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Tag: Publishing

  • PacWest stock rockets nearly 40% after Banc of California confirms plan to buy troubled bank

    PacWest stock rockets nearly 40% after Banc of California confirms plan to buy troubled bank

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    PacWest Bancorp’s stock jumped more than 38% in after-hours trading Tuesday after the company said it had agreed to be acquired by Banc of California Inc. in an all-stock merger backed by two private-equity firms. The merger comes as PacWest looks to put a rocky period behind it.

    Under the terms of the merger agreement, PacWest
    PACW,
    -27.04%
    stockholders will receive 0.6569 of a share of Banc of California common stock for each share of PacWest common stock. Based on closing prices on Tuesday, the deal values PacWest at $9.60 a share, a premium over its closing price of $7.67 a share on Tuesday.

    Warburg Pincus and Centerbridge will provide $400 million in equity.

    PacWest stockholders will own 47% of the outstanding shares of the combined company, while the private-equity investors will own 19% and Banc of California shareholders will have 34%.

    PacWest said that it is the company being acquired and that it will change its name to Banc of California. PacWest said it will be the “accounting acquirer,” with fair-value accounting applied to Banc of California’s balance sheet at closing.

    Banc of California CEO Jared Wolff will retain the same role at the combined company.

    The combined company will repay about $13 billion in wholesale borrowings to be funded by the sale of assets, “which are fully marked as a result of the transaction, and excess cash,” the companies said.

    The merged company is currently projecting about $36.1 billion in assets, $25.3 billion in total loans, $30.5 billion in total deposits and more than 70 branches in California.

    John Eggemeyer, the independent lead director at PacWest, will be chair of the board of the combined company following the merger.

    The board of directors of the combined company will consist of 12 directors: eight from the existing Banc of California board, three from the existing PacWest board and one from the pair of private-equity firms led by Warburg Pincus.

    Citing sources close to the deal, the Wall Street Journal had reported earlier that a tie-up was imminent.

    In regular trading Tuesday, PacWest’s stock ended 27% down; trading was halted for volatility following the report of the deal.

    Banc of California’s stock rose 11% but was later halted for news pending as well. The stock rose more than 9% in after-hours trading on Tuesday.

    At last check, PacWest’s market capitalization was about $1.2 billion, while Banc of California’s was about $764 million. Combined, the business would be worth about $2 billion.

    PacWest’s big share-price move on Tuesday marks the latest in a volatile few months for the Beverly Hills, Calif., bank, which was founded in 1999.

    Investors had speculated that the bank could be the next to fail after Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank failed in March and First Republic Bank was taken over by JPMorgan.

    Also on Tuesday, PacWest said it lost $207.4 million, or $1.75 a share, in its second quarter, as it got a hit from items related to loan sales and restructuring of its lending unit Civic. The loss contrasts with earnings of $122 million, or $1.02 a share, in the year-ago period.

    Analysts polled by FactSet expected the bank to report a loss of 58 cents a share in the quarter.

    PacWest disclosed in recent months that it was exploring strategic alternatives while it sold off parts of its business to raise cash to strengthen its balance sheet. It sold a loan portfolio to Ares Management Corp.
    ARES,
    +0.92%
    in a move to generate $2 billion.

    Also read: PacWest sells loan portfolio to Ares Management in deal that generates $2 billion ‘to improve liquidity’

    It also sold a portfolio of loans to Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Inc.
    KW,
    -1.70%    ,
    which then sold part of the portfolio to Canada’s Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
    FFH,
    +1.07%    .

    Also read: PacWest sparks regional-bank rally after unveiling plan to sell loans worth $2.6 billion

    In May, PacWest sold its real-estate lending portfolio to Roc360.

    Also in May, PacWest’s stock dropped more than 20% after it said it had lost 9.5% of its deposits amid market volatility.

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  • How Entrepreneurs Can Use Books to Attract High-Value Clients | Entrepreneur

    How Entrepreneurs Can Use Books to Attract High-Value Clients | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In a rapidly evolving business environment, competitive differentiation is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Entrepreneurs must continually innovate and leverage strategies that set them apart from the crowd. The task isn’t simple, but it’s indispensable. Among the arsenal of strategies that can be used to attract high-value clients and position oneself as a leader in the industry, authoring a book has emerged as a powerful tool. Yet, this technique remains underutilized, with many entrepreneurs not realizing the profound impact a book can have on their professional image and clientele.

    Establishing authority and dedication through authorship

    The process of writing and publishing a book is arduous, requiring intensive research, a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and engagingly. The rigor and diligence involved in this process inherently project the author’s authority on the subject, portraying them as experts in their field. This projection of expertise serves as a compelling magnet, drawing high-value clients seeking specialists, not generalists, to solve their challenges.

    Moreover, the commitment and dedication inherent in authoring a book serve as testimonials to the entrepreneur’s resilience and perseverance. These traits, highly sought after in the business world, resonate with high-value clients. When an entrepreneur takes the time and makes the effort to write a book, it demonstrates that they are willing to tackle significant challenges, follow through on their commitments and produce valuable results. This resilience cultivates trust and confidence in potential clients, making the author an attractive choice.

    Related: 4 Ways Writing a Book Accelerated My Professional Career

    Sharing unique insights and innovative solutions

    In addition to establishing authority, a book provides an unmatched platform for entrepreneurs to share their unique insights and innovative solutions. It allows them to delve deep into the industry’s challenges and present their groundbreaking approaches to solving them. This visible display of creativity and problem-solving aptitude attracts high-value clients looking for unique, cutting-edge solutions.

    Additionally, a book allows entrepreneurs to discuss and predict emerging trends in their field, thereby positioning themselves as forward-thinking and proactive leaders. By showcasing their foresight, they further appeal to high-value clients who value being on the cutting edge of their respective industries.

    Sharing personal experiences and narratives is another crucial aspect. Entrepreneurs humanize themselves and their brands by weaving their journeys, challenges and triumphs into the narrative. This authenticity and relatability create an emotional connection with potential clients, making the author and their services/products more appealing.

    Related: How Entrepreneurs Can Make Money Writing a Book

    Building credibility and fostering connections

    Publishing a book can significantly enhance an entrepreneur’s credibility. The author’s commitment to their field and ability to articulate and share their knowledge is spotlighted in a tangible form, contributing to their perceived credibility. When it comes to attracting high-value clients, credibility is a key factor; these clients are often looking for proven professionals with a track record of expertise.

    Furthermore, books can serve as powerful tools for building relationships. A book that offers tangible value in the form of actionable advice, valuable insights, or fresh perspectives can serve as a magnet for potential clients. By engaging readers and encouraging them to think differently, a book opens the door to further discussions, networking opportunities, and, ultimately, the establishment of meaningful connections with potential high-value clients.

    The long-term impacts of book publishing

    Unlike many other forms of content marketing, a book provides long-lasting benefits. Its impact extends far beyond its initial release, providing a long-term return on investment. The content of a book remains relevant for years, continuing to draw new readers and potential high-value clients long after its publication.

    A book is a timeless asset that keeps giving back. Its longevity means the benefits of publishing a book extend far into the future, unlike a blog post or social media update that might quickly fade from memory. The published book keeps the author’s name and expertise circulating, continually attracting potential high-value clients.

