings of a due diligence review conducted by TRX HongKong. “We are excited about the proposed acquisition and the immense potential for the company to expand into the Hong Kong insurance brokerage market, which can offer robust growth opportunities,” commented Zhe Wang, chairman and CEO of the company. “This proposed acquisition aligns well with our long-term strategic vision of becoming a player in the global insurance brokerage industry.” TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Ltd. is an insurance broker operating in China, which distributes two major groups of insurance products: (1) property/casualty insurance, such as automobile insurance, commercial property insurance, liability insurance; and (2) other insurance, such as life and health insurance. Source: TIAN RUIXIANG Holdings Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies China Was this article valuable? Thank you! Please tell us what we can do to improve this article. Submit No Thanks Thank you! % of people...

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Navigating the Great Wealth Transfer

What You Need to Know Putting plans in place takes time. Talking about passions works better than talking about death. Communication will make a plan work better. Over the course of the next 22 years, more than $84 trillion in wealth will be changing hands to the next generation, according to Cerulli Associates data. Yet, the Cerulli study shows, nearly half of investors with at least $1 million have no wealth transfer plan in place. On top of that, only 13% of investors will use the same financial professional as their parents. I get it. Having money conversations with family can be hard. But we know that hard conversations are often the most impactful. You can bring tremendous value to your clients, and build and sustain your business, by helping families navigate the great wealth transfer. Start the wealth transfer conversation. Be patient! It’s important to stress that there’s plenty of time to decide on specifics. This really hits home for me, since my parents are the type of people who feel like they’re never going to die. These types of conversations can be pretty nerve-wracking for them. After my grandmother passed, my mom struggled with closing the estate. These...

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Bitcoin ETF Issuers Clear Major Hurdle on Path to SEC Approval

The issuers also need the SEC to sign-off on the final versions of their S-1 filings, which are the prospectus documents for the ETFs. SEC approval of the 19b-4 and S-1 forms may or may not happen concurrently, though typically the S-1s are approved after the 19b-4s. A representative for the SEC declined to comment. Should both approvals be obtained, the ETFs could start trading as soon as the next business day. Last week, multiple issuers, including BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity, submitted amended S-1 filings to name their authorized participants — broker-dealers responsible for handling the creation and redemption of baskets of shares for ETFs. While the step is typically taken for granted in traditional ETF creations, it drew attention in Bitcoin ETF applications because some industry watchers had expressed concerns that Bitcoin funds would have a harder time attracting broker-dealers. Credit: Shutterstock Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Holiday Hangover Grips Stocks & Bonds in Worst Start Since 2003

What You Need to Know The S&P 500 fell for the first time in 10 weeks, snapping the longest streak of gains in almost 20 years. In the stock market, the pullback followed a flurry of buying that had sat uneasily with Wall Street contrarians. Viewed through the lens of positioning, the picture arguably remains bearish. This isn’t how Wall Street hoped to ring in 2024. Loaded up and bullish after a spirited holiday rally, investors were smacked with old worries in the new year, among them fresh questions about the path of Federal Reserve policy. The result: a cross-asset drubbing that surpassed any to start a year in at least two decades. The S&P 500 fell for the first time in 10 weeks, snapping the longest streak of gains in almost 20 years. Treasuries and corporate credit dropped the most since October. For traders primed for interest-rate cuts in March, a hotter-than-forecast jobs report potentially blurred the outlook further on Friday. But the seeds of disillusionment were sown weeks before, when investors shed bearish wagers and dived into risky assets of all stripes. With the pool of new buyers running low, bulls were left to contend with a nagging sense they’d...

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Oregon Judge Refuses to Dismiss 2015 Climate Lawsuit Filed by Youth

Article 0 Comments A judge in Oregon rejected a U.S. Department of Justice request to dismiss a 2015 lawsuit brought by young people that alleges the federal government knew the dangers posed by carbon pollution but that it has continued through policies and subsidies to support the fossil fuel industry. U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken said the parties “do not disagree that the climate crisis threatens our ability to survive on planet Earth. This catastrophe is the great emergency of our time and compels urgent action.” “While facts remain to be proved, lawsuits like this highlight young people’s despair with the drawn-out pace of the unhurried, inchmeal, bureaucratic response to our most dire emergency,” she wrote in her decision late last week. In a statement, Julia Olson, an attorney with the group Our Children’s Trust representing the plaintiffs, said she expects a trial in the case later this year. In a similar lawsuit in Montana, a judge last year ruled the Montana Environmental Policy Act violates the plaintiffs’ state constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. The 1971 law requires state agencies to consider the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects and take public input before issuing permits....

Westland Insurance acquires Dyberg Insurance Inc. and Prairie Villa Insurance 0

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Westland Insurance acquires Dyberg Insurance Inc. and Prairie Villa Insurance

Westland continues to grow across Canada with two acquisitions in Alberta Surrey, BC (Jan. 4, 2024) – Westland Insurance is pleased to announce that it has acquired Dyberg Insurance Inc. and Prairie Villa Insurance, effective January 1st. Prairie Villa Insurance has roots going back to 1973 in Northern Alberta, now with three longstanding offices located across the Peace Country. Maintaining a firm local focus, they’ve formed deep and lasting ties to their communities. This strategic acquisition grows Westland’s distribution presence in Northern Alberta with a team of talented professionals who can support clients with personal, commercial, and farm insurance solutions. Established in 1953, Dyberg Insurance is a family-owned brokerage located in Edmonton, AB. Renowned for its exceptional personal and commercial insurance services, Dyberg Insurance has built a strong presence within its community. Dyberg Insurance will be integrated with Westland’s existing Edmonton operations. “I’m very pleased to welcome Prairie Villa Insurance and Dyberg Insurance to the Westland team,” says Jamie Lyons, Westland’s President & CEO. “With a shared dedication to exceptional customer service and community involvement, we’re poised to create formidable partnerships with these two brokerages. We look forward to working with their passionate teams of employees to continue making a...

Speeding in neighbourhoods a major concern: CAA survey 0

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Speeding in neighbourhoods a major concern: CAA survey

Ottawa, ON (Jan. 4, 2024) – Canadians are deeply alarmed about speeding in our neighbourhoods, even as a sizeable number admit to doing it themselves, according to polling released today by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Nearly 9 in 10 Canadians (88 per cent) say they are deeply worried about speeding in residential areas, while 1 in 5 (22 per cent) admit to doing it at least sometimes, CAA’s polling found. Meanwhile, speed-related collisions are on the rise, accounting for a quarter of fatal collisions in the last year for which federal government data is available. “Canadians are right to be alarmed about speeding,” says Ian Jack, vice-president, public affairs, CAA National. “Speed-related collisions are preventable. That is why CAA is asking Canadians to slow down in 2024 and keep everyone safe.” According to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, travelling even 10 km/hr over the speed limit increases the likelihood of a collision by 60 per cent, while saving the average driver only four minutes on a trip. “Don’t forget speed limits are posted for ideal weather. Especially while most of the country is in the thick of winter, we should all really try to respect the speed limit or...