Daily Archives: December 25, 2023

Exploring the Future of Online Gambling: The Rise of Cryptocurrency Casinos – Smithfield Times Exploring the Future … – Smithfield Times

Posted: December 25, 2023 at 6:34 am

Exploring the Future of Online Gambling: The Rise of Cryptocurrency Casinos

Published 4:44 pm Friday, December 22, 2023

Opinion | Why can’t you just vote on gambling? – Alabama Political Reporter

Posted: at 6:34 am

Gambling is popular in Alabama.

Despite all of the phony hand-wringing over gambling legislation during every legislative session and all of the alleged moral pushback about legalizing casino wagering, Alabama loves to gamble.

Were one of the top states in the country each year for sports wagering. Alabama gamblers are one of the top groups of users on the offshore gambling website Bovada. Our residents spend millions each year buying lottery tickets and visiting casinos in other states. The total amount of legal and illegal gambling in this state accounts for billions of dollars each year.

Its no wonder, then, that when polled on the question of legalizing gambling, implementing a lottery and allowing sports wagering, Alabama voters overwhelmingly said they wanted the chance to vote on it.

And by overwhelmingly, I mean 89 percent.

You couldnt get 89 percent of the people in this state to agree with you that the sky is blue. Thats how popular the issue is at this point.

Its not just a bunch of librals either. Gambling legalization, including a lottery, casino-style games and sports wagering, is also popular among those who consider themselves conservative voters. More than 60 percent of them, in a 2015 poll, wanted a chance to vote on the issue.

But then, what do you dopey voters know?

It doesnt matter what you want, what you think is best for yourself or for the state. No, no. The politicians theyre the ones who know better than you whats best for you.

Just ask Chris Elliott.

The Baldwin County state senator said last week, during an appearance on a Mobile-area radio station, 106.5-FM, that it doesnt matter what yall want. No, the politics matter more. The politicians matter more.

Elliott said out loud the part that elected officials are never supposed to say out loud that their job security matters more than serving you.

Elliott said that rumored legislation that would legalize a lottery, casino gambling at certain locations and sports wagering while clamping down on the thousands of illegal gambling operations around the state would be a bad idea. Not because the legislation is unpopular, or because its bad legislation that wouldnt solve the problems and increase revenue, but because putting the issue on the ballot in 2024 might drive more Democrats to the polls and result in a loss in Alabamas newly-drawn 2nd congressional district.

Three things: 1. Republicans aint winning that seat, and it doesnt matter if Ronald Reagans ghost is on the ticket; 2. Democrats in that district will NOT need a secondary issue, like gambling, to drive them to the polls to vote in a fair race that they fought all the way to the Supreme Court to get; and 3. Republicans gamble too.

You have to be living in some alternate reality to seriously believe that Democrats hold a major voter advantage on the issue of gambling in this day and age. Or maybe thats just what living inside the Republican super-conservative news bubble does for you.

About the only Republicans who are vehemently opposed to gambling legislation at this point are the ones who dont fully understand the complexities of the issue in this state and the ones who are being paid by certain interested parties (like out-of-state casino owners) to oppose the legislation.

There is no major organized opposition.

Because were talking about a business thats everywhere now. You cant watch a ballgame without 87 ads for online sportsbooks. Everyone discusses the lines on games. Half the state drives to Georgia or Tennessee or Florida to buy tickets for the big Powerball drawings. And those buses leaving for Biloxi and other casino locations are filled with active church members.

No one cares anymore. Its like being opposed to alcohol sales.

Except in this case, were still living in the prohibition era of the 1920s, where 90 percent of those sales are conducted by shady characters running shady operations and propping up other illegal activities. Thats the Alabama gambling landscape in 2023.

Which makes it hilarious to read the ridiculous study on gambling from the Alabama Policy Institute.APIs study trots out the same old ignorant-of-reality talking points and pretends once again that were living inside a gambling-free bubble where neither roads nor the internet exists.

Every phone will become a casino, the report breathlessly warns of the legalization of sports wagering. Um, excuse me, but yall do know that offshore gambling websites are accessible on phones now, as are daily fantasy wagering websites, including over/under player totals, right?

If you dont, you shouldnt be writing about gambling. If you do, everyone should question why youre trying to mislead them on the realities of gambling.

