August 2025 – Page 35

Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers Spread Back-to-School Joy with 500 Backpack Donations

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Local Law Firm Teams Up with Elementary Schools to Invest in Student Success

BALTIMORE, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers is proud to announce their community partnership with Woodholme Elementary and Wellwood Elementary schools, providing 500 fully-stocked backpacks to students during upcoming Back-to-School Night events. The donation initiative aims to support students as they prepare for the new academic year by providing essential supplies and resources.

The backpack distribution will take place at two separate events on August 21st:

Woodholme Elementary – Sneak Peek Event Date: August 21st Time: 5:00-6:30 PM

Wellwood Elementary – Back to School Night Date: August 21st Time: 4:00-6:30 PM

Both events offer families valuable opportunities to meet teachers, connect with school staff, and engage with local businesses and community partners like Zirkin & Schmerling Law Firm.

Each backpack comes fully equipped with essential school supplies—including scissors, pencils, notebooks, and crayons—plus extra goodies from Zirkin & Schmerling Law that the whole family can enjoy.

“We’re thrilled to support these two wonderful schools and the families they serve,” said Josh Schmerling, partner at Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers. “Education is the foundation of a strong community, and we believe every child deserves to begin the school year feeling prepared and valued.”

Bobby Zirkin, partner at Zirkin and Schmerling Law and former Maryland State Senator added, “We are honored to play a small part in helping the children start off the school year and join the families for this exciting event.”

The Back-to-School Night events serve as meaningful community gatherings where families can familiarize themselves with their children’s learning environment and build connections that last throughout the academic year. By participating as a community partner, Zirkin & Schmerling continues their commitment to supporting local families and strengthening educational opportunities in the Baltimore area.

This backpack donation initiative reflects the law firm’s ongoing dedication to community service and their belief in investing in the next generation’s success. The firm regularly participates in local charitable events and maintains strong partnerships with schools and community organizations throughout the region.

Families attending either Back-to-School Night event will have the opportunity to collect their complimentary backpacks while exploring other resources and meeting the dedicated educators who will guide their children throughout the upcoming school year.

About Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers: Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers is a Baltimore-based personal injury legal practice committed to serving their community both in the courtroom and through active community engagement and charitable initiatives.

Media Contact:
Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers
1852 Reisterstown Road, Suite #203
Pikesville, MD 21208
Email: PJontiff@ZandSLaw.com
Website: www.zirkinandschmerlinglaw.com

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SOURCE Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers

Natally Andersson, HR Director at Bacardi, Takes Over As Caribbean Director at Women Leading Rum & Spirits

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published by Women Leading Rum & Spirits

Women Leading Rum & Spirits is a community committed to fostering inclusion, education, and the advancement of women within the spirits industry. Its mission is to promote women’s inclusion, leadership, and professional growth in the spirits industry through education, networking, and the exchange of ideas.

The appointment of Natally Andersson to head the Caribbean region symbolizes the growth of a network of women who lead with purpose, opening new avenues for female talent in the spirits world.

As Director of Human Resources for Bacardi in Puerto Rico, Natally leads from the heart of the world’s largest premium rum distillery. During her international career spanning more than 15 years, she has demonstrated her commitment to inclusion, well-being, and helping to build stronger organizational cultures.

“I am deeply honored to take on this role. I believe in the transformative power of a community of women who lead with purpose, who open doors and guide others through them. The Caribbean has a powerful story to tell, and my commitment is to amplify those voices with pride and responsibility”, she said.

Recognized for her ability to create an environment at Bacardi where everyone can be appreciated for who they are, what they do and who they can become, Natally will bring a global perspective to our organization, firmly rooted in her Caribbean roots. Her leadership represents a firm step toward the future we envision: one where excellence and diversity go hand in hand.

“Inclusion is not a trend; it’s a growth strategy, and also a daily choice. From my role at Bacardi and now at Women Leading Rum & Spirits, I will continue to foster spaces where women can flourish, lead, and make their mark.”

At Women Leading Rum & Spirits, we celebrate this new stage with enthusiasm, aware that Natally not only brings experience and vision, but also an authentic energy that inspires and transforms.

From Home Visits to Health Victories: Global Health Tech Gets Personal

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

“Thank you so much for coming to my home. You saved my life.”

Those simple words from Bill Adams* spoke volumes to Karen Fernandez, one of the original community health workers with an in-home healthcare program called Healthy Neighbor in Camden, New Jersey. A few days before, she had met Bill for the first time at his home and discovered that his blood pressure was incredibly high. She called the triage line and was able to get him into the emergency department the same day.

Before that first visit, Bill called Karen to ask if she was really going to show up. He didn’t have health insurance or much trust in the healthcare system that had let him down so many times before.

Karen did show up — the first step in creating trust and a foundation toward Bill’s future health.

“That’s why I do this job,” said Fernandez. “It’s rewarding. If you can make an impact on a person’s life, they will never forget it.”

This is just one of hundreds of stories illustrating the impact that the four community health workers who comprise Healthy Neighbor are bringing to the Camden community.

