Apple’s New Devices Target Markets Led by Smaller Rivals

The company also said it planned to release iPhone software next week with a privacy feature that worries many digital-advertising companies.

By Jack Nicas

Biden and Harris on the Chauvin Trial Verdict

The president and the vice president addressed the nation on Tuesday evening.

BHP Q3 Iron Ore Production Down

BHP (BHP.AX,BLT.L,BBL,BHP) reported that its third-quarter total iron ore production slightly declined to 59.86 million tonnes from last year’s 60.03 million tonnes.

Total iron ore production for the quarter declined 2 percent to 66.7 million tonnes from the prior year on a 100 per cent basis.

Total iron ore production guidance for the 2021 financial year remains unchanged at between 245 million tonnes and 255 million tonnes. Volumes are expected to be in the upper half of the guidance range as a result of strong performance at WAIO.

Total petroleum production for the third-quarter increased by 1 per cent to 25.4 MMboe. Guidance for the 2021 financial year remains unchanged at between 95 and 102 MMboe, with volumes expected to be in the upper half of the guidance range.

Total copper production decreased by 8 percent to 391.4 thousand tonnes. The company raised copper production guidance for the 2021 financial year to a range of 1.535 million tonnes – 1.660 million tonnes from the prior outlook of 1.510 million tonnes – 1.645 million tonnes.

Person dies in workplace accident while undertaking geotechnical work in Fiordland

WorkSafe is investigating after a person died in a workplace accident yesterday.

A spokesperson said the fatality happened at a business in Fiordland.

“We understand the worker was undertaking geotechnical work at the time.”

The spokesperson said they could not provide any further details.

A St John spokesman said a helicopter attended the incident after emergency services were called out at about 1pm.

Church & Dwight Recalls Select Vitafusion Gummy Products

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is recalling select vitafusion gummy products due to isolated manufacturing issue, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The affected plastic bottled gummy vitamin products include vitafusion kids Melatonin 50 ct; vitafusion Fiber Well 220ct; vitafusion SleepWell 250ct; vitafusion MultiVites 150ct; vitafusion Melatonin 44ct; vitafusion Melatonin 140ct; and vitafusion Fiber Well 90ct. The expiry date of these products come in between 4/22 and 11/22.

These products were distributed to in-store and e-commerce retailers from November 13, 2020 through April 9, 2021. No other products are included in the recall.

The recall was initiated after the company’s investigation of two consumer reports identified the possible presence of a metallic mesh material in product lots manufactured in a four-day period between October 29 and November 3, 2020.

In some severe cases, ingesting a metallic material could lead to damage of the digestive tract.

Ewing, New Jersey -based Church & Dwight said it is not aware of any reports of consumer illness or injury to date.

Consumers are urged to contact the firm for a full refund.

Ericsson Q1 Profit Climbs, Sales Flat – Quick Facts

Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson (ERIC) reported Wednesday that its first-quarter net income climbed 39 percent to 3.2 billion Swedish kronor from last year’s 2.3 billion kronor. Earnings per share went up 48 percent to 0.96 krona from 0.65 krona a year ago.

EBIT grew 22 percent to 5.3 billion kronor, and EBIT margin improved to 10.6 percent from 8.7 percent last year. Adjusted EBIT grew 16 percent to 5.3 billion kronor, and adjusted EBIT margin improved to 10.7 percent from 9.3 percent a year earlier.

Sales for the quarter were 49.8 billion kronor, sames as last year. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency grew 10 percent.

The company noted that four of the five market areas showed double-digit growth.

PolyPeptide Group Launches IPO – Quick Facts

PolyPeptide Group AG announced the launch of its initial public offering on the Swiss Stock Exchange. The offering consists of up to 3,508,772 new shares and up to 8,516,625 existing shares, with an over-allotment option of up to 1,748,284 existing shares.

The price range for the offered shares has been set at 57 francs to 68 francs per share and will result in an offer size of approximately 664 million Swiss francs to 779 million Swiss francs, and 764 million Swiss francs to 896 million Swiss francs, if the over-allotment option is exercised in full.

The offer period commences 21 April 2021, and is anticipated to end on 28 April 2021. The listing and the first day of trading are expected to take place on 29 April 2021.

ASML Q1 Profit Surges – Quick Facts

Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) reported that its first-quarter net income surged to 1.33 billion euros or 3.20 euros per share from last year’s 390.6 million euros or 0.93 euros per share.

Total net sales for the quarter grew to 4.36 billion euros from 2.44 billion euros in the previous year.

ASML expects second-quarter revenue to be between 4.0 billion euros and 4.1 billion euros with a gross margin around 49%.

The company plans to purchase shares up to 6 billion euros, which includes a total of up to 0.4 million shares to cover employee share plans. ASML intends to cancel the remainder of the shares repurchased. ASML purchased shares in the first-quarter for more than 1.6 billion euros.

The company now expects revenue growth towards 30% in 2021 compared to last year.