Look, Ive written about this issue a bunch. There is no solution that includes just making certain games more illegal. There is no solution that includes just legalizing a lottery. There is no solution that includes more enforcement without a wholesale change of gambling laws on the books which will require a constitutional amendment and a vote of the people.

Anyone who tells you differently is lying to you. Ill leave it up to you to figure out why theyre lying to you.

But I can assure you of one thing: None of them are lying to you for your benefit.

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Opinion | Why can't you just vote on gambling? - Alabama Political Reporter

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Interview: xQcs blockbuster Kick deal allegedly had nothing to do with Twitchs gambling ban – Dexerto

Posted: at 6:34 am

Jeremy Gan

Published: 2023-12-23T04:26:18 Updated: 2023-12-23T04:26:30

In an exclusive interview with Dexerto, xQcs agency explains that his blockbuster Kick deal had nothing to do with Twitchs gambling ban and Stakes ownership.

When Felix xQc Lengyel penned his $100 million deal with the streaming platform Kick, it lit the entertainment world on fire. One of the largest of its kind, it drew comparisons to blockbuster sports signings which it handily dwarfed in price.

However, questions arose surrounding the nature of the deal as Kick is backed by the online casino Stake.com, and xQc has long been critical of Twitchs handling of gambling streams in the past.

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So, did xQcs Kick deal have anything to do with Twitchs gambling ban and his gambling streams?

Talking to Sbastien Delvaux, the COO of Evolved, the talent agency representing xQc, he says that the deal had nothing to do with gambling or Stake.

The actual Kick conversation, Stake was never part of that, [Kick] was very clear, and we were very clear, he said of their discussions with the streaming platform about the deal.

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They were very clear that Kick as a platform is not just an outlet for Stake, and we were very clear that Stake and deliverables around that potentially cannot be part of this contract.

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Delvaux said this was to ensure the quality of xQcs streams didnt suffer, as the experience for viewers would decline if he was made to do gambling streams.

Theres no world in which we want 100% of xQcs to be gambling, or even for fans to feel like this move is going to deteriorate the quality of their experience as to what theyre used to on Twitch.

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Rather, Delvaux says the contract allows xQc the choice to do gambling streams if he wants to, but is never obliged to do so under the deal.

Making sure that Felix has the freedom to gamble, if he wants to, because a lot of fans do enjoy those types of streams, but isnt necessarily obligated to do it in any way, was very important to us.

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So he can do it if he feels like its something that he wants to do at the time, but theres no obligation in the Kick contract for him to do that.

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Interview: xQcs blockbuster Kick deal allegedly had nothing to do with Twitchs gambling ban - Dexerto

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Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 12/22 – Zone Coverage

Posted: at 6:34 am

Locks

NBA (1 Unit) Toronto Raptors @ Philadelphia 76ers -8 (-110; Odds via Fanduel): 6:00 PM CT on NBCS-PHI

I finally got a live view of how good the Sixers can be against quality teams as they pulled away from the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Joel Embiid is on another level right now, carrying this team to massive blowouts, and another comfortable win should be coming here. Weve already seen these teams meet twice as well, with Philly winning and covering both matchups.

You cant ignore Philadelphias second-best ATS record at 19-8, including the leagues best margin of victory and average ATS margin. Toronto has not been able to keep up with powerful offensive teams which is what the 76ers are, so look for Philly to roll into their Christmas break with an easy win.

NBA (1 Unit) Atlanta Hawks Team Total Over 118.5 (-110; Odds via Caesars): 7:00 PM CT on Bally Sports FL

Ive been really impressed with Atlantas ability lately to exert their style of play on every opponent, especially on Wednesday when they did it on the road against a great defensive team. Thats sent the Hawks over this team total in 8 of their past 10 games, including 6 straight, and another should be coming here.

This is not the Miami team were used to, as the defense is not playing to the level you would expect. The Heat are just 17th in defensive efficiency on the season, and that drops to 25th for home games. Its why they have a positive record to the over at home, including the leagues second-highest plus/minus to the total for home games. But with Jimmy Butler out tonight I dont want to count on points from Miami, so Ill isolate the Hawks to continue their offensive surge against a subpar defense.