They are equipped with a technology platform called SPICE from Medtronic LABS, which develops community-based, tech-supported healthcare solutions for underserved communities.

This digital tool streamlines their work by capturing basic healthcare needs, tracking blood pressure and glucose over time, and flagging elevated readings for follow-up. This helps link community and health system care, reduces paperwork, and allows the community health workers to focus on their patients.

Bringing a global program home

Camden, a city of about 70,000 people across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, has a life expectancy gap of as much as 16 years compared to neighborhoods just 6.5 miles away.^[i] The rates of diabetes and high blood pressure are dramatically higher than in nearby communities.

Virtua Health is South Jersey’s largest healthcare provider, and many of its patients live in Camden. When leadership at Virtua saw these staggering health statistics, they felt compelled to do something.

“Our mission is to help our community be well, get well, and stay well. We take it very seriously,” said Dan Master, the director of community health and impact at Virtua. “And there is a lot of alignment with Medtronic LABS and Medtronic in this.”

For over a decade, Medtronic LABS has built community-based, tech-enabled solutions to address healthcare disparities around the world. But they had never built a program in the United States. Until Virtua called.

“When we first met with Virtua, we knew this was a great opportunity to bring our learnings from community-based care models in Asia and Africa to the U.S. and continue to innovate,” said Lauren Leccese, head of U.S. programs at Medtronic LABS. “The shared values and commitment to health equity across our organizations created a strong foundation as we started to build the program.”

From pilot to expansion

In August 2023, Medtronic LABS and Virtua launched Healthy Neighbor. The goal was to improve health outcomes through a home visiting program where community health workers provide integrated health and social care for patients living with high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes. And it’s working.

The data from the first two years of the program is in — and it’s remarkable:

74% of patients with uncontrolled hypertension achieved meaningful improvement (15-point mean drop in systolic blood pressure)
69% of patients with uncontrolled diabetes achieved meaningful improvements (1.2% mean drop in A1C)

These numbers are so impressive that the program is expanding. Virtua received a grant from the city of Camden to grow the community health worker team and reach more patients.

“We all had high standards and high hopes for the program when it started, and it’s been living up to them,” said Alexis Nieves, a Healthy Neighbor community health worker who has been with the program from the beginning. “And these results are not just because of us, but because the patients are willing to make changes as well.”

More than the numbers

The impact of Healthy Neighbor goes beyond data. Patients are enrolled in the program because of either uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes (or both), but the care they receive goes far beyond treating those conditions.

“It’s not normal for a medical team to go out of their way to help you,” said Greg Ashton*, a Healthy Neighbor patient. “They’re going above and beyond their duty, for someone that they don’t even know.”

There are many factors that influence a person’s health, and community health workers are skilled at addressing all of them. They help their patients secure housing, healthy food, heat, and mental-health support. They provide education on nutrition, teach patients to monitor their blood pressure and glucose levels, remind them about upcoming appointments, and help them find transportation to the appointments.

“La Shawn is a positive influence on my life, she motivates me,” said Denise Manlius, a Healthy Neighbor patient, of her community health worker. “She makes sure that I take my medications. She calls to remind me of appointments. She helped me change my eating habits. Since she’s been in my life, my A1C (blood sugar) went down. And it’s not just a paycheck to her; she really cares about her people.”

‘Someone cared enough’

“A lot of patients just need to know someone cared enough,” said La Shawn Dutton-Spruill. “To show them how to fill up their pillbox until they understand how to do it themselves. To help them understand that their meds will be green this month and white next month, but that it’s still the same medication.”

Due to the program’s success and a desire to replicate it to help more patients across the country, Virtua and Medtronic LABS created a toolkit that other health systems can use to establish Healthy Neighbor programs in their communities. The goal is to help more healthcare systems address health disparities and make a meaningful difference in the health of their patients and communities.

As Fanny Ochoa, a community health worker with Healthy Neighbor, explained, “It’s not just what you do when you’re with the patient. The reward is seeing your patients continue to make changes after you leave. The goal of our work is to create a better lifestyle and a better outcome for our patients, beyond the time that we are with them.”

*Names changed to protect patient privacy

Learn more about how Medtronic LABS develops community-based, tech-enabled solutions for underserved patients, families, and communities across the world.

Cascale Annual Meeting To Challenge Consumer Goods Industry on Climate, Decent Work

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., August 19, 2025 /3BL/ – Consumer goods industry stakeholders are headed to Hong Kong this September for the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting. The flagship event promises high-impact learning, honest dialogue, and solutions-oriented collaboration designed to accelerate progress, catalyze impact at scale, and build a more sustainable and equitable future.

Building on the momentum of the 2024 Annual Meeting in Munich, the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong will focus on the critical challenges and transformative opportunities facing the consumer goods industry, particularly in Cascale’s focus categories of apparel, footwear, and textile; home furnishings; sporting and outdoor goods; and bags and luggage. Over 800 attendees – including manufacturer, brand, retailer, and affiliate members – are expected to attend the event at the Kerry Hotel on September 15-17, which will also offer a dynamic digital experience featuring live-streamed content and a robust virtual workshop series for members and non-members joining from EMEA and AMER time zones.