    In essence, a book is like a business card that doesn’t get discarded — it sits on bookshelves, gets shared among peers and remains available online, continuously making an impression. This continual client attraction is another compelling reason for entrepreneurs to consider writing a book.

    Conclusion

    In a business world where differentiation is the key to standing out from the crowd, a book can provide that unique edge. By establishing authority, showcasing unique insights, building credibility and fostering connections, a book becomes more than just a product; it’s a tool for personal branding and client attraction.

    The impact of publishing a book goes far beyond the immediate short-term benefits. Its influence continues long after the initial release, providing an enduring testimony to the author’s expertise and a persistent attraction for high-value clients. In a competitive business environment, entrepreneurs who leverage the power of a book can position themselves for greater success and a more robust professional presence.

    In closing, a book is more than just an aggregation of pages filled with words. For entrepreneurs, it’s a platform to demonstrate their expertise, share their unique perspective, connect with high-value clients, and differentiate themselves from the competition. With these long-term benefits, it’s clear that a book can be a potent tool in an entrepreneur’s arsenal for attracting high-value clients.

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    Vikrant Shaurya

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  • Parenting 101: Quick alternatives to screen time

    Parenting 101: Quick alternatives to screen time

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    It can be hard to keep the kids away from screens, especially in summer when they have so much free time on their hands. Kids are constantly reaching for remotes and devices… and parents are constantly chiming, “No more!”

    So here are some quick alternatives to screen time. 

    Set up a craft table. Just as you have a homework station during the school year, it can be really handy to have an area stocked with paper, markers, scissors, glue, stickers, old magazines, etc. 

    Get outdoors. Start up a pick-up game of soccer or Frisbee, go on a family bike ride, plan a picnic, set up the sprinkler, throw some building toys (even simple spoons and bowls) into the yard or garden and get digging – fresh air always trumps being indoors.

    Go to the library. A quick trip to your local library can spark all kinds of interest in magazines, books, and more. Check out a kid’s cookbook and plan a family meal, or get a cool science experiment book for lots of exploration fun.

    Put the kids in change of an activity. Forget dictating to them what they should do in lieu of playing with electronics and instead out them in the driver’s seat and ask them to choose a family activity. You might be surprised by what they come up with.

    Create something from “trash.” Go through your recycling bin in search of items you can use to build a small playhouse, pirate ship or mechanic’s garage. Grab that bin of spare nuts and bolts from the garage and make your own robots. See which family member can get the most creative with their creations.

    Do something for others. Maybe you could make it a family project to roll those spare coins that have accumulating in that plastic bank in the closet, which could be given to a charity. Or you could start a canned food drive around your neighborhood. Build a little “take a book, leave a book” library outside your home for neighbours. Figure out a family project that will benefit others, and work on it together.

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  • Parenting 101: Preparing for a summer vacation

    Parenting 101: Preparing for a summer vacation

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    A lot of us moms and dads are preparing for a family vacation, and the whole process of preparing for a big getaway can be daunting. First things first: make a list. You’ll want a packing list for carry-on stuff or the car ride (depending on your mode of transportation), a packing list for suitcases, and a shopping list. Having a list will help to ensure that you don’t forget anything. Some suggestions for your in-transit bag:

    – Chargers

    – Colouring books, crayons and other basic art supplies (stamp pads, stickers, and more)

    – Journals and blank paper

    – Fun books like Where’s Waldo, nature or learning books, or activity/art books – get loads of ideas for great kids’ reads, plus activities to go along with those books, in our Little Readers blog section.

    – Healthy snacks and water (from here or here)

    – Folder for travel docs, brochures, print-outs of reservations, etc.

    Try and stay organized as much as possible. Organization is key to a successful family vacation (especially road trips). Having an organized car, as well as well-planned-out luggage, will make the entire process all the smoother.

    Group “like” items together to make packing (and living out of a suitcase) all the easier. This means keeping toiletries together, swimming stuff (bathing suits, towels and pool toys), shoes and outdoor gear, medication, your jewellery and accessories, and so on. Smaller clear cases or bags work well for smaller items, while more durable reuseable bags like these are ideal for the bigger stuff.

    Use labels to keep everyone organized. That way, everyone knows where to get their clothes and other necessities, as well as where to put things like dirty clothes.

    Come up with a schedule for your travel days, and discuss it as a family so there are no unexpected surprises on the day of. If it’s going to be a longer day of travelling, consider having a few “markers” along the way where you’ll celebrate or do something fun/special/different (each hour of a car ride, or during a layover).

    Happy and safe travels!

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  • How Entrepreneurs Turned Authors Make Money | Entrepreneur

    How Entrepreneurs Turned Authors Make Money | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    The average reader in the United States is a college-educated female, with a household income over $75,000 U.S. dollars, with a strong preference for non-fiction and self-help books, with their male counterparts not far behind. It makes sense that businesses would use books to reach their ideal clients.

    In addition, authors get instant credibility, authority and opportunities such as speaking engagements, meet-the-author events, guest blogging, spots on expert panels and more. So, it’s no wonder that savvy entrepreneurs are using books today to build their personal and professional brands and to grow their businesses overall.

    I will explain to you how this works and what you need to know before diving into the deep end of book writing and publishing.

    Why should entrepreneurs write non-fiction books?

    Since self-publishing has made becoming an author much more accessible for the general population, more and more entrepreneurs are using books to promote their brands and businesses. They are having great success using this strategy because people buy from people they like. But for them to like you, they have to get to know you. And that is the hard part.

    Think about it. When you are online — on social media or checking your email — you are probably doing several things at once, aren’t you? And if you are like me, you might have a small child or two competing for your attention as well. As we speak, my daughter is making a house out of recently delivered Amazon boxes and popping the bubbles in the wrap that came along…not exactly the quiet, distraction-free environment needed to be able to soak up the information in front of me, is it?

    But think about when you read a book. What do you do? Where do you go? I wouldn’t try to read a book right now in this environment. I know that just opening a book would be like a Bat signal to my 7-year-old to show me something… anything, … right away!

    I know that if I want to read a book, I need to find a quiet place and a block of time, all for myself. This is what readers naturally do when they sit down to read a book. And there is no other medium today that elicits the undivided attention of someone more than a simple book. Preferably paperback.

    Related: After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here’s How She Did It.

    How much does it cost to publish a book?

    To be honest… a lot of money. Books are just one of those things that costs a lot to produce, especially if you want to produce a high-quality, successful one.

    If you are considering self-publishing, you will have to do all the hiring when it comes to building the team to produce your book. How much you spend will depend on your current skill set and how many people you need to hire to fill in the blanks.

    This may or may not include a:

    • Book/writing coach
    • Cover designer (for both electronic and print versions)
    • Developmental editor
    • Beta readers
    • Line editor
    • Proofreader
    • Formatter
    • SEO researcher
    • Amazon category researcher
    • Copywriter
    • Website designer
    • Publisher
    • Book marketer
    • Social media marketer
    • Public relations team

    And more. There are a lot of moving pieces that go into a successful book.