Bonus Bets (0.5 Unit Each) Trae Young Over 3.5 Made Threes & Bogdan Bogdanovic Over 2.5 Made Threes (-110; Odds via DraftKings)

Both of these excellent shooters have been red hot lately to fuel Atlantas run of high-scoring games. Theyll have another great chance to light it up from deep tonight against a Miami team that struggles with perimeter defense. The Heat are just 22nd in opponent 3-point percentage overall and 26th at home. The Hawks will have no fear of firing away all game, so I like their two best 3-point shooters to splash plenty of them tonight.

NCAA Basketball Mississippi Valley St @ Baylor -40.5 (-110; Odds via Fanduel): 6:00 PM CT on ESPN+

Im not usually in the habit of laying 40 points in college hoops, but this game has the potential for Baylor to go completely nuclear. After consecutive losses to top programs in the past week halted their momentum, the Bears have the perfect victim in front of them to take out some frustrations.

MVSU and their 355th-rated defense will politely decline to guard all game long, so Baylor should get whatever they want from everywhere on the floor. The Delta Devils have faced five power conference opponents this season, losing by 46, 39, 34, 34, and 38 point margins. Baylors anger should be enough to propel them over the 40-point threshold in this rout.

Tiny Nick is 1841-1647 ATS (+84.4 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.

Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games hes confident in. Degenerates are entertaining but riskier picks.

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Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 12/22 - Zone Coverage

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Responsible Gambling in the Digital Age: What You Need to Know – Smithfield Times Responsible Gambling in 2023 … – Smithfield Times

Posted: at 6:34 am

Responsible Gambling in the Digital Age: What You Need to Know

Published 4:51 pm Friday, December 22, 2023

Steer clear of seals, warns Hout Bay Seal and Rescue Centre – IOL

Posted: at 6:34 am

Cape Town - With the Capes tourist season in full swing, excited visitors have been warned that seals around the coasts and harbours were wild and dangerous.

The Hout Bay Seal and Rescue Centre (HBSRC) has reminded visitors that seals should not be approached for photographing.

HBSRC assists seals who are in distress, rescuing the injured, sick or orphaned seals and facilitates their rehabilitation and return to their natural environment.

The centre operates 24/7 for each day of the year and is called out constantly for stranded and distressed seals.

HBSRC Operations director Kim Krynauw said: First, it is extremely important to note that seals are wild, dangerous animals, they are not puppy dogs and are descendants from a common ancestor most closely related to modern bears. Seals do spend a lot of their time laying around during the day on rocks or beaches, and will return to the ocean to hunt. Seals can seem clumsy on land but are able to run and charge at an alarming speed, that is why it is important to keep at least 30 metres away from seals at all times.

Visitors have been urged not to put any water on a resting seal as the reason theyre on land was to get warm.

It is birthing season now and you will be seeing black pups. Please, if you find a pup, call us immediately, pups cannot swim until they are four months old. Also, please if you are in a rubber dinghy, jet skis etc, stay away from the islands or rocks where there are seals, as this could cause stampedes and displaced and drowning pups, Krynauw said.

When diving, it is also important to be mindful that seals are aggressive and during this period can be a lot more aggressive. This could also be as a result of lack of food.

Overfishing remains a huge threat to seals and all marine life, she said. Fishermen are known to shoot, gaff and club seals on land and while out on sea. Sangomas and witch doctors who pay for seal body parts also pose a threat to marine mammals.

Recently, in St Helena, a local fisherman attacked a mother seal by clubbing and threw the pup into the water. The baby was rescued and is now safe at the centre. The pup is one of 15 at the centre. Seals are also shot at sea and many are found with bullet wounds or spear/ gaff wounds, Krynauw said.

In St Helena Bay, a seal was shot in the back of the head while resting. In Strand, behind the pavilion, children beat a yearling to death with rocks, and another yearling was beaten to death using rocks in Hout Bay.

The HBSRC said it was also opposed to any feeding of seals and engagement with feeders who are at times aggressive. The organisation also advised against getting near a seal for photographs.

West Coast Seal project Jacques Nel said it was important for parents/ guardians to educate children on the environment and animals who live in it. People walking their dogs on beaches without leashes were also a major problem, he said, disturbing and causing distress to seals.

HBSRC can be contacted on 072 988 5193 or via email at [emailprotected]

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Steer clear of seals, warns Hout Bay Seal and Rescue Centre - IOL

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How 12 years of tracking investments has been a life-changer – freefincal on YouTube

Posted: at 6:33 am

I have tracked the amount invested in my goal portfolio for over 12 years. It has been a life and game changer for my family. Whether you track your spending or not, tracking your investment amount is crucial.