“At Cascale, we believe that real progress happens when we come together — not just to talk, but to take action. The 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong will challenge our industry to move beyond ambition and into alignment — on climate, on equity, and on the business practices that define our shared future,” said Harsh Saini, interim CEO of Cascale, who will open the event on September 16 (live-streamed). “This is not just a convening of stakeholders, it’s a call to co-create solutions, scale innovation, and ensure that the consumer goods industry gives back more than it takes from people and planet.”

With program development guided by an Advisory Council that includes Dhanujie Jayapala, MAS Holdings; Priyanka Khanna, Fashion for Good; Dr. Delman Lee, TAL Apparel; Dr. Katy Stevens, European Outdoor Group; Quentin Thorel, CIEL Textile; Shasta O’Loughlin, KMD Brands Limited; and Matthew Thurston, REI, the event will feature two days of high-impact dialogue, collaboration, and opportunities to take action.

“Climate change, shifting consumer expectations, and economic volatility are rewriting the rules of global trade. We must work across industries, geographies, and even competitive lines to bridge vision and impact,” said Joseph Phi, Group CEO of Li & Fung, who will present the opening keynote on September 16 (live-streamed). “The Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting is a catalyst for transforming pledges into partnerships — and partnerships into measurable change — so that together we can redesign supply chains, scale breakthrough solutions, and ensure that trade works for people, planet, and shared prosperity.”

“Hong Kong is proud to host the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting, and connect innovation to impact,” said Hon. Sunny Tan, HKSAR Legislative Council Member (Textiles and Garment) and the Chairman of Hong Kong Fashion Council, who will present the closing keynote on September 16 (live-streamed). “As a leading hub for sustainable manufacturing and responsible business, Hong Kong stands ready to support the bold ideas, partnerships, and practical solutions that will shape a more resilient and equitable future for the consumer goods industry.”

“When we founded Cascale and the Higg Index tools, the vision was simple but urgent: to align the power of industry with the responsibility to people and planet,” said Rick Ridgeway, author, adventurer, and Cascale co-founder, who will participate in a fireside chat on September 16 (live-streamed). “That vision has grown into a global movement — and the 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we put competition aside and come together to solve the most pressing challenges of our time.

“REI’s mission is to connect every person to the power of the outdoors and engage them in the fight to protect it,” Matthew Thurston, Divisional VP Sustainability, REI Co-op, who will speak about supply chain decarbonization on September 16 (not live-streamed). “We’re proud to work alongside industry partners and participating in the Cascale Annual Meeting in Hong Kong gives us the opportunity to collaborate with global peers, align on impactful solutions, and drive the systemic change our planet urgently needs.”

“Collaboration is no longer optional — it’s the only way forward,” said Roger Lee, CEO of TAL Apparel, who will join a plenary on the connection between responsible purchasing practices and decarbonization on September 16 (live-streamed). “At the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting, we have an opportunity to break silos and align on action. Together, we can drive the systemic change needed to deliver on climate goals, support decent work, and build a future-ready industry.”

“As brands, we have a responsibility to ensure that our sustainability ambitions are matched by the way we do business,” said Anne-Laure Descours, Sustainability Advisor, PUMA, who will join the livestreamed plenary on responsible purchasing practices and decarbonization on September 16. “Decarbonization will only succeed if purchasing decisions actively enable it — creating the right incentives, timelines, and partnerships across the value chain. The Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting gives us the space to challenge our own practices, learn from peers, and work with suppliers to turn shared climate goals into measurable, scalable action.”

“Currently, decarbonization efforts are heavily driven by suppliers,” said Dinesh Virwani, Executive Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of EPIC Group, who will also join the live-streamed plenary on responsible purchasing practices and decarbonization on September 16. “At the Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting, we have a unique opportunity to come together as brands, manufacturers, and stakeholders to challenge ourselves and ask how we can evolve our relationships and purchasing practices to unlock the full decarbonization potential of the value chain, while improving the lives of our workers.”

“This year’s Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting comes at a pivotal moment for our industry,” said Suren Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of MAS Holdings, who will present the opening keynote on September 17 (live-streamed). “The gap between our sustainability ambition and the tangible outcome is widening and bridging this divide requires not just intent, but embedded, systematic change. We must weave sustainability into the very fabric of our core business strategy, move boldly from pilots to transformative, scalable solutions and foster a culture of collaboration built on trust and shared responsibility. In times of volatility and uncertainty, this is no easy path. Yet our shared calling to be changemakers that enable dreams and inspire the world, compels us forward. It reminds us that sustainability is a powerful opportunity to build a world where thriving businesses and thriving communities are one and the same.”