    Related: 10 Truths About Self-Publishing for Entrepreneurs With a Book Idea

    Even someone who is experienced in writing and technologically advanced can expect to spend several thousand dollars on their book project in editing and cover design alone. More if they want it to be successful, which requires hiring public relations experts and marketers long-term or putting in all of the hours yourself.

    Looking at the previous list might be intimidating, but I promise you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Remember that becoming an author in your niche puts you in front of your ideal client, who has given you their unlimited attention.

    Related: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Writing a Book

    How do authors make money?

    The way that authors make money isn’t through book royalties. If you publish traditionally, the publisher will keep 80-90% of your royalties anyway. If you opt for the smarter option, self-publishing, you will keep 100% of your royalties AFTER you split them with the platform you upload our book to. Either way, your royalty will be pennies compared to other opportunities to grow your brand and business.

    Realistically, you might only sell 250 copies of your book, like the average non-fiction book published today. So, you need to make those sales count. You need to give the best to the readers in your writing and offer them the best options to work with you if they decide. Basically, your non-fiction book is your sales funnel.

    Entrepreneurs turned authors who have figured this out are using their non-fiction books to sell or market their:

    • Coaching services
    • Consultations
    • High-end, online courses
    • Done-for-you services
    • Group programs
    • Subscriptions
    • Memberships
    • Affiliate products/programs
    • New businesses or products
    • Events, summits, conferences, etc.
    • Masterclasses/live online classes
    • Speeches
    • Workshops
    • In-person retreats
    • Evergreen webinars
    • MLM opportunities
    • Charity/non-profit/cause, etc.

    And many more creative monetization strategies.

    Related: 12 Ways That Writers, Speakers and Experts Can Make Money as Key People of Influence

    Conclusion

    It makes complete sense. Why worry about a few cents in book royalties — that you are splitting with a platform like Amazon — when you can sell premium products and services for thousands of dollars per sale?

    If you have an offer that includes even one of the sales strategies listed above, then publishing a book in your niche featuring your business is an easy decision.

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    Sara Tyler

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  • 3 Paths to Publishing a Book — and the Pros and Cons of Each | Entrepreneur

    3 Paths to Publishing a Book — and the Pros and Cons of Each | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As a lifelong book publisher who coaches entrepreneurs and business executives who want to write and publish a book, I’m often asked which is the best path to getting published. Getting published and finding readers is certainly an impressive way to expand your reach as an entrepreneur. It gives you added credibility and authority as an expert in your field. But before you get published, you should carefully consider the best and most appropriate publishing model. —

    In this article, we will explore the three most commonly used ways to publish a book. There are traditional routes to taking a book to market, DIY approaches, and hybrid publishing models. While there’s no single best way to publish your book, there are certainly advantages and disadvantages to each strategy. Depending on your unique situation, and with a little due diligence, you can effectively reach readers and expand your influence.

    Related: Top 7 Questions About Publishing a Book That Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

    Traditional publishing models

    Traditional publishers offer book contracts that cost nothing to the author. In fact, the publisher pays the author for the rights to license their words and publish their book. Examples of traditional publishers include Random House, Harper Collins and Simon and Schuster. A traditional publishing contract can be lucrative for the author. When you show people that you’ve been published by a large, traditional publishing house, that can be quite impressive.

    There are, however, several disadvantages. First, it’s exceedingly difficult to get an offer from a traditional publisher, and it usually involves a years-long process. Second, while you will get paid, it’s usually not much money. The average royalty paid to authors by traditional publishers is less than 20%, which means you may earn quarters per sale, not even dollars. Finally, you will lose control over your words and book. Traditional publishing contracts are inflexible in this way. As an entrepreneur, you may not like to be contractually boxed in.

    Self-publishing models

    Self-publishing, also referred to as DIY publishing, has fast become a credible alternate path to getting published. When you self-publish a book, you manage the entire process from writing and editorial to design to print production to distribution by yourself. Many self-published authors find help from individual contractors who specialize in publishing or from self-publishing companies. The primary benefit to self-publishing is that the author controls the process and retains all rights and ownership of their book. There are many self-publishing pitfalls, however, which often derail a DIY self-publishing project. Book publishing is a complex, time-consuming and ever-changing industry. If you don’t thoroughly understand what you’re doing, you’ll waste resources and never find readers.

    As a busy entrepreneur, you may not want to spend the time needed to manage editors, designers, printers and distributors. You certainly don’t want to be embarrassed by your book, if indeed it doesn’t look professional or read well. So, while self-publishing might be an attractive alternative, it might be wise to find publishing professionals to make you shine. Still, you may find success by self-publishing.

    Related: 10 Steps to Self-Publish Your Book Like a Bestseller

    Hybrid publishing models

    A third path to getting published is commonly referred to as the hybrid model, which combines the best of traditional publishing and DIY self-publishing. Hybrid publishing companies behave like traditional publishing companies in all respects, except that they publish books using an author-subsidized business model, as opposed to financing all costs themselves and, in exchange, return a higher-than-industry-standard share of sales proceeds to the author. A hybrid publisher makes income from a combination of publishing services and book sales.

    Although hybrid publishing companies are author-subsidized, they are different from self-publishing models in that hybrid publishers adhere — without exception — to certain criteria, including (and most importantly) a high-quality book with worldwide distribution. Hybrid publishers are different than self-publishers in that they aim to publish books that sell well in the marketplace.

    Which is the best publishing model for entrepreneurs?

    Writing and publishing a book is a lot like starting your own business. You have to do your own discovery and due diligence before you decide how to take your book to market. There’s not necessarily a best book publishing model for any author, including entrepreneurs. You may want to wait and pursue a big publishing contract from a respected publishing house, you may want to work fast and furiously on a self-published book, or you may want to find a quality hybrid book publisher that can take your book to market in a high-quality and professional manner.

    Whichever way you ultimately publish your book, you can be assured there is probably no better way to build a platform and increase your influence. People place authors on pedestals, and even the media often seeks out authors for interviews and as authorities to comment on topics relating to business and entrepreneurship. It’s a surefire way to market yourself and your business — and since books will never go out of style, once you publish a book, you can enjoy the benefits for many years to come.

    Related: Self-Publishing or Traditional Publishing: Which Is Best for You?

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    Tom Freiling

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  • Why Writing a Book Is the Ultimate Way to Showcase Your Authority | Entrepreneur

    Why Writing a Book Is the Ultimate Way to Showcase Your Authority | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    With distrust around social media growing and de-influencing all the rage, it’s getting harder to determine who to believe and who to blow off.

    But one activity still provides credibility, and it’s far from new — it originated in the 14th century.

    Writing a book.

    A book, you say. Wouldn’t publishing social media content be much easier and more effective?

    Not really. A few years ago, prioritizing social media made sense. But as time passes, business owners are better off focusing on showcasing their authority.

    “Social media fame can create so-called experts who aren’t actually experts,” says business strategist Maresa Friedman. “I went viral for not wanting to give up my seat on a plane. I am hardly an expert on plane seating, yet now that’s something I’m known for.” She adds, “A book gives you the opportunity to show that your knowledge exceeds a 90 second video made by a guru who two years ago wasn’t even in the industry.”