Today, I can invest more for retirement than my target investment. That was not the case when I started. In 2011, I noticed I was consistently investing less than the target. For several months in 2013, 14, and 15, I could not invest due to higher expenses and struggled to make up for it. For details of my portfolio holdings and review see:Portfolio Audit 2023: The annual review of my goal-based investments

By target, I refer to a thorough retirement planning calculation output. If you are wondering, Why did he stop investing due to higher expenses? Why did he not use an emergency fund? ask yourself, How will you refill a depleted emergency fund? How will you handle an unexpected recurring expense? There are many situations when the emergency is bigger than the emergency fund.

The number one benefit of tracking investments: You are aware of your future goals, you appreciate how much you need to invest for them, and whether or not you can invest that much, you have a target. Knowing where you stand is the first to appreciate how far you need to travel if you need some inspiration to get started, check the personal financial audits from our community linked at the end of the article.

Number two: I often listen and re-listen to the excellent money management classic The Richest Man in Babylon, and each time I learn something new, I find a new article idea. One of the earliest known mentions of pay yourself first. When we track investments, we get a sense of accomplishment that is, we find some balance between current and future expenses (the reason we invest).

Number three: When you pay yourself first (if you can), tracking expenses becomes unnecessary (IMO) and essentially an academic exercise. Budgeting is essential when money is tight, and you struggle to make ends meet. Once you can regularly find a surplus when paying ourselves first is possible budgeting is unnecessary. We invest first and spend the rest.

Budgeting builds discipline and gives you an insight into personal inflation. Once you appreciate the importance of discipline in spending and the inflation rate, your overall portfolio has to keep pace with after-tax; it becomes superfluous. However, it is a therapeutic regimen for some: What 25 Years of Tracking Expenses Taught Me.

If you need some assistance in this regard:

For someone under 30 reading this, I urge you to do everything possible to get to this position first where you can invest some amount (any amount) regularly. This is the first step to building wealth.

The next step is to increase the amount we can invest by as much as possible every year. Our income should increase, but our expenses should not grow simultaneously! Again, quoting the richest man in Babylon increase thy income!

If you believe your income is low and you do not see it increasing too much in future, then do everything possible to learn new skills or have a side hustle to increase your income.

Children with financially secure parents should be told to qualify, build skillsets as much as possible, and become professionals or entrepreneurs instead of run-of-the-mill salaried guys in their early 20s. There will be a long struggle, and you will not be able to invest anything in your 20s or even up to your mid-30s. Still, you can easily catch up later with essential money management commonsense and higher salaries.

The results of a retirement calculator would always look impossible to achieve (otherwise, there is something wrong with the computation!). See, for example, We lost sleep after using a retirement calculator! This is how we recovered. However, we must have the hope, perhaps even a vision, that we will earn more and invest more in the future.

The trick to succeeding with anything in life is to work consistently without expectations and any sign of an obvious reward for our efforts. Investing systematically is a simple example of this activity. Tracking investments helps you stay on course. It reminds you of the progress you have made or reminds you (painfully) of the distance that you need to cover.

For our family, diligent goal-based investment planning and tracking for 10-plus years have been life changers. It has transformed us from middle-class subsistence to financial freedom:15 years of mutual fund investing: My Journey and lessons learned.

This is the average rate of increase in monthly investments for retirement. I lost the 2016 data due to a hard drive crash (for the last few years, I have worked entirely on OneDrive). I started investing in mutual funds in a small way in June 2008, but it was only in 2010/11 that I started proper goal-based investing.

I recommend maintaining a 10% increase in investments yearly or 70-100% of your monthly expenses. This will get tougher with time, but we must try. Investing 2-3 times monthly expenses would be necessary for early financial independence aspirants.

In my case, it is a sheer providence that I have been able to achieve an investing annualised growth of 18% consistently (rate of increase in investments each year). My investment annualised return, that is, the rate of increase in market value, is about 16% (from June 2008 to Sep 2022) less than my investing CAGR And it fluctuates a lot more! See: My retirement equity MF portfolio return is 2.75% after 12 years! I tracked my investments more often than I have tracked their value. So I see this as a just reward for the effort.