“This year’s Cascale annual meeting theme, ‘A Movement for All,’ perfectly captures the spirit we need now, uniting brands, manufacturers, and all other stakeholders of Cascale behind a single, practical vision for a 1.5 °C apparel industry, said Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, Chief Sustainability Officer, Komar, who will present on climate risk and building supply chain resilience on September 17 (live-streamed). “When every stakeholder’s voice is heard and every factory floor is part of the solution, innovation scales faster, financing flows wider, and climate action becomes truly inclusive. Cascale’s 2025 forum gives us the platform to turn shared intent into shared impact.

In addition to onsite programming, attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in field trips, including:

Crossroads Foundation “Struggle for Survival” Simulation – Monday September 15
Crossroads Foundation Site Visit – Friday September 19
Nilörn Sustainable Labeling in Action Factory Tour – Friday September 19
Visit to World Wildlife Fund’s Mai Po Nature Reserve – Friday September 19

The Cascale 2025 Annual Meeting is sponsored by Li & Fung & LFX, retraced, Epic Group, Tal Group, VF Corporation, Nike, Invest HK, among others. Official carrier Cathay Pacific offers registered attendees an exclusive opportunity to enjoy savings on flights to Hong Kong. Please click here for more information and sponsorship opportunities.

Worldly, the leading platform for sustainability data and analytics in consumer goods supply chains and the exclusive licensee of Cascale’s Higg Index tools, will host their Customer Forum in Hong Kong on September 18th.

Editors: For more information about media access to Cascale speakers, as well as press passes, please contact cascaleforster@forster.co.uk. Live-streamed content will be recorded and released one hour after the session concludes and available for 30 days afterwards through the app or online. All content is presented in English.

Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric promotes clean, safe water at home during National Water Quality Month

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

The leading Tulsa area home service company shares tips to reduce consumption and safeguard this vital natural resource

TULSA, Okla., Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In recognition of August’s National Water Quality Month, Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, a leading HVAC, plumbing and electric service company located in Glenpool, Oklahoma, encourages homeowners to take proactive steps to conserve and protect water at home.

“Water is one of our most precious resources, and the way we use and maintain our home’s plumbing systems can make a big difference in its quality and availability,” said Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric Vice President and Co-owner Cassie Pound. “Small changes to our routines go a long way in safeguarding our water and avoiding costly plumbing issues.”

Pound said that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends both community action and individual responsibility to keep water clean and abundant in our communities.

“From plumbing problems to wasteful water habits, small issues at home can add up to bigger environmental damage and higher monthly costs,” she said. “We often think about not polluting our rivers and streams, but we don’t realize that we need to make sure we’re not overusing water or using our sinks as dumping grounds.”

Quality President and Co-owner Oscar Pound said that homeowners can protect and conserve the water in their homes by:

Scheduling regular plumbing inspections. If a home is more than 10 years old, homeowners should schedule annual inspections to identify leaks, corrosion and water pressure issues before they become bigger problems.
Installing water–efficient fixtures. Upgrading to low-flow faucets and toilets can save homeowners hundreds of dollars a year in utility costs while reducing water consumption.
Watching the drains. Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items, harsh chemicals or cooking grease down sinks or toilets. They can clog pipes and introduce pollutants into the water system.
Promptly fixing leaks. Even slow drips waste gallons of water a day and can create conditions that encourage mold or bacteria growth, which can create more problems in the home.
Maintaining the water heater. Scheduling annual maintenance for a home’s water heater can prevent sediment buildup, improve efficiency and extend its lifespan.

“As home service experts, Quality is committed to helping our customers enjoy safe, clean and reliable water for years to come,” he said. “National Water Quality Month is a great time to remind ourselves that we all must play a role in protecting this vital resource.”

For more information about Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, visit https://quality-hc.com/ or call (918) 518-5900.

About Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric

Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has provided the residents of the Glenpool and Tulsa, Oklahoma communities with professional heating, cooling, plumbing and electric services since 2014. This locally owned and operated company offers friendly and experienced technicians, industry-leading products and professional residential systems service. Quality’s employees are also actively involved in their community and committed to those in need. Every month, the company gives back to the community through donations and volunteer work. For more information about Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric visit https://quality-hc.com/ or call (918) 518-5900.

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SOURCE Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric

Henry Schein’s 28th Annual ‘Back to School’ Program Supports Students Worldwide

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

MELVILLE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–For the 28th consecutive year, Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is helping students worldwide start the academic year off right through its “Back to School” program, a flagship initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the Company’s global corporate citizenship program. Team Schein Members (TSMs) at 45 locations in the U.S., Canada, Italy, Spain, the U.K., and Ireland are helping more than 5,200 students gain confidence and excitement for the school year. Since 1998, H

The Home Depot Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results; Reaffirms Fiscal 2025 Guidance

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

ATLANTA, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot^®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $45.3 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $2.1 billion, or 4.9% from the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Comparable sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 increased 1.0%, and comparable sales in the U.S. increased 1.4%. For the second quarter of fiscal 2025, foreign exchange rates negatively impacted total company comparable sales by approximately 40 basis points.

Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 were $4.6 billion, or $4.58 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $4.6 billion, or $4.60 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2024.

Adjusted⁽¹⁾ diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 were $4.68, compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $4.67 in the same period of fiscal 2024.