    Look at it this way: Would you be more likely to trust James Clear (#1 New York Times bestselling author of Atomic Habits, with over 5 million copies sold) or Tai Lopez (someone with 2.8 million Instagram followers who became known for raving about how everyone should read while standing in front of a Lamborghini)?

    In a day and age when someone can take a summer class at Harvard and then list on LinkedIn that they’re Harvard alumni, even the sort of credibility that institutions used to provide has been leveled.

    Related: 5 Reasons Why Writing a Book Is a Smart Move for Entrepreneurs

    Lack of trust makes us feel less safe

    Influencers have been caught doing everything from making racial slurs to shilling mascara while actually wearing fake lashes. And yet entrepreneurs spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on social media marketing.

    Given what we’ve experienced in the past few years, it makes sense that we’re primed to prioritize actual authorities over fake authorities. “When you live in a society that considers people who aren’t always educated about a topic ‘experts,’ it makes us feel unsafe,” says dual board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Josh Lichtman. “After surviving a pandemic, people are tired of feeling unsafe, and so they’re turning back to actual authorities for guidance.”

    Books are the ultimate authority builders

    “A book is like the world’s best’s best business card. It gives you that topical authority,” said Nick Loper recently on the Write About Now podcast. “It signals this is what I know about because I wrote a book on the topic.”

    Using a book to establish authority is nothing new. Even before the time of the seven-second attention span, how-to books were the sort of currency that bestowed immediate legitimacy on the author. After all, Robert Kiyosaki went from struggling entrepreneur to expert in real estate investment when he released Rich Dad Poor Dad in 1997.

    Tim Ferriss, meanwhile, transformed from a behind-the-scenes entrepreneur to someone who would probably pass the “Does my mom know who he is” level of fame after releasing The 4 Hour Workweek in 2007. Even though he appears to work at least 400 hours a week, the book made him an expert in spending four hours doing anything (including cooking and working out).

    What a book gets you

    Most business owners aren’t going to skyrocket into top podcasts, TV shows, and the most widely read blog on the internet.

    But any founder or CEO who creates a book that demonstrates how they were able to build their business will, with a high-quality book, be able to enter the public discourse.

    “Every single time, event bookers will pick a published author over someone who hasn’t written a book,” says speaking coach and author Topher Morrison, “even if the other person is a better speaker and has a better demo reel and is more entertaining.”

    The same is true when it comes to traditional media. When I published a humorous novel about my recovery from addiction in 2007, I immediately found myself on the Today Show and CNN as an expert.

    I don’t see trust in influencers increasing any time soon. And given that books have been building authority for almost 600 years, I don’t see that decreasing anytime soon.

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    Anna David

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  • Optica Publishing Group Announces Launch of Optica Quantum

    Optica Publishing Group Announces Launch of Optica Quantum

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    New, online-only Gold Open Access journal to rapidly disseminate high-impact research results across many sectors of quantum information science and technology.


    WASHINGTON, DC, April 14, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    On World Quantum Day, Optica Publishing Group announced it will begin publishing a new journal in September 2023 dedicated to highly selective results in quantum information science and technology (QIST). The new journal, Optica Quantum, joins the Society’s portfolio of the most-cited journals in optics and photonics and will provide the community with articles of the same exceptional standards for quality, novelty, and significance as its parent journal, Optica. 

    The concept of quantum light serves as a foundation for many quantum technologies and ongoing research areas involving security, communications, computing, machine learning, sensing, and more. To support this rapidly growing field, Optica Quantum will be dedicated to QIST as enabled by optics and photonics, publishing theoretical and experimental research as well as technological advances and applications of quantum optics. 

    Dr. Michael G. Raymer, Knight Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Founding Director of the Oregon Center for Optical Molecular and Quantum Science, University of Oregon, USA, will serve as the inaugural editor-in-chief of the Journal. Raymer has been on the forefront of the quantum information revolution and has been instrumental in a number of key initiatives that have advanced the field. He successfully lobbied the US Government to approve the US National Quantum Initiative Act in 2018, which greatly boosted research and development in this area. A few years later, in 2020, Raymer launched Optica’s Quantum 2.0 topical meeting to help scientists and engineers focus on and resolve key challenges facing the QIST community today.

    “I am honored to be entrusted with the founding editor-in-chief position for Optica Quantum,” said Raymer. “Through my volunteer work with and support from Optica, I’ve been part of and witnessed the major impact that a professional society can have in advancing quantum science and technology. With the help of a distinguished editorial board, I intend for Optica Quantum to become a one-of-kind journal that provides top-caliber articles and mini-reviews from a Society publisher that’s been in the field for more than 100 years.”

    Optica Quantum will rapidly publish original peer-reviewed, high-impact research results, provide state-of-the art reviews of both emerging and established subareas of optics- and photonics-related QIST, and share opinions from recognized authorities on new directions for this critical field. 

    “Optica Publishing Group continually seeks ways to better serve the global optics and photonics community. With the acceleration of quantum research across the globe, there’s an increasing need to curate, publish and perpetually archive the latest and most significant research from the leaders in the field. Optica Quantum will not only achieve this, but it will also foster increased synergies among academia, industry, and government agencies interested in QIST developments,” said Elizabeth Nolan, Optica Deputy Executive Director and Chief Publishing Officer. 

    Optica Quantum will open for submissions in June 2023. Article Processing Charges for this Gold Open-Access journal will be waived for all articles published this year. 

    About Optica Publishing Group (formerly OSA)

    Optica Publishing Group is a division of the society, Optica (formerly OSA), Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide. It publishes the largest collection of peer-reviewed and most-cited content in optics and photonics, including 18 prestigious journals, the society’s flagship member magazine, and papers and videos from more than 835 conferences. With over 400,000 journal articles, conference papers and videos to search, discover and access, our publications portfolio represents the full range of research in the field from around the globe.

    Source: Optica Publishing Group

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  • The new Steve Jobs book is free to download now — here’s where to get it 

    The new Steve Jobs book is free to download now — here’s where to get it 

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    Apple founder Steve Jobs has continued to inspire even after his death in 2011. Just this week, in fact, Tim Cook — Apple’s AAPL current CEO and chief operating officer for a decade-plus under Jobs — mused in a GQ interview on life lessons imparted by his predecessor. 

    And now anyone who wants to get an intimate glimpse into Jobs’s wisdom and reflections on his life, which was cut short at just 56, can download a curated collection of personal correspondence, speeches and interviews — for free.

    “Make…

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  • AMC, Virgin Orbit, Marathon Oil, Walmart, and More Stock Market Movers

    AMC, Virgin Orbit, Marathon Oil, Walmart, and More Stock Market Movers

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    Stock futures fluctuated Tuesday following a mixed session on Wall Street that saw the


    Dow Jones Industrial Average


    and


    S&P 500


    rise after a spike in oil prices.

    These stocks were poised to make moves Tuesday:

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  • Dow rises more than 300 points after inflation report as Nasdaq heads for best quarter since 2020

    Dow rises more than 300 points after inflation report as Nasdaq heads for best quarter since 2020

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    U.S. stocks were climbing Friday afternoon following a softer-than-expected inflation report for February, while the Nasdaq Composite was on pace for its largest quarterly advance since 2020.