Tracking investments each month for each goal has the same benefits as tracking our exercise regimen with an app or watch. It gives you a small control over the controllable and lowers your fear of the future.

Many youngsters assume paying ourselves first would be depriving ourselves of the pleasures of life. This is not true. The sole purpose of money in our lives is to get spent for our benefit. Investing is a way to ensure we can continue to spend happily in the future. So we need to find some balance between spending today and developing an ability to spend the same way tomorrow. How we find this balance is personal and up to the individual.

This is the template I used to track investments: Download the free monthly financial tracker. Users of the freefincal mutual fund and stock portfolio tracker can upload this sheet onto their existing Google Sheets file.

Check out some personal financial audits from readers.

These published audits have had a compounding effect on readers. If you would like to contribute to the DIY community in this manner, send your audits to freefincal AT Gmail. They could be published anonymously if you so desire.

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How 12 years of tracking investments has been a life-changer - freefincal on YouTube

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Understanding the Path to Financial Independence in Retirement – TickerTV News

Posted: at 6:33 am

More than half of working Americans feel they are falling behind on their retirement savings, according to a recent survey. However, figuring out the amount of money needed to retire is an essential step towards financial security in your golden years.

Calculating Your Financial Freedom Number

The key to achieving financial independence lies in the simple formula recommended the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement. This formula suggests that you should have 25 times your annual expenses invested. To determine this more accurately, begin totaling your monthly expenses in five basic budgeting categories:

1. Food costs, which include eating out and groceries. 2. Transportation expenses, such as car payments, insurance, fuel, and parking. 3. Housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments, as well as taxes and insurance. 4. Utilities, encompassing electricity, cell phone bills, and internet. 5. Health expenses, which cover essential items like toiletries and cleaning supplies, as well as medical and wellness needs.

Once you have calculated your monthly expenses, multiply the total 12 to obtain your annual amount. Multiply this figure 25 to determine your personalized FIRE number.

Taking Control of Your Financial Future

It is important to note that the FIRE number assumes a 4% annual withdrawal rate, considering the potential growth of investments through interest or dividends. Hence, you are unlikely to exhaust your retirement savings within your lifetime.

While the idea of needing to become a millionaire for a comfortable retirement may seem daunting, there are practical steps you can take to improve your financial prospects. Begin paying off debts, such as student loans, car loans, and credit card debt. Streamlining your daily expenses adopting a more essentialist lifestyle can also contribute to reducing your FIRE number.

Taking small steps towards investing in your FIRE number can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Although you may not be able to retire early, following this formula could grant you the freedom to pursue your passions or indulge in travel.

By embracing a proactive approach and striving to move closer to your financial goals, you can significantly expedite your journey towards a well-deserved retirement.

Understanding the Path to Financial Independence in Retirement - TickerTV News

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Why These 7 Cloud Computing Stocks Should be on Your Radar in 2024 – InvestorPlace

Posted: at 6:33 am

As we usher in a a burgeoning bull market in 2024, its paramount to turn our attention to the top cloud computing stocks. The last decade has showcased cloud computings role in revolutionizing business operations, enhancing collaboration, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and data security. With these benefits, the cloud computing market is gearing up for massive growth, so investors should eye companies with adaptability to rapid market changes. Looking towards 2024, the business spending on cloud infrastructure is anticipated to exceed $1 trillion for the first time. A growing demand for new platforms and as-a-service options will drive this trend.

The horizon for cloud computing shines even further, with Mordor Intelligence anticipating the market to reach a staggering $1.24 trillion by 2028, growing at a 16.40% CAGR from 2023 to 2028, highlighting its immense potential as an investment hotspot.

Now, lets explore the top cloud computing stocks set to stand out in 2024.

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Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is experiencing a landmark year, with its stock soaring over 74% year-to-date (YTD), largely propelled by its leading cloud computing arm, Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS stands as the globes preeminent cloud computing entity, a position further solidified by its innovative strides in 2023.

Moreover, the recent AWS Reinvent conference showcased groundbreaking developments in generative AI and enhanced cloud security. Graviton4 and Trainium2 chips, newly unveiled, set to revolutionize generative AI and high-demand workloads, boasting faster speeds and cost savings. Consequently, AWS CEO Adam Selipsky emphasized Generative AIs critical role in cloud infrastructure, focusing on AI training, large language model tools, and AI-centric applications.