“Our second quarter results were in line with our expectations. The momentum that began in the back half of last year continued throughout the first half as customers engaged more broadly in smaller home improvement projects,” said Ted Decker, chair, president and CEO. “Our teams are executing at a high level and we continue to grow market share. I would like to thank our associates for their continued hard work and dedication.”

Fiscal 2025 Guidance

The company reaffirms its guidance for fiscal 2025, a 52-week year compared to fiscal 2024, a 53-week year.

Total sales growth of approximately 2.8%
Comparable sales growth of approximately 1.0% for the comparable 52-week period
Approximately 13 new stores
Gross margin of approximately 33.4%
Operating margin of approximately 13.0%
Adjusted⁽¹⁾ operating margin of approximately 13.4%
Tax rate of approximately 24.5%
Net interest expense of approximately $2.2 billion
Diluted earnings-per-share to decline approximately 3% from $14.91 in fiscal 2024
Adjusted⁽¹⁾ diluted earnings-per-share to decline approximately 2% from $15.24 in fiscal 2024
Capital expenditures of approximately 2.5% of total sales

⁽¹⁾

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). As used in this earnings release, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted diluted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the end of this release for an explanation of these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at ir.homedepot.com/events-and-presentations.

At the end of the second quarter, the company operated a total of 2,353 retail stores and over 800 branches across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs over 470,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” under the federal securities laws, including as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events, and use words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “target,” “prospects,” “potential,” “commit” and “forecast,” or words of similar import or meaning or refer to future time periods. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the demand for our products and services, including as a result of macroeconomic conditions and changing customer preferences and expectations; net sales growth; comparable sales; the effects of competition; our brand and reputation; implementation of interconnected retail, store, supply chain, technology innovation and other strategic initiatives, including with respect to real estate; inventory and in-stock positions; the state of the economy; the state of the housing and home improvement markets; the state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans, and consumer and trade credit; the impact of tariffs, trade policy changes or restrictions, or international trade disputes and efforts and ability to continue to diversify our supply chain; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings including trade credit; management of relationships with our associates, jobseekers, suppliers and service providers; cost and availability of labor; costs of fuel and other energy sources; events that could disrupt our business, supply chain, technology infrastructure, or demand for our products and services, such as tariffs, trade policy changes or restrictions or international trade disputes, natural disasters, climate change, public health issues, cybersecurity events, labor disputes, geopolitical conflicts, military conflicts, or acts of war; our ability to maintain a safe and secure store environment; our ability to address expectations regarding sustainability and human capital management matters and meet related goals; continuation or suspension of share repurchases; net earnings performance; earnings per share; future dividends; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; changes in interest rates; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; commodity or other price inflation and deflation; our ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims, and litigation, including compliance with related settlements; the challenges of operating in international markets; the adequacy of insurance coverage; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of legal and regulatory changes, including executive orders and other administrative or legislative actions, such as changes to tax laws and regulations; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2025 and beyond; financial outlook; the status of the pending acquisition of GMS Inc.; and the impact of acquired companies, including SRS, on our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of any completed or pending acquisitions.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on the actions of third parties, or currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 2, 2025 and also as described from time to time in reports subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There also may be other factors that we cannot anticipate or that are not described herein, generally because we do not currently perceive them to be material. Such factors could cause results to differ materially from our expectations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in our other public statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
These statements are also supplemented with certain non-GAAP financial measures. When used in conjunction with our GAAP financial measures, we believe these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures will help management and investors to better understand and analyze our performance. However, this supplemental information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures. Refer to the end of this release for an explanation and definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
*in millions, except per share data*	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	% Change	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	% Change
Net sales	$ 45,277	$ 43,175	4.9 %	$ 85,133	$ 79,593	7.0 %
Cost of sales	30,152	28,759	4.8	56,549	52,744	7.2
Gross profit	15,125	14,416	4.9	28,584	26,849	6.5
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	7,764	7,144	8.7	15,294	13,811	10.7
Depreciation and amortization	806	738	9.2	1,602	1,425	12.4
Total operating expenses	8,570	7,882	8.7	16,896	15,236	10.9
Operating income	6,555	6,534	0.3	11,688	11,613	0.6
Interest and other (income) expense:
Interest income and other, net	(25)	(84)	(70.2)	(49)	(141)	(65.2)
Interest expense	575	573	0.3	1,190	1,058	12.5
Interest and other, net	550	489	12.5	1,141	917	24.4
Earnings before provision for income taxes	6,005	6,045	(0.7)	10,547	10,696	(1.4)
Provision for income taxes	1,454	1,484	(2.0)	2,563	2,535	1.1
Net earnings	$ 4,551	$ 4,561	(0.2) %	$ 7,984	$ 8,161	(2.2) %

Basic weighted average common shares	992	990	0.2 %	992	989	0.3 %
Basic earnings per share	$ 4.59	$ 4.61	(0.4)	$ 8.05	$ 8.25	(2.4)