    How stocks are trading
    • The Dow Jones Industrial Average
      DJIA,
      +1.26%
      rose 340 points, or 1%, to 33,199.

    • The S&P 500
      SPX,
      +1.44%
      gained almost 47 points, or 1.2%, to nearly 4,098.

    • The Nasdaq Composite
      COMP,
      +1.74%
      advanced almost 173 points, or 1.4%, to 12,186.

    For the week, the Dow is on track to gain 3% while the S&P was on pace to rise 3.2% and the Nasdaq Composite was heading for a 3.1% increase, according to FactSet data, at last check.

    What’s driving markets

    U.S. stocks were up sharply Friday afternoon as investors weighed data showing signs of moderating inflation.

    “Core price pressures” eased in February, Barclays said in an economics research note Friday. “On balance, the easing in February PCE inflation was fairly broad-based across goods and services, barring housing.”

    The personal-consumption-expenditures, or PCE, price index increased 0.3% in February, with inflation slowing to 5% year over year from 5.3% in January, according to a report Friday from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

    Core PCE, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge that excludes energy and food prices, rose 0.3% last month for a year-over-year rate of 4.6%. That’s slightly lower than forecasts from economists polled by the Wall Street Journal and softened from the 4.7% increase seen over the 12 months through January.

    Read: Inflation softens in February, PCE finds, and gives ammo for Fed rate-hike pause

    While the Federal Reserve has been battling high inflation with interest rate hikes, futures traders are betting that rates have already peaked and that the Fed will likely reverse course and cut rates at least a couple of times before the end of the year, according to the CME’s FedWatch tool.

    The market is pricing in a “coin flip” as to whether the Fed raises its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point at its May policy meeting, said Matt Stucky, senior portfolio manager at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co., in a phone interview Friday.

    “We think we’re getting pretty close to the end” of the rate-hiking cycle, he said. Stucky expects the Fed may stop hiking once “cracks” start to form in the labor market, with job losses in “nonfarm payrolls.”

    Meanwhile, consumer spending edged up 0.2% in February while personal incomes rose 0.3%, according to a Bureau of Economic Analysis report Friday.

    “Incomes and spending are hanging in there and inflation’s cooling,” said Mike Skordeles, head of U.S. economics at Truist, in a phone interview Friday. “That has positive implications for markets” and the economy, he said.

    Stocks traded higher following the release of the final reading on U.S. consumer sentiment for March from the University of Michigan. While confidence ticked lower compared with earlier estimates, inflation expectations moderated.

    U.S. stocks have held up relatively well this quarter, shrugging off the Fed rate hikes and renewed recession fears. Since hitting its highest level of the year in early February, the S&P 500 has been trading in an increasingly narrow range, leaving analysts divided about where the market might be heading next.

    “We need to see what the overall economy does,” said Kim Caughey Forrest, founder and chief investment officer of Bokeh Capital Partners. “I think GDP matters, and if GDP holds up while inflation comes down, that could be good for stocks.”

    The Nasdaq Composite has risen around 16% since the start of the year, putting it on track for its best quarterly gain since the three months through June 2020, according to FactSet data, at last check. The technology -heavy Nasdaq jumped more than 30% in the second quarter of 2020 as stocks rebounded from the global market rout tied to COVID-19 that year.

    The S&P 500 and Dow were also track for quarterly gains in late afternoon trading.

    “The bond market is definitely more concerned about recession risks than stocks are,” said Skordeles, who is expecting a recession in the second half of the year. “They couldn’t be sending more different signals.”

    Read: Two-year Treasury yields on pace for biggest monthly drop since 2008 after bank turmoil

    New York Fed President John Williams said Friday in a speech at Housatonic Community College that stress in the U.S banking system will cause banks to tighten credit and probably lead to lower consumer spending.

    Companies in focus

    —Steve Goldstein contributed to this article.

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  • 3 Tips to Get Your Self-Published Book Into Bookstores | Entrepreneur

    3 Tips to Get Your Self-Published Book Into Bookstores | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Seeing your book on bookstore shelves is one of the greatest rewards that any author could have. Not too long ago, opportunities in the publishing world seemed almost nonexistent. However, as the feasibility, affordability and acceptability of self-publishing grew, so did the ability to see that dream of having your book on bookstore shelves come true.

    One of the best ways to make this happen is to start with your local bookstores and then leverage each one to build your way up to larger chains. As a publisher for over eight years, here are some of my best tips for how to self-publish a book in a way that will increase your chances of having bookstores sell your book:

    Related: 7 Ways Self-Publishing Can Make You 6 Figures

    1. Your book(s) should meet industry standards

    For a long time, self-published books were not as highly regarded as books published traditionally. Now, if done correctly, the playing field is much more even. While having great marketing and publicity does come into play in the publishing world, so does the attention to the physical details of the book. Aesthetics is one of the things that matter most to bookstores. Starting with the fonts you use, but also including having an eye-catching cover and using high-quality materials, meeting industry standards is a must if you want to have a shot at getting your self-published book onto bookstore shelves. Learning what industry standards look like is as simple as visiting a bookstore and studying the books that they carry.

    As a self-published author and publisher, here are a few of my best tips:

    • Font: Garmond

    • Size: 12 – 12.5

    • Spacing: 1.15 0 1.5

    • Justify alignment with hyphens (words stretch from page to page with a hyphen at the end to reduce gaps between words)

    • I also choose book sizes that are industry standard, such as 5 x 8, 5.5 x 8.5 and 6 x 9 for non-fiction books.

    • For children’s books: 8 x 8 or 8.5 x 8.5.

    I suggest you properly do your research for your genre and find what fits best for your word count.

    2. Your book should target a specific audience

    Your cover and title must match the audience you intend to target. Industry standards may also come into play when it comes to the types of fonts, sizes of fonts and the use of subtitles, if applicable. Images and keywords are also important.

    Before working with someone on creating the cover, study the covers and titles of the books on the best-sellers list. Have an idea of what you want it to look like while including the formula typically found on most best-selling books. One trend you may notice is the use of large fonts that spread across the book with a title and book description that targets the audience they intend to reach.

    You have to ask yourself, “In what section of the bookstore would my book be found?” Then make sure your book reflects those books on the shelves, but in a way that models instead of mimics.

    Lastly, the easier that the reader you intend to target can identify with the book’s content, the easier it will be for the bookstore to see it as marketable, which will make them want to consider carrying it on their limited shelving space.

    Related: 5 Things to Do After You Publish Your Book

    3. You should use the right distributor

    Amazon is a great start for a self-published author, but most bookstores will turn down a KDP (Kindle direct publishing) book. Aside from the quality of the printers, there are risks of not selling the books involved with purchasing books to be sold in stores.

    Ingram Sparks is by far the best option for authors who want their books sold in bookstores, because not only does Ingram offer quality covers, but they also allow bookstores the ability to purchase and return books directly.

    With Amazon, technically, you are the distributor, so you will have to sell to bookstores directly. If they agree to carry it, you will invoice them and ship to them, versus using Ingram, which will do it all for you.

    While both provide P.O.D. (print on demand), Amazon follows a more direct-to-consumer model, while Ingram has a long-established relationship with bookstores and is more of a direct-to-business model.