Furthermore, AWSs financial performance in its latest quarter mirrors its advancements, with a 13% year-over-year (YOY) revenue increase and a staggering 244% surge in net income. This robust financial health, coupled with TipRanks analysts assigning a strong buy and an 18.48% upside potential, paints a bright future for Amazons cloud computing juggernaut.

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Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is making significant strides, with Microsoft Azure at the forefront of its generative AI services growing prominence. The introduction of Azure Cobalt, a custom CPU tailored for cloud applications, and Azure Maia, a custom-designed AI accelerator chip, marks a leap in Microsofts cloud computing prowess and its AI infrastructure.

Further bolstering its position in the AI arena, Microsoft has teamed up with NVIDIA to build the worlds fastest cloud AI computer. This collaboration leverages Microsofts Azure infrastructure and NVIDIAs cutting-edge technology, setting a new benchmark in AI technology.

On the financial front, Microsofts robust performance is evident. The company has seen a 13% revenue increase to $56.5 billion and a 26.97% jump in net income to $22.3 billion. These figures, along with a 54.74% rise in stock value YTD and a strong buy rating with a 14% upside potential from TipRanks analysts, solidify Microsofts status as a powerhouse in both technology and the stock market.

Source: IgorGolovniov / Shutterstock.com

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL) has become a key player in the cloud computing market, offering diverse services ranging from AI and machine learning to data storage. After years of its cloud business operating at a loss, a pivotal change occurred at the beginning of 2023 when Alphabet reported its first operating profit in this domain, marking a significant milestone.

At the Google Cloud Next 2023 event, CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized Alphabets transition to an AI-first strategy. This shift has led to remarkable improvements across Alphabets product range, leveraging AI for enhanced performance and innovation.

Financially, Alphabet showcased its strength with global revenue growth of 11% YOY to $76.69 billion and a net profit surge of 41.55%. Notably, Google Cloud achieved a record $8.41 billion in revenue, a 22.47% increase from the previous year. Reflecting this strong performance, TipRanks analysts assign Alphabet a strong buy rating, with a projected 16.12% upside potential, signaling a bright future ahead for the company.

Source: viewimage / Shutterstock.com

Altair Engineering (NASDAQ:ALTR), a trailblazer in computational science and AI, is reshaping the landscape of high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud solutions. Specializing in software for simulation, data analytics, and an array of optimization technology products, Altair caters to a diverse clientele with its ITS portfolio and expert engineering services.

Moreover, ALTRs latest Altair HPCWorks 2024 represents major advancements. This innovative offering integrates AI to enhance user experience and functionality, streamlining distributed workflows and simplifying cloud scaling. Additionally, its integration with NavOps, a sophisticated workload management solution, enables smooth migration of compute-heavy workloads to the cloud, enhancing both visibility and control over cloud resources.

Financially, ALTRs latest quarter results reflect its upward trajectory, showing a 14.8% YOY increase in software product revenues and a 12.3% rise in total revenue. According to Simply Wall St., Altair is projected to grow earnings and revenue by 122.7% and 8.8% annually, positioning the company as a promising cloud computing stock for growth-focused investors.

Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com

ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW), a notable player in cloud computing, serves over 7,700 global enterprise customers with software designed to streamline work processes and bolster cyberattack defenses. NOW shares have seen a remarkable 81% increase YTD and are fast approaching their all-time high from late 2021, showcasing its impressive market performance.

The launch of NOWs latest platform, Vancouver, marks a leap in AI utilization. This advancement allows employees to access data more swiftly and simplifies programming by allowing users to create computer programs using natural language rather than traditional coding. This innovation significantly enhances efficiency in technology use.

Furthermore, NOWs financials show robust growth, with revenues reaching $2.28 billion, a 25% increase YOY, and the companys current remaining performance obligations standing at $7.43 billion. Impressively, NOW has 1,789 customers with over $1 million in annual contract value (ACV), a 17% increase in such customers YOY, highlighting its consistent expansion and solidifying its status as a leading cloud computing firm.