Diluted weighted average common shares	994	992	0.2 %	994	992	0.2 %
Diluted earnings per share	$ 4.58	$ 4.60	(0.4)	$ 8.03	$ 8.23	(2.4)

	Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
Selected sales data:	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	% Change	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	% Change
Comparable sales (% change)	1.0 %	(3.3) %	N/A	0.4 %	(3.1) %	N/A
Comparable customer transactions (% change) ⁽¹⁾	(0.4) %	(2.2) %	N/A	(0.5) %	(1.9) %	N/A
Comparable average ticket (% change) ⁽¹⁾	1.4 %	(1.3) %	N/A	0.7 %	(1.3) %	N/A
Customer transactions (in millions) ⁽¹⁾	446.8	451.0	(0.9) %	841.6	837.8	0.5 %
Average ticket ⁽¹⁾	$ 90.01	$ 88.90	1.2	$ 90.34	$ 89.72	0.7

—————
(1)	Customer transactions and average ticket measures do not include results from HD Supply or SRS.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

*in millions*	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	February 2, 2025
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,804	$ 1,613	$ 1,659
Receivables, net	5,878	5,503	4,903
Merchandise inventories	24,843	23,060	23,451
Other current assets	1,866	2,097	1,670
Total current assets	35,391	32,273	31,683
Net property and equipment	26,896	26,640	26,702
Operating lease right-of-use assets	8,662	8,613	8,592
Goodwill	19,619	19,414	19,475
Intangible assets, net	8,770	9,214	8,983
Other assets	711	692	684
Total assets	$ 100,049	$ 96,846	$ 96,119

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$ —	$ 2,527	$ 316
Accounts payable	13,086	13,206	11,938
Accrued salaries and related expenses	2,385	2,105	2,315
Current installments of long-term debt	6,400	1,339	4,582
Current operating lease liabilities	1,336	1,242	1,274
Other current liabilities	7,639	7,704	8,236
Total current liabilities	30,846	28,123	28,661
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	45,917	51,869	48,485
Long-term operating lease liabilities	7,668	7,635	7,633
Other long-term liabilities	4,953	4,799	4,700
Total liabilities	89,384	92,426	89,479
Total stockholders’ equity	10,665	4,420	6,640
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 100,049	$ 96,846	$ 96,119

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended
*in millions*	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$ 7,984	$ 8,161
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, excluding amortization of intangible assets	1,720	1,615
Intangible asset amortization	278	142
Stock-based compensation expense	288	222
Changes in working capital	(1,821)	667
Changes in deferred income taxes	490	159
Other operating activities	29	(60)
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,968	10,906

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,723)	(1,566)
Payments for businesses acquired, net	(233)	(17,570)
Other investing activities	64	38
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,892)	(19,098)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt, net	(316)	2,527
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts	76	9,952
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,199)	(1,255)
Repurchases of common stock	—	(649)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	163	210
Cash dividends	(4,574)	(4,460)
Other financing activities	(130)	(212)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(5,980)	6,113
Change in cash and cash equivalents	1,096	(2,079)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	49	(68)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,659	3,760
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 2,804	$ 1,613

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin (calculated as adjusted operating income divided by total net sales), and adjusted diluted earnings per share are presented as supplemental financial measures in the evaluation of our business that are not required by or presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company excludes the impact of amortization expense from acquired intangible assets from adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin, and the impact of amortization expense from acquired intangible assets, including the related tax effects, from adjusted diluted earnings per share. We do not adjust for the revenue that is generated in part from the use of our acquired intangible assets. Amortization expense, unlike the related revenue, is not affected by operations in any particular period unless an intangible asset becomes impaired, or the useful life of an intangible asset is revised.

When used in conjunction with our GAAP results, we believe these non-GAAP measures provide investors with meaningful supplemental measures of our performance period to period, make it easier for investors to compare our underlying business performance to peers, and align to how management analyzes trends and evaluates performance internally. The Company provides non-GAAP financial information on this basis to facilitate comparability when we report earnings results. These non-GAAP measures should not be a substitute for their comparable GAAP financial measures. Investors should rely primarily on our GAAP results and use non-GAAP financial measures only supplementally in making investment decisions. Our calculation of non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures in the same way, which may limit their usefulness as comparative measures.

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME AND ADJUSTED OPERATING MARGIN

	Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
*USD in millions*	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	% Change	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	% Change
Operating income (GAAP)	$ 6,555	$ 6,534	0.3 %	$ 11,688	$ 11,613	0.6 %
Operating margin ⁽¹⁾	14.5 %	15.1 %		13.7 %	14.6 %
Acquired intangible asset amortization ⁽²⁾	139	90		278	142
Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)	$ 6,694	$ 6,624	1.1 %	$ 11,966	$ 11,755	1.8 %
Adjusted operating margin (Non-GAAP) ⁽³⁾	14.8 %	15.3 %		14.1 %	14.8 %

—————
(1)	Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by total net sales.
(2)	Amounts include acquired intangible asset amortization of $87 million and $174 million during the three and six months ended August 3, 2025, respectively, and $39 million during the three and six months ended July 28, 2024 related to SRS which was acquired on June 18, 2024.
(3)	Adjusted operating margin is calculated as adjusted operating income divided by total net sales.