    There is more than one way to sell your books to bookstores:

    1. Consignment: Once the book is sold, then you are paid.

    2. Wholesale with a return option: They will buy your book at wholesale at 33%-55% but with the ability to return it.

    3. Wholesale upfront: They will buy your book at wholesale outright, usually at 60% off of the price of the book.

    A good place to start is with your local bookstore — and then build from there. Barnes and Noble allows local authors to host events whether they carry the book or not.

    As a local bookstore owner of over 20 years in Los Angeles told me: “A good book is promotion in itself if it is written and done right. I’ve seen this kind of success work firsthand; one of the highest sellers in our bookstore is a self-published book.”

    So, having a successful self-published book is possible, and might even be easier than you think.

    Related: 10 Steps to Self-Publish Your Book Like a Bestseller

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  • Biden approves Willow oil-drilling permit in Alaska. It’s a ‘carbon bomb,’ one group says.

    Biden approves Willow oil-drilling permit in Alaska. It’s a ‘carbon bomb,’ one group says.

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    The Biden administration approved the large-scale and controversial Willow drilling project for ConocoPhillips on Alaska’s oil-rich North Slope on Monday.

    The approval, although with some conditions, is one of President Joe Biden’s most consequential climate choices of his first administration.

    It’s a blemish, say environmental groups, to…

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  • Parenting 101: March Break book roundup: Best reads for all ages

    Parenting 101: March Break book roundup: Best reads for all ages

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    The kids are off of school, the weather is cold, and it’s the perfect time to curl up with a great book. Here are some of the best reads for all ages.

    Disney Princess Baking. Bake like a Disney princess with this adorable cookbook inspired by your favorite animated heroines, such as Belle, Ariel, Moana, and more!

    The Lunch Club – It Came From The Basement. This is a fun graphic novel perfect for older kids and tweens who are starting to read chapter books independently.

    Cat Kid Comic Club. This is the new graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of the internationally bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series.

    The Fabled Stables – Willow The Wisp. This is the first book in a magical chapter-book adventure series by the Governor General Award-winning author of Sweep.

    Gurple and Preen. This wildly imaginative, crayon-inspired picture book shows that with a bit of teamwork and a universe of creativity, anything is possible.

    In The Half Room. With inventive flair, Caldecott Honor winner Carson Ellis explores halves and wholes in an ingenious and thought-provoking picture book.

    The Stink Moody series. Stink Moody gets into all sorts of fun and funny antics in his series of books, where he hangs with his sister Judy Moody (who also has her own chapter series), his best friends Webster and Sophie of the Elves, and many other colourful, delightful characters. 

    See The Cat. Illustrator Mike Wohnoutka hilariously depicts the pup’s reactions to the narrator and to the wacky cast of characters who upend Max’s – and readers’- expectations as the three stories build to an immensely satisfying conclusion.

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  • China Sets New Rules for Overseas IPOs. What It Means for DiDi, Alibaba, and Others.

    China Sets New Rules for Overseas IPOs. What It Means for DiDi, Alibaba, and Others.

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    China has announced new rules on overseas IPOs, potentially sparking the resumption of Chinese companies listing in New York.

    Under the new rules, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) will vet any overseas listing applications, effective from March 31. The regulator has the power to block such IPOs, and the rules make clear listings must not endanger national security.

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  • HarperCollins union approves contract, ends 3-month strike

    HarperCollins union approves contract, ends 3-month strike

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Striking union members at HarperCollins Publishers have approved a tentative agreement reached last week and will return to work Tuesday, ending a walkout that lasted more than three months and became the center of an ongoing debate about salaries in the industry.

    More than 200 members, from editorial assistants to publicists and designers, of Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers union had been working without a contract since last spring. They went on strike in early November, with wages, workplace diversity and union protection among the issues. Notably, the union called for raising the entry level salary from $45,000 to $50,000.

    The union announced the ratification Thursday.

    “The @hcpunion has a strong, fair contract, and I am very, very proud,” tweeted union chair Laura Harshberger, a senior production editor in the children’s books division.

    “We are pleased that the agreement was ratified,” a HarperCollins statement reads. “We are excited to move forward together.”

    Under the new terms, reached after HarperCollins agreed in late January to negotiations with a federal mediator, annual starting pay will increase to $47,500 upon ratification, and rise to $50,000 by the beginning of 2025. In addition, full-time employees in the union will receive lump sum payments of $1,500.

    The contract also allows for more time for union members to meet during work hours, requires that a “welcome letter” from the union be included in job packets for eligible new hires and establishes a joint labor-management committee “to discuss issues of concern to either party.”

    HarperCollins, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, is the only major New York publisher with a union. Hundreds of authors and agents had backed the striking HarperCollins workers, and, in recent weeks, both Macmillan and Hachette Book Group had announced they were raising starting salaries, which range from $45,000-$50,000 among the larger companies.

    The agreement came amid HarperCollins’ plan to reduce its North American workforce by 5% through layoffs and attrition. The publisher has cited reduced revenues over the past year and higher costs.

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  • Salman Rushdie gives first interview since 2022 stabbing

    Salman Rushdie gives first interview since 2022 stabbing

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Months after being stabbed repeatedly as he prepared to give a lecture, Salman Rushdie is blind in his right eye, struggles to write and, at times, has “frightening” nightmares.

    But, he said during his first interview since the attack, he still has a feeling of gratitude.

    “Well, you know, I’ve been better,” he told The New Yorker’s David Remnick during an interview published Monday. “But, considering what happened, I’m not so bad.”

    “The big injuries are healed, essentially,” Rushdie went on to describe. “I have feeling in my thumb and index finger and in the bottom half of the palm. I’m doing a lot of hand therapy, and I’m told that I’m doing very well.”

    Remnick, who spoke with Rushdie both in person at his agent’s office in Manhattan and via Zoom, wrote that the Booker Prize-winning author had lost more than 40 pounds (18 kilograms) and mostly reads through an iPad so he can adjust the lighting and font size.

    “There is scar tissue on the right side of his face,” Remnick wrote. “He speaks as fluently as ever, but his lower lip droops on one side. The ulnar nerve in his left hand was badly damaged.”

    Rushdie, 75, lived in hiding for years after Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa in 1989 calling for his death because of the alleged blasphemy of the novel “The Satanic Verses.” But he had long since moved about freely, with minimal security, and did not feel any sense of risk last August about appearing at the Chautauqua Institution, a nonprofit education and retreat center in western New York.

    Rushdie was on stage when approached by a young man dressed in black and carrying a knife. The alleged assailant, Hadi Matar, has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and attempted murder. During his New Yorker interview, Rushdie referred to Matar as an “idiot,” but otherwise said he felt no anger.

    “I’ve tried very hard over these years to avoid recrimination and bitterness,” he said. “I just think it’s not a good look. One of the ways I’ve dealt with this whole thing is to look forward and not backwards. What happens tomorrow is more important than what happened yesterday.”

    The interview came out on the eve of the publication of Rushdie’s new novel, “Victory City,” which he completed a month before he was attacked. Featuring a protagonist who lives to be 247, “Victory” is a characteristically surreal and exuberant narrative about an imagined ancient poem that has received highly favorable reviews, with The Washington Post’s Ron Charles writing that “Rushdie’s magical style unfurls wonders.”