Source: Karol Ciesluk / Shutterstock.com

Datadog (NASDAQ:DDOG) stands out in the cloud computing sector by enabling businesses to effectively manage their cloud infrastructure. Focused on cybersecurity, the company safeguards critical data, and instead of creating its cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, it specializes in overseeing these systems, garnering trust from renowned clients like Twilio (NYSE:TWLO), Nasdaq (NASDAQ:NDAQ), and Maersk (OTCMKTS:AMKBY).

Moreover, Datadog is enhancing AI ecosystems by using Large Language Models (LLM) for efficient troubleshooting. Their new tool for tracking LLM prompts and responses optimizes performance and user experience. Additionally, Flex Logs offers a solution for managing growing log volumes with long-term retention and clear visibility.

Financially, DDOG stands out with a 70% YTD gain and a 226% increase over the past five years. The companys recent 25.4% YOY revenue growth is impressive, and the surge in customers paying over $100,000 in annual recurring revenue, from approximately 2,600 to 3,130 in one year, underscores Datadogs sustained growth and profitability.

Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com

Zscaler (NASDAQ:ZS) continues to shine as one of the top performers in the cloud computing market. The stock boasts an impressive 101% increase YTD and a 479% gain over the past five years, demonstrating resilience and underscoring its enduring appeal in the sector. At the core of Zscalers success is its robust cloud security platform, which protects critical documents and data across both public and private clouds.

Furthermore, Zscaler kicked off its latest quarter with a robust 40% YOY revenue growth and billings rose by 34%, indicating sustained and strong revenue potential. Collaborating with CrowdStrike and Imprivata, Zscaler recently introduced a zero-trust security solution for healthcare organizations, enhancing visibility and threat protection. These strategic initiatives solidify Zscalers role as a leading force in the cloud computing field.

On the date of publication, Muslim Farooque did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

Muslim Farooque is a keen investor and an optimist at heart. A life-long gamer and tech enthusiast, he has a particular affinity for analyzing technology stocks. Muslim holds a bachelors of science degree in applied accounting from Oxford Brookes University.

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Why These 7 Cloud Computing Stocks Should be on Your Radar in 2024 - InvestorPlace

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IBM to Buy Software AG’s Cloud Computing and AI Assets for $2.3BN – Investopedia

Posted: at 6:33 am

Key Takeaways

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) said on Monday that it would buy Software AG's enterprise integration platforms for 2.13 billion euros ($2.33 billion) to strengthen its artificial intelligence and cloud computing capabilities.

IBM will acquire Software AG's StreamSets and webMethods platforms, which make up its "Super Ipaas" business, used by 1,500 customers around the world. The all-cash deal is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024.

IBM said the deal was part of a focus to enhance its AI and hybrid cloud offerings through strategic M&A deals, and that it will add to the data ingesting capabilities of watsonx. IBM cited research from IDC that predicts the worldwide integration software market will exceed$18.0 billionin 2027 at a compound annual growth rate of 16%.

"This powerful combination helps drive innovation while preparing businesses for AI, no matter where applications or data reside," saidRob Thomas, Senior Vice President at IBM.

Software AG is 93.3% owned by private equity firm Silver Lake, which has been involved in a months-long takeover pursuit and announced a simultaneous delisting offer for Software AG at 32 euros ($34.96) per share.

IBM shares were slightly lower on Monday morning but are up nearly 15% year-to-date.

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IBM to Buy Software AG's Cloud Computing and AI Assets for $2.3BN - Investopedia

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Daily Archives: December 25, 2023

Exploring the Future of Online Gambling: The Rise of Cryptocurrency Casinos – Smithfield Times Exploring the Future … – Smithfield Times

Opinion | Why can’t you just vote on gambling? – Alabama Political Reporter

Interview: xQcs blockbuster Kick deal allegedly had nothing to do with Twitchs gambling ban – Dexerto

Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 12/22 – Zone Coverage

Responsible Gambling in the Digital Age: What You Need to Know – Smithfield Times Responsible Gambling in 2023 … – Smithfield Times

Steer clear of seals, warns Hout Bay Seal and Rescue Centre – IOL

How 12 years of tracking investments has been a life-changer – freefincal on YouTube

Understanding the Path to Financial Independence in Retirement – TickerTV News

Why These 7 Cloud Computing Stocks Should be on Your Radar in 2024 – InvestorPlace

IBM to Buy Software AG’s Cloud Computing and AI Assets for $2.3BN – Investopedia

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