Our adjusted operating margin guidance for fiscal 2025 excludes an expected approximately 40 basis point impact from acquired intangible asset amortization.

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

	Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended
*per share amounts*	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	% Change	August 3, 2025	July 28, 2024	% Change
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)	$ 4.58	$ 4.60	(0.4) %	$ 8.03	$ 8.23	(2.4) %
Impact of acquired intangible asset amortization	0.14	0.09		0.28	0.14
Income tax impact of non-GAAP adjustment ⁽¹⁾	(0.04)	(0.02)		(0.07)	(0.03)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)	$ 4.68	$ 4.67	0.2 %	$ 8.24	$ 8.34	(1.2) %

—————
(1)	Calculated as the per share impact of acquired intangible asset amortization multiplied by the Company’s effective tax rate for the period.

Our adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance for fiscal 2025 excludes an expected after-tax impact of approximately $0.40 from acquired intangible asset amortization.

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SOURCE The Home Depot

SANY Unveils the 50-ton Energy Storage Reach Stacker as the Pioneer to Meet the Industry Challenge

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

BEIJING, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Driven by the energy transition and carbon‑neutrality goals, the energy‑storage industry is expanding rapidly. Large-scale projects are emerging worldwide and raising the bar for lifting equipment. SANY continues to invest in technological innovation, launching a portfolio of energy‑storage reach stackers designed to meet the demands of large‑capacity projects.

This March, SANY’s 65-ton energy storage reach stacker rolled off the assembly line and has been working at the customer’s site for nearly half a year smoothly. To meet different working conditions, SANY launched the world’s first 50t energy storage reach stacker on August 1^st, featuring robust performance, outstanding energy saving, and long-lasting endurance to address key challenges in the industry’s lifting operations.

Powerful lifting capability

The 50-ton reach stacker is specialized for energy storage containers and can perfectly lift ISO 20-foot / 40-foot energy storage containers.

It offers stacking capacity for up to 6 containers, greatly enhancing storage density within limited space. With a maximum hoisting capacity of 50 tons, it ensures the efficient transfer and installation of energy storage cabinets, maintaining exceptional stability during movement.

Outstanding energy efficiency

The machine is equipped with an advanced electric control pump, precisely controlling the current output through programs and algorithms, which reduces energy losses fundamentally. The high-pressure hydraulic system reduces pressure loss by 50%, further lowering energy consumption.

Energy recovery is a key feature. The potential energy of the boom, lifting gear and energy storage cabinets during the boom’s descent can be recovered efficiently with an overall recovery efficiency of over 65%. That means every 1 kWh of consumption in lifting can be recovered by 0.4 kWh during descent.

Reliable long-lasting endurance

Large-scale energy‑storage projects with tight schedules impose strict demands on equipment endurance. The 50 t reach stacker consumes as little as 1.8 kWh per container move. With a 512 kWh swappable battery system that supports both fast charging and battery swapping, it delivers over 7 hours of continuous operation, significantly reducing downtime from charging.

The first units will be delivered to customers and enter operation in August 2025. The launch of the 50 t and 65 t energy‑storage reach stackers marks SANY’s targeted response to industry needs and underscores its commitment to global green‑energy development. Looking ahead, SANY will continue to strengthen its R&D to advance an efficient, low-carbon, and sustainable energy transition worldwide.

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SOURCE SANY Group

Debt.com’s 2025 Financial Regrets Survey Reveals Credit Card Debt Still America’s #1 Money Mistake

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Nearly 1 in 4 Americans regret charging too much on credit cards—tied to rising balances and cost-of-living pressure.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Americans continue to struggle with financial decisions they wish they could take back—and for the second consecutive year, credit card debt tops the list.

Nearly 8 in 10 Americans (78%) said they have at least one financial regret, according to Debt.com’s 2025 Financial Regrets Survey of more than 1,000 adults. Topping the list again was credit card overspending at 24%, an uptick from last year when 21% responded the same way.

“In a time of economic uncertainty, it’s not surprising that credit card regret has risen,” says Howard Dvorkin, CPA, chairman of Debt.com. “When everyday essentials—from groceries to gas—cost more, people rely on credit cards to close the gap. The problem is that those balances grow fast and so does regret.”

Other regrets include:

Not saving for retirement earlier (23%)
Falling short in saving for emergencies (18%)
Taking on too much student loan debt (11%)

Credit Card Debt Burden and Number of Cards Contribute to Regrets

Carrying more credit card debt is increasingly linked to carrying more cards. In Debt.com’s first Financial Regrets Survey conducted in 2024, just 10% of respondents reported having more than six credit cards, now that number is at 16%. Among those who regret overspending on credit cards:

40% owe $5,000–$15,000
1 in 3 owe more than $15,000
1 in 10 carry a balance between $30,000 and $50,000
Nearly 3 in 10 (29%) have four to five credit cards

More cards also mean more debt. “We’re seeing debt regret linked directly to how many cards people are managing. It’s financial overload,” notes Don Silvestri, president of Debt.com.