    Rushdie had been silent for months on social media, but now tweets on occasion and even responds to insults. When a tweeter last week told him he was living a “disgraceful life,” Rushdie answered, “Oh, another fan! So pleased.”

    During his interview, he noted ruefully that sales for his book had soared after the stabbing, as if he were more popular when in danger.

    “Now that I’ve almost died, everybody loves me,” he said. “That was my mistake, back then. Not only did I live but I tried to live well. Bad mistake. Get 15 stab wounds, much better.”

    On Monday, he tweeted a picture of himself, staring directly into the camera lens — his face thinner than in photos from before the stabbing, his right eye covered by a dark lens in his glasses frame.

    He is otherwise still trying to recover. Rushdie has written that he initially had difficulty writing fiction after the fatwa, and he is having a hard time now, saying that he will sit down to work and “nothing happens,” just a “combination of blankness and junk.”

    One project he may attempt: a follow-up to his 2012 memoir “Joseph Anton,” which he wrote in the third person.

    “This doesn’t feel third-person-ish to me,” Rushdie said of a possible sequel. “I think when somebody sticks a knife into you, that’s a first-person story. That’s an ‘I’ story.”

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  • 6 cheap stocks that famed value-fund manager Bill Nygren says can help you beat the market

    6 cheap stocks that famed value-fund manager Bill Nygren says can help you beat the market

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    These are tricky times in the stock market, so it pays to look to the best stock-fund managers for guidance on how to behave now. Veteran value investor Bill Nygren belongs in this camp, because the Oakmark Fund OAKMX he co-manages consistently and substantially outperforms its peers. 

    That isn’t easy, considering how many fund managers fail to do so. Nygren’s fund beats its Morningstar large-cap value index and category by more than four percentage points annualized over the past three years. It also outperforms at five and…

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  • These 20 stocks were the biggest winners of 2022

    These 20 stocks were the biggest winners of 2022

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    Even during a year in which the S&P 500 index declined 19%, with 72% of its stocks in the red, there were plenty of winners.

    Before showing you the list of the best performers in the benchmark index, let’s look at a preview: Here’s how the 11 sectors of the S&P 500
    SPX,
    -0.25%
    performed for the year:

    Index

    		 2022 price change

    		 Forward P/E

    		 Forward P/E as of Dec. 31, 2021
    Energy

    		 59.0%

    		 9.7

    		 11.1
    Utilities

    		 -1.4%

    		 18.9

    		 20.4
    Consumer Staples

    		 -3.2%

    		 21.0

    		 21.8
    Health Care

    		 -3.6%

    		 17.6

    		 17.2
    Industrials

    		 -7.1%

    		 18.3

    		 20.8
    Financials

    		 -12.4%

    		 11.9

    		 14.6
    Materials

    		 -14.1%

    		 15.8

    		 16.6
    Real Estate

    		 -28.4%

    		 16.5

    		 24.2
    Information Technology

    		 -28.9%

    		 20.1

    		 28.1
    Consumer Discretionary

    		 -37.6%

    		 21.3

    		 33.2
    Communication Services

    		 -40.4%

    		 14.3

    		 20.8
    S&P 500

    		 -19.4%

    		 16.8

    		 21.4
    Source: FactSet

    Maybe you aren’t surprised to see that the energy sector was the only one to increase during 2022. But it might surprise you to see that despite the sector’s weighted price increase of 59%, its forward price-to-earnings ratio declined and remains very low relative to all other sectors.

    It might also surprise you that West Texas Intermediate crude oil
    CL.1,
    +2.69%
    gave up most of its gains from earlier in the year:


    FactSet

    The reason investors are still confident in energy stocks is that oil producers have remained cautious when it comes to capital spending. They don’t want to increase supply enough to cause prices to crash, as they did in the run-up to the summer of 2014, after which prices fell steadily through early 2016, causing bankruptcies and consolidation in the industry.

    Now the oil companies are focusing on maintaining supply, raising dividends and buying back shares, as Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s
    OXY,
    +1.14%
    chief executive explained in a recent interview with Matt Peterson. Click here for more about Occidental and the long-term supply/demand outlook for oil.

    Best-performing S&P 500 stocks of 2022

    Here are the 20 stocks in the benchmark index that rose most during 2022, excluding dividends. Proving that there are always exceptions, not all of them are in the energy sector.

    Company

    		 Ticker

    		 Sector

    		 Industry

    		 2022 price change
    Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    		 OXY,
    +1.14%         		Energy

    		 Oil & Gas Production

    		 117.3%
    Hess Corp.

    		 HES,
    +0.68%         		Energy

    		 Oil & Gas Production

    		 91.6%
    Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    		 MPC,
    +0.18%         		Energy

    		 Oil Refining/ Marketing

    		 81.9%
    Exxon Mobil Corp.

    		 XOM,
    +1.01%         		Energy

    		 Integrated Oil

    		 80.3%
    Schlumberger Ltd.

    		 SLB,
    +1.04%         		Energy

    		 Contract Drilling

    		 78.5%
    APA Corp.

    		 APA,
    +1.68%         		Energy

    		 Integrated Oil

    		 73.6%
    Halliburton Co.

    		 HAL,
    +1.23%         		Energy

    		 Oil & Gas Production

    		 72.1%
    First Solar Inc.

    		 FSLR,
    +0.68%         		Information Technology

    		 Semiconductors

    		 71.9%
    Valero Energy Corp.

    		 VLO,
    +0.43%         		Energy

    		 Oil Refining/ Marketing

    		 68.9%
    Marathon Oil Corp.

    		 MRO,
    +1.08%         		Energy

    		 Oil & Gas Production

    		 64.9%
    ConocoPhillips

    		 COP,
    +1.38%         		Energy

    		 Oil & Gas Production

    		 63.5%
    Steel Dynamics Inc.

    		 STLD,
    -0.72%         		Materials

    		 Steel

    		 57.4%
    EQT Corp.

    		 EQT,
    -0.12%         		Energy

    		 Oil & Gas Production

    		 55.1%
    Chevron Corp.

    		 CVX,
    +0.66%         		Energy

    		 Integrated Oil

    		 53.0%
    McKesson Corp.

    		 MCK,
         		Health Care

    		 Medical Distributors

    		 50.9%
    Cardinal Health Inc.

    		 CAH,
    -0.46%         		Health Care

    		 Medical Distributors

    		 49.3%
    EOG Resources Inc.

    		 EOG,
    +0.69%         		Energy

    		 Oil & Gas Production

    		 45.8%
    Enphase Energy Inc.

    		 ENPH,
    -0.20%         		Information Technology

    		 Semiconductors

    		 44.8%
    Merck & Co. Inc.

    		 MRK,
    +0.12%         		Health Care

    		 Pharmaceuticals

    		 44.8%
    Cigna Corp.

    		 CI,
    +0.19%         		Health Care

    		 Managed Health Care

    		 44.3%
    Source: FactSet

    Click on the tickers for more information about the companies.

    Click here for Tomi Kilgore’s detailed guide to the wealth of information available for free on the MarketWatch quote page.