Generational Data Offers Glimpse at Varying Regrets

Generational data shows that financial regrets vary depending on which generation you fall into and suggest the shifting of priorities for others:

28% of Gen Z regrets not saving enough emergency expenses
26% of Millennials regret charging too much debt on credit cards, a sharp drop from 45% in 2024
31% of Gen X wishes they had saved for retirement earlier
48% of Baby Boomers regret not saving for retirement earlier

Retirement Savings Second Among Financial Regrets

There are slightly more people with retirement savings regrets this year. The study found that both Gen X and Baby Boomers regret not saving earlier for retirement.

Looking at retirement savings, 20% reveal that they have nothing saved, which is up from 18% last year. Among the typical starting age of those who are saving for retirement, 31% are 26-35 years old, 25% are 36-45 years old and 16% are between 45-55 years old. A surprising positive trend shows that 9% of those between 18-25 years old have already started saving for retirement.

Saving for Emergencies: A Regret and a Concern

Emergency savings are a big concern, especially for Gen Z. More than 1 in 4 (28%) of Gen Z regrets not saving enough for emergency expenses compared to 19% of Millennials, 15% of Gen X, and 12% of Baby Boomers.

The Emotional Toll of Financial Regrets

In 2024, 49% with regret said it was “always on their mind” that number is now 37%. “We’re seeing money conversations show up more in pop culture—TV, podcasts, social media. Financial regret is becoming something people talk about openly, and that’s a good thing. But talking needs to lead to action,” says Silvestri.

Those thinking about their financial regret several times a week increased from 19% to 32% in this year’s survey. “Financial regret can be painful, but it’s also powerful,” Dvorkin added. “Recognizing past mistakes is often the first step toward making smarter decisions moving forward.”

About Debt.com

Debt.com is a trusted source for consumers seeking help with credit card debt, student loans, tax debt, credit repair, and more. By connecting people with vetted financial professionals and educational tools, Debt.com empowers Americans to make smart money decisions and regain control of their finances.

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SOURCE Debt.com

Techbros Electronic Recycling Launches Southwest’s First AI-Integrated E-Waste Facility

Posted on August 19, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. , Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a groundbreaking move that’s redefining electronics recycling, Techbros Electronic Recycling has officially launched the Southwest’s first fully AI-integrated, R2v3-certified ITAD and e-waste processing facility a next-generation operation that fuses sustainability, automation, and military-grade data destruction under one roof.

With global e-waste projected to exceed 74 million tons by 2030, Techbros is rising to meet the challenge by leveraging artificial intelligence across all facets of its business, from intelligent logistics planning and real-time inventory workflows to automated device diagnostics, downstream tracking, and marketing optimization.

“We believe AI isn’t just about efficiency, it’s a powerful tool for creating sustainable systems, minimizing waste, and extending the lifecycle of valuable electronics,” said Sarkes Mkrdichian, of Techbros. “We’ve built a facility that’s smarter, greener, and more secure one that sets a new benchmark for ITAD and recycling in America.”

Built to meet the highest industry certifications, including R2v3, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001. The newly expanded facility features a live customer portal powered by ERP and diagnostic integrations, providing clients with real-time visibility, compliance records, and asset tracking.

The company is working with a growing network of AI-powered partners to ensure every aspect of its operations drives value and reduces environmental impact:

Strategic Tech & Sustainability Ecosystem:

WipeOS – Secure, AI-integrated data wiping and reporting
Makor ERP – Real-time inventory, compliance, and downstream logistics
SEMRush, Uplead, Mailchimp & HubSpot – AI-driven lead generation, remarketing, and customer engagement
Advanced Diagnostic Platforms – AI-based hardware testing and resale evaluation
Predictive Route Optimization – Reducing emissions through AI-enhanced scheduling and pickup logistics

“From the moment a client schedules a pickup to the final stage of asset resale or certified destruction, AI helps us make smarter, more sustainable decisions at every step,” added Mkrdichian.

Techbros services a growing client base that includes data centers, healthcare networks, Fortune 500 enterprises, and public institutions, offering free electronics pickup, full audit reporting, and environmentally responsible recycling with a strict zero-landfill policy.

Facility Highlights:

AI-driven diagnostics, logistics, and testing workflows
Secure data destruction of data-bearing devices
Customer transparency via live portal and compliance dashboards
Global partnerships with certified downstream recyclers
Dallas & Iowa facilities scheduled to open in 2026

Media Contact:
admin@techbrosaz.com
877-321-ITAD

Techbros isn’t just processing electronics, it’s reshaping how businesses think about IT asset recovery, compliance, and circular sustainability in the age of AI.

Scottsdale HQ: 7707 E. Acoma Dr, Suite 101–103, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.

Phone: +1 (480) 447–7356 / Book Now
Email: recycle@techbrosaz.com

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SOURCE Techbros