    Don’t Miss: These 20 stocks were the biggest losers of 2022

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  • These 20 energy stocks are worth a look if you think oil prices will soar in 2023

    These 20 energy stocks are worth a look if you think oil prices will soar in 2023

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    Harris Kupperman, the president of Praetorian Capital, made a couple of interesting calls heading into 2022. He predicted that stocks of the giant tech-oriented companies that led the bull market would be sold off, and that oil prices would continue to rise through the end of 2022.

    The first prediction came true, while the second one for oil prices fizzled. After rising to $130 in March, oil prices have fallen back to where they started the year. Then again, that second prediction still could have made you a lot of money because the share prices of oil companies kept rising anyway.

    That leads to a new prediction for 2023 and a related stock screen below.

    Here’s a chart showing the movement of front-month contract prices for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil
    CL.1,
    -0.62%
    since the end of 2021:


    FactSet

    Even though Kupperman didn’t get his oil price call right, the energy sector of the S&P 500
    SPX,
    -1.20%
    was up 60% for 2022 through Dec. 27, excluding dividends. That is the only one of the 11 S&P 500 sectors to show a gain in 2022. And the energy sector is also cheapest relative to earnings expectations, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 9.8, compared with 16.7 for the full S&P 500.

    WTI pulled back from its momentary peak at $130.50 in early March, but that didn’t reverse the long-term trend of low capital spending by oil and natural gas producers, which has given investors confidence that supplies will remain tight.

    Vicki Hollub, the CEO of Occidental Petroleum Corp.
    OXY,
    -3.50%
    — the best-performing S&P 500 stock of 2022 — said during a recent interview that there was “no pressure to increase production right now,” citing a $40 per barrel break-even point for oil prices.

    Kupperman now expects strong demand and low supplies to push oil as high as $200 a barrel in 2023.

    At the end of November, these 20 oil companies stood out as reasonable plays for 2023 based on expectations for free-cash-flow generation and dividend payments.

    For this next screen, we are only looking at ratings and consensus price targets among analysts polled by FactSet.

    There are 23 energy stocks in the S&P 500, and you can invest in that group easily by purchasing shares of the Energy Select SPDR ETF
    XLE,
    -2.24%    .
    We can expand the list of large-cap names by looking at the components of the iShares Global Energy ETF
    IXC,
    -1.91%    ,
    which holds all the energy stocks in the S&P 500 plus large players based outside the U.S.

    The top five holdings of IXC are:

    Company

    		 Ticker

    		 Country

    		 % of portfolio

    		 Share “buy” ratings

    		 Dec. 27 price

    		 Price target

    		 Implied 12-month upside potential
    Exxon Mobil Corp.

    		 XOM,
    -1.64%         		U.S.

    		 16.4%

    		 54%

    		 110.19

    		 118.89

    		 7.89%
    Chevron Corp.

    		 CVX,
    -1.48%         		U.S.

    		 11.5%

    		 54%

    		 179.63

    		 190.52

    		 6.06%
    Shell PLC

    		 SHEL,
    -0.70%         		U.K.

    		 7.8%

    		 83%

    		 23.67

    		 29.82

    		 25.99%
    TotalEnergies SE

    		 TTE,
    -1.40%         		France

    		 5.6%

    		 62%

    		 59.63

    		 64.40

    		 8.00%
    ConocoPhillips

    		 COP,
    -2.67%         		U.K.

    		 5.4%

    		 83%

    		 118.47

    		 140.84

    		 18.88%
    Source: FactSet

    Prices on the tables in this article are in local currencies.

    IXC holds 51 stocks. To expand the list for a stock screen, we added the energy stocks in the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index
    MID,
    -1.24%
    and the S&P Small Cap 600 Index
    SML,
    -1.89%
    to bring the list up to 91 companies, which we then pared to 83 covered by at least five analysts polled by FactSet.

    Here are the 20 companies in the list with at least 75% “buy” or equivalent ratings that have the most upside potential over the next 12 months, based on consensus price targets:

    Company

    		 Ticker

    		 Country

    		 Share “buy” ratings

    		 Dec. 27 price

    		 Price target

    		 Implied 12-month upside potential
    EQT Corp.

    		 EQT,
    -7.82%         		U.S.

    		 83%

    		 36.34

    		 59.14

    		 63%
    Green Plains Inc.

    		 GPRE,
    -2.72%         		U.S.

    		 80%

    		 29.80

    		 43.40

    		 46%
    Cameco Corp.

    		 CCO,
    +0.33%         		Canada

    		 100%

    		 30.48

    		 44.25

    		 45%
    Talos Energy Inc.

    		 TALO,
    -8.40%         		U.S.

    		 86%

    		 19.77

    		 28.67

    		 45%
    Ranger Oil Corp. Class A

    		 ROCC,
    -6.22%         		U.S.

    		 100%

    		 41.33

    		 58.00

    		 40%
    Tourmaline Oil Corp.

    		 TOU,
    -4.92%         		Canada

    		 100%

    		 71.40

    		 98.83

    		 38%
    Civitas Resources Inc.

    		 CIVI,
    -4.06%         		U.S.

    		 100%

    		 58.82

    		 80.83

    		 37%
    Inpex Corp.

    		 1605,
    -2.08%         		Japan

    		 88%

    		 1,477.00

    		 1,965.56

    		 33%
    Diamondback Energy Inc.

    		 FANG,
    -2.26%         		U.S.

    		 84%

    		 137.58

    		 181.90

    		 32%
    Santos Limited

    		 STO,
    -3.12%         		Australia

    		 100%

    		 7.20

    		 9.26

    		 29%
    Matador Resources Co.

    		 MTDR,
    -3.98%         		U.S.

    		 79%

    		 57.59

    		 73.75

    		 28%
    Targa Resources Corp.

    		 TRGP,
    -2.63%         		U.S.

    		 95%

    		 73.89

    		 94.05

    		 27%
    Cenovus Energy Inc.

    		 CVE,
    -2.55%         		Canada

    		 84%

    		 26.24

    		 33.22

    		 27%
    Shell PLC

    		 SHEL,
    -0.70%         		U.K.

    		 83%

    		 23.67

    		 29.82

    		 26%
    Ampol Limited

    		 ALD,
    -2.89%         		Australia

    		 85%

    		 28.29

    		 35.01

    		 24%
    EOG Resources Inc.

    		 EOG,
    -3.54%         		U.S.

    		 79%

    		 132.08

    		 157.52

    		 19%
    ConocoPhillips

    		 COP,
    -2.67%         		U.S.

    		 83%

    		 118.47

    		 140.84

    		 19%
    Repsol SA

    		 REP,
    -0.66%         		Spain

    		 75%

    		 15.05

    		 17.88

    		 19%
    Halliburton Co.

    		 HAL,
    -3.03%         		U.S.

    		 86%

    		 39.27

    		 45.95

    		 17%
    Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    		 MPC,
    -1.97%         		U.S.

    		 76%

    		 116.82

    		 132.56

    		 13%
    Source: FactSet

    Click on the tickers for more information about the companies.

    Click here for Tomi Kilgore’s detailed guide to the wealth of information available for free on the MarketWatch quote page